"Your Majesty, the Grand Master is here."
Outside the bedroom of Funing Palace, the eunuch Wang Huaiji knocked on the door three times gently, and then reported in a low voice.
This is a new rule that His Majesty just set two days ago, called the Scientific Schedule.
Chenshi to Youshi is working time, and you only need to knock on the door three times to report your work. Xushi to Maoshi is rest time, and only matters with a red level or above can be reported urgently.
For this purpose, Chief Steward Shao Chengzhang specially held a training meeting for all the eunuchs in the Eastern Palace, and included it in the monthly assessment. Those who did not follow the rules would have a lot of silver deducted.
"Well, Xuan, come in."
Wang Huaiji took the order and left. Cai Jing was still waiting at the palace gate. It was freezing cold, and he hoped he would not get frozen to death.
In the bedroom, Zhao Huan took a sip of hot tea and said to the young man standing beside him, "The treacherous minister Cai Jing you mentioned is about to come over. You'd better go to the inner room and avoid it for a while."
Soon, Wang Huaiji brought Cai Jing to the scene.
"Your Majesty, I, Cai Jing, greet you!"
As soon as Cai Jing saw Zhao Huan, he trembled and was about to salute.
"Mr. Cai, there's no need to be so polite. I feel really bad that you've come here in this freezing weather."
Zhao Huan reached out and helped Cai Jing sit on the chair, then said to Wang Huaiji: "What are you standing there for? Go and get me a cup of hot tea."
Zhao Huan sat behind his desk and said with a smile, "Mr. Cai, after all, we are in-laws. My fourth sister, Fujin, married your young master, Cai Tiao, and they are living a very comfortable life together."
"Cai Yu is indeed blessed to marry the most beautiful woman in the capital. My Cai family's ancestors are so happy!" Cai Jing said while stroking his beard, with joy on his old face.
Like all old fathers in the world, Cai Jing’s favorite is his youngest child.
After a few casual chats, the atmosphere in the room became noticeably more relaxed, with less suspicion and vigilance.
"Mr. Cai, do you still remember your original intention of becoming an official?"
"Original intention?"
Mr. Cai was stunned for a moment, and then his eyes suddenly lit up.
"When I was little, the person I admired most was Wang Anshi. Since he entered the government, from the position of Qiantang Wei to the position of Kaifeng Mu, he has always been actively involved in reforms, with the original intention of enriching the country, strengthening the army and developing production."
Cai Jing's face showed memories and pride, but then it turned into helplessness and despair.
"In the eighth year of the Yuanfeng reign, Emperor Shenzong of Song died. The reforms that had infringed upon the interests of the large landowner class were quickly halted. Conservatives gained power, and all the new laws were abolished. Wang Anshi died of illness in Nanjing. Implicated by this, I was also exiled to Yangzhou as a transport envoy."
"What was Wang Anshi's fault? What was my fault? Once the conservatives gained power, the Xining Reforms were completely abolished. The Farmland and Irrigation Law, the Market Exchange Law, and the Equal Taxation Law for Square Fields were all very powerful measures for the country and the poor. They eased class contradictions and strengthened the country's strength. But to what end? The landlord class only cared about their own interests and had no regard for the country at all."
Cai Jing's expression gradually changed from despair to determination, as if he had made some important decision.
"There are too few people who speak up for ordinary people. If you want to speak up for ordinary people, you need to have a high enough position and enough supporters."
"I suffered persecution from factional strife, and I also used it as a sharp knife. During my time as a transport envoy in Yangzhou, I helped Tong Guan collect art and gained the opportunity to return to the capital."
"I first joined Sima Guang's conservative faction, endured hardships, and gained their trust and leverage. Finally, after becoming prime minister in the first year of Chongning, I used the Yuanyou Party Stele to exile over 500 officials who had been blocking the reforms."
"After that, there was no more. I offended too many landlords. I couldn't lose my current status and position, so I could only serve the emperor wholeheartedly. I also know that I did a lot of things wrong, but I can no longer stop..."
"If you are not in the right position, do not participate in the affairs of the government, do not stand at a high enough level, and do not defeat your competitors, you will not be able to do anything for the ordinary people with all your heart."
"Everyone says that I, Cai Jing, am a treacherous minister who lives a life of luxury and indulgence.
For example, eating salted gizzards made from the stomachs of 300 sparrows in one meal sounds ridiculous. Even if the stomachs of sparrows are only the size of soybeans, 300 of them would make up a small bowl, and they are also pickled with salt. If I had eaten so much salt in every meal, I probably wouldn't be alive today.
Who knows that the Cai family never oppresses the common people? The servants' wages are the highest in Bianliang. When purchasing surplus goods from ordinary people, even those of lower quality, they are always purchased at the highest price.
The money of my Cai family comes from corrupt officials and the landlord class. Through the so-called luxury enjoyment, the money is traded to ordinary people.
The Cai family never uses their butcher knives against ordinary people."
"If I were to speak of my original intention, it was that one day the Great Song Dynasty would be able to achieve: the elderly are cared for, the young are educated, the poor are supported, the needy are helped, and the widowed, the orphaned, the lonely, the disabled, and all be cared for."
"It was a good intention. The social assistance system implemented during the Taishi's reign, including the Anjiyuan, Juyangyuan, and Louzeyuan, set a historical precedent. The expansion of the Imperial College, the establishment of schools in prefectures and counties, the establishment of specialized schools, and the abolition of the imperial examination system were also models for promoting culture and education. It is a pity that they were later abolished."
Cai Jing stood up from his seat, knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times.
"If Your Majesty can understand my intentions, I will die without regrets."
His face was filled with excitement, as if a mountain stream had met a soulmate.
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