bookcurios Chapter 88: The Eve of the Reform
Chapter 88: The Eve of the Reform
It was only after reading the comments that Li Ranran realized that the word "Shen" in "Shen Zong" was different from what he had imagined.
The temple name of Shenzong should have started with a good meaning and gradually changed to what the public thinks of it today.
After Li Ranran figured it out, she continued to watch the next video.
What a coincidence! Li Ranran finally saw the video she had been looking forward to for a long time.
[On the eve of this controversial reform]
[Hello everyone, this is Xining. Today I will talk about the Xining Reform~. When it comes to the Xining Reform, you may not be very familiar with it, but if you talk about the "Wang Anshi Reform", you should have a good impression.
There has always been a lot of controversy about "Wang Anshi's Reforms", with mixed reviews and different opinions.
Because whether it was the "Xining Reform" led by Song Shenzong and Wang Anshi, or the "Yuanfeng Reform" led by Song Shenzong alone;
Either it was the "Shaosheng Shaoshu" led by Song Zhezong and Zhang Dun; or it was the "Chongning New Deal" led by Song Huizong and Cai Jing.
These were reforms based on Wang Anshi's reforms.
Therefore, some people believe that Wang Anshi's reform was too hasty and led to the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty; others believe that Wang Anshi's reform had a positive effect and it was only because of the unruly actions of Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong that the country was destroyed.
Others believe that if the Northern Song Dynasty wanted to achieve the goal of "enriching the country, strengthening the army and weakening the people" mentioned in "Wang Anshi's Reforms", it would still be destroyed;
Finally, there is a group of views that Wang Anshi is an outstanding but tragic reformer, because he is at the forefront of the times, so he is not understood by the world. 】
[Various negative comments about Wang Anshi also appeared after the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty. At that time, in order to evade the responsibility for the country's demise, the emperor and his ministers of the Southern Song court directly put the blame on the reform faction centered on Wang Anshi.
It was not until the early 20th century that Liang Qichao wrote "Biography of Wang Anshi" that Wang Anshi's case was overturned.
I have seen in many places that people attributed the failure of Wang Anshi’s reform to the weakness of Song Shenzong Zhao Xu and his lack of firmness in his will to reform. But is this really the case in history?
Next, I will explain this far-reaching reform through three topics: "The Eve of the Reform", "The Xining Reform", and "The Aftermath of the Reform".
【On the Eve of the Reform】
[Let us open the history books and go back to the eve of the vigorous reforms in the Northern Song Dynasty.
Before talking about the "Xining Reforms", we have to mention the "Qingli New Deal" during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song before Emperor Shenzong of Song. This new deal was implemented by Fan Zhongyan and others, and its focus was to rectify the administration of officials.
This also kicked off the factional struggles in the Northern Song Dynasty and had a huge impact on Wang Anshi's subsequent reforms.
Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu, representatives of the New Deal faction during the Qingli period, resolutely opposed Wang Anshi's reforms during the subsequent Shenzong period.
It should be mentioned here that Ouyang Xiu liked Wang Anshi very much before and had a feeling of supporting Wang Anshi. Fan Zhongyan also praised Wang Anshi, and Wang Anshi also wrote "Sacrificial Essay to Fan Yingzhou".
But even so, differences in political ideas still led to many difficulties for Wang Anshi's reform.
Before gaining the favor of Emperor Shenzong, Wang Anshi also wrote "A Book to Emperor Renzong on State Affairs", also known as "A Book of Ten Thousand Words", to Emperor Renzong.
It mentioned that the Northern Song Dynasty was going to carry out a comprehensive reform, including the problems in education, imperial examinations, and official administration.
In "Ten Thousand Words", Wang Anshi even believed that the fundamental reason for the various social ills of the Song Dynasty was the insufficient reserve of talent. Only by having more talents with the same goals could we reform bad policies and promote reforms.
Before leading the reform, Wang Anshi had been working in local positions. These experiences gave Wang Anshi more time to conduct field investigations and research, and he had his own insights into the reform.
After Song Shenzong ascended the throne, he showed his determination to make great changes.
However, after experiencing the New Deal of Qingli, the ministers at this time gradually turned from reformists to conservatives. At this time, Han Wei, who had a good relationship with Wang Anshi, became the teacher of Song Shenzong. Taking advantage of this relationship, Han Wei recommended Wang Anshi to Song Shenzong.
In the fourth year of Zhiping, Wang Anshi was promoted from the local to the central government and became a Hanlin scholar.
The following year was the first year of Xining.
