I studied in modern times

Chapter 713: The Prime Minister Divides the Chicken (2)

Han Jiang took a special knife and slowly cut the smoked chicken in front of him into four pieces.

This kind of thing shouldn't have been done by him.

But he did it.

This is to take the initiative into his own hands, and at the same time to tell the three ministers in front of him - even if I retire, I can still influence many things.

The emperor still trusts me!
Lu Gongzhu and the other two naturally understood this principle and watched Han Jiang cut up the smoked chicken quietly.

Although Han Jiang is old, he is very agile.

Soon, he cut the smoked chicken into four portions of different sizes.

"Come, come, come..." Han Jiang put down the knife: "The three of you please eat."

After saying this, he sat down and looked at Lu Gongzhu, Li Qingchen and Deng Runfu.

Waiting for the actions of these three people.

Lu Gongzhu smiled, took the chicken head without hesitation, and then tore off a small piece, put it in his mouth, chewed it, and praised: "It really tastes the same as it did back then, quite chewy."

"I remember that Renmiao Zhiguo and I were both in the court. I often went to Bianjing with Zhiguo, Jiefu and Sima Junshi. Whenever we arrived at Zhouqiao, we would go to Wang Er's smoked chicken shop and buy a Yingchang smoked chicken..."

"It's just that Wang Jiefu doesn't have this kind of luck. Every time he plays with him and eats, he always only eats the food closest to him!"

"And Chih-kuo was a little naughty, always putting the smoked chicken opposite Wang Jie-fu..."

"After a long time, Jiefu never ate smoked chicken!"

"As for Sima Junshi, he is from Shanzhou and is not used to eating the smoked chicken from Yingchang... He has never eaten it..."

Han Jiang just laughed and said, "That happened during the Jiayou period, right?"

"Yes!" Lu Gongzhu nodded and said, "At that time, I was first appointed by the Ren Temple as the reviewer of Chongwenyuan, and later as the judge of Taichang Liyuan... Jiefu was the judge of Sansi, and later changed to Zhizhigao and inspected the criminal justice in Beijing... Chiguo was in charge of Taichang Liyuan... As for Sima Junshi, he was the prosecutor of Kaifeng Prefecture, and later changed to Jiujiu Sheren, and compiled the Jiujiuzhu..."

This is the origin of the Four Friends of Jiayou.

At that time, four young and strong officials who shared the same ideals and were determined to change the Song Dynasty were all in Bianliang.

They know each other and share the same interests.

At that time, no one would have thought that within just ten years, the four former friends and confidants would go their separate ways, cut off all ties, and even never contact each other again until they died.

Now, Sima Guang is dead, Wang Anshi has retired to Jiangning, and Han Wei is craning his neck in Daming Prefecture, looking towards Bianjing.

And he, Lu Gongzhu, was about to take over Han Jiang's position and become prime minister.

But he was also very old.

I don’t know how long he can serve as prime minister, and I don’t know whether he can still participate in state affairs as intensively as he does now after becoming prime minister.

Thinking of this, Lü Gongzhu sighed and said, holding the smoked chicken in his hand, "Seeing this reminds me of someone. I wonder how Chiguo is doing in Daming Prefecture now?"

Han Jiang just smiled and didn't respond, then looked at Li Qingchen and Deng Runfu: "Bangzhi, Wen Bo, please enjoy."

He looked outside the door and saw that the sky was gradually getting brighter.

It will soon be the fifth watch.

According to the system of the Song Dynasty, the grand court on New Year's Day began at the fifth watch and ended at noon (before Emperor Renzong, it used to last until noon, but one time when Emperor Renzong was in court, his stomach growled and the people nearby heard it, so he changed it).

Li Qingchen and Deng Runfu looked at each other, and then tacitly divided the smoked chicken legs and wings respectively, leaving the chicken breast for Han Jiang.

