I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 358 The luxury ban is promulgated! Bao Xiren meditates in Kaifeng Mansion
Inside the Daqing Hall.

After Su Liang finished speaking, he returned to the team of officials with a calm expression.

this moment.

All the officials were deep in thought.

Wang Yaochen, the envoy of the Third Secretary, originally thought that such extravagant style was harmless and was a manifestation of the power of the Song Dynasty.

In the past, Tang Jie's advice was somewhat stubborn, but it was actually making a fuss out of a molehill and unfounded worries.

But after hearing Su Liang's analysis.

After describing the impact of this trend on various groups of people, including the rich, the poor, the young, and the elderly.

I can’t help but feel that extravagant competition for wealth must be banned.

Such a trend.

It is not even as powerful as Su Liang's sentence, "The people talking on the streets of Bianjing are businessmen, not scholars," and even less powerful than the sentence, "Everyone regards money as a sage, and we, the Song Dynasty, may degenerate into barbarians."

But like a carved shoulder pole, it looks good but is useless.

It’s not just talk on paper, it’s not rhetoric.

Lean slightly.

"After the court meeting, Zhongshu started writing the prohibition on extravagance. As for the affairs of the harem, I will handle it!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

Many officials wrote 3,000-word or 5,000-word memorials against the extravagant competition for wealth.

……

Many people follow the herd or take their own stand.

All the ministers of Zhongshu Province handed over their hands one after another.

All the officials who had taken the advice class had a new understanding of giving advice.

The officials in the Daqing Hall raised their hands in agreement.

They thought it was admonishment.

Zhao Zhen looked around and said loudly: "My lords, what do you think of Su Yushi's advice?"

……

From Su Liang's description of the people competing for wealth on the streets of Bianjing.

At this moment, Zhao Zhen was willing to accept the advice.

And what he was more happy to see.

It can be written in less than half a day.

It requires hard work.

It is to borrow the words of saints, the laws of ancestors, and the code of conduct of scholar-bureaucrats and officials to express attitudes and emotions from the highest point of morality.

"I second the proposal!"

He seemed to be filled with righteous indignation, and he was always thinking about the country and the country of the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Zhen nodded with satisfaction, and then looked at Wen Yanbo.

This kind of advice is sparse.

Works better than any trick.

once.

……

……

You can see it.

Advise.

"I second the proposal!"

It was Su Liang who created a high-quality sample of advice.

What is destroyed is the moral order built by scholars with "benevolence, justice, etiquette, wisdom and trust".

After today, officials will definitely be more tolerant in their remonstrances, and their attempts to coerce the emperor will be greatly reduced.

It is necessary to understand the actual situation, analyze the pros and cons, and extract the most appropriate results.

Su Liang's advice could not have been dreamed up while sitting leisurely in the courtyard room with two flaming charcoal basins.

"I obey!"

Reasonable and well-founded.

What is bad is the spirit of the people in the world.

After a while.

After the court meeting dispersed, all the officials returned to their Yamen.

Zhao Zhen was sitting in the side hall, frowning, thinking about how to punish Concubine Zhang and Beauty.

The second concubine loves beauty.

Dotted jade ornaments and deer fetal crowns were used in the palace, and they were imitated by the common people.

Severe punishment is naturally the greatest support for the luxury ban.

But the two had a bad temper, and Zhao Zhen really had a headache.

Although he is an official, he still has to coax his beloved concubine.

The concubines in the harem.

There are only a few people who are as sensible and knowledgeable as Empress Cao.

at this time.

Prime Minister Wen Yanbo requested an audience.

Zhao Zhen ordered his chamberlain to bring him in.

"Minister Wen, sit down, do you still have questions about the luxury ban?" Zhao Zhen asked.

"No. I just want to say a few words about the harem."

Zhao Zhen narrowed his eyes.

Concubine Zhang's father was once a disciple of Wen Yanbo. The two exchanged gifts during the New Year and were impeached by Tang Jie.

now.

