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

Fan Zheng returned to Kaifeng Prefecture and conveyed the news from the court.

"Not only merchants, but even entertainers and minor officials can take part in the imperial examinations!" Bao Kang said in disbelief.

Fan Zheng nodded and said, "That's right. Except for people who have committed crimes within three generations, anyone in the world who buys a house in Kaifeng City can participate in the imperial examination!"

Although Zhao Xu agreed to establish a united front, under the current circumstances, he still needed to use Kaifeng real estate to raise money for the Northern Expedition! Therefore, he could only tie the imperial examinations of merchants and others to Kaifeng real estate. As for fully liberalizing it, I am afraid it will have to wait until the Song Dynasty is truly unified.

"Thank you, sir, for speaking out for justice. I would like to thank you on behalf of all the suffering people in the world!" Bao Kang bowed solemnly to Fan Zheng.

Fan Zheng waved his hand and said, "No need to do that. I have my own selfish motives. The more people buy real estate in Kaifeng, the higher the price will be!"

Bao Kang bowed solemnly and said, "Don't worry, sir. Once this news comes out, the housing prices in Kaifeng will surely soar!"

As expected by Bao Kang! When the whole world was in uproar, countless people cried with joy, as they had been discriminated against for generations, especially merchants, who were still inferior to others even if their families were wealthy.

And now they finally have the opportunity to change their destiny, which is to obtain real estate and household registration in Kaifeng.

At that time, a large number of merchants, entertainers and other people of low status but with huge wealth rushed to Kaifeng City. The originally slightly sluggish Kaifeng real estate price increased three times in one day, and the housing market was unprecedentedly hot.

Kaifeng Prefecture took advantage of the situation to hold another round of centralized land auctions, once again making huge amounts of money, which once again confirmed that Kaifeng City's land finance was the correct method for raising money and grain for the Northern Expedition.

Of course, Fan Zheng did not exhaust all the resources, but invested part of the money in the planning of the Biandong New District. Brand new roads, magnificent parks, sewers, and even hospitals, schools and government offices were all available and rationally planned, which further pushed up the housing prices in Kaifeng!

As a result, the housing prices in the Biandong New District even exceeded those in the old city of Kaifeng. What's worse, it gave rise to the real estate speculation business in later generations, further exacerbating the booming housing market in Kaifeng.

The booming real estate market in Kaifeng further gave rise to the prosperity of the surrounding brick, tile, wood and artificial industries. The taxes in Kaifeng city once again rose because of real estate!

"Your Excellency is wise!"

Bao Kang said sincerely convinced.

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

Three years later, Fan Zheng looked at the brand new Biandong New District with a proud face.

Today, the population of Kaifeng City has exploded again, the real estate market is booming, and coupled with the original industrial chain of the imperial capital, Kaifeng City has ushered in unprecedented prosperity!

At the same time, the new areas in the south and west of the city also developed steadily. Kaifeng reached its peak, all industries flourished, and the permanent population plus floating population approached 5 million! Taxes reached their peak.

"Five million people!"

“This is Kaifeng City!”

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

Everyone who witnessed Kaifeng City's miraculous leap could not help but sigh in admiration.

When the evil doctor Fan Zheng was tearing down the city wall of Kaifeng, almost everyone in the world opposed it. Now, the population of Kaifeng is nearly five million. The sense of crisis caused by the tearing down of the city wall has long disappeared, and people are enjoying the demographic dividend brought by the rapid population growth in Kaifeng.

"This is Kaifeng City. It's not unfair that Xixia was defeated!"

Amid the crowd, Li Qianshun, the King of Western Xia, looked at the prosperity of Kaifeng City and couldn't help but sigh.

He once thought that Xingqing Prefecture of Western Xia was a great city in the world, but compared with the current Kaifeng City, it was like a firefly compared to the bright moon.

"Evil doctor Fan Zheng!"

The Western Xia Queen Yelu Nanxian standing by looked embarrassed. The Song Dynasty was able to have such a big change, all thanks to the evil doctor Fan Zheng's evil prescription.

Today, Kaifeng City has a population of nearly five million, and has gained a large amount of wealth by selling land. I am afraid that the next target of the Song Dynasty will be the Liao Dynasty.

And according to the information she received, the Liao Kingdom had been losing the war with the Jin Kingdom, and Liaoyang, the Liao capital, had fallen.

As Yelu Nanxian had expected, the calls for attacking Liao in the Song court were growing louder and louder.

