Chapter 20 second quarter

Early morning on May 3rd. A fast horse galloped in from Wanshengmen, and the crisp sound of horseshoes broke the tranquility of Bianjing in the early morning, but it also brought Wang Anshi charcoal in the snow. Zhongshu Province is currently on Wang Anshi's rotation, Wang Anshi is silently reading the Horse Protection Law and the City Yi Law Regulations, while thinking about the possible disadvantages pointed out by Shi Yue.Although he didn't say it, Wang Anshi dismissed Wen Yanbo's words that "a gentleman doesn't talk about benefits", but he couldn't help being alert to the ills Shi Yue raised that he seemed to have witnessed with his own eyes.During the discussion in Zhongshu Province, Shi Yue mentioned some of them to some extent, but it was far less detailed than what he said in the letter to the emperor-this made Wang Anshi quite dissatisfied with Shi Yue.But dissatisfaction is dissatisfaction, and all the ills always make him feel uneasy.Thinking of this, Wang Anshi couldn't help but glanced at Shi Yue who was reading documents in his attic: Although his head was lowered, his fair face was a bit more determined and confident than when he first met him three years ago.Wang Anshi secretly sighed: No matter what, this young man is a real talent!It's a pity that I can't work together with myself.

While he was in a trance, someone came in hurriedly and said loudly: "Master, an envoy from Northwest Wang Shao has arrived." His voice was so loud that even Shi Yue and other people working in his room heard it, and all of them raised their heads to listen.Soldiers are the great affairs of the country.The news of Wang Shao's arrival, whether good or bad, is a big deal. Wang Anshi was startled, and asked, "Hurry up and come in, isn't it the west..." What he feared most was the military defeat in the Northwest. Even a small military defeat was too much for the slightly weak Song Dynasty to bear.

Shi Yue put down the documents and came out, said with a smile: "Prime Minister, don't worry, it must be good news." Everyone looked at Shi Yue suspiciously, not knowing why he dared to make such an assertion.Wang Anshi also asked, "How does Ziming know?" Shi Yue laughed and said: "If there is bad news, the news from the prefectures and counties along the road must be before Wang Shao's envoys. How can we wait until Wang Shao's envoys have arrived in the capital, but there is no news from all the prefectures and counties?" Wang Anshi listened to his words with some sense, nodded, calmed down a bit, and said, "We'll find out when the envoy comes in."

Not long after, the envoy was ushered in.He greeted Wang Anshi and said, "By the order of the general manager, hand over the memorial to the gentleman." He took out a memorial from his arms and handed it with both hands. Wang Anshi took the memorial, observed the expression of the messenger, saw the joy in his brow, and felt more relieved, and said: "You have worked hard from afar, go back to the posthouse to rest first, and someone will reply you when the time comes, but don't go out of the posthouse either." If you have anything to ask, someone will come to you."

The envoy agreed and left. Wang Anshi just returned to the case, opened the memorial, and saw that it read: "...the minister has opened up more than 1,200 miles of land, and recruited more than 300,000 people. Fang rectified the military, led the troops to the west, and broke the land. The Qiangs of Mengluojiao and Moershuiba are just around the corner, once the barbarians are destroyed, the Blind Woods can be conquered..." It is clearly a big victory! Wang Anshi couldn't help being overjoyed, and said with a smile: "Sure enough, as Ziming expected, I want to face the saint immediately!"

In just a few hours, Wang Shao's achievements in the northwest spread throughout Bianjing. Shi Yue looked at Zhao Xu, who was walking back and forth happily, with a beaming face, and secretly sighed in his heart that Wang Shao's so-called credit was nothing more than persuading a tribe to surrender by riding alone, and there was no martial arts at all.When the Han Dynasty was strong, Sima Xiangru recruited dozens of barbarian tribes with a single word, and it was just an ordinary achievement. Compared with the ancients, it is really insignificant.But at this time, it is the first time that Song Dynasty has "made progress" in decades.

