Such misunderstandings are ultimately due to the fact that the prestige of the emperor Zhao Xi has been a bit too high in recent years.
After so many years of being in power, Zhao Xi can basically make decisions with a single word in today's dynasty. Moreover, the current cabinet is mostly composed of former ministers, and they absolutely follow Zhao Xi's decisions.
Even Zhang Dun and Lu Huiqing have been deeply influenced by Zhao Xi's various ideas over the years, and to a certain extent, they regard Zhao Xi's words as Guigao. As for Wang Shao, he seems to have the idea of being content with being rich and becoming more and more low-key.
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The so-called discussion just now was actually more about Wang Anshi criticizing Su Song's suggestions... the cabinet really needs such ministers.
After Zhao Xi finished speaking, Wang Anshi understood that Su Song's statement was general.
"Guan family, do you have any plans for this year?"
Wang Anshi was really worried that the officials would act arbitrarily and blindly do things that wasted people and money, regardless of the court's tax revenue.
Looking at the past dynasties in detail, all wise kings, after they have been in power for a period of time, after they have gained a certain prestige, and after the court can make decisions with a single word, they will always do something great and successful in order to leave a name for the ages.
This was true for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and it was the same for Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty recently. Even Tang Xuanzong, who was the source of the decline of the previous dynasty, worked hard to govern in his early years.
Therefore, Wang Anshi did not mind being a critic to ensure that the prosperity of the Song Dynasty would not be short-lived.
"We need to take a look, the cabinet will take a look, and I even intend to take a look on the ground, so that we can be targeted."
Zhao Xi really wanted to go out and have a look, and he said it now just to test the cabinet's opinion on him leaving the palace.
"Why do officials need to do it themselves? I and Shen Cunzhong have accurate terrain surveys. They can completely determine the location of the spillway based on the sand table of the topography."
Su Song understood the official's intention and wanted to take a trip to the Yellow River Basin. He walked with Shen Kuo and Shen Cunzhong. It was not a desirable job.
It's not that the officials can't bear the hardship, it's really unnecessary.
"For officials, as Mr. Su Ge said, it can be decided by the court according to the terrain and sand table, and the Ministry of Works can implement it. Officials do not need to come in person..."
"The management of the Yellow River is just a river, and the monarch in Bianliang is the foundation of the Song Dynasty. Officials must never abandon the original and pursue the inferior."
"To check the Yellow River, you need to go north along the Yellow River. Since the founding of the country, it has been navigable from Tongguan. Entering Hedong and Jingzhaofu, the Yellow River is steep and not suitable for navigation. Such water and land transportation are changeable, and officials and officials travel with them.
People, it is of no use to the prefectures and counties along the river!"
It would be better to just say that it is a waste of money and resources.
This is not a private visit, this is a trip, and the emperor's travel has its own specific regulations. In Wang Anshi's view, he would rather the official government randomly determines a few places to start construction than official travel.
Building the so-called floodway will help to prevent floods in the Yellow River to some extent. Officials' travel will not bring any benefits to the country except a waste of money and food.
"I am not prepared to travel under imperial regulations. As for the sand table, I am not saying that the sand table cannot vividly represent the topography. But how is the flow of the Yellow River? How is the sediment carrying capacity? How is the seasonal water level changes? What effect does flood discharge have on the surrounding farmland?
What kind of changes, etc., all need to be comprehensively evaluated."
"You ministers also know that building water conservancy facilities on the Yellow River, whether it is a floodway or other hub-type facilities, is not a simple matter. Construction in any place may change its agricultural crops."
"Secondly, what is the status of the vegetation upstream? How to change the vegetation status? Will it have an impact on local shipping? Is the terrain structure suitable, etc., who in the court can comprehensively evaluate these?"
"Whether it's a merit or a fault, because the imperial court's rules and regulations are full of inconveniences, it's inevitable that there will be some cowardice in doing things."
"As for the government, the new cabinet has taken shape. After more than half a year of running in, you have entered a relatively stable and reasonable state. There are no major events in the government now, and there is only this matter. I am acting the most.
Good time...”
Zhao Xi gave many reasons. In fact, he may not understand them himself, but in this era, he is definitely a so-called comprehensive talent. This is the difference in knowledge.
If the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River are to benefit, the way to control the Yellow River is to build reservoirs step by step to share the amount of sediment, but Zhao Xi does not believe that such a thing can be accomplished in this era.
Zhao Xi is not sure how much changes have occurred in Longyou, Huanzhou, and Linfu in the past thousand years. According to later generations, the cause of soil erosion on the Loess Plateau also started from this dynasty. Due to the confrontation with the northwest, constant battles and military camps were stationed.
The need to build ordnance, etc., excessive logging has led to the ecological deterioration of the entire Loess Plateau.
In fact, Linfu, Huanzhou, Fuyan, including Lanzhou, Yinxia, all the way to Jingzhaofu and other places were considered inland during the previous dynasty, and could even be called a wealthy place. Because of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms
, the wars in the area to the north and west of Qinzhou, the people's lives were in ruins, coupled with the war between this dynasty and the party members, it really harmed the residents in this area, and it also changed the ecology of this area.
"How do officials travel?"
Everyone knows what kind of character an official is. Wang Anshi is not a pedantic person to begin with, so he no longer worries about this.
Since the officials did not travel according to the emperor's regulations, it was not to show their achievements in quelling Xixia and not to waste the people and money, so there was no need to oppose the officials' travel.
As for security, the current state of the country can be said to be truly Haiyanheqing. The reports of bandits everywhere in the early years are not seen at all... Also, industries in various places are booming, and slaves from foreign dynasties have become hot commodities. As long as
If you have some strength, you should not have to worry about life in today's country.
Of course, this does not mean that there are no bitter cold places in the country. At the very least, the surrounding areas of the prefectures and counties are already prosperous.
"Relevant yamen, a small number of officials and a few guards will suffice..."
Zhao Xi was still ready to give up, but he didn't expect Wang Anshi to agree!
There are some things that Zhao Xi still needs to consider. Therefore, he ordered the prince to supervise the country. In addition to Su Song, he also included Li Jie, Shen Kuo, Jia Xian, etc. as accompanying officials, such as Qin Tian Jian, Du Shui Jian, and Ministry of Industry.
Accompanied by officials.
At the same time, Zhao Xi ordered Gao Jingxian to return to the court to take charge of Bianliang's security and take charge of the Bianliang garrison. He also granted Di Qing a secret edict to prepare for any eventuality...
Wang Zhongzheng was ordered to stay behind, and Li Xian was transferred from the northwest to return to the court. The palace was in peace.
Not to mention the cabinet ministers, even the prince felt that these arrangements were appropriate.
Zhao Xi didn't want to guard against anyone. If he didn't arrange it this way, I'm afraid the cabinet ministers who stayed behind would not be at ease.
The reality is like this. Just like the private visit incognito, the courtiers always have other thoughts and ideas. The more defensive arrangements are made in this way, the more secure the ministers will be.