Lin'an City Imperial Palace, the Great Inner Forbidden Garden, and Linghan Pavilion.
The kings of the Southern Song Dynasty loved exotic flowers and herbs. There were also many plum groves in the imperial city of Lin'an City. Chunxin Pavilion, Anxiang Pavilion, Linghan Pavilion, Xuejing Pavilion, Meigan Pavilion, Meigan Garden, etc. were all named after plum blossoms.
In front of Linghan Pavilion, hundreds of plum trees are in full bloom, and the fragrance is refreshing. In the attic, Zhao Kuo, an official of the Song Dynasty, sat on a chair with a thick blanket on his legs, looking at the plum forest in the sun in front of him.
The sparse shadows are slanting across the clear and shallow water, and the faint fragrance is floating in the moonlight at dusk.
In fact, admiring plum blossoms in the daytime is a different scene.
"Zhao Hong, you are here.
The eunuch came forward to report, and Zhao Kuo said softly without looking back.
He called Zhao Hong by his first name without any courtesy. He didn't know if it was like this before.
"Your Majesty enjoys the plum blossoms on a beautiful day, and you are in great spirits!"
Zhao Hong took a few steps forward, stood beside Zhao Kuo, and saluted with his hands in hand.
In the Gaozong Dynasty, there were ministers who restored the state but no emperor who restored it; in the Emperor Xiaozong, there were ministers who restored the state but no ministers who restored it; in the Ningzong Dynasty, there were neither ministers who restored the state nor a monarch who restored it.
He was first appointed as the governor of Han Dynasty and succeeded by Shi Miyuan. He was appointed as the prime minister of the country for two times. The Song Dynasty was declining, while Zhao Kuo was like a puppet, which could be described as extremely cowardly.
But he didn’t know why this useless official of the Song Dynasty asked him to come here.
"Mr. Ji Guo, what do you think of Merlin in front of you?"
Zhao Kuo whispered, keeping his eyes fixed on Merlin in front of him.
"Your Majesty, the winter plum blossoms are in full bloom, and the fragrance is fragrant, but it does not compete with the flowers. It is quiet and inactive, which is also in line with your Majesty's current state of mind and the way of governing the country."
Zhao Hong said boldly.
Song Ningzong, the word "Ning" can be seen in Zhao Kuo's life.
"Being quiet and doing nothing, sometimes, is just a last resort."
Zhao Kuo remained calm, pondered for a moment, and continued to ask softly:
"Mr. Ji Guo, you are well-informed. Have you ever been to Chaoshan?"
"Chaoshan?"
Zhao Hong was stunned and shook his head slightly.
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed that I have never been there."
I don’t know whether Zhao Kuo taught his prince, his nominal son, through words and deeds, and whether he had ever been so close to him?
"The plum blossoms in Chaoshan bloom around the beginning of spring. There are clusters every five steps and one cluster every ten steps. There are more than a thousand plum blossoms in each plum forest, and one tree has more than ten thousand flowers. The plum blossoms are in bloom, and they are reflected in the sky ten miles away. White, like flying snow filling the sky, it is spectacular, and the fragrance can spread ten miles away. The fragrance is so refreshing that it makes people feel refreshed and forget the worries of the world. It is much more spectacular than the plum blossoms in Lin'an Palace!"
There was a hint of yearning in Zhao Kuo's voice.
The aroma is astounding and makes you forget your worries. Is this the reason why Zhao Hong is willing to be a puppet emperor?
Then you should abdicate, retreat to the position of Supreme Emperor, feel refreshed and free from distractions, and let your prince take the throne!
You old man is occupying the latrine and not taking a shit, but you are so anxious to play with your son to death!
"Your Majesty can go to Chaoshan Mountain to appreciate the plum blossoms before the Spring Festival, or build a palace in Chaoshan Mountain to view the plum blossoms. If your Majesty wants to go, I can accompany you."
Zhao Hong unconsciously wanted to get closer and gain the trust of his "father" earlier.
"Traveling to appreciate plum blossoms will inevitably disturb the people. Building a palace will cost a lot of money and money. Let's forget it."
Zhao Kuo shook his head, but could not hear much regret.
Zhao Hong secretly admired him. His "useless" father was indeed a kind man who was frugal and loved the people.
Unfortunately, a good man is not a good emperor. A good emperor should not only love the people, but also protect the people and ensure that his subjects are not devastated by war. Otherwise, he will be derelict in his duties and will be a sinner through the ages.
"Zhao Hong, have you found your wife?"
Zhao Kuo's title for Zhao Hong changed between the two titles of Ji Guogong and Zhao Hong, but they were both bland and tasteless.
