I studied in modern times

Chapter 729 Moral Education
It was already evening when Lu Gongzhu returned home.

As soon as he entered the house, his retainer came to report: "My lord, Duke Kang just sent someone to deliver an invitation, saying that he wants you to come to his house tonight to meet him..."

As he spoke, the servant handed a gilded invitation to Lu Gongzhu.

"Han Zihua..." Lu Gongzhu let out a sigh and took the invitation.
In his mind, he recalled what the emperor had told him before he left the palace.

"Resisting the purchase of pawnshops is a national policy!"

"My husband is also in charge of the low-interest loan for the convenience of the people. He needs to catch this matter..."

"I will order Jia Zhongmin to report to you every five days..."

So, Han Jiang's invitation to him to meet at his house was also related to this matter?

Thinking of this, Lu Gongzhu opened the invitation, and it turned out that Han Jiang asked him to meet at his residence at 11:00 p.m. tonight.

He closed the invitation and said, "Please prepare it for me to attend the meeting with Duke Kangguo."

"promise!"

The servant immediately went down to prepare.

It was a very solemn matter for the scholars and officials of the Song Dynasty to be invited to meet at other people's homes.

Even common people need to bathe and change clothes.

For a minister of Lu Gongzhu's level, the ceremony was especially grand.

In particular, there was a case of assassination of prime minister in the Tang Dynasty!

Therefore, don’t even think about being a prime minister in the Song Dynasty.

Even when the Minister of State was traveling, Yuan Sui and Jing were always by his side, supporting him from beginning to end.

Sometimes there were even soldiers from Kaifeng Prefecture escorting them all the way.

It was also normal for Lu Gongzhu to go on a trip.

There are hundreds of Yuansui alone.

In addition, soldiers from several shops in Yulin Lane will also be dispatched to provide protection.

But the soldiers like to do this kind of thing very much.

Because there is a reward.

……

Lu Gongzhu returned to the rear house, washed up, and changed into new clothes with the help of his wife Zhao.

He touched the fabric and found it to be thick and smooth.

“It’s cotton!”

"These clothes are indeed made of cotton cloth. They were all imperial gifts from the palace years ago..." replied Zhao, who was standing next to her.

Lu Gongzhu laughed.

After entering the palace today, talking with the emperor and opening my heart to communicate.

The more Lu Gongzhu looked at the cotton cloth, the happier he became.

"If we can really have more than one million pieces of cotton cloth entering the market every year..." he said leisurely, "Why worry about the country not being able to prosper?"

Since ancient times, cloth is money and money is cloth.

In fact, for a long time, cloth was stronger than money.

There were millions of pieces of silk cloth in the late emperor’s treasury.

However, now, these inventories are being slowly cleared out by the authorities.

Some of it flowed into the market, while some was sold to the Liao Kingdom through the Song-Liao Jiaozi trade.

Zhao listened and laughed, saying, "Sir, if we could really produce a million rolls of cotton cloth every year..."

"Don't even think about bringing peace to the world, I'm afraid there will be hope for the third generation!"

Lu Gongzhu nodded: "Yes!"

"If we can get a million rolls of cotton cloth every year, the world will be well governed, and even have a chance of three generations!"

What is the Rule of Three Dynasties?
It means the world will be united!

The sage said it very clearly, when the world is in harmony, the world will be shared by all, the virtuous and capable will be selected, and trustworthiness and harmony will be promoted!
Therefore, people not only love their own relatives and their own children, but also ensure that the elderly have a place to live, the strong have a place to work, the young have a place to grow, and the widows, the orphans, the lonely and the disabled are all provided for!
This is an article that all Confucian scholars will read shortly after they enter school.

It is also the utopia of the literati.

Even those famous treacherous ministers and villains in the history of the country were pursuing this.

Zhao listened and laughed.

Lu Gongzhu suddenly thought of something and turned around to ask, "Madam, how are these two rebellious sons, Lu Xizhe and Lu Xichun, doing at home today?"

Zhao said, "I don't know what happened to my eldest brother (Lü Xizhe) and my second brother (Lü Xichun) today. They didn't even go out and just read in their own yard..."

"He also ordered someone to deliver the abacus..."

Lu Gongzhu nodded and felt relieved.

Although each of his three sons had a rebellious mind.

But when it comes to filial piety, there is nothing to say.

This is also what makes him most happy.

……

When Lu Gongzhu arrived at Han's mansion, it was just before the hour of Hai.

When Han Jiang heard that Lu Gongzhu had arrived, he brought his family and personally opened the middle gate to greet him, which was a great honor.

Lu Gongzhu was invited into the mansion and into the back house of Han's mansion.

Han Jiang invited Lu Gongzhu to his favorite elegant room, then dismissed his attendants and left only the maid outside the door, waiting to be called at any time.

After many years, the two old friends got the chance to meet alone again.

