I studied in modern times

Chapter 613 Discussing the posthumous title
In the late autumn morning, the temperature was extremely low. In order to keep warm and keep out the cold, the doors and windows of Funing Hall began to be closed.

At the same time, the indoor heating pavilion also began to be used.

This further leads to lack of air circulation.

Therefore, in late August, Zhao Xu moved into the Baoci Palace of Empress Dowager Xiang, the East Pavilion dormitory specially prepared for him.

The newly renovated Baoci Palace has no mercury or cinnabar.

All materials and furniture are made of purely natural and safe products.

Therefore, Zhao Xu slept particularly comfortably here.

In addition, the weather was cold and he was a little obsessed with bed, so he got up much later than in summer.

It often takes a while before I wake up.

Today is no exception.

In the seventh year of Yuanfeng, the late emperor publicly stated that he would use Sima Guang and Lu Gongzhu as his guardians, so that he could trust his ministers.

"Now that the affairs of Tong Zhongshu's family have been settled, it is better to use it as a gift of an official posthumously to Sima Xianggong."

This can be regarded as a disguised realization of the late emperor's will and arrangement.

"I heard that the prime minister of the past dynasty was named Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi."

"Sixth Brother..." Xiang Dowager sighed: "Sima Guang passed away this morning."

"The minister who is entrusted with the imperial examination should be given a higher honor."

"But in this case, how will the late Emperor explain?"

"Sima Xianggong failed to pay homage to the prime minister during his lifetime. I have already been ashamed of the late emperor. If I cannot mourn and honor him after death, I will not be able to see the late emperor..."

If we don’t do this, how can we hold high the banner of Sima Guang and expel those radicals from Sima Guang’s students, disciples, and old friends in the future?
"Sima Xianggong is the elder who was left to me by the Imperial Examination!"

"Queen Mother..." Zhao Xu looked at the Queen Mother: "What happened?"

If he didn't put Sima Guang on a stand, how could he make the world believe that he, the emperor, was full of respect and respect for Sima Guang?

Adding the title of Crown Prince and Tutor all at once is beyond the norm and will make people talk.

This is something that only prime ministers or important ministers who have served as military governors can have.

Nodding to the Queen Mother: "That's exactly what it should be."

Although Sima Guang repeatedly requested Zhao Xu yesterday not to give him excessive posthumous gifts, but to keep everything simple and follow the story.

When Sima Guang died, he was only a minister under his command, his official salary was still limited to a senior official, and his title was only the Founding Duke.

Zhao Xu's eyes turned slightly red as he spoke: "Now that the Duke has passed away, the imperial court should pay more attention to demonstrating his virtue to show the style of the world!"

"It's just..." Empress Dowager Xiang paused: "Sixth brother, how should we arrange the funeral of Sima Xianggong?"

"My son heard in the Book of Rites that it says: The slightest thing is revealed, but the sincerity cannot be concealed! I also heard a poem saying: The Prime Minister is in your room, and he is worthy of the leakage of the house!"

Zhao Xu sighed. He had already expected this yesterday.

"I was about to talk to Sixth Brother about this." Empress Dowager Xiang looked at Zhao Xu and said, "The Empress Dowager of Qingshou Palace said that according to the story, she can give it to the Prince Shaobao or the Prince Shaofu. …”

But how could Zhao Xu let him get his wish?

Zhao Xu thought for a while and said: "Queen mother, why not do this..."

Queen Mother Xiang's eyes lit up as she listened.

There are some procedural issues here, because Sima Guang did not have the titles of Prince Shaobao and Prince Shaofu during his lifetime.

"The Qingshou Palace has issued an edict to suspend court for three days to express condolences." Xiang said to the Queen Mother, "Therefore, today's Shuo Dynasty is over."

Zhao Xu said: "Someone said, "How to honor your prime minister after his death?"

Now, Sima Guang died before he could pay homage to the prime minister.

According to the system, posthumous honorary official positions such as Shizhong, Prince Shaobao, and Prince Shaofu, and the title of Duke are the limit.

It's amazing, the posthumous official position is a bit higher.

This is indeed a problem.

Adding a prince and a tutor is already the limit!

This is equivalent to giving Sima Guang and Lu Gong the position of prime minister.

