I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 210 Zhao Zhen angrily denounced his relatives outside the clan, and Fan Zhongyan, Wang Anshi, and Sima Guang all returned to the court.
In the first year of Huangyou's reign, it was early morning on the first day of the first lunar month.

The meeting officially kicked off.

Zhao Zhen was sitting on the throne of Daqing Hall, looking very energetic.

Envoys and envoys from various countries came to the court one after another to pay tribute.

Except for Yelu Qing, the Liao State envoy, Yang Huaisu, the Xixia envoy, and Xia Song, the Privy Council envoy, who were a little unhappy, everyone else had red faces and was in high spirits.

The ceremony of the Great Court Meeting was complicated and lasted until nearly noon before it ended.

Afterwards, Zhao Zhen gave a banquet to all the ministers.

As Su Liang was truly the number one favorite of the Song Dynasty, countless people came to him to propose a toast.

Su Liang pulled Ouyang Xiu to stop the drinking, and Bao Zheng and Tang Jie held the banquet, so they were not drunk.

He didn't arrive home until dusk, then lay down and fell asleep.

The second day of the first lunar month.

Countless people go to Daxiangguo Temple to burn incense.

It also happens that this year is the year of the three-year college entrance examination, and scholars and scholars wearing t-shirts can be seen everywhere.

The streets of Bianjing City are bustling with people, standing shoulder to shoulder.

Su Liang had no relatives to visit, so Tang Wanmei took Su Zimu to visit Empress Cao in the palace.

Su Liang, on the other hand, went to meet Lao Hong, Liu Chang'er and others to reminisce about old times.

Also.

Su Liang also had a meal with Fan Chunren, the son of Fan Zhongyan, and Wang Anren, the brother of Wang Anshi, who went to Bianjing to take the exam.

In this provincial imperial examination, it was found that Zhao Gai, a Hanlin scholar, had been selected for the tribute examination.

Su Liang chatted with the two of them, there was no need to avoid suspicion.

The next two days.

Su Liang's family of three went to visit Wen Yanbo, Wu Yu, Ouyang Xiu, Tang Jie, Bao Zheng and others.

As for Xia Song, he had never visited him.

Now because of a poem, Xia Song was so angry that he gritted his teeth when he saw him.

Su Liang couldn't explain it, so naturally he wouldn't go to Xia Mansion to cause trouble for him.

What surprised Su Liang was that the influence of this poem was still fermenting.

Some bookstores and private schools in Bianjing City have changed the couplets at the door to: Ask the canal where you can find such clear water, so that there is a source of running water.

Even some oil shops and flower shops have these two sentences posted on their doors.

Su Liang originally thought that these people were following the trend.

But after listening to Cao Yi's words, I realized that these two sentences can bring huge business opportunities to businesses.

After posting this sentence on a tile, the number of customers increased by [-]%.

Because they think the meaning of posting this is: the update rate of Kabuki in this wazi is faster.

Wazi's customers are all happy with the new arrival.

This is not over yet.

The scholars who took the exam also had a new interpretation of the poem.

They believed that what Su Liang was referring to was the new law of the imperial court.

Now that the Song Dynasty is about to undergo political reform, this poem is likely to become an examination question in the provincial examination policy theory.

As soon as these words came out, the scholars began to analyze this poem one after another.

The impact of this poem on the people is greater than the sensational effect caused by Ouyang Xiu and Liu Yong.

For a time, there were countless scholars who wanted to communicate with Su Liang.

Su Liang really didn't know how to make it up, so he had to go out as little as possible.

……

Su Liang originally thought that Zhao Zhen would start preparing for the Song Dynasty reform after the Lantern Festival.

Never thought.

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Zhao Zhen summoned all his ministers to the forbidden area.

In the afternoon, inside the Chui Gong Hall.

The princes of the two governments and three departments, the bachelors of the academy, and the chief admonishers all gathered together.

Zhao Zhen sat above, looked at the ministers, and said: "I am calling you all here today for one thing only."

