Establishing a thousand-year family from the nobles of the Western Han Dynasty

Chapter 148 Prime Minister, Recruitment Order
It must be said that Wang Mang was a ruthless man who would do anything to achieve his goal! He even sacrificed his eldest son's life and killed hundreds of people!

It was not surprising that he became the emperor of the Xin Dynasty, because this man really gave everything for his great cause!
Things like worldly desires and appetite can be completely ignored and discarded, thus becoming the saint that Confucianism desires most!
His moral character is basically perfect, so it is understandable that he is recognized by Confucian scholars because he is too perfect.

Along the way, he went from being the Duke of Anhan to being the fake emperor of the Prime Minister, and finally ascended the throne to be the emperor and established the Xin Dynasty. Everything he did was what everyone expected. He was the leader elected by the people, Confucian scholars, and powerful people! I hope he can lead the world out of the predicament.

But later, people all over the world abandoned this saint in their minds because they found that the new emperor was not as perfect as they had imagined.

Nothing has changed, and on the contrary, a series of retro reforms have even pushed the world into the abyss! The well-field system is obviously no longer suitable for today's situation. Although it can be regarded as a disguised form of super-timesism, this system is not suitable for the current Han Dynasty.

So failure is inevitable.

But at present, the 48-year-old Wang Mang has obviously monopolized the central government. Although some places where the Xu family has taken deep roots are obviously rebellious, they dare not be too presumptuous. Even the most radical Zhenjun Military Governor's Office has openly surrendered.

After all, he now represents the imperial court, the emperor and the empress dowager! With this banner, no one dares to overturn the table unless the last step is taken.

Even though the Xu family has the ability to rebel and the radical leader Xu Yuan has a strong influence, Xu Hua always remains rational.

He did have the idea of ​​resisting, but not now. He had to wait until the other side completely lost their patience and let down their guard before launching an uprising. Only then would he have a chance of success.

At least it was a separatist regime in the vast Guandong region, confronting the central Chang'an. At least it could ensure that the Liu family's incense would continue and the country would not perish.

This was the idea behind Xu Bo's active expansion into local areas. Since the power of the foreign relatives could not be shaken in the court, he decided to find another way and restrict them with the military power of the local areas.

After all, doesn't the power of the imperial court come from the counties? Without the support of a vast territory, what can you do?

.........

In August of the fourth year of Yuanshi, the voices calling for Wang Mang to be appointed as prime minister became louder and louder. From the four assistant ministers such as Shaofu and Shaoshi, and the three officials such as Dasitu, to ordinary Confucian scholars and common people, all hoped that he would become the prime minister above the four assistant ministers!

In this way, he introduced more policies that benefit the world. His previous strategy of forcing bureaucrats and the royal family to give up their interests was very useful and won him many supporters.

Kong Guang also completely sided with Wang Mang because his ancestor was posthumously conferred the title of Duke. Now among the four ministers, except Xu Hua, the Grand Tutor, all are from the Wang family.

In response to this matter, the empress dowager convened a court meeting. Standing in Liu's position, she actually did not want Wang Mang to have a high status. He had limited power, and if a minister became too powerful, it would inevitably affect the emperor, that is, herself!

Originally, the four ministers were able to check and balance each other. The two from the Wang family and the two from the Xu family were evenly matched in strength, and the empress dowager herself had to maneuver between them.

Unfortunately, the situation could not keep up with the changes. Xu Zhong had no interest in the position of Junior Master at all and gave it to General Wang Shun without hesitation. Kong Guang was also won over. Now no one could check and balance this Grand Tutor!

It is not a bad thing for powerful officials to be in power. Xu Zhen was also a powerful official in those days, and he could even depose and enthrone the emperor! In the killing of the Lü clan, he took control of the military and political power of the whole country, and the princes also followed his lead.

Unify the checks and balances system left by Emperor Gaodi: relatives by marriage, meritorious officials, and princes.

But history proves that he was a loyal minister! What about Wang Mang? It is still unknown. He may be the next Xu Zhen, or the next Li Si and Zhao Gao.

But there is no way to explore it now, because the promotion of Wang Taifu to the position of prime minister is an inevitable trend, and no one inside or outside the court opposes it. As the queen mother, she can only compromise.

"Queen Dowager, Master Wang's ability and virtue are fully sufficient to serve our ancestors and ancestral temples, comparable to the saints of ancient times! His current position really restricts his ability, I beg the Queen Dowager to give him a higher position!"

The first vanguard was the Grand Tutor Chen Chong, who had been making a lot of noise when Anmin County was set up. He was a core figure under Wang Shun, Wang Yi and others.

