Chapter 477: Fragile Balance

Jinling, Imperial Palace. read

When Zhao Xu got Dong An's letter, Zhao Heng was discussing something with Mi Yan in the study.

At this moment, he no longer had the ease and calmness he had after the peace negotiation, but instead had a sad look on his face.

A few days ago, when Liang Cheng was walking in his mansion, a short arrow suddenly fell at his feet.

After checking the note on the short arrow, he immediately entered the palace.

"If we don't levy taxes, the treasury will be unsustainable. If we levy taxes, the powerful clans will not let this matter end peacefully. Mi Aiqing, what on earth should we do about this?" Zhao Heng turned around anxiously.

Only now did he realize that his thoughts were too wishful thinking.

He deliberately flattered King Yan, intending to let the powerful clans concentrate on dealing with King Yan and benefit in the middle.

But while he was plotting against the powerful clan and King Yan, Dou Wei and other powerful clans were obviously plotting against him.

Mi Yan sighed, "Instigating civil unrest is just a means for the powerful clans to force the emperor to grant them military and political power. Its fundamental purpose is to legitimately separate the regime. I think that in this case, the emperor might as well give them military and political power."

Zhao Heng nodded.

In fact, over the years, the imperial court had already lost control of the powerful states and counties.

It actually doesn’t make much difference whether military and political power is given or not.

It's just a secret separatist regime and a legitimate separatist regime.

Mi Yan continued: "So, since they want a status, just give it to them, but before giving it, you must use this status to make a deal with them so that they cannot take the opportunity to stir up civil unrest, otherwise they will never give it. Their status.”

"I just said this, will they listen? After all, if they want to separate their empire, how can they listen to my words again." Zhao Heng picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

His mouth was now a little dry from worry.

The current situation in Dasong seems to be similar to that of the previous dynasty, the late Liang Dynasty.

At that time, the Liang court also lost control of the local area.

The powerful clans are divided into states and counties, and the local wealthy families are ready to make moves.

At that time, the local official of the Liang Dynasty was named Jiedushi. After the establishment of Dasong, it was changed to Zhoumu.

Before the great chaos in the Liang Dynasty, Jiedushi also controlled the military and political power of a state.

Now, Da Song and Liang Chao are in the same situation.

"Your Majesty, now that the conflict between the royal family and the powerful clan is irreconcilable, do you still harbor illusions about them? When the time comes, you will naturally have to use harsh words to force them to accept it," Mi Yan said.

He knew that Dasong was sliding into the abyss, and the only thing he could do was to slow down the slide.

If the powerful clans do not take the opportunity to cause trouble to the states and counties controlled by the royal family, just give them this title.

At least the royal power will not decline too quickly.

"Hey, this is the only way now." Zhao Heng sat down slumped.

"Also, with all due respect, the emperor must trust King Yan at this point. The powerful clan will continue to accumulate strength in the future. If one day there is chaos in the capital, the emperor will at least have a place to go." Mi Yan said this, and his tone increased. .

Zhao Heng suddenly broke out in a layer of cold sweat.

Mi Yan reminded him that the entire Ningzhou where Jinling was located was surrounded by states controlled by powerful clans.

If one day the powerful clan really breaks out in rebellion, he may not be able to resist it with only the capital's imperial army.

And once defeated, will Dou Wei and his like let him go?

At that time, the only safe place for him would be Yanzhou controlled by King Yan.

"Mi Aiqing's words woke up the dreamer. I have been really confused during this period." Zhao Heng wiped the sweat from his forehead.

However, the situation has deteriorated to this point, and there is very little he can provide to King Yan.

It's not that he doesn't want to give, it's that he can't give anything.

Thinking of this, he regretted even more.

Originally, he thought that Dasong Jiangshan was under his control.

So whether it was the powerful clan or King Yan, he didn't want them to become a threat to him.

So he adopted a balancing strategy, making them restrain each other and benefiting himself.

But he is too wishful thinking. The prerequisite for reaping the benefits is that he has absolute power to control both.

