On the third day after Qian and Liu bid farewell to Kaifeng and headed south, they visited their old place, Songgong Pavilion, in the southern suburbs of Kaifeng. It's another farewell, another lonely autumn, another important official leaving the capital. The protagonist this time is, no surprise, another influential figure in the political arena of the Han Dynasty, Fan Zhi, a minister who is famous in the Han Dynasty.
Regarding Fan Zhi's resignation, there were early signs and it was caused by many factors. His personality was one of them, his behavior that often angered the emperor was also one, and his gradual conflict with the emperor's philosophy of governing the country was also one. Of course, the most important thing is Liu Chengyou's consideration of the adjustment of the Han Dynasty over the past ten years.
From before and after Liu Chengyou succeeded to the throne, Fan Zhi was valued by him and promoted repeatedly. When Liu Chengyou ascended the throne as emperor, he became a minister of Conglong. In a short period of time, he was granted the title of marquis and prime minister, and became the founding minister of Balance. A representative of the imperial party.
However, after more than ten years as a minister, Liu Chengyou felt that he had been working for too long. Especially with his experience as Prime Minister in the past three years, Liu Chengyou believed that Fan Zhi could be a prime minister, but he was not suitable to be a prime minister because his character and style of work were far from being able to cooperate with colleagues and work hard.
In general, Fan Zhi's personal qualities are up to standard and his personal ethics are intact. With Liu Chengyou's current power, Fan Zhi is the only one in the government and the public who truly dares to go against his will and always adhere to his personal integrity.
Fan Zhi also has the ability to do things, and it is good, but he lacks some tolerance. No matter how he behaves or does things, he becomes increasingly conservative as he grows older. It's not that being conservative is bad, it's just that Liu Chengyou at this stage doesn't like it.
Therefore, Fan Zhi was dismissed. At the same time, among the prime ministers who have been dismissed in recent years, only Fan Zhi has resigned normally. The political struggle is not so fierce and there is a little more humaneness.
From the beginning to the end, Liu Chengyou just released some commutation signals, which Fan Zhi received, and then took the initiative to resign. Unlike his predecessor Li Tao, who was almost forced to resign. From this aspect, Fan Zhi is not completely stubborn, unaware of interests, and does not know how to adapt. Maybe it's just because he is responsible for his duties, plans his policies, and takes his responsibilities, that's all.
In front of the Songgong Pavilion, there were still quite a few people who came to see Fan Zhi off. The six ministries, nine ministers, and various government offices came either in person or sent representatives, plus some relatives and friends, which made it a bit lively, diluting some of the sadness of parting. .
During the years when Fan Zhi served as prime minister, he did not form any large-scale political parties. He had few comrades and the political power with him as the core was not strong overall. This also means that during the period of governance, it is inevitable that there will be negligence and delay in carrying out his will. Whenever it happens, there is a dispute, and the result is often that Fan Zhi suppresses it. With his character, he offends many people.
There are many Fan Zhi officials who are jealous of their superiors and subordinates due to various reasons such as damage to their interests, obstacles to promotion, or personal conflicts. However, now that Fan Zhi has resigned, the past grievances seem to have dissipated overnight, and more people have begun to review his achievements and praise his character...
Fan Zhi's resignation as prime minister did not fail to alleviate the conflicts in the court and calm the grievances of the courtiers. Of course, the final result is the further strengthening of imperial power. After Fan Zhi resigns, look at who else in the court dares to stand up to the emperor. Rationally speaking, this is not necessarily a good thing for the empire.
The place Liu Chengyou arranged for Fan Zhi was to serve as chief envoy to Huaixi. However, what was different from ordinary chief envoys was that he had Tongping regulations added, and he was called envoy. However, this envoy is essentially different from the previous Jiedu Tongping Zhangshi.
As for Liu Wensou, the former chief envoy of Huaixi Dao, his performance there was not very satisfactory to Liu Chengyou. Facts have proved that a moral gentleman has a perfect character, but when it comes to governing affairs, how can he not run into problems if he simply relies on education and morality to restrain officials and people.
