In the Song Dynasty, there was no law or order.

During the morning court session on October 9, the re-election of the Political System Council was kicked off.

Because the reorganization of the Political System Council was put on the agenda in October, and it was also mentioned during the regular meeting between the prime minister and the emperor in the afternoon, the specific rules had been discussed clearly.

Then, according to the plan, Cai Qi and Song Shou resigned on the morning of October 8, saying that their term in the Political System Council had ended and they requested to resign and return home.

Zhao Zhen granted them an additional term on the grounds that they were both still young, which was a special case given by the emperor and did not violate the rule that each prime minister of the Political System Council could serve a maximum of two terms.

But this also made them lose the qualification to recommend candidates.

After they submitted their resignations and were deprived of their favor, even if the re-election officially began, Zhao Zhen asked each prime minister to submit a list of candidates and announced it at the court meeting this morning.

So after a night of discussion, the list had to be submitted this morning.

If a minister wants to enter the Political System Council and serve as prime minister, there is a threshold. He must be the chief officer of a first-level institution under the Political System Council and concurrently serve as the alternate Tongzhi of the Political System Council to be qualified for recommendation, and then he can be recommended by the current prime minister to become a candidate for the list.

As the prime minister of the Song Dynasty with unprecedented power, all officials naturally hope to make progress. But the threshold itself is high, and opportunities are very rare. So there must be the existence of interest exchanges and political alliances behind this.

At this time in the early morning, after the morning court time was changed, it was seven o'clock. When the sky was bright, there was no need to light candles all over the house like before, which wasted a lot of financial expenditure.

In the Chuigong Hall, due to the arrival of early winter, the weather became cold, so the doors and windows outside were closed, but the room was full of light. Because now the doors and windows in the palace are no longer covered with oil paper as before, but have been changed to transparent glass, which is bright and comfortable.

Most of the ministers in the room wore silk cotton clothes with silk on the outside and cotton stuffed inside.

Compared with the ancients who used reed fluff or animal fur to keep warm, cotton is much more comfortable now. It is also popular among the people. Cotton clothes, quilts and other items also allow people to spend the winter safely.

The few people standing in the front of the officials were wearing elegant dark purple robes. They were ranked in front of the officials, led by a young man in his thirties, who looked quite high-spirited.

These people are the prime ministers of the current Emperor of the Song Dynasty, including Zhao Jun, the head of the Political System Institute, Yan Shu, Cai Qi, Song Shou, Jia Changchao, Li Di, Zhang Shixun and Jiang Tang. Except for Fan Zhongyan who was far away in Youyan, one first-rank and seven second-rank prime ministers were all present.

The group of people below were wearing crimson robes, ranging from dark red to light red. These people were the chief officers and adjutants of the first, second and third-level institutions of the Song Dynasty. There were more than fifty of them, and their ranks were between the second and fourth ranks.

Behind this group of crimson robes are a group of officials wearing blue and green robes. They belong to some officials of various departments with low ranks but great power and can attend court.

After the Jingyou officialdom reform, Zhao Jun made subtle changes to the official system in many aspects.

For example, the weight ratio of the first, second and third-level institutions was increased or reduced. For example, there were only eleven first-level institutions at the beginning, namely the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Police, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Taxation, and the traditional six ministries of Rites, Personnel, Military, Criminal, Household and Works.

Later, the Yushitai and Jiantai, two institutions similar to the later departments, were added to increase the supervision of the officials of the Song Dynasty.

Now, the Dali Temple (court), the Criminal Court (prosecutor's office) and the Kaifeng prefect have been added.

And adjustments have also been made to the official ranks and official uniforms.

For example, the first-rank officials wear purple robes, the second-rank officials wear dark red robes, the third to fourth-rank officials wear light red robes, the fifth to sixth-rank officials wear blue robes, the seventh and eighth-rank officials wear green robes, and the ninth-rank officials and below wear light blue robes.

This was done to improve the status of the prime ministers in the Political System Council, and also to roughly correspond to the corresponding levels in later generations.

In this way, the ranks and functions of officials can be clarified, and their powers and obligations can be detailed. It is not as chaotic as before, and the division of powers is unclear.

The only one who was in the first rank was Zhao Jun.

Because the official system of the Northern Song Dynasty was that the Shangshu Ling, Zhongshu Ling, Shizhong, Taiwei, Taishi, Taifu, Taibao, Shaoshi, Shaofu, Shaobao were all in the first rank.

But these official positions were all added positions, which were honorary titles, and it was basically impossible to be awarded while the officials were alive.

Including old ministers like Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng, who were relatively old and highly valued by the emperor, they were only posthumously awarded the first rank Taishi and Shizhong.

