After Xiao Yu left with the appointment letter, it was almost noon, and only Yang Guang and Yang Gongren were left in the side hall of Jinyang Palace. Annoyed
Yang Guang and Yang Xiong were of the same generation. He was one generation older than Yang Gongren, but he was actually younger than Yang Gongren. Yang Guang knew that Yang Gongren was upright and generous, capable and loved the people like a son, so he transferred him from Zong Zhengqing to Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. He was given a higher and better platform, but Yang Gongren's concurrent position as deputy minister of the Department of Integrity had heavy responsibilities and numerous affairs, so he was unable to fulfill his duties as minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
"Gongren, can Yu Wenhua take on the heavy responsibility of the Department of Integrity?" Seeing Yang Gongren, Yang Guang couldn't help but think of Yang Wensi who was demoted from the Ministry of Civil Affairs to the Ministry of Civil Affairs; judging from Yang Wensi's ability and recent performance , there are problems when being the head of any of the four departments of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, let alone being a minister, this also makes Yang Guang prepare to put down Yang Gongren from the Integrity Department and return to the chief position. As long as Yang Gongren gets used to it and is familiar with it, he will Take over the post of Minister.
Yang Gongren shook his head and said: "Sage, Yu Wenhua and his greed for pleasure and money have not changed at all. If Brother Shi Wen and I hadn't kept a close eye on him, he would have fallen long ago. Especially if he is an adjutant, if he is If you take up the official post, the Department of Integrity will inevitably turn into a mess!"
Yang Guang also knew that Yu Wenhua was cruel and vicious. In the past, he relied on Yu Wenshu's power to act recklessly, did not follow the law, and developed a greedy and arrogant nature. This was exactly his intention to transfer him to the Integrity Department, because Integrity The company needs such ruthless people. When Yang Gongren said this, he gave up the idea of letting Yu Wenhuaji take over.
After pondering for a long time, Yang Guang changed the topic: "You also know what happened in Youzhou; the officialdom of our Sui Dynasty was seriously corrupt, and those unscrupulous officials who had good luck kept arresting and killing offenders. This time, if it weren't for King Wei If we severely punish lawbreakers, we are afraid that civil uprisings will break out in all the seven counties of Youzhou, so killing alone is not enough."
Although the corruption in Youzhou's officialdom was caused by Yang Guang's silent indulgence and indifference, the seriousness of the corruption was beyond imagination. What made him even more frightened was that Gao Jianwu said that Goguryeo's fine work had already spread throughout the counties of Youzhou. County, if there is a war between the two countries, and the Sui Dynasty does not discover the problems with Yicang, they will make the news public and let the angry people rise up to resist; and they will deceive people at this time , provoke civil unrest.
The confession of Gao Jianwu and the details of the more than 2,000 households that Goguryeo infiltrated into the country not only made Yang Guang feel creepy, frightened and grateful, but also allowed him to further understand Goguryeo's ambitions. Yang Guang's determination to annihilate Goguryeo became even more determined because of these events. Annoyed
However, Yang Guang felt that the most important thing now was internal. Only by solving the internal problems first could the Sui Dynasty embark on the road of great conquest with ease.
"Sage, I believe that whether it is the administration of officials in Youzhou or the regulation of the entire world, executions can only relieve temporary difficulties. The best way is to improve the laws and strengthen supervision!" Yang Gongren said.
"The late Emperor and King Wei and I also had the same consideration. We all believed that the Great Sui Dynasty had accumulated the evils of hundreds of years of troubled times. It could not be strong without reform, and it could not survive long without reform. When the reform had reached this stage, the Great Sui Dynasty and the royal family had nothing to lose. The road can be retreated, and we can only move forward with a heavy load, but cannot interrupt or retreat. However, King Wei said something very well. He said that the system makers have put all their efforts into it, and it is difficult to move forward; if you want to change and improve , bystanders are more suitable than formulators." Yang Guang pondered for a moment, and then asked Yang Gongren: "I remember you also stated the importance of reform and innovation. Do you have your own opinions and views on the current situation?"
