I studied in modern times

Chapter 908: Layout of Nanyang
September 25th, the second year of Yuanyou ().

The name of the former emperor's imperial temple was changed to Qiyun. The title was further changed to Shaotian Qiyun Yingying Liewu Shengxiao Emperor.

Shaotian means inheriting the mission entrusted by heaven; Qiyun means starting a new era, and it can also be interpreted as starting a brand new foundation.

At the end of the second year of Yuanyou, the Song Dynasty court made this decision.

Naturally, it contains extremely profound political significance.

The former emperor was both the inheritor of heaven and the initiator of destiny.

Therefore, the Xining and Yuanfeng eras must have been politically correct, feasible, and beneficial to the country.

No matter how many problems there were during the Xining and Yuanfeng periods, they must be whitewashed now.

At least officially it must be so.

Otherwise, it would be opposing the imperial court, slandering the late emperor, and blaspheming the sacred!

Therefore, the historians in charge of compiling "Shenzong Shilu" and the national history were equivalent to receiving a clear order from the highest level - the virtue of the late emperor shines throughout the world and benefits all living beings!
He is truly the best king in the history of the Song Dynasty!

Although, in the eyes of public opinion, historians are upright gentlemen who will fight to the end with powerful officials and emperors for the sake of truth and the seriousness of history, and will never compromise and would rather die than surrender.

But Zhao Xu knew they were not.

Because in Zhao Xu's previous life, there were two versions of his father's records.

One was compiled during the Yuanyou era and is called the "Old Record", and the other was compiled during the Shaosheng and Yuanfu eras and is called the "New Record".

As for the records of the Reform in the 'Old Records' and the 'New Records', they cannot be said to be exactly the same; they can only be said to be completely opposite.

Then, during the Southern Song Dynasty, the Wanyan Gou regime that moved south could not criticize Zhao Ji's stupidity, so it had to attribute all the mistakes to the Xining Reforms.

So the "Records of Emperor Shenzong" was revised for the third time...

And the historians obviously knew that they were not.

Therefore, officials from those in charge of compiling the national history to Fan Bailu, the editor of the Veritable Records of Emperor Shenzong, all submitted memorials expressing their views such as "The virtue of the late emperor was so great and holy that we, the ministers, are overwhelmed and honored, and we submit memorials to praise him" and so on.

It seems like nothing has been said, but in fact everything has been said.

It’s not that there were no stubborn officials in the Song Dynasty.

Rather, a stubborn official would never be appointed as a historian.

This is also the experience that rulers have slowly explored over thousands of years.

Asking the historian for daily records directly is too deliberate and also very bad manners.

Moreover, if even a few words get out, it will be bad for your reputation and face.

Instead of doing this, it is better to solve the problem at the source - as long as the historians and officials who record daily life and words and deeds appointed by me will definitely stand on my side.

So why should I worry?

People who are kept are not worthy of talking about independent personality!

Of course, since it is a sponsorship, the corresponding benefits must naturally be given.

Otherwise, it might be an insult to other people's profession.

Therefore, after seeing the memorials submitted by the historians, Zhao Xu immediately issued an edict to increase the amount of money for relevant officials in the name of attaching importance to the compilation of the previous emperor's records.

Among them, the quota of public money for the Shenzong Veritable Records Compilation Office directly increased by two thousand strings of cash a year!
And this envoy's money from the Song Dynasty government office...

Who doesn’t know that it is the secret fund of officials in the government office?
Although in theory, diplomatic money can only be used for the company's official expenses, the problem is that there is no supervision over diplomatic money at all!

How the money should actually be spent is all decided by the chief officer of the company.

Therefore, this edict was actually giving money to the historians.

But it was done quite decently and no one could find fault with it.

The historians had received such a great benefit, Zhao Xu believed that with their professionalism they would not let him down!
……

It was September Yi Hai (26), the second day after the great Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty was given the honorific title.

Liang Weijian, the Imperial City Envoy and the Chief of the Eunuchs, was appointed as the Grand Administrator to welcome the portrait of Emperor Shenzong, and respectfully present the portrait of the late emperor to the Huisheng Palace in Luoyang.

Zhao Xu then led the royal family, relatives and ministers to Gyeongbokgung Palace in person, wearing mourning clothes and holding bamboo sticks, and cried and bid farewell to the late emperor in the newly named [Qiyun Palace]. They went to the Anluoyang Ancestral Temple and Huisheng Palace, and cried all the way to the gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and then led the ministers to kneel and bid farewell to the late emperor.

Zhao Xu stood up only when the team led by Liang Weijian slowly disappeared from the end of his sight amid the sound of ceremonial music played by the knights of the drum band.

The three elders of the imperial clan, Zhao Zongsheng, the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan, Zhao Zongjing, the Co-Master of the Imperial Clan, and Zhao Zonghui, the heir to the throne of Pu, immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we respectfully invite you to take off your mourning clothes!"

