Chapter 1 After the Lantern Festival

After the Lantern Festival, the spring plowing season began. Perhaps because his manuscripts had run out, *The Water Margin*, a story with a sensitive backdrop and authorial background, finally slowed its update speed. However, the series of incidents it triggered in the imperial court had only just begun.

Among these, the first person to react, or rather, the first to jump out and make a targeted response, was quite unexpected: Surveillance Official Li Jing.

And the point Li Jing targeted was quite interesting.

During the spring plowing season, the Cuju (ancient Chinese football) competitions were, as usual, suspended. Therefore, the Cuju match schedules, which had served as the vehicle for serializing *The Water Margin*, also changed. The match information disappeared, and *The Water Margin* moved from the back to the front, while the back reverted to advertisements for various Zhen Dian (reputable shops) selling wine and takeaway food.

Advertising widely was, of course, Zhao Guanjia's (the Emperor's) idea. It had appeared on the back of the Cuju schedules long ago, usually with those Zhen Dian boasting about how authentic their wine was, how beautiful the scenery was, and how even the takeaway food was praised by the Prime Minister… Instead, the previously mysterious *The Water Margin* had muddledly replaced these advertisements.

However, it was precisely these advertisement leaflets, which had long been attached to the Cuju schedules and now completely replaced them, that triggered the first wave of unrest in the imperial court during the spring plowing season.

In late January, Censor Li Jing suddenly submitted a memorial impeaching that such leaflets, half advertising and half fiction, violated national laws.

Li Jing's logic was simple and direct:

According to him, the previous Cuju matches were semi-official group activities with the involvement of Kaifeng Prefecture. In this context, issuing leaflets explaining the situation of the opposing teams, marking the dates and seats of the matches, etc., had the nature of official announcements. Advertisements or novels taking advantage of the space on the back of the leaflets was a harmless attachment.

But now, without the Cuju matches, such leaflets, composed of advertisements and novels, were no longer Cuju schedules. And if they were not Cuju schedules, they lost their nature as official printed materials and became prohibited publications issued without authorization.

Such things should not be allowed to exist simply because they seemed harmless at the moment, otherwise, treacherous people would certainly exploit loopholes and use them to incite the public in the future.

It had to be said that after serving as a censor for many years, Li Jing had finally become clever. This impeachment was logically clear and unambiguous, leaving many people, including Zhao Guanjia, who diligently updated the novel, speechless.

Incidentally, it also forced everyone to confront the real key issue: whether or not to lift the ban on newspapers.

After all, as early as before the Lunar New Year, Li Jing's elder brother, Li Gang, had publicly submitted a memorial requesting the lifting of the ban on newspapers. And the biggest beneficiaries of lifting the ban would undoubtedly be the Daoxue (Neo-Confucian) academies in the South and a large number of retired officials of Southern origin because only they could currently maintain a widely read and influential folk newspaper in addition to the Dibao (official gazette).

Correspondingly, even if the Central Plains scholars had the intention, it would be somewhat beyond their capabilities to create another folk newspaper when there was already a Dibao. And the two regions of Guanxi and Sichuan had always been insignificant.

Therefore, the imperial court had consistently refused to discuss this topic, and with Zhao Guanjia's direct departure to the army, the matter had been shelved.

Returning to the present, there were actually many ways to deal with the novel itself, such as creating another official leaflet or simply changing the venue and publishing it as a regular book. These were all feasible, but one could avoid the first day of the lunar month but not the fifteenth… the issue of the newspaper ban would always have to be faced.

And this time, Zhao Guanjia did not avoid it. He generously sent Li Jing's impeachment to the Department of State Affairs and, without waiting for Li Jing or Li Gang to specifically point out the problem in another memorial, directly instructed the Department of State Affairs to discuss the issue of the newspaper ban based on this memorial.

The debate was extremely fierce, but the result was extremely simple.

As things stood, the role of the Dibao was beyond question. Not only did the Song people read their own Dibao, but even the Jin people read the Great Song's Dibao, and even the Khitans read it. There were rumors that Yelu Dashi had specifically asked the local prefect for all the previous Dibao when he set off from Lanzhou and had specifically ordered his officials stationed in the Lanzhou Grand Market to transcribe the Dibao and send it thousands of miles west.

