Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 261: With the land of the world, we commemorate the names of China's heroes!
With his heart pounding so hard, Shi Songzhi's initial sense of caution as a "newly surrendered official" completely vanished.

He suddenly spoke up and asked, "This canal is four hundred miles long and connects two seas. Such a massive project is unprecedented in history. I have a question, and I would like to ask Your Majesty for clarification."

"You said."

"What is the origin of the name Suez? Why did His Majesty name this canal Suez?"

"Oh, that's right."

Zhao Shuo pointed to the map and said, "Back then, the Egyptian Pharaoh Suez built a canal. From here, it connected the Red Sea and the Nile River. And through the Nile River, it connected to the Mediterranean Sea, achieving the first connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the river was named after Suez."

Pfft!
Shi Songzhi knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I dare to say that such a name is inappropriate. This canal was built by our dynasty. What does it have to do with the Egyptian Pharaoh Suez? How can naming it after Suez highlight Your Majesty's achievements? How can it highlight the achievements of our dynasty?"

Zhao Shuo named the canal the Suez Canal simply because it came out of his head; there was no particular reason for it, nor was it necessary to name it that way.

Zhao Shuo said, "Then what do you say, Minister Shi?"

How about calling it the Great Zhao Canal?

Zhao Shuo's kingdom, of course, had a name. For example, Chagatai's kingdom was called the Chagatai Khanate. Ögedei's fiefdom in the Western Liao Dynasty was called the Ögedei Khanate. Zhao Shuo's kingdom, within the Mongol court's hierarchy, was called the Zhao Shuo Khanate.

Anyway, Zhao Shuo's goal was to unify the world, so he was too lazy to come up with another name.

Clearly, the name "Great Zhao Canal" originated from the "Zhao Shuo Khanate".

Zhao Shuo shook his head slightly and said, "Our country has many rivers, and it is not appropriate to name a canal after the country."

Zheng Qingzhi said, "According to His Majesty's wishes, calling it the Huaxia Canal is not appropriate. How about calling it the Western Expedition Canal, or the Crown Prince's Western Expedition Canal, to commemorate the Crown Prince's meritorious service in the Western Expedition?"

"That's not quite right either."

Zhao Shuo thought for a moment and said, "Isn't the canal supposed to be built with Hu Ju as the main person in charge and Qin Jiushao as the deputy? If it is really completed, let's name it the Hu Ju-Qin Jiushao Canal. Just by hearing it, you'll know that it was built by the Chinese people."

"With such great favor from His Majesty, Hu Ju and Qin Jiushao will surely be remembered for eternity."

Shi Songzhi felt both envious and somewhat sour.

He was both the prime minister of the Song Dynasty and a key official of the new dynasty, so he was bound to be recorded in history. However, among so many people in history, how many can truly be remembered and celebrated centuries later?

However, after Hu Ju and Qin Jiushao oversaw the construction of this world-class canal, it will surely be praised by people for thousands of years to come!

They've got incredibly lucky!

Zhao Shuo continued, "Actually, Shi Songzhi's suggestion was excellent. It's indeed inappropriate to name so many places in the West according to their native names. Otherwise, how can these places truly represent our dynasty's territory?"

"So, Your Majesty's meaning is..."

"From now on, in the West, all newly constructed projects will be named after the person who oversaw their construction. Soldiers who have rendered meritorious service in battle for the country can be named Western cities, towns, and villages in their honor. Even civil officials who have contributed to stabilizing the region and have received the court's favor can also be named!"

"With Your Majesty's wisdom, which hero of China wouldn't want to serve you wholeheartedly in unifying the world?"

Do you want to be remembered for eternity? Go to the West! Go and expand the kingdom's territory for the king!

Human life is a hundred years long, and everyone must eventually die.

However, your name will be passed down through the ages as a place name!

Let the lands of the world record the names of China's outstanding figures!
Shi Songzhi could fully imagine the upheaval that Zhao Shuo's decree would cause throughout the land.

He was greatly encouraged and suggested that Zhao Shuo make Lin'an the eastern capital.

