nashuaworldcup Chapter 365 Establishing Zhang Bangchang as Emperor
Chapter 365 Establishing Zhang Bangchang as Emperor
“It’s normal for the common people to act this way. After all, no one wants to be massacred. Although Zhang Bangchang wanted to commit suicide, he was just a coward by nature and couldn’t bear to die, so he was forced to do it.”
"So on the seventh day of the third month of the second year of Jingkang, at dawn, Zhang Bangchang ascended the throne amidst the advice of his ministers, and the state was named Chu."
"Thinking back more than a hundred years ago, Zhao Kuangyin, persuaded by a group of people, donned the yellow robe and became the founding emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty. Who could have imagined how things would develop today!"
Lin Ke's words filled Zhao Kuangyin with deep regret. If he had known this earlier, why would he have insisted on a national policy that emphasized civil affairs over military matters?
If it weren't to avoid the chaos of the late Tang Dynasty, he would never have imagined that his decision would be like a sharp sword, piercing straight into the Northern Song Dynasty a century later!
People from other timelines, upon hearing this, also realized that the Northern Song Dynasty had truly reached its final stage.
Then, all they heard was Lin Ke saying that the Northern Song Dynasty had come to an end.
The people had mixed feelings, from the appearance of the sky to the Song Dynasty they were telling today.
It seems that not much time has passed, yet the rise and fall of dynasty after dynasty only evokes a sense of sorrow.
However, only the Song Dynasty was so frustrated, it never did anything right!
Meanwhile, numerous comments flooded the live stream:
Zhu Baba of the Ming Dynasty: It's finally over! We were so frustrated watching this! Old Zhao! Don't worry, we'll avenge you! @Zhao Kuangyin of the Song Dynasty!
Emperor Zhao Kuangyin of the Song Dynasty: …
Emperor Zhao Zhen, the greatest benevolent ruler of all time: Ah, the Great Song Dynasty! Just like that, it's gone!!
A bystander from the Ming Dynasty: Ahem! It's not over yet, there's also the Song Dynasty, another frustrating history!
A minor official in the Qin Dynasty: What a pity! He was able to turn the tide in several games, but then he fell to the ground and couldn't get up!
Big Han Liu Zhuzhu: So Old Zhao's grandson all went back to his hometown with the Jurchens. Tsk tsk, serves him right! Who told him to be so useless?!
……
During the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty
"The Northern Song Dynasty has been declared extinct..." These words kept echoing in Zhao Xu's ears, making his head buzz as if it were about to explode.
Immediately afterwards, a feeling of powerlessness surged into his heart, almost overwhelming him, and he slumped into the chair.
At this moment, he didn't know whether he should cry or laugh, for the Northern Song Dynasty had fallen at the hands of his son.
He has absolutely no face to face the ancestors of the Zhao family a hundred years from now!
Even if Zhao Xu's current reforms are right or wrong, or if all their efforts will ultimately come to nothing, what's the point?
Seeing that his emperor was about to back down, Wang Anshi thought: ...No way! Backing down again!?
So he strode forward and advised: "Your Majesty, people are accustomed to complacency for more than a day, and many officials and scholars neglect state affairs, making it fashionable to conform to worldly trends."
"This trend should be improved in the first place, and now that we know of the humiliation of the Jingkang Incident, we should do so even more." (The first two sentences are from a reply to Sima Jianyi's letter)
Even someone as stubborn as Sima Guang had to admit that if the Song Dynasty did not strengthen its military, how could it cope with the rise of the Jurchens a few decades later?
We can't put all our hopes on the emperor, can we? Who can guarantee that there won't be another Emperor Huizong or Emperor Qinzong?
Zhao Xu, still in emo mode: I know you're anxious, but don't rush!
......
Back to the live broadcast room.
Lin Ke continued, "At Zhang Bangchang's succession meeting, the Jurchens entered the capital with the imperial edict of investiture and more than a hundred people."
"However, Zhang Bangchang, as the successor, displayed an astonishing 'lion's roar' during this ceremony."
"It is said that this man cried loudly as soon as he mounted his horse at the Ministry of Personnel, and cried loudly again when he arrived at the Imperial Court. So men are made of water too, how can they cry like that?"
"I reckon he was all crying and sobbing as he put on his clothes, and the first people Zhang Bangchang thanked were the Jurchens. And indeed, without the Jurchens, there would be no Zhang Bangchang today."
