I studied in modern times

Chapter 421 If you like it, do it, but if you don’t, get out

The long discussion between Sima Guang and Xing Shu in the capital hall naturally quickly reached Zhao Xu’s ears.

"What did Sima Gong and Xing Shu talk about?" Zhao Xu asked Feng Jing who came to report.

"I don't know." Feng Jing shook his head.

"Oh!" Zhao Xu nodded and didn't take it to heart.

He wouldn't care about such a small thing.

"That's right." Zhao Xu suddenly remembered something. He looked at Feng Jing and asked, "Is there any news from Jiangning Mansion?"

Feng Jing was stunned for a moment, lowered his head, walked up to Zhao Xu and whispered: "Let me tell you, I heard someone in the imperial kitchen said that a few days ago, Jiangning Mansion was reported to the former prime minister, Sikong, Duke Jing and his younger brother, the prefect of Jiangning, went out together during the Cold Food Festival to pay homage to their ancestors, and convened a poetry gathering in Jiangning."

Zhao Xu's eyebrows twitched.

its not right!
In his previous life, Wang Anshi would have been bedridden at this time, and his life was not long.

what's the situation?
After thinking about it carefully, Zhao Xu felt relieved.

In his previous life, after entering the first year of Yuanyou, Wang Anshi fell into the darkest moment of his life.

First, the imperial examination in the eighth year of Yuanfeng abolished the policy of selecting scholars based on the "New Meanings of the Three Classics".

In the first year of Yuanyou, Sima Guang and Lu Gongzu began to advocate the restoration of poetry and poetry to recruit scholars.

In the court, all ministers who supported the new law, even neutral factions, were expelled from the court (internal strife in the new party was one of the reasons).

Even Cai Jing, who saw that the wind was going in the wrong direction and wanted to change his family and actively move closer to Sima Guang, was slapped with countless hats by the old party ministers and kicked out of the court.

The most fatal blow came in leap February.

The law on exemption from service was abolished and the law on service was restored.

It is said that Wang Anshi collapsed after hearing the news.

After he and the people around him repeatedly confirmed the accuracy of the news, they became extremely frustrated and repeatedly asked themselves: Should even this be abolished?
His will quickly collapsed and he died more than a month later.

He died in Jiangning in April of the first year of Yuanyou (the sixth day of the lunar month) at the age of 64.

but now?
I'm afraid people can still be leisurely and elegant, sitting and watching the jokes in the Bianjing court.

64-year-old Wang Anshi, as long as his willpower does not change, given his physical condition, he may not be able to live until Zhao Xu takes over.

This makes Zhao Xu feel a bit like a Muggle.

Because, he originally thought that after Wang Anshi passed away, he would also have the right to interpret Jing Gong's new learning.

Now, I'm afraid this plan will have to be pushed back indefinitely.

no way!
Confucian thought is like this.

As long as we are alive, we cannot distort or take things out of context.

Because others may jump to object.

Zhao Xu couldn't say shamelessly: What does Wang Anshi know about Jinggong's new learning?

Feng Jing observed Zhao Xu's expression and continued cautiously: "In addition, I heard from someone in the imperial kitchen that it seems that Duke Jing's eldest grandson has been appointed by Zhang Xianggong as the capital manager of the Guangxi Economic and Strategic Envoy Si Yamen, Ji Yiwen."

Zhao Xu's eyes lit up as he listened.

Wang Anshi had two sons and two daughters. Unfortunately, his most favored eldest son, Wang Yu, died young. Although his second son, Wang Pang, was still alive, he was a walking dead - he suffered from severe mental illness, and his condition waxed and waned.

Wang Yu had only one daughter, who was married to Lu Jiawen's son.

After Wang Yu's death, he had no heirs, so he adopted Wang Anli's grandson as his son and inherited the Wang family's incense.

"Is it Wang Di?" Zhao Xu murmured to himself.

Feng Jing's heart skipped a beat and he immediately lowered his head: "Yes."

In my heart, countless waves are rolling.

Do you all know the name of Wang Anshi’s grandson?
Who told him?
There can only be one answer - the late emperor!
hiss!
Feng Jing took a breath of cold air.

Think about it, since the late emperor has entrusted so many things to everyone.

How could you not explain the arrangements for Wang Anshi, the veteran prime minister?

There must be, there must be.

The late emperor's entrustments, instructions and arrangements were combined with the young man's early maturity, intelligence and calm temperament.

Feng Jing no longer dared to think any more.

He raised his head slightly, and all he saw was the young emperor looking at him with a smile.

As if to say: Feng Jing, can I trust you?
Feng Jing's expression suddenly became extremely exciting. He quickly lowered his head and said, "Everyone, I will go to the imperial kitchen to get you some snacks."

Zhao Xu smiled and nodded.

He trusted Feng Jing's loyalty.

What is being tested now is his courage.

The close ministers around him must have excellent psychological quality.You can't let others reveal their flaws by just bluffing.

……

The next day, Xin Wei ([-]).

