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

Chapter 9 Five Years!

In the fourth year of the Huangyou reign, in April, Han Zhang entered the capital, and the emperor and his minister had a secret meeting.

In May, he was transferred to the position of Pacification Commissioner of Jingxi Circuit, and was reinstated as a high-ranking official in charge of a region, holding the rank of Second Grade.

In June, Fan Zhongyan passed away.

As a key figure in the Qingli Reforms, Fan Zhongyan suffered terrible political blows, constantly moving between several places and almost always on his way to take up a new post.

It's not surprising that a man in his sixties couldn't hold on any longer and passed away.

Out of respect for the deceased, the emperor personally inscribed the epitaph as "Epitaph for the Virtuous," thus defining the character of this old minister who was embroiled in controversy due to the failure of the new policies at the time.

A wise minister!

Subsequently, he was posthumously awarded the titles of Grand Tutor, Chancellor and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Wei, with the posthumous title "Wenzheng".

From then on, Fan Zhongyan's political enemies ceased their attacks, allowing his wife, children, and elderly parents to live in peace.

This is also an unspoken rule in Shilin: while they may be ruthless, they always leave room for maneuver and give people the respect they deserve, while ensuring the fruits of victory are secured.

Ultimately, in the turbulent world of officialdom, no one can guarantee they won't lose a single game.

Han Zhang wrote a special letter in remembrance.

Jiang Zhao also specially composed a poem, "Butterfly Loves Flowers - In Memoriam of Fan Zhongyan," to express his condolences.

The story of "Han Men Li Xue" (standing in the snow at Han's door) was praised by Fan Zhongyan, which brought him a lot of attention.

The title "Qilin Talent, Jiang Lang of Huaizuo" thus became widely known.

Now that the elderly gentleman has passed away, and was also a close friend of my mentor, as a junior, I must express my condolences both out of courtesy and reason.

This is also a basic principle for scholars and literati: if others have helped you in the past, then when it is your turn to help others, you must not remain silent.

Jiang Zhao was well-versed in the classics, and when composing the lyrics, he appropriately drew inspiration from Lu You's "Written While Recovering from Illness" from the Southern Song Dynasty. The lyrics mainly praised Fan Zhongyan's great courage and integrity in his determination to reform.

Regardless of success or failure, this determination to reform corrupt practices is undoubtedly commendable.

A piece of lyrics, carefully considered and refined, is undoubtedly of excellent quality.

However, to Jiang Zhao's surprise, his poem caused quite a stir.

The line, "Alas, Lord Wenzheng, a teacher of his generation. Though of humble rank, he never forgot his duty to the country; now that the matter is settled, he awaits his coffin," drew repeated praise from scholars and intellectuals.

This surprised Jiang Zhao greatly.

The poem "Butterfly Loves Flowers - In Memoriam of Fan Zhongyan" is certainly of high quality.

With his extensive knowledge, he meticulously crafted lyrics, drew inspiration from famous poets, and carefully revised them, ensuring that he could always produce a superior piece of poetry.

However, it would be almost impossible to say that this poem is the best among those commemorating Fan Zhongyan.

It should be noted that while his article was of excellent quality, it certainly did not reach the level of a masterpiece.
As a figure who once held a high-ranking position, Fan Zhongyan's memorial poems include many masterpieces by great Confucian scholars, and even the literary leader Ouyang Xiu wrote and engraved his epitaph.

The lyrics of these figures are all of the highest quality. If they are not masterpieces, who would dare to say that they can stand out?

After careful analysis, Jiang Zhao gradually figured out the reason.

Reputation!

His reputation made his poems stand out.

Since the phrase "Han Men Li Xue" (Han Men Li Xue) spread, he has gradually acquired three special labels.

child prodigy!

Respect your teachers!

I am sincerely seeking knowledge!

Whenever the topic of education and reading comes up, or when talking about the younger generation, he is always mentioned.

Scholars often studied diligently for the imperial examinations, leaving them no time for other things.

Even if some outstanding individuals have gained fame, at most they are labeled with tags like "gentlemanly demeanor" or "child prodigy," but none possess the legendary status of Jiang Zhao.

This has given him the implicit label of "the most prestigious person of the younger generation".

There is no first place in literature; such a label is very rare.

Such a label would almost never appear unless one's reputation has reached an unparalleled level.
Once it appears, the owner of the label is destined to become an eye-catching bag!
The more conspicuous one is, the more fame one spreads; the more fame one spreads, the more conspicuous one becomes.

