Chapter 3: The New Deal Destined to Fail
Tang Yi sighed softly and said, "The young man believes that ending this sooner would be a good thing for several gentlemen."
The old man fell silent
The boy is fourteen years old
The emperor issued a decree allowing the common people to discuss state affairs? No beheading? And there are rewards? This is quite different from my understanding of ancient times
Young master, do not stoop to the level of this arrogant young man. He often speaks nonsense, but today he has gone too far, even daring to speak disrespectfully to Master Fan. He truly deserves to be scolded
The old man spoke up, clearly not taking Tang Yi's rebellious words to heart
On the surface, Old Man Sun complains about Tang Yi, but in reality, he seeks to settle the matter peacefully
It seems that this old man is not entirely without temper; rather, he refrains from engaging with a youth like Tang Yi due to the cultivated demeanor expected of a scholar
The old man was startled into a cold sweat by Tang Yi's words. How could such words come from the mouth of a teenager in his teens?
However, this is not a future without consequences after the cannon has been fired. If his half-truths were to be spread, would not the people of Dengzhou tear apart this rebellious son of the范公?
Several gentlemen focus on the shortcomings of the court, wholeheartedly striving for strength. The "Ten Proposals" is indeed a series of requests for the benefit of the people and a means to alleviate the nation's worries. Should such reformative actions not be esteemed? Yet, the young man not only fails to appreciate the sincere intentions of the gentlemen in advocating for the people's interests, but also aids in their wrongdoing, dismissing their efforts as nonsensical and calling for an early conclusion. Has his conscience been devoured by dogs? Such behavior is truly contemptible to us!
After a long pause, the elder finally let out a cold shout, silencing Wensheng's angry words
A dismissive remark from Wen Sheng ignited Tang Yi's anger. He thought to himself, having been reborn for a thousand years, no one understands the trivial matters of the Song Dynasty better than he does. Since there is no longer a threat of beheading, why should he fear a mere bag of wind
Whether it is the officials or the gentlemen, or even those so-called petty individuals who oppose reform, they cannot know any more than I, this ignorant child. Everyone is aware that continuing in this manner is untenable and will lead to problems, thus they think of reform. However, this matter was destined to fail from the very moment it began
The old man shook his head with difficulty, staring blankly at several tea bowls
Yao Fu, it is unacceptable to be unreasonable
The elder set down the bamboo stick, rose, and clasped his fists towards Tang Yi, saying: "I am grateful for the hospitality of the shopkeeper, but my child acted impulsively, which is unbecoming of a gentleman and has disturbed everyone's appetite. This is truly regrettable"
If the old gentleman leaves like this, then that boy's notorious reputation as an accomplice in wrongdoing is likely to be solidified
Tang Yi's words may be somewhat blunt, even cruel, yet he still said them
This represents the wealthy landlord class, this represents the military families, and this represents the scholar-officials
Tang Yi pointed at those five cups and said
Tang Yi pointed to the wine cups of the scholar-officials, military generals, and landowners, saying: "Of course, it is inappropriate. The officials and gentlemen have an overly optimistic view of human nature, harming the interests of the majority of classes to compensate for one. Is that possible?"
Let the Zhao Song dynasty sink deeper day by day
Shouldn't it be?
Wen Sheng has also fallen silent
Is there anything inappropriate? The people are the foundation of the nation; only when the people are safe and happy can the country enjoy long-term stability. In this way, people from all social strata can better enjoy an era of peace and prosperity
Tang Yi looked at the frozen scene before him, forced a smile, and said in a gentle tone: "There is no need to take it to heart, my elder. We are just rough folks, and it is normal to have differing opinions and to argue a bit during casual conversation at the dining table"
... ...
Fan Gong is great, and this is beyond doubt. Even a thousand years from now, his brilliance may still illuminate many. However, it is somewhat naive of him to expect everyone to be as great and selfless as he is
Clever words and strong arguments! The young man Wensheng still does not believe
Immediately, a sense of ease washed over. The young man candidly stated that the sooner it ends, the better, which does not reflect a disdain for innovation. On the contrary, he is concerned for several gentlemen.
In this year, the imperial court issued a decree, inviting public discussion, and those who present commendable opinions will be generously rewarded
Before the old man could respond, Tang Yi continued: "Interests, this is the eternal and unchanging truth. Whether it is imperial power or political authority, the formation of a norm is absolutely not supported by the teachings of Confucius and Mencius or the greater righteousness of the world, but rather by the naked exchange of interests. Is it possible for Mr. Fan to expect all social classes to willingly distribute the interests they have grasped into the hands of the common people? Who would be willing to do so?"
Now it has come to an end. The several gentlemen are merely being demoted and sent away, and in a few years, they will be called back by the authorities. However, if the new policies continue to be implemented and reach an irretrievable point, then the gentlemen will truly face an irreversible fate.
