I studied in modern times

Chapter 839 Zeng Bu: The Emperor Loves Me Too Much
The 19th day of the sixth month of the second year of Yuanyou.

There is a back garden and a pond inside.

Zhao Xu sat by the pool holding a fishing rod, looking at the lake leisurely.

Zeng Bu, who had just returned to the court, sat aside cautiously, also holding a fishing rod in his hand.

Zhao Xu turned his head and looked at Zeng Bu.

Zhao Xu was familiar with Zeng Bu. After all, Zeng Bu was the minister he chose in his previous life to restrain Zhang Dun.

From Shaosheng to Yuanfu, Zeng Bu had long played the role of a small figure in the system of big and small, and a dissenting figure in the confusion of dissenting opinions.

The way of saying it by people with high emotional intelligence is: pick up the missing pieces and fill in the gaps, correct the gains and losses.

The term for low emotional intelligence is: a nitpicker!

At that time, Zeng Bu completed the task assigned to him by Zhao Xu very well.

It can even be said that he exceeded the task assigned to him by Zhao Xu.

This not only allowed Zhang Dun to do his work freely, but also effectively restricted his power as prime minister so that it would not expand to the point of endangering imperial power.

Therefore, during the Yuanfu period, Zhao Xu was already intentionally training him to become the prime minister after Zhang Dun.

how...

Zhao Xu thought of the things recorded in modern history books.

Everything after his death.

"Romance of the Three Kingdoms" says that Wei Yan was born with a rebellious nature!

In Zhao Xu's opinion, the Zeng Bu Zeng Zixuan sitting next to him is Wei Yan of the Song Dynasty!
There must be someone behind this!
Looking at his life, he first rebelled against Wang Anshi, then against Zhang Dun, and finally stabbed the monarch Zhao Xu in the back.

fine……

Evil people will be punished by evil people.

Zeng Bu was eventually dealt with by Cai Jing.

This is also one of the reasons why Cai Jing was valued by Zhao Xu.

There was no other reason. Cai Jing dealt with Zeng Bu very well, which made Zhao Xu realize his thoughts!

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu chuckled and asked, "Mr. Zeng..."

"I'm here..."

"I heard that the scholar loves to take notes?" Zhao Xu looked at Zeng Bu's face with a burning gaze, as if he could see through him.

Zeng Bu was a little scared by Zhao Xu's gaze. He didn't know how to answer, so he could only say: "Your Majesty...Your Majesty...does take some notes...but they are all about interesting things in the literati circle...and have nothing to do with government affairs!"

"Really?" Zhao Xu laughed.

If Zhao Xu had not read his notes in modern times, he would have really been fooled by this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes.

Zeng Bu immediately became uneasy and swore in his heart that he would burn all his notes when he got home!

I will never take notes again!

Zeng Bu lowered his head and said: "...How dare I deceive you?"

"Is that so..." Zhao Xu looked regretful: "I wanted to ask the scholar to see if he had ever recorded the words of the emperor when he summoned him to question him..."

Zeng Bu opened his mouth wide, as if someone had stuffed it full of coriander.

His intestines turned green with regret.

If I had known earlier, the emperor asked him about his notes just because he wanted to know the precious words and wise words that the late emperor had said to him in the past.

He should just admit it!

Taking this opportunity, maybe I can establish myself as the "late emperor's favorite minister" in front of the king.

The emperor boasted that he was "the most filial son of the emperor".

A filial son deserves a loyal minister!
Why don't you take off?

However, the words had already been spoken, and he did not dare to regret it, so he could only say weakly: "How dare I forget the late emperor's kindness and precious words?"

"If Your Majesty wishes, I will compile the late emperor's many virtues and precious words into a book and present it to Your Majesty after I return..."

Zhao Xu shook his head slightly: "No need!"

"The words I recall may not necessarily be the original words of my father... I will wait until Xianmo Pavilion is completed, and then go to the pavilion to read the imperial father's handwritten notes!"

