Li Shimin and his ministers from the Zhenguan era shared the same thought.
When Li Shimin saw the immense wealth brought about by the reforms, his heart instinctively pounded, and envy filled his mind.
He even had an urge to emulate Wang Anshi and initiate a “Xining Reform” in the Tang Dynasty!
At that critical moment, Wei Zheng stepped forward and advised Li Shimin, saying that everything has two sides, and it would be better to continue observing for a while.
These words instantly awakened Li Shimin, allowing him to calmly observe the situation.
As if hearing the collective thoughts of the audience, the golden board began displaying more golden characters:
【While the Xining Reform achieved significant successes, it also had its drawbacks, and those drawbacks were precisely the reasons for its failure.】
【Firstly, the reform aimed to enrich the country and strengthen the military, with a prosperous nation and a powerful army, but the people became impoverished and vulnerable. This was what the old party referred to as “extracting wealth from the people,” using the collection of wealth from the populace to replenish the treasury, resulting in no small amount of harm.】
【Therefore, there were people in the countryside who broke their hands to avoid conscription, and Zheng Xia knocked on the palace gate to present a map of the suffering people.】
【Secondly, the reforms were implemented too hastily. In the second year of Xining, the first year of the reform, Wang Anshi was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the State in February. In July, he implemented the Junshu system. In September, he introduced the Qingmiao system. In November, he formulated the farmland and water conservancy law. In December, he enacted the Baojia system. Subsequently, he implemented the Mianyi system in October of the third year, the Shiyi system in March of the fifth year, the Baoma system in May, the Fangtian Junshui system in August, and so on. Within a mere four years, before the previous systems had fully taken root and become consolidated, new ones were implemented in rapid succession.】
【Another reason was Emperor Shenzong’s “mixing of different opinions,” where he appointed both the New Party leaders like Wang Anshi and the Old Party leaders to balance and restrain the New Party, making the reforms more challenging. Despite Emperor Shenzong’s dedication to strengthening the nation and taking on the responsibility of organizing the reforms after Wang Anshi’s resignation, the Old Party’s opposition remained considerable.】
【Finally, there was Wang Anshi’s poor choice of personnel. Lu Huaiqing, Zeng Bu, Zhang Dun, Lu Jiawen, Li Ding, Deng Wan, Cai Jing, etc., were all sycophants who seized the opportunity to ingratiate themselves with Wang Anshi and support the New Party's ascent. After gaining power, they were driven by self-interest and betrayed the New Party, twisting and distorting its original intentions. While the initial objectives of the new laws were excellent, their implementation at the grassroots level resulted in “officials using their positions for personal gain,” ultimately burdening the people even more.】
…
Witnessing the golden characters continuously scrolling across the golden board, the monarchs and ministers from different eras widened their eyes, their expressions shifting, and their thoughts swirling.
Wang Anshi from the Xining era, in particular, felt a chill run down his spine, slumped back into his wooden chair, and muttered to himself:
“So that’s it, so that’s it. This is why I failed…”
Wang Pang, standing beside him, was equally solemn, his brow furrowed, and remained silent.
The blow they received was as significant as the joy they had experienced earlier!
It turned out that there were so many problems with his father’s reforms, which explained why they hadn’t been successful!
Thinking this, he couldn't help but let out a bitter smile and patted Wang Anshi's shoulder, leaving them speechless…
…
In the realm of Qin Shi Huang, outside the Xianyang Palace.
“It’s actually like this? To enrich the nation while causing so much harm…”
Ying Zheng’s eyes narrowed, and he felt as if he were in a freezing ice cellar, his heart trembling uncontrollably.
It seemed that merely enriching the nation wasn’t enough. He couldn’t just focus on the increasing wealth!
Furthermore, if Wang Anshi’s reforms could lead to harm, what about the Shang Yang Reforms of Qin?
Could it be that they had inadvertently brought about harm to Qin that he hadn’t yet realized?
