Thousand-year-old family: its rise began with Shang Yang’s reforms

Chapter 423 Game
Oh, it turns out it’s not Chen.

It’s okay if it’s not Chen’s?
Ok?
The ministers in the hall were confused for a moment, and then stunned.

Who to recommend?
Did Wang Xizhi and Xie An recommend me?

What were they recommending themselves for? To revise the book? Two prime ministers, two newly minted leaders who were clearly in the process of vying for power, decided to revise the book?
For a moment, everyone felt as if they were still dreaming and had not yet woken up.

Even Zhang Wan on the stage was surprised for a moment, and then frowned at Wang Xizhi and Xie An, with a hint of confusion on his face.

What the hell are these two doing?

In the next half hour, no matter how many ministers and Zhang Wan tried to persuade them, Xie An and Wang Xizhi did not change their minds and insisted on revising the book. If the emperor did not allow them to revise the book, they would resign from their positions as the chief officials and would retire and return home.

This scene gave Zhang Wan a headache, while Chen Xiao and Chen An just stood at the front, lowered their heads and watched the show in silence.

Since the time of the previous emperor, the role of the Chen family has actually changed at some point.

If the emperor is diligent, loves his people, and is capable, then Chen's men are just two "clay puppets", or more like mascots, who only speak at the most critical moment and make the final decision on certain things.

If the emperor is incompetent or incompetent, then Chen should step in.

Either the treacherous officials must be eradicated and the country must be kept peaceful, or the emperor would not listen to the advice and even lose his mind to deal with the Chen family, in which case the Chen family would simply resign and return home, and then the dynasty could basically be declared extinct.

Chen is not a nanny of some dynasty, nor will she be a saint - you don't listen to me, and you want to deal with me, and you still expect me to help you?

Have your spring and autumn dreams.

After the "tricks" or "lessons learned" by Emperor Ling and his successors at the end of the Han Dynasty, later emperors were obviously much smarter.

For example, Sukjong.

When Emperor Suzong was in power, he repeatedly pleaded with the Chen family to help him, and even promised Chen family countless benefits - but Chen family refused because there was one point that they had a disagreement on.

Emperor Suzong ascended the throne because of his aristocratic family, or in other words, because of the "Ye family". It was impossible for him to abandon his roots and his supporters, but Chen family obviously felt that the aristocratic family had become a disaster for Dayu, which was not in line with the original intention of Emperor Taizu to establish Dayu.

So Chen refused to cooperate at all.

But even so, Emperor Suzong still placed the then head of the Chen family in the position of prime minister - even though sometimes this prime minister often opposed him, causing some of his policies to not be promulgated and implemented.

Chen Xiao even yawned secretly. He knew that Xie An and Wang Xizhi came to the mansion yesterday, but he didn't know that they made such an earth-shattering decision. So he quietly moved towards Chen An and asked in a low voice: "Dad, did you ask them to go and repair the book?"

Chen An half-closed his eyes, like a sleeping tiger.

Hearing Chen Xiao's words, he also felt that many of his colleagues around him quietly moved their bodies in this direction, and a speechless look flashed across his face: "What's the point of me doing this kind of thing?"

"Do you need to seize the power of the Zhongshumen, or do I need it?"

When Chen Xiao heard this, he immediately closed his eyes and stood there with his head down, imitating his father and began to feel drowsy.

In the end, this unique court meeting ended with an almost weird ending - Xie An and Wang Xizhi were called to the back hall, commonly known as being kept in the hall, while many other ministers were dismissed. After the meeting, the purpose of Xie An and Wang Xizhi was discussed.

The rear hall of the Qinzheng Hall

Zhang Wan pressed his forehead and asked the eunuch beside him to give Xie An and Wang Xizhi a seat. Then he looked at the two and asked directly, "Why do you two have to go and revise the book?"

"The Zhongshu Menxia has just been established, and you are indispensable. I can't let you leave this position at this time."

Zhang Wan knew that the two people in front of him were smart people, so he didn't bother to beat around the bush and decided to ask directly.

"The positions of Zhongshu Ling and Menxia Ling are too important. If they are taken away by others, many of my plans will become useless."

