In a disdainful tone, Yan Shu told Su Jinhe what the reformists Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi, Fu Bi and others had done in recent days.
It turns out that after the Yuan Dynasty, Zhao Zhen responded to the advice of Fan Zhongyan and others and expanded the number of admonishment officers, calling Bao Zheng, Yu Jing, Wang Su and Cai Xiang as admonition officers. Perhaps he was afraid of the coming pressure. Fan Zhongyan and others
The people decided to strike first to gain strength, and first asked the admonishers to impeach the important officials in the court.
In March, except for Bao Zheng who felt that things should not be rushed and was unwilling to participate, Ouyang Xiu took the lead, followed by Yu Jing, Wang Su and Cai Xiang, and set their first target on Deputy Prime Minister Wang Juzheng.
There is indeed something to be said about Wang Juzheng. This person is usually docile and taciturn, and he pursues a wise and self-protective policy in the court. He is a veritable fence-sitter. Fan Zhongyan and others also considered carefully when choosing Wang Juzheng to attack. Wang Juzheng relied on
The secret of Zu Yin's entry into the officialdom and the high position of deputy prime minister was that not only did he have no responsibility and no credit, but he could not find any mistakes on his part, and it was this that became the reason why the four admonishers impeached him.
The reason is that as an important minister of the central government, if he cannot serve the country in a mediocre way, how can he leave his corpse in his prime position?
In order to show his support for the reform, Zhao Zhen immediately dismissed Wang Ju from his post as deputy prime minister, expelled him from Beijing to become a state official elsewhere, and appointed Fan Zhongyan to concurrently serve as deputy prime minister.[
The reformists who had tasted the sweetness continued their efforts, and the four remonstrators took action. This time they pointed the finger at a big tiger - Lu Yijian, who had been absent from the court for a long time. Lu Yijian was no longer able to handle political affairs. Zhao Zhen really couldn't bear to issue an edict to remove him from office.
, so he ordered Lu Yijian to write a memorial to invite him to serve, and Zhao Zhen conferred the title of Taiwei on him. After fighting for his whole life, Lu Yijian was actually kicked out of the position of prime minister. He was so angry that he died of illness at home in early April.
However, Zhao Zhen did not hand over the position of prime minister to one of the reformists. Originally, Yan Shu was a strong candidate for the next prime minister. However, because Yan Shu did not agree with the reform, Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and others strongly opposed Yan Shu's appointment as the new prime minister. Zhao Zhennai
Next, he straightened the deputy prime minister Zhang Dexiang and ordered him to temporarily take over the position of prime minister.
The four admonishers did not give up, and for the third time they targeted Xia Song and Du Yan, the main figures in the court who opposed the reform. The reason was that these two men had little military merit and could not assume the important positions of the Privy Council. This time the reason was extremely far-fetched.
, Zhao Zhen also felt that it was not easy to handle. Zhao Zhen also keenly felt that once these two people were impeached again, the factions in the DPRK would become different, and the remaining officials, big and small, would all turn to the reformists, and such an outcome would
Zhao Zhen was a little flustered.
Although Zhao Zhen was determined to reform, he did not want one family to be dominant in the court. One of the secrets of being an emperor taught by the Queen Mother was the theory of balance of power. He wanted to keep the voice of opposition as a pawn for restriction, so that he could stand on the throne.
Watch a tiger fight.
So Zhao Zhen only dismissed Xia Song from the post of Deputy Privy Councilor and retained Du Yan from the post of Privy Councilor.
In this way, the reformist faction was in power in the court, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Privy Councilor Fan Zhongyan, Deputy Privy Councilor Han Qi, Fu Bi, and Yushi Zhongcheng Ouyang Xiu. The reformers had the absolute upper hand, both in terms of momentum and position.
Xanadu seems to have become a climate; and Yan Shu was not targeted by the reformists for some reason. The reason is probably because of the relationship between Su Jin and Fu Bi, and Fan Zhongyan and others still showed some mercy.
