Chapter 2133 Sejong Chapter 8 Entering the New Era
In the spring and February of the second year of Duangong, the emperor issued an edict, and Kangzong set off from Zi Palace, went south to Ruzhou, and was buried in Pingling. By the time of departure, Liu Wenpeng's body had been lying in Chuigong Hall for almost fourteen months. (Taizong Mausoleum
Located in Zezhou, it is called Yuanling.)
With the burial of Liu Wenpeng, it also meant that the Han Empire completely bid farewell to the Kangzong era and officially ushered in the era of Liu Wenji. Shortly after returning to Beijing, Liu Wenji issued a "Xuanzong Edict" to make it clear to the world that this was one year after Liu Wenji ascended the throne.
Officially convey his political philosophy and policy agenda to his subjects both internally and externally.
The edict is very long and contains a lot of content, but the condensed meaning is clear and concise. In short, there are only two sentences: to stop the rule of Pingkang and to correct the loss of Emperor Kangzong.
In the past year, the operation of the imperial court has basically maintained the model of the Pingkang era. However, compared with the Pingkang era, the scene above the court is completely different. From the emperor down, all loyal ministers and knowledgeable people
, are all reflecting on the problems that occurred in the Kangzong Dynasty and taking Yin as a lesson.
Regarding this matter, Liu Wenji received hundreds of memorials. Judging from the memorials alone, many ministers did think deeply and seriously, which can be said to be a painful experience. Although there was no lack of advice to Liu Wenji, this trend
However, he was quietly promoting the trend. If he wrote well, he would recommend it to the ministers and submit it to the Xuanwei Department for publication.
Therefore, after almost a year of planning, Liu Wenji chose to express his feelings and clarify his political thoughts after Kangzong was buried. Naturally, it had an extraordinary effect and had many supporters. At least with Kangzong at the front, Liu Wenji performed well.
But he is so wise.
However, in fact, even after he had secured the throne, Liu Wenji still seemed cautious when it came to expressing his voice and exerting the emperor's power. He only added some slight "doings" to Kangzong's "inaction".
In terms of specific operations, Liu Wenji only made four clear points: ban extravagance, promote simplicity, abolish big work, and establish new trends.
Banning extravagance and advocating simplicity are integrated. However, compared with the strict restrictions and severe suppression during the Taizong period, Liu Wenji's attitude and methods were somewhat more relaxed. At the same time, he only drew red lines on the expenditure of state-owned assets and public funds. As for private wealth, he only
Encouraged, not forced.
Abandoned construction refers solely to Kangzong's "Crystal Palace" concept. Since his death, construction has been suspended. Civil servants have been returned, building materials have been abandoned, and even the temporary construction headquarters has been basically disbanded. A handful of construction officials and eunuchs have stopped working
Under such circumstances, he was able to live happily for more than half a year with the money allocated in advance. Later, he was reported and all of them were beheaded.
Regarding the issue of the Xiyuan Palace, some people actually suggested continuing to build it. After all, the initial investment was huge. The lake had already been dug out and half of the foundation of the palace had been laid. The sunk cost was too high. In order to avoid waste, the construction could be completed and it would also be given to the emperor.
A nearby place to escape the summer heat and enjoy the coolness, even if it is like Qionglin Garden in Tokyo.
However, after careful consideration, the principle of political priority prevailed, and Liu Wenji finally chose to stop the strike completely. He had to express his attitude and show his difference with Kang Zong.
As a result, the half-finished Xiyuan Summer Palace, which had consumed a lot of manpower, money and material resources, became a victim of politics, while the unfinished project and the abandoned artificial lake became a huge scar in the royal gardens that would be difficult to restore without the vicissitudes of life.
flat.
As for the establishment of new trends, it was aimed at the phenomenon of abolition of many disciplines and excessive struggles in the imperial court and among the powerful during the Kangzong period, especially in the later period. Therefore, Liu Wenji specifically raised the banner of Taizong's legacy and expressed his desire to imitate Taizong's clear and strong laws.
