I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 572 Extra 5: Court Remonstrance: Big Firecracker and Second Firecracker
This article is adapted from real historical events and Su Liang was not involved. This is hereby declared.

-

August 8, the second year of Huangyou, afternoon.

Assistant Censor Peng Siyong summoned Bao Zheng, Wu Kui, Tang Jie, Zhang Zexing, Chen Xu and other censors to the Censorate.

When censors impeach and speak out, they always do it alone.

Now that they have gathered together to discuss the matter, there is most likely only one possibility: they want to submit a joint letter of remonstrance.

In the front hall of the courtyard.

After reading the documents brought by Peng Siyong, all the censors were furious.

Even Bao Zheng, the head of the Censorate who usually kept his emotions to himself, clenched his fists in anger.

This document is a transcript of a memorial impeaching Zhang Yaozuo, the Minister of Three Departments, submitted by former censor He Tan before he was appointed as the prefect of Hanzhou.

He Tan said:

"Yao Zuo has been in office for over a year, but has achieved almost nothing. Officials from all over the country are complaining about him, and the people also say that he got his high position because of his connections with the imperial concubines."

"The Three Commissioners are second only to the two ministries, and can reach the city in a short time. If they advance into the two ministries, they will surely cause trouble for the country."

……

Last year, nine years.

Concubine Zhang's uncle Zhang Yaozuo was officially promoted to Sansishi.

The censor Chen Xu at the time raised objections and advised that Zhang Yaozuo was not talented and should not be in charge of state affairs.

However, Zhao Zhen did not listen.

In June of this year, Bao Zheng made a petition, hoping to use natural disasters to persuade Zhao Zhen.

The emperor made a petition saying: "The great river burst its banks and many people drowned, all because of the prevalence of the evildoers. Zhang Yaozuo, the envoy of the Three Departments, is a mediocre man who rose to prominence suddenly because of personal favor. If he stays in this position for a long time, he will surely lose the hope of the world and make mistakes in the affairs of the world..."

Zhao Zhen still refused to listen.

He Tan made the suggestion while he was sent out because this year was the year of great ceremony in which the emperor would personally attend the ceremony in the suburbs.

According to convention, by the end of this year, all officials will be promoted, and Zhang Yaozuo will most likely enter the two governments and become a prime minister.

However, Zhao Zhen still refused to listen to He Tan's advice because of Concubine Zhang's influence.

The reason why Bao Zheng and other censors were angry.

It was because Zhang Yaozuo had messed up the Three Departments within a year of serving as their chief. If he were promoted to the position of prime minister, the entire two governments would be in chaos.

Imperial Censor Peng Siyong was the first to speak: "Everyone, if Zhang Yaozuo goes one step further, the country will be in danger. I hope you will all join me in making a joint appeal to dissuade the emperor!"

Hearing this, Zuo Sijian Wu Kui shook his head slightly.

"At present, the court has not yet issued an order to promote the three officials. I suggest that we wait until the imperial edict is issued before we make our remonstrances. Otherwise, we will be reporting on hearsay. Although the court allows censors to make remonstrances on hearsay, the truth or falsity of this matter comes from the decision of the emperor. If the emperor says that the remonstrance is untrue, we will be punished instead."

"Last year, we repeatedly made petitions to dissuade the government from appointing Zhang Yaozuo as the Minister of the Three Departments. If we make a joint petition now, I'm afraid the government will think we have formed a faction and punish us for being censors."

"I said this not because I'm afraid of losing my job, but if we are all driven away from the censorate and Zhang Yaozuo gains power, the court will be even worse!"

aside.

Bao Zheng, Tang Jie, Zhang Zexing, Chen Xu and others all nodded in approval.

After all, Zhang Yaozuo's appointment as prime minister was not confirmed. If he made a remonstrance at this time, not only would it be difficult to succeed, it would also make the emperor more hostile to the censors, which would be a loss.

The Imperial Censor Peng Siyong thought for a moment and said, "What Wu Sijian said makes sense. It was my fault for being rash."

