I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

...

Yunzhongfu is only 200 kilometers away from Beijing, and it takes about four or five hours to get there by train.

Having confirmed that Beijing was under his control, Zhao Yu did not hesitate or delay any longer because Zhao Shou said he had at least half a month to live. Instead, he led his men back to Beijing immediately.

When Zhao Yu stepped off the train, the civil and military officials, who had not seen him for more than ten years, were all shocked by his youth.

Immediately afterwards, everyone knelt down in unison, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The reverence they displayed was genuine, heartfelt, and entirely sincere.

Even the relatives and friends of the gentry and landlords who had been eliminated by Zhao Yu, or those whose countries had been destroyed and whose relatives and friends had been killed by Zhao Yu, dared not express their true feelings towards Zhao Yu. They could only join others in showing Zhao Yu awe.

This was a situation Zhao Shou had never experienced before, even though in recent years he had almost become the ruler of the Song Dynasty and the world.

Seeing this, Zhao Ziwen and the other younger generation who had never experienced Zhao Yu's prestige were moved, but at the same time, they were also puzzled!
Born in the new Song Dynasty and raised in a peaceful era, they simply could not understand the profound awe that the elders of the Song Dynasty, who had lived through extremely brutal factional struggles, when the people could not survive, faced numerous threats from foreign powers, and were forced to reform but were unable to do so, felt for Zhao Yu, who had changed all of this and brought them peace and dignity.

Yes.

Zhao Ziwen and the other young people also knew that Zhao Yu was the first emperor of all time, the only emperor who conquered the whole world!

great!

That's amazing!
Absolutely magnificent!

Unparalleled in its greatness!

But frankly, there's a huge gap between knowing and experiencing firsthand. Those who haven't truly lived through the old Song Dynasty can't fully comprehend how great Zhao Yu was simply through imagination.

Of course, there are also many young people who are extremely fanatical about Zhao Yu, and even regard him as a god.

—They are another extreme, their personality cult of Zhao Yu has reached a blind point.

Such people were not few in number; in fact, it could be said that this had become a common phenomenon among young people in the Song Dynasty. They spontaneously formed countless societies that worshipped Zhao Yu, hung his portrait in schools, workshops, military camps, and streets, recited his admonitions every morning, sang his life story in songs, and regarded the national policies he established as unshakable iron laws.

In the eyes of these young people, Zhao Yu was a god who personally shattered the shackles of the old world, pulled the Song Dynasty back from the brink of destruction, and then pushed it all the way to the top of the world. They were born with a stable life, a broad vision, and a powerful country. They did not have to endure heavy taxes, face the iron heel of foreign enemies, or live in constant fear of insecurity amidst factional strife. All of this came from Zhao Yu.

They had never seen the devastation of the old Song Dynasty, but from the oral accounts of the elders and the yellowed documents, they pieced together a picture of a dynasty that was teetering on the brink of collapse.

It is precisely for this reason that they developed a fervent faith in Zhao Yu, who created a new world, that transcended the bond between ruler and subject, and even blood ties.

It was Zhao Yu who quelled the internal strife with swift and decisive measures, swept across the land with his iron-blooded army, and reformed the laws and expanded the territory with his extraordinary talent and unparalleled courage. He transformed a Central Plains dynasty on the verge of extinction into an unparalleled empire that controlled the entire world, freeing the people from displacement and fear, allowing the banner of the Great Song to fly all over the world, enabling the Han people to stand tall, and attracting all nations to pay homage.

This achievement far surpasses the limits of all previous emperors; this kindness is etched into their very bones.

When Zhao Yu entered Beijing surrounded by a group of civil and military officials, his fervent fans, who had been waiting in the city for a long time, immediately erupted in cheers, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

Zhao Yu did not speak, but simply raised his hand slightly.

With just one gesture, the cheers of "Long live the Emperor!" from the entire audience ceased abruptly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone remained kneeling in worship, not daring to even breathe. That reverence from the depths of their souls was more binding than any law in the world.

Seeing this, Zhao Ziwen finally understood why his father, despite being seriously ill, hadn't gone to great lengths to seize the throne and pass it on to him.

The truth is, without his grandfather's approval, his father would never have been able to obtain the throne. Even if his father were lucky enough to get it, it wouldn't have passed to him. And even if he were lucky enough to become emperor, he would immediately be forced to step down from the throne with just a word from his grandfather.

"My imperial grandfather possesses epoch-making prestige, a blood-soaked rebirth, and unparalleled achievements in turning the tide and saving the collapsing edifice. He is not someone I can challenge. I shouldn't have spoken well of Chen Liang!"

The autumn winds of Beijing cannot dispel the awe that pervades the city; the passage of time cannot diminish Zhao Yu's imperial majesty.

From this day forward, Zhao Yu, who has been away from the Song Dynasty for more than ten years, officially returns to the court.

Soon after entering the city, Zhao Yu climbed into his vehicle (a state-of-the-art armored motorhome).

