I studied in modern times

Chapter 965 Wen Yanbo: This is to restore order!

Zhao Xu did not hesitate at all. The moment he reacted, he said to Empress Dowager Xiang: "Mother, this person is trying to alienate my mother and son. He must have ulterior motives and is plotting something bad!"

Throughout the dynasties, whenever there was a young master in power, a female ruler would rule the country.

There has never been a shortage of loyal and devoted ministers.

Even when Empress Dowager Chengtian of Liao was in power, such things could not be avoided.

However, Emperor Shengzong of Liao usually killed such fools as soon as they showed their heads, and did not give them any chance at all.

With ready-made homework to copy, Zhao Xu naturally knew what to do!
He immediately shouted to Tong Guan who was standing at the door of the study: "Tong Guan! Tong Guan!"

"Quickly summon the Palace Censor and Miscellaneous Affairs Officer Lu Tao to the palace!"

Nowadays, the Central Secretariat is short of staff, and the person who actually leads the Censorate is the second-in-command of the Censorate in the past - the Palace Attending Censor in Charge of Miscellaneous Affairs.

The so-called assignment of knowing miscellaneous matters can actually be directly understood as "routine work".

It means taking care of everything.

Over the past year or so, Lu Tao has relied on following Zhao Xu's baton.

He was promoted from Censor-in-Chief to Palace Censor-in-Chief, and two months ago he was given the title of Director of Miscellaneous Affairs, becoming the de facto Chief of the Imperial Secretariat.

However, his performance made Zhao Xu very dissatisfied!
What was Zhao Xu's purpose in promoting him?
That is, let him play a role in the Censorate similar to that of a party whip in modern Western parliaments.

At the very least, we must ensure that the censors of the Censorate follow the highest will.

As it turned out, he did not meet Zhao Xu's requirements of him.

Not to mention integrating the Censorate and letting the censors in the Censorate dance to Zhao Xu's baton.

In the past two months, there has been chaos in the Censorate, and both the old and new parties are almost going crazy.

Nowadays, there is a phenomenon that the censors keep acting alone, and even fire AOE at the prime ministers and elders in the morning court.

This made Zhao Xu very disappointed!
Therefore, there was obvious dissatisfaction and anger in his tone.

Under such circumstances, if Lu Tao entered the palace, he would definitely be criticized.

Empress Dowager Xiang also knew this, so she pulled Zhao Xu's sleeve and said, "Sixth brother, wait a minute!"

"The censors are responsible for impeaching civil and military officials. This is the law of our ancestors!"

"If Sixth Brother summons Zhiza into the palace for this, I will reprimand him with great anger!"

"I am afraid that in the future, the censors will lose their sharpness and dare not casually criticize the prime ministers!"

Zhao Xu knew that Empress Dowager Xiang was stuck in a fixed way of thinking about solving the problem.

This kind of problem-solving idea is probably like this:

Because the censors are the imperial power's lackeys, they must be protected.

Even if they do something out of line, even if they use their status to gain political benefits for themselves.

In addition, there have always been stories in the palace and among the people about how Emperor Ren Miao treated the censors well and was happy to accept it even when the censors spit on her face.

It further strengthened the ideological imprint of Empress Dowager Xiang.

The reason is very simple: because Ren Miao is the holy emperor, what he did is right, so naturally we should copy his homework.

In fact, let alone Empress Dowager Xiang.

Even Zhao Xu, in his previous life, had once fallen into a similar problem-solving train of thought and could not break free.

Fortunately, Zhao Xu has been studying in modern times for ten years.

Modern life has not only broadened his horizons and improved his knowledge, but also transformed his thoughts and reshaped his character.

What modern people are best at is doing exercises.

Therefore, Zhao Xu looked at Empress Dowager Xiang, smiled, and said softly, "Mother, you are wrong!"

"kindness?"

"The laws and regulations of our ancestors are to [control the great and the small, and to interfere with different opinions], and to [prevent troubles and control crookedness]!"

"Just as the Emperor taught me back then..."

"The Yangtze River has clear water, irrigating many roads on both sides of the river. The Yellow River has turbid water, but it also irrigates many roads on both sides of the river!"

"As a ruler, you must not be partial!"

“If the Yangtze River floods, we must control the Yangtze River; if the Yellow River floods, we must control the Yellow River!”

"How can we not treat the Yangtze River because its water is clear? How can we not use the Yellow River because its water is turbid?"

"Like this are the rivers, like this are the people, like this are the scholars and officials!"

"Now, it is still the same!"

"The Censors are the state's minions, but the Prime Ministers are the arms of the court!"

"What's more..."

