Chapter 259: A Brief Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Wei Yuan knew very well that Han and Wen were too obsessed with the three-year term.

The official promotion and selection system of the Great Zhou Dynasty has always been very confusing.

The Ministry of Personnel has never played a key role.

For example, an unknown official worked hard for decades in the local area to make the people in the area full of food, but ended up being ignored.

However, some people do not even have the experience of garrisoning a place, but they are just Jinshi graduates who have studied books in the Hanlin Academy. When they come to the local area, they can be the top leader.

Continue the path of the predecessors, and then write a few articles on the current situation. In a few years, they can transform themselves into central ministers.

For example, a student and former official of Han Zhang can go to an extremely poor state to be the chief official. If he does it a little bit, a little bit of color is a political achievement.

But some scholars without background power can only retire in a rich and noble town in the end.

Do they have no ability?

A commoner can become an emperor, a beggar can become a prince, and anyone's ability is trained.

If the current situation continues, the Ministry of Personnel and even the entire court cannot give the exact standard for official promotion. They can only select officials by recommendation or reputation, which is biased.

This also led to the fact that even Wang Anshi, a clean official, had to cultivate reputation when he was in power in the local area.

Cultivating reputation and reputation are not good words. To put it more clearly, isn't this the style of a hypocrite? Do real gentlemen need to cultivate reputation? Cultivate reputation?

All actions that are aimed at a purpose have lost their original intentions in terms of heart, so many scholars have come up with a saying called "A gentleman judges deeds rather than hearts, and there is no perfect person in terms of heart."

Wei Yuan's term of office is three years, and at that time, each department will cross-examine the ability of the local officials and promote, transfer or demote them. This is equivalent to giving the Ministry of Personnel a clear template, and it will be more convenient for the court to use people and do things.

In summary, once the three-year term of office for local officials is implemented nationwide, corruption and bribery can be avoided to a great extent, and the court can have a clear basic criterion for selecting officials.

By then, the social atmosphere will be much better.

Let me ask, if the term of office is three years, how can a certain merchant in the area spend a lot of money to bribe him, knowing that the county lord or governor will go to another place in three years?

When the three-year term is up, people will be sent from the local to the state and then to the court to conduct a strict review. If any violation or bribery is found, they will never be hired.

Don’t look at how fiercely Han Zhang and Wen Yanbo fight on weekdays, but when it comes to matters related to the interests of the country and the long-term, they will be more cautious than anyone else, such as this three-year term.

They really want to do it, and they can do it, but they can’t do it now.

"We have all read the letter submitted by Lord Wei to the emperor. I believe Lord Wei has already made up his mind. I wonder when to do it? Who should do it?"

"The military reform in Yanbian was proposed by Lord Wei, and the person responsible for the reform should also be Lord Wei. However, Lord Wei has just returned to Beijing, and now he has to deal with the reform in Yanbian. I am afraid it is not appropriate."

"."

At this point, the opinions of several people have reached a consensus.

They also want to see what the military reform will look like under Wei Yuan's manipulation?

What will be the final result of the situation in Shaanxi Road?

Wei Yuan said: "Since it is a military reform in Shaanxi Road, I still think it is more appropriate to let the officials of Shaanxi Road do it."

"I recommend two people. The first is Zhong Yan and the second is Han Jiang, the Duke of Kangguo."

Zhong Yan is his man, and Han Jiang is Han Zhang's man.

Minister Wen was unwilling to do so, and said, "There is nothing wrong with the two of them working together to reform the system, but once the reform is underway, the two of them have different ideas and can't agree on anything, which may delay the reform of the national policy."

"I suggest that a central official be sent to Yanbian to supervise the reform, and Lord Wei will be stationed in the capital to make unified arrangements."

Zhao Zhen, who had been sitting on the dragon chair in silence, slowly spoke at this time:

"What Minister Wen said is very true. I hope that the military reform of Shaanxi Road will not be disclosed to the public for the time being and will be carried out in secret."

"Wait until the day when things can no longer be concealed."

"And the military reform should not be rushed. In this way, we should focus on building defensive fortifications in the Helan Mountains first, and then reform the system."

Zhao Zhen was able to agree to Wei Yuan's request because Wei Yuan showed an attitude of absolute selflessness.

Besides, the military system of Yanbian should indeed be changed. Otherwise, once the Xixia army marches south in large numbers, the Yanbian armies will be like a pile of loose sand, and will eventually be defeated by the enemy one by one.

After Han, Wen, and Zhang left, Zhao Zhen left Wei Yuan alone and said earnestly:

"You just returned to the capital, and you haven't even taken a step back home, but I called you to this palace. Are you worried about your children?"

Wei Yuan bowed respectfully and said, "It is the duty of a minister to share the worries of the emperor. What's more, I was planning to report to the emperor first."

