Chapter 64 Bright and Undercurrent (2)
Since the beginning of the feudal era, it can be said that it has always been dominated by scholars and has become the controller of the government and the inheritor of culture based on its wisdom. However, from the late Tang Dynasty to the Five Dynasties, it was an era when martial artists and powerful generals competed for territory, and martial artists became the protagonists on the stage of the world. In order to survive, scholars could only naturally choose to become subordinates of martial artists, but there were many people with outstanding talents, who regarded the violent social turmoil as a new way to realize personal value, turning hands into clouds and rain, and Song Qiqiu was a typical representative of it.
Song Qiqiu (887-959 AD), whose courtesy name was Chaohui, was later changed to Zisong. He was poor since childhood and learned Shang Yang's skills of power and hegemony since childhood. He was extremely intelligent and began to follow Li Bing when he was appointed as the governor of Runzhou. Song Qiqiu used his good kingly and tyrannical skills to help Li Bing successfully assist the country in seizing power, so he was highly valued by Li Bing. However, Song Qiqiu was a typical wandering scholar, wandering among rulers not to promote political propositions, but to use the struggles of the rulers as his own ladder to stand out. It was exactly what Xunzi called "a man who admired the wealth", so he was deeply despised by orthodox Confucians such as Xiao Yan and Jiang Wenmo.
A small discussion was being staged in the study room of Song Qiqiu Mansion. Although this study room is not as delicate as Li Yu's study room, it is far more luxurious than that: the sea incense worth several gold is lit up day and night in the four corners of the study room, making the entire study room smelly; the eight famous Mingchengfang incense candles, which are as thick as a child's arms, make the entire study room bright as daytime; eight pretty maids wearing light shirts serve them around.
Song Qiqiu is sitting in the middle of the handsome chair. His kind face is as calm as the ocean, his eyes are slightly closed, his right hand gently twists the long strands under his jaw, his left finger is slightly bent, and he gently taps the armrest of the master chair. He is 64 years old this year and is respected by people in the court to "Song Gong".
"Duke Song, Lin Feng can be said to have emerged from the court. He has been so close to the saints twice in a row, and is deeply immersed in the saint's family. I think he will become a figure in the future. It is reported that those who Lin Feng advised twice may be related to change. This matter is very important, please ask Duke Song to decide on a way to deal with it as soon as possible." The thin middle-aged man in the left head of Song Qiqiu said first.
This person was Wei Cen, one of the "Five Ghosts" and "Four Evils" of the Southern Tang Dynasty. He was originally a clerk of the Marshal Li Jing's office, and now Li Jing's very favored deputy envoy of the Privy Councilor. During the former Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty, the internal privy Councilor was set up in the inner court, and the eunuchs were specially used to manage the memorials and convey the edicts, and gradually participated in the secrets. When the eunuchs were tyrannical, the Privy Councilor could participate in the government affairs, and the power of the prime minister was mostly invaded. During the Southern Tang Dynasty, Li Jing promoted all his confidants to the deputy envoy of the Privy Councilor, and together they were in charge of the power of the court.
"Hmph, it's just a sage. How can we compare to the achievements of our priests for many years? Brother Wei, you're worried too much." The speaker was an obese old man sitting facing Song Qiqiu. His face was a surprisingly tiny color. This person was Cha Wenhui, the Minister of Works.
Cha Wenhui, whose courtesy name is Guangshen, was originally both the chief secretary of Marshal Li Jing's office. Cha Wenhui served as the inspector of Li Bing, the censor of the Li Jing Dynasty, the counselor of the Central Secretariat, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, the Fuzhou Observation Envoy, and the current Minister of Works. He led his army to attack Wu Yue and Fuzhou in 945 AD and was defeated and captured. When he was sent back, he was fed a chronic poisonous wine. It took a full ten years to die.
