When Liu Bei first ascended the throne in the first year of Zhangwu, he planned to restore the prime minister system and make his fourth brother the prime minister.
But at that time, Chen Mu thought that the time was not right and it would take at least three years to stabilize his rule.
Historically, Cao Cao took the emperor to order the princes from the first year of Jian'an. At first, he only dared to appoint himself a Sili Xiaowei, and then Sikong. It was not until the eve of the Battle of Chibi in the thirteenth year of Jian'an that he appointed himself prime minister.
It is because Cao Cao has been fighting against Liu Xie's royalists. In the early stage, he respected Liu Xie and did not dare to be too arrogant. After his power was consolidated, he became more tyrannical.
Today's situation is very different from that of Cao Cao's time. Liu Bei himself is the emperor. Without the shackles of Liu Xie, he can naturally do whatever he wants.
It's just that when he first came to the throne, there were a lot of rumors. Many people believed that Liu Bei had coerced Liu Yu to pass the throne, so people's hearts were unstable. If he immediately appointed nepotism after coming to power, it might cause dissatisfaction among senior ministers such as Yang Biao, Zhao Wenzhongfu, etc. Therefore, this
Things were delayed.
Now two years have passed. Firstly, Liu Bei was overwhelmed by the mountain of government affairs. Secondly, with Chen Mu presiding over the restructuring in the past two years, the old dynasty and the new dynasty, the entire court structure has changed, and it is completely different from before.
.
At that time, many veterans in the court had no real power but only influence. However, Liu Bei himself was in a state of instability. If these veterans made trouble, it would undoubtedly cause internal instability.
But now after the restructuring, the veterans all have their own duties and perform their duties. Both parties have a tacit understanding to only focus on their own duties and not interfere in the affairs of the government.
In this way, when a large number of piled-up matters are handed over to the emperor for processing, the status of the cabinet should naturally be promoted.
During the Western Han Dynasty, the status of the prime minister was very high.
According to the ritual regulations for appointing and dismissing prime ministers in the Han Dynasty, a newly appointed prime minister needs to hold an appointment ceremony. The emperor himself attends the court meeting in person. Officials with more than 600 shi in Beijing must attend the meeting. Then the emperor issues an edict announcing the birth of the new prime minister.
This is somewhat similar to the Prime Minister. After the Prime Minister is elected, the first thing he does is to meet with the Queen and then be appointed by the Queen. At the same time, the Queen also has the power to remove the Prime Minister, but she generally does not use it.
The difference is that the form is the same, but the emperor of the Western Han Dynasty had real power. The Queen Daiying is basically no different from a mascot and does not have much actual power.
Now that Liu Bei has restored the prime minister system, the required ceremonies still need to be performed, but these are troubled times, so everything should be kept simple and appointments can be made on the spot.
After transferring all government affairs to the cabinet, Liu Bei returned to the West Palace and continued playing music and dancing.
Although you shouldn't indulge in drinking and sex, you should not forget to have fun while working. Even Confucius said that dancing and music are etiquette.
Chen Mu had to work overtime at the end of the year, and his wife and children didn't accompany him. Fortunately, Luo Fu was considerate and moved to Luoyang from Qingzhou last year. He didn't go home for several years as he often did before, and even his own
The child almost doesn’t know his father anymore.
Speaking of which, Chen Mu's eldest son Chen Xiyu is also eight years old this year. He was born in the first year of Xingwu, which is 194 AD, and it is now 202 AD. He is two years older than Cao Chong, Cao Cao's favorite son.
The second son, Chen Xilin, is also three years old, and the eldest daughter, Chen Xiyu, is five years old.
Among the four brothers, only Zhang Fei is still single.
Benefiting from the dual-character advocacy advocated by Chen Mu and Zheng Xuan, a large number of children born in Qingzhou in recent years have dual names.
Many people say that double names in the Eastern Han Dynasty are cheap names, and this is indeed true.