Letting Fan Zhi go to Huaixi is also to use Fan Zhi to clean up the officialdom in Huaixi and change the atmosphere. At any time, on Liu Chengyou's side, governing practice is more important than governing morality, and law is more important than morality.
As for Liu Wensou, he was recalled to the capital to teach in the Imperial College. Perhaps educating people would be more suitable for him.
Fan Zhi is also familiar with Song Gong Pavilion. Over the years, he has sent many people away again. But now, it's his turn. However, even when he was taking up his post as prime minister, Fan Zhi still didn't show much emotion or enthusiasm when facing all the officials sending him off. He kept his old-fashioned expression and said solemnly: "Thank you all for sending me off, for this friendship. I would like to thank you here. However, you have many important positions and you have stepped away from your duties for me, an old man. However, you are suspected of leaving your post without authorization, which is easy to be false. Please return it as soon as possible!"
Seeing this, the bureaucrats, who were also a little bored, returned the favor, made some polite remarks, and went back one after another. Later, Fan Zhi scolded his relatives back, scolding him, and warned that although he was not in Tokyo, anyone who dared to use his name to act recklessly would not be spared.
It is indeed not easy to be a relative or friend of a minister like Fan Zhi. Not only are there few benefits, but they are also subject to stricter restrictions. His strict family management is well-known in both the government and the public. Of course, this is not to say that Fan Zhi's relatives and friends have a hard life. They are all close to the powerful class, but compared to others, their privileges are extremely restricted.
Fan Zhi could persuade officials to leave and scold relatives, but he could not drive away Xue Juzheng. Among the officials who came to see Fan Zhi off, Xue Juzheng was the most powerful and had the highest status.
Looking at his still serious face, I couldn't help but say: "Wen Su is still too strict with his colleagues and family!"
"After so many years, I can't change my temper!" Fan Zhi showed a rare smile and laughed at himself: "They say that I, Fan, have a bad relationship, and there are not many people who send me off today!"
Fan Zhi's mental state seemed to be very good, and Xue Juzheng also seemed relatively calm, without any signs of distress. Standing together in the pavilion, admiring the poems, Xue Juzheng said: "When Li Gong left Beijing, he once wrote a poem. Now that the text is here, why don't you recite one or two?"
Hearing this, Fan Zhi's face was calm, and he waved his hand and said: "I can walk calmly this time, and there is no need to put my feelings on this. Instead of worrying about it, why not drink the same wine together?"
"I'm here to accompany you!" Xue Juzheng's elegant face also showed a smile.
Under the service of the boy servants, the two drank and talked freely. The matters discussed could not escape the court affairs and government affairs. This was almost integrated into their bones.
However, during the conversation, Fan Zhi's eyes glanced at Guandao from time to time, implying a little expectation. He looks calm, but his mind can't really be as calm as water.
However, for nearly two moments, the people traveling on the road were still ordinary people. Finally, Fan Zhi stood up and raised his hands to Xue Juzheng: "I've finished drinking and it's time for me to set off. Brother Ziping, let me say goodbye now!"
"Cherish it!" Xue Juzheng returned the greeting.
Sighing slightly in his heart, he suddenly turned around, and a group of Qingqi came at a leisurely pace. Among the guards was a young man dressed in purple silk. When they saw the visitor, they were both surprised. They hurried out of the pavilion and bowed to greet him. The person who came was none other than Prince Liu Yang.
"I came late, don't be surprised by Mr. Fan!" Liu Yang calmed down his breath, with a respectful smile on his little face that was already somewhat majestic. Liu Yang's arrival was naturally a gift on behalf of the emperor.
"Why bother His Highness the Crown Prince to come here?" Although he was happy in his heart, Fan Zhi's face remained calm and he responded modestly.
...
"You also want to resign?" In the Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Liu Chengyou sounded a little surprised.
