The dream of a lonely hero

Let’s say that Zhao Guangyi, the prefect of Kaifeng, ordered that Wang Rong, Zhang Xun, Zhao Rong, Liu Ao, and Wang Deyan, who were snobbish, be beaten out. Feng Zan waved his fan and said, “Nan Ya, wait a minute!”

Zhao Guangyi said angrily, “Such shameless people, do you want to plead for them?”

Feng Zan said, “Nan Ya, calm down! ‘Things are bound to happen, and the reason is so.’ There is life and death, and there is prosperity and decline, this is ‘things are bound to happen’. When you are rich, your house is crowded with people, and when you are poor, your friends are few, this is ‘the reason is so.’ At dawn, people rush to the market, and at dusk, people leave in a hurry without any attachment, are they Do they like mornings and hate evenings? Of course not, because the market in the morning has what they want, but the evening market has already dispersed. When the Southern Court lost its high position, the monkeys scattered, and those who followed the Southern Court, such as Wang Rong, left one after another. After the Southern Court was reinstated, they came back. This is all human nature, so why should we care too much and hold a grudge? "

Zhao Guangyi thought for a moment and said, "The benefit is there, and people will go where they want. What you said is right." Then he ordered the servants to invite Wang Rong, Zhang Xun, Zhao Rong, Liu Ao, and Wang Deyan to meet him.

After Zhao Guangyi summoned Wang Rong, Zhang Xun and others, he discussed matters with Feng Zan. Zhao Guangyi said: "The judge of Kaifeng Prefecture's envoys' court Lu Ze, the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture's envoys' court Song Qi, the commander of Kaifeng Prefecture's cavalry and infantry Zhao Yanpu, and the commander of Kaifeng Prefecture's infantry Ma Sheng, were able to stay in Kaifeng Prefecture when this prefecture was demoted. I wonder how the former Kaifeng prefect Lu Duo hid it from Zhao Guangmei. Did Lu Duo fall to the ground because he was loyal to this prefecture or Zhao Guangmei?"

Feng Zan said: "A cunning rabbit has three burrows. It can be seen that Lu Duo is a two-timing person. The Southern Court will just spare him. A favor."

Zhao Guangyi nodded, and after a moment said: "Mr. Li Chen is a man of great talent and knowledge. Why did you refuse to serve as the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture when our government repeatedly invited you? Is it because you think the position is too low?"

Feng Zan said: "Nan Ya is wrong! The magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture is second only to Nan Ya in the government office. How could I think the position is too low!"

Zhao Guangyi said: "Why?"

Feng Zan said: "Nan Ya! I have been in your shogunate for less than a year. I have been very kind and obedient to you. Jia Su, Chai Yuxi, Liu Qi and others have been following you for more than ten years. They have worked hard without any merit, and they are tired without any hard work. If you surpass me, how will they feel? Envy and jealousy have made me their opponent. I have to distract myself to deal with them. You have to spend energy to mediate the conflicts between the guests. The internal friction will ruin your great cause! Although I have no official rank now, you have given me the salary of a sixth-rank official. You treat me with great courtesy, what more can I ask for? I am free from my duties and will not be hindered by my colleagues. I will concentrate on planning for you. " Zhao Guangyi admired him very much and said, "Mr. Feng has far-reaching thoughts! Most powerful enemies are defeated by themselves." Zhao Guangyi treated Feng Zan with great courtesy. The day after returning to the capital from Dingzhou, he rewarded him with a large amount of money and found a quiet courtyard for him to live in. He personally named the courtyard "Yanzhu Pavilion". Yanzhu Pavilion is located in Zhao Guangyi's mansion.He would always seek advice from him. Under Feng Zan's planning, Zhao Guangyi gradually eliminated the remnants of Zhao Guangmei in the government office and the court and sent them to serve as officials, and gradually placed his confidants in them. His power in Kyoto gradually grew stronger, but it was harder than ascending to heaven for the power to infiltrate the emperor's central ministers and close ministers. Zhao Pu, Chu Zhaopu, Liu Xigu and other "eight wings (assistants)" of the emperor Zhao Kuangyin's former shogunate were all obedient to the emperor's orders.

