I studied in modern times

Chapter 945 Public Opinion (3)

The day before the Winter Solstice in the second year of Yuanyou, November 15th.

Early in the morning, Liu Anshi rode his horse on the imperial road leading to the official residence of the Censorate.

Several Yuan followers held lanterns and led the way for him.

Liu Anshi was in a bad mood.

Yesterday’s experience at the Fan Mansion made him irritated and worried.

He knew Fan Zuyu's influence - as Sima Guang's designated disciple.

Fan Zuyu had a strong influence among Sima Guang's disciples and old friends.

Especially now, it has been just over a year since Sima Guang passed away, and it is far from the point where he has been forgotten by everyone.

If Fan Zuyu really did what he said, he would have sent letters to all directions, announcing his expulsion from Sima Wengong's hometown.

So……

Liu Anshi was feeling annoyed when Yuan Sui in front of him stopped.

He raised his head and looked ahead at the road.

But in the winter morning mist, the entire spacious imperial road was lit by countless lanterns and many shadowy figures could be seen.

"What's wrong?" Liu Anshi asked unhappily.

A Yuansui holding a lantern came up to him quickly and said, "Report to the emperor, it seems that there is a notice posted on the wall in front of Kaifeng Prefecture!"

"Many officials who were going to the yamen to report for duty gathered under the list to watch!"

"Notice?" Liu Anshi frowned, dismounted, and told Yuan Sui, "You stay here to look after the horses for me. I'll go and take a look with the others..."

"promise!"

Liu Anshi and his men walked quickly forward and arrived at the gate of Kaifeng Prefecture.

Along the way, he saw many familiar people.

Most of them were his colleagues in the Censorate - this was normal, as the offices of the Censorate and Kaifeng Prefecture were both on the north bank of the Bian River north of Zhouqiao, at the two ends of Hengjie.

The Censorate was in the south, and the Kaifeng Prefecture government office was in the north.

The distance between the two is only seven or eight hundred steps.

Behind the Censorate was the former Secretariat, and inside the Secretariat was the imperial city.

Therefore, the censors had to pass by the Kaifeng government office when they went on duty or went home after work every day.

However, the way those people looked at Liu Anshi clearly showed some dissent.

Several people didn't even say hello to him, and avoided him as if he were the plague.

Liu Anshi felt uneasy.

When he arrived at the notice in front of the Kaifeng Prefecture government office, he saw Kong Wenzhong, Han Chuan, Liang Tao and others.

But these people all had serious expressions and looked at the list without saying a word.

"Father Jing!" Liu Anshi bowed to Kong Wenzhong and asked, "What happened?"

Kong Wenzhong looked back at Liu Anshi and sighed, "Qizhi..."

"Today, traitors are in power, blocking the channels of speech, alienating the ruler and his subjects, and even trying to silence loyal officials and righteous men!"

Liu Anshi held up the lantern and looked at the notice.

His pupils immediately shrank, and he clenched his fists. Before he could finish reading Liu Anshi, he said sternly, "How dare the traitor!"

"How dare you suppress public opinion and obstruct the enforcement of the law by the Ministry of Justice!"

"If they succeed, where can the people of the world appeal if they have grievances?"

"Are we going to cry at Zhaoling Mausoleum like the Tang people?"

In the Tang Dynasty, when officials and civilians encountered injustice, they all went to Zhaoling to cry out.

Therefore, there is a poem that says: If justice cannot be obtained at this time, I will cry in Zhaoling for the rest of my life!

Kong Wenzhong and the others looked a little embarrassed when they heard this.

Because, no matter what the Tang people were like, at least they still had Zhaoling Mausoleum where they could cry.

The Song people...

Where can I go to tell my grievances, where can I vent my dissatisfaction?

Are you going to cry at Yongchang Mausoleum?
I'm afraid that when I come back, I'll be bullied - asking if I have ulterior motives and have second thoughts about the court? !
Or Yongxi Mausoleum?

Come on!
Taizong had the nerve to suffer this, but no one had the nerve to cry!

As for the Yongding Mausoleum...

Just don’t mention it!

Yongzhao Mausoleum...

Ren Miao has no children, so crying is useless.

Yongyu Mausoleum?
This is somewhat politically correct at the moment.

The problem is that although the late emperor was wise, when he was in power, he exiled half of the scholars and officials in the world to serve in other places.

The other half of the scholars and officials were scheming against each other in the court every day.

Liu Anshi ignored the embarrassment of others. He clenched his fist and shouted to everyone around him: "Gentlemen! Gentlemen!"

"The treacherous ministers intend to block the way for speech and deceive the emperor!"

"We have received the emperor's grace for generations, and we will die for our country, right now!"

"I want to knock on the palace gate and tell the emperor about the crimes of the treacherous ministers!"

"Is there anyone who wants to go with me?"

Liu Anshi knew very well that he had no other way out except to knock on the palace gate.

However, after he shouted, not only Kong Wenzhong but also the others subconsciously moved away from him.

Others just turned around and left with their lanterns in hand.

"Wait..."

"Are you so afraid of the powerful?"

