The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 539 The battle between the south and the north
After the Daqing Palace Examination, Zhu Xiu and Wang Pu led more than a dozen judges and spent two days selecting ten excellent works and sending them to Emperor Chai Rong.

Another [-] or so articles were selected that were the most poorly written, with inconsistent words and difficult logic. They were not published even after their names were removed, and were handed over to the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Ministry of Personnel for their files, so that these officials could be closely monitored.

The rest of the people in between are neither rewarded nor accountable.

The results of this round of exams were shocking. The average quality of Beijing officials was even worse than Zhu Xiu expected.

Among the ten excellent works, there are actually only two or three that are really good. Among them, the two articles by You Sanqi Chang Shi Tao Gu and Privy Councilor Wang Pu are the best.

The other so-called excellent ones are just that the writing style is relatively smooth, and individual points can show traces of my own in-depth thinking, that's all.

In this Beijing official evaluation, the good ones are not too good, while the bad ones are quite bad.

What's more, the whole article is full of traces of patchwork. It can be seen that I should have memorized it in advance and ignored the questions in the examination room. I just kept silent.

Many of the items recited are articles in the imperial court newspaper or the Tokyo Times.

Zhu Xiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry while grading the papers. This operation was a bit like the candidates in later generations who copied the questions to make up the number of words.

At the end of the evaluation, Wang Pu wiped his cold sweat and warned the judges officials that the results of this exam must not be leaked, otherwise it would definitely cause unrest among the officials in the capital.

Wang Pu even sighed to Zhu Xiu in private, saying that in the era when the imperial examinations were complete, [-]% of the hundreds of fifth-rank Beijing officials would have to be eliminated.

However, the selection of official officials is a major event that affects the whole body. It is impossible to eliminate the entire bureaucratic class at once. We can only use the imperial examination system to update and improve the entire bureaucratic class bit by bit.

Zhu Xiu and Wang Pu sent the selected articles to the palace in the morning. They thought that Chai Rong was busy with government affairs and it would take a day or two to get the results.

Unexpectedly, he returned home for lunch at noon and was about to take a nap when someone came from the palace to send a message, saying that Chai Rong urgently summoned him and Wang Pu to the palace for consultation.

Unable to do anything, Zhu Xiu could only quickly change into official uniform and take a nap while riding into the palace.

In the Qingshou Hall, Wang Pu arrived a moment earlier and was reporting the results of the exam to Chai Rong.

After seeing the ceremony, Zhu Xiu sat aside and saw that Chai Rong's face was not very good-looking. He must have known the results of the exam and was very dissatisfied.

"Zhu Xiu, you have been to Jiangnan and stayed in Jiangning for a while, so you have some understanding of the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty. Can you tell me, compared to Kaifeng and Jiangning, what is the difference in the quality of officials?"

Chai Rong said in a deep voice, "Tell it truthfully, there is no need to be taboo."

Zhu Xiu pondered: "Only from the level of personal knowledge of the officials in Beijing, the officials in Jiangning are indeed far superior to those in Kaifeng!"

Chai Rong frowned, his expression ugly.

Wang Pu secretly smiled bitterly and winked at Zhu Xiu, telling him not to be too honest and to save some face for the Kaifeng capital officials.

Otherwise, His Majesty will be offended, and if a group of officials are really ordered to be punished, causing panic, I am afraid that there will be chaos.

Zhu Xiu smiled again and said: "It is understandable that there is a gap in cultural quality between the officials of the two countries. After all, the imperial examination system has never been discontinued during the decades of peace in Jiangnan. And most of the officials are from the rural gentry and the aristocratic class and have no means of food and clothing. Worry, there is no suffering from war, and you can devote yourself to learning and scientific examinations.

The Central Plains has been in turmoil for many years, the government is unstable, and the imperial examinations are intermittent. Sometimes even if you pass the exam, you may not be able to become an official. Most of the rich families who have more money and pursue official careers take their children and flee south. What is left behind is nothing more than studying and doing things. Knowledge, food, clothing, clothing, and personal safety must also be considered.