"There are still people who dare to alienate the Heavenly Family!"

Zhao Xu was a bit murderous when he said this: "If we don't kill one to warn the rest, there will be more and more of them in the future!"

"If this happens, I'm afraid that it will not only damage the reputation of the mother, but also the reputation of the son!"

When Empress Dowager Xiang heard this, she finally came to her senses.

If this kind of thing is not stopped immediately, it will send a clear signal to the people of the world from the very beginning.

Then, others might misunderstand.

Then, imitators will flood in.

There may even be people who specialize in spreading rumors and causing trouble.

So, he stopped obstructing her and just said, "Even so, it should be decent..."

Zhao Xu nodded: "Don't worry, mother, I know my limits!"

He then ordered Tong Guan to summon Lü Tao into the palace immediately.

When Empress Dowager Xiang saw this, she wanted to go back to Baoci Palace.

But Zhao Xu held her hand and said, "Please stay here, mother, and go with me to summon Lu Zhiza!"

"Only in this way can we deter the whole court and warn those who come after us!"

Empress Dowager Xiang listened and nodded: "Okay!"

……

Although it is the middle of winter, the pines and cypresses in the Censorate are still lush and green.

With a cold face, Lu Tao looked at the residence of You Zhengyan, which was opposite his official residence.

Liu Anshi's figure appeared between the windowsills.

"This Liu Qizhi!"

"How dare he?!"

Lu Tao was filled with hatred. He hated Liu Anshi for his shamelessness and also hated himself for being childish.

Because originally, at this morning's court, Liu Anshi was not on the list of people who would appear at the Censorate's hearing.

It was Liu Anshi who came to him to plead for mercy and said good things, and he added it after he softened his heart.

Who would have thought that as soon as Liu Anshi arrived at the palace, he would bring him big news!

To this day, Lu Tao still remembers the expression on Empress Dowager Xiang's face in the palace at that time.

Naturally, he also remembered the looks on the faces of the ministers in the capital when they looked at him.

But he couldn't get angry.

This is because the Censorate was originally an independent institution.

Officials from the three branches of the Taiwan Affairs Office would not greet others when impeaching someone.

What's more, nowadays, the Censorate does not have an official who actually takes charge of the government.

"Su Zizhan, Su Zizhan..." Lü Tao said with a bitter face, "I am going to be hurt by you this time!"

He and Liu Anshi were actually not familiar with each other and they had no friendship in the past.

The reason why he was willing to help this time was because Liu Anshi and Kong Wenzhong were standing in the same trench.

The brothers Kong Wenzhong were good friends of Su Shi.

Moreover, the cause of this turmoil was that Kong Wenzhong secretly hated Cheng Yi's students Zhu Guangting, Jia Yi and others, who attacked Zhang Shunmin, resulting in Zhang Shunmin being dismissed from his post as Censor.

So they seized the opportunity to attack and criticize Cheng Yi.

As the fight went on, it turned into an impeachment of the prime minister.

Now, there was even a Right Censor who angrily denounced the officials in the capital for forming cliques for personal gain and the elders for being indulgent and biased.

This matter has become a big deal.

We don’t know what the palace’s reaction will be yet!

After this incident, Liu Anshi and others would certainly be demoted.

I'm afraid that Lu Tao and Lu Yuanjun will not be able to get a good result either.

If you are not careful, you may be seen as incompetent by the government.

"Alas!" Lu Tao sighed, feeling very upset. "I should have been prepared earlier!"

"After all, I am still too soft-hearted..."

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and the angrier he became, the more he thought about it. In the end, his face was filled with sorrow.

But he couldn't get angry.

Because on the surface, the palace has not yet characterized Liu Anshi's behavior.

What if the attitude in the palace is ambiguous?
This might allow Liu Anshi to win the first prize!

However, Lu Tao knew that this was unlikely!
But what if?
After all, the relationship between the emperor and the empress can be as harmonious as that between Emperor Shengzong of Liao and Empress Dowager Chengtian.

There are only a few examples of this throughout the dynasties.

Most of the times when a young master ascended the throne or a female ruler ruled the country, it ended up being very undignified, with even swords and blood flowing.

In this way, Lu Tao waited for Tong Guan's arrival in anxiety.

"Why are you here, Lord Di?" When Lu Tao saw Tong Guan, he immediately went forward to greet him.

Tong Guan looked at the civil servant with a cold face and said, "In compliance with your order, the Palace Censor Tao will immediately go to the palace to face him!"

