(Seven thousand chapters, hehe.) ）

Guo Chong opened his eyes slightly, waved his hand and said, "I'm fine, I can't die yet." But you two need to take care. Looking at the two of you like this, depressed and depressed, are you already disheartened? ”

Yan Zhengsu groaned and did not answer, Fang Dunru said in a deep voice: "The emperor is wrong, the ministers are not depressed, the ministers are as always, and their original intentions have not changed." No matter what kind of resistance, it is difficult to shake the hearts of the ministers. The emperor can rest assured. ”

Guo Chong frowned and said, "That's good, you two are resolute and resolute, which is why I rely on you." You will not fall easily. Very good. However...... The Matter of the Moment...... I...... But I don't know what to do. I'm troubled right now. ”

Fang Dunru said in a deep voice: "The emperor doesn't have to worry, the minister has already told the emperor that there will be hardships and ups and downs in changing the law and trying to become stronger. It is precisely because there is resistance that it is necessary to change the law. To change the law is to change the inherent disease, as the doctor said, pain is not comprehensible. The reason why there is so much opposition at this moment is precisely where it touches on the stubborn disease. As long as you get through these, you will open up the meridians, get rid of stubborn diseases, and everything will be recovered. ”

Guo Chong sighed and said, "I don't know what you're talking about. However...... You have also seen the situation between the DPRK and China. Now that Lu Zhongtian and Yang Jun have raised objections, and the ministers are excited, how can I ignore them? Besides, the rebellion of the Qingjiao caused a shock to the world, and I was also disgraced. The pain and cost are too heavy. How many times can I withstand this kind of thing? My Da Zhou is like a sick person now, and the rebellion is like a stabbing knife, how many knives can Da Zhou's body withstand? I can't help but think about it, and the worries of Lu Zhongtian, Yang Jun and others are not unreasonable. ”

Fang Dunru hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the rebellion of the Qingjiao has nothing to do with the law change. Even if there is no change in the law, if the world continues to erode, sooner or later chaos will arise. Attributing all this to the head of the law cannot agree. This is their use of the topic to play, deliberately targeting the new law, targeting the ......"

"Shut up!" Guo Chong interrupted Fang Dunru's words with a low drink. Fang Dunru sat there in a daze, his face extremely surprised. In the more than two years since he returned to the capital, Guo Chong has never scolded himself like this. Guo Chong respects himself very much, and he is polite when talking about things, but it is the first time that he has spoken and scolded like today.

When Guo Chong was emotional, he also lost his breath, covered his mouth and coughed violently. Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru both hurriedly stood up. Qian Delu, who was waiting outside, hurriedly walked in, took a few sips of hot tea and waited for Guo Chong, and wiped the corners of his mouth and cheeks for Guo Chong, Guo Chong's cough gradually stopped.

"Two adults, the emperor's body has not yet healed, two adults must not make the emperor angry. Hey, you should be considerate of the emperor, they are coughing like that, and they have to see you, but you want to make him angry. Chandlu muttered dissatisfiedly.

"What Father-in-law Qian said is very true." solemnly bowed.

Chandlu sighed and left in disregard. The room was quiet, and Guo Chong's wheezing after coughing was clearly audible, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, as if someone was pulling the old bellows quickly and slowly.

"Fang Aiqing, I don't mean to scold you. However, I am afraid that it is not appropriate for you to completely push the relationship between the rebellion of the Qingjiao and the new law. The whole court, including me, knew that this rebellion had a lot to do with the new law. How can you deny that. I know you're thinking about changing the law, but I can't reverse black and white. I believe that although the matter of changing the law should be done, the problems caused by the change of the law should also be taken seriously. Ignoring these problems and consequences, how can we insist on pushing forward with the reform? How can you convince the public. Of course, you can ignore it, but I can't ignore it, what I want to take care of is the entire Great Zhou, and I have to take care of every one of my subjects and people. This has to do with my country, how can I do it at will? ”

Guo Chong tried his best to calm his tone, his meaning was already very clear, you can be strict and solemn to ignore everything, but I am different from you, I have to take care of all aspects of feelings. Otherwise, how can I still be this emperor?

Fang Dunru frowned and waited for another more, Yan Zhengsu pulled his sleeve and stopped him.

