The banquet in Qionglin Garden was a banquet given by the emperor. Although it was not held in the court hall, some current political issues were still raised.
As the prime minister, Tongping Zhangshi Lu Yi simply reported to Zhao Zhen an official report. The Zhengdan envoy of the Khitan people had already set off from the Dading Mansion in Zhongjing of the Liao Dynasty.
Only then did Ye An realize that the new year was approaching and exchanges between countries were about to begin.
The full name of the so-called Zhengdan envoy is "He Zhengdan envoy". This thing was a deformed product in the Han Dynasty, and it was also a recognized messenger in the Song Dynasty.
Zhengdan envoys are very easy to understand. They are the envoys of the country who serve as courtiers to congratulate the queen mother, emperor or empress of the other country on Zhengdan.
The reason why it is said to be deformed is because which of the Han dynasties is not the kingdom of heaven, and which one is not the kingdom of all nations?
When did the Han people actually send envoys to foreign countries to wish others "Happy New Year"?!
The relationship between the Song Dynasty and Liao Dynasty was quite strange. It was only after Ye An arrived in Tokyo that he discovered that he had seen some doubts in the history books, but when he actually arrived in Tokyo, he discovered that the "relationship between the two countries" was completely different from his imagination.
Same.
Even when he first arrived in Tokyo, Ye An saw the exchanges between Song and Liao.
This exchange focused on culture, which proved the success of the Song Dynasty's "cultural export".
Without him, poems and songs of the Song Dynasty were constantly appearing in the four capitals of the Liao Dynasty, and Han culture was popularized by young people ranging from princes and nobles to common people in Li.
The Liao people even sent out transcribers to search for masterpieces of nouns in Tokyo for the reading of "Chinese people".
What a powerful cultural export this is!
Ye An feels that future generations will be at a disadvantage compared to the present. In future generations, they will find ways to export their own culture, but in this era, others come to ask you for cultural export……
The political system of the Liao Dynasty was also moving closer to that of the Song Dynasty. Although the relationship between the two sides was still hostile, they could recognize each other and even referred to each other as the Southern Dynasty and the Northern Dynasty.
This weird and reasonable situation, hostility and survival, competition and trade, seems really remarkable to Ye An.
Of course, Ye An never felt that the Liao people should have the status they have today, and they should not become a chronic disease of the Han Dynasty and a helpless problem for the Song Dynasty and Jinou.
He is not a populist, but he is an out-and-out nationalist.
In Ye An's view, it was perfectly fine for the Khitans to become a Chinese nation, but it would be a big mistake for the Khitans to become a Chinese dynasty. Since the Song Dynasty recognized them as the Northern Dynasties, it was a helpless move.
Because of rituals, the history of the Liao Dynasty was longer than that of the Song Dynasty. First, Yelu Abaoji established the Liao Dynasty, and then Taizu established the Song Dynasty on behalf of Zhou Dynasty.
One advantage of the Han people is that they are reasonable, but it is also a disadvantage, they are still reasonable...
This is not something that only happened in the Song Dynasty, but a "tradition" that has been preserved for thousands of years, even thousands of years later. Sometimes the rigidity of the head makes people crazy...
Zhengdan is the New Year, and Zhengdan is coming. As the Northern Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty sent envoys to congratulate the king and queen mother of the Song Dynasty. This was no problem, so the Song Dynasty also sent envoys to the Liao Dynasty to congratulate the emperor and queen of the other side.
After all, in terms of etiquette and law, Song and Liao were countries of brothers!
Ye An drank alone, but his drink was not fermented wine, but a slightly alcoholic fruit wine, which was far different from the fruit wine of later generations.
Xia Song stood there and made an impassioned speech, expressing his attitude that he was unwilling to send the Zhengdan envoy of the Liao Dynasty to the Song Dynasty.
And in such a short time as a cup of tea, he was able to produce such exquisite parallel prose. It is really amazing his talent.
Because his father died in the Khitan invasion, Xia Song did not want to meet the Khitan leader. This was a matter of course.