Lu Tao's heart shuddered. He had almost gotten the answer from Tong Guan's attitude - Liu Anshi lost the bet!
The government was furious!
This is to call him into the palace to be questioned!
"It's hard!" Lu Tao sighed inwardly, then knelt down, facing the direction of the Funing Palace in the Imperial Palace and bowed, saying, "Your servant Tao respectfully obeys the imperial order!"

He stood up and took a vicious look at Liu Anshi's official residence.

Any hope he had for Liu Anshi disappeared at this moment.

Only hatred and revenge are left!
……

Liu Anshi naturally also saw the eunuchs wearing narrow-sleeved official uniforms entering Lu Tao's official residence.

Then, Lu Tao obediently followed the eunuch out of the government office.

Although it did not rain in Bianjing today, the weather was not very good. The sky was gloomy and the biting north wind was howling among the official residence of the Censorate and the pines and cypresses.

Liu Anshi's heart, just like the weather, fell into a deep valley made of ice.

He just felt his hands and feet were cold and his whole body was stiff.

He knew that he lost the bet!

What awaits him is a lifetime of living in a remote military state, among the natives and low-ranking officials.

They may even be relocated to a certain place and placed under residential surveillance by local officials.

Just like Liu Zhi!

……

When Tong Guan took Lu Tao out of the Censorate.

He happened to meet Fu Shaoting, who was returning from burning incense at Daxiangguo Temple with his old mother, Ms. Yan.

Fu Shaoting recognized Lu Tao.

He saw from afar Lu Tao following a strange eunuch out of the Censorate's official residence. He was suddenly startled and recalled the rumors at the morning court today.

"Is Lv Yuanjun going to be summoned to the palace to be punished by the emperor?"

"What a pity!" Fu Shaoting shook his head.

He then apologized to his old mother who was sitting in the carriage: "Mother, I want to go to the Grand Tutor's house to pay my respects!"

Yan said: "Alright!"

"It just so happens that I haven't seen Madam Jin for a long time, so I'd like to go over to her house and chat about some family matters!"

Lady Jin was Wen Yanbo’s second wife, Chen.

Just now, because of the Xinglong Festival, she was granted the title of Lady of Jin State.

Fu Shaoting took his old mother and went to Wen Yanbo's residence.

The Wen Mansion was not far from the Censorate, only a few hundred steps away, so it didn't take long for Fu Shaoting to reach the Wen Mansion.

The Wen Mansion is now more bustling than before. Especially after Wen Jifu bought the pawnshop, more and more people come and go here.

Mainly those merchants who came to Beijing from other places would come here to take a look and see the luxurious life of the Grand Tutor's family.

But in the eyes of these people, even the son of the Grand Tutor's family has started to do business.

The court's determination to support merchants and encourage industry and commerce is naturally not fake.

So they all determined to do business.

Under such circumstances, the streets in front of the Wen Mansion had much more traffic than the residences of other prime ministers and elders.

Fortunately, Fu Shaoting had hired a lot of followers, and under their protection, they finally arrived at the Wen Mansion smoothly.

After sending someone to report the matter, Wen Jifu came out to greet him soon.

"Brother Dexian is coming to visit, why didn't you send someone to inform me first so that I can prepare something..."

Fu Shaoting bowed and smiled.

Sitting in the carriage, Yan said, "Let Sixth Young Master know that this old man suddenly came up with this idea, thinking of Madam Jin…"

"So the old lady is here too!" Wen Jifu hurriedly bowed to Yan in the carriage and said, "It just so happens that my mother has been saying these days that she wants me to go to her mansion and invite her to meet her when she has time!"

Wen Jifu was the son of Wen Yanbo's second wife, Chen.

He immediately invited Fu Shaoting and Yan into the mansion.

He first placed Fu Shaoting in the front hall of the Wen Mansion.

Then he respectfully led Yan to meet his mother.

Fu Shaoting entered the front hall of the Wen Mansion and had just sat down. Not long after, he saw Wen Yanbo walking in accompanied by two maids.

He quickly stood up and bowed as a nephew: "Junior Fu Shaoting greets the Grand Master!"

Wen Yanbo chuckled, and looking at the son of his old friend, the old master's heart was as clear as a mirror - this Mr. Fu De never came to visit unless there was something important.

I'm afraid he's here to ask for an official position again.

Then he asked softly, "How is your health lately, Mr. De?"

Fu Shaoting replied respectfully: "Reporting to the Grand Master, since my nephew came to the capital, he has been favored by the emperor. He has given me medicine and assigned me an imperial physician to see me all year round. I am now much better!"

After Fu Shaoting came to Beijing last year, the palace had originally planned to give him an assignment.

However, his health was too poor - after the imperial edict came down, the Ministry of Personnel had not yet had time to give him a vacancy.

