In the mansion of Prime Minister Zhang Jingbang.
A soft sedan quietly stopped at the side door. Officials in casual clothes got out of the sedan and carefully looked around. After feeling that no one was paying attention to them, they tiptoed into the side entrance of the mansion.
Zhang Jingbang had been waiting in the mansion for a long time. When he saw this person, he hurried over to greet him: "Wang Shangshu! Please come quickly."
The two of them took their seats, and the servant served tea.
This Wang Shangshu looks very old, more than fifty years old, with horizontal wrinkles on his face and sparse beard. His face, which was originally a bitter look, now looks more and more sad.
"Zhang Xiang! What can I do? What can I do?"
Wang Shangshu was like an ant on a hot pot, at a loss.
The full name of this Wang Shangshu is Wang Shiyong. He is the official minister of the dynasty and is considered a powerful figure in the court.
Zhang Jingbang was another prime minister besides Tang Qin.
However, the two prime ministers of Qi Huizong were one who was in charge of war and the other who was in charge of peace. In Qi Yingzong's dynasty, both prime ministers advocated peace.
Originally, Qi Yingzong gave the two prime ministers the task of one being responsible for the outside and the other for the inside. Tang Qin was mainly responsible for suing for peace and making agreements with the Jin people, while Zhang Jingbang was mainly responsible for suppressing the people internally and plundering people's wealth to satisfy various unreasonable demands of the Jin people.
In this process, Wang Shiyong, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was the most diligent. Any pretty women he saw on the street were kidnapped and sent to the Jin camp.
Later, because most of the beautiful women in the city had been caught, he put the already disheveled and sick women in disguise, painted them with makeup, and sent them to the Jin camp by carloads.
Such an operation also caused dissatisfaction in the city and made the people miserable. He was called "Grandpa Jin".
In real history, Wang Shiyong's destructive power to the entire capital was unparalleled, because compared with other officials, he not only had no bottom line, but also had quite a lot of means, and he was particularly quick in getting things done for the Jin people.
Later, when the Jin people planned to abolish the Qi Dynasty royal family, they also created the "Five Protection Law", which ordered the five families in Fangxiang to protect them. If anyone was found to be harboring the Qi Dynasty royal family, they would be jointly and severally punished.
In this way, he looted all the Qi Dynasty royal family in the entire capital city and sent them to Jinying.
It’s just that in this slice of history, we haven’t reached that point yet.
Although Qi Yingzong had entered the Jin camp and had conducted a search of the city under the instructions of the Jin people, the Qi royal family including Qi Huizong was still there, and the number of women and property that had been kidnapped was not very large.
After His Highness King Yun led the Western Army back to the capital, the Jin people had already withdrawn their troops to Moutuogang. The matter of abolishing the Qi royal family and replacing Zhang Jingbang to establish a puppet regime, which was originally on the agenda, was naturally put on hold for the time being. .
But for people like Zhang Jingbang and Wang Shiyong, this is not necessarily a good thing.
…
Wang Shiyong took a sip of tea and said with some panic: "Yesterday, the officials summoned me."
Zhang Jingbang couldn't help but look stern: "Did the officials accuse you of robbing women for the Jin people?"
He was also a little nervous. After all, although the executor of this matter was Wang Shiyong, when it was investigated higher up, he, the prime minister, was the culprit.
Tang Qin, another prime minister of the Zonghe faction, had been killed on the spot by the new official in the court. At that time, Zhang Jingbang's body was splattered with blood, and he was so frightened that he almost fainted on the spot.
After that, although the new official did not go on a killing spree, ministers like Zhang Jingbang and the peace faction were already in danger.
Wang Shiyong smiled bitterly: "No!
"The officials didn't ask about me raiding women for the Jin people at all. Instead, they just chatted with me about family matters."
Zhang Jingbang was a little surprised: "So, this official is still sensible?
"At this time, the Jin people are still approaching the city. This new official has just ascended the throne. The court is in turmoil. He still needs us old ministers to stabilize the situation for him.
"So, he doesn't plan to hold us accountable for plundering money and women in the city for the Jin?"
Wang Shiyong's face was still ugly: "This... I don't know about this.
"But what makes me feel horrified is that although the official told me some family matters,... they all talked about private matters!