Zhao Xu came to Baoci Palace early in the morning and greeted Empress Dowager Xiang. Empress Dowager Xiang was very happy to see Zhao Xu. She pulled him to sit down and ordered some snacks to be brought to her.

Mother and son ate snacks and talked about trivial matters in the palace.

When the time was almost ripe, Zhao Xu said: "Mother, my son came to Baoci Palace today because I want to borrow someone from my mother."

When Queen Mother Xiang heard this, she asked gently: "Who does Sixth Brother want to borrow?"

"The water mill workers in Bianjing must be strict and diligent!" Zhao Xu replied softly.

Yan Shouqin was originally a minister around the Queen Mother. After Zhao Xu came to the throne, he was rewarded based on his merits and was promoted to be a minister responsible for the water mill in Bianjing.

Now, I have been working in the water mill service for almost a year.

At the same time, this person was deeply involved in many things involving Zhao Xu.

He has established good relationships with Shi Deyi, Li Xian, and Liang Congzheng.

When Queen Mother Xiang heard this, she immediately became curious: "Why does Sixth Brother want to be strict and diligent?"

Zhao Xu said: "There are problems with tea and salt in all the states in the Chengdu Prefecture. I want to select a shrewd and capable minister from among the ministers to come over and take charge of the official affairs of Chengdu Prefecture's salt and tea, and rectify the local tea and tea production." , discuss salt.”

"After much thought, I feel that the person next to my mother is the most suitable."

In the Song Dynasty, ministers often served as local supervisors, especially economic and military advisors.

Emperors also generally trusted their ministers more in this regard.

Because the emperor can decide the life and death of his ministers with just one word.

In the Song Dynasty, the state and county supervisors (mines, capitals, weavings, and local officials) were basically divided equally between internal ministers and civil servants.

Many important political and political positions are held by ministers for a long time.

Empress Dowager Xiang smiled: "Isn't Yan Shouqin's qualifications enough?"

"It's enough to send Quan." Zhao Xu said: "Besides, he is only going to quell the scandal in Chengdu Fulu."

"After a year and a half, you can return to Beijing. Other matters should be left to civil servants."

Queen Mother Xiang nodded and said, "Since Sixth Brother has thought about it, let's do it according to Sixth Brother's wish."

"The Queen Mother will issue an order to Yan Shouqin, asking him to offload the duties of Bianjing Water Mill Service. After the handover is completed, he can come to Sixth Brother to ask for orders and listen to instructions."

"Thank you, Queen Mother!" Zhao Xu became happy.

Yan Shouqin, now nominally the Empress Dowager, has actually taken the initiative to get closer to him.

It can be said that Zhao Xu is someone who is relatively easy to use now.

The most important thing is that Yan Shoiqin understands technology, especially hydraulic and tea-related technologies.

His work at Shuimuwu proves this.

Bianjing Water Mill Service, as you can tell from the name, is an organization that controls and controls a series of profitable water mills in Bianjing City.

The water-powered mill was a relatively technologically advanced department in the Song Dynasty.

The famous Yuanyou Hunyi Yun Yuan uses a lot of mature technology from Shuimowu.This is because the most important purpose of water-powered mills is not to spring grain or grind wheat.

Instead – grind the tea leaves into powder.

This is a very demanding technical job.

Yan Shouqin is doing a great job in water milling!

This proves that he understands both tea and technology.

Zhao Xu also continued to give instructions to Yan Shouqin through Shi Deyi, asking him to carry out reforms and technological changes within the water mill business.

He also did a great job.

Nowadays, Yan Shouqin is cooperating with the research and development work of the 'Yuanyou Hunyun Instrument' under the leadership of Su Song.

To be honest, no one can help me.

Zhao Xu probably wouldn't have thought of sending Yan Shouqin to Chengdu to wipe Han Jie's butt.

But there is no way!
There are only so many people he can use right now.

There are only a few people he can trust who are suitable to go to Chengdu to do this.

After several rounds of calculations, Yan Shouqin was the most suitable.

Empress Dowager Xiang reached out and touched Zhao Xu's head and asked, "So, Sixth Brother has already thought about how to deal with Han Jie's case?"

Zhao Xu nodded: "Reporting to the Queen, I have some immature thoughts. Please correct me."

Queen Mother Xiang sat up straight and asked with a smile: "Brother Six, tell me."

"Chanping official Han Jie is the grandson of Zuo Xiang. The grandson of the prime minister should be given some dignity."

"How about the imperial court issuing an edict, reprimanding them, punishing them with suspension or replacement, and sending the Prime Minister home to teach him a lesson?"

The so-called suspension is a punishment similar to removal from office, while replacement is a punishment similar to demotion.

This is basically the equivalent of raising the board high and gently lowering it.

He said - I have punished you, everyone should take this as a warning. I will fine you three drinks when I go back, so I won’t do it next time.

Of course, basically, Han Jie's career was ruined.

