After the Tang Dynasty destroyed the Sui Dynasty, the official system still followed the Sui Dynasty system. In the central government, there were three provinces, nine temples, Yushitai, generals, supervisors, Guozixue and other official ranks.
The three provinces of Zhongshu, Menxia, Shangshu and Yushitai are the highest authorities assisting the emperor. The three provincial governors, Zhongshu Ling, Temple, and Shangshu Ling are all prime ministers, but they have their own division of labor. Generally, the Zhongshu Sheng drafts the edict, and the Menxia Sheng reviews it.
, signed, and those found inappropriate shall be dismissed and returned. The Shangshu Province is the highest authority in the country, responsible for the issuance and implementation of government orders. It consists of six departments: officials, households, etiquette, military, punishment, and work, which are responsible for various specific government affairs.
I heard Ma Shouyi respectfully address the old man in front of him as Lord Shangshu, which means that this old man is the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty!
"Uh! Prime Minister? This official is too big!" Meng Xinghe secretly smacked his lips, thinking about meeting him casually in the county school classroom. At that time, it was impossible to tell that he was actually an official who worshiped the minister and was in charge of the world's scholars.
Farmers, industrialists, and merchants were the most influential figures in the Tang Dynasty.
Based on this alone, it would not be a problem to directly bring Ma Shouchen and many of his officials back to their original form.
"Everyone, get up! You are not wearing court clothes, so there is no need to be polite." Master Shangshu said lightly, and walked up to Meng Xinghe. Seeing that he did not lose control immediately after knowing his identity like other students, just
He flattered him and joined in. He showed an appreciative smile and said: "Meng Xinghe? Yes, yes, Meng Zhi often comes again. The stars are bright. Taoyuan has such a son. This year's imperial examination must be a turbulent time again."
It seems that Lord Shangshu is very optimistic about Meng Xinghe. As the imperial examination is used to select talents for the imperial court, he naturally hopes that more knowledgeable people will use their talents to serve the Tang Dynasty. When he first met Meng Xinghe, he was attracted by him.
His beautiful calligraphy, his new poetry that swallowed up mountains and rivers, and his lack of response in times of crisis in the county government hall moved him even in front of the minister, who was neither humble nor arrogant, neither giving nor asking for anything.
How many people can have such a mind? Lord Shangshu admires Meng Xinghe very much, and his attitude toward him is naturally like a master treating his favorite disciple, without any dignity of a superior. As a dignified prime minister of a country, he can be so harmonious
When Meng Xinghe speaks, anyone with a discerning eye will know the intention at a glance. Lord Shangshu appreciates Meng Xinghe very much!
Meng Xinghe is not the first scholar in the world to be appreciated by today's ministers, but he can at least be counted on one's fingers.
Meng Xinghe smiled indifferently. He was not arrogant in victory, nor was he humbled in defeat. He was not proud of his victory. He just said humbly and politely: "Sir, students are not worthy of your wise words. I think there are thousands of scholars in the Tang Dynasty.
There are not a few people who have achieved academic excellence in ancient and modern times. The student is just a scholar and has not even been admitted as a scholar. To be able to win a compliment from the teacher is a blessing for the student who has cultivated for eight lifetimes."
He is a gentleman in every sense of the word, and he does not attach the title of Lord Minister to the old man. Like most students in the world who are deeply influenced by the feudal hierarchy, Meng Xinghe is undoubtedly the most unique person.
Meng Xinghe's thoughts decided that Meng Xinghe would not follow the trap of feudal society. He respected the old man as sir, which was a sign of respect for him in his heart. In this way, the old man's previous appreciation turned into admiration for Meng Xinghe's words.
"If this boy were in the Imperial College, he would have been a great talent." Master Shangshu regretted in his heart. He had lived in the capital for many years, and he knew the Imperial College in the capital where all the talents in the world were.
In terms of talent, knowledge and even demeanor, he can be regarded as a young hero of the Tang Dynasty, but compared with Meng Xinghe in front of him, there is always a lot less courage that is refreshing and secretly amazing.
Folk rumors say that there are many strange people in Taoyuan. It seems that the rumors are also credible. Lord Shangshu looked sideways at Meng Xinghe.
On his resolute face, there was a hint of frivolity from time to time, but it also came and went without a trace like a cloud of smoke. The corners of Lord Shangshu's mouth suddenly curved, and he faced Ma Shouten in the courtroom and said in a deep voice: "The imperial court's scientific examination
At that time, I received the emperor's order to visit the scientific research places all over the country, and also for the county inspection. Today I visited Taoyuan County and heard about what happened in the court just now. I was lucky enough to see the reason why. Ma Da's life
As a governor of a province, you should consider everything carefully for officials. If you accidentally misjudge, you will not only regret your future, but also damage the face of the saint. I would like to ask whether we, who are officials, should deprive ourselves of the imperial salary and misunderstand the grievances of the people.
With a black gauze on his head and a python robe on his body, he was placed in the court hall and whipped to repay the divine grace?"
The vast, hundreds of words were like a muffled thunder exploding on Ma Shouten’s head. Although the words were an understatement, how could Ma Shouten, who was well versed in the officialdom, not know the meaning contained in it. The Lord Minister did not let anyone pick it up directly.
If he took off his official uniform and reduced his official position, but instead spoke politely on his behalf, he was already giving him a chance. If he insists on going his own way again, frankly protecting his nephew at every turn and putting Meng Xinghe to death, the Lord Shangshu in front of him will probably
The official authority was used.
While he could still save everything, Ma Shouchen glanced at Ma Shouyi. Ma Shouyi immediately understood and passed it on to Master Cui who was listening to the trial through eye contact.
