Bianliang City seems calm on the surface, the afterglow of the festival has not yet dissipated, and the colorful lanterns all over the street are still shining brightly, but none of this can dispel the haze in people's hearts, especially for Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu and others.
The situation that was once completely under control has now become uncontrollable.
Two major events happened one after another, like two sap blows, which made them dizzy and at a loss.
The Imperial College directly stated that the so-called treason letter written by Shi Jie to Fu Bi was sent to Zhao Zhen. At the same time, the admonisher Qian Mingyi, who had always expressed his support for the reform, suddenly launched an attack and issued a memorial saying that Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and others were wooing him.
Imperial officials formed cliques in an attempt to control the government and disrupt the government's agenda; echoing Qian Mingyi, Yushitai Wang Gongchen, Liang Jian and others suddenly claimed that Teng Zijing was demoted and were persecuted by Fan Zhongyan and others, and they all filed for illness.
old.
For a time, there was an uproar in public opinion in the court. Many officials were supporters of the reform. At the beginning of the reform, they also expressed their support for the reform and new policies. However, at this time, they could not help but feel anxious. Before the facts were clearly investigated, it would be very dangerous to speak casually.
They might be classified as cronies, so a large number of officials began to intentionally distance themselves from the New Coup's legal faction; and many officials who were originally opposed to the New Deal naturally added fuel to the flames at this moment, fearing that the world would not be in chaos, and they wrote in support
, some people even called for the immediate dismissal of Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi.
Similarly, everyone spared no effort to instigate Shi Jie to instigate Fu Bi to rebel and establish a new king. Although everyone knew in their hearts that this kind of thing was probably false, but at this time, who would care about him?
Is it true or not? The New Deal has caused great damage to the interests of officials. Some officials’ sons, nephews and brothers have been deposed one after another, and their farmland has been greatly reduced. They are scolded behind their backs. Once there is such an opportunity, how can we not
Vigorous waves add fuel to the flames.[
In fact, Zhao Zhen didn't really believe that Fu Bi would conspire against him, but he still decided to go to the Imperial College and talk directly to Shi Jie. In Zhao Zhen's view, regardless of whether there was any hidden secret in the matter, he had to express his attitude. Then
Even though his position can be shaken, he will deal a ruthless blow to anyone who has the slightest hint of it in their mind; if Fu Bi is indeed unjust this time, he still has to make a cautious decision before clarifying the facts.
Use the right attitude to let all officials know your attitude towards similar incidents.
Zhao Zhen was also extremely wary of Qian Mingyi's report that Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi formed a party to control the government for private purposes. Zhao Zhen had always had a backup plan for the reform and new policies. Zhao Zhen himself was very conflicted about this. On the one hand, he placed his hope in
The New Deal could make the Song Dynasty more harmonious, but on the other hand, he had a wavering attitude of waiting for opportunities to advance and retreat. Of course, Zhao Zhen knew that Fan Zhongyan and others had offended many officials because of the New Deal, and it was inevitable to be criticized, but on the other hand,
On the other hand, he also warned himself that taking into account Fu Bi's suspicion of treason and Fan Zhongyan's handover of cronies, the consequences of this would be terrible.
If the story of Fu Bi's rebellion is 70% false, but if Fan Zhongyan really formed a party, then the authenticity will suddenly increase to 70% to 80%, because once Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu and others are involved, these people will
If you exert your strength, your throne is really not that secure, and even a little precarious.
Therefore, the key to the problem is not whether Fu Bi really wants to conspire, but whether Fan Zhongyan is really secretly forming a gang for personal gain. Compared with the slightly unreliable theory of treason, the authenticity of the clique thing seems more
more important.
Zhao Zhen did not intend to beat around the bush. On the morning of the 19th day of the first lunar month, Zhao Zhen bluntly launched a major discussion in the court regarding Qian Mingyi's memorial.
"My dear friends, some unpleasant things happened to me inside and outside the imperial court in the next year. I think all your families have heard about it for a long time. I sent private messages to Shi Jie and Fu Bi about the abolition of Li. I feel that before the truth of the matter is unknown, we should not act recklessly.
I have concluded that I have ordered the three yamen of the Dali Temple Yushitai Criminal Department to jointly investigate this matter thoroughly. Regarding the various rumors you have heard recently, please respect your identity and do not disturb people's hearts with rumors."
The ministers stood solemnly with their hands folded. No one dared to speak nonsense on this matter. If he tried to excuse himself, he might be considered an accomplice, and adding insult to injury would not be acceptable. The emperor meant that he himself did not believe it. If he jumped out to suppress him, he would get burned.
.
"But there is another matter that I feel it is necessary to listen to everyone's opinions. I have heard that in all dynasties, there have been people who have become friends and have evil intentions. The remonstrator Qian Mingyi has given me a memorial, saying frankly that some of you here have
Make friends privately, and get accused
In my mind, the controlling person is a loyal gentleman. I really don’t understand that forming cliques is only a matter for villains. Do gentlemen also form cliques for personal gain? Don’t you think the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water? I have misjudged the person.
, or did I hear the wrong words?”
