Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 920 Some are happy, some are sad

After recapturing Kaifeng, Yang Yuan did not rush to further expand his gains.

First of all, the Lunar New Year is just around the corner.

During this important holiday of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, the soldiers also need to rest and relax.

The summary of the phased victories and the rewards given to officers and soldiers should also be carried out in a timely manner.

Moreover, the north is freezing cold, so wounded soldiers need to be transferred south as soon as possible to recover better.

Furthermore, as the former capital of the Song Dynasty, its recapture is of great political significance, and a series of ceremonies are to be held.

Furthermore, after the recapture of Bianliang, the entire Nanjing Road had largely fallen into the hands of the Song Dynasty.

We need to pause and make certain adjustments to the political, economic, and livelihood aspects of the entire Nanjing Road area.

The goal of managing Nanjing Road is to create a model.

Whether this model is good or bad will seriously affect the strength of the resistance the Song army will face in its continued northern expedition.

At the same time, implementing this template in one location is equivalent to conducting a pilot program.

If anything is inappropriate, it can be adjusted in time and eventually perfected into the Song Dynasty's policy for recovering lost territories.

This is not a problem that a general commanding troops needs to consider, but Yang Yuan is the prime minister, so it is a problem that he must consider.

After the Han people in the Jin Dynasty were ruled by the Jin people, they suffered cruel oppression.

More than a decade ago, Emperor Xizong of Jin, Wanyan Dan, implemented reforms that significantly reduced taxes, making life a little easier for the Han people in the north.

The tax burden on Han people in the north is now far lower than that on Han people in the south.

However, simply looking at the tax rate is meaningless.

The Jin dynasty still maintained a slave system, and a large number of Han Chinese proletarians became slaves of the Jin people, whose right to life was not even guaranteed.

Another point is that the economic development of the Jin Dynasty was far inferior to that of the Song Dynasty.

Therefore, even though its tax rate is much lower than that of the Song Dynasty, the people's livelihood is not necessarily better due to its extremely low economic foundation.

However, the State of Song recovered this region, only the rulers changed.

The region's economy, at least for now, has not changed, and has even declined due to the damage caused by the war.

Therefore, after Yang Yuan entered Bianliang, he immediately issued decrees in the name of the imperial court:
All taxes levied by the former Jin occupation forces were still levied according to the original system, and some taxes unique to the Jin state were even abolished.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Jurchens in the occupied territories were cautious and fearful of being made an example of, Yang Yuan announced the abolition of slavery.

Of course, many slaves might not be willing to abolish it at this time.

Because they have nowhere to go, if they leave their master at this time, they will most likely starve or freeze to death.

Therefore, Yang Yuan merely announced the decree and did not enforce its implementation.

First, establish it in the law, and take advantage of this special opportunity to avoid opposition.

We can implement it gradually once the world is truly at peace.

In addition, the Jin Dynasty mainly levied taxes in kind.

Although from a historical perspective, this is an outdated form of taxation.

However, given the current situation, this method is indeed a way to reduce the burden on the people, and Yang Yuan also retained it.

Not all Han Chinese in the north supported the Song Dynasty; the majority of them were Han Chinese born in recent decades.

From the time they were old enough to understand things, they lived under the rule of the Jin Dynasty.

Most ordinary families don't have elders like Xin Qiji's grandfather who constantly admonished and educated their children and grandchildren.

Therefore, whether from the perspective of identity or emotion, they would only be more accepting of the Jin Dynasty's rule.

They held a distrustful and distant attitude towards the Song Dynasty, which was demonized by the Jin Dynasty's propaganda.

Moreover, these people are in their prime, the backbone of the future society of the North, and represent a whole generation.

Therefore, cultural and educational propaganda must keep up.

At this time, Yang Yuan's status as a great Confucian scholar and prime minister played a significant role.

When the news reached Jiangnan, scholars from the south who were willing to respond to the call of the semi-saint Mu Yi, or those with speculative intentions, responded one after another.

However, it will take some time before they collectively head north, seize control of local propaganda and education, and formally begin their indoctrination and propaganda efforts.

Yang Yuan was extremely busy for the past three days.

As the Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty, he represented the Song court and the emperor to pay homage at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and report to the ancestors of the Song Dynasty on the achievement of "recovering the old capital".

