Prime Minister

Chapter 1365 This Prosperous Age

Chapter 1365 This Prosperous Age

When Zhang Yue and Guo Lin stepped out of the Zichen Palace, it was already completely dark.

The palace walls stood tall, and the night was as dark as ink.

A night breeze swept by, carrying the chill of late autumn, rustling against their robes.

Guo Lin sighed, “Prime Minister, although this is a banquet, it is splendid but not extravagant. In my eyes, it has the flavor of a first-class prosperous age.”

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Senior brother is right, this is just the beginning of a golden age."

Guo Lin walked slowly with a hunched back. His years of accompanying Sima Guang in compiling the Zizhi Tongjian had caused him to suffer from hunchback.

Even so, his stature still seemed imposing in Zhang Yue's eyes.

Guo Lin said, "This capture of Lingzhou is something that even Emperor Taizong and Emperor Zhenzong couldn't accomplish."

"I remember when Emperor Zhenzong was still the crown prince, he said to Emperor Taizong that although cursive script is exquisite, not everyone can recognize it. If a mistake is made, the people below will be blamed, which is not the original intention of a king."

"Later, Emperor Zhenzong enjoyed writing in the flying white style. Now it seems that Emperor Zhenzong was not sincere. His achievements are far inferior to what my junior brother has built for the Song Dynasty today."

Zhang Yue sighed, "Only after hearing you call me 'Junior Brother' do I realize that I'm still the same Senior Brother I knew back then."

The two laughed upon hearing this.

The two brothers walked slowly through the Forbidden City, followed by over a hundred prime ministers and their attendants, including Peng Jingyi, Huang Haoyi, and Li Kui.

Guo Lin was accompanied only by Guo Xuan.

After passing the imperial examination, Guo Xuan spent several years gaining experience in various places and earned a good reputation in local government.

After returning to the capital, Zhang Yue intentionally promoted Guo Xuan, placing him in Guo's service. Knowing that Guo Lin's health had been poor and he feared he wouldn't live much longer, Zhang Yue arranged for someone to recommend Guo Xuan for the imperial examinations.

When Su Shi, a Hanlin Academician, was in charge of the imperial examination, he saw that Guo Xuan was outstanding in literary talent and immediately ranked him first, granting him the exceptional title of Compiler of the Jixian Hall.

Upon learning this, Guo Lin repeatedly declined Zhang Yue's offer.

Zhang Yue refused.

Now, Guo Lin has once again declined the position for his son Guo Xuan on behalf of Zhang Yue.

Guo Xuan and Zhang Cheng were very close friends, and Zhang Yue was unwilling to let him follow in Guo Lin's footsteps, so he intended to cultivate him.

Zhang Yue was unwilling to force others to do things against their will, but this time he wanted to make an exception.

Zhang Yue was unwilling to refuse Guo Lin directly, so he said instead, "After the Yuanfeng era, although the position of Guan was abolished, it was reinstated after Prime Minister Sima returned to the court."

“The position of scholar-official was originally a path for literary scholars to advance their careers. I did not abolish this system and instead restored it to the state it was in before the Yuanfeng era.”

Guo Lin said, "However, many officials in the court criticized this, believing that most of those who came up to the Hanlin Academy were useless in governing the country. There were even criticisms of Su Zizhan, saying that Su Zizhan was already given the most important position as a Hanlin Academician and could not be given any more. If he were to assist in governing the country, then the Emperor should take Wang Anshi as a warning."

Zhang Yue said: "I believe that literary people inherently possess a sense of aloofness and pride, which may even be described as pedantic and out of touch with the times. But this is also what makes scholars what they are, and it is from this that their talent and strengths come."

"These people... after serving as officials for a few years, they're pretty much done for, or after being dealt with a few times, they'll understand what it means to be worldly and sophisticated. But ultimately, both have their strengths!"

From the time of Emperor Zhenzong and Emperor Renzong, scholars were selected for their literary talents, to the time of Emperor Shenzong and Wang Anshi's reforms, scholars of classical texts were selected.

It may seem insignificant, but it was a very important turning point in history.

Upon hearing this, Guo Lin sighed and said, "That's why there are reclusive hermits who live in seclusion, and conversely, there's the saying that great hermits live in the court."

"But how difficult it is for a great hermit to remain hidden in the court."

“I do not wish for Xuan-ge to be ranked among the high officials, for it would restrict his freedom so much.”

Zhang Yue said, "Speaking of hermits, one cannot help but mention Tao Yuanming. But Tao Yuanming was just a minor official. If he hadn't written so many masterpieces that have stood the test of time, why would he be known to everyone, young and old?"

"Historians only record the emperors and generals, and gloss over the lives of ordinary people."

"However, it is precisely because Tao Yuanming was a literary figure who wrote so many poems that we know about his life. The narratives of this world are not all made up of emperors and generals; there are also the stories of ordinary people."

Upon hearing Zhang Yue's words, Guo Lin nodded: "What the Prime Minister says is absolutely right. If we are to create a prosperous age, it will not be a prosperous age for emperors and generals, but a prosperous age for ordinary people."

Zhang Yue understood the implication in Guo Lin's words and said, "It is also due to the expedient means."

"In the past, the imperial court, in view of the situation of Zhang Yuan, the prime minister of the Dangxiang, established a special system to win over unsuccessful candidates in the imperial examinations."

"The position of academy is one of them. When the late emperor was on the throne, he did not like scholars of literature, so he reformed the Imperial Academy and selected people based on their knowledge of the classics. Later, he abolished the position of academy. As a result, there were no more scholars like Yan Yuanxian (Yan Shu), Ouyang Wenzhong, and Yang Danian during the late emperor's reign. That is why I continued to establish the position of academy."

Zhang Yue was good at classical texts but not at poetry.

Why did the late emperor dislike literary figures? Because these people often contradicted the court.

Therefore, the Yuanfeng reforms even abolished the official titles.

In fact, the establishment of the Imperial Academy was similar to the special appointment system, a way for the court to appease the people and provide a channel for scholars.

It was used to win people over, not to actually select literary talents.

Upon hearing this, Guo Xuan, who was behind Guo Lin, immediately slowed down.

"Prime Minister," Guo Lin said softly to Zhang Yue, "have you forgotten what happened when we were students?"

