Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Zhao Yuan sighed, "This kind of thing has never been prevented, either throughout history or across the world."

"Power and money are always natural friends."

"Even the best system can only maintain the basic framework temporarily."

"If one day we can't even maintain the basic framework,"

"Let future generations pray for their own good fortune."

Zhao Yuan was not worried about the royal family lacking money in the future.

If you become emperor and still don't have the means to make money...

That can only be described as an incompetent person.

However, a value orientation needs to be established...

Zhao Yuan said, "The royal family's revenue should have a higher share at customs."

"Guide future emperors to value maritime trade."

"That's a good idea," Wen Huanzhang agreed.

The two talked for a while,

Gao Qiu was brought in.

This person didn't care whether it was in accordance with etiquette or not.

He knelt directly on the ground.

"Gao Qiu, a former disgraced official of the Song Dynasty,"

"Greetings, Grand Chancellor,"

"Greetings, Marshal!"

Chapter 1665 The Work of Hundreds of Thousands of People

Historians' evaluation of Gao Qiu.

In essence, it boils down to four words: Never compromise on important matters.

That is, they did not do anything that would harm the country or its people.

But they did a lot of ridiculous and outrageous things.

He was sent to the Western Army to gain military merit.

I never gave any truly reckless instructions.

Moreover, the relationship with military generals

They got along better than many civil servants.

In particular, the promotion of Liu Qi,

He can be considered to have contributed a great general to the Southern Song Dynasty.

He engaged in large-scale real estate development and started companies in Tokyo.

Although they occupied military camps and forced soldiers to work,

But it also provided jobs for many members of the Imperial Guard.

As for making the Imperial Guards' combat effectiveness so poor...

Did Gao Qiu really need to intervene?

They'd already gone as far as they could go.

Even if Zhao Yuan were appointed Grand Commandant, it wouldn't make a difference.

That was a systemic collapse—the military officers who were merely on temporary assignments and received salaries in Tokyo.

There are several thousand people.

These military officers on temporary assignment

Some were official positions bestowed by the emperor.

Some were descendants of high-ranking officials who benefited from their positions through imperial favor.

Some of these official positions were bought with donations.

The military funds were used to pay the salaries of these several thousand military officers.

Even if Gao Qiu didn't take a single penny,

There wasn't enough to go to the remaining soldiers.

Gao Qiu, as a close associate of Emperor Huizong of Song,

He didn't associate with Cai Jing, Wang Fu, Liang Shicheng, or Tong Guan.

This shows that there is still a shred of basic human decency.

Moreover, Gao Qiu tried his best to repay anyone who had been kind to him.

Liu Zhongwu shared his military achievements with Gao Qiu.

When Liu Zhongwu was forced to take the blame for Tong Guan

Gao Qiu immediately stood up to defend him to the death.

He also helped Liu Zhongwu's two sons along the way.

Su Shi treated Gao Qiu well back then.

The descendants of the Three Su were suppressed.

Gao Qiu always secretly took care of him.

He even helped Su Guo (Su Shi's third son) to obtain an official position.

This is a politically incorrect statement.

This would displease Emperor Huizong of Song.

This is an open offense against Cai Jing.

Because Su Guo was labeled a member of the Communist Party.

It was an official position that was explicitly forbidden by the imperial court.

Gao Qiu actually took Su to see the emperor.

Persuade Emperor Huizong of Song to make an exception and grant him an official position.

He was given a job collecting taxes.

With Tong Guan's continued recommendation,

Su Guo has now been promoted to the rank of Tongpan of a prefecture.

A lousy person with a few redeeming qualities!

In the late Northern Song Dynasty, when a herd of gorillas shone brightly,

It's already considered scrap metal in a pile of stinking excrement.

"Come sit down," Zhao Yuan beckoned.

Gao Qiu quickly got up.

Step forward,

My bottom carefully pressed against the edge of the chair.

Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "That year on the Dragon Boat Festival, I accompanied Zhao Ji to watch the dragon boat races."

"The Imperial Guard's dragon boats were rowed with exceptional skill and excitement."

Gao Qiu said awkwardly, "He likes excitement, so let's give him a good show."

"Why don't you call him a tyrant?" Zhao Yuan questioned.

Gao Qiu explained, "He'd also curse a couple of times in private."

"But after all, he is my former master, so it's not appropriate to tell others."

That's the truth,

Gao Qiu did indeed think that Emperor Huizong of Song was a foolish ruler.

He was a former official.

They were constantly overshadowed by a group of "newcomers".

Even if they fled to the southeast,

They were also sidelined and abandoned halfway through.

How could Gao Qiu not feel resentful?

At the same time, Gao Qiu was also somewhat nostalgic.

It's fine if I curse a few times at home.

But he couldn't bring himself to publicly slander his former master.

Unlike Li Bangyan, who constantly referred to emperors as tyrants.

Zhao Yuan asked, "The market is sluggish these days, and there are very few people willing to buy tickets."

"Neither the Ministry of Revenue nor the Kaifeng Prefecture could do anything about it."

"Do you have any ideas?"

"How can we encourage merchants to actively purchase and operate a business?"

Gao Qiu replied, "Merchants buy gambling tickets simply to make a profit."

"If there's no profit to be made, naturally no one will rush to fight."

"Now the entire city is under military control, and the sale of grain, wine, vinegar, and salt is rationed,"

"It will only be possible when the restrictions are lifted next year."

"If merchants are forced to buy gambling tickets,"

"They dared not disobey."

“You know this without me having to tell you,” Zhao Yuan said.

The problem now is a lack of supplies.

Tokyo needs to reopen its markets as soon as possible.

To help more service industry workers find jobs.

Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting to earn money and eat!

When the snow melts in spring,

It should be slightly better.

Merchants from western Beijing and the Huai River region,

They will definitely be actively transporting more supplies to make money.

But to truly return to normalcy

We'll have to wait until at least the summer grain harvest.

Gao Qiu, forcing a smile, said, "I am more familiar with Tokyo."

"If one visits a merchant's door,"

"The minimum bid price has been lowered again,"

"Perhaps we can persuade a few companies to buy the stakes."

"At least, we can drive Fanlou out."

"Fanlou is now in your hands to attract investors,"