Chapter 35 Section 5 A sharp confrontation occurred in the Zhengshitang

In a blink of an eye, the ice and snow melt and the spring blossoms.On the third day of March, Duke Qin Xiaogong held the annual plowing ceremony, smiled and said to the courtiers who participated in the ceremony: "Tomorrow will be held at the court meeting, and the plans for this year will be decided, and all the ministers will make preparations." This is also after the annual plowing ceremony. The first grand court meeting in Beijing was called "Spring Dynasty" by officials, and it was the first court meeting of the year that courtiers especially valued. That night, Jing Jian came to the small courtyard of guest Qing Wei Yang.Wei Yang was fascinated by the big picture on the wall of the study, and when he saw Jing Jian coming, he smiled slightly, "A long-lost guest must have great faith, right?" Jing Jian took out a stick from his bosom without saying a word. Wei Yang took a glance at the wide bamboo board, and saw four large characters on the bamboo board—the Ming Dynasty's court struggle.Wei Yang clapped his palms and laughed, "Okay! Another ceremony to start plowing." Jing Jian said with a smile, "Did you live alone all winter, is Brother Yang deserted?" Wei Yang said: "Mr. "Jing Jian said with emotion: "Brother Yang is the only one who knows the king." Wei Yang said with a smile: "The one who knows Wei Yang is the king." Jing Jian said: "Brother Yang is on the road, I am really pleased. Thinking It’s going to be winter, and I’m afraid when I feel it.” Wei Yang couldn’t help laughing, and Jing Jian also laughed.

In the morning of the next day, four large six-foot-diameter braziers were set up in the Political Affairs Hall, and the red charcoal fire made the cold hall warm.The courtiers who came here in the chilly spring yelled that it was warm when they entered the hall, rubbed their hands, took off their fur robes, and sat in their seats talking and laughing with the left and right.Du Zhi smiled and asked Gongsun Jia, "Lord Grand Tutor, who will sit in which seat?" He was referring to the two desks below the central monarch's long case, one is obviously the seat of Grand Master Qianlong, and the other is the corresponding one. Woolen cloth?Crown Prince Fu Gongsun Jia did not sit, nor did Yingqian, who was crowned Prince Fu by Zuo Shuchang, who else could be so honorable?Some people didn't pay attention at first, but when Du Zhi asked, he suddenly realized that something was wrong!Looking again, General Liyang Che Ying was standing in full uniform at the gate of the Political Affairs Hall, and the two teams of soldiers in the courtyard outside were brightly armored, armed with spears and swords, neat and mighty.Courtiers look at me, I look at you, feel a little strange.Except for Yingqian, Jingjian, and Wang Shi who sat silently, they were all uneasy.

At this moment, the servant outside the door announced loudly: "Master Keqing has arrived—" Everyone was shocked, and there was a lot of discussion.Except for the occasional emperor, all the courtiers enter the political affairs hall by themselves, so how can there be a grand announcement?Which Keqing is so courageous?Thinking about it carefully, Qin Guo only paid homage to one guest minister, not Wei Yang, who else?During the discussion, Wei Yang, wearing a white robe and a three-inch white jade crown on his head, walked into the political affairs hall calmly.Hei Bo, the chief servant, personally guided Wei Yang to sit down in the vacant honorable seat.For a moment, the courtiers were suddenly quiet, looking at each other with embarrassing expressions.

There was another call: "Your Majesty is here!" The voice fell, and Qin Xiaogong had already entered the political affairs hall. He was usually dressed in black, which was in stark contrast to Wei Yangshi.To the surprise of the courtiers, the monarch, who never carried a sword in the court meeting, actually carried the rusty Mu Gong sword on his waist today!Vaguely, the courtiers felt that something big was about to happen, and the mysteries that had been confusing for several months were about to be revealed today. Qin Xiaogong went to sit in front of the central long case, and looked around the hall, "My dear ministers, it has been a year since Qin State's "Seeking Talents Order" was issued. But it is a strong country. How can a country be strong? There is only reform. Guest Qing Wei Yang proposed a strategy to strengthen Qin through reform. Thinking that reform is a major national plan, the monarch and ministers must be united in one mind. Therefore, today’s court meeting will be held to discuss and decide. All of you An important civil and military minister of the Qin State must speak frankly."

