Folk tabloids had become popular in the Northern Song Dynasty, and reached their peak in the Southern Song Dynasty.
During the Jingkang period, the Northern Song Dynasty fell, the Song Dynasty moved southward, and the Jin people aspired to conquer the Central Plains. Although a large number of northern scholars and people moved south with the Song Dynasty, they still cared about the Central Plains and still had feelings for their hometown and nostalgia in their hearts.
Due to the unfavorable war situation, the imperial newspaper officially issued by the Song Dynasty court, also known as Dibao, rarely covered side affairs, and the trends in the court were rarely mentioned. The court reports were limited to the scholar-officials and the bureaucratic class. The scholar-officials controlled public opinion, and it was difficult for ordinary people to know about the war in the court and outside. Therefore, "tabloids" became even more popular and became the "favorite" of ordinary people.
When it comes to Lin'an "tabloids", the content covers a wide range of topics, including major events inside and outside the court, people's sufferings, anecdotes, and even hidden illnesses in the palace, censorship and scandals in officials' homes, all of which are labeled as "news" in these tabloids. form presentation. The court of the Southern Song Dynasty repeatedly banned it for reasons such as "fabricating orders and spreading false rumors", but it often turned into a piece of paper with little effect, and in the end it could only be left alone.
Tonghefang, the west end of Nanwa Bridge, where bookstores gather.
There are several giant willow trees in front of the door, the two-story restaurant with carved beams and painted beams, the spacious lobby on the first floor, and the aisles on the second floor. They are all filled with people drinking tea and dining. Rich businessmen, powerful scholars, ladies of the family, and jaspers from small families are listening attentively. Read the tabloid while the speaker is talking.
Yes, not reading a book, but reading an article from a tabloid.
"...The Tatar Khan asked his ministers one day, what is the happiest thing in life? The answer is: riding a horse in the spring, hunting with an eagle and a falcon, and seeing them fighting for prey. This is the happiest. The Khan asked the generals based on this experience, and the generals The answer is the same. The Tatar Khan said: No! The greatest joy in life is to defeat the enemy, drive him away, and seize what he has; to see his dearest people wash their faces with tears; to ride his horse and take in his wife and daughters."
The speaker, Master Han, read it carefully, and a man with a fat head, big ears, and rich clothes immediately started asking questions.
"Master Han, what do you mean by Tatar?"
Most of the "speakers" in the Song Dynasty were poor scholars whose names had fallen from the Sun Mountain. They engaged in this "low-level industry" in order to make a living, which made the "low-level industry" become elegant.
The fat man's question caused a burst of laughter from the diners in the room. Someone immediately said it loudly.
"The Tatar Chief Hu's intention is to chase and defeat his enemies, seize all his gold and silver treasures, make his relatives cry every day, and take his wives and daughters as concubines!"
The fat man suddenly realized it and shook his head repeatedly.
"Tatars are really like tigers and wolves, and no one would be like this!"
Everyone nodded. If you can control the invasion of the mausoleum, how can you kill more people? He kills without restraint and dominates other people's wives and daughters. How is he any different from an animal?
"Dear listeners, Tatars live in Mobei and do not know etiquette and morality. Killing and conquest are their natural instincts. Men are proud of killing and military exploits. They are completely different from me in the Song Dynasty."
"The speaker" Master Han pointed to the north and said loudly:
"The Tatar cavalry came and went like the wind, and the military front was in full swing. The Jin people were driven to the south of the Yellow River, which proved that they were invincible. The Western Xia repeatedly resorted to compromise, and in the end, I am afraid that they will not be able to escape the disaster of national subjugation and annihilation."
"Fortunately, the Tatars are dealing with Xixia and Jin people, not us Song people!"
A young diner spoke up.
"Destroy the Xixia and defeat the Jin, and then the Song Dynasty will follow!"
There is another white-haired diner who is worried and sober.
The diners were chattering, and Master Han picked up the "Amazing Wood" and patted it twice on the table in front of him.
"Everyone, please listen to me continue!"
The listeners upstairs and downstairs suddenly became quiet.
Master Han is a famous "talker" in Lin'an City, with a large audience, and is famous for telling folk anecdotes and strange things.
Unexpectedly, Master Han talked about profound matters such as "Tatar Policy" today.
"...the Tatar army has a large number of cavalry, with one soldier and many horses. It can carry out expeditions and plunder wantonly without logistical supplies. Therefore, it can run rampant in the Western Regions, move quickly, and destroy countless countries without being able to stop them... …”
Master Han spoke slowly, and most of the listeners understood it roughly.