It could be said that everyone literate in the world had become accustomed to obtaining official news from the Great Song's Dibao.

Not only that, but the poems, songs, and novels published in the Dibao would become the subject of discussion among literati, and the publishers would immediately become famous throughout the world. Did it need to be said that lyricists certified by the Dibao were the only true lyricists?

The Yuán Xué (proto-science) experiments in the Dibao would be taken out by Zhao Guanjia for personal demonstration and learning and would even be replicated and performed during the lectures for the Emperor. There were even rumors that in the next few years, the Imperial Academy and even the palace examinations would appropriately increase the number of Yuán Xué experiment questions. What did this mean?

Therefore, when someone wanted to create another "New Dibao," they undoubtedly encountered the collective opposition of the central officials… Not only the Mu Dang (Wood Party), which had always been more radical, that is, Zhang Jun's side in the West Mansion, but even the Shui Dang (Water Party), which had always sympathized with the group of retired officials in the South, that is, Zhao Ding's side in the Department of State Affairs, representing a large number of prudent officials, expressed formal and serious opposition.

Even Li Guang, the head of the Censorate, after listening to the advice of the other censors, plus the opinions of several important friends, had a clear disagreement with Li Jing.

There was no way around it. This was the instinct of the central officials under the centralized system. Although they had various internal differences, and even serious differences on specific issues, they were still instinctively unwilling to cede any power or see any uncontrolled situation when facing a more external political structure.

You could create a Mi Ge (Secret Pavilion) or a Gong Ge (Public Pavilion) here in the center, and create a Dibao under the Honglu Temple, that was no problem, but if you wanted the imperial court to decentralize power to the local governments, sorry, bring an imperial edict… What would they do with it? Find a fault and have Zhao Guanjia withdraw the edict.

This characteristic made the opinions and power of Ma Shen, Li Jing, and a few others seem so insignificant.

Of course, the Department of State Affairs was capable after all, and they quickly gave an airtight and tactful opinion on the matter:

First, the Department of State Affairs re-explained the scope of the "newspaper ban," clarifying that only leaflets in the form of printed materials that published serious topics such as government decrees, Confucian classics, and current affairs news were strictly prohibited.

Secondly, poems, songs, novels, etc., as well as store advertisements, event schedules, etc., were not considered within the prohibited category of newspapers when issued regularly in printed form… provided that the former had no prohibited content and the latter had no false information… They were only treated as privately printed books.

Finally, the Department of State Affairs left some leeway—the so-called strict prohibition did not mean that they were absolutely not allowed to appear. As long as they were approved by the Emperor, reviewed by the Department of State Affairs and the Privy Council, and reported to the Honglu Temple, it was also possible to create new newspapers.

In the first round, Li Jing, Ma Shen, and the Southern Daoxue faction suffered a crushing defeat.

However, immediately afterward, the price of paper in Tokyo, which was already somewhat expensive, became truly expensive. After the Department of State Affairs' explanation of the newspaper ban was published in the new Dibao in late January, the Zhen Dian, cargo stores, and commercial firms, which had tasted the sweetness of the Cuju schedules, immediately formed their own tabloids… Although the Department of State Affairs said that these were not newspapers, the Tokyo scholars and commoners still habitually called them newspapers.

Among them, the newspapers of the cargo stores and commercial firms were relatively neat, only internally distributed, and used to periodically record commercial information such as where there was a lot of rain and where the roads were bad. However, the various Zhen Dian were inevitably more absurd. Some directly imitated the Cuju schedules and printed *The Water Margin*, but the back only contained their own exclusive advertisements; some simply organized *Journey to the West: Demon Conquering Records*, and the back was still their own advertisements; and some simply used Tang poems, *Thousand Character Classic*, and the like as a selling point, and the effect was even better.

In addition, there were also some serious things that appeared. For example, Lü Benzhong came forward and created two tabloids… one specializing in discussing poetry and the other specializing in geographical customs and interesting news, but it was unknown whether it had anything to do with Zhao Guanjia.

