Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Although the Jin Kingdom has always been short of food, there is definitely enough food in Shangjing, and the surrounding cultivated land is gradually being developed.

Take the Hulan River Basin as an example. The main stream is called Hula Mushui and the tributaries are called Suishui.

The fertile land on both sides of the river was either cultivated by the official government or given to Jurchen soldiers, who were cultivated by serfs - most of whom were captured Han Chinese or Bohai people.

In that large area alone, a huge amount of grain is harvested every year, and grain taxes cannot be levied at will.

Because those fertile farmlands were either the land of the court or the land of the nobles. The former was brought directly to Beijing as grain, while the latter was sold by nobles to Beijing.

For example, in Hezha Mengan, even ordinary soldiers belonged to landlords, and the land they were granted was around Shangjing City.

The collection of military rations on the front line has led to the decline of people's livelihood, but a large amount of grain is still used to make wine in the rear.

In order to welcome the Ming envoy, Wu Qimai held a banquet.

At noon.

Ma Kuo went to the banquet alone and was led to the palace by Wanyan Zonggu.

Walking on the streets of Nancheng, Ma Kuo looked around for a while and said: "Compared to the last time I came here, Shangjing City seems to be much more shabby."

Wanyan Zonggu said with a smile: "A remote town cannot be compared with Bianliang."

"How many people are left in the two cities in the north and south?" Ma Kuo asked casually.

Wanyan Zonggu really didn't know: "You have to check the household register for this."

Even if you check the household register, you can't figure it out.

Serfs were not included in the household registration; they were the private property of the nobility.

In the early days of Wu Qimai's rule, he also made great efforts to govern. He wanted to clarify the household registration and turn more slaves into free citizens, but after being ignored, the account became increasingly confusing.

Arriving at the gate of the imperial city, Ma Kuo observed the guards again.

All of them are very young and do not have the spirit of bravery that has been experienced in the battlefield. It is estimated that Wu Qi bought the newly formed troops, and he was worried about using the previous guards.

If dozens of knights suddenly rush towards the palace, these guards may not be enough to see them.

After walking for more than ten minutes, we arrived at the main hall where the banquet was held.

Before Wu Qimai arrived, all the civil and military ministers were already seated.

The ministers of the Jurchen tribe mainly include the group of sons Wu Qi bought, as well as Po Luhuo and his relatives. Although Jin Wushu was killed, his son-in-law He Shiliezhining was promoted.

Wanyan Talan and Wanyan Sheng were both killed on the front line, but Wanyan Talan's other son was also promoted by Wu Qimai.

In addition, Wanyan Xiyin was a close confidant of Zong Han, and his family members who stayed in Shangjing were all executed!

Let’s talk about non-Jurchen civil servants.

Li Shi and Zhang Hao were of the highest rank, and both came from prominent Bohai families.

The third ranked person is Lu Yanlun, who was born as a Hanchen in the Liao Kingdom. He followed his boss (a Khitan) to pay gold in Linhuang Mansion, and then killed his boss who rebelled against the gold, and massacred all the Khitan people in Linhuang Mansion.

The capital city of Jin Kingdom was built by Lu Yanlun.

This guy seems to be an expert in city building. Several large cities in the Jin Kingdom in history were all built by Lu Yanlun.

The person around Lu Yanlun was named Mao Zilian.

The two of them are mortal enemies!

Mao Zilian surrendered the gold first, but Lu Yanlun had not surrendered yet. So Lu Yanlun killed Mao Zilian's wife and children. Mao Zilian shot Lu Yanlun's confidant to death with his own hands on the battlefield.

Lu Yanlun is Wu Qimai's confidant.

Mao Zilian is Wanyan Zongqian's confidant. He was not implicated this time because Wu Qimai did not want to expand the matter.

In addition, there were Han ministers such as Li Sanxi, Kong Jingzong, and Li Shikui.

When these Han officials were in the Liao Kingdom, they were all capable of leading troops. After surrendering to the Kingdom of Jin, he was gradually stripped of his military power and became a civilian official.

