Chapter 130: The Sun Has a Blemish

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Actually—

Reform and transformation were attempts to nationalize all kinds of high-quality financial resources across the empire.

Since the mid-to-late Tang dynasty, as reforms progressed, the state no longer controlled land, causing its method of managing population to gradually shift from land-based control to indirect taxation.

Under this system, although direct land policies could not effectively curb land consolidation, other economic policies could restrict the growth of wealthy households.

The Zhao Song dynasty after Wang Anshi's reforms gradually further centralized these financial resources within this overarching "nationalization" framework.

Its fundamental purpose was likewise to emulate the Han and Tang dynasties: by controlling core resources, it could mobilize the nation's manpower to the greatest extent and convert it into military power to expand territory.

But the proper scale of this "centralization" and the conversion of resources into defense power had long been a point of contention between the Old and New Parties, and even within the New Party itself.

This was precisely the issue Zhao Yu needed to weigh.

Therefore, Zhao Yu always retained Old Party officials and censors to constantly remind him never to emulate the historical Zhao Ji, mistaking false prosperity for strength and ultimately dying from self-inflation.

Zhao Yu's concerns were not groundless.

Compared to Wang Anshi's new laws and Zhang Dun's new laws, Cai Jing resembled an unlimited amplifier: every policy that passed through his hands would be magnified several-fold, even tenfold in effect.

In other words, all of the Zhao Song dynasty's reforms would, under Cai Jing, complete their transformation from qualitative change to quantitative expansion.

Great achievements would inevitably fuel Cai Jing's desires; he would surely seek greater power to realize his political blueprint.

The course of events unfolded exactly as Zhao Yu had predicted.

Late August.

At noon that day, a solar eclipse suddenly appeared over Dongjing.

The bright sun gradually turned dark blue-black, while its center resembled molten gold, its golden fluid boiling and surging. Around the fluid, dense and gloomy, it looked like an endless swirling sea.

The eclipse lasted until evening, when the sky returned to normal.

People of this era called this phenomenon "Ri You Sheng."

"Sheng" meant disaster and suffering.

To people of this era, a solar eclipse in the sky signified the emperor's missteps—a warning from Heaven.

The next morning's court session.

Old Party censor Jiang Gongwang submitted a memorial: "The new emperor must not indulge in grand construction or sensual pleasures. The sun is yang; its eclipse is yin. Only by fearing Heaven's wrath, heeding clear mandates, upholding the imperial order, distinguishing right from wrong, not violating the classics, and not oppressing the people's hearts can the will of Heaven be appeased."

Jiang Gongwang was a classic Old Party member who always sought to mold Zhao Yu into another Emperor Renzong; he particularly disapproved of Zhao Yu, barely a year into his reign, building the Yanfu Palace, accepting hundreds of beauties offered by ministers, and indulging in sensual pleasures—he hoped Zhao Yu would halt construction of the Yanfu Palace and spend less time on women, for such useless things would only delay Zhao Yu from becoming a benevolent sage ruler like Emperor Renzong.

Now, using the solar eclipse as an excuse, Jiang Gongwang immediately launched into his usual tirade, blaming the eclipse on Zhao Yu's grand construction and his sudden addition of three hundred beauties to his harem.

In truth, Zhao Yu had also considered telling ministers that the palace foundation contained mercury, and living there harmed his health.

But first, this claim had no basis whatsoever; if Zhao Yu spoke falsely and it was proven untrue, he wouldn't merely be humiliated—he might lose the trust of the entire realm.

Second, if any minister asked who had told Zhao Yu this, he could not produce the source. If he truly said Zhang Chun had told him, these ministers might force Zhao Yu to order Zhang Chun's execution.

Third, if Zhao Yu did not live in the palace, others still did; if word spread the palace was poisonous, how could they live there in peace?

There was no choice: Zhao Yu could only swallow this bitter silence.

On the other side, Cai Jing had been waiting for this opportunity.

