The tenth year of Xining, the first month.
In the first month of the first lunar month, envoys from the Liao Kingdom, Xixia, and Goryeo also came to congratulate the officials of the Song Dynasty.
In terms of etiquette, in the Liao Kingdom, Western Xia people did not bow to their monarchs when they saw them, while in Goryeo and Huihe, they had to bow down in order to show their vassalage.
After the pilgrimage, the emperor would give a banquet to the envoys of Liao and Goryeo, but other envoys such as Xixia did not receive this treatment.
In short, the Liao Kingdom is on one level, and the Xixia and Goryeo countries are on another level, but there are differences due to the closeness and distance between the two countries.
There are also high and low levels of accommodation. Envoys from Liao, Xixia, and Korea all have fixed residences, while other envoys are arranged to live in concierge hotels.
In addition to paying homage to the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, the Liao envoys also had to burn incense at Daxiangguo Temple the next day, and then go to the South Imperial Garden to shoot arrows. The Song Dynasty also selected military ministers who were good at archery to accompany the Liao envoys in archery.
The military ministers accompanying him this time were Zhong E, Liu Changzuo and Yao Lin.
They made great contributions in last year's Taoshui victory, and were recommended to Beijing by Li Xian and Zhang Kai to receive rewards.
In the past, when watching shooting competitions in the Imperial Garden, people would go to the Imperial Garden to watch the excitement.
Now that I heard that he was a famous general from Xihe Road, countless people from the city went to the imperial garden to watch, and the crowds of people were a grand occasion.
Seeing this scene, the officials slightly raised the corners of their mouths, and immediately ordered the shooting contest to begin.
Feng Jing, Wang Gui, Zhang Yue and other prime ministers sat aside, while Wang Anshi asked for leave. Since that day's banquet, Wang Anshi began to gradually fade out of the court.
Zhang Yue took a sip of tea and watched Zhong E, Liu Changzuo and Yao Lin riding into the imperial garden. In the past, archery competitions were all false. Both the Song and Liao sides waited for the soldiers to string up the crossbow bolts, and then handed them over to the Liao envoys and Song ministers for the competition. Both sides only had to pull the teeth of the crossbows.
But today is different. The competition of these false stories has been cancelled.
The three men of Zhong'e all entered the imperial garden on horseback. Their horses were filled with arrows. It seemed that they were trying to shoot on horseback.
Zhang Yue saw the surprised look on the Liao envoy's side. They didn't expect that the Song people would actually play it real this time. This was a skill that was better than real swords and spears.
Zhang Yue knew this well, and it seemed that the official family was gradually showing its edge.
Immediately, both sides sent three people to ride and shoot, and the competition officially began. Once the three accompanying archers hit the target, the surrounding people all cheered. On the contrary, no matter whether the Liao envoy's shot hit or missed, there was silence in the field.
When a Song Dynasty official succeeded in shooting, the official sitting on the throne was very happy, and then gave a reward to Shi Deyi next to the throne.
Silver pommel horses, clothing, gold and silver utensils, etc. were given one after another.
In the end, the three of them were better than the Liao archers brought by the Liao envoys, and the people shouted, as if the Song army had defeated the Liao on the front line, and they were very proud.
Zhonge, the last one to appear, proudly raised his riding bow and rode around the shooting garden three times.
Wherever Zhong E passed, the people burst into enthusiastic cheers.
At this moment, the officials whispered: "This act of planting is really taking over the host."
"If you get carried away with yourself, there will be disaster."
"It is definitely not a good thing for a military official to succeed."
"In the beginning, I built the city of Suizhou privately, recruited Weiming brothers to rebel against Xia, and was promoted to an official position for his military merits. If this person succeeds, the imperial court will have trouble with Xixia again in the future."
"Encouraging side work is not a blessing to the country."
At this time, the Liao envoy, who had failed in the archery competition, just said that the bows of the Song Dynasty were not good. The officials laughed and gave the Liao envoy the same reward.
The official looked at the three military ministers in the field with happy faces, and said to the Prime Minister on the side: "Zhang Kai is really good at selecting talents."
Zhang Yue sat on the chair and was speechless. These three people were discovered by Zhang Yue when he was the envoy of Xihe Road.
