I studied in modern times

Chapter 832 Trickle-Down Economics

On the morning of that day, Tong Guan was ordered to enter the palace. In the imperial garden of Funing Palace, Zhao Xu gave a lecture on journalism to Da Diao Cang, the future one of the six thieves who was listed on par with Cai Jing and now the editor-in-chief of the Song Dynasty's press.

People like Tong Guan are very interesting.

He is very smart and capable.

But he is also capable of causing trouble, and he also has a rare "subjective initiative" among the eunuchs.

Why is it that in Bianjing City, when people mention the person "Hu Feipan", they will subconsciously think of a dog holding a frisbee?
Half of it was the image that Zhao Xu deliberately let Tong Guan create himself, and the other half was that sometimes he really couldn't control his hands and loved to express his "brilliant opinions" on the government and national policies.

Some of his words touched Zhao Xu's heart, but some of them hit him right in the face.

When Zhao Xu found out, he immediately sent someone to reprimand him.

Tong Guan quickly withdrew his previous attitude and changed his previous wording and sang a different tune in the Bian Jing Xin Bao the next day.

So, someone who knew the situation made up a joke privately: "The dog barks in the Second Princess's Mansion, it must be Frisbee coming again!"

Because this story is so simple and easy to understand, even the idle people in Bianjing City know it now.

Therefore, Zhao Xu specially called Tong Guan into the palace, gave him personal instructions and arrangements, and also taught him some modern journalism secrets.

Mainly in the field of short essays.

Tong Guan was extremely grateful for Zhao Xu's personal instruction. He bowed repeatedly and said countless flattering words!

There was even a hint that he wanted to take advantage of the situation and become Zhao Xu's "disciple" or "student".

Zhao Xu was so scared that he quickly sent him away.

joke!

He doesn't want a disciple or student like this.

But Tong Guan's cleverness and sharpness are still undoubtedly revealed.

This kind of person will do his best as long as he is given a chance.

After sending Tong Guan away, Zhao Xu called Feng Jing, who had been serving him, to his side and asked, "Feng Jing, what do you think of Tong Guan?"

Feng Jing bowed his head and said, "Reporting to everyone, I heard that Tong Chongban (Tong Guan's internal official rank has now been promoted from Xiaohuangmen to Neidian Chongban, and has entered the internal official rank of Dabachen, which is equivalent to the sequence of civil officials in the capital) is very popular among the people of Bianjing Xinbao!"

"Yeah!" Zhao Xu nodded.

Tong Guan is a man with real personal charm.

His personality is somewhat similar to those of the outlaws in the underworld.

He is generous, loyal, caring, and able to handle things.

Over the past year or so, many incidents have occurred in the Bian Jing Xin Bao and Bian Jing Yi Bao.

Some of the crimes were committed by Tong Guan himself, but some were committed by his subordinates.

But no matter what the reason is?
Tong Guan never passed the blame to his subordinates, but took it all on himself.

At the same time, he also took good care of the newsboys.

According to Zhao Xu's understanding, even those apprentices who have "graduated" and went to the Imperial College, the Law College, the Mathematical College, the Imperial Medical Bureau, the Astronomical Bureau, the Hanlin Academy, and the Bureau that specializes in manufacturing military equipment.

He also often received living expenses sent by Tong Guan.

Tong Guan was not like other eunuchs who held real power and had a lot of money. He did not buy a mansion in the city of Bianliang, buy maids and concubines, singing girls, recruit literati and retainers, imitate the literati and live the life of a literati.

On the contrary, according to Zhao Xu's understanding, Tong Guan lived a very frugal life in his daily life.

He has been living in the residence of the Princess of Shu Kingdom, living with the craftsmen and editors of the Bianjing New News.

so……

It's really no accident that they can succeed.

only……

Zhao Xu looked at Feng Jing and asked, "Feng Jing, are you interested in leaving the palace and becoming Tong Guan's superior?"

Feng Jing was stunned for a moment and hesitated.

