The prince is more stable

Chapter 804 The Alliance is Formed
Whether the new policies were good or bad, history has already made its judgment.

Wang Anshi's reforms were initially a process of exploration and experimentation, with gradual revisions and changes.

In Zhao Xiaoqian's view, the new policy was generally good, but some of its provisions were ill-considered, and some provisions, though well-intentioned, were exploited by local gentry, merchants, and landlords, turning a good policy that would benefit the people into a harmful one.

For example, the Green Sprouts Law, which Wang Anshi once introduced, was originally intended to allow farmers to temporarily borrow money and grain from the government to ensure that their families would not starve to death during times of natural disasters and food shortages. After the disaster was over, the farmers would repay the loan and the grain at an interest rate of about 20%.

Paying a 20% interest rate to survive is actually quite reasonable.

However, when the policy was implemented at the local level, officials, in order to increase their own revenue, would actively impose loans on farmers regardless of whether it was a year of disaster or whether the farmers were willing to lend money. They had no choice but to lend.

The people could not fight against the officials, so the originally self-sufficient farmers were forced to inexplicably take on loans with a 20% interest rate.

Not only that, officials would also misinterpret the Green Sprouts Law. What was originally a 20% interest rate was interpreted by officials as interest on interest, compounding interest, and in the end, the court's policy became a forced usury, causing countless farmers to lose their families and lives.

For example, Wang Anshi introduced the "Baojia system," which essentially divided villages into groups of ten households into one "Bao," five "Bao" into one large "Bao," and ten large "Bao" into one "Du Bao."

The term "Baojia" means using agriculture to train soldiers. During the off-season for farming, able-bodied young men in rural areas would participate in military training. As long as they participated, their households would be exempt from certain corvée labor.

The original intention of this policy was naturally good. It could not only relieve farmers of some of their burdens, but also save the imperial court a lot of military training expenses, and cultivate qualified soldiers in the countryside for conscription in times of war.

However, when the policy was delegated to local governments, it was misused and misinterpreted by local officials and powerful figures.

The corvée labor was not reduced, and the militia training was also enforced. If farmers wanted to be exempted from corvée labor or militia training, they had to pay money to redeem themselves. This was like adding insult to injury for the farmers, who not only had to perform corvée labor but were also forced to participate in military training. This gave the government even more reason to extort them.

The new policy originated from the imperial court, and it can be said that its wording was perfectly correct. However, as it was implemented from the imperial court to the local areas, more and more problems arose, and the burden on farmers became increasingly heavy due to the deliberate misinterpretation by local officials and powerful figures.

From the day he traveled through time, Zhao Xiaoqian never interfered with any new or old policies, because both policies had their drawbacks and were burdens that farmers could not afford.

Later, the new policies and old laws of the court became pawns in the power struggle between the two major camps, and tools for the emperor to balance the political situation. Zhao Xiaoqian had even less interest in getting involved.

Without power, no amount of discussion will help; rushing to express one's stance, regardless of which side one chooses, will only lead to disaster.

Therefore, from the day Zhao Xiaoqian stepped into the court, in the eyes of outsiders he was just a free spirit who did not rely on any faction, had connections with all factions, but never expressed whether he was inclined towards the New Party or the Old Party.

Until this day, at this very moment.

In front of Chang Tun and other New Party leaders, Chao Hsiao-chien finally made his statement.

He is willing to support the new policy, but it needs to be revised and amended to truly benefit the people, or at least make the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

This statement was made with great care. In front of these powerful figures, Zhao Xiaoqian could not make empty promises. If he were to ascend the throne, he would still need their support to maintain his imperial rule.

"The new policy is going to be changed? How will it be changed?" Zhang Dun, as the leader of the New Party, was displeased when he heard Zhao Xiaoqian say this, and his brows furrowed deeply.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Minister Zhang, don't glare at me. Put your hand on your heart and tell me, the new policies have no drawbacks. The farmers of the Song Dynasty have really had their burdens reduced. Has the court really investigated how the new policies are being implemented in the localities?"

Zhang Dun was speechless for a moment.