But as long as you are on a mission to another court, you will most likely have considerable political "gains". Credit is inevitable, and you will be rewarded by the emperor when you return, or you will be promoted to a higher position, or you will be reused.
In terms of rituals and emotions, Xia Song was unwilling to send an envoy to Khitan. This clear attitude and stance was undoubtedly "politically correct."
Smart people can see that Xia Song showed his attitude in this way, which was benevolent and filial. As an official of the Song Dynasty who ruled the world with filial piety, he would definitely be highly praised.
Sure enough, Zhao Zhen put down the wine cup in his hand and said seriously: "I am deeply pleased that you can be so pure and filial! However, the affairs of the country are not actions of will. The magnanimity of a great country and the demeanor of a superior country should be taught! Xia Qingzhi
Although my father died on the battlefield, it was an act of meritorious service for the country, and you have made Khitan a national body!"
In just a few words, you can see Zhao Zhen's "little man but big devil".
Ye An nodded slightly. This student actually had a heart as delicate as seven orifices. He praised Xia Song in public and asked him to go to the Liao Dynasty as an envoy to the Liao Dynasty in the name of "enlightenment" for the country.
The most important thing was not to disgrace Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng. After all, both of them recommended Xia Song as the Zhengdan envoy.
Ye An smiled slightly. Zhao Zhen did not see through Xia Song's little thoughts. He was actually doing this to silence those who were jealous and to excuse his own behavior.
It is impossible to say that he knew that he would be recommended by Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng as the Zhengdan envoy.
So in this way, he, Xia Song, was unwilling to go to Khitan as an envoy and was taken over by the officials to take the post. Naturally, it was difficult for others to disagree with him.
Isn’t it such a person who can express his filial piety in front of the emperor and get the emperor’s endorsement, so that others will not find out the fact that his father was killed by the Khitans on the battlefield as a means of attacking him for being unfilial?
Are you both resourceful and clever?
Xia Song also saw Ye An's smiling face like a chrysanthemum. There was also a hint of deep meaning in Ye An's smile, which made Xia Song couldn't help but look embarrassed.
The smiling gaze was too direct and too different. When he looked at Xia Song, he even felt as if he was being stripped of his clothes in the hall, and was being seen "inside" at a glance.
Xia Song couldn't help but throw out the thoughts in his head. Xia Song didn't believe that Ye An had such a sophisticated vision. Maybe it was because she paid too much attention to him.
He is a smart man, and he is also a very good observer, often observing the smallest differences in subtle things.
After becoming interested in Ye An, Xia Song deliberately observed his past and came to the conclusion that this young marquis was not as simple and ignorant as he seemed.
Under this simple and ignorant picture, what is hidden is probably a "monster" even more evil than himself.
He was afraid of pondering everything, and he didn't ponder Ye An thoroughly. Even though Ye An had already distanced himself from this "competent minister", he was still on his radar after all.
Under the emperor's retention and persuasion, Xia Song burst into tears of gratitude and praised the young emperor's wisdom and persuasion to him, which strengthened his determination to go to Khitan as an envoy.
Anyone who can get an errand as an envoy to other dynasties, especially a dynasty as powerful as the Liao Dynasty, will definitely be rewarded by the emperor once they return.
This mission can almost be said to be a step for Xia Song to take a further step in the court.
As a "senior" in the court, Li Zunxu naturally explained Xia Song in a low voice to Ye An, who was open-minded and studious.
"The good opportunity for Xia Zhigao at the moment is not given by Prime Minister Lu, but by Prime Minister Wang. It is actually due to his many years of political performance. In the past ten years, the three magistrates have made outstanding achievements. Zhongshu's disciples were ranked as the best, and they were also appointed by the saints.
Those who know how to make imperial edicts and judge Jixian Academy."
After saying that, he looked at Ye An with a look that you know, and whispered again: "This person is very resourceful. He is not a kind person. It is better to keep him at a distance and not to become close to him."
Ye An looked at Li Zunxu in surprise, until he looked uncomfortable before he raised his thumb and said in admiration: "Shibo is a talented person, he will definitely live to be a hundred years old!"
"I'll lend you auspicious words, I'll lend you auspicious words..."