Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

When the court and the court were arguing endlessly over the three points of "whether he should be abolished", "whether the prince's move is inappropriate" and most importantly, "whether the official's sanity is clear", Lu Ci, who was at home, could not concentrate on tutoring Di Qing's homework In addition to cooking flowers and plants, he also asked for a catalog of books related to the customs and customs of various prefectures and states from Xiao Song in the pavilion. He read them enthusiastically and took notes carefully.

If it's just an ordinary rest and bath, he may spend more time on socializing and maintaining contact with friends.

But things were different this time.

Since he knew that he had seriously offended the emperor and his future was uncertain, why did he let his friends meet and chat with him at the risk of getting involved?

It's better to keep a distance before the final result comes out, anyway, most of them will leave Beijing to work abroad, and we can always see each other at the farewell banquet.

As for Liu Qi and Zhu Shuo, they have always had a close relationship with him, which is obvious to all.

If there is any connection, no matter whether it is good or bad, it is impossible to avoid it.

And judging from the stubbornness of the two of them, he will definitely not allow him to deliberately separate the relationship.

Thinking about it this way, for Liu and Zhu, Lu Ci could only choose to let nature take its course.

Although he didn't publicize it, and most of his friends are not court officials, but they have many relatives and friends who have been promoted to court.

So a few days after the incident, the emperor was furious in the court, and the news that he was going to be dismissed and expelled quickly spread.

There are those who are wise enough to protect themselves, immediately choose to draw a line with him, and ignore him from now on, just like Lin Neichen, who was disappointed by his bet; Those officials I met during the banquet; Xiao Song and others who were full of worries about his uncertain future and sent a message asking to see him, willing to ask what happened so that they could help, were all rejected by Lu Ci's reply letter.

When Lu Ci finished replying the last letter and was leisurely moving his sore knuckles, he saw Di Qing's serious face, and couldn't help but laugh: "You are not thinking about human relationships and the world, are you?"

Di Qing generously admitted: "Exactly."

What he couldn't say directly was that he usually came to visit Lu Ci's house every now and then, either to ask for drinks, or to invite Lu Ci to visit his newly decorated garden, or to bring the young man at home to Lu Ci to have a look at. Yan Shu, since he was sent away by Lu Ci that day, has never visited the door again.

Even the most mischievous young son Yan Shu, who used to climb up the wall from time to time, never appeared again, probably because the wet nurse watched him more closely.

Lu Ci shook his head: "In my opinion, this is just how much I paid in friendship, and now I can get some in return. I was stingy at the beginning, but I only paid a little. Do you still expect them to go through fire and water for me? "

He and most people are no more than acquaintances, or acquaintances of working together, or acquaintances of interests.Now that he is doomed to lose power, it is reasonable for the other party to choose to sever the relationship.

Di Qing held back, but he didn't hold back, and whispered: "What about the Yan family?"

Lu Ci smiled: "Didn't you also see how he left his job that day, sweated profusely from running, didn't change his clothes, and came to ask me anxiously?"

Di Qing still felt uncomfortable: "But since then, I haven't seen him here again. Even his family members have deliberately avoided us recently, as if they were worried about being implicated."

Being so careful, it seemed like he was insulting his father-in-law!

His father-in-law was the best and most considerate person in the world, how could he harm a dear friend!

Yan Shu had known Gongzu for a longer time, so he should understand this better. To treat Gongzu like this really chilled and angered him, and he felt aggrieved for Gongzu.

"Then you have to think about it," Lu Ci said with a smile, "It's been really hard work for him to get to where he is today, and he will pay more attention to the hard-won fame and fortune, and his temperament is inevitably much more cautious, not as radical as me. Besides, he and I The family background is also different. Apart from my mother, I have no wife or relatives, and I have no other blood relatives worthy of attention. The few friends I value the most also have a place in the pavilion, so I don’t need to spend my thoughts. He He is a family member. Even if he himself is willing to stab me in the ribs, how can I be willing to see my friends and the whole family accompany me through unnecessary muddy waters? He and I have a similar heart , I must have understood this, so I will not come to the door again."

What Lu Ci did not point out was that the deliberate avoidance of the Yan family was probably not because they avoided them like snakes and scorpions as Di Qing thought, but it was more likely that Yan Shu simply felt ashamed: for not being able to give up his life to help his friends, he also It is a duty to oneself not to be able to imitate a friend.

Di Qing loosened his frowning brows, his originally agitated heart was completely appeased by Lu Ci's words, and he nodded submissively: "I understand."

Lu Ci nodded, rubbed his head with a slight smile, and said like a devil: "This is a good topic. Just use the topic of 'Put yourself in the shoes' as the topic, and write two strategies to see."

