Chapter 2 Chapter Two
On June 24th, in the west of Bianjing City, one mile outside Wansheng Gate, Guankou Erlang Temple.
This Guankou Erlang Zhenjun Temple was originally a very prosperous place in Bianjing. Jinlan now seems to be a Bianjing city, introducing the customs and customs of Bianjing to the king and concubine of Korea.In the sixteenth year of Xining, the former king of Koryo, Wang Hui, died of illness, but did not leave a will to pass on the throne.Shun Wang Wang Xun succeeded to the throne in order, and died suddenly within a hundred days.With the support of the kings and ministers of Koryo, as well as the envoys and troops of the Song Dynasty, King Xuan Wangyun succeeded to the throne, and was canonized by the emperor of the Song Dynasty and recognized by the Liao Kingdom.One year after Wang Yun succeeded to the throne, he sent his sons Wang Yao, King Huai, Princess Gaoli, and Princess Huai to Song Dynasty to congratulate Empress Dowager Gao on her birthday.At this time, it was still too early for Empress Dowager Gao's birthday on July 16, and the Empress Dowager and Empress issued a special decree to order Princess Qinghe and Jun Jinlan of Cheng'an County to accompany Princess Gaoli and Princess Huai to watch the scenery of Bianjing.
Erlang Zhenjun is extremely efficacious, and he will respond to every request when he prays for water to cure his illness, so he was granted the title of Linghui Yinggan Gong by the imperial court.Later, I heard that when Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty invaded Xixia, Erlang God showed his might and used a heavy snow to drive back the Xixia people, saved Yanzhou, and was promoted to be King Zhaohui Lingxian.People in Bianjing worship Erlang God, so they set up temples in Bianjing to worship.Today happened to be June 24th, and according to legend, it was Erlang Zhenjun's birthday, and all walks of life in Bianjing, shops and restaurants, princes and nobles, and government offices all came to offer sacrifices, let alone ordinary people in the market.Today is also a lively festival in Bianjing.While listening to Jin Lan's introduction, Princess Gaoli and Princess Huai quietly opened the curtains of the carriage and peeped outside.When they arrived in Hangzhou from Kaijing, they felt that the prosperity of Hangzhou was almost like a paradise on earth. After arriving in Bianjing, they realized that Hangzhou was actually just a small city.At this time, they could see that there were crowds everywhere, even the whole Kaijing people gathered together, it was not as lively as in front of the temple here.If there were no honor guards to clear the way, they really couldn't imagine how to squeeze into the temple.Since yesterday, Kaifeng Mansion has begun to prepare for sacrifices.According to legend, as long as the first stick of incense can be burned until the fifth watch, one year's peace can be kept.Last night, I don't know how many people lived in this temple. They waited for the fifth watch to fight to burn the last year's stick of incense. I heard that Taifu Temple snatched it.
Is the government coming to fight?Princess Huai opened her eyes wide, looking at Jin Lan in disbelief.Jin Lan said with a smile: Why not argue?At the feet of the Son of Heaven, who can bully others?The prince, the prime minister, and even the embassies of various countries will send people to compete to burn this incense stick. Naturally, whoever has the ability will win.The year before last, some kind of guild was still fighting for miles.But no matter what the ordinary people are, they can't compete, so they have to start offering sacrifices at dawn.Empress, look at Jinlan pointing out the window, attracting the eyes of Princess Gaoli and Princess Huai. Empress, look at the balcony, the pile of things that look like hills are all kinds of sacrifices
The carriage moved forward slowly, and Jin Lan kept introducing various things she had seen to Princess Gaoli and Princess Huai in the car.Where there are people jumping rope, where there are people playing sumo, where there are zaju performers, those who call Guozi, those who imitate students (note: cross talk, ancient works are like students), those who wield knives and pretend to be ghosts, and those who make jokes. There are hundreds of operas in front of this temple, it seems that all the entertainers in Bianjing are here, and the eyes of Princess Gaoli and Princess Huai are dazzled and dazzled.In addition to praying for water to cure diseases and protecting the country and the people, this Erlang God is also a play god, so Jin Lan was talking when she suddenly heard Princess Huai screaming in surprise: What is that?Jin Lan and Princess Gaoli looked in the direction of her finger. The Princess Gaoli was so frightened that she tightly covered her small mouth with her hands, and she almost screamed. Then she saw two flagpoles with a height of tens of feet in front of the main hall of the temple. , On the thin pole tip, another crossbar was erected. A few entertainers dressed as gods and ghosts were dancing on the crossbar and exhaling fireworks, causing the people below to scream again and again.But Jin Lan smiled and said: I don't know how many people come here every year just to see this.
Jinlan chatted happily with Princess Gaoli and Princess Huai, but Qinghe seemed bored, just answering one or two sentences at random.Speaking Chinese, speaking Chinese was originally the fashion and necessary cultivation of nobles in Goryeo, so although the two concubines of Goryeo State spoke Chinese with a strong Hangzhou accent, she could barely understand it.It's just that Qinghe is really not interested in Erlang Temple.This God Erlang was originally a god of Shu, and was originally the god of protecting the country of Shu. The worship of this god was strictly prohibited in the Tang Dynasty, and it was not gradually relaxed until the Song Dynasty's rule in Shu was stabilized. It was not until the Song Renzong Dynasty that the Erlang God slowly spread to the whole country, and the stories of various gods were gathered together. , even the name of Erlang God has been changed several times, and finally there is Zhaohui Lingxian King Zhao Yu at this time.Even the locals who lived in Bianjing couldn't tell clearly about these changes, and it was even more impossible for Jinlan to know, but Qinghe once heard Mrs. Shi Sangzier say that once the origins of gods are traced, they will feel mysterious. There will be nothing left, and the feeling of awe will naturally be diluted a lot.However, what made her really absent-minded was the rumor she overheard in the palace yesterday that His Royal Highness had caught a cold again.
Since Di Yong's death in battle, Qinghe has put almost all her trust in her son Di Huan.For her son, Qinghe took great pains. She had to work harder, not only to win the favor of Empress Dowager Gao and Empress Xiang, but also to marry Concubine Zhu, creating more opportunities for Di to stay away from court battles. Huan was able to get close to Prince Zhao Maid since childhood. Although the child has no father since birth, this relationship will be the guarantee of Di Huan's life.But the health of this His Royal Highness is really worrying. Within a month, he can be sick three or four times, which is far worse than his other younger brothers.And her elder brother, the emperor, was in the same troubled body.
Princess, do you want to worship Erlang God too?Jin Lan's humble voice interrupted Qinghe's thoughts. She was stunned for a moment, and then realized that the carriage had arrived in front of the temple. She glanced out through the curtain of the carriage, and saw that the Taoist priests in the temple were all welcoming them at the archway, and the roadside was crowded with people. Seeing the lively people, Qinghe smiled slightly, and said softly: The people outside are all here to see the princess of Koryo.I was a little unwell, so I didn't get out of the car.Trouble my sister to accompany the princess and Mrs. White County for me.It is naturally impossible for Goryeo's Princess Huai to be recognized by Song Dynasty.
