Chapter 32: What is the royal road and what is domineering

When Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, Wang Qi, Gao Shilian, Xu Shimo and other ministers arrived at His Royal Highness Xiande, Li Jiancheng did not say a word, and put in front of everyone the four new laws that Chen Ying had just written down and prepared to formulate, including the "Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Tang Military Families and Martyrs", "The Law on the Retirement and Placement of Tang Sergeants", "The Law on the Retirement of Tang Officials", and the "Regulations on the Promotion of Tang Generals".

Because the officials of the Tang Dynasty are not high. And for retired officials, it's also a one-size-fits-all approach. As long as you retire, the court will not care about what happens in the future.

Wei Zheng first took out the Law on the Retirement of Tang Dynasty Officials", the first sentence of the opening sentence "the old and the old, the young and the young" ......"

Chen used very simple language to inform the ministers of the significance of the establishment of this law of retirement and then wrote that all civil and military officials, after reaching the age of 60, if they lack energy, can apply for retirement and enjoy the benefits issued by the imperial court.

As soon as he saw this, Wei Zheng exploded.

This time, at the beginning of Li Jiancheng's coming to power, he began to streamline the government, the purpose was to reduce the expenses of the imperial court, and now Chen Ying is good, and he actually wants to issue a salary for retired officials, as long as he is an official in the Tang Dynasty, isn't it that as long as he does not die, the court has been issuing a salary? In this way, wouldn't it expand the financial expenditure of the imperial court?

Wei Zheng looked at Chen Ying with an iron face and said, "Chen Xiangguo, what do you want to set up this law to invite the hearts of the world's eunuchs?" ”

Wei Zheng opened his mouth, and in the first sentence, he put a big hat on Chen Ying and invited him to buy people's hearts, which is an extremely serious crime for people.

It's just that Wang Qi and Xu Shimo are silent, Xu Shimo is from a poor background, of course, this cold family is also relatively speaking, after all, although the Xu family in Yanzhou is not a wealthy family, but the family is also tens of thousands of acres of fertile land. Now, Xu Shimo doesn't have to worry, but once he comes to Zhishi, the pressure of life will be a lot.

After all, the poor have the difficulties of the poor. The rich also have the difficulties of the rich.

Fang Xuanling looked at Chen Ying silently, and said without hesitation: "Chen Xiangguo's idea is good, it's just ...... With so many officials needing to distribute money, where does the money and food come from? ”

Chen Ying smiled faintly and said: "The retirement money and grain are divided into two parts, that is, one-tenth of the official's annual salary, which is directly deducted and deposited in the treasury when it is distributed by the household department; The imperial court also put the same amount of money into it as a subsidy; When it comes to the retirement of Zhishi, as long as the official has not violated the law and committed crimes, the money will be issued to the official himself as pension money for other places. ”

Saying that, Chen Ying looked at Wei Zheng and said with a smile: "Take you Wei Xiangguo as an example, Wei Xiangguo has seventy-two yuan every year, three hundred and seventy stone materials, nine hundred acres of vocational land, and one hundred and twenty yuan of servant money, a total of three hundred. After deducting one-tenth of the annual amount, which is thirty yuan, and the imperial court subsidy money is also thirty yuan, Wei Xiangguo is now forty-two years old, and he can still serve His Majesty for twenty years. Twenty years later, if Wei Xiangguo is a Zhishi, he can get a total of 1,200 yuan of money, with this 1,200 yuan, Wei Xiangguo can buy land and land, and he can also live for a long time, and the imperial court only needs to take out 600 yuan in fact, is it much? ”

Li Jiancheng hesitated for a moment and said: "Twenty years and six hundred, it's really not much!" ”

Chen Ying looked at the ministers and said, "Wei Xiangguo, who has served the imperial court for twenty years, should he take this 1,200 yuan of retirement money?" ”

Xu Shimo hurriedly said: "You should take it!" ”

Chen Ying smiled and said: "Yes, Wei Xiangguo should take it, but there are many poor officials like Wei Xiangguo in Datang, once they lose the income of the imperial court, they will fall into a situation where their livelihood is lost, is it possible to let the Tang Dynasty beg along the streets?" ”

The officials were caught up in thought, for the officials, the deduction is one-tenth, and it does not affect their normal life.

