Chapter 10 3. State Restructuring Commission

Chen Shengzhi was able to become prime minister, in fact, he should thank Wang Anshi. Chen Shengzhi, a native of Jianyang, Fujian, was also a veteran of the three dynasties. He served as the deputy envoy of the Privy Council during the Renzong period, and served as a member of the Privy Council in July of the first year of Xining.The Privy Council is the highest military organ in the Song Dynasty.However, since Wen Yanbo had previously served as the privy envoy, Chen Shengzhi could only be the governor.It is an exception for him that the privy envoy and Zhiyuan affairs coexist. Obviously, Shenzong also looked at Chen Shengzhi differently.

Therefore, when Xining established the "Regulations Department of the Three Divisions" (referred to as the Regulations Department) in February of the second year of Xining, Chen Shengzhi became the person in charge together with Wang Anshi, ranking ahead of Wang Anshi.The purpose of the establishment of the Department of Regulations is very clear: through Huabang's plan, to discuss changes to the old law for the benefit of the world.In other words, it is the National Economic System Reform Commission. Looking at it this way, Chen Shengzhi should be regarded as a reformer. Chen Shengzhi has worked in the "National Economic Reform Commission" for more than seven months, and the cooperation with Wang Anshi is mostly pleasant.Therefore, after Fu Bi left the position of prime minister, Wang Anshi, a colleague and comrade, suggested that Chen Shengzhi take over.This is not entirely due to Wang Anshi's humility, but also because Chen Shengzhi's qualifications are much older.

Shenzong adopted Wang Anshi's suggestion. But no one expected that Chen Shengzhi proposed to abolish the establishment of the Third Division Regulations Department just after he became the prime minister. The reason was that the name of this institution was not right.He said to the emperor: Since the minister is waiting to make mistakes and be punished in the position of prime minister, of course he has to take care of everything, so how can the department led by the minister be called "si"? Hearing this, Wang Anshi just felt ridiculous: Why can't the department led by the prime minister be called a department?Isn't Sangong, the prime minister of the Eastern Han Dynasty, called Situ and the like?Besides, what is it called if it is not called Si?Is it called the Department of Regulations like the Six Departments, or the Regulations Department like the Privy Council?I'm afraid you, the prime minister, won't do it either?So, is it possible to follow the example of the Zhongshu Province and change its name to the Regulations Province?That's a big joke!

So Wang Anshi said to the emperor: He thinks this job is shameless! Chen Shengzhi said: That's called "making and setting up a hundred divisions and regulations". This makes sense.We know that the so-called "regulations" are actually the formulation of policies and regulations, and the three divisions are equivalent to the National Finance Committee.Therefore, the establishment of the Three Division Regulations is only an economic reform, and the establishment of the Hundred Division Regulations is a comprehensive reform.In the past, because Chen Shengzhi was in the Privy Council and Wang Anshi was in the Zhongshu Province, this institution had to be set up in the Third Division.Now that both of them are in the "province", there is no need to call them "three divisions".

So the emperor said: How about assigning the Department of Regulations to Zhongshu Province? Wang Anshi disagreed on the grounds that the efficiency was too low.He said: The reason why the Department of Ordinances is so effective is because there are few independent members in the organization, and it is easy to discuss things.If it belongs to the Zhongshu Ministry, the prime minister and deputy prime minister must agree on any issues, all documents must be signed by the prime minister and deputy prime minister, and all tasks must be approved by the prime minister and deputy prime minister. How can it be done?Therefore, the Department of Regulations cannot change its name, and must be listed separately. Your Majesty will not worry about setting up an "independent kingdom" there, right?

Of course Shenzong wasn't worried, and he couldn't say he was worried.On the contrary, at another imperial meeting a few days later, because Chen Shengzhi was determined not to manage the Department of Regulations, and even insisted on abolishing this institution, the emperor said to Wang Anshi: Otherwise, the work of the Department of Regulations will be left to Ai Qing himself. Who is responsible? Wang Anshi said: This is not appropriate.When this department was established, His Majesty advocated that the Ministry of Zhongshu and the Privy Council each send out one person, and I invite you to work with Han Jiang, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council.

The emperor readily agreed. The dispute over the establishment of the Department of Regulations has also come to an end. Although it was eventually withdrawn and merged into the Zhongshu Province, it was seven months later in May of the third year of Xining.Chen Shengzhi, who had formed a relationship with Wang Anshi, left the aspect even later, in October of that year, and it was because of the death of his mother.However, it is a fact that the two have been at odds since then. So, why did Chen Shengzhi do this? The official history's explanation is that he didn't take that dubious ordinance department seriously.This is possible, and the public proposal to change the "three divisions" to "one hundred divisions" is proof.Because the "Regulations on the Establishment of the Three Divisions" is clearly about financial management, and financial management is considered by many people to be a villain's business, which is not ashamed for a gentleman.

