Chapter 299: First, I am

Yang Chang captured Yangqu too quickly, causing many wealthy families and officials in the city who were close to the Jin Kingdom to not have time to evacuate with their master.

As the local bosses of Taiyuan, these people instigated the people to loot the treasury and incited confrontation at the beginning of the city's fall, posing a potential threat to the stability and order. Most of them hid behind the scenes to stir up conflicts and could not directly use violence to solve the problem.

The Jin people implemented a tax-farming system in the occupied areas, which reduced exploitation and oppression by many middle-level officials. The lives of the lower-class people were better than before the Jingkang Incident, so they gradually got used to living in the occupied areas and temporarily forgot about ethnic hatred.

However, Yelu Yudu hastily retreated to pacify the situation. Pucha Shijianu was almost completely annihilated at Shaxiongling. After there were no Jin troops left in Taiyuan Prefecture, the "local tyrants" in Yangqu began to restrain themselves.

In order to completely solve the problem, Yang Chang formally established the Hedong and Hebei Administration Office. Later, he adopted Tang Ke's suggestion to hold a grand ceremony for Wu Song, declaring the return of Han sovereignty in a festive manner, and at the same time promulgated a series of laws and decrees to benefit the people.

After a series of combined punches, the people of Yangqu were no longer trembling with fear, and the streets gradually regained their former vitality. As for the pro-Jin elements lurking in the dark, they were later eliminated one by one by the Sparrow Army.

Because there were many T-junctions in the city and the terrain was not conducive to horses galloping on the streets, Lu Zhishen and others had to slow down and pass slowly even though they were in a hurry.

The Taiyuan seat at that time, Yangqu, was actually neither the later Yangqu County nor the Taiyuan City passed down from ancient times, but a new city built by Zhao Guangyi after he conquered the Northern Han Dynasty.

Of course, Zhao Guangyi did not want to build a city, this move was completely out of necessity.

Since the Spring and Autumn Period, Taiyuan has been governed by Jinyang City on the west side of the Fen River. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and is praised by the ancients as "controlling the mountains and rivers, sitting on the shoulders of the world, and being at the crossroads of the four passes, and controlling the capital of the five plains."

From the Spring and Autumn Period to the early Song Dynasty, Jinyang produced many emperors who conquered the world, so it was also called the Dragon City.

At the beginning of Zhao Guangyi's reign, it took him ten years and a lot of manpower and material resources to eliminate the Northern Han regime that ruled Taiyuan, and Jinyang City was the toughest nut to crack. The final victory was not due to a violent attack, but Liu Jiyuan's voluntary surrender.

Although the Northern Han emperor surrendered, the people of Jinyang still used bricks and stones as weapons and launched continuous sneak attacks on the Song army in the city. This action greatly dissatisfied Zhao Guangyi, who angrily scolded the people in the city as "stubborn people."

The Song army would not stay in Taiyuan forever. Zhao Guangyi wanted to lead them to attack Youzhou, so he was worried that the "stubborn people" would rebel in Jinyang, which would make his ten years of hard work a joke.

If Zhao Guangyi had followed Shi Jingtang's example and relied on the Khitan, he would have been able to dominate the north of the Yellow River and pose a huge threat to the hinterland of Kaifeng. Zhao Guangyi then used the excuse that "Shang and Shen cannot coexist" to burn down this thousand-year-old city. The following year, he diverted water from the Fen and Jin rivers to completely turn Jinyang into ruins.

(According to the Feng Shui of the Heavenly Stars, Taiyuan is the star of Can, while Songzhou (later renamed Yingtian Prefecture), where Zhao Kuangyin rose to power and where the country's name came from, is the star of Shang. The two stars appear and disappear in the night sky, symbolizing opposition and disharmony between them.)

Before Zhao Guangyi destroyed Jinyang, he moved the wealthy families in the city to Bianliang and Luoyang, and ordinary people to the newly built Pingjin City (now Yuci). Unfortunately, most people did not appreciate it. They brought their families to Tangming Town under Yangqu County, northeast of Jinyang City, and settled down.

