Chapter 151: The Changes of the Zhao Song Dynasty

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It is said that each new emperor brings his own ministers.

But under Zhao Yu, this tradition was broken.

Regarding the ministers left behind by Zhao Xu and even those left by Gao Taotao, Zhao Yu accepted nearly all of them.

More remarkably, Zhao Yu suppressed the bitter, life-or-death rivalry between the new and old factions, compelling them to downplay partisan strife and serve the Zhao Song Dynasty in their respective roles.

This was precisely what Ceng Bu had long advocated.

Yet although Ceng Bu held this view, he could never reconcile the deep-rooted contradictions between the two sides.

Fortunately, just as the Zhao Song Dynasty was on the verge of collapse, the throne passed into Zhao Yu's hands.

Zhao Yu supported reform and change, yet he also saw that such reforms brought not only national wealth and military strength, but also hidden dangers.

Zhao Yu understood that pure reform was like a double-edged sword—it could clear thorns and brambles, yet also wound oneself.

Thus, Zhao Yu did not blindly enforce all new laws, nor did he rashly abolish all old systems; instead, he chose a more prudent path: using the new faction to carry out reforms, and the old faction to oversee them; vigorously promoting those new laws already proven effective and low in harm, testing unverified new laws in open, visible trials, thoroughly discussing improvements when problems arose, and maintaining the old system if no improvement proved possible.

In short, Zhao Yu's stance was to address each issue on its merits, confront the problems inherent in reform, give the old faction a voice, involve them in discussions, avoid hasty execution, while firmly pursuing the path of reform.

Added to this, Zhao Yu himself (and in truth, the five women behind him) possessed insights a thousand years ahead of their time, consistently offering reasonable direction when the new and old factions were deadlocked.

Zhao Yu's reign saw reform progress considerably more smoothly, and the tensions between the new and old factions eased significantly.

One could say that the decades-long ideological struggle within the Zhao Song Dynasty finally found resolution under Zhao Yu, moving forward steadily.

What pleased both the leaders of the new faction and the leaders of the old faction was that Zhao Yu valued these veteran ministers. Indeed, all currently favored by Zhao Yu were these former ministers of the previous reign, allowing them to apply the hard-won political wisdom of their lifetimes to help the Zhao Song Dynasty safely navigate this most difficult period.

But this did not mean Zhao Yu neglected cultivating new talent.

On the contrary, shortly after ascending the throne, Zhao Yu began identifying promising new talents and used the factional strife between new and old to root out corruption, creating political stages for these promising youths to hone their skills.

Once, when Zhang Dun, Han Zhongyan, and other leading ministers of the new and old factions spoke privately, they unusually reached consensus: although Zhao Yu was under twenty, his political composure and resolve surpassed even their own, and the Zhao Song Dynasty would likely welcome a true revitalizing sovereign. They also believed that Empress Dowager Xiang, who had championed Zhao Yu's ascension, deserved great credit.

Even the new faction, which had always been at odds with Empress Dowager Xiang, offered no rebuttal.

For Ceng Bu personally, Zhao Yu's conduct was not without regret: he feared that even until retirement, he would never become Chancellor.

But the good news was that these political figures, who should have all met disastrous ends in their generation, would now likely end their days in peace. This freed them all from worry, allowing them to devote their final years fully to serving the state.

Leaving Dongjing Bianliang, Ceng Bu traveled westward.

Several years ago, during the end of Zhao Xu's reign—precisely after the great Yellow River breach—the land was strewn with bones, for miles no rooster crowed, the northern plains a scene of utter desolation; the people wore tattered clothes, their faces gaunt with the hardship of life, starving, teetering on the edge of death, their eyes filled with despair, as if pleading to heaven for a shred of hope.

Ceng Bu had personally visited the disaster zone, witnessed firsthand the human tragedy: the ruined houses, the barren fields, the villages drowned by floodwaters, the weary people, the bleached bones.

At that time, Ceng Bu felt acutely the people's helplessness and despair, their suffering and struggle.

Since Zhao Yu's ascension—just over two years, less than three—the scene Ceng Bu now saw was entirely different.

Because of the vigorous measures promoted by the emperor and his ministers—large-scale Yellow River management, work-for-relief, tax exemptions, resettlement—the people along the riverbanks had recovered and even begun to live in peace and prosperity.