Finally, of course, there were monks and Taoists. *Mulian Saves His Mother* paired with Buddhist scriptures, *Legend of the White Snake* paired with Yin-Yang and the Eight Trigrams, truly innovative tricks emerged one after another.

And it seemed that this thing would soon spread, and there would be some tricks in Jiangnan as well.

But this situation was definitely something that Li Jing's brothers and Ma Shen and other initiators had not anticipated.

After the Daoxue faction failed to challenge the newspaper ban, the second round began quickly. This time, it was Liu Ji, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Department of State Affairs, and Yan Xiaozhong of Kaifeng Prefecture who jumped out.

Liu Ji submitted a memorial through the Department of State Affairs, suggesting that after the spring plowing, the techniques of mulberry-fish ponds plus chicken raising, which the Guanjia had developed in the harem, should be promoted on a large scale in Kaifeng Prefecture.

This time, it finally scratched Zhao Guanjia's itch. Zhao Guanjia, who had been very well-behaved and stayed in the harem writing books after returning to the capital, specifically issued an edict, inviting the various chief ministers and Yan Xiaozhong, the prefect of Kaifeng, to the stone pavilion in the harem to discuss the matter.

At this time, it was already the end of January. Spring had not fully warmed up, but the flowers had already bloomed. The tense political atmosphere caused by the three major cases of the previous winter had finally loosened, and the atmosphere of political unity seemed about to return.

"I object."

Li Guang, the Censor-in-chief, spoke righteously and solemnly protested. "This move is a waste of money and manpower and will ultimately be of no benefit."

Zhao Guanjia sat still, while among everyone below the Prime Minister Zhao Ding, half frowned and half were solemn towards this Supervisor.

"Prime Minister Liu, Yuán Xué emphasizes being practical and realistic. May I ask, have you calculated clearly whether this matter will be beneficial to the people's livelihood once it is promoted?"

In front of the stone pavilion, where a gentle south wind was blowing, Li Guang ignored the reactions of those around him and continued to question Liu Ji with his head held high:

"How much manpower does it take for the Guanjia to plant mulberry trees, raise fish, and feed chickens here? Have you calculated the food, clothing, rewards, and salary expenses of the hundreds of eunuchs?"

"The chickens and fish in the harem, even if they are sold at a fair price, are immediately snatched up by the Zhen Dian on Ma Xing Street outside the Donghua Gate, so much so that it is necessary to bribe the eunuchs, is it not? But where can ordinary people sell their produce as smoothly as in the palace?"

"And with such a large open space, the harem can clear it out. Which ordinary family has this open space and does not plant crops?"

"Moreover, digging ponds and transplanting mulberry trees, does it not take time and effort, does it not cost money and materials? Where can ordinary people handle it properly?"

"More importantly, the harem here does not pay taxes. Do the people have to pay taxes for doing this, or not?"

After a series of questions, Zhao Guanjia remained seated, while the other chief ministers also remained expressionless.

Of course, being questioned, Liu Ji naturally turned around and calmly responded: "Censor Li, do you think that we do not know what you said? Does even the Guanjia not understand this principle? If not, why has the Guanjia only introduced the mulberry-fish ponds here a few times in the Dibao over the past three years, without directly issuing an edict to promote it? And why are we only mentioning it today?"

Li Guang finally hesitated slightly and instinctively glanced at Zhao Guanjia, but Zhao Guanjia only smiled at him: "Minister Li, there is one more disadvantage you did not mention… that is, mulberry farmers are important to the world. The mulberry-fish ponds here in the harem, although they are derived from the layout of some manors in the small areas of farmland in the South, whether they can be promoted and adapted in the North still needs to be verified. Otherwise, once they are promoted and the results are not adapted to the local conditions, that would be a real disaster… However, in recent years, with the stable production here in the harem, a few local wealthy families have successfully imitated it. Then, regardless of other things, at least it can be concluded that this method of raising chickens, planting mulberry trees, and fishing in the Yellow River area can still be successful."

Li Guang was slightly embarrassed but still held his ground and nodded. Then, he quickly turned to look at Liu Ji, who put less pressure on him.

