Chapter 358: Minister of Rites (XVI)
The Sixth Division of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang War Zone's Rites Branch implemented the division-level unit's authority and responsibilities, and the branch chief Yu Qian led three regiments to march into Fujian. This was a very iconic event in the history of the Chinese Rites Branch.
However, when it happened, more people thought that Emperor Huo Chong wanted to find an opportunity for his little apprentice to gain military merit.
When Luo Yiren, the head of the Lianghuai branch of the Ministry of Rites, heard the news, he criticized the outsiders more than once, but at the Lianghuai Ministry of Rites meeting, he asked all the members of the Ministry of Rites to read the first few paragraphs of the Ministry of Rites Charter several times, and emphasized the "conservative Ministry of Rites" several times.
After everyone understood the key to the matter, Luo Yiren asked, "Do you feel that you can't be a conservative comrade?"
Everyone knew they couldn't do it, and couldn't tell. Secrets were something that made people want to get in, not to mention quitting.
Luo Yiren made a final emphasis, "If someone cannot keep the secrets of the Ministry of Rites and tells others about it, they can be found out. If any comrade feels like showing off, then he can say it freely at the Ministry of Rites' life meeting. Don't tell outsiders. These words are meant for our own people!"
The members of the Ministry of Rites were anxiously waiting, but seeing Luo Yiren still talking nonsense, they could only endure it. Unexpectedly, they heard Luo Yiren continue to ask: "If you want to discuss it, where can we discuss it?"
Only a few who were still in a clear mood immediately replied: "We will discuss it at the Ministry of Rites meeting."
Luo Yiren forced everyone to repeat their answers several times before he began to talk about his views on the leadership of the Ministry of Rites branch.
Gao Pang and his father-in-law have their own opinions, while Luo Yiren's opinion is more inclined to practical operation. "... In summary, Yu Qian, the branch chief, represents one thing. When the division commander is not here, the division ritual department branch will perform the division commander's authority and responsibilities. Do you understand?"
"Is the branch chief the division commander? Or does the division commander listen to the branch chief?" someone expressed his opinion.
Luo Yiren was very satisfied with this question. He answered decisively: "The division commander is the division commander. The division commander cannot be the division branch chief. Do you understand?"
Some people understood, some did not. Luo Yiren drew a picture of the relationship between the Ministry of Rites and the heads of various departments, and first gave everyone a logical explanation of the relationship between "inclusion".
Based on this understanding, the relevant relationship is clear. Although the division commander can become the branch chief of the division's etiquette department, the appointment of the division commander is the personnel department of the army. The branch chief of the etiquette department is selected by the members of the etiquette department and is approved and confirmed by the general branch of the superior etiquette department before being appointed. These are two lines.
It must be said that Luo Yiren's thinking is very clear. However, although the members of the Ministry of Rites have their own performance in their respective professions as well as political ideas and positions, it does not mean that they have the corresponding cognitive ability in logic.
Luo Yiren was not impatient, he felt that it was the job of the Ministry of Rites to make everyone understand these things. It took five days and three meetings to finally let all members of the Ministry of Rites understand the crux of the problem.
The members of the Lianghuai Ministry of Rites were excited. There were many reasons why they wanted to become members of the Ministry of Rites. The most important reason was that they believed in Huo Chong's idea of "seeking liberation".
Since they were following Huo Chong, they naturally planned to regard themselves as Huo Chong's personal guards. Although the Ministry of Rites repeatedly emphasized in its life and study meetings that the Ministry of Rites was not Huo Chong's private army. On the contrary, since Huo Chong was also a member of the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Rites itself was an organization of members who pursued liberation and had common ideals and cognitions. In turn, Huo Chong, like other members of the Ministry of Rites, had to promote the construction of the Ministry of Rites and improve its capabilities and level through his own efforts.
Having said that, everyone understood, but still didn't believe it.
At this time, the members of the Ministry of Rites finally discovered that at least the court system designated by Ministry of Rites member Huo Chong did leave room for the members of the Ministry of Rites to play.
If the branches of the Ministry of Rites and even the general branch can obtain the authority and responsibilities of the same level of positions, the members of the Ministry of Rites will have obtained real power, instead of simply being ordered by the heads of various departments.
In such excitement, Luo Yiren came up and poured cold water on everyone, "What is power and responsibility? With power comes responsibility. If the Ministry of Rites fails, who will be held responsible?"
