I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 526 Wang Anshi's West Lake Curse! If a scholar has no talent, it is better not to study.
September 5th, afternoon.

The governor of Hangzhou.

Su Liang, Cao Yi, Wang Anshi and Gu Yue were sitting together and drinking tea.

The case file on Zhisou's treason has been sent to the city of Bianjing, and will be handled by the Secretariat next.

At Su Liang's suggestion, Jiangnan Trading Company was not disbanded.

Instead, under the management of the Hangzhou government, it will gradually be transformed into a non-profit organization that benefits the general public and helps the development of the entire Jiangnan commerce.

Cao Yi smiled and said, "The matter in Jiangnan has been settled. We can return to Beijing tomorrow!"

Su Liang nodded in approval.

When Wang Anshi heard this, he frowned and said, "I think there is something else that has not been done?"

"What's the matter?"

The other three looked at Wang Anshi.

"Jiangnan is a land of outstanding people and has always produced many literati. Scholar Ouyang and Su Zhongcheng were both born and raised in Jiangnan. I also often consider myself a Jiangnan literati."

"Now, nearly 50% of Jiangnan literati live in Hangzhou, but they are too cowardly. They let Zhisou control public opinion to such an extent that no one dares to speak out. They are really spineless. I want to teach them a lesson before I leave!"

Wang Anshi's ancestral home is Linchuan, Fuzhou. He is a southerner and can be considered half a Jiangnan person.

Cao Yi said: "Indeed! The scholars here have a strong business taste. They value business and profit over integrity, and have little sense of family and country."

Su Liang thought for a moment and looked at Gu Yue.

"Gu Tongpan, do you think these scholars should be scolded?"

Gu Yue’s old face turned red.

"They deserve to be scolded! They deserve to be scolded! Even I deserve to be scolded. I shouldn't have spoiled the merchants so much that they forgot about their country and their country! It's time to teach them a lesson and give them a good scolding. I'll make the arrangements. I'll make the arrangements."

Hearing this, Cao Yi also became excited.

He looked at Su Liang and said, "Jingming, you are also a scholar from Jiangnan. Why don't you go down and scold them yourself? I love to hear you scolding people the most. It's so inspiring!"

Back then, Su Liang scolded the students on the streets of Bian Jing, and the news spread all over the world.

Wang Anshi's head shook like a rattle.

"No, this group of scholars are not worthy of being scolded by Brother Jingming at the moment. Brother Jingming scolding them is just flattering them!"

Su Liang thought for a moment and said, "Let Jiefu come! I may be more reasonable than Jiefu in scolding, but I will never be more harsh than Jiefu. Only by being more harsh can we change the cowardly atmosphere of the scholars here."

……

The next afternoon, by the West Lake.

Scholars from Hangzhou City School and private schools, many businessmen who gave up literature to go into business, and all kinds of scholars who made a living by writing gathered there.

At a glance, there were at least six or seven hundred people.

This was summoned by the Tongpan, and they didn't know the reason, but they had to come.

After a while.

Hangzhou Tongpan Gu Yue and Wang Anshi strode over.

Liu Sandao followed closely behind Wang Anshi, with several guards not far away.

Wang Anshi always spoke frankly, and Su Liang was worried that Wang Anshi would be beaten, so he sent these people over.

As for Su Liang, he naturally wouldn't come.

If he comes, all the attention of these cultural people will be on him.

immediately.

Gu Yue strode onto the three-level podium that had been prepared long ago, and then said loudly: "I am Gu Yue, the magistrate of Hangzhou. Everyone, please be quiet!"

Soon, the surroundings became quiet.

"Today, I have summoned you all here because after the 'Zhisou Treason Case', I found that public opinion in Jiangnan was accused and the literati lost their voices. Therefore, I have specially invited Wang Anshi, the Salt and Iron Procurator of the Three Departments, to talk to you about how, as a literati, you should fulfill your responsibilities to your country, instead of thinking that the change of dynasties has nothing to do with you!"

After hearing this, some scholars lowered their heads in shame.

Since the reform of the whole Song Dynasty began, commerce in the south of the Yangtze River has flourished, and merchants have gradually gained control over the public's right to speak.

Even some literati.

No longer is it a shame to be lacking in knowledge, but it is a shame to be without money.

Money has made countless young people lose their way and fall into a life of decadence and extravagance.

This atmosphere among the people of Jiangnan has become distorted under the subtle influence of Zhisou, making many people believe that making money is the most important thing, and the change of dynasties has nothing to do with them.

immediately.

Gu Yue walked down from the podium, and Wang Anshi walked up.

Wang Anshi looked around, and no scholar dared to look him in the eye. They all lowered their heads.

Some of them, after making eye contact with Wang Anshi, quickly lowered their heads and dared not raise them again.

