Chapter 71 Southeast Undercurrents

The end of the year saw a life claimed by the land survey in the Southeast.

It wasn't an official sent down to survey the land who was burned to death, but rather a Wang surname scholar from Yu杭 (Yuhang) who attempted to collude with others after a public assembly to resist the imperial court's new policies. He was reported by multiple people, and with conclusive evidence of his crimes, he chose to hang himself out of excessive fright before the Imperial Guard arrived at his home.

It was the morning of the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

A death, and especially a death at this time of year, caused the political atmosphere in the Southeast to immediately become delicate.

This mentality didn't seem to require much explanation... a ready-made corpse was there, a waste not to use as a shield and weapon... they were forcing people to their deaths, wouldn't the Emperor and the Chancellor stop?

And so, after the New Year holiday, taking advantage of the arrival of the envoy sent by 东京 (Dongjing) to offer New Year's greetings, members of the local public assembly in 杭州 (Hangzhou) went to 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) in the name of offering New Year's gifts, and simultaneously submitted a memorial impeaching Yang Yizhong, the Imperial Commander and Director of the Imperial City Division, for coercing people to their deaths. They advised Emperor Zhao to be magnanimous, and formally suggested that Emperor Zhao and Chancellor Lü suspend the land survey to avoid delaying the spring planting.

However, the response from Emperor Zhao and Chancellor Lü, or more specifically from Emperor Zhao, was very direct and swift.

First, the original case... that is, the case of the deceased Yu杭 (Yuhang) scholar colluding with others, still adhered to the original planned disposition. All public assembly members involved in the collusion were expelled from the assembly, arrested, and swiftly exiled to the Yellow River front line to serve two years of labor, with fines levied. As for the deceased Wang, it was verified that he held land in multiple locations, mostly 'held by others on his behalf,' with obvious intent to evade and resist the national policy. Furthermore, as he was the instigator of this collusion, his home was indeed surrounded by iron cavalry and confiscated as warned before.

As for Wang himself, he had committed suicide out of fear of his crimes; dead was dead.

Second, regarding the memorial submitted by the locals in 杭州 (Hangzhou)... Emperor Zhao made no superfluous expression, simply publicly refuting it. According to Lü Benzhong's remarks in the first issue of the newly launched 江南 (Jiangnan) Traveling Imperial Gazette, the so-called 凤凰旬刊 (Fenghuang Xunkan) after the New Year, the Emperor was dealing with the matter on its own merits. Although the imperial will clearly opposed these unreasonable remonstrations and impeachments, he would never punish the act of submitting memorials itself. Otherwise, what was the point of having a public assembly? What was the point of maintaining channels for expressing opinions?

At the same time, Scholar Lü also said in the gazette that Wang's suicide was essentially resistance to investigation. Confiscating his property was already merciful. If anyone truly incited the people and attempted armed resistance, then they should not say they were not warned.

With both soft and hard tactics, and a clear expression of Emperor Zhao's determination, the sudden surge of resistance to the land survey immediately subsided.

However, the fact that the Wang family, as the leading family in Yu杭 (Yuhang), had their home surrounded by iron cavalry and confiscated even after a person died, did indeed ignite a sense of shared grief and apprehension among the upper and lower classes in the Southeast... After this incident, a large number of public assembly members from the two circuits, taking advantage of the smooth transportation conditions and the public assembly system in the Southeast, began to submit memorials on a large scale, no longer discussing the land survey and the 土断 (tuduan) (household registration reform), no longer debating the new policies, but instead focusing their attacks on the Imperial City Division and the Military Intelligence Division, directing their spearhead at Yang Yizhong and Yu Yunwen, and framing the matter as the harassment and persecution of the scholars and people of the Southeast by this special agent system.

And gradually, this formed a trend.

In response, Emperor Zhao remained seated steadily on 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain), only sending envoys to 无为军 (Wuwei Army) to reward Wang Gui and other Imperial Army vanguard generals, while continuing not to punish speech and carefully responding to these public assembly memorials.