Although the current Grand Situ’s status is greatly reduced and his position is no longer what it used to be, he is still a heavyweight figure!
The Queen Mother also had to take it seriously.

"I second the opinion. The virtue of Grand Tutor Wang is rare in history." Kong Guang, who usually remained neutral, also broke his usual habit. After all, the other party had given his ancestors a certain honor, so he could not be vague.

Moreover, Kong Guang really believed that Wang Mang was capable of a higher position. He had never met the legendary Duke of Zhou, Xu Zhen, Xu Gong, and Huo Guang, and was not sure how capable they were, but he thought they were probably no more than that.

He has achieved the legendary state of not being happy with things, nor being sad with himself!
At least that's the case on the surface.

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

Wang Shun and others also began to take the lead in agreeing. Xu Hua took a look and took a half step back. Those Xu officials who were eager to try also chose to remain silent.

It seems that Xu Gong is not going to stop this. Why? This guy will have no more constraints after he sits in a higher position. The Grand Guardian can restrict the Grand Tutor, but he cannot restrict the Prime Minister!
Strictly speaking, this position has not yet been created. It was created specifically for the Duke of Anhan. Including the fake emperor in the future, only one person has held the position! The equivalent of fake means acting on behalf of the real emperor, and the only difference between him and the real emperor is the abdication process.

Wang Zhengjun glanced at Xu Hua and sighed, feeling that her nephew was getting more and more out of control. Then she said calmly: "Wang Mang's talent is comparable to that of the Taifu Wang Mang who served Emperor Xiaokang and Emperor Xiaoxuan. His virtue is comparable to that of the ancient saints. The official positions he held, including those recorded in the Zhou Li, are not enough to show the respect of the court."

"I will make the decision to appoint Wang Mang, the Grand Tutor and Chief Regent, as the Prime Minister! He will be above the four assistants, the head of all ministers, and the Prime Minister of the court. This is the only way to show the court's respect."

When these words were spoken, many opponents widened their eyes, but they dared not speak out. The lessons of the past were too clear. At this time, resistance or dismissal from office would be considered a good thing.

"Your Majesty, I do not deserve such praise!" As expected, Wang Mang himself was the first to jump out and refuse. He had to maintain his humble personality.

"In the past, King Jingsheng and Saint Master Xu Gong were only prime ministers in their lifetime. I was appointed as the Grand Tutor out of consideration for the special circumstances. How can I make another exception?"

"Not right, not right, really not right!"

Then, Wang Shun advised: "Brother, please accept it. This position is not taken for personal gain, but for the benefit of the world! The people all hope that you will be the Prime Minister!"

"I beg you to accept it, Master!"

"I beg you to accept it, Master!"

All the ministers stood in front of Wang Mang and spoke in a very sincere tone, most of them were sincere.

After all, Wang Mang moved forward, and only then could they follow!
"No, I will never do such an overstepping of authority!" He still disagreed and refused sternly.

Plop. Grand Minister Chen Chong knelt down, looked at the other party and said, "I beg you to accept the position of Prime Minister! If you don't agree, I will not get up from my knees! Just accept it!"

With someone taking the lead, the other ministers also knelt down, including assistant ministers like Wang Shun. Of course, Kong Guang did not do so. He was older than the other party, so what would it mean if he also knelt down?
In the blink of an eye, only a few people including Xu Hua and Kong Guang were still standing, and other ministers who did not support Wang Mang were no exception.

"This, this... Hey, everyone, please stand up quickly, please stand up quickly!" Wang Mang said with a very "helpless" look.

He first helped the leader, Grand Chancellor Chen Chong, to his feet, and then finally said, "Well, since you insist, I can no longer refuse. Let me, Wang Mang, be the bad guy, and then atone for my sins to all the sages a hundred years later."

He turned his head and looked at the Queen Mother: "Your Majesty, I am willing to take on the heavy responsibility of being the Prime Minister! If you are willing to believe me."

After another round of tug-of-war, the highlight finally arrived, which was the formal enthronement of Wang Mang as the head of all ministers!
In fact, official positions are relative. When the Han Dynasty was just established, the prime minister was equivalent to the chancellor, who took charge of state affairs on behalf of the emperor. But he was replaced by the chancellor soon after. However, after Emperor Gaodi entrusted his son to the care of his father, the prime minister became Xu Zhen's grand tutor.

The Grand Marshal and General also exercised the power of prime minister for a period of time, which was when Huo Guang was in power. After his death, he was posthumously conferred the title of Grand Tutor by Emperor Xuan.

But now the Three Dukes have been devalued. Four assistant ministers have appeared above the Grand Marshal and the Grand Tutor. There is actually not much difference between the four assistant ministers, and between the Grand Tutor and the Grand Protector. It's just that Wang Mang's seat is closer to the front.

