Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 429: Taking Office (Additional Update for JJM Leader)

Of course the emperor has the right to make absolute decisions.

However, except for the founding emperor, except in times when imperial power is highly centralized, emperors usually do not use this power rashly.

Just like the Ministry of Personnel's arrangement for the new top scholar Yang Yuan, the Prince of Jin disagreed and the emperor was also dissatisfied, but the emperor could not easily use his privilege of arbitrary decision-making.

It was not a national event concerning surrender or war. It was a matter of life and death at that time. If the court officials could not reach a consensus, it could not be delayed any longer and the monarch would have to take charge.

But if you use this privilege rashly in normal times, your subjects will only look down on you.

They would think that the emperor had lost control of the court and could not win the hearts of his subjects, so he could only use the emperor's privileges to forcibly impose his will.

This is why Zhao Yuan did not force the issue after so much wrangling over the appointment of a new top scholar.

But today is different.

After the imperial court meeting, an "Imperial Conference" was immediately held, with all the ministers and officials participating.

Then, more than half of the people expressed their agreement with the resolution to reform the censorate.

Shen Gai, Wei Liangchen, Tang Situi and others remained silent and have not yet expressed their views.

Tang Situi thought for a moment and suddenly said, "I second the motion."

Shen Gai and Wei Liangchen looked at Tang Situi with some surprise.

Tang Situi looked straight ahead and whispered to the two of them, "Mr. Wanqi has returned home to wait for the report."

After Shen Gai and Wei Liangchen thought about it for a moment, they understood what he meant.

Without Wanqi Xie on his side, there would be no way he could gain the upper hand in this imperial meeting.

If you know it is impossible, then there is no need to break with the government, as that would be a lose-lose situation.

Moreover, it seemed that Wanqi Xie could no longer hold on to the position of prime minister.

So, should Shen go one step further and become prime minister?
Since the emperor does not want to repeat the situation of Qin Hui as the sole prime minister, he will consider promoting another person to be prime minister.

Who is this candidate?
If there is a fallout with the government, I'm afraid this candidate won't be an ideal one.

Thinking of this, Shen Gai and Wei Liangchen, who had been slow to express their opinions, nodded and said, "I second the motion."

The leaders of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Justice, who were following behind them, hurriedly responded when they saw the three prime ministers nodded.

The recorder wrote that the imperial meeting in the 25th year of Shaoxing recorded the resolution on the reform of the Taijian system, which was passed unanimously.

"Okay, there is one more small matter. I would like to take this opportunity to talk to you all about it."

When Zhao Yuan saw that the reform of the censorate was passed smoothly, he picked up the tea and gestured to the ministers with a happy face.

This small-scale imperial meeting was not as solemn as a court meeting, and the ministers had seats.

If they are not given seats, Shen Gai, Wei Liangchen and some older people in the six departments will not be able to hold on any longer.

Zhao Yuan took a sip of tea and said, "That's about the appointment of the new number one scholar Yang Yuan."

Zhao Yuan frowned and said unhappily, "If the appointment of the top scholar is not certain, how can we announce the appointment of others? One hundred and fifty-seven new scholars are all waiting for the court's appointment. This matter should not be delayed any longer."

The sleepy Goose King suddenly perked up, straightened his neck and said, "I think that the first place in the new imperial examination can go to the Secretariat, which also shows that the court values ​​talents.

If the ministers think it is too rash to directly appoint him as a proofreader, then he can first be made a secretary of the Secretariat. After a year or so, if you see that he acts steadily and without mistakes, then he can be promoted to proofreader. "

After the Goose King said this, he felt that he had made a big concession and looked at the ministers and officials complacently.

Shen Gai's eyes darkened for a moment.

In his view, Qin Hui advocated peace for his own personal interests, while Yang Yuan advocated war for his own personal interests.

Comparing the two, Yang Yuan, a loyal but treacherous person, was probably more harmful than Qin Hui, and could cause great loss of life if he was not careful.

Before the Yuanfeng reform, the Secretariat was equivalent to the National Library and the National Archives.

Being an official in this place is honorable and easy to get promoted, but at least during his tenure, he has little chance to interfere in state affairs.

In this situation, it would be fine to let Yang Yuan go, and then slowly find an opportunity to transfer this treacherous minister who bewitched the king away from Lin'an.

But after the Yuanfeng reform, the Secretariat also had the function of the Emperor's office, so Yang Yuan could not be allowed to go there.

What will happen if there is this little thief who flatters the emperor and slanders him every day?
Therefore, Shen Gai shook his head slowly and said firmly: "I think that the position of Tongpan of Jiankang Prefecture is of high position and power. Moreover, Jiankang Prefecture is now clearing out the remnants of Qin Hui, and it needs a suitable candidate to take charge of the overall situation. Yang Yuan is the most suitable."

Yang Cunzhong immediately questioned: "It is customary for the first place winner of the first class to stay in Beijing as an official. If Yang Yuan goes to Jiankang Prefecture, that's fine. Should this rule be changed from now on?"

Yang Cunzhong sneered and said, “If from now on, all the new champions do not work in the capital, then Yang will have nothing to say.

