The bright sun is in the sky, releasing heat wantonly, baking the earth endlessly. The city of Tokyo seems to have become a lot more impetuous due to the hot weather in midsummer. Kaifeng is the largest city in the Central Plains. It is not easy to live there, especially for ordinary people. No matter how unfriendly the weather is, they still have to endure the scorching heat and sun and rush around to make a living.
As the country gradually became more peaceful and the court implemented good governance, the city of Kaifeng ushered in a great development, and the city gradually prospered. During this period, the people, as long as they were willing to work, could basically find a job to make a living. Of course, there is only a difference in the degree of labor.
With the opening of the prohibition on alcohol, there are more and more wine shops in Tokyo. However, almost a year later, the court has tightened it again. Although it is not as strict as the ban in the early years of Qianyou, it also restricts the use of alcoholic beverages. of brewing. Among the common people, there are many smart people who can guess the reason. There is quite a lot of noise in the imperial court preparing for war, and the news of the Khitan's southern invasion has been spreading for a while.
For the first time, it caused panic among the people in Tokyo. Most of the people living in Tokyo, regardless of whether they were officials or civilians, had experienced the national disaster when the Khitan destroyed the Jin Dynasty in the twelfth year of Tianfu.
However, this panic only caused a sudden wave and soon subsided. First, there has been no movement from the Khitan side for a long time, and if there is any movement, it cannot reach the ears of the common people. At most, they can hear some news about harassment by barbarian cavalry and repelling the Han troops guarding the border; secondly, the imperial court announced the system and the government took action. In order to stabilize their patience; the three of them probably have some confidence in the current Northern Han Dynasty, and do not believe that the Khitans can invade the Central Plains again.
By now, the Khitan's invasion of the south has become a rumor. Instead of causing waves, it has become a topic of conversation among the people in Tokyo after dinner.
However, the court's policies are still tight as they should be. For ordinary people, the most personal experience is that the price of wine is getting more and more expensive, and it has given birth to many people engaged in handicrafts.
Many merchants saw the opportunity and purchased relevant supplies from the countryside and brought them to Tokyo or several important camps and towns, where they could be sold. Of course, corruption cannot be avoided. After all, if the water is clear, there will be no fish. If anyone is discovered or reported, he will be dealt with severely. Otherwise, today's Han Dynasty court will not be able to control it in such detail...
However, in Tokyo, tea shops are developing faster than wine shops. Especially in this hot summer, whether they are government officials on duty, soldiers on patrol, street vendors, dentists, or even people with nothing to do, they all like to drink a bowl of herbal tea and chat in the tea shops in the market. News and interesting stories.
In Tokyo, a large green cloth umbrella was erected next to a restaurant to provide shade and sun, with several sets of tables and chairs underneath. Restaurant merchants are very smart. With this simple decoration, the restaurant is always full of customers every time. Bowls of herbal tea are served, paired with market snacks. The price is not expensive. It is still very tempting to hungry, thirsty and tired passers-by. At the same time, it can also increase the popularity of your own restaurant.
At this time, all kinds of men, old and young, crowded together, drinking and chatting. In a slightly shady place on the side, there were several salesmen sitting on the cargo poles, each also ordered a bowl of tea and drank it. Next, very happy.
There was a lively discussion on the tea table.
"It's been two months since I've been saying that the Khitans are going to fight against the big men, but there's still no movement at all..." A shirtless, rather muscular young man held a pickled melon in his mouth while speaking. He shouted loudly while chewing, his tone sounding like he wanted the Khitans to go south quickly.
When the people next to him heard this, an older man narrowed his eyes and immediately answered: "You are a young man who doesn't know how to live or die. If you don't cherish this peaceful life, how can you still think about it?" fight?"
"My father-in-law is right. When the Khitans came, everyone had a hard time. Are the young men today just not practical?" A fruit vendor nearby was also on Zhuo Shang. After hearing this, he followed up and was very dissatisfied with the young man. Man's speech.