Zhao Jun actually started from the first rank. His official position was composed of titles, dispatches and honorary positions. His title was Duke of Song, his dispatch was the head of the Political System Council, and his honorary position was the governor of the three towns.

There was not even a salary official representing the rank.

But since the rank of the Duke is the first rank, he is at the first rank.

After the Jingyou reform, the salary officials and the dispatched officials were merged, and his political system director also became the first rank, and the associate director could only be at the first rank.

At this moment, Zhao Zhen sat on the dragon throne on the steps above the Chuigong Hall with great pride, overlooking the officials below.

Yesterday, the news that Zhang Kang and his men had conquered Qingtang and Zhuoluo and Nan had already arrived, and Zhao Zhen had even begun to consider what temple name he should choose in the future.

You know, the credit for expanding the territory is second only to the credit for founding the country.

Moreover, the successful acquisition of so much territory now means that the Liao Kingdom and Xixia will probably be in the pocket in the future. This is not about expanding territory, it is simply about creating another empire.

After such great contributions, what temple name will he need to reflect his great achievements?

Zhao Zhen felt that if his shameless grandfather hadn't snatched Taizong's position (Taizong was not a full-time second emperor), he would have been able to serve as Taizong in the future.

Isn’t that much better than Sejong Renzong or something like that?

After all, among the four major temple names of "Taigao Shizhong", the ancestral generation is superior to the ancestral generation.

But under normal circumstances, it is impossible to have ancestors. The first is Taizu and Gaozu, who must be the founders of the dynasty.

Followed by the Shizu, Zhongzu and the Holy Ancestor of the Tang Dynasty.

Song Shizu already existed. He was the Liu Song Shizu of the Southern Dynasty hundreds of years ago. Although he was the Liu Song Dynasty and had nothing to do with the Zhao and Song Dynasties, he was still the Song Shizu.

There can't be two Song Shizu in this world.

As for the temple name of Holy Ancestor, which has not yet been chosen by a true emperor, the old Zhao family has already named Zhao Xuanlang, the incarnation of Emperor Xuanyuan, as the Holy Ancestor of the Song Dynasty, and there will be an unlucky Emperor Kangxi, the ancestor of the Qing Holy Ancestor, in the future, so that doesn't work either.

Therefore, unless the Song Dynasty was overthrown and he was allowed to continue, so that he could choose a middle ancestor among the ancestral generations, that is, the ancestor of Zhongxing, otherwise the ancestral generation would not be realistic.

In this case, you can only choose among the Zongzi generation.

Among the Zong generations, Taizong has the highest status, followed by Gaozong, and then Shizong.

Pity.

Zhao Zhen was a little bit complaining that his grandfather had robbed him of Taizong. Even if the Liao Kingdom and Xixia were destroyed now, he would only be Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty in the future.

It's really unlucky that Song Gaozong is still Zhao Gou.

And if Song Gaozong is not chosen, then the final choice is Song Shizong, but this cannot reflect his great achievements.

It’s really difficult to handle.

Maybe in the future, you can discuss it with your grandson and give yourself a more powerful temple title, such as the first emperor in the world of divine, cultural, and holy martial arts.

Zhao Zhen thought with a little excitement.

"If something happens, you will report it early; if nothing happens, you will withdraw from the court."

With a high-pitched shout from Wang Shouzhong, the court meeting finally began.

Nowadays, the daily court meetings are no longer about reporting affairs, but about the internal affairs of various departments and reporting the results to the emperor.

Just when Zhao Jun was about to report to the emperor what government affairs were handled by the Constitutional Yuan yesterday as usual, Zhao Zhen took the lead and said with a smile: "My lords, let me tell you some good news."

"The war in the northwest is going smoothly, and our army has captured a large area of ​​Xixia territory. Zhao Yuanhao does not know his own strength. He is a small country, but he dares to challenge the power of the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Zhen was slightly excited and said: "This is the way to die. I should encourage the generals at the border and let them achieve great feats again."

"Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty."

Zhao Jun knew what Zhao Zhen was farting when he heard it. He knew that he was happy that the Song Dynasty had finally opened up new territories, so he was the first to stand up and said: "Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, there has never been such an achievement in opening up the territory. Your Majesty's achievements." Still under Taizu."

"Your Majesty's divine power reaches all over the world, and the barbarians from all over the world are convinced. This is the blessing of the Song Dynasty and your Majesty's merit."

"Since your Majesty inherited the throne, our Song Dynasty is now prosperous, and the peace at home and abroad has been dependent on your Majesty. Today, we have such great virtues, Taizu Taizong has protected us, and it is also because your Majesty has kept a low profile and bided his time to achieve the merits of the Han Dynasty."

