When Chen Xiang went on a mission to the Liao Kingdom and when he left Beijing this time, he said goodbye to the emperor.
However, Chen Xiang's official position was not high. When he resigned, he arranged for several officials who left Beijing to take up their posts at the same time to resign together.
At that time, it was just a formality, with the monarch and his ministers being polite and polite, with no chance to really speak.
During the previous emperors Renzong and Yingzong, Chen Xiang had a low official position, and the emperor would not ask him carefully about military affairs. He only asked a few questions about the people's feelings. But even so, he could meet Tianyan and talk about it. In one sentence, Chen Xiang was extremely frightened. How many officials were not treated well.
During the performance, Chen Xiang was sweating profusely and feeling extremely anxious. He thought over every word and every sentence. However, because of this, he did not leave a deep impression on the two late emperors.
Now facing the young official, Chen Xiang went to the palace again, but felt that this meeting was different from the past.
To be honest, the life of a Beijing official is not easy. He is immersed in paperwork every day. He says that there are many things to do, but in fact, there are not many places where he can really make the decision, especially when the Prime Minister Fu Bi who recommended him has not been accepted by the two officials one after another. Chen Xiang, who was highly valued by officials and therefore had no backers, was cautious in his words and deeds and only told the truth to everyone he met.
However, even if the capital is not good, there are still things that Chen Xiang likes.
Every scholar has the idea of serving the emperors Yao and Shun deep in his heart, but here he can only waste his time, but now the official family suddenly calls him to join the throne.
Under the guidance of the chamberlain, Chen Xiang came to the side hall behind Chongzheng Hall.
After Chen Xiang entered, he saw the official looking for books on the bookshelf, and there was no one else except a servant.
In the past, Chen Xiang had never been so alone when meeting with officials. At that time, there were as many as five or six, and as few as two or three officials working together to present the memorial. Moreover, there must be several prime ministers on the side, and today, let alone prime ministers, there are not even living officials.
After Chen Xiang saluted the official, the official said: "Yes, Chen Qing is here."
…
When Chen Xiangzheng didn't know how to report it to the official, the official said: "I heard that when you were the magistrate of Pucheng, a theft was committed in the local area. I arrested a group of people and I didn't know which one was the thief. So you said to those people There is a bell in the temple that is very efficacious. Anyone who steals it will ring the bell if it touches it. Then Qing ordered people to cover the bell with ink quietly, and ordered these people to touch the bell in secret. Finally, the hands of the others were all ink, but the hands of one person were clean. Qing said This man is a thief, so I captured him."
This matter was a case that Chen Xiang was very proud of, but unexpectedly the official said it himself.
The official smiled slightly and said, "Zhang Yue told me about this matter that day. I took note of it after hearing it."
When Chen Xiang heard this, he didn't know what to say. It turned out to be Zhang Yue. It was his disciple who helped him recommend him to the officials, and he saved himself this time.
Chen Xiang didn't know what to say for a moment. He was touched by Zhang Yue's friendship, but also a little ashamed, so he forgot to answer the official's inquiry for a moment.
The officials didn't care. When the waiter coughed lightly, Chen Xiang came to his senses and quickly apologized to the officials.
The official smiled and immediately asked Chen Xiang: "I heard that Fujian is a remote place in the southeast, but Confucianism in central Fujian has never been abandoned. I don't know why?"
When Chen Xiang heard the official asking about his hometown, he couldn't help but perked up and thought that he couldn't lose the dignity of his hometown.
Chen Xiang said: "There is indeed a saying in Fujian that there is a barbaric land and the hometown of barbarian officials. However, this theory was before the mid-Tang Dynasty. However, Yuan Hui, Li Yi, and Chang Gun, the administrators, successively established schools to persuade scholars, and gradually became more civilized and Confucian. Hui Zheng, now there is the theory of Binhai Zou Lu."
