A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 29 Virtue and Position
People's nature is always inclined to compromise and moderation. For example, if you say that the room is too dark and you need to open a window, everyone will definitely disagree. But if you advocate tearing down the roof, they will compromise and agree to open the window.

"How can one oppose a decree passed by the court?" Huo Qubing asked, puzzled.

The policy of monopolizing salt and iron was indeed His Majesty's own willful decision, but it was discussed in court and approved by officials, nobles, and members of the imperial family from both the central and foreign courts. Although most of them did not act on their own initiative, the decree was still passed.

Openly opposing the emperor's decrees—even the prime minister of the Han Dynasty couldn't be so bold, could he?
“Brother, the way to oppose something is never just to disagree. In fact, the person who opposes you may be the one who seems to support you the most,” Liu Ju said with a smile.

Although China has a long history and a long feudal system, the tribal alliance system of the past and the imperial system of today are two completely different states. In particular, the imperial system was still in its initial stage, and the entire Han system was in great chaos, from the central court to the local government.

The central court has a dual palace system, or even a multi-palace system, which jointly manages the court. Under His Majesty's efforts, the court is also divided into the outer court and the inner court, with court officials and palace ministers each having their own affiliations.

Further down the line, the central court controlled the officials of prefectures, counties, and districts through the system of promotion, demotion, rewards, and punishments. Personnel management was politics. Then, the officials of prefectures, counties, and districts expressed their loyalty to the central court through their performance in the annual reports and assessments.

The same applies to the feudal kingdoms.

However, there are many information gaps between the central government and local governments. Often, how local officials implement government orders does not depend on the orders themselves, but on the meaning and attitude of their superiors, mentors, and other people towards the orders.

This is a society based on personal relationships. Politics without personal relationships is short-lived. In addition to the hierarchical relationship between the central and local governments, there is an even closer relationship of kinship, mentorship, and host-guest between central officials and local officials.

Before Your Majesty ascended the throne, the Chancellor of the Great Han Dynasty not only had the power to establish his own government and command, but also the power to appoint and dismiss officials below the rank of 2,000 shi. It can be said that the entire court was filled with his protégés and former subordinates.

After His Majesty ascended the throne, he made several reforms, but only reduced the power of appointment and dismissal from 2,000 shi to 600 shi. However, all county officials in the country belonged to the 600 shi or below.

The implementation of any government decree relies on these people.

The prime minister can execute government orders without any thought of his own, and he can also ensure that his protégés and former officials execute them steadfastly, as long as His Majesty and the court can bear the consequences.

Since the Qin Dynasty, a straight road of 700 li and an imperial road of 6,800 li have been built, but no unmanned carriage has ever been able to complete a full circuit. Even if the horses run along the predetermined road, they will eventually be destroyed and the horses will die.

The people are like a chariot, and Sang Hongyang, Dongguo Xianyang, and Kong Jin are like horses—or rather, three horses harboring treacherous intentions!
It's all a dead horse in the end.

Huo Qubing nodded, then shook his head. The people and affairs in the court were too complicated, far less straightforward than those of a soldier. He said from the bottom of his heart, "Brother Ju'er, if one day you ascend the throne, give me men, give me money and provisions, and let me fight on the front lines. I will conquer a great empire for you!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Qing felt a chill run down his spine. He looked around but saw no one else, and then he felt relieved.

"it is good!"

Liu Ju stretched out his palm, bursting with heroic spirit, "One day when I become the Green Emperor, I will avenge my elder brother on the battlefield of ten thousand battles."

"A gentleman's word is his bond?"

"It's hard to chase a horse!"

On the banks of the Wei River, two palms clapping together.

Liu Ju and Huo Qubing burst into laughter, and even Wei Qing was infected by their joy, his eyes filled with tenderness. ...

Prime Minister's House.

Sang Hongyang, Dongguo Xianyang, and Kong Jin prepared the documents for the salt and iron monopoly plan and presented them to Gongsun Hong.

