Xianxia version of Water Margin

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After Jiang Hongfei defeated Tian Hu, recruited the Zhejia Army belonging to the Zhao Song Dynasty, and defeated the Jinning Army of the Zhao Song Dynasty, and completely seized Hedong, Zhao Ji and his ministers panicked!

Many ministers of the Zhao Song Dynasty asserted that Jiang Hongfei's next step would be to invade the south, break the Zhao Song Dynasty's defense line in the north, and then attack the Zhao Song Dynasty's capital, Dongjing Bianliang City, reminding the Zhao Song court to prepare early.

Starting from November 19th, the fifth year of the Zhao Song Dynasty Xuanhe period, the Zhao Song Dynasty held a suburban ceremony.

The so-called suburban ceremony is the great ceremony of the emperor worshiping heaven and earth. This is a symbol of the emperor's status and a symbol of the legitimacy of the regime.

The winter solstice day is an activity that rulers of all dynasties attach great importance to and is a national ceremony.

——At the same time, Jiang Hongfei also held a suburban ceremony at the Temple of Heaven in Yuan Dadu.

The ritual of offering sacrifices to heaven in the Zhao Song Dynasty was mainly manifested in the "three-year-old system of offering sacrifices to heaven in person", that is, once every three years, on the winter solstice in November, the emperor personally presided over the sacrifice to heaven at the Circular Mound in the southern suburbs of the city of Tokyo Bianliang.

This is different from the annual ritual of offering sacrifices to heaven by the emperor of the Western Zhou Dynasty, and also different from the later generations of officials who took over the sacrifices to heaven.

The "three-year-old system of offering sacrifices to heaven in person" is said to have started with Qin Shihuang, but it seems that it was not really implemented before the Song Dynasty.

The "three-year-old system of offering sacrifices to heaven in person" in the Zhao Song Dynasty was formed during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song Dynasty, and the emperors of the Zhao Song Dynasty have been following it since then.

Perhaps it was because he followed the principle of "the most important affairs of the country are sacrifices and wars", Zhao Ji attached great importance to holding grand ceremonies. During his more than 20 years in office, he personally presided over as many as 18 grand ceremonies, including the southern suburbs ceremony and the Mingtang ceremony.

The ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven is very grand and complicated, and Zhao Ji and his ministers attach great importance to it.

In fact, not only the officials of the Zhao Song Dynasty, but also the people of the Zhao Song Dynasty, the winter solstice is also a very important festival.

"Dongjing Menghualu" said: "The winter solstice in November is the most important festival in the capital. Even the poorest people save money for a year and change into new clothes on this day, prepare food and drink, and worship their ancestors. The officials open the gates and celebrate and exchange, just like the New Year."

After the ceremony in the southern suburbs, Zhao Ji slowly walked down the altar and went to the Duancheng Hall in the suburban palace.

At this time, it was not yet dawn, and all the officials gathered to congratulate. Suddenly, an owl "laughed" on the roof of the hall, as if responding to the praises.

Seeing this, many ministers of the Zhao Song Dynasty were shocked!

In the eyes of the ancients, owls belong to "ominous birds", also called them "soul-chasing birds", "birds that announce funerals", etc., and ancient books also call them "strange owls", "ghost carts", "evil souls" or "wandering", as a symbol of bad luck and death.

In short, the owl is regarded as an unlucky bird. Its appearance indicates death or destruction, or it is already a sign of death or destruction.

The subjects of the Zhao Song Dynasty felt very uneasy about the owl appearing at the most important suburban ceremony of the Zhao Song Dynasty. They all felt that bad luck would befall the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Of course, the subjects of the Zhao Song Dynasty were not aimless. They had a basis for such speculation.

After completely recovering Hedong, Jiang Hongfei redeployed the defense of the Yuan Empire.

Under Jiang Hongfei's arrangement, the Yuan army was divided into two parts by Jiang Hongfei:

The first part was mainly composed of generals from the Zhao Song Dynasty, including Wang Bing, Li Yanxian, Zhao Li, Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, Liu Qi, Wu Jie, Wu Lin, Wang Yan, etc. Jiang Hongfei deployed them and 300,000 troops at various passes and dangerous places on the northern line, and asked them to defend against the Jin people, grassland tribes and Xixia in the north. To put it bluntly, they were mainly external.