Zhao Zhen nodded, "The letter you submitted specifically wrote about the formal establishment of the six major military divisions in Xixia. Is it possible that in a few years, it will launch a national war against my Great Zhou?"

Wei Yuan said seriously, "I am just guessing. Based on my understanding of the Xia Lord, he will definitely find ways to recover the Helan Mountains."

"Li Yuanhao's founding of the country is enough to prove that he has great ambitions, and the locations where the six major military divisions were established also tightly control the important towns on the border of my Great Zhou."

"If this layout is not aimed at my Great Zhou, I really don't believe it."

Zhao Zhen nodded thoughtfully, "So you want to reform the military?"

Wei Yuan said: "Return to the emperor, the reform of the Yanbian military system is imminent. If we wait for two or three years, Xixia will recover, and there is no reason for them not to attack our Great Zhou."

"By then, Bianjing will be far away from Yanbian. Once the Xixia army harasses the border troops and plunders the resources of various towns with a quick battle, it will cause irreparable losses to our Great Zhou."

The so-called heaven is high and the emperor is far away.

Sometimes, the court really cannot deal with border affairs in time.

The opportunity for war is also fleeting.

Once a large-scale conflict occurs, the Great Zhou can only be in a passive situation. Even if a general is sent to coordinate the troops of various departments in the later period, it can only resist step by step. After all, it has long lost the initiative.

It is not that the people of the Great Zhou cannot fight. On the contrary, to a certain extent, the physical strength of the people of the Great Zhou is stronger than that of the people of Liao and Xia.

In the history of the previous life, why was Yue Fei able to win the battles against the Jin army again and again? It is because he has absolute control over the army.

Unlike the current Zong Yan, who only has the power to train troops but not to mobilize them, once he mobilizes them, he will be regarded as treason. In this way, even the field training must be cautious. Who dares to mobilize troops to resist the invasion of the Western Xia army?

It was not until the Jingkang Shame appeared in the history of the previous life that the military generals were truly able to take charge of the army and their power grew day by day, but under the circumstances at that time, it was too late to say anything.

Zhao Zhen was a wise leader. While the wise leader was still alive and had residual power, it was just right to reform the military at this time.

Even if there were any problems, as long as Zhao Zhen was alive, the world would not be in chaos.

If Zhao Zhen could not hold on and died, then Wei Yuan could only put the military reform on hold for the time being.

After all, without a powerful leader to guard the scene, he was also worried that he would encounter some emergencies that were difficult to deal with during the reform.

Wei Yuan was thinking that with Zhao Zhen in charge, he would do some things that would not be easy to do in the future as soon as possible.

What Zhao Zhen was thinking was that there was Li Longji in the previous dynasty and Emperor Wu of Han in ancient times. These emperors were old and foolish and were criticized by later generations.

Zhao Zhen has been the emperor for forty years. Although he was not wise every day in the past forty years, he was foolish in a few times.

People say that the saintly ruler has accumulated power and the country is peaceful and the people are safe in the past forty years.

Zhao Zhen is very happy with this kind of words.

What if the military reform is such a big thing, what if it goes wrong?

What will people in the future say? Will they say that he is foolish?

"Wei Qing, there is no rush for military reform. You can help me keep an eye on the defense of the Helan Mountain area first. After this matter is settled, we can discuss military reform."

Today, Zhao Zhen summoned Han, Wen and others to discuss this matter. They were not discussing when to carry out military reform, but whether military reform could be carried out.

Hearing their answers, Zhao Zhen also thought that this matter should be done, but he needed to think about it carefully.

If Wei Yuan knew Zhao Zhen's thoughts, he would definitely understand.

People are like this. When they are in their twenties or thirties, they are full of energy and dare to turn the world upside down and change the world. However, once they are over forty, as long as they are human, they will inevitably feel lazy.

Zhao Zhen is a wise and benevolent ruler, but not a great man.

"Go back first."

"You haven't been home for a few months. I guess your two children don't recognize you as their father."

"If you have nothing to do recently, stay at home and spend more time with your wife and children."

Zhao Zhen waved his hand.

Wei Yuan left the hall.

From beginning to end, Zhao Zhen did not mention the matter of 'Zhang Maozhe'.

Perhaps in his eyes, it was just the death of a eunuch. Compared with the major events of the country and Wei Yuan, everything was not worth mentioning.

When Wei Yuan left the imperial city, Zhu Zongguan personally saw him off.

The latter said, "That matter is all thanks to Wei Shuai."

Wei Yuan said, "Don't be polite, General Manager Zhu. It's just a matter of convenience. What's the attitude of the Queen these days?"

General Manager Zhu said, "After Zhang Maize died in prison, the Queen was sad for a day or two, but now she has recovered and found a new servant to serve her personally."

There are a lot of people like Zhang Maize.

