It seemed to Wu Anchi that Zhang Yue smiled back and nodded.
At this moment, everyone in the furnace pavilion was noisy, and Zhang Yue put down his article and walked towards Wu Anzhi.
Wu Anchi smiled and said: "Everyone is arguing, why is Brother Zhang memorizing the article alone?"
Zhang Yue was going to pretend not to know and flatter Wang Jinggong a few times. But then I thought that based on my association with the Wu family, I should have some understanding of who Wu Anzhi's father-in-law was. Isn't this very hypocritical?
But it’s true that I like other people’s articles, so there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
Zhang Yue simply said as if he had studied this article deeply: "Brother Wu, I believe that among all the princes in the world, except for Ouyang, the prince's article is the first."
"Oh? Is this really true?"
Zhang Yue said: "I used to like "Shang Zhongyong" and "A Journey to Bao Chan Mountain", but recently I read "Reading the Biography of Mengchang Jun" and I was even more impressed."
Seeing Wu Anzhi's slight doubt, Zhang Yue smiled and said: "Everyone in the world says that Lord Mengchang can win scholars, and the soldiers return to him for this reason, and the soldiers rely on his strength to escape from the Qin of tigers and leopards. Wow! Lord Mengchang has a cock-crowding and a dog-robbering ear, how can it not be so? Is it enough to win scholars? Otherwise, if the Qi Dynasty is strong and can only gain a few soldiers, it is better to go south and conquer Qin. How can it take advantage of the crowing of roosters and the robbers of dogs? If the roosters crow and the robbers come out of the gate, the reason why this man does not come."
Zhang Yueyan looked at Wu Anchi's face and said, "When I read the last sentence, it was like a real shot of the 'Old Official's Prison Case'!"
This "Reading the Biography of Mengchang Jun" is less than a hundred words, but reading it gives people the feeling of peeling off the cocoon layer by layer. After four or five twists and turns, the last sentence is like a stroke of genius!
At the same time, Zhang Yue also had another idea.
Wang Anshi cited Mengchangjun as an example. Isn't it wise to make friends carefully?
Isn't it the same for you, Mr. Wu Erlang, in the Imperial Academy?
Wu Anzhi really believed it and said: "Of course, since ancient times, Lord Mengchang has been said to be good at winning scholars. However, how can a gentleman and a villain coexist?"
"So living with good people is like entering a house of orchids, which will fragrant for a long time; living with evil people is like entering a house of abalones, which will make oneself smell bad for a long time. Mozi is sad about dyeing silk, this is called it. Therefore, a gentleman Be careful when making friends!"
Wu Anchi smiled when he heard this and said nothing. Zhang Yue thought in his heart that Mr. Wu Erlang is so difficult to get close to. It seems that it is not easy to make friends with him.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yue returned to his seat. But the debate in the hall became more and more intense, and these Tai students really dared to say anything, and even criticized the Qingli New Deal to the officials.
This is so brave and fat.
This was the style of the Song Dynasty, not only for imperial students, but also for officials.
During the Jinzouyuan case, which directly led to the failure of the Qingli New Deal, an official wrote an arrogant song that went viral.
The sentence "I was lying drunk at the North Pole and I asked the emperor to support me, and Zhou Gong Confucius drove me into a slave." I did not say the second sentence, but the former sentence actually asked the emperor to support him.
Why did the Qingli New Deal fail? Many people attribute the reason to Song Renzong's inability to persist.
But Zhang Yue felt that he had wrongly blamed Song Renzong.
The Qingli New Deal was actually an immature move.
At that time, the imperial court was going through the throes of the war with Xixia, so Emperor Renzong made a hasty determination to reform. He recalled Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi to the central government to implement the New Deal. Song Renzong originally thought that they would immediately come up with a practical policy, but after discussing for a long time, Fan Zhongyan finally came up with ten suggestions, which later became the "Fan Ten Points".
