I studied in modern times

Chapter 663 Yelu Hongji: How can the affairs of this world be settled based on reason alone?
October 13th, the first year of Yuanyou.

The Ministry of Rites said: Lady Zhang of Leshou County was the widow of Duke Fan Wenzheng. According to the sons of Duke Wenzheng and the brothers of Lady Jinhua County, Lady Zhang was the successor of Duke Wenzheng. Since the death of Lady Jinhua County, she has always been by Duke Wenzheng's side, raising his sons and managing the internal affairs... Now the Ministry of Rites, following the order of the emperor, has divined in front of the spirit of Duke Wenzheng in Yichuan, Luoyang, and the divination is very auspicious... We beg you to make Lady Zhang the successor of Duke Wenzheng.

Edict: Follow it.

Zhang, the Taijun of Leshou County, was made the second wife of Fan Wenzhengong and was given the title of Lady of Hongnong County.

This is a drama performed by the royal family, the Fan family and the Li family together.

Zhao Xu and the two palaces did some work for this.

Zhao Xu talked to Fan Chunren, and Fan Chunren agreed without hesitation.

This is normal - Zhang was originally a maid brought as a dowry by her mother.

According to ancient rituals, this is a legal way to inherit the status of the deceased Li.

In addition, the Lady of Jinhua County died young - she died of illness in the third year of Jingyou (at that time Fan Zhongyan was demoted to Raozhou because of his discord with Lu Yijian).

At that time, the eldest of Fan Zhongyan's sons, Fan Chunyou, was only a little over eleven years old.

Fan Chunren was eight years old at the time.

Fan Chunli was still in his infancy.

Especially since Fan Zhongyan was demoted at that time, the three children and two daughters were all taken care of by Zhang.

They also had a close relationship with Zhang.

With Zhao Xu's wishes in mind, the brothers Fan Chunren and Fan Chunli agreed without much hesitation (Fan Chunyou had died of illness in the eighth year of Jiayou).

The two palaces are also making rapid progress.

Although the brothers Li Changling and Li Changyan have passed away long ago, their descendants are still serving as officials in the court. Moreover, you may not believe it, but the Li family and the Xiang family are relatives!

Jinhua County Lady Li had a younger brother named Li Yuqing. Li Yuqing's eldest daughter later married Zeng Gong. The daughter of Zeng Gong's younger brother Zeng Bu was the daughter-in-law of Xiang Zongdan, the cousin of Empress Dowager Xiang.

Not long ago, Xiang Zongdan returned to Beijing to build relationships for Zeng Bu.

Because of this relationship, Empress Dowager Xiang ordered Xiang Zongdan to talk to the Li family.

The Li family was ecstatic - Zhang was originally a maid who came with his family as a dowry. After the death of Jinhua County Lady, the Li family thought that Zhang could successfully remarry, but she was not made the main wife in the end!

Now that the royal family has personally come forward, the Li family is of course perfectly willing and immediately submits a petition to the Ministry of Rites.

The whole process is incredibly smooth.

Only the Ministry of Rites might be a little busy. They selected a high-level sacrificial team from Luoyang to divine in front of Fan Zhongyan's spirit.

I heard it only takes one time!
It can be seen that Fan Zhongyan would be happy to see this even in his netherworld. He is indeed a loyal minister of the Song Dynasty and is able to understand the king!
After this operation, Zhao Xu's personality of "admiring Fan Wencheng" began to be established.

Fan Chuncui, this filial son, owes him a debt of gratitude that he can never repay in his lifetime.

Zhao Xu felt that the interest from this loan would be enough to keep him busy for the rest of his life.

The next day was October 14th.

Fan Zhenluo, a scholar of Duanming Palace and a doctor of Guanglu, retired and was appointed as the envoy of Xitaiyi Palace and in charge of official affairs of Jixiguan. He was granted the title of Duke of Shu and retired.

Fan Zhen had always wanted to retire, and it had been delayed from the seventh year of Yuanfeng until today, when he finally got approval.

This famous historian and minister of the Song Dynasty is considered one of the most famous talent scouts of our time, and he has promoted and discovered many young people.

Sima Guang's favorite student and successor, Fan Zuyu, was his nephew's great-grandson. It was he who discovered and recommended him to Sima Guang.

In addition, he recommended the Three Su brothers to famous officials including Zhang Fangping and Ouyang Xiu.

His nephew Fan Bailu is currently with Zhao Xu, serving as the attendant and secretary of the Secretariat. He is responsible for drafting external imperial edicts and recording his daily words and deeds.

He himself also has great literary achievements.