Han Jiang was very happy. He personally invited Lu Gongzhu to the guest seat and then made tea for him.

Watch the milky white tea soup take shape after your careful cooking.

Han Jiang was in a good mood. He scooped out a bowl and brought it to Lu Gongzhu's desk: "Uncle Hui, have a taste and see if my tea-making skills have improved."

Lu Gongzhu nodded, took the teacup, and gently stirred it with the spoon. He watched the tea soup create ripples on the glaze of the teacup, and praised: "Zihua's tea-making skills have improved a lot!"

He picked up the teacup and took a sip.

A rich sweet aroma mixed with tea and a light milky aroma spreads in your mouth.

Lu Gongzhu looked at Han Jiang in astonishment: "Mr. Zihua added icing sugar and fresh milk?"

Han Jiang smiled and nodded: "This is a new tea-making technique introduced to me by Zhang Zihou in his letter!"

"Boil tea with icing sugar and fresh milk. The tea soup is not only sweet and rich, but also has a better color than other teas!"

"Not only that, drinking this tea regularly can refresh your mind, relieve fatigue and relieve sleepiness..."

"Uncle Hui can try it later!"

When Lu Gongzhu heard this, his eyes lit up.

He is old and his energy is not as good as before.

If you add icing sugar and fresh milk, it can be refreshing, but he should drink more.

So he thanked her, "Thank you, Mr. Zihua, for your guidance."

Han Jiang scooped a bowl for himself, then sat opposite Lu Gongzhu. After taking a sip, he asked, "Uncle Hui is in the palace to see the emperor today. You should know what Zhang Zihou and Zhao Gongcai are doing, right?"

Lu Gongzhu nodded and said, "Today I have just learned that Prime Minister Zihua has a great relationship with the government... I am amazed by his talent and I wish to emulate Cao Shen's example..."

In the early Han Dynasty, Cao Shen succeeded Xiao He as prime minister.

When he was in office, he continued almost all of Xiao He's policies, thus leaving behind the allusion of "Xiao rules and Cao suits".

Over the past thousand years, there have been very few people who have been able to do this.

You can even say no!
Han Jiang smiled: "Uncle Hui, there is no need to do this."

He said meaningfully: "Assisting the emperor and bringing peace to the world is a blessing for you and me!"

"Uncle Hui doesn't have to follow me in everything...you should have your own ideas and methods..."

Of course, Lu Gongzhu understood what Han Jiang meant.

He and Han Jiang were both prime ministers during special periods.

It was a stopgap measure when the emperor was young and incompetent, unable to rule the country himself, and the two empresses were behind the scenes but could not win the support of the people.

During their terms of office, both of them have a great deal of freedom to play their roles.

However, after Lu Gongzhu's term of office ends, it is very likely that the situation in the court will enter a new era.

The person who succeeds Lu Gongzhu will no longer have this freedom. Even if the emperor is willing, the ministers will not agree.

It should be understood that even now, inside and outside the court, there are a large number of people who are ready to support the emperor to take power anytime and anywhere.

These guys even dare to offend the two Empresses in the Palace.

Are you afraid of offending a mere prime minister?
Therefore, the prime ministers of the future will no longer be able to hold great power like them, or even have the authority of a sub-king!

At the very least, the appointment of officials in the prefectures and counties of the country and the methods and means of enforcing national laws were decided by them in the capital.

Lü Gongzhu then bowed his hands and thanked him, saying, "Mr. Zihua, you are a true gentleman."

Han Jiang shook his head: "I am not as upright as Uncle Hui thinks!"

He is a person with a lot of problems.

He is greedy for fame, power and money.

how...

The government really grasped his weak spot.

After him, the Han family lost many talented people and his descendants were useless.

Rashly embark on a career in politics?
I'm afraid I'll be like Han Zongdao, being used as a gun by others, but foolishly thinking I'm proud of myself.

Han Jiang had already given up hope on his sons and grandsons.

He can only place his hopes on the fourth generation.

But he was too old and could not wait for his great-grandson to grow up and pass the imperial examination.

At this time, the emperor brought his grandson Han Yu with him as his study companion.

Although Han Yu is not cut out to be an official, he is honest and smart.

Following the official, he learned a lot of skills and, with the official's instruction, began to learn arithmetic.

This is cultivation!

Thinking of this, Han Jiang said, "I won't be polite to Uncle Hui anymore!"

"Today I invited Uncle Hui to my house, but I was ordered to explain the matter of the pawnshop to Uncle Hui..."

Lu Gongzhu raised his head and looked at Han Jiang, somewhat confused.

Pawnshop?

Didn’t the government already explain this to him today?

Han Jiang smiled and said, "There are some things that the government cannot easily tell you."

"After all, the emperor is a wise and benevolent ruler..."

"I am the only one who can be the bad guy!"

Lu Gongzhu's expression suddenly became serious. He bowed solemnly and said, "May I ask for your advice, Lord Zihua!"

