Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 132: The government finally couldn't help but start reforms?

First, Western Xia needed to submit to the Song Dynasty.

Second, no annual gift will be given.

Third, prisoners captured by both sides must be returned to the other side.

Fourth, a trading market can be opened.

After some military inquiries with Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and others, the Song Dynasty soon took a tough stance.

A clear answer was given to Li Yuanhao.

of course!

Fan Zhongyan proposed to send troops directly to kill Li Yuanhao.

only……

Considering the current financial difficulties of the country, if a war really broke out, even if Li Yuanhao was killed, there would still be the Liao Kingdom and Qingtang Tubo to fight.

If they really defeated Li Yuanhao, they would most likely not be able to occupy that piece of land.

Maybe we will have to face the rebellion of Xixia people from time to time.

Therefore, after careful consideration, the imperial court rejected Fan Zhongyan's plan to send troops.

of course!

These are the opinions of Zhang Dexiang, Yan Shu and others.

Zhao Xin did not express his own views.

When they returned to Miao Niangzi's courtyard, Zhao Zhen asked Zhao Xin, "Why don't you speak when you are here?"

Zhao Xin said, "I was thinking, if I defeat Li Yuanhao in the future, how should I rule that place?"

Zhao Zhen then asked, "Have you figured it out?"

Zhao Xin: “No.”

Zhao Zhen: "..."

……

And at the same time...

In Baozhou, after Fu Bi's operations, the rebellion was gradually put down.

But, he killed hundreds of people in one go.

It's November.

Champa came to pay tribute again.

But this time Champa learned its lesson and did not send elephants, but instead sent spices directly.

Part of it is given away, and part of it is sold.

Zhao Xin also asked the Champa envoy about the current situation in Champa.

can only say……

Champa was defeated.

Now we have to pay tribute to Jiaozhi and be a vassal of Jiaozhi.

Zhao Xin also comforted the other party by telling him a story about King Goujian of Yue, who slept on firewood and tasted gall, and then successfully restored his country with the help of Fan Li, the god of wealth.

With a serious face:
"As long as you have money, what can't you do?"

"The Song Dynasty is unable to help Champa militarily, but we can still fully support them in business matters!"

"You should also vigorously develop maritime trade in Champa and expand the silk, porcelain and other businesses in the surrounding countries. Only in this way can you have enough money to rebuild the army in the future."

The Champa envoy was full of gratitude: "Your Highness Prince Yu is right! If it weren't for Your Highness Prince Yu, we wouldn't know what to do."

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Xin found Li Ling and asked Li Ling to continue preparing to go to Champa to do business.

It has been abandoned for a year.

It's time to keep moving.

In addition...

Bring some more people with you to see if we can do business in Huanghuali wood.

This is quite close, just go to Hainan Island.

This time, the Champa envoys brought more than 100,000 kilograms of spices in one go.

Even if the Song Dynasty wanted to give the other party porcelain and silk in return, the profit would not be a small amount.

You should be able to earn at least 200,000 or 400,000 strings of cash.

Zhao Xin told his father the news, and Zhao Zhen was no longer surprised.

There is just one problem here.

All the money earned will definitely go directly into their treasury.

The country's financial resources, at least in the three departments, have not made much progress.

This is indeed a problem!
But whatever!
It's good enough if my family can make some money. It's better than nothing!

"Anyway... Dad, don't you always use your own money to reward the soldiers in the army as military expenses?"

“It makes no difference.”

Zhao Zhen said, "You can use this money yourself."

Zhao Xin also immediately replied: "Daddy, how did you know what I was going to say next?"

Zhao Zhen: "..."

Zhao Xin explained: "If we let the people from the Southern Court of Xuanhui buy and sell these spices, they will definitely take advantage of it and may even embezzle half of them. But if I am the one to sell them, the possibility of embezzlement is very low."

Zhao Zhen then asked, "I am most happy to hear your words. Do they count as alienating the relationship between the monarch and his subjects?"

Zhao Xin replied: "How can this be called alienating the relationship between the monarch and his subjects? I am just telling the truth. This has been the case since ancient times. Father, don't you know this yourself?"

Zhao Zhen then said, "Okay! Then you can make your own arrangements."

Zhao Xin asked Ouyang Xiu to look for someone selling spices in Tokyo City.

Next, set up something similar to a bidding process.

As for whether it will affect the transportation of military rations.

Because the Song Dynasty would often tie spices, tea and other items to the transportation of military rations.

You transported food to the army, and only then will you be given the power to sell it.

This also needs to be handled properly.

or……

Set up your own food and fodder transportation company.

And then just replace all these people?
Next…

Zhao Xin began to discuss with Ouyang Xiu and others.

In addition...

Then the sale of spices was handed over to Ouyang Xiu.

As for Ouyang Xiu, at least for now, Zhao Xin still trusts him and feels that he is not the kind of person who would be greedy for such money.

Of course!
People are going to change.

In addition...

Zhao Xin also plans to cut down on redundant officials.

I have three thousand men under my command, why should I be afraid of you?

only……

The issue of reducing redundant officials must be considered in the long term.

If I were to do the cutting, all the hatred would be drawn to me, which would be disadvantageous for my future as an official.

You have to find someone who can take the blame for you.

even……

Don't let others know that you did it yourself.

In order to reduce redundant officials, we must thoroughly understand who the redundant officials are.

Moreover...these redundant officials are the best because their families already have some properties, so even if they lose their official positions, they will not completely die.

In order to achieve such a precise reduction in redundant officials, it is necessary to first go to various places and send people to secretly or openly grasp the property situation of each household.

"The only candidate for this position is Fan Zhongyan."

but……

There's no need to rush.

After all, the three thousand people we have now are just the beginning.

Let's get them together first and train for half a year, so that they can at least have a certain level of combat effectiveness.

It should be said that there were relatively few officials who dared to flee to Western Xia and offer advice to Western Xia.

Moreover!
I've already said that they are redundant officials. They have accomplished nothing in all these years. Do you expect them to rebel? Do they have the ability to do so?

At most, he could just say some sarcastic remarks and try to shake his father's determination to reform.

Anyway...

Let Fan Zhongyan attract the firepower. If Fan Zhongyan really can't hold on, let Fan Zhongyan continue to guard the northwest.

then……

Zhao Xin asked his father to write a letter to Fan Zhongyan, asking him if he had any opinions on national reforms.

northwest.

Fan Zhongyan opened the letter. Did the government finally couldn't help but start reforms?

(End of this chapter)