The Han Dynasty inherited the Qin system, but it has been more than 300 years since the founding of the Han Dynasty. There have been additions and deletions. But the biggest change was undoubtedly the court system of the Han Dynasty.
When Emperor Gaozu first established his country, the court gatherings were very informal. Due to Gaozu's own style in his early years, he thought that the Qin system of court meetings was cumbersome, so he abolished them all. As a result, the ministers still called themselves brothers and had arms around each other at the court meetings. Some drank wine and went crazy. "Pillars", Liu Bang couldn't bear to look at this sight, and quickly recruited his great Confucian uncle Sun Tong to formulate a set of court etiquette that was not as complicated as the Qin system, but still well-organized. Confucianism now had a place in the Han Dynasty.
Later, during the reign of Emperor Sejong Wu, Emperor Wu felt that the court meetings were dominated by the prime minister and there were many constraints. Therefore, in addition to the imperial meeting, an inner dynasty was established, which was completely centered on the emperor. The other officials in the inner dynasty were all advisors to the emperor to divide the power and responsibilities of the prime minister.
Just to dominate the state affairs, one must have extraordinary talents. As the most outstanding emperor of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu was still able to use China and North Korea to transform the country, expand the territory and repel the barbarians, and conquer the sea. However, times were different. After the Confederation, the emperors had short lifespans. Most of them were infants when they succeeded to the throne, and most died when they were only 3 years old. The leadership of the Chinese dynasty gradually changed from the emperor to the joint leadership of relatives and eunuchs.
Fortunately, His Majesty is now old, and although he has made many ridiculous actions since taking office, he is finally able to preside over the government. The most important reason why Chen Chong came to see Zhong Yao was that although he had many friends, Zhong Yao was the only one who could participate in the government affairs and meet with the saints every day.
It's embarrassing to say that Chen Chong's own official position is that of a doctor offering wine, which is the highest official position in Taixue besides the Taixue offering wine, but he does not have the right to participate in the regular court that happens every five days. According to regulations, those who participate in the Chang Dynasty must be high-ranking officials in the capital from six hundred to two thousand stones, and Chen Chong's official rank is just one level lower than six hundred stones.
Zhong Yao's official rank was lower than his, at 300 shi, but no one in the court dared to look down upon him because Zhong Yao was the Minister of Civil Affairs.
Shangshulang is affiliated to Shangshutai, which is the highest institution in China and North Korea. Although his salary rank is lower, he is at the side of the emperor day and night. Whenever there are important national events, His Majesty may not attend court often. After discussing with Shangshutai directly, decision. In terms of influence on the country, part of the money spent to buy the waste food bag of San Gong may really not be greater than that of an ordinary minister.
When Zhong Yao woke up, it was already the fifth watch. He straightened his clothes, brought in a virtuous crown, and wore a yellow ribbon with a copper seal. Then he carefully folded Chen Chong's paper and put it into his sleeve pocket, and then drove to the Baihu Gate of the Beigong. Then go east to Zhangde Hall.
The Zhangde Hall was originally used for emperors to summon concubines, but before Emperor Huan, no emperor had the chance to enter it for more than ten years. Empress Dowager An Siyan couldn't bear the silence here, so she summoned her relatives and eunuchs to discuss state affairs here. When Emperor Huan took over the throne and eliminated his relatives, he made mistakes and regarded this place as a fixed place for the inner dynasty. Unknowingly, this place has been used as a minister's desk for nearly forty years.
When Zhong Yao entered the palace, many colleagues had already begun to sort out the documents, but His Majesty and the regular attendants had not yet seen any sign. Fortunately, when he passed a small yellow gate in front of the palace gate, Zhong Yao stopped at the small yellow gate and asked, "I have something important to report to your majesty. I wonder when your majesty will come?".
This Xiaohuangmen was familiar with him and knew that His Majesty the Emperor admired this young minister. He replied in a sharp voice: "When Your Majesty got up, he made an impromptu decision to summon the two princes, Bian and Xie, to test the prince's homework. Jian Changshi was standing by. To serve Your Majesty, if the minister wants to see Your Majesty, he can just go to Anfu Hall."
Anfu Hall is not far from Zhangde Hall. To the west of Zhangde Hall is Hehuan Hall, and conveniently above Hehuan Hall is Anfu Hall. The distance is only a few hundred steps. Zhong Yao breathed a sigh of relief, thanked Xiaohuangmen, and then hurriedly walked towards Anfu Hall. go. Logically speaking, there are imperial palaces every day, but only he knows whether he wants to go or not today. If there is a memorial, he can only go to the palace by himself.
