I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 362: Tough! The Liao delegation left Beijing in disgrace, and the Japanese who disrupted the situation arrived.
Inside the Chui Gong Hall.

Bao Zheng and General Su Liang reported to Zhao Zhen about Yeluzhao, the deputy envoy of the Liao Kingdom, who attempted to set fire to the Longyu Army camp.

"Officials, this year's Liao delegation is really arrogant. They first concealed a knife to trap our dynasty, and now they resorted to such despicable means to burn down our heavy cavalry barracks."

"I suggest that the Liao mission be expelled immediately and a letter of credence be sent to the Emperor of Liao!"

"If the Emperor of the Liao Kingdom cannot come up with an attitude that satisfies us, we will close our business and completely sever diplomatic relations with the Liao Kingdom after the new year!"

Su Liang had put a lot of effort into Long Yujun, and when he saw that he was almost burned, he was naturally extremely angry.

aside.

Bao Zheng cupped his hands and said, "I second my opinion."

At this time.

Eight ministers, Wen Yanbo, Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang, Zhang Fangping, Fan Zhongyan, Wu Yu, Song Xiang and Wang Yaochen, also came to Chui Gong Hall.

The total revenue of the Song Dynasty treasury this year totaled more than 120 million yuan.

Wei Ze, the Marquis of Yu and the Imperial Guard, stood at the gate and shouted at the top of his lungs: "All the Liao people in Duting Post Station must gather in the front yard immediately. Anyone who can't hide will be killed without mercy!"

However, Zhang Fangping, Wu Yu, Song Xiang, and Wang Yaochen were relatively conservative and always hoped to resolve conflicts with foreign countries in a relatively peaceful manner.

Fu Bi raised his hand again and said: "Officials, I am willing to write a letter of condemnation!"

As everyone knows, the deputy envoy of the Liao State, Yelu Zhao, attempted to burn down the Long Yu Army's barracks but failed.

Wu Yudao: "I suggest that this matter should be reported to the world, so that everyone can know the shameless behavior of the Liao Kingdom!"

"The sun rises from the west today? In the past, your attitude towards Liao was never so tough!"

According to the three people's understanding of your husband.

The voices of all the ministers were loud and they all raised their hands.

"No. Even if there is a war, I, the Song Dynasty, will not be able to attack their mission. I guess it is the Liao mission that has done some shameful things."

Zhang Fangping then cupped his hands and said, "I think that since the Liao envoys have committed such chaos, we, the Song Imperial Army, should escort them out of the country!"

The Song Dynasty was still eliminating redundant officials, the court's expenses continued to decrease, and its income continued to increase.

"What mistake did the Liao mission make... to make the Imperial Guards so angry? Isn't the matter of desecrating clothes and hiding books already over?"

……

Fan Zhongyan said: "The Long Yu Army is the emperor's bodyguard. I face the emperor's face and will not be offended in this way. He must be punished according to the laws of the Song Dynasty!"

Wen Yanbo, Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang, and Fan Zhongyan may agree with this suggestion.

……

At this time.

This is the most obvious sign that the Song Dynasty is heading towards prosperity.

This move quickly attracted many nearby people to come over and watch.

Hearing this, the surrounding people in Bianjing were stunned.

That’s nearly 40 million more than last year.

If you have money, you will have confidence.

"Over... over 100 million!" Su Liang exclaimed.

This suggestion is almost equivalent to breaking off diplomatic relations with Liao or going to war.

"For the record, just an hour ago, the Third Division just compiled the treasury revenue for this year (the twelfth month of last year to the winter month of this year is a complete cycle). If there is a war at the beginning of the year, we can still afford it. "

"Should...could it be that the Liao Kingdom started a war with us?"

Wang Yaochen smiled slightly.

This uniform voice confused Zhao Zhen, Bao Zheng and Su Liang.

The public's words are more forceful than the last.

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but laugh.

This kind of formation is like ransacking a house.

Zhao Zhen leaned on the throne, looked up and smiled: "Haha, we can fight! We can fight!"

An hour later.

"I second the proposal!"

Zhao Zhen said: "Su Qing and Bao Qing both suggested expelling the Liao mission immediately and sending a letter of denunciation to the Liao Emperor. What do you think?"

Zhao Zhen opened the document and couldn't help but be overjoyed, and then handed the document to Bao Zheng and Su Liang.

He took out a document from his arms and presented it to the imperial court.

now.

……

A large number of Forbidden Army soldiers armed with long knives and heavy crossbows surrounded Duting Post.

The people watching were talking a lot, and they were very excited to see the Liao mission defeated.

at this time.

Liao State Commander Xiao Shu, who was missing two front teeth and still had bruises on his cheeks, quickly came to the gate of Duting Posthouse.

