On a hot summer day, in the Imperial Palace, in the Cining Hall, the Empress Dowager Yang Guizhi of the Song Dynasty was talking to her nieces and nephews. In the garden outside the palace, the palace maids and eunuchs were sweating profusely, driving away the cicadas everywhere.
Compared with before, Yang Guizhi seems to be much quieter and more easy-going.
The weather was too hot, so she accidentally caught a cold and got a minor illness. Her nieces and nephews came to visit, but she was actually almost recovered.
"Does the emperor really want to reinforce Xixia?"
Cao You heard that Yu Jie and others graduated from the Jinling Martial Arts Hall and were the commanders of the frontier armies. This surprised Yang Guizhi. And Zhao Hong sent a large army to reinforce Xixia, which shocked her even more.
Emperor, what are you doing?
Isn't this just asking for trouble?
"Aunt, it's absolutely true. Ten thousand soldiers, armed with firearms, will be sent out in early July. It's a certainty. In the entire Song Dynasty, I'm afraid you are the only one who can persuade him!"
My nephew, Yang Gu, vowed to do it, with a sad face.
Once the war goes wrong, Emperor Long Yan will be furious and may implicate the Yang family.
"Aunt, there is no mistake! We have brought the Xixia princess back, how can it be fake! Beauty is a disaster, and the emperor cannot control it. It may not be a blessing to the country!"
Another nephew, Yang Shi, shook his head and gloated a little.
Yang Guizhi frowned and glanced at her niece Wu who was silent and the original mother-in-law of Emperor Zhao Hong.
"Wu Feng went to the northwest frontier. He didn't go to Xixia, right?"
"Aunt, Feng'er wrote to say that he also wants to go, but he is the only son in the family, so he is blocked. He is now on Lizhou West Road, and he seems to be some kind of commander."
Wu answered cautiously with a smile on her face.
"He is already a commander just after joining the army, which is already quite good."
Yang Guizhi had a general understanding of the regulations in the military, nodded slightly, and suddenly turned to Yang Gu.
"Where are your two precious sons? They are in Jinling University. They are not causing any trouble, are they?"
Yang Gu's two sons, Yang Fansun and Yang Yansun, both studied at Jinling University. I heard that they were given priority, but I don't know whether it was true or not.
"Aunt, the two of them, the eldest went to the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Department, and the second went to the Daye Iron Works. They are all fine. Aunt, don't worry!"
Yang Gu was a little embarrassed. After all, it’s hard to say anything about doing those despicable things.
Yang Fansun went to the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Department, and Yang Yansun went to the Daye Iron Works. At present, it seems that they can still be stable.
"Just do something, don't worry about temporary gains and losses."
Yang Guizhi shook his head, feeling very emotional.
The Yang family of the Song Dynasty was a prestigious family, but their grandchildren went to smelt iron. It was really...
"Aunt, Yang Yi often comes to the palace now. It seems that he is very favored by the emperor."
When Yang Gu mentioned his cousin, a smile suddenly appeared on his face.
As long as there are aunt and Yang Yi in the palace, the life of the Yang family will be much easier.
“Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, who knows?”
Yang Guizhi shook his head and sighed, then suddenly gave instructions.
"The emperor is implementing the New Deal on the Liangzhe Road. Don't hide the number of acres you have. Also, I have stopped all those foot-binding people in the house. Those who are hindering the New Deal should also be stopped immediately. Qian Never go against the emperor."
Brother Yang Gu responded quickly, everyone looked sad.
As a result, I don’t know how much food I have to pay in supplementary payment!
"In this year's imperial examination, the emperor canceled the "catching son-in-law under the ranking" and "parading on horseback". There was a lot of discussion in the government and the public, saying that the emperor was militaristic and used force to rule the civil society, and the world would be in chaos."
Yang Shi was trying to make things up, not knowing whether they were true or false.
"The world is in chaos? All the officers and soldiers are in the hands of the emperor. Why should the world be in chaos? Do you want a pen and paper? It's really ridiculous!"
Yang Guizhi snorted coldly.
She sincerely admired the emperor's drastic implementation of the New Deal.