"Your Majesty, maybe not enough people have been sent, so we haven't found it yet. After the Lantern Festival, I will send people to look for it again, and you will definitely find it back."
Zhao Hong gave a decent answer.
"After you get them back, the two of you will get along well, and it's best to have another royal grandson. It's difficult for the royal heirs, so you have to work harder."
Zhao Hong's tone was soft, just like ordinary people talking about the shortcomings of their parents.
"Your Majesty, I understand."
Zhao Hong looked at the eunuchs and maids around him and replied softly.
However, he was also a little worried. Maybe Shi Miyuan and others already knew that his concubine was pregnant, but they just didn't kill her before they saw her.
It seems that his stepmother, Princess Yu of Yi, has done a good job in keeping secrets and is indeed an excellent underground intelligence agent.
"Your Majesty, my concubine Zhou is pregnant, and I just found out about it. I hope your Majesty will forgive me, and please keep it a secret."
Zhao Hong leaned down, pretended to cover Zhao Kuo with a blanket, and whispered in his ear.
"Really?"
Zhao Kuo looked at Zhao Hong, who nodded slightly. A layer of joy suddenly appeared in Zhao Kuo's eyes. He turned his head and looked at Merlin in front of him. He was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Zhao Hong, you have "Qinyuan Chun" before, and then you have "Linjiang Immortal", and you also "recommend talents in an eclectic way". You really impress me!"
Zhao Kuo didn't even look at Zhao Hong and quietly changed the topic.
For the first time, he discovered that the prince himself had some talent, which was very different from the rumors.
"Thank you for your compliments, Your Majesty. The poems, poems and music are just a side detail and cannot reach the level of elegance. The ability to open up borders and expand the territory through martial arts, and to strengthen the country and enrich the people through literary ability are the foundation of our dynasty. A dynasty has both civilized governance and martial arts. It’s a prosperous age.”
Zhao Hongsu bowed and expressed his seriousness.
At this time, he boldly took a closer look and saw that Zhao Kuo was wearing a Taoist robe.
Huizong of the Song Dynasty, who had a "thin golden body", believed in Taoism and was called the "Emperor of Taoism". Ningzong of the Song Dynasty in history was more obsessed with Taoism than anyone else. However, the king is weak and the other is strong, so Zhao Kuo needs to be much more frugal.
During Zhao Kuo's reign, the situation in the north changed dramatically, Mongolia rose to prominence, and the Jin Dynasty was invaded by Mongolia for several years and was forced to move its capital to Bianjing south of the Yellow River. The Kingdom of Jin was weakened, and there were many discussions about revenge in the Song Dynasty, so the Jin Kingdom's annual coins were stopped for more than ten years.
In the tenth year of Jiading, the Jin Dynasty took advantage of the fact that the Southern Song Dynasty did not accept the annual coins and sent troops to attack the Song Dynasty. The war between the Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty resumed, starting from Shandong in the east and ending at Qinlong in the west. There was victory or defeat for each other and lasted for seven years. It was not until Wanyan Shouxu, the new king of the Jin Dynasty who had just ascended the throne, sent people to establish good relations with the Southern Song Dynasty. The Song and Jin Dynasties entered into a brief period of peace.
During his reign, Zhao Kuo was obsessed with Taoism and built and rebuilt Taoist temples. His enthusiasm for Taoism was no less than that of his predecessor, Song Huizong Zhao Ji. It's just that he is cowardly and kind-hearted by nature, and he doesn't dare to carry out large-scale construction and do whatever he wants. Otherwise, the Southern Song Dynasty would decline faster.
"Wenzhi... martial arts..."
Zhao Kuo raised his head in surprise. He stared at Zhao Hong and looked around without saying anything.
"You guys go down and talk to His Majesty about some family matters!"
Zhao Hong knew it well, turned his head, and said to the eunuchs and guards beside him.
"Go down, father and son, and let's talk about some housework."
The eunuch looked over, Zhao Kuo waved his hand and said softly.
"Guan Jia, your body..."
The eunuch was still hesitating, Zhao Hong's eyes widened and his voice was slightly higher.
"What, do you want to resist the decree?"
This guy's name is Li Gu, and he is Zhao Kuo's inner chamberlain. He is aloof and loves to play cool. I don’t know if they are the spies of Queen Yang Guizhi and Shi Miyuan?
"Li Gu, let's go down. We, father and son, will talk about some family matters."
Zhao Kuo looked at Zhao Hong and waved gently to Li Gu.
"Slave, please retire."
Li Gu glanced at Zhao Hong and raised the corners of his lips slightly. He retracted his gaze, waved his hand, and left with the guards and maids beside him.
"Your Majesty, this humble minister is so bold, please forgive me!"
Zhao Hong suppressed the unhappiness in his heart and bowed again.
