I studied in modern times

Chapter 682 Personnel
In the first year of Yuanyou, on November 23, it was Minor Cold.

Zhao Xu finally got the list of officials reported by Wang Zishao who were around 40 years old, had served in the counties and towns of Kaifeng Prefecture or were considered by the Ministry of Personnel to be capable of handling official affairs in the counties and towns of Kaifeng Prefecture.

Almost twenty days have passed since Zhao Xu asked Feng Jing to notify Wang Zishao and set a deadline of three days to handle it!
Of course, Wang Zishao had asked for more time.

Zhao Xu also agreed.

However, after being dragged on for so long, Zhao Xu still had some dissatisfaction.

"Ministry of Personnel, why did it take so long?" Zhao Xu questioned lightly.

Wang Zishao swallowed his saliva. As a child prodigy (Wang Zishao passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi before he came of age), he had been wasting his time in official career due to various setbacks.

Wang Zishao cherished the emperor's favor more than anyone else, and immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have to delay this because of the large number of files and the confusion of officials!"

"But I have delayed your majesty's important affairs, and it is true. I beg your majesty to punish me!"

As he said this, he bowed his head in the hall, prostrated himself on the ground, and looked like he was ready to be dealt with.

Zhao Xu smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Since it is because of the numerous files and the messy characters, I will not punish you."

"But..." He looked at the scarlet-robed official in the hall: "Don't let it happen again!"

"I understand!" Wang Zishao bowed again.

"Yes!" Zhao Xu nodded: "In two days, I will send someone to the Ministry of Personnel to help you establish a file management system!"

Nowadays, all the documents in the East Pavilion of Funing Palace are filed by year, month and day according to Zhao Xu's wishes, and indexes are created and posted on the document rack.

In this way, when you need to search, you only need to find the corresponding year, month, day or keywords to find the relevant documents, which more than doubles your efficiency.

Today, this system extends from the Funing Palace to the Chongwenyuan, and radiates through the Chongwenyuan to the Tongjiansi, the Academy of Bachelors, the Neishi Province, and the Imperial City Department.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Zishao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Stand up and talk!" Zhao Xu ordered, "Feng Jing, give Wang Aiqing a seat and some tea."

"promise!"

Only then did Wang Zishao dare to stand up. He tremblingly put half of his buttocks on the chair and took a sip of the imperial tea in the palace.

Zhao Xu picked up the list submitted by Wang Zishao and began to look at it.

The first name that caught Zhao Xu's eye made him a little unhappy.

"Right Secretary Zeng Zhao?" Zhao Xu curled his lips and said, "Zeng Zixuan's younger brother..."

He muttered something.

However, he could also understand why Wang Zishao put Zeng Zhao first on the list.

Because Zeng Zhao was not only Zeng Bu's younger brother, but also Zeng Gong's younger brother.

Zeng Gong was the former Prince's Pavilion Notes and the minister in the palace before Zhao Xu ascended the throne.

Moreover, he was almost the only one - Deng Runfu was just a figurehead but had never done anything for Zhao Xu. Zeng Gong was different. He almost took care of all the thank-you letters, resignation letters and congratulatory letters when Zhao Xu was in the palace.

Therefore, in the eyes of public opinion, the words "new monarch's followers" were engraved on the foreheads of the Zeng family in Nanfeng.

So, Zhao Xu began to find fault with everything: "I heard that some time ago, the censor Wang Yansou impeached the Right Secretary..."

"Why is this?"

When Wang Zishao heard this, he stood up and said, "Your Majesty, this is a slander by a villain, framing the ministers, it is not worth talking about!"

"Oh?"

"Wang Yanlin (Wang Yansou's courtesy name) has always been a treacherous person. He makes groundless speculations about ministers and frames scholars and officials..." Wang Zishao hated Wang Yansou to the core - when he was dismissed from the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, it was Wang Yansou who took the lead in criticizing him. It was the fault of the wise government, and he was afraid that he would be demoted again!
Therefore, when mentioning Wang Yansou, he gritted his teeth and said, "Just like this, Wang Yanlin is the right secretary and Zeng Bu's younger brother, so he doubted the fairness of the right secretary's examination and suspected private transfer!"