"Does the scholar-official character still exist? Does the scholar-official integrity still exist?"

The virtue of a scholar cannot be corrupted by wealth and honor, cannot be bent by power and force, and cannot be moved by poverty and humbleness.

How can we shrink back because we are afraid of a treacherous prime minister?
If you don't follow me...

How can I survive?
Previously, there was Fan Zuyu, who wanted to expel the hometown of my Sima Wengong disciples.

Afterwards, the prime ministers gathered to discuss and posted a notice, requiring the strict enforcement of the laws of the Censorate. From now on, if the censors heard something and reported it to the emperor to impeach the prime ministers, they had to list the source of the information and provide a guarantee in the memorial. If it was found to be a false accusation, the person would be held accountable.

So... this is his last chance to survive.

If you can't force Dutang, withdraw this article.

Then he will be the first sacrifice to be sent to the altar!
Who told him that he had committed a serious crime against the left prime minister?

However, even Liu Anshi had resorted to tactics including moral kidnapping and provocation.

But the speed at which the crowd moved away from him did not slow down at all.

Even running faster!
Even Kong Wenzhong, holding a lantern, quickly moved away from him.

What's going on here?
Liu Anshi didn't understand at all.

Until a man walked up to him.

"Zhengyan, don't you know yet?"

Liu Anshi turned around and looked at the man.

It was Liu Cizhuang, the Palace Attending Censor. He was the third-ranking person in the Censorate in name only, but actually the second-ranking person. Ever since Fu Yaoyu entered the East Palace, the position of Chief Censor had been vacant for a long time.

Therefore, the Assistant Censor in charge of Miscellaneous Affairs, who was originally a deputy, became the Zhongsi who actually presided over the work.

The tasks that were originally performed by the Assistant Censor in charge of Miscellaneous Affairs were handed over to the two Assistant Censors in the Palace.

Liuci Village is one of them.

but……

He is a new party!

In the past two years, he has caused a lot of trouble for Liu Anshi, a disciple of Sima Guang and a noble member of the old party.

Liu Anshi looked at his former political enemy, bowed and asked, "Please give me some advice, Master Zhongsou!"

Liu Ci Zhuang looked at Liu Anshi and sighed, "Doesn't Zheng Yan know?" "Since last night, all the teahouses, brothels, restaurants, and foot shops in Bianjing City have been spreading the news about Zheng Yan's stay at Fan Chunfu's mansion yesterday..."

"Now, even the woman behind the half-closed door knows the truth. She once said to Fan Chunfu: The common people are ignorant and stupid. How can they understand the great justice of the world?"

Liu Anshi’s face turned pale in an instant.

"It is said that Zhengyan once told Fan Chunfu: Only the opinions of scholars like us are public opinions..."

"Right now, the capital is probably in an uproar!"

The common people in Bianjing City and the common people elsewhere are completely two different types of people.

What they like and love most is discussing state affairs and criticizing current affairs.

Now, someone comes out and says: Ordinary people are ignorant and cannot talk about the world.

Only we are qualified to talk about the world.

Can the people of Bianjing tolerate this?

I can't stand it!
Moreover, according to rumors, Liu Ansheng pointed out directly in front of Fan Zuyu that only the opinions of scholars and officials belonged to "public discussion".

Other people’s opinions don’t count!
After knowing this, the nobles, relatives by marriage, royal family and military officials in the capital would probably be furious.

In the past, even if they were dissatisfied, they would just curse a few words at most.

But now...

Liu Anshi's body shook.

He knew that those people nowadays would not mind taking advantage of his misfortune and stepping on him hard!

"How could this happen?" Liu Anshi cried out in pain, then turned his head to look at Fan Zuyu's residence: "Fan Chunfu!"

"You little villain, do you want to force me to death?"

In his opinion, only Fan Zuyu could act so quickly.

Liu Cizhuang stepped forward and gently supported Liu Anshi, who was already unsteady on his feet.

"Zhengyan... This matter may have nothing to do with Mr. Tang Jian..."

"Because last night, the idle men in the major brothels, restaurants and inns in the capital, and even the women in the brothels, were all discussing Zheng Yan and our generation, and the impeachment of the prime minister in the past few days..."

"Now, the winter solstice is approaching..." Liu Cizhuang looked at Liu Anshi and said in a deep voice: "I wonder what the discussion in the capital will ferment into!"

After hearing this, Liu Anshi suddenly felt cold all over and seemed to have lost all his strength.

Because the custom of the Winter Solstice is to stay up all night!
This is a tradition that is closely connected with filial piety - on the winter solstice, yang energy begins to emerge, all things regain yang, and the sequence of the year begins anew from this day.

Therefore, it is believed that the younger generations keeping vigil can bring blessings and longevity to their elders.

But the long winter nights are lonely and cold.

At this time, you need some entertainment activities to pass the time.

In scholar-official families, elegant activities such as lectures and poetry competitions were the main activities.

What about the common people?
Of course, it’s gossip and talking about all kinds of new things happening recently.

They ran into this gun muzzle!

