Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 301 Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials of the Zhaoxun Pavilion (Part 1)

July 11th, the sixth year of the Xifeng reign.

Zhaowen Hall.

A small wooden table, about ten feet long, was set up with dozens of documents laid out one by one.

Jiang Zhao picked up one of the papers and examined it closely.

"despair!"

"despair!"

Pearls fall onto a jade plate, rising like a continuous stream of jade, their sound rising and falling.

Right at his feet, on a three-foot-long desk, were the Four Treasures of the Study. Prince Yan, Zhao Shen, was fiddling with an abacus, his small face serious and tense, full of focus.

After about ten breaths, the tinkering sound disappeared.

"Eleven, Thirteen, Six"

The piece of paper, about a foot long, has red and black characters on it.

The red characters are in the standard official script, which is very neat and tidy. There are some characters similar to "3+6=", which are the questions Jiang Zhao gave him.

The black characters are rather scattered and disorganized, clearly the work of a beginner, and they contain the answers to arithmetic problems.

Zhao Shen counted on his fingers, reading aloud as he carefully checked the document.

Immediately, his eyes grew brighter and brighter, and he even straightened his back.

"what!"

"Grand Tutor, Shen'er has figured it out."

With a clenched fist and a wave, Zhao Shen shouted, his face beaming with barely concealed excitement.

"Oh?"

The document was set aside lightly, and Jiang Zhao glanced at it, looking surprised.

"Your Highness, how could you be so fast?"

"I hope the Grand Tutor will review this for Shen'er." Zhao Shen said earnestly, picking up the paper with his small hands and respectfully presenting it to him.

"it is good."

Jiang Zhao smiled gently, picked up the paper, and looked over.

The ten arithmetic problems on it were all at the level of "first or second grade elementary school students," and were either "3+6=" or "5-2=".

The Arabic numerals were taught by Jiang Zhao.

There's no way around it; when it comes to arithmetic, Arabic numerals are still more convenient.

Occasionally, there are also examples that relate to real life, such as, "There were six Grand Secretaries of the Zhaowen Pavilion, three of whom have retired. How many are left?"

In addition, there was one "difficult" question.

If you have ten, subtract nine, what is the remainder?
Ten is a two-digit number.

This question naturally involves two-digit addition and subtraction, which theoretically involves two basic mathematical algorithms: carrying and borrowing.

Of course, you can easily figure it out by counting on your fingers.

Jiang Zhao scanned through the ten arithmetic problems one by one.

Zhao Shen sat upright, his small eyes fixed on the Grand Tutor's facial expression, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

The expectation, of course, is to be praised.

Nervousness stems from the fear of carelessly making a mistake in calculating the problem.

Can it be all correct?

Zhao Shen sat obediently, glancing nervously over from time to time.

Fortunately, the tense period didn't last long, and Jiang Zhao quickly gave a reply.

Seeing the look of satisfaction on his face, he stroked his beard and smiled.
"All ten questions were answered correctly without any errors or omissions."

"Your Highness is indeed exceptionally intelligent!"

Jiang Zhao was lavish in his praise.

For young children, encouragement and education should be the primary approach.

Besides, even if there really is pressure-based education, it certainly can't be the eldest son who plays the villain.

"hey-hey!"

With two consecutive compliments, how could a child resist?

Her little face flushed red with joy. Zhao Shen waved her little hand, her face full of enthusiasm: "Grand Tutor, Shen'er still has questions to do."

"it is good."

Jiang Zhaoping smiled, not surprised at all.

Recently, Zhao Shen has been learning to read and write.

Of course, Jiang Zhao was not responsible for teaching him basic education; it was the Imperial Academy and the Empress who did it.

To be honest, compared to the regular arithmetic, learning to read and write is undoubtedly quite "painful".

After all, the essence of learning to write is actually memorizing characters.

There is absolutely no pattern between the characters; they must be memorized by rote, which inevitably makes learning difficult for beginners.

In order to make her son outstanding, the empress must have put some pressure on him to some extent.

Empress, Grand Tutor!
On one hand, there is pressure-based education, and on the other hand, there is encouragement-based education.

The most important thing is comparison. Once there is a comparison, Zhao Shen's enthusiasm will naturally be higher.

With a vermilion brush in hand, Jiang Zhao slowly began to write.

In no time, he had finished writing five questions.

"Forget it."

Jiang Zhaoping said, "Once we finish solving the five problems, the milk tea should be ready by now."

"Uh-huh."