The Tatar cavalry roamed freely and made a living by looting. Without logistical supplies, of course they had nothing to worry about.
"Tatar soldiers rest for several months every year during expeditions. Before attacking a city, they must first ravage the surrounding areas so far that they cannot defend themselves. Then, they will be fully loaded with the loot and rest their troops in the area. The service station Most of the prisoners taken were men and women who were spared because of their youth and beauty... There were thousands of young women in the army to use as toys..."
Master Han explained in detail.
"Think about it, if the Tatars besiege Lin'an, they will first wipe out the villages and towns around Lin'an City, burn all the houses, and steal all the food and young women. Lin'an City will have no food or drink, and will be unable to survive, and it will inevitably collapse without attacking."
All the listeners were shocked and nodded repeatedly.
"In order to retain some territory, the Tatars did not hesitate to slaughter all their people, destroy their castles, annihilate those who refused to surrender and rebels, destroyed their water conservancy, spread salt on their fertile fields, and regarded it as a barren land..."
Master Han explained everything one by one, and all the listeners were shocked.
"No wonder the Tatars were able to drive the Jin people to the south of the Yellow River, and Xixia was still alive. The Tatars are so powerful, can I, the Song Dynasty, stop them?"
"It can block a fart! The generals of the Tatars were all fought on horseback, and the generals of the Song Dynasty were all obtained through examinations. Those guys like Shi Miyuan, apart from being groveling and suing for peace from the Jin people, they are committing fraud for personal gain. , accepting bribes. The Song Dynasty court relied on him, it would be strange if it didn't end!"
"Who says otherwise! In the fifteenth year of Jiading, there was a conflict between the imperial army and the Tatars in the south. Half of the imperial army fled, half surrendered, and all were beheaded! Can such a coward be counted on?"
The listeners whispered to each other, some shook their heads and sighed, and some cursed angrily.
However, this tabloid can be said to be extremely penetrating in its criticism of current ills, its familiarity with side issues, and its thorough analysis.
"Is this all over? In addition to Xixia and Jin, there is also Song Dynasty. Why didn't you say anything?"
Someone shouted loudly.
How the Song Dynasty officers and soldiers responded was what they were most concerned about.
"I'm sorry, everyone! This is the first issue, a serialization. There will be a second and third issue. Let's wait and see."
Master Han said with a smile.
"Master Han, who wrote this? Why is he so familiar with Tatars?"
Some listeners asked curiously.
"You still need to ask? The tabloid clearly stated that it is His Highness Zhao Hong, Duke of Jiguo."
"It turns out to be His Royal Highness! No wonder he can write such a good article!"
"Ji Guo Gong Zhao Hong is a master of poetry and a dignified prince, and he is familiar with local affairs. Of course the articles he writes are not bad!"
The audience suddenly realized it and started talking one after another.
"Master Han, is there anything new in the tabloids today?"
The fat man was bored again, so he opened his mouth to ask.
"Yes, if you have any strange things, tell me!"
"Are there any forbidden anecdotes?"
The listeners spoke one after another. In fact, most of them have tabloids, but what they depict is the enjoyment and fun of "telling and reading".
"Everyone, here is a "news" about Zhao Guicheng, the heir of King Yi. Let me read it to you."
Master Han said, picked up the tabloid and started reading it.
"It is said that the night before Zhao Guicheng, the heir of King Yi, was born, his father dreamed that a man wearing purple clothes and a gold hat came to visit. When he woke up, the night had not arrived for ten seconds, and the room was colorful and red, shining like the sun in the sky. . Three days after Zhao Guicheng was born, his family heard the rumble of carriages and horses outside the house, and went out to check, but found nothing unusual. Zhao Guicheng used to sleep during the day when he was a child, and others saw faint dragon scales appearing on his body..."
Everyone was surprised by Master Han's words. This news has been circulating in Lin'an City for several months.
When such "old news" came out, everyone was in an uproar and cursed.
"This tabloid is so wicked. It uses old news to defraud money!"
"Why are you bringing this nonsense up again?"
All the diners expressed their dissatisfaction, but Master Han remained unmoved and said with a smile:
"Everyone, if you say this is an old saying, it's true. But when we talk about it today, do you believe it?"
"Only a fool would believe it! With dragon scales on our bodies, we really think we are fools!"
Someone among the diners said loudly, causing everyone to agree.
