I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 273 Wang Anshi offers a strange strategy, and Sima Guang wants to get into the vat!

The next day, inside the Daqing Hall.

Except for Xia Song who asked for leave due to a headache, Su Liang was not reinstated and did not have to go out of the court. All officials gathered together.

Early yesterday morning, after Zhao Zhen saw the case in Kaifeng Mansion, he reinstated Xia Song as Privy Councilor.

As for Su Liang, apart from lifting his ban, his rank was not restored.

At present, Su Liang still only has one official body left.

Zhao Zhen sat on the throne and looked at the officials in the palace with a gloomy expression. He paused for nearly ten breaths before speaking.

"My lords, what do you think of Su Liang's fake death to prove his innocence?"

After hearing this, all the officials did not dare to speak, but Ouyang Xiu strode out.

"Officials, I think that although Su Liang's plan is against the etiquette of a gentleman, it is a helpless move. At that time, he knew that he was wronged, but he could not say it. If this matter really becomes an unsolved case, it will be enough to destroy A pillar of the court."

"Perhaps Su Liang had the idea of ​​​​committing suicide at that time. He has always cherished his reputation and valued it more than life and death. If he hadn't thought of this strategy, I'm afraid...I'm afraid...it would never be possible to redress the injustice!"

At this time.

Bao Zheng of Kaifeng Prefecture and Zhao Gai, minister of Dali Temple, stood up.

The two are in charge of the case.

Without their cooperation, it would have been impossible for Su Liang to successfully fake his death.

The man in Kaifeng Mansion is not a fool, so how could he not be able to tell the difference between life and death?

As for Wu Yu and He Tan, they remained hidden. This was something they had discussed in advance.

"In the official family, I was suffering from the lack of any clues about the death case of Qi Sanlang. After hearing Su Liang's plan, I felt that it was a good idea. I knew that he and Xia Shu were not compatible, and I also knew that Xia Shu had a far-reaching understanding of the affairs of the people. It's worse than the Imperial City Department and Kaifeng Mansion, so he and Zhao Siqing adopted this opinion. If I have neglected my duty, please be severely punished by the officials!" Bao Zheng said with a sincere face, and then he handed over to Zhao Gai heavily.

As soon as Bao Zheng finished speaking, Prime Minister Wen Yanbo stood up.

"Officials, I think that Kaifeng Mansion and Dali Temple did not stick to the rules and the case was solved quickly without punishment. However, they also caused Prime Minister Xia to suffer unjust injustice and should apologize to him!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

A group of officials stood up one after another.

However, those ministers and Privy Council officials who slandered and impeached Su Liang lowered their heads and did not dare to speak at all.

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly.

"I will comply with the request of the ministers and will no longer punish Kaifeng Mansion and Dali Temple. You two can just go and apologize to Xia Shuxiang."

Immediately, Zhao Zhen stood up.

"These days, officials who have impeached Su Liang three times or more stand in the middle of the hall!"

As soon as these words came out.

The officials suddenly became nervous.

Zhao Zhen continued in a cold tone: "Your impeachment memorials are still on my desk. Do I still need to count them before inviting you out?"

Immediately, those officials who met the requirements stepped forward one after another.

At a glance, there were more than seventy people.

Zhao Zhen looked serious and said loudly: "I come to the court to insist on freedom of speech. Except for those who go against heaven and the court, I will rarely punish crimes with words!"

"But not punishing people does not mean that they can spread rumors or speak irresponsibly. You have reported Su Liang's mistakes once or twice, but I won't say anything. After all, I can remonstrate with you in Taiwan. There is no problem in informing me of this rumor when I have not spoken out.”

"But... but after you reported twice, Kaifeng Mansion and Dali Temple are already investigating, why are you still so aggressive!"

"Are you forcing Su Liang? You are forcing me. You think I am easy to bully. I will definitely obey the majority. I will definitely reduce major issues to trivial matters and make peace just like during the Qingli New Deal. Each side will fight fifty majors. Board?"

"I won't make a mistake twice!" Zhao Zhen said almost roaring.

"I dare not!"

All the ministers shouted in unison, but they did not expect that Zhao Zhen would be so angry.

Zhao Zhen looked down, paused, and then said: "I know that some people don't like Su Liang because the reform has touched their interests, so they have made some actions that add insult to injury. I don't require everyone to be a saint. , but if you are still framed and framed just for your own selfish interests while receiving the salary from the imperial court, why not become an official and go home, why not go into business to make money, I don’t need such selfish ministers!”

"As scholar-bureaucrats of our dynasty, your words may affect the life and death of the people. If you don't know, keep your mouth shut and never speak nonsense. Only those who are careful in their words and deeds can be good ministers."

……

Zhao Zhen calmed down and said: "Those of you standing among you, after the meeting is over, each of you will write an apology."

Some of the courtiers standing in the middle couldn't help but be overjoyed.

They thought that even if they were not demoted, their salary would be deducted, but they never thought that they would just write a letter admitting their mistake.

It can be said that the official family is no different than before.

