Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 198: Quarrel Hurts Feelings

It happened to be around the middle of the month.

The moon in the sky is big and round, and there are few clouds tonight.

This lit up the entire house, inside and outside, as if a flare had been launched.

But there is one thing to say...

At first, Zhao Xin was also frightened by Fan Zhongyan's refusal to sleep.

You're not sleeping this late at night. Are you stealing?
After hearing what Zhao Xin said, Fan Zhongyan hurried out of the house.

Bow to Zhao Xin.

"Your Highness, I greet His Royal Highness Prince Yu!"

Zhao Xin asked, "Why are you not sleeping so late at night? What are you doing?"

Fan Zhongyan also showed an expression that said, "How dare you ask me this?"

Then he replied seriously: "I am thinking about something. Why is Your Highness Prince Yu still awake so late?"

Zhao Xin took a deep breath and said, "I'm also thinking about something."

Fan Zhongyan adhered to the principle that as a subject, his duty was to share the worries of the king.

of course!

More importantly, he was a little curious, so he asked, "I wonder what His Royal Highness Prince Yu is thinking about?"

Zhao Xin asked, "What do you think a country is?"

If Zhao Xin remembered correctly, it seemed to be some kind of violent machine. In short, there were these words.

Then Zhao Xin asked again: "Officials, what are they?"

"Why do we need countries and officials in this world? Can we not have them?"

Fan Zhongyan probably didn't expect that Zhao Xin would ask such a childish question.

Especially considering his height which is much shorter than others.

That kind of childishness is even more obvious.

but……

This only sounds childish on the surface.

In fact...

If you really look into it, it's quite profound.

“How did the country come about?”

When this question was put directly in front of Fan Zhongyan, even he found it difficult to explain.

The only thing I can say is: "The state has existed since ancient times."

Zhao Xin asked, "Why do we have a country? Why do we need a country?"

"..." Fan Zhongyan was silent for a moment, then said: "It may be because the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were just one tribe, and slowly, as the population increased, they became a country."

Zhao Xin: "Then why does a country become a country when there are more people?"

Fan Zhongyan said, "There are too many people, so we can't say they are all one family, right? The character '国' is composed of a '口' (mouth) with a '或' (or) in the middle. '或' is composed of the characters '口' (mouth) and '戈' (god) and there is also a '一' (one), which means land."

"So the meaning of 'country', I think, is to take up arms to defend the land and the country."

Zhao Xin asked again: "Whose land is this, and whose land is this?"

Fan Zhongyan replied: "That is naturally the land of the people of the world. As for Sheji, that means the god of earth and the god of grain, and what they represent is naturally the land and grain of the people of the world."

Zhao Xin said, "So that means that the country is holding a spear to protect the land and the crops?"

In fact, Fan Zhongyan was not quite sure either.

But at this moment, all I can say is: "I think... this should be the case."

Zhao Xin pondered.

It seems exactly the same as that violent machine.

Zhao Xin didn't worry about it anymore.

After all, the origin of the country's national character back then and its current meaning are probably many generations apart.

Then he asked Fan Zhongyan: "What do you think of my control of this country?"

Fan Zhongyan was actually opposed to it at first.

after all……

Even in the name of studying, you can't go so far.

and……

It was the first time he saw someone do this.

And perhaps this is the first time someone has done this, so most people don’t know what the consequences of doing so will be.

of course!

If we compare it with the enfeoffment of vassal states, it is easy to foresee what the future results will be.

only……

The key point is that the emperor's family has only one son, and it is said that another one was born. But no matter what, even if it is in order, this position belongs to Zhao Xin. This made Fan Zhongyan think that in order to cultivate His Royal Highness Prince Yu's ability to govern the country, he should let him try to build a country.

This sounds somewhat absurd.

Yes!

Isn't this ridiculous?
but……

After this trip, Fan Zhongyan seemed to understand something.

Could it be that the emperor felt that the Song Dynasty had become so corrupt that it was beyond salvation, and so allowed His Royal Highness Prince Yu to come out and establish a new country?

At least……

Judging from Zhao Xin's current behavior, Fan Zhongyan believes that he does not want to be just a prince.

Because if he just wanted to be a prince, or enjoy the good life and fiefdom, why would Zhao Xin need to ask questions like "What is a country?" and "How did the country come about?"

of course!

These are just Fan Zhongyan's own guesses.

No one knows whether the government really thinks this way.

therefore……

Then Fan Zhongyan tried to ask: "I have a question, but I don't know if I should ask it?"

