sovbooks Chapter 126 Subduing the Entire Court!
Chapter 126 Subduing the Entire Court!
Chapter 126 Subduing the Entire Court!
After finalizing the matters concerning the military examination with the generals, Zhao Dezhao and a few others drank together for a while before dispersing.
Sitting in the carriage, Zhao Dezhao rubbed his temples, pondering the most important matters at hand.
First, you have to find a way to make money!
That million strings of cash may seem like a lot, but it can only provide temporary relief. In the long run, we still need to develop the economy.
Only when the national treasury's revenue increases can certain things be done without hesitation.
However, the Song Dynasty's focus is still on unifying the country, and some things cannot be rushed; they can only be done step by step.
The second point is the implementation of the new imperial examination system.
Now that the Imperial Guards are all under the Emperor's control, the weight of the Emperor's sword in Zhao Dezhao's hands is naturally different from before. This is the early Song Dynasty, and there is no such thing as not killing scholar-officials!
The reason we were hesitant before was because we did not yet have complete control over the military!
This is why Zhao Kuangyin launched the "releasing military power over a cup of wine" several months in advance, because he wanted to forge a truly sharp sword for his son!
Only by implementing the new imperial examination system can a group of old, low-ranking officials be replaced. With the injection of this new blood from humble backgrounds, there will naturally be less resistance to implementing other new policies in the future.
Whether a policy can be implemented depends largely on the execution ability of lower-level officials.
The reforms implemented by Wang Anshi in later generations served as a bloody lesson.
Moreover, Zhao Dezhao could also select some honest and capable people from among them to fill the shogunate, which was a win-win situation.
"The new policies for the imperial examinations will be finalized tomorrow!"
Having made up his mind, Zhao Dezhao looked up at Zhou Ehuang sitting opposite him, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your help today, Sister Ehuang."
"Your Highness need not do this. It is my honor to be able to help you," Zhou Ehuang said gently with a smile.
That's just her nature; she possesses the gentleness and tranquility unique to women from Jiangnan. Even when she sits quietly, she's like the moon amidst the clear breeze and light clouds of a summer night.
"Is Sister Ehuang proficient in mathematics?" Zhao Dezhao suddenly asked.
"Mathematics? I'm afraid I'll disappoint Your Highness." Zhou Ehuang shook her head, but then suddenly changed the subject, saying, "However, Nüying does seem to have quite a talent in this area. Is Your Highness planning to—"
Just thinking about that spoiled and willful little brat gave Zhao Dezhao a headache.
"Aren't we short of money right now? I still have some capital, so I plan to set up a trading company. Right now, I just need a trustworthy and capable person."
After thinking it over, Zhao Dezhao still put forward his own idea.
"Go into business?" Zhou Ehuang looked at Zhao Dezhao with surprise.
In the eyes of the world, merchants are the lowest of the low in society, while Zhao Dezhao, a prince, plans to engage in business in private. Isn't he afraid of attracting criticism?
Zhao Dezhao said calmly, "What's wrong with being a businessman? Without businessmen, where would the money come from? How could the economy prosper?"
"Now that I have capital in hand, and with my status as a prince, I can make a lot of money by doing some buying and selling in the south and north. Although it won't be of great use, it will be enough to cover the cost of running the academy."
In ancient times, most business dealings involved cross-regional trade.
For example, transporting tea from Jiangnan, silk from Shu, and spices from Wu and Yue to the north for sale would easily double the price. As a prince, Zhao Dezhao could be exempted from commercial taxes, toll fees, and other miscellaneous fees. The net profit from just one trip would be extremely considerable!
Moreover, he could directly connect with Kaifeng Prefecture and even the Three Departments to sell grain and tea to the government for reserves, with fast returns and no risk of bad debts.
Not to mention high-profit industries like salt, iron, and alcohol.
A distant source of water cannot quench an immediate thirst. Economic development takes time. In the short term, even in times of chaos, doing business is the fastest way to make money!
Therefore, Zhao Dezhao is currently in dire need of a spokesperson.
"If that's the case—" Zhou Ehuang frowned, hesitated for a moment, then made up her mind and slowly said, "Then my younger sister and I can do it for you."
Born into a prominent family, they naturally had some knowledge of miscellaneous subjects. Before being captured by Zhao Dezhao, they were in charge of the expenses of the Southern Tang Crown Prince's residence.
In addition, Zhou Nüying was quite skilled in mathematics, so the two complemented each other well.
"Alright, I'll have someone deliver the money to Tianqing Temple later." Zhao Dezhao agreed almost without thinking.
