[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-370":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},1558536,2024,"Chapter 370","shao-song-chapter-370",370,"\u003Cp>At year's end, the land survey in the southeast finally claimed a life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a surveying official burned to death, but a Yu Hang scholar named Wang who, after a public assembly meeting, tried to organize resistance against the court's new policies. He was reported by many, the evidence was solid, and before the Imperial Guard could reach his home, he was so terrified that he chose to hang himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the morning of the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A death, and at the New Year at that, immediately made the political atmosphere in the southeast delicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This psychology hardly needs explanation... a corpse was lying right there, too tempting not to use as a shield or weapon... They'd driven a man to death, wouldn't the Emperor and the Chancellor stop now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, after the New Year, taking advantage of the arrival of the New Year's greeting envoy from Dongjing in Hangzhou, local public assembly members from Hangzhou immediately went up to Mount Fenghuang to present New Year's gifts under the pretext of paying respects. At the same time, they submitted memorials impeaching Yang Yizhong, the Imperial Guard Commander and Director of the Imperial City Bureau, for forcing a man to his death. They advised His Majesty to be magnanimous and formally suggested that he and Chancellor Lu suspend the land survey to avoid delaying spring plowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the response from His Majesty and Chancellor Lu—specifically from His Majesty—was very direct and swift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the original case—the conspiracy of the dead Yu Hang scholar—still adhered to the original verdict. All public assembly members involved in the conspiracy were expelled from the assembly, arrested, and then quickly exiled together to the Yellow River front for two years of supervised labor, plus a fine. As for the deceased Wang, since the investigation confirmed he held land in multiple places, much of it held in others' names to evade the national policy, and he was the ringleader of this conspiracy, his home was indeed surrounded by iron cavalry and ransacked, just as previously warned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Wang himself, he committed suicide out of fear of punishment. Dead is dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, regarding the memorials submitted locally in Hangzhou... His Majesty made no superfluous statements, only publicly rejected and refuted them. According to Lu Benzhong's commentary in the first post-New Year issue of the Jiangnan Traveling Court Gazette, the so-called Phoenix Ten-Day Journal, His Majesty was sticking to the facts. Although his imperial intent clearly opposed these unreasonable remonstrations and impeachments, he would absolutely not punish anyone for the act of submitting a memorial. Otherwise, why bother running public assemblies? Why maintain channels of remonstrance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Academician Lu also wrote in the paper that Wang's suicide was essentially an act of resisting the investigation. Stopping at ransacking his home was already very merciful. If anyone truly incited the people and tried to resist with arms, they should not say they weren't warned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a combination of hard and soft tactics, and a clear expression of His Majesty's resolve, the sudden wave of opposition to the land survey immediately subsided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Wang family, as the leading charitable house of Yu Hang, having their home ransacked by iron cavalry even after the man's death, truly ignited a sense of shared grief among the upper and lower classes of the southeast... After this incident, a large number of public assembly members from the two circuits, using the southeast's convenient transportation and the public assembly system, began submitting memorials en masse. They no longer spoke of the land survey or land registration, no longer debated the new policies, but instead concentrated their attacks on the Imperial City Bureau and the Military Command Bureau, directing their spearhead at Yang Yizhong and Yu Yunwen, framing the matter as the harassment and persecution of the southeastern gentry by this secret police system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gradually formed a trend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, His Majesty remained firmly seated on Mount Fenghuang. On one hand, he sent envoys to the Wuwei Army to reward Wang Gui and other officers of the Imperial Forward Army. On the other hand, he still did not punish anyone for their words, and carefully replied to these public assembly memorials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, although there were many of these memorials, a painstakingly written article could be dismissed by His Majesty with just \"Absurd,\" \"Noted,\" \"Nonsense,\" or \"I see.\" It was hardly a contest of who was more troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Lu Benzhong still received some people on His Majesty's behalf, directly pointing out: Anyone with common sense should know that if the ten thousand elite troops of the Imperial Army from Wuwei crossed the river south, who could stop them? The current situation precisely shows that His Majesty harbors benevolent thoughts and is unwilling to resort to arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, it truly seemed like His Majesty was sitting securely on Mount Fenghuang, adopting an attitude of meeting whatever comes his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation lasted for about ten days. As the Lantern Festival of the ninth year of the Jianyan era approached, a rumor spread that His Majesty would take advantage of the spring plowing period after the Lantern Festival to dispatch the Imperial Guard in an armed posture deep into the fields to forcefully complete the final survey work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was called a \"rumor\" rather than a \"false rumor\" because many believed it was entirely feasible... After a winter of hard work in the Liangzhe Circuit and Jiangdong Circuit, while the land survey might not be seventy or eighty percent complete, the survey of influential households was basically seventy or eighty percent done. Many matters only needed a final verification, and spring plowing was a perfect opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as for merging the head tax into the land tax, the worst that could happen was a disguised tax increase on influential households. Would they really refuse to spring plow just to oppose this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What's more, in the second issue of the new year's Phoenix Ten-Day Journal, Academician Lu published another article, clearly conveying His Majesty's message for the third time: Even if there were acts of hiding land or holding it in others' names, as long as one cooperated actively during the land survey, all past offenses before the eighth year of the Jianyan era would be forgiven. Only after the ninth year of Jianyan, if one still hid land, or even abandoned land to evade, would they be dealt with severely, making an example of one to warn a hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all this back and forth... was it worth it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, by the time of the Lantern Festival, facing the resolute attitude of His Majesty on Mount Fenghuang, the influential households of Jiangdong Circuit and Liangzhe Circuit had almost lost the courage to continue opposing the land survey itself. Even the impeachments against Yang Yizhong and Yu Yunwen would likely have gradually ceased if not for prior mutual agreements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just then, a man hurried from Dongjing to the southeast. After crossing the river, he suddenly contacted another man who had been silent locally all along, and the influential households of the southeast perked up as if rising from the dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man from Dongjing was former Minister of Rites Zhu Shengfei, and the one who rose locally to echo him was another former Minister, Liu Dazhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Zhu Shengfei was a native of Caizhou, his hometown located in the southeasternmost part of Jingxi, bordering the Huai River region. After His Majesty killed the white horse to establish the Shaoxing era, he abandoned his post and returned home, spending his days idling around the Rushui River and the Huai River region. Thus, although His Majesty did not pass