Just when some people were excited, Zhao Zhen added: "After you finish writing, sign your name and official title. Don't give it to me. Leave it in the Shame-Awareness Hall. After one year, if there are no major mistakes, you can receive the confession letter." Walk."

As soon as these words came out, the officials in the middle of the palace were dumbfounded.

Put it in the shame-conscious hall and let the people watch it for at least a year.

This...this...this is so embarrassing.

There is another meaning in this: none of these people can be promoted within one year.

This punishment does not involve demotion or salary fine, but it is very embarrassing.

Scholars and officials, who don’t care about face!

"What, do you have any objections?" Zhao Zhen couldn't help but ask when he saw that the officials all bowed their heads and remained silent.

"I have no objection, I am willing to accept the punishment!" More than seventy officials said at the same time.

Immediately, Zhao Zhen looked at Bao Zheng again.

"Bao Qing, the private tabloids should also be strictly investigated. Any content that involves criticism, provocation, or confusion between right and wrong will be banned!"

"I obey!" Bao Zheng said with cupped hands.

……

The tenth day of June.

More than 70 official confessions were put into the Shame-Recognizing Hall, and people could visit and read them freely.

In addition, Kaifeng Prefecture launched a major clean-up of tabloid newspapers.

Those workshops that maliciously spread rumors, attacked the Song Dynasty's reform, and seriously slandered the image of officials were directly closed down.

The court could not help but make insignificant jokes, but articles that could ruin a person's career or affect political reform issues were directly banned.

……

June 12th.

Zhao Zhen issued an edict to restore Su Liang's duties as Taiwan admonishment officer, economic banquet officer and reform department.

But it still stopped.

Suspension means suspension without salary.

As long as Su Liang writes a memorial stating that "On the Dismissal between the Privy Council and the Three Government Offices" that "equal emphasis on martial arts and martial arts" is a lie, Zhao Zhen will be able to lift the ban immediately.

But Su Liang just didn't apologize.

Zhao Zhen looked helpless, as did the Taiwanese admonishers and officials from the Reform Department.

I have tried to persuade you.

But Su Liang was stubborn and said: I'm not wrong, why should I apologize?

Su Liang's stubbornness still has some effect.

The current status of officials in the Privy Council and the Three Yamen is obviously much better than before.

……

June 15th.

Zhao Zhen once again issued an edict: the "Hundred Days Examination for Officials" will be implemented again on the first day of July and last until the end of September.

This method can indeed improve efficiency.

Bao Zheng also called it: the long-flowing method of reducing officials.

Some officials found it difficult to complete their performance appraisal tasks, so they had no choice but to step down and make way for others.

This allows those officials who are really willing to do things or to climb up the ranks to come into play.

……

June 18th.

During the reform process in the northwest region, unexpected situations suddenly occurred.

Many state officials submitted memorials. The Bao Ma Law and the Bao Jia Law attracted many people to reject them. Some people even chose to commit suicide in order to avoid becoming Bao Jia (militiamen).

There were also some people who fled to the Hebei area with their families in order to be exempted from the Ma Ma and Bao Jia laws.

Among them, Di Qing, the deputy commander of the Ma Bu Army and the prefect of Yanzhou, said: The Law of Protecting Armor and the Law of Protecting Ma only waste people's strength and suggested that they be abolished.

Di Qing spoke in detail.

The Baojia Law was originally intended to allow the people to receive military training, maintain order, eliminate thieves, prevent thieves, and maintain public security.

When war comes, they can be used directly as soldiers.

However, the training capabilities at the bottom level are uneven, and the military dare not use them at all. It also takes up many people's time for farming and business.

It made the people miserable.

As for the horse protection method, the form is greater than the content.

Many people do not know how to raise and treat horses, so they often raise them in the same pen as sheep, pigs, and cattle. As a result, horses lose their vitality and can only be used as donkeys.

……

Within the Reform Department.

Zhao Zhen sits at the top.

Fan Zhongyan, Wang Yaochen, Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang, Liang Shi, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang sat on both sides.

"Do you think the two laws of protecting horses and protecting armor should be abolished?"

At that time, when this law was implemented, only Fan Zhongyan and Su Liang opposed it.

Now that the execution is not going well, everyone is a little frustrated.

Fan Zhongyan was the first to say: "I believe that it disturbs the people too much and requires too much labor, so it can be abolished."

The third commander, Wang Yaochen, nodded.

"Most people in the northwest are good at herding and martial arts, but it is still not feasible. If these two methods are placed in the entire Song Dynasty, I am afraid there will be more problems. I also suggest that they be abolished."

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang, Liang Shi, and Sima Guang all agreed to abolish it, but Wang Anshi looked troubled.

Wang Yaochen looked at Wang Anshi and said, "Jiefu, don't be stubborn anymore!"

Wang Anshi smiled bitterly.

"Officials, gentlemen, it's not that I'm stubborn. The function of the Horse Protection Method and the Armor Protection Method is to integrate troops with the people and improve the combat effectiveness of our soldiers without increasing military expenditures."

