Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 181 I Want to Implement Reforms!

As soon as Wei Mingman left, Zhao Ceying's face fell completely.

The dream of becoming an emperor for all ages!

Emperor Sejong's dream!
After a few moments of silence, Zhao Ceying looked down and asked, "What do you think, gentlemen?"

He didn't want to agree to the annual gifts or the return of the territory.

However, as a new emperor, he really had no real foundation.

To put it bluntly, he doesn't always keep his word!
If the cabinet members feel it's inappropriate given the conflict between the two countries, then there's really nothing that can be done.

Therefore, he did not reprimand the messenger harshly, but instead ordered the messenger to be taken away.

The purpose was to make time to ask the opinions of the senior ministers.

If the cabinet ministers truly disagree with the confrontation between the two countries and their opinions contradict his, then he has no choice but to let them be.

However, whoever agrees to the annual gifts and cedes territory will have to take the blame and bear the infamy for all time!

Upon hearing this, the scholars exchanged bewildered glances.

Who dares to take the blame for this?

Advise the emperor to return the lost territories and send money to the defeated?

More than ten people, yet not a single one spoke up.

After a moment, Jiang Zhao broke the silence and analyzed: "The Liao, Xia, and Zhou kingdoms. The Liao has been established for more than 160 years, combining nomadic and agricultural practices. If we were to talk about the peak of its national power, it should be during the reign of Emperor Shengzong Yelü Longxu. Domestically, he implemented the system of officials serving in the north and south to ease ethnic conflicts, and externally, he signed the Treaty of Chanyuan and conquered Goryeo."

"Now, the system of officials in the north and south has been in place for nearly sixty years. The hereditary system is prevalent, and internal corruption has become entrenched. Conflicts between the Khitan, Han and Bohai peoples are gradually intensifying. Because of the cavalry, in terms of military strength, it may be slightly stronger than the Great Zhou. However, in terms of wealth, it is far inferior to the Great Zhou."

Compared to the Zhou Dynasty, which had a thriving system of imperial examinations, the Liao Dynasty implemented a "dual-track system," with hereditary selection and the imperial examination system running in parallel.

The so-called hereditary system was similar to the Nine-Rank System, where bloodline was everything.

Furthermore, the two talent selection systems were centered on the hereditary selection system, with the imperial examination system playing only a supplementary role.

Having been established for over 160 years, the country still insists on hereditary elections, demonstrating the rigidity of social classes.

With class solidification comes the contradictions of corruption and uneven distribution of wealth.

Compared to the previous emperor, Emperor Shengzong of Liao, this emperor, Yelü Hongji, was of average ability and clearly could not control his subordinates.

"The Western Xia dynasty was established only thirty years ago, but Li Yuanhao died young and a young emperor ascended the throne. It had no national strength or foundation."

Li Yuanhao had accumulated considerable national strength, but the ascension of the two-year-old emperor, the dominance of the empress's relatives, and the severe internal strife were enough to deplete all that strength.

Jiang Zhao continued, "In terms of territory, the Great Zhou is 60% the size of the Liao Kingdom, and the Western Xia is 30% the size of the Great Zhou. In terms of population, the Great Zhou has more than 12 million households, the Liao Kingdom has 2 million households, and the Western Xia has 1.5 million households."

In terms of territory, the Zhou and Liao dynasties were roughly equal, while the Western Xia's territory was far too small. In terms of population, the combined population of the Western Xia and Liao dynasties was less than 30% of that of the Great Zhou.

"Among them, the Western Xia had the smallest territory, the smallest population, and the weakest national strength. After the Battle of Xihe, the Western Xia lost contact with Tibet, and was bordered by the Liao Kingdom to the east and the Great Zhou Kingdom to the south, so it was even less of a threat."

The implication was clear: they had no fear of the Western Xia.

The Zhou Dynasty and the Western Xia Dynasty were locked in a stalemate for many years, mainly because the Zhou Dynasty was worried that the Liao Dynasty in the north would take advantage of the situation, rather than because the Western Xia Dynasty itself was actually capable of defeating the Zhou Dynasty.

While the warhorses of the North were indeed formidable, the South was not without its own wealth.

With ample logistical supplies, and considering its overall national strength, the Great Zhou could even wear down the Western Xia.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying nodded repeatedly.

This is professionalism!
A comparison will clearly show which is stronger and which is weaker.

Grand Secretary Zeng Gongliang hesitated, glanced at the imperial steps, and then looked at Jiang Zhao: "What about the Liao Kingdom?"

The meaning is also obvious.

Should we continue paying tribute to the Liao Dynasty?
In the Battle of Xihe, the Western Xia lost almost one-tenth of its territory, including the most suitable land for farming, which severely damaged its vitality.

