vrcanaries Chapter 102 "The Avengers"
Chapter 102 "The Avengers"
The first year of Shaoshu in the Northern Song Dynasty
Emperor Zhezong of Song had just finished posting a comment when he couldn't help but recall Emperor Shenzong's comment: "Father praised me!"
His breathing quickened for a moment, but his expression was one of excitement and exhilaration!
But after a moment he slowly fell into deep thought: Miss Lin once said that the Song Dynasty was regarded as a weak Song by later generations, so it must have happened after my death. If reform could lead to the destruction of a country, then there would not have been so many people in history who rushed to carry out reforms.
I will carry on my father's legacy and make the Song Dynasty a better place!
Emperor Zhezong of Song once again solidified his resolve.
With Lin Ke's help this time, will he still end up dying young?
........
Lin Ke continued, "Zhang Dun's recall to the court should make those who are most worried tremble with fear, since Liu Zhi and others clung to him like mad dogs."
"Even after Zhang Dun was sentenced to be sent to a remote post, they did not let him go. He continued to suppress and ostracize his father. He was even prevented from seeing his father one last time due to the obstruction of Liu Zhi and Empress Dowager Gao."
"The key point is that Zhang Dun initially went there with the hope of maintaining good relations with the old party, but his sincere heart was treated this way."
"Judging from his usual behavior, he must be an extremely proud person, so isn't this a kind of humiliation for him?"
"One was hatred for the old party, and the other was disgust for the Yuanyou era. He and King Cheoljong could be said to have common enemies."
Emperor Zhezong: Sharpening his knives, he's ready to strike at the old party.
Zhang Miao: Hmph, just you wait!
Liu Zhi of the Northern Song Dynasty: I always had a bad feeling.
Minister Yuanyou: Alas, so are we!
"In later generations, there is a saying that describes Wang Anshi and three other people: the three driving forces within Wang Anshi's New Policies—Lü Huiqing, Zeng Bu, and Han Jiang. However, all three of them betrayed him one after another. Here we will focus on Zeng Bu."
"Zeng Bu, whose elder brother was Zeng Gong, one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, was recommended by Wang Anshi and Han Wei. During the crucial period of Wang Anshi's reforms, he participated in the recruitment of laborers and the baojia system."
"He also played an important role in it, but later, due to frequent disputes and conflicts over the Market Regulation Law, he broke off relations with Wang Anshi."
"Zeng Bu thus began his career as a local official, until he was recalled to the capital after Emperor Zhezong of Song assumed personal rule."
Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty
When Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, Zhu Di and others heard this, their expressions became very solemn. In the Song Dynasty, factions were constantly fighting and ostracizing each other, and there were even problems within a single faction.
It was precisely because the consequences of such factionalism and suppression of dissent were known early on that the eunuch clique that later emerged and competed with the civil officials came into being.
However, in the later period of the Ming Dynasty, the cultural management group even dared to deceive the emperor. Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but worry that his Ming Dynasty might be following the old path of the Song Dynasty!
.......
Zeng Bu knew that Emperor Zhezong valued Zhang Miao more than him, so when Emperor Zhezong ordered him to give a speech for Zhang Miao's investiture as prime minister, he immediately complied. In any case, no matter that the two had conflicts in the past, he had to 'praise' Zhang Miao as much as possible at this time.
In the text, he describes Zhang Dun as having "broad and magnanimous character, and a resolute and clear will," and also as having "unwavering integrity despite the storms and waves that arise on his perilous journey."
"At this time, everyone in the court could see that Emperor Zhezong was very disgusted with Yuanyou. Zeng Bu seized this opportunity and immediately submitted a memorial saying: The late emperor's policies should be resumed, and the reign title should be changed to comply with the will of Heaven. Thus, the reign title was changed to Shaosheng."
"You know what, Zeng Bu's two actions were exactly what Emperor Zhezong wanted to hear. The big boss Zhao Xu was quite satisfied with them, so just two months later, Emperor Zhezong promoted Zeng Bu to the position of head of the Privy Council."
A high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty said: "I have to say, having a subordinate who knows how to read the room makes being a leader very comfortable!"
An official from the Tang Dynasty: He has to be a capable person!
A scholar from the Yuan Dynasty: Mr. Zeng, you did a great job!
.......
"The last one, Cai Bian, was the younger brother of the notorious traitor Cai Jing. He had also followed Wang Anshi. From the commonalities among these three, we can see that Emperor Zhezong chose people who had some connection with Wang Anshi."
"This young Cai was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the third year of the Xining era. He was only thirteen years old when he passed the exam, making him a true child prodigy. In addition, he had another identity: the son-in-law of the reformer Wang Anshi. Coupled with his own abilities, Wang Anshi once regarded him as his political successor."
"Compared to his brother Cai Jing's infamous reputation, this young Cai has a much better one. Coupled with his incorruptibility and promising talent, no wonder Old Wang valued him as his son-in-law!"
"However, feelings are always two-way. If you are good to me, I will be good to you. The same is true for Lord Cai. Old Wang values him and takes good care of him. He has long regarded Old Wang as his own father."
"The Yuanyou court burned Wang's woodblock prints and smeared his new laws. Moreover, Cai Que, who was persecuted in the Chegaiting Poetry Case, was his elder relative. So, who wouldn't like those Yuanyou ministers? He, like Emperor Zhezong, hated the Yuanyou court the most."
"Goodness, looking at it this way, it seems like we've formed an Avengers team. Apart from Zeng Bu, who might not dislike Yuan Youchao too much, everyone else probably hates him quite a bit."
Wang Anshi of the Northern Song Dynasty: !!!
A rough, unsophisticated farmer from the Ming Dynasty: It would be a shame not to take revenge!
A young girl from the Tang Dynasty who loves gossip: Poor Old Wang!
.......