"Censor Li." Unexpectedly, the next to speak to Li Guang was actually Prime Minister Zhao Ding. "The Department of State Affairs is mentioning this matter today because it has a definite plan, not to curry favor… First of all, the open space you mentioned is indeed difficult to find around the capital, but along the Yellow River, because of the previous military tension, few people were willing to settle there except for the government-designated military and civilian colonies, so there is still quite a bit of open space available. Even in other parts of the Central Plains, some places that have experienced war, even after only three years, may not be without open space."

Hearing this, not to mention Li Guang, even Zhao Guanjia was slightly moved and then recalled Zhang Rong's mention of ice making.

"Secondly, as for Censor Li's argument about costs and taxes, it is also somewhat demanding perfection. Just say, is this design more ingenious and labor-saving than planting mulberry trees, raising fish, and feeding chickens individually? If it is, then it is something that is more economical than many farms at present, rather than forcing a comparison with the harem here." Just as Zhao Guanjia's thoughts were wandering, Zhao Ding had already continued. "Moreover, since it is promoted along the Yellow River, if there is a surplus of chickens and fish beyond self-sufficiency, they can also be sold to the military camps to improve the army's food, strengthen the soldiers, and it is likely that there are retired soldiers in the military colonies, and the meritorious soldiers' allotted land is also there. The military camps should not forcibly seize and plunder."

"If that is the case, if it can be limited to the Yellow River area, around the military and civilian colonies, it is not impossible." Li Guang chose to retreat at the appropriate time after being refuted by Zhao Ding one by one. He had realized that this matter was probably led by Zhao Guanjia and Zhao Ding, and Liu Ji and Yan Xiaozhong were just the representatives and implementers.

"Moreover, neither the Department of State Affairs nor the Guanjia has the audacity of the Censor. They would never dare to directly promote it along the Yellow River." Just as Li Guang thought of Yan Xiaozhong, the short Yan Xiaozhong suddenly sneered and interjected. "The memorial clearly stated that it should be started from Kaifeng Prefecture, as a pilot project first. If Kaifeng Prefecture succeeds, then move on to Zhengzhou and Huazhou. If Zhengzhou and Huazhou succeed, then go to Luoyang and Jingdong… Moreover, if it starts from Kaifeng Prefecture, the Guanjia can come forward and directly issue low-interest or even interest-free Qing Miao Loans (green sprout loans), just like selling government bonds in Xuande Building, allowing the military and civilian colonies along the river to apply for unified special loans based on their garrison points and villages! Where is it necessary for Censor Li to pick out faults?"

Li Guang had originally prepared to give up arguing about this matter, but seeing Yan Xiaozhong's posture, his old problem recurred directly, and he instantly became resistant. Then, he immediately retorted: "If special loans are mainly carried out by villages, wouldn't this kind of thing also be mainly done by villages? How can we know that there will not be cunning officials and bullies who take the opportunity to fish for profit and encroach on the funds?"

"There is indeed this concern."

Zhao Guanjia, who was sitting there, once again interjected at the appropriate time. "But the military and civilian colonies along the river are mostly villages that were uniformly settled after the imperial court returned to Tokyo in the second and third years of Jianyan (1128-1129), and there are many military personnel in them, so there are fewer bullies. And compared with this concern, these colonies are basically multi-surname, and there have never been clan activities. There is no place to worship ancestors during the Lunar New Year or to visit graves during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is not a good thing. At the very least, the vegetarian demon sects often take the opportunity to invade and cause disaster. Therefore, my idea is that if this matter can be successful, then we can use no interest as an inducement and allow them to make their own decisions to see if they can imitate the clan property of the South and set up some village property specifically for these mulberry-fish ponds…"

As soon as these words came out, everyone present was thoughtful, and Li Guang suddenly realized, but he forced a smile: "If that is the case, then I was inconsiderate! I think this matter is feasible, and the Censorate can send two censors to inspect along the river to specifically supervise this matter."

Zhao Jiu nodded in satisfaction.

The thing that Zhao Jiu mentioned at the end was what truly hit the mark with these officials—that is, the collective property of the village community, and the corresponding collective activities of the village community.

