I studied in modern times

Chapter 1051 Hearing of Joy and the Coming of an Appointment

Empress Dowager Liang's panic quickly frightened Emperor Qian Shun of Western Xia, whom she was holding in her arms.

The king, who was not yet six years old, burst into tears.

The Liao envoy stopped smiling when he heard the baby crying coming from inside the curtain—the Liao people still valued dignity.

"This humble subject has been impolite; I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!" He bowed slightly. "However, my lord's will cannot be changed!"

"We urge the Queen Mother, the King, and all the gentlemen to reconsider!"

"Please give our country a reply as soon as possible!"

"Otherwise... heh heh!"

Having said this, the envoy walked away with his head held high, under the angry gazes of all the civil and military officials and nobles of Western Xia in the hall.

……

Watching the Liao envoy's departing figure, she held her son, who was crying from fright.

Empress Dowager Xiao Liang also shed tears, sobbing as she addressed the ministers in the hall: "Although I am a woman, I have been raised and taught by the late Empress Gongsu Zhangxian (Empress Dowager Da Liang) since childhood. She knows that the reason why our Great Bai Gao Kingdom stands tall in this world is solely due to its martial prowess!"

"The northern envoy is now arrogant and domineering, our national dignity has been humiliated, and our troops are terrified!"

"I intend to issue an edict to mobilize the troops of the twelve military supervisory offices throughout the country to fight a decisive battle against the northern barbarians and the southern barbarians!"

As she spoke, she stood up and looked at the civil and military officials in the hall: "I wonder if you ministers and relatives are willing to follow me into battle?"

The civil and military officials and nobles of Western Xia in the palace were terrified by the resolute tone of Empress Dowager Liang.

The current ruling member of the Weiming family, Prince Weiming Linggong of Zhenyi, immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

"We must not raise an army out of anger!"

“Yes! Yes!” The other princes of the Weiming family nodded in agreement.

A Han Chinese official bowed and said, “Your Majesty, in recent years, our Great Bai Gao Kingdom has suffered repeated natural disasters, causing great hardship to the people and severe losses to livestock in all tribes… I fear we have no spare strength to send troops from the Twelve Military Supervisory Offices again…”

These words immediately stirred up a hornet's nest.

Countless people began to complain.

"Your Majesty... even if the treasury is currently well-stocked, I'm afraid it will be difficult to mobilize the troops of the Twelve Military Supervisory Offices..."

"I'm afraid the military supervisors under the Chancellor, the Prince of Xiliang, the Grand General of Liangzhou, the Right Wing Military Supervisors, and the Military Supervisors of Gua and Sha will not obey the imperial edict!"

Three years ago, the allied forces of Western Xia and Qinghai-Tibet invaded the south but suffered a major defeat and returned home.

Liang Yibu never returned to Xingqing Prefecture.

He first made an oath with the powerful clans of the Right Wing Military Supervisors at Tiandu Mountain.

He then moved his troops to Xiliang Prefecture (Liangzhou), and styled himself as the Prefect of Xiliang Prefecture, Grand General of Xiliang, and Commander of the Right Wing.

Without any hesitation, they brought all the military supervisory offices in the right wing under their control, and last year they even sent troops to control Yizhou Prefecture (one of the five prefectures of Western Xia, with its capital in Ganzhou, serving as the central hub of the Western Xia prefectures in the Hexi Corridor).

Although on the surface, they still submit to Xingqing Prefecture and respect Wuzu as their ruler.

However, in reality, they obeyed orders but not decrees, selectively complying with the orders of Xingqing Prefecture.

His various units basically only obeyed Liang Yibu's orders.

Empress Dowager Xiao Liang and the Weiming clan of Xingqing Prefecture were helpless in the face of this.

The only option was to acknowledge the other party's self-proclaimed title of "Prefect of Xiliang Prefecture," issue an imperial edict granting him permission to establish his own prefecture, appoint him as the Grand General of Xiliang, and grant him the power to oversee all military supervisors in the western wing.

This year, they even went so far as to grant him the title of Prince of Xiliang and appoint him as the Right Wing Commander in order to appease Liang Yibu.

