Speaking of the powerful Hebei families headed by the Sima family in this dynasty, their prestige and privileges have been around for a long time.
When Emperor Guangwu of the previous dynasty was conquering the world, he received strong support from these aristocratic families.
Over time, this situation of mutual support and checks and balances between the aristocratic family and the imperial power seemed to have gradually become a rule that no one could easily shake. Even though Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu and subsequent emperors tried their best to strengthen the imperial power, they never really touched these local powerful families from beginning to end.
Some wealthy families in Hebei, such as the Chen family, the Yuan family, the Yang family, and the Lu family, have had dignitaries in their families for almost every generation. For example, the Yuan family, the former leader of the northern family, had three or four generations in a row, and each generation had a family member who was one of the three nobles. For example, Yuan Shao, who was very prosperous and dominated Hebei at that time, was known as "the fourth generation of the three nobles, and his reputation was all over the world."
These powerful families have always had a profound influence, and their disciples and former officials are spread all over the world. Their influence is naturally intricate.
The Sima family is one of these big families.
The Sima family was not able to stand out during the previous Han dynasty. But now, under the management of the head of the family, Sima Yi, the Sima family has become the leader of many big clans in Hebei.
Even though he has now been sidelined by General Cao Shuang, his prestige in both the government and the public is still indelible.
In this dynasty, the three generations of emperors, Emperor Wu Cao Cao, Emperor Wen Cao Pi, and Emperor Ming Cao Rui, had different attitudes towards these powerful families.
Compared with these wealthy families, Emperor Wu Cao Cao's origin was relatively shabby because Cao Teng, the great eunuch of the previous dynasty, adopted his father Cao Song. The Cao family had always been despised by the wealthy families before they successfully entered the upper class circles.
Emperor Wu's method was to win over some third- and fourth-rate clans, including his own relatives and Qingxu Haoba, to check and balance those upper-class clans that were not convinced; at the same time, he also defeated some aristocratic clans who were completely unwilling to obey him.
After unifying the north, Emperor Wu vigorously promoted the farming system and directly competed with upper-class clans for land and manpower. Not only that, Emperor Wu also proposed a "merit-based" policy to select talents for the country.
"If you bear an insulting name, do something for fun, or are unkind and unfilial but have the skills to govern the country and use military force, you should use what you know and don't leave anything behind." This is what Taizu said in his order to seek talents. Emperor Wu would hire all talents who were useful to the country, regardless of their origins or reputation.
For example, none of the most famous generals with foreign surnames in this dynasty, such as Yu Jin, Zhang Liao, Zhang He, Yue Jin, and Xu Huang, came from aristocratic families. Instead, they all came from poor families in the army.
At this time, the power of election was firmly in the hands of Emperor Wu, which did not allow these noble families to become more powerful.
The so-called "benevolence", "filial piety" and other standards of those noble families are nothing more than tools in their hands to promote their disciples.
Emperor Wu, on the other hand, used the method of "appointing people based on their talents" to significantly weaken their privileges.
In his later years, after the Battle of Chibi, Emperor Wu realized that he could no longer dominate the world, so he began to consolidate his rule in the north, and he finally began to compromise with these aristocratic families. However, while Emperor Wu promoted talents, he also recruited many famous people from the family.
In the last order to promote talents, he used "prudent virtue" and "promoting merit" simultaneously, and returned part of the electoral power to the hands of the clan.
When Emperor Wen succeeded the Han Dynasty and established the Wei Dynasty, he needed the support of these aristocratic families even more. Therefore, he further adopted Chen Qun's "Nine-Rank Officials Law" and once again completely handed over the power of election to the hands of the most upright officials in the aristocratic families, in an attempt to exchange for these aristocratic families. Loyalty to Cao.
At this time, the family seems to be making a comeback again.
After Ming Emperor Cao Rui ascended the throne, he turned to clever means to have his four auxiliary ministers check and balance each other in order to maintain a balance between the power of the clan and the family.
