Chapter 244: Serving the Country with Loyalty and Serving the People with All My Strength Is What I Wish For
From an overall perspective, the Great Zhou Dynasty can be divided into two major factions. Their political views are very inconsistent with each other, and they can even be said to be hostile.
That is the power of Wuxun Group and the power of Qingliu noble family.
Wei Yuan represents the interests of Wu Xun, so the more honors he has, the more beneficial it is to him.
Among the representatives of the Qingliu noble family is Wang Anshi.
Qingliu and Wangclan are two different factions, but they are surprisingly consistent with each other when it comes to targeting the Wuxun faction.
The Qing Dynasty faction often represents the reform faction. Young Han Zhang, Ouyang Yongshu and the deceased Fan Wenzhenggong are all leaders of this faction.
Later, Han Zhang gradually developed from a Qingliu family into a famous family. In order to consolidate the power of his family, he rarely interfered with or even opposed reforms.
The famous families among the famous families, such as the Sima family, the Su family, the Hai family, etc., have a lot of power in the court because of their family power, and the reform will affect the Wuxun faction and the famous families. power.
To put it crudely, scholars with no foundation or background who become officials in the court can be called "Qingliu". These Qingliu forces want to do their best to be loyal to the country, but how can they do their best to be loyal to the country? This requires reform.
The powerful families are all family forces that have been lingering in this land for many years. If they want to remain prosperous, they can only try to avoid reforms. Otherwise, if they reform like Fan Wenzhenggong, the family's advantages will be lost.
There are more and more scholars coming from poor families, which naturally affects the influence of prominent families.
But why can Qingliu and noble families come together to form a powerful faction in the DPRK?
One is because Du Nai was a scholar, and the other is because under the control of successive Zhou emperors, the two factions have completely reached the opposite side, that is, the "civil and military dispute".
Han Zhang was not as good as Fan Wenzhenggong because Fan Zhongyan always regarded himself as a clean figure no matter when he was, and would never arrange the future for future generations just because he gained power.
Although his son Fan Chunren now occupies a high position in the court, he is supported by a group of Qingliu who once followed Duke Fan Wenzheng.
Now Wang Anshi, whether from the perspective of reform or from the position of Qingliu force, does not hope that more martial arts will appear.
During the reign of the late Emperor, the Liao Kingdom often used counterintuitive tactics based on the struggles between the major factions in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and failed repeatedly. It was not until the emergence of Fan Zhongyan that this situation changed.
Now, Wang Anshi told Zhao Zhen that Yang Huairen and Zhong E could not be knighted, which undoubtedly put the civil-military dispute on the table again.
The next day at the DPRK meeting, the civil and military officials of the entire DPRK were arguing about this matter.
"Zhong'e, Yang Huairen can be regarded as opening up territory for the country, why can't he be knighted?"
"Although these two men have the talent of generals, they are fighting in a small way after all. The expansion of territory is because of the benefits of negotiation, so they are not suitable for knighthood."
"A minister with meritorious service can be promoted to a higher rank, so why should he be promoted to a noble rank?"
"."
Zhao Zhen asked Han Zhang to host this court meeting on the grounds of physical discomfort.
The two instigators, Wei Yuan and Wang Anshi, both reported illness at home.
The civil and military factions were arguing endlessly, and a fight was about to begin.
Seeing that Zhang Fu was motionless, Han Zhang simply asked:
"What does the Prime Minister think about this matter?"
Zhang Fu said calmly: "What the officials say is whatever it is."
Hearing this, Han Zhang sneered in his heart.
This old guy is getting better and better at playing football. He is nothing like before. He must have been in the position of prime minister for too long.
If the emperor could come up with an idea at once, why would he need to complain about illness today?
You need to know that Guan Jia's health has improved greatly in the past few days!
"Where's Wen Xiang? What does Wen Xiang think?" Han Zhang asked Wen Yanbo again.
Following his two questions, the officials in the Zichen Hall were immediately speechless and very quiet.
Wen Yanbo pretended to think for a moment and said seriously: "I think the Prime Minister is right."
Today, apart from the emperor, the three most powerful bosses in the court are Han, Wen and Zhang.
But they seemed unwilling to put this kind of thing on the table and give a definite answer.
If the problem is left to the emperor, then what is the point of the emperor using them?
"The officials asked me to preside over the court meeting, but I'm afraid I will be the villain again for the officials."
"Wang Anshi is a happy man."
Thinking of this, Han Zhang slowly said: "The official's body is ailing, so it's better not to let the official worry about this matter."
"Servants of merit should be rewarded, but giving them a title would be too much."
"In the original battle of Yanmen, the loyal and brave Marquis Weiyuan took the lead. He was only promoted to an official position, but not to the title."
"So, the Prime Minister proposed that Zhong E be appointed as the Deputy Envoy of Shaanxi Economic Strategy, Comfort and Recruitment, and Yang Huairen be appointed as the Training Envoy of the Weizhou Regiment. What do you think?"
He gave his final answer, and the implication was that it was unlikely that he would become a knight.
