I studied in modern times

Chapter 760 Lu Xun is right.

Under the guidance of Feng Jing, Wen Yanbo walked into the study room in the east pavilion of Funing Palace.

As soon as he entered the door, he smelled a faint smell of ink.

He raised his head slightly and saw a figure in a brown-yellow uniform standing in front of the wall of the study, looking at something.

"Your old minister Yanbo..." Wen Yanbo bowed slightly and said, "I respectfully wish Your Majesty the best of health!"

"The Grand Tutor is here!" Zhao Xu turned around and looked at Wen Yanbo, with a look of surprise on his face. He called Feng Jing, "Feng Jing, quickly move a chair for the Grand Tutor and prepare some tea and snacks. It's rare for the Grand Tutor to come to the palace, so I have to have a good talk with him."

Feng Jing immediately brought people to move a chair behind Wen Yanbo, and then carefully helped him sit down.

There were also female officials who brought cooked tea and snacks.

After Wen Yanbo sat down, he first expressed his gratitude.

Then, he saw a huge chart hanging on the wall in front of Zhao Xu.

Unfortunately, he is old and his eyesight is not very good. He can no longer see the things on the wall as clearly as he used to.

He didn't dare to ask, so he could only try hard to look at the chart.

Charts and graphs are now a necessary skill for officials in the city of Bianjing.

Because the emperor is using and looking at this thing.

If you don't use it, if you don't watch it, then not only are you behind the times, but you are also politically incorrect - what? Don't you want to be on the same page with the emperor?

And veteran officials like Wen Yanbo studied intensively to improve their relevant knowledge.

So, he could barely see that there were people's names written on the chart, and next to the names were groups of numbers.

Seeing this, Zhao Xu asked, "Grandmaster, are you interested in my icon?"

Wen Yanbo quickly asked, "How dare this old minister spy on you?"

Zhao Xu laughed and explained, "To be honest with you, Grand Master, this is a scoring table I made for the censors of the Censorate and the censors of the Court of Remonstrance!"

"The scores will be based on the frequency of submissions, the number of times they submit their letters, and the reliability and truthfulness of their statements..."

"..." Wen Yanbo swallowed, quickly picked up the teacup, and took a sip of tea to hide his astonishment.

Although, he didn't know the emperor's scoring and evaluation criteria.

But just the content that was revealed is terrifying enough.

Because the emperor has said it with all his might - this is a scoring sheet for the censors of the Censorate and the Imperial Censors.

Scores will be given based on the frequency, number of submissions, content and quality of the submissions.

Sounds reasonable, right?

But as an old bureaucrat, Wen Yanbo knew very well what similar things would eventually become.
It will definitely evolve into a system where one relies on piling up numbers to gain prominence!

The truth is simple.

The emperor's energy is limited. It is impossible, he has no way, and he does not have the patience to read all the impeachments.

At this time, if smart censors wanted to stand out, they only needed to rely on numbers.

After all, it’s never wrong to be diligent in doing the king’s work!

Zhao Xu saw Wen Yanbo's worry, he smiled slightly, and came to about three steps in front of Wen Yanbo.

Feng Jing immediately brought a chair that was specially made for him and suited to his height.

Zhao Xu sat down and sat face to face with Wen Yanbo.

This is how rulers and their subjects have talked since ancient times.

Before the Song Dynasty, even in the court, the prime minister and generals could sit down and talk with the emperor.

He looked at the age spots on Wen Yanbo's face and his eyes that were still full of shrewdness.

Wen Yanbo immediately lowered his head in surprise.

"Is Grand Tutor worried that the censors will use a flood-like approach to gain prominence here?" Zhao Xu asked.

Wen Yanbo cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, there is no one more wise than you!"

Wen Yanbo and Bao Zheng were good friends. In Wen Yanbo's memory, even when Bao Zheng was alive, he would try every means to exploit loopholes in the system to create opportunities for himself.

