The opening inventory of the top ten young emperors

The day after the Tianjuan was over, it was the day of the Grand Court, but Song Renzong claimed to be ill and postponed the Grand Court for three days. Three days later, the Grand Court officially began.

Just as Song Renzong expected, this time the court was far from being just a formality like usual, where a few matters that had been reported to the emperor and countermeasures had been agreed upon were discussed. Instead, the court started to confront each other as soon as it started.

The old and new parties were engaged in heated arguments, each holding its own view. Even the old prime minister, Lu Yijian, who had been at home claiming to be ill since the start of the new policy and had now retired, actually attended the court today and expressed his attitude.
Obviously, he also supported the censors' impeachment of Fan Zhongyan for forming a clique for personal gain, deceiving and abusing power, being treacherous and disloyal, and intending to rebel.
The so-called evidence was the "secret letter" presented to Song Renzong.

The secret letter was written by Shi Jie to Fan Zhongyan, but it was a prepared edict to depose and enthrone Emperor Renzong of Song.

The old party's move was insidious, and it could even be said that they wanted to put Fan Zhongyan to death.
If Song Renzong believed it, Fan Zhongyan would definitely be thrown into prison and charged with treason, a heinous crime punishable by the execution of nine generations of his clan.
Even if Renzong doesn't believe it... As mentioned before, things like treason, whether true or false, should not be underestimated and will definitely drive a wedge between the monarch and his subjects.

As long as Song Renzong did not trust Fan Zhongyan, the new policy would naturally not be implemented.

In history, the old party was indeed successful. Not only was Fan Zhongyan exiled and never returned to Beijing, but other officials who supported the new policy were also demoted. Ouyang Xiu did not return to the capital until more than ten years later.

The Imperial Academy lecturer Shi Jie, who was once hailed as one of the "Three Masters of the Early Song Dynasty", also died during his demotion. Even after his death, his old party members were still resentful and insisted on opening his coffin to see if he was dead.
It is obvious that he hates the New Party to the core.

However, this time, since Song Renzong had made up his mind, he was no longer as shaken as before, and he decided to leave a stable Song Dynasty for his descendants.

Just when the old minister Xia Taiwei stood out from the crowd and insisted that Renzong punish Fan Zhongyan, Shi Jie and others, Renzong issued an edict without waiting for him to speak.

Except for Shi Jie, the other ministers who supported the new policy were promoted one level higher, and they even stated that they would thoroughly investigate the origin of the secret letter.
Once the truth is revealed, those who frame ministers and plot against the government will be punished severely.
Not only that, the main culprits will continue to be held accountable. At that time, they will be stripped of their official positions and titles, and three generations will not be allowed to return to the court.

Renzong had always tried to smooth things over with his ministers, and had never used such drastic measures before. For a time, the court officials who opposed the new policy were stunned.

Originally, they thought that no matter whether the emperor believed it or not, Fan Zhongyan and others would no longer be able to gain a foothold in the court, and would eventually be demoted from the capital, and the new policy would naturally come to nothing.

Looking at the shocked ministers below, Renzong sneered: "My dear ministers, may I ask, how can Shi Jie, a mere scholar, and Xiwen, a civil official, force me to abdicate?
Are they going to let the students of the Imperial Academy break down the gates of the imperial city and capture me alive? Or are they going to bring a group of ministers who are preparing a new policy and rush over to pull me off the throne?
Or, just watch them fool around, and wait for them to change the dynasty, and then support an emperor to implement a new policy? "

His words left the ministers present speechless.

That's right, Fan Zhongyan didn't have a single soldier, and Shi Jie was also powerless. It was fine to ask them to write articles, but to ask them to plot to usurp the throne? First ask them if they dare to kill a □□!
"I don't need to investigate this matter carefully, I can conclude that it is fake. And the person who forged this secret letter has ulterior motives, just to make you and me, the king and the ministers, alienated."
"Are you really so stupid that you actually think this is true?"

As he spoke, he looked at the impeachment memorial in his hand and memorized the names on it one by one: "Even a three-year-old child knows that it is impossible. How can you gentlemen think it is true? Are you not as good as children in distinguishing right from wrong?"