He tiptoed on his left foot and then on his right, gradually rolling it into a snowball, thus elevating the fame brought by the story of "Han Men Li Xue" to a whole new level.

Jiang Zhao's high reputation has made his poems receive a great deal of attention.

It's not surprising that the lyrics of literary leaders and great scholars are of superior quality.

It would be strange if the words of literary leaders and great scholars were not of superior quality.

Jiang Zhao is different.

Since gaining fame, "Butterfly Loves Flowers: A Memorial to Fan Zhongyan" was his first published literary work, which has garnered special attention.

With high attention, excellent lyrics, and the added prestige of the author, it would be strange if this piece of writing didn't become popular.

This is what is known as a snowball effect.

As long as the owner of a reputation doesn't undermine it, the spread of reputation is often a winner-takes-all phenomenon, and it will only continue to grow higher.

In the twelfth month of the fifth year of the Huangyou reign, Han Zhang was transferred to Zhen Ding Prefecture and appointed as the Pacification Commissioner and Military Governor of Dingzhou, as well as the Grand Master of the Golden Purple Light. He was in charge of both administration and military affairs, managing both military and political matters, and using both kindness and severity to train troops on the frontier.

At that time, the military general guarding Dingzhou was Marquis Wuxiang, Di Qing, a rather remarkable military commander.

However, perhaps because of the custom that the head of all officials should serve as the chief minister of the Privy Council, Di Qing did not take up the position of chief minister of the Privy Council, and thus did not challenge the bottom line of civil officials. Not only was his title bestowed during his lifetime, but it was also a hereditary title.

Of course, the saying "Only those whose names are called out outside Donghua Gate are true men" is no longer used.

Jiang Zhao had met with him before, and the two talked for a while.

To be honest, it's really not easy for a military officer to rise from a lowly soldier to a marquis. He has many hidden ailments, and at forty-seven or forty-eight years old, he looks like he's in his fifties or sixties.

Because the distinction between civil and military officials was clear, there were fewer taboos in some exchanges. Jiang Zhao simply sent Di Qing a poem entitled "To the Tune of 'Breaking the Enemy's Formation' - A Heroic Poem for Di Hanchen".

This poem is a high imitation of Xin Qiji's "To the Tune of 'Breaking the Enemy's Formation' - A Heroic Poem for Chen Tongfu," and without exaggeration, it is a masterpiece that has been passed down through the ages. As soon as the poem was published, it spread throughout the land, and every soldier on the frontier recited it.

Di Qing was very pleased and said he wanted to hang it in the guest room so he could see and read it at any time.

Jiang Zhao gladly accepted.

By the way, what's this called again?

Oh right, rescue plagiarism!
With him as a butterfly flapping his wings, it's uncertain whether there will be a Xin Qiji in the future!

In order to salvage a future masterpiece, I had no choice but to plagiarize and borrow!

In the first year of the Zhihe era, Dingzhou was peaceful and the people were harmonious.

In July, Yan Shu passed away at the age of sixty-five.

The Emperor was deeply grieved and suspended court for two days. He specially appointed the Minister of Works and Attendant-in-Ordinary, and gave him the posthumous title "Yuanxian".

Yuanxian is a relatively special posthumous title.

Generally speaking, the posthumous title of a civil official will include the character "文" (wen).

Literature is characterized by its comprehensive understanding of the universe, its profound moral character and extensive knowledge, and its diligence and love of learning.

The name Yuanxian means "to be benevolent and lead the people well"; "to be able to think critically and understand the masses"; "to be kind and virtuous"; and "to be knowledgeable and wise." Relatively speaking, it leans towards discovering and cultivating talent.

Of course, this posthumous title is not bad for someone who was once the head of all officials.

The last person to receive the posthumous title "Yuanxian" was Zhang Jiuling.

Yan Shu's special posthumous title was probably due to his skill in recommending talented people.

Whether it was Han Zhang, Wang Yaochen, or Kong Daofu, they were all his students.

Han Zhang and Wang Yaochen need no further introduction; both were renowned scholars and officials.

Kong Daofu was the 45th generation descendant of Confucius. He did not hold a high official position or wield great power, but his status was relatively special.

Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, and Sun Fu were all talented individuals he recommended.

Fan Zhongyan and Ouyang Xiu need no further introduction; one once held a high-ranking position in the imperial court, while the other was a leader in the literary world.

Sun Fu, also known as Jiang Zhaoyang, was a renowned Confucian scholar. He had a student named Wen Yanbo, who had already risen to a high-ranking position in the imperial court.