"What the emperor said was very true, and the ministers were extremely ashamed. What Fang Zhongcheng meant was not to shirk responsibility, he just said that these are probably all the pains that must be experienced to change the law. It's just that as the emperor said, this pain may be too violent, and of course the court can't bear it. It seems that there are some problems with the new law, and it needs to be amended in time to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. In fact, today, the ministers and Fang Zhongcheng came to see the emperor, one was to visit the emperor's dragon body, and the other was to listen to the emperor's teachings. Please ask the emperor to admonish his ministers, under the current situation, what should we do? Yan Zheng said solemnly.

Guo Chong frowned and said, "You ask me about my attitude, I want to ask you what you think." My heart for change is unchanged, and the two are the ones who really handle it, and I don't know many things to you. I just want to know what the two of you think about the current situation. ”

Fang Dunru said in a deep voice: "The attitude of the minister and Lord Yan, does the emperor still need to ask?" Changing the law is not child's play, and it is easy to get to this point, and it must be implemented to the end. Giving up halfway is absolutely impossible. We hope that the emperor will continue to give us full support, if the emperor hesitates, what will the ministers do? ”

Yan Zheng sighed solemnly and nodded: "Your Majesty, what Fang Zhongcheng said is good, the more this time, the more you can't relax." It is difficult to change, and the emperor should also be psychologically prepared. The ministers are not afraid of being insulted and reprimanded, but they are afraid that the emperor is not strong-willed. Without the full support of the emperor, the new law may be unsustainable. Of course, this is a waste of the ministers' hard work, but more importantly, it is the loss of the opportunity for my future Zhongxing. Now that the Liao people are trapped in the war with the Jurchens and cannot extricate themselves, this is the perfect time for us to change the law. The wolf ambition of the Liao people has been completely exposed, and we should seize the opportunity to change and become stronger. There will eventually be a war with the Liao, and when the time comes, our country will be rich and strong, and we will have nothing to fear. ”

Guo Chong said coldly: "Don't you know what you said? But you tell me that now that the whole country is in a mess, and the Privy Council and the Cabinet are all in unison against it, how can the situation be calmed down now? You must make a decree to silence them all, and I will listen to what you say, and all of them will be regarded as farts. In the rebellion of Qingjiao, the court must give an explanation, and the people who were poisoned do not need to explain the soldiers who died in battle? All over the country are watching the statement of the imperial court, am I indifferent? Do you want me to ignore the government hall and the Privy Council, ignore the officials, and ignore the opinions of the people of the world? In that case, wouldn't I have become the only one? Widowed? Am I that kind of person? Does my Great Zhou have such an emperor? ”

Yan Zhengsu stood up and bowed and said: "Your Majesty, the ministers don't mean that, the ministers are here to find a way to have both worlds." But there is one thing, the matter of changing the law must not be abolished. To quell the anger of the impeachment of the officials, Fang Zhongcheng and I can make a gesture. Since it is said that the rebellion of the Qingjiao is inextricably linked to the reform of the law, we are willing to apologize for it, but there is one point, the emperor must affirm that the reform is beneficial to the Great Zhou, and the Qingjiao only took advantage of the shortcomings in the implementation of the reform, and must not deny the new law because of choking. The implementation of the new law cannot be stalled. Once it stagnates, it is far away. As for Yang Shumi's proposal on the same day, the regulations should be placed under the supervision of the government hall and the Privy Council, and the implementation of the new law must be approved by the two governments, which is actually to make the law change stalled, and it will be difficult to carry out the follow-up, which we must not agree to, and we hope that the emperor can see his intentions clearly. ”

Fang Dunru said: "Exactly, Yang Jun's proposal is to prematurely kill the matter of changing the law. He is revenge for our reversion of the army. This is something that we must not accept. The Department of Ordinances has the power to do so, and it is extremely difficult to advance the new law, and if it does not have the power, everything will not need to be discussed. As long as the emperor continues to firmly support the premise of changing the law, everything else is easy to say. If they target the two ministers, the emperor can issue an order to punish us, and it is not a pity for the two of us to die. However, the emperor wants to appoint another person to promote the change of the law, and he cannot let the change of the law be abandoned halfway. If it is to negate the new law and abolish the new law, the ministers and others will not be able to agree. Concerning the fate of the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the continuation of the country, the ministers must not compromise. ”

The words of Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru clearly showed their attitude. They can step down, but they need the emperor's commitment to continue to change the law. They can die, but the new law can't die, and the law can't be changed. The great matter of changing the law must continue, which is more important than their personal honor and disgrace and their lives. People and things must be separated. The emperor must take a stand. If you don't support it, you can do it, but you have to support the change.

