Chapter 273 The former minister, Pushe, Cai Bian's thoughts
"Monkey King?"
Wang Mang was stunned for a moment. He didn't need to think about it anymore. The figure subconsciously appeared in his mind.
"His Majesty……"
He turned around and looked at Li Qian with some doubts in his eyes.
Why do you suddenly mention this person? Why do you ask if he is still alive?
"I know Ban Shanggong, he..."
Wang Mang opened his mouth, as if he didn't know how to describe this person.
In the end, he simply replied: "He is still alive. I heard that the Ban Monkey King has not left yet, and is still in Quy Nhon County."
Li Qian nodded lightly. He had already known the truth clearly through the files. Asking Wang Mang this time was just to provoke this topic.
Banshan Gong, Banshan is his nickname. His courtesy name is Jiefu, his given name is Anshi, and his surname is Wang.
It was Wang Anshi, the former minister of Daqian, who was later "retired" from the official position during a political turmoil.
Originally, a high-ranking official like him, even if he failed in the struggle, should go back to his hometown directly and then seek a chance to recover...
No matter what, you should not be sent to a remote area to become a small county magistrate.
But there was no way, the late emperor was in power at that time, and any outrageous decision would not matter to him.
However, Wang Anshi was also a rather outrageous player, and he was also an opponent of the late emperor. If a normal official encountered this situation, he would probably have gone home long ago.
From a dignified first-rank prime minister-level official to a seventh-rank local official, who can withstand such a big gap?
If someone else had stopped serving me, I would go home and enjoy my life!
And Wang Anshi did have this capital. His family had been officials for generations, and his family was wealthy and very prestigious in the local area. Moreover, several of his brothers also had several Jinshi, and several of them are still in the officialdom.
It can be said that if he had just resigned and returned home, he would have definitely been able to enjoy a comfortable life, become a rich man, entertain his grandchildren, and not damage the reputation of his previous life as a servant.
[To be honest, I have been using Yeguo Reading recently to catch up on books, change sources, and read aloud with many sounds, and it can be used on both Android and Apple.]
What if the struggle fails and is dismissed?
In the past, there were many people like this. As long as they did not do anything too harmful to the country and the people, their reputation would not be damaged even if they were dismissed from office.
Although he does not have a pension of 110,000 taels a year, he can still become a top figure in the local area and rank first among all the squires. Even the local officials, county guards and others will treat him with respect.
In addition, the imperial court sent condolences every New Year's Eve. Whenever the imperial envoys passed by, they would visit him at home. Even if he was an official at home, he could continue to exert influence on the imperial government through his former disciples and subordinates for a possible comeback in the future.
But Wang Anshi didn't do that. He chose to take up his post as the county magistrate of the seventh grade.
At that time, everyone in the court was very puzzled. Some people thought that the old man was just going through the motions and did not want to refuse directly. He had ruined the late emperor's face. Maybe he would find an excuse when he was about to arrive. For example, if you are old and unwell or something, you can hang up and leave.
But the subsequent development really made everyone confused. Wang Anshi not only did not leave halfway, but actually went to Quy Nhon County to take office, and from a small position as county magistrate, he has been there until now.
During this period, some harsh officials wrote to ridicule him, saying that the old man was a complete official fanatic, and suggested that he should be dismissed as the last county magistrate, but the late emperor paid no attention to the nonsense of these people.
Just like Wang Anshi had been forgotten, he didn't take the initiative to mention it or respond to it. As time went by, this old man gradually disappeared from everyone's sight.
Wang Mang originally thought that the next time he heard official news about him, it would be the old man's obituary, but he didn't expect that His Majesty the Emperor would suddenly mention him again today.
In addition to the previous discussion about Cai Bian joining the Ministry of Etiquette, this is already the second time.
"It's good that you're still alive."
Li Qian sighed with emotion: "Since I became emperor, I have increasingly felt that the country's affairs are very difficult and chaotic, but I am unable to do what I want."
"When Huang Kao was here, he talked to me about Ban Shangong several times. He once said that Ban Shangong is the pillar of the country and he can help me when I need to save him."
Wang Mang on the side opened his mouth slightly, as if he did not expect that the late emperor had such a high opinion of Wang Anshi.
But if that's the case, why... throw him into a corner like that?
Li Qian could also guess Wang Mang's current doubts, but since the late emperor was gone, what he said would naturally be Li Qian's final decision.
"What Huang Kao was thinking at the time, I have no way of knowing now."