But he is like an old man, waving a whip to drive away tigers and devour wolves.

Once the tiger and wolf turn around, he is just meat in their mouths.

"It's not too late for the emperor to wake up in time. If he continues to be ambiguous with powerful people and suppress King Yan, I'm afraid King Yan's heart will really become cold." Mi Yan bowed and said.

Zhao Heng nodded repeatedly, "The King of Yan once asked me for 100,000 shipbuilding craftsmen, so I will leave this matter to your supervision. This can be regarded as my compensation for him."

"The King of Yan will definitely miss His Majesty." Mi Yan smiled, "Only if He and the Emperor can work together with His Highness the King of Yan, the powerful clans will naturally turn against the rat."

"I hope so." Zhao Heng seemed to have aged ten years instantly.

When he ascended the throne, the sun was already setting in Dasong.

Now, it is finally difficult to reverse the trend of sinking to the west.

Just as Mi Yan said, he hoped that his choice this time would not be wrong again.

After ordering Mi Yan to go back, he immediately summoned Dou Wei.

Not long after, Dou Wei arrived in the study.

Looking at the head of the Dou family, who once supported him in ascending to the throne, and now united with other powerful families to separatist areas, praising the prime minister, he felt all kinds of emotions in his heart.

"I heard that the Prime Minister is in the villa outside Jinling City, and many distinguished guests have been there in the past few days." Zhao Heng asked seemingly unintentionally.

When Dou Wei heard this, he was slightly surprised, but he pretended not to know, "I don't understand what the emperor is talking about?"

Zhao Heng laughed softly, "Dou Wei, you and I have known each other since childhood. Now, why bother pretending to be confused in front of me? I can give you the military and political power of this state, but you have to wait until the tax collection is over, otherwise you will never even think about it." Let me issue an edict."

Dou Wei's face changed several times.

He originally wanted to do this secretly, and didn't want to break up with Zhao Heng for the time being.

But since Zhao Heng knew about it, there was no need to hide it anymore.

Not to mention that Wuguan was in the hands of his Dou family, this matter was also decided by the seven powerful families.

What could Zhao Heng do to them? So he said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Originally, he wanted to take over the military and political power of the state, and weaken the states and counties controlled by the royal family.

But Zhao Heng's attitude was so tough, he could only take a step back.

Choose more important military and political power.

"Well, you go back." Zhao Heng waved his hand.

He didn't want to say much, just keep it to himself.

There was no point in arguing with Dou Wei.

The conflict between the powerful families and the royal family could not be reconciled.

Dou Wei didn't say anything, and bowed and left.

When he arrived outside the palace, Dou Wei's eyes suddenly became gloomy.

"Who leaked this? It seems that there are people who want to make the powerful families and the royal family fight each other and profit from it." Dou Wei narrowed his eyes.

He believed that other powerful families would not leak the words of the banquet.

The powerful families are now on the same boat. Even if the Xie family is a little bit indecisive, they will never reveal this matter.

After all, the Xie family will also benefit from this matter.

If it is not someone from the powerful family, who is secretly spying on them?

Zhao Heng does not have this ability. The Imperial City Department has long been infiltrated by them.

They can know in advance any slight movement.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but frowned. It seems that he has to interrogate the servants of the villa.

Then, he looked back at the imperial study.

Zhao Heng and him still did not completely tear each other apart this time, but just stopped at a certain point.

For the time being, he still wanted to maintain the fragile balance of Dasong, and he believed that Zhao Heng was the same.

However, his purpose was to profit from it, and Zhao Heng wanted to continue to be his emperor in peace.

But the relationship between the king and his subjects could never go back to the past.

Once the time is right and the fragile relationship collapses, Dasong will be in chaos.

While Zhao Heng and Dou Wei were fighting, Mi Yan returned to the mansion.

At this time, his father Mi Zhuang was holding a scroll, as if thinking about something.

Anxious about the current situation in Dasong, he sighed slightly, walked forward, and told him the news he had heard from Zhao Heng.