Next, Master Cui knew that his superiors were going to take the blame, so he naturally felt uncomfortable. If he didn't take the blame, could the Ma brothers make it easier for him?
Mr. Cui was shooting someone else's head with an arrow. He had no control over whether to shoot or not. His legs softened and his body bent like a shrimp. He walked to the middle of the court and knelt down with a snap.
With Meng Xinghe's bold words of kneeling three times and not kneeling at the front, Master Cui is really inferior, even inferior to his students.
"Master Shangshu, Master of the School, I am here to accept the bows of the common people." Cui Fuzi said goodbye and bowed his head seriously. His body, which was several decades old, was as slippery as a dwarf.
Everyone knew that Master Cui was the scapegoat, but due to the Ma family's power in Jiangsu Province, they kept silent.
Meng Xinghe originally wanted to vent his anger and kicked Ma Wencai in the county school. He also wanted to eloquently defend Ma's uncles and nephews in the courtroom and cause a storm in the city.
Now, the old Master Cui came forward to take the blame. Meng Xinghe did not want to be the sinner who deceived his master and destroyed his ancestors. He chose to listen patiently to how Master Cui took the blame. As long as he was not involved, there was no need for him to corner Master in front of everyone.
Master Cui resisted the anger in his heart, and in front of everyone, he explained clearly the cause, process, and ending of what he had kicked and knitted into, divided into ten chapters, seven paragraphs, and three summaries. The most important point is that
As a county school master, he failed to handle the problems between students well and made major mistakes in teaching and educating people. This led to a dispute between two students from the county school over living in the same wing, which eventually led to a fight. This was his fault.
dereliction of duty.
Therefore, Cui Fuzi took the initiative to bear all the responsibilities and also voluntarily resigned from the post of county scholar.
What Cui Fuzi said is absolutely correct, but unfortunately if Master Shangshu had not appeared, he would have kept all these truths rotten in his heart, and Meng Xinghe would have no choice but to be slandered by others, and may even never be reincarnated.
The darkness of society is not only reflected in official power. When all the truth came to light, Meng Xinghe finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Next, Ma Shouchen complied with the public opinion and pretended to understand the truth. He hurriedly slapped the wooden door and said firmly: "You are such a good Master Cui. As a Master, why didn't you tell me this matter earlier? What harm will I do?"
The officer almost judged the wrong person. Now the truth is clear. The fault lies with you. You caused two students to fight over the wing. As a school administrator, I should deal with it impartially. Someone is here, take Cui Gongming down and strip him of his honors.
With a high salary, I will be escorted to the province."
The sentence was lighter than that of Meng Xinghe, but it was so difficult for Master Cui that he didn't dare to complain when he took the blame for others.
After Master Cui was interrogated, Ma Shouchen immediately raised his voice and said sternly: "Although Meng Xinghe has extenuating circumstances, according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, those who hurt others must compensate the injured for all the medical expenses they need. According to just now,
This official understands that Meng Xinghe needs to compensate one hundred and twenty-five taels of silver for the Ma family decoction. After the payment is made, the Ma family will not pursue this matter from now on."
This time, Ma Shouchen enforced the law impartially and carried out the sentence in a leisurely manner. In this way, although Meng Xinghe faced the disaster of prison, the disaster of real money immediately put him in trouble!
"What? You asked me to pay one hundred and twenty-five taels in compensation, why don't you go and rob it?" Meng Xinghe gasped through his nose. Now he doesn't even have one tael of silver on him. Asking him to pay compensation is worse than having him go to jail.
pain.
At the critical moment, Meng Xinghe was in distress. Mr. Chai, who was standing at the gate of the county government office, rushed in immediately. He first timidly bowed to the minister next to Meng Xinghe as a student, and then poked Meng Xinghe with admiration and envy.
With an infatuated look, I handed him a bag of silver and secretly raised my thumb. Looking at his lustful eyes, I knew what he was going to say!
Meng Xinghe took the banknote unceremoniously. Mr. Chai, if you don't say anything else, just say, "That's enough for my buddy!"
He picked up the banknote, walked up to Ma Shouten, and threw it casually on the desk in the middle of the courtroom.
At this time, Ma Shouyi came forward with a rather flustered expression. When he came to the Lord Shangshu, he bent his knees and stretched his hands forward. He lay on the ground naturally and respectfully said, "Ma Shouyi, the humble magistrate of Taoyuan County, greets the Lord Shangshu."
I didn’t know that your lord was coming, so I missed your welcome and deserved death. Now, thanks to your lord’s care, the case has been solved. Please move to your humble abode, it’s not an honor to hold such a humble position!”
"Thank you!" Lord Shangshu said calmly. He saw Meng Xinghe and Mr. Chai walking towards him. The two of them wrote a series together. Meng Xinghe said: "Thanks to sir's insight, the student was spared from the jail. Mr.
It’s been a tiring day, and the students don’t dare to disturb me. I’ll thank you in person and say goodbye another day!” At this time, everyone in the courtroom was scattered, and only the officials were left together, presumably to welcome the current dynasty in front of them.
The red man, Meng Xinghe, stood up and retreated without staying any longer.
Lord Shangshu laughed and said: "Okay! I will prepare wine and wait for my brother to come here the next day! I happen to have some wonderful paintings here. I hope I can give them a review." At this point, the old man's conversation changed.
, jokingly said: "Brother, don't call me Mr. from now on! My surname is Du, my courtesy name is Ruhui, and I am the third eldest child in my family. If I don't mind, just call me Du San!"