I studied in modern times

Chapter 927: Drink from the Golden Cup (1)

Seeing that Lü Gongzhu had already obeyed, Zhao Xu asked, "What do you think about the Gaoli matter, sir?"

Lu Gongzhu replied: "Your Majesty, I do have some doubts..."

"The Goryeo Kingdom is now only half of its territory, and only 50% of the population and 60% of the land are registered..."

"How can we afford 240,000 taels of silver every year?"

Two hundred and forty thousand taels of silver was a huge sum of money even for the Song Dynasty.

What’s more, Goryeo was a small and poor country with a population of only a few million and a mountainous territory.
Now, Song and Liao have joined forces to force them to sign a peace treaty.

The annual tribute to the Song and Liao countries was 120,000 taels of silver each.

Lu Gongzhu really didn't know how the small country of Goryeo could raise such a huge sum of money.
Where can I find so much silver?
Zhao Xu smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir!"

"There's always a way to make this money!"

"The Koreans couldn't make money in the past because they didn't find the right way!"

Speaking of this, Zhao Xu thought of those benevolent monarchs from various countries who had left a lasting legacy in modern history.

Facts have already eloquently proved that as long as your thinking does not slip, there are always more solutions than problems!
What's more, the people on the Korean Peninsula are considered high-quality talents even in the whole of East Asia!

From ancient times to the present, it has never been like this!
They were a group that could endure the two-shift system and the illegitimate system for hundreds of years without rebelling.

As for modern times...

The sun is high in the north, and the tycoons are in the sky in the south.

But, no matter north or south, they are all as steady as old dogs!

It can be said that it has withstood the trials and tribulations of reality and the repeated tests of history.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about the resilience of the Goryeo people.

The only thing Zhao Xu needs to consider is - should he fish out all the fish or should he fish out all the fish sustainably?

After much thought, he decided that sustainable fishing would be better.

After all, even in the Middle Ages, people still had to abide by morality and etiquette.

Even if it's just for show!
Zhao Xu chuckled and said to Lu Gongzhu: "Don't worry, sir!"

"As long as I am here, Goryeo will definitely be able to come up with the money!"

Seeing that Zhao Xu was so sure of what he said, Lü Gongzhu had no objection. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will obey your orders!"

However, he did not ask further how Zhao Xu would get the 240,000 taels of silver from Goryeo every year.

When it comes to economic issues, Lu Gongzhu no longer has any doubts about Zhao Xu.

……

That evening, Zhao Xu held a banquet in Jiying Hall to entertain relatives, nobles, royal family members, and senior officials.

The participants included more than a hundred people, including Grand Tutor Wen Yanbo, Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Front Department, and Jiedushi of Wukang Army Yan Da.

This was the customary palace banquet held before the Winter Solstice Festival.

It is also a palace banquet prepared for the upcoming Thang Long Festival.

Therefore, after entering the palace, all the ministers were happy and relaxed.

After three rounds of drinks, singing and dancing began.

Along with the sound of a whip, bursts of fragrant powder floated out from the palace.

The dancers trained by the Jiaofangsi walked along the corridors of the palace and appeared in the hall.

First, there was a collective salute, and then the "Canjunse" holding a bamboo pole introduced the list of dance programs to be performed today and the general plot and story line.

What is more interesting is that the introduction to the military service is written in the style of four-six parallel prose.

The voice is soft and charming, yet solemn and dignified.

Behind the soldier holding the bamboo pole, a dance team consisting of dozens of young girls were already in place.

Zhao Xu laughed when he heard the introduction of the military officer. "Today's dance performance actually includes "The Banquet at Hongmen"?"

"So, there will be a sword dance worth watching today!"

Those sitting on both sides of the throne were naturally important ministers.

Grand Tutor Wen Yanbo, Military Governor of Zhangde Army Zhang Fangping, and Military Governor of Baoning Army Feng Jing were on the left.

The Grand Chief of the Imperial Clan Zhao Zongsheng, the Co-Chief of the Imperial Clan Zhao Zongjing, the Successor Prince of Pu Zhao Zonghui, and the Prince of Xingyang Cao Yi sat on the right.

As for the commander of the Palace Front Department, Yan Da, he was guarding on the left side of Zhao Xu's throne with armor on.

Miao Shou, deputy commander of the Palace Front Department, also stood on the right side of Zhao Xu wearing armor.

Around these two palace commanders were dragon-controlling guards wearing mountain-patterned armor and holding bone spears.

Because the singing and dancing had not yet begun, Zhao Xu's voice was clearly heard by the elders and important officials of the royal family on both sides.

Wen Yanbo immediately laughed and said, "Sir, there is indeed a sword dance today!"

Zhao Xu immediately showed an excited look and said, "Grandmaster, I heard that in the Tang Dynasty, there was a woman named Gongsun, whose sword dance was unparalleled in the world!"

"Is there a person like Gongsun Da Niang in the unknown dynasty?"

Wen Yanbo thought to himself, "Your Majesty, the Song Dynasty may not have a sword dance expert like Gongsun Da Niang, but the sumo wrestling of my Song Dynasty is definitely not inferior to the sword dance of the Tang Dynasty!"

However, he would not tell these words to Zhao Xu.

Because, what if the emperor heard of sumo and insisted on arranging a sumo match at the palace banquet on the Winter Solstice Festival or even the Xinglong Festival?
Although, it is indeed very interesting and exciting to see two delicate young ladies, wearing only a piece of clothing, competing for sumo victory in the palace.

But it is ultimately inappropriate and an insult to the dignity of the royal family.

