I studied in modern times

Chapter 887: Queen Mother Xiang wants to remove the curtain
In the second year of Yuanyou, on July 26, it was Kuncheng Festival.

At the hour of Mao, the prime minister, the ministers of the six ministries, the generals of the three yamen, the relatives of the emperor and the royal family, etc., gathered in succession at the inner east gate to congratulate the Kuncheng Festival.

Everyone presented congratulatory messages and birthday gifts to the Qingshou Palace.

At chen time, the Liao envoys congratulated in Chongzheng Hall. At si time, a banquet was held in Wende Hall.

At 3:00 p.m., envoys from Goryeo, Jiaozhi, the five southwestern tribes, Japan and other countries came in turn to congratulate him on his birthday and offer tributes of varying degrees.

At noon on the 3rd day of the 4th month, a banquet was given in the Jiying Hall to celebrate the Kuncheng Festival with all the royal family, relatives and nobles.

At the right time of Xu, all clan members, relatives of the emperor, ministers, elders and ladies of high rank were comforted in the Qingshou Palace, where they celebrated the Kuncheng Festival with the Empress Dowager.

When everything was over, it was almost midnight when Zhao Xu dragged his tired body and returned to Baoci Palace with Empress Dowager Xiang.

This was the most tiring day for Zhao Xu since he woke up from Qingning Palace.

From the hour of Mao to the hour of Zi, he was like a puppet, going back and forth between different halls, accepting worship from different figures and saying some polite words.

He was tired both physically and mentally.

Especially, he is too young!

Such heavy workload is really unbearable.

Even adults may not be able to withstand such hard work day after day and will get sick sooner or later.

This is why emperors of feudal dynasties generally had short lives.

If you want to hold all the power, you have to do everything yourself.

So, I get up earlier than the chicken and sleep later than the dog.

He also had to go to the harem from time to time and have sex with the concubines.

Even if one has a body made of iron, it cannot withstand such torture.

For example, Zhao Xu's father, the emperor, was in good health during the Xining period because Wang Anshi helped handle most of the government affairs.

But after the first year of Yuanfeng, his health quickly deteriorated.

The reason was that after he dismissed Wang Anshi, he wanted to concentrate all power in himself and monopolize it.

He succeeded!

But the consequence is that the body quickly collapses.

However, when he was in his thirties, he developed cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and eventually died of a stroke.

Zhao Xu's early death in his previous life was actually related to the fact that after he took power, he was eager to achieve results. Later, when his health deteriorated, he was eager to have a son.

Therefore, Zhao Xu has always attached great importance to the stability of the center and the continuity of policies.

Since he ascended the throne, he has tried to appoint ministers who are capable, experienced, familiar with state affairs and the state of the country, and who will not intensify conflicts.

In particular, the two left prime ministers who were appointed successively, Han Jiang and Lu Gongzhu, were both people who could control the situation and stabilize the basic base.

It was these people who took over a large number of minor affairs and handled them in an orderly manner.

This allowed Zhao Xu to quietly push forward his own agenda step by step.

Of course, there is a price to pay for doing so.

The power of the capital has become unprecedentedly strong.

The effectiveness of the letters signed by the ministers is beginning to approach that of the official letters signed by the prime ministers of the Tang Dynasty.

Especially among the prime ministers and officials who hold concurrent positions.

The post he signed was even almost the same as Zhao Xu's handwritten edict.

No one dared to disobey, and no one dared to hinder.

This is very un-Song Dynasty.

The political foundation of the system of controlling the big and the small and mixing up different opinions has quietly loosened.

Interest groups are taking shape one after another at a rapid pace.

To put it in modern terms, the Song Dynasty was increasingly evolving towards a deep government.

The power of the bureaucracy grows stronger every day than yesterday.

The most obvious example is Zeng Bu.

Since taking office, Zeng Bu used the case of Fujie to begin to root his authority in the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple.

Nowadays, for both domestic and foreign criminal cases, the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice must consult him for review of death penalty decisions reported by prefectures and counties, and only dare to execute them after receiving his approval.

As for the military equipment manufacturing bureau headed by Shen Kuo?

That is even more so.

Now, all matters in the military equipment manufacturing bureau are managed by Shen Kuo and the group of technical officers he promoted.

