In December of the eighth year of the Qingli reign of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Zhen, the emperor of the Zhao family, was deeply aware of the frequent natural and man-made disasters in recent years, so he changed the name of the next year to "Huangyou" and issued a general amnesty to the world in the hope of peace and prosperity.
He never imagined that a solar eclipse would appear in the sky just after the New Year, shaking the government and the public, and frightening the people. It was also rumored that floods would occur again in Hebei, and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced. This made him feel depressed, so he stopped celebrating the Lantern Festival and stopped having fun to express his condolences. .
On this day, Zhao Zhen, Chen Zhizhong, Wen Yanbo, Song Xiang, Pang Ji, Gao Ruona, Ye Qingchen, and Mei Zhi were discussing disaster relief in Hebei Province in the west hall of Chuigong Hall. Zeng Gongliang was nearby and was in charge of daily affairs. Suddenly there was an internal official. Holding a piece of silk in his hand, he came to report that a stranger had come from outside the palace. He claimed to have known five hundred years before and five hundred years afterward. He wanted to present the "Seven Continents and Five Oceans Map" to the emperor of the Zhao family.
Zhao Zhen was very surprised and asked Wang Shougui, the eunuch next to him, to bring up the silk picture and look at it carefully.
I saw six continents drawn on the silk map. The largest continent had the word "Song" written on the eastern corner of it. It must have been the territory of his Song Kingdom.
But the Song Dynasty only occupies this small area?
Zhao Zhen was suspicious, so he asked Chen Zhizhong, Pang Ji, and Song Xiang to come closer and take a look. The latter people were amazed after seeing it, but they could not judge whether the picture was accurate or not.
"Congratulations to the official family. A stranger has presented a picture. This is an auspicious sign." Chen Zhizhong cupped his hands to congratulate him.
An auspicious sign?
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but smile bitterly.
He wanted to get an auspicious omen, so he decided to change the Yuan Dynasty this year in December last year. But who would have thought that just after the New Year, there would be a solar eclipse and floods in Hebei, one after another. Broke his luck.
But despite this, he still became curious about the stranger who claimed to have known for five hundred years before and five hundred years afterward, so he ordered Wang Shougui to invite this person to the palace.
Wang Shougui took the order and left. He left and came back in about one stick of incense. He reported to Zhao Zhen with a strange expression: "Officials, the stranger has been invited to the palace and is waiting outside the palace."
Seeing that the disaster relief matters were almost settled, Zhao Zhenxiao asked Chen Zhizhong, Pang Ji, and Song Xiang, "How about you and me meeting that stranger together?"
"But I will follow your orders." The ministers responded with their hands raised. They were also a little curious about the so-called stranger.
So Zhao Zhen ordered Wang Shougui to invite the stranger into the palace. Unexpectedly, after Wang Shougui went out, he led a young man who seemed to be only fifteen or sixteen years old back to the palace.
This...is this the stranger who just presented the picture?
The monarch and his ministers looked at each other, and then secretly looked at the young man.
During this period, the young man also looked at Zhao Zhen with curious eyes. He looked at the emperor of the Zhao family who had the most luxurious crown in the whole palace. After a while, he bowed his hands and said in a slightly weird accent: "Zhao Yang, a Han man from the mountains and wild places." , pay homage to His Majesty."
His Majesty?
Zhao Zhen, who had always been called an official, was a little surprised when he heard this, but he didn't want to correct anything. He asked kindly: "Xiao... is this "Seven Continents and Five Oceans" presented by Xiao Langjun? I don't know where it came from. Wherever you get?"
"Exactly." The young man named Zhao Yang handed over his hand again: "I drew it myself."
Painted by your own hands?
Everyone in the hall felt a little surprised after hearing this, and Pang Ji couldn't help but question: "I think Xiaolangjun is only fifteen or sixteen years old. I am afraid that he is not old enough to travel around the Song Dynasty..."
Although he didn't finish his words, everyone in the hall could understand what he wanted to express: Couldn't this picture be drawn randomly by your kid?
Faced with Pang Ji's doubts, Zhao Yang turned his head and glanced at the old man, saying "heh" lightly without arguing.