Even though the young emperor has grown up, this decline cannot be concealed.

However, the Liao Dynasty was different.

The Liao Dynasty was an absolute behemoth.

The national strength accumulated by Emperor Shengzong of Liao was simply too great.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have almost "headed south to capture the dragon" and signed the Treaty of Shanyuan.

Even if the new emperor of Liao was not as good as Emperor Shengzong of Liao, he was still a normal person.

With the national strength accumulated by Emperor Shengzong of Liao, a normal person who ascended the throne and did not squander it would have been enough to keep the Liao Dynasty at a fairly strong level.

In terms of overall national strength, the Zhou and Liao dynasties were roughly equal.

However, in terms of military strength, the cavalry was indeed significantly weaker, and the Great Zhou was truly no match for the Liao Dynasty. This time, they had already broken off relations with the Western Xia.

We can't very well break with the Liao Kingdom, can we?

"It's never too late to avenge the late emperor," Jiang Zhao said slowly, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect.

The Liao Dynasty and the Western Xia Dynasty were ultimately different.

The Western Xia's "Qingli Peace Treaty," which involved the opening of the border at Xihe, had not been observed by the Great Zhou for many years.

If the new emperor were to reinstate the annual imperial gifts, it would be tantamount to re-signing the Qingli Peace Treaty, a disgrace to the new emperor.

The Liao Dynasty's annual tribute payments were never interrupted, so there was no question of renewing the agreement.

The Treaty of Shanyuan was Emperor Zhenzong's fault, so naturally he has to bear the blame for it.

Even if the tribute continues, as long as the new emperor can avenge the previous emperor, it will not prevent him from becoming a great emperor for all time.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying looked at the "wise minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor" and understood Jiang Zhao's meaning.

To fight two against one is tantamount to suicide!

"Ugh!"

With a sigh, Zhao Ceying rubbed his forehead, looking pained: "My health is failing, so the Liao envoys will be dealt with by the Grand Secretaries and the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies."

The implication was that they had already agreed to continue the Treaty of Shanyuan.

Given the strength of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it would be necessary to plan carefully before attempting to conquer the Liao Kingdom.

Several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet nodded in succession, bowed, and withdrew together.

Soon, apart from the Imperial Guards, only Zhao Ceying and Jiang Zhaojun remained in the main hall.

Zhao Ceying sighed deeply and said, "It's tough!"

"With powerful enemies surrounding me from the outside and financial losses at home, how can I become a great emperor for all time?"

"With Your Majesty's talent, if you take things slowly, you might just become a great emperor for all time," Jiang Zhao flattered.

The emperor of all ages, this cake is truly "delicious".

With this cake, he can keep the new emperor in check for the rest of his life.

Zhao Ceying stroked his knee and nodded: "The late emperor once gave me the account books of the Ministry of Revenue to review."

"We don't have any money," Jiang Zhao echoed.

He knew what Zhao Ceying was going to say.

The problem of redundancy!

Redundant officials, redundant soldiers, and redundant expenses.

The imperial court's annual tax revenue was only thirty to forty million strings of cash, half of which was spent on border troops and officials' salaries.

This is so scary!

It should be noted that even the annual tribute from the Liao Dynasty was only 100,000 taels of silver and 200,000 bolts of silk, which is roughly equivalent to one million strings of cash.

The annual tribute from the Western Xia consisted of 50,000 taels of silver, 130,000 bolts of silk, and 20,000 catties of tea, which was roughly equivalent to 600,000 to 700,000 strings of cash.

In other words, the combined value of the Qingli Peace Treaty and the Treaty of Chanyuan was only around two million strings of cash, which was less than a fraction of the cost of redundant soldiers and officials.

Of the forty million strings of cash, half was used for redundant soldiers and officials, and the remaining half was spent on maintaining the country and its people. It was simply too difficult.

Just like last time, the flood in Huainan East Road almost cost Cai Xiang, the Minister of Revenue, half his life.

Even with careful budgeting, you can still overspend your annual allowance!

"There are many ills in the world, and they must be reformed!" Zhao Ceying sighed, his gaze becoming more resolute.

“If you wish to implement reforms, you must have the support of your subjects. I believe that, given Your Majesty’s current situation, it would be best to wait a few more years.” Jiang Zhao raised his eyelids but did not agree.

Zhao Ceying nodded.

He understood Jiang Zhao's meaning.

Ultimately, reform depends on people.

The new emperor had only recently ascended the throne and lacked prestige; any reforms he proposed would be tantamount to suicide.

"Then let's just endure it!"

(End of this chapter)