Zhao Yu's RV uses multi-layered composite bulletproof glass, full composite armor + advanced alloy; independent oxygen supply/NBC protection system, automatic fire extinguishing, and depressurized tires. Not to mention that existing crossbows and Li Lin guns simply cannot break through its defenses, even the largest caliber Li Lin cannon cannot blast through its defenses.

Besides its incredibly powerful defenses, this vehicle is also extremely luxurious and very comfortable.

This was a carriage specially made for Zhao Yu by the Imperial Academy of the Song Dynasty; even Zhao Shou did not have one.

After Zhao Yu got into the carriage, he called Li Gang and Chen Gou over, and then had his two grandsons, Zhao Ziwen and Zhao Zichi, get into the carriage to serve him.

From a young age, Zhao Ziwen was inferior to Zhao Zichi in both academics and martial arts. No matter how hard he tried, he could never catch up with, or even match, Zhao Zichi.

At that time, Zhao Zichi was already showing signs of surpassing all the imperial grandsons, while Zhao Ziwen was just one of the more outstanding ones among the many imperial grandsons.

And that's just in terms of the writing aspect.

If we're talking about martial arts skills, he's even less comparable to Zhao Zichi.

Now, his imperial grandfather not only ordered him to serve him, but also ordered Zhao Zichi to serve him as well.

Thinking of his father's serious illness.

Then he thought about how his fourth uncle was very strong in all aspects and was one of the princes who could replace his father.

A strong sense of crisis arose in Zhao Ziwen's heart.

Therefore, Zhao Ziwen regretted even more for making excuses for Zhao Liang.

At the same time, Li Gang and Chen Gou began reporting to Zhao Yu.

This time, when Li Gang and Chen Gou reported to Zhao Yu, they no longer focused on receiving Zhao Yu, but directly reported to Zhao Yu on all the major events that had occurred in the Song Dynasty and even the world.

For example, the annual revenue of the national treasury in the Song Dynasty over the past ten years.

—Today, the total annual tax revenue of the Song Dynasty has exceeded 550 million strings of cash, of which industrial and commercial taxes account for more than 70%, while agricultural taxes account for less than 30%. Workshops are everywhere, with the five major industries of coal and iron, military equipment, textiles, salt production, and shipbuilding supporting half of the national treasury. With railways and trade routes in operation, the commercial prosperity has reached an unprecedented level.

For example, the population of the Song Dynasty itself. — After more than 20 years of vigorous development, especially after the implementation of the "Equal Grain Payment by Gentry" and the "Equalization of Land Tax and Labor Service," as well as the continuous expansion and annexation by the Song Dynasty, the population of the Song Dynasty itself has exceeded 400 million.

Thus, the grain production of the Song Dynasty was increased.

—Today, the grain production of the Song Dynasty has reached nearly 10 billion shi (a unit of dry measure). In ordinary years, people have enough grain stored in their homes to last three years. In years of good weather, both official and private granaries are overflowing. Even in the event of localized floods, droughts, or locust plagues, grain can be transported over thousands of miles by railway, instantly stabilizing the region. The scenes of widespread famine in the past are now just horrifying tales told by the elderly. Today, the people of the Song Dynasty no longer fear hunger or cold.

For example, the Song Dynasty's coal and iron production increased seventy times in twenty years, with an annual iron production of over ten million catties, and an inexhaustible supply of vehicles, ships, and machinery. The Song Dynasty had already discovered oil and natural gas in Siberia, and was continuously introducing them into the Northeast through pipelines for various processing (natural gas had begun to replace firewood, and even gas cylinders had been developed by Song Dynasty researchers), and then introducing the processed oil and natural gas products into the Song Dynasty's mainland.

For example, the railways within the Song Dynasty had already radiated from Beijing throughout the country, reaching Liaodong in the east, Central Asia in the west connecting Europe and Africa, the Indochina Peninsula in the south, and Siberia in the north, with a total length of over 300,000 li. Traveling from morning to evening was no longer a legend.

For example, various steam-powered machines are ubiquitous in workshops, mines, and shipyards, saving ten or even a hundred times the manpower. Tasks that used to require a thousand people can now be done by a single machine.

For example, the Li Lin gun and Li Lin cannon have been updated three times, with a range and power far exceeding those of the past.

For example, Song Dynasty merchant ships had already roamed the world, reaching as far east as Jiji and the Japanese archipelago, as far south as the Southeast Asian countries and the coast of India, and as far west as Persia, the Red Sea, and even various European countries. The Song Dynasty's silk, porcelain, tea, cloth, and light and heavy industrial products were exchanged for real gold and silver, rare treasures, and local specialties.

The revenue of the Maritime Trade Office has been increasing year by year, and now it receives more than 200 million strings of cash annually.

Li Gang and Chen Gou then reported to Zhao Yu on many of the difficulties and troubles encountered by the various vassal states, as well as the conflicts between them.

and many more……

In short, from this moment on, Li Gang and Chen Gou began to cooperate with Zhao Yu to regain control of the Song Dynasty and even the world.

