I studied in modern times

Chapter 862: Korean Pills?

After leaving the imperial city, the Ouyang Fa brothers still seemed to be immersed in a dream.

The government seems to be more easy-going and more approachable than imagined!

Ouyang Wei was even more proud.

"The current emperor really knows how to use people well!" He murmured softly, no longer feeling the anxiety and awkwardness he had before entering the palace.

Yes!

What the emperor dislikes is the termite in the yamen!
But we are self-reliant and self-reliant scholars!
This emotion was still boiling in their chests when they got home.

The Ouyang family's house was located in Chongqingfang, in the north of the new city of Bianjing, adjacent to Bumowu.

The house is not big, with only two entrances and seven side rooms, a standard Bianjing residence.

From the outside, it doesn't look like the residence of a prime minister of the Song Dynasty.

However, in fact, even this house was not bought by Ouyang Xiu.

Instead, it was bestowed by the imperial court after Ouyang Xiu's death.

no way!
During his lifetime, Ouyang Xiu worked hard to save money so that he could buy a house in Bian Jing.

But unfortunately, his dream never came true until his death.

This is mainly because he spends too much!
He spent most of his savings from his official career just on the poetry and drinking parties he held to support the younger generation, help young people and bring them fame.

But he refused to follow the example of others and embezzle the court's public funds to make money.

In addition, he had no brothers to help him - for example, Su Xun, relying on the help of his brother Su Huan, successfully bought his first house in Bianliang at the age of fifty.

Although the consequence is that Su Shi and Su Zhe are still paying off the mortgage for the house that Su Xun bought back then.

In order to repay the loan, the two brothers had to rent out the house bought by their father to make money, and when they returned to Beijing, they lived in Chaojiyuan.

Therefore, in the Song Dynasty, if a person was the first generation to rise from a humble family.

So under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for him to buy a house in Bianjing City.

If he had a house, it was either acquired through corruption or granted by the court.

There is no third option.

There is no way. The housing prices in Bianjing have been so expensive for a long time.

But it has always been expensive!

In the Didian near Zhouqiao, the monthly rent for any single room is over 20 kan.

The monthly rent for a small courtyard like the one owned by the Ouyang Fa brothers is usually over a hundred strings of cash.

So, don’t be fooled by the small size of the house and its remote location, the market value is over 10,000 strings of cash!

If you meet someone you like, you can sell him/her for 20,000 strings of cash!
Therefore, after Ouyang Xiu passed away, when the Ouyang Fa brothers were offered a house by the court, they could not refuse it as firmly as Ouyang Xiu had.

After a slight hesitation, he quickly thanked God for his grace.

When the Ouyang Fa brothers returned home, they immediately went to visit their old mother and happily reported to her the news of their visit to the palace.

After listening to the brothers' reports, Xue finally put her worries aside and said, "In this case, my eldest and third brothers should work hard for the court and share the worries of the government!"

The two brothers were very confident.

At this time, a voice sounded beside Xue: "Da Lang, San Lang... Can you ask the emperor for mercy for my husband when you enter the palace this time?"

Ouyang Fa and Ouyang Wei were stunned for a moment.

Finished!

He was so focused on being happy that he forgot to plead for his uncle in front of the emperor.

Ouyang Fa had no choice but to say to the lady next to Xue: "My nephew greets my aunt..."

The other party was Xue Zhanshe’s wife, Xie.

She is also a lady from a famous family. Her grandfather is Xie Tao, her uncle is Xie Jiang, her uncle-in-law is Mei Yaochen, and her cousin-in-law is Wang Anli.

His three cousins ​​were also celebrities of the Song Dynasty at that time. They had great reputations in the literary world and were known as the Three Xies.

The most famous one is Xie Jingwen, who is now the prefect of Tanzhou. He is the most popular candidate for the Guangnan West Route Transport Commissioner after Miao Shizhong.

"Aunt, please forgive my sins..." Ouyang Fa apologized and bowed, "I entered the palace today and was in the presence of the emperor. I was so anxious that I forgot to ask for mercy from the emperor..."

"I hope my aunt will forgive me!"

"But next time I enter the palace, I will stand before the emperor and appeal for my uncle's injustice..."

Xie listened, and the light in her eyes dimmed suddenly. She said leisurely: "Don't blame me... Don't blame me..."

But the sadness on his face could not be wiped away.

Although her husband is still allowed to live at home, he only needs to go to the Dali Temple for questioning every day.

However, officials from the Dali Temple and the Censorate had already confiscated all of her family's books, correspondence, calligraphy, and anything else that had writing on it.

And they are stepping up the review day and night.

The questions asked during daily inquiries are becoming more and more frightening.

Xue Zhanshe now feels that he may never come back every day when he goes to the Dali Temple, so he always writes a suicide note in advance.

Although Xie and her husband did not have a good relationship, she was frightened three times a day when she saw this.

Although she is not afraid of being implicated, the worst that can happen is that she goes back to her parents' home!

No matter what the Xie family does, they will not let her starve to death.

But she was afraid that her children would be influenced by Xue Zhanshe!