Spray
Initially, Tang Yi had a sense of reverence, believing that certain matters should only be discussed privately among family members and not be shared outside. However, it now seems that it is not as frightening as it once appeared
Moreover, his greatness does not lie in the success or failure of a single reform, but in his dedication to the nation and his noble virtues, which have set a benchmark for the scholars of the Song Dynasty
Perhaps as a passionate youth who loves this nation, and who has lamented for this era in the eyes of future generations, these words are what he truly wishes to convey to this time
Any shortcomings should be rectified. However, it is clearly impossible to eradicate the deep-seated issues of the Song Dynasty in a very short period of time through drastic measures. The authorities are keen on reform, but there are many who are content to live off the system, and there are also many who are unwilling to share their own interests with others
Unable to pull, Tang Yi no longer insisted and simply sat down at the old man's table
In nearly all forums concerning the Song Dynasty in later generations, there has been endless debate on this issue; at that time, Tang Yi had also nearly engaged in a real-life debate over it with others
The old man seemed to have fallen into a trance, muttering to himself.
The elder waved his hand and said: "A gentleman does not spare himself; if it is for the welfare of the people that one falls into the realm of Asura, then it is our fortune!"
Tang Yi believed that the Song Dynasty's court was open-minded, and that ministers often criticized the emperor without fear of reprisal. However, he did not realize that the Song, as the most enlightened era in the history of China, lacked the strength of the Han and Tang dynasties, as well as the harshness of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The common people, far from discussing politics, were not even at the point of having their heads chopped off for cursing court officials or the powerful. Decades later, the powerful minister Cai Jing was indeed a tyrant, yet he too was criticized by the people to the extent that he dared not go out.
There is nothing else; the conscience of the Great Song has been completely extinguished
The old man nodded and said, "The youthful exuberance is not a crime; to have the heart to serve the country is also an act of loyalty"
The old man shook his head and sighed, "Since it has come to this, my son and I will not linger any longer, we take our leave now!" After saying this, he turned around with the scholar and was about to leave
Hmph! A mere street vendor dares to rashly comment on state affairs; gentlemen, you are speaking nonsense. Do you, a mere child, understand better than the gentlemen?
Tang Yicheng indeed remarked: "At the onset of the new policy, it was already difficult to make any progress. If we wait until we have offended everyone, then there will be no place left for the few officials of the Song Dynasty to stand."
From the perspective of later generations, the Northern Song Dynasty underwent two reforms within a span of several decades
Tang Yi soft-spokenly advised, and the old man could no longer maintain a stern expression. He sighed deeply and said: "Considering the shopkeeper's age, he cannot be more than fourteen or fifteen years old"
You have told me that if this new policy continues to be implemented, and if it indeed achieves what you referred to as 'a gentleman does not spare himself', in the end, the likes of Fan Gong, Ouyang Xiang Gong, and Fu Xiang Gong, along with other conscientious ministers, will all fall into an irretrievable abyss. Who will then dare to speak the truth in the court? Who will still dare to 'not spare themselves'?
... ...
Tang Yi scoffed disdainfully, casting a sidelong glance at the scholar and saying, "Since 'the people' are so important, why is their voice the weakest in the court?"
He really did not expect that the scholars of the Song Dynasty had such a temper, leaving in a huff after a disagreement and slamming the table
Tang Yi disagreed with the words of the elder, stating, "To sacrifice several capable statesmen for a reform that is destined to fail is truly unfortunate and genuinely foolish"
Why?
Regardless of the dynasty, no matter how we embellish it, the common people are always the most vulnerable group in the face of the power struggle. It is true that when the people are at peace, the country is stable, but the common people are merely an important bargaining chip in the competition for power. The success or failure of reform is determined by the upper class of the Song Dynasty. However, the essence of reform undermines the interests of the upper class. The elder wonders, is this reform feasible?
In order to uphold imperial power, the ruling class may relinquish their own interests. However, what about the scholar-officials, military families, and the landlord class? Would they willingly share the meat from their own mouths with the common people?
Tang Yidao: "Several gentlemen and officials have underestimated the complexity of reform, underestimating the backlash from various social classes. Given the ailments of the Song dynasty, to think that one can rectify chaos with drastic measures is nothing short of a delusion."
Tang Yi's body trembled slightly; today's words were very cruel, cruel enough to cast a group of loyal ministers of the Song Dynasty into the abyss. However, he could no longer concern himself with so much
I kindly ask you to listen to my humble words
"Please wait, sir!" Tang Yi hurriedly set down his chopsticks and called out to the two.
