On June 18, the news that Li Xia proclaimed himself king finally reached Lin'an. The princes in the court did not react much. "Alas."
They had already anticipated it, and they had already proposed every possible solution, but the proposed solution was useless, so what could they do?
Because he is too smart and understands everything, he just sighs flatly when he gets the news, and even his sighs seem hollow and weak.
After sighing, the government and the opposition remained calm.
On the contrary, the young officials were filled with indignation over this incident and gathered in the Secretary's Provincial Office to criticize the current affairs.
Most of them were Jinshi from the Renxu Section last year, the third year of Xianding, including No. 1 scholar Fang Shanjing, No. 2 scholar Chen Yizhong, Liu Chenweng, Huang Yong, Deng Yan, Xiao Leilong, etc.
Lu Xiufu was also invited because he was a good friend of Deng Shan.
He was still reserved and solemn, but his eyes looked thoughtful and he was very worried. He sat there and rarely spoke, only silently listening to the discussions of others. "When Wu Xi became king, the imperial court put down the rebellion in just forty-one days.
Behead Wu Xi."
"Unless the imperial court pacifies it, it would take more than forty-one days for the news to go back and forth from Chengdu to Lin'an. Waiting for the imperial court's response, Wu Xi's rebellion could be pacified quickly because it was unpopular with the people of Shu. The soldiers and horses had not moved, and the seventy brave men had already killed them with their axes.
Enter Wu Xi's palace." "It's the Shu people who spontaneously acted to quell the rebellion."
"The third generation of the Wu family made contributions to the western frontier and controlled Shu for eighty years. They always won the hearts of the people of Shu. When Wu Xi rebelled against the Song Dynasty, everyone rebelled and abandoned their relatives. How many years did Li Xia come to Sichuan and Shu?" Someone actually answered, "In the fourth year of Xingchang, he was appointed as Qing.
Lieutenant Fu, this is the eighth year." It was Huang Yong who spoke.
Huang Yongzi Qizhi was originally a student of Imperial College. In the fourth year of Xingchang, he wrote a letter to Fugu and was exiled. He became one of the Six Gentlemen of Xianguan. It was not until the fall of Ding Daquan that he was recommended by Jiang Wanli to return to the court. Last year, he won the Jinshi
He remembered clearly that that year he met a young man named "Tang Bohu", who was later to become world famous Li Xia. "Eight years of Li Xia's eight years is worth the eighty years of the Wu family."
Maybe the army and people of Shu are already raising troops to attack Li Xia."
"There is no need to be so lucky. There is no reason to appear that we are a bunch of idiots." "Who are you scolding?"
"When discussing state affairs, don't have such quarrels. Jun Shi, what do you think?" Lu Xiufu was pointed out and had to speak.
In terms of age, he is the youngest person present. In terms of qualifications, he was elected six years earlier than everyone present. However, in terms of official position, it is a bit embarrassing. He only learned about Lizhou affairs after being recommended by Li Xia.
He pondered slightly and said: "Although he also proclaimed himself king, Wu Xi took the Emperor's chariot and changed his reign name, but he dedicated the four states of Jie, Cheng, He, and Feng to the Kingdom of Jin, shaved off his hair, and wore a left girdle. He is the King of Shu.
The King of Shu who professed his vassalship to the Kingdom of Jin was different from Li Xia, who conquered Guanlong and Dali during the restoration of Han Dynasty. He had the ambition to annex the world, but for the time being he did not act as the emperor and did not change his reign title, leaving room for the imperial court. This is one of them.
"There is no room for self-proclaimed king. It is already a blatant rebellion." "Yes, if the blatant rebellion is not suppressed, where will the imperial court's face be?" "Looking at the reaction of the princes, there is no intention of sending troops to quell the rebellion."
"You are saying that the imperial court can still...recognize Li Xia as the King of Qin?" Lu Xiufu was still considering his words. Deng Yan had already asked: "You are actually saying that Wu Xi is the King of Shu in the Kingdom of Jin, and Li Xia
He can barely be regarded as the king of Qin in the Song Dynasty. There were two kings of Qin in the Song Dynasty, the fourth brother of Song Taizu. The fourth son was posthumously named the king of Qin after his death. As for the living king of Qin with a different surname, he was still self-styled.
