Chapter 144 Written by Lu Gong: Don’t you see the quarrel between the Niu and Li factions in the Tang Dynasty?
?
Yulin Lane is to the west of General Shan Temple and east of Gui Shizi.
It is very close to Tushizi, the busiest place in Bianjing City, and you can go there and back in a quarter of an hour by horseback.
Sima Guang rode his horse and came from Tushizi. The whole three streets were crowded with people.
Everywhere is full of people setting up stalls and people coming and going.
The streets are full of gourd soup shops. No matter where you go, you can hear the children at the door of the gourd soup shop shouting: "Scratch the bones! Scratch the bones!"
The rich smell of mutton, mixed with countless amounts of dust, rushed into the nose, mixed with the smell of sweat from traders and footmen, and the smell of countless cows, horses and livestock.
These streets are particularly difficult to walk!
Especially at the crossroads between every street, you can always see the peace carts carrying thousands of kilograms of goods and being pulled by seven or eight draft horses, walking slowly and laboriously. If you don't pay attention, they will
They will stop directly on the road and block the entire street - these behemoths are the main culprit of Bianjing's traffic jams.
Once a blockage occurs, the soldiers from Kaifeng Prefecture will come up with sticks and scold them.
But they were just showing off and urging them, and they didn't dare to actually do anything to those Taiping cars?
Everyone knows that those who can use Taiping Cars to transport goods can only be the wealthy and luxurious households in Bianjing City!
Every one of these big families married the county head, and they had an inexplicable relationship with the palace.
Fortunately, Sima Guang was an important minister, so he had Yuan Sui to clear the way when he went out. With seven or eight Yuan Sui clearing the way, although he encountered several congestions, it was not a big problem every time.
So although it took a while, I finally successfully passed through these bustling streets and entered Yulin Alley.
As soon as you enter Yulin Alley, everything is completely different.
There are no more pedestrians coming and going, no more noisy sounds, and the fragrance of flowers and plants even appears in the air.
The road is even more clean with not many fallen leaves.
At this time, the lanterns have just started to light up, and every household in Yulin Alley has hung up lanterns, and the stars are dotted, like a long river of stars.
Arriving in front of Lu's residence, Lu Xizhe came up to him and bowed to Sima Guang: "Xizhe has met your husband!"
Then he bowed his hands to Fan Zuyu and said with a smile: "Chunfu is here too?"
Fan Zuyu did not dare to accept the courtesy and quickly avoided it, and then bowed: "Yuan Ming, I haven't seen you for a long time. I miss you very much. I wonder how your master Taishan is doing lately?"
Well, Fan Zuyu is Lu Gongzhu's son-in-law.
Fan Zhen, the great uncle of the clan who raised him, personally discussed the marriage with Lu Gongzhu.
"I'm worried about you. My father has always been fine..." Lu Xizhe replied, and then asked, "How is Mr. Fan doing lately?"
"Lao Yuanming misses me. Although our ancestors are old, they are still healthy..."
"That's good..."
After the greetings had passed, Lu Xizhe led Sima Guang and Fan Zuyu and opened the middle door and entered.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to enter the door, Lu Xizhe said to Fan Zuyu: "Today, elders Yan Yin, why don't we and the juniors gather in another place?"
Fan Zuyu cupped his hands and said, "Sure as you wish!"
He knew that it would be very lively tonight.
Maybe there will be a quarrel!
For juniors like them, it is best to stay away, pretend to know nothing, and wait until these elders have finished arguing before going to pay homage to them.
…
Mr. Lu was wearing a loose scholar-bureaucrat's robe, sitting on a chair, listening to the soft and tactful woman singing on the stage.
The so-called small singing is a singing technique that has flourished in Bianjing City in recent decades.
Although at the beginning of its birth, it was criticized by scholar-officials as "the sound of Mi Mi is even worse than that of Zheng and Wei".
But I can’t stop young people from liking it and wait until these young people get old.
For example, when people like Mr. Lu get old, the things that were once criticized will come into his own.
Today, in order to let the elders have a good talk.
Lu Gongzhu specially sent people to Sangjia Wazili and invited four pillars of Sangjia Wazi: Li Shishi, Xu Poxi, Feng Yinu and Sun Sansi to come and sing at his house.
It's also just in case - if there is a fight, the singing voice can probably cover it up.
"Mr. Sir, Mr. Sima has arrived..."
While he was listening to the little song, a servant came to him to report.
Mr. Lu nodded, straightened his clothes, and stood up.
Not long after, he saw the figure of Sima Guang, whom he had not seen for several years.
"Jun Shi..." Lu Gongzhu smiled, stepped forward to greet him, bowed his hands and said, "I haven't seen you for so many years, but you still have the same style. I'm glad to see you sincerely!"
Sima Guang cupped his hands, pretending not to hear the murmur in his ears, and said, "Uncle Hui is still as handsome as before!"
