I studied in modern times

Chapter 794: Zhao Xu in the eyes of the old ministers.

After listening carefully to Wang Zishao's introduction, Zhao Xu leaned back on the cushion, thinking about Zhang Wen's resume.

A rising star who had already become a Jinshi in the Song Dynasty imperial examination more than forty years ago.

A veteran official who rose and fell in local government over the next forty years.

Zhao Xu's fingers moved slightly.

Lao Deng and his ilk are indeed a bit annoying most of the time.

Because they are stubborn, conservative, and live in the old days.

This Zhang Wen is also average.

But on the other hand, these people's experience in officialdom and at the grassroots level is far beyond the reach of the younger generation.

For example, Wen Yanbo, Zhang Fangping and Feng Jing are the three old masters.

Don't look at them as they are already very old.

However, many things happening in the court now really cannot be separated from these old men.

To sort out a feudal dynasty like the Song Dynasty, which was full of layers of structure, what is needed is experience.

If you rush into something without experience, you will inevitably be in a mess, and it will also give people many opportunities to take shortcuts and take advantage of others.

The Xining Reforms failed here!
Since Lao Deng and others did not cooperate, Wang Anshi had no foundation.

You can only promote people quickly, and at the beginning you have to examine their abilities and observe their character.

In the end, what ability? What character?
None of it matters!

What matters is loyalty!

Therefore, the further back you go, the greater the resistance, and the lower the efficiency.

Even Wang Anshi had to exit the stage in disgrace.

So, Zhao Xu knew it after he woke up in Qingning Palace.

He must first cooperate with these old Dengs.

Because we want to sort out the twists and turns in the Bianjing swamp and steer this huge, bloated and deformed bureaucratic system into a new era.

We must get the support, cooperation and help of these people.

At least we cannot force these people to turn against us and tear the entire country apart.

Thinking about these things, Zhao Xu moved his fingers and thought to himself: "What Zhang Wen wants, I can naturally give him..."

Zhang Wen is seventy-five years old this year.

An old minister of this age should have retired to the countryside and lived out his retirement in leisure.

But he still worked tirelessly in the officialdom.

Then he must be asking for something.

Come to think of it!

More than forty years ago, that high-spirited scholar must have imagined going in and out of the two governments with an umbrella in hand, right?
But over the past few decades, he has been going against the prime minister in power.

They can only waste their time in the world and wander around the states and counties.

He must be unconvinced and unwilling to accept it.

Now, he has reached the twilight of his life, and Zhao Xu can roughly guess what he wants.

He can give it too.

The issue is……

"But is he willing to give me what I want?" Zhao Xu thought.

This is a problem!
Because this person has been going against the people in power for the past few decades.

He has been objecting!

He opposes everything he thinks is wrong.

Facts have repeatedly proved that he is right.

Will he have psychological problems in the long run?

Zhao Xu thought about it and asked Wang Zishao: "Zao Jing...Has Zhang Wen been active in the capital since he came to the capital?"

Wang Zishao replied: "Your Majesty, I have heard people say that after returning to the capital, I have been to the Imperial College several times... I have also visited the Bianjing Academy..."

"It is said that... the former Minister of the Central Secretariat once met him in the Chaojiyuan, and it is said that the two of them discussed some matters related to elementary school..."

After Shu Tan returned to Beijing, he lived in Chaojiyuan.

This little Lu Bu of the Song Dynasty did not run around to seek official positions or visit friends after returning to Beijing. Instead, he stayed in the Bianliang Academy and seemed very curious about the elementary school and primers in the Bianliang Academy.

I don’t know if he is pretending or he really likes education.

However, a report from Mingzhou said that after Shu Tan retired to his hometown, he hung a plaque at home with the words "Lazy Hall" inscribed on it.

He stayed at home every day, teaching his students in the village to read, and never asked about state affairs or government politics. Over the years, he had many students in Mingzhou.

The locals respectfully call him: Mr. Shu!

