The Jin army besieged the city, and the Song emperor’s daughter died

On the first day of May in the second year of Jingkang, the Dali delegation entered Kaifeng.

This is the second time that the Dali mission went to the Song Dynasty after ten years.

Nineteen years ago, Duan Zhengchun became a monk and took the same Zen position as Duan Zhengyan.

After ascending the throne for the first time and experiencing several years of turbulence, Duan Zhengyan finally stabilized the situation and immediately sent envoys to the Song Dynasty to provide tribute horses, musk, bezoars and other items to the Song Dynasty.

Emperor Daojun was extremely happy and conferred Duan Zhengyan the title of Doctor Jin Ziguanglu, Yunnan Jiedu Envoy, King of Dazhu Kingdom and Dali.

Dali became a nominal vassal state of the Song Dynasty.

For more than ten years, we have been living in peace and harmony, with occasional business transactions.

When Li Gang sent the list of the Dali mission, Zhao Fujin looked at the name of the head of the mission on the list and smiled: "Dali paid enough attention to it this time."

Li Gang asked: "Why do the officials say this?"

Zhao Fujin handed back the list: "Ten years ago, what was the name of the head of the envoy who visited the Song Dynasty?"

Li Gang thought for a moment and replied: "Li Zicong is the chief, and Li Boxiang is the deputy."

Zhao Fujin asked again: "What about this time?"

Li Gang lowered his head and glanced at the list: "Gao Kaisheng... this person is not outstanding..."

"But his surname is Gao!" Zhao Fujin stretched his slender waist and moved his fair neck: "In Dali, every copper coin that falls from the sky must have the surname Gao."

Li Gang immediately understood what Zhao Fujin meant.

The Gao family is in Dali, and they are not ordinary powerful officials. In a sense, the Dali Duan family is just the mascot of the Dali country, just a look-alike.

But it is actually the Gao family that is truly in power.

However, unlike Cao Aman, who held the emperor hostage to control the princes, the Gao family and the Duan family had their own way of living in peace.

The Gao family exercised their power and managed Dali's military and state affairs.

The Duan family, who held high imperial power, conferred and authorized the Gao family to be prime minister.

In Zhao Fujin's view, this has a hint of constitutional monarchy.

Of course, not completely.

The imperial power would occasionally try to challenge the prime minister and get something for himself, but the outcome was not very good.

Therefore, the balance between the Duan family and the Gao family mainly relies on blood ties.

For example, Duan Zhengchun said frankly that he, the king of Dali, was not as noble as the queen. Not only was he inferior, but he also respected his wife and would give his wife to the east, never to the west.

"Duan's Biography of Lanterns" contains: The state has a heroine, and the family has a lovely wife. It is also a good thing that a husband is not as good as his wife. Don't go west when your wife tells you to go east. Go east and talk sweetly, and go west to compete in martial arts and poems. The husband is born with no talents, and it is difficult to compare with the beautiful wife with red makeup.

This is unimaginable in the Central Plains dynasty. The proper harem interfered with politics and brought chaos to the court.

He will be nailed to the pillar of shame by the historian.

However, in Dali, this is the norm.

Today's King of Dali, Queen Duan Zhengyan of Dazhu Kingdom, still has the surname Gao.

The Dali Princess Duan Yuyan who came to Kaifeng this time was the direct descendant of Queen Gao.

After listening to Zhao Fujin's introduction to the Dali Dynasty, Li Gang admired him very much, because many of these things were not recorded in the internal documents of the Song Dynasty. Thinking again of Zhao Fujin's interpretation of the Jin Dynasty before the Battle of Jingkang, especially on the Jin Dynasty. An accurate analysis of the three major forces in the imperial court.

Li Gang even had some doubts. Emperor Daojun had previously felt that his daughter had been snatched away, which might make sense.

How did an emperor who had been pampered and lived in the palace since she was a child become so knowledgeable?