It has already become a regional military governor!
Moreover, it was a powerful warlord with tens of thousands of soldiers and a population of one million under its jurisdiction!
“Your Majesty… even if the Prime Minister is willing to obey the imperial decree… I fear the troops of the Twelve Military Supervisors cannot be mobilized…” Even Yu Zanghuama, a political ally of Empress Dowager Liang, stepped forward and said, “Since last year, when the Turkic Khan named ‘Arslan’ (Sultan Malik Shah I of the Seljuk Empire) launched an eastern expedition, defeating many countries and reaching the Western Black Khanate, the Silk Road has been completely severed, and the national treasury’s revenue has plummeted… the country has no money or provisions to reward the three armies…”

Since Yuanhao conquered the two prefectures of Gua and Sha, opening up the Hexi Corridor.

The profits from Silk Road trade were the source of revenue for the Western Xia regime.

Over the past few decades, the Western Xia's repeated motivations for undermining peace negotiations and invading the south, besides selling salt, were to increase border trade.

They used the income from selling salt to exchange for high-value-added commodities such as silk and tea.

Then they would add three to five times the price in Hexi and sell it to merchants from the Western Regions.

In a sense, the Western Xia dynasty established by the Tangut people was actually an armed merchant group.

The majority of its national fiscal revenue comes from the profits of Silk Road trade.

Ok……

The same applies to the Qinghai-Tibetan regime of Qusiluo.

That's why the conflict between the Western Xia and the Qinghai-Tibetan Empire was so great.

This is also why Gusiluo and Xiazheng were determined to fight the Western Xia to the bitter end – those in the same trade are enemies!

How can I sleep soundly if I don't eliminate the competition and monopolize all the profits?

Similarly, since the time of Yuanhao, the Western Xia would attack Qingtang City whenever they had the chance!

Despite repeated defeats, we will never give up!

Hearing everyone's words, Empress Dowager Liang sighed, "The late Emperor!"

"I cannot safeguard the foundation of the nation, nor can I protect the country..."

As she spoke, she began to cry.

The young Emperor Qianshun in his arms was unaware of what had happened.
Upon seeing his mother cry, he immediately burst into tears as well.

The courtiers in the hall immediately offered their advice.

We implore Empress Dowager Liang to 'temporarily endure humiliation' for the sake of the nation and the foundation of the Great Bai Gao Kingdom, and to have a proper talk with the Northern envoy.

Some even suggested that a messenger should be sent immediately to the Southern Dynasty to have Tian Huairong meet with the Southern Emperor, explain the advantages and disadvantages, and request that the Southern Dynasty not collude with the Northern Emperor.

It could even threaten the Southern Dynasty—if Your Majesty is too aggressive, our country will rather die than submit—the entire nation will surrender to the Liao!

This was the Western Xia's trump card.

When faced with a full-scale attack from either the Song or Liao dynasties, it would be used as a trump card to intimidate the other side—"Don't fight!"
If they fight again, I will surrender to the Song Dynasty (or Liao Dynasty).

Since its founding, this trump card has only been used once—after the death of Emperor Jingzong (Yuanhao), the Liao emperor Yelü Zongzhen took advantage of the Western Xia's national mourning period to launch an attack.

The Western Xia immediately sent envoys to pay homage to Bianjing (Kaifeng) and successfully persuaded Emperor Renzong of the Southern Dynasty to agree to open more trade markets to sell grain and ironware.

Empress Dowager Liang adopted all of these suggestions.

Because she never intended to really fight to the death with the Song and Liao dynasties!
There's only one reason why she acted so radically—she didn't want to be blamed for betraying her country!
Otherwise, both the nobles in the country and her brother Liang Yibu would have the opportunity to use this incident as leverage to attack her afterward, and even force her to step down!

However, if it is a minister or noble in the country who forces her to do it.

Moreover, she had already stated her pro-war stance beforehand.

Then no one can pin the blame on her!

It must be said that although Empress Dowager Liang was young, she was ultimately trained by the old Empress Dowager.

The level of political maneuvering isn't too bad!
……

The Imperial City of Bianjing, the Hall of Gathering Heroes.

Xing Shu and the two prime ministers have already entered the palace by imperial decree.

Upon meeting Zhao Xu, the three ministers performed the courtesies due to a ruler and his subjects, and then sat down.