Zhang Yue chuckled and said, "How could I forget, Senior Brother?"

Zhang Yue looked at the Golden Hall and said, "If it weren't for the grace of Emperor Renzong back then, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"Senior brother, the things we did together during our studies still haunt my dreams, and I haven't dared to forget them for a single day."

Guo Lin said, "I often have my disciples read my junior brother's farewell letter about his humble origins, so that they will not forget the hardships of those from poor families."

"I also hope that my junior brother, now in a high position, will not forget his original aspiration and will continue to find a way out for the poor and needy."

Zhang Yue listened to Guo Lin nod deeply and recalled the days of hard study.

Just as the article states.

It's okay to be scolded by the teacher, don't take yourself too seriously, and never be too sensitive; it's okay if your classmates are dressed in fine clothes, don't feel inferior or look down on yourself, and believe that one day hard work will change your destiny.

To put it bluntly, this is also a way for ordinary people to break through social class barriers.

Zhang Yue said, "Senior brother, the person I admire most today is Confucius."

"It was Confucius who first proposed the four characters 'education for all,' which led to the transmission of knowledge from master to disciple, instead of from father to son."

"Confucius had three thousand disciples and seventy-two sages, which provided a channel for scholars from poor families to rise through the ranks."

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the aristocratic class was hereditary.

What truly shattered the notion that kings and nobles were born with special privileges was the method of transmission of knowledge between masters and disciples.

If such a method is unavailable, we can learn from neighboring civilizations, which use religion to make lower-class people believe in the afterlife and abandon this life. They use a four-class system to solidify social stratification, abandoning upward mobility and maintaining organizational stability.

Guo Lin nodded and said, "Prime Minister, that is exactly right."

Zhang Yue stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the bright moon and stars above the palace, and continued on his way. The two remained silent for a long time.

Guo Lin said, "Prime Minister, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."

Zhang Yue laughed and said, "I knew you had a lot to say, Senior Brother."

"Such a beautiful day, senior brother, please speak."

The bright moon hangs in the sky, and the scenery is perfect.

Guo Lin said, "Prime Minister, the policies of promoting commerce and industry benefit the people and accumulate wealth for the country. At the same time, the implementation of the equal land tax system is excellent. Developing the Northwest has made it known as the Jiangnan region beyond the Great Wall."

"However, Prime Minister, are you aware that the current social atmosphere is deteriorating rapidly? In Bianjing alone, the daily turnover of gold and silver in the exchange offices is one million strings of cash, while the common people earn less than one hundred coins a day from farming. People are all striving for profit, which has truly corrupted the social atmosphere."

"The monetary system is supposed to benefit the people and the country, but it is also a way to extract wealth from the people."

"During the Xining era, many merchants engaged in the trade of salt certificates and trading were known for their wealth and lack of benevolence. After the Yuanfeng era, the cotton merchants from Suzhou and Hangzhou competed in wealth with Qin and Xi, which gradually corrupted people's hearts. Once this trend of excessive extravagance took hold, it corrupted the customs of the world."

"I'm not saying that change is bad, it's just that it's happening too fast, leaving people around the world feeling somewhat lost."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue looked at Guo Lin, clearly displeased.

Guo Lin said, "Junior brother, to tell you the truth, even if we recover the former territories of the Han and Tang dynasties, destroy the Tanguts, and usher in a golden age, that is still a matter for emperors."

"What tangible benefits does this bring to ordinary people like us?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue said, "Senior brother, you've been with Sima Twelve for so long, and you're becoming more and more like him."

Upon seeing this, Guo Lin said, "Prime Minister, since ancient times, scholars have died remonstrating, and warriors have died in battle."

"But if what I say is unpleasant to hear, I won't say it."

Zhang Yue felt a little guilty upon hearing this and said, "Senior brother, please don't take offense. When people reach a high position, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to listen to different opinions."

“You’re right. I’ve established schools from the imperial court down to the prefectures, and from the prefectures down to the counties to select talented people.”

"The imperial court provides stipends and meals to students so that those from poor families can break through the barriers of class. Whether it is expanding territory or promoting trade and industry, these are just means. The most important thing is to give those from poor families a way out, so that the country will continue to prosper."

Guo Lin cupped his hands and said, "Prime Minister, you have put in a lot of effort. I was too hasty. I remember when Prime Minister Sima was dying, he still had a smile on his face when he heard that Lingzhou had been recovered."

"It is known that no one ever criticizes the country or the world."

Zhang Yue solemnly said, "Senior brother, but in the matter of Lingzhou, Prime Minister Sima was wrong."

"This cannot be resolved simply by pointing out that the country or the world is bad."

"Throughout history, how many cases have there been instances of good intentions leading to bad outcomes? This is what happens when a country is harmed."

Guo Lin said, "Prime Minister, you have misunderstood Minister Sima."

"In fact, the court has already reached a point where it is sufficient; why insist on annihilating the Dangxiang?"

Zhang Yue shook his head and said, "Senior brother is wrong. I have no enemies along the way. Those who are good to me are my friends, and those who are bad to me are my teachers."

"I have always regarded Sima Xiangru as my mentor."

Guo Lin said, "You've been the Prime Minister for so many years, yet you can still learn something from him, whether he's a friend or a teacher."

"This is what makes you far superior to others."

Zhang Yue sighed, "That happened many years ago."

"I must thank my senior brother for these invaluable words. Few people say such things to me anymore."

"My senior brother is worried that the higher I climb, the harder I'll fall."

Zhang Yue smiled, but he couldn't shake off Guo Lin's advice.

That's just how things are in this world. No matter how well you do, there will always be people who are dissatisfied with this or that.

Guo Lin told him privately, "What about the others?"

As we approached Xuande Gate, the Imperial Guards stood solemnly on either side, their armor gleaming coldly under the lamplight. The palace gate was half-open, revealing a deeper night outside, with the distant lights of the city streets faintly visible, scattered like stars.

The two brothers gazed at the towering palace gate of Xuande Gate.

Guo Lin said, "When I first met the emperor after passing all the imperial examinations, I was unaware of the rules and drank an extra bowl of porridge in the morning. As a result, I had nowhere to relieve myself on the way to court, and I almost peed in my... crotch when I passed Xuande Gate."

"It's still funny to think about it now."

