I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 573 Extra 6: Rival Debate: Ouyang Xiu VS Gao Ruone

In the third year of Jingyou, on the third day of the sixth month, early in the morning.

The streets of Bianjing.

"Tabloid! New works by Ouyang Yongshu, who has proofread the imperial library, have been published. New works by Ouyang Yongshu, who has proofread the imperial library, have been published!"

When passers-by on the street heard that Ouyang Xiu had a new work, they stopped to buy it.

When passers-by saw the content of Ouyang Xiu's new article, they were shocked.

"This... this... Ouyang Yongshu is really bold in scolding. He is probably the only one in the dynasty who can scold the censors like this!"

"Well done! Fan Xiwen was not afraid of the power of the prime minister and dared to speak out, but he was banished. If the censors dare not speak for him, then who will dare to give opinions to the two governments in the future!"

"Haha... This article will surely be passed down through the ages. I'm afraid Gao Sijian will forever bear the infamy of being a shameless censor!"

……

The title of this article is: "Letter to Gao Sijian".

It was a letter written by the 30-year-old Ouyang Xiu to Gao Ruone, the Right Censor of the Censorate.

Ouyang Xiu and Gao Ruone were not familiar with each other.

The main reason for writing this letter is that -

During the period when Fan Zhongyan was acting governor of Kaifeng Prefecture, he repeatedly criticized the prime minister of the two prefectures, Lu Yijian, saying that "when Lu Yijian was in power, many people who were promoted came from his family", and compared Lu Yijian to the treacherous minister Zhang Yu of the Han Dynasty.

Lu Yijian was furious and accused Fan Zhongyan of exceeding his authority, recommending his cronies and alienating the emperor and his ministers.

In the end, Fan Zhongyan was dismissed from his post as acting governor of Kaifeng Prefecture and sent to serve as governor of Raozhou.

After this incident, many officials spoke up for Fan Zhongyan and requested that he be pardoned. The two governments posted notices warning all officials not to speak out beyond their authority. The only ones who spoke out were the censors, and Gao Rone, the right censor of the Censorate, was afraid of the two governments and remained silent in order to protect his official position.

After Fan Zhongyan left Beijing, Ouyang Xiu scolded Gao Ruone severely, which was written in this letter "Letter to Gao Sijian".

In the text.

Ouyang Xiu ridiculed him, "If you are in a position but don't speak, you should be dismissed. You no longer know that there is shame in the world..."

This was undoubtedly a huge insult to a censor.

……

This letter spread rapidly in Bianjing City, and within two days everyone knew about it.

Everyone felt sorry for Fan Zhongyan, everyone admired Ouyang Xiu's courage, and everyone criticized Gao Rone for not sticking to his original intention as a censor.

……

In the admonition courtyard.

When Gao Ruone learned that the "Letter to Gao Sijian" had spread throughout the city of Bianliang, he could not help but become very angry.

Three days ago, when Ouyang Xiu ordered someone to deliver this letter to him, he tore it up after reading it.

Although I am angry.

But I thought Ouyang Xiu did not dare to make suggestions to the court, so he chose to write a letter to insult him privately.

He wanted to ignore it.

Never thought about it.

The other party's purpose was to make it known to everyone.

The lethality of this letter was more serious than Ouyang Xiu's impeachment of him ten times.

Censors value their reputation the most.

Now most of the people in Bianliang are insulting him. If he does not turn the situation around, his career as Sijian may be over.

Gao Ruone thought about it and ordered someone to buy a tabloid that contained "Letter to Gao Sijian". He planned to study it carefully, find reasons to refute, and then find a suitable opportunity to debate with Ouyang Xiu and restore his reputation.

At that time, Gao Ruone was forty years old, ten years older than Ouyang Xiu.

He was also a successful Jinshi, and had served in the Censorate for a long time. He was good at debate and reasoning, and believed that he could easily defeat Ouyang Xiu, a junior who was only somewhat famous in literature.

……

Another day, afternoon.