The debate has escalated from a discussion of significant issues to personal attacks
Wen Sheng suddenly slammed the table in disagreement, leaving everyone at the table momentarily stunned
The young man Wen Sheng argued strongly: "How is it impossible? The nation and the world are based on the people. If the people are not at peace, then the country cannot be stable. Do you not understand this principle?"
Tang Yi couldn't help but smile wryly; the ancients were indeed endearing, facing significant matters and moral dilemmas without the slightest deviation from their true intentions
Doctor Sun also smoothed things over, saying: "Exactly, it is merely casual conversation at the dining table. Both of you are educated individuals, so do not hold us rough and unrefined people to the same standards." As he spoke, he began to organize things, saying, "Everyone... continue eating... continue eating."
Wen Sheng was clearly still upset, glaring at Tang Yi with resentment, tossing down a handful of copper coins, and turning to leave.
What is politics? In my view, it is a contradiction between interests and personal ambitions, as well as the greater good of the nation. The imperial authority and the scholar-officials uphold the original intention of serving the country, taking the greater good of the nation as their responsibility to balance the interests of various social classes; this is the way to govern the country
It should be said with absolute certainty.
Tang Yi fell silent after speaking, watching the old man quietly process his thoughts alone
Doctor Sun secretly clicked his tongue, as Tang Dalao began to boast again. How could the royal authority be casually discussed by a mere child? It would be acceptable if it were among acquaintances, but in front of two outsiders, if something were to leak out, it could lead to legal troubles
What?
Destined to fail? What does it mean?
Upon hearing these words, the elder could not help but cast a deep glance at Tang Yi
Reform, in simple terms, refers to a series of measures taken by the rulers to consolidate imperial power. At this point, Tang Yi lifted the teacup that symbolized imperial authority
For the second time, it caught up with a mindless "pirated Renzong" of the Song Dynasty. After several fluctuations and indecisions, the new policies led by Wang Anshi have reached the point of no return as described by Tang Yi. Not only has the state been thrown into chaos, but more importantly, the political disputes in the court have escalated into a relentless party struggle.
What does it mean
Tang Yi was suddenly choked.
However, there is still a distinction between reckless talk and earnest advice. Although the new policies have failed, the matters they sought to address still appear beneficial to the state and the people in my view. Why then, in the mouths of the shopkeepers, do they become a monstrous flood, something to be avoided at all costs?
Although this young man is not well-versed in Confucianism and the teachings of Mencius, he is not someone who cannot distinguish between good and bad. How could he be unaware of the sincere intentions of all of you, gentlemen
Reform is not something you can play around with like this
This is a measure to broaden the channels for public discourse and to accept the opinions of the people, as well as a strategy to encourage the populace to participate in political discussions
Tang Yi let out a bitter laugh and shrugged, saying: "Elder, you must have seen it, right? Even the people around me have misunderstood me. It seems that today I must clarify things without fail"
The ruler consolidates imperial power to redistribute interests, which means taking a portion of the benefits from the landlord class, the scholar-official class, and the military aristocracy to distribute to the common people, in order to prevent disturbances
As long as this benchmark remains, the buildings of the Song Dynasty will not be askew. However, if this benchmark falls, then the exemplary officials of the Song Dynasty will also fall! For a reform that offers no hope, is it worth sacrificing the conscience of the Song Dynasty?
Since then, the Song Dynasty completely abandoned the idea of reform, and factional struggles became the mainstream of politics in the late Northern Song and Southern Song periods, with sycophants emerging in the court, creating a toxic atmosphere
For the first time, the wise Emperor Renzong intervened in a timely manner before the situation spiraled out of control, preserving the seeds of loyal and virtuous ministers of the Song Dynasty
It is absolutely infuriating to see a group of corrupt scholars being so oblivious!
He pointed to the cup at the very front and said: "This represents imperial power"
"Then you still dare to make such bold claims?" Wen Sheng scoffed disdainfully, clearly not believing Tang Yi's words
What Tang Yi said could be dismissed as a personal remark, but one must understand that Fan Gong's reputation in the Song Dynasty, especially in Dengzhou, is not to be taken lightly. In this era, where conscience has not yet been obscured and the customs are so pure that they are almost endearing, there are indeed people who would dare to fight you if you speak ill of Minister Fan.
The elder halted his movement, being forcefully pulled back to his seat by Tang Yi. However, that Wen Sheng stubbornly refused to take a seat, exuding an air of determination that he would leave at once if Tang Yi did not clarify his words.
Gently pushing the bowls, chopsticks, and dishes aside, I casually picked up several tea bowls arranged in a row on the table, pointing to the last cup and saying: "This is the common people."
As someone who has once transcended this era and viewed it from a divine perspective, he hopes that these somewhat unpalatable words can awaken those naive scholars. For what he can do is limited to just this.