It was a pity that not long after, two generations of great sima Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen passed away one after another, and the power of the family once again lost control.
Although Emperor Ming wanted to use the Yan kings Cao Yu, Cao Zhao, Xiahou Xian and other clans to assist the government and check the family when he was dying, this idea was ultimately aborted due to the sabotage of Liu Fang, Sun Zi and Sima Yi. .
Nowadays, although General Cao Shuang has tried his best to suppress the aristocratic families headed by the Sima family, the power of appointment and dismissal in local elections is still in the hands of these aristocratic families.
Therefore, Cao Shuang, Xia Houxuan and others felt that it was time to carry out a drastic restructuring to return the power of selecting officials to the central government.
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Inside Shiqian Hall.
The fourteen-year-old Emperor Cao Fang was sitting in front of the case, listening attentively to General Cao Shuang's ideas for restructuring.
Cao Shuang talked eloquently, starting from the previous dynasties, all the way to Emperor Wu, Emperor Wen, and the late emperors. He even gave Cao Fang a careful analysis of the current situation.
Cao Fang also became more and more excited as he listened. He listened attentively to Cao Shuang's restructuring details while gearing up, and he was even more excited to try.
After all, if this restructuring can be successful, it will definitely be a benefit to the Wei Dynasty for generations to come.
This malady of exclusive elections for aristocratic clans started with the filial piety and integrity inspection system in the Han Dynasty, and has continued to the current nine-level Zhongzheng system. If I can get rid of this malpractice in one fell swoop, I will definitely become a wise king of the Wei Dynasty and establish a dynasty that is as good as this one. Pay tribute to the achievements of the Third Patriarch!
After hearing Cao Shuang's idea, Cao Fang was extremely excited. He raised his wine bottle and stood up and said:
"I have listened to what the general just said about the restructuring, and I have already decided to work with my uncle to advance and retreat together, implement new laws, and establish a foundation that will last forever!"
Cao Shuang was also very excited when he saw the emperor's support. He bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
"Come, uncle, let's drink this cup to the full, wishing the restructuring a smooth success, and also wishing me, the Great Wei, a long and prosperous life!"
"I will do my best to assist His Majesty!"
Cao Shuang, full of joy and complacency, raised the wine bottle on the table and drank it down together with Emperor Cao Fang.
"Uncle, don't worry. I will definitely support my uncle's proposal for restructuring when I meet at my young age."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will definitely try my best to carry out the restructuring to the end!"
Cao Shuang bowed his head and bowed to the emperor, who was gradually becoming an adult.
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After leaving the Shiqian Hall, walk along the south corridor and you can go directly to the east and west halls of the Taiji Hall where political affairs are discussed.
Outside the north gate of Tai Chi Hall, Lieutenant Commander Yin Damu, the lieutenant of the palace, led his halberd-bearing men to guard the palace gate. When he saw General Cao Shuang coming from a distance, he immediately greeted Cao Shuang with a naive smile.
Although this lieutenant colonel was very powerful and powerful, he had a simple and amiable face. Every time Cao Shuang passes by here, he will salute Cao Shuang very respectfully.
Cao Shuang would sometimes chat with him, and after going back and forth, the two of them became familiar with each other. A lot of news in the palace was also conveyed by Yin Damu to Cao Shuang.
"I've seen the general!" Yin Damu, who was on duty today, saw Cao Shuang walking out of the Shiqian Palace again. He was still wearing heavy armor and gave a respectful military salute to Cao Shuang as usual.
Cao Shuang stepped forward, patted Yin Damu's thick shoulder, and said with a smile:
"Captain Yin, the imperial court needs a loyal and brave person like you. If I find an opportunity, I will definitely promote you."
"Thank you, General!"
Yin Damu, who came from a humble background, was flattered and half-knelt on the Han jade stone slab again. This attitude also satisfied Cao Shuang. Cao Shuang smiled and patted the strong man's back, then detoured to the south and entered the palace to go up.
