Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 313 Fifty-five, fifty-six years old
In the winter of the second year after Zhao Xin conquered Pagan.

As for the letters, envoys, etc., we can only say that they are still on the way.

This year……

Zhao Xin attacked Bagan again.

As for the reason for this military expedition?
I can only say... as Zhao Xin got to know this place better and better, he no longer bothered to think about its name.

Anyway...

In fact, the Pagan Dynasty was not that clean.

At the beginning, the other side declared war on its neighboring country in the name of welcoming the Buddha's bones.

Knowing that they were so barbaric, Zhao Xin didn't bother to reason with them.

Just like before, log in and start fighting.

And this time, they also had cavalry.

Although there are only a thousand people.

But something is better than nothing.

can only say……

The war was going smoothly.

It was almost like an unstoppable force all the way.

The Pagan Dynasty did not sit idly by and wait for death.

first……

They upgraded the armor of their soldiers.

If you don’t have iron armor, wear leather armor.

Secondly...

They also looked for allies abroad.

only……

When Kurotunga of the Chola Dynasty learned the news, they knew that they were powerless.

of course!

Generally speaking, it is not a good thing to just let Zhao Xin do whatever he wants.

therefore……

When an envoy from Pagan came to Thanjavur, the capital of the Chola dynasty, and told them what Zhao Xin had done, the Chola king, Kurotunga, summoned his ministers to discuss whether or not to attack Srivijaya.

how to say!

Let’s talk about the pros and cons.

The advantage is that if they conquer it, they can then continue to collect taxes from Srivijaya.

As for the downside...

It's nothing but a waste of time and money.

In fact, if possible, Kurotunga still hopes for peace.

Although his grandfather was killed by the other party.

But something like my grandfather is worth only a few dollars.

What are really valuable are actually the major docks and temples in Srivijaya.

natural!

What really determined whether Kurotunga would fight or not was not what the Pagan envoy said, but whether they could gain benefits and how much benefits they could gain.

At last……

The two sides discussed it.

Chola had no intention of sending troops to attack Srivijaya.

only……

If Bagan needs it, they can provide Bagan with some armor, weapons, ships and the like.

Of course!
This is certainly not given for free.

What this means is that Bagan has to pay money.

After learning of this situation, Pagan King Jiang Xituo had no choice but to talk to Zhao Xin about surrender and allegiance.

There is an unwritten rule among Southeast Asian countries that once the other party surrenders, you can no longer attack them. Therefore, although countries like Champa and Zhenla fought wars every year, they never destroyed the other country.

Is it because you don’t want to?

Because they all know that if I destroy you, how can I collect taxes from you?
So often, as long as they can beat the other party into surrender, they will go back satisfied.

Next…

They just need to wait for other countries to pay tribute to them and deliver the goods to their doorstep.

therefore……

It is precisely because of such customs that a country may have been beaten by a big country twenty years ago. Now, an incompetent prince has inherited the throne of this big country. The domestic situation is not very good, and the ministers are all addicted to pleasure. Then the country that was abused twenty years ago can now be abused back.

This cycle repeats itself over and over again, and I never get tired of it.

After careful consideration, King Jiang Xitao of Pagan decided that it would be better to surrender as soon as possible rather than let the country be destroyed.

By the time……

Give them a chance to accumulate national strength. It's not completely impossible for them to fight back.

So after the end of World War II, the two sides quickly entered the negotiation stage.

"Five hundred maids are too many. Can we have fewer? We can exchange them for other things."

Zhao Xin's side...

He also replied, "500 in the first year, 400 in the second year, 300 in the third year, 200 in the fourth year, and 100 in the fifth year."

The other envoy counted on his fingers and found that the total was only one thousand five hundred. It was a good deal!

Then he asked stupidly, "What about the sixth year?"

Zhao Xin said, "In the sixth year, it will not be necessary."

In fact, Zhao Xin felt that five years was too slow.

What he values ​​are the first two years.

After hearing Zhao Xin say that the sixth year was no longer necessary, the other party was overjoyed, but he also knew very well that there is no free lunch in the world. If the other party said so, there must be other conditions.