But Xu Hua, the great bodyguard, can still play a restraining role. After all, he is the second most important figure in the court.

In order to get rid of this restriction, Wang Mang chose to be promoted again! He asked the Queen Mother to create a new official position for him, the real prime minister, to suppress the opposition forces.

"Wang Mang has a noble character and outstanding talents, and is capable of leading the ministers to exercise the power of governance. I now appoint him as the Prime Minister, and he will be above the four assistant ministers!"

"Kong Guang will take over the position of Grand Tutor, and Zhen Feng will take over the position of Junior Master. That's it."

Wang Zhengjun thought about it and created a new and more prestigious position, which actually meant prime minister, ruling the world on behalf of the emperor.

In this way, the Four Ministers will no longer be able to restrict him, which means that even Xu Hua, the Grand Tutor, cannot do so.

As for why he didn't object? It wasn't that he didn't want to let it go, but it was useless. He had opposed it before, but all the officials in the court expressed their support. It would be difficult for one person to support it alone.

Those officials of the Xu family who opposed the Wang family dared not say anything, fearing that they would be purged in the future, because Xu Hua could not protect them at all!

In other words, it was impossible to keep them in Chang'an. Once they offended Wang Mang, Xu Hua would try his best to be exiled to other places. Once they arrived in places like Jingzhou and Jizhou, they would basically have nothing to worry about.

The Xu family's influence in the Central Plains region such as Yanzhou was relatively weak. It was concentrated in Hebei and Jingxiang, and had not taken root in other places.

"Your servant Wang Mang thanks the Queen Mother and will not disappoint her!" Wang Mang knelt down and kowtowed heavily. He is still in a daze.

It took him less than ten years to escape from the throne and become the prime minister! It was so dramatic that it was hard to accept. And the key point was that Xu Hua did not continue to sing the opposite tune.

Did you finally compromise?

"Well, go ahead. I believe you." Wang Zhengjun stared at his nephew, his heart was far from as calm as he appeared.

From Grand Marshal to Duke of Anhan to Prime Minister... What will be the next step? This man's ambition is probably terrifying! Even if he is made Prime Minister, he will not be satisfied.

After the emperor came of age, it was inevitable to liquidate the Wang family's relatives. Would Wang Mang allow this given his character? He wanted to save the world through reform!

How could I allow myself to lose power?

Thinking of this, Wang Zhengjun's vigilance reached its peak, and she began to wonder whether she should support the Xu family to provide some checks and balances.

Unfortunately, it was too late. Ever since he became the chief doctor of Confucianism, his path to power has been unstoppable!

.........

In the following period, Wang Mang began to continue to win over Confucian scholars to enrich his own power and consolidate his foundation. First, he spent millions of dollars to build 15,000 residences for scholars to accommodate talents.

At the same time, he vigorously developed education and sent scholars to counties and towns to enlighten the people. He believed that appropriate knowledge could enable the people to better understand the orders issued by the court.

This will reduce resistance to reform.

At the same time, Wang Mang also believed that all crimes and violations of the law were caused by insufficient education. If the people could always have a sense of shame and moral values, they would always be strict with themselves and would never break the law!
There was no need for any harsh laws, he believed it would only be counterproductive.

Isn’t that how the Qin Dynasty fell? The Saint Master considered more from the perspective of his own era, but now the times have changed.

Of course, the governance strategy must also change accordingly.

After the construction of 15,000 houses was completed, Wang Mang immediately issued an order to recruit talents, calling on talented people from all over the world to come to the court to serve. In fact, he relaxed the scope of recruitment for filial and honest officials for the Imperial College in order to win the support of these young Confucian scholars.

After all, the most talented young people in the world are none other than the students of the Imperial College, and scholars from other places have no advantages at all.

This house is completely prepared for the students.

This strategy was widely praised by Confucian scholars, and Wang Mang was even more highly respected.

But at the same time, the number of Legalist scholars recruited became less and less, which caused dissatisfaction within the law school, but it was of no use. Wang Mang was the prime minister of the dynasty and exercised the duties of prime minister.

Because of the court's deliberate inclination, a large number of Confucian scholars were injected into the local areas, which squeezed the living space of the Legalists.

On October 28th of the fourth year of Yuanshi, Wang Mang presided over the sacrifice as Duke of Anhan, replacing Xu Bo's position that year.

According to the practice set by Xu Gong, the Han Dynasty held a large-scale national sacrifice every thirty years, and the host of each sacrifice was not a court official, but the Imperial Academy Master! In other words, the most prestigious person in the world.

(End of this chapter)