His current rank as an eunuch has been promoted to Deputy Envoy of the Supply Warehouse, and his assignment is to serve as a waiter in the Emperor's palace and to be in charge of the Imperial Pharmacy, the Imperial Kitchen and other official duties.

But the problem is that his post as deputy envoy of the supply warehouse is a "loan capital".

In theory, it is illegal.

Neither the Dutang nor the Ministry of Personnel would admit it.

Because according to the obstruction law, all eunuchs, starting from the Xiaohuangmen, had to leave the palace to serve outside the palace, either as a horse-riding official in a certain place or as a supervisor of officials.

Then you can change your position.

For example, the steps of the Xiaohuangmen Gate can be raised to the head of the Dihou Palace, and cannot be raised any further.

If you want to be promoted further, you have to serve as an official outside the court, and during the service, you have to be evaluated by the civil servants in the outer court.

Only after passing the assessment will the official be allowed to change.

For example, Yan Shouqin, who served Empress Dowager Xiang, was like this.

He sent money all the way to become an official in the East, but in the outer court, he was always just an unranked "Di Hou Dian Tou".

The so-called "Dongtou Gongfeng Official" was only effective within the palace, and no one recognized him outside the palace.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Xiang ordered him to be the governor of Zizhou Road and to be in charge of the tea and horse affairs of Zizhou Road.

This year, Yan Shouqin returned to the court to report on his work. Because of his good performance in Zizhou Road, local governors and gardeners praised his ability.

Therefore, Du Tang promoted him directly to the rank of the inner minister to the Dongtou Gongfeng official, and obtained the Du Tang's imperial edict and the letter of appointment from the Ministry of Personnel.

This is how illegal capital deposits are transformed into legal official status.

At that time, Yan Shouqin even hosted a party to celebrate!
Yan Shouqin was like this, and he was no exception.

Moreover, Feng Jing knew that it would be much more difficult for him to become a regular employee of the position of Deputy Envoy of the Supply and Preparation Department than for Yan Shouqin.

It's not just because this is an ambassadorial rank and the outer court is keeping a close eye on him.

It was also because he was an eunuch close to the emperor that the outer court was more cautious.

Even now, the crows in the capital and the Censorate are eager to observe Yang Sui's every move, and if there is any mistake, they will impeach him immediately.

Therefore, he didn't even dare to think about taking up an external post.

Once an outpost...

The capital, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Censorate would all come over.

It would be fine if he performed well, but if he made the slightest mistake they would take advantage of it and find fault with him in order to get him to bow his head and submit.

But does he dare to bow his head and surrender?

I dare not!
Therefore, throughout the dynasties, the ministers close to the emperor were all supported by the emperor until their death.

But if you just rely on sending money, you won’t get far.

Because, the eunuchs who received money could only work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It is impossible for him to hold an official position in the outer court like Song Yongchen and Li Xian, eunuchs who were promoted through legal channels.

If he could not hold an official position in the outer court, it would be difficult for him to take charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Inner Court.

Therefore...

Zhao Xu suggested that he leave the palace and become Tong Guan's superior.

This means inventing a new supervisor.

Whether it is to be in charge of the Bian Jing New Newspaper or to be in charge of the Bian Jing Tabloid Affairs, it is considered an external appointment.

The outside court wanted to find fault, but could not find an excuse.

In this way, the official position can be changed smoothly.

Can……

Feng Jing raised his head and looked at the smiling official.

He still couldn't make up his mind.

Because it is easy to leave the government, but it would be difficult to come back.

So, he said aggrievedly: "Everyone... I... If I leave... I am worried that others don't know your preferences... and I can't serve you well..."

Zhao Xu listened and said with a smile: "Think about it carefully yourself!"

"Whether you want to go or not is up to you!"

"Anyway, reply to me as soon as possible!"

"If it's too late, I'll send someone else!"

There may be a shortage of other things in this palace, but there is never a shortage of eunuchs who want to advance themselves.

