Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

The two of them were walking and talking, and unknowingly they had passed the abandoned tea mountain.

The villagers further downstream were much poorer and had only moved here last year. They mainly grow beans and alfalfa. During the tea-picking season, they can earn some wages. Occasionally, they also go into the mountains to cut trees. Once the wood has dried in the shade, it is purchased by the village.

They have also learned to grow mushrooms, but they are still growing mycelium, and there is no harvest to speak of due to this year's drought.

Zhao Fengji looked at those huts and said, "There are three prominent families in Shu, namely the Wang family, the Fan family, and the Yuwen family."

Zhu Guoxiang was a little surprised: "Is there no Su family in Meishan?"

Zhao Fengji explained: "The Su family in Meishan is not considered a prominent family."

Zhu Guoxiang asked: "What is the origin of the Wang family in Shu?"

"The family of the late Prime Minister Wang Wengonggong." Zhao Fengji replied.

Wang Wengong is Wang Gui, the grandfather of Li Qingzhao, the grandfather-in-law of Qin Hui, and the father-in-law of Prime Minister Zheng Juzhong.

Zhu Guoxiang asked in confusion: "Is Duke Wen Gong from Shu?"

Zhao Fengji said: "Of course they are from Shu, who moved to other places when they were young. The Wang family has been prosperous in the Five Dynasties. After the founding of the Song Dynasty, they were ranked among the top ten Jinshi in a row, and most of them were from first or second grade. To the south of Chengdu Fucheng, ten The remaining 10,000 acres of fertile land belong to the Wang family. Over the past hundred years, dozens of families have been married, and their in-laws are all from various wealthy families."

Zhu Guoxiang no longer knows how to evaluate it.

That is more than 100,000 acres of fertile land in the Chengdu Plain, and it is also married to dozens of wealthy families across the country. Leaving aside those in-laws from wealthy families, the Wang family in Chengdu is probably also married to countless families, and the network of relationships is deeply entrenched and terrifying.

If we occupy Sichuan in the future, it will be difficult for the Wang family to deal with it.

Affected by his stupid son, Zhu Guoxiang is always thinking about rebellion.

There is one important piece of information that Zhao Fengji didn't tell you. Despite the fierce dancing of the Wang family's prodigals, those who are truly capable are actually hidden behind the scenes. The Wang family's heavy bet on Prince Zhao Huan was secretly driven by the use of in-law relationships to form a huge alliance.

In the past thirty years, the Wang family and the Zheng family alone have formed five couples.

Zheng Juzhong, a traitor-turned-prime minister, relied entirely on the support of the Wang family to quickly become a scholar leader in the past two years. Qin Hui later brought trouble to the Southern Song Dynasty, which was also inseparable from the Wang family's political network.

Cai Jing is so awesome. When he was madly seizing power, he once pursued Wang Gui's posthumous title, but he resumed it under pressure two years ago.

Zhu Guoxiang asked again: "Where is Fan?"

Zhao Fengji said: "The Fan family in Shuzhong originated from the Han Dynasty."

Well, the Wang family prospered in the Five Dynasties and the Fan family can be traced back to the Han Dynasty.

Zhao Fengji continued: "During the two Jin Dynasties, Fan Changsheng was the leader of Tianshi Dao in Shuzhong, and assisted Li Xiong, the refugee commander, to establish the Chenghan Dynasty. Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, there have been more than 20 people from the Fan family who have been Jinshi, and dozens of Enyin have been officials. . The Fan family's ancestral home is also south of Chengdu Fucheng, with tens of thousands of acres of fertile land. The fertile land there is either the king or the fan. The Wang and Fan families have been in-laws for generations."

This news is not accurate. There are three branches of the Fan family in Sichuan, two of which were moved from other places.

Of course, if the three Fan clans recounted their genealogy and actually mentioned the same ancestor, then they might as well declare to the outside world that they are a family.

The descendants of the Fan family were not as prominent as the Wang family in officialdom, and there were fewer people in high positions. Instead, they produced a large number of Hanlin bachelors, and mass-produced local officials and official teachers.