Song Shenzong often had long talks with Wang Anshi. He once asked Wang Anshi about the way to govern a country. Wang Anshi replied: "Begin by choosing a method."
Song Shenzong asked again: "Why is Emperor Taizong of Tang like this?"
Wang Anshi replied, "Your Majesty should follow the example of Yao and Shun in everything you do... In today's world, I'm afraid you must follow the example of Yao and Shun in everything you do."
When Song Shenzong asked Wang Anshi what approach the Song Dynasty should adopt now, Wang Anshi replied: "Change customs and enact laws."
He also said, "The reason why I came to serve Your Majesty is that I am willing to help Your Majesty do something."
At this time, Song Shenzong had fully understood that Wang Anshi was the person he wanted, and their ideals and concepts were completely in line.
Song Shenzong was also moved and said: "I have known you for a long time, but not just today..."]
＜In fact, the Northern Song Dynasty did not always lose battles... Why do people only remember the failure of Yuanfeng, and not remember Zhong Yan, Wang Shao and others at all [covering face]...＞
＜The victory was due to Wang Anshi's reforms, but after the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty, how could the rulers and ministers of the Southern Song Dynasty admit this? Zhao Gou could not put the blame on his father, Song Huizong, so Wang Anshi still had to take the blame＞
＜The Song Dynasty was always at war, yet it was still so weak [laughing and crying]＞
＜He values culture over military affairs. Although he despises military personnel, he still attaches great importance to weapons and equipment＞
＜How many people's interests were violated by Wang Anshi's reform? ＞
＜Anyway, I personally admire people who dare to change the law [thumbs-up]＞
＜It’s such a pity for Cheoljong. If he hadn’t died so early, the Northern Song Dynasty might have been able to rise according to the development at that time＞
＜The Song Dynasty was lacking a capable leader to turn the entire Song Dynasty from active defense to active offense…＞
＜Let’s forget about the Qingli New Deal＞
＜It cannot be said that the Qingli New Deal was just a preview of the Xining Reform... and the failure of the Qingli New Deal was also a preview of the failure of the Xining Reform.＞
＜Wang Anshi is really a stubborn man [sigh]＞
＜Wow, isn’t this just a survey in the countryside? Anyway, Wang Anshi completely crushes Sima Guang＞
＜Alas, Wang Anshi was always criticized as a treacherous prime minister because of his reforms. It was only after the founding of the People’s Republic of China that his reputation began to improve after he systematically studied the reforms＞
＜Han Wei? The Four Friends of Jiayou? No wonder they recommended Wang Anshi.＞
＜When mentioning the Four Friends of Jiayou, we have to mention Sima Guang. In the end, it seems that all of these people stabbed Wang Anshi in the back…＞
＜Sima Guang is a sinner. I am really fed up with him＞
＜It’s just a difference in political views. It can’t be called backstabbing. Although we are fighting to the death politically, we have a good relationship in private＞
＜Wang Anshi's reform of customs and legislation really had a significant effect. The literati of the Northern Song Dynasty did not believe in the theory of the correspondence between heaven and man＞
＜In fact, the main reason for the failure was that Song Shenzong was too anxious and wanted to achieve something too much. In order to prevent the emperor from not supporting the reform, Wang Anshi had to speed up the reform＞
＜I still like this pair of Song Shenzong and Wang Jinggong [love]＞
......
The emperor and his ministers of the Song Dynasty looked at the screen intently as it told the story of the Xining Reform.
Song Zhezong Zhao Xu clenched his hands and prayed in his heart that the light curtain must stand on his side.
When Zhao Xu saw the light curtain saying that Sima Guang was a sinner, he quietly raised the corners of his lips and snorted.
----
Song Dynasty, the second year of Xining
The reform that Wang Anshi had been looking forward to for a long time finally began.
It turns out that in the eyes of other people in the Song Dynasty, he was a treacherous prime minister...
It would be a lie to say that I wasn't disappointed, but on the other hand, I was motivating myself. It must be because my reforms had too much impact, and as Guangmu said, they violated the interests of others...
When Wang Anshi saw that his good friends had distanced themselves from him and even stood on the opposite side, he felt sad.
He said firmly: "Only reform can enrich the country and save the country. Reform is not wrong."
Zhao Xu has always been full of vigor and vitality. Wang Anshi's ideas are in line with Zhao Xu's thoughts, so he also strongly supports him.
It has long been known that the reform would end in failure, and that the failure was caused by the desire for quick success. If it were proceeded slowly, would there be better changes?
Sima Guang was furious, and pointed at the light curtain with trembling fingers: "I... am a sinner..."