In recent days, everything has been complicated and stressful. Zhao Hong has been dizzy and has not had a good rest. At dusk, in the royal study, amidst the laughter and slapstick of his children, Zhao Hong leaned on a chair and fell asleep unknowingly.
In his sleep, somewhere unknown, Zhao Hong stood on a cliff by the seaside, looking down at the water. Suddenly, the dark sea tide surged and immediately came to his feet. Zhao Hong wanted to avoid it, but was too late. The tide quickly submerged him. It reached his feet, knees, waist, and suddenly stopped when it reached his chest. The tide receded in an instant, and there was hard rock under his feet again...
"ah……"
Zhao Hong woke up suddenly, his chest felt cold, and when he touched it, he realized that his clothes were soaked.
He stood up and walked to the window, only to realize that it was already getting late, the lanterns had already started to light up in the palace, and the imperial guards stood solemnly, quiet and peaceful.
Looking at the lights and bustle in the night sky, Zhao Hong suddenly felt very lonely for some reason and wanted to return to another time and space immediately to reunite with his relatives.
As the emperor of the Song Dynasty, he was alone, and even when he slept, he had to sleep alone. The sadness of loneliness was difficult to escape.
Unknowingly, he suddenly became a little tired of war, a little tired of running around, with swords and swords flashing, and hard work.
This is his tenth year in this time and space. After ten years of walking on thin ice and working diligently, it is inevitable that he will be a little tired.
"The human heart is not enough for a snake to swallow an elephant, so we have to look forward to Shu!"
Zhao Hong shook his head and smiled helplessly.
Every time he goes to war, there seems to be more gray hair on his head.
He has just passed his thirties!
At the same time, Zhao Hong's stomach growled unsatisfactorily.
"Your Majesty, do you want to eat right away?"
Dong Songchen, who was standing by the side, asked softly.
"Women and children, are they all asleep?"
All in all, he is now the father of seven children, four boys and three girls. The eldest Zhao Quan is nine years old, and the youngest is just over a hundred days old. In addition to Zhou Xiuniang and Li Weiming, who both have two children, Yang Yi, Jia Sijin, and Cuizhu each have one child.
Moreover, Jia Sijin and Cuizhu are both pregnant now, and the stubborn diseases that plague the heirs of the Song Dynasty royal family seem to have disappeared from him.
Thinking of Yang Yi and Li Weiming, Zhao Hong couldn't help but have another headache.
The cold war between Li Weiming and him seemed to be endless, which made him feel bored and wanted to get rid of it.
After Yang Yi left the palace, he seemed to have completely let himself go. His daughter didn't care and wandered around, which disappointed him and made him hate himself even more.
"Back to Your Majesty, the ladies and princes have already rested. Do you want to have a meal, Your Majesty?"
Dong Songchen observed his words and said carefully.
"I want to go out for a walk. Don't be alarmed. Just call Li Tang and Xu Sheng."
Feeling depressed, Zhao Hong felt that he could no longer stay still, so he stood up and stretched.
Go out and get some air, you may be able to relax your mood and release some stress.
"Your Majesty, would you like to make some arrangements first?"
Dong Songchen said hesitantly.
"What are the arrangements? Clearing the place? How many people have seen me? They all changed into plain clothes. It can be regarded as a private visit incognito."
Zhao Hong remained unmoved and stepped forward.
Once you stay in the cage for too long, you will leave the human world.
There are countless restaurants and shops in Imperial Street, bright lights, people coming and going, laughter and laughter, and many Tibetan people with different appearances and costumes, which add a lot of Chinese and foreign flavor to the market in Lin'an City and the flavor of an international metropolis.
As the Song Dynasty expanded its territory and its navy crossed the ocean, Lin'an City became more and more prosperous.
Liuchun Tower is one of the famous restaurants in Lin'an City. In the bustling lobby, there are diners with various accents and different costumes, making it extremely lively.
Zhao Hong and others came in and sat down at a table by the window on the first floor.
Zhao Hong likes the lobby. Although it is noisy, it is full of fireworks. On the contrary, the private rooms are isolated and quiet, and there is no atmosphere for eating and drinking.
The lobby was full of guests, bustling with foreign business travelers with bald hair, white robes and round caps, with different skin colors and different languages.