Renzong's words made the officials blush and feel ashamed. But Fan Zhongyan and others were deeply moved. After more than a year of reform, they felt what it meant to be favored by the emperor for the first time.

"Since you can't even distinguish such a small matter, then the year-end assessment will be downgraded to B grade. This will save you from being idle and delaying the state affairs of our Song Dynasty."

Grade B?
The old ministers who signed their names on the memorials all regretted their decision. If they had known this would happen, they would not have gotten involved in this mess. They thought it was foolproof and that they could do a favor to General Xia and the old prime minister, but how come their own assessments only gave them a B grade?
You have to know that there is an unwritten rule in the court that one has to be in the A-grade for three consecutive years before being promoted. If they are demoted to the B-grade, wouldn't they have to wait three years at the earliest before being promoted? And in these three years, who knows how many rising stars have entered the court.
By that time, I’m afraid the government will even forget their names.

I regret it, I regret it!

Xia Taiwei had not expected that the emperor would defend the New Party so much today. He was surprised, but when he saw the officials who signed the petition frequently looking at him, his heart skipped a beat.

He immediately stepped out of the crowd, held his head high and said, "Even if Fan Zhongyan and Shi Jijiu are not capable of rebellion, the evidence is irrefutable and their intentions are obvious. Your Majesty, if you turn a blind eye, where will the laws of the Song Dynasty stand?"

Yes! Yes!
The other officials were immediately awakened.

The laws of the Song Dynasty are there, and the evidence cannot be proven to be false, so it must be counted. Now the government not only does not punish these people, but instead allows them to be promoted. How can this be justified?

Even if we cannot confirm the truth of this matter, why not just put it aside? Why punish the ministers who signed the letter?

Thinking of this, the censors became eager to try again.

Song Renzong sat upright, looking at the officials below who were ready to make a move, and said coldly: "Has anyone seen the sky scroll that often appears in the sky recently?"

General Xia was stunned and his eyes flickered.
This scroll was indeed not available to everyone, but he had seen it and was deeply in agreement with the national sentiments of the Song Dynasty depicted therein, especially the recent review of the present dynasty, and he praised the emperor highly.

Moreover, Tianjuan also said that the government's new policy would inevitably fail. This was also the reason why he decided to take action in advance.

In fact, no matter what Tianjuan said, he would never let this new policy succeed. It was a pity that when Fan Zhongyan first entered the court, he gave him great support, but he did not expect that this man had such evil ambitions that he actually wanted to overthrow Taizu's regulations and change the world.
How could he make him successful?
So he said, "Your Majesty, I have heard about the matter of the Heavenly Scroll. It is just some weird and supernatural things, so let's not talk about it."

Song Renzong looked at the ministers below, some of whom were confused, some were shaking their heads, and some were nodding slightly, and he knew that not everyone could see or hear the Heavenly Scroll.
Although he didn't know who would have this opportunity, it was clear that General Xia had read the Heavenly Scroll, so that made sense.

"I know that it is a supernatural power," Song Renzong said solemnly, "but seeing that the mountains and rivers of our Song Dynasty were in ruins, the royal family was in decline, the people were displaced, and the northerners trampled on Bianjing in blood in the predictions of the Heavenly Scroll, how could I turn a blind eye?"

Xia Taiwei naturally knew about the tragic situation described in the Heavenly Scroll, but knowing was one thing, and it was completely different from experiencing it personally. Moreover, the way of heaven had its own destiny, and if it was really the fate of the Song Dynasty, no one could avoid it.

If the new policy is really implemented, it will be a disaster for these officials. Being an official is naturally for the sake of ennobling his wife and children. Even he himself was able to serve as an official in the court because of his father's loyalty. His children and grandchildren will naturally do the same.

Fan Zhongyan and others actually wanted to cut off the future of his children and grandchildren, and even cut the salaries of officials, cutting off their livelihoods. That would mean they would starve to death right now. How could he tolerate that?