"If you don't take these two positions, it will be very difficult to find people with the prestige and qualifications to replace you at this time."

After stating the interests involved, Zhang Wan's tone became gentle again: "Are you two worried that I might be suspicious of you and be wary of you? I've given you the positions of Menxia and Zhongshu, which means I trust you."

He sighed deeply, with a hint of regret: "I trust people when I employ them, and I don't employ people if I don't trust them. You don't have to worry that I'm testing you."

After speaking out loud, Zhang Wan's expression still showed a hint of helplessness, which was the helplessness about being "wronged".

Xie An and Wang Xizhi looked at each other and saw a hint of smile in each other's eyes.

In fact, the biggest reason they wanted to revise the book was not that they were worried that the emperor would suspect them, but that they both really wanted to do it - especially Wang Xizhi, who was not good at and did not like politics.

After a moment's silence, Xie An spoke first.

"Your Majesty, I understand your painstaking efforts, but editing books does not conflict with my position as the Minister of the Secretariat, right?"

He said softly, "We are both getting older. When Yi Shao and I were young, we even took Wu Shi San for a period of time, and our bodies were almost hollowed out. The only reason we are able to survive now is because Ze Zhi found Bian Que to recuperate our bodies."

"The position of Zhongshu Menxia is too important. Once the two of us control such power, our bodies will probably collapse quickly in a short period of time."

"We two are naturally willing to devote ourselves to the country, but we are worried that we may not be energetic enough and make mistakes in handling government affairs."

Wang Xizhi also sighed, looked at Zhang Wan and said, "That's right."

"Our idea is that the position of the head of the order will remain unchanged, but we will both take on the position of editor. We will focus most of our energy on editing the book, and leave the matters of the sect and the secretariat to our deputies."

"There are two ministers in the Ministry of Personnel and two secretaries in the Secretariat. Isn't that enough to handle it?"

"After that, the two of us will simply review the government affairs we have handled and check them."

Hand it over to the two deputies?

Zhang Wan raised his eyebrows subconsciously. Among the two deputies under the Secretariat, one was his man, one was Chen's man, and the remaining two were Wang Xie's men.

He handed over the Secretariat to Wang Xie as a buffer.

Even that disciple of Chen was just a buffer, and he would eventually be replaced by one of his own.

Today, Wang Xizhi and Xie An still sit in this position - other families dare not have any thoughts about this position, and the specific affairs and power are divided equally among the deputies, so his people can take greater initiative.

When the book is finished and a few years have passed, his power will be more consolidated.
Thinking of this, Zhang Wan's smile became more sincere. He looked at Wang Xizhi and Xie An and couldn't help but sigh: "Alas - since the two of you are so determined, I can do nothing about it. I can't just abandon you and your health."

"Let's do as you two dear ministers say."

Xie An and Wang Xizhi looked at each other and both breathed a sigh of relief. They had passed this test. The next day, at the grand court meeting.

When many ministers thought they would continue arguing about yesterday's events, the emperor's edict was issued.

The imperial edict said: The Minister of the Central Secretariat Xie An was promoted to the rank of Purple Gold Guanglu Dafu and the title of Situ; the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Wang Xizhi was promoted to the rank of Purple Gold Guanglu Dafu and the title of Sikong.

He ordered Prime Minister Chen An, Zhongshu Ling Xie An, and Menxia Ling Wang Xizhi to serve as the chief editors of "Jianwu Da Dian" and ordered many scholars in the world, including political scientists, Confucianists, Mohists, legalists, Taoists, etc., to gather in the capital to jointly compile "Jianwu Da Dian".

Thus, the problem was finally solved.

The Secretariat ordered that the first two pieces of meat were still in the hands of the Wang and Xie clans, and they also got the opportunity to compile a book that would bring them fame and fortune.

For a moment, some wind directions in Kyoto underwent subtle changes.

Since one can gain such great power and benefits by surrendering to the emperor, why not be the emperor's dog?

Being a dog for an aristocratic family, the aristocratic family may have to consider the emperor and cannot really make the decisions - but being a dog for the emperor, isn't that almost the same as being a family of aristocrats?
In the past, the position of Zhongzhengguan was monopolized by the aristocratic families. Now, there are eight Da Zhongzhengguan except Chen. Doesn't the emperor have two of them? And doesn't Chen also stand beside the emperor?
The emperor's disadvantage doesn't seem to be that great.