Anyway, although there were many of these memorials, they couldn't withstand the fact that a painstakingly written article could be dealt with by Emperor Zhao with just 'absurd,' 'read,' 'nonsense,' 'understood,' so it couldn't be said that anyone was more troublesome than the other.

Of course, Lü Benzhong would still meet with some people on behalf of Emperor Zhao, directly pointing out: Anyone with common sense should know that if the ten thousand elite Imperial Army soldiers of the 无为军 (Wuwei Army) crossed the river to the south, who could stop them? The current situation precisely shows that the Emperor has benevolent intentions and is unwilling to resort to arms.

Up to this point, there truly was a posture of the Emperor sitting securely on 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain), blocking soldiers with soldiers and water with earth.

This situation lasted for about ten days, and with the Jianyan ninth year 上元节 (Lantern Festival) approaching, rumors spread that Emperor Zhao would take advantage of the spring plowing after the 上元节 (Lantern Festival) to send out the Imperial Guard to penetrate deep into the fields and forcibly complete the final inspection work in an armed posture.

The reason why it was called a rumor and not a false rumor was because many people believed this was feasible... After a winter of hard work, the Liangzhe (Two Zhejiang) and Jiangdong circuits dared not say that the land survey work had been completed by seventy or eighty percent, but the land survey targeting powerful households had basically been completed by seventy or eighty percent, and many things basically only lacked a final verification. Spring plowing was a good opportunity.

And as for the levied tax based on land assessment, at worst, it was just a disguised increase in taxes on powerful households. Would they really give up spring plowing to resist this?

Moreover, in the second issue of the 凤凰旬刊 (Fenghuang Xunkan) in the New Year, Scholar Lü once again published an article, then clearly conveyed the Emperor's message for the third time: Even if there are acts of hiding land or holding it on behalf of others, as long as they actively cooperate in the land survey work, the old events before Jianyan eight years will not be pursued. Only those who continue to hide land or even abandon land to evade after Jianyan nine years will be severely punished to serve as a warning.

Back and forth... was it really worth it?

Therefore, as the time came to the 上元节 (Lantern Festival), the powerful households of Jiangnan East and Liangzhe circuits almost lost the courage to continue resisting the land survey itself. Even the impeachments against Yang Yizhong and Yu Yunwen would have gradually stopped if they hadn't made prior agreements.

However, at this moment, with the arrival of a person from 东京 (Dongjing) who rushed to the Southeast, and who suddenly contacted another person who had been silent in the area on the way across the river, the powerful households in the Southeast were suddenly energized as if they had risen from the dead.

The person from 东京 (Dongjing) was the former Minister of Rites, Zhu Shengfei, and the one who rose to respond to Zhu Shengfei was another former Minister, Liu Dazhong.

Zhu Shengfei was from 蔡州 (Caizhou), his hometown located in the southeasternmost part of Jingxi, bordering Huai甸 (Huaidian). After Emperor Zhao executed the white horse to achieve the Filature of the Song, he abandoned his official position and returned to his hometown, but only roamed around the Ru River and Huai甸 (Huaidian) area. Therefore, although Emperor Zhao's southward journey didn't pass through his area, he could be considered to have observed it from a distance.

When Emperor Zhao convened the Martial Arts Assembly at the end of the year and the beginning of winter, publicly presenting the strategy of the levied tax based on land assessment and forcibly promoting it directly in the Southeast, he immediately paid attention to this matter. After discussing it with friends, neighbors, and relatives in Lianghuai and Jingxi, he deeply felt that this matter was inappropriate. At that time, many former colleagues and local scholars advised him to come out and argue with the Emperor.

As a representative figure of the white horse incident, this Minister Zhu, although recommended by Lü Yihao, had always relied on the word 'stability' to get by in Lianghuai after retirement. He often said things like who was misleading the country, so being prodded like this, he naturally had to grit his teeth and stand up. However, he somewhat understood that going directly to 杭州 (Hangzhou) to find Emperor Zhao would only be self-inflicted humiliation, so he simply took a different approach, turning around and entering 东京 (Dongjing) to personally satirize Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Liu Ji, Chen Gui, and even Lü Haowen and other Chancellors in the capital, and stirring up discussions in the Imperial College.

