I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 31: Practical Tips

...

"Is there anything to be gained?"

"Your Majesty, if you truly dare to treat the Song Dynasty according to the prescription prescribed by Prince Shen, I can't say that the medicine will cure the disease immediately, but at least it can greatly alleviate the serious illness of the Song Dynasty."

"The problem is, the only people who could use this prescription from Prince Shen are probably emperors like the Qin Emperor, Han Wu, and Tang Zong, right?"

Therefore, in response to Zhao Xu's inquiries, Zhang Dun, Han Zhongyan, and Zeng Bu all remained silent.

Zhao Xu was not a foolish ruler. Seeing Zhang Dun and the other two hesitating, how could he not guess that there was something useful in the "Land Reform Memorial"?
Zhao Xu didn't say anything, but just looked at Zhang Dun and the other two quietly, wondering how long they could keep it a secret from him.
Inside the hall, flickering candlelight illuminated Zhao Xu's furrowed brow and the solemn expressions of the three ministers of the Zhao Song Dynasty. The air was filled with an oppressive and profound atmosphere, as if even time had frozen at this moment.

Seeing that he had no choice but to speak out today, Zhang Dun could only sigh and break the heavy silence. "Your Majesty, Prince Shen's plan is truly incisive, directly pointing to the source of our Song Dynasty's long-standing problems. However, implementing this plan would be like dropping a huge rock into calm waters, causing ripples to surge forth. It would be difficult to control without the force of thunder and lightning."

Han Zhongyan then took over the conversation, his tone gentle but with undeniable determination: "As Minister Zhang said, land annexation is a chronic disease throughout the dynasties, and it's not something that happened overnight. If we want to cure it, it will inevitably affect the interests of countless powerful people. You can imagine how difficult it is."

Zeng Bu nodded slightly and added, "Furthermore, the current situation is turbulent, with powerful enemies surrounding us from outside and the people suffering at home. If we are not careful, we may bring disaster upon ourselves and endanger the safety of the country. Therefore, although we understand the benefits of this strategy, we dare not speak of it lightly, for fear of misleading Your Majesty and even the people of the world."

Zhao Xu understood what he was saying, and he asked directly, "Is Prince Shen's plan feasible?"

Zhang Dun and Zeng Bu remained silent.

Seeing this, Han Zhongyan, who was most reluctant to implement the "Land Reform Memorial," could only clearly stop it, saying, "It's feasible, but it can't be done. Reforming land policy involves too many interests. If we rush into it without a foolproof plan, it will inevitably provoke a popular uprising and plunge the court into chaos."

Zhao Xu couldn't believe it: "Could it be so serious?"

Han Zhongyan looked at Zhang Dun, his meaning clear: "If you don't want a major political upheaval, quickly speak up and help me dissuade His Majesty from adopting the 'Land Reform Memorial'."

The New Party is the current ruling party. As the leader of the New Party, Zhang Dun must uphold the concept of "stability above all else."

So Zhang Dun also spoke up, saying, "It's not that we are timid, but it's true that a single move could affect the entire body. The court is now in a complex web of connections, and the power of those aristocratic families is deeply entrenched. If we are not careful, the consequences will be disastrous."

Only Zeng Bu, who aspired to become prime minister, slightly echoed Zhao Xu's words, "I believe that while we cannot immediately implement Prince Shen's plan in a drastic manner, we can proceed gradually. It would be better to start with some small steps, such as conducting trials in remote counties and prefectures, slowly accumulating experience while also observing the reactions of all parties involved."

Zhang Dun bluntly criticized, "In those remote counties, local officials often collude with local gentry. Pilot projects there are unlikely to be effective; they will only serve to waste national resources." He then advised, "Land reform should be delayed rather than rushed. We can wait. The most urgent task is to continue strengthening the legal system, severely punishing corruption, rectifying the government, and paving the way for reform."

Han Zhongyan scoffed, "Anti-corruption? Your target is still us, the Yuanyou Party!" He then countered, "We can also open up channels for communication, encourage scholars to submit petitions and express their opinions. By pooling our wisdom, we may be able to find a more reliable way to implement reforms."

Zeng Bu, however, made a pretentious claim: "Reform requires popular support. We can implement more benevolent policies and reduce the burden on the people to win their support. When the people's hearts are stable, the country is safe."

Soon, Zhang Dun and the other two started arguing and attacking each other.

Seeing this, Zhao Xu was both angry and helpless: "My three prime ministers are worse than an idle prince. They only create problems and cannot solve them at all. What use do I have for you?!!!"

