Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 225
In the study, Fan Zhongyan sighed deeply, "I was kicked out of the capital back then, and after several years of tossing and turning, my eldest son Chunyou was also forced to resign from his official position and followed me to a downturn in Dengzhou, but when he took his wife and children to Xuchang, he suddenly fell ill , Foaming at the mouth, convulsive body convulsions, although he tried his best to rescue him and escaped to death, he has been paralyzed on the bed since then, becoming a useless person, Aning, a 30-year-old strong man, why do you think he suddenly fell ill?"

"He must be poisoned!" Fan Ning suddenly realized.

Fan Zhongyan nodded, "At that time, he was living in an inn with his wife and children. After drinking a few glasses of wine at night, he suddenly fell ill. His wife frantically sought medical attention, but later found that the jug was missing. The doctor said very vaguely, saying that he had swallowed it by mistake Unclean things, he was given medicine to induce vomiting, but the poison had entered the internal organs and bone marrow, his tendons were atrophied, although his life was saved, but "

Speaking of sadness, Fan Zhongyan couldn't help crying.

Fan Ning was silent. He knew that the court struggle was fierce during the Qingli Reformation, but he didn't expect it to be so intense that even the most despicable plotting methods were used to take revenge against Fan Zhongyan's son.

Fan Zhongyan wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and continued: "This incident happened not long after I returned to Dengzhou from the capital. This should be a warning from some forces to return to the capital. At that time, I realized that my family They will also be in danger, including you."

Fan Zhongyan apologized and said to Fan Ning: "A Ning, this is the reason why I have ignored you for several years. I can't protect you, but I can't let certain forces keep an eye on you, so I can only alienate you and care about your growth. It's been silent."

"What force has been staring at grandfather?" Fan Ning asked after a moment of contemplation.

"That's why I came here today!"

Fan Zhongyan waved to Fan Chunren who was standing at the door again, "Come and sit down, too."

Both Fan Ning and Fan Chunren sat down, and Fan Zhongyan said: "Both of you have been admitted to Jinshi, and soon you will enter official careers. Today I want to tell you some things about the court. When the Qingli Reform was celebrated, it only persisted for less than a year. In [-], the opposition from the court was too fierce and the crisis at that time was beyond your imagination. On the surface, it seemed that important officials such as Wang Yiyong, Song Xiang, Chen Zhizhong, and Wu Yu of the Jiachang Dynasty opposed it, but in fact, the entire clan and relatives were exerting pressure, even the army They are also ready to move, in order to keep their throne, the officials can only sacrifice us."

Fan Ning heard what Fan Zhongyan meant, and asked, "Does Grandpa Tang mean that there are other powerful forces hiding behind the scenes in the Song Dynasty?"

Fan Zhongyan did not expect Fan Ning's sense of dispute to be so keen, he secretly praised in his heart, nodded and said: "The founding of the Song Dynasty was originally the result of a political compromise. We must consider the interests of the important officials of the former court and the interests of the supporters. There are also the interests of the military leaders stationed in various places in the Later Zhou Dynasty, which is the root of the redundant officials in the Song Dynasty.

A hundred years later, the relatives rose, the clan grew stronger, and various forces were intricate and each had their own interests. The officials of the court were only used to maintain the operation of the court, but the real power was hidden behind the scenes. In the 11th year of the Great Song Dynasty, she almost became Wu Zetian's second. It has only been 17 years since her death, and the huge power she left behind still affects the court. "

"And Zhang Yaozuo!" Fan Ning said.

"Zhang Yaozuo is just a branch of foreign relatives, like the Cao family and the Pan family. They are both the founding heroes and foreign relatives. They control the Imperial Forest Army. What's the use of officials pampering Concubine Zhang? He can also abolish Empress Cao In front of Cao and Pan, Zhang Yaozuo is just a clown, but the officials want to rely on him to check and balance the Cao family. I have to say that this is a big mistake of the officials.”

Fan Zhongyan drank a little wine at noon, and he only had his son and grandson, so he was able to open his heart and tell them some things that he couldn't or dare not say at ordinary times.

Fan Chunren on the side interjected and asked: "Whether these foreign relatives, clansmen, or military leaders don't hold the real power of the court, how do they influence the court's decision-making, and how do they threaten the Song Dynasty? "

"That's a good question!"

Fan Zhongyan praised his son, then turned his attention to Fan Ning, "What do you think of Ah Ning?"

Fan Ning thought of the Zhu family in Pingjiang Prefecture. They were also a family of relatives, a relatively small family of relatives, but from the Zhu family, we can see the penetration and influence of relatives on the court.

Fan Ning said slowly: "I think these behind-the-scenes forces influence the imperial court from three aspects, one is the army, the other is financial resources, and the third is marriage. Although the army is controlled by the imperial court, it is also led by civil officials when they send troops to fight. , but the generals who specifically control the army are still the descendants or subordinates of the founding generals, and their power should not be underestimated, and it can be said that it can affect the whole body."