"What he criticized was not Zeng Yangzhou, but the system of the state library!"

"I hope Your Majesty will understand!"

Under the system of the Song Dynasty, other than granting official positions by direct imperial decree from the emperor,

All other ministerial positions required examinations to confirm the candidate's literary talent before they could be granted.

The imperial examination is very strict!
The difficulty is far beyond the imperial examination!

This is understandable. After all, the position of a librarian is a high-level literary selection and a preparation for becoming an official or a prime minister.

When Zeng Zhao took part in the imperial examination that year, 'coincidentally' his brother Zeng Bu was in the Academy of Bachelors.

It’s hard to explain this.

Wang Yansou made a big fuss about it, pointing out that this was the same as the Zhang Xu-Lin Xi fraud case.

Demand a thorough investigation!

In just three days, the brothers Zeng Bu and Zeng Zhao were impeached ten times in a row!
It can be said to be full of firepower!
Unfortunately, Wang Yansou’s impeachment was destined to hit the air.

Because the attitude of Qingshou Palace towards this is very firm.

All impeachment will be kept here!
If Wang Yansou didn't know what was good for him, he might be banished from the capital.

Because he stepped on the tail of Qingshou Palace!

In the eyes of the Empress Dowager, Zeng Bu was a core member of her team before she took power behind the scenes.

A great loyal minister!
Because he loves Zeng Zhao so much, he also cares for him and is planning to use him in a high position!
Wang Yansou jumped up at this moment. How could this be a slap in Zeng Bu's face? It was clearly a slap in her face!
Therefore, Zhao Xu did not dwell on it and just said, "It is the job of the censor to impeach ministers and report on rumors."

"As a minister, you should get used to it."

After successively demoting Liu Zhi and Wang Di, two radical members of the old party, Zhao Xu saved Wang Yansou, as a relatively rational and pragmatic person among the radicals.

This is an instinct.

It’s Zhao Guanjia’s instinct.

It is necessary to leave an opposition to contain the others.

At the same time, it was also because Zhao Xu was very familiar with Wang Yansou.

Knowing this person, he is not a bad person by nature. He is unlike Liu Zhi and Wang Di, who are people who engage in factional struggles purely for the sake of factional struggles.

Although Wang Yansou's ideology belongs to the old party, he will speak objectively on major issues concerning national interests.

For example, in his previous life, Sima Guang wanted to cede land in exchange for peace.

Wang Yansou was one of the few people in the old party group who argued with Sima Guang and made powerful statements, ultimately preventing the cession of Lanzhou to Western Xia.

Therefore, Wang Yansou was able to continue working in the Censorate.

Became the only radical remaining in office.

Wang Zishao bowed his head and said yes. Seeing this, Zhao Xu said softly, "Right Secretary, the Grand Mother has already intended to employ you, so I will not take away your kindness."

The Empress Dowager had already decided to appoint Zeng Zhao as the Secretary of the Central Secretariat.

This was one of the reactions of the Empress Dowager after she suffered a setback in the court promotion a few days ago.

Place someone from her own family in the Secretariat so that someone can speak for her.

Zeng Zhao, as Zeng Bu's younger brother, was chosen.

Moreover, the appointment will be issued very quickly. The Academy of Scholars has already written the title, and the Imperial Censor Hu Zongyu has reviewed it, so it is just waiting to be promulgated and implemented.

Continue to look at the list reported by Wang Zishao.

Zhilongtu Pavilion Gu Lin?

No impression! Most likely poor ability! PASS!

Ma Mo, the Minister of Agriculture? His achievements are not outstanding! PASS! Until Zhao Xu saw a name.

