Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 199 What does it mean to fight for the people of the world?

Fan Zhongyan naturally could not immediately understand the meaning of Zhao Xin's casual remark.

Zhao Xin then asked: "Do you have any ideas about this newly established country? Or...what kind of country do you hope it will be in the future?"

For a person like Fan Zhongyan who worries about the world before he enjoys himself, naturally, his greatest wish for the country is that all the people in the world can live a prosperous life.

No famine, no disease.

But...

Even Fan Zhongyan probably knew that these were just fantasies.

Because it's simply impossible.

Fan Zhongyan was not in a hurry to answer himself, but asked Zhao Xin: "What kind of country does Your Highness Prince Yu want to build?"

Zhao Xin said, "Mencius said that the people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the least important."

“I hope to build a country that is of the people and for the people.”

"It's a pity...Mencius' words have never been truly used by anyone from ancient times to the present."

"Therefore...the country I want to build will never succeed."

"But even if I can't succeed, as long as I can move forward a little bit, that's good. What do you think?"

To be honest, Fan Zhongyan didn't know Zhao Xin at all.

He's obviously just a child.

It was obviously grown in the hands of women in the deep palace.

But why is there such obsession?

For someone of Zhao Xin's age, it would be considered good enough if he was not too arrogant and domineering at this moment.

Not to mention……

Someone like Zhao Xin, who is the apple of everyone's eye.

Or……

This is all due to the influence and teachings of the emperor, which is why we have His Royal Highness the Prince of Yu today.

Fan Zhongyan said, "Why does Your Highness Prince Yu want to build a country like that? Logically speaking, it will not benefit Your Highness Prince Yu at all."

Zhao Xin also thought about it, and then said: "Maybe I am kind-hearted and can't bear to see the people suffer."

"It's a pity that there are so few people like me. It is precisely because there are so few of us that it is difficult to establish a country like this."

"Who becomes an official if not to exploit the people?"

"I wouldn't say 100%, but at least 80% of them do it to become a better person and to have better material enjoyment."

"Even if you were Fan Zhongyan, once upon a time, you wanted to study in order to become an official and live a better life, wasn't it?"

Fan Zhongyan did not deny it.

He just looked up at the moonlight, sighed, and then admitted: "It was indeed like that at the beginning."

Zhao Xin then asked, "Has there ever been anyone who started out studying for the benefit of the people of the world?"

Fan Zhongyan said, "I guess there shouldn't be any."

Zhao Xin said, "This is why people like Mozi and Mencius are not well-received. Among the hundreds of schools of thought in the pre-Qin period, the Mohist school was once so powerful, but in the end, it suddenly disappeared."

Fan Zhongyan then asked, "Then your Highness, can the country you want to build really be built?"

Zhao Xin said, "It's up to human beings. It's better than the current Song Dynasty."

Fan Zhongyan: “…”

Fan Zhongyan thought to himself.

I don't think you have a kind heart. You knew from the beginning that the Song Dynasty's ship was going to sink.

It’s just like everyone studies in order to become an official and to live a good life. It’s the same truth.

If this is really the case...

Fan Zhongyan looked at Zhao Xin.

Is it...

His Royal Highness Prince Yu already knew that the Song Dynasty’s ship would sink?

If that's true!

This insight is truly amazing.

of course!

He thought that the Song ship should not sink yet, but it showed signs of sinking.

But in recent years, it has actually been pretty good.

At least, some water conservancy projects were built and some redundant soldiers were laid off. Now, they are going to take action against corrupt officials.

All these actions clearly indicate that the imperial court is beginning to eradicate some of the country's previous ills.

Fan Zhongyan also asked: "I heard that even the emperor has to listen to your Highness?"

Zhao Xin said, "It's OK! The main thing is that Daddy is a good person and is willing to listen to his son."

Fan Zhongyan said, "Then the construction of water conservancy projects, the reduction of redundant soldiers, and the thorough investigation of corrupt officials were all initiated by Your Highness?"

Zhao Xin said, "You can't say that. If you say that, I can sue you for defamation."

"I am just a nobody, how can I know anything about building water conservancy projects, cutting redundant soldiers, or thoroughly investigating corrupt officials?"

Fan Zhongyan thought to himself, you are so young and you even have a wife.

Is there anything else you dare not do?
This night...

Fan Zhongyan seemed to finally understand Zhao Xin.

can only say……

So smart.

If Zhao Xin really becomes an official in the future, he will be difficult to deal with.

As long as Zhao Xin focuses on good things, it will naturally be of great benefit to the country.

But if Zhao Xin puts his mind on other things, it could be a disaster for the country.

The ministers all like to have an obedient official above them.

Just like the officials today, they are the favorites of the ministers.

As for His Royal Highness Prince Yu...

Fan Zhongyan calculated that he was 62 years old this year.

In another ten years, I will probably be 72 years old.

Whatever!

It seems to have nothing to do with him anymore.

After all, by that time, he wouldn't even know whether he had died or not.

Maybe... he has no way of seeing what the Song Dynasty will become after His Royal Highness Prince Yu grows up, right?

I can only bow and say: "I hope Your Highness can always maintain this original intention."

Zhao Xin asked: "What is your original intention?"

Fan Zhongyan said: "The people are the foundation. The country was established for the people."

Zhao Xin thought to himself.

That’s hard to say!

People change their minds.

But can a smart official really be considered a good thing for the future of the Song Dynasty?
At this moment, Fan Zhongyan could only say that he didn't know either.

Then...

Fan Zhongyan also started chatting and asked, "Your Highness has trained good soldiers. But... why must you call them the Li Yuan Army?"

Zhao Xin said: "Because they are all from Li Yuan, and I hope they can fight for the Li Yuan in the future."

After hearing what Zhao Xin said.

Fan Zhongyan also had to carefully examine the Prince of Yu in front of him again.

If he remembered correctly...

The Li Yuan Army was established several years ago.

However, it was actually around the same time as the reclamation in Xuchang and Nanyang areas.

and so……

Was this something that was planned from the very beginning?

This "people-oriented, for the people" approach is, in fact, not something that has only emerged recently.

But it has been there since the beginning!
Fan Zhongyan then asked: "What does it mean to fight for the people of the world?"

(End of this chapter)