Other members of the imperial clan and ministers also knelt down one after another: "Your Majesty, we respectfully ask the Emperor to take off his mourning clothes!"

Zhao Xu cried, "My father is still alive, and the spirit of my father is still alive. How can I take off my mourning clothes?"

The ministers bowed and said, "This is the etiquette, what can we do?"

"Your Majesty, please take off your clothes!"

Zhao Xu cried and refused again: "My father is so kind, how can I bear to take off my mourning clothes?"

"Your Majesty, please consider the country!" The ministers bowed again and made the request.

This happened three times. Finally, at the urging of his ministers, Zhao Xu took off his mourning clothes and put on new white casual clothes.

Then, he looked deeply at the deep ruts left on the wide royal road outside Gyeongbokgung Palace.

He exhaled slightly, and said in his heart: "Father... your son, I bid you farewell again!"

Yes!

Although, it has been nearly three years since the death of Emperor Shenzong Shaotian Qiyun Liewu Shengxiao of the Song Dynasty.

But it was not until now, when one of his portraits was respectfully sent to the Shenggong Palace of the Luoyang Ancestral Temple for enshrinement, that his funeral ceremony was truly completed.

This is a gift!
It is cumbersome and lengthy, but solemn and dignified.

"do not worry!"

"I will never let you down!"

"The country will surely be revived!"

So, when Zhao Xu returned to the palace, he informed the two palaces that the portrait of the late emperor had been escorted by Liang Weijian to the ancestral temple in Luoyang for burial.

After hearing this, both palaces looked towards Luoyang and shed tears.

But they soon recovered.

"Since the late emperor's portrait has been respectfully welcomed to the Huisheng Palace in Luoyang, the emperor should take off his mourning clothes!" The Empress Dowager said, "From now on, all the taboos in the Funing Palace should be abolished!"

The Empress Dowager nodded: "Your Majesty is right!"

"Besides..." The Empress Dowager wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "It's time for new people to enter the palace!"

She looked at Queen Mother Xiang: "What do you think?"

She bowed her head to the Queen Mother and said, "I will obey your will in everything."

The Empress Dowager hummed and said, "If that's the case, then I'll make the decision!"

Zhao Xu and Empress Dowager Xiang said in unison: "Yes!"

But in their hearts, both Zhao Xu and Empress Dowager Xiang had a similar thought:

The desire for power in the Qingshou Palace is still as strong as ever!

This means that whenever possible, they will try every possible means to seize power.

so……

Empress Dowager Xiang had a stern look in her mind: "We must not let Qingshou Palace have the chance to attend government affairs in the palace again!"

If this is the case, let alone other risks.

Just one thing - with the Queen Mother's desire for power, when Sixth Brother grows up, will she easily agree to withdraw the curtain?

I'm afraid he will be like Zhang Xianmingsu, holding on to power until he dies!

How can this be?Absolutely not!

Besides, it's not decent.

During the past two months, Empress Dowager Xiang has been in sole power and has felt the trend of public opinion both inside and outside the court - the ministers, especially the young and strong ministers, can't wait to let the sixth brother take power.

Therefore, the Queen Mother really needs to take power again.

If things go wrong, someone might shout, "I can do what Han Zhongxian did," and force the emperor to abdicate.

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Xiang began to secretly plan in her heart.

"It's time to let the Queen Aunt take care of more similar things..."

It just so happens that everyone in the court is worried that in the future, Sixth Brother’s surroundings will be filled with “Qiang and Di girls” from Xihe.

Then expand the scope and scale of the selection, and allow all women of appropriate age who are eligible to enter the palace to come to the palace.

Let the queen choose.

It would be best if we could do this every year.

As a result, the Queen Mother's mind and energy were all involved in these matters, and she probably had no spare energy to mess with state affairs.

In two or three years, Sixth Brother will have grown up, and no matter what the Queen Mother wants to do, she will be powerless to do anything.

……

Zhao Xu returned to Funing Palace.

Shi Deyi came forward to meet him.

"Everyone……"

"The director is here..." Zhao Xu greeted with a smile.

"I respectfully obey your command!" Shi Deyi bowed his head and said.

"I remember that last year I ordered the governor to train a group of soldiers who could speak the languages ​​of the Southeast Asian countries in the Investigation Department?"

During the Song Dynasty, there was the Tongwenguan, which specialized in foreign languages ​​(including local minority languages ​​and dialects).

However, the city of Bianjing was an open international trade city second only to the city of Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty.

There are a great number of foreign language talents.

At the same time, there are also many foreigners.

There were all kinds of people, such as the Arabs, Persians, Indians, Byzantines (so they called themselves, but actually no one knew whether they were from Byzantium or not), and Icileans.

Various religions also have branch temples in the city of Bianliang.