"Well said, keep talking!"

"The second is financial resources. Take our Zhu family in Pingjiang Prefecture as an example. The land occupied by the Zhu family itself is not as much as imagined, but Pingjiang Prefecture is a major grain producer in the Song Dynasty. Pingjiang Prefecture purchases grain and transports a large amount of commercial grain to the capital. Pingjiang Grain Company, one of the five major grain merchants in the capital, is in the hands of the Zhu family or his married family.

The Zhu family is only a small relative, and it has a great influence on the court economically, not to mention other relatives.

Then there is the marriage, I experienced Jin Mingchi's marriage the day before yesterday, why the rich and powerful foreign relatives are keen on marrying Jinshi, it is actually an exchange of financial resources and power."

Fan Ning suddenly thought that Fan Chunren also attended the Jinmingchi Qionglin Banquet, would he also be arrested and married?He took a quick look at Fan Chunren, and suddenly felt that he had made a mistake.

Fan Zhongyan laughed, "You don't have to think too much, Chunren was married last year, and his wife is the youngest daughter of Mr. An Ding, so he won't be arrested for marriage."

Fan Zhongyan said again: "A Ning is quite right. When the government abolished Empress Guo, it had a great influence. You must know that Empress Guo's aunt was Empress Taizong Mingde. She herself is the granddaughter of Guo Chong, the founding hero. Empress Dowager Liu personally The queen selected for the government was demoted when I was also against the abolition of Queen Guo. In order to stabilize the military, the government had to make Cao Bin's granddaughter the queen.

At the time of the Qingli reform, the official family had only been in charge for ten years, and the foundation was still far from stable. In recent years, although he has gradually secured the throne, he did not dare to talk about reform lightly. He could only recall our group of reformers back to the capital to show appease. "

Speaking of this, Fan Zhongyan stared at Fan Ning with piercing eyes, "During the interview, you talked about the new idea of ​​strengthening the country and enriching the people, allowing reformers and conservatives to join hands to create greater wealth, and resolving old contradictions in expanding wealth , Your remarks have already caused a great uproar in the court. I don't know why you have such an idea, but I have to admit that your pioneering idea is very in line with the current mentality of the officials. If it weren't for your age Limitation, the number one scholar in this subject is none other than you."

"Does grandfather approve of my ideas?" asked Fanning after a pause.

"I don't really agree, but I don't disagree either. Your goal is the same as mine, but your path is different. Maybe you are young and ignorant, or maybe you stand higher. To be honest, I can't comment."

Speaking of this, Fan Zhongyan let out a long sigh, "The waves behind the Yangtze River drive the waves ahead, and my children and grandchildren have grown up. Maybe my long-cherished wish can be realized in your hands. Let's go hand in hand, both of you!"

Although Fan Zhongyan invited Fan Ning to move to his mansion, Fan Ning declined politely in the end. He wants to take care of the Kistler Pavilion and hopes that he can be more free.

At this time, Fan Ning is no longer the bewildered and ignorant child when he first arrived in Song Dynasty three years ago, his wings have gradually become stronger.

Although Fan Zhongyan gave him great help, and even wanted to make him his successor, but that was just Fan Zhongyan's helpless move. He was hit by the conservatives, and the future of his children and grandchildren was blocked. In order to break through, he considered using Fan Ning This Raider.

But as Fan Zhongyan was gradually thawed, his son Fan Chunren was also admitted to the imperial examination, and the other two sons, Fan Chunli and Fan Chunli, were also extremely good.

Fan Ning could see that Fan Zhongyan had pinned his ideals and expectations on his second son.

Fan Ning also noticed the guilt in Fan Zhongyan's eyes from time to time when he looked at him, but this is human nature, and Fan Ning didn't mean to complain about Fan Zhongyan at all.

On the contrary, Fan Ning even has a sense of relief that he is no longer Fan Zhongyan's heir. He is very independent in his bones and has always been eager to start his own career.

On a deeper level, his political views are different from those of Fan Zhongyan. Fan Zhongyan is a reformer who always hopes to redistribute interests and make the balance of interests more inclined to the court and ordinary people. Of course, it will trigger a strong reaction from conservatives.

And Fan Ning is an innovator. He hopes that Song Dynasty can expand outward, continuously improve productivity, so that the country can obtain more wealth, and then distribute the new wealth to ordinary people without harming the interests of conservatives. Ultimately realize the goal of strengthening the country and enriching the people.

Without the political fetters of Fan Zhongyan's successor, Fan Ning can let go of his hands and feet, and use his foresight to strive for a sky of his own.

But no matter what, Fan Ning is still grateful to Fan Zhongyan from the bottom of his heart, without his guidance, he would not be able to get to where he is today.

(End of this chapter)