Seeing this, how could Zhao Ziwen not know that the era of his father had come to an end?
If he still wants to be the crown prince, he can only rely on his grandfather.

Having come to terms with this reality, after Li Gang and Chen Gou finished their reports, Zhao Ziwen hurriedly explained to his imperial grandfather again: "Although Chen Liang is arrogant and unruly, he is a man of genuine talent and learning. My reason for defending him is not only out of consideration for ancestral rules, but also out of a desire to recognize his talent. I hope that Your Majesty will understand..."

Zhao Yu knew that Zhao Ziwen was telling the truth.

This Chen Liang, who even became the top scholar in the imperial examination when he was over fifty years old, truly deserves to be called a talented person.

However, this cannot be a reason for him to offend himself, or for Zhao Ziwen to excuse him.

Zhao Yu knew that Zhao Ziwen kept bringing up this matter because he was afraid, and also because he regretted his lenient treatment of Chen Liang.

Zhao Yu did not readily express his opinion on this matter, but instead asked Zhao Zichi, "Chi'er, what do you think of this?"

Upon hearing Zhao Yu's words, Li Gang and Chen Gou, who were standing nearby, knew that Zhao Ziwen was most likely to be eliminated.

This is not hard to guess.

Why did Zhao Ziwen behave so immaturely in such a trivial matter?

In fact, anyone with a modicum of sense could have guessed that Zhao Yu would not stoop to Chen Liang's level. Therefore, even if Zhao Ziwen did not plead for Chen Liang, Zhao Yu would not punish him too severely; at most, he would only sentence him to exile.

After all, a lion doesn't turn its head because of a dog's bark, and a swan doesn't heed the chatter of sparrows.

Zhao Yu is now the greatest emperor of all time, so how could he possibly ruin his reputation for being courteous to scholars and open to diverse opinions because of Chen Liang?

That said, if Zhao Yu were to actually hold a grudge against Chen Liang, it would be giving this nobody too much face.

If Zhao Ziwen were shrewd enough, he could have simply waited and observed the situation, and then recalled Chen Liang, whom he admired, once he was in power.

At that time, absolutely no one, including Chen Liang, would have a bad word to say about Zhao Ziwen.

But Zhao Ziwen rushed off the stage himself to defend Chen Liang.

Actually, if that's all there is to it, Zhao Ziwen hasn't completely lost.

As he said, he defended Zhao Ziwen in order to uphold ancestral family rules and cherish talent, which is actually quite plausible.

However, Zhao Ziwen regretted his actions after defending Chen Liang. Crucially, he immediately reversed his previous decision. More importantly, he mentioned Chen Liang twice during his two meetings with Zhao Yu.

First of all, we should be able to take down Zhao Ziwen, who is naive and lacks cunning. That should be no problem, right?

If an emperor didn't have shrewdness and composure, what would become of him?
This is not "true feelings," but a national catastrophe.

Imperial power has never been supported by “truth”.

The emperor's power comes half from strength and half from mystery, intimidation, and unpredictability.

An emperor without shrewdness and composure is the greatest threat to the empire.

As the saying goes, if one's heart is devoid of hidden sharpness, then one's joy and anger will be laid bare before others; if one's mind is devoid of wisdom, then one's schemes will be completely exposed. Subordinates can discern one's thoughts, enemy states can exploit one's weaknesses, close attendants can sway one's will, and treacherous officials can control one's actions.

As the saying goes, "If a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers; if a minister is not discreet, he will lose his life; if matters are not kept secret, they will lead to disaster."

If an emperor lacks shrewdness and composure, he cannot sit securely on the throne, nor can he protect the country. In the end, he will be devoured by the hearts of the people and the schemes of power.

To put it simply, Zhao Ziwen's behavior in this matter was like that of a spoiled child. He only cared about protecting his own people and expanding his own power. When things went wrong, he was in a hurry to change things. He had no shrewdness whatsoever and did not show any of the qualities of a crown prince or future king of the Song Dynasty.

The key point is that Zhao Yu was so wise; how could he not see Zhao Ziwen's immaturity in this trivial matter?

Moreover, in his early years, when Zhao Yu was educating Zhao Shou, he once said that for an emperor, being indecisive is a great taboo, even more so than being arrogant, extravagant and licentious.

Zhao Huan's performance when he defended Damascus perfectly confirmed Zhao Yu's statement.

Zhao Yu even wrote a letter to Zhao Shou, urging him to take this as a warning.

Now, Zhao Ziwen has inadvertently revealed his indecisive side.

How could he possibly have a chance?
The key factor was Zhao Yu's attitude.

After discovering Zhao Ziwen's indecisiveness, Zhao Yu immediately turned to Zhao Zichi for advice, giving Zhao Ziwen no chance to make amends.

Li Gang and Chen Gou, who have been involved in politics for decades, could easily see that Zhao Ziwen was out of the game.
...(End of this chapter)