Seeing Jiang Gongwang once again attack Zhao Yu's desires, Cai Jing stepped forward and declared passionately: "I have never told the court that finances are insufficient; I only cite the Zhou Shu's saying, 'The King does not account.'"

The "hui" in "The King does not account" means accounting—the calculation of expenditures.

"Bu hui" means the emperor's spending should not be restricted or calculated like that of ordinary mortals.

Cai Jing meant that since he had generated so much wealth for the court, Zhao Yu was free to spend it as he wished—building the Yanfu Palace was nothing, acquiring three hundred beauties was nothing; the Zhou Shu itself said the emperor's spending was entirely justified.

Since Zhao Yu appointed Cai Jing to lead economic reform, the Zhao Song dynasty's economy rapidly turned from deficit to surplus; Zhao Yu now even reduced land taxes for the people.

This was undoubtedly Cai Jing's achievement.

Cai Jing thus surpassed his brother Cai Bian and Han Zhongyan to become the third-ranking chancellor, after Zhang Dun and Ceng Bu.

Yet human greed for fame and profit has no limits.

Great achievements also fueled Cai Jing's desires, making him unwilling to wait any longer—he now sought to replace Zhang Dun immediately and become chancellor of the Zhao Song dynasty, further realizing his political ambitions.

Cai Jing fully understood that no matter how many achievements he attained, his power's foundation rested solely on Zhao Yu.

Cai Jing also fully understood that Zhao Yu not only favored him but held Zhang Dun in high regard; overthrowing Zhang Dun and replacing him would not be easy.

After much thought, Cai Jing concluded that only by inflating Zhao Yu's desires as he himself had done could he, the more capable one, replace the relatively conservative Zhang Dun.

Now, whether in domestic governance or foreign warfare, Zhao Yu had already tasted success; Cai Jing believed that with just one more citation from classical texts to legitimize his claims, he would have the chance to free Zhao Yu from his final moral restraints.

So Cai Jing chose this phrase: "The King does not account."

Moreover, the Zhou Guan had always been Wang Anshi's most revered classic; Cai Jing was also seeking Wang Anshi's endorsement.

As soon as Cai Jing spoke, Han Zhongyan and other Old Party officials immediately grew alert.

Su Zhe stepped forward directly and argued: "The Zhou Guan clearly states that the phrase 'The King does not account' applies only to imperial sacrificial rites—not to all manner of expenditures. How can it justify the emperor's daily expenses? Cai Jing deliberately omits this context to flatter His Majesty—his intentions are worthy of death!"

Then officials from the Deliberative Council and the Old Party began to argue fiercely.

In the court, words clashed like swords and spears; the tension grew thick.

Deliberative Council officials staunchly supported Cai Jing, citing classics to reinterpret "The King does not account," claiming that with the state now prosperous, the emperor deserved more honored treatment and need not be bound by daily expenditures, to demonstrate the grandeur of a great nation.

Old Party officials countered with reason, insisting the emperor must practice frugality and control his desires; their words grew increasingly heated.

Su Shi and Su Zhe spoke with urgent severity, again emphasizing ancestral laws and moral norms, warning that if Cai Jing's arguments prevailed, the court risked repeating history's mistakes and sinking into luxury and corruption.

Ceng Bu added solemnly: "Though reform has shown initial success, its foundations remain unstable. If we now indulge private desires, we will lose the people's trust. May Your Majesty take heed."

Zhao Yu had always been clear-headed; he knew Cai Jing was truly capable, and his Deliberative Council had delivered results that met his demands—but their moral character was beyond reproach.

If he did not tighten the noose around Cai Jing and the Deliberative Council's necks, these men without boundaries might unleash any manner of chaos.

The Old Party ministers, though unable to solve fiscal or defense crises, were still more reliable in character.

Thus, in this great moral debate, Zhao Yu did not side with Cai Jing, nor did he equivocate; instead, he turned to Cai Bian and asked: "How did Wang Anshi interpret 'The King does not account'?"

