On the evening of the second day after Zhao Junchen issued the announcement, another carriage slowly drove into Xingzhou City.
Since the Jizhen garrison had blocked the Xingzhou City Gate, this carriage was able to enter Xingzhou City smoothly. Naturally, it had an extraordinary origin.
However, the appearance of this carriage was plain and simple, and its movements were low-key and concealed. No one showed up to greet it after entering the city, and the owner of the carriage only brought three followers with him.
One attendant serves as both a groom and coachman, and another serves as a guard and servant. They are all sitting outside the carriage. The last attendant is a middle-aged Confucian scholar, sitting in the carriage with the owner of the carriage.
, spending time chatting with each other, and also working part-time as clerks and staff.
With such a simple and low-key style, no one would have thought that the owner of this carriage was Li He, a close friend and political ally of Zhou Shangjing, the chief minister of the Hanlin Academy, and a minister of the current cabinet!
As an assistant minister of the cabinet, Zhao Junchen always cheered in front of him and supported him when traveling, with hundreds of guards, entourage, and staff accompanying him. In comparison, Li He only had one carriage and three
The name of the follower can be described as a world of difference.
However, although Li He, the elder, has a low-key style, he is by no means simple.
If Zhao Junchen knew that Li He had arrived in Xingzhou City, and if Zhao Junchen had not successfully reached a deal with the "Zhou Party", he would definitely feel like facing a formidable enemy at this time.
In Zhao Junchen's opinion, the most powerful thing about Li He lies in his low profile and restraint. The phrase "Those who are good at fighting have no great achievements" are the most appropriate words to describe Li He.
The "Zhou Party" is powerful mainly because it controls two key yamen. One is the Ministry of Personnel, which assesses the merits and demerits of officials, and the second is the Hanlin Academy, which nurtures talents and hopes. Together, these two yamen can
Continuously select talents for the "Zhou Party".
Among them, the focus of the Ministry of Personnel is on "selection", and Song Qiwen is responsible for it; while the focus of the Hanlin Academy is on "selection", which is controlled by Li He. It can be said that both are indispensable.
Among the two, the Ministry of Civil Affairs seems to have more power, but in fact it is more difficult to control the Hanlin Academy.
Since the Tang Dynasty, the political power of the Hanlin Academy has been high and low, but they have always been the highest social status group of scholars. Being elected to the Hanlin Academy is also known as the "Pointed Hanlin", which is an extremely glorious thing for scholars all over the world.
.
Among the previous imperial examinations, only the top-ranked first-class and second-class scholars are eligible to enter the Hanlin Academy for training. After having the qualifications of the Hanlin Academy, their promotion speed is much faster than that of ordinary officials, whether they are feudal officials or officials.
The cabinet and the auxiliary administration are all promising.
"From the imperial examination to the Hanlin" and "from the Hanlin to the court", this promotion method is not only the life ideal of the scholar-bureaucrats in the imperial examination era, but also a direct expression of the Confucian theory of "advantage and benefit to the world".
However, although the Hanlin Academy is extremely noble, it is a huge headache for those in power.
The Imperial Academy gathered elite talents from all walks of life, including literature, classics, medicine, divination, monks and Taoism, music, chess, calligraphy and painting, etc. Therefore, not only were all the Hanlin Academy members high-minded, but they also believed in
The ideas are often completely different. Confucianism alone can be divided into dozens of different schools.
Therefore, the Hanlin Academy has also gathered various ideological conflicts throughout the ages. Different ideas are absolutely in conflict with each other, and they all denounce each other as heresy. The Hanlin Academy usually focuses on debating scriptures and spitting at each other. Just now
It is still said that Confucian scholars gathered together to besiege the monks and Taoists. The next moment, the Confucius and Mencius factions within Confucianism would suddenly have internal strife. It was common for them to roll up their sleeves and fight each other when they were emotional.
Moreover, the Hanlins still have the power to discuss politics, but they have no relevant experience in governance, and most of them are ambitious and pretentious. They obviously expressed some naive, ridiculous and self-righteous political opinions, but when they found that the court did not adopt their opinions
After giving a good word, he will definitely be indignant and resentful, feeling that his talents are not being appreciated, and then he will criticize the court in a strange way.
This series of troubles, coupled with the usual hypocritical character of the literati, made it easy to imagine how difficult it would be to successfully run the Hanlin Academy.
However, since Li He became the academician in charge of the Imperial Academy, the Imperial Academy has always been stable and has never caused any major troubles. All kinds of troubles and contradictions in the Imperial Academy have always been resolved under his management.
Intangible, such means are definitely beyond the reach of ordinary people.
In recent years, Emperor Deqing has been trying to wrest back the power of the civil service from the "Zhou Party", but he has never tried to seize the Hanlin Academy because Emperor Deqing knew very well that no one except Li He could control this.