"Guan family, I have been in contact with Gao Kaisheng a lot during this period. In addition to business matters, do the officials have other things to deal with?" Li Gang bowed and asked.

Zhao Fujin nodded: "Yes!"

"The officials will tell you in detail!"

"I want to garrison Dali!"

Li Gang was startled and looked at Zhao Fujin with a puzzled face: "Guan, Dali is a vassal state of the Song Dynasty. There is no reason to use troops against it?"

Zhao Fujin smiled and said: "Garrisoning troops does not mean using troops. What I mean is that I want to rent a piece of land in Dali and deploy some troops. This is called... called... a military base."

Li Gang could understand the new word "military base" literally, but why did he do it like this?

"I have been thinking these days that when our business is developed enough, there will be a trade-off between our business and farming. If there is a natural disaster, we have to stockpile grain to avoid famine." Zhao Fujin explained.

Li Gang was in a daze: "What do the officials mean, do you want to buy grain from Dali?"

Zhao Fujin shook his head: "Buying grain is very expensive. I want to build several granaries for the Song Dynasty, such as Bagan and Tianzhu."

Tianzhu Li Gang is familiar with the Buddhist country.

Li Gang had heard of Bagan, but was not familiar with it.

"What do the officials mean by sending troops to Tianzhu and Bagan?" Li Gang frowned: "This front is too long. Soldier resources, logistics..."

"So we have to use Dali as a springboard." Zhao Fujin smiled and waved his hand: "This is all for the future. When that day comes, we will discuss it again. This time, when the Dali delegation enters Kaifeng, Prime Minister Li will have to work harder. It would be best to reach an all-weather, unrestricted strategic cooperative relationship with Dali.”

"But where are our bargaining chips?" Li Gang smiled bitterly.

When negotiating with others, if you don’t have any chips, how can you negotiate?

"There are no chips." Zhao Fujin smiled and said: "You only need to tell Gao Kaisheng that the reason why Taizu used his jade ax to draw a line to the west of the Dadu River and said, 'I don't have anything else' was not that Taizu did not dare to cross the river, but that The north is the Song Dynasty's most serious concern, and the Song Dynasty does not want the north and the south to fight."

Zhao Fujin turned around and walked to the Kanyu map beside him, and clicked on the northern part of the Song Dynasty: "But now the general trend of the world has changed. The Liao Kingdom was defeated by the Jin, and the Jin was defeated by the Song Dynasty. Xixia is already in the pocket of the Song Dynasty. When will it happen?" Take it when you want."

Zhao Fujin's meaning is obvious. Although he has no leverage, he can be a deterrent!

Now that the north of the Song Dynasty has been determined, it is not impossible to send troops southward. The Gao family in Dali has to make their own decisions and use their small territory to fight against the flourishing Song Dynasty...

"I understand!" Li Gang bowed and was about to leave, but Zhao Fujin stopped him again and warned him: "We, the Song Dynasty, are a country of etiquette, so please don't say threatening words, and even... you don't have to say some words yourself, do you understand? "

Although Li Gang was upright, he was not stupid. He bowed and smiled and said: "I am hosting a banquet tonight to entertain the Dali envoys. I would like to invite the third princess and Wanyan Zongwang to accompany me..."

"No!"

The rebuttal was crisp and clear, which made Li Gang very puzzled.

With Zhao Fujin's ice and snow intelligence, he should know what he wants to do, so why should he refute it? After blurting out the words, Zhao Fujin realized that he seemed to have no reason to object, so he could only smile awkwardly and said: "The third princess and Wanyan Zongwang...the two of them are sitting at the same table, will it be awkward?"

"Since we've already parted ways and both are fine, why is there any embarrassment?" Li Gang is indeed a straight man. If it were Li Bangyan at this time, he would definitely laugh in his heart: "The one who is embarrassed is not others, but the official himself, right?"