It could be said that the momentum was very great, causing some trouble for the five in 东京 (Dongjing), but the problem was that this levied tax based on land assessment was clearly aimed at the Southeast. Even if Liangzhe and Jiangdong succeeded, it was estimated that it would only be推广 (tuiguang) (promoted) to Lianghuai, Jiangxi, and Fujian before the Northern Expedition at most. What was the point of being so lively in 东京 (Dongjing)?

Separated by thousands of miles, it had no substantial impact on Emperor Zhao's side.

However, whether it was because the Chancellors in the capital were annoyed by him, or for some other reason, after the imperial court sent out a New Year's greeting envoy, he, an old minister, was suddenly temporarily entrusted as the 上元节 (Lantern Festival) greeting envoy, to meet Emperor Zhao and personally present the articles.

This person was temporarily helpless and could only bite the bullet and set out. After crossing the Yangtze River after the New Year, he didn't rush to meet Emperor Zhao, but instead actively slowed down his journey and observed the situation. When he really couldn't avoid it, he calculated the time and suddenly gathered members of the local public assembly in Huzhou on the twelfth day of the first month, making a public statement that he would definitely persuade Emperor Zhao on this trip... Then, he brought these local people to summon the former Minister of Personnel, Liu Dazhong, who had been unemployed in his hometown of Huzhou, without even opening his door all winter.

Liu Dazhong originally wanted to endure it, but after all, like Zhu Shengfei, he was a so-called representative figure of the stability faction, his political attributes firmly controlled by the white horse incident. Now, being led by this Zhu with his fellow villagers kicking in his door, and being poked in the waist like this, he was also helpless, making a public statement and following Zhu Shengfei to offer New Year's greetings to the Emperor.

Finally, he barely arrived in 杭州 (Hangzhou) at noon on the fifteenth day of the first month, the 上元节 (Lantern Festival).

How should it be said? Although the two high officials, Zhu Shengfei and Liu Dazhong, arrived in a hurry, members of the public assemblies from the surrounding prefectures and counties, such as 杭州 (Hangzhou), Huzhou, Xiuzhou, Yuezhou, Mingzhou, and Muzhou, still arrived in time, using the name of enjoying the Lantern Festival and incidentally offering New Year's greetings to the Emperor, arriving in time to support the two high officials.

Counting them, there were one or two hundred people.

However, this gamble could basically be considered the last gamble.

Turning back to the present, the significance of the 上元节 (Lantern Festival) on the fifteenth day of the first month in this era need not be said. It was originally the most unrestrained and joyful festival. 杭州 (Hangzhou) city, as the de facto capital of the Southeast, had not encountered war or turmoil for more than ten years since Fang La's rebellion, so it was naturally extraordinarily lively. Moreover, compared to large cities like 东京 (Dongjing) in the north, although 杭州 (Hangzhou) had a slightly smaller population, it also had West Lake as a support. In addition, the southern climate was warm and there were many surrounding cities, so it naturally had a unique flavor.

Countless lanterns had been arranged several days ago. On the day of the 上元节 (Lantern Festival), even the dilapidated 雷峰塔 (Leifeng Pagoda) had Imperial Army cavalry soldiers from 东京 (Dongjing) working together to raise a gaudily painted hot air balloon. Facing countless local and surrounding public assembly figures who came to offer New Year's greetings and tributes, Emperor Zhao even bestowed a banquet on 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) at noon. The two former ministers, Liu and Zhu, also received the treatment they deserved, accompanying the entourage to the banquet... But this banquet didn't unfold much. Zhu Shengfei and Liu Dazhong didn't even have time to open their mouths. As soon as they finished eating, Lü Yihao personally led local officials from 杭州 (Hangzhou) to invite Emperor Zhao down 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) to board a large boat on West Lake, touring West Lake and enjoying the festivities with the people.

And so, in the afternoon, Emperor Zhao arranged the ceremonial guard, leading the people of 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) north to 涌金门 (Yongjin Gate), and then boarded the boats and barges that had been waiting there.