Yang Gongren cupped his hands and said: "Sage, reform is the foundation for creating an eternity, but we must not do it too hastily. Moreover, judging from military reform, imperial examinations, military examinations, Yushi Santai and other matters, they are all successful reforms; restoring national studies, reforming Although matters such as the transformation of states into counties are not called reforms, they are actually reforms that change things for the better."
"As for the problem of official administration, it has been one of the biggest stubborn problems since ancient times. It cannot be changed overnight. However, our Sui Dynasty actually made drastic reforms in this aspect; for example, the establishment of the duties of the censor Santai and the inspection of the censor. The mutual supervision between the Shi team is a typical example."
Seeing that Yang Guang listened carefully and was not displeased, Yang Gongren continued: "I believe that the most important thing now is to consolidate the achieved results, rather than blindly seek bigness. If we formulate a huge package of plans and reforms in an empty way, let alone talk about what we have already achieved."
Those who benefited resisted and obstructed the plan. The lack of talent for change alone made it impossible to implement the big plan involving all aspects. "
Yang Guang nodded and said: "As Gongren said, internal war is different from external war after all. If the court wants to make a difference and maintain long-term stability, thunder and lightning are indispensable, but meticulous craftsmanship is even more important!"
"The saint is wise!" Hearing this, Yang Gongren was completely relieved.
After this conversation, Yang Guang felt that Yang Gongren was a man of little talent in the Department of Integrity. He thought that there would be no good candidates to take over for a while, so he simply said: "My original intention of establishing the Department of Integrity was to win over a large number of people." Honorable officers, civil and military casual officials and other empty positions; since its establishment, you have taken down 10,000 to 20,000 problematic and redundant officials. However, although the Integrity Department has achieved brilliant results, it has also been rendered as a pronoun of hell by those groups whose interests have been harmed. The people have no He has the ability to distinguish right from wrong and believes the rumors to be true, believing that the Integrity Department is a yamen that kills innocent people indiscriminately.
"From a mission perspective, the Department of Integrity has been completed. However, it is very difficult to achieve significant results. I have decided to close it so that you can return to your duties. What do you think?"
After hearing this, Yang Gongren couldn't help being stunned. He was asked to take over Xiao Yu's position just now. How come it was closed in the blink of an eye? However, when he thought about it again, he also felt that it was difficult for the Integrity Department to achieve great results. Coupled with the gradual improvement of Yushi Santai and the strengthening of supervision, there was indeed no need to exist. But he had his own ideas, so he cupped his hands and said, "Sage, I thought the Department of Integrity was sealed, but it cannot be closed!"
"Oh? But why?" Yang Guang looked at Yang Gongren and asked with some confusion.
"There are many misunderstandings about the Integrity Department among the people. If the Saint closed it down, those people whose interests were harmed would definitely say that the Saint closed down the Hell-like Department of Integrity under their strong opposition. However, they gained a good reputation and gained It has won the goodwill of the people. However, it has confirmed the reputation of the Integrity Department as a hell on earth and the reputation of a saint as a criminal on earth." After Yang Gongren stated his reasons and opinions, he handed over his hands and said: "In view of this, I, sir I think it is enough to slowly downplay the existence of the Department of Integrity, and there is no need to close it. Moreover, its existence can also intimidate the central government and local officials with its previous reputation."
These words shocked Yang Guang. Because he had too many things to do, he did not think carefully enough when considering the problem. At this moment, Yang Gongren woke up and immediately knew that it was 100% going to happen. He nodded slowly and said, "If it weren't for Gongren, I almost made a mistake when I woke up the dreamer with just one word. So let’s do it this way."
After a pause, Yang Guang suddenly said with interest: "In the process of fighting against corrupt officials, the officials of the Department of Integrity not only faced temptations from corrupt officials, but also faced threats to their lives, but they were all indifferent; It’s not an exaggeration to say that they are firm, upright, and both wise and courageous. Now that there are a lot of vacancies in Youzhou, aren’t they the best officials? What do you think?”
