"These two brats, they don't even bother to drink a few glasses with me before leaving."
Zhang Fei can only stay at home today and can't go anywhere. Drinking some wine to warm up the body is a good way to pass the time, but he needs to find someone to accompany him. "Why didn't Zhiqian come today? Maybe she is at home with her sister-in-law. Forget it, let's ask Madam to come and accompany me."
Just as he was thinking about it, Xu Zhiqian came in from outside, and saw that her cheeks were rosy and she looked very beautiful.
"Huh? You've been drinking?"
"Um."
Xu Zhiqian nodded gently, "I just drank some with my sisters."
As she spoke, she rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand, seeming a little embarrassed.
Zhang Fei said depressedly: "Why don't you invite me for this good thing?"
Xu Zhiqian was surprised and asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"Uh... haven't they been asking me about the law? I... I have some free time now, so I can explain it to them."
"Don't tell me yet."
Xu Zhiqian said, "They came here today to discuss with me the articles written by Wang Xueshi and Sima Xueshi, but they are all women, and my sister-in-law is here, so it would be inconvenient for you to go."
"Sister-in-law is here too!"
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "That's indeed not very convenient. Come on, come on, sit down, and let's have a couple of drinks."
"I just drank a lot."
"It's okay. I'll take care of you if you're drunk."
"Never!"
Xu Zhiqian pouted and sat down.
Just as he sat down, Li Si walked in, "Third brother, Master Xu is here."
Zhang Fei was surprised and asked, "Master Xu?"
"Is he my brother?" Xu Zhiqian asked.
Li Si nodded.
"Brother-in-law?" Zhang Fei asked, "Where is he?"
Li Si said: "At the door."
Zhang Fei said unhappily: "Can't you just invite people in?"
Li Si said: "I...!"
Xu Zhiqian said hurriedly: "It's not Li Si's fault. My brother is just like that. He should have informed the host first before visiting without permission."
Zhang Fei was immediately dumbfounded, "What should I do?"
Xu Zhiqian smiled and said, "What do you think?"
Zhang Fei finally reacted, quickly stood up, and personally welcomed Xu Lingxiao into the house. He also asked Xiaotao to make a small hot pot and put a few pots of hot wine in it.
"Brother-in-law, I rented this house specifically because I wanted it to be more convenient. You really don't have to be so formal. Zhiqian always goes straight to my house and leaves..."
Before he could finish his words, his ankle was gently kicked.
Zhang Fei tilted his head and looked at Xu Zhiqian curiously.
Xu Lingxiao glanced at Xu Zhiqian with a pitiful look and said, "My little sister doesn't like to follow the rules. Daddy is busy with official duties and has no time to teach her. You can't spoil her anymore."
Zhang Fei now understood why Xu Zhiqian wanted to kick him, and could only politely say, "I wonder what you want to do for me, brother-in-law?"
For some reason, Xu Zhiqian found it funny and inappropriate every time she heard Zhang Fei say this.
Xu Lingxiao bowed and said, "I disturbed my brother-in-law today because I wanted to ask him about the law."
"ah?"
"Is it inconvenient?"
Xu Lingxiao asked.
"No." Xu Zhiqian said first: "Brother, Zhang San just said that he wanted to talk to someone, and I came at the right time."
Zhang Fei glanced at Xu Zhiqian depressedly and said, "I want to talk to your sisters, not your brother. I'm trying to show off in front of your brother, but I guess he won't understand."
Xu Lingxiao said happily: "Really?"
"Yes Yes."
Zhang Fei nodded awkwardly, and then asked curiously: "But I saw that my brother-in-law didn't seem interested in this before, why is he so interested today..."
Xu Lingxiao smiled awkwardly, "To be honest, I went out to meet up with a few friends today, and they all asked me about this legal system. I really don't know, so I can only go home and ask my brother-in-law for advice."
It turned out to be a social occasion. Zhang Fei nodded: "Okay, let's talk while we drink."
"Thank you very much."
What Xu Lingxiao mainly asked was the issue of virtue as the main and law as the auxiliary. To put it bluntly, it was about etiquette and law.
In fact, the fourth class caused the greatest response. It’s not that everyone was against it, but they just wanted to know how to combine it and how etiquette should play a role in it.
Zhang Fei explained to Xu Lingxiao while drinking.
But Xu Lingxiao was completely confused and even less understood than Shangguan Jun, Cai Bian and others.
No matter how you explain it, he just doesn't understand. Since we have to refer to the etiquette and laws, why bother to change it
If it were Cai Bian and the others, they would have been scolded by Zhang Fei a long time ago, but since this was his brother-in-law, Zhang Fei could only patiently explain.
Fortunately, Xu Zun returned from the yamen, which allowed Zhang Fei to be freed.
As soon as Xu Zun sat down, Xu Zhiqian couldn't wait to ask, "Dad, are there any articles discussing Sima Xueshi and Wang Xueshi in the court today?"
"Everyone is talking about it, but most people are against it." Xu Zun sighed with disappointment.
Xu Zhiqian frowned and asked, "Why do they object?"
"I see, there is no reason, I am just content with the present situation."
Xu Zun snorted, "I used to think they were only targeting Wang Jiefu, but now it seems that even if the emperor had chosen Sima Junshi, the situation would not have changed."
Xu Zhiqian asked, "Dad, what do you mean by that?"
"This is because..." Xu Zun looked at Zhang Fei calmly, and asked, "Zhang San, do you know the reason?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Life is so good, I wouldn't want to move if it were me."