He wrote the New Book of Tang with Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi, and was also the compiler of the history book of the Song Dynasty, The Veritable Records of Emperor Renzong.

I just have a stubborn temper!
Even more stubborn than Sima Guang!
Sima Guang was willing to come to Bian Jing after all, but Fan Zhen has been staying in his hometown since the reform, refusing to return to Beijing and refusing to communicate.

This left Zhao Xu with no place to take advantage of the situation.

Therefore, his retirement followed the usual retirement procedure for ministers and he was not given any additional treatment.

By the 15th day of the tenth month.

The messenger from Xingqing Prefecture finally brought back the reply from the Xia Kingdom - the ruler of the Xia Kingdom fully agreed to the peace terms of the Song Dynasty and requested to negotiate peace according to the terms.

Originally, the messenger from Xingqing Prefecture should have arrived earlier.

However, for some reason, the messengers sent to deliver the message via traditional roads such as Guoxin Road in Youzhou did not reach Huanzhou at all.

Fortunately, Xingqing Prefecture was more cautious and sent out multiple groups of envoys.

All messengers in other directions disappeared inexplicably.

Only the envoy who set out from Xiazhou, detoured most of Xia Kingdom, and went through its Heishan Wei Fu Military Supervision Office to the Zuoxiang Shenyong Military Supervision Office and arrived at Ningxinghe City, successfully arrived in the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Xu became happy after knowing this.

"Looks like there's going to be some fun to watch!"

Last year, the Dangxiang people staged a drama of mother and son turning against each other, and husband and wife killing each other.

Now, there may be another drama of brothers and sisters fighting against each other.

This is definitely a good thing for the Song Dynasty!

Therefore, Zhao Xu instructed Xing Shu to immediately start peace negotiations with the Western Xia envoy Weiming Moduo.

To show his sincerity, Zhao Xu ordered that the fake prince consort be transferred to Hedong for custody by Lu Huiqing, and that he would be handed over to his Zuoxiang Shenyong Division on the spot after the peace talks were completed.

But he dragged his reputation forward before being escorted out of the capital.

Zhao Xu specially asked Weiming Moduo to meet with him.

This is to add fuel to the fire, for fear that the Xixia people will not start a fight.

Two days later, on October 17, the peace agreement between Song and Xia was completed, and it was only waiting for the monarchs of the two countries to seal and swear an oath before it could be implemented.

Soon after, the capital issued a letter to all the troops along the border and to all the troops under Xiaoyu, asking them to wait until the western bandits withdrew from Xihe and then retreat to the border in the eighth year of Yuanfeng.

At the same time, the Privy Council began to work, sending letters to various routes, ordering them to report their battle results and the names of meritorious generals for promotion and rewards.

……

In the second year of Da'an in Liao Dynasty, October Jiachen (twenty).

Yelu Hongji's imperial carriage finally set out from Nanjing.

The Pi Shi Army, the Gong Zhang Army and the tribal army, with tens of thousands of troops, surrounded Yelu Hongji and marched from Nanjing to Liaoyang Prefecture.

This was a normal Nabo activity for the Liao ruler.

This time, Yelu Hongji planned to go to Liaoyang Prefecture, both to visit the enemy and to express condolences, and also to intimidate the Jurchen tribes.

At the same time, he also wanted to see how much silver could be mined on the deserted Japanese island occupied by Xiao Budaya.
He has ordered Xiao Budaye to go all out to mine silver.

All the silver refined every month must be immediately escorted to Liaoyang Prefecture.

As long as the monthly silver mining volume reaches more than 500 taels.

Then he would be reluctant to return it to Japan.

If it's less than five hundred taels, it's a bit useless.

Yelu Hongji had just boarded the carriage and left Nanjing.

A messenger delivered several memorials from the Southern Dynasty to him.

After Yelu Hongji opened the letter and read it, his expression turned gloomy.

"What happened to Yelu Yan?"

"I ordered him to go south to ask for the son to be handed over to the imperial court!"

"Without Jiaozi, how can I increase my purchases of tea from the Southern Dynasty?"

"How can we purchase all kinds of cloth and reward the troops?"

The accusations of Yelu Ju and others made Yelu Hongji very dissatisfied.

This is where Yelu Yan got it wrong.

Yelu Hongji's appointment of him as deputy envoy was entirely the result of internal power struggles within the Liao Kingdom.

But he mistakenly thought that Yelu Hongji was dissatisfied with Yelu Ju.

But he had no idea that Yelu Hongji didn't care at all how much benefits Yelu Ju had gained!
He only cares about one thing - having money to spend!