through his area during his southern journey, he still observed from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In early winter of the previous year, when His Majesty convened the Wulin Conference and publicly announced strategies like merging the head tax into the land tax, forcefully implementing them in the southeast, Zhu immediately took notice. After discussing it with friends, relatives, and neighbors in the Lianghuai and Jingxi regions, he deeply felt the matter was improper. Many former colleagues and local gentry urged him to come forward and debate with His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a representative figure of the White Horse Incident, this Minister Zhu, though recommended to his post by Lu Yihao, had built his reputation in retirement on the principle of \"steadiness\" in the Lianghuai region. He often complained about who was ruining the country. Pressured from all sides, he had to hold his nose and step forward. But he was also somewhat shrewd, knowing that going directly to Hangzhou to see His Majesty would only bring humiliation. So he took a different path, heading to Dongjing instead to remonstrate face-to-face with Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Liu Ji, Chen Gui, and even Lu Haowen, the chancellors in the capital, and to stir up debate in the Imperial Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be said that he made a great commotion, causing some trouble for the five chancellors in Dongjing. But the problem was that this policy of merging the head tax into the land tax was clearly aimed at the southeast. Even if it succeeded in Liangzhe and Jiangdong, it would likely only be extended to Lianghuai, Jiangxi, and Fujian at most before the Northern Expedition. No matter how lively things got in Dongjing, what difference did it make?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thousand li away, it had no real impact on His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, whether it was because the chancellors in the capital were annoyed with him, or for some other reason, after the court sent out the New Year's greeting envoy, they suddenly and temporarily appointed him, an old minister, as the Lantern Festival greeting envoy, allowing him to see His Majesty and present his arguments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left with no choice, he had to steel himself and set out. After the New Year, he crossed the Yangtze River but did not rush to see His Majesty. Instead, he deliberately slowed his pace to observe the situation. When he could no longer avoid it, he timed his move. On the twelfth day of the first month, he first gathered local public assembly members in Huzhou, making a public statement that he intended to remonstrate with His Majesty. Then, he led these locals to rouse the former Minister of Personnel, Liu Dazhong, who had been idle in his Huzhou hometown all winter, his door not even opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Dazhong had originally been prepared to just endure it. But like Zhu Shengfei, he was a representative of the so-called \"steady\" faction, his political identity firmly tied to the White Horse Incident. Now, with this fellow Zhu leading the locals to kick down his door and poke him in the ribs, he had no choice but to publicly state his position and follow Zhu Shengfei to pay respects to His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, they barely managed to arrive in Hangzhou at noon on the fifteenth day of the first month, the Lantern Festival itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could be said? Although the two high officials, Zhu Shengfei and Liu Dazhong, arrived in haste, public assembly members from surrounding prefectures like Hangzhou, Huzhou, Xiuzhou, Yuezhou, Mingzhou, and Muzhou still managed to arrive in time. Under the pretext of viewing the lanterns for the Lantern Festival and paying respects to His Majesty, they came to bolster the two officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Counting them, there were also one or two hundred people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this gamble was essentially their last throw of the dice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning back to the present, the significance of the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month in this era need not be elaborated. It was the most joyous and unrestrained festival of all. Hangzhou, as the de facto capital of the southeast, had not seen war or chaos for over a decade since Fang La's rebellion, so it was naturally bustling with activity. Moreover, compared to a great city like Bianliang in the north, though Hangzhou had a slightly smaller population, it had West Lake as its backdrop. Coupled with the mild southern climate and the many surrounding cities, it had a unique charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days earlier, countless lantern mountains had been set up, needless to say. On the day of the Lantern Festival itself, even at the dilapidated Leifeng Pagoda, soldiers from the Imperial Cavalry Army from Dongjing had jointly raised a gaudily painted hot air balloon. Facing the countless local and surrounding public assembly members who came to pay respects and offer gifts, His Majesty hosted a banquet on Mount Fenghuang at noon. The two former ministers, Liu and Zhu, received the treatment they were due and attended the banquet... But the banquet had no further developments. Zhu Shengfei and Liu Dazhong didn't even have a chance to speak. As soon as the meal was finished, Lu Yihao personally led the local Hangzhou officials over to invite His Majesty to descend Mount Fenghuang, board a large boat on West Lake, tour the lake, and share in the people's joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, in the afternoon, His Majesty set out with his full retinue, leading everyone from Mount Fenghuang north to Yongjin Gate, where they boarded the boats and barges waiting there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, His Majesty, along with his close ministers and over a dozen personal attendants, boarded a large flat-bottomed boat nicknamed the \"Great Black Dragon.\" The famous imperial golden-mace banner was erected at the stern. Chancellor Lu, Chancellor Xu, and the two former ministers, Liu and Zhu, each had their own boat. The boat carrying Chancellors Lu and Xu was called the \"Little Black Dragon,\" which naturally goes without saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, the local Hangzhou commissioners, prefectural and county officials, and the accompanying public assembly members from surrounding prefectures were also assigned boats according to rank and region, all setting out together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, these public assembly members, as the influential households of the wealthiest prefectures around Hangzhou in the Liangzhe Circuit, which of them didn't have their own painted pleasure boats on West Lake? And which of those boats wasn't adorned with carved railings and jade, hung with gold and silver ornaments, and filled with fragrant incense? Weren't they all far superior to these official boats with their bare wooden benches?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, every household had a pleasure boat. How many of them could board an official boat and accompany the imperial procession today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many people, and it was the first time doing something like this. So, after accompanying the imperial procession to Yongjin Gate in the afternoon, it took until the sun was slanting westward before everyone finally boarded their boats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, with the Great Black Dragon in front, the Little Black Dragon to its side and rear, and dozens of official boats setting off left and right, following the imperial golden-mace banner at the Great Black Dragon's stern, they sailed out from Yongjin Gate towards Su Causeway, instantly electrifying the entire West Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Lantern Festival. Hangzhou's four gates were wide open, with no curfew. Coupled with the dense cities of Liangzhe and the fact that His Majesty was in residence, countless families had come to West Lake for the festival. Seeing the imperial boat touring the lake today, they all surged out. On the Su Causeway directly ahead, people were packed shoulder to shoulder, unable to move an inch. On both banks along the way, countless people also gathered, climbing to high places to gaze at the dragon boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could they see from so far away? No one knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was the dragon boat decorated inside and out? What was the difference between an official boat and a civilian pleasure boat? No one knew either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They said they were looking at the imperial procession, the chancellors, and the Imperial Guard. Had His Majesty come out of the cabin? Had the chancellors waved? How many Imperial Guards were there? Was the villain Yang Yizhong, who had driven the good man Wang to his death, among them? No one knew that either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they had to jostle and scramble to watch, they had to fill the banks and the causeway to gaze into the distance. Amidst the chaos, countless pleasure boats also set off from left and right, circling the Great and Little Black Dragons and the many official boats from afar, almost covering half of West Lake, shouting and responding to the crowds on the shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of the commotion, those public assembly members fortunate enough to be on the official boats accompanying the imperial procession were already intoxicated and mesmerized. Who still remembered the impeachments, the mission to support the two wise ministers, the scholar Wang who had hanged himself, or the evil policy of the land survey?