Li Xian and Zhang Kai used the talents they cultivated and the soldiers and horses they worked hard to build to achieve world-shaking achievements. However, the officials did not know whether they had forgotten or something, but in front of Zhang Yue and several prime ministers, they praised Zhang Kai's achievements.
Of course, Zhang Yue would not talk about these merits at this time. As a ruler and an administrator competing for merit, this situation would be small.
Officially, he decided to promote Zhong E to the position of deputy capital commander in front of the palace and transfer him to the capital to command the imperial army.
Zhang Yue thought to himself that the officials had poached Zhang Kai from him, and they had poached Zhang Er from Zhang Kai.
But thinking about the differences between the official family and Empress Dowager Gao, I understood his intention. The Forbidden Army must have its own trusted generals.
Officials are now building their own team, whether it is to exterminate Xia, or to establish a heir apparent, or to adopt new laws.
Officials must all "cut off my will" and never rely on others. In this way, after Wang Anshi came down, it was a situation of group prime ministers, and there was no such thing as an independent prime minister.
The three military ministers left the Shinan Imperial Garden with great honors, and the common people lined the streets to see them off.
The officials and several prime ministers also left the imperial garden.
On the way, Feng Jing said: "Your Majesty, this time the envoy from Xia Kingdom has decided to stay until after the Shangyuan Festival."
The official asked: "Does Li Bingchang really want to attach himself to the Song Dynasty?"
Feng Jing explained that it turned out that Li Bingchang, the leader of the Xixia Kingdom, sent envoys to express his goodwill to the Song Dynasty.
It turned out to be after the Taoshui defeat in Xixia last year. Xixia also immediately adjusted its stance towards the Song Dynasty.
Li Bingchang, the leader of the Xixia Kingdom, began to rule personally. In the past, the affairs of the Xixia Kingdom had been controlled by the Empress Dowager Liang and her brother Prime Minister Liang Yimi.
The two brothers and sisters have always advocated uniting the Liao Kingdom to reject the Song Dynasty. This time, Li Bingchang actively improved relations with the Song Dynasty after taking office.
First of all, Xixia once again offered money and sincerity to the Song Dynasty.
But Li Bingchang was not simply pro-Song. He was also prepared for both battle and battle.
To be able to fight, you must first be able to fight. Xixia's thinking is very clear. Therefore, Xixia continued to send troops into the four roads of Shaanxi to show off its military power. At the same time, a lecture hall was built near Huanqing Road in the Song Dynasty.
At the same time, Li Bingchang expressed his sincerity in negotiating peace to the Song Dynasty through Yu Zanghuama, the current deputy general manager of troops and horses in Qinfeng Road.
However, the officials did not fully believe in Li Bingchang's sincerity. Instead, Zhang Yue asked Feng Jing: "The Xia Kingdom has always been cunning and changeable, and the rebellious minister Li Yuanhao betrayed his trust many times back then. This time Li Bingchang showed kindness to me, the ministers thought that how?"
Feng Jingdao: "What your Majesty said is absolutely true. The barbarians are cunning and repeated, so we should not trust them easily. The Xia Kingdom is always in a state of obedience and rebellion, so we must accommodate them. We cannot get involved in their political affairs."
The official was quite dissatisfied with Feng Jing's words and said: "I heard what Yu Zanghuama said. Li Bingchang did resume the practice of Han rituals in the palace and wanted to change the Han system. This is not a Chinese intention? What does Zhang Qing know?"
Zhang Yue said: "At the beginning, Yu Zanghuama was a minister who wanted to surrender. Later, he was very determined to follow the Song Dynasty. His words should be credible."
The official asked: "Looking from this point of view, can Li Bingchang succeed in changing the imperial system?"
Zhang Yue said: "I believe that the way to control chaos is both fundamental and professional."
"Xixia was newly defeated, and the people and scholars were depressed. Li Bingchang wanted to change to the Han system, intending to change his laws and save the country, so he changed his mind and did it."
"But the customs of the Xia Kingdom are very different from those of China. If you change the customs without changing the basics, this reform is not in line with people's hearts and will definitely fail!"
