Chapter 266 Busy Funeral

The seventh year of Jiayou, spring.

Zhao Xin accepted the surrender of the Liao Kingdom at Shanhaiguan.

Considering that the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom have always been hostile to each other, this is not the best time to join the court. Zhao Xin also wrote a letter to his father, saying that the surrender ceremony can be held on his side for the time being.

Zhao Xin had just accepted Yelu Hongji’s surrender, and on the other side, he immediately received news of the Western Xia invasion.

The Xixia people really only remember to eat and not to be beaten, and once the scar has healed they forget the pain.

However, even Mei Zang Epang probably didn’t expect that when he sent people to the Liao Kingdom and planned to join forces with the Liao Kingdom to attack the Song Dynasty.

However, at this time, Yelu Hongji had already surrendered to Zhao Xin.

of course!

These have to be put aside for now.

Because there are so many things to deal with next.

First of all, you have to appease the hearts of Yelu Hongji and others.

Zhao Xin also addressed them as relatives from the beginning, and even directly called the other party’s queen Xiao Guanyin his mother-in-law. This made Yelu Hongji feel that Zhao Xin’s enthusiasm was a little too much for them to bear.

After the surrender ceremony.

Then…

Zhao Xin immediately organized a meeting of all the officials under his command, including those who already existed and those who surrendered.

The topic of the meeting was how to govern the Liao Kingdom in the future.

It’s not that Zhao Xin wanted to overturn what he said and let the Liao people govern the Liao Kingdom.

But…

You must at least formulate a guideline, a policy, or even a slogan.

What Zhao Xin was most concerned about was what would happen to the army and the tax revenue in the future?
I can let you continue to be an official.

but……

I must keep a close eye on the army and taxation and keep them firmly in my own hands.

of course!

In fact, all of these can be done according to the old system of the Liao Dynasty.

But the problem is…

How can I know if you guys will fool me next time, and then secretly hide the population and soldiers, and then recruit soldiers?

and so……

Zhao Xin had to find out exactly how many people the Liao Kingdom had and how its tax revenue was collected in the past.

In addition to this, the Liao Dynasty had many vassal states before, such as the Jurchens. Although the Liao Dynasty has surrendered now, it does not mean that the Jurchens have surrendered.

People should be sent to inform all the countries and tribes that were originally affiliated with the Liao Kingdom.

If they are willing to submit to the Song Dynasty, that would be the best. If they are not willing, I hope they will not infringe on the people of the former Liao Kingdom.

If anyone is willing to submit, we can discuss a time together, and then form a group to go to Kaifeng Prefecture to meet his father.

Zhao Xin felt that most of them would be willing to submit.

But it is not ruled out that there will be some stubborn people who want to test the strength of the Song Dynasty.

For example, Western Xia was actually a vassal of the Liao Dynasty.

But Western Xia didn’t really listen to the Liao Kingdom and the Song Dynasty.

and……

It is estimated that we should also be wary of some tribes close to Western Xia and try to defect to Western Xia.

When Yelu Zongzhen was still alive, it was because some border tribes were instigated by Li Yuanhao to defect to Western Xia that Yelu Zongzhen wanted to attack Western Xia, but he was defeated as a result.

Now that the Liao Kingdom is in this state, it is possible that some tribes will turn to Western Xia next.

of course!

If they were well-informed, they should know that Xixia had been beaten once by Zhao Xin.

It’s a pity that Western Xia is now controlled by Mo Zang Epang.

Mei Zang Epang was a man who almost had a grudge against Zhao Xin. Since they had a grudge against each other, he probably no longer considered whether he had a good relationship with Zhao Xin, but only needed to consider when to send troops next.

And there is…

Now that the Liao Kingdom has surrendered, what should be done with Liaoyang Prefecture, the Liao Kingdom’s capital?

You should know that Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture actually has quite a large population.

The registered population is 40,000, close to 50,000 households.

This is just a provincial capital. If other military states, counties, etc. are included, the population will be even greater.

Goryeo only put in a little effort and wanted to occupy Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture. Doesn’t it feel like they got a great bargain?

Zhao Xin had to recall over and over again what he had said to the envoy at the beginning: let’s attack Liao together, the west will belong to him, and Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture will belong to the other side.

Thinking about it this way, it seems that I should indeed give Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture to the other party.

But Zhao Xin’s meaning was obviously that you have to conquer Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture before it can be yours.

You haven’t conquered them yet, and if the Liao Kingdom surrenders, then Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture should belong to you.

