Chapter 19: Speaking of Dreams (Seeking Votes, First Trial Phase)
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Sima Junshi’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Mimicking me, huh? This divine fabrication trick?”
Since the establishment of the Nine-Rank System, noble families have played the same game: crafting “child prodigies” and gradually elevating them to high office.
No matter how private the story, it would spread far and wide.
Although the Sui and Tang dynasties’ implementation of the imperial examination system had diminished this trend, who could have foreseen the fall of the Tang Dynasty?
The recommendation system revived in the Song Dynasty was essentially the same as the Nine-Rank System, manifesting as recruitment and hereditary appointments.
Whoever could create a prodigy could cut through layers of selection, becoming an imperial protégé, a future prime minister of the empire.
Sima Guang was one such figure, and Wang Anshi another in the court.
But never had anyone thought to apply this trick to self-promotion and personal hype.
If it were merely for wealth or office, it would be one thing, but what if it was Zhang Jiao or the White Lotus cultists?
He felt a bit uneasy—what if Li Chang’an was a rebel? After all, his own son had just been placed into the system.
“You want me to ask questions, but I want to ask you one! Have you truly grasped the root cause of the Song Dynasty’s ailments?”
Li Chang’an’s question cut through Sima Guang’s thoughts. The root cause of the Song Dynasty—beyond the well-known “Three Redundancies”—could there be another answer?
He had compiled the monumental three-million-character “Records of Monarchs and Ministers through the Ages,” covering the rises and falls of every dynasty, yet found no real cure for the Song’s malaise.
In the north, the powerful Liao Kingdom could reach the capital at a moment’s notice with its cavalry.
Yet Kaifeng lay on flat plains with no natural barriers, forcing the destruction of the fertile Hebei land to create lakes and forests, harming itself in the process.
In the northwest, the rebel Li family held sway; seventy thousand troops were stationed along the Yongxing and Fengxiang routes, draining the nation’s resources without progress.
Domestically, the Yellow River flooded annually, and the Huai River suffered disasters every two or three years.
The southern regions were hot and humid, difficult to cultivate, while the southwest still held the independent Dali Kingdom.
Though claiming to be the orthodox Chinese empire, the Song was merely a fragmented power holding the central nine provinces.
If there was a root cause, it lay in this incomplete control of the nine provinces.
Seeing Sima Guang hesitate, Li Chang’an pressed on.
“Who exactly is the emperor of the Song Dynasty, and whose court is this court?”
He produced an old map from behind him, labeled “Year Two of Qiande.”
It was the map used by Cao Bin when he accompanied the founder to conquer southern kingdoms.
“Wu, Shu, Chu, Han, Tang” were all marked, likely a token of victory granted upon returning triumphantly.
“May I ask, sir, from Wei to Zhou and then Song, where was the core territory?”
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Sima Guang had a ready answer: Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, and Shaanxi.
Linking this to the previous question, he guessed Li Chang’an’s point: the Song Dynasty inherited the Zhou core territory, essentially these four regions.
Then the Song’s policies made sense—nurturing its heartland generously, treating the northern routes with leniency. Could this relate to the current “Three Redundancies”?
“Another question, sir: when Emperor Taizong led his northern campaigns, returning alone, then purging old generals and officials and favoring civil over military rule, what was the outcome?”
The outcome was obvious: civil officials rose, generals declined, and the southern old powers remained unmoved.
Suddenly, a dangerous feeling stirred within him, though he could not immediately grasp why.
Sima Guang’s breath caught; he felt as if he had stumbled upon something profound.
If the northern campaigns had succeeded, what would have happened?
They would have reclaimed the Yan and Yun regions, fortified defenses, and with overwhelming victories, crossed the Yangtze, leaving the old southern officials only to obey the new dynasty.
But the northern campaign failed, oddly so, forcing Taizong to reconcile with the southern old officials and jointly confront unruly frontier troops.
He asked who the emperor truly was, what the core land was, and mentioned the northern campaigns...
The founder came to power illegitimately, chosen by generals, usurping the Zhou throne. Taizong succeeded him and eliminated the founder’s line...
Military; civil officials; noble clans!
It dawned on him—now he understood! Despite compiling hundreds of volumes, he had been blinded, missing the subtlety here.
Because the founder was a usurper backed by the military, he had to restrain generals while favoring soldiers.
Taizong was deceived by generals, nearly dying at Gaoliang River, then returned to stabilize the court by favoring civil officials and suppressing generals.
Two successive emperors, both illegitimate, had to favor noble clans to secure their support.
Now it made sense—“Three Redundancies”: redundant soldiers, officials, expenses—this was the root.
It wasn’t a lack of intelligence or diligence on his part, but his adherence to Confucian orthodoxy prevented him from thinking this way.
So simple—it was salvation for the realm!
Yet something still felt amiss. During Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Yang of Sui, and Emperor Taizong of Tang’s times, the realm had not been so financially strained.
Back then, the Grand Canal was less developed, and southern grain was not so abundant.
Could the relatively small number of noble clans, imperial guards, and tens of thousands of officials in the Song really have drained the nation?
He pondered deeply but could not pinpoint the exact knot.
“There are no eavesdroppers here today. Speak freely. Once outside this door, I shall assume all you say is from books,” Sima Guang finally conceded.
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Li Chang’an stood, leaning on the table, looking down at this elderly man from Xia Prefecture.
Genius—only so much! A lifetime buried in ancient texts, trying to find universal truths from the sages’ words, was like climbing a tree to catch fish.
Not everyone was Su Shi, not only brilliant but practical and devoted to the people.
You are nothing but a bunch of mediocre men who happened to hold high positions in history.
“In my view, the Song’s inherent weaknesses are precisely why it flourished. An era where words were law was, in fact, an era where people were treated worse than dogs.
“Doesn’t Minister Sima find this Song Dynasty quite endearing?
“No harsh punishments, no endless exploitation, few taboos, and even the imperial palace was built modestly.
“A weak emperor, a patchwork court, and a clever populace.
“It’s simply a matter of increasing income and cutting expenses. Soon, I will reveal my theory.
“To you, to Wang Anshi, to the emperor—a new path for the Song!”
Sima Guang was taken aback by the young man’s confidence, unable to find words to refute or question him for a long moment.
Someone actually loved the Song’s weaknesses?
Who in the world did not dream of the mighty Han or glorious Tang, with their iron horses and poetry?
Who exactly was this Li Chang’an?
No matter—no matter!
I can figure this out myself. Don’t think the title of genius was given lightly; I already have a lead.
“Very well, young man, your spirit is indeed vigorous. In that case, I shall await your good news and your magnum opus.
“By the way, the court is struggling to issue national bonds. If you have a solution, I am willing to recommend Su Zizhan to the Kaifeng Prefecture. How about this deal?”
Ah! A third-rank prefect—too rapid a promotion, not matching historical records.
The spark in Li Chang’an’s eyes quickly faded; did this long face really need his help? After all, he was the future leader of the Shu faction.
But selling a good deal was fine; perhaps it could become a historical tale.
“Agreed, I accept!”