Wen Yanbo glanced at several angry Dukes, such as Duke Han, Duke Fu and others, and said at the right time:
"Generals who have made great contributions to the country must be reused. Prime Minister Han, you are too arbitrary!"
What is a deputy envoy? When there is a chief envoy, the deputy envoy has a false position.
It is true that Fan Wenzhenggong also served as the deputy envoy of Shaanxi economic strategy to appease and recruit, but Zhao Zhen said at that time that the attack and defense of Xixia would be handled by Fan Zhongyan and Han Zhang, which aggravated the situation. authority of office.
Without that sentence, it would be difficult for the deputy envoy to do anything.
There is also the position of Weizhou regiment training envoy.
At the beginning, Wei Yuan jumped from Dutou to Daizhou regiment training envoy, and was promoted several levels.
But Yang Huairen was originally the deputy commander of the Danglu Army. He was promoted to the local regiment training envoy. In terms of reputation, he was promoted one level. But from the capital city to the local government, was he promoted or demoted?
Therefore, Wen Yanbo said that Han Zhang was too arbitrary!
This sentence undoubtedly aroused the anger of many generals, who all asked to see the officials and impeach Han Zhang.
At this point, the original matter of Zhong and Yang's promotion to the nobility has evolved into a civil and military dispute, and now it has become a trigger, completely igniting the dispute between the two parties.
It can be expected that in the next period of time, the two parties will fight to the death over the matter of joining the nobility.
However, no one expected that the initiators of this incident, Wei Yuan and Wang Anshi, would actually get together in a peach grove outside the city to have a drink and talk.
The two sat on the ground, with only some plums and two bottles of wine in front of them.
Wang Anshi smiled and said: "Counting the time, there should be a quarrel in the Zichen Palace now."
Wei Yuan said: "My father-in-law will not get involved in this matter. The only ones who can make the decision are Han and Wen. However, no matter which one of them makes the decision, Yang and Zhong will not be promoted to the nobility." Something happened."
"Therefore, the two of them must use Wu Xun's anger to criticize each other verbally and verbally. The water in the court has completely muddied the waters between you and me."
Regardless of whether Wang and Wei have the same stance, they are still in their honeymoon period, and it is impossible for them to suddenly attack each other.
All this is to muddy the waters in the court.
“Only when party strife becomes more severe can the reform of officialdom be implemented smoothly.”
“Results must be achieved by the end of the year at the latest.”
Wang Anshi spoke slowly.
Wei Yuan smiled and said: "You and I are helping each other. After this incident, Zhong and Yang suffered a loss, but it was of great benefit to the Wuxun faction."
Wang Anshi nodded and said: "When this matter comes to an end, everyone in the court will feel that they owe a lot to the military commander."
"In the future, the situation of military generals who have made meritorious service and are promoted to rank will definitely change."
Wei Yuan's current road has come to a temporary end.
The commander-in-chief of the Sidu in front of the palace is the most powerful general.
After reaching this point, can't we continue to develop and strengthen our own power?
There is only one way, and that is to continuously train his own people so that Chen Daniu and other generals can take charge of their own affairs. By then, Wei Yuan's own power will inevitably be at its peak.
But how can we enable many of the generals who follow us to be promoted to higher ranks without being opposed by others and thus change the officials' minds?
Then the generals and forces must suffer.
After Zhong and Yang suffered a loss, if something like this happened again, it would be difficult for the scholar-bureaucrats in the court to refuse.
After all, they also want to face it.
Moreover, most of the meritorious services of military generals are mainly rewarded with some money. If you want to be promoted to an official position, it is simply as difficult as ascending to heaven. Unlike civil servants, whoever makes local achievements will be like a fish leaping over the dragon gate after returning to the capital, and even enter the imperial palace. There are also many people who are the main center.
If Wei Yuan wants to change this situation, he can only take the path of retreat to advance.
What Wang Anshi wanted was simpler.
With the help of the promotion of the title, the party struggle between the DPRK and China will be completely ignited. By then, the civil and military forces of the entire DPRK will be devoted to the party struggle. Who will pay too much attention to the reform of the civil service?
The situation of redundant officials will naturally be alleviated.
It can be said that from beginning to end, this matter was a play performed by Wei Yuan and Wang Anshi.
As for why the emperor was allowed to join the game, it was because the emperor also wanted to see political achievements and effects from the reform of the staff department.
"Zhong and Yang have definitely suffered a loss. The key is, how to resolve this matter?"
"After this is over, will the party struggle continue to be severe?"
Wang Anshi asked.
The more serious the party struggle, the more muddy the water in the court becomes, and the muddier it is, the more fish can be caught.
"Even if this matter is settled, Wen and Han have publicly declared war. At this time, the scholar-bureaucrats of the entire court must take sides, and no one can remain neutral."
"As for how to resolve it, have you visited Mr. Bao recently?"
——
now.
In front of the emperor's chamber.
All the civil and military officials in the dynasty knelt down and kowtowed, begging to see Zhao Zhen.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Han has gone too far to bully others, and he has gone too far to bully our generals! The Yanbian soldiers have gone through life and death, but Prime Minister Han only rewards them with false posts. We are not convinced!"
