Chapter 959 The original intention does not change
(Seven thousand chapters, hehe.)
Guo Chong opened his eyes slightly, waved his hands and said: "I'm fine, I won't die yet. But you two should take care of yourself. Looking at you two, you two look so depressed. Are you already discouraged?"
Yan Zheng solemnly hesitated to answer, and Fang Dunru said solemnly: "The emperor is wrong. I am not dejected. I am still the same as before and will not change my original intention. No matter what kind of resistance, it is difficult to shake the heart of the emperor. Your Majesty, you can
rest assured."
Guo Chong frowned and said: "That's good. You two are resolute and decisive, which is why I rely on you. You will not fall easily. Very good. However... the current matter... I
...But I don’t know how it will end. I’m very troubled now.”
Fang Dunru said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. I have told the Emperor long ago that there will be hardships and ups and downs in reforming to become stronger. It is precisely because of resistance that reform is needed. Reform is to change the inherent diseases.
As doctors say, pain leads to blockage. The reason why there are so many objections at this moment is that it touches the place where the stubborn disease is. As long as you get through these, the meridians will be opened, the stubborn disease will be eliminated, and everything will be cured.
.”
Guo Chong sighed and said: "I don't know what you said. However... you have also seen the situation in the DPRK. Now Lu Zhongtian and Yang Jun have raised objections, and the ministers are excited, how can I ignore it? Besides, Qing
This rebellion has shocked the whole world, and I have lost my face. The pain and price are too heavy. How many times can I, Dazhou, endure this kind of thing? I, Dazhou, are like a patient now, rebelling.
It's like being stabbed with a knife. How many knives can Da Zhou's body withstand? I have to consider it. The worries of Lu Zhongtian, Yang Jun and others are not unreasonable."
Fang Dunru hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the Qingjiao rebellion has nothing to do with the Reform. Even if there is no Reform, the world will continue to rot, sooner or later there will be chaos. I cannot agree to attribute all this to the Reform. This is
They are using the topic to deliberately target the new law and..."
"Shut up!" Guo Chong shouted and interrupted Fang Dunru's words. Fang Dunru sat there blankly, with a very surprised face. During the more than two years since he returned to the capital to take up his post, Guo Chong also
He has never scolded himself like this before. Guo Chong respects himself very much and is polite and considerate when discussing things, but this is the first time he has scolded him like this today.
When Guo Chong was agitated, he also lost his breath, covering his mouth and coughing violently. Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru both stood up in a hurry. Qian Delu, who was waiting outside, hurried in and brought hot tea to serve him.
Guo Chong drank a few sips and wiped the corners of Guo Chong's mouth and cheeks. Guo Chong's cough gradually stopped.
"My lords, the emperor has not recovered yet. You two lords must not make the emperor angry. Hey, you should be considerate of the emperor. He is coughing like that and has to see you, but you want to make him angry."
Qian Delu muttered dissatisfied.
"What Eunuch Qian said is true." Yan Zhengsun said, cupping his hands.
Qian Delu sighed, held Wuli and left. The room became quiet, and Guo Chong's breathing after coughing could be heard clearly, sometimes fast and sometimes slowly, as if someone was pulling the old bellows fast and slow.
"Fang Aiqing, I don't mean to scold you. However, you have completely dismissed the relationship between the Qingjiao Rebellion and the new law, which is probably inappropriate. Everyone in the court, including me, knows that this rebellion is closely related to the new law.
Big. How can you deny this? I know that you are thinking about reform, but you cannot confuse right and wrong. I believe that reform is certainly appropriate, but the problems caused by reform must also be taken seriously. Ignore these problems and consequences and just insist on
How can we promote the reform? How can we convince the public? Of course you can ignore it, but I can't ignore it. What I want to take care of is the entire country of Zhou Dynasty, and I have to take care of every one of my subjects.
This has something to do with my country, my country, my country, how can I do whatever I want?"
Guo Chong tried his best to keep his tone calm. His meaning was already clear. Although you can ignore everything seriously, I am different from you. I have to take care of all aspects of my feelings. Otherwise, how can I still be the emperor?
.
Fang Dunru frowned and was still waiting to say anything, but Yan Zhengsun pulled his sleeve to stop him.
"What the emperor said is true, and I am extremely ashamed. What Fang Zhongcheng said was not to shirk responsibility. He just said that these are probably the pains that must be experienced in the reform. But as the emperor said, this kind of pain may come too violently.