It seems that he is really interested in deepening his involvement in education and educating people.

Now, he is hanging out with Zhang Wen again?
Thinking of this, Zhao Xu nodded and no longer cared about this matter. He just took a pen and wrote a line of shorthand on the chopping board in front of him - Zhang Wen [Zhong Shiheng's shogunate], [Old acquaintance of Lu Yijian] and other key information.

Then he picked up the audience list and asked, "Can you tell me about Gu Lin, the newly appointed Hebei Road Transport Commissioner..."

"Yes..." Wang Zishao bowed again and introduced this person's resume to Zhao Xu.

Afterwards, Zhao Xu asked about several newly appointed local supervisory officials or officials from the six ministries.

After going around in circles like this, Zhao Xu finally got to the meat of the play.

He held the audience letter and said, "Zao Jing, there is something I would like to ask you to do."

Wang Zishao immediately came up with an idea and bowed, "I respectfully listen to your command!"

"The newly appointed judge of the Law School, Cui Taifu, has been in the capital for some time... Zaojing will go to the court on my behalf to meet him and ask him what he thinks about his future as a lawyer."

This means that Wang Zishao will be in charge of the Organization Department's work.

Before important officials take up their new posts, people are sent to talk to them to get a clear picture of the situation. Then, when they are summoned, they are briefed and assigned tasks and KPIs are set.

In Zhao Xu's opinion, the law department that Cui Taifu is about to take charge of is a very important department!

Because, from now on, Zhao Xu will gradually increase his investment in law.

Although it may not be as much as Zhao Xu's investment in martial arts and mathematics.

However, one that can cultivate a large number of legal talents suitable for the future social development, especially talents in civil litigation.

In Zhao Xu's view, it is the key to the future social stability of the Song Dynasty.

After all, with the development of future business, capital and technology.

Various civil and commercial disputes are bound to emerge one after another.

As more and more people enter industry and commerce.

A legal system that conforms to public order and good morals and can adapt to the times and the level of social development also needs to be established and improved.

After all, Zhao Xu hopes that in the future, whether it is industrialists or workers, they will take up legal weapons to protect their own interests when they encounter problems.

But never lay down the law and take up arms.

If this is the case...

Once barricades are set up in the city of Bianjing, it will be no joke.

Perhaps this kind of thing cannot be stopped - after all, as long as you embark on that path, this day will come sooner or later.

But, at least for the rest of his life, Zhao Xu did not want to see barricades appear in the city of Bianjing.

Therefore, it is crucial to make people believe in the law.

"Yes!" Wang Zishao didn't know what kind of power he was taking over.
Zhao Xu looked at him and said nothing more, "Zao Jing, go ahead!"

"I bow and withdraw!"

……

Chaojiyuan.

Cui Taifu is playing chess with someone.

The person who plays chess with him can be considered an [old friend].

During the Yuanfeng era, Shu Tan and Shu Dao Xin, who had loved and hated each other, believed in each other.

In the past, the two of them fought to the death in the court for the favor of the late emperor.

But now, they gathered together again, chatting and laughing, like old friends who had not seen each other for many years.

While he was playing chess, one of Cui Taifu's followers came up to him and whispered something.

After hearing this, Cui Taifu's expression changed. He put down the chess piece, bowed his hands and apologized to Shu Tan, saying, "Brother Xindao, I'm afraid we can't continue today's game..."

Shu Tan looked at him.

Cui Taifu did not hide it from him and said, "Zao Jing from the Ministry of Personnel is here!"

"Wang Shengmei?"

"Yes!" Cui Taifu nodded.

Shu Tan said hurriedly: "Mr. Cui, please go now. I will wait for you to come back here!"

Cui Taifu bowed again and then hurried away.

Shu Tan looked at Cui Taifu's back and frowned.

Back then, Wang Zishao was just a fawning little brother in front of him.

