Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 359 You say the true line of Chinese civilization is in the Liao Dynasty?
"Zhang Zihou! Don't push your luck!"

The sounds of arguing drifted in, instantly drowning out the music playing inside the pavilion.

A loud shout was clearly audible, but it came from Zhang Heng, who was usually quite taciturn.

His words, spoken with a Fujian accent, sounded hurried: "In terms of seniority, I respect you as my uncle! But in terms of talent, you are only at the bottom of the third class. What right do you have to criticize my writing?"

"Ah!"

He was met with a cold laugh.

"Although you were ranked second in the imperial examination, have you ever seen the emperor bestow a gold belt upon you?"

This was Zhang Dun's voice. He had clearly drunk quite a bit of alcohol, and his words were full of resentment, with a particularly sharp and sarcastic tone.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the pavilion turned to look at Lu Beigu.

Lu Beigu felt somewhat helpless.

—How could this cause an accident?

However, Zhang Dun's words were indeed quite poignant.

Yan Jidao was very gloating. He got up and deliberately opened the door wide, and even made the musicians stop playing.

In this way, the sounds coming from next door when the door opens will be heard more clearly here.

Everyone inside the pavilion tacitly stopped talking and began to gossip.

"That's enough! Stop talking!"

Lin Xi's voice came: "We are both Jinshi graduates from the same cohort and from the same clan. Why should we let a temporary ranking ruin our harmony? Ziping and Zihou are, after all, elders, and you are older than them. You should be more magnanimous."

It's unclear whether Lin Xi's words were a genuine attempt to mediate or a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict.

Zhang Heng, who had been holding back for a long time, could no longer tolerate it.

"That's wrong!"

Zhang Heng was unmoved and instead raised his voice: "In the imperial examinations, those who succeed come first! If he truly considers himself an elder, he shouldn't be throwing a tantrum out of jealousy!"

As the conversation progressed, Zhang Dun's temper flared up at this crucial moment.

"As for this academic achievement, I'll make it clear today: a third-class Jinshi degree is nothing to me!"

Zhang Dun's voice was loud enough that even Lu Beigu, who hadn't joined the others outside, could hear it clearly: "At worst, I'll just give up this official position that I've already obtained. Next time, I will fight again and win the title of top scholar, so that the world can see who the real prodigy of the Zhang family is!"

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of a cup shattering was heard, as if Zhang Heng had smashed the wine cup in a fit of rage.

"Arrogant brat! How dare you!"

"No! No! Brother Ziping, please calm down! Zihou is young and hot-blooded, and speaks without thinking!"

Lu Huiqing's voice rang out; he seemed to be desperately pulling Zhang Heng along.

"Let go! I'm going to teach him a lesson today!"

Zhang Heng was clearly furious. Even honest people get angry. If no one had stopped him, it would have really come to a physical confrontation.

"Stop saying a few words!"

Lin Dan's voice joined in, seemingly pulling Zhang Dun along, earnestly saying, "Is fame and fortune not child's play? How can you just say you don't want it? Where does that leave the laws of the court? Where does that leave the expectations of your family?"

At this moment, Lin Xi seemed to realize something and said.

"Close the door! Close the door first, so that outsiders don't laugh at us."

Then, the sounds of arguing, persuasion, and pulling mingled together, faintly coming through the crack in the door. Although the specific details were not heard, the tense atmosphere was impossible to conceal.

Inside the Xiefang Pavilion, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

To be honest, Zhang Dun is quite a character to throw such a tantrum after passing the imperial examination and being dissatisfied with his ranking.

However, as the first province for the imperial examinations in the Song Dynasty, Fujian scholars were indeed very united, mostly sticking together with their fellow townsmen. Their relationships with scholars from other regions were generally not very good, so they just treated this matter as a joke.

Those who went to the door to listen couldn't hear very clearly, so they all returned to their seats.

Lu Beigu picked up his wine glass, thinking to himself that the path to the imperial court was indeed full of infighting, but he never expected that the smell of gunpowder would be so strong among his peers.

Zhang Dun is a man of sharp edges and unyielding ambition. He is unwilling to be inferior to others. Today he dares to say that he will give up fame and fortune to strive for the top scholar title. If he gains power in the future, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

Zhang Heng, Lin Xi, Lü Huiqing, and others are no ordinary people either.