Zhao Shuo's capital was divided into three parts: Kharkha Guicheng as the northern capital, Yanjing as the central capital, Barikh in the Khorasan region as the southern capital, and Qiwa in Rus' as the western capital. There was no eastern capital yet.

Now that China is unified, it is only natural to establish a capital city in the Jiangnan region.

However, Zhao Shuo did not adopt Shi Songzhi's suggestion.

It is indeed appropriate to establish a capital in the Jiangnan region, but Zhao Shuo's ideal location is not Lin'an, but Jiankang (Nanjing).

It's a very simple principle: Jiankang, with its strategic location and strategic importance, is a very suitable place to be a capital city, and several dynasties have established their capitals here.

The Southern Song Dynasty was forced to retreat to Lin'an because this place was too close to the front line, but Zhao Shuo did not have such concerns.

Moreover, Jiankang could connect directly to the sea via the Yangtze River, and for a global empire, its significance could not be overstated.

Of course, on the other hand, Lin'an had a ready-made imperial city and palace, and a million residents, making it far more prosperous than Jiankang.

Zhao Shuo currently has no plans to undertake large-scale construction and build an imperial palace in Jiankang; this can only be discussed later.

After discussing a few more political matters, Shi Songzhi, Zheng Qingzhi, and Qiao Xingjian took their leave.

It was already past midnight when Zhao Shuo ordered Yang Weizhong to draft an imperial edict regarding the matters that had just been agreed upon. He would review it the next day, affix his imperial seal, and then implement it.

Then, Zhao Shuo came out of the Chuigong Hall and went to the Funing Hall.

The Chuigong Hall was where the emperor handled state affairs, while the Funing Hall was the emperor's sleeping quarters.

“Margaret and Eleanor have already bathed and changed. Shall we summon them?” asked the eunuch Li Dajie.

Li Dajie was originally a eunuch in the palace of the Jin Dynasty's Zhongdu. Over the course of more than ten years, he accomplished several important tasks with great efficiency and was deeply trusted by Zhao Shuo.

Before Zhao Shuo arrived in Lin'an, he would naturally arrange for a large army to take over the city's defenses. Li Dajie also brought dozens of eunuchs to the Song Dynasty palace to take control of the situation.

Margaret and Eleanor were among the four beauties sent from the West. The Earth is round; for the same longitude, distances are shorter at higher latitudes and longer at lower latitudes.

Therefore, the Western envoys had already arrived on the grasslands and met Ögedei long ago, but the four most beautiful and pure lambs of the West only arrived in Lin'an yesterday.

Marguerite and Eleanor were no ordinary women; they were sisters whose father was Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence, and whose mother was Beatrice of Savoy.

Margaret was the fiancée of King Henry III of England.

Eleanor was the fiancée of King Louis IX of the Franks.

Unfortunately, the primary task of noblewomen in medieval Europe was to enter into political marriages, and they were engaged very early. Women of marriageable age were either already engaged or were deemed unsuitable for political marriage and were preparing to spend their lives alone in a convent.

Furthermore, it must be said that the Europeans went to great lengths to change Zhao Shuo's beliefs.

They were two of the most beautiful women in the West, and also the fiancées of two Western kings. How about it, are you interested?
The other two beauties sent from the West were actually the sisters of Margaret and Eleanor.

One was named Sancier, and the other was named Beatrice.

It must be said that Count Ramon Berenguer IV of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy had exceptionally good genes, and their four daughters were all stunningly beautiful.

However, Sancier and Beatrice were still young and not yet engaged.

In the history without Zhao Shuo's time travel, Sancie became the queen of the Romans, and Beatrice became the queen of King Charles I of Sicily.

How many major powers are there in the West?

These four sisters' father wasn't some top-tier nobleman, yet each of them became a queen, a testament to their exceptional beauty. So much so that later Westerners relished their story, referring to them as the "Four Queens of Provence." Although Zhao Shuo wasn't very familiar with Western history and didn't know the title "Four Queens of Provence," the fact that one was the Queen of the Franks and the other the Queen of England was enough to pique his interest.

Of the beauties in the Song Dynasty's imperial palace, although Zhao Yun only took a few of his favorite concubines with him, Zhao Shuo naturally wouldn't keep those he had already favored. Those he hadn't favored, Zhao Yun didn't even look at, let alone Zhao Shuo.