Zhao Xin said, "You ask."

Fan Zhongyan said: "Even if His Royal Highness Prince Yu stays in the court, he can still improve his abilities. Why does the emperor insist on giving His Royal Highness Prince Yu a fiefdom?"

Zhao Xin said, "Actually... I asked my father to do this for me."

Fan Zhongyan: “…”

He saw Fan Zhongyan looking at him in confusion.

Zhao Xin said, "How can inheriting a country from someone else be as interesting as building one yourself? Besides, we don't know when Dad will die. What if I die before he dies?"

Fan Zhongyan was also left speechless by his words.

Can you just say something like "the emperor has passed away"?
However, it can be seen from this that His Royal Highness Prince Yu is a person with a very strong personality.

He never takes the path that normal people take.

Fan Zhongyan said, "But it is said that everything in the country of Prince Yu is different from that of the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xin asked, "Why, do you think there is a problem?"

Fan Zhongyan: "Won't that cause problems?"

Zhao Xin: “What’s the problem?”

Fan Zhongyan couldn't explain it clearly either, so he could only give a brief example: "For example, if the fiefdom of His Royal Highness Prince Yu did not impose salt tax on the people, while the Song Dynasty imposed heavy taxes on salt, then... would some people profit from this? And would others have any objections?"

Zhao Xin then asked, "Who would have an objection? Is it you, Fan Zhongyan?"

Fan Zhongyan then said, "The people of the world except those in Xuchang and Nanyang. Wouldn't this be unfair?"

Zhao Xin also said: "What if I actually impose heavy taxes, even heavier than the current tax rate in the Song Dynasty, would you feel it is unfair?"

Fan Zhongyan said: "This... Then I will speak up for the people of Xuchang and Nanyang."

Zhao Xin: "Does this count as being jealous of others?"

Fan Zhongyan: "I just think that since we are all subjects of the government, we should treat us equally."

Zhao Xin asked, "Then why don't you treat your salary the same as other people? Why can you get so much salary, but others can't? Why can you be an official, but others can't?"

Fan Zhongyan: “…”

"What I have done may not be possible for others."

"Besides, I passed the imperial examination."

Zhao Xin said, "You said you passed the imperial examination. What if you don't take the imperial examination to become an official? Moreover, why do you have to take the imperial examination to become an official? Can't you take the martial arts examination?"

Fan Zhongyan said, "But to govern a country, one needs knowledge related to the imperial examination. As for the military examination, it's not impossible, but military men are vulgar and might even fight in the court. Your Highness must know something about how military men governed the country during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms."

Zhao Xin said, "But I think you are not very good at governing the country. There are so many people in the court who are just eating and waiting to die. Aren't they all like you who passed the imperial examinations. These people are bringing disaster to the country and the people, and they are no less than the warriors."

"In recent years, there have been constant rebellions in various parts of the Song Dynasty. Aren't they caused by you, the candidates for the imperial examinations?"

Fan Zhongyan said: "But this is better than having military men ruling the country and killing people at every turn."

Zhao Xin said, "Your explanation still can't convince me, and... on what basis can you get a salary that is more than ordinary people can earn even if they work hard for several years or decades? What is the basis for you to receive so much salary? You receive so much salary, it must be fair to the people of the world? Bai Juyi said that the salary of an official is 300 dan, and there is surplus food at the end of the year. Thinking of this, I feel ashamed and can't forget it all day long. Have you ever thought about whether it is fair for you to do this? How can you accept these salaries with peace of mind? The monthly salary of a prime minister in the Song Dynasty..."

Fan Zhongyan thought about it and had nothing to say.

But then he added: "But at least I did something practical for the court. The people of Xuchang and Nanyang didn't have to do anything."

Zhao Xin said, "How can you say they didn't do anything? They have to cooperate with me in establishing the country and bear all the risks they may face in the process. For example, if I am actually a tyrant, then they will have a hard time."

Fan Zhongyan: “…”

Fan Zhongyan thought to himself, when you say this, do you believe it yourself?
At least……

Fan Zhongyan doesn't think so.

If Zhao Xin was really a tyrant, he would not care about the lives of the people, and would not come out to ask for their opinions like he does now.

Zhao Xin finally said, "Arguing hurts feelings. From now on, don't talk about fairness or unfairness, especially in the court. As long as you don't oppose what I do, it will be the greatest fairness to the people of the world."

(End of this chapter)