Worries of Famous Officials: Fan Zhongyan and Di Qing

Since Injong ascended the throne, China's internal and external troubles in Song Dynasty have become increasingly serious. During the period from Fan Zhongyan to Li Qing, the Northern Song Dynasty and Xixia launched a border war in an all-round way, and the troops in the Northern Song Dynasty were defeated in three wars, while there were many uprisings, mutinies and rebellions in China. This situation forced Renzong to try to solve these crises in order to consolidate the rule of Zhao and Song Dynasties. In order to consolidate the rule, we must have talents. Renzong found the sage Fan Zhongyan.

Fan Zhongyan is famous all over the world for carrying out the New Deal. His acquaintance with Injong can be traced back to its heyday. At that time, when Fan Zhongyan first came to Beijing as the captain of the Secret Pavilion, he boldly wrote a letter to Empress Liu, who listened to politics, thinking that the emperor should take the Ninth Five-Year Plan as the queen mother's birthday celebration and should be replaced by the prime minister. At that time, although the minister of the DPRK knew that the emperor's birthday was inappropriate, no one dared to make any noise. In the same year, Fan Zhongyan wrote to the Empress Dowager again, demanding that he should return to Renzong. The queen mother ignored it. Fan Zhongyan angrily asked to go out to the DPRK as a local official. The 20-year-old Renzong was deeply impressed, and he really felt the support of officials for the first time.

Fan Zhongyan, a native of Wuxian County, Suzhou, has been a public servant for two years. At the age of two, my father died and my mother remarried. Although the young Fan Zhongyan had an unfortunate life, he was ambitious. He once asked the gods in a temple: Can I be a prime minister in the future? God said no, Zhong Youdao said: How about being a good doctor instead of being a prime minister? Although this record is not credible, it is Fan Zhongyan's ideal to save the world through natural revelation. Because of this, his early study conditions were difficult, but he was able to study hard and persevere in mechanics. Fan Zhongyan later recalled: When I was young, I studied in Changbai Mountain with a classmate named Liu. I cook two liters of corn porridge every day, cut it into four pieces when it is cold, eat two pieces in the morning and two pieces in the evening. Chop vegetables, add half a cup of vinegar and a little salt and cook for three years. In the fourth year of Dazhong Xiangfu, 23-year-old Fan Zhongyan bid farewell to his mother and came to Yingtian Academy, one of the four major academies in the Northern Song Dynasty. He studies very hard in college. When he is sleepy in winter, he washes his face with cold water and stays up all night. For five years, he never took off his clothes when he slept. His hard study career not only made him master rich knowledge, but more importantly honed his will quality.

Because Renzong already knew Fan Zhongyan's character, he recalled Fan Zhongyan to Beijing after taking office and was promoted to the right remonstrance officer. At this time, more and more people in the ruling and opposition parties directly or indirectly criticized the Queen Mother for listening to politics. Although Fan Zhongyan once urged the Empress Dowager to regain power and even suffered unfair treatment, he did not take the opportunity to retaliate. But to convince Empress Injong to be ordered by the first emperor to protect you 10 for many years. Some small mistakes should be covered up, and the reputation of the queen mother should be protected. Renzong was deeply moved and respected Fan Zhongyan more and more, and ordered not to talk about what happened when the Queen Mother was listening to politics. Since then, Fan Zhongyan has become the confidant of the best candidate for Renzong's comprehensive reform.

