I don’t like war. Whether it is just or unjust, because war will always cause fatal harm to the people. As the Yuan Dynasty scholar Zhang Yanghao wrote decades later in his work "Shanshan Sheep. Tong Cares about the Ancient". " When it prospers, the people suffer; when it dies, the people suffer."
Although Zhang Yanghao was not born at this time, it is also unknown whether Zhang Yanghao can write this song because of my arrival. But it is undeniable that these two little songs reveal an eternal line with a far-reaching historical perspective. An unbreakable truth. No matter which dynasty in history, whether they prosper or fail, the people always suffer.
I am Emperor Zhao Hu. But I am also a common person in Huyan Donghai. And I come from eight hundred years later. So naturally I can understand the suffering of the common people better.
After conquering the country, Zhao Kuangyin, the brave and proficient founding emperor of the Song Dynasty, usually adopted a tolerant attitude when facing powerful enemies around him. As long as he could exchange annual tribute for peace, he would not go to war easily. Many historians in later generations believed that It was caused by the Song people's greed for life and fear of death. But this was actually one of the national policies set by Zhao Kuangyin, the ancestor who was least afraid of death. After Zhao Kuangyin came to the throne, he did not make up his mind to fight the Khitans. Instead, he adopted a peaceful approach as much as possible. This kind of thinking has always influenced the subsequent emperors of the Song Dynasty. If it can be solved with money, there is no need to start a war. Of course, this kind of thinking cannot be simply attributed to cowardice. An emperor of the Song Dynasty once said, "Think of the innocent in the world. ." This means that the emperor's idea is to fight less and kill less.
History is difficult to interpret in terms of right and wrong. Although the Song Dynasty was always on the defensive, it could last for three hundred years. Moreover, its economy had reached the peak of feudal society. If it had not encountered the most powerful Mongolian cavalry in history, it would have been Development is still unpredictable.
By the end of the Southern Song Dynasty, with the rise of Mongolia, war was inevitable.
Mongolia is not like the Jin Kingdom. It is willing to rule across the river. If Mongolia wants to destroy me, it will naturally launch a full-scale war of aggression. Of course, I will not just surrender. And I also want to recover the Central Plains. The Mongols will not retreat obediently to Its birthplace. This can only be solved by war.
This is a situation of death and destruction. The outcome can only be a smile and a cry. For this war, I must win. In order to exchange for the continuation of my Han clan at the minimum cost, in order to continue to maintain my leading position in the world, Greater China .
Less than half an hour after Xia Gui left, I received the third battle report from Luzhou and an urgent report from Anqing. The Luzhou battle report came in. After Ashu occupied the towns of Anhua and Anfei. Launched a tentative attack on Luzhou City. It was quickly repelled by our defenders. The casualties on both sides were very small. The emergency report from Anqing Prefecture reported that a small number of Mongolian cavalry were discovered 150 miles north of Anqing. .
According to the speed of the eight-hundred-mile emergency report, the contents of the battle report I received were roughly what happened a day or two ago. Judging from the analysis of the Privy Council and the Ministry of War in the past few days, A Shu's intention was generally to plunder and harass. Two emergency reports seemed to corroborate this speculation.
Jia Sidao saw me reading and said: "Your Majesty, the Mongolian cavalry has been discovered between Luzhou and Anqing. Do you want to change General Xiagui's marching route?"
According to the plan, the imperial army led by Xia Gui will go straight to Luzhou after setting off from Lin'an. Jia Sidao meant to ask whether it is necessary to change the route slightly. They will go to Anqing first, and then go directly north to Luzhou.
"Master, what do you think?"
"Your Majesty, I think each has its pros and cons. Please make your decision."
I suddenly felt that Jia Sidao was testing me. This is possible. That is also possible. Just like whether to send troops to Luzhou. Jia Sidao's answer is also between two options. There are two choices for these two multiple-choice questions. They all make sense. Jia Sidao explained the meaning of the question like a teacher, but it was up to me to make the choice.
There are two routes from Lin'an to Luzhou. The closest one is to cross the river from Dangtu and then go northwest. The other is to cross the river from Anqing and then go all the way north.
I thought for a while and said: "Shi Chen, please send an order to the Anqing Mansion to continue to monitor, with the primary responsibility of guarding the city and rescuing the surrounding people. In addition, send a copy of the two latest battle reports from Huainan West Road to Xia Guixia Aiqing. Judge your own marching route."
