Who is Liu Jian? One of the compilers of "Records of Yingzong" and the teacher of Emperor Xiaozong. He joined the cabinet as the right minister of the Ministry of Rites after Xiaozong succeeded to the throne. He served in the cabinet throughout the Hongzhi period.
In the first year of Zhengde's reign, he failed to defeat Liu Jin and the other eight tigers and became an official. He even reinstated his post after Liu Jin executed him.
Twenty-two years have passed and he is still alive.
This year is ninety-four, Xuande, Zhengtong, Jingtai, Tianshun, Chenghua, Hongzhi, Zhengde, Jiajing... A veteran of the Eight Dynasties, the chief minister of the cabinet, a lonely and important minister, a long-lived and auspicious person, Liu Jian has unparalleled prestige among the veterans who are still alive today.
Second, he is stronger than Xie Qian.
Especially after serving as the chief minister of the cabinet during the Hongzhi period, he presided over the reforms during the Hongzhi period.
There were three main measures at that time.
Streamlining the organization and eliminating redundant officials: Now the new law has greatly increased the number of official positions and improved the salaries of officials.
Suppressing monks and Taoism and stopping the construction of temples: Nowadays, Zhu Houcong spends time with Taoist priests every day, and there are "real people" in the Qin'an Hall of the Forbidden Palace. How many people outside know what the emperor is doing when he is so close to Taoist priests?
Opening the Sutra Feast and reverting to three dynasties a day: Now that Zhu Houcong is "loving to be a teacher" and a new master, the Sutra Feast will be held as usual, but I'm afraid sometimes it's the other way around. As for the three dynasties a day...sorry, it's twice a month.
During the Hongzhi Dynasty, Liu Jian proposed and specifically organized and implemented many of the major political policies such as selecting or deposing civil and military ministers, taxing and farming, and supervising taxes and horse administration. Otherwise, how could the saying "Li Gongmou, Liu Gongjuan" come about?
The "Hongzhi ZTE" created by Liu Jian throughout the Hongzhi dynasty was nothing in Zhu Houcong's words. These comments have long been no secret.
Ironically, when Zhu Houcong took over the throne, he sent people from the People's Department to express condolences to his old ministers as usual.
Yang Tinghe was responsible for presiding over these small matters at the time. In his words of condolence, he compared Liu Jian to the famous officials of the Northern Song Dynasty, Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo.
What are the roles of these two people in Xining's reform?
As of today, Yang Tinghe has become the leader of the New Law Party, and Liu Jian's suicide note was submitted to the capital at the end of August.
Thousands of eloquent words.
Liu Jian passed away at the age of ninety-four.
"...On the first day of the lunar month, I will leave the court."
Zhu Houcong gave the order first, and then asked Zhang Zuo: "Although Mr. Liu is old, I heard that he has always been in good health. What is going on this time? What did Henan Prefecture say?"
Can an unhealthy person live to be ninety-four?
Liu Jian's death was rather sudden, and there was no news that he was infected before.
Huang Jin was a little worried: "There is no other report."
After saying that, he looked at Fei Hong and the others expectantly: Although Liu Jian has high prestige, he only has the son of a fifth-grade doctor who is still serving. The factory guard is in Luoyang County, Henan Province, and he will not always pay attention to a 90-year-old doctor there.
What's going on in the house of the old man? But since he passed away suddenly, Henan Prefecture still wants to inquire about the situation and submit a report, right?
In the year when Fei Hongzhong became a Jinshi, Xianzong died, Xiaozong succeeded to the throne, and Liu Jian entered the cabinet.
At that time, Liu Jian was the elder of the court, and Fei Hong was just a new scholar.
Today, Fei Hong is the Prime Minister and Minister of State, and the emperor's question is to explore Liu Jian's purpose in writing this ten-thousand-word testament.
"Henan reported that Liu Gong contracted the disease during the scorching summer heat. He is too old, and the disease comes like a mountain."
After Fei Hong finished speaking, he bowed: "Your Majesty, Liu Gong's political views are impossible to be consistent with today's new laws. When you are seriously ill, you are worried about your king and the country. It is an act of loyalty for a minister to express his loyalty to others. Now
, it is better to decide on the posthumous title first and send personnel to offer sacrifices and attend to the funeral."
Zhu Houcong pondered for a while and nodded: "Then the State Council and the Ministry of Rites should come up with a charter as soon as possible."
Because there was a suicide note with intriguing and even sensitive content, Fei Hong and the others needed to determine the emperor's attitude first.
