I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 400: Su Jingming gets promoted after tricking Yelu Zhongyuan again!
Forbidden, hang down the hall.

Everyone looked at Di Qing.

Di Qing took two steps forward, and then raised his hands heavily towards Zhao Zhen.

"In the official family, I was born in a remote village. I joined the army because of quarrels and fights with others. I accidentally got into today's world. Even now, I still have a shadow of the lower-level subordinates!"

"In the eyes of officials, subordinate officials are not officials and are weak at the bottom. But in the eyes of ordinary people, subordinate officials are officials who cover the sky with one hand and can even control the life and death of the people and their families!"

"I object to the inclusion of subordinate officials into the imperial salary system because, no matter how miserable the life of subordinate officials is, they are still better off than the vast majority of ordinary people."

"Once you increase the pay of subordinate officials, it is equivalent to giving them an official status and giving them more privileges. In the future, the candidates for subordinate officials in the countryside must be local gentry, landlords, and members of the same clan as wealthy families."

"Nowadays, although most of the subordinate officials make a living by scraping money, and some people even say that they 'depend on the amount of bribes,' but after they finish scraping, they can still do things for the people."

"Once the imperial court pays subordinate officials, it will break this supply and demand. Those rich and powerful families will definitely seize the quota. One person can serve as a treasury soldier, which can be passed down to the family for three generations. I am afraid that after taking the money, they will not do anything for the people, and the position of subordinate officials will be more biased. Due to family inheritance, people's lives will be worse, and the gap between rich and poor in the countryside will be wider. "

"I believe that the fundamental way to solve the difficulties in implementing reforms in poor counties like Nanpi County is to help poor people increase their income, rather than to increase the salaries of officials or the pay of subordinate staff."

"Officials, I suggest that the court allocate another amount of money specifically for poverty alleviation in poor counties. In addition, in addition to allowing local officials to help each other, poor counties and townships need good officials to manage them, rather than allocating officials with good political performance to wealthy areas. , assigning officials with poor political performance to poor areas, reforming the entire Song Dynasty, seeking wealth and strength, no one can be left behind! "

"I second the proposal!"

Zhao Zhen nodded.

"I second the proposal!"

in a blink.

"Indeed, since the reform was implemented throughout the Song Dynasty, the state capitals have benefited the most. We should also focus on those poor counties. If we want to create a prosperous age, every county and town in the Song Dynasty must become rich! "

Officials are the foundation for the stability of towns and villages.

Zhao Zhen looked at Su Liang and said, "Su Qing, starting from tomorrow, Zimu will be sent to the prison to be Jun'er's companion. He will not be absent from class unless it is a holiday."

Just when Su Liang was about to leave, Zhao Zhen said: Su Qing, you stay! "

After hearing Di Qing's words, Chui Gong Palace suddenly became quiet.

……

Zhao Zhen and Su Liang were the only ones left in Chui Gong Hall.

……

Su Liang was stunned and said: "The official family, this kind of favor is too great. I am only from the seventh rank now. My son has received this honor, and I am afraid it will attract criticism from the courtiers."

All the officials stood up and expressed their agreement.

Although Su Liang was born a beggar, he was also a beggar from Yangzhou City. The quality of subordinate officials in the state capital was much better than that of subordinate officials in remote areas.

Everyone is not supporting Di Qing, but Di Qing's words do make sense.

As for the second prince, he is less than five years old and not yet old enough to study.

Zhao Zhen stood up and said: "Yes, no one is missing. Let the Reform Department formulate a detailed strategy for this matter!"

Wen Yanbo stood up.

……

Officials have retirement salaries, and no matter how poor the officials are, they can farm the land. But if the people are forced to make a living, they will have no choice but to rebel.

Suddenly.

He is now five years and two months old, eight months younger than Su Liang's son Su Zimu.

"I second the proposal!"

And the other people in the palace.