Even Dutang can’t interfere!
Except for the various departments led by Liu Weijian, no one knew how much money the Military Equipment Manufacturing Bureau spent every year and where the money was spent.
Although the current military equipment manufacturing bureau is quite efficient under the leadership of Shen Kuo.

But what about the future?

Anyway, Zhao Xu felt that in a few decades, this bureau that specialized in manufacturing military weapons would probably become a monster that no one could touch.

But isn't this the case with everything in this world?

As entropy increases, everything will decay.

Nothing lasts forever.

So, Zhao Xu never thinks about things that are too far ahead, such as the future.

What he always wanted was - as long as these mines didn't explode while I was alive.

As for the explosion after his death?
Who's in charge then?

Even modern great men cannot take care of what will happen a hundred years after their own death, and some even die and their regimes cease to exist.

Therefore, Zhao Xu was very open-minded.

As long as I am alive, I can bring the Song Dynasty to a new height, and in future history books, I will get rid of the label of "the defeated Song Dynasty" and the nickname of "the cowardly one".

After I die, will the workers revolt and send my descendants to the guillotine, or will the scholars and officials force the emperor to abdicate and turn my descendants into mascots?

All works!

That’s fine too!

At least, it was better than the fate of being invaded by the Jin soldiers into Bian Jing, having his and his ancestors' coffins dug out, and leaving their bodies to be eaten by wild dogs!

With this mentality, all of Zhao Xu's choices were reasonable.

After returning to Baoci Palace, Zhao Xu hurriedly washed up with the help of Zhang, the palace lady who served Empress Dowager Xiang, and climbed onto the bed.

Baoci Palace is particularly deserted today.

In the huge bedroom, there were only a few female officials and eunuchs serving Empress Dowager Xiang.

Meng Qingqing, Wen Xunniang, and Di Qiang were all at the Qingshou Palace, accompanying their respective relatives.

This is a rare moment for them to reunite as a family.

Zhao Xu leaned on the bed, playing with a few silver-white coins in his hands, which were carved with auspicious patterns of dragons and phoenixes, and had patterns of turtles and cranes offering longevity, immortals bestowing blessings, and Buddhas preaching.

This is a white copper coin, also called a consecration coin.

It is a commemorative coin from the feudal era.

It has been minted since the Sui Dynasty.

It is a kind of coin minted for the Emperor and Empress' Holy Day or other festivals.

During this Kuncheng Festival, the Ministry of Rites, as per custom, minted a batch of consecration coins and presented them to the palace as rewards.

When Zhao Xu saw them, he was also tempted and took a few of them.

Leaning against the bed, Zhao Xu played with the consecration coins in his hand, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Is this made of tin-copper alloy?" He examined the consecration coin in his hand.

In modern times, because of his circle, he often needs help in identifying various antiques.

From calligraphy and paintings, porcelain, inkstones, book stickers to coins, everything is available.

This naturally includes various kinds of white copper coins.

To this end, he naturally learned about white copper coins.

So Zhao Xu knew that the so-called white copper was actually a general term for three different copper alloys.

There are tin-copper-lead alloys, arsenic-copper alloys, and nickel-copper alloys.

Because the coins made of these alloys are corrosion-resistant, not easy to rust and have an appearance close to silver, they have always been popular in ancient times and are called "platinum".

Especially the nickel-copper alloy, because the smelting and extraction of nickel is extremely difficult, it has the highest value among many white copper coins!
"In a few days, we have to call Shen Kuo over and have him study the formula of this tin-copper alloy carefully!"

This is a way to make money!

Because the current coins are actually an alloy of tin, copper and lead.

Therefore, as long as we can find a way to experiment with a reliable metallurgical formula, we can produce white copper coins in large quantities just like making copper coins.

If this is the case...

Zhao Xu licked his lips.

Various kinds of big coins have been issued in all dynasties, such as Wang Mang's Dahuang Dangqian, the Daquan Dangqian of the King of Wei and Wu, and various Dangshi, Dangbai and Dangqian coins issued by the Tang Dynasty after the Anshi Rebellion.

They all have only one purpose - to plunder private wealth through financial means.

The Song Dynasty would naturally not let go of such a good tool for plundering.

Therefore, after the founding of the country, various large coins have been minted and issued to plunder wealth.

However, having learned from the lessons of previous generations and fearing that this might cause panic among the people and lead to an economic collapse, they are relatively timid and dare not play too big a game.