"Yes, we are not convinced. Please make the decision, Your Majesty!"
"In the official family, the Yanbian War is not a national war. It is enough to be promoted to an official position. You must not be promoted to a nobility!"
"Even if you don't get a title, you can't reward your position for nothing, right?"
"Officials, Prime Minister Han is too arbitrary!"
"That's right, Prime Minister Han may become a powerful official!"
"The officials and ministers are suspected of sowing discord and causing chaos in the world!"
"."
They quarreled fiercely.
It doesn't matter whether there is partisanship or not, in short, it is civil and military fighting against each other, and the noble families of the Qing Dynasty are fighting against each other.
Zhao Zhen had expected this scene a long time ago, so no matter how they quarreled, he remained unmoved.
In the hot summer, Zhao Zhen was worried that they would not be able to bear the scorching heat, so he asked the palace to cook sour plum soup for them and provide them with various fruits.
After about an hour, everyone was so noisy that their mouths were dry and some people suddenly fainted from heatstroke, pretending to be faint or something.
In short, many people started quarreling again after eating the various seasonal fruits that the emperor rewarded, which was called a heated discussion.
It wasn't until evening that everyone dispersed.
As for some of the generals' rhetoric, they were naturally inspired by Wei Yuan.
After all, for a fight to break out, someone has to fan the flames.
At this moment, in the bedroom.
When Zhao Zhen saw many ministers gradually dispersing through the crack in the door, he couldn't help but snorted coldly:
"Wang Anshi and Wei Yuan are happy and free, but they are suffering for me."
"If they come again tomorrow, let them go to Zichen Hall to make a noise and say that I need to rest."
As he expected, on the second day, the various factions in the court were still quarreling non-stop.
Some people even got into fights because of it.
Han Zhang and Wen Yanbo looked at it, frowned deeply, and said one after another:
"This is a court meeting, not a market. How can everyone be so decent!"
"Quiet! Quiet!"
"."
A quarrel is a quarrel, but you can't do it!
However, since the moment of action, many people have joined the battle, and the situation has become uncontrollable.
"Forbidden Army! Imperial Army! Enter the palace and pull them apart! Pull them apart!"
Han Zhang yelled.
He hadn't experienced such a scene for a long time.
I still remember that the last time I saw this kind of scene was when Bao Xiaosu looked so angry that Zhao Zhen had a look on his face.
But even then, he never took action!
Many generals, such as Qin Zhen and Xu Changzhi who had returned from Daizhou, were a little overwhelmed when they saw this scene.
"Why do I feel that we are like scholars, but they are like generals?"
"What should we do? Should we take action?"
"Do it? What if we get involved and accidentally kill a scholar-official?"
"."
That's right, the people who participated in the 'armed fight' were all civil servants, not any generals.
In the absence of the emperor, Han and Wen allowed them to quarrel and quarrel, inevitably causing some physical contact. This contact led to a disaster.
It was also because everyone took action that the nature of the whole thing changed.
The quarrel lasted for several days.
Until July 1st.
The entire court was in a state of chaos.
Zhao Zhen couldn't bear it anymore and reprimanded the ministers of various factions.
"All of them are people who have read poetry and books, but they are fighting in the palace. It is embarrassing, it is simply embarrassing!"
Immediately afterwards, he sent Manager Zhu to Bao Xiaosu's home. In the name of visiting, he hoped that Bao Xiaosu, who had high prestige and qualifications in the court, could come forward to resolve the matter.
Why choose Bao Xiaosu?
The reason is also very simple. In addition to the prestige and qualifications mentioned just now, it is because the civil and military officials in the dynasty all know that the upright Lord Bao may be dead.
Everyone should give some face to a dying person.
When Manager Zhu came to Bao's house, he was shocked to find that the all-powerful Mr. Bao was now so skinny that he no longer had the strength to stand up, and even his voice was weak.
"Master Bao, what disease do you have?"
Manager Zhu looked worried.
Bao Xiaosu looked at him. After a long time, he gathered enough strength to say a complete sentence.
"The angel came here because of the party dispute between North Korea and China?"
Manager Zhu nodded, "The official family hopes that you will write a letter as the Deputy Privy Envoy."
Although Bao Xiaosu has resigned, he was still the Deputy Privy Envoy before his resignation.
It is most appropriate to use this identity to intervene in the party struggle between North Korea and China.
"Master Bao, I didn't expect that you can still care about national affairs even if you are ill. Our family admires you. Please accept our respect."
Manager Zhu bowed deeply to him.
When he saw Bao Xiaosu, it was obvious that he was not going to die soon. However, even so, he would still care about the affairs of the DPRK. This kind of person is worthy of admiration.
"Mr. Zhu is full of praise."
"Bao Yi, help my father up. You write on my behalf. My father says, you write."
Bao Xiaosu's face was pale, and he was drying out bit by bit and only had strength left.
Bao Yi's voice was choked with sobs, "Father."
Bao Xiaosu smiled and shook his head: "Be loyal to the country, do your best for the people, and do what your father wishes."