Facing Han Xizai's silence, Li Jing took the opportunity to ask: "Recently, you have repeatedly advised me to repair my military equipment and improve the river defense. However, even if the whole country fights hard, what can I do? As for taking the initiative to send troops, you can give me a guarantee to defeat the Han army. , regain the homeland and protect it?"
Li Jing's words are full of feelings of failure. Being able to gain temporary peace and enjoy overnight happiness is already satisfying, so there is no need for long-term planning.
Seeing Han Xizai's expression gradually becoming agitated, Li Jing probably knew that he was about to say those useless words of advice. He raised his hand slightly to stop him and said seriously: "Han Qing, this year is about to pass, so you can prepare in advance tomorrow." We have enough money to pay tribute every year so as not to be caught off guard again."
Hearing this, Han Xizai's face twitched and he responded in a deep voice: "Yes!"
"In addition, it will be ten years since the Lord of the Han Dynasty succeeded to the throne. Now that the certificate of credence has arrived, my court should express it. Well, I will personally write a letter of congratulations, prepare generous gifts, and send an envoy north to celebrate it. This matter is also ..." Li Jing continued, but noticing Han Xizai's somewhat ugly expression, he immediately changed his words: "Leave this matter to Zhong Shangshu!"
"I obey! I will definitely live up to my mission!" Zhong Mo, the Minister of Rites, stood up and said respectfully with a smile.
"Okay!" Li Jing was very satisfied with Zhong Mo's attitude.
"Your Majesty, there is still official business in the courtyard. Rong Chen will leave first!" Seeing the wine and dancing in the palace, Han Xizai was helpless and bowed, as if he was eager to get rid of the "smoky atmosphere" that filled the palace and keep himself clean. established personality.
Li Jing obviously didn't want Han Xizai to be an eyesore here and ruin the atmosphere. A gentle smile appeared on his drunken old face: "Han Qing is diligent in official duties, so that I can have peace. You can do it yourself!"
"Your Majesty, please retire!" Han Xizai bowed again, then turned around and walked away. When he left the palace and turned around, he flicked his robe sleeves, as if venting his anger.
After he left, the atmosphere in the palace was still a little colder. Seeing this, Feng Yansi picked up a wine glass, approached Li Jing, and said angrily: "Your Majesty, you favor Han Xizai too much. This man thinks he is talented and has always been arrogant. , now in charge of the state affairs, he is unscrupulous and contemptuous of his colleagues. Now, he dares to insult His Majesty's face, where is the courtesy? "
Hearing this, Li Jing looked at his favorite minister who had not aged much, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and replied: "Han Shuyan has always been like this, and he has done a good job in governing the country these years. Come on, ignore him, don't be bad. Our fun!”
"Yes!" Feng Yansi raised his glass in response. The whole person seems very indifferent. To slander someone, it is natural to repeat and slander him bit by bit.
The relationship between Feng Yansi and Han Xizai is not only a personal grudge, but also a struggle for interests. Since the death of Qiqiu and his party members in the Song Dynasty, Feng Yansi has been the only leader of the nobles, bureaucrats and landlords in Jiangnan. In recent years, the reforms led by Han Xizai have seriously infringed on the interests of other people. How can we not hate it?
However, the power of the upper class was severely hit by Li Jing's suppression of party strife. Under the huge threat of the Northern Han Dynasty, Han Xizai carried out reforms under the banner of saving the country and strengthening himself, and gained the support of public opinion, making it difficult to block the general trend, but secretly The confrontation, misinterpretation, delay and obstruction of its policies have always been constant.
On the other hand, Feng Yansi also had a bad impression of Han Xizai personally. He was noble in front of others, but lived a luxurious life behind others. He usually criticized them for being extravagant and greedy for enjoyment...
Li Jing was actually aware of the changes and struggles below, but he chose to support Han Xizai's reforms. The biggest reason is that after losing Jiangbei, Southern Tang's finances fell into crisis, and the complementary economic balance between Jiangnan and Jiangbei was seriously damaged.
However, under the harsh situation, the court's expenditures increased, including post-war pensions, the reconstruction of military power, the salaries of nobles and bureaucrats, the luxurious life of the royal family, and the high annual tribute. For the Southern Tang Dynasty, it was necessary to increase fiscal and tax revenue, and it had to change, either by imposing heavy taxes on the people, or by attacking the ministers, bureaucrats, landlords, and wealthy businessmen who occupied the main social wealth.
Li Jing chose the latter, firstly because they were rich, and secondly because they were led by a group of people led by Han Xizai. No matter what, with Han Xizai charging forward, he, the leader of the country, was hiding behind the scenes as the referee, which couldn't be more perfect.
However, in the past two years, because of Han Xizai's reforms, there have been complaints in the DPRK and China. There have been repeated criticisms of the New Deal. Li Jing, who has been soft-eared, has obviously had other ideas.
While enjoying the fruits of Han Xizai's reforms, he began to elevate the status of Jiangnan nobles and bureaucrats. There is a practical problem. When Li Min founded the country, he relied on the support of the Jiangnan scholar group. Those people were the foundation of the Southern Tang Dynasty and were closely connected with the country.