It has to be said that the Song Dynasty expanded its territory and developed industry, commerce and export, which greatly promoted the cultural and economic exchanges between the Song Dynasty and the outside world.
"Brother Huang, it's been a long time. I heard that some of you Fujian businessmen are going to Australia to mine. Is it true?"
On a table, several merchants in luxurious clothes bowed their hands in greetings, feeling proud and smiling.
"Brother Liu, what's wrong with this! Our Fuzhou Chamber of Commerce has organized 2,000 workers on 12 ships and will be ready to set off after the new year."
Brother Huang is dark and thin, but has a loud voice and looks energetic. The jade ring on his finger is very eye-catching.
"2,000 people! Aren't you afraid of going hungry?"
Brother Liu was surprised. It is said that the Fujian people are so enterprising that they built 16 ships and 2,000 workers in one operation, which was incredible.
"1,000 people have already arrived and have settled down."
Brother Huang smiled, full of pride.
"Besides, what's so scary? The worst case scenario is to let the miners farm. As long as the officials and soldiers of the imperial court are here, no one will starve to death! Besides, there are many mines in Australia. Coal and iron mines are mined for free. You only need to pay some Management fee. We are all willing to pay for it!"
"Brother, I admire you! I admire you!"
Brother Liu's face was full of smiles and his eyes were full of envy.
"Brother Huang, I heard that there are iron ore and coal mines in Africa. Brother, I also want to try my luck."
"Then you have to hurry up! These matters should be done sooner rather than later. The worst thing you can do is spend some money on the ship. For you, Brother Liu, this amount of money is not a drop in the bucket. However, it is a long way to Africa. It is best to check with the Immigration Department before proceeding. Make a decision.”
The Immigration Department knows the situation in Africa very well and is indeed the best choice for a guide.
"Brother Huang, I understand! What are you doing here in Lin'an for the Chinese New Year?"
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Coming to Anseong at this time, it's really hard to have a good year.
"I don't think there are too many people and things. I came to the Immigration Department and saw that there will be warships going south during the New Year and they will be escorted by navy officers. Brother, I feel at ease."
The navy of the Song Dynasty went to the Southeast Asia in March and April every year to immigrate and station troops there. There were thousands of warships at sea all year round. Most of the merchant ships in the Song Dynasty set off in the spring, and the ships of Brother Huang's Chamber of Commerce were no exception.
"Brother Huang, you've come to the right place! Now the imperial navy's fleets are all steamships, which can sail all year round. With so many of your ships, the Immigration Department will definitely arrange them properly. Just put your heart back in your stomach. !”
Brother Liu is an official in Lin'an City, so he naturally knows the dynamics of the imperial navy and export trade.
"I saw the steamship too. I came here by steamship. It's everywhere on the sea. It really travels thousands of miles in a day. It's an eye-opener for Brother Yu! It seems like Brother Yu can leave at any time!"
When it comes to steamships, Brother Huang is also excited.
"Of course! Who dares to stop the merchant ships of the Song Dynasty in the Southern and Indian Oceans now? In my opinion, you can leave at any time and fly the dragon flag of the Song Dynasty to ensure that you are safe and sound, all the way to Australia!"
"What Brother Liu said is absolutely true, so thank you for your kind words! You can do whatever you want. For today's meal, Brother Yu is the host!"
"Brother Huang, let me lend you this glass of water and wine. I wish you a safe journey and a lot of money!"
"Thank you, thank you! Please!"
Several people mingled with each other, the atmosphere was warm, and Zhao Hong felt much relieved.
Opening up the sea and enriching the country, expanding import and export, and expanding overseas colonization are indeed the right ways to make a country strong and prosperous.
Ten years after arriving in the Song Dynasty and more than eight years in power, the Song Dynasty was finally on the right track.
A group of young people came in, all carrying swords on their waists, wearing narrow sleeves and strong clothes, and they were full of heroic spirit. They sat down at the table next to Zhao Hong and others.
"I don't know if I can pass the exam this time."
One of the young men said, seemingly lacking confidence.
"Second brother, don't worry. If you don't pass the exam, you can try the Jinling Naval Academy. If you can't, just join the army directly. If you perform well in the army, you can also go to the martial arts school!"
Another young man advised.
