Chapter 8, Audience (Part 2)

Capture Xie Muhua

It is known that Zhao Guangyi held a deep admiration for Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin, throughout his life. Xie Muhua catered to this admiration by drawing parallels between Zhao Guangyi's Battle of Taiyuan and Li Shimin's conquest of Luoyang, subtly elevating Zhao Guangyi's status.

Cao Bin imitated Zhao Guangyi, raising the telescope to gaze into the distance. Upon doing so, he was profoundly shocked. Having led troops for a lifetime, he naturally understood the remarkable utility of this instrument on the battlefield. It was akin to being in a position where the enemy could not see him, yet he could observe the enemy with complete clarity.

Cao Bin stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, Xie Muhua possesses exceptional talent and quick wit, truly a rare individual. The Song Dynasty values merit above all, and I, Cao Bin, earnestly request that Your Majesty give Xie Muhua a chance to serve in a prominent position"

Xie Muhua adjusted the telescope and respectfully presented it to Zhao Guangyi, saying, "Your Majesty, please take a look"

No matter how many times one is pierced, flattery remains unscathed. Xie Muhua continued, "Your Majesty possesses great talent and vision. Dispatching General Guo Jin to defend Shiling Pass and achieving a great victory over the Liao reinforcements is a brilliant strategy. In the past, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, besieged Wang Shichong in Luoyang, defended Hulao Pass, and decisively defeated Dou Jiande, subsequently capturing Luoyang. The method of besieging a city while cutting off reinforcements is employed by Your Majesty with a finesse that far surpasses that of Emperor Taizong of Tang"

Xie Muhua's poetry is commendable, yet Zhao Guangyi does not place much importance on it. There are indeed many in the court, both civil and military, who can compose poetry and engage in literary exchanges. Zhao Guangyi, after all, rose to prominence following his elder brother, witnessing the Song Dynasty grow from merely 960,000 households at its founding to a unified Central Plains with a total of 4 million households. Throughout his life, he has encountered countless individuals and understands well that those with soaring literary talents are not necessarily capable of governing effectively. Zhao Guangyi intends to carefully assess the true worth of Xie Muhua.

"Xie Muhua, you truly are my fortunate minister. I hereby appoint you as the Minister of Treasures and Literature. I grant you 3,000 guan, and upon your return to Tokyo, I will reward you with a hundred acres of fertile land and a grand residence... Furthermore, I also bestow upon you two precious items." Zhao Guangyi was overjoyed and casually removed the sword from his waist along with a string of Han jade, saying: "A reward for you!"

Xie Muhua immediately knelt down: "As a humble citizen, I only hope to return to the Central Plains, to let the fallen leaves return to their roots, and I do not dare to covet fame and fortune." His calculations were quite shrewd; since he wanted to be an official, he needed to put on a show, to create an impression of high moral integrity. The more he appeared to be aloof and uninterested in personal gain, the more he would be valued by others.

Outside the tent, there was a flurry of shouts and the sound of swords being drawn from their sheaths

Zhao Guangyi chuckled and said: "Get up. If you were incapable, that would be one thing, but since your talents are so outstanding, if you do not contribute to the country, would it not be said that I do not recognize talent? After pacifying Youzhou, I will reward you handsomely. For now, you shall serve as the Chief Minister of the Privy Council, staying close by my side."

I heard that the Xie family brought some treasures from the Great Qin? Zhao Guangyi looked at Xie Muhua with a smile.

Oh? Zhao Guangyi is currently focused on how to capture Youzhou. Upon hearing that it is a magical tool for military campaigns, he immediately became invigorated. However, looking at the telescope in Xie Muhua's hand, it is merely two dark green tubes connected together. How can such an object be considered a magical tool?

Xie Muhua felt a sense of despair in his heart; this meant he had to bow down and express his gratitude once again. Without further ado, Xie Muhua had no choice but to kneel down straight and bow several times.

Seeing Zhao Guangyi's expression, Xie Muhua raised his voice slightly: "Afterward, His Majesty personally arrived at the foot of Taiyuan City, unafraid of arrows, to oversee the battle. The three armies obeyed orders, and Taiyuan naturally fell in one swift blow"

Xie Muhua vividly remembered this phrase, and upon using it this time, even the Emperor Zhao Guangyi of the Song Dynasty felt a sense of elation from its subtle flattery

Xie Muhua bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, this treasure does not yet have a name in Han. Please bestow a name upon this treasure, Your Majesty!"