Di Qing: "...Yes."

Just as Di Qing was racking his brains to figure out the second strategy, the great savior came to his door.

——It was none other than Lu Ci who was aiming at the candidate for a good instructor after he asked Di Qing about his aspirations in martial arts, General Qi Luo Qilang.

"Qi Lang is coming." Lu Ci smiled and ordered someone to bring sweet glutinous rice wine that can be warmed on a small stove: "Come and taste my new brewing method."

Qi Luo nodded, smelling the seductive aroma of the wine, his heart was indeed moved, so he stopped being polite: "Thank you Lu Zhigao."

Lu Ci pretended to be helpless and spread his hands: "It won't be soon."

Qi Luo said steadily: "In the officialdom, temporary ups and downs are nothing. About this point, Lu Zhigao must be much clearer than me."

Lu Ci smiled and said nothing.

When looking at Di Qing, Qi Luo couldn't help sighing: "He is really a good young man. Although he started late, his hunting skills in the mountains are not useless on the battlefield. He is much better than me at the beginning. .”

Lu Ci said: "General Qi Lang is too modest."

Qi Luo shook his head and said sadly: "If I really have the ability, why would I have been wandering in this rank for many years?"

Lu Ci said indifferently: "You should recharge your energy and store up your energy, and don't be impatient."

Although he has forgotten about the specific historical process of the Song Dynasty, he also knows that it was an era of constant wars.

Fighting together is an opportunity for capable people to stand out.

Qi Luo nodded involuntarily.

After several months of working together day and night, Qi Luo and Lu Ci are quite familiar with each other, and they are full of admiration for Lu Sanyuan, who has achieved fame at a young age, but is not arrogant, and is willing to do his own thing for the well-being of the people. After accepting the letter of resignation from him as an apprentice, he agreed without hesitation.

In any case, in the barracks, except for the time when he was on duty in shifts, the training was not rigorous, and he had rest from time to time.In the end, it was agreed to visit Di Qing for three or four days every ten days, teach Di Qing for two or three hours, then arrange homework, and do spot checks when he comes back next time.

He did his best when teaching Di Qing, not only because of his pity for Di Qing's rare excellent understanding, but also because of Lu Ci's generous remuneration for him.

After all, although his family has a small population, but living in the middle of the capital, all the expenses are huge, and his rank is quite low, so his salary can barely maintain. Now this extra income is undoubtedly a great help.

Di Qing breathed a sigh of relief, trying his best to maintain a calm face, so as not to let the joy in his heart be discovered by the grandfather, so as not to disappoint the grandfather, and then walked towards Qi Luo.

While the two were collecting materials from the yard and practicing sword poses, Lu Ci was lying comfortably on the rocking chair next to him. Although he mainly looked at the materials in his hand, he raised his head from time to time and looked at the extremely serious second with a smile. people.

However, Qi Luo soon discovered that every time Lu Ci's eyes fell on Di Qing, Di Qing's steady breathing would start to beat slightly.

After many times, Qi Luo naturally thought that he was a shy young man, so he looked helplessly at the leisurely Lu Ci: "Lu Zhigao, why don't you change places?"

Di Qing knew the reason for Qi Luo's request, and his face flushed suddenly.

Lu Ci got up regretfully, and went into the house, teasing as he walked, "Wei Jie was watched and killed, so it seems that when you become a master of martial arts, you should also practice the kung fu of getting used to being watched by others." gone."

Di Qing's face was as red as blood, half of it was provoked after strenuous exercise, and half of it was teased by Lu Ci's words.

... The ability to be calm and composed while being stared at by the grandfather, he probably won't be able to practice it in his whole life.

When night fell, Liu Qi and Zhu Shuo came back from the pavilion and went straight to look for Lu Ci without thinking about it.

This has something to do with Liu Qi's efforts to persuade Zhu Shuo all the way.

It turned out that during the past few days, on the way to the pavilion with the two of them in the same car, Liu Qi was persistently brainwashing Zhu.

He swears, don't look at the little Taotie who looks at the clouds and the wind, and doesn't care about fame and fortune, it's just the little Taotie deliberately pretending to avoid worrying them.

After all, when he was young and energetic, he was suddenly hit by such a severe blow, and his future was bleak, how could he be as usual?

Zhu Shuoyuan firmly believes that Lu Ci is open-minded and careless, and doesn't care about the ups and downs of his official position.

But after being nagged all the way by Liu Qi, I couldn't help but believe that Lu Ci forced his smile because he didn't want to make them worry, so he took action.

When the two broke in, Lu Ci just stopped writing. Seeing them, he couldn't help smiling: "You guys came just in time."