The other part is mainly composed of generals of the Yuan army, mainly Liangshan generals, Liao surrendered generals, and Tian Hu's surrendered generals. Jiang Hongfei deployed them in various dangerous places in the north, letting them use the Yellow River as a defense line to guard against the Zhao Song Dynasty and Wang Qing. To put it bluntly, Jiang Hongfei mainly used this part of the troops for internal affairs and to compete for the Central Plains in the future.

One of the reasons why Jiang Hongfei did this was that he did not want these generals who were once loyal to the Zhao Song Dynasty (even in history) to face psychological struggles when dealing with the Zhao Song Dynasty. If they were instigated by the Zhao Song Dynasty again, it would be troublesome.

In addition, Jiang Hongfei believed that these famous anti-Jin generals in history must have national justice, and they would never let the Hu Lu go south to invade the Han people.

When facing the Zhao Song Dynasty, the Liangshan generals, the Liao surrendered generals, and the surrendered generals under Tian Hu would definitely not be reluctant, and would not be easily instigated by the Zhao Song Dynasty. After all, they were either rebels or foreigners.

It is worth mentioning that Jiang Hongfei's next move, whether it is to attack Wang Qing or Song, will definitely focus on the south, so Jiang Hongfei has stationed 500,000 troops along the Yellow River.

What Jiang Hongfei never expected was that Jiang Hongfei's frequent deployment of troops to the south and the stationing of 500,000 troops along the Yellow River were mistaken by Zhao Ji and his ministers as Jiang Hongfei's preparation to attack the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Heaven and earth conscience!

After years of fighting, the Yuan army was already very tired. The food and supplies that Jiang Hongfei had accumulated before were not so sufficient now. Even Jiang Hongfei himself wanted to rest for a while. So, did Jiang Hongfei really want to recuperate for a year or two, and then find an opportunity to see whether to attack Wang Qing first or Song first?

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji and his ministers misread Jiang Hongfei's idea.

When Zhao Ji learned that Jiang Hongfei had recently frequently dispatched troops to the south and stationed hundreds of thousands of troops along the Yellow River, he was horrified. He urgently issued an edict, requiring all officials to write to explain the pros and cons.

The edict said: "The Yuan Dynasty has hundreds of thousands of troops and wants to invade the south. When dealing with matters here, it is reasonable to inquire about the interests, select talents, grant permission to civil and military officials, all kinds of people, and submit a petition to the minister to take effect, and present the Chen to closely analyze the interests." .

On this day, in the Chongzheng Hall, Zhao Ji looked at Liang Shicheng, whom he no longer trusted, and said: "When the Northern Incident started, others misunderstood me, and Du Taishi was right from beginning to end. From now on, there is no need to ask him if he is right?"

——Liang Shicheng once opposed the Zhao and Song Dynasty’s alliance with Jin to destroy Liao and recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. He advocated that in order to fight against foreign aggression, one must first settle the internal affairs. The four major bandits should be eliminated first before going to war with foreign countries.

When Liang Shicheng saw Zhao Ji asking him for advice, he became worried and said in Zhao Ji's ear: "The official family can give the throne to the prince."

Zhao Ji listened and stopped silently.

To be honest, the current situation is so difficult, and people have to patch things up everywhere to barely keep the big house riddled with holes in the Zhao Song Dynasty from falling down. Under such circumstances, Zhao Ji has really had enough of being the emperor.

Therefore, Liang Shicheng's proposal made Zhao Ji a little excited!

Zhao Ji thought to himself, if he left this mess to his son, would he be able to go back to asking questions, writing, drawing, reciting poems, doing things right, and fighting with his concubines every day? A beautiful and happy life where you can be flirtatious, have no shame or shame, and go out to see a prostitute in your free time?

The more Zhao Ji thought about it, the more excited he became!

Therefore, Zhao Ji appointed the crown prince Zhao Huan as Kaifeng Mu. He said in his imperial pen: "In addition to Kaifeng Mu, the crown prince will be the only one to follow the story. This is my intention. It is not Jian Ming, the minister on the left and right, who gave this intention to Hanlin Cao Zhi."

Kaifeng Mu and Yin were not often placed in the Zhao and Song dynasties.

Because Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi and Song Zhenzong Zhao Heng both became Kaifeng Mu and Yin first, and then ascended the throne and proclaimed themselves emperor.

