[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-187":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Shao Song",{"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},1558353,2024,"Chapter 187: Mountains and Rivers Cannot Be Crossed","shao-song-chapter-187",187,"\u003Cp>Lu Haowen, Lord Lu, had also worked hard. At his advanced age, in such sweltering weather, he had to run back and forth because the Zhao Emperor was feigning illness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Lord Lu's attitude was still very good, and he expressed approval of the Zhao Emperor's political stance. He also believed that the families of the Imperial Camp soldiers should be ransomed uniformly, or directly ordered to be pardoned by force, because doing so would bestow favor upon the soldiers and boost morale... In his words, \"Millions in cash and silk have already been scattered; there's no reason to end up badly over such matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Chief Minister of the Capital Secretariat opposed a large-scale, unified pardon, and even more so opposed amending the law in one fell swoop to directly abolish the system of indentured servitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I roughly understand some of Lord Lu's concerns,\" said the Zhao Emperor, who was feigning illness in Dengfeng. Although his face still rarely showed expression, his complexion was ruddy and his speech smooth. \"A system and custom spanning several centuries have long been deeply ingrained in people's hearts. The state is not in a normal condition now; abruptly changing such a significant law would only cause futile chaos. It would be better to wait until the situation stabilizes before discussing it in detail... I just don't quite understand why we can't grant a unified pardon to the refugees from Hebei?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because the war has already lasted several years. The places where the Hebei refugees have sold themselves are mostly not in Henan, but further south in Huainan, Nanyang, and even the Southeast and Jingxiang regions,\" Lu Haowen replied calmly from the pavilion beneath the flowering trees in the rear courtyard of the Dengfeng County Office. \"Your Majesty, here in Henan, which has suffered the calamity of war and is where Your Majesty has stationed the main Imperial Army, matters are tied to the military. Therefore, wealthy households and powerful clans can mostly understand. Even if they don't understand, they dare not and cannot cause trouble. But those places are the rear areas; some people there may not know or appreciate the difficulties of the court...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the Zhao Emperor, sitting opposite Lord Lu, remained expressionless, but the previous look of anticipation was clearly gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obviously, he had perceived the frankness in Lu Haowen's words and realized the practical difficulties of this matter... Because, according to Zhao Jiu's limited understanding, issues of personal interest like \"I really did buy a concubine for five strings of cash\" consistently faced enormous resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could be a peaceful Son of Heaven, with a stable state and ample finances, he might be able to slowly sort these things out. But for now, during wartime, the military threat from the Jin Army was constant. Especially since the court had just increased commercial taxes in the Southeast and added taxes in kind in Jingxiang, further agitating the rear areas would seem extremely inopportune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, setting aside the fact that people's joys and sorrows are not shared, one thing that alarmed this time-traveler was—or rather, as early as when he had no choice but to raise taxes, he had keenly realized that with the prolonged and large-scale war against the Jin, class contradictions would become increasingly prominent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was even more frustrating was that the concept of a nation-state had not yet formed at this time, and a situation might arise where class contradictions and ethnic contradictions conflicted with each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The front needed to resist the Jin, so the rear had to have its taxes raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The common people in the rear were suffering unbearably, but their pain came from the court's oppression; they had no personal experience of the danger from the Jin Army. So, they might very well choose to rebel... For a time-traveler, this was undoubtedly a sympathetic act, but such behavior would inevitably weaken the resistance against the Jin at the front, forcing the military forces that should have been used to fight the Jin, and even to protect the safety of the rear populace, to be used for internal suppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was precisely the reason why Zhao Jiu had specially summoned all the military governors that day and lost his temper in public.