Although it was early in the morning, the weather was hot and humid, which still made people feel uncomfortable. Zhong Yao approached Anfu Hall and felt the breeze gradually picking up and feeling cool. This was because Anfu Hall was built near the lake. Looking from a distance, among the red balustrades and green tiles, there is a pointed pavilion in the center of the lake, and lotus leaf pavilions in all directions. Zhong Yao suddenly heard a gentle ballad:
“Lotus can be harvested in the south of the Yangtze River, and there are fields of lotus leaves.
Fish play among the lotus leaves.
The leaves of the lotus are to the east, the leaves of the lotus are to the west, the leaves of the lotus are to the south, and the leaves of the lotus are to the north. "
The gentle words of the distant palace maid are like a basin of clear water flowing into the heart along the clothes. However, Zhong Yao kept sighing in his heart. When he arrived in front of the palace, he saluted the small yellow gate in front of the door and said, "Excuse me, I'd like to inform you that Shang Shulang Zhong Yao has something to see your majesty."
Zhong Yao thought he would wait for a while, but unexpectedly, the small yellow gate quickly left and returned, notifying him to enter the palace.
The hall is wider than the Zhangde Hall, and the front and rear doors are wide open. Zhong Yao could vaguely see a crowd of people on the other side, but before he had walked a few steps, he saw all the people retreating to both sides, leaving only five or six people, and there was a sparkling light behind them.
Zhong Yao walked forward and saw His Majesty lying on a bed behind the main hall. A palace maid was fanning him lightly. Two children were kneeling on the left and right in front of them. An old man was hunched over the table, sorting books for the children. Zhong Yao then stepped forward and saluted, saying: "The humble minister Zhong Yao pays homage to Your Majesty and wishes His Majesty long live."
The two children, one older and one younger, were still at a curious age and couldn't help but look him up and down. The old man calmly arranged the books and then stepped aside to wait for His Majesty to ask questions.
His Majesty took a nap again, and then turned over to look at Zhong Yao. He was still young, but his face was bloodless, as pale as catkins, but his eyes still radiated a divine light that was difficult to look at, making people feel He is indeed the Lord of the Empire, the Son of God. He asked directly: "Yuan Chang, Chen Tingjian returned to Beijing yesterday. He was running non-stop. He returned home only three minutes later, and then went to your mansion to plan with you. I wonder if you have anything important to tell me?"
This sentence is like a strange peak rising up, which is a terrible and heart-wrenching sentence for any minister. However, Zhong Yao's face did not change, he raised his head and looked directly at the emperor and said: "Chen Jijiu heard about the imperial court's recruitment of Xiongnu. He was very anxious, fearing that he would brew. If it becomes a serious disaster, I will write a memorial and ask my ministers to forward it to Your Majesty."
After saying this, Zhong Yao took out the folded paper from his sleeve pocket, raised his hands to his eyebrows, lowered his head and waited.
Zhong Yao was speechless for a moment. Zhong Yao felt his eyes slowly moving away, and then His Majesty said: "Jian Shuo, bring it up."
The old man walked up to Zhong Yao calmly, took off the folded paper with both hands, and staggered to the front of the cave. Only his footsteps echoed in the huge palace.
The emperor took the folded paper and said with a smile: "Except for Chen Tingjian, no one in the Manchu Dynasty dares to use paper to write me a memorial. I heard that the bamboo and paper workshop he ran in the Imperial College is very prosperous, with more than half of the Even the imperial students have used it, so what do you call this bamboo paper? Dragon head paper. But to be honest, Cai Hou paper is really incomparable with his dragon head paper."
Zhong Yao replied: "Your Majesty, I also believe that writing and reading on paper is far easier than writing letters. If your Majesty promotes it, it will be beneficial to national affairs."
His Majesty did not continue this topic. He read the memorial in deep thought, then sat up, placed the memorial on the bed, and asked: "Chen Tingjian asked to be released as the prefect of Xihe, and he also hoped that I would transfer Colonel Dongping to Zhang Yi is the deputy governor of the expedition. Zhong Qing, since you have brought this memorial to me, please tell me, what do you think of Chen Tingjian's proposal?"
Zhong Yao raised his head and looked at the Emperor. Your Majesty was also examining his expression. He sat as calm as a mountain and said calmly: "Now that Duke Taiqiu is mourning, Chen Shangshu resigns and Ding You, and Chen Jijiu, regardless of the world's slander, generously invites him to be the governor of Xihe. He is not afraid of dangers and faces difficulties, and his loyalty to the public and the country is illustrious. I am a drinking friend of Chen Ji, and I know all the difficulties in Xihe, and I am worried about him."