Zhao Xu was completely immersed in joy, although this good news was just the first step in restoring Hehuang in the Northwest and then trying to take Xixia.After a while, the still young emperor said excitedly: "Take Wang Shao as the appeasement envoy along Qinfeng Road, and issued an imperial edict to reward him. The Qingtang leader who surrendered, bestowed the title of enshrined official in Xitou. If they want the surname Bao, they can follow them. Give the surname Bao. As for how to arrange it, the Zhongshu and the Privy Council will discuss together." "Follow the order." Wang Anshi was in a pretty good mood.

Zhao Xu said with a smile: "It seems that talents should not be idle. If a talent like Wang Shao is idle, how would he know that he has such courage! This is also the prime minister's knowledge of people, and his recommendation is meritorious. The work should belong to the prime minister." Everyone shouted yes, and even Wen Yanbo couldn't say anything.He was full of anger, but he couldn't get angry——Wang Shaojie reported that he was not sent to the privy secretary, but sent directly to Zhongshu, and he was not taken seriously at all. Wang Anshi hurriedly said modestly: "I dare not take credit for it. It is because the emperor employs people properly so that I can make the best use of my talents."

Zhao Xu said with a smile: "Throughout the ages, those who can use people are the masters of Britain. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty were able to use people to achieve success." What he admired most since childhood was the achievements of these two emperors. He always hoped that one day I can be better than these two. Wang Anshi said flatteringly: "Regardless of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, the courtiers of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty thought they were very low-minded. The people he used were Wei Qing and Huo Qubing. With the foundation of Wenjing, they could halve the household registration in the world, and they could not destroy the Xiongnu. Your Majesty far superior."

Zhao Xu glanced at Shi Yue. In several books, Shi Yue discussed the achievements of the Western Han Dynasty in detail. He remembered what Shi Yue said before, and said casually: "It can only be blamed on Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty who likes to boast and extravagance. His achievements in expanding the border , cannot be obliterated. The halving of household registration in the world has nothing to do with development." Wang Anshi and Zhao Xu were not just monarchs and ministers, but more like teachers and friends. They had no scruples in speaking, and they said unconvinced: "Too many desires can't harm the government. Duke Huan of Qi is also very extravagant, but the strategy is right, and the state of Qi is governed very well. After talking about it, he talked about Wang Anshi's central idea of ​​governing the country: to increase revenue without cutting expenditure.Wind and dust sorting and proofreading.