"The emperor has arrived!"

After shouting several times in succession, all the ministers stood up quickly.

Ma Kuo also stood up with a sneer.

Wu Qimai walked into the hall with his head held high. After accepting everyone's greetings, he smiled and waved and said, "Sit down, everyone. Today I am hosting a banquet for the Ming Dynasty envoys. I have brought out all the fine wines in my collection. Mr. Ma, come and have a drink with me." ”

Ma Kuo didn't see anyone outside and strode to the guest seat.

Wine and delicacies were served one after another, and bands and dancers also performed.

Wu Qimai raised his glass and said, "Mr. Ma, I haven't seen you for several years, but you are more energetic now."

Ma Kuo said: "To each other."

Wu Qimai said: "Because of you, I meet again after a long separation, so let's drink this cup."

Ma Kuo raised his glass toward the southwest: "Congratulations to the Emperor of Heaven!"

Wu Qimai was stunned for a moment, his expression changed slightly, and then he laughed loudly: "Congratulations to the great emperor of tomorrow!"

"Congratulations to the great emperor of tomorrow!"

The civil and military ministers of the Jin Kingdom, no matter what they thought in their hearts, they all shouted together.

There was no diplomatic dispute at this banquet today.

The Han and Bohai civil servants did not dare to speak nonsense, and the Jurchen nobles were also panicked, and no one stood up to stand up for the Jin Kingdom.

It was as if they were drinking to celebrate, each and every one of them drank to their heart's content, quite a bit like they were intoxicated.

Officials from all ethnic groups, including the Jurchen nobles, came to toast Ma Kuo one after another, drinking him to a pulp.

Until dusk, the banquet is over.

Ma Kuo was helped out of the palace and returned to the palace in a carriage.

Yang Zaixing helped Ma Kuo to the bedroom, sent the servant away, and asked in a low voice: "Is Mr. Ma really drunk?"

"I'm so...so drunk..."

Ma Kuo was not able to speak clearly, but he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and mustered up the energy to say: "You read it...I will listen."

Yang Zaixing read it carefully and said happily: "I have eighteen strong men in my family who can help you plan for great things. Who wrote this?"

Ma Kuo did not answer immediately. He lay there for a long time before rubbing his face and saying, "Mao Zilian. He took advantage of the toast and pretended to be drunk and unable to stand, and stuffed this note into my hand."

"What does this guy do?" Yang Zaixing asked.

Ma Kuo said, "He was originally from Linhuang Prefecture in Liao, and lived in the northern grasslands. At the end of Liao, bandits rose up, and he volunteered to join the army. He was summoned by the Liao lord for his meritorious service and was given armor and good horses. Because of surrendering to the Jin, his wife and children were killed by Lu Yanlun."

"This man is extremely brave. He was besieged by two thousand Liao cavalry, shot and killed a Liao general with his own hands, and then captured another Liao general alive, turning the situation around and defeating the Liao army."

Yang Zaixing commented, "Although he was brave, he betrayed his master and surrendered to the enemy."

Ma Kuo said, "At that time, the Liao Kingdom was ruled by a tyrant, treacherous ministers were in power, and they were corrupt and incompetent. His surrender to the Jin was nothing. This man was relieved of his military power by Wuqimai, and Wanyan Zonggan lured him over."

"Wanyan Zonggan was executed with his entire family. Although Wuqimai did not implicate the Han ministers, it also made Mao Zilian panic. What's more, killing his wife Lu Yanlun, the son of Wu Qimai, has also been promoted by Wu Qimai recently. How could Mao Zilian not be afraid? "

"He handed over this note secretly, perhaps guessing that I wanted to use force in Shangjing. Even if he didn't guess it, it also showed his intention to surrender to the Ming Dynasty."

Yang Zaixing said: "We have been under surveillance, and even officials follow us when we go to the streets. The war horses brought into the city are still kept elsewhere, and it is difficult to lead the cavalry to the imperial city for a while."