In fact, the Southern Tang Dynasty was very similar to the Later Shu Dynasty, with prosperous culture and education, a prosperous economy, and a weak army. But in terms of shortcomings, the Southern Tang Dynasty was even worse. Land annexation was serious and the livelihood of the lower class people was difficult. After the cession of Jiangbei, the situation worsened sharply. Many nobles and bureaucrats with important interests in Jiangbei had to find ways to make up for their losses in Jiangnan.
Although Han Xizai's reforms had a certain suppressive effect, they only addressed the symptoms but not the root cause. Under the top-down confrontation, progress was difficult, and it became more difficult as time went by.
Because of its long and narrow territory, threats from all sides, and an extremely unfriendly external environment, the "atmosphere of subjugation" in Jinling was even stronger than that of the original Meng clan. After all, Meng Shu still had the mountains and mountains to rely on, while the Southern Tang Dynasty basically only had one big river, and it was divided into half of the Yangtze River. How could this stop the Northern Han Dynasty? No one would believe it.
The country was about to fall and chaos occurred frequently. By the 10th year of Qianyou's reign, Jinling could still maintain a certain degree of stability, which was already maintained by Han Xizai and other ministers. However, is it possible that a few people like Han Xizai can reverse the general trend?
Li Jing and Feng Yansi, the chief ministers, had their own thoughts. Zhong Mo, the Minister of Rites, was changing cups and enjoying themselves with others. His eyes were directed at them from time to time, always with a smile on their faces, which was meaningful.
Over there, Han Xizai walked slowly in the cold wind to the Xuanzhengyuan. He raised his eyes and looked at the dull sky. The scene in the Cai Cai Palace appeared in his mind, and he felt infinitely sad in his heart.
He, Han Xizai, had been traveling south for more than thirty years, and had wasted more than twenty years. Although he was favored by the Tang Dynasty, he never held power. He was always jealous of others and was deeply involved in party disputes with the scholars in Jiangnan.
It was only when the Han army marched southward and Jiangbei fell, and the country fell into crisis, that he was truly put to good use. Over the years, a group of like-minded people have been gathered to withstand tremendous pressure and carry out reforms, hoping to turn the tide and protect the building.
Of course there are achievements, but the results are always unsatisfactory. A series of policies aimed at the parasitic nobles, bureaucrats, landlords, and merchants have indeed increased fiscal and taxation and eased the pressure on government, but the country's strength has never been improved. The lives of the people at the bottom are still becoming more and more difficult. And he still has to face constant criticism and slander from both inside and outside, and the backlash from Feng Yansi and others is getting stronger and stronger.
The fruits of his reforms were used to pay annual tribute, to maintain the enjoyment of the palace, and to support nobles and bureaucrats. They were far from the rich country and strong military he expected.
Of course, the country is limited by its national conditions. After all, it cannot be pushed back. All reforms are limited and belong to reform. Knowing its limitations is not unacceptable.
What hurt Han Xizai the most was Li Jing's attitude. The Lord is all depressed, demoralized, and just getting by. No matter how active he is, what can he do? This year, Li Jing's changes have also given Han Xizai a deeper understanding.
However, Li Jing's kindness to Han Xizai was real and gave him room to show his kindness. Han Xizai really couldn't hate Li Jing.
Conflicting psychology occupied Han Xizai's heart, and the cool breeze seemed to reflect his mood. As he walked, he lost his way. Looking around at the gorgeous palace scene in Jinling, Han Xizai looked up to the sky and sighed, which eventually turned into despair.
The Xuanzhengyuan is not going either, leaving the palace and returning to the palace, inviting friends, preparing wine and banquets, and entertaining themselves...
The banquet in the Turtle Palace was in full swing, the wine was at its climax, and the monarch and his ministers were dissolute and singing loudly. When an official with a white scarf on his forehead walked in under the guidance of the chamberlain, his face was full of sorrow.
Li Jing recognized the person who was coming. He was an official of Jin Gong and Hongzhou Governor Li Jingsui. Seeing his appearance, his heart skipped a beat, and the wine was no longer fragrant. He asked slightly nervously: "Why are you here to do this?" dress up?"
"Your Majesty, Duke Jin was in Nanchang Mansion, plotting an assassination, and he has passed away!" The visitor prostrated himself, weeping in pain, his words were filled with sorrow, and he was told with heavy retribution.
As soon as he finished speaking, the whole palace was shocked and fell into silence for a moment.
Li Jing was stunned for a moment, then his body tensed up, the wine glass in his hand was knocked over, and he almost lost his breath. With the help of the chamberlain, he slowly recovered. Soon, tears filled the palace, howling loudly and shouting "my brother".
Later, because of the death of Duke Li Jingsui of Jin, Li Jing ordered a funeral for his brother in the Tang Palace. All Jinling officials expressed their condolences and rushed people to Nanchang Mansion to welcome his coffin to the north.
Of course, one thing that is certain is that because of Li Jingsui's abnormal death, the Jinling court will set off another wave of political turmoil. Smart people all linked Li Jingsui's death to Li Hongji.
Can you avoid suspicion by hiding in Runzhou? I'm afraid I don't know the story of the three hundred taels of silver here...
