It was already the third watch, but the lights were still on.
Peng Jingyi bowed down and reported to Zhang Yue one by one.
Peng Jingyi said: "Then Prime Minister, what should we do next?"
Zhang Yue said: "Li Ding personally prosecuted Su Shi's poetry case, and his methods were very powerful. After handling the case, he told everyone that Su Shi was really a genius."
"This man can't be beaten to death without a stick. I think it's better to give him some more evidence. The more you give him, the faster he will die, the bigger the trouble will be, and the more he will be able to frighten others."
"After all, if people want to know their own ignorance, they also need to accumulate a lot of knowledge."
Peng Jingyi listened to his heart, and so did the Prime Minister. He also wanted to kill people with heartache.
He immediately said he was going to make arrangements.
After the other party left, Zhang Yue picked up a jade pendant from the table, which was a gift from Su Shi. Next to the jade pendant was a letter written by him to himself.
In the letter, Su Shi encouraged him a lot about his reforms.
Having been in officialdom for many years, Su Shi deeply persuaded Zhang Yue to carry out reforms, which was not an easy task.
Of course Zhang Yue understands.
When Wang Anshi was in Xining before, he made a reform. He first proposed a law, and then everyone rose up in opposition. Then Wang Anshi dismissed some people, released some others, and then insisted on implementing it.
He is now changing the order. Instead of knowing in advance that he will be opposed by others, it is better to screen in advance, distinguish between loyal and traitors, and get rid of those who oppose him first.
Stop people first and then legislate, so that when it is implemented, the resistance will be much smaller.
But things are not that simple.
In the officialdom, every yamen, every case and even the smallest official position have two sets of rules, explicit and implicit. Officials all over the world live in these two sets of rules. If you use and master the rules wisely, you can use the small to control the big.
Hai Rui can usually challenge the entire officialdom.
Those who don't understand the rules will be eaten up by the rules.
Therefore, many officials are referring to these two sets of rules. It is no exception to understand the rules first and then use them.
But when you issue a new law, both the explicit and implicit rules will be broken by you.
So there is definitely resistance, and it is huge.
Now Zhang Yue wants to change the Baojia Law. Local thieves were really serious before, but local security has indeed improved after the Baojia Law was implemented.
At first glance, it seems to be effective, but if you maintain the Baojia Law, it will not only disturb the people but also cost a lot of money. Just like the cycle of death in the last years of Chongzhen, increasing taxes and suppressing bandits seems to be useful for a while, but it forces more people to break up their homes and join the bandits. In the end, the bandits
The more we suppress, the more we fight.
In the middle and late Northern Song Dynasty, public security was extremely bad, and the number of thieves in the world was unimaginable.
For example, the heavy land and heavy magic, the heavy harboring and armor protection methods can temporarily eliminate thieves.
But just treat the head if you have a headache, and treat the feet if you have a footache.
Is the armor-preserving method really useless? It is still useful. After the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty, some scholar-bureaucrats once reflected that if the armor-preserving method persisted, the cavalry of the Jin Kingdom would not be so uninhabited.
But the most difficult thing in the world is persistence.
In his letter, Su Shi suggested to Zhang Yue that reforms should be carried out with "effort but no effort".
Just like everyone has procrastination, Wang Anshi's method is to use great determination and perseverance. When I can't read, I will stab my legs with an awl and tie my hair with a rope.
Where there is a will, there is a way, and if you are determined, nothing is impossible.
For example, "effort without effort" means that procrastination is unsolvable. At this time, you need to know how to balance.
What should you do if you can’t read?
Don't force yourself, do some sports that you like, go around for a while and then come back to study. Later you find that not only did you continue to study, but you also won the championship because of sports.
Everyone has a different opinion between Su Shi's method and Wang Anshi's method, but there is no distinction between them.
Although Zhang Yue still prefers Su Shi's point of view.
…
Looking at Su Shi's letters, Zhang Yue thought of Su Shi in Huangzhou even more.
In addition to his suggestions and opinions on reform, Su Shi also talked about his own life.
Now he and his eldest son Su Mai live in Huangzhou. Later, his family members and Chaoyun arrived in Huangzhou one after another.
Huangzhou was a very poor place. After Su Shi arrived in Huangzhou, he first stayed in a temple. Xu Damou, the magistrate of Huangzhou, did not embarrass the emperor because he disliked Su Shi, but instead entertained him warmly.
Su Shi is now in charge of Huangzhou. He has nothing to do every day. He goes to bed very late and wakes up very late. Then he walks at the foot of Dongshan Mountain and roams on the Yangtze River.
Even though he was being demoted, Su Shi's letter made Zhang Yue feel like he was traveling to Huangzhou.
Su Shi said that when he woke up from his nap, he forgot where he was for a moment. He opened the curtains and saw sails rising and falling on the water, and the water and sky met in the distance, a vast expanse.
Su Shi said to Zhang Yue, "I live very well here. The river is filled with snow water from Mount Emei. I get it to eat, so there is no need to think about returning home."
You see, this river has no owner, only those who are free are its masters.
Sometimes I hire a small boat and spend the day with the fishermen and woodcutter. The best thing is that no one here knows me.
Sometimes I cross the river and stay at a friend's house for a few days. The local wine here is not bad, and the fish and crabs are free.
Having said this, Su Shi did not forget to brag: You may not be as good as me when you are in the capital.
Zhang Yue smiled while reading Su Shi's letter, but he couldn't help but sigh.
Only at this moment did he understand why many people liked Su Shi?