In the third year, the Northern Song Dynasty reached a preliminary peace agreement with Xixia, and Renzong couldn't wait to recall 55-year-old Fan Zhongyan from the northwest front line to the central government as a representative of the government affairs Committee. In August of the same year, he was promoted to participate in politics. With the support of Renzong, Fan Zhongyan began a new policy centered on rectifying official management, trying to promote and reuse talented sages. This is Fan Zhongyan's ideal, and it is also the goal that Renzong pursues diligently. However, the reform has fundamentally touched the vested interests of many officials. In fact, not many people are in favor of the reform, and soon after the reform was implemented, it was attacked in many ways. Many people accuse Fan Zhongyan and others of being cronies. Renzong called Fan Zhongyan and asked that people who make friends here are always stingy. Do gentlemen also make friends? Fan Zhongyan replied: When I was in the frontier, I saw those who fought bravely formed their own party. So is the court. Evil and justice have their own political parties. Only divine insight. What harm does it do to the country if people who are committed to kindness become cronies? At this time, Ouyang Xiu also took out the famous lineal theory to express his support for Fan Zhongyan. However, Renzong is extremely dissatisfied with this, and the ruling and opposition parties are even more opposed. Even Zhang Dexiang, the prime minister who was also trusted by Injong, attacked Fan Zhongyan and others as cronies in front of Injong. In the Xia and Song Dynasties, some people even falsely claimed that Shijie, a famous Confucian scholar at that time, had drafted a new imperial edict for Fu Bi, that is, abolished Renzong, and framed Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi, Ouyang Xiu, Shijie and others for committing heinous crimes. Although Renzong said at this time that he did not believe in rumors, it deepened his dislike of Fan Zhongyan and others flaunting gentlemen. With the reform, Renzong not only heard too many opposing voices, but more importantly, he was extremely sensitive to his cronies. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the supreme ruler of the Song Dynasty tried his best to prevent officials from forming a party, while Renzong abided by the family laws of his ancestors. However, he does not allow political groups around him to form political parties. Finally, he had to make a painful and helpless decision. In the first month of the fifth anniversary, the threat of Liao and Xixia to the Song Dynasty was gradually lifted. Hesitant Renzong found Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi and Du Yan, the prime minister who agreed to the New Deal, and asked them to be local officials. The short celebration of the New Deal failed.

1 1 years ago, Fan Zhongyan, who stayed in Zhou Mu because of remonstrance, built an ancestral temple for Yan Ziling, a famous figure in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and wrote a quip: mountains and rivers are dense, teachers are strong, and mountains and rivers are long. At this time, Fan Zhongyan, who was on a farewell visit, visited Shu Wei, a hermit in the mountains, and frankly revealed his feelings: I also like to bear the burden of humiliation, but fortunately, I am not happy. Those who enter the Tao will stop. It means to be yourself, be yourself and let nature take its course. Six years after the celebration dinner, Fan Zhongyan wrote an inscription for Yueyang Tower at the invitation of his good friend Teng, leaving an eternal famous sentence, which won glory for the sun and the moon: Worry about the world first, then happiness in the world. This is a perfect interpretation of China's literati feelings and a true portrayal of Fan Zhongyan's life.

Renzong and Fan Zhongyan's political reform was a war against the internal disadvantages of the Song Dynasty, aiming at solving internal worries. It may take some time to finally realize these wishes, but the external pressure is real and imminent. Since Injong came to power, Yuan Hao Rebellion in Xixia and the invasion of peasants and intellectuals in South Manchuria appeared one after another, which seriously threatened the rule of the Northern Song Dynasty. At this time, there are no good generals available for Renzong, and excellent military generals are urgently needed. In this way, ordinary soldiers gradually entered the field of vision of Renzong, who was thirsty for talents.

Diqing Renzong is the most respected and trusted military commander. Later generations described him as the God of War, saying that he got the art of war and magic weapon from Wang Chan's bodhi old zu, and he was Wu Quxing, the destiny of the Song Dynasty to solve the border problems. Together with Bao Zheng, he was called a generation of famous ministers, and he was the savior of the Song Dynasty.

Di Qing has been a farmer for generations. In the first year of Bao, Yuan Hao rebelled against the Song Dynasty, so he was recruited into the army and put into battle with the Xixia Army. At that time, Song Jun suffered repeated wars and defeats, and soldiers were generally afraid of the Xixia Army, and their morale was low. However, Di Qing took the lead in every battle, with long hair, wearing a bronze mask and holding a sword, which was often invincible and greatly boosted morale. During the four-year war with Xixia, Di Qing experienced 25 wars and left eight scars on his body. Di Qing was appreciated by Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan, who presided over the Northwest War at that time, because of his heroic fighting. The two of them are very polite to Di Qing. Fan Zhongyan even gave him a biography of the Spring and Autumn Annals, warning him that if a general doesn't know everything in the world. "This is just a person's courage. Di Qing studied hard, studied the art of war of generals in past dynasties, and constantly improved his self-cultivation.