Zhao Ji appointed Zhao Huan as Kaifeng Mu at the critical moment when "Jiang Hongfei was about to lead his army south to attack the Song Dynasty". His purpose was obviously to let Zhao Huan stay in Tokyo to resist the Yuan army's attack, while he planned to withdraw south to Jianghuai, which Tong Guan had just recovered. area to avoid the enemy's sharp edge.

The next day, Zhao Ji ordered all the ministers to gather in the capital hall to discuss Zhao Huan's appointment as Kaifeng Mu.

Yousi quickly decided to let Zhao Huan take over the affairs of Kaifeng Mansion as soon as possible.

Another day later, Zhao Ji ordered to remove the goldfish worn by Zhao Huan and give him a square jade belt.

According to the regulations of the Zhao and Song Dynasty, the Paifang jade belt was only used by the emperor, and courtiers were not allowed to wear the Paifang jade belt.

However, there are two exceptions.

First, in the Xining year, because of the recovery of Xihe, Song Shenzong specially untied the Paifang jade belt and gave it to Wang Anshi. Wang Anshi only wore it for one day, and then he didn't dare to wear it anymore.

Second, in the Daguan year, because of the recovery of the Qingtang Dynasty, Zhao Ji gave Paifang jade to Cai Jing with the story of Xihe. Cai Jing didn't dare to ask for it, so he turned into a jade belt, so Cai Jing dared to accept the imperial edict.

At this time, Zhao Ji gave the Paifang Jade Belt to Zhao Huan. His intention was to show the ministers that Zhao Huan could issue orders as the emperor while he stayed in the capital.

Then Zhao Ji gave Zhao Huan two concubines and two minor concubines.

Seeing that Zhao Ji had given him two concubines, Zhao Huan looked at them and cried, "What do I want them to do?"

Before Zhao Ji ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Xiang, who made Zhao Ji the emperor, gave Zhao Ji two maids (now Queen Zheng and Wang Guifei).

If those who are engaged in politics cannot even see that Zhao Ji wants to take the Zen position by this time, they will not be worthy of standing in the temple.

Zhao Ji believed that if Jiang Hongfei went south again, he would be coming fiercely, and Gao Qiu and the others would not be able to stop his offensive.

Therefore, after appointing Zhao Huan as Kaifeng Mu, Zhao Ji wanted to take refuge south.

Based on this, seeing that all the Song ministers had guessed his thoughts, Zhao Ji simply stopped hiding it and started blatantly discussing with the ministers how to arrange the ministers in the southeast, how to use ships to transport treasures south, etc. matters...

Seeing that Zhao Ji had decided to leave, all the officials of the Song Dynasty petitioned Zhao Ji to let Prince Zhao Huan supervise the country.

Zhao Ji agreed and said: "Officials from the three provinces and the Privy Council will all stay in the capital and follow the crown prince, and all the officials can stay still..."

Zhao Ji also personally appointed Taizai Bai Shizhong, who was also in charge of the Privy Council envoy, as the palace envoy; You Chengyu Wen Cuizhong, who was also the minister of Zhongshu, was the deputy palace envoy; he also arranged two promotion officers...

Just when Zhao Ji was preparing for Nanxing in full swing, Wu Min, a student at Shizhong and Zhixue Academy, asked to see Zhao Ji, saying that he had something important to report in person.

In the midst of his busy schedule, Zhao Ji asked his chamberlain Deng Wengao to convey the order, ordering Wu Min to come to Yuhua Pavilion in the evening to have an audience.

Wu Min was talented when he was young. Cai Jing liked his writing and wanted to marry Mrs. Cai to her, but he declined. Later, Mrs. Cai married Liang Taishu out of shame and anger, and was taken over by Jiang Hongfei.

Perhaps in order to show his generosity to the world, Cai Jing later went out of his way to recommend Wu Min as an official, and frequently gave Wu Min the green light in Wu Min's official career.

It can be said that Wu Min was promoted by Cai Jing.

After Wu Min saw Zhao Ji, he boldly said: "If the Yuan-Chongqing Alliance sends a large army south to attack the Song Dynasty, how will your majesty treat it?"

Zhao Ji frowned and thought to himself: "If I had my way, could I give the Zen throne to Zhao Huan, the son I don't like? Can I escape to Jinling where the war has not subsided?"

At this time, Zhao Ji had actually decided to take refuge south, and had already issued an edict ordering Li Zhe, the Minister of Household Affairs, to go to Jinling to prepare a front line for him.

