"However, these are only temporary solutions. If the entire system, social development, and productivity cannot be improved, a large number of crimes will continue to breed. In a few years, official corruption and evil forces will make a comeback. So for now, I can only do what I can do temporarily."
"Simply arresting some corrupt officials, eliminating some bullies, and cleaning up some landlords will ultimately be nothing more than a paperhanger. If we want to completely transform the Song Dynasty, besides temporarily keeping the imperial power untouched, the rest of the social system must undergo drastic changes."
"After this Autumn Examination is over, I will stay in Bianliang for a while, then immediately set off to conduct grassroots research throughout the Song Dynasty. I will gain a deep understanding of the basic conditions of the Song Dynasty, survey the governance of various regions, and prepare for future institutional reforms."
"After that, there's the Song-Xia War and the possible Song-Liao War, and then the Yellow River's change of course. These events will all happen within ten years. I must rectify the entire officialdom after the Song-Xia War is over."
"Once the internal situation is temporarily stabilized, the Song Dynasty can officially begin to open up to the outside world."
Zhao Jun pondered his current path.
Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. Many things cannot be rushed and should not be rushed.
It is definitely wrong to start reforms right away. Instead, we must first go deep into the people, understand the social class contradictions, and the actual situation before we can start working on the system.
However, after more than 20 days of regaining his sight, the situation he saw was already very unpleasant, and he was afraid that there would be more unpleasant things waiting for him in the future.
I hope that there will be fewer corrupt officials under the Imperial City Administration, so that I won’t be left without anyone to use.
Zhao Jun looked out the window and thought to himself.
After Lü Yijian and others left the palace, they were surrounded by Xia Song, Chen Yaozuo, Jia Changchao, Wang Gongchen, Zhang Dexiang, Chen Zhizhong, Liu Yuanyu and other followers.
But Zhao Jun's affairs were confidential, and no matter how brave they were, they dared not tell anyone. They could only avoid him and leave.
Afterwards, he communicated with Wang Zeng and others and agreed to meet in the private room in the east building.
Logically speaking, Wang Zeng and Lu Yijian were sworn enemies, and the two sides were as hostile as water and fire, so they would not agree to conspire with him.
But in the past, it was just a disagreement on political views, which would require continuous accumulation of conflicts before they would erupt in April next year. Now the conflicts have not escalated to that point.
What's more, there is a serious issue of stance now, and they are forced to stand together because of their same stance.
At this moment, except Fan Zhongyan, all the people who knew the situation were present.
Inside the private room, an incense burner was burning on the table, and the screens on both sides were painted with cranes and welcoming pines. The setting sun shone into the room through the paper windows, casting a mixture of light and dark on everyone's face.
"The emperor hates cliques the most and doesn't want Zhao Jun's affairs to get out. To avoid suspicion, we should not meet again after the mission."
Lü Yijian looked around and was the first to speak: "But now you have seen what has happened. Zhao Jun did not follow common sense and instead took charge of the Imperial City Bureau. The thing we were most worried about has happened."
It was Lu Yijian who arranged for Yan Shu to propose to Zhao Zhen that Zhao Jun should take the path of being granted the title of Jinshi to enter the officialdom. It was also Lu Yijian who persuaded Zhao Jun to take the path of imperial examination when Zhao Jun asked if he must take it.
The reason for this is that before Zhao Jun's eyes recovered, he kept talking about killing a group of corrupt officials who broke the law and discipline, and he also wanted to confiscate the property and exterminate the families of those profiteers who raised prices and embezzled state assets.
At that time, including Zhao Zhen, everyone was amazed at how decisive and hot-blooded people in later generations were. When they killed people, they slaughtered them in batches and confiscated their property and exterminated their families. Their methods were extremely cruel.
Although Zhao Jun was talking about how great men in later generations treated these people and the ideas of keyboard warriors at that time, Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng and others didn't know that.
Therefore, when they heard what Zhao Jun said, they panicked, fearing that Zhao Jun would really start a massacre in the officials after he restored the Ming Dynasty. That's why they hoped to let Zhao Jun take the imperial examination, so that he could gradually enter their system and be assimilated.
Unexpectedly, even though Zhao Jun had already taken the path of imperial examination, he still secretly persuaded the emperor to strengthen the authority of the Imperial City Bureau and took control of the power of the Imperial City Bureau, as if he had the ability to kill.
This scared everyone.
That's why Lu Yijian took the risk and called everyone together in secret to discuss countermeasures.
"After all, it's because of what Zhao Jun said before he was restored to power that the emperor has wavered. The emperor is now determined to restore the power of the Imperial City Bureau. We are in a difficult situation now."
"Why not just let it go? All the officials in the court have written letters of opposition, but the emperor remains indifferent. This shows that the emperor completely believes what Zhao Jun says."
"Actually, what Zhao Jun said is not without reason. If we can persuade Zhao Jun to show leniency to our disciples, perhaps we can support him in carrying out major reforms. After all, it won't be our disciples who die."
"Which of these families doesn't have disciples and former officials? It's normal for them to make mistakes occasionally. But judging by Zhao Jun's words and actions, he seems like a reckless young man. What if he remains unmoved and insists on attacking one of his disciples?"
Everyone was at a loss.
Everyone has his or her own selfish desires.
Although the power of the aristocratic families was weakened in the Song Dynasty, the family connections were still strong. Even if they could not become high-ranking officials, they could still become middle or low-level officials. Therefore, many children from various families entered officialdom through family connections.
For example, in the Lu family, all of Lu Yijian’s sons entered officialdom through family connections, but the third son, Lu Gongzhe, first obtained family connections, then took the imperial examinations, and finally became the prime minister.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
