EBE Chapter 86 A Change of Leadership in the Censorate
Chapter 86 A Change of Leadership in the Censorate
"Another Shangguan Jun replied that before causing trouble, Wang Yansou would slip him a small note to convey his thoughts. He felt that doing so was a bit sleazy. How could such an honest person like him do such a thing?"
Lin Ke's tendency to embarrass others resurfaced; Shangguan Jun's actions were as awkward as if she had witnessed someone loudly reading her love letter aloud in elementary school.
"I estimate that everyone present would be speechless, only the ruling Han Wei picked up the face that had fallen to the ground for him."
"His excuse was quite absurd, probably just a quick thinking! Han Wei insisted that it was harmless for ministers to pass notes among themselves, and that it would help the court atmosphere."
Wang Yansou of the Northern Song Dynasty: ...
Han Wei of the Northern Song Dynasty: ...
"Subsequently, Empress Dowager Gao dismissed Wang Yansou, Zhu Guangting and others from their official positions. Apart from Shangguan Jun and Lü Tao, who did not follow the charge, only Han Chuan retained his original position among the censors."
"Perhaps even Old Madam Gao found these people too annoying. But the matter wasn't over yet. Then, Empress Dowager Gao turned her gaze to Han Wei, who had just spoken up for Wang Yansou."
"As a minister who was on good terms with the Cheng brothers, Han Wei had an inseparable relationship with the Luo faction and the censors. Incidentally, his background is that the Han family had been officials for generations, and their official positions were not small. The family's influence was enormous."
"Now that Empress Dowager Gao is paying more and more attention to power, Han Wei, with such a background, naturally became someone she disliked."
"Han Wei's faction had become a thorn in Empress Dowager Gao's side. Soon after, Lü Tao, who was close to Su Shi and Su Zhe, launched an attack on Han Wei, accusing him of wielding too much power and posing a great threat to the court."
Optimistic Su Dongpo: Is this how the word "close" is used?
A young man from a prominent family in the Ming Dynasty: Well, these people are at it again!
A certain romantic and talented scholar of the Tang Dynasty: Impeaching others all day long!
……
"But at the same moment that Lü Tao launched his offensive, he himself was counterattacked by Jia Yi, a newly appointed censor under Cheng Yi,"
"His purpose in attacking Lü Tao was simple. Although Lü Tao did not form a faction with Wang Yansou and others, he also had other groups, such as attendants and officials. Clearly, in his eyes, Lü Tao was a greater threat."
Jia Yi: What are you looking at? You've formed a faction too!
Lü Tao: ...
"On the other hand, Han Wei failed to provide solid evidence when he accused Fan Bailu, so Empress Dowager Gao seized on this and dismissed him not long afterward."
"And those newly appointed officials in the court who were involved with Han Wei were basically all dismissed."
"Even Cheng Yi was affected and left the court. Lü Tao, who continued to attack Han Wei, was also implicated because he was suspected of forming a faction."
A romantic scholar from the Tang Dynasty: Damn it, these people are always impeaching me!
A scion of a prominent family in the Ming Dynasty: It's either this official or that official who gets dismissed!
Emperor Zhezong of Song: ...
"After that, Empress Dowager Gao and the ruling government began to reorganize the court. Among the censors and remonstrators, there were not only members of the New Party, but also officials who were hostile to the new laws. From then on, the censors and remonstrators began to be at odds, and the court was filled with conflicting opinions. In short, it was chaos!"
"This time, Empress Dowager Gao finally suppressed the censors and warned them: 'Serve the country wholeheartedly and do not form cliques.'"
"At this time, the political ecology in the court had been damaged, and it could not be salvaged by simply appointing someone or rearranging the court. Even between the seemingly harmonious Lü Gongzhe and Empress Dowager Gao, there was a certain estrangement."
"Lu Gongzhe had two good friends, Cheng Yi and Han Wei, so he usually disregarded the political opinions of Lu Tao and Su Shi. In particular, when Empress Dowager Gao wanted to transfer Su Shi to the two offices, he refused her on the grounds that there were no vacant positions."
"But he himself failed to set a good example and repeatedly promoted his close associates."
A young netizen from the Song Dynasty commented: "Double standards! What did Su Shi do to you? He was such a great talent!"
Su Zhe, a professional expert in fishing: That's right!
"Afterwards, officials who were similar to Su Shi impeached Lü Gong for his double standards, and even Liu Zhi, who was just watching the show, did not miss the opportunity."
"Liu Zhi sent his younger brother Liu Anshi to berate Lü Gongzhe for using his position as prime minister to select close associates to enter the censorate, openly undermining the national system and deceiving the emperor. The more he cursed, the more excited he became, and in his anger, he even wanted to kill Lü Gongzhe to set an example."
"But incredibly, it was at Lü Gong's behest that Liu Anshi was selected to enter the Censorate."
"Only someone I recommended would curse like this. If I were Lord Lü, I might have started beating him up!"
A soldier from the Ming Dynasty: What an ingrate!
A Tang Dynasty official: Has he gone mad?!
A纨绔 (playboy) from the Song Dynasty: This is outrageous!