Now that the emperor was not too worried, Fei Hong and others breathed a sigh of relief and said goodbye.
After all, he was a very popular minister. Even if he has different political views, don't send any bad signals at this time.
Death is a big deal.
Zhu Houcong still knows this point. No matter what Liu Jian says, it will not affect the overall trend of the new law.
But according to Liu Jian's own words, he could no longer write, and could only dictate it intermittently, with others writing for him.
The content of such a thing will spread sooner or later. Zhu Houcong and Fei Hong are very cautious, naturally because of Liu Jian's influence in the government and the public.
After Fei Hong and others left the Yangxin Hall, Zhu Houcong looked at the suicide note again.
Huang Jin was still at the side and asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, would you like me to have someone check it out?"
"I didn't pay attention before, so there's no need now." Zhu Houcong didn't even raise his head, "There's no need to send more manpower to watch out for other important ministers who might cause trouble because they didn't pay attention this time."
"...This slave knows."
Huang Jin finally felt relieved after confirming that the emperor had no intention of blaming him.
Seeing the emperor frowning and reading the suicide note carefully, Huang Jinxian left quietly to arrange drinks and snacks.
In August, the weather is still very hot.
Huang Jin looked up at the sky and sighed softly.
Even if he has a high prestige and is about to die, with Liu Jian's wisdom, doesn't he understand that the current general trend of the world cannot be changed because of his suicide note? Why add to this chaos?
…
Since the news of Liu Jian's death had spread from Luoyang to Beijing, it also reached Nanjing soon after.
It is said that Liu Dong vomited blood and fainted after hearing the news. When he woke up, he cried incessantly. Naturally, he immediately asked for leave and went home to attend the funeral, Ding You.
After being relieved, Xia Congshou only asked: "Now that there is a decree, does Mr. Liu want to abide by the rules, or do you want me to submit a letter to the Ministry of Officials and petition for the favor?"
"How can you be unfilial?" Liu Dong looked pale, "Officials must abide by the system, not to mention that after the Beijing inspection, there is a high possibility that he will be transferred to another position. The household department has important matters, so Si Nong should petition to fill the vacancy as soon as possible.
"
"…My condolences to Dr. Liu."
Liu Dong left the Hubu Yamen in a daze, and in the sedan chair on his way home, his eyes were filled with shame and sadness.
Liu Jian fell ill first and then died.
Why did he get sick? Liu Dong received Liu Jian's family letter first.
Liu Dong was so angry that he fell down and even felt paralyzed by wind.
But why did he go to Hexi again in just a few days?
He vaguely knew that there might be something else going on, but the words Liu Jian scolded him in the letter still lingered in Liu Dong's mind.
[Five years after the new law, why did my father say a word? You are of low status and have little talent, so how dare you make arrogant comments on national policies? You are old and disabled, and your body is blocking the car. You want to cut off the Liu family? For the current plan, the only way is to become an official and live in seclusion to educate your children and grandchildren.
!]
To sum it up in one sentence: Why do you want to cheat your father?
Liu Dong still didn't know that his father had left a thousand-word suicide note, in which he also expressed his own opinions and said many words that His Majesty and the other princes in the court did not like to hear.
Even if he knew it, he still couldn't understand his father's intention.
The letter was short and rushed. It seemed that my father had no time to analyze him too much and was only rushing to ask him to resign and take up his official position as soon as possible.
Liu Dong was still hesitating, his father was gone.
At this moment, Zhan Rong and others from the Nanjing Household Department had already come to report.
In the past half month, they were just getting familiar with the department's affairs and handing over to the colleagues who were originally in charge of Huangceku in the Household Department.
After Xia Congshou hosted a banquet for those "yellow-registered inspectors", they had already set off for various prefectures on August 23rd.
Now that Liu Dong was away for the funeral, Zhan Rong looked at the person in charge of the Yellow Register at the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs.
"Mr. Luo, Mr. Liu has returned to his hometown. Now you can temporarily take charge of the official documents of Huang Ceku and leave them to me, right?"
"...How did I get such authority? First, Langzhong Liu heard that Duke Xixian was ill and asked for a few days' leave to complain about illness. Now he has returned to his hometown Dingyou. For this matter, it is better to wait for the person selected by the Ministry of Civil Affairs to take office.
How about Chief Zhan asking Sinong?"
Zhan Rong looked at him and then saluted: "I have learned a lesson."
What a coincidence.