Li Bingchang changed Xixia to the Han system, which was exactly the same as the emperor's reform, in order to regain power from the old forces and strengthen the imperial power.
Zhang Yue said that Li Bingchang's reform would definitely fail.
Wang Anshi's reform proposed "change customs and legislate laws". To change the system, we must first change the customs.
Unless Li Bingchang could imitate Emperor Xiaowen of Wei and move the capital to Luoyang, it would be impossible to change customs successfully.
Changing the law without changing the customs is a waste of time.
Ignoring the traditional governance methods and long-held cultural traditions of the Xixia nomadic people, this was undoubtedly putting the cart before the horse, so Zhang Yue concluded that his restructuring would fail.
The official was overjoyed after hearing Zhang Yue's words, and still said: "But Li Bingchang supports the Han system and shows his favor to me. If he doesn't support it, why should he be allowed to explain to the people? Even if his reform fails, he can still be made Internal friction and loss of national strength.”
Zhang Yue's original intention is that Li Bingchang's reform will inevitably fail, so our odds of winning on him are very low. But the officials believe that no matter whether he wins or loses, we must train him well so that he can consume Xixia's national power.
Zhang Yue thought to himself that the official idea could not be said to be wrong, but it seemed too straightforward.
Instead, I would kindly advise Li Bingchang. I know how much you admire China, but the Xia Kingdom is different from Chinese folk customs. Your sudden restructuring will definitely arouse opposition from the country, and the son of a man is more precious than his mother. Please listen carefully. What your mother and uncle say is the right thing to do.
Anyway, the conflicts between Li Bingchang, Empress Dowager Liang and Liang Yimi were irreconcilable, and Li Bingchang would definitely not listen.
When the official saw Zhang Yue didn't answer, he was about to show his displeasure.
Zhang Yue noticed his words and immediately said: "Your Majesty, please greet me!"
When the official saw what Zhang Yue said, he looked satisfied and said, "Qing Zhang, the envoy from the Xia Kingdom asked to see you when he came to the court, so you will find out what Li Bingchang means for me!"
Immediately, the official said to Sun Gu, the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture on the side: "The envoys of the Xia Kingdom must make careful arrangements for their entry and exit in Kaifeng Prefecture."
Zhang Yue and Sun Gu both said yes.
…
The Song Dynasty also tried its best to receive Xixia envoys.
Being received by Zhang Yue, the prime minister, can be regarded as an extraordinary treatment. This shows that the officials attach great importance to this and are determined to win over Li Bingchang.
The Xixia envoy has been active in the Song Dynasty in the past few days and has made a request to visit the Song Dynasty market.
This made the accompanying envoy very distressed, but the officials responded to the Xixia envoy's requests and allowed him to observe Chinese customs.
Of course, the courtiers had objections to this, thinking that it was not good for me for the Xixia envoys to pry into Chinese customs. However, the officials had made a decision and did not listen to the officials' advice. They allowed the Xixia envoys to travel freely in and out of Bianjing accompanied by their accompanying envoys.
The official style of conduct is also becoming more and more vigorous and decisive, and one person is arbitrary.
Therefore, the treatment and courtesy the Xixia envoys received these days were beyond the standards, even exceeding those of the Liao envoys. The other party not only met many senior officials of the Song Dynasty, but even the Prime Minister.
Zhang Yue was ordered by the emperor to entertain the Xixia envoys. He did not choose to be in the embassy, but in the lively place of Ma Xing Street.
In the first month of the first lunar month, Bianjing was released from Guanpu for three days.
Maxing Street, Panlou Street, Zhou Dong Song Gate, Zhou Xi Liang Gate and the southern area are all decorated with colorful sheds, which are the most prosperous and lively places. Near the colorful shed are people selling crowns and combs, pearls and jade, hair and face, clothes, flowers, collars, boots and shoes, toys and other items.
Men and women in Bianjing choose their favorite goods under the colorful shed. The market under the colorful shed is open all night long and doesn't end until the next day.
Zhang Yue came out in the evening. At this time, horses and carriages were passing through the streets, and dignitaries and common people were all going to Guanpu or to enjoy things.
Zhang Yue raised his eyes and looked at the wine shop. The women also came in and drank with the men openly.