Zhang Yue said, "Senior brother, this is not funny. Whether the past was good or bad, it is the path we came from."

"Look, we've walked quite a distance without even realizing it."

After a pause, Zhang Yue thought to himself, "As long as the Dangxiang are destroyed, the military funds saved by the court each year can be used to compensate the people!"

……

After Zhang Yue parted ways with Guo Lin, Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing had both talked to him about the imperfection of seeking perfection.

The campaign against the Tanguts has reached a point where it is already feasible; there is no need to completely destroy the kingdom.

If the Tanguts are destroyed, Ali Gushi will seize their territory, which would mean one enemy is gone, but another is added.

Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing's opinions were very important to Zhang Yue because public opinion was unfavorable to Zhang Yue when he forced Empress Dowager Gao to step down.

They believed that the mutiny was closely related to Zhang Yue, who was an ambitious man who wanted to control the government.

Of course, Zhang Yue couldn't pin the blame for the military remonstrance on Cai Bian and Han Zhongyan, but he did intend to indulge them. In fact, the establishment of the three auxiliary military districts was intended to encourage extravagant spending, forcing the court to continue down the path of reform.

Therefore, he invited Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing back to the capital to assume the important positions of Grand Councilor of State Affairs in order to quell public opinion. After more than half a year in power, he gradually purged some petty officials and those who were not in his favor from the court, and the public opinion in the court about Zhang Yue's usurpation of power has now gradually subsided.

At the same time, Zhang Yue did not treat Empress Dowager Gao too badly, and also bestowed honors upon Gao Gongji, Gao Zunyu, and others.

Zhang Yue made a special effort to win over Empress Xiang. For example, he directly promoted Xiang Zonghui, Empress Xiang's brother, to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue and concurrently served as the Director of the Bureau of Intercourse.

Feng Jing and Wen Yanbo were determined to play it safe, partly because they were worried that Zhang Yue's achievements would make him difficult to control.

Now, Zhang Yue has also encountered political disagreements with the two.

Zhang Yue, Wen Yanbo, and Feng Jing, who are conservative and steady, have many diametrically opposed views on politics.

Previously, with more radical figures like Lü Huiqing, Cai Que, and Zhang Dun present, the conflicts among them were not so obvious.

Now that these people are gone, the conflict between Zhang Yue and the two men is bound to come to the forefront, just not as intensely.

The current Minister of Personnel in the Ministry of Personnel is Cai Bian. According to Zhang Yue's concept of "governing the country with righteousness", officials from the Imperial Academy will gradually replace those officials in the court who are incompetent and unwilling to make progress.

We should proceed step by step; we must not act impulsively at this stage.

It is indeed too hasty to attempt the destruction of a country after ruling for only half a year. He should first establish a base of supporters before taking such action.

This time, the Tangut surrender statement was indeed beyond my expectations.

He originally intended to take one to two years to gradually conquer the five prefectures of Dingnan, and then finish the job in one battle.

Unexpectedly, in just six months, the Tanguts submitted their surrender document and voluntarily ceded three prefectures.

This allowed Zhang Yue to move his schedule forward significantly.

The Tangut people are like this: they are good at enduring hardship, willing to compromise when the situation is unfavorable, and ready to expand when the situation is favorable.

Throughout history, the Tangut people resisted fiercely during Genghis Khan's seven Mongol invasions.

They finally defeated the Tanguts in the last battle.

Despite the lack of reinforcements from all four sides, the Tangut people held out in Xingqing Prefecture for six months.

The Mongols, seeing that the Tangut people were too difficult to govern, eventually massacred them.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yue looked at the surrender document beside him and thought, "Let's grant it for now."

However, he wouldn't let the Tanguts have it easy either, and decided to add a clause to their terms for surrender.

The idea was to have Li Bingchang change the name of Li Zhaming to the heir apparent.

Wasn't Li Bingchang intentionally making the prince born to the Khitan princess the crown prince?

I won't allow it.

The practice of establishing and deposing an emperor is a tactic employed by powerful ministers. The same principle applies to controlling vassal states: designating the crown prince of the other state.

Thinking of this imperial uncle who was well-versed in Chinese studies and seemed kind-hearted, Zhang Yue decided to let him cause trouble for once.

Of course, the Tanguts would also try to sabotage him, but the overall situation was in his hands, so Zhang Yue wasn't worried.

Since things have come to this point, and the Tanguts have agreed to surrender, Zhang Yue can't easily take action against them for the time being.

No matter how much you intend to do this, if things go too far, it will be as bad as overdoing it.

Don't push people too hard; a cornered dog will jump over the wall.

Just then, firecrackers suddenly went off nearby.

Zhang Yue was slightly surprised and lifted the carriage curtain.

On the dark streets, the vermilion ceremonial guards stretched like a crimson dragon, with eight golden-armored guards holding up signs that read "Silence" and "Avoidance" to clear the way, and sixteen purple-clad personal guards holding halberds standing on either side.

People along the way prostrated themselves in worship, and merchants threw freshly picked flowers at the carriages, petals falling like rain.

Zhang Yue smiled. There was no need to guess; this was clearly the work of Cai Jing, the current prefect of Kaifeng and a Hanlin scholar.

A student from the Imperial Academy, holding a staff from Pingliang, said, "Minister Sikong, did you see that?"

"Did you see that?"

Many students even climbed the locust tree just to catch a glimpse of the current Minister of Works.

The moonlight was like a ribbon, and he had already arrived in front of the mansion.

The mansion was already decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and a three-zhang-high blue silk archway was inscribed with the words "His merits surpass those of the nation," which was built for him by the Ministry of Works of the imperial court.

Zhang Yue disliked these pompous displays, fearing they would overshadow his superiors, but the officials below were all very enthusiastic.

Zhang Yue also thought that since you were so kind, he didn't care about his reputation. He also used this kindness to establish his authority and push for continued reforms.

But authority inevitably breeds resentment.

At this moment, Zhang Yue is at the forefront of the storm, enjoying immense glory and beautiful scenery, but he also feels as if he is standing on the edge of an abyss.

Having risen to the rank of Minister of Works, further promotion would be difficult.

Upon seeing Zhang Yue alight from the carriage, the people in the alley erupted in cheers.

"Meet Sikong!"

"Meet Sikong!"

Zhang Yue smiled slightly and climbed the steps.

