pappabearbooks Chapter 132 Does Zhao Da have high blood pressure?
Chapter 132 Does Zhao Da have high blood pressure?
Chapter 132 Does Zhao Da have high blood pressure?
"Regardless of wealth or poverty, all those who participate in the imperial examinations are treated equally by the imperial court!"
"No need to curry favor with the powerful, no need to worry about injustice; I and the officials are your protectors!"
"With history recorded for millennia to come and the people and the land below as our witnesses, this matter will remain unchanged for all time!"
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In just over ten days, Zhao Dezhao's words spread like wildfire throughout the entire capital region at an incredible speed!
While there were certainly many who secretly gritted their teeth and harbored resentment, there were even more who applauded and praised the poor students and ordinary people.
The reputation of Zhao Dezhao, the Prince of Wugong, for his benevolence gradually spread among scholars from humble backgrounds.
Those poor scholars who had been hesitant before, now had no more doubts and immediately packed their bags and headed to Kaifeng.
Even commoners and children of low social status who could barely read were flocking to the capital, or perhaps they had made up their minds to pick up the Four Books and Five Classics.
Previously, they did not think this was a way out.
However, the promulgation of the new imperial examination policy in the Song Dynasty, and Zhao Dezhao's earth-shattering words that day, gave countless ordinary people a glimmer of hope!
His act of publicly beheading the examination commissioner had the effect of establishing credibility, making it clear to the world that the new imperial examination policy was not just empty talk!
"In the morning he was a peasant, in the evening he rose to the emperor's court."
The doggerel, whose author is unknown, began to circulate widely among the people.
The once empty and idle private school was filled with the sound of students reading aloud within just one month!
Originally neglected, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones have gradually become sought-after items in the market.
As the days went by, the new policies of the imperial examination and the words and deeds of the Prince of Wugong gradually spread to all the prefectures and counties in the country.
Scholars from remote areas, even those from Jiangnan and Sichuan, began to raise funds for their journey to the Central Plains and Kaifeng.
In terms of time, they certainly won't be able to catch up with this year's imperial examination, but so what?
The new policy of the imperial examination system in the Song Dynasty had already made it clear that, in addition to the annual preliminary examination, the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and even the palace examination would all be held every three years.
Even if they miss this opportunity, they will still have the chance to take the exam three years later and become the emperor's students!
This is truly a place where heroes from all over the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river, and Kaifeng is the place where they seek to transform from carp into dragons!
"All the heroes of the world are now within the grasp of my Great Song Dynasty!"
Standing atop the city wall of Kaifeng, gazing at the stream of scholars below, carrying their books and filled with anticipation as they poured into the city, Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help but feel the same sentiment as Emperor Taizong of Tang had back then.
He turned to look at Zhao Dezhao behind him, his eyes filled with undisguised approval, and laughed heartily, "My son, your actions are truly meritorious!"
"Your subject dares not claim credit."
Zhao Dezhao bowed respectfully and replied, "If it weren't for Father Emperor's strong support, the new imperial examination policy would not have been implemented so quickly. I have only done my duty."
Zhao Kuangyin nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the Yellow River in the northern suburbs of Kaifeng, its surging waters mirroring the surging ambition in his heart. Suddenly, he asked, "How are the preparations for the Martial Academy progressing?"
"Father, I estimate that the Martial Academy will be able to officially enroll students in about six months."
After Zhao Dezhao finished speaking, he hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Father, I have another matter to report, and I humbly request Your Majesty's decision."
"Please feel free to speak."
"Now that the new imperial examination policy has been implemented, private schools are springing up everywhere, but most families still cannot afford to send their children to school. I am thinking—should we implement a land survey?"
After all, most people's income still comes from the land.
The foundation of a nation's taxation also depends on land taxes.
In this chaotic world, local powerful families use all sorts of means to conceal land taxes and seize fertile land, resulting in the rich owning vast tracts of land while the poor have nowhere to stand, yet still have to bear the majority of taxes, suffering unspeakable misery.
Zhao Dezhao wanted to change this situation.
"Toda-ah————"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin's smile gradually faded, and he fell into a long silence.
After a long silence, he turned to Zhao Pu, who had been standing silently to the side, and said in a deep voice, "What does Zeping think?"
"Your Majesty, I believe this is unacceptable," Zhao Pu blurted out almost without hesitation.
As if sensing the confusion in Zhao Dezhao's eyes, Zhao Pu slowly explained, "It's not that the land survey itself is unfeasible, but rather that the world is not yet unified, and over 90% of the land is controlled by powerful families and local warlords. To hastily implement the land survey at this time would be too hasty and could trigger chaos, shaking the very foundation of the nation!"