Having said that, Zhao Xu looked at Zeng Bu, observing the expression on his face, as if trying to see something.

Unfortunately, Zeng Bu's mind has always been deep, and he hardly noticed any obvious abnormalities.

This made Zhao Xu narrow his eyes.

Zeng Bu showed no abnormality, which showed that he was cunning, treacherous and must have evil intentions.

If he behaves strangely, it means that he has ulterior motives and is definitely hiding something evil!
So……

How should we treat treacherous officials?

Kill, demote, or release?

These are the methods used by ordinary people.

After studying abroad in modern times for ten years and seeing and hearing the methods used by modern capitalists, Zhao Xu has a better plan - to squeeze out the last bit of his surplus value!
Then, throw it away like a shoe!
You can find any reason!
For example - when you went to work today, you stepped into the office with your left foot first!
Coincidentally, at this moment, the fishing rod in Zhao Xu's hand moved, and he gently stabbed a carp weighing at least half a pound, which immediately struggled in the water.

The carp's fur glows a light golden color under the sunlight!

Zhao Xu was overjoyed!

Golden legend!

What a good omen!
The eunuchs on both sides were also happy.

Feng Jing immediately came up with a scoop net and waited for the fish to be slipped to the shore by Zhao Xu. Then he quickly scooped the fish into the scoop net and brought it to the shore. He knelt down holding the carp with golden scales and jumping around.

"Congratulations everyone, we caught a lucky fish!"

Zeng Bu watched and immediately knelt down to flatter: "Congratulations to Your Majesty on catching the lucky fish!"

Zeng Bu is indeed a talented person.

After bowing again and congratulating him, he recited a poem on the spot.

After listening to this, Zhao Xu also clapped his hands and praised: "The scholar is really talented!"

This made Zeng Bu very happy.

In his opinion, the official caught a golden carp today.

With this auspicious sign, he should at least be considered a lucky minister in the eyes of the government.

Hello, Fuchen!

He bowed again to show his loyalty: "How dare a humble minister like you to be praised by your majesty? I have received the emperor's grace, and I will do my best to repay the late emperor and your majesty for their kindness!"

Zhao Xu listened and smiled even more brightly.

Work your butt off?

To repay the kindness of me and my father?
So, you repay me by establishing Zhao Ji and spreading rumors and slandering me in your notes?
very good!very good!
In this case, my dear minister is indeed a 'great loyal minister'!

I really have to reward you well!
So Zhao Xu said: "I know the scholar's loyalty!"

"I summoned the scholars to return to the court this time because I want to make great use of them!"

Zeng Bu suddenly became excited and bowed, saying, "I will repay your majesty's kindness with my death!"

After saying that, he raised his head and looked at Zhao Xu expectantly.

Waiting for Zhao Xu to assign and arrange tasks for him.

At this time, Feng Jing had already put the carp he caught into the fish basket, and then tactfully retreated ten steps away with his men.

Zhao Xu returned to his chair and sat down, saying to Zeng Bu, "Master, please stand up first and sit down to talk."

Zeng Bu bowed again to express his gratitude, then stood up, walked to his previous fishing spot, and sat down respectfully.

"It has been a few days since the scholar returned to Beijing, right?" Zhao Xu asked.

"Your Majesty, I arrived in Beijing on the Yiwei day of this month!" Zeng Bu replied.

"Yes!" Zhao Xu nodded and said with a smile: "I heard that after the scholar returned to the capital, the first thing he did was to comfort and thank Madam..." "Even the Queen Mother in the palace heard about the scholar's story and praised me, saying that scholars and officials take it as their responsibility to cultivate themselves, govern the country and manage their families. Zeng Xueshi can be regarded as a role model for contemporary scholars and officials!"

In the Song Dynasty, because the scholar-officials had a high status, they also had to bear great social responsibilities accordingly.

Like Cheng Yi said: Starving to death is a small matter, but losing one's chastity is a big matter!