The streets in front of the mansion have been newly decorated, with colorful lanterns hanging on both sides of the mansion gate and decorated pavilions erected.

Zhang Gen and Zhang Cheng, along with their two daughters-in-law and the female servants of the mansion, went out to watch the lanterns, while children in the street set off firecrackers.

Zhang Yue knew that his promotion to Minister of Works and his rank among the Three Dukes would be celebrated not only in the palace and Kaifeng Prefecture, but also in his own household.

This is a wonderful time of year.

Zhang Yue slowly alighted from the carriage and saw Seventeenth Sister chatting and laughing with her eldest daughter-in-law, Huang Shi, while the newlywed Guo Shi stood silently to the side.

Zhang Yue knew what was going on.

When the younger generation of the Zhang family saw Zhang Yue, they all stepped forward and bowed.

Seventeen Sister smiled and said, "My lord, what do you think of today's fireworks?"

Zhang Yue said, "Good, it looks just like the fireworks when we met on the Lantern Festival back then."

Upon hearing this, Seventeen Sister's face lit up with joy. She nodded with a smile, then, in front of the younger generation who were trying to maintain a certain air, said, "I'm just afraid it's a bit extravagant, and I'm afraid my husband won't like it."

Zhang Geng said from the side, "These were all prepared by Mother herself."

Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Let's be extravagant today."

Seventeen Sister laughed and said, "Good, good."

Zhang Yue stepped onto the stairs, but looked back at the dazzling, night-long spectacle of lights.

A grand banquet had already been prepared in the mansion, and the servants opened hundreds of jars of aged wine bestowed by the emperor and gave them all to the neighbors to drink together.

The aroma of wine immediately filled the streets and alleys.

Looking at this scene, Zhang Yue couldn't help but sigh that this was something he could never have imagined when he was a young man studying hard, "pointing out the flaws in the country, writing passionately, and regarding the powerful officials of the time as dirt."

Zhang Yue couldn't help but chuckle. At this moment, he wasn't overjoyed, but rather felt a sense of loss.

……

Faced with the Song Dynasty's official letter, the Tangut people were embroiled in endless debate.

on the main hall.

Li Bingchang's face was pale. Inside the hall, the ministers argued endlessly. Some advocated fighting to the death, while others suggested temporarily avoiding the conflict and forcibly relocating the people of Xingqing Prefecture to Dingzhou. Some even went so far as to secretly contact the Liao Kingdom to seek a way out.

Unable to reach a consensus, the only option left was to resort to the most primitive and ancient method.

The shaman beside the temple took a dried sheep scapula and recited prayers in the ancient Tangut language, asking the gods to reveal good or bad fortune. Then, he placed the bone over charcoal fire, and the flames licked the bone surface, making a faint crackling sound.

The atmosphere inside the hall grew increasingly heavy.

With a crisp "crack!", the sheep bone split open, revealing crisscrossing lines.

All the officials in the hall rushed forward.

The shaman examined the bones closely, then suddenly prostrated himself on the ground, his voice trembling, and said, "The bone patterns are like crisscrossing swords, a sign of great misfortune... The cracks in the northeast are severed, moving the capital to Dingzhou would be a death trap!"

Upon hearing this, Li Bingchang's expression changed, and he hurriedly asked, "Is there any other sign of a turnaround?"

The wizard said, “I have observed that for several days, dark clouds have been rising in the southeast, interspersed with reddish-brown clouds, and then in the northwest, white mist has been penetrating them, which only dissipates at the fourth watch of the night.”

"This foreshadows the ferocity of the Han people, which will bring great harm to our dynasty!"

"The only way is harmony."

The hall was silent.

"Your Majesty!" An old minister knelt on the ground, his voice trembling, "At this point, the only option is to abandon Xingqing Prefecture, retreat to Dingzhou, and unite the troops of the northern deserts to resist the Song Dynasty! This is the best course of action!"

"Absurd!" another general interrupted sharply. "The Song people are like wolves in sheep's clothing. Do you think they will stop because we back down? If we cede territory today, we will perish tomorrow! Rather than sit and wait for death, we should fight to the death! It is worse than ceding territory."

Li Bingchang's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Prime Minister Li Qing.

Prime Minister Li Qing stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I offer seven strategies to reverse the current situation."

"First, we must gather the scattered troops to pacify the people. After the Song army attacked Lingzhou, the defeated soldiers scattered in all directions. We have repeatedly levied grain and fodder, and the people are starving. Now we should gather them together and appease them."

"He also opened a special imperial examination to recruit talented individuals from among the Han and Tangut people, treating them with the respect due to national scholars."

"We must strengthen our alliance to alleviate the national crisis. The Song army is strong now, but the Liao state has a million soldiers. We should send hostages to the Liao state to show our loyalty."

"We have repaired the city walls three times in preparation for defense. Lingzhou has fallen, the counties in Hexi have been lost, and three more prefectures have been ceded. There are no more strategic locations to defend. Now, we are taking advantage of the peace negotiations to repair the city walls and defend them from the best of our ability."

"The Siming Army's politics are based on training in both offense and defense. In the past, the country relied on the Qiang people, first occupying Hengshan, and then establishing itself by holding Xingling. All of this was due to the well-trained and well-armored soldiers. After the defeat at Pingxia City in Lingzhou, the elite troops in the court were all lost. Now Your Majesty should clearly define rewards and punishments, assess the capabilities of the troops, entrust them with the duties of veteran generals and trusted ministers, assess the enemy's retreat, and consider the terrain for offense and defense. Only in this way can we hope to revitalize the country after the decline."

"The five-linked beacon fires are used to establish mutual support. The imperial court can set up beacon fires in both the border areas and the Liao Kingdom. Once the Song army invades, they can support each other. As long as we have the support of the Liao Kingdom, our army will dare to defend the city. With such high morale, the enemy will not dare to look us in the eye."

"Six principles of frugality to ensure sufficient military reserves. The country has suffered repeated defeats, lost Hexi, and the people are destitute. Farming and weaving are useless, and the country's finances are extremely scarce. Now, the extravagant spending in the palace and government, as well as the rewards and honors given to meritorious officials and relatives, should be reduced to make use of the funds for military mobilization. Then, with sufficient food, the army will naturally be strong."