In addition, Yan Shu had a son-in-law named Fu Bi, who was the head of all officials.

The aforementioned individuals alone are sufficient proof of Yan Shu's exceptional ability to recognize talent.

In addition, two more people will emerge in the future to prove how brilliant it was to bestow the posthumous title "Yuanxian" upon all officials.

One was named Zhang Fangping, and the other was Wang Anshi.

Zhang Fangping is not well-known at the moment, but he is very patient and a veteran of three reigns. He is a person who will have the opportunity to enter the cabinet in the future, and he has strongly recommended the "Three Sus"!
In the officialdom, there has always been a strong emphasis on the principle that "not only must you be capable, but those who say you are capable must also be capable."

Zhang Fangping was once a mentor to both Su Shi and Su Zhe in the officialdom.

Furthermore, as far as Jiang Zhao knew, Zhang Fangping was also a member of the Han faction.

The Qingli Reforms led to Zhang Fangping's repeated demotions, serving as an official in several places including Chuzhou, Jiangning, Hangzhou, and Yizhou.

As a result of the failure of the new policy, Zhang Fangping seems to have developed a psychological shadow, and his administrative style has gradually become more conservative.

Wang Anshi possessed the qualities of a prime minister.

Even disregarding Zhang Fangping and Wang Anshi, who were not yet in power, just focusing on Fu Bi, Han Zhang, Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, and Wen Yanbo reveals just how extraordinary Yan Shu's network of connections truly was.

The name Yuanxian is truly fitting.

The passing of such a prominent figure inevitably brings another wave of mourning.

As the rightful grand-disciple, Jiang Zhao naturally deserves to be mourned.

The poem "Partridge Sky - A Sacrifice to the Minister of Works" is of excellent quality. The line "The world calls you a true prime minister" is full of praise and has spread to a considerable extent.

In October, Wang Yaochen, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, lost his mother and requested leave to observe mourning.

This is an elderly man from the Korean faction. Han Zhang specially wrote a letter to comfort him, and Jiang Zhao also sent a letter as a junior.

Since it was a matter of mourning, not the death of the person himself, and Wang Yaochen was not a high-ranking official, the news of his mother's passing did not cause much of a stir among the literati.

Jiang Zhao sent a letter, partly at Han Zhang's behest, mainly to let Wang Yaochen know of his existence and leave a good impression.

After all, given Jiang Zhao's reputation, his future potential is limited to becoming a great Confucian scholar in his region, and his ultimate goal is to govern the country as the leader of a political party.

Since the goal is to develop towards the position of "party leader," appeasing the core veteran figures within the party is a necessary step.

Once the veteran figures within the party recognize such a person, a large amount of party resources will be allocated to him.

For example, if a person's career advancement reaches a critical point but their political achievements are lacking, then a few "corrupt officials" from the Korean faction will inexplicably emerge as new achievements, paving the way for a smooth career path.

This is the treatment reserved for the future party leader.

As expected, Wang Yaochen, who was in mourning, replied to the letter.

Jiang Zhao's reputation was so great, surpassing all others among the younger generation, that it was impossible for Wang Yaochen not to accept his goodwill.

Ultimately, the future belongs to the young, and the veterans are also developed by the young. The new generation of young people needs the recognition of the veterans, and the veterans also need the goodwill of the young.
In the first month of the second year of the Zhihe era, Han Zhang was transferred to the position of Pacification Commissioner of Hedong Circuit and Prefect of Bingzhou, holding the title of Minister of War, a rank of second grade.

Bingzhou was a frontier region, and Han Zhang was in charge of military affairs, bordering the Khitan. The Khitan invaded the territory without cause, but Han Zhang defeated them decisively and regained control of the land. There was a corrupt official named Liao, who was greedy and unruly, abusing his power. Han Zhang defeated him in a political struggle, and the emperor summoned Liao to the capital, where he was flogged.

In the same year, Hai Xirui wrote to Jiang Zhao, hoping to find him a marriage partner, and Jiang Zhao did not refuse.

In the first year of the Jiayou era, Han Zhang lifted the ban on farming by border troops, and opened up tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land.

In February, Han Zhang fell ill and was appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of Hebei Circuit. He then returned to his hometown of Xiangzhou and concurrently served as the Prefect of Xiangzhou.

The emperor was very concerned when he heard about it, and Han Zhang was reinstated as Minister of Rites, a second-rank official.

Time flies, five years have passed, and it is now the first year of Jiayou, October.

(End of this chapter)