Unfortunately, this is the original purpose of setting up the Ordinance Division.Wang Anshi made it very clear at the imperial meeting: From ancient times to the present, the establishment of institutions is all in accordance with current conditions.Nowadays, the world is struggling with financial needs, so it is especially important to manage money first.This is exactly the reason why His Majesty wants to create a separate department for Chen Shengzhi and his ministers to lead! Hehe, don't ask yourself. Restructuring for financial management is unacceptable to orthodox scholar-bureaucrats.Of course Chen Shengzhi knew this.But for the sake of glory and wealth, he did not hesitate to pretend to support, and after he succeeded, he turned his face and refused to recognize anyone.Of course, this is also shameless for a gentleman or a person who pretends to be a gentleman. They even gave Chen Shengzhi the nickname "Quanxiang".Tsuen is a bamboo tool for fishing. "Zhuangzi·Waiwu Pian" said: "The reason why people in quan are fish, they forget quan when they catch fish."The meaning of Tsuen Xiang can be said to be very clear.

So, Chen Shengzhi is a villain? Hard to say, at least Sima Guang didn't think well of him.He even thought that people from Fujian and people from the Yangtze River valley were unreliable. The former were sinister and cunning, while the latter were frivolous and impetuous, far less upright and honest than northerners.Therefore, when Emperor Shenzong asked him what was the reaction of Chen Shengzhi's worship, Sima Guang said straightforwardly: Not good!The two prime ministers (Zeng Gongliang and Chen Shengzhi) are from Fujian, and the two deputy prime ministers (Zhao Bian and Wang Anshi) are from the Yangtze River valley.How can they expect simple customs when they are a country?

Ha, geography discrimination? More or less! Looking at the table above, you can see that Sima Guang is not completely unreasonable, but he is not without prejudice. For example, Zheng Xia is from Fujian, and Fan Chunren is from the Yangtze River Valley.Shenzong also obviously did not approve of this theory.The emperor said: Chen Shengzhi is talented, and others are not as good as him. I think he is capable of taking on the military and state duties. Sima Guang said: "Talent is indeed as the Holy Master said, it is difficult to say that it is not a loss." Song Shenzong said: I have already warned him about this.

Sima Guang said: Fu Bi is mature, dignified and popular, it is a pity to resign. Song Shenzong said: I have repeatedly asked him to stay, and he must go. Sima Guang said: If you don't listen to what you say, don't follow your advice, and don't get along with your colleagues, of course you have to leave. Song Shenzong said: Is Aiqing talking about Wang Anshi?how is he? Sima Guang said: Many people say that he is treacherous, and I am afraid that the criticism is too much.There is nothing wrong with Wang Anshi's character, but he is ignorant and stubborn. Song Shenzong said: It is Han Qi who is more daring than Fu Bi, but unfortunately he is too strong. Sima Guang said: Han Qi is really a loyal minister, although he also has faults. The monarch and his ministers sighed.Finally, they talked about Lu Huiqing. Lu Huiqing is from Jinjiang, Fujian Province. She is from the same hometown as Prime Minister Zeng Gongliang, and is an old friend with Wang Anshi.Due to these two relationships, he was the first to become a member of the Ordinance Department and was accepted by Chen Shengzhi, a native of Jianyang, Fujian.But for this person, the ruling and opposition parties are very controversial. So Song Shenzong asked: Where is Lu Huiqing?How does Ai Qing see him? Sima Guang said: He is not a good person. Song Shenzong said: I think he can deal with it freely and is quite talented. Sima Guang said: "Which traitor has no talent?"Of course Lu Huiqing also has it, but it's a pity that her intentions are wrong.He must be the one who ruined Wang Anshi's reputation in the future. Shenzong was silent. There is no evidence to indicate whether Wang Anshi has heard of this conversation, and it is estimated that he will not take it seriously.In fact, five months later, Sima Guang wrote to Wang Anshi, expressing his concerns frankly to his old friend.He said that one cannot be in power without paying attention to the difference between a gentleman and a villain.The Faithful may look hideous when you are in power, but they will help you in the future.On the contrary, although the flattering people can let you take advantage of it for a while now, as long as you are unlucky, they will definitely sell their friends for glory. Of course Wang Anshi would not agree with Sima Guang's opinion, because at this moment Lu Huiqing is his close comrade-in-arms and right-hand man.Wang Anshi had to discuss with Lu Huiqing about the work of the Department of Regulations, no matter how big or small it was, and Lu Huiqing drafted all the memorials and documents needed for the reform.At that time, there was even such a saying: Lu Huiqing was Wang Anshi's Yan Hui. Therefore, Wang Anshi wrote a reply to Sima Guang politely, without mentioning Lu Huiqing, but said that since you and I have different ways, we should not conspire with each other. Conflicts are inevitable, and the good show is about to begin.

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