Zhao Xu grew increasingly exhausted. He reached out to stop the quarrel between Zhang Dun and the other two, then spoke slowly, his voice tinged with fatigue and resentment, "Can it be that the great Song Dynasty can only watch helplessly as this disease worsens with no hope of recovery?"

Zhang Dun and the other two knew what Zhao Xu wanted to hear, but they said that although there was a possibility of success, they would undoubtedly be declaring war on the entire group of dignitaries, gentry, and wealthy families. If they made any mistakes, not only would they be in danger themselves, but the Zhao Song Dynasty would also be on the verge of collapse.

So they can’t say…

Outside the window, the night wind howled, making the window frames rattle, as if it was also lamenting the future of the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Seeing that Zhang Dun and the other two were helpless, Zhao Xu looked at the dark night outside the hall and secretly made up his mind that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead, he would find a way out for the Zhao Song Dynasty, even if the road was full of thorns.

However, he didn't know that he didn't have much time left...

The reason Zhao Ya had called Zhao Xu was to let him know that he was a more suitable successor to his throne than Zhao Ji or Zhao Si. If history had changed and Zhao Xu's death hadn't been so sudden, he might have taken the initiative to pass the throne to him, because only he could solve the problems of the Zhao Song Dynasty and ensure its continuation.

As for the minister’s thoughts?
For a long time, when it came to establishing an emperor, the highest decision-makers would certainly be highly wary of the ministers and would never give them the opportunity to interfere in the matter.

This phenomenon is rooted in the monarchy system that has lasted for more than two thousand years.

You know, imperial power and prime ministerial power have always been contradictory.

The highest pursuit of many ministers is an ideal situation in which the power of the prime minister and the power of the emperor jointly rule the world. This has been the consistent dream and pursuit of Confucian intellectuals in the feudal era.

All emperors and top decision-makers would insist that the power of the prime minister serves the imperial power and must never oppose the imperial power.

Why did Yue Fei die? Part of the reason was that he interfered in the matter of appointing the crown prince.

This can be easily seen from the fact that Prime Minister Zhang Dun said in history that "Prince Duan is frivolous and unfit to rule the world", but he was unable to prevent Zhao Ji from becoming emperor.

Precisely because he was clear about this, Zhao Ya would never stand on the side of the new party, nor would he stand on the side of the old party. He would only stand on the side of imperial power and Empress Dowager Xiang, who had the most power to decide the emperor's ownership.

Zhao Ya came up with the "Memorial on Land Reform" to let Empress Dowager Xiang and Zhao Xu see that he had the ability to maintain imperial power.

Unexpectedly, this caused Zhao Xucheng to suffer from insomnia for nights, which accelerated the overdraw of his dying body.

By the way, Zhao Ya also learned from Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu that Han Zhongyan had gone to talk to Empress Dowager Xiang about Zhao Ya's political stance.

I said to the Queen Mother frankly and bluntly:
"Is Prince Shen the only one who wants reform? I want reform too!"

"The imperial court can barely pay salaries and military pay. If we don't reform, how can the Song Dynasty survive?"

"If the skin is gone, where will the hair be attached? If our Great Song falls, will you be able to survive? In my opinion, it may not be so. Don't forget that the bones of nobles have been trampled on by the streets. If our Great Song can no longer hold on, will there be another Huang Chao?"

"Who among you doesn't know that if we want to cure the long-standing ills of the Song Dynasty, we must carry out land reform? Yet you are hesitant and timid, not daring to touch upon this matter, not even to mention it to Your Majesty."

"Prince Shen only told His Majesty what you dared not say to His Majesty. What's wrong with that?"

"If you think Prince Shen's plan is unworkable, then come up with a good plan to save our Song Dynasty."

"Han Shipu, why don't you go out and listen? Everyone outside is saying that you ministers only know how to fight among yourselves and protect your own interests, and you are doing nothing!"

"..."

"Prince Shen is just an idle prince, not an emperor. Whatever he wants to say, just let him say it. Can he really influence the current situation and influence you to do nothing?"

Han Zhongyan thought so too. Why should he care about the political stance of an idle prince, especially since Zhao Ya did not oppose their old party, so he left in disgrace.

Soon, those who followed Zhao Ya discovered that Zhao Ya seemed only interested in making money from selling soap and had no regard for the affairs of state. His previous proposal for the "Land Reform Memorial" was just a reminder to Zhao Xu that he would not be kept in the dark. He had no real intentions and it was harmless...

……

(End of this chapter)