Physician of the Song Dynasty: Zhang Kai and Li Qingzhao have a private life-long contract

"How can this be?"

Zeng Bu opened his mouth wide!

That was 700,000 against 20,000, almost a crushing advantage, but now they are defeated miserably!

"The Jin Kingdom is so terrifying!"

Zhao Xu couldn't help but take a deep breath.

The defeat of the Liao Dynasty was certainly due to internal strife in the Liao Dynasty and the assistance of the Song Dynasty, but such a huge disparity in the outcome of the battle shocked the world.

You have to know that this was not due to a defect in the army or a strange strategy, but a head-on confrontation, and both sides were cavalry and had firearms.

Fan Chunli said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that the Song Dynasty will have to change its attitude towards the Jin Kingdom in this battle!"

The Jin Dynasty had such powerful fighting power that it could defeat even the 700,000-strong Liao army. The Song Dynasty's apparent fighting power was not as good as that of the Liao Dynasty, and it was likely that it would follow in the Liao Dynasty's footsteps if it was not careful.

Many conservative ministers echoed this view, saying that the Song Dynasty had suffered too many losses in the north and was unwilling to allow another strong enemy to appear in the north.

Zhang Dun said radically: "No, I think this is a great opportunity for the Song Dynasty to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun."

Now that the Liao Kingdom has been badly defeated and is at a weak point, it is a once-in-a-century opportunity to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

The New Party members all agreed. The New Party pursued a policy of opening up borders. Recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun was the long-cherished wish of the Song Dynasty. Now it was within their grasp, so they were naturally excited.

For a while, the court was divided into two factions. One side believed that the Jin Kingdom was so powerful that they naturally had to guard against its expansion to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Liao Kingdom. The other side wanted to take advantage of the Liao army's defeat to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

Zhao Xu looked around and looked at Prime Minister Su Song, and asked, "Prime Minister Su, how do you think the Song Dynasty should behave?"

Su Song thought for a moment and said, "I think the Song Dynasty should wait and see what happens!"

"Just wait and see?" Zhao Xu asked puzzledly.

Su Song nodded and said, "As the saying goes, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. The Liao Kingdom has only experienced a major defeat, but it still has a vast territory. The current situation is still that the Liao Kingdom is strong and the Jin Kingdom is weak! The Jin Kingdom wants to destroy the Liao Kingdom, but it is impossible in a short period of time. Now the situation between the Liao and Jin Kingdoms is unclear. The best way for the Song Dynasty is to wait and see!"

Cai Jing said urgently: "Mr. Su, don't miss this opportunity. No matter which of the Liao and Jin dynasties wins, they will probably regard the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun as their own and will not give them up easily. The Song Dynasty will probably miss this opportunity!"

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are a grain-producing area, which is the foundation for the prosperity of nomadic peoples. This is also the reason why the Liao Dynasty was so powerful. Once the Liao Dynasty recovers, the Song Dynasty will have to pay a greater price to regain the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun!

Zhao Xu nodded in agreement. The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were too important. For the Song Dynasty, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were the lifeline of the north. With the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, no matter whether it was the Liao Kingdom or the Jin Kingdom in the north, it would be insignificant to the Song Dynasty, and the offensive and defensive situation would be different!

For Liao and Jin, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were also a lifeline. Countless Han people grew grain, worked in metallurgy, and did labor for the grassland tribes. If the Liao Kingdom did not own the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, with the strength of the grassland tribes, no matter how powerful the Liao Kingdom was, it would not be able to defeat the Central Plains dynasty.

Su Song shook his head and said, "Your Majesty is too impatient. Our Song Dynasty has just conquered Western Xia, and we have wasted a lot of food and fodder. We don't have much money and grain to support the recovery of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. If we start a war now, I'm afraid our Song Dynasty will be difficult to maintain, just like Taizu and Taizong, who failed at the last moment."

"That's right. Our Song Dynasty just fought a great war and has no strength to fight again. Moreover, Magistrate Fan just sold his land and does not have much money and grain reserves. It would be better to wait until the Song and Liao countries decide the winner before recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun."

Many officials are also worried.

Su Shi also stood up and said, "Our dynasty has signed a peace treaty with the Liao Kingdom, and the two countries have maintained peace for decades. If we send troops now, wouldn't it be that the Song Dynasty broke the alliance? Besides, sending troops at this moment will only allow the Jin Kingdom to gain an advantage for nothing."

