Chapter 44 4. Proposal to move the capital: peace is not in danger if the world is in virtue

In the center of power where the undercurrent is surging, in order to limit the strength of one force, there must be other forces fighting and consuming it, so that each other will not grow too fast through containment.The use of this strategy was very common among ancient Chinese who were well versed in strategy. Zhao Kuangyin was also very keen on this practice in the early days, but as he grew older, the long-term stability in the country made him gradually relax his vigilance.In the struggle between the two forces, Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi, because he was jealous of Zhao Pu's continuous involvement in the Crown Prince's affairs, he alienated him, but he protected his younger brother Zhao Guangyi in every possible way. Zhao Kuangyin imperceptibly contributed to the expansion of Zhao Guangyi's power.This situation intensified after Zhao Pu left Kaifeng.

Zhao Guangyi, who had lost his hindrance, was a sight to behold in Kaifeng City. The ceremonial guards were more and more luxurious, and the common people talked a lot. They couldn't even tell whether the team passing through the market was the King of Jin or the Emperor.The courtiers also believed that Zhao Guangyi was the emperor's successor, and they flattered King Jin extremely.It wasn't until this time that Zhao Kuangyin realized how important it was to have Zhao Pu by his side to balance Zhao Guangyi's power. Recalling the reasons Zhao Pu had explained over and over again that Guangyi could not succeed to the throne, he also became confused.

Zhao Kuangyin, who was full of anxiety, said to Queen Song: "Now that Dezhao has grown up, he should be allowed to learn some methods of governing the country and train him to handle political affairs." Empress Song said: "Now the courtiers of the Manchu Dynasty all believe that King Jin will become the next emperor, and they all seek refuge in King Jin's mansion. Even if Dezhao knows the emperor's art well, it can only be useless. What can he do if he learns it? " Regarding Queen Song's dissatisfaction, Zhao Kuangyin could only sigh and said: "My support and protection for Guangyi is to make the court stable and avoid more discussions. Those who once said that they would pass on to him are just to let my mother You can just rest in peace. Whom I will pass on to in the future is all up to my decision, and I will not pass it on to anyone just because the courtiers think it is."

Empress Song said: "If Your Majesty has no intention of passing on the throne to the King of Jin, why do you keep promoting him? Now his status is exactly the same as before Chai Rong took the throne. It is not surprising that the courtiers have such thoughts." .” Zhao Kuangyin said: "The crown prince of a country is a major issue for the country, and I will not decide so lightly. Although King Jin's current position is similar to that of Chai Rong, it does not mean that I will definitely pass it on to him." These conversations soon reached the ears of Jin Wang Zhao Guangyi through Zhao Kuangyin's close servant Wang Ji'en. When he heard Zhao Kuangyin say this, he seemed to indicate that it might be said that it might be the Jin King or the prince Zhao Dezhao. Everything is full of variables.This made Zhao Guangyi very disturbed. Although Queen Mother Du had asked Zhao Kuangyin to agree to Chuan Yudi's request, this decision did not make it known to the world.Over the years, Zhao Kuangyin had loved and trusted him so much that Zhao Guangyi once believed that he did it according to the Queen Mother's will, but now with this attitude, it is obvious that he is not so determined to pass on the throne to himself.

Just when Zhao Guangyi was constantly worrying, Zhao Kuangyin decided to go to Luoyang for inspection in March 976 AD.After inspecting this ancient capital, an idea suddenly appeared in Zhao Kuangyin's mind. After returning from Luoyang, Zhao Kuangyin quickly summoned his ministers and said to them: "The place where Kaifeng is now is a plain, which can be attacked from all sides. In order to protect the safety of the capital, hundreds of thousands of troops are stationed here. We It is easy to send troops to attack others, but it is also very convenient for others to attack us. It only takes two days for Liao cavalry to reach Kaifeng, which is very dangerous, so I want to move the capital to Luoyang."

This proposal caused an uproar, and none of the ministers thought that Zhao Kuangyin would suddenly have such an idea.Kaifeng was the capital of the Song Dynasty because it was used as the capital in the later Zhou Dynasty. After seizing power, Zhao Kuangyin could only be stationed here for stability. Now that the country has stabilized, it is time to change the capital.Moreover, what Zhao Kuangyin said is also very reasonable. Kaifeng is located in a plain, easy to defend and easy to attack. The "Jingkang Change" more than a hundred years later proved the correctness of his decision.But the courtiers didn't see that far, and most were against it.

Li Fu, the living man, first wrote a letter expressing his objection. He claimed: "Although the country is stable now, moving the capital will definitely cause turmoil, waste a lot of financial and material resources, and give the enemy an opportunity to take advantage of it." Zhao Kuangyin said: "Relocation requires a certain amount of financial support, but now the population of Kaifeng is increasing. Every year, the rice transported here from the southeast Jianghuai River needs millions of dendrobium to meet the demand. In order to feed the increasing population and the army , there will be more in the future, and the burden will be heavier. After a few decades, the people will definitely be overwhelmed."

