Chapter 137

…

Zhao Yu changed the era name to "Hongwu," which drew strong opposition and advice from many old-party ministers. They genuinely feared Zhao Yu was squandering military resources.

But on this matter, Zhao Yu refused to listen to anyone's advice and firmly insisted on using this era name, which signaled his intent to launch foreign wars.

Zhao Yu held this stance because he clearly understood that throughout history, there were only five ways to resolve fiscal crises:

First, a breakthrough in productivity, such as an industrial revolution;

Second, large-scale external financial inflows, such as the Qing government's loans from foreign powers during the late Qing period;

Third, war and foreign plunder, such as World War I and World War II;

Fourth, reform—bleeding the domestic vested interests, such as China's historical reforms like Shang Yang's reforms, Wang Anshi's reforms, the Single Whip Law, the Land and Poll Tax Merger, and abroad, Roosevelt's New Deal;

Fifth, expropriation—further squeezing the common people, such as raising taxes, inflation, or converting rice paddies to mulberry trees.

Of these five, which one involves a wise ruler and virtuous ministers, willing to sell the imperial palace and cut every stitch of clothing from top to bottom?

Even if Zhao Yu were willing to live such a life, those who followed him could not all be willing to live it—after all, not everyone is morally upright.

Thus, the old party's ignorant ideas were utterly unworkable.

Zhao Yu's choice was to pursue all five paths.

But the pace and extent of each differed.

The first path, Zhao Yu had already begun.

In fact, Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao and others had long started research on steam engines, electromagnetism, and coke-based iron smelting.

Yet progress in these areas remained limited, far from reaching the threshold of an industrial revolution.

The second path was the only one Zhao Yu had not yet tried. But Zhang Chun had already devised a plan for him: attack Japan, a weak but rich source of gold, silver, and copper, and plunder its wealth to save the Song dynasty.

The problem now is that while Japan is easy to conquer, the Song dynasty's ships and navigation technology are still inadequate—if they encounter a so-called "divine wind," they might fail as the Mongols did in their historical invasions of Japan. With steamships and more advanced navigation, success would be far more certain.

Moreover, Zhao Yu currently lacks the prestige to launch a cross-sea invasion of Japan.

If Zhao Yu rashly attacked Japan and won, it would be fine—but if he lost, it would be disastrous.

So this matter is not urgent; wait until Zhao Yu eliminates the Western Xia and accumulates sufficient prestige before turning on Japan.

As for the third, fourth, and fifth paths, whether active or passive, Zhao Yu has already embarked on them.

And so far, all three are progressing fairly smoothly…

…

Li Lin's residence.

Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, and Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao, four pregnant women, sat around the table, waiting for Yuan Qing Cheng to prepare their feast.

Ye Shi Yun, newly arrived, asked Yuan Qing Cheng: "What cuisine are we eating today?"

Yuan Qing Cheng replied: "Northeastern cuisine."

Ye Shi Yun froze: "Wait, what's so good about Northeastern cuisine? It's not even one of the Eight Great Cuisines."

Before Yuan Qing Cheng could answer, Zhang Chun rolled her eyes:

"Please! If you don't know, don't speak nonsense."

"Northeastern cuisine isn't among the Eight Great Cuisines because, in the last life, the famous dishes of Northeastern cuisine used ingredients that were either large enough to practice martial arts, small enough to wield magic, or legally protected—so we never had the chance to taste authentic Northeastern dishes."

"Now that we have the chance, we must try these dishes to see why they made it into the Man-Han Imperial Banquet."

After hearing this, Ye Shi Yun said: "No need to explain further—you got Zhao Yu to fetch these ingredients for you, and made Yuan Qing Cheng cook this authentic Northeastern meal?"

"Do you think I'd do something so damaging to my reputation? These ingredients were presented to Zhao Yu by the Liao envoys, who claimed they were all personally hunted down by their new emperor, Yelu Yanxi. On the surface, Yelu Yanxi was inviting Zhao Yu to taste authentic wild game; in truth, he was demonstrating his martial power." Zhang Chun said.

Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao looked confused: "How does that demonstrate martial power?"

"The Khitans are a horseback people, skilled in mounted archery. Yelu Yanxi's ability to hunt down Northeastern tigers and black bears certainly showcases his personal martial prowess. But the problem is, emperors don't personally fight enemies on the battlefield—no matter how great one's personal strength, it's merely icing on the cake, with little practical significance." Zhang Chun said.

