Back to the Song Dynasty: The Rise of an Empire

If the Tang Empire won, it would say to its opponents: "You damn well behave yourself in the future, or be careful that I wipe out your entire clan. Pay tribute obediently every year!"

<...

Chapter 123 A Strong Youth Makes a Strong Nation

"The rising sun shines brightly. The river emerges from its hidden source, flowing into a vast ocean. The hidden dragon soars from the abyss, its scales and claws flashing. The young tiger roars in the valley, causing all beasts to tremble in fear. The eagle tests its wings, stirring up dust and wind. The rare flower begins to bloom, resplendent and magnificent. The sword is sharpened, its edge gleaming. The sky is blue above, the earth is yellow below. Stretching across a thousand ages, encompassing the eight directions. The future is like the sea, and the days to come are long."

"How beautiful is my young China, as timeless as the heavens! How magnificent are the youth of China, as boundless as the nation!"

As Zhao Huan read it aloud, Shi Ziming felt his blood boil and his heroic spirit soar to the heavens.

"I will take care of it immediately!"

Zhao Huan added, “If the youth are wise, the nation is wise; if the youth are wealthy, the nation is wealthy; if the youth are strong, the nation is strong. This saying is engraved at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, and it is the purpose of the Hanlin Academy!”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After Shi Ziming left, Zhao Huan thought to himself: It's good that I remembered Liang Qichao's article.

Zhao Huan made up his mind that this would give Shi Ziming a general direction to follow when compiling textbooks.

While Zhao Huan was concerned about education, Liu Yanzong requested an audience and presented Zhao Huan with a report on an investigation into all tax payments in Jingdong Road. This investigation was triggered by the Qingzhou case.

The new policies were being vigorously implemented in Gyeonggi Province, right under the emperor's nose, but the Qingzhou case occurred in the neighboring Jingdong Province, which shows that the government's orders could not leave the capital region.

The Qingzhou case was just a microcosm of the new policies in the Central Plains. Zhao Huan could imagine what it was like in other places. His new policies were like white clouds floating in the sky, visible but unable to come down.

The investigation report on Jingdong Road provided by Liu Yanzong has already proven his conjecture with actual data.

Even though they were mentally prepared, the emperor's anger still erupted.