Needless to say, the implementation of the New Deal has touched the interests of powerful officials. They are already fanning the flames and spreading rumors to cause trouble.
However, the emperor ruled the country with an iron fist, so it was difficult for them to make any waste.
"Aunt, the ministers have submitted a letter asking the emperor to fill the harem and spread branches and branches for the royal family. I remember you mentioned that Xie Shenfu's granddaughter Xie Daoqing should be introduced as a concubine in the harem. Why is there no postscript?"
Yang Gu changed the topic and returned to the harem matters.
Xie Shenfu, the prime minister of Ningzong Dynasty, once supported Yang Guizhi as the queen mother, but Yang Guizhi never repaid him. Xie Shenfu and his son have both passed away. Yang Guizhi once wanted to bring Xie Shenfu's granddaughter Xie Daoqing into the palace, but Prime Minister Xue Ji and the ruling minister Zhen Dexiu refused because of Xie Daoqing's bad appearance and did not give Yang Guizhi this face.
"Originally Xie Daoqing was also on the list of concubines, but the emperor brought back a Xixia princess who was as beautiful as a fairy, so the matter was left alone."
Seeing her aunt's gloomy expression, Mrs. Wu quickly came to her rescue.
Not only did Xie Daoqing have dark skin, he also had a problem with one of his eyes. Although Xie Daoqing was literate, his talent was not outstanding, and his appearance was flawed, so it seemed difficult for him to enter the palace as a concubine.
Although my aunt is still the Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty, her power is no longer what it used to be.
"Aunt, why don't you try to dissuade the emperor from doing whatever he wants outside? He starts provocations without permission and kills scholar-bureaucrats without permission, which are all serious consequences for the country and the people!"
"Yes! No matter how domineering the emperor is, he will not disobey your advice, aunt, right?"
Brother Yang Gu's complaining words were full of anger, which shocked Yang Guizhi.
When she was still the Empress of the Song Dynasty, her nephews were always respectful, but they didn't dare to talk to her like this.
There are also those ministers who avoid Lin'an City if they can. Even if Zhao Hong is not in Lin'an City, the palace is much deserted than before.
"I am an old woman with no power. Can the emperor listen to me? It is not that easy for the emperor to reinforce Xixia. There are so many ministers in the court who will not let him do so."
Yang Guizhi smiled slightly, but rarely got angry.
"Aunt, my nephew is rebellious. I forgive you."
Seemingly sensing something, Yang Gu quickly stood up, pulled his younger brother up, and together they apologized to Yang Guizhi.
After all, Yang Guizhi was both an aunt and the Queen Mother of the Song Dynasty.
"Okay, forgive me. I'm very happy that you can come and talk to me. Let's go back. Remember, the Song Dynasty is waiting for success, so don't go against the emperor."
"Aunt, please rest."
"Aunt, don't be angry, we didn't mean it."
The nephews and nieces nodded and bowed to apologize, but Yang Guizhi waved her hands and seemed not to care.
"Queen Mother, your Majesty is here."
When the palace people came to report, except Yang Guizhi who was sitting down, everyone else in Yang Gu stood up.
"Queen Mother, are you feeling better? Everyone is here. I've seen Madam..."
Zhao Hong and Yang Yicuizhu came up to see the gift and were slightly embarrassed when they saw Mrs. Wu, their former mother-in-law.
Your circle is in chaos!
This sentence seems to be very suitable for the Song Dynasty court, including the Song Dynasty royal family.
"Queen Mother, are you feeling better?"
Concubine Zhang Cuizhu's eyes were full of worry.
"Aunt, are you okay?"
Compared to Cuizhu, Yang Yi seems to be much more casual and contented.
"Okay, okay! Seeing you, all my little problems will disappear."
Zhao Hong brought two newly promoted concubines here, but he gave her enough face.
"Your Majesty, do you have to use troops against the Tatars? Can the border troops who are reinforcing Xixia be withdrawn?"
Yang Guizhi couldn't stand Zhao Hong's indifference to state affairs, so he went straight to the topic.