Generally, the discount is 2 cents, of course, there are also cases where the discount is 3 cents, but not many.

At the same time, the general two-fold coins are generally larger and heavier than the small flat coins in weight and size.

The value of white copper is at least ten times that of copper coins.

Even if it is minted and issued in large quantities, it can at least be regarded as ten coins because of the trust and acceptance of the people!
Therefore, if costs can be controlled, this means huge profits!

So can costs be controlled?
This is inevitable!
"I vaguely remember that by the Ming and Qing dynasties, even the production of nickel-white copper was very large!"

It is so large that it can produce dozens or even hundreds of tons every year!

As for the white copper of tin-copper alloy, no one knows how much there is.

Therefore, in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, coins made of white copper appeared among the people, which were called Huaqian.

Zhao Xu had even seen white copper vessels exported during the Ming and Qing dynasties in Western museums.

"In addition, there seems to be zinc-nickel copper in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and there is even iron-nickel copper in modern times..."

“These are all directions that can be studied!”

To study things and acquire knowledge!
It is to conduct repeated experiments, repeated verifications, summarize the laws, record the data, and finally form theoretical texts to serve as the basis for guiding production and construction.

On this basis, one step further is what modern people call "science".

Shen Kuo was the founder and guide of the "Way of the Sage" of investigating things and seeking knowledge.

He was also determined to expand this "Way of the Sage", make it a prominent school of thought, and turn it into the orthodox Confucianism.

Therefore, Zhao Xu believed that he would definitely take positive action after taking on this task.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu recalled the Yuan Datou coins he had seen in modern times.

Of course, he didn't want to make silver coins.

The current Song Dynasty does not have enough silver and gold reserves.

At least, it cannot support the monetization of silver and gold.

However, if we can find a way to use hydraulic machinery for coin making.

This is another way.

At the same time, it can also promote technological development and diffusion.

It just so happened that the Yuanyou Hunyun Bureau, led by Su Song, was vigorously developing and researching various hydraulic equipment technologies.

It is entirely possible to transfer the relevant technologies of the Yuanyou Hunyun Bureau to the military equipment manufacturing bureau, and use them for coin making and even military equipment production.

Zhao Xu remembered that the Renaissance movement in Europe was based on the development of various hydraulic machinery, which brought about technological progress and development of productivity.

Ultimately, all of this led to the Industrial Revolution.

Thinking about these things, Zhao Xu's eyelids began to droop, and soon he leaned back on the bed and fell asleep.

Zhang, the palace lady who had been standing in the bedroom, saw that Zhao Xu had fallen asleep, so she gently walked forward, picked him up, put him on the pillow, and covered him with a quilt.

After doing all this, she quietly tiptoed out of the bedroom and came to the palace where Empress Dowager Xiang lived.

At this time, Empress Dowager Xiang had not yet gone to bed.

She knelt in front of the shrine, facing the Medicine King Bodhisattva, and chanted scriptures from the "Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata Sutra".

When she heard the footsteps, she did not turn back and continued to recite the scriptures.

Zhang came up behind her and bowed softly, "Madam, the emperor has fallen asleep."

Empress Dowager Xiang continued to recite the sutra until she finished reciting a passage. She bowed three times to the Bodhisattva, then turned back to look at Zhang and asked, "Is there anything else?"

Zhang bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, today the Lady Fengsheng Renshou from the Qingshou Palace came to me privately and said something. I am terrified and don't know whether I should report this to Your Majesty..."

"Huh?!" Empress Dowager Xiang and Zhang grew up together. Although they were master and servant in name, they were actually sisters.

Similarly, Lady Fengsheng Renshou of the Qingshou Palace was a female official who served beside the Empress Dowager when she was in Prince Pu's residence.

He was the Empress Dowager's absolute confidant.

What she said could be directly understood as the Empress Dowager's thoughts.

"What did Madam Fengsheng Renshou say?" asked Empress Dowager Xiang indifferently.

"I'm listening to Madam Sheng Renshou. Why didn't the ministers submit a petition to ask the Empress Dowager to resume her throne in the main hall during the Kuncheng Festival?" Zhang bowed to the ground and reported softly.

"Madam also said that if this continues for a long time, the outside court might think that it was the Queen who was hindering the ministers and not inviting the Grand Empress Dowager to the palace!"