"Observe the advantages of the situation to defeat the enemy." He concluded solemnly, "In the past, we were able to defeat the Song army mostly because the Song army's supplies could not be transported over a thousand miles. Now, we still have hundreds of thousands of troops in our country. If we can boost morale and fight to the death, the situation will be different between the host and the guest, and we should be able to win. If we continue to be hesitant and indecisive in the battle, the country will soon perish."

The hall fell silent for a moment. Li Bingchang remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly: "I have thought deeply about what the Prime Minister said... We cannot rely on the Liao Kingdom for assistance; we should focus on strengthening ourselves."

"Negotiations can buy time."

"Tell the Song envoy that I have granted all his requests."

The assembled officials were all astonished upon hearing this and bowed down in unison.

They agreed to even such demanding conditions.

Li Qing, with tears in his eyes, said, "We are incompetent, and Your Majesty has suffered this humiliation."

Li Bingchang said with a bitter smile, "I am not a ruler destined to lose my country, so I don't know why I have suffered this calamity."

"It is all my fault that I have failed to protect the borders and provide peace for the people."

"From this day forward, I hereby change the name of Xingqing Prefecture to Zhongxing Prefecture, hoping that I may work with all my ministers to revitalize our great Baigao Kingdom!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Bingchang sighed helplessly. He thought of his wife, Princess Yelü Nan of Khitan, who was in charge of the rear guard, and his child.

The generals, who were determined to fight, were all disheartened and sighed when they saw that the king insisted on surrendering to the Song Dynasty.

There is a reason why the ruler of the country would rather surrender than we fight to the death for the Song Dynasty and serve our country.

The court thus split apart without anyone realizing it.

……

Lingzhou City Wall.

Zhang Jie looked at the deep arrow marks and stone marks on the wall bricks, which were traces of stones thrown during the previous siege and arrows falling.

The capture of Lingzhou made Zhang Jie look towards Xingqing Prefecture on the other side of the Yellow River, and the rolling Helan Mountains.

All around were generals, still in their armor, standing solemnly, holding their breath.

Below the city, Song engineers were using captured Tangut soldiers to dismantle the barbican; the muffled sound of hammers smashing rammed earth mingled with the sound of the Yellow River wind.

Zhang Jie said to his generals, "Lingzhou City has fallen. The city lord and his generals gathered in the mansion and committed suicide."

"The Tangut state has been established for a hundred years, and there are indeed some sayings about it. Next, we will attack Xingqing Prefecture."

"Everyone must be more attentive, for this is a long-standing problem that has plagued our nation for a century."

The generals readily accepted the order.

After speaking, Zhang Jie gazed at Xingqing Prefecture on the opposite bank of the Yellow River, lost in thought. The fierce and stoic fighting of the Tangut people had left a deep impression on him. If such an enemy was not eliminated, it would be difficult to rise to power in the future.

"Prime Minister, an imperial edict!" A guard presented a lacquered box containing a secret letter.

When Zhang Jie unfolded the edict, he was looking at the words "surrender".

That was Zhang Yue's personal order: "Temporarily halt the westward advance and defend Lingzhou."

Zhang Jie was shocked and immediately felt a mouthful of blood rise to his throat.

The order was displayed to all the generals.

Zhong Shidao said, "Even if the Liao emperor has stationed a million troops in Youzhou, wouldn't accepting their surrender now be like letting a tiger return to the mountains?"

The generals all said, "We have endured hardship for the sake of defeating Xingling and crushing Helan Mountain!"

"There is no reason for us to withdraw our troops at this time."

The messenger delivering the imperial edict advised, "The court's intention is to retain the remnants of the Xia dynasty to control the northwest; this is the proper way to maintain balance."

Gazing at the surging Yellow River, Zhang Jie sighed, "Back when Yang Hu was stationed in Jiangxia to cultivate the land, he never got to see the day when warships sailed down to Jianye..."

The generals hurriedly exclaimed, "Prime Minister!"

"Prime Minister!"

Zhang Jie thought to himself, although Zhang Yue was intelligent and cautious, he ultimately lacked courage and ambition.

With Xingqing Prefecture right before their eyes, but fearing opposition from the court and the growing power of Aligu, they wanted to stop while they were ahead and dared not attack.

In the end, seeing that the Tanguts were willing to surrender but not to fully commit to the cause, they truly ruined everything.

Zhang Jie kept his thoughts to himself and didn't tell the other generals. He leaned against the city wall, staring blankly at the fiery clouds on the horizon.

Suddenly, a cold wind swept in from the Yellow River, causing the large Song Dynasty banner on the city wall to flutter, and the hem of the banner brushed against his temples.

Several advisors whispered among themselves: "Zhang Yue wanted to emulate Cao Wuhui (Cao Bin)'s benevolence in winning over the Dangxiang people, and was reluctant to commit too much killing. However, the Dangxiang people's wolfish ambitions are far beyond those of the Southern Tang."

"Just now, the Chancellor mentioned that Yang Ku was stationed in Jingzhou to cultivate land and that Du Yu was sending warships to Eastern Wu. However, during the Three Kingdoms period, Eastern Wu did not have the Khitan as an ally!"

"Sikong has miscalculated. This golden opportunity, once seized, will never return."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jie could no longer hold back, spitting out a mouthful of blood and collapsing to the ground backward.

"Prime Minister!"

"Prime Minister!"

"Prime Minister!"

With his eyes closed, Zhang Jie could only see his subordinates and generals rushing towards him, and the endless roar of the Yellow River beside him.

……

"The families of the Dongzhen Assistant Commander should be well comforted and treated with the utmost care."

Zhang Yue instructed his officials, "We can spare no expense to buy prisoners from the Liao Kingdom, and at the same time, we should properly arrange for the remains of the fallen soldiers to be buried on the spot."

"All funds were paid by the imperial court."

The officials held the pages of the book and recorded Zhang Yue's words word by word.

Zhang Yue believed that the war with the Liao Kingdom was a good thing. Both sides understood their own strength and gave an explanation to the hardliners at home. Once the pro-peace forces regained their strength, they could sit down and renegotiate the terms.

Different policies lead to opposite means and ends.

The purpose of fighting the Liao Dynasty was to negotiate.

The purpose of negotiating with the Dangxiang was to wage war.

A two-pronged approach is essential for achieving twice the result with half the effort.

