It was already dusk, and the flashy and noisy nightlife of Luoyang City had just begun. In the Guangzheng Hall, Fan Zhongyan, who worked hard for the king and the prosperity of the country, was still working hard in the political hall.
In the eleventh year of Zhengtong, Fan Zhongyan has entered the sixth year of his administration. Five years of spring and autumn have passed by in a blink of an eye. The empire has gone through another round of wind and rain, and the temples have been given a new look. However, Mr. Fan, who has entered his sixtieth year, has a full head.
The hair on the temples has also turned into frost.
Under the dark night, in the prime minister's hall, with bright lights, more than a dozen officials, ministers, and bachelors accompanied Prime Minister Fan, working overtime to sort out official documents. These people were about thirty or so, and their backgrounds may be high or low.
But they have good origins, and most of them have gone through certain ministry experiences.
Although not all of them were promoted by Fan Zhongyan, they all had strengths recognized by him, and these people were all the elites of the current Han Empire, with promising futures, and were the empire's reserve of high-ranking officials in the future.
However, in such a position, you are in contact with prime ministers and ministers every day, and deal with all national affairs. While receiving attention, you are under pressure and competition that is far beyond what most people imagine.
Especially, when the person sitting in the position of minister is a person in power like Fan Zhongyan, he is not a party follower, but has to be influenced by it and work hard to perform, such as this habit of "working overtime"
Even with the cultivation, awareness, and magnanimity of these imperial elites, they could not help but feel exhausted physically and mentally if they persisted for a long time, even though Fan Zhongyan never asked them to do more work besides their own duties.
On the one hand, these people yearned for the prime minister's attention and promotion, but on the other hand, they were intolerable to the prime minister's style. Even some talented officials and aides who had been deeply favored by Fan Zhongyan were looking forward to Fan Zhongyan's early retirement.
Why bother? You are not tired, everyone is tired! As long as you retire, you, Mr. Fan, will be a virtuous minister and prime minister with a reputation all over the world, instead of a "powerful prime minister" who is criticized and discussed.
Among these officials who are affiliated with the Zaitang, there is one person who has a temperament that stands out from the crowd. As a bureaucrat, he is not very old, only about thirty years old, but he always gives people a feeling of sharpness.
.
His name is Wang Anshi, the number one scholar in the second year of orthodoxy, and the youngest number one scholar in the empire since the Kaibao era.
After more than a hundred years, the Han Empire has formed various factions, large and small. The "Gan Clan" originated from Jiangnan West Road. Although it is only a branch of Nanchen and has a weak influence, it has a long history and has produced many celebrities.
, and even the prime minister.
The most famous ones are Zhong Mo and Wang Qinruo. Although Zhong Mo was not a native of Jiangxi, due to his many years of service in the Jiangnan West Road during the Kaibao period, he made many political, cultural and educational achievements and was considered by later generations to be the leader of Jiangxi Province.
The founder of the sect.
As for Wang Qinruo, he served in four dynasties and served as a minister for twenty years. His position and ministers were once overwhelming, and he was even involved in the Shangshu Order. The most important thing was that during the transition period between "Kangzong and Sejong", he made arrangements for Sejong's succession.
contribution.
Although Wang Qinruo later fell into decline due to colluding with eunuchs, his reputation and status among the southern ministers of the Gan faction remained unshakable. His disciples and students still played a role in various parts of the empire and passed on his influence.
His career experience has inspired countless descendants. You must know that Wang Qinruo did not enter the official position through the imperial examination. Although he was indispensable for the support of noble people, his "humble family" color was extremely strong, and he was a typical and benchmark example of "officials entering the officialdom" in the imperial political arena.
, which is praised from the bottom of their hearts by almost all the officials in the world.
Wang Anshi is also from Jiangxi. He was called a child prodigy and genius when he was urinating. He is very talented and he lives up to his qualifications. He loves reading and learning to enlighten his mind.
