I studied in modern times

Chapter 704: Setting the Rules (3)

When Zhang Fangping was lost in thought, he heard the emperor in the palace say, "After this matter, I will make a law to clarify the duties of the ministers of the two systems!"

"The two systems are my ministers and the advisors of the world!"

"How can you believe the wind is rain?"

"And if all the officials in the court follow suit, speak beyond their authority, and take over other people's business, how can the world be stable? How can the prime minister govern?"

When Zhao Xu said this, he looked at Zhang Fangping and asked, "Mr. Zhang, do you agree?"

Zhang Fangping listened, stepped forward, and bowed, "Your Majesty, there is no one more wise than you!"

This is exactly what Zhao Xu wanted Zhang Fangping to say.

He immediately turned his head, looked at Su Song and asked, "Does Mr. Su agree?"

Su Song held the cymbals and bowed, saying, "I second your motion!"

"Good!" Zhao Xu nodded in satisfaction. "In this case, I will make laws for the future today to clarify the duties of the superiors and subordinates... Please ask Mr. Zhang to be a witness..."

This is a hint to Zhang Fangping to endorse it.

Zhang Fangping was such a smart man! He immediately bowed his head and said, "I respectfully obey your orders!"

Zhao Xu then said to Su Song, "Please also ask Mr. Su to record it for me and put it in writing!"

"I obey your order!" Su Song bowed again immediately.

Feng Jing immediately moved the pen, ink, paper, inkstone and desk that had been prepared long ago to the hall and placed them in front of Su Song.

Su Song faced Zhao Xu, bowed his head and kowtowed twice, then stood up, sat down at the desk, and waited with his pen in hand.

Zhao Xu pondered for a while, and waited until Su Song sat down before he spoke: "First: Order the capital hall to issue a letter to the officials, from now on, the officials must strictly abide by their duties!"

"The censors speak out, the censors criticize politics, the two systems make speeches... they should all have rules to follow and laws to abide by!"

"Those who abuse power without permission will be impeached by the censors and punished by the officials!"

Su Song took up his pen and wrote down quickly.

Zhao Xu deliberately waited for him for a while - Su Song was old and his writing was not as fast as when he was young.

After Su Song finished recording, he continued, "Second, order the officials to make an imperial edict and promulgate it to the whole country, explaining my oath..."

"I have sworn before my father that, except for those who plot treason, I will not punish anyone or any censor for their words..."

"but……"

"This is not a reason for scholar-officials to comment on state affairs at will, frame important officials, and discuss state policy at will!"

Ever since Zhao Xu publicly vowed not to punish people for their words, the literati in the city of Bianjing waited and watched at first and were cautious.

But when they found out that they would not be punished, they began to let themselves go like wild horses.

They dare to say anything and discuss anything.

Especially those people with dirty minds, they really do everything they can to be dirty.

Each and every one of them is just like the King of Understanding.

I would like to express my "brilliant opinion" here, and make a few comments and assessments there.

There was a flourish of vitality inside and outside Bianjing, as if everything was flourishing.

However, many things are difficult to push forward because of this.

Because these understanders just like to understand!
Those who care about public opinion and reputation are therefore wary.

People like Fan Chunren, Lu Dafang and others have obviously begun to restrain their hands and feet.

How is this possible?

Zhao Xu wants to do great things.

I'm not here to play house with these scheming and scheming guys.

Now, we must seize this opportunity to correct this unhealthy trend!
So he said loudly: "If they really want to discuss national policy, criticize the prime minister and ministers, and make irresponsible remarks on major issues!"

"Either become a censor or retire!"

"He is not an imperial censor, and he is unwilling to resign, and he is also against the government..."

"The Ministry of Personnel and all other officials shall dismiss them from their posts and remove them from office!"

This means that it should be made clear that only the crows in the Censorate are allowed to chirp.

Who else wants to chirp?
You can resign!

If he were not a censor and did not want to resign, he would still be chattering.

Then, the Ministry of Personnel should take action, deprive him of his post and let him live as a private official.

Then, he could express his opinions freely, and Zhao Xu would not bother to care about him.