This is human nature!
Di Qing started from the lowest level and saw too many subordinate officials bullying the people.

Su Liang walked out slowly.

Jun'er is the eldest prince Zhao Jun.

As the saying goes: if the imperial power does not go to the countryside, it will be difficult to go to the countryside.

Fang Wangen, the magistrate of Nanpi County, begged for an increase in the salary of lower-level officials. He was considering the problem from his own perspective and believed that as long as the salary of lower-level officials was increased, all problems would be solved.

At this time.

Immediately, Zhao Zhen waved his hand to signal the meeting to end.

The officials of the Reform Department are considering the cost and how to mobilize the enthusiasm of the officials.

"Officials, I think what Prime Minister Di Shu said is very reasonable. Increasing the pay for subordinate officials will not only be detrimental to the implementation of the reform, but will also cause the gap between the rich and the poor to become wider and wider. This is the biggest obstacle to the prosperity of the entire Song Dynasty!"

No matter how poor officials and officials are, there is always a way out.

But they ignore the survival rules of the people at the bottom.

"I obey!" All officials raised their hands in unison.

The poorer and smaller a place is, the less kingly law it has, and the easier it is for power to bully the weak.

But once they are no longer in the same class as the common people and become people who eat the royal food, no matter how much they eat or how little they eat, they will use their power to bully others and show off their official power.

Standing high above the temple, we ignore this hidden danger.

"If you have any objections, I will stop you!" Zhao Zhen said simply.

Su Liang rolled his eyes.

"Guan family, now that the New Year is approaching, can we let Zimu enter the palace to study with us after the New Year?"

Zhao Zhen rolled his eyes at Su Liang.

"I am willing, but Jun'er is not willing."

"Your son came to the palace two days ago and told Jun'er a lot about the Cuju competition between Baijia Academy and Chengnan. Jun'er's heart flew out of the palace!"

"Last night I asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up, and he actually said that he wanted to be a carpenter or a Cuju artist, and he also wanted to be your son's follower, because then he could drink Yang Erlang mutton soup under the Zhouqiao Bridge at any time. "

"Your good son taught you this! I don't want to see your son playing wildly outside. My son is buried in studying. Your son must come to accompany my son!"

Su Liang smiled helplessly.

"Guan, how can my son compare with the eldest prince? The eldest prince will become the king of a country in the future."

Zhao Zhen glared and said: "Su Jingming, don't think that I don't know what your plans are. You only want your son to be rich and happy for a lifetime, whether he enters an official career or not. I tell you, no!"

"From now on, you must put pressure on your son! In my eyes, your son is very likely to become a prime minister in the future and an important minister of the country who can assist Jun'er. You can no longer raise her like a sheep, do you understand? ?”

"I obey!"

Su Liang sighed: Su Zimu's good days are coming to an end.

……

Early the next morning.

Outside Su's house.

Su Liang, Tang Wanmei, and Tang Ze sent Su Zimu, who was dressed like a young scholar, to the carriage.

Tang Wanmei warned: "Son, when you enter the forbidden area, you must abide by the rules. Don't do anything with bad etiquette. You must know how to be humble, don't conflict with others, and don't do bad things. Do you understand?"

Tang Ze on the side also reminded: "My great grandson, when you get to the palace, don't climb trees or climb on the walls. Don't doze off while studying, and don't dare to pee at will..."

After Tang Ze and Tang Wanmei talked for half an hour, Su Liang rubbed Su Zimu's little head and said, "Son, when you go to the palace, it's just like our family. You come as happy as you want, and you fell asleep." Just sleep and eat when you are hungry. As long as you are reasonable, you cannot suffer any loss. If you are wronged, go home and see Daddy. Daddy will support you! "

"I know, kid!" Su Zimu held his hands towards Su Liang, then got into the carriage with a bright smile.

aside.

Tang Ze and Tang Wanmei rolled their eyes in anger.