It must be known that no matter how advanced the urbanization of the so-called Great Song Dynasty was, the Great Song of this era was still a typical medieval imperial society based on agriculture, and like everywhere else, due to the problems of productivity and organizational advancement, the terminal structure of imperial power was difficult to reach the bottommost people, which meant that imperial power did not extend to the countryside.

And this situation would breed problems.

First of all, the fragility of the small-scale peasant economy made the grassroots people unable to resist usury and rent exploitation, and this fragility would then allow religions such as Manichaeism, which had a poor people's mutual aid insurance business, to take advantage of the situation, which could not be stopped. In the end, the people would not be able to live, and heresies would become rampant, and the very last would be to rise up in rebellion.

But at the same time, another absurd reality was that if imperial power forcibly entered the village community, it would cause even greater chaos and damage—because in the era of imperial power, compared with the government, the monks, Taoists, and landlords were simply white lotuses!

Even the reason why those monks, Taoists, and landlords could exploit the people and suck their marrow was largely due to their evil deeds after relying on imperial power.

This situation would be difficult to change even after eight hundred years.

At this time, there needed to be a gentle grassroots organizational form that could both obey the rule above and play a role in appeasing the people below.

Historically, what occupied this position was none other than the clan.

And if the clan wanted to play a practical role, it largely needed to have an economic foundation. Therefore, the role of clan property was beyond doubt.

So who invented the system of clan property?

The answer was Fan Zhongyan.

After Fan Zhongyan invented clan property, it immediately received strong recognition and promotion from the Great Song court and quickly swept across China, which in turn led to the rapid expansion of clan power in small villages and communities.

There was no way around it. Although clan property and clans were synonymous with backwardness in later eras, at the moment, facing the imperial power above, the temples, landlords, usurers within the village community, and the insidious heretical societies at the bottom, this was already a relatively progressive collective economic organization in the village community.

Returning to the present, for Zhao Jiu, the lack of grassroots organization was also a problem that he personally faced.

In fact, Zhao Guanjia faced many problems. He wanted to launch the Northern Expedition. The Northern Expedition required strong soldiers and horses, and it needed money, food, and wealth, but it also needed internal stability and the easing of the rear. But as he personally participated in governing, he gradually had some of his own ideas.

For example, after coming out of Zhang Rong's place, recalling Zhang Rong's torture, he felt uneasy and always wanted to do something for certain groups of people, as if not doing something, even the Northern Expedition would lose its meaning… In fact, this was also one of his original intentions in launching this matter in conjunction with Zhao Ding.

Promoting the mixed agriculture of mulberry-fish ponds and specializing in the grassroots collective economy was his attempt.

As a transmigrator, Zhao Jiu certainly knew the backwardness represented by feudal clans, but after serving as Guanjia for six years, he also realized that the reason why feudal clans could become the dominant force in rural China for the next eight hundred years was that they had their rationality and progressiveness because they were at least more gentle than the yamen runners of the feudal era and more stable than heretical self-help.

What's more, what he was promoting at this time was a non-clan collective economy that imitated clan property and was based on civilian and military colonies, which seemed to have a bit of progress mixed with idealism compared to clan property. This thing might disintegrate in the future and be replaced by clans again, or it might become synonymous with conservatism and backwardness like feudal clans, but at least at the moment, in 12th-century China, it still seemed to have its advantages.

In fact, even people like Li Guang keenly realized the meaning behind this matter. In the face of the purpose of directly eliminating heresies and internally improving the living stability of the grassroots people… even if it was only a possible benefit… it was still enough to persuade these scholar-officials to turn around and unconditionally support this measure.

The only thing that caught many people off guard was that many people had originally thought that this Guanjia would first do something about matters related to the Northern Expedition, but he ultimately put this matter at the forefront.

Li Guang immediately changed his position, so that this matter was immediately passed in the form of the highest resolution… It was indeed the highest resolution. The chief ministers conducted discussions in front of the Emperor, and even the Censor-in-chief gave his full support. There was no political resolution that was more smooth and grand than this.

This matter was discussed.

