I studied in modern times

Chapter 960: Song-Liao Talks (1)

The royal celebration of the Xinglong Festival lasts until three o'clock in the morning, and the related folk carnivals last all night long.

Although Zhao Xu returned to the palace to rest after midnight.

But this did not stop the people of Bianjing from having fun on this winter night.

The next day, when Zhao Xu woke up, he had just finished washing up and was eating breakfast.

Guo Zhongxiao then brought the impeachment letter from the Censorate.

After Zhao Xu finished his breakfast, he took the memorials to the study, leaned against the cushion and quickly scanned all of them, and he immediately understood.

"The ministers have taken action..." He said in his heart: "Very good!"

The targets of the impeachment memorials sent were all the censors who had impeached the prime minister some time ago.

Kong Wenzhong, Han Chuan, Liu Anshi, etc.

The content is naturally quite explosive!

A lot of negative information that Zhao Xu didn't know about, and had never even heard of, was revealed.

There is no doubt that this was a counterattack against Kong Wenzhong and others who impeached the prime minister some time ago.

All I can say is that the ministers were indeed angry this time.

He also really wanted to take the opportunity to set rules for the Censorate - impeaching the prime minister is allowed, but spreading rumors is not!

Otherwise, Kong Wenzhong and others will suffer the same fate as you!

Originally, such things were somewhat taboo in the political system of the Song Dynasty.

Because this may trigger a counterattack from imperial power!

However, Zhao Xu gave the green light.

The imperial power took the initiative to extend an olive branch to the prime minister's power.

The ministers were naturally afraid that the night would be too long and they would have more trouble, so they couldn't wait to start taking action.

They were not even willing to wait for one more day and started the movement directly on the first day after the Xinglong Festival.

Zhao Xu shook his head: "Is it that serious?"

"Do I look like someone who would break his word and have no integrity?"

But even he himself didn't believe these words!
So, he just mumbled a few unclear words.

Then Zhao Xu leaned back on the cushion, staring at the imperial edict in his hand with burning eyes.

"Let the ministers clean up the Censorate first!"

"Then, I will go down and select the remaining people!"

"Keep what you need, and send away what you don't like!"

"Then, summon back all my trusted aides from my previous life from all over the world!"

The only regret is that most of the trusted minions Zhao Xu employed in his previous life still have very low official ranks.

For example, Deng Xunwu, who was famous for his special military tactics against the old party and was known as the nemesis of the old party, is now just a candidate.

It is very difficult to be promoted to the capital and serve as a censor in the Censorate all at once.

But it’s not that there is no talent available at the moment.

After thinking for a while, Zhao Xu stood up, walked to the desk, picked up a pen and wrote a series of appointments on a piece of Yuanshu paper.

Then he hid the book in a wooden box in the library.

When the ministers had finished cleaning the Censorate, he would take out the wooden box and recall the officials in the box one by one.

As for him?
"I want to focus on diplomacy!" said Emperor Zhao.

Therefore, he will sit back and watch the ministers clean up the Censorate.

This is to clean the house and to make it easier to welcome guests.

It is also granting the prime minister greater power!

……

This is what Zhao Xu said and did.

When Empress Dowager Xiang ordered Zhang, the palace attendant beside her, to come to Funing Palace to ask her opinion on the impeachment of Liu Anshi and others by the Censorate today, Zhao Xu directly said to Zhang: "The Censors are responsible for criticizing the emperor and monitoring all officials, including themselves!"

"Since someone has impeached me, I ask all the censors to submit a petition to defend themselves!"

Zhang returned to Baoci Palace and conveyed Zhao Xu's words verbatim to Empress Dowager Xiang.

After hearing this, Empress Dowager Xiang immediately hesitated.

She has been in charge of government for three years and naturally has accumulated a lot of political common sense.

One of them is that our ancestors used the size of the people to control each other, interfere with different opinions, and check and balance the prime ministers, relatives by marriage, and royal family members.

The censors in the Censorate are the key link connecting the entire chain.

Therefore, since our ancestors, censors have been treated with great leniency in every way.

Even if the censors made mistakes, they would still be protected.

Now, the sixth brother acted selflessly when he was impeached by the censor.

This is not right!

Over the past three years, Empress Dowager Xiang and Zhao Xu have been together day and night, and even accompanied each other day and night at one point.

Empress Dowager Xiang was clear about this child.

He is very clear-headed politically and has his own ideas.

Empress Dowager Xiang thought for a long time and asked Zhang: "Madam, did Sixth Brother say anything else?"

Zhang shook her head.

Empress Dowager Xiang nodded and looked at the memorials in front of her again.

"Since Sixth Brother has said so, let's do as he wishes!" As she said this, she picked up a pen and wrote on all the impeachments - and allowed people to write letters to defend themselves!
It was this reply that made Liu Anshi and others in the Censorate, who were already in a panic, fall into despair!

This is because the Censors are the henchmen of the imperial power.

It is the job of hawks and dogs to bite people.

