Chapter 538 Meeting the Emperor (two updates combined into one)
After Cai Jing took his seat, he stated the recent events to Zhang Yue.
Zhang Yue felt a little emotional about Cai Jing.
When I read in the past, I always said that Wang Anshi's reform failed in the end, which was the reason for the demise of the Northern Song Dynasty.
But the question is, did Wang Anshi’s reform really fail?
Do you want to know that Cai Jing, who served as prime minister for four times during the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, abolished Wang Anshi's reform?
absolutely not.
And on the contrary, he implemented Wang Anshi's reform ideas. The most important thing about Wang Anshi's reform was not the Green Crops Law, the Market Change Law, etc. These were superficial and not substantive.
The most important core of Wang Anshi's reform was a sentence that Zhang Yue saw in an article written by Wang Anshi on the stone wall when he went to the Sansidu branch office.
That is 'the one who unites the world's wealth is the one who manages the world's wealth, and the one who manages the world's wealth is the law'.
This sentence can completely summarize all the thoughts of Wang Anshi's reform.
This means that money is collected from the people and returned to the court, and then distributed through the court!
As for Cai Jing, he absorbed this sentence but made extreme modifications, and finally came up with "Fengheng Yuda" and "Wei Wang can't do it".
Cai Jing told Zhang Yue about the recent operations of the Exchange, and Zhang Yue was quite satisfied. After he left the Exchange, Cai Jing has indeed brought the operation of the Exchange to a higher level.
Zhang Yue said: "There is one thing. Do the dozen businessmen who were arrested in Daming Mansion last time have something to do with you?"
Cai Jing heard this and said: "Yes, it was the students who suggested it to Xiang Ji."
Businessmen in Daming Prefecture set up a private version of the Exchange, which was then closed down by the court and all the businessmen were arrested.
"Is it cutting off the exchange's financial path?"
Cai Jingdao: "Yes... so."
Zhang Yue said: "Although this incident did not surprise me, I did not expect it... Yuan Chang, you still impressed me."
"It's because the students didn't do it properly."
Zhang Yue said: "I don't blame you. Guan Zhong advocated the officialdom of mountains and seas, Sang Hongyang advocated salt and iron theory, and this dynasty also banned tea and alcohol, but now sooner or later there will be a ban on cross-examination."
"But what has not yet begun has been done by you in advance."
Only then did Zhang Yue establish Jiaoyinjian, and Cai Jing thought of establishing a monopoly like the salt and iron franchise, and using his power to suppress any private businessmen who entered the field.
Cai Jing said: "Teacher, I have seen the exchanges run by famous people. They are very good. They not only take advantage of the strengths of our Bianjing Exchange, but also have none of our shortcomings."
"For example, the handling fee has been reduced from 500 fen per seat to 300 fen, but they only charge 200 fen, and even big businessmen only charge 150 fen."
"Many salt merchants left Bianjing and went to Damingfu to trade salt banknotes. After all, we were run by the imperial court and did not dare to lend money privately. However, many merchants in Damingfu started out as warehouse merchants. The money they earned from selling salt banknotes was directly
Deposit it in your own library and do whatever you want."
"Over the years, in order to please the three officials and officials, the students have continuously contributed money and money, and it was difficult for the court ministers to ignore the exchanges and make excessive profits. But these businessmen have done nothing. Now the road is paved.
Ping, they are just sitting back and enjoying the results."
"Teacher, students have no choice but to do this, otherwise the painstaking efforts of the exchange will be...Teacher, I dare to ask, if the court did not ban salt, private salt would be rampant now, and there would be no room for public salt.
?”
Zhang Yue said: "I understand what you said. I can't blame you for this matter, but you still have to have room for action. Just let these dozen businessmen go immediately, and don't make enemies everywhere."
Cai Jingdao: "The students understand, and they have learned the lesson. Within the first half year, they immediately set up a prison transfer in Damingfu and Chengdu to deal with the salt banknotes in Liao and Dali, but the processing fee will be reduced to two hundred."
It is indeed difficult to do it in a short period of time."
Zhang Yue saw that Cai Jing had learned his lesson, so he said: "If you can't do it, you can't do it. We are a big ship. When the ship is big, it is difficult to turn around. There are many places that need to be repaired. There will naturally be more idle people to support on weekdays."
"
Cai Jingdao: "Thank you very much, teacher. The student also plans to use Luoyang and Jingzhao to lead the way. This time, he will increase his capital by 30,000 shares and sell them to the private sector. Each share will be sold for 100 guan, raising 3 million guan. As for
Damingfu, the branch office in Chengdu, and the Exchange still hold 70% of the shares, and local officials and gentry will take over the rest."
Zhang Yue said: "You don't have to ask me about this, just do it yourself."
