I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 348 Bianhe jumps five times in a row! When it comes to overall work, you still have to look at me, the scholar-bureaucrat of the Song Dynasty (2-in-1)

On the tenth day of October, Bianjing City.

Both in the court and among the people, there has been a wave of "discussions about cutting officials."

The number of official posts will be reduced and the door will be reformed.

It seems logical that the next step should be to implement the "big reduction of officials".

Since the beginning of Zhenzong.

The Song Dynasty had a serious problem of redundant officials.

The government offices are bloated, salaries and salaries are excessive, and more and more people are living on empty wages.

During the Qingli New Deal, Fan Zhongyan advocated the implementation of: clearly depose the emperor and suppress luck.

In fact, it is to reduce the number of officials and improve the quality of officials.

A house that looks very inconspicuous from the outside, but is extremely luxuriously decorated inside.

There are also officials who are in the ban, looking for something to say, hoping to get some news from Zhao Zhen.

But it can only be called a small fight.

We must make great efforts, starting with merging government agencies and reducing official positions.

Officials thought that the Reform Department would strike while the iron was hot and immediately implement the strategy of cutting redundant officials.

He is currently the doctor of the temple department and serves as the judge of the household department of the third division.

October 20th, south of Bianjing city.

I never imagined that there would be no movement.

But the response they got was: nothing to tell.

Since the Reform in the Song Dynasty.

Coupled with the fact that he had a reputation of being "honest and pragmatic", he was not demoted.

The imperial court wants to eliminate redundant officials.

Although there is a hundred-day examination method to encourage officials to make progress, it has also caused some officials to be eliminated and become official officials.

However, because the opposition was too powerful, it ceased to exist in name only after a short period of time.

At this time.

Some anxious officials also used other excuses to try to get Fu Bi, Fan Zhongyan, Su Liang and others to talk.

The night is slightly cool.

Every official knows very well how likely they are to be laid off.

I want to see what kind of strategy the Reform Department will introduce. Will it be urgent or slow?

……

October 19th.

The grass blades in the city turn from green to yellow and continue to wither.

now.

Many officials in Bianjing City were eyeing the Reform Department.

The autumn wind is rustling and the weather is getting cooler.

in fact.

But Zhao Zhen's reply was: everything is based on imperial edicts.

These days.

If it is always at the bottom, it will definitely be eliminated.

……

His achievements as an official are on display, his achievements in the Hundred Days Examination are on display, and his contribution to the imperial court is on display.

He was not pleased by Wang Yaochen, the envoy of the third department, and was even called the "invisible man of the household department" by Wang Anshi.

His official abilities are very average.

He was afraid that as soon as he opened his eyes, he would be forced to take up an official position and become a commoner.

This person's name is Cui Hong.

Some officials were so anxious that they did not think about food or tea.

A middle-aged man, about forty years old, was sitting alone in the living room, drinking tea with an expressionless face.

……

He vaguely felt that if the court really wanted to lay off redundant officials, he would definitely be laid off.

Zhao Zhen's words made many officials anxious and unable to sleep at night.

Thanks to Lu Yijian's status as a student, his official career was prosperous in the past few years, and he became the judge of the third division of household affairs.

A fat, middle-aged man about forty years old came over.

After seeing Cui Hong, he looked around and wondered, "Brother Cui, what's going on? There's no singing or dancing tonight?"

This person's name is Qiu Yu.

The official residence is Zhongcheng, and currently serves in the History Museum.

Qiu Yu and Cui Hong are friends of Goulan.

Both of them liked karaoke, so they jointly bought such a yard secretly.

You will come here to enjoy it on the tenth, twentieth and last day of each month.

Both of them have an image of "loyal and honest people" in the yamen.

He is not greedy for money or lustful, and although his abilities are average, in the eyes of his colleagues, he is honest and has a flawless character.

But privately.

The entertainment life of the two people is full of tricks, and they have always been at the forefront of the hook-and-rail style in Bianjing City.

Tonight, it's Cui Hong's turn to prepare for singing.