Then a bunch of people echoed the criticism. Seeing the anger, the man hurriedly explained: "I'm worried about my husband. I don't know when there will be a war in the north. I want to go to Qizhou to sell some medicinal materials, but I'm afraid of a war." .”
As he spoke, he looked around and groaned: "I tell you guys, even if we fight, can we still reach Tokyo? The imperial court has strong troops now, but it still can't stop the Khitans in Hebei? What are you afraid of here?"
Seeing his disinterested look, someone immediately retorted: "Even if we can't defeat Tokyo, if the war goes badly, the imperial court will increase labor and tax and levy grain..."
Seeing these people speaking more and more boldly, the owner of the tea shop hurriedly stepped forward, offered his hand and said cheerfully: "Everyone, don't talk about state affairs, don't talk about state affairs!"
As he said this, he glanced at the two city guardsmen who were walking slowly in the distance. Everyone noticed them and immediately changed the subject.
However, someone took the opportunity and said: "I think this person who doesn't know the heights of heaven and earth will only become honest after going to Kaifeng Prison..."
The hot weather in Tokyo seems to be teasing Han Emperor Liu Chengyou's inner boredom, and even a few bowls of "iced snow pear soup" can't control it. In the past two months, Liu Chengyou had been concentrating on the affairs between the north and the south, working so hard that he rarely even went to the harem.
In the hall, Liu Chengyou was wearing a light thin robe, leaning sideways on the armrest of the throne. Zhang Dejun used a round fan to blow him away. Although the movement was not loud, he carefully controlled the intensity and rhythm, which made him sweat profusely.
Seeing his hard work and perseverance, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and asked him to go down and rest, and arranged for someone to bring more ice cubes from the icehouse.
"It's midsummer now, and even we can't stand the scorching heat, but how much worse than the Hulu?" Wei Renpu and Zheng Ren, who were playing in front of Liu Chengyou's palace, said: "It is even more unlikely that the Khitan people will go south in the near future. Come to think of it, they really have to wait until autumn. It’s high time!”
"What your Majesty said is true!" Wei Renpu said: "According to the news from the north, although the Khitan Lord wanted to invade the south, the timing was not good, and the Hulu nobles were not subdued by him. And from the bottom of the Khitan Observation by the people shows that the Khitan has also been fighting for years, and the people are exhausted and the soldiers are exhausted. No matter whether they are nobles or ordinary herdsmen, they have no fighting spirit and are unwilling to invade the south at this time."
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou showed a rare hint of arrogance in his expression: "Today's big men are not comparable to Shi Jin. If you follow the Khitan Lord for a while, you will get benefits."
Deputy Privy Envoy Zheng Renjie then said: "Even the former Jin Dynasty, whose government was in chaos and people's livelihood was poor, caused huge damage to the Khitan army commanded by Yelu Deguang, and what's worse is our government. Since he came to the throne, Your Majesty has never been weak to the outside world. However, if they come south, our Han army will fight fiercely and kill them. The Khitan barbarians are also human beings, and they know pain and fear. They have already suffered heavy losses in Hebei. Even if the Khitan master wants to go his own way, he will overcome difficulties and subdue them. Disharmony still needs time!”
Hearing this, he nodded and acknowledged Zheng Renjie's words. Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said, "Our army can prepare for war. We can slow down for the time being and wait until autumn!"
"yes!"
Liu Chengyou knew that it was time to cool down. During this period of time, the court was spending money like water, which was a big test for a man whose family was far from rich. Xue Juzheng, the deputy envoy in charge of the Third Division, had spoken to Liu Chengyou several times and was so distressed that even Wang Zhang, who had retreated to the second county, came forward.
Resettling the relocated households, building ordnance, transporting grain and grass... so much money was spent that it made Liu Chengyou feel sick.
"On the King of Yan's side, he went to court again and asked for support from the imperial court..."