Ying Zheng fell into deep contemplation.
Li Si, standing beside him, quickly stepped forward and declared in a loud voice:
“Your Majesty, don’t worry. The reforms of Shang Yang have been implemented for several years, and successive monarchs of Qin have upheld and perfected them. If there were problems, wouldn’t they have already emerged? How could Qin have conquered the Six Kingdoms and unified the world?
“Therefore, Your Majesty, please rest assured!”
Li Si was a staunch Legalist, particularly admiring the founder of Legalism, Shang Yang!
Seeing Ying Zheng’s doubts, he quickly stepped forward to refute them. He couldn’t allow Shang Yang’s reforms to be abolished in Qin!
Ying Zheng nodded slightly, “My esteemed minister is right. Perhaps our Qin is different from the Song Dynasty…”
Although he said this, Ying Zheng’s confidence was still a little shaky!
After all, although Qin seemed calm and peaceful, there were undercurrents lurking beneath the surface. Whether it was the remnants of the Six Kingdoms or the people of Shandong, none had truly submitted to Qin!
As long as he was in power, he could suppress these potential crises. But if Fusu ascended the throne, could he guarantee that Qin would remain tranquil?
…
In the realm of Han Gaozu, outside the Weiyang Palace.
“Zifang, you’re amazing! You were right. The Xining Reforms truly have their price!”
Liu Bang was overjoyed and instantly abandoned the idea of replicating the Xining Reforms!
The current Han Dynasty was unlike the Song Dynasty, having just been established. It was better not to overtax the people!
“Your Majesty is wise. The current Han Dynasty doesn’t need reforms. As long as Your Majesty adheres to ‘inaction and governance,’ the people can recuperate, and national strength can be restored,”
Zhang Liang said with a smile.
Zhou Bo, Chen Ping, Cao Can, and others beside him nodded in agreement.
“Inaction and governance? I’m not a proponent of inaction and governance!”
“Hahaha! Your Majesty, you’re not undertaking any large-scale construction projects, nor are you increasing taxes. If this isn’t inaction and governance, what is it?”
Chen Ping laughed.
“Really? Is that all it takes for inaction and governance? It seems too simple!”
Liu Bang was somewhat delighted and chuckled, rubbing his hands together.
“Your Majesty is wise. As long as Your Majesty maintains this state, our Han Dynasty can strengthen itself even without reforms!”
“Indeed! Indeed!”
…
In the realm of Jin Taikang, outside the Taiji Palace.
“Your Majesty, have you seen? The harm caused by these reforms is significant. Our Jin Dynasty cannot emulate the Song Dynasty in this regard!”
He Shao shook his head.
The others nodded in agreement.
Ridiculous! Reform? What kind of reform?
If this happened, would their power as the great families be preserved?
They couldn’t allow the emperor to entertain any thoughts of reform!
Sima Yan nodded in agreement, glanced at the officials of the court who were all in unison, and smiled.
It seemed that this set of reforms was not suitable for our Jin Dynasty after all!
…
In the realm of Sui Kaikang, outside the Xingqing Palace.
“Guang, you’ve seen it too. This reform has its pros and cons. You must handle it carefully in the future!”
The aging Yang Jian was no longer in his prime, and his health was declining year by year. He could no longer support any reforms.
Instead, it was the youthful and energetic Yang Guang who was capable of doing so!
Therefore, Yang Jian seized the opportunity and spoke.
“Father, rest assured. I’ve taken note. While this reform can enrich the nation, it also disturbs the people. I’ll handle it carefully!”
Yang Guang smiled gently and responded respectfully.
However, his heart was filled with immense curiosity about the Xining Reforms!
Ridiculous! As long as the treasury was brimming with wealth, why worry about a little disturbance among the people?
If he were to ascend the throne one day, he would definitely intensify the reforms and achieve even greater feats than Wang Anshi!
…
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