Zhao Xu was suddenly as if a basin of cold water was poured down on him. Taizu and Taizong had both failed in their northern expeditions. Emperors of all dynasties had wanted to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, but they were all cautious. If he was too eager for quick success, he would probably repeat the same mistake.

At this moment, Zhao Xu couldn't help but think of Fan Zhenghong's vision, to destroy Liao and Xia in one fell swoop and complete the super unification. If he just wanted to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, it would not be a bad idea to send troops at this moment.

If Zhao Xu wants to achieve super unification, he must not only recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, but also wipe out the northern grassland tribes in one fell swoop. He must make full preparations!

"Pass the order, pay close attention to the war between Liao and Jin, and do not act rashly!" Zhao Xu finally suppressed his impatience and gave the order slowly.

"Your Majesty, please think twice!" Cai Jing said urgently.

Now Fan Zheng is the prefect of Kaifeng, and Zeng Bu is the most powerful person in the army. Once the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are recovered, it will all be the credit of the New Party.

"More haste, less speed! Just do it!" Zhao Xu had regained his composure and shouted.

If it was Zhao Xu who had just succeeded to the throne, he would certainly not be able to bear the temptation to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. But now that the Song Dynasty has already destroyed Qingtang, Tubo, Dali, and has just destroyed Western Xia, it will take some time to digest these occupied territories. More importantly, Zhao Xu wants to win the battle in one go, completely eliminate the threat from the north of the Song Dynasty, and complete the super unification.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Su Song and others bowed.

Now Fan Zheng has found another source of funds for the imperial court. Once the imperial court accumulates a large amount of money by selling land, that will be the time for the Song Dynasty to march north to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

At this moment, Fan Zheng was not paying attention to court affairs, but instead focused all his energy on the Biandong New District.

With the precedent of Shanghai City, construction sites have sprung up in the Biandong New District and are bustling with activity.

"Your Excellency the Prefect, the new district has not only attracted a large number of wealthy families and merchants, but also a large number of construction sites that require a lot of labor. The population of Kaifeng City now exceeds two million, and all industries are thriving!" Bao Kang said excitedly.

Although Shanghai enjoyed the convenience of sea transportation, it was an emerging city and the best locations were all controlled by the imperial court, so the prices available for sale were not high.

But in Kaifeng City, they saw with their own eyes how valuable every inch of land is. Kaifeng City had been enclosed by city walls for a hundred years, and the land in the city had long been in short supply. The people of Kaifeng were squeezed in small houses and suffered terribly. The emergence of the Biandong New District can be said to have solved the Kaifeng people's dream of living in luxury houses!

In addition to the common people of Kaifeng, there were also people who came from all over the country to take imperial examinations. There was an endless stream of people coming to Kaifeng to buy houses. Soon, the price of a house started at a thousand strings of coins, and the price of a luxury house reached tens of thousands of strings of coins.

The prosperity of real estate naturally led to the development of labor. A large number of laborers poured into Kaifeng City to build houses, further stimulating the prosperity of Kaifeng City.

"Not enough, still not enough!"

Fan Zheng looked at the prosperous housing market in Kaifeng. Although the housing market is still prosperous, it is still far from the grand occasion of Kyoto in later generations where the qualifications for purchasing a house were controlled.

He also heard about the war between Liao and Jin. The Jin Kingdom once again defeated the Liao Kingdom. That is to say, according to the historical trend, the Jin Kingdom was destined to rise. He had to reserve enough money and grain for the Song Dynasty as soon as possible to fight against the more powerful Jin Kingdom.

"Isn't this enough?" The masters frowned.

Bao Kang thought for a moment and said, "In fact, there are still some people in the world who want to buy real estate in Kaifeng but cannot!"

"Who is it?" Fan Zheng asked in surprise. He remembered that he did not set any restrictions on real estate in Kaifeng. How could someone not be able to buy a house?

Bao Kang gritted his teeth and said, "Merchant!"

"Merchant?" Fan Zheng was very puzzled. Merchants in Kaifeng could buy properties in the Biandong New District, so how could they not be able to buy one?

Bao Kang shook his head and said, "What Bao is talking about is not the merchants in Kaifeng City, but the merchants from other places!"

"Merchant from other places!" Fan Zheng frowned. Merchants from other places did not need to come to Kaifeng City to do business, and naturally did not need to buy real estate in the Biandong New District.