Zhang Fangping finally couldn't help himself after hearing this. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty... I think this is inappropriate..."

"Fan Wencheng once said: If you are in a high position in the government, you will worry about the people; if you are far away in the rivers and lakes, you will worry about the ruler..."

"How true!"

"It is normal for scholars and officials to worry about the world and the state, and discuss gains and losses!"

"If your majesty orders, I am afraid that this will hurt the feelings of the scholars and officials!"

"It also seems to be blocking the channels for speech, and I am even more worried that some villains will use this to stir up trouble..."

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "What the old man said is very true!"

"I am not unreasonable!"

"Therefore, my order is aimed at those people who are in government offices, wearing official uniforms, but openly discussing state affairs, criticizing national policies, and even slandering and framing important officials of the country without any reason!"

"If after taking office, he discusses with his sons and friends at home, or at a banquet, without using his official position, but in private, then it is not restricted!"

"Of course... the above two can be exempted, but there is a prerequisite, that is, no adverse impact is caused!"

Of course.

Since ancient times, as long as the emperor still had some dignity, he would not be able to stop the literati's impulse to engage in political politics.

Unless one learns from Hongli and launches a large-scale literary inquisition, nitpicking, finding fault with everything, and using bloody terror to intimidate the literati, forcing them not even to complain.

Otherwise, any restriction on speech will ultimately fail!
Just like Zhao Xu's father.

The Wutai Poetry Case had such a huge impact.

But, did the old party elders who had hindered Luoyang criticize the new laws and the new party?
No!

What needs to be said is still being said, and what needs to be scolded is still being scolded.

In fact, they cursed even more fiercely and criticized even more severely!

Therefore, conditions must be set.

You are an official, receiving my salary, so you naturally have to work hard during working hours!
Of course, we cannot criticize the government or attack the people in power.

The court had every right to deal with it - if one does not do anything during working hours but instead gossips with others, that is dereliction of duty!

But when you get off work and lock the door to chat or talk with your friends and family, no one can stop you.

Or in your spare time, in a private capacity, talking and discussing national affairs at a friend's banquet is also nothing wrong.

As long as the impact was minor and it did not cause adverse social effects, Zhao Xu was too lazy to care, let alone be able to care.

People who cause huge impact and lead to adverse social effects.

It's definitely not as simple as talking about it in private.

It must have been organized and premeditated.

This is a clear confrontation with the center and criticism of national policy.

Of course people like this must be dealt with!

Otherwise, wouldn't the country be in chaos?

After hearing this, Zhang Fangping bowed and said, "Your Majesty, there is no one more wise than you!"

At this time, Su Song also recorded Zhao Xu's words verbatim.

Then he presented it to the emperor and asked Zhao Xu to review it.

After reviewing it, Zhao Xu handed it to Feng Jing and ordered him to send it to Guo Zhongxiao, and instructed him: "Tell Guo Sheren to copy more than ten copies of this text and send them to the ministers in the capital, as well as the Grand Tutor Wen, Feng Xianggong, Han Xianggong (Han Wei) and other senior ministers in the capital. Instruct the ministers and senior ministers to submit the text within three days to correct any omissions and prevent any mistakes."

Zhao Xu always respected the prime ministers and elders.

This is not just because he is young now, but he needs these people to help him keep an eye on many things.

Therefore, Zhao Xu treated these people as professional managers in modern companies.

Therefore, we can get along with these people with a relatively equal and respectful attitude.

At the same time, what Zhao Xu learned during his study abroad in modern times is that governing a country is something that is highly related to the mining industry.

These are things that require highly professional people to do.

Just a little carelessness can lead to disaster and cause safety accidents.

Just like the Liuta River back then.

The emperor just ignored the opposition of countless ministers and forcibly violated the natural law that water flows to lower places.

Then, nature taught the emperor how to behave.

However, Zhao Xu knew his own strengths and weaknesses. He was very clear that even though he had studied abroad in modern times, in essence, he was still a feudal monarch who was born in the deep palace, raised by women, ignorant of the sufferings of the people, and out of touch with social reality.