Now, with Ma Xiao Jiao's series of advanced tools and farming implements widely adopted, with the court's strong relief efforts, and with the settled people working diligently in the fields,

Added to this, heaven itself had cooperated this year.

Fields everywhere teemed with vitality: rice swayed, wheat rolled in waves, greenery flourished.

As Ceng Bu traveled, he saw only people tilling hope, reaping happiness—a stark contrast to the desolation of just a few years prior.

'The two river basins have regained some vitality.'

'If this year's harvest is good, the people along the banks should fully recover.'

Through his visits, Ceng Bu learned that Tang Ke had managed the Yellow River well. Though he had not entirely eliminated flooding, through drainage and controlled release, he had greatly reduced the river's damage.

'With ten years of such management, the Yellow River may be fully tamed…'

Ceng Bu did not immediately proceed to Shaanxi; instead, he first went to Hedong.

The Zhao Song Dynasty's northern military defense system primarily consisted of two zones: Hebei and Hedong.

Hebei need not be discussed now, as it had little bearing on the recovery of Xi Xia.

Let us first consider Hedong, which could serve as a reserve force for Shaanxi.

Hedong corresponds to modern-day Shanxi, a land of mountains and rivers, with formidable passes and defenses, easy to defend and hard to conquer.

Hedong's agriculture remained relatively advanced, serving as a major grain-producing region capable of supplying food and materials to the six garrisons of the northwest. Meanwhile, its rich iron and coal deposits provided raw materials for weapons manufacturing and military infrastructure, ensuring the equipment supply for the northwest armies.

Located on the northern frontier of the Zhao Song Dynasty, Hedong bordered the Liao and Xi Xia regimes, serving as the frontline defense against northern powers. Northern passes such as Yumen Pass were critical lines of defense against Liao and Xi Xia forces, effectively blocking large-scale southern invasions and thereby relieving pressure on the six northwest garrisons, allowing them to focus more fully on countering Xi Xia's threats from the west.

Hedong also housed the Lin-Fu Road Military Command, which, together with the Northwest Six Routes' Pacification and Command Commission, formed the Northern Song's northwest defense system. In military operations, Hedong and the six northwest routes could support and coordinate with each other, enhancing overall defensive capability and combat efficiency. For instance, during campaigns against Xi Xia, Hedong's troops could launch flanking attacks to encircle Xi Xia alongside the northwest forces.

By the way, the general stationed in Hedong was named Zhang Yun. Not only was he a capable and battle-hardened commander, but he also had deep personal ties to Zhao Yu—even Zhao Yu had to call him 'father-in-law.'

—Zhang Yun had, by chance, married the mother of the current Empress Zheng Xiansu as his second wife.

Because of this connection, Zhao Yu once considered transferring Zhang Yun to the capital to serve alongside Guo Cheng in command of the Imperial Guards, and even planned to greatly promote him. But Zhang Yun refused outright, insisting 'no merit, no reward,' and declared his willingness to remain in Hedong, guarding it for Zhao Yu and the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Upon arriving in Hedong, Ceng Bu received reports in Taiyuan City from Zeng Zhao, the Pacification and Command Commissioner of Hedong Road and Prefect of Taiyuan, and Zhang Yun.

Zeng Zhao was Ceng Bu's younger brother; because Zhao Yu planned to recover Xi Xia and needed to guard against Liao interference in that campaign, he specifically transferred the capable and well-rounded Zeng Zhao to Hedong to hold the line.

Since arriving in Hedong, Zeng Zhao had actively prepared for war, and Hedong's military readiness was now excellent—even better than Zhao Yu and his ministers had anticipated.

This greatly comforted Ceng Bu.

After listening to Zeng Zhao's report, Ceng Bu personally inspected the grain depots and armories, confirming the situation matched Zeng Zhao's description.

Then, Ceng Bu accompanied Zhang Yun to inspect Hedong's various armies; under Zhang Yun's command, all were reasonably well-trained.

Afterward, Ceng Bu went to examine the salt fields of Jie.

During Zhao Xu's reign, natural disasters damaged the Jie Salt Ponds, inflicting massive economic losses on the Zhao Song Dynasty.