Ouyang Xiu had just walked out of a library in the hall and reached the central courtyard when he was stopped by Gao Rone.

There are many clerks around.

They all knew that Ouyang Xiu had scolded Gao Ruone, so they all gathered around.

This is exactly the effect Gao Rone wanted.

Only with more people watching can the news of his scolding of Ouyang Xiu be spread and his reputation be restored.

"Uncle Ouyang Yong, please stand still for a moment. I have something to tell you!"

Ouyang Xiu looked up and found that it was Gao Ruone. He knew that the other party must be here to debate with him, so he puffed out his chest and said, "Gao Sijian, please speak!"

Gao Rone stared with a gloomy face.

"Ouyang Yongshu, you sought fame by causing your nonsense "Letter to Gao Sijian" to go viral in the streets of Bianjing, destroying my reputation as an official and confusing the public. Do you know your crime?"

"Nonsense? I don't know where I am talking nonsense. Please tell me clearly, Senior Censor Gao!"

"Fan Xiwen's exile was actually an imperial decree. After I learned the truth, I didn't think there was anything wrong with this punishment, so I didn't say anything. But you implied that I didn't distinguish right from wrong for the sake of high office and generous salary. This is ridiculous. If you have any complaints, you can submit a memorial to the emperor. Why are you destroying my reputation now?"

Ouyang Xiu smiled faintly.

"Gao Sijian, I didn't expect that you still don't know where you made a mistake?"

"The censors of our dynasty have the responsibility to advise the monarch and curb the monopoly of power of the two governments. The heart of the censors should be to serve the monarch, the people, and the country, not for themselves."

"At present, many officials have written to the emperor to advise him not to dismiss his loyal ministers, and the common people are also puzzled by Fan Xiwen's demotion and exile. In addition, according to the laws of our ancestors, our dynasty has never been convicted for speaking out. As a censor, you should speak out and advise, whether considering the people's voices, the court's discussions, or the current laws."

"You have said nothing for two reasons. First, you are closed-minded and do not know the voices of the people and the advice of officials. This is a dereliction of duty and you should be fired. Second, you are a high-ranking official with a high salary and dare not offend the prime minister. This is not what a censor should do, so you should be fired!"

"You said that your subordinates are destroying your reputation? Right and wrong are in the hearts of the people. If I write an article saying that Fan Xiwen dare not speak, will the people believe it? It is obviously your fault."

"I chose to write a letter instead of making a remonstrance because I hope you will consider the sentiments and opinions of the people, stop before it is too late, and be a competent censor. But I never thought that you only care about your own reputation. Can a censor who is always concerned about whether he will be slandered by others be a good censor?"

"You...you...you are acting so recklessly, so can I write a letter saying that you and Fan Zhongyan are in the same clique?"

Once the label of "clique" is put on, it won't be long before it is released.

Ouyang Xiu smiled coldly.

"Gao Sijian, you must be very familiar with this trick! Anyone who opposes the prime minister and exposes the problems in the court will be charged with the crime of forming a clique. From now on, the court will probably be in harmony, and all the censors will be removed from the two governments!"

"You can give it a try. Even if you accuse me of rebelling, I will accept it. I, Ouyang Xiu, am responsible for everything I have said and written. If you make random accusations, I believe that the government and the people of the world will be able to tell who is loyal and who is treacherous!"

Gao Ruone's face was gloomy.

Unexpectedly, the charge of forming a clique and the strategy of returning the favor did not scare Ouyang Xiu in the slightest.

Gao Ruone paused and continued, "Ouyang Yongshu, the emperor has issued an edict prohibiting officials other than censors from speaking beyond their authority. Now you have violated the rules and distorted public opinion. Not only has this ruined my reputation, but it has also caused the people to question the decisions of the emperor and the two governments. This is a serious crime!"

"I demand that you make a public apology to me immediately, or I will go to the government and impeach you. Speaking beyond your authority and distorting public opinion with outrageous words are enough to make you lose your position!"