The old emperor is old.

I don't want to cause a big fuss over a small matter.

He was even more unwilling to bring trouble upon himself during this prosperous period when the Liao Dynasty was reviving and the four directions were paying tribute to the country.

Not to mention now.

Even when he was young, he was like this.

Otherwise, during his reign, the two powerful ministers, Yelu Chongyuan and Yelu Yixin, would not have come to power one after another and almost sidelined him.

Therefore, what the old emperor actually wants is a life full of flowers, harmony and perfection.

Instead, the Qingliu Party, the Taisun Party, the Beiyuan Party, and the Wei Wang Party fought and quarreled with each other, accusing and attacking each other, causing a sensation throughout the court and the country.

He hated this kind of thing.

He also understood that the current country could not withstand such turmoil.

Yelu Yan, however, was in the Southern Dynasty and did such a thing.

Not only did he obstruct Yelu Ju's negotiations, but he also spoke nonsense in front of the Southern Dynasty officials.

According to the report of Yelu Ju and others, Xing Shu, a Hanlin scholar of the Southern Dynasty, stormed out and refused to talk further.

"Your Majesty..." After reading the memorials handed to him by Yelu Hongji, a nobleman who was riding in the same carriage with Yelu Hongji said, "I think you should not believe one side's words. You can wait and see. After Yelu scholar's memorial, perhaps it will be a different situation."

Yelu Hongji looked at the nobleman.

This person is his cousin, named Yelu Hongli, and is the contemporary King Wen Zhong.

Prince Wen Zhong's Palace was one of the palaces of the Liao Dynasty.

It is also the only palace tent built by a Han minister (the other palace tents were either owned by the emperor or the empress).

That year, Prince Wen Zhong died of illness. As he had no son, Emperor Shengzong adopted Yelü Zongye, the son of his younger brother, Prince of Qi, Yelü Longyu, as Prince Wen Zhong's successor to carry on Prince Wen Zhong's family line.

Even in the Liao Kingdom, such a thing would be considered as the opposite of Tiangang - adopting a royal prince to a minister? !

So, there are rumors.

In fact, King Qi, Yelü Longyu, was the son of Empress Dowager Chengtian and Prince Wen Zhong.

Emperor Shengzong, this is to repay the Empress Dowager Chengtian and Prince Wen Zhong for their blessing, support and assistance.

But the strange thing is that the adopted son Yelu Zongye also had no children.

Therefore, Emperor Shengzong adopted Yelu Longyu's fourth son, Yelu Zongfan, as the heir to Prince Wen Zhong's palace.

This further deepened the legend that King Longyu of Qi was the son of King Wen Zhong and Empress Dowager Chengtian.

But the Yelu family never responded.

Later, Yelu Zongfan died childless. It was already the time for Yelu Hongji to ascend the throne, so Yelu Hongji adopted Yelu Hongren, the son of Yelu Longyu's third son Yelu Zongxi, to Yelu Zongfan, allowing him to inherit the Wen Zhong Palace.

Yelu Hongren did have a son, but unfortunately he died young.

After his death, Yelu Hongji continued to select a successor from among Yelu Zongxi's sons. This is Yelu Hongli who is now in front of Yelu Hongji.

By now, everyone in Liao finally understood the royal family's intention of selecting successors from among Yelu Longyu's descendants to inherit Prince Wen Zhong's palace.

Perhaps at the beginning, Emperor Shengzong really wanted to repay Empress Dowager Chengtian and Prince Wen Zhong.

However, for decades in a row, people were selected from among the descendants of Longyu.

This is entirely aimed at centralization.

Facts have also proved that the Palace of Prince Wen Zhong, together with the Chongde Palace of Empress Dowager Chengtian, the Zhangmin Palace of Emperor Jingzong, and the Orudo owned by the current emperor, have always been firmly united to fight against all enemies.

This ensured that the emperor always had at his disposal an absolutely loyal and reliable armed force.

Especially the two palace tents of Prince Wen Zhong and Chongde Palace.

It will never waver, and it will never fall into the tent of others.

The level of trust they had in front of the Liao lord far exceeded that of other palace tents.

This is the fundamental reason why neither Yelu Chongyuan nor Yelu Yixin could usurp the throne and seize power.

The Prince Wen Zhong's Palace, the Chongde Palace and the emperor's own Orudo.

These three Orudo can mobilize tens of thousands of elite soldiers at any time to protect the king.

Plus the support of the Han scholars in Nanyuan.

No rebellion will succeed!
Therefore, Yelu Hongli has a lot of say in front of Yelu Hongji.