"He, he even knows exactly how many bowls of rice and dishes I had for lunch yesterday!"
Zhang Jingbang's expression suddenly changed: "What?!"
At this time, the powerful prime minister could no longer sit still. He stood up and walked around a few times, with an increasingly anxious expression on his face.
"Is it...Wude Si?
"The official is not trying to make things up with you, this is clearly a threat!"
Wang Shiyong nodded: "Yes, the officials said a few days ago that they would rectify the Wude Division and put some people from the Western Army in.
"At that time, everyone thought that the officials just wanted to use Wu Desi to stabilize public security in the city and handle some things that were inconvenient for the Western Army to handle directly.
"But now it seems that the officials only use Wu Desi to maintain law and order? This is obviously... that is... to monitor us all!"
Zhang Jingbang's face turned pale: "Once the emperor and his ministers... I'm afraid we will never have a good life in the future..."
The prosperity of officials such as Zhang Jingbang and Tang Qin is inseparable from Qi Yingzong's accession to the throne.
During the reign of Qi Huizong, senior officials including Tong Daofu, except Li Boxi, were called "six thieves", and the people angrily petitioned to have them killed.
Soon after Qi Yingzong came to power, these six people were indeed exiled and sentenced to death. Even if these people were in power during Qi Huizong's reign, it was inevitable that they would lose their temper at this time.
Even Tong Daosuke cannot be exempted from guilt by his past achievements.
The reason is that Qi Yingzong did not necessarily want to rectify the imperial court or the grievances of the common people, but just used this as a reason to get rid of Qi Huizong's old officials in the court to make himself more powerful.
After getting rid of these people, Qi Yingzong promoted Zhang Jingbang, Tang Qin and other officials. If he had been in power longer and not been detained in the Jin camp so quickly, maybe Qin Huizhi would have been put to good use by him.
Originally, if these old ministers had been under Qi Yingzong, they would have been able to happily bring disaster to the country and the people, but the arrival of the Jin people instantly shattered their dreams.
Therefore, following the example, these people will naturally follow Qi Yingzong's wishes and desperately search for the people in the city.
Of course, it’s hard to say how much of this is just to cater to the superior’s wishes, and how much of it is due to sheer softness.
After all, when the Jin left, he wanted to make Zhang Jingbang the false emperor, and Wang Shiyong became one of his generals, with no bottom line. No matter how you look at it, it is unrealistic for these two people to throw all the blame on Qi Yingzong.
But at this time, King Yun ascended the throne.
These two old ministers from Qi Yingzong's time were naturally in panic all day long.
Because they were very afraid that they would be liquidated by the new king like Tong Daofu and other old ministers of Qi Huizong's dynasty.
Resignation from office is a trivial matter, but if it is exile or execution, then everything is over.
"Xiang Zhang, what should we do now?" Wang Shiyong spread his hands, "Is it possible that we can only sit back and wait for death at this time?"
Zhang Jingbang thought for a long time, and then said: "It is naturally impossible to sit still and wait for death!
"The only way at this time...should be to form one with all the ministers in the court and advance together and retreat together."
Wang Shiyong blinked: "Become one, advance and retreat together?"
Zhang Jingbang nodded: "Yes! Advance together and retreat together!"
"At this time, the official has just ascended the throne. Although he is unknown, he has the Western Army in his hands. If we, the ministers, fight alone, there is no way we can be his opponents.
"Just like Tang Xiang, so what if he killed him in front of the court?
"Afterwards, the officials just want to make up some random accusations, and no one dares to pursue the matter.
"Just like this, the officials are using Wu Desi to monitor your every move, and it is too easy to find some evidence of guilt from you.
"In other words, when the officials talk to you about everyday things, they are actually threatening you, letting you know that your every move is under his surveillance! Then the officials can do whatever they want with you!
"If you dare to be disobedient in any way, Tang Qin will be punished!"
Wang Shiyong's face turned pale: "But Prime Minister Zhang, why can we be safe by advancing together and retreating together?"
Zhang Jingbang said: "Although the situation at this time is very unfavorable for us, there is one good thing, and that is that the late emperor has squeezed out all the old party ministers!
