Chapter 463 The Road to Reform Cannot Stop

After returning to Kaifeng, Li Xiaoji went home immediately.

Wang Anshi and others were transferred from other places and had no home in the capital, so they had no choice but to stay in Guanyi first.

After washing up for a while, I also followed Zhao Jun and the others to Li Mansion to visit Li Di.

After all, after being together for more than two years, the few people accompanying us are not from the same sect, but are more like the same sect. They have already been marked as being from the same sect.

Zhao Jun went back to his mansion first, washed up again, changed his clothes, washed away the dust from his body, and went to the palace first.

At this moment, Zhao Zhen in the palace had already received the news of his return, and sent Wang Shouzhong to guard the door of his mansion early.

After a quick meeting with his family, Zhao Jun and Cao Miaoxin exchanged greetings with each other as both children had gone to school, and then hurriedly got into the carriage and entered the palace.

Today's carriage tires are no longer the wooden tires of the past, but are all rubber tires. If you walk slowly, it will run very smoothly.

If the ground in Bianliang City had not continued to be paved with bluestone pavement and had not been replaced by cement roads on a large scale, and there would still be bumps when running fast, I believe that riding a car would be more comfortable.

Soon the carriage entered the palace from Xihua Gate, and the speed was much slower than before. After all, the size of the imperial city has now expanded several times, and the distance is naturally longer.

Fan Zhongyan and Yan Shu's motorcade were also waiting at the entrance of the palace. As the palace became larger, Zhao Zhen allowed the prime ministers to ride in sedans or carriages in the imperial city.

Only when you get to the location of the former imperial palace will you switch to walking. In this way, just like the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the difference between the imperial city and the imperial palace appeared.

Unlike before, the combined area of ​​the entire imperial city and palace was only 1 square kilometer.

In the back garden, Zhao Zhen, who is 41 years old this year, was walking around outside Chenhui Building in a somewhat excited mood. He had not seen his eldest grandson in two years and really missed him.

The most important thing is that in the past two years, Zhao Jun has not been governing the country in Bianliang, but the development of Bianliang has been on the right track, and everything is proceeding in an orderly manner according to the policy left by Zhao Jun.

Not only did this not make Zhao Zhen feel that it didn't matter if he lost Zhao Jun, but he felt more and more unable to do without Zhao Jun.

The Song Dynasty has developed very well even without the great grandson. If the great grandson is here, the Song Dynasty will develop even better. What's more, the reason why Da Sun went out this time was to improve Da Song's future.

Therefore, Zhao Zhen misses him all the time and hopes that Zhao Jun can come back soon.

"Guan family, the magistrate has arrived."

A young eunuch looked from a distance and saw Wang Shouzhong walking in the front, bringing Zhao Jun, Yan Shu, Fan Zhongyan and others over, and quickly reported the news to Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen immediately walked over and saw Zhao Jun from a distance. He was very excited and went up and said: "Hanlong, Hanlong."

When there are many people outside, he must not call Da Sun, otherwise he will be exposed.

"Official!"

Zhao Jun also took a few hurried steps and was about to bow his hands as he went up.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Zhen grabbed him with both hands and said with a smile: "We don't need these nonsense between us."

Seeing that his relationship had not become estranged for two years, Zhao Jun also laughed: "Although this is the case, isn't this the etiquette that should be followed?"

After saying that, he looked at Zhao Zhen again and saw that he looked very good, so he said again: "I haven't seen you in the official family for two years, and he is getting younger."

"Yes, I am getting old, but I have a childlike face with black hair, and my body and bones have always been strong."

Yan Shu said with envy.

Zhao Jun smiled and said: "This shows that the official family has always maintained a young mentality and vitality. This is a good thing and can make people live longer."

In fact, he remembered that in history, Zhao Zhen was prone to sudden onset of hysteria due to various reasons in the middle and later stages of his life. He seemed to have some mental problems, and even fell ill when he was confronting courtiers.

But for now, it seems that there is no need to worry. Zhao Zhen can be said to be radiant now, in good spirits, and does not have any mental problems.

Presumably, it was because he had never been able to give birth to a child. In addition, he had a sentimental character, prone to random thoughts, and full of compassion for others. This led to mental depression, and he died in his fifties.

Now not only do I have children, but I have also found a career that I like. I think that such extreme situations will probably never happen again. In terms of lifespan, I estimate that I will live many years longer than in history.

This is a very good thing for Zhao Jun. Otherwise, if the issue of Zhao Zhen's death arises at this time, although they can stabilize the situation, they will still be in a hurry.

"Old, old."