There are many things he doesn't know or understand.

Therefore, the affairs of the prefectures and counties in the world today really need to rely on those prime ministers who have long been in the local areas and know the details of the people and the social and economic status quo.

Without their current help, cooperation and assistance, the things Zhao Xu wants to do will be like a attic in the air and will never succeed!

"promise!"

After doing this, Zhao Xu seemed like a different person and began to be gentle towards Su Che and Zeng Zhao.

"Since you two have admitted your guilt, please stand up first."

How could Zeng Zhao and Su Che dare to stand up?

He just bowed his head and kowtowed again, saying, "I dare not!"

Zhao Xu laughed: "Both of you just listened to other people's slander and had misunderstandings. Although you are guilty, you did not cause any bad influence..."

"The Master said: Don't talk about what has been done, don't advise on what has happened, and don't blame the past!"

"I shall follow it!"

Zeng Zhao let out a long sigh, feeling relieved.

As long as he gets the emperor's forgiveness, even if the Empress Dowager wants to demote him, he will still have a chance to make a comeback in the future.

It was at this time that Su Che thought of Shangguan Jun, Xianyu Qun and others.

He has the love, care and pleading of two elders, Zhang and Su.

Who should Shangguan Jun and Xianyu Qun turn to for help? Who would be willing to help them?
If not...

Su Che lowered his head, even though he was a mysophobe.

But he's not a fool.

Naturally, he knew that if he and Zeng Zhao could get away with it, it would be to save face for the Empress Dowager and also for the sake of filial piety of the Emperor.

It must be Shangguan Jun and Xianyu Qun who took all the blame for him and Zeng Zhao.

But this... was what he didn't want to see.

Unfortunately, he was powerless.

After all, he can't even protect himself!

……

An hour later, in the Qingshou Palace.

The Empress Dowager looked through the curtain at the two secretaries who were kneeling before her, although she still looked angry.

But, Zhao Xu and Empress Dowager Xiang were always there to say good things.

In addition, the two old ministers, Zhang Fangping and Su Song, had been flattering her, praising her as the greatest mother in ancient and modern times, the female Yao and Shun. She was put in a difficult position and could not vent her anger on them. At the same time, Zeng Zhao and Su Che's attitude of admitting their mistakes was indeed very good.

So, she finally nodded and said, "Since the emperor, the queen mother, and the two gentlemen Zhang and Su all said that the two servants were misled by others' words, I am not unreasonable, so I will forgive the two servants this time..."

"You two servants, please stand up and talk!"

Su Che and Zeng Zhao naturally did not dare to do so.

It was not until the Empress Dowager said it again that they stood up tremblingly.

Zhang Fangping and Su Song both breathed a sigh of relief and felt deeply relieved.

But Zhao Xu knew that the Empress Dowager was only relenting on the surface.

In his heart, he must still be remembering the vengeance against Zeng Zhao and Su Che.

Especially Zeng Zhao!
It wouldn't be long before Zeng Zhao would be assigned by the Secretariat for other reasons and sent to serve as an official in a local prefecture. Moreover, during the time when the Empress Dowager was in power, it would be impossible for him to return to the court or be promoted.

As for Su Che?

Most of the time, you will have to pay some fines, and you will have to pay copper penalties and have additional taxes and fees.

But this is the best outcome for them.

However, the Empress Dowager, concerned about her reputation, could not deal with Zeng Zhao and Su Che, so she would inevitably vent her anger on other people.

The first to be affected was, of course, Shangguan Jun, whom Zhao Xu had "helped" to become famous.

Then, it was Xian Yuqian who informed Zeng Zhao of the rumors that Ye Kangzhi had been a "slave" and "flatterer" to Li Xian, which triggered the disturbance.

In the end, those small shrimps who follow the crowd and cheer will also be shot.

He will inevitably be subject to investigation, demoted, or even suspended from office.

In Luoyang, Shao Bowen also had to suffer a loss in silence.

In recent years, he has had to pretend to be a grandson.

Without Shao Bowen jumping around in Luoyang, I believe the public opinion environment will become better.

(End of this chapter)