In the Da Song Kaibao realm, outside the Chui Gong Palace.
“Bang!”
“Good one, Cai Jing, a treacherous official! How dare you bring such ruin upon the nation! I will kill you!”
Zhao Kuangyin was furious, his teeth bared and eyes bloodshot.
Unthinkable! The struggle between the New and Old Parties in Da Song had ended in such a way!
He had believed that ending the struggle was a good thing, but it turned out that while the struggle was over, treacherous officials still emerged!
How could Da Song’s fate be so bleak?!
And those Old Party members who opposed reform, all they did was act impulsively. The New Party at least had some concern for enriching the nation and strengthening the military; they had done some good things. But the Old Party, besides opposing everything, did nothing good!
Not only did they do nothing, they even dragged Da Song down with their blind pursuit of factional struggle, leading to its imminent demise!
“Those despicable Old Party members, they should all be killed!”
“Eldest brother, you can’t say that. While the Old Party is unbearable, they at least upheld the ancestral rules. Furthermore, if Wang Anshi’s reforms were truly without fault, why would there be such widespread opposition in the court?”
“It can be said that Wang Anshi’s reforms have lost the trust of the people.”
Seeing Zhao Kuangyin berate the Old Party, Zhao Guangyi stepped forward and explained. It was not for any other reason, but that the “ancestral rules” mentioned by the Old Party were all established by their eldest brother.
Don’t forget, their eldest brother was the founding emperor of Da Song, the Emperor Taizu! Wasn’t scolding the Old Party equivalent to scolding himself?
Zhao Guangyi’s words made Zhao Kuangyin realize his mistake. His gaze dropped, and he sighed:
“Third brother is right, perhaps there are issues with this new policy…”
As he spoke, the words on the Golden List disappeared, replaced by the resounding voice of Heaven’s Will:
【While the Xi Ning Reforms sparked the factional struggles of the Shen, Zhe, and Hui dynasties, the reforms still brought benefits to the Da Song Dynasty. Today, we will review some of the achievements of Wang Anshi’s reforms!】
【The theme of the Xi Ning Reforms was “enriching the nation and strengthening the military.” At the beginning of the reforms, there were indeed some problems, but overall, during the period of Emperor Shenzong, whether it was the land reclamation area, the prosperity of the markets, the number of households, or the state’s financial surplus, they all reached a peak. Even the number of rebellions dropped to a record low.】
【The reforms not only solved the fiscal deficit in the Zhi Ping era of Da Song, but also established 52 Yuan Feng Sealed Warehouses as military supply depots. These warehouses remained “a source of surplus and benefits, even until the late Northern Song Dynasty.”】
【The reforms did make the national coffers abundant. For example, in the sixth year of Xi Ning, the interest on Qing Miao loans brought the Da Song court 2,920,000 guan. In the ninth year of Xi Ning, the immunity tax surplus reached 3,920,000 taels. Combining these two, the Da Song court gained a huge income of approximately 7 million guan.】
【It can be said that the Xi Ning Reforms were a great success in terms of “enriching the nation.” This is undeniable, no matter what.】
…
Hearing this, the Da Song court officials present were stunned. Their eyes widened, and their breathing quickened!
What? The Xi Ning Reforms actually brought the court so much wealth?!
The treasury surplus reversed, the warehouses overflowing year after year… How could such reforms be considered ruinous to the nation?!
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin’s anger intensified, his entire body radiating heat.
“Good! Those Old Party members! Good job! You did well!”
Zhao Guangyi also fell silent. Even the Golden List recognized the achievements of Wang Anshi’s reforms. What else could he say?
If that’s the case, then it was truly the fault of the Old Party members. Why would they collectively oppose such a policy for enriching the nation?
…
In the Da Song Xi Ning realm, within a courtyard.
“Father, look, Father, look! The Golden List recognizes us!”
Wang Pang was overjoyed, pointing at the Golden List above his head and shouting excitedly!
Wang Anshi was also stunned, tears streaming down his face!
Thank you, Heaven’s Will! If it wasn’t for the Golden List, he might have given up on his reforms!
“Father, we were right! We were right!”
“Yes!”
Wang Anshi nodded solemnly, instantly appearing decades younger!
Meanwhile, the Old Party members across all Da Song realms were in an uproar!
“Bullshit! Wang Anshi’s reforms were clearly ruining the nation! How could they be enriching it and strengthening the military?!”
“We disagree! Old man Heaven’s Will, can’t you see the suffering people caused by these new policies?!”
“Heaven’s Will is unjust! Heaven’s Will is unjust!”
…
In the Da Qin Shi Huang realm, outside the Xianyang Palace.
“Seven million guan…”
Reading this number, Ying Zheng gasped!
He never imagined that the Xi Ning Reforms could bring the Da Song court so much wealth!
Ying Zheng couldn’t help but feel curious about the content of the reforms. If Da Qin could use them, wouldn’t that make up for the treasury’s deficit?
Then, wouldn’t he be able to send Meng Tian beyond the Great Wall and thoroughly teach those Xiongnu a lesson?
…
The enormous number of seven million guan instantly attracted the attention of many emperors from different realms. They all stared wide-eyed, curious about the content of Wang Anshi’s reforms!
In the Da Sui Kai Huang realm, outside the Xing Qing Palace.
“Father, you were right, these new policies have some real teeth!”
Yang Guang’s eyes sparkled, his entire body radiating excitement.
“Indeed, now I am also curious about the content of these new policies…”
Yang Jian’s eyes narrowed, his aura intensifying by three points.
…
In the Da Han Gaozu realm, Liu Bang jumped directly from his seat and exclaimed:
“Whoa! This… This is the power of reform?”
“Your Majesty, don’t be hasty. In my humble opinion, the Golden List’s content has not ended.”
Zhang Liang suddenly stepped forward and said coldly.
“Zi Fang, what do you mean? Are you saying that these reforms have advantages?”
Liu Bang couldn’t even imagine! Seven million guan! Such a massive sum of money, it would perfectly replenish the treasury of Da Han!
Then, he would no longer be afraid of those regional kings or even the Xiongnu on the Northern steppes!
“No! The Xi Ning Reforms faced so much opposition, they couldn’t have had no drawbacks. Moreover, the Golden List said that the reforms yielded substantial benefits solely in enriching the nation. But what about other aspects?”
“Governing a nation is not just about enriching it. There are other important things.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Bang was instantly stunned, the smile on his face gradually hardening. He asked in confusion:
“Isn’t enriching the nation a good thing? What else could be more important than that?”
Zhang Liang shook his head and sighed, “I don’t know. I only feel that the Golden List’s words must not be finished yet.”
“How about we keep watching?”
“Alright, let’s keep watching!”
Liu Bang chuckled awkwardly and sat back down, his heart anticipating the content of the Xi Ning Reforms!
What were these Qing Miao Laws, Immunity Laws, Market Regulation Laws, and Equal Transportation Laws? What were they exactly?
Why could they bring the Da Song court so much wealth?
While Zhang Liang and the others believed that everything came at a price. What would be the price for such a great fortune?
…
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