Jia Sidao tested me. I also took the opportunity to test Xia Gui. No matter how you choose this question, you can't make a mistake. The impact will not be big. Of course, this is based on the premise that the Mongols will not attack Luzhou with all their strength. Down.
Jia Sidao glanced at me with some surprise and said: "Yes. Your Majesty. I will immediately go to the Privy Council to convey His Majesty's instructions."
"Well, my dear friends, we will discuss the military situation here for the time being. Let's continue with the court meeting. Master, a few days ago you proposed to expand the Government Affairs Council to ensure the smooth implementation of the provincial system. I think it is feasible and necessary. The two recommendations recommended by Master I agree with the celebrity choice of Mengyan and Chen Yizhong. But I think it is not enough just to add these two people. So this time I will add three more. Wang Yao, Wu Jian and Zhang Jiansan. A beloved lady."
"I'm here," the three of them said as they came out of class.
"Liu Mengyan, Chen Yizhong's two beloved ladies."
"I'm here." Liu, Chen and others also came out.
"Five beloved ministers, I designate you as academicians of the Government Affairs Council. Together with the three original academicians Wen Tianxiang, Lu Xiufu and Zhao Shunsun, you will form the basic team of the Government Affairs Council. The Government Affairs Council currently has only one task, and that is the implementation of the provincial system. This This will be a key matter of our government in recent years. This matter is headed by Wen Tianxiang and Wen Aiqing, with the other seven people assisting Ai Qing. I hope you will do your best to implement this reform plan as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I obey your order."
Perhaps Jia Sidao did not expect that five people would be added at once, but the two people he recommended were ranked above them. It can be considered a small gain.
These eight ministers have all served as prime ministers in different periods in the late Southern Song Dynasty. My Government Affairs Council has become the Prime Minister's Council. As for whether the eight ministers have real information, I just took this opportunity to investigate.
"Liao Yingzhong. Liao Aiqing."
"I'm here."
"How is the progress of the boundary survey of Fujian Road?"
"Back to Your Majesty. The Fujian Road officials are very cooperative this time. I expect it to be completed before the end of this month."
"Okay. I plan to restart my plan to reform the land system. This matter has been postponed for a period of time due to inaccurate measurement of the economic boundary. After the land measurement of Fujian Road is completed this time, let's start from Fujian Road. My dear friends .From ancient times to the present, the land system has always been the foundation of a dynasty. This matter is also a major event no less than the reform of the provincial system. I will hand over this matter to the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture for joint completion."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Jiang Wanli and Zhao Kui stepped out and said.
"Two old Aiqings, let your subordinates do this first. Liao Aiqing, you will take the lead in the specific matters regarding the land system reform. The Minister of Agriculture, Yang Dong, will be in charge."
"Yes. I obey your order."
"Liao Aiqing and Yang Aiqing. For land reform, you first draft a draft. The content can be rough. As long as it is for land. I have issued instructions on the reform of the land system before. You can refer to it. At the same time, you must listen extensively to land ownership The opinions of landowners and land users. In addition, we can learn from past land reform measures, such as the square field equalization tax law, the official land law, etc. that were implemented in this dynasty."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"This draft will be completed by the end of this month. Are there any problems?"
Liao Yingzhong looked at Jia Sidao, then looked at Yang Dong and said, "Your Majesty, no problem."
"Okay. When your draft comes out, I will review it."
Liao Yingzhong remembered that Jia Sidao had said a few days ago that the emperor wanted to serve as minister of the Ministry of Commerce. Is this true? You must know that the executors of land reform in this dynasty are all ministers at the prime minister level. The emperor mentioned The Fangtian Equalization Tax Law was supervised and implemented by Wang Anshi, the prime minister at the time. The Gongtian Law was implemented by Jia Sidao and Jia Xiangye. Both of them were powerful prime ministers. Liao Yingzhong was very talented and very knowledgeable about court affairs. Confident. It is certainly a good thing that the emperor wants to promote him. But the tone of the grand master that day was a bit weird. He seemed to be afraid that he would fall to the emperor's side. Although he belonged to the line of grand masters, like the grand master, he was an official in the Song Dynasty. He is a minister of the emperor. No matter what he does, he can easily offend anyone. But he cannot afford to offend anyone.
