Chapter 304 Wang Shao's Plan for Hehuang
Zhao Xing never understood why the Song Dynasty did not move its capital. Bianjing was obviously not a suitable place to be the capital.
There are five strategic locations to defend around, and a large number of troops are needed to be stationed to protect the capital, which is too costly.
Inside and outside the city of Bianjing, the chaotic troops accounted for half of the troops of the Song Dynasty.
If the capital is moved to Luoyang, there is no need for so many soldiers and horses. Two hundred thousand would be more than enough.
There is a reason why so many dynasties in ancient times chose Luoyang and Chang'an as their capitals.
However, the Guanzhong Plain was severely damaged during the Tang Dynasty and was not suitable as a capital.
Luoyang has recovered a lot in recent years and is very suitable to be the capital.
"You think you're the only one who's considered this?"
The retired emperor thought that after Zhao Xing ascended the throne, he would make three major changes as a new official, but he did not expect that Zhao Xing would actually have the idea of moving the capital.
"When Taizu founded the Song Dynasty, he considered making Luoyang the capital, but was opposed by his ministers. Taizu considered that moving the capital would be laborious and costly, and that Bianjing was close to the canal, so it was convenient for the transportation of materials, so he did not move the capital."
"Don't be angry, father. I just said that. It is not necessary to move the capital." Zhao Xing said hurriedly.
The capital must be moved, even if the Liao Dynasty and Western Xia are destroyed in the future and the threat is gone.
There is no strategic location to defend the capital city. Who knows if there will be an unfilial descendant in the future who will invade and attack the capital city?
However, Zhao Xing was not in a hurry about this matter. He just wanted to see his father's reaction.
Even my father does not agree at this time, let alone the officials.
It is estimated that if Zhao Xing were to propose moving the capital, none of the officials would support it, and they would even cite Emperor Taizong's words "Virtue lies in virtue, not in danger" when he opposed Emperor Taizu's relocation of the capital.
Moving the capital at this time would make little sense and would only cost time and money. Even if his father agreed, he would not move.
It will not be too late to move after we destroy the Liao Dynasty and Western Xia in the future.
"Do you really think so?" The emperor looked at Zhao Xing with some suspicion.
"Don't worry, Father. If you don't agree, I will definitely not move the capital."
Zhao Xing saw the palace maids had already brought in the food, and he quickly said, "Father, please eat first."
After dinner, Zhao Xing chatted with his father for a while and then left.
"Fuer is really sensible. He came here specially because he was probably worried that Your Majesty would not be able to adapt after abdicating, so he came here specially to talk to Your Majesty." Empress Dowager Cao said with a smile.
"He is sensible, but sometimes he has too many ideas." The emperor sighed when he heard this.
"Your Majesty is still thinking about moving the capital. Didn't Fuer say that if you don't agree, he will propose to move the capital?" said Queen Mother Cao.
"You also said that I do not agree with him not moving the capital, but what should I do after a hundred years?" said the emperor.
Empress Dowager Cao thought for a moment and said, "Fu'er is filial and will not disobey His Majesty's will."
"I hope so." The emperor shook his head and said, "I've really worked so hard. I thought I could have a good rest after abdicating, but Fu'er is not at all worrying. In a few days, you will accompany me to the Luoyang Palace to live for a while, out of sight, out of mind."
"Your Majesty, do you really want to agree to Fuer moving the capital?" Empress Dowager Cao asked in surprise.
The imperial palace built during the Wu Zetian period in Luoyang is still there. When Emperor Taizu established the Song Dynasty, he wanted to make Luoyang the capital and even sent people to renovate it.
Although it was abandoned later, Luoyang was still used as a temporary palace.
But no emperor in these years has ever been there.
She had been married to the retired emperor for many years, so she knew as soon as she heard it that he was not just thinking about leaving Bian Jing and pretending to be out of sight.
"Well, let's go and take a look." The emperor sighed.
No one knows a son better than his father. Although Zhao Xing has just promised not to move the capital, since Zhao Xing has mentioned it, he must want to do so.
He might not move the capital during Zhao Xing's reign, but Zhao Xing would definitely do so after his death.
