Half a year has passed, and the New Tang Dynasty is in full swing. The new rules have spread to every corner of the New Tang Dynasty in just a few days.
Faced with this new law, the people accepted it very well. Although the new law added a lot of new punishment rules, the people could finally see that the purpose of this new law was to restrict the existing 'privileges' of old-school nobles and big families. , encouraging the common people to become officials and join the army. If they can achieve great achievements, they can also be granted the title of marquis, prime minister, and honor their ancestors. Therefore, the common people are much more active than before, and they are also willing to send their young men and women into the army.
But it's a completely different scene for the old nobles and big families. Since the implementation of the new law, the hands and feet of these dignitaries seem to be bound, with constraints everywhere. As for the interests of these behemoths, let alone that, some small wealthy families feel like their days are like years.
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A carriage hurriedly drove to the palace.
After parking the car, a richly dressed middle-aged man jumped out of the car and ran in without waiting for the doorman to report. The little doorman didn't stop him when he saw this, he just trotted after him.
The man ran all the way to the backyard and saw Wang Yanqing standing by the pond, feeding the fish contentedly. He hurried forward, not afraid of disturbing Mr. Wang's enjoyment, and shouted directly -
"Uncle!"
Wang Yanqing turned around and saw that the man who called him 'uncle' looked anxious and out of breath, and he couldn't help but laugh. He poured all the residue in his hands into the pool, then clapped his hands and said, "Daqun, why are you so panicked?"
This middle-aged man is the nephew of Wang Yanqing’s wife, named Lu Daquan.
"Uncle is still interested in feeding the fish here? If uncle doesn't think of anything else, I'm afraid... I'm afraid everything will be in chaos down there!" Lu Daquan stamped his feet and clapped his hands anxiously.
Wang Yanqing's Natural Way Why did his wife's nephew come here today, but he still pretended not to know and asked: "What's wrong?"
"The new law has been implemented for more than half a year. In the past six months, the nobles have been complaining and lamenting. Some families with strong family backgrounds can still hold on, but some small families... are too miserable. If this continues, don't worry. Speaking of these princes and nobles, even us...will be affected sooner or later!"
"Oh? Is this really true?"
"Is that so? Some of the children of noble families are idle and do not do their job properly. If they are still domineering and commit some crimes, all of them will have their titles and salaries cut off. Big families are fine, they have a big business and can afford to support idlers. Those nobles who are about to decline They all rely on the imperial court for their livelihood. This...doesn't this cut off their livelihood!? Moreover, I heard that the imperial court is still trying it out. When the time is right, as long as the nobles who are idle at home and have no serious occupation will be If his salary is cut off, then... won't it cause a big mess by then?"
Wang Yanqing frowned slightly when he heard this. He knew the power of the new law, but he did not expect that the power of the new law would be so great and its influence would be so profound. He has also felt deeply in the past six months. Originally, these old nobles were fawning over him, because if the children of each family wanted to have a smooth career, they could not do without this powerful minister, and they naturally gave him a lot of gifts, but gradually He felt that the gifts given by these nobles had decreased a lot in the past six months, and this was the reason. As for other aspects, it also has a considerable impact. Originally, when magistrates from various places faced crimes committed by nobles, they would mostly protect them or ignore them, but now the new law emphasizes "equal treatment". Once there is a case of interrogating nobles, the common people will focus on these officials to resolve the case. If there was a slight hint of favoritism, new laws would be introduced, so these nobles became more disciplined for a while, and naturally the 'privileges' they held in the past were restrained a lot. If the 'privilege' is less, the money will naturally be reduced. If the money collected by those below is less, the filial piety of those above will also be less. Wang Yanqing knows this well.
"So what's the current situation of these nobles and officials down there?"
"These people are almost at the end of their rope!" Lu Daquan looked at Wang Yanqing and felt cruel in his heart. He simply said directly: "Uncle! I heard from my aunt that even those who respect you...are...are you so willful? Its development?”
Wang Yanqing stood with his eyes closed and his hands behind his back. Why wasn't he anxious? But the new law is very popular among the people. No matter how powerful he is, he knows that he cannot go against the trend, otherwise he will be shattered. I regret it, I regret it. I really shouldn't have allowed this new law to be implemented in the first place, but it is useless to regret it now.
"Here comes -" Wang Yanqing opened his eyes and shouted.
"Master - do you have any orders?" After a while, a servant came in from outside the courtyard.
"Go and call Sir Wu Ze, Lian Xing, Cui Ren and others to your residence. I have important matters to discuss with them."
"Yes, sir——"
After receiving the order, the servant ran out and hurriedly ran towards the mansions of several adults.
...
Wu Ze, Lian Xing, Cui Ren and others have gathered in the palace, and all the confidants of Wang Yanqing's faction have arrived. However, what is a little different today is that Wang Shaojing and Cao Ansheng also appeared at this gathering. Wang Shao was shocked. Needless to say, Cao Ansheng was the new Minister of Household Affairs who took over Lian Xing's position. He had just recently gotten into Wang Yanqing's circle.