"The emperor is at ease. Since we know it is just a supernatural phenomenon, why should we believe it? The Song Dynasty has a long history and the emperor is wise. If my king and his subjects work together, it will not be the same as what is said in the scroll."
At this time, the old Prime Minister Lu Yijian also stood up and consoled.

His health had deteriorated over the past two years, and he had already retired. He was persuaded by Emperor Renzong to stay, but he rarely went to court, and the various duties of the prime minister had been handed over to the current prime minister, Zhang Dexiang.
He was also carried by his family members to the court today, which shows how important today's court meeting is to him.

His term as prime minister has come to an end, but he still has sons and grandsons. At this critical juncture, if the new party succeeds, wouldn't it be a disaster for the Lu family?
The Lu family had three generations of officials, and his uncle had also become a prime minister. Although he could enjoy protection, he was also a Jinshi who passed the imperial examination and was appointed an official, and he worked his way up to the position of prime minister. The fact that the Lu family had two prime ministers in one family had long been a legend.
Now he was about to retire, but there was no one among his children and grandchildren to take over. Whether he became prime minister or not was secondary, but if he passed away, his children and grandchildren would no longer be able to enjoy his protection, and they would all starve to death.

Therefore, he had to come to today's grand court meeting even if it cost him his life!
When Song Renzong heard Lü Yijian speak, he glanced at him, as if he had just discovered that he was also there, and asked, "The old prime minister is here today, is he feeling better?"
"Thanks to your care, I am much better now."
"That's good." Song Renzong nodded, "Then what do you think, old Prime Minister, about my previous decision?"

Lu Yijian was stunned, then he said after a pause, "Your Majesty, I have retired and should not comment on the affairs of the court. However, General Xia is right, the laws of the Song Dynasty cannot be abolished. Everything must be in accordance with the law, otherwise how can we convince the people?"
"The old prime minister is right." Song Renzong nodded, but then said loudly, "That's why I want to implement a new policy."

"Your Majesty..." Lu Yijian was stunned. He opened his mouth and couldn't utter a word for a long time.

"Now that the new policy has been formulated, it is also the law of our Song Dynasty. Why can't it be implemented?"

Song Renzong had already stood up and looked down at his ministers:
"Since I ascended the throne, I have relied on the assistance of all my ministers to achieve the peace and prosperity of our Song Dynasty. Now I want to implement new policies and get rid of bad policies. I just want to slightly change some laws. Why do you obstruct me everywhere and even stage such a farce?
Ladies and Gentlemen, are you doing this for our Song Dynasty, for the common people, or for your own high positions and generous salaries, for the prosperity and wealth of your generations to come?"

Song Renzong's words were extremely straightforward. The ministers present who opposed the new policy remained silent, or did not know how to respond.

"Anyone who has seen the Heavenly Scroll will know what a miserable state our Song Dynasty will be in in the future. I didn't believe it at first, but I have been thinking about it these days. If our dynasty's bad policies continue like this, I am afraid that our Song Dynasty will really end up in such a miserable way in the future." "Your Majesty!" General Xia gritted his teeth and said again, "Even if what the Heavenly Scroll said is true, it will only happen a hundred years later. But if our dynasty indulges in rebellion, won't it be destroyed in an instant?"

"How dare you!" At this moment, Song Renzong shouted, "Xia Song, the disaster you are talking about is the destruction of our Song Dynasty, or the destruction of those who are just sitting there doing nothing and framing loyal people. Where do you want the fate of our Song Dynasty to go? You are so bold!"

Xia Song was shocked. Since he entered the court as an official, he had never seen Renzong lose his temper so much in the court. He immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, our Song Dynasty is prosperous. I was just angry and said something nonsense!"
Xia Song admitted his mistake in time, which made Song Renzong's expression ease a little, but then he looked at the ministers and said coldly: "Do you have the same idea?"

"I dare not!" A large number of ministers knelt down and apologized to Renzong together.