All ten articles in the book are aimed at the three biggest problems of the Song Dynasty at that time (redundant officials, redundant soldiers, and redundant expenses).
From the time Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi entered the central government until they finally left, the New Deal failed in just one year.
how so?
Song Renzong was not well prepared for the New Deal from the beginning. The failure of Fan Zhongyan's reform made him realize that the time for reform was not yet ripe. Officials believe that "the rules and regulations are so broad that commentators find it difficult to implement them."
There are too many people who oppose it, and if we really want to implement the New Deal, it will touch the fundamentals.
Why are there three redundancies?
To put it bluntly, it was not designed by those in power themselves. The three redundancies were established to solve a series of problems. Now that you want to abolish the three redundancies, what about the other way around, have the original problems been solved?
Abolition without resolution would shake the foundation.
There is also the problem of insufficient preparation. Song Renzong did not think of reform at the beginning. He was beaten by Xixia and then asked Fan Zhongyan to give it a try. After the New Deal was implemented for a period of time, I realized what it means: "If you don't weigh it, you won't weigh four ounces, and if you weigh it, you won't be able to weigh a thousand pounds." It turns out there are so many problems.
'Fan Shi Tiao' cannot be called a drastic move, but the depth of the long-standing abuses exposed is shocking.
Faced with so many problems, Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi have been calling for the expansion of the power of the prime minister to implement reforms and completely suppress the opposition forces.
But expanding the power of the prime minister touches the fundamentals again.
In the end, the reform failed, but Song Renzong still kept Fu Bi, Han Qi, and Ouyang Xiu, who supported the New Deal, in the court, and they have always been in important positions.
As for the establishment of schools in Zhongzhou counties during the reform, the policy of establishing Taixue was still in place. Taixue, where the reform party is located, has always provided policy support.
For example, this time the quota for the Imperial College examination was increased from 450 to 600, but there were only over 700 Taipei students, and even if students from Guangwen were included, the number was only over 1,000.
It almost reached a ratio of three people to one person.
Think about Fujian again. In Zhejiang, the ratio of one hundred to one person is solved.
The ancestors planted trees, and the descendants enjoy the shade.
During Wang Anshi's political reform, he selected Hu Yuan's students as the backbone of the new party. However, after Wang Anshi came to power, the new imperial students opposed the reform, which Wang Anshi had not expected.
Everyone discussed for a while, but Zhang Yue didn't say anything. At this time, Xiang Qi suddenly looked at Zhang Yue and asked, "Sanlang, what do you think of the Qingli New Deal and this Ten Thousand Words Book?"
Zhang Yue had only paid attention to literary talent and diction, but not to political opinions for a while.
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "How can I express opinions at such a young age? It's too late for me to learn articles now."
The people on the side smiled, and it was okay if Zhang Yue didn't say anything, but Xiang Qi insisted: "Sanlang, you are not being kind. Good or bad, yes or no, you can at least give a rough idea!"
Zhang Yue thought to himself that the custom of discussing political opinions in Taixue was very strong. If he really didn't speak out, he would be looked down upon by others.
Zhang Yue decided to come up with an argument that no one would be offended. He put down the book and said with a smile: "Then let me try to make a point or two. I'm wrong. Don't laugh at me."
"Please say."
Zhang Yue said: "There is a sentence that deeply touched me when I was studying. Duke Li Wenjing (Li Hang) once said when he was the prime minister, 'I have no other ability as prime minister, except not to change the court's legal system and use it to serve the country.' We first heard this statement. , saying that Duke Li Wenjing is not doing his job as prime minister."
"In fact, the most corrupt thing about being a prime minister is that he does not think about the actual situation. In order to receive favors and gain reputation, he repeatedly changes the ancestral system, which ultimately leads to redundant officials and soldiers. This is the biggest disadvantage."
"Today's spending is unreasonable, financial resources are scarce, and public and private affairs are in trouble. All traces of what happened are due to the fact that the prime minister was unable to abide by the old rules at the beginning and made rash changes."