Especially for Lü Huiqing, his career prospects have also risen as his uncle Zeng Gongliang entered the Council of State Affairs. Just now, during a casual chat, he heard Yan Jidao say that Zeng Gongliang had already arranged a position for Lü Huiqing.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the noise from next door gradually subsided. It seemed that Lin Xi, Lin Dan, and Lü Huiqing had worked together to finally persuade the arguing Zhang uncle and nephew to separate.

"boom!"

All that could be heard was Zhang Dun slamming the door shut, uttering the final words, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together," before his footsteps faded into the distance, as if he had stormed off in a huff.

"Alright, close the door, there's nothing more to listen to."

Yan Jidao closed the door.

Just as the atmosphere inside Xiefang Pavilion was becoming slightly delicate due to the commotion next door, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Do you want to open the door?"

Zeng Gong hesitated, fearing that some people from Fujian had come to cause trouble.

Yan Jidao, however, seemed completely unconcerned. This was Fanlou; what did he have to be afraid of?
Then, Yan Jidao went to open the door.

The man was about forty years old, with a neatly trimmed short beard on his chin. His skin, which was originally slightly tanned from the hardships of life, appeared very red because he had been drinking.

He wore a dark brocade robe of fine material, but some subtle details of the robe revealed a hint of the style of the Northern Dynasties, which was typical of the attire of Han people who had lived in Liaodong for a long time.

Behind him followed a Khitan man, a burly man with a ruddy face, who looked like he had also drunk quite a bit.

"I am Chen Yi, a scholar of the Privy Council of the Northern Dynasty. What is the matter with all of you making such a commotion? I heard the noise just now and came to see what was going on."

He spoke in a drunken slur.

Although they speak Mandarin, it is clearly different from the Mandarin spoken in the Central Plains, and is more like the accent of Hebei.

The person in question was Chen Yi, the deputy envoy of the Liao delegation who remained in Kaifeng due to the "sacred image" incident, and a scholar of the Liao Privy Council and a censor.

Yan Jidao was taken aback by the question, and only after a moment of stunned silence did he react and answer.

"Uh, not here." "Oh?"

Chen Yi slapped his forehead, realizing he must have drunk too much and misheard, and said apologetically.

"Sorry sorry."

After saying that, Chen Yi turned to leave, but before leaving, he casually glanced into the room and his eyes met those of Lu Beigu, who looked up at the sound.

He stopped again and asked in a loud voice.

"May I ask if you are the top scholar Lu who paraded through the streets on horseback yesterday?"

"Exactly."

Since he had been recognized, Lu Beigu readily admitted it.

In this situation, with a large group of people in the private room, even if the other party is an envoy from the Liao Dynasty, it's not a big deal to say a few words; they won't be accused of colluding with the Khitan.

Chen Yi hesitated for a moment in the corridor, then spoke to the person behind him in Khitan. The Khitan man then went to their private room next door to fetch the drinks he had brought.

Seeing that the other party was standing at the door and did not intend to leave, Yan Jidao could not simply close the door, so he had no choice but to ask.

"I wonder what advice Scholar Chen has for me?"

The Khitans had already brought over the wine. Chen Yi, his face flushed from drinking, smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "I heard a bit of a commotion earlier, so I came to see what was going on. I apologize for disturbing your enjoyment by coming to the wrong room. However, yesterday, Scholar Lu rode through the streets on horseback, his charisma was dazzling, and he was admired by all. Although I am a minister of the Northern Dynasty, I also admire him. Since I have come here at this occasion, how could I not come in? I have brought a cup of wine with me to express my respect. I hope you talented gentlemen will not take offense at my abruptness."

Although he had drunk quite a bit, Chen Yi's words were quite appropriate. He explained his purpose and humbled himself, making it hard for anyone to refuse.

As he spoke, Chen Yi's gaze had already passed over Yan Jidao and landed precisely on Lu Beigu, who was near the main seat, waiting for Lu Beigu's response.

Although the Liao Kingdom's deputy envoy held a special position, his initiative to toast the newly appointed top scholar was not considered a sensitive matter.

The relationship between the Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty was completely different from that between the Song Dynasty and the Xia Dynasty.