That day, Zhao Guangyi did not return to the Kaifeng government office after attending the morning court, but hurried back to the "Yanzhu Pavilion" in the mansion to find Feng Zan. Seeing that he came in a hurry, Feng Zan guessed that something big must have happened in the court. The two met briefly and the master and servant sat down. Zhao Guangyi said: "Chu Zhaopu, who has been transferred from the deputy envoy of the Privy Council to the Minister of Finance (a minister of an important institution second only to the Prime Minister of the Secretariat and the Prime Minister of the Privy Council) for less than two years, is in big trouble. It is only a matter of time before he loses his job. This government wants to take this opportunity to insert a confidant into the position. What do you think, sir?"

Feng Zan waved his paper folding fan and thought for a long time, and said: "Nan Ya! I think it is not appropriate."

Zhao Guangyi looked at him closely.

Feng Zan said: "Zhongshu, Privy Council, and Ji Sheng (three departments) are the government offices of the court, military affairs, and finance. They are the lifeblood of our Song Dynasty. The selection of this person is different from that of officials below the fifth rank, who can be decided by the Ministry of Personnel and the Court of Appeal. If Chu Zhaopu is really dismissed, Nan Ya is eager to recommend a candidate. The emperor will think that you want to interfere in the center of the court. Even if you are the emperor's younger brother, will the emperor allow you to get involved?"

The excited Zhao Guangyi was speechless by his words.

Feng Zan was silent for a moment, and said: "What big deal has happened to Minister Chu Zhaopu?"

Zhao Guangyi gradually came to his senses and said: "Chu Zhaopu reported to the emperor this morning: the grain in the warehouse can only be supplied until February next year. Please divide the troops and lead civilian ships to help transport grain by water from the Yangtze River and Huai River. The emperor was furious and rebuked: If the granaries in Beijing do not have nine years of savings, there is no grain. You usually do not do your job perfunctorily. Now the warehouses are running out and the situation is urgent. Please divide the troops and requisition civilian ships and civilians for water transportation. What's the use of you as the Minister of Planning? If the granaries are empty and the military and civilians in Beijing are unstable, you must be killed to thank the world! It is already the twelfth month. If 100,000 shi of grain cannot be brought into the capital within two months, the capital will be out of food in February next year. Chu Zhaopu can't do it even if he is a god."

Feng Zan pondered for a long time.

Zhao Guangyi said: "Sir! Then let him fend for himself."

Feng Zan said: "He was the confidant of the government in the past, so he will not be beheaded, but he will inevitably lose his job. What if you help him out of the dilemma?"

Zhao Guangyi said: "When he needs help the most, I will lend a hand, and he will naturally be grateful for the rest of his life and will follow me wholeheartedly. But this is something that even gods cannot do, what can I do?"

Just as he was speaking, the servants in the mansion came to report that the Prime Minister Chu Zhaopu was visiting. Feng Zan whispered a few words to Zhao Guangyi. Zhao Guangyi was overjoyed and ordered the servants to pass on the message to receive Chu Zhaopu in the front hall.

The front hall of Zhao Guangyi's mansion. Chu Zhaopu was over sixty years old, with a thin body and wrinkles on his face that could not hide his anxiety and panic. Zhao Guangyi received him with a pleasant face. After the greetings, the host and the guest sat down. Zhao Guangyi said: "Prime Minister Ji is visiting my humble homeThis is the Siamese tea given by the government the day before yesterday. Please taste it, Prime Minister Ji."

Chu Zhaopu was too distressed to taste it. He took a sip of it out of courtesy and said, "Zhao Pu is so presumptuous to ask for mercy. I am ashamed to accept the kindness of the Southern Court!"

Zhao Guangyi said, "Prime Minister Ji is an important minister in charge of the finances of the country. How can you be so kind to come to my humble home and have a cup of tea as a sign of respect!"

Chu Zhaopu was full of melancholy and no longer wanted to greet. He stood up and knelt down, crying and saying, "Southern Court! Save me."

Zhao Guangyi hurriedly stood up and helped him, saying, "Prime Minister Ji, please get up, please get up!"