After learning of his fame and deeds, Renzong planned to call him to Beijing and ask about the strategy of the royal frontier. Later, because of the emergency of the war, Di Qing could not leave the front, so he drew a battle map and sent it to Beijing. Soldier Di Qing had that tattoo on his face when he joined the army. Renzong once asked him to remove the tattoo on his face, but Di Qing replied to Renzong in this way: Your Majesty rewarded his officials with meritorious service, regardless of their family background. I am who I am today because I am willing to keep it to inspire the army, so I dare not make an imperial edict. Renzong therefore attached more importance to and trusted this loving general. After the reconciliation between Song and Xia Dynasties, Injong immediately promoted Di Qing to Ma Jun, the capital of the United States, and then gave him a parliamentary system.

During the Guannian period, farmers invaded Guangyuan, successively captured several states in the Song Dynasty and besieged Guangzhou for two months. The reinforcements sent by the imperial court were repeatedly defeated, so Injong felt extremely disappointed and thought of Di Qing again. Di Qing also took the initiative to fight when Injong needed him most, assuring Injong that he had the ability to quell the rebellion. He generously said, I formed my own army and wanted to serve my country. I must go into battle and kill the enemy. I am willing to lead a huge army to fight back against the rebellion and swear to catch the thief and put his head under the temple gate. After listening to Di Qing's statement, Injong was very moved and seemed to see the hope of Song Jun. So he asked Di Qing to command the Lingnan army in a unified way.

After arriving at the front line of Diqing, the troops stayed in the same place for 10 days. Nong Kochi got the information and let his guard down. On the second day of farming, I found Di Qing, a wise man, working hard day and night, leading an army across the Kunlun Pass, and laying down a volt among the nobles. Outwit lost the natural barrier of Kunlun Pass and had to fight to the death. His soldiers are rich, and he drives cattle. Song Jun striker Sun Jie was killed in an accident. People were shocked to see him unable to resist the other day. At this moment, Di Qing stood up calmly, waving a white flag upward, and the sweet cavalry he brought from the northwest fought from the left and right sides at the same time, and went straight for the uneven lines. At this point, Nong Liang's army was completely defeated, and Di Qing invaded and killed five miles, taking Yongzhou City directly. About the noble shop in the battle between Di Qing and Nong Gaozhi, the notes of the Song people are very rich and the situation is wonderful. With special emphasis on Di Qing's wisdom. For example, before World War II, Di Qing secretly prepared a copper coin with the same two sides, and used it for divination in public when taking an oath. If it is positive, our army will win. As a result, the sergeant got positive money after throwing it several times, which made him feel that there must be God's help and his confidence was greatly increased. Another example is throwing a banquet for three consecutive nights. The sergeant was ordered to dance at night, and he went out to secretly win the Kunlun Pass in the name of drunkenness. It may not be true, but at least it shows that Di Qing is a brave and resourceful warrior.

Di Qing can successfully win Nong Kochi, except that he is good at playing. On the other hand, he can't trust people without injong. People once made such a wonderful comment that there are three ways to do it: wisdom, strength and power. Throughout Di Qing's crusade against agricultural intellectuals, Di Qing can be said to be able to exert his wisdom and strength, which is unique in the world today. However, Di Qing can play so well because of the command given to him by Injong. This is a typical example of the right to be king. If Di Qing didn't get the exclusive power of the monarch to facilitate his actions, why did he achieve such brilliant achievements? According to the practice of the Song Dynasty, when a military commander goes to war, he usually sends a civilian as his deputy, with eunuchs to supervise the army. Injong resolutely made an exception, and Di Qing was solely responsible for Lingnan military affairs. When the good news came, Renzong said happily, I always see Wei Taizu. He is brilliant, but most of them are deceptive means. Li, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, was a hero. He marched to fight and never failed. But after he acceded to the throne, he indulged in hunting and ignored the rewards and punishments of courtiers. These two emperors only have the talent of princes, and neither of them has the talent of kings. What a pity! Obviously, Injong is proud of his understanding of others. Less than a month after Diqing's expedition to the south, he was pushed to the throne of the Tang Dynasty.

