I studied in modern times

Chapter 757: Goryeo who wants to get something for free

Xinmao (the tenth day) in April of the second year of Yuanyou.

Zhao Xu had just woken up, washed up, and was having breakfast.

Shi Deyi came to his side quietly and whispered: "Everyone, I have found out everything..."

"Ok?"

"It turned out that when Zhang Dunli, the son-in-law of the emperor and governor of Mizhou, entered the palace to pay homage to the empress dowager, he accidentally said a few words of gossip..." Shi Deyi reported his investigation results: "The empress dowager was shocked when she heard it, so she ordered her attendants to investigate. She learned that Master Xiuzai of Fayun Temple said that the drought was caused by the court not following the Buddha..."

The smile on Zhao Xu's face froze. He turned around, expressionless, and asked coldly, "Really?"

"How dare an old minister deceive Your Majesty?" Shi Deyi replied with a bow.

Zhao Xu's eyes stayed on him for a long time.

Shi Deyi could only hunch his body, lower his head, and look trembling.

After a long while, Zhao Xu finally said, "The Emperor and I have been waiting for your observation!"

"Why do you always make things difficult for me and my son?"

"Could it be that his soul has been taken away by an evil ghost?"

Shi Deyi remembered it very clearly. The last time the government said this was last year, when Huainan was hit by a severe drought. Yuan Chengseng wrote a letter to Jiangning, trying to encourage the man in Jiangning to speak out.

The government officials at that time commented on Yuan Chengshen in this way - could it be that his soul was taken away by an evil ghost?

Later, no one knew whether the soul of the monk Yuancheng was taken away by evil spirits.

But his people must have gone to hell!

Yang Wenyuan, the prosecutor of Kaifeng Prefecture, personally tried and convicted the criminal, and sentenced him to exile in Leizhou on charges of teaching evil magic, spreading rumors that harmed the country, and corrupting human ethics.

Now, the official once again asked, "Could it be that his soul has been taken away by the evil spirit?"

Shi Deyi could already feel the murderous intent.

"Keep an eye on him!" The official's order echoed in my ears: "Investigate him strictly!"

"I want to know all of Zhang Guancha's recent whereabouts, words and deeds!"

"Yes!" Shi Deyi bowed and accepted the order.

That's what he does.

They serve as the ears and eyes of the emperor.

After seeing Shi Deyi off, Zhao Xu didn’t even have much appetite to eat.

He just ate a little bit and ordered his men to leave.

Because it's really disgusting!

"If I don't teach you a lesson...how will the world know that I have a furious Vajra?"

This means that I have made up my mind to punish this son-in-law, the so-called uncle.

Zhang Dunli was the husband of the Empress Dowager's third daughter, Princess Shoukang (in the eighth year of Yuanfeng, she was conferred the title of Grand Princess of Ji State, but because the titles of princesses in the Northern Song Dynasty would change over time, the public was accustomed to referring to her by her original title, and only used her conferred title on formal occasions).

He was also the first imperial concubine commander in the history of the Song Dynasty who was not a noble military official or scholar-official.

Before Princess Shang Shoukang, he didn't even have an official position, he was just a commoner.

The reason why he was chosen to marry a princess was purely because Zhao Xu's father witnessed the extremely unhappy marriage of his closest sister, Princess Bao'an (wife of Wang Shen, conferred the title of Grand Princess of Yue in the eighth year of Yuanfeng), so he did not allow his younger sister Shoukang to marry a relative of the emperor.

Therefore, in the first year of Xining, he personally presided over the selection of the son-in-law.

After much selection, they finally picked Zhang Dunli.

This man, like that guy Wang Shen, is also a painter.

His works are sought after by many people in later generations.

Especially Hongli, who loved his paintings so much that he stamped them all over.

However, his character is no different from Wang Shen's.

Even more hateful than Wang Shen!
Because, although Wang Shen was a bastard, he did not dare to get involved in politics.