Pang Ji's face was a little confused. He felt that there was a hint of disdain in the boy's "ha" that he was too lazy to explain to you.
He participated in political affairs dignifiedly, but was ridiculed by a child?
Of course, he did not have a seizure. After all, he was in front of the officials, and Zeng Gongliang, the daily official who was responsible for recording the emperor's words and deeds, was standing in the palace. If he lost his temper, even if the official did not blame him, he would inevitably be punished by Zeng Gongliang. The above is a "disrespect before the emperor", and it may even be written into the annals of history.
Furthermore, he also vaguely felt that the young man was extraordinary. At least his children and grandchildren at this age could not be as calm and composed as this young man in front of the official family and the important ministers of the dynasty.
And everyone else in the hall also saw this, and they were very surprised.
In the end, it was Zhao Zhen who took over the conversation, covering up the old minister's embarrassment, and also asked the doubts in his heart: "The young man claims to have known for five hundred years before and five hundred years afterward. I think he has something to say, but... Do we, the Song Dynasty, really only have this much?"
Zhao Yanggong cupped his hands and replied: "There are about fifty-three Song Dynasties in the whole world, and the Song Dynasty only accounts for one of them..."
Fifty-three Song Dynasties?
Seeing Zhao Yang telling the specific difference in size, Zhao Zhen and the ministers were even more surprised: Could it be that this young man really has such talent?
After a brief silence, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but ask: "I also know that in addition to Khitan, Xixia, and Goryeo, there are also many Tibetan states such as Champa, Zhenla, and Sanfoqi. However, no one has ever mentioned how big the world is. What Xiaolangjun said was something I had never heard before, and it opened my eyes... I wonder where Xiaolangjun learned it? Did he know it from birth, or was he taught by a wise teacher?"
Zhao Yang thought for a while, nodded and said: "I do have a teacher..."
"Oh?" Zhao Zhen suddenly became interested: "Can you recommend me?"
Hearing this, Zhao Yang showed a look of embarrassment on his face.
"Is there any inconvenience?" Zhao Zhen asked tentatively.
Zhao Yang nodded, but did not explain the reason, which inevitably caused misunderstanding among everyone in the hall.
"It's just that we have no chance to meet such a great sage..."
Zhao Zhen, who had a misunderstanding, sighed regretfully, then looked at Zhao Yang and said warmly: "Young Master presents this wonderful picture today, I should respond. I wonder what reward you want, Young Master?"
Zhao Yang was refreshed, and he cupped his hands and said, "This picture is just a random drawing by me. It is not worth mentioning. I am presenting this picture in the name of having a private conversation with His Majesty."
"Let's talk privately?"
Zhao Zhen was slightly startled.
Although he also guessed that the young man's act of presenting the picture must have a motive, he never expected that the other party's purpose was to ask for a "private conversation" with him.
He asked curiously: "I wonder what the young man wants to tell me?"
Zhao Yang shook his head and said: "There are some words that only His Majesty can know."
Zhao Zhen was quite curious when he heard this. He raised his hand and pointed at the people in the hall and said: "These are all important ministers of the Song Dynasty, so they are not allowed to listen?"
"Yes." Zhao Yang looked as normal and nodded slightly.
This kid...
The ministers in the palace were more or less convinced.
But now that the conversation has come to this point, the ministers resigned in a sensible manner.
After a while, only the eunuch Wang Shougui and several other eunuchs were left in the palace, as well as Zeng Gongliang, who was responsible for repairing the daily living notes.
At this time, Zhao Zhen asked Zhao Yang curiously: "What do you want to tell me, young man?"
"Can't say yet."
Zhao Yang shook his head. After glancing at Wang Shougui and Zeng Gongliang in the palace, he cupped his hands and said, "In order to prevent the walls from having ears and secrets leaking, your Majesty, please remove the guards outside the palace. These two people in the palace must also evacuate."
Zhao Zhen was a little hesitant when he heard this. During his hesitation, he heard Wang Shougui whisper from the side: "Not an official. This son has a strange origin and unknown intentions. If he has evil intentions..."
