Outlaws of the Marsh

Chapter 765 Pure Minister (please subscribe!)
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"Perpetually dying?"

After hearing Ma Kuo's recitation of Yan Chang's words, Li Yan said: "That's just right, I can take this opportunity to destroy the Jurchens!"

Many civil and military personnel in Dazhong can feel that Li Yan seems to have a heartfelt dislike for the Jurchens.

This kind of disgust sometimes even affects Li Yan's judgment.

fine--

There are people with clear minds around Li Yan all the time.

For example, Li Gang who was invited back by Yan Qing not long ago.

Speaking of Li Gang, I have to say that he was pushed to Li Yan step by step by Zhao Gou.

At first, Zhao Gou used Li Gang as his prime minister, and Li Gang was so grateful to Zhao Gou, and then devoted himself to planning for the Southern Song Dynasty, deploying defenses for the Southern Song Dynasty, and seizing power for Zhao Gou.

Let's put it this way, the current defenses of the Southern Song Dynasty were all established under the auspices of Li Gang, and the reason why Zhao Gou was able to stabilize the Southern Song Dynasty also had a lot to do with Li Gang.

However, Li Gang's rectification of military and political facilities was helpful for the Southern Song court to support the situation and help Zhao Gou to secure the throne, which was still acceptable to Zhao Gou. Standing on the same front, and even giving the green light to Zong Ze, Zhang Suo and others everywhere by "fake public affairs for personal gain" is what Zhao Gou cannot tolerate, especially after Zhao Gou has made up his mind to negotiate a peace.

Soon after, Zhao Gou transferred Li Gang to serve as Shangshu Zuo Pushe and the servant of the door (left minister), and Huang Qianshan was appointed as the right servant and Zhongshu's servant to contain Li Gang.

Then, Zhao Gou dismissed Zhang Suo and Fu Liang, abolished the Hebei and Henan Recruitment Departments and Hedong Economic System Departments, deliberately sabotaged Li Gang's anti-China deployment, and forced Li Gang to resign.

After only 75 days in power, Li Gang was dismissed as Prime Minister, and became a scholar of Guanwendian University, and was promoted to Hangzhou Dongxiao Palace.

Not long after, Li Gang was impeached by Zhang Jun, the censor in the palace of the Southern Song Dynasty, and Li Gang dismissed the scholar of the Guanwen Palace. He still retained the post of promoting Dongxiao Palace and lived in Ezhou.

It was at that time that Yan Qing approached Li Gang.

I don't know what method Yan Qing used. A few days later, Li Gang and his family crossed the river, and then a commanding Chinese army sent by Yang Yizhong escorted them to Bianliang City in Tokyo to meet Li Yan.

Li Yan did what he said, and immediately appointed Li Gang as Shangshu Youcheng, one of the prime ministers in Dazhong, and said to the left and right: "My Wei Zheng has finally come."

Li Yan's comparison of Li Gang to Wei Zheng has far-reaching significance.

Wei Zheng is a pure minister, no matter who he follows, he will do his best to assist him, regardless of political right or wrong, whether he is the leader or not.

Wei Zheng first followed Yuanbaozang, and Yuanbaozang was defeated by Li Mi, so he followed Li Mi and offered Li Mi ten policies to strengthen Wagangzhai, but Li Mi did not adopt them, otherwise Wagangzhai might become bigger.

Wei Zheng also followed Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande.

Later, Wei Zheng took refuge in the Tang Dynasty Prince Li Jiancheng's account and worked in the same way - Wei Zheng once suggested that Li Jiancheng lead troops to attack Liu Heita in Shandong, successfully pacified Shandong, and added another piece of credit to Li Jiancheng. In view of Li Shimin's strength, Wei Zheng also suggested many times that Li Jiancheng act first, or transfer Li Shimin away from Chang'an, or kill Li Shimin, but Li Jiancheng refused to listen. In the end, Li Shimin won the throne after the change of Xuanwu Gate (later, Li Shimin asked Wei Zheng: "Why did you drive us apart?" brother?", Wei Zheng's answer was very straightforward: "If the crown prince had listened to me earlier, maybe he would not have ended up like this.").