He looked at Wei Ze, the bodyguard and the horse army, and said, "General, what is this... what is this... going to do?"

Wei Ze ignored him and looked into the courtyard.

When he saw that the Liao people in the courtyard were almost assembled, he said loudly: "Last night, Yeluzhao, the deputy envoy of the Liao mission, led seven Liao people and failed to burn down our Longyu Army camp. The method was despicable and extremely shameless. The officials even It’s outrageous!”

"It is now an official edict to expel all members of the Liao envoy. They will be escorted out of the country by our Imperial Army of the Song Dynasty early tomorrow morning!"

Hear this.

Xiao Shu explained with his leaky teeth: "General, this matter was all Yeluzhao's idea. I...I had no involvement, and it has nothing to do with any of us! We are here to congratulate Zhengdan, The Song Dynasty cannot drive us all away, I...I want to see your official family!"

Wei Ze snorted coldly and shouted towards the courtyard: "Count the number of people and then seal the door!"

Xiao Shu suddenly collapsed on the ground, knowing that explanations were useless.

The Liao mission was destroyed.

At this moment, the people watching finally understood the reason.

Someone shouted: "Injure our Long Yu army and kill them!"

"Kill them!"

"Kill them!"

"Kill them!"

……

The soldiers of the Long Yu Army all came from ordinary people's families, and their average age was only about twenty years old. After winning the battle of Xiongzhou City, they became the favorites of countless people.

The people could not tolerate any harm to them.

Seeing that the people were so excited, Wei Ze pressed his hands to signal the people to calm down.

immediately.

He said loudly: "Don't worry, everyone, the officials have said that the Emperor of Liao will definitely give an explanation on this matter. If we cannot be satisfied, we will close the market and completely sever diplomatic relations with Liao. Even if we start a war because of this, we will No fear at all!”

Wei Ze was very excited when he said these words.

Without an explanation from his superiors, he wouldn't have dared to say such strong words.

for a long time.

The military generals of the Song Dynasty simply did not dare to say such words of "not afraid of war", but today, it is very different from the past.

The surrounding Forbidden Soldiers held their waists high.

The current Song Dynasty does not tolerate bullying by anyone.

……

soon.

The news that the Liao envoys would be expelled from the Song Dynasty tomorrow due to their failed attempt to burn the Long Yu Army barracks spread to the streets.

A country’s mission.

They were all expelled before the New Year's Day.

This has never happened in the entire history of the Song Dynasty.

The people cursed the Liao envoy for being shameless and praised the court for its toughness.

About it.

Naturally, it was also noticed by the diplomatic missions from various countries.

They understood that making good friends with the Song Dynasty was the wisest choice.

……

Early morning on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.

In front of Dutingyi.

Hundreds of Liao people stood on the road with their heads lowered, all dejected.

They know what it means to go back this time.

Except for Xiao Shu, who had lost two front teeth, and Yeluzhao, who was paralyzed, who rode in a horse-drawn carriage, everyone else rode in a peace car carrying goods.

The driver is naturally themselves.

There was no need for a prison car, Da Song had already given them face.

Let Xiao Shu and Yeluzhao ride in the carriage to prevent their death. Others took the Taiping Car to get them out of Song Dynasty as soon as possible.

It's cold in the twelfth lunar month, and it gets colder as you go north.

There will definitely be casualties in the Liao mission, but they deserve it. The Song Dynasty is completely irresponsible.

"set off!"

A burly general from the Imperial Army of the Song Dynasty waved his hand and shouted loudly.

And this moment.

On both sides of the street, people were standing with people carrying bamboo baskets.

As the team sets off.

The people of Bianjing took rotten eggs and rotten vegetable leaves in bamboo baskets and threw them at the Liao envoy.

Smash it! While scolding!

"As a mission of a country, if you don't know the etiquette, justice and integrity, and do such sloppy things, you deserve to be damned! You really deserve to be damned!"

"Shameless, despicable, if you have the guts, fight us head-on and use such a dirty trick, I will curse you to give birth to a child without an asshole!"

"Go back and tell your emperor that if you really want to fight, I will help you even if you want to sell iron. I, the Song Dynasty, is no longer someone you can bully if you want!"

……

On both sides of the crowd.

The Kaifeng government officials maintained order and prevented anyone from rushing over and causing violence.

And Bao Zheng was also watching in the crowd.

last night.

He guessed that the people of Bianjing would definitely humiliate the Liao envoy.

Then he sent someone to inspect and found that many people had prepared bamboo baskets overnight.

In the bamboo basket.

It was filled with rocks the size of fists, even scissors, ceramic jars the size of your head, iron lumps the size of persimmons, etc.

