Chapter 470 Exchange of Interests with Fan Zhongyan

The Western Regions are vast, and most of them are deserts and uninhabited Gobi.

These deserts and Gobi blocked human habitation and were full of danger.

Therefore, in ancient times, the Taklimakan Desert was also called the vast sea, the sea of ​​death, the place where the dead go, etc.

However, nothing is absolute.

In this vast desert full of death, there is an oasis of life, which runs along the edge of the desert and connects China and the West.

This road is the Silk Road, located along the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Because the air is blocked by the Tianshan Mountains, the rain is relatively abundant, forming a vast grassland.

Since Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions in the Han Dynasty, the Silk Road has become an important corridor for exchanges between the East and the West. Since then, it has prospered for many years.

Now, thousands of years have passed, and most of the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions have been submerged in the dust of history. Only some ruins remain, still telling the prosperity of the Silk Road.

A thousand years later, another Han army, adhering to the enterprising spirit of the Han Dynasty in opening up the Western Regions, came to the Western Regions to take back the Han and Tang homeland and make it part of the Song Dynasty.

Time slowly came to October of the eleventh year of the Qingli period of the Song Dynasty.

Di Qing sent troops in August and conquered Gaochang in September, spending most of the month on the road.

After taking Gaochang, he immediately sent people along the Silk Road, passing through Yanqi, Qiuci, Wochi and other places, to visit the Kingdom of the Black Khan and ask for submission.

However, the Black Khan was too far away from Gaochang, and it might take several months to travel back and forth, so Di Qing was not in a hurry.

On the other hand, he immediately sent the battle report back to the court and sent this good news to all the officials in the court.

The news was delivered at the end of September and the beginning of October.

At this time, the court of the Song Dynasty was not very excited because Di Qing had recovered most of the Western Regions, because they were now busy with another thing - a new round of re-election of the Political System Council.

On October 3, it rained lightly in Bianliang, and the raindrops hit the windows of the Political Bureau, making a gentle ticking sound.

A few little cats ran to the eaves to hide from the rain, and then rushed into the yard as if no one was around, jumped in front of the meat plate prepared for the prime ministers, and ate with relish.

Rats are easy to breed in the palace, so since the Han Dynasty, local places have worshipped cats that can catch rats. Especially during the reigns of Emperor Zhenzong and Emperor Renzong, they were everywhere in the palace, and for this reason, the rumor of a cat replacing a prince was born.

Zhao Jun, the director of the Political Bureau.

The actual master of this huge empire is now in the house reviewing official documents sent from all over the country.

The house is filled with sandalwood, and the winter wind blows in from outside, making people feel a little chilly.

Zhao Jun put the notes he had just reviewed aside, looked up and saw Fan Zhongyan frowning beside him, so he smiled and said, "What's wrong, old Fan, haven't you slept well recently?"

"Yes, I'm really a little upset."

Fan Zhongyan rubbed his temples, his eyes were dark and his dark circles were big, probably because he stayed up late a lot.

He is already 62 years old, and it is not a good thing to continue like this.

Zhao Jun looked up and looked around.

Yan Shu went to the Ministry of Revenue today, and the other prime ministers either had official business or were far away, writing and reviewing notes.

Fan Zhongyan's desk was closest to him, and Zhao Jun, out of concern for his friend, said, "Is it about the nomination in a few days?"

"Yes."

Old Fan smiled bitterly, "Recently, Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo, Han Qi and others have come to me many times, which makes me very embarrassed."

"Fu Bi has his father-in-law, and Han Qi has Jia Changchao, so why don't you recommend Wen Yanbo."

Zhao Jun gave an idea.

Don't think that the famous officials who left their names in history did not seek connections.

In fact, there were indeed many famous officials during the Renzong period, but the relationships were more complicated.

First, there was Fu Bi, whose father-in-law was Yan Shu.

Next was Wen Yanbo, whose father used to be the Hedong Transport Commissioner. The father of Zhao Zhen's favorite concubine, Concubine Zhang, was once his father's retainer. With this relationship, Wen Yanbo sent Shu brocade to Concubine Zhang many times in order to seek advancement.