Princess Gaoli glanced at Jinlan, and quickly smiled and said: If the princess is not feeling well, why don't we go home.Anyway, I had a lot of fun today.Although it could be seen that Qinghe's attitude was just socializing, she didn't dare to mind it.After all, the one sitting opposite her was a real golden branch and jade leaf.She had already heard that the number one beauty in the imperial clan of the Great Song Dynasty was only a princess, but she was a princess who eats the salary of a princess, and all treatment is equal to that of the eldest princess.Ordinary concubines in the inner court of the Great Song Dynasty all respected the mistress of Jingyuanzhuang who was very good at life.
How can I spoil everyone's happiness because of me alone.Qinghe smiled and said, for the disrespect, I hope the princess and Mrs. Huaijun don't blame her.
dare not.Princess Gaoli and Princess Huai quickly thanked them.
Qinghe watched them get off the carriage with a smile, and was surrounded by a group of people to enter the temple, suddenly remembered something, couldn't help but sighed quietly.This Jinlan, I'm afraid she doesn't know that her husband caused a catastrophe in Shaanxi, right?
the next day.Inside, Baoci Palace.
Empress Dowager Gao, who will soon be fifty-two years old, leaned on the couch in the warm pavilion with her eyes closed, and Qinghe stood beside her with a round fan in her hand, gently fanning her, while whispering to Empress Gao about the past. The process of accompanying two Korean concubines on a daily basis.After going to Erlang Temple, she went to Jinming Pond. Yunluo heard what Princess Gaoli said, and seemed to want to go to the zoo. Because after Jinming Pond came out, it was getting late and it was not on the way, so she never mentioned it.
You can accompany them to have a look some other day.They came from afar, and it was right for them to do their best as landlords, which was also related to the decency of the imperial court.Empress Dowager Gao ordered.Zeng Bu and Xue Yi returned to Beijing from Lingyamen to report their duties, and bought four white elephants from Zhuni Kingdom. The princess of Gaoli had never seen it before.
He hurriedly replied, thinking of this, he found it funny again, and couldn't help covering his mouth and laughing: "The white elephant is indeed a rare thing. They brought it back from thousands of miles to offer it to the Queen Mother to celebrate her birthday. I heard that the Zhuan Kingdom is Tianzhu." Miles!Unexpectedly, instead, he was scolded twice by the queen mother and the emperor, each was fined a month's salary, and in the end he was busy for the zoo.
When Empress Dowager Gao heard this, she opened her eyes and looked at Qinghe, and said with a smile: Zeng Bu and Xue Yi, one is a minister of the imperial court and served as the third envoy; the other is a general of the imperial court, commanding the South China Sea Navy. A town of princes.The imperial court wants them to serve the country loyally, not on this.This is what the servants and court ladies should do, not the ministers.Zeng Bu should learn from Han Qi and Sima Guang; Xue Yi should learn from your family Di Lang's four white elephants, how much money would it cost to transport them all the way from the Zhunian Kingdom?How much manpower will it cost?I want to accept this gift from them, and in the future local officials will try to follow suit, and the country should produce traitors.Eleven Niang, you are also a frequent reader. You must have read the saying that the king of Chu has a thin waist, so many starve to death in the city, and the palace is full of luxury and entertainment, which is often the beginning of the country's subjugation.
These words of the queen mother should actually be written down, just like "Women's Rules", to set an example for future generations.
Empress Dowager Gao smiled faintly and sighed slightly. Empress Changsun wrote "The Rules for Women", and before the ink was dry, there was a disaster of Wu Zhou.The great truth, when Confucius was a sage, he had already exhausted it. Although "Women's Admonitions" and "Women's Rules" cannot be said to be completely useless, to deal with traitors, after all, we can only rely on loyal ministers. Can "Women's Rules" make Wu family correct his mistakes?There are different things in the world.Yesterday Zhongming (note: Yongwang Zhaohao's word) came and said that there was another mutiny in Shaanxi. Did you say that the imperial court didn't set up a three-foot rule?But in the end, it was up to loyal ministers and good generals to put down the mutiny
Empress Dowager Gao seemed to be talking casually, but when her topic brought up the Weinan Mutiny, Qinghe couldn't help but thump in his heart.Although the imperial court tried its best to block the news, most people in Bianjing did not know that the extremely serious forbidden army rebellion took place in Weinan, Shaanxi Province in early June, but it was impossible to hide it from everyone.Qinghe also heard some rumors. First, Zhang Dun urgently reported the Weinan Mutiny, and then the Privy Council suddenly became busy. Everyone from the Privy Council envoys stayed in the confinement overnight. .In a few days, the emperor's mood improved obviously, and his face became much calmer. After that, Qinghe heard that the Weinan mutiny had been put down.There were rumors that Tang Kang was good at mobilizing the imperial army, and for some unknown reason, Qinghe's heart was like a mess. Although on the surface, nothing happened, but she always felt blocked, and there seemed to be something wrong.
The empress dowager loves the second brother Zhao Hao the most, and that is well known all over the world. After the eldest brother Zhao Xu came to the throne, that is, in the early years of Xining, Zhao Hao still lived in the palace. Even after the fourth brother Zhao Kai left the house, Zhao Hao Hao successively asked to go out, but Zhao Xu never agreed because he was concerned about his mother's feelings.For this matter, since the time of the first emperor, there have been criticisms in the court.After several years of procrastination, the empress dowager ordered Zhao Hao to build a palace near the palace because of no other choice. Not only that, Zhao Hao was also allowed to visit him once a day, which was unmatched among all the kings.It wasn't until the emperor's sudden illness in the ninth year of Xining, which caused a big disturbance, that the emperor became suspicious and found an excuse to order Zhao Hao to be banned from visiting once a day to once every three days.Even so, the emperor still took into account the feelings of the empress dowager and his brotherhood, and he loved this younger brother very much. Not only did he confer the titles of his disciples many times, but he also knew that he liked rare books and was good at riding and archery and calligraphy. If you get a single or rare copy, you must first give it to him to copy it; if you have a good bow and a horse to offer, he will also pick it first. As for the pen, ink, paper and inkstone for the tribute, it is far superior to the princes.In the past few years, Zhao Hao has always had a good reputation for filial piety, but all Confucian scholars who come to the government to give lectures are treated with courtesy;But he never made friends with the ministers in the court, and those who could enter the palace were all in white clothes; and Zhao Hao was not like in the early years of Xining, who often advised and criticized the empress dowager, empress dowager, and emperor in private. The new law actually never talks about political affairs, but only fulfills filial piety and accepts joy at the knees.No matter whether it is in the palace or in the court or the people, when mentioning King Yong, they all praise him and promise him as a virtuous king.But why did the virtuous king suddenly talk about the Weinan mutiny to the empress dowager?Is this just an unintentional mention, or is there another meaning?Qinghe only felt that there was no clue to find out about this matter, and she only knew the cause and effect of the Weinan Mutiny, but judging from Empress Dowager Gao's demeanor and listening to her tone, there was obviously something beyond the strings
In an instant, many thoughts flashed through Qinghe's mind, but he pretended to be extremely surprised and said in astonishment: Shaanxi Mutiny?
Ten thousand banned troops mutiny in the hinterland of Shaanxi!Empress Dowager Gao shook her head and said: Fortunately, it has been calmed down.
calmed down?Qinghe seemed to be hearing this news for the first time, and said in a low voice: Amitabha, this is really a saint blessed by God.