The political hall was quiet, the courtiers bowed their heads in thought, and they didn't even look at each other to ask each other when they were confused.Half a day later, Qianlong still coughed, breaking the calm. After Qian Long was promoted to Grand Master, he felt extremely unhappy.He saw very clearly that this was to "give him honor and put him on the shelf".Not only for him, but also for Gongsun Jia and Du Zhi who share his voice.Taking away the real power in their hands must be to transfer it to another group of newcomers.If this kind of power transfer was still confusing and confusing before, and the ups and downs were not clear, today it is completely clear, and it is ready to transfer it all to Wei Yang!With his keen sense of smell that has been through many vicissitudes, Qian Long has fully identified this point, and absolutely does not believe that Wei Yang will always be a guest.This made Qianlong feel a kind of sadness, a kind of humiliation of being abandoned.Because this kind of promotion and demotion was done without his knowledge.As far as his heart is concerned, if the monarch has a sincere discussion with him, what's the problem with him resigning from office?Besides, he didn't even know about the big plan of the reform. Could it be that the monarch decided that he didn't support the reform?Although Gan Long is a Confucianist, he is also a veteran minister of the Qin State. Is there any reason why he does not want the Qin State to be strong?This point stimulated Qianlong even more than the previous point.A grand master who has no real power, plus no major political decisions can be foreseen in advance, isn't it really a display?Although desolate and humiliating, Qian Long has experienced ups and downs and is extremely mature.He knew in his heart that if a strong wind suddenly rises, if it goes head-on, it will definitely be completely swallowed.At this time, the long grass is the best means of survival to avoid ruin.However, you can't show your inner dissatisfaction in an indifferent manner, you must have a degree, you still have to speak when you should speak, and you are unaware of your promotion and demotion, which is the best.Seeing that no one spoke, Qian Long felt that it was an opportunity for him, the grand master who didn't care about everything but could discuss everything.

"Dare to invite you, and announce the reform strategy first, okay?" Qian Long had only this sentence. But this sentence turned passivity into initiative, and also eased the delicate and tense atmosphere in Zhengshitang.Qin Xiaogong glanced at Wei Yang and nodded slightly.Wei Yang bowed his hands to the audience and said: "Your Majesty, my lords, Qin is poor and weak, and the world knows it. If you want to strengthen Qin, you must reform, and there is no other way. The strategy of Qin's reform is: reward farming to enrich the country , to reward military exploits to strengthen the army, to unify the ruling power to upright officials, to unify the customs and customs to gather the people. Under these four items, there are several laws and regulations to ensure their implementation. Do you think so?"

Crown Prince Fu Gongsun Jia was very clear about Qian Long's mood, countermeasures and the situation in the arena. Seeing Wei Yang finished speaking, he asked, "I don't know the disadvantages of the old law, so it is difficult to change it. May I ask you, what are the disadvantages of Qin's traditional legal system?" " This question hit Wei Yang's heart, and he said without hesitation: "Qin's old system has three disadvantages. First, it is based on the king's way, mixed with piecemeal new policies, and the people can't adapt to it. At the beginning of the founding of Qin, the Zhou family The rule of etiquette and kingship were slightly modified to govern the people. When Duke Mu ruled the country with Baili Xi, he practiced the rule of virtue and introduced some laws and regulations from the old Chu State. Duke Jian of Qin implemented the new policy of "first renting grain" and abandoned the old system, but time is running out , and restored the old system. Xian Gong ascended the throne and wanted to implement a new policy, but there were many wars, and there was no time to take care of it. Today, the Qin State is still under the old system of the Spring and Autumn Period, which is far from the new law of the Warring States Period. This old system can only govern the people in a world of small disputes , but cannot strengthen the country in a world of great struggle."