This kind of thinking is actually a little wrong, and the reason why the officials focused on the impeachment of Yan Fang and the two is precisely because of what they did. People fall because of what they do, how can people fall and things are not affected. Isn't that telling the world that the attacks of the ministers are personal attacks, not just facts? If it's just human reasons, Yan Fang and the two of them are well-behaved and morally blameless, who can find fault?

However, at this time, what Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru needed was to strengthen Guo Chong's determination to change the law, and not let the emperor waver in the matter of changing the law due to pressure. Only in this way can the crisis be resolved. As for the two of them, as long as the changes can be implemented, they can make compromises, even if they step down.

Guo Chong's expression was a little calmer, what he was most worried about did not happen, what he was most afraid of was that Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru were going to fight each other with their necks in their hands, so as the emperor, he would have to be forced to make a choice, which was the last thing he wanted to do. Of course, he hopes that the change will succeed, but if the change provokes public anger, puts himself on the opposite side of the ministers, and makes him a loner, then he must weigh it.

"Yan Aiqing, Fang Aiqing. I understand your sincerity. I will not punish those who are sincere and loyal to the Great Zhou. I have not wavered in my determination to change the law. However, the current situation needs to be explained. I have thought about the whole thing for the past few days, and I feel that the provisions of the new law may indeed need to be considered. Since the beginning of the reform, I have received many complaints of dissatisfaction with the new laws and regulations. Not to mention anything else, Fang Aiqing, isn't your student Lin Jue also against you because of the regulations of the new law? I don't mean that what they say is right, but now that the rebellion of the Qingjiao has just subsided, there are signs that the new law has done great harm to the people. I think this is undeniable. Of course, I will not stop the new law, but the new law must be amended, and this is my request. I can't afford another rebellion, and it will be fatal to the Great Zhou, to me, and to the new law. I'm thinking that taking too much medication is probably really a big drawback. Guo Chong said slowly.

"Your Majesty......" Fang Dunru shouted.

"Don't interrupt me after you hear me." Guo Chong waved his hand and said, "What I mean is that there must be an explanation for this matter, and we must calm the anger of the people. They want to hold the rebellion accountable, to raise questions about the new law, and to impeach both of you, which I think is reasonable. I know the temper of both of you, and if I ask you to bow your head and admit your mistakes, I am afraid you will never will. Isn't it a contradiction that you want me to punish you, but I want me to support the new law. If you are wrong, the new law is wrong, isn't it a contradiction for me to do that? I was thinking that I couldn't listen to them repeal the new law, but I had to give an explanation to them and settle the grievances of the court. You can't do nothing, that's unjustifiable. ”

Yan Fang and the others were silent, the current situation is indeed not something that can be fooled. Standing in the position of the emperor, he must not ignore the anger of the ministers, nor will he offend the ministers of the court and the world in order to defend the two of them.

"I've thought about it a lot in the past few days, and Yang Jun's proposal is actually a compromise, but what you said makes sense. According to Yang Jun, there would be no need for this regulation department to exist. The new law can only be implemented if they all approve it, and it will be a prevarication and a long way off. So I've made some adjustments according to Yang Jun's proposal, and you'll hear if it's acceptable. Guo Chong said softly.

"Please the emperor and the ministers listen to me." solemnly bowed.

Guo Chong nodded and said, "That's what I think, otherwise you will pretend to admit your mistake and admit that the new law has drawbacks, and you are at fault when it is implemented." Acknowledging the connection between the rebellion and the new law and correcting it as a reference. This is also true. You know in your own hearts that it is impossible to get rid of the involvement. You only admit that you will be more cautious in the future, and you don't need to say anything about the rest. I will tell them that the matter of changing the law is always to grope forward, and if there is a mistake, it is excusable, and it is only necessary to correct it, and not to beat it to death with a stick. So that they will not bite you alive or dead. What do you think? ”

Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru looked at each other, if it was really just that simple, it would be nothing. They were willing to admit their mistakes.

"Your Majesty, the two of us are willing to admit our mistakes, but I'm afraid that this is just the case, and they won't give up. How could they have let the matter settle so easily. The ministers thought that they were doing ulterior motives in the name of attacking the new law and the ministers. I'm afraid it won't be a break. Fang Dunru arched his hand and said.

Guo Chong frowned and said, "Fang Aiqing, why do you keep talking about things?" What is the ulterior motive? You're thinking too much. You can't always feel that you're right, that everyone else is plotting against you, and that's not the way to solve the problem in this situation. ”

Fang Dunru's face turned red, and he solemnly pulled his sleeve solemnly, and said in a deep voice: "What the emperor said is very true, Lord Fang, don't think about it too much, let's just talk about things." ”

Fang Dunru nodded helplessly and said no more.