Finally, Han Qi was even more interesting. He had family marriages with the Lu Yijian family, the Jia Changchao family, and the Wang Zeng family, and his political inclination was to support Fan Zhongyan.

In recent years, Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan have been very close, and he has repeatedly shown unwavering support for Fan Zhongyan in court meetings and political positions.

So now the court structure has changed again.

In the earliest period, Lu Yijian relied on his control of the power of personnel appointment and removal to dominate the court. Even Li Di, Wang Zeng and others were fought down by him, and his power was very strong.

This made Fan Zhongyan attack Lu Yijian on the official map.

After Zhao Jun came, Fan Zhongyan and others used Zhao Jun to achieve the goal of eliminating the Lu Party, and completed the cleanup of the middle and lower levels of the Lu Party, which seriously damaged the Lu Party.

Then the Political System Institute was established. Although the Lu Party was seriously damaged, the existence of Lu Yijian was still the mainstay, making the Lu Party the largest party in the Political System Institute.

And Wang Zeng also had the Wang Party, which was slightly inferior to the Lu Party, but was specially supported by Zhao Zhen, Zhao Jun and others to clamp down on Lu Yijian.

At that time, Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng fought each other in the Political System Institute, and outsiders such as Zhao Jun and Wang Sui Shengdu could only watch the show. The two gangs often disagreed with each other in political views, or fought openly and secretly, and had many disputes on issues other than the general direction.

Although Zhao Jun was also an absolute authority at that time, he was often opposed by Lu Yijian. Every time he relied on PUA Zhao Zhen to achieve his goals, it can be seen that the influence of the Lu Party was still very large at that time.

Five years later, in the second year of Qingli, the Political Council changed for the first time. The Lu party added Jia Changchao. The royal party failed to achieve its goal, but it also gained the support of Jiang Tang and Fan Zhongyan.

And from then on, Zhao Jun also began to slowly develop his own power, brought Li Di in, and secretly gave Lu Yijian eye drops to combat Lu Yijian's arrogance.

The second election took place in the sixth year of Qingli, that is, in October 1046 AD. Although Lu Yijian was not dead at the time, he was already terminally ill and unable to interfere in politics anymore. Therefore, Xia Song, Zheng Jian, and Du Yan were elected to the political system. hospital.

Basically, starting from the second change of office, it was the turning point. Lu Dang and Wang Dang gradually withdrew from the stage of history due to old age and illness. Zhao Jun's Zhao Dang began to dominate the family, covering the sky with only one hand in the political system, and no one was able to suppress it.

Now that we have reached the time point of the third election, it will obviously be another critical moment that affects the structure of the Constitutional Yuan.

This is because there will be a very large staff shortage in the Constitutional Yuan this term. Firstly, Cai Qi and Song Shou will not be re-elected. Secondly, although Jiang Tang and Jia Changchao are in the same term as Fan Zhongyan and Yan Shu, that is, they entered during the first change of terms. But they were not the first eight people.

According to this ten-year limit, Zhao Zhen can retain Fan Zhongyan and Yan Shu for another five years at most. Jiang Tang and Jia Changchao will not be re-elected this time. Including the deaths of Li Di and Zhang Shixun, the vacancy will reach six people.

Therefore, according to the usual practice, Fan Zhongyan and Yan Shu, as the prime ministers whom Zhao Zhen authorized to retain for an additional five-year term, should not have recommenders, but this time there were directly half of them missing, so Zhao Zhen authorized them to have a recommendation quota.

no way.

This can only be done in special times. After all, according to the process, admission to the Constitutional Yuan can only be recommended by the prime minister. Although this is easy to cause partisan influence, the voting system will be even more nonsense. It is better to let the prime minister choose a suitable successor. It is more reliable.

After hearing Zhao Jun's suggestion, Fan Zhongyan shook his head and said: "Fu Bi and Yan Xiang are not on good terms. Although Han Qi is related to Jia Xiang by marriage, their relationship is still far away. They will not help recommend him."

"Strange, I remember that the historical feud between Fu Bi and Yan Shu was because in the early days of the Qingli New Deal, Lu Yijian and other opposition parties opposed the New Deal. Not only did Yan Shu not help the reformists, he also defended the opposition overtly and covertly, which made Fu Bi furious, and then he cursed Yan Shu and Lu Yijian are evil, why are they still like this now that there is no such thing?"