After Zhang Yue's words, he did not cause any disturbance among the Tai students.
Liu Ji smiled perfunctorily: "Sanlang is right."
After that, everyone continued the discussion. Zhang Yue thought to himself, how can these imperial students understand this?
Wu Anzhi's eyes flashed on the side.
The next day was Shuo Day, and Wu Anzhi returned home from Taixue.
In the past few days, not only his father-in-law Wang Anshi returned to the capital, but his father Wu Chong also returned to the capital from Shaanzhou to resume his duties.
Wu Anchi specially found a spacious and comfortable house for his father-in-law to rest in Beijing, but Wang Anshi said that it would be the same wherever he lived, but he wanted to live in Chaojiyuan next to Taixue.
Seeing that his father-in-law would rather live in a public house, Wu Anzhi had nothing to say and prepared to go over to greet him, but he was rejected.
It turned out that Wang Anshi caused a sensation in the capital after being published in the Wanyan Book. Many officials and scholars came to pay their respects, and some people scolded Wang Anshi for simply looking for trouble.
However, in order to show his sincerity in the petition, Wang Anshi refused to receive any foreign guests until the emperor replied. He even treated his son-in-law as a foreign guest and did not see him at all.
After Wu Anchi was rejected, he still saluted repeatedly outside his father-in-law's door, and then he breathed a sigh of relief when he got home.
Wu Anchi returned home to see his wife first.
Wang is the eldest daughter of Wang Anshi. Although she is not outstanding in appearance, she is extremely talented in writing, which makes Wu Anzhi ashamed.
Mrs. Wang served Wu Anzhi and changed her clothes and said: "There is a family dinner in the evening. You first go to your mother to say hello. Now that the fifteenth mother is getting married, my brother is away from home all day. You are studying at Taixue, so the house is much deserted."
Wu Anchi said: "Isn't there still seventeen more?"
Ms. Wang shook her head and said, "You don't know your mother? She has always been alienated from Shi Qi."
Wu Anzhi said: "There is no such thing as being estranged from outside. Now that the fifteenth mother is married, she will be seventeen. But her temperament...it will really give parents a headache to find a good in-law."
Mrs. Wang said: "You are obedient outside, but when you get home, you say Shi Qi is wrong."
Wu Anchi smiled and said: "I also hope that she will marry a good husband. That's right. How is uncle doing after his death?"
It turns out that Wu Yu, a political advisor, had died of illness two months ago.
Wang said: "My uncle's posthumous affairs have been settled. Now I have asked Ouyang to write an epitaph. As for the officials, who have cherished the affection of serving as prime minister for many years, they have issued an order to support his son in joining the official position."
"However, there are several people in my uncle's family who are not officials, so they were pushed to our family. Dad may ask you and your brother at today's family dinner whether you and your brother have any intention of making love. How do you plan?"
Seeing Wu Anzhi's face, Wang said with some disappointment, "I wonder if I can ask you now."
Wu Anchi looked at Wang's face and said: "Madam, you also know the difficulty of the examination room. If you want to be an official, you should be an official first. Even if you are in trouble, you can take the lock examination in the future and become a Jinshi."
Wang said: "That's what I originally meant, but after seeing you hesitate for a moment, I agreed. I think Bu Yin may not have any plans to take the Jinshi exam after that..."
Wu Anzhi said dissatisfied: "Madam, you sound more and more like Shi Qi."
That night there was a family banquet at the Wu Mansion.
Wu Chong has been an official for twenty years, but he is still under the age of Buhuo.
He became a Jinshi at the age of seventeen, which can be said to be a young success. Later, he was supported by several of his brothers in his official career, and he can be said to be prosperous all the way.
When he was in the Qun Mu Division, Wang Anshi didn't even dare not drink the wine offered by Bao Zheng. But he was such a high-minded person, he also admired his colleague Wu Chong very much and regarded him as a close friend. Not only did he shout affectionately to Brother Qing one by one in his poems, but he also married his beloved daughter to his second son.