"You think, if Li Boxi was here, the officials would be enough to kill us all just by lifting Li Boxi up.
"But those ministers headed by Li Boxi have all been reprimanded by the late emperor. At this time, all the people in the court are from my family. If we say that we are working for the late emperor and plundering for the Jin people, you and I have no idea. Who can escape the relationship?
“If the official family is liquidated, it will be a situation where everyone is in danger and everything hurts others.
"So, only if we all unite and advance together and retreat together can we make the officials retreat. At least until the Jin people retreat, we will be safe."
Wang Shiyong's face improved a little, and he suddenly said: "Xiang Zhang is right! Although the officials hold the Western Army in their hands, we still need people like us to deal with political affairs.
"If we don't cooperate with him, even if the officials want to change people, they can't do it in a hurry.
“In addition, the threat from the Jin people is still there, so the officials can only compromise with us temporarily.
"But... what if the Jin people retreat?"
Zhang Jingbang has already thought about it: "First of all, the officials may not be able to defeat the Jin people. Although the Western Army's combat power is strong, what was the result when Zhong Pingyuan went to Beijing and King Qin? As for the siege of Taiyuan, that was also The officials unexpectedly led the Western Army to support, and the Jin talents were defeated. Otherwise, Zhong Pingyuan would not have escaped death.
"At this time, the Jin army is at its peak, and the two armies are gathered together. If the Guan family is defeated, then we will be of great use in suing for peace for the Guan family. Naturally, we will still be reused; if the Guan family is There are victories and defeats, and the two sides are in a stalemate. It is difficult to move us, and we still need to maintain the court and handle political affairs for him.
"Even in the worst-case scenario, if the Guan family really wins and the Jin people really retreat...
"That will also take a lot of time. As long as this period of time passes, the officials will no longer be able to use old accounts to punish us. By then, even if we use other reasons to judge the crime, the crime will be reduced by one level, and the family will not be killed. Destroy."
Wang Shiyong suddenly nodded: "What Mr. Zhang said makes sense!"
After this analysis, Wang Shiyong also understood that the only way at this time was to unite all officials and find a way to make the new officials' decrees ineffective, thereby showing his own power and forcing the new officials to cooperate with him. !
If these officials are still in disarray, then the new official can kill whoever he wants.
With Wu Desi here, he could be imprisoned for any crime, and a single official would not be able to resist.
But what if all officials could advance and retreat together as much as possible? So even if the officials kill one or two officials, they can't change the status quo. It's still the decree that won't do it.
On the contrary, the more people were killed, the more chaotic the court became, and the officials naturally retreated.
In this way, facing the threat of the Jin people, the official family must first stabilize the internal situation and be more or less forgiving of their old officials.
Therefore, what officials like Zhang Jingbang and Wang Shiyong were thinking about at this time was not to seek death or to confront the emperor, but just to take the last road to protect themselves.
As for whether it is possible to allow all officials to advance and retreat together?
Although it is very difficult, it is still possible.
Because at this time, who among the officials in the DPRK didn’t have some dark history?
As an official under Qi Yingzong, he had done more or less things for the Jin people, either plundering money, kidnapping women, suppressing civil unrest, or going to the Jin camp to seek peace...
When we look into it, no one’s butt is clean.
Moreover, this dynasty has a tradition not to kill scholar-bureaucrats. But this new official didn't care at all. Not only did he directly kill Tang Qin, the prime minister of the dynasty, but he also used the Wu Desi to monitor hundreds of officials, and even vaguely promoted the status of military officials to be on an equal footing with these civil servants, and even Plan to make things worse.
Is this okay?
If these military men are allowed to take the lead, will the official family have to reduce official salaries, eliminate redundant staff, cancel favors, and reform the imperial examination?
In fact, the new official seems to have already begun to cancel the official's favor, which is a very bad sign.
Although these scholars and doctors have no special talents, none of them are stupid.
They are all smart and can see the situation clearly.
This series of actions of the new official family at this time were obviously intended to attack their entire group. And if we don't resist at this time, are we going to give up these interests and the good policy of the Qi Dynasty that has used civility to suppress military force since ancient times?
Therefore, although Zhang Jingbang's method is a temporary measure, it will definitely be effective.