Zhao Xu shook his head and said: "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty cannot be compared with Duke Huan of Qi. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was greedy, not only in internal affairs, he was right to attack the Xiongnu, but because of one horse, he expeditioned to Dawan and worked thousands of miles. Tens of thousands of people died , regard human life as worthless, and this will halve the household registration in the world. I don’t take this from him. As a politician, you should put benevolence first and love the people as your service.” All the ministers knew that his words were advocated by Shi Yue in "Political Gains and Losses of Past Dynasties". Although Wen Yanbo still had a grudge against Shi Yue, firstly he listened to his words, and secondly, the emperor was concerned about this point. Disagreement with Wang Anshi made him feel very angry.Immediately took the lead and said: "Your Majesty is wise and can take care of the people as his service. This is the blessing of the Great Song Dynasty and the fortune of the world." With this compliment, how could the courtiers dare to lag behind, and the whole palace was flooded with "The emperor is wise" and "The world is fortunate".Wang Anshi didn't think so, but he couldn't say much. Only Shi Yue frowned imperceptibly. From Wang Shao's success report, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's expedition to Dawan was linked to Shi Yue's skill of "sitting and discussing Taoism". Is the purpose of everyone coming here already off topic? There is another person who keeps a clear mind, and that is Wang Anshi.He waited for the voice of praise to fall, and immediately said: "Your Majesty, Wang Shao has made a good start in the northwest, conquering and restoring Hehuang is just around the corner. I believe that the law of protecting horses and the law of market change cannot be delayed, and should be implemented immediately. As long as Hehuang returns, we should prepare to solve it completely. At that time, the number of horses to be used will not be small, and the Song Dynasty must have a cavalry that can really fight. I have been a herdsman, and I know that now Due to the shortcomings of the government's horse breeding, the method of preserving horses should be implemented immediately even if there are some inadequacies in the details. The method of market exchange can not only keep prices down, but also increase revenue for the treasury. The number must be huge, and money will be needed to deal with the aftermath after using the army. Therefore, the second method must be implemented as soon as possible. Also, the method of placing generals, please allow your majesty to implement it in various routes in the north. Only in this way can it be possible for the Song Dynasty to finally restore the old land of Longxi. Lay a good foundation." After hearing these words, Shi Yue closed his eyes involuntarily, shook his head slightly, knowing in his heart that everything was over. Wang Anshi's timing was too good. Now the implementation of the Three Laws is completely serving the Northwest military. If anyone comes to stop him, the military will not have enough money, horses, and soldiers not to train. Such crimes will probably be pushed to their heads. On, who can afford it?What's more, the emperor was on the rise, and Wang Anshi's political prestige, with this good news, had virtually escaped the influence of Baishuitan Prison, and was rapidly recovering or even rising. Opposing at this time, the result must be in vain. What Shi Yue can think of, others can think of too.Feng Jing remained silent, and Wang Gui immediately announced his support.Only Wen Yanbo and Wu Chong of the Privy Council still objected in vain.But with the support of the whole court, what can the opposition of these two people accomplish? Shi Yue and Feng Jing glanced at each other quietly, bowed to Zhao Xu, and said helplessly: "Your Majesty, the law of placing generals is indeed a good law, and I also agree with the prime minister's proposal. With my stupidity, the pros and cons of the law of protecting horses, the minister I dare not make rash judgments, and this matter is also related to the Northwest military. Since this is the case, the minister thought that the Zhongshu should be read in detail, try to avoid disadvantages and seek benefits, and then promulgate it. He asked the chiefs of the localities not to act violently, so as not to suffer the people. , This is also to demonstrate His Majesty's love for the people. As for the City Yi Law, Wang Shao may be able to benefit from it at the border, but the central plains and the southeast, I really don't know where the benefits are. If it must be implemented, I hope Your Majesty will be cautious To act, it is better to temporarily stay in Kaifeng Mansion for one year, and within one year, if there are no disadvantages, then implement it throughout the country. I also ask Your Majesty for permission." After he finished speaking, he thought that the New Party would have to refute, but Wang Anshi felt a little uneasy in his heart, and said: "Your Majesty, what Shi Yue said, I think it is feasible." The whole hall was shocked.Even the emperor was a bit strange—this was too incompatible with Wang Anshi's character. In the past, he would have said: "Wang Shao has already achieved all the merits. If this matter is carried out earlier, it will benefit a lot. Why bother?" Zhao Xu also felt in his heart that what Shi Yue said was indeed somewhat reasonable, as long as it was not one-sided objection, and being careful, it would never go wrong.Then he nodded and said, "Just like the Prime Minister and Shi Qing discussed." Wen Yanbo glanced at Shi Yue with increasing dissatisfaction, not understanding why he had to compromise.Feng Jing smiled wryly and shook his head. He knew that Shi Yue could make Wang Anshi take this step back, which was already a very unexpected gain.The momentum of the new party has been hit hard since the Baishuitan Prison, and the military inspectors have found nothing. The "Emperor Song Publishing Edict" has been implemented in a hurry, and it has been at a low ebb for several months, so he has the opportunity to boycott the Baoma Law and the Market Change Law. , Unexpectedly, in just one day, a small good news, the second law was basically passed, Wang Anshi's favor was even stronger, and his future life will be even more difficult, right? Thinking of this, Feng Jing glanced at Shi Yue again: Maybe, hope is only on this young man. At this time, he never imagined what kind of predicament Shi Yue was about to face.

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