"Therefore, if you don't work hard to make progress in the morning, you won't see success in the evening." [Guanzi·Situation]
Zhao Wen choked with sobs and only said yes, unable to say anything else.
The emperor glanced at him and saw that the fire was almost done. He reached out and picked up the paper written on the table and handed it to Zhao Wen. Zhao Wen immediately took it with both hands.
Although Zhao Wen had been curious about what the emperor had written on it, Zhao Wen had been very cautious and did not take a peek. He could only vaguely see that it seemed to be a drafted edict.
"Don't be afraid to read it, this book is written for you." The emperor turned slightly sideways and put part of his weight on the armrest on one side of the table, as if he wanted to get closer to Zhao Wen and whisper secrets to him, but this tilted posture
But it's not very elegant: "The past few days have been long or short, and they should have recovered from the excitement after the earthquake. The matter of changing the rules cannot be rushed to the public right now, so we have to first
I'm asking you to ask for directions."
"Wei, wei." After Zhao Wen read the edict, he burst into tears and became speechless.
The edict reads:
'Inform Situ, record the affairs of the minister, Ri Meng, Taiwei... In the past, the powerful ministers mausoleumed and brought trouble to the country; the soldiers attacked and invaded, and the border situation was frightened. Therefore, Situ Zhao Qian will lead the civil and military forces to defend with all his heart, and the merits of preservation will be restored.
The effect can be written. It is a pity that the sky will not leave the year, and it will not help to achieve and govern the world. How can I feel it at the same time. Now that I have examined his loyalty and traces, it is appropriate to add Pi Xian to promote his righteousness and righteousness. Since he originally had the title of Marquis of Pi, he can be admired.
He was given the posthumous title of Zhong, and he was also given a hundred thousand pieces of money and a hundred pieces of cloth to commemorate his achievements.'
The Han Dynasty always paid attention to the rule of "with titles, there are posthumous titles". Therefore, in the beginning, as long as officials who were granted lordships were given posthumous titles after their death. However, since the revival of Emperor Guangwu, the emperors of all dynasties have greatly
The number of posthumous titles granted was reduced, and sometimes even if officials were granted the title of marquis, they would not have posthumous titles after death. Gradually, the stinginess with posthumous titles, in turn, made posthumous titles an honor that scholars and officials coveted.
After all, the official posthumous title belongs to the whole country and will even be recorded in the history of the Qing Dynasty. However, the private posthumous title secretly discussed by a group of like-minded scholars or who had good friendship during their lifetimes only affects a small circle, and its fairness and recognition are limited.
It's even worse than the official posthumous title.
Zhao Wen's late brother, former Situ Zhao Qian, was the second scholar in the emperor's dynasty to be given a posthumous title after Zhenhou Lu Zhi.
This is a great honor. The emperor did not give it to Zhao Qian when he died. This time, the emperor provided it to him. In addition to closing the coffin of the deceased Zhao Qian, it also used it to express his attitude towards the living Zhao Wen.
After the posthumous edict, everyone will understand the emperor's desire to protect Zhao Wen.
Zhao Wen held the edict in his hands and was so happy that he could not even walk. His two feet kept touching each other along the way, which looked very funny from a distance.
The emperor sat on the couch and remained motionless, turning his head to look at Zhao Wen's leaving figure, wondering what he was thinking.
An old voice came from behind: "The former Situ and Wang Yun are the same person. It would be too graceful for your Majesty to give him the posthumous title of 'Zhong'."
After saying that, the man pushed open the door that was hidden behind the emperor. It seemed that he was affected by the cold air on the verandah, and the man couldn't help but cough a few times.
"Uncle." The emperor stood up from the couch, supported Wang Bin, and instead of letting him sit on the cold and drafty verandah, he took him inside: "Don't bear the cold."
General Wang Bin allowed the emperor to help him to the couch, put a cloak on him, and put a heater in his hand. He was very attentive and attentive, really like a nephew who respected his elders.
Wang Bin smiled and arched his eyebrows, feeling very comforted in his heart, but he said: "Is this posthumous title of 'loyalty' given by your Majesty to encourage Zhao Sikong?"
The emperor had already sat back on the table. Looking at Wang Bin's slightly thin body, he frowned inadvertently, nodded and explained: "My uncle knows my feelings. After all, Mr. Zhao is kind to me, so he gave me the word 'loyalty'."
It’s not an exaggeration, besides, it’s just to encourage Zhao Zirou.”
In total, Zhao Qian only did three things for the emperor. One was to support the emperor's pro-government and depose Wang Yun; the other was to cooperate with Huangfu Song and others to deal with the rebels such as Li Jue who raised troops; and the last one was to
Before his death, he supported and helped the emperor promote the salt and iron monopoly, reducing many obstacles.
Wang Bin recalled at this time that no matter how much the other party was motivated by selfishness, but for the sake of meeting an old minister with kindness, having a lot of money, and winning people's hearts, he should be given the word "loyalty".
After thinking about it, Wang Bin couldn't help but ask: "Your Majesty, do you really want to change the rules?"
The emperor just said 'hmm' and before he spoke, Wang Bin followed up and said: "Former Sikong Shi Sun Junrong was also exempted from the policy due to the Chang'an earthquake. The situation now is the same as that day. It is inevitable that the emperor will do this.
It aroused discussion among the government and the public, and made the scholar Sun Junrong cry out."
"There have been natural disasters for many years, and I have failed in my virtue. How can I let the three princes suffer for me every time?" The emperor waved his hand, looked at Wang Bin with bright eyes, and said: "In the long run, compared with the policy of evacuating Zhao Wen,
They will even support my current approach. As for complaining about being a scholar, it is just the complaints of some people and cannot be put on the table."
Wang Bin didn't quite understand the meaning of the conversation between the emperor and Zhao Wen from the beginning. wwAt this time, he thought carefully for a while and asked a few more questions before he finally came to his senses.
In the original theory of "response between heaven and man", every time a disaster occurred, it symbolized the king's fault, and the king had to issue edicts to cultivate virtue and accept advice from the virtuous. This was a means for the ministers to restrain the emperor, and in the case of Emperor Xiaohe
After that, this method failed and was passed on to the three guilds by the emperor. Now the emperor blamed himself again. If he gives his ministers a chance to restrain themselves, no three guilds will be implicated and deposed in the future. In the long run, this will
It is something that benefits all ministers.
As for whether we should take measures to avoid Zhao Wen, it is no longer important compared with this.
"Is this worth it?" After Wang Bin found out, he asked the same question as Zhao Wen. He used his own sins to exchange for Zhao Wen to stay in office. The price paid for this transaction was too high.
Whether it is for the sake of policy coherence or the stability of the court, or to preserve Zhao Wen, a capable general, the emperor must do this. What's more, the emperor must again blame himself for the disaster and no longer blame the ministers. If public opinion controls
If done well, it might even slightly enhance the emperor's reputation.
Therefore, "This is not for Zhao Wen." The emperor said calmly: "For hundreds of years, the theory of the induction of heaven and man has become somewhat out of date. When the time comes in the future, I will select another great scholar to make revisions.
Therefore, this is only a temporary solution, not a long-term solution."
"I promise." Wang Bin moved slightly and agreed: "Zhao Wenhe is so kind. If you don't know the word 'loyalty and diligence', you are really a shameless person."
The emperor laughed it off. He had done so much. It was impossible for Zhao Wen not to be completely devoted to him: "There is still room for discussion on this matter. Once the edict for the posthumous title is issued, if Situ and the others stop talking about it, I can do it again."