But now, this Yanei Zuan is the official in the Ministry of Personnel. In the days when the Minister of Personnel Han Zhongyan was a hands-off manager who drank tea and read newspapers every day, he was the de facto Minister of Personnel, in charge of the selection, examination and assessment of officials throughout the country.

It can be said that the emperor has great favor!
What about him?

It has been almost a month since I came to Beijing, but I am not even on the list of people to meet the emperor.

Still in the queue.

However, it was normal for officials in the Song Dynasty to wait in line for three to five months to see the emperor.

But, he did have some ideas.

"I don't know when the governor will put my name on the list of people to meet with the emperor..."

"I don't know how long I have to wait before I have the chance to see the emperor..."

As he thought about it, he sighed.

……

When Cui Taifu returned to the yard where he lived, he saw a familiar figure standing in the yard.

"Shengmei!" He smiled and walked forward.

“Uncle Ping!” Wang Zishao straightened his clothes and stepped forward to greet him. “It’s been a long time since we last met. You are still as elegant as ever!”

Cui Taifu laughed: "Shengmei's demeanor is far better than before!"

Wang Zishao chuckled and asked, "Uncle Ping, can I have a word with you?"

Cui Taifu nodded. He could naturally guess Wang Zishao's intention of coming to see him.

It can only be the order from the palace!

Otherwise, why would this Yanei Zuan condescend to meet this old man who has been sidelined and sent to study law?
So he took Wang Zishao into a secluded room and ordered his confidant Xin Yuansui to guard outside the door and not let anyone approach.

The two of them whispered in the room for more than a quarter of an hour, and then Cui Taifu proudly escorted Wang Zishao out of the courtyard.

Wang Zishao walked to the gate of the courtyard, but suddenly stopped and asked, "Uncle Ping, do you know where the former governor of Heyang Prefecture, Zhang Gongyaju, who lives in Chaoji Courtyard, is?"

"What did Shengmei say?"

"Zhang Gongchang Fang!"

"Oh!" Cui Taifu pointed to a courtyard in the Chaoji Courtyard and said, "I heard that Mr. Zhang lives there...but he rarely goes out..."

"I just write poems and paint in the courtyard every day."

"Oh!" Wang Zishao bowed and thanked: "Thank you Uncle Ping for your guidance!"

"I dare not!" He watched Wang Zishao's figure walk towards the courtyard.

Cui Taifu's body was filled with excitement, and he even danced a little.

When the left and right Yuan Sui saw this, they were all curious: "Mingsir, is there any good news?"

"Of course!" Cui Taifu clenched his fist and said, "I will be of great use!"

I don't understand either.

Since arriving in the capital, they learned that the court had changed its mind, except for their own official being appointed as the judge of the law school. The morale of these people has plummeted in recent days.

Some people have even started looking for new employers for themselves.

no way.

Although these Yuansui were nominally hired by the court to serve the civil officials and literati.

but……

The court paid the same salary to all Yuansui.

Regardless of whether they were civil or military officials, and regardless of their official rank, they were all given two dan of rice per month.

Even this may not be realized!

Therefore, the bulk of the Yuansui’s income actually came from the rewards given by the officials they followed.

You are like the Yuansui who are beside the prime minister and the military commander. They are all treated well and receive constant rewards.

Those who want to meet these important figures will also be arranged.

But once you follow an official, you will have bad luck.

Just like the official they were following now, who was about to be exiled to study law...

The future can only be described as dark and bleak!

Because the official may not even be able to make ends meet.

Cui Taifu knew what these people were thinking, so he asked mysteriously: "What do you know?"

"Liu Mengde said: A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals living there; a river is not famous for its depth, but for the dragons living there!"

"As long as you are loved by the emperor, you will definitely be honored!"

The Yuansui listened, but most of them didn't take it seriously.

I thought the official was just making empty promises again.

They are used to it too.

Anyway, if the reward money is not paid out, they will vote with their feet.

After all, the master has treated them well over the years.

But they also have wives and children to support.

If their stomachs are flat, no matter how grateful the master is, they can only say goodbye and leave.