If Fan Zhi's resignation was under his control, then he was really surprised when faced with Xue Juzheng's resignation. The surprise was something Liu Chengyou didn't like. Looking at Xue Juzheng standing in front of the emperor, Liu Chengyou's first reaction was to doubt his intentions. The third envoy, Xue Juzheng, was not within the scope of his personnel adjustments in the court this time.
Facing the emperor's somewhat piercing gaze, Xue Juzheng had a calm face, put his hands on his chest, and responded calmly: "Your Majesty, I have earned your Majesty's trust, and I have been assigned to three departments to manage finances for more than eight years. The affairs of the three ministers have always been complicated. Although I dare not say that I have devoted all my efforts, I am sincere and frightened. Considering the ability of the minister, I can only do it reluctantly. Now that I am getting older, I feel more and more unable to do what I want. In order to avoid delaying the state affairs, please make another choice. A worthy man fills the role!"
Liu Chengyou only regarded Xue Juzheng's words as an excuse and stared at him for a while, with various thoughts flashing in his mind. After a long time, when the pressure on Xue Juzheng was increasing, he finally spoke: "If Xue Qing feels that the affairs of the Third Division are heavy, he can just say so. I can share the burden with others, so why should I resign?"
In fact, I have always been very satisfied with Xue Juzheng's financial management. If he didn't do it well, he wouldn't be able to keep it for eight years.
"It is true that my energy and ability are no longer adequate for my responsibilities. I hope your majesty will do it!" Xue Juzheng said.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou smiled, his eyes seemed to become a bit colder, and said: "In this case, I won't force Mr. Xue. If you want to abandon me, I can't force you to stay!"
"Your Majesty is serious!" Xue Juzheng's face changed slightly as he felt the unkindness in Liu Chengyou's tone. Xue Juzheng hurriedly said: "Although I have gone to the Third Division, I hope to find another position with Your Majesty!"
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou's expression finally softened, and he became interested and asked: "Oh? What position can make you give up the important positions in the three departments?"
"Compiled by the third library!" ..."
Hearing his thoughts, most of the displeasure in Liu Chengyou's eyes finally dissipated. After thinking for a while, he said: "I always like to read history. It is a good thing for you to have this ambition. However, how can a mere editor be worthy of you?" He is a bachelor of Jixian Palace and supervises the compilation of national history. As for the editor, he is a literary talent from the three halls and a bachelor of Hanlin. You can call him!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xue Juzheng thanked him quickly.
"However, if you resign, who can succeed the third division?" Liu Chengyou stared at Xue Juzheng again and inquired: "You have the most say in this matter. You should recommend some talents to me!"
Xue Juzheng originally wanted to avoid the taboo, but after noticing the look in his eyes, he thought seriously for a while and said: "Yan Jinqing, the capital transport envoy, Zhang Mei, the Sichuan-Sichuan water and land transport envoy, and Red Xiang, the salt and iron transport envoy, are all You have the talent to take charge!”
"Well, I will consider it..."
The successive resignations of Fan Zhi and Xue Juzheng were like a thunder to the Han Dynasty. What followed was a series of personnel changes, involving military and political affairs, from top to bottom, from the central to the local governments. In the second half of the 12th year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, Liu Chengyou's main energy was placed on the adjustment of internal and external bureaucracy. .
The person who succeeded Fan Zhi as prime minister was Wei Renpu. After he took charge of the state affairs, his post as prince's tutor was taken away, and Liu Chengyou named Xue Juzheng as the prince's guest.
Murong Yanzhao was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of War and Tongping Zhangshi, and officially became a general and prime minister; Tao Gu worked hard for many years, serving as the Minister of Rites and Tongping Zhangshi, and finally became the prime minister; Murong Yanchao, the king of Changli County, became the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment and Tongping Zhangshi ; The other thing is that the newly appointed envoy of the Third Division, Yan Jinqing, is Tongping Zhangshi.