Zhao Shen's eyes lit up. He picked up the question and nodded repeatedly.

"despair!"

"despair!"

Crackling sounds rose and fell.

Just then, a person approached and bowed.

"My lord."

However, it was Li Xian, the Grand Eunuch in charge of the Imperial Secretariat.

"Middle-ranking official".

Jiang Zhao nodded calmly.

He is the kind of person who never intentionally offends anyone.

Respect is mutual; if the eunuch is polite, he will naturally not give him the cold shoulder.

Li Xian, holding a whisk, smiled and slowly said, "His Majesty wishes to build the Zhaoxun Pavilion and has selected twenty-four renowned ministers from the past century. He has specially summoned the Grand Chancellor to the palace to offer some advice."

"suggestion?"

Jiang Zhao raised an eyebrow and nodded, not particularly surprised.

The selection of the twenty-four meritorious officials was entirely decided by the emperor; no minister could directly formulate the core list.

This is similar to the reason why Emperor Taizong of Tang selected twenty-four ministers for the Lingyan Pavilion.

On the one hand, the selection of meritorious officials was destined to be centered on the emperor.

On the other hand, it would be unfair for officials to compile the core list.

However, ministers do not have the power to make decisions, but they do have the power to make suggestions.

In other words, it is possible to influence the emperor's judgment through suggestions.

Especially regarding "who should be admitted to the cabinet," the advice of the ministers was quite important.

When a monarch makes decisions about the overall situation, it is actually more about the specific rankings.

Of course, this suggestion is merely a "personal suggestion".

Throughout this process, there must be absolutely no factional disputes.

The final list cannot be too controversial, otherwise it would be a slap in the face to the emperor.

"Your Highness, would you like the Imperial Study?" Jiang Zhao asked casually, glancing back at him.

"No, no, I'm not going." Zhao Shen shook his head repeatedly.

He's still waiting to drink milk tea!

"Grand Tutor, please go ahead. Shen'er will stay in Zhaowen Hall to do his homework," Zhao Shen obediently replied.

"Alright."

Jiang Zhao looked pleased.

……

Royal study room.

The window lattice was half-closed, and the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air.

There was a faint, bitter medicinal scent.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject pays his respects." As soon as he entered, Jiang Zhao raised his hand in a salute.

"no."

Zhao Ceying shook his head and waved his hand: "Please sit down."

However, there were still a few people in the study.

On the civil official side, there were five Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet: Han Jiang, Yuan Jiang, Zhang Fangping, Wang Gui, and Yu Jing.

On the military side, there were three deputy privy councilors: Gu Tingye, Wang Shao, and Shi Yuansun.

As for Liang Guogong Wang Keyan, he was still stationed in the Southwest Protectorate.

Marquis Zhongjing, Zheng Shun, was slightly ill.

There was no way around it, it was just too tough!
In recent years, the army has been moving around a lot, and the elderly in their fifties and sixties are finding it hard to bear the immense pressure.

Getting sick is entirely expected.

In addition, there was the side of relatives of the emperor, namely Cao Yi, the Minister of Works, and Xiang Zongliang, the emperor's brother-in-law.

"Let's all talk about it."

Zhao Ceying looked down and said calmly, "How should we choose so that we don't end up with a regret of missing out on something great?"

Several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet pondered for a moment, then exchanged glances without speaking. The other military officers and relatives of the empress, naturally, had even less room to speak.

“From the founding emperor to the present, there have been a hundred-year reign and five generations of emperors.” Jiang Zhao, with a plan in mind, suggested, “Perhaps we could select ten people from each generation, making a total of fifty.”

"After that, half of the fifty people were removed, resulting in the twenty-four meritorious officials."

Jiang Zhao's thinking is quite clear.

First, select those who are qualified to join the cabinet.

As for the specific ranking issue?
That's something only the emperor can decide.

"Hmm~!"

Zhao Ceying pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay."

Frankly, this method has flaws.

If a particular generation of officials were exceptionally talented, resulting in the top dozen or so being worthy of being admitted to the Hall of Fame, then there might be a regrettable situation where hidden gems are overlooked.

But is this possibility even possible?
No!

During the century-long reign of the Great Zhou Dynasty, truly outstanding ministers emerged, and it was this generation that recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun that was destined to be the one.

However, even among the generation that recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, it is estimated that less than ten people could enter the Zhaoxun Pavilion.

"Who could be considered among the top ten during the reign of Emperor Taizu?"