Of course, the whole court could not bear it. It seems that there are some problems with the new law and it needs to be revised in time to avoid repeating the same mistakes. In fact, today I and Fang Zhongcheng came to see the emperor, firstly to visit the emperor's dragon body, and secondly to listen to the emperor's teachings
"Please, Your Majesty, give me a lesson. Under the current situation, what should we do?" he said solemnly.
Guo Chong frowned and said: "You ask about my attitude, but I want to ask you about your thoughts. My support for change remains unchanged. You two are the ones who are really handling it. I don't know many things like you.
I just want to know what you two are thinking about the current situation."
Fang Dunru said in a deep voice: "Does the emperor still need to ask about the attitude of the minister and Mr. Yan? Reform is not a child's play. It has finally reached this stage, and it must be implemented to the end. Giving up halfway is absolutely impossible. We hope that the emperor will continue to give us
Full support, if the emperor hesitates, what should I do?"
Yan Zheng took a deep breath and nodded: "Your Majesty, what Fang Zhongcheng said is true. The more this time comes, the less likely you are to relax. The Emperor should also be mentally prepared for the difficulty of change. The ministers are not afraid of being insulted and blamed, but they are afraid of the Emperor.
The will is not strong. Without the full support of the emperor, the new law may be unsustainable. This is certainly a waste of the efforts of the ministers, but more importantly, it is a loss of the opportunity for the future resurgence of the Zhou Dynasty. Now the Liao people are trapped in a war with the Jurchens
We cannot extricate ourselves from the situation. This is the perfect time for us to carry out reforms. The Liao people's wolf ambitions have been completely exposed. We should seize the opportunity and reform to become stronger. There will eventually be a battle with the Liao people. By then our country will be rich and powerful, and we will have no power.
Terrified."
Guo Chong said coldly: "Don't I know what you are talking about? But you tell me, the whole situation is in chaos, and both the Privy Council and the Political Affairs Hall are opposed in unison. How can this situation be calmed down now? Do you want me to issue an imperial edict to let them
Everyone, please be silent. I will only listen to your words. All their words will be treated as farts. The Qingjiao Rebellion requires the imperial court to give an explanation. The people who were tortured and the soldiers who died in the battle do not need to account for it? Everyone is watching.
Am I indifferent to the imperial court's statement? Do you want me to ignore the Political Hall and the Privy Council, ignore all officials, and ignore the opinions of the people in the world? In that case, wouldn't I become an independent man with a husband and a widower? Am I that kind of person? I, the Great Zhou Dynasty
Is there such an emperor?"
Yan solemnly stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty, I don't mean that. I came just to find a solution. But there is one thing, the reform must not be abandoned. Fang Zhongcheng and I can calm down the anger of the officials' impeachment.
Making a gesture. Since the Qingjiao rebellion is inextricably linked to the reform, we are willing to apologize for this. However, one thing is that the emperor must be sure that the reform was beneficial to the Zhou Dynasty, and the Qingjiao only took advantage of the shortcomings in the implementation of the reform.
The new law must not be denied because of choking. Nor can the implementation of the new law stagnate. Once it stagnates, it will be far away. As for Privy Yang’s proposal that day, the Ordinance Department should be placed under the supervision of the Political Hall and the Privy Council. The implementation of the new law must be approved by the two government offices. This
In fact, it is an action that will stall the reform and make it difficult to proceed in the future. This is something we can never agree to, and we hope that the emperor can see his intentions clearly."
Fang Dunru said: "Exactly, Yang Jun's proposal is to abort the reform. He is a grudge against us for reforming the army. This is absolutely unacceptable to us. The Ordinance Department has the right to propose new laws.
It is extremely difficult to advance. If you don’t have the power, there is no need to talk about anything. As long as the emperor continues to firmly support the premise of the reform, everything else is easy to say. If they target the two of you, the emperor can issue an order to punish us. I
It is not a pity that the two people died. However, the emperor wants to appoint another person to promote the reform, and he cannot let the reform be abandoned halfway. If he wants to deny the new law and abolish it, the two ministers and others will not agree even if they are shattered to pieces. It is related to the fate of the country Zuo in the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The continued existence of the country, the country, and the country are important matters, and I and others must not compromise."
The words of Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru clearly stated their attitude. They can step down, but they need the emperor's commitment to continue the reform. They can die, but the new law cannot die, and the reform cannot stop. The reform must continue, which is more important than their personal
Honor, disgrace and life are more important. People and things must be separated. The emperor must express his position. It is okay not to support people, but he must support the reform.
This idea is actually somewhat wrong. The reason why the officials focused on impeaching Yan Fang and the two people is precisely because of what they did. People fell because of what they did. How could people fall?