Therefore, in official circles, it is human nature to exploit loopholes in the system itself to profit for oneself!
Regardless of wise or foolish, noble or humble, good or evil.

"I did this on purpose!" Zhao Xu replied with a smile.

"Grand Master, do you think that if someone keeps submitting meaningless memorials for a long time, will I still read his memorials?"

So, this is a sting operation!

Wen Yanbo had this thought almost subconsciously.

This is very Emperor Zhao!
Because successive Zhao emperors always tried to find ways to test their subjects, PUA them, and discipline them into the shape of imperial power.

Although many people have tried to fight against it.

For example, Fan Wencheng back then.

However, since the New Deal of Qingli, Fan Wencheng never returned to the court and never entered the two governments again!
This fact made many people wake up instantly.

If you want to enter the two governments, want to govern the country, and want to realize your political ambitions, you must kneel!

Don’t want to kneel, want to enter the two palaces standing?
no way!

At least, this is not possible in front of a mature Emperor Zhao.

Therefore, this is why Wang Anshi had to live in seclusion in Jiangning after being dismissed from his position as prime minister for the second time.

He actually wanted to assist in the administration while standing? He even considered himself a teacher and a minister!

Since Yuanyou, there have been many examples of people entering the two governments while standing.

There was even a system of selecting and electing the ruling party.

This made Chinese and foreign scholars and officials happy and encouraged, and they all believed that good times had come and everyone would live a good life.

But now it seems...

As the young master grew older, the characteristics unique to the Zhao officials began to awaken.

Wen Yanbo could only say, "Your Majesty is wise and wise...but this will inevitably lead to the loss of ministers."

Zhao Xu nodded: "So, I didn't force the censors to write something meaningful in every note!"

"Of the three notes, at least one of them should be interesting enough for me to read, right?"

"Your Majesty..." Wen Yanbo hesitated for a while and finally chose to ask, "You are still young and it is the time for you to grow..."

"This old minister is risking his life to make this suggestion..."

"If Your Majesty reads every memorial... it may harm His Majesty's body!"

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "Thank you for your concern, Grand Master."

"However, Grand Master, I'm afraid you don't know that I rarely read specific impeachment documents."

"Only those selected and meaningful notes will be sent to me..."

Wen Yanbo couldn't help but take another sip of tea.

He heard that in this imperial city, there was an institution dedicated to reading the impeachments of the Censorate to the emperor.

only……

Wen Yanbo couldn't help but frown, thinking: "Why haven't I heard the rumors?"

"Could it be a eunuch?" His eyes swept over Feng Jing who was beside Zhao Xu.

He immediately denied this possibility.

Within the system of the Song Dynasty, it was impossible and dared not for the eunuchs to do this.

Once discovered, the government and the public will attack him.

Moreover, given the current emperor's cunning and temperament, it is impossible for him to allow his eunuchs to be contaminated by this power - everyone knows that the current emperor likes history?

Every time the imperial lecture was held in the Jiying Hall, he would discuss historical stories with the imperial lecture officials.

However, the history books clearly record in black and white how the eunuchs of the Han and Tang dynasties seized power, relied on the power of the emperor, and even used slaves to bully their masters.

and many more……

Jiying Palace!
Wen Yanbo suddenly woke up!
yes……

How long has it been since there was any news about the imperial lecture in Jiying Hall?

Especially after the first month of this year, the system of prime ministers and elders attending lectures in the Jiying Hall on the first and fifteenth day of every month was abolished.

This was a sign that the emperor was now able to govern independently.

Since then, nothing that happened in Jiying Palace has been leaked again.

No one knows what happened at the imperial lecture. The outside world can only get a glimpse of it through the records of the attendant.

The recorder would only record the content of the imperial lecture.

It's just about who was the lecturer today and what did he say?
Since the current emperor attended the imperial lecture, there would be an hour or even longer discussion time after the lecture.

This kind of discussion initially focused on the meaning of the classics, and gradually developed to national affairs and political affairs.