Zhao Jun was puzzled.

Fan Zhongyan smiled and said: "Three feet of ice does not last a day, just like my uncle's early days."

He said with slight hesitation.

Zhao Jun asked: "What happened in the early years?"

Fan Zhongyan smiled bitterly and said: "In the early years, I did not contribute to His Majesty's personal administration. Instead, I found an excuse to go out to avoid trouble, and did not oppose the Queen Mother. In the eyes of many upright ministers, she is no different from being treacherous."

"I see."

Zhao Jun suddenly realized.

This incident is a typical example of those who sit on the fence and do both sides.

Yan Shu is a person who is prudent and protective, and will not easily express his position in political turmoil.

However, in the eyes of the two groups, this kind of behavior is incomplete support, which is tantamount to complete lack of support.

The earliest cause of trouble was during the period when Liu E listened behind the curtain, when the Empress Dowager Zhang Xian Liu E controlled the government.

So a group of ministers such as Ding Wei supported Liu E in assuming power and were very flattering to Liu E.

Another group of ministers, headed by Lu Yijian, Fan Zhongyan and others, demanded that Liu E give up power and return power to Zhao Zhen.

The two sides criticized each other and fought constantly in the court.

But the power was once again controlled by Liu E, which led to the pro-Zhao Zhen emperor's factions being devolved to local governments one after another.

This includes Yan Shu.

However, Yan Shu did not write a letter asking Liu E to return to power before he was demoted. Instead, he found an excuse and made a small mistake, and was demoted on his own initiative.

The reason is also very simple.

As Zhao Zhen got older and older, the possibility of pro-government became higher and higher. In order to express his position, he did not dare to directly target Liu E, so it was natural.

So in fact, in the struggle against the Queen Mother's Party, Yan Shu made no effort at all and did nothing at all.

Later, because of things that had been decentralized, he was recognized as an emperor's party and was promoted again.

This naturally aroused dissatisfaction among many of the emperor's party, and his reputation became quite bad.

Historically, during the Qingli New Deal, Yan Shu continued to protect himself wisely, but overtly and secretly he helped Lu Yijian and other opposition parties. The result is self-evident, which made Fu Bi, Ouyang Xiu and others scold them.

Although there is no secret opposition to the New Deal like in history, Lu Yijian still had a considerable political struggle with Fan Zhongyan after the establishment of the Political Yuan.

For example, during the first Qingli New Deal, Lu Yijian's son was involved and the examination law was almost abolished.

If Zhao Jun hadn't turned the tide, I'm afraid the officialdom would not have improved.

Among them, Yan Shu once again acted wisely to protect himself. Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo, Ouyang Xiu and other people who supported Fan Zhongyan supported Fan Zhongyan while angrily scolding Lu Yijian and were dissatisfied with Yan Shu's actions.

Therefore, although Yan Shu is Fu Bi's father-in-law, to be honest, the relationship between the two is not very good, and Fu Bi will not ask for a quota from Yan Shu's relationship.

"In this matter, now I am the leader and the leader."

Fan Zhongyan spread his hands and said: "You also know the situation this year. Six prime ministers and ministers are leaving the Constitutional Yuan, so basically if they are recommended, they will definitely be admitted to the hospital, but I only have one quota in my hand. What can I do? ?”

"Ask me what you want to do. Wait a minute."

Zhao Jun rolled his eyes and suddenly realized: "Okay, no wonder you have been crouching in front of me today with a sad face. So you are trying to trick me?"

Fan Zhongyan smiled and said: "Why, among all the ministers nowadays, which one is not favored by Han Long?"

"That's not true."

Zhao Jun shook his head.

"So."

Fan Zhongyan spread his hands and said: "Since there are none, it is better to recommend talented people to the country. As you know, Hanlong, these are all geniuses in governing the country. I have never thought about party struggle, but if these great talents in governing the country cannot be in the central government, It is a pity to jump from one department to the world."

"That's it."

