Entering the city from the south outer gate, the city suddenly opens up. The houses are dilapidated and the markets are depressed. The imperial street leading to the palace is still clean. It may have just been cleaned, but the alleys and side streets on both sides are visibly dirty, with human and horse feces, vegetables Leaf dirt and garbage can be seen everywhere.
The clothes of the people coming and going are shabby, many of them are emaciated and unkempt, and they are begging to hide in the streets and alleys. Many houses are dilapidated, and the walls are overgrown with grass. It is shocking to see. There seemed to be quite a few warblers holding fans.
It must be an indisputable fact that no face-saving projects are done, the national strength is weak, officials are slack, and the people's morale is distracted.
"Is this the world-famous Tokyo city? Are we in the wrong place?"
Zhang Hong's half-serious surprise made Zhang Tiangang blush half of his face.
"Ms. Zhang, things are indeed different now!"
Zhao Hong quickly smoothed things over and glared at Zhang Hong. In fact, he was filled with emotions, but he couldn't be happy.
The "Holy Capital" that countless scholars and people in the Southern Song Dynasty dreamed about, with its natural treasures, luxury and wealth, and a population of one million, has become a dilapidated "middle city" today.
Maybe it's not even a "middle city", just a dilapidated middle city.
Zhang Hong, does he know how to chat and tell the truth?
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has been fighting for many years, the country is lacking in power, and the city of Kaifeng has been repeatedly hit by natural and man-made disasters. The imperial court is unable to build it up, so that it is so dilapidated. This makes the Crown Prince laugh."
Zhang Tiangang really had nothing to say other than smiling bitterly and blaming himself.
The country has reached this point. The military is weak, the economy is in collapse, and there are internal conflicts in the court. This is the last afterglow.
"Ms. Zhang, there are many talented people from Jiangdong, and a comeback is unknown. As long as we work together and don't mess around, there is still a possibility of a comeback."
Walking on the Imperial Street, the central axis of Tokyo City, Zhao Hong's words were half true and half false.
Hu Zheng is the nature of the dynasty. If you don't do it, you will die. There are many people like this.
Before you know it, there is a straight stone bridge that connects the north and south of Yu Street. This should be the Bianhezhou Bridge where Yang Zhi sells knives.
The bright moon over Zhouqiao Bridge is one of the eight scenic spots in Tokyo, but it is a pity that people in the Song Dynasty can no longer see it.
"Your Highness, as your "Tatar Policy" said, are the Tatars really that powerful? Genghis Khan is just a warrior who is murderous and cruel. Can he also be called a "prodigy of the generation"? "
Zhang Tiangang quickly changed the topic and returned to state affairs.
Zhao Hong and others were injured when they saw things, so he had to provide guidance.
"Xiangong Zhang, the Tatars live in the bitter cold outside the Great Wall. Their folk customs are very different from those of China. Killing is a hero, and burning, killing and looting is their nature. The Tatars are now at the peak of their military power, and Genghis Khan is invincible in the world. He just bends his bow and shoots. Da Diao, this is my conclusion for a generation of geniuses. Now that the Tatar Western Expedition is over and the Xia Dynasty is destroyed, you should make plans in advance."
"Tatar Policy" combines many views and opinions of later generations, and is not just the experience gained from the sergeant's mouth. Otherwise, Zhang Tiangang would not be surprised.
It is said that the Mongolian army has returned to Mobei and is resting. It seems that it is only a matter of time before they go south to attack Xia.
There is not much time left for the Jin people and the Song Dynasty.
"Your Highness, if one day you become the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, can you not join forces with the Tatars and become our enemy, the Jin Dynasty?"
Zhang Tiangang looked at Zhao Hong and observed his words.
In the 10th year of Jiading (1217), the Jin Dynasty used the Southern Song Dynasty to sabotage the "Jiading Peace Agreement", refused to pay gold, and launched a war against the Song Dynasty. In order to protect itself, the Song court had to contact Mongolia in order to reduce the military pressure on the Southern Song Dynasty. In the eleventh year of Jiading (1218), Mongolia sent envoys to contact the Southern Song Dynasty, and Song Ningzong also expressed his willingness to further contact with Mongolia.
