I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 444: The Good of Carving and Green! Let the People Be the Masters, Then They Will Support the Court

There is a saying: The hottest month of July.

The weather was supposed to be getting cooler.

But the weather in Bianjing City in July this year was still scorching hot, and until the end of the month, it was still as hot as a big steamer.

If you stand in a place that is not in the shade, you will sweat.

The price of ice in Bianjing City skyrocketed threefold.

In the past, Zhao Zhen would grant ice to each government office three times at most, but this year he granted it five times.

Most of the people in the city were dressed lightly.

The men doing the heavy work all worked shirtless.

Some young women went out wearing a translucent gauze and a slightly open jacket.

Women in the Song Dynasty were relatively free in their dress.

Although the clothing style is not as unrestrained as that in the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, it is not conservative either.

……

Another day.

Afternoon, Privy Council.

Di Qing, Zeng Gongliang, Liang Shi and Su Liang gathered together to discuss the strategy of large-scale military training.

Su Liang was specially invited by Di Qing.

Although Su Liang's military training theory and experience were not as good as those of these three people, the Longyu Army was led by Su Liang himself.

In terms of training soldiers' fighting will and execution, Su Liang can be said to be the best in the Song Dynasty.

This ability is also lacking in all the generals and soldiers of the Song Dynasty.

Inside the room, four people were having a heated discussion.

There is a writer sitting behind each person, who will record their every word.

There were two large ice trays in the corner, filled with cold ice cubes, various fruits inside the ice cubes, and a teapot on top, for the four people to drink cold drinks to cool off.

This kind of treatment was specially arranged by Zhao Zhen.

at this time.

A guard walked over quickly and bowed to Di Qing, saying, "Prime Minister Di Shu, there are five ceremonial officials outside who want to see you. The leader is the Left Minister of the Honglu Temple. He said he has something important to discuss."

Di Qing looked puzzled.

"Ceremony officers? What are they doing here? Let them in!"

There was almost no interaction between the Privy Council and the officials of ceremony.

Even if some ceremonial matters of the Privy Council were not handled in accordance with the regulations, they were conveyed by the Secretariat.

soon.

Zuo Youding walked in with four ceremonial officers.

"Your humble servant Zuo Youding is here to pay his respects to Prime Minister Di Shu, Deputy Envoy Zeng, Deputy Envoy Liang, and Su Sijian. You are all here too!"

Su Liang and the other two nodded slightly at him as a greeting.

"Minister Zuo Si, I wonder what brings you to the Privy Council?" Di Qing asked.

Zuo Youding gave his signature ceremonial officer fake smile and glanced at Su Liang and the other two.

Zeng Gongliang immediately understood.

"Zuo Siqing, does that mean that the three of us need to stay away from what you are talking about?"

"No, no, no, there is no need to hide this matter from the three of you. However, we need to ask Prime Minister Di Shu to give us a clear reply. The three of you do not need to express your opinions."

Zuo Youding likes to beat around the bush when he speaks.

The original intention was: he was discussing things with Di Qing, and Su Liang and the other two should not get involved.

Su Liang and the other two understood instantly and immediately took the documents on the table and started reading them.

Zuo Youding looked at Di Qing and said, "Prime Minister Di Shu, this morning, the Censor Han Jiang submitted a memorial to the emperor, saying that there are many people in Bianjing who are engaged in green carving, which is a bad custom and should be banned. The emperor ordered us to study it according to the etiquette and then present a result."

Diaoqing, also known as tattoo, body carving, piercing green, and dotting green.

"At the moment, the weather is extremely hot, and many people go out shirtless. Some have tattoos on their arms, necks, and legs, and some have tattoos on their chests and backs. Many have tattoos of flowers, birds, fish, insects, and animals. I'm sure Prime Minister Di Shu has seen many of them on the streets."

"The body and hair are given by parents, and we dare not damage them. This is the beginning of filial piety. Since the pre-Qin period, tattooing was a form of punishment to punish criminals, and there was no custom of tattooing in the world. However, since the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, some evil people began to torture themselves and tattooed patterns of snakes, scorpions, tigers, leopards, etc. on their bodies..."

"Zuo Siqing, stop for a moment!" Di Qing stretched out his hand to interrupt Zuo Youding's words.

Zuo Youding was stunned and asked, "Is there something wrong with what I said?"

Di Qing said, "Zuo Siqing, you just said a lot, but in fact you only said one sentence. Carving is a crime, but now it has become a folk custom. It should be banned, right?"

"Yes, yes." Zuo Youding nodded.

"Although I am not as knowledgeable as you, I can still understand most of what you say. Please speak more concisely and only talk about things that are related to me!" Di Qing said very seriously.