Queen Mother Cao told him to leave a will, but based on her understanding of Zhao Xing, she knew that Zhao Xing might not obey it when that day really came.
If Zhao Xing violated his will and moved the capital, he would definitely be branded as unfilial.
The retired emperor did not want to do this. He planned to go to Luoyang in person to take a look. If Luoyang was not suitable, he would be able to make Zhao Xing give up.
Really pity the parents of the world.
…………Zhao Xing didn’t know his father’s plan. After leaving Xingming Palace, he went to Longtu Pavilion to take a nap.
After waking up, Sanshui came to report that Wang Shao had arrived.
"Let him wait outside."
Wang Shao came back to attend Zhao Xing's coronation ceremony.
Zhao Xing originally did not want to let officials from all over the country send to Bian Jing to watch the ceremony, but his father did not agree.
The accession of a new monarch must naturally be grand, and it is necessary for officials from all over the country to come and watch the ceremony.
Zhao Xing had no choice but to agree as he could not persuade his father. However, he insisted on not granting titles to the officials who came to watch the ceremony, but only to the officials in Bianliang.
He had specifically instructed that no real positions would be granted to those who were bestowed with titles this time.
Although Zhao Xing was very reluctant to support hundreds of officials for free, he had no choice but to do so.
At this time, he had just ascended the throne, and there was civil strife in the Liao Kingdom and Western Xia. He might have to mobilize troops next. This was not the time to create unnecessary trouble.
Zhao Xing's plan was to stabilize the internal situation first, resolve external risks, and then turn the guns around and completely solve the internal problems.
If these officials still don't understand at that time, don't blame him for being cruel.
Zhao Xing washed his face and came to the outer room. Wang Shao, who had been waiting for a long time, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"
"No gift."
Zhao Xing came to the imperial desk and sat down, and asked someone to give Wang Shao a seat.
He took a look at Wang Shao and said, "Zichun, you have worked hard."
Wang Shao was born into a humble family and his skin was naturally dark.
But in just less than two years, Wang Shao looked darker and his skin became rougher.
It is obvious at first glance that he is working in the northwest and is not living a life of luxury in the city.
"I'm not tired!" Wang Shao bowed.
It is definitely hard work. Not only are the conditions in the Northwest backward, but there are also strong winds and sandstorms.
But with Zhao Xing's words, he felt that all his hard work during this period was worth it.
"Sit down and talk."
Zhao Xing waved his hand, asked Wang Shao to sit down, and asked: "Tell me about the situation in Hehuang."
"Yes!"
After Wang Shao considered it for a while, he described the situation in the Hehuang area in detail.
There were two forces in the Hehuang area, one was the Qiang people and the other was the Tubo.
However, the two forces were not unified, but formed several tribes.
Although there have been minor frictions between the Qiang and Tubo tribes over the years, no major war has broken out.
After all, their neighbors were the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia, and they were also worried that if a war broke out, they would be taken advantage of.
After talking about the situation in the Hehuang area, Wang Shao went on to talk about the trade with the Tubo and Qiang peoples in Hehuang.
After Sheng Wei went to the northwest, he had already started trading with the Tubo and Qiang tribes in the Hehuang area.
Because Shengwei could provide salt and iron, it was very popular among various departments.
Through the caravan, Wang Shao also collected more information about the various tribes.
"Your Majesty, there is civil unrest in Liao now, Western Xia has sent troops to the plateau, and the Song Dynasty is building the Great Wall in the north. The Hehuang tribes are ready to move. This is a godsend opportunity." Wang Shao said.
"Zichun means to send troops to Hehuang now?" Zhao Xing asked.
"No." Wang Shao smiled and said, "The Hehuang Tubo and Qiang people both want to unify and dominate Hehuang. However, they are divided into several tribes and it is difficult to reach a consensus. What I mean is to provide more weapons to the largest tribes on both sides of the Tubo and Qiang."
"Do you want to strengthen the strength of the largest tribes on both the Tubo and Qiang sides, stimulate their ambitions, and send troops to annex other tribes?" Zhao Xing said.
"Your Majesty is wise. This is indeed what I intended."
(End of this chapter)