In the thirteenth year of Jiading (1220), Jia She, the envoy of Huaidong in the Song Dynasty, was ordered by the court to send Zhao Gong as envoy to Mongolia, and was warmly received by the Mongolian general Mu Huali. In the same year, the Song Dynasty sent Gou Mengyu as an envoy and met Genghis Khan. In the 16th year of Jiading (1223), Gou Mengyu was sent as an envoy again.
It can be said that at this stage, the contacts between Song and Mongolia were relatively frequent, and the relations between the two countries continued to heat up. But there were few diplomatic results.
In the seventeenth year of Jiading (1224), that is, this year, the newly enthroned benefactor Wanyan Shouxu ordered to stop the war against the Song Dynasty and make peace with the Song Dynasty. I don’t know if the Song people will join forces with Mongolia to make money again.
"Mr. Zhang, I'm afraid this is another reason why the Golden Emperor invited me to come to the Great Jin Kingdom."
Zhao Hong smiled and understood something in his heart.
The Jin people expressed peace. For the Southern Song Dynasty, Mongolia had lost its value in restricting the Jin Kingdom, and there was no need for Song and Mongolia to continue to cooperate.
"Your Highness, you haven't expressed your attitude yet."
Zhang Tiangang continued to ask, his eyes full of expectation.
"Xiangong Zhang, if I can really ascend the throne of Dabao in the future and become the emperor of the Song Dynasty, I will definitely fight against the Tatars with Dajian."
Zhao Hong was half-truth and half-false. I don’t know if he can successfully ascend the throne in the future.
And once you sit in that position, the interests of the Song Dynasty will definitely be put first, and you will definitely resist Mongolia. There are 60 to 70 million Song people there.
"Your Majesty, if you say this, I will feel more at ease!"
Zhang Tiangang let out a sigh of relief. It seems that the news coming from Lin'an City is indeed true. This prince of the Song Dynasty is indeed a good candidate for the alliance to fight against Mongolia.
"Mr. Zhang, I would like to ask you a question."
Zhao Hong suddenly had an idea.
According to his observation, this Zhang Tiangang is a gentleman and a kind person. He can try it boldly, but it won't hurt anyway.
"Your Highness, please speak. I am all ears."
Zhang Tiangang was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
But he didn't know what the crown prince of the Song Dynasty would say.
"As the Minister of Rites of the Great Jin Dynasty, Mr. Zhang has done his best and is loyal to his duties. I admire him. I would like to know, what is Mr. Zhang loyal to in his heart? And for what reason?"
Zhao Hong said with a smile, pointing directly to the depths of Zhang Tiangang's soul.
"What is your aspiration?"
In Zhao Hong's mind, a mantra from a later talent show suddenly came to mind.
"Your Highness, as a minister of the Kingdom of Jin, you must serve the country with loyalty, be loyal to the emperor, the court of Jin, and the people of Jin. Isn't it like this?"
Zhang Tiangang thought for a moment and spoke righteously.
Isn't this the duty of a minister to cultivate one's moral character, manage one's family, and govern the country and bring peace to the world?
"Mr. Zhang, please forgive me for speaking frankly. What you just said is both correct and incorrect."
Zhao Hong shook his head and began to teach Zhang Tiangang.
"There is an old saying: the people are the most important, the country is the second most important, and the king is the least important. Your Golden Emperor and your Golden Court caused tens of millions of people to die unjustly. They are all the sinners of these undead souls. Are you loyal to them? Don’t you feel ashamed of those innocent victims?”
In the land of two rivers, there are not even one remnant left. This is historical memory, and Zhao Hong is telling the truth.
Zhang Tiangang blushed half unconsciously, feeling guilty and still quibbling.
"Your Highness, those people and the dead were all killed by the Tatars. What do they have to do with me, the Emperor of Dajin, and my imperial court?"
"Xianggong Zhang, there is a premise here. Just thirty years ago, your wealth was still burning oil, and you were the largest country in the world. Tell me, are all those who died innocent?"
It is a crime in itself for a country, especially a big country, to do whatever it takes and not protect its own people.
"this……"
Zhang Tiangang was speechless for a moment and could not speak.
In just thirty years, it has transformed from a huge military empire to a small and tiny country that is now struggling to survive. There is really nothing to say.