When they met the various officials and staff members, or rather, the advisors of the Prime Minister's office, the three of them were all stunned.

The Prime Minister's Chief Clerk, the Prime Minister's Chief Secretary, the Prime Minister's Attendant, twenty Prime Minister's Secretaries, nine Eastern Clerks, six Western Clerks, eighty Junior Clerks, and countless other Clerks of the Secretariat, Clerks of the Memorial Secretariat, Clerks of the Discussion Secretariat, Clerks of the Attendant Secretariat, Registrar, Attendant ...

When everyone looked over, Sang Hongyang was fine and moved freely, but Dong Guo Xianyang and Kong Jin's legs felt weak for some reason, and they walked with some difficulty.

After exchanging greetings, Sang Hongyang looked at the drowsy Gongsun Hong and immediately challenged him, "Prime Minister, what is the meaning of this?"

"The salt and iron monopoly concerns the foundation of the nation. Even the Prime Minister's office must be cautious and meticulous, lest we fail to live up to the Emperor's grace. This is a bit too grand. Please forgive me, Chief Minister of Grain and the two Grand Ministers of Agriculture," said Bian Tong, the Prime Minister's Chief Secretary.

At the court meeting, Sang Hongyang, Dongguo Xianyang, and Kong Jin were all appointed as the Grand Minister of Agriculture. However, after the meeting, Sang Hongyang went to His Majesty and changed his position to Commandant of Chestnuts.

Sang Hongyang's excuse was that there were already Dong Guo Xianyang, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, who specialized in salt affairs, and Kong Jin, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, who specialized in iron affairs. He had nothing to manage, so he could only change to the position of Commandant of Grain Supply, who was in charge of raising funds for the country. But no one was a fool. They knew that Sang Hongyang was also unwilling to associate with Dong Guo Xianyang and Kong Jin, who were merchants serving as officials under the central government. Even if they had to work together, they had to make some distinctions.

Bian Tong's words were tantamount to revealing the identities of Dongguo Xianyang and Kong Jin. Relying on His Majesty's power, the Prime Minister's Mansion had given them unparalleled courtesy, but they themselves couldn't accept it.

What does it mean when one's virtue is not commensurate with one's position? This is what it means when one's

Sang Hongyang was about to say something more, but Dongguo Xianyang and Kong Jin grabbed his sleeves from the left and right, shaking their heads. As a merchant, he had been insulted by officials and scholars many times, so how could he not care? If he was insulted before becoming the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and then insulted again after becoming the Grand Minister of Agriculture, wouldn't he have served as the Grand Minister of Agriculture for nothing?

However, circumstances dictated their actions. Dongguo Xianyang and Kong Jin silently memorized the appearances and voices of the Prime Minister's staff and gestured for Sang Hongyang to get to the point: "Prime Minister, what advice does the Prime Minister's office have regarding government decrees and documents?"

The Prime Minister's staff made no attempt to hide their contempt; after all, they were businessmen who would abandon all sense of shame for money.

"I have no advice to offer, but I have a few suggestions," Bian Tong continued.

"Please speak, Chief Secretary."

"According to the decree, salt and iron officials are not allowed to assess counties and prefectures, and are not allowed to sell salt and iron in remote areas. They are not allowed to impose additional corvée labor on local governments in order to complete salt and iron smelting, and are not allowed to impose exorbitant taxes on the people when local governments are unable to meet their tax revenue targets."

"Is this a suggestion?" Sang Hongyang asked in shock.

If this is called a suggestion, then what is called an order?

Dongguo Xianyang and Kong Jin were furious. If the government decrees were revised according to such "suggestions", how could they hoard goods when prices were low and then sell them at high prices when prices soared due to war, natural disasters, or man-made calamities?
The imperial court distributes goods according to need, and the people buy according to need. If they cannot create a demand gap, how can they make money?

He traveled thousands of miles to become an official for money, not to serve those commoners!
(End of this chapter)