They talked a lot, but Su Zimu didn't even listen to them. Su Liang said something, but he actually listened.

Su Liang looked at Tang Ze and Tang Wanmei with a smile and said, "We can't let our children be too honest, otherwise they will be easily bullied!"

Tang Ze and Tang Wanmei couldn't help but curl their lips.

Su Zimu completely inherited Su Liang's intelligence and eloquence. There are not many people who can bully Su Zimu at the moment.

…it’s nearly dusk on the fifth day of December.

Su Liang was preparing to go home.

Officials in Kaifeng Mansion reported that the imprisoned King Yelu Chongyuan of the Liao Kingdom had urgent matters to see Su Liang.

Immediately.

Su Liang took a carriage and rushed to the house where Yelu Zhongyuan was under house arrest.

Since expelling the Liao envoy last year, Yelu Chongyuan began to try to sleep in a firewood shed and lick gall, showing his ambition to eat gall.

at the same time.

He began to write frantically to his relatives in Liao.

From one letter every three days to two letters a day, sometimes even three letters a day.

As long as he collects another 1.8 million yuan, he can return to Liao early.

Half an hour later, night fell.

Su Liang came to the house where Yelu Zhongyuan was under house arrest.

Yelu Zhongyuan saw Su Liang from a distance and said hello.

"Brother Jingming, sit down quickly, sit down quickly, the tea has just been brewed!"

As the saying goes: People under the eaves have to bow their heads.

Yelu Chongyuan knew that Su Liang's attitude would determine whether he could return to Liao early, so he was very respectful to Su Liang.

After Su Liang sat down, Yelu Zhongyuan took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Su Liang.

Su Liang took a serious look and couldn't help but smile and said: "King Yelu, congratulations! You can return to Liao after the property is settled clearly!"

This letter stated that Yelu Zhongyuan's relatives had collected 1.8 million yuan in property.

As long as the Song Dynasty sends people to the border to dock, they can hand over the property immediately.

Hear this.

Yelu Zhongyuan became excited.

He leaned over to look at Su Liang and said: "Brother Jingming, according to the current situation, I will be able to return to Liao with the mission after the new year. In the following time, can you let me take a walk in Bianjing City and stay in the city?" It’s so boring in this house!”

Su Liang thought for a while and said, "Okay, but I have a condition."

Su Liang said to an official on the side: "Get pen, ink, paper and inkstone!"

Yelu Zhongyuan narrowed his eyes and said: "Understood, if you ask me to write a confession, you can write it. The battle at Baigou River was all my fault, Yelu Zhongyuan. I admit it."

Su Liang shook his head.

"The whole world knows it's your fault. If there's anything you need to confess to, I don't want a confession. I want you to give me a promise."

"If you ascend the throne as emperor in the future, you will give up the southernmost Yingzhou and Mozhou among the sixteen states of Yanyun and return them to the Song Dynasty! How about that?"

"Ah?" Yelu Zhongyuan opened his mouth in surprise.

"Su Yushi, your request is a bit too much! Although the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun is a Han prefecture, it has always been under the jurisdiction of our Liao Kingdom. When can we return it to the Song Dynasty? I'd better stay in the house, for To get some fresh air, you have to leave two states, the price is too high!”

Su Liang smiled slightly and took a sip of tea.

"Of course I won't let you cut off two states for nothing. When you and Yelu Hongji seize power, if there is a military uprising and you lose, you can retreat to Yingzhou and Mozhou. We, the Song Dynasty, can protect you."

"And if you can capture Yelu Hongji and are unwilling to go to war with me, the Song Dynasty, then you will not suffer a loss if you cede the two states!"

"I'm giving you a way out. If you don't need it, just pretend I didn't say anything. I will let you go back to Liao after the property is handed over at the border."

After saying that, Su Liang stood up and was about to leave.

"Wait!" Yelu Zhongyuan hesitated.

