I studied in modern times

Chapter 948: Conferring the Title on Mazu
After the winter solstice, the relationship between Song and Liao reached a new level.

The number of envoys traveling back and forth on the international communications between the two countries suddenly began to increase.

Sometimes, four or five messengers could be seen in a day, riding fast horses, carrying imperial letters from their respective monarchs, galloping on the national highway.

The officials at the post stations in the local counties along the way had a hard time.

Especially on the Song Dynasty side - with such a high frequency of messenger exchanges, let’s not talk about other things for now.

The loss of horses alone has caused great suffering to places along the way!
Whether you have money or not is secondary.

The main thing is suitable horses, which are really rare in the Song Dynasty.

After Zhao Xu learned about this, he did not act politely towards his great uncle.

Write a letter directly to explain the situation and request Liao to provide assistance to the Song Dynasty's post horses.

When Yelu Hongji learned about it, he laughed out loud, then waved his hand and ordered people to send 500 war horses - of course, all of them were castrated stallions.

There were not a single breeding mares or stallions.

By the time these horses were delivered to the Song Dynasty by the Liao people, it was already the fourth day of the twelfth month of the second year of Yuanyou.

Along with the Liao horses, there was also the He Xinglongjie envoy appointed by the Liao ruler.

The chief envoy was still an old acquaintance - Yelu Yongchang.

This time, Yelu Yongchang was promoted - from the Jiedushi of Ningyuan Army to the Deputy Envoy of the Northern Courtyard.

This was the result of the efforts of the Chongde Palace faction to which he belonged, which pushed it up through political operations.

This is easy to understand - money can move people's hearts.

When Yelu Yongchang returned to his country last time, he loaded ten carts with wealth and goods.

And that’s not even counting the money he had in his pocket.

The Chongde Palace faction was the Liao ruler's die-hard imperial party.

But loving money is human nature!
Therefore, after returning to the country this time, the Chongde Palace faction and other factions argued fiercely in front of the Liao ruler.

In the end, they defeated other factions by relying on their legitimate background.

Once again, he seized the mission to the Song Dynasty.

Moreover, they took advantage of everything and even forced their own people to be the deputy envoy - Han Yi, the guest minister and Haizhou defense envoy.

According to Yelu Ju, this person was the brother-in-law of the contemporary Prince Wen Zhong, Yelu Hongli, who was an ally of Chongde Palace.

However, there was more than one delegation entering the country this time.

There was also an envoy under the banner of the Liao crown prince Yelu Yanxi congratulating his brother, the emperor of the Song Dynasty, on his birthday.

The chief envoy of this delegation was Yelu Gongchen, the governor of Changjun, Liaoning, and the deputy envoy was Zhao Xiaoyan, the direct scholar of the Liao Privy Council.

This is interesting!

What is interesting is not that Yelu Yanxi sent an envoy.

Instead, it was the title of Yelu Gongchen, the chief envoy of this delegation - Jiedushi of Ningchang Army.

"Is this the King of Xi?" Zhao Xu asked with a smile to Yelu Ju who was summoned to the palace for questioning.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Yelu Ju was very frank and admitted it directly.

Then, he asked curiously, "How does your Majesty know?"

Zhao Xu chuckled and replied, "Because in the eighth year of Yuanfeng, your country sent a governor of Ningchang Army to pay homage to the emperor... and he claimed to be the King of Xi..."

"I believe that since my predecessor was the King of Xi, I should also be the King of Xi..."

"So that's it!" Yelu Ju didn't think much about it, he just thought in his heart: "Why would Xiao Zhongshun admit that he was a follower in the Southern Dynasty?"

"Could it be that he also has a heart..."

"impossible!"

Xiao Zhongshun came from a very prominent family, and his status in the Liao Kingdom was the highest among the Xi kings.

His father, Xiao Han Jianu, was a close minister and confidant of Emperor Xingzong, and also a great scholar in the north.

Do not laugh!