"Mr. Zhang, you should be loyal to your own people and your own heart, not to someone else."
Zhao Hong laughed and comforted Zhang Tiangang, who looked ugly.
"Ms. Zhang, this is just for the next family. We are just chatting. Don't take it to heart."
It seems that his words hurt people again.
I have to say, this is the downside of being a teacher. Always preaching, chattering, and poking people's hearts.
"Your Highness, if you become the emperor one day, the people of the Song Dynasty will be blessed!"
Zhang Tiangang said slowly and took a long breath.
To be honest, he was really afraid that Zhao Hong would continue to preach.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for your kind words. Thank you, thank you!"
Zhao Hong spit out his words quickly and braked in time.
"Xiangong Zhang, is this the Daxiangguo Temple?"
Everyone moved forward and passed the Daxiangguo Temple. Zhu Duanchang opened his eyes wide when he saw that it was dilapidated and severely damaged, and was not as good as the bustling grass market outside the city.
According to the records in "Tokyo Menghualu", Daxiangguo Temple is highly respected by the royal family and has been expanded many times. It is the largest temple in Tokyo and the national Buddhist center. Eminent monks, dignitaries, literati, envoys and ordinary people come and go here; Buddhist services, tours, Entertainment, visits, and commerce are all gathered together. The temple covers an area of 540 acres, is divided into 455 areas, and governs 64 Zen temples, with Huibei and Zhihai as the two major Zen temples in the east and west. It is resplendent with gold and jade, with thousands of horses and flowing water like dragons.
The Daxiangguo Temple is open to the public for trading five times a month. There are rare birds and animals, food, drink and entertainment, books, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, local products, spices and medicinal materials, mats, mats and screens, saddles, bridles, bows and swords, and preserved fruits and vegetables.
But now under the rule of the Jin people, what is sold is only bamboo hats, Hu hats, Huqins, lamb furs and wolf skin hats, etc., which are full of exotic customs, but the items are scarce. There are even some open fields with vegetables, overgrown with weeds, and dilapidated The beautiful architecture makes people feel desolate and sad.
Could it be that this is a sign that the Jin Dynasty has run out of energy?
"Xiangong Zhu, that's right. This is... the Great Xiangguo Temple..."
Zhang Tiangang's old face turned red again, his eyes flickered, and he hesitated.
"Your Highness, can you grow vegetables here? This is convenient for the market..."
Hu Datou was full of yin and yang, but was stopped by Li Tang's angry face and sharp eyes.
The Northern Song Dynasty turned into the Southern Song Dynasty, and the Jin people were driven to the south of the Yellow River. At this point, both were losers.
Everyone was silent for a long time. They walked along the Imperial Street and saw the towering palace walls and buildings in the distance. It turned out to be the Miyagi Castle of Tokyo City.
"Ms. Zhang, can I pay my respects to you?"
Zhu Duan often bowed to Zhang Tiangang.
"Of course! Come on everyone!"
Zhang Tiangang dismounted and stood aside.
When envoys from the south come here, they must bow and bow. How can we take away the common sense of human beings?
"Thank you!"
All the envoys from the Song Dynasty dismounted at the south gate of the palace. They all bowed in solemn silence.
Zhao Hong did the same. He dismounted and stood in awe, bowed and bowed to pay homage to the palace of his motherland.
After entering the Song Dynasty for more than half a year, he realized at this moment that he had integrated into this era.
The carved railings and jade masonry should still be there, but the beauty has changed.
The lotus ponds on both sides of the Imperial Street have dried up long ago, and the bustling atmosphere has disappeared. The palace city is incomplete and has not been repaired for a long time. Even the Xuande Gate at the south gate of the palace city has been turned into Chengtian Gate.
Tokyo City, the former capital of the Song Dynasty, which carried the dreams and sustenance of countless Song people, has long been in ruins, and things have changed.
One day, even if the King of the Song Dynasty restores the Central Plains and takes back the city of Tokyo that they have been dreaming about, they will definitely find that this dilapidated "Holy Capital" is no longer the Tokyo city in their hearts that they cannot look back on but never forget. .
But no matter what, even if this place is a pile of rubble, we still have to take it back.
Because this is the city of Tokyo, the former capital of the Song Dynasty.