Zhao Jun touched his chin and started thinking. After a moment, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Yes, I can help you this time. You recommend Han Qi yourself, I recommend Fu Bi, and Xia Song will recommend Wen Yanbo, but I hope that in five years Finally, you have to give back to me.”

Fan Zhongyan thought for a while, nodded and said, "I will discuss this matter with them."

"That's it, just give me a confirmation."

Zhao Jun said.

To some extent, this is also a political exchange.

Although the Constitutional Yuan is dominated by one family, many prime ministers will actually divide Zhao Jun's power.

He is only at the helm in the general direction. In other small details, local government affairs and various matters are handled by other prime ministers.

So in fact, although Zhao Jun holds great power, in essence, he is only the representative of the prime minister. In many major issues, someone needs to vote for him in the Constitutional Yuan.

Just like the original implementation of the Qingli New Deal, it needed to be constantly revised, constantly improved, and many of the more radical strategies deleted in order to gain the support of Lu Yijian and others.

Now that Lu Yijian Wang Zeng and his group are gone, his power is getting stronger and stronger, but this power comes from some special circumstances.

The most intuitive thing is that Yan Shu, Jiang Tang, and Zhang Shixun are neutral.

Fan Zhongyan temporarily shares his philosophy and path.

Li Di and Xia Song are his partisans.

Cai Qi, Song Shou, and Jia Changchao did not have the authority that Lu Yijian had to confront him.

The newcomers Zheng Jian, Du Yan and others have little say.

In this way, Zhao Jun can speak his mind.

If a new group of people come in, and someone like Lu Yijian comes out, it might affect Zhao Jun's authority.

Therefore, he has been cultivating his own reserve force over the years.

Taking Wang Anshi and others around the world in the past few years was undoubtedly training them to be the prime minister.

But it is a pity that no matter in terms of qualifications or positions, they cannot be promoted to the position of prime minister at once.

Yang Cha, Yang Gao and others are currently only ministers of various ministries, and they need to serve as ministers in first-level institutions to have the right to be nominated.

Not to mention the rest, Wang Anshi, Li Xiaoji, Chen Xiliang and others, have to be promoted to minister.

It is expected that Yang Cha, Yang Gao and others will be admitted to the hospital in the next term, and it will be Wang Anshi's turn in the next term.

Currently, the only person eligible to be nominated is Bao Zheng, the prefect of Kaifeng. The prefect of Kaifeng has been promoted to the second rank. He is at the same level as the minister of each first-level institution and has the right to be nominated.

However, Bao Zheng had two problems. One was the issue of qualifications. Although he was a Jinshi along with Han Qi and Wen Yanbo, his parents died one after another, and there was a period of seven or eight years of filial piety, which resulted in a lack of qualifications.

Being promoted to the prefect of Kaifeng is already as fast as a rocket. To be promoted to the prime minister is too outrageous.

The second is a question of character. Bao Zheng is right about the situation and not the person. It doesn't matter whether you are the one who promoted him. As long as he thinks you are wrong, he still has to criticize you even if you are the emperor.

Therefore, if Bao Zheng is allowed to enter the Constitutional Yuan, the Constitutional Yuan will probably not be able to live in peace. His personality is too upright and it is easy to offend his colleagues and superiors.

All things considered, Bao Zheng is only suitable to be the prefect of Kaifeng, not to govern the world.

On the contrary, Han Qi, Wen Yanbo, Fu Bi and others were all good at governing the world, especially Han Qi. Although Zhao Jun disliked his rough behavior in the northwest, which caused the Song army to suffer successive defeats.

But in terms of politics and governance, Han Qi is undoubtedly at the top level.

So now we make a deal with Lao Fan, select these people, and let his people help recommend our own people in the next term. Many things will be much easier.

Thinking about it carefully, Zhao Jun would definitely not have done this in the past.

But now, after fifteen years of ups and downs in the political arena, he understands that the essence of politics in many things is the exchange of interests.

If you are still a stupid young man who doesn't understand anything and only knows how to act recklessly, then there is only one result and ending - being knocked down by a wall and pushed by everyone.

Therefore, only by making a lot of friends and making all the prime ministers of the Constitutional Yuan one of our own, can governance be smooth and smooth.

This is also the best knowledge Zhao Jun learned from Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng and others.