It was already the seventh month of the first year of Yuanyou (20).
Sima Guang, who was seriously ill, took the opportunity to express his congratulations to the Queen Mother on this day.
Finally, he seized the opportunity and signed a letter that might be his last political statement.
The copied copy was sent to Zhao Xu.
Zhao Xu already knew the contents as soon as he took it into his hand.
This was Sima Guang's "Ten Subjects for Selecting Scholars" during the Yuanyou era in his previous life.
It was also his counterattack against Wang Anshi's use of new learning as official education to obtain scholars in the fifteen years since he retreated to Luoyang.
In Zhao Xu's previous life, it was because the Empress Dowager blindly believed in Sima Guang.
Therefore, throughout the Yuanyou era, the ten-subject method for selecting scholars became the focus of the imperial examination in the Song Dynasty.
However, Sima Guang took refuge in Luoyang and wrote books for fifteen years.
It has long been divorced from the reality of Song Dynasty society.
His method of selecting scholars through ten subjects is purely lofty.
After Zhao Xu came to power in his previous life, the New Party's evaluation of this ten-subject method for selecting scholars is very simple. In one sentence: just to gain reputation and become a prime minister, and to abolish the law and complain, there is nothing. Only use the ten-subject method to select scholars. , it ends up being an empty text, no one should be chosen, and people start laughing at it!
So, in the face of such unscrupulous and sharp comments from the New Party.
How did the old party literati respond?
The answer is no response!
I just silently deleted this evaluation of Sima Guang by New Party ministers from the actual records and national history.
The reason for deletion was revealed when Li Tao wrote "The Long Continuation of Zi Zhi Tong Jian".
Li Tao said this: Sima Guang's "famous reputation spread among the people... he abolished the law and complained, and nothing was done..." These words cannot be passed down to future generations, so they are deleted from "Guang" to "Laughing".
so……
But!
Zhao Xu held the copied copy in his hand and asked Guo Zhongxiao in the palace: "Guo Qing, mother-in-law, does the queen mother have any instructions on this?"
Guo Zhongxiao lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has issued an edict to encourage me. She has ordered someone to give me a gold belt as a reward."
Zhao Xu nodded and understood what the two palaces meant - it was well written, but don't write it next time.
Moreover, looking at it like this, the Empress Dowager might not have even looked carefully at the watch stamp on Sima Guang and just threw it aside.
All I can say is...women! You really can’t offend someone casually!
Zhao Xu pursed his lips, subconsciously rubbed his hands, and then picked up a pen to write a comment on it.
After receiving the instructions, he handed the copied copy to Guo Zhongxiao and said, "Please order someone to send it to Sima Xianggong's residence."
"No!" Guo Zhongxiao bowed respectfully and was about to say goodbye.
However, Zhao Xu stopped him: "Guo Qing, I heard that your father has come to Beijing?"
Guo Zhongxiao immediately paused and said: "Thanks to your majesty's great kindness, my father returned to the court yesterday. I personally welcomed him. My father said: I am favored by your majesty. I don't think I am stupid. I express my gratitude to you and shed tears of gratitude. I can only die a hundred times to repay you!" "
Zhao Xu laughed: "The old lieutenant is serious!"
"Tell the old lieutenant for me - I have wronged the old lieutenant all these years!"
When Guo Zhongxiao heard this, his nose suddenly became sore, and he bowed respectfully and thanked him again. He didn't know what to say to express his inner excitement and gratitude: "Chen... Chen..."
"Get up!"
"In the future, there will be many places where I need to use you!"
Guo Kui, the father of Guo Zhongxiao, made his own decision and reached a peace agreement with Jiaozhi to withdraw his troops because he did not ask for instructions.
Although this move saved the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers, it also completely ruined his future!
Not only was he stripped of his military power, he was also ordered to shut himself up and reflect on his mistakes.
This top military minister, who had been a full-time military minister during the Peace Period and had also served as a Privy Councilor, left the political arena just like that.
To put it bluntly, Guo Kui's behavior back then was actually taking the blame for Zhao Xu's father.
During the Southern Expedition, although the generals were at odds with each other, they were at odds with each other.
But there is no problem in using troops and fighting.
There is no problem with the choice of Guo Kui as the coach.
The responsibility does not lie with him, it is entirely a problem with the court and those in power.
Moreover, this is the reason why Guo Kui ended up like this.
In fact, it is also related to the system of the Song Dynasty.
If you don’t believe it, look at the then deputy commander-in-chief Zhao Xi - he only received one punishment (demotion to Zhilong Tuge, Zhi Guizhou), and was promoted back within a few years.
It's just that I lost the opportunity to become the Prime Minister.
The severity of Guo Kui's punishment is inseparable from the fact that he is a military minister - Zhao officials have different requirements for civil servants and military ministers.
Civil servants could argue with the emperor, and even, under certain conditions, go against the emperor's will and act on their own, as long as it was later proven that what they did was right.
