I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 252 Liang Hongyu

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Having successfully captured Hangzhou, and with the three beauties—Shao ​​Shi, Fang Baihua, and Chen Miaozhen—as gifts, Song Jiang could finally go to Bianliang (Kaifeng) to meet Zhao Yu with peace of mind.

After temporarily handing over his troops to Lu Junyi, Guan Sheng, Lin Chong, and others, and giving them some instructions, Song Jiang left Hangzhou with three hundred elite cavalrymen, as well as Shao Shi, Fang Baihua, and Chen Miaozhen.

After these battles, the streets and alleys of Hangzhou were scarred and devastated. The once bustling capital of Liangzhe Road of the Zhao Song Dynasty, and the political, economic and cultural center of the southeast, was now deserted and desolate.

Shops were closed, and the silk stores were looted; tables and chairs in taverns and teahouses were broken and incomplete; occasionally, one could see ragged refugees in the streets and alleys, their eyes vacant, holding broken bowls and rummaging through the ruins, trying to find something to eat.

The once soft and gentle Wu dialect has turned into the cries of children and the sighs of the elderly. The once prosperous land of fish and rice has become desolate, as if its vitality has been drained away, leaving only a bleak wasteland.

Originally, Song Jiang didn't feel anything about this, because for the past three years, wherever he went, it would turn out like this.

To put it bluntly, the destructive power of Song Jiang's rebel army was not much less than that of Fang La's rebel army. Wherever they went, war broke out and people suffered. Villages were ravaged by war, leaving only ruins, fields were barren, cattle and sheep were scattered, chickens and dogs were silent, and behind the tightly locked doors of every household lay the fear of war and the uncertainty of the future.

Having experienced this many times, Song Jiang naturally became numb to it.

It wasn't until Song Jiang and his group arrived in Xiuzhou, which they had left just over twenty days ago.

Song Jiang was astonished to find that officials were leading laborers in spring plowing and cleaning the canal.

Although many of the locals still looked somewhat pale, once you get here, you can hardly find any of the dead bodies that are so common in Hangzhou anymore.

After traveling a while longer, Song Jiang learned the reason.

It turns out that once you enter Xiuzhou, there is a porridge distribution point every three to five miles.

—Although the porridge wasn't very thick, everyone who came to the porridge distribution point received a large bowl, and after drinking it, they were definitely about 50-60% full.

In addition, there was a medical tent every few miles, where barefoot doctors and nurses sat. Anyone who was sick could come here and receive free medical treatment and medicine.

In addition, there were notices recruiting laborers and explanations next to each porridge distribution point and medical tent.

This is the imperial court recruiting laborers for farming, infrastructure construction, and odd jobs. The notice clearly states that as long as one responds to the call, wages will be paid daily and in advance. Crucially, the wages are very fair, and three payment options are offered: only cash; only grain; or half cash and half grain.

It can be said that as long as he answers the call, he can immediately have a full meal, and not only can he have a full meal, but his family can also have a full meal.

What moved Song Jiang even more was that the imperial court was recruiting not only adult men, but also women, and even children.

Song Jiang even noticed that some textile factories only hired women.

Song Jiang estimated that if the whole family went out to work, they would definitely be able to live a comfortable life.

The further north Song Jiang and his group went, the more they could see, and the better the recovery went.

By the time they arrived in Suzhou, the city seemed to have emerged from the ravages of war. The faces of the people there no longer held the numbness, the sliver of hope, or the lifelessness they had displayed before.

With the purging of all the gentry and landlords in Suzhou, as well as the officials who colluded with them, and with the successful implementation of the "Gentry and Mortals Paying Taxes Together" and the "Equalization of Land Tax and Labor Tax," the people here began to show unprecedented vitality and energy.

In the fields, spring plowing is in full swing. People are sweating profusely, but their faces are full of hope for the future. Their laughter echoes in the fields, a symphony of renewed hope for life.

The market was bustling with activity, as vendors called out their wares one after another.

In the silk shop, although the goods have not yet returned to their former abundance, colorful fabrics can already be seen, attracting women to stop and choose, their eyes sparkling with longing for a new life.

Taverns and teahouses have reopened, where literati and scholars engage in lively discussions, and the aroma of tea and the mellow taste of wine intertwine to create vivid scenes of everyday life.

A large number of factories, such as textile mills, cement plants, and bearing factories, which were originally only located in the north, are now under construction in Suzhou.

Everywhere was bustling with activity and brimming with vitality. Craftsmen toiled away, building new factories on vacant lots. The roar of machines and the shouts of craftsmen mingled together, heralding the rise of industry.

These factories have not only provided numerous job opportunities for the local community, but have also injected strong momentum into the economic recovery.