Concubine Zhang will be punished, and Wen Yanbo should actually avoid suspicion.

When Wen Yanbo saw the official looking at him, he quickly explained: "Guanjia, I... I... am not interceding for Concubine Zhang."

"I suggest that the punishment of Concubine Zhang and the beauty should be left to Empress Cao, so as to highlight the status of the mother of the country, and at the same time... at the same time... it can also make Concubine Zhang keep a lower profile."

Zhao Zhen instantly understood what Wen Yanbo meant.

these two years.

Zhao Zhen dotes on Concubine Zhang Guifei and the beautiful lady, which makes the two concubines powerful in the palace.

And because Concubine Zhang also has a son.

Sometimes the limelight in the harem even overshadowed that of Queen Cao.

Before the official family had no children.

None of the ministers will participate in the affairs of the harem.

But that's different now.

The official's attitude towards Empress Cao and Concubine Zhang reflected their attitude towards their two sons.

Although Zhao Zhen has no plans to establish a prince yet.

But all the ministers supported the eldest son.

Empress Cao is kind and undisputed, and the Cao family is low-key but not arrogant.

The succession of the eldest son to the throne is what everyone wants.

And if Concubine Zhang becomes the Queen Mother in the future, and the mother is more valuable than the son, then the Song Dynasty will be in a state of chaos!
Therefore.

It is very appropriate to take advantage of this opportunity to let Empress Cao suppress Concubine Zhang.

Zhao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "I understand. This matter will be handed over to the Queen."

Wen Yanbo handed over his hand and then withdrew.

He made this suggestion.

On the one hand, it is for the stability of the harem.

On the other hand, it was also to show that he would not collude with Concubine Zhang.

……

The twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, morning.

The imperial court officially promulgated the "Law on Prohibition on Extravagance".

There are all kinds of them, more than a hundred of them.

It will be implemented immediately in Kaifeng Mansion.

It is forbidden to show off your wealth, fight for wealth, gamble and display rare things in the busy city.

It is forbidden to compare wildly and squander property beyond the limit. It is especially forbidden to take five concubines in one day, buy a first night with a thousand coins, and sing for the first time and other absurd behaviors.

The use of jade ornaments is prohibited, and the resulting items will be handed over to the Kaifeng Prefecture for destruction.

Deer fetal skins are not allowed to be used as women's crowns, and all the products are handed over to the Kaifeng Prefecture for destruction.

……

Near noon.

The imperial court announced Queen Cao's edict again.

Concubine Zhang Guifei and the beautiful woman violated the benevolent government of the court and lived a luxurious life. They wore green ornaments and made women's crowns with deer fetal skin. They were fined half a year's salary and banned for half a month.

……

These two pieces of news quickly spread to the streets of Bianjing.

Many people clapped and praised that this kind of competition for wealth is indeed a bad habit.

Some people don’t realize how scary it is until they get involved.

A year's gain can be squandered in a few days. After the false prosperity, only emptiness and regret remain.

For a while.

Many merchants who bought jade ornaments and deer crowns at high prices panicked.

No buying and selling, no harm. The imperial court's attitude towards these two items was very decisive and demanded that they be handed over to Kaifeng Mansion and destroyed.

If you violate the rules, you will be suspended for two years.

and.

The imperial court handed over the execution of the luxury ban in Bianjing City to Kaifeng Mansion.

No common people were willing to go to Kaifeng Mansion to chat with Bao Zheng when the New Year was approaching.

soon.

Kaifeng Prefecture started the practice of destroying jade ornaments and deer fetal crowns.

A few days ago.

Those who possess these two things show off very much.

I wish everyone in Bianjing City knew they had such a rare thing.

This provides great convenience for Kaifeng Prefecture's ban on destruction.

Less than two days.

The Kaifeng Prefecture destroyed hundreds of green ornaments and deer crowns.

among them.

It was also found that the jade ornaments handed in by more than 30 women were fake.

Their jewelry, Dian Cui, is an imitation of medicinal jade and fake green leaves. You can buy one for the same amount of money.

