The struggle of the reborn prince

The emperor's personal letter was delivered to those Confucian scholars five days later, which caused a sensation again. In fact, those Confucian scholars were also uneasy these days, bearing the pressure from their teachers and classmates.Who is the emperor, he can destroy a country with just a word, and killing them is like killing an ant.Furthermore, even if the emperor forgives them, the crime of disrespect is unavoidable, and his ten-year poor career is ruined, and his future will be ruined.

Now the emperor personally wrote back to refute their views, stated his own understanding, and very pertinently asked them to continue discussing and arguing together.Let’s not talk about whether the emperor’s words are reasonable, but this kind of mind immediately conquered the hearts of the vast number of Confucian scholars. Think about it, the emperor is a busy man with many affairs, and there are thousands of Confucian scholars like them in the Song Dynasty, but not only did they personally After reviewing their letters, and personally replying to them, it shows that Corporal Lixian is a true king of benevolence and righteousness!

And the emperor's reply quickly spread among scholars. If it is said that his literary talent is really unflattering, the whole text is in plain language, but it is also good. Surprisingly, the emperor also used a variety of symbols to break sentences, making the whole article more convenient and smooth to read. You don’t need to judge word by word, and you will get the wrong meaning if you are not careful.

Zhao Tong is now the emperor, and he is also a noble person. Not only did no one mention the matter of being tired of studying in the early years, but the matter of leaving countless tutors in anger was processed into the fact that the emperor was far smarter than ordinary people since he was a child, so that the tutors he hired felt that they were not knowledgeable. , without face to teach, resigned from the library in shame.But Zhao Tang and all the trusted ministers knew the level of their own half bottle of vinegar, and they were concise and concise when reviewing the memorabilia, just numbers.In order to avoid showing timidity in front of the majority of scholars.He has been thinking hard for many days, but he can't write a paper that is astonishing in the past.I simply finished this article with the vernacular that I am best at.

Zhao Tong first refuted the theory of 'no war' about the sages Confucius and Mencius.Said that the study of Confucianism so far has been based on the assumption that it is peaceful in nature, and does not advocate launching wars for any reason.This assumption is actually incorrect.In fact, Confucianism's high emphasis on morality did not rule out the use of war as a tool for governing the country. On the contrary, the sages believed that launching a "righteous war" means only opposing unjust wars and supporting just wars.

In the long history of China, wars have never stopped. Whenever possible, all dynasties will launch wars against neighboring countries for the purpose of punishing and expanding borders.It has always been regarded as the orthodox dynasty in the Central Plains, including the Han Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty.The attack of the Xiongnu in the Han Dynasty and the expelling of the Tuque in the Tang Dynasty were regarded as classic wars by Confucians of all dynasties to strengthen me and promote the prestige of China. Even in the Song Dynasty, they worked hard to recover Yanyun for more than a hundred years, and it has always been the wish of the gentry. It cannot also be considered belligerent.

For the understanding of "benevolence", Zhao Tuo believes that benevolence should be divided into "big benevolence" and "small benevolence".Initiating a war for the benefit of the country and protecting the people from being poisoned, eradicating evil forces, even if blood is shed for thousands of miles and slaughtered everywhere, should be regarded as justice, and what is done is the benevolence of a gentleman; otherwise.I turn a blind eye to the evil people who violate our country's territory and interests and kill our people, and just want to influence them by doing benevolent and righteous things.It is tantamount to raising a tiger as a plague, that is the benevolence of a woman...

In fact, Zhao Tun knows very well that the history of China is a history of wars, with constant military conflicts.Even the establishment of the various Central Plains dynasties that claimed to be orthodox were inseparable from wars, and their behavior in wars was no different from that of other countries.Just as cruel and arrogant, in fact, the dynasty that claims to rule the country with benevolence does not reject war.In the long-term implementation of foreign policy is also 'violence takes precedence over rule of benevolence'.In the reply, Zhao Tun had already spoken very tactfully in order not to irritate them.

And the distinction between justice and injustice is so vague. It is well known that when all the rulers start wars, even if it is a war of aggression, they must learn from their reputation and find a grandiose reason.And this is not difficult for those in power who can manipulate politics skillfully. They can always find ingenious ways to define the behavior of the enemy country as injustice or violation of moral principles.

Therefore, with proper guidance of public opinion, Confucian speeches can be used to justify defensive behavior as well as aggressive behavior, which is not difficult for Zhao Tun.Take Jurchen's "brother, brother and brother" as an example, when the father and elder brother die, the brothers can openly take the younger mother and sister-in-law into their arms.And this kind of behavior is illegal in Central Plains Confucianism, which is not tolerated by morality and secularism.From this alone, the Jurchens can be regarded as a model of moral decay, and it is completely reasonable and reasonable to send troops to conquer these 'beasts' without any difficulty.

Zhao Tong very much appreciates the assumption of offensive realism by a theorist in his previous life. All countries in the world will regard survival as the most important goal, although it is not the only goal.But in a pinch, survival trumps all other goals. Survival means more than just maintaining a state's territorial integrity. Despite the fundamental importance of this goal, survival also means maintaining the autonomy of a state's decision-making process, not for others. or others around.