Su Jin was shocked after listening to Yan Shu's narration. He did not expect that in just a few months, such a drastic change would occur in the court. He actually knew that he had never read the imperial newspaper. In recent months, he had
Every day he wandered around racecourses, pastures, fields, and water canals. Eight forts at selected locations in the north of Weizhou were also under construction. He was too busy to look north, and indeed he did not notice the changes in the DPRK.
"Su Jin, do you think they are going too far? I really can't bear this good situation to become turbulent. Chaos is most likely to occur when people are in panic. Although I have given advice to the emperor several times, the emperor seems to be steadfast this time.
I just want to let them run wild, what will happen if this continues?" Yan Shu sighed, as if he was several years old.
Su Jin understood Yan Shu's mood. The position of prime minister was in vain. He did not believe in the reform movement. Moreover, the reform school's approach was too radical. This also made Yan Shu vaguely feel that sooner or later, this fire would burn on his head. Why?
Don't let him sigh; not only him, but many officials in the DPRK are now in a state of dormancy, but this dormancy is the prelude to the outbreak, and a huge crisis is brewing. Which of these impeached people is easy to mess with? Which one is good?
What a weak persimmon? If the reformists gain power for a while, there will probably be a bloody storm waiting for them later.
Seeing Su Jin's silence, Yan Shu sighed and said: "I understand that you are actually in favor of the reform. According to what I have pointed out, the details of the reform to be announced this time are derived from your policy of Ten Disadvantages. Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and the others said
Are you doing exactly what you want to do? That's all, I won't tell you this anymore. What should come will naturally come, what should go will naturally go, and I have the right to interfere with your behavior."
Su Jin cupped his hands and said, "I'm telling the truth about what Master Sansi said, because he is indeed in favor of reform. The imperial court has too many shortcomings. If it doesn't reform, it will sooner or later be dragged down by redundancy and corruption. But I don't agree with it."
It is carried out with this radical method. In troubled times, heavy laws are used. Now is the peaceful age. Too drastic methods will cause chaos. Last time when Mr. Han Qi, Mr. Ouyang Xiu and others went to Qinzhou to celebrate the baby's full moon, I also said this to them.
But they are in the mood now and think that I am not a friend enough. You saw it when I returned to Beijing this time. None of them came to pick me up, so they are angry with me."
Yan Shu said happily: "So you are standing with me?"
Su Jin smiled and said: "I have always stood with Yan Sansi, but I also stand with Master Fan and Master Han. The idea is good, but the means need to be discussed."
Yan Shu said: "Can you explain this to the emperor? The emperor seems to be a little hot-headed. Your words still have weight. Why not talk to the emperor?"
Su Jin shook his head and said: "Master Sansi, the emperor's mind is not hot. The situation you just mentioned just shows that the emperor is sober."
Yan Shu said: "Awakening? The emperor didn't stop him from impeaching important ministers in such a wanton manner. How can you still say that the emperor is awake?"
Su Jin raised his head and thought for a while and said: "Master Sansi seems to be too angry. Your anger has blinded your wisdom. You have not considered the emperor's behavior carefully. All the emperor's actions have a bottom line. Haven't you noticed?
"
Yan Shu said in astonishment: "Bottom line? Why don't you tell me about it?"
Su Jin smiled and said: "I don't know if my guess is right or not. Trying to figure out what the emperor wants is not what I'm good at, but in this matter, the emperor's behavior is indeed worth figuring out. Mr. Sansi, now there are three divisions and two mansions."
Have you thought carefully about who the masterminds and officials are?" [
Yan Shu said: "Zhang Dexiang is in charge of the Political Affairs Hall, Du Yan is in charge of the Privy Council, and I am still in charge of the Third Division... You mean..."
Su Jin smiled and said: "Isn't this enough to explain everything? It seems that the people in charge of the three departments and two offices are not controlled by Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and others. Since the emperor is determined to change, why not give the position of prime minister to Fan Zhongyan, Privy Council envoy
What if you gave the position to Han Qi, and the Third Division directly replaced you with Fu Bi? On the contrary, they were all awarded deputy positions, which shows that the emperor only cares."
