I studied in modern times

Chapter 1076 Take as much blame as you can

What happens in front of the Emperor is naturally being watched by countless eyes.

Therefore, even before Feng Jing returned, the senior officials and ministers basically already knew about it.

"The Emperor actually appointed Feng Dangshi to oversee that canal?" Lu Gongzhu just chuckled and ignored it.

Due to physical and mental limitations, he has decided to retire.

So, this isn't his problem.

It was Pu Zongmeng's.

It could also be Zhang Dun, who is returning to the capital next year.

What does this have to do with an old man who is about to retire?
Lu Gongzhu is only concerned with one thing now—arranging the marriage between his granddaughter and Wang Di before retiring from office.

Call Wang Anshi's grandson his grandson-in-law!

Just thinking about it is as refreshing as drinking lychee juice!
And it's a lychee drink with added powdered sugar!

So, Lü Gongzhu picked up the lychee drink in front of him and took another sip.

……

Pu Zongmeng frowned upon learning of this.

"Could it be that this old scoundrel Feng Dangshi has really teamed up with Cai Chizheng?" Pu Zongmeng looked at Cai Mao beside Feng Jing and also glanced at Cai Que opposite him. His heart was in turmoil.

Feng Jing was just an old man who was very old.

In Pu Zongmeng's eyes, there was no threat.

Because Feng Jing and his faction, like a lamp running out of oil, are already exhausted—a faction from the Renmiao era, no matter how glorious or powerful, is a thing of the past.

The core members and backbone of the faction have long since either died or retired.

Politically speaking, it is no longer sufficient to be considered an important faction.

At most, they can only maintain a certain level of influence in certain specific areas!

Moreover, Feng Jing has been excluded from the center of power for many years.

Especially in recent years, he has been completely detached from the new emperor's system.

Since the Yuan You era, almost none of the power and resources have fallen into his hands or those of his faction.

So much so that Feng Jing had to beg Wen Yanbo to return to the capital.

Therefore, for Pu Zongmeng, Feng Jing and others were of no concern to him.

His only concern was that Cai Que and Feng Jing had joined forces.

Then, this political enemy, by leveraging the power of the Feng faction, posed a threat to him and his Pu faction.

Even subversion!
The merger of the new party and the old party may seem unbelievable to others.

But for Cai Que, it was just basic stuff!

This Fujianese man, known in political circles for his two-faced nature, is a prime example of political maneuvering.

Feng Jing was not a staunch advocate within the old party.

Besides, they are related by marriage.

At the same time, Wen Yanbo's eldest grandson, Wen Kangshi, married Cai Que's niece!

Thinking this, Pu Zongmeng clenched his fists even tighter.

He absolutely did not want anyone to interfere and take away the position of Left Prime Minister that he was determined to obtain!
It should be noted that the Left Chancellor during the Yuan You era was not the same as the Left Chancellor during the Yuan Feng era; he was merely a puppet of the emperor.

During the Yuan You era, the Left Chancellors, Han Jiang and Lü Gongzhu, were powerful prime ministers who presided over the capital, coordinated the two ministries, and commanded the six ministries, effectively ruling the country!

Although, they were not as powerful as the prime ministers of the Han Dynasty or the Grand Secretaries of the Wei and Jin Dynasties.

They were also subject to the constraints of other ministers.

Especially during council meetings, if someone opposes a policy or law, a vote between the two governments is required.

When the controversy becomes too great, it is necessary to convene a meeting of six ministries and representatives from the "two systems" to discuss the matter.

We still need to consult the elders.

However, the Left Chancellor was the only person besides the Emperor and the Empress Dowager who had the authority to initiate a policy or decree on his own—although he still needed to obtain imperial approval afterward.

Then it has to go through the complete process of the three provinces – the Secretariat drafts, the Chancellery reviews, the Ministry of Personnel promulgates, and it is implemented.

However, others who wish to initiate policies or decrees must first request imperial permission and obtain it before they can convene a meeting in the capital in the name of the imperial decree.

In addition, the Left Prime Minister also has the power to adjust the division of labor among certain officials.

For example, Pu Zongmeng is currently serving as Right Chancellor and Vice Minister of the Chancellery, overseeing both internal and external affairs of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites.

The specific duties assigned to the Ministry of Revenue were granted by the emperor in his edict appointing him as prime minister.

The affairs of the Ministry of Rites were assigned to him by the Left Chancellor Lü Gongzhu in the capital.

This is the power of the Left Prime Minister!

The powers and responsibilities of other ministers were allocated and adjusted.

Although, it requires imperial approval to implement.