Zhao Ceying waved his sleeve and said, "Gentlemen, please speak frankly. If you have any objections, please raise them. We will ensure that the selection of meritorious officials is fair and just."

Nearly ten people agreed.

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Zhao suggested, "Zhao Pu."

As the founding prime minister, the planner of the Chenqiao Mutiny, and the strategist of the "South First, North Later" unification strategy, he was a definite candidate for the Zhaoxun Pavilion.

Leaving aside his remarkable achievements, the story of "governing the world with half of the Analects" alone is enough to earn him a place among the elite.

After all, when the emperor built the Zhaoxun Pavilion, he certainly hoped that it would be as famous and prestigious as the Lingyan Pavilion, rather than as low-profile and unworthy of its name as the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai under Emperor Guangwu of Han.

“Pan Mei,” Gu Tingye said after a moment’s thought.

As a key general in the conquest of the Southern Han and Southern Tang dynasties, Pan Mei's achievements are undeniable and quite remarkable.

Furthermore, some zaju plays similar to "The Eighth Prince Issues an Edict to Save the Loyal" and "The Romance of the Yang Family Generals" have not yet been created and spread, their reputations have not been ruined, and naturally they have not been portrayed as treacherous officials, so they can be included in the list.

In fact, Pan Mei was nominally a person from the reign of Emperor Taizong.

The main point is that Pan Mei enjoyed the Imperial Ancestral Temple of Emperor Taizong.

However, it's only in name.

Civil and military officials alike actually believed that Pan Mei was a person from the reign of Emperor Taizu.

Pan Mei's main achievements were during the reign of Emperor Taizu.

During Emperor Taizong's reign, his achievements were rather unremarkable.

“Shi Shouxin,” Wang Shao said thoughtfully.

This man was one of the key figures in the Chenqiao Mutiny and also one of the "Ten Righteous Brothers" of Emperor Taizu.

Both his achievements and his seniority are top-notch.

“Cao Bin,” the emperor’s brother-in-law Xiang Zongliang said, taking the initiative to mention him.

As the commander-in-chief who destroyed the Southern Tang and Later Shu, Cao Bin was hailed as the "best general of the Great Zhou" and was known for his benevolence.

During the reign of Emperor Taizu, only Zhao Pu and Cao Bin were entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Therefore, Cao Bin can certainly be included in the list.

"Zhang Lingduo".

"Gao Huaide".

"Wang Shenqi".

One name after another was mentioned.

After about two incense sticks' worth of time, the ten most meritorious officials of the Taizu Emperor's reign were selected one by one.

Zhao Pu, Cao Bin, Pan Mei, Shi Shouxin, Zhang Lingduo, Gao Huaide, Wang Shenqi, Murong Yanzhao, Han Chongyun, Li Chuyun!
One scholar and nine warriors!
Among them are those who have made remarkable achievements, just like Zhao Pu and Cao Bin, such as Wang Shenqi.

Wang Shenqi was a core general in the Chenqiao Mutiny, who participated in suppressing the rebellions of Li Jun and Li Chongjin, and was one of the "Ten Brothers of the Righteous Society".

However, apart from Wang Shenqi, the rest of them were relatively "ordinary".

Unsurprisingly, they are all candidates who will be eliminated without any controversy.

This is not surprising.

The main reason for this is that it is not "outstanding".

Emperor Taizu was enthroned by his generals and soldiers during the Chenqiao Mutiny, and thus donned the yellow robe.

This made Emperor Taizu's ascension to the throne quite peaceful.

It lacked the large-scale, grand scale of the Chu-Han Contention during the Western Han Dynasty, and the breathtaking events of the Xuanwu Gate Incident during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Too much peace meant that ministers would not have many opportunities to perform, resulting in a lack of outstanding achievements or a story worth telling for generations to come.

"During the reign of Emperor Taizong, who could be ranked among the top ten?" Zhao Ceying picked up the vermilion pen, wrote down the names, and continued to ask.

“Lu Duan,” Jiang Zhao began.

Lü Duan was not confused about important matters!
This statement is quite valuable and can be considered a timeless classic.

Based on this one sentence alone, Lü Duan could be ranked among the top ten in the reign of Emperor Taizong.

“Li Jilong,” Wang Shao said calmly as he sat up straight, leaning on the armrests.

Compared to civil officials, military generals rarely have any notable stories.

Since there are no good stories to tell, we should talk about achievements.

