Manchu traitor, how can you let me be the emperor of the ages

"A half monkey?"

Wang Mang was stunned for a moment, without needing to think about it, the figure subconsciously appeared in his mind.

"His Majesty……"

He turned around and looked at Li Gan with some doubts in his eyes.

Why did you mention this person all of a sudden?Also asked if he is alive or not?
"I know Ban Shangong, he..."

Wang Mang opened his mouth, as if he didn't know how to describe or how to describe this person.

In the end, he just answered briefly: "He is still alive. I heard that Ban Shangong has not left yet, and is still in Guiren County."

Li Gan nodded slightly. He had already learned the truth clearly through the dossier, and this time asking Wang Mang was just to provoke this topic.

Banshan Gong, Banshan is his nickname, his name is Jiefu, his first name is Anshi, and his surname is Wang.

It was Wang Anshi, the former minister of Daqian, who was later "taken" out of office in a political turmoil.

Originally, a senior official like him should go back to his hometown directly even if he failed in the struggle, and then seek a chance to recover...

In any case, one should not be sent to a remote area to be a small county magistrate.

But there was no way, the emperor was in power at that time, any outrageous decision was nothing to him.

However, Wang Anshi is also a relatively outrageous player, and he was also a match for the late emperor. If a normal official encountered such a situation, he would probably have already hung his seal and returned home.

From a majestic prime minister-level official of the first rank to a local sesame official of the seventh rank, who can withstand such a big gap?
It would have been a long time since I changed someone, I will go home and enjoy the blessings!
And Wang Anshi does have this capital. His family has been an official for generations, his family is wealthy, and he is very prestigious in the local area. Moreover, there are several Jinshi among his brothers, and several of them are still in the officialdom.

It can be said that if he had resigned directly and returned home, he would have enjoyed peace and happiness, become a rich man, and had grandchildren, without compromising his previous reputation as a servant.

So what if the struggle fails and is dismissed?

In the past, there were many such people. As long as they did not do too much harm to the country and the people, their reputation would not be damaged even if they were dismissed.

Although he doesn't have a pension of 110,000 taels a year, he can become a top local figure, ranking first among all the squires, and even the local parents, officials, and sheriffs will treat him respectfully.

In addition, there is the condolences from the imperial court on New Year's Eve every year. Whenever the imperial envoys pass by, they will also come to visit. Even if the official is at home, he can continue to exert influence on the imperial court through his former disciples and subordinates, in order to make a possible comeback in the future.

But Wang Anshi did not do that, he chose to serve as the magistrate of the seventh rank.

At that time, everyone in the court was very puzzled, and some people thought that the old man was just going through the motions, and he didn't want to refuse directly, to save the late emperor's face, maybe when he was about to reach the place, he would just find an excuse, For example, if the body is old and unwell, hang the seal and leave.

But the follow-up development really made everyone a little confused. Not only did Wang Anshi not leave halfway, but he actually went to Guiren County to take office, and he has been working from a small county magistrate to the present.

During this period, some vitriolic officials wrote to satirize him, saying that the old man is a complete fan of the government, and suggested that his last county magistrate should also be removed, but the late emperor ignored these people's nonsense. …

It was like forgetting about Wang Anshi, he didn't take the initiative to mention it, and he didn't respond. After a long time, this old man gradually faded out of everyone's sight.

Wang Mang thought that the next time he officially heard about him, it would be the old man's obituary, but he did not expect that His Majesty the Emperor suddenly mentioned him again today.

In addition to the previous discussion about Cai Bian's entry into the Ministry of Rites, this is already the second time.

"It's good to be alive."

Li Gan sighed with emotion: "Since I was in the imperial court, I feel more and more difficult and chaotic in the country, but I can't do what I want."

"When Huang Kao was here, he told me about Banshangong several times. His old man once said that Banshangong is the pillar minister of the country, and he can save the time."

Wang Mang on the side opened his mouth slightly, as if he didn't expect the late emperor to have such a high opinion of Wang Anshi.

But that being the case, why...throw him into that corner?

Li Gan could also guess Wang Mang's doubts now, but since the late emperor was gone, Li Gan had the final say on what he said.

"What Huang Kao thought at the time, I have no way of knowing now."

Having said that, Li Gan sighed lightly, with a proper look of sadness on his face.

In fact, because it is inevitable that there will be loopholes if there are too many edits, he simply stopped here.