(Pingjin City, the Ming Dynasty was submerged by floods and perished. After Zhao Guang destroyed the Northern Han Dynasty, he changed his army's station Chongsheng Temple to Tongping Temple, enshrined his portrait in the temple, and built Pingjin City with Tongping Temple as the center)

In the same year, Zhao Guangyi was defeated at Gaoliang River and completely lost his fighting spirit for the Northern Expedition. After that, the Song Dynasty adopted a defensive stance against the Liao Dynasty. As the gateway to Shanxi, Taiyuan's defensive role became prominent.

The new seat of government established by Zhao Guangyi was Pingjincheng, which had a locational advantage far superior to that of Jinyang City. So, at the suggestion of Prime Minister Zhao Pu, Jinyang was rebuilt, but it was centered on Tangming Town, and the government office directly used Yangqu County Office. Therefore, Yangqu was the seat of government in Taiyuan in the Northern Song Dynasty.

The newly rebuilt city held off the Jin army for nine months. If Zhao Guangyi had not destroyed Jinyang, perhaps with the terrain of ancient Jinyang, it could have held out longer during the Jing Kang Campaign.

When Yang Chang captured Yangqu City, his experience was similar to that of Zhao Guangyi, but his way of handling it was more intelligent.

On the morning of April 20th, Wu Song's wedding was held in the front hall of the Zhizhisi.

Yang Jian was ordered to welcome guests at the gate of the mansion. When he saw Song Qing and his party, he was particularly surprised. He looked at Lu Zhishen and asked curiously: "Master, what are the fourth brother and his party doing?"

"What else can I do? I'm here to attend a wedding." Lu Zhishen shook his head.

"Yes Yes Yes"

Song Qing nodded in agreement, thinking that while Wu Song was having a good day today, he would be able to gather a lot of useful information, and then he could flatter him subtly, and the group of reckless men under Yang Chang's command would be persuaded to hold on to Taiyuan. However, he didn't know that Yang Chang would never give up Taiyuan.

"Uh, in there please"

"Commander Yang, present our gift."

Although Lu Zhishen did not bring any gifts and was about to walk in with Yang Zhi, Song Qing was a smooth person, so how could he be rude? Moreover, when he saw the clerk next to him recording the accounts, he quickly stopped Yang Zhi and winked at him.

Yang Zhi was stunned at first, then asked the guard to bring a brocade box, which contained a white jade bowl, which was originally a reward given to Yang Chang by Zhao Gou.

Since Song Jiang didn't know that Wu Song had married, and he predicted that Yang Chang might not have to, Song Qing decided on his own to send Wu Song a gift.

The three of them then followed Lu Zhishen into the front hall and saw familiar faces such as Lu Junyi, Chai Jin, Li Ying, Zhu Tong, the three Ruan brothers, etc., as if they had returned to the Loyalty Hall of Liangshan, but Yang Chang and Wu Song had not arrived yet.

"Huh? Look."

"Song Qing? And Yang Zhi and Suo Chao?"

"Why are they here?"

"Yang Zhi?"

Liu Tang was chatting and laughing with Xuan Zan when he suddenly heard the name of his old friend Yang Zhi. He was startled and looked towards the door. It was indeed the familiar Green-faced Beast. He strode towards it.

"Are you coming to the wedding too?"

"Yes."

"Brother Liu Tang."

Seeing Liu Tang's face glowing, Song Qing and Suo Chao both clasped their fists in greeting, and Yang Zhi then smiled and greeted him: "You, are you doing well?"

"Of course." Liu Tang was stunned for a moment, then patted his chest and added: "How can it be bad to follow General Yang?"

"That's good. I'm fine too."

The people around him looked at him fiercely, and Yang Zhi felt very restrained.

After hearing his answer, Liu Tang joked, "We had a great time killing the Jin people with General Yang, and Brother Wu Song can marry the Emperor's Concubine today. How much better can you be?"

"Well, we have also won many battles, but Brother Wu's experience is indeed incomparable. However, not everyone can be like this."

After Yang Zhi finished speaking, he recalled the analysis on the street just now, and couldn't help but look at Suo Chao beside him. Seeing this, Liu Tang wiped his beard and smiled meaningfully: "Some benefits are more exciting than the emperor's princess, but it's a pity that you can't experience it."

"Really."