Guo Chong nodded slightly and said, "But what Fang Aiqing said is right, they will not stop there." It is not enough to apologize, but to give them an account, there must be practical action. I believe that you should revise the provisions of the "Changping New Law" and "Employment Law" that have already been implemented. When implementing, we should also be cautious and do not repeat twists and turns. As for the changes in military affairs...... I don't think the time is ripe enough to postpone it. There is also the authority of the Ordinance Division, which is very opposed to this, and I also feel that it was a bit hasty to concentrate the military, government, and financial power when the Ordinance Department was established in the first place, which undermined the institutional structure of the imperial court and would indeed cause chaos. I think that this can be done, and the power of finance will be attributed to the three divisions, and the three divisions will now have vacant positions, Yan Aiqing can go to the post of the third secretary, and Fang Aiqing will be the deputy envoy. In this way, it seems that the financial power of the Ordinance Department will be deprived, but the financial power of the two of you is still controllable. What do you think of that? ”

Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru were stunned and speechless, the emperor could be regarded as hollowing out his mind. This is indeed beneficial to the restoration of the structure of the imperial court system, the three envoys hold the financial power, and Yan Fang and the two concurrently serve as the chief and deputy envoys of the three departments, but there is indeed a feeling of changing the soup but not the medicine. But in fact, the two are completely different in their bones. The authority of the Regulation Division is enormous because it enjoys a number of privileges. After the divestiture, the powers of the Ordinance Division were greatly reduced. However, because the three envoys are under the jurisdiction of Yu Zhengshitang, the appropriation of funds still needs to be approved by Lu Zhongtian and others, which is far inferior to the self-specialization of the Regulations Department. As far as the implementation of the "Changping New Law" is concerned, the official loans issued by the Changping Positions in various localities are deliberated and decided by the Ordinance Department, but when it comes to providing money and grain, they have to be allocated by the three departments and yamen, and they must have the consent of the government affairs hall, which is not only inefficient, but also inevitably has to be held back. Such a change is actually a world away from before.

"I actually did this to silence them, and they said that the Regulations Department was above the two governments and the three departments. This is also expediency, all in order to calm the current situation. Do you think this idea is feasible? Guo Chong continued to ask.

"Your Majesty, the financial power has been handed over, and the anger of Lu Xiang has been appeased, so can the power of army allocation, which Yang Shumi has always been dissatisfied with, also be eliminated? The two "Changping" and "Mercenary" government forces that maintain and promote the new law are all transferred from the van soldiers, should they also be removed? Fang Dunru asked.

"If you don't object...... I don't think it's better not to transfer people from the army. If you really want to use it, I can make adjustments for you and Yang Shumi. lest he keep saying that the Ordinance Department is a small privy council, and it is more convenient to allocate troops and horses than he is a privy envoy. In fact, it is also feasible for local officials to be used as personnel to implement the new law, and it is enough to hire some more people, so why bother with them. What do you say? Guo Chong smiled.

Fang Dunru was already so angry that his beard was about to blow up.

"In that case, the emperor simply handed over the power of the Ordinance Department to formulate, revise and implement the new law to the Political Affairs Hall or the Zhongshu Province. The Ordinance Division no longer exists. The reason why the Department of Regulations was established and the military, government, and financial powers were given was that the reform of the law required centralized power and forceful implementation. What is the difference between the emperor's action and the dissolution of the Ordinance Division? With all due respect, the emperor's idea was not much better than the method proposed by Yang Shumi. If this is done as the emperor said, the new law will never be implemented. Everywhere is restricted, everywhere is delayed and prevaricated, where can we continue to push forward vigorously? Fang Dunru complained, and even had some teasing meaning.

Yan Zhengsu also said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's inappropriate to do this. Although according to the emperor's idea, it may be barely feasible to change the law. But the emperor must not forget that there is not much time left for us. At the beginning of the change, we reached a consensus, and my Great Zhou change was when the Liao and Jurchen were entangled. Now that the Liao people are fanged, their coveted ambitions have become clear because of the rebellion. In fact, there is no trust between us and the Liao people. If it weren't for the Liao people being entangled in the Jurchen civil strife, they would have torn their faces during the Qingjiao Rebellion. We have very little time left, how can we procrastinate? The change must be fast, fast, and immediate. It's not that the ministers don't know the disadvantages of changing the law, but the ministers have to do it precisely because time is running out. Your Majesty, we can bow our heads and admit our mistakes, but this change of law cannot be delayed, and the functions and powers of the Ordinance Department cannot be divided. Please also ask the emperor to think twice. ”

Guo Chong frowned and said, "You don't agree with my proposal? ”

Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru glanced at each other, and their hearts were connected.

