The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

(My heartfelt thanks to Le Chacha and I Forgot book friends for giving me the monthly pass!)

The envoys of the Liao Kingdom arrived in Bianliang City yesterday evening. The main envoy this time was Xiao Temo, the envoy of Xuanhui from the Northern Academy of the Liao Kingdom, and Liu Liufu, a scholar of the Imperial Academy of the Liao Kingdom, was the deputy envoy. The Chinese envoy team arrived in the capital after more than [-] days.

Early this morning, under the leadership of the head of the Privy Council, he brought gifts to meet Renzong.No one in the Song Dynasty knew what the purpose of the envoys from the Liao Kingdom to come to the embassy this time, but the previous agenda mentioned that the Liao Kingdom had assembled a large number of soldiers and horses on the border between the two countries. Combined with this mission, it is not difficult to judge There is an inevitable connection between the two.

In the early court, the Liao envoys Xiao Temo and Liu Liufu also did their best to honor their younger brothers. The Chanyuan alliance between the two countries had agreed that the two countries should be brothers. Zhen was older than Liao Xingzong Yeluzongzhen, so Da Song was the elder brother and Liao Guo was the younger brother.

Xiao Temo was unambiguous in terms of etiquette, he was meticulous in addressing kneeling and worshiping, and greeted the court ministers with smiles. He also presented a list of gifts that he brought along with him. Fur, old ginseng and other valuable things; of course, in the eyes of the Liao Kingdom, they are very valuable, but in the eyes of Song people, such gifts are simply ridiculous.

But no matter how many or expensive the gifts are, it can't conceal the true purpose of the Liao envoy's visit. After meeting with him in accordance with the etiquette, Xiao Te handed over Liao Xingzong's personal letter to Zhao Zhen when he was about to go to court, and then he was guided by the reception officials. Go back to the post house to rest.

Zhao Zhen opened Liao Xingzong's autographed letter in front of the ministers, and if he didn't read it, his face was full of anger, and he threw the letter paper under the steps with his hands, cursing: "The kingdom of tigers and wolves has not been affected. Enlightenment, push an inch, bully people too much!"

All the ministers were still intoxicated by the friendly atmosphere of the two countries' diplomatic relations, but unexpectedly the situation changed suddenly, and the emperor's face became livid in an instant, and he shouted and cursed in front of everyone, which is unique.

Lu Yijian tremblingly picked up Liao Xingzong's letter, unfolded it and read: "Your Majesty, the elder brother of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, and his younger brother Yeluzong Zhenyao wished Kang'an; it has been 38 years since the alliance between the two countries in Chanzhou; for 38 years, the Liao and Song Dynasties The two countries are safe and sound, and the people of the two countries are in harmony as close relatives. The younger brother is very gratified, and the older brother must be lucky too; Fortunately for the country."

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, what they said was very decent, and their attitude was sincere and respectful enough, but they didn't know what was said below, which made the emperor so angry.

"However, since the founding of your country, there has also been a lot of grievances between the two countries. A paper alliance is not enough to settle everything. Our Liao kings and ministers have always had grievances. Because of several incidents, they are all related to your country. My brother is kind. My brother is not a rude person, you and I should both think about the long-term friendship between the two countries, so it is better to decide on matters that are not understood between the two countries as soon as possible; .”

Everyone's spirits lifted, and they thought: "It's time to get to the point. Liao Lord Xingzong finally brought up several issues that would affect the relationship between the two countries. I hope these issues can be resolved, but I don't know which ones."

Lu Yijian swallowed and spit, and continued to read: "First, your country was established in Zhou Dynasty. Long before your country was established, Zhou Lord Shizong provoked my Daliao several times. The land of ten counties south of Daowaqiaoguan in Nanjing, Liaoning Province was taken as his own. Later, Emperor Taizong established the Song Dynasty and took over the land of ten counties south of Waqiaoguan as Song soil. Now the two countries have a good relationship. Please return your country to Wa The land of ten counties south of Qiaoguan, brother will not refuse."

All the ministers were filled with righteous indignation and cursed in court. This Liao Xingzong is really shameless, and the lion opened his mouth to build land. An important pass, after passing Waqiao Pass, there is no important town to hold on to for a hundred miles to the south. The Liao people want to seize the land of ten counties south of Waqiao Pass without incident, and their sinister intentions are self-evident.

"Don't get excited, just listen to Lu Xiang finish reading." Yan Shu shouted solemnly with a sullen face.

Everyone stopped the noise and listened quietly to Lu Yijian's reading.

Lu Yijian also turned pale with anger, but gritted his teeth and continued to read: "The second thing is that when Emperor Taizong of your country was alive, he attacked our Daliao for no reason. There are countless people in the land of Yanji, and it is useless to rob livestock and property. Although this move was before the Chanzhou alliance, our army and people in Daliao are deeply ashamed of it; please explain this matter, brother, when Emperor Taizong attacked us. What is the reason for the Liao Dynasty, and what is the name of the teacher?"

"You are shameless, you are shameless." Deputy Privy Councilor Chen Zhizhong scolded endlessly: "When I established the country in the Great Song Dynasty, it was the Liao people who caused troubles on the border. My Emperor Taizong only punished them slightly. Naturally, the Liao people provoked me. First, I will punish later, how can I learn from the unknown?"

"Deputy Envoy Chen, don't be in a hurry, let's talk after listening together." Yan Shu was also polite to Chen Zhizhong, with comfort in his tone.