However, since the Yuan You era, the palace has never refused to adjust the Left Chancellor's authority within the capital!
It is precisely for this reason that the two prime ministers of the Yuanyou era—Han Jiang and Lü Gongzhu—were popularly known as: true prime ministers!

That's why Pu Zongmeng was so eager to become the Left Prime Minister!
For him, that position, even if he only sat in it for one day, would be good.

"It seems... I need to hurry up and write more articles on 'spendthrift'!" Pu Zongmeng thought to himself. "And I must also make a name for myself in the Ministry of Revenue and the Capital Commercial Tax Bureau!"

The trend of Feng Jing and Cai Que joining forces made him extremely nervous.

Meanwhile, news from Fujian indicated that after the minor mourning period, Zhang Dun resumed his normal social life, began corresponding with old friends, and also started sending memorials to the capital to curry favor with the emperor.

Every two weeks, the palace would send people south to Fujian with gifts.

This made Pu Zongmeng realize that the window of opportunity left for him was running out.

Zhang Dun will be released from mourning next May.

According to regulations, officials who have completed their mourning period can be reinstated to their original positions.

What was Zhang Dun's title before he began observing mourning?

Grand Master of the Imperial Household, Grand Academician of the Zichen Hall, Commissioner for the Pacification and Control of Guangxi, Commissioner for Agricultural Promotion within the Region, Commissioner for Observation and Disposal within the Region, Supervisor of all public affairs in and outside Jiaozhou, Pillar of the State, Imperial Gift of Purple Gold Fish Bag, Duke of Yuzhang Prefecture, with a fief of 8,800 households and a real fief of 3,100 households!

Looking at these titles and ranks, Pu Zongmeng felt a sense of powerlessness.

Whether it was the title of "Grand Secretary of the Zichen Hall," which had not been awarded to any civil official since the Qingli era, or Zhang Dun's powerful presence in Guangxi, where he held both civil and military positions, managing the army on horseback and governing the people on foot.

All of this is sufficient to demonstrate that Zhang Zihou was favored by the emperor and was indeed a trusted confidant of the emperor.

Such a person, once he returns to court...

Unless he courts disaster himself, no one can stop him from becoming prime minister.

Will Zhang Dun court disaster?

Not too possible!

Thinking this, Pu Zongmeng swallowed hard: "That's probably not enough!"

"I must win more of the Emperor's favor!"

"We must suppress the alliance between Cai Chizheng and Feng Dangshi!"

As for sabotaging the canal project?

Pu Zongmeng dared not. The current emperor tolerates the petty actions of his officials in many matters.

Only when it comes to things he cares about and wants to do, anyone who tries to sabotage him will be demoted!
……

Unlike Pu Zongmeng's nervousness.

Cai Que appeared confident and composed.

Since returning to the capital, he has been actively involved in politics and has maintained a good relationship with the palace.

Most importantly, the Emperor appointed him to oversee the Maritime Trade Office, making him the Director-General of the Maritime Trade Office.

Whether it was Chen Mu in Mingzhou, Jiang Zhiqi in Guangzhou, Chen Cheng in Quanzhou, or Cai Jing who was preparing to open the port of Lianzhou.

All matters concerning the Maritime Trade Office must be reported to him.

At the same time, the emperor also appointed him as a former prime minister, to work with Su Shi in charge of the Ministry of Works and the Bureau of Military Equipment Manufacturing.

Both openly and subtly, they were implying to him—Sir, investigating things and acquiring knowledge is the great way!
This is what supported him, Shen Kuo, and Su Song in upholding the facade of "investigating things to acquire knowledge".

However, this matter made him hesitate.

In truth, Cai Que still couldn't see the future of the "investigation of things to acquire knowledge" approach advocated by Shen Kuo, Su Song, and others.

A group of skilled officials and craftsmen spent their days tinkering with ingenious devices.

Public opinion is dismissive and often criticizes – is this what you call morality?

Zhuangzi said it long ago: "Where there are machines, there will be scheming things; where there are scheming things, there will be scheming minds!"
For the scholar-officials of the Song Dynasty, scheming was unacceptable.

It's not just because their scheming is impure and not in the way of a gentleman.

Furthermore, mechanical and ingenious matters are matters of physical labor.

As the saying goes: Those who labor with their minds govern others; those who labor with their bodies are governed by others!

If scholars and officials engage in mechanical or mechanical work, it is tantamount to degrading themselves and admitting that they have already taken on the role of 'laborers'.

We will be subject to others!

Moreover, mechanical and other crafts are very dirty and tedious.

Let him go and publicize and promote what Shen Kuo and Su Song were doing.