Hear this.

Su Liang, Zeng Gongliang and Liang Shi all couldn't help but laugh.

What Di Qing hated most was people who talked too much.

Zuo Youding has always been a talkative person. Every time he talks about something, he would like to start by quoting allusions from Yao, Shun, Yu and Tang.

Zuo Youding smiled awkwardly.

"That's right. After discussion, we feel that Han Yushi's suggestion is correct. Carving green is indeed vulgar and should be banned."

"However, there are many people who have their faces carved with blue, and most of them have taken it as a trend because of the blue carved on your face, Prime Minister Di Shu. We would like to ask Prime Minister Di Shu to use medicine to wash off the marks on your face, so as to abandon this bad custom and set an example for the people of the world. What do you think?"

Di Qing's face was gloomy and he slowly stood up.

"Five of you, I'm afraid you've made a mistake. The marks on the faces and bodies of ordinary people are called carved blue. But the one on my face is the result of being exiled to the army. It's not the same thing."

"Whether the carving is vulgar or not has nothing to do with me. I have already reported this to the government. This mark is for my personal motivation. I will not wash it off."

"Prime Minister Di, you... why are you so stubborn? You are now the Privy Councilor, why do you still keep this thing? In our eyes, it is the mark of Diaoqing. We advise you to wash it off in order to create a good and beautiful custom for our Song Dynasty!"

"This matter has nothing to do with me." Di Qing said again, and his tone seemed as if he wanted to chase someone away.

At this time.

A ceremonial officer said loudly, "Prime Minister Di Shu, this is an arrangement by the government. You have a duty to cooperate with our orders. Doing so will also help your career. Do you want others to look at your face and remember that you are a criminal who was exiled to the army?"

"Whether I am willing or not is none of your business!" Di Qing was already angry.

The tattoo on Di Qing's face was located above his left eyebrow. It originally read six words: The Fifth Commander of Gongsheng.

Later, Di Qing made great contributions in the army.

After Shangguan agreed to let him wash off the mark, he smeared the six words into a dark purple mark to encourage himself.

In Di Qing's eyes, this mark was his medal of military honor.

He doesn't feel ashamed.

He also did not think that carving green was a bad habit, because many soldiers had the habit of carving green, and this action did not affect others.

That's why he was so angry.

Zeng Gongliang, Su Liang and Liang Shi all understood this.

pity.

The five ceremonial officers on the opposite side did not understand.

Zuo Youding said angrily, "Di Hanchen, you are so arrogant and rude. I...we are going to impeach you!"

After saying that, the five ceremonial officers left angrily.

Di Qing looked at Su Liang and the other two, smiled helplessly, and said, "Three of you, I think the punishment of tattooing and exile ruins a person's life and should be abolished! As for carving, it is a personal preference. It is not a good habit, but it is definitely not vulgar!"

Su Liang and the other two nodded in approval.

The punishment of tattooing and exile originated from Zhu Wen during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. In order to prevent soldiers from escaping, he forcibly tattooed them on their faces or arms.

Now, according to the laws of the Song Dynasty, only those who were sent into exile, deserters and defeated soldiers would be marked, and the mark could not be removed without the order of the court.

The crime of tattooing and exile has always been controversial.

Tattoos on the face were the main reason that forced some prisoners to rebel.

After being tattooed, no one will treat them as human beings anymore. Many people have to live with this mark for the rest of their lives, and their lives are worthless.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

Zuo Youding then called on a group of ceremonial officials to present a bunch of impeachment memorials, accusing Di Qing of being arrogant and conceited, bullying ceremonial officials, and leading the people to engage in the evil custom of extravagance.

Subsequently.

The officials in the imperial library also followed suit and angrily rebuked Di Qing.

They have always looked down on military officers and regard themselves as defenders of the etiquette of the Song Dynasty, so they are bound to step on them.

at the same time.

The ceremonial officials and the imperial court officials once again made an effort to have some tabloids spread the news, intending to make a big deal out of it and embarrass Di Qing, making him lose both the argument and his reputation.

However, the people who read the tabloids did not follow their ideas.

Many people said that carving is a personal hobby, which is neither immoral nor harmful to the imperial court, nor does it cause harm to others, so it is not considered vulgar.

……

In the admonition courtyard.

You Zhengyan Zhao Yan looked at Su Liang and said, "These ceremonial officials and officials in the imperial library are really shameless. What does the custom of carving green in Bianjing City have to do with Prime Minister Di Shu? When the previous emperor was in power, carving green had already become a fashion in Bianjing City. Although I don't like carving green, it doesn't harm others. How can it be considered vulgar?" Su Liang smiled faintly.