The newly established Land and Cleansing Department had to hand over the affairs and files related to the Yellow Register from the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs, but it encountered so many twists and turns.
How long will it take until the person who replaces Liu Dong takes office?
Mr. Luo is pushing back and forth, does he have the approval of Xia Congshou and Tong Rui?
Zhan Rong came to Xia Congshou's official hall, and after being informed, he sat outside and waited to be received.
After sitting and drinking a cup of tea, Xia Congshou's clerk came out, greeted him with a smile, and invited him in.
Zhan Rong saluted, and Xia Congshou enthusiastically asked him to do well. Zhan Rongcai said: "Master Si Nong, I will be appointed as the head of the Land and Cleansing Department and in charge of Huang Ceku. I don't dare to slack off at all. But now that Liu Langzhong has returned to his hometown, Ding You,
Director Luo said that many official documents and old files still need to be signed by the doctor before they can be checked and handed over. It would only take several months until the new doctor Zhongquan was elected. The subordinate was afraid that he would miss the official list and re-create a major event, so he came to ask Si Nong for instructions.
"
"No rush, no rush." Xia Congshou sighed, "Who would have expected that Duke Xixian would pass away suddenly? Renfu, this yellow archives has a mountain of official documents over the years, and it involves a lot of things. Not to mention Luo Zhongyu
I am afraid of taking responsibility, and I am also afraid of the fallacy of handing over. Everything has rules and procedures, and procedures are indispensable. When conducting inspections in Beijing, it is best to do it properly. This matter is extremely important, and I know it. You can rest assured, I was just doing the official work
Ministry, please select the right person in Nanjing to take office as soon as possible. If you hurry up, you can take office in just ten months!"
After hearing the meaning of his words, Zhan Rong was silent for a while and could only salute: "I understand, I understand."
Xia Congshou said that he would not intervene and directly arrange the handover beyond the due procedures. Instead, he would go through the process and select the new official first, and he would be responsible after he takes office.
But when a new official takes office and doesn't know anything about the situation, he dares to sign a name casually and handle this matter clearly?
Zhan Rong felt that Xia Congshou was clearly trying to push back, but he couldn't help it. Xia Congshou was the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and he was just following the rules.
Xia Congshou's smile faded as he watched Zhan Rong leave silently.
Naturally, the Nanjing Household Department had to make some gestures to paralyze the vigilance of many people outside.
At least the arrival of more than a hundred yellow officials in Nanjing and Jiangnan, which shocked Nanjing and Jiangnan before, seems to be in a quagmire now. News that things are progressing extremely slowly will naturally come to the attention of the Nanjing Department of Household Affairs, which Yang Tinghe said is "not much better than a sieve".
Someone spread the word.
Next, we just have to see who will try to win over and corrupt people like Zhan Rong through who in the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs.
How many of the new scholars sent here have experienced these tests?
Xia Congshou also needed to take a look, and then based on the information he got from Yang Tinghe, he could be sure who he could cooperate with to push things in the expected direction.
…
The news of Liu Jian's death was published in Ming Pao on September 1.
But what sparked people's discussion was Liu Jian's posthumous title.
Among the three people who were equally famous in the past, Li Dongyang died the earliest, and his posthumous title was Wenzheng - a posthumous title that all civil servants dream of.
However, the Ministry of Rites decided that the posthumous title given to Liu Jian by the emperor was Wenduan.
Observing etiquette and adhering to righteousness is called Duan; practicing sagely practice is called Duan; being strict and respectful is called Duan; being respectful to oneself and showing dignity is called Duan; being pure and quiet with a heart is called Duan; observing etiquette and respecting oneself is called Duan.
This word is not bad.
But there are better posthumous titles than Wenduan. If the best ones are excluded, the single posthumous title "Wen" is no longer given today, and the "Wenzheng" that Li Dongyang received, then there are also posthumous titles such as Wencheng and Wenzhong.
It is said that peace of the people and the establishment of the government have been achieved, but His Majesty did not give it, which means that he does not agree that Liu Jian's political achievements in his life can be called the establishment of the peace of the people and the establishment of the government.
Nor to Wenzhong.
Thinking back to the meaning of the word Duan, this posthumous title can only be said to be very polite, polite with a lot of distance.
The planner was Li Dongyang, posthumously named Wenzheng; the planner was Liu Jian, posthumously named Wenduan.