Li Gang didn't understand the emperor's intention, and Zhao Fujin was too embarrassed to say it clearly, so he could only wave his hand impatiently: "Okay, it's up to you, go ahead and do it!"

……

……

Under the arrangement of Honglu Temple, the Dali delegation has stayed in Guanyi.

After taking a short rest, Princess Duan Yuyan of Dali clamored to go out for fun. The girl in the age of jade is bright and lively. She wears a white lining inside and a blue waistcoat outside. Her slender waist is wrapped with colorful ribbons, embroidered with The flying butterflies and bees are completely different from the costumes of the Central Plains.

Especially Duan Yuyan's headdress is even more beautiful. The hanging white ribbon represents the wind of Xiaguan, the gorgeous floral decoration represents the flowers of Shangguan, the white top of the hat represents the snow of Cangshan Mountain, and the curved shape represents the moon of Erhai Lake.

This outfit is like wearing the wind, flowers, snow and moon of Yunnan on your body.

"Uncle Gao, I want to go out and play." Duan Yuyan pulled Gao Kaisheng's arm and said coquettishly.

Gao Kaisheng, who was also dressed in Dali clothes, looked at Duan Yuyan fondly and said, "Not now, your mother specifically told me to keep an eye on you before she left. This is not Dali. How can I tell your mother if I get lost?" ?”

"Oh, Uncle Gao, how could this bright and beautiful thing be lost? Besides, didn't you tell me on the way that the public security in Kaifeng City is good?" Duan Yuyan continued to act coquettishly.

Gao Kaisheng laughed and said: "Don't be anxious, the reception officer of Honglu Temple has said that the Song Dynasty court has arranged for someone to take you to visit Kaifeng. Please wait for a while until that person comes..."

Before he finished speaking, Yicheng of the posthouse suddenly appeared at the door and said: "Envoy Gao, the Minister of Honglu Temple has come to pay a visit. Please speak in the front hall of Ambassador Gao."

Gao Kaisheng nodded: "Please wait a moment, I'll be there right away."

After seeing off Yi Cheng, Gao Kaisheng told the maid beside Duan Yuyan: "Keep an eye on the princess and don't go out."

After that, Gao Kaisheng got dressed and headed towards the front hall of the inn.

Duan Yuyan pouted her lips reluctantly. Seeing Gao Kaisheng's figure disappearing at the end of the corridor, she pulled the maid and smiled sweetly: "Let's go, slip out!"

The maid's face turned pale and she repeatedly advised: "Princess, just wait a moment. Someone arranged by the Song Dynasty Court will come to pick you up soon. It's better to have someone as a guide than us going out for a wander."

Duan Yuyan snorted disdainfully: "Humph, what's the fun in following a guide? It will only take you to the prepared place, how boring. I heard my father say that the beauty of Kaifeng is not elsewhere, but in the fireworks in Fangshi, and the spaciousness The Royal Street has a dazzling array of shops, as well as storytellers and jugglers..."

"Princess, Master Gao just gave a special explanation..." The maid was confused.

Duan Yuyan curled her lips: "There are also crispy honey snacks, fragrant candies, honey-fried carvings, and in today's weather, there is also mung bean smoothie. Do you want to eat it?"

The maid closed her mouth and swallowed: "But...but..."

"Oh, don't worry, sneak out quickly, wait until Uncle Gao comes back!" Duan Yuyan took the maid and stuck her head out to look around. She saw seven or eight Dali Kingdom guards on the corridor. Duan Yuyan shrank back again. Turning his head, he looked out the window: "Let's jump out of the window!"

"Jump out of the window?" As soon as the maid finished speaking, Duan Yuyan had already rolled out of the window, holding the edge of the window with her hands and hanging down. She let go and landed in the back garden of the inn.

The maid quickly ran to the window and looked down. Duan Yuyan was waving to her excitedly: "Jump down, jump down!"