Among them, Emperor Zhao himself boarded a flat-bottomed large boat nicknamed 大乌龙 (Big Oolong) with his close ministers and a dozen or so close attendants, and erected the world-famous 金吾纛旓 (Jin Wu Dao Shao) banner at the stern of the boat. Chancellor Lü, Chancellor Xu, and the two former ministers, Liu and Zhu, each had a boat. The one Chancellor Lü and Xu were riding was called 小乌龙 (Little Oolong), and there was no need to say more.

In addition, the local bureaus and prefectural officials of 杭州 (Hangzhou), along with the accompanying public assembly members from surrounding prefectures and counties, were also assigned boats according to their rank and region to travel together.

In fact, these public assembly members, as the wealthy local households from the most prosperous prefectures and counties surrounding 杭州 (Hangzhou) in Liangzhe Circuit, didn't each family have their own painted pleasure boats on West Lake? And weren't each of those pleasure boats carved with railings and jade, adorned with gold and silver, and even scented with incense and sweet perfumes? Weren't they much better than these official boats with bare benches inside?

But then again, every family had pleasure boats, but how many could board an official boat to accompany the imperial carriage today?

There were too many people, and it was the first time doing this kind of thing, so the crowd arrived at 涌金门 (Yongjin Gate) with the imperial carriage in the afternoon, but it took until the sun was setting in the west before they boarded their boats.

But immediately, with the 大乌龙 (Big Oolong) in the lead, the 小乌龙 (Little Oolong) on the side and rear, and dozens of official boats following, tailing the 金吾纛旓 (Jin Wu Dao Shao) banner on the 大乌龙 (Big Oolong)'s rear, sailing out of 涌金门 (Yongjin Gate) towards 苏堤 (Su Causeway), the entire West Lake was instantly ignited.

It was the 上元 (Lantern) Festival, and 杭州 (Hangzhou) had its four gates wide open, allowing people to stay out all night. In addition, the cities in Liangzhe were densely populated, and because Emperor Zhao was驻跸 (zhubi) (residing), countless families came to West Lake to celebrate the festival, and they all poured out when they saw the imperial carriage touring the lake by boat. The 苏堤 (Su Causeway) directly in front was shoulder to shoulder, making it impossible to move an inch, and countless people gathered along the banks to climb high and watch the dragon boats.

What could they see from so far away? No one knew.

How were the dragon boats arranged inside and out? How did the official boats differ from the civilian pleasure boats? No one knew either.

They said they were watching the imperial carriage, the Chancellors, and the Imperial Guard, but had the Emperor come out of the cabin? Had the Chancellors waved? How many were there in the Imperial Guard? Was the treacherous official Yang Yizhong, who forced the kind-hearted Wang to death, among them? No one knew either.

But they wanted to scramble to watch, to fill the banks and causeways to gaze. Amidst the hustle and bustle, countless pleasure boats set off from left and right, surrounding the 大乌龙 (Big Oolong) and 小乌龙 (Little Oolong) and many official boats from afar, almost covering half of West Lake, and echoing the shouts from the shore.

Amidst the chaos, those public assembly members who were able to accompany the imperial carriage on the official boats were already entranced. Who still remembered what impeachments, what coming to support the two virtuous ministers, and what the suicide of the Wang fellow, or the evil policies of the land survey?

They only felt that this life was enough, wishing they could immediately go back and tell their fellow villagers that on this day, they were on West Lake, only three boat positions away from Emperor Zhao!

A few who still remembered something important could only lament in their hearts, feeling that this Emperor was truly wise enough to reject advice. As long as the boats drifted in West Lake until midnight, and they went back and slept until dawn, they could send away Zhu Shengfei, this 上元 (Lantern) Festival greeting envoy, the next day. Then, with Liu Dazhong, who was just there to make up the numbers, unable to clap with one hand, this matter could be considered to have been endured.

However, for some reason, the two instigators, Liu Dazhong and Zhu Shengfei, with their hands folded on the official boat, although they looked at each other without saying a word, actually had some sense of relief.