"Your Majesty, after three years of recuperation, our Song Dynasty has become strong in military and military strength. In addition, Kaifeng City has an endless supply of wealth. It can be said that everything is ready to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. All we need is an east wind." Privy Councilor Zeng Bu said excitedly.

If the Song Dynasty recovers the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun during his tenure and fulfills its century-old wish, he will surely go down in history.

Cai Jing also nodded and said, "Your Majesty, Wanyan Aguda of the Jin Kingdom has been sending envoys to request an alliance with the Song Dynasty, promising that the two countries will jointly attack the Liao Kingdom, and after destroying the Liao Kingdom, they will return the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun to the Song Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, this is a God-given opportunity!"

The officials in the court were all excited, and all of them believed that the time was ripe to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun! Including the most conservative Yang Wei and others.

Zhao Xu's heart was filled with excitement. He was about to fulfill the wish that all the emperors of the Song Dynasty had failed to achieve - recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. He even had a chance to go a step further and complete super unification.

"Okay, my dear ministers, who do you think would be a good leader to lead the expedition to the Liao Kingdom?" Zhao Xu looked around and asked.

In an instant, the entire Chuigong Hall fell silent.

Although the Song Dynasty is now strong in military power and has achieved great glory by destroying a country, no one is sure of winning the battle against the Liao Kingdom, which once dominated the Song Dynasty for a hundred years.

"I believe that the position of marshal should belong to Fan Zheng!" Cai Jing said with gritted teeth.

"Fan Zheng!"

All the officials in the court were silent. Fan Zheng had already destroyed Dali and Xixia, and was the maker of the great detour strategy. Not to mention that the money and grain for the Northern Expedition were all raised by Fan Zheng as the prefect of Kaifeng. No matter from which aspect, Fan Zheng was the only choice to be the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition.

"I object!"

Suddenly a voice was heard, and when all the officials looked over, they saw that it was Fan Zheng's father, Fan Chunli.

Zhao Xu frowned and asked, "Why does Lord Fan object? Doesn't Lord Fan recognize Fan Zheng's ability?"

Fan Chunli smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, a son is better than his father. That rebellious son loves to do evil things, and everyone in the court knows that. Moreover, this battle is to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, which is of vital importance to the Song Dynasty. How can we let that rebellious son do whatever he wants? Please think twice."

"Evil recipe!"

Zhao Xu disagreed in his heart. What he needed was Fan Zheng's evil prescription.

However, he also understood Fan Chunli's concerns, that is, his achievements were too great and would threaten the emperor. Fan Zheng had already destroyed Western Xia and Dali. If he could recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and destroy the Liao Kingdom, he would be the best military hero in the entire Song Dynasty. It should be noted that few ministers in history who were too successful and threatened the emperor had a good ending.

"I think it would be best for the emperor to lead the army in person!" Fan Chunli suggested.

All the officials' eyes lit up immediately when they heard this. Yes! Now that the Song Dynasty is strong and powerful, coupled with the Liao-Jin War, there is no reason to lose this war. If Zhao Xu leads the army in person, he will surely be able to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun in one fell swoop and achieve an eternal imperial cause.

Zhao Xu couldn't help but feel excited and full of energy.

"We object!" Suddenly Prime Minister Su Song and Zhang Dun said in unison.

Zhao Xu couldn't help but frown and looked at the two of them in confusion.

Zhang Dun frowned and said, "Warfare is a treacherous art. Taizu and Taizong both failed in their northern expeditions. Your Majesty has never been on a battlefield. If you rashly lead the troops, you may miss the opportunity."

Zhang Dun's words were straightforward, but to the point. The Northern Expedition was not a trip for fun, but a once-in-a-century opportunity to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. How could it be given up easily?

Su Song also reported: "The emperor has been weak since childhood. How can he risk his life on the long journey to the north?"

The two prime ministers of the time unanimously opposed Zhao Xu's expedition, and Zhao Xu could only shake his head regretfully.

"Your servants believe that it is most appropriate for Prime Minister Fan to lead the army!" Su Song and Zhang Dun once again recommended Fan Zheng.

Zhao Xu did not insist this time, but waved his hand and said: "Send an order, let Fan Zheng lead 200,000 troops to recapture the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun!"

"The official sage!"

All the officials in the court said respectfully.

Seeing this, Fan Chunli could not help but sigh and said, "Your Majesty, I beg to retire and return home!"

Zhao Xu frowned and asked, "What do you mean, Mr. Fan?"