Zhao Xu briefly recounted what had happened when Yelü Ju visited him before.

Left Chancellor Lü Gongzhu immediately laughed and said, "Your Majesty, this is a plan devised by the Northern barbarians!"

"If I am not mistaken, at this very moment, there should be a Northern barbarian envoy in the Western bandit palace, intimidating and extorting money from the Western bandit king and his ministers..."

"And in most cases, the Western bandits' rulers and ministers will surely submit!"

Zhao Xu looked at Lü Gongzhu and asked, "How did you know, sir?"

Lu Gongzhu lowered his head: "Your Majesty, this strategy was often used by the Northern Barbarians in our dynasty in the past!"

"The Qingli era saw an increase in currency... and the Xining era saw a cession of territory..."

In Lü Gongzhu's mind, the figures of Liao envoys Liu Liufu and Xiao Xi flashed by. These two men, with their silver tongues, had managed to carve out a piece of flesh from the Song Dynasty.

This is a great shame and humiliation!
Even for him, the thought always brings him unbearable pain!

Unfortunately, the nation's strength was insufficient, and its military preparedness was inadequate...

We must endure this for the sake of all living beings!
Now, the Liao envoy is before the emperor, repeatedly proclaiming that the Song and Liao armies will join forces to destroy the Western Xia.
Lü Gongzhu immediately recalled these past events.

This flavor is overcooked!
He can't afford to forget!

However, the situation has now been reversed.

The northern barbarians stopped extorting money from the Song Dynasty and instead went to plunder the western bandits.

This left Lü Gongzhu with mixed feelings, unsure whether he should be happy or relieved.
But at least one thing is certain—the Northern barbarians no longer regard the Song Dynasty as prey.

The relationship between the Song and Liao dynasties also seemed to have become more equal.

At least, the Northern barbarians are now paying for their purchases in the Song Dynasty with real money.

Zhao Xu, however, turned to Pu Zongmeng: "What does the Right Chancellor think?"

Pu Zongmeng's international perspective was still somewhat lacking. Upon hearing this, he could only nod and say, "Your Majesty, in matters of military and national affairs, I am not as knowledgeable as the Left Chancellor!"

Zhao Xu nodded.

Although Pu Zongmeng had many shortcomings, his strengths were equally prominent—he was genuinely willing to admit his ignorance about things he didn't understand, and he wouldn't pretend to know or interfere.

Of course, his greatest strength is that he is obedient!
He did whatever Zhao Xu told him to do!
This is enough!

Zhao Xu rubbed his hands together and looked at Xing Shu: "What are your thoughts, Scholar Xing?"

Xing Shu cupped his hands, not directly answering Zhao Xu's question, and said, "Your Majesty, please grant me two days!"

"Let me investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the Western bandits and the Northern barbarians carefully!"

"Okay!" Zhao Xu nodded, then said, "If there's nothing else, let's leave it at that!"

At this moment, the Left Chancellor Lü Gongzhu said, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to ask of you..."

"Ok?"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you issue an edict to announce the date of the celebratory banquet!"

The so-called Wenxi Banquet is actually the Qionglin Banquet.

It was originally a banquet spontaneously organized by the successful candidates in the imperial examinations during the Tang Dynasty.

Because these successful candidates in the imperial examinations usually chose to hold their banquets in Qujiang, southeast of Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, it was also known as the Qujiang Banquet.

The first time the government officially participated in this banquet was during the Later Tang Dynasty. In the second year of the Tiancheng era of the Later Tang Dynasty, an imperial edict granted four hundred strings of cash to newly successful candidates in the imperial examinations as expenses for the celebratory banquet.

It wasn't until the year following the new imperial examination that the ceremony for the newly appointed scholars was held by the imperial court.

The event was also held at a royal temple.

After the founding of the Song Dynasty, in the eighth year of the Taiping Xingguo reign of Emperor Taizong, it was officially moved to Qionglin Garden, and this became the established practice.

Therefore, it is also called the Qionglin Banquet.

To be honest, Zhao Xu wasn't particularly fond of these kinds of banquets.

Because there were just too many participants!

Not only newly appointed successful candidates in the imperial examinations can participate.