He was certainly aware of the implementation of the new policies, but being in the imperial court, he was powerless to do anything about it. When the Council of State issued policies, Zhang Dun was busy reviewing them, dealing with personnel matters in the court, and fighting against the old party. He simply didn't have time to investigate how the new policies were implemented at the local level.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around at the assembled bigwigs and said in a deep voice, "I know that you support me for the continued implementation of the new policies. Of course, perhaps it is also for your own official positions and wealth, but these are not important."

"Although I have not gained any power yet, I still have to say that the new policies must be revised. Many aspects need to be revised, especially the aspect of how the court supervises the implementation of the new policies in the localities. A complete set of supervision and inspection laws must be established."

"It's clearly a good sutra, but the local monks have misinterpreted it. The imperial court does nothing and just watches as local officials and powerful families use the new policies to exploit and extort the people. In the eyes of the people, the new policies are just evil laws, and you and I will be devoured sooner or later."

"If you think what I said makes sense, let's sit down and continue talking. If you think what I said doesn't make sense, then goodbye. What I need is wholehearted support, without any coercion. Otherwise, if someone sides with me today and with him tomorrow, keeping that kind of person around will only cause trouble."

Zhao Xiaoqian's tone was domineering, and everyone in the room looked at each other in bewilderment.

After a long silence, Liu Shengqian, the Vice Chancellor, stroked his beard and said slowly, "I support His Highness Prince Cheng. I heard every word His Highness said just now. His Highness's statement shows great responsibility to the court and the people. Moreover, I do believe that the new policies have many flaws and should be revised."

Liu Shengqian then looked around at everyone and said, "I am willing to assist His Highness Prince Cheng in ascending the throne. What do you all think?"

Once someone took the lead, the other dozen or so people nodded in approval.

A look of satisfaction appeared in Zhang Dun's eyes.

The problems with the new policies were indeed significant. Zhang Dun inherited Wang Anshi's legacy with the hope of governing the country well and bringing tangible benefits to both the court and the people, rather than stubbornly adhering to the terms of Wang Anshi's new policies as inviolable golden rules.

With the support of more than a dozen bigwigs, Zhao Xiaoqian felt even more confident.

Since everyone shared common interests, Zhao Xiaoqian temporarily formed an alliance with the court officials.

While Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, was busy secretly trying on the yellow robe in his palace, he was hopelessly immersed in the dream of imperial power. Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaoqian, in the shadows, secretly joined forces with the bigwigs in the court to quietly plot a shocking upheaval.

"Zi'an, when should we launch our attack?" Zhang Dun asked the extremely important question.

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "I am confident that once I make my move, I can bring Zhao Ji to his doom. As for the date of the attack... how about we choose the day he ascends the throne?"

Zhang Dun and the other bigwigs stared at him in shock.

After a long pause, Zhang Dun said with a wry smile, "Zi'an, haven't we gone too far?"

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked: "Is it big? Not at all. It must be launched on the day of the coronation, and only on that day."

"Why did you have to choose that day?" Zhao Xiaoqian smiled but didn't answer.

It's that simple: the Yan-Yun troops under Zhong Jianzhong were only able to reach the walls of Bianjing on the day Zhao Ji ascended the throne.

This was Zhao Xiaoqian's most important trump card, which he had never told anyone except his own father.

“Alright, Zian, it’s up to you to decide. If it succeeds, you will be the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, and we have no reason not to obey,” Zhang Dun said.

The remaining dozen or so people were suddenly struck by a realization: yes, if this succeeds, the young man before them will be the legitimate emperor of the Song Dynasty.

Just moments ago, they were only talking to Zhao Xiaoqian as colleagues, but after Zhang Dun's intentional or unintentional reminder, everyone immediately changed their attitude, standing in front of Zhao Xiaoqian and bowing slightly to show respect.

"What does Zi'an need us to do?" Zhang Dun asked again.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "When I launch my coronation ceremony, you just need to support and agree with me. You don't need to do anything else. Of course... if I deploy troops and do something violent, you can just turn a blind eye."