Following Zhao Shuo's orders, Li Dajie carefully reviewed the situation. Those with good looks or special talents remained in the palace. Those with average looks and no special talents who wished to return home were allowed to do so. Those who did not wish to return home, or who were simply homeless, could temporarily reside in Deshou Palace, located northeast of the palace.

This place was originally Qin Hui's residence, later became Zhao Gou's retirement home, and then became the retirement home for many empress dowagers of the Song Dynasty. Empress Dowager Yang has passed away, so this place is naturally empty, making it a good place to house these palace maids.

The imperial court will continue to support them for another year, during which time they can choose their own husbands. It's always easy for women to get married; as long as they lower their pride, they won't have trouble finding a husband.

A number of eunuchs were also dismissed, and a piece of land was allocated to them in the official fields outside Lin'an City. They were also given oxen, farming tools and seeds so that they could support themselves.

Thus, of the original five thousand women in the palace, only about eight hundred remained. Of the original six hundred eunuchs, only ninety-six remained.

Zhao Shuo already has a palace in Zhongdu, so there's no need to keep so many people in Lin'an.

Therefore, Zhao Shuo did not intend to have the original Song palace maids serve him tonight. Instead, he had already issued an edict ordering Margaret and Eleanor to serve him in bed. Sancier and Beatrice were still young; they would be raised in the harem for a few more years.

Li Dajie then made arrangements.

"As you command," Li Dajie replied.

……

……

The next day, when the morning sun shone into the Funing Palace, Zhao Shuo opened his eyes. Beside him lay two fair-skinned Western girls who had just been bathed in the dew.

The one on the left is her elder sister, Margaret. Her elegant hair, meticulously wrapped in gold netting last night, has completely fallen apart. Her long, waist-length hair is scattered messily on the brocade couch, some of it pressed beneath Zhao Shuo.

Her skin wasn't the almost transparent pale white of Nordic nobles, but a healthy, warm light olive color, with a peach-like blush on her cheeks because of last night's story.

The one on the right is Eleanor. Her hair is different from her sister's; it's not pure black, but a deep chestnut color with her mother's features. Occasionally, strands of warm brown will show through it as the light changes.

Eleanor's facial features are clear and delicate, with a straight nose and cheekbones that reveal a hint of resilience amidst their softness—a gift from her maternal lineage.

Around her neck was a simple, antique-style gold chain, which she hadn't had time to remove in her haste last night, and it was pressing against Zhao Shuo's chest along with her small head.

Last night, Zhao Shuo gained a deep understanding of the differences between Margaret and Eleanor.

Although Margaret was older, she was elegant and intellectual, with a somewhat submissive air. Eleanor, a year younger, was innocent yet mischievous, and passionately fiery.

"Your Majesty, you've awakened!"

Margaret, a light sleeper, keenly sensed Zhao Shuo's movements and spoke in somewhat broken Chinese.

To take something, you must first give something.

Although this saying doesn't exist in the West, the principle is the same. To change Zhao Shuo's beliefs, one must gain his favor; otherwise, it's all in vain.

During their journey eastward, they even diligently studied Chinese in order to communicate without barriers. Now, the two of them have a basic understanding of Chinese.

Of course, Zhao Shuo had a keen understanding of Westerners' thoughts and didn't care at all.

Two young girls, so inexperienced in the ways of the world, what kind of trouble could they possibly cause?

If they are well served, they will certainly enjoy a lifetime of wealth and luxury.

But if she does something outrageous, he doesn't mind ruthlessly destroying her.

A moment later, Zhao Shuo coughed, and twelve palace maids came in to help Zhao Shuo, Margaret, and Eleanor get dressed and wash up.

Then, breakfast began.

Flower-braised quail, lychee and pork kidney, three-crisp soup, lamb tongue and tripe skewers, crab-stuffed orange, crystal sashimi, gizzard and foot skewers, quail soup, snow cloud soup, lotus seedpod fish dumplings, raw clams, blood starch soup... These dishes were both exquisitely crafted and deliciously tasty. Even though Zhao Shuo had been king for many years, he felt that Zhao Yun knew how to enjoy life much better than him.

