Chapter 4685: The Way of Being an Official
What is the core of Confucianism? In short, it is the "three cardinal principles and five constant principles", which is inheritance, order and the way of heaven. What is the way of heaven? All things operate according to their essence, which is the way of heaven. Everyone performs their duties and does what they should do in their respective positions, and naturally the world will be unified.
Simply belittling Confucianism is biased.
Whenever the world is in chaos and wars are everywhere, people naturally calm down. Adhering to Confucianism can quickly stabilize the world and stabilize people's hearts. Therefore, China can recuperate, multiply and rise again amidst the ruins of each dynasty.
Everything has advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage of Confucianism is that it restricts people's hearts and minds, which limits the height of the dynasty. Whenever the dynasty reaches its peak, it is difficult to make further progress and cannot break through to a higher level.
How to take advantage of Confucianism and avoid its shortcomings?
This is the most difficult question in the world. Fang Jun has no answer. He can only try to break through a gap in the so-called "Three Cardinal Guidelines and Five Constant Rules" to see if he can break through the limits and bring the empire to a higher level...
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Within the imperial city, there is the Yamen of the Ministry of War.
The streets outside the door are full of carriages parked along the walls. There is an endless stream of people doing business, inquiring about information, and asking for favors. There is a lot of traffic coming in and out. Since the news of the additional institution came out, it has become the most prosperous among the six departments. place.
The window of the hotel room is open, and the locust trees outside the window are lush and leafy. The branches are drooped under the weight of hundreds of flowers, and the fragrance is faint.
Cui Dunli stood at the window with his hands behind his hands, looking at the people coming and going in the corridor outside. He shook his head and sighed: "It's really noisy. Where is the Ministry of War office here? It's even worse than the two cities in the east and west." ”
On the floor in front of another window, Liu Rengui, who was dressed in official robes, was boiling water and making tea. Hearing this, he smiled and said: "If you are upset, why not just post a notice on the main door that no one is allowed to enter the Yamen?"
"You think I don't want to?"
Cui Dunli turned around and walked back, knelt down on the side of the coffee table, and said helplessly: "The officialdom has strict rules and clear hierarchies, but it can't help but be sophisticated. You can't offend everyone just to keep your ears clean, right?"
Taking the boiling kettle off the small stove and pouring it into the teapot, Liu Ren said: "Everything in the world is bustling for profit, and the world is bustling for profit. You and I, ordinary people wallowing in the mortal world, have to endure this." Waiting for the hustle and bustle, if you want to be straightforward and not be cliched, you probably have to wait until he takes off his official robe, returns to his hometown, and returns to his roots. "
When people are in the arena, they can't help themselves.
People in officialdom also have no control over themselves.
Cui Dunli picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea, tsked his lips, and said with a smile: "It's not bad. When I think of the lonely and lonely situation after returning home, I feel that the noise and noise now are not unbearable."
The two looked at each other and laughed in unison.
Being in a high position, wielding power and having a lofty status, surrounded by flattering and smiling faces, but after taking office, suddenly there are no cars and horses in front of the door. Not everyone can bear this gap. How many heroes are high-spirited when they are in office? , full of energy, but as a result, your physical strength will decline once you become an official, and you will die in depression within a few years?
While drinking tea, Liu Rengui asked, "Brother is going to pay a visit to the Duke of Yue. Do you have any instructions?"
At present, the Ministry of War is already making a fuss about the establishment of additional institutions, and most of the people outside who come to inquire about the news are here for this reason.
Cui Dunli glanced outside the door and saw no one around, so he whispered: "Liu Ji is probably going to recommend Zheng Rentai. Your Majesty seems to have the same intention. He wants to put a nail in our place so that we can control the situation at all times." Change. But Zheng Rentai is a member of the Duke of Yue... Just know it and don't spread it."
"Zhengze" is Liu Rengui's word.
It took Cui Dunli many years to finally become the Minister of the Ministry of War, and Liu Rengui came by air as the Left Minister of the Ministry of War. It stands to reason that there is a natural hostility between the two. However, both of them are Fang Jun's confidants, have the same stance and interests, and are both talented people, so they get along with each other more and more.
According to the current trajectory, Cui Dunli will be promoted to the third-highest official sooner or later, and Liu Rengui will either take over as Minister of War, or become the main force leading the reform of the military system, both of which have a bright future.
Liu Rengui was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "Doesn't it mean that Zheng Rentai was forced to become a 'double-sided craftsman'?"
Cui Dunli also laughed: "The moment Liu Jie came to the door, I guess Zheng Rentai was already thinking about scolding her."
It is impossible for aristocratic families to really turn hostility into friendship with Fang Jun. After all, the interests of both parties are contrary to each other and they are naturally hostile. The reason why Zheng Rentai surrendered to Fang Jun was just a temporary measure, and he would definitely fight back if there was an opportunity in the future.
But Liu Ji regarded it as a nail into Fang Jun's internal affairs, so Zheng Rentai had to face the situation of two choices: should he be willing to be Liu Ji's pawn, or should he be completely loyal to Fang Jun?
Liu Rengui said curiously: "According to my brother's wishes, Zheng Rentai actually chose to side with the Duke of Yue? Although it is not surprising, it is not easy to make a decision so quickly."