"Don't the Liao understand this?" Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao asked.

"Perhaps they truly don't. Historically, Song envoys sent to Liao who excelled in archery were indeed held in high regard, treated as honored guests—the Jurchens were the same. This may be a common trait among nomadic peoples. Hence, Yelu Yanxi uses this method to display his martial strength, which fits his character perfectly." Zhang Chun said.

"What kind of man is this last emperor of Liao?" Li Lin asked.

"In terms of debauchery and tyranny, he fully inherited his grandfather Yelu Hongji's traits—and surpassed him. He is also addicted to a peculiar hobby: hunting. The 'Biography of Emperor Tianzuo' in the Liao History records the word 'hunt' more than any other—hunting at Jin Shan, hunting at Jia Shan, hunting in this prefecture, hunting in that prefecture. All year round, he does nothing but hunt. He is a supreme wildlife killer." Zhang Chun said.

"He rivals the historical Zhao Ji—one literary, one martial—two great foolish emperors." Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao said.

Zhang Chun wanted to say, "The historical Zhao Ji was far more complex—he cannot be compared to this pure fool Yelu Yanxi."

But the historical outcome was clear: Zhao Ji single-handedly triggered the Jingkang Humiliation.

On this point, neither Cai Jing, nor Tong Guan, nor anyone else—including Zhao Huan, who was a hundred times stupider than Zhao Ji and personally destroyed the Northern Song—could shoulder the blame for Zhao Ji.

Moreover, Zhao Ji becoming emperor now is an impossible hypothetical. This stage belongs to Zhao Yu and us. Talking about it serves no purpose.

So Zhang Chun said nothing in Zhao Ji's defense, letting Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao and others, who knew nothing of history, belittle Zhao Ji.

"Yelu Yanxi is not only foolish and tyrannical—he also promotes corrupt ministers."

"For example, a man named Xiao Hudu told Yelu Yanxi how beneficial hunting was: it strengthens the body, trains the army, and cultivates willpower—just saying whatever Yelu Yanxi wanted to hear. Yelu Yanxi was delighted, took Xiao Hudu everywhere, and considered him a loyal minister. He preferred such 'loyal' ministers, leading to corruption rampant throughout Liao, its court a cesspool, its national strength hollowed out."

"But internal troubles were only one of Liao's problems—it also faced a far deadlier external threat."

"That threat wasn't just our great Song—it was the Jurchens rising from the white mountains and black waters of the northeast."

"Actually, this matter is tied to Yelu Yanxi's love of hunting."

"The Jurchen lands produced a fierce raptor called the Haidongqing. It was the most prized pet of hunters, making it an excellent tribute to Liao. The Jurchens were forced to present Haidongqing to Liao nobles."

"Think about it—how obsessed would Yelu Yanxi be with Haidongqing, given his passion for hunting?"

"Indeed, historically, after ascending the throne, Yelu Yanxi repeatedly sent envoys to Jurchen lands demanding Haidongqing."

"These envoys, bearing silver plaques, were called Silver Plaque Angels. Upon arriving in Jurchen territories, they bought low and sold high, even seizing goods by force. Worse still, wherever they went, they demanded Jurchen women to spend the night with them."

"At first, the Jurchens sent daughters from poor households. But these girls, perhaps lacking beauty or grace, failed to please the Silver Plaque Angels—so the envoys demanded daughters of Jurchen nobles, even married women."

"The Jurchens saw this as a profound humiliation."

"Historical records describe the Jurchens as fierce warriors: riding cliffs like flying, crossing rivers without boats, swimming with horses; during the Jingkang Humiliation, Li Ye, a Six-Rank Official, said of the Jurchens: 'Men are dragons, horses are tigers, scaling walls like monkeys, entering water like otters.'"

"Such a brave and fierce people can never be humiliated forever."

"So, over these years, the Jurchens have been secretly building up their strength, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to the Liao."

Here, Zhang Chun concluded: "The Liao Dynasty under Yelu Yanxi is essentially finished; the only question is who will be the one to destroy it."

After listening, Li Lin exclaimed: "Facing such a Liao, Zhao Ji not only failed to reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, he even brought about the Jingkang Humiliation—no one else could have done it!"