Policies, strict laws and regulations, and rectification of violations.
Of course, Liu Wenji is well aware that moral integrity can be corrupted quickly and easily, but to reverse it does not happen overnight. It requires more patience, stronger authority, and more practical actions to kill enough chickens.
, to warn more monkeys
Even though Liu Wenji's "New Deal" was full of conservatism and compromise, by following the established plan patiently and calmly, he, the emperor, became more and more comfortable, and his authority was quietly accelerated and consolidated.
When the imperial power was handed over and the old and new dynasties were replaced, many things would always be neglected, such as the triennial national examination and the imperial examination. It needs to be mentioned that according to the regular system, there was a major examination in the eighth year of Pingkang. However, that session
It was canceled by Emperor Kangzong.
On the surface, it was because he wanted to prepare for the sacrifice to heaven and the northern inspection tour, but in fact, it was to further suppress a group of common people bureaucrats headed by Li Hang who opposed him, because he discovered that in the two imperial examinations of the Pingkang Dynasty, Li Hang
They discovered through tribute examinations and promoted many officials from poor families.
You might say that Emperor Kangzong is stupid. When dealing with people, he often grasps the key points and hits you where they are most vulnerable. However, you can hardly call him smart for what he did. At that time, he also made some shocking remarks.
: I am sick of the fact that there are as many stupid officials and redundant officials in the world as sand. I want to clarify. How can I add new members?
There are rumors that the former prime minister Li Hang died of illness when he was recuperating because he was so angry after hearing the emperor's move to stop the imperial examination and his remarks.
Therefore, for the scholars and bureaucrats all over the empire, the imperial court's resumption of scientific research in March of the second year of Duangong was a favor after five years. This move was destined to win the hearts of the scholars and bring great benefits to the world's scholars.
Officials, supported by students.
At the same time, this tribute examination was also the one with the largest number of participants among the regular examinations since the founding of the People's Republic of China, with more than 8,000 people taking part, which can be said to be a great success for a time.
Emperor Liu Wenji appointed Chen Yaozuo, the Minister of Rites and Tongpingzhangshi, as the director of the imperial examination. After Xu Shilian was demoted, Chen Yaozuo was promoted from the Liangzhe Road to the Central Committee and paid homage to the prime minister. This was certainly a "reward". At the same time, the Ministry of Rites
Such an official title, Shangshu Tongping Zhangshi, has not appeared for decades. Through this appointment, the emperor also showed that he attaches great importance to "moral education". Perhaps this is the prelude to the real arrival of spring for scholars.
The person who was rewarded together with Chen Yaozuo was the Duke of Yan Kingdom, Wang Zeng. He was transferred from Jinghu North Road to the Xuanzong Envoy and was in charge of the central mouthpiece of the imperial court. He moved closer to him decisively before he succeeded to the throne, even though he had an affair with the Wang family.
The force does not play much practical role.
After Wang Zeng took office, he was excited and worked even harder. After all, for the first time in more than 20 years, he had real hope of reviving his family name. Within half a year of being appointed as the Xuanwei Division, Wang Zeng demonstrated this with practical actions.
His support for the new emperor.
He and his subordinates and writers racked their brains and brains to demonstrate the legitimacy and legitimacy of the emperor's succession from all aspects and angles. The imperial newspaper even praised the emperor's success since he succeeded to the throne.
Be respectful, humble, tolerant, polite and virtuous in words and deeds.
After Kangzong was buried and the political edict was promulgated, Wang Zeng organized people and began to carefully read, analyze, and review, and tried his best to dig out the advanced ideological essence and policy concepts. He also collected political paper manuscripts from various ministries, yamen, and even the people, and announced them.
above, followed by a large number of policy interpretations.
This has even led to a certain decline in the private sales of the announcement. After all, ordinary people and ordinary people, who care about these things, and how many people are willing to spend a lot of money to buy boring official newspapers. Of course, the announcement
There is a fixed market group, and the original intention of running the newspaper is also for the purpose of political propaganda. Sales volume is secondary.