"Silence." Zhao Guangyi came to a halt, and through the telescope, he observed the soldiers on the city wall, who were shouldering longbows and had their hands resting on the sabers at their waists, standing majestically on the wall. Their red battle attire and iron armor were clearly visible. Zhao Guangyi slowly adjusted the telescope, taking in the fluttering banners and the arranged crossbows on the battlements.

Zhao Guangyi smiled slightly: "Thank you for your excellent poetry, truly worthy of a talented scholar. In Yang Jiyu's letter, it was mentioned that during the time of the Great Qin, you, esteemed sir, gathered the strengths of both domestic and foreign cultures, possessing unique insights and frequently offering remarkable perspectives. You have traveled all the way from Daizhou, so you must be aware of the circumstances surrounding our Song Dynasty's campaign against Taiyuan. I would like to hear your thoughts on this battle from the perspective of a traveler from the Great Qin"

All the generals remained silent, unable to fathom what exactly Xie Muhua was up to.

Xie Muhua shouted "Long live"

"What a divine artifact!" Zhao Guangyi laughed heartily and handed the telescope to Cao Bin, "You have fought all your life; have you ever seen such a treasure?"

Zhao Guangyi wore a joyful expression, and his heart was even more filled with pride. Xie Muhua spoke eloquently and was quite to his liking, so he intended to reward him generously.

Xie Muhua found it somewhat amusing that, over a thousand years later, this telescope was merely a gift from a Cadia watch. Yet here, Zhao Guangyi was utterly enamored with this gift

Your Majesty, please raise it to your eyes and take a look

The eunuch beside him hurried over, took the ceremonial sword and the Han jade, and presented them before Xie Muhua

Thank you for your great kindness! Xie Muhua's forehead is almost swollen from the impact.

Xie Muhua took out the telescope from the box and said: "Your Majesty, please take a look; this is the true treasure for military campaigns."

Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations... Cao Bin could no longer contain the excitement in his heart, and he turned over to kneel on the ground, raising the telescope high above his head.

The eunuch standing to the side approached quickly without saying a word, took the watch, and presented it to Zhao Guangyi. After much rambling, Xie Muhua finally made Zhao Guangyi understand what was going on with the watch

Xie Muhua waved his hand, and Yang Yanzhao came out holding a delicate box. Xie Muhua opened the box and first took out a Cartier women's quartz watch: "Your Majesty, this is a timekeeping device used by the people of the Great Qin, called a wristwatch. The distance between the two points above represents half an hour..."

Zhao Guangyi stood up, and the eunuchs and palace maids hurriedly followed suit. The various ministers also rushed out, eager to see what remarkable aspects the military treasures mentioned by Xie Muhua possessed.

Xie Muhua secretly lamented that after Zhao Guangyi praised him, the title of "talented scholar" felt like the tightening headband on the Monkey King, impossible to shake off. From now on, if anyone were to praise Xie Muhua as a talented scholar again, he would have to fight them to the end.

Xie Muhua secretly glanced at Cao Bin, the general known as the foremost Confucian general of the Song Dynasty. He stood tall, with long flowing whiskers. When studying history, the teacher had mentioned that Cao Bin was a kind-hearted person in the Song Dynasty, who was also willing to promote talented individuals. Upon this encounter, it was indeed as the rumors suggested; as soon as Xie Muhua showcased his abilities, Cao Bin could not help but come forward to recommend his achievements.

Zhao Guangyi retrieved the telescope and burst into loud laughter

Xie Muhua bowed and said, "I humbly dare to request Your Majesty to step outside the tent."

Xie Muhua stole a glance at Zhao Guangyi's expression and immediately understood in his heart. He couldn't help but secretly thank Zeng Shiqiang for this. In later years, Xie Muhua watched every night the lectures by Teacher Zeng Shiqiang on "Hundred Schools Forum - The Insights of Hu Xueyan." Teacher Zeng had a particularly classic saying: "Chinese people actually dislike sycophants the most, but they love the taste of flattery."