The maid no longer hesitated, took two steps back, made a fierce dash, spread her wings with a roc, and landed firmly beside Duan Yuyan. The two of them followed the corner of the wall and slipped to the back door of the inn. They pulled the door latch and swaggered Went out.

The post station that receives envoys from various countries and foreign ministers entering Beijing is on Guozi Street, directly opposite the Kaifeng government office and Yushitai.

Going west from Guozi Street, you will go straight to Yu Street.

The moment she saw Yujie, Duan Yuyan was stunned. She excitedly pulled the maid and said, "Xiaocui, look, look, this is Yujie."

The maid Xiaocui was even more surprised than Duan Yuyan. She had never dared to imagine that there were such spacious streets in this world.

Even the main hall of the Dali Palace and the avenue where officials went to court were far inferior to the imperial street in front of them.

The wide street of more than sixty feet is paved with huge bluestones. Each of these bluestones is regular and the same. The entire street is as smooth as if it had been cut by a knife.

On both sides of the imperial street are fragrant peaches and plums, and green willows hang low.

In this land of low-hanging green willows, there are a wide variety of shops on both sides with spacious entrance halls and signboards of different shapes, making it dizzying to see.

"Princess...this is the fairyland, right?" Xiaocui said with a naive smile.

Duan Yuyan put her hands behind her back, walked lightly, raised her head slightly and said, "Father said that he had been here when he was young. We are called to walk the road of the emperor again."

Xiao Cui just looked around, pointing at the novel signs from time to time: "Princess, look, there are people selling cats and dogs."

Duan Yuyan smiled and said: "It's rare to see a lot of strange things. I heard from my father that every household in Song Dynasty keeps cats and dogs. They are not used to look after the homes and homes and catch mice. They are... raised like sons and daughters."

Xiaocui was speechless: "Tsk, tsk, tsk, Song people are really rich."

When Xiaocui thinks about it, many people in Dali sometimes don't have enough to eat. How can they have enough food to feed cats and dogs? Every household in the Song Dynasty can raise cats and dogs. That's not how rich they are!

After walking along the Royal Street for a long time, Xiao Cui's stomach growled: "Princess, can we... have something to eat?"

After having breakfast in the early morning and driving dozens of miles, it was already noon when we entered Kaifeng. Although meals were provided at the post station, Xiaocui was busy cleaning up the house for Duan Yuyan and did not finish one bite. She wanted to eat something after finishing her work. , but he didn’t expect to be dragged out by Duan Yuyan to go shopping.

"Eat?" Duan Yuyan frowned and thought: "Let's go, I'll take you to eat something good!"

Xiaocui followed behind and asked, "Where to eat?"

Duan Yuyan shook her head and said: "Of course I want to go to the best restaurant in Kaifeng City! My father said that there are seventy-two-floor restaurants in Kaifeng, and Fanlou is the best among them! My father also said that he lived in Fanlou for a long time. If you don’t think about Dali, I will take you to see the world!”

"But...but do you know where Fan Tower is? Kaifeng City is so big, could it be lost?" Xiao Cui hesitated.

"My father said, be careful when you go out. Have you seen the fisherman by the river? Just go and ask him."

As they talked, the two walked towards the Bianhe River. When they came to a few bare-chested rough men, Duan Yuyan cupped her hands and said, "Hey, boatman, can I ask for directions? Where is Fan Tower?"

The rough man who was chatting by the river turned around and saw two beautiful little girls. One of the rough men cleared his throat: "You two ladies want to go to Fanlou? Then take my boat, I will take you two." Go, little lady.”

Duan Yuyan said happily: "Song people are really enthusiastic, so there will be labor boatmen."

After that, he stepped onto the boat with Xiao Cui's help.

When the rough guy saw the two people boarding the boat, he turned to the other rough guys and smiled, and whispered: "Outlanders, big business."

After that, he also jumped on the boat and held up the pole: "You two ladies, sit tight, go to Fan Tower and start walking!" (End of this chapter)