Wang Jue thought that in the future, if the same amount of land subsidized by the imperial court is equivalent to doubling the deduction and then returning it, wouldn't it be equivalent to a one-tenth increase in wages?

It's just that these officials never thought about inflation, and how much benefit the treasury would get by operating with this money.

Wei Zheng didn't speak, he felt that the officials paid their own money and deposited it in the treasury, which was equivalent to paying an insurance, as long as they did not violate the law and discipline, they could get this huge amount of money.

In fact, Chen Ying also considered it. In later generations, people have calculated that according to the level of purchasing power, each guan in the Tang Dynasty is almost equivalent to 4,248 yuan in later generations, and 1,200 guan is equivalent to 5.1 million yuan. Unless they are born in the family gate, ordinary officials can't ignore this huge amount of money at all.

At this time, Wang Qi thought about it for a while and asked: "What are the circumstances under which this money will not be available?" What if I quit being an official and resign and leave? ”

Chen Ying explained to the ministers: "If you are dismissed because of the crime, then this money cannot be received, and in the future, the imperial court will deduct one percent from your money as the head, that is, let the officials dare not be incorruptible; The court took out the same amount of money, which can be regarded as a reward for a person who is honest and strict, dedicated to his duties, clean and clean, and unclean. In the event of a death due to meritorious service, not only will the full amount of the emeritus pension deducted be returned, but also an appropriate reward will be added on the basis of the imperial court subsidy.

Li Jiancheng very much agrees with Chen Ying's retirement pension system, and anyone who is tempted by corruption and bribery must also weigh and weigh: honest and honest, when he is old, he will have a large amount of retirement pension in his hands, and there is no risk; Corruption and bribery. It is possible to be caught by the imperial history, and when the time comes, not only will you go to prison, this huge amount of money. I also soaked in the soup.

Moreover, Li Jiancheng also saw the better things about this system. When a young official has just entered the officialdom, his rank is low, his salary is also low, and the amount of retirement money deducted is also small, so his power is bound to be small, and there is no opportunity for corruption and bribery. Wait for the officials to do it for a long time. gradually rose to a high position, the power in his hands grew, and there were more opportunities for corruption and bribery; However, his provident fund has also been saved too much, and no one is in front of the bribe. Don't want to think about the large sum of money you have in the treasury?

Li Jiancheng looked at Chen Ying, Chen Ying was strategizing, and he really held the hearts of the people in the world in his palm!

As for the "Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Military Families and Martyrs of the Tang Dynasty", including Wei Zheng, no minister dared to raise objections, after all, this bill involved the interests of more than 500,000 soldiers of the Tang Dynasty.

……

In the Fengde Yi Mansion in Chang'an City, the sky has just dawned. Feng Deyi opened his eyes and got up tremblingly. He really couldn't sleep, and the emperor summoned all the ministers to the Xiande Hall to discuss matters, but he didn't call him.

Although he had been shot by the deposed Shangshu Zuo, he was promoted to special advancement. Although Tejin is a fictitious position, it is the second rank among civil officials, second only to Kaifu Yi and the Third Division. The key is that Datang did not have the actual position of Kaifu Yi and the three divisions, that is to say, Pei Lian, who was promoted to Sikong, belonged to the first among civil officials, and he became the second.

However, this second person of civil officials has been marginalized.

This is a very dangerous signal, if it continues to be marginalized, then Feng Deyi will become the laughing stock of Chang'an City.

He absolutely couldn't bear this matter.

Thinking of this, Feng Deyi shouted towards the door: "Someone! ”

After a short time, Feng Daoyan pushed the door and entered: "Father! ”

Feng Deyi beckoned to Feng Daoyan and said, "Help my father wear a crown." ”

Feng Daoyan said in surprise: "Father, you look like this, do you want to go to court?" ”

Feng Deyi groaned: "As a father, you must go to court." The matter has come to this, in order to close the family, for the father, no matter what, I have to try again to see if I can ...... To the satisfaction of His Majesty. ”

Looking at Feng Deyi, who had a sallow face, Feng Daoyan looked distressed.