This is the blessing of the ancestors.Empress Dowager Gao said, but it was also because of loyal ministers and good generals who did not care about their own lives that they were able to put down those rebels who had no father and no king in time, and eliminate the disaster. But when Empress Dowager Gao said this, she seemed to feel a little tired, she suddenly smiled lightly, and said: I have talked too much today, important matters in the court should be dealt with by the officials and foreign ministers.
Hearing these words, Qinghe had a hint of admonishment, and hastily leaned back and said: Yunluo understands.
Among so many princesses and princesses in the clan, only the Kingdom of Shu and you are the ones who know the most. It's a pity that the Empress Dowager Gao of the Kingdom of Shu said this, her eyes turned red immediately, and the tears couldn't help flowing out.Qinghe recalled that she had a very good relationship with the eldest sister of the Kingdom of Shu, but the eldest princess of the Kingdom of Shu died of illness because of the untimely death of her beloved son. I couldn't help feeling sad, and sobbed softly.
In the afternoon of that day, the originally sunny weather suddenly changed. The clouds filled the sky of Bianjing City, and gradually sank to the ground. People in the city looked up and seemed to feel that the clouds had covered the city wall. It was pressing down on the ridge of the roof, as if it wanted to crush the house.People lingering on the street began to quicken their pace, and the stalls and hawkers on Yujie Street also started to pack their things one after another, and everyone was busy rushing home.At this time, in a small courtyard of a restaurant next to Daxiangguo Temple, there were several people sitting around in the garden of the courtyard, cooking wine and talking and laughing.The waiter in the restaurant wanted to go in several times to remind him, but every time he couldn't even finish his sentence, he was chased out by a few attendants at the door.The waiter in the store had no choice but to leave resentfully. He kept walking far away, and he could still hear loud laughter coming from the courtyard.Are these people crazy?The waiter in the shop was puzzled all the time. He was in a daze when he bumped into a person who came in with a sudden bang. I was about to be reprimanded, but I heard the person on the opposite side gently ask: Is this ordered by an official surnamed Cai?
The shop clerk didn't expect the person to be so friendly, so he couldn't help but startled, looked up, and saw a tall and thin scholar standing opposite him, looking at him with a smile, he glanced at the scholar's white robe, which was only made of coarse cloth , I was relieved.It turned out that he was just a poor scholar, so his tone became haughty. Only after Mr. Cai said three words, the waiter in the inn felt stunned, his eyes fixed on the saber on the scholar's waist, as if he was stunned. .
The scholar looked at his expression and said with a smile: Do you know this sword?
The waiter in the shop nodded his head like pecking rice, bowed his waist and said with a flattering smile: It hasn't been long since the imperial court issued the system of honored swords and honored swords. This is the second time I have seen you, my little one.Last time I saw Master Guo wearing it from a distance.
I see.The scholar smiled, and asked again: Did Mr. Cai order the inner room?
Yes Yes.The little ones lead the way for the adults.The shop clerk hurriedly said, while turning sideways to step aside.
No need.The scholar shook his head with a smile, and walked inside.The waiter in the shop didn't follow him, and he didn't follow him, he was stunned for a long time, then he clicked his tongue and walked outside. When he arrived in the hall, he saw a companion holding him back, and said in a low voice: "Do you know who you bumped into just now?" ?
Do you know that officer?The shop clerk wondered.
That's Qin Shaoyou!
ah?The waiter in the shop was dumbfounded and was speechless for a while.At this time in Bianjing, who doesn't know that the Song Dynasty stationed in Koryo is envoy Qin Guan Qin Shaoyou?Compiled by Jiaji Yingdian, awarded the fifth-class honorary sword, even the dozens of poems he wrote in Goryeo are now the favorite songs of Bianjing singers
Shaoyou, you're late, you're late, you have to punish him with three bottles first. As soon as Qin Guanfang walked into the courtyard, Cai Jing, who was already half drunk, yelled loudly.
Qin Guan smiled slightly and said, "It's my brother's fault."While walking a few steps quickly, I greeted the other two: Zeng Gong and Xue Hou, it has been a long time.
Zeng Bu and Xue Yi had already got up and hurriedly returned their salutes.Zeng Bu glanced at the honored sword on Qin Guan's waist, and said with a dull smile: "Shaoyou, it's been a long time.
But Xue Yi said with a smile: "Shaoyou has now made great achievements in foreign lands, and he is already famous all over the world."I was in the South China Sea, Wen Shaoyou chatted and laughed, and arrived at the situation in Koryo, so that King Xuan could ascend the throne smoothly, and I was also happy for Ziyou.
Qin Guan hurriedly laughed and said: The imperial court has been in business for a long time. The predecessors planted trees and the descendants took advantage of the shade.
Everyone was talking and laughing as they sat down again.Cai Jing had already filled three cups in front of Qin Guan, Qin Guan did not refuse, drank three cups in a row, pointed to the empty cup on the table, and said with a smile: I knew Cai Yuanchang was not a very good man and a faithful woman.
Cai Jing said with a smile: "Why did Qin Shaoyou eat fast and chant Buddha?"There is no Hedinghong in my wine, but I can't help His Royal Highness Shun Wang.
Crane top red?Xue Yi raised his eyes to look at Cai Jing, then at Qin Guan, and saw that the two of them were very happy, as if what they said was just as simple as a pot of ordinary Koryo sake, so he believed the rumors he heard when he was in the South China Sea , is not groundless.Xue Yi couldn't help asking: When I was in the South China Sea, when I heard people talking about the successor of Gaoli, everyone said so many things, and I couldn't tell the truth.Was King Gao Lishun really poisoned to death?
When he asked this question, Zeng Bu also stopped and looked at Cai Jing and Qin Guan intently.Cai Jing glanced at Qin Guan and said with a smile: Shaoyou presided over this matter, let Shaoyou talk about it.
Qin Guan nodded, took a sip of wine, put down his glass, and said slowly: Both Zeng Gong and Xue Hou are not outsiders, so it's okay to talk about it.When he said this, he suddenly smiled, looked at Zeng Bu and Xue Yi, and said: "My generation has lived in a foreign land for a long time, among the court ministers, some people have long regarded us as different.If you travel thousands of miles away, you will be regarded as derogatory; if you are in a dictatorship overseas, you will often be impeached as domineering; In the past few years, not to mention Cai Que, Di Zi, Zeng Gong, Xue Hou, Yuan Chang, and myself, among the overseas ministers, which one is not rich in one hundred thousand guan?This inevitably invites envy.Some people in the court called us Yi officials!I have the lowest qualifications, and being able to stay in Korea is already a great kindness, so naturally there is nothing to say.But Zeng Gong, Xue Hou, and Yuan Chang are Cai Que and Di Zi. Which one is not outstanding?But since Lu Xianggong became the country, they have all been squeezed out.Yuan Chang knew these things best. In the 15th and 16th years of Xining, the imperial court tried to transfer Di Zi to the Ministry of Rites three times. Lu Xianggong cited Ban Dingyuan's example to let Di Gong die of old age in Guangzhou, completely ignoring the corruption of the imperial court. Overseas law.There is also Cai Que, who begged to return to the country eighteen times, but Lu Xianggong stopped him
Stop traveling, what are you doing with these nosy things?Seeing that Qin Guanyue was getting more and more angry when he said it, Cai Jing quickly stopped him with words.He knew that Qin Guan was a young man, although he had made great achievements in Korea, but he was too young in the officialdom of Song Dynasty.The four people here today may still be friends, but if they meet tomorrow, they may become enemies.At that time, these words will be resentment (Note: dissatisfaction. The people resentment, and the domestic rebellion Jia Yi's "On the Passing of the Qin Dynasty".), this is a crime that is enough to end a person's political life.And at this time among the four, Xue Yi is still a military official, if they get involved, things will get out of hand, and he, Cai Jing, will inevitably suffer disaster.