Immediately afterward, seeing the contented expressions on the faces of Zhao Ding, Liu Ji, Yan Xiaozhong, and others, Zhao Guanjia also seemed to smile for the first time in months. After hesitating for a moment, Privy Councilor Zhang Jun suddenly strode out and cupped his hands in front of the pavilion in public:

"Guanjia! I read *The Water Margin* a few days ago and felt something, so I made five proposals! Today, since the Guanjia is here, the chief ministers are all present, and even the Censor-in-chief, it is just right to throw them out. Please, Guanjia, make a decision, and colleagues, please correct them."

Zhao Jiu, who was rarely feeling relaxed, was slightly stunned and then smiled: "Minister Zhang is a dignified Privy Councilor. Speak your mind… What did you see in *The Water Margin*?"

"Only five things."

Zhang Jun agreed in a low voice and then raised his head and, in front of the chief ministers, scholars, secretaries, and even the Grand Director of the Palace Attendants and the two commanders of the Imperial Guards inside and outside the pavilion, spoke out proudly in the Dibao style that was popular in official documents:

"First, expand the army! The imperial army should be limited to the current financial resources of the imperial court and slightly expanded to 230,000 to 240,000, and reserve military stations should be set up in Lanzhou, Xingqing Prefecture, and Yinshan to prepare for emergencies and facilitate the conscription of scattered Tibetan, Tangut, Khitan, and Mongol tribes into the army!"

"Second, form alliances! Since the Guanjia has held a meeting with the Xia (Chinese) peoples of the world in Jinhai Bo to discuss the expedition against the Jin, he should increase contact and discussion. He should summon the envoys of Dali, Nanyue, Goryeo to the capital to inquire about agreements. He should accept hostages from the two Mongol tribes, the various Western Region tribes, and the Tibetan tribes into the court. The young ones should enter the martial arts school and the Imperial Academy, and the adults should enter the Imperial Guards."

"Third, secure the rear! In the Jiangnan region, Fang La and Zhong Xiang swept through the southeast of Jingxiang before, and since Yue Fei suppressed the rebellion, the Qian bandits in Ganzhou have risen again, and Jiangxi Road is restless again. The famous ministers Quan Bangyan and Guo Zhongxun were originally pillars against the Jin. Now that Quan Bangyan has returned to the court to observe mourning, he is suitable to be the Pacification Commissioner of Jiangxi Road. Guo Zhongxun can be sent to be the Chief of the Imperial Army Reserve, to train 10,000 reserve soldiers in Jiangxi Road, with half the treatment of the imperial army… In addition to securing the rear, they can also form an army and go north to assist in the Northern Expedition when necessary!"

"Fourth, rectify the name! The Shame of Jingkang is the source of shame and indignation for the scholars and people of the world. The Six Traitors were executed in the past, but there was still the chaotic politics of Jingkang. The Emperor Taishang Daojun (retired Emperor Huizong) and the Emperor Taishang Yuansheng (retired Emperor Qinzong) should be asked to personally write about the various failures of Xuanhe and Jingkang in order to set things right! And the loss of the two rivers is not a matter of financial interests. The restoration of the two rivers by our dynasty concerns the foundation of the country, concerns whether all the officials from the Guanjia down, including the two prime ministers Li Gang and Lü Haowen, and countless current officials, are upright or not. The Guanjia should be asked to issue a clear edict in the Dibao to reiterate that the Song and Jin cannot coexist! The bone-deep hatred cannot be eased!"

"Fifth, establish wealth! Since the Northern Expedition cannot be delayed and the national strength is still difficult, the Ministry of Revenue should be asked to formulate a plan, whether it is three years or five years, how to obtain wealth, how to care for the people, how to accumulate it, whether it is through national debt, commutation of titles, or exchange notes. Although there may be some loss of the dignity of a great power, it is still harmless to show it openly so that the emperor's sincerity and the imperial court's determination, and all the people in the world know that what the imperial court takes from the people is really for the united will of all the people to use for the Northern Expedition!"

When Zhang Jun said the first two, the emperor, chief ministers, and civil and military officials inside and outside the stone pavilion did not have much reaction. They only thought that Privy Councilor Zhang saw that Zhao Guanjia was cooperating so closely with the Department of State Affairs and could not help but want to show off.