Ma Kuo seemed to be confident and said with a smile: "The imperial guards of the Jin Dynasty have never been on the battlefield. Wu Qimai's former personal soldiers had long been taken to the battlefield by powerful officials and died. He didn't dare to let those defeated soldiers who escaped back to guard the palace, so he could only recruit the sons of the Jurchen nobles in Shangjing City. Even without war horses, those dandy guards can be defeated!"

"That's right." Yang Zaixing nodded.

Ma Kuo continued, "What's more, the Bohai people and Han people here will not only not help Wuqimai fight, but are very likely to turn to us immediately. The defeated soldiers brought back by Wanyan Zongxian and Jin Wushu have probably long been disunited because Wushu was unjustly killed. They are scared by the Ming soldiers. Once the imperial city is attacked, they will probably not come to rescue, but choose to flee in all directions."

"But we must choose the right time to act. The beginning of spring is the best time. Otherwise, the heavy snow will block the road, and how can the Jin soldiers escape? If they flee to the wilderness, they will surely freeze to death and starve to death. Only when the snow melts, give them a way to survive, and they will flee back to their respective tribes."

Yang Zaixing suddenly realized that the civil servant in front of him was so insidious!

"Mr. Ma really calculated everything." Yang Zaixing admired sincerely.

Ma Kuo said: "In fact, we can persuade him to surrender, but there are too many variables."

Yang Zaixing suddenly thought of an idea: "Why not keep negotiating with Wuqimai, and when the snow melts in spring, we will lie and say we are going back to report. By then, the cavalry will be able to gather with their war horses, and it will be reasonable to even wear armor. Moreover, the peace talks have been successful, Wuqimai's vigilance has been greatly reduced, and we will rush to the imperial city unexpectedly!"

"Your plan is very brilliant!" Ma Kuo immediately looked at Yang Zaixing differently. He always thought that Yang Zaixing was a brave general without brains.

For a period of time, Ma Kuo negotiated very seriously.

He even told Wuqimai about the idea of ​​the court to set up the Andong Protectorate.

He also said that he would report to the court and ask Wuqimai to be appointed as the commander of Huligai, and to hand over the territory of Tunhe Meng'an to Wuqimai.

Then, the issue of slaves was discussed in detail.

Ma Kuo said that slaves in various places must be released and then registered as citizens. But Wuqimai could take away 1,000 slaves, and he had to leave the eunuchs behind, and he was not allowed to use eunuchs in the future.

He also talked about how much tribute he would pay each year in the future, and bargained with Wuqimai.

It was really a serious negotiation, and he was fussy about many things. As the conversation went on, Wuqimai became convinced.

Once the negotiation was concluded, Wuqimai could become a local emperor.

He could obtain the land around Huligaicheng (Yilan County) and Tunhe Meng'an (Tangyuan County). They were all fertile lands next to the river, and the population was relatively sufficient. After ten years of operation, two or three thousand soldiers could be pulled out.

Wuqimai continued to bargain, hoping to take away 100 craftsmen and their wives and children.

Ma Kuo said he was very embarrassed, and finally the two sides compromised and allowed Wuqimai to take away 50 craftsmen.

Then there was armor again. After a heated debate, they agreed that Wuqimai could take away 1,000 sets of armor. The remaining armor must all be handed over.

As time passed, the snow began to melt.

Ma Kuo said he was leaving and reported the peace talks plan to the court.

This result made everyone very happy, especially the Bohai people and Han civil officials. They could integrate into the Ming Dynasty and did not have to move with Wuqimai.

Jurchen nobles such as Poluhuo were also quite satisfied because they could return to their tribes and the Ming Dynasty promised to appoint the leaders of each tribe as commanders.

On the day of departure, Ma Kuo asked all the cavalrymen to wear armor and ride their war horses in Shangjing City.

Wuqimai did not think much about this, he thought Ma Kuo was showing off his military power.