Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 672: Human Indifference
After hearing this, Zhezong said, "Since ancient times, the emperor never jokes. Since it is the uncle who agreed, then it is no different from my agreement. So that's it."

Before Zhezong finished speaking, Zhao Mu said, "Your Majesty, the conquest of Japan and the Jurchens is not something that can be done overnight. Our army is now exhausted and urgently needs a year or two of rest. Moreover, we have occupied so much land that it will take some time to digest it. There is no rush to conquer the Jurchen tribe. As for the conquest of Japan, we need some large enough ships and several powerful navies."

"Besides, I have heard from merchants in the south that there is more than just Japan overseas. The overseas territory is vast and there are rare treasures, gold and silver. If we can use these fleets to open up overseas, seize the gold and silver from the sea, and turn those foreigners into our slaves, then even if we dig another canal and build another Great Wall, it will not be the work of the country's demise."

After hearing this, Zhezong was slightly stunned, and then said: "Uncle, this idea is very bold. But if it is true, then we can give it a try. Since ancient times, the greatest achievement of a king is to expand territory. I also want to be a Heavenly Khan."

Zhao Mu said, "Since Your Majesty agrees, then in the next one or two years, please let those skilled craftsmen build large ships that can sail on the ocean, and then train the navy. In this way, we can firstly fulfill our promise to Goryeo and maintain the integrity of our Great Song. Secondly, we can use this navy to fulfill Your Majesty's ideal of expanding the territory and strengthening the country in the future."

Zhezong nodded and said, "Well! The money that my uncle plundered from the Liao Kingdom can be used for this purpose. In this case, I will send someone to prepare it later. Oh, my uncle, in seven days, you should go to Mount Tai with me to offer sacrifices to the gods. After all, it was my uncle who destroyed the Liao Kingdom, so the credit should go to my uncle."

Zhao Mu shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, that is not necessary. Your Majesty is the true dragon of our Song Dynasty. It is enough for Your Majesty, the true dragon, to go to Mount Tai to worship the Heaven and follow the ancestors. It is enough for me to be called the emperor in my own city of Lingzhou."

Zhezong smiled and said, "So, your uncle wants to return his fiefdom as well?"

Zhao Mu replied: "Your Majesty has promised me before that you would only let me take charge temporarily until..."

Zhezong shook his head and said, "This is a different time. Now my uncle is a meritorious official of the Song Dynasty. If I deprive him of his fiefdom at this time, it will inevitably lead to criticism. So my uncle should not mention the matter of depriving him of his fiefdom in the future."

Seeing that Zhezong was determined, Zhao Mu could no longer refuse.

Zhao Mu said, "If that's the case, then I will obey your orders. I will entrust the expedition to Japan to your majesty. And in the future, the troops under my command will be enough to defeat the Jurchen tribe."

Zhezong nodded after hearing this. After that, the monarch and his minister exchanged pleasantries for a while before Zhao Mu returned to the East Palace.

After Zhao Mu returned to the East Palace, Queen Wang, Concubine Zheng and others, who had not seen him for a long time, almost ate him. Facing these women in the deep palace who had been lonely for a long time, Zhao Mu had to comfort them for a long time before he satisfied them.

But Zhao Mu was happy to see this. He was now lying on the prince's dragon bed, surrounded by beauties on both sides. He was enjoying the most extreme tenderness in the world. Now Zhao Mu was thinking about what everyone would look like after he returned, after a year or so of absence.

Zhao Mu stayed in Bianjing for two days, during which he mostly visited friends, such as Duan Yu who came from afar and the prince of Goryeo.

Of course, in addition to meeting friends, Gao Mei also needs to comfort herself.

Moreover, Gao Mei told Zhao Mu in bed that when Zhao Mu had time, he should go to Dali. Because Duan Zhengchun was occupied by other women, and often lived in Mantuo Villa in Song Dynasty. As the mother of a country, Dao Baifeng could not travel with him. If Zhao Mu did not mind her old age, he would definitely go to Dali to accompany her for a few days when he had time.

After a short stay in the city of Bianjing, Zhao Mu set off to return to his own Lingzhou.

After many days of traveling, Zhao Mu finally returned to his comfortable home. Facing the return of His Majesty, his civil and military officials, as well as his concubines, all came to greet him. The leaders were naturally the two queens, Mu Wanqing and Li Qinglu.

When he saw everyone again, Zhao Mu disregarded his dignity and got off the dragon chariot and came to their side.

Zhao Mu's trip lasted nearly a year, and his many pregnant concubines gave birth. Zhao Mu had six new sons and five new daughters. All mothers and children were safe.

What Zhao Mu did not expect was that among the people who came to greet him this time were Yelu Yanxiu and Yelu Jinnu.

Although it was reasonable for the two of them to welcome him as concubines, in Zhao Mu's heart, they were his slaves, no different from other people.

Perhaps it was because the Liao Kingdom had been completely destroyed by her, or perhaps she had really kept her promise and allowed the Liao Kingdom to continue to exist as a small country, or perhaps she had already met those "family members" in the Liao Kingdom.

Or maybe Yelu Yanxiu knew the final outcome of her father Yelu Hongji and others. In short, Yelu Yanxiu is much more honest now.

Most of the Liao royal family members, except those who were brave enough to commit suicide for their country, and those who knew the current situation and surrendered early and were enfeoffed by Zhao Mu, were captured by him and taken to Bianjing.

However, the Song Dynasty did not hold a "captive presentation ceremony" to humiliate the Liao royal family.

Facing the Liao royal family, Zhezong showed the generosity of a great emperor. All the Liao royal family members who had previously held a rank were demoted and given titles.

For example, Yelu Hongji, the emperor of the Liao Dynasty, has now become the "King Guiyi" of the Song Dynasty. He was given the title "Guiyi", which means that from now on the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun belong to the Song Dynasty.

The other princes and grandsons of the emperor were also granted some titles. Except for the crown prince Yelu Yanxi, who was a duke, most of the others were marquises or earls.

Although their women and wealth were taken away by Zhao Mu, Zhezong also gave them some new ones. After all, the Song army captured a lot of prisoners in the Liao Kingdom this time. And Zhao Mu returned some to them after careful selection.

It also helped to appease the Liao royal family members.

However, Zhao Mu felt that these people were heartless. Most of them seemed to have no shame for the loss of their country. Just because the Emperor of Song Dynasty rewarded them with titles and mansions, they acted as if nothing had happened and started to live a life of debauchery in Bianjing City again.

Some people have a complete attitude of "I am happy here and don't miss Shu". After all, the pleasures of the Central Plains are much better than those of the Liao Kingdom in the bitter cold.

The Liao people always wanted to rule the Central Plains, and they wanted the living environment of the Central Plains. Now they still retain the aristocratic life of the Liao in the Song Dynasty. For most people, there is nothing better than this. Even if the country is destroyed and the family is ruined, even if Zhao Mu humiliates the queen, concubines, and princesses of the Liao Kingdom in every possible way, they all look indifferent. There is no greater indifference than this.

(End of this chapter)