Chapter 82: Watching the field, delaying the order (5)
All the ministers in the hall were originally thinking about Li Wenshou's proposal, but when they suddenly heard the word 'kill', they all raised their heads, wanting to see whose mouth such fierce words came from, and then they saw it.
Yan Wen was giving stern instructions. They were startled at first, and then became frightened. They all broke into cold sweats and trembled. They all looked at the political minister in front of them with strange eyes, as if they had become different faces.
"Xiang Xiang, think twice! Since the founding of the country, this dynasty has never resorted to large-scale punishments. If today, regardless of the severity, people kill people casually, not only will the new policies in various places fail to remedy it, but it will also lead to endless disasters." Hong Lishen did not dare to speak when he saw them.
, and gave hard advice on behalf of everyone.
Yan Wen pondered for a moment, then flipped through the files and replied: "Hong's participation in politics is really the opinion of corrupt scholars. Although I am committed to the way of saints, I am not like you who are so frightened when it comes to killing people, for fear that I will violate the rules of the saints.
Meaning. Don’t you know that the sage Confucius once treated those who spread heresy?
Shaozheng Mao was killed and his corpses were massacred. In the eyes of the princes, does this seem unkind? What’s more, those who are to be killed now are all corrupt officials, traitors to the people and evil gentry. They are much more sinful than Shaozheng Mao back then!
These figures collude with each other. How can the New Deal be effective if it is not uprooted?"
"But I'm afraid..."
"No need to say more!" Yan Wen closed the file and straightened his face, "I have made up my mind, and I will draft an order based on this policy. I will ask the postman to send it back to Jinan."
Everyone had no choice but to let Yan Wen write an official document in the name of Zhongshu Province and was forced to jointly sign it and issue it.
"That's weird, that's weird, it's such a new thing in the world!" Cai Xianqing came back from outside again, clapped her hands and walked back and forth beside Ye Yongjia.
"What's wrong with Mr. Cai? Have you finished discussing it with the Central Secretariat?" Seeing how excited he was, Ye Yongjia couldn't help but ask.
"You just sit here all day long without going out to relax. As a result, you don't know about national affairs. You still need me to talk to you every time!" Cai Xianqing shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"It's the younger generation who didn't listen to the teachings," Ye Yongjia bowed repeatedly, "I hope Mr. Cai will forgive me."
"Forget it, I'll tell you. Then Yan Wen... Vice Prime Minister Yan, instructed Chen Tongpao, 'I have the power of life and death with you. Anyone who does not implement the new policy can be killed. If you encounter anyone who disobeys the king's order, you can do this
If the document is shown and still does not obey the order, then the
Take him back to the capital and have him beheaded in the streets. Don't be merciful and miss the deadline, otherwise you will be questioned! 'The Yan family scholar who usually pays attention to tranquility has turned into a murderous and ruthless official. The change is so fast that it is really laughable.
I don’t understand.”
Ye Yongjia sneered: "It seems that you don't know Prime Minister Yan very well. This is this person's consistent style. He claims to be a contemporary celebrity and vows to revive the ancient Confucianism. However, he often thinks of governing the country with benevolence and morality and doing good things.
He came here but was ruthless and never merciful. When he deposed the prince, he had
How many lives have been taken, but they don't care at all, and they still focus on implementing benevolent policies; today's matter is even more ridiculous, they actually hope to use their heads to carve a clear path to Confucian ethics.
Zhuang Dalu. I have never heard that killing someone can make the people honest."
"But his original intention was to kill corrupt officials without harming innocent people." Cai Xianqing explained.
"You are mistaken. I don't want to discuss whether he is right or wrong in killing people. The problem lies in the fundamentals. What he is pursuing now is completely contrary to the pre-Zhou ethics he advocated. Yan Shenzheng thought that he was still trying to become a saint.
However, if someone like him is so unscrupulous, he has already strayed far from the previous path, and now he is just deceiving himself and others."
"What about Tinglong's thoughts?" Cai Xianqing listened with great interest.
"The way of sages is no longer feasible." Ye Yongjia frowned and spoke very firmly, "The country was in decline, and the literati held the Four Books and Five Classics, thinking that it was the decline of ethics that led to the current bad consequences. But it has always been the case.
We have not respected ethics for a long time, and people's political system has changed.
Changes have been huge, and studying ancient books now is just like following the pictures. Therefore, if we want to save the country from danger, we must first abandon the legacy of our ancestors and open up a new path on our own." He said this.
Even though he was there, he seemed at a loss and lowered his head.
Cai Xianqing praised: "Tinglong's views are really wise! I think so in my heart. If you blindly follow the old learning, you will just go around in circles and end up repeating the same mistakes. Setting up a new school will only fail to teach the sages and sages.
The book does not ask about current affairs, which is really sad."
Ye Yongjia said: "Xiang Yan is not a stupid man, he is just obsessed with his daily ideals and does not care about foreign affairs. If he continues like this, the happiest person will probably be serving as the prime minister."
"It's too early to say these words," Cai Xianqing flicked his sleeves, "Just watch it quietly and wait for the day when we will know."
The postman received the letter from Zhongshu and hurried back to Jinan. He dismounted and was still panting, so he ran straight to the guest room to present it to Chen Tongpao.
"Quick, quick, open it and take a look!" A clerk came to the door, grabbed the letter with his hands, turned around and handed it to Superintendent Chen, urging him to read it.
Tongpao Chen was not in a hurry, but due to the urging of the two clerks, he had to tear open the envelope with one hand and take out the official document.
"What does it say?" The two clerks were lying in front of the table, pointing around with their fingers, which was completely unethical.
Chen Tongpao was indifferent and read the document attentively. Then he slowly turned his head and said, "Gong Yan has issued an order to give me the power of life and death. If I encounter any officials or people who obstruct the New Deal, I will kill them without mercy."
After hearing this, the two clerks looked at each other and couldn't help showing joy: "Xiang Yan is indeed wise! When dealing with these villains, we should not tolerate indulgence!"
Chen Tongpao folded the document and responded: "We will follow Prime Minister Yan's policies and opinions, and there will be no mistakes. I will hand them over to the prefect for review tomorrow."
"The prefect should have nothing to say this time."
Chen Tongpao wrinkled his forehead: "Of course the magistrate did not dare to disobey Prime Minister Yan, but he was afraid that once he knew about it, he would become more frightened and want to save his life. He would blame others for everything and refuse to explain to us. If the local governor
Preventing the imperial court in this way is not a good thing for the New Deal."
The two clerks sounded very reasonable, nodded and said: "Yes, we will kill others if they want, and we won't blink an eyelid; this person's name is magistrate, but he is actually governor, and he has great power, so we must win over him."
"
Chen Tongpao said: "I have a plan. The prefect is afraid of you two, and I have always maintained a moderate and compromise view, which makes him trust me. Now I can carry this letter with me and ask him to have a secret meeting, and then we can talk to him in secret.
I will show you kindness and power at the same time, making them fearful and happy. With my virtue, I will surely make them obey me. What do you think this is like?"
The two of them said without hesitation: "That's it!"