Even if you bite the wrong one, you should still defend it.

At most, they would find an excuse to send the relevant censors to local prefectures and counties afterwards.

But now, the palace asked them to write a letter to defend themselves?

This means that they have to prove that they only ate one bowl of noodles, just like those they impeached in the past!

How is this possible?

"This must not be the emperor's will!" Liu Anshi jumped up immediately after learning the palace's will: "There must be a villain who slandered the queen in front of her!"

Is this something that can be defended?
If he wants to defend himself, he must explain clearly the sources of his gardens and houses in Luoyang and his land in Xiangzhou!
Can he explain it clearly?
It’s hard to explain!
Even if I could explain it clearly, I can’t explain it clearly!

Because for this kind of thing, the moment it is exposed, he is no longer clean.

As long as he goes to the next chapter to defend himself, all eyes will be on him.

All the scholars in the world know him, Liu Qizhi, who owns a garden and a house in Luoyang and land in Xiangzhou.

Even if he could explain it clearly, what would it matter?
Public opinion has always been like this.

People usually only care about the moment when public opinion explodes, but what about what happens afterwards?
No one cares, and no one will care.

For example, in the fourth year of Yuanfeng, the Dali Temple impeached Zhang Dun for shielding his father Zhang Yu and his brother Zhang Kai from seizing the land of commoner Shen Li.

Although it was later found out that Zhang Dun was unaware of his father and brother's actions, and his father and brother did not seize Shen Li's land.

At most it was an economic contract dispute, but someone took the opportunity to make trouble and frame Zhang Dun.

However, to this day, when people discuss Zhang Dun, they still accuse him of shielding his father and brother and oppressing the people.

Zhang Dun had no way to defend himself!

This is why people’s words are so scary!

If Zhang Dun was like this, how much more so a small figure like him? Moreover, Liu Anshi knew that he could not explain it clearly.

His salary and income were not enough for him to buy a garden house in Luoyang or land in Xiangzhou. Even if his entire family's income was added together, it would still not be enough.

Therefore, Liu Anshi knew that he had only one way to go - to plead guilty and accept punishment.

only……

To do so would be tantamount to cutting off one's own career.

You will serve as an official in a remote military state for the rest of your life.

Therefore, Liu Anshi took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

He knew that if he didn't want to spend his whole life like Liu Zhi, Wang Di and others, he would be watching the local natives playing in the mud in a remote military state in the mountains, or looking at an empty warehouse in an insignificant prefecture.

Then he actually can only fight to the death!
How do you fight to the death?

Of course, it muddies the water!
Only in this way can he have a chance of survival.

So he gritted his teeth, picked up the pen and started writing.

But it was not a self-defense letter, but an impeachment letter.

……

After replying to Empress Dowager Xiang, Zhao Xu really focused his energy on diplomatic affairs.

First, he summoned the Minister of Rites Wang Cun, Hanlin Academician Xing Shu and others.

He ordered these two people to arrange the procedures for the envoys from various countries to come to the court as soon as possible.

After the two men returned, they immediately completed the tasks assigned by Zhao Xu.

In the afternoon, the scheduled time for envoys from various countries to pay their respects to the emperor was announced.

After reading it, Zhao Xu directly instructed: OK.

So, the next day, it was the morning of the tenth day of December in the second year of Yuanyou.

Accompanied by Xing Shu, Yelu Yongchang, the congratulatory envoy of Liao ruler Yelu Hongji, and Yelu Gongchen, the congratulatory envoy of Liao crown prince Yelu Yanxi, came to the East Shanghe Gate in front of Funing Palace.

The reason why the arrangement was so urgent was because these two people were leaving Beijing for their country tomorrow - they had to return to the court as soon as possible to report to Yelu Hongji.

This will make it easier for Yelu Hongji to adjust the tasks of the New Year's Day envoys next year based on their reports.

Next year's New Year's Day envoy will discuss directly with Zhao Xu the various details of next year's Song-Liao Jiaozi trade.

The Jiaozi Trade between Song and Liao is currently the largest economic, trade and financial treaty between two countries in the world, involving the largest number of commodities.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Song-Liao Jiaozi, through its financial magic, has now become hidden in both countries and has cultivated huge vested interest groups that depend on it.

In three to five years, maybe it will be the real livelihood of millions of canal workers!
He became a monster that neither Yelu Hongji nor Zhao Xu were willing to touch easily.

It may even escalate to the point where any action would be tantamount to declaring war!

Although no one in the Song and Liao countries has noticed this yet.

However, people of insight have already keenly realized that the Jiaozi trade agreement, which began in the eighth year of Yuanfeng, is becoming increasingly important in both countries.

This is also the reason why Yelu Hongji sent Yelu Gongchen to Bian Jing.

……

When Tong Guan came to report that Xing Shu had taken Yelu Yongchang and Yelu Gongchen to the East Shangge Gate to wait for the imperial edict.