The boats slowly advanced. As dusk approached, and the sunlight shone on the lake from west to east, illuminating it with a golden glow, the 大乌龙 (Big Oolong) arrived in front of the 苏堤 (Su Causeway) bridge. Naturally, it couldn't go any further, so it had to turn around. It was at this moment that another climax appeared... Emperor Zhao, wearing a straight-cornered turban, a brand-new light yellow robe, a gold-trimmed red belt, and black boots, in a posture that completely conformed to the imaginations of the people of 杭州 (Hangzhou), actually led a crowd of close ministers in purple, scarlet, and green robes, emerging from the 大乌龙 (Big Oolong)'s cabin, waving to the causeway and prompting the Chancellors, ministers, officials, and public assembly members on the other official boats to follow suit.

Although it was just a moment of turning the bow of the boat, it made the riverbank and both shores roar like thunder, actually scaring the countless crows on 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) and making them fly away over 夕照山 (Xizhao Mountain).

And after the boat turned its bow, the scholars and people on the causeway who had come back to their senses, although not many of them could see clearly, couldn't help but feel parched, only saying that Emperor Zhao had looked at them, and saying that they had personally seen the gold-trimmed red belt, and those who knew the allusions spoke of the day when Emperor Zhao was in danger on the Huai River, going alone to meet the King of Han, bestowing a jade belt, and never wearing a jade belt again, only a gold belt and a cowhide belt, extremely mixed.

And that wasn't all. After the boat turned around and slowly turned back, as twilight gradually appeared, Emperor Zhao issued another decree, ordering each boat to light lanterns slightly. Although the official boats were large, they were unusually simple, with only ordinary lanterns hanging on the bow and stern. But as the 大乌龙 (Big Oolong) and 小乌龙 (Little Oolong) lit a few lanterns, the entire lake and city seemed to receive a signal, starting from the lake and lighting up before dark.

In an instant, the shadows of the lanterns flickered, and the starlight gradually connected into one piece, illuminating the entire West Lake as if it were a heavenly paradise. Even though the moon was slightly visible on the horizon at this time, and the setting sun still lingered in the west of the lake, it completely obscured the lanterns of the world.

It could only be said that it was a good scene of great unity between the sovereign, ministers, scholars, and people in a feudal era.

Those who didn't know would have thought they had returned to 东京 (Dongjing) in the era of abundance and prosperity.

However, just as the lanterns were being hung on the boats, and everyone thought that Emperor Zhao was going to drift in West Lake until midnight to avoid Zhu and Liu, something unexpected happened... As twilight rose and the lake was filled with lights, the 大乌龙 (Big Oolong) returned to 涌金门 (Yongjin Gate) before the last ray of the setting sun, and then the Emperor immediately disembarked and led the ceremonial guard back to 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain).

Along the way, there was another decree that, in order to prevent waste due to the many offerings made to 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) by the officials, scholars, and people of the Southeast during the 上元 (Lantern) Festival and the Spring Festival, they would all be distributed together at the foot of 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain).

Among them, the tributes of wealth were all bestowed on the Imperial Army cavalry soldiers, the common and miscellaneous items were all sent to the lantern riddle fair under 雷峰塔 (Leifeng Pagoda) to benefit the people, and the food specialties were all sent to the banquet set up in front of 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) to entertain the courtiers and public assembly members who accompanied the imperial carriage today, to show the unity and joy of the upper and lower classes.

Upon receiving this decree, most people were naturally overjoyed, but a few people like Liu Dazhong and Zhu Shengfei couldn't help but complain repeatedly - nothing else, with such a posture, how could those who had publicly expressed their determination before avoid it?

They were probably doomed to play the villain.

Sure enough, as the bright moon gradually rose, the people of 杭州 (Hangzhou) heard that the Emperor was distributing benefits on 夕照山 (Xizhao Mountain), and had already gathered on the south bank of West Lake. The military camps on both sides of 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) had received rewards, and many were cheering. At this time, under 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain), the venue where the Martial Arts Assembly had been held in the past, the banquet had already been set up. As the crowd took their seats, remembering the original main purpose of this trip, they only felt that there was a cacophony of cheers on all sides, and they couldn't help but lose confidence, indeed showing many evasive and perfunctory attitudes.

