I studied in modern times

Chapter 692: The Zhao family's way of employing people

The ministers in the hall naturally didn't know what Zhao Xu was doing, but the two palaces behind the curtain noticed it.

So, after Guo Zhongxiao left, Empress Dowager Xiang asked from behind the curtain: "Sixth brother, what happened?"

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "Mother, it's nothing serious. It's just that the governor of Mingzhou reported that a group of fierce bandits appeared in the area and killed passing merchants."

"I have ordered Chen Mu to send troops to pursue the enemy. It should be fine!"

"Oh!" Empress Dowager Xiang listened and didn't take the matter to heart.

There is no way. There is not much else in the Song Dynasty society, but there are countless heroes!
Not long ago, didn't a local tyrant appear in Guangnan East Road, using sorcery to incite the villagers to rebellion, and even escalated the situation to the point of besieging the provincial capital?
Empress Dowager Xiang has become accustomed to and numb to these things.

……

After the banquet, all the ministers bid farewell.

The envoys from various countries also took their leave in turn.

The royal family, relatives and ministers surrounded Zhao Xu and the two palaces and returned to the Qingshou Palace in the inner palace. This was to celebrate Zhao Xu's birthday behind closed doors.

After returning to the Qingshou Palace, the first people to come to Zhao Xu to congratulate him were his two uncles, Prince of Yang Zhao Hao and Prince of Jing Zhao Ju.

Speaking of which, Zhao Xu hadn't seen Prince Yang Zhao Hao for a long time.
The last time Zhao Xu saw him was on Empress Dowager Xiang's birthday. Now, more than a month has passed.

Zhao Hao was still the same as before, looking listless and lifeless.

On the other hand, King Zhao Ju of Jing looked very energetic and radiant.

This is normal!

Since Zhao Xu ascended the throne, Zhao Hao has been under house arrest in Qinxian's house.

Both palaces sent people to monitor him day and night, for fear that he would make big news.

Zhao Xu was also worried, so he specially granted Li Xian a house in Xianyifang and asked Li Xian to help look after it.

At the same time, Zhao Xu was also worried that the emperor's uncle's life was not exciting enough.

Every time the king was given more favor, the model of filial piety in the Song Dynasty, his cousin, Zhao Xiaoqian, the crown prince of Zhao Hao, would be given more favor.

In this way, Zhao Xiaoqian, who was only the governor of Duanzhou in the eighth year of Yuanfeng, was promoted continuously within two years and has now been promoted to the Defense Commissioner of Weizhou.

As a filial son, Zhao Xiaoqian naturally followed the code of filial piety. He would visit his biological mother Feng in Changning Palace every seven days, and often visited his maternal home, the residence of Prime Minister Feng Zheng.

With such a filial son, Zhao Hao's life can only be described as colorful.

Zhao Ruo was different.

Zhao Xu has always been close to his fourth uncle.

Knowing that Prince Jing liked calligraphy, he opened all the authentic works of famous calligraphers collected in Chongwenyuan to Zhao Ru, allowing him to copy and engrave them.

He also bestowed upon him stone rubbings of the Preface to the Lanting Poems, including the Dingwu version.

At the same time, because Zhao Ruo was fond of medicine, all the imperial doctors of the Imperial Medical Academy were allowed to go to Qinxian's house to socialize with the King of Jing.

Zhao Xu also favored Zhao Ruo's sons and gave them many promotions.

His eldest son, Zhao Xiaoyi, was promoted from the Governor of Qinzhou to the Defense Commissioner of Hezhou within two years, an official rank equivalent to that of Zhao Xiaoqian.

The other sons also benefited equally, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that they moved three times in a year.

Whether there was something important or not, Zhao Xu would give gold, silver and other valuables to his cousins.

Naturally, Zhao Ruo's life was completely free of any pressure, and he could pursue everything he wanted comfortably.

As a result, he gave Zhao Xu another cousin and two cousins ​​this year.

What a winner in life!
"Uncle, please take care of yourself!" Zhao Xu couldn't help but say as he looked at the listless Zhao Hao.

What if I die too early and don’t enjoy the blessings in the future?

Zhao Xu was looking forward to the performance of his dear aunt when she came out of Changning Palace in the future.

Zhao Hao bowed listlessly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"

"I just couldn't sleep well last night..."

Zhao Xu looked at him and immediately turned his face to Zhao Xiaoqian who was standing beside him: "Brother (Zhao Xiaoqian is the eldest of Zhao Xu's family), what's going on? Why didn't Second Uncle sleep well last night?"