Zhao Xu pondered for a moment and then said to the Queen Mother: "The Queen Mother is worried, and my son also has the same worries."

"Huang Kao once said that my husband should be my teacher and protector. Although my husband was ill for a long time during his reign, he taught me diligently and my son will keep it in mind."

Tong Zhongshu's subordinate Ping Zhangshi was originally the prime minister. Yuan Feng dismissed it through restructuring and no longer set it up. It was used as a posthumous gift to a governor. The strength was just right.

When Zhao Xu opened his eyes, he saw Empress Dowager Xiang, and also noticed Empress Dowager Xiang's expression, which was a little sad.

"His morality is unparalleled in the world, and his character is renowned throughout the world!"

"Sima Gong has been sincere throughout his life!"

As for the posthumous gifts from Sikong, Taishi, and Situ, don't think about it.

This made Queen Mother Xiang a little uneasy.

"Sima Xianggong, since he has given Tong Zhongshu the title of Pingzhangshi, he can add the title of Crown Prince, Grand Tutor and Grand Master to show his virtue!"

"His son Sima Kang, after maintaining the system, when he comes back, can follow the story of the prime minister's son and have the Ministry of Personnel make an announcement."

Sima Kang naturally has the title of Jinshi - he was a Jinshi in Xining for three years.

It was the same year as Ye Zuqia, Cai Jing, Lu Dian, Shangguan Jun and others.

Empress Dowager Xiang listened and nodded happily: "What Sixth Brother said is very reasonable."

Now she just wants to fulfill her husband's promise.

So, he said to the Queen Mother, "We need to convince the Grand Queen Mother of Qingshou Palace about this matter."

Zhao Xu said: "Don't worry, Queen Mother. I can just go and talk to my mother-in-law."

It is impossible for the Queen Mother to put up any obstacles in this matter.

No matter how much she disliked Sima Guang, Sima Guang was already dead now.

According to the game rules and traditions of the Song Dynasty, debts are canceled after death.

No matter how many grievances there are, they should disappear after the death of a minister.

What's more, she has a good face.

Things turned out as Zhao Xu expected. He went to the Qingshou Palace in person and after some persuasion, the Empress Dowager no longer persisted in her objections and directly agreed to Zhao Xu's arrangement.

Therefore, he immediately issued an order to the Ministry of Rites and ordered the Ministry of Rites to convene hundreds of officials in accordance with the order to discuss Sima Guang's posthumous title and posthumous title.

……

The next morning, Wen Yanbo was carried by his own tribe to the front of Zhaoqingfang.

The entire Zhaoqingfang was completely deserted at this time.

Sima Guang's former friends, old friends and disciples came to express their condolences.

When Wen Yanbo appeared, everyone automatically avoided the way and bowed their hands.

He was the grand master and Pingzhang who held important military and state affairs. Even the prime minister had to perform courtesy in front of him.

Naturally, he also has the same authority as the prime minister - all officials avoid the way and all ministers respect him.

Wen Yanbo's carriage fell in front of Sima Guang's house.

Wen Jifu immediately stepped forward and supported his old father.

At the door of Sima Guang, Fan Zuyu, who was welcoming guests, also hurriedly came forward to greet him: "Junior, I have seen the Grand Master..."

Wen Yanbo looked at this young man.

A young man that both Fu Bi and Sima Guang liked very much.

He nodded slightly, then led by Fan Zuyu, walked into the mansion and entered the decorated mourning hall.

He looked at the divine tablet standing in front of Sima Guang's coffin in the mourning hall.

"Jun Shi..." He sighed and took a step forward: "You and I have known each other for decades."

"The ancients said: Friendship with a gentleman is like entering the room of Zhilan."

"I feel this deeply!"

"You can rest assured... I will take care of your descendants on your behalf..." The old master murmured in a low voice, just enough for everyone in the mourning hall to hear clearly.

However, among these people, some, especially those who are familiar with the situation in Luoyang, kept complaining in their hearts.

"Master Wen, you are worthy of being Master Wen!" Some people even felt strange in their hearts: "When Sima Xianggong was here, he visited many times, but Grand Master avoided seeing him!"

"When my husband was ill, he only sent his children to visit him."

"Now that my husband has passed away, the Grand Master personally came to pay his respects."

