Chapter 8 Section VIII

When Wang Anshi received Shi Yue's name card, he was surprised - this was the first time Shi Yue came to visit alone. Although he had visited the palace before, he always came with others.Regarding Shi Yue, Wang Anshi felt awkward.This person looks like an enemy or a friend, neither an enemy nor a friend, making people unpredictable.It just so happens that he is a very popular figure nowadays, his academic reputation is moving in Kyushu, and his favor is not inferior to him.At this very delicate moment, what would happen if he came to see him?While Wang Anshi was pondering, he stepped down to greet him.

After Shi Yue saw Wang Anshi, he immediately paid homage respectfully, and then went into the living room to sit down with Wang Anshi while exchanging greetings. After taking his seat, Shi Yue said with a smile: "Master, I'm here not for private matters, but for official business." Wang Anshi responded calmly: "Oh, I wonder what advice Master Shi has?" Shi Yue said sternly: "I hope that Mr. Wang will put the country first and return to Zhongshu as soon as possible." He and Wang Anshi have a personal relationship, so he just cut straight to the point, but Wang Anshi would be more receptive.

Wang Anshi lowered his head and took a sip of tea, noncommittal. Shi Yue observed his words and expressions, and knew that Wang Anshi was obviously not as firm as before, so he said in words: "I have read Xianggong's "A Hundred Years of Nothing in This Dynasty" and not only know that 'the time of great achievements is today', but also know that Xianggong He should be a man of great promise, but at this moment, when he has failed to accomplish his great achievements, and all the waste is waiting to be done, Xianggong wants to go? Is this Shi’s ignorance at the beginning?”

Wang Anshi raised his eyebrows, smiled faintly, and said, "Your Majesty Shi, you don't need to use the method of provoking generals. Since Master Shi has read my letter, do you remember that there is a sentence in it that's a gentleman, but a villain also has to go to the bathroom"? Wang Anshi So-and-so begged, just because of this sentence." The meaning of his words was that even Shi Yue scolded him as a villain. Shi Yue didn't expect him to be so merciless, and after a moment of pondering, he knew that if he made compromises with people like Wang Anshi, he would look down on him instead, not to mention that he would not be able to gain a foothold in politics if the news spread.So I decided to have a good debate with Wang Anshi.Laughing at the moment.

Wang Anshi said angrily, "What are you laughing at?" Shi Yue said with a smile: "I'm just laughing at Mr. Xiang's words just now. Don't mention the matter of the three generations. I dare to ask Mr. Xianggong. Since the historical records, which generation is not a gentleman and a villain? I am sorry to read it." There are many, but I have never heard that the officials of a certain dynasty are all gentlemen. Moreover, if gentlemen and villains are included in the court, then the big man should be passionate and upright, and take it as his duty to rectify the court, and I have never heard that he can leave with nothing.”

"That's not inevitable. How many hermits retreated and lived alone, the history is endless." Shi Yue sneered a few times, and said: "A hermit is not a Confucian. A Confucian should know that it is impossible to do it, and should not avoid danger. Besides, today's son is a sage king, and he has the kindness of understanding and encountering with the public, let alone reasoning about it." Wang Anshi was momentarily at a loss for words, and snorted angrily. Shi Yue ignored him, and continued: "What's more, in my opinion, those who disagree with Mr. Xiang are not necessarily villains; those who seem to agree with Mr. Xiang are not necessarily gentlemen."

Wang Anshi finally couldn't hold back, and said with a sneer, "I didn't expect that Shi Ziming's knowledge is nothing more than that. But a person who cares about his own self-interest, doesn't know the importance of the overall situation of the country, harms the public with his own interests, and frustrates the court's laws, what is it if he is not a villain?" Shi Yue stared at Wang Anshi and asked, "May I ask you, Sima Junshi disagrees with you. Was he ever a villain? And can you guarantee that none of the people who support the new law support the new law because of their own self-interest? Different political opinions, This is a common thing, and the sage also said that a gentleman is harmonious but different, so we know that a gentleman can have different opinions. From my own knowledge, I think that as long as it is beneficial to the country and the people, it is a gentleman. If you think that except yourself, everyone else is wrong and everyone else is a villain, I don’t think this kind of thinking is correct.”