Although the spirit tablet had been taken to the south by the Song court, this ceremony, symbolizing the return of the Song dynasty's legal authority to the old capital, was still indispensable.

Yang Yuan then sent people to Gongyi to pay homage to the imperial tombs of the Song Dynasty and stationed troops to protect them. After the spring, the damaged tombs were repaired.

The proclamation to reassure the people was also promptly disseminated to the people in the recovered areas through the complete takeover of the Jin dynasty's bureaucratic system.

The document not only detailed major decisions regarding tax collection and the slave system, but also announced policies aimed at stabilizing the situation and winning over the people, such as tax reductions and the restoration of public order.

Militarily, the reinforcement of city defenses and the clearing of transportation channels are also proceeding in an orderly manner.

Yang Yuan's great victory in recapturing Bianliang was reported to Lin'an by express messenger on a gold-plated courier. The message arrived in Lin'an the day before New Year's Day, after a great effort.

The Gold Medal Express entered the city, shouting along the way, and the news spread throughout the city in an instant.

The Song Dynasty has recovered the old capital!
The entire city of Lin'an was shaken.

To be honest, many people were overjoyed, but some clever and quick-witted individuals felt somewhat lost and bewildered.

If the Song Dynasty recovers the old capital, does that mean... our Lin'an will lose even its special status as the "temporary capital"?

It's simply impossible to please everyone in anything.

When Emperor Zhao Dun received the news, he was still conscious.

As long as Yang Yuan wasn't around, he could breathe easily, and he had fewer episodes.

With Yang Yuan not in Lin'an, he was in a much easier position.

Upon learning that Bianliang had been recovered, Zhao Dun burst into tears.

When the Song Dynasty lost Bianliang, he was still in his mother's lap, so there was no emotional connection to him.

In the current situation, the Song Dynasty's recapture of Bianliang only further enhanced Yang Yuan's prestige and power, so there was nothing for him to be happy about.

However, he has his own perspective.

Since taking office, he has had very few notable achievements.

See, here it is! Even if he were to abdicate right now, history would still revolve around him when discussing this momentous event.

On New Year's Day, early in the morning, Zhao Dun led the royal family members and all the civil and military officials to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to worship the ancestral tablets and offer sacrifices to the ancestors, holding an extremely grand ceremony.

Furthermore, after offering sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Zhao Dun also issued an imperial edict.

This was an edict that had not been reviewed by Chancellor Yang Yuan, but Zhao Dun issued it with full confidence, without worrying at all that the Chancellor might be displeased or reject the edict.

This edict declared that all the recovered territories would be designated as the fiefdom of the Prince of Yan.

Within his fiefdom, all matters, large and small, including military affairs, official appointments, local governance, and diplomacy, were decided by the Prince of Yan and only required to be reported to the central government.

The step of "establishing states and enfeoffing states" has finally come to fruition.

At this point, Zhao Dun was essentially just a figurehead head of state.

……

Yang Yuan only received the Jin envoys after celebrating the New Year with the soldiers and civilians of Bianliang, leaving them waiting for several days.

Thanks to the swift implementation of Yang Yuan's policies and the approaching New Year's Day, Bianliang City quickly settled down and even gained a festive atmosphere.

This was also thanks to Yang Tang and Na Lan Shuofeng's decisive surrender.

Otherwise, if the war had continued, the city would have been devastated, with corpses piled up everywhere, and it would never have achieved its current state.

Yang Yuan was stationed at Na Lan Shuofeng's Kaifeng Garrison Command at this time. Yang Tang and Na Lan Shuofeng had already been packed up and sent to Lin'an by him.

Because of the generous treatment Pucha Alibu received in the Song Dynasty, Yang Tang and Nalan Shuofeng had no psychological burden at all and left happily.

After waiting for several days, Cai Gui, filled with anxiety, slowly walked into the main hall of the garrison.

Behind him followed three slender women with their faces veiled, and nine attendants carrying brocade boxes.

Outside in the courtyard, there were dozens of cars full of gifts.

Yang Yuan sat at the head of the table, with several generals standing on his left and right, all turning their gazes toward the newcomer.

"The envoy of the Great Jin Kingdom, Cai Gui, pays his respects to Prime Minister Yang." Cai Gui bowed respectfully, displaying a humble attitude.

"Your Excellency has come from afar. May I ask what brings you here?"

