In the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenguan Era, outside the Grand Palace.
“Xuan Cheng, you were right. I can’t excessively burden the people with wealth brought by reform!”
Li Shimin sighed.
It seemed that strengthening the Tang Dynasty would require a different approach.
“Your Majesty is wise!”
Wei Zheng took the lead and bowed, followed by the crowd of officials who also shouted in unison…
…
In the Song Dynasty’s Kaiping Era, outside the Thigh-Supporting Hall.
“Second brother, the Old Party isn’t so bad. They do have some valid points.”
Zhao Guangyi almost shouted out in excitement as soon as he saw the top name on the Golden List.
Zhao Kuangyin sighed, nodding slightly. He didn’t know how to respond for a moment.
Zhao Pu stepped forward and bowed.
“Your Majesty, the Old Party, led by Sima Guang during the Shenzong reign, was not completely useless. Their differing political views do not constitute factionalism.”
“However, around the time of the Zhezong reign, the new and old laws were turned into tools for power grabs. At that time, both the New Party and Old Party were merely pretenses to seize power, thus leading to factionalism.”
“Moreover, although the new laws had many issues, they could still be used if they were modified and learned from!”
Zhao Pu’s words resonated with everyone present. Zhao Kuangyin smiled, nodding slightly.
“You are right. The fault doesn’t lie with Wang Anshi or Sima Guang, but with those beasts who stirred up factionalism. Especially that Cai Jing, he is truly a treacherous minister!”
“How come the New Party is always like this?”
“Doesn’t that mean our Song Dynasty will also perish at the hands of treacherous ministers?”
As the words fell, the golden characters in the sky slowly disappeared. A bird's call then echoed, and everyone looked up:
【Factional struggle assessment complete. Hope each dynasty learns a lesson and does not blindly implement reform. 】
【Now assessing the second reason for the downfall of the Song Dynasty - incompetent rulers and treacherous ministers!】
Seeing the words on the Golden List, Zhao Kuangyin’s face turned dark, and the officials all twitched their mouths.
Good heavens! The Emperor had just mentioned the downfall of the Song Dynasty at the hands of treacherous ministers, and the Golden List immediately assessed incompetent rulers and treacherous ministers. The Emperor truly has the favor of Heaven!
After his initial shock, Zhao Kuangyin felt endless anger. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth!
“I knew that Cai Jing was not a simple character!”
“Today, I will see how this treacherous minister will bring down my Song Dynasty?!”
…
In the Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu Era, outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
“Hahaha! I knew it! Since the Golden List mentioned Emperor Huizong and Cai Jing, it wouldn’t miss out on assessing them!”
Zhu Yuanzhang was delighted. His tiger eyes widened, and his gaze turned cold.
“Biao, you must pay close attention. My Ming Dynasty cannot have incompetent rulers like Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong, and treacherous ministers like Cai Jing will never be tolerated!”
“Father, your son will remember!”
Zhu Biao’s gaze was firm, but he was unsure in his heart.
After all, among the fifteen reasons for national downfall listed on the Golden List, other factors could be prevented and avoided through institutions, laws, etc., but incompetent rulers and treacherous ministers were truly unpredictable!
After all, even the most wise emperor could not guarantee that his descendants would not be incompetent rulers, and the most perfect system could not avoid the appearance of treacherous ministers in the court!
However, Zhu Biao was not anxious. Forget about the distant future, even in the near future, someone like Xiong Ying, if he ascends the throne, would definitely not be an incompetent ruler!
…
In the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi Era, outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
“They are starting to assess incompetent rulers and treacherous ministers? Interesting!”
Xuan Ye’s gaze was sharp, and he nodded with a smile.
“Throughout history, only incompetent rulers and treacherous ministers were unstoppable. I wonder if my Qing Dynasty will have emperors like Huizong and Qinzong, and people like Cai Jing?”
