Prime Minister

Chapter 135 Answers
From Wu Anchi's point of view, Zhang Yue smiled back and nodded.

At this moment, everyone in the stove pavilion was arguing non-stop, Zhang Yue put down the article and walked towards Wu Anchi.

Wu Anchi said with a smile: "Everyone is arguing, why is Brother Zhang memorizing the essay alone?"

Zhang Yue wanted to pretend to be ignorant and flatter Wang Jinggong.But then he thought that based on his contacts with the Wu family, he should know who Wu Anchi's father-in-law is. Isn't that very hypocritical?

But it's true that I like other people's articles, so what's the embarrassment?

Zhang Yue simply put on a look of "deep research on this official article" and said: "Brother Wu, I secretly think that apart from Bachelor Ouyang, the articles of the princes are the number one."

"Oh? Is there really such a thing?"

Zhang Yue said: "I used to like "Shang Zhongyong" and "You Bao Chan Mountain", but recently I read "Du Meng Chang Jun Biography" and I am even more impressed."

Seeing that Wu Anchi was slightly puzzled, Zhang Yue smiled and said: "The world says that Lord Mengchang can win scholars, and the scholars return for reasons, but the soldiers rely on their strength to escape from the Qin Dynasty of tigers and leopards. Alas! Lord Mengchang is so special that he has the ears of dogs and robbers. Is it enough to win a scholar? Otherwise, if you are strong in Qi, how can you get a scholar, and you should be able to conquer Qin from the south?

Zhang Yueyan looked at Wu Anchi's face and said: "Reading the last sentence, it's like the 'old official's breaking the prison case' is really amazing!"

This "Reading the Biography of Mengchang Jun" is less than a hundred words, but it feels like a layer of cocoon after reading it. After four or five twists and turns, the last sentence is like a stroke of magic!
At the same time, Zhang Yue also had a meaning.

Wang Anshi cited the example of Mr. Mengchang, isn't it cautious to make friends?
Isn't it the same for you, Mr. Wu Erlang, in Taixue?

Wu Anchi really took it seriously and said: "Of course, since ancient times, it has been said that Mr. Mengchang is a good scholar, but how can a gentleman and a villain coexist?"

"So living with good people is like entering a house of orchid orchids, and it will smell fragrant after a long time. Living with evil people is like entering an abalone house, and it will stink after a long time. Mozi is sad about dyed silk, so it is said. He is a gentleman. Be careful when making friends!"

Wu Anchi smiled and said nothing.Zhang Yue thought in his heart, it is so difficult to get close to Mr. Wu Erlang, it seems that it is really not easy to make friends with this person.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yue returned to his seat.But the debate in the auditorium became more and more intense, and these Tai students really dared to say anything, and they actually criticized the Qingli New Deal to the officials.

This is so gutsy and too fat.

This was the case in the Song Dynasty, not only among the Tai students, but also among the officials.

In the Jinzaoyuan case that directly led to the failure of the Qingli New Deal, an official wrote a proud song that was so crazy.

The sentence "Drunk lying in the North Pole sent the emperor to help, Duke Zhou and Confucius drove him into a slave", let alone the latter sentence, the former actually asked the emperor to help him.

Why did the Qingli New Deal fail? Many people attribute the reason to Song Renzong's inability to persevere.

But Zhang Yue felt that Song Renzong was wrongly blamed.

The Qingli New Deal is actually an immature move.

At that time, the court was in the throes of the war with Xixia, so Emperor Renzong made a hasty decision to reform.He recalled Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi to the central government to carry out the New Deal.Song Renzong thought that they would come up with a practical policy immediately, but after discussing for a long time, Fan Zhongyan finally came up with ten suggestions, which later became "Fan Ten".

Fan Shitiao is all aimed at the biggest problem of the Song Dynasty at that time, the three redundant (redundant officials, redundant soldiers, redundant expenses).

From Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi's entry into the center to their final departure, the New Deal failed within a year.

how so?

Song Renzong was not ready for the New Deal from the beginning.The failure of Fan Zhongyan's reform made him realize that the time for reform was not yet ripe.Officials think that 'the imitation is so broad that the commentators find it difficult to implement'.

There are too many people who oppose it. If we really want to implement the New Deal, it will touch the root.

Why are there three redundancy?
To put it bluntly, it was not designed by the ruler himself.The establishment of the Three Redundancies exists to solve a series of problems. Now that you want to abolish the Three Redundancies, in turn, have the original problems been solved?
If it is abolished without a solution, it will shake the foundation.

There is also the problem of insufficient preparation. Song Renzong didn't want to reform at the beginning, and Fan Zhongyan was beaten by Xixia, so he asked Fan Zhongyan to give it a try.It took a while for the new policy to be implemented, only to find out what is meant by "no four or two weights if you don't put it on the scale, and you can't hold a thousand catties if you put it on the scale." So there are so many problems.

"Fan Shitiao" is not yet a bold move, but the depth of the exposed disadvantages is shocking.

Faced with so many problems, Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi have been calling for the expansion of prime minister power to carry out reforms and completely suppress the opposing forces.

