I studied in modern times

Chapter 792 Zhao Xu is becoming a performance machine

Zhao Xu took the note from Feng Jing, opened it and took a look, then laughed: "Are you so anxious, gentlemen?"

Guo Zhongxiao bowed and replied: "The governor hopes that the court can return to normal as soon as possible..."

"Yes!" Zhao Xu nodded: "Let's arrange the shifts according to what you guys want!"

"Yes!" Guo Zhongxiao bowed again and took his leave.

After Guo Zhongxiao left, Zhao Xu's eyes looked a little serious.

He ordered Feng Jing who was standing in front of him: "Feng Jing, go to the Ministry of Personnel and ask the Minister of Personnel to come to the palace to see me!"

"promise!"

……

The Ministry of Personnel was moved to the new ministry of the Shangshu in the fifth year of Yuanfeng.

The new Shangshu Province was built using the Sanbanyuan of the former Dianqiansi and some other old and abandoned official residences.

It is located on the west side of Dutang, close to the west corner tower of the imperial city.

The entire new Shangshu Province was huge in scale, with 3,100 official residences alone.

Such numerous official residences, like stars surrounding the moon, guard the capital's command hall in the very center.

The Ministry of Personnel is located on the northernmost side of the new Shangshu Province.

Therefore, Feng Jing only needed to walk out of the inner east gate and walk to the Ministry of Personnel.

When he arrived at the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Zishao had already sorted out all the necessary materials.

All of them are official documents of ministers kept in the official court.

In the Song Dynasty, the quantity, size, and shape of the edged paper used in the official certificates were directly linked to the minister's official rank.

Generally, there are two copies, one is given to the appointing official, and the other is kept in the archives of the Ministry of Personnel.

When Feng Jing arrived at Wang Zishao's command hall, he saw the ragged papers that had been sorted and put in a box.

This surprised Feng Jing greatly!

How does this young master know what the emperor is thinking?

With a mentality that was half learning and half curious, he asked: "Wang Zaojing, what are you doing?"

Wang Zishao smiled and said to Feng Jing, "I know that the governor has asked for the Queen Mother's order to introduce the ministers who are going to meet the emperor to the emperor..."

"He ordered people to take out the official certificates of ministers who had been appointed by the capital hall or appointed by the emperor himself from the official certificate office, so that the emperor could inquire about them at any time!"

As he said that, he looked at Feng Jing and asked, "Why are you here, Lord Di?"

Feng Jing was immediately filled with admiration, thinking: "No wonder this Zao Jing, despite his notorious reputation, is ahead of everyone else and is increasingly favored by the Emperor!"

He solemnly said to Wang Zishao: "Ministry of Personnel, there is an order!"

Wang Zishao immediately straightened his clothes, came to the hall, faced the direction of the Funing Hall in the inner palace, knelt down and bowed three times: "I respectfully listen to your teachings!"

"Everyone's order: summon the Minister of Personnel to the palace for an audience!"

Wang Zishao bowed again: "Yes, I will obey your orders!"

But I was delighted in my heart.

He has been in office for several months.

However, the opportunities to report work privately before the emperor are very rare.

You may not even get a turn once a month!
Therefore, every opportunity is precious.

After standing up, Wang Zishao smiled and quietly put a piece of paper into Feng Jing's hand, and whispered, "I beg you to give me some advice..."

"Is the emperor's decision today related to the ministers' audience records reported by the capital?"

Feng Jing did not speak, but stuffed the note into his sleeve, then turned around and said, "Since Zao Jing has received the order, please follow me!"

How smart is Wang Zishao? He understood it immediately!

It is indeed related to Todou Jin's shift to meet with the ministers.

He immediately picked up his box containing a large number of certificates and quickly followed Feng Jing.

Along the way, he always kept a distance of about three steps from Feng Jing.

It was not until they arrived at the Funing Palace and Feng Jing asked him to wait in front of the East Shangge Gate to be summoned that Feng Jing finally whispered to him: "Zao Jing... the audience shift arranged by the Tongjiansi has been approved..."

Wang Zishao immediately looked at Feng Jing with gratitude.

This suggestion is worth a thousand gold!
This means that what the emperor cares about is most likely related to the first batch of ministers arranged by the Tongjiansi to come to the court.

In this way, he would specifically strengthen his memory of the relevant aspects before meeting the emperor.

A quarter of an hour later, Feng Jing came out of the Funing Palace and said to him, "Zao Jing, everyone has an imperial decree. Please come to the East Hall Quiet Room to see the emperor!"

"Yes!" Wang Zishao bowed again towards the east hall of Funing Palace: "I will obey your command!"