Han Jiang saw this, chuckled, then took the chicken breast and placed it in front of himself, tore off a small piece, and began to chew it slowly.

After finishing the chicken in his mouth, Han Jiang finally spoke: "After the New Year, I will go to the third table, please go..."

"The chapter has been written."

"I will just wait until the New Year holiday is over, and then present it to the two palaces and the emperor, begging for his approval..."

As he said this, he looked at Lu Gongzhu and said, "According to custom, I have recommended Uncle Hui to the two palaces and the government to take over my part-time job."

"That is, the Criminal Law Review Office, and the Public Security Low-interest Loan Office..."

There was a clear division in the politics of the Song Dynasty between the Yuanyou era and the Xifeng era.

Because the emperor was young and inexperienced, it was difficult for him to rule the country, and the two palaces were behind the scenes and were not familiar with state affairs.

Therefore, after Han Jiang was appointed prime minister, the emperor and the empress dowager began to consciously strengthen the power of the prime minister.

This greatly strengthened the power of the prime minister, especially the premier.

The evidence for this is the two new jobs that the prime minister held part-time: the Conscription Law Review Office, which was set up to review the new law, and the Convenient Low-Interest Loan Office.

The former can ensure that the prime minister can express his opinions, suggestions and views on the labor laws of all prefectures and counties in the country, and after approval, they can be piloted in Kaifeng Prefecture and gradually promoted.

Since Han Jiang became prime minister, new labor service regulations have been issued one after another and implemented in Kaifeng Prefecture. They were then promoted from Kaifeng Prefecture to Jingdongdu Road, Jingxi Road, Huainan Road, Daming Prefecture, Hebei and other places.

Therefore, Jingdong Road, Jingxi Road, Huainan Road, Damingfu, and Hebei became extremely important.

Therefore, all the transport envoys of the various routes in the capital were nominated by Han Jiang, or at least people recognized by him.

For example, Kumamoto, the transport commissioner of Jingdong Road, was promoted by Han Jiang, while Zhao Zhen, the transport commissioner of Huainan Road, had a decades-long friendship with Han Jiang, so Daming Prefecture was simply managed by his younger brother.

Even the transport envoys of Jingxi, Hebei and other routes were not nominated or recommended by Han Jiang.

However, the deputy envoys and judges were basically Han Jiang's former subordinates or his close friends.

This is not nepotism!
It is necessary to do so. Otherwise, the prime minister will not be able to implement his policies.

As for the matter of the low-interest loans for the convenience of the people...

This mission was insignificant at first.

Because the only place he could manage was Bian Jing. For other places, there were local officials in charge of changing the country, and there were also Tongpans in the prefectures and counties.

However, as time goes by, the public security bureau can intervene in more and more things.

In particular, the emperor allowed him to jointly manage various departments and the special department - although he could not directly interfere in the internal affairs of the various departments.

They can only supervise and monitor, and can review and examine the account books of various departments after seeking permission.

The General Office of Various Departments was an official office established in the Taifu Temple in the second year of Yuanfeng of the previous emperor.

Its duty is to examine the payment of rice and salaries to various departments in Beijing and civil and military officials.

From the prime minister to the clerk, their monthly salary, four seasons clothing, and fuel distribution all needed to be reviewed by the Grain Science Institute with certificates, and then sent to the various departments for review.

If the various departments think that it is inappropriate, they can reject it immediately and ask the Grain Science Institute to re-check the numbers.

In other words, this is an institution that reviews and supervises officials' salaries.

It is an official office holding a purse.

This can be seen from the person who is in charge of all the departments and the special department - Liu Weijian, the chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the envoy of Xuanqing.

This person is the emperor's true confidant and henchman!
Since entering the Ying Temple, I have served three generations of officials loyally, so I even got the permission of the late emperor to call myself an old slave or a servant in front of the emperor!
Think about it, what kind of people are those who call themselves slaves or old servants in your own family?