Of course, traces of war can still be seen in some places, such as some broken city walls and charred houses that silently tell of past disasters, but they are more like footnotes to history, gradually being submerged by the vibrant present.

It is conceivable that for at most five years, or at least two or three, Suzhou will remain one of the most prosperous cities in the Song Dynasty. Its economic prosperity and cultural flourishing will once again lead the southeast and become the focus of attention throughout the world.

To be honest, Song Jiang initially agreed to lead the uprising mainly to take a risky approach and realize his political ambitions. "Acting on behalf of Heaven" and "for the country and the people" were just reasons he wanted to gather people's support and give himself a respectable excuse for committing murder and arson.

Later, Song Jiang simply made surpassing Huang Chao a goal in his life.

As for the idea that great destruction is necessary for great construction, Song Jiang was just saying it; he didn't really believe it.

Yes.

Song Jiang also heard that the gentry and landlords in the north had been wiped out by them, and that after the imperial court implemented two new policies in the north, the north ushered in a period of great prosperity.

But Song Jiang never went back to the places he had burned, killed, and looted. He also dared not go back to face the villages and towns that they had trampled on. He always felt a sense of indescribable guilt and a desire to escape.

It wasn't until he witnessed firsthand that great destruction led to great progress that Song Jiang realized Zhao Yu wasn't fooling around, but was actually making a huge gamble to completely eliminate the hidden dangers of the Zhao Song Dynasty.

As it turns out, Zhao Yu made the right gamble. After this period of great upheaval and reconstruction, the Zhao Song Dynasty, though it may not last a thousand generations, could enjoy at least another two or three hundred years of rule, provided that subsequent emperors did not cause too many problems and there were no major natural or man-made disasters.

As Song Jiang continued northward, he felt and had this intuition more and more.

Upon arriving in Zhenjiang, Song Jiang did not continue north. Instead, knowing the proper etiquette of officialdom, he took the initiative to pay his respects to Tong Guan and even prepared a considerable amount of tribute for him. Don't ask where Song Jiang got these things; after robbing so much along the way, even if he handed them over, it was impossible for him to have no stockpiles left.

Moreover, Song Jiang had just conquered Hangzhou, a city known for its extravagant lifestyle, which was only slightly inferior to Bianliang (Kaifeng) in Tokyo. Preparing a gift for Tong Guan that would surely satisfy him would be easy and pleasant for him.

Considering the gifts, Song Jiang's thoughtfulness, and Zhao Yu's high regard for him, Tong Guan treated Song Jiang with great enthusiasm. He even told Song Jiang that he had dispatched Liu Fa from Xuanzhou, Huzhou, and other mountainous areas in western Zhejiang to attack Shezhou, and then from Shezhou to attack Fang La's stronghold, Muzhou. Meanwhile, Song Jiang's troops would follow the direction Fang La's rebel army fled from Hangzhou, that is, along the Fuchun River and Xin'an River, directly to Muzhou. The two armies would encircle the core members of Fang La's rebel army, eliminate Fang La's spiritual leader, and leave his rebel army leaderless and fighting independently, before eliminating them one by one.

Song Jiang stated that he and his army were completely under Tong Guan's command. Currently, his soldiers were resting and regrouping. Once they were rested, they would open up the Fuchun River and Xin'an River. After he returned from his audience with the emperor, they would launch a general offensive against Muzhou.

Tong Guan and Song Jiang's first encounter was very pleasant.

Tong Guan also told Song Jiang a lot about Zhao Yu's preferences so that Song Jiang would make fewer mistakes when he met Zhao Yu and leave a better impression on him.

After the two finished discussing business, Tong Guan clapped his hands, and more than three hundred women, or more accurately, young girls, were brought up.

These 300-plus girls all had one thing in common: they were all beautiful.

The difference lies in their demeanor. Some are as gentle as the quietly flowing streams in the Jiangnan water towns, their eyes filled with a misty tenderness; others are as spirited as gladiolus blooming in spring, exuding an undeniable air of boldness; and still others are as pure and refined as orchids in a secluded valley, untouched by the dust of the world, leaving an unforgettable impression at first glance.

Seeing that Tong Guan had summoned so many beautiful young women, Song Jiang was somewhat surprised. His first thought was that Tong Guan was going to give him beauties.

But this thought only flashed through Song Jiang's mind for a moment before disappearing without a trace.

Who was Tong Guan? He was Song Jiang's superior, and also a favorite and confidant of Zhao Yu, a high-ranking official of the Song Dynasty. How could he possibly give him gifts?

Besides, even if Tong Guan were to bestow upon him beautiful women, one would be enough, at most two, and over three hundred. How could he possibly afford to accept that?