Fan Chunli bowed solemnly and said, "It is an honor for the Fan family that the government has appointed Fan Zheng to go to war. However, Fan Zheng is in command of a large army, while I am the prime minister in the imperial court. The father and son, one civil and one military, hold high positions. I am afraid it will be difficult to stop the people from complaining!"

Zhao Xu waved his hands and said, "What do you mean, Mr. Fan? I have no intention of doubting the Fan family!"

Fan Chunli waved his hand and said, "The emperor trusts the Fan family, and I remember it in my heart. However, the Fan family cannot but consider the country. I am old and my health is not as good as before. In addition, I have been the prime minister for many years. It is time to retire."

Zhao Xu wanted to persuade him again, but Fan Chunli simply took off his official hat and refused to accept it.

Zhao Xu could not help but sigh upon seeing this and could only order a generous reward for Fan Chunli.

The New Party could not help but be secretly delighted upon seeing this. They unanimously recommended Fan Zheng to be the commander in the Northern Expedition against the Liao Kingdom. Besides the fact that Fan Zheng was the most suitable candidate, there was another reason. That was that once Fan Zheng became the commander, the power of the Fan family would be so great that it would threaten the ruler, and Fan Chunli would have no choice but to resign.

Zhang Dun was excited. Fan Zheng was rising and Fan Chunli was forced to resign. Su Song was old and had long lost his energy. He would definitely monopolize power in the court.

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

"The evil doctor Fan Zheng is the leader of the northern expedition against the Liao Kingdom!"

When this news spread, everyone took it for granted. After all, Fan Zheng had already destroyed Dali and Western Xia and recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. Such important matters naturally could not be done through the hands of others.

On that day, Fan Zheng entered the palace and secretly investigated with the official Zhao Xu for a long time, and finally returned with the tiger talisman in his hand.

"Congratulations, brother-in-law!"

At this moment, a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen years old was holding Fan Zheng’s little daughter Fan Rou and said with a smile.

"Who is this?" Fan Zheng asked, looking at the young woman who looked three-quarters like Li Qingzhao.

Li Qingzhao explained, "My lord, you don't know this, but this is my uncle's youngest daughter, Sister Wang. She just got married, and today she brought her new husband to visit you, my lord."

As the saying goes, when you are poor, you have distant relatives. Wang was the granddaughter of the former prime minister Wang Gui. When Li Kefei was down and out, the two families seldom interacted with each other. Since Li Qingzhao became famous and Fan Zheng made a name for himself, the interactions between the Wang family and Li Qingzhao became frequent.

"Your humble servant Qin Hui greets General Fan and wishes him a successful northern expedition and the destruction of Liao!" A young official stepped forward and bowed solemnly.

"Qin Hui!"

Fan Zheng couldn't help but raise his voice, and then he remembered that Wang and Qin Hui in front of him were celebrities who had kneeled for a thousand years.

Li Qingzhao was surprised and said: "My husband has heard of Qin Hui. He is a new Jinshi this year."

"Thanks to Lord Fan's policy on buying a house in Kaifeng, Qin Hui was able to take the imperial examination in Kaifeng Prefecture and became a Jinshi!" Qin Hui said with gratitude.

Wang said bluntly, "My brother-in-law is the prefect of Kaifeng, and now he is the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition. Can you help Qin Hui and find him a good job?"

Li Qingzhao's face changed when she heard this and she said, "Don't talk nonsense, cousin. How can I give an official position in the court to someone privately?"

Seeing this, Qin Hui immediately realized that he was anxious and said, "Cousin, calm down. It was because Qin Hui saw that his brother-in-law had achieved such success at such a young age that he wanted to emulate him, so he got anxious."

Fan Zheng saw Qin Hui and Wang's eyes turn and said, "It's a good thing that you are ambitious, but being a civil servant requires hard work and there is no shortcut. If you want to be promoted, the best way is military merit!"

Qin Hui's face changed when he heard this and he said, "Brother-in-law, you are joking. I have devoted myself to studying the books of sages. How can I understand the art of war? How can I achieve military merit?"

Fan Zhengdao said, "Now that I am about to launch a northern expedition, the destruction of the Liao Kingdom is a foregone conclusion, and the Jin Kingdom is likely to be a major threat to the Song Dynasty. I am ready to prepare for a rainy day and make plans for the Jin Kingdom. Are you willing to follow the envoy to Liaodong to sign the Maritime Alliance?"

Qin Hui's face changed when he heard this and said, "Based on my brother-in-law's strategy, I'm afraid it's not as simple as just signing a maritime alliance!"

