Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Only records of disasters and anomalies,

Events involving responses to disasters and anomalies are not recorded.

The general meaning is,

Simply maintain a sense of awe towards the unknown.

Don't make random connections to reality.

The reforms are coming.

Solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, earthquakes, and comets occur frequently.

The conservatives used this as an opportunity to attack the reformists.

Wang Anshi, of course, had to retaliate.

The most drastic measures,

This means removing the Spring and Autumn Annals from the imperial examinations.

This is because the Spring and Autumn Annals records many strange phenomena.

During this period

The concept of "heaven and man in harmony" was suppressed by the authorities.

The conservatives gained power.

Although it was brought back again

However, the overall trend is towards rationality.

Until Emperor Huizong ascended the throne,

To create auspicious omens,

The concept of the interaction between Heaven and humanity is making a comeback.

Even upright ministers were subtly influenced.

The overall social atmosphere has become strange and unsettling.

However, even Emperor Huizong of Song

An imperial edict was also issued to remove solar and lunar eclipses from the concept of interaction between heaven and man.

They believed that the ancients were just making wild connections because they didn't understand astronomy.

Why did Emperor Huizong of Song do this?

Because this guy knows astronomy.

He knew the causes of solar and lunar eclipses.

Knowing the phenomenon of the five latitudes receding,

They even gained a preliminary understanding of orbital differences.

This is progress in astronomy!

Zhao Yuan looked at Xiao Chu and Hu Anguo.

"What are your views on the Five Elements and their influence?"

Xiao Chu said, "Nonsense."

Hu Anguo said, "There might be some truth to it."

Both of them were Cheng Yi's students.

They all studied the Spring and Autumn Annals in depth.

However, their views differed greatly.

Xiao Chu valued classic texts more than their transmission.

Ignoring the details

It directly points to the great principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals.

Hu Anguo, however, belongs to the Gongyang School.

The most important one is the Gongyang Commentary.

They have a strong belief in the idea of ​​intuition.

Zhao Yuan asked Hu Anguo, "Mr. Hu, do you really believe that heaven and man can communicate?"

Hu Anguo said, "Here, 'heaven' specifically refers to the principles of Heaven."

"To be precise, it should be called the interaction between reason and humanity."

"When natural disasters occur, it is a warning from Heaven to humankind."

"As long as rulers and ministers in the world practice virtuous governance and prioritize the people,"

"Be wary of the distinction between Chinese and barbarians,"

"Upholding the great principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals,"

"Disasters will cease to occur or will become less frequent."

"I understand," Zhao Yuan nodded.

After the three left,

Zhao Yuan picked up his brush and wrote the imperial edict.

He cited his high moral character, exceptional talent, and outstanding abilities as reasons.

Huang Shang and Xiao Chu were promoted to cabinet ministers.

This is the emperor's power!

There are two ways to promote a prime minister.

First, he was personally promoted by the emperor.

Second, cabinet officials discussed and recommended candidates.

Then the emperor would nod in confirmation.

In general,

If the imperial edict involves matters of great military and national importance,

It only has an effect when it becomes a real imperial edict (or it can be like Emperor Huizong of Song flipping the table).

Zhao Yuan's arrangement was,

The Tongzhengyuan (Court of State Affairs) was responsible for internal affairs.

The cabinet is responsible for foreign policy.

Chapter 1876 Decree Restricting Power

Two imperial edicts were sent to the Court of State Affairs.

Liang Yi immediately wrote the imperial edict.

The Sixth Department has no authority to veto this matter.

Two imperial edicts appointing new cabinet ministers

It was quickly sent to the cabinet.

Zhang Gen looked on in silence.

Because this isn't something we're discussing with them.

Instead, they announced the results directly to them.

Imperial edicts were special decrees issued personally by the emperor.

The content includes the investiture of the empress and crown prince.

Promote the prime minister and minister.

Or perhaps they would announce it to the entire world.

The authority to draft internal regulations has been handed over to the Office of the Council of State.

The cabinet has no authority to intervene.

"The emperor is sulking."

After reading the imperial edict, Zhai Ruwen said...

Li Bangyan said irritably.

"I told you not to contradict the Emperor's decree!"

"If the new dynasty's virtue and fortune are not established, then it is not established."

Why create discomfort between the ruler and his subjects?

Since Zhong Shidao entered the cabinet as prime minister...

It's as if he's become a different person.

In all aspects, adhere to the moral conduct of civil officials.

He said, "Establishing the new dynasty's moral character is a major undertaking."

Even if one doesn't believe in the interaction between heaven and man,

"It should be followed as a form of etiquette."

Why must Your Majesty insist on going your own way?

Just then, a secretary from the Imperial Secretariat entered.

"His Majesty has issued another imperial edict."

Zhang Gen took it and looked at it, then immediately smiled wryly.

"The Emperor said that from now on, the cabinet ministers will determine the number of positions."

"One prime minister, one deputy prime minister, and five assistant prime ministers."

"The cabinet rejected the imperial edict,"

"It requires a vote from seven prime ministers,"

"At least four votes are needed to veto it."

Zhai Ruwen snatched the imperial edict.

I sighed after reading it.

"The Emperor isn't just being stubborn,"

"Instead, they were already angry."

Zhang Gen slumped down and asked, "Who will draft the imperial edict?"

“I’ll do it,” Zhai Ruwen said.

This kind of imperial edict can be used both internally and externally.

Either the Cabinet or the Ministry of State Affairs can issue the decree.

Zhao Yuan deliberately sent the imperial edict to the cabinet.

Let the cabinet ministers write their own edicts to restrain themselves.

They can also refuse.

They persuaded the emperor to switch to the Tongzhengyuan (通政院) system.

But that approach would be tantamount to disrespecting the emperor.

And it has no impact on the result.

Zhai Ruwen quickly finished drafting the imperial edict.