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down, he always believed that regardless of the surface reasons, from a basic motivational standpoint, the resistance of the common people at the bottom was always understandable, even correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, as a time-traveler, Zhao Jiu had to face another issue derived from this: his own self-positioning. And this matter was precisely a difficult problem he had recently had to confront directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First of all, why had he traveled through time? Setting aside the ethereal talk of being ordained by the Dao Ancestor, it was certainly to live well. And living well naturally meant doing meaningful things... So what were meaningful things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resisting the Jin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no doubt about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what? Being a good emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to be a good emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he immerse himself in this role, become a filial son and worthy descendant of the Zhao Song imperial family, learning from Emperor Guangwu to restore the mountains and rivers in the front, and internally becoming a \"Sage Emperor\" like Emperor Renzong, and externally a \"Progressive Emperor\" like Emperor Shenzong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, the nation's culture would flourish, shining brightly... Surely he could earn a relatively high historical evaluation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if he were to be a \"Sage,\" he would certainly be more of a \"Sage\" than Song Renzong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A great drought plagued the land. Song Renzong toiled to pray for rain. On the road, unable to find an attendant with water, he endured his thirst and refused to drink. Finally, he moved Heaven, and a timely rain fell over Dongjing, so much so that only the people of Yizhou in Jingdong continued to suffer disaster. Then, starving, they chose to rebel, kill officials, and seize grain. What a sage was that? If it were him, he would definitely carry a large water flask and even share some with others on the road. He might even move the Dao Ancestor to have Taishang Laojun, \"Urgent as the Law,\" send a few drops of rain to Jingdong as well!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, when it came to being \"Progressive,\" he would certainly be more \"Progressive\" than Song Shenzong. When Song Shenzong ascended the throne, the Khitans came to extort him. He asked all the old ministers, who all said the Khitans couldn't be defeated, and prepared to cede five hundred li of land... If it were him, Zhao Jiu, he would only cede fifty li! And he could still shift the blame onto his ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with such sagehood and progressiveness, what would his heart feel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the argument had to come full circle. The times being what they were, for him to forcibly maintain a time-traveler's mindset and refuse to integrate into the era's values would be laughable... If he truly did that, he would only end up as a heretic, seen by all as a Shang Zhou or Xia Jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More critically, blindly resisting and opposing would prevent him from accomplishing anything, let alone meaningful things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the flowering trees, the pavilion was filled with fragrance. Seeing Zhao Jiu silent for a long time, Lu Haowen hesitated for a moment, but eventually grew somewhat uneasy. \"Does Your Majesty truly wish to rescue these Hebei refugees?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu snapped back to reality, smiled faintly, but instead of answering, he asked a question: \"Lord Lu, my parents, sisters, brothers, and many relatives were all taken north during the Jingkang Incident. You should know that, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not know? Lu Haowen bowed his head and remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And since ancient times, the principle has been that those who hold hostages should not consider the hostages' lives when launching a swift attack... Lord Lu should also understand this principle,\" Zhao Jiu said slowly. \"So, don't call me unfilial, but logically, I should have been more indifferent. Therefore, that day in the Mingdao Palace in Bozhou, after I resolved to resist the Jin, I had already regarded the Two Sages and the various relatives taken north as dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen recalled the suspicion surrounding the well incident that day, was silent for a moment, then sighed with emotion: \"Your Majesty is indeed in a difficult position... It was us ministers who were too hasty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where does that come from?\" Zhao Jiu's expression did not change. \"I don't mean to blame you either... Your thoughts and actions are mostly those of seasoned statesmanship... It is I who, perhaps due to youth, am sometimes narrow-minded.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your minister is ashamed.\" Lu Haowen finally stood up and bowed in a gesture of apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please sit.\" Zhao Jiu continued with a sigh. \"Just now, Lord Lu asked me if I truly wished to rescue these refugees. Of course I want to save them, because ever since I regarded the nobles taken north as dead, I have vaguely come to regard the millions of people under Heaven as my own family. Previously, when I was forced by Zong Zhongwu to swear an oath, I pointed not to Heaven but to the people—that was this intention... How could I not be distressed to see my own family members being pawned and sold like objects?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty's benevolent thoughts.\" Lu Haowen, who had just sat down, bowed again. \"It is we ministers who, once again, seem to lack a sense of the bigger picture... Actually, the reason I asked Your Majesty just now was because I suddenly thought of a compromise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's set that aside for now. I still have a question I want to ask you face-to-face today, Lord Lu. You must know... Lord Lu, you have been the de facto Chief Minister before the throne since the Mingdao Palace. Our lord-minister relationship has weathered storms, from Bagongshan to Nanyang, to Dongjing. It's time we sat down and exchanged some thoughts.\" Saying this, Zhao Jiu was silent for a moment before speaking softly. \"Lord Lu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your minister is here.