"But the current situation is exhausting, and I am a middle-aged person, far inferior to Huang Kao's heroic judgment."

Having said that, Li Gan paused for a moment, then stopped: "At this moment, I'm a little weak to deal with the current predicament."

He did not speak too slowly, leaving room for Wang Mang to ask questions.

But there was a bit of undeniable firmness in his tone.

Wang Mang on the other side also fell silent.

Although His Majesty the Emperor still has the last sentence to say, the meaning is already clearly revealed.

He thought of Fuwang Banshan.

"His Majesty……"

When Wang Mang thought of that figure, his thoughts became a little confused, and his tone was not calm: "Why do you have to make waves again in such an urgent situation?"

Isn't the most important thing for the current Dagan is a stable court situation?
Li Gan was silent for a moment, then replied: "I have no choice but to..."

Wang Mang took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and persuaded in a deep voice: "I know that your majesty has a reason to do so, and I am willing to support your majesty, but have you ever thought about what will happen to the other adults in the court?" think?"

"After Ban Shangong returns to the court, should he take up any position?"

There is also an unspoken rule in Daqian Dynasty for these senior officials.

If the imperial court wants to rehabilitate these people, the official position after the reinstatement cannot be lower than the official position when he left office.

Either it is higher than before, or it is the same level, but it must not be lower than before.

Wang Anshi was already Shangshu Pushe before, and he already belonged to a position that cannot be promoted. If he was to be reinstated, he would either be Shangshu Pushe, or the left minister or the right minister.

He had no other choice, and the court had no other choice.

But the problem is that these four positions have been filled now, which one of them does not hold great power and have many party members?
Who will be squeezed out to make room for Wang Anshi? …

"Your Majesty, now that foreign troubles are on the rise, if internal troubles recur, I'm afraid I'll do it...the future is bleak."

Li Gan sighed: "Wang Zongbo, I naturally know this."

He continued to move forward and arrived at the Wenhua Palace with the silent Wang Mang. The palace people on the side closed the door and retreated in a line.

"But as I said just now, it's too late to change now."

Li Gan told him about Cai Jing's affairs again, and then looked at Wang Mang in silence.

Wang Mang is his political ally, and he played a key role in this matter. Li Gan cannot do without his help.

But when Li Gan mentioned Wang Anshi in front of him before, his performance made Li Gan not very optimistic.

It seems that both Wang Mang and Sima Guang have a lot of prejudice against Wang Anshi.

Wang Anshi is a resolute reformer, while Wang Mang's goal is to restore the ancient rituals. No matter how you look at it, the two people don't seem to be able to walk on the same path.

As for Sima Guang and Wang Anshi... these two are even old enemies with different ideas.

If Li Gan wanted to use Wang Anshi to leverage Cai Bian, he had to get their consent first.

After all, if you want a group to play a role externally, it is best to let its internal opinions be unified first, especially such a small group with a very small number of people.

Wang Mang has been in shock ever since he heard the previous words, and he has not digested the news until now.

"His Majesty……"

He subconsciously wanted to ask if it was true, but then he thought how could Li Gan be joking on such a serious matter.

Wang Mang took a deep breath, and said firmly: "I am willing to support Your Majesty and restore the half monkey."

Li Gan paused for a moment, then nodded lightly. It seemed that Wang Mang still had a good view of the overall situation. No matter what his position or grievances were, he still made the right choice in this big right and wrong.

"Okay, since that's the case, Uncle Da Zong will wait here for a while."

He summoned the old eunuch on the side and asked him to go to the Ministry of Rites to send Sima Guang and Cai Bian.

To do such a major event, every detail must be perfected. There may be Cai Dang's eyeliner in the Ministry of Rites today. Li Gan cannot summon Cai Bian alone. Any factor that may arouse Cai Jing's suspicion is absolutely not allowed.

If you want to see him, call Wang Mang, Sima Guang and Cai Bian.

"When Sima Shilang and Cai Shilang arrive, please ask Dazong Bo to persuade Sima Shilang more."

Li Qian told Wang Mang again, after all, these two people are really in conflict.

Wang Mang was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Sima Shilang is a person who understands righteousness, so he probably won't object. Moreover, he has a very close personal relationship with Mr. Banshan, but he has some different views on politics."

