In the spring of the sixth year of Zhengtong (1047), Jingxi Road, Xiangzhou.
The sun was shining brightly, and the spring breeze was bringing warmth. On the Han River, hundreds of boats were vying for water. Among the large and small ships going south and north, there was a northbound official ship, which was particularly eye-catching. There were many colorful flags fluttering in the wind, among which there was a
The "Fan" flag with flying dragons and phoenixes is the fleet of Fan Zhongyan, governor of Jinghu North Road, heading north.
On the deck, Fan Gong, who was nearly sixty years old, stood on the side of the ship, his gray beard and hair fluttering in the river breeze, constantly hitting his aging face. On the Han River, boats came and went, along the coast.
Villages and towns are densely populated, all of which show that the Han Empire today is still prosperous and full of vitality.
At least, that's what it looks like on the surface. But as an upper-class dignitary in the empire, Fan Zhongyan, who has traveled several times from the center to the local areas, has a profound and extremely worrying awareness that the empire's current prosperity is not as good as in the past.
, is no longer the same. This is based on the more severe and cruel oppression and exploitation of billions of people.
During the reigns of King Sejo, Taizong, and King Sejong, even if there were occasional recurrences, the overall restraint on the empire's dignitaries was still strong and effective. This was also the fundamental reason why the empire was able to maintain a prosperous situation for a long time.
However, since three generations of emperors have gradually withdrawn from the stage of history, and with the succession of the orthodox emperor Liu Weizhen, this sense of self-restraint of the ruling class that has lasted for decades is gradually blurring.
Although the rule of the empire is still stable, and the management system that has been continuously improved by several generations of emperors is still operating in an orderly manner, what cannot be ignored is that the ills and diseases that have repeatedly appeared in successive dynasties over the millennium, and even in the hundred years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, have
The problem sprouted again.
History is a cycle, characterized by cycles of chaos and chaos. When the ruling class of the empire loosens its self-restraint step by step, when the greedy needs of the rulers are increased from top to bottom, they fall on the trillions of Guizhou heads of the empire.
When the government is in power, another round of ruling pressure and contradictions will inevitably arise.
Under such circumstances, the Han Empire could still maintain a strong and prosperous civilization, and it was still immersed in peace and prosperity. The important reason was that the ancestors left a rich legacy, and the people of the empire could still withstand the current level.
exploitation
Although the Han Empire in the orthodox era is still moving forward under the afterglow of the Jianlong era, there is no doubt that this afterglow cannot protect the empire forever, and the decline after the peak is inevitable.
The key is how to go down this slope. Some want to move forward steadily and go downhill slowly; some want to muddle along, take things as they come, and follow nature; and some are unwilling to slide down and intend to continue to maintain the pinnacle foundation of the Han Empire.
For example, Duke Fan Xiwen is a representative figure.
Since he entered the officialdom in the second year of Duangong, thirty-one years have passed in the blink of an eye, and Fan Zhongyan has grown from a fledgling, high-spirited young talented man to a man of glorious hair, a loyal minister and good minister who is famous all over the world.
Fan Zhongyan's reputation in the current Han Empire is excellent, especially among the common people's bureaucrats, and he is regarded as a leader. Even the northern scholars who are native to the south often look at him with colored glasses, but they have never seen him with colored glasses.
I have never despised his ability to manage affairs and his loyalty.
Probably half of the white hair on his head was born out of concern for the country and the people. In the orthodox era, if a prime minister was to be selected from among the common bureaucrats, then in many people's minds, the first candidate would be
, it’s probably Fan Zhongyan.
To have such a huge reputation, relying solely on personal talents and abilities is obviously not enough. Behind Fan Zhongyan, there is also a large group of people standing, including Duangong Jinshi, Jianlong Cabinet, Nanchen, Suiyang, and Lou Jiang.
The academic school, the official political school, and the aura of Emperor Sejong as a loyal minister, these together created a "first minister in the world".
However, there are many people who support and support him, and there are also many people who hate and exclude him. Therefore, Fan Zhongyan's path to prime minister is destined to be impossible to go smoothly, especially after the departure of Emperor Sejong, the most important leader.
