Song Gexing

Chapter 245 Don’t get carried away with your pride
The titles of the Song Dynasty were actually very screwed up. It was one thing that they could not be hereditary and had no fiefdoms, but the names of the previous titles were simply too similar.

The prince is called the king, followed by the heir, king, duke, duke, and then the founding duke, founding county duke, founding county duke, founding lord, founding uncle, founding son and founding son.

In fact, it's not just the duke, marquis, son-in-law, and the king, the whole thing is so messy that people can't understand it, and the words "founding the country" are added to make it even smaller.

Of course, there is one thing that the Ming Dynasty cannot compare with, that is, the title of the Song Dynasty cannot be hereditary, not even the prince.

Even the princes and grandsons are downgraded. The prince's title cannot be inherited after his death. The eldest son can only be a lower heir, and the descendants are also downgraded and inherited.

Therefore, the titles that Zhao Fang gave to Zuo Siluo and the Yang family of Bozhou last time were considered a great favor and created a new title inheritance system, but it has not yet been popularized.

Moreover, due to the general short-lived life of the Zhao Song royal family, only four people in the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties had the title of heir king, and the others were inherited by grandchildren, starting with the county king.

The first one was the title of King Pu of Yingzong's father, who was inherited by Yingzong's younger brother Zhao Zonghui as King Pu, and the latter three were all from the Southern Song Dynasty.

In history, Shenzong and Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty both changed their titles, because it was pointed out very early on that the titles of the Great Song Dynasty were "merely annoying" and "useless to govern the system".

Now Zhao Fang wanted to knight Zhang Zai. After Wen Yanbo hesitated and agreed, he thought it would not be appropriate to take advantage of the situation and raise the title again.

Even though the titles in the Song Dynasty had no rights and no actual fiefdom to support them, the court still had to provide them with the salary.

In the past, titles were provided by the people of the fiefdom. For example, when Guan Yu was granted the title of Marquis Shouting of the Han Dynasty, his title and salary were provided by the people of Shouxian County.

The Song Dynasty abolished the tradition of local support for the nobles and changed it to the imperial court to distribute it uniformly, but it was still money, and the imperial court also had to spend this money.

The twelfth-level title will definitely lead to a large number of nobles, which will also cause excessive expenditure for the court. It is normal to have objections.

What's more, the imperial court has been reforming for many years, which has reduced a large number of redundant officials and redundant expenses, and the redundant and expensive titles have become more prominent.

Hearing Wen Yanbo mention this matter again, Zhao Fang was not prepared for this, so he had to say: "The title is going to be changed, and it cannot be decided by me alone. Wen Qing will discuss it after returning to the cabinet and come up with a How about we discuss the charter?"

Of course Wen Yanbo agreed. Soon after, he returned to the cabinet and told everyone about today's events in detail. He was particularly excited to talk about Zhang Zai's "Zhengmeng".

Han Qi and others were very interested when they heard it. After finishing their work, they went to Zhao Fang to ask for books.

Zhao Fang himself wanted to study it carefully, but he couldn't resist the shameless ministers stalking him one after another, so he had to order the book to be published.

"By the way, I remember that Zhang Zihou also has a book called "Yi Shuo". Why don't we publish it too?"

Fu Bi smiled and made the suggestion. Zhao Fang thought it right and quickly added the book. Only then did everyone go back satisfied.

But he had put Zhao Fang through enough. Except for Wen Yanbo, the other four people took turns to read it before leaving. Zhao Fang also gave them a dinner.

It was already dark when Zhao Fang returned to the harem, so it was hard to disturb Zhao Pan'er's rest. He had a big belly and couldn't sleep with her.

I had no choice but to go to Liang Luoyao nearby. Not to mention, Liang Luoyao was indeed capable. Although she was wary after entering the palace, as time went by, she still gained Zhao Fang's favor.

Not to mention whether Zhao Fang would trust her, at least she served her bed quite a lot, and she had gained a firm foothold in the palace.Zhao Fang came so late tonight, and she asked curiously, "The official just came back from Chongzheng Hall? Why are there so many things today, don't get tired."

Looking at the beautiful Liang Luoyao, Zhao Fang felt much better. He hugged her with a smile and said, "What's the matter? It's not like those people in the cabinet are rogue and won't let me come back just to read a book."

"If you can read a book without letting the officials leave, what kind of book is it?"

Don't say she was curious. Anyone would be curious about this, and Zhao Fang didn't mind complaining about it. This matter was not considered a major military matter and had nothing to do with the harem's political affairs.

He touched his long legs with a smile and said: "Zhang Zihou wrote a masterpiece of Confucianism. It can be used to establish a sect. It is understandable that everyone wants to see it first."

As he spoke, he became less serious, his hands became more and more unruly, and he continued to show off in a cheerful mood: "Zihou is so awesome, I think his reputation will be passed down through the ages. Later generations will record that under the reign of Emperor Zhao Fang of the Song Dynasty, a generation of great master Zhang The cultural and educational achievements of the Song Dynasty are enough to be famous throughout the ages!"

Liang Luoyao was surprised now. She was not illiterate.Although the Liang family is from Xixia, they are also a wealthy family, and their family has been taught Chinese culture since childhood.

"The officials are saying that Mr. Zihou can become a Confucian?"

Looking at the surprised beauty, Zhao Fang smiled proudly and said: "Confucianism is correct. If you ask me, he can become a saint. At least he will not lose to the Lesser Sage or the Later Sage."

With a sound of "Ah", Liang Luyao covered his mouth, his big eyes full of surprise and disbelief. "Younger Sage, Later Sage, those are the titles of Mencius and Xunzi, and not everyone dares to compare with them."

"Guan... Guan family doesn't joke, does it?"

"Who are you kidding? I am very serious. When this book is printed in a few days, you can also read it."

Not to mention how the two turned upside down that night, the news spread the next day, Zhao Fang was besieged shortly after he woke up, and all the officials wrote to read the book.

More of them petitioned for Zhang Zai to be immediately transferred to the capital to give lectures. Imperial College and the Imperial College also got the news, and the joint petition also arrived on his desk.

Now he had a headache. The official position he had agreed with Wen Yanbo yesterday was rejected by the Ministry of Personnel. Zhang Fangping, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, refused to sign.

He also wrote a letter requesting that Zhang Zai must serve in the Ministry of Rites or Taichang Temple. What kind of observation envoy should be given a title? Emperor, who do you want to tease?

Zhao Fang was blinded and glared at the five cabinet members, blaming them for their big mouths, otherwise how could the outer court know what this book was about.

But Han Qi and the others spread their hands innocently, saying that they will not take the blame, and you must have a reason to promote Zhang Zai by leapfrogging.

Zhang Zai can only be promoted by one level based on his political achievements alone. Only when he knows how much his book has promoted Confucianism, will the ministers agree to leapfrog promotion.

Helpless, Zhao Fang had to reason with the officials. For the same reasons, Confucianism in the Guanzhong area had been silent for too long. There should be a master-level person there. This could attract a large number of students and be good for education.

Not to mention, after the reason was revealed, officials from Shaanxi began to rebel and support Zhao Fang's decision. The court was immediately divided into two factions and quarreled, no longer a one-sided crusade against the emperor.

(End of this chapter)