Li Qian was noncommittal about this. The two may have had a good personal relationship in the past, but even the deepest friendship may gradually fade away with the constant confrontation, and the ensuing conflicts will become more violent.

This may be the so-called deep love and deep hatred.

Li Qian still remembers the Yuanyou party struggle in his previous life. Sima Guang attacked "Wang Anshi's political system, his own prejudices, and disturbed the old chapters", completely negated his new law, and slandered it as "regarding right and wrong, making harm and eliminating benefits", " It is called loving the people, but it actually sickens the people; it is called benefiting the country, but it actually hurts the country.” …

In Li Qian's view, Wang Anshi's mentality may be inappropriate, but it is only a small part, and it will never be so useless.

It's just that the long-term party struggle makes people lose their minds, and even produces a black and white erroneous thinking.

Even when Sima Guang was in power, he spared no effort to attack the reformers. As long as he got a little bit involved, or even said a few pertinent words, he would be classified as "Wang Anshi's pro-party" and be demoted.

Li Gan has no good way to do this, he can only hope that the current Dagan has not developed to such an intense level.

During the discussion between the two, Sima Guang and Cai Bian had already arrived outside the hall.

"Don't delay, let them come in directly."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The old eunuch hurriedly ran out all the way to lead the people.

"Chen Sima Guang/Cai Bian, see Your Majesty."

Li Gan didn't directly ask them to get up, but turned to look at Wang Mang who was on the side.

Wang Mang sighed insignificantly, and took a few steps forward: "Sima Shilang, come here with me."

Then he turned and walked into the side room.

Sima Guang raised his head in astonishment and looked at his back. What does this mean?
His Majesty the Emperor is still here, why...

He raised his head to meet Li Gan's gaze, only to see His Majesty the Emperor nodding slightly to him.

Sima Guang seemed to understand something, got up and followed Wang Mang.

The side door was closed, so far, only Li Qian and Cai Bian were left here.

"Get up and sit down, Cai Shilang."

Li Qian slowly walked down from the main seat.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Cai Bian got up and sat down, he was still very respectful: "I don't know what your Majesty's orders are for summoning your ministers?"

Li Gan thought for a moment, and didn't tell him about Wang Anshi directly, but planned to see Cai Bian's attitude first.

He didn't beat around the bush, but asked bluntly: "Cai Shilang, what do you think of Brother Ling?"

Cai Bian paused for a moment, still did not raise his head, but his tone was a little more unnatural: "Your Majesty, filial brother is also the foundation of benevolence."

The meaning of this sentence is almost filial piety to parents, respect and love to elder brothers, which is the basis of 'benevolence'.

But after Li Gan thought about it for a while, he thought of the original text in the scriptures. There is also a sentence in it: He is a man who is filial to his younger brother, but those who like to offend his superiors are rare; .

People who are filial and fraternal will basically not commit crimes, nor will they make trouble.

"Cai Qing's family, that's what a sage said."

Li Qian gave him a deep look: "The elder brother of the saint is not your elder brother, I want to hear how you see your own elder brother?"

Cai Bian froze, unable to answer for a long time, it seemed that Li Gan's question made him very embarrassed and painful: "The elder brother of..."

"I haven't walked with him for many years..."

His actions are obviously contrary to the words of the saints in his mouth, which may be the reason why Cai Bian is so entangled in pain.

Hearing this, Li Gan sighed lightly. He was not satisfied with the result, but he couldn't ask for anything more.

The pair of brothers Cai Jing and Cai Bian are really full of contrasts everywhere. The former seems to be as big as the sea, but in fact he has a small belly.

Cai Bian, on the other hand, seems to be upright and decisive, but he is a bit cowardly and cowardly. If he can be half as decisive and ruthless as Cai Jing, then Cai Jing will definitely not be as comfortable as he is today.

Li Qian watched him wait for a while, and seeing that he still couldn't say anything, he sighed lightly, and stopped embarrassing him, but directly threw out a big news.

"Cai Qing's family, do you know about Brother Ling's treason and collaborating with the enemy?"

Treason... collaborating with the enemy?

Cai Bian seemed to be struck by a thunderbolt all of a sudden, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

Li Gan continued to speak expressionlessly: "Brother Ling is mostly responsible for breaking the border during the Jinlu invasion. The hundreds of thousands of border soldiers who died for this were all because of him."

Cai Bian opened his mouth, as if he lost his language function for a moment.