Hearing Liu Tang's attitude towards the princess, Yang Zhi felt that Suo Chao was right. He did not believe that the emperor's daughter was ugly, but she must have defects whether born or acquired.

While the two were greeting each other, Song Qing and Suo Chao also found their old acquaintances and started chatting with each other.

After about an incense stick of time, the noisy hall suddenly became quiet. It turned out that Yang Chang was leading Su Yuanjing in.

He saw Song Qing and the other two from a distance, but soon it was the auspicious time for the wedding, so he exchanged a few pleasantries and went forward to take a seat, while the guests arranged themselves on the left and right, leaving the middle seat. Then, Hu Sanniang, Zhao Fujin, and Qiu Qiongying, dressed in their best clothes, walked out of the small door at the back of the hall.

Hu went straight to sit next to Yang Chang on the front left, while Zhao Fujin and Qiu Qiongying sat down on the front right, as the family members of the man and woman respectively. Qiu Qiongying was supposed to sit next to Yang Chang, but for the sake of symmetry she was arranged to sit next to the woman to make up the number.

The three beautiful wives of Yang Chang have all met the generals under their command. Among them, Zhao Fujin has appeared the least times, and she was particularly stunning today with her gorgeous attire.

Song Qing guessed her identity immediately, thinking that the most beautiful woman in the world was indeed worthy of her reputation. However, Yang Zhi and Suo Chao were kept in the dark. They did not dare to stare at her for fear of being rude, and looked at each other almost at the same time to communicate with their eyes.

Who is she?
How would I know?
Seeing the two men's strange expressions, Liu Tang immediately patted Yang Zhi on the shoulder and said, "You have seen the world today, right? You all know Madam Qiu. The one next to her is Princess Maode, the legendary most beautiful woman in the Song Dynasty. She is also the second wife of General Yang. Madam Qiu is now the third wife."

"Tsk tsk, Commander Yang really enjoys the blessing of having many wives."

After listening to the introduction, the impatient Suo Chao couldn't help but sigh at the first moment, but he immediately realized that it was not appropriate, so he added: "A hero and a beauty, it's reasonable."

Seeing such a peerless beauty like Zhao Fujin, Yang Zhi felt ashamed of himself. Although he had no intention of envying or being jealous, he couldn't help but think of his own ugly wife and felt indescribably uncomfortable.

Suo Chao saw Yang Zhi's face darken, and immediately thought of his ugly wife. He thought that comparing her with the most beautiful woman would only make him suffer. He immediately changed the subject and asked Liu Tang, "By the way, I heard that the wife that Wu Dutou married today is also a princess? Is that true or false?"

"Is there a fake Imperial Princess? The bride is the second wife's younger sister, and her title is Xunde Imperial Princess."

"Princess Xunde? Why does it sound familiar?"

"Was it the Jin army that took him away last year?"

"It's her."

Yang Zhi, Suo Chao and Song Qing opened their eyes wide at the same time, showing incredible expressions.

They had all heard of Zhao Fujin's name, and had also heard that the poor husband Tian Pi was forced to death in Zhending. Wasn't she taken to the capital by the Jin people? Why did she appear in Taiyuan at this time? Was she rescued by Wu Song halfway, so she married him to repay his kindness?
Liu Tang didn't know the reason, so he didn't explain it in detail.

Bang bang bang.
Suddenly, firecrackers were heard outside the hall, and then two people, one tall and one short, were seen walking slowly into the hall holding hands. They were Wu Song and his newlywed wife Zhao Fujin.

Zhao Fujin was young and beautiful. She had recovered from the grief of widowhood and looked radiant, which once again shocked Yang Zhi and Suo Chao.

How is this ugly?

What's the flaw in this?
Even if there are defects, we are willing to take it over.

Before the wedding ceremony, Su Yuanjing took out the imperial edict granting marriage and read it out, giving the reasons why Wu Song should marry the princess.

After hearing this, Song Qing looked at Yang Zhi with a sinking heart, thinking that this was the absolute advantage that Zhao Huan possessed. All the Zhao clan members were staying in Tokyo at this time, and there were many children of high-ranking officials and dignitaries there. The method of granting marriage could be more effective than that of Zhao Gou.

As soon as the wedding ceremony was over, Yang Chang led the guests to their seats outside the hall.