If these objects are thrown over.

It is estimated that the Liao envoys were all thrown to the ground by the people before they left Bianjing City.

Bao Zheng also knew that the people were agitated and it would be difficult to stop them forcefully. Even if the people are replaced by less harmful but more insulting items such as rotten eggs and rotten vegetables.

The people of Bianjing were relatively cooperative, and no one came up with weapons with huge destructive power.

Occasionally someone would throw cow dung at them, but Bao Zheng turned a blind eye.

that's it.

The Liao envoy Xiao Shu, who had lost two teeth, and the deputy envoy Yeluzhao, who had lost half his life, led the Liao envoy of several hundred people and left Bianjing in embarrassment amidst the abuses of the people of the Song Dynasty.

I still remember three years ago.

The Liao mission was still domineering and glorious.

He came to Bianjing proudly, and after enjoying some compliments, he pulled a cart full of rewards and returned home loaded with rewards.

Days like this may never happen again.

……

Not even half a day after the Liao delegation left, Fu Bi's letter of denunciation was written.

More than three thousand words.

From writing in obscene clothes to setting fire to Long Yu's military camp, he finished scolding the Liao envoys and the Liao court.

After Ouyang Xiu read it, he polished it up to more than 5,000 words.

About it.

The Song Dynasty holds absolute truth, and no one can criticize it too much.

On the same day, this letter of condemnation was also sent to the Liao Kingdom, and it is expected that it will be delivered to Yelu Zongzhen in early January.

Followed by.

Bianjing gradually regained its tranquility, and the people once again shifted the focus of their lives to the important event of the New Year.

The twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month is the new year, that is, the small year.

In Bianjing City, the flavor of the New Year is getting stronger.

This day.

Every household will buy door gods, Zhong Kui, peach boards, peach charms and other New Year items that need to be posted.

Ordinary people's homes.

Wine lees will be smeared on the stove door, and the Stove Lord's portrait will be pasted on the stove.

Wealthy families will set up an altar, ask monks or Taoist priests to chant sutras, and prepare some wine to worship the gods.

In the streets and alleys, people have started setting off firecrackers.

Countless children are running around and playing wildly, and celebrating the New Year is the happiest thing for them.

……

In the afternoon, the Reform Department.

Zhao Zhen, the father-in-law of the two government departments and the three departments, and all members of the Reform Department gathered in the conference hall.

It’s time again for the annual reform summary meeting.

Finish this year.

The entire Song Dynasty's political reform spanned three years.

this moment.

Everyone is reading the "Records of the Three Years of Reform in the Song Dynasty" newly published by the Reform Department.

Everyone couldn't help but smile when they saw the reforms they had implemented.

This year.

The imperial court implemented the tea introduction law, reformed the official sales system, and eliminated a large number of officials, which benefited both the small businessmen and the common people at the bottom.

This year.

The Cuju Competition throughout the Song Dynasty is in full swing, which not only provides many opportunities for the people at the bottom to make money, but also makes business flows in various local and state capitals more frequent.

This year.

The Song Dynasty defeated the Liao Kingdom, captured the Liao King Yelu Chongyuan, abolished the annual currency, and fully demonstrated the power of the great country.

This year.

The Song Dynasty began to gnaw at the hardest bones of the Song Dynasty's reform, comprehensively reforming the civil service and reducing officials. It is expected that it will be completely rolled out in local and state capitals early next year.

……

After everyone had finished reading the "Summary of the Three Years of Reform in the Song Dynasty", Zhao Zhen slowly spoke.

"Everyone has worked hard this year!"

"I have already spoken about the summary at the end of the year at the court meeting, so I won't repeat it again. Let's look forward to next year."

"The focus next year will naturally be the implementation of the policy of reducing local officials. Local reduction of officials is still a hard nut, and we must gnaw it down one bite at a time without compromising. In addition, the various strategies of the reform must continue to be supervised and completed strictly... "

"Next year may be a year of stable development, but there may also be many variables."

"Maybe Xixia will invade the border; maybe we will go into full-scale war with the Liao Kingdom; maybe Nong Zhigao in the southern border will cause trouble again..."

"But no matter what kind of problems we encounter, we must solve them thoroughly. I believe that the main direction of our reform in the Song Dynasty next year should be to seek stability while changing, and to seek change while maintaining stability."

"I remember that when I asked you about the focus of the next reform last year, some of you wanted to expand armaments and open up the northwest; some wanted to continue to expand state schools, county schools, and libraries; some wanted to repair rivers and dams to prevent floods. ; Some want to vigorously reclaim wasteland, build bridges and roads, and solve various problems in people's lives..."

"I think we can start doing these things one after another, but we must seek stability amidst changes!"