/
Yan Shu suddenly shouted: "Oh, that's really the case, but does the emperor have other plans? Then why do you indulge and favor them so much?"
Su Jin said seriously: "Master Sansi, you are against change, but as far as I know, Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and others did not have any selfish motives for reforming. They also wanted to make the Song Dynasty strong, whether it was the starting point or the fist.
They are all aboveboard in serving the country, so even if the Lords of the Third Division do not agree, they still need to insult them. They are neither villains nor sleazy people, and we must realize this."
Yan Shu nodded and said: "Yes, Han and Fan are honest people and do not act selfishly. They are indeed aboveboard people."
Su Jindao: "Master Sansi thinks this is best. The emperor must have seen their desire to serve the country, so he supported them extremely. I guess the emperor didn't want to get out of hand, so the official duties of the two governments and the three divisions did not allow them.
Ranzhi, and because of this, I am very worried about Mr. Fan, Mr. Han, Mr. Fu and others."
Yan Shu said in shock: "You should worry about me. Maybe next time you come back to Beijing, I will be old and their next target will be me."
Su Jin shook his head and said: "Definitely not. The emperor's intention to protect you is quite obvious. Regardless of whether the four admonishers will point the finger at you, even if he impeaches you as the third envoy, the emperor will definitely reject it.
.”
"How can you see it?" Yan Shu said.
Su Jin smiled and said: "After Lu Xiangxian left, you should have taken over the position of Prime Minister. Although this matter is not certain, it is almost certain. The emperor has also said in private on different occasions that he would let Mr. Sansi take over.
This time, I would like to let a mediocre person like Zhang Dexiang take over temporarily. I think the emperor does not want to put you at the forefront at such a time. Once you sit on the throne, you will definitely exercise your power.
If you go against Mr. Fan and Mr. Han, you will also veto some of their proposals. In that case, you will become the target of public criticism as the reform proceeds."
Yan Shu stared at Su Jin blankly for a long time and sighed: "I have been treating each other with admiration for three days. Is this still the Su Jin I know? He has considered it so profoundly and meticulously that even I haven't thought about it that much."
Su Jin said: "I don't think you will understand sooner or later. You are just too angry and can't calm down."
Yan Shu laughed and felt much better, and asked: "When you return to Beijing this time, do you have anything to report to the emperor?"
Su Jin felt that there was no need to hide Yan Shu's private trade of war horses, so he explained to Yan Shu in detail the transaction with the Yeli tribe in exchange for war horses.
Yan Shu was so shocked that his eyes were jumping on the ground. This guy was so courageous that he dared to do this in private. However, since he had Zhao Zhen's approval beforehand, it wasn't too outrageous;
I don’t know how this guy did it in exchange for precious war horses. Are all the Xixia people stupid?
"Master Sansi, please prepare a large amount of money to deposit in my Huitong Bank. I will keep 2,000 of these 10,000 horses for breeding, and the other 8,000 horses must be taken over by the court as soon as possible, otherwise my money will not be able to be recycled.
If it doesn’t work, the emperor will issue an order to accept it this time.”
Yan Shu smiled and said: "Of course I have to bear the brunt of the payment. The emperor must be very happy."
Su Jin said: "I hope so. There is one more thing I want to ask the emperor for. Before I ask the emperor, I need to ask Lord Sansi first."
Yan Shu said: "What's the matter?"
Su Jindao: "I beg the Third Division Master to remember the sincerity of Mr. Fan, Mr. Han, Mr. Ouyang, Mr. Fu and others for serving the country, and not to have any grudges against them. One day in the future, do not use extraordinary means against them."
Yan Shu said in astonishment: "Where do you start talking about this?"
Su Jin said quietly: "According to my estimation, the reform movement will definitely fail. They will inevitably have to settle accounts in the future. I don't want to see them die." [