These renegotiated terms were also secured by the eight thousand soldiers of the Eastern Garrison.

Of course, if the Liao Kingdom wanted to continue fighting, Zhang Yue was not afraid; he would meet force with force and water with water. This was the foundation of his confidence in negotiations.

Just as they were speaking, a bureaucrat suddenly came to report.

"Lord Sikong, something terrible has happened!"

"The acting Privy Councilor Zhang Jie died of illness in the army."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue's expression changed drastically; Zhang Jie had actually died of illness in the army!

He knew that Zhang Jie had been busy with military affairs during the attack on Lingzhou and had been in poor health, but he did not expect that the other party would suddenly die in the army.

Suddenly realizing something, Zhang Yue sat down abruptly in the armchair, gripping the armrests, and slowly said, "Zhi Fu died because of me!"

The subordinate official said, "The memorial left by the acting Privy Councilor is presented to the Minister of Works."

Zhang Yue's fingers trembled slightly as he opened Zhang Jie's will, and there was a note on it.

Respectfully yours, Jie bows again to Lord Zhang:

In the battle of Lingzhou, our soldiers fought valiantly to breach the fortified city. Now, the gates of Xingqing Prefecture are wide open, and the Dangxiang people, terrified, have surrendered. This is a heaven-sent opportunity to destroy the Xia dynasty. However, an imperial order has suddenly arrived, commanding me to withdraw my troops and accept the surrender... It is not that I dare disobey, but I truly fear that Li Bingchang, once he recovers, will once again become a threat to the border!

In the past, Zhang Yuan's defeat at Haoshuichuan allowed the Xia people to run rampant for a century; if we now let the tiger return to the mountains, I fear that the bloodshed of the people of the Northwest will be even greater than it is today! I am old now. I originally wanted to march straight to the foot of Helan Mountain, but now, vomiting blood in my tent, I know that fate is hard to defy.

I was arrogant all my life, but only you truly understood me. I was given command of the three armies and was to emulate the story of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.

In the past, during the night raid on Mingsha City, our heavy troops were thwarted at the gates of Lingzhou City. It was thanks to your efforts that I was entrusted with this important task despite the opposition of the masses. Now, I have failed to live up to your trust and have failed to accomplish the task of destroying the country. I will die with this regret!

However, as the Minister of Works, you are in charge of all affairs of state. I hope that you will not be swayed by the rumors in Bianjing... Destroy the Dangxiang and restore the territory of our Han and Tang dynasties!

This is Jie's final work.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue was overcome with grief, abandoned the letter on the spot, and wept openly.

The officials in the hall were all greatly surprised to see Zhang Yue like this.

Zhang Yue has been in office for many years; when have we ever seen him lose his composure like this?

The messenger, weeping, said, "Prime Minister, after writing this letter, Zhang Jie, despite his illness, toured the camp. Seeing the soldiers still sharpening their swords and preparing their arrows, he couldn't help but burst into tears and sighed to the generals, 'We only know how to fight on the battlefield to serve our country; how could we understand the affairs of the court?'"

Zhang Yue said silently, "Draft a proper petition, posthumously granting Zhang Jie the title of Right Grand Master of the Palace, with the additional honor of Grand Tutor, and posthumously conferring upon him the title of Duke of Qin!"

A moment later, Qin Guan, an official from the Ministry of Rites, entered and said to Zhang Yue, "Reporting to the Minister of Works, Li Zhaming wishes to bid farewell to His Majesty and return to Xingzhou."

Zhang Yue composed himself and said to Qin Guan, an official from the Ministry of Rites, "You are still calling him Li Zuoming, but you should address him as the Crown Prince."

Qin Guan composed himself and agreed.

Zhang Yue calmed his grief and regained his composure after a moment.

"Let Aligu's messenger also be brought to see the Emperor!"

"Yes!" Qin Guan replied, bowed, and left to accept the order.

……

It was mid-autumn.

The shimmering blue waters of Jinming Pond reflect the current prosperity of Bianjing and the Song Dynasty.

The pond was like a mirror, reflecting the rolling clouds on the horizon, with several painted boats gently swaying in it.

As the sun sets, the willows along the bank are tinged with yellow, and the wind rustles across the stone steps, occasionally a fallen leaf drifts onto the pond's surface, creating ripples.

In front of the Linshui Hall on the north side of the pond.

The imperial guards stood solemnly, their banners fluttering in the wind.

Inside the waterside pavilion, musicians were playing the grand melody "Liangzhou" as the emperor strolled and admired the Jinming Pond.

Soon the envoys from both sides were led into the hall next to the waterside pavilion.

On one side was the Tangut envoy Li Zuoming, with his deputy Weiming Langbu; on the other side was Aligu's envoy Yaoluoge Tele, with his deputy Timur, who was a Tatar.

Upon seeing the Song Dynasty emperor, both men bowed and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Huang Lu said from the side, "Your king has already agreed to our dynasty's conditions and will establish Your Excellency as the heir to the throne!"

Aligu's messenger, standing to the side, was startled.

Li Zuo appeared calm on the surface, having anticipated this, and uttered his prepared words: "Your Majesty, I thank the Emperor of the Great Song for his grace. The Mandate of Heaven is unpredictable, and only virtue can guide it. The Great Song is blessed by Heaven, therefore wherever the royal army goes, those who obey or resist will perish."

“We are a small border state, and we have usurped the Hexi region by virtue of the legacy of our late king. In the past, we presumptuously claimed the title of king, which was truly arrogant and ignorant of the majesty of the emperor.”

"Now I am a vassal of the Great Song Dynasty, paying tribute every year and remaining obedient generation after generation. All the prefectures of Hexi have submitted to the Celestial Dynasty; the seal of the Xia Kingdom is respectfully presented to Your Majesty! I and my descendants swear to uphold our loyalty and dare not harbor any disloyal thoughts. If we break this oath, may Heaven and Earth punish us."

In the past, when they met with Yi Jo-myung, they addressed him as "outer minister," but now, after removing the country's name, they directly addressed him as "subject."

The emperor nodded, and although he was twelve years old, he spoke as he had been taught beforehand: "From now on, you must be loyal to the Great Song Dynasty, so that our two countries can maintain a peaceful relationship for generations to come."