After all, in their opinion, there are only so many ministers in the court. Li Boxi and others have been squeezed out. Nowadays, it is difficult for officials to recruit and suppress a group of people.
And even if we reform the imperial examination and find ways to promote some new officials from civilians, it will always take some time and cannot be accomplished overnight.
And this window period is the best time for them to perform.
If we don’t fight now, when will we wait?
Do you really have to wait until the new official beats away the Jin people and puts the butcher's knife on their necks before you think of regrets?
Wang Shiyong gritted his teeth: "Okay, Prime Minister, I'll do it right away! I just don't know if I can hide it from Wude Si's eyes and ears."
Zhang Jingbang said: "Be as low-key as possible and hide it if you can, but there is nothing you can do if you can't. The officials will know about this matter sooner or later, but to us, this is a conspiracy.
"We bet that the officials will not be able to manage the court without us. As long as this remains unchanged, no matter whether the officials find out sooner or later, we will be able to endure this situation!"
Wang Shiyong deeply agreed. After saluting, he left Zhang Jingbang's residence, got into the sedan chair again, and went to visit other ministers.
…
Fan Cun was not surprised when he looked at Wude Si's latest report.
Because these things were all expected by Sheng Taizu.
"This Zhang Jingbang really won't die until he reaches the Yellow River." Fan Cun said with emotion.
Taizu Sheng snorted coldly: "He is also at his wits' end and has nothing to do!
"He knew very well that he would inevitably die sooner or later, and his desperate struggle at this time was just to fight for a way out for himself.
"If he were an ordinary emperor with no means, he would really be killed by this move and become a dead move."
Fan Cun nodded, because he had seen this scene before.
In the last trial illusion, the emperor who presided over Wang Wenchuan's reform actually faced such a situation.
Although not as intense, the meaning is similar.
The reason why Wen Junshi was able to silence the emperor with the sentence "In order to share the world with the scholar-bureaucrats, you must be promoted by others" was because the emperor found that he could not handle political affairs independently from these scholar-bureaucrats.
He first wanted to rely on Wang Wenchuan, but Wang Wenchuan could not control the grassroots officials well, which led to widespread resentment among the people during the implementation of the new law; and because the emperor had different opinions from Wang Wenchuan, he felt that his imperial power was weakened by the power of the prime minister. So I want to take back some power.
But at the end of the struggle, the emperor found that even if he took back some power, many decrees still could not be implemented.
After all this trouble, the emperor naturally became frustrated.
The relationship between the emperor and his ministers was very complicated.
Although the Qi Dynasty was also a centralized government and the emperor had absolute initiative, just like the two living treasure emperors Qi Huizong and Qi Yingzong who could forcefully destroy the entire dynasty, the emperor was not omnipotent.
When the emperor faced individual officials, he could use too many methods.
But if the emperor offends the interests of the entire group of bureaucrats and scholar-officials, then these officials can also use non-violent non-cooperation to prevent the emperor from accomplishing anything.
Wen Junshi is a typical representative. After enduring it for so many years, Qi Dynasty finally returned to the old path of the ancestral method.
Now, Zhang Jingbang obviously does not have Wen Junshi's ability, skills and goals, nor does he have any ambition to stand up to the emperor.
He is a flattering and cowardly person by nature, otherwise he would not be a dog to Qi Yingzong and the Jin people.
It's just that the rabbit will bite people when it's anxious. Seeing that the new official's butcher's knife is about to fall, he has to borrow the power of the entire class of bureaucrats and scholar-bureaucrats to find a way out for himself.
If we judge according to common sense, King Yun will give him this way of survival.
Because the Qi Dynasty has always had the method of sharing the world with the scholar-bureaucrats and suppressing the ancestors of the land with culture;
Because King Yun himself had obtained the first prize, he was naturally close to these literati;
Because the enemy is now at hand, it is time to ease internal conflicts and resolve the threat of the Jin people first.
No matter how you look at it, it is the current new official who should make concessions.
It's just that Zhang Jingbang made a mistake in his calculation.
His enemy is not King Yun, but...
Sheng Taizu.
Fan Cun closed Wude Si's report and looked at Sheng Taizu: "Then follow your Majesty's wishes...
"Take care of all these people in one fell swoop!"
…
Court meeting.