To restore Jie salt production, Zhao Yu and his ministers adjusted the salt monopoly system (alternating state monopoly and open trade), optimized transport (salt certificates and grain-for-salt exchanges), revived production (repairing the Jie Salt Ponds and introducing sea salt), and cracked down on smuggling.

After more than two years of recovery, Jie salt production had finally regained some capacity.

Finally, Ceng Bu informed Zeng Zhao and Zhang Yun that the court would recover Xi Xia; whoever failed in their duties would be severely punished, and they must prepare thoroughly, leaving no room for complacency.

Leaving Hedong, Ceng Bu went to Fuzhou and met with Zhe Kexing, the current head of the Zhe family, telling him again that the court intended to recover Xi Xia and that the Zhe family must prepare for major war.

The Zhao Song Dynasty had always governed the Zhe family through indirect rule, granting them high autonomy over Linzhou and Fuzhou.

Precisely because of this, even though Ceng Bu was the third-ranking chancellor of the Zhao Song dynasty, he dared not interfere with the Zhe family's affairs.

But then again, over these years the Zhe family never once failed in major matters, always obeyed Zhao Song's orders, and consistently fought on the front lines against the Liao and Western Xia, with countless clan members dying to defend their homeland—this is why they have long enjoyed such honors.

Leaving Fuzhou, Ceng Bu entered the Six Routes of the Northwest.

To resist Western Xia's invasions, the Zhao Song dynasty established six institutions in the northwest, similar to later military districts—the Jinglü Anfu Si (abbreviated "Shuai Si").

Namely: Yongxing Jun Lu Jinglü Anfu Si, Fuyan Lu Jinglü Anfu Si, Huanqing Lu Jinglü Anfu Si, Qin Fenglu Jinglü Anfu Si, Jingyuan Lu Jinglü Anfu Si, and Xihé Lu Jinglü Anfu Si.

Each of these six Jinglü Anfu Si commanders held the titles of Jinglü Anfu Commissioner, Commander of Cavalry and Infantry, and Governor of Several Armies, Prefectures, and States.

For example, the commander of Yongxing Jun Lu Jinglü Anfu Si held the titles of Jinglü Anfu Commissioner of Yongxing Jun Lu, Commander of Cavalry and Infantry, and Governor of Yongxing Jun (Jingzhao Prefecture), overseeing Jingzhao and Hezhong prefectures, seven states—Shan, Tong, Hua, Yao, Bin, Jie, Guo—and Qingping Army. His defense zone roughly corresponded to southern Shanxi, western Henan, southern Shaanxi, and the Guanzhong region.

At present, both Yongxing Jun Lu Jinglü Anfu Si and Jingyuan Lu Jinglü Anfu Si are directly overseen by Zhang Jie; he is also the supreme commander of northwest military affairs, personally appointed by Zhao Yu as Pacification Commissioner of Shaanxi and Western Xia.

The commander of Fuyan Lu Jinglü Anfu Si is Tao Jiefu; the commander of Huanqing Lu Jinglü Anfu Si is Zhong Chuan; the commander of Qin Fenglu Jinglü Anfu Si is You Shixiong; the commander of Xihé Lu Jinglü Anfu Si is Lu Huiqing.

These four men all have brilliant military records; they and their top generals have fought for years on the front lines of the northwest.

Notably, within the Zhao Song army, the forces under these six Jinglü Anfu Si are collectively known as the Northwest Imperial Army, also called "Xi Army," the absolute main force of Song troops.

Even if one day Zhao Yu's Divine Mechanism Army and Four Auxiliary New Armies are fully built, to reclaim Western Xia, they will still rely primarily on these six routes of Xi Army, for they have fought Western Xia for nearly a century and know their enemy inside and out.

Though these six routes of Xi Army are not without flaws, they are unquestionably capable of great use—otherwise, they could not have recently driven Western Xia forces into steady retreat.

But war, especially a war of conquest, depends not only on troops, but also on national strength and frontline reserves.

Ceng Bu's primary mission in coming here was to assess the reserves of the six Xi Army routes and determine whether they were sufficient for Zhao Song to launch this war of annihilation.

Ceng Bu first arrived at Fuyan Lu, heard Tao Jiefu's report in Yan'an Prefecture, and personally inspected Fuyan Lu's grain depots and armories.