Wang Zeng's series of performances and actions were naturally in line with the emperor's wishes and were greatly recognized and praised by Liu Wenji. Of course, Wang Zeng's series of operations were also criticized. After all, Wang Zeng was too flattering. Some people even considered his grandfather.
Wang Pu showed how elegant the old Duke was back then. In comparison, Wang Zeng's performance today would not be a disgrace to the reputation of his ancestors.
In this regard, Wang Zeng, who has suffered the pain of "family decline", would not care about some rumors. Compared with those criticisms, rising to the center and shining on the lintel is the best reward for his grandfather. Without his current status
, how many people in the empire will think of their ancestors again?
In the spring of this year, Wang Zeng also served as the deputy supervisor of the examination with the title of Xuanwei Envoy. At the same time, Liu Wenji also asked Yang Yi, the bachelor of Jixian Palace and the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhu Qi, the bachelor and secretary supervisor, to be the invigilator.
Yang Yi and Zhu Qi, one is a traditional erudite scholar, and the other is a banner-bearer of the Xiangjiang School. The debate between the two on political science, ideology and morality has lasted for more than 20 years.
In the Taihe Tower, debates continued in the temples of the Duan Gong period, and from the handsome young man back then, he became the leader of the Huafa early-born school today.
The lineup of invigilators can be described as luxurious, and it also shows that the emperor attaches great importance to etiquette, moral education, and the selection of scholars. Compared with the past, this year's spring has a very different temperament, positive and refreshing.
Judging from the results, this year's scientific examination is also the one with the largest number of candidates, with 428 people admitted across all subjects. Of course, compared to the reference number, the admission rate has actually dropped.
At the same time, in terms of the distribution of scholars, Liu Wenji also won the true inheritance of the ancestors and Taizong, and increased the admission ratio of agriculture, industry, medicine, and arithmetic that had been suppressed in the previous two years.
In fact, after almost half a century of running-in and practice, the imperial court has a certain recognition of various majors. After all, Jinshi, Ming Jing is too volume, the competition is too exciting, and the examination is too difficult. Ming Fa and Shi Ke Shi are traditional subjects
The extension is also easily accepted.
In contrast, agriculture, industry, and medicine are among the four disciplines. Although they are inevitably viewed with colored glasses, they are still a promising career. In addition to the medical discipline, which places more emphasis on accumulation and is the most professional, the other three disciplines are also relatively difficult to get started.
Low.
Of course, it is undeniable that even though Shizu and Taizong have been pushing for so many years, the development prospects of these specialist qualifications are ultimately limited. In addition to social awareness, cultural atmosphere, and the suppression of traditional bureaucrats, their own professionalism has limited
Its development, and this upper limit, has begun to appear.
There is only one subject that has really achieved great development, and that is Mingfa. Especially in the Taizong Dynasty, the Yongxi era was a complete "Mingfa Era", which also set off a new round of "Confucianism-Legalism" among the government and the public.
fight”.
Now that Liu Wenji has come to power, while inheriting the legacy of the late emperor and continuing to clarify and strengthen laws, he has also quietly promoted "clear calculations". This has benefited from his many years of experience in political affairs in Jiangnan, especially after witnessing the economic development of the southeast.
After the great development, Liu Wenji also preferred more "refined" management in terms of national management, especially financial management.
A large number of officials who are proficient in arithmetic are an important foundation. Liu Wenji promoted the establishment of Loujiang College, and his ambition was also to cultivate talents in this area. In his view, an official who can settle accounts, whether greedy or incorruptible, will always have a negative impact on management.
I can be smarter and more flexible.
Therefore, this year's scientific examination has also reached the highest number in history in terms of the number of candidates in the Mingshu subject, with 41 people.