Han Jiang nodded and said, "Uncle Hui, do you know why the government has delayed the purchase of the pawnshop until now?"

Lu Gongzhu shook his head.

Since September last year, the Pawnshops have basically merged all the pawnshops in temples in Beijing.

A large number of monks were retained as officials, and they should have been bought out immediately.

But for some reason, the buying at the pawnshop was only heard but not seen.

That is to say, the government has a very good reputation, otherwise those who want to buy in would have already been making a fuss behind the scenes.

Even so, many people were still worried that the imperial court would not be willing to make the purchase.

After all, after absorbing all the pawnshops, the Pawnshop has become the goose that lays golden eggs.

"The government has delayed this until now... because it is for Uncle Hui's consideration..."

"A new official must have achievements when he takes office. This purchase is the achievement prepared for Uncle Hui!"

Lu Huishu was immediately moved, and bowed towards the direction of the imperial city, saying: "Your Majesty, I will repay your grace with my life!"

Han Jiang waited for Lu Gongzhu to finish his ceremony before continuing, "Other than that, we still have to wait for Lingjinyuan and the candy shop to start selling!"

"Only when cotton cloth from Lingjinyuan and sugar from the sugar house appear on the market...will the pawnshop rush to buy them!"

Lu Gongzhu frowned and asked, "Why?"

"Because..." Han Jiang said solemnly, "The emperor hopes that the people who buy and pawn the houses can release the wealth they have accumulated at designated locations under the command and arrangement of the governor!"

"We can't ask them to use the money to lend to ordinary people and poor families!"

"Tell them to take the money and invest it in workshops and factories!"

"We need this money to hire people to make various machines and produce various goods..."

"Only in this way can the pawnshops benefit the people and the country, instead of becoming a pest and cancer to the country!"

"Therefore..."

"Uncle Hui has a heavy responsibility!"

"We need to teach them a lesson from time to time, so that they will be obedient and follow the will of the governor!"

Lü Gongzhu listened and widened his eyes: "How is this possible?"

Who are the people who rush to buy things at pawnshops?

Those with the surname Cao, Liu, Wang, Yang...

And behind these people are the figures of military officials.

How could these guys possibly be obedient?

If they had been obedient, there wouldn't have been so many unexpected incidents and problems during the Xining Reform.

Han Jiang chuckled and said, "So, this requires Uncle Hui to beat them up!"

“Correct their behavior and set them on the right path.”

"If someone goes astray, Uncle Hui should wake them up in time."

"It really doesn't work... The Imperial Academy is still a big place, it can accommodate enough traitors who don't listen to the teachings of the saints and disrespect the laws of the country!"

Lu Gong listened and let out a sigh of relief.

Too much learning?
The two precedents of the imperial son-in-law Guo Xianqing and the former governor Wu Anchi opened up a new track for dealing with meritorious military officials in the Song Dynasty.

You are a traitor, you have corrupted social order, you have disregarded the law, you do not follow the teachings of saints, and you do not respect the instruction of gentlemen!
The Emperor is a virtuous man, and he has allowed you to enter the Imperial College, where you can receive the teachings of a sage. He has starved your body, tired your muscles and bones, and made you empty your mind, so that you can be moved and patient, and this will increase your strengths!
Really magnanimous.

The scholars would only give thumbs up, while those who were sent in had to kowtow and express their gratitude.

Just like Guo Xianqing and Wu Anchi.

Now, on the first and fifteenth day of every month, the two of them have to write a letter of thanks and present it to the palace to express their gratitude and thank God for the grace.

At the same time, one must carefully reflect on one's own mistakes using the teachings of the sages.

This is related to the court's evaluation of them.

One of the happiest things for the crows in the Censorate now is to find fault with the letters of thanks from Guo Xianqing and Wu Anchi on the first and fifteenth day of every month.

As a result, Guo Xianqing's level of understanding of the classics has improved by leaps and bounds in the past year.

Now, Qianqian has been disciplined into his own shape by the literati.

Even Wu Anchi has become much more honest.

Just ...

Lü Gongzhu still shook his head: "Taishigong said: The world is bustling with people because of profit, and the world is bustling with people because of profit!"

"The profits after buying at the pawnshop are too great!"

"Even the Imperial College may not be able to shock them."

"If everyone disobeys, and the law does not punish them, what can be done?"

Han Jiang smiled and said, "This is Uncle Hui's responsibility!"

"Use moral teaching to educate and guide them onto the right path!"

Lu Gongzhu looked at Han Jiang with confusion in his eyes.

Moral education?

This kind of thing is just enough to fool children.

Han Jiang said meaningfully: "A gentleman is concerned with righteousness, while a villain is concerned with profit!"

"If you grasp their demands, you can guide them to do good!"

As he spoke, Han Jiang took out a booklet from his arms and handed it to Lu Gongzhu.

(End of this chapter)