Zhao Xu was admiring the new Song-Liao Jiaozi copper plate carved by Shen Kuo, a team led by Su Song and using the most advanced technology and skilled craftsmen in the entire Song court.

The technological progress produced by three years of technological iteration and continuous investment is naturally quite impressive.

Even if Zhao Xu didn't do much woodblock carving and printing.

But just by looking at the exquisite copper plate in front of him, Zhao Xu also knew that the new Song-Liao Jiaozi was overwhelmingly superior to the old Jiaozi in every aspect!

After listening to Tong Guan's report, Zhao Xu ordered, "Please come in quickly!"

Zhao Xu has been waiting for more than a month for this day.

He has been waiting for this day ever since the Song and Liao countries reached a ceasefire agreement with Goryeo.

A quarter of an hour later, Xing Shu brought Yelu Yongchang and Yelu Gongchen to Zhao Xu.

"I, the Hanlin scholar, forgive me..."

"The Emperor of the Liao Dynasty congratulates His Majesty the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, the Envoy of Xinglong, the Deputy Envoy of the Northern Courtyard, and the Envoy of Ningyuan Army, Yongchang..."

"The Liao Emperor's grandson, the King of Liang, and the King of Joseon congratulate the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, the Xinglong Envoy and the Ningchang Army Envoy Gongchen..."

"May His Majesty the Emperor be blessed with good health!"

Under the guidance of Xing Shu, Yelu Yongchang and Yelu Gongchen followed the Song Dynasty's pilgrimage etiquette and respectfully bowed four times to greet the emperor.

"Greetings!" Zhao Xu sat upright on the cushion and responded softly, "No need to bow, my three beloved ministers!"

"Tong Guan, give the three of you seats and some tea!"

"promise!"

Tong Guan brought the eunuchs in the palace, brought chairs for the three people, and served them boiled tea.

After the three of them thanked him, they sat on the chairs.

Yelu Yongchang and Yelu Gongchen looked at the tea that was served in front of them.

They couldn't help but salivate.

Even Yelu Gongchen swallowed his saliva reflexively.

no way!
He was in Bian Jing for only a few days.

But he was deeply impressed by the tea in Bianjing.

This new style of tea, which is completely different from the previous Southern Dynasty tea-making method, is cooked with milk and eliminates the fancy and mixed spices of the past.

Instead, red dates, cane sugar, or dried lychees, dried longans, etc. are added.

The flavor is mellow, with a sweet and smooth taste.

For the Liao people who grew up in the cold and harsh north, this is a drink tailor-made for their bodies.

Even Yelu Gongchen couldn't refuse.

Picking up the teacup, Yelu Gongchen took a big sip with satisfaction before putting it down reluctantly.

"Mr. Yongchang, Mr. Gongchen..." Zhao Xu, sitting upright on the cushion, glanced at Yelu Yongchang and Yelu Gongchen.

The two men immediately stood up and bowed, "We respectfully listen to the Emperor's instructions!"

Seeing this, Zhao Xu smiled and said, "My two dear ministers, there is no need to be so formal!"

"Everyone sit down, everyone sit down..."

"Song and Liao are brotherly nations!"

"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Liao Dynasty is my great uncle! The Great Liao Emperor's Grandson is my brother! Although I have never met the Great Liao Emperor and the Great Liao Emperor's Grandson, we have known each other for a long time! I have long regarded the Great Liao Emperor and the Great Liao Emperor's Grandson as my dearest friends! Although you two are ministers of the Liao Dynasty, you are also my ministers in terms of etiquette and law!"

After hearing these words, not only Yelu Yongchang was delighted.

Even Yelu Gongchen was beaming with joy.

He really liked Zhao Xu's expression and attitude.

Because this means that the emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Son of Heaven of the Central Plains, recognized that the Liao Dynasty and the Song Dynasty were equal.

It also vaguely acknowledged that the Song and Liao dynasties were one family, a concept that the Liao people had been trying their best to get the Southern Dynasty to recognize for hundreds of years, but had never succeeded.

Song and Liao are one family!
It means that the Song Dynasty is China and the Liao Dynasty is also China!

Once this is done, when the royal army marches south in the future, the Liao official army will not be regarded as barbarians by the people, gentry, soldiers and civilians in the Central Plains.

When Emperor Taizong entered the Central Plains, he was attacked by the Central Plains military and civilians. He had no choice but to lead his troops back north with hatred, and eventually died. It is very likely that the incident of killing Hu Lin will not happen again.

Just thinking of this, Yelu Gongchen was filled with joy.

But they don’t know that the action of force is mutual.

The Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty recognized each other as China.

It will not only be beneficial to the future, but also to the Song Dynasty's rule after its Northern Expedition and conquest of the Liao Dynasty.

It is more conducive to the Song Dynasty's infiltration into the Liao Kingdom now - since the Song and Liao are all one family.

Then, the reward bestowed upon you by the Emperor of the Song Dynasty is equivalent to the reward bestowed upon you by the Emperor of the Liao Dynasty!
They are all rewards and grace!
(End of this chapter)