The place where Zhang Yue met with the Xixia envoys was a singing and dancing place on Mahang Street.
After Zhang Yue entered, he saw five or six young dancers dancing with umbrellas at a waterside pavilion, while a singer next to them was holding a pipa and playing and singing.
Nowadays, the popular ditty in Bianjing is no longer Liu Ci, but Su Shi's ditty.
Dance to figure out the shadow, how does it seem to be in the human world... Almost everyone in the community can hum a few songs.
Zhang Yue, the Xixia envoy sat down in the elegant room on the second floor. Seeing this scene, the envoy couldn't help but said: "Nine out of ten of the prosperity and bustle in the world is in Bianjing City."
The envoys and other Song Dynasty officials on the side all laughed when they heard this.
Zhang Yue also has the same plan. Since you want to see how our Song Dynasty is doing, I will simply let you see it openly.
"Your Majesty, please take a seat!"
Zhang Yue and the other party sat in the front row, and other officials from the Song Dynasty and Xixia sat on the two rows of chairs behind them.
Everyone came to the pavilion to enjoy the singing and dancing, and they all felt that the joy of life had reached its peak.
This Xixia envoy wears a small gold crown on his head, a narrow red robe, and a gold quilt around his waist. This person's name is Li Qing, and he is a Han Chinese. His status in Xixia was not high, almost as high as a county magistrate in the Song Dynasty, but it is said that he was trusted by Li Bingchang very much.
In the past, it was absolutely unimaginable to be able to sit on an equal footing with a prime minister like Zhang Yue.
However, Li Qing was not timid at all, and he still talked eloquently when facing the prime minister of a great power.
Zhang Yue asked seemingly casually: "Does the leader of your country also like to use Han people?"
Li Qingdao: "Why do you say this when Mr. Zhang is the prime minister? There is no distinction between Chinese and foreign ministers in our country. Both Han and Fan ministers are treated as one family and are used together."
"If this is really the case, why would your lord change it to the Han system? As far as I know, the first emperor of the Xia Kingdom (Li Liangzuo) changed the Han system. When your envoy met with the late emperor at Zhengdan, I remember that he wore a fish pendant around his waist. The bag is gone now."
Li Liangzuo had carried out sinicization reforms at that time. At that time, Fu Bi claimed that he had "acquired Chinese land, used Chinese manpower, claimed Chinese titles, imitated Chinese officials, appointed Chinese talents, read Chinese books, used Chinese cars, and traveled in China." The system'.
Li Qingdao: "This was later changed by the Queen Mother. It was not the intention of the king. If it were not for my heart to be Hanized, there would be no need to send me here. I would ask the Emperor of the Song Dynasty for help."
"Help?"
Li Qing nodded and said: "That's right. The Song and Xia wars last year. The Song Dynasty heard about the border and the city. Moreover, our country was hit by natural disasters last year and many people in many places had no income. Therefore, we asked the Emperor of the Song Dynasty to allocate money. Add relief.”
"If this is the case, our Lord is willing to permanently submit to Han culture and change to the Han system. From now on, there will be no war between the two countries."
Zhang Yue thought to himself, well, why didn't you say you were here to beg for alms. You said it earlier, why didn't you say it earlier?
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty said that he truly admires Chinese culture, but why does the state certificate claim that he does not use the surname of this dynasty, but the surname was given by the previous dynasty?"
Li Qingdao: "This has been stated clearly in the ceremonial letter of the late lord, and my lord will not reply again."
"Then how can I see your Lord's sincerity?"
"Changing to the Han system shows our Lord's sincerity, otherwise we would have to attach the Liao system to the Song Dynasty!"
Faced with Li Qing's threat, Zhang Yue couldn't help but laugh and said: "Yes, but there is one more thing Xixia must give up the land of Lanzhou."
Li Qing's eyes flashed and he said: "This is too difficult for someone to do."
Seeing that the other party's refusal was not firm, Zhang Yue smiled and said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to rush to reply. We don't have to miss this wonderful song and dance on such a beautiful occasion."
Judging from the performance of the Xixia envoy, Zhang Yue thought to himself that Li Bingchang really wanted to negotiate peace.