"This statement is really weird!" Du Zhi, the new imperial magistrate, slapped the wooden case in front of him, and said angrily, "If the Qin law has such disadvantages, how can Bailixi help Duke Mu dominate the princes?" Wei Yang was very calm, "Baili Xi's rule of Qin depends on the power of a virtuous man to deal with it on the spot, and he cannot make the regulations to be followed by future generations. This is the rule of man, not the rule of law. Therefore, after Mu Gong Baili Xi, Qin fell into chaos for four generations and became a state of chaos. Weak country. I would like to ask the Taimiao Order, if Bailixi has laws to abide by, why can’t the Qin State revitalize Mugong’s hegemony for more than a hundred years, and instead lose the land of Hexi, retreating from Hangu Pass to Liyang?” These words are sharp and categorical. It is taboo to accuse Qin Mugong and Baili Xi, who are regarded as sacred by the courtiers of Qin, but their reasoning is upright. Although the ministers of the political affairs hall are angry and embarrassed, they are speechless.Du Zhi was so angry that he couldn't speak.

"What about the second disadvantage? Dare to ask for a high opinion." Gongsun Jia asked with a smile. Wei Yang said: "The second disadvantage of the old system of the Qin State is that the law has no essentials, and the rewards and punishments are unclear. The family is not punished for crimes, and the common people are not rewarded for their merits. Farmers are still poor if they have more than enough to farm, and soldiers are still not honored for their meritorious service. ?” "Crack!" One person jumped up against the table, and when everyone saw it, it was General Rong You Xihu.He shouted angrily: "Your guest is talking nonsense! How can the Qin State not reward you for its merits? Regardless of the civil servants here, if you only talk about military generals, which one is not a general who has military exploits with a sword and a sword? To be the long history of internal history? Che Ying, a thousand commander, can be Weiwei and Liyang general?"

"Yes!" Pedestrian Meng Ji stood up and said passionately: "In my opinion, it's not that meritorious deeds are not rewarded, but that there is no meritorious deeds! Wang Shi's meritorious deeds have replaced General Zi'an who has won many battles. Liyang Order. What merits do the scholars in the Recruitment Center have? They have all become county magistrates and sheriffs!" "Also, what merits do you have for Wei Yang? You paid homage to the guest, sent officials and servants, and even sat shoulder to shoulder with the grand master? What's the reason for slandering the state of Qin instead of receiving rewards?" This pointed directly at Wei Yang. , is General Che You Bai Jin.

