Lü Yijian shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Jun only touched upon the root causes of the problem. This matter is extremely complex, far beyond the simple statement that all the officials in the court are opposed. The true situation is far beyond our imagination. Fan Zhongyan was the reformer of the New Deal, but his failure proves that he was not the right person for this reform. Perhaps we can still find the right method and direction."
"Lü Yijian, you are just pretending to be ignorant even though you know the truth."
Fan Zhongyan was furious and said, "If you hadn't stopped us, how could the reform have failed?"
Lü Yijian laughed and said, "I alone can turn all the officials and scholars of the Song Dynasty against you. Fan Zhongyan, you think too highly of me. Zhao Jun said that you have offended an entire interest group. To break up such an interest group, the only strong measure is to use the army. Do you dare to use the army to kill people?"
"I......"
Fan Zhongyan was speechless for a moment because he saw Zhao Zhen's still expressionless face.
Mobilize the army in the Song Dynasty?
Not even the Privy Council has this power.
Although the Privy Council was nominally the highest military institution of the Song Dynasty, in reality it only had the power to dispatch troops but not the power to command them.
The power to command the army lies in the hands of the emperor.
It was very complicated to mobilize the army in the Song Dynasty. If a war was to be fought, the emperor would appoint a general to lead the troops, and then the Privy Council would be responsible for recruiting soldiers for the general.
The generals had the power to command troops but not the power to dispatch them, which led to the situation that is well known to later generations: "the soldiers do not know their generals, and the generals do not know their soldiers."
So if Fan Zhongyan was given military power, it would obviously be impossible.
Even if he went to the northwest in the future, he could only carry out administrative management locally, and military decisions would still depend on the emperor's mood.
Just like before the defeat at Haoshuichuan, when Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan had a dispute over whether to send troops, the final decision was still in Zhao Zhen's hands.
The Northern Song emperors' control over military power was almost pathological to the core.
"Zhao Jun once said that when a conservative interest group becomes a burden on the state, force and iron-fisted measures are needed. But this clearly violates the ancestral system of co-rule between Taizu and the literati, and will also cause unrest among officials. Without proper governance, the Song Dynasty is already in turmoil. Is this what Your Majesty wishes to see?"
Lü Yijian said calmly, "So I think we can't solve these problems all at once. We should reform the civil service slowly, step by step. Just as Zhao Jun suggested, we can start by incentivizing officials and establishing a system of rewards and punishments before we discuss removing them."
Yan Shu chimed in, "Yes, that's what Zhao Jun said. If you take too big a step, you'll easily break your eggs. If you boil a frog in warm water, the heat won't cause it to jump out all at once. Your Majesty, I also think it's better to proceed step by step."
"What about you?"
Zhao Zhen looked at Wang Zeng, Wang Sui and the others and asked, "Do you also think we should take it step by step?"
Wang Sui and Sheng Du exchanged a glance and offered Zhao Zhen the same advice: "Yes, we also believe that for a major event like this, we should be fully prepared and not rush into anything. We should indeed slow down."
"I second the motion."
Wang Zeng and Cai Qi also agreed.
The three phases and three consultations, almost three small groups, all agreed, which is a very rare thing.
You have to agree.
In addition to Zhao Jun's comment that Fan Zhongyan's approach would definitely fail, there is another most important reason - that is, they are also members of an interest group.
If we really support Fan Zhongyan in carrying out drastic reforms, all his disciples and former officials will suffer, so naturally we cannot support it.
So in general, everyone has selfish motives, but they are indeed thinking about the Song Dynasty, which is full of contradictions.
Fan Zhongyan said anxiously, "Your Majesty, this is a matter of life and death for the country. How can we delay?"
Zhao Zhen thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Fan Qing failed in history after all. Zhao Jun also said that Fan Qing's approach is unacceptable. It's better to take it slow."
Seeing Fan Zhongyan's grim expression, Yan Shu smiled and said, "Xiwen, don't worry. Zhao Jun will probably be able to see again in two or three months. With him here, why should Xiwen be worried about not being able to accomplish his mission?"
Will Zhao Jun regain his sight soon?
Fan Zhongyan was suddenly awakened, and immediately shuddered all over. He then said, "What my uncle said makes sense. I was just too impatient. But Your Majesty, I still want to hear your opinion."
"you say."
Zhao Zhen closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. He really didn't get enough rest these days.
Fan Zhongyan said seriously: "I urge you to dismiss Prime Minister Lu and his faction. Even if Prime Minister Lu cannot be dismissed, their influence should be curtailed. Otherwise, as a profiteers' group, Prime Minister Lu openly says he will not block the new policies, but he is making trouble behind the scenes. That is a bad thing."
"Hmm."
Zhao Zhen glanced at Lu Yijian.
Lü Yijian felt a chill run down his spine, so he stepped forward, bowed, and promised, "Your Majesty, I will leave everything to your majesty."
"Then please have Minister Fan compile a list of those promoted by Prime Minister Lu who are incompetent, incompetent, and incompetent. I will order the Imperial City Administration to cooperate, and anyone who obstructs will be shown no mercy."
Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "Let's stop here for today and go to the palace first."
"yes."
The ministers bowed in greeting.
Lu Yijian glared at Fan Zhongyan hatefully.
this time.
He is doomed.
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