\" Lu Haowen stood in the pavilion, startled in his heart, and rarely became solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back then, when Emperor Shenzong discussed the New Laws with Wen Yanbo, Emperor Shenzong said, 'Reforming the legal system certainly displeases many scholar-officials, but how is it inconvenient for the common people?' Wen Yanbo replied, 'We rule the world together with the scholar-officials, not with the common people.'\" Zhao Jiu spoke lightly, bringing up a past case. \"What do you think of Wen Kuanfu's words?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen's expression was grave. He opened his mouth to speak but then actively stopped, clearly thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me be clear beforehand,\" Zhao Jiu suddenly laughed. \"I know that Emperor Shenzong's use of Wang Shuwang to implement reforms wasn't necessarily for the sake of the common people; it was partly to open up revenue sources. I also know that Wen Kuanfu's words were somewhat said in a fit of pique with Emperor Shenzong. I know even more that when the New Party people did things, they displeased both scholar-officials and common people... But today, it's just us lord and minister here. I only want to hear you, Lord Lu, speak on the matter itself, and tell me your personal view of Wen Kuanfu's words. That's all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen became even more solemn, but no longer hesitated: \"In reply to Your Majesty, speaking on the matter itself, I believe that Lord Lu (Wen Yanbo's title) was wrong in this statement!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we trace the academic origin of Lord Lu's words, it probably comes from Mencius's saying, 'What the great houses admire, the whole state will admire.' However, from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods down to the present, it has been a full fourteen or fifteen hundred years since Mencius. In the past, the great houses were the main body of a state. As for today, both scholar-officials and the common people constitute the main body of a state. Moreover, scholar-officials have gradually come from among the common people!\" Lu Haowen replied earnestly. \"Therefore, I believe that Mencius's words, applied to today, mean that the Son of Heaven rules the world together with the people! As for Lord Lu, either he said a foolish thing in a momentary fit of pique, or he was momentarily obtuse and fundamentally misunderstood Mencius's principle... But in any case, these words are ultimately wrong! I believe that the Son of Heaven should indeed rule the world together with the people! This is where reason lies!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu seemed somewhat relieved and nodded slowly: \"Speaking of which, I recall that you, Lord Lu, are a famous scholar of Dao Learning. Why have I seen little of your scholarship lately? Is it because you've become Chief Minister and are increasingly busy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen became even more solemn, but replied respectfully: \"Let Your Majesty know, what I said in the hall that day was all from my heart. In my early years, I prided myself on being a famous scholar of Dao Learning. But during the Jingkang Incident, I unavoidably had the suspicion of losing my integrity. Around the time of the Mingdao Palace, if not for Your Majesty falling into the well and being unwell, I almost had the intention of withdrawing from the world and seeking death. How could I have the face to continue my scholarship?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu shook his head and smiled: \"It's fortunate that you didn't leave, Lord Lu. Otherwise, how could our lord-minister relationship have returned to the old capital, and how could we be sitting here discussing the Way today? Everyone talks about Dao Learning, Dao Learning... What exactly is Dao Learning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen's heart stirred greatly. He wanted to give His Majesty a detailed explanation, but the topic was too large, and he feared that speaking dryly would displease His Majesty. He found himself tongue-tied, and after a long while, he finally managed to blurt out a sentence:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let Your Majesty know, Dao Learning is also called Neo-Confucianism. It is named so because it mostly discusses the principles of Heaven, Earth, and all things. Up to now, it has already spread very widely, though it is slightly inferior to New Learning...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dao Learning is Neo-Confucianism? Then was Zhang Zai, who said 'To set the heart for Heaven and Earth, to establish the mandate for the people, to continue the lost teachings of the sages, and to open peace for ten thousand generations,' also a Dao Learning scholar?\" Zhao Jiu's heart stirred, and he pressed on without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhang Hengqu was naturally a sage of Dao Learning.\" Lu Haowen's heart grew even more excited, and he quickly replied. \"The Guan Learning he founded was originally a famous school of Dao Learning. In the time of Emperor Shenzong, Zhang Hengqu's Guan Learning, the Cheng brothers' Luo Learning, and Wang Shuwang's New Learning had already formed a three-legged situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is New Learning also Neo-Confucianism?\" Zhao Jiu naturally knew about the Cheng brothers' Neo-Confucianism, but he was curious about New Learning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It cannot be counted as such.\" Lu Haowen shook his head solemnly. \"Neo-Confucianism must speak of morality and exhaustively investigate the Heavenly Principle. Although Wang Shuwang's learning was comprehensive, both ancient and modern, the New Learning he created was only for his New Laws, mostly discussing utility and profit, and was lacking in Heavenly Principle and morality...