"When Cai Xiang first learned about Fuzhou, he invited his ministers to give lectures in Fujian with Zheng Mu, Zhou Ximeng, and Chen Lie. There were more than a thousand students from Zheng Mu, Zhou Ximeng, and Chen Lie, and there were also hundreds of them."
"My first priority is to establish education and cultivate scholars, and to practice the scriptures diligently. After several years of teaching, I finally made some small achievements."
When the officials heard this, they greatly appreciated it and said, "Very good, very good."
Chen Xiang suddenly changed the topic and said: "Your Majesty, in fact, Fan Zhongyan also encouraged the establishment of schools during his political reform."
"The method of establishing schools is not only conducive to educating the local area, but also puts the right to select local talents in the hands of the state and county. It has changed from cultivating talents through clan studies to cultivating talents through the imperial court. At the same time, it also opens up a path for the children of poor families. Tao comes."
"Therefore, every time I go to a place where I am an official, I will vigorously build schools and encourage education. Of course, in the past, the destruction of obscene rituals in prefectures and counties was also a way for the imperial court to educate places. However, compared with destroying obscene rituals, the movement was too big and it was easier to provoke civil uprisings, so I still advocate the establishment of education."
Officials thought, yes, Di Renjie demolished nearly 2,000 obscene shrines, and finally his own ancestral hall was demolished.
The officials couldn't help but gain a lot after hearing Chen Xiang's words. At the same time, they were satisfied with Zhang Yue's recommendations. As expected, every talent he recommended was so outstanding.
Then the official asked Chen Xiang some personnel matters: "What do you think of Sima Guang, the Hanlin scholar?"
Chen Xiang said: "Reporting to your Majesty, Sima Guang has always been practical, loyal and upright as an official, and takes responsibility for himself. In addition, he is well versed in calligraphy and history and is qualified to serve as a consultant."
The official nodded and asked, "How is Han Wei?"
Chen Xiang said: "The Korean utensils are of high quality, and their studies are also pure and upright. Due to Mencius' dedication, he is particularly good at the theory of human nature. As the saying goes, if you gain the Tao inside, you can respond to things outside."
The official was greatly impressed by Chen Xiang's words and asked, "How about Lu Gong's work?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Mr. Lu is a man of mellow morals, and must have a clear vision in his studies. It is his duty to serve the king with the promotion of talents and good deeds. It can be said that he knows the affairs of the world."
Chen Xiang paused and said: "The three persons whom your Majesty just appointed are all high-minded and humble ministers. They have the audacity to make arrogant remarks. Please forgive me for this."
The official's evaluation of these important ministers was very satisfactory to him, and he said with a smile: "I want you to tell me what the crime is."
After a pause, the official said to Chen Xiang: "I am calling you back to the court this time because I intend to appoint you to be a doctor of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs.
Chen Xiang couldn't believe it when he heard it. He was assigned to repair the living notes, Tongzhi Jianyuan, and Guan Gou Guozijian. None of them were ordinary.
Although Tongzhi Jianyuan often worked part-time, Xiu Qizhu was a close official of the emperor, and Guan Gou Guozijian was the highest institution of education in the Song Dynasty. Both of them were important tasks, especially since the official family had recently expanded the Guozijian and was planning to build a large-scale education.
Not to mention promotion by special decree. The doctor of Shangshu Xingbu is a doctor of the Bank of China. He can only be promoted by special decree and does not go through the political affairs hall and the court of judges.
From being demoted to Mingzhou to today, less than an hour has passed, and Chen Xiang's career has undergone such a big change.
Chen Xiang was about to resign, but the official said: "I have high hopes for you, and I hope you won't refuse."
After speaking, the official personally placed the imperial edict of conferment in Chen Xiang's hands. This favor was much more important than before.
With tears in Chen Xiang's eyes, he immediately bowed down and said, "I thank you, Your Majesty, Chen Xiang."
Chen Xiang stood up and thought for a moment that he finally had a place to display his ambition.