If not, shouldn't Mr. Shen give an explanation to the government and the public?"

After hearing this, Shen Gai frowned and showed a trace of sadness.

He was only targeting Yang Yuan. From then on, the convention was changed. No future top scholar would stay in the capital. Wouldn't he have offended all the scholars in the world?
I am afraid that from now on, any number one scholar, after writing a "poem of gratitude" to the emperor, will have to immediately write a poem to curse Shen Shouyue, and he will be cursed for thousands of years...

Wei Liangchen cleared his throat and said slowly: "Lin'an is the temporary residence of our Song Dynasty, not the capital..."

Zhang Jun was furious. He was a civil servant and had become a Jinshi in the eighth year of Emperor Huizong's Zhenghe reign. He had served as an editor and imperial censor.

Eleven years later, the Miao and Liu armies mutinied. Zhang Jun invited Lu Yihao, Zhang Jun, Han Shizhong and others to help the king restore the monarchy, and only then did he become an officer in charge of the army.

Perhaps because he has been dealing with military men for a long time, his personality has become straightforward.

Zhang Jun deeply detested Wei Liangchen's disgusting behavior of nitpicking.

He immediately said: "What Wei Xianggong said is right, Lin'an is the imperial palace, Zhang knows it, and everyone knows it too.

Then, Zhang will repeat Yang Gong's words again:
If from now on, all the new top scholars no longer work in the "Xingzai", then Zhang will have nothing to say.

If not, shouldn't Prime Minister Wei give an explanation to the court and the public?
The two sides were at loggerheads, and the emperor, who was both the referee and the player, stepped down to mediate, saying, "My dear ministers, don't be so angry. We are all recruiting talents for the country, and we are all doing it out of public interest. Just talk slowly."

At this point, Zhao Yuan chuckled and said, "It's just an arrangement for a newly-minted Jinshi, who is only an official of the sixth or seventh rank. I just thought of it and mentioned it casually. I don't need the court officials to judge and decide in the imperial meeting, right?"

The Goose King rolled his eyes and said coldly: "The number one scholar will not leave Beijing. This rule cannot be changed."

Minister of Rites Qu Mo coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty..."

The Goose King thought his father-in-law was going to nitpick again, so he said angrily, "Okay! Okay! Is that all right?"

Minister Qu glared at this bastard son-in-law. If they were not in front of the emperor, he would have taken off his boots and burned them on his face.

Minister Qu turned away and said to Zhao Yuan, "Your Majesty, I think Yang Yuan is young and brave. Your Majesty is planning to reform the censorship system, so why not let Yang Yuan be a censor? Isn't that the right person for you?"

Zhao Yuan's eyes lit up and she nodded slowly.

Tang Situi frowned, he knew that Minister Qu didn't want things to get too awkward between them and the emperor, so he came up with this compromise.

After all, the emperor's words just now seemed to be a joke, but the dissatisfaction was almost visible on his face. But, let Yang Yuan be a censor?
A newly-minted Jinshi dared to judge the prime minister's guilt and redress Yue Fei's injustice.

A "person to be selected" dared to write a letter to express his opinion and decide whether to make peace or war between Song and Jin.

What would happen if such a restless person became a censor?

Tang Shitui got a headache when he thought about Yang Yuan scolding anyone he caught.

Tang Situi immediately said, "Although the censors are of low rank, they have great power. When selecting censors, we always require them to be familiar with the law and have experience in local governance, so that they will not be unaware of local malpractices and be easily deceived. Yang Yuan is not suitable."

Wei Liangchen also didn't want Yang Yuan to be a censor. If he became a censor, it would be better for him to go to the Secretariat.

If this big troll makes trolling his profession, then is he really making use of his strengths?
Wei Liangchen said, "I think that since the number one scholar should not be sent out, and the Secretariat and the Censorate think he lacks experience, why not... send him to Lin'an Prefecture?"

Shen Gai's eyes lit up and he said hurriedly, "Yes, before our dynasty moved south, there was a precedent of a top scholar taking office in Kaifeng Prefecture. If Yang Yuan were to take office in Lin'an Prefecture, I think it would be appropriate."

The Goose King opened his mouth and thought about what he had just said, 'The number one scholar never leaves Beijing'.

This is the arrangement they made, but it didn't violate this rule. It was difficult for him to refute it, so he looked at Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan felt a little tired.

However, today's court meeting and the imperial conference have already achieved several victories in succession, so it is not a good idea to force the prime ministers into a corner.

Since Yang Yuan was able to stay in Lin'an, there was an explanation for Brother Qu.

At the feet of the emperor, as long as Yang Yuan achieved some political achievements, he would be able to keep watch at any time.

If you want to promote him then, it will be justified. There is no need to argue about the duration of this moment.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yuan nodded and said, "Okay! In that case, the Ministry of Personnel."

Minister of Personnel Tan Yingwen hurriedly stood up and said, "I'm here."

Zhao Yuan said, "The new Jinshi candidates are being selected as officials. Yang Yuan is the Tongpan of Lin'an Prefecture. The list is ready and submitted again."