After viewing them, Ceng Bu's expression turned solemn, for Fuyan Lu had been expanding outward, and its military readiness was grim—even worse than they had imagined.

Ceng Bu then proceeded to Huanqing Lu, heard Zhong Chuan's report in Qingyang Prefecture, and personally inspected Huanqing Lu's grain depots and armories.

Huanqing Lu, having engaged in fewer external campaigns, had slightly better readiness, but still insufficient to sustain a campaign to reclaim Western Xia.

In fact, Zhao Yu and his ministers had already realized that years of warfare had left the six northwest routes depleted.

Previously, Zhang Jie had repeatedly emphasized in his memorials what he had witnessed on the Shaanxi front.

Zhang Jie said: "Many granaries in Shaanxi are already empty; despite desperate reallocations, supplies can only be勉强 replenished from the rear when urgently needed. If we follow the advice of frontier officials and glory-seeking fools to continue building fortresses and outposts, we risk never ending border warfare. Such expenditure of state resources will inevitably burden border civilians with soaring prices—this is not a plan for lasting peace."

Correct.

Zhang Jie, the supreme military commander of the northwest, actually opposes reclaiming Western Xia—at least for now. He hopes the court will train troops, manage state finances, repair frontier defenses, and truly strengthen Zhao Song's national power—then the Four Barbarians will dare not invade again.

This is also a hidden danger in Zhao Song's plan to reclaim Western Xia.

One of Ceng Bu's missions was to resolve this danger.

For this, Ceng Bu spoke frankly with Zhang Jie.

Zhang Jie asked: "Will Your Majesty surely destroy Western Xia?"

Ceng Bu nodded: "The Emperor's resolve cannot be changed."

Zhang Jie was deeply concerned: "The readiness of the six routes is insufficient to destroy Western Xia—Your Excellency must already know this."

Ceng Bu nodded: "Before I came, His Majesty made clear: if military readiness is sufficient, you are to immediately draft a strategy for attacking Western Xia and launch war without giving them time to recover. If readiness is insufficient, you will be granted one more year to prepare—the court will fully support your campaign to reclaim Western Xia: men where needed, grain where needed, money where needed—we will solve this心头大患 once and for all."

After hearing this, Zhang Jie sighed deeply: "Then for this year, we will cease building fortresses, sharpen our weapons, and prepare for war with full vigor."

Hearing this, Ceng Bu breathed a sigh of relief.

Though Zhao Yu, Zhang Dun, and Ceng Bu all believed Zhang Jie was the best candidate to reclaim Western Xia, if his views could not be aligned, Zhao Yu would replace him—and Zhao Yu and Zhang Dun had already chosen a replacement.

That man was Lu Huiqing.

Fortunately, Zhang Jie changed his mind, sparing Zhao Yu and his ministers this difficult decision.

As for why Zhang Jie changed his mind, it was largely due to a recent imperial edict written by Zhao Yu to Zhang Jie.

In that edict, Zhao Yu analyzed the situation of Zhao Song, Liao, and Xia with exceptional clarity, showing that if Zhao Song did not destroy Western Xia, it faced imminent national collapse.

As emperor, Zhao Yu had the patience to lay out facts and reason to him rather than abruptly replacing him with someone who supported destroying Western Xia—this was a great honor, and demonstrated his deep regard for Zhang Jie.

As the saying goes: "A scholar dies for one who understands him"—this is precisely what it means.

Moreover, as a statesman, Zhang Jie understood that if Zhao Yu had resolved to reclaim Western Xia, someone else would do it if he refused—so it was better for him, who understood Western Xia best, to lead it, giving them a greater chance of success.

Next, Zhang Jie made no apologies—he demanded men, money, and grain, all in enormous quantities, and insisted the court deliver everything to his specified locations.

Ceng Bu calculated: Zhang Jie's demands amounted to roughly three years' worth.

This meant Zhang Jie planned to eliminate Western Xia over three years.

No.

Rather, Zhang Jie was preparing for the worst-case scenario: it would take three years to reclaim Western Xia.

'Zhang Jie remains as cautious as ever.'

Ceng Bu did not argue with Zhang Jie, for he saw clearly: Zhang Jie had a comprehensive plan to reclaim Western Xia; whether it would succeed, he would take back to discuss with Zhao Yu and others…

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(End of Chapter)