Therefore, Song Jiang concluded that these beautiful girls were definitely not for him.

If we think about who Tong Guan liked to collect beauties for, it becomes obvious to whom these beauties were given by Tong Guan.

Soon, Song Jiang's guess was confirmed.

Tong Guan said, "Among them are many daughters of gentry and landlords from Jiangnan. They admire Your Majesty and are willing to enter the palace to serve you. They have come to me for help. Considering their sincerity, I will do a good deed and grant their request."

Upon hearing this, Song Jiang understood immediately. The gentry and landlords of Jiangnan had conceded defeat. They were offering Zhao Yu their own outstanding women as a sign of their willingness to submit to him, promising not to obstruct the two new policies any longer and to fully cooperate with Zhao Yu in governing the Song Dynasty. They were begging Zhao Yu to show leniency and let them off the hook.

Honestly, Song Jiang felt a sense of relief.

Song Jiang knew the whole story. He was well aware that Zhao Yu had been driven to desperation by the gentry and landlords, which was why he resorted to this risky tactic of using bandits to clear away obstacles.

Do you think this is easy?
It is no exaggeration to say that Zhao Yu was gambling with the fate of the Song Dynasty, and even with his own safety.

To be honest, if the Song Dynasty hadn't already reached its end, with various contradictions arising like dry tinder ready to ignite, and if it hadn't been for the slightest misstep, it would have been doomed.

These gentry and landlords, however, remained stagnant and, under the guise of conservatism, obstructed new policies and enriched themselves, leading to widespread suffering and an empty treasury.

Otherwise, why would Zhao Yu, who bore the weight of the nation's fate, so easily gamble with the country's destiny? And why would he, living a happy and fulfilling life, risk his own safety?

In the end, all of this was forced upon us by these gentry and landlords.

Now, Zhao Yu, if not completely winning the gamble, is not far from achieving a complete victory.

In order to preserve their wealth and status, these gentry and landlords surrendered to Zhao Yu, even going so far as to send their daughters as a sign of their submission.

'This is what His Majesty deserves!'

Suddenly, Song Jiang noticed a little girl who looked to be only ten years old, and was taken aback: 'This little girl has also been used by her family for political transactions?!'

Tong Guan followed Song Jiang's gaze and could easily guess what Song Jiang was thinking. He smiled and said, "Besides the daughters of gentry and landlords, there are also many daughters of disgraced officials among them. If I send them to serve His Majesty, their families may be granted a pardon and they may be able to make a comeback."

Upon hearing Tong Guan's explanation, Song Jiang understood.

The Jiangnan region suffered such great destruction, with many places captured by the rebel army.

Officials have the responsibility to protect their territory.

Those officials who failed to resist, those who abandoned the city and fled, and those who missed opportunities in the battle would certainly be punished, and even their families would be implicated. The men would be exiled, and the women would be sent to the brothels.

Tong Guan selected some officials he wanted to help and sent their daughters to Zhao Yu.

Of course, there are definitely some who were chosen by Tong Guan simply because they were exceptionally beautiful.

Tong Guan looked at the girl, who was about ten years old, whom Song Jiang was looking at, and said, "Her surname is Liang. Her grandfather and father were both military generals. When Fang La started his rebellion, it quickly grew to hundreds of thousands of people and captured many prefectures and counties. Our government troops repeatedly failed to suppress it. Her grandfather and father were defeated because they missed the opportunity to fight during the suppression of Fang La's rebellion. In principle, her grandfather and father should have been executed on the spot, but the emperor was merciful and gave them a lighter punishment. However, they were spared the death penalty but could not escape punishment. All the men in her family were exiled, and all the women were sent to the brothel."

At this point, Tong Guan pointed to the little girl, Liang Hongyu, the famous anti-Jin general and heroine who beat the drum at Jinshan in history, and the second wife of Han Shizhong, and said to Song Jiang: "Don't underestimate her because she is young. She has been serving her father and brothers since childhood and has learned a lot of martial arts. She is also proficient in calligraphy and painting, and has superhuman strength. She can draw a strong bow and hit the target every time. His Majesty is particularly fond of such an extraordinary girl. When she grows up, she will most likely become His Majesty's personal guard. You must not neglect her."

Song Jiang knew perfectly well that Zhao Yu's lenient treatment of these officials who had committed crimes was not out of mercy, but because Zhao Yu was the one who had caused these incidents, and they were somewhat innocent. Otherwise, would Zhao Yu have shown them leniency?

Song Jiang then looked at Liang Hongyu, thinking to himself, 'So the Emperor likes extraordinary women; I must remember this…'

……

(End of this chapter)