"It's difficult to get together; it's annoying to say something; it's hard to govern." [Zuo Zhuan, Dinggong, 4th year]
The cool breeze is picking up, and the branches and leaves are rubbing and swaying on the crown of the tree, making a rustling sound. The crisp days of autumn are coming, and the leaves are beginning to fall into the soil, preparing to rot into the nutrients needed for the tree's recovery in the coming year.
Fallen leaves fell in the wind and hit the closed door in the courtyard.
In this house, Taiwei Ma Ri, Shangshu Lingshi Sun Rui and others were sitting in rows.
Zhong Yao, the minister of Huangmen who came to visit, said: "At first, Duke Ming and Wang Yun conspired to kill Dong, assisted the young master, and repeatedly put down great chaos. Now that Duke Ming is a powerful figure in the dynasty, respected by all officials, I still ask Duke Ming to deal with the matter of salt and iron.
Be sure to appeal.”
"Sikong has already said everything?" Ma Ri asked.
"The Taiwei records the affairs of the minister, and he is in charge of the affairs of the central government. There is an Ming Gong present. Among them, there are more than two thousand dan, a doctor, and Yilang's ministers all readily agreed."
"Tomorrow is a matter of success or failure, and we hope we can work together."
Ma Ri received Zhong Yao with a smile, and vouched for the meeting of ministers at Beigongmen that was going to be held tomorrow, expressing his duty to do so. It was not until Zhong Yao left that Ma Ri's smiling face suddenly fell.
What he just said was that Huangmen Minister Zhong Yao came to lobby on behalf of Sikong Huang Wan, mainly because he wanted to confirm tomorrow's action for the last time, but Ma Ri noticed something strange. This kind of thing was originally a temporary cooperation between all parties, but Zhong Yao
In this way, it seems as if they are afraid that they will not go, and want to take the lead.
"Situ is terminally ill and has already resigned." Ma Ri looked around the people present with a pair of very bright eyes, and finally stopped at the scholar Sun Rui: "Your Majesty has refused twice according to the rules and precedents.
Once, I'm afraid it will be approved by an edict."
When Shi Sunrui heard the sound, he did not answer. He turned slightly and looked at the imperial physician Ling Zhixi: "Yuan Sheng, is it true that Situ's illness will not be cured?"
"You can't say that. The weather has turned a bit cooler recently." Zhi Xi said cautiously, "If it really gets colder, his condition should improve."
"That means there is still a glimmer of hope." Shi Sunrui said: "At this time, Situ Dang will not be in such a hurry to retreat. In addition, Huang Ziyan's attitude seems to be very subtle, and Zhong Yuanchang's words this time are also wrong.
"
"That's right." Ma Ri stroked his beard and sighed: "The last few times they came here, they all said they wanted to unite and have a joint statement tomorrow. But now they plan to push me to the front. I'm afraid they have changed.
They had made up their minds, and before retreating, they wanted me to step forward and support them to fulfill their public aspirations."
At first, the emperor summoned the young officials without warning. Da Sinong and others announced that they would re-open the salt and iron franchise, which caught everyone off guard. However, they did not expect that the emperor made no move after that. Although he did not enforce it, he did not pay attention to his ministers.
Remonstrance.
Since they couldn't just enter the palace to see the emperor, and they couldn't get a response from their ministers, they simply gathered officials with more than 2,000 dan, doctors, and Yilang at the Sima Gate of the bus, planning to discuss the salt and iron monopoly in an open and fair manner.
Discussion can also be seen as recalling the salt-and-iron debate of the sages.
Only a minority of people really have an interest in salt and iron, and only a minority insist on opposing it. They are just trying to use the opportunity to make the emperor compromise. If the emperor is not allowed to receive any resistance, then the emperor can always bypass it in the future.
The important ministers and ministers did not even bother to consult with each other, so they could just order Jiuqing to reform the system?
Back then, the emperor seemed reckless and unreasonable when he went to the Shaofu to announce the establishment of salt and iron, which was a challenge to the authority of Shangshutai. This time, Ma Ri and others joined forces to oppose, not really for the sake of salt and iron, but to ensure their own
The right to speak will not be kicked away by the emperor in future restructuring.
If the emperor wants to carry out any major policy, he must first discuss it with these ministers. If he has an idea, he can directly go to the people below. What's going on?
So everyone plans to join forces to demonstrate against the emperor tomorrow. This is also a test of the emperor's majesty by the ministers. If it succeeds, everything in the future will have to be discussed by the emperor and ministers; if it fails, then it will be a situation where the emperor advances and the ministers retreat.
"If Situ is willing to resign, he must be moved by his affairs. However, Sikong has repeatedly lied to us, but he actually has other intentions. If we are not prepared, we will talk to ourselves at the Beigong Gate early tomorrow morning.
We are opposed to the exclusive government, but they support His Majesty, so we will be in a disadvantageous situation." Shisun Rui thought for a while and added: "And together with Dong Cheng."
Not only did Ma Ri, Yang and others participate in this incident, Dong Cheng also expressed his intention to reconcile with Ma Ri and act together out of dissatisfaction with the emperor. The three-party alliance could not only put pressure on the emperor,
This will avoid appearing to be cliques with each other.
However, Ma Ri frowned deeply. Shi Sunrui's analysis was correct. They had originally reached an agreement on this matter and wanted to advance and retreat together, but the other party withdrew halfway for other interests. If he hadn't noticed it, wouldn't it have changed?
Did he collude with Dong Cheng to create momentum to stop His Majesty?
"Huh!" Ma Yu said angrily: "They have a good plan!"
The two parties used each other and cooperated temporarily. The other party withdrew for some reason. There was indeed no obligation or responsibility to inform in advance. As for still encouraging Ma Ri to continue to adhere to the previous plan and speak uprightly at Beigongmen, that is, Huang Wan and Yang were just following the trend.
A trap for Ma Ri.
If there is no one to show off tomorrow, how can they show their loyalty and support for the emperor?
A crowd gathered at Beigong Gate to discuss, refuting the emperor's claims, preventing the emperor from coming to power, and being in conflict with Dong Cheng... The most important thing is that the Yang family and the Guandong scholars spoke for the emperor on the side, with righteousness and sincerity.
Incomparable look...
Just thinking about it, Ma Riguang felt a cold sweat break out on his back. The top priority now was to immediately change his position with the Yang family and let Dong Cheng act against the emperor alone. This way he could also easily drive a wedge between Dong Cheng and the emperor's son-in-law.
.
But before that, Ma Ride first knew what made Yang change his mind and make Zhao Qian willing to resign.
"Yuan Sheng, what did Mu Shun say when he visited Situ's house that day?" Shi Sunrui asked.
Zhi Xi thought about it carefully and said uncertainly: "They are all normal words for visiting people. They advise Mr. Zhao to rest in peace and rest. There is nothing out of the ordinary."
"That means there was a hint a long time ago." Shisun Rui thought attentively. He could not think of any other benefit that could be greater than letting the emperor compromise and rule together from then on. Zhao Qian's withdrawal, Shisun Rui
Sun Rui was understandable. After all, the other party was alone. Even if it happened, he would not get any benefits. But Yang was different. What benefits could make Yang change his mind?