Over time, the chronic disease takes its own form. "

Chai Rong also knew that Zhu Xiu was telling the truth and sighed: "There is a long way to go to govern the country!"

Wang Pu took the opportunity and said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that the results of this exam should not be announced to the public, and only the top candidates will be rewarded, and the rest will not be questioned.

The worst batch has been handed over to the Zhongshu Provincial Department and the Ministry of Personnel to be kept on file for strict supervision and gradually removed from important positions. "

Zhu Xiu also echoed: "I also agree with Wang Xianggong's words. After all, this major examination involves the vast majority of Beijing officials above the fifth rank. If the investigation goes too far, people will inevitably be uneasy. There is no rush to rectify the administration of officials. It must be planned slowly."

Chai Rong threw the "blacklist" of the worst to Zhu Xiu, shook his head and said, "Just do as you say! Take this thing away, I don't want to see it again."

Zhu Xiu smiled and stuffed it into his sleeve robe.

Drinking the fragrant tea, Chai Rong said: "After all, there are articles written by Tao Gu and Wang Pu, which are refreshing to me, so I won't be too disappointed. I have already ordered them to meet in the palace, and they will be there in a minute."

Wang Pu smiled and said: "Wang Pu was praised by the late emperor and said that he had the tools to assist. This time, his article "Pingbian Ce" was written in a profound and logical way, and I couldn't put it down after reading it."

Chai Rong said with a smile: "Wang Pu served as the secretary of Jiedu in Chanzhou back then, and he worked with me in a tacit understanding. I have always appreciated his talents and learning.

The year before last, he was transferred to the Privy Council and I supervised the Kaifeng Mansion, but we rarely saw each other after that.In this major exam, he was able to stand out among hundreds of officials with two articles, which can be regarded as a solid accumulation of knowledge and worthy of many years of hard study. "

After a pause, Chai Rong said with some doubts: "It's just that Tao Gu, I have heard about his reputation. I know that he has written many articles in the Tokyo Times. He is a well-read man with strong knowledge and a wealth of knowledge. It’s just that his character seems to be bad, and the late emperor was very displeased with him back then.”

Wang Pu glanced at Zhu Xiu and did not speak in a hurry.

He knew that Tao Gu and Zhu Xiu had become close recently. Tao Guxian and Mr. Shiyou were both famous writers in the Tokyo Times. They made friends through writing and seemed to have a good rapport.

Tao Gu is talented, but he is despised by others.

Wang Pu had always kept a distance from him, but he didn't expect that this time, taking advantage of the opportunity of the big exam, this person would come out on top and enter the emperor's sight.

Wang Pu was not sure how deep the friendship between Zhu Xiu and Tao Gu was, so he had to speak rashly to avoid offending others.

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Your Majesty said before that this exam does not care about character and morality, but only about talent and learning ability. Therefore, I and Wang Xianggong did not cross out Tao Gu's name after removing the title. If Your Majesty feels it is inappropriate, , you can not adjust his position after the report, but just give him some rewards and encouragement."

Chai Rong hesitated for a moment, "That's all, let's listen to what this person will say and answer first."

Soon, Tao Gu and Wang Pu arrived hand in hand. After worshiping, they sat behind Zhu Xiu.

Chai Rong smiled and said: "Uncle Wen, since I left Chanzhou, I haven't had a long talk with you for a long time."

Wang Pu hurriedly bowed slightly and said, "I may not have listened to His Majesty's teachings in person for a long time."

Chai Rong laughed and said, "Young Master Wen has become more tactful! When I was in Chanzhou, I chatted with you, and how often did I not listen to your teachings? Wen Bo is the assistant to the superior. In terms of knowledge, I am self-aware, but I don’t have the ability to teach you!”

Wang Pu's slightly chapped face turned red. He cupped his hands and whispered, "I'm ashamed!"

