Dawn of the Empire

Chapter 471 - 88 Sincerity crowns the ancients forever - 4

After the generals retired, Yelu Dashi stopped Tong Guan and asked, "King Zheng, how feasible do you think King Jin's strategy is?"

Tong Guan was a little flattered, and hurriedly replied: "King Jin's strategy is very feasible." He paused for a while, and then said, "It's just that there is no rush." ​​He subconsciously looked at the entrance of the imperial account.Although Jin Wang Yelukuang was not favored, but for some reason, Tong Guan was somewhat afraid of him.Being left by Yelu Dashi alone to ask his opinion on Yelukuang's offer of advice, he was both excited and apprehensive.

"Can't be in a hurry? What do you mean?"

Tong Guan said cautiously: "I have seen similar things when I was in the Southern Dynasty. If the minister was impeached from the beginning, the officials would definitely not believe it. However, there is always some suspicion in my heart. At this time, if the political opponent is anxious to jump out and report It is not yet known who will win the deer. At this time, we must not be in a hurry. Tell the official one thing today and tell the official another thing tomorrow. It is irrelevant, but it coincides with the original suspicion of the official. Over time, the official The suspicion is getting heavier and heavier, but I hope that the capable ministers will come out and bring down this person. At this time, the officials themselves will reveal this meaning. When it has been decided, it will come naturally." After he finished speaking, he lowered his head and dared not look up.

Yelu Dashi thought for a while, then was silent for a while, then shook his head and said with a smile: "It seems that it is not easy to be a 'traitor' minister."

This sentence frightened Tong Guan, and he pleaded guilty: "Your Majesty sees thousands of miles away, and I dare not lie, so I just report the truth. Your Majesty, yesterday's minister is dead. Since I surrendered to Your Majesty, I have been like a Reborn, the old slave's loyalty to Daliao and His Majesty can be learned from the sun."

"Okay, okay." Yelu Dashi waved his hand, he looked at Tong Guan with a playful smile in his eyes, "The more treacherous minister of the Southern Dynasty, the more loyal minister of my Daliao. The orange in Huainan , Huaibei is Zhizhi, maybe this is the destiny of my Daliao?" Tong Guan absolutely couldn't believe his joking tone.When it came to the fate, he didn't dare to argue, but he heard Yelu Dashi say again: "One thing falls one thing, Zhao Qi made such a big fuss in Xiangyang, maybe I have to borrow his brother to suppress it, but listen Isn’t Zhao Ke very submissive now? King Zheng, what can you do to make Zhao Ke’s heart turn toward me, Daliao?”

The so-called companion is like a tiger, unknowingly, Tong Guan's vest is already wet with sweat.It was also his job to monitor Zhao Ke and the people around him, but during this southern expedition, Yelu Dashi left Zhao Ke in the Liao army camp on the outskirts of Bianliang, but brought Tong Guan with him.I don't know whether it's for defense or reuse, but this alone makes Tong Guan a little scared.He couldn't figure out the purpose of Yelu Dashi's question, so he could only bow his head and say, "Zhao, Zhao Ke is half-hearted, probably because he was instigated by people around him." He thought about a few people, and said, "Queen Zhu Shi She was the daughter of Zhu Bona, the military governor of Wuchang. Her father fought stubbornly at Zhu Xianyi and was killed by the king's teacher. It is not certain that there was a bitch like Zhu's instigation. Although Zhao Zhifu, the prime minister, and others, although superficially respectful, they treated her Our court is still quite hostile. The so-called those who are close to Zhu are red, and those who are close to ink are black. The old slave thought that if these people were removed, Zhao Ke would be replaced by a group of officials who were more loyal to our Daliao, and most of them would be very friendly to Zhao Ke. Some influence."

Yelu Dashi thought for a moment, then nodded and said: "King Zheng is right. However, the world is still undecided, and I still want to use Zhao Zhifu and other old officials of the Song Dynasty as signs to temporarily restrict him from meeting Zhao Ke. As for the Empress Zhu? Let Zhao Ke can abolish her by himself, in the future Daliao and Daliao will be one family, and I will order the North Court to choose a daughter from the Yelu clan and give him another queen."

............

Zhao Qi suddenly announced that Xiangyang was the place to go, which put a lot of pressure on Chen Dong.The prefectures and counties had to speed up their preparations for the election of false prime ministers. In recent days, Ezhou has been very lively, and sixty to seventy prefectures and counties have come to Ezhou to learn to sacrifice wine.These people inevitably visit each other.According to Huang Zhoushan, in order to allow the ministers of the DPRK and China to work together, the six ministers and other official positions were determined by the prime minister, which involved the interests of many people.Chen Dongshen couldn't get away from these contacts, and he didn't dare to neglect these people a little bit. After spending the day on socializing, he dealt with political affairs at night.At dusk that day, someone suddenly reported that Mr. Huang Zhoushan had come to visit.Chen Dong was overjoyed, and ordered his servants to invite Zhao Xingde to the mansion, and then went to the gate of the mansion to welcome Huang Jian in.

"When did Mr. Zhoushan arrive in Ezhou?" After taking his seat, Chen Dong smiled and said, "Mr. Chen wanted to visit Mr. Chen long ago, but he couldn't do it because of the complicated things. Now Mr. Lawton came to visit, which really makes the younger generation feel ashamed."

Huang Jian looked at the layout of the hall, and he had a strange feeling about the election of the prime minister in Ezhou, as if his children had suddenly grown up, but felt a little strange.In fact, he arrived in Ezhou a few days ago, but he has been observing secretly, wanting to hear more and see more about the things in Ezhou.However, this visit to see Chen Dong was for the purpose of donating his life.