In his thirty-year official career, he has countless times returned to the capital from the local area, but never once has Fan Zhongyan been so hesitant and worried about gains and losses as this time.
Of course, with Fan Gong's magnanimity and magnanimity, he is not worried about personal gains and losses. What he is worried about is his family, country, the world, the king and the country. And this time he returns to the capital, he is destined to make a big splash in the imperial political arena. He wants to take advantage of his life
In my later years, I will once again be loyal and make a last effort for the empire, the king, and the common people.
In fact, as early as the fourth year of Zhengtong, Fan Zhongyan was summoned to return to the court for his contribution to the control of the Western Frontier. He left the Longyou Road where he had struggled for seven years, leaving a good situation in which the military and political affairs were stable and all barbarians were convinced.
.
At that time, Fan Zhongyan was also very ambitious and high-spirited, and he came to Beijing with the intention of achieving a great cause. In his heart and in his eyes, although the Han Empire was glorious and great, it also had many problems and contradictions, and it was necessary to have
It was up to me to take on the responsibility of solving the problem, and with Fan Zhongyan's status and reputation, he naturally had the courage to do his part and show no mercy to anyone else.
That was also the first time in his life that Fan Zhongyan paid homage to the prime minister. After returning to the court, he served as a minister and a financial envoy. Fan Zhongyan was no stranger to the financial system in the empire. He had been exposed to it as early as when he served as a cabinet bachelor next to Shizong.
, and later he was promoted to the rank of Salt and Iron Envoy.
Fan Zhongyan, who once presided over the Huaidong salt embankment project and the major reform of salt affairs across the country, will not be able to remain silent when he returns to the Financial Secretary. He will carry out drastic reforms and rectifications, especially in matters such as talent promotion, accounting, and fund allocation review matters.
Considerable efforts have been made to rectify and correct the situation, and the recurrence of corruption, theft, bribery, selfishness and other phenomena in salt affairs have also been severely dealt with again.
While offending a large number of vested interest groups, the empire's corruption in the financial system was also greatly improved, and administrative efficiency was greatly improved. Unfortunately, Fan Zhongyan only served as financial envoy for half a year, and his rectification and reforms only lasted
After four months, he was dismissed as prime minister.
Of course, it was not just the powerful dignitaries, bureaucrats, landlords, officials and businessmen whose interests were harmed who brought down Fan Zhongyan. The fundamental reason was that this involved a new round of disputes between the rich and the common people.
Although the political structure of the empire in the early years of Orthodoxy remained rational and stable on the whole, due to Emperor Liu Weizhen's weak moral character, weak talent, and lack of prestige, the struggle at the top actually became more intense, especially after Sejong suppressed Xun Xun for more than ten years.
The noble class is facing a counterattack.
First of all, Du Yan, Shizong's minister in his later years, resigned as prime minister in the second year of Zhengtong and left the capital to serve as governor in the southwest. He was succeeded by Leping County Duke Li Zhaoxian (this was the eldest son of Li Jilong and the grandson of Emperor Shizu).
At that time, the political affairs hall, in addition to Li Zhaoxian, the minister, also had the privy envoy Zhe Weichang, the minister of war Xiang Yuankai (grandson of Xiang Deming), the minister of rites Feng Duan (great-grandson of Feng Dao), and was assisted by Shi Yuansun
(grandson of Shi Shouxin), Li Guangfu (great-grandson of Li Jun) and other military and political ministers who held real power.
After these are all the heroes and heroes, except for Feng Duan and Li Guangfu, who are a little weaker, the others are all the top nobles of the empire, such as Li Zhaoxian and Zhe Weichang, and they have the aura of being relatives of the emperor.
When these people occupy a large voice in the imperial court, it also means a major counterattack by the noble forces, and will inevitably usher in the confrontation of the already strong and deep-rooted common people group.
It was against this background that Fan Zhongyan plunged into the whirlpool of political struggles when he returned to Beijing. Although he only wanted to do practical things for the court and the people, some battles were inevitable.