After having breakfast, Zhao Shuo went to the Chuigong Hall to see the various imperial edicts that Yang Weizhong had prepared overnight, and used the imperial seal.

He also sent Jia Sidao as an envoy to convey an imperial edict to Zhao Yun.

At this time, Zhao Yun had already set sail from Mingzhou and arrived in Quanzhou.

Ten days later, in Quanzhou City.

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your great kindness in sparing my life! How could I not repay this kindness with my life?"

Boom boom boom!
Upon receiving Zhao Shuo's decree, Zhao Yun was so overjoyed that he almost burst into tears on the spot. He knelt down and kowtowed three times.

Then, while ordering people to treat the angel Jia Sidao well, he discussed matters with the three prime ministers and talked about future plans.

Zhao Yun said, "Thanks to the wise counsel of the three ministers, I was able to save my life. As long as I am the King of Song, I will never mistreat you. However, sending Song Ci to the north to serve the King is of course no problem. But the King requires 20,000 foreign slaves as tribute every year, which is not easy, is it? What should I do?"

"What's so difficult about this?"

Li Zongmian, head held high, said, "Since His Majesty has issued a decree to you, it means he acknowledges my Song Kingdom as a vassal state. With His Majesty as the overlord of my Great Song, conquering mere barbarians is a trivial matter."

"That being said, we must not let our guard down."

Wu Yuan bowed slightly and said, "In my opinion, given that our Great Song has fallen to such a state, not only reduced to a vassal state but also forced to pay tribute of 20,000 foreign slaves annually, it is inappropriate for us to cling to outdated practices and continue to value literature over military strength. After all, without warriors to expand our territory, His Majesty will still not let us off the hook."

"And what is your opinion, Minister Wu?"

"Take Cao Youwen for example. He led two thousand Sichuan cavalry to defend the emperor, and not a single one has deserted. He is truly capable of leading an army and is also extremely loyal to our Great Song Dynasty. I suggest that he be promoted to the position of Privy Councilor, ranking among the top officials."

Although Wu Yuan was a scholar-official, the situation was dire; the Song Dynasty had nearly been destroyed. Three years later, even Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi had to be ceded to Zhao Shuo. The situation was beyond their control; if the Song Dynasty didn't change course, it truly would perish!
Zhao Yun looked at Li Zongmian and Fan Zhong and asked, "What do you think?"

Fan Zhong, being the least senior, bowed slightly and said, "Your subject seconds this!"

Li Zongmian said, "Besides Cao Youwen, there are also Dong Huai, the Pacification Commissioner of Guangxi, and Cui Yuzhi, the Military Commissioner of Guangdong. Although these two are civil officials, they are both knowledgeable in military affairs. I believe they could also be ranked among the prime ministers."

It must be said that Zhao Shuo's early demise of the Song Dynasty by thirty years was extremely beneficial to the Southern Song court's continued existence.

Because without the subsequent continuous wars, the Song state would not have resorted to such ruthless exploitation of the people to raise funds for its army. In that situation, good officials simply couldn't bring themselves to oppress the people and thus couldn't rise to prominence.

The current Guangdong Military Commissioner Cui Yuzhi and the Guangxi Pacification Commissioner Dong Huai are both rare and capable officials.

Zhao Yun nodded repeatedly and said, "Very good! Minister Wu recommended Wu Chen as prime minister, and Minister Li took the initiative to propose adding more candidates for prime minister. Both are extremely loyal and devoted to the country. With our unity as emperor and ministers, why should we worry that the Song Dynasty cannot continue its reign?"

"We'll prepare for six months, and then launch a military campaign against Annam next year! We'll use the manpower and resources of this foreign tribe to win over King Zhao Shuo!"

He paused, then, as if remembering something, added, "Furthermore, our Great Song Dynasty will present His Majesty with many more beauties."

Zhao Yun believed that Jia Sidao's high regard for Zhao Shuo must be due to Jia Meiren's influence.

Offering more beauties to Zhao Shuo would surely win him even more favor.

(End of this chapter)