Chapter 34 4. Power-for-money transaction: take off the black yarn for money

In Zhao Kuangyin's political career, he seems to be thinking about two issues, one is how to unify, including the parallel regimes in the north and the south; the other is how to limit the power of courtiers and maximize the height of centralization. be improved.In both respects, he used the power of money.When later generations evaluate Zhao Kuangyin's life, some people often think that he is an emperor with advanced thinking, because as far back as a thousand years ago, he thought of using economic means to solve many problems, not just through bloodshed, violence, war, etc. easy way.

After establishing a new dynasty by seizing power, Zhao Kuangyin was full of worries, because what he did might set an example for others, and the path he walked would also be followed by others.Therefore, after taking power, Zhao Kuangyin was always thinking about how to control the power of the courtiers. The newly established dynasty needed conquests from all directions. After the generals made meritorious deeds on the battlefield, rewards were necessary, but continuing to reward them would inevitably expand their power. , Accompanying it will be the expansion of ambition, which will become an unstable factor that threatens the empire.After careful consideration, Zhao Kuangyin finally found a feasible solution.

In 974 A.D., Zhao Kuangyin, who was dissatisfied with Tang Lord Li Yu, decided to take over his land, so he prepared to send troops to the south of the Yangtze River on the grounds of "stubbornness and refusal to go to court".The soldiers who have been familiar with burning, killing and looting for five generations will bring more harm to this land than barren land, so they should be cautious when choosing generals. Zhao Pu recommended Cao Bin for the generals who conquered the Tang Dynasty. The reason is that he "forgives benevolently and abides by the law". He has always carried out the emperor's orders accurately and is a rare Confucian general.Zhao Kuangyin was also very satisfied with him, and soon summoned Cao Bin, and said to him: "This time I conquered the south of the Yangtze River, I don't want the war to make the people suffer. Li Yu is also a talented person, because he didn't put his mind on governing the country. , so it led to its demise. Therefore, I can only entrust it to you, I hope you will lead the soldiers to subdue the king of Tang, but you must avoid causing disasters to the people of the country."

Cao Bin hurriedly saluted and said: "Your Majesty has high hopes for this minister. Of course, this minister can not kill indiscriminately, but Cao Han, Pan Mei and others are accustomed to this way and are difficult to control." Seeing him complaining, Zhao Kuangyin said, "I naturally have my own way to deal with these people. I can give you a secret order. When they want to kill innocent people and rob people indiscriminately, you can show them to them. orders to stop them." Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's insistence, Cao Bin could only agree to Zhao Kuangyin's request.However, the conditions proposed by Zhao Kuangyin are indeed harsh, neither can it hurt any people, nor can it cause Li Yu to have any accidents. It is conceivable that such a war will be difficult to fight.

Zhao Kuangyin saw Cao Bin's embarrassment, so he said: "You have always had prestige in the army, I believe you can do it. If you can successfully conquer Jinling this time, I will definitely appoint you as envoy when your class teacher returns to the court." , the same position as the privy envoy and the prime minister." Under such a heavy reward, Cao Bin took over the commander-in-chief, led Cao Han, Pan Mei and others to march south and headed straight for Jinling.In order to fulfill Zhao Kuangyin's request, Cao Bin pretended to be ill in the army, and when all the generals came to visit, he sighed: "My illness does not need any medicine, it's just a matter of concern. Wait until the day Jinling City is broken , if you can promise me not to burn, kill and loot, and ensure that everything in the city is safe, I will recover naturally."

The generals hurriedly nodded and agreed, and Cao Bin then went all out to attack the Southern Tang Dynasty. Sure enough, he captured Li Yu with an unstoppable momentum, brought him back to Kaifeng and handed it to Zhao Kuangyin. Because Zhao Kuangyin once promised to make Cao Bin the envoy, Pan Mei and others congratulated such an extremely human minister.Although Cao Bin was full of joy in his heart, he still said calmly on the surface: "I just obeyed His Majesty and acted according to his instructions. The victory this time is entirely due to the wise decision of the court, and I have no credit for it. "

Pan Mei said: "You sent troops this time in full accordance with His Majesty's intentions. You did not harass the people, did not embarrass Li Yu, and let the south of the Yangtze River belong to the Song Dynasty, but did not harm the local production. How can such credit be counted? Your Majesty promised a thousand gold , I can't see how long, you will be the number one in the Song court!" When everyone heard the words, they all congratulated.Cao Bin still wanted to be modest, but news came that Zhao Kuangyin ordered him to have an audience, so he hurriedly arranged his clothes and went to the palace to face the saint.

Zhao Kuangyin was also very satisfied with Cao Bin's military exploits this time. Li Yu was escorted back to Kaifeng and received courtesy from Cao Bin along the way.On the day Jinling City was broken, the people in the city did not have much resistance to the Song army, but quickly accepted Song's leadership, allowing the Southern Tang regime to achieve a peaceful and rapid transition. Zhao Kuangyin said to Cao Bin: "This battle, General, not only promoted the military prestige of our Great Song Dynasty, but also protected the people of Tang Dynasty very well. I am very satisfied."