Zhang Dunli is different. Not only is he wildly involved in politics, he is also a staunch member of the Old Party.

Especially in Zhao Xu's previous life, during the Yuanyou era, he always tried every means to make his presence felt and cheer for the old party.

When Zhao Xu took power and Zhang Dun came to power, he began to liquidate the old party.

He himself did not escape the reckoning - he forgot his moral principles and violated his duty, and was an accomplice to the evil. He sealed the memorials and slandered the martyrs!

Unfortunately, Princess Shoukang is still alive.

Faced with his aunt who came into the palace crying, Zhao Xu also softened his heart.

Therefore, he was only appointed as the General of the Right Thousand Oxen Guard and asked to reflect on his actions.

In this life, Zhao Xu had never made things difficult for him since he woke up from Qingning Palace.

In fact, they were treated quite generously.

This is because Zhao Xu considered that Zhang Dunli might just be engaging in political speculation.

So, there is no blame.

Unexpectedly, he mistook Zhao Xu's forgiveness and kindness for weakness.

Now, he dared to slander the monks to the Queen Mother.

So what will he do in the future? Zhao Xu no longer dared to think about it.

Whether it was out of the instinctive vigilance of imperial power or the anger at having one's bottom line crossed.

Zhao Xu will not let him get away easily this time.

There is even a plan to make it a template, an example, a control group, and a warning to others.

Let all the royal family and relatives know - either follow the emperor, or shut up and live as their own nobles.

Apart from this, they have no third option!

……

Because of Zhang Dunli, Zhao Xu was in a bad mood the whole morning.

Fortunately, in the afternoon, he finally received good news.

This good news is brought by Xingshuo.

"Your Majesty, urgent news from Waqiao Pass: The Northern Tartars have delivered the agreed 200,000 taels of silver to Waqiao Pass."

"Hebei said they have arranged for troops to escort them to Beijing!"

This is really good news!

Since the Treaty of Chanyuan, only the Song Dynasty has sent silver to the Liao Dynasty. This is the first time that the Liao Dynasty has sent silver to the Song Dynasty in return!
congratulations!

"Thank you for your hard work, Bachelor!" Zhao Xu looked at Xing Shu, who was sitting in front of him with a reserved but obviously unable to suppress his emotions, and said, "I and the people of the world will never forget the Bachelor's contribution!"

Xing Shu hurriedly said, "For Your Majesty and the country, how dare I not be loyal?"

But he could no longer suppress the smile on his lips.

"The scholar has made such a great contribution, I will certainly reward him generously!" Zhao Xu thought for a moment, called Feng Jing to his side, and ordered: "Feng Jing, go to the Ministry of Rites on my behalf and ask them to look up the history of their ancestors, posthumously award the title of Hanlin scholar to Xing Shu's three generations of ancestors, and specially allow Xing Shu to appoint one of his sons as an official."

Xing Shu listened and quickly stood up to express his gratitude.

Zhao Xu smiled, ordered his men to help him up, and said: "Master Dan, you can rest assured to make contributions to the country. I will not hesitate to reward you!"

Xing Shu naturally believed this, and immediately vowed to devote himself to repaying the emperor's grace.

Because Zhao Xu's generosity is obvious to all, and he usually delivers on his promises.

Moreover, the rewards are definitely clear!
No restrictions on origin or background.

As long as you have made achievements, you will be rewarded. Especially those who have done things that meet the requirements of the emperor will be rewarded handsomely!
Imperial physician Qian Yi, art officer Han Gonglian, and national master Guo Xi were all promoted for their merits, and the latter two were even allowed to exchange their achievements for literary funds.

Even such a small person can get rewarded in full or even in excess.

Not to mention others.

This is also the reason why the Imperial Party is growing stronger day by day.
How many kings in history can both make promises and deliver on them?
After Xing Shu finished expressing his gratitude and sat down again, Zhao Xu asked, "Master, how is the negotiation with Goryeo going?"