"In the past [-] years since the founding of the Song Dynasty, problems have arisen in many aspects such as land tax, imperial examinations, official administration, military, commercial taxation, etc. Three years ago, we used Qizhou as a demonstration point to implement reforms, and the results were remarkable. I am very satisfied. Now, it is imperative to implement reforms throughout the Song Dynasty!"

Hearing this, the corners of Ouyang Xiu's eyes became moist.

At that time, he was the only one among the old men who were still at the center of the court during Fan Fu's New Deal.

Su Liang was also excited.

This journey has been very bumpy, and the Song Dynasty is finally taking this step.

Zhao Zhen continued: "This time the reform of the entire Song Dynasty will be carried out by me personally and directly commanded. As for the form, we will discuss it after the Lantern Festival."

"My purpose in this reform is to destroy the powerful, destroy the privileges, suppress mergers, strengthen the army and horses, and rely on talents, so that the national treasury will be full, the people will be free from poverty, and the soldiers will be strong and brave. We will never give up until we achieve our goals!"

The powerful refers to the wealthy landlords and businessmen who are unkind for the sake of wealth.

Privilege refers to officials and noble relatives who have nothing to do with their bodies.

What suppresses annexation is the wealthy who are madly grabbing land and expropriating poor tenants.

Strengthening troops and horses is to strengthen the combat effectiveness of the soldiers of the Song Dynasty; meritocracy is to promote the true talents of the Song Dynasty in governing the country.

To sum up, the final goal of the reform is: national football, rich people, and strong military.

After hearing this, all the ministers raised their hands.

At this time, anyone who opposes the reform is seeking death.

Immediately, Zhao Zhen stood up slowly.

"I will tell the ugly story first. During the reform period of the Song Dynasty, if anyone framed his colleagues for the crime of forming a secret party and disturbed the overall situation with personal gain, I will punish him severely. If anyone feels that he is not competent, he can resign on his own initiative. Don't wait until I Go and persuade me again!”

Zhao Zhen's tone became stern.

The ministers quickly raised their hands again and shouted in unison: "I understand."

Although Zhao Zhen was always kind, he never treated the scholar-bureaucrats poorly.

But all the ministers knew it in their hearts.

It's not that this official doesn't understand the art of checks and balances, or that he doesn't know what the courtiers are thinking.

Before he took office, he was trained by Zhang Xianmingsu's empress Liu E.

All kinds of imperial methods are unknown.

I just don’t like doing it.

If anyone thinks that Zhao Zhen's kindness can be fooled, they are totally wrong.

Zhao Zhen looked at Wen Yanbo.

"Zhongshu immediately issued an edict, ordering Qizhou magistrate Wang Anshi and general judge Sima Guang to return to Beijing immediately to report on the results of Qizhou's three-year reform!"

"I obey!" Wen Yanbo handed over his hand.

Long before Zhao Zhen went to Qizhou incognito, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang had already begun to write and organize the results of Qizhou's three-year reform.

Su Liang expected that the two of them could sort out at least one bamboo basket.

These outcome documents will serve as important basis and reference materials for this Song Dynasty Reform.

Zhao Zhen thought for a while and then said: "In addition, we will summon Fan Zhongyan, the bachelor of Zizheng Palace and the appeasement envoy of Shaanxi Fourth Road, back to the capital."

After hearing this, all the officials raised their heads.

Mr. Fan is finally coming back!

Ouyang Xiu has always been emotional, and when he heard these words, tears could not help but overflow from his eyes.

Crying and laughing at the same time.

At that time, the person he admired most was Fan Zhongyan, followed by Su Liang, and Fu Bi was the third.

Xia Song looked at Zhao Zhen nervously.

Zhao Zhen said: "Let's do this for now. After the Lantern Festival, the results of the Qizhou Reform will be sent to Bianjing City for further discussion!"

Xia Song couldn't help but take a long breath.

He was afraid that Zhao Zhen would transfer Fu Bi back to Beijing.

If Fan Zhongyan returns to Beijing, he will most likely be promoted to deputy prime minister. If Fu Bi returns to Beijing, he will grab Xia Song's position as Privy Councilor.

……

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Shangyuan Festival, night falls.

In front of Xuande Tower, there is a towering shed and dazzling colored lights.