……

This meeting lasted until dusk, and the core of the meeting was only eight words: seek stability amid change, and seek change amid stability.

then.

Zhao Zhen brought his ministers to Fan Tower.

There are too many rules when hosting a banquet in the palace, which is far less comfortable and enjoyable than in Fan Lou.

Zhao Zhen was also happy to toast and drink with the ministers outside the confinement and chat about some interesting things.

The wine lasted until late at night before everyone dispersed.

In the days to come, there is no need to go to the Yamen. If there is nothing to do at the Yamen, you can stay at home and prepare the New Year's goods.

……

The twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month.

After breakfast, there was a constant flow of people in Su Liang's house.

Because Su Liang is currently the commander-in-chief of Yushitai, and his father-in-law Tang Ze is the elder and lives in Bianjing City.

According to etiquette.

Officials from Yushitai, including Wang Anshi, Sima Guang and other peers who were promoted by Su Liang, also came to Su Liang's home to pay New Year's greetings in advance.

These people focus on etiquette rather than affection.

Some will give you two bottles of wine, some will give you a bag of tea, some will give you an exquisite porcelain bottle, and some will give you a book...

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang gave the most unique gifts.

Wang Anshi personally carried 30 kilograms of flour and said it was fine flour ground from Jinan's new wheat this year. It was very strong and he asked Su Liang to have a taste.

Sima Guang sent a volume of historical treatises he had recently written for Su Liang to read and correct.

Su Liang was very busy.

Those who gave gifts all these years ago will naturally return gifts later in the year.

It's almost dusk.

Finally there were no more visitors.

Su Liang started playing with his son and daughter in the backyard of Su's house.

Not long after.

Su Qin rode on Su Liang's neck, waved a branch, and played with Su Zimu who was hanging on the peach tree.

Su Liang listened to his daughter's instructions and kept changing positions to prevent his son from attacking his stomach.

My son and daughter had a lot of fun.

Although Su Liang was so tired that he was sweating profusely, he was happy in his heart.

……

at this time.

Uncle Ji came to report, and Wang Yaochen, the envoy of the Third Division, came to ask for an audience.

Su Liang hurried to the front hall.

According to the usual practice, he should be the one to pay New Year's greetings to Wang Yaochen. After all, the other party's qualifications are much higher than Su Liang's.

But Su Liang changed his mind.

Maybe it was because he helped Sansi make money this year, and Wang Yaochen came to thank him.

Su Liang strode to the front hall. Before he saw Wang Yaochen, he smiled and said loudly: "Oh! It's Chinese New Year, you don't need to get gifts, you don't need to spend so much money..."

These words.

Su Liang had said it no less than ten times today, and then the words came out of his mouth without thinking due to conditioned reflex.

However, he looked up.

It was discovered that Wang Yaochen had no subordinates with him and his hands were empty.

Wang Yaochen's face turned red.

"Jing Ming, I have something serious to do with you. The gift... I forgot the gift. I... I... will make up for it tomorrow!"

"No, no, study room please, study room please, I'm just kidding!"

Su Liang pushed Wang Yaochen to the study.

Because they were both in the Reform Department, the two were very familiar with each other and could make any kind of joke.

This embarrassment was over in an instant.

……

After a while.

The two sat down and a servant brought hot tea.

Wang Yaochen said: "Jingming, the Japanese delegation is here this morning!"

"what?"

Su Liang was a little surprised.

In recent years, although maritime trade between the Japanese and the Song Dynasty has become more and more frequent, official exchanges have been rare.

Due to location.

The relationship between the Japanese court and the Liao Kingdom and Goryeo was closer.

"They came here this time, on the one hand, to congratulate me on my royal homage, and on the other hand, for maritime trade."

"In the afternoon, the Japanese envoy Fujiwara Nobu came to me, hoping that the merchants of the Song Dynasty could do business with the Japanese court instead of some smuggling Japanese people."

"I estimate that they have seen our excessive demand for Japan's gold, silver, sulfur, etc. in the past two years, so they want to cut off the transactions of Japanese merchants and cooperate with us directly."

Hearing this, Su Liang frowned.

This is not a good thing.

The Song Dynasty cooperated with smuggling Japanese merchants. The latter were risky and eager to ship goods, so they could lower prices. The initiative was always in the hands of the Song Dynasty merchants.

But if these transactions were monopolized by the Japanese court, it would be difficult to say.

Wang Yaochen continued: "Fujiwara Nobu invited me to have a detailed discussion at Fanlou tomorrow noon. Please accompany me. The Japanese sulfur is very important to us. There must be no accidents in this business!"

"Okay, let's go meet him tomorrow." Su Liang said.

(End of this chapter)