Having said this, Li Qian sighed softly, with a trace of sadness appropriately showing on his face.
In fact, it was because if he edited too much, there would inevitably be flaws, so he simply stopped there.
"But the current situation is bleak, and I am a middle-aged man. I am far inferior to Huang Kao's heroic judgment."
Having said this, Li Qian paused for a moment and stopped: "At this time, I am already a little tired of dealing with the current predicament."
He did not speak too slowly, leaving room for Wang Mang to ask questions.
But there was a certain firmness in his tone that could not be refused.
Wang Mang on the other side also fell into silence.
Although His Majesty the Emperor has yet to say the last words, the meaning behind them is already clear.
He thought of Fuwang Banshan.
"His Majesty……"
When Wang Mang thought of that figure, his thoughts became a little confused, and his tone became unstable: "Why do you want to cause trouble again in such an urgent situation?"
Isn't the most important thing for today's Daqian a stable political situation?
Li Qian was silent for a moment and replied: "I have no choice but to..."
Wang Mang took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and advised in a deep voice: "I know that your Majesty has reasons for what he has to do, and I am willing to support your Majesty, but have you ever thought about what will happen to the other adults in the court?" think?"
"After Ban Shanggong returns to the court, what position should he take?"
There is also an unspoken rule in the Daqian Dynasty for these high-ranking officials.
If the imperial court wants to reinstate these people, their official positions after reinstatement cannot be lower than the official positions they held when they left office.
Either it will be higher than before, or it will be at the same level, but it must not be lower than before the restoration.
Wang Anshi had already been a minister before, and he was already a position that could not be promoted. If he were to be reinstated, he would either be a minister, a left prime minister, or a right prime minister.
He had no other choice, and the court had no other choice.
But the problem is that these four positions are now occupied. Which one of them does not hold great power and have many party members?
Who else should be squeezed out to make way for Wang Anshi?
"Your Majesty, now that external troubles are on the rise, if internal troubles arise again, I am afraid that the future of Daqian... will be worrying."
Li Qian sighed: "Uncle Wang Zong, of course I know this."
He continued to move forward and arrived at the Wenhua Palace with the silent Wang Mang. The palace people on the side closed the doors and lined up to exit.
"But I just said that it's no longer possible if I don't change it now."
Li Qian told him about Cai Jing in general, and then looked at Wang Mang in silence.
Wang Mang was his political ally and played a key role in this matter. Li Qian could not do without his help.
But when Li Qian mentioned Wang Anshi to him before, his performance made Li Qian feel not very optimistic.
It seems that both Wang Mang and Sima Guang have great prejudices against Wang Anshi.
Wang Anshi is a resolute reformist, while Wang Mang's goal is to restore ancient rituals. It doesn't seem like the two of them can walk the same path.
As for Sima Guang and Wang Anshi...these two are old enemies with different ideas.
If Li Qian wants to use Wang Anshi to leverage Cai Bian, he must first get their consent.
After all, if you want a group to be effective externally, it is best to first unify its opinions internally, especially such a small group with a very small number of people.
Wang Mang has been in shock ever since he heard what he said before, and he has only now digested the news.
"His Majesty……"
He subconsciously wanted to ask if it was true, but then he thought about how Li Qian could be joking on such a serious issue.
Wang Mang took a deep breath and said firmly: "I am willing to support Your Majesty in resurrecting Ban Shanggong."
Li Qian paused for a moment and nodded slightly. It seemed that Wang Mang still had a good view of the overall situation. Regardless of his position or grievances, he still made the right choice on such a big issue of right and wrong.
"Okay, in that case, Uncle Zong will wait here for a while."
He then summoned the old eunuch beside him and asked him to go to the Ministry of Rites to bring Sima Guang and Cai Bian.
To do such a big thing, every detail must be perfected. There may be spies from the Cai Party in the Ministry of Rites. Li Qian cannot summon Cai Bian alone. There is absolutely no possibility of any factors that may arouse Cai Jing's suspicion.
If you want to see them, just call Wang Mang, Sima Guang and Cai Bian over.
"When Minister Sima and Minister Cai arrive, please ask the eldest uncle to give some advice to Minister Sima."
Li Qian warned Wang Mang again, after all, these two people were really in conflict.
Wang Mang was silent for a moment and nodded slightly: "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Sima Shilang is a man who understands righteousness, and he will probably not object. Moreover, he has a close personal relationship with Banshan Gong, but they have some different political opinions."