When Qiu Yu saw that there was no woman, not even food or drinks, he couldn't help but frown.

Cui Hong slowly puffed out his chest.

"Brother Qiu, the court is about to lay off officials on a large scale. I'm afraid you and I will be laid off. Do you still have time to enjoy singing and dancing?"

Qiu Yu smiled helplessly.

"Brother Cui, the court really wants us to retire early, what can I do? I can only enjoy it one day at a time!"

"No, we have to find a way to save ourselves." Cui Hong shook his head.

"Self-rescue? Brother Cui, with our official positions and connections in the court, not to mention interceding with Prime Minister Fu and Prime Minister Fan, I'm afraid we won't even be able to see Wang Anshi and Sima Guang. How can we save ourselves?" Qiu Yu said with a look on his face. He leaned helplessly on the chair, his body trembling with fat.

Cui Hong took a sip of tea.

"According to the abilities of the officials in the Reform Department, two or three days would be enough to write a policy to lay off officials. How could it take half a month and still not be enacted? There is only one possibility for the delay."

"What's possible?"

"The officials and the officials of the Reform Department are all observing the reaction of the officials. This matter involves the stability of the court. Not to mention that half of the officials are opposed. Even if it is 20 to 30%, I am afraid that the officials will not dare to vigorously lay off officials. Bianjing City As long as the officials gain momentum, the officials in the local and state capitals will make more trouble and become more violent!"

"But the current situation is very bad!"

"Officials are all in danger, but no one dares to stand up and say that the reduction of officials is harmful to the country of the Song Dynasty. Once the policy of reducing officials is announced, it will be too late to oppose it. I believe that as long as there are officials who stand up and oppose , and if the opposition is fierce enough, it can force the court to not dare to lay off officials on a large scale!"

After saying that, Cui Hong looked at Qiu Yu.

Qiu Yu rubbed his chubby double chin.

"Cui... Brother Cui, don't you think that we can turn the tide by standing up to oppose you? You have to know that even the wife of Renshou County was scolded by the officials and went home crying for three days. The two of us If a small official objects, then... isn't that asking for death? The most he can do is become an official, but it would be terrible if he is imprisoned or exiled because of his opposition!"

"Hmph, there's no future! What's wrong with a junior official? On the contrary, a junior official can stir up a big storm, because there are many people involved, and the commotion caused is greater. I have a plan. We don't need the two of us to be at the forefront. And it can force the court to not dare to lay off officials on a large scale."

"Brother Cui, you... please explain in detail."

……

A quarter of an hour later.

Qiu Yu looked at Cui Hong with admiration.

"Brother Cui, this... this is a divine plan. It will definitely succeed. With your talent, you can definitely become the Prime Minister in the future!"

Cui Hong smiled lightly and said: "I just don't like to argue. If I really think about the reform strategy, how can the court's favorite be Su Liang and Su Jingming!"

……

At this moment, inside the Imperial City Division.

In a mansion guarded by many forbidden soldiers.

A group of officials were very busy looking through the performance documents of the officials in Bianjing City, writing and drawing on the performance documents obtained in the 100-day examination.

This rhythm has been going on for half a month.

According to the government's "Provincial Official Policy", 30% of officials must be reduced within two years.

After discussion, the Reform Department decided to bite the hard nut first.

Officials in Bianjing City who were eligible for layoffs were first laid off, yamen with similar functions were merged, and redundant official positions were abolished.

At that time, the list of officials to be laid off will be announced directly.

The reason why the Reform Department did this.

This is because if the criteria for dismissal are first announced and then verified, officials will easily commit fraud.

It is undoubtedly the fastest and most accurate way to determine the list of personnel based on the political achievements in the past three years and the results of the 100-day examination. this list.

The information will first be sorted out by the officials of the Imperial City Department.

Then it is handed over to Tai Jian for verification, and Tai Jian is summarized to the Reform Department, which then hands it to Zhongshu and the officials for confirmation.

Su Liang expected.

The results will be available around the end of October or early November.