The powers of the various departments now are even stronger than those in Yuanfeng.

The current special offices of various ministries not only review the distribution of money, grain and rice by the ministries in Beijing.

Some things unknown to outsiders began to emerge within his scope of authority.

For example, there is a legend, but it is just a legend - every once in a while, the Bian Jing Xin Bao needs to submit its account books to various departments for review.

The details of its income and expenditure also need to be sent to the relevant departments for filing.

For example, according to legend, the pawnshops that were going to be sold after the New Year also needed to regularly report their operating conditions and reserves to the various special offices. They also had to send a "sufficient" cash reserve to the various special offices, which would count it and then deposit it in the sealed pile vault in the palace as collateral.

This office that provides low-interest loans for the convenience of the people is the only one in the outer court that can participate in the affairs of various ministries and has the power of supervision and review.

Therefore, Han Jiang's concurrent posts as judge of the "Labor Law Review Office" and co-judge of the "Convenience of the People and Low-Interest Loans" became the real powers of the Prime Minister.

It is generally recognized today that it does not matter whether a minister is Shangshu Zuo Pushe or Menxia Shilang.

What is important is whether he is concurrently a judge in the Public Service Law Review Office and a judge in the public low-interest loan office.

If so, then he is the Prime Minister even if he is not.

If not, what's the point of having the title of Shangshu Zuo Pushe?

Isn’t he another Wang Gui?
During the Yuanyou era, Han Jiang took on these two duties concurrently.

The authority of the prime minister during the Xining era returned to the capital.

Han Jiang is truly worthy of the title of Prime Minister.

He can promote his policies, or he can quietly suppress and restrict those who hinder him - don't think you are fierce, but when your salary is blocked and your stomach growls, you will know how powerful it is! (Of course, to do this, you must have sufficient tacit understanding and cooperation with the emperor)

This is also the reason why Yuanyou prime ministers, especially the prime minister, are now envied by the court and the public.

As long as you get the seat, you get the power.

Then there will be room for one's own political ideals and ambitions to be realized.

The two palaces did not understand the government affairs, and even after studying for two years, they were still very unfamiliar with it.

The young master is still too young, and apart from the appointment of important officials and strategic decision-making, he does not take care of other matters.

The prime minister became the sub-king.

Lü Gongzhu listened and thanked him, "Thank you for your recommendation, I will definitely live up to your expectations."

Han Jiang smiled and said, "Right Prime Minister, don't be happy too early."

"In my retirement letter, I also praised a person whom the Right Prime Minister might not like."

Well, the deal between him and Lu Huiqing has been completed.

For the sake of face and to save honor.

Han Jiang would not directly recommend Lu Huiqing to return to the court, but in his memorial, he highly praised Lu Huiqing's achievements in Hedong, saying that he was a "national wise man" and that as long as "Your Majesty uses him, he will be of great help to state affairs."

This is actually no different from recommending Lu Huiqing to return to the court to govern, or to go to Xihe.

How did Lu Gongzhu know this?
In order to show his magnanimity, he immediately said affectionately: "Please rest assured, Mr. Zihua, I am still able to tolerate others."

Han Jiang chuckled. He began to look forward to the tense situation between Lu Gongzhu and Lu Huiqing in the capital next year.

At the same time, he also began to look forward to the expressions of Li Qingchen and Deng Runfu when they saw Lu Huiqing's name appear on his retirement letter.

By then, whether it is Deng Runfu or Li Qingchen, they will probably have to abandon their little thoughts and quickly stick together!

no way!
Lu Huiqing seems to have some inexplicable status in the heart of the current emperor.

At the beginning, when the emperor had just ascended the throne, in order to support Lu Huiqing, he directly killed a military official from Yao County. He used the man's head to intimidate those who cursed and criticized Lu Huiqing both inside and outside the country!

