Han Shizu

Chapter 836
Facing Han Xizai's silence, Li Jing took the opportunity to ask: "Recently, you have repeatedly advised me to repair the military equipment and improve the defense of the river. However, even if the whole country fights hard, so what? As for the initiative to send troops, you may give me a guarantee to defeat the Han army. , regain the homeland and protect it?"

Li Jing's words are full of failure emotions, to be able to enjoy a moment of peace and enjoyment, is already satisfied, so there is no need for long-term vision.

Seeing that Han Xizai's expression was getting agitated, Li Jing probably understood that he was going to say what he thought was meaningless loyalty and admonition, raised his hand slightly to stop him, and said earnestly: "Han Qing, this year is coming to an end, you can prepare in advance for tomorrow." The year-old tribute fund, so as not to be caught off guard at that time."

Hearing this, Han Xizai's face twitched, and he replied in a deep voice, "Yes!"

"In addition, the Han Lord's succession will be ten years old. Now that the letter of state has arrived, I should express it. Well, I will personally write a congratulatory form, prepare a generous gift, and send an envoy to the north to celebrate it. "Li Jing continued, but noticed Han Xizai's ugly expression, and immediately changed his words: "Leave this matter to Zhong Shangshu!"

"Obey! I will live up to my mission!" Zhong Mo, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, got up and said respectfully with a smile.

"Okay!" Li Jing was very satisfied with Zhong Mo's attitude.

"Your Majesty, there is still official business in the courtyard, and Rong Chen will leave first!" Seeing the hall, drinking as usual, dancing as usual, Han Xizai was full of helplessness, bowed and saluted, as if eager to get rid of the "smog" that filled the hall, and keep himself aloof and solitary Standing personality.

Li Jing obviously didn't want Han Xizai to be an eyesore here and spoil the atmosphere. A gentle smile appeared on his drunken old face: "Han Qing is diligent in official duties, so I can have my peace. You can do it yourself!"

"Resign!" Han Xizai bowed again, and then turned away, but when he turned around out of the hall, he flicked his sleeves, as if to vent his anger.

After he left, the atmosphere in the hall was still two points colder. Seeing this, Feng Yansi picked up a wine glass, approached Li Jing, and said in a nonchalant tone: "Your Majesty, you favor Han Xizai too much. This person thinks of himself as a talent and has always been arrogant. , is now in charge of state affairs, willful and unscrupulous, and despises his colleagues. Now, if you dare to slap your Majesty's face, how can there be any courtesies?"

Hearing this, looking at this not-so-aging favorite, the corners of Li Jing's mouth twitched slightly, and replied: "Han Shuyan has always been like this, these years, Bing has done a good job in governing the country. Come on, ignore him, don't be bad Our interest!"

"Yes!" Feng Yansi raised his glass in response.The whole person seems very indifferent. If you are into slander, you naturally need to repeat, slander and slander bit by bit.

The relationship between Feng Yansi and Han Xizai is not just a personal grievance, but mainly a conflict of interests.Since the death of Song Qiqiu and his henchmen, Feng Yansi has been the only leader of the nobles, bureaucrats, and landlords in the south of the Yangtze River.In recent years, the reform led by Han Xizai has seriously violated the interests of other people, how can we not hate it.

However, the power at the top was hit hard because of Li Jing's suppression of the party struggle. Under the huge threat of the Northern Han Dynasty, Han Xizai carried out reforms under the banner of saving the country and striving for strength, and gained the support of public opinion, making it difficult to stop the general trend. Confrontation, misinterpretation, delay, and obstruction of its policies have continued.

On the other hand, Feng Yansi personally has a bad opinion of Han Xizai, he is noble in front of him, but lives a luxurious life behind him, and criticizes them on weekdays for being extravagant and greedy for enjoyment.
For the changes and struggles below, Li Jing was also clear in his heart, but he chose to support Han Xizai's reforms.The biggest reason is that after the loss of Jiangbei, the Southern Tang Dynasty's finances fell into crisis, and the economic complementary balance between Jiangnan and Jiangbei was severely damaged.

However, under the harsh situation, the imperial court’s expenditure has increased, including post-war pensions, the reconstruction of military power, the salaries of nobles and bureaucrats, the luxurious life of the royal family, and high annual tributes.For the Southern Tang court, it was necessary to increase fiscal and tax revenues and change, either to impose heavy taxes on the common people, or to cut the knives on the ministers, bureaucrats, landlords, and wealthy businessmen who occupied the main social wealth.

Li Jing chose the latter. First, they were rich, and second, there was a group of people headed by Han Xizai. No matter what, Han Xizai charged forward, and he, the king, was behind the scenes as the referee. It couldn't be more perfect.

However, in the past two years, because of Han Xizai's reforms, there have been complaints from the government and the government. There have been frequent voices criticizing the New Deal, slandering and slandering for a long time. Li Jing, who is already soft-hearted, obviously has another idea.

