【struggle】
Cui Yin was born into a prominent family, the Cui family in Qinghe. His father Cui Shenyou was the prime minister of Xuanzong Dynasty; his grandfather Cui Cong was a veteran of the Five Dynasties; his great-grandfather Cui Yi was the governor of Quzhou; his great ancestor Cui Qiao was the minister of the Ministry of Rites; his ancestor Cui Rong was a writer and one of the "Four Friends of Articles" in the early Tang Dynasty. Emperor Zhongzong's attendant, Zhongshu Sheren.
Looking at his father's generation alone: his uncle Cui Yanzeng was in charge of Xuzhou and was killed during the "Pang Xun Rebellion"; his uncle Cui Anqian made many meritorious deeds during the "Huangchao Rebellion" and governed Xichuan, consolidating the southwest border of the empire. Both of them have been introduced in the previous article.
Therefore, historical records comment on the Cui family, saying, "If you have children and younger brothers, you will often become prime ministers and assistants." The family was prosperous, and they were all high-ranking officials, and they had a good reputation among the upper class and the lower classes. Until Cui Yin was born...
It is said that Cui Shenyou had no children at first. Later, he met a demon monk and used heretical magic to seek a son, and then gave birth to Cui Yin. The births of emperors, generals, and ministers in history books were almost always accompanied by some supernatural events, but most of them were auspicious signs. There are only a handful of records of people like Cui Yin who were born with the practices of evil monks and witchcraft.
This book has always adhered to the materialist view of history and has always rejected these records with strong superstition. We can only see the views and positions of the ancients from this record. This record about Cui Yin's "birth in response to the calamity" fully illustrates the attitude of historians towards Cui Yin at that time. He was an evil child in his mother's womb. !
He is young at the age of three and old at the age of seven. His uncle Cui Anqian has long realized that this child is nothing. When Cui Yin came to worship the prime minister, Cui Anqian sighed: "The family that our father and brother have worked hard for many years will be ruined." This guy has it!"
A prophecy. Cui Yin died and his reputation was ruined. He was listed in the "Biography of the Traitor" and was nailed to the pillar of historical shame forever.
"Throwing danger and enjoying misfortune, showing magnanimity... Since ancient times, he has cooperated with thieves and destroyed his clan, which is nothing like Yin." Although the "Old Book of Tang" seriously criticized Cui Yin, it also objectively admitted it. The political environment at that time complained about the decline of the Cui family, saying that "Yan once belonged to the Autumn of Xu's chaos, and Yin succeeded Li in the death of Li", lamenting that the Cui family was unlucky at the wrong time.
This statement is somewhat suspected of forcibly whitewashing Cui Yin, and reverses the causal relationship. Is the "number of Li's deaths" innate? Without Cui Yin's push, I am afraid that the Li Tang Dynasty would have lingered on for several more years.
Perhaps out of memory of the Cui family's meritorious deeds over the generations, the Cui family was left a part of the family. The "Old Tang Book" attached the "Biography of Cui Yin" after his father Cui Shenyou, alongside Cui Yanzeng, Cui Anqian and other distinguished figures.
Ouyang Xiu was not so polite in "New Book of Tang" and directly extracted Cui Yindan and put it in "The Story of the Traitor".
Both "Old Book of Tang" and "New Book of Tang" clearly mention that it was Cui Yin's active operation and instigation that accelerated Zhu Wen's idea of usurping the Tang Dynasty and becoming independent. Because Zhu and Wen were surrounded by powerful enemies at that time and did not dare to think wildly, it was with the help of Cui Yin that he "began to plan to emigrate to the country."
When Cui Yin died, the people of Chang'an rushed to smash his body with bricks and tiles, cursing this traitor who had brought disaster to the country and the people.
Cui Yin, the treacherous minister, was also the last fig leaf of the Tang Dynasty. He was a strong bridge between the puppet Zhaozong and the boss Zhu Wen behind the scenes, responsible for digesting the sharp conflicts.
With Cui Yin's death, Zhaozong and Zhu Wen finally confronted each other head-on, and the conflict sharply intensified. Zhaozong knew that Luoyang was his gateway to death, and he had to save himself in time.
After removing Cui Yin, Zhaozong quickly established a new civil service group, and the employment standards remained the same: birth, knowledge, and loyalty.
It seems impeccable in theory, but in practice it is a huge pitfall. Regrettably, Zhaozong fell into the same pit repeatedly.
