Across the Water Margin: Officials of Ximen

At this time, the Jurchens were very simple, and the most commonly used punishment was rod punishment. Regardless of high or low, as long as they made a mistake, they would all receive the wicker rod punishment.And the Jurchens are different from the Song Dynasty. During the execution, only the back was hit, not the buttocks, because the buttocks were still reserved for riding a horse!

Regarding Jurchen’s cane punishment regardless of high or low, there is a fact in history that can prove it: Jin Taizong Wanyan Wu Qimai, who later succeeded Jin Taizu Wanyan Aguda and became the emperor of the Jin Kingdom, spent more money in the treasury because of violations. He was also pulled down from the emperor's throne by Wanyan Zonghan and other ministers and beat him twenty sticks.If it was in the Central Plains Dynasty, such a thing would be unimaginable.

For the Jurchens, if they make a mistake, they should be beaten, and if they have been beaten, they will be punished.When the three of Boda were beaten willingly, they had no complaints.After the beating, Boda and Sandu immediately embraced Jiagu Xienu and the executioner with the stick wound, talking and laughing as usual, and being as close as brothers.Li Shanqing from Bohai also had a relaxed expression of being cleared of his guilt and relieved of a heavy burden.

Although Li Shanqing, Sandu and Boda were beaten to pieces, they seemed to be fine after being tortured. Only Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing were secretly crying.

Because the Dajin Kingdom sent official envoys to the Song Dynasty this time, the Song Dynasty court changed its mind midway and did not send an equivalent envoy. Instead, Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing, who were local officials, were allowed to escort the Jin Kingdom envoys back to the country. This move made the King of Jin Wanyan Aguda very dissatisfied, thinking that it was a sign of disrespect and insincerity of the Song court.

Wanyan Aguda was no longer as enthusiastic about Ma Zheng as last time, but coldly ordered Ma Zheng to wait for people from the Song Dynasty to stay in Ningzhou temporarily, not to return to the country without authorization, and wait for the Jin Kingdom to discuss before dispatching.

That is to say, Ma Zheng, Hu Yanqing, and Ma Kuo, who were sent by the Song court, were detained here by the Dajin Kingdom.If the court of the Great Song Dynasty and the Kingdom of Jin turned against each other, the future of the three of them could be said to be uncertain.

At this time, Ximen Qing and Jiao Ting, who came to do business, were not implicated and could go back and forth freely.

Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing came to discuss with Ximen Qing that night, pinning their hope of returning to China on Ximen Qing.

Chapter 442 Being Targeted by the Emperor of the Kingdom of Jin

Seeing that Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing were frowning, Ximenqing gave his subordinates warm wine, while drinking with them, he comforted them, telling them that the imperial court would contact Jin Guo again for an alliance, and that Jin Guo and If the Liao Kingdom does not meet for peace, perhaps it will not be long before the King of the Jin Kingdom will release Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing to return to the Song Dynasty.

Ximenqing was able to speak so resolutely and confidently, of course, because he knew roughly this period of history. After some bargaining, Song and Jin finally reached a covenant to jointly attack Liao.Because the envoys of the two countries communicated with each other across the Bohai Sea by boat, it was called the Song-Jin Maritime Alliance in history.Now that the agreement of the alliance was finally reached, it is clear that the participants Ma Zheng and his son and Hu Yanqing will be safe in the end, and they will also make contributions to the court for participating in this alliance.

Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing once heard Ma Kuo say that Ximen Qing, a hero from Yanggu County, has a wide range of knowledge and can see what others can't see. People in the whole county are saying that what he expected is nine out of ten, he is a rare man. Wizards.Therefore, after hearing what Ximen Qing said, the two felt a lot more at ease, and they were finally able to let go of their arms and calmly accept the situation of being left in the capital by Dajin Guoqiang.

Even so, Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing still asked Ximen Qing to bring some letters to his family when he left the Kingdom of Jin and returned to the Song Dynasty, and then helped to bring letters to court officials such as Wang Shizhong, the prefect of Dengzhou, so that the court could know about them as soon as possible. The situation in the Kingdom of Jin.

Ximen Qing was about to make good friends with Ma Zheng and his son and Hu Yanqing, so of course he fully agreed to it.However, he also told Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing that he still had to visit some Jurchen nobles in the capital of the Kingdom of Jin, and he would return to Song Dynasty only after the business was done.