When he was a little older, he traveled around various places with his father. This experience was particularly crucial for his growth. Not only did he come into contact with the customs and folk sentiments of various places, but he also learned the strengths of each school of thought, and contributed to the four most mainstream schools in Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian, and Suzhou in the south of the Han Empire today.
He has studied in all the university schools, and his advanced thinking is even better than that of some teaching professors.
Before entering Beijing, Wang Anshi, who was less than 20 years old, was already well-known among the southern scholars and schools. After entering Beijing, he was naturally admitted to the university. During this period, he was also favored by Ouyang Xiu and studied ancient prose.
The University of Political Science and Law was the longest time that Wang Anshi stayed to study, because this was the time when he truly came into contact with the highest academic institutions in the empire and the faces of the upper-class dignitaries. The University Hall was far more than just studying, and focused more on the way to be an official and the way to govern.
The cultivation of abilities.
In this regard, even with Wang Anshi's talent, he can no longer do it with ease, just like drinking sweet wine. The so-called talent and learning are important, but interpersonal relationships and practical experience are not so easy to accumulate.
However, this seemed to have completely aroused Wang Anshi's enthusiasm and interest in politics. During that period, it coincided with Shizong's later years, the struggle for the right to inherit the throne, the chaos in the court, and the instability of people's hearts.
The University Hall, located in the Royal Garden, was the highest institution for cultivating elites in the empire. The style of discussing politics was already strong, and Wang Anshi, a young and vigorous man, was not immune to the vulgarity, so he wrote many articles criticizing current affairs.
Although in the eyes of the elder statesman, he seems a little immature, his talent and wisdom have already shined through to many people. Of course, he has also attracted the disgust of many people, especially the children of powerful people.
For example, Xiao Fu, the grandson of Xiao Gong, the prime minister of the two dynasties and a close official of Emperor Shizong, was equally talented and eager to learn. He once became a disciple of Liao Changhao, a master of Hunan studies. Xiao Fu liked to debate with Wang Anshi the most, but he lost more than he won.
Very rarely, in the end, I often end up at a loss for words and walk away frustrated.
There are many similar examples. When Wang Anshi was young, he was so arrogant, smart, sharp and energetic. Because of this, after the orthodox exam in the second year, during the palace examination evaluation, including Yan Shu, who was the Minister of Rites
Inside, many ministers have suggested that its sharp edges should be suppressed, because it is in the rough that it needs to be polished.
Under normal circumstances, Wang Anshi would not have been able to get into the first place, let alone the first place in the imperial examination. However, Liu Weizhen had been on the throne for a full year at that time. Although he was young and decentralized, he was not without his own ideas.
Faced with the "polishing theory", Liu Weizhen disagreed. He believed that the imperial court always selected talents based on their talents, learning, and intelligence. How could they be based on age and suppress them? It was unfair.
When the emperor clearly expressed this attitude, Wang Anshi, the 23-year-old Han Dynasty champion, was newly revealed. The emperor may not have a good impression of Wang Anshi, or even a detailed understanding of it, but it must be known that Liu Weizhen was also a young man at the time.
He was also facing veterans from the Manchu Dynasty.
Now, Wang Anshi has been an official for ten years. His official career is very stable and step-by-step, basically following the court's inherent bureaucratic training system and rhythm. Only after entering the officialdom did he truly realize that the University of Political Science and Law is very far away from the court.
It's close, but the difference is so big that it's hard to measure.
After diving headlong into the big dye vat of the imperial court, his intelligence and erudition could not break away from the political whirlpool, and he had to put away his sharp edge. He would only know after suffering a few losses.
We still have to thank Fan Zhongyan. If Fan Gong hadn't vigorously promoted and cultivated talents after he became prime minister, Wang Anshi might still be writing books and articles in the Three Halls, or he might be waiting for an imperial edict in the Hanlin Academy, which would be almost impossible to be summoned in the orthodox era.
Therefore, Wang Anshi was grateful to Fan Zhongyan. His thoughts, political style, and conduct deeply infected Wang Anshi and influenced him in all aspects.