Yelu Chongyuan knew very well that in terms of power, he was no longer as good as Yelu Hongji.

Just because he was Yelu Zong's real brother and Empress Dowager Xiao was alive, he and Yelu Hongji were both qualified to inherit the throne.

If Da Song helps, his chances of winning will be greater.

As for whether he was willing to give up the two states to the Song Dynasty when he became emperor, it all depended on his strength at that time.

If the strength is not weaker than that of Song Dynasty, this matter can be said to be coerced by Su Liang.

Words like "a promise of a thousand pieces of gold" are bullshit in his eyes.

Thinking about it this way, he felt that he would not suffer any loss.

"I promise!"

Immediately, Yelu Zhongyuan wrote a letter of commitment.

After Su Liang read the letter of commitment, he said: "King Yelu, we will be allies from now on! I believe you will not break your promise, otherwise I will make this trust public."

"I understand, I understand!" Yelu Zhongyuan said with a smile.

He thought to himself: He is still young! You actually regard me as one of these rotten scholars in your dynasty. I don’t mean what I say, so what can you do to me? "

……

the next morning.

In the Chui Gong Hall, all the ministers gathered together.

Su Liang reported to Zhao Zhen that Yelu Chongyuan had raised enough ransom, and Yelu Chongyuan's letter of commitment was also read by all the ministers.

Fu Bi was the first to speak: "Jingming, this letter of commitment looks like it is written in black and white with a signature, but the Liao people have always been rude. If they don't admit it, there is nothing we can do."

"Yes! If Yelu Zhongyuan really becomes the Emperor of Liao, he will never be willing to cede the land of the two states. If he wants to win Yanyun, he will still have to use force!" Wen Yanbo said.

Zeng Gongliang followed up and said: "Jing Ming, I just let you see the intelligence of the Liao Kingdom some time ago. At present, Yelu Zhongyuan's power is far weaker than Yelu Hongji. Once Empress Dowager Xiao and Yelu Zongzhen die, Yelu Hongji will I will definitely find a way to destroy Yelu Chongyuan to avoid future troubles.”

……

Su Liang smiled and said: "Everyone, I never thought that such a commitment letter could make Yelu Zhongyuan cede two states to the emperor and empress. I asked him to sign this commitment letter just to provide him with courage! "

"After Yelu Zhongyuan returns to Liao, there is a high probability that he will not be able to defeat Yelu Hongji."

"I'm worried that he will choose to compromise and no longer fight against Yelu Hongji. And if we promise to increase our troops to help him, it will give him hope. This will make him more ambitious and eager to fight for the throne, and the internal strife in Liao will also become more serious. It can be more intense.”

"As for what he said about ceding the two states, I don't believe it either. We want it, so let's fight hard for it when the time comes!"

After hearing this explanation, Zhao Zhen and the officials couldn't help but laugh.

"Jingming, when the Liao Kingdom met you, they really met their nemesis!" Fu Bi sighed.

In recent years, Su Liang has often tricked the Liao Kingdom.

The Liao Kingdom's national power declined and the people were in dire straits. The Jurchens in the north continued to provoke civil strife. Su Liang had at least five points of credit.

Zhao Zhen also had a smile on his face.

He liked Su Liang's strategy.

It doesn't cost a single soldier, but it can make the enemy country fly.

At this time, Zhao Zhen looked at the princes in Zhongshu.

"Su Qing has made a great contribution to the Liao Kingdom's three million ransom payment in advance. I have decided to promote him to the position of admonishment. What do you think?"

In the absence of other official positions, You Si Jian is the seventh rank.

Although it was only upgraded to half a level.

But it had been less than two months since Su Liang was demoted, and the speed of promotion was already incredible.

"I second the proposal!" All the ministers raised their hands at the same time.

Since Su Liang served as Yushi Zhongcheng.

They have always regarded Su Liang as the censor Zhongcheng, and it has never changed.

(End of this chapter)