Zhao Zhen shook his head and said with some sadness: "I used to stay in the laboratory for several days. Now I feel very tired in an afternoon. Let's look at the gentlemen and you, the eldest grandson."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhao Jun's hair. Zhao Jun is already 37 years old this year. He is only 4 years younger than Zhao Zhen. Although he is still in his prime, his temples are gray and he has premature hair.

After all, fifteen years have passed. Time flies by and time waits for no one. Even a young man will eventually become a white-headed man one day.

"Everyone will grow old one day, but I am open-minded. Anyway, we have now seen that the Song Dynasty has become strong and is already the most powerful country on earth. In the future, the Song Dynasty will only go further and further away, so there is nothing to worry about. "

Zhao Jun smiled and said: "Every few years we live, we can see Song Dynasty become stronger for a few more years. This should be the happiest thing."

"This is true."

Zhao Zhen was happy at first, and then said: "It's a pity Mr. Fu Xi. Forget it, let's not talk about it. You have been working hard along the way. Let's go have something to eat and talk first. You can go see him later."

"Um."

Zhao Jun nodded.

Several people immediately entered the lobby of Chenhui Tower.

Due to the expansion of the Bianliang Palace, the back garden has become a huge back garden, with palaces connected, and many forests, rockeries and lakes built.

There were more places to play, and some concubines even raised some cats and dogs. For example, the cats brought back by sailors from Siberia were loved by many concubines because of their good looks.

As the palace grew larger, the space for activities naturally became larger, and the residences and entertainment venues of the concubines also changed from the former back garden to the back garden further north, outside the Xuanwu Gate where the clan members used to live.

Nowadays, with the original Guanjia Hall as the center, extending to Linhua Gate in the east and the west wall of the original Houyuan in the west, it is now Zhao Zhen's private domain, among which Chenhui Tower is where he often stays now.

At this moment, a table was set up in the hall. Zhao Zhen pulled Zhao Jun to the table, and then asked Wang Shouzhong to tell the kitchen to start serving food.

When everyone sat down and there was no one else around, Zhao Zhencai said to Zhao Jun with guilt: "My grandson has been really hard on his journey. He has worked hard for the country and has been away for two years."

As he spoke, he just felt a little sad and sighed: "It's a pity that I don't have any skills, and my status doesn't allow me to go out. Otherwise, I really want to go out with my eldest grandson and see the world of Song Dynasty."

"Brother, don't worry, it's quick."

Zhao Jun said with relief: "I have already arranged for palace renovations in Beiping City, Hangzhou City, and Jinling City, and the train tracks are also being laid and constructed. As long as the railways from Bianliang to Peking and Hangzhou to Bianliang are repaired, you can leave in the future. Go and see everywhere in the capital.”

"That's good, that's good, that's good."

Zhao Zhen smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly.

In the past, courtiers would have blocked it on the grounds that it was a waste of money and people. For the sake of the people, he could only accept his fate and be locked up in this cage.

But now that the world has changed a lot, I naturally want to go out and see it. Besides, building palaces everywhere is no longer a waste of money and waste for the people, but a project that benefits the people, so it is even more necessary to build large-scale construction everywhere.

"Hanlong, how did you gain from going out this time?"

Fan Zhongyan asked the question he was most concerned about.

Zhao Jun nodded: "It's a great harvest."

As he spoke, he took out a book from his arms and placed it on the desk.

Fan Zhongyan took it over, opened it and glanced at it, and saw that the book was densely packed with countless words written on it.

It contains detailed descriptions of various aspects of the problem, some of which have written solutions to the problems, and some of which are yet to be determined. Obviously, they need to be discussed by the Constitutional Yuan.

Zhao Jun said: "This time we went to the grassroots level to collect various problems. We encountered no less than a thousand situations, large and small. Among them, I think 113 are relatively important problems, covering all aspects, and a new round of reform can be carried out."

"so much?"

Yan Shu and others were shocked.

Although the previous rounds of Qingli New Deal reforms also involved a lot, they were divided into different categories and several innovations, and the total amount was only more than 100.

The result was that they got so many this time, which really surprised them.

Zhao Jun said: "Many of the previous innovations were general directions and big changes. Now many innovations have to solve grassroots problems. For example, there is the reform of the farmers' association, which is to strengthen grassroots control. There are also literacy campaigns and campaigns to break down feudal superstitions. These are closely related to the grassroots.”

As he spoke, he looked around at the crowd and said: "Breaking feudal superstition does not mean that people don't believe in ghosts and gods. I know how difficult it was to do in ancient times. Even in our new era, people with superstitious ideas abound. So. We must treat this matter correctly, and we cannot be one-size-fits-all. What we want to do is destroy those evil gods and temples of obscenity, and engage in correct religious beliefs, such as Buddhism and Taoism.”

Buddhism and Taoism?