Although there have been occasional frictions between the two countries along their border, overall, in the long decades since the Treaty of Chanyuan, both countries have maintained a highly restrained attitude to ensure lasting peace.

During this long period of peace, the two countries had very frequent economic and cultural exchanges and gained a thorough understanding of each other, so there was very little hostility.

Whether it was an envoy from the Song Dynasty going to the Liao Dynasty or an envoy from the Liao Dynasty coming to the Song Dynasty, it was perfectly normal for them to have extensive exchanges with the scholars and officials of the other country.

Lu Beigu's mind raced. He picked up his wine glass, stood up quickly, and went to greet him: "Scholar Chen, you flatter me. You are a guest from afar."

His words were neither humble nor arrogant, expressing both a response to the other party's previous respect and maintaining the demeanor of a top scholar of the Song Dynasty.

Yan Jidao had no choice but to open the door and let Chen Yi in.

Chen Yi carefully looked Lu Beigu up and down, then, holding his cup, said loudly.

"Our dynasty and the Southern dynasty are brotherly states, with frequent exchanges in etiquette, music, and literature. Now, to see the Southern dynasty gain such a young talent is truly a cause for celebration! On behalf of myself, I, Chen, would like to offer a toast to Scholar Lu, wishing him a bright future and hoping that the diplomatic relations between our two countries will remain harmonious forever!"

He specifically pointed out the two points of "representing an individual" and "harmonious diplomatic relations," clearly to dispel any possible political associations from the outset while also adhering to the duties of an envoy.

Lu Beigu also raised his cup and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Scholar. I would also like to take this cup to wish you good health and a smooth journey."

The two clinked their glasses and each drank their wine.

After downing this glass of wine, Chen Yi, who had already drunk quite a bit, became even more flushed.

He looked at Lu Beigu with a hint of regret and said again.

"It's a pity that such a hero could not be used by China."

Upon hearing this, Lu Beigu almost without thinking retorted, "The true line of Chinese civilization lies in the Song Dynasty. What do you mean by that, Scholar Chen?"

Chen Yi was taken aback.

At that time, the Liao people truly understood that "Huaxia" referred to the Liao state, not the Song state.

Moreover, the legitimacy of the Chinese civilization was a very important matter for the Liao people. As an envoy, Chen Yi was very sensitive to this, and he quickly said so.

"Our dynasty inherited the Tang dynasty's throne, practices Chinese rites and music, and governs the Yan and Yun regions of Han. How can Scholar Lu claim that the true lineage of Chinese civilization lies in the south and not the north?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere inside the Xiefang Pavilion immediately became heavy.

Su Shi, Zeng Gong, and others' expressions hardened, all knowing that this question was no casual conversation, but a very serious debate on the distinction between Chinese and barbarians.

In fact, the Liao Dynasty's claim to be the legitimate successor to the Han Chinese civilization was not entirely unfounded, because it was not established on the grasslands, but right here in Kaifeng.
Yes, a little-known historical fact: the Liao Dynasty was established in Kaifeng.

After the Liao dynasty destroyed the Later Jin dynasty, Emperor Taizong of Liao led his army into Kaifeng, the capital of Later Jin. He proclaimed himself emperor in the palace, changed the country's name to Great Liao, and followed proper procedures, obtaining the Imperial Seal of the State and receiving the kowtows of the civil and military officials of Later Jin.

However, the Liao Dynasty later retreated to the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun.

Therefore, the Liao Dynasty always believed that it was the rightful heir to the legitimacy of the Later Jin Dynasty, and thus its occupation of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun was not illegal.

So, is the legitimacy of the Later Jin dynasty important?
Very important!
In the fourth year of the Tianyou era of the Tang Dynasty, Zhu Wen, who was then called Zhu Huang, accepted the "abdication" of Emperor Zhaoxuan of Tang, Li Zhu, and established the Later Liang Dynasty, with its capital in Kaifeng.

Subsequently, Li Cunxu destroyed the Later Liang dynasty, established the Later Tang dynasty, and made Luoyang its capital.

Later, Shi Jingtang destroyed the Later Tang Dynasty, established the Later Jin Dynasty, and made Kaifeng its capital.

Therefore, the Liao Dynasty, which inherited the legal system of the Later Jin Dynasty, had its legal system passed down from the Tang Dynasty.