The atmosphere in the political hall was suddenly tense, and it completely deviated from the topic, and pointed the finger at Wei Yang and even Qin Xiaogong since the promulgation of the "Order of Seeking Talents".Gongsun Jia of Qianlong remained silent.Du Zhi couldn't help but smile. "Meng Xibai" is a prominent military family of the Qin State after the heroes. It is unusual for the three of them to set off together.Qin Xiaogong remained calm, and did not show any joy or anger at Meng Xibai's sudden attack.On the contrary, Zuo Shu Zhang Yingqian's mouth twitched, obviously feeling angry.Seeing that Xi Hu blatantly used himself and Che Ying as a shield, Jing Jian felt aggrieved in his heart, but he also knew that it was not when he spoke, so he stared at Wei Yang intently, afraid that he would be speechless.The most nervous one was the new Liyang Commander Wang Shi. It was the first time he had seen such a fierce and sharp contest between the court and the court, especially since he had also become an arrow target, and he couldn't help sweating from his forehead. Just when all the eyes of the court were focused on Wei Yang, Wei Yang suddenly laughed up to the sky, stood up from his seat and said loudly: "What Wei Yang talked about is the malpractice of the old system of the Qin State. Let’s talk about him from left to right? National laws and regulations should be obeyed as a whole, so that the legal system is fair. It is because the descendants of the aristocratic clans are rewarded for their meritorious deeds. The common people are rewarded for their merits? The three of you compare the benefits of the family to the harm of the common people, and the benefits of the family to the losses of the common people. Don’t you think it’s absurd? This kind of statement, turning a blind eye to the shortcomings of the old system of the Qin State, is it different from deceiving the ears and stealing the bell? The three of Meng Xibai can say that the common people are rewarded for their meritorious service, and Wei Yang naturally worships him. This is one of them." Wei Yang changed the subject, "As for Wei Yang and others receiving rewards for no merit, it is absurd. The warriors killed before the battle. Enemy is meritorious, and literati are also meritorious in planning and governing the country. The world is a public, and the titles of national officials are reserved only for those who have meritorious service. Qin Gong's "Decree for Seeking Virtue" made it known to the world, and share the Qin State with the people who strengthen Qin. Daozai?" His words were righteous, frank and bitter.The political affairs hall was filled with awe, and the faces of Meng Xibai and the other three were flushed. Gongsun Jia didn't seem to have heard the round of contest just now, and asked calmly: "Dare to ask Ke Qing, what is the third disadvantage of Qin's legal system?" Wei Yang also seemed to have never had the debate just now, "The old system of the Qin State has no power to gather people and has no power to deter chaos. This is the third disadvantage. What is the power to gather people to deter chaos? Laws are unified, orders are prohibited, and there are serious crimes." Punishment, meritorious rewards, fairness and strictness. In this way, the officials will not be greedy, the common people will be selfless, the country will rise and fall, and everyone is responsible. Thick and tough, if the vitality is cultivated, it will surely stand out from the world!" "Okay!" Zuo Shu Zhang Yingqian jumped at the table, "Sir, the words of the Qin people are great! When Emperor Shun gave me Zaoyou, the ancestor of the Ying family, he predicted that the Ying family would be great in the world." .I don’t want to be told by Mr. after a thousand years, it’s a great auspicious omen! The Qin State is strong, and it will be in Mr.’s hands. What do you think?” "Okay! Good omen!" After finishing the words, there was an enthusiastic shout in the Political Affairs Hall. Wei Yang's words are a long-standing tribal myth circulated among the old Qin people.It is said that the ancestors of Ying Qin, Da Fei and Dayu, made great contributions to water control together. Emperor Shun grandly bestowed soap on the Ying clan, and predicted that "the Er clan will be great in the world." It has been passed down from generation to generation, and everyone firmly believes that Emperor Shun's prophecy will come true one day! The phrase "Great out of the world" is almost a mysterious oath that the old Qin people encouraged each other. Together with the phrase "Join the old Qin, we will go to the country together", it constitutes the spiritual pillar and dedication tradition of the Qin people.As soon as Wei Yang's words came out, Zuo Shuchang Yingqian's mind flashed, and he immediately made it out of the sacred oath and mysterious revelation. Who wouldn't be excited?Who can not echo high-spirited in front of the long-standing tribal spirit? Turning around, Qin Xiaogong did not expect such a sudden change, and he merged the fierce confrontation into a heroic and long-lasting oath in an instant, and couldn't help whispering, "God's will." After thinking carefully, he smiled: "It's such a good omen, Congratulate yourself. However, if you go out of the world, you have to do it step by step. Ke Qing just mentioned the big reform plan, and you all need to