"Director of Jixian Academy, Governor of Hezhong Prefecture, Fan Yu?!" Zhao Xu rubbed his hands, then looked at Wang Zishao in the hall and asked, "Lord Wang, why did you put Hezhong Prefecture last?"

"But what are his flaws? Or problems?"

Wang Zishao immediately broke out in a cold sweat and bowed quickly, saying, "Your Majesty, it is because Fan Zhiyuan is still young, and I have no other intentions..."

Zhao Xu glanced at him, not caring whether Wang Zishao and Fan Yu had any conflicts, and said directly: "Since you have sent a letter to Hezhong Prefecture, ordering Mr. Fan to come to the capital to report on his work, I want to personally assess him!"

Wang Zishao breathed a sigh of relief, but he knew he needed to defend himself and not leave an impression of being jealous of talented people in front of the emperor.

Otherwise, he might not be able to hold the position of the Minister of Personnel for long, so he bowed and said, "Your Majesty..."

"Fan Zhiyuan, besides being young, there is one more thing I hope Your Majesty will know..."

"Oh?" Zhao Xu raised his eyebrows and looked at Wang Zishao, waiting for his explanation.

Wang Zishao bowed weakly and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that there is a trend of disrespect in the family of Fan Zhiyuan..."

"If Your Majesty promotes me, I am afraid that it will damage your virtue... Therefore, I will put me at the end of the list..."

"Because he is good at governing, I cannot bear to see Your Majesty lose such a talented person, so I put him on the list..."

"Oh!" Zhao Xu nodded, and immediately looked at Wang Zishao with some gossip: "Fan Hezhong's boudoir is not disciplined? What's going on?!"

Fan Yu was an able official and a famous minister.

Zhao Xu knew this in his previous life.

During the Yuanyou era, after Li Xian, all affairs of Xihe were reorganized, the chaotic military and civil affairs of Xihe were reorganized, and a new defense system was built. Shaosheng Empress Zhao Xu took power and could use troops in the northwest, and Fan Yu made great contributions!
Fan Yu and You Shixiong are therefore collectively known as the Two Sages of Hengqu.

Unfortunately, Fan Yu died before Zhao Xu took power, so Zhao Xu was unable to employ him, which was quite regrettable.

That is why Zhao Xu really did not know anything about Fan Yu’s private affairs.

All we know is that before he went to Xihe, he seemed to have been involved in a scandal and was once in a state of disgrace, so he asked to leave.

Now, after hearing Wang Zishao's evaluation of her "disrespectful boudoir", Zhao Xu became interested.

Wang Zishao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Fan Zhiyuan seems to be too fond of his beloved concubine Yang. Yang took advantage of him and repeatedly disrespected his wife... His wife also repeatedly quarreled with him because of this..."

Zhao Xu listened and pursed his lips: "Is that so..."

Cultivating oneself, governing the country, regulating the family and pacifying the world are the requirements for scholars and officials in the university.

Moreover, these requirements are integrated.

A scholar-official must cultivate himself first and then take care of his family, and then he can govern the country.

As the saying goes: If you can't even clean your own house, how can you clean up the world?
For contemporary scholars and officials, if a man cannot even take care of his own wives and concubines.

Then, this person's character and ability will be doubted and questioned.

Similar things happened frequently in the history of the Song Dynasty.

The most typical and worst case is the case of Chen Shiru allowing his wife to kill his mother.

It was precisely because of this lesson that the Song Dynasty became increasingly strict with its requirements for the family traditions of the literati.

All ministers above the rank of Taizhi need to go through an examination and everyone passes.

If there is a family that favors a concubine over the wife, or allows the wife to bully the mother, or other situations that may involve disorderly conduct in the boudoir, their career advancement will be directly interrupted, and they may even never be promoted!

For example, Chen Yi, a Hanlin scholar in the early years of Xining, was once very popular and was considered a candidate for the future prime minister.