Wang Pu, as his name suggests, reveals a sense of simplicity from his appearance.After leaving the palace, he took off his official robe and blended in the crowd inconspicuously, like a dull and honest woodcutter.

Tao Gu lowered his eyelids and squirmed a little uneasily, feeling like an outsider.

Among the people present, he was the oldest, and his status was the most inconspicuous.

Wang Pu was your Majesty's old minister when he was in Chanzhou, and he was praised by the late Emperor in person. It can be seen that your Majesty admires him very much.

Wang Pu is also a minister ordered by the late emperor to assist in the affairs of the court. He has outstanding abilities and is deeply trusted by his majesty.

Not to mention Zhu Xiu.

Only he, Tao Gu, was much older and served as a regular servant of Yousanqi. He seemed to be a high-ranking official, but in fact he did not have much real power. He was only a marginal figure in the official circles of the capital.

If he hadn't approached Zhu Xiu in advance this time, he might not have had the chance to enter the palace to see His Majesty.

In an instant, Tao Gu was filled with bitterness and grievance, and his eyes almost became wet.

After chatting and joking with Wang Pu for a while, Chai Rong glanced at Tao Gu and said calmly: "The two articles written by Tao Qing's family this time are very good. I was inspired after reading them."

Tao Gu hurriedly bowed respectfully and said: "I dare not win your majesty's praise for my humble work! Your majesty has opened up a wide range of opinions and ordered his ministers to make suggestions and strategies. Even if the old ministers rack their brains, they must do their best for your majesty's new policy!"

Chai Rong smiled, his attitude was quite humble and sincere.

"In the article "Strategy for Ping Bian", the two Qing family advocated 'first south and then north'. I would like to hear from you in person. What is the reason?"

Wang Pu glanced at Tao Gu in a little surprise, but he didn't expect this person's views to be the same as his.

Wang Pu had also heard of Tao Gu's talents, but judging from his articles published in the Tokyo Times, he had very little involvement in people's livelihood, government affairs, and military strategy.

I didn’t expect that I would become famous this time through the big exam.

The two exchanged modest remarks, and Tao Gu said first: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the reason why this veteran came to this point of view is actually inspired by Zhu Shilang's previous articles!

One is the "Overview of Intelligence from All walks of life in Jiangnan" presented by Zhu Shilang when he returned from Jiangning three years ago, and the second is the astonishing masterpiece on Huanghuang's achievements not long ago. "

Chai Rong smiled slightly and glanced at Zhu Xiu meaningfully.

Zhu Xiu pretended to be ashamed and lowered his head and handed over his hands.

Tao Gu added: "Looking at our great Zhou Dynasty, it is located in the Central Plains and can be said to be surrounded by enemies on three sides. Among them, the Liao Kingdom is the greatest threat, followed by the Tang Kingdom in the south of the Yangtze River. The rest are Meng Chang of the Shu Kingdom, Qian Shi of Wuyue, Gao Baorong of Jingnan, and Lingnan The Liu family is all suffering from scabies, and they are just waiting for the general trend of the world to decide, and these separatist forces will naturally fall apart.

The Khitans occupied the strategic location of Youyan and peered into the hinterland of Hebei and even the Central Plains, so they had to garrison the frontier with heavy troops.

Due to the danger of the river, the Tang State is unable to advance northward. It just wants to stay in a corner, which is not something to be afraid of. However, if in the future when I go north to the frontier to fight the Khitan people, the Tang State attacks across the river, causing me to be attacked from both sides. I will inevitably worry about one thing and lose the other. .

It would be better to take advantage of the instability in the political situation when the upper echelons of the Liao Kingdom are fighting for power, and attack Huainan first to obtain money and food, and then look at the situation in the world, and then make a judgment to decide whether to march north to regain Youyan, or continue to cross the river to attack the Tang Kingdom. "

Tao Gu talked eloquently, but Chai Rong listened carefully and nodded in approval from time to time. Old man Tao was encouraged and became even more energetic and salivated.

