I studied in modern times

Chapter 928: Drink from the Golden Cup (2)

For more than an hour, Zhao Xu watched the singing and dancing.

It has to be said that the court songs and dances of the Song Dynasty were indeed very charming.

Even if Zhao Xu lived in modern times, he would be considered well-informed.

But after so many years, I still enjoy watching the court songs and dances of the Middle Ages again.

This is because the court songs and dances of the Song Dynasty were inherited from the Daqu music of the Tang Dynasty.

Well, even in the new century, "Rainbow Dance" and "Tang King Breaks the Formation Music", which are still talked about with great relish, are the pinnacle masterpieces of Tang Dynasty daqu dance.

At the same time, the songs and dances of the Song Dynasty also absorbed and integrated a lot of the characteristics of the Song Dynasty.

Based on the Tang Dynasty's large-scale music, it is imbued with more Song Dynasty characteristics.

Of course, this also caused the Song Dynasty court dance to lose the majestic and aura of the Tang people.

But it also has more of the elegance and restraint of the Song Dynasty.

The most progressive was the court singing and dancing of the Song Dynasty, which began to have plots.

It progresses step by step from 'Sanxu', 'Zhongxu' and 'Poqu'.

This is coupled with the professional division of labor among dancers, as well as the use and ensemble of a large number of musical instruments.

Therefore, even in modern times, Zhao Xu, who is used to entertainment, is immersed in the feast of singing and dancing.

Even when the dance ended and the leading dancer Hua Xin and the announcer Can Jun Se led the dancers to slowly bow and leave the stage, he still felt a little reluctant to leave. So he told Tong Guan beside him, "Tong Guan, tell the Ministry of Internal Affairs that I enjoyed the palace banquet tonight very much!"

"Everyone gives a piece of silk and five strings of cash!"

"Yes!" Tong Guan immediately accepted the order and took note of the matter.

After finishing this, Zhao Xu picked up the teacup and took a sip of the hot drink made with red dates and dried longans.

Then, Zhao Xu looked at the elders, important officials of the royal family, and the two palace commanders Yan Da and Miao Shou.

"My dear ministers, would you like to accompany me for a walk behind Jiying Palace?" Zhao Xu asked with a smile.

Everyone had already prepared, and when they heard Zhao Xu's order, they all bowed and said, "Yes!"

Zhao Xu stood up, and Tong Guan immediately put a cloak made of the finest white sable fur on him.

A team of silent dragon guards immediately surrounded him.

The elders, important officials of the royal family, and the two palace commanders followed behind Zhao Xu in order of their status.

The group walked out of the back hall of Jiying Hall, along the corridor, and headed towards the palace in front on this cold winter night.

In front of everyone were more than a dozen eunuchs holding lanterns.

The orange-red light breaks through the darkness and illuminates the road ahead.

The temperature tonight seemed to be even colder than the past few days. Even though Zhao Xu was wearing a mink coat and a cotton hat, his face turned red from the cold in a short while.

Fortunately, after walking for less than a quarter of an hour, the brightly lit attic appeared in front of us.

Zhao Xu raised his head and looked at the attics.

This place is the most secret place in the Song Dynasty even more than Chongwenyuan - the Imperial Pavilion of Emperors!
It is the place where important imperial edicts, imperial documents and decrees of ancestors since Emperor Taizong are collected and enshrined.

These imperial pavilions are lined up along the palace wall on the west side behind the Jiying Hall.

From west to east, they are Longtu Pavilion, Baowen Pavilion, Tianzhang Pavilion and the Xianmo Pavilion which was recently completed.

Xianmo Pavilion is naturally the imperial pavilion of Zhao Xu's father, the late Emperor of the Song Dynasty.

Striding to the front of the Imperial Pavilion, Zhao Xu raised his head and looked at the three-story attic.

Then, he whispered, "This is Xianmo Pavilion!"

“The place where the collection of the Emperor’s imperial writings is enshrined!”

Although the ministers had already guessed it, they still bowed respectfully to the imperial pavilion in front of them: "Your subjects pay respect to the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, Shao Tian Qi Yun Ying Wen Lie Wu Sheng Xiao!"

Zhao Xu kowtowed solemnly in front of the imperial pavilion, then led the ministers up the stairs to the Xianmo Pavilion and pushed open the door. The burning candles in the candlesticks illuminated the scenery inside the imperial pavilion of the previous emperor.

There were layers upon layers of imperial edicts, poems and other contents kept in jade boxes or lacquer boxes, strictly in order of the years after the previous emperor ascended the throne.

Many of them are important historical documents.

If they could be passed down to future generations, perhaps each piece would be a national treasure!
Especially the two original imperial edicts appointing Wang Anshi as prime minister are history itself!

Unfortunately, these things were all burned by the Jin soldiers during the Jingkang Incident.

Just like the world's most advanced mechanical clock and astronomical observatory, the Yuanyou Hunyun Terrace, which is currently under construction in the imperial city.