But what Qin Guan said was the heart disease of those present.Di Zi and Cai Que were squeezed out, and Zeng Bu and Xue Yi had a hard time in the past few years.In the past few years, Zeng Bu has worked hard and made some achievements.He has also accumulated considerable wealth in the South China Sea for seven or eight years. It turned out that when Shi Yue gained power, he fantasized about making a comeback. I can't count on it, and after spending seven or eight years away thousands of miles away, all ambitions have been polished to a clean slate.At this time, he was half a hundred years old, so it was unavoidable that Tu Shengchen did not dare to look at Jiuquan County, but hoped to be born into the hometown of Yumen Pass, so he sent people up and down to manage, and what he wanted was the same as Cai Que, they all hoped to be able to bury their hometown.But all the ministers in the court took his gifts for granted, and no one spoke for him. It was impossible for him to even think of becoming a governor of Jiangnan East and West Roads.He was also afraid that the emperor would suspect him of his dissatisfaction, so he did not dare to become an official, and he was about to die of old age and Ling Yamen.If Shi Yue hadn't spoken in front of the emperor this time, making the emperor firm in his determination to rotate officials in overseas cities one by one, he had once declared that it would be impossible to see the prosperity of Bianjing again.
As for Xue Yi, although the chief officials of the Shufu and the Ministry of War did not deliberately exclude him, his success at a young age inevitably did not match the civil and military officials and subordinates in the Shufu, the Ministry of War, and the three yamen. During the years, I first paid attention to the Northwest, and then went to the Northwest again. The sea boats and sailors were originally loved by grandma and uncle. Although the glory passed for a while, they were immediately ignored.And treat Xue Yibu especially like a stepmother.Xue Yi proposed to install artillery on ships a few years ago, and tried his best to promote the view that naval ships and naval forces must use artillery to win. He even suggested that the artillery of naval ships and naval forces does not need to use national money, but the memorials were handed over one by one, but in the end they all fell into the sea.The imperial court neither allowed the addition of artillery workshops at will, and because artillery has never shown its effect in actual combat that can affect the outcome of the battlefield, it has no intention of expanding the production of artillery when the treasury is empty.As for the artillery that has already been produced, it is natural that priority should be given to the two northern frontier defenses. Xue Yi fought for a few years, and in the end only one artillery was obtained, and it was borrowed by the naval ships and navy of Hangzhou when it was passing through Hangzhou. Still litigating this matter.What made him most helpless was that people in Bianjing continued to transfer his subordinates under the name of Lunshu (Note: The military service system in the Northern Song Dynasty, also known as Gengshufa, made soldiers impermanently handsome, and handsome impermanently handsome.) A bunch of old and weak remnants were supplemented from other sea ships and navy.As long as the name of the powerful general under his command is heard by the naval fleet in Hangzhou, and he wakes up the next morning, that person must no longer be under his tent.In the past few years, Xue Yi has become the head of the Song Dynasty Naval Academy, specializing in making wedding clothes for others, and even for a few years, he has not been promoted personally.Zeng Bu and Cai Que wanted to go back to China, but Xue Yi had to go back to Bianjing at least once a year.But for Xue Yi, the wind in Bianjing is different from the wind in Lingyamen. When he was in South China Sea, although he occasionally misses the prosperity of Bianjing, he still prefers the freedom of South China Sea after all.He, the Marquis of Fubo of the Great Song Dynasty, would only feel at a loss when he arrived in Bianjing, and everything was obviously out of place.Every time Xue Yi saw the more than 80 artillery pieces newly installed on the four walls of Bianjing Outer City, Xue Yi would feel extremely glaring.When Emperor Taizong insisted on the capital of Bianjing, didn't he think that being in Germany was not in danger?Doesn't it mean that the treasury is empty?Then why are these powerful weapons neither supplied for fortress defense nor coastal defense first, but let them suffer from the wind and rain in Bianjing in vain?
Zeng Bu and Xue Yi are like this, Cai Jing is not much better.Cai Jing served as magistrate for two terms in Hangzhou, and even the emperor praised his talent several times, but because he was a member of the Stone Party with writing on his forehead, he was never promoted. It was not until two months ago that he was recommended by Shi Yue. , Entered Taifu Temple to be a temple minister.He and Qin Guan have known each other for a long time, and they belong to the same faction, and he doesn't want him to be left behind. Besides, he is the host of this banquet, seeing that Zeng Bu and Xue Yi were touched by Qin Guan, they were both depressed and said with a smile : Shaoyou was not a good talker, but he was impressive in Korea for several years.But what I want to hear is the succession of Goryeo, who told you to talk about these boring things, you should be punished!
It should be punished, I accept the punishment.Qin Guan knew that he was talking too much, so he poured himself a glass and drank it down in one gulp.
Zeng Bu and Xue Yi hurriedly had a drink together, Xue Yi smiled and said: Shaoyou is right.In fact, when the imperial court is planning overseas, although there are many farsighted and savvy counselors, but they can really rely on only one person, Shi Gong.However, Shaoyou is still talking about Koryo. I have been curious for a long time. The court has managed Koryo for many years. Why did Wang Hui die without leaving a will, and let King Shun succeed him, causing such a big disturbance?
Xue Hou's words hit the nail on the head!Qin Guan couldn't help but said with emotion: The so-called good fighters have no great achievements, and we can also be called incompetent when we caused such a big disturbance.However, there are also quite unexpected
Since the fifteenth year of Xining, there has been a big problem in the trade between Da Song and Goryeo. In fact, this problem should have existed since the beginning. The goods sold by Da Song to Goryeo every year are far more than what Goryeo sells to Da Song. of goods.Although the imperial court exerted various pressures to allow Koryo to lift trade restrictions, and then took advantage of Koryo's defeat to force it to cancel the ban on the export of copper coins, but until now, it has proved that it was not a good thing.Since then, just like the opening of the Great Weir, a large amount of gold, silver and copper from Goryeo flowed into the Song Dynasty, and there was a serious money shortage in the country, but the demand for the goods of the Song Dynasty by its nobles was endless. In order to satisfy their greed, they had to redouble their restraint. Stripping the common people, which in turn caused the common people to be unable to afford even ordinary Song products.As a result, the trade volume between the Song Dynasty and Goryeo has been declining year by year since the fifteenth year of Xining Dead knot, because of this situation, the sentiment of hostility to the Song Dynasty in Koryo increased day by day, and the knowledgeable people among the nobles began to write to the King of Koryo frequently, asking for the restoration of the money ban and restrictions on the mutual market between the two countries.And even ordinary ignorant nobles began to feel dissatisfied with Song Dynasty because of their financial difficulties.It is also logical that the forces hostile to Song Dynasty have increased.Wang Huiben had decided to pass on to King Xuan, but he also became hesitant.Because of this, King Shun gained support, and after his death, a group of ministers succeeded him as the eldest son.
