Chapter 509: The Suzerain-Vassal Relationship Is the Best System

During the Song Dynasty, there were only more than 70 countries and regions in the world.

And about 60 countries came to the grand ceremony held by the Song Dynasty this time.

The rest who did not come were either from Northern European countries such as England, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, which were too far away.

Or they were from Ghana, Zaghawa, Songhai, Ouagadougou, Mali and other western African countries, which were only in name but were still kingdoms of primitive tribal civilization.

So it can be said that the kings and envoys who came to the Song Dynasty now almost included all the countries with existing civilizations in the world, comparable to the United Nations in later generations.

At this moment, with Zhao Zhen's excuse, everyone raised their bodies and looked up at the king of the Song Dynasty under the reminder of the translators.

In the Qing Dynasty, looking up at the king was like stabbing the king.

But in the Song Dynasty, it was okay to spit at the emperor in front of him, pull his sleeves and chase him to scold him, so there was naturally no rule that you couldn't look up at the king.

On the contrary, under this solemnity, Zhao Zhen slowly sat on the dragon chair, high on the throne, overlooking the lower part, full of majesty.

Everyone, including the Goryeo King Wang Hui, who has always been a king outside and a king inside, and the Japanese Emperor, who should be called the Japanese King of Wa in the Song Dynasty, also felt ashamed.

Compared with His Majesty the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, the so-called Goryeo Emperor and the Japanese Emperor, who they called themselves in their own country, were as ridiculous as clowns entertaining themselves at home.

The magnificent music had come to an end at this time. As the last clear sound ended, the musicians in the corners on both sides of the hall also stopped playing their instruments.

Zhao Zhen sat in the main seat. Wang Shouzhong lowered the microphone and put it in front of him. He whispered: "Everyone, please sit down!"

"Messenger, His Majesty asked us to sit down. Come and sit here."

"King, please come here."

Under the guidance of the accompanying officials and translators, many kings and envoys were guided to sit on the chairs next to them.

After everyone sat down, Zhao Zhen continued, "This time, our Song Dynasty invites all countries in the world to come to Bianliang to celebrate. Although the day of the celebration has not arrived, in order to fulfill the hospitality of the host, I invite you to have a banquet together today."

The loud voice can reach everyone's ears through the loudspeaker and the special design of the hall, and it does not feel harsh or unpleasant.

Everyone below has a solemn expression on their face, looking at Zhao Zhen on the stage.

Today is December 19th, and it is also the day when all the kings and envoys of the invited countries are present, but it is not the day of the celebration. So this time it can be regarded as a meal together and familiar faces.

After that, before the celebration officially begins, many kings and envoys can live in the Bianliang Hotel, and they can also move freely or talk about important matters with the Song Dynasty in private.

After all, after the celebration is over, they should set off to return home. Therefore, this period of time is basically a window period for many kings and envoys to understand the Song Dynasty and understand the gap between them and the Song Dynasty.

After they really saw the power of the Song Dynasty, they naturally needed to negotiate with the Song Dynasty, such as arms sales, industrial exports, trade cooperation, cultural exchanges, etc.

Just this one meeting, the majestic buildings, bright lights and the magnificent music have already given them a deep shock.

In such a solemn scene, no one dared to whisper with the guides or accompanying officials around them. Their eyes were fixed on Zhao Zhen's every move, fearing that they would offend the Song Dynasty if they were not polite enough.

"Come, serve the feast!"

Zhao Zhen waved his hand, and dozens of palace maids walked out of the hall in an instant, holding trays in their hands.

These palace maids lined up in turn and entered the hall. After entering the hall, they took the dishes from the trays in their hands, then squatted slightly to salute the guests, and then left in order.

They looked beautiful and charming, and their smiles made the kings of Goryeo, Japan, Dali and other few kings moved.

Several neighboring countries were deeply influenced by the culture of the Tang and Song dynasties, and the makeup of women in these countries often imitated that of women in the Tang and Song dynasties, especially now that commercial exchanges have deepened greatly, and the economic lifelines of those countries are in the hands of the Song Dynasty.

This means that no matter what new products are released on the market in the Song Dynasty, they can often be spread to neighboring countries very quickly.

As monarchs of countries such as Goryeo, Japan, and Dali, the kings have naturally seen or enjoyed all kinds of beauties, and ordinary women who are above average are not taken seriously at all.