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think discussing utility and profit is better than discussing morality,\" Zhao Jiu immediately responded. \"Of course, exhausting the Heavenly Principle is still necessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen first instinctively paused, but then his heart stirred slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you, Lord Lu, which school are you from?\" Zhao Jiu continued to press.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your minister...\" Lu Haowen became even more solemn. After composing himself for a moment, he replied seriously. \"Your minister's learning is a family tradition. As early as the time of my grandfather, the late Lord Shen (Lu Princess), it was already known to the world as Lu Learning. And what is called Lu Learning, although it has the theory of 'extending the mind' and is also versed in Buddhist teachings, is close to Zhang Hengqu's Guan Learning, which is also a well-known fact... Back when Master Hengqu entered the capital, the three-legged situation of Guan Learning, Luo Learning, and New Learning was something my grandfather, the late Lord Shen, single-handedly brought about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu's expression remained unchanged, and he nodded slightly: \"I see. It's a pity... I often think that Wang Shuwang's New Learning is the foundation of the state and cannot be lightly discarded. But it is indeed lacking in the theory of Heavenly Principle, unable to rival Daoism's 'Non-Being' or Buddhism's 'Emptiness.' If Dao Learning and New Learning could coexist, wouldn't that be perfect? But it seems these scholarly factional struggles are even deeper than the enmity between Song and Jin, forcing me to stubbornly cling to New Learning! Truly incomprehensible!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haowen hesitated briefly, but in the end remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Lü just said there was a compromise method?\" Zhao Jiu returned to the previous topic. \"What method?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, although it is not appropriate at this time to use laws or edicts to force wealthy households in the south to release the Hebei refugees they have purchased, you can encourage them to do so voluntarily and reward the most outstanding among them with official titles,\" Lü Haowen quickly abandoned the foggy discussion just now and spoke directly in the pavilion. \"At the same time, you can also hold a special imperial examination to win over the hearts of the southerners.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu couldn't help but laugh: \"The first point is acceptable, but as for the latter, Lord Lü, are you trying to bully me into forgetting what happened when I fell into the well at Mingdao Palace that day? Even if I were muddle-headed, I now know that Cai Jing, when he was in power, already changed the imperial examination system into a three-tier system of county schools, prefecture schools, and the Imperial Academy, and then selected scholars directly from the Imperial Academy... People like Mo Qixie and Hu Hongxiu were all Imperial Academy students, while Li Qiong was a prefecture school student... If you want to hold a special imperial examination, don't you first have to abolish this three-tier system?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haowen hesitated for a moment, but still forced himself to offer advice: \"Your Majesty, the three-tier system is unfair and is often exploited by the children of the powerful. In the localities, it's as ridiculous as the recommendation system. I still think we should restore the old imperial examination system...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are there few officials appointed through favor in our dynasty?\" Zhao Jiu shook his head repeatedly. \"But what you say also has some merit. How about this—let's compromise again and split it in two. First, let all the prefecture school students from across the realm come to the capital. Use the sealed-name examination to select a certain number of Imperial Academy students, and then let those Imperial Academy students participate in the palace examination. This counts as a special imperial examination. Second, those who release and redeem the most people this time will be directly granted the status of prefecture school student or Imperial Academy student. Prefecture school students will be allowed to directly take the examination, and Imperial Academy students will be allowed to directly enter the palace and participate in the palace examination...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, Zhao Jiu seemed to ponder something, then added: \"Also, scholars who have rendered meritorious service in the military, and local officials with outstanding achievements, can all follow this precedent and be granted the status of prefecture school student or Imperial Academy student, allowing them to gain a proper background... This can be made a wartime standing rule. And for this year, let's handle it before the Mid-Autumn Festival. What do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haowen hesitated once more, but finally nodded reluctantly: \"I will follow Your Majesty's instructions and do my best to discuss it with Lord Xu when I return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having finished this matter, the sovereign and his minister finally sat down again in the pavilion, and only drank tea and chatted idly, no longer discussing other state affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as they were talking about trivial matters, Yang Yizhong, dressed in silk casual clothes, suddenly arrived from the front courtyard. He stopped only when he reached the pavilion, then cupped his hands and saluted solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu and Lü Haowen exchanged a glance, and their hearts both sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, Lord Lü... a military dispatch from Grand Commandant Lü of Jingdong has arrived at the Privy Council in Dongjing. It says that the puppet Qi has launched a major offensive, with troops from Jinan Prefecture and Yanzhou advancing together toward Dongping Prefecture, and it seems the Qingzhou troops are also moving toward Yizhou.