Wang Anshi was silent for more than ten breaths, then he sighed and said, "Mr. Fan once said: People of our generation should worry about the world before they worry about themselves, and be happy after they are happy. Who among you has done this?"

"Jiangnan is a land of many literati, and many good articles come from Jiangnan. Among them, there are countless officials who dare to speak out, and the most famous ones in the court are Ouyang Xueshi and Su Zhongcheng."

"May I ask you, when you read and write articles, do you think about the righteousness of the country and family, and become a person like Su Zhongcheng or Ouyang Xueshi? Or do you think about how much money you can make in the future? How many concubines you can marry?"

"I have twice pretended to be An Youwei, a Jiangnan businessman, and made high-profile speeches in Kong Fanglou, saying that I wanted to restore the reputation of the people of Jiangnan and let the world see our Jiangnan people's sincere desire to serve the country. Didn't you see or hear anything?"

"At that time, I hoped that some Jiangnan scholars would stand up and support my decision. I hoped that articles or poems about the righteousness of the country and the backbone of the Jiangnan people would appear in the tabloids or discussions in restaurants and teahouses the next day. Unfortunately, there were none! Not a single word!"

“When there is a problem with the spirit of a city, it must be the problem with the literati here. They are the backbone and tone of a city. If they dare not speak out about major events in the city, who else can speak out?”

"Do you really believe that 'dynastic changes have nothing to do with you'? If the Song Dynasty falls, you will all be slaves of a conquered nation. You will not be able to protect your wives and children. Even if you become traitors, you will still be killed when you are no longer useful. Or you will live forever without dignity, like pigs and dogs!"

"You are enjoying the benefits of the Song Dynasty Reform, but you don't appreciate the benefits of the Song Dynasty Reform. You even think that money is the most important thing. It's really shameful!"

"This time, I came to Jiangnan, just to say one thing: you Jiangnan literati are too cowardly. You are selfish and money is more important than the interests of your family and country. You are the lost generation among all the Jiangnan merchants!"

Too irritating!
selfishness!

The lost generation!
These three words are like a sharp awl, piercing into the hearts of every Jiangnan literati.

They know that their performance is poor, but they dare not speak out because they are afraid of the big businessmen.

They dare not speak, and ordinary people dare not speak even more.

"Are you sick? Can this city ever get better? As a scholar, even if we are powerless, we must have lofty ambitions for our country. If we have grievances but dare not speak out, dare not support those who have made contributions to the country, and succumb to money, can we still be considered a scholar?

"For such a scholar, all the books of sages that I read are like dog stomachs!"

……

Wang Anshi was very emotional and his voice became louder and louder, and everyone around him lowered their heads.

Not far away, Gu Yue also lowered his head guiltily.

The scholars in Jiangnan dare not speak out and are mostly obsessed with money.

In fact, the provincial government was also at fault. The provincial government attached too much importance to commercial taxes and monetary benefits, which led to many scholars' spines being bent in humility in the face of money, and no one had the spirit and vigor of the past.

"You...you are not only far inferior to the scholars in Bianjing, but you are probably the most cowardly scholars anywhere else. All scholars in the world are ashamed of you!"

"Do you know why it is me and not Su Liang or Su Jingming who is standing here and scolding you? Because you are not worthy of being scolded. Your current behavior is not worthy of such a beautiful dynasty, and is not worthy of the beauty that the Song Dynasty Reform has brought to you..."

Hear this.

Some literati couldn't help but look up.

He is not worthy of being scolded by Su Liang, and he is not worthy of this dynasty.

This was a great insult to them, but they had no words to refute.

……

Wang Anshi cursed for nearly half an hour in one breath.

And someone at the back is recording rapidly. If nothing unexpected happens, Wang Anshi's words today will definitely appear in the tabloids in Hangzhou tomorrow morning.

Finally, Wang Anshi slowed down and continued, "Does anyone want to refute me?"

There was total silence all around, and no one even looked up.

"Jiangnan is as important to the Song Dynasty as Kaifeng is to the Song Dynasty. If the prosperity of the Song Dynasty is to last forever, writers must have backbones, be unyielding and daring to speak and write. Let's encourage each other!"

After saying this, Wang Anshi looked at the calm water of West Lake in front of him, walked down from the podium, and strode away.

At this time, all the literati in Jiangnan bowed their heads.

Gu Yue, the magistrate of Hangzhou, bowed completely.

He believed that after being scolded this time, the literati in Jiangnan would be able to create a better atmosphere among the people in Jiangnan, rather than putting money first and neglecting their country.

And he also knew how to serve as an official next.

……

Early morning of September 7th.

Su Liang, Cao Yi, Wang Anshi and his party left Hangzhou City.

at the same time.