Bao Kang pointed out: "It is true that foreign merchants do not need real estate in Kaifeng, but it does not mean that they do not need the qualification to take the imperial examination!"

Fan Zheng suddenly realized something and said, "Do you want me to allow merchants who have purchased real estate in Kaifeng to participate in the imperial examination?"

Bao Kang nodded and said, "There are only three types of people in the world who can afford to buy real estate in the Biandong New District. One type is the wealthy families in Kaifeng City, one type is the landlords from all over the world, and the third type is the wealthy merchants from all over the world. The reason why the landlords from all over the world come to the Biandong New District to buy houses is to take the imperial examination, and there is only one reason to impress the wealthy merchants from all over the world to buy houses, and that is the imperial examination!"

Fan Zheng nodded solemnly. He had to admit that what Bao Kang said was true. If wealthy businessmen from all over the world were not allowed to take part in the imperial examinations, then wealthy businessmen from all over the country would lose the motivation to come to Kaifeng to buy houses. In other words, Kaifeng City had lost one-third of its customers!

Fan Zheng pondered the possibility of this matter. According to his later memories, later dynasties also relaxed restrictions. In the Ming Dynasty, Tang Bohu's father ran a restaurant, which did not affect Tang Bohu's participation in the imperial examination. The Qing Dynasty even allowed businessmen to donate money to become officials.

Moreover, the current commercial tax of the Song Dynasty has occupied the mainstream of the Song Dynasty's taxation, and the status of merchants is still low. This is indeed a bit unreasonable. However, allowing merchants to participate in the imperial examinations for no reason will certainly arouse opposition from many literati. If merchants are allowed to purchase real estate in Kaifeng to obtain the qualification for the imperial examinations, this way, the restrictions on merchants can be relaxed and the court can obtain a sum of taxes. Isn't it the best of both worlds!

"This matter is not something I can decide on. I need to report it to the court!" Fan Zheng nodded solemnly.

"Your Excellency is wise!" Bao Kang bowed deeply.

..............................

"What? Lift the restrictions on the imperial examinations for merchants!"

The next day, Fan Zheng went to the court in person and reported the matter to Zhao Xu!

However, as soon as Fan Zheng finished speaking, the entire court was in an uproar.

"Rebellious son, what are you talking about? The hierarchy of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans is a thousand-year-old tradition. Merchants are lowly occupations, so how can you take part in the imperial examinations!" Fan Chunli shouted angrily.

Other officials also looked at Fan Zheng with dissatisfaction. He was a high-ranking scholar-official, so how could he be with those lowly sons of merchants?

Facing the uproar in the court, Fan Zheng remained calm and said, "What Fan said is not to unconditionally lift the restrictions on the imperial examination, but that only those who buy a house in Kaifeng City can participate in the imperial examination!"

"Buy a house in Kaifeng City!" All the officials in the court were shrewd people and understood Fan Zheng's intention instantly.

That is to attract merchants from all over the world to buy houses in Kaifeng by participating in the imperial examination! The court benefited, and the merchants obtained Kaifeng real estate and imperial examination qualifications.

Zhang Dun was dissatisfied and said: "If the descendants of merchants can take the imperial examination by buying a house in Kaifeng, wouldn't it be unfair to other imperial examinations in the world!"

Many ministers agreed!

Fan Zheng retorted: "Since everyone else in the world who comes to Kaifeng to buy a house can take the imperial examination, it's too unfair that only merchants can't take the examination!"

Zhang Dun sneered, "What nonsense! Merchants are a lowly profession. This has been a tradition for thousands of years!"

Fan Zheng sneered, "Thousands of years of tradition, ancestors are not to be followed, destiny is not to be feared, and people's words are not to be pitied. It's a pity that Wang Xianggong's ideas have been almost forgotten by Zhang Xianggong."

"You......!" Zhang Dun's face suddenly turned red.

Logically speaking, the New Party was the vanguard of reform, but now the New Party has changed and is even upholding traditional bad habits.

Zhang Dun forcefully defended himself, "It's not that I have forgotten Mr. Wang's ideals, it's just that merchants who hoard goods, speculate, buy low and sell high have been defined by successive dynasties as lowly people and a scourge to society!"

When Fan Zheng heard this, he suddenly understood something and bowed to Zhao Xu, saying, "After hearing what you said, I suddenly realized something. Since merchants are so harmful, I beg you to follow your advice and order the people of the country to stop doing business so as to prevent future troubles."

"No!"

"This must never be done!"

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