Speaking of this, Qin Guan sighed with a wry smile, and said: To tell you the truth, I was also taken aback at the time.Because of the situation I mentioned earlier, in fact, after the incident happened, we made up for it after the incident, and only then did we figure out why we were still gloating about other people’s misfortunes before we came here.
After King Nashun succeeded to the throne, I suddenly realized that something big had happened.On the night of his enthronement, King Xuan's family hid in the Da Song army camp on Jianghua Island.Rumors abounded in Kaijing, saying that King Shun would force all his younger brothers to become monks.On the morning of the second day, the officials of the staff side of the embassy sent information that King Shun had sent an envoy to mourn the Liao Lord and request canonization.In the afternoon, the eldest son of King Shun came to the embassy, begging to come to Beijing to express his condolences.I promised immediately, but in the end the envoy sent by King Shun to Da Song was just an Uncle Wang.I sent people out of the city that night to secretly contact the garrison stationed in Jianghua Island.Early the next morning, he went to see King Shun again and promised him a lot of benefits in order to stabilize King Shun temporarily.King Shun had neither received the support of all the nobles, nor had he completely controlled the Kaijing army. But if there is no mutual market between the two countries, I am afraid that there will also be a bunch of people who are not used to it.Even the silk ribbons worn by King Shun and his family, and the ceramic utensils used, none of them came from the Song Dynasty.Besides, the Great Song Dynasty has troops stationed there after all, and many of the military officers stationed at its border are my ministers of the Great Song Dynasty. He ascended the throne for less than a few days, and without the imperial edict, his regime cannot be stabilized, and naturally he does not have the courage to really He immediately tore open his face.Instead, he pretended to appease me, and not long after, he sent his minister to complain to me, swearing to the sky that he would never dare to betray the court.It's just that they were unable to fight against Liao Lord any longer, so they had to make false claims.
I pretended to believe in his sincerity, but instead I reprimanded the Minister of Minbu harshly.He also asked him to tell King Shun that the most important thing for a new king to be on the throne is to treat the ministers of the previous court kindly, to be harmonious with brothers, and not to change the previous king's governance for three years, otherwise it will cause chaos.Song Dynasty not only hoped that Goryeo would have a long king, but also hoped that Goryeo would have a virtuous king.A few days later, all the Jianghua Island garrison was not disarmed overnight and entered a state of combat readiness.The naval ships and sailors staying near Ganghwa Island also left the port.This pretentiousness almost frightened King Nashun.He was just preparing for Wang Hui's funeral with trepidation, but he didn't dare to act rashly.On the contrary, they kept sending people to lobby me, hoping to get the imperial court's order.However, the staff office had already found out in secret that he secretly sent at least three envoys to the Lord Liao in the next month.Moreover, they cleverly dispatched hundreds of soldiers to the vicinity of the embassy.But such a period of time was enough for King Xuan to recover, and he also began to secretly ask the ministers who contacted his cronies to open the capital to garrison troops.Several times I sent people to ask me to dispatch the Jianghua Island garrison to help.I saw that he was in a hurry, and he was afraid of becoming a monk, so he pushed the boat along with the flow and made a personal favor.The Jianghua Island garrison came out in full force, all wearing Goryeo military robes, heading straight for Kaijing.This King Xuan was much more ruthless than his elder brother. He bribed the officials guarding the city gate and the servants guarding the palace gate. Thousands of Jianghua Island garrisons entered the city at night, and cooperated with the generals in the garrison. They easily controlled the Kaijing garrison.Then King Xuan led his troops into the palace, and invited His Highness King Shun to drink a glass of wine in front of his father's spirit.
After hearing what he said, Xue Yi couldn't help laughing and said: That's it.I really don't know why there are rumors all over the South China Sea that you instructed the staff to poison the staff?
Qin Guan smiled and said: "The red crane top was indeed given to King Xuan by me, but I slept in the embassy that night, and the people in the official embassy were never superhuman, so they can do some ordinary things."I wonder if Sima Chunfu has the ability to poison the king of Goryeo?Anyway, Koryo can't count on it.In fact, at dawn the next day, most people in Kaijing had no idea what happened.The news spread that King Shun died violently, and King Xuan asked Jianghua Island to garrison troops to help maintain order
What about the Liao Kingdom?
I have to blame the King Gao Lishun for his ignorance of current affairs.Qin Guan said with a sneer: At this point, no matter what, it is impossible for Gao Li to carry Song Fuliao.What can Lord Liao do?Can he send troops thousands of miles into Korea to control the situation for King Shun?Goryeo does not have to worry about the Song Dynasty annexing it, but it has to worry about the ambition of the Liao Lord.The canonization of the Liao Lord can only ease the relationship between the two countries; how can it compare with the canonization of the imperial court?No matter how dissatisfied those people are with my Great Song Dynasty, they also admit in their hearts that only the canonization of the imperial court can play a role in stabilizing the hearts of the people throughout Koryo.It's just that Qin Guan's expression suddenly dimmed. If the mutual market between the two countries continues to deteriorate, and Koryo finds that the relationship with Song Dynasty is harmful and has no benefit, no matter what kind of alliance, it is impossible to be stable.Especially after the Lord of Liao unexpectedly recognized King Xuan as the king of Koryo, the relationship between Song Dynasty and Koryo, if there is no common enemy, must have common interests to maintain.Otherwise, if the accumulation continues, even if the Song Dynasty stationed tens of thousands of soldiers on Jianghua Island, it will only invite useless wars!
Zeng Bu and Xue Yi looked at each other, both of them had bitter smiles on their faces.Zeng Bu looked at Qin Guan sympathetically, and said in a shy voice: "You are really worried."However, today it is not just the decline in trade volume with Korea, but the entire overseas trade is decreasing. Although it is not obvious, it looks very stable on the surface, but it has indeed been going on for several years!
ah?Qin Guan was taken aback.But Zeng Bu's expression definitely did not seem to be joking.He turned his head to look at Xue Yi and Cai Jing, from the eyes of the two, Qin Guan clearly felt a kind of deep confusion.Is it possible that you are really in big trouble?
