Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the historical significance and implications of the "Fengzhuangku" (封桩库), a special treasury established during the Song Dynasty, which was intended for the recovery of lost territories but ultimately became a source of internal conflict and a symbol of the dynasty's strategic failures [1][2][4][32]. Group 1: Establishment and Purpose of Fengzhuangku - The Fengzhuangku was established by Emperor Zhao Kuangyin in 965 as a strategic reserve to fund military efforts or negotiate the return of the lost territories of Yanyun [10][11]. - The treasury was designed to be separate from the regular fiscal system to avoid burdening the populace with taxes, and it was managed directly by the royal family [11][12]. Group 2: Accumulation and Changing Nature - Over time, the Fengzhuangku accumulated significant wealth, reaching over 47 million coins and nearly 7 million shi of grain during the Southern Song Dynasty [12]. - The original purpose of the treasury shifted, as it began to be used for various state needs, including military rewards and disaster relief, leading to its perception as a "private fund" for the emperor [12][24]. Group 3: Political Conflicts and Consequences - The treasury became a focal point of political conflict during the reign of Wang Anshi, particularly during a severe drought in 1074, where the use of funds for disaster relief sparked a heated debate between reformists and conservatives [15][20]. - The eventual decision to partially allocate funds for disaster relief, while not fully addressing the crisis, resulted in a failure to alleviate the suffering of the populace and weakened the reformist agenda [23][24]. Group 4: Decline and Historical Reflection - The original mission of the Fengzhuangku to recover lost territories became increasingly unattainable, especially after the establishment of a long-lasting peace with the Liao Dynasty [26]. - The treasury's ultimate fate was sealed during the Jinkang Incident in 1127, when its accumulated wealth was seized by invading forces, highlighting the tragic irony of a fund created for national defense being used to enrich the enemy [28][29][32].