"Now if these two laws are abolished, the law of war, the law of disarmament, and the law of weapons supervision will all be ordinary methods. We talked about strengthening the army this year, but half a year has passed and we have not planned a real strategy to strengthen the army. !”

"To be honest, the effect of the Reform Department's series of measures to strengthen the military is not even as effective as Su Jingming's passive self-examination of the three Yamen and the Privy Council."

Hearing this, everyone blushed.

But it is what it is.

Due to Su Liang's two memorials a day, Taiwan's remonstrators frantically impeached the Privy Council and the Three Yamen, causing nearly 30% of the Privy Council officials to be dismissed.

After being called "flagpoles of no use" by Su Liang, the soldiers of Sanya were very unconvinced, and their attitude and fighting spirit in training were far better than before.

Zhao Zhen frowned.

If the armor-preserving law and the horse-preserving law are abolished, how can we increase the number of horses and cultivate strong soldiers?

These two laws can be abolished.

But after the abolition, another useful method must be thought of.

Otherwise, this direction will mean that there is no way to go.

At this time.

Sima Guang suddenly murmured: "It would be great if Jing Ming was here!"

After saying that, he quickly lowered his head.

Su Liang has always been the backbone of the ministers and has the most evil ideas.

This time, his "faked death plan" made him even more popular.

Folk storytellers in Goulan can make a lot of money by telling Su Liang's stories.

Zhao Zhen's face was ashen and he suddenly said: "Then call Su Liang here. Can't he come up with some ideas during the period of restraint?"

At this time.

Fan Zhongyan said: "Guan family, I'm afraid we can't do it today. Early in the morning, Su Liang and his family went to the outskirts of the city for fun. They may not return to the city until evening!"

"This... Su Jingming, does he really think that I have given him a holiday? You should quickly find a reason to reinstate him immediately without violating the family law of the ancestors of the Song Dynasty." Zhao Zhen said angrily.

Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang and others couldn't help but laugh.

In the hearts of officials, no minister is as important as Su Liang.

At this time, Wang Anshi said: "The officials and I have an idea. Why don't we put Su Jingming's article "On the Neglect of the Privy Council and the Three Yamen" into the Shame-Recognizing Hall as a punishment."

"Pfft!"

As soon as he said this, Sima Guang on the side became very happy.

"Jiefu, you are still the bad one!"

Fan Zhongyan and Wang Yaochen couldn't help laughing.

The three Privy Council officials, Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang, and Liang Shi, felt a little embarrassed.

This strategy works, but it's a bit underhanded.

Although Su Liang's article "On the Errors between the Privy Council and the Three Yamen" advocated that "martial arts should be on par with civil administration," most of the text was to demonstrate the lapses in the management of the Privy Council and the implementation of the three Yamen.

If this memorial is left in the shame-conscious hall.

Not only will it prove the correctness of Su Liang's argument examples in disguise.

Moreover, the ones who were hurt the most were not Su Liang, but the officials of the Privy Council and the officers and men of the Three Yamen.

If Xia Song had known that this book would be placed in the shame-conscious hall, he might have become seriously ill.

Wang Anshi said with a serious face: "The officials and ministers are not deliberately targeting the Privy Council and the Three Yamen, but really think that this strategy is feasible. Isn't it punishing Su Liang by putting Su Liang's article in the shame-conscious museum?"

"In addition, this article can also keep the officials of the Privy Council and the officers of the three yamen on alert and urge them to move forward. It is really a plan to kill two birds with one stone!"

Zhao Zhen hesitated for a moment.

"That's okay. But you guys say hello to Xia Shuxiang first. I've been a little wronged by him recently!"

All the ministers nodded.

When the official said this, it meant that Su Liang was about to be reinstated.

……

into the night.

Su Liang's family returned to Su's house happily.

If other officials had been suspended, they would have been so worried that they would have trouble sleeping and eating.

But Su Liang was open-minded. After finally having a long vacation, he naturally had fun and played as much as he wanted.

After a while.

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang came to Su Liang's home and informed him that Su Liang was about to resume his original position.

Su Liang was not very happy when he heard that he had been reinstated. He had originally planned to go to a mountain house in the north of the city to spend the summer vacation in a few days.

but.

When he heard Wang Anshi's plea to put "On the Dismissal between the Privy Council and the Three Yamen" into the Shame-Recognizing Hall, Su Liang laughed until his stomach ached.

It took a long time to return to normal.

"Jiefu, it is difficult for a wise man close to a saint to come up with this strategy. What a good plan! What a good plan!" Su Liang praised sincerely.

Wang Anshi blushed a little when he was praised. His dream in life is to become a saint who can help the world.

He said modestly: "Although this plan is good, it is still slightly inferior to Brother Jing Ming's 'fake death plan'!"

"I am over-flattered!"

"Humble, humble!"

……

When Sima Guang saw the two of them holding each other's feet, he felt so embarrassed that he wanted to get into the big water tank in the front yard to calm down.

The degree of narcissism between these two people was tied for first among the scholar-bureaucrats of the Song Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)