Trouble with the Yamen.
At the same time, under the leadership of Zhou Shangjing, the "Zhou Party" has always received mixed reviews from the government and the public. Among the successive emperor's disciples who entered the Hanlin Academy, many people were hostile to the "Zhou Party" and determined to
They overthrew the "Zhou Party", but when they finished their training in the Hanlin Academy and assumed actual positions, they often suddenly transformed and became new members of the "Zhou Party" forces.
Li He must have contributed a lot to such a 180-degree change of stance.
It can be said that if we only talk about understanding people's hearts, disciplining literati, and handling affairs, even Zhou Shangjing cannot surpass Li He. If we talk about academic articles, scholar status, and public opinion, he is even better than Zhou Shangjing.
Zhao Junchen naturally did not dare to neglect such a person.
Unfortunately, Zhao Junchen did not have many intelligence sources in Xingzhou, so he was not aware of Li He's appearance.
*
When the carriage slowly drove into the gate of Xingzhou City, Li He raised his hand to lift the curtain of the carriage and turned around to observe the situation in Xingzhou outside the carriage.
After a brief observation, Li He couldn't help but be stunned.
"As far as I know, a civil unrest has just ended in Xingzhou. A large number of people outside the city are rushing into the city. In addition, Zhao Junchen is competing with local officials and gentry. It stands to reason that Xingzhou City should be overcrowded and orderly now.
Chaos is right...but why are there not many people gathering near the city gate? Is the order so good?"
After hearing Li He's muttering to himself, the middle-aged Confucian scholar next to him raised his hand and pointed to a location near the city gate and said: "Look, Mr. Ge, that's where the government posts announcements. There are many common people there."
We are gathering nearby for discussion and may be able to answer your questions."
"Zhong Jin's eyesight is still sharp, not as dim as mine!" Li He nodded and said loudly: "Stop the car, I want to go and observe the announcement in person."
It turned out that this middle-aged Confucian scholar named Qiu Hong, also named Zhongjin, was a lecturer at the Hanlin Academy. Although this man was smart and knowledgeable, he did not like practical work, so he stayed in the Hanlin Academy and had a close relationship with Li He.
Well, they often sit together and discuss ideas, and occasionally make a few suggestions. Li He has tried to recommend him for actual positions many times, but he was always rejected.
When the carriage stopped, Li He quickly got out of the carriage without needing help from others, and then walked quickly towards the bulletin board.
Comparatively speaking, Qiu Hongshang was middle-aged, but when he got out of the car, he moved slowly and cautiously, and finally caught up with Li He. He panted and joked: "I am an indolent person, unlike you who is always busy."
Reading at night means your eyes are naturally better, but your body, hands and feet are far inferior to yours... Alas, you are also in your sixties, and you are only a few years older than Zhou Shoufu, so why do you still look like a young man? I just saw
The way you got off the carriage, I was really worried that you were slipping away..."
Hearing Qiu Hong mention Zhou Shangjing, a trace of worry flashed across Li He's expression.
Because of Song Qili's report, Li He already knew about Zhou Shangjing's poisoning and assassination, as well as the deal reached between the "Zhou Party" and Zhao Junchen, so he was now quite worried about Zhou Shangjing's physical condition.
But Qiu Hong was just a non-staff member of the "Zhou Party", so Li He did not reveal any more information to him. At this time, he also smiled proudly and said: "I am born with a strong body, and these legs and feet are nothing. If I are not already a noble
I am always being stared at and need to worry about my image. How many more concubines can I have..."
"Ahem! Be careful what you say and pay attention to your identity!"
Qiu Hong quickly stopped him, but couldn't help but shook his head and smiled bitterly.
In Qiu Hong's eyes, Mr. Li Ge is definitely different from what he looks like. He always puts on airs in front of outsiders, behaves elegantly, and is restrained and restrained. He can be said to be an example of a scholar. But in private, among a few close friends,
In front of him, he had the temperament of an old naughty boy, and he would never stop talking without surprising anyone.
Once, Zhou Shangjing paid a sudden visit to Li He. At that time, Qiu Hong was accompanying Li He to play chess, so he was lucky enough to listen to the conversation between the two "Zhou Party" leaders. Zhou Shangjing obviously wanted to talk to Li He about business, but Li He
He Que suddenly changed the topic and boasted loudly about his old roots and recommended many Yang-building techniques to Zhou Shangjing. As a result, even though Zhou Shangjing was calm and deep, he could not help but look embarrassed and at a loss. Soon,
He said goodbye and left.
Qiu Hong still thinks of the scene at that time and thinks it's ridiculous.
While they were thinking deeply, Li He and Qiu Hong had already crowded around the official bulletin board and read the announcement carefully.