Yelu Hongji also liked this cousin who was almost thirty years younger than him.

There is just one thing - the King Wen Zhong of all dynasties were too close to Confucianism.

They had very close relations with the Han scholar-officials.

Yelu Hongli was no exception.

Looking at Yelu Hongli, Yelu Hongji said, "Hongli, even if Yelu Yan is right, what does it matter?"

"Now the state needs money!"

"The Grand Master's army is crying out for food in Goryeo, waiting for my reward."

"National affairs should be the most important thing!"

"Yes..." Yelu Hongli bowed his head: "Your Majesty is wise, but I still think that Your Majesty should wait for the scholar's memorial."

"Listen to both sides and you will be wise."

Yelu Hongji looked at his cousin's young face, nodded, and said, "I will give face to Prince Wenzhong's Mansion."

"Then just wait."

The Prince Wen Zhong's Palace was not only a knife in the hands of the Liao emperor, but also a bridge for the Liao ruler to communicate and contact with the Han literati.

To a large extent, Prince Wen Zhong's attitude was equivalent to that of the Han scholars.

The next day, Yelu Yan's memorial finally arrived.

Yelu Hongji read it first and then ordered someone to summon Yelu Hongli.

"Please have a look, Prince Wenzhong."

"Yelü Yan came to the Southern Dynasty and was still obsessed with party disputes!"

"Doesn't he know that Yelu Ju is responsible for many important tasks for me?"

In order to successfully marry his adopted daughter, Princess Cheng'an, Yelu Nanxian, to the Southern Dynasty, Yelu Hongji gave Yelu Ju the privilege of doing things his way.

At the same time, in order to get the Southern Dynasty to agree to print more Jiaozi.

He also sat back and watched and acquiesced in Yelu Ju reaping the benefits from this.

Yelu Hongji’s attitude was simple—he just wanted money.

With money, you can buy goods from the Southern Dynasty, and with money, you can support the war.

Support his dream of annexing Goryeo and rebuilding the four Han counties.

After reading it, Yelu Hongli also sighed.

Why is Yelu Yan so stubborn?

It is clear that before he left the throne, Prime Minister Xiao (Xiao Wuna) and Prime Minister Liang (Liang Ying) had both taken care of him.

When you go south this time, just bring your eyes and ears. If there are any problems, we will discuss it when we return to the court.

Why did he quarrel with Yelu Ju in the Southern Dynasty?

Moreover, he was attacked first.

Yelu Hongli looked at the date on Yelu Yan's memorial, which was the same day as Yelu Ju's.

But it arrived one day late.

What happened on this late day? Do I need to think about it?

Someone must have deliberately slowed down the delivery of his memorial.

Now! With this preconceived notion, the emperor would naturally regard Yelu Yan as the one who provoked and caused trouble.

There was no other way, so Yelu Hongli could only appease the angry Yelu Hongji and persuade him: "Your Majesty, calm down. Yelu scholar is only loyal to the king."

Yelu Hongji looked at Yelu Hongli. He knew that this was the opinion of the Han scholars and officials in the Southern Court.

In order to conquer Goryeo, he needed the support of the scholars and officials of the Southern Academy, and even more so the support of Prince Wen Zhong's palace.

He could only suppress his anger and asked, "According to Prince Wen Zhong's opinion, how should we deal with it?"

Yelu Hongli replied: "Your Majesty, the impeachment of the Fengguo Army Jiedushi by Yelu Xueshi is not groundless. His absence all night clearly shows that he is suspected of colluding with the Song Dynasty."

No matter whether it is or not, just put a hat on it first.

Yelu Hongji didn't care. He snorted twice and said, "It's not like usual now."

"I need the cooperation of the Southern Dynasty to attack Goryeo. It is beneficial to the country for the Fengguo Army Jiedushi to work in the Southern Dynasty, find out the news of the Southern Dynasty, and make friends with the ministers of the Southern Dynasty."

Denglai of the Southern Dynasty was across the sea from Goryeo.

If the relationship with the Southern Dynasty deteriorates, the Southern Dynasty may sell a kidney to aid Goryeo.

The Liao navy is now on the sea, and can only barely suppress the Goryeo navy by relying on its advantage on land, and is not enough to blockade the sea.

The merchant ships of the Southern Dynasty could sail directly across the sea, avoid the blockade of the Liao navy, and deliver armor and weapons to the shore.

"What's more, Yelu Ju and his people have been active in the Southern Dynasty, purchasing various books from the Southern Dynasty, which is of great convenience to me! It is also of great convenience to the culture and education of our Great Liao! The idea of ​​communicating with the Song Dynasty is pure nonsense!"