What's more, some people directly pretended to forget their previous agreement, and were determined not to pay attention to that matter anymore, actually enjoying themselves under the mountain in a grand manner, making the atmosphere even more subtle.

With the banquet opened, Chancellor Lü first presided over it, performing a slight drinking ritual, congratulating the Emperor who was smiling and sitting on the top for the 二圣 (Two Sages) who were in 清修 (qingxiu) (spiritual practice), and the 三太后 (Three Empress Dowagers) who were being cared for, and congratulating the Emperor for gaining a new imperial son last year... After a few rounds of drinks, everyone was slightly tipsy.

But there was no way, the Great Song had its own national conditions, who could do anything about it?

After seven or eight cups of wine, and with the 上元 (Lantern) Festival lights, as the Emperor personally selected a portion of Dongpo pork to send to the 太上渊圣皇帝 (Retired Emperor Yuansheng) in 城西 (Chengxi), they couldn't help but compose poems and write lyrics again... In fact, the Southeast was originally a place where literary styles flourished. Not to mention anything else, it was as if the three leaders of the Yuezhou public assembly present, the Lu family, the Shi family, and the Zhuge family, all had their own libraries at home. Among them, the Lu family had a collection of about 13,000 volumes. As early as before the New Year, after the third son of the family, Lu Bao, was transferred to 通判 (Tongpan) (Vice Prefect), he actively proposed to have the family organize the copying of the collection of books and offer them to the imperial court as a token of gratitude... The Shi family and the Zhuge family also had collections of 10,000 and 7,000 to 8,000 volumes respectively.

This was where the prosperity and literary spirit of the Southeast lay... And the sons from these families, as long as they had the mind, were naturally not deficient in poetry and lyrics.

However, literary style was literary style, wasn't there Emperor Zhao, a master of poetry and lyrics, sitting on top?

What if they embarrassed themselves?

And so, everyone pushed me and I pushed you, but someone took the initiative to step forward, bowing and saluting, lamenting that the Emperor hadn't composed any poems or lyrics on the lake today, so there was bound to be regret, so he wanted to invite Emperor Zhao to compose poems and lyrics first, as a guide.

"You all are thinking too much."

Under the bright moonlight and lanterns filling the mountain, the view was clear. Emperor Zhao, wearing a soft-winged turban, sat upright on top, shaking his head and laughing upon hearing this. "On the 上元 (Lantern) Festival, we should all enjoy ourselves together. Today's poetry, regardless of theme, regardless of upper and lower, regardless of good or bad, just write it out, and have an official read it aloud. If you think it's good, drink a cup, and then ask for their name. If you think it's bad, just smile and pass it by. Why bother worrying so much?"

Everyone was relieved to hear this.

Immediately, officials from the 杭州 (Hangzhou) government came up to distribute paper and pens. At this time, Emperor Zhao picked up his pen and was about to write when, for some reason, he suddenly asked about Lu Zhi, the new public assembly member of the Yuezhou Lu family who had replaced Lu Bao after his transfer to 通判 (Tongpan) (Vice Prefect), saying that he had heard that the Lu family had a ten-year-old prodigy who was born on a boat and could already write poetry at a young age, named Lu You... Had he come today?

After hearing that Lu You had gone to see the lanterns with a few brothers and cousins during the day, and couldn't be found for a moment, this Emperor finally calmed down and started writing calmly.

After a moment, the poems and lyrics were completed, and he appointed the former Minister of Rites, Zhu Shengfei, as the 令官 (lingguan) (official reader) to read the poems to everyone.

Others were fine, but Zhu Shengfei himself was already a little wary at this time, but he didn't dare to disobey, so he could only rise and accept the task.

But fortunately, reading them one by one, they were nothing more than precious horses and dragon boats, lights and moonlight, lake scenery, joy between the sovereign and the people, and the prosperous scene of 中兴 (zhongxing) (revival)... There were good ones and bad ones, and everyone was an expert, so they would naturally identify the high-level poets and summon them on the spot to receive wine and congratulate them.

For a time, everyone under 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) was having a good time, and even Zhu Shengfei gradually lost his wariness.

But soon, as a poem appeared in Zhu Ambassador's hand, the former Minister of Rites only felt his forehead buzz, knowing that today wouldn't end well.

"Why did Qing (卿) (term for officials) suddenly stop reading?" Zhao Jiu urged on the spot.

Zhu Shengfei looked at Emperor Zhao, his heart numb, but he still held the poem manuscript, gritted his teeth, and read it out:

"Three myriad 里 (li) of rivers flow east into the sea, five thousand 仞 (ren) peaks rise to touch the sky.

The remnant people's tears are exhausted in the dust of the Hu, looking south for the royal army for another year."

As soon as this poem came out, the entire audience was stunned, and all the romance, lake scenery, and lantern lights of the whole day vanished.

"How is this poem?" Zhao Jiu feigned sighing in his seat, and then pointed a name. "Lu Zhi, how is this poem?"

The chief of the Yuezhou public assembly, Lu Zhi, really didn't know why this kind of thing and this poem would involve him, but since the Emperor had spoken, he quickly stepped out of his seat, bracing himself and replying:

"To let the Emperor know, this poem is concise in its language and also points out the current situation. How can it not be good? However, since we are writing 上元 (Lantern) Festival poems today, this poem suddenly stands out, inevitably having some cynicism..."

"Well said, very pertinent." Zhao Jiu nodded, and the soft wings of the turban he had changed on his head swayed from time to time, but after making the final decision, he looked at Zhu Shengfei. "Zhu Qing, who is this unsighted cynical person who wrote this? Doesn't he know that everyone is celebrating the 上元 (Lantern) Festival? Why must he reveal the scars at this time?"

Zhu Shengfei looked at Emperor Zhao, his heart cold, but he could only force himself to remain calm and reply with difficulty: "The cynical person is none other than the Emperor... The signature is Zhao Jiu from Cangzhou."

At this time, the 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain) was rare without the sound of crows because the crows had been scared away in the afternoon, so the so-called silence of crows and sparrows was particularly appropriate to describe this moment.

At the same time, not far away, the 雷峰塔 (Leifeng Pagoda) was bustling with activity, and the entire West Lake was like a bright moon on the ground that could bring its own light, illuminating the surrounding area as if it were daytime, forming a stark contrast with this place.

But to be honest, although Lu Zhi and others were startled, they actually didn't find it particularly strange after thinking about it, only feeling that it was sudden and a little wronged... Thinking about it, wasn't Emperor Zhao the one who took the lead in creating a romantic atmosphere for the entire afternoon and evening?

Moreover, even though Zhu and Liu had announced their intentions before they came, saying that they were going to make trouble, hadn't they been resolved by Emperor Zhao's one-trick 大乌龙摆尾 (Da Wulong Baiwei) (lit. Big Oolong Tail Swing, metaphor for a clever maneuver)? Why did he still have to force the issue and launch a surprise attack when they had already stopped short?

We have already stopped short, so why are you, the Emperor, not playing by the rules and launching a sudden attack?

"It is my fault for ruining everyone's mood today." Just as everyone was feeling wronged and silent, Emperor Zhao spoke up again with emotion. "But you must also know my difficulties... I only thought of it when I just picked up my pen. Since I granted Han Liangchen a jade belt that day, I would never wear a jade belt again. And since I wrote '青玉案 (Qing Yu An)' for Zong Zhongwu that day, how could I write a 上元 (Lantern) Festival poem again? And when I thought of Zong Zhongwu, I also thought of the poisonous oath I made in front of Zong Zhongwu, saying that if I could not revive Lianghe, extinguish the Jurchens, and unify the world's rivers and mountains, I would be better off dead with no regrets... And I also said that the reason why I would die without a complete corpse must be because if I died, it would be on the battlefield, chopped by knives and axes... Thinking of this, my emotions were difficult to suppress, and that's why I wrote this cynical poem. I hope you will forgive me."