As the night deepens, one after another, the staff will sort out, mark, and submit this chapter to the proposed ministries, departments, and local states, and submit it to the prime minister's hall. On the desk facing Fan Zhongyan, there is another full list of books.
A daunting feeling.
"It's already late. Put this chapter down and go back home to rest!"
Wang Anshi was the last one to come in, also holding a stack of memorials in his hand. Hearing the words, he gently placed it on the case. Then he looked at Fan Zhongyan, who was always immersed in the case, with his white eyebrows frowning. He couldn't help but bowed and clasped his fists, saying: "
Sir, it’s already late, please take care of yourself and get some rest early!”
Hearing the sound, Fan Zhongyan raised his head and saw Wang Anshi, with a smile on his wrinkled old face: "It's Jiefu! You go back first, I still need to finish this audit!"
After saying that, he buried his head again. When he saw this, Wang Anshi's face was moved, and his eyes were a little hot. Taking a deep breath, calming his mind, Wang Anshi paid homage to Fan Zhongyan: "My lord!"
Sensing the difference, Fan Zhongyan raised his head again, looked at him, and asked, "What's the matter?"
Wang Anshi said in a deep voice: "The lower official was promoted by the prime minister and was always in the center. Everything he saw and heard was important national affairs. However, looking at it with humble eyes, it was like sitting looking at the cloud mountain without seeing the real face.
For more than ten years since I came to Beijing, I have not seen the scenery outside Jiji, I have not heard the voices of the common people, and I have not realized the sufferings of the common people. I sincerely ask my subordinates to let me go outside."
After hearing his request, Fan Zhongyan was surprised at first, then showed a satisfied expression, thought for a while and said: "This is what it should be. The fact that Jiefu has such a heart shows that he is determined to serve the country by serving the country!"
After thinking for a moment, Fan Zhongyan said: "National security depends on the selection of officials, regulations and laws, and financial planning and people's livelihood. In this way, there is a vacancy in the Jianghai Customs Department for the deputy tax department, and I will leave it to you!"
Jiangguan Customs is the first of the five major customs in the empire. After half a century of development, the annual customs and management revenue has reached a breakthrough of tens of millions. One Jiangguan is worth five Suzhou Prefectures.
During his years in the central government, Wang Anshi had a very in-depth understanding of the imperial political and economic system, so he naturally understood the importance of Jianghaiguan. He was surprised and happy to receive such an arrangement, and at the same time he felt like he was being taken seriously. It was definitely one of his
A key turning point in career.
"Thank you so much, Sir!" For Wang Anshi at this time, he could only express his gratitude with a long bow.
Immediately, Fan Zhongyan approved a note to Wang Anshi, and after the matters at hand were handed over, he went to find Wang Xianggong to implement it. Wang Xianggong refers to the prime minister and the official minister Wang Shilin. This is the real core of the imperial party in the orthodox era, and also
While the orthodox emperor bowed his head, he was a trump card to check and balance the government.
Looking at Wang Anshi's retreating figure, Fan Zhongyan's brows showed deep worry, his eyes were very complicated, and after a long time, he sighed sadly.
Jiangguan, a fat and oily piece of meat, is naturally surrounded by wolves. Since taking office, Fan Zhongyan has also made many reforms to the imperial finance and taxation, especially "new things" such as customs, and has vigorously rectified and cracked down on corruption.
Corruption is illegal, which is one of the reasons why Jianghai Customs’ annual revenue has reached the highest level in history.
However, Fan Zhongyan knew in his heart that what he was attacking was just some skin and flesh problems, and some problems in his bones could not be solved by relying on the imperial system. Arranging Wang Anshi to Jianghaiguan was tantamount to pushing him into a wolf's den. Whether he could persevere depends on
A big question mark?
However, with his personality and talents, Fan Zhongyan secretly hoped that he could bring some different changes to Jianghai Customs and even the entire imperial customs system. Wasn't it the same when Emperor Sejong used Fan Xiwen?
Smooth winds and smooth tides will never come to pass.