The necessary procedures still had to be followed. The appointment list of 157 people was originally stuck on Yang Yuan alone.

Now that everyone has approved his appointment, the process will be much faster.

The next day, Yang Yuan got the "official certificate" and went to Lin'an Prefecture to take up his post.

……

"I heard that the new number one scholar in Song is named Yang Yuan. During the palace examination, he bluntly said that Qin Hui was a traitor to the country and wanted to redress the injustice for General Yue?"

A young man who looked to be in his early twenties stood on the hillside with his hands behind his back, gazing at the rolling hills in the distance and said.

The man had a dark complexion, was stout and sturdy, and wore a silk-colored arrow-sleeved suit that was neither new nor worn, a black headband that reached his eyebrows, and a green scarf that bound his hair. A long sword hung under his ribs, and he looked quite majestic as he looked around.

Just looking at the down on his lips and the temperament between his eyebrows, he seems like a teenager who has not yet grown up, still a bit childish.

This man was called Xin Qiji, and he was only fifteen years old. However, he was quite tall, and at that time he looked like a middle-aged man, a typical Shandong man.

He looked a little fat, but not bloated, and appeared to be very sturdy and strong.

At a young age, he had already made a name for himself in Jinan Prefecture and was nicknamed "Big Green Si", which described his immense strength, ferocity and power, like a giant one-horned rhinoceros.

Seven or eight knights in green were letting go of their horses' reins and lying down on the hillside to rest.

They were servants of the Xin family, and accompanied their young master Xin Qiji to Zhongdu Yanjing to take part in the Jin Dynasty's imperial examination.

There were two followers busy next to Xin Qiji. They were skilled in geomancy and good at drawing maps.

When Xin Qiji was traveling from Jinan Prefecture to Yanjing Prefecture, he asked these two followers to draw the mountains, rivers, and dangerous geography along the way.

If there was a place where Jin soldiers were stationed, he would ask nearby residents indirectly and mark in detail on the map the location of the Jin troops' station, the number of troops, and the main type of troops.

A retainer, busy surveying a map, replied with a smile: "Yes, that's what I heard. The Jin Kingdom is recruiting troops in Caizhou to demonstrate to the Song Kingdom."

Xin Qiji laughed, thought for a moment, and asked, "Do you think I can come back as the top scorer in the imperial examination this time in Beijing?"

The retainer said, "Young Master, you are a man of both civil and military talents. In my opinion, it would be easy for you to win the first place in both civil and military examinations."

Xin Qiji said "Hey", looked into the distance, and said regretfully: "I hope I can go to Song State and get the top prize!"

This was a bit difficult to respond to, so the two servants just focused on surveying and didn't say anything.

After those people finished the surveying, Xin Qiji called his followers, and the group continued to rush to Yanjing, rolling up dust like a dragon.

Jinan is not far from Yanjing, and Xin Qiji and his entourage were riding fast horses, so they arrived in Yanjing Prefecture in a few days.

The Yanjing Prefecture at this time was even more prosperous than before the Song Dynasty moved south.

After Wanyan Liang usurped the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, he was ambitious and wanted to expand his territory and territory southward, so he intended to move the capital of the Jin Dynasty south.

If he had not been worried about the Jin nobles' strong opposition, he would have wanted to move the capital directly to Bianliang in one go.

Only in this way can the impression that the Jin Dynasty was a foreign Hu conqueror be completely reversed and it can become the orthodox Chinese dynasty.

Unfortunately, even the move of the capital to Yanjing was fiercely opposed by the Jin nobles.

Despite this, Wanyan Liang still ordered the expansion and reconstruction of Yanjing.

The renovation and expansion of the new Yanjing City took three years and was completed two years ago.

Afterwards, Wanyan Liang officially moved the capital to Yanjing and named Yanjing as Zhongdu.

The Jurchen nobles were forced to leave Shangjing, located between the Baishan and Heishui rivers, and come to Zhongdu Yanjing.

As a result, Yanjing's population increased sharply, making it appear more prosperous.

At this time, the Jin Kingdom was holding an imperial examination to recruit officials, and the population of Yanjing became increasingly dense.

When Xin Qiji was almost at the city gate, he caught up with a line of carts.

There were more than ten carts, all of which were long-distance trucks with wide axles and large wheels. Knights with swords were guarding the trucks on both sides.

Trucks are all pulled by strong mules. Mules are steady in driving and can bear heavy loads. Although they cannot speed up, it is not a problem since they are trucks.

No one knew what was on the vehicle. It was all packed in boxes, baskets and sacks. All that could be seen were cooking utensils, bedding and other items piled on top.

This was obviously a caravan coming from a long distance.

Seeing this, Xin Qiji slowed down his horse and greeted the driver of the other car with a smile: "Uncle, where are you from?"

The whip-man, wearing a straw hat, looked up, revealing a clear face, and replied with a smile: "Oh, we are from Dengzhou."

This chief whipper was none other than Fei Tianlu, the owner of the "Moshang Huaxiu Workshop" and the director of the Privy Council's Skinning Division.

(End of this chapter)