Zhang Yue thought that even if the shares of the stock exchange increased from 20 guan per share to 50 guan per share, and now to 100 guan per share, it is estimated that it would still be difficult to get one share on sale.
Zhang Yue said to Cai Jing: "First ask the Third Division, Shaanxi Transfer Division, how many shares they want to buy?"
Cai Jingdao: "The students have already asked. Previously, Prime Minister Ji wanted to buy 3,000 shares, and Xue Yunsi wanted to buy 2,000 shares. Originally, they wanted to buy more. At the same time, the two empress dowagers..."
Zhang Yue thought to himself that the price of one hundred guan was really low, and the additional shares had already been reserved by others.
If you buy one hundred guan per share, you can actually earn it.
Cai Jing asked: "Teacher, is there anything you want to buy here?"
Zhang Yue wanted to refuse, but after thinking about it he finally said, "I have to ask my wife about this."
After Cai Jing left, Zhang Yue lamented that the monetization of salt banknotes had taken another step forward, and sooner or later the court would include Huai salt and other salt banknotes in the category of salt banknotes.
What Cai Jing will do decades later, he now does in advance.
Cai Jing finally moved all the gold and silver exchanged for salt banknotes into Song Huizong's warehouse. The Song Dynasty's annual salt banknote income increased from two million guan to 20 million guan.
Zhang Yue was about to take a rest.
At this time, an outsider said: "A soldier from Shaanxi came outside and said his name was Wang Yin, and he insisted on seeing the master."
Zhang Yue thought to himself, could it be Wang Shao?
Zhang Yue immediately said: "Bring him here to see you."
When Zhang Yue saw him, he turned out to be Wang Shao.
Zhang Yue couldn't help scolding him when he saw it: "Zichun is so bold, how dare you come to see me in private?"
When Wang Shao was summoned to the capital, he should have met the emperor first, and before that he visited the minister's residence in private. If this matter spread out, he would be impeached by the censor.
Wang Shao had a dusty look on his face and was dressed like a soldier. After meeting Zhang Yue, he threw away Fan Yangli and sat carelessly on the edge of the couch and said with a smile: "I'm going to see you soon, how can I not come to see you?"
Where is my sponsor?"
Zhang Yue said: "So, are you here to pay back the money?"
Wang Shao said: "This is not the case. Now my entourage is in the official post. I came to see Zhang Zhengyan privately to ask for advice on how to face the king."
Zhang Yue said: "You can just speak frankly about the matter before you. Why do you need to ask me?"
Wang Shao said: "Otherwise, in the past, when Shang Yang spoke about the King of Qin, he first talked about the emperor's way, then the king's way and domineering, and finally talked about reforms before he was appreciated by the King of Qin. I only have one chance as a king, and I dare not let down the grace of Zhengyan's recommendation."
Zhang Yue said: "It's just a favor of recommendation, the important thing is...do you also have imperial ways, royal ways, and overbearing strategies to convince the officials?"
Wang Shao said: "Of course. If your majesty is the ruler of the country, then I will advise your majesty and the army to stop fighting at the border and not to fight for an inch of territory."
"If your majesty is determined to do it slowly, then I will tell you how to reconcile the Tibetan tribes, build up troops and prepare weapons, so that you can recover Hengshan in the future."
"If Your Majesty is like Qin Xiaogong, a master with great plans and strategies, then my words can help the imperial court to destroy Xixia and avoid future troubles forever. This will also make me prosperous and become king and prime minister in the future."
Destroying Xixia is such a big statement.
Zhang Yue saw Wang Shao speaking with great enthusiasm, as if he could get fame easily, and couldn't help asking: "What's your plan? How can you have such a big success?"
Wang Shao heard this and said: "Although Zhang Zhengyan is my benefactor, I will not tell you the details. As long as Zhang Zhengyan tells me your Majesty's determination."
Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Your Majesty has summoned Xue Xiang to come to Beijing with you, so there is no need to say more about his ambition."
Wang Shao's eyes lit up and he said: "Your Majesty is..."
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty admires Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty the most, what do you think?"
Wang Shao vigorously clapped his hands and said: "In this way, I, Wang Shao, will be rich and famous, and I will be famous all over the world in just a few days."
Zhang Yue looked at Wang Shao and thought in his own excitement, that people like Wang Shao are too keen on fame and wealth, and they are too conceited and have too high self-esteem.
If such people become successful in the future, they usually think that everything is achieved through their own hard work, without the help of others.
If Wang Anshi is unkind, then Wang Shao is a little ruthless. Of course, many people who can achieve great things also have this temperament.
It seems difficult for the other party to truly take his recommendation to heart. But having said that, everyone is just doing what they want.
Wang Shao muttered to himself for a while, then he remembered that Zhang Yue was beside him, and then said: "Don't worry, Zhang Zhengyan, Wang will definitely repay your recommendation in the future."