Although he was the King of Xi, his level of Confucianism was very high.

He was a famous historian of the Liao Dynasty. When he was alive, he presided over the compilation of the national history of the Liao Dynasty.

At the same time, he also introduced a large number of historical books from the Central Plains, including Ouyang Xiu's History of the Five Dynasties and New Book of Tang, all of which were specially collected from the Song Dynasty by him and sent to Shangjing.

In the later years of Emperor Xingzong's reign, Xiao Han Jianu retired as the governor of Guide Army.

When the current Liao emperor was in his palace, Xiao Han, a slave, served as his majesty's teacher.

Therefore, when the current emperor ascended the throne, he brought his son Xiao Zhongshun with him to serve as a guard.

Then he was promoted step by step, and now Xiao Zhongshun is a general in charge of the imperial guards around the emperor - he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the palace, the commander of all the palaces, and the governor of Zhenwuding Army.

When the emperor stayed in Goryeo this year, it was Xiao Zhongshun who led the troops to protect him. He could be said to be the most trusted and important confidant.

It is said that there is a rumor in the court that Xiao Zhongshun will be granted the title of Duke for his contribution in protecting the emperor.

Therefore, when Yelu Ju heard Zhao Xu's words, he was greatly shocked.

Then immediately began to deny.

Because if Xiao Zhongshun was the same as him.

What secrets are there in the emperor's every move?
Seeing Yelu Ju's shocked expression, Zhao Xu also pursed his lips.

Xiao Zhongshun came to the court as an envoy to celebrate the New Year in the first month of the eighth year of Yuanfeng. At that time, he was still doing archaeological work at a modern construction site!
Even if I want to corrupt it, I don't have the chance!
Therefore, Zhao Xu was actually just deceiving Yelu Ju.

As for how Zhao Xu knew that the Jiedushi of Ningchang Army was a position specially arranged by the Liao Kingdom for the Xi kings?

Of course he knew about it in modern times - he had followed his teacher to visit the Yizhou Ancient City in western Liaoning Province, which is said to be the best preserved and most complete ancient Liao Dynasty city in modern times.

Although it is known as the best and most complete ancient city of the Liao Dynasty, it is actually just two ruined sections of the ancient city wall and an equally ruined Liao Dynasty pagoda.

Apart from this, everything about the ancient city has been destroyed by time.

The former Liao border city has long since turned into farmland.

However, during the visit, Zhao Xu was able to learn about the past of this ancient city.

Yizhou of Liao was the seat of the Changjun Jiedushi of Liaoning.

It was originally the bathing place of Yelu Liaogu, the daughter of Emperor Shengzong of Liao. Yelu Liaogu's daughter is Xiao Guanyin, the empress of the current Liao ruler Yelu Hongji.

After Xiao Guanyin was enthroned as queen, she presented this land to the Liao Kingdom.

The Liao ruler then established Ningchang Army here as a title remotely held by the Xi kings.

Now, seeing that he had indeed managed to bluff Yelu Ju, Zhao Xu took the opportunity to ask, "Mr. Liu, I wonder what the origins of this Yelu Gongchen are?"

kindness……

Yelu Ju is now a person of status in the Song Dynasty.

When the first phase of the Bian Jing Academy was delivered this year, Zhao Xu first remotely controlled Xing Shu and used this opportunity to complete the household registration for Yelu Ju in both the Ministry of Revenue and Kaifeng Prefecture.

Thus, Yelu Ju, a powerful noble of the Liao Kingdom, suddenly transformed himself and became a good citizen of Bian Jing [a good citizen with a clean family for generations and who had never committed any crime] on the side of the Song Dynasty.

Of course, his name in the household registration book is not Yelu Ju, but Liu Ju.

After that, Xing Shu, Wang Zishao and Minister of Rites Wang Cun, three treacherous scoundrels, teamed up to arrange a file for Liu Ju that stated "his father Ye was the magistrate of a county in Xihe during the Xining period. He died, and the officials petitioned to grant Ye's son Ju an official position, which was approved."