A rumbling thunder roared from the clouds, and lightning broke the sky.Suddenly, the entire sky was filled with the sound of thunder, and one after another, lightning accompanied by thunder, illuminating the dark sky.The clouds all over the sky, like chaotic and turbulent waves, rolled over the sky of Bianjing.轉眼之間，答答的雨點，便傾盆而下。一直伺候在院外的隨從，都是些精明剔透的人，不待雨下，早已跑進院中，給蔡京等人撐起了雨傘。
好大雨！蔡京望著這滂沱大雨，不由脫口讚道，一面笑道︰談興未盡，此處亦非賞雨處，不如隨我去一個所在，如何？秦觀滿心記著曾布所說的話，不待曾布、薛奕回答，便忙允道︰今日你蔡元長是東道，你說去哪，便去哪裡了。曾布、薛奕相視一笑，也道︰便聽元長安排。
蔡京笑著令隨從出去備車，四人一道出了酒樓，便見店外已有兩駕馬車等候，當下四人分乘兩車，冒著大雨，向南疾馳而去。
秦觀與薛奕同乘一輛馬車。薛奕上車後，便端坐閉目養神。秦觀卻摸摸坐榻，笑道︰這可是蜀錦。又拿起榻邊的一個琉璃酒杯把玩，看著薛奕，似笑非笑地說道︰這一個琉璃酒杯，值價幾何？竟隨意置於馬車之上。
薛奕睜開眼睛，苦笑道︰少游要進御史臺麼？蔡元長的俸祿，買幾個琉璃杯，還是綽綽有餘罷？
秦觀笑道︰吹皺一池春水，干我何事？說著，停了一下，用眼角看看薛奕，半開玩笑半認真地說道︰若是我真進了蘭臺，休說蔡元長，便是薛侯你也沒好日子過。
我沒什麼好怕的。薛奕眼皮都不抬，淡淡回道，當水軍不容易，海上風高浪險，我麾下的虎翼軍第二軍，每年都免不了有幾艘船要葬身海底。便是不遇上海難，人一到了船上，各種各樣的怪病便紛至沓來，倘死在船上，便只好拋到海中，連屍骨都不能葬於故土。海船水軍要提高士氣，免不了要讓出海的軍士們發點小財。但這種事，當兵的可以做，當官的卻不能做。當官的一做，整個海船水軍便爛了。故此海船水軍有慣例，軍士們私下裡回易，各有份額，所得皆歸本人，軍官不敢侵吞。在船上有差遣的武官不許回易，但凡剿滅海盜，所得繳獲，四分歸公，四分歸武官，二分歸軍士；護送商隊所得傭酬，武官亦可得三成。如此公開分成，總比私下裡幹些見不得人的勾當要好。那該我的分成，我若不拿，底下大大小小的軍官，便沒有人敢拿。他們若發不了財，便會有人扣克軍餉，私自回易，甚至扮海盜搶商船什麼事都有人做得出來。這麼著處分，無論官兵，都樂於出海護航，剿滅海盜亦肯效死力。
且不論是非對錯，你這麼做，總是目無法紀，樞府竟然能容你？秦觀沒料到薛奕這般輕描淡寫，毫不掩飾，著實吃了一驚。衛尉寺、監察御史居然也不彈劾你？
察院那些御史？薛奕輕聲笑了起來，衛尉寺也罷，察院也罷，差遣到南海來的，誰心裡不算那是左遷？有幾個人到了凌牙門還會抱著澄清天下之志不改？況且我也不怕他們彈劾，薛某在大宋武官中，清廉二字還是當得起的。
車外風捲著雨，雨夾著風，劈哩叭叭地打著車頂，秦觀坐在車中，怡然自得地給自己斟了一杯茶，正送到嘴邊，猛聽到薛奕說出清廉二字，不由一陣急咳，慌忙將茶杯放回小几上，定定地望著薛奕。
薛奕微微一笑，道︰我料你不肯相信。凌牙門有我的侯府，規模宏大，說是侯府，實則是凌牙門之子城，亦是虎翼軍第二軍之南海軍部，其中軍器、糧食儲備足支三年之用，戰守之具無不全備。修築此城所費約五十萬貫，全是由我的份例支出。那裡名為私宅，實是公衙少游你定然還不知道，為此事，我早已受過彈劾，你那些些貪腐之罪，相比之下，不值一提。幸賴皇上英明，內降指揮為我脫罪（注︰指揮，這裡指皇帝的敕令）。否則薛奕全家族誅矣。事後，皇上敕令侯府入官，另賜我白銀十萬兩，並汴京、杭州、廣州、南海四處田宅共上百頃。這筆賞賜，再加上我歷年所得份例之餘額，折錢約八十餘萬貫，我覓人在凌牙門創建南海永豐錢莊，以低息借款資助南海諸島之莊園地主；又以永豐錢莊之名義，在廣州、凌牙門、歸義城捐建學院、孔廟，收容海船水軍及大宋移民子女
秦觀抿著嘴，靜靜地聽著，薛奕一個武官，竟能如此潔身自好，實在讓人難以相信。他飽含深意地望了薛奕一眼，忽似漫不經意地笑道︰薛侯如此，令人欽佩。不過，恕我直言，我卻聽說，薛侯在故里廣置莊園，阡陌相連數十里，富比王侯，新修祖墳家廟，無不逾制
薛奕霍然一驚，定定地望著秦觀。車廂內的氣氛，忽然變得沉悶起來。半晌，薛奕方幽幽問道︰少游，這是你自己要問的？還是替別人問的？說罷，定定地望著秦觀。
秦觀從容回視著薛奕，淡淡道︰薛侯莫怪，我是奉旨問話。
奉旨問話？一瞬間，薛奕腦中轟地一聲，頓時只覺腦海中一片空白，連車外轟隆不斷的霹靂，似乎都已隱去不聞。他下意識地騰地起身，便要跪倒，卻被秦觀一把按住。便聽秦觀溫聲笑道︰皇上無責斥之意。皇上若要責備你，何必令我來問話？兩府、蘭臺、衛寺，隨便哪裡一道文牒，你只怕便要有數不清的麻煩
薛奕畢竟是久帶兵的人，片言之間，便已冷靜下來。秦觀拐著彎地試探他，他其實早有覺察。他素知秦觀不是多嘴多舌的人，豈會毫無由頭地帶起這種敏感的話題，但他先前所疑，不過是以為秦觀或受石越之託，來敲打他。薛奕自覺光明磊落，事無不可對人言，且皇帝也曾內降指揮為他脫罪，他便也有了有恃無恐之意。不料秦觀竟突然問起他老家的事情，而且連他家新修祖墳家廟的事情都知道得一清二楚，薛奕自是不免生氣。這擺明了是不信任他，才會有人去刨他的老底。他絕想不到，秦觀一個歸國敘職的高麗正使，竟然會奉旨來問他的話！這名田過限，墳廟逾制，是說大不大說小不小的罪名。大宋滿朝文武，誰家不兼併？哪戶不逾制？但真要追究起來，什麼樣的罪名都能按得上去。但也只是一轉念之間，他便立即明白，皇帝並沒有追究他的意思。否則，便如秦觀所言，兩府、蘭臺、衛尉寺，隨便哪裡，一道文牒傳來，他都只能吃不了兜著走。