Wang Pu and Wang Pu also looked at him with admiration. Regardless of his character, these remarks really showed his true talent and learning.

Chai Rong thought for a while and said: "According to Tao Qing's point of view, the so-called first south and then north, actually means taking Huainan first, and then turning north to recover Youyan?"

Tao Gu hurriedly said: "First take Huainan to enrich our country's population, money and food, and cut off an arm south of the Yangtze River. Then the two countries will face each other across the river, and then decide the order of north and south according to the world situation."

Chai Rong frowned and nodded slowly.

He understood what Tao Gu meant. Although the Tang State was not something to be afraid of, it was not easy to break through it in a short time. It was better to take the land of Huainan first and rule across the river from the Tang State.

If there are fighters in the north in the future, Youyan should still be prioritized first.

By seizing the land of Huainan, the Tang state had only the natural dangers of the Yangtze River to defend.

If Zhou Jun wants to attack across the river, he must prepare warships and train naval forces, which cannot be done in a short time.

Chai Rong looked at Wang Pu and said with a smile: "The meaning of Wen Bogong's article is to insist on destroying the Tang Kingdom first, taking over all the land south of the Yangtze River, then recruiting Wu Yue and Hou Shu to surrender, and finally launching the Northern Expedition?"

Wang Pu said seriously: "As I said in the article, 'The way to conquer begins with the easy one'! Looking at the world, the Tang State occupies the fertile land in the south of the Yangtze River. It is rich but weak, and it is the easiest to take!
Most of the ministers agree with what Mr. Tao said, but I do not agree with the northern expedition to Youyan and the decisive battle with the Khitans before unifying the world!

I think the reason why the Khitan is so strong today is because the Khitan nobles have been ruled by the Tang Dynasty for a long time and have been deeply influenced by Sinology for more than [-] years. Except for some tribal customs, they are not much different from the Han people.

The Khitan people are also used to cultivating fields. Children of nobles learn the six arts of a gentleman from an early age. They are proud of being elegant and profound, and are ashamed of being vulgar and superficial. Such Hulu are different from the Huns and Turks since ancient times!
The most terrifying thing is that in the land of Youyan, the Khitan people used Han people to govern the Han people. The legal system, customs and habits were the same as those in the Central Plains. The Han people gradually became stable and their hearts no longer wanted to return!

Unless there are major changes in the upper echelons of Khitan, regaining Youyan cannot be accomplished overnight, or even in one or two generations!
Because of this, I have determined that the Khitans must be our century-old enemy in the Central Plains, and we must not take them lightly! "

Chai Rong frowned again, feeling a little heavy.

What Wang Pu said was true, and he naturally understood.

But if You Yan is not taken back, the Central Plains will not be peaceful.

If there is a slight change in the Central Plains Dynasty, the Khitan cavalry can sweep southward and drink from the Yellow River.

Wang Pu seemed to have thought of something, and then said: "The conclusion I came to was also inspired by Zhu Shilang's article. The first one is the Jiangnan Intelligence Summary, which discusses the general situation of all walks of life in Jiangnan, and the second one is the article "Huanghuang's Gong", which analyzes the situation in the world in detail. I have countless ministers. After reading it for the second time, I gained something new every time. It can be said that the article Ping Bian Ce was built on the basis of two articles by Zhu Shilang, and it can be regarded as opportunistic!"

Zhu Xiu hurriedly raised his hands and said: "Wen Bogong praises us too much! The article "Pingbian Policy" is even more lofty and strategic. It can be regarded as the guiding principle for our strategic development in the next few years."

Wang Pu was an honest man and couldn't stand Zhu Xiu's flattery. He blushed and said calmly: "Don't you dare, don't you dare, Minister Zhu is serious!"

Chai Rong said with a smile: "You two should not give in to each other. Whatever is good for the country, no matter who inspires whoever, I am happy to see it succeed. I hope the more the better."

Zhu Xiu and Wang Pu smiled at each other and both said yes.

(End of this chapter)