Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 77 I’m still young

In Madam Miao’s small courtyard.

Zhao Xin’s and Zhao Huirou’s room.

Zhao Xin frowned and thought for a long time before he said, "Dad, you don't want the Privy Council to be merged into the Secretariat. In fact, you don't want the Privy Council's power to dispatch troops to gradually become the power of the prime minister in the future. This is to prevent the prime minister from rebelling in the end. Am I right?"

Talking to smart people is different.

Although Zui Xinglai is only four years old, he is indeed a genius and worthy of being the person who takes Emperor Taizong Wen of the Tang Dynasty as a role model.

Zhao Zhen also replied without any hesitation: "That's right."

Zhao Xin said, "Why don't you just abolish the prime minister and the teacher together?"

Zhao Zhen asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhao Xin replied: "During the reign of Emperor Taizong Wen, in order to enable better communication and exchange among the various ministries, the Political Affairs Hall was established."

"But this political affairs hall is not allowed in our Song Dynasty."

"If that works, then the hats for court appearances wouldn't have to be so long."

"It is to prevent some officials from communicating with each other."

"But I think this is a bit unnecessary."

"Officials are no longer allowed to communicate with each other in the court, but can't they communicate with each other in private?"

"This hat can only be used during the period when our ancestors first founded the country."

"Today, it means more symbolically than it means literally, and literally it means nothing at all."

"But if these ministers unite and weaken the monarch's power, we cannot accept that."

"What to do?"

Zhao Zhen also looked at Zhao Xin and repeated, "That's it. How do we do it?"

Zhao Xin said, "Then divide the power of the prime minister among several people and let them make decisions together."

"Learn from my Emperor Gaozong and hire more ministers, and this problem can be solved."

"Of course, if these people get along well, you'd probably be afraid that they'll unite."

"Then put your own trusted people in the position of Pingzhangshi."

Zhao Zhen: "Confidant?"

Zhao Xin said, "That's right! Put in some people who are loyal to you and will never rebel."

Zhao Zhen then said: "What you said is the same as saying nothing. How do you know who is likely to rebel and who is not?"

Zhao Xin then said: "So, this is why you are not capable, Dad, and this is also the disadvantage of not allowing the prince to handle government affairs."

"With the way my Song Dynasty treats its princes, I can't even find a single confidant after I ascend the throne."

"Like me, Emperor Taizong Wen, I have a lot of trusted followers. There is Fang Xuanling outside, Zhangsun Wuji inside, and in addition, there is Wei Zheng."

"This is the way of the Emperor!"

"And Daddy, you... you can't trust Lu Yijian. You don't have any relatives by marriage, so you only have Wei Zheng left, who can be used to make do."

"Then, he regarded Lü Yijian and his relatives as his enemies."

"In the end, it will definitely cultivate a group of useless people who can only make complaints here and there, and only pick on the faults of the court, but are completely useless to state affairs, but can use this to gain fame."

“Is there really any hope for a country like this?”

Zhao Zhen really wanted to beat Zhao Xin up, and said, "You are sitting and talking without any pain in your waist, so if I ask you to come, what will you do?"

Zhao Xin said, "I am more confident than you, Dad, and I dare to employ people, so I will definitely be like Emperor Taizong Wen. However, my descendants may not have the same ability as me. Therefore, for the long-term stability of the Zhao family, our ancestors set up the current official system."

"It's just... little did they know that this official system restricts their own people, but it is completely useless when dealing with external parties."

“If you want the horse to run, you must let it eat grass and beans. If you want to win the battle, you must give the general a certain amount of autonomy.”

Zhao Zhen also said: "Then... follow the example of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, raise the Jiedushi, and then destroy the country yourself?" Zhao Xin said: "There is no country in this world that will not be destroyed. It is an unrealistic fantasy to hope that it will last for thousands of years. The key is to see what you think, Dad."

"If you want to avenge your past humiliation, defeat the Western Xia and Liao, and recover your lost territory, you have to learn from the Han and Tang dynasties. If you just want to live in peace, then I think there is no need to change the current system."

"It all depends on what you want most, Daddy."

"And...if An Lushan wanted to rebel, did Emperor Xuanzong of Tang have no responsibility at all?"

"At this moment, we are just like Empress Wu. We are on high alert internally. We have killed all the members of the Tang royal family who could threaten our rule, and we have also eliminated all the officials who oppose us."

"But what will be the result of such a Empress Wu?"

"I just couldn't win the war. We fought against the Khitans at the beginning, and I think the whole army was annihilated in the end. I forgot something."

"But it doesn't matter. As long as we learn from Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, we only need to learn for twenty years, which is enough to usher in a prosperous Song Dynasty similar to the prosperous Tang Dynasty."

"Then, what do you think we should do next?"

"Then let's give up our military power over a glass of wine! It's not like we haven't done it before!"

"Of course, the prerequisite is that the official must have certain abilities."

"So my suggestion is... the prince should participate in politics and even take charge of the military. Also, Daddy, please give me a position of Prime Minister and let me join the Political Affairs Hall."

Zhao Zhen: "..."

"Hmm... let's abolish the prime minister. Then, like in the Tang Dynasty, as long as there is a prime minister, we can discuss matters."

Zhao Zhen then asked, "Who will make the decision?"

Zhao Xin said, "Of course it's you, Dad. Wait for the people in the Political Affairs Hall to discuss it, and then everyone can briefly write a few sentences about their opinions on the matter, and you can just stamp it on the back. If you agree, then agree. If you disagree, then don't agree. And if you don't publish it, and just delay it, that's fine too."

Zhao Zhen also said: "But there are so many state affairs. Wouldn't your father be unable to read all the memorials even if he had to read them every day?"

Zhao Xin said, "Dad, do you want to enjoy life without working? Then become the emperor emeritus! Like Li Yuan, you don't have to work, you can enjoy life, and you can have many brothers and sisters."

Zhao Zhen: "I am most excited~"

of course!

Zhao Zhen didn't beat him today.

Instead, he went on to discuss seriously with Zhao Xin: "Is it really possible to abolish the prime minister and replace them all with ministers?"

Zhao Xin: "That depends on whether Lu Yijian agrees or not."

Zhao Zhen thought this matter was easy to handle.

Anyway...

Lu Yijian requested to retire and return home more than once.

When the time comes, just agree to the other party directly.

Just ...

Once the prime minister is gone, he will have a lot more to do.

This was naturally unacceptable to Zhao Zhen.