He became ill.

So the palace had no choice but to issue an edict, granting special favors to Fu Shaoting, Duke Fu Wenzhong, because he was the only son of Duke Fu Shaoting, and ordering the Imperial Medical Bureau to treat him as a minister in waiting.

He was assigned a special imperial physician, and some medical officers who were good at treating his illness were selected from all over the country.

After taking care of it for more than a year, I finally recovered my body. In the past two months, I have become active again.

Wen Yanbo nodded and said, "Good!"

"Now that Dexian's body has recovered, he should think about repaying his loyalty to his king and father!"

Fu Shaoting bowed quickly and said, "Grandmaster, that's right!"

Wen Yanbo sighed, "It's a pity that I have recently been criticized by the censors for employing private individuals..."

"otherwise……"

Wen Yanbo likes to praise younger generations.

Basically, as long as someone has some friendship with him and comes to him for help, he doesn't mind giving them face and praising them a little.

If he really has talent, I would be willing to recommend him personally.

Many people followed Wen Yanbo's path and entered the official career.

So, he was also caught in the crossfire during this brawl in the Censorate.

He was impeached by Kong Wenzhong, Liu Anshi and others.

Today, he was singled out and rebuked by Liu Anshi in the palace.

This made Wen Yanbo very unhappy!

I haven't done anything yet!
Fu Shaoting naturally knew about this, and he bowed his head again and said, "Reporting to the Grand Master, my nephew came to visit you today, but he saw something on the way..."

"kindness?"

Fu Shaoting then told Wen Yanbo about his encounter with Lu Tao on the road, who was being led to the imperial city by a eunuch.

Wen Yanbo was not surprised at all after hearing this. He laughed and said, "This is Lv Yuanjun!"

"Back then, when the emperor promoted him to be the Imperial Censor in charge of miscellaneous affairs, I told him..."

"The emperor has ordered you to supervise the various courts in the Lanting and to escort the Yuanyou New Deal!"

"He promised me everything in front of me, but now it seems he didn't listen to a single word I said!"

"What a pity! What a pity!"

As he spoke, Wen Yanbo looked towards the direction of the imperial city.

As a veteran of four dynasties, he has served from the Renmiao era to the present day and has experienced countless ups and downs.

Wen Yanbo saw the situation of the Song Dynasty better than anyone else.

After sighing a few times, the old master, with the help of the maid, slowly stood up and said to Fu Shaoting, "Mr. De, please have some tea here first!"

"It's time for me to meditate today, so I won't accompany Dexian anymore!"

"Taishi, take care!"

……

With the help of his maids, Wen Yanbo returned to the back house. He then exerted a little force with his hands, and the two maids immediately let go respectfully.

Immediately, several sticks bestowed by the emperor were handed over.

Wen Yanbo held the walking stick, and his whole mental state changed instantly. From an old man who needed help to walk, he became energetic and even his eyes began to light up.

No wonder Zhang Fangping and Han Jiang have always privately said that he is an old fox.

Leaning on a cane, Wen Yanbo ordered his attendants, "Go and call Wen Liu to me!"

"I have to tell him something!"

"promise!"

Wen Yanbo, leaning on a cane, walked slowly into his study. After entering the study, the old tutor sat on the imperial chair in the corner of the study, leaned back in the chair, picked up today's Bian Jing News, and began to read.

Not long after, Wen Jifu arrived at his old father's study.

"My lord, are you calling me?" Wen Jifu came to his old father and asked in a low voice.

"Yes!" Wen Yanbo put down the tabloid in his hand, looked at Wen Jifu, and said, "The situation at the Censorate is going to change!"

"You better be smart these days. Don't leave any evidence behind. Don't go out and discuss government affairs with outsiders!"

"If anyone asks you, you should say: I am a businessman and I don't know about state affairs!"

"understand?"

Wen Jifu nodded: "Yes!"

However, he looked at his old father and asked cautiously, "Does your Excellency say that there will be major changes in the Censorate?"

"Yes!" Wen Yanbo nodded: "If my guess is correct, it will be a blessing if three of the ten people in the Censorate can stay!"

"Ah!" Wen Jifu looked at his old father in disbelief: "How could it be so serious?"

"Hehe!" Wen Yanbo sneered: "When the emperor gets angry, millions of people will die and blood will flow everywhere. How can this be tolerated?!"

"Besides, the emperor has already wanted to take action against the Censorate!"

"Otherwise, why has the position of Chief Censor been vacant for a long time since Fu Qin?"

Wen Jifu swallowed and whispered, "No way..."

"Why not?" Wen Yanbo asked back.