Finally, Zhao Pu looked at Zhao Dezhao and added, "Your Highness, the focus of the Song Dynasty today should still be on unifying the world."
"The matter of land surveying involves the interests of all parties and requires careful consideration; it cannot be rushed."
The new imperial examination policy was, after all, only a reform of the imperial examination system. Although it seemed to have a far-reaching impact, it did not actually shake the foundations of those powerful families or even the regional warlords at present, so there was naturally little resistance.
The fields can be measured differently.
A thorough investigation into the matter of the fields will inevitably cause a great upheaval!
"Zhao'er, I know you are eager to make changes, but governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. Some things cannot be rushed and must be done step by step." Zhao Kuangyin gently patted his son's shoulder.
"Your subject has learned his lesson." Zhao Dezhao also realized that he had been a bit too hasty.
The main problem was the shortcomings of the Song Dynasty. Whenever he thought of them, he felt a lump in his throat. He always thought about how to solve these hidden dangers, but he overlooked some practical issues.
To put it bluntly, the current strength of the Song Dynasty is insufficient to deter the world!
If we have a million elite troops at our command and the world is united, then when we talk about reform, we will naturally be able to overcome any obstacle.
Having figured this out, Zhao Dezhao calmed down and stopped dwelling on the matter.
"After the imperial examinations, I will begin the reform of the Imperial Guards in a few days. For the next year or two, our Great Song Dynasty will prioritize stability."
Zhao Kuangyin leaned against the wall and gazed into the distance, looking at the vast landscape before him, his eyes filled with boundless pride!
How can I allow others to sleep soundly beside my bed?
This dark and bloody chaotic world should be ended by him!
Looking at his father's strong back, Zhao Dezhao suddenly remembered something else. After hesitating for a moment, he tentatively asked, "Father, the affairs of state have been very complicated lately—I wonder if your health is good?"
"For example, do you experience palpitations, anxiety, or chest tightness?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin turned around in surprise: "Of course not, why do you say that, Zhao'er?"
Zhao Dezhao shook his head and said nothing.
He vaguely remembered that some historians in his previous life believed that Zhao Kuangyin did not die from the "Axe and Candle Shadow" incident, but rather because he suffered from high blood pressure.
Some say that Zhao Kuangyin drank heavily on the night of his sudden death, and the unusually cold weather caused his blood pressure to rise further, triggering an acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke, which led to the emperor's sudden death.
That's why he asked that question.
"Father should drink less alcohol in his daily life," Zhao Dezhao said, but in his heart he was planning to find an opportunity to have the imperial physician examine his father's health.
Let's see if Zhao Kuangyin had high blood pressure. If he did, it's good to get it treated as soon as possible to avoid any accidents.
Even if his father really did suffer from high blood pressure, Zhao Dezhao still firmly believed that his father's sudden death was definitely related to Zhao Er!
You can tell just by looking at what Zhao Er did afterwards!
"Haha, good, Zhao'er is thoughtful." Zhao Kuangyin laughed, but clearly didn't take it to heart.
He paused, a hint of worry in his expression, and suddenly said to Zhao Dezhao, "But your words have reminded me, Zhao'er, your grandmother's health is deteriorating day by day. Zhao'er, do you—do you have any ideas?"
But the question made Zhao Dezhao pause for a moment.
He's not a doctor, so what method would he have?
Moreover, this old woman has repeatedly caused him trouble, and he has not taken advantage of her misfortune in secret, which is already out of respect for Zhao Kuangyin. Now he expects him to find a way to cure the old woman's illness.
Stop it.
Zhao Dezhao couldn't wait for her to be reincarnated.
"No, Father Emperor," Zhao Dezhao replied crisply and decisively, without the slightest hesitation.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin was not angry. He simply gave Zhao Dezhao a deep look, then gently patted his shoulder and sighed, "I know that your relationship with your grandmother is somewhat strained and distant."
"But blood is thicker than water. She is still your grandmother and my mother. If you have some free time, go and see her."
After saying that, without waiting for Zhao Dezhao to respond, he patted Zhao Dezhao's shoulder twice more, then turned and walked down the city wall.
The figure was still tall and strong, but for some reason, it exuded an indescribable sense of loneliness and solitude, and appeared somewhat frail in the cold wind.
Zhao Dezhao stood on the city wall, watching his father's back as he gradually disappeared into the distance with a complex expression.
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