In the past, the Southern Dynasty defended against the Liao Dynasty like it was defending against thieves.

There were special people monitoring the Liao envoys when they entered and left the country.

As soon as he arrived in Bian Jing, he was directly imprisoned in Duting Posthouse, and his activities were restricted within Duting Posthouse.

Now, Yelu Ju and others have finally turned the situation around.

The Liao envoys could move relatively freely.

They were even allowed to buy books from the Southern Dynasties.

Except for military books and maps of the Southern Dynasties, all other books were allowed to be purchased.

As a result, a large number of Southern Dynasties collections of literature were brought back by the delegation.

The cultural world of the Liao Dynasty immediately ushered in a wave of prosperity.

New learning, Qi learning, rational learning...

There were so many theories from great scholars that one could hardly keep up. The Liao Imperial Academy therefore had enough classics, and the scholars and officials of the Southern Academy also praised this.

For Yelu Hongji, this was a huge diplomatic victory and diplomatic achievement!
This was equivalent to finally prying open the Southern Dynasty's solid defense line.

It will be beneficial in the future, as it will attract surrenders and rebellions.

It is also beneficial to the present situation, as Liao is improving its internal governance and forming an alliance with the Southern Dynasty.

Not to mention anything else, if Yelu Ju had not discovered the double-dealing of the Goryeo people in the Southern Dynasty, he would not have made up his mind to attack Goryeo!
If he had not conquered Goryeo, how could there be the current revival of the Liao Dynasty and the scene of all nations coming to pay tribute?

Therefore, Yelu Hongji turned a blind eye to the activities of Yelu Ju and others in the Southern Dynasty, and encouraged and condoned them rather than taking precautions.

Apart from this, the small actions that Yelu Ju and others did in private were just minor details.

Not worth mentioning!
Could it be that Yelu Ju could betray the Liao Dynasty?

His children, wives and concubines are all in Shangjing!

The tombs of his father and ancestors are also in Shangjing!

Therefore, Yelu Hongji was not worried at all that Yelu Ju and others would betray him.

Because it's impossible!
On the contrary, it was Yelu Yan who really disappointed him this time.

I told you to conduct the diplomatic mission and negotiations properly, but you insisted on learning from Xiao Xi and Liu Liufu.

However, they did not consider that the Liao Dynasty was now conquering Goryeo and needed the help of the Southern Dynasty.

If the negotiations really fail, who will be held responsible?

Could it be that the Liao Dynasty still has the energy to send hundreds of thousands of troops south?

The Southern Dynasty wouldn’t believe it either!
Yelu Hongji became angry just thinking about this.

Yelu Hongli saw this and knew that Yelu Yan was eager for quick success and instant benefits this time, and he messed up the situation by forcing himself to do something. He said quickly: "Your Majesty, calm down. Now that things have come to this, I think you can issue an imperial edict to Yelu Yan and reprimand him so that he can no longer hinder state affairs."

Yelu Hongji nodded and said, "That's the only way!"

Could it be possible that Yelu Yan was transferred back?

He can't afford to lose this person!

"Don't let such a minister who doesn't know the importance of things appear in front of King Liang in the future." Yelu Hongji said, "When I take over Goryeo and rebuild the four Han counties, I will let him serve as an official in Pyongyang and lead the hunting and hunting on my behalf."

Yelu Hongli sighed and bowed, "Your Majesty is wise and wise."

After seeing off Yelu Hongli, Yelu Hongji also sighed. He took the memorials from Yelu Yan, Yelu Ju and others in his hands, read them again, and then shook his head.

Is Yelu Yan’s impeachment justified?
That makes sense.

But how can things in this world be based on reason alone?

Back then, King Wei, Yelu Yixin, was so powerful that he even forced the crown prince and the queen to death.

But doesn't he just have to endure it?
The reckoning with Yelu Yixin ended with his children.

Even Zhang Xiaojie, an ally of Yelu Yixin, was not held accountable, but merely demoted.

This is because he knew that Yelu Yixin's faction was widespread throughout the court and the country, filling the interior and exterior.

Not only in the Fifth and Sixth Departments of the Northern Courtyard, there are a large number of Wei Wang's party members.

Even a large number of the literati and officials in the Southern Court were promoted by Yelu Yixin.

If we get too serious, there will be a civil war immediately!

Therefore, we can only stop at the point and handle it in secret.

Some people always want to settle accounts.

They are hoping that the Liao Dynasty will be in chaos!

(End of this chapter)