As a famous general during the reign of Emperor Taizong, Li Jilong defeated the Khitan twice, quelled the rebellion of Li Jiqian, and was also a key commander in the subsequent Battle of Chanyuan.

Both his qualifications and achievements are remarkable.

"Song Qi".

"Li Hang".

"Shi Xizai".

Around three incense sticks in the air, the ten most famous ministers stood in neat rows.

Lü Duan, Li Jilong, Lü Mengzheng, Song Qi, Zhang Qixian, Li Hang, Shi Xizai, Xue Juzheng, Xiang Minzhong, Wang Xian!
Nine civil officials and one military officer!
Compared to the reign of Emperor Taizu, the reign of Emperor Taizong was undoubtedly full of talented people, and their political achievements, merits, and reputation were all quite remarkable.

Lü Duan, who was clear-headed on important matters; Lü Mengzheng, who became prime minister within six years of entering officialdom; Xue Juzheng, who compiled the "Old History of the Five Dynasties"; and Li Jilong, who twice defeated the Khitans.
Of course, the so-called "not bad reputation" was only limited to the Zhou Dynasty.

If all of the above were placed in the context of a thousand years of history, apart from Lü Duan who might have some fame, the rest would probably be completely unknown, practically nonexistent.

Aside from that, the only other thing worth noting is the lineup of nine civil officials and one military officer.

During the reign of Emperor Taizu, there was one civil official and nine military officials.

During Emperor Taizong's reign, there were nine civil officials and one military officer.

It was an incredible comeback!

"During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, who could be considered among the top ten?" Zhao Ceying continued to ask.

“Kou Zhun,” Jiang Zhaoping said calmly.

This man was a true prime minister who led the Battle of Shanyuan and was the core of the resistance against the Liao. Even a thousand years later, he is expected to be a figure known to all.

“Wang Dan,” Yuan Jiang, a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, interjected.

As someone who was honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple of Emperor Zhenzong and who also served as the chief editor of the "History of Two Dynasties," Wang Dan certainly deserved a place.

Ding Wei.

“Bi Shian”.

“Lü Yijian”.

After about two incense sticks' worth of time, the top ten ministers of Emperor Zhenzong's reign were also listed.

Kou Zhun, Ding Wei, Wang Dan, Wang Zeng, Bi Shi'an, Lü Yijian, Lu Zongdao, Chen Yaozuo, Ma Zhijie, Zhang Zhibai!

Among them, besides the relatively famous Kou Zhun and Ding Wei, Wang Dan was honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Wang Zeng was a triple champion in the imperial examinations, and Lu Zongdao was a remonstrating official who entered the cabinet, all of whom were quite extraordinary.

The only drawback is perhaps the lack of military generals.

All ten were civil officials!
So much so that even Wang Shao and Gu Tingye remained silent.

Unfortunately, during Emperor Zhenzong's reign, there were simply no capable military generals to speak of.

An era where civil officials governed the country meant that military generals had little chance to rise to prominence.

If no one protects you, the more you stand out, the more severe the suppression and targeting you will face.

In addition, there should have been one more person who could have made it into the top ten, but no one tacitly suggested it.

Wang You!

As someone who was granted the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Grand Tutor Wang certainly had a certain degree of suspicion of taking advantage of the situation.

However, he was still someone who was entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, so he did have some ability.

Even considering the prestige of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, it would still easily make the top ten.

unfortunately
It's been moved out!
"During the reign of the late emperor, who could be considered among the top ten?" Zhao Ceying noted down the names and continued to ask.

“Fan Zhongyan,” Jiang Zhaoping said.

As a key figure in reforming corrupt practices, regardless of success or failure, he is destined to leave a significant mark on history.

After all, reforming corrupt practices is itself a commendable act of courage.

"Di Qing".

"Zhang Fu".

Gu Tingye and Wang Shao spoke in turn.

"Bao Zheng".

"Master Han".

“Fu Bi”.

Fan Zhongyan, Di Qing, Zhang Fu, Yan Shu, Han Zhang, Bao Zheng, Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo, Zeng Gongliang, Ouyang Xiu!

Eight civil officials and two military officials!

To be honest, the reign of the late emperor was indeed a time when many famous scholars emerged.

All ten of them were quite famous, and in terms of reputation alone, they were at least a level above the three generations of emperors Taizu, Taizong, and Zhenzong.

"Ah."

Zhao Ceying pondered for a moment, then glanced at the crowd: "It's my turn now. Who can make it into the top ten?"

(End of this chapter)