gnovel Chapter 23 Song, if only there could be two years.
Chapter 23 Song, if only there could be two years.
Nothing to say for a day.
Zhao Kuangyin put on a complete act. Even though the young empress dowager had already stripped the young emperor of his dragon robe and gone to a Taoist temple to become a nun, and he had already put on his yellow robe, he insisted on going back to the Palace Guard office to work first.
He had to be invited three or four times, and after repeated refusals, he finally reluctantly became emperor. The ordeal lasted until nightfall, when the drums and music in the palace finally began, announcing the arrival of a new era.
The Great Song Dynasty!
One of the most controversial dynasties in later generations.
Considered by Western historians to be the golden age of Chinese civilization, the unearthed remains of the poor provide irrefutable evidence that this was indeed the era in which ordinary people ate the best and had the most complete nutrition among all dynasties.
However, it was also an era in which national unification was not achieved, and peace was sought through tribute. It was the most humiliating period, and could even be considered a separatist regime. It is an era in which many people believe that the entire nation's resources were used to support a single city.
In short, whether we love it or hate it, this was an era that laid the foundation for Chinese civilization and culture for the next thousand years. Even the biggest Song Dynasty haters have to admit that this was an era of great significance to the entire nation and its history, far surpassing the Liang, Tang, Jin, Han, and Zhou dynasties that preceded it.
It truly marks the end of the Five Dynasties period, the most bloody and barbaric era in five thousand years of Chinese history, the only era in the world with written records where armies only carried salt on expeditions, and the era in which rulers openly forced the people to pay taxes with their own flesh.
As evening fell and the city lights came on, the vast city of Kaifeng had largely recovered, and shops were gradually reopening for business. Back during Chai Rong's reign, Kaifeng had lifted some curfews, allowing shops to operate until the first watch of the night. Soon, the streets seemed to be bustling again, much like usual.
Wang Jun and Wang Lu bid farewell to the Zhao family and strolled along the stone-paved Imperial Street. The sounds of bustling traffic filled their ears, and various colorful lanterns shone brightly. There were even dancing girls daring to come out and dance, unafraid that soldiers would come to snatch the pretty girls.
Even though Zhao Kuangyin had specially arranged for a large number of people to supervise law enforcement and had even beheaded several hundred hooligans during the day, the city's security seemed to be better than usual tonight.
"Dad, we've been in the Northern Song Dynasty for half a year, and we haven't even had a proper stroll around the streets yet. I don't even think I've really experienced the local customs and culture."
"Yes, it seems so. I've been busy ever since the day I transmigrated, and I've been on tenterhooks. Now that everything has settled down, finally... Sigh~, the Northern Song Dynasty is really great."
Wang Lu laughed and said, "Don't be so sentimental. This is only the beginning of the country. We're still decades away from the golden age when the people can truly eat their fill. Right now, we've just crawled out of hell and are catching our breath."
Zhao Kuangyin reigned for sixteen years and consistently reduced taxes, but after his death, Zhao Kuangyi, during his reign, consistently increased taxes.
By the time of his death, the oppressive policies and taxes were even worse than they are now, comparable to those of the Later Han Dynasty. His exploitation of the people was far more ruthless than that of Guo Wei and Chai Rong.
"Being able to catch your breath is already a blessing."
Wang Jun stopped right in front of the peddler's stall, took out some money, bought two hot pancakes, handed one to Wang Lu, and took a big bite himself. The aroma of wheat mixed with the heat spread in his mouth, and he closed his eyes to savor the taste.
"What are you trying? This pancake doesn't taste as good as the ones you make."
"I know, but I don't need to make these pancakes myself. This is the taste of Taiping."
"When did you become a bohemian? No, you're a bohemian old man."
"go."
The two turned into a small teahouse on the side of the street and ordered two bowls of tea. Leaning against the wooden railing, they looked down at the people coming and going on the Imperial Street. Merchants leading donkeys, women buying sugar figurines with their children, and old women carrying baskets to buy vegetables all seemed lovely at this moment.
"Han Tong has passed the test, right?"
"Yes, I heard that the first thing Zhao Kuangyin did after stepping down from the abdication platform was to promote him."
"He got promoted? Is there any room for him to be promoted further?"
"Honorary titles are always easy to bestow. He was granted the title of Grand Master of the Three Departments, Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, and a residence in the capital. He was also granted the privilege of attending court, though without any official duties. In addition, his parents and wife were posthumously honored, and his son Han Wei was granted the position of Proofreader in the Secretariat."
There are also thousands of acres of fertile land, five thousand strings of cash, and two thousand bolts of silk. Oh, and the house Han Tong lives in now is his residence when he's serving as prime minister; it will be his private property from now on, whether he's an official or not.
"Good, good. Now that Han Tong has landed safely, we two are safe too. Hey? Didn't they say that during the Five Dynasties and early Song Dynasty, retired officials would go to Luoyang to live out their days?"
"right."
"If Han Tong goes to Luoyang to retire, will the two of us live in his big house?"
"What are you thinking? Compared to living in his house, I'd rather we buy one ourselves. In the early Song Dynasty, housing prices in Kaifeng shouldn't be too high. For the two of us, making money now shouldn't be a problem."
"That's true. We'll buy our own house and hire some maids and servants."
"hey-hey"
"Hehe, I want someone young and good-looking."
"Yes, young and good-looking, hehe."
The colorful streetlights cast long shadows of the two people. The bustling traffic and lively atmosphere of the Imperial Street, mixed with the bitter aroma of brewed tea, the sweet fragrance of fruit, and the wheat aroma of steamed cakes, made the spring breeze feel very comfortable.
Back in Tongjifang, it was still as lively as ever. The brick kiln at the brick factory had already been restarted. The father and son were not there, but Liu Hou'er had already organized the workers to resume production.
"Hey, boss, young boss, you're finally back! We've missed you so much!" Upon seeing the two, Liu Hou'er, whether genuinely or feigning emotion, immediately burst into tears, saying:
"This morning I heard that you two went with Grand Commandant Han to arrest Grand Commandant Zhao, no, the Emperor's family. It scared us so much, it felt like we'd fallen into an ice hole in the dead of winter. Thank goodness you're alright."
"Alright, alright, everything's safe and sound now. Why are you still working so late?"
"There's no way around it, the Imperial Guard Command is pressing us hard, waiting for us to start construction. They're building houses, no matter what dynasty it is, the Imperial Guard Command's houses always have to be built, right? By the way, what's the name of this new dynasty again?"
"Song," a worker nearby said.
"Tsk, it doesn't sound as grand as the Zhou or Han dynasties. I wonder how long this one can last. It would be great if it could last for twenty years. Zhao Taiwei is quite benevolent."
"No matter what dynasty or era, the world is ruled by those with swords. Although we haven't made much money yet, we're building houses for those with swords. Who cares? With this favor, let whoever wants to rule the world do as they please. Whether it's twenty years or thirty years, it won't stop us from living our lives. Let's go make bricks."