When Ximen Qing, Ma Zheng and others were drinking and discussing matters in his tent, he still didn't fully understand Wanyan Aguda's intention to leave Ma Zheng and his son and Hu Yanqing behind.

In the emperor's village at this time, the leaders of the Jin Kingdom, such as Wanyan Aguda, the emperor of the Jin Kingdom, Wanyan Sagai, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Jin, Wanyan Wu Qimai, etc., were also having a banquet while discussing how to deal with the Great Song Dynasty. come.

Wanyan Aguda decided to keep Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing, although it was because Song State neglected Jin State in diplomatic etiquette, Wanyan Aguda used this to express punishment to Song State.But there is another reason, that the information investigated by Du Chong, the prefect of Cangzhou, is correct. Due to successive military setbacks, the Liao Kingdom is sending envoys to the Jin Kingdom to discuss peace.Wanyan Aguda made up his mind to let Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing bring his intentions back to the Song Dynasty after the conclusion of the war with the Liao Kingdom was reached.

Regarding whether to form an alliance with the Song State, most of the hardline Jurchen nobles headed by Wan Banbo Jilie Wanyan and Wu Qimai believed that the strength of the Jin State was enough to defeat the Liao State, and there was really no need to make an alliance with the weak Song State, because the Song State The Liao Kingdom has never been defeated in history, and now even a small Xixia Kingdom can't do anything about it, so how can they be expected to attack the Liao Kingdom.

The emperor's younger brother Wanyan Wu Qimai, as Bojilie, is the crown prince of the Jin Kingdom Emperor, and will succeed his elder brother Wanyan Aguda as emperor in the future. The opinions he represents are certainly worthy of Emperor Wanyan Aguda's serious consideration.

The one who supported the alliance with the Song Dynasty was the Prime Minister Wanyan Sagai.Wanyan Sagai is the cousin of Wanyan Aguda, and his father, Wanyan Xizhe, is the elder brother of Wanyan Aguda's father, Wanyan Libo.In the era of Wanyan Yingge two terms before Wanyan Aguda served as the head of the Jurchen Alliance, Wanyan Sagai had already served as the Jurchen Prime Minister.When Wanyan Aguda served as the head of the Jurchen Alliance, he and Wanyan Sagai divided and governed the various tribes. The north of Pituoshui was ruled by Wanyan Aguda, and the people in the Liushui River Basin were governed by Wanyan Sagai.Therefore, Guoxiang Wanyan Sagai is now the second most powerful figure in the Jurchen Wanyan Department.

Wanyan Sagai, the Prime Minister of the country, is powerful and resourceful. When Wanyan Aguda wants to raise troops against the Liao Dynasty, he must first seek the support of Wanyan Sagai.After attacking Ningjiang Prefecture and defeating Liao general Yeluxie Shi, Wanyan Aguda immediately reported victory to Wanyan Sagai, and gave Wanyan Sagai the mount of Liao general Yeluxie Shi captured.

Therefore, the opinion of the prime minister Wanyan Sagai and the emperor Wanyan Aguda must not be ignored.

Wanyan Sagai believed that the Song State had a vast territory and a large population after all. Although its army was not as elite as the Liao State's, it was superior in its large number of people.The Song army can consume more Khitan troops, and the Jurchen children of the Jin country can shed less blood.Therefore, if you want to fight a decisive battle with Liao, you might as well use Song's army to consume some of the strength of Liao's Khitan people.

Regarding whether to form an alliance with the Song State in the south, the two opinions are temporarily at odds.Wanyan Aguda made a decision on this during the meeting, temporarily delaying the official exchanges with the Song State, leaving Ma Zheng and Hu Yanqing in the Jin State, and not releasing the horses until he finished negotiating with the Liao State and finalized his future military and political plans. Government they return home.

However, in order to avoid any misunderstanding between the king and ministers of the Song Dynasty, it is necessary for someone to bring the news of Ma Zheng and other Song officials back to the Song Dynasty.Therefore, Ximenqing, a businessman who was not an official of the Song Dynasty but had a close relationship with the officials of the Song Dynasty, entered the field of vision of the leaders of the Jin Kingdom.Ximen Qing is undoubtedly a suitable candidate for Jin Guo who wishes to maintain some informal contacts with Song Guo.