Cai Bian, though also of the New Party and Cai Jing's own brother, held Wang Anshi's status as irreplaceable in his heart—especially now, as this dispute directly concerned Wang Anshi's reputation.

Based on this, Cai Bian ignored the eye signal Cai Jing gave him and spoke plainly: "Wang Anshi once said that when the sovereign shares in planning, he does not subject himself to the regulations of officials, so that shared planning allows him to self-restrain without external constraint."

In other words, although Wang Anshi agreed that the emperor should enjoy special privileges, he still insisted that when the emperor was about to squander extravagantly, officials should calculate expenditures to remind him to practice self-discipline.

Zhao Yu listened and said: "Wang Anshi is truly a wise minister of a thousand ages."

With these words, Zhao Yu not only defined Wang Anshi's legacy but also warned Cai Jing and the officials of the Deliberative Council to emulate Wang Anshi's character, while reassuring the Old Party ministers that he would not be deceived by Cai Jing.

Zhang Dun then led the court in bowing: "Your Majesty is wise!"

The Old Party officials exhaled in relief and, unusually, all followed Zhang Dun in bowing: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Though deeply disappointed, Cai Jing realized Zhao Yu had made clear he had no desire for luxury and excess; if he persisted in being foolish, he might bring trouble upon himself, so he quickly led his own men in bowing: "Your Majesty is wise!"

But just as one storm subsided, another arose.

The Old Party censor Chen Guan, using a solar eclipse as pretext, said: "Sima Guang is deemed treacherous by those around him, yet the whole world calls him loyal; now Zhang Dun and Cai Jing are deemed loyal by those around them, yet the whole world calls them treacherous. What logic is this? I hold that those who dazzle the sovereign with ingenious tricks and deprave his virtue with entertainers and concubines, who monopolize rewards and punishments to settle personal grudges—these may rightly be called treacherous…"

Chen Guan's lengthy argument amounted to this: Zhang Dun and Cai Jing were treacherous ministers—they were the ones who first sent women to Zhao Yu and indulged him in building Yanfu Palace; hence heaven sent this warning, and Zhang Dun and Cai Jing ought to resign in shame.

In this era, people believed celestial anomalies signaled flaws in governance; the chancellor, as head of state affairs, bore responsibility—either dismissal or resignation.

Chen Guan intended, by convention, to topple Zhang Dun and Cai Jing, whom he despised, and ideally to rehabilitate Sima Guang, whom he revered.

Neither Zhang Dun nor Cai Jing acted as if they had heard him.

Although after ascending the throne Zhao Yu had stripped Zhang Dun of economic reforms and entrusted them to Cai Jing, while recalling Old Party officials to observe the New Party's reforms, he simultaneously fully backed Zhang Dun's overall command and territorial expansion; crucially, Zhang Dun well understood Zhao Yu needed him to suppress Cai Jing and others, lest the Zhao Song dynasty spiral out of control.

Under these circumstances, Zhang Dun was certain he could not be toppled by a mere censor like Chen Guan.

Cai Jing was now Zhao Yu's foremost pioneer of reform.

How could Zhao Yu cut off his own hand?

Thus, Zhang Dun and Cai Jing knew clearly: no matter how fiercely Chen Guan bit, it would be useless.

Indeed!

Seeing that Chen Guan still persisted in being foolish after he had made his stance clear, Zhao Yu simply swept his sleeve and walked out.

Zhang Dun did not even glance at Chen Guan; he followed Zhao Yu and continued reporting on the war against Qingtang Tubo.

Other chancellors and ministers with matters to discuss with Zhao Yu also went to the Chuigong Palace to seek him.

Ministers without authority to present further petitions dispersed, leaving only Chen Guan, Chen Cisheng, Zou Hao, and Jiang Gongwang—the four Old Party censors.