The ministers were even more silent. Qian Mingyi's report was actually no secret. Everyone knew that the gentleman in Zhao Zhen's mouth refers to Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and others. This matter seemed to be taken seriously by the emperor.
There will be a good show today.
"Mr. Yan, what do you think about this matter? I heard recently that you are in poor health and have been recuperating for a few days. Are you feeling better now?" Zhao Zhen began to ask by name.
Yan Shu covered his chest and coughed, and said in a deep voice with a tired look on his face: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I suffered from the cold and am much better now."
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Don't take some things too seriously. I still have the ability to judge. Besides, even if others make mistakes, they will forgive you. You don't have to worry too much. The court needs you, but you can't
Collapsed."
Everyone understood the implication of Zhao Zhen's words. Zhao Zhen was reassuring Yan Shu: Even if Fu Bi's rebellion is true, I believe it has something to do with you. As long as I do it, you will not be involved. You can go about your business with confidence.
, don’t be frightened.
Of course Yan Shu understood, and his face glowed with a certain look. He cupped his hands and thanked him: "Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty. I am ashamed. I have heard a little bit about what the Emperor said about cliques. On this matter, my attitude is consistent."
, there have been many incidents between cliques in the past dynasties
There are many disasters. Taizu Taizong and the late emperors asked us, the later generations of the Song Dynasty, to learn from history and eliminate the source of this man-made disaster. Therefore, the veteran believes that if there are cliques, they must be severely reprimanded and ordered to disband, otherwise they will be severely punished; they must not be punished
Chao Gang’s disturbance laid the groundwork.”
Zhao Zhen nodded slightly, Yan Shu's words spoke to his heart. If there were really cronies in the court, he would never be lenient. There was no reason at all for this.
"Your Majesty, I second my opinion. What Prime Minister Yan said is a good thing. Your Majesty will never allow young people to form cliques in the court for personal gain and persecute dissidents. We, the Song Dynasty, have a clear policy. How can we cause party troubles like Li Tang did in the previous dynasty."
Du Yan couldn't wait to express his opinion without waiting for Zhao Zhen to ask.
Zhao Zhen nodded slightly and turned his eyes to Fan Zhongyan who was standing on the left. Everyone's opinions in front were just a foil. Zhao Zhen really seemed to hear what Fan Zhongyan was going to say. If today's court is a big drama, Fan Zhongyan is the one.
The real protagonist.
"Fan Aiqing, what do you think about this matter?" Zhao Zhen looked at Fan Zhongyan expectantly. Zhao Zhen still trusted Fan Zhongyan. This man's bad deeds in his life were praised by everyone both as an official and as a person. Zhao Zhen looked forward to Qian Mingyi's performance.
It's a false accusation, and I hope Fan Zhongyan can defend himself and tell himself that he is not a party member.
Fan Zhongyan hunched forward to salute. His hair exposed outside his official hat looked even grayer against his black mane. Since the beginning of the New Deal, Fan Zhongyan had been under tremendous pressure. Although his anxiety was not visible on the outside, he
His hair is turning gray faster than before, and the dagger-like wrinkles on his face are thicker. He looks like a weather-beaten old man, but his rickety body does not feel decadent at all.
An infection of unyielding strength.[
"Your Majesty." Fan Zhongyan spoke in a hoarse voice: "I dare not make a judgment on whether there are cliques in the imperial court; but I think that even if there are cliques, you don't need to care too much. When I was fighting against the Western thieves in the northwest,
Soldiers also tend to exclude others. Soldiers who fight bravely always like to make friends together, while those who are greedy for life and fear of death will gather together and say negative things. From my point of view, they are just small cliques.
An old proverb: Birds of a feather flock together, and people flock together, even if they exist, they need to make a fuss."
Zhao Zhen frowned, and Fan Zhongyan neither denied nor admitted, but gave an equivocal answer. This answer seemed reasonable, but it was definitely not what Zhao Zhen wanted.
/
"Fan Aiqing, according to what you said, naturally 'people are divided into groups' in the court, but then cliques must exist, right?"
Fan Zhongyan said slowly: "Your Majesty, I think the key to the problem is not whether cliques exist, but if they do exist, what is their purpose of forming cliques? If there are cliques in the court, they are not divided into good and evil, loyal and traitors.
.If you form a party and become traitorous, it will do great harm to the country. If you form a party and act loyally, it will be beneficial to the country. What is the fault? As long as your majesty observes carefully and distinguishes loyalties and traitors, you can eliminate the worries of cliques and eliminate the existence of traitors.
Just be loyal."
Zhao Zhen was deeply disappointed. Although what Fan Zhongyan said was unreasonable, in Zhao Zhen's view, it was just to defend the fact that he had formed a party. Fan Zhongyan refused to directly admit that he had formed a party, but he used such a set of rhetoric. Obviously
This is contrary to He Zhaozhen's bottom line. As the supreme ruler, he must not allow officials to get together and exchange anger. That would be a great damage to his authority. Many emperors have been deposed and government affairs have been controlled and seized.
It was done by a group of so-called loyal ministers who became cliques.
Zhao Zhen would never allow such a thing to happen, not even to Fan Zhongyan.