Once bitten by a snake, one becomes afraid of ropes for ten years. As modern wars have shown, Zhao Huan would not have been afraid of Japan. Even if it were unfair to the Japanese people, Zhao Huan would not have allowed Japan to grow stronger. Such a country would only make them, in their ignorance and backwardness, admire the prosperity and hegemony of the Song Dynasty. Only then would they not dare harbor any dissent towards the Song Dynasty. As for Zhao Huan's death, it was left to his descendants to decide whether to reclaim Japan.
Zhao Huan, now well versed in the ways of an emperor, used both kindness and force. "My four beloved ministers, you've worked hard while I was away. I'm sure you all missed breakfast. Are you hungry?"
Li Gang and the others were hesitant, unsure whether to answer whether they were hungry or not. Zhao Huan, however, waved his hand and said, "Cao Dongsheng, tell the imperial kitchen to give each of these four ministers a bowl of lotus seed porridge. After breakfast, we will go to the morning court together."
"Your Majesty, we thank you for your grace!" Li Gang and others expressed their gratitude. This was the imperial meal bestowed by the emperor, and it was also an affirmation and reward for their work.
What you can't get is often the best. You can't give them a banquet every time, but rewarding them occasionally is enough to make them grateful.
After Zhao Huan took office, he worked hard to rectify the system that prioritized civil officials over military ones. Military generals predominated over military generals, and the Yingde Monument outside the palace was a monument dedicated to civil officials. It was extremely difficult for civil officials to be included in the monument, but for each official, who aspired to be remembered for eternity, it was the greatest honor.
The Yingde Monument served as a place of honor for the loyal ministers and generals of the Song Dynasty. Zhao Huan even commissioned a special censor to compile a book to record the meritorious officials in the annals of the Song Dynasty. This strategy was highly effective, with many officials truly demonstrating their unwavering loyalty and integrity in order to preserve their names in history. This significantly changed the morale of the Song Dynasty.
In particular, after Duan Xiaorong took office as Minister of Revenue, he offered Zhao Huan many substantive suggestions. He repeatedly reduced agricultural taxes, and strictly prohibited land annexation. Any individual holding more than 3,000 mu of land was confiscated and transferred to the court. Furthermore, for individuals holding more than 1,000 mu of land, the court doubled the tax. Zhao Huan aimed to transform the Song Dynasty into a state based on commerce and taxation, but this was a long and arduous task. Although the Song Dynasty boasted a flourishing commerce, it was still primarily agricultural.
If it was discovered that someone concealed their possessions or used someone else's name to annex land, the punishment would be even stricter. The court encouraged the reclamation of farmland, and all reclaimed wasteland became personal property. This greatly encouraged the enthusiasm of the people, and the Song Dynasty's treasury was increasingly filled.
Zhao Huan was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. Now the national treasury alone had hundreds of millions in tax revenue. The ministers had never expected that the more they reduced farmers' taxes, the more the court's income would increase. They were even more impressed by the emperor.
Zhao Huan expected today's court session to be a tumultuous one, with memorials pouring in from all over the country. Unexpectedly, it was a rather uneventful affair, unaffected by Zhao Huan's long absence.
Zhao Huan finally realized that being an emperor wasn't just about diligence. Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty was diligent enough, as was Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty, but what happened next? Only by being good at identifying talent and employing it effectively can one be a true ruler. Otherwise, even a hundred bodies wouldn't be enough to handle all the world's affairs.
After retiring from court, Zhao Huan wandered to the Empress' Renming Hall. The Crown Prince, Zhao Xin, had already begun learning to read and write under the guidance of the Imperial Tutor. Zhao Huan loved this son dearly and intended to make him his successor. However, due to his young age and his own youth, he put the matter on hold.
"Rou'er! My Rou'er!" Tang Wan'er brought Princess Zhao Rou'er to the Renming Palace. Zhao Huan hugged his daughter and started kissing her.