Wang Yanqing stood at the door of the hall with his hands behind his hands. He looked out of the hall without saying a word, seemingly lost in thought.
Everyone looked at each other and secretly guessed why Mr. Wang suddenly brought everyone together this time. Could it be that Mr. Wang couldn't hold it in anymore because of the new law? But everyone was here, but Mr. Wang didn't speak, so everyone was sitting in their seats a little confused. Finally, everyone looked at Wu Ze in unison, trying to let Mr. Wu test it out.
Seeing that everyone was focusing their attention on him, Wu Ze naturally knew what everyone was thinking. He and Wang Yanqing had always known each other as brothers, so it was most appropriate for him to speak at this time.
"Bo Zhong, why did you call everyone here?" Seeing that it was not a problem to wait like this, Wu Ze didn't hesitate and asked straight to the point.
Wang Yanqing turned slightly, as if Wu Ze's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
Then, he turned around and looked at the expectant eyes of everyone, and explained: "I have called you all here for no other reason than to learn about all aspects of the situation from you."
"The various aspects of the situation that the adults mentioned refer to..." Cui Ren was the first to ask.
"Oh, it's just the situation in various places, ministries, and government offices. Haha, say whatever you want." Wang Yanqing still did not clarify the topic.
"This... all the government offices in various places... are not as good as before..." Lian Xing has now been assigned to his place, and he is fully aware of the situation below.
"Oh? Why?"
"Oh Bo Zhong, let's not play riddles now. Don't you still know why? Since the Holy Spirit implemented the new law, the governors of various states, ministers in charge, and nobles of all sizes have been miserable. I think it won't be long before , we also..." Wu Ze said bluntly.
The skylight has been opened, and we can only talk openly.
Wang Yanqing looked at everyone, and everyone shook their heads and sighed. He was actually a little helpless. Now that the new laws were in full swing, he had passed through some obstacles, but to no avail.
"Do you have any good ideas?"
Everyone looked up again and looked at each other, and then they all sighed.
"Your Majesty did a great job this time, but I underestimated him," Wang Yanqing said, "If you take out the interests of the old-school big family and share them with the people, the people will naturally buy it. Your Majesty has won the hearts of the people -"
"Then there's really nothing we can do about this matter?" Lian Xing spoke again.
"I have often thought about this matter, but I haven't been able to find a good solution for a long time."
"Then... then Prime Minister Yin, you..."
Mentioning Yin Jingting, Wang Yanqing smiled coldly and said, "Huh! You think I haven't looked for him, Mr. Enxiang?"
"this……"
Everyone fell into silence. It seemed that all possible ways had been tried, and Wang Yanqing was now at a loss.
Shao Jing had been listening to the conversation of these elders silently. Seeing that the elders were a little helpless at this time, he said, "Uncle, uncles, this junior has some ideas." Wang
Wang Yanqing looked at his nephew with great interest. This nephew had always been resourceful and thoughtful, much better than his unsatisfactory sons.
"tell me the story."
"Yes, uncle." Wang Shaojing said calmly: "The new laws introduced by the Holy Spirit have won the hearts of the people. Now it is the general trend. The 'trend' is irreversible and cannot be violated, so we cannot confront it head-on."
Everyone nodded in affirmation.
"The key to the new law lies in two people, one is Wen Junchen, and the other is Yin Xiang. If you want to stop the implementation of the new law, you need to start from these two people. Facing these two people, there is a soft and hard strategy respectively."
"What is 'one soft'?"
"'Compromise' to the Holy One!"
"compromise?"
"Exactly, 'compromise' to the Holy One and make progress by 'retreating'. When the Holy One is slightly shaken, my uncle will explain the shortcomings of the new law to the Holy One and Prime Minister Yin, and throw out the troubles caused by the noble families in various places." "Governing a big country is like cooking a small dish. If it is done too hastily, it will definitely change. Regardless of the overall situation of the country or his personal relationship with his uncle, Prime Minister Yin will most likely agree. After the implementation of the new law slows down a little, we will wait and see."
"Then...what does 'hard' mean?"
"'One hard' naturally refers to dealing with Wen Junchen."
Everyone was startled. Although Wang Shaojing's words were not clearly stated, everyone had already guessed the meaning of his words - they would not take risks unless absolutely necessary.
Seeing that everyone still seemed to be thinking about his suggestion, Wang Shao laughed and said: "In the current situation, this junior thinks that 'being soft' is the best policy."
Wu Ze nodded repeatedly as he listened. He clapped his hands and said, "What my nephew said makes sense."
"Well...Master Xiao Wang is right..."
Wang Yanqing also quite agreed with what his nephew said. The situation is not yet incompatible and the situation is at the end of the road. It is indeed feasible to make concessions first to show goodwill.
"Okay, I will explain the matter to the Holy One first when the North Pavilion discusses politics tomorrow. After the Holy One shows his intention to waver, I will then look for the Prime Minister."
Everyone nodded silently.