"Brother Guangshen, Master Wei's concerns are somewhat reasonable. I miss you and me, and I can be said to be lucky enough to be favored by the holy people. How can I know that others will not be like this? Besides, you and I are familiar with the temperament of the saints today. It is not impossible to value anyone. "And it is also possible for an old man in the right hand to answer.
This person was Li Zhenggu, who was also the deputy envoy of the Privy Councilor. What he said was a fact that made all the scholars of the Southern Tang Dynasty very angry. They were all promoted by Li Jing to the ruling ministers of the court by Li Jing. Jiangxi Observer Du Changye once said angrily: "The country is just driving the ministers to be in power. If a single word is given, he will be promoted to Tongxian. If someone has made meritorious contributions later, how can he be rewarded?"
These three people are also the backbone of the Song Qiqiu Party. They were promoted to higher officials with small officials in the last ranks. In order to consolidate their own status, they all focused on making friends with the huge Song Qiqiu Group and becoming the disciples of Song Qiqiu.
Historically, during the Li Jing Dynasty of the Southern Tang Dynasty, Song Qiqiu and his disciples formed a powerful political force, which influenced the government. "All civil and military officials were all clichés. Every country had good policies. The party only said 'The act of Song Gong's actions'. Those who were not in line with the masses said: 'Do not use the words of Song Gong.' Every time they asked for something, they must know that things were not allowed to discuss, so the parties would use clever words to make their own land, and those who had comments all fell into their plans." The wars against Fujian and Chu of the Southern Tang Dynasty were initiated by the members of the Song Party to make contributions, resulting in the exhaustion of national strength.
"Oh, Brother Zhengzhong is not in the court. Otherwise, according to his thoughts, I am afraid that it will be a good idea for Lin Feng in the blink of an eye." Wei Cen couldn't help but think of Feng Yansi, the smartest and most eloquent among them, and sighed lightly.
"In my opinion, it's best to pinch things to the beginning. Otherwise, we secretly send someone to kill him. Anyway, he has no foundation in my Tang Dynasty." Cha Wenhui said gritting his teeth. Since he was forced to return from poison, he has tortured to death every once in a while. He subconsciously only hopes that everyone in the world will die.
"It's not right, it's not right. If that happens, the emperor is in a hurry and will be angry. I'm afraid you and I will be bitten by Xiao Yan and Jiang Wenmo, those madmen in the first place." Wei Cen retorted.
"What should I do? Mr. Song, please make a decision." Li Zhenggu bowed to Song Qiqiu with a smile.
"That's right, please make a decision. In terms of reform, the world should be worthy of Song Gong." Cha Wenhui smiled flatteringly. He was not a completely irrelevant flattery. In his early years, Song Qiqiu formulated six policies for Li Bing, who was the governor of Runzhou at the time, including urging farming and sericulture, abolishing the money for the land tax, changing the real estate tax to collect grain and silk, pursuing the tuition of taxes, purifying the administration of officials, and recruiting talents, making the rule of Runzhou famous all over the world. Later, it basically continued into a national policy during Li Bing's rule, which can be said to have laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Southern Tang Dynasty.
This flattery was really good. Song Qiqiu, who had not said anything, finally opened his eyes, and a faint but very cruel light flashed by. Several people in the room couldn't help but shrink.
"The changer moves the whole body. Lin Feng, a grass and a man, is like a rootless water and a rootless duckweed. Even if he has a talent, he cannot promote the change of a country with his own strength. Change, like driving forward, where he goes, depends on who controls it?" Song Qiqiu reached out to take the tea that the girl brought over, took a sip of it slowly. The fragrance of the tea made him breathe with satisfaction, and continued, "The power of the court is in my hand, can he turn the world around? Besides, change, if we use it well, can we make some profits even if we are not good?"
"The change is extraordinary. We have to discuss in detail how to make it stronger, strong the country, strong army and rich the people." Sun Sheng said.
"What the lord said is very true." Jiang Wenmo replied, and several people approached Sun Sheng a little longer and began to discuss in detail.
Chapter completed!