Seeing that "Zhao Ji was silent", Wu Min asked again: "I heard that your Majesty has decided on the plan of patrolling, is that true?"

Zhao Ji remained silent.

When Wu Min saw it, he said: "As a matter of fact, my ministers have planned it. Now when the capital heard that the Yuan army generals were entering in large numbers, people were shocked. Some people wanted to run away, some wanted to defend, and some wanted to rebel. Let the three types of people guard together. A country will be destroyed.”

Zhao Ji has been the emperor for more than 20 years, how could he not know that what Wu Min said was the truth?

So Zhao Ji asked: "What can I do?"

Wu Min said: "I dreamed yesterday that to the north of the water, there was a jade statue that was about to cross the river. It stretched to the sky. To the south of the water, there was a jade statue covered with iron. People called it Mencius. To the south of Mencius was another water. To the south of it was a jade statue. There is a mountain slope, and I am in the middle of it. People say: "Go to Taishang Mountain." I personally explained: "The one in the north of water is Hebei; the one in south of water is Jiangnan; Taiqing, Yuanshi Tianzun, Dayuanye." "Your Majesty, you should know what you mean by "Unchangeable". When I asked the guests, Xi Yi, a scholar from Zhongshushe, said to me: "Mencius is the eldest son of the emperor and the princes."

Zhao Ji was thoughtful - he somewhat understood what Wu Min meant.

Having said this, Wu Min bowed to the ground and said: "Your Majesty knows what is said. I will not avoid death. Your Majesty has made a plan to patrol. What if the defenders are not strong and the walkers fail?"

Zhao Ji let out a long sigh: "That's exactly what I'm worried about."

Wu Min said: "Your Majesty makes the defenders powerful and blessed enough to use them exclusively, then the defense will be firm, and those who keep it firm will be successful."

Zhao Ji completely understood what Wu Min meant.

Seeing that Zhao Ji understood what he meant, Wu Min boldly assured him: "If your majesty can follow your policy, I dare to guarantee that your saintly life will be boundless. Your majesty has been building the divine sky for many years. A long-lived king can be said to have a boundless saintly life. However, If there is no Qinghua Emperor beside the Changsheng Emperor, how can the Qinghua Emperor be able to live forever?

——The Spring Palace is the East Palace, because the "East" time is spring and the color is "green", so the East Palace is also called "Spring Palace" and "Qing Palace".

What Wu Min meant was that only by completely surrendering Zhao Ji's throne to Zhao Huan could Zhao Huan control those Tokyo subjects who wanted to fight, make peace, and escape, and unite them to repel the Yuan army's attack.

Zhao Ji knew that what Wu Min said was not wrong.

Therefore, after listening to Wu Min's suggestion, Zhao Ji fell into deep thought.

Seeing that he had persuaded Zhao Ji, Wu Min kept up his efforts and said: "If your majesty can make a plan, the clan will be safe; if you cannot make a plan, the clan will be overthrown. The safety of the clan depends on your majesty's thoughts."

That night, Zhao Ji couldn't sleep all night.

In fact, Zhao Ji had known for a long time that all the subjects of the Zhao and Song dynasties felt that it was because of his ignorance that the country of the Song Dynasty was like this, and wanted him to abdicate in favor of the virtuous Zhao Huan.

Zhao Ji also felt that Jiang Hongfei, Wang Qing and Fang La all rebelled against the Song Dynasty because of his stupidity and immorality. Perhaps, after he abdicated, Jiang Hongfei, Wang Qing and Fang La would "know their way back" and accept the Zhao and Song Dynasty's recruitment, and finally Worse, they no longer had an excuse to attack the Song Dynasty.

In short, in order to stabilize the court and the people, and to preserve the country of the Zhao and Song Dynasties, Zhao Ji was willing to abdicate to bear the mistakes he made.

In other words, in Zhao Ji's view, the Zen position is not a shirk of responsibility. On the contrary, the Zen position is an expression of the courage to take responsibility.

In other words, Zhao Ji felt that the essence of his Zen position at this time was to take the blame and resign.

However, despite making this determination, in the dead of night, Zhao Ji came to Yuxu Hall alone and divined in person whether he should pass the throne to Zhao Huan?

No one knows what the result of the divination will be. People only know that the next day, Zhao Ji called a group of ministers and Wu Min to discuss the specific matters of giving the Zen throne to Zhao Huan...

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