They even regarded it as the right path.

Cai Que himself did not really approve of or want to accept it.

This was quite normal in the Song Dynasty.

The high-ranking officials would find it extremely difficult to accept that they would have to bend down and do things like petty officials, craftsmen, and common people.

For example, Cai Que was in Fujian, where he presided over the preparatory work for the Maritime Trade Office.

His main job was to take Fujian's celebrities and gentry on sightseeing trips and to compose poems.

In the process, the court's policies were explained to these people, and they were encouraged to go overseas to do business.

Then it was time to write letters to the governor and officials.

We need policies, resources, and preferential treatment.

He ignored everything else and left it all to officials such as Chen Cheng and Lü Xiji. He set KPIs for them, rewarding those who completed them on time and reporting to the court to punish those who failed to do so.
That's how things are done for him.

He had gotten used to it.

Therefore, he pretended not to understand the various hints from the officials.

Anyway, the officials didn't force him to do it.

No?
Otherwise, why would the Emperor summon his son Cai Mao to the Emperor's presence today and have Cai Mao relay a message to Feng Jing?
Therefore, why entrust such a major project as the canal to Feng Jing for leadership?
……

Watching Feng Jing's retreating figure, Zhao Xu leaned back on the cushion, his eyes secretly scanning the assembled ministers.

Finally, Zhao Xu's gaze settled on Cai Que, who appeared calm and collected, as if he had everything under control.

"Master Cai, Master Cai..."

"I've been offering you a way out for so long, but you just won't take the bait..."

"I have no other choice!"

"I have no choice but to let my husband face reality!"

Choosing Feng Jing, a veteran, to lead and plan the Huitong River project was a decision Zhao Xu made after much deliberation.

The reason for choosing Feng Jing is that Lao Deng and the people behind him have extensive experience in local work.

They are very experienced in coordinating, managing, and allocating local resources.

At the same time, because they are all elderly, their table manners are relatively more civilized, and they are more mindful of their appearance.

Moreover, these elderly men all had sons, nephews, or students who were officials in the imperial court.

Even if they don't care about their own reputation, they should at least consider their descendants and students.

In addition, their status as members of the old party was also a reason why Zhao Xu valued them—nowadays, both the Water Conservancy Bureau and the Ministry of Works are dominated by the new party.

Since the Yuan You era, the Ministry of Works, the Directorate of Water Conservancy, and the Ministry of Justice have been the private domain of the New Party.

Placing a group of old party members above these people to supervise and urge them on can effectively prevent those below from forming cliques and engaging in favoritism.

This is a skill that the Zhao officials were born with—to control the power of the powerful and to confuse dissenting opinions.

Besides these reasons, the biggest reason Zhao Xu chose Feng Jing was because Zhao Xu knew that Feng Jing and the people behind him would not be content to play a supporting role.

If this is the case...

Why did Feng Jing go to such lengths to return to the capital?
If this is the case...

In Zhao Xu's previous life, why did Feng Jing allow Cai Mao to use his funeral to plead for Cai Que and overturn the verdict on Yuanfeng's politics?
It should be noted that Cai Mao publicly defended his father and exonerated Yuanfeng's political case at the funeral, presenting a great deal of evidence.

This evidence was clearly not something Tsai Mao could obtain.

It could only have been Feng Jing who secretly collected it.

and so……

At seventy-three years old, Feng Jing was capable of betraying the old party.

So, given that Feng Jing is only 67 years old this year and still in his prime, would he be willing to be Cai Que's wife if possible?
Ha ha!

Feng Jing's father-in-law, Fu Bi, was so concerned with protecting his own reputation that he even dared to publicly denounce his own father-in-law, Yan Shu, in the palace: "Yan Shu is treacherous and evil, and he is in cahoots with Lü Yijian to deceive Your Majesty!"

Feng Jing was personally chosen by Fu Bi as his son-in-law and successor in the political lineage.

Who could be so easily manipulated?
Ha ha!

"Lord Cai, you'd better just obediently step into my trap!"

In any case, Cai Que had to be a proponent of the "investigation of things to acquire knowledge" doctrine.

Because if Cai Que doesn't act as the advocate, then Zhang Dun will have to take on the role in the future.

However, Zhao Xu was unwilling to force Zhang Dun to do things he didn't like.

There was no other way but to make Cai Que suffer.

In any case, during the Yuanfeng era, Cai Que had already become accustomed to being ordered by Zhao Xu's father, the emperor, to do many things he was unwilling to do.

I've gotten used to being the scapegoat!
They can take the blame too! Since they can take the blame, they should take as much as possible!

(End of this chapter)