It's not affected yet. Doesn't that tell the world that the criticism from the ministers is a personal attack, rather than a personal attack. If it is just a human reason, Yan Fang and the two have good conduct and moral integrity, who can find fault?
However, at this time, what Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru need is to strengthen Guo Chong's determination to carry out the reform, and not let the emperor waver in the reform due to pressure. Only in this way can this crisis be resolved. As for the two of them, as long as the reform is carried out
If it can be implemented, they can make compromises, even if they step down.
Guo Chong's expression became slightly calmer. What he was most worried about had not happened. What he was most afraid of was that Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru would fight each other to the death, and then he, as the emperor, would be forced to make a choice.
That is the last thing he wants to do. Of course he hopes that the reform will succeed, but if the reform arouses public anger, puts him on the opposite side of the ministers, and makes him a loner, then he will have to weigh it.
"Yan Aiqing, Fang Aiqing. I understand your sincerity. I will not punish those who are sincerely loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty. My determination for reform has not wavered. However, the current situation requires an explanation.
I have thought about the whole thing carefully these days, and I feel that the provisions of the new law may indeed need to be considered. Since the reform began, I have received many memorials of dissatisfaction with the regulations of the new law. If nothing else,
Fang Aiqing, didn’t your student Lin Jue turn against you because of the regulations of the new law? I’m not saying that what they said is right, but now that the Qingjiao rebellion has just subsided, there are various signs that the new law is beneficial to the people.
It will cause great harm. I think this is undeniable. Of course I will not stop the new law, but the new law must be revised. This is my request. I cannot withstand another rebellion. It will be detrimental to Zhou, me, and
The new methods are all fatal. I am thinking that using too much medicine may be a major drawback." Guo Chong said slowly.
"Your Majesty..." Fang Dunru shouted.
"Listen to me and don't interrupt me." Guo Chong waved his hand and said: "What I mean is that there must be an explanation for this matter to calm the public's anger. They must investigate the responsibility of the rebellion and raise questions about the new law.
I think the impeachment of you two is reasonable. I know your temper. If I ask you to bow your head and admit your mistake, you will definitely refuse. If you want me to punish you, I will use my strength.
Isn't it a contradiction to support the new law? If you are wrong, the new law is wrong. Isn't it contradictory for me to do so? I am thinking that I can't listen to them to abolish the new law, but at the same time I have to explain to them and calm down the government.
There is resentment in the hall. You absolutely can’t do nothing, that’s unjustifiable.”
Yan Fang and the two were silent. The current situation cannot be ignored. From the standpoint of the emperor, he must not ignore the anger of the ministers, nor would he offend the ministers of the court and the people of the world in order to protect the two of them.
"I have thought a lot about it in the past few days. Yang Jun's proposal is actually a compromise, but what you just said makes sense. If we follow what Yang Jun said, there is no need for the Regulations Division. The new law will require them all to
It can only be implemented with approval, but it will be a push-over and there will be no hope. So I made some adjustments based on Yang Jun's suggestion. Do you think you can accept it?" Guo Chong said softly.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to please me. I am listening attentively." Yan solemnly said, cupping his hands.
Guo Chong nodded and said: "I think so, otherwise you will pretend to admit your mistake and admit that the new law has shortcomings and mistakes in its implementation. Admit that the rebellion is related to the new law, and use this as a lesson to correct it.
This is actually a fact. You yourself know well that it is impossible to clear up the relationship. You just admit your mistake to show that you will act more cautiously in the future, and there is no need to say anything else. I will give you a step, and
I will not punish you, but I will tell them that reform is always a matter of trial and error. If you make mistakes, it is excusable. You only need to correct them, and you cannot beat them to death with a stick. In this way, they will not bite you to death and not let go.
.What do you think?"
Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru looked at each other. If it was really just that simple, it would be nothing. They were willing to admit their mistakes.
"Your Majesty, the two of us are willing to admit our mistakes, but I'm afraid it's just that, and they won't give up. How could they let this matter go down so easily? I thought they were using it to criticize Xinfa and I.
He has an ulterior motive in his name. I'm afraid he won't stop." Fang Dunru said with his hands raised.
Guo Chong frowned and said: "Fang Aiqing, why are you always talking about this? What's the ulterior purpose? You are thinking too much. What is their purpose? You can't always think that you are right, everyone else is
He has a plot against you, and this kind of mentality is not the way to solve the problem in the current situation."
Fang Dunru's face turned red, Yan Zheng hurriedly pulled his sleeves, and said in a deep voice: "What the emperor said is true. Sir Fang, don't think too much, let's just discuss the matter."
Fang Dunru nodded helplessly and said no more.