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They only felt that life was complete, and couldn't wait to return and tell their countrymen: That day I was on West Lake, only three boat-lengths away from His Majesty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The few who still remembered their true purpose could only sigh inwardly, feeling that His Majesty was truly wise enough to reject remonstrance. If the boats could just drift on the lake until midnight, go back and sleep until dawn, and send off Zhu Shengfei, the Lantern Festival greeting envoy, the next day, then Liu Dazhong, who was only there to make up the numbers, would be isolated and helpless, and this matter would be weathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But strangely enough, Liu Dazhong and Zhu Shengfei, the two instigators, stood on their official boat with their hands tucked in their sleeves, exchanging glances without a word, yet they also seemed to have a certain look of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boats advanced slowly. As dusk approached, when the sunlight streamed from west to east, turning the lake a brilliant gold, the Great Black Dragon reached the bridge of Su Causeway. It could go no further and had to turn around. At that moment, another climax arrived... His Majesty, wearing a straight-cornered headwrap, a brand-new light yellow robe, a red belt with gold fittings, and black patterned boots, appeared in a form perfectly matching the imagination of the people of Hangzhou. Accompanied by a crowd of close ministers in purple, crimson, and blue robes, he emerged from the Great Black Dragon's cabin, faced the Su Causeway, and waved to the people on it, causing the chancellors, ministers, officials, and public assembly members on the other official boats to hurriedly imitate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was only for the brief moment the boat was turning, it caused a thunderous roar from the riverbank and both shores, startling countless crows from Mount Fenghuang, which was hidden behind the setting sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the boat had turned around, the gentry and commoners on the causeway, though few could have seen clearly, came to their senses and couldn't help but talk excitedly. They said His Majesty had looked their way, that they had personally seen the red belt with gold fittings. Those in the know recounted the story of how, during the crisis on the Huai River, His Majesty had gone alone to see Prince Han and bestowed a jade belt upon him, and had never worn a jade belt since, only gold belts and leather belts. The chatter was truly chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn't all. As the boat turned and slowly sailed back, dusk gradually deepening, His Majesty issued another decree, ordering the boats to light their lanterns. Though the official boats were large, they were exceptionally simple, with only ordinary lanterns hung at the bow and stern. But as the Great Black Dragon and Little Black Dragon lit a few lanterns, it was as if a signal had been given. From the lake itself, before it was even fully dark, lanterns began to light up everywhere, spreading across the entire lake and city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, the lantern shadows flickered, specks of starlight gradually merging into a single expanse, illuminating the entire West Lake as if it were a celestial realm on earth. Even with the moon's shadow faintly appearing at the horizon and the setting sun still lingering west of the lake, the human lanterns could no longer be concealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could only say that it was a fine scene of feudal-era unity between ruler, minister, scholar, and commoner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those unaware might have thought they had returned to the Dongjing of the prosperous and abundant era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet just as the boats hung their lanterns and everyone, high and low, assumed the Zhao Emperor would drift idly on West Lake until midnight to avoid Zhu and Liu, the unexpected happened... As dusk gradually rose and the lake was full of lantern light, the Great Black Dragon still returned to Yongjin Gate in the last glimmer of sunset. The Emperor then immediately came ashore and led the procession back to Phoenix Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, another decree was issued: since the southeastern government officials and scholars had made many offerings to Phoenix Mountain before the Lantern Festival and Spring Festival, to prevent waste, these would all be distributed together at the foot of Phoenix Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the monetary offerings were to be entirely bestowed as rewards to the Imperial Guard cavalry soldiers; the miscellaneous novelty items were all to be sent to the Lantern Riddle Gathering under Leifeng Pagoda for the people's benefit; and the food and local specialties were to be set out as a feast before Phoenix Mountain to entertain the attending officials and council members today, signifying shared joy between high and low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon receiving this decree, most people naturally showed delight, but a few like Liu Dazhong and Zhu Shengfei could not help groaning inwardly—nothing else, with such a display laid out, how could those who had publicly declared their resolve earlier possibly evade?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They feared they would inevitably have to play the villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, as the bright moon gradually rose, the people of Hangzhou, hearing that the Emperor was distributing benefits on Sunset Glow Mountain, had already gathered in clouds on the south shore of West Lake. The camps on both sides of Phoenix Mountain, having received rewards, also broke into cheers. At this moment, at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, on the very ground where the Wulin Grand Assembly had once been held, the banquet had already been spread. As everyone took their seats, recalling the original serious business at hand, yet finding themselves surrounded on all sides by the clamor of cheers and jubilation, they could not help losing confidence, and indeed many showed signs of evasion and perfunctoriness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even pretended to have forgotten the earlier agreement outright, having made up their minds to ignore the matter entirely, and openly began to enjoy themselves at the foot of the mountain, making the atmosphere even more delicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the banquet began, Minister Lu first presided, performing a brief drinking ceremony: toasting the health of the Two Sages currently in quiet cultivation, the Three Dowager Empresses being well cared for, and the Emperor smilingly seated above; then congratulating the Emperor on gaining a new imperial prince the previous year... After these few rounds of wine, everyone was slightly tipsy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no help for it—such was the national condition of the Great Song; who could do anything about it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seven or eight cups of wine, with the Lantern Festival lights ablaze, the Emperor personally ordered a serving of Dongpo Pork to be sent to the Retired Emperor Yuan You Sheng in the west of the city, and then poetry and lyrics became unavoidable... In truth, the southeast had always been a place of flourishing literary culture. Not to mention others, take the three leading figures of the Yue Prefecture Council present: the Lu, Shi, and Zhuge clans each had their own libraries at home. The Lu family's collection numbered about thirteen thousand volumes. Earlier in the year, after the third son, Lu Shi, was transferred to the post of Vice Prefect, he had reciprocated by proactively offering