I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 204 Unprecedented!The official apologized to the people, Su Jingming wrote "On Equalization of Wealth and Poverty"

In the vertical arch hall.

Zhao Zhen finally concluded: "This matter is indeed the crime of the Third Division and the Lord of Kaifeng. It is right to apologize to the people of Bianjing. The rich and the poor should not be in conflict!"

These words suddenly touched the hearts of all the ministers.

Throughout the dynasties, those who rebelled were poor people. This was due to the inaction of the imperial court and local exploitation, which led to the growing gap between the rich and the poor.

People can accept that some people are born in the clouds and some people are born in the mire.

But he couldn't accept it. When he tried to climb out of the mire, he was kicked down by someone born in the clouds.

Only those who live without hope will rebel.

At this time, Song Xiang, the new councilor and political officer, stood up.

"The officials, Sansi and Kaifeng Prefecture have made mistakes, and the people should also admit their mistakes. Today, many people gathered in front of the Sansi gate and said the sarcastic saying of 'equal wealth and poverty', and must not go unpunished. If not severely punished, I'm afraid In the future, some unscrupulous villains will use these words to cause chaos!"

Both rich and poor.

These three words have a fatal appeal to the people at the bottom.

Many rebels use this as their slogan.

"The common people just made a few complaints, how can they be convicted?" Zhang Fangping frowned at the side.

"Grumbling? How can we ignore the rebellious words gathered in front of the government office? The majesty of the imperial government office cannot be damaged!" Song Xiang retorted.

Song Xiang was the number one scholar in the Song Dynasty who won three consecutive titles in the second year of Tiansheng's reign.

Belongs to academic officials.

He also has a stubborn temper, and it is difficult to compromise on things he believes in.

At this time.

Ouyang Xiu suddenly had an idea and stood up quickly.

"In the official family, I believe that the common people are not wrong, but the mistake lies in the words 'equalize the rich and the poor'."

"Since ancient times, it has been difficult to equalize the rich and the poor, and the only way to do this is to reduce the gap. Our government's strategy to suppress mergers is to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. Equalizing wealth is not about everyone's wealth, but to prevent plunder, monopoly, and infringement. Rich households should The powerful and wealthy violate the laws and bully the poor. A new interpretation should be added to these three words to educate the people."

Hear this.

Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "What do you mean, you want to interpret the old meaning in a new way and write an essay on "The Theory of Equalization of Wealth and Poverty"?"

Suddenly, all the ministers looked at Ouyang Xiu and couldn't help laughing.

Ouyang Xiunai is an expert in "new interpretation of old meanings". The most classic case is his "On Clique".

Clique is a taboo word in the court.

But in Ouyang Xiu's writings, villains are false friends, and gentlemen are true friends. If true friends gather together, the world will be in order.

This theory was not liked by Zhao Zhen at first.

But later it was recognized and spread by many Confucian scholars.

Song Xiang looked excited and said: "I agree with this new interpretation of the old meaning. Instead of blocking the people's mouths, it is better to clear up their doubts and let them know that although the rich and the poor are not equal, everyone can escape poverty and become rich in this world. .”

At this time, Su Liang couldn't help but add.

"The new law that our government will implement next year is a strategy to help the poor get rid of poverty and become rich. If this intention is informed to the people, the people will definitely support the reform throughout the Song Dynasty!"

Su Liang's words were the finishing touch.

All of a sudden, the core theme of "The Theory of Equalization of Wealth and Poverty" was sublimated.

As long as the new law remains unchanged, it can first win over the people.

It is actually the best strategy.

"I second the proposal!" All the ministers raised their hands.

Zhao Zhen also became excited and asked: "Who will write "The Theory of Equalization of Wealth and Poverty"?"

Swish!
Ouyang Xiu strode out.

The moment Ouyang Xiu walked out, Zhang Fangping, Song Xiang, Wu Yu and others subconsciously retracted their legs.

Competing with Ouyang Xiu to write such an article is completely humiliating oneself, so it is better to just give up.