Xu Zun nodded and said, "That's right. Most people in the court are addicted to a leisurely and comfortable life and have long lost the spirit of progress. What they hope for is to remain unchanged, not how to change."
Xu Zhiqian asked hurriedly: "Will that bring trouble to Zhang San again?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Don't worry, this trouble won't fall on me now. I'm just a teacher."
Xu Zun nodded and said, "They are now mainly complaining to Fu Gong and Sima Junshi, but they haven't mentioned Zhang San much."
Now those ministers have become sensible and stopped forcing Zhang Fei all the time. He has no power. If you push him, he will teach you a lesson and you will end up getting hurt. What's the point of doing that
This is a national affair, so it’s better to discuss it internally.
In fact, Zhang Fei had already seen this point clearly. The fault of Wang Anshi's reform was not Wang Anshi's, but the reform itself.
The life of these scholars and officials was so comfortable and affluent that it could be said to be the most perfect state, with no desires or demands. For them, of course, it would be best if nothing changed.
If they were just a group of rich people, it would be fine, but the key is that they are the ruling class.
In fact, Wang Anshi saw it very clearly, so he wanted to help the emperor centralize power and take all the power back, but they had no choice. This is why Wang Anshi believed that even if Fu Bi was to preside over the legal system, it would be difficult to implement it thoroughly.
The public opinion in the court not only disappointed Xu Zun, but also Zhao Xu.
He did not expect that even though Fu Bi, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang stood up at the same time to endorse the legal system, there were still many people in the court who held opposing opinions. Although the opposition was not very fierce, those ministers who submitted memorials mainly thought that it was a bit too hasty and needed to be discussed further.
But this also made him very annoyed. He felt that no matter what he did, people would talk about him. Who was the emperor? He might as well just stop doing anything.
The more he thought about it, the more suffocated he became, so he summoned Zhang Fei into the palace.
When he sees his close friend, he immediately pours out his grievances.
Zhang Fei also explained the reason to Zhao Xu.
"That's outrageous."
After hearing this, Zhao Xu was furious and slammed the table. "They only care about themselves and don't care about the country at all. What use do I have for them? They won't let me, right? I still want to change."
Zhang Fei hurriedly said, "Sir, this is absolutely not possible."
Zhao Xu was startled and asked, "What? You want to back down?"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "That is not my intention at all. It is just that the government should not fight with them, but should focus on the overall situation."
Zhao Xu asked: "Then what do you think I should do?"
Zhang Fei said: "Keep a low profile."
"Keep a low profile?"
"good."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Let Lord Fu, Scholar Sima, and I push this matter forward. The government should not focus on this, but should continue to focus on the new policy."
Zhao Xu asked curiously, "What do you mean?"
Are you so great
He ignored his own side and only cared about Wang Anshi.
By the way, does Wang Anshi need your care
Zhang Fei said: "From this incident, it can be seen that they are mainly against 'change' and their goal is 'no change'. In this case, only the government can seek 'change', so where the government's attention is, their attention is also there.
The government should have noticed that their opposition to the new policy has decreased recently.”
Zhao Xu was startled, then nodded: "If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have noticed it. Indeed, there are indeed fewer people discussing the new policy recently."
But then he added, "According to you, should we lure them into opposing the new policy?"
But I also felt that it was a bit unfair. Wang Anshi had a hard life!
Zhang Fei explained: "Even if the government doesn't do this, they will continue to oppose it when the new law is fully implemented next year, because they are more afraid of the new policy.
Moreover, no matter what, the New Deal is the top priority of the country, but if the government also insists on the rule of law, it will cause the government to disperse its power and lose sight of the big picture. "
Zhao Xu nodded slightly.
Zhang Fei continued: "Since the main battlefield is the new policy, the government should still focus on promoting the new policy. If everyone focuses on the main battlefield, then in the secondary battlefield of justice, everyone can discuss and exchange interests without engaging in direct combat.
I suggest that after the general decision is made, the government should entrust the matter to Duke Fu and Duke Wen to handle. They are mature and prudent, and will not be too radical. They will discuss it with those people. In this way, they will be more assured about this secondary battlefield. "
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "But if this is the case, then the revision of the law will be a long way off, right?"
If the emperor is not capable, it will be difficult to implement.
Zhang Fei said, "A few days ago, Scholar Sima suggested that I take the law to the local areas, and I will create a new world for the government."
Zhao Xu asked worriedly, "Can you do it alone?"
Zhang Fei did not answer but asked: "Why do you think Sima Xueshi arranged for me to go there?"
Zhao Xu said: "It's all for the new policy."
Zhang Fei asked: "What if I can block it?"
Zhao Xu asked: "How do you block it?"
Zhang Fei said awkwardly: "Of course it is the government that supports me."
Zhao Xu was stunned. "I want to support the new policy. Isn't this a contradiction?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I have discussed with the emperor several times before that governing the country must start with governing the officials. If Wang Xueshi fails to complete this step, there will definitely be problems. This is my chance. I will argue with reason and will never make things difficult for the emperor."
Zhao Xu nodded: "If you can stop them, then they may support you."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "The government thinks too highly of them. They will definitely fan the flames and make us kill each other. For them, this is the best outcome."
At this point, he changed the subject and said, "But for the officials, it's just a fight between two hands. No matter how fierce the fight is, it's impossible to get hurt at all."
Zhao Xu couldn't help but clap his hands. With a snapping sound, he immediately reacted, but raised his right hand again, "My right hand has a bad temper!"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "But the emperor will not let it hurt his left hand."