Who doesn’t know that now the palace officials have issued an edict to handle the funeral ceremony of Sima Xianggong in accordance with the prime minister’s specifications?
He also issued a special decree to give posthumously to the Grand Master and Tong Zhongshu’s subordinates Ping Zhangshi!
He also ordered Yousi to evaluate Sima Guang Xianggong's life achievements with high standards.

At this time, Master Wen's waist no longer aches, his legs no longer hurt, and he and his husband are close friends again!

Ha ha!

Wen Yanbo didn't seem to feel the strange eyes looking at him, and walked to his filial son Sima Kang and filial grandson Sima Zhi who were kneeling in front of the soul and crying.

"It's a public holiday. I'm sorry." Wen Yanbo said solemnly.

"Thank you so much, Grand Master, for coming to pay homage to my late father." Sima Kang bowed to Wen Yanbo in a proper manner and said in a hoarse voice, a little weakly.

He is a filial child. Although he is not the biological child of Sima Guang and his wife, he really regards his adoptive father and mother as his biological son.

That year, his adoptive mother Zhang passed away. When he was mourning and mourning, he fainted from grief several times.

Now that Sima Guang passed away, the pain in his heart was even greater, and he had no time or thought to think about anything else.

Wen Yanbo looked at Sima Kang and sighed: "I'm on leave, don't be too sad."

He looked at the child kneeling behind Sima Kang and reminded this silly child: "You must consider your heirs and don't let Jun Shi down."

"No!" Sima Kang bowed again: "Master's teachings, I will keep them in my heart."

After staying at Sima Guang's residence for a while, Wen Yanbo walked out with the support of his son Wen Jifu. He also wanted to go to the capital hall to pay attention to the Dutang Prime Minister's evaluation of Sima Guang's life.

Sima Guang passed away.

There are not many old people who have known each other since Jiayou's time.

Only Feng Jing, Han Jiang, Lu Gongzhu, and Su Song were left in the court.

This made him sigh and sigh.

……

In the Song Dynasty, there were procedures for discussing posthumous titles for ministers.

First, the family members of the deceased ministers wrote to the court and asked for a posthumous title. This was a posthumous title. After approval by the imperial court, the posthumous titles were drafted by the Taichang Liyuan. The Taichang Liyuan drafted a number of posthumous titles that fit the life of the minister and reported them to the capital hall. After this submission, the capital hall gathered for discussion and discussion to select several suitable memorial titles. In the palace, this is called posthumous title.

Finally, the emperor in the palace chose one of these posthumous titles to bestow upon him. This is the posthumous title.

Generally speaking, this is the process.

However, there are many hidden operations here.

Officials of Taichang Liyuan often rely on this to enjoy the benefits of the families of deceased ministers.

In order to get a good posthumous title for their ancestors, ordinary family members can only pinch their noses and let these guys blackmail them.

However, important officials in power like Sima Guang directly skipped the first two steps.

There is no need to ask for a posthumous title, and there is no need for people from the Taichang Liyuan to prepare a posthumous title - they do not have enough positions and are not qualified.

The only person who can evaluate a prime minister is another prime minister.

When they heard that Wen Yanbo was coming, Han Jiang and Mr. Lu quickly led other officials to greet him.

After they welcomed Wen Yanbo to the hall of the capital hall and invited him to take a seat, Wen Yanbo asked straight to the point: "Gentlemen, how are you discussing Sima Junshi's posthumous title?"

Han Jiang said: "If you don't want to hide it from the Grand Master, we are currently discussing it."

"Huh?" Wen Yanbo's eyes widened: "Are you having difficulty?"

"To be fair to the Grand Master, it is indeed the case." Han Jiang replied calmly.

"What's the difficulty?" Wen Yanbo squinted his eyes and scanned the leaders present. His aura was completely relaxed, which instantly made many people feel stressed.

It was only at this time that some young people thought about it.

This old master is not just an old minister who retired from work and retired in Beijing.

He was also a powerful figure who once served in the imperial court and said directly: Your Majesty governs the world with the scholar-bureaucrats, not with the common people.

The key is, after he said this, not a hair fell out.

The late emperor still valued him.