"Thirdly, Xixia Yuanhao and my Daliao have a nephew and uncle, and he has long been a vassal of my Daliao. Your country is invigorating and attacking Xia. You should have informed me of Daliao in advance, but now you are silently fighting with Yuanhao. What is the brotherly friendship between the two countries? Fourth, your country has recently built more fortifications on the border and added frontier troops. Soldiers and horses are frequently mobilized. Don't care about it, will you meet with us in the Daliao army? The alliance between the two countries in Chanzhou has a covenant: the two dynasties along the border city, everything will be as usual, and you can't build a city god. Brother, this move is a breach of the covenant. It is really unwise. Hope Brother Chazhi will give you an explanation; if you don’t insist on violating the alliance, we, Daliao, can ignore the Chanzhou alliance, so I hope you will think twice before doing it.”

"To sum up the above four points, my brother deeply felt the gap and obstacles in the friendship between the two countries, so I put forward together, and sent Xiao Temo, the Xuanhui envoy of the Southern Academy, and Liu Liufu, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, as the principal and deputy envoys to contact your country. The elder brother appointed a full-time counselor, in order to discuss these four items properly, we can benefit the brother’s heart and keep the plan of the descendants! The other brother has something to tell the elder brother, Yelu Zongyuan, Marshal of the Great Liao Army and Horse, and our Great Liaobei Privy envoy Xiao Hui led an army of one million to hunt on the Nanjing road. This is a normal military exercise, and my brother must not be suspicious. I admire my brother's benevolence, and hope to have a good drink with my brother. Today, I will toast in Beijing and wish me far away. Brother, the country is prosperous, prosperous and healthy!"

Lu Yijian's face sank like water, he let out a long breath, and handed the letter in his hand to the servant, who then respectfully placed it on the dragon case.

Zhao Zhen's chest was heaving, his eyes were spitting fire, and he pointed to the channel: "All you have heard, these are the four requests made by the Liao people, which is simply deceiving; Wouldn’t the land be handed over? My Emperor Taizong’s military expeditions and punishments came from unknown sources; the western thieves rebelled against the Song Dynasty to stand up for themselves, and the Liao people came to support them; the most annoying thing is that his Liao Kingdom has hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the border, but my Great Song Dynasty has no one. It's a joke to set up barriers to strengthen the defense, so let's just bow down to the Liao Kingdom, is it tolerable or unbearable?"

Zhao Zhen slapped the dragon case loudly, showing a rare excitement, and became angry.

"Your Majesty, the people of Liao insulted me too much. I suggest that the envoy of Liao should cut off his nose and eyes and send him back immediately, so as to show the might of Song Tian." Du Yan stepped forward and said indignantly.

"You idiot, if the two countries do not fight each other, then Privy Du has a right to say this." Lu Yijian shouted suddenly.

Du Yan hesitated and said: "Mr. Lu, the people of Liao are riding on our necks to shit, the emperor is so angry, why can't we cut him down?"

Lu Yijian ignored him, and stepped forward and said: "The emperor must not be angry, don't fall into the tricks of the Liao people."

Zhao Zhen sat down slowly, took a few deep breaths, and said in a calm tone as much as possible: "What trick does Xiang Lu think the Liao people are doing?"

Lu Yijian said: "Your Majesty, these four things are all unreasonable acts of making trouble. It is an act of blackmail by the Liao Kingdom when I was fighting with the western thieves. You don't need to pay attention to it at all, but you will send envoys to discuss with them and refute them one by one. Why get so angry over something like this."

Zhao Zhen said in astonishment: "Refutation one by one? If the Liao people raise their troops because of this, what can they do?"

Lu Yijian said: "I have already prepared troops and horses for defense on both the east and west roads of Hebei. Just now, Liao Lord's letter also mentioned the matter of building fortifications on our border. I think the people of Liao already know that our Great Song Dynasty has taken precautions. Under such circumstances , They don’t dare to send troops to attack me easily, but they will comfort me during the discussion, or give some old coins, and the dispute will be settled.”

Zhao Zhen frowned and said, "Doesn't that make it appear that my Great Song Dynasty is too weak to be bullied? In the Chanzhou League, my Great Song Dynasty has already given 20 silver coins and [-] pieces of silk every year. How about adding more coins now?" Explain to the world?"

Lu Yijian cupped his hands and said: "At this time and at that time, now I am fighting with the Western thieves outside the Song Dynasty, and I am suffering from natural disasters inside. The money is exchanged for tranquility, and after the rebellion of the western thieves is quelled, I will free up my hands to negotiate this matter with the Liao Kingdom, otherwise I may go to war with the Liao Kingdom and face enemies on both sides, and it will be an unbearable situation."

Zhao Zhen thought about it for a while, feeling unwilling, looked around the audience, and asked, "Do you have any other clever plans?"

Everyone was silent, and no one dared to make a decision on such a major matter, not to mention that this matter was too difficult. Although Lu Xiang's gentle strategy sounded useless, it was probably the best solution.

Yan Shu wanted to oppose it, but he had no way to deal with it. If the two countries were to fight, how could they resist the Liao people's iron cavalry?Now if you want money or food, if you start a war, it will be long and protracted, and the war will be exhausted and material reserves. There is no hope of victory. Standing up to raise objections will only lead to disputes and will not be obtained. solve.

Zhao Zhen asked several times, but no one answered, so he sighed and said: "It seems that there is no other way, so dear friends, who should contact the Liao envoy?"