Gao Ruone couldn't argue with Ouyang Xiu, so he prepared to use the official position to pressure Ouyang Xiu.

"Gao Sijian, you are free to impeach me. Since we disagree, I suggest that we go to Chuigong Hall and let the emperor make a judgment on whether you, the Right Sijian, have committed any crime."

"Let's go!" After saying that, Ouyang Xiu strode forward.

"This...this is a lunatic!"

Gao Rone was so angry that his eyes were about to turn white. The other party was preparing to quarrel in front of the emperor. No matter whether he won or lost, it would make the emperor unhappy.

Ouyang Xiu didn't care about his official career, but Gao Rone cared very much.

"What? You don't dare to go?" Ouyang Xiu advised Gao Rone not to move, and couldn't help but turn his head and said.

While Gao Rone was still hesitating, Ouyang Xiu strode up to Gao Rone and grabbed his wrist.

"Gao Sijian, let's go together. We must have a clear debate today!"

Immediately, Ouyang Xiu pulled Gao Rone and ran towards the Chuigong Hall.

Ouyang Xiu is in his prime.

Gao Rone was far less powerful than him and couldn't break free at all.

And given the current situation, if he chooses not to go, it will be another embarrassing incident.

……

A quarter of an hour later, the two of them arrived at the Chuigong Hall after hearing the announcement.

When Zhao Zhen saw the two of them, his face also darkened.

He also read Ouyang Xiu's "Letter to Gao Sijian" and felt that Ouyang Xiu's insults were too harsh, but at the same time, he felt that it did not reach the level of slandering his reputation.

"Gao Sijian, I have also read that article. Tell me first, why did the two of you quarrel like this?"

"Your Majesty, Ouyang Yongshu is really too much. I have worked diligently and never slacked off, but in his eyes, I have become an incompetent official who is not worthy of being a censor!"

"Fan Xiwen was banished and exiled by the joint decision of the government and the two ministers. I have no objection to what I have heard, so I did not speak out. However, Ouyang Yongshu wrote such an article, which seems to be damaging my reputation, but in fact he is blaming the government and the court. He believes that the emperor went against the will of the people and expelled the wise ministers! Ouyang Xiu must be severely punished to prevent him from misleading the public..."

Gao Ruone was very cunning. His sentence "The emperor goes against the will of the people and expels virtuous ministers" implied that Ouyang Xiu was dissatisfied with the imperial edict.

Zhao Zhen looked at Ouyang Xiu, wanting to hear how he would explain.

Ouyang Xiu bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty, I wrote this book and distributed it on the streets of Bianjing not only for Fan Xiwen."

"At present, Fan Xiwen has already gone to the local area. It is useless for me to plead for him. I wrote this letter to let the court listen to the voices of the people."

"Your Majesty, since you ascended the throne, you have repeatedly summoned the people and diligently sought frank opinions. In order to open up the public, you set up a special department for frank and extreme remonstrance. The ministers support you, the people are happy, and the court is very clear and bright."

"I do not believe that the government will block the mouths of loyal and honest people and bring about its own destruction. The censors are the mouths of the government and the people. If they cannot point out the mistakes of the prime minister and the malpractices of the court, what is the use of the censors?"

"Fan Xiwen spoke because the censors were silent at the time, and most of them were from the prime minister's school, and all they said were words of praise. If this is the case, how can the Song Dynasty prosper?"

"The censors kept silent, which led to the remonstrances of other officials. Does this count as speaking out of one's position, forming a clique for personal gain, or alienating the emperor and his ministers? I cannot understand it."

"Just now, Gao Sijian accused me of 'because of my writings, the emperor went against the will of the people and expelled the wise ministers'. I admit that the emperor did expel the wise ministers, but I don't think it was because of me, but because of these selfish and treacherous ministers who have no heart to care about the world!"

……

Ouyang Xiu became more and more excited as he spoke, and tears began to flow down his face.

He lamented that the censors had become vassals of the prime minister.