However, after he apologized, an official who was kneeling in the front raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Xia was just anxious at the moment, so he spoke nonsense. He was also worried about our Song Dynasty. The laws of our ancestors cannot be abolished. If they are abolished, the court will be turbulent, and people's hearts will be unstable, which is the most dangerous.
Now that the rebellion has been quelled, the Song Dynasty has signed a treaty with the Western Xia, and the Khitans have not invaded the Song Dynasty for a long time, it is time for the people of our dynasty to live and work in peace and rest. If we implement a new policy at this time, it will cause unrest again. People's desire for change is not a good thing! "

"Lord Wang. As the head of the Taiwan officials, it's rare to see you speak well of others." Looking at Wang Gongchen, Song Renzong smiled slightly, "I remember that you impeached Lord Xia some time ago, but now you support him again."
Wang Gongchen was shocked and immediately said, "I am just discussing the matter at hand and am not targeting anyone."

"That would be best!" Song Renzong snorted heavily.
"Originally, I didn't want to talk about this in the court, I wanted to save your face. But now that you have said this, and even the old prime minister has come forward, I have some words and some things to say in the court."
"Mr. Ouyang, bring her up."

As Renzong finished speaking, Ouyang Xiu, who had not appeared in the court before, walked in from outside, followed by a woman.
Seeing that Ouyang Xiu actually brought the woman here, many censors held their tablets tightly in their hands.

This Lord Ouyang usually behaves in a ridiculous manner at home, but today he actually brought a woman to the court. This is not a place where women can come.

The censors were eager to come out and impeach, but because Xia Song was kneeling on the ground, he could not see the person coming behind him. He only knew that it was Ouyang Xiu.
However, as Ouyang Xiu brought the woman to his side, he turned around and his face turned pale in an instant.

"You...she..."
Seeing his expression, Song Renzong understood and snorted, "General Xia knows this girl."

Xia Song's face turned pale: "I don't know her."

"How is that possible?" Ouyang Xiu laughed, "This girl ran out from the back door of your house, and many people saw her. You didn't recognize her in your house, isn't that a bit unreasonable?"

Xia Song didn't know who these "many people" he was referring to, but he still said, "I have so many servants and maids, how can I know them all?"

Ouyang Xiu listened, but did not refute him, instead he looked at the girl and said, "Miss Lu Yao, you heard it, your master has turned his face away from you."
Luyao's face changed, he murmured "Master" and couldn't say any more.

Upon seeing this, Renzong had her taken away again and placed in a side hall, with a female official accompanying her.

After Lu Yao went down, Ouyang Xiu looked at Xia Song and snorted coldly, and handed over a stack of papers. After Renzong flipped through them one by one, his face changed drastically. Then he threw the papers full of words in front of Xia Song. He shouted angrily: "Xia Song, what else do you have to say?"
"You were my tutor, and I trusted you greatly. Yet you fooled me like this, and even framed court officials. You are so audacious!"

Xia Song immediately looked at the papers and recognized the handwriting on them. It was Shi Jie's.

"This is Lord Shi's handwriting..." His face darkened. "Sir, how can you believe the words of a slave? I remember now that this slave is indeed my slave.
But she had the intention of climbing up the social ladder, so I had her sent to a farm in the suburbs a long time ago. That’s why she harbored resentment and framed me. I also want to know who took her back with ulterior motives.”

After saying this, he looked at Ouyang Xiu angrily and said, "Mr. Ouyang, what exactly do you want to do by taking this maid out of the manor?"

Ouyang Xiu coughed lightly: "Master Xia, have you admitted that you framed Xiwen?"

"Admit it? Admit what? When did I frame Xiwen?" Xia Song said angrily.

"Then let me ask you, how do you think this maid framed you, and how did she do it?"
"How should I know..." After saying this, Xia Song paused, suddenly looked at the paper in front of him, then picked up a piece and examined it carefully, muttering, "This... This is indeed written by Shi Jie."

"Otherwise, what do you think?" Seeing his expression, Song Renzong still had something he didn't understand, so he snorted, "You think it was the paper that the servant named Lu Yao used for practice, right? Didn't you burn all those papers?"
"But even so, you still don't believe this woman. When you saw her coming to the palace and saw these papers, the first thing you thought of was that she had betrayed you, right?"

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Xia Song felt that he was speechless.

