Zhao Xu walked into the Ancestral Temple, and all the officials were kneeling and waiting in the temple courtyard.
The small yellow gate opens the door to the secret room for the officials. The golden pin on the oath tablet is slowly uncovered and then the official exits the secret room.
But seeing that the oath stele was about seven or eight feet high and more than four feet wide, Zhao Xu bowed down to the oath stele, then raised his head to look at the stele, and silently read the words on the stele in his heart.
Zhao Xu silently read each inscription on the inscription.
The descendants of the Chai family will not be given additional punishments if they are guilty. Even if they are guilty of treason, they will be sentenced to death in prison.
Do not kill scholar-bureaucrats or people who write letters and comment on matters.
If any of our descendants take this oath, God will surely kill them.
These three articles in total are all oaths made by Taizu.
Zhao Xu recited silently in his heart without making a sound. At the same time, no one would know what was written on the oath tablet.
Zhao Xu thought for a moment after reading the inscription. It seems that the emperors of this dynasty have always treated the descendants of the Chai family favorably and did not kill scholar-bureaucrats and petitioners. However, this matter can be made public to gain a good reputation. But why? But hide it in the Ancestral Temple and keep it secret?
Could it be that they were worried that the scholar-bureaucrats and the descendants of the Chai family would not be afraid to hold on to this oath after knowing about it, so it became a secret agreement? No wonder, no wonder.
Taizu treated scholars favorably and used Confucian ministers to divide and rule large vassals instead of Jiedu envoys because Confucian ministers would not rebel.
Fan Zhongyan also once said that since our ancestors, we have never killed a minister lightly, which is a sign of great virtue.
This is what the emperors of the Song Dynasty have always done. All officials believe that it is the family law of their ancestors, so it is a convention. But why does every emperor do this?
It turns out that the secret lies on the oath tablet in the inner room of the Ancestral Temple.
Taizu used the oath in the inscription to forbid future generations of emperors. When I think of every new king visiting the Ancestral Temple, I probably feel the same way as I do when I see this inscription.
After Zhao Xu silently recited the inscription, he was filled with awe and bowed to Taizu's oath stele again.
After Zhao Xu stood up, he thought to himself: "I will abide by the ancestral family law, but... But with this ancestral family law, how to resolve this urgent need, the court is now..."
After Zhao Xu paid homage to the Ancestral Temple, he returned to Zizheng Hall to face the ministers.
After seeing Han Jiang's presentation of the court expenses audited by the Third Division, Zhao Xu fell into a long silence, followed by deep shock.
Just take the annual income in Zhiping years as an example, which is 116 million yuan.
This income is still very good.
But the expenditure reached 123 million yuan.
In addition, there are also extraordinary ones with 11.52 million coins.
In what areas the expenditures will be used, it is necessary to raise 1,163,000 soldiers. As for the number of officials and clan members, it is 30% more than during the Jiayou period.
Zhao Xu looked at the three audits. Even though he had just ascended the throne and had no experience as an emperor, he still knew that the finances were going to collapse.
The official sighed: "The late emperor did not dare to reduce the mourning of Emperor Renzong because he was too dissatisfied, but now I have no objection."
Officials say it's all a matter of guilt.
Zeng Gong said clearly: "Your Majesty, the imperial court is not short of money now. This annual income is twice that of the Tang Dynasty when its annual income was at its highest. However, even with such extravagant expenses, the imperial court's finances have been unable to make ends meet for a long time."
Zhao Xu looked at Wang Tao, the teacher in the hall, and said: "The country is in dire straits. We have suffered a series of great mournings within four years. We are in dire straits both public and private. I have ordered Wang Qing to be responsible for reducing or reducing redundant expenses."
Wang Tao said: "I am not qualified for this matter, but I can recommend someone who can do it."
Zhao Xu asked: "Who does Wang Qing recommend?"
Wang Tao said: "Sima Guang, the bachelor of Long Tuzhi."
Zhao Xu happily said: "I have heard about his name for a long time, and this matter must be done by him. Then Wang Qing will be appointed as the censor Zhongcheng. I wonder what your family wishes are?"
Wang Tao coughed.