臣薛奕，謝皇上隆恩。薛奕側了側身子，舌尖舔了舔乾澀的嘴脣，方沉聲道︰臣聞世俗慣趨利避害，使民知禮義難，使民知富貴易。臣所以沐猴而冠，炫耀桑梓者，不過是欲使天下人知國家財富，亦可來之於海上；功名利祿，亦可取之於海上。區區之心，伏乞皇上明察。
秦觀聽薛奕說話間已用了對答的語氣，忙笑著安慰道︰我雖是奉旨問話，但皇上之聖意，於薛侯還是信任有加。薛侯要體諒皇上的苦心，朝野清議，雖貴為天子，亦不得不顧慮。這實是一番保全之意。這世上，常有一種人，拿著雞毛便當令箭，擅會作威作福，更何況是皇上的口諭！故皇上令我來問話，其實是知道我這幾年辦差謹慎，還算略懂得分寸。又是個外臣，不至於鬧出什麼事來。且我與薛侯，也算是舊交，還說得上話皇上如此苦心詣意對一個武臣，在我大宋，實是異數。我雖然是奉旨問話，可心裡不知道有多羨慕你呢。
秦觀娓娓而談，一面轉述皇帝的話，一面猜度著皇帝的用心，薛奕聽在耳裡，心裡邊亦自覺皇帝對自己的確是有格外之恩寵，知遇之情，油然而生。他雖是武臣，卻素以士大夫自居，也不屑於說些諛辭濫調，當下只是北拜再三。
卻聽秦觀又低聲嘆道︰此番歸國，才知國事艱難，真乃舉步維艱。這次皇上召對，我看聖意並不願意看到海外鬧出點什麼事來。當此之時，國庫空虛，宮中百般裁減用度，而海外諸臣卻極盡奢華，這豈非授人以柄麼？
薛奕這才徹底明白秦觀為何突然提起這些話題來，他這番回汴京，本來是以為皇帝定然會單獨召對，有一肚子的事情準備著要向皇帝說，但此時他也已經明白，這一回皇帝不可能單獨召見他了否則剛才那些話就沒必要由秦觀來說，而海外諸臣中，毫無疑問，秦觀也已經成為皇帝的新寵，相比他熱熱鬧鬧地抵定高麗局勢，又促成高麗王妃、事實上的高麗王儲來汴京賀壽，其餘人的確也遠遠比不上這種風光。本來，皇帝是否單獨召對，薛奕也都頗能泰然處之，但偏偏這一次
薛奕無奈地把目光投向車外，望著那無休無止傾盆而下的大雨，默默地苦笑著。秦觀看了一眼薛奕，也同時陷入沉默當中，皇帝擔心的，只是不希望因為海外諸臣的豪富，而引發一場政治上的不穩定所以，皇帝才會用這種特殊的方法，來穩住薛奕，畢竟只有薛奕，才是大宋在南海地區真正的柱石之臣。皇帝可以隨意貶斥驅逐一個貪腐的曾布，大宋有成千上萬的官員可以代替曾布，但他無法在短時間內找到一個合適的人選來代替薛奕。然而，海外的隱患，又豈止只是這麼一樁？秦觀眼睜睜看著高麗的貿易額逐歲下滑，又親耳聽到曾布說這已是海外貿易的普遍現象他憂心忡忡地想著︰這，也許會是比海外諸臣們的家產更加危險的問題。
馬車在暴雨中疾馳，沿著御道筆直向南穿過保康門、宣化門（注：即俗稱所謂陳州門者）後，出城便折而向西南馳騁。車外風雨肆虐，車中亦不知過了多久的時間。各自心不在焉搭著閒話的秦觀、薛奕只聽到吁地一聲，疾速奔馳的馬車忽然放緩了車速，便聽外面蔡京大聲笑道︰到了，到了。
二人相視一笑，隨從早已搭起車簾，二人忙掀起袍角下得車來，卻見馬車正停在一座莊園之外，蔡京與曾布顯是先到了一陣，二人俱在門口等候。待秦觀與薛奕一下車，蔡京便笑吟吟引著眾人向園中走去。
秦觀隨著眾人一路行去，便見這園中樓臺高峻，庭園清幽。水閣竹塢、風軒松寮，設置佈局，無不出人意料，卻又極盡雅緻。他在心裡暗暗讚嘆，卻見蔡京在園中並不稍停，一路談笑，未多時便到了一處石港前。秦觀望著面前這條在暴雨中波濤翻滾的大河，這才恍然大悟，原來這座莊園，竟然在東蔡河的邊上。他面前的這條河，便是至陳州東南接通沙河，通陳、蔡、汝、穎諸州漕運之惠民河。
這惠民河，在太平興國六年，每歲向京師運送粟菽總計不過六十萬石，而至熙寧十六年，惠民河運粟九十萬石，菽四十萬石，平日舟輯相接，熱鬧非凡。這莊園原是王君貺家的，因嫌惠民河舟楫日多，喧擾不寧，才將這園子賣與我。我卻喜它熱鬧蔡京笑著說起他得到這園子的經過，頗有幾分自得之意。這王君貺，便是當今的三朝老臣王拱辰，他十九歲中得狀元，仁宗時做了十幾年的翰林學士，出使契丹，遼主設宴垂釣，每得魚，必為之酌酒，親鼓琵琶以侑飲。趙頊登極後，他也做過太子少保、宣徽北院使、判應天府等官，但王拱辰是舊黨耆老，故此也並不得寵。惠民河邊的莊園別墅，在宋朝實是身分地位的一種象徵，蔡京自王拱辰家買到這座園子，於心實喜焉。
曾布望著沾沾自喜的蔡京，心裡酸酸的，嘴角一撇，故意問道︰元長可知這園子的典故？
典故？蔡京被他打斷，不覺愕然道︰這園子是治平年間才修起的，能有何典故？
難道昭陵時此處便無園榭麼？曾布悠悠笑道。
這蔡京不由愣住了。
曾布微微一笑，道︰包孝肅知開封府時，這惠民河邊，也是臺榭相連的，盡是中官貴戚之產業。包孝肅以其不便惠民河漕運，借某年京師大水，盡將之悉數毀去。後來官司還打到溫成皇后跟前元長沒有聽說過麼？
原來如此，真不愧是閻羅包老！蔡京嘻嘻笑道，難怪我說這惠民河邊的園子怎的都沒有什麼年頭？原來是閻羅包老毀掉的。若果真我這園子阻塞了漕運，便毀了也應當。
曾布本意想酸酸蔡京，卻不料他竟是絲毫不放在心上，不覺驚訝，心裡免不得又對他高看了幾分。臉上卻若無其事地和蔡京開著玩笑，不料蔡元長倒是個大財主
眾人說笑間，已有僕從已送來斗笠簑衣，服侍著四人穿戴了。一個隨從在碼頭吹了個口哨，便見一艘漁船自樹後搖來，泊到了碼頭前。
蔡京回頭對三人笑道︰簑衣漁船，順河而下，端坐船中，隔雨遙望兩岸王庭謝院，此雨中之樂也。
薛奕看看蔡京，又看看曾布、秦觀，玩笑道︰要作詩嗎？若要作詩，這船我便不坐；若不作詩，我還坐得。在南海這些年，每日不是操練演習，便是算些錢秣出入，哪裡還能作詩？
薛侯放心，今日只吃酒，說些閒話。況且，有曾公與少游在此，我也不願意出乖賣醜蔡京一面笑著，一面請三人入船倉中坐了。