But now it is the end of the Han Dynasty, and even the great scholar Zheng Xuan broke the shackles and named his grandson Zheng Xiaotong. The history of not using double names has naturally ended.
The emergence of double names is not only a trend, but the most important thing is that it is beneficial to household registration management. Tens of millions of people in the Han Dynasty have single names, and there are countless people with the same name. People named Zhang San and Li Si can line up from Gumen in the north to the south in Luoyang.
Outside Pingcheng Gate.
Now that double names have become popular, household registration work has become much easier.
However, these are issues related to folk customs and are not major national affairs, so naturally I won’t go into details.
Nowadays, there are a lot of things at the end of the year, and Chen Mu is too lazy to take care of them. Even though he, the prime minister, has just taken office, he can spend the new year with his family.
However, now that he is in great power, as the de facto second-in-command in the imperial court, he cannot have even half a day's leisure during the Chinese New Year.
The Shaofu's residence has not yet become the Prime Minister's residence, but there has been an endless stream of people visiting in the past few days. There is a lot of traffic at the door, and all the officials from the imperial court, big and small, come to pay New Year's greetings.
In the morning, we saw off a few ministers, but in the afternoon, two other ministers came. Not long after Zhao Wen, the former Situ, left, his senior fellow officer, Taiwei Yang Biao, came to visit.
At their level, there is naturally no need to give gifts or bribes, it is just a matter of chatting about how the work will be carried out.
Although the Sangong and Jiuqing had real power, they were at a loss to deal with the new work, and the progress was not very fast after one and a half years.
They were used to holding empty posts without power, but suddenly they could participate in government affairs and hold power over the legal system, people's livelihood, economy, agriculture, etc. It was indeed very unfamiliar to them, and they had to start from scratch.
In particular, their position is not at the grassroots level. Grassroots work can also be carried out by exploring experience and bringing in the old, without thinking too much.
But when they reach their level, the direction of research is not the grassroots level, but the strategic direction.
For example, how will the Supervisory Yuan conduct an in-depth investigation into official corruption across the country this year, what kind of work will the Weiwei do on public security across the country, how will the Ministry of Education handle schools across the country, how will it connect with local governments, etc.
Sometimes the top management chooses the wrong strategic direction, which is far more serious than the emergence of a group of corrupt officials at the grassroots level, the handling of several unjust, false and wrong cases, the emergence of a few lawless rangers who commit crimes, etc.
Therefore, national strategies often need to be treated with caution and cannot be decided on the head. Instead, they need to be discussed by multiple parties and strictly solicit opinions from all parties before they can finally work hard to implement them.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Now that Chen Mu, the new prime minister, has taken office, all departments must start their work, and strategic deployment must be approved by him. Naturally, the heads of the three ministers and nine ministers will also come to inquire.
Here’s Chen Mu’s opinion.
After these people left, other people came over, including those who gave gifts, those who visited, those who wanted to study, and those who asked questions. People who lined up to see him could line up from the Shaofu Gate to Zhuque Gate.
By the beginning of Zhangwu's third year, more than ten days into the New Year, Chen Mu had no time to rest.
Naturally, people who offer gifts or bribes to seek official positions are not allowed in, and they are also required to write them down in a notebook and send them to the Civil Affairs Bureau to lower their ratings.
Chen Mu demanded moral governance and zero tolerance for corrupt officials.
If you are visiting during the Chinese New Year, you would naturally invite him in for a chat, which is basically just a few words of greeting.
There are also students who are studying. For example, many of my students who were in the academy are now officials in Luoyang. These people have organized student associations, which are quite powerful and have a sense of forming cliques for personal gain.
During the Chinese New Year this year, many of them came to visit together, and the gifts they brought were not very expensive. Naturally, Chen Mu had to warn them not to become friends.
What is really more important are those senior officials who remain in Beijing and those who are going to serve as officials in other places.
For example, many members of the cabinet came to visit, including second-class counselors Dong Zhao, Mao Jie, Wang Xiu, Bing Yuan, Shi Yi, Sun Shao, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Cui Yan and others.