Chu Zhaopu cried, "If the Southern Court doesn't save me, I will definitely die!"

Zhao Guangyi said, "Prime Minister Ji is like this, Tingyi can't accept it! Get up, get up and talk slowly. "Help him sit down.

Chu Zhaopu said: "The Southern Court has seen this morning's court session. There are only two months left until February next year. If the 100,000 shi of grain cannot be transported to the capital, I will die! I beg the Southern Court to meet with the emperor to plead for me and order the troops to be stationed in different places to lead civilian ships to transport grain by water."

Zhao Guangyi said with difficulty: "The Prime Minister has reported this to the emperor this morning. The emperor is furious. This road is not feasible."

Chu Zhaopu knelt down again and said: "Please save my life, Southern Court!"

Zhao Guangyi said: "The Prime Minister is a second-rank official of the current dynasty, and Tingyi is a third-rank official of Kaifeng. They are willing but unable to do anything!"

Chu Zhaopu said: "Although the Southern Court is a third-rank official, he is the emperor's younger brother. He is the second most important figure in the Song Dynasty. If you can't save me, I will die. ”

Zhao Guangyi was very happy to hear that he was “a role second only to the emperor”, but he pretended to be unhappy and said, “You can’t say this casually. The country is the country and the family. Tingyi is the emperor’s younger brother at home and the emperor’s minister in the court. Besides, the prime minister and the two important officials of the two governments were the emperor’s former subordinates. Who can compare with their power? For the sake of their friendship, how can they sit idly by? The prime minister should consult with them.”

Chu Zhaopu said, “The emperor is furious. How dare Zhao Pu, Shen Shunyi, Liu Xigu and others offend the dragon scales!”

Zhao Guangyi frowned and thought silently. Chu Zhaopu burst into tears and cried, “Nan Ya, save me! Save me!”

Zhao Guangyi slowly helped him up and sat down, thinking, “There is still a way.”

Chu Zhaopu’s mind suddenly became clear, and he said hurriedly, “Please teach me from Nan Ya! Teach me!"

Zhao Guangyi said: "Excuse me, the rations for the boatmen are distributed daily by the counties along the river, right?"

Chu Zhaopu said: "Yes."

Zhao Guangyi said: "Will it not delay the time if the counties distribute it daily?"

Chu Zhaopu said: "Yes. That's why the transportation is delayed."

Zhao Guangyi said: "Why doesn't the government allow your three departments to requisition civilian ships?"

Chu Zhaopu said: "If my three departments do not requisition civilian ships, how can we complete the grain transportation task on schedule?"

Zhao Guangyi said: "The prime minister only knows one thing but not the other. If the government allows the three departments to do this, the firewood and charcoal needed by the capital will be cut off due to the lack of boats. Isn't this cutting flesh to heal a wound?"

Chu Zhaopu thought hard, "Yes, but what about the grain and rice needed by the capital?"

Zhao Guangyi said, "We can take care of both by recruiting sturdy boats to transport grain and rice, and old boats to transport firewood and charcoal. The reason why grain and rice are so expensive in the market now is that the official price is low, and merchants will not come without profit, and the merchants hide the grain and rice and do not sell it, so the grain and rice are getting more and more expensive. Open the market, free trade, so that more grain and rice can be transported from all directions. In addition, calculate the round-trip distance of the boatmen, pay them rations at the same time, and order them to complete the task on time; when the grain and rice are transported to the capital and stored in the warehouse, prepare special people to transport them day and night. In this way, the transportation can be increased from 3 times a year to 4 times. One more transportation every year, it is more than 100,000 shi!"

What he said made Chu Zhaopu suddenly enlightened. Chu Zhaopu suddenly realized, and suddenly stood up and blurted out: "Great! Great!" Then he kowtowed to him to thank him, and said with tears of gratitude: "Nan Ya! Nan Ya has given me a new life. From now on, I will be Nan Ya's dog and horse, and this head belongs to Nan Ya!"

Zhao Guangyi was very happy, and he helped others, and said seriously: "This is too much! It is natural for you and I to be close to each other as ministers in the same court, but we have to avoid suspicion as important ministers in the court."

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