Wu Chong's appearance can be called the God of Feng and handsome, and his wife Li is also the daughter of the famous minister Li You. This is also a good match for the well-matched family.
On this day's family dinner, Wu Anshi, Wu Anchi and his wife, and the Seventeenth Mother were all present. As for the children, they were held by servants and ate at another small table nearby.
No one at the table dared to speak, but Wu Chong said that the Ministry of Personnel planned to provide Wu Yu's descendants as officials, and they would be awarded Taichang Temple Taizhu, Dali Temple Judge, Secretary Shengzhengzi and other officials according to age.
Wu Anchi remembered the discussion about Sanruan in Luting today, and he also deeply felt the disadvantages of redundant officials today. As for the disadvantage of redundant officials, it is too much compensation. Therefore, Fan Zhongyan proposed that one of the ten points is "suppressing luck", which is intended to eliminate the disadvantages of Yin officials.
For example, several official positions held by the Wu family were all officials in the Beijing Dynasty. Although they only corresponded to the last three ranks of forty, forty-one, and forty-two without any background, they were far above the official ranks of the selectors.
There are only a few Jinshi in the same subject, and only those who are first awarded can be officials in the capital, and others have to be selected.
Today, when his classmates from Taixue criticized the shortcomings of redundant and shadowy officials, he said nothing.
Wu Anchi knows from the bottom of his heart that they are right, but when this matter falls on you, is it right or wrong?
From now on, there is no need to study poetry and books, or even go to work in remote prefectures and counties after passing the Jinshi examination. You can stay in the prosperous Bianjing.
Hearing that Wu Chongyan planned to let the two brothers make up for the situation together, Wu Anchi finally felt a stone in his heart.
Wu Chong said: "As for the Yinbu matter, until there is an explicit decree, you two should not speak out for a day. Others should not talk too much."
Everyone at the table said yes.
Wu Chong said again: "Even if you are in trouble, the court will not send you immediately. It may take two or three years. During these times, you will study at home and are not allowed to go out."
Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit serious, Ms. Li smiled at her two sons and said, "Just keep your father's instructions in mind. The dishes are already cold!"
Wu Chong nodded slightly and began to pick up the vegetables. Only then did the whole family use their chopsticks.
Wu Chong ate a few mouthfuls and then tested his two sons on their knowledge and politics. Wu Anshi answered poorly and was scolded several times by Wu Chong. Others couldn't help but be nervous while eating at the dinner table.
When it was Wu Anchi's turn, the chopsticks in his hand fell to the ground before he could answer.
Wu Chong couldn't help but shook his head. After the maid gave Wu Anzhi a pair of chopsticks, he asked, "Have you read Taishan's book of ten thousand words for the officials?"
Wu Anchi replied: "I saw it yesterday when I was at Imperial College."
"What do you think?"
Wu Anzhi was sweating.
Wu Chong scolded him: "It's already like this before I answer the question. I need to tell you some real insights. When the princes come to the temple and ask questions, I won't answer you with practical answers. At least you should have something to say."
Wu Anzhi said: "My child thinks that the first thing to do in politics is to 'advocate for simplicity'."
"How to be simple?"
Wu Anzhi said: "Advocating simplicity means simplifying administration, which means simplicity and law."
"Yes." Wu Chong said.
Wu Anchi thought for a while and said: "My child was studying today and read that Duke Li Wenjing (Li Hang) once said when he was the prime minister, 'I have no other ability as prime minister, but I will not change the legal system of the court and use it to serve the country.' My child... my child was deeply moved." Feelings…”
Wu Chong was stunned and then said: "Oh? Let's talk about it..."
After Wu Anzhi finished his answer, Wu Chong thought for a moment while stroking his beard, and then said with a smile: "Second brother's knowledge has improved somewhat since he entered the Imperial Academy!"