The cabinet position is only an advisory title, not a position. Their positions are basically senior officials between the third and second grades.
Moreover, the qualifications of the above-mentioned people are very old, and they are basically Liu Bei's early courtiers. Among them, Sun Shao, who is the Yi, is also a disciple and former official of Chen Mu. When Chen Mu was the governor of Qingzhou, they were his officials, so they had to be received.
Nowadays, official adjustments are still relatively frequent, and some of them stay in Beijing. For example, Dong Zhao and Sun Shao currently hold important positions in the Shaofu. They are the third-rank Shaofu Cheng and Shaofu Yu respectively. They are Chen Mu's right-hand men.
Mao Jie and Cui Yan are one in the Office of Officials and the other in the Supervisory Office. Both of them are at the rank of third grade. They are the two deputies of Taiwei and Situ, helping the three princes to deal with personnel affairs.
Wang Xiu and Bing Principle stayed in the People's Court to help Sikong manage household registration and serve as supervisors. One was a third-rank Sikong chief historian, and the other was a second-rank general as a master craftsman. His position was basically only under Jiuqing. .
Hua Xin, Sun Qian, Shiyi, and Jian Yong were sent to Jizhou, Qingzhou, Youzhou, and Guanzhong to serve as governors of various places, such as Zhou Mu Cheng, Zhou Mu Shi, Zhou Mu Zuo, and Zhou Mu Yu. The rank of the deputy state pastoral officer is between the third grade of the official and the third grade of the subordinate.
After the official restructuring, in order to balance the people's livelihood and military chiefs of the prefecture and prefectures and counties, a number of deputies were added to them to play a role in dividing and governing. Among them, the prefect of Prefecture Mu was the third rank, and other official positions were from the third rank.
If the second-rank Zhou Mu Cheng is regarded as a high-ranking provincial official, then the Zhou Mu Cheng is considered a senior official, and the positions of Zhou Mu Shi, Zhou Mu Zuo, and Zhou Mu Yu are considered as senior officials of the third rank.
The four of them were going to other places to take charge of local state and county work, and to cooperate with the work of Jushou, Xun Yu, Gongsun Zan, and Xian Yufu, who was currently serving as the Prime Minister of Youzhou. Naturally, they came to ask Chen Mu how to proceed after going there.
Chen Deng, Man Chong, Jia Kui, Du Ji, Zao Zhi, Yang Fu, Du Xi, Zhang Ji, Ren Jun, Sima Lang and others also came to visit. Their positions in the cabinet were third-class admonishment ministers. Intermediate and lower-level officials between the seventh and fourth grades have basically fulfilled their duties.
Some of them serve as mid-level officials in the ministries of the Sangong and Jiuqing, some go to other places to serve as governors, and some go to counties to serve as deputy governors or mid-level positions in prefectures and counties, and their levels range from seventh to fourth ranks.
Belongs to the backbone of officials.
Now in the entire court and place, in addition to the first-rank Sangong, the second-rank Jiuqing, and the similar Jiuqing, who are also the second-rank Censor Zhongcheng and Sili Xiaowei, even the Shangshu Ling, one of the three independent seats, also
They are all direct descendants of Liu Bei and Chen Mu.
During the New Year's visit, Jia Xu, Xun Yu and others have naturally been here. It can be said that except for those low-level officials below the seventh rank who are not qualified to come to visit, anyone who knows Chen Mu and has some connections will rush to the Shaofu Mansion.
.
In addition to the large and small direct descendants of Qingzhou and officials who planned to join him, there were also academic masters like Cai Yong who had been transferred from Qingzhou to Luoyang to serve as the third-rank Dazai. They also came to visit.
Zheng Xuan has not been in good health in recent years. According to history, he died of illness the year before last, that is, in 201 AD.