Zhang Chun also sighed: "Historically, Zhao Ji was dealt a royal hand, yet he played it terribly. If he had been like Zhao Yu today—reforming while destroying the Xia, determined to reclaim the Western Xia within three to five years instead of squandering the wealth gained from Cai Jing's reforms on luxury and excess—he would never have suffered total defeat."

After a pause, Zhang Chun continued: "After reclaiming the Western Xia, rest and recover for several years. When the Jurchens rise, strike them from north and south together—this will surely achieve great unification. Then seal the Great Wall, wage economic warfare, drive the wolf away while chasing the tiger, and finally send a mighty army out onto the grasslands to unify both plains and become the greatest emperor in history."

"Looking at it this way, as long as Zhao Yu doesn't go astray, he can at least become an emperor of great unification," Ye Shi Yun said.

But Li Lin wasn't satisfied: "With such favorable conditions, why not emulate Genghis Khan and conquer all of Asia, Africa, and Europe—even the entire world? By the way, we can have Zhao Yu heavily develop shipbuilding and navigation technology, send expeditions westward across the seas, and dispatch teams to find the New World. There's no reason to hand over these monumental achievements that could change human history to the Westerners."

Even Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao agreed: "Northern Song shipbuilding wasn't far behind Ming Dynasty standards—they could have built treasure ships. With treasure ships, crossing the Western Seas is feasible. Besides, I'm already developing a steam engine. If I succeed, converting treasure ships into steam-powered vessels will make discovering the New World no problem."

Li Lin said: "I can draw a world map for those adventurers—though not perfectly accurate, it should help them avoid many detours when searching for the New World..."

Yuan Qing Cheng, who was making the real San Xian in the corner, silently shook her head: "You haven't even learned to walk yet, and you're already trying to run? How easy is it to defeat the Western Xia? Historically, the Western Xia survived over a hundred years after the Northern Song's fall—that's the best proof. Besides, didn't you yourselves say that Li Qianshun ranks just below Wanyan Aguda? How easily could Zhao Yu defeat him? And if Zhao Yu cannot defeat him and reclaim the Western Xia, which of your fantasies could possibly come true?"

The four women continued fantasizing about the future. Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao said: "I heard last night Zhao Yu bedded both the Gui Ci Princess and the Western Xia Princess—the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law? Zhao Yu doesn't even mind they're used goods. And isn't the Gui Ci Princess over thirty? How could Zhao Yu even do it?"

"Used goods? These are war trophies—the living record of a statesman's achievements! The greatest joy in life is defeating enemies, driving them out, seizing all they own, and taking their wives and daughters. Did Qin Shi Huang, Liu Che, or Li Shimin not act this way? Even Zhao Kuangyin took Lady Hua Rui. Even Emperor Zhao Guangyi, the 'Sorghum Cart God,' forcibly took Lady Xiao Zhou."

"This is one of the driving forces behind a man's ambition. A ruler without such desires will likely lack the ambition for external expansion, and instead cling to his land, barely surviving, content with mediocrity."

"Would you submit to such a weak man?"

"As for the Gui Ci Princess being old?"

"Have you considered that if we hadn't time-traveled, we wouldn't be much younger than the Gui Ci Princess?"

"By the way, Lin-jie, weren't you about the same age as the Gui Ci Princess before you crossed over?"

In response to Zhang Chun's question, Li Lin answered: "Yes, I'm the same age as her."

"See? We're old cows eating tender grass too. Besides, I've seen the Gui Ci Princess—she's in excellent shape, like a woman in her early twenties, with a touch of Monica Bellucci. Not just Zhao Yu—I find this woman very alluring too," Zhang Chun said.

Ye Shi Yun replied: "Chun, haven't you noticed you're increasingly thinking from Zhao Yu's perspective—and becoming more perverted?"

Zhang Chun said: "It's not that bad... but I do wish I could swap bodies with Zhao Yu. If I could, I'd make each of you—including Qing Cheng—give me at least ten children. I'd conquer the world, tell my enemies, 'I'll raise your wives and daughters; don't worry,' and collect the finest women in the world to bear my heirs. I'll create the largest and greatest family in history, surpassing the Golden Clan, spreading my superior genes infinitely, eternally immortal..."

…

(End of Chapter)