The women were furious.

I immediately went to find the giver to settle the score.

This directly led to the breakdown of many inappropriate relationships between men and women.

It became a joke among the people for a while.

……

The fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Afternoon, the lobby of Kaifeng Mansion.

Bao Zheng was wearing official uniform and sitting upright.

In general.

All cases in Kaifeng Prefecture are tried by the judges and judges of Kaifeng Prefecture, and they are not major cases.

Bao Zheng does not need to sit in court.

But the current case was related to the luxury ban, so Bao Zheng decided to try it himself.

At this moment, there were two people standing in the hall.

One is ship merchant Han Fu, and the other is Bai Mudan, the shopkeeper of Zuiyue Tower.

Bao Zheng was impressed by these two people.

Late winter.

The ship merchant Han Fu spent a thousand guan and a large northern pearl worth a thousand guan to buy Du Qiuniang's first song of Yuan Day and Night, the courtesan of Zuiyue Tower.

This matter spread a lot in Bianjing City.

Some people called him stupid.

Some people praised him for using only two thousand guan to make himself famous in Bianjing City, and everyone shouted: Mr. Han.

This is a very good deal.

After the promulgation of the sumptuary ban.

Relevant officials of the Kaifeng Mansion immediately informed Bai Mudan, the shopkeeper of Zuiyuelou, and Han Fu, the shipowner, that they had bought Du Qiuniang, the courtesan of Zuiyuelou, to sing day and night at a high price, violating the prohibition on extravagance, and ordered the two parties to void the agreement.

Bao Zheng looked at the audience and said, "Who is the plaintiff? Who is the defendant?"

Ship dealer Han Fu quickly said: "Bao Minggong, I am the plaintiff, I am the plaintiff!"

Bai Mudan stared at Han Fu with tears on her face.

Bao Zheng said in a deep voice: "What's the matter of suing?"

"I sued Bai Mudan, the shopkeeper of Zuiyue Tower. She took away my Great Northern Pearl, which is worth thousands of gold, and refused to return it!"

"Tell me the details."

"On the twenty-fifth day of the winter lunar month, I reached an agreement with Bai Mudan, the shopkeeper of Zuiyue Tower, that I would pay a thousand guan of money plus a Great North Pearl worth a thousand guan of money in exchange for the New Year's Day gift from Du Qiuniang, the courtesan of Zuiyue Tower. Sing Quan, and Qiu Niang will stay with me for two more days. On the second day, I will hand over the Great North Pearl to me, White Peony, as a deposit."

"However, recently, the imperial court issued a ban on extravagance. Kaifeng Mansion has designated the agreement between me and Bai Mudan as an extravagant act, and asked us to cancel this agreement."

"I responded to the imperial decree and canceled this agreement, but... Bai Mudan refused to return my Great Northern Pearl!" Han Fu said angrily.

Bao Zheng looked at Bai Mudan with a serious expression.

"White Mudan, is what Han Fu said true?"

Bai Mudan looked aggrieved and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Mr. Bao Minggong, he...he is a scoundrel!"

"Since the 25th of the winter lunar month, after he reached an agreement with me, he lived and ate in my shop without spending a penny. Then...then...he even slept with my oiran in advance! After sleeping , and he showed it off everywhere, making it known to everyone!”

Han Fu's chest puffed up and he said, "Bai Mudan, I gave you the money!"

"Snapped!"

Bao Zheng slapped the gavel and glared: "Han Fu, you are not allowed to speak unless I ask you questions!"

Han Fu quickly lowered his head and handed over his hands.

Bai Mudan sobbed and said, "He only gave me ten coins."

"Bao Minggong, you know that the oiran is the life of a store. I rely on her name to support my family!"

"If he spent two thousand guans, I would admit it, but he only spent ten guans. This matter has been spread. Doesn't this mean that I, the oiran of Zuiyue Tower, is worth ten guans!"

"How can Zuiyuelou still operate under this condition? Dabeizhu should be his compensation for me!"