Cao Bin said: "I am just following your Majesty's instructions. If there is no Song Guowei, I will not defeat the enemy so soon." Cao Bin's answer was naturally a well-formed polite remark. According to past practice, the emperor should start rewarding him.But this time Zhao Kuangyin didn't, and just said to Cao Bin: "Think about it carefully, General Cao has been fighting for many years and has made a lot of military exploits, but I always want to ask: General Cao was born and died, why? " Cao Bin was stunned by this question. He didn't expect Zhao Kuangyin to ask this question suddenly, so he replied: "For the sake of the eternal state of the Song Dynasty, and for the blessing of the descendants... I am stupid, just an ordinary person, and what I want is nothing more than Some worldly wealth."

Zhao Kuangyin smiled and said: "Everyone in the world is willing to flaunt themselves with nobility, but in life, don't you just seek these riches and honors? You don't have to be ashamed. In my opinion, being an official or a general is just seeking a few days of wealth and honor. It’s as simple as keeping our children and grandchildren from starving.” Cao Bin hurriedly said: "Your Majesty sees it clearly, as long as the foundation of the Song Dynasty is stable, the descendants can enjoy long-term wealth and honor. This is what the ministers are striving for." Zhao Kuangyin nodded, but suddenly said to Cao Bin: "I once promised you that I will make you ambassador on the day of your triumphant return. Now I want to reward you in a different way. What do you think?" "

Cao Bin asked suspiciously: "I don't know what His Majesty is referring to?" Zhao Kuangyin said: "You see, being an official in the court and gaining power and position, what you seek is some wealth, glory, gold and silver treasures. Instead of this, it is better for me to reward you directly with silver taels for you to enjoy. It is a good thing for you to have the best of both worlds, while being an official and obeying orders, and not needing to seek government in his position!" It turned out that Zhao Kuangyin tried to reward Cao Bin with silver in exchange for the promised post to him.At present, in the Song court, Fan Zhi and Zhao Pu hold important positions as prime ministers, and the position of envoy can not only exercise the power of prime minister, but also have the power of privy envoy, which can be described as an extremely human minister.Zhao Kuangyin was a little worried about Cao Bin, who already had a heavy army in his hand, bestowing such an important position, so he came up with this move. When Cao Bin saw what Zhao Kuangyin said, he could only say: "It is the duty of a subject to be loyal to the country. Your Majesty will reward you, and you should be grateful. Your Majesty is the master." Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile: "Since this is the case, then I will give you 500,000 yuan, so that you can enjoy the wealth and glory." Cao Bin thanked En and retreated from the court, and returned directly to the mansion without answering the questions of Pan Mei, Cao Han and others.As soon as he entered the door, a family boy reported that a lot of silver taels had been sent from the palace, and the whole room was piled up.Cao Bin went in and saw that this was exactly what Zhao Kuangyin rewarded himself.The lady watched from the side, feeling very strange, and asked him, "Why did the emperor reward us with so much money all of a sudden?" Cao Bin said with a smile: "The emperor originally rewarded me with a black gauze hat, but now he just spent the money to buy it back." Seeing this, Mrs. Cao comforted Cao Bin: "You don't have to be an envoy, even if you do, it's just for money. Your Majesty will save trouble by doing this!" Cao Bin sighed, and said: "The emperor told me that too. I have no objection to this, but I just can't accept it for a while." Mrs. Cao said: "Although money is exchanged for power, there has never been such a thing in ancient times, but there are many cases where brave generals are not around after they have made great achievements. Rather than waiting to be jealous by the emperor after making meritorious deeds, so that their whereabouts are in jeopardy, it is better to take each other as it is now." Necessary. Since the emperor is not willing to let you occupy a high position, then taking these silver coins is not a bad treatment to us, and to satisfy the emperor's wish, this is a good thing that has the best of both worlds!" Cao Bin nodded: "Madam is right." In this kind of power and money transaction, Zhao Kuangyin mastered the psychology of the courtiers.He himself came all the way from the courtiers of the Later Zhou Dynasty, so he knew very well what these officials were thinking, nothing more than some money.That being the case, exchanging money for power has become his best solution.This kind of economical operation avoids the suspicion and bloodshed between the monarch and his subjects, which can be said to be a safe, stable and unique win-win situation. Under this guiding ideology, Zhao Kuangyin can be said to be the first person to trade power for money.He not only likes to use money to buy generals' military exploits, but also likes to use money to solve all difficulties.If the Song Dynasty was an advanced dynasty, then Zhao Kuangyin's thinking was undoubtedly very advanced.This way of using economic means to solve problems is the most common way in the world after more than a thousand years. It not only saves expenses, but also avoids violent wars and reduces economic losses.Tracing back to the source, it turns out that this move is already an old trick of the ancients, and people can't help but admire Zhao Kuangyin's wisdom.