Of course, no matter how many changes are made, the core position of the Jinshi Department is still unshakable. This is the place where the elite ruling class is truly cultivated. It has become a trend for Jinshi to produce prime ministers. At least, for so many years, I have not heard of any other
Some subjects entered the Gapyeong Chapter and entered the Political Hall.
Judging from the results, in the second year of Duangong's reign, this subject has indeed unearthed a lot of good talents. There are only three people in the first place to mention. The number one scholar is Cai Qi, the second prize is Yan Shu, and the third prize is Fan Zhongyan.
This is a victory for the common people!
From these three people, we can find some obvious commonalities. Although Cai Qi's ancestor was once a county magistrate, his family declined prematurely and he was orphaned when he was young. He lived in his grandfather's house. Yan Shu was born in a mediocre way. His father was just a fisherman in the south of the Yangtze River.
He barely had anything to do with the system, but he was naturally smart and could make a fuss at a young age, and was known as a child prodigy.
In comparison, Fan Zhongyan actually had the best background. His father, Fan Yong, served as an official in Wuyue in his early years. After entering the Han Dynasty, he once served as an official in Huzhou to magistrate the state. Unfortunately, Fan Zhongyan did not live forever. When he died, Fan Zhongyan was only four years old.
Another example of someone who grew up lonely and poor but had great ambitions.
Because Fan Yong was an honest official, he did not leave much savings for Fan Zhongyan, mother and son. His mother, Xie, had a hard time raising her and almost remarried. It also coincided with Taizong's accession to the throne and the reform of the official system. Occasionally, I heard that someone actually took office in Guizhou County, a wealthy county in the south of the Yangtze River.
, as poor as a servant, leaving a widow, wife and orphans to live a hard life. After learning about his situation, Taizong was deeply moved and ordered the Suzhou government to contribute funds to support the mother and child.
In this way, Fan Zhongyan was able to grow up in a relatively stable environment. He could not be said to be wealthy, but the annual pension from the government was in place, and his mother was hard-working, so at least he could ensure a supply of food and clothing.
While experiencing the hardships of making a living, Fan Zhongyan and his brother Fan Zhongwen also studied hard. When he was eighteen years old, Fan Zhongyan was admitted to Loujiang College and completed his studies in three years. He gave up his recommendation to become an official in Suzhou and chose to go north to Suiyang College.
After studying hard for several years, he learned the essentials of the classics, and finally formed his ideal ambition to serve the world.
Later, he returned to Wuxian County, successfully passed the Gongsheng Examination, and was qualified to take the imperial examination in Beijing. Finally, in the second year of Duangong, he passed the exam and became Tanhualang. At the same time, his brother Fan Zhongwen was also ranked ninth in the law department.
The average age of the top three Jinshi scholars is the lowest in decades. Cai Qi was 28 years old, Yan Shu was 25 years old, and Fan Zhongyan was 27 years old.
The people behind this incident were undoubtedly Emperor Liu Wenji and Chen Yaozuo, who did not have such courage and courage. This was also a breath of fresh air Liu Wenji injected into the Han court today.
The results of this imperial examination will inevitably arouse the dissatisfaction of some people. In addition to the traditional bureaucrats who have attacked "recruiting scholars from specialized subjects" for decades, there are also those who pay more attention to family background, qualifications, and "ability."
There was one person whose opinion surprised Liu Wenji, and that was Kou Zhun, the Minister of Civil Affairs. He said a strange saying: Among the elites in the world, there are three in the first rank, the second one comes from the southeast, and there are no northern scholars?
Cai Qi, Yan Shu, and Fan Zhongyan were not assigned to the various ministries and departments of the imperial court for rotational political training like ordinary scholars. They were also not assigned to the three halls and the Hanlin Academy to compile books, write articles, and sharpen their character.
Instead, he was summoned by the emperor to serve as a cabinet minister.
Such treatment is a great blessing for the three of them. From this, the three of them can stand from a close perspective and witness the arrival of a new era, an imperial era led by Emperor Liu Wenji.