When Injong wanted to worship Di Qing as the Tang Dynasty, there was an uproar in the ruling and opposition circles. Prime Minister Pang Ji quoted the precedent of his ancestors and advised Renzong that Cao Bin had made great achievements in the military, but Mao only gave him a lot of gold and silk at that time, and did not give him the status of the Tang Dynasty. However, despite the strong opposition of ministers, Injong still removed Tang Jiaren without fault and replaced him with Di Qing. Di Qing was worshipped as the Tang Dynasty. Why is there such a sensation? One reason is that the promotion speed is too fast, and the other reason is that it has been promoted to the position of a soldier. Both of them violated Zhao Songzu's laws and completely violated Mao's national policy of preventing and controlling armed personnel since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Privy Council is the highest authority to control military and political affairs. Since Taizu and Taizong in the Song Dynasty, it was taboo for military attache to take over the Privy Council. Finally, the custom of taking civil servants as messengers was formed. Renzong's abnormal appointment is a tragedy of Di Qing's life.

Thanks to the full support of Di Qingrenzong, he got this unusual promotion. This phenomenon was not accepted by the DPRK ministers, and it also caused the behavior of Di Qing and the United States in the ruling and opposition. On one occasion, Di Qing's family burned paper money to worship their ancestors at night and accidentally forgot to inform the car collector in charge of fire fighting in advance. As a result, officials reported Kaifeng overnight. Although the fire had been put out for a long time when government officials arrived quickly, the next day, there were rumors in the city that Dishumi's house had strange lights at night. Obviously, the Di Qing family will become the talk and ammunition for the literati who control public opinion. In ancient China, a strange light rose in the sky at night, which involved a very serious political issue. This is usually regarded as the natural expression of courtiers, scheming, and even as a sign of regime change. In this case, Di Qing became a hero of Gao Zhen, so these rumors were extremely destructive to him. In addition, various similar rumors have emerged one after another. Some people say that dogs in Di Qing have strange horns. What's more, when the capital was flooded, Di Qing was seen sitting in the main hall of the yellow Suoguo Temple, which was tantamount to dressing Di Qing in an imperial robe symbolizing the image of Renzong. Apart from the prevalence of divination witchcraft during the years of Hezhi and Jiayou, these rumors are mainly based on political uneasiness. The ministers in the DPRK even included Han Qi, a famous minister who appreciated Di Qing at that time. He was generally worried that Di Qing might succeed Gao Zhen to the throne. This kind of worry is an inevitable result.

Although it's not that Injong doesn't believe all the rumors about Di Qing, he always has reservations about the attacks and speculations of ministers on Di Qing, but he can't be indifferent after all, because these are directly related to his own throne and life. Finally, in the three-year reconciliation, Renzong, who is weak in temperament, made a helpless decision again under the extreme contradiction between the ruling and opposition parties and the great pressure of public opinion. He left Di Qing and went abroad to learn about Zhou Chen. It is said that when Di Qing left, he told others that I would die here. There is a kind of pear in Chenzhou called green shallot. If I go to this state, Di Qing will rot to death. This shows that Di Qing seems to feel the writing on the wall and realize that his trip to Zhou Chen will never bring him peace. The following year, Di Qing died suddenly in Chen Zhou at the age of 50, because he couldn't bear the suspicion of great psychological pressure brought by the imperial court. Renzong was very sad when he learned that. He submitted the official letter of the minister and wrote the inscription "Zhong Jing Yuan Xun" by himself. Di Qing received such high honor and courtesy after his death. This is Renzong, his last confession to a generation of celebrities, and also an expression of his infinite guilt.

Fan Zhongyan and Di Qing are typical representatives of many historical figures in Renzong period, and their fate is closely related to their internal and external troubles. As excellent civil servants and military commanders, they have some similarities. They all made great efforts to save the Great Song Dynasty, but the ending was full of tragic colors, which was probably related to Renzong's character and their times.

As a loyal monarch, Renzong obeyed the laws of his ancestors and tried his best to guard against his cronies, so that he had to give up Fan Zhongyan at the last minute and carry out reforms in the United States. Di Qing, as a weak emperor, attached great importance to himself under the basic national policy of defending against martial arts in Song Dynasty, and seemed unable to change the tragic fate of Di Qing.