"However, it is inappropriate to submit a joint petition. It is fine for me to submit a petition alone. Even if the emperor dismisses me, I want to warn the emperor. If Yao Zuo really becomes the prime minister, it will be a loss for the court!"

"I'll write the memorial right now!"

After saying that, Peng Siyong left.

The censors all knew his character and did not stop him.

The next day.

The Imperial Censor Peng Si submitted a separate memorial, saying: "The promotion of the Three Officials by the government is really a false favor, and the appointment of relatives by marriage is not a blessing for the country."

The word "Miao En" made Zhao Zhen very angry.

On the same day, Peng Siyong was dismissed from his post as censor and sent to another post on the grounds that his report was false.

Zhao Zhen's move was a warning to the censors who had been impeaching Zhang Yaozuo for more than a year.

In his eyes, the censors were too focused on Zhang Yaozuo, repeatedly challenged the imperial power, and lacked respect for him as the emperor.

at the same time.

In order to stop the censors from nagging him, Zhao Zhen also made a compromise.

He promised that he would not allow Zhang Yaozuo to enter the two governments, but would treat him like Li Yonghe (Zhao Zhen's uncle), giving him wealth and honor but not real power.

As a result, the censors did not impeach Zhang Yaozuo again.

……

The sixth day of the winter month.

Zhao Zhen issued an edict: The families of empresses and concubines shall not be removed from their positions in the two ministries.

This meant that there would never be a situation where foreign relatives were in power in the current dynasty, and the censors were all very happy.

Just as they were lamenting the wisdom of the government.

Another imperial edict from Zhao Zhen stunned all the censors.

The imperial edict was: dismiss Zhang Yaozuo from his post as the Three-Division Envoy, and appoint him as the Envoy of the Southern Courtyard of Xuanhui, the Jiedushi of Huaikang, the Envoy of Jingling Palace, and the Envoy of the Group of Herdsmen.

Four envoys were appointed in succession!

Although these four positions are honorary, they are extremely prestigious.

The Xuanhui Southern Court Envoy had a status almost equivalent to that of the Vice Prime Minister, and the Herdsman Supervisor was in charge of the horse affairs of the Song Dynasty.

Although the position is empty, it is very easy to make money by taking advantage of it.

In the eyes of the censors.

Official positions are public property of the imperial court. It is ridiculous for the government to favor a person who has done nothing.

The reason why the emperor’s grace is so great.

The main reason was that Zhao Zhen favored Concubine Zhang too much, and he gave her whatever she wanted.

As soon as this decree was issued, the censors could no longer sit still and submitted memorials of opposition.

However, Zhao Zhen seemed to be in conflict with the censors.

All memorials opposing Zhang Yaozuo's appointment as one of the four envoys were retained without any reply.

The next day in the afternoon.

Bao Zheng, the head of the Censorate, knew that it was useless to submit another memorial of opposition, so he immediately ran to the Chuigong Hall.

……

Inside the Chuigong Hall, Bao Zheng bowed to Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen put down the imperial pen and saw beads of sweat on Bao Zheng's forehead. He turned to look at the eunuch beside him.

The eunuch immediately understood and handed Bao Zheng a towel.

"Mr. Bao, what do you want to report?"

Bao Zheng wiped his face, bowed again, and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, our dynasty has never had a relative serve as an envoy for four consecutive terms. I beg you to revoke your order!"

Zhao Zhen frowned slightly.

"You bunch of censors are so stubborn!"

"I have kept all your memorials in my possession. Don't you understand what I mean? Zhang Yaozuo is a Jinshi, and he has served as a local official and the envoy of the Three Departments. Even if he has no merits, he has worked hard!"

"You didn't want him to take up a real position, so I didn't allow him to enter the two ministries, and even dismissed him from his position as the Three Officials. Now I'm only giving him four nominal positions. Isn't that enough to satisfy you?"

"I have my own difficulties. The former court and the harem are all state affairs. Can't you understand me?"

Bao Zheng said solemnly: "Sir, it is my duty to share your worries, but this matter concerns the safety of the country and the people of the Song Dynasty."

"Every official position is a public tool of the imperial court, and no one may use it for personal purposes."