Fan Zheng nodded and said, "Yes, I will let you stay in the Kingdom of Jin and stir up civil unrest in the Kingdom of Jin!"

"The Jin Dynasty is in civil strife. How is this possible? The Jin Dynasty has just risen and its internal structure is united. Wanyan Aguda has unparalleled prestige. Who can threaten Wanyan Aguda's position?" Qin Hui was a treacherous minister, not a mediocre one. In addition, he was a newly-minted Jinshi, so he naturally knew the political situation of the Jin Dynasty very well.

Fan Zheng smiled confidently and said, "Don't worry, I will naturally give you a magic recipe!"

"Evil prescription!" Qin Hui couldn't help but pause. He had naturally heard of Fan Zheng's evil prescription for a long time, but he had never thought that one day he would personally implement his evil prescription.

"The Jin Dynasty is indeed a solid block at the moment, but it has a fatal flaw, and that is the system of succession from brother to brother," Fan Zheng pointed out.

"The elder brother succeeds the younger brother!"

Qin Hui was suddenly shocked and looked at Fan Zheng with admiration.

"It is said that Wanyan Aguda's position was passed down to him by his uncle, and it was his elder brother who took the initiative to give up the throne. Wanyan Aguda has publicly stated many times that he insists on the system of succession from elder brother to younger brother. However, this system of succession from elder brother to younger brother is still acceptable in tribes, but looking at the Western Xia, Liao, and Song dynasties, once the country was established, this system of succession from elder brother to younger brother was abolished and replaced by the system of passing on the throne from father to son." Qin Hui murmured.

"Yes, now the next successor to the Jin Kingdom is his fourth brother Wuqimai. Who can guarantee that Wanyan Wuqimai will not pass the throne to his own son instead of continuing to implement the system of succession from brother to younger brother! Your biggest goal in going to the Jin Kingdom is to sow distrust among them, so that they will no longer work together and even engage in internal strife! If you succeed, it will be a great achievement." Fan Zheng stared at Qin Hui, wanting to know Qin Hui's choice.

If Qin Hui chose to retreat, he could take the opportunity to suppress Qin Hui and leave him no chance of recovery in the future. If he chose to accept the task, with Qin Hui's ability as a treacherous minister, he would certainly be able to turn the internal affairs of the Jin Dynasty upside down, because the inheritance from brother to younger brother and the inheritance from father to son are destined to be irreconcilable contradictions.

His evil prescription was not just the system of succession from brother to younger brother, but actually also included Qin Hui himself. He wanted to use Qin Hui, the treacherous minister, to make the Jin Kingdom restless.

"Okay! I'm going to the Kingdom of Jin!"

In just a moment, Qin Hui made up his mind.

"My husband, it's bitterly cold in Liaodong, and we just got married..." Wang couldn't help but regret coming to pray for Qin Hui's future, but she didn't expect it to be such a threatening assignment.

"I will serve the Song Dynasty until my death. Not to mention the battle of Pingxia City, where my brother-in-law risked his life to defeat Xixia. What is the risk I take for you?

Qin Hui said this with great righteousness. In fact, he knew in his heart that Fan Zheng had already spoken. If he refused, he might never be able to turn things around in the future. In that case, he might as well give it a try.

"Okay, during this Northern Expedition, the Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty will once again sign a maritime alliance. You must immediately take my order and rush to Dengzhou to execute the order." Fan Zhengdao.

"I obey your order!"

Qin Hui immediately said goodbye and left with Wang.

After Qin Hui and Wang left, Li Qingzhao frowned and said, "Qin Hui is too monopolistic. Why should your husband help him?"

Fan Zheng laughed and said, "Of course I know. If this man grows up, he will definitely be a treacherous minister. I am sending a treacherous minister to harm the Kingdom of Jin. This is called diverting trouble to the east."

Li Qingzhao finally felt relieved when she heard that Fan Zheng had seen through Qin Hui's true nature.

"My husband is going to war again?" Li Qingzhao said with a frown.

Fan Zheng nodded heavily and said, "The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are related to the Great Wall barrier. The Song Dynasty must recover them before the Liao and Jin decide the outcome. Only in this way can we be invincible."

Li Qingzhao naturally knew Fan Zheng's ambitions and knew that it was useless to persuade him any further, so she could only hug Fan Zheng tightly.

Fan Zheng held Li Qingzhao in his arms and whispered, "When I went to war twice before, you gave birth to Zhier and Rouer. This time, when I go to war, do you want another child?"

Li Qingzhao's face suddenly turned red with shame and she buried her head even deeper.