Although the palace maids of the Song Dynasty are beautiful, their looks are basically between 60 and 80 points. The main thing is to have decent court etiquette, which is still a lot worse than those stunning beauties, so they are naturally not in their eyes.

So after a quick look, they didn't take it to heart.

But for those Western countries, the Indian Peninsula, and small countries in Southeast Asia, the palace maids of the Song Dynasty are simply beautiful women like fairies. Many kings and envoys stared with wide eyes and almost drooled.

After all, many women in their country are either thin and dark, or they are good-looking but do not have the sophisticated makeup techniques of the Song Dynasty, so it is difficult to cover up some natural problems.

In this case, many envoys even thought about staying in the Song Dynasty, and had long forgotten their homeland thousands of kilometers away.

Then, the dishes were served one after another like a flowing banquet, and when the dishes were served, the palace maids left one after another.

There was a rich array of dishes left on the table. There were so many dishes, all kinds of colors, flavors, and rich delicacies. These people had never even seen them before, and they all looked at the food on the table curiously.

"Everyone!"

There was also a table in front of Zhao Zhen with dishes on it. He raised the wine that Wang Shouzhong helped pour, stood up and said, "Welcome to our Song Dynasty!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Everyone stood up, also took a glass of wine, and expressed the highest salute to the Emperor of the Song Dynasty.

"bite!"

Zhao Zhen drank the glass of wine in one sip, and the musician started playing the dulcimer, followed by various pipa, erhu, flute, long Xiao, drum and other musical instruments, which suddenly resounded throughout the house.

A piece of cheerful music is played, and the sound can make people feel that they are in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, full of excitement and excitement.

Then Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "Come, sing and dance to your heart's content, and feast to your heart's content!"

Groups of dancing girls outside the door walked into the pavilion. Their figures were even more graceful. They were dressed like flying fairies, with ribbons flying in the air. They swayed and fluttered with the sound of music, and then spun and danced like elves.

The accompanying officials immediately began to exchange cups with the king and envoys around them, inviting them to try the fine wines and delicacies of the Song Dynasty.

For a time, under the illumination of lights, the guests and hosts had a great time, singing and dancing, showing a prosperous era.

After noon, Zhao Zhen returned to Chongzheng Hall slightly tired.

Although there was a grand banquet with kings and envoys from various countries in the morning, in fact it was mostly a ceremony and there were basically no talks.

What's more, he still feels very nervous in such a scene. Being watched by so many people, and almost all countries in the world are watching, is very stressful.

Fortunately, he completed the task honorably and did not lose the Song Dynasty's international image. Otherwise, if this important meeting was messed up, the face would be greatly lost.

Zhao Jun and others followed Zhao Zhen in after the banquet. At this moment, the other prime ministers were working in the Constitutional Yuan, and they were the only ones in the room.

"call."

Zhao Zhen sat behind his desk, but in the winter, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, took a long breath and said, "I was not so nervous when I faced dozens of officials in the morning."

Zhao Jun smiled and said: "After all, more than 90% of the countries in the world have come to our Song Dynasty. There are even many kings in it. It is more exciting than the United Nations in later generations. With so many outsiders watching, it is normal to be a little nervous."

"Um."

Zhao Zhen nodded, and then when he heard the United Nations, he suddenly remembered something and said, "Dasun, there are so many countries here, how about we also build a United Nations?"

He felt that if there was a United Nations and the Song Dynasty was the leader of the United Nations, it would definitely be very majestic.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Jun sat on his own chair and shook his head repeatedly: "It is definitely not possible to engage in the United Nations. It is a very wrong approach."

“Isn’t there a United Nations in future generations?”

Zhao Zhen was puzzled.

His understanding of the existence of the United Nations in later generations was actually mainly derived from the science fiction movies in his notebook, and he thought it was an organization that dominated countries around the world.

But Zhao Jun smiled and said: "The United Nations in later generations is said to be a coalition, but in fact it can only be regarded as a coordination agency."

"Coordinating body?"

"Yes, because it is an organization formed by the victorious countries in World War II to maintain the current order, not a country. It cannot exercise the power of a sovereign state. What it wants to do must be decided by the five permanent members."

"Hmm"

Zhao Zhen pondered. He naturally knew about the Wuchang, but he didn't expect that the United Nations was just an empty shell, and the actual power was in the hands of the Wuchang.

"As an organization, the United Nations has very limited powers. It can only use the name of the United Nations to coordinate and mediate between countries that have frictions. It is impossible to actually send troops to intervene in any country."