"Zhang Yaozuo's performance has been mediocre since he entered the government, and he has not made any achievements in his position as the Three Commissioners. How can he be appointed as the fourth commissioner? This is unfair to the scholars and officials of the world!"

"In addition, the Xuanhui Southern Court Envoy is an internal official, the Huaikang Jiedushi is an external official, and the Qunmu Zhizhishi is more concerned with the security of the outer counties. Although they don't have much real power, if they operate secretly and make profits from it, it can still be very harmful!"

……

"enough!"

Zhao Zhen interrupted Bao Zheng's words.

"Mr. Bao, this matter has been decided. I do not want to change it. If Zhang Yaozuo has any problems during his tenure as one of the four envoys, it will be entirely my fault. I will admit my mistakes in front of the late emperor's spirit tablet and write an edict of apology. Is that ok?"

Hearing this, Bao Zheng knew that Zhao Zhen had lost his temper.

Instead of retreating, he took two steps forward and said loudly, "Sir, we must not extend such a favor to others!"

"Enough! Enough! I don't want to hear any more from you. The decree has been issued, and I will not change it." After saying that, Zhao Zhen stepped down from the throne and was about to leave.

Bao Zheng walked over quickly and stood in front of Zhao Zhen.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Yaozuo is indeed the filth of the court and a demon in broad daylight. Could it be that the harem was instrumental in inducing Your Majesty to do this?"

Bao Zheng couldn't help but bring up Concubine Zhang.

This statement was intended to accuse Zhao Zhen of listening to the seductive words of the concubines in the harem.

"Bao Xiren, you are so bold! Are you mocking me for rewarding Zhang Yaozuo so generously because of the imperial concubine?" Zhao Zhen was immediately angry.

"Is not it?"

Bao Zheng puffed out his chest and spoke louder than Zhao Zhen.

When the eunuch Zhang Maoze heard this, he kept making eye contact with Bao Zheng, asking him to leave.

But Bao Zheng did not move, his eyes were wide open, and he was not afraid at all to meet Zhao Zhen's eyes.

"Bao Xiren, who is more powerful in the Song Dynasty, you censors or I, the emperor?"

"The laws of the Song Dynasty are supreme, and the laws of our ancestors are above everything else!"

Zhao Zhen was so angry that he wanted to leave quickly.

However, Bao Zheng stretched out his hands and still stopped Zhao Zhen.

"Your Majesty, this is a matter of state, I dare not remain silent, I beg Your Majesty to revoke your order, otherwise please demote me to a distant county!"

Bao Zheng's voice was very loud.

Because he was too close to Zhao Zhen, his saliva sprayed all over Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen was so angry that he clenched his fists and wished he could send someone to chop Bao Zheng to death.

But the ancestral laws of the Song Dynasty are placed here.

If he really banished Bao Zheng, the remaining censors would be able to overturn the roof of the Chuigong Hall. At this time, Zhao Zhen looked at the eunuch beside him.

Zhang Maoze immediately came to Zhao Zhen's side and said to Bao Zheng: "Master Bao, the official's clothes are all wet with saliva. You need to change clothes."

While Zhang Maoze was blocking Bao Zheng, Zhao Zhen quickly ran towards the back hall.

Bao Zheng wanted to chase after him, but was stopped by Zhang Maoze.

"Master Bao, you know the emperor's temper. It's hard for him to give you an answer when he's furious. It's better to let him calm down."

"In addition, Mao Ze thinks that it would be more appropriate to resolve this matter at tomorrow's court meeting."

Hearing this, Bao Zheng suddenly understood.

He nodded slightly to Zhang Maze, then left the Chuigong Hall.

Zhang Yaozuo was given four missions, but the ministers of the two governments remained silent. It was obvious that they had been instructed. The court meeting was the best time for the censors to hold court discussions.

……

The next morning, the regular court meeting went on as scheduled.

Zhao Zhen claimed to be ill and did not attend the meeting, so as per convention, Prime Minister Wen Yanbo presided over the court meeting.

Half an hour later.

After Prime Minister Wen Yanbo and the officials finished discussing everything, they were about to adjourn the meeting.

But found out.

Several censors walked to the door first and closed the door of Chuigong Hall.