"Your Majesty, you can apologize to the people of the world, and even receive the emperor's punishment. Even the two of us can be dismissed and returned, but the functions and powers of the Ordinance Department cannot be changed, the initiative of the new law cannot be handed over to others, and the promotion of the new law cannot be stopped. If there is a mistake and what we are afraid of, we will correct it if we are wrong, and we will temper it a thousand times, and in the end it will be the result we seek. If people change their words and shrink when they are in trouble, how can they change the law? Those who change the law in ancient and modern times are all difficult and difficult, and they are criticized by people all over the world. Yan Zheng said solemnly.

Guo Chong frowned tightly and was silent.

Fang Dunru stood up and bowed deeply, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the ministers and others are bent on changing the law, not for fame and fortune, but for the purpose of prospering in the Great Zhou Dynasty and enriching the country and strengthening the army." The ministers know the emperor's current mood, and the change of law has encountered many turmoil, and it cannot be said that there are no drawbacks, so the emperor's heart is also doubtful and shaken, which we can all feel. However, what the minister wanted to tell the emperor was that the effect of changing the law would eventually appear. It would not be wise to suspect the new law on the basis of a short-term problem. This is true for people and things, work hard for a long time, and the work is self-evident. Bai Lotian has a poem, and he is willing to encourage His Majesty. ”

Fang Dunru straightened up and recited with his hand: "Give the king a method to solve the doubts, you don't need to drill the turtle and wish the yarrow." The test jade should be burned for three days, and the material must be aged for seven years. Zhou Gong was afraid of rumors, and Wang Mang was humble and did not usurp the time. Xiang Zhi died at the beginning, who knows the truth of his life? ”

The poem recited by Fang Dunru is the third in the series of ancestral poems written by Bai Juyi in the Tang Dynasty. The meaning of the poem is obvious, to distinguish the good and bad of a thing, the evaluation and identification of a person must not rely on subjective assumptions and divination to ask God. A comprehensive understanding of people and things has to stand the test of time and the measurement of history and time. We must not jump to conclusions because of the phenomena and results of one event. Fang Dunru recited this poem to tell Guo Chong that the new law should not be denied because of temporary difficulties and the resulting chaos, nor should it be doubtful because of the opposition of Manchu officials. Only time and history will give the right answer.

How could Guo Chong not understand what it meant, and sat for a long time, staring at Yan Fang and the two of them silently. There was indeed a wavering in his heart, and this kind of vacillation was not something that existed now, and the doubts in his heart never stopped as soon as the change began. In other words, all this stems from his lack of determination to change the law. Guo Chong always thought that he could find a way to enrich the country and strengthen the army, and at the same time, he could not make a big move and not cause too many things. This thought permeated his entire behavior. That's why he is sometimes tough in the court, and sometimes he finds balance and mud. The reason why he will make some suggestions today is precisely because of the wavering in his heart, hoping to take a step back and find a balance.

Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsu were so keen, they would naturally perceive the fluctuations in his heart.

"You ...... Sure enough, he refused to agree. Punish you...... What's the point? But if it does not appease the anger of the people, it will not succeed. What should I do? Is that the only way I can do it? Guo Chong said softly, as if he was muttering to himself, and as if he had made a decision.

"Your Majesty......" solemnly bowed and spoke.

Guo Chong waved his hand, turned around and lay down, facing the bed. He said, "Stand down, I'm tired." I have to think about it. It's time for me to think about it. ”

Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsu looked at each other, they didn't know what Guo Chong was talking about. The emperor seemed to be in a state of thought, and the summons had no beginning or end, and he didn't discuss any specific way to leave, so he asked them to leave. Could it be that the emperor is angry? Because of their intransigence, they don't want to talk to them anymore? But it's not like it, the emperor didn't look angry, but seemed a little calm. The emperor was mentally prepared to be rejected. So what exactly was he thinking?

"Two adults, the emperor is going to rest, two adults, please go back, it's not too early." Chandlu appeared behind the tent and bowed down.

Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru had no choice but to bow down and retire. Until they exited the dormitory, Guo Chong didn't look back at them, only facing the gauze tent inside the bed, his eyes stunned, as if he was stupid.