Because whether it is a suspension or a replacement, everything must be written about Han Jie's identity and role, and records will also be left in the Ministry of Personnel and the Capital Hall.

As for the official system of the Song Dynasty, officials who were suspended or replaced, unless there was a special decree from the emperor, would have to add years to their grinding and surveying.

It may take five years for others, but it may take seven years for officials who have been suspended or replaced.

Queen Mother Xiang was very satisfied with this and nodded: "That's what Sixth Brother wanted."

"As it should be!"

Preferential treatment to the prime minister is an ancestral system. Even the grandson of the prime minister's family will be tried like ordinary people.

So, where is the dignity of scholar-bureaucrats?

"What about the executioner Guo Xian?" asked the Queen Mother.

Zhao Xu replied: "If it is confirmed, Guo Shen did cover up and teamed up with others to deceive the court. He has been in Dali Temple since then."

"Other relevant persons should also be punished in accordance with the law."

This is the reality of the feudal dynasty.

If the Zai Zhi's yamen made a mistake, there would be adults to help wipe the mess, and even the emperor would help cover it up.

If a person without a strong background starts to mess around and gets into trouble, then he will be slapped with a slap on the back. That is a slap on the butt of such a person.

Just like what is written in Journey to the West.

A monster with a backer, even if it eats all the people in a country, is still a good baby of Bodhisattvas, Buddhas and gods.

It’s great to bring home a lesson in family law.

But if it's a monster with no backing, it's babbling, confused about its own position, and insists on embarrassing itself.

Then don't blame the golden cudgel for not being able to die easily!
Empress Dowager Xiang was very satisfied after listening to Zhao Xu's words: "What Sixth Brother said, the Empress Mother thinks very well."

As she said that, she thought for a while, remembered something, and then asked: "Sixth Brother, my mother heard that not long ago, Sixth Brother had an appointment with the left and right ministers in Kaifeng Mansion?"

Zhao Xu nodded: "It does happen."

"Mother, do you think what your son did is inappropriate?" He raised his head and looked at the Queen Mother.

Empress Dowager Xiang smiled, grabbed Zhao Xu's hand, and said, "Of course the Empress Mother supports Brother Six!"

"Sixth brother did a good job too."

"Make an agreement with the ministers to restrain yourself and not to increase the taxes of the world based on your own selfish desires..."

"This is the teaching of the previous king!"

For Empress Dowager Xiang, she was very happy after hearing about the things that were reported in Kaifeng Mansion.

The Queen Mother was also very happy.

This is all about giving them face.

It shows that the two of them were well educated and raised!
Not to mention the courtiers. In recent days, the governor of the capital and the ministers of the six ministries have written letters of praise.

Sima Guang and Lu Gong even praised him highly in their letters. They both said that the Song Dynasty gave birth to a sage, and the two palaces were indispensable.

As a result, some people even suggested giving her and the Empress Dowager honorary titles.

only……

Empress Dowager Xiang looked at Zhao Xu's little face and said softly: "Sixth brother should also pay attention to what other people in the palace think."

The child made an agreement with the officials that from now on, all expenses, expenditures, and consumption in the palace would be determined at market prices.

Many concubines in the palace are acting strangely now.

The few at Renmiao were okay, they just said a few words in private.

The late emperor's concubines were openly criticized and said anything.

Crown Princess Zhu even came to complain to her.

"In addition, there may be some criticism among the state and county officials all over the world."

This is natural. The emperor made an agreement with his ministers, not only to limit himself, but also vowed to limit the expenditure of local officials.

In particular, emphasis should be placed on limiting the taxing power of local officials.

To bring it back to the central government, the capital will have to approve new local taxes in the future.

Although I haven't heard any discussion yet.

But it is conceivable that local state and county officials will curse below.

Zhao Xu laughed when he heard this: "Don't worry, Queen Mother."

"I feel that the concubines in the palace, whether they are from Renmiao or Huangkao, will be considerate of you and Sheji."

"I will also pay attention to comfort them."

The concubines in the palace are gossiping behind their backs?
To be honest, Zhao Xu didn't care.

They have no place to blow pillows now!
It's nothing more than the wail of a defeated dog.

Of course, Zhao Xu would also show off and give more rewards to appease him.

Lest anyone get stuck thinking about it and run to Jingling Palace to cry at the temple.

"As for the state and county officials?" Zhao Xu grinned: "I think that scholar-bureaucrats are all loyal to the country! They all follow the example of Duke Fan Wenzheng!"

"Worry about the world's worries first, and enjoy the world's joys later."

"If someone can't even stand such a thing, criticizes the government, and slanders the king and father..." Zhao Xu looked at the Queen Mother Xiang: "Then the court's laws are not for decoration!"

Zhao Xu is very clear on this matter.

There may be complaints among state and county officials, but absolutely no one dares to confront the central government!

Is anyone really unconvinced?
Love to do it, don't do it!
If you don't serve as an official, there will be plenty of people queuing up in the official department in Bianjing City waiting for someone to be dispatched!
(End of this chapter)