"The point is not here, but that Prime Minister Di Shu was standing in the court with them, wearing the seal, and standing in front of them. They were not convinced and felt that the exiled people were not qualified to be with them!"

Since Di Qing became the Privy Councilor, he has lived in the eyes of all civil servants. Many officials are hoping that he will make mistakes so that they can depose him!
at this time.

Zuo Youding suddenly learned that Cao Yi, Cao Guo's uncle, also had a tattoo of the God of Wealth on his chest.

Although Cao Yi no longer held an official position, he was still a relative by marriage after all, so Zuo Youding wanted to make something of him.

Immediately, Zuo Youding and other ceremonial officials directed their attack towards Cao Yi and submitted another memorial, saying that Cao Yi was influenced by Di Qing and had the blue mark carved on his chest. They also impeached Empress Cao for not managing the household well and said she was also responsible.

They felt that they were completely on the side of justice, and making a big deal out of the matter would not only highlight their achievements but also allow Di Qing to be punished.

It can be said that it kills two birds with one stone.

……

afternoon.

A loud voice rang out in front of the gate of Honglu Temple.

"Zuo Youding, come out!"

"What's wrong with my uncle carving a picture on his chest? You're not doing your job, you're nitpicking, you're falsely accusing the current queen, you're such a bad old man!"

Cao Yi stood at the gate of Honglu Temple, holding his waist and cursing loudly.

The guards at the door knew that the king's uncle was of noble status and they could not stop or drive him away, so they hurried to find Zuo Youding.

And this moment.

As Cao Yi's curses rang out again, many people gathered around.

Lean slightly.

Zuo Youding walked out quickly, holding his official robe.

"Uncle of the King, you...how can this be disgraceful? How can this be disgraceful? You...you are such a disgrace to society!" Zuo Youding stomped his feet and said.

"How disgraceful! Zuo Youding, you have made so many contributions to the Song Dynasty, and I have made so many contributions to the Song Dynasty!"

"In order to expand the trade of our Song Dynasty, my uncle traveled from south to north, from east to west, and from day to night. Do you know how much commercial taxes I have raised for the Song Dynasty? Do you know how many poor families I have helped to make their living?"

"Before, when I was not doing my job, you didn't dare to falsely accuse me. Now I am working for the court, and you not only scold me, but also falsely accuse the current queen. I can't stand it! Whether inside or outside the palace, my Cao family is a meritorious official of the Song Dynasty. It is not your turn to speak nonsense!"

"I tattooed the God of Wealth on my chest for good luck, hoping that the Song Dynasty would be prosperous. I hid it on my body and didn't show it to you. I did nothing wrong. You old fool, I will scold you today. Even if I go to the government to reason with you, you won't make any sense!"

……

Cao Yi shouted at the top of his lungs, and his voice could be heard clearly from half a street away.

Zuo Youding was so angry that sweat broke out on his forehead, but he couldn't get a word in.

After Cao Yi finished scolding, he didn't even listen to Zuo Youding's explanation. He left after saying "I will sue you to the government!"

"Vulgar! Vulgar! Really vulgar!" Zuo Youding was so angry that he held his waist and almost fainted.

this time.

Cao Yi did curse harshly, so he was definitely punished.

But he was not reckless.

After working in the business world for several years, he is no longer the reckless young man.

He has his own plans.

He dared to scold Zuo Youding like that because, on the one hand, he was indeed angry, and on the other hand, he wanted to show off his achievements.

these two years.

Cao Yi had a huge influence on the commerce of the Song Dynasty, and his title of Little Tao Zhugong was well-deserved.

Even if he was punished, he wanted to show off so that the people of the world, the officials in the court, and the government would all hear of his, Cao Yi's, merits.

move.

It is beneficial to Empress Cao in the imperial palace, to the eldest prince, and even more beneficial to the future of the Cao family.

Cao Yi, Cao Guojiu, cursed Zuo Youding, which once again brought the issue of Diao Qing to a boil.

In addition to officials submitting memorials to express their opinions, public discussion was also gradually growing louder.

"Your body and hair are given by your parents, and you must not damage them even a little bit!"

"My parents don't care about me, why do you need to care about me? I have a tattoo on my buttocks, do you still want to take off my pants to take a look?"

"You are so vulgar! A decent family would never do such a thing. You are just scoundrels and will definitely go to jail in the future!"

"none of your business!"

……

In the Chuigong Hall, memorials were pouring in like snowflakes, but Zhao Zhen was not in the palace.

this moment.

Zhao Zhen and Su Liang were drinking tea in the lobby of a teahouse and listening to the discussions of the people.

The two of them had visited six teahouses and each drank about two pots of tea.

Most of the court officials thought that carving was a bad custom and should be banned, but the majority of the people agreed. They thought that it was harmless to others and should not be banned as a bad custom.