to have his family organize and transcribe the collection for the court... The Shi and Zhuge clans also had collections of ten thousand and seven to eight thousand volumes respectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the flourishing literary spirit of the southeast... And for scions from such families, as long as they had the inclination, they naturally would not lack skill in poetry and lyrics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, literary spirit was one thing—wasn't there still a poetry master, the Zhao Emperor, sitting above them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they made a fool of themselves, what then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, as everyone pushed and deferred, someone finally stepped forward, bowed, and expressed regret that the Emperor had not composed any poetry or lyrics on the lake today, which would inevitably leave a regret. Thus, they requested that the Zhao Emperor compose first, to serve as a guide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You ministers overthink it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the mountain-full of lanterns and the bright moon, visibility was clear. The Zhao Emperor, now wearing a soft-winged headwrap, sat upright above. Hearing this, he shook his head with a smile. \"On the Lantern Festival, we should share joy. Today's poetry composition: no restrictions on theme, no distinction of rank, no judgment of quality. Just write something, have the appointed official read it aloud. Those who think it good drink a cup, then ask the name. Those who think it poor just laugh once and move on. Why be so burdened by concerns?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, everyone relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, officials from Hangzhou Prefecture came forward to distribute paper and brushes. At this moment, the Zhao Emperor picked up his brush and was about to write, when, for some unknown reason, he instead inquired on the spot about Lu Zhi, the new council member of the Yue Prefecture Lu clan after Lu Shi's transfer to Vice Prefect. He had heard that the Lu family had a ten-year-old prodigy, born on a boat, who could already compose poetry at a young age, named Lu You... Had he come today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning that Lu You had gone with some brothers and cousins to see the lanterns during the day and could not be found for the moment, the Emperor finally set his mind at ease and calmly began to write.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, the poem was finished. He then appointed former Minister of Rites Zhu Shengfei as the appointed official to rise and recite the poem for everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were fine, but Zhu Shengfei himself was already on three-tenths alert. Yet he dared not disobey, so he could only rise and accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, as he recited them in order, they were all just things like fine horses and dragon boats, lanterns and moonlight, lake and mountain scenery, shared joy between ruler and people, scenes of restoration and prosperity... Some were good, some poor. Everyone was a connoisseur, so they naturally identified the poets of higher skill, called them forth on the spot, and offered them wine in congratulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time, at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, harmony reigned. Even Zhu Shengfei gradually let down his guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, as a poem appeared in Grand Master Zhu's hands, the former Minister of Rites felt his forehead buzz—he knew that today would not end well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister Zhu, why have you suddenly stopped reciting?\" Zhao Jiu urged on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Shengfei looked at the Zhao Emperor, his heart numb, but he still held the poem draft and gritted his teeth to recite:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three myriad li of rivers eastward flow to the sea, Five thousand ren of peaks scrape the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remnant people's tears are spent in the dust of the barbarians, Southward they gaze for the Imperial Army another year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As this poem was recited, the entire gathering was stunned. The entire day's romantic scenery, brocade lake, and lanterns all turned to nothing in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is this poem?\" Zhao Jiu said from his seat, as if sighing, but then called a name. \"Lu Zhi, how is this poem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhi, the chief of the Yue Prefecture Council, had no idea why this matter and this poem should involve him, but since the Emperor had spoken, he quickly left his seat, stepped forward, and braced himself to respond:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To inform Your Majesty, this poem's diction is refined, and moreover it points out the current situation—how could it not be good? But since today we are composing Lantern Festival poems, this poem suddenly appearing cannot help but have a somewhat cynical and misanthropic tone...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well said, quite pertinent.\" Zhao Jiu nodded in response. The soft wings of his newly changed headwrap swayed unsteadily. After delivering this verdict, he turned to Zhu Shengfei. \"Minister Zhu, which blind cynic wrote this? Doesn't he know everyone is celebrating the Lantern Festival? Why must he reopen old wounds at this time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Shengfei looked at the Zhao Emperor, his heart icy cold, but could only force himself to remain calm and answer with effort: \"The cynic is none other than Your Majesty... The signature is Zhao Jiu of Cangzhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, because the crows had been startled away in the afternoon, Phoenix Mountain was unusually free of their cries. So the phrase \"not a crow or sparrow could be heard\" was especially apt to describe the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, not far away, at the foot of Leifeng Pagoda, there was a bustling, lively scene. The entire West Lake was like a giant, self-illuminating moon on earth, casting its surroundings as bright as day—a stark contrast to the atmosphere here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to be honest, although Lu Zhi and the others were startled, upon reflection, they did not find this particularly strange. They only felt it was sudden and a bit unfair... Think about it—hadn't the Zhao Emperor himself led the afternoon and evening of romantic revelry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, although Zhu and Liu had made their declarations before coming, supposedly to stir up trouble, hadn't the Zhao Emperor defused it all with a single \"black dragon swishing its tail\"? Why, when the mountain would not come to him, must he go to the mountain and press the attack relentlessly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had already stopped at the point of propriety—why must the Emperor himself abandon martial virtue and launch a surprise attack?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ruining everyone's enjoyment today is my fault,\" the Zhao Emperor spoke again with emotion amidst the aggrieved silence. \"But you must also understand my difficulties... It was only when I picked up my brush just now that I remembered: since I once promised Han Liangchen a jade belt, I no longer wear one; and since I once composed 'Green Jade Table' for Zong Zhongwu, how could I write another Lantern Festival lyric? And thinking of Zong Zhongwu reminded me of the solemn oath I made before him—that if in this life I could not restore the Two Rivers and annihilate the Jurchen, uniting all the rivers and mountains under one rule, then I would have nothing to live for and die without a whole corpse. And the reason I would die without a whole corpse is that if I die, it must be on the battlefield, cut down by blades and axes. Thinking of this, my emotions were hard to suppress, hence this cynical poem. I hope you will forgive me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the foot of Phoenix Mountain, upon hearing this, although they felt even more aggrieved, how could they not understand the Zhao Emperor's meaning? And how could they refute or dare to refute? Would anyone truly dare to step forward and complain that the Zhao Emperor had said both the positive and the negative, leaving them with nothing to say? On the contrary, exchanging glances, everyone could only step forward one after another, confessing their guilt, saying they had indulged in the southeast's prosperity, failing to understand the Emperor or the situation under heaven, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, a whole crowd knelt on the ground. Zhu Shengfei stood awkwardly to