Bao Zheng frowned and said with a cold face: "If Da Beizhu is offered as compensation, you will have violated the prohibition on luxury. According to the law, you will be apprenticed for two years."

"Mr. Bao Ming, this... this is not fair!"

"He...he just spent ten guan of money. Not only did he gain a reputation in Bianjing City, he also ate from my shop and slept with the oiran in my shop. I...I suffered serious losses. Why did I still violate the prohibition? I don't accept it. !”

aside.

Han Fu was very excited.

The prohibition on luxury made him very comfortable to have sex for free.

Bao Zheng continued: "Bai Mudan, you drove up the price and sold the Oiran's first singing rights at a super high price. This is an act of exploiting a loophole. Now you are asking for trouble, which is not an grievance!"

"However, if you hand over the Great Northern Pearl, it will not be considered a violation of the sumptuary prohibition!"

Bai Mudan was helpless.

He had no choice but to take out the Great Northern Pearl from his arms and put it on the table in front of him.

now.

Han Fu couldn't help but smile.

He has been in business for twenty years and this is his most profitable time.

Just when Han Fu thought Bao Zheng would return the Great Northern Pearl to its original owner.

Bao Zheng added: "Han Fu, according to your agreement, Bai Mudan's acceptance of money is considered a violation of the prohibition on luxury. If you have an affair with the courtesan Du Qiuniang in advance, it will be considered as fulfilling the agreement in advance, and it will also be considered a violation of the prohibition on luxury." "

"what?"

Han Fu was dumbfounded.

"Mr. Bao Minggong, at that time... the luxury ban had not yet been issued!"

"But the courtesan Du Qiuniang only had a relationship with you because she expected you to provide one thousand guan of money and a big northern pearl!"

"Due to special circumstances, your sentence can be reduced to half a year."

"Half a year?" Han Fu wanted to cry but had no tears.

If he, a boat runner, is imprisoned for half a year, he will lose a lot of money.

"Should!"

Bai Mudan looked at Han Fu and felt much better.

"Mr. Bao Minggong, I...I...don't sue anymore, I don't sue anymore, okay? I really didn't violate the court's laws!"

Bao Zheng thought for a while.

"Let's do this! I will exempt you from half a year's imprisonment, but this Great Northern Pearl is stolen money. It is not suitable for either of you to give it to either of you. I order you to take this Great Northern Pearl to repair the students' dormitories in your hometown and county and do good deeds. How about accumulating virtue?"

"I...I do! I do!" Han Fu said excitedly.

"If there is no objection, you two should retreat!" Bao Zheng motioned to Han Fu to take the Great North Pearl.

Immediately, the two quickly retreated.

The anti-sumptuary order was a new edict issued by the imperial court. Those who violated this order were only punished with a two-year prison sentence. However, the specific punishment depended on the ability of the officials.

If Bao Zheng really sentenced the two of them to prison for two years, it would be a serious crime.

So I came up with this method.

Bai Mudan raised the price and asked for trouble. It was not an injustice. She really didn't deserve the Great North Pearl.

Han Fu took advantage of Zuiyue Tower by relying on the prohibition on extravagance, and now using a big northern pearl to build a school in his hometown and county can be regarded as compensation.

The law is dead, but people are alive.

……

Less than three days.

The extravagant competition for wealth in Bianjing City was suppressed.

The atmosphere is restored.

The scholars once again talked about the affairs of their family, country and world.

at the same time.

Many people gathered at the entrance of Honglu Temple and asked when the Liao delegation would enter Bianjing.

The people of Bianjing City.

I have never looked forward to the arrival of the Liao delegation as much as this year.

this year.

It was the time when the Liao Kingdom sent money (ransom) to the Song Dynasty.

The common people wanted to straighten their chests and let the Liao envoys see what the Song Dynasty looked like now, and how big the gap between the Liao people and the Song people was!
present.

The Song Dynasty not only straightened up its waist, but also made the Liao Kingdom bend down.

(End of this chapter)