Then Zhao Xin asked his subordinates, “What do you think we should do about this?”

Your Excellency, seeing such a huge piece of fat meat as Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture, how could you possibly give it to Goryeo for free?

Then they are stupid!
But His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did seem to have said that Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture belonged to the other party.

and so……

This matter is really difficult to solve.

Zhao Xin said, “We can only send someone to Kaijing first to ask what the other party says.”

……

Open Beijing.

Once the Liao Kingdom surrendered, the road became open and there was no need to take a boat anymore.

therefore……

The news reached Kaifeng in about half a month.

Here, Wang Hui was still discussing with his ministers how to attack the remaining cities.

When he suddenly heard the news of the Liao Kingdom’s surrender, he was stunned on the spot.

When the envoy raised the question of how to distribute the Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture, Wang Hui and a group of Goryeo officials also felt something was wrong.

Is the Song Dynasty going to go back on its word?
of course!

The envoy sent by Zhao Xin also had reasons, saying: “What our prince has considered is that the population of Liaoyang Prefecture in the original capital of Liao State is too large, and these people, especially some nobles and officials, all want to defect to the Song Dynasty, but their land and their property are also in Liaoyang Prefecture in the capital.”

“Since others are sincere in surrendering, it is not easy for His Royal Highness to reject them directly. For this reason, I was specially sent to discuss with your country how to deal with this matter next.”

Wang Hui didn’t want to hear any explanation at all. You, the Song Dynasty, just want to shirk your debts.

He gave the prime minister a look, and then the prime minister took the initiative to stand up and said on behalf of Wang Hui: “The incident happened too quickly, we need some time to discuss it.”

Immediately afterwards…

The ministers and Wang Hui moved to another place for discussion.

A man named Cui Chong, who was already 79 years old, stood up and said to Wang Hui: “Your Majesty, I think it is not appropriate to argue at this time.”

Wang Hui asked, “So what you mean is that we don’t want the Liaoyang Prefecture anymore?”

Do you know how much pain Wang Hui feels?

You know, there are at least 40,000 to 50,000 households in the capital alone. If the entire area is included, the population is definitely over one million.

If Goryeo could bring all these people into its hands, its national strength would be greatly enhanced.

Cui Chong also said: “If we insist, it might give the other side an excuse to attack us.”

Wang Hui was puzzled and asked, “Will the Song Dynasty really attack us?”

Cui Chong said, “We can’t rule out this possibility.”

Wang Hui said, “But the number of households in Liaoyang Prefecture in Dongjing is sufficient and the population is prosperous.”

Cui Chong said, “Your Majesty, do you think we have the strength to defeat the Liao Kingdom now? Then how about comparing it to the Song Dynasty, which defeated the Liao Kingdom and forced it to surrender? If we insist on fighting for that city or that place, Goryeo might suffer a disaster. If you are loyal, obedient, and respect China, you will be able to enjoy a long-term country.”

If Cui Chong had not been a veteran of five dynasties, including Wang Hui’s dynasty, it would have been six dynasties. And he also had the title of “Confucius of the East Sea”, it is estimated that other Goryeo officials would have called him a traitor.

At least……

There should be no problem with Cui Chong’s loyalty to Goryeo.

He just didn’t want the war to spread to their Goryeo capital, Kaesong, again.

But this still makes people feel a little cowardly.

Someone asked, “So let’s just leave it at that?”

Cui Chong also said: “We have already taken Kaizhou and several nearby small cities. We naturally cannot return these conquered cities to the enemy. If we can obtain more classics from the Song Dynasty, learn their governance system, and strengthen our country, what does this city mean to us?”

This old thing!
This is what a sensible person said.

After hearing this, Wang Hui was no longer so determined about Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture.

Because whether it is land or not is really not that important.

It is obviously more important to learn from the advanced system of the Song Dynasty!
and……

The reason why the Song Dynasty was able to defeat the Liao Dynasty must be that their system of governance was very advanced.

Cui Chong added: “It would be even better if the Song Dynasty could agree to let us send some young nobles to study there.”

Cui Chong added this sentence, and Wang Hui applauded even more!

He said: “You are indeed worthy of being a loyal and loyal minister. Then let’s do this!”

half a month later.

The envoy sent by Zhao Xin returned to Youzhou and reported the news to Zhao Xin.

Zhao Xin looked at everyone and asked, “What do you think?”

