During the reign of Emperor Shenzong, there was a vigorous reform in the Song Dynasty. It lasted for sixteen years, including Qingmiao, exemption from service, Baojia, and loss. From economy to military, from daily life to daily life of the people to recruiting officials, there were all reforms with great swords and axes. Unlike Shang Yang, Wang Anshi, the aggressor, was extremely trusted by the emperor. The two were both teachers and friends, just like brothers.

No one dared to touch Sima Guang, Su Shi, Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu, Fan Zhongyan, etc., behind him there were big families like Zeng Gong, and "smart villains" like Lu Jianyi who were on the side to make suggestions. They were the only ones in the limelight. "Big Names" like Cai Jing and Tong Guan, who were now in charge, didn't know where to become a small official!

This reform lasted until the death of Emperor Shenzong. Although there were many criticisms of this reform in later generations and the party struggles after the Northern Song Dynasty also came from this, in the face of the decline of the dynasty and being in danger at that time, the reform did revitalize the Song Dynasty.

Shangguan happened to be after the Northern Song Dynasty reform. At that time, the Liao Dynasty was in power, Yelu Hongji, the Daozong, believed in Buddhism and built Buddhist temples and pagodas everywhere. The corruption of the upper class caused great dissatisfaction among the common people.

Yelu Yanxi, who was still the crown prince, was worried that before he could take office, internal strife and foreign enemies would make him anxious, so he turned his attention to the Song Dynasty and his own son, but he did not even think that he was long-lasting.

Since Wan'er got married, she has swept through the five capitals of Liao Kingdom like a hurricane. Originally, the madam just wanted to train her as the top card, but she is really excellent.

There is nothing she is not proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, songs and dance. No woman can compare with her. However, what really made her famous is poetry. She talks about poetry, drinks and writes poems with literati from all over the world. They have played everything, but she has never compared her. But she is in moderation and will not let the other party lose face.

In this way, I don’t know how many people want to see her, but this woman is still stunning.

So afterwards, Shangjing, among the five capitals of Liao Kingdom, had such a scene. After dinner, there were crowds of people, and before they even had dinner, someone was waiting in the building early. The news they heard every day was that a talented man was defeated in poetry, chess skills, calligraphy, and painting. I don’t know how many people wanted to beat her. It was also reported that as long as he beat Wan'er in poetry, calligraphy, painting and chess, he had the chance to become a guest in the curtain.

Her popularity is getting bigger and bigger, and more and more men are impressed by her. Compared with her, Li Shishi is like a grain of rice and a sun and a moon. Her reputation has been heard even in the south of the Yangtze River, which is far away in the Song Dynasty. I don’t know how many women regard her as their belief in their hearts. Her poems with literati are spreading everywhere like crazy. Many people are moved to the mood of entering the Liao Kingdom and competing for the best.

The wood is so beautiful that the forest wind will destroy it. Perhaps this is the reason. She is so versatile and has a stunning appearance. Yelu Yanxi chose her.

At that time, Zhezong regained power and vigorously promoted reforms, demoting the old party and expelling them. Yanxi had hidden worries. However, no man in the world was not lustful. Zhezong was a young man and entered the Song Dynasty with her reputation. Even the emperor must have the idea of ​​seeing her face. As long as she was hooked, Yelu did not attempt to fight for a concubine or empress in the Song Dynasty. She only needed to find an opportunity to poison the poison when men and women loved each other. Should this poison die on the spot or let him drag him to death and be unwilling to deal with the government affairs, so they took it.

What Yelu promised her was to let her go of freedom. She made a promise. When she chose her, she could only be a piece that she threw away after she was used up. Yelu asked the best drug guru from Liao Kingdom to teach her personally, from pharmacology to poisoning methods, her maids, followers, and everyone around her were replaced by the prince's people.

Perhaps this is the talent. No matter what she learns, she can understand at all points and learn at all. Half a year later, she went to Bianliang to compete for the name of the courtesan. At that time, she was like a precious prisoner, being kept by others all the time, but she looked at her so tightly.

As soon as she arrived in Bianliang, the "visiting" people stepped a shorter step in the threshold of the restaurant. In order to create momentum, she rejected all the posts. If she wanted to see her, she had to wait until the start of the Courtesan Competition.

Originally, the competition for the courtesans in previous years was extremely lively. Compared with the important festivals such as Mid-Autumn Festival and New Year's Eve, it was not inferior. It was just a different atmosphere. Some famous prostitutes who have been famous for a long time would not participate in such activities. Because of Shangguan, they all "rest and recuperate" one by one and want to compete for the best.

At this point, it can be said that that year was like taking the imperial examination, and talented people from all over the country flocked to the capital, and going to the capital together became a joy in that period.

The judge should not underestimate this courtesan competition. It imitates the imperial examinations and is divided into one, two or three, and examines a woman's "quality, rhyme, talent, and color". In addition to appearance, expression, and speech, the selection items also include poetry, songs, music, chess, calligraphy and painting. They set up a "flower evaluation list" and will be released every day. If you can occupy a place in it in the end, then you will have the capital to bargain when you are in the building in the future, and at least you can reject some unreasonable demands.

Yanxi had expected it well. Zhezong, who regained power, was indeed a little curious about this woman who "came from afar". Is it like the rumor that no one in the world can compare with women, talent, and appearance.

But after all, she came from Shangjing and had doubts in her heart. Even if he wanted to, he could not go. Who knew that if the "old ministers" in the court would go back to join in the fun, he still wanted the face of the imperial family.

Su Yun was not called Su Yun at that time, but Zhao Tuo, the wealthy prince of the Song Dynasty, the younger brother of Shenzong, and the uncle of Zhezong. However, he was born late and was not a few years older than Zhezong. At that time, Shenzong's health was getting worse and worse. He went from the capital to Jiangnan for the reason of summer escape, and until the young Zhezong ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager Gao ruled behind the curtain. For the sake of the royal family, he returned to the capital. At that time, he was only fifteen years old.

Now that the Empress Dowager has passed away, Zhezong is in charge of the overall situation. He is dealing with many aspects and the inconvenience of the emperor. However, he still looks idle and he is not very concerned about the courtesan. However, he is determined by the emperor, so he can only go there.
Chapter completed!