【Besides, there were also treacherous officials during Emperor Huizong’s reign, such as Chancellor Wang Fu, Grand Marshal Liang Shicheng, Wei Yuan Jiedushi Zhu Mian, and Grand Chamberlain Li Yan. Among them, Cai Jing, Tong Guan, Wang Fu, Liang Shicheng, and Zhu Mian were dubbed the “Six Villains” by people at the time, considered the six most treacherous officials who caused the greatest harm to the country and people. 】
【With so many treacherous officials surrounding Emperor Huizong, coupled with his personality of neglecting state affairs and being obsessed with "art," the Song dynasty soon teetered on the brink of collapse under the rule of this group of incompetent emperors and treacherous officials, the people were suffering, and the situation was fraught with danger!】
【Emperor Huizong himself remained oblivious to the danger, still immersed in the flattery of the treacherous officials and his own literary achievements, treating the people of the world as nothing, and regarding the countless subjects as mere puppets. 】
【Which of the grandiose construction projects like the Flower and Stone Levy and the Genyue Palace Garden wasn’t a favorite of Emperor Huizong’s? Without his support, the “Six Villains” wouldn’t have been able to wield such power in the court and hold sway for a time!】
【With such a foolish emperor and treacherous officials, all the wealth accumulated during Wang Anshi’s time was squandered, and the Northern Song Dynasty met its demise!】
…
As the golden characters on the golden list continued to scroll, and the echoes of the Great Dao heavenly sound reverberated in the sky, emperors and ministers from all dynasties and eras stared wide-eyed, stunned in place.
The Qin Dynasty First Emperor’s realm, outside the Xianyang Palace.
“What a foolish emperor and treacherous officials! To think the Northern Song Dynasty perished in such a way! They truly deserve their fate!”
Ying Zheng clenched his fists, looking as if he could not bear to see this.
How could such a prosperous dynasty be ruined by this group of foolish emperors and treacherous officials? This was simply unbearable!
Unfortunately, they were not from the Qin Dynasty, or he would definitely have dragged these foolish emperors and treacherous officials out, dismembered them, and then subjected them to the harshest posthumous punishment!
“Your Majesty is right! The Song dynasty met such emperors and ministers, its demise was inevitable!”
Li Si and the others also shook their heads in wry amusement.
This Song Huizong’s ability, or rather lack thereof, surpassed even that of Zhou You Wang back then!
“Hmph! All of you, my esteemed ministers, must take this as a warning, do not emulate those Six Villains!”
Ying Zheng gritted his teeth, coldly snorted.
“Your humble servant shall obey!”
Having spoken, Ying Zheng’s gaze shifted towards the distant north, that was the frontline against the Xiongnu, where the Shanggu County, where the 300,000 Great Wall army was stationed and where his eldest son, Fusu, was exiled!
Several months ago, Ying Zheng had arrested a group of magicians, but Fusu had stood up to defend them, and Ying Zheng, in his rage, had exiled Fusu to Shanggu County to fight the Xiongnu alongside Meng Tian!
Despite Fusu’s exile, in Ying Zheng’s heart, the Qin throne was still meant for Fusu. This so-called exile was merely a test for Fusu at the frontline. After all, Meng Tian, who commanded 300,000 troops, as well as the Meng Clan behind him, were staunch supporters of Fusu!
“Fusu, Fusu, you can see this golden list too! Just don’t end up like that foolish emperor Zhao Ji…”
Ying Zheng’s eyes flickered, muttering to himself, but soon the worry dissipated.
Because Ying Zheng knew, although Fusu was inclined towards Confucianism and had a weak personality, he didn’t possess any artistic talent, so he should be able to do a decent job as a ruler who focuses on maintaining the status quo!
Thinking about this, Ying Zheng let out a long sigh of relief, then raised his head to continue gazing at the celestial screen…
…
The Han Dynasty High Ancestor’s realm, outside the Weiyang Palace.
“What a Song Huizong! Never thought there would be such a foolish emperor in this world, truly eye-opening!”
Liu Bang held his wine cup, clicking his tongue in wonder.