This is very common in the Yuan Sui group.

If they are officials or dignitaries, they will be loyal and never leave them.

Once they fall into poverty, most of them will run away immediately without any hesitation!
Therefore, scholars and officials often lamented that the world was going downhill.

But we have been living like this for the past one hundred and fifty years, so we are used to it.

……

"I, a junior, am the disciple of Wang Shengmei from Taiyuan. I pay my respects to Mr. Zhang..."

Zhang Wen took the note sent by his own Yuan Sui and muttered: "Is the official from the Ministry of Personnel doing this?"

He knew the situation in the court.

Now, the Lord is young and incompetent, and the two palaces are in power.

It seems like the woman is in charge of the country, with the prime minister assisting her.

Another era of Zhang Xian Ming Su!
In fact, this is not the case at all.

At least, according to his observation and understanding, the decision-making power of the two palaces behind the curtain on military and national affairs is in fact being gradually weakened.

The evidence is that whether it was Zhang Dun's southern expedition or the war in the northwest.

The one who really made the decision and made the final decision was the young master who was still very young.

The two palaces have no say in these matters at all.

Originally, such a thing would definitely lead to a fierce dispute between the emperor and the empress.

However, in legal terms, the legitimacy of the two palaces ruling the country did not originally come from the late emperor entrusting his son to the queen mother and empress.

Instead, it was entrusted to the two palaces in the name of the young master in the edict of establishing the crown prince.

Although the words are very euphemistic, this is the legal principle.

What's more, one of the two palaces is the current queen mother.

A truly virtuous empress - Baoci Palace has been trying to expand the imperial power since Yuanyou.

Thus, the Song Dynasty saw the situation where the young master was in charge of the government and the queen was in charge of government affairs. However, the queen could only take care of trivial matters. The real military and national affairs - whether it was war or peace, local disaster relief, or the appointment of prime ministers were all decided by the young master of Funing Palace.

Not to mention others, even Zhang Wen was stunned and amazed when he found out.

The young master's use of people was even more unexpected.

On the one hand, he trusted veteran ministers and appointed Grand Tutor Wen Yanbo as the minister of state and military affairs, and treated him with the courtesy of the emperor's teacher. He granted the Grand Tutor the exemption from bowing in front of the emperor, and when he entered the palace, the prime minister would carry him on a sedan chair.

It can be said that the treatment is full.

On the other hand, he delegated power to Dutang in many matters, almost trusting his subordinates.

This was the case when Han Jiang, the former left prime minister and Duke of Kangguo, who has since retired, was in office.

He also invented the system of appointing and appointing officials to power, which greatly inspired the literati.

I think that today's politics is similar to the "rule of law for the world by hanging clothes" of the three dynasties' ancient kings.

But in fact, if you study it carefully, you will find that the power of the Dutang is indeed very great.

But there are many things that Dutang can't even interfere with!

For example, a bureau that specializes in manufacturing military equipment.

For example, the affairs of Kaifeng Prefecture.

It is also like the Jiaozi business.

In addition, Guangnan West Road and Xihe Lanhui Road have become areas that the capital cannot easily interfere with.

The appointment and dismissal of local civil and military officials all came from the young master, and the capital could only make suggestions.

Some key positions were even deprived of the power to make suggestions.

This is the standard style of an autocratic emperor.

But the facts prove that the young master used everyone correctly!

Moreover, Xihe Lanhui Road and Guangnan West Road underwent dramatic changes in just two years.

Especially the Xihe Lanhui Road, it is said that it made the court earn millions of strings of cash this year alone.

There is a trend that he will transform from the financial glutton of the Song Dynasty to the God of Wealth in the future.

Thus, all doubts disappeared completely.

There were only voices of praise inside and outside the court.

In addition, the imperial court has achieved two consecutive major victories since Yuanyou.

In the northwest, he defeated the joint forces of the Western bandits and Tubo, forcing the Western bandits to beg for peace and Tubo to surrender.