After all, the expansion of the army and the formation of alliances were things that the West Mansion should consider and do. The West Mansion should have been preparing for these things long ago, but it was just unable to restrain itself and threw them out today.

But when Zhang De Yuan (Zhang Jun) mentioned the third point of securing the rear, everyone was somewhat surprised and serious because this move implicitly had the suspicion of sending radical factions from Hebei to directly suppress the public opinion in Jiangnan. And it had to be admitted that although this move had some suspicion of being less harmonious, it was destined to be a direct and effective means, and it was also a major counterattack against the opposition led by Ma Shen.

It was truly a ruthless move, so ruthless that it did not seem like Zhang De Yuan's style.

Of course, Li Guang and some Jiangnan-born officials present instantly had the intention to refute it.

However, as Zhang Jun continued to speak about the fourth point, everyone present changed color, and for a moment, no one even thought about the third point… because this Privy Councilor told everyone in a straightforward way that the Shame of Jingkang must be faced directly and that the recovery of the two rivers must be insisted on, otherwise, all the components of the ruling group since the Jianyan era, from Zhao Guanjia sitting in the pavilion to the retired prime ministers, would have to face the question of the legitimacy of their rule!

Instead of covering it up and letting the people say something about preventing fathers and brothers, it was better to tell the people of the world clearly that it was those two fathers and brothers who lost the world and that these two people no longer had any qualifications to enjoy national treatment! And the current Emperor Jianyan and his civil and military officials were not relying on the continuation of the previous dynasty to be rulers, but on defending the two Huai Rivers, on recovering the Central Plains, and on repelling the Jurchen invasion!

However, this point was still subtle. The key was that Zhang Jun wanted to clearly remind everyone who still held official positions that if they did not launch the Northern Expedition, this country and this dynasty would not be legitimate, and their position would not be upright! This was not a matter of economic accounts at all! It was a matter of the foundation of the country. To put it bluntly, if you, Zhao Guanjia, did not launch the Northern Expedition, why should you be this Guanjia?! It would be more in line with etiquette to let the Emperor Taishang Yuansheng be the Guanjia, right?! Why do you, these ministers, who do not support the Northern Expedition, have the qualifications to sit in the court as prime ministers and ministers, thinking about the Secret Pavilion and the Public Pavilion? Shouldn't a group of upstarts who have risen to the position of prime minister and minister in three to five years give way to those famous Daoxue scholars in the South?!

As for the final point of setting a timetable and frankly showing the progress of the Northern Expedition's preparations, it was to make this dynasty make a public political commitment! This was even more unprecedented.

Therefore, by the end, there was already a dead silence inside and outside the pavilion.

However, after a moment of silence, Zhao Guanjia, who was staring at Zhang Jun, finally laughed in his seat: "De Yuan, did these actually come from *The Water Margin*?"

Zhang Jun nodded frankly: "That's right! But it's not just my own feeling!"

Zhao Jiu also nodded immediately, but amidst the almost suffocating pressure of the others, he brushed his sleeves and stood up. Then, he walked forward, holding the still somewhat surprised Zhao Ding in one hand and the Zhang Jun who was standing there openly in the other, and then said loudly:

"Emperor Taizong of Tang had Fang Xuanling to advise him and Du Ruhui to make decisions. Although I, this Guanjia, am not as good as Emperor Taizong of Tang, I also have Prime Minister Zhao to solidify my wings and strengthen my rear, and Prime Minister Zhang to move forward without hesitation for me. Since this is the case, although the future is difficult, what do we have to worry about? I have been thinking too much these days."

Having said this, without waiting for the two prime ministers to express their opinions, Zhao Jiu solemnly looked back at the several scholars and secretaries beside him and issued an imperial order: "First issue a decree to promote the matter of using mulberry-fish ponds to fill the village property after the spring plowing. In a few days, after this matter begins to be done, publish the memorial of today in the Dibao to stimulate the world! And see who does not submit, who feels uneasy, and who has anything to say, what can be done?!"

No one around the stone pavilion, including Li Guang, responded for a moment. Only the newly green mulberry leaves rustled in the wind.