carefully discuss it." Seeing another moment of silence, Qin Xiaogong looked at Qian Long and smiled: "Today's court meeting , without discussing with the Grand Master and the ministers in advance, in order to conduct business as one body. I wonder what the Grand Master thinks about the reform plan?" Seeing the monarch's euphemistic explanation, Qian Long felt a little relieved. He said with a heavy voice: "The reform is a big deal. If it becomes bad, there will be no peace for the country. The greater the change, the more conflicts of interest there will be. Taking the current state of Qin In theory, it is still possible to change the law. Once the law is changed, the government and the people will be in turmoil. If there is a war, I am afraid that the country will be in danger of subjugation. Moreover, when the sages govern the country, the law should be static and not change, and the people's customs should be ancient rather than modern. Following the old system is the way of stability. The officials are familiar with the old rules, and the people are at ease with the old habits. This is the way of the ages. If you don’t seek self-safety, you seek self-chaos, and the old officials really don’t understand the intention of the guest.” Wei Yang understood in his heart that this was the real beginning. He calmly smiled and said, "Why would a well-educated grand master make such a worldly statement? Today is still in the time of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors. The grand master should know that the three generations of Yao, Shun and Yu have different systems, and the five tyrants in the Spring and Autumn Period have different laws. The world changes, and the changes make the strong, and the strong will advance. The way to govern the country is that the wise and brave create laws and establish systems, and the mediocre follow the old. Innovation. Those who keep the old will live, and those who keep the old will perish. Qin has followed the old system for hundreds of years, has it kept rich, or kept strong? Or kept the land?" "No." Gongsun Jia said indifferently: "The grand master's intention is that once the reforms are made, the government and the people will be in turmoil, weakening the country's combat power, and if there is a war, the country will be in danger of subjugation. How should the guest respond to this?" It is obviously a serious challenge to bring up the topic of conservative and innovative, leading to the future of rise and fall for which no one can bear the blame. Wei Yang said without hesitation: "First, the turmoil caused by the reform is a conflict of interests. If the laws are appropriate, the conflict can be quickly quelled and the people of the country can be stabilized. This short-term turmoil is not a civil strife in the country, and it will not lead to the paralysis of the country's combat power. On the contrary, the reform can In a short period of time, the country's combat power was rapidly enhanced. Second, after the collapse of the Fengze Alliance's plan to divide Qin by the six eastern countries, the two countries of Yan and Zhao were busy snatching Zhongshan, South Korea and Qi were reforming, and Chu was busy preventing the southern barbarians from rebelling. , Wei Guo is busy moving the capital to Daliang. Yang can assert that there will be no large-scale attack on Qin for at least three years. Third, even if something unexpected happens, the new law rewards farming and military exploits, which can only make the common people go to war bravely, why? Are you in danger of weakening your combat power? Furthermore, all countries have undergone reforms, and all of them are strong. Why do you have concerns about weakening the country’s power when Qin reforms? Are you really drunk?” With this question, Qianlong and Gongsun Jia suddenly felt embarrassed, pointing directly at the benefits and disadvantages of the secretive reform, coupled with the previous three solid analysis. Suddenly, with a sound of "啪!", Du Zhi jumped up against the case, pointed at Wei Yang with a halberd and said angrily: "Wei Yang, you can't find a way to pollute people's hearts. How can you do that? The ancients said that you can't do nothing without changing the rules, and you can't do it without changing the rules. If you change the Qin law, how much benefit will it bring to the Qin State? It’s not that the scholars lobbied and seduced the people to seek officials, but let the Qin State bear the risk of subjugation! If the reform fails, you just slip away , who will clean up the mess?!" The atmosphere in the political hall suddenly became tense.Du Zhi stood upright, Qianlong Gongsun Jia was expressionless and silent, and Meng Xibai's face was livid, as if they were ready to pounce on Wei Yang at any time.Having said all that, Wei Yang didn't need to speak anymore, he stood there calmly, looking at Du Zhi with contempt.No one in the political affairs hall spoke, obviously waiting for Qin Xiaogong to make a decision.However, Qin Xiaogong was also solemnly silent, and had no intention of speaking at all. Zuo Shu Zhang Yingqian leaned on the long sword that never left, slowly stood up and walked in front of Du Zhi, and said with a sneer: "The Taimiao Ling, a minister, with a villain's heart, guessing the minds of the country's scholars, wouldn't he be afraid of the people of