After the two exchanged pleasantries, Mr. Lu took Sima Guang's hand and sat on a chair in the yard.
"This afternoon, a decree was issued from the palace, ordering me to meet Your Majesty in the Yanhe Hall the next morning..." In the soft singing voice of the woman on the stage, Lu Gongzhu said to Sima Guang: "You have actually met Your Majesty. It’s time to pass the two palaces and the young master..."
"It just so happens that the other elders haven't come yet, so why not talk to me about it..."
"There are rumors, but are they true?"
Sima Guang nodded: "To be honest with Uncle Hui, the rumors are not only exaggerated, but in my opinion, they are not even half as smart, handsome, benevolent and filial as the young master..."
Lu Gongzhu pondered for a moment, and then asked: "If that's the case, then why does Junshi insist on having his own way?"
"Since the young master is smart, handsome, benevolent and filial, he can know good from evil and distinguish between loyal and traitor..."
"As a minister, if you think that your intelligence is superior to your master..." Lu Gongzhu said meaningfully: "This is the way to bring disaster!"
The Lu family has been able to produce prime ministers for generations since Lu Mengzheng!
They were even able to go against Xi Ning's reforms and the two brothers took turns in charge of the Privy Council.
This is not a fluke, but a strength!
The strength of a clear understanding of one's own status and one's role.
On the basis of this strength, Lu was a master of martial arts and was able to be reused and trusted by emperors of four generations with different personalities.
Sima Guang shook his head and said: "It is precisely because the young master is so smart, kind, benevolent and filial that we, the scholar-bureaucrats, should stick to the right path before you..."
"Otherwise, if there is no gentleman around the young master, but instead he will be filled with the remarks of villains and evil parties..."
Mr. Lu listened, knowing that if Sima Guang was allowed to continue talking, he would be in trouble again.
So he deliberately pretended to have misunderstood Sima Guang's meaning, so he nodded and said: "I deeply agree with what you said!"
"Young Master should have more gentlemen around him..."
Sima Guang was stunned for a moment.
But Lu Gongzhu continued to talk to himself: "The banquet officials should use all honorable men! Drive all those scoundrels and evil parties out of Bianjing!"
Sima Guang was interrupted by Mr. Lu. What he was about to say was stuck in his throat, and he nodded involuntarily.
really!
Emperor’s education is crucial!
Emperor Daxing took an evil path because he was bewitched by Wang Anshi.
Now that such a smart young master has descended from heaven, it is natural that Wang Anshi's new meanings and word theories of the Three Classics should be avoided.
At least until the young master takes charge, he cannot be allowed to come into contact with it.
It’s just...it seems a bit difficult!
Sima Guang already knew that the young master would be alone in Funing Hall to read the handwritten letters, memorials and instructions left by Emperor Daxing.
He has a very good memory, and it is said that he never forgets what he has read.
And how could Wang Anshi not be mentioned in Emperor Daxing's handwriting and instructions?
So, he nodded and said: "I deeply believe what Uncle Hui said!"
"Those villains and evil parties should indeed be driven away from the Emperor!"
Especially people like Cai Bian, Xu Jiang, and Lu Dian!
They all have titles such as serving as lecturer, serving as reader, and lecturer.
If we don’t drive them out, there will be no peace around the emperor!
Mr. Lu looked at Sima Guang and let out a sigh of relief. He knew Sima Guang's temperament very well!
You can't speak against him, you have to follow his thoughts and ideas.
Otherwise he will become aggressive with others!
At that time, Wang Anshi used that letter "Reply to Sima Jun's Remonstrance" to completely ignite Sima Guang's temper.
From then on, in Sima Guang's dictionary, all laws related to Wang Anshi were evil laws.
No matter what its starting point is, no matter how effective it is!
Lu Gongzhu then smiled and said: "Then, Jun, should we start here first?"
Sima Guang felt something was wrong.
He looked at Mr. Lu and asked, "Uncle Hui is also here to persuade me to compromise?"
First drive out the villains around the emperor?
Isn't it just a disguised delay in attacking Wang Anshi's evil method?
He is old and has been seriously ill.
If we drag it on, I'm afraid that I won't be able to see the end of Wang Anshi's evil methods until the day he dies!
Lu Gongzhu shook his head and said: "You really misunderstood!"
"I and Wang Jiefu have long been at odds with each other!"
"It's just that you have to take things slowly and do it step by step..."
Of course he couldn't tell Sima Guang. In fact, he had been in Yangzhou in the past two years. Under Lu Xizhe's persuasion, he tried to use his power to supervise and restrain the officials below.
They are prohibited from apportioning and forcibly lending money to young people.
The result is beyond imagination!
The people have benefited and are no longer afraid.
Of course, how smart is Lu Gongzhu?
He wouldn't even use the name of Qingmiao money to kill him - wouldn't this mean that he and Wang Anshi have bowed their heads?
So he used the name Chang Ping Cang Qian!