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In the Tai Chi Hall, hundreds of officials stood according to their shifts, waiting quietly for the emperor to approach the court.
Some veterans of the family were gathering together, whispering and discussing something secretly. However, when they saw General Cao Shuang walking towards him with his head held high, they immediately stopped whispering.
Not long after, the fourteen-year-old Emperor Cao Fang came from the back hall to the north. Many people noticed that His Majesty seemed to be much more energetic than usual today.
"If the ministers have something to report, they will leave the court if nothing happens!" Zhang Dang, the chief minister, shouted at the top of his lungs.
Some ministers reported some local political affairs, such as the establishment of a new county in Liaodong. Other ministers reported that King Cao Xun of Qin passed away without heirs, and the state of Qin could be restored to Jingzhao County. Cao Fang dealt with it one by one as appropriate.
Not long after, all the local trivial matters had been dealt with, and Cao Fang was excited. He glanced at Cao Shuang, the first-time and ambitious general, and signaled that he could put forward the idea of restructuring.
Cao Shuang nodded and immediately left work.
Seeing Cao Shuang personally leaving the mission, almost everyone in the palace, whether it was the generals' party, the Taifu's party, or even the emperor Cao Fang, felt anxious.
I saw Cao Shuang holding an ivory wat and saying loudly:
"Your Majesty, what I have said is of great importance. I hope that your Majesty and all the officials will listen carefully."
"General, please speak."
Cao Fang nodded again to Cao Shuang.
Cao Shuang continued to speak loudly:
"I believe that there are some serious bad policies in our dynasty today, and we should change them in time. Only in this way can our Wei Dynasty be completely new both internally and externally!"
As soon as Cao Shuang said this, there was an explosion in the palace. The old ministers were whispering to each other and discussing endlessly, while Taifu Sima Yi was as steady as a mountain, watching the changes.
Sikong Gaorou immediately left work and asked:
"Restructure? I wonder what the general thinks is wrong with me, Wei, that he actually thinks of restructuring?"
"Gao Sikong, please be patient."
At this time, He Yan, the official minister, came out of the office and said to Gao Rou:
"If Gao Sikong doesn't know where the bad government is today, then Yan will explain it in detail to Sikong. Nowadays, local officials, big and small, hold the power of court elections with one hand, which is the same as the filial and honest inspection system in the Han Dynasty. After entering the emperor's palace, many talents have no way to enter the official career. This is the biggest political malpractice!"
As soon as He Yan said this, the old ministers blushed and were eager to refute, but He Yan ignored it and continued:
"In addition, today there are thirteen states, and although the Wei Dynasty occupies the land of ten states, the population of one state today is no more than that of one large county in the Han Dynasty, and there are many redundant officials in the states, counties, and counties. Inconvenient, this is the second greatest maladministration! In addition, now that the world is uncertain, and officials like Wu Ling, Shu brocade and other extravagant things, and they are gratuitous in favor of the enemy, this is the third greatest maladministration!"
Seeing He Yan saying so much in one breath, the young prince couldn't help but retort:
"Aren't the three strategies mentioned by He Shangshu the same old proposals put forward by Xiahou Zhengxi last year? Didn't Sima Taifu say long ago that the restructuring should not be done too hastily?"
When Cao Shuang heard this, he sneered and said:
"Can the opinions of the Prince's Master and the Grand Tutor alone determine national policy?!"
When Wang Guan heard this, his face turned pale. Knowing that he had made a mistake, he quietly returned to his class without saying another word.
He Yanze continued to speak loudly:
"In addition, Yan Zi has another strategy. Nowadays, we are in troubled times. Since Taizu, our dynasty has upheld legal principles and imposed heavy punishments. People broke the law and many people died. Yan thought that this was not good for the people's survival and reproduction, but also damaged the national strength. Therefore, , Yan requested the restoration of corporal punishment in place of the death penalty. This move can turn corpses into human beings and gain strength for the country. Please consider this carefully!"