But expanding the power of the prime minister has touched the root again.

In the end, the reform failed. Song Renzong still put Fu Bi, Han Qi, and Ouyang Xiu who supported the New Deal in the court, and they have been reused all the time.

As for the establishment of schools in Zhongzhou and counties during the reform, the policy of establishing Taixue is still in place.For Taixue, where the reform party is located, it has always given policy support.

For example, this time, the number of candidates for the National Academy of Sciences has increased from 450 to 600, but there are only more than 700 Tai students, and there are only more than 1000 students even if the Guangwen Museum is included.

Almost reached the ratio of three people solving one person.

Think about the ratio of Fujian and Zhejiang solutions to one hundred solutions.

The predecessors planted trees, and the descendants took the shade.

When Wang Anshi reformed, he always took Hu Yuan's students as the backbone of the new party.However, after Wang Anshi came to power, the new imperial students opposed the reform, which was unexpected by Wang Anshi.

Everyone discussed for a while, but Zhang Yue didn't speak. At this time, Xiang Qi suddenly looked at Zhang Yue and asked, "Sanlang, what do you think of the Qingli New Deal and this Wanyan book?"

Zhang Yue only paid attention to literary talent and diction, and did not pay attention to political opinions for a while.

Zhang Yue said with a smile: "It's not easy to make comments at such a young age. Now I don't have time to learn articles."

The people on the side smiled, Zhang Yue didn't say anything, but Xiang Qi insisted: "Sanlang, you are not being kind, good or bad, yes or no, you should give a general idea!"

Zhang Yue said in his heart, Taixue has a very strong atmosphere for discussing political opinions, if he really doesn't say anything, he will be looked down upon instead.

Zhang Yue decided to come up with a statement that no one should offend.He put down the book and said with a smile: "Then let me try to say something, it's not right, everyone, please don't laugh at me."

"Please say."

Zhang Yuedao: "When I was studying, there was a sentence that deeply touched me. As the prime minister, Li Wenjing (Li Hang) once said, 'I have nothing else to do as a prime minister, but I will not change the court's legal system and use it to serve the country'. I heard this for the first time. , saying that Duke Li Wenjing, as the prime minister, did not take it seriously."

"In fact, the worst thing about being a prime minister is that he doesn't think about things. In order to gain favor and reputation, he repeatedly changed the old system of the ancestors, and finally led to the oversupply of officials and soldiers. This is the biggest disadvantage."

"Today's expenses are unreasonable, financial resources are scarce, and public and private difficulties are disadvantaged. All deduction is due to the fact that the prime minister could not abide by the old rules at the beginning and made changes."

After Zhang Yue finished speaking, there was no disturbance among the students.

Liu Ji smiled perfunctorily, "Sanlang is right."

After that, everyone continued to discuss, Zhang Yue thought to himself, how can these Tai students understand this?
On the side, Wu Anchi's eyes flashed.

The next day was Shuori, and Wu Anchi returned home from Taixue.

In the past few days, not only his father-in-law Wang Anshi returned to the capital, but even his father Wu Chong also returned to the capital from Shanzhou to report his duties.

Wu Anchi specially found a spacious and comfortable house for his father-in-law in central Beijing to rest, but Wang Anshi said that it would be the same wherever he lived, and he chose to live in Chaoji Courtyard next to Taixue.

Seeing that his father-in-law would rather live in a public house, Wu Anchi had nothing to say, and was about to go over to pay his respects, but he was turned away.

It turned out that after Wang Anshi published the Wanyan Book, it caused a sensation in the capital. Many officials and scholars came to see him, and some people scolded that Wang Anshi was just looking for trouble.

However, in order to express his sincerity in writing the letter, Wang Anshi did not receive any foreign guests until the emperor replied. He simply refused to meet his son-in-law as a foreign guest.

After Wu Anchi was shut down, he still saluted repeatedly outside his father-in-law's door, and finally heaved a sigh of relief when he got home.

Wu Anchi went back to the mansion to see his wife first.

Wang is the eldest daughter of Wang Anshi. Although she is not outstanding in appearance, she is extremely talented in writing, which makes Wu Anchi feel ashamed.

Wang's attendant Wu Anchi changed his clothes and said: "There is a family banquet in the evening, you go to mother's to say hello first, now Shiwuniang is married, brother is away all day, and you are studying in Taixue, the house is much deserted."

Wu Anchi said, "Isn't there still seventeen?"

Wang shook her head and said, "You don't know your mother? She has always been close to Shi Qi."

Wu Anchi said: "Is there any relatives who are alienated, now that the fifteenth mother is married, she will be seventeen. But with her temperament... it is really a headache for parents to find a good husband's family."

Wang said: "You are submissive outside, but when you get home, you say it's not seventeen."

Wu Anchi smiled and said: "I also hope that she will marry a good husband, yes, what happens after uncle?"

It turned out that Wu Yu, a political adviser, had died of illness two months ago.

Wang said: "Uncle's affairs have been settled properly, and now he entrusts Bachelor Ouyang to write the epitaph. As for the official's love for serving the prime minister for many years, he has ordered his son to become an official."