He followed Feng Jing, entered the Funing Palace through the corridor of the East Upper Gate, and was then brought into the East Hall of the Funing Palace.

This place now has the function of the central government of the Song Dynasty.

Because every time the emperor discussed matters with his ministers, he almost always chose this place.

Especially the status of the East Hall Quiet Room, which becomes increasingly important.

No one knows how much was done in that small room.

But everyone knows that the importance of that place is increasing day by day.

Although Wang Zishao had been summoned to question the emperor many times before.

However, this was the first time he was brought to this currently recognized center, to the quiet room that could even decide the fate of the prime minister.

So, he was somewhat nervous.

Before entering the door, Wang Zishao took a deep breath, then bravely stepped through the heavy curtain and entered the small quiet room.

As soon as he entered the door, the first thing he smelled was a faint scent of pine.

This kind of rosin is very common rosin.

Many wealthy families in Bianjing would smoke this kind of cigarette at home.

The market price is only a dozen coins per catty.

This shocked Wang Zishao deeply!

Because today's officials are not just talking about frugality.

He really practices what he preaches!

The appearance of a large number of royal incense and medicines on the market in the past two years is a clear proof of this!

As a result, the prices of borneol and agarwood plummeted in two years.

Now in the market of Bian Jing, the price of one tael of borneol is almost catching up with the low point in the first year of Xining - the price of borneol in Bian Jing that year collapsed, and the market price of one tael was as low as one thousand four hundred wen.

The reason for the avalanche in the borneol market that year was a natural disaster - a forest fire broke out in Yingzhou, the production area of ​​borneol, burning countless catalpa trees. After the catalpa trees were burned by the fire, borneol was left all over the mountains.

A large amount of borneol entered the market, directly causing the price of borneol to collapse.

The current price of borneol has dropped to a little over two guan per tael, less than one thousand six hundred wen.

The reason why the price is so low is that the largest consumer and stock center of borneol, the Inner Fragrance and Medicine Storehouse of the Song Dynasty, began to sell off a large amount of its stock of spices.

There is more than just borneol at the big sale at Neixiang Medicine Store.

The prices of all luxury spices have been falling over the past few years.

The royal family was clearing out its own stock of spices and medicines.

This can prove to the government and the public the royal family's determination to promote frugality better than any propaganda!
This is also the reason why many old party scholars and officials, although dissatisfied with the fact that the new party occupied many key positions and the new laws were not completely abolished, did not, as they did in the past, pretend to obey the court but actually disobey it.

Because, in the eyes of these people, the current officials not only did not meet their wishes, but also wiped out the New Party and the New Laws and completely deposed them.

In everything else, it seemed like I was in sync with them.

He is simply a model of a wise ruler straight out of poetry and books!

The Zhang Dunli case further deepened the views of the old party scholars and officials. The criminal Zhang Dunli had committed such a serious crime!
The emperor still wants to give him dignity!

Even Zhang Dunli’s parents and brothers were not implicated - they were simply exiled.

Other people involved in the case, such as Xiu Zai monk from Fayun Temple, were also very generous.

All they did was confiscate his property and sentence him to behead.

The household registration of his entire family was not cancelled!

He also issued an edict, ordering Kaifeng Prefecture to return the money owed by Zhang Dunli to Wang Jing and Chang Shan in the name of Princess Shoukang.

After all, in the past thousand years, who has ever seen the emperor take out the money from his own pocket and return it to the people?

As a result, the credibility of the pawnshops that were about to be bought out soared among the people.

Many merchants in the hukou area began to deposit their money in pawnshops.

This has also led to a rise in the popularity of pawnshops.

While thinking about these things, Wang Zishao heard the voice of the official sitting in the quiet room: "Is Zao Jing here?"

Wang Zishao was startled, and quickly faced the curtain and bowed four times: "Your Highness Shao, the Minister of Personnel, respectfully wishes the Emperor good health!"

"Bless me!" the official said, "Get up now!"

"Feng Jing, give Zao Jing a seat and some tea."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" Wang Zishao bowed again and stood up, carefully sitting on a porcelain stool brought by Feng Jing. Then he took the tea that was offered to him and took a sip.

The next second, Wang Zishao's body shuddered.

Because, the official behind the curtain suddenly asked, "Zao Jing, has Minister Wang sent any letters to the capital recently?"

His benefactor, Wang Anshi, is currently living in seclusion in Jiangning as the Minister of Works and Duke of Jing.

and so……

Has the government been paying silent attention to Prime Minister En?
and so……

The government really supports the New Party!
After being shocked, Wang Zishao was filled with joy.