"Li Xia didn't ask the officials to confer a title, but he proclaimed himself king without asking. He rebelled so blatantly. If the court can shamelessly admit it, where is his dignity?" "Deceive oneself and others!" "Whitewash the peace!"
"If this is the case, I will no longer be in this position." "I will resign with Brother Zi Gao!" "!!!"
Chen Yizhong held the tea cup and sipped the tea. He gave everyone a warning look, shook his head and said: "The national situation is difficult. In the future, we will have to suffer humiliation and endure a lot of things for the country. I can't bear this anger. Please resign earlier." It’s good to be an official.”
"That's right. I didn't finish what I said. After Wu Xi rebelled, Han Junzhou was at a loss. Some people said that it would be better to take advantage of the situation and make Wu Xi king. Han Junzhou accepted this suggestion.
"The problem is that if we tolerate it now, how can we really allow him to split the land and divide the territory with the traitor in the future?" "Everyone has his own concerns."
"What's the point? We can't wait for the Mongolians to go south again, while we sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight." "You are talking nonsense, Xiao Xianchen, please listen to what nonsense you are talking about."
"Stop arguing." Deng Yan stopped others from talking and said, "Jun Shi, please continue, what's the difference between Li Xia and Wu Xi?"
Lu Xiufu said: "After Wu Xi became independent, the first thing he did was to build a palace in Chengdu. At the same time, he sent troops down the river, claiming to attack Xiangyang with the Jin people. Although his independence was short-lived, the army and people of Shu could not bear the chaos; on the other hand, Li Xia, practicing frugality, reducing corvee taxes, leveling prices, keeping warehouses stable, and enforcing laws and regulations, won the hearts of the people of Shu and also the people of Guanlong." "Being frugal, this is the simplest thing..." "Shhh "No need to say the rest." "Hey, let's hear what Brother Junshi means."
"You just said that Wu Xi's rebellion was not put down by the imperial court. The imperial court originally wanted to "confess him" because the army and people of Shu acted righteously and killed the rebel. Now that Li Xia is king, he will not start a war or build a palace. "If the army and the people are refined and the government is reduced, and the corvee is light and the tax is light, the army and the people are not able to promote justice. The imperial court can only seal it because of this."
When Lu Xiufu said this, he sighed deeply as he recalled his experience in coming to Lin'an.
In fact, when Jiang Cai defected to Li Xia two or three months ago, the princes in the court had already anticipated this outcome, and they also knew that in the end they could only take advantage of the situation and make Li Xia the King of Qin.
So Lu Xiufu returned to the court and proposed moving the capital to Chang'an, but all he got was a vague response. The more he thought about it, the more powerless he felt. "It's ridiculous!"
Suddenly, someone took off his official hat, stood up and walked out. Everyone in the public room turned to look at this scene and was speechless for a long time. "It's okay. He has to go to court if he wants to resign. He's just angry for the moment." "This is Isn’t it something that doesn’t go up to the mark?” “Humiliation.”
"It's humiliating that you have forgotten the shame of Jingkang." There was another period of silence, and someone among the new scholars actually cursed. As soon as these four words "the shame of Jingkang" came out, everyone became a little listless.
"Oh, before I put on this official robe, I swore fervently to revive the country. Today, even if I rebel, I can't do anything about it, let alone the shame of Jingkang. I'm such a waste..." "It's not interesting."
Several more officials said this. This time, although they did not take off their official hats, they walked out. They probably would not bother to praise or criticize the current affairs in the future. Just let it go and take care of yourself. After a while, There were not many people left in the public room. "Let them be."
Chen Yizhong said, "With this kind of mind, even if you pass the Jinshi examination, you will be nothing more than mediocre."
Huang Yong said casually, "Why do you need to belittle your colleagues? It seems that you are superior to others. You have never been like this before." Immediately, someone laughed and said, "I am a member of Pingzhang Gong's family, so what if I think I am superior to others?" "At least I spoke frankly and did not make any insinuations." Then let me tell you straight, Chen Yuquan, you are becoming more and more like a lackey of the Jia Party." "It's better than some trash who can only slander."