At the Jinluan Hall, all the ministers arrived.
The new official who had just ascended the throne was sitting on the throne, but behind him, the Supreme Emperor Qi Huizong was no longer in the position.
From any point of view, the new official only regarded his father as a reason to side with the Qing Dynasty and a tool to seize the throne. After ascending the throne, he had no idea of sharing power with him.
Although he was not put under house arrest like Qi Yingzong to prevent thieves, and even entertained him with delicious food and drinks, showing the drama of fatherly kindness and filial piety, there was not a lot of secret surveillance and precautions at all.
At this time, the new official's status in the court was somewhat special.
He parachuted in with the Western Army and became the emperor. Although there was no problem with his legitimacy, after all, the entire court had not yet been unified, and there were still many people who were not aligned with him among the officials.
Today, the official seemed to be in a bad mood.
He turned over the report in his hand and said casually: "Xiang Zhang."
Zhang Jingbang quickly replied: "I'm here."
Fan Cun lowered his head and looked at him: "You and the officials have done a good job in setting up a porridge shed to provide porridge to the people, and you should be rewarded."
Zhang Jingbang bowed his head and saluted: "Official officials dare not take credit. This is all the official's holy grace."
Fan Cun changed the topic: "But... I asked you to discuss a way to eliminate the favor. Why is there no conclusion until now?"
Zhang Jingbang hurriedly said: "In the official family, kindness is the law of our ancestors. Our dynasty shares the world with the scholar-bureaucrats. This law of kindness is the foundation of our dynasty and cannot be shaken!"
"Back then, Wang Wenchuan wanted to reform the law of Enyin, but the result was that the people were in dire straits and complained, and our government was in turmoil. Only then did the Jin people take advantage of the situation.
"The officials asked ministers and colleagues to think about this method of eradicating the favor. The ministers thought hard, referred to the past emperors' past events, and listened to the opinions of many scholars and people. It was really difficult to find a way to achieve both ends.
"I dare not violate the orders of the officials, but this matter is very involved, so I'm afraid we have to... take care of it slowly."
This is obviously a view shared by Zhang Jingbang and other officials.
Favor is the most important privilege of the bureaucracy and scholar-bureaucrats, but today's officials want to abolish it?
If we don't do something, wouldn't it be equivalent to handing over our lifeblood?
Of course, Zhang Jingbang and others did not dare to openly challenge the emperor, so they could only drag it out in this way to express their uncooperative attitude. When the emperor had no other choice, the matter would naturally be settled.
However, just when Zhang Jingbang thought that the matter was over, he heard the aloof emperor suddenly slap the throne and yelled: "Zhang Jingbang! How brave are you to hook up with the ministers and put pressure on me?"
Zhang Jingbang couldn't help being shocked, and hurriedly knelt on the ground: "Officials, why do you say this? I am dedicated to doing things for the officials, and I have no other intention. How dare I put pressure on the officials?"
Fan Cun said with a cold face: "Then why until now, you can't even come up with a plan to get rid of Enyin!
"If you can't, then your talent is simply not enough to be the prime minister!
"If you don't want to, then you are deceiving the emperor and being treasonous!"
Zhang Jingbang became even more panicked, but still managed to hold on: "Calm down the officials! I can learn from my loyalty, but the matter of getting rid of Enyin is indeed of great importance, and the relevant regulations are extremely complicated and cannot be solved in a few days!"
Fan Cun sneered: "Oh? Is it important? Is it extremely complicated?
"Come here, read to him my measures to eradicate my favor and reform the imperial examination!"
A young eunuch nodded in agreement, immediately took out the prepared edict and read it in court.
All the ministers listened attentively, and you could hear a pin drop in the hall.
Zhang Jingbang knelt on the ground, and the more he listened, the more his heart grew colder.
what's the situation?
He didn't pay much attention to this matter.
Enyin is the privilege of bureaucrats and scholar-bureaucrats. How can it be abolished by the emperor with just one word? Zhang Jingbang was not the only one who disagreed, there were not many ministers in the entire dynasty who would agree!
They were thinking that as long as they didn't come up with a specific plan or waffled back and forth on the details of some plans, the matter would drag on for at least a few months.