one side. Even Liu Dazhong, after sighing, followed the two ministers in coming forward with clasped hands... At this point, it could be said that the last wave of counterattack these people had attempted had been completely shattered by the Zhao Emperor's combination of parry and thrust, leaving no possibility of reversal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Emperor, seated upright above, still showed no intention of letting the matter go. Instead, he directly shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I roughly understand your meaning. With your mouths you confess guilt, but in your hearts you still feel aggrieved and dissatisfied. And I do not wish to bear the name of 'punishing without teaching' again... If you still have words in your hearts, let us, ruler and ministers, speak them today with the aid of wine. After today, they will not be held against you... Whether you can convince me is one thing, but at the very least, you must clearly understand my intentions, and I must clearly understand yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, most people were somewhat bewildered, because these words sounded somehow off. Where was there any \"punishing without teaching\"? Who had made the Emperor bear this reputation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Zhu Shengfei, after waiting a moment, his complexion turned from pale to green. He finally lost control and directly prostrated himself in obeisance: \"Your subject is terrified. The argument of 'punishing without teaching' truly shames me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You need not be ashamed of this matter,\" Zhao Jiu said frankly from his seat above. \"After the White Horse Shaoxing Incident, I also reflected. Indeed, I went too far that day. There was indeed some element of 'punishing without teaching' in it. Driving you all out of the court together as if you were enemies was also excessive... It is natural for you to have resentment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did everyone realize whom these words were aimed at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, upon hearing this, Zhu Shengfei still dared not move, but instead grew even more panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao Emperor continued shaking his head in response: \"But Minister Zhu, it is one thing for you to have resentment toward me, but why be dissatisfied with the current governing ministers? While you were idling in Huaidian, you spent your days telling people that Minister Zhao Ding was extravagant, that he placed four large incense burners on both sides of his ministerial hall, consuming dozens of jin of incense daily, and that he embezzled public funds to plant exotic bamboo in his home... Is this proper?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Zhu Shengfei had long since dared not raise his head. Even Lu Yihao, Xu Jingheng, and Liu Dazhong, standing to one side, were dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Zhao Ding's personal conduct and moral character were universally acknowledged to be good. Lu Yihao had served as Prefect of Yangzhou and later as a military commissioner in the southeast, having much contact with Zhao Ding when the latter was Fiscal Commissioner of the Two Huai. Liu Dazhong had an excellent private friendship with Zhao Ding. Even Xu Jingheng had his own information channels. Who didn't know that Zhao Ding was a man who would specifically seek out a roadside stall south of the city to drink a bowl of mutton soup? How had he become a byword for extravagance in Zhu Shengfei's telling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, the Zhao Emperor continued with a sigh: \"And Zhang Jun. You said that he had a hall in his home specifically for secret meetings with major figures of the Wood Faction, and that the hall used eighty-one slabs of celeste stone, each several feet square, which was not only extravagant but also bordered on exceeding regulations... In fact, Zhang Jun's family was a famous clan in Shu. In Shu, they could afford to invite Master Keqin, the teacher of the Great Wisdom Monk, to their home. His wife was the niece of Minister Yuwen. For such a family, accusations of extravagance are hard to refute... But I ask you: when you fabricated this story back then, did you not know that I had bestowed mansions of equal specifications on the high officials of the Secret Pavilion and the chief ministers and close advisors in Jingyuan? Which hall could possibly be paved with so many celeste stone slabs? And moreover, having just been granted residences, would they immediately commit such acts of exceeding regulations right under my nose? Do they not know that I keep fish in my rear garden?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only the fifteenth day of the first month, still outdoors at the foot of a mountain. Even in the south, how could it be hot? But hearing this, Zhu Shengfei was already drenched in sweat. Seeing his reaction, those around him knew the truth of the matter and grew even more furious. Lu Yihao could not help shaking his sleeves. Liu Dazhong, coming to his senses, wished he could kick this man a few times on Zhao Ding's behalf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was not the end. The Zhao Emperor continued shaking his head: \"And Minister Lu Haowen... You said that during his tenure, he embezzled one hundred and seventy thousand strings of public funds and looted over three thousand items of public property. I don't even know about these things—how did you calculate them so precisely? And with such serious corruption, why did you not impeach him while he was in office, but instead only speak of these things to local scholars at home after he left his post? You also said that when I was fighting at Yaoshan, you accepted my entrustment to guard Dongjing? And that you would write all this into your 'Record of Idle Residence in Ruhuai'? Are you not ashamed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I request that this man be expelled immediately!\" Hearing this, even the usually good-tempered Xu Jingheng could not restrain himself. \"This beast's character is impure, unworthy to be a minister, and he defiles the fellowship of his colleagues.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the most severe-tempered Lu Yihao, who had once been this man's recommending patron, instead let out a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the surrounding anger and mockery, Zhu Shengfei had long since dared not utter a sound, nor even lift his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know you harbor resentment toward me and the then Grand Councilors because of the White Horse Incident, but aren't you afraid that a hundred years from now, someone might actually use your 'Records of Idle Living' as evidence to smear a man's good name, simply because you were a Minister of this dynasty?\" Zhao Jiu, seeing this, also felt somewhat disheartened. \"In truth, judging by the words you spoke in your hometown, it seems you never truly intended to admonish me from the start. You were merely trying to maintain your persona as an upright minister, and were pushed into it by others, weren't you? I suspect that's precisely why you were seen through by the two Grand Councilors, Lu and Zhao, and sent here to me... There are some things they find inconvenient to say themselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Shengfei finally looked up in astonishment, because the words of the Zhao Emperor had hinted at another fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't look at me.\" Zhao Jiu was speechless to see the other raise his head. \"When you were throwing your weight around in Dongjing, your fellow townsmen had already submitted your words to the public offices. And the things you said in Huaidian were also passed from Grand Councilor Lu to Grand Councilor Zhao, so that the entire Imperial Library knew of them. But after reading them, they found it awkward to scold you to your face, so they simply transferred you here for me to handle... Otherwise, how do you think I came to know of your words? Do you truly believe my Imperial City Agency is so formidable as to be able to gather up your idle gossip from Huaidian?