Especially for the youngest daughter who is still unmarried, what if...

I'm afraid that no matter how much dowry is given, no one will be willing to marry her.

So, as she spoke, she began to cry heavily.

Ouyang Fa was so frightened that he quickly bowed and said, "Don't worry, aunt... The government has ordered my brothers to present my father's manuscripts and collections..."

"My brothers and I will sort out my father's manuscripts and send them to the palace tomorrow. When the emperor sees my father's manuscripts, he will surely be very pleased. At that time, we can plead with the emperor and perhaps get my uncle out of prison..."

"Really?" asked Mrs. Xie.

"It must be so!"

Although Xie didn't believe it, she had no choice but to say, "I hope so..."

These days, she also started reading Bian Jing Xin Bao and Bian Jing Yi Bao.

You don’t know until you see it, it’s so scary!

In fact, the articles published in these two tabloids are becoming more and more murderous.

At the beginning, they just dealt with the matter at hand and criticized the clerks in the prefecture for breaking the law.

But slowly, I began to reflect.

Reflect on the government and the laws of the court.

Especially the Bian Jing Righteous Report, the literati and officials directly copied the original words of the saint, and then questioned the officials in the court - can the saint's benevolence, righteousness, loyalty and forgiveness still work in the Song Dynasty?
In the past two days, the wording in the tabloids has become increasingly intense.

It is no longer just aimed at the clerks in the government, and it is no longer just a simple question of body type.

They even began to investigate who gave those clerks the courage to come.
Add to that the impact of the prophecies of the hereditary residence that were seized from the home of the clerk in Chenliu County, and its influence on public opinion.

Everyone in the Xue family is now like a frightened bird.

Xue looked at her sister-in-law and could not help but comfort her: "Don't worry... When I entered the palace the day before yesterday and paid a visit to the two palaces, I had already asked for mercy for Zhanshe..."

"At that time, both the two palaces said: Zhanshe is the son of a meritorious official. Although the world does not say it, the royal family always remembers that it was my father who first proposed to make Yingmiao the heir to the throne!"

Xie then nodded hesitantly: "With my sister here, the master will be safe!"

Xue listened and sighed.

What can she do?
Before his death, the old father held her hand and begged her to take better care of Zhanshe.

He could only sacrifice his reputation and go to other ladies in the family to plead for mercy, asking them to also speak well of him in the palace.

Of course, the premise is that Xue Zhanshe did not really come up with any conspiracy or rebellion with those messy friends outside.

Although this probability is very low.

However, when Ouyang Xiu was compiling the New Book of Tang, Xue had helped him. Therefore, Xue knew that some of the guys who plotted rebellion were really just people who were just having fun.

Many people even drank just two ounces of horse urine and did things that would bring disaster to their entire clan.

so……

We really need to get our brother out quickly!
Otherwise, what if the Censorate and the Dali Temple really find out something.

That would not only implicate the entire Xue family.

Even she and her children and granddaughters may be implicated!
With such thoughts in mind, Xue looked at Xie and said softly, "Sister-in-law..."

"After you get home, talk to Zhanshe about it..."

"Why not take the initiative to present a petition to the emperor, apologize for your crimes, repent for your mistakes... and take the initiative to enter the Imperial Academy to receive further instruction from the sage!"

Xie was stunned for a moment, then hesitantly asked, "Is this okay?"

"It should work!" Xue said, "The royal family should just ask for an attitude!"

"But the master may not agree..." Xie lowered her head.

Re-education at the Imperial Academy?
This was something that made countless government officials in Bianjing City turn pale with fear.

After the details of Guo Xianqing and Wu Anchi's life in the Imperial College were leaked, the Yanei regarded it as hell.

It would be fine if you had to study and take exams every morning and evening.

There was no one to serve me. I had to wash my own clothes, cook my own meals, and clean my own room...

It’s scary just thinking about it!
Not to mention, it is said that there is not even a female animal where they live.

Don’t even think about having a beautiful woman by your side!
From morning till night, there are only scriptures and articles.

Being a monk is better than going to the Imperial Academy!
Thinking of this, Xie's eyes lit up.

It seems as if maybe, if the official goes to the Imperial College, there will be peace at home!

Those beautiful girls, those coquettish women, can no longer harass the official.

Following Guo Xianqing's example, except for Princess Baoshou who could visit once every five days, no one else was allowed to approach.

As a result, the relationship between the couple improved by leaps and bounds and became as sweet as honey.

Many people close to the princess said that now the princess and her husband are treating each other as equals, just like a newlywed couple.

Especially after the news that Princess Baoshou was pregnant came out last year.

Many ladies in the capital even secretly hoped that their husbands could go to the Imperial Academy to receive "re-education" from the sage.

Thinking of this, Xie whispered, "Then let me try?"

Seeing this, Xue smiled and nodded, "Yes!"

Xue was very disappointed with her younger brother who was in his fifties and still hanging around outside.

The misfortune that had occurred this time had frightened her to the point of dread.

Maybe if he goes to the Imperial College, my brother will behave himself.

……

The next day was the fourth day of the seventh month.