A standard scholar-official must serve the emperor with loyalty, serve his father with filial piety, treat his wife with love, and be friendly with his brothers...

But...

Having said that, we have always emphasized and valued something only when we lack it...

The scholars and officials of the Song Dynasty...

Zhao Xu curled his lips in his heart.

He knew that each of them spoke better than they sang.

It has become a common practice to use public funds for eating and drinking, visiting prostitutes, and even keeping mistresses.

It is not uncommon for people to keep the death of their parents a secret in order to advance progress.

There are even people who dig up their father's grave and rob their ancestors' tombs.

Didn’t Zhang Chengyi dig up his father Zhang Qi’s tomb, take out the burial objects, and hang them on himself?
so……

Relatively speaking, Zeng Bu, who secretly raised his adopted daughter outside, might be able to compete for the title of moral role model.

Yes, on the day Zeng Bu returned to Beijing, Zhao Xu learned from Shi De that Zeng Bu had raised a young girl in Yimenfang.

Then they checked—the Investigation Department was shocked! Wow! This Master Zeng is quite trendy!

The girl turned out to be the adopted daughter of Zeng Bu and his wife Wei Wan.

This is the development system, right?
Zhao Xu, who had studied abroad in modern times, thought of it after reading the report.

It seems that in modern unofficial history, there is a record that Zeng Bu's concubine Zhang ridiculed Wei Wan when he was seriously ill, and even angered Wei Wan to death!
Therefore, every word Zhao Xu said was actually a veiled criticism of Zeng Bu.

Poor Zeng Bu had no idea that his underwear had been pulled off!
He even said complacently: "I am terrified..."

As he spoke, he lowered his head and began to pretend to be deep: "Since my wife and I got married, she has served my aunt and uncle, loved my brother and sister-in-law, and raised my children... I really owe my wife a lot..."

“I often feel that I may never be able to repay you in this lifetime…”

Zhao Xu chuckled: "It is a blessing for a scholar to have a virtuous wife!"

"Mr. Bachelor, take good care of yourself!"

"I will remember your majesty's teachings!"

Zhao Xu nodded and thought, "I hope so!"

However, Zhao Xu expressed pessimism about this.

Because Zeng Bu was known for being a double-faced person in politics.

He is a fence-sitter within the New Party.

When the Xining Reforms took place, he stabbed Wang Anshi in the back.

In Zhao Xu's previous life, he also stabbed Zhang Dun and Zhao Xu, his former emperor and father.

How could he be faithful in his marriage?
Maybe modern unofficial history might be true.

Zeng Bu will favor his concubine and kill his wife in the future! He will commit the great sin of a scholar-official!
But it doesn’t matter!
Because this time, he might not make it to that day.

Zhao Xu asked, "Have you paid attention to government affairs during the days since you returned to Beijing?"

Zeng Bu lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, since I returned to Beijing, I have visited many friends and read the court reports and newspapers..."

"The scholar should have heard about the illegal activities of the clerks in the prefecture and the harm they have done to the good people, right?"

Zeng Bu immediately perked up, he knew that the main part of the show was about to begin.

He immediately said, "I have heard something."

Then, he began to express his stance: "Your Majesty has spread his virtues, extended his grace to all the people in the prefecture, exempted excessive taxes, and eliminated bad policies. The elders in the village and the wise men in the neighborhood all praised you!"

"But the clerks are lawless, do not obey your majesty's edicts, do not care about the suffering of the good, and instead use blackmail, extortion, and false accusations..."

"After I came to the capital, I heard about all these things and I was deeply saddened by them!"

When Zhao Xu heard this, he sat up straight and asked, "If the scholar comes to deal with the clerks...what should the scholar do?"

Zeng Bu swallowed his saliva and immediately expressed his position: "If the envoys are ordered by Your Majesty to handle this matter, I will obey the order and punish the officials according to the law..."