At the same time, as the two most important ministers under the Shangshu Order, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel and the Finance Envoy, one Lu Yijian and the other Fan Zhongyan, were both from common people. One on the left and one on the right, they formed a very powerful clamping effect on Li Zhaoxian.
Therefore, in order to break this restriction, Li Zhaoxian instigated a political attack from behind the scenes, and the target he chose was none other than Fan Zhongyan. Lu Yijian was a wily and powerful person, otherwise it would be difficult for him to quickly return to the throne after the new emperor succeeded to the throne.
He was appointed Prime Minister in Jing, and took the further step of becoming Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
In comparison, Fan Zhongyan is much easier to operate. Although his personal ethics are good, in the eyes of interested people, he is full of loopholes and easy to attack.
This kind of political activity does not mean that Fan Zhongyan is really at fault. It is just that those in power need people who can provide enough shortcomings and handles. After a trend is formed, the weak emperor Liu Weizhen, even if he feels reluctant to give up, can
Fan Zhongyan had to be released because he really couldn't withstand the pressure from Li Zhaoxian and other nobles, or he was unwilling to confront him head-on.
Therefore, Fan Zhongyan seized the post of governor of Hubei Province due to "his highness's fault" (according to the official interpretation, it was probably during the process of admonishing the emperor that his words were too intense and insulted the saint's dignity). In that year, Fan Zhongyan 56
age.
Now, Fan Zhongyan is 58 years old. With his hair all white and frosty, he is still busy with political affairs and caring about the king, and he once again has a chance to make a comeback.
Today, two years later, the situation in the court is completely different. The biggest change is that Shangshu Ling Li Zhaoxian passed away due to illness. The court has lost another leader, and the struggle at the top has become fierce again, and in a decree
After the battle to seize the supreme power, the final candidate emerged: Fan Zhongyan.
Li Zhaoxian passed away so suddenly that he could not explain his aftermath. Taking advantage of this gap, the common people group in the DPRK that had been dormant for a long time also launched a comprehensive counterattack.
Moreover, it also received the support of some nobles, such as Feng Duan, Li Kaiyuan (Empress Li's nephew, in terms of seniority, Emperor Liu Weizhen was called cousin) and others, as well as the silent promotion of Xiao.
Jianlong - In the orthodox era, there was a saying of "Three Xiaos" in the court. Xiao Jing, Xiao Gong and Xiao Hui, these three people must have status and qualifications, but in the circles of the powerful, they have always been silently ignored.
The reason why I despise him is that he is from the Khitan clan.
Therefore, when Li Zhaoxian and other traditional nobles took control of the government, the Xiao family was also a group of people who were quietly dormant and secretly seeking opportunities to overthrow. Li Zhaoxian's sudden death was obviously the best opportunity.
Of course, it was Emperor Liu Weizhen who really played a decisive role. This was also a rare opportunity for him. With Liu Weizhen's temperament and the education he received since childhood, in addition to his royal relatives and former officials of the East Palace, he was obviously closer to those concubines.
clan bureaucracy.
On the other hand, he was indeed obedient. Before the death of Emperor Shizong, he gave him many suggestions and gave him guidance on the appointment of talents. Among them, the most impressive one was: If you want to do something, you can let Fan Zhongyan do it.
Mutually
Obviously, the 31-year-old Emperor Liu Weizhen also wanted to make some achievements seven years after he ascended the throne. So, after taking into account various suggestions and the recommendation of all ministers, he finally issued an edict to summon Fan Zhongyan to return to the capital.
Liu Weizhen also specially sent his chamberlain and provincial eunuch to go south. In addition to announcing the edict, he also sent a handwritten letter from Liu Weizhen, which was full of words of kindness and expectation, which was enough to make Fan Zhongyan burst into tears of gratitude.
After the edict was issued from the central government, at least for a short period of time, the struggle among the upper echelons of the imperial court stopped, and everyone could not help but turn their eyes to the south, looking at the land and water route.
There is no other reason. The Shang Shu Ling in the orthodox era has the most authority in the empire.
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