If he dies, there will naturally be a second Zhang Maize.

"General Manager Zhu, don't mention this matter from now on."

"You and I will keep it to ourselves and take it to our graves. We can't even tell the closest people around us."

Wei Yuan warned solemnly as he walked.

General Manager Zhu nodded and said, "Please rest assured, General Wei. This matter is serious. I understand."

In front of Wei Yuan, he actually called himself "old slave".

In their conversation, they didn't say that they were afraid of Zhang Maize.

But they had violated a taboo.

The ministers of the front palace and the eunuchs colluded to set up a trap. If this matter is exposed, no one will feel good.

——

After leaving the imperial city, Wei Yuan went to the Marquis' Mansion without stopping.

At this time, Zhang Fu, who left first, had already brought his wife to the Marquis' Mansion.

Zhang Guifen said dissatisfiedly: "The emperor asked my father to come back, why did he leave your son-in-law alone?"

Zhang Fu said: "The emperor's intention, how can I guess it? You just wait patiently."

At this time, Mrs. Zhang deliberately smiled and said:

"Fen'er, we are miserable."

"At the beginning, I had just given birth to you, and something happened in Daizhou. Your father was ordered to guard the border in times of danger. He left for many years and never sent a letter on weekdays."

"Now Yuan'er is the same. The child has just been born, and he didn't wait until the full moon wine to leave. This time he left, he didn't even write you a letter."

"Alas"

Zhang Fu stroked his beard and said, "State affairs and family affairs must be clearly distinguished. State comes first, family comes second. There is no state and no family. How can you women not understand such a simple truth?"

Mrs. Zhang rolled his eyes at him, "Yes, yes, who can distinguish as clearly as you, the prime minister?"

At this time, Wei Shuyi, who was sitting next to the two of them, suddenly coughed a few times again.

Mrs. Zhang hurriedly asked, "Shuyi, have you gone to see the imperial physician?"

Wei Shuyi shook his head and said, "It's just a cold, it's not a big deal."

Zhang Fu said, "That should be taken seriously. Tomorrow, I will ask the imperial physician to go to the Sheng family to see you."

Wei Shuyi hurriedly said, "Father, no need."

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Zhang Guifen, "Sister, this is at least a token of our parents' kindness, so don't refuse it."

Wei Shuyi had no choice but to thank Zhang Fu and his wife.

At this moment, Baozhu came to the main hall happily,

"Master, old lady, the lady and master are back home."

Back?

Zhang Guifen was extremely excited and walked directly to the front yard without saying a word.

It is said that lovesickness is bitter, and only those who put themselves in the shoes of others can truly feel the sadness.

At this time, Wei Yuan had passed through the gate of the Marquis' Mansion and walked to the front yard.

Many servants and maids followed Zhang Guifen, intending to greet Wei Yuan.

However, before the servants said "Welcome the Marquis back to the mansion", Wei Yuan hugged Zhang Guifen in front of everyone when he saw her.

Zhang Guifen was disturbed by this sudden scene, and she saw that Wei Yuan's skin seemed to be darker, and he seemed to have lost a lot of weight.

For a moment, tears were swirling in her eyes.

"You've lost weight. You've suffered a lot in Yanbian."

Wei Yuan stroked her cheek, and his huge hand seemed to cover half of her face.

"It's not bitter, but I feel bitter when you're not by my side."

Zhang Guifen blushed and lowered her head and said softly, "I haven't seen you for two or three months. You've become more and more good at coaxing people."

After a pause, she noticed that there were still many servants around. At this moment, those servants all lowered their heads and smiled from the bottom of their hearts.

"You all go and do your own things first."

"Baozhu, tell them that the Marquis will return to the mansion today. Later, let the kitchen prepare some dishes and hold a banquet to celebrate."

As soon as Zhang Guifen finished speaking, those servants gradually dispersed.

Wei Yuan hugged Zhang Guifen's waist and said with a smile: "I'm not at home these days. Is your housekeeping going well?"

Zhang Guifen said: "With me here, you don't have to worry about the things at home."

Wei Yuan nodded, and then he actually held her horizontally in his arms and ran to the couch.

Zhang Guifen didn't dare to resist. While hugging his waist, she said anxiously:

"Sir."

"Good brother, there's no hurry at this moment."

"Father and mother are still at home."

The voice became smaller and smaller.

The sound of Wei Yuan's heartbeat became more and more rapid.

When they came to the main hall.

Zhang Fu and his wife bumped into Wei Yuan and his wife.

Zhang Guifen, who was still in Wei Yuan's arms, had only one thought in her mind at this time, which was shameful.

She simply buried herself in Wei Yuan's chest, not daring to use an accusatory tone, and said in a coquettish and playful way:

"Sir, put me down quickly."

"I'll be too embarrassed to see anyone later"