In the Great Han Gaozu realm, outside the Weiyang Palace.
“Zifang, you guessed right, but I didn't expect it to end up like this.”
Liu Bang sighed, suddenly finding the wine in his hand tasteless.
The Great Han had just been established, and its various systems were still in a state of confusion and uncertainty. The various princes who had made contributions were enfeoffed outside, the crown prince was weak, and the inner court was unstable.
Most importantly, until now, Liu Bang had not determined a fixed policy for governing the country for future generations!
Should he follow the Qin Dynasty's example and rely heavily on Legalism? Or should he follow the Song Dynasty's example and rely heavily on civil officials? Or should he maintain the status quo, with the group of meritorious officials and the imperial clan assisting each other?
“Your Majesty, it is not at all unusual for it to end up like this. When Wang Anshi implemented his reforms, he vigorously demoted opponents. After the Yuan You faction came to power, they inevitably retaliated, so when the Shao Sheng faction came to power, they would inevitably not let go. This is also within reason.”
Zhang Liang smiled slightly and continued.
“And the most crucial point is that both Shenzong, who supported the reform, and Zhezong died prematurely, which prevented any faction from gaining the upper hand!”
“Yes! It seems that emperors dying young is not a good thing after all!”
Liu Bang muttered to himself, then raised his eyebrows and asked:
“Then Zifang, what do you think of the effectiveness of these reforms?”
Zhang Liang gave a wry smile. “Your Majesty, the Golden List did not mention the specific measures of Wang Anshi’s reforms, nor did it reveal their effectiveness. How would your servant know?”
“That’s true…”
Liu Bang was slightly disappointed. If Wang Anshi’s reforms had been truly effective, the Great Han could have adopted some of them!
After all, the Great Han had just been established, and its system was incomplete. There were no traditional laws and regulations, so it would not be too difficult to implement changes!
…
The Xin Dynasty, Tianfeng realm, outside the Weiyang Palace.
An elderly man with white hair was staring intently at the Golden List, sighing from time to time!
“Unexpectedly, unexpectedly, after a thousand years, there is someone who is like me. I really want to discuss this with this person!”
This person was none other than Wang Mang, the current emperor of the Xin Dynasty!
Since Wang Mang had usurped the mandate of Heaven from the Great Han and ascended to the throne, he had implemented a series of reforms throughout the country. He thought that he would enrich the country and strengthen the people, reviving the Great Han!
However, things turned out to be a complete mess, with repeated failures. Wang Mang was forced to abolish some reform measures and modify some reform plans, but the tide of failure continued!
Now, because of the reforms, uprisings and famines had broken out all over the country!
“Alas! Wang Anshi, you and I are on the same path. I just don’t know if your reforms have made the Song Dynasty strong…”
…
The Jin Dynasty, Taikang realm, in front of the Taiji Palace.
“Your Majesty, Wang Anshi’s reforms were simply beyond his capabilities. Not only did they not enrich the country or strengthen the military, they also caused factional strife, which was a complete failure. Our Great Jin cannot follow their example!”
He Shao, the Minister of the Ministry of Works, stood up and shouted.
As soon as he said this, he immediately received support from many people.
However, Sima Yan's face was solemn, and his brows furrowed.
Although Wang Anshi’s reforms had caused a lot of trouble, it was caused by factional strife, not the reforms themselves!
Besides, the Golden List didn’t say whether Wang Anshi’s reforms were effective. How could these people conclude that the reforms were not truly effective in enriching the country and strengthening the military?
Thinking about this, Sima Yan’s eyes narrowed.
The reason these officials were saying this was simply because they wanted to maintain the status quo, preserve the privileges of the aristocratic families, and did not want anyone to reform and deprive them of their interests!
But even if he knew this, what could he say?
The Sima family had been able to seize the throne from the Cao Wei Dynasty, and he had been able to ascend to the throne, all thanks to these aristocratic families!
Besides, the Great Jin was currently in a state of peace and security. Rash reforms would only lead to unnecessary trouble!
Most importantly, the crown prince was foolish, so everything should proceed according to his own arrangements, firmly and steadily. It would be better to simply go through the motions…
Thinking about this, Sima Yan smiled and raised his cup, saying:
“My dear official, you are right. Let’s all drink!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
…
The Sui Dynasty, Kaihuang realm, outside the Xingqing Palace.
“That Wang Anshi is a fool! Didn’t he lose more than he gained?”
Yang Guang complained.
“Guang’er, don’t say that. Even if the reforms failed, Wang Anshi’s heart was for the survival of the nation!”
Yang Jian frowned.
Yang Guang was startled. Sensing Yang Jian's anger, he quickly put on a smile and lowered his head, saying:
“Father is right. Such a loyal official, even if he hadn't implemented reforms, should still be heavily used!”
Yang Jian nodded slightly and smiled, asking:
“Then what do you think, Guang’er? Does our Great Sui need reforms?”
“Father, our Great Sui is now rich and powerful. We don’t need reforms, but there are still many problems within the country. Therefore, your son believes that reforms are too drastic. Some changes to the system would be enough!”
“Hahaha! Guang’er, you said it well. That’s far better than that Wang Anshi!”
Dugu Jialuo laughed loudly.
Yang Jian also raised his eyebrows, his face filled with joy. It must be said that Yang Guang’s words were indeed what he had been thinking!
The Great Sui had just been established, and the problems were not too serious, so there was no need for drastic reforms. However, there were still some problems, so minor changes to the system would be acceptable!
As expected of the crown prince. He was much better than Yang Yong. Fortunately, he had deposed the crown prince. Otherwise, the Great Sui would have been reduced by a hundred years of reign…
…
The Tang Dynasty, the Zhenguan realm, outside the Daming Palace.
Compared to the relaxed attitudes of the previous emperors, Li Shimin was worried.
The Tang Dynasty had experienced the Niu-Li factional strife. Could it be that, like the Song Dynasty, it was also caused by a certain minister implementing reforms?
For example, a minister with the surname Niu or Li from a later generation!
Thinking about this, Li Shimin felt a chill down his spine and his whole body trembled!
If this were the case, should he establish a traditional law so that future emperors would never implement reforms?
“Your Majesty, reforms are not a crime. The crime lies with those officials who stir up factional strife in the name of new and old laws!”
Noticing Li Shimin’s concern, Wei Zheng stood up and shouted loudly.
“The system of a country cannot remain unchanged. After a hundred or a thousand years, there will inevitably be flaws. Wang Anshi’s reforms were to repair these problems!”
“But factional strife is different. As long as future emperors can hold this scale in their hearts, those treacherous officials will not succeed, and our Great Tang will not experience factional strife!”
Listening to Wei Zheng’s words, Li Shimin nodded slightly.
As expected of Wei Zheng, the No. 1 critic of the Zhenguan era. His words were truly unanswerable!
It was indeed true that no system in the world could remain forever unchanged. If he really established such a traditional law, wouldn’t he be pushing the Great Tang into an abyss of destruction?
“My dear official, you are right. As long as the emperor can distinguish between right and wrong and loyalty and treachery, our Great Tang will not experience factional strife!”
Li Shimin’s gaze was firm, and Wei Zheng was relieved that he had once again avoided a mistake by the emperor.
However, both of them were still worried. What if future emperors didn’t have this ability?
What if the Niu-Li factional strife in the Tang Dynasty was not caused by reforms?
Then what would happen to the Great Tang?
…
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