"That's the Imperial Censorate!"

"What's the difference between the Censorate?" Wen Yanbo asked.

"The Censorate is the eyes and ears of the emperor. It points out the emperor's faults and corrects the civil and military officials. Therefore, it is the office of law and order and the place of standards. Since the reign of Emperor Renzong, it has stood on equal footing with the Eastern and Western Ministries!" Wen Jifu began to show off his knowledge. This is also the unanimous definition of the Censorate by both the government and the public.

Wen Yanbo laughed when he heard this: "Do you understand the Censorate, or do I understand the Censorate?"

Wen Jifu raised his head and looked at his old father, and suddenly he lost confidence in his heart.

After all, the people in front of him were the four veterans of the Song Dynasty, close friends of Fan Wenzhengong, Han Zhongxianong and Fu Wenzhongong.

At the same time, he is also the old boss of Bao Zheng, the most famous censor in the Song Dynasty, who is regarded by the world as a model of censors.

When it comes to understanding the past of the Guo Dynasty, there is probably no one in modern times who knows it better than him.

So, I could only say weakly: "Did I say something wrong?"

"No!" Wen Yanbo shook his head: "You are not wrong!"

"But, what you know is only part of the Censorate!"

"And I know the rest of the Censorate!"

Wisdom bloomed in Wen Yanbo's turbid eyes, and countless past events rose and fell in his mind.

People only know that the imperial censors of the Song Dynasty were very powerful and pointed out the mistakes of the emperor and impeached officials.

But how many people remember what the censors looked like during the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Zhenzong?
During the Heavenly Book incident... during the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai...

Where are the censors?

where is it?
Oh!
They all lie at the feet of the real temple, busy flattering and fawning on it!
It's time for the Temple of Benevolence...

The censors are nothing more than dogs of the Temple of Benevolence.

Don’t underestimate the stories; they are so vivid and lifelike.

But few people know that from the beginning to the end, the control of the Censorate was in the hands of Ren Miao.

Who can the censors bite? Who can they not bite?
The conclusion has already been made!

For example... Ren Miao has been in power for decades, but has he ever seen any censor dare to touch the eunuchs and relatives sent by Ren Miao to make money in the local areas?
During the reign of Emperor Zhen, Chai Zongqing, the son-in-law of the emperor, hoarded goods in the city of Bianjing, causing thousands of people in Bianjing to freeze overnight.

During the reign of Emperor Renzong, he went to local areas many times as an envoy or prime minister.

He had served as the magistrate of Shanzhou, Luzhou and Zhengzhou, all of which were large and prosperous cities with lucrative revenues.

This prince consort is still making money everywhere.

Finally, there was even a scandal in which the soldiers were allowed to force purchases and sales in the market in broad daylight, and even plundered the people's property.

But who dares to impeach?

Finally, the ministers could no longer bear it.

In addition, at that time, the Song Dynasty had lost three battles against the Dangxiang, and if Chai Zongqing was allowed to continue making money like this.

It's really embarrassing.

Only then did he enter the palace and come before the Temple of Benevolence, where he persuaded the Emperor earnestly, and finally he persuaded the Temple of Benevolence to issue an edict to invite the ancestor back.

Why did no one dare to discuss or attack the prince consort?

Because everyone knows that Chai Zongqing is Zhao's white glove for making money.

Without Emperor Zhao's support, would he dare to make money so unscrupulously?

Do you really think that Emperor Zhao wouldn't dare to kill him just because his last name is Chai?!

Also, when Empress Zhang Wencheng passed away.

Ren Miao insisted on posthumously conferring the title of empress on his beloved concubine.

And it is clear that Ci Sheng Guangxian was in power at that time!

If the censors were really that independent, they should learn from Fan Zhongyan and collectively knock on the windows and firmly oppose.

But what about reality?

Everyone was busy flattering the emperor. From the prime minister to the censors, everyone was competing to write elegies.

This includes the great Confucian master Ouyang Xiu and the three elders in the court today, including Wen Yanbo, who are no exception.

Therefore, the current status of the censors in the Censorate is abnormal.

This abnormal state of affairs was actually only because the young master was in the court and the queen was in charge of government affairs. The people below saw an opportunity and had been testing it over the past three years, gradually eroding the imperial power.

Now, the government wants to take this opportunity to clean up the Censorate.

In the eyes of the court, it was not considered a violation of the system at all.

It's just 'setting things right'.

Get things back on track.

What’s funny is that many people fail to see clearly and take the abnormality of the past three years as the norm and take it for granted.

However, Wen Yanbo would not tell these things.

I wouldn't even tell it to my own son.

(End of this chapter)