The entire Kanto is under naval deterrence. Even the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is powerless to deal with the situation in Kanto. Therefore, it is not surprising that Zheng Rentai chose Fang Jun. But the emperor is the emperor after all, representing supreme power, and Li Chengqian is young and powerful, and there is still a long time to come. No one knows how the situation will develop in the future. Zheng Rentai is very courageous to give up Li Chengqian and choose Fang Jun so quickly.
Cui Dunli put the kettle back on the small stove, thought for a while, and said, "Perhaps Liu Jie has some hidden thoughts? After all, this Zhongshu Ling seems to be fair, but in fact he is selfish."
Liu Rengui looked strange: "Could it be that Liu Jie arranged for Zheng Rentai to lurk inside us, intending to take Zheng Rentai's possible achievements as his own, and was discovered by Zheng Rentai?"
At the risk of being discovered by Fang Jun, Liu Ji got the credit. How could someone like Zheng Rentai do such a stupid thing?
Cui Dunli laughed and shook his head: "Who knows? But it's very likely that it is."
He added a piece of incense charcoal to the small stove, flicked the flames, and said: "Serving as an official and benefiting a country may seem empty and hypocritical, but when we are in the court, we still have to have some determination to do things. We cannot Always weigh the pros and cons. If even high-ranking officials like us only seek personal gain, how can the world not be in chaos? The people will suffer, and we can't do anything."
Liu Rengui drank tea silently and said nothing, but he completely agreed.
The nine sons born from the dragon are all different, and so are the people. There will always be some who are selfless, and there will also be those who are just like flies and dogs. If it is just a county magistrate with low character and seeking personal gain, it will only harm the people of the county. But if they do this to the officials of the six departments or even the three high-ranking officials, they still have no regard for the country and the country in their hearts. Self-interest is the tragedy of the entire empire, and countless people will suffer as a result.
Therefore, a higher official position means greater power and greater responsibility.
At their level, a wrong government order can lead to a huge disaster...
The water in the pot boiled, and Liu Rengui made tea and poured it. He felt a little emotional in his heart. He didn't expect that his political views and personalities were so consistent with Cui Dunli's. They always cooperated very well and got along very harmoniously.
Cui Dunli took a sip of tea and said: "Starting from tomorrow, you will be responsible for the establishment of additional institutions. First determine the structure and then report to His Majesty to select personnel."
Liu Rengui was stunned: "This matter is of great importance, why don't you, brother, take charge of it yourself?"
It is related to the reform of the military system. Both the government and the opposition, civil and military parties are watching. This means great power...
Cui Dunli waved his hand and said with a smile: "I have enough merits now. If I want to go further, what I lack is the qualifications, so I can only endure it slowly. You are different. It seems that you have accumulated enough merits in the navy, but no matter how strong the navy is, It’s just a partial army and cannot be compared with attacking a city on the road. Doing this well is a huge political achievement. Whether you are working in the Ministry of War or looking for another career in the future, you will get twice the result with half the effort.”
Liu Rengui was moved in his heart and saluted with clasped fists: "My brother's kindness in nurturing me will be engraved in my heart."
Cui Dunli did not accept this courtesy: "You and I are only two years apart. We are officials in the same government office and we met late. It is the right thing to care for and support each other. Why do we need to be so solemn about it? It's over, it's over."
They have compatible personalities, cherish each other, and both have bright futures. They both work under Fang Jun... Therefore, Cui Dunli does not want to think of himself as a superior official in front of Liu Rengui, and prefers to talk about friendship on an equal footing.
……
The power of the Ministry of War has increased greatly, and the composition of its personnel has become increasingly complex. However, there are no common struggles and constraints in the officialdom, and instead, they work together to manage ministry affairs. After all, there was Fang Jun who was not a minister but considered himself a disciple of the minister. No one dared to cause any trouble, and even some small thoughts had to be carefully hidden.
Liu Rengui was put in charge of the establishment of additional institutions, and Cui Dunli completely let go. The only right minister Guo Fushan, the "third oldest man in ten thousand years" who was qualified to compete, did not take power. He only focused on handling logistical chores, and others had nothing to say. It can be said.
This kind of organization seems complicated, but in fact the difficulty lies in the fact that there is no precedent to follow. It only took Liu Rengui a few days to figure out the context, and quickly compiled a set of charters and sent them to Cui Dunli for review to confirm that there were no omissions. Let Fang Jun make the final decision.
As a result, Fang Jun only glanced at it briefly, asked Liu Rengui to sign it, and then entered the palace to present it to Li Chengqian.
Li Chengqian looked at the charter that clearly stated "invading the monarch's power" from left to right, with mixed feelings in his heart. He wanted to tear it up, but he could only hold back.
Soon, after the first court meeting in early June, they discussed with a group of prime ministers, ministers and important ministers in the Wude Hall to recommend candidates to join the Ministry of War to participate in the reform of the military system.
For a time, all civil and military officials in the dynasty heard the news and wanted to participate in such a major event that was destined to affect the future of the empire, either to earn seniority or to gain access to power. They secretly made alliances and colluded with each other, hoping to get a piece of the pie. (End of chapter)