the world?" Ridiculous? Mr. took it as his mission to strengthen Qin, ventured into Qin, weathered the wind and rain, and visited the Qin State bitterly, with a fistful heart, which made people cry. Can you do it? Everyone here, who can do it? Who has been to the wild village in the mountains? Who Can you live with the people? Who has traveled all over the passes and fortresses of the Qin State? Tell me, who can do this?! Such a high-spirited national scholar, how could he slip away? We are born as descendants of the old Qin, and we do not want to be strong To avenge my shame, but pour the filthy water on my husband in order to live in peace, where is my conscience?" Yingqian took a heavy breath and said harshly: "I want to tell you all that God bestowed Mr. Qin on Qin, which is the blessing of our country. It is an auspicious omen for our country, Qin, to come out of the world! Discussing politics belongs to political affairs, who dares to slander Mr. for no reason, I, Yingqian, will be the first to be unforgiving with this long sword!" After finishing the sentence, he suddenly pulled out the long sword, and the white light flashed , the wooden table in front of Du Zhi snapped into two halves! Du Zhi was so frightened that his face turned blue, and he stood there in a daze, not daring to move.The courtiers were also shocked by Yingqian's awe-inspiring power, their faces were red and their hearts were beating, and no one spoke.Everyone understands that Yingqian, as the emperor's concubine brother, the commander-in-chief of the three armies and the powerful Zuo Shuzhang, his strength is almost half of Qin's power.Moreover, Yingqian has been a famous warrior of the Qin Army since he was a boy. He has a deep and violent personality. He seldom gets angry on weekdays, but when he does, he is always as bold as a thunderstorm and reckless about the consequences.Everyone knows that during a fierce battle with the State of Wei, his son disobeyed orders and lost his camp. He became furious and cut off his son's head with a sword!Killed three commanders in a row!It was Du Zhi's luck that the sword didn't hit Du Zhi just now, who would want to hit the head of this Thunder God? At this time, Gongsun Jia said solemnly: "The words of the elder Zuo Shu made me feel guilty. Gongsun Jia thought that the big plan mentioned by Ke Qing is indeed not bad, and the ministers of Qin should fully support the reform." Qian Long coughed and said in a hoarse voice: "Reform is a good thing, why is there any reason to oppose it?" When Du Zhi saw it, he hurriedly laughed fearfully: "Du Zhi lost his composure and apologized to Mr. Qin. As a descendant of the old Qin, Du Zhi should change his mind and support the reform." All the ministers in the political affairs hall echoed in unison: "The ministers and others support the reform." Qin Xiaogong got up from his seat solemnly, looked around the political affairs hall, "Since all the ministers have no objections, I am determined to reform the law in Qin." He walked down the steps, walked through the corridor where the courtiers were seated, and came to the big pillar of the political affairs hall Stand still in front of the stele behind.The ministers also stood up from their seats and came to the stone tablet.But I saw two big blood characters in purple and red on the majestic monument-national humiliation!Shocking. Qin Xiaogong pointed to the stele, "Everyone, this stele of national humiliation is a mark of shame for the old Qin people and the old Qin country. In order to rebuild Qin, I made an oath with the courtiers in front of this national shame stele: Reform the law with one heart, wash away the national humiliation, if If you have a different heart, the world will not tolerate it!" All the ministers chanted in unison: "Reform the law with one heart, wash away the national humiliation, if there is a different heart, the world will not tolerate it!" Qin Xiaogong: "From today onwards, I will worship Wei Yang as the head of Zuo Shu, preside over the state affairs, and implement reforms. Yingqian will be replaced as the general." After finishing speaking, he took the copper coin with the seal of Zuo Shu from Uncle Hei. Pan, bowed deeply to Wei Yang, and held it in front of Wei Yang with both hands.Wei Yang solemnly bowed deeply to Duke Xiao of Qin, and took the copper seal plate.Qin Xiaogong untied the long sword around his waist again, and looked around the group of officials, "This is the golden sword left by the ancestor Mu Gong to rule the country. The order states that those who disobey will be punished without mercy. Today, I will give this sword to Wei Yang to carry out reforms. Anyone who is bad I am the one who plans to reform the law, even if I am a family member, I will act according to the law and judge the crime according to the law!" After speaking, he placed the golden sword horizontally on the big copper plate in Wei Yang's hand. It was the first time for the ministers to see the monarch so deep and fierce, and there was silence, only the sound of breathing. Holding the copper plate of the seal sword, Wei Yang said loudly, "Wei Yang has been entrusted by the emperor, and he should sacrifice his life to carry out reforms. If Qin is not strong, he will not give up!" The ministers seemed to wake up and echoed in unison: "Qin is not strong, I swear not to give up!"