Li Zuoming said, "Your Majesty is so merciful that you would pardon the foolish and reckless crimes of your subjects, grant them a way out, allow the people to live in peace, and end the war forever."

Li Zuoming performed the ritual of three bows and six kowtows to the Song Dynasty emperor.

Aligu's messenger, Yaoluoge Teler, looked somewhat embarrassed, having a premonition of why he had been summoned to the palace today.

Huang Lü glanced at Yaoluoge Teler, then said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, the Dangxiang have admitted their mistake and submitted a letter of surrender. From now on, they will be a vassal state of our Great Song Dynasty."

"I have heard that King Aligu of Wuwei attacked the Shanyin region and captured a large number of people. Now that the Dangxiang have submitted, I request that your esteemed envoy return all the people and land to the Xia Kingdom."

Upon hearing this, Li Zuoming looked at Yao Luoge Teller.

After the Tanguts gained the Song Dynasty's allegiance, it seems they are now going to deal with Aligu.

After conquering the five prefectures of Hexi (excluding Liangzhou), Aligu set his sights on the Shanyin region of the Dangxiang.

The four most vital locations for the survival of the Tangut people were: the five prefectures of Hengshan, the six prefectures of Hexi, Xingling, and Yinshan.

In fact, after Aligu conquered the five prefectures of Hexi, he had the momentum of the Song Dynasty's attack on the Dangxiang to move north and annex Yinshang, thus replicating the Dangxiang in the northwest.

Zhang Yue would never allow Aligu to be greedy and take advantage of the situation. He had put in a lot of effort to attack Xingling, and Aligu was taking advantage of the situation behind the scenes.

You were so proud of yourself for not surrendering to the Tanguts back then, but now...

Zhang Yue squinted and remained silent. Yao Luoge Teller glanced at the Song Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, the population can be discussed, but the territory we conquer..."

“We previously assisted the Song Dynasty in attacking the Dangxiang, and now the Song Dynasty has acquired three of the five prefectures of Dingnan Army. This Yinshan is also a reward from the Song Emperor to his subjects.”

Li Zuoming was furious upon hearing this. The Song Dynasty was launching a frontal attack on Lingzhou, spending countless sums of money and engaging in open warfare. Meanwhile, Aligu was taking advantage of the situation to sweep through several prefectures.

They committed all sorts of atrocities, including arson, murder, and looting.

In order to motivate his troops, Aligu promised to massacre and plunder the city after it was captured.

The Tangut people, both inside and outside the court, all hated what these people had done.

The emperor frowned, while the Song courtiers thought to themselves, "Is it not enough that we took the five prefectures of Hexi with the help of our Song Dynasty? Do we still want to take Yinshan?"

They really are greedy for more after getting what they want.

Huang Lü said coldly, "Aligu is the King of Wuwei, appointed by our Great Song Dynasty. How can he take it without the permission of His Majesty the Emperor of our Great Song Dynasty!"

However, the deputy envoy Timur, who was standing to the side, only partially understood Chinese and did not quite comprehend Huang Lü's words.

But upon hearing that he would have to vomit up the portion of Yinshan soil he had ingested, he immediately turned pale.

One is the Yellow-headed Uyghur, and the other is the Grass-headed Tatar; both of these are what Aligu currently relies on.

The Yellow-headed Uyghurs and the Grass-headed Tatars were originally a disorganized group, suffering humiliation at the hands of the Qinghai-Tibetan and Tangut peoples. However, after Aligu arrived on the grasslands alone, he unified the two tribes in one fell swoop, just as the epic legends of the grasslands had suggested, and conquered the five prefectures of Hexi in one fell swoop.

Timur was born into poverty and was driven by the tribal chief, but he was appreciated and promoted by Aligu because of his bravery in battle.

His admiration for Aligu was boundless; he considered him an eagle of the grasslands and a great hero.

He immediately said, "I, the King of Wuwei, have my own path and do not need to be ordered around by the Song Dynasty!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yao Luoge Teller's expression changed.

Huang Lu glanced at the other person and said, "Say what you just said again."

The other side was quite bold; no matter what, they could not return the land they had captured in Yinshan.

He said, "I mean that our King Wuwei can handle the Yinshan area himself."

Huang Lü sneered, turned to face the emperor, and said, "Your Majesty, these are treasonous words."

“In the past, Aligu repeatedly invaded my vassal state of Qingtang, and now this statement is added.”

"I request that he be executed!"

Timur stood there dumbfounded. Zhang Yue looked at the Emperor without saying a word, and the Emperor was also startled, seemingly also thinking of the principle that envoys should not be killed in times of war.

However, the imperial court conferred the title of King of Wuwei upon Aligu, making him a subject of the current dynasty.

The emperor had thought this through, but subconsciously glanced at Li Zhaming.

Li Zhaming, standing to the side, was also sweating profusely. That's right, the Tanguts had now abandoned their state title and demoted themselves to the King of Xiping.

The emperor did not speak, but simply nodded.

Immediately, the imperial guards poured out from both corridors of the palace. Timur exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Yaoluoge Teller hurriedly knelt down with a thud, saying, "Your Majesty...Your Majesty, please show mercy!"

The Imperial Guards hesitated.

Zhang Yue nodded to Huang Lü, who then flicked his sleeve and shouted sharply, "His Majesty has issued a decree, what are you waiting for!"

After saying this, the imperial guards pushed Temur off the throne. Temur struggled and tried to say something, but the guards covered his mouth and nose.

A moment later, a human head was placed on a tray and presented.

Zhang Yue leaned forward for a look. The emperor beside him was indifferent, and the officials attending him in the hall were acting as usual. There wasn't even anyone pleading for Temur.

Only Li Zhaming and Yao Luoge Teller were terrified out of their wits.

Yao Luoge Teller knew perfectly well that the Song Dynasty was using this method to tell them that they could turn against each other if they wanted.

The Song Dynasty is now militarily strong and has a very tough stance.

Now that the Tanguts have submitted, the Song Dynasty can finally set aside its resources to settle old scores with Aligu.

Looking at Timur's severed head, Yaoluoge Teller immediately said without hesitation, "Timur deserved his fate."

"Your subject will report back to King Wuwei immediately."

"I will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty."

The officials almost burst out laughing; the other party's words were quite pleasant.