The Imperial Censor Tang Jie and Tang Zifang at the door said loudly: "Please discuss with the censors the matter of Zhang Yaozuo's appointment as the four envoys!"

Hearing this, all the gentlemen's faces fell.

Everyone knew that this was the emperor's intention. The censors used this method to demonstrate to the two governments and force the emperor out.

Prime Minister Wen Yanbo frowned and looked at the censors at the door.

"Zhang Yaozuo has already been appointed as the four envoys. If the censors have any objections, they can raise them in the court. But now, how can you block the door of Chuigong Hall?"

Bao Zheng, the head of the Censorate, stood up.

"The censors have the responsibility to correct and criticize matters. If the censors have difficult questions to answer, they can apply for a court discussion. The current blocking of the door is a court discussion. The imperial decree cannot be passed without the signature of the Secretariat. Please explain to me, Minister Wen, what merits did Zhang Yaozuo have to be appointed as the fourth envoy?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Chuigong Hall fell silent.

Bao Zheng's words were obviously a severe criticism of the prime minister.

But it makes sense.

Zhang Yaozuo's appointment was issued by the Secretariat. Without Wen Yanbo's seal, this decree could not have been issued.

Just then, Zhao Zhen strode over.

All the ministers bowed their hands.

Zhao Zhen stood in front of the throne and glared, "Are you still arguing about Zhang Yaozuo? You said Zhang Yaozuo was not qualified to be the Three-Division Envoy, so I dismissed him; you said Zhang Yaozuo was a relative and could not enter the two government offices, so I gave him a few minor positions such as Jiedushi, are you still arguing? You don't even want to do your job?"

At this moment, Zhao Zhen was extremely angry.

For a moment, all the ministers bowed their heads.

Just when the censors didn't know how to start, Tang Jie stood up.

"Your Majesty, both Taizu and Taizong were military governors, so they were probably not low-ranking officials!"

These words choked Zhao Zhen, and he was so angry that he wanted to overturn the table.

Tang Jie caught a mistake in his sentence and directly brought up Taizu and Taizong.

However, Tang Jie was not finished yet.

Just when Bao Zheng was about to stand up and make a suggestion.

Tang Jie then said, "Your Majesty, I want to impeach Prime Minister Wen Yanbo!"

All the officials were stunned.

I don’t know why Tang Jie suddenly pointed the finger at Wen Yanbo.

Tang Jie continued, "In the early years, when Minister Wen was the governor of Yizhou, he secretly sent lanterns and brocade to the imperial concubine. I suspect that Minister Wen secretly had an affair with the imperial concubine in his early years, which led to his position as prime minister today."

"Now, Zhang Yaozuo has been reappointed as an envoy for four consecutive years, but the Minister of Culture has not raised any objections. This is to repay his kindness. I suspect that he still has contacts with the harem, and is seeking personal gain and monopolizing power!"

"boom!"

Zhao Zhen slammed the imperial desk heavily.

"Tang Zifang, are you saying that I was manipulated by the Minister of Culture and the Imperial Concubine, and that the promotion of Zhang Yaozuo was a scheme of the two?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the ministers bowed.

If the previous dynasty and the harem were involved, it would be a serious crime, and it also showed that Zhao Zhen and all the officials in the court were incompetent.

Tang Jie puffed out his chest and said, "Otherwise, I really can't think of what merits or abilities Zhang Yaozuo has to deserve such favor?"

aside.

Wen Yanbo said quickly, "Your Majesty, Tang Jie is talking nonsense! I did give him the lantern brocade, but that was out of friendship. There is no connection between me and Zhang Yaozuo!"

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly.

He understood all of this.

Zhang Yaozuo's favor was entirely given by him. It was indeed related to Concubine Zhang, but had nothing to do with Wen Yanbo.

At this moment, Bao Zheng and others suddenly understood why Tang Jie did this.

Tang Jie also knew that the emperor was aware that this matter had nothing to do with Wen Yanbo.

He did this entirely to take on the responsibility of "advising" himself so as to prevent all the censors from being sent away.