One of the first batch of candidates who passed the imperial examination said, “Although it will allow the other side to know our strengths and weaknesses, military matters may not be known even by those who are taking the imperial examinations in our dynasty. I think… it’s not a big deal, but we can’t let them enter the Academy of Sciences, so let them go to the Imperial College.”

Others also said: “If we can get the Liaodong area without spending a single soldier, this deal is a good deal.”

But some people still asked: “Will our railways and steam engines be learned by the other side?”

After all, the steam engine was just lying there.

It is very easy for the other party to learn it.

Zhao Xin also took a deep breath and said, “There’s nothing we can do even if they learn it. It’s just like our horse-drawn harvester. It will spread all over the world in the future.”

Zhao Xin was a little worried. Once some landlords had this, the tenant farmers who had been helping with the work would probably become unemployed.

After much thought, Zhao Xin felt that he still had to come up with a patent law.

after……

Whoever copies it first must pay me!

The same goes for Goryeo.

You said you don’t give money?

Then I’ll beat you up!
Zhao Xin then said: “It’s time to draft a patent law.”

Then…

Zhao Xin agreed to the deal.

At least it’s better than losing your own credibility.

After that, both parties will have to decide on the number of students who will come for study and exchange.

and……

We have to make it clear that it will definitely be at your own expense.

Although our Song Dynasty is prosperous and wealthy, we cannot use the people’s money to support your students.

It’s May.

All the details are almost settled.

In April of that year, Zhao Xin first lost Fan Zhongyan, a general who was in charge of military and political affairs. Then in May, he lost Bao Zheng, who could help him punish corrupt officials.

They all fell ill while working and died not long after.

Be reasonable!
This is still a little disadvantageous for Zhao Xin’s control of the court.

Before his death, Fan Zhongyan also wrote a letter to Zhao Xin, praising him.

It’s written in a very literary way, but the general meaning is that he accomplished something that his ancestors had not accomplished, which is very impressive.

The only drawback is that he doesn’t like to listen to other people’s opinions.

Moreover, ministers are not given many opportunities to display their personal abilities.

If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince could listen more to the opinions of his ministers, take the good ones and discard the bad ones, and employ more ministers and trust them, he would surely become a wise ruler who is no less capable than Li Shimin in the future.

When a dying man is about to speak, his words are often good. Zhao Xin read it and felt the same way.

But there is no way!

With the way you’re leading people to knock on the palace gate, do I dare let you use your personal abilities?

But what Fan Zhongyan said was right.

He now increasingly feels that governing the country by himself alone is far from enough.

The reason why he is so busy nowadays is because he doesn’t like to delegate power.

Just like many battles, Zhao Xin could just let Zhao Xun lead the men to fight.

Why should he do everything himself?
then……

Zhao Xin wrote back to Fan Zhongyan, “You worry before the world worries, and rejoice after the world rejoices. Your posthumous title should be Wenzheng.”

I don’t know if the other party saw it.

This year……

To the south of the Song Dynasty, Jiaozhi.

Di Qing also launched an attack on Jiaozhi.

Jiaozhi had a military force of 60,000.

Di Qing had more than 20,000 soldiers, but less than 30,000.

There were two generals leading the troops in Jiaozhi, one was Nong Zongdan, who led the troops by land, and the other was Li Changjie, who led the troops by water.

Nong Zongdan was first defeated by Di Qing on land, and then by Li Changjie on water.

By now, Di Qing should have surrounded the capital of Jiaozhi with his troops.

After reading those battle reports, Zhao Xin could only say that he was indeed a famous general.

As long as you don’t find someone to hold him back, he can still perform well.

Thinking about it this way…

Zhao Xin discovered that his father seemed to be good at expanding territory.

There are flowers blooming in both the north and the south.

although……

In fact, his father didn’t play any role here at all, everything was arranged by him.

soon……

Gradually, the former vassal states of the Liao Dynasty began to send people to Youzhou City to meet Zhao Xin.

The Liao Dynasty had more than fifty vassal states and vassal tribes.

Basically, most of them are still willing to continue to be affiliated with the Song Dynasty.

and……

To be honest, whether or not to attack the Liao Kingdom, we have to send people to see what the situation is in the Song Dynasty first.

If the Song Dynasty was a weakling, then they would not need to give it face.

Zhao Xin also met with their envoys one by one, and then asked them what their tribes needed or what they themselves produced.

In the future, maybe we can trade with each other.

Zhao Xin was different from other emperors, er, no, different from other princes. He preferred to make money. Even if the other party said that they only had goat’s milk and camel’s milk, Zhao Xin would like to get something valuable from them.

(End of this chapter)