After Xing Shu calmed down, he replied: "Your Majesty, the monk Yi Tian has agreed to our dynasty's conditions..."

"But he hopes that our dynasty can fulfill its promise to provide Goryeo with armor and weapons after signing the contract!"

As he said this, he looked at Zhao Xu, held his head high and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I respectfully request your wise ruling."

Zhao Xu pursed his lips, shook his head and sighed: "This Gaoli is really..."

He originally wanted to say "used to freeloading", but considering that this was a public place in the Funing Palace, and the attendant Huang Shi was sitting behind the screen, he took back this comment and said, "As expected of a small country, it just loves to scheme!"

"That's it! That's it!"

"Just agree to them first!"

In addition to negotiating with the Liao people, Xing Shu has also been in charge of negotiations with Goryeo recently.

In the past twenty days or so, Xing Shu has talked with Yi Tian and his entourage in Kaibao Temple no less than ten times.

At the beginning, the Goryeo delegation headed by Monk Yi Tian refused to mention paying any money.

Every time he spoke, he talked about how great the Tang Dynasty was, and the subtext of his words was that he hoped the Song Dynasty would follow the Tang Dynasty's example and aid Silla.

Armor and weapons can be sent to Goryeo for free.

In return, the Koreans swore that as long as they defeated the "Northern Barbarians", they would "loyally serve the Song Dynasty", "respect the Song Dynasty as the legitimate dynasty, use the Song Dynasty calendar, and pay homage to the emperor forever, generation after generation".

Zhao Xu had only one expression on his face: old man’s cell phone on the subway!

He even thought about letting Xing Shu threaten the Goryeo people - in fact, what does the life or death of your Goryeo Kingdom have to do with our Song Dynasty?
However, such words are too politically incorrect in today's Song Dynasty.

Moreover, preventing the Liao people from destroying Goryeo was indeed in the interests of Zhao Xu and the Song Dynasty.

It is not good to push the Koreans too much or strike them too harshly.

It would be bad if the Koreans suddenly lost their minds and chose to surrender to the Liao people.

Therefore, Xing Shu can only be left to negotiate.

Fortunately, Xing Shu is now in charge of the Song Dynasty’s diplomacy.

He is patient and can withstand pressure.

Otherwise, if you had replaced any other court official, he would have sold out the bottom line of the Song Dynasty under Yi Tian’s pressure and rhetoric.

After all, contemporary scholars are the kind who are afraid of surprising friendly countries. When it comes to foreign relations, they would rather put on a brave face than give themselves up to criticism.

Punishment and forgiveness are different!

With a background in diplomacy, he is a genius born for diplomacy.

He really learned everything from Zhang Yi and Su Qin.

During the negotiations with the Koreans, he allowed Yi Tian to beg and throw a tantrum, and he stuck to his bottom line - there was no way he could get anything for free!

The landlord has no surplus food!

Can you, Goryeo, ask for armor and weapons?

But, you have to pay real money!
He could even turn around and morally blackmail Yi Tian - the armor and weapons of the Holy Dynasty, every inch of copper and iron, are all the people's fat and blood! How could I, for my own selfish reasons, throw away the blood and sweat of the people?

Just like that, after twenty or thirty days of struggle, as time went by, the Koreans began to be unable to hold on.

First, it was agreed that gold, silver, and refined copper could be used to purchase armor and weapons from the Song Dynasty.

However, they asked the Song Dynasty to give them a discount on the price.

At the same time, they also proposed that the Northern Tartar Navy was now besieging Goryeo, so they needed the Song Navy to help them reach Kaesong or Hanyang.

They also suggested that because of the war, Goryeo's gold, silver and other hard currencies could not be shipped out.

Therefore, we hope that the money for purchasing armor and weapons will be paid after the war.

This is still wanting to get something for free.