Guo Chong nodded slightly and said: "However, what Fang Aiqing said is correct. They will definitely not give up. Just apologizing is not enough. To explain to them, there must be practical actions. I think that the "Changping New Law" and "Employment Law" have been implemented.
You must take a stand and amend the provisions of the Military Service Law as appropriate. You must also be cautious when implementing it and avoid further setbacks. As for the reform related to military affairs... I feel that the time is not mature enough and can be postponed. There is also the Ordinance Department.
There is a lot of opposition to this point. I also feel that it was a bit hasty when the Department of Ordinance was first established to consolidate the military, political and financial powers. This destroyed the institutional structure of the court and would indeed cause chaos. I think this can be done, and the financial department will be
The power belongs to the Third Division. The position of the Third Division Envoy is currently vacant. Yan Aiqing can take up the post of the Third Division Envoy, and Fang Aiqing can serve as the Deputy Envoy. In this way, it seems that the financial power of the Regulations Department has been deprived, but the financial power is still under your control. What do you think?
How about this?"
Yan Zhengshu and Fang Dunru were stunned and speechless. The emperor had spent all his energy to do this. This was indeed beneficial to restoring the imperial system. The third envoy held financial power, and Yan Fang also served as the chief and deputy envoy.
It does feel like changing the soup without changing the medicine. But in fact, the two are completely different. The reason why the Ordinance Department has great power is because it enjoys several privileges. After the financial rights were stripped away, the power of the Ordinance Department was greatly reduced. And the three departments
Even though it is under the jurisdiction of Yuzhengshitang, the funds allocated need to be approved by Lu Zhongtian and others, which is far inferior to that of the Ordinance Department. Taking the implementation of the "Changping New Law" as an example, the official loans issued by Changpingcang in various places are
It was decided by the Department of Ordinances after deliberation, but when it came time to provide money and food, it had to be allocated by the Sansi Yamen, and the approval of the political hall was required. Not only was it inefficient, but it was also unavoidable that it would be delayed by being pointed out. Such a change is actually the same as before.
It's already a world of difference.
"I actually did this to stop them from saying that the Ordinance Department is above the two governments and three departments. This is also expedient, and it is all to calm the current situation. Do you think my idea is feasible?
?" Guo Chong continued to ask.
"Your Majesty, the financial power has been handed over, and the anger of Prime Minister Lu has been calmed. Then can the power of military deployment that Privy Yang has always been dissatisfied with also be eliminated? The two "Changping" and "mercenary" forces that maintain and promote the new law are all from the Xiang soldiers.
Should we also remove those who have been transferred from the central government?" Fang Dunru asked.
"If you don't object... I think it's better not to allocate manpower from the army. If we really need to use it, I can do it for you and Privy Councilor Yang. Otherwise, he will always say that the Ordinance Department is a small Privy Council, and allocating troops and horses is more important than him, the Privy Council envoy."
It's all convenient. In fact, it is feasible for local government officials to serve as the manpower to implement the new law. Just hire more people, why bother to mix with them. What do you think?" Guo Chong said with a smile.
Fang Dunru was so angry that his beard was almost blowing.
"In that case, the emperor simply hands over the power of the Ordinance Department to formulate, amend and implement new laws to the Political Affairs Hall or the Central Secretary's Office. The Ordinance Department has no meaning for its existence. The reason why the Ordinance Department was established and given great power over the military, government and finance is that
It is because the reform requires concentrated power to be implemented forcefully. What is the difference between the emperor's doing this and disbanding the Ordinance Department? With all due respect, the emperor's idea is not much better than the method proposed by Privy Yang. If he really does it according to what the emperor said,
The new law will never be implemented. With constraints everywhere, delays and shirks, how can it be pushed forward vigorously and resolutely?" Fang Dunru said with complaints, even a bit of ridicule.
Yan Zhengsheng also said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's inappropriate to do this. Although according to the Emperor's ideas, the reform may be barely feasible. But the Emperor must not forget that there is not much time left for us. At the beginning of the reform we
We reached a consensus that our Great Zhou Reform took advantage of the entanglement between the Liao and the Jurchens. Now the Liao people are showing their fangs, and their coveted ambitions have become clear to the world because of the rebellion. In fact, there has been a conflict between us and the Liao people.
There is no trust at all. If the Liao people were not entangled in the Jurchens' civil strife, they would have been torn apart during the Qingjiao Rebellion. The time left to us is very short, how can we drag our feet? The reform must be both
Fast and fast, and the results must be immediate. I am not unaware of the disadvantages of the reform, but I have to do it precisely because the time is not waiting for me. Your Majesty, we can bow our heads and admit our mistakes, but this reform cannot be delayed. Regulations Secretary
The responsibilities and powers cannot be divided. Please think twice, Your Majesty."