Zhao Hong's former mother-in-law, Mrs. Wu, was a little embarrassed. She wanted to leave, but her aunt, Queen Mother Yang, had already spoken to Zhao Hong, so she had to stay temporarily.
"The Queen Mother, I'm afraid the soldiers who are reinforcing Xixia have already set off for the battle."
Zhao Hong glanced at Brother Yang Gu, who looked concerned, and looked away with a calm expression.
"Queen Mother, it won't be long before the Tatar army invades the Song Dynasty. I have no choice but to send border troops into the summer for reinforcements. Before next summer, the Queen Mother will understand my difficulties."
Needless to say, the Yang brothers had already told Yang Guizhi about the gossip. He did not want to hide it and told the truth.
Zhao Hong told the truth, Yang Guizhi was speechless for a while, and it took a long time before he said something.
"Your Majesty, having said that, who can predict what will happen in a year's time? Once the Tatars destroy Xixia, once they invade the Song Dynasty, Your Majesty will not be too late to respond. Why bother to risk yourself and wade through this muddy water?"
It sounds like not only many ministers in the court, but also his "mother queen" Yang Guizhi also have a negative attitude towards sending troops to reinforce Xixia.
"Queen Mother, if the Tatars destroy Xixia, it will be a tragic massacre and a catastrophe for civilization. I must try to change the trend of this war as much as possible. This will be of great significance to us, the Song Dynasty, and the future of the Song Dynasty. It’s important.”
Just behind a cliff, he can't deal with the Mongolian army too much.
Wu was secretly surprised. The current Zhao Hong was domineering and well behaved, so different from the young boy in the past that she couldn't bear to recognize him.
"The emperor, who is good at wielding swords and weapons, is not a blessing to the country. You don't have to listen to what I say. But the ministers of the dynasty may not be so easy to convince."
Yang Guizhi had no choice but to express his worries tactfully.
He was good at starting provocations, and he was not so easy to submit to the Song Dynasty court where the scholar-bureaucrats were in full swing.
"As long as the Queen Mother and the child are of one mind. As for the courtiers, the child will deal with it."
Unconsciously, Zhao Hong's expression became serious.
"The world of the Song Dynasty belongs to the royal family of the Song Dynasty. It is the world of the common people, not the world of their scholar-bureaucrats. As the emperor of the Song Dynasty, I am responsible for the safety of every common people in the Song Dynasty. Whoever obstructs state affairs, my son I will never tolerate it!”
Yang Guizhi was surprised by Zhao Hong's decisiveness and shocked by his remarks.
The world of the Song Dynasty was the world of the royal family of the Song Dynasty, and the world of the common people, not the world of the scholar-bureaucrats.
But the royal family of the Song Dynasty ruled the world together with the scholar-bureaucrats, not with the common people. Ordinary people, are they that important?
"Madam, two seniors, the imperial court is vigorously developing industry and commerce and promoting export trade. Why don't you consider doing export trade? The benefits are much higher than land tax. As the navy of the Song Dynasty moves north and south, thousands of hectares and tens of thousands of hectares of land will be It’s so easy to get, and the profit is more than tens of millions?”
Zhao Hong said solemnly to the three Yang Gu brothers and sisters.
His father-in-law Zhou Jiacheng had already established a shipping company and devoted himself to the export trade. If Yang Gu and other princes and nobles had come together, the Song Dynasty would have made the country richer and faster.
"The Queen Mother has a good rest. If anything happens, send someone to call the children at any time. Yang Yi, you and Cuizhu chat with the Queen Mother and take good care of the Queen Mother."
Yang Guizhi was in good health, and Zhao Hong resigned at the right time.
"Aunt, please rest first and take care of your body and bones!"
"Aunt, please rest first. I will accompany you to Jingci Temple to offer incense tomorrow."
Zhao Hong treated Yang Guizhi respectfully. The two beloved concubines were both close to the Queen Mother. The nephews and nieces said goodbye one after another with a much more respectful attitude.
After the group left, Yang Guizhi sat on a chair, lost in thought facing the garden in front of him.
The cicadas had all been driven away, but Yang Guizhi couldn't calm down in her heart.
Being good at wielding weapons, I wonder if it will cause an uproar in the future?