This was also the reason why the whole country and the government began to support the emperor's personal rule - an emperor who often expressed his opinions on state affairs and government affairs in the imperial lectures, and his words were meaningful, and he even repeatedly made "benevolent and wise words".

Of course, it must be supported.

Last year, the emperor, the imperial lecturer, his companions, the prime minister, and the elders sat in the imperial lecture and discussed the Dao.

This year, will we discuss it directly with the relevant notes?

What about even letting the imperial lecturers directly assist the emperor in reviewing relevant documents?
Probably!

Wasn't the Shangshu Tai of the Han Dynasty originally an institution in the inner court that handled relevant documents and trivial matters for the Han emperors?
and then?
The chief official of the Secretariat, the Shangshu Ling, became the de facto prime minister!

Wen Yanbo also held the title of imperial tutor and was a member of the imperial lecture staff.

But he seldom went to the imperial lectures, and he had not been there once this year.

Not only him, but other ministers and elders with the titles of tutor and lecturer also tacitly chose not to attend the imperial lecture after it was reopened this year.

So...would you like to find an opportunity to attend the imperial lecture in Jiying Hall?

Wen Yanbo rejected this idea almost immediately.

Decades of official career have taught him that curiosity is the biggest enemy of politics!
So Wen Yanbo stopped nagging about this issue and just said, "If that's the case, I'll be relieved."

Zhao Xu smiled and asked, "Grand Master, are you coming to the palace today? Is there anything you want to tell me?"

Wen Yanbo thought for a moment, then stood up tremblingly, leaning on a few sticks, and bowed to Zhao Xu, saying, "Your Majesty, I heard that Your Majesty has issued an imperial decree to appoint the governor of Huangzhou, Ji, as the governor of the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau, and the governor of Yingzhou, Taifu, as the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice and the chief judge of the Dali Temple?"

"That's true!" Zhao Xu smiled and asked, "Grand Master, do you have any doubts about this?"

He was curious now.

When Pu Zongmeng returns to Beijing, what will be the reaction of the government and the public?
Anyway, Zhao Xu had already hidden himself beautifully in this matter - it was the two palaces who issued the decree to summon Pu Zongmeng back to Beijing to report on his work.

Moreover, it did not pass through the three provinces at all, but went directly inland.

Therefore, if nothing unexpected happens, by the time the court officials know about this matter, Pu Zongmeng will probably have already arrived in Bian Jing.

The matter has been settled and there is nothing we can do but be furious.

Wen Yanbo bowed again and said, "How dare I!"

"I just have a few words that I would like to present to Your Majesty in person. Please consider your consideration."

"Yes!" Zhao Xu stood up, helped Wen Yanbo and asked him to sit down again, saying, "Grand Master, please speak. I am all ears!"

After more than two years of working together, he, Wen Yanbo and Zhang Fangping have already formed a tacit understanding.

After Wen Yanbo was helped to sit down by Zhao Xu, he first thanked him and then said, "Your Majesty..."

"I am Ji, the governor of Huangzhou. I have never met him and I don't know him well, so it's hard for me to comment..."

"But I know that Yingzhou Chen Taifu is an old official under my old tutelage!"

"To be honest with you, Your Majesty, I still recognize the ability of this minister!"

"But in terms of criminal justice, there are only five people today who can match him!"

He was a powerful figure during the Xining and Yuanfeng eras.

Cui Taifu's professional level is naturally beyond doubt!
But it is precisely because of this that he is feared by others.

Because this person is actually neither a member of the New Party nor of the Old Party, but a pure Imperial Party.

Moreover, they are the imperial party that has no bottom line and only obeys the emperor's orders!
Therefore, in the past few days, the prime minister and ministers have been discussing privately, and everyone thinks that the emperor should recall Yang Ji and Cui Taifu.

If all of them were rejected, the emperor would probably have no way out.

It is easy to cause bad influence and give villains an opportunity to take advantage - the villains here refer to other people in their team.