As he spoke, he said murderously: "Your Majesty, the previous emperor established the "Warehouse Law". Officials who receive less than 100 coins will be sentenced to one year in prison, and the crime will be increased by one level for every 100 coins. If they receive 1,000 coins, they will be exiled 2,000 miles, and the crime will be increased by one level for every 1,000 coins. The highest penalty is exile 3,000 miles, or even exile to Shamen Island! I will abide by the law!"

Zhao Xu hesitated: "Is it so serious?"

“Would that be too harsh?”

Zeng Bu raised his head and said: "Your Majesty: Since ancient times, only severe punishment can establish authority!"

This was exactly Zeng Bu's attitude that Zhao Xu wanted.

And he had already expected Zeng Bu to make such a statement!
In the previous life, Zhao Xu and Zeng Bu, the king and his minister, had cooperated tacitly for many years.

How could he not know Zeng Bu's style of doing things?

Zeng Bu is a man who either doesn't do it, or does it to the extreme!

Zhao Xu then said: "In that case, I will leave it to the scholar!"

"Tomorrow, I will issue an imperial edict to appoint the scholar as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, and he will also be in charge of the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple!"

Zeng Bu was overjoyed and immediately bowed his head and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

"I will live up to your majesty's trust and severely punish all the illegal officials in the government!"

"Good!" Zhao Xu clapped his hands and praised, "Then I will hand over all the cases to you, sir!"

When Zeng Bu heard the word "husband" coming out of Zhao Xu's mouth, he thought that he would soon be able to be appointed as an official and enter the two governments. He felt so elated that he didn't know where he was!
……

After sending Zeng Bu away, Zhao Xu pursed his lips, called Feng Jing to his side, and said to him: "Feng Jing, go tell Shi Deyi!"

"Let him act according to the decree!"

"promise!"

That evening, Shi Deyi personally deployed the mission at the Investigation Department.

Several experienced patrolmen from the Investigation Department immediately left Bianjing City before the city gates were closed and went to various places.

Starting from the eighth year of Yuanfeng, it relied on the income from the Bian Jing Xinbao and the cooperation of many merchants including Sun Ci.

Today, the Investigation Department has extended its tentacles to the entire Kaifeng Prefecture.

Completed full coverage of the prefecture.

The current Investigation Department is basically able to summarize the situation of the counties and towns in the prefecture every ten days and provide Zhao Xu with a prefecture briefing.

Mainly price fluctuations, local customs and weather conditions.

Occasionally, there will be some stories about the troubles of local wealthy people or local officials.

On average, each county will have a rough description of about a hundred words.

For Zhao Xu, this was enough for him to grasp the situation in Kaifeng Prefecture.

This is of vital importance to imperial power!
However, in the past, these local scouts of the Investigation Bureau were passive in recording local conditions according to established procedures and never took the initiative to participate in local affairs.

And this time, with Zhao Xu's permission, they began to take the initiative.

The next day.

June, Gengzi (20).

After Xuanma was dismissed, Zeng Bu, a scholar of the Zizhidian, was appointed as the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and was also in charge of the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple. His original official position was promoted from Chaoyi Dafu (sixth rank), and he was promoted to Zhongsan Dafu (fifth rank). He was given a gold fish bag, and his merits were promoted to Hujun. He was also granted the title of the founding earl of Nancheng County (originally it should have been the founding earl of Nanfeng County, but because his brother Zeng Gong was known as Mr. Nanfeng, he avoided it and chose Nancheng County, a neighboring county of Nanfeng, as his fief), and his fief of 600 households was increased, and the actual fief of 200 households.

Zeng Bu was overjoyed when he received the imperial edict, and he wanted to get to work immediately to repay the kindness of his emperor and father.

but……

Before that, he still had to follow the procedure and go through the process of three refusal and three concessions.

Therefore, no matter how anxious he was, he had to wait until the Guimao day (23) of this month to officially take office.

(End of this chapter)