However, Li Huaizhong, the commander of the iron cavalry, said: "Your Majesty is worried that Kaifeng will not be enough to form a guard, and it will be difficult to maintain peace. Now we have more than 300,000 troops stationed near the capital, and each team is elite soldiers. Is such a force still Is it not as good as the mountains and rivers in Luoyang and Chang'an? The natural mountains and rivers are against the flexible army, and the army must be more trustworthy." In this regard, Zhao Kuangyin said: "Since the Han and Tang Dynasties, Chang'an and Luoyang have been used as capitals. They are dynasties that have lasted for hundreds of years, which also shows the correctness of these two places as capitals. Although the mountains and rivers there cannot be completely As a barrier, it is irreplaceable for the protection of the capital, and it is a terrain that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. If such a terrain is combined with our elite soldiers of the Great Song Dynasty, it can bring about a more stable situation, so why not do it?"

Seeing that he insisted on moving the capital, all the ministers wrote letters to dissuade him.Zhao Kuangyin slowly discovered that the courtiers only saw the immediate difficulties, but did not see the potential disasters in the future.The immediate difficulties can be overcome, but the scourge hidden in Kaifeng will bring down the Song Dynasty.All these objections are short-sighted and can be persuaded by analysis.However, there are some people whose interests will be damaged because of the relocation of the capital. This kind of people cannot be reversed for a while, and Zhao Guangyi is such a person.

As the prefect of Kaifeng, Zhao Guangyi has already established an intricate network of contacts in Kaifeng through cultivating influence.He knew that Zhao Kuangyin's proposal to move the capital at this time must be aimed at himself, and he wanted to waste more than ten years of hard work.Once he leaves here and goes to Luoyang, an unfamiliar place, everything needs to start again, and he can only be at the mercy of Zhao Kuangyin.Therefore, Zhao Guangyi hurriedly asked to see the emperor, trying to persuade him to give up moving the capital, and a debate started between the two brothers.

Zhao Kuangyin said: "Kaifeng is located on a plain, with no danger to defend, so it is not suitable to be a capital. It was originally only Zhu Wen's territory. After he usurped the Tang Dynasty, it was completely temporary. Later Zhou made it here Choosing to be the capital, I can only stay here in order to gain a foothold and see the effect. Now that the world is stable, moving the capital to Luoyang is for a long-term plan.” These analyzes are reasonable, and Zhao Guangyi also understands that what Zhao Kuangyin said is the truth, but thinking that he will have nothing, Zhao Guangyi still said: "As a capital, the first task is to bring stability to the world. The world has been peaceful these years. Da Song like me There is still a certain connection between Kaifeng as the capital. And if you want to secure the world, you don't just rely on the steep terrain, but also rely on benevolence!" This kind of argument that denies the importance of national defense and instead regards "virtue" as the foundation of peace in the world can basically be regarded as absurd.Zhao Kuangyin said: "Now that we have pacified the southern countries, we have completed a part of unification. In this process, what I see is not 'safety the world with virtue'." Zhao Guangyi said: "Now that the world is at peace, it is time to advocate benevolence!" Zhao Kuangyin said: "It is too early to say that the world is peaceful. The sixteen prefectures of Yanyun have not yet recovered, and the war between Song and Liao is inevitable. If there is a war between us and Liao in the future, the safety of Kaifeng is very important. To ensure If the capital is not captured by the enemy, moving the capital to Luoyang is the best way." Seeing that he could not convince Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Guangyi became impatient.He encouraged all the ministers to come forward and ask the emperor to give up this idea.From this incident, Zhao Kuangyin also saw Zhao Guangyi's strong reaction to the decision that involved his interests.Zhao Pu's admonition to himself sounded in his ears again, and Zhao Kuangyin began to carefully consider whether Zhao Guangyi was a trustworthy trustee. If the previous differences on different policies were just a small confrontation, the disagreement between the two caused by the capital move this time became a general outbreak of conflict between Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi.Zhao Guangyi was sensitively aware that the emperor wanted to reduce his power, and Zhao Kuangyin gradually began to face up to King Jin's huge network of relationships in Kaifeng. As a face-to-face confrontation, the proposal to move the capital became the last war in the court without any weapons. The two factions argued from time to time, but they were unable to reach a conclusion on this matter.Zhao Kuangyin's heart was also full of anxiety. He once wanted to drive Zhao Pu away so that he would stop meddling in the crown prince's affairs by nagging in his ears.But at this time, he very much hoped that Zhao Pu could advise him and provide a solution to the chaotic situation in front of him.The fact that the contradiction has been put on the table shows that it has been accumulated for a long time and it is time to resolve it.The result of the settlement is related to the future fate of the Song Dynasty, but Zhao Kuangyin, as the emperor, was at a loss.