Because everyone suspected that if the emperor decided to force the appointment, he might even vent his anger on his ministers.

Then before the blow is struck, someone will desert and run to the imperial party camp to stab the big guys in the back!

There is no doubt about this.

This has always been the case in our country!
A typical example is the Puyi discussion back then - it was clearly agreed upon, but everyone opposed it.

As a result, when they arrived at the court, Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu directly defected!

What uncle?
It’s clearly the Emperor’s test!
You traitors, you still want to threaten the king?
We, the loyal ones, will defend the king's way to the death!

Fight with you to the end!
Under the laws of this dark forest, no one can guarantee that the other party will not stab them in the back.

They didn't even dare to guarantee that they would not suddenly turn against the emperor and fight for his sake in exchange for their own positions and wealth.

no way!
The emperor can give so much.

The only option is to choose the lesser of two evils, since Yang Ji is the water supervisor anyway.

It just so happens that he is very good at water control and dust removal.

It can be regarded as making the best use of everything.

However, as Cui Taifu served as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the Minister of the Dali Temple, he had to find a way to persuade the emperor to revoke his order.

In fact, even in this matter, many people have unstable positions and are ready to jump ship at any time if the situation turns bad.

This is especially true for Wen Yanbo.

Because he had to be on guard against that old villain Zhang Fangping.

He was really worried that if he angered the emperor after entering the palace, the old man Zhang Fangping would seize the opportunity and immediately express his support.

Then he gave Zhang Fangping the opportunity for nothing!
This was absolutely unacceptable to Wen Yanbo - Zhang Fangping was just Han Qi's younger brother.

When Han Qi was alive, it would have been fine to suppress him.

Han Qi is dead, but he is still suppressed by his younger brother?
Then hasn’t Wen Yanbo wasted these decades in vain?
With this mentality, Wen Yanbo carefully chose his words and observed Zhao Xu's expression: "It's just... Your Majesty doesn't know..."

"This minister has made countless enemies among the scholars..."

"I don't know how many people resent him..."

After carefully studying what happened when Lu Gongzhu entered the palace to persuade Cui Taifu that day, Wen Yanbo already knew that it was useless to attack Cui Taifu's character and morality in front of the emperor.

In fact, it will only backfire!

Because Wen Yanbo has been observing Zhao Xu's use of people in the past two years.

He easily discovered that the young master's way of employing people was quite similar to that of Wei Wu.

Just do the work, and never care about their character or personal morality.

You are like Shen Kuo, Cai Jing, Jia Zhongmin...

Which one of them is not notorious in Shilin?

However, the young master still trusts and uses him!

Especially Cai Jing, who served as the acting governor of Kaifeng Prefecture for a longer period than any other acting governor of Kaifeng Prefecture in history!

Although, this is because the young master is the one actually in charge of the government of Kaifeng.

But, without sufficient trust and ample favor from the emperor, how could Cai Jing have continued to serve in Kaifeng Prefecture?

Therefore, Wen Yanbo simply did not talk about Cui Taifu's character and morality.

Instead, we should take a different approach and start from human nature.

He looked at Zhao Xu and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty is lucky to have Cui Yingzhou and wants to use him!"

"But I am worried that your majesty's love might harm Cui Yingzhou!"

"And Cui Yingzhou is an old official under my command, so I have no choice but to speak up and ask Your Majesty to revoke your order!"

Zhao Xu listened and pondered for a long time before saying, "Grandmaster, what you said makes sense!"

"I just didn't think it through!"

Zhao Xu had no intention of actually appointing Cui Taifu as the Minister of Dali Temple and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Because he knew the resistance to this matter.

Therefore, there is no need to disrupt the political situation in the government and the opposition for Cui Taifu.

At the beginning, he used Cui Tai Fu to intimidate court officials.

Looking back now, what Lu Xun said was indeed right.

You see, now everyone agrees with Zhao Xu to open the window.

(End of this chapter)