Song Qingsan was an outsider at this time and had become estranged from his former brothers. It was not appropriate for him to take the initiative in drinking, so he followed the team and left the hall last. However, he did not know whether it was a coincidence or someone had deliberately arranged it, but there was no empty table at the banquet, and the three of them had to take their places.

When the three were at a loss, Yang Chang invited Song Qing to sit at the main table alone. At the same time, he summoned Liu Tang and Lu Junyi, and took Yang Zhi and Suo Chao away to keep them company.

After Yang Chang conquered Fenzhou and Taiyuan, he was short of available men. This time, on the pretext of holding Wu Song's wedding, he summoned all the important personnel from various states to Yangqu, in order to make a major adjustment to the personnel in various states.

Song Qing, Yang Zhi and Suo Chao "walked into a trap". Yang Chang did not intend to "treat them with courtesy" as he did last time. This guy always did not follow the rules and had detained and killed the Jin envoy Salumu before.

Of course, Yang Chang would not be so rude to his old friend. Although he had just driven the Jin people out of Taiyuan, Taiyuan was at risk of counterattack by the Jin army at any time. Song Jiang stationed troops in Huai and Wei and coveted Zezhou. Even if it was to reduce the pressure on Lin Chong's defense, he would not do anything too drastic at this time. He just had to poach people and mess with their mentality.

Song Qing is Song Jiang's brother, so it is wishful thinking to ask him to betray his brother and surrender. However, Yang Zhi and Suo Chao can be won over, and the possibility of winning over Yang Zhi is very high because the other surviving leaders of Erlongshan are now serving under Yang Chang.

Yang Chang pulled Song Qing to the table, sitting at the same table with Su Yuanjing and Tang Ke.

Zhao Gou granted Song Qing the seventh-rank Xuan De Lang, a civil official who received only a salary. At this time, facing Zhao Huan, the former prime minister, and Su Yuanjing, the benefactor of Liangshan, Song Qing's ingrained sense of hierarchy made him salute them respectfully before he sat down.

"Fourth brother is still so humble and polite."

"You are too kind, Commander. Although I am not well-educated, I am still well-mannered."

"Since Fourth Brother knows etiquette, he should know how to be loyal to the emperor and love his country. Why didn't you persuade your brother to join the rebellion against King Kang?"

"This"

Song Qing didn't expect that Yang Chang would start a fight right away. He was always eloquent and didn't know how to answer. He was stunned for a long time before he replied awkwardly: "Your Majesty was also ordered to inherit the throne, and there are more supporters than just my brother."

"What about the Emperor of Tokyo? Isn't he the Emperor Emeritus who passed on the throne? Would an Emperor Emeritus be so frivolous?"

"Who can tell the truth about the king's family affairs? Today is Erlang's big day, let's not go too far."

"hehe."

Yang Chang recalled that Song Qing was a good man and could not bear to continue to ridicule and tease him. Besides, it was extremely difficult to persuade him to defect, so he planned to skip the topic. However, he did not expect Su Yuanjing to take the initiative to speak up and help him.

"I have a different opinion. The king's family affairs are the affairs of the state. Everything has rules to follow. How could it be unclear? I was the one who led the recruitment of Liangshan. Now that I see you guys going astray, I feel bad."

"You."

"Song Gongming once said that he regarded me as his father. If he was really loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and still recognized Su Yuanjing as his father, he would immediately draw a clear line with Zhao Gou, and then join the light with Yang Taiwei to kill the Jin people, drive out the Tartars and recover the country. That is what a real man should do!"

"when."

Song Qing was speechless when he heard this. He thought, "My father is still alive and well. When did my brother recognize you as his father?"

While he was suffering at the main table, Liu Tang was "working" for Yang Zhi at the next table.

"Do you know why we are closest to the head table?"

"do not know"

"In this Taiyuan battle, our table has the highest military merit. The seat you are sitting in now was originally reserved for the second-highest military merit, but he may have been busy with military affairs and didn't come."

Looking at his desk mates Liu Tang, Xuan Zan and Ruan Xiaoqi, Yang Zhi thought to himself, who is the best in military exploits?
"The first military achievement"

"I am the humble one."

(End of this chapter)