It is true that Li Dongyang passed away when Emperor Zhengde was in power, and because he and Zhu Houzhao had a closer friendship between emperor and minister, Liu Jian's posthumous name, which is almost final, still aroused many people's discussions.
"In the general examination, I got one thousand and five cents for the first and second place, so why bother with just one essay writer?"
"How can we generalize these two things?"
"...I heard that Mr. Liu also wrote in his Ten Thousand Words Will to express his loyalty and advice. Wen Zhong can do that, right?"
"Perhaps it was the Yi Biao who caused the problem."
"Shh-"
The capital is the most well-informed and has the clearest direction.
With the current situation, the officials, gentry, and even ordinary people in the capital have come to a consensus: Unless there is another big mess, the new law will be unstoppable.
Many people know how much Liu Jian admires the ancestral system.
However, it has been five years since the trial of the new law. Liu Jian, who had never expressed any opinions before his death, wrote a suicide note before his death. This move can only make many people sigh.
"You know what you can't do, but you do it. Mr. Wen Duan is really upholding etiquette and upholding justice. He has thousands of words from the bottom of his heart, but I don't know what he said. Will your Majesty, the chief minister, and the counselors choose to express their gratitude? Now the land of Qing Zhang Tian is heavy.
I heard that there are piles of complaints on the desks of various prefectures and counties, all of which are cases over land. Alas..."
Those who have the time to discuss these matters are generally gentry and scholars.
Most of their families have more fields than ordinary farm families.
Now that Liu Jian's "righteous words" can be thought of with his toes, what else needs thousands of words to explain? That is of course the new law and national policy today.
"What a pity, Mr. Wen Duan! Li Mou and Liu Duan are both immortals, but Xie You talks about enjoying the world."
"Fine words from brother!"
"Mild praise, ridiculous praise."
The news of Liu Jian's death and his posthumous title were the subject of after-dinner talk in the capital. Some of them talked about new laws, but most of them were just sighs and it was hard to think about "what ifs".
In this process, Liu Jian's reputation is deepening.
Amidst the torrent of new laws, the gentry who "forbeared" to spit out their benefits packaged their emotions towards the new laws into sympathy and memory for Liu Jian.
Within a few days, Zhu Houcong heard several poems in memory of Liu Jian.
He had already figured it out, so the posthumous title was Wen Duan, not Wen Zhong as suggested by Fei Hong and others.
There is no such thing as a veteran of the Eight Dynasties. He is still worried about the emperor and the country for a while, and he has not blocked the new law for several years. That is loyalty. Liu Jian's move is nothing more than that.
The news from Nanjing had already spread. During the inspection period in Beijing, his son Liu Dong skipped work and went to Zhejiang to visit Xie Qian.
Zhu Houcong is so determined now, and Yang Tinghe, Fei Hong, and others are all enthusiastic about the power that the Ancestral Temple and Zhu Houcong have handed down. Those conservative officials and gentry with interests in the world can only suppress their emotions first.
But in thirty years in Hedong and in thirty years in Hexi, who can predict what will happen in the future?
Liu Dong was not a good man, and Liu Jian's legacy was to use his life to change the reputation of the Liu family and protect his descendants.
The reason why Shengxiu Shihua is praised is because according to the traditional Neo-Confucian perspective, it is.
But now that practical studies and dialectics emphasize that everything is changing all the time, can this formalization of holy cultivation still be called it?
Many people will figure out the meaning.
So what? No one can say anything about Zhu Houcong. After all, he gave a posthumous title to Liu Jian, who had never served as an official under him. The posthumous title of Wen Duan is also a rare and beautiful title.
"Those yellow-registered inspectors have already set off from Nanjing on August 23rd?"
When the emperor asked, Huang Jin respectfully replied: "The news from Nanjing is like this."
Zhu Houcong nodded: "When they arrive in various places, they will start to harvest the autumn grains one after another. Don't worry, we will still collect grains according to the old rules this year, but please continue to explain and keep track of this year's account books."
Huang Jin took the order, and Zhu Houcong asked again: "How is the preparation of the palace at the Fifth Army Camp?"
"Back to Your Majesty, according to the order, I just ordered the general station to be slightly modified. It has already been prepared."
Zhu Houcong nodded, and his attention on this matter was much more obvious: "Who are the people who have the highest voices calling for the No. 1 Scholarship now?"
Huang Jin couldn't help but admire: "Lu Bing will not say it. I really admire you. Your Majesty, how can Yu Dayou from Fujian, whom you were so casual about last year, be an unparalleled general with extraordinary martial arts?"