He was complaining that if anyone was found guilty of speaking out of line of authority, the court would become a one-man show for the two ministers.

He was mocking the current court for using cliques to harm loyal officials...

Zhao Zhen fell into deep thought.

Gao Ruone was so angry that he clenched his fists, but he didn't know how to oppose Ouyang Xiu.

After a moment, Ouyang Xiu finished his speech.

"Your Majesty, these words are what I really think. I wrote the "Letter to Gao Sijian" only to let you and the other ministers hear the voice of the people. If your Majesty believes that I have slandered my colleagues and spoken out of my position, I am willing to be punished!"

Ouyang Xiu bowed heavily.

"Your Majesty, Ouyang Yongshu is confusing right and wrong. Fan Xiwen and he are both in name only. If you keep them in the court, I'm afraid you... you won't have peace for a day. I suggest..."

Swish!
Zhao Zhen waved his hand and interrupted Gao Rone's speech.

He said slowly, "Gao Sijian, Ouyang Xiaojian wrote an article to satirize you. Although it can't be considered slander, it is a bit exaggerated. I will do you justice. You can leave first!"

Gao Ruone was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Ouyang Xiu and said, "I'll take my leave!"

After saying that, Gao Rone quickly left the Chuigong Hall.

At this time, Zhao Zhen stood up from the throne.

"Ouyang, do you think that I want to block the way for people to speak out by punishing Fan Xiwen for exceeding his authority? Do you think I can't see that Fan Xiwen's admonitions are all for the sake of the Song Dynasty? Do you think I can't see that you, who are classified as cliques, are loyal ministers?"

"Official, then..."

Ouyang Xiu was stunned.

He wondered why Zhao Zhen, who clearly knew everything, still sent Fan Zhongyan away.

"You guys! Each of you is full of passion and loyalty, but your abilities are still a little lacking, still a little less than Prime Minister Lu."

"I know you want me to learn from Qin Xiaogong's reform and implement new policies, but now is not the time. Fan Xiwen is too impatient and can't tolerate a grain of sand in his eyes. But how can such a big Song Dynasty be full of clear streams?"

"I expelled him for the sake of stability in the court and to train him. If he can come up with a way to reform things that will satisfy me in the future, I will let him return to the court!"

Ouyang Xiu gradually understood Zhao Zhen's intentions.

The emperor has his own difficulties.

In Zhao Zhen’s eyes at the moment, court stability is the top priority.

If Fan Zhongyan were in the court, I'm afraid every court meeting would be filled with quarrels, and all the civil and military officials would have to fight and split into factions, which would really turn into a party struggle.

Zhao Zhen looked at Ouyang Xiu.

"You have caused such a mess that you have become a thorn in the eyes of the two governments and the censors. You will most likely be isolated in the government in the future. It is better for you to go to other places, temper your temper, and gain experience in local politics. If you have a good plan for governing the country, I will let you return. There is no value in arguing about temporary gains and losses!"

"Your Majesty has good intentions. I obey your orders."

Ouyang Xiu bowed heavily, completely understanding Zhao Zhen's thoughts.

……

The next day, the Secretariat issued an imperial edict ordering Ouyang Xiu to go to Yiling County to serve as the county magistrate.

Zhao Zhen did not ban the "Letter to Gao Sijian".

I just want to tell the gentlemen of the two governments one thing: Don’t try to stop anyone from speaking your mind. People in the world will make their own fair judgment.

Immediately, Prime Minister Lu Yijian understood Zhao Zhen's intention and immediately warned the officials below not to use the censorate to exclude dissidents and form private factions.

When Gao Rone learned of Zhao Zhen's punishment, he was ecstatic at first, but then became depressed after thinking about it carefully.

He seemed to have won, but in fact he lost completely.

at the same time.

The debate between him and Ouyang Xiu in the imperial court was also spread to the public by some officials, and almost all the people stood on Ouyang Xiu's side to condemn Gao Rone.

This also made Gao Rone understand what he should do next to become a competent censor.

(End of this chapter)