Zhao Guangyi took the telescope and looked at Xie Muhua with a heart full of doubts

Zhao Guangyi noticed the difficulty on Xie Muhua's face and immediately said: "Please feel free to speak, esteemed Xie. The Song Dynasty never punishes anyone for their words"

Xie Muhua organized his thoughts and slowly said: "Taiyuan is the northern gate of the Central Plains, the stronghold of the Northern Dynasties. To the east, it is blocked by the Taihang Mountains; to the west, it is shielded by the Lüliang Mountains; and the Fen River provides advantages from the north to the south, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Li Keyong defeated Zhu Quanzhong at Jinyang, and Li Cunxun utilized the advantages of Taiyuan to conquer the Liang. The Northern Han's Liu Jiyuan colluded with the Khitan, foolishly attempting to resist the imperial forces. When the Emperor leads the army to attack Taiyuan, it is essential to first block the aid from the Liao state. The Emperor strategizes and orders General Guo Jin to first lead a force to capture Shiling Pass. Li Keyong defeated Zhu Quanzhong at Jinyang, and Li Cunxun utilized the advantages of Taiyuan to conquer the Liang. The Northern Han's Liu Jiyuan colluded with the Khitan, foolishly attempting to resist the imperial forces. When the Emperor leads the army to attack Taiyuan, it is essential to first block the aid from the Liao state. The Emperor strategizes and orders General Guo Jin to first lead a force to capture Shiling Pass. Generals Cui Yanjin, Cao Han, Li Hanjiong, and Liu Yu surrounded Taiyuan City, forcing Liu Jiyuan to seek aid from the Liao state. Meanwhile, General Guo Jin had already occupied the strategic terrain of Shiling Pass, and the Liao generals Yelü Sha and Yelü Dilie recklessly attacked General Guo. Yelü Sha's son, Yelü Dilie, and his five sons were all slain by General Guo's forces at Shiling Pass. Not only did they defeat the Liao state's eastern reinforcements, but they also caused the northern reinforcements to retreat in fear, no longer daring to assist the Northern Han.

"Xie Muhua, how is this telescope made?" Zhao Guangyi's interest in telescopes grew even stronger.

The ministers nearby immediately began to whisper among themselves, noting that Xie Muhua had just been granted an official position of the fifth rank after an audience with the emperor, and it was highly likely that the emperor was still considering Cao Bin's influence.

Your Majesty, this distant view is made of glazed glass, and the manufacturing process is exceedingly intricate. Inside, there is a 'Paul Prism' crafted by the skilled artisans of the Great Qin. This prism is exceptionally precious. Only two of these distant views have been created. This one was awarded as a reward for my ancestor's remarkable contributions to the Great Qin. I humbly present this treasure to Your Majesty

Zhao Guangyi nodded slightly, his face showing a hint of pleasure. This battle was orchestrated by him and was one of Zhao Guangyi's proudest achievements in his lifetime. Now, as it is being recounted by a wanderer returning from the Great Qin, he feels an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Behind him, the civil and military officials knelt densely on the ground.

Zhao Guangyi pondered, "To gaze a thousand miles, one must ascend another level... Let us call it 'A Thousand Miles of Vision'!"

Bold!

Once again, let us pay our respects to the deceased. Xie Muhua, feeling unwilling and resentful, knelt down.

It is interesting, it is interesting. Liang Chao's "Essentials" states, "The plan for a day lies in the morning." Tao Yuanming wrote in a poem: "The prime of life does not return, and one day is hard to see again. One should encourage oneself in a timely manner, for time waits for no one." This watch ticks away, and I can only feel the passage of time. My lords, the sage does not value the length of a wall but rather the depth of a shadow... Zhao Guangyi, feeling sentimental, ordered the eunuchs to pass this on for all the ministers to see. This watch ticks away, and I can only feel the passage of time. My lords, the sage does not value the length of a wall but rather the depth of a shadow... Zhao Guangyi, feeling sentimental, ordered the eunuchs to pass this on for all the ministers to see.

"Return to Tokyo, and you shall serve at the Longtu Pavilion!" Zhao Guangyi's expression was pleasant, and his mood was exceedingly cheerful

The ministers praised in unison: "Your Majesty is wise..." "Indeed, a truly fitting name..."

Cao Bin and Pan Mei, standing to the side, exchanged glances; the Emperor's questions were becoming increasingly difficult. Yet, they were unaware of how the talented individual from overseas would respond

Zhao Guangyi raised the telescope and placed it before his eyes, and suddenly felt a wave of dizziness, causing his body to sway twice.

Zhao Guangyi was playing with the telescope, unable to part with it, and turned to Xie Muhua to ask, "What is the name of this treasure?"

Xie Muhua pointed at the soldiers on the distant city wall and said, "Your Majesty, I pride myself on my eyesight, yet from here, I can only see vague figures."