眾人入了船倉，才發現這艘小船外表看起來不過像是平平無常的漁船，但裡面卻極是乾淨素雅，船中還有兩個青衣童子侍立著，聽候差遣。那船夫顯也是老手，操這一葉之舟，泛於暴雨激流之中，竟安如平地。連薛奕都嘖嘖稱讚，笑道︰這樣的人用來做廝喚僕役，實是浪費了。倒不如到我虎翼二軍去。曾布卻指著後面遠遠跟著的一艘大船笑道︰有薛世顯在，還用得著它麼？惟有秦觀心事極重，輕啜兩口清酒，便向曾布問道︰先前曾公道整個海外貿易都在減少，究竟是怎麼一回事？
他這麼一問，船內頓時沉靜下來。曾布沉默了一會，仰脖喝了一杯酒，苦笑道︰其實這與高麗之事理為同一。所謂海外貿易，說破了，不過是大宋用絲綢、瓷器、鐘表、蔗糖等物事，換取海外諸夷的香料、美玉、寶石、金銀等物。用石子明的說法，大宋賣出去的，主要是加工之後的奢侈品；買進來的，主要則是天然開採的奢侈品。海外既然並非是遍地都寶石金銀，那麼一旦互市達到一定規模，無法再繼續增長，便是理所當然的。更何況，凌牙門以西，還隔著一個注輦國。注輦國阻在大宋與大食之間，凡過往商品，不僅要抽取十分之一的貨物，還要額外徵收高稅。大宋商船直接前往大食，船隊規模亦有限制。雖然這些年來，我們已經知道大宋的絲綢、瓷器、鐘表甚至是棉布但凡是大宋所產之物，在大食乃至泰西被視為天物，需求極大，價格奇高，但是卻也無能為力我們現在知道得很清楚，不僅注輦國是做轉手貿易，便是大食海商，其實也在做轉手貿易。大宋的船隻從注輦國到大食，都是被嚴格限制航線。況且，從大食至泰西，據說也無法通過海運到達
《地理初步》上的地圖，不是可以繞過所謂的非洲直抵泰西麼？秦觀奇怪地問道。
曾布與薛奕相視苦笑，地圖與航線曾布無奈地說道︰況且我們現在連注輦國都通不過。倒是聽說有幾撥民間商船已經去尋找那條航線，但是至少現在沒有任何回音。
薛奕慨聲道︰要想通過海外貿易獲取更多的財富，就必須打通大宋與大食國的航線。我搜集注輦國的情報已經快十年了，但是知道的卻並不多。他們不僅對我們有戒心，對大食人也有戒心，大食的商人對其國中虛實也所知有限。我本意想聯絡大食人夾擊注輦國，但大食國四分五裂，國力衰退，自顧不暇。而目前大宋海船水軍之實力，也無力遠征注輦國。除非給我一支我想要的艦隊！
難道我大宋海船水軍沒有薛侯想要的艦隊麼？秦觀久在高麗，在整個東海地區，大宋海船水軍耀武揚威，不可一世，他完全無法想像這個世界還有大宋海船水軍擊敗不了的敵人。
一旦開戰，不僅我們會攻擊注輦國的海船水軍、商船、港口、城市，同時還要保護我們自己的商船、港口、城市一說到海戰，薛奕立即激動起來，如此，兵力就勢必要分散！你知道注輦國有多少戰艦？我目前搜集到的情報，他們至少有戰艦千艘以上，至少分成五個艦隊若無絕對優勢，我們防不勝防！
那薛侯以為我們要多少艘戰艦？一千艘？蔡京在一旁問道。
No!四十艘！薛奕的眉毛都揚了起來，只要四十艘！
四十艘？所有的人都呆住了。
不錯，四十艘比福船稍大的戰艦，每艘戰艦的甲板上，可以放十門至二十門火炮！薛奕雙目炯炯，用兵研院最新的那種炮，裝填五斤鐵彈的，我與我的參軍們推演過無數次，注輦國沒有任何一艘戰艦能當得起兩炮命中，大部分戰艦，只要擊中，就必定沉沒。我們將四十艘戰艦集中使用，尋找敵人主力決戰就可以有充足的兵力來守衛凌牙門激動之下的薛奕，幾乎將他的作戰計畫全盤洩露出去，幸好到最後關頭，他猛地醒悟過來，收住了嘴巴。
那不可能。蔡京、曾布、秦觀，甚至是薛奕本人，都知道他的這個計畫想要通過，在目前絕無可能。大宋的戰略重心，是平定西南叛亂，鞏固兩北塞防，薛奕的計畫需要朝廷撥給他四百至八百門火炮，這幾乎是白日做夢。難道南海諸國再無潛力可挖麼？石學士說過，將來海外貿易真正的財富，不是金銀寶石，而是取之不盡用之不竭的原料！秦觀覺得極不甘心。
將來是否如此，我不知道。曾布不願意正面批評石越，只是輕描淡寫地揭過，但以目前來看，海外貿易，主要便是奢侈品貿易。這些年，為了加深對交趾等國的控制，廣州市舶務與凌牙門、歸義城市舶務已費盡心機。我們壟斷了幾乎整個泛南海地區的食鹽買賣，交趾國自產的食鹽的確不如大宋的鹽價廉物美。此外，還有蔗糖、胡椒，甚至棉布也賣得很好而香料則主要保障中土之供應。但海外的蠻夷們沒有搖錢樹，縱然大宋的東西好，也是要拿錢來買，拿東西來換的。我們也設法要求他們種甘蔗、棉樹，但最後卻發現，從海外運甘蔗與棉花至廣州還可以接受，若要運到杭州，成本就無法控制而且，也沒有海商放著在大利潤的生意不做，來掙這毫末之利。最終，規模被控制住了。除了食鹽以外，我們沒有一樣達到了預期目的。
還有南海的大宋移民曾布彷彿是想發洩著心中積年的鬱氣，話匣子打開後便再也收不住了，朝廷允許大宋百姓在南海購置土地，最初的確也有一批無賴子來碰運氣。但這些人，八成以上血本無歸
秦觀不可思議地望著曾布，聽他繼續說道︰實則歸義城與凌牙門附近的移民倒還好，他們被分配的土地就在歸義城與凌牙門附近，可以雇傭流放來的犯人勞作，交趾人也算勤勞，運氣好還能買到崑崙奴，甚至大食人賣來的奴僕，這些人如今縱使不是腰纏萬貫，也是倉廩豐足，衣食無憂。但那些在別地買土地的人，卻不過拿著銅錢換來一張毫無用處的地契。若沒有去過南海諸島，絕不能知道當地物產之豐富，那些蠻夷番部，大多不知耕種，不用錢帛，多以漁獵採集為生，並且懶惰異常，在當地你縱然一擲千金，也雇不到任何人為你做事。更何況有許多人根本就是孤注一擲，碰個運氣，聽信傳言買下那土地後便身無分文了，最後倒只好流落到凌牙門，成為當地移民的客戶。只有極少數的人，才能賄賂那些酋長，買到一兩個奴僕，勉強經營。但這些人也不過是不至於血本無歸而已。在海外，除非是凌牙門與歸義城，雖孤懸海外，畢竟是大宋的國土，倒也有人願意世代在那裡生活的，他們種植糧食，自給自足外還可以供應兩城所需，這樣還無傷大雅。但若是有人一廂情願，想在南海諸島種植糧食發財，最終也只能是竹籃水月，除了廣州不時還會需要買一點糧食，兩浙、福建，只要不碰上饑荒，誰還會從海外來買糧食麼？而本地的許多番部，則根本不食五穀！
朝廷不准奴隸南海歸順蕃部，以為有傷仁道。然而今之情形，則是中土往海外移民之人越來越少，凌牙門卻急缺勞力凡經營莊園，與當地土著爭鬥都需要人，最後，便是大食海商