Li He's eyesight was not very good, so Qiu Hong mainly read lightly and Li He listened.
After listening to the five items in the announcement, Li He suddenly became angry and criticized: "This Zhao Junchen is not a good person!"
Qiu Hong was stunned and asked in confusion: "Why do you say that? I think these five decrees are all excellent anti-therapeutic measures! Aren't you curious why there are no people crowded in Xingzhou City and the order is out of control? It is obviously these five decrees
The effect of the decree!
After the promulgation of these five decrees, the people have hope and expectation, and they are all busy queuing up to receive rice porridge and vouchers. Naturally, the situation can be stabilized quickly. We can't see too many people around the city gate. It should be the people.
They rushed to several porridge shacks...
However, these decrees are also desperate measures for Zhao Gechen. If he cannot find enough money to help people buy low-priced rice afterwards, he will be ruined immediately. It is indeed too risky to gamble.
consider……"
Li He shook his head and said: "Zhao Junchen will definitely be able to handle this matter calmly when the time comes. You don't have to worry at all! I said Zhao Junchen is not a good person, but for other reasons."
Qiu Hong was stunned and asked: "You have already guessed Zhao Gechen's specific countermeasures? Then why do you think Zhao Junchen is not a good person?"
Li He chuckled and said: "I don't know Zhao Junchen's specific strategy, but I know very well what means Zhao Junchen relied on to remain standing in the temple! That is the art of money and grain turnover! Xingzhou Jin gentry
Wanting to control grain prices to deal with Zhao Junchen is undoubtedly Lu Ban's attempt to bring humiliation to himself!
Zhong Jin, I will teach you a truth, that is, try to make as many good friends as possible, and let your friends do what they are good at, and you will also get better. If the situation forces you to become an enemy, you must
Don't fight against the enemy in the areas he is good at. This kind of thing is like wrestling with a big pig in the quagmire. The big pig is good at this and never tires of it. You will never be the winner...
I know that you have always hated the intrigues in the temple, which is why you are unwilling to leave the Hanlin Academy to take up a vacancy. But as long as you keep this truth in mind, you will find that all kinds of things in the temple are not that difficult. You see, I and
You have similar personalities, aren't you also as stable as a rock?"
Seeing that Li He persuaded him to leave the Hanlin Academy again, Qiu Hong shook his head helplessly, changed the topic directly, and asked again: "But why do you say that Zhao Junchen is not a good person?"
Li He said angrily: "Because Zhao Junchen obviously stole my method of disciplining the Hanlin Academy! You see, these five decrees he issued seem to be to calm the public's anger and stabilize the situation, but in fact they are to drive the people in Xingzhou City
All forces are busy, letting the common people queue up to receive it, letting the gentry keep busy maintaining order, letting the Ji Zhen garrison busy guarding against civil unrest, and letting the Xingzhou government busy selling grain and issuing vouchers, but everyone in the world has limited energy.
, once you get busy, you won’t be able to care about other things. Under such circumstances, Zhao Junchen naturally has no worries anymore and can do things without any taboos!"
Qiu Hong suddenly realized: "No wonder you were constantly revising books, training, and debating scriptures in the Hanlin Academy. I see... However, although Zhao Junchen used similar methods, it can't be said that he stole your methods, right?"
Li He hummed softly: "What I used first is my method!"
Obviously, Li He had behaved like an old naughty child again. Qiu Hong shook his head helplessly and stopped pestering him. He just asked: "Now that we have seen Zhao Junchen's methods, what should we do next? First, we should visit Mr. Ji Town.
Should we send troops to Zhang Su to convey His Majesty's will to him? Or should we contact Song Qili first and discuss the situation in Xingzhou with him?"
After thinking for a moment, Li He shook his head and said: "If you don't want to go, let's go to the Xingzhou Tongzhi Hall first. Zhao Junchen should be there to plead grievances for the people and administer justice. I want to take a look at him again."
means."
The political philosophy that Li He believed in was to make good friends and help his friends to make contributions, and then he himself would rise. Under this political philosophy, he had always had a detached status within the "Zhou Party".
"The core members are second only to Zhou Shangjing, but they are outside the power system of the "Zhou Party" and rarely interfere in the specific affairs of the "Zhou Party".
Therefore, Li He did not want to meet Song Qili as soon as possible, mainly because he did not want to be involved in the dispute over the successor of the "Zhou Party".
Li He has vaguely realized that under the current situation, Song Qili is definitely hiding his selfish motives. In order for his brother Song Qiwen to successfully inherit Zhou Shangjing's political legacy, he must go to any lengths, but Li He is not willing to get involved in this matter.
In front of Qiu Hong, Li He and Zhou Shangjing talked about the art of staying true to one's roots and strengthening Yang. In fact, it was just a way of avoiding his involvement in the specific affairs of the "Zhou Party".