Countless people gathered on Royal Street.

On both sides of the corridor, some people performed rope climbing, some performed ball-shooting and Cuju, and some performed miraculous magic...

On the high platform at the front of Xuande Building, actors from the Jiaofang Division and the military band took turns performing on the stage, attracting bursts of cheers from time to time.

At this moment, Zhao Zhen and his concubines arrived in front of Xuande Tower.

The people below all shouted long live together, it was very lively.Zhao Zhen was in a very good mood and murmured: "Tonight is a good start for the reform in the entire Song Dynasty. Tomorrow, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to the reform!"

at this time.

A scholar in front of the terrace suddenly shouted: "Guan family, we have a grievance to complain!"

The scholar's voice was quickly suppressed by the sound waves of vocal music.

But Zhao Zhen happened to hear it.

He said to Zhang Maoze on the side: "Go and see, what happened?"

On the night of the Shangyuan Dynasty, the monarch and the people rejoiced together.

But there was such a discordant sound, so Zhao Zhen was naturally concerned.

Immediately, Zhang Maoze ran down the tower.

Zhang Mao has always been reliable in his work.

He first called the soldiers to a secluded place, and then slowly asked about the reason.

After a while.

Zhang Mao understood.

These scholars are all candidates taking the provincial examination this year.

They claimed that Feng Jing, a candidate in the same class as them, was forcibly abducted by servants of Zhang Yaozuo's family this morning and has not returned yet.

They went to Zhang's Mansion at dusk to question him, but Zhang's servants claimed that they had never seen this person.

The scholars also said that Feng Jing was very talented and was No. 1 in the local provincial examination, and he was very likely to become the top pick in this session.

They were worried that something might happen to Feng Jing, so in a hurry, they came to Xuande Gate and shouted.

Zhang Mao comforted them.

At the same time, he ordered the Imperial City Secretary to go to Kaifeng Mansion to report the matter, and then went to Zhao Zhen to report it.

After Zhao Zhen heard this, his good mood suddenly disappeared.

About an hour later.

Bao Zheng personally reported the whole story to Zhao Zhen.

It's also ridiculous.

Last night, candidate Feng Jing was wandering on the street with his friends. After being seen by Zhang Yaozuo's youngest daughter, he fell in love with her at first sight and then informed Zhang Yaozuo of the incident.

Zhang Yaozuo doted on his little daughter very much. After sending someone to inquire, he found that this candidate named Feng Jing was not only handsome and unmarried, but also had extremely high literary talent. He was a popular candidate for the top prize this year.

He couldn't help but think about it.

If the number one scholar is chosen as her son-in-law, Concubine Zhang will at least have a backer in the court.

As a result, Zhang Yaozuo staged a plot to capture his son-in-law by force.

In the year of the imperial examination in the Song Dynasty, when the gold medal list was released to the lower levels, there has always been a custom of catching the son-in-law under the list.

And the reason why Zhang Yaozuo caught him in advance.

It was because he had a bad reputation and he was worried that if Feng Jingzhen was in high school, he might not marry his daughter.

At noon today, Zhang Yaozuo held a banquet and forced to invite Feng Jing.

The wine glasses, tea trays, and tea trays are all royal gifts from the palace, and the meals and snacks are all extravagant.

Moreover, he directly took out a dowry worth five hundred gold.

He knew that Feng Jing was from a small family, so he directly placed five hundred gold in front of Feng Jing.

He was full of confidence and felt that Feng Jing had no reason to refuse.

In terms of status, he is a relative of the emperor; in terms of assets, he is also rich.

Although his daughter is not beautiful, she is not ugly either.

Unfortunately, Zhang Yaozuo miscalculated.

Feng Jing simply and decisively rejected him.

This made Zhang Yaozuo furious and put Feng Jing under house arrest at home to let him think about it again.

It wasn't until Bao Zheng personally went to Zhang Yaozuo's house to ask for someone that he rescued Feng Jing.

After Zhao Zhen heard the whole story, he couldn't help but became furious.

With the new year and new atmosphere, everyone was trying to contribute to the Song Dynasty, but Zhang Yaozuo was adding to the obstacles.