Zhao Jun said: "Even peacekeeping forces are mainly used to mediate conflicts. It is common for members of peacekeeping forces to be killed or injured. Even United Nations members are often deliberately attacked by some countries based on humanitarian relief operations, so in essence Said that the United Nations is just a grassroots team. In the early days, it was dominated by the United States and the Soviet Union. Later, it gradually became dominated by the United States. Even if the United Nations has many members with ideals and tries to save based on justice and humanitarianism, once the interests of the United States are harmed, will be blocked.”

"I see."

Only then did Zhao Zhen understand the true role of the United Nations and said: "Then if we establish the United Nations, can we become the leader of the global order like the United States in later generations?"

"It's hard."

Zhao Jun shook his head and said: "First of all, the existence of the United Nations is the common order of World War II, which is recognized by major powers. Our current influence is at most in East Asia, and it is unrealistic to be recognized by countries around the world."

"Secondly, even if the United Nations is established, limited by the communications of today's era, it is almost impossible to lead the global order. It is just an illusion."

"The Song Dynasty established the United Nations in the third year. Even if other countries join, what is the purpose of the United Nations? Can it truly dominate the internal affairs of other countries?"

"This is obviously impossible, so our establishment of the United Nations at this stage is harmful and does no good."

There is no doubt about this. Although the United Nations exists to resolve disputes between countries, its power can only affect some small countries at most, and it has no way to deal with slightly larger countries.

Unless the five permanent members make a unanimous decision, it will be in a very powerless state on many matters and is often even used as a tool of interest by the United States.

So in essence, even if the Song Dynasty wanted to advocate a United Nations headed by the Song Dynasty, it was actually limited by issues such as influence, communication capabilities, and purpose, and was unable to play a leading position and role at all.

Setting up a United Nations at this stage will not only prevent the Song Dynasty from dominating the world, but may even slowly infringe the interests of the Song Dynasty. Countries around the world will unite to beg from the Song Dynasty and seek all kinds of help.

Will Song Dynasty help them by then?

After all, if you establish the United Nations, you must pursue positive development principles such as peace, justice, fairness, stability, tolerance, and progress.

Even when the United States does bad things, it always acts under the banner of justice, otherwise it will be criticized by the international community.

So if you do not provide help to these United Nations members by then, then these countries will gradually become disappointed with the Song Dynasty, and the authority of the Song Dynasty will also fall. Therefore, the establishment of the United Nations at this stage will inevitably cause hundreds of harms and no benefits.

"That's it."

Zhao Zhen said with some disappointment: "I also thought that if the United Nations could be established to include all countries in the world and be led by the Song Dynasty, it would definitely make the Song Dynasty a global leader."

Zhao Jun smiled and said: "There is no way, that's what I think, but at least it can't be done at this stage. Unless our country's level has developed to the level of the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II, otherwise it won't be possible without invincible national power." Something invincible.”

"It's true. Zhiyuan also often says that in this world, whoever has the biggest fist speaks the truth. We do have the biggest fist now, and with our current national strength, we really can't influence the pattern of the entire world."

"Yes, the government should develop itself first. If our fleet can sail around the world and our army can appear in any country in the world, then we will still be the leader of the world. How about the United Nations? What's the relationship?"

"As the Imperial Academy once said, military is an extension of politics, politics is a continuation of economy, and the economic base determines the superstructure. Now we can only build the Song Dynasty's own superstructure. If we want to span the world, it is still too late. ”

Fu Bi, Han Qi, and Wen Yanbo said one after another.

Zhao Jun's eyes lit up and he said: "Yes, Kuanfu is right. Now we must work hard to improve the economy of the Song Dynasty and make the Song Dynasty lead the world in economy, education, science and technology, and military. Only then can we achieve our political goals." ”

Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Well, it seems that I have thought too much about the United Nations. It seems that I have no hope. It's a pity."

He sighed: "I really hope that one day, the Song Dynasty will become the only superpower in the world."

"This dream is not too far away, it can be achieved now."

Zhao Jun laughed.

"oh?"

Zhao Zhen said in surprise: "What should I do now?"

"Although we can't engage in the United Nations, we still have our old business."

Zhao Jun smiled slightly and said: "The relationship between sects and vassals is the best system at this stage. This can also deepen the exchanges between the Song Dynasty and the whole world. This time, all the nations came to the DPRK and brought so many gifts. We can still talk about more by then. Isn’t more trade the best proof?”