This is because when there were a large number of Jinshi in the Fan family, they happened to encounter conflicts between the old and new parties. The whole family was involved and was demoted and sent away every few days. (The number one scholar, Fan Zhen, was recommended by Sima Guang's best friend and Su Shi. With this relationship, Su Shi still dared to write random poems. It would be strange if he was not expelled from the court by the new party.)

Zhao Fengji added: "The Yuwen family is a descendant of Xianbei. They moved to Shu in the late Tang Dynasty. Their ancestral home is in the southwest of Chengdu Fucheng, and they also have nearly 100,000 acres of fertile land."

The Wang family and the Fan family are both located in the Huayang area of ​​Chengdu, while the Yuwen family is located near Shuangliu, Chengdu.

Zhao Fengji suddenly said: "Yu Wencuizhong is Cai Jing's nephew-in-law."

Zhu Guoxiang immediately understood that the Wang family and the Fan family were acting as the sixth child. On the surface, they formed a clique to support Zheng Juzhong, but in fact they secretly bet on the prince Zhao Heng. And the Yuwen clan simply defected to Cai Jing's camp.

But this is wrong news. Although Yuwen Cuizhong took refuge in Cai Jing, Yuwen Xuzhong got very close to Zheng Juzhong. A pair of brothers, belonging to the Cai Party and the Zheng Party. No matter who wins, the Yuwen family can keep their wealth.

Zhu Guoxiang asked some more Shu families and found that many of them were related to these three prominent families.

For example, the Meishan Su family——

Su Shi's third son Su Guo, known as "Xiao Dongpo", although he moved to Yingchang (Xuchang), he also married a daughter of the Fan family. Su Shi's grandson Su Fu married Wang's daughter.

These families have long been integrated through marriage.

Zhu Guoxiang guessed that if he returned to Tokyo, the Wang family might also come to propose marriage.

Because the current situation changed so fast, King Zhao Kai actually promoted the Imperial City Secretary, and Prince Zhao Huan's position was in jeopardy. The Wang family even began to cite Li Bangyan. Zhu Guoxiang, a favorite of the emperor, must be more valued by the Wang family, and Zhu Ming became famous at a young age and had not yet had a wife.

If his son marries a daughter of the Wang family and leads the rebel army to Chengdu in the future, how will the Wang family in Shu react?

It seems interesting.

I am afraid that the whole family will immediately surrender, and then they will take advantage of the situation and secretly contact the court.

Once the rebels lose the battle, the Wang family will look for opportunities to betray and directly help the court regain Chengdu.

If the rebel army repulses the officers and soldiers many times, the Wang family will rely on their in-law relationships to do everything possible to install clan members among the new forces. Then, while helping the Zhu family and his son conquer the world, they quietly maintained contact with the court until one of them completely lost power.

This kind of famous family is unreliable. They can bet on a few heads.

Zhu Guoxiang took Zhao Fengji back and said: "I will not return to Beijing for the time being, and will live in Yangzhou for a while. I will not write a letter to your father. Once the letter is written, it will be confirmed. As for the prince, just keep a low profile and bide your time." Remember, you need to keep a low profile in front of the officials, and don't offend the officials in person again. As for traitors, the prince doesn't need to look good on him. Only in this way can he win the hearts of the officials."

Zhao Fengji cupped his hands and said, "This junior must tell the truth."

Zhu Guoxiang added: "The various factions of the traitors are fighting against each other. Although they turn to Prince Jia, they cannot work together. The prince's angrily denounced the traitors' deeds, so that Li Bangyan can spread the word to the ears of the officials. Remember, he only denounced the traitors angrily. Party, don't criticize the government's decrees. In this way, the more the prince is at odds with the traitorous party, the more relieved the officials will be."

Zhao Fengji thought carefully and finally said in admiration: "Junior seems to understand."

Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty doted on King Zhao Kai alone, and this was just the beginning. Later, no matter where Song Huizong went, he would take King Jia with him. Even when he visited Cai Jing's house, King Jia followed him closely, which frightened the princelings so much that they couldn't sleep. Prince Zhao Huan was even made a little nervous.

However, Song Huizong never expressed his intention to abolish the crown prince, and he suddenly became the emperor without consulting anyone.

After this product arrived, no one seemed to believe that they knew what they were surrounded by. King Zhao Kai is more like a tool that he deliberately supported and used to suppress the princelings.

Back at the house, Shen Yourong had made arrangements for Zhao Fengji's entourage.

Zhu Guoxiang called Yang Zhi: "Are you in court again?"

Yang Zhi replied: "I was ordered to escort Jiangnan Caoliang and go to Chang'an to recruit refugees as soldiers. The Yellow River surged and the grain transport ship was washed away near Tongguan."

"You... are really unlucky," Zhu Guoxiang couldn't laugh or cry. "We have already arrived at Tongguan. Even if the flood comes a day or two late, we can still transfer the food to the land."

Yang Zhi said with a bitter face: "We have already reached the shore and were transferring grain. Suddenly the river water surged. I asked everyone to step up the transportation. But in the end there was only one boat left. No one dared to move it anymore. They could only watch it being washed away by the flood. Walk."

Zhu Guoxiang asked: "What are your plans?"

Yang Zhi said: "I plan to stay in Daming Village. I still have a family in Tokyo. I dare to ask my husband to send someone to bring a letter."

Zhu Guoxiang said: "I will try my best to help you bring the little boy over."

Yang Zhi knelt down and said, "Whether I can bring my family back or not, my life belongs to you."

Zhu Guoxiang said: "You have come from a long hike, slept in the open air, and are very weak. You will stay in an inn for a few days, and when your health improves, you will go find a piece of land to build a house. You brought three horses, and the village paid for them." I will use the money to hire people to build houses for you and give you some land."

"You are fair and righteous." Yang Zhi burst into tears with gratitude.

Zhu Guoxiang added: "Those who are willing to farm the land can farm in the village. Jinzhou has sent a group of convict women's families. If you want to marry, you can also hire matchmakers. Those who are strong and willing to defend their hometown can join Daming Village. The village warrior team.”

Yang Zhi said: "I would like to be a village hero."

Zhu Guoxiang comforted him: "You are new here, so I'm afraid you won't be able to convince everyone. If you practice more and show your talents, you can become an officer."

"It all depends on your father-in-law's arrangements," Yang Zhi said.

After making arrangements for Yang Zhi, Zhu Guoxiang walked back to the back house.

An Niang was rewarded by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. Zhu Guoxiang took possession of her house when he was in Tokyo. A grown man, far away from his wife, and with a beautiful woman by his side. This beautiful woman sang beautifully, but he couldn't hold it in for three months.

Well, without explaining too much, Dean Zhu is just an old man.

"Mr. Sir, many of the people who came today have marks on their faces. They may not be kind people." Shen Yourong said worriedly.

Zhu Guoxiang said: "It's okay. You arrange for someone to act as a matchmaker and let them settle down. Once you have a family, you should be careful. Anyone who dares to disobey will be expelled and killed without delay."

Shen Yourong said: "Since my husband has made a decision, I won't say more. The money and food saved in the past two years have been almost used up this year. I can only hope for good weather in the coming year."

"It will be fine." Zhu Guoxiang said.

Shen Yourong said: "I have heard from business travelers that the drought is worse in Jinzhou, and I don't know if Dalang is happy with it."

Zhu Guoxiang said with a smile: "Except for the lack of food, he is very happy. In two days, I will go to Yangzhou to visit the Wen family there and get the land rewarded by the emperor. Maybe I will also build a house there. , I’ll go live there for a while when I have time. Do you want to move there too?”

"It's okay to stay for a few days, but it's okay to stay longer." Shen Yourong said.

Daming Village has a narrow terrain and is almost reaching its population limit. Zhu Guoxiang plans to open a second base in Yangzhou.