“Your Majesty, this should not happen. Our Qing Dynasty has existed for nearly a hundred years. From the Taizu Emperor to your Majesty, which one was not a wise and virtuous ruler? Especially your Majesty, who ascended the throne at the age of eight. Your achievements are unprecedented. How could there be incompetent rulers?”
This time, it was not Zhang Ying who stepped forward, but the Minister of Revenue, Xifu Na.
Hearing Xifu Na’s words, Xuan Ye nodded slightly.
Now in the court, who didn’t know that Xifu Na was a trusted minister of the Emperor and had handled numerous important matters for him!
When Xifu Na spoke, Xuan Ye immediately smiled, and in his words, he only mentioned that the Qing Dynasty would not have incompetent rulers in the future, but he completely avoided the topic of treacherous ministers. This was truly a clever move!
“Since that’s the case, let’s watch together.”
“Also, summon all the princes to come here. Let them learn how to distinguish treacherous ministers!”
“Yes!”
Hearing Xuan Ye’s words, everyone was startled.
The Emperor had abolished the Crown Prince many years ago. Now, he suddenly called all the princes to observe the Golden List and learn how to discern people’s character. Could it be that a new Crown Prince will emerge from among the princes?
…
【In the third year of Yuanfeng, Emperor Zhezong Zhao Xu passed away. Because Zhezong had no sons, according to etiquette and law, the Prime Minister Zhang Dun chose Zhezong’s maternal younger brother, the thirteenth son of Shenzong, Prince Jian Zhao Si. However, the Empress Dowager (Shenzong’s wife) argued that she had no sons, and all of Shenzong’s sons were born out of wedlock, so she advocated for the enthronement of Shenzong’s eleventh son, Prince Duan Zhao Ji. The Empress Dowager then received support from Cai Bian, Zeng Bu, Xu Jiang, and others, and she welcomed Prince Duan to the throne, becoming Emperor Huizong!】
【Upon taking the throne, Huizong was initially under the control of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager favored the Old Party, so she severely suppressed the New Party. Cai Bian, Zhang Dun, and others were continuously attacked by the Old Party and forced to step down. For a time, the Old Party once again controlled the court. 】
【In July of the same year, the Empress Dowager returned power to the Emperor. After Huizong took over, he promoted the New Party. First, he dismissed Zhang Dun, who opposed his enthronement, and then he promoted Cai Jing from the New Party. He showered Cai Jing with favors!】
【Huizong had always been pampered and indulged since childhood. He gradually developed a frivolous and dissolute personality. After ascending the throne, he had no interest in governing, but instead favored calligraphy and painting, writing and riding, and amazing juggling shows. He had an exceptional talent for calligraphy and painting, especially creating the “Slender Gold” style, which is renowned to this day. He was a true artist!】
【Because of Huizong’s personality, all matters of state were controlled by Cai Jing. In order to curry favor with Huizong, Cai Jing went to any lengths. He established the extravagant Flower and Stone Project, built the Genyue Palace, dug three mountains, constructed two bridges, engaged in massive construction projects and labor conscription, and ruthlessly exploited the people!】
【Later, Cai Jing recommended the treacherous minister Tong Guan to Huizong. Tong Guan controlled the Song Dynasty’s military power for twenty years, wielding tremendous power. He was arrogant and domineering, giving orders that often exceeded even the Emperor’s edicts. Furthermore, Tong Guan colluded with Cai Jing to plunder the people’s wealth, making their lives miserable.】
【Besides them, Huizong also favored the Grand Eunuch Yang Jian. Yang Jian was skilled at discerning the Emperor’s thoughts. After gaining power, he forced the people to rent out abandoned dikes, wasteland, and riverbeds, and he collected excessive taxes. Even during natural disasters, he did not reduce taxes. The local people suffered greatly!】
【There was also the Grand Marshal Gao Qiu. He was a skilled juggler, so he received Huizong’s favor and was appointed Grand Marshal. He arbitrarily seized military camps and used the imperial army as his personal slaves, resulting in the imperial army’s “decay in discipline and lack of military training,” causing their combat effectiveness to plummet…】
…
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