……

The officials of the province in the palace sang loudly: "Your Majesty has arrived, and all the officials will worship!" ”

The officials, who were originally whispering, immediately shut up and stood in line.

At this time, Li Jiancheng was crowned and ascended to the Danqi.

Hundreds of civil and military officials stepped forward one after another, bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty is safe!" ”

Feng Deyi was in the crowd, trembling and walking slowly.

Officials gave way to Feng Deyi.

Wei Zheng carefully supported Feng Deyi and stood in the front row.

Li Jiancheng's eyes were like electricity, and he slowly glanced at the ministers and said: "Since the first year of Wude, my Tang Dynasty has taken Guanzhong and Hedong as the foundation, worked hard to govern the country, and after several ups and downs, it was only after several ups and downs that I unified Kyushu. Although the war is generally over, only the scourge of the Turks outside the Saiwai is left, but how to let the people in the world recuperate, how to keep the peace of the Tang Dynasty, the Emperor Taishang does not know the law, and I do not know the law. Everyone, let's discuss this way of governing the country today! ”

Feng Deyi hurriedly stepped out and said: "Your Majesty, now that Kyushu is in salty clothes, all kinds of waste are waiting to be revived, and my Tang Dynasty should follow the example of the first Qin and govern the world with the domineering of the Legalists." ”

Li Jiancheng looked at Feng Deyi with interest and said, "The domineering of the Legalist family, how can you say it?" ”

Feng Deyi looked at Li Jiancheng's expression, and was secretly proud in his heart. He thought he had caught the pulse of Li Jiancheng. From the beginning of Wei Zheng and Fang Xuanling's so-called "lean army and streamlining administration", Li Jiancheng completely abandoned Li Yuan's statecraft and began to legislate purposefully to implement the hegemony of French governance.

As the saying goes, if there is something good at the top, it must be followed by the bottom.

Feng Deyi is now going to say what Li Jiancheng likes to hear and do what Li Jiancheng wants to see, otherwise his career will end here.

Feng Deyi pondered the words and said: "The so-called hegemony of the Legalists is to govern the country with punishment, distribute it to the public, let the law go to private interests, and there is no hierarchy in punishment, what Your Majesty says is the law." ”

Li Jiancheng frowned slightly.

Li Jiancheng's eyes looked at Chen Ying, who was the head of the hundred officials, and Chen Ying actually yawned at this time, obviously Chen Ying did not agree with Feng Deyi's point of view.

Feng Deyi continued: "Your Majesty has recently demoted the clan and streamlined the officials, and these measures have won the taste of the Legalist hegemony. The minister thought that His Majesty already had a big heart. ”

Fang Xuanling turned his face sideways and whispered to Wei Zheng: "I knew this was the case, why bother in the first place?" This old fox has finally come back to his senses and is willing to come forward to express his position. ”

Wei Zheng didn't answer Fang Xuanling's words, but strode out of class.

Wei Zheng said loudly: "Feng Xiangguo's words are not true. ”

In fact, Chen Ying also wanted to refute Feng Deyi, but was preempted by Wei Zheng.

Chen Ying had no choice but to retreat, anyway, Chen Ying was quite confident in Wei Zheng's firepower, as long as Wei Zheng came out and fought with his mouth, he could kill three Feng Deyi alone.

Everyone looked at Wei Zheng in astonishment.

Wei Zheng said disapprovingly: "Since Confucius established the Tao, there is only one way to govern the world, and that is the royal road of Confucianism. ”

Li Jiancheng squinted his eyes, no joy or anger.

Chen Ying looked at Wei Zheng, but he seemed to be smiling.

Wei Zheng said lightly: "The Legalist is domineering, which seems to be effective, but in fact, it is an extremely short-sighted way, and the death of the second Qin Dynasty is an example." Only by respecting Confucianism and rejuvenating the royal road can we truly realize the great rule of the world. What Feng Xiangguo said, in the opposite direction, is extremely false. ”

Feng Deyi sneered at each other: "What Wei Zheng said is purely a woman's sight, and the Tang Dynasty will win the world immediately, not by the benevolence of the Confucian scholars, but by the scimitar and the horse lance, which is a well-known thing." ”

Wei Zheng said unyieldingly: "The royal road is frank, the royal road is mediocre, and the so-called benevolence and forgiveness are not the true meaning of the royal road." ”

Speaking of this, Wei Zheng turned to Feng Deyi with bad intentions and said, "I want to ask Feng Xiangguo, in your heart, what is the royal road?" ”

Feng Deyi was dumbfounded by the question.