Then he asked, "Does your country have any other requirements?"

Zhao Xin said, "Well... let me think about it. First, I need a lot of food. Second, I also need gold..."

To be honest, there is nothing great to ask for in Bagan.

Its main characteristic is the production of horses.

The issue is……

He doesn't need too many horses.

If there are too many horses, you will have to divide them up and raise them. The climate here is different from that in Bagan, so it is hard to say whether the horses can be raised.

but……

Despite this, Zhao Xin still asked them to pay tribute to him with horses. After all, he could just slaughter them and eat them if they died!

Those that survived, the good ones were kept as war horses, and the bad ones were used to plow the fields.

Anyway...

This is given to you for free by others, so don’t miss it.

In addition...

Zhao Xin also asked them for pigs, dogs, chickens and sheep.

and……

Finally, Zhao Xin asked them for craftsmen.

Since what Zhao Xin asked for was within a reasonable range, the other party didn't think it was excessive.

However, Zhao Xin's requirements were too special and had never been encountered before.

Therefore, the other party also said that he still needed to go back and ask for instructions.

By the third year...

Because Jiang Xituo agreed.

The two sides then ceased fighting.

Of course!
Like palace maids, you can't find those who are not good-looking to fool Zhao Xin.

If Zhao Xin thinks a piece doesn't look good, he will return it and ask him to find a better-looking one.

Srivijaya was conquered thanks to Zhao Xin's efforts.

soon……

The population directly under Zhao Xin's control has reached nearly 30,000 people.

Most of them were slaves who were plundered.

at the same time……

The Han population, which migrated from the Song Dynasty and wanted to go to sea to make a living, has reached more than 20,000 people.

As for soldiers, each now has at least two or three slaves.

Wife or concubine.

It's just that there is still something lacking, but actually, it's almost there, and it can almost achieve at least a one-to-one ratio.

Zhao Xin also encouraged the chiefs' daughters to marry into the Li Yuan army if they were good-looking, but... let's be honest.

It seems that not many people are willing to pay attention.

With a population of 60,000 to 70,000 living here, large tracts of wasteland have been developed.

In the seventh year after Zhao Xin came to Srivijaya, a small town with a population of 60,000 to 70,000 was slowly built around the castle.

of course!

The current conditions are actually still relatively poor. But Zhao Xin estimated that it would take less than three years.

This place will definitely be much better than it is now.

By the end of the year.

Zhao Xin counted on his fingers. He was already fifty-five or fifty-six years old.

At this moment, all he could say was that he wanted to borrow another five hundred years from heaven.

What should the Song Dynasty and China do next?
While lying in the bathtub, enjoy the slave's shoulder massage.

can only say……

This also made him very confused.

In addition to developing this place, he also has to consider how the Song Dynasty will take over this place after his death.

of course!

Zhao Xin was thinking that he was already fifty-five or fifty-six years old.

On the Song Dynasty side...

This empress, Empress Cao, also died of old age.

As for Madam Miao, she is already 71 years old this year.

Their lifespans are much longer than before.

As for Chen Yuanyuan, she was almost sixty years old at this time.

The next year, spring.

Zhao Xin learned that the queen had passed away.

There's not much to say actually, anyway... everyone will reach this point.

As for the interior of the Song Dynasty.

Counting it up...

Thirty-two years have passed since he changed the era name to Li Yuan.

This means that the people of the Song Dynasty had enjoyed almost thirty-two years of peace, not counting those who served in the army.

At least for most of the people in the Song Dynasty, it was good to have such a long period of peace and tranquility.

although……

For example, in the Hebei region, as usual, there are floods and droughts from time to time.

But overall, the population of the Song Dynasty still increased every year compared to the previous year.

It is said...

An epidemic broke out again in Kaifeng.

Although epidemics are not good things, it is enough to show that Kaifeng did not decline because of its capital relocation.

It’s just that Kaifeng has become more popular now.

Just like Yangzhou and Chengdu, it is still one of the most prosperous cities in the Song Dynasty.

Speaking of which...

In fact, the capitals of some Southeast Asian countries are no worse than the prosperous cities of the Song Dynasty.