For example, in Yimenfang of Bianjing City, there are mosques of the Arabs, churches of the Nestorianists, temples of the Evangelicals, and even Zoroastrian altars!
These religions, which would fight each other whenever they met in other parts of the world today, are peaceful in Yimenfang of Bianjing City.

Therefore, Zhao Xu asked Shi Deyi to select people with language talent from the Investigation Department early on, and then use the advantages of Bianjing City to train soldiers who speak the relevant languages.

Originally, this matter was somewhat difficult.

However, when there was a severe drought in Huainan last year, some people from the Leye industry came out and donated money and materials with drums and gongs in order to promote the value of united front.

As they wished, Zhao Xu soon noticed these guys.

Zhao Xu had neither good feelings nor bad feelings towards these vagrants.

But he knew that these people were very useful pawns.

First, they are greedy enough.

Second, they are weak enough.

In the end, the fact that they have traveled far and wide, wandered the world, and are knowledgeable, but are hated by everyone, proves that they are good at attracting hatred!
Therefore, whether it is the kings of Europe, the sultans and emirs of the Middle East and Central Asia, the later Mongols, or even the modern lighthouses on the other side of the ocean.

Everyone who has used it says it’s good!
So many users have used this product and it has received extremely high praise.

There was no reason for Zhao Xu not to take advantage of it.

Therefore, Zhao Xu asked Shi Deyi to recruit a group of people from the Cile industry group to serve as language instructors.

These people, together with the existing talent pool of the Tongwenguan, are basically enough to train a group of logicians who are proficient in Nanyang languages.

Shi Deyi was slightly stunned when he heard Zhao Xu's question, then he remembered this matter and quickly replied: "Your Majesty, I have not dared to slack off since I received the imperial edict. Now the Investigation Department has more than ten people who are proficient in the languages ​​and writings of the Southeast Asian countries..."

"Yes!" Zhao Xu nodded: "Raise the troops for a thousand days and use them in one moment!"

"Send them all out!"

"Go to Mingzhou and find Uncle Zong Liang. He will arrange for them to sail to the Southeast Asian countries..."

"And their mission is..."

Zhao Xu sat up straight: "Record the customs and culture of the countries I pass through, find out the truth about their countries, and make friends with people from various countries..."

"As long as you can complete the mission and return safely, you will be given a temporary position in the third shift!"

Shi Deyi swallowed.

Three shifts on loan?

A good military official!

In the Song Dynasty where officialdom is the most important thing, an official position is worth more than a reward of thousands of taels!

Not to mention, he is a serious and worthy military official!

"In addition..." Zhao Xu continued, "For those who are willing to go, regardless of success or failure, I will take care of their parents, wives and children!"

Wei Wu's famous saying: Don't worry, I will take care of your wife and children.

In feudal society, the superiors actually provided protection for the inferiors.

Moreover, few rulers would make such a bottom-line commitment.

Even if such promises are made, few can actually be put into practice.

Many soldiers died on the front lines fighting.

But his wife and children at home were left unattended and died of hunger and cold.

Fortunately, the Zhao officials have a good reputation in this regard.

If I say I will cover you, I will definitely cover you!
The Zhao emperors of all dynasties kept surplus troops in the Imperial City Office, numbering from several thousand to several hundred.

More than half of them are disabled veterans who were wounded on the battlefield.

At the same time, the welfare of those who sacrificed their lives for the country has also been kept up.

It seemed like yesterday, after Zhao Xu gave his father the title of emperor, in addition to rewarding civil and military officials in Beijing, he also issued an edict - because of the honorific title given by the late emperor, he issued an edict to exempt the orphans and widows who had died since the Xining period from military service, travel money, and Qingmiao money (low-interest loans for the convenience of the people), and to give them one dou of rice and five hundred coins per month.

This is what every generation of the Zhao emperor would do after they had secured their throne.

Although, the standard for determining [death] is relatively high.

But at least, the Zhao officials admitted it.

Therefore, after taking a deep breath, Shi Deyi bowed and said, "Your Majesty's grace is as great as heaven. I, the patrol officers of the Investigation Division, must be grateful and will cut through thorns and brambles for Your Majesty. I will not regret it even when I die!"

Zhao Xu hummed softly and ordered, "Go and do it!"

Going on an overseas voyage was extremely risky. Without a huge reward, it was almost impossible for the people of Bian Jing to risk not being able to come back and go to Southeast Asia.

"Yes!" Shi Deyi bowed again and again. Just as he was about to go back to confirm it, he was stopped by Zhao Xu.

"Oh, right, tell them to leave and pass on my order to Chen Mu, the governor of Mingzhou!"

As Zhao Xu spoke, he took out a written decree from the table and handed it to Shi Deyi.

"Yes!" Shi Deyi took the order respectfully and bowed again to take his leave.

(End of this chapter)