"This is called peeling off the skin and getting to the bones. Criticism often starts with small things, attracting the attention of the government and the public. Over time, small things become big things, and insignificant details become big problems. Once those little people who act as pawns are punished, they will change in public opinion.
If they become victims, their petition will naturally become an expose."
"Shutong, and have you noticed that most of the fabricated charges these people wrote were moral, and almost none of them were against the law or discipline."
Yu Wenxuzhong thought for a while and replied: "The officials, I guess, moral issues are very easy to make up, it all depends on one's mouth, but it is very difficult for the victims to clarify.
"By the way. The opening chapter of Sima Gong's "Zizhi Tongjian" says, 'There is no duty of the emperor greater than etiquette, no etiquette is greater than points, and no points are greater than fame. What is etiquette, is the discipline; what is the distinction, the monarch and his ministers are the same; what is the name,
Dukes, marquises, ministers, and officials are all the same.' In the hearts of Confucian scholars who adhere to righteousness, status, etiquette, and principles are always the basis of the imperial court."
"The imperial court must set an example for all the people in the world, and the emperor and prime ministers are the imperial court's example, so that they can maintain their status, etiquette, and integrity. Therefore, criticizing moral issues is the simplest and sharpest move for them."
Zhao Si still had a few words in his mind that he didn't say out loud.
Confucian scholars who adhere to righteousness feel that using the power of ethics and morality to make the humble obey the superior is the best way to maintain the authority and operation of the court - it is simple, easy and cost-effective.
But that's just for them. For me, this way of governance has many drawbacks, and it's very solid. If there's even the slightest disturbance, it will cause turmoil.
"Shutong, I have read several history books and have dealt with civil and military bureaucrats over the years. I have combined theory with practice, and I have some experience. Today I am interested and want to tell you about it."
Yu Wenxuzhong quickly sat upright.
But he knew in his heart that the officials were willing to talk about these topics with him because they actually had profound meanings. There were some things that officials were not comfortable saying, so they needed to use certain opportunities to tell people close to them and then relay them.
Today's private words should be listened to by oneself, turned around in the mind, and sorted out again, or written down as "Guan Jia Lu", distributed in the form of hadith, to urge civil and military officials to learn; or change the tone and
If the statement is published in internal materials or official newspapers, and officials publicly give it a thumbs up, it can be used as a model to be implemented.
"Since Emperor Wu of the former Han Dynasty 'deposed hundreds of schools of thought and only respected Confucianism', after thousands of years, the civil servants of our dynasty are basically bureaucrats who believe in Confucian classics. These bureaucrats have three characteristics. First, they replace law with morality. All of them
Things are done in the name of maintaining morality, and the standard for judging right and wrong is good and evil, not legal or illegal."
"Second, these bureaucrats have a common ideological foundation. They have been familiar with Confucian classics such as the Analects since they were young. They entered official careers through participating in imperial examinations, passing on inheritance, etc., and made use of various relationships with old officials, fellow townsmen, the same year, and disciples, and finally formed a group of officials.
All are prosperous, but all are destroyed. Consolidated groups compete with each other for power and gain, creating a chaotic atmosphere."
"It just so happens that our dynasty has the ancestral method of 'stirring up different opinions', which encourages this kind of opposition and disputes. But in the end, the fight will ruin the government, hurt the monarch's power, and suffer the people."
Listening to this, Yu Wenxuzhong's face turned a little pale. If these words were spread, it would definitely cause an uproar, because it hit the nail on the head.
Now that they have heard it in their own ears, how can they publish it to the public? Record it in the "Official Treasures" and publish it in the form of hadith? If it is so simple, the official can directly form a written chant and publish it, why bother to pretend?
It's so troublesome to tell me again.
Then I will revise it and publish it in my name. I will shoulder the possible turbulent public opinion alone. I am not afraid of taking too much of this kind of blame, but I am afraid of taking too little.
"The third characteristic of these bureaucrats is that they are very conservative in their thinking and politics. Because their core foundation is the principles in Confucian classics, they have no idea how to govern the country, how to enrich the people, how to resist foreign enemies... no matter what they say, they
We can only stand on the moral high ground and say some lofty words."
"So their specific policy measures are very conservative and rigid, including various systems such as expenditures, people's livelihood, and people's livelihood. The types of taxes and collection methods remain unchanged for many years. There is no central-level fiscal and tax coordination, and they completely rely on demolishing the east wall to pay for the west wall.
To support local fiscal expenditures. Keep administration simple and pragmatic at all times, don’t start provocations, and don’t act rashly.”
Having said this, Zhao Si sneered repeatedly, "Actually, they have no choice but to do so. These bureaucrats know nothing but speaking the truth. The central government and local governments they preside over are extremely inefficient and incompetent. So they can only fight
Under the banner of simplifying administration and ensuring peace of the people, 'the law is valuable and stable, and the regulations should be simplified', so as to adapt to their pitiful, ridiculous and hateful governance capabilities."
Yu Wenxuzhong took advantage of the gap in talking to stand up and pour tea. Then seeing that the official didn't pay attention, he quietly wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeves. But the clothes on his back were soaked through.
Officials, these words of yours have completely stripped away those old-school civil servants who adhere to Confucian classics. If they are published publicly, they will become angry. When the time comes, I don’t know if my small body will be able to bear it.
He calmed down, calmed down and asked: "Guan family, what about these Confucian scholars and bureaucrats, there is no merit at all?"
"Of course there are merits. A piece of toilet paper and a toilet chip all have their uses..." At this point, Zhao Si couldn't help but laugh, "These words are too harsh. We, the monarch and the minister, can't help but laugh in private.
It’s a joke, Shutong, you will forget it once you laugh.”
Yu Wenxuzhong also laughed, "I have remembered it. Don't worry, officials, I will not dare to make such a joke."
Zhao Si waved his hand and continued: "In fact, the morality they advocate is still very useful. Morality is the norm for people to discipline themselves. Ethics, good and evil, loyalty and filial piety, restrain everyone from the heart. But only moral restraint
It is far from enough. In reality, the greater the temptation for profit, the lower the moral bottom line."
"So I advocate systems and laws, which are external constraints. Only with self-discipline internally and supervision externally can we avoid being tempted by interests as much as possible and avoid doing unethical and illegal things. Isn't this a sage within and a king outside?
?”
Having said this, Zhao Si paused, picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and continued.
"Sima Gong once said, 'The key to government is to employ people, reward good and punish evil.' In fact, he is right. Use the right people, and then use rewards to reward good and punish evil to urge them to perform their duties - good things will be rewarded
, if you don’t do well, you will be punished. The essence is that simple. But in fact, governing the country is not that simple. Excessive administration will not harm the people, but inaction will..."
After talking for a long time, Zhao seemed to still have some unfinished ideas, but he knew that this was enough. If he went deeper, it would not be what he was talking about to his ministers - the art of the emperor, and Yu Wenxuzhong did not dare to listen.
“Back when Duke Yuan Du was ‘skinned to the bone’ and criticized, Shutong, can you guess who would use this method?” This chapter has been completed!