Han Qi said very magnanimously: "The officials in the admonition station are all out of the central purpose, and your majesty takes it upon himself to do so!"
Wang Tao was the first minister of Zhao Xu's vassal residence. His appointment as Yushi Zhongcheng was the first personnel appointment of the official family, and Han Qi accepted it.
But Han Qi said: "As Emperor Renzong's envoy to the mountains and mausoleums, I can be said to be a fierce minister. Now that I am the envoy to the mountains and mausoleums, I would like to ask your majesty to abolish my position as prime minister."
Shanling envoy is an unknown position.
As prime minister, Han Qi saw off the two emperors, and twice served as a mountain envoy to attend the funerals of the two emperors. He said that he was not welcome, so he resigned from the position.
Zhao Xu was stunned, not knowing whether Han Qi's feelings were true or not, but he would be infamy if he dismissed the Zhaowen prime minister left by his father as soon as he ascended the throne, so he offered to persuade him to stay.
However, Han Qi's attitude was a little firm. After repeated persuasion, he said that he would wait until Emperor Daxing returned to his kingdom before resigning.
This scene was also seen by Wang Tao and Zeng Gongliang.
After all the ministers retired, Wang Tao and Han Wei stayed in the palace.
Zhao Xu let out a sigh of relief. He was inexperienced in becoming emperor for the first time and was really tired.
Wang Tao said happily: "Your Majesty has shocked Han Qi today."
Han Wei frowned slightly when he heard this.
Zhao Xu said: "I don't know how to deal with the country. I also ask Mr. Wang to help me speak in the court and solve my problems."
Wang Tao smiled and patted his chest and said, "Your Majesty is a benevolent king, but sometimes his temper is too lenient. But your Majesty, don't worry. The rulers will not dare to despise your Majesty when you have ministers in the court."
Wang Taoyou resigned in advance, leaving Han Wei behind.
Han Wei had been silent when Wang Tao spoke just now. Now Zhao Xu asked him: "Your Majesty has just become the emperor, so I will first advise you on three strategies."
Zhao Xu said: "Mr. Han, please tell me."
Han Wei said: "First of all, in the court, except for important and urgent matters that need to be decided on the spot, do not rush to make decisions on the spot for other matters. This is said to be inappropriate."
Zhao Xu said: "I remember, Mr. Han is afraid that I will make a mistake on the spot."
Han Wei said: "Secondly, the four current ministers in power are all ministers who take care of life in the two dynasties. Your Majesty must respect them and consult them on everything. Only in this way can the ministers be dedicated."
Zhao Xu thought to himself, Mr. Han's opinion is inconsistent with Mr. Wang's opinion, but I am more willing to believe Mr. Han.
Han Wei added: "The third thing is that each of the bureaus has its own responsibilities, and the powers are divided among themselves. Your Majesty must not give orders personally and act on behalf of the bureaus. This would be disrespectful."
Zhao Xu thought of his father's repeated attempts to embezzle money from the Third Division and hand it over to prison, but Cai Xiang and Zhang Yue were the ones who took the responsibility to go back. He couldn't help but feel convinced.
Zhao Xu said: "I'm just troubled by the lack of funds. Mr. Han often tells me that it's better to cut off revenue than to open up more money, and to save money is worse than managing it. So what can I do?"
Han Wei said: "Your Majesty, the affairs of the world must not be rushed. When a ruler implements government affairs, he must have a sequence and must be cautious. Now that your Majesty has just ascended the throne, you must not consider this matter. Please read Mencius' article on mourning."
Zhao Xu accepted it happily and said, "Mr. Han is right, I have learned a lesson."
Han Wei smiled and then said: "Your Majesty has the desire to seek governance, and of course I know that. It is better to manage money than to save money. This was something I and Your Majesty repeatedly said when we were in the dormitory. The current plan is to find people who are good at financial management first. Minister."
Zhao Xu nodded, and Wang Tao advised him to be on guard against Han Qi, and at the same time send ministers like Sima Guang to cut down on redundant expenses.
But Han Wei advised him to respect Han Qi and select officials to manage finances.
He didn't know who to listen to, so he asked: "Who in the world does Han Qing think can manage the country's finances?"