Just when all the ministers thought that General Ouyang Xiu was begging to write this article, he said: "For officials, I recommend Su Jingming. His writing style is sharp and he is proficient in reform strategies. He is especially good at writing such articles. In front of him, I also I can only look at the back of his neck." Look at the back of his neck.

Upon hearing these four words, all the ministers cast envious glances at Su Liang.

Su Liang was the only person in the court who could make Ouyang Xiu say this in the court.

In the eyes of the ministers, although Su Liang did not write many articles, all of them were classics and best-sellers among the people.

It is indeed worthy of such praise.

On the side, Su Liang was dumbfounded.

He can indeed write.

But Ouyang Xiu lifted him too high, causing him to feel a little stressed.

Zhao Zhen smiled faintly: "I'm sure, this article will be written by Su Jingming!"

This was the final word, and all the ministers had no objections.

……

November [-]th, near noon.

The Third Division and Kaifeng Mansion posted notices in front of the Yamen at the same time.

The third company apologized to all the people for "inadequate supervision of the vegetable market, resulting in high prices for vegetables and people rushing to buy them", and promised to properly resolve the matter within half a month, so that vegetable prices will be stable and the market will flow normally.

The Kaifeng Prefecture apologized to all the people for "inadequate supervision of the southern suburbs market, which caused a lot of chaos in the vegetable trade." It also promised to solve all problems within half a month, so that vegetable prices will return to normal, so that all Kaifeng Prefecture people can enjoy Eat vegetables.

Both Wang Yaochen and Bao Zheng were fined half a year's salary.

The officials of the Third Division in charge of the activities of the Bianjing vegetable market and the Kaifeng Prefecture official of the Nanjiao Market were both demoted one level.

It was the first time that an official publicly apologized to the people.

Moreover, while striving for profits for the poor, the imperial court did not neglect the rich.

This made both poor and wealthy households feel respected, and they were full of praise for the court's move.

Some wealthy households did not have any malicious intent in hoarding vegetables, but were just worried that there would be no vegetables to eat in winter. This behavior also reflected their distrust of the imperial court.

Now, after Sansi and Kaifeng Prefecture expressed their opinions, wealthy households chose to believe Kaifeng Prefecture and Sansi Prefecture and sold the vegetables they had hoarded too much at home.

The Kaifeng vegetable market gradually began to flow normally.

Vegetables from other places are also transported by water and are continuously transported to Bianjing.

November [-]th.

Su Liang's thousand-word essay "On the Equalization of Wealth and Poverty" was introduced to the people.

On the streets of Bianjing, everyone rushed to buy and copy and interpret.

Su Liang never failed to write an article, and Ouyang Xiu was full of praise after reading it.

This article is divided into three parts.

First, tell the world that inequality between rich and poor is the right thing to do, but everyone can rise from poverty to wealth.

Secondly, the court's laws are intended to make the world free from poverty, so that people can live and work in peace and contentment. It is neither poor but rich, nor rich but poor.

Third, encourage the rich to be kind but not to bully the poor, and to encourage the poor to be diligent but not tired of being rich. Only in this way can the world be united and the country be everlasting.

This article, "On the Equalization of Wealth and Poverty," made the wealthy people understand that the imperial court would never exploit the money they earned through legitimate means, and it also gave the poor people the confidence that they could get rid of poverty and become rich through hard work.

Also.

The Kaifeng Prefecture Newspaper not only published Su Liang's article "On Equalization of Wealth and Poverty", but also published an apology announcement from the Third Division and Kaifeng Prefecture, and ordered various prefectures to reprint it.

The purpose is to make the people of the world know that the imperial court dares to recognize and correct its mistakes and its attitude towards the people of the world.

a time.

The people continued to praise the court.

There is also a strong sense of expectation for next year's reform movement throughout the Song Dynasty.

Through this incident, Zhao Zhen also understood better that the people in the world are neither stupid nor stupid. Only by sincerely considering them can the Song Dynasty be stable.

(End of this chapter)