His Majesty was silent for a moment, then continued to lie back on the bed, turning his back to Zhong Yao and said: "In that case, then agree to him."
Zhong Yao was overjoyed and bowed again: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
His Majesty waved his hands and sighed, and then said: "Don't be in a hurry to thank me. I won't transfer Liu Xuande's appointment for a while. Qingzhou is now full of thieves and the Dongping Army is fighting fires everywhere. He can't be left there for a while. After this year, the situation in Qingzhou will change." If things get a little better, I will use my discretion to mobilize the Dongping Army to join in."
Zhong Yao had nothing to say, but His Majesty the Emperor asked: "Zhong Qing, I did not follow Chen Tingjian's words and re-activated Huangfu Yizhen, but this time I agreed to Chen Tingjian's request. Do you know why?"
If Zhong Yao could still talk calmly about the topic before, now he suddenly felt the thunder and the scorching summer heat. Sweat broke out from his forehead. After a long time, he said: "That's naturally because Zuo Cha has been riding for half a year. Because of the traitor army, if you are not completely sure of national affairs, you must be careful..."
Unexpectedly, the emperor laughed lowly, and his laughter was more ghostly than that of Ye Xiao. His majesty turned around, pointed at Zhong Yao and said: "Okay, even you, the 'unlucky man', told lies." "Yes." His Majesty closed his eyelids and continued: "I know that when Huangfu Song was dismissed last time, hundreds of officials complained. If he was dismissed after half a year without success, 90% of the famous generals in the Han Dynasty would be without titles for life. But I have my Logically speaking, why not use Huangfu Song? It’s just because he has selfish motives, and I use Chen Tingjian just because he has absolutely no selfish motives.”
If these words spread, Huangfu Song's reputation for decades will be destroyed. Zhong Yao has always admired Huangfu Song and couldn't help but defend him: "Why did your Majesty say this? The traitor Yan Zhong used Kuai to pass him by. Zuo Cheqi proposed to Zuo Cheqi, but Zuo Cheqi refused with emotion, and then took up the post of Jizhou to pacify the people, exempting them from taxes and retiring from service. Then there was a song by the people saying: "The world is in chaos, the market is a ruin, the mother cannot protect her son, the wife has lost her husband, and I have to rely on the emperor." Live in peace again.' This shows that Zuo Chaqi is very loyal. Your Majesty must not be caught in the wind and have any rift with the ministers of the country!"
The emperor sighed: "Yuan Chang, although you are well-read in poetry and books, you are not as good as Chen Qing. I know everything you said. What I said about Huangfu Song's selfishness is not ambition. Since Huangfu Song pacified the moth thief, He lives in isolation, does not make friends with the ministers, nor does he make friends with the regular attendants. He studies military books all day long and cultivates his moral character. He has no ambitions, and I know it."
Zhong Yao asked doubtfully: "In that case, where does your Majesty's suspicion come from?"
The emperor opened his eyes, looked directly at Zhong Yao and said, "He loves himself too much and ponders me all day long, lest I inflict sin on him and make it difficult for him to die a good death!"
This sentence was like a thunderbolt piercing his spine, making Zhong Yao suddenly realize, and then he couldn't help but tremble slightly: With the emperor's mental skills reaching this level, who can say that your majesty is not extremely smart? It's just that if even half of these talents were used for national affairs, the country would not be where it is now...
His Majesty, however, kept to himself and continued: "Huangfu Song had been confronting the rebels for half a year, but he had not made any achievements. It is reasonable to put it on others, but he is Huangfu Song, the Zuo Chaqi who defeated the Yellow Turbans in the Three Prefectures in half a year! I can see it. He is afraid that he will make new achievements and put himself on the stove. In this case, he will inevitably return home and suffer several defeats."
"I will let him be dismissed from office for several years this time, and then I will ask him to perform meritorious service, and then he will do his best." At this point, His Majesty also sighed: "But looking at the entire court, there are people like him who have no ambitions. Not much." Then the emperor asked Zhong Yao again: "Zhong Qing, do you think I admire Chen Qing or hate Chen Qing?"
There was no reason for this question, and Zhong Yao could only answer: "Since your Majesty can reuse Ting Jian, he must be appreciated by many."
Upon hearing the answer, the emperor showed a strange smile that Zhong Yao had never seen before. When Zhong Yao recalled it again many years later, he described this smile as "spring plum blossoms melting into mist", and then his majesty said softly: "I want to kill him alive. "
