A soft sedan quietly stopped at the side door. Officials in casual clothes got out of the sedan and carefully looked around. After feeling that no one was paying attention to them, they tiptoed into the side entrance of the mansion.
Zhang Jingbang had been waiting in the mansion for a long time. When he saw this person, he hurried over to greet him: "Wang Shangshu! Please come quickly."
The two of them took their seats, and the servant served tea.
This Wang Shangshu looks very old, more than fifty years old, with wrinkles on his face and sparse beard. His face, which was originally a grimace, now looks even more sad.
"Zhang Xiang! What can I do? What can I do?"
Wang Shangshu was like an ant on a hot pot, helpless.
The full name of this Wang Shangshu is Wang Shiyong. He is the official minister of the dynasty and is considered a powerful figure in the court.
Zhang Jingbang was another prime minister besides Tang Qin.
However, in Qi Huizong's dynasty, one of the two prime ministers advocated war and the other advocated peace. But in Qi Yingzong's dynasty, both prime ministers advocated peace.
Originally, the tasks given by Qi Yingzong to the two prime ministers were to control the outside and the internal. Tang Qin was mainly responsible for suing for peace and making agreements with the Jin people, while Zhang Jingbang was mainly responsible for suppressing the people internally and plundering people's wealth to satisfy the Jin people.
various unreasonable demands.
In this process, Wang Shiyong, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was the most diligent. Any pretty women he saw on the street were kidnapped and sent to the Jin camp.
Later, because most of the beautiful women in the city had been caught, he put the already disheveled and sick women in disguise, painted them with makeup, and sent them to the Jin camp by carloads.
Such an operation also caused resentment in the city and the people were in dire straits, so they called him "Grandpa Jin".
In real history, Wang Shiyong's destructive power to the entire capital was unparalleled, because compared with other officials, he not only had no bottom line, but also had considerable means, and was particularly quick in getting things done for the Jin people.
Later, when the Jin people planned to abolish the Qi Dynasty royal family, they also created the "Five Protection Law", which ordered the five families in Fangxiang to protect them. If anyone was found to be harboring the Qi Dynasty royal family, they would be jointly and severally punished.
In this way, he looted all the Qi Dynasty royal family in the entire capital city and sent them to Jinying.
It's just that in this slice of history, we haven't reached that step yet.
Although Qi Yingzong had entered the Jin camp and had already conducted a search in the city under the instructions of the Jin people, the Qi royal family including Qi Huizong was still there, and the number of women and property that had been kidnapped was not very large.
After His Highness King Yun led the Western Army back to the capital, the Jin people had already withdrawn their troops to Moutuogang. The matter of abolishing the Qi royal family and replacing Zhang Jingbang to establish a puppet regime, which was originally on the agenda, was naturally shelved for the time being.
.
But for people like Zhang Jingbang and Wang Shiyong, this may not be a good thing.
…
Wang Shiyong took a sip of tea and said with some panic: "Yesterday, the officials summoned me."
Zhang Jingbang couldn't help but look stern: "Have the officials accused you of robbing women for the Jin people?"
He was also a little nervous. After all, although the executor of this matter was Wang Shiyong, when it was investigated higher up, he, the prime minister, was the culprit.
Tang Qin, another prime minister of the Zonghe faction, had been killed on the spot by the new official in the court. At that time, Zhang Jingbang's body was splashed with blood, and he was so frightened that he almost fainted on the spot.
After that, although the new official did not go on a killing spree, the peace-promoting ministers like Zhang Jingbang were already in danger.
Wang Shiyong smiled bitterly: "No!
"The officials didn't ask about me raiding women for the Jin people at all. Instead, they just chatted with me about family affairs."
Zhang Jingbang was a little surprised: "So, this official is still sensible?
"At this time, the Jin people are still approaching the city. This new official has just ascended the throne. The court is in turmoil. He still needs us old ministers to stabilize the situation for him.
"So, he doesn't intend to hold us accountable for the crime of plundering money and women in the city for the Jin people?"
Wang Shiyong's face was still ugly: "This... I don't know about this.
"But what makes me feel horrified is that although the official told me some family matters,... they all talked about private matters!
"He, he even knows exactly how many bowls of rice and dishes I had for lunch yesterday!"