According to Han Jiang's observation, the only two people who were more favored by the emperor than Lu Huiqing were Zhang Dun and Zhang Zihou in Guangxi.

Even Cai Que and Cai Chizheng in Fujian Road could only be compared with him.

Lu Huiqing's character was as cruel as fire and he was extremely combative.

People regard the civil official as the commander of Hedong, but look at what he did in Hedong.

They disturbed farmers, looted people, and lured the Qiang people. They were never at peace. All day long, they were thinking about how to torture the Western bandits and what method would be best to use.
If you don’t know, you might think that the Hedong General Manager and Pacifier of the Song Dynasty is a northern barbarian!

Thinking of this, Han Jiang looked at Li Qingchen and Deng Runfu, and said with a smile: "As for Bangzhi..."

"In my retirement letter, I also praised Bangzhi for his close cooperation with the East Palace in the Privy Council and for working together to ensure the supply of military supplies and the implementation of military rewards when the Western bandits invaded last year."

Li Qingchen said quickly: "I dare not, this is my duty, I don't deserve such praise from Mr. Han!"

Han Jiang smiled and said nothing more.

Because he knew that Li Qingchen understood what he meant.

Story: When a prime minister leaves office, as long as he has not been convicted of any crime, the ministers he recommended to the emperor will be gradually reused.

Li Qingchen is now the head of the Western Palace - the head of the Privy Council.

If he is reused, he will be demoted to the East Palace, and become the Right Prime Minister or the Minister of the Secretariat, and may be in charge of one of the six ministries:

This happened when Su Song was in office.

In the edict written when Su Song was appointed as the ruling official last year, his duties and powers were clearly defined - he would be the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, in charge of the Hanlin Astronomical Bureau, concurrently in charge of the Yuanyou Hunyun Bureau, and in charge of the Ministry of Works.

For the first time in history, the consuls had clear responsibilities.

He is no longer a follower of the prime minister, but can use his sweat and wisdom to cultivate his own achievements and political accomplishments in his own little piece of land.

Although, the emperor gave a reason - that it was because the Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother presented gifts.

But that’s how the Song Dynasty is. If there is one, there will be two.

Once the beginning is made, similar examples will continue to appear.

This is called a story.

"As for Uncle Wen..." Han Jiang smiled and looked at Deng Runfu: "Although I did not mention Uncle Wen in my memorial, I believe that the emperor of this dynasty favors Uncle Wen."

As he spoke, Han Jiang gave some of the chicken breast in his hand to Deng Runfu, saying, "Over the past year or so, I have been in the capital, and it is thanks to Uncle Wen's guidance."

"Now that we are about to part, I have nothing good to give you as a gift, so please let Uncle Wen have a taste of my chicken breast!"

Deng Runfu wanted to promote a new school of thought.

Han Jiang was unwilling to wade into this muddy water; it was too dangerous!

If things go wrong, it might even anger Wang Jiefu in Jiangning.

Even if Wang Jiefu was not angry, how could Lu Huiqing, Zeng Bu, Zhang Dun, Cai Que and others just watch Deng Runfu cause trouble?

Han Jiang doesn't want to get involved.

Deng Runfu listened, smiled politely, took the chicken breast handed to him by Han Jiang, and said, "Thank you, Duke Kangguo."

He could understand Han Jiang's choice.

After all, the road he is going to take is full of thorns.

But if he has the chance, he must go.

We must repay our teacher’s kindness in teaching and imparting knowledge!

To carry forward the Xujiang School and promote the teachings of his predecessors is his life's aspiration and ideal.

After Han Jiang finished this, he stopped talking and focused on eating his chicken.

But he was old and couldn't eat much, so he only ate a little and couldn't eat anymore, so he poured himself a cup of tea.

At this time, a voice of an eunuch was heard from outside: "My lords, the auspicious time is approaching. Please come out and lead all the officials to the court..."

Han Jiang smiled and replied, "Got it!"

(End of this chapter)