Li Qian was noncommittal about this. The two people may have had a good personal relationship in the past, but even a deep friendship may gradually fade away with constant confrontation, and the ensuing conflicts will become more intense.
This may be the so-called deep love and deep hatred.
Li Qian still remembered the Yuanyou party struggle in his previous life. Sima Guang attacked "Wang Anshi for not upholding the political system, pursuing his own prejudices, and messing with the old rules." He completely rejected his new law and slandered it as "taking advantage of right and wrong, eliminating advantage and disadvantage," and " It's called "loving the people," but it actually hurts the people; it's called "benefiting the country," but it's actually hurting the country."
In Li Qian's view, Wang Anshi's mentality may have some flaws, but it is only a small part and will never be so useless.
It's just that long-term party disputes make people lose their minds and even give rise to a wrong idea of black and white.
Even when Sima Guang was in power, he spared no effort to attack the reformists. As long as he had the slightest involvement or even said a few pertinent words, he would be classified as a "Wang Anshi pro-party" and demoted.
Li Qian didn't have any good solution for this. He could only hope that the current situation of Da Qian had not developed to such a fierce level.
While the two were discussing, Sima Guang and Cai Bian had also arrived outside the palace.
"No need to delay, let them come in directly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The old eunuch hurriedly ran out to fetch people.
"Your Majesty, Sima Guang/Cai Bian."
Li Qian did not ask them to get up directly, but turned his head and looked at Wang Mang aside.
Wang Mang sighed inaudibly and took a few steps forward: "Sima Shilang, come here with me."
After saying that, he turned around and walked into the side room.
Sima Guang raised his head in astonishment and looked at his back. What did this mean?
His Majesty the Emperor is still here, why...
He raised his head and met Li Qian's gaze, only to see His Majesty the Emperor nodding gently to him.
Sima Guang seemed to understand something, got up and followed Wang Mang.
The door to the side room was closed, and now only Li Qian and Cai Bian were left here.
"Get up and sit down, Mr. Cai."
Li Qian walked slowly down from the main seat.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After Cai Bian stood up and sat down, he was still very respectful: "I wonder what your Majesty's orders are when he summons his ministers?"
Li Qian thought for a moment and did not tell him directly about Wang Anshi, but planned to see Cai Bian's attitude first.
He didn't mince words, but asked directly: "Servant Cai, what do you think of your brother?"
Cai Bian paused for a moment, but still did not raise his head, but his tone was a bit unnatural: "Your Majesty, being filial to your younger brother is the foundation of benevolence."
This sentence basically means being filial to your parents and respecting your elders. This is the basis of benevolence.
But after Li Qian thought for a moment, he remembered the original text in the classics, which also included this sentence: He is also a filial brother, but he is fond of offending his superiors, which is rare; he is not fond of offending his superiors, but he is fond of causing trouble, which is rare. .
People who are filial will basically not commit crimes or cause chaos.
"Cai Qing's family, that's what the sage said."
Li Qian looked at him deeply: "The saint's brother is not your brother. I want to hear what you think of your brother?"
Cai Bian hesitated and couldn't answer for a long time. It seemed that Li Qian's question made him very embarrassed and painful: "I...'s brother..."
"I haven't interacted with him for many years..."
His behavior is obviously contrary to the words of the saint in his mouth, which may be the reason why Cai Bian is so entangled and painful.
Li Qian sighed softly when he heard this. He couldn't say he was satisfied with the result, but he couldn't demand anything more.
The brothers Cai Jing and Cai Bian are really full of contrasts. The former seems to be as big as the sea, but in fact he has a small belly.
Cai Bian seems upright and decisive, but he is a bit cowardly and rigidly adheres to classics and doctrines. If he could be half as decisive and ruthless as Cai Jing, Cai Jing would definitely not be as comfortable as he is today.
Li Qian looked at him and waited for a while. Seeing that he still couldn't say anything, he sighed softly and stopped embarrassing him. Instead, he dropped a bombshell news.
"Cai Qing's family, do you know about your brother's treason and collaboration with the enemy?"
Treason...collaboration with the enemy?
Cai Bian seemed to be shocked all of a sudden. He suddenly raised his head, his eyes widened with disbelief on his face.
Li Qian continued to say expressionlessly: "This Jinlu invasion and even breaking the border pass are largely due to your brother. The hundreds of thousands of border soldiers who died for this are all because of him."
Cai Bian opened his mouth, as if he had lost the ability to speak for a moment.