"But entering the martial arts school or naval academy is faster than fighting with swords and guns. If you have to suffer in the military, how long will it take?"
The second brother shook his big head with a sad look on his face.
Zhao Hong couldn't help but smile.
This second brother is young and ambitious. If you want to get ahead, you have to have real skills.
"Do you think that was before? It's very difficult for Cao Youwen to get that kind of opportunity from Lu Wende!"
The young man who spoke obviously paid close attention to the Jinling Martial Arts Hall and knew a lot about the inside story of the Martial Arts Hall.
"It's not easy to go to the Jinling Martial Arts School now and become a low-level officer in the army. Not to mention Cao Youwen's commander-in-chief, even a general-level officer. It takes too long to go to the Naval Academy, and we are a bit old now. Now Nowadays, there are frequent wars. As long as you join the army and fight bravely, it is easy to achieve military exploits. Second brother, don't be downcast. Maybe you can pass the exam."
The comfort from his companion made the second brother nod his head and look a little better.
"In my opinion, it is better to go to the normal school. Although the salary is not high, it is worse than having a free job, and there are not so many intrigues. Second brother, think about it."
Another elegant, dark and thin young man spoke next.
When the food was served, the young people began to eat and drink, and the atmosphere was lively.
Zhao Hong shook his head secretly. These guys were able to eat and drink at Liuchun Tower, so they were obviously from good backgrounds.
"Then I'm practicing martial arts and riding and shooting. Isn't my practice in vain?"
As expected, the second brother looked frustrated.
"Practice is not in vain! Even if you are going to take the normal school entrance examination, it still depends on whether you are strong or not!"
The thin, dark young man smiled and suddenly asked.
"Speaking of which, the war in Hanzhong has been going on for more than a year. Why is there no movement from the court? Is the emperor afraid?"
During the war, everyone felt that the Emperor of the Song Dynasty was a lunatic for being militaristic; but once the situation was calm, they felt that the Emperor was abnormal and cowardly, and should be beaten out.
"Why is the emperor afraid of war?"
The second brother snorted coldly, shook his head, and immediately denied his companion's suspicion.
"First Hexi, then Xinglingdi, then Li Quan in Huainan, and then Shaanxi in Guanzhong. All the way to capture cities and territories, it was a battle involving tens of thousands of people and more than 100,000 people. Who has the emperor been afraid of?"
When the emperor was mentioned, the second brother's eyes lit up.
"Perhaps the next step is for the Emperor of the Song Dynasty to send troops northward to restore the Central Plains! As he said in the newspaper, the country is so beautiful that it attracts countless heroes. Just wait and see, there may be a war soon. !”
The second brother's words made everyone nod, and someone continued:
"My army, the King of the Song Dynasty, is at its peak and is invincible. The restoration of the Central Plains is just around the corner, maybe in the next two or three years. Isn't it a little late for us to go to the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall? Why not go to the Jinling University Hall or the Jinling Normal School? In the future, we can Being an official will bring benefits to the country. You think, when the king restores the Central Plains, someone must be there to calm and appease the people."
"I still have to take the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall. If I fail, I will go to the Jinling University College. The emperor's civilized and martial arts will definitely continue to use troops abroad, and there will be many opportunities to make contributions!"
The second brother has a stubborn temper and is obsessed with taking the exams for Jinling Lecture Hall and Jinling University.
"Second brother, I also want to take the Jinling Martial Arts School exam! Maybe, you and I will be the next Cao Youwen. Besides, if we can meet the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, our lives will be worth it!"
The dark and thin young man has not changed his original intention and is also stubborn.
"Well said! Brothers, let's work together and wish everyone's wishes come true! Let's do it!"
Several young people touched the bowl and drank it all in one gulp.
Zhao Hong smiled and listened to the young people's talk, which was also inspiring.
One generation per decade. The martial arts hall has been running for almost ten years. From these young people, he can feel the changes in people, especially the changes in the younger generation.
In the past, the streets of Lin'an were bustling with dandies carrying bird cages and cricket jars, and the atmosphere was filled with malaise. Nowadays, heroic young people carrying swords and swords can be seen everywhere, and the spirit of martial arts is evident.
This made him feel relieved that all his efforts were finally in vain. And this nation finally changed its ways and took the right path.