"When dynasties change, bloodshed and loss of life are inevitable. I will try my best to be gentle, causing chaos only in the palace, not in the world."

Zhang Dun cupped his hands in greeting and said, "That's excellent. It won't harm the harmony of Heaven, and Heaven will surely bless us."

No one questioned why Zhao Xiaoqian could command troops; it was no longer important. Everyone firmly believed that with Zhao Xiaoqian's abilities, his trump card couldn't be just the dozen or so people in the room in front of him.

For those present, Zhao Xiaoqian's ability to mobilize troops provided them with a sense of security.

Zhang Dun stroked his beard and slowly said, "I and the gentlemen present will mobilize the officials of the New Party to cheer for His Highness on the day of the enthronement ceremony."

Zhao Xiaoqian also solemnly said, "If I succeed, the official positions of everyone present will remain unchanged, and future promotions will be based entirely on merit evaluations. Does anyone have any objections?"

Everyone smiled and nodded. The room was quiet, but their eyes met and they nodded with smiles.

The alliance has now been formed.

I dare not speak of things too far in the future, but in the present, we share the same interests and are bound together by fortune and misfortune.

It was getting late, and before they knew it, they had been chatting until the wee hours of the morning. Zhang Dun and the other bigwigs got up to say goodbye.

Before parting, everyone changed their previous attitude of equality, and including Zhang Dun, they all bowed deeply to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Although the matter did not come to fruition, everyone tacitly regarded Zhao Xiaoqian as the future emperor of the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and took each of their arms, saying earnestly, "I will not fail you all in the future for the friendship we have built together. From now on, we will govern the country together and share the glory and wealth."

…………

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't wake up until the afternoon of the next day.

While it's important to get things done, it's also crucial to ensure adequate sleep. Zhao Xiaoqian is still just over 200 months old, and his body is still developing, so he shouldn't neglect himself.

After waking up, dressing, and washing up, Zhao Xiaoqian had a simple meal and then ordered Chen Shou to prepare a carriage to go to Yanfu Palace.

Yanfu Palace, Funing Hall.

The former imperial palace is now deserted. In the open space outside the palace, more than a hundred monks and Taoists have set up their own altars, and they are sitting cross-legged, chanting scriptures.

According to custom, after the death of the late emperor, monks and Taoist priests must perform rituals for forty-nine days. Even after Zhao Ji ascends the throne, the rituals in the palace cannot be interrupted.

Pushing open the door of Funing Palace and looking at the familiar furnishings before him, Zhao Xiaoqian's mood inexplicably became heavy again.

Pushing open this door undoubtedly opened the floodgates of memories, and images of spending time with Zhao Xu in this grand hall flashed through my mind.

The person is gone, and all that remains is regret.

After Zhao Xu's death, no one lived in the Funing Palace anymore. It is unlikely that Zhao Ji, who was about to ascend the throne, would use this palace as his sleeping quarters. Moreover, the palace servants were all opportunistic and observant. They were too lazy to even clean the place that the future emperor did not like.

Strangely, when Zhao Xiaoqian pushed open the door and entered, he felt that the main hall was still spotless and clean, as if it had been renovated and decorated.

The chairs, tables, porcelain vases, books, soft couches, and other furnishings in the hall were all freshly wiped clean and looked so new that you could move in right away.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood in the hall, staring blankly at everything before him, and gradually the answer came to him.

A figure flashed out from behind the screen on the north side of the hall. Zheng Chunhe, with a hunched back, walked out unsteadily.

The moment Zheng Chunhe saw Zhao Xiaoqian, her eyes immediately reddened, and tears streamed down her face.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed sadly. It was indeed him, and only him.

“Your Highness…” Zheng Chunhe began, his voice choked with emotion.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "Eunuch Zheng, the Emperor has passed away; you should look to the future."

Zheng Chunhe lowered her head and let her tears flow freely: "This servant is just a lowly person, no one cares about me. But Your Highness, why have you come here today?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said sadly, "I... am actually looking forward, but today I suddenly missed an old friend, so I came."

(End of this chapter)