He also tactfully pointed out the fact that Zhao Zhen believed what Concubine Zhang said.

At this moment, Zhao Zhen's face was dark.

He could not tolerate Tang Jie's slander of the prime minister and his beloved concubine.

"Tang Jie, it is the duty of an official to speak out, but you cannot make random accusations without any evidence. Speaking nonsense is a taboo for officials. If you don't punish them, it will not be enough to enforce the discipline of the court!"

These words were obviously directed at all the censors.

"Where is the Imperial Edict? Draft an imperial decree immediately and send Tang Jie to Chunzhou as the magistrate!"

Chunzhou is a smoke-filled and smoky place in Lingnan, Guangdong, from which it is difficult to return once you leave.

Prime Minister Wen Yanbo was also shocked, thinking that the government's punishment was a bit too severe.

"Your Majesty, although what Censor Tang said was wrong, he spoke out and dared to make a remonstrance, and he has not failed in his duty. If you punish me so severely, I am afraid that no one will dare to make a remonstrance in the future. Please revoke your order!"

"Please revoke your order, Your Majesty!" The eunuchs from the two mansions all bowed.

Zhao Zhen took a deep breath.

After he said that, he also felt that the punishment was too severe.

He slowed down and said, "Then...then send him to Yingzhou as a judge and take him out of the palace."

Although Yingzhou is also in Guangdong, its conditions are much better than Chunzhou.

Then, Tang Jie was carried out.

At this time.

All the censors took a step forward at the same time.

Tang Jie was not afraid of being demoted, and neither were they. For the sake of the Song Dynasty, they were all willing to be exiled.

All the officials were intimidated by the momentum of the censors.

These people are all upright people. For the sake of their goals, they are not only willing to be demoted or dismissed from office, but they are also willing to sacrifice their own lives.

Today, if a censor chooses to commit suicide by hitting his head against a pillar, the matter will become a big deal and will definitely go down in history.

Zhao Zhen looked at Bao Zheng's solemn expression and felt a little panicked.

If this big firecracker were to fire at full power, all the officials in the court would probably not be able to suppress it.

"Cough cough..."

Zhao Zhen coughed twice and said, "I understand your intentions. Let me think about it again!"

Hear this.

The ministers then understood that the emperor had compromised.

To compromise on the spot would hurt the emperor's prestige, so he was trying to find a way out.

……

That night.

Wen Yanbo came to Zhang Yaozuo's mansion, stayed for half an hour, and then left quickly.

In the hall.

Zhang Yaozuo sat on a mahogany chair with a depressed look on his face.

aside.

His old servant said, "Sir, do you really want to resign? Perhaps this is not the emperor's intention, but the intention of the Minister of Literature. If you resign, the imperial concubine will be left alone in the harem and may not be able to become the queen!"

Zhang Yaozuo looked helpless.

"What can I do? Even the emperor can't handle those censors, how can I handle it?"

"Instead of being scolded to death, it is better not to fight, to protect the dignity of the official family, and also make the official feel ashamed of me. In this life, it will be difficult for me to enter the two governments!"

……

The next morning.

Zhang Yaozuo entered the palace and asked to resign from his position as one of the four envoys, intending to return to Henan Prefecture to retire.

After comforting him, Zhao Zhen agreed to his resignation from the posts of Xuanhui Southern Courtyard Envoy and Qunmu Zhishi, which were the most opposed by the censors, leaving only the posts of Huaikang Jiedushi and Jingling Palace Envoy.

Zhang Yaozuo knelt down to express his gratitude and cried bitterly, and Zhao Zhen was most receptive to this.

On the same day, Zhongshu announced the decree.

In this way, Zhao Zhen did not lose his imperial power, and the censors had no objections, and the matter gradually subsided.

……

Ten days later, Tang Jie went to Yingzhou to take up his post.

After staying in Yingzhou for two months, he was transferred to be the magistrate of Tanzhou.

Two years later, Tang Jie was recalled to the court and promoted to Palace Censor.

Because of this incident, Bao Zheng's reputation of spitting in the face and Tang Jie's reputation as the true censor spread throughout the world, and the power of the censorate gradually increased.

(End of this chapter)