No war in the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 53: On Reform
What do I think?
If it were in earlier years, Su Ze would probably shout out national justice. He should not be timid at this time and should fight the Khitans directly!

But now Su Ze can understand the ideas of Fan Zhongyan and other peace advocates.

The current Song Dynasty is indeed invincible.

Su Ze recalled the history he knew. This time, Fu Bi, as the accompanying envoy, reached a certain understanding with the Liao envoy. Later, he went to the Liao Kingdom again and successfully signed a treaty. In the end, the Northern Song Dynasty did not cede land or marry a princess. In the end, peace was exchanged for an increase in annual tribute.

Realistically speaking, this is already a pretty good result.

Of course, Su Ze was not a Song Dynasty fan. The Song Dynasty was the most aggrieved dynasty in the Central Plains. It paid annual tribute just because it was threatened by the Liao Kingdom. This was completely unimaginable in the Han and Tang Dynasties.

Whether it is Fan Zhongyan, Wang Anshi, or the young scholars present here, they all have the ideal of enriching the country and strengthening the military.

It’s just that some people practice their ideals, while others get lost in the dye vat of power.

Still need to express his attitude, Su Ze said casually:

"Brother Jiefu discussed Qin's peace with the six states. I, Su, believe that serving Qin with land is like trying to put out a fire by adding fuel to the fire. As long as the fuel is not used up, the fire will not be extinguished."

"it is good!"

Hearing Su Ze's words, Yang Zong was the first to applaud.

Zeng Gong, Han Jiang, Wang Gui, and Zeng Bu who was beside Zeng Gong also looked at Su Ze with bright eyes.

Su Ze thought about how he felt the same as them when he read "On the Six Kingdoms" back then. He just felt excited and inspired. No wonder Su Xun's "On the Six Kingdoms" was so widely circulated.

But if you think about it carefully, there is no solution in the whole "On the Six Kingdoms". In the words of later generations, it is an emotional article for venting emotions.

Yang Zong sighed:
"Not being able to compete with Su Lang in the same subject is such a pity in life!"

Who wants to take the imperial examination with you?
Wang Anshi asked again, "Brother Su, how can we redeem ourselves from this humiliation?"

Su Ze looked at Wang Anshi, and quickly thought that Wang Anshi had not yet entered the officialdom and should not have had any specific ideas for reform.

But since Wang Anshi asked, Su Ze did not hide his thoughts at all. He said:

"Of course it's a change!"

"political reform!"

Everyone showed an expression of "as expected".

With the fall of conservative leader Lu Yijian, more and more officials began to discuss new policies.

The content of Fan Zhongyan's memorial to the emperor in Beijing more than a month ago was not made public, but everyone speculated that Fan Zhongyan was requesting the government to reform the law.

Su Ze's painting of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" upset Lu Yijian. No matter how you think about it, it is impossible for him to be on the same page with the conservatives. He must be inclined to the reformists.

Most of the young officials in the court supported the reform.

At this time, Yang Zong said loudly:
"Change! It's time to change!"

Wang Anshi, Zeng Gong and Han Jiang also nodded. Seeing everyone nodding, Wang Gui also nodded.

Yang Zong looked at Su Ze and said:

"What do you think is the first priority of the reform?"

The first priority of the reform?
Han Jiang was the son of a chancellor, and he had some understanding of the court's predicament. He said:

"Han thought the government should expand its financial resources and ensure a harmonious relationship with the people. But why are the people's lives becoming increasingly difficult? To the point where every time there's a famine, the government has to use its treasury to provide relief?"

"In my opinion, all the profits in the world have been earned by merchants! Those merchants violated the court's dress code and wore fancy clothes, causing the people to pursue luxury. This is why our Song Dynasty is in such a predicament!" Wang Gui echoed, but did not express his own opinion.

Zeng Gong said:
"I think the problem now is that the government troops are exhausted, the war in the north is not going well, and we are unable to recover the old territory of the Han and Tang dynasties. First of all, we must strengthen our military preparations and prepare for war."

Su Ze did not expect that Zeng Gong, who has always been famous for his literature, was actually a war advocate.

Wang Anshi had obviously thought about the reform, and he continued:

"The first priority of reform is naturally to correct people's hearts. Even marching and fighting requires a legitimate reason. Without a theoretical basis, how can we convince scholars to join the reform?"

Su Ze looked at Wang Anshi and asked, "So this is the beginning of your compilation of "New Interpretations of the Three Classics"?"
Su Ze also had to admire in his heart that Wang Anshi was worthy of his name. He understood in his twenties that before doing things, one must first put forward a program slogan and create ideological weapons. This insight even surpassed Fan Zhongyan, who was about to take charge of the Qingli administration.

In Su Ze's opinion, one of the reasons for the failure of the Qingli administration was the lack of a clear program.

The gentlemen of the Qingli period were just a group of ambitious ministers united under the common ideal of enriching the country and strengthening the military. Their political views were different, and there were internal disagreements.

The New Deal only has specific policy slogans but no unified ideological program.

Yang Zong nodded, obviously agreeing with Wang Anshi's point of view.

At this time, everyone looked at Su Ze, and Su Ze said:

"Su thought it should be Yuyingcai."

Su Ze looked at Wang Anshi. Whether it was the New Deal of the Qingli Period or Wang Anshi's reforms in later generations, the main reason for their failure was people.

The reform failed because of the improper use of personnel.

When Wang Anshi carried out the reform, he acted too hastily and many speculators and ambitious people mixed into the team. Some good laws that might have been beneficial to the people became cruel and evil laws that harmed the people as officials pursued political achievements and interests.

In addition, the drafting and implementation of any law requires a large number of talents.

Reality is not a game. You can't change a country's policies by just clicking a button. These changes need to be implemented by people.

Su Ze said:

"Only by valuing talent, allowing more people to understand the benefits of reform, understand the purpose of reform, and allow more like-minded people to participate in reform, can reform be sustained and avoid the end of the people's demise and the end of the government."

"How can there be a law in this world that remains unchanged for a hundred years? Laws become corrupt over time, and they must be changed according to the times. Today's new laws are the ancestral laws of future generations. Without future generations who carry on the spirit of reform, the world will continue to decline."

Everyone thought about what Su Ze said and felt that what he said made sense.

Yang Zong sighed:
"It is a pity for the Song Dynasty that a talent like Brother Su cannot enter the government."

Su Ze thought about it and realized that he couldn't hide the fact that he was appointed as an official by the imperial favor, so he simply confessed:

"Su has been blessed by the emperor's grace and has been granted the privilege of being admitted to the government by Uncle Zhang. Now, he has been assigned to manage the store and the house."

Everyone was shocked to hear that Su Ze had been appointed to an official position and had been assigned an assignment.

You should know that even Wang Anshi, who ranked among the top in the imperial examination, had to wait patiently in the official examination court for a suitable vacant position to appear before he could become an official.

But no one, including Zeng Gong, showed any jealousy, and they all congratulated Su Ze.

Anyway, one can take the imperial examination after receiving the imperial favor. Han Jiang present here has rich experience.

At this time, Yang Zong, who was well-informed, said:

"Brother Su, have you heard about the evil monk case that happened in the store a few days ago?"

(End of this chapter)