At this time, the powerful prime minister could no longer sit still. He stood up and walked around a few times, with an increasingly anxious expression on his face.
"Could it be...Wude Si?
"The official is not trying to make things up with you, this is clearly a threat!"
Wang Shiyong nodded: "Yes, the officials said the day before yesterday that they wanted to rectify the Wude Division and put some people from the Western Army in it.
"At that time, everyone thought that the officials just wanted to use Wu Desi to stabilize public security in the city and handle some things that were inconvenient for the Western Army to handle directly.
"But now it seems that the officials only use Wu Desi to maintain law and order? This is obviously... that is... to keep us all under surveillance!"
Zhang Jingbang's face turned pale: "Once the emperor and his ministers... I'm afraid we will never have a good life in the future..."
The prosperity of officials such as Zhang Jingbang and Tang Qin is inseparable from Qi Yingzong's accession to the throne.
During Qi Huizong's reign, senior officials including Tong Daofu, except Li Boxi, were called "six thieves", and the people angrily petitioned to have them killed.
Soon after Qi Yingzong came to power, he indeed exiled these six people and sentenced them to death. Even if these people had power in Qi Huizong's dynasty, it was inevitable that they would die at this time.
Even Tong Daosuke cannot be exempted from guilt by his past achievements.
The reason is that Qi Yingzong did not necessarily want to rectify the imperial court or the common people's grievances, but just used this as an excuse to get rid of Qi Huizong's old officials in the court to make himself more powerful.
After getting rid of these people, Qi Yingzong promoted Zhang Jingbang, Tang Qin and other officials. If he had been in power longer and not run into the Jin camp so quickly and was detained, maybe Qin Huizhi would also be able to be used by him.
.
Originally, if these old ministers had been under Qi Yingzong, they would have been able to happily bring disaster to the country and the people, but the arrival of the Jin people instantly shattered their dreams.
Therefore, following the example, these people naturally followed Qi Yingzong's wishes and desperately searched for the people in the city.
Of course, it's hard to say how much of this is just to cater to the superior's wishes, and how much of it is just a matter of sheer stupidity.
After all, when the Jin people left, they wanted to make Zhang Jingbang the false emperor, and Wang Shiyong became one of his generals. There was no bottom line. No matter how you look at it, it is unrealistic for these two people to blame Qi Yingzong.
But at this time, King Yun ascended the throne.
These two old ministers from Qi Yingzong's time were naturally in panic all day long.
Because they were very afraid that they would be liquidated by the new king like Tong Daofu and other old ministers of Qi Huizong's dynasty.
Resignation from office is a trivial matter, but if it is exile or execution, then everything is over.
"Xiang Zhang, what should we do now?" Wang Shiyong spread his hands, "Is it possible that we can only sit back and wait for death?"
Zhang Jingbang thought for a long time, and then said: "It is naturally impossible to sit still and wait for death!
"The only way at this time...should be to form one body with all the ministers in the court and advance and retreat together."
Wang Shiyong blinked: "Become one body, advance and retreat together?"
Zhang Jingbang nodded: "Yes! Advance together and retreat together!"
"At this time, the official has just ascended the throne. Although he has not yet established himself, he has the Western Army in his hands. If we, the ministers, fight alone, there is no way we can be his opponents.
"Just like Tang Xiang, what if he killed him in front of the court?
"Afterwards, as long as the officials arbitrarily fabricated some charges, no one would dare to pursue the matter.
"Just like this, the officials are using Wude to monitor your every move, and it is too easy to find some evidence of guilt from you.
"In other words, when the officials talk to you about everyday things, they are actually threatening you, letting you know that your every move is under his surveillance! Then the officials can do whatever they want with you!
"If you dare to be disobedient in any way, Tang Qin will be punished!"
Wang Shiyong's face turned pale: "But Prime Minister Zhang, why can we be safe by advancing together and retreating together?"
Zhang Jingbang said: "Although the situation at this time is very unfavorable for us, one good thing is that the late emperor has squeezed out all the old party ministers!
"You think, if Li Boxi was here, the officials could kill us all just by lifting Li Boxi up.
