Lin'an City, the Great Inner Forbidden Garden, and the Dark Incense Pavilion.
Although the plum blossoms in the Forbidden Garden have long since withered, other plants and trees are flourishing and lush, making people feel relaxed and happy, and it feels like they have forgotten all their love and disgrace.
In front of the Anxiang Pavilion, a lake of spring water is shrouded in mist and rain. Willows cling to the shore, light boats are moored on the shore, winding paths lead to secluded areas, and jagged rocks form a picture of Jiangnan landscape.
Standing in the small pavilion, Zhao Hong stood quietly with his hands behind his hands, looking at the grand scene in the mist and rain in trance.
He really couldn't adapt from Shukou, a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters, but a poor life and strong and simple folk customs, to Lin'an, a place with gentle breeze, drizzle, small bridges and flowing water, but a luxurious and sluggish market.
Lin'an City is so beautiful that it makes people arrogant and extravagant. When they become despondent with playthings, their bones become weak and they lose the motivation to fight.
Historically, it was this kind of indulgence and desperation that allowed the Mongolian army's cavalry to crush the north and south of the Yangtze River. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians went to the sea and behind the cliffs.
In fact, what he didn't notice was that Lin'an City was changing, but the changes were so subtle that he didn't notice it for a while.
The upcoming palace examination will require a lot of energy from him, and he also wants to do something to change the situation of only those who are the best in the imperial examination.
The national imperial examination is a great way to win scholars, which is the foundation of the country. The scholar-bureaucrat class is not difficult to control. The key is how the court uses it and how to control the laws.
Everything is still at the discretion of the king.
The power of kings is divinely delegated, so how can it be that the power of kings is weaker than the power of a prime minister? The king himself does nothing and is trapped in the so-called ancestral family law of "the king and the scholar-bureaucrats rule the world together". This is simply nonsense!
Has the family law of your ancestors made you servile? Which ancestral teaching allows you to subjugate your country and exterminate your species?
It was purely the incompetence of the emperors of the Song Dynasty!
Just like his "father" Song Ningzong Zhao Kuo, in history, he only knew how to cultivate Taoism and become an immortal, but did nothing in his life. When he died, he did not know how to appoint a prince or leave an edict. As a result, the government was defeated day by day and all state affairs were suspended.
And Shandong Li Quan was a troublemaker, which made him helpless and restless.
He didn't want to touch Li Quan, not because he didn't dare to do it, but because he knew Li Quan's ending in history. He wanted to get rid of Li Quan at the minimum cost and maintain the current situation in Huainan. He did not want to take back Huaidong as a pile of rubble.
According to historical records, Li Quan was about to fight the Mongolian army, besiege Shandong, and then surrender to the Mongolian army. Li Quan surrendered to the Mongols, the Song Dynasty stopped paying wages, and the loyal troops under his command killed each other. There was no more loyal troops in the world, only "Mongol Li Quan".
In history, "Mongolian Li Quan" used troops against the Song Dynasty many times. Maybe in the next year or so, the imperial court will have to take a preemptive strike and have to use troops against Li Quan.
Over in Xixia, the Mongolian army is attacking the city and is probably attacking the Hexi Corridor. After summer, they will march into Xingling Land.
I don’t know how prepared Yu Jie and Cao Youwan are. When will they send out troops?
If they bring enough firearms, they should be able to survive this long and protracted war, right?
By next summer, he will probably have to lead his troops personally to solve Xixia's problem.
By then, the Chengdu Prefecture and Lizhou Camp, as well as the new armies on the Lizhou Route, should be completed and ready for use, right?
Walking on the secluded path paved with stones, the willow branches sway slightly, there are countless fallen reds, and the drizzle makes Zhao Hong feel fresh, but a bit lonely.
Ten thousand soldiers went to Xixia and shed blood and sacrificed their lives. Why?
For Xixia civilization, for so many living lives.
Under the premise that the strength gap between the two sides is obvious, this is the only way, the only way that can save the Xixia civilization.
Saving Xixia civilization may sound a bit "holy bitch", but it is the truest thought in his heart.
After Yashan, in his era, it was impossible to even think about it, it was absolutely impossible!
The poor and weak Song Dynasty could achieve national rejuvenation only through the accumulation of time and the bloodshed and sacrifice of countless soldiers.
Can the Song Dynasty usher in its own era?
"...the tide surges across the Taiwan Strait, rising and falling with the waves...the breeze smiles, causing loneliness, and there is still a night photo of the pride...la la la..."
While he was distracted, the faint sound of singing came along with the sound of the piano, which made Zhao Hong, who was in deep thought, startled.
It seemed to be Zhou Xiuniang's voice, as well as the voices of other women.
Since having a child, and even her second child, Zhou Xiuniang has played the piano less and less.
She is away from home all year round, and Zhou Xiuniang takes care of two children, which is enough for her to keep busy.
It can be heard from the music and singing that Zhou Xiuniang is in a good mood, and Zhao Hong also has a smile on his face.
He hopes that everyone around him will be happy, happy, and not disturbed by worldly things.
Life is short, and there are already too many worries, so why bother bothering yourself anymore and struggling with yourself.
Following the singing, I found that, sure enough, in the Suihan Pavilion, several women were playing the piano and singing, enjoying themselves.
"I have met His Majesty!"
Seeing Zhao Hong coming in, several women stood up and saluted.
"No need to be polite."
Zhao Hong looked at one of them and said with a smile:
"Princess, you can also sing "Swordsman"."
"Your Majesty, it was all taught by Sister Zhou."
Li Weiming's face turned red and he seemed a little embarrassed.