It's amazing that the emperor cursed him a few times and felt unhappy for several months.
But as time goes by, when benefits appear, they will show their faces to grab credit, and promote this minister by the way.
But military ministers must absolutely obey orders!
Right or wrong is not important at all.
The important thing is: follow instructions.
In other words - no matter how outrageous the emperor's micro-management is, the military officials must obey it.
This is why Guo Kui was convicted and demoted.
This is also the reason why Zhong'e can't be promoted to a full-time position in his life.
Especially Zhong E - so stubborn!
He always liked to argue with the emperor about right and wrong, and always felt that he was right.
If he hadn't been so good at fighting.
If it weren't for the fact that the country is in a period of employing people.
The breeding eggs have long been kicked to an unknown place and left to be raised idle.
With this great victory in the Southern Expedition, the territory of the Song Dynasty advanced to the Fuliang River.
Zhao Xu took the opportunity to vindicate Guo Kui.
First, after the peace talks between the Song Dynasty and the Song Dynasty, he was promoted from the idle "Left Guard General" to the Right Military Guard General under the name of "Old Minister Guo Kui, a famous general of the previous dynasty and a meritorious service to the country."
County man.
This is an obvious signal of redress.
The decree arrived in Luoyang, and after Guo Kui thanked him for his kindness, a new decree arrived.
General Youwuwei, who had not yet warmed up, was gone again.
General Youwuwei, the Grand Lieutenant of the Jianwu Army, Guo Kui, a male from Wugong County, returned to the army and became the General Youwuwei, and became the military envoy of the Jianwu Army.
This is an honor that is long overdue for him.
An honor ten years overdue.
Old Guo Kui burst into tears and immediately asked to be appointed official.
Zhao Xu tried to stay three times and finally agreed.
This time, the treatment and honors are directly to the fullest.
Guo Kui, the military envoy of the Jianwu Army, was responsible for the Kaifu Yi and the three divisions. The military envoy of the Jianwu Army was responsible for observing and dealing with matters within the Yongzhou administration. He was responsible for the military affairs of Yongzhou and served as an official in the Shangzhu state.
He raised his title from a male in Wugong County to the level of founding lord of Guilin County, and granted a thousand households a city and 400 households a real title.
This is the standard process for becoming a full-time military minister, but a formal military minister who has made great achievements in battle and is in the heart of the emperor.
The most important thing is the arrangement in Zhao Xu's will.
The Jianwu Army is originally the establishment of Guangxi.
In other words, worshiping Guo Kui as Jianwu's military governor was an acknowledgment that his handling of Guangxi back then was no problem.
The titles and titles added after becoming an official are a kind of implicit recognition and recognition.
If this were not the case, how could it be possible to arrange these titles and titles for him?
For Guo Kui, what is Tianen?
That’s it!
When you are old, you can be recognized by the court and restore your reputation and treatment.
This is simply a miracle - when have Zhao officials ever done such a thing?
So, I burst into tears, and every once in a while I would write a letter of thanks to express my gratitude to God.
Little did he know that the price of the grace given to him by Zhao Xu was something he would never be able to pay back in his lifetime.
All children and grandchildren must work for Zhao Xu.
No, the Holy Day of the Queen Mother is coming soon.
Zhao Xu issued another edict to hire him back.
The words were spoken in a high-sounding way, and the recognition and praise given to Guo Kui was generous.
What's the saying, "The character is deep and courageous, the weapon is rich and powerful", and the "being encountered in three dynasties, there is the purity of gold and stone".
Then, the conversation changed.
First, he gave the example of Tai Gongwang, and then used the story of Guo Ziyi, saying that he was "a good man who knew the classics and martial arts" and was really the best choice for the country's generals.
Therefore, Guo Kui took office only two months ago.
So he was hired back to Bianjing by Zhao Xu with zero salary to judge martial arts.
Therefore, although martial arts is still subordinate to the Imperial College.
However, such a veteran general returned to the court and took charge of martial arts.
Among those cats and dogs in the Imperial College, who could speak loudly in front of Guo Kui?
Don't forget that although Guo Kui was a military official,
But he once served as a Privy Councilor with the same signature during peacetime. Although he was not a Privy Councilor, he was still in power!
Not to mention the cats and dogs in the Imperial College, even the civil servants waiting to be elected did not dare to breathe casually in front of Guo Kui.
The ministers at that time all gave him face.
Therefore, Zhao Xu used this to take the first step towards independence in martial arts - to separate it from the control of civil servants.
And Guo Kui owed Zhao Xu so much.
The only thing he can repay is probably to work for him diligently and diligently.
As for whether Guo Kui will be disobedient?
How can it be!
So many years after Xining's southern expedition, Guo Kui has been studying behind closed doors in Luoyang.
He never complained or argued for himself.
Take the initiative to take the blame and assume all responsibilities.
In other words, this is a veteran who has been trained into his own shape by Zhao officials.
Such a person will carry out all the emperor's orders 100% and without compromise.
