I will never be Renzong

Chapter 36 Disputes
In the first year of Qianxing, the ninth day of November.

Prime Minister Feng Zheng said: "Officials, it has been more than half a year since the late emperor passed away. I request the official to appoint a minister to compile the real record for the late emperor!"

After the death of an ancient emperor, there would be special personnel to compile the records of his reign, which is also a kind of chronicle history book, which records the major events during the reign of a certain emperor.

"Our country was founded in the east, the ancestors worshiped virtue and the emperor, and the emperor was magnificent and prosperous for thousands of years. The saints of our civilization, Yuan Xiao, and the emperor Ruisheng first came out, and the virtues covered the world, and the people were alive. There are ten thousand nations. Wende, with two ceremonies, can be passed down through the ages, issue imperial edicts, accept advice with an open mind, be pure-hearted, serve the public, cultivate morality, be pragmatic, be observant, study diligently, and reform evil."

Zhao Zhen didn't dare to be sloppy when Xiuzhenzong recorded this kind of thing, after all, it was related to his own reputation, and the Song Dynasty emphasized filial piety.

When the officials below heard Zhao Zhen's words, they couldn't help but underestimated in their hearts. How could they not know the virtues of the late emperor? This kind of praise is a bit too much!I don't know who wrote this word, it can't be Liu Congde, his painting is good, but his talent is average. Although Cai Boyu is a child prodigy, he doesn't seem to be able to write such words.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

These words of praise were too much, even Liu E couldn't help coughing to remind Zhao Zhen that his exaggeration was a bit exaggerated.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhen said: "The above words are all from my heart. That's why I appointed Chengzhi Li Wei, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, and Yan Shu, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, to preside over the revision of "Zhenzong Shilu"!"

The candidate was discussed by the ministers a long time ago, but the above words were added by Zhao Zhen privately, in order to show off his literary talents in front of the ministers, to show his presence, and to let the ministers know that he is not just an official. Marionette.

Sun Xun, the son of the state, said: "Officials! When I knew Gunzhou, I set up a school to recruit students. There were hundreds of them. Although I used my own salary to support them, it was often not enough. I am afraid that I will learn from you when I leave the state. The house gradually fell into disrepair, and the old minister asked the court to give the school house ten hectares of land as food for students!"

Wang Zeng said: "Officials, building a school can play a role in attracting the hearts of scholars. It is the old minister who thinks this is possible."

"Since that's the case, it's up to each state to allocate school dormitories and corresponding job fields. As for the specific amount, Zhongshu will be in charge of discussing it!"

Mrs. Liu E had just listened to the government behind the curtain, so she naturally wanted to sell the face of scholars all over the world.

Among the ministers of the imperial court, there are many children from poor families, and of course they all agree with this.

Zhao Zhen suddenly said: "Ma'am! I don't think this matter is inappropriate again!"

Before Liu E replied, Wang Zeng took the lead in saying: "Build a school, give a job field, and there will be more scholars in the world. As a result, there will be a prosperous age in the Song Dynasty. This is something that benefits the country and the people. , I don’t know why the officials objected?”

Wang Zeng did not give Zhao Zhen any expression, but directly angrily said.

Zhao Zhen said unhurriedly: "Sun Xianggong used to pay for the school building at his own expense. If there is an imperial government appropriating funds for the school, then the court's tax revenue will inevitably be reduced. However, the number of officials in the Song Dynasty has not decreased since the Song Dynasty. It has never been reduced, and the annual cost has been increasing compared to previous years. I would like to ask the king, if the imperial court uses part of the land as a school field, then if the army cannot pay the military salary because of this, what should they do if they are completely rebellious? The salaries of the officials cannot be paid. What if you don’t do your best for the court? The common people have to pay more taxes at a time, so what if there is a civil uprising?”

The school land system refers to the history of feudal education in China. A certain amount of land was allocated by the state or purchased by the school itself as a fixed asset of the school. The school leased the land to nearby farmers for cultivation.

Before the country's finances are sufficient, it is natural to develop education. However, Song Zhenzong is a good spender. Song Taizu saved part of the money, Song Taizong spent part of it, and Song Zhenzong squandered most of it. By this time, there is not much left.

"The official's words are too alarmist!"

It took Wang Zeng a long time to hold back such a sentence.

"The embankment of a thousand miles collapsed in the ant's nest. I think the financial situation of my country should be very clear to the gentlemen! So I think you can save as much as you can!"

Zhao Zhenkai has a lot of ideas, but right now he is not in charge of the government, so speaking out may not have much effect, so he can only save money.

Zhang Zhibai, deputy envoy of the Privy Council, said: "I think the official's words are not unreasonable! But after all, the school is for cultivating scholars, so I think it is necessary to set up a system and norms for the school in a certain place, so as to prevent people who are just pretending to be in the school. She, secondly, can truly select talents for the imperial court."

There is still one of the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty who can speak for Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen strikes while the iron is hot and said: "The first emperor once said: Rich families don't need to buy fertile land, there are thousands of millet in the book. There is no need to build tall buildings to live in peace, there is a golden house in the book. Don't hate unscrupulous matchmakers when you marry a wife, there is Yan Ruyu in the book Don't hate to be unattended when you go out, there are many horses and chariots in the book. If a man wants to live his life, he reads the Five Classics diligently in front of the window."

"I think it is a good thing that there are many scholars in the world, and it can show that the Song Dynasty is full of talents, but there must be a corresponding system to manage it. Otherwise, everyone will use the righteousness of establishing a school to cheat the court. It’s not that you want to mess up the rules! Besides, the imperial court’s finances are not rich at the moment!”

"Having said so much! You might as well tell us what the government's countermeasures are!"

Liu E spoke out, because she had seen through the officials a little bit. The officials would either not intervene in the political affairs of the court. Once they intervened, they must have a perfect plan in mind.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhen said: "Madam, my ministers think that the imperial court will fund the construction of a school in each road, named as the official school of the Song Dynasty, and the number of people will be controlled within 100, and corresponding jobs will be given. Doctors serve as lecturers, but each school implements an elimination system and holds an exam every year, which can prevent people who fish in troubled waters from wasting national resources in vain, and can also ensure that the level of students in the school is always at the top level of all schools."

Zhao Zhen still has a lot of ideas that he hasn't said, such as teaching students according to their aptitude, encouraging the all-round development of scholars in the world, etc., but right now, we can't take too big a step, let's start with a little bit!
During the Song Taizu and Song Taizong dynasties, the number of candidates for the imperial examination was still normal, but when it came to Song Zhenzong, thousands of people could be selected for one imperial examination, and the balance in the officialdom had long been broken. Hundreds, but the official position is a radish and a pit after all. Zhao Zhen thinks that these people can't do anything with their salaries for nothing. It's better to go to various places as professors to train talents for the Song Dynasty.

"What do you think of the official's proposal?"

Liu E was obviously moved by Zhao Zhen's proposal. If you are not in charge of the family, you don't know how expensive firewood, rice, oil and salt are. If you can spend less, spend less!

"Officials are smart and considerate, but ministers are meaningless!"

Prime Minister Feng Zheng saw that Liu E's words seemed to be inclined to the official's point of view, so he hurriedly came out to pay homage.

"I have no objection!"

(End of this chapter)