Wanyan Aguda and others have learned from Boda and Sandu that Ximenqing is a local hero and wealthy businessman in the Song Dynasty, and he did not hold an official position in the Song Dynasty.Before sending official envoys to each other with the State of Song, this Ximen Qing, who is doing business, can be used to pass news.

After Wanyan Aguda finished discussing with the ministers, he immediately recruited Boda and Sandu, and asked them to accompany Ximen Qing, a businessman from the Song Dynasty, to take care of him and help him complete his business in the Kingdom of Jin.

Unintentionally, Ximen Qing has become a pawn in the diplomacy between Song and Jin.

After spending the first night in Huining, the capital city of the Kingdom of Jin, Boda and Sandu, regardless of the injuries suffered from yesterday’s torture, came to Ximen Qing’s tent early in the morning and invited Ximen Qing to have breakfast together, and they wanted to take Ximen Qing with him after the meal. Ximen Qing went to visit some important people he had planned in mind.

After dinner, Ximen Qing and Bo Da went to visit Wanyan Wuye, the first important Jurchen clan aristocrat under their leadership.Wanyan Wuye is the uncle of Jin Emperor Wanyan Aguda, and the fifth son of the former Jurchen leader Wanyan Yingge, so he is Wanyan Aguda's cousin.

Wanyan Wuye also has an older brother, who is famous in history as Wanyan, who was famous for being lazy to the Lord Song and sent important ministers.In history, Wanyan Talan presided over the peace talks with Qin Hui, the prime minister of the Southern Song Dynasty. He once donated the land of Shaanxi and Henan that the Jin army blew down to the Southern Song Dynasty for free. He was really a good friend of the people of the Southern Song Dynasty at that time.It's a pity that Wanyan Talan's main peace policy was opposed by the fourth prince Wanyan Wushu of the main combat faction, and was finally killed by Wanyan Wushu.

Last night, Wanyan Wuye and his elder brother Wanyan Talan attended a banquet in the Emperor's Village, so it is known that Ximenqing, a businessman from the Song Dynasty, came to the capital.

Chapter 443 Good business of culture going to the countryside

The reason why Ximen Qing came to visit Wanyan Wuye first was because he learned from Boda and Sandu on his way to the Kingdom of Jin that Wanyan Wuye was well-known among the martial nobles of the Jurchen clan. People in the Kingdom of Jin called him a scholar because of his good knowledge.

However, Wanyan Wuye is different from the literati in the Song Dynasty. He is the kind of person who can read books and can also fight the enemy.Five years ago, the sixteen-year-old Wanyan Wuye had already entered the battle, following Wanyan Aguda to attack Ningjiang Prefecture in the Liao Kingdom.

When Ximen Qing, led by Sandu and Boda, carried two boxes of gifts into Wanyan Wuye's wooden house, Wanyan Wuye looked at the three and said with a smile: "Last night I dreamed that Haidongqing came from the south. The sea is coming, and today we have a distinguished guest! Boda, Sandu, is this guest Ximen Qing, the warrior of the Song Dynasty you mentioned?"

Sandu and Boda nodded in agreement, and Ximen Qing hurried forward to salute.

After Wanyan Wuye returned the gift to Ximen Qing, he looked at the two boxes brought in by Ximen Qing's subordinates, and said to Ximen Qing: "I heard that Ximen Qing's warriors came to our Kingdom of Jin to do business and brought a lot of fine wine. , and made Wanyan Yinshu brothers all praise it? Could it be that the wine is in this box? It’s a pity that the guests don’t know, Wuye is different from others, he doesn’t like wine, but he likes books.”

"It's a coincidence that what I brought today are my poems and books from the Central Plains! A small gift is not a respect!" Ximen Qing said with a smile.

"What did you say just now? This box is full of Han Chinese books? May I open the box first?" Wanyan Wuye walked towards the two wooden boxes impatiently.

Ximen Qing signaled his subordinates to open the box, revealing volumes of neatly bound and beautifully printed Chinese books.

"This! These are all treasures! The last time I went to Liaoyang Prefecture in Tokyo with the army, I just collected some books. Unfortunately, there are not many good books in Liaoyang City. It is really my life for Wu Ye to get so many good books today. It's a great pleasure!"