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "Zichun just remember it. If you have a day when scholars worship generals, and I have anything to ask for, don't forget it."
Wang Shao smiled and said: "Of course."
After the two had a long conversation, Wang Shao kept asking Zhang Yue for food, money, and various financial supports.
Zhang Yue thought to himself that the six thousand salt banknotes he gave you have not been recovered yet, and you still want me to help you with it. Besides, since he is no longer on duty in the Third Division, the resources he can directly mobilize are much less than before.
Wang Shao left Zhang Mansion that night and rode a horse most of the night back to the inn.
Wang Shao's son Wang Hou stood at the back door of the inn and heard the sound of horse hooves. He immediately opened the door and welcomed his father in.
But seeing his father Wang Shao in high spirits, he couldn't stop his joy.
Wang Hou took his father's riding whip and then greeted Wang Shao into the inn.
Wang Hou asked: "Has father seen Zhang Engong?"
Wang Shao nodded and said, "I saw it. After listening to what Zhang Zhengyan said, it is as expected by our father and son. The official is a hero who will make great achievements."
Wang Hou said happily: "That's great. So, after the officials summoned my father back to Beijing to inquire about side affairs, it will be of great use. This is also thanks to Zhang Engong's recommendation twice."
Wang Hou brought his father a bowl of wine to quench his thirst.
Wang Shao heard the words and said calmly: "Yes, Zhang Zhengyan recommended it, but this honor was achieved by us, father and son, with our heads raised, one by one in Guwei. Without Huo Wei's ability, even a father would not dare to say anything and make meritorious deeds."
During the Qing and Tang Dynasties, he restored the three thousand miles of territory of our Han family every day!"
Having said this, Wang Shao boldly took the wine from his son and drank it down in one gulp.
Wang Shao said to Wang Hou: "Yes, are all the tributes we brought from the west ready?"
Wang Hou said: "Everything is ready and can be sent to the capital tomorrow."
Wang Shao nodded and said: "Very good. You have to be careful and select a few trusted eunuchs from the official family and send them there one by one. You need to carefully check whether our father and son can gain the trust of the official family in the future and make achievements in this court."
"
Wang Houdao said: "I know, my son, I have already taken care of everything, but when it comes to the people around the official family, they are not as good as Zhang Engong. Dad might as well leave it to him to take care of things."
Wang Shao smiled and said: "My son is so ignorant. Zhang Zhengyan has six thousand salt notes with us, but now he doesn't see a penny. When he invested in dad and me, he was sure that we could make great achievements. As long as we are consistent
I’ve never seen any benefit.”
"He would have to give us more money and people, and he would have to sponsor us. If we give him the money now, not only will he feel uncomfortable, but he will not be as diligent in helping us and his son in the future."
Wang Hou felt sorry and said: "Dad, it's not very good for our Mr. Zhang Engong to scheme like this."
Wang Shao said: "This is not a calculation, but if you want to achieve great things, you must have some means. In the Qing and Tang Dynasties, we had to understand how powerful the Tibetan tribe was, and then use both kindness and power. But now in the court, they are ten times more powerful than those in the imperial court."
Fanbu.”
"To be honest, I would rather be in Guwei than go back to the DPRK and deal with the bureaucrats."
A few days later, Fu Bi of Ruzhou was newly sentenced to enter the court.
In the fourth year of Zhiping, when the officials had just ascended the throne, they wanted to appoint Fu Bi, but Fu Bi declined because of his illness.
The official summoned Fu Bi before was because of Empress Dowager Cao, but now it was because after Han Qi resigned as prime minister, there was no big boss in the court who could convince the public.
So the officials summoned Fu Bi, who had a reputation for being bold and accomplished, back to the court.
However, Fu Bi still refused to become prime minister, so in the end the officials had no choice but to let him serve as a judge in Ruzhou.
Today, Fu Bi entered the court to bid farewell. The officials knew that he was seriously ill, so they specially allowed him to enter the palace on a shoulder cart. Later, the officials were worried about Fu Bi's inconvenience, so they issued an edict to personally welcome Fu Bi to the small east gate hall.
.
Such courtesy really gave Fu Bi a lot of face. It also showed the courtesy of officials respecting important ministers.
After arriving at the small hall at the east gate, Fu Bi met Guan Jia for the first time with the support of his son Fu Shaoting. Fu Bi looked at Guan Jia carefully. He was a very young man and showed enough respect and respect for an old minister like himself.
.It’s just that he is a little thin, so I don’t know if he can carry on the great Song Dynasty for his ancestors.
The official said to Fu Bi: "Fu Qing is ill and does not need to pay homage. Someone will come and watch."
After saying this, the official ordered the palace servants to bring a chair, and Fu Shaoting helped his father sit down.