At this time, Ouyang Xiu also said: "Fortunately, a friend told me that there was a girl named Lu Yao who was good at calligraphy and was best at imitating other people's handwriting. Therefore, she was taken away by a man. Then I thought of this. I found her in your house."

"When I went there, she was being dragged into a carriage by your family, crying and crying, and no one knew where she was being taken. I intercepted her and brought her back. But even so, she refused to tell you what you asked her to do. I didn't expect you to confess!"

It was too late for Xia Song to regret, and he only regretted that he let Lu Yao go too late. When the heavenly scroll came out, he was afraid that there would be changes, so he submitted the impeachment letter early, attached the fabricated "edict", and changed the recipient from Fu Bi to Fan Zhongyan, just to hit the target with one blow.

But the day he sent the imperial edict, the Heavenly Scroll had just begun. And after that, the grand court meeting that was supposed to be held the next day was postponed, so he felt that it was not good, so he decided to send Lu Yao away. Unexpectedly, he was still a step too late, and Ouyang Xiu actually found the person and intercepted him.

He suddenly understood why the government postponed the grand court meeting. It turned out that it was to find evidence of his forged handwriting.
Xia Song couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

How could he forget that although this saint had a kind personality, he was also extremely intelligent and nothing could be hidden from his eyes.
He knew from the beginning that the emperor would not believe him when he forged the imperial edict, but he was betting on the emperor's unwillingness to bear it, after all, he had once been his tutor.

But now, the saint no longer wanted to play dumb, and he even fabricated the truth without any witnesses or evidence.
Is this saint the same saint he knew before?

"Xia Song, do you admit your guilt?" At this moment, a loud shout sounded above his head like thunder.
Xia Song was startled and immediately knelt on the ground, trembling: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty knows your crime! But your Majesty, your Majesty is also for the peace of our Great Song Dynasty and for the stability of the Great Song Dynasty court!"

"For the peace and stability of the Song Dynasty?" Song Renzong sneered and looked around the court. "How dare you say that. I think it's for your Xia family to enjoy wealth and glory for generations to come and protect your descendants!"

"Think of our Song Dynasty, we are the most lenient to officials. Even if there are three or four people holding one of your positions, we still pay you the same salary. But who would have thought that after several years, there would be no one in our Song Dynasty who could fight, and no officials who could be used.
The court is full of cowards who only care about preserving themselves and will run away when things get tough. What use is there for me, the Song Dynasty, to keep you now?"

"Think about the Ming Dynasty in later times. Even when the Oirat army was at the gates of the city, they still fought to the death and eventually forced the northerners to retreat. But when the army of our Song Dynasty was at the gates of the city, the emperor actually went to the enemy camp alone to surrender!"

"How pathetic, hateful, and lamentable. How can an opponent you can't beat respect you? This is what led to the collapse of the entire Song Dynasty palace, and all the concubines, palace maids, craftsmen, and royal family members were captured. What a great shame and humiliation, how cruel!"

"As for you, you would only surrender after being captured. Surrender is not enough. The most abominable thing is that Qin Hui in later generations turned around and became a spy, framing loyal officials and killing loyal ministers, and ultimately brought my Song Dynasty to an irretrievable end!"

"I have dreamed every night these past few days that Emperor Taizong came to see me and asked me how I managed the great country he left behind and how I taught my children and grandchildren. I was speechless."
"I always thought that as long as the people were safe and sound and the weather was good under my rule, I would have fulfilled the mission entrusted by my ancestors."

"But now I have figured it out. How can I expect future generations to accomplish something that I cannot accomplish? Now that I have become a benevolent ruler, can I have a clear conscience?"
"The answer is of course no!"

Song Renzong looked up at the sky and said, "Of course, I need to do my own things. If I can't do it, then my descendants of the Zhao family will do it. Yugong moved the mountain, and he also led his descendants to dig for a lifetime before letting the younger generation continue his unfinished work."

"If Yugong only talks but does nothing, it is just empty talk! If he does not rely on himself but only on his descendants, how can he become a role model for future generations!"

"So, no matter how difficult it is to move the mountain, I will move it!"

(End of this chapter)