This surprised Zhou Ehuang slightly.
She never expected that Zhao Dezhao would trust her so much.
"Your Highness," Zhou Ehuang hesitated for a moment, biting her red lips, and said, "Tianqing Temple is quite inconvenient—"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao blinked, not quite understanding for a moment. After a while, he chuckled and said, "I do have some spare rooms. If Sister Ehuang doesn't mind, my household wouldn't mind having a few more chopsticks."
"good----"
Zhou Ehuang responded with a voice barely audible, nodding slightly, a blush inevitably rising to her cheeks. Suddenly snapping back to reality, she quickly repeated to herself:
I did this so that my sister could have more contact with His Highness, and for the safety of my mother, children, and sisters.
After brainwashing herself, Zhou Ehuang's rosy complexion faded slightly, but only she knew what she was really thinking.
After receiving permission from his father, Zhao Dezhao sent someone to Tianqing Temple early the next morning to fetch Zhou Ehuang and her two children. He himself dressed in his court robes, put on his imperial sword, and went to the palace for the morning court session.
Today, he is determined to finalize the new policy on the imperial examination!
"We humbly request Your Majesty to rescind your decree, abolish the new imperial examination system, and restore the old system!"
As soon as Zhao Kuangyin appeared, Fan Zhi and others couldn't wait to step forward and bring up the old story again.
They stared intently at the emperor, clearly determined to achieve their goal.
Zhao Guangyi, however, frowned deeply, glancing at the ranks of military officers from time to time, his eyes filled with surprise and doubt.
Why didn't Shi Shouxin and the others come to court today?
"I hereby report to Father Emperor!"
""
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Just then, his attention returned to Zhao Dezhao, who was stepping out of the procession. Zhao Dezhao raised his tablet and said, "Your subject also has something to report!"
"Speak," Zhao Kuangyin nodded slightly.
Zhao Dezhao continued, "Tao Gu, the Minister of Rites and chief examiner of the imperial examinations, has been found guilty of accepting bribes under the guise of official recommendation, and the amount involved is enormous. According to the law, he should be executed!"
As soon as he finished speaking, many court officials changed color, looked up at the emperor, and hurriedly tried to remonstrate.
But at that moment, Zhao Kuangyin raised his hand, stopping everyone from continuing the conversation, and looked at Dou Yi meaningfully, saying, "Lord Dou, is the matter of the Prince of Wugong's memorial true?"
"Your Majesty—it is true." Dou Yi hesitated for a moment, but still answered truthfully.
"Bring this man up!" Before the assembled officials could speak, Zhao Kuangyin coldly ordered again.
Before long, several imperial guards escorted Tao Gu into the palace.
With a thud, Tao Gu knelt on the ground, sobbing and crying, "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
"Your Majesty! Tao Gu is indeed guilty—" Fan Zhi and others hurriedly pleaded for him.
Shen Yilun originally wanted to make the request, but Zhao Guangyi secretly gave him a wink. Shen Yilun immediately felt a chill and withdrew his foot that was about to step out.
As expected, Zhao Kuangyin completely ignored Fan Zhi and the others, and simply said expressionlessly, "Execute them!"
Swish-!
A flash of sword light!
A fine human head flew up with gushing blood, splattering the hall!
Zhao Dezhao stood there indifferently, sheathing his sword.
A sudden, deathly silence fell over the main hall.
Zhao Kuangyin leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over the terrified and stunned officials in the hall. Suddenly, he smiled and spoke in a nonchalant tone, uttering extremely domineering words: "The matter of the new civil service examination policy shall be entirely the responsibility of the Prince of Wugong."
"This matter—"
"Who objects?"
As soon as he finished speaking, all the officials knelt down in fear.
No one spoke.
Time passed slowly, and the hall remained deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.
Only the headless corpse's neck continued to bleed, staining the ground red.
Fan Zhi and the others' backs were already soaked with cold sweat. They buried their heads in the ground, trembling uncontrollably, and dared not lift their heads at all.
"Boring————"
Seeing this, Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
In this era, most scholar-officials lacked backbone.
If there were such a thing, Zhao Kuangyin would have jumped out on the day of the Chenqiao Mutiny, so why would he be jumping around like this today?
In an avalanche, no snowflake is innocent.
Now that his father has military power, he naturally has no more scruples, just like Zhu Yuanzhang in later generations. Why did he dare to purge the court so recklessly in the later period?
That's because—
He's all alone!
That would be enough to subdue the entire court!
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