After a while, the servants had brewed new tea from Mount Wuyi in Fujian for both the guests and the host.Although Chen Dong has a rich family, after arriving in Ezhou, he used money everywhere, often subsidizing it from his own pocket.In order to set an example for all officials, he deliberately paid attention to frugality and self-serving.Therefore, if it wasn't for a senior scholar like Huang Jian to visit, he wouldn't offer such good tea to treat him.After the two exchanged pleasantries, the topic turned to the election of the prime minister, which is currently in full swing.

"Shaoyang," Huang Jian said with a pale face, took a sip of tea, and frowned slightly, "Huang proposed that the country select scholars through imperial examinations, build schools to select talented scholars, and schools select the prime ministers of prefectures and counties through public discussion. It also has the right to supervise and impeach. The original intention is to unite the power of the world's sages to create a peaceful and prosperous world. However, Huang has come all the way and seen that many states and counties are flooded with donations, and even in some places, the number of donations It has already surpassed the original number of scholars. In this way, the prefectural and county officials, the prime minister, and even the power to supervise and impeach in the future seem to be entrusted to someone else, right?"

Huang Jian's words made Chen Dong a little embarrassed.In the prefectures and counties where the Son of Heaven is respected and not ordered by 'chaos', they not only opened the mouth to donate students, but also broke through the county school quota set by the imperial court during the Chongning period in order to enrich the treasury. 50 people in middle counties and 40 people in small counties.Some people even suggested that the size of the county should be considered in the selection of prime ministers. Small counties with few lin students can only be elected by one Jijiu, while large counties with more lin students should have three people participate in the election of prime ministers.In Chen Dong's eyes, the matter of electing the prime minister has become extremely messy, but at this time, Huang Jian, a great Confucian who advocated the system of public elections, came to his door, which made him feel a little embarrassed by the subject. The feeling of being caught on the spot.

After pondering for a while, Chen Dong still decided to tell the truth, and sighed: "To tell the truth, Mr. Huang, the situation in front of us is easier said than done. Now the Liao army is overwhelming, and the original treasury of Southeast Zhou County is extremely empty. If you want to expel the northern captives, you need to recruit soldiers and raise soldiers, and if you want to recruit soldiers and raise soldiers, you need money and food. If you don’t use the method of donating your life to manage your money, I’m afraid the people will be even more miserable.”

Huang Jian shook his head and said: "In this case, the local tyrants will control the prefectures and counties and implement the system of public elections. It is not the sages who rule the world, but the powerful and rich households rule the world. These donated students donate money to enter the county school, mostly not for the sake of understanding the etiquette Righteousness, helping the world and saving the people, the officials they elect must be biased towards the rich and powerful, and even fish and meat the common people. They even treat donating lives and selecting officials as a business. From this point on, it is like selling officials and nobles in the Eastern Han Dynasty." He said clearly There is a thick worry 'color' on the face.

"Sir, what you said is true." Chen Dong felt guilty. He didn't know if Huang Jianxiao didn't know that the Lishe was also secretly subsidizing the poor scholars in those societies to donate students to school, and explained, "This is just a stopgap measure. After the northern captives are expelled, After restoring the old mountains and rivers, the imperial court has no shortage of money and food, so it is natural to abolish the donation system. However, the current situation is absolutely necessary. The younger generation thinks that the most urgent task is to expel the northern captives. A county school donation treasury can get [-] guan , can raise ten soldiers, a thousand donations can raise tens of thousands of soldiers, and ordinary people don't need to pay a penny..." Speaking of this, his eyes lighted up, "To tell the truth, sir, this is the one that controls the situation. Chen is determined to take on the role of the fake prime minister. This road is not easy, and Chen has disregarded his reputation. This move is not for personal fame, but for the world! After the world is peaceful, Chen will be crowned himself Go, or let the world's insightful people choose other talents. I also hope that Mr. Zhoushan will support the younger generation." After finishing speaking, Chen Dong stood up and bowed deeply to Huang Jian to the end.

With complicated eyes, Huang Jian sighed deeply.The current situation, with his reputation, is of great importance.

In the Yellow Crane Tower, a group of scholars from various states and counties are having a banquet. The center of discussion among the people is still the candidate for the prime minister.Chen Dong is naturally the number one in everyone's expectations. Some people praise Hou Huanyin who appeases Jingdong and choked the back of the Liao bandits, and some people think that Zhao Xingde, who has just defeated the Liao army in a turbulent current situation, is more suitable. Be the prime minister.

"Mr. Zhao Yuanzhi is good, but he is not strict in his command. He has sent troops to 'harass' the prefectures and counties, and there are complaints from the local people. It's not right, it's not right." Xu Guodong couldn't help glaring at someone muttering next to him.Ma Yuan hurriedly tugged at his sleeve, and persuaded him, "Don't cause trouble for this, it's critical, what good things can someone who doesn't want Mr. Zhao to be prime minister say?" Liu Wengu, Jia Yuanzhen and others also nodded in agreement. yes.

At this time, some people were muttering and muttering: "Chen Dong himself advertised the clean stream of Confucianism, but he married a Bianliang singer as his wife. He is really hypocritical. In my opinion, compared with Mr. Jingdonghou, who is as good as his words and deeds, he is just the same. He's a complete villain." There was actually a lady next to him who praised him, saying: "Brother Tai is really astute, and he can see through the true face of this hypocrite at a glance."