"Saints are wise!" Yang Gongren was silent for a moment and then suggested with his hands raised: "Sages, they are all people who studied law. They are more suitable to continue to engage in law and govern officials than to deal with government affairs and local governance. What is lacking in government at all levels is In fact, they are also the kind of talents who focus on a certain field, rather than those who govern local areas and are knowledgeable but not specialized."
"That's right!" Yang Guangshen nodded in agreement. Although some of the current reserve officials and scholars in the Sui Dynasty are involved in the law, most of them focus on local governance. In addition, engaging in legal duties will offend others. If things go wrong, They will also end up with their families ruined, so there are very few people who are proficient in and focused on the disciplines.
Although the Imperial Academy has always had discipline studies, most of the former students were children of aristocratic families, or "disciples from poor families" recommended by aristocratic families. Each of them was not self-righteous and had to obey no matter what they did. It is the order of the family and the head of the family, so getting these people to enforce the law impartially and impartially is as difficult as climbing to the sky.
As for Liangzhou University, it was several years earlier than the county schools, county schools, and state universities that were established after the resumption of school. The students were also students from poor families in Liangzhou, but there were still very few talents who focused on law. Now even Liangzhou itself doesn’t have enough, how can it support other states and counties?
But what is more gratifying is that the poor students seem to realize that the Sui Dynasty lacks
Talents in this area, so more and more people have chosen law studies in recent years, but before they become talents, Yang Guang's talent reserve in this area is far from insufficient. These officials in the Department of Integrity are all talented people who are proficient in and focused on legal studies. They are undoubtedly the most urgently needed talents for Yang Guang at present. If they are allowed to manage and govern local areas, it will be a waste of "professional" talents. It’s just that he misemployed people!
Thinking of this, Yang Guang ordered Yang Gongren again: "When you go down, immediately list all the outstanding personnel of the Department of Integrity and hand them over to me directly."
"I obey!" Yang Gongren saw that Yang Guang had nothing else to give him, so he left.
After Yang Gongren left, Yang Guang stood in front of the window with his hands behind his hands, looking at the blue sky outside, and took a deep breath of fresh air.
Time seems to have passed a bit fast. In the blink of an eye, it has been the summer of the third year of Daye. In the time since he ascended the throne, he seems to have done a lot of things and solved many stubborn problems. However, the subsequent events and stubborn problems have not diminished. , but it has become more and more numerous.
Fortunately, he is only thirty-nine years old this year and still has a lot of time to govern the world.
Just when Yang Guang was about to compose a poem, lamenting that time is fleeting and should be cherished, a chamberlain entered the palace and saluted Yang Guang and said: "Sage, the King of Shu asks for an audience!"
Yang Guang looked back and saw that Yang Xiu had walked in with a livid face. He waved the servant back and asked Yang Xiu, who looked extremely ugly, "What's wrong with you?"
"Isn't it a council meeting?" Yang Xiu was famous for his majestic appearance, courage, and martial arts. He was not a good-tempered person. When he was captured by Yang Jian and brought back to the capital, Yang Jian ordered Yang Su and Su Wei, Niu Hong, Zhao Chuo and others interrogated him. When they questioned him about his crimes of extravagance, pursuit of pleasure, violation of the system, and exceeding the standards, he confessed without saying a word, and then said that he planned to rebel and separatize Yizhou. Self-reliance, if you have the ability, just kill me. Annoyed
This move left everyone stunned. When he faced Yang Jian again, he still said the same thing. Yang Jian was so angry that he ordered Yang Xiu and his son to be pushed to the market and beheaded in public. However, he just said nonsense and continued to anger Yang Jian. If Yang Guang, who was the prince at the time, and all the kings hadn't interceded on his behalf, Yang Xiu's family would have been killed long ago. 【historical facts】
"Sit down and talk!" Yang Guang also understood his brother's temper. He knew that although he had restrained himself a lot now, he would still lose his temper at critical moments.
