[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them":3,"chapter-i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-97":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Transmigrated to the Northern Song with Them",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2318987,4535,"Chapter 97: Fools Are Not Worth Consulting","i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-97",97,"\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meal with Zheng Xiansu was boring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were only six dishes on the table, all just vegetables and tofu, and two of them were even pickled vegetables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for the fish and the Dongpo pork, all five women would have thought Zheng Xiansu was punishing them, not hosting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without exaggeration, since the five women came to Zhao Yu’s harem, every meal had been far better than this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So right after leaving Zheng Xiansu, Ye Shi Yun couldn’t help complaining: “Do we really have to be this frugal? Is this all you serve when hosting guests?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin said: “She was raised by Empress Dowager Xiang—she must have inherited Empress Dowager Xiang’s virtue of frugality, and perhaps even expanded upon it. It’s not aimed at us; she’s just leading by example.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Xiao Jiao said: “I really can’t understand why becoming Empress means living like this. What’s the point of being Empress? Wouldn’t it be far happier to live like us—eating whatever we want, doing whatever we please?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Qing Cheng said: “Perhaps everyone’s pursuit differs. Zheng Empress’s idea of happiness may not lie in material abundance or sensual satisfaction, but in spiritual fulfillment and the burden of duty. It might be a realm beyond material indulgence—the faith and ideal she upholds as Empress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Shi Yun interrupted Yuan Qing Cheng’s reflection: “That’s too profound, Qing Cheng. You’ve almost reached philosophy. I was just complaining that even an Empress shouldn’t be this frugal—I just don’t get it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Xiao Jiao agreed: “Right, I don’t get it either. But whatever—I admire her character. Still, we’ll live our own lives, simple and happy. That’s good enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Lin looked at Zhang Chun and asked: “Why have you been silent all this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun finally spoke: “I’m wondering how you can still be so carefree. Don’t you realize our good days are nearly over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Shi Yun, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng all turned to Zhang Chun. Li Lin asked bluntly: “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun said calmly: “Have you forgotten her Nine Prohibitions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nine prohibitions?” Ma Xiao Jiao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The one about not colluding with maternal relatives—that doesn’t concern us,” Yuan Qing Cheng said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun gave a cold smile: “Doesn’t concern us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Her Nine Prohibitions are refined strategies drawn from history’s most capable Empresses managing the harem—like Taiji pushing hands: outwardly gentle as water, inwardly hiding profound schemes. She embeds political maneuvering into daily details, quietly securing absolute control over the harem…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Zhang Chun’s explanation, the four women finally realized: Zheng Xiansu had transformed personal desires into motives for upholding imperial authority, achieving total harem control beneath a gentle facade. This “subtle, silent governance” was more terrifying than open palace intrigues, for she sought to manipulate hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the “Imperial Harem Examination” system—created by Empress Liu E, consort of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, who rivaled Wu Zetian—was a harem promotion system modeled on the imperial examination. Empress Liu E used this to make palace concubines obsess over studying for promotion, eliminating vicious harem struggles for decades. She also cultivated her own intellectual circle, controlling not just the harem but the entire Song dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Zhang Chun’s analysis, the four women were stunned. They had never imagined their “routine lecture” concealed such deep intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at these political idiots, Zhang Chun was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun cast a deliberate glance at Li Lin: ‘With your political acumen, you dare dream of challenging me for leadership? Under your command, we wouldn’t even survive Pei Sui.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s reflection, Yuan Qing Cheng said: “But this doesn’t seem to concern us, does it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Ye Shi Yun also realized: “Right! We’re with Zhao Yu. Zheng Empress shouldn’t have authority over us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun nodded: “You’re right. With Zhao Yu protecting us, Zheng Empress won’t touch us. But have you considered this? They live like ascetics, while we feast freely, unrestrained and carefree. Won’t they resent us? Then we become their enemies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun added silently to herself: ‘How am I supposed to lead them like this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Xiao Jiao blinked her beautiful eyes and asked: “So they resent us? So we’re enemies? What difference does it make? Can they even beat us? If things get bad, once Qing Cheng’s agricultural research base is built, we’ll just move there—just need to build a few more houses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Shi Yun agreed: “Exactly! I don’t want to play with those primitives anyway. All they talk about is needlework or poetry—no common ground at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Qing Cheng added enthusiastically: “My place is huge—I could build a separate villa for each of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun was utterly defeated. She thought: ‘If we leave, it’s exactly what Zheng Empress wants—she’d be thrilled to see these troublemakers vanish. How could I let her win? And if I can’t get along with the palace concubines, how can I overthrow Zheng Empress and become Empress myself? Without becoming Empress, how can I become Wu Zetian?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun said plainly: “You can go if you want—I’m staying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Xiao Jiao asked: “Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun rolled her eyes: “Will Zhao Yu go with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Ye Shi Yun and Ma Xiao Jiao fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Zhao Yu stay away from the palace long? He must work there—and visit his concubines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Zhao Yu stayed and they left, within no time, Zhao Yu—surrounded by countless women—would forget them entirely. Then it would be their turn to suffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did Ye Shi Yun and Ma Xiao Jiao realize: unlike Yuan Qing Cheng, who fled Zhao Yu at every opportunity and could easily move to her agricultural base, they could no longer live without Zhao Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Lin spoke: “I’m staying too. Wherever Zhao Yu is, I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Shi Yun immediately backtracked: “I was just joking! Zhao Yu is my lifeline—I could never leave him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Xiao Jiao added: “I’ll visit Qing Cheng often, but I won’t live there—otherwise, His Majesty won’t be able to find me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Yuan Qing Cheng wisely fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the women had finally understood, Zhang Chun continued: “Since we can’t leave, we must learn to coexist with them. My suggestion: let’s first memorize Zheng Empress’s ‘Rules for Women.’ It’s only a thousand characters—our intelligence, far beyond this era, can master it easily. Even the ‘Rules of Female Conduct’ is just tens of thousands of characters. As for her examination system, we can just study a bit and pass. Poetry? We can copy a few poems and crush them all. If you don’t know how, I’ll teach you. The only things we really need to follow are her frugality and rules… Hey, don’t leave!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing they had to do all this to coexist with the other concubines, Li Lin and the others thought: ‘Coexistence? What a joke.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Shi Yun said bluntly: “If it’s that simple, you do it yourself. Don’t drag me in—I won’t suffer for this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun watched the backs of Li Lin and the others and muttered angrily: “Fools are not worth consulting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought: ‘I’m not particularly fond of luxury myself, and I’m naturally inclined to follow rules. As for the rest, none of it’s hard for me.’ She gritted her teeth: ‘Fine—I’ll do it myself!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the thought of living like an ascetic made her scalp tingle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In Emperor Zhenzong’s later years, Empress Liu E showed signs of sidelining him. If Zheng Empress imitates Liu E, Zhao Yu might resent it. If so, isn’t that my chance?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, Zhang Chun immediately went to Funing Palace to find Zhao Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, Zhao Yu also wanted Zhang Chun’s advice on his idea: ‘After the crisis passes, gradually convert part of the army into a police system and delegate public security duties to local authorities.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when he learned Zhang Chun had come, Zhao Yu set aside other matters and ordered Liang Shicheng to bring her in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon meeting, Zhao Yu smiled: “What wind blew my beloved consort to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Zhao Yu called her “beloved consort,” Zhang Chun knew he needed her—otherwise, he wouldn’t use such a term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought: ‘Good. I’ll solve your problem first, then present mine—see how you handle it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your humble concubine had nothing to do, so I came to visit Your Majesty,” she said, then added with a retreat: “If Your Majesty is busy, I may come another day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu immediately pulled her onto his lap, holding her close: “You’ve come at the perfect time. I have a matter I can’t decide—help me analyze it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having done far more intimate things with Zhao Yu, Zhang Chun wasn’t afraid to sit on his lap. She gracefully wrapped her arms around his neck and cooed: “I’m all ears.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu then explained his idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he couldn’t say “police”—instead, he proposed removing county magistrates from the military, forming a separate bureau, transferring soldiers assigned to public security into this new bureau, and assigning them to manage order, household registration, and so on…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun listened, her eyes brightening: ‘This is exactly establishing a police system. You’re smarter than I thought.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This plan has some feasibility, but implementing it carries many risks…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun analyzed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Song dynasty maintains a massive army (especially the Imperial and Garrison Armies), yet combat effectiveness is low, with severe ghost soldier problems. Military expenditures have become a fiscal burden. Converting redundant troops into police would ease fiscal pressure. It would also allow resources to be concentrated on training and equipping elite units, improving overall military strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Song’s local security relies on Police Inspectors, County Magistrates, and the Baojia system—all of which are too weak to handle increasingly complex public order issues. Establishing a dedicated police system would fill this gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this reform still carries problems and risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army and police have different duties, organizational structures, and management methods. Local treasuries may not sustain the police system. This move could provoke resistance or even rebellion from vested interests. Delegating security duties to local authorities might weaken central control, triggering power struggles between center and region. Dismissing redundant soldiers could cause mass unemployment—if mishandled, it may spark social unrest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on historical cases and future police systems, Zhang Chun offered five practical suggestions:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, pilot the system in several controllable regions within the capital area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Re-train and reorganize soldiers entering the police system, teaching them skills like resolving civilian disputes and capturing thieves, and establish a local police structure with clearly defined duties and authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court should provide limited financial support to help localities establish and maintain police forces, encouraging them to raise funds through taxes or other means to reduce central fiscal burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Properly resettle discharged soldiers—offer severance pay, land grants, or employment opportunities—to prevent social problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While delegating security duties to localities, the central government must retain oversight and personnel appointment powers to prevent abuse or corruption—meaning police funding comes from local sources, but the court establishes a separate department to manage the police system, with local authorities having no authority to interfere…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Admittedly, Zhang Chun was only a second-rate advisor, but her thousand-year-later knowledge and experience allowed her to offer many unique suggestions. Crucially, she could keep pace with Zhao Yu’s thinking and fill gaps others couldn’t—something even chancellors and ministers often failed to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether Zhao Yu and Zhang Chun’s ideas would suit local conditions, they could always be refined through discussion with chancellors and ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu kissed Zhang Chun’s lips hard and praised: “My beloved consort is truly my female Zhuge Liang.” Then he added: “Since you’ve come, why not stay tonight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1957,"2026-06-20T15:06:47.302Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c952d511c49baa1dcb4cecfde8d91207886715273a7446a3b85c88074157f091","i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-98","i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-96",348,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-cover.jpg"]