"But those ministers headed by Li Boxi have all been reprimanded by the late emperor. At this time, all the people in the court are from my family. If we say that we are working for the late emperor or plundering for the Jin people, you and I have no idea.
Who can escape the relationship?
"If the official family is liquidated, it will be a situation where everyone is in danger and everything hurts others.
"So, only if we all unite and advance together and retreat together can the officials retreat in the face of difficulties. At least until the Jin people retreat, we will be safe."
Wang Shiyong's face improved a little, and he suddenly said: "What Prime Minister Zhang said makes sense! Although the officials hold the Western Army in their hands, we still need people like us to handle political affairs.
"If we don't cooperate with him, even if the officials want to replace him, they can't do it in a hurry.
"In addition, the threat from the Jin people is still there, so the officials can only temporarily compromise with us.
"But... what if the Jin people retreat?"
Zhang Jingbang has already thought about it: "First of all, the officials may not be able to defeat the Jin people. Although the Western Army's combat power is strong, what was the result when Zhong Pingyuan went to Beijing and King Qin? As for the siege of Taiyuan, that was also
The officials were surprised and led the Western Army to support, and the Jin talents were defeated. Otherwise, Zhong Pingyuan would not have been able to escape death.
"At this time, the Jin army is at its peak, and the two armies are gathered together. If the Guan family is defeated, then we will be of great use in suing for peace for the Guan family, and naturally we will still be used in important ways; if the Guan family is defeated
There will be victory and defeat, and the two sides are in a stalemate. It is difficult to move us, and we still need to maintain the court and handle political affairs for him.
"Even in the worst-case scenario, if the Guan family really wins and the Jin people really retreat...
"That will also take a lot of time. As long as this period of time passes, the officials will no longer be able to use old accounts to punish us. By then, even if we use other reasons to judge the crime, the crime will be reduced by one level, and the family will not be killed.
Destroy."
Wang Shiyong suddenly nodded: "What Mr. Zhang said makes sense!"
After this analysis, Wang Shiyong also understood that the only way at this time was to unite all officials and find a way to make the new officials' decrees ineffective, thereby showing his own power and forcing the new officials to cooperate with him.
!
If these officials are still in disarray, then the new official can kill whoever he wants.
With Wude Si here, he could be imprisoned for any crime, and a single official would not be able to resist.
But what if all officials can advance and retreat together as much as possible? Then even if the officials kill one or two officials, they will not be able to change the situation. It is still the government decree that cannot do it.
On the contrary, the more people were killed, the more chaotic the court became, and the officials naturally retreated.
In this way, when facing the threat of the Jin people, the official family must first stabilize the internal situation and be more or less tolerant of their old officials.
Therefore, what officials like Zhang Jingbang and Wang Shiyong thought about at this time was not to seek death or to confront the emperor, but just to take the last road to protect themselves.
As for whether it is possible to allow all officials to advance and retreat together?
Although it is very difficult, it is still possible.
Because at this time, who among the officials in the DPRK didn’t have some dark history?
As an official under Qi Yingzong, he did more or less things for the Jin people, or plundered money, or kidnapped women, or suppressed civil unrest, or went to the Jin camp to seek peace...
When we look into it more closely, no one’s butt is clean.
Moreover, this dynasty has a tradition not to kill scholar-bureaucrats. But this new official didn't care at all. Not only did he directly kill Tang Qin, the prime minister of the dynasty, but he also used the Wude Division to monitor all officials and even vaguely generals.
When his status was raised, he was on an equal footing with these civil servants, and even had the intention of going beyond.
Is this okay?
If these warriors are allowed to take over, will the official family have to reduce official salaries, eliminate redundant staff, cancel favors, and reform the imperial examination?
In fact, the new official seems to have already begun to cancel the official's favor, which is a very bad sign.
Although these scholars and officials have no special talents, none of them are stupid.
They are all smart and can see the situation clearly.
This series of actions of the new official family at this time are obviously intended to attack their entire group. And if they don't resist at this time, are they going to give up these interests and the good policy of Qi Dynasty that suppresses military power with civility since ancient times?
?
Therefore, although Zhang Jingbang's method is a temporary measure, it will definitely be effective.
After all, in their view, there are only so many ministers in the DPRK. Li Boxi and others have been squeezed out, and it is difficult for officials to recruit and suppress a group of people today.