When Zhao Xu woke up early in the morning, Shi Deyi appeared in front of the curtain outside his bedroom.

"Are all of you here?" Zhao Xu asked.

"Yes!"

"Come in and talk!"

"promise!"

Shi Deyi bowed and walked in, coming to Zhao Xu's bed.

"Everyone..." Shi Deyi reported, "Last night, the Communications Office received an urgent report from Waqiao Pass..."

"The Liao ruler sent a letter saying that he had sent Xiao De Chong, the governor of Chongyi Army, as the chief envoy, and Zhang Lin, the senior official, the junior minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the assistant minister of Wen Pavilion, as the deputy envoy to congratulate the Empress Dowager on her birthday... Now, the delegation has arrived at Waqiao Pass and requested to enter the country..."

"The letter also said that thousands of trees have been cut down according to the agreement and gathered in Fuzhou, Suzhou (Lushun) and other places. Your Majesty, please send an envoy to inspect..."

Zhao Xu immediately asked, "Where is the letter of credence?"

Shi Deyi immediately presented the copied Liao letter to Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu took it and read it carefully.

Then he narrowed his eyes and said, "It seems... the Liao people are going to make a big move in Goryeo!"

"In all likelihood, the siege of Kaijing has reached its final stage!"

"The Liao people are probably planning to solve the Kaijing issue within this year!"

"If this continues, by this time next year, Goryeo will be destroyed!"

why?
Because the letter clearly stated that Zhao Xu should send people to Fuzhou, Suzhou, Baozhou and other places in Liaoyang Prefecture to inspect the felled oak.

Moreover, Zhao Xu was required to send someone to investigate immediately after receiving the letter.

This shows that the Liao people urgently needed to purchase commercial goods from the Song Dynasty.

According to the information provided by Yelu Ju and others, the commercial goods purchased by the Song-Liao trade, especially the cheap goods such as old tea, inferior tea, and old silk, were basically shipped to Goryeo as rewards.

The Liao people relied on cheap goods purchased from the Song Dynasty to maintain their war machine and their domestic economic security.

If Zhao Xu had not sold various cheap goods worth millions of strings of cash to the Liao people this year.

How could the Liao people be so calm and composed on the Korean Peninsula? How could they be so steady?
I am afraid that just like the three previous wars between Liao and Goryeo, they had to adopt risky policies due to financial pressure and were stabbed in the back and ambushed by the Goryeo people in various ways.

At the same time, due to the tight military budget and the inability to pay military rewards in time, the soldiers had no choice but to indulge in plundering Goryeo.

This directly forced the Goryeo soldiers and civilians in the occupied areas to rebel.

In the end, hundreds of thousands of Liao troops were trapped in the vast sea of ​​Goryeo people.

In addition, the Bohai nobles and Jurchen tribes in the rear were hindering the enemy and stabbing them in the back and harassing their food supply routes.

Therefore, the three wars between Liao and Goryeo all started off well but ended badly, and even resulted in heavy casualties.

Even though they captured Kaifeng, they could only retreat in disgrace with their tails between their legs.

It's different now.

In the Song Dynasty, cheap commercial goods, especially large quantities of old tea, inferior tea, old cloth and inferior cloth, were continuously transported to the Liao Kingdom through the Song-Liao trade.

The Liao people directly solved the most fatal problem of military rewards. They only needed to solve the problem of military food, and they could confront and consume the Koreans for a long time on the Korean Peninsula, and erode the hearts of the Korean people.

Although Yelu Hongji had a lot of problems, he really dared to use people and was willing to trust his ministers.

It has truly been achieved: trust people when you employ them, and don't employ people you don't trust.

As a result, the situation in Goryeo became increasingly dangerous.

In the past month or so, both the monk Yi Tian and the newcomer Li Ziyi have become more humble in their wording and their speech has become more and more pleasant.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu looked at Shi Deyi and ordered, "Master, tell Guo Zhongxiao that I have ordered him to summon Xing Shu today!"

I need to have a good communication with Xing Shu.

As for Goryeo, they have almost been tortured to death, so we should give them some benefits. We cannot really let the Liao people destroy Goryeo.

At the very least, we cannot allow the Liao people to easily destroy Goryeo and complete the unification of the northeast!
Although, from a historical perspective, this is actually a contribution that will benefit future generations for thousands of years.

If Yelu Hongji could really achieve what he boasted in his letter to the country - rebuilding the four Han counties and making the land that had been occupied by the barbarians for a thousand years return to China.

Then the descendants thousands of years later will all kowtow to him - at least they will no longer have to worry about their various cultures being stolen.

If he crossed the sea again and occupied Japan, he could even just rule it as a tributary.

Then he would be qualified to have a separate page in the textbooks of future generations and be given the title of Emperor XX.

However, Zhao Xu did not live in history. In the present reality, the strategic interests and objective requirements of the Song Dynasty did not allow the Liao people to complete the unification of the northeast.

We must not allow the Liao people to control Japan.

A Liao Kingdom that has no worries and can increase its population by millions.

For the current Song Dynasty, the strategic pressure is too great!

(End of this chapter)