"A rogue who really thinks he is the real Dragon Emperor! Bah!"
"Master Han, hurry up, tell me the next one!"
All the diners urged Master Han.
"Don't be anxious, everyone. I haven't finished reading this "old news" yet. There are more below. Is it what you think?"
Master Han smiled slightly and waited until the voice became quieter before continuing to read.
"From ancient times to the present, without lights, the sky can be colorful and red at night? If this is true, what difference does it make between day and night? Isn't it the greatest absurdity in the world? The world is so big that I have never heard of a person with dragon scales on his body. Has Zhao Guicheng shed his skin and become an adult? Isn’t this treating the world as an idiot?”
Master Han's words made everyone burst into laughter.
"Didn't I just say that Zhao Guicheng has dragon scales on his body, isn't he a monster?"
"It's still bright at night. Is there a fire at home?"
All the diners spoke one after another, and some even shouted loudly and indignantly.
"Traitor, traitor! Someone wants to promote Zhao Guicheng to the throne, and his heart is to be punished! There is a prince in the official family!"
"The only way for Zhao Guicheng to rise to power is that traitor Shi Miyuan!"
"It seems that the traitor is in power and the prince is in trouble!"
Listeners with a little bit of brains have already guessed roughly.
"That's what everyone said! That's all for the court affairs. Here is a new poem by Zhao Hong, a famous Chinese poet, called "Autumn Thoughts". Everyone, please listen carefully!"
Master Han continued to recite it with great emotion.
"Withered vines, old trees and dim crows, small bridges and flowing water, people's homes, the west wind and thin horses on the ancient roads. The sun sets in the west, and the heartbroken people are at the end of the world."
In fact, even when he read this word, he felt like returning home to visit relatives.
"What a song "Autumn Thoughts"! It's really sad to see you at the end of the day and have nowhere to go but to stay at home!"
"The journey is difficult and life is desolate, all of which are poignant in just one sentence. It is indeed an unprecedented masterpiece!"
Someone asked out loud because curiosity killed the cat.
"Master Han, this is a masterpiece. May I ask who created it?"
"Didn't I just say that this is the new work of Ji Guogong Zhao Hong? What do you think?"
Master Han said loudly with a smile on his face.
"It's Zhao Hong, the Duke of Ji Guo, again, he is indeed a great master of the world!"
"This poem deeply evokes the pain of wandering. When people around the world read it, they are all heartbroken and miss their relatives and friends. It can be an eternal masterpiece!"
Many of the diners had left their hometowns, and they immediately tasted the desolation and loneliness.
"I still like the song "Linjiang Fairy", especially the line "The green mountains are still there, and the sunsets are red several times"! It is bold, free and easy, tragic and open-minded, it really suits my heart!"
A man holding a gun and a knife couldn't help but say.
"I think it's still the same song "Qin Yuan Chun. Snow"! It's heroic and majestic. It's the ambition of men like me to guide the country!"
There are also graceful Tai students who express their emotions.
"The Duke of Ji, Zhao Hong, is such a talented person. If he could publish a collection of poems, it would be a blessing for readers all over the world."
A man sitting in the corner shouted loudly.
The diners talked a lot, and Master Han smiled slightly and patted the "talking wood".
"Whoever said it just now is right! With the talent of Duke Ji, it is difficult to meet our high expectations if he does not publish a book. However, I heard that Duke Ji will soon publish "Selected Poems" and "Tatar Policy" A book, and it will be read live at Chen’s Bookstore, the largest bookstore in Lin’an City. Everyone, please pay attention to the tabloids these days!”
Master Han's words caused everyone to whisper and discuss.
Zhao Hong is a master of poetry, and his "Tatar Strategy" is also well-founded. The book that comes out will definitely be good.
"Everyone, see you tomorrow!"
Master Han smiled and patted the "Amazing Wood".
Everyone dispersed, and Master Han returned to the tea shed. The shopkeeper of the tea shed came over and handed over a money bag.
"Master Han, that's well said, thank you very much!"
"Thank you so much to the shopkeeper!"
Master Han took the money bag and smiled happily.
The gain was quite generous, which was more than he earned in a month.
Master Han handed over his hands and left. The shopkeeper went up to the second floor, knocked on the door and went in, then closed the door.
In the room, Zhou Ping was drinking tea. When he saw the shopkeeper coming in, he nodded slightly.
"Shopkeeper, thank you for your trouble!"
It has to be said that today's public opinion is becoming more and more favorable to Zhao Hong.