And even if we reform the imperial examination and find ways to promote some new officials from civilians, it will always take some time and cannot be accomplished overnight.
And this window period is the best time for them to perform.
If we don’t fight now, when will we wait?
Do you really have to wait until the new official beats away the Jin people and puts the butcher's knife on their necks before you think of regrets?
Wang Shiyong gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, Prime Minister Zhang, I'll do it right away! I just don't know if I can hide it from Wude Si's eyes and ears."
Zhang Jingbang said: "Be as low-key as possible and hide it if you can, but there is nothing you can do if you can't. The officials will know about this matter sooner or later, but to us, this is a conspiracy.
"We bet that the officials will not be able to manage the court without us. As long as this remains unchanged, no matter whether the officials find out sooner or later, we will be able to endure this situation!"
Wang Shiyong deeply agreed. After saluting, he left Zhang Jingbang's residence, got into the sedan chair again, and went to visit other ministers.
…
Fan Cun was not surprised when he looked at Wude Si's latest report.
Because these things were all expected by Sheng Taizu.
"This Zhang Jingbang really won't die until he reaches the Yellow River." Fan Cun said with emotion.
Taizu Sheng snorted coldly: "He is also at his wits' end and has nothing to do!
"He knew very well that he would inevitably die sooner or later, and his desperate struggle at this time was just to fight for a way out for himself.
"If he were an ordinary emperor with no means, he would really be killed by this move, and it would be a dead move."
Fan Cun nodded, because he had seen this scene before.
In the last trial illusion, the emperor who presided over Wang Wenchuan's reform actually faced such a situation.
Although it is not as intense, the meaning is similar.
The reason why Wen Junshi was able to silence the emperor with the sentence "In order to share the world with the scholar-bureaucrats, you must be promoted by others" was because the emperor found that he could not handle political affairs independently from these scholar-bureaucrats.
He first wanted to rely on Wang Wenchuan, but Wang Wenchuan could not control the grassroots officials well, which led to widespread resentment among the people during the implementation of the new law; and because the emperor had different opinions from Wang Wenchuan, he felt that his imperial power was weakened by the power of the prime minister.
So I want to take back some power.
But at the end of the struggle, the emperor found that even though he had taken back some power, many decrees still could not be implemented.
After all this trouble, the emperor naturally became disheartened.
The relationship between the emperor and his ministers was very complicated.
Although the Qi Dynasty was also a centralized government, and the emperor had absolute initiative, just like the two living treasure emperors Qi Huizong and Qi Yingzong, who could forcefully destroy the entire dynasty, the emperor was not omnipotent.
When the emperor faced individual officials, he could use many methods.
But if the emperor offends the interests of the entire bureaucracy and scholar-bureaucrat group, then these officials can also use non-violent non-cooperation to prevent the emperor from accomplishing anything.
Wen Junshi is a typical representative. After enduring it for so many years, the Qi Dynasty finally returned to the old path of the ancestral method.
And now, Zhang Jingbang obviously does not have Wen Junshi's ability, skills and goals, nor does he have any ambition to stand up to the emperor.
He is a flattering and cowardly person by nature, otherwise he would not be a dog to Qi Yingzong and the Jin people.
It's just that the rabbit bites people when it's anxious. Seeing that the butcher's knife of the new official family is about to fall, he has to borrow the power of the entire class of bureaucrats and scholar-bureaucrats to find a way out for himself.
If we follow common sense, King Yun would have given him this way to survive.
Because the Qi Dynasty has always had the method of sharing the world with the scholar-bureaucrats and suppressing the ancestors of the land with culture;
Because King Yun himself had obtained the first prize, he was naturally close to these literati;
Because there is a powerful enemy at this time, it is time to ease the internal conflicts and resolve the threat of the Jin people first.
No matter how you look at it, it is the current new official who should make concessions.
It's just that Zhang Jingbang made a mistake in his calculation.
His enemy is not King Yun, but...
Taizu Sheng.
Fan Cun closed Wude Si's report and looked at Sheng Taizu: "Then follow your Majesty's wishes...
"Take care of all these people together!"
…
Morning meeting.
At the Jinluan Hall, all the officials have arrived.
The new official who had just ascended the throne was sitting on the throne, but behind him, there was no longer the position of the Supreme Emperor Qi Huizong.
From any point of view, this new official only regarded his father as a reason to side with the Qing Dynasty and a tool to seize the throne. After ascending the throne, he had no idea of sharing power with him.
Although he was not put under house arrest to guard against thieves like Qi Yingzong, and he was even entertained with delicious food and drinks, showing the drama of a loving father and a filial son, there was not a lot of secret surveillance and precautions at all.
At this time, the new official's status in the court was somewhat special.
He parachuted in with the Western Army and became the emperor. Although there was no problem with his legitimacy, after all, the entire imperial court had not yet been unified, and there were still many people who were not aligned with him among the officials.
Today, the official seems to be in a bad mood.
He turned over the report in his hand and said casually: "Xiang Zhang."
Zhang Jingbang quickly replied: "I'm here."
Fan Cun lowered his head and looked at him: "You and the officials have done a good job in setting up a porridge shed to give porridge to the people. You should be rewarded."
Zhang Jingbang lowered his head and saluted: "Officials and ministers dare not take credit. This is all the official's holy grace."
Fan Cun changed the subject: "But... I asked you to discuss a way to eliminate the favor. Why is there no conclusion until now?"
Zhang Jingbang hurriedly said: "In the official family, kindness is the law of our ancestors. Our dynasty shares the world with the scholar-bureaucrats. This law of kindness is the foundation of our dynasty and cannot be shaken!"
"Back then, Wang Wenchuan wanted to reform the law of Enyin, but the result was that the people were in dire straits, and there were many complaints, which made our government turbulent. Only then did the Jin people take advantage of the situation.
"The officials asked ministers and colleagues to think about this method of eradicating the favor. The ministers thought hard, consulted the past emperors' affairs, and listened to the opinions of many scholars and people. It was really difficult to find a way to achieve both ends.
"I don't dare to violate the orders of the officials, but this matter is very involved, so I'm afraid we still have to... figure it out slowly."
This is obviously a view shared by Zhang Jingbang and other officials.
Favor is the most important privilege of the bureaucracy and scholar-bureaucrats, but today's officials want to abolish it?
If we don't do something, wouldn't it be equivalent to handing over our lifeblood?
Of course, Zhang Jingbang and others did not dare to openly challenge the emperor, so they could only drag it out in this way to express their uncooperative attitude. When the emperor had no choice, the matter would naturally be settled.
However, just when Zhang Jingbang thought that the matter was over, he heard the aloof emperor suddenly slap the throne and yelled: "Zhang Jingbang! How brave are you to hook up with the ministers and put pressure on me?"
Zhang Jingbang couldn't help being shocked and hurriedly knelt on the ground: "Officials, why do you say this? I am dedicated to doing things for the officials and have absolutely no other intention. How dare I put pressure on the officials?"
Fan Cun said with a cold face: "Then why until now, you can't even come up with a plan to get rid of Enyin!
"If you can't, then your talent is simply not enough to be the prime minister of the dynasty!
"If you don't want to, then you are deceiving the emperor and disrespecting your superiors, which is treason!"
Zhang Jingbang became even more panicked, but still managed to hold on: "Calm down the officials! I can learn from my loyalty, but the matter of getting rid of Enyin is indeed of great importance. The relevant regulations are extremely complicated and cannot be smoothed out in a few days!"
Fan Cun sneered: "Oh? It's a very important matter? It's extremely complicated?
"Come here, read to him my measures to eradicate my kindness and reform the imperial examination!"
A young eunuch nodded in agreement, immediately took out the prepared edict and read it in front of the court.
All the ministers listened attentively, and you could hear a pin drop in the hall.
Zhang Jingbang knelt on the ground, and the more he listened, the more his heart grew cold.
what's the situation?
He didn't pay much attention to this matter at first.
Enyin is the privilege of bureaucrats and scholar-bureaucrats. How can the emperor abolish it with just one word? Zhang Jingbang is not the only one who disagrees. There are not many ministers in the entire dynasty who would agree!
They were fully thinking that as long as they did not come up with a specific plan or waffled back and forth on the details of some plans, this matter would be delayed for at least a few months.
In this way, the emperor's patience was worn away step by step, and the matter was dragged on.
But unexpectedly, in just two days, the emperor himself came up with a plan to reform the official system!
This plan directly addresses the current situation of redundant officials in the Qi Dynasty, canceling a large number of idle positions that only receive salaries and do nothing, and cut them off in one fell swoop!
And that didn't stop Zhang Jingbang from being shocked.
The most important point is that the emperor's plan is actually clear and clear in direction. It is by no means the kind of plan that is full of loopholes.
what does that mean?
This means that it is difficult for them, a group of civil servants, to find fault!
Normally, although the emperor holds power, he is definitely not clear about these specific plans and is not good at them. If he wants to implement a certain policy, he must rely on capable governors.
Just like when Wang Wenchuan carried out his political reform, the emperor also needed Wang Wenchuan, the prime minister, to handle affairs.
In this way, the emperor might conflict with the officials on certain points, and the opposition officials could seize this point to attack, causing the entire plan to fall apart.
But now, the emperor actually came up with a perfectly fitting plan on his own!
This plan was so drastic that it made these officials extremely painful, but it fit perfectly, with no loopholes to exploit and no mistakes to make.
The most important thing is that this is a plan devised by the emperor himself.
Then there would be no conflict between the emperor and the governor. Any official who wants to find fault with this plan would be seeking death!
After the young eunuch finished reading the plan, Fan Cun didn't wait for Zhang Jingbang to speak and said directly: "Zhang Jingbang! Is this what you said is a matter of great importance and extremely complicated?
"Are you incompetent or do you intend to deceive the emperor? Choose one yourself!"
Zhang Jingbang was so frightened that cold sweat continued to break out on his forehead. He hurriedly kowtowed: "Your Majesty... I am not capable enough and I have failed to live up to His Majesty's high expectations!"
Fan Cun nodded: "So?"
Zhang Jingbang looked horrified, but he quickly came to his senses and hurriedly said: "Since I am not qualified for the job...then please resign from the position of Prime Minister!"
Fan Cun said with satisfaction: "Okay, it's done!
"Let the officials handle this plan."
After that, he looked at the Minister of Civil Affairs. It was Wang Shiyong who had been very close to Zhang Jingbang before and tried every means to search for women in the city and give them to the Jin people.
Wang Shiyong was confused. Why did such a big thing just hit me on the head?
He was not mentally prepared for this at all.
If this plan is really followed, then the ministers will be offended to death? The key point is that he himself is also a member of the ministers, so how is it possible for him to give up his favor?
Seeing that the official family was about to disperse, Wang Shiyong hurriedly stepped out of the queue and said: "Guan family, wait a minute!"
Fan Cun glanced at him: "Is there anything else?"
Wang Shiyong originally wanted to think about this matter in the long term, but after being glanced at by the new official, he was instantly discouraged.
Don't seek death!
Zhang Jingbang was the prime minister of the dynasty, but he was directly dismissed because of his incompetence in doing things. Although he was a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, although he was also a high-ranking official in the dynasty, in the eyes of the emperor, how could he be considered a piece of shit?
At this time, whether he shows unwillingness or inability, he will be dismissed directly from office just like Zhang Jingbang.
Just a short moment later, Wang Shiyong already regretted standing up.
Fortunately, he got wise in his haste and said: "In the official family! The vacant position of the prime minister will ultimately... make the government unstable.
"There is only Prime Minister Zhang in the official family, and now there is not even a prime minister in the court.
"We also ask the officials to decide on the candidates for the two prime ministers in advance to stabilize the government."
As soon as these words came out, Wang Shiyong couldn't help but sigh at his own quick wit.
After being careful, he decisively found another good topic and temporarily saved his official position.
The two former prime ministers in the court were Tang Qin and Zhang Jingbang.
Tang Qin was killed in public by this official, and his position as prime minister has been vacant ever since. Now the new official has dismissed Zhang Jingbang, which means that both the prime minister's positions in the court are vacant.
It would be right to ask the emperor to fill these two positions as soon as possible, right?
Fan Cun couldn't help but laugh. He glanced at the officials casually, and finally his eyes rested on Zhang Jingbang and Wang Shiyong.
"Who told you... there must be a prime minister in the court?