"Whoever made the mistake should be held responsible." A member of the Ministry of Etiquette gave a seemingly normal answer.
"The heads of each department are sent by the higher-level personnel department. If something goes wrong, the personnel department and the head who made the decision will naturally be held responsible. All levels of our Ministry of Rites are elected. If something goes wrong, the entire elected Ministry of Rites branch is responsible. If something goes wrong, one person takes the responsibility. If there is a benefit, everyone shares it. This is not right."
Hearing that they were to take responsibility, all the members of the Ministry of Rites felt uncomfortable. Fortunately, Luo Yiren did not leave everyone with something they had not figured out. He continued, "This is what your majesty said about the working method of the Ministry of Rites. Collective wisdom and democratic centralism. The biggest difference of our Ministry of Rites is that we only select people who can work. As a vanguard, we all come from workers and farmers, uh..."
At this point, Luo Yiren saw that the expressions of several smart people were not right. He also remembered that his origin had nothing to do with workers and peasants. Only then did he feel that Huo Chong's previous remarks were more accurate, and he quickly adjusted, "We are all laborers. Laborers understand the hard work, the difficulties and key points of labor best. Therefore, our meetings are not result-oriented, but science-oriented and process-oriented. Science points out the direction. Process research is used to provide feedback and deepen the understanding of science. All such ideas are the thinking of the Ministry of Rites. Those who pursue the success of their goals as the only direction are not the ideas and directions that the Ministry of Rites should have. I emphasize again that we are human beings, so we will all fail. As a human organization, the Ministry of Rites will also be limited by certain conditions and make decisions that seem incorrect in hindsight..."
Some people wonder, “Why do so many of us make incorrect decisions?”
Luo Yiren felt relieved. At least the question was not based on stupidity, which was enough. He answered, "I mean it was incorrect in hindsight. Unless it was malicious from the beginning, everyone would like to put forward their own correct opinions. So at the time, everyone thought the decision was correct. But it is easier to be a wise man after the event, because the eyes of the masses are sharp. Afterwards, as long as they are willing to admit the facts, they will know whether the decision was correct or not. Or which parts are correct and which parts are incorrect."
…
According to the regulations of the Ministry of Rites, in addition to the full text of the meeting records, a brief report will also be submitted for the important meeting records. Huo Chong couldn't help laughing after reading the brief report.
Qian Qing was also reading the report, so he picked up the report that Huo Chong had finished reading and read it again. After reading it, he sighed, "What Luo Yiren said is right, but can everyone really understand it?"
Huo Chong knew that Qian Qing understood, so he comforted her, "If you don't explain it, no one will understand it. It's only when someone brings it up first and implements it in their work that they will understand it."
Qian Qing thought back to the group of guys in the military academy, and felt extremely disappointed. In terms of the time they had followed Huo Chong, they were all old subordinates, and each of them had made contributions and hard work. However, in terms of awareness, they were not as good as Luo Yiren, the latecomer, and even had a gap compared to the group of people led by .
But he couldn't say this, because saying it would be criticizing Huo Chong for his incompetence. Just as he was thinking about it, he heard Huo Chong sigh: "You must think I'm incompetent."
"No, no." Qian Qing hurriedly explained. However, Qian Qing knew that Huo Chong was not someone who could be dismissed with a few words. After saying some casual words, she still admitted, "Sir, if you had taught me at that time..."
"I taught you. You know. Not only did I teach you, I taught these comrades, too."
Listening to Huo Chong's sincerity and thinking back on his experiences over the years, Qian Qing could only nod, but with some regret.
"Qing'er, don't compare. Comparing people will kill you, and comparing goods will make you throw them away. Let me ask you, do you think that with their personal qualifications, they can have everything they have today because of their progress?"
Qian Qing was stunned, and thinking back to the way these guys looked at the beginning, Qian Qing suddenly laughed out loud. After laughing for a while, she touched the corner of her eyes, "Yes, if it was the way it was at the beginning, they would definitely not be the way they are today."
"They have also made progress. If there is any shortcoming, it is that they have not made enough progress. Their thoughts are normal, and they think that their own abilities are equal to their official positions. They do not think that their progress is the result of comparison. This is normal. Everyone can understand the principle of carving a boat to find a sword. But if it really happens to me, I will definitely carve a boat to find a sword."
"Isn't this just imitation? Imitating things that you can see that are beneficial to you."