……

That afternoon, when the clepsydra figure in the Funing Palace struck the small drum for the afternoon, Zhao Xu had already washed up, changed into light casual clothes, and, with Feng Jing's help, took various fishing gear and went to the inner pond in the back garden.

When he arrived, Pu Zongmeng and Cui Taifu had been waiting for him here for a long time under orders.

Seeing Zhao Xu's procession arriving, the two of them hurried forward to greet them.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully wish you the best of health!"

"Sorry to have kept you waiting!" Zhao Xu waved his hand and said, "Get up!"

As he said that, he asked Feng Jing to bring over the fishing gear that he had prepared today.

Today's fishing tackle is different from the past.

There was no bait, no bait prepared, only three strange-looking fishing rods.

Zhao Xu asked Feng Jing to distribute the fishing gear to the two of them, then he picked up his fishing rod, skillfully fiddled with the fishing reel, and then tied a fish-like hook made of metal sheets to the fishing line.

"Come on, come on..."

"My two beloved ministers, let's learn how to fish from Jiang Taigong today!"

He skillfully took the fishing gear, walked to the dock, and threw it out.

Then he recalled his experience with modern lure fishing and manipulated the fishing rod, imitating the movement of small fish in the water.

However, some time ago, when Zhao Xu was fishing in this inner pond, he discovered that there were many carnivorous fish hunting in the pond.

This made Zhao Xu realize the reason for his lack of support - it must be the bearded catfish (Yellow River catfish), oxtail (Yellow River catfish), Yellow River mandarin fish and other creatures in the pond that scared away or ate his fish!

Can this be tolerated?

No!
So, Zhao Xu ordered Shen Kuo to send several skilled craftsmen to make lure fishing gear according to his requirements.

I just want to teach those ignorant and reckless fish in this pond a lesson!
Zhao Xu just didn't believe it!

Can the fish in this pond really make a big move?
Pu Zongmeng and Cui Taifu were both a little surprised. Could this fishing method, which did not use real bait but relied on fake bait to trick fish, really catch fish?

But they still followed Zhao Xu's example and began to throw the fishing line into the water, pulling it and imitating it clumsily.

Zhao Xu slowly turned the fishing reel, watching the movement of the water surface, and said to the two ministers standing beside him: "I invite you two ministers to the palace today, but I have something to ask you two ministers to help me with..."

Pu Zongmeng and Cui Taifu immediately responded: "Your Highness, we respectfully ask for your teachings!"

"It's like this..." Zhao Xu smiled and reeled in the fishing line, but this time there was no hook.

But it doesn’t matter, when it comes to lures, it’s all about technique!
In this regard, Zhao Xu is confident! After all, neither Pu Zongmeng nor Cui Taifu can play lure.

"Mr. Pu..." Zhao Xu said as he cast the fishing rod again, "I would like to ask you to write an article..."

Pu Zongmeng immediately bowed and faced Zhao Xu: "I respectfully listen to your command..."

Zhao Xu said slowly: "Since ancient times, scholars and officials have been content with poverty and happiness..."

"That's certainly true..."

"With only a bowl of rice and a jug of water, living in a humble alley, people cannot bear the worry, but they still enjoy themselves..."

"Yan Hui was like this, and so was the late Sima Wengong... I admire him very much!"

Having said that, Zhao Xu raised his head slightly.

Sima Guang's Duleyuan and Dieshi Villa in Luoyang were originally going to be sold after his death.

But he was stopped by Zhao Xu.

He issued an edict in his capacity as the Son of Heaven, bestowed 100,000 strings of cash, took Duleyuan and Dieshi Villa as official property, and required the Luoyang government to send people to properly protect them.

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The plan is to transform it into a museum or memorial hall in the future when the time is right.

Then sell tickets or offer free tours, but make money back by selling Sima Guang souvenirs.

In Zhao Xu's opinion, Sima Guang's former residence and the museum display the original manuscript of Zizhi Tongjian.

The literati and scholars would definitely want to take a look and experience Sima Guang's personal charm.