So, Yelu Ju just sat at home and became a descendant of the loyal and good people of the Song Dynasty.

He also got an official position through imperial favor.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Xu began to take action. On the second day after the Winter Solstice, he inserted Yelu Ju's name into the imperial edict under the banner of commemorating the achievements of the previous emperor and extending favors to meritorious officials.

Without anyone noticing, Yelu Ju, a powerful Liao noble, obtained the title of Taimiao Zhailang in the Song Dynasty.

This is an eighth-rank official in Beijing!
After such an operation, Yelu Ju had a foothold in the Song Dynasty. Although this foothold was not very important to him personally - he was just a civil servant of the eighth rank.

But it is very important to his illegitimate son in Bian Jing.

This was equivalent to giving his infant son a legal official status.

In the future, whether he is studying, taking imperial examinations, or simply taking the path of imperial favor to become an official, he will be much better off than ordinary scholars from poor families.

It was precisely because of this identity that Yelu Ju became Zhao Xu's subject.

As the saying goes, one should be loyal to the emperor while receiving his salary.

In addition, Yelu Ju heard that even Xiao Zhongshun, a close confidant of Yelu Hongji, had been shaken.

He no longer concealed the truth and revealed all of Yelu Gongchen's past in front of Zhao Xu.

After listening to this, Zhao Xu smiled.

Then, he instructed Xing Shu who was standing beside him: "Scholar, I admire the virtue of the late emperor and the policies of Xi and Feng. Liu Ju, the Imperial Ancestral Hall Official, is the descendant of the late emperor's loyal minister. I highly commend him. Yes, I will grant him an official position!"

Yelu Ju listened and immediately bowed his head in joy: "Your Majesty, I, Liu Ju, thank you for your grace!"

Seeing this, Zhao Xu said, "If you remain loyal to me and the Song Dynasty, I will never treat you unfairly!"

"I will make sure that you, my son, will be ranked among the imperial court officials for generations to come!"

This is the promise to Yelu Ju - work hard, and I will arrange a rich and luxurious package for your descendants!

Every generation can be the dog of Emperor Zhao!
Yelu Ju was a little nervous at first, but when he heard this, he was overjoyed: "I am willing to die for your majesty!"

……

After seeing Yelu Ju off, Zhao Xu leaned back on the cushion and murmured in a low voice: "Yelü Gongchen..."

According to Yelu Ju, this Yelu Gongchen was the confidant chosen by Yelu Hongji for Yelu Yanxi.

One of the candidates to lead the palace army in the future.

This has also been the tradition of the Liao Dynasty since Empress Dowager Chengtian - selecting elites from the Han or Xi people to lead the palace.

The principle is the same as that of the Ottoman sultans who liked to employ Christian eunuchs to run the palace and use makhmuryus to suppress disobedience.

It turns out that this method is very effective.

The reason why the current Liao ruler, Yelu Hongji, was able to quell the rebellions of Yelu Chongyuan and Yelu Yixin.

It depends on the loyalty of the Han generals and the allegiance of the Xi kings.

otherwise……

He was probably just like Emperor Muzong of Liao and others, confused/open-minded.

So, Zhao Xu knew that Yelu Gongchen could not be corrupted.

Because it is impossible for the Song Dynasty to come up with more chips than Yelu Hongji - even if it could, others probably wouldn't even look at it.

This person is not Yelu Ju - Yelu Ju could be corrupted because he was the backbone of Yelu Yixin's faction and was afraid that Yelu Yanxi would take revenge for the murder of his father and mother after he ascended the throne.

He is not Yelu Yongchang either - Yelu Yongchang was dragged into this situation because he himself was somewhat of a Song Dynasty shrewd person.

Yelu Gongchen was the King of Xi who was brought up by the Liao ruler since childhood.

The Liao ruler not only recognized his talent, but also taught him like a father or grandfather.