However, an unexpected event soon interrupted his official career and made it impossible for him to be appointed as a prime minister. In the fifth year of Xining, a maid in his family committed adultery with two soldiers. The affair was discovered by Chen Yi's son and daughter-in-law, who killed them in desperation to silence them.

After the incident, the whole court was shocked.

Chen Yi was impeached and quickly dismissed from his position as Hanlin scholar and sent to be the governor of a local area.

As a result, he gave up on himself and eventually died in Guangzhou.

However, after studying abroad in modern times, Zhao Xu did not take this too seriously!
He smiled and said jokingly, "Is this true?"

"It seems that this Hezhong prefect has the same hobby as Lord Xia Zheng back then!"

Duke Zheng of Xia was Xia Song.

In his early years, Xia Song was also a man who doted on his concubines.

For the sake of his concubine, he went to court with his wife Yang, which caused a sensation in the court and the country, and even the Zhen Temple came out to interfere in other people's family affairs.

In the end, Xia Song and his wife Yang divorced.

Although this happened during the Tianxi period, it is still a famous gossip in the Song Dynasty.

After all, not every divorce can end up in court, or even have the mother-in-law come out and scold the son-in-law.

How could Wang Zishao dare to respond to this?

Zhao Xu smiled and stopped gossiping. He said, "Lord Wang, please let the Hezhong Prefecture know that the wives and concubines in the inner chambers should be disciplined!"

"Don't let anyone cause trouble in the capital!"

"promise!"

"In addition..." Zhao Xu took the list and circled two more names: "Zhang Shangying, the official of the Hebei Road..."

"And the Minister of Justice, the Scholar of Longtu Pavilion, and the Governor of Tanzhou, Xie Jingwen, have also been summoned back to the capital to report on their duties!"

These two people, the former was Zhang Dun's confidant promoted by him, and he was also one of Zhang Dun's loyal followers during the Shaosheng era.

The latter was Zhang Dun's ally.

Whether it was the opening of Huguang that year or the southern expedition to Jiaozhi this year, Xie Jingwen was Zhang Dun's best assistant.

Recalling these two people back to the capital is undoubtedly to make some preparations for the Zhang Dun era.

……

The next day, the second court recommendation was held in the Purple Palace.

Finally, under the leadership of Han Jiang, two new ruling parties were born.

Su Song and Fu Yaoyu defeated Lu Dafang and Fan Chunren and successfully advanced.

Although the Empress Dowager was not very satisfied, she still approved it (mainly because Lu Gongzhu did the work).

That evening, the two palaces surrounded Zhao Xu and came to the inner east gate, summoned the Hanlin scholar Xing Shu, and ordered him to compose a poem.

The Academy was locked that night.

The next day, Yimao (25), yellow jute descended and a great worship was performed!

Su Song was demoted to various official duties in Kaifeng Prefecture, counties and towns, and was promoted to Tongyi Dafu. He was appointed Shangshu Youcheng, and was granted the title of Kaiguo County Duke of Nanyang County. He was given an additional fief of 1,000 households and an additional fief of 200 households. He was still in charge of the Yuanyou Hunyun Bureau.

Fu Yaoyu was demoted from the position of Chief Censor, and was promoted from the position of Grand Master of the Imperial Court to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He was granted the title of Duke of Kaiguo County of Nanping County, and was given an additional fief of 1,000 households, with an actual fief of 200 households.

At the same time, Zeng Zhao, the right secretary, was appointed as the secretary of the Secretariat, and Kong Wenzhong, the deputy secretary of the Ministry of Rites, was appointed as the attendant of the emperor.

On this day, the left prime minister, Han Jiang, formally submitted a petition requesting retirement due to old age and illness.

Zhao Xu refused immediately and ordered the Academy of Scholars to issue an imperial edict to comfort and encourage him.

But the process of resigning had already begun, and Han Jiang must have resigned as prime minister before the second year of Yuanyou.

Once Han Jiang resigned and Lu Gongzhu replaced him as the left prime minister, who would take over the position of right prime minister became the focus of the court and the country!
(End of this chapter)