It can even be said that they had very malicious intentions - because, if the Song Dynasty navy helped the Koreans transport armor and weapons.

Then they might encounter the Liao navy. Once the Song and Liao navies met on the sea, the relationship between Song and Liao would inevitably be affected.

If things go wrong, the Liao people might think that the Song Dynasty has intervened in the war with Goryeo.

As for the post-war payment for purchases?
No fool can believe it!
Therefore, Xing Shu continued to flatly refuse.

He proposed that the Koreans bring their gold and silver to Dengzhou to trade, and then transport the armor and weapons back by themselves.

Of course the Koreans disagreed.

The negotiations reached a deadlock. In the end, after listening to the negotiation process, Zhao Xu instructed Xing Shu to take a step back and give the Koreans some benefits.

One of them was that the Song Dynasty was willing to provide a batch of armor and weapons to Goryeo free of charge out of moral considerations to help the Goryeo people resist the invasion.

However, Goryeo needed to come to Dengzhou by itself to transport the armor and weapons back.

At the same time, in addition to this batch of donated armor and weapons, the Koreans needed to go to Dengzhou to purchase the remaining armor and weapons with real money.

In addition, in order to support the Korean people in resisting aggression, Zhao Xu also asked Xing Shu to tell the Korean people that they could place orders directly in Dengzhou to purchase various ships of the Song Dynasty. They could choose all types of ships from shipyards across the Song Dynasty - as long as they paid enough money.

In other words, as long as they send people over to break through the Liao blockade, they can take away an entire fully armed fleet from the Song Dynasty with gold and silver!
Unfortunately, even though Zhao Xu offered so many preferential conditions.

But the Koreans were still hesitant and refused to agree.

Yitian even wrote to Zhao Xu again and again, proposing such absurd proposals as "Your Majesty, please hand over the armor and weapons donated to our country first."

I still want to get it for free!

Zhao Xu saw it and simply read it without replying.

As time passed, the Koreans finally couldn't hold on after holding out for more than twenty days.

This also made Zhao Xu feel relieved.

Of course, he also knew that it was very likely that the Koreans were still trying to get something for free, so they would first take what they could get for free, and then when it came time to purchase armor, weapons, and ships, they might continue to find excuses and reasons.

The regimes on the peninsula all seem to like to take advantage of others for free.

This is true whether it is Silla, the present-day Goryeo, the later Joseon Dynasty, or the two countries on the modern peninsula.

But it doesn't matter!

The Liao people will teach them how to behave.

"In my name, you should draft an edict to the Privy Council, ordering it to take 500 sets of armor, 1,000 Shenbi bows, and 200,000 arrows and crossbow arrows from the three government warehouses, and transport them to Dengzhou. Have Su Shi hand them over to the Goryeo fleet in Dengzhou, and order them to transport them back to the country as soon as possible..." Zhao Xu instructed Xing Shu.

Of course!
Because it is free armor.

Naturally, the Koreans could not have any demands on the quality of these things.

It just so happened that the treasury of the Third Yamen was piled with more than 4,000 sets of old armor and crossbows that were replaced from the First General of Yulong after the first month of this year.

These things basically either have quality problems or are damaged during use.

In the past, even old armor and old crossbows, even if they had defects or problems, would be repaired and continued to be used.

But now, things are different.

The blast furnaces in Bian Jing were gradually put into use and began to increase production capacity.

The Song Dynasty was already able to smelt refined iron on a large scale and use it in military affairs.

At the same time, the new armor is not only stronger and more durable, but also cheaper.

No one was willing to use these old armors and crossbows, so they were all piled up in the treasuries of the three yamen.

Repair it?

It may not be repaired, and even if it is repaired, it will just continue to rust in the treasury.

But if we don’t repair it, it seems like a waste.

Fortunately, the Koreans and Jiaozhi in the south still have demand for these things.

Therefore, it can be repaired and sold at a low price.

(End of this chapter)