“Yes, Your Majesty. Throughout the entire Song Dynasty, they were unable to reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. Such a dynasty, although ruled by Han people, is ultimately an incomplete one.”
Wei Zheng furrowed his brow.
“Your Majesty is absolutely correct. The Song Dynasty only had Emperor Taizu who was strong. Emperor Taizong’s military abilities were far inferior to Your Majesty’s!”
Changsun Wuji laughed.
“Facing the same strong enemy, the Song Dynasty was helpless against the Liao, but our Tang Dynasty was able to completely vanquish the powerful nomadic nation of the Turks!”
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin smiled slightly and waved his hand.
“Wuji, you cannot say that. The situation of our Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty is different.”
“Back then, the reason I was able to conquer the Turks was because the Turks were struck by a divine warning. The snow fell deep, several feet thick, freezing countless livestock and cattle. The entire nation fell into famine.”
“And then, Jieli’s tyrannical reign and the rift in his relationship with Tülü allowed me to exploit the opportunity.”
“But the Liao is powerful, united from top to bottom, and their strength far surpasses that of the Turks. It is understandable that the Song Dynasty could not conquer them.”
The reason Li Shimin made this judgment was not only because the Liao won the Battle of Gaoliang River, but also because of generals like Yelu Xiongnu, who were wounded three times but still fought bravely. This was something that the Turks who had clashed with the Tang Dynasty never possessed!
Fighting against such a powerful nation was incredibly difficult!
After listening to Li Shimin’s words, the officials all nodded in agreement, praising loudly:
“Your Majesty is wise and insightful! It is truly fortunate for our Tang Dynasty!”
…
In the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
“The Song Dynasty was a disgrace. My son, our Ming Dynasty cannot follow in their footsteps!”
Zhu Yuanzhang admonished.
The Liao was indeed formidable in this battle, but so what?
Wasn’t the Yuan Dynasty formidable back then? It conquered the Jin, Southern Song, Western Xia, Dali, and Western Liao within a few years, its territory vast and expansive.
But didn’t I, Zhu Yuanzhang, drive them out of the Central Plains?!
Therefore, in Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes, it was not about the enemy being too strong, but about oneself being too weak. The Jingkang Incident in particular made him gnash his teeth in fury!
“Father is right. The Song Dynasty could not even defeat the Liao, and they couldn’t even defeat the newly established Jin. They are far inferior to our Ming Dynasty!”
Zhu Fu laughed, rubbing his hands together.
As soon as these words were spoken, the golden list in the sky began to scroll, and new text appeared before everyone in each era:
【The analysis of the three institutional constraints and the expansion of civil officials as reasons for the demise of the Song Dynasty is concluded. We hope that the rulers of all dynasties will learn from this, avoid blindly believing in ancestral systems, and act according to the times and the development of the era.】
【Next, we will analyze the fourth reason for the demise of the Song Dynasty - invasion by foreign tribes!】
Upon seeing this series of words, Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed, laughing loudly.
“Hahaha! My son, look, they finally started analyzing the invasion of foreign tribes. This must be about the Jingnan Incident, right?”
“Let those Song officials see how incompetent the Emperor Huizong and Qinzong were!”
After speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Fu and the others, who were also smiling, and frowned.
“And all of you, take a good look. This disgrace of the demise of the Song Dynasty cannot happen to our Ming Dynasty!”
“Yes, Father!”
“This son obeys!”
…
In the era of Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty, outside the Xianyang Palace.
“Invasion by foreign tribes? Could it be the Liao?”
Ying Zheng asked in doubt.
“Your Majesty, it’s unlikely. Although the Liao won a decisive victory at the Battle of Gaoliang River, they later signed a treaty with the Song Dynasty at the Chanyuan Truce. War was practically impossible, so it shouldn’t be the Liao.”
Feng Quji quickly explained.
“Not the Liao? Who else could it be? Could it be that Western Xia?”
Meng Yi shouted.
Upon hearing this, everyone was completely baffled.
This Western Xia had never been specifically analyzed by the golden list. Its name only appeared during the discussion of the Xiuning Reforms, a vague and fleeting existence. Could such a country really destroy the Song Dynasty?
“I don’t know, but General Meng, if you want to find out, you’ll have to keep watching.”
Feng Quji smiled slightly, and everyone looked towards the sky…
…
In the era of Han Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, outside the Weiyang Palace.
“Invasion by foreign tribes? Zi Fang, didn’t you guess that the Song Dynasty would perish at the hands of the Jin?”
“Today, our Emperor and officials will see if you guessed correctly!”
Liu Bang put down his wine cup and said with amusement.
“Hahaha! Since Your Majesty is interested, this subject can only accompany you.”
Zhang Liang smiled calmly, his composure unmatched.
Hearing their words, the officials also became interested, and all looked up at the golden list screen…
…
Meanwhile, in the Song Dynasty era, Zhao Kuangyin and his officials were incredibly nervous!
“Invasion by foreign tribes? Could it be that our Song Dynasty will perish at the hands of the Liao?”
Zhao Kuangyin’s pupils constricted, his expression filled with panic.
The only foreign tribe the Song Dynasty faced was the Khitan Liao, who had been entrenched in the north.
Who else could it be?
Instantly, a wave of despair swept through the officials present!
The Song Dynasty had worked so hard for so long, finally restoring the Han Dynasty’s rule. Could their future still be to perish at the hands of foreign tribes?
【The invasion of foreign tribes in the Song Dynasty, also known as the “Jingkang Incident”, was a major upheaval that took place during the Jingkang era. After this incident, the Northern Song Dynasty fell.】
【The main players who triggered this incident were the Jurchen tribe who lived in the northeast of the Liao Dynasty!】
Upon seeing these words, someone in the crowd shouted:
“Your Majesty, look! It’s not the Liao! It’s not the Liao who destroyed our Song Dynasty!”
Everyone’s faces changed slightly, and their hearts calmed down.
But soon, their hearts trembled, and they were collectively shocked and confused!
“Jurchen? What kind of people are they? We’ve never heard of them!”
“Yes, do they have a country?”
“You idiots! Of course we wouldn’t know! The golden list said they lived in the northeast of the Liao, far from our Song Dynasty!”
“No wonder, no wonder. But how could such a distant Jurchen, who don’t even have a country, destroy our Song Dynasty?”
These words made everyone stunned.
Zhao Kuangyin was also anxious, looking at Zhao Pu and shouting:
“Zhao Pu, do you know this Jurchen?”
Zhao Pu furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, and bowed.
“Your Majesty, this Jurchen tribe should be the Mohe tribe who lived in the Baishan and Heishui region!”
“Mohe?”
Zhao Kuangyin was stunned, but as soon as he finished speaking, text appeared on the golden list:
【The Jurchen tribe, whose ancestors were known as the Sushen, originated from the Black Water Mohe, one of the seven Mohe tribes. Dissatisfied with the oppression of the Liao Dynasty, they rose up in rebellion under the leadership of Wanyan Aguda.】
【In the fourth year of the Liao Tianqing era, Wanyan Aguda swore an oath at Laishui and subsequently captured Ningjiangzhou, Chuhedian, Binzhou, and Xianzhou, all under Liao control. The following year, on the first day of the new year, he proclaimed himself emperor, establishing the Jin Dynasty with the era name Shouguo. This was the founding of the Jin Dynasty!】
“Amazing! Zhao Pu, you’re right, the Jurchen are indeed a Mohe tribe!”
Zhao Guangyi praised.
But Zhao Kuangyin’s expression became even heavier. His heart was filled with endless curiosity. How did this small, upstart Jin Dynasty destroy our Song Dynasty?
…
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