"However, there are a few people in the uncle's family who are not officials, so they pushed it to our family. Daddy may ask you and brother if you have any intentions of making up for each other at the family dinner today. How do you plan?"

Seeing Wu Anchi's face, Wang said with some disappointment, "I just know if I'll ask you at this moment."

Wu Anchi looked at Wang's face and said: "My lady, you also know the difficulty of the examination room. If you have an official, you will be an official first. Even if you have a baby, you can take the lock hall examination in the future, and you will be a Jinshi."

Wang said: "That's what I meant too, but I agreed when I saw that you hesitated for a moment. I don't think there may be plans to be a Jinshi in the future..."

Wu Anchi was dissatisfied and said: "Lady, you are talking more and more like Seventeen."

That night, there was a family banquet in the Wu Mansion.

Wu Chong has been an official for twenty years, but he is not yet old enough to be confused.

He was a Jinshi at the age of 17, and he can be called a successful young man. Later, he was supported by his elder brothers in his official career, and he can be called a prosperous journey.

When he was in Qun Mu Si, Wang Anshi dared not even drink the wine that Bao Zheng respected.But he is such a high-spirited person, he also admires his colleague Wu Chong very much, and regards him as his best friend.Not only did he shout affectionately to Brother Qing one by one in the poems, but he also married his beloved daughter to his second son.

Wu Chong's appearance can be called Fengshen and handsome, and his wife Li Shi is also the daughter of the famous minister Li You. This is also a good marriage with a well-matched family.

This day's family banquet, Wu Anshi, Wu Anchi and his wife, Shi Qiniang were all present, as for the children, they were held by servants and ate at another small table nearby.

Everyone at the table did not dare to speak out, only Wu Chong said that the Ministry of Officials planned to secretly supplement Wu Yu's descendants as officials, and awarded Taizhu of Taichang Temple, Judge of Dali Temple, Secretary Shengzheng and other officials according to their seniority.

Wu Anchi recalled talking about the three redundancies in the furnace pavilion today, and he also deeply felt the disadvantages of redundant officials today.As for the disadvantage of redundant officials, it is too much compensation.Therefore, Fan Zhongyan proposed that one of the ten items is "restraining luck", which aims to get rid of the disadvantages of shady officials.

For example, the official positions held by the Wu family are all officials of the Beijing Dynasty. Although they only correspond to the last three ranks of the 41th, 42st, and [-]nd ranks without birth, they are far above the selected official ranks.

There are only a few Jinshi in the first subject, and only a few people can be appointed as officials of the Beijing court when they are first conferred, and others must be selected.

Today, when the Taixue students criticized the abuses of redundant officials and shady officials, he did not say a word.

Wu Anchi knows from the bottom of his heart that what they said is right, but when this matter falls on you, is it right or wrong?
From then on, I don't have to study poetry and books hard, and I don't even have to go to remote prefectures and counties after passing the Jinshi exam. I can stay in the prosperous Bianjing.

Hearing that Wu Chongyan had planned to let the two of them make up for it together, a stone in Wu Anchi's heart finally fell to the ground.

Wu Chong said: "The matter of yin supplementation has not been made clear for a day, and the two of you must not say anything for a day. Others don't talk too much."

Everyone at the table said yes.

Wu Chong said again: "Even if you pay for it, the imperial court will not send you immediately. It may take two or three years to wait. During these days, you study at home and are not allowed to go out."

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit serious, Mrs. Li smiled at the two sons: "Just remember Dad's instructions in your heart, the food is cold!"

Wu Chong nodded slightly and picked up the vegetables, and the family moved their chopsticks.

Wu Chong ate a few mouthfuls, and then tested his two sons' knowledge and politics.Wu Anshi did not answer well and was reprimanded several times by Wu Chong.Others can't help but feel anxious when eating at the dinner table.

When it was Wu Anchi's turn, the chopsticks in his hand fell to the ground before he could answer.

Wu Chong couldn't help shaking his head, and after the servant girl changed the pair of chopsticks for Wu Anchi, Fang asked, "Have you read the Wanyan book for the officials in Mount Tai?"

Wu Anchi replied: "I read it yesterday when I was in Taixue."

"What do you think?"

Wu Anchi was sweating profusely.

Wu Chong said: "It's already the case before answering. If you want to share some insights, when you enter the temple and ask questions, you should at least have something to say, not to answer some practical questions."

Wu Anchi said: "My child thinks that 'Shang Jian' is the first thing to do in politics."

"How to be simple?"

Wu Anzhi said: "Advocating simplicity means simplifying the administration, which means simplicity with laws."

"Yes." Wu Chong said.

Wu Anchi thought for a while and said: "I'm studying today, and I read that Li Wenjing (Li Hang) was the prime minister and said, 'I have nothing to do as a prime minister, but I don't change the court's legal system, and use it to serve the country', my child... my child is deep Feeling..."

Wu Chong was taken aback for a moment and then said, "Oh? Let's hear it..."

After Wu Anchi finished answering, Wu Chong groaned for a moment, and then said with a smile: "Second brother has improved in knowledge since he entered the imperial school!"

(End of this chapter)