After the monarch and his ministers sat down, the official couldn't wait to ask: "Fu Qing is an important minister of the three dynasties. When he was sent to Khitan, he worked hard for the country without caring about his own life. Now that I have just ascended the throne and the state affairs are unclear, I still ask Fu Qing to teach me how to govern. How can I do it?"
Govern a country well."
Fu Bi frowned slightly after hearing this. As Sima Guang said, the officials were too eager to achieve something.
In ancient times, emperors such as Emperor Qin and Emperor Yang, who were fond of great achievements, often perished here.
Fu Bi said: "Your Majesty, when you see me, you will govern the country without asking about benevolence. Only with benevolence can you govern. I advise your majesty to spread benevolence widely and collect favors first."
The official looked respectful and said: "What Mr. Fu said is absolutely true. I have learned from it."
Fu Bi was a little happy when he heard this and said: "Of course I know your Majesty's desire for governance, but it is not a good thing for the master's likes and dislikes to be known. In this case, there will inevitably be traitors who will do what he likes."
Sima Guang also said this at the beginning, and the official said: "However, the annual tribute paid by the imperial court to Khitan and Xixia every year really puts a heavy burden on the country. Even though the imperial court responded to Xixia and Khitan's requests, they still thought it was insufficient and refused to accept it.
Hand. Now that the imperial treasury is empty, what will happen if something happens?"
Fu Bi said: "Your Majesty does not need to worry too much about side affairs. It is better to follow what I said. When your Majesty comes to the throne, your priority should be to widely spread virtue. I hope that your Majesty can keep quiet about military affairs for twenty years, and it is not appropriate to reward him heavily."
If you don't work together, the consequences will be huge."
The officials were silent after hearing this, and Fu Bi used the same rhetoric again.
Sima Guang's and others' ideas were more extreme, that is, "severely punish those who take credit for causing trouble." All generals who caused friction with Xixia on the border must be severely punished.
The same is true for what Fu Bi said.
The official was silent for a long time, and finally sighed: "I understand what Fu Qing means. With the imperial court's current border guards, not to mention the Khitans, it will be difficult to win a war against the Xia people."
Fu Bi said: "Your Majesty is wise."
The official smiled reluctantly and said, "I would like to appoint Fu Bi as the envoy of the Jubilee Festival and stay in the capital to assist Bi in the government affairs. I also ask Fu Qing not to shirk."
Fu Bi knew that the official had no intention of his own, so he resigned in person, and then left the palace and went directly to Ruzhou to take up his post.
After listening to Fu Bi's words, Sima Guang and other court officials went to Shu and asked the official "Fu'an Yunei" to be the first. Privy Council envoy Wen Yanbo also suggested the same.
The officials heard that Lu Gong wrote a lecture on scriptures and asked him to imitate Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty.
After hearing this, the officials felt that it made sense, and said to the ministers: "The Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty was not useless in wearing simple clothes and wearing leather shoes. He also made a difference. As long as he persists for decades, there will eventually be success. Results. With this in mind, I decided to be diligent and frugal, and work with all my dear friends to save money on the treasury, so as to support our troops and prepare our borders."
Wang Anshi is still on the road at this moment. Although the officials are anxious but have no way out, they think that everyone's suggestions are reasonable. It is better to learn what Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty did.
This is also the advice of Fu Bi and Sima Guang. Don't tell the world so clearly about your eagerness to seek treatment.
However, officials said they wanted to imitate Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, which immediately made Lu Huiqing and Wang Shao, who were in the capital waiting to be received, panicked.
If the officials follow the example of Emperor Wen of Han, they should not mention anything they have planned.
They can all go home to study and farm.
However, it is difficult to change a person's temperament. It may change due to temporary reasons, but it will eventually return to the original.
At this time, Wang Shao was received by the officials.
Wang Shao was also full of anxiety before entering the palace. Fu Bi had just advised the officials not to talk about military affairs for twenty years. Sima Guang and others also suggested "severely punishing those who invite credit for trouble." It was not right for him to talk about military matters in front of officials at this time. Go against the mainstream in North Korea and China?
However, when Wang Shao entered the palace for an audience, he saw Zhang Yue accompanying him.
Wang Shao couldn't help but feel reassured when he saw this. When the officials received him, they asked Zhang Yue to accompany him, which showed that he still had plans to make achievements in the northwest.
After Wang Shao saluted, the first thing Du Wenguan asked was: "You are also from De'an?"
Wang Shao was shocked. Could it be that the other De'an person the official asked was...
Ps: The historical materials in this book are mainly the history of the Song Dynasty. As we all know, the history of the Song Dynasty has the crookedest butt among the Twenty-Four Histories, and it is full of slander against the figures of the reformists, but there is no other way but to make do with it.