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing that both Lu Haowen and Zhao Ding, the two parties directly involved, had not taken Zhu Shengfei's words to heart, Lu Yihao and Xu Jingheng also lost their steam and could no longer press the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the rest, upon hearing this, how could they not understand that this wave of self-righteous senior officials emerging from retirement to try and turn the tide had been a joke from the very beginning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With things having reached this point, the matter seemed to have no further waves. The Zhao Emperor could not very well keep all the members of the Southeast Public Council and the local officials kneeling, so he waved his hand, on the one hand telling Zhu Shengfei to go home to save face, and on the other hand telling everyone to rise and continue the feast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as Zhu Shengfei fled from Mount Fenghuang, and the others, out of consideration for his dignity, rose one after another to return to their seats a moment later, they suddenly discovered that one person, though he had also stood up straight, remained motionless in his original spot... It was none other than the former Minister of Personnel, Liu Dazhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This inevitably caused some astonishment among everyone, including the Zhao Emperor and the two Grand Councilors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Liu Dazhong himself was in Huzhou, and had remained almost completely silent throughout the entire Wulin Assembly process up to this point. Clearly, he had either long realized that the Zhao Emperor's resolve was unshakable, or he had also been somewhat moved after the Wulin Assembly, and thus chose to submit to the Zhao Emperor and cause no more trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even this time, he was clearly just temporarily dragged along as a shield by that petty man Zhu Shengfei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, since Zhu Shengfei had already fled, why was he still persisting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does Minister Liu still have something to say?\" Zhao Jiu was silent for a moment, knowing he had encountered a tough nut, and then asked seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In reply to Your Majesty, your subject originally had nothing to say. But after Your Majesty spoke those words about 'executing without teaching,' I instead felt a sudden impulse to bare my heart to Your Majesty.\" Liu Dazhong calmly cupped his hands in response, forming a stark contrast with the boiling state of West Lake not far behind him. \"Your subject has resigned from office and returned to his hometown, idling among the forests. I had no intention of arguing, yet I still wish to discuss the matter of the 'head tax merged into land tax' that Your Majesty has recently implemented. But it is not to obstruct this policy. Rather, I want Your Majesty to know my true feelings, to understand why I resigned back then, and I also wish to learn through this what Your Majesty truly thinks in his heart... I beg Your Majesty to allow me to speak a few words on this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu was silent once more before nodding: \"Speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, merging the head tax into the land tax, the Green Sprout Loan that Your Majesty previously re-promoted, and the various New Laws established by Wang Shuwang back then—in my eyes, they are all the same thing.\" Liu Dazhong, under the gaze of all present, stood his ground and spoke unhurriedly. \"That is, the methods sound excellent, they always seem like good things, but in practice, once implemented, they invariably bring endless troubles...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because of improper personnel selection, because of harassment by slippery clerks?\" Zhao Jiu responded seriously. \"Or because new problems will always arise in the future, plunging the people's livelihood into new hardships?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\" Liu Dazhong clasped his hands in response upon hearing this. \"This is precisely the reason I have always opposed Your Majesty being too hasty and too quick. I won't even mention the Green Sprout Loan or the war and peace with the Jin. Let's just talk about merging the head tax into the land tax... Merging the head tax into the land tax has its benefits. But for the sake of this benefit, Your Majesty established the Public Council to win people's hearts. Yet, may I ask presumptuously—if these scholar-officials and powerful households join the Public Council, and if the Public Council seats later become vacant, will they feel Your Majesty deceived them? If the Public Council gains real power, will it instead turn around and harass the localities, becoming too big to control? Or even co-opt the localities, becoming a tool for the powerful households to throw their weight around? Moreover, within the Public Council, if power cannot be distributed fairly, how can the clerical households be won over? And if power is distributed fairly, how can the scholar-officials tolerate the clerical households being placed above them? These problems, in the short term, help Your Majesty divide and conquer, promoting the new policies. But over time, they will instead breed new and great difficulties.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu remained silent, his expression gradually turning solemn. Meanwhile, Lu Yihao and Xu Jingheng each looked at this former Minister of Personnel with complex expressions—a man who had become famous throughout the land during the White Horse Shaoxing Incident, but who had remained silent after resigning, even gradually cutting ties with the Daoist learning circles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Minister of Personnel was, in fact, perhaps the most powerful official below the Grand Councilors and the Censor-in-Chief. Moreover, Liu Dazhong, while in office, had always been the most trusted senior official of Zhao Ding's faction. Yet he had resolutely resigned during the White Horse Incident and remained silent ever since. Now that he had finally spoken, no one could take him lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao Emperor remained silent, and the two Grand Councilors also said nothing, so Liu Dazhong naturally spoke without restraint:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Furthermore, after merging the head tax into the land tax, will silk and cloth still be collected? If not, and we switch to collecting silver and cash, the common people will have to sell their grain and silk in concentrated batches during the summer and autumn harvests to get money. Won't unscrupulous merchants drive down the prices? Will this make life harder for the common people? If we still collect silk and cloth, how do we compare the prices of silk, grain, and silver? Must the government set them? If the government sets them, coupled with the new decree of 'no additional levies,' will there be inequality between different localities, causing some places to pay more for no reason and others to pay less? Moreover, authority and responsibility lie with the government. What happens if we encounter a corrupt official whose family is in the silk business? What happens if we encounter someone eager for merit, wanting to curry favor with Your Majesty? Has Your Majesty considered these things?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu nodded in response: \"On this matter, I and the two Grand Councilors, Lu and Xu, have already considered it. As for the hidden concerns about the Public Council, I have already seen memorials of remonstrance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, Your Majesty knows full well that these new problems will arise, yet still insists on implementing the policy?\" Liu Dazhong pressed on without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well... Then let me finish speaking in one breath before moving on to other matters... Next, from a long-term perspective, after the exemption of the head tax for new births and the merger of the head tax into the land tax, the people will no longer drown their infants. As a result, when a generation grows up, the population will surge, but most will be poor. What will be done then? Will they rise up in rebellion? Will we have to revive the old practice of the Auxiliary Army and use state finances to support them? Has Your Majesty considered this matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I not have thought of such an obvious thing?\" Zhao Jiu replied gravely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And there is also this... Regarding the suicide of that Wang-surnamed scholar in Yuhang this time, I know full well that someone was using it as a pretext. That man sought his own death, and no one else is to blame... But Your Majesty, this time for the sake of merging the head tax into the land tax, and last time for the sake of the Green Sprout Loan, you have gradually loosened the reins on the Military Command Office and the Imperial City Agency, allowing their authority and responsibility to grow ever larger and their involvement in affairs to become ever more extensive. Is this not the truth?\" Liu Dazhong continued his questioning, his emotions growing increasingly intense. \"I know Yang Yizhong. Although his reputation is not good, he is in fact a steady, loyal, and prudent man. Yu Yunwen is also an outstanding junior. But if Your Majesty lets these two agencies run so freely, are you not afraid that one day, when Yang, Yu, and others are gone, the two agencies will fall into the hands of petty men, producing a Lai Junchen or a Zhou Xing, and causing a great disaster?