After seeing off Guo Kui, Zhao Xu leaned back on a cool recliner - this was a recliner made from the huanghuali wood he had just bought from Yazhou after he learned how to use a plane from Shen Kuo after entering the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In summer, it is most comfortable to lie on it.
Today, only a few similar pieces of furniture have been built for use by the two palaces and Zhao Xu.
I have to say that Hainan huanghuali wood furniture is very comfortable.
Lying on it, Zhao Xu recalled the contents of Sima Guang's memorial with a smile on his lips.
"The Ten-College Examination is great!"
The good thing about him is that he is not practical!
It seems broad, but there aren't many restrictions, and most of the options don't even restrict identity.
Whether you are a civilian, an official, or even a military official, you can sign up to participate.
But the problem is, it was precisely because of this that it decided to fail.
This is a medical science!
A higher way to select talents than the imperial examination.
Take a look, who were the people selected for academic qualifications in the past?
Just pick anyone - Su Shi!
Su Shi was only famous for his articles, but his actual official position was not high.
Those who came from other manufacturing majors are at least waiting to be made, and there are quite a few bosses!
Just select talents according to Su Shi’s standards, which is the lower limit of the system.
How many people dare to sign up? Who dares to recommend casually?
The most terrible thing is the names set by Sima Guang for the ten subjects.
"Sure conduct and righteousness can serve as a model for teachers" - based on the requirements of the system, the person who succeeds must be a person who can serve as a moral model and example for the world.
In the eyes of people all over the world, those who meet this condition are all in the history books.
Not to mention comparable to Zhou Gong, Confucius and Mencius, at least in terms of personal morality, comparable to people like Sima Guang and Wang Anshi.
Are you choosing a saint?
There is also the one that says, "Excellent wisdom and bravery can prepare you for generals." Do you see the word "general"? Do you see "kebei"?
This limits the recruitment direction of this subject to young talents with general talents.
But the problem is that in today's era, generals are basically the result of talent and time.
Those who are truly capable of being a general are not young, and those who are young are not capable of being a general.
Do you really think that people like Huo Qubing and Yue Fei are radishes in the ground? As long as they want, they can grow outside?
Therefore, Sima Guang's selection of scholars based on ten subjects is destined to be a joke, and it is impossible to select anyone.
The question then arises, can the standards be lowered?
The answer is no!
At least not in Zhao Xu's previous life.
Because Sima Guang in the Yuanyou era was a red flag of the old party and an absolutely correct figure.
Anyone who dares to question Sima Guang will be swarmed and besieged to death by the radicals of the old party under his banner.
The Empress Dowager in the palace could not say anything against Sima Guang.
Sima Guang had already explained at the beginning what this ten-subject method of selecting scholars was for—Confucius used four subjects to select scholars, and the Han Dynasty used several methods to select people.
They all have to be selected to fill key positions and serve as reserve talents for future prime ministers and generals.
He is a young talent who wants to inherit his Sima Guang career!
Therefore, no one dared to move.
But it's different now.
Zhao Xu rubbed his hands and sighed in a low voice: "Xianggong Sima is a good man!"
"I accept this great gift with a smile."
The method of selecting scholars in ten subjects is not important, what is important is the name.
Use Sima Guang as a ladder to pry open the door of the imperial examination system.
With this name, many things will be easier to handle in the future.
If the old party wants to object, it throws out Sima Guang's ten-subject method for selecting scholars - Sima Xianggong even said that he wants to reform, but you actually dare to object?
"When Sima Guang is critically ill, I will come to express my condolences in person!" Zhao Xu said softly.
"Let Wen Yanbo, Sima Kang, and Mr. Lu come as witnesses..."
"Witness that I am the King Cheng recognized by Sima Guang, the hope and conscience of the Song Dynasty!"
"In this case, anyone who opposes me is opposing Sima Guang and has no conscience!"
Thinking like this, Zhao Xu started laughing.
…
Sima Guang lay on the bed and watched the emperor's instructions being brought before him.
He couldn't help but burst into tears when he looked at the neat guange font on the top of the paper.
"The one who knows me is Your Majesty!"
Sima Kang was beside him, quietly glancing at the words on the paper.
But I saw the imperial writing on it said: Weiyu boy, if you don't know how to respect him, stop him; if you are like him, you will continue the ancient people!
Sima Kang knew that these came from two sentences in the Book of Songs.
Two poems from the Book of Songs were cited respectively when King Cheng was offering sacrifices.
Weiyu, the boy, is not clever and respectful. It comes from "Jingzhi". It is what King Cheng said in the Ancestral Temple when he said that he would study hard to be a wise king and asked the ministers to supervise him.
The word "like to continue, to continue the ancient" comes from "Liang Shu". When King Cheng was celebrating the joy of the harvest, he told his ministers that he would inherit the virtues of the previous kings, continue the good governance of ancient times, and benefit the world.
The combination of the two is actually a commitment and recognition to his father!
No wonder the old father was so excited!
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This chapter has been completed!