As for what is spread outside, the officials and the Reform Department are observing the reactions of officials before they dare to make a decision. It is purely misinformation.

The current Song Dynasty is quite stable, from Bianjing to local state capitals.

Cutting down redundant officials is nothing more than removing the rotten branches and leaves from a big tree, without damaging the roots at all.

……

October 25th, night falls.

South of Bianjing City.

In a private room of a teahouse in the northwest of Zhuquemen Street.

Cui Hong, the judge of the Ministry of Revenue, and Qiu Yu, the prime minister in the palace, sat at the main seats.

Five more officials sat on either side.

These five officials are: Dr. Zhou Youxiang of the Imperial Academy, Qian Fu, the redundant official of the Department of Discussing and Reviewing Literary Writings, Liu Dalin, the Provincial Director of the Palace, Chu Yan, the Editor of the Editorial Council, and Bai Yishi, the Director of Taifu Temple.

These five people were recruited by Cui Hong and Qiu Yu, and they were also the main force in resisting the policy of cutting officials.

The common characteristics of these five officials are: their official ranks are all around the seventh or eighth grade, their political performance is very poor, and their families have heavy burdens. If they were forced to serve, it would almost cost them their lives.

Cui Hong said straight to the point: "Everyone, how are you considering it? If there is no objection, we will take action tomorrow."

"Judge Cui, if we do this, will we be defined by the court as opposing the reform and be severely punished?" asked the always timid Dr. Zhou You of the Imperial Academy.

Cui Hong smiled and shook his head.

"Dr. Zhou, it seems that you still haven't understood my explanation! The five of you are speaking out for the officials in the world who are about to be laid off. They represent justice and are for the stability of our Song Dynasty. After the five have done this, , not only will you not be punished, but you will also become famous all over the world, and even make many officials owe you a favor. In the future, your official career will be extremely smooth!"

"What if the officials...if they still insist on going their own way and don't believe this?" someone else asked.

"Don't believe it? Officials have always been kind, and they absolutely do not want to be called a tyrant. It is absolutely impossible for him to insist on his own way despite the opposition of many low-level officials!"

"Judge Cui, tomorrow..."

Just when another person was about to ask, Cui Hong suddenly became annoyed and interrupted him directly.

"Five of you, don't hesitate any more. I have already told you what needs to be said. If this happens, we will continue to enjoy the spicy food. If you don't want to do it, you should also think about your own ending."

"Dr. Zhou, you have eight sons and five daughters. If you retire early, you may not even be able to raise the dowries for your five daughters with your current savings. Are you willing to live such a life?"

"Master Liu, there are more than thirty people in your family, young and old, but they all depend on you for their livelihood. If you become an official, how will they live?"

……

Cui Hong accurately grasped everyone's weaknesses.

"Okay, let's do it!" Everyone picked up their teacups and drank them all in one gulp.

Immediately, the five people left quickly.

Cui Hong's plan was called: Jumping into the Bian River in autumn and pretending to die to make his ambition clear.

The specific content is——

Tomorrow afternoon, these five officials will order someone to send their joint death letter to Zhongshu Province. At the same time, wearing official uniforms, they will collectively jump into the Bian River.

Cui Hong told them that after the five people jumped into the river, someone would rescue them immediately.

Let them use this method to oppose the imperial court's dismissal of officials.

The reason why they chose these five people was that they were willing to jump into the Bian River.

On the one hand, it is because the expenses of these five people's families are very high. If they become officials, they will not be able to support their families.

On the other hand, it is because these five people represent the lower-level officials of the Song Dynasty. If they oppose it with their lives, lower-level officials in various state capitals will inevitably rise up to oppose it.

Since then, the officials and the Reform Department can only compromise.

If there is no compromise, the entire Song Dynasty's official offices will most likely fall into chaos.

This is Cui Hong's plan.

Of course, these five people also have selfish motives.

They also thought that with this move, they could earn a reputation and give favors, and maybe they could continue to be promoted!
……

this moment.

Cui Hong and Qiu Yu were the only two people left in the private room.

