novelAbuy Chapter 31 The Tragedy of the 5th Generation
Chapter 31 The Tragedy of the 5th Generation
Seeing that Zhao Guangmei was always sullen and frowning, Wang Lu explained to him:
"It's already quite good that the Song Dynasty has achieved this much since its founding. During the reign of Emperor Shizong, there were wars every year. Last year's Northern Expedition was even more impressive, with a lot of grain stored up. The people didn't have much surplus grain to begin with."
Before the Chenqiao Mutiny, everyone in Kaifeng knew that another dynasty was about to change. Wealthy people left the city with a lot of valuables and grain.
Those without money naturally panic-buy grain. Although the Song Dynasty had established a system where markets were not easily overrun, the people still felt uneasy.
"Why are the people uneasy? It's been a month since the country was founded," Zhao Guangmei asked, puzzled.
Wang Lu thought for a moment and tried to explain: "Firstly, it's due to inertia. Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, every change of dynasty has been accompanied by a market. Although there is no rule against excessive indulgence in the market, powerful rulers throughout history have actually imposed restrictions on it."
"When Li Congke raised an army in Fengxiang and entered Luoyang, he did not massacre the city. However, the national treasury was not enough. Even if the clothes and jewelry of the Empress Dowager were stripped off and given to the soldiers, and the wealthy households in Luoyang were arrested and tortured, the money he obtained was still not enough. The soldiers still began to loot the city."
"Twenty years ago, when Zhang Yanzhe attacked Kaifeng, he also restrained his troops and did not harm the people in any way. However, the Jin Dynasty's treasury was empty. Even if they plundered it, it was still not enough to reward the soldiers. So he simply let his subordinates search the whole city for three days."
"Is the national treasury left to the emperor by the Later Zhou dynasty... sufficiently adequate? Enough to reward the three armies?"
"While the current government is indeed doing a good job, frankly speaking, they may not be as good as Huang Chao. When Huang Chao entered Chang'an, he not only did not disturb the people, but also distributed food and money to the poor."
The people of Chang'an lined the streets to welcome him, and for several days the city's markets remained stable, with shops operating normally. In other words... he did exactly the same thing as the current emperor.
"However, Huang Chao soon lost control of his army, and what began as distributing money to the people turned into robbing them of their money."
Finally, it became completely out of control, gradually escalating into a massacre of the entire city. Blood flowed like boiling springs in every household, and cries of injustice echoed everywhere – a truly unbearable tragedy.
"The events of the late Tang and Five Dynasties are still fresh in our minds. How can the common people believe that the emperor can definitely control the army and prevent the Huang Chao incident from happening again?"
Therefore, while the market is still operating normally, isn't it only natural to want to hoard as much food as possible?
Upon hearing this, Zhao Guangmei's face flushed red, her hands clenched into fists, and she stomped her feet angrily: "How can you compare my elder brother to the likes of Huang Chao and Zhang Yanzhe? They... how can they be the same as my elder brother?!"
"Of course I know that the current officials are different from them, but what use is it if only I know? The common people don't know."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Guangmei became even angrier, stomping her feet repeatedly, yet unable to refute it. She knew Wang Lu was right, so she finally snorted and continued kicking pebbles on the ground to vent her anger.
After a while, he couldn't help but say, "Isn't there any other way? If grain prices keep rising like this, people will really starve to death. Even if the imperial court provides relief, it will probably be just a drop in the ocean."
It was more than a drop in the ocean; in fact, Zhao Kuangyin's grain relief efforts had a somewhat formalistic and showy aspect to them, so he couldn't possibly have provided too much relief.
He has changed dynasties, but there are still thirty or forty powerful regional warlords outside who have not submitted to him. Who knows how many will submit and how many will not, and how many will stand by and watch the situation unfold, taking advantage of the chaos?
Shouldn't we leave some military rations for the war?
This was during the Five Dynasties period; that's just how the world was, there's nothing we can do about it.
"Actually, the main issue is the people's confidence. The current rise in grain prices is ultimately due to the people's lack of confidence, not because there is any real shortage of grain. As long as the people have confidence in the government and the Song Dynasty, the grain prices will naturally come down gradually."
Zhao Guangmei sighed, "Since the founding of our Great Song Dynasty, the army has not allowed the markets to be chaotic and has not harmed the people in the slightest. How can we regain their confidence? How can we make the people believe in our elder brother and in the Great Song Dynasty?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Lu pursed his lips.
Why are you pouting?
"what?"
"You just pouted."
Did I pout?
"You dismissed it, but I saw it clearly."
"oh."
"Oh what? Why are you pouting?"
"I have a toothache."
"No, you're clearly just looking down on what I'm saying."
"You said it, I didn't."
"Why do you scoff? Didn't our Great Song Dynasty establish a system where markets were not allowed to be ransacked and the slightest bit of property was not violated?"
"It is true that the market is not easy to operate, and that no one is allowed to commit any offenses... In the first few days after the emperor entered the city, that was indeed the case, because the emperor repeatedly emphasized that looting the people was not allowed, and he arranged for small teams to enforce the law, promising generous rewards to the soldiers."
Therefore, they could indeed be kept in check for a few days, but now... well, let's put it this way, it's alright during the day, but at night, the soldiers are more ferocious than the thieves. Tsk, there are some things the government can't do about it.
Seeing Zhao Guangmei's somber expression and pensive look, Wang Lu patted him on the shoulder without any regard for seniority and said, "Let's go. You're just a powerless Third Prince. This is something even the Emperor can't handle. Why are you worrying about it? Let's go see Da Bao."
"But……"
"Hey, let's go!"
Wang Lu pulled Zhao Guangmei straight to Li Jilong's residence to find Li Jilong.
That gyrfalcon named Dabao was indeed incredibly lucky. Half a month ago, Wang Lu fed it some glycyrrhizic acid and salicylic acid and kept it at his home for a few days, and it actually survived.
Afterwards, Wang Lu accompanied Zhao Guangmei to return it to Li Jilong. Wang Lu and Li Jilong thus officially became acquainted. Zhao Kuangyin was very pleased to hear about this and included Li Jilong in Zhao Guangmei's list of companions.
Wang Lu, Zhao Guangmei, Li Jilong, and Zhao Dezhao formed the Four Heavenly Kings, all ten-year-old boys.
Of course, the four of them didn't just loaf around all day. Leaving aside the other three, Wang Lu himself also had to study hard to prepare for the imperial examination. When he studied, he would also study with the other three, learning very basic things. Zhao Kuangyin still didn't arrange any great Confucian scholars to be their teachers.
Meanwhile, Da Bao has been back in Li Jilong's care for the past two weeks. After taking his medicine and receiving careful care, he has gradually recovered his health. Wang Lu and Zhao Guangmei visit him almost every day and have gradually become familiar with him. The group of them play with the eagle together, which is quite fun.
However, Zhao Guangmei always seemed absent-minded and listless.
It was late at night.
"Third Uncle, we should return to the palace," Zhao Dezhao said.
"Go back by yourself. I'm not going back to the palace today."
"what?"
"I'm staying at Longge'er's house, and Luge'er is staying with me too. What's there to worry about? Tell my mother that I want to learn from Luge'er."
Wang Lu: ? ? ? ?
When did I say I wanted to stay at the Li family home to help you with your studies?