While enjoying the fruits of Han Xizai's reforms, on the other hand, he began to elevate the status of the nobles and bureaucrats in the south of the Yangtze River again.There is a practical problem. When Li Min founded the country, he relied on the support of the Jiangnan Scholars Group. Those people are the foundation of the Southern Tang Dynasty and have a close relationship with the country.

In fact, the Southern Tang Dynasty and the Later Shu Dynasty were very similar, with prosperous culture and education, rich economy and weak army.However, in terms of disadvantages, the Southern Tang Dynasty was even worse. Land annexation was serious, and the livelihood of the lower class people was difficult. After the cession of Jiangbei, the situation deteriorated sharply.

Although Han Xizai's reforms had a certain suppressive effect, they were treating the symptoms but not the root cause. Under the top-down confrontation, the progress was difficult, and as time went by, it became more and more difficult.

Because of the narrow and long territory, threats from all sides, and extremely unfriendly external environment, Jinling's "atmosphere of subjugation" is stronger than that of Mengshu at the beginning.After all, Mengshu still has the continuous mountains and mountains as a support, while the Southern Tang Dynasty can rely on basically only one big river, and half of the Yangtze River is divided. Can this stop the Northern Han Dynasty?No one would believe it.

The country was about to perish, and chaos occurred frequently. In the tenth year of Qianyou, Jinling could still maintain a certain level of stability. It was Han Xizai and other ministers who took pains to maintain it.However, Han Xizai, a few people like Han Xizai, can reverse the trend of the general trend?

Li Jing and Feng Yansi, the main ministers, had their own thoughts, and Zhong Mo, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, exchanged glasses and had fun with others, and looked at them from time to time, always with a smile on their faces, which was meaningful.

On Han Xizai's side, walking slowly in the cold wind, he went to Xuanzhengyuan, looked up at the dull sky, the scene in Caicai Palace just now appeared in his mind, and he felt infinitely disappointed.

He, Han Xizai, has been traveling south for more than 30 years, and has been wasted for more than 20 years. Although he has been favored by the Tang Lord, he has never held power.

It was not until the Han Dynasty marched south, the Jiangbei fell, and the country fell into a crisis, that it was really reused.Over the years, a group of like-minded people have been gathered to withstand the huge pressure and carry out reforms, intending to turn the tide and protect the building.

Of course there are results, but the results are always unsatisfactory.A series of policies aimed at parasite-like nobles, bureaucrats, landlords, and merchants have indeed increased fiscal and taxation and eased the pressure on the government, but the strength of the country has never been improved, and the lives of the people at the bottom are still getting more and more difficult. And he has to face constant criticism and slander from inside and outside, and the backlash from Feng Yansi and others is getting stronger and stronger.

However, the results of his reforms were used for annual tribute, for maintaining the enjoyment of the court, and for supporting nobles and bureaucrats, which was far from the rich country and strong soldiers he expected.

Of course, the country is limited by its national conditions. After all, it cannot be pushed back. All reforms are limited and belong to improvement. I know its limitations and it is not unacceptable.

What hurt Han Xizai the most was Li Jing's attitude.The master is full of depression, discouraged and discouraged, muddling along, no matter how active he is, what can he do?This year, Li Jing's changes have also given Han Xizai a deeper understanding that this is not the master of his interests.

However, Li Jing's kindness to him, Han Xizai, was real and gave him room to display it.For Li Jing, Han Xizai really couldn't hate him.

Contradictory psychology occupied Han Xizai's heart, and the cool breeze seemed to reflect his mood. As he walked, he lost his way.Looking around at the magnificent palace scene in Jinling, Han Xizai looked up to the sky and sighed, and finally turned into despair.

The Xuanzhengyuan also didn't go, went out of the palace and returned to the mansion, called friends, prepared wine and banquets, and entertained myself.
The banquet in the tortoise hall was in full swing, the wine was at its climax, and the monarch and his ministers were unrestrained, singing loudly, an official with a white scarf on his forehead, with a sad face, walked in under the guidance of the servant.

Li Jing recognized the person who came, and he was the official of Duke Jin and Li Jingsui, the governor of Hongzhou. Seeing him, his heart skipped a beat, and the wine was no longer fragrant. He asked a little nervously, "Why did you come here? dress up?"

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Jin was in Nanchang Mansion, he was assassinated by others, and he has passed away!"

When his words fell, the whole hall was shocked, and there was silence for a while.

Li Jing was stunned for a moment, then his body tensed up, the wine glass in his hand was knocked over, and he almost lost his breath.With the support of the servants, he slowly recovered, and soon, tears poured down the palace, wailed loudly, and shouted "my brother".

Weiji, because of the death of Li Jingsui, Duke of Jin, Li Jing ordered a funeral for his younger brother to be held in the Tang Palace. Jinling officials all mourned, and hurriedly sent people to Nanchang Mansion to welcome his coffin to the north.

Of course, one thing is certain is that because of Li Jingsui's unnatural death, Jinling court will set off another wave of political turmoil.Smart people have linked Li Jingsui's death to Li Hongji.

Can you avoid suspicion by hiding in Runzhou?I'm afraid I don't know the story of the 300 taels without silver here
(End of this chapter)