In this way, the emperor's patience was worn away step by step, and the matter was dragged on.
But unexpectedly, in just two days, the emperor himself came up with a plan to reform the official system!
This plan directly addresses the current situation of redundant officials in the Qi Dynasty, canceling a large number of idle positions that only receive salaries and do nothing, and cut them off in one fell swoop!
And that didn't stop Zhang Jingbang from being shocked.
The most important point is that the emperor's plan is actually clear-cut and has a clear direction. It is by no means the kind of plan that is full of loopholes.
what does that mean?
This means that it is difficult for them, a group of civil servants, to find fault!
Normally, although the emperor holds power, he is definitely not clear about or good at these specific plans. If you want to implement a certain policy, you must rely on capable leaders.
Just like when Wang Wenchuan carried out his political reform, the emperor also needed Wang Wenchuan, the prime minister, to handle affairs.
In this way, the emperor might conflict with the officials on certain points, and the opposition officials could seize this point to attack, causing the entire plan to fall apart.
But now, the emperor actually came up with a perfectly fitting plan!
This plan was so drastic that it made these officials extremely painful, but it fit perfectly, with no loopholes to exploit and no mistakes to make.
The most important thing is that this is a plan devised by the emperor himself.
Then there would be no conflict between the emperor and the governor. Any official who wants to find fault with this plan would be seeking death!
After the young eunuch finished reading the plan, Fan Cun didn't wait for Zhang Jingbang to speak and said directly: "Zhang Jingbang! Is this what you said is a very important and complicated matter?
"Are you incompetent or do you intend to deceive the emperor? Choose one yourself!"
Zhang Jingbang was so frightened that cold sweat continued to break out on his forehead. He hurriedly kowtowed: "I... I am not capable enough and I have failed to live up to His Majesty's high expectations!"
Fan Cun nodded: "So?"
Zhang Jingbang looked horrified, but he quickly came to his senses and hurriedly said: "Since I am not qualified for the job...then please resign from the position of Prime Minister!"
Fan Cun said with satisfaction: "Okay, it's done!
"Let the officials handle this plan."
After that, he looked at the Minister of Civil Affairs. It was Wang Shiyong who had been very close to Zhang Jingbang before and tried every means to search for women in the city and give them to the Jin people.
Wang Shiyong was confused. Why did such a big thing just hit me on the head?
He was not mentally prepared for this at all.
If we really follow this plan, will we offend all the ministers to death? The key is that he himself is also a member of the group of ministers. How is it possible for him to give up Enyin?
Seeing that the official family was about to disperse, Wang Shiyong hurriedly stepped out of the queue and said: "Guan family, wait a minute!"
Fan Cun glanced at him: "Is there anything else?"
Wang Shiyong originally wanted to think about this matter in the long term, but after being glanced at by the new official, he was instantly discouraged.
Don't seek death!
Zhang Jingbang was the prime minister of the dynasty, and he was directly dismissed because of his incompetence in doing things. Although he was a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, although he was also a high-ranking official in the dynasty, in the eyes of the emperor, how could he be considered a piece of shit?
At this time, whether he shows unwillingness or inability, he will be dismissed directly from office just like Zhang Jingbang.
Just a short moment later, Wang Shiyong already regretted standing up.
Fortunately, he got wise in his haste and said: "Officials! The vacant position of prime minister will ultimately... destabilize the government.
"There is only Prime Minister Zhang in the official family, and now there is not even a prime minister in the court.
"I also ask the officials to decide on the candidates for the two prime ministers in advance to stabilize the government."
As soon as these words came out, Wang Shiyong couldn't help but sigh at his own quick wit.
After realizing his intention, he decisively found another good topic and temporarily saved his official position.
The two former prime ministers in the court were Tang Qin and Zhang Jingbang.
Tang Qin was killed in public by this official, and his position as prime minister has been vacant since then. Now the new official has dismissed Zhang Jingbang, which means that both the prime minister's positions in the court are vacant.
It would be right to ask the emperor to fill these two positions as soon as possible, right?
Fan Cun couldn't help but laugh. He glanced at the officials casually, and finally his eyes rested on Zhang Jingbang and Wang Shiyong.
"Who told you... there must be a prime minister in the court?
"Dismiss the dynasty!"
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