Guo Chong frowned and said, "You don't agree with my proposal?"
Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru looked at each other, feeling connected.
"Your Majesty, you can apologize to the people of the world, or even receive punishment from the Emperor. Even I and I can dismiss from office and go back, but the duties and powers of the Ordinance Department cannot be changed, the initiative of the new law cannot be handed over to others, and the advancement of the new law cannot be stopped. Yes.
What are we afraid of when we are wrong? If we make mistakes, we will correct them. After repeated efforts, we will eventually achieve the results we seek. If people change their words and shrink when encountering difficulties, how can a reform be achieved? Those who reformed in ancient and modern times all faced hardships and hardships, and provoked criticism from people all over the world. If we reform, then
If it were easy, why would you use ministers and others?" Yan Zheng said solemnly.
Guo Chong frowned and remained silent.
Fang Dunru stood up, bowed deeply, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I and others are bent on reform, not for fame and fortune, but only for the purpose of reviving the Zhou Dynasty, enriching the country and strengthening the army. I know the emperor's current mood, the reform has encountered many disturbances,
It cannot be said that there are no drawbacks, so the emperor has doubts and shakes in his heart, which we can all feel. However, what I want to tell the emperor is that the effects of the reform will eventually appear. If the problems that arise in a short period of time are
It is definitely not a wise move to doubt the new law. This is true for people and things. If you work hard for a long time, your achievements will show themselves. Bai Letian has a poem, and I am willing to encourage your Majesty."
Fang Dunru straightened up, put his hands behind his back and recited: "I am giving you a method to eliminate doubts, and you don't need to drill turtles and Zhuwei. It takes three days to burn the jade, and it takes seven years to distinguish the material. The Duke of Zhou is afraid of the day of rumors, and Wang Mang is humble.
Before the usurpation, Xiangshi died at first, so who knows whether it will be true or false in his lifetime?"
The poem recited by Fang Dunru is the third in the series of ancestral poems "Fang Yan" written by Bai Juyi of the Tang Dynasty. The meaning of the poem is very obvious, which is to distinguish the good or bad of something and the evaluation of a person.
We must not rely on subjective assumptions and divination to identify people and things. A comprehensive understanding of people and things must pass the test of time and withstand the measurement of history and time. We must not draw hasty conclusions based on the phenomena and results of one moment and one thing.
Dunru recited this poem to tell Guo Chong that the new law should not be denied because of the temporary difficulties and chaos caused, nor should it be doubted because of the opposition of Manchu officials. Only time and history can tell
will give the correct answer.
How could Guo Chong not understand what he meant and sit there for a long time, glaring at Yan Fang and the two of them without saying a word? He was indeed shaken in his heart. This kind of wavering did not exist now. As soon as the reform started, the suspicion in his heart disappeared.
Stopped. In other words, all this stems from his lack of firmness in the reform. Guo Chong always thought of finding a way to enrich the country and strengthen the army without going to war and not causing too many things. This idea has been running through
In his entire behavior, that's why he was sometimes tough in the court, and sometimes found balance and muddled. The reason why he made some suggestions today was precisely because of his inner wavering, hoping to take a step back and find a balance point.
Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengshen were so keen that they would naturally sense the fluctuations and changes in his heart.
"You...really don't agree. What's the use of punishing you...? But if you can't calm down everyone's anger, it won't work. What should I do? Do you think that's the only way I can do it?
?" Guo Chong said softly, as if he was mumbling to himself, and seemed to have made some decision.
"Your Majesty..." Yan bowed solemnly and spoke.
Guo Chong waved his hand, turned around and lay down, facing the bed. He said: "You guys, please step back, I'm tired. I have to think about it carefully. It's time for me to think about it carefully."
Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsheng looked at each other in confusion. They didn't know what Guo Chong was talking about. The emperor seemed to be stuck in a thought. This summons was without end, and he asked them to leave without any specific solution.
. Could it be that the emperor was angry? He didn't want to talk to them anymore because of their intransigence? But it didn't look like that. The emperor didn't look angry, but seemed a little calm. The emperor had been mentally prepared to be rejected.
So what is he thinking?
"My lords, the emperor is going to have a rest. My lords, please go back. It's getting late." Qian Delu appeared behind the curtain and bowed.
Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru had no choice but to kneel down and retire. Until they exited the dormitory, Guo Chong did not look back at them. He only faced the gauze curtain inside the bed, his eyes blank, as if he was stupid.