\" Yang Yizhong reported without pause. \"The Privy Council speculates that the puppet Qi has spied Grand Commandant Yue reorganizing his forces and sees an opportunity. By now, Grand Commandant Yue should have already dispatched his troops.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu had already completely relaxed the moment he heard it was the Jingdong direction... What he was worried about was Zhong Xiang making trouble at Dongting Lake; he really didn't care about Jinan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is not to say that Zhong Xiang was stronger than Liu Yu, Li Cheng, or Kong Yanzhou. In fact, based on Zhao Jiu's judgment and understanding, compared to the traitors and ambitious men of the puppet Qi, whose personal abilities were beyond question, Zhong Xiang—who was sometimes a loyalist and sometimes a king of Chu—was basically a mediocrity. But the current situation determined that if Zhong Xiang rebelled, the harm he would cause to the overall situation would be the greatest, far beyond what the puppet Qi, which had already openly drawn its sword, could compare to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, after hearing the report, Zhao Jiu didn't move at all and simply replied casually: \"I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Yang Yizhong and Lü Haowen were surprised, but had nothing to say. So the three of them discussed a few more details and roughly settled things: Lü Haowen would continue to return to the Eight Imperial Tombs to participate in the sacrifices, while His Majesty Zhao would return to Dongjing to hold the fort and reassure the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition, with the mindset of training the Imperial Guard and seeking a quick resolution, His Majesty Zhao also dispatched Yang Yizhong to lead two thousand Imperial Guards to Jingdong to assist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, the three agreed. His Majesty Zhao remained seated in the pavilion, while the other two rose to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after hesitating repeatedly, Lü Haowen stopped when he was more than a dozen paces from the pavilion, turned back, and asked a question: \"Your Majesty, what kind of minister do you think Lord Lu was?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu was stunned for a long time before realizing who Lord Lu was, and then he immediately laughed: \"Although I don't agree with Wen Yanbo's views, I still think he spoke the truth of the current situation and pointed out the problem. He was a capable and honest man... After all, those who hold office are all scholar-officials. If you don't let scholar-officials share the realm, how can you share it with the common people? As for Lord Lü asking me what I think of Wen Yanbo himself, I can answer directly: although this man was not as bold in taking responsibility or as willing to face difficulties as Wang Shuwang, he could still be a chancellor! Relatively speaking, people like Feng Jing and Ma Liang are not worth mentioning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haowen said nothing, cupped his hands, and took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing happened that day. A day later, Lü Haowen traveled hard, crossed Mount Shaoshi, and arrived at Xiaoyi Town, where he met up with the young Academician Lin who had come to receive him. Just as he was about to head north into the mountain tombs where the Eight Imperial Tombs were located, he saw Xin Zan, the County Magistrate of Dengfeng, personally arriving as a messenger, having chased after him with great effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His Majesty wrote this before returning to the capital and asked me to give it to Commissioner Hu of Guanxi?\" Lü Haowen, drenched in sweat, took the scroll and, after listening to Magistrate Xin's brief explanation, immediately became solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because not only Lü Haowen, but even the young Academician Lin who had come to receive him instinctively thought of the text that His Majesty Zhao had asked Lord Xu to give to Lord Zhang Que that day. It was clear that everyone was already familiar with His Majesty Zhao's habit of using one thing for multiple purposes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Lü Haowen, without any hesitation, opened it directly, and then he and the young Academician Lin beside him were stunned on the spot. Magistrate Xin, who was fond of poetry, couldn't resist his curiosity and boldly leaned in to look, only to see that it contained a short lyric poem with an unfamiliar tune name, and it seemed to be only half of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It went:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peaks like a gathering, waves like a rage, the mountains and rivers within and without the road to Xijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the old capital, my thoughts hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heartbreaking are the places where Han and Tang once passed, ten thousand palaces and towers have all turned to dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In prosperity, the people suffer; in ruin, the people suffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to the 69th ally, Bing Yan Biao. Still, the weather is so nice—are you all staying home to watch the games today?\u003C\u002Fp>",4277,"2026-06-06T07:45:46.639Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","241adbf2b685c14c150eae32b69c8a01d5780afa2be7b49e2e37516068bc8ac9","shao-song-chapter-188","shao-song-chapter-186",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]