For example, the city of Bianjing is still extremely prosperous and seems like a city that never sleeps.

Looking at the scene in front of me, thinking about what I have seen and heard in modern times.

Zhao Xu turned around and looked at the ministers who had followed him into the cabinet. He said steadily and forcefully, "I intend to officially announce to the world in the first month of next year that the imperial father's collection of writings has been enshrined in the Xianmo Pavilion. I want our descendants, generation after generation, to all follow the imperial father's collection of writings as a teaching for future generations!"

Although Zhao Xu's father made many wrong decisions during his lifetime.

But there was one thing he did right.

That is to appoint Wang Anshi to carry out reforms!
Changes in the sky are not enough to fear, ancestors are not enough to follow the rules, and human words are not enough to show sympathy!
Although these three sentences were most likely framed by others at Wang Anshi’s request.

But Wang Anshi himself never denied it!

The monarch in the deep palace never denied or questioned the correctness of these three sentences.

This made the Xining Reforms become the ancestral law after the death of this monarch!

This is kind of black humor though.

However, whether it was the Shaosheng Shaoshu that Zhao Xu later launched, or the Chongning New Deal that that bastard Zhao Ji launched.

This is the source of legal principles!

It is only natural for a son to inherit his father's business!
"I have heard the poem say: King Wen is above, shining brightly in the heavens; although Zhou is an old nation, its destiny is new!"

"I dare not forget the words of the saints and the teachings of my strict father for even a day. Since I ascended the throne, I have been trembling with fear and treading on thin ice, fearing that my own lack of virtue would bring shame to the saintly virtue of the previous emperor!"

"Thanks to the blessing of my mother, the protection of my ancestors, and the assistance of all the ministers, the Song Dynasty has achieved its present prosperity!"

However, Zhao Xu's words made Wen Yanbo, Zhang Fangping and Feng Jing, the three old foxes, tremble with fear.

They are not stupid!
Naturally, one could hear the political implication in Zhao Xu's words - what does it mean that all descendants, generation after generation, will follow the imperial father's written works as a guide for future generations?

The late emperor only did two things in his lifetime.

First: Reform.

Second: Fight against the Dangxiang!

So, what your Excellency means is that I and my descendants must always abide by the laws of the late emperor?
As for the following sentence, "King Wen is above, and he is clear to the heavens. Although Zhou is an old state, its destiny is to be renewed," it is no longer a show, it is a showdown!
broken!

This is the Hongmen Banquet!
It is forcing them to surrender!

The three old foxes were thrown into confusion for a moment.

I was hesitating, not knowing whether to agree or pretend to be silent?
The old voice of Cao Yi, Prince of Xingyang, rang in my ears.

"Your Majesty is extremely filial and virtuous. I believe that you are truly the most filial person throughout history!"

"This old bastard is so shameless!" The three elders were shocked.

Then, they heard the voices of Grand Secretary Zhao Zongsheng, Associate Grand Secretary Zhao Zongjing, and Heir Prince of Pu Zhao Zonghui almost in unison: "Your Majesty, I congratulate you for your filial piety and virtue. It is truly a blessing for our ancestors and the country!"

He glanced at Yan Da and Miao Shou.

However, the two palace commanders were already wearing armor and bowing: "We, your Majesty, are extremely filial and virtuous, and will surely bless the world!"

A bunch of rotten sheep-headed spines!

The three elders were filled with hatred!
There was no other way, so Wen Yanbo gritted his teeth and was the first to bow, saying, "Your Majesty the Emperor is extremely filial and virtuous, which is truly a blessing to the world!" He had already boarded Zhao Xu's boat, and there was no way he would jump off again.

Moreover……

Given the current political situation, if the emperor really wants to restore the Xining Reforms, no one can stop him.

Zhang Fangping and Feng Jing looked at each other.

They also bowed one after another and said: "Your Majesty, your majesty, is extremely filial and virtuous. It is truly a blessing to the world and the people!"

They all knew in their hearts that the young official was giving them face by bringing them here tonight.

Just like when Emperor Taizu held a banquet with his meritorious officials and generals, and gave up their military power over a cup of wine.

The wine is already at your lips. If you don't drink it, it means you have ulterior motives, are disloyal to the late emperor, and are disrespectful to the government.

You can tell what the end will be for them just by thinking with your butt!
Do you really think that Emperor Zhao will not punish the ministers and elders just by saying "don't punish them"?
Sima Yi also swore by the Luo River that he would ensure the safety and prosperity of Cao Shuang and his family.

The results of it?
……

Zhao Xu looked at the senior royal family generals kneeling before him and smiled.

He had already anticipated this situation.

The three imperial uncles, Zhao Zongsheng, Zhao Zongjing and Zhao Zonghui, were just yes-men during the Xining period.

Cao Yi had already pledged his allegiance to the country since the early years of the Xining period.

The loyalty of the two palace commanders, Yan Da and Miao Shou, has long been tested by history.