Officials and the people are two completely opposite camps.

This was also the first time Zhao Zhen encountered this.

After a while.

Zhao Zhen and Su Liang left the teahouse and got on the carriage.

Zhao Zhen said: "I have never liked tattoos, but the people have taken it as a fashion and even praised it. Some people tattoo the names of their wives and children on their arms, some tattoo their life ideals on their backs, and some tattoo "Recover Yanyun" and "Long Live the Emperor" on their bodies. If I completely ban it, wouldn't it hurt their hearts?"

"But if it is not prohibited, the carvings displayed by some people on the streets are indeed ugly and do not conform to the etiquette of our Great Song Dynasty. They are the marks of criminals, so how can they become a folk custom?"

Zhao Zhen had a conflicted look on his face as he looked at Su Liang who was sitting opposite him.

Su Liang thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, first of all, I think that we can take the opportunity of revising the Song Dynasty Criminal Code to abolish the punishment of tattooing and exile."

"When you encounter a serious criminal, you should either execute him or sentence him to exile. Tattooing on his face is really not treating him as a human being. It will make the criminals have to bow their heads even after being pardoned. This will make them be bullied, and then they can only continue to cause chaos and do evil, or even gather together to rebel!"

Zhao Zhen nodded in approval.

He had long intended to abandon them, and there were no deserters in the current Song Dynasty.

"As for the matter of carving blue, the emperor still remembers the popularity of Hu clothing during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, everyone loved to wear Hu clothing, but after a period of time, the people got tired of it, and this trend passed!"

"Eagle painting is a hobby of a few people. Officials in our dynasty do not like it, and many scholars do not like it!"

"The people who use the carving green are either young people who are curious or people who are afraid of being bullied and use the carving green to show that they are fearless. As time goes by, their number will naturally decrease."

"I suggest that a referendum be held in Bianjing City. Everyone can participate and everyone has one vote. Then decide whether to ban it. In addition, people under the age of sixteen can be banned from wearing tattoos. Kaifeng Prefecture and the Imperial City Department can also conduct strict inspections of people who are not well dressed in the streets and alleys."

"A referendum?"

Zhao Zhen frowned slightly and said, "Jingming, do you know that there are nearly two million people in Bianjing City? Isn't it a bit too much to make such a big fuss? And from what I see, most people are against the ban on carving!"

"That's right. This result is definitely that the majority of people are against the ban on carving. The purpose of our referendum is not for the result, but to let the people know that the court respects their ideas very much!"

"This move can greatly improve the happiness of the people. When local governments encounter such matters that are closely related to the people, they can also do this, instead of letting the government have the final say!"

Zhao Zhen smiled immediately. He looked at Su Liang and said, "I understand!"

……

The next day.

Zhao Zhen summoned the ministers of the two governments and first discussed the abolition of the punishment of tattooing and exile. He then proposed holding a referendum in the city of Bianjing to decide whether to ban carving.

The gentlemen quickly understood the emperor's intention and immediately carried it out.

Ordinary people find it very rare to hear the term "referendum".

I didn't expect that I could decide the direction of national policy.

For the first time, many people felt that they were the masters of the Song Dynasty rather than slaves.

As for Di Qing, this matter had nothing to do with him.

Zhao Zhen severely punished the five ceremonial officials headed by Zuo Youding and asked them to apologize to Di Qing.

……

afternoon.

Not far from the entrance of Honglu Temple, there was a carriage parked.

Sitting in the carriage were Su Liang and Cao Yi, the uncle of Cao State, who had a pout on his face the whole time.

"Didn't the government say that Zuo Youding was at fault? Why do you want me to admit my fault? I won't go!"

Su Liang smiled and said, "This is what the Queen meant. You were wrong to curse. It was too barbaric. You should apologize for your rudeness!"

"Jingming, how about I walk around the door and come back, and then we can pretend to apologize? Zuo Youding was in the wrong to begin with, and he doesn't dare to go to the palace and say anything. As long as you think I apologized, then I have apologized!"

Su Liang shook his head.

"My Lord! The Minister of the Left Temple helped you spread the word about your business achievements to the whole court. Just based on this, you apologize to him. Isn't that a good thing?"

"You... you figured it out?"

Su Liang rolled his eyes at him.

"You think you're the only smart person in the world. Not only do I see it, but the emperor and all the gentlemen see it too. You've really made a great contribution! Next time, remember to let others praise you. It's a bit shameless to brag about yourself!"

"Haha... Indeed, indeed, I forgot that all the smart people in Song are in the court. I will go and apologize now!" Cao Yi got off the carriage with a smile on his face.

(End of this chapter)