Oh, if you don't want to laugh, don't laugh!

Thinking of the catastrophe that little Taotie had suffered, Liu Qiyi did not forget to be considerate of others, and did not hesitate to force his face, and suddenly felt sad.

He couldn't point it out, so he had to try his best to maintain his expression, and asked: "Brother Lu is—"

Lu Ci said: "I have sorted out some places, and I want you to show me which one is the best."

Liu Qi and Zhu Shuo took it and took a look, only to find that it was just some backcountry that made the Beijing officials' faces turn pale, and the calmness on their faces couldn't hold up immediately: "...Why don't you think better?"

Lu Ci laughed and said, "I'm sure I won't be demoted to go to a good place."

Hey, here we go again!

Liu Qi was extremely sad in his heart, and was thinking about how to comfort Lu Ci, when Lu Ci said excitedly: "I think Lingnan is not bad, although the road is a bit difficult and far away, as long as you make preparations for the trip and calculate the time of the trip, you will be fine. It’s hard to get there safely.”

In addition, there are many barracks in Lingnan and the barbarian forces are strong, which is obviously more challenging than governing other places. This will also better realize his ideal and ambition to serve the Song Dynasty, and it is definitely not because he is thinking about the fresh and sweet lychees that are abundant there. Longan, mangosteen, various seafood...

Zhu hesitated to speak, but Liu Qi's face suddenly changed, and he said with great distress: "Don't force yourself anymore, what kind of good place is Lingnan? If the imperial court really wants to send you to that place for your honest words and outspoken advice, Even if I kowtow to death on the hall, I will never let you suffer that kind of abuse!"

The author has something to say: Notes:

In order to avoid people thinking that I black Yan Shu, hereby list it here:

"For 50 years, you have been rich and honored, and you have always been wise and safe." This is the elegy given by Yan Shu's student Ouyang Xiu.

In the sixth year of Tiansheng (1028), Fan Zhongyan, who was [-] years old and Dingyou, got rid of his obedience, and he could return to the officialdom to do things in a legitimate way.Recommended by Yan Shu, he was promoted to the school manager of Mige.Regarding Yan Shu's recommendation of Fan Zhongyan this time, there is one detail worth noting. He only recommended it after someone reminded him.According to Lou Yao's "Chronology of Fan Wenzheng Gong", the Prime Minister Wang once valued Fan Zhongyan very much, "seeing him is great", and said to Yan Shu who had returned to the Privy Council: Don't you have to choose a secret court to manage? "I know Fan Zhongyan, why don't you recommend him?" You, Yan Shu, know Fan Zhongyan well. Is there a better candidate besides him?Therefore, Yan Shu gave a very powerful memorial, which is mostly passed on to later generations, and it is wonderful to record it:

The ministers are the sages and imperial courts, and the talents of the group are effective, but the strength of the small and the big can help the unity of heaven and man.Anyone who is located in China and North Korea, I would like to recommend someone who can be in Danyi, and I will not be afraid to enter Vietnam, so I will ask for it.Chen Fujian Fan Zhongyan, the prime minister of Dali Temple, was diligent in his studies, elegant in literature, slightly divided into bureaucrats, and also wrote in a clear voice.Previously, he served in Xinghua County, Taizhou, and benefited from Xinghai Yan.Yesterday, due to obedience, I retired to Suiyang, and studied books in the government school. I urged my disciples to give lectures on art and literature.Staying out of the house, guarding poverty alone, the behavior of Confucianism is really worthy of praise.Desire to try his diction, reward him with his title, join the forest of toasts, and let him talk about the chants of Chongqiu.

Yan Shu recommended Fan Zhongyan twice, and Fan Zhongyan was very grateful. He was very respectful to Yan Shu's disciples who were younger than him all his life, and treated him sincerely as a teacher. This is especially respected by future generations.But etiquette masters are one thing, and state affairs are another. Fan Zhongyan has a clear distinction between public and private affairs, and the two are not compatible.No, he has just been transferred back to work in the central government, and the position is so good, as long as he manages carefully, his ascension is just around the corner.But he didn't cherish the rare opportunity at all, and soon did something violent, which frightened Yan Shu.

Here's the thing:

Song Renzong has reached the age of 20, and has been on the throne for five or six years, but the power in the court is still in the hands of the 60-year-old Empress Dowager Liu, who has the final say on everything from military and political affairs to small royal affairs. Do not violate.Right now, Empress Dowager Liu has spoken again. On this winter solstice, my son, you and all the civil and military officials will hold a ceremony for me in Huiqing Hall to celebrate my birthday by kowtow.How dare Song Renzong disobey?I had no choice but to bow my head and agree.