The change in the wind direction in Kyoto naturally caught the attention of those who were interested. Wang Xizhi and Xie An sighed quietly while revising their books.

In fact, when the two of them first decided to revise the book, the emperor and Chen treated them as their own people and told them a secret.

A secret that could change the world today.

"Printing"

Printing technology that can produce large quantities of books quickly and in batches!
This was the first knife the emperor used to chop down on the aristocratic family.

The second knife is also very simple, which is what they are doing now.

"Revising books".

Editing a book is a means, not a "knife". The edited "book" is the knife.

Under the guidance of Chen An, Wang Xizhi and Xie An divided "Jianwu Da Dian" into two parts. One part was the same as previous book revisions, compiling some classic works in the world.

The other part is a bit confusing.

This part is also divided into three parts. One of them is centered on "political science" and "law", and compiled into the "Dayu Code". The content of this code covers many parts. It is basically a replica of the Dayu law, but it is divided very detailed and clearly.

The second part is headed by "Political Science", "Law", "Mohism" and "Confucianism", and compiles nine books. The content is even more confusing. Wang Xizhi, Xie An and the people who compiled these books even felt that this was not like a "book" but rather a career guide that "teaches you step by step how to be an official."

As for the third part, it is a compilation of various classics headed by "Confucianism", "Mohism" and "Taoism".

At the beginning, everyone thought that the classic works and knowledge in the "Jianwu Ceremony" were the most important. After all, the emperor looked like he wanted to leave his name.

As time went by, Wang Xizhi and others began to remain silent.

Why do they think that the book they jokingly call "a book that teaches you step by step how to be an official" is the key?

Wang Xizhi and Xie An were indeed the wisest of the group. They came together and figured out something by combining the "printing technique" in just one night.

After guessing it, they continued to remain silent.

But they all felt grateful and grateful in their hearts.

Fortunately
Fortunately, both families surrendered.

They even had a long-lost mentality of watching the fun. When Xie Xuan and Wang Xianzhi were ridiculed by several other aristocratic families, they used the words "watch him build a red building" to appease the two young people.

Although Xie Xuan and Wang Xianzhi didn't know what had happened, they understood what kind of person their father was.

The secret joy and evil amusement in his eyes could not be hidden and were about to overflow.

How could they not guess something?

So, the two of them decided that except for having a drink with Chen Xiao when they were off duty every day, they would just stay at home and read books.

The eighth year of Jianwu passed peacefully. Although it was still turbulent in secret, it was not noticeable.

Many small families began to prepare to surrender to the emperor, while those families who served as Xiaozhongzheng officials were still holding on. After all, they saw no hope of the emperor's victory.

In the ninth year of Jianwu, with the complete surrender of the Wang and Xie families, the forces around the emperor became increasingly powerful, and his control over Jiangnan became increasingly strong.

After Chen Jiaozhou had rectified Lingnan, he was summoned back by the emperor.

Coincidentally, the head of the "Zhuge family" who served as the Da Zhong Zhengguan was critically ill, and the next generation head of the Zhuge family wrote a letter to the emperor, saying that he could not succeed to the position of Da Zhong Zhengguan because he was busy taking care of his father's health.

When the other children of noble families wanted to compete for this position, an imperial edict from the emperor completely silenced them.

Because they don’t have the courage or ability to compete with this person.

The person who replaced Zhuge as the Da Zhong Zhengguan was Chen Jiaozhou.

Chen Jiaozhou of the Chen family.

From then on, the number of Dazhongzheng officials serving the emperor increased to four.

Or
Five.

Because the "poor" boy who took refuge with the big family was originally the emperor's man. He lurked beside the big family with the purpose of giving the big family a blow at the critical moment.

The balance tipped again.

The autumn of the ninth year of Jianwu arrived in a flash, and in the bleak autumn wind, good news came.

A part of the Jianwu Ceremony has been compiled.

At the same time, "Chen Yun'an", a contemporary of Mohist school and also a descendant of Chen, appeared in a very ordinary morning court.

(End of this chapter)