Cai Gui smiled slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "Peace talks!"

With a wave of his hand, eight attendants opened the brocade box, and the hall was instantly filled with the glittering jewels.

Crystal-clear jade artifacts, gleaming golden Buddha statues, and exquisitely framed calligraphy and paintings.

"This is a small token of my lord's goodwill; the Great Jin is willing to turn hostility into friendship with the Great Song."

Yang Yuan glanced over, and Cai Gui slowly walked to the brocade boxes, respectfully introducing each one:

"To show our sincerity, our lord returns the twelve volumes of the original Xuanhe Painting Manual and ten pieces of Chai kiln celadon porcelain that the Great Jin Dynasty took from Bianliang back then."

In addition, there were five thousand taels of gold. This is only a part of it.

Yang Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

The twelve volumes of authentic works recorded in the "Xuanhe Painting Catalogue" are all treasures of the Northern Song imperial family that were looted by the Jurchens during the Jingkang Incident.

"Wanyan Liang, what do you want?"

Cai Gui was not offended by Yang Yuan's direct address of him as the Emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty. He reasoned that the situation was beyond his control, so why bother arguing at this point?

Cai Gui said solemnly, "As long as the Great Song agrees to peace talks, my Great Jin Kingdom is willing to submit to the Great Song, and will hand over all the existing land in Nanjing Road. The two countries will be forever friendly."

"Hmph~", Yang Yuan sneered.

Cai Gui remained unfazed and continued, "As for Jingzhao Prefecture, my Great Jin will also withdraw all its troops and hand over all its territory and people."

There was a sudden commotion in the hall.

Nanjing Road now only has a few cities like Luoyang still in the hands of the Jin people, and we will definitely be able to take them.

As for the battlefield in Shaanxi... if the Jin people had voluntarily yielded, countless battles could have been avoided.

Seeing the sarcasm on Yang Yuan's lips, Cai Gui knew that he still couldn't satisfy Yang Yuan.

He stepped back and walked to the three graceful women standing there. He clapped his hands lightly, and the three women gently raised their hands, lowered their brows, and removed their veils.

Before the three women removed their veils, only their bright, captivating eyes were visible, exuding extraordinary charm.

However, "masked beauties" and "half-face killers" are not uncommon in this world.

But when these three women removed their veils, they did not disappoint.

Radiant with beauty, some alluring, some gentle, some dashing, each possessing a unique charm as they age.

"This is Princess Wanyan Tongjia of our Great Jin Kingdom. She is gentle and beautiful, and proficient in the Han arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

"This is Princess Wanyan Shaliguzhen of our Great Jin Kingdom. She is unparalleled in riding and archery, and is agile and nimble."

"And this lady is a noblewoman from my great Jin Kingdom, Keliyete Medo, who is skilled in singing and dancing, and gentle and considerate."

Cai Gui bowed and said, "My lord wishes to have these three beauties serve the Prime Minister."

The three beauties lowered their heads slightly, feeling somewhat embarrassed and uneasy, and dared not raise their heads.

The scrutinizing gazes from all around made them feel uneasy and uncomfortable.

Seeing that Yang Yuan still had a faint smile on his face and his expression remained unchanged, Cai Gui secretly felt that he was difficult to deal with.

He wasn't afraid of Yang Yuan's obvious joy or his slamming of the table in rebuke; what he feared was this unmoved attitude.

Cai Gui steeled his resolve and said, "To show our sincerity, our Great Jin is also willing to form a 'father-son' relationship with the Great Song, and to pay tribute every year and come to court every year!"

This caused a stir among the generals in the hall; at least... they felt a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Throughout history, only Emperor Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin Dynasty has ever established a "father-son kingdom".

During the Northern Song Dynasty, the Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty were brother states, with Liao being the elder brother and Song being the younger brother.

Even though Zhao Gou was so humble and subservient, his relationship with the Jin Dynasty was still one of "uncle and nephew," thus preserving a fig leaf for his reputation.

Only Shi Jingtang openly called himself a "puppet emperor."

Now, Wanyan Liang, who was once full of ambition and aspired to be the ruler of the world, has actually become so humble and subservient.

Unfortunately, Goujian had already blocked the path for future generations.

Upon hearing Yan Liang's willingness to humble himself so readily, Yang Yuan's murderous intent surged...

(End of this chapter)