Zhao Yang heard what he heard clearly. He snorted softly and then looked at Zhao Zhen and said: "I must tell you the truth, if your majesty was not my family, I would not have come today... I also came here at a risk. I didn't expect your majesty." Your courage is not as good as mine..."
"shut up!"
Wang Shougui was shocked and lost his voice: "You crazy boy, how dare you be so rude to the officials!"
"alright."
Zhao Zhen raised his hand to stop Wang Shougui, looked at Zhao Yang with doubts on his face, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "Please step back first..."
"Official!"
Wang Shougui looked shocked and was about to persuade him again when he saw Zhao Zhen said displeasedly: "Am I not as good as a ten-year-old child?"
After hearing this, Wang Shougui did not dare to persuade him any more. After struggling for a while, he still hesitantly exited the hall and ordered the guards outside the hall to evacuate temporarily.
During this period, Zeng Gongliang saw Zhao Yang's eyes directed towards him. He took a step forward and said, "I know Zeng Gongliang, who knows how to make imperial edicts and compile history books. He is a Hanlin scholar. He was appointed to compile daily notes for officials so that he can compile national history in the future." .So, are you allowed to listen in?"
He felt that Zhao Yang didn't know about the role of "Xiu Living Notes", and was about to explain something, but he saw Zhao Yang raised his hand to stop him, and sneered: "No need to explain, I know what Xiu Living Notes is about, recording the words and deeds of the emperor." ...However, since Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty, is there any credibility in this daily note? I don’t think there is a difference between the note and the note.”
Song Taizong?
Zhao Zhen was stunned for a moment and frowned slightly.
But Zeng Gongliang didn't seem to notice this. He was so angry at Zhao Yang's words, but he didn't know how to refute it. Who made Song Taizong really leave a stain on this matter.
Just when he couldn't help but get angry, Zhao Yang seemed to suddenly think of something. He raised his hand and touched his smooth chin, thinking: "Zeng Gongliang... Well, I know you, you seem... you should be able to worship me." Appropriate."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Xiao Lang, for your kind words!" Zeng Gongliang said through gritted teeth.
This veteran who has just turned fifty does not appreciate it. After all, with his current qualifications, as long as nothing unexpected happens, it is inevitable that he will be promoted to the prime minister in the future. Why should he be grateful?
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yang shook his head and said to himself: "I can't talk about good luck... What I really want to say is, I hope you, Lao Zeng, will not make a mistake, ruining a good future and a good life."
"Future? Life?" Zeng Gongliang was stunned and looked at Zhao Yang with a frown.
"Yes!" Zhao Yang nodded and said with a firm tone: "If you insist on listening in the palace today, even if your Majesty cherishes talented people, he will definitely kill him afterwards. ... Ruining your future, losing your life, and... Why do you need to make Your Majesty bear the reputation of killing virtuous ministers?"
"..."
Zeng Gongliang was shocked when he heard this, and turned to look at Zhao Zhen doubtfully. In fact, Zhao Zhen couldn't figure out the situation.
After a long while, Zhao Zhen said: "Zeng Qing, you... please step back first."
Zeng Gongliang glanced at the confident Zhao Yang, his face trembled for a while, but in the end he chose to bow down and accept the order: "...obey."
After a few breaths, Zeng Gongliang also exited the hall. At this time, within a hundred steps of Chui Gong Hall, apart from Zhao Zhen, the only one was Zhao Yang who walked to the door of the hall and looked out.
"Since I have ordered everyone to retreat, who dares to disobey?"
Zhao Zhen, who saw Zhao Yang's actions, snorted lightly, and then said in an inexplicable tone with a bit of perseverance: "Perhaps it's time to say it now? I'm very confused. What does the young man rely on to dare to say that I will kill the emperor?" Important minister."
At this time, Zhao Yang had also confirmed that there was no one outside the palace, so he returned to the palace and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, don't be anxious, let me introduce you again."
As he spoke, he bowed to Zhao Zhen again and lowered his voice: "My name is Zhao Yang, I come from a thousand years later..."
"!!"
Zhao Zhen was stunned for a moment, then his eyes gradually widened, his face full of horror and shock.