Even those who are specially recommended as Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) can do it!
In theory, those who passed the imperial examinations in martial arts, mathematics, or law could also participate.

That's over a thousand people.

In addition, there were civil and military officials, imperial relatives, and nobles...

They're heading straight for two thousand people!

Just thinking about it gave Zhao Xu a headache!

Crucially, the Qionglin Banquet is a major money-burner!
Each time they hold a banquet, the cost of food, wine, vegetables, and fruits alone can amount to tens of thousands of coins.

Not to mention the expenses for security, landscaping, and the imperial guards accompanying the palace.

Therefore, after the ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations, Emperor Zhao Xu delayed issuing an edict to set the date for the Qionglin Banquet.

This has made many people anxious.

Especially the specially selected scholars, they were just waiting for the court to announce the date of the Qionglin Banquet, so they could have a big meal at the Zhao family's private garden, enjoy themselves there, and then return to their hometowns.

For these people, this may be the only time in their lives they can take advantage of the Zhao family and have the opportunity to visit the royal gardens.

So these people passed the pressure on to the governor.

As the Left Chancellor, Lü Gongzhu was the first to be targeted.

Zhao Xu sighed, knowing there was no way to avoid it, and asked, "Prime Minister, according to the customs of the dynasty, when is it generally considered best to hold a celebratory banquet?"

"Usually at the end of the month or the beginning of the month..."

"All right!"

"Instruct the officials to select an auspicious day at the beginning of next month!"

"only!"

"That's right!" Zhao Xu suddenly remembered: "Where will the examination hall for this year's newly appointed Jinshi be held?"

Lu Gongzhu replied, "Your Majesty, the gathering this year will still be held at the Eastern Library of Taiping Xingguo Temple!"

Zhao Xu smacked his lips and joked with Lü Gongzhu, "The monks of Taiping Xingguo Temple are truly profound in Buddhist teachings and have deep karmic connections!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Gongzhu smiled and asked, "Your Majesty, shall I send someone to inform them?"

He could hear the teasing and mockery in the official's words.

Lu Gongzhu was certainly aware of the shady dealings within the Qiji Bureau—the Qiji activities following each imperial examination usually continued until the newly appointed Jinshi were granted official positions and assigned to their posts.

During this period, all expenses and costs of the General Assembly were paid by the Ministry of Rites.

This alone allows the contracting guild and the temple where the guild activities take place to make huge profits!

Moreover, due to the expansion of the imperial examination system, not every newly appointed scholar could participate in the annual examination and thus have their name recorded in the annals of their cohort.

At the same time, not every Jinshi who participated in the Qiji could hold a position in the Qiji office.

If you can't participate in the annual examination, you can't leave your name in the annual record, which is equivalent to taking the imperial examination for nothing—without connections, your official career will be difficult!
If you participate in the market but cannot work for the market bureau, it's as if you didn't participate at all—if you don't go out, socialize, and make friends, who will know who you are?
As a result, both the companies that contracted the futures market and the local bullies in the market's location had opportunities for rent-seeking.

They jumped around, threading needles and making a fortune.

There are so many shady dealings involved that outsiders can't possibly know them all!
Lu Gongzhu was not surprised that Zhao Xu knew about the tricks of the Qiji – after all, he was well aware of the capabilities of the Investigation Division.

It was not unusual for a dozen or so detectives and patrolmen to infiltrate the meeting place.

Therefore, he subconsciously assumed that Zhao Xu was somewhat dissatisfied with the discord within the Qiji Institute.

But Zhao Xu simply shook his head and smiled, "No need!"

"Being a monk isn't easy either!"

Taiping Xingguo Temple used to have the most profitable pawnshop in the entire Bianjing city—but after Zhao Xu gave the order, Taiping Xingguo Temple was the first to respond to the court's call and merge the pawnshop with the mortgage warehouse.

Since they're so obedient, we naturally have to give them something in return.

not to mention……

This episode is the best window for observation.

Every day, one could see the various forms of the newly appointed scholars in the examination hall.

This is a very rare opportunity!

There may never be such a good window of observation again—who is greedy and treacherous, who is capable, and who is useless.

While one cannot know everything in the game, at least one can filter out the strongest and the most shameless.

(End of this chapter)