"If this is the case, it may hurt the saintly virtue of the queen!"

At this point, Zhang prostrated herself on the ground: "I am so frightened that I don't know what to do! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Xiang Tai stood behind him expressionlessly, holding the Buddhist beads in her hand, turning them one by one.

After a long while, she finally sighed and said, "Does the Queen think that I am the one who is trying to stop the minister?"

"How can I have this ability?!"

Why did the ministers and elders only submit a symbolic petition to move to the main hall of Qingshou Palace after the Zhang Dunli case, and after Qingshou Palace politely declined, no one submitted a petition to bring up the matter again?

Why, even Kun Chengjie did not mention this matter?
Doesn’t Qingshou Palace know about this yet?

If Sixth Brother hadn't been young, if she, the queen mother, hadn't always given the decision-making power of major events and policies to Sixth Brother.

Believe it or not, even now, those ministers in the outer court will join hands to force her to retreat to the palace.

The scholar-officials and civil servants always stand on the side of the monarchy.

For them, having a female ruler in charge of government is a "stopgap measure" and a last resort when the situation calls for "the uncle to help the sister-in-law who is drowning".

When the emperor reaches adulthood, he is able to make decisions on military and national affairs.

Then, no one would be willing to continue to see the heroine in charge of government affairs!

That year, Empress Zhangxian Mingsu passed away. Her will included a text that honored Empress Zhang Hui as the empress dowager and allowed her to discuss military and national affairs with the emperor.

However, Zhangxian Mingsu had just passed away, and the ink on her will had not yet dried.

The ministers deleted all the words in front of Empress Zhang Hui.

The reason is plausible - the emperor is old and well-versed in the world's true nature. Now he is starting to take charge of government affairs. Is it appropriate to allow the queen to take over as the ruler?
And all the ministers at that time were appointed by Zhangxian Mingsu!

Even these ministers who were promoted and appointed by Zhang Xianmingsu himself were like this.

What about now, and what about these prime ministers today?

Look at them!
Either he was selected by the imperial court, or he was appointed by the Sixth Brother himself.

Can they spoil the Qingshou Palace?
They might not even pamper their sixth brother's biological mother, the Queen Mother!

The most favorite person among the civil officials in the outer court now is Concubine Dowager Zhu.

She only lived in the deep palace, did not ask about state affairs, did not interfere in court affairs, and did not even take the initiative to ask for benefits from her relatives.

Accept what the court gives, and don’t ask for anything else if the court doesn’t give.

In the eyes of the literati, the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager should be like this too!
Be sensible and be decent.

"I can also do what Han Zhongxian did!"

These are the words that countless ministers and senior officials kept in their hearts but never spoke out loud.

When Empress Dowager Xiang thought of this, she sighed.

She knew clearly that the Queen Mother had a proud and strong character, and she would not tolerate any discrimination from others.

so……

She really needs to think carefully about how to deal with this matter.

Otherwise, if a disturbance arises, it will damage the country's reputation and Sixth Brother's reputation.

After thinking for a while, Empress Dowager Xiang clasped her hands together and sighed, "Tomorrow you should go and tell Madam Fengsheng Renshou: The new bride should serve her aunt as if she were her biological mother. Since her aunt is in the palace, how dare the new bride attend government affairs in the palace?"

"To prevent others from gossiping, the bride should withdraw the curtains and retire to the palace with the queen from now on to enjoy her remaining years in peace!"

Persuade the prime minister and the ministers to go to Qingshou Palace to hold court again.

She didn't have the ability, nor did she have the mind to do so - she was a mother first, and then the daughter-in-law of Qingshou Palace!

On this point, Empress Dowager Xiang had a clear understanding.

Since the Qingshou Palace suspected that she, the daughter-in-law, was obstructing the prime ministers from submitting a petition to the Empress Dowager to return to the palace to govern the country?
As a filial daughter-in-law, Empress Dowager Xiang had no choice.

The only thing we can do is to withdraw the curtain and hand over the state affairs to our sixth brother!
However, the sixth brother is still young and may not be able to take on the heavy responsibility of state affairs.

But she had no choice.

This is the only way to avoid conflict between the two palaces and a crisis in etiquette and law.

It was also the only decent way to deal with the Empress Dowager's strong character.

(End of this chapter)