Fan Zhongyan and Bao Zheng mainly ended up talking about the northwest again—looking back over the war, reminiscing about old times, discussing reform and institutional change, and so on. Old Bao was rather interesting, though. He gave Wang Yan a live reenactment of the grand peace negotiations, truly the Song Dynasty's foremost verbal cannon.
Because they were so close to Wang Yan, the two men spoke more bluntly. They taught him the proper order between ruler and subject, father and son, and also spoke of the distinction between China and the surrounding barbarians. It was, in a way, meant to offer him some comfort.
He examined them both as well. Overall, they were in quite good health.
After all, it was a comprehensive approach—treating the source of illness while maintaining a carefully planned diet. It was enough to keep them healthy. Old Bao had even fathered three sons over the past few years...
Fan Zhongyan, who in the original timeline would have had grass growing over his grave by now, was likewise full of vigor. After the war, Fan Zhongyan had become Vice Chancellor. Last year, he had sent Wen Yanbo out of the capital and formally taken his place, helping govern the realm. He was once again carrying out reforms.
The military reorganization and troop reductions mentioned earlier were one part of them. There were also reforms to official posts, adjustments to the authority of various departments, further tax reforms, as well as land surveys and population registration. This round of reforms was far more forceful.
The main reason, of course, was that Zhao Zhen had won the war and strengthened his authority. He had not dared to offer wholehearted support before, but now he had the confidence. Especially since Wang Yan had also been transferred back to the