It's just that the reason why he died of illness was because Yuan Tan forced Zheng Xuan, who was already seriously ill at the time, to join the army in order to increase Yuan Shao's reputation and popular support. As a result, the fatigue of the journey made his illness worse, and he eventually died of illness in Yuancheng, Jizhou. It was a man-made disaster rather than a disease.
Now of course Liu Bei did not force him to travel with the army. Although he was indeed ill, Hua Tuo always helped to nurse him back to health.
However, due to illness, the old man had no choice but to step down from the post of wine-offering in the academy. Liu Bei made him a county prince and allowed him to go home to take care of himself. Cai Yong took over the post of wine-offering.
The position of Taishan Academy’s Jijiu was equivalent to that of the president of Tsinghua and Peking University in later generations. It belonged to the deputy ministerial level. At this time, it was from the third rank. The administrative level corresponded to senior officials such as Zhou Mu Cheng or deputy ministers such as Shaofu Cheng and Shaofu Yu.
minister.
Cai Yong worked for two years. Since Dong Zhuo burned a large number of national classics, Qingzhou only rescued a small number. Therefore, after Liu Bei's political stability gradually stabilized, Guan Ning was asked to offer wine to the academy and Cai Yong was summoned to Luoyang to serve as Dazai.
Compile history books, organize inventory, repair damaged items, etc.
During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Dazai was the head of hundreds of officials, equivalent to the prime minister. However, during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Dazai's status began to plummet and he was excluded from the three ministers. By the Western Han Dynasty, his status was even lower and became Taichang.
His official rank is only six hundred stones.
After Chen Mu presided over the restructuring, Dazai became independent from Taichang's subordinate officials and was responsible for managing the national book collection, compiling history books, organizing documents, reviewing printing and publishing, formulating writing laws, etc., which was equivalent to the State Press and Publication Administration.
Although there are no radio, film and television networks now, the function of newspapers will not appear. But with the advent of printing, Qingzhou has always had newspapers, and in the future when the steam engine comes out, it will be promoted nationwide.
Therefore, it is now time to prepare for a rainy day. After the newspaper becomes widely popular throughout the country, Dazai's role and status will probably rise sharply, to a ministerial level similar to Jiuqing.
Until the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, there were far fewer people paying New Year greetings. After finally meeting Zhuge Liang, Yang Xiu, Chen Qun, Kong Jian, Yao Bo, Huang Qi and the newly recruited students Xu Shu, Pang Tong, Xiang Lang and other students, this year’s New Year greetings
The ceremony should be almost over.
In the evening, after sending away the last group of guests, Chen Mu sat in the living room and rubbed his temples tiredly. His good wife Luo Fu helped him change a cup of expensive tea that was newly roasted last year, and brought in a plate of pastries and snacks.
"Where are Xiyu and the others?"
Chen Mu took a sip of tea, turned around and asked.
Luo Fu smiled and said: "I am listening to Zhou Yu's story in the backyard."
"Xilin is not making trouble anymore?"
"Go to bed early."
"Thanks to you for taking care of everything in my family these years."
Chen Mu hugged Luo Fu over, caressed her waist affectionately, and looked at her affectionately.
Although my wife's skin is still fair and translucent, she looks like an eighteen-year-old girl.
But the wrinkle between her eyebrows and the trace of white hair on the temples still reminded Chen Mu that time still left traces of aging on her face.
Unknowingly, time has passed so fast and we are no longer young.
Chen Mu thought to himself.
He was born in the first year of Yongkang, that is, 167 AD, while Luo Fu was born in the fourth year of Jianning, in 171 AD, and was four years younger than him.
This year, the second year of Zhangwu has passed and officially entered the year 203 AD.
Luo Fu is still ten months away from turning 32, and Chen Mu is still a few months away from officially turning 36.
Luo Fu married him when he was 21 years old. Before he knew it, the couple had been married for ten years and had many children. Time flew by so fast.
"Where is it?"
Luo Fu had long been accustomed to her husband's affection, and whispered in his ear: "My husband is busy with big things. Luo Fu can't help him. The only thing he can do is to raise good children."