Wanyan Wuye is in this despicable place in Liaodong, where can he find so many Chinese books?Ever since he was a child, he was gifted and intelligent, and he was often troubled by the fact that he had no books to read.Seeing so many Chinese classics now, how could he not be ecstatic?

Wanyan Wuye stroked the books in the box with his hands, and made no secret of his excitement in front of Ximen Qing.After a long time, he withdrew his hand and said to Ximen Qing: "Dear guest Ximen Qing, you are a guest sent to me by God! What you gave me is the best gift in this world! Please stay with me today. Wanyan Wuye's family is a guest, and I want to give you the most solemn reception!"

Ximen Qing heard this, and thanked Wanyan Wuye with his hands: "The guest can do as he pleases. It's better to be respectful than to follow orders. I won't bother you today."

Wanyan Wuye laughed loudly, then put his arms around Sandu and Boda and laughed, "Sandu, Boda, you two have brought me a good friend!"

Wanyan Wuye, as an aristocrat of the Wanyan tribe, his home in Ningcheng is also a stockade.On that day, after Ximen Qing sent someone back to inform Jiao Ting, he stayed in Wanyan Wuye's village with Boda and Sandu for a day of feasting.

It wasn't until sunset that Ximen Qing left Wanyan Wuye's village drunkenly and returned to his residence.

Unexpectedly, Wanyan Wuye, who looked so simple, would lie.He said that he is not good at drinking, but his drinking capacity is not inferior to that of Boda and Sandu!If it weren't for Ximen Qing's good drinking capacity, he really wouldn't be able to drink the three of them today!

After waking up the next day, Ximenqing told Ma Zheng, Ma Kuo and his son, and Hu Yanqing about the visit to Wanyan Wuye yesterday, and Boda led him to visit Wanyan Gushen.

Sandu was left behind by Ma Zheng and his son and Hu Yanqing, and they also asked Sandu to take him to make friends with some dignitaries from the Kingdom of Jin, hoping to make some preparations for the future alliance.

Wanyan Gushen is the son of Wanyan Huandu, an important minister of the Wanyan Department, and he is both wise and brave.Since Wanyan Aguda raised his troops against the Liao Dynasty, Wanyan Gushen was always in the formation, either from Wanyan Aguda, or from Wanyan Sagai, or conquered with the generals, and performed military exploits. He was a rising star of the Wanyan family.

When the Kingdom of Jin was founded, there was no written language at the beginning. As the country grew stronger and needed to communicate with neighboring countries such as the Song Dynasty and Goryeo, it was forced to write the national documents in Khitan characters first.The ruler of the country, Wanyan Aguda, was worried about this, so he ordered Wanyan Gushen to compose the national characters and prepare the system.

Wanyan Gushen is proficient in Khitan and Chinese. After he took the order, he created Jurchen characters by imitating the regular script of Han people.

Now that the Jurchen characters of Wanyan Gushen are being created, Ximenqing suddenly sent him a large number of Chinese books, which added wings to Wanyan Gushen and solved many problems.

Wanyan Gushen immediately told Ximen Qing that after he finished creating the Jurchen script, he would definitely ask for credit for Ximen Qing from the king.Da Jin Guo will never forget his friend Ximen Qing.

While Wanyan Gushen was excited, he asked Ximen Qingchu if there was anything he could help him with when he came to Dajin Kingdom.Ximen Qing told him that he came to Dajin Kingdom this time because he hoped to establish a maritime trade with the newly established Dajin Kingdom and buy horses from Dajin Kingdom to return to Dasong.I just don't know if the Dajin Kingdom has any restrictions on its own trade. If Wanyan Gushen can help him open up a trade route, he will be very grateful.

Jurchen and Da Song once had a history of selling horses across the Bohai Sea, and Ma Zheng and others came to the Dajin Kingdom to negotiate in the name of buying horses.For Dajin Kingdom, which produces good horses, it is not difficult to sell some horses to Ximen Qing.

When Wanyan Gushen knew that Ximen Qing wanted to buy a horse, he immediately agreed without hesitation.Even, eager for the culture of the Han people in the Central Plains, he immediately proposed to let Ximen Qing exchange the books of the Central Plains for horses.