Hearing these words under 凤凰山 (Fenghuang Mountain), although they felt even more wronged, where did they not understand Emperor Zhao's meaning? And where could they refute it, dared they refute it? Did anyone dare to stand up and complain, saying that Emperor Zhao, you have said both the positive and negative, making us speechless? On the contrary, looking at each other, everyone could only step forward, confessing their guilt, saying that they were indulging in the prosperity of the Southeast and could not understand the Emperor's situation or the situation of the world.

For a time, a group of people knelt on the ground, and Zhu Shengfei also stood awkwardly to the side. Even Liu Dazhong sighed and cupped his hands with the two Chancellors... Up to this point, it could be completely said that this last wave of counterattack that these people had tried had been completely collapsed by Emperor Zhao's连消带打 (lian xiao dai da) (continuous neutralization and attack), with no possibility of repetition.

However, the Emperor sitting on top still didn't intend to let it go, instead shaking his head directly:

"I roughly understand what you mean. You are verbally pleading guilty, but in fact, most of you still feel wronged and dissatisfied. And I am unwilling to bear the name of punishing without teaching... Let's discuss whatever words you still have in your hearts today, taking advantage of the wine. It won't count after today... Whether you can persuade me is one thing, but at least you must understand where my intentions lie, and I must also understand where your intentions lie."

Hearing these words, most people were a little dazed, because these words didn't sound right no matter how they were heard. Where did the punishing without teaching come from? Who let the Emperor bear this name?

However, Zhu Shengfei, after waiting for a moment, his face turned pale, finally couldn't control himself, and then bowed his head and kowtowed directly: "I am terrified. The theory of punishing without teaching is truly shameful..."

"You don't need to be ashamed of this matter, Qing (卿) (term for officials)." Zhao Jiu replied frankly from his seat above. "After the white horse Filature of the Song incident, I also reflected. Indeed, what I did that day was too much, and there was indeed some intention of punishing without teaching. It was even more extreme to treat you as enemies and drive you out of the court together... It is only natural that you have grievances."

Everyone then realized that this sentence was directed at whom.

However, Zhu Shengfei was still afraid to move after receiving these words, instead becoming even more alarmed.

And Emperor Zhao continued to shake his head in response: "But Zhu Qing, it would be fine if you had grievances against me, but why are you dissatisfied with the Chancellors in power? You are leisurely in Huai甸 (Huaidian), saying to people all day long that Zhao Ding, Chancellor Zhao, is extravagant, burning four large incense burners on both sides of the Xiangfu (Chancellor's Residence) hall, costing dozens of pounds of incense every day, and that he embezzled public funds and planted exotic bamboo in his home... Is this reasonable?"

Having said this, Zhu Shengfei was already afraid to raise his head. Even Lü Yihao, Xu Jingheng, and Liu Dazhong on the side were stunned.

It should be said that Zhao Ding's private virtue and character were recognized as good. Lü Yihao had served as the 知府 (zhifu) (Prefect) of Yangzhou and later as the Imperial Commissioner of the Southeast, having many contacts with Zhao Ding when he was the Lianghuai Transport Commissioner. Liu Dazhong was even on excellent personal terms with Zhao Ding. Even Xu Jingheng had his own channels for information. Who didn't know that Zhao Ding was a person who would specially look for a roadside stall south of the city to drink a bowl of mutton soup? How could he become an extravagant person in Zhu Shengfei's eyes?

Not only that, Emperor Zhao continued to sigh: "And there is Zhang Jun. You said that there is a hall in his home that is specially for secretly meeting with 木党 (muddang) (Wooden Faction) officials, and that the hall is paved with eighty-one azure stone slabs of several feet square, which is extravagant and even more in violation of the regulations... In fact, Zhang Jun's family is a famous family in Sichuan, and they could invite Master Keqin, the teacher of the Great Wisdom monk, to their door in Sichuan. His wife is even the niece of Chancellor Yuwen. It is impossible to deny that such a family is extravagant... But I will ask you