Han Jiang said calmly: "The Empress Dowager once said during the official ban: "The Rites" said: The subtleties show, the sincerity cannot be concealed! I also heard a poem saying: The Prime Minister is in your room, and you are worthy of the leakage of the house!"

"Therefore, we, the prime ministers, use official language to designate Sima Junshi's posthumous title."

Wen Yanbo knew this.

He looked at Han Jiang and said, "Since the official family has this intention, what difficulties do you, the prime ministers, have in making an agreement based on this?"

"In my opinion, Sima Junshi was rigorous in his scholarship throughout his life. He had written articles about the world and the earth, and had a reputation for being erudite in morality. His life was pure, he was well-known in the world, and his ambition was always unwavering! At the end of his life, he gave all he earned from his official career to his elders. It can be said that Selfless!”

As he spoke, he looked straight at Han Jiang.

Everyone knows what Sima Guang pursued during his lifetime.
Why can't it be decided?
Mr. Lu will definitely not stop this right minister.

The only one who can stop him is Han Jiang, the left prime minister.

Han Jiang narrowed his eyes: "Since ancient times, posthumous titles have been a sign of success."

"The official family really wants to give him a good posthumous title, but I and other ministers cannot ignore the public opinion in the world!"

"At the beginning, Xia Wenzhuang (Xia Song) Ren Temple wanted to posthumously document it, but all the officials rejected it. Then it changed the text again, and the officials continued to reject it, and finally it was Wenzhuang."

Having said this, Han Qi looked at Wen Yanbo: "Has Grand Master even forgotten this?"

Wen Yanbo chuckled. He and Han Jiang both knew the meaning of each other's words.

He came here just to fight for a good posthumous title for Sima Guang.

Moreover, Sima Guang had been pursuing this posthumous title during his lifetime.

But Han Jiang didn't want to give it.

Because Han Jiang said - posthumous title, deeds.

It is the summary of a person's life.

And he didn't think that Sima Guang deserved that posthumous title.

So, he cited what happened to Xia Song back then to pay tribute to Wen Yanbo.

This is really unreasonable!

But where did Han Jiang get the courage?

If he does such a thing today, isn't he afraid that he will be embarrassed in his name after his death?

unless……

Wen Yanbo narrowed his eyes.

He looked at Han Jiang and thought about what Han Jiang revealed to him.

The empress dowager is forbidden to speak in the official family - "Li" says: The subtleties are revealed, but the sincerity cannot be concealed! The poem goes: Being in your room is worthy of the leakage of the house!

The former sentence comes from the Zhongyong Chapter of the Book of Rites, and the latter sentence comes from the Book of Songs. Daya has also been quoted in the Book of Rites.

The two sentences are connected together, and the normal interpretation should be very positive!
Then why did Han Jiang have to stop him? Refuse to give that posthumous title?

Is there something that he ignored?
Thinking of this, Wen Yanbo asked: "So, what posthumous names have all the princes in the capital drafted?"

Han Jiang said softly: "I think that Sima Junshi has been successful in his studies throughout his life. He has written a book called "Tongjian of Zhizhi", which is of great significance to the past. He can be posthumously named: Wen!"

Wen Yanbo suddenly looked at Han Jiang with wide eyes, feeling that he had been provoked.

Because in the Song Dynasty, under normal circumstances, a single posthumous title could be understood as a tactful criticism or that the court did not pay attention to the death of this minister at all, or even looked down upon it.

Because there are two precedents - during the Renmiao period, they wanted to give a posthumous title to a minor official named Wang Mo, but the official's official position when he died was not even enough to confer a posthumous title!
The second example also occurred during the Renmiao era.

When Chen Zhizhong passed away, the person who initially presided over the posthumous discussion was Han Wei. Han Wei had always disliked Chen Zhizhong, so he gave him the posthumous title of "Rong Ling", which was to point his nose at him and scold him - Chong Lu Guang Da said Rong. , If you don’t work hard to become famous, you are called Ling.

Taichang Temple, which presided over the posthumous decision, felt that Han Wei was too radical and needed to be more friendly, so he changed the posthumous title to a single posthumous title of "Gong" - "Unremitting in Position" is called "Gong".

This is considered a bad review.