Therefore, since the Renmiao, sumo competitions have disappeared from the palace.

Facing the young emperor's curious eyes, Wen Yanbo smiled and said, "You are the emperor. Pear garden prostitutes are playthings that ruin their ambitions. They are useless to the country and should be kept away from!"

Zhao Xu laughed and thought to himself: "This old Deng just loves to show off in public!"

"If the people from the Investigation Department hadn't reported early on that Old Deng had a team of female sumo wrestlers at home... I would have been deceived by Old Deng!" Of course, that team of female sumo wrestlers might not have been raised by Wen Yanbo.

It could also be Wen Yiqing, Wen Jifu or even Wen Zong Daoyang.

But, after all, it is supported by Lao Deng's money.

Zhao Xu didn't believe it. Didn't Old Deng know?
But it doesn't matter.

This Wen Yanbo, this old Deng, just loves to show off his status as a veteran in front of others and act noble.

Once in private, he kneels faster than anyone else.

Over the past two years, Zhao Xu had already figured out Wen Yanbo's background - he was just a pretentious old man.

Therefore, Zhao Xu did not continue this topic.

He hadn't wanted to talk about it.

I just wanted to use this incident to make an excuse, and now that my goal has been achieved, I quickly changed the subject.

"Grand Tutor, Jiedu Zhang, Jiedu Feng..." Zhao Xu's eyes swept over Wen Yanbo, Zhang Fangping, and Feng Jing with a smile in his eyes.

The three elders immediately responded, "We are here!"

Zhao Xu looked to the right again and raised the teacup in his hand: "Three great uncles..."

Zhao Zongsheng, Zhao Zongjing and Zhao Zonghui had been sitting in their seats, looking at their noses and their hearts, without saying a word, just treating themselves as puppets.

This is also their way of survival.

Unless it is a family dinner within the royal family, no matter what the occasion, they will treat themselves as invisible people and try not to get involved in state affairs.

After all, they are Zhao Xu's close relatives and elders, all of whom are from the lineage of the Shang King and brothers of Yingmiao.

No one knows better than them how cunning Emperor Zhao is.
Therefore, they were a little surprised when Zhao Xu suddenly called them, but they quickly reacted: "Your Highness, we are honored to hear your virtuous message!"

Each of them lowered their heads. These three old men were Zhao Xu's great uncles, and now they were as well-behaved as children.

Seeing this, Zhao Xu nodded secretly in his heart, then looked at the old uncle, one of the Eight Immortals in modern legends, who seemed to be sitting in his seat and almost asleep.

"Uncle..."

The next second, Cao Yi opened his old eyes and looked at Zhao Xu, full of enthusiasm: "This old minister respectfully listens to your virtuous words!"

Zhao Xu smiled and raised his teacup: "All four of you are my elders!"

"We dare not..." The four of them lowered their heads almost to their chests.

He looked at Wen Yanbo and the other two again, holding up his teacup and saying, "The three elders are the elders of the state left to me by my father..."

Wen Yanbo and the other two bowed their hands one after another and said, "We have received the grace of the country for generations, and have been favored by Your Majesty. We are honored as elders and ranked above the prime ministers. The grace of heaven is so great that it is difficult to repay. We can only use our remaining bodies to serve Your Majesty!"

Zhao Xu chuckled: "My fellow elders, there is no need to be so reserved!"

"Besides, today is a good day, and it is time for me and you to have fun together. We should not be so restrained..."

"Let's drink as much as we can at home!"

The ministers bowed one after another and said, "Your Majesty, we are deeply grateful for your grace!"

But, everyone knows.

Zhao Xu wasn't just chatting with them.

There must be something to tell them!

As expected, they only heard Zhao Xu's voice saying, "However, after the palace banquet, I still have some matters to discuss with the elders and seniors. Please stay in the palace after the palace banquet to discuss matters with me for a while!"

"promise!"

Zhao Xu looked at Yan Da and Miao Shou, who had been standing beside him without saying a word.

"Both palace commanders, please stay here for a while after the palace banquet!"

"Yes!" Yan Da and Miao Shou bowed in a deep voice.

Zhao Xu looked at the two military officials and nodded softly.

He has always been very clear that a general's loyalty is not something that is innate, nor is it unchanging.

Therefore, he has been constantly trying to win over and show favor to the generals of the three yamen.

Especially Yan Da, the most loyal minister in his previous life.

In addition to status, reputation and the future of their descendants.

Zhao Xu was still trying to find ways to give money to Yan Da to make him rich.

In this way, Zhao Xu made Yan Da a role model for a military official.

As long as you are loyal to Emperor Zhao, the rewards you get will be beyond your imagination.

If you don’t believe it, please look at Yanda!
Just be loyal to me and follow my command.

Then, titles for wives and children, beautiful houses, fine wines and beautiful women, and noble titles and wealth will all come automatically.

This is Zhao Xu's way of doing things.

If we want to reform, we must first feed the powerful and wealthy. The first people to be fed should be the military men holding knives and guns.

Because these people can really overturn the table and physically eliminate and destroy all the results of the reform!

This principle is the same as the plot about Heshen's disaster relief that Zhao Xu has seen on modern TV.

How can we save the victims if we don’t feed the officials?
By the same token, how can we carry out reforms if we don’t feed the powerful, especially the military officials?

Of course, feeding is feeding.

Zhao Xu's movements were not slow at all.

The establishment of this new imperial guard by the First General of the Dragon Guard was his attempt to build a new imperial guard outside the existing order.

(End of this chapter)