The "National Debt Contract" issued by the court ended ahead of schedule, and the three departments allocated 80 million strings of money in a unified manner.

Part of it was used to encourage people to migrate to the northwest, and the other part was used as military expenses in Hebei Road.

In order to encourage the people to immigrate to the northwest, the ministers of the Secretariat granted great benefits. Not only were the land and houses given tax-free, but subsidies were also provided for various living measures such as children's education and the elderly's medical care.

Some people who lived ordinary lives in the Central Plains and some people who wanted to make a name for themselves applied to move to the Northwest.

The Northwest region (including Xixia) is vast and sparsely populated. Although farming is not possible, animal husbandry is prosperous and suitable for business.

The introduction of cotton also enabled a large number of women to get good jobs there, earning more than 200 wen a day.

At one time, there were many applicants.

In this way, the problem of the Northwest region being difficult to manage and prone to rebellion was solved.

Whether they are Tibetans or Dangxiang people, as long as they are well fed and watered, they will not take the risk of rebellion.

And this moment.

Di Qing's campaign to destroy Xia has ended.

However, because the occupied territories were too large, the court had to send a large number of officials, which took a long time, so the court had to let Di Qing maintain stability in Western Xia.

……

Hebei Road, the southern end of Baigou River, Hebei Imperial Army Camp.

Roar!Roar!Roar!
From the barracks came the shouts of soldiers practicing their weapons.

The sound was deafening and full of murderous intent.

And this moment.

In a corner of the battlefield, Pang Ji and Han Qi looked at the soldiers in training seriously, with their eyes fixed and their faces stern.

Pang Ji and Han Qi almost went crazy after being severely criticized by Su Liang, who said that the Hebei Imperial Army was not even qualified to be the main attacker in the attack on Liao.

Every day, we must work very hard to train the Hebei Imperial Guards.

During this period, the two of them lost more than 30 kilograms in total.

The more you train, the more addicted you become.

"Zhigui, I think it's time for us to apply to the court for a second rating!" Pang Ji said.

Han Qi frowned slightly.

"Mr. Pang, I think it's still not going to work. Compared with the Northwest Imperial Army, the Hebei Imperial Army has too little combat experience. Now that the Northwest Imperial Army has destroyed Xixia, it is at the peak of its fame. No matter how well we train, we may still be far inferior to the Northwest Imperial Army in the eyes of the emperor and the gentlemen. I suggest waiting a little longer."

"Wait a little longer? It will be October in a little longer. The shorter the time, the more it shows that we are good at managing the army. Only at this time can we seize the main attack right from the Northwest Imperial Army and show our confidence. Then the emperor and the gentlemen will look at us differently. I now feel that the soldiers we have trained are no weaker than the veteran soldiers in the Northwest. We have more advantages in recovering the Han and Tang dynasties!"

Han Qi thought about it.

"How about waiting for another five days, training for another five days, and then applying to the court? There are a few military formations that I feel are not well trained enough!"

"Sure. In the next five days, we will intensify our training and try to impress Jingming. This may be the only big battle I have left in my life. Even if I have to go to the rear to collect food and grass, I must let the emperor use our Hebei Imperial Army!"

"I have to do this. I have to rely on this war to avenge my previous humiliation! Otherwise, I will be cursed for eternity, which would be a shame to my ancestors!" Han Qi nodded heavily.

……

September 13th.

All the files on the Jiangnan Zhisou treason case were sent to the city of Bianjing.

Zhao Zhen did not expect that such a huge problem would arise in Jiangnan. Fortunately, he discovered it early. Otherwise, when the Song-Liao War broke out, there would be chaos in Jiangnan, which would catch the Song court off guard and cause various problems.

In addition, this incident also made Zhao Zhen alert.

Although commerce is very important, once some businessmen have huge wealth that can influence the commerce of a state, they are likely to have evil intentions and control the political affairs of a state.

Some people even choose to move to another country across the sea with huge amounts of money.

Ever since.

Zhao Zhen ordered the secretary to adapt this case into an article and publish it in local state newspapers, and ordered Ouyang Xiu to write an article to emphasize the value of family and country feelings to individuals and the court.

Ouyang Xiu was born in Luling, Jizhou, in the west of Jiangnan. He was a genuine Jiangnan literati.

He highly praised Wang Anshi's "West Lake Curse".

If he were in Hangzhou, he might have cursed even more harshly than Wang Anshi, or even used violence.

The government asked him to write an article, which was exactly what he wanted.

He wrote an article of nearly 5,000 words in one breath. If someone in the Song Dynasty says in the future that "the change of dynasties has nothing to do with me", they can quote sentences from this article and scold such selfish people to death.

(End of this chapter)