Now the root of Zhao Tong's conquests is actually to maintain the survival of the Song Dynasty. He knows that the stronger a country is compared to its competitors, the less likely its survival will be threatened.The primary goal that a great power can achieve is regional hegemony, and once it achieves regional hegemony, it has a further purpose: to prevent other great powers from controlling its own geographical area, and the best way is to become the only regional hegemony.East and Central Asia now have the potential to become a hegemon. Now there is only the Kingdom of Jin, so he must be conquered.What he has done is to remove all the internal and external obstacles to the realization of this strategy...

Zhao Tong was a little uneasy at first after sending out the reply letter. After all, his "theory" violated the understanding and cognition of "no war" by scholars over the years, broke the inherent conclusion, and might cause a war. One against ten thousand big debates.Thinking about facing a group of great Confucian scholars and scholars from all walks of life citing scriptures, eloquently, impassioned, and spitting, I have a headache, but he asked for it all. commanding heights without taking drastic measures!

In order to prepare for the possible debate, Zhao Tun really calmed down and read books for several days in retreat in the palace, which surprised everyone.But this controversy did not happen until he returned to Tokyo. Instead, those Confucian scholars once again wrote a letter to admit their recklessness and short-sightedness, and misinterpreted the thoughts of the sages. No one mentioned the 'no war' anymore.And Zhao Tun's good performance in the incident won him the respect and support of scholars again, and the public opinion began to overwhelmingly support the emperor's Yanjing speech...

At this time, the condolence envoy who went to Xiliao returned to report something to Zhao Tun, because after the death of Yelu Dashi, his son Yelu Yilie was young, according to the Khitan tradition, "the queen will be the queen of the country", and the queen Xiaotabuyan will be regent .But this woman is not simple, not only changed Yuan to Xianqing, but also called Zhi, known as Queen Gantian.Zhao Tong didn't think it was a big deal, there was also a tradition in the Central Plains where the emperor was young and the empress listened to the government behind a curtain, but Xiaota's 'steps' were a bit bigger.

Besides, Zhao Tun doesn't care who is in charge of Xiliao, as long as he can defend the country for the Song Dynasty and resist Western invasion, and as far as he knows, Xiao Ta Buyan himself has considerable ability to rule. During her rule, Xiliao society Stable, the economy continued to develop, and did not go downhill because of Dashi's death.But he knew that Xiliao, who had lost Yelu Dashi, had no ambition to continue conquering the Quartet, and returning to his homeland would eventually become a dream.

What interested Zhao Tun was another interesting thing brought back by the envoy of condolence.After learning the news of Yelu Dashi's death from Uighur merchants, Emperor Wanyan Quan of the Dajin Kingdom suddenly felt that this was a good opportunity, and immediately sent envoys to Xiliao, but not to express condolences, but to persuade them to surrender.Let’s say that mental patients like to be whimsical. At that time, Xiliao had just defeated the Sultan of the Seljuk Empire last year and conquered Khwarazm. He was in full swing and was also a very powerful Central Asian overlord. It was definitely not the time when Liao fell. The lost dog of the family, but he wanted to recruit him to reduce the threat of Song Dynasty.

However, the envoy Wanyan Quan chose was also an idiot. This person was named Niangao Hannu, and he arrived in the territory directly under the Western Liao Dynasty. At the time when Xiao Tabuyan, the Empress of Heaven, was riding a horse in the wild, Niangao Hannu said: "I will go The envoy of the country is here to invite you to surrender by the order of the emperor, and you will listen to the imperial edict immediately." He used to be engaged in diplomatic missions, but because he had successfully sent missions to the Uighur country many times, he was entrusted by Wan Yanquan to persuade him to surrender to the West. Liao's mission.

But this time, Han Nu's luck was very bad, because although the other party was a woman, she was a very strong woman.Xiao Ta Buyan was furious, ordered someone to pull him off the horse, and ordered him to kneel down.And Niangua Hannu is still alive and dead at this moment, scolding Xiaota for not smoking and rebelling against thieves, saying, "I am the envoy of the emperor, and humiliating myself will lead to crusade." If you want to cross Gaochang and Mobei, which were occupied by the Song Dynasty, it would be a joke to just say crusade.Xiao Ta Buyan giggled when he heard this, and chopped off Niangua Han Nu's head.

Zhao Tang thought that Xiao Ta's killing of the envoy was ill-considered, she didn't see the international situation clearly, if she handled this matter by herself, she would never kill Niangua Han Nu, at most she would beat him up and drive him away.Killing the envoy of Jin now is tantamount to sending a letter of war to the state of Jin. The two countries have completely turned against each other, but they did not consider that Xiliao is also facing the threat of Song. Breaking off diplomatic relations with Jin will lose a force that can contain Song.

However, Zhao Tun took advantage of it to be good-looking, and used it to launch a public opinion war, making the relationship between the two countries completely without room for maneuver... (To be continued...)