Chen Mu laughed: "I hope these three naughty guys didn't worry you too much. When I have free time in the future, I have to educate them myself, but I don't want to become a playboy."
Luo Fu also smiled and said: "Xiyu is still very obedient. He has studied hard every day in the past two years and has not caused any trouble in the academy. He has never fooled around with the King of Runan and only played with the Marquis of Jiyang. Now he is good at reading.
, the teachers praised him for being smart.”
"Only playing with Marquis Jiyang?"
Chen Mu's brows suddenly wrinkled.
Now Liu Bei is not as homeless as he was in history, and his descendants are gradually becoming more prosperous.
Currently, they have seven sons and five daughters, for a total of 13 children.
The eldest among them is Liu Feng, the eldest son, who was born in the second year of Zhongping, that is, 185 AD, and is 17 years old this year.
He was the son of Liu Bei who conquered the Yellow Turbans in the first year of Zhongping. He was appointed Prime Minister of Jinan by the court for his meritorious service and married a girl from the Li family of the local wealthy family in Jinan.
The second son, Liu Hou, was born in the fifth year of Zhongping (188 AD). He is 14 years old this year. He, his eldest son, Liu Feng, and two other princesses share the same mother. They were all born to Queen Li.
Then there is the concubine Liu Yong, who was born in the first year of Chuping, that is, 190 AD, and is 12 years old this year.
He is the smartest son among Liu Bei's children. He has been intangible with joy and anger since he was a child. He has early wisdom in reading and practicing calligraphy, and is quite popular with Liu Bei.
The rest of the scholars are basically under 10 years old, and the only older and talented ones are Liu Feng, Liu Hou, and Liu Yong.
Among them, Liu Hou is the King of Runan, and Liu Yong is the Hou of Jiyang.
Both of them were studying in Taishan Academy. In the first year of Zhangwu, Liu Bei ascended the throne and summoned the empress and his eldest son Liu Feng to Luoyang.
Last year, the other disciples and concubines were summoned, and the whole family officially moved into the palace.
What do you think of Liu Feng?
Although Chen Mu was quite studious and taught well, he was a sentimental person. He once planted a purple bamboo and it died, which made him very sad.
Liu Hou was more playful. He often skipped classes and went out to play in the academy. He was always disliked by the masters in the academy.
Only Liu Yong was smart, well-read, and experienced, and was loved by people around him.
Luo Fu felt that her son was with Liu Yong and was close to Zhu Zhechi. His son also loved learning and made progress every day, which made her very happy.
Just like many parents in later generations hope that their children will play with the top students in the class every day and not play with the bottom students in the class.
But Chen Mu heard this and was very unhappy.
An emperor's concubine.
What does it mean to play with the prime minister's son every day?
"Luofu."
Chen Mu thought for a while and had an idea in his mind.
Luo Fu asked: "What's wrong?"
Chen Mu said: "Do you think the teachers in the academy teach better, or is it better to study in Luoyang?"
Luo Fu said without hesitation: "Of course the academy is better."
Chen Mu nodded: "For the sake of your child's future, you move back to Qingzhou this year, at least wait until your child graduates from the academy."
"Husband..."
Luo Fu's eyes widened and he was a little at a loss.
Chen Mu sighed and said: "One is for the future of the child, and the other is that my children cannot get close to His Majesty's children. If there is a fight for the legitimate son in the future, it may lead to the destruction of the family. Luo Fu needs to understand."
"I see."
Luo Fu suddenly woke up and understood why Chen Mu asked her to go back with her children, and quickly responded.
"It's good to understand. When you get to the position of being a husband, it's like walking on thin ice."
Chen Mu touched his wife's hair and looked outside the living room.
It was already dark and starry.
It would be okay if Liu Bei is still alive, but if Liu Bei dies in the future and it involves seizing the direct descendants, there will probably be another bloody storm.
In this matter, I'm afraid I have to take precautions and be prepared.