Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

The chapter discusses the political turmoil surrounding Wang An Shi, who is being blamed for the decline of rural areas due to his reforms. Various newspapers and individuals criticize him, suggesting he has ulterior motives and comparing him to notorious figures. Despite the unfounded nature of these claims, public sentiment is against him. Wang An Shi, feeling unwell, expresses his exhaustion over the Zhou Feng case and contemplates resigning as the second prime minister. However, Wang Ning An urges him to continue, emphasizing the importance of his reforms. Wang An Shi proposes that Wang Ning An should succeed him as prime minister, arguing that he is the most suitable candidate despite his reservations about entering the political arena. Wang An Shi passionately advocates for Wang Ning An to accept the role, stressing the need for strong leadership to navigate the ongoing reforms. He shares his concerns about the current state of the Song Dynasty and the potential pitfalls of decentralizing financial power. Ultimately, Wang An Shi decides to resign to protect the reforms, expressing a desire to travel and gain firsthand knowledge of the people's struggles before returning to contribute meaningfully. He entrusts the responsibilities of the court to Wang Ning An.

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