It seems that Zhao Kuo is also surrounded by informants, but I don't know whether it is Shi Miyuan or someone else.
"Don't worry about Li Gu. He has been with me since he was a child and is a loyal slave. As people get older, they will inevitably become a little suspicious."
Zhao Hong's voice was soft, as if what he was talking about was trivial and insignificant.
"Your Majesty, I am being reckless."
Zhao Hong's face turned red and he was slightly embarrassed.
Compared to Zhao Kuo, I was still too young and too impatient.
"Compared to the donkey temper you used to have, you've done a good job. I'm a little curious. Are you a good monk, so you're much calmer?"
Zhao Kuo turned his eyes to the plum blossoms in full bloom in the forest, his expression always calm.
"You just treat yourself well as your prince, why bother to offend Shi Miyuan and make things so incompatible? What good will it do to yourself?"
Zhao Kuo's face was calm, his tone was gentle, and he was proficient in nourishing qi.
First, he said that if he succeeds in the future, he will be sent to Yazhou, and he also calls Shi Miyuan "Xin'en", which means that after he ascends the throne, he will be exiled to the distant barren land of Xinzhou and Enzhou. The rare treasures offered by Shi Miyuan were broken again.
You must know that Shi Miyuan was so powerful that even a member of the Song Dynasty official family must be in awe of him.
This Zhao Hong is too young and too impatient.
"Your Majesty has tolerated Shi Miyuan for fifteen or six years. In the end, isn't he just like a puppet? If it is a private matter, I can tolerate it. But if you control the government and bring harm to the country and the people, I cannot tolerate it. If I continue to tolerate it, the country of the Song Dynasty will be over! I am so rebellious. , Your Majesty, forgive me!”
After Zhao Hong finished speaking boldly, he bowed his head to the ground.
The Mongolian cavalry's continuous western expedition and southern invasion were overwhelming and devastating. Xiliao and Khwarezm were destroyed one after another. Xixia, Jin Dynasty, and Goryeo all begged for peace, but they could not escape the fate of annihilation. However, the monarchs and ministers of the Southern Song Dynasty lived in peace in the south of the Yangtze River, not wanting to make progress and living in drunken dreams.
In the face of the booming Mongolian cavalry, Gou An in the Southern Song Dynasty could only bring about his own destruction. The main reason why the Southern Song Dynasty survived for so long was not because of how powerful the Southern Song Dynasty was, but because of the geographical buffer between the Xia and Jin Dynasties, because the Mongolian cavalry was more suitable for galloping in the wilderness of Central Asia and Eastern Europe, and because of the internal disputes among the Mongolian nobles. In a word, it depends on when Mongolia decided to destroy the Song Dynasty.
If the situation remains unchanged, the Southern Song Dynasty can only be behind Yashan.
This was the last chance for the Southern Song Dynasty, otherwise there would be no future.
"Shi Miyuan is so powerful, what can I do? What's more..."
Zhao Kuo was not angry. He looked at the blooming plum blossoms and suddenly asked.
"You said at the court meeting that day that you could make firearms. Is that true?"
"I dare not speak nonsense in front of His Majesty. Shen is confident that within one or two years, firearms can be made to change the shortcomings of the weak military strength of our Song Dynasty."
Zhao Hong is full of confidence and speaks sonorously and forcefully.
At this time, you must not pretend to be cowardly.
"As long as you have confidence. I also look forward to seeing your firearms as soon as possible."
Zhao Kuo said softly, the clouds were light and the wind was gentle.
"The Tatar cavalry in the north is rampant and their troops are at their peak. The Jin people have been driven south of the Yellow River. Do you have a good strategy to stop them from going south?"
Going south?
Zhao Hong was slightly startled. It seems that this puppet emperor is also knowledgeable about state affairs.
"Your Majesty, in addition to harming the Jin people externally, we must also cultivate good governance internally, train new armies, and rectify military equipment before we can have a chance of survival."
According to the memory and foresight in his mind, Zhao Hong slowly spoke out.
"You can tell me how to cultivate good governance internally."
Zhao Kuo leaned back in his chair and spoke in a gentle tone.
After so many years of being a puppet, his patience has reached its peak.
"Does Your Majesty know the root cause of our poverty and weakness?"
As a people's teacher who majored in history, Zhao Hong was naturally aware of the shortcomings of the Song Dynasty. In terms of his views on these shortcomings, he claims to be second in the world, and no one dares to claim to be first.
"Weak and poor?"
Zhao Kuo was startled unconsciously, and his face became solemn unconsciously.
"Your Majesty, yes, the root cause of our country's poverty and weakness lies in the "three redundancies."
The basic knowledge in these textbooks can be used to show off.