Zhaozong promoted Pei Shu, Dugu Sun, Cui Yuan, and Liu Can.
Pei Shu, his father Pei Yin, was a censor; his grandfather Pei Xiang was the official secretary; his great-grandfather Pei Zunqing was the prime minister of Suzong and Daizong. The roots are red and the seedlings are upright, but it is said that there is no origin. In the twelfth year of Xiantong (871), he became a Jinshi, and his academic qualifications were no problem. From Xizong, he was lucky to Shu, and to follow Zhaozong, he was lucky to Huazhou. His loyalty is commendable. Comply with Zhaozong's employment standards in all aspects.
Dugu Sun, those who are familiar with the history of the Tang Dynasty, should know what the surname "Dugu" means. In Zhaozong's own words, "the scholars are outstanding, and the noble family is prosperous." He has lived through three dynasties (Yizong, Xizong, Zhaozong), and is a worthy person. Trusted comrade.
Cui Yuan is not from the Cui Yin clan. Cui Yin is from the Cui family in Qinghe, and Cui Yuan is the second wife of the Boling Cui family. His father Cui Dan was the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs; his grandfather Cui Yu was the Minister of the Ministry of War; his great-grandfather Cui Ting was the supervisor of the Shaofu; and his great-grandfather Cui Yi. Great-grandfather Cui Ting had eight sons, all of whom were high-ranking officials and were known as the "Eight Dragons of the Cui Family". Among them, Cui Gong served as prime minister in the Wuzong Dynasty. Cui Yuan has beautiful literary talent, handsome appearance, and is generous in dealing with others. He is nicknamed "Dingzuoli", which means "the treasure on the table", which is a good name.
The above three people have common characteristics, they are famous, knowledgeable, and loyal.
To be fair, Liu Can is not bad either.
Liu Can, his father Liu Zhongzun, his grandfather Liu Gongqi, and his great-grandfather Liu Zihua all have nothing to praise. However, his great-grandfather had a younger brother, his great-uncle Liu Ziwen. Liu Ziwen had two particularly famous sons. , all are famous calligraphers, Liu Gongchuo and Liu Gongquan. Among them, Liu Gongquan is one of the "Four Masters of Regular Script" and created the "Liu Style". Friends who love calligraphy will definitely know the names Liu Gongchuo and Liu Gongquan.
Strictly speaking, Liu Gongchuo and Liu Gongquan are Liu Can's great-uncles, and they are comparable to Li Yuan, the "great-grandfather of the third uncle". At least it has something to do with it, so when the history books introduce Liu Can, they also start with Liu Gongchuo:
"Liu Can...the ancestral weapon, the servant shot the Duke and Chuo, and then he followed his younger brother." - "Old Book of Tang"
"Liu Can...a grandson of the Gongchuo clan." - "New Book of Tang"
The "Old Book of Tang" also mentioned that his biological grandfather was called Liu Gongqi, and then added that Liu Gongqi was Liu Gongchuo's cousin; the "New Book of Tang" was as unceremonious as ever and directly said that Liu Can was Liu Gongchuo's grandson. A person who is a son is a "grandson of the family". Anyway, he is not a biological grandson. He doesn't even bother to introduce whether he is a grandson, third grandson or fourth grandson. Just know that he is a grandson.
Liu Gongchuo's biological grandsons, Liu Bi and Liu Jue, Liu Can's three brothers, were not even willing to admit that they were the same family as Liu Can, and they resented this distant relative who was enjoying the popularity.
Therefore, compared with ordinary people, Liu Can can still pretend to be a wealthy family, or he can sit in an armchair with his chest folded, shaking his fan, chatting in a serious manner, saving all sentient beings, and inadvertently showing off himself while laughing and cursing. His family background was in Versailles.
But compared with the first three, he was instantly mute and unknown.
There is a saying that Liu Can's personal knowledge is worthy of recognition. He came from a poor family, but he was erudite and memorized, leaving an idiom and allusion to Chinese culture, "burning leaves illuminate the book".
According to records, Liu Can was "little lonely and poor", but he was "interested in learning". During the day, he chopped firewood and collected fuel to supplement his family's income. At night, he burned leaves for lighting, so that he could read and write. His "burning leaves to illuminate the book" can be compared with the fireflies in the bag to reflect the snow and chisel. The same thing goes for stealing light from a wall. Perhaps it was because his later reputation was too bad. After all, he was listed in "The Biography of the Traitor" together with Cui Yin, so "Burning Ye Zhaoshu" was also implicated in this. It is not suitable to become an inspirational model to inspire the flowers of the motherland. It is not seen in any textbooks. .