After watching a night of singing and dancing that night, the Xixia envoys, escorted by Song Dynasty officers and soldiers, returned to the post house in the west post of Duting.
In order to worry about accidents, the team guarding the Xixia envoys numbered hundreds of people, which was comparable to the ceremonial guard of the prime minister.
Zhang Yue saw this scene in the courtyard and was thinking for a moment. At this time, a person said: "Ms. sir, how was your talk with the Xia envoy?"
Zhang Yue saw that the person speaking was Sun Gu, the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture.
"It's Fu Yin! Why didn't I see you just now?"
Sun Gu said: "The officials asked me to take care of the safety of the Xixia envoys and the confidentiality of their comings and goings. How dare I neglect it. That's why I have been arranging these things these days, but I am ashamed to accompany them."
Zhang Yue smiled when he heard this.
A mere Xixia envoy not only had a husband accompany him, but even the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture was alarmed.
"Just tell the people below to handle these things."
Sun Gu said: "On that day, I saw that the officials were very useful in provoking civil strife in Xixia and used Li Bingchang to oppose the Liang brothers and sisters. Even if this strategy was successful, it may not be able to destroy Xia. It is not a solution once and for all. Once the matter is exposed, Song Xia will There was an unrelenting feud between them. From then on, there was a continuous flow of weapons and there was no peace in all roads in Shaanxi."
"I am so worried that I am waiting here to ask Mr. Zhang what he wants."
Zhang Yue saw Sun Gu's intention and said truthfully: "To be honest with Sun Fuyin, the Xixia ruler does have the intention to use the power of this dynasty to eradicate the Liang brothers and sisters."
Sun Gu became pale after hearing this and said: "This is bad. I also listened to what Mr. Zhang said that day in front of the emperor. Li Bingchang has no chance of winning at all. The senior officials in the country will not support him."
"Once Li Bingchang is defeated, the Liang brothers and sisters know that we support their leader, why don't they raise an army to hold them accountable?"
Zhang Yue was silent when he heard this, and Sun Gu said: "Xiangong Zhang, your Majesty has long had the ambition to destroy Xia. You must not tell the truth to him about this matter. This is for the sake of the common people and the country. Sun begs Xianggong Zhang."
Before Zhang Yue agreed, someone on the side said: "Why did Mr. Sun say this?"
But when someone walked out, the person speaking was the official who accompanied Zhang Yue to receive the Xixia envoy today. He was also Zhang Yue's former aide Xu Xi.
After Xu Xi was introduced by Li Xian and Tong Guan, he was appreciated by the officials and promoted to Zhongshu to study official affairs in the Ministry of Household Affairs. This time the Xia Kingdom came to envoy, and the emperor asked Xu Xi to accompany him throughout the whole process to spy on the Xia Kingdom's reality.
Zhang Yue knew that Xu Xi had great ambitions to make great achievements. He must have been lobbying the officials these days, saying that Li Bingchang really wanted to attach himself to the Song Dynasty.
Therefore, he persuaded the officials to alienate the relationship between Li Bingchang and the Empress Dowager Liang and his son, thinking that they would plot Xixia's plans in the future.
Now, after listening to the whole negotiation between Zhang Yue and the Xixia envoy, he was about to chase out and have a few words with Zhang Yue, when he happened to see Sun Gu chatting with Zhang Yue.
Xu Xi immediately came forward to expose it.
Sun Gu glanced at Xu Xi, not wanting to argue with him, and immediately got on his horse and left after having a good meal.
Zhang Yue looked at Xu Xi who had penetrated him and couldn't help but said: "Dezhan, Dezhan!"
Xu Xi lowered his head and said: "Xianggong Zhang is very kind to Xu, but Xu thinks that at this time, Xianggong Zhang should report to the officials like this and should not hide anything."
Zhang Yue said: "Did I say I wanted to hide it?"
Xu Xi said: "I judge a gentleman's heart with a villain's heart. I'm worried that your Majesty doesn't want your Majesty to accomplish the unparalleled feat of destroying Xia!"
"Asshole!"
Zhang Yue scolded angrily, Xu Xi's expression changed drastically, and he knelt down in front of Zhang Yue hastily!
(End of chapter)