Then, Yang Nanzhong, the judge of the imperial examination at that time, felt that the bad comment about Taichang Temple was too tactful, so he changed the single posthumous title into a double posthumous title, added the word "xiang", and repaid it with "Gongxiang" - the so-called "xiang" , the posthumous law says: meritorious deeds.

This person still made some contribution to the Song Dynasty!

Of course, in the context of Gong Xiang, this contribution probably refers to his death.

Finally, when I reported to Renmiao, Renmiao felt that Yang Nanzhong might as well not add the word Xiang.

So, the final decision was the posthumous title.

Chen Zhizhong will be Chen Gonggong from now on.

Therefore, in reality, a single posthumous title was inferior to a double posthumous title in the Song Dynasty.

This is an easy thing to understand.

Just look at the long and smelly posthumous names of Zhao Guan's family in the past dynasties.

At the same time, this is also a very simple mathematical question - the more words, the greater the credit and the more reputation.

Therefore, in Wen Yanbo's understanding, Han Jiang gave Sima Guang a single posthumous title, which meant that he stopped pretending and the traitor jumped out on his own!
Han Jiang looked at Wen Yanbo's expression and said, "Master, don't be anxious."

"There's nothing wrong with a posthumous title."

"Han Wen Gong (Han Yu), from the beginning to the end of eight generations, has been commended by the world to this day. It is a good story!"

"In addition, Confucius said: He is quick and eager to learn, and he is not ashamed to ask questions. This is why he is called literary."

"Sima Jun actually takes 'Wen' as his posthumous title, which does not hurt his good reputation."

"Besides, I'm just making a suggestion."

"If the Grand Master has any objections, he can write to the officials and express his opinions directly."

Wen Yanbo looked at Han Jiang with a confident look.

There are more inner mysteries.

Because, obviously, Han Jiang could not be so confused.

Give Sima Guang a single posthumous title?
Let alone the official family, the courtiers will never agree.

Especially Lu Gongzu, Fan Chunren, Lu Dafang, as well as him, Feng Jing, Sun Gu and other old party ministers from the past years, none of them would agree.

and so……

Considering the fact that Han Jiang was about to retire, Wen Yanbo had to suspect that Han Jiang was deliberately acting like a clown and pretending to be a villain here.

Thinking of this, Wen Yanbo snorted and said, "If this is the case, I will write a letter on my own."

He looked at Lu Gongzhu: "What do you think, Prime Minister?"

Lu Gongzhu said calmly: "I have also drafted a posthumous title for Sima Junshi."

"Ok?"

"Wenzhong!" Lu Gongzhu said calmly: "Junshi has knowledge of the world, a reputation for moral integrity, a heart for the people, and a courtesy behavior. His posthumous title is just right."

"But he risked his life and sacrificed himself without hesitation. He can be said to be loyal!"

Wen Yanbo's brows furrowed even more.

Han Jiang deliberately proposed a single posthumous title, which may be explained by retaliation - Sima Guang never gave him face once during his lifetime.

Therefore, although it is irrational for him to deliberately disgust Sima Guang before taking office, it is not impossible.

After all, if he thinks that he is going to become an official, why not have some fun?
But the posthumous title Lu Gong proposed is...

Wenzhong?

It can be considered a beautiful posthumous title.

It can be considered consistent with what Sima Guang did during his lifetime - even though he was in power and was sick at home for eight months.

But let me ask you, did he go to Beijing despite all the hardships and illness to serve as the young master's assistant? Are you worried about national affairs and people's livelihood even when you are sick?
However, although Sima Guang himself did not say the posthumous title he wanted.

But who doesn’t know?

It’s Wen Zheng!

The so-called Wenzheng was changed from Wenzhen during the Renmiao Dynasty to avoid the taboo name of Renmiao.

The posthumous law says: Being honest and keeping integrity is called chastity. Acting innocent means being firm in one's will.

He also said: Not hiding and not bending is called chastity, being open and selfless!
For the Song Dynasty, Wen was the most beautiful posthumous title second only to Zhongxian.

But for Sima Guang, literature was his lifelong pursuit.

If he cannot be given the posthumous title Wenzheng, his life will be a failure.

Lu Gongzhu has been friends with him for decades, how come he doesn’t even know this?
unless……

Wen Yanbo thought of a possibility and remained silent.

(End of this chapter)