When she arrived in Lin'an City, she realized that Zhao Hong was not only a great writer, but also a master of lyrics and music. This song "Swordsman" has a free and profound artistic conception and can be regarded as a famous song through the ages.
"Okay, okay! It seems like you sisters are getting along well!"
Zhao Hong laughed and looked at the other shy and smiling beauty in the pavilion. His eyes lit up and his heart beat faster.
"Xiu Niang, please introduce to me, this is..."
This woman has green hair and red face, eyes like autumn water, and her whole body is soft, like a lake of spring water full of oxygen, making the air melt.
Who is this?
"Your Majesty, this is Jia Sijin, sister Jia, who is also the empress of honor. She comes to the palace to express her gratitude."
Zhou Xiuniang smiled slightly and introduced Zhao Hong.
Thank you?
Zhao Hong looked at the beauty in confusion and took the opportunity to take a few more glances.
This woman and Li Weiming, one is extremely soft and beautiful, the other is neutral and majestic, standing together, their beautiful girls complement each other.
"I have a beautiful body, so the daughter of Jia She, the envoy of Huaidong, has met your majesty."
Jia Sijin said softly and saluted Zhao Hong.
"You are the daughter of Jia She and the sister of Jia Sidao. Sure enough, you are better known than the first sight. You are a beautiful country, a lady from a famous family, so good!"
Zhao Hong smiled and nodded repeatedly.
No wonder Zhao Yun, Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty, wanted to make this woman his queen. She was indeed a stunning beauty.
Recalling that he had criticized Jia She's "scumbag" behavior in public before, Zhao Hong couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
"Your Majesty, sister Jia's elder brother Jia Guandao and younger brother Jia Sidao have both entered Jinling University. She is here to express her gratitude."
Zhou Xiuniang smiled brightly and continued to explain to Jia Sijin.
"No need to be polite. Your younger brother and elder brother are both talented people. As long as they serve the country loyally, I will definitely use them!"
Zhao Hong glanced at Jia Sijin a few more times, secretly sighing at the uncanny workmanship of the Creator of the World to create such a natural beauty.
This is going to bring disaster to the country and the people!
"Your Majesty, if you allow me, Sister Jia will stay in the palace."
Zhou Xiuniang said with a half-smile.
Zhao Hong's fiery eyes said everything.
"I'm not allowed to do anything. If you want to stay, you can stay longer. It happens that the princess has few friends here, so you should have a good time. Xiu Niang, you must do your best to be a landlord and entertain good guests!"
Zhao Hong laughed and gave instructions seriously.
Last time Zhou Xiuniang introduced Yang Yi to him, wouldn't she introduce Jia Sijin again this time?
"Where's Yang Yi? Isn't she in the palace? Why aren't you together?"
Thinking of Zhou Ping's words, Zhao Hong couldn't help but feel his heart sink.
Will Yang Yi not be able to tolerate Li Weiming?
"Your Majesty, Yang Yi has gone to the Queen Mother. Do you want to ask her to come here now?"
"No, no! I'm just asking casually. Princess and Miss Jia, you have to take good care of them!"
Zhao Hong waved his hand and rejected his wife's "kindness".
Anyway, I have been in Lin'an City for a while, and there are many opportunities to meet, so there is no need to deliberately arrange it.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will take good care of them."
Zhou Xiuniang understood. No need to ask, Zhao Hong has already moved his heart.
"Xiu Niang, where is the child?"
"My mother and Princess Yi are taking care of the child, so you don't have to worry."
Zhou Xiuniang said with a smile.
Princess Yi is Zhao Hong's adopted mother. She lives alone. Now she is living in the palace to take care of her grandson. Zhao Hong is sincerely happy.
"My mother is here too. Well, well, she is so happy to see her two grandchildren!"
Zhao Hong nodded repeatedly and laughed.
Li Weiming was reserved. When Jia Sijin and Zhao Hong met for the first time, neither could get a word in. Zhao Hong was slightly embarrassed.
He remembered something and whispered to Zhou Xiuniang.
"When you have time, take the child to visit the Queen Mother. She is alone now and is older, so it will not be easy."
Yang Guizhi is already sixty-four years old and very old. There is no need to be familiar with her. People's hearts are selfish, and if he were put in Yang Guizhi's position, he would probably do the same thing.
What's more, the courtier's heart is unpredictable. He has to be away all year round, so there can't be a fire in the backyard.
"Don't worry. I often take the children there when you are away. This Queen Mother is much gentler than before."
Zhou Xiuniang replied in a low voice, with the same smile on her face, and added another sentence.
"Your relationship with the Queen Mother has eased now, and Yang Yi is much more cheerful."
Zhao Hong looked at the people around him, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Xiu Niang, you are really my close friend! I will definitely do my homework and let you get pregnant with your third child!"
Zhao Hong whispered in a low voice, with a look of vulgarity on his face.
"Your Majesty, it can't be done now! You'd better stay with your Princess Xixia."
Zhou Xiuniang's face turned red and she was secretly surprised.
Zhao Hong dared to say anything embarrassing regardless of the occasion.
"Miss Jia, princess, you have a good time, I will take my leave now!"
Zhao Hong laughed and glanced at Jia Sijin a few more times before leaving.
This woman is so soft and beautiful!
Judging from the vicious gaze of his veteran driver, this woman has a slender body, curvy hips and long legs. If placed in future generations, she would definitely be a goddess-level national treasure.
Noticing the old driver's passionate gaze, Jia Sijin also blushed slightly.
The young and handsome emperor seemed to have too many emotions.
The white-haired fisherman and woodcutter on the Nagisa River is used to watching the autumn moon and spring breeze. It turns out that beneath the emperor's open-minded appearance, there is also a turbulent heart.