Li Zhaming then said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for seeking justice for your humble servant."

“If…if Aligu is unaware of his destiny, I am willing to lead the army as the vanguard to attack Aligu.”

The officials thought to themselves that the Tangut crown prince was quite shrewd, as the court and the public had always intended to use the Tanguts to attack Aligu.

If you want to surrender, you need to show your attitude; this is a blatant strategy of using one wolf to devour another.

The other party will reveal it on their own without you even having to mention it.

The Emperor said, “You can reclaim the lost territory of Yinshan. If the King of Wuwei refuses to give it up, I will send troops to help you take it back.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Yue stepped forward with his tablet in hand and said, “Your Majesty, Li Zhaming is now the heir apparent. His position as deputy should not be taken lightly. He should return to the country as soon as possible.”

"To determine the overall situation!"

……

After the envoys from both sides left.

The ministers all bowed and congratulated the emperor. The Tanguts had surrendered, and the arrogance of another nation had been extinguished in the palace—a sight only seen in prosperous and powerful times.

At this moment, how can we not celebrate?

After Zhang Yue calmly left the palace, he met Zeng Bu.

Zeng Bu said to Zhang Yue, "Minister, the Market Exchange Law, the Horse Protection Law, and so on have all been revised. Only the Green Sprouts Law for ministers of the two administrations and above is still under discussion."

Zhang Yue asked, "How can we discuss this?"

Zeng preached: "Originally, the Green Sprouts Fund was borrowed by the people themselves. After the Xining Reform, the court lent the Green Sprouts Fund to the people, charging an interest rate of four percent every six months. Only then did the Green Sprouts Law come into being."

"The Green Sprouts Act has been in effect for many years, and it not only has the drawback of suppressing the allocation of land, but also the harm of excessively high interest rates."

"Now that the Prime Minister is implementing reforms, he wants to set up a pawnshop in each county, prefecture, and circuit. Originally, the circuit pawnshops were separated from the Pawnshop Management Office, but how should the pawnshops in the prefectures and counties be set up? Some people say that the Prime Minister's method is nothing more than the court setting up pawnshops, which is no different from the court collecting the Green Sprouts Tax. It would be better to let the people solve the problem themselves."

"Privately run pawnshops?" Zhang Yue shook his head and said, "Private individuals can set up their own pawnshops, but our official pawnshops must be established first."

Zeng preached: "The people still say the same thing: the state should not compete with the people for profit."

Zhang Yue said, "This is not a matter of whether or not to fight, but rather that it is inevitable."

Changing the Green Sprouts Fund from government-allocated funds to pawnshop-allocated funds was Zhang Yue's first major reform after taking office.

Establishing quality banks from the central to local levels is also imperative.

There is currently a debate among officials and the public about whether it is better for the pawnshop to be run by the government or by the private sector.

Zhang Yue meant that privately run businesses could be allowed, but government-run businesses had to be established first.

As a result, some people criticized Zhang Yueguo for not competing with the people for profit.

Zhang Yue then posed Sang Hongyang's three questions: If the court does not monopolize salt and iron, where does the court's money come from?

Who will pay for things if the country is in trouble?

If the imperial court does not profit from government-run pawnshops, where will its tax revenue come from?

Zhang Yue said, "Actually, the principle of government-run and privately-run pawnshops is the same as that of soldiers and horses."

"When Emperor Taizu gained the throne, he had 100,000 imperial guards who could roam freely throughout the land. Now, however, the imperial guards are no match for him, while the Western Army is the most skilled in battle. Why is that?"

"Why are the Imperial Guards not as good as before? It's because the horses have been grazing on the southern mountains for too long."

"The Western Army had suffered repeated defeats at the hands of Li Yuanhao, yet now it has managed to annihilate the Tanguts. How is that possible?"

"It was won through war."

"Is government-run necessarily bad, and privately-run necessarily good? Not necessarily. The most important thing is to let government-run and privately-run institutions compete under the same system, and the government should not favor one over the other."

"We cannot allow government-run pharmacies to become a small circle, playing with themselves. The only way to resolve the conflict between government-run and private pharmacies is to use market competition as a mechanism to mediate the conflict and resolve the debate over whether government-run or private pharmacies are superior."

"Privately-run institutions that fail to perform well should be shut down, and government-run institutions that fail to perform well should also be reformed. Out with the old, in with the new; you can't just sit idly by and do nothing, you have to change. Failure to reward merit or punish wrongdoing are major problems for the country. As long as we have this confidence, the market system can continue to operate."

“In recent years, the exchange has been operating behind closed doors, which has certainly made a fortune, but its efficiency has been declining. That’s why I allowed the private sector to operate the exchange, bringing fresh capital into the pool; otherwise, it would be stagnant. The same applies to the other side.”

"It's not just the Jiaoyin Bureau, but also the pawnshops that will be established in the future, and the cotton mills that exist now. Originally, the cotton mills were half government-run and half privately-run, but later 80% of them were privately-run, and now government-run ones are rising again, so it's back to a situation where the government and private sectors are half and half."

"The imperial court also let him handle it. Whoever does it well will be appointed."

"The same applies to pawnshops. The imperial court should first establish its own pawnshops in various regions. This matter can be initiated by the imperial court, and should not be supervised by the Bureau of Exchanges and Credits, nor should it be confused with the Exchange Offices. The Exchange Offices can run their own pawnshops. However, our imperial court should be independent of them and can be subordinate to the Ministry of Revenue. You must do your best to handle this matter well."

“…Do as you say. Also, the name ‘Pawnshop’ is not good and must be changed. I think ‘Green Seed Money’ is money, and a business that deals with money all day long should be called ‘Money Business’!”

Zeng Bu listened and agreed.

At this point, Zhang Yue felt a little tired, so he casually sat down on the long corridor by the pond, watching the evening breeze, and thought of the scene when he met Seventeen Niang by the pond years ago.

But Zhang Yue was not in the mood for this. Now that Zhang Jie had passed away, the selection of a new Privy Councilor had to be made.

Although Wang Hou has the qualifications, he lacks the ability to fulfill the duties.

Lü Huiqing has the ability, but he is not on good terms with me, and he certainly won't listen to me if he gets to this position.

And Shen Kuo...

But there are probably many who covet this world-shaking achievement.

After much thought, there is only one person who can do the job.