Everyone looked at each other and Zhao Zhen said in surprise: "The Song Dynasty did not prohibit people from believing in Buddhism and Taoism. Many people also believed in Buddhism and Taoism. There is no need for the government to promote it."

"I'm not saying we should intensify efforts to promote Buddhism and Taoism. People have freedom of belief and the government will not interfere."

Zhao Jun shook his index finger and said: "What I mean is to establish correct religious concepts. The teachings of Buddhism and Taoism naturally encourage people to do good, but in the new era, it is time to add something new, bring out the old and bring out the new, and reform the old and make new ideas."

For example, the Taoist priest said, "Believe in science." As for whether the Taoist priest would hold a sword in hand after saying this, and then with a sound of the sword, he would step on the flying sword and fly away into the sky, that is another matter. .

In the final analysis, whether it is Buddhism or Taoism, they are essentially tools to maintain rule, and they are also a way to promote excellent culture and carry forward the traditional virtues of Chinese civilization.

Therefore, the imperial court will not interfere with people's beliefs, nor will it interfere with the missionary work of Buddhism and Taoism. But correspondingly, Buddhism and Taoism must also cooperate with the imperial court's work.

This is what everyone needs, commonly known as a win-win situation.

"Well, the theory of ghosts and gods has been around for a long time, but I have never seen one. If you want to believe in nature, then just believe in it. Now I only believe in science."

As the founder of science, Zhao Zhen first said: "Let Hanlong handle this matter."

"What Hanlong means is that the imperial court will make certain corrections to the teachings of Buddhism and Taoism? Will this offend the gods and fear punishment from heaven?"

"At our age, why do we still believe in ghosts and gods? Sheng Du believes in Buddhism so much, but he didn't see him immortal and going to the west to become a Buddha? In the end, Buddhism and Taoism are just a kind of spiritual sustenance."

"Yes, we used to understand things we didn't know as gods, Buddhas, and heaven. Now we know that wind is the flow of air, and rain is the condensation of water vapor. Gods and Buddhas are the beliefs that arise from our fear of unknown things. If through science Let us understand all things, so why rely on gods?”

"That's exactly what it means."

Everyone was talking to each other.

To a certain extent, Chinese civilization is more suitable for the sprouting of science.

The West has been shrouded and controlled by religion for centuries. The so-called divine right of kings means that the power of kings has always been under divine authority.

It was not until after the three major movements that science emerged, theocracy gradually declined, and then there was a new civilization.

However, even in the 21st century, Christianity still has a great influence, and traditional religious beliefs are still dominant in various Western countries.

In comparison, the gods of Chinese civilization are much more practical. When you need them, both Buddhism and Taoism can become state religions, and they can be changed at any time according to the needs of the ruling class.

When you are no longer needed, you can worship Buddha and suppress Taoism, destroy Buddha and promote Taoism, or even destroy Buddhism and Taoism, without caring about the gods behind you.

After all, how many teachers can God, Tathagata, and Haotian have?

Therefore, in this situation where pragmatism is paramount, the religious reform led by the imperial court is far from having as much resistance as in the West, and it needs to be resolved through three major movements.

After hearing Zhao Jun's proposal to carry out certain rectifications on Buddhism and Taoism, except for Song Shou who preferred Taoism and was slightly resistant, no one else actually objected.

"Well, Hanlong said before that we need to strengthen our control over the grassroots, including public security, the ability to mobilize labor capacity, the ability to guide the people, etc."

Fan Zhongyan put down the booklet in Zhao Jun's hand and said: "We also need to disintegrate the power of the clan, liberate productivity, and make the people of the world obey the call and dispatch of the imperial court. These are what we have to do."

“It’s so hard to do all this.”

Yan Shu sighed and said: "It's okay in the north. Once Han Long went to the north, the power of the Youyan family was completely destroyed, but in the south."

He is from Jiangxi, and he is very aware of the power of clans in Jiangxi. If nothing else, the Yan clan has spread since his great-grandfather Yan Yanchang settled in Linchuan more than a hundred years ago. Now there are hundreds of clan members. Rich family?

The current situation in the entire south is basically the same, which shows how difficult it is to change the clan power in the south.

Zhao Jun said firmly: "Even if you know the difficulties, you have to face them more and more. Reform cannot stop, and the pace of the Song Dynasty cannot stop, otherwise one day it will be surpassed by others!"

Reform is like a car without brakes. Only by moving forward and forging ahead can we ensure the longevity of our empire.

Otherwise, if we slack off, the country will soon be left behind.

Just like the early Qing Dynasty, when it was still at the top of the world, it closed itself off to the outside world and did not accept the changes of the new era, and was eventually submerged by the torrent of the times.