Zhao Rouer didn't seem to like her father very much and kept struggling: "Let me go, let me go!"
Zhao Huan laughed heartily and pulled out a small wooden puppet from his arms. He had bought it when he left the palace. Zhao Rouer immediately became happy and stretched out her hand: "Father, I want it, Rouer wants it."
"Then kiss father first." Zhao Huan reached out with a shy face.
Zhao Rouer reluctantly kissed him, but the puppet ran away with a smile. Zhao Huan held Zhao Xin on his lap and said, "Xin'er, tell me what your father and teacher taught you."
"Geese, geese, geese, singing with their necks curved toward the sky..." Zhao Xin recited the poem.
Zhao Huan was overjoyed: "Wow, my Xin'er can recite poetry! Send an order to reward the Grand Tutor!"
Concubines Li Sisi and Tang Wan'er were also in the Queen's palace, but Nangong Lian'er was absent. Zhao Huan knew that Lian'er had a good relationship with the Queen, and wondered why she hadn't come. "Where's Lian'er?"
The Queen smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I knew you would ask this. Sister Lian'er is feeling unwell. I have already called the imperial physician."
Zhao Huan frowned slightly. Nangong Lian'er had practiced martial arts since childhood. Aside from a bout of plague in Langya County, she had always been in good health. She was fine when she returned to the palace, so why was she sick now? "I'll go and see."
Everyone immediately expressed their displeasure. The Queen spoke first, "Your Majesty, you can't be so partial. You've been with Sister Lian'er every day since you left the palace. Why are you so worried just because you haven't seen her for a while?"
Li Sisi also said: "That's right, Your Majesty is too partial to Sister Lian'er."
Tang Wan'er smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Sister Lian'er was just here chatting and laughing. It shouldn't be a big deal. The Empress has already gone to film the Divine Doctor Competition."
Zhao Huan finally felt a little relieved. He thought it might be a plague outbreak in Langya County, which would be extremely dangerous. He quickly put the matter behind him. His biggest concern now was his two children. "You sisters, chat here. I'll take Xin'er and Rou'er for a walk in the back garden."
Zhao Huan had little time to spend with his children. The emperor was indeed very busy, with many concubines, so naturally he had very little time to spend with his children.
Cao Dongsheng hurriedly took two young eunuchs and four palace maids with him. Just as Zhao Huan walked out of the door, Sai Hua Tuo came back sweating profusely.
Zhao Huan panicked. Seeing Sai Huatuo panting, he obviously came in a hurry. Could something have happened to Nangong Lian'er? "Sai Huatuo, what happened to Lian'er?"
The Queen and the others were also surprised. Seeing Hua Tuo's anxious appearance, it seemed that something serious had happened. Everyone stood up. Nangong Lian'er was lively and active, and was honest with everyone, which made her very popular. Therefore, everyone was very concerned about her.
Sai Huatuo smiled and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty, Empress Nangong is pregnant!"
Zhao Huan's eyes lit up immediately, and his voice trembled a little: "You, what did you say?"
"I have checked Madam Nangong's pulse and she has been pregnant for nearly two months."
"Haha! Haha! I have another son, hahaha!" Zhao Huan laughed loudly towards the sky.
The Queen and the others were also delighted. Now there was something lively again. Everyone clamored to go and see it, and Zhao Huan nodded in delight. However, as they left, Li Sisi remained silent, seemingly unhappy.
The three concubines all had children, but Li Sisi was the only one who was not pregnant. Zhao Huan was very attentive: "Sisi, you are the only one left. You have to work hard. I will go to your place tonight!"
Although these words were a bit explicit, Li Sisi was overjoyed, her face flushed, and she lowered her head without saying a word.
PS: I recommend this book, the Xianxia (immortal hero) series "Master of Time and Space." It's about time travel, traversing various dimensions. Who is the true protagonist? Everything is decided by me, the Master of Time and Space. Let your performance begin...
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