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"Who are you calling a waste?" "So what if I say you?" "Shut up!" "That's enough, stop talking."
Deng Yan stood up suddenly and said, "What's the use of talking angry words when discussing state affairs" "!!!"
Lu Xiufu silently watched them argue and break up the fight, his eyes becoming more thoughtful.
Chen Yizhong and Huang Yong were close friends in Taixue back then. They were both among the Six Gentlemen of Xianguan, and they were also the smartest people in the world. Why did they end up bickering here?
Because the discussion could not produce any results and the country was in dire straits, there were only so many ways that could be thought of, most of which were useless.
War or peace, change or conservatism, every road is so difficult to walk, and there will inevitably be political disagreements and quarrels with each other. No matter how smart it is, it will be the same.
Like a cricket trapped in a jar.
Lu Xiufu suddenly no longer wanted to participate in this kind of political discussion. In the end, they were unable to come up with ideas and were at each other's throats. When he left that day, he told Deng Yan his thoughts. "Then what do you think should be done?"
"I still have the same idea. I hope that the officials will cheer up and show their magnanimity as the emperor of tomorrow, so that Li Xia will surrender."
"For example, moving the capital to Chang'an is even more ridiculous than Chen Yizhong's claim of adapting to Jia Sidao's family in order to seek the country. How many people in the court will care about you." "However, if it succeeds, the country will be very lucky and the people will be very lucky."
Deng Yan nodded and sighed, "Having said that, instead of hoping that the officials will make Li Xia surrender, why not..." "Not as good as what" "Nothing. Please don't vv
The young officials praised and criticized current affairs in this way, and although the important officials in the court reacted indifferently to Li Xia's ascension to the throne, they paid great attention to its subsequent impact. In the Geling Courtyard by the West Lake, Jia Sidao listened to the discussions among his staff.
It's been a whole day and I'm making the final summary.
"They must take advantage of the situation and canonize Li Ni. The Empress Dowager Xie said this. I have long been aware of Li Ni's ambitions and intend to send troops to quell the rebellion. It was they who colluded with Li Xia and framed me. Now the state affairs are pushed to the side by these mediocre people.
How can I be worthy of the late emperor in this situation?" "Yes."
"Ping Zhanggong, why not take advantage of the situation and dismiss a few students from Jiang Wanli?" "Oh"
"The title of Fang Shan's Jing Ce was borrowed from the topic, confusing right and wrong, talking about the harm done to Gongtian. When Liu Chen and Weng Ting tried countermeasures, he said that Zhonglianggu had been framed, and his integrity could not be shaken. It seemed to be an allusion to Ping Zhanggong. Lu Xiufu returned to the court this time, saying that it was
He fled back due to Li Ni's rebellion, but it seems that he had a plot to trap His Majesty in the hands of the rebels, and his wife and family are still staying in Lizhou..."
Jia Sidao was impatient to listen to the reports one by one and waved his hand. "Let's take advantage of this time and dismiss them all."~~
"Jia Sidao will be dismissed this time."
In another courtyard by the West Lake, several old men were also discussing. "We should be sure."
"Since we want to enthrone Li Xia, that is the reason he used to recognize Li Xia as the king. The subjects in half the territory believe that 'Jia Sidao is stealing the country's power', and they have already made a plan to depose him."
"Then, as Li Xia said, we will thoroughly investigate the Xunzhou case and vindicate Wu Luzhai." "Rehabilitate Wu Luzhai? The matter involves officials..." "Rehabilitate."
"Okay! Since we want to get rid of this powerful minister, what's the harm in disobeying the official family." "This time, taking advantage of Li Xia's power to become king, Jia Sidao's followers may be in danger." "Alas."
Speaking of this, some people sighed after all, feeling that there was nothing to be excited about. "It is clear that the country is getting worse, but the internal fighting between the DPRK and China is getting more intense. This is really..."
"What can we do? If we don't get rid of Jia Sidao, we will be eliminated by Jia Sidao. It's not a pity for us to be removed from office when we are old, but we have to protect the loyal and backward people in the court. That will be the future of the country.
Pillar." "Yeah, let's fight, let's fight, whatever we can do..."