Wei Zheng turned around and faced the hundred officials in the court and said, "Everyone, what is the royal road?" ”

Everyone looked at Wei Zheng intently.

Wei Zheng turned around and faced Li Jiancheng again: "The royal road is not a slogan, the royal road is not a lie, the royal road is in everyone's heart, and the royal road is above the authority of the imperial court!" The royal road is the law of the world that must be respected from the Son of Heaven to the common people, the royal road is benevolence, the royal road is righteousness, the royal road is courtesy, the royal road is wisdom, and the royal road is faith...... The royal road is yin and yang, the royal road is Qiankun, the royal road is order, and the royal road is etiquette...... The royal road is the foundation of scholars! ”

Wei Zheng solemnly told Li Jiancheng: "For the Tang Dynasty, there is only one sentence for the real royal road, the scholar and the Son of Heaven share the world......

Feng Deyi sneered and looked around, pointed at Wei Zheng with his hand and said: "The credit for unifying Kyushu is gone in his mouth; The credit for formulating the system of three provinces and six ministries is gone in his mouth; The merit of formulating the law of opening the emperor is also gone in his mouth; The achievements of the emperor and the prosperous era are also gone in his mouth; The exploits of the fight against the Turks are also gone in his mouth.

Wei Zheng's face was gloomy and dismissive.

Feng Deyi shouted: "Junior, the old man told you that Emperor Wen of Sui is a saint from the sky, Yinghua is a unique showman, criminal law and etiquette are the same, and both literature and virtue are far from martial arts; Yu Shun's great achievements are twenty, which is not enough, and Ji Fa's combination is three or five, how can it be sufficient. You are a yellow-mouthed child, talking about chaos and politics, you are really a big rebel and grandstanding! ”

After Feng Deyi finished speaking, his face was proud.

Wei Zheng took a few steps forward without flinching, and said directly to Feng Deyi: "Dare to ask Feng Xiang, you have served Emperor Wen of Sui and Emperor Yang of Sui, father and son, do you know why the Sui Dynasty died?" ”

Feng Deyi looked around again and said: "This is a well-known thing, do you want the old man to waste his lips and tongue to explain?" ”

Wei Zheng said unceremoniously: "Please speak."

Feng Deyi was stunned for a moment, and said slowly: "Okay... Well, the old man told you that Yang Guang killed his father and seized the throne and exterminated humanity; arrogant and lascivious, building the eastern capital, opening canals, building the Great Wall, exhausting the world's civil service; The three expeditions to Goryeo have exhausted the country's capital, and there is such a lawless monarch, which dynasty will be buried in his hands. ”

Wei Zheng said with a clear look: "Dare to ask the prime minister, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty built the eastern capital, repaired the canal, and conquered Goryeo, the three major maladministrations, poisoning the world, at that time, Xiao Xiang, Feng Xiang, etc., all the famous ministers are there, even the Emperor Taishang, who was also an official in front of Emperor Yang of Sui at that time, why can't he prevent the world from collapsing?" ”

Feng Deyi opened his mouth and stammered, but he couldn't speak for a long time.

Li Jiancheng patted the armrest on the dan pier and said, "Wei Zheng, then tell me, why did the Sui Dynasty die?" ”

Wei Zheng Chao Li Jiancheng said: "Your Majesty Mingjian, the death of the Sui Dynasty was killed by Emperor Wen of Sui Yang Jian, not Emperor Yang Guang of Sui. ”

The ministers and officials in the palace were in an uproar.

Feng Deyi was dumbfounded and said: "It's really ridiculous, ridiculous...... Amusing. ”

Li Jiancheng looked at Chen Ying thoughtfully.

However, Chen Ying pretended to be nothing, and looked at Wei Zheng with a smile: "Wei Xiangguo, but I heard it." ”