"Hey." Liao Yingzhong sighed secretly. Why did she need to become an official in the court in the first place?
"Dear dear friends, I have written this note. If nothing happens, I will withdraw from the court."
After the court meeting ended, Ma Tingluan came to me quietly and whispered, "Your Majesty, Chen Huang, the king of the southern Annan Kingdom, sent an envoy to meet your Majesty. He is waiting outside the palace."
I was stunned and said: "Envoy."
This is the first time since I came to the throne that an envoy from a vassal country has visited me.
"Ma Aiqing, tell me about the situation in Annan Kingdom."
"Yes, Your Majesty. According to historical records, the Annan Kingdom originated from the Nanyue Kingdom. It was founded by Zhao Tuo, a famous general of the Qin Dynasty. It was a county-based country in the Lingnan area at that time. It was later destroyed by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and included in the territory of the Han Dynasty. In In the following nearly a thousand years, the Annan Kingdom sometimes became a vassal state of the Central Plains Dynasty, and sometimes it was directly under the jurisdiction of the dynasty. During the period of Taizu of our dynasty, King Annan was canonized as the King of Jiaozhi by Emperor Taizu, and became an autonomous vassal state. In the first year of Chunxi of Xiaozong (1174), Xiaozong paid tribute to Jiaozhi, which was commendable. He specially issued an edict to give the name of Annan. The ruler of Jiaozhi established the name of the country for the king. The next year, King Annan asked for the national seal. Emperor Xiaozong The six characters of King Annan's seal were given by Wen."
I only have a general impression of Annan Kingdom. To put it simply, it is Vietnam in later generations. As for its specific history, I cannot remember it.
"Ma Aiqing. What is the current situation in Annan Kingdom?"
"Your Majesty, since the war between Song and Mongolia, Annan State has gradually reduced its contact with the two sides except for normal tribute. About seven years ago, Annan State was succeeded by Chen Huang. He adopted a strategy of not offending both sides. On the one hand, he continued to show respect for me. The court was supreme and maintained a good sect-vassal relationship. But at the same time, he accepted the canonization of the Mongols and sent envoys to pay tribute to Mongolia. In the second year of Jingding, Mongolian Kublai Khan canonized Chen Huang's father, who was the Tai Tai of Annan Kingdom. The king was the king of Annan, and Chen Huang was the prince. In the third year of Jingding, the late emperor Lizong once again canonized Chen Huang as the king of Annan. When the late emperor passed away, Annan also sent his envoys in Lin'an to express his condolences. The King will send an official envoy to Lai'an in the second year of Xianchun (next year) to congratulate His Majesty on his accession to the throne."
"Next year. So what's going on today?"
"Your Majesty. Annan's envoy Chen Yuan only said that he came to see Your Majesty in the name of King Annan. And this time he came in secret."
"It's so mysterious. Well, I will meet this person, Ma Aiqing, and meet the Annan envoy in the side hall."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Not long after I sat down, Ma Tingluan brought the Annan envoy to the side hall.
Xiao Qi said at the door: "Master Ma and envoy Annan are here."
"Xuan."
Ma Tingluan, Annan envoy Chen Yuan and his two entourages entered the back hall. As soon as the three of them entered, they immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "Annan envoy Chen Yuan, deputy envoy Chen Xin, and Ruan Hong paid homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Song Dynasty. Long live your Majesty. age."
"No need to pay tribute."
"Thank you, His Majesty the Emperor of the Song Dynasty."
After Chen Yuan stood up, he said respectfully: "His Majesty the Emperor of Heaven. Chen Yuan was entrusted by our King of Annan to congratulate His Majesty on his enthronement. This is the list of gifts from our King. Please accept it with your Majesty's approval."
"King Annan is interested. Envoy Chen Yuan, you are also interested. Xiao Qi, take it."
Chen Yuan took out two letters from his arms. One of them was handed to Xiao Qi. He held the other one in his hand and said: "Your Majesty the Emperor. Secondly, Chen Yuan will deliver to Your Majesty a personal letter from our King on behalf of our King. Please." Your Majesty has taken a look at it."
"What's the letter? Sir, please take it."
Yuan Ji stepped forward and took the letter, weighed it with his hands, and handed it to me.