No one expected that Fan Zhongyan, a soft-spoken official, would pop up at this time.Didn't Yan Shu praise Fan Zhongyan for being "literary and elegant"?Fan Zhongyan wrote an elegant essay:

The minister heard that the king is honored, and the ritual and law match the sky, so there are admonitions for the teeth and horses, and the practice of the stables. What's more, it is very important to bend the ten thousand chariots, and the crown is the ritual of the north?This is the beginning of the beginning of the weak people in later generations to use the strong mother to empress.If your majesty wants to congratulate the head of the palace, it is acceptable to perform in Weiye with the etiquette of his family's face; but also to honor Majesty Yuxuan with kindness and celebration, so that all officials will pay homage to him, which is not in accordance with the etiquette.

Listening to Fan Zhongyan's tone, although he is a humble person, he looks like an emperor's teacher: I can tell you about this matter, your majesty, you want to celebrate the queen mother's birthday to show your filial piety, yes, you can do it in your royal inner court ; You have to bring all the civil and military officials to do this in Huiqing Hall, this will start a very bad start.You can't do that, it's against ancient etiquette!Well, it almost ruined a good thing about the Empress Dowager.Old Liu'e is quite self-cultivated, thinking that you little Fan Zhongyan can't stop me anyway, so I don't care about it, pretending to be indifferent on the surface.This happened in the winter of the seventh year of Tiansheng (1029).

Your empress dowager pretends not to take it seriously, but I, Fan Zhongyan, will not let it go.Just after the new year, he followed up with a fierce performance, the title of which is extremely terrible-"Begging the Empress Dowager to Return the Government".

Your Majesty embraces the holy bow, listens to the great government, and the sun and the moon last.Today, the emperor is in full bloom in the Spring and Autumn Period, wise and enlightened, returning to Kunniu with the Gan Gang in his hands, this is not an auspicious sign of yellow clothes.How about celebrating your birthday in Changle, taking away the power, and returning to Allah, so as to enjoy the support of the world?

Is this "begging the queen mother"?It is tantamount to issuing an ultimatum to the Queen Mother.The emperor is a young and promising master. It is not auspicious thing for you to hold the real power and give him an empty name.Your old man has been in power for too long, so hurry up and hand it over to the emperor, and do your own pension and health care, and enjoy the blessings and live for a few more years, isn't it good?

Fan Zhongyan's two "elegant essays" in a row frightened Yan Shu.He called Fan Zhongyan to blame him: Fan Zhongyan, Fan Zhongyan, what's the matter with you?Where do you celebrate your birthday and don't return the government? This is the business of the Zhao family. The emperor doesn't say anything. Why are you being stubborn?No one in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty was clear about it, but who stood up?No one, just you jump out alone.Did you hear the discussion?Saying that you are "non-faithful or straight" is nothing more than "inviting your name out of curiosity".What do you want to do, what do you think, I don't care; but you have to think for me, I kindly recommend you, aren't you trying to implicate and harm me? ...This is too heavy a word.Fan Zhongyan wanted to argue a few words, but Yan Shu refused, "Don't make a strong argument, I don't dare to offend the prestige of a minister", let's go.As I said before, Yan Shu's way of being a man and an official is to be loyal to the country, to be open-minded, to treat people with sincerity, and to use talent only, which is his outstanding side.On the other hand, he is a bit more moderate, and he is tactful in dealing with things. He is not the kind of person who does not avoid risks and dares to take responsibility. He will always make some compromises or even compromises at critical times.This dual character was particularly evident during the later "Qingli New Deal".Even his protégé Ouyang Xiu sometimes couldn't stand it, and later said in his "Regreement" about respecting his master: "For 50 years, you have been rich and honored, and you have always been wise and safe."

On Fan Zhongyan's side, Yan Shu, whom he treated with respect as a teacher, could not understand him so much, blamed him, complained about him, and refused to communicate with him. He was a little puzzled.He felt that it was a big matter of right and wrong, and it didn't matter if he was wronged a little bit, but the truth must be explained clearly, so he immediately wrote a long "Book of Shang Zizheng Yan Shilang" to Yan Shu, with nearly [-] words, which was in ancient It's really not short.It is very exciting, heart-to-heart, quoting the past from the present, with a heart-to-heart mind.

Fan Zhongyan waited for a long time, but there was no movement in the palace. Knowing that he was a soft-spoken person and that his words did not take up space, he made a report and asked to be sent down when he was sad.Hey, this time the reaction was surprisingly fast. Under the imperial edict, Fan Zhongyan was demoted to serve as the general judge of Hezhong Mansion. He was 41 years old at the time. ("The World of Worry and Joy: The Biography of Fan Zhongyan")