Anyway, the person in charge of Yangzhou's young crops is the Changpingcang civil servant.
Let’s not talk about the exemption law.
Lu Gongzhu knew very well that the government offices and the affairs of the Yangzhou Prefecture were maintained by Kuan's leftover money.
Especially things like road repairs and water conservancy that require a lot of manpower and material resources.
Once there is no money left to hire civilian laborers, the only option is to follow the example of the Han and Tang Dynasties and let the people do corvee service.
And now in the Song Dynasty, who dares to collect corvees in large numbers?
If trouble breaks out, it will be a disaster!
Among the new laws that have not yet been repealed, Lu Gongzhu also has strong opinions on the Law of Protecting Armor and the Law of Protecting Horses, thinking that they are just playing the piano and playing nonsense!
It must be completely and completely abolished!
Because it is really harmful to the people!
Especially the Baojia method. In Baojia in Jiangnan, are you sure you are not giving fish and meat from Baojia households to the government officials?
Sima Guang looked at Lu Gongzhu, remained silent for a while, and said: "I don't know, you should take your time..."
"But in the capital hall, even an imperial edict asking for a straightforward statement was not even willing to be made known to the world..."
"Instead, we have been pushing the envelope and delaying it until now..."
Mr. Lu nodded, he had heard all these things.
Wen Kuanfu's letter also hinted that the palace did not agree!
So, he looked at Sima Guang and said: "You don't have to worry, I will go to the palace the day after tomorrow and discuss this matter after meeting the two palaces!"
Naturally, he also wanted to talk about this matter.
But we can't be like Sima Guang and talk about relatives when we go up.
Doesn’t that mean putting eye drops on the two palaces?
Lu Gongzhu knew the temper of the people in the palace.
It’s okay if you don’t touch your relatives, but if you touch them, you’ll be fine!
Wang Anshi's reform was only criticized in the palace before the market change.
As soon as the market change law came out, not only the two palaces now, but also the late Cisheng Guangxian was furious!
Wang Anshi was so bold that he changed the clan laws and expelled all clans other than the five clan members.
Therefore, the clan also hated him deeply and went to the palace day and night to talk about the harm of the new law.
Most of the reasons for the first dismissal of the prime ministership and the second resignation were here.
Sima Guang nodded with confidence: "With Uncle Hui's help, great things can be accomplished!"
As he spoke, he took out the letter from his sleeve that he had written several times but still had not finalized.
"Uncle Hui, take a look..." Sima Guang said proudly: "What do you think of this letter?"
Mr. Lu borrowed it and asked his servants to come forward with a lamp.
By the light, he read the words on the paper.
Then he raised his head and looked at Sima Guang. Mr. Lu swallowed his saliva and sighed: "Jun Shi...did you act too hastily..."
Now in the capital hall, except for Han Jiang, they are all members of the New Party.
There are Hanlin bachelors from the internal system, Zhongshu Sheren from the external system, and Gei Shizhong who is in charge of the provincial review power.
They are also all new parties!
Once this book is published, they will be forced to stick together!
Sima Guang naturally knew this, but he had no scruples!
"Uncle Hui, I just want to force the new party to form a group..."
"In this way..." Sima Guang said: "The two palaces and the young master will know... who is the villain, who is controlling the government, and who is causing trouble to the country!"
It’s okay if the new party doesn’t stick together.
Holding a group together is what happened to Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, Wen Yanbo, and Han Qi during the Qingli New Deal!
Form a party!
The taboo of imperial power!
No matter how slow the two palaces are, they will know that all these people must be cleared out!
And this is Sima Guang’s purpose!
Lure the snake out of its hole and catch them all in one fell swoop!
Just like what Wang Gongchen did back then!
It would be best for Ouyang Xiu to appear in the new party and write a cronyism theory - although Ouyang Xiu has learned from the past, it is impossible for such a fool to appear again.
But what if?
Mr. Lu closed his eyes, he already knew Sima Guang's intention.
Take advantage of the opportunity of the new party to unite and solidify the formation of a party among the new party officials!
This is indeed a neat trick!
As long as the new party is fooled, they can be expelled from the entire court almost once and for all!
But……
It’s so cool!
Moreover, it will also force the new party, which was originally loose, to really stick together!
"Jun Shi..." Lu Gongzhu sighed: "Don't you see, is there a fight between the Niu and Li factions?"
The partisan struggle between Niu and Li destroyed the last possibility of resurgence in the Tang Dynasty.
From then on, the Tang Dynasty fell into the abyss forever!
Sima Guang raised his head and said: "That's why we must thoroughly drive the traitorous officials of the New Party out of the court, so that they will never have the chance to return to the court!"
In Sima Guang's view, all he had to do was kill the new party members and completely block them from the court.
Ten or twenty years later, they will no longer be a threat, and they will no longer be a threat.
There will be more later, but I guess I won’t be able to add more updates today, so go to bed early and get up early tomorrow to update!