"Brother is my second uncle's eldest son, so you must be filial and serve him well! Do you understand?"

Zhao Xiaoqian knelt down perfunctorily and said, "Yes!"

He wished that his biological father, Zhao Hao, would die suddenly!
In this way, he could bring his biological mother back from Changning Palace and serve her well, and at the same time drive away all the evil creatures in the family.

Zhao Xu looked at him and shook his head in his heart, but he couldn't say much, so he could only remind him: "Second Uncle, take care of yourself."

"I will issue an edict to the Imperial Medical Bureau, ordering them to send someone to check Second Uncle's pulse every five days!"

For Zhao Xu, what he most hoped to see was that Zhao Hao could live a long life.

It would be best if he could see with his own eyes how the princess who is now in Changning Palace puts a hat on him, and it would also be best if he could enjoy the "meticulous" care and filial piety of Zhao Xiaoqian, this filial son!
In his previous life, Zhao Hao died at the age of 47.

that's too regretful!

There are still many tricks that have not been tried yet!

The Empress Dowager stood by, watching the intimate interactions between Zhao Xu and her two sons, especially the interaction between him and Zhao Hao, and nodded with satisfaction.

She could see that this grandson was truly friendly to his two uncles!
Especially Prince Yang Zhao Hao, his care was so meticulous!

This is enough!

……

After the two imperial uncles, it was the elders of the royal family, including the Pu Wang family's Zhao Zonghui, the successor to the Pu Wang, Zhao Zongsheng, the Grand Chief of the Imperial Clan, and Zhao Zongjing, the Co-Director of the Grand Chief of the Imperial Clan, who came to pay their congratulations.

By the time of Zhao Xu, the Zhao family had grown to more than ten thousand people.

However, after Wang Anshi's reforms, the actual population of the royal family was controlled at around two to three thousand.

Other branches of the royal family were allowed to find their own way out.

There are people doing business, farming, studying, and holding official positions.

At the same time, the treatment of royal family members was cut in half.

In general, there is a burden, but it is not large. The annual financial expenditure on the treatment of royal family members is no more than a few million strings of cash.

The bulk of it was given to core members such as Prince Yang, Prince Jing and the successor Prince Pu.

Ordinary members of the royal family could only receive salaries, and their lives were not easy.

Therefore, these royal family members could only rely on marrying off their daughters and earning some dowries to subsidize their lives.

It is no wonder that the royal family of the Song Dynasty became increasingly restless.

It even led to the incident of Zhao Shiju's treason.

As the head of the Zhao family, Zhao Xu is quite worried about this.

We still have to find a way out for the royal family, especially those of the middle and lower levels!
Let them have the ability to be self-reliant.

That is, the time is not yet ripe and we have to wait.

……

After the royal family, it is the turn of the relatives by marriage.

The foreign relatives were headed by Cao Yi, Prince of Xingyang.

Cao Yi had aged a bit, and looked shaky and needed help even to walk.

But he still insisted on bringing his relatives to pay homage to Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu immediately stood up, saying he dared not accept it, and then helped the old uncle up: "Uncle, I've already said that there's no need to be polite in private..."

Zhao Xu still values ​​the Cao family very much.

So, it gives a lot of benefits.

Not only did he give the green light to many businesses in and outside Bianliang, but he also opened up many technologies to the workshops under the name of the Cao family.

Even for the pawnshop that was still integrating the pawnshops, Zhao Xu privately instructed Jia Zhongmin to reserve a spot for the Cao family.

The Cao family naturally reciprocated the favor and fought for Zhao Xu in many matters.

Cao Yi, in particular, fully utilized the advantage of the Cao family's in-laws who had been deeply rooted in the Song Dynasty court for decades.

In many things, I have acted as a cheerleader.

Han Jiang's reforms could not be implemented without the cooperation and support of his external relatives such as the Cao family, Gao family, Xiang family, Liu family, and Yang family.

This was also the norm in feudal society.

Unless the original interest system can be broken and new interest groups can be reshaped.

Otherwise, the support and cooperation of the old interest groups must be obtained.

Otherwise, these people may not have the ability to accomplish things, but they definitely have the ability to do bad things, and their ability is very great!
More than half of the reason why Wang Anshi's reform failed was that the royal family and relatives in Bianliang City had always been singing against the new laws and the new party.

These people were behind Wang Anshi's two dismissals from his position as prime minister.

So, Zhao Xu knew it the moment he woke up in Qingning Palace.

If he wanted to get anything done, he had to feed these people first.

Just like the disaster relief theory of Heshen and others in the TV series he watched in modern times - only by feeding the officials first can disaster relief be achieved.