After Zhao Zhen thought about it for a while, he took Concubine Zhang straight to Zhang Yaozuo's mansion.

At the same time, all the clan members and relatives in Bianjing City were called to the Zhang Mansion.

Zhao Zhen treated the scholar-bureaucrats kindly, but although he did not hesitate to reward his clan relatives, he would be severely punished if he made mistakes.

This has been the emperor's attitude towards relatives outside the clan since Emperor Taizong.

Whenever something happened, they would be summoned and scolded to prevent them from being disobedient.

Shangyuan Festival, full moon night.

When countless people admire the moon and the scenery.

Zhao Zhen scolded Zhang Yaozuo in front of his relatives and Concubine Zhang.

This scolding lasted until midnight.

Zhang Yaozuo was so scolded that he couldn't even lift his head, and he had nothing to say.

What Zhao Zhen hates most is that relatives of the clan use their privileges to oppress others.

These people are relying on his power.

at the same time.

Zhao Zhen also wanted to use this excuse to scare the clan relatives so that they would not come out to make trouble again during the Song Dynasty's political reform.

Family matters are far more difficult to deal with than court matters, and sometimes it is difficult to distinguish right from wrong.

The relatives outside the clan were all frightened by Zhao Zhen.

Concubine Zhang kept covering her face and crying, not daring to plead for mercy.

Finally, Zhao Zhen ordered that Zhang Yaozuo be demoted to three levels and asked to return to his hometown of Yong'an County with his whole family of unemployed people to retire.

No one dares to intercede for the relatives outside the clan.

……

The next day.

This matter naturally reached the ears of scholar-officials.

The admonishing officials in Taiwan all thought that the officials scolded him well.

This scolding made the relatives of the clan no longer dare to talk to the officials with their noses turned upward for at least half a year.

This scolding at least removed some obstacles to the reform of the entire Song Dynasty.

This scolding also made the clan relatives feel Zhao Zhen's power.

Rewards and punishments are clear, kindness and power are equal, and this is what a sage king does.

The seventeenth day of the first lunar month.

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang have not yet arrived.

However, the two of them wrote a 1-word "On the General Situation of the Qizhou Reform" and a bamboo basket of documents on the Qizhou Reform, which were transported to Bianjing by post soldiers.

The two cherish time like gold.

Knowing that it was the most urgent thing for the court to see the document first, he took the lead in sending the document over.

That day, the monarchs and ministers in the court became busy.

The nineteenth day of the first lunar month.

When Wang Anshi and Sima Guang entered the capital, Su Liang personally went to the city gate to greet them and took them directly to the forbidden area.

Zhao Zhen chatted with the two for most of the day before letting them go back to rest.

On the afternoon of the 25th of the first lunar month, Fan Zhongyan arrived in Bianjing.

Wen Yanbo, Ouyang Xiu, and Su Liang followed Zhao Zhen's order and went three miles out of the city to meet Fan Zhongyan in person.

This kind of treatment was never available in the current dynasty.

When the people in Bianjing learned that Fan Zhongyan had returned to the court, they were all excited and spontaneously welcomed him.

Many scholar-bureaucrats were dissatisfied with Fan Zhongyan's new policies.

But the eyes of the people are sharp.

They can tell who genuinely means good to them.

Fan Zhongyan's new policy was for the people, and in the past few years, Xixia had been unable to invade the border and relied on Fan Zhongyan to control the northwest.

Anyone who knows Fan Zhongyan's temperament will respect him.

Even the brutal and domineering Xixia people cursed Xia Song and Wen Yanbo, but they would not curse Fan Zhongyan.

Because this old man who dared to say "Be worried about the world's worries first, and be happy after the world's happiness", his words and deeds were consistent, his appearance was consistent, and he was a well-deserved first-class figure in the world.

Su Liang looked at the blue sky above Bianjing City, took a long breath, and said: "The Song Dynasty's reform will finally take the first official step!"

　Today is just one chapter. From tomorrow on, the second volume of this book [The Return of the Sages and the Reform in the Song Dynasty] is officially opened. The most exciting volume is here. You are welcome to read it!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)