As for Wen Yanbo, Zhang Fangping and Feng Jing?

Their performance in Zhao Xu's previous life could be described as the old party's Infernal Affairs.

Especially Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing, they both sold out their old party members in exchange for their own safe landing.

The Tongwenguan case, the Fenkun case, and the three major Shaosheng cases, two of which were related to them.

However, Zhao Xu had no intention of really picking up the political system of Xining and Yuanfeng.

His purpose was just to declare that he was the most filial son of his father.

Naturally, he had to take over the emperor's career.

And what was the Emperor’s career?
Naturally, only his most filial son can define it!
So he took a step forward and said with a smile: "No need to be polite!"

"With the assistance of you, my dear ministers, I will surely be able to revive the country!"

"We dare not!" The ministers bowed again: "We will serve Your Majesty till death!"

The candlelight illuminated their figures, each of them was so majestic.

Zhao Xu hummed and said, "You guys should get up first!"

After all the ministers bowed again to express their gratitude, they stood up one after another.

Zhao Xu waited for them to get up, looked at their faces, and said, "I invited you all here today, not only to pay homage to the place where the imperial father's collection of writings is enshrined... but also to discuss a state affair with you, my dear ministers..."

"State affairs?" Wen Yanbo took over the role of the supporting actor at the right time: "Your Majesty, please explain clearly!"

Zhao Xu then told these people that the Song and Liao countries had reached a new Jiaozi agreement, and that the Liao people would deliver the agreed 110,000 taels of silver to Bian Jing next year in exchange for the Song Dynasty adding 1.5 million strings of Jiaozi to them, and that Goryeo would also pay an annual tribute of 120,000 taels of silver to the Song Dynasty.

After hearing this, all the ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.

It was Wen Yanbo who asked, "I am so terrified. I wonder if Your Majesty has discussed this with me?"

Zhao Xu smiled lightly: "Grandmaster, you don't know that Goryeo is a small country with poor land, and its output is not much!"

"The annual expenditure of 240,000 silver taels is something that even Goryeo in its heyday, let alone today, would not be able to come up with!"

This is the truth!

Goryeo's tax system and bureaucratic system were both very backward.

Basically, it was still in the Han Dynasty, and at most entered the Jin Dynasty.

There are areas for improvement, too.

For example, the Shibata system was a system copied from the Tang Dynasty's military system.

However, the Tang Dynasty's military system completely collapsed within just a few decades of its founding.

It took the Goryeo people several times longer to establish their country than the Tang Dynasty's military system collapsed.

Nature has already rotted away.

Coupled with the bizarre two-shift system and the illegitimate system, the class system was solidified.

To be honest, the people of Goryeo did not rise up in rebellion and kill Wang's entire family.

All I can say is that the people of Goryeo are indeed hardworking and outstanding people!

Anyway, the people of the Song Dynasty are just as hardworking and willing to work hard as the people of Goryeo.

Then Zhao Xu would wake up laughing in his dreams.

However, ever since Chen Sheng and Wu Guangkai opened the country, the people of this land have become accustomed to it. Whoever makes it difficult for them to survive will be killed along with his entire family!

The streets are full of the bones of nobles, and the inner treasury is burned to ashes!
Therefore, Zhao Xu had to hesitate in many things and dared not to do them.

otherwise……

He dared to let sheep eat people in the Central Plains! He made four-year-old children climb chimneys! He built poorhouses in big cities like Bianjing and sent all the lazy people and rascals to mine!

Unfortunately, he didn't dare.

I’m afraid that my whole family will be killed!

Even after death, people still curse you - I've heard of executing a man, but I've never heard of murdering him!

So, what can Zhao Xu do?

They could only cautiously test the endurance of the people of the Song Dynasty and let others carry the burden as much as possible.

Goryeo and Jiaozhi were the two experimental fields he chose.

It is a place to accumulate experience and draw lessons.

After all, he and the Song Dynasty were imperialists for the first time, and they had little experience, so they should do more trial and error.

Therefore, success or failure is not important, and the benefits are not important either.

What is important is the exploration process and the lessons of success and failure learned in this process.

In this case, Zhao Xu naturally confessed his plan directly.

He was seen only pretending to be compassionate.

"However, I cannot bear to see the people of Goryeo being tortured and separated from their families..."

"I have no choice but to shoulder this heavy responsibility on behalf of Goryeo!"

He looked at his ministers and said, "I hope that you, my dear ministers, can use your pawnshops to provide loans to the Kingdom of Goryeo!"

"At an annual interest rate of 20%, we will lend 240,000 silver ounces to Goryeo, which is equivalent to 1.5 million Jiaozi..."

The ministers looked at each other.

Can Goryeo afford such a huge sum of money?
Then, they heard a condition from Zhao Xu that made him excited: "If there is a loan, there must be collateral!"

"I think that Goryeo can pledge all its salt, iron, wine, etc...."

"If they cannot repay, then they should pledge all kinds of things and give them to the pawnshops!"

(End of this chapter)