From the perspective of legal succession, even if the Song people were unwilling to admit it, the legal legitimacy of the Liao Dynasty was indeed stronger than that of the Song Dynasty, because the Song Dynasty inherited its legal legitimacy from the Later Zhou Dynasty, which was an independent dynasty without a source of legal legitimacy.
Moreover, the Liao Dynasty not only had the advantage of legitimacy, but also actually practiced the principle of "if barbarians enter China, then China will take them over."

The Liao Dynasty, from top to bottom, attached great importance to Confucian culture, respected Confucius and Confucianism, and learned from and inherited the Tang Dynasty in many aspects such as culture and education, and institutions, in order to show that it was the rightful successor of the Tang Dynasty.

In addition, the Liao emperors also identified the ancestors of the Khitan people as descendants of the Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor.

In short, the Song Dynasty was at a disadvantage on the issue of legitimacy.

But Lu Beigu simply couldn't avoid it at this moment.

He knew that whether Chen Yi was drunk and hadn't thought of this beforehand or was deliberately provoking trouble, this verbal battle was unavoidable.

Lu Beigu put down his wine cup, his expression turning solemn, and answered loudly: "Scholar Chen's question concerns the distinction between Chinese and barbarians, and the legitimacy of the dynasty. I am unworthy, but I will answer with my humble opinion. The legitimacy of a dynasty is not merely about occupying a territory and practicing Chinese rites. It must also be about receiving the Mandate of Heaven, continuing the orthodox tradition, implementing benevolent governance, and protecting the people and ensuring the peace of the nation. Our Great Song Emperor Taizu received the abdication from the Zhou dynasty, pacified the chaotic world, and unified the Central Plains. This is the Mandate of Heaven and the succession of the legal system. Moreover, since the founding of our dynasty, we have valued literature and education, selected officials through the imperial examination system, and our rites, music, and penal system have all followed the legacy of the Three Dynasties, Han, and Tang dynasties. Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants each live in peace and contentment. This is the essence of the kingly way."

He paused slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Yi: "As for the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, they were originally the old territory of China, the homeland of the Han people. Later, Emperor Gaozu of the Later Jin Dynasty, Shi Jingtang, in his quest for the throne, recklessly bribed the Khitan with land. This was the act of a traitorous minister, how can it be taken as evidence? During the reign of Emperor Taizong of our dynasty, he also led an army north to recover lost territories and rescue the people from suffering. This heart and this will are evident to Heaven and Earth. As for the scholar's statement that the Liao Dynasty practiced Han etiquette and employed Han officials, this is clear evidence of their admiration for China. However, those who admire China are not necessarily Chinese, just as a parrot can speak but is still a bird. The foundation of legitimacy lies in the inheritance of cultural bloodlines and in the will of the people, not in seizing power by force alone."

"I dare not agree with Scholar Lu's insightful remarks."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi stroked his beard and retorted, "Have you not heard that 'When the Son of Heaven is virtuous, he guards the four barbarians'? 'When barbarians enter China, they become Chinese'? The Tang dynasty abdicated, Zhu Wen succeeded to the throne, and the legal line was passed down to the Later Tang and Later Jin dynasties. Our Emperor Taizong inherited the Jin dynasty and obtained the Imperial Seal of the State, which is in accordance with the ancient principle of 'reviving extinct states and continuing interrupted lineages'."

He took a breath and continued, "Moreover, our dynasty has occupied Yan and Yun for over a hundred years, established officials in the south, adopted the Han system, encouraged agriculture and sericulture, and promoted culture and education. The people of Youyun live in peace and prosperity, even better than during the chaos of the late Tang and Five Dynasties period. Isn't this a sign that the 'Mandate of Heaven' has shifted and the 'legitimate' has been restored? If we only consider bloodline and geography, then during the Spring and Autumn period, Chu claimed to be king, and Wu and Yue also once dominated. How can they be dismissed as barbarians simply because they are not in the heart of the Central Plains? Today, our dynasty covers thousands of miles, has a million armored soldiers, is allied with Song in the south, controls Xia in the west, and pacifies various tribes in the north. It is a great and powerful nation. How can you say that it is not the legitimate dynasty?"

(End of this chapter)