He immediately said, "Your Majesty, I will inform you that Wang Sikong is now in Jiangning, promoting education and teaching, gathering poor scholars from all over the world, and wanting to emulate the saints in teaching everyone!"

"I have written to the Minister of Works, asking to return to Jiangning and become a teacher at the Minister of Works Academy..."

"But the Minister of Works does not allow it. I will stay in the court and be loyal to Your Majesty and the country!"

This is how he flatters himself.

This year, Wang Anshi came back to power in Jiangning and began to promote education.

He wrote a letter and politely expressed his respect and support.

Wang Anshi did write back to him and expressed his gratitude politely.

Nothing else.

After all, Wang Zishao had never made any achievements or gained any reputation in the study of classics.

He is a fan of officials.

Official-obsessed people who will do anything for advancement.

Back then, in order not to affect his career, he kept his parents’ death a secret.

Then he was caught by Zhang Shangying and severely impeached, and was convicted and demoted.

Generally speaking, such civil officials who were accused of being unfilial had a hard time making a living in the officialdom of the Song Dynasty.

But, Wang Zishao is worthy of being a Yanei.

The skills of upward management are extremely solid.

Within a few years, he was promoted back to the court thanks to his solid political achievements and strong research ability.

However, because he was so good at upward management, his reputation was ruined among the scholars!
At the beginning, Xining was known as the "Ten Diamonds".

Today, of the "Ten Diamonds" from that time, only Wang Zishao and Deng Wan remain.

The other eight people were either indistinguishable from the crowd or already dead.

It can be seen what Wang Zishao is capable of!
Zhao Xu knew all about these things.

Therefore, he just reminded: "Sikong is a talent reserve for the country, I highly appreciate him!"

"Zao Jing is in the Ministry of Personnel. He should pay more attention to the talents in Sikong Academy!"

"Don't let the wise be left alone in the wild!"

"We should promote the virtuous, regardless of our relationship!"

Wang Zishao immediately bowed with joy and said, "I will follow your teachings!"

People like Wang Zishao are never afraid of difficulties.

What he feared most was not understanding the preferences of his superiors and was worried that he would accidentally flatter the horse's leg.

Therefore, since taking office, he has been carefully completing the tasks of the capital, while trying every means to understand the intentions of the palace.

However, Zhao Xu rarely expressed his views on the new or old parties.

So, he was more or less maintaining his balance.

Only those who clearly have a backer or have clearly offended the government will be treated specially.

Now that the government has relented, he naturally knows what to do, right?

All the academic officials recommended by Jiangning were given the green light!

Those who deserve promotion will be promoted, and those who deserve promotion will be promoted!
The government has said that we should not let talented people be left out in the wild! We should also promote talented people regardless of their kinship!

At the same time, Wang Zishao also knew that the emperor had always cared about his benefactors.

"It seems that I will have to write more letters to Jiangning in the future..."

"It just so happens that my two youngest sons are both old enough to go to school. It would be perfect to send them to Jiangning and let them study under Prime Minister En!"

……

Zhao Xu only mentioned Wang Anshi's arrangement in a simple sentence and never mentioned it again.

For him, greeting Wang Zishao was the first step in rewarding Wang Anshi for following his wishes and gathering a large number of mathematics scholars to establish Jiangning Academy.

Wang Anshi must continue to achieve results before he can continue to receive other rewards.

To Zhao Xu now, both the old and new parties are treated equally in his eyes - they are all equally exploited and pua by him!

Those who cannot be exploited and PUA by him are worthless and must be optimized away.

For example, Fan Zhen - he refused to even give Zhao Xu any advantage.

It's so bad!

Therefore, Zhao Xu simply conferred the title of Duke of Shu on this veteran and sent him away.

Of course, Zhao Xu, who had studied in modern times for ten years, knew very well that ministers were like workers.

The reason why most people were willing to be exploited and PUA by him was purely because Zhao Xu could bring honor to their families, get promoted and make money.

Therefore, Zhao Xu was never stingy in rewarding his ministers.

Especially when it comes to those honors that don’t cost money, he has always been generous!
He is increasingly evolving into a ruthless performance machine.

Ministers feed in their political achievements and merits, and what they spit out in return are definitely official titles and treatment.

Similarly, if anyone acts recklessly or does something wrong, Zhao Xu will definitely punish them accordingly.

Therefore, Zhao Xu said to Wang Zishao straight to the point: "Today, the capital sent the list of ministers who will meet with the emperor tomorrow..."

"Some of them, I am not familiar with..."

"You are my mirror, I want to ask you about these people's resumes, backgrounds and reputations..."

Wang Zishao immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, if you ask me, I will tell you everything I know!"

(End of this chapter)