"Yes!" Yang Xiu sat down.
"What happened?" Yang Guang personally poured a cup of herbal tea for Yang Ji and asked with a smile, "Is it possible that the council cannot reach a consensus on the issue of officials in Youzhou?"
"This question is easy to discuss. Niu Shangshu has already gone down to draft the list. As soon as the list comes out, the meeting hall can make a decision." Yang Xiu drank the tea in one gulp, put down the cup and said, "Gao Xiang believes that the problem with Youzhou Yicang is caused by central supervision. Due to inefficiency, he believed that such problems existed in charity warehouses all over the world. When he proposed that the Yushitai and the Integrity Department jointly investigate the charity warehouses all over the world, Su Wei, Li Ziquan, Changsun Chi, Yang Xuangan, Li Yuantong, Yu Wenkai, and Yang Wensi, He even threatened to resign."
"What did you say?" Yang Guang was stunned for a moment, his smile froze on his face, and he looked at Yang Xiu in disbelief.
"Prime Minister Gao just raised the issue of "thorough investigation of the free warehouses in the world", and three prime ministers and three ministers wanted to resign. "Yang Xiu repeated it, and then said angrily: "What does this mean? It means that they have a problem and cannot withstand investigation, so they protested in this way."
"In your opinion, who are the main opponents?" Yang Guang also felt an indescribable anger in his heart. If they had dared to be so arrogant during the late emperor's time, they would have been finished long ago. Could it be that my tolerance actually earned them disrespect and contempt?
After a long time, Yang Guang finally restrained the anger in his heart and forced himself to calm down. He also knew that there was a difference in priority. Although some of the officials from the factions also had problems, there were not many. When they saw the main ones taking the initiative, , so in order to protect his own faction, he also added fuel to the flames. If we work together to form a general trend that makes the emperor have to compromise, everyone's goal can be achieved.
"Li Ziquan opened
head of! After Yang Xiu reported his name, he said: "I can tell that the Yicang grain is mainly concentrated in Jizhou, and many officials in Jizhou are children and disciples of the Shandong gentry. As the representative of the Shandong gentry, Li Ziquan is afraid that the Vajra slaves will be in Youzhou." The severe punishment methods adopted by the state affected Jizhou and endangered the Shandong gentry officials, so he was the first to resign in protest."
"Then there is Li Yuantong. He is a descendant of the Li family in Longxi. He shares the same nostrils with the Shandong gentry, and their power is mainly concentrated in Yizhou and northern Liangzhou. Among them, Hanzhong is very important for food. I am in charge of Yizhou and Liangzhou. During the Liang Erzhou period, they seemed to have resold the grain from the free warehouse to Tuyuhun, but I was far away in Chengdu and couldn't find any evidence."
Hearing this, Yang Guang also felt that things were a little tricky.
Jizhou and Youzhou are the places where the Shandong gentry are concentrated. They have been the sphere of influence of the Shandong gentry since ancient times. In the past, because they did not completely control the land of Hebei and the Shandong gentry were unwilling to be reduced to "supporting roles" in the court, Yang Liang rebelled. , the counties and counties controlled by the Shandong gentry took advantage of the trend.
Later, Yang Guang asked Yang Lun, Liu Quan and others to promote the Liangzhou New Deal in Jizhou, but they were unable to break the situation. The reason was also that the Shandong gentry hindered them. This resignation incident was actually Li Ziquan's threat to himself on behalf of the Shandong gentry and not allowed to clean up Jizhou's officialdom. Annoyed
Although he could kill Li Ziquan and clean up Jizhou's officialdom, one move would affect the whole body. After Yang Ji killed a large number of officials in Youzhou, he not only disturbed the officialdom of the two states in Hebei, but also aroused the vigilance of other factions. The whole world is in chaos. If he does it by force, it will affect the grand strategy of attracting the Shandong gentry, the southern gentry, and the Hedong gentry to restrain the Guanlong nobles.