Zou Hao approached Chen Guan and said: "His Majesty seeks reform to enrich the state and strengthen its military; he must honor Wang Anshi and suppress Sima Guang. Sima Guang blindly abolished the New Laws, returned the land, and treated the former emperor as a child—all of which His Majesty detests. There can be no rehabilitation of Sima Guang in our dynasty."

Chen Cisheng said: "Zhang Dun still observes proper boundaries; his New Laws incorporate the spirit of the Yuanyou era. If Zhang Dun is removed, men like Cai Jing will rise and drain the people's wealth to fuel the extravagance of a few. His Majesty sees all clearly—he protects Zhang Dun to restrain Cai Jing; this is truly wise. We must not ruin His Majesty's strategy. If Zhang Dun is removed and only Cai Jing remains, disaster will surely follow."

Jiang Gongwang also said: "Though His Majesty may falter in minor matters, his grand strategies and brilliant foresight are broad and magnanimous; he deeply understands statecraft and already shows the bearing of a sage ruler. We must not be overly harsh."

Chen Guan sighed and said: "How could I not know what you say? But since I eat the ruler's salary, I must share his burdens and serve the state. If I remain silent out of fear of power, what use am I as a censor? Zhang Dun and Cai Jing are both wicked villains; they must be toppled together to restore clarity to the Great Song!"

Zou Hao shook his head slightly: "The court's situation is now complex; no single man can reverse it. His Majesty has his own considerations. If we persistently press our arguments, we may provoke his anger and ruin the greater cause."

Chen Guan's gaze blazed toward the Chuigong Palace as he said solemnly: "My resolve is firm. At the next morning court, I shall submit another memorial, listing the faults of Zhang Dun and Cai Jing, and forcefully plead Sima Guang's injustice. Even if I am punished for it, I will not regret it."

Seeing Chen Guan so obstinate, fellow censors Chen Cisheng, Zou Hao, and Jiang Gongwang all shook their heads in dismay.

They thought: "Since ascending the throne, though His Majesty has occasionally been lax, his great ambition has not changed. He well understands the court's complexity, the fierce struggle between the New and Old Parties, and how easily missteps could trigger unrest and endanger the state. Thus, he promotes reform to strengthen the nation while mediating among factions to prevent chaos. He faces us censors daily, and must possess the magnanimity of a benevolent ruler to endure our endless chatter—truly, how difficult it is for His Majesty!"

Unbeknownst to them, Zhao Yu had already forgotten Chen Guan's words: 'Who gets angry over work matters? That's not smart.'

At this moment, Zhao Yu was listening to Zhang Dun's report.

Zhang Dun said:

Under the coordination of Wang Shan, Zhong Pu, and Wang Min, Wang Hou launched a total assault on Huangzhou, previously seized by Tubo; they shattered the enemy in one battle, forcing Zanpu Xisheluo Sa and his father Xibawen to flee the city, and the Zhao Song dynasty fully reclaimed Huangzhou.

This battle captured seven hundred and fifty chieftains and ten thousand households.

Wang Shan executed all male members of these seven hundred and fifty chieftains and their families, enslaved their women in brothels, liberated all slaves among the households, and treated commoners with absolute restraint.

Wang Hou did not, as Wang Shan had once done, immediately advance toward Qingtangcheng; instead, he concentrated and transported all supplies from Xizhou and Hezhou to Huangzhou, preparing for possible military moves by Qingtang Tubo and the Western Xia.

Simultaneously, Wang Hou ordered Song troops to pacify the barbarian tribes between Zonggecheng and Qingtangcheng.

The Song troops also split off to exterminate barbarian tribes unwilling to surrender to the Zhao Song dynasty.

Correct.

It was the carrot-and-stick policy.

Huangzhou's sphere of influence spanned fifteen hundred li of land; only by fully controlling these tribes could true dominance over the territory be achieved.

Moreover, Zhang Dun had already dispatched capable civil and military officials to Qingtang, establishing prefectures and counties in areas already under Song control, so that this land would become an official part of the Zhao Song dynasty—soon, very soon…

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(End of Chapter)