Chapter 300: Chapter 300

"Ah, wh-why is that!"

Aren't they all fellow countrymen? No matter what, being under our own people's rule should be better than being under foreign tribes!

The system truly couldn't understand and was greatly shocked!

"Because in many cases, class contradictions override numerous other conflicts."

Leaning over to look at the common people happily celebrating the army along both sides of the street below.

A breeze brushed past, and An Ning's voice unconsciously carried a hint of coldness.

How miserable were the Yan-Yun region's people in history, especially those from several prefectures bought back to the Northern Song Dynasty after allying with Jin to destroy Liao?

At that time, they thought they were returning to their homeland, but in reality, it marked the beginning of a nightmare for all the Yan region's people.

Arbitrarily seizing and annexing fertile farmland, plundering wealth - the various generals and officials who first entered the territory all "ate" until their mouths were dripping with oil, even constantly calling for their fellow clansmen to come "make money."

Among them, the price of salt alone increased more than twentyfold compared to before, skyrocketing from the original eleven coins per jin under the Liao Kingdom to over three hundred coins.

What's laughable is that just a few years after returning to their fellow clansmen, an unprecedented famine year broke out in the northern territories. Parents ate their children, the strong preyed upon the old and weak - one could even say it was no exaggeration to call it hell on earth...

Of course, it wasn't just Yan-Yun; people in other places at that time weren't necessarily better off either.

"Kun Xue Ji Wen · Volume 15 · Historical Examination" records:

Northern Song official Chao Jingyu stated: "Current taxes and corvée are dozens of times heavier than in the Han Dynasty!"

In "Yuanfu Third Year Memorial to the Throne," Lin Xun said: "The Song Dynasty's two-tax system amount is seven times that of the Tang Dynasty."

Great scholar Zhu Xi even said: "The harsh methods used against common people throughout all dynasties are all present in our current dynasty!"

Even later ruler Emperor Xiaozong of Song couldn't help but lament that their dynasty's taxes were truly too heavy.

They all say this is an era most lenient towards literary scholars and scholar-officials! Even now, it remains the dream destination for many literati.

However, with overall production resources remaining unchanged, leniency towards the upper classes is nothing but extreme cruelty towards the lower common people...

"Ah, so this is why you'd rather delay for so long, prioritizing tax reduction and exemption, even rectifying official administration until today?"

The system seemed to have gained some understanding.

By evening, the Yan-Yun common people below the city walls were still singing joyfully along the streets, even spontaneously organizing dragon and lion dance troupes to celebrate their compatriots' arrival.

From time to time, children wearing straw hats darted through the crowds.

Heard they're even going to build official schools!

The smiles on the faces of all the men, women, and children grew even brighter!

This is truly wonderful! Life is becoming more and more promising!

August, perfectly coinciding with the crisp autumn weather.

On the day the army returned triumphant, both sides of the road were already crowded with welcoming common people early on, every face filled with indescribable smiles and pride. The "Morning Daily" distributed nationwide once again had several sections completely filled!

Countless literati and scholars freely wielded their writing brushes within its pages.

Evidently this man was truly happy today!

Thanks to this man's high output, music composers in various teaching establishments nearly couldn't keep up with the workload recently.

Because Su Zizhan was too effective, the already nearly filled newspaper pages almost had no space left!

Su Zizhan, who recently felt inexplicably chilly behind his back: "???"

Outside the city gates, Zhao Xi, accompanied by various civil and military officials, had been waiting here early. At this moment, everyone's faces unconsciously carried smiles.

The teenage years are precisely when bodies grow rapidly. After several months apart, Zhao Xi's already tall figure had grown even taller. Now dressed in the crimson silk ceremonial robes symbolizing the crown prince's status, she appeared even more strikingly handsome and dignified.

"Mother has worked hard these past days!"

Hard work, indeed! Military campaigns - which ones aren't arduous!

An Ning kept nodding inwardly, only...

Her gaze sweeping over the unusually docile group of ministers behind the other party, An Ning couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

With the army's triumphant return and such great achievements, rewards naturally had to be distributed. Among them, aside from various generals including Zhou Yutong, the one that most surprised everyone was undoubtedly Sima Xiang.

Intelligence, information - the ministers couldn't help but exchange glances.

This was also the first time this so-called extremely mysterious intelligence agency under the official's command appeared before everyone.

It was only then that everyone learned that this Miss Sima was not only excellent at poetry but also well-read in multiple languages and scripts, even inventing various codes for communication on her own.

And this time, much of the strategic intelligence about Liao had come precisely from this source.

Towards her own close companion and this major contributor, An Ning showed absolutely no restraint. She immediately bestowed promotions in a cool manner, the rank just happening to be one level above her father, Minister Sima, the Academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs!

This also fulfilled her close companion's long-cherished wish. As for Minister Sima's feelings about being tied to his rival for half a lifetime, always being one step behind, and now being surpassed by his own daughter...

As expected, Sima Xiang's eyes instantly lit up upon hearing this.

Not far away, Han Shuo, who had been promoted to Ministry of Revenue Attendant Minister and didn't know when he could advance further, subconsciously looked up towards his own father nearby.

After a long moment, he finally let out a regretful sigh of turbid air!

Such joyful events should be shared with the people!

After everything concluded, An Ning again waved her hand grandly, choosing to generously distribute money. Not only did she increase the compensation for earlier fallen soldiers from forty strings of cash to over sixty strings, she also waved her hand grandly, halving all agricultural taxes for this year!

Once the news spread, the entire populace celebrated joyfully once again!

On New Year's Day, even the palace drum music changed to joyful and stirring melodies.

Only after a while did he barely stabilize his voice, though it still carried some weakness:

"Maoz... cough Maoz, wh-what's happening outside again?"

Has some happy event occurred again?

Staring eagerly out the window, rare curiosity appeared in Zhao Zhen's turbid eyes.

Seeing him , Zhang Maoze nearby couldn't help but remain silent for a moment: "Does the former emperor not know yet? Some time ago, His Majesty personally led the expedition, defeated the Liao Kingdom, and reclaimed the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

"Maoz, wh-what are you saying, the Si-Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

They've actually been reclaimed? Staring blankly at the distant fireworks, Zhao Zhen's eyes once again fell into a dazed state...

That night, after all the commotion, just as An Ning was about to sleep, unexpectedly panicked voices suddenly came from outside the door: