At this time, Ma Zhou's mind was filled with thoughts about what tone and angle he would answer if Li Mu was the one answering this question. How should he follow suit and express his own meaning.
Ma Zhou took a deep breath and said: "The method of ordering the clan and meritorious officials to guard the feudal states has been practiced since ancient times. It is not a bad idea for your Majesty to imitate the previous dynasty. But I ask your Majesty to think twice. Isn't there any disadvantages to the method of the previous dynasty?
? Between the two Han Dynasties, there were countless turmoils caused by the excessive power of feudal kings. Isn’t it inspiring enough?"
Ma Zhou seemed to have found a rhythm, and his voice became louder: "The people your Majesty wants to bestow and cultivate must be people whom your Majesty trusts and loves. He wants their descendants to inherit their duties and protect the Tang Dynasty for generations to come. Such an idea
It is good, but when implemented, the effect may not be good. If your Majesty wants to reward these people, you can consider how to make them live in peace and make them rich. It is not necessary to replace them with official positions."
Li Shimin's face looked a little ugly, but he did not interrupt Ma Zhou.
"Official positions are important tools for the country's governance and security, and should not be taken lightly. A wise king should appoint talented people instead of nepotism. Even virtuous kings and fathers like Yao and Shun will give birth to Danzhu, as is Shang Jun.
Sons of ministers honored by His Majesty, their descendants may not be virtuous."
Li Shimin's expression changed from ugly to thoughtful, and he listened quietly.
"If someone inherits his father's duties before he is too old, the situation will be even worse. Without the guidance and restraint of his father, it is easy for him to be arrogant and extravagant when he is young and take charge of power. If they do whatever they want, the people will suffer harm and the country will be destroyed.
It would be too late to take back their titles, and the harm caused to the people would be irreparable. Rather than letting such people poison the surviving people, which is a possibility, it is better not to do such a thing."
"I believe that there are many forms of rewards, and they do not necessarily have to be given to official positions. Talent is the only criterion for awarding official positions. Only in this way can we prevent people who have no job and steal high positions. I know that your Majesty values their loyalty. But.
However, I believe that loyalty cannot protect the Tang Dynasty for all generations. Only talented people can create the prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty. If talented people are appointed from generation to generation, why worry that the Tang Dynasty will not last forever. If only loyalty is used from generation to generation without any
Talented people will enjoy the blessings of their predecessors, and the already destroyed Han and Sui Dynasties are a lesson from the past."
After Ma Yiyi finished speaking vigorously, his back was already dripping with cold sweat. He had never said so many things in front of Li Shimin. He dared to say it this year. First, Li Shimin had said that he would not be punished for his words, and secondly, he thought about Li Mu's rhetorical battle with the Confucian scholars.
, talking eloquently, putting himself into it. But after he finished speaking, he remembered that he was just Ma Zhou, not Li Mu, and Li Shimin's kindness to Li Mu might not be extended to him.
Thinking of this, Ma Zhou felt a chill on the back of his neck. He had said so many heart-wrenching words, and even if Li Shimin killed him, he would have nothing to say.
Li Shimin was indeed said to be confused. There were no more than five people who dared to talk in front of him. Li Mu counted one, Wei Zheng counted one, and then there was the Ma Zhou in front of him. The difference was from Wei Zheng's "arrogance".
Li Mu's "smartness", when Ma Zhou talked about things, he talked about things calmly and calmly, which was indeed the easiest thing to accept. Li Shimin chewed Ma Zhou's words and had to admit that what he said was very reasonable.
The truth is not difficult, it is clear in just one point. Li Shimin is not a fool. He wanted to do this simply because he thought of Li You. Li You wanted to go overseas and sit in Linyi and Zhenla. Li Shimin agreed to him and based his association on it.
Yes, something I talked about with Li Mu before.
What he was talking about with Li Mu was about how to govern the country. Li Shimin had always had a desire to open up new territories and wanted to bring all the land he could see under the control of the Tang Dynasty. But Li Mu was contrary to him.
The reason given by Li Mu is: if the territory is too large, how should it be governed?
At present, the decrees of the Tang Dynasty, except for the Guanzhong area, are greatly reduced when implemented in local areas. The reason is that the influence of aristocratic families in the local areas still far exceeds that of the imperial court. If the Tang Dynasty expands infinitely, even if it is destroyed
What can it do to neighboring countries? It can be destroyed but not cured. It wastes people and money, but gets nothing. What is the point of such a war?
Therefore, Li Mu's opinion is that unless the problem of effective governance can be solved, he does not recommend unlimited external expansion. If he has the energy and money, it is better to vigorously develop people's livelihood and make the people live a better life.
At that time, Li Shimin did not think of how to refute. But after returning to Chang'an, thinking about these things, Li Shimin felt that the enfeoffment system seemed to be able to solve this problem. If his sons and loyal ministers were enfeoffed to various places, then he would
Wouldn't it be much smoother for the government's decree to be implemented?
Just like Li Mu in Yangzhou, Yangzhou's implementation of the New Deal originally relied on pushback and obstruction. However, with Li Mu in charge, Yangzhou became the place where the New Deal was implemented most thoroughly besides Chang'an and Luoyang.
When a person is cornered, even eight bulls can't pull him back. The more Li Shimin thought about it, the more he thought it would work, so he asked the officials to discuss it at the court meeting. But as soon as he started, he was
Wei Zheng was sprayed back. But Wei Zheng just said no, but did not say why. Returning to the Tai Chi Hall, Ma Zhou's memorial explained in detail why this was not possible. Only then did Li Shimin suddenly realize that the thing he had come up with had something to do with it.
How ridiculous.
Yes, the loyalty of his ministers does not mean the loyalty of his descendants. The ability of his ministers does not mean that his descendants are also capable. Maybe in his own lifetime, doing so will achieve some results. But in the end, it will be left to the Tang Dynasty.
, but it is an infinite hidden danger.
If these people were stationed in a certain place during their time, they might still be extremely loyal while they were alive. But if they died, they and their descendants would definitely become the warlords who ruled over the place during the chaos of the late Sui Dynasty.
By that time, will this country still belong to Li Tang?
Li Shimin took a long breath and said: "What Ai Qing said is very reasonable, but I got sidetracked. I'll let this matter go and won't mention it anymore." Li Shimin is an open-minded person by nature, so he won't mention it anymore.
Even though it was over, he looked at Ma Zhou and said: "I am impressed by Aiqing's talent. I want to change the Secretary's Prison into the Secretary's Pavilion and install a number of ninth-grade bachelors to fill in the gaps and assist in government affairs. I wonder if Aiqing is willing to let go.
Are all the ministers from Luoyang coming here to take up posts?"
Ma Zhou was stunned, Li Tai and Changsun Chong were also stunned.
They were stunned, not because the Secretary Supervisor was changed to the Secretary Pavilion, nor because Li Shimin was looking for someone to help with government affairs. Their surprise came from the fact that this bachelor's rank was only ninth grade!
Ninth rank! Compared with the junior officials, the lowest-ranking official in the Tang Dynasty only has an extra official status and a little more monthly salary. A small official with sesame seeds and mung beans, let alone a brick dropped here, can hit the fourth rank.
Even in the local city of Chang'an, no one takes the minister seriously.
Ma Zhou was the chief official of the Hou Mansion in Luoyang, and he was also an official of the fifth rank. Why did he return to Chang'an to take up a post, but he became a ninth-rank official? How could this be possible?
Before the two of them could react, Ma Zhou had already understood. With a look of joy on his face, he knelt down and thanked you, saying: "Your Majesty is so kind to you, and I cannot repay it even if I die. I am willing to be a ninth-grade scholar and do my best to serve your Majesty.
"
"You are indeed a smart man!" Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction and said to Li Tai and Changsun Chong: "You two are hesitant and hesitant in your words. I will write it down for you. Bachelor of the Secretary Pavilion, I have no share of you two.
, what should be done, what should be done!"
The two people, who were still a little confused, did not dare to ask. After bowing and saluting, they withdrew.
Li Shimin raised his hand, and Eunuch Gao came to Ma Zhou with a tray. On the tray were a goldfish bag, a jade pendant, and a seal.
Eunuch Gao smiled and explained to Ma Zhou: "This is a goldfish bag that only third-grade purple robes are eligible to wear. Your Majesty's grace has given it to Bachelor Ma. With this goldfish bag, Bachelor Ma can enjoy the right to enter and leave the palace."
Ma Zhou Xie En wrote it down, took it with both hands, and wore it on his waist. The so-called fish bag is actually a container for holding fish charms. In the words of later generations, fish charms can be regarded as a kind of ID card. They are made of wood or metal.
It is in the shape of a fish and divided into two pieces. The name of the official is engraved on the inside, which yamen he works in, the official residence, the salary, the treatment he enjoys when traveling, etc. When entering and leaving various confidential places, they must be checked.
.
"This jade pendant represents the identity of the bachelor of the Secretary Pavilion. You must keep it and don't lose it. If you wear it, you will die if you lose it. If you need it urgently, you can use this pendant to get money at any time from the Datang Bank in any place.
Qian Guan, record it in the accounts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Of course, it will be reported later."
Ma Zhou thanked him, and Eunuch Gao handed him the seal again.
"Your future responsibility will be to assist His Majesty, read memorials from various places, and provide opinions as advisors when His Majesty needs them. All memorials you have read must use this seal. All memorials are confidential and cannot be leaked.
Half a sentence. Therefore, if the contents of the memorial with the seal are leaked, you will not be able to escape the blame. Do you understand the pros and cons?"
Ma Zhou hurriedly said: "I understand."
Li Shimin was happy to see Ma Zhou's prudent attitude and asked, "Do you have a mansion in Chang'an? Where do your relatives live now?"
"Your Majesty, I don't have a residence in Chang'an. I have been living in the house of Zhonglang General Chang He. I followed the Marquis to Luoyang, and my family members also arrived in Luoyang."
"Since you don't have a mansion in Chang'an, I will give you a mansion." Li Shimin looked at Eunuch Gao, and Eunuch Gao agreed: "I will finish this matter within three days. Please ask Master Ma to wait for a few days."
"Thank you, father-in-law."
Ma Zhou knew in his heart that Li Shimin wanted him to participate in secrets. Such an important position must not be unprepared. His family members must stay in Chang'an as hostages. And the mansion given to him must also
The eyeliner of Dongxiang Factory was indispensable. Although he felt a little reluctant in his heart, he also knew that it was impossible to avoid this incident. If he wanted to show his heart for revenge, it was impossible without paying some price, so he could only grit his teeth and admit it.
Suddenly, Ma Zhou remembered that Li Mu asked him to burn the letter, and he couldn't help but admire Li Mu's foresight. With his future position, it would be impossible for him to have close contact with Li Mu. If he did, both he and Li Mu would be in trouble.
Ma Zhou thanked him for his resignation, and Eunuch Gao sent a young eunuch to take him to where he was staying. He came back and stood beside Li Shimin with his hands tied.
"Ma Zhou is a man of great talent." Li Shimin exclaimed, "It's not that I haven't met this man before, but I haven't seen him for a year. His style of dealing with things is much more sophisticated and sophisticated. It seems that he has been tempered a lot under Li Mu."
Eunuch Gao smiled and said: "Your Majesty, I have heard something."
"Huh?" Li Shimin looked at Eunuch Gao, and Eunuch Gao explained: "According to reports from fans, when Ma Zhou first arrived in Luoyang, he complained all day long. He thought it was the Marquis who took him to Luoyang in order to retaliate against him.
, and he resented for a while. But later, more and more things were assigned to him by the Marquis to exterminate locusts and build roads. Somehow, he stopped complaining and began to work hard without complaint. When the Marquis left Luoyang, the two of them
There was an in-depth conversation. In the few words Fanzi reported back, it seemed that the Marquis had said that if Ma Zhou no longer wanted to be in Luoyang, he could be allowed to go back to Chang'an. However, more than half a year had passed since the conversation between the two, and Ma Zhou had not once spoken.
I mentioned it until His Majesty summoned him. It seems that if His Majesty hadn't summoned him, Ma Zhou would probably have decided to go on with it."
"This kid Li Mu has always been so good at rectifying people. The three people who came today have all suffered from his methods. It seems that I will send more people to him in the future..." Li Shimin smiled twice.
He stood up and said, "It's time for me to rest. Let's go to Concubine Yin today. Youer has written again. Let me see what he said."
"No," Eunuch Gao responded and went to arrange the driving arrangements.
…
There is no airtight wall in the world. Soon, the Secretary's Office was changed into the Secretary's Pavilion, and Ma Zhou was awarded the title of Ninth Grade Bachelor. Everyone in the civil and military dynasties knew about it.
There was an uproar.
The Secretary's Office is a very special place. Before the Tang Dynasty, the Secretary's Office had two bureaus: "Books" and "Taishi", which were responsible for writing books and recording history. It was a very important organization. But when the Tang Dynasty was founded, these two bureaus
All the important responsibilities have been divided. The secretary-supervisor only has the responsibility of proofreading, which can be said to be a sinecure. Although it is a sinecure, the secretary-supervisor has a very high rank, starting from the third grade. Wei Zheng did not become a
Before becoming the imperial censor, he was the secretary supervisor.
But now the Secretary's Office has been changed to the Secretary's Pavilion, and the person in charge has become a ninth-grade bachelor. What kind of signal this strange operation reveals is puzzling.
After the secretarial supervisor was changed to the secretary's office, was his responsibilities still just proofreading? If it was just proofreading, what was he proofreading? And why, in the past, the secretary supervisor was a high-ranking secretary, but in the end he became an almost inferior one.
Ninth Rank, what is the deep meaning of your Majesty's move? What are you guarding against?
The courtiers talked a lot, but they couldn't figure out the reason.
Only a few people probably guessed what Li Shimin meant, and Changsun Wuji was naturally one of them.