Cui Hong asked: "Have the arrangements been made for the people who will go into the water to rescue them tomorrow?"

"Everything has been arranged. They are all my confidants. None of these five people know how to swim. I have arranged people on the river bank with long sticks, fishing nets and hemp ropes to ensure that nothing goes wrong and no one will drown. .”

Cui Hong shook his head.

"You tell them that tomorrow, rescue will be false and killing will be real. Not only will you not save them, but you will also prevent them from saving themselves or having someone save them. You must let them all drown in the Bian River, and no one will survive!"

"Ah? Brother Cui, this... this is a capital crime!"

"Death penalty? As long as you arrange it properly, no one will know that we did it. Only when someone dies and the matter becomes a big deal can the officials compromise. I am helping us survive, do you understand?" Cui Hong looked at Qiu with a cold look. Yu.

Qiu Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"I understand, I understand, I...I...I will not leave any clues."

Cui Hong nodded with satisfaction.

His original plan was for the five officials to drown.

Ruoqiu Yu didn't dare to do it.

He ordered him to drown in the Bian River tomorrow.

Cui Hong patted Qiu Yu on the shoulder and said: "After everything is done, tomorrow night, I will arrange for you ten girls from Hangzhou, each with flowers and thorns on top, very fresh!"

Hearing this, Qiu Yu suddenly smiled, his smile was vulgar, and saliva slowly flowed from the corners of his mouth.

……

October 26th, afternoon.

The autumn sun is shining brightly, and the temperature has reached the highest peak of the day.

At this time.

Dr. Guozijian visited the prime minister, Qian Fu, the redundant official of the Discussing Department, reviewed the writing, Liu Dalin, the provincial director of the palace, Chu Yan, the editor of the editorial meeting, and Bai Yishi, the chief registrar of Taifu Temple, came to Zhouqiao in a carriage. Beside the Bianhe River, 500 meters to the west.

There are fewer passers-by here, and the water is deep and turbulent.

It was Cui Hong and Qiu Yu who specially found a good place for them to jump into the river.

The five people, dressed in official uniforms, came to a tree by the river.

When there were only two or three feet away from the Bianhe River, they didn't dare to move forward.

"This...this...the water in the river should be very cold. What if you catch a cold?"

"I...I'm a little afraid to jump. What if I get entangled in the vines in the water and can't get out?"

"Where are the people who saved us? Where are they?"

The five people looked forward.

Soon they saw the men on the boats on the river and the men on the riverbank nodding to them.

And not far away.

There are also rescue tools such as long sticks, fishing nets, and hemp ropes.

"Everyone, our joint suicide note should have been sent to Zhongshu. For the sake of our future career and reputation, and for the sake of our mother, wife and children, let's fight for it!"

Immediately, the five people walked hand in hand towards the river.

"Jump!"

Following the shout from Dr. Zhou Youxiang of the Imperial Academy, the five people closed their eyes and jumped into the Bian River at the same time.

……

Zhongshu Province, Political Affairs Hall.

Prime Minister Wen Yanbo was flipping through documents when a letter suddenly came from an official, saying it was extremely urgent.

Wen Yanbo opened the envelope and was stunned.

"No, someone is going to jump into the river! Inform the Imperial City Department and Kaifeng Mansion and send people to the nearest Bianhe River immediately!" Wen Yanbo shouted to the officials not far away.

Then, stand up quickly.

Fu Bi, Zhang Fangping, Fan Zhongyan and other prime ministers on the side all looked puzzled and asked: "Prime Minister Wen, what happened?"

Wen Yanbo said angrily: "Five officials wrote a suicide note and committed suicide by jumping into the Bian River together to resist the imperial court's dismissal of officials!"

"what?"

Fu Bi, Fan Zhongyan and others also stood up and walked towards the Bianhe River with Wen Yanbo.

soon.

Su Liang, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang and others also heard the news.

They also rushed to Bianhe River.

In their eyes, human life is the first priority, save lives first, and then discuss other matters.

(End of this chapter)