In the end, Wei Zheng worked for Li Shimin, and he dedicated himself to death, becoming a famous minister through the ages, and his name was even higher than Fang Mou's decision.

Li Yan hopes that Li Gang can also become a pure minister like Wei Zheng, and serve him wholeheartedly, and that he will be like Li Shimin, and let him become a famous minister like Wei Zheng.

Li Gang seemed to understand Li Yan's meaning, and once he arrived at Dazhong, he put together nineteen items for Li Yan.

In these nineteen articles——

Some made up for the Dazhong court. For example, Li Gang proposed that the military defense line of Dazhong was too heavy on the north and light on the south. This may lead to unpredictable results. After all, there are still hundreds of thousands of troops in the Southern Song Dynasty. The guards in Jiangling, Jingchu and other places should be strengthened. In addition, it is best to set up a quick response force (light cavalry) in case of emergency.

Some questioned the current policies of Dazhong. For example, in response to Li Yan's vigorous development of international trade, Li Gang proposed that "domestic demand should not be ignored." The economy will definitely be hit hard.

Those who criticize ministers, the first to bear the brunt is Wang Shiyong, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites. The thing that is aimed at is Wang Shiyong's recent special audition for female candidates. He continues to expand the harem for Li Yan, calling Wang Shiyong a traitor, and bewitching the emperor to abandon the government.

Some even criticize Li Yan, saying that Li Yan's harem is big enough and heirs are enough, and he should restrain himself, otherwise he will harm the country-of course, Li Gang didn't say it clearly, but just cited the example of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty .

and many more……

In response to the nineteen articles proposed by Li Gang, Li Yan believed that they were reasonable, and immediately ordered a discussion, and put the results of the discussion into action as soon as possible.

For example, the line of defense is too heavy on the north and light on the south.

After discussion, Xu Guanzhong, Zhu Wu and others felt that what Li Gang said was reasonable, and suggested expanding the army. Li Yan quickly ordered Yang Yizhong to expand the army to 15, and deployed it in various important towns and main roads along the Yangtze River. Yao Xing was summoned back and asked Yao Xing to form a light cavalry with 2 horses.

For example, domestic demand cannot be ignored either.

Combining the knowledge of later generations, Li Yan felt that what Li Gang said was right, so he ordered that the Ministry of Commerce immediately introduce policies to stimulate domestic demand.

As for what Li Yan thinks is unreasonable, just ignore it.

Like Wang Shiyong's draft girl.

This is obviously Wang Shiyong trying to please himself.

In addition, Wang Shiyong did not make any mistakes.

In such a situation, how do you ask Li Yan to punish Wang Shiyong? Isn't this chilling the hearts of those ministers who slipped their beards? Who would dare to get close to him in the future?
You must know that for this emperor, loyal and capable ministers are important, but some courtiers like Wang Shiyong are also indispensable.

Therefore, not only did Li Yan not punish Wang Shiyong, but soon after, Li Yan found a reason to reward Wang Shiyong.

Like Li Gang said that Li Yan's harem is too big and he has too many heirs.

Li Yan didn't say anything, but he was thinking in his heart: "Where is this? My goal is to surpass Mulai Ismail and Temujin and become the person with the most descendants."

Li Yan's problems are mainly personal.

Moreover, although Li Yan was a womanizer, he was not really like Tang Xuanzong and other emperors. He was so absurd that he would not spare his minister's wife or even his own daughter-in-law.

The point is, Li Yan is really unrepentant.

This left Li Gang with nothing to do. In the end, he could only be like Chen Gongfu and other admonishers. After a few times of persuasion, he let it go.

but--

On Li Yan's personal issues, Li Gang can make concessions, but on state affairs, Li Gang will not budge.

For example, Li Gang, who advocated peace with Jin Guo, would not give an inch.

Therefore, after Li Yan said that the Jurchens would be exterminated, Li Gang immediately jumped out and said, "Your Majesty, please think again!"

……

(End of this chapter)