It can be imagined that on the winter solstice tomorrow, the people of the entire Bianjing will be talking about their grand occasion.

This is a fatal blow to the censors who make their livings on their image and personality!

"Traitorous Prime Minister!" Liu Anshi looked towards the capital with red eyes.

In his understanding, such means could only have come from Lu Gongzhu!

Because Lu Gongzhu's father, Lu Yijian, was notorious for his jealousy of talented people and suppression of dissidents.

Like father, like son!
Liu Cizhuang said in a deep voice: "I'm afraid it's not just the left prime minister who is abusing his power..."

"The treacherous officials have all joined forces!"

"Right Prime Minister Pu Chuanzheng is known to everyone in the world as greedy, treacherous, and flattering. Why did the emperor appoint him as prime minister?"

"Now it seems that he must have attached himself to the Left Prime Minister and received his recommendation!"

"As for Li Bangzhi, the co-director of the Privy Council, he has accomplished nothing in the Western Palace and has not offered any strategies. He has seized the position of the Western Palace and abused his power for personal gain to benefit his sons, nephews, and in-laws..."

"I have impeached him for his illegal acts for a long time..."

"But the governor has repeatedly stopped me from investigating the case..."

"Now it seems that Li Bangzhi has probably already formed a clique with the left prime minister!"

"Now, the Lord is young and immature, and the treacherous and powerful ministers have seized the capital and the state, forming cliques for personal gain and abusing their power to disrupt government..."

When Liu Ci Zhuang got to this point, he could not help but recite leisurely: "After the rain, the peach blossoms are broken into pieces, half following the stream and half staining the mud... Where did the two swallows come from? They hold their beaks in the west of the painted beam..."

This is the poem he was most proud of in his life!
When I think about it now, I no longer feel any sense of cherishing the passing of spring, only sadness and grief.

He also didn't know where he, the swallow, would be exiled to carry mud.

……

Because tomorrow is the Winter Solstice, Zhao Xu got up early in the morning and began to prepare for the Winter Solstice festival.

The Winter Solstice Festival was one of the most important festivals in the Middle Ages.

There is even a saying that "Winter Solstice is as important as New Year's Day".

For such a grand festival, natural sacrifice is also an important part of the celebration.

On this day, every family will hold a winter sacrifice to worship their ancestors and pray for their blessings.

As an emperor, Zhao Xu not only needed to go to Jingling Palace to worship his ancestors and pay homage to the emperors.

Moreover, since this year is his first year after his release from mourning, he still needs to go to Nanjiao Huanqiu to offer sacrifices to the heavens.

This is a tradition that has started at least since the Western Zhou Dynasty and even the Shang Dynasty - the emperor would offer sacrifices to the sky in the southern suburbs on the winter solstice every three years.

Since it is reported to the God of Heaven, the new ruler of the country has been established.

At the same time, it is also a report to God on the king's merits and demerits in the three years since he ascended the throne.

So, this is the most important link.

It can even be said to be the most critical sacrificial activity before Zhao Xu took power.

Because, by then, all the civil officials above the rank of imperial court officials and military officials above the rank of ambassadors in the entire Bianjing city will accompany the emperor.

But, for Zhao Xu, this is not a big problem.

Because he had offered sacrifices to heaven in the southern suburbs many times in his previous life, he was very familiar with the relevant rituals and procedures.

He is only worried about one thing now - this winter is so cold, what if he accidentally catches a cold tomorrow?
Because he remembered that in his previous life, he accidentally caught a cold during this sacrifice to heaven, which caused his old illness to relapse. It took him more than half a month to recover.

Fortunately, the Liao ruler Yelu Hongji sent the state gift in time - nitrated sea tiger skin (sea otter skin).

According to Yelu Hongji, this was a tribute from the leader of the Jurchens in Haidong.

The imperial uncle was very pleased with the gift after receiving it, and thinking of his grandchildren and nephews in Bian Jing, he specially sent more than ten of them to keep them warm.

This is good stuff!

A magical item to keep out the cold!

Zhao Xu immediately ordered people to make him a complete set of crown and clothes using these Liao Dynasty national gifts.

At this moment, Zhao Xu was trying on an inner robe made of sea otter skin.

It has to be said that the crown and clothing made of sea otter skin are indeed extremely warm.

As soon as Zhao Xu put it on, he felt warm all over.

He is no longer afraid of tomorrow's cold wind!

After taking off his crown and clothes, Zhao Xu saw Tong Guan appear at the entrance of the palace.

"Is something wrong?" Zhao Xu asked.

Tong Guan nodded and looked at the female officials surrounding Zhao Xu.

Upon seeing this, the female officials on both sides bowed and withdrew tactfully.

Tong Guan came to Zhao Xu and whispered.

After listening to this, the corners of Zhao Xu's mouth slowly curled up.

But he didn't intend to intervene anymore.

Because, if he intervenes again, the blood might be trampled on himself.

No need!
Just let the ministers handle it!
He only needs to watch and wait quietly, just as Confucius said: Standing by a river, he said, ‘Time flies by like this!

(End of this chapter)