For such a holy place, a ticket selling for a hundred coins or a cultural souvenir like Sima Guang smashing a jar selling for dozens of coins should not be expensive.

Even so, Sima Guang's other properties in Luoyang were still sold for tens of thousands of strings of cash.

Plus the money given by Zhao Xu and the funeral expenses given to Sima Guang.

This is a huge sum of more than 200,000 strings of cash.

Sima Kang used the money and bought thousands of acres of fertile land in his hometown in accordance with Sima Guang's will. Fan Zuyu and others carried out Sima Guang's wishes and distributed the land to more than a hundred poor households in Shushui, establishing a rural society that combined the well-field system with the charity organization that was characteristic of the Song Dynasty.

It must be said that all the money Sima Guang had was legal.

He has never embezzled any public funds, nor accepted any bribes or benefits.

He even used all the money from the official mission to Zizhi Tongjian Bookstore on editing books and the welfare of the bookstore staff.

In terms of personal morality, he is impeccable!

All of his properties, including his assets at Duleyuan and Dieshi Villa, were purchased with his salary, stipend, income from official land, income from fiefdoms, and other benefits for senior officials of the Song Dynasty as well as rewards from past dynasties.

From this, we can see how comfortable life was for the civil officials in the Song Dynasty!

Even if you are not greedy or take anything, as long as you are as frugal as Sima Guang and do not engage in those messy luxuries.

A minister in waiting can accumulate at least 200,000 strings of cash in assets within 20 years!

Even if they are selected from the grassroots level, they can probably accumulate assets worth tens of thousands of taels.

how...

There are not many Sima Guangs!

Most people are competing to live an extravagant and dissolute life.

Take Pu Zongmeng for example...

Since this prime minister took office, he has spent at least tens of thousands of strings of cash on purchasing furniture, decorating his home, and hiring servants, singers, and concubines.

Yes!

Almost all servants and domestic servants in the Song Dynasty.

They all have contracts.

This also applies to concubines!
For example, Bao Shou’s biological mother, Sun, was Bao Zheng’s concubine.

The contract she signed with Bao Zheng was that of a concubine.

When the contract expired, Sun was pregnant, but was sent back by Bao Zheng.

It was also thanks to Bao Shou's eldest sister-in-law Cui who knew that Sun was pregnant, so she quickly sent people to visit her and gave her money and gifts, thus saving Bao Zheng's incense!

otherwise……

Bao Zheng's fate may be the same as that of Zhao Xu's biological mother, Zhu.

He will follow the Sun family to various families, and eventually he may not have the chance to return to his ancestral home.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu looked at Pu Zongmeng deeply, and at the same time thought of the bearded man far away in Dengzhou.

Pu Zongmeng and Su Shi are indeed relatives.

Both of them like to hire concubines.

then……

A bunch of illegitimate children!
Zhao Xu remembered that in modern history books, Liang Shichen, the big man next to Zhao Ji, had always claimed that he was Su Shi's son.

Thanks to him, Su Shi's descendants were treated preferentially during the reign of Emperor Zhao Ji.

His famous saying is: Whenever Mr. Su spends money below 10,000 strings of cash, he does not need to inform me!

This means he really regards himself as Su Shi’s biological son!
so……

Pu Zongmeng felt a little scared when Zhao Xu looked at him, and quickly lowered his head.

Zhao Xu came back to his senses and said leisurely: "But, being content with poverty and enjoying life is not the only way of a saint or a scholar-official!"

"Do you agree, Minister Pu?" Zhao Xu asked.

Pu Zongmeng's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"In the past, Confucius' disciples included not only the Duke of Yan (Yan Hui), the Duke of Henei (Zi Lu) and other sages, but also Gongqiu Hou (Nangong Kuo)..."

"Besides, if you want to promote ethics and morality, you should make people richer!"

“Thus Confucius said: When the granaries are full, one knows etiquette; when one has enough food and clothing, one knows honor and disgrace…”

"This is the profound meaning of the sage's words!"