"However, the arrogant Jurchens of today never imagined that decades later, the Song people would pull off another tactic called the alliance with the Mongols to destroy the Jurchens!"
Everyone in Wanchao: ......
"In early April of the second year of the Jingkang era, the Jin people, who had won a great victory in the Song-Jin war, were preparing to return to their hometown with their spoils of war."
"The spoils here also include the two emperors Huizong and Qinzong, as well as members of the imperial family, concubines, and princesses. In addition, there are the artisans, doctors, embroiderers, and so on that were requested earlier."
"Historically, this event is known as the Jingkang Incident (a humiliation). If we consider that the Northern Song Dynasty did its utmost to protect its capital from the Jin Dynasty, then we won't dwell on that!"
"But how did Emperors Huizong and Qinzong react passively, and how did they discard their useful tools after they had served their purpose?"
"If they had seized even one opportunity, Emperors Huizong and Qinzong wouldn't have marched north. If they couldn't defeat you, couldn't they have just run away? Couldn't they even learn the speed of their ancestor Zhao Guangyi???"
"It is not unjust for these two to be arrested, but it is truly a disgrace for the others to go north with them. This is a rare occurrence in history."
These words were met with utter disapproval from the crowd!
General Judy, the Conqueror of the North: It can be said that the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty was inseparable from these two things: paying reparations without hesitation, and using women as a substitute when there was no money.
General Judy, the Northern Expeditionary General: They'll stop at nothing to satisfy the Jurchens' demands! How could this be his father?! The Song court during the reigns of Emperors Huizong and Qinzong truly makes our Ming Dynasty despise them!
Emperor Zhezong of Northern Song (Zhao Xu) was furious: So why didn't these two die with Northern Song? Why did they have to be captured and sent to the north? How can they still have the face to live?!
Cheng Yaojin of the Tang Dynasty: These people are worse than animals! They've knelt before these Jurchens without any shame! It's a disgrace that our Great Tang Dynasty was replaced by such a dynasty!
Zhu Baba of the Ming Dynasty: Fourth Brother is right! The late Song Dynasty was such a coward. I really don't know how ruthless the Jurchens were. Back then, when the Mongol Yuan Dynasty was invading, didn't our old Zhu still fight them just the same?
……
People from all over the world posted comments, but they couldn't contain their anger. What kind of dynasty was it?
Instead of defending against foreign enemies, they turned their swords on the elderly, weak, women, and disabled of their own country!
What kind of logic is this? Why don't these two go to their grandfather, Emperor Taizong, instead of hiding their own lives and betraying their own people?!
……
During the reign of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty
At this moment, Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Taiping had just finished hearing the ending of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Before they could even sigh for a few seconds, Lin Ke's words reignited their anger!
Damn it, these shameless men! They can't even defend the capital, and they can't even come up with the money, so they're setting their sights on women!
If these guys are so capable, why don't they go and serve the Jin people? Anyone can take a role, it's all about survival!
Damn it, we can't get through, we can't beat those two emperors Huizong and Qinzong to death!
……
During the reign of Emperor Zhezong of the Song Dynasty
Zhao Xu had just been "taken care of" by the imperial physician, but the resentment in his heart just wouldn't dissipate.
The Jingkang Incident was a disgrace! How could Emperor Huizong and Emperor Huan of Song live such a undignified life, failing their ancestors and their subjects?
Rather live a life of ignominy than stand up and confront the culprit, Zhao Xu, enraged, grabbed a stick and went to beat up the instigator—Prince Duan, Zhao Ji!
Damn it, let him deal with stones, let him advocate peace! Let him run away, let him father a son like Zhao Huan!
At the same time, Zhao Xu received many messages hoping that he could give Zhao Ji a good beating.
Alright, everyone's wishes must be fulfilled. Zhao Ji, you just wait and see!
Emperor Huizong of Song, who is still recovering from his injuries: (??? ? ???)...Brother, please love me one more time!!
……
In the other live broadcast room, Lin Ke sighed again: "Both emperors were captured, but Zhu Qizhen at least only arrested a few people in the end, and didn't implicate any women or relatives of the imperial family."
"So, Emperors Huizong and Qinzong really did commit atrocities. Let's temporarily turn our attention away from Emperors Huizong and Qinzong and look at Zhao Gou's side."
Zhu Baba of the Ming Dynasty: What's the point of comparing the rotten ones? They're both no good!