You are like the capital of Zhenla, there should be a million people there.

What a pity...

It is really difficult to assimilate a group of barbarians by reasoning with them.

After all, countries like Korea and Japan have learned culture from the Central Plains for hundreds or thousands of years.

However, in areas like Southeast Asia, whether it is the geographical environment or the political atmosphere, it seems a bit difficult to implement centralization.

It’s like someone has been a king for generations, and now you go up to them and tell them that in the future, they have to take the imperial examination so that they can become a high-ranking official.

Then people won’t beat you.

Zhao Xin packed up all the problems he had encountered, wrote them down in a chaotic manner, and then sent someone to send them back to Zhao Zhe.

at the same time……

The next step is to consider whether I should find a grandson to follow me?

otherwise……

After his death, who will inherit the Three Buddhas?

Therefore, in the letter, Zhao Xin also wrote that if anyone is interested, they can come to him.

In fact, this year, even the son of Zhao Zhe and Yelu Sagezhi was at least in his twenties.

The eldest son, twenty-three years old.

If he is the second son, he should also be twenty-one.

Find someone smarter!

in fact……

Countless experiences throughout history have told Zhao Xin that the eldest son is often not the best.

The second son, or even the fourth son, might be better.

After receiving Zhao Xin's letter, Zhao Zhe called his son on a bright afternoon and asked him who was willing to go.

Yelu Sagu has been considered a good wife and mother over the years.

Even when she heard Zhao Zhe say this, she didn't feel surprised.

Then, after the four sons, except for the crown prince who was basically impossible to send away, the remaining three looked at each other.

The second brother has an appointment with someone to play Cuju tomorrow. The third brother recently bought a concubine and hasn’t had enough fun. The fourth brother…

The fourth child was eating a chicken leg.

Zhao Zhe looked at his sons.

Why do I feel like the children I have and my father’s children are not of the same style?
of course!

You would say that they only know how to play and eat, and have no skills at all.

That's not true.

For example, the third brother, although he likes to play with women, he is actually quite good at poetry and songs.

after all……

If you don't know how to do this, you won't be able to pick up any girls.

For example, the second brother, although he likes Cuju, he is also good at martial arts, such as riding and archery, and many people admire him.

The fourth one's words...

I should say that he is fat, has a calm personality, and doesn't fight or compete, which feels pretty good.

Then the second son asked, "Dad, is there any football to play in grandpa's place?"

Zhao Zhe held his forehead with his hand and then replied: "I really want to kick you like a cuju!"

The fourth child also asked, "Dad, do we three have to find one person to go?"

Zhao Zhe actually didn’t know this either.

But your grandfather said, come if you are interested.

So Zhao Zhe also said: "Not necessarily."

The fourth brother immediately said with a relaxed look on his face: "That's good! I was so scared that I almost thought there would be no chicken legs to eat."

Apparently!

To them, that place was clearly a barren land.

The third brother also said: "Dad, don't consider me for this kind of thing."

Zhao Zhe looked at the crown prince again.

The boss was almost startled.

Good thing...

Zhao Zhe just glanced at the other person.

Got it!

All the children I gave birth to are useless.

Since the legitimate son is not good enough, Zhao Zhe can only consider the illegitimate son.

It’s not that Zhao Zhe didn’t have concubines.

Actually, there are.

only……

If we send a concubine out, it will be hard to say what our relationship with the Crown Prince will be like in the future.

But to be honest, even if we send a sibling, it probably won't be much better.

Then...

Zhao Zhe then found three more illegitimate sons.

However, the three bastards are not fools.

If this is really a good thing, would it be my turn?
only……

After all, they are born out of wedlock and generally speaking, they have no say, so they don't have the power to directly reject his father.

Zhao Zhe finally figured it out.

All of them only know how to enjoy themselves, but they are still a little unreliable at critical moments.

But this also made me more determined to find something for them to do next time.

Because if you don’t do it, you’ll never do it.

Then...

Zhao Zhe then assigned several people to places such as Xixia and Liao one after another.

Let each of them take charge of the affairs of a state and see their quality.

(End of this chapter)