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu nodded again: \"What you say is correct. Such a hidden danger does exist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Yang Yizhong and Yu Yunwen could not contain themselves. They both stepped forward and knelt, adopting a posture of begging for punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, Your Majesty, my meaning is already quite clear...\" Liu Dazhong paid no attention to these two men and continued to express himself earnestly. \"Since ancient times, why has the Daoist school advocated 'governing by non-action'? Why have Confucian scholar-officials spoken of 'virtue'? Why was there a struggle between the Old and New Factions? Why have I opposed hasty achievements and quick profits? It is not because I do not know that Your Majesty means well, nor because I do not understand what constitutes a good law or what constitutes a flawed existing system. But I also know, and those ancient sages knew even better, that no matter what, the common people have absolutely no power to resist in the face of powerful households or the government! No matter how good the law, no matter how excellent the design, over time it will become more harmful to the people than what was changed before, and the burden on the people will always be heavier than before the change!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, Liu Dazhong spoke with deep pain and sincerity: \"I borrow an old saying: 'The wealth of the world is either in the hands of the government or in the hands of the people.' And the government and the powerful gentry will always plunder the people, just as tigers and leopards prey on sheep and rabbits. Does Your Majesty believe this or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the powerful households behind were already too frightened to make a sound. Xu Jingheng, however, had long been moved. If it weren't for the promise he had made to the Emperor after the Wulin Assembly that day, he would almost have defected... After all, Liu Dazhong's words precisely articulated the heartfelt dilemma that these former Confucian idealists encountered when they came into contact with the actual workings of society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more you do, the more problems you end up causing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jingheng lowered his head and said nothing. Lu Yihao, on the other hand, opened his mouth as if to speak, but when he looked up and met the Zhao Emperor's gaze, he fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu, having used his eyes to stop Lu Yihao, continued to respond sincerely to the suddenly appearing Liu Dazhong: \"I believe in the sincerity of Minister Liu's words, and I also believe in the truth of Minister Liu's words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sentence, instead, completely caused Liu Dazhong to lose his composure. The latter immediately retorted: \"So, knowing full well that this is the case, Your Majesty still insists on doing these things?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\" Zhao Jiu nodded in response, his tone calm yet resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is this so?\" Liu Dazhong was almost frantic with anger. \"Why is this so? Does Your Majesty no longer consider the legacy for ten thousand generations?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister Liu, allow me to take a moment to respond to your words.\" Zhao Jiu said seriously. \"Since we are speaking heart-to-heart as sovereign and minister, may I also ask you one question?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Dazhong sighed and spread his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhao Jiu suddenly removed his headwrap, then, supporting himself on his gold-embellished red belt, stood up and walked before his desk. Then he did something that no one expected—he bent down, found something at Yang Yizhong's waist, and directly drew it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the cold moonlight and the shimmering lake light, everyone saw clearly that the Zhao Emperor had drawn Yang Yizhong's sword, and they were all terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword light was like spring water. With a casual horizontal sweep from the Zhao Emperor, it appeared less than a foot in front of Liu Dazhong. The Emperor then asked a question that chilled the hearts of everyone present:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister Liu, tell me, is this sword sharp or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yihao and Xu Jingheng both changed color and were about to step forward. The members of the Southeast Public Council behind them, seeing such a scene for the first time, were dumbfounded as they recalled the legendary tales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this very moment, Liu Dazhong, facing the sword, was far more composed than the others. He calmly looked left and right, stopping those around him from coming forward, and then directly responded to the sword's edge: \"In reply to Your Majesty, in my view, this sword is sharp enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu held the sword level and motionless, but his expression darkened: \"Minister Liu, that is the talk of a layman. Times and circumstances change. This sword, placed in the peaceful years of the past, would be considered a good blade. But in this day and age, no sword or saber is sharp enough. Because on today's battlefields, armor is becoming more complete and harder. A blade like this, seemingly fierce and sharp, after actual combat, once it cuts down one man, fine cracks will be hidden beneath the bloodstains. After two cuts, tiny nicks will quietly appear. After three to five cuts, when it has truly killed one man, it can no longer be used.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\" Liu Dazhong was momentarily puzzled and was about to respond. \"Then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister Liu, you said we should speak heart-to-heart today, so I will speak heart-to-heart with you. I am actually this sword.\" Zhao Jiu interrupted him, offering an unexpected analogy. \"What I said to Zhang Jiucheng that day was about the external, about the situation. What I say to you today is about the internal, about myself... Minister Liu, why do you assume that I am necessarily seeking some method for ten thousand generations? Why do you think I am seeking some long-term plan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Dazhong was momentarily bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister Liu, your actions today are enough to show that although your beliefs differ from mine, you are still a gentleman, and a gentleman with insight who knows the root of the problem... That day with Zhang Jiucheng, there was one thing I didn't say to him: that although that man was heaven-supporting, he had never stood on the ground. Today, I can say that Minister Liu can be called a gentleman who both supports heaven and stands on the ground.\" Under the full moon, Zhao Jiu lowered his sword-holding arm and sighed as he faced the other man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Dazhong was slightly startled and quickly cupped his hands: \"Your subject is unworthy of such praise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is already the ninth year of Jianyan, and I am already twenty-eight or twenty-nine... The Master, standing by a river, said, 'Thus it passes, like this, never ceasing day or night!'\" Zhao Jiu ignored him and continued his self-reflection. \"Occasionally, when I look in the mirror, I see a few strands of white hair. Even without looking in the mirror, just by looking at the old ministers around me, I can roughly know that there are faint wrinkles at the corners of my eyes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty!\" Lu Yihao couldn't help himself. \"Do not belittle yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not belittling myself.\" Zhao Jiu shook his head and smiled. \"On the contrary, it is precisely because of this that I am so urgent... As the saying goes, 'Ants boast of a great country on a locust tree; how easy is it for a mayfly to shake a tree? The west wind blows, falling leaves over Chang'an, flying whistling arrows. So many things, always urgent; heaven and earth turn, time presses. Ten thousand years is too long; seize the day and seize the night!'