He originally thought that a foolish emperor of a dynasty would be like Qin Er Shi Huhai, harming the people, favoring treacherous officials, not doing a single good deed, and wreaking havoc in the world!
However, he never expected that this foolish emperor of the Song Dynasty would actually have a fondness for calligraphy and painting, and even created something called “Slender Gold Script,” renowned throughout history?
This greatly surprised Liu Bang!
Unlike himself, who grew up in the wilderness of the mountains, he had no idea about things like calligraphy and painting, these elegant things!
“Hahaha! Your Majesty, what kinds of people aren’t there in this world? It’s just unexpected that a fondness for calligraphy and painting could become the reason for a nation’s demise…”
Chen Ping shook his head, chuckling, his surprise exceeding that of anyone else present.
“Yes, yes, I say, these things the literati do, they should all be forbidden! My Great Han wouldn’t have perished then!”
Fan Kuai chuckled, causing the others to frown slightly.
Liu Bang, however, had a sudden flash of inspiration. Yes, should he really forbid future emperors from engaging in these frivolous pursuits?
“No! Your Majesty, the fault lies with Emperor Huizong himself, not with calligraphy and painting!”
Zhang Liang stepped forward in time, shouting loudly:
“Future emperors of my Great Han must learn the ways of the emperor and strategies for governing the world! Then there won’t be foolish emperors like Emperor Huizong!”
“Yes, Your Majesty, these things done by literati are still quite useful…”
Cao Can also echoed the sentiment.
“Hahaha! Of course I know, Fan Kuai is always spouting nonsense, how could I believe this fellow?”
“I have my own judgment, future emperors must naturally prioritize the ways of the emperor!”
Liu Bang laughed it off, throwing all his crazy ideas out of his head…
…
The Jin Dynasty Taikang realm, outside the Taiji Palace.
“Calligraphy and painting? This Song Huizong is quite interesting.”
Sima Yan smiled.
“Your Majesty, it was the treachery of the Six Villains that brought ruin to the Song Dynasty, Emperor Huizong’s fondness has nothing to do with it!”
He Shao narrowed his eyes, cupped his hands and said.
Ridiculous, who among the prominent families here doesn’t appreciate calligraphy and painting? These are all things that elegant families can master!
If Emperor Huizong possessed these abilities and had lived in the Jin dynasty, he would definitely have become a rising star!
“That makes sense, but I think both the treacherous officials and the foolish emperor share the responsibility for the Song dynasty’s demise.”
Sima Yan waved his hand, chuckling.
“Your Majesty is right, but I wonder if this Emperor Huizong is proficient in Xuan cultivation!”
Jia Chong smiled slightly, stroking his beard.
Xuan cultivation, this was the most popular thing among scholar-officials of prominent families during the Western Jin dynasty, Confucianism had declined, and Xuan studies had risen. If you were keen on Xuan cultivation, you could secure an official position in the Western Jin court, its influence was greater than that of Confucianism!
“Xuan cultivation? I don’t know about that, I suppose he’s also adept at it…”
Sima Yan chuckled, his sharp gaze fixed on the sky.
If Emperor Huizong were truly interested in Xuan cultivation, then the Song dynasty wouldn’t have perished so quickly…
…
The Sui Dynasty Kaihuang realm, outside the Xingqing Palace.
“Guang’er, did you see? These things done by literati are all trivial, as an emperor, governing the country is the real business!”
“Guang’er, you must learn from this, spend more time studying the ways of emperors and wise sages!”
Yang Jian squinted his eyes, earnestly advising him.
The reason he emphasized this was because Yang Guang was also quite accomplished in literature and he also enjoyed cultivating his mind!
“Your Majesty, what you’re saying is right, Guang’er is so clever, how could he not know these things?”
Dugu Qieluo glanced over, chuckling.
“Father is absolutely right, your son shall remember this!”
Yang Guang nodded in respect, but in his heart he was thinking about those strange and wondrous creatures!
Genyue Palace Garden, and that Flower and Stone Levy, this Song Huizong really knew how to enjoy himself!
Once he ascended the throne, he must learn from this wise brother of his!
…
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