"Xixia is a remote and barbaric land. We, the Song Dynasty, are extremely kind to allow it to establish a country and become king. However, a few years ago, he suddenly proclaimed himself emperor and attacked our Song Dynasty. To attack him now is to punish the people."

Everyone praised them one after another. It was not that the officials of the Song Dynasty had no integrity and liked to flatter the emperor, but that their achievements in opening up new territories were indeed extraordinary for the Song Dynasty.

Four generations of emperors have passed since the founding of the Song Dynasty, but neither Zhao Kuangyin nor Zhao Guangyi has regained the entire Han world. Many places such as Yanyun, Longxi, and the Western Regions have not returned, and they are far from the territory like the Tang Dynasty.

Therefore, the Song Dynasty was very persistent in regaining lost territory. Song Zhezong risked the reputation of attacking allies to take Qingtang, and also attacked Xixia repeatedly. Song Huizong threatened that whoever regained Yanyun would be given the title of king with a different surname, which proved this point.

Moreover, Song Zhezong only took back Qingtang and achieved considerable military achievements. He can be regarded as a rare and promising leader in the Song Dynasty, and his evaluation is very high. Zhao Zhen not only regained Qingtang, but also took away a large area of ​​Xixia land. His achievements were much greater than those of Song Zhezong.

For a time, the whole court was filled with cheers, and Zhao Zhen felt the spring breeze blowing on his face, smiling from ear to ear as if he had eaten honey, feeling happy in his heart.

"While Your Majesty is happy, I think you don't need to report today. You have to report on the work of various ministries boringly every day. I think Your Majesty is annoyed, and so are everyone. Less formalism and more pragmatism is the truth."

Zhao Jun took the opportunity to stand up and said that he was tired of reporting like this every day, but sometimes there was a need to communicate between the ministries and the Political Yuan, the Political Yuan and the emperor, so there was really nothing that could be done.

But since everyone is very happy today, let’s just cancel the reporting program. Anyway, the daily work will be reported to the Constitutional Yuan. I will also tell Zhao Zhen at the regular meeting in the afternoon that there is really no need to repeat it every day.

"Well, let's cancel it then."

Zhao Zhen nodded.

Zhao Jun then said: "There are two major events this morning. The first major event is that I think comprehensive sanctions should be imposed on Xixia and Liao."

"Comprehensive sanctions?"

Zhao Zhen thought of what he had seen in movies and novels, and quickly asked: "Is it the one I thought of?"

"Yes."

Zhao Jun smiled and said: "From today on, Xixia and Liao will be blocked and suppressed in many aspects. I want them to prosper and decline and be on the verge of collapse in the next few years."

Zhao Zhen's breathing became rapid and he hurriedly said: "It's accurate!"

These words made many of the courtiers below confused.

What the hell?

Comprehensive sanctions?

What kind of sanctions?

"Then I will draw up a charter."

Zhao Jun nodded.

"Forehead"

Fu Bi, Minister of the Ministry of War, hesitated and asked: "I am confused. Can the Supreme Court tell us what comprehensive sanctions are?"

"For the sake of confidentiality, the specific content cannot be known to everyone now, but everyone will understand it soon."

Zhao Jun smiled and said.

In fact, there is nothing to say, just a comprehensive economic blockade.

The Liao Kingdom and Xixia had a brief period of national glory before the war began.

For example, Xixia not only took over the trade of the Song Dynasty, but also served as a transit bridge between the Western Regions and the Song Dynasty, so it was full of transactions.

The Liao Kingdom took over the trade between the Song Dynasty and Japan. The specialties of the Liao Kingdom were not only sold to the Song Dynasty by Song merchants, but also sold to Korea, Japan and other countries.

These four countries also sold a large amount of minerals, trees, livestock and other resources to the Song Dynasty as raw material producers, and naturally received a lot of money from the Song Dynasty.

This money was used by Xixia and Liao to purchase large quantities of iron, sulfur and other items, to produce weapons and equipment, gunpowder, artillery and other items, thereby entering the arms race.

However, there are still a large number of Song copper coins among the people.

Once the Song Dynasty blocked trade and refused to trade with the two countries, the Song copper coins of the two countries would instantly become scrap copper, and its value would be worthless.

Moreover, the country will also be in great difficulty due to the lack of basic daily necessities transportation from the Song Dynasty.

It may be an exaggeration to say that the economies of Liao and Xixia collapsed overnight and people's livelihoods were in dire straits, but within a year or two, it was still possible to make their national power plummet.

By then, the Song Dynasty will almost be able to send out all its troops, take Xixia and Liao directly, and take over the territories of the two countries, making Zhao Zhen happy again.

"Okay, let's talk about the second major issue today, what the Constitutional Yuan should choose."

As soon as Zhao Jun finished speaking, the breathing of the ministers in crimson robes behind them all began to quicken.