"This is a tough nut to crack!" said Zhao Xu.

but……

It’s not that there is no solution!
Zhao Xu firmly believes that there is no corner in this world that cannot be dug.

"Wait until he enters the capital..." Zhao Xu said, "I will test him a little and find out his true colors first!"

While he was thinking about these things, Tong Guan's figure quietly appeared beside him.

"Everyone, please go to see Si Yan. Prime Minister Cai from Fujian has sent a memorial!"

"Oh!" Zhao Xu sat up and looked at Tong Guan: "Do you know what happened to Mr. Cai?"

Cai Que was in Fujian and had always wanted to return to the court.

But Zhao Xu kept putting pressure on him and insisted that he complete the opening of Quanzhou Port.

Therefore, Tsai Que’s term of office was extended from the agreed one year to now.

It has been delayed until now, and not only Cai Que himself is anxious, but the court officials are also anxious.

Because the system of the Song Dynasty was to use itinerant officials to govern local areas.

Like Cai Que, who was sent to Fujian as prime minister.

There is no problem if the time is short, but if it is long, it may become too big to be eliminated and form interest groups in the local area.

This is something no one wants to see.

Therefore, in November, Cai Que submitted a petition requesting to return to the court to pay tribute before the Xinglong Festival.

Zhao Xu agreed to it.

"Reporting to everyone, it is said that Mr. Cai found a very effective god in Fujian..."

"It is said that this god can protect sea merchants and fishermen who go out to sea..."

Zhao Xu immediately narrowed his eyes and ordered Tong Guan: "Go and bring the memorial to me for me to see!"

"Yes!" Tong Guan took the order and left.

A quarter of an hour later, he brought back a copy of Cai Que's memorial.

When Zhao Xu took it and read the contents, he immediately laughed.

Because Cai Que's memorial clearly stated: I have learned that there is a "Shengdun Temple" off the coast of Xinghua Army. The elders say that the god on the mound is a goddess! She was a native of this dynasty, surnamed Lin, from Meizhou Island. She was originally a witch and could predict people's misfortunes and blessings; after her death, the people built a temple for her on this island...

To put it simply, Your Majesty, I have discovered a goddess off the coast of Putian who can protect ships and maritime merchants.

This god can protect fishermen, merchants and gentry who go out to sea, and it is very effective!

I have also personally investigated and found that this god is indeed a righteous god!
Therefore, please ask the court to confer the title!

Isn’t this the most popular local ocean goddess in modern times - Mazu?

After reading it, Zhao Xu gave Cai Que a thumbs up.

"What a capable minister!" He sighed in his heart: "He is indeed a treacherous minister carefully selected by Wanyan Gou!"

"Look at their political awareness and subjective initiative!"

Knowing that Zhao Xu wanted to develop maritime trade, he tried every possible means to seek out the magical powers.

Even personally visit the relevant areas for inspection.

Judging from the results, Tsai must have put in a lot of effort and hard work.

Because, the one he reported was the goddess Mazu who would unify the maritime beliefs in Northeast Asia in the future!
In terms of efficacy and miraculous powers, Mazu is irrefutable!
After Zhao Xu finished reading the memorial, he ordered Tong Guan: "Tong Guan, get me some writing brush and ink!"

"promise!"

Tong Guan bowed and accepted the order, and quickly took out the red brush and ink stick.

Zhao Xu picked up his pen and wrote in red ink on Cai Que's memorial: "Yes! Order the Ministry of Shrines to discuss the imperial edict and report it to the emperor!"

In modern times, Zhao Xu had been to the Mazu Temple to burn incense, and had a very direct view of the beliefs and incense of this future goddess of the sea, Tianfei Niangniang.

If he hadn't been concerned about other impacts, Zhao Xu would even want to go all the way and directly confer the title of Heavenly Consort.

But it doesn’t matter, as sea trade routes are opened up.

Zhao Xu believed that the belief in Mazu would spread throughout the world along with the merchant ships of the Song Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)