In the southwest, in one battle, the eight states of Jiaozhi were taken over and the territory was expanded by thousands of miles without paying too much of a price. Instead, Jiaozhi was forced to surrender and sign a tribute treaty similar to the Treaty of Chanyuan.

Even the governance issues that everyone was worried about before the war were resolved by the powerful chieftains.

Today, those once unruly chieftains have nothing but sincere loyalty to the Song government!

Zhang Wen heard from Lu Gongzhu that now Guangnan West Road, Jiaozhou and even the southwestern tribes are more enthusiastic than anyone else in paying tribute to Bianliang!

Even countries like Dali came to the court to accept the enthronement.

Shilin was greatly excited by this.

It is said that the great glory of the Tang Dynasty will be revived in the Song Dynasty.

For a time, scholars from south to north were all passionate and wrote various poems praising the Yuanyou era.

It is said that if a country has a wise leader, it can expect prosperity.

however……

The young master employs people differently from the three previous kings.

Instead, it has the legacy of Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Wu of Wei.

He doesn't care about the minister's personal morality and reputation at all!
The core circle is full of people who don't look like decent people.

The person who took over the military equipment manufacturing bureau on his behalf was the notorious Shen Kuo and Shen Cunzhong.

Jia Zhongmin from the Street Office is a cruel official that everyone in Bian Jing is afraid of. He is a court official, a close minister of the emperor who is only one step away from the position of Taizhi, and he often goes to the streets to enforce the law with a stick.

The streets of Bianjing look well-organized.

However, the order it relies on is created by various punishments and corporal punishments - the Street Department even has to control which direction pedestrians walk when leaving the city?

If you are caught, you will be punished!
It is said that Xing Shu and Xing Heshu, who were in the Hanlin Academy, spent every day in the theaters of Bian Jing, and only occasionally went to the Academy of Bachelors to be on duty.

But he didn't take it seriously and was very high-profile.

He even interacted with merchants, treated them as brothers, and toasted with them.

It's nothing like the four leaders of the Song Dynasty, candidates for prime minister.

Instead, he looks like a dandy prince.

The palace turned a blind eye to this, Du Tangchun pretended to be unaware, and what was even more outrageous was that the censors who should have impeached him were like blind people, turning a blind eye to his actions.

And the name of the man who sent the visiting card now, Zao Jing, was the Yanei Zuan Prince Shao Wang Shengmei, whom he had "long heard of" during the Xining period.

This gentleman...

According to legend, he was famous for his fawning and flattering the powerful officials.

Compared with him, Deng Wan, who once said "You can laugh or scold me, but I will be a good official myself", seems like a white lotus that emerges from the mud without being stained!
Ok……

Deng Wan seems to have been promoted now!
Anyway...

In Zhang Wen's eyes, the image of the young master was extremely complicated.

He seemed to have many faces.

Which face he uses when meeting people depends on who he wants to meet.

When you meet a gentleman, treat him with righteousness; when you meet a villain, treat him with profit.

Moreover, he seemed to have no psychological burden and could switch his form at any time.

It is no wonder that some people say that the Lord is quite similar to the wise rulers of the Han and Tang dynasties.

Thinking of this, Zhang Wen put down his business card and said to Yuan Sui beside him, "Come with me to meet him!"

He brought his people and went to the gate in person to greet Wang Zishao, who in his eyes had no character of a scholar and was no different from a villain.

To his surprise, it turned out to be the legendary Yanei Zuan, a villain who rose to power by flattery.

However, he is a gentleman in both his conversation and behavior.

Whether it was the questions he asked or the words he said, they always got to the point.

It was not until this Yanei Zuan was sent away that Zhang Wen finally reacted!

"I was almost deceived by him!" He slapped his thigh in annoyance.

The young master came and said that he was passing by and admired his reputation, so he came to pay a visit.

But in fact……

They just come here to test the waters and get the bottom of things.

Who else could have allowed this young master to come and find out his background?
(End of this chapter)