People who work within the system have more or less experienced being excluded and suppressed.
He didn't do anything wrong, he just said a few inappropriate words and was thrown into the cold palace.
What Su Shi experienced is exactly what many people have experienced.
Also at that time when his official career was dark and there was almost no light, I saw myself in Su Shi.
Maybe what you said is wrong, or it is really inappropriate, but if you don't agree, you should cry out. Scholars must always have their own character. Even if they know that they are being suppressed and excluded, they must stick to their principles.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yue thought to himself, if this is the case, let's deal with Li Ding and give Su Shi a sigh of relief!
…
Li Ding was sitting in the Censor's Terrace.
Huang Yan and He Zhengchen both stood beside him to report the matter.
"According to actual investigation, in addition to accepting Yelu Yixin's jewelry, Yelu Yixin also sent a son to contact Zhang Cheng. His whereabouts were previously suspect."
"Now we have found the real evidence that he lives in a village on the outskirts of Bianjing."
"It is said that this man's name is Yeluhong, and he is the concubine of Yelu Yixin."
Hearing this, Li Ding was furious and said: "What a good Mr. Zhang, but he dares to take in Yelu Yixin's son. This further confirms his charge of treason."
He Zhengchen asked: "Should we capture Yeluhong now? Otherwise, if the news leaks out, I might not be able to defeat Zhang Xiang with just a box of Beizhu."
Li Ding nodded and said: "We must win. Beizhu alone cannot defeat Zhang Xiang. We still need witnesses."
"This Yeluhong must be captured alive."
"But if you want to take someone, you have to go through Kaifeng Mansion. We, the Yushitai, cannot make the decision!" Huang Yanyan said.
"Now Su Songke, the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture, can wear the same pair of trousers as Zhang Xiang."
Li Dingdao: "Leaving Feng Mansion will definitely leak the news. Let's come from behind the scenes. If we can capture Yeluhong alive, we can confront Zhang in the Golden Palace."
"With the presence of witnesses, you won't be afraid that you won't be able to overturn the chapter."
At this moment, Li Ding felt a little nervous and a little excited in his heart. If he could defeat Zhang Yue, it would be the most memorable thing in his life.
Li Ding sneered and said: "What, all this talk of being honest and self-sufficient is all bullshit."
"Compared with Mr. Jing, who is perfect in personal matters, he is far behind."
Huang Yan hesitated and said: "But if you try to take someone from a prime minister's hands, if you make the wrong arrest, the three of us will be left with nothing to eat."
"Speaking of Zhongcheng, I still can't believe that Zhang Sanlang would do such a thing. With his current status, how could he be like this? He is already inferior to one person and superior to ten thousand people."
"Isn't his wife's family rich? How could their reputation be ruined by a box of northern pearls?"
He Zhengchen said: "When I took this box of Northern Pearls, the Prime Minister must have been the Vice-President. Maybe a minister in the court or a concubine in the harem liked it. I don't know for sure."
"Actually, I have been keeping an eye on Zhang Xiang since I entered the Yushitai. After feeling out his details, there is actually nothing I can't see through. There is no one who does not make mistakes in this life. There are not even ten thousand people who want to give gifts to Zhang Xiang.
There are also eight thousand people. He often walks by the river, so there is no reason why his shoes won't get wet."
"Being confused for a moment or being dazzled by the box of beads are both unexpected and expected. I have seen several officials who usually maintain their moral integrity, but how could they be surprised by others?
I sent a woman as a gift, but I didn’t care about anything.”
"Perhaps this box of Beizhu suits Zhang Xiang's wishes."
Li Dingdao: "That's what I say, but Prime Minister Zhang is indeed incorruptible and self-possessed on weekdays. If this incident hadn't happened, I wouldn't have thought of it. It's just like being a widow for ten years and losing integrity in one day."
"I can't bear to say it, but we, the censors, are in the position of hearing what is said. We are His Majesty's eyes and ears. There is no reason why we should not report it if we know it."
"What's more, there is not only a box of Northern Pearls, but also Yeluhong. This person has been in the Song Dynasty for many years and has spied on many of our secrets. If we don't capture him, the whole Liao Kingdom will see us clearly."
Hearing what Li Ding said, Huang Yan nodded.
Li Ding said: "In this case, I will take the decision. If you are afraid, you can withdraw."
He Zhengchen hesitated and said: "This Yelu Hong must be the son of Yelu Yixin. I am willing to follow Zhongcheng."
Huang Yanze said: "I quit, but I will definitely keep it secret."
Li Ding's face flashed with anger, and he immediately said: "Everyone has his or her own ambitions. I, Li Ding, never force myself on others."
…
In a farm on the outskirts of Bianjing.
Yeluhong looked at his wife and several children.
Although these children are of Khitan descent, they do not have bald hair, but wear their hair tied in buns like Han children.
Yeluhong knew that his identity must be kept secret, so he allowed the children to follow the local customs.
After Yelu Yixin let herself follow Zhang Yue, Zhang Yue first arranged for him to live on Xihe Road for three years, where she met her current wife.
In the past two years, he returned to Bianjing.
It's just that he has no freedom and is always being watched.
He remembered that Zhang Yue had promised him that he would either give him freedom or let him return to Liao or go somewhere else.
He didn't know if Zhang Yue's words were true, but he had no choice.
Now he used the Khitan bow method to make a small bow and arrow for the child, and the child was very happy to see it.
Yeluhong looked at the child's smile, and his heart was filled with joy.
At this moment, outside the farm, a large group of people surrounded the place.
