Many people have heard since childhood that Yue Fei wrote a poem called "Man Jiang Hong", which mentions "The shame of Jingkang has not yet been avenged, the hatred of the subjects, when will it be extinguished?"
However, many people only know about the Jingkang Incident, but do not know just how shameful it was.
This is probably the most shameful event in the entire history of China, without exception. The dignity of the Chinese imperial family was trampled to nothing.
When the capital city of Kaifeng was forced to surrender, the Jin army demanded gold and silver. Emperor Qinzong of Song could not produce that much, so he used women to pay off the debt.
According to the "Records of Kaifeng Prefecture," the women ultimately selected to be sent to the Jin army as payment included 83 concubines (concubines of Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong of Song), 24 princesses, and 22 others, totaling 607,700 ingots of gold and 2,583,100 ingots of silver. An additional 4,000 palace maids and female entertainers were considered as gifts. Even so, including the gold and silver already paid as tribute, Emperor Qinzong, this great emperor, still owed the Jin people "342,780 ingots of gold and 871,300 ingots of silver."
This is not the most tragic thing. The most tragic thing is that the emperor's own sister, Princess Zhao Fujin, who was recognized as the most beautiful princess in the country at the time, was humiliated to death. All the women of the royal family were sent to the Northeast like slaves and forced to become military prostitutes.
The culprit, Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Ji, was burned alive by the Jurchens, and his body was boiled down to extract corpse oil, resulting in a gruesome death.
Before his death, he blamed Cai Jing, Tong Guan, and others for the downfall of the country, saying that it was not his personal fault, but that the treacherous officials had deceived him.
In his previous life, whenever Zhao Huan read this part of history, he felt that although the Jurchens were hateful, they did one thing right: they set Zhao Ji on fire.
Regardless of how shameless Cai Jing, Li Bangyan, and others were, ultimately only one person led to the downfall of the Northern Song Dynasty: Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Ji. The fact that those women were dragged to the north like animals and subjected to endless humiliation was also Zhao Ji's fault.
Therefore, the emperor had no goodwill towards Zhao Ji at all. If it weren't for the fact that Zhao Ji was still useful, the emperor would have wanted to have him hanged right now.
Emperor Zhao Huan's reason for having such thoughts was not because he was particularly righteous. He felt that any mentally healthy Chinese person in later generations, after learning about the harm done by Zhao Ji, would want to hang him.
After leaving Zhao Ji's place, Zhao Huan did not rest. On the first day after returning from his time travel, his nerves were on edge. He felt that danger was everywhere and that many things needed to be planned. This sense of unease surrounded him.
At this time, part of Wanyan Zonghan's army had already crossed the Yellow River, and a large number of Jin troops were gathering on the banks of the Yellow River. The war in the north was intensifying, and Zhao Huan could not be sure that killing Li Bangyan and other pro-peace faction members would guarantee that Tokyo would not fall.
Just past noon, the biting wind of December stung people's faces. The morning had been sunny, but now it was snowing heavily.
Staying in the palace, Zhao Huan felt like he was blind. He felt completely disconnected from the outside world and felt even more insecure.
Zhao Huan, dressed in black brocade robes, walked down the street in Kaifeng. Despite the freezing weather, Zhao Huan couldn't wait to leave the palace in his casual clothes. Stepping out of the palace, he felt much more at ease.
Wang Kui'an said worriedly, "Your Majesty, it's freezing cold. This old servant will go and prepare a carriage for you."
"No need. Do not address me as Your Majesty outside. Do you understand?"
"Yes, young master!"
Zhao Huan had read about the prosperity of Tokyo in his previous life, and now, walking down the street in person, he couldn't help but sigh: it seems that history books are not all embellishments. Tokyo was indeed prosperous, but it was a pity that it was later captured by the Jin army and became a ruined capital. What a pity!
He had originally planned to visit the taverns outside Donghua Gate, as he had heard that there were many storytellers there, and it was also the most prosperous area in Tokyo, making it the best place to understand what the people of Tokyo were thinking at that time.
But if you don't walk far, you'll see groups of three or five people walking in one direction.
Zhao Huan asked curiously, "Old man, where are you going?"
An old man passing by saw that Zhao Huan was dressed in fine clothes and must be a young master from a noble family. He hurriedly said, "Young master, this is a huge event! It's all over the capital now. His Majesty has decreed that four prime ministers be killed at the Five Dynasties Gate today! This is the first time since the founding of the Song Dynasty!"
After saying that, the old man hurriedly followed the others toward the Five Dynasties Gate.
Zhao Huan then came to his senses. He looked at Xie Dahai and Wang Kuian. Wang Kuian thought to himself: This emperor is really forgetful. The decree was just issued at the morning court, and he has already forgotten it.
It wasn't that Zhao Huan forgot, but rather that he didn't know it was this time for the execution. After all, he had transmigrated here and had only arrived last night. He knew how to give orders, but he didn't know where to behead people next.
It turns out that the Song Dynasty beheaded outside the Five Dynasties Gate in Bianjing (Kaifeng) in the afternoon.
Zhao Huan immediately said, "Let's go, let's go take a look at the Five Dynasties Gate."
"Young master, that place is filthy, you must not go there..."
Before Wang Kui'an could finish speaking, Zhao Huan shut him down with a single look.
At this moment, there were many people on both sides of the road leading to the Five Dynasties Gate, all holding leftover food and throwing it at the people in the prison cart in the middle of the road.
"Smash him to death! You corrupt official!"
"That's right! These corrupt officials haven't done a single good deed!"
"The current emperor is wise and sagacious; he has executed these corrupt officials and rid the people of this scourge!"
"..."
Hearing the people's curses, Zhao Huan felt even more at ease.
With the support of the people, what does he have to fear!
He refused to believe that if a beloved emperor killed a few more ministers and scholars, the world would still rebel!
As long as he has an army and people, Zhao Huan is not afraid of anything and can do whatever he wants!
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