Listening to Shi Yue's eloquent talk, Wang Anshi was almost moved by his persuasion.But then he sneered and said: "Shi Ziming is really eloquent. Could it be that the new law is not beneficial to the country and the people? Isn't Wang's original intention in mind is for the sake of the country and the people?" Shi Yue smiled lightly, and said sincerely: "I believe that Xianggong is for the sake of the country and the people. So in my opinion, Xianggong is naturally a gentleman." When Wang Anshi heard this, his face turned pale. Shi Yue said again: "However, this does not mean that because Xianggong is for the sake of the country and the people, anyone who disagrees with him is not thinking of the country and the people. Therefore, I also think that Sima Junshi and Fan Chunren are gentlemen."

Wang Anshi naturally knew in his heart that the two were gentlemen. "Similarly, whether the new law is beneficial to the country and the people, I believe that we should analyze specific events in detail, and we should not simply draw conclusions. Even if the original intention of the new law is good, there may not be disadvantages in the implementation. Criticism from others, I think the correct attitude is to change it if there is something, and encourage it if there is nothing. Only by constantly revising and improving can the new law be truly beneficial to the country and the people.”

"Scholar's opinion!" Wang Anshi reprimanded unceremoniously. Shi Yue was not angry, and said with a smile: "Yes, I am indeed just a scholar, and my knowledge is not as extensive as that of my husband. But I dare to ask my husband, is there any existing example to learn from the new law in history?" Wang Anshi glanced at Shi Yue vigilantly, obviously worried that this was a trap, and replied cautiously: "Although there is no specific example, it is in line with the spirit of saints and ancestors' legal system." Shi Yue smiled meaningfully, knowing what Wang Anshi was worried about, so he didn't say anything.Seeing that Wang Anshi cared so much about the jurisprudence and justice of the new law, he was even more sure that Wang Anshi had no intention of leaving.Immediately said: "Without specific examples, how can Xianggong ensure that every article of the new law is perfect?"

Wang Anshi argued: "Small deficiencies will not damage the decree itself. What's more, most of the new laws promulgated are tried out in one county, one army, one state and one government. Execution. The whole process is quite thorough and meticulous, and even if there are drawbacks, they can be discovered in time." "It's really hopeless ostrichism!" Shi Yue sighed in his heart, "Obviously the new law has many drawbacks, but he just refuses to admit it." But he said: "My lord, when the new law is effective in one state and one capital, maybe Is it just because the magistrates of one state and one capital are very good? How can we guarantee that all the magistrates of the state and capital of the world can execute well with just some elevating officials who do not have much practical experience in government affairs? The disadvantages can be found in the discussion in Zhongshu? Isn’t it normal for the new law to be criticized and criticized for its disadvantages during the implementation process? After all, critics are not obligated to fully understand the content of the new law, they only need to read It is enough to see the disadvantages. Isn't it your responsibility to face these criticisms correctly?" Wang Anshi said disdainfully: "It's the old tune of the blind man touching the elephant again." Shi Yue knew that it was superfluous to continue the debate, so he put his words aside and said, "I have said so many things to tell my husband that those who criticize the new law are not necessarily opposed to the new law, and those who disagree with the minister's political views may not necessarily be for the country. For the sake of thinking, critics occasionally make some drastic moves, and the ruling party can accept and treat them with a tolerant attitude, and there will be a better result. If both sides act against their will, then Shi fears that one day the court will fall into the Tang Dynasty. In a situation like Li's party struggles, both my husband and my subordinates will be eternal sinners of the Song Dynasty." Seeing Shi Yue's expression was quite sincere, Wang Anshi couldn't help being moved.He knew that Shi Yue was implying that he was not against the new law, and the students of Baishuitan were not necessarily against the new law.It's just that the latter words seem a bit alarmist, Wang Anshi still can't understand, if the existence of opponents is tolerated, how can the court decisively implement the new law?But it was inconvenient for him to reject Shi Yue's kindness, so he clasped his fists and said, "Wang has been taught." Shi Yue said very earnestly: "Don't dare. I sincerely hope that Xianggong can return to Zhongshu as soon as possible to take care of things. The government affairs are in chaos, which is not a blessing for the country. Besides, the Northwest is using troops. If Xianggong does not take care of things for a long time, the consequences will be disastrous. " Obviously, Wang Anshi also knew the stakes. After a long silence, he suddenly sighed, looked into Shi Yue's eyes, and asked, "Master Shi, Mr. Wang wants to know why you want me to return to Zhongshu to take care of things?" Shi Yue looked at Wang Anshi calmly, and said with a slight smile, "Because I think that Mr. Wang is a person who truly cares about the country." Wang Anshi watched it for a long while, but couldn't understand whether Shi Yue was telling the truth or a lie. Shi Yue looked at Wang Anshi with a smile, thinking that the time had come, he stood up suddenly, walked to the south, and said loudly: "There is an imperial edict!"