Diligence and hard work finally paid off. During the Guanghua period, he became a Jinshi and entered the official career. He was favored by Yan Xuan, a member of Zhongshushe, and was promoted.
Liu Can has a strong literary foundation and an even more solid historical foundation. In the work of compiling the history of the country, Liu Can boldly challenged the authority and pointed out the inadequacies in Liu Zixuan's compilation of "Shi Tong", organized it into ten volumes, and wrote a new book "Liu Shi's Commentary on History", which was shelved Today, we have to call it "Liu Can's History Reading" or "Liu Can's History Reading".
Liu Zixuan, a historian in the early Tang Dynasty, compiled the "Records of the Book of Tang" and participated in the compilation of the Records of Wu Zetian. However, due to some "you know" reasons, it was not accepted by the editor. The editor who rejected him was named Wu Think twice, he is Wu Zetian's nephew. Therefore, Liu Zixuan was angry and compiled the famous "Shi Tong".
After Liu Zixuan's death, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty read his "Shi Tong" and praised it greatly. He first made him the prefect of Ji County, then made him the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and gave him the posthumous title "Wen".
His elder brother Liu Zhirou was also a famous scholar and Confucian scholar. His six sons were also well-known scholars, either serving in the imperial court or serving as local governors, and all of their works have been handed down to the world; his grandson served as prime minister. "Passing on the legacy of Confucianism from generation to generation."
Liu Zixuan and his "Shi Tong" are definitely godfathers in the field of Tang Dynasty history.
Liu Can, a newborn calf, actually wanted to dance on the shoulders of giants. Therefore, as soon as his "Liu Shi's Interpretation of History" came out, it immediately detonated the Tang Dynasty history circle, occupying the top of the hot search list for a long time, and Liu Can also became an Internet celebrity scholar, and his reputation skyrocketed.
Insulting famous people is a shortcut for attracting newcomers quickly. Liu Can set a successful example for us more than a thousand years ago.
Emperor Zhaozong loved scholars the most. He once forcibly promoted Li Ding to the position of prime minister, which caused a farce of "plundering hemp and dismissing him from office." Just a few months later, the bibliophile Li Ding died in the brutal political struggle and was killed by the Kansai Group. Killed. Zhaozong felt guilty about Li Ding's death. If he had not made him the prime minister, he would not have been regarded as a victim of political struggle. Zhaozong was responsible for Li Ding's death.
In psychology, people always have a subconscious tendency to look for substitutes. For example, if a beloved pet dies or breaks up with their first love, when looking for a new pet or lover, they will always involuntarily use the past as a template.
The same was true for Zhaozong. He ordered his officials to help him find someone similar to Li Ding.
What kind of person is Li Di? He is highly knowledgeable, especially in history, and he once worked as a compiler in the History Museum. The attendants on the left and right looked at the pictures and fell in love with Liu Can at a glance, so they recommended him to Zhaozong.
Zhaozong immediately conducted an interview with Liu Can, and was very pleased with the result, and he immediately called him a Hanlin bachelor.
The edict to remove Cui Yin was written by Liu Can. At that time, Zhaozong summoned Liu Can into the inner hall and asked him to draft it. At the same time, he told him affectionately, "Cui Yin has gone down, and I plan to make you the prime minister. Hush - don't tell others yet."
Later, Zhaozong asked Hanlin Chengzhi Zhang Wenwei, saying that Liu Can was knowledgeable and I planned to use him as prime minister. What do you think?
Since it was the emperor's personal decision, Zhang Wenwei did not dare to refute, but just put forward a suggestion tactfully, to the effect that Liu Can's current official position was too low, and it was best to increase his rank first, and then be awarded the title of prime minister.
Zhaozong thought about it and thought it made sense. "Then give him a doctor to advise him first, okay?"
"As long as your Majesty is happy."
Therefore, Liu Can used his advice to the officials to smooth things over with Zhongshu's family and ascend to the throne.
From a commoner to the prime minister of the empire, it only took more than three years. It almost set a historical record and truly achieved rapid success.
Liu Can's promotion from the Rockets made him even more isolated from his colleagues. In particular, Pei Shu, Dugu Sun, and Cui Yuan were "quite minor", so Liu Can also felt deeply resentful.
The civil service group formed by Zhaozong after Cui Yin's fall laid a time bomb from the beginning.