Zhao Xu smiled and nodded: "Good!"

"That's what I meant too!"

“Is poverty the way to support scholars?”

"If even the scholars are poor and destitute, what about the common people?"

“Is this the righteousness of a saint?”

Zhao Xu almost said: Poverty is not the Confucian way!

Pu Zongmeng agreed with this: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhao Xu said: "My idea is to ask you to write an article like this to reiterate the way of the saints, correct the righteousness of the world, and advocate the style of scholars..."

"Let me give you some directions to visit..."

Pu Zongmeng immediately threw away the fishing rod in his hand, knelt on the ground, bowed his head and kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, I beg you to give me some advice!"

Zhao Xu thought for a moment, sorted out his thoughts, and then said, "I have heard that there is a folk proverb that goes: When the big river rises, the small rivers overflow!"

"How true!"

"I think that the rich are not at fault. The ones who are at fault are those who are rich but unkind, do evil, and bully others by taking advantage of their power!"

"If someone has a lot of property and countless wealth, but he practices benevolence and justice, advocates the right path, builds bridges and roads, and accumulates good deeds..."

“This is a benevolent person!”

"If he uses the righteousness of a saint to interact with his neighbors, help the needy, and rescue the orphans and widows... then he is a gentleman!"

"And above the gentleman, there is another level..."

"If he used his wealth to employ the people, set up workshops, and let the people earn income through hard work, and let the orphans and widows earn their living..."

"Such a person is like the snowfield on the high mountain. He turns his wealth into a trickle, dripping into the homes of thousands of people, making the wealth of one family benefit thousands of families!"

"Not only did I become rich, but I also helped millions of people to have enough food and clothing..."

"Let hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of people and their descendants have enough food and clothing, so that they will know honor and disgrace... When the granaries are full, then they will know etiquette..."

"Isn't this enlightenment? Isn't this the great way of the saints?"

"Compared to this, the scholars and officials are content with poverty and are happy with their life, which only affects one family..."

“But such people can influence hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of people!”

Without blinking an eye, Zhao Xu applied the trickle-down theory of modern America.

Is the trickle-down theory or trickle-down economics useful? Is it reasonable?
Zhao Xu doesn’t care!

He is the emperor!

They are born to sit on the side of the ruling class and are the ones who benefit the most.

Would a person like him agree that the poor have reason to rebel? Or even sympathize with the vast majority of poor people?

How can it be!

It's a big deal to just say a few words like "I feel sorry for the people of the world who are suffering from hunger and cold."

At most it was a performance in the palace, a performance art.

For example, 'No more than X sets of clothes for all seasons, no more than three meals a day' and so on.

but……

Zhao Xu knew that what he was doing would definitely widen the gap between the rich and the poor and cause fierce social conflicts.

so……

He had to use something to numb the masses so that they would not become hostile to society and then learn from Chen Sheng and Wu Guang.

At the same time, he also needs public opinion to restrain various Huang Shiren who may appear in the future.

At least, there needs to be a fig leaf, a memorial archway.

The trickle-down theory meets Zhao Xu's needs very well.

You can't hate the rich!
You can't even rebel!
The rich are the kind people who give you job opportunities and support your entire family!

Got to thank them!
Without rich people and capitalists, you may lose your jobs. Once you lose your jobs, your whole family will starve!
Of course, Zhao Xu knew that this alone was not enough.

Therefore, he has to come out occasionally to guide or punish some guys who go too far.

We must let the people know and establish this idea - the officials are good and the bad ones are the people below them!
When the government comes, there will be a clear sky!

This is religious comfort in another sense.

Zhao Xu knew that religion was an expression of real suffering and also a protest against real suffering. It was the emotion of a ruthless world and the sigh of oppressed creatures.

Buddha, the Three Pure Ones, Confucius or Emperor Zhao are all essentially the same.

So, Zhao Xu was not just wasting time studying abroad in modern times.

He really learned something!

(End of this chapter)