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yihao was slightly moved and finally showed a rare look of dejection. Even Xu Jingheng and Liu Dazhong couldn't help but exchange a glance, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu continued, his sword hanging down, speaking frankly: \"Minister Liu, you spoke very well, and your reasoning is very correct. But so what? Should we stop doing things? Moreover, why must I necessarily seek some method for ten thousand generations? Look at this sword of mine—how many more times can it be swung before it becomes dull? Minister Liu, first of all, my re-issuing of the Green Sprout Loan, selling lottery tickets, issuing national bonds, lowering myself to trade with the barbarians from the four directions, winning over the Western Liao and the Mongols, including driving you all away during the White Horse Incident—it was never about creating something unshakable for ten thousand generations, nor about seeking the admiration of ten thousand generations. I was merely preparing for the Northern Expedition, for the recovery of the Two Rivers, making short-term preparations, seeking only to have a clear conscience! As for after my Northern Expedition, even if it goes smoothly and the country is unified, I will be well into my thirties. Then I will spend five or six years cleaning up the devastated north, and another five or six years restoring things to a rough state, reducing taxes for the southeast. By then, I will already be forty or fifty... At that point, exhausted in both body and mind, I should directly pass on the throne and go to the Imperial Academy to study the original learning... What happens later has nothing to do with me. To put it bluntly, after I die, I don't care if Mount Tai collapses or the Yellow River splits. Even if Mount Tai collapses and the Yellow River splits, what has that to do with me? What has it to do with you? We live only to exert our own strength and do what we believe to be right!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Liu Dazhong, half dejected and half emotional, actually showed a hint of tears: \"Your subject... I don't know what to say... But since ancient times, the sages have had their ultimate teachings, so there must be a method for ten thousand generations in this world! Your Majesty, you need not necessarily adopt such an attitude!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps there is.\" Zhao Jiu suddenly grinned. \"But it's not for you or me to worry about... I am now like this sword. My only wish is that before this sword becomes dull, it can press forward with indomitable will, break through the shackles, and witness the unification of the nation! As for what comes later, we can discuss it after this matter is settled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Dazhong grew even more dejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Zhao Jiu directly turned back, dragging his sword as he walked. After a few steps, just as he was about to return behind the desk, he probably felt that his words carried a somewhat bleak tone, especially towards a retired old minister like Liu Dazhong, making it seem excessive. So he finally turned his head with a serious expression:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty just said that the wealth of the realm, if not in the government, then lies with the people. I deeply agree. But is the wealth of the realm truly a fixed quantity? Land left fallow and untilled is not the same as land cultivated to produce grain, is it? Gold and silver buried underground, undiscovered by anyone, is not the same as being unearthed and owned by someone, is it? Therefore, I have always believed that things depend on human effort, and wealth is generated by people. If we strive diligently to continuously increase the realm's wealth, then perhaps there will still be a broad road ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Dazhong blurted out in reply: \"Then may I ask Your Majesty, how exactly can we cause the realm's wealth to grow and multiply, and how do we walk this broad road?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Through Practical Learning, of course.\" Zhao Jiu turned his head again to reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Dazhong was stunned by the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Zhao Jiu suddenly laughed: \"Minister Liu, you don't think my promotion of Practical Learning is just to suppress Neo-Confucianism and the Old Faction, do you? Let me tell you honestly, I truly believe in Practical Learning. I genuinely place the hope of the realm on Practical Learning, which seeks truth from facts and emphasizes utility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, Zhao Jiu saw that the other man was finally speechless, standing there forlornly. So he dragged his sword and continued walking back. When he reached behind the desk, feeling somewhat listless, he simply didn't bother to sit down again. Instead, with the myriad lights of West Lake at his back and the many anxious, suspicious figures below Mount Phoenix before him, he dragged his sword upward, apparently preparing to return to the temporary palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nearby close ministers and palace guards quickly abandoned the feast and followed one after another. Unexpectedly, at that very moment, the flock of crows that had been frightened away earlier finally began to return to their nests... Countless crows cawed incessantly, converging from all directions to resettle on Mount Phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu stood there, watching the crows blot out the sky above his head, almost obscuring the entire moon. He found it amusing, and his mood suddenly shifted. Seized by a mischievous impulse, he clasped his hands behind his back, dragged his sword along the mountain path, the blade clanging crisply against the stone steps, and began to mutter to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew louder and louder, the tone impassioned yet tinged with a hint of mockery, so clear that it could be heard distinctly at the foot of Mount Phoenix, where only the cawing of crows remained. What he recited was Cao Mengde's \"Short Song Style\" from his attempt to cross the Yangtze into Jiangnan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poem goes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before wine, a song must be sung — how long can a man's life last?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the morning dew, the days gone by are many and bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart is full of passion, yet sorrow and longing are hard to forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What can dispel this sorrow? Only Du Kang's wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue-collared scholars, my heart yearns for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for your sake, I have pondered in silence until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deer cry out, 'You you,' eating the wild celery in the fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have honored guests; I play the zither and blow the sheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bright as the moon, when can I pluck it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorrow wells up from within, unceasing and unbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crossing the paths and fields, you have come to visit me wrongly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After long separation, we talk and feast, remembering old kindnesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moon is bright, the stars are sparse; magpies fly south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Circling the tree three times, on which branch can they rest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain never tires of its height; the sea never tires of its depth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke of Zhou spat out his meal, and the hearts of all under heaven turned to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end, the voice had gradually become inaudible as the Zhao Emperor turned into the temporary palace. But perhaps because everyone knew the poem, the crowd at the foot of Mount Phoenix, following the Emperor's voice, mentally filled in all the verses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could be considered the Son of Heaven composing a poem while dragging his sword — something to brag about when they got back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultured gentry of the southeast probably all had this thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to the new alliance leader, My Plants Despise Zombies! Continuing to wish everyone an early happy new year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And by the way... I feel like I haven't had a relapse of urticaria in years, but suddenly, for no reason, it's back. Then I was restless the whole time, unable to resist scratching every five minutes, scratching hundreds of bloody holes all over my body without stopping. I seriously suspect this New Year is going to be tough for me.\u003C\u002Fp>",10718,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","d11cdca72bcbb48956d1f0e727b1480f8371bbf5d4a19803fe90460059b57c00","shao-song-chapter-371","shao-song-chapter-369",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]