If the officials are not well fed, the victims will certainly have nothing to eat!
Although this principle is twisted, it is the truth!

How many things have been ruined by these people?

Not to mention anything else, some time ago, when Zhao Xu rushed to buy Lingjinyuan, if the Cao family, Gao family, Xiang family, Liu family, and Yang family had not helped him suppress the dissatisfaction of other relatives and clan families, they would have forced those people to give up huge profits.

How could Zhao Xu complete the privatization of Lingjinyuan so easily and simply?
Believe it or not, from the very beginning, he will encounter strong opposition from various departments and markets in Beijing!
These people can make full use of their centuries-old experience in controlling the various government offices to bring them to a standstill.

Cao Yi looked at the young official who was supporting him, and said with great fear and trepidation: "The official is the king, and I am the minister..."

"No matter what, the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects cannot be abolished!"

As he spoke, he began to sigh: "Your Majesty is a wise and benevolent ruler, but I am an old minister and I am old, and I don't have many years left..."

"It would be great if I could be ten years younger!" When Zhao Xu heard this, he understood that the old uncle was conveying a message to him!
Zhao Xu immediately asked, "Why did you say that, uncle?"

"In my opinion, my uncle is still strong and will live to be a hundred years old!"

"Alas..." Cao Yi sighed, "I know the condition of this old minister..."

"I'm afraid he won't live for many years!"

"But my sons are naughty and my descendants are unfilial... I'm afraid... Alas..."

Zhao Xu listened and of course knew what Cao Yi was saying to him.
It's just that I want a commitment.

A promise that after his death, the Cao family would remain rich and prosperous.

So Zhao Xu said, "Uncle, you are too kind!"

"In my opinion, all of my uncle's sons are filial sons, and all of my uncle's grandchildren are also quite wise."

"Especially my study partner Cao Ye, who will become a pillar of the country in my opinion!"

This is a hint to Cao Yi - don't worry, after you, I will not treat the Cao family unfairly, and I will not do such a thing as crossing the river and destroying the bridge, leaving people in a cold state.

At the very least, I will guarantee Cao Ye's status and give him the opportunity to inherit your position in the court in the future.

Cao Yi naturally understood.

He immediately laughed and said, "Alas... my old ministers are naughty and naughty, how can they be as good as the emperor says..."

"Cao Ye... can be considered lucky, after all!"

"Uncle, you are too kind!"

……

After chatting with Cao Yi for a while, Zhao Xu pretended to be tired, said goodbye to the two palaces, and then, surrounded by his left and right, he went to the inner bedroom of the Qingshou Palace.

Then, Zhao Xu ordered someone to summon Gao Zunlu to the inner chamber.

Gao Zunlu was still a little confused when he was notified.

Because he never expected that he would be summoned by the government.

In a panic, he could only hurriedly tidy up his clothes and followed the eunuch who came to summon him, entered the inner bedroom, and arrived at the East Pavilion of the Qingshou Palace.

Then, he saw a small figure sitting in the curtain, looking at him quietly.

Gao Zunlu knelt down immediately, bowed four times, and then said, "Your Majesty, I am Zunlu, the military commander of Hangzhou, and I respectfully wish Your Majesty the best of health!"

"Long live my life!" Zhao Xu looked at Gao Zunlu through the curtain.

"Do you know why I summoned you, my dear?" Zhao Xu asked.

Gao Zunlu lay on the ground, trembling, and said with a stiff face: "I am terrified, and I hope Your Majesty will give me instructions."

Zhao Xu said softly, "I received an urgent report from Chen Mu, the governor of Mingzhou today."

"Chen Muyan, it seems that someone who claims to be the 'Champa Kingdom's envoy' landed in Mingzhou in early November and wanted to come to the court to pay homage..."

"However, when they reached the border of Yuezhou and Hangzhou, they encountered a fire in the post house, and dozens of people were buried in the sea of ​​fire..."

"You are the military commander of Hangzhou. Have you heard of this?"

Gao Zunlu suddenly began to tremble.

In his heart, he cursed Chen Mu of Mingzhou: "Uncle Chen He... you are meddling in other people's business!"

"I will teach you a lesson in the future!"

But now that things had come to this, he no longer had the courage to keep it a secret, and immediately bowed his head and said, "I am guilty of death! I am guilty of death!"

"Your Majesty, please convict me!"

He admitted that he was the mastermind behind this matter.

But he would not betray Gao Zunfu.

Because Gao Zunfu gave him so much.

At the same time, it was also because he knew that even if this matter was reported to the court, the worst that could happen to him would be dismissal from office or relocation.

However, as long as Gao Zunfu and the Empress Dowager were still alive, he would be able to be reinstated sooner or later.

What's more, there is none now!

"Gao Zunfu asked you to take action?" At this moment, Zhao Xu suddenly broke the window paper.

Gao Zunlu suddenly came to his senses, and felt a chill on his neck. He kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I just want you to stop and delay the Champa envoy..."

"Before I returned to the capital, I gave orders to my men to stop the delegation and prevent them from entering the capital..."

"I didn't expect...I didn't expect..."

"How dare they do that!"

As he spoke, he bowed his head and said, "I will never hide anything about this matter!"

"Your Majesty, please look into this matter!"

Zhao Xu listened and nodded, "I believe you, my dear!"

Setting fire to the entire delegation and blocking the delegation from entering Bianliang are two different concepts.

Once the former is exposed, it will be a major case!

Even Gao Zunfu would probably be in big trouble. He would be dismissed from office or put under house arrest.

Even if the latter is eventually exposed, they can use countless excuses and reasons to shirk responsibility.

I think it must be the soldiers of the Xuan Yi Army who were tempted by the money and decided to go all out and do it alone.

So Zhao Xu asked, "Who did you appoint, my dear minister?"

Gao Zunlu had no intention of hiding anything and directly said, "Your Majesty, I have chosen Ma Congyun, the commander of the Xuanyi Army."

"How is this person?"

"A treacherous villain!" Gao Zunlu gritted his teeth.

Zhao Xu chuckled.

A treacherous villain?

I’m afraid there’s more than that!

Normally, this person should be very obedient in front of Gao Zunlu.

At the same time, he is brave and willing to do dirty and hard work.

Otherwise, why would Gao Zunlu give the task to him?
But, this guy is too brave!

What Zhao Xu needs is someone who is brave.

So he said: "When you return to Hangzhou, send this man and all the soldiers of the Xuanyi Army who participated in this incident to exile in Guangxi and hand them over to Lu Jiawen, the pacification envoy of Youjiang, for appointment."

It would be a waste to keep such a hero in Hangzhou!
They should go to Jiaozhou, that wild land, and display their intelligence and courage.

"Yes!" Gao Zunlu was overjoyed. He didn't expect that this matter could be solved so easily!
"I have already issued an order to Mingzhou..."

"There is no Champa delegation. They are just a group of cunning merchants who falsely claim to be Champa envoys with the intention of defrauding people."

"Do you understand?"

"I understand!" Gao Zunlu breathed a sigh of relief.

"You must remember this!" Zhao Xu looked at him: "You are my minister!"

"From now on, if there is anything, you must report it to me first!"

"If there is a next time..." Zhao Xu looked at him and said, "You should know the majesty of the law!"

"promise!"

"When you return to Hangzhou, remember one thing..."

"Every half a month, report to me by horse courier about the affairs of Hangzhou..."

"For example, is it raining? What's the weather like? What are the public opinions in Hangzhou talking about? What's the price of rice?"

"And other major events in other states and counties..."

This was an experiment on the Manchu Tartars' secret memorial system used to monitor various places.

At the same time, it is also used to test Gao Zunlu's obedience.

Of course, this is just one test.

In the coming year, Gao Zunlu will be subjected to all kinds of tests and examinations from Zhao Xu in all aspects.

Zhao Xu would even deliberately pick on him, attack him, and punish him.

In short, it is PUA!

This is a common tactic used by Zhao officials against military officials!
All regular military officials need to pass this test to ensure their absolute loyalty and reliability!
People like the current palace commander Yan Da, deputy commander Miao Shou and Liu Changzuo of Fuyan Road are all typical examples of people who have passed the test.

The counterexample is the late Zhong E!

Because Zhong E failed to pass the obedience test, he was suppressed all the time, and throughout his life, he failed to gain the trust of Zhao Xu's father.

In contrast, there is the veteran Peng Sun from Jingyuan Road.

After passing the test, even though he had once rebelled against the government and was born a bandit, he was still entrusted with the important task of commanding a group of troops!

Now he has been appointed as Yaojun and has become a high-ranking military official of the Song Dynasty.

When he retires, he will be appointed as Hengxing, and may even have a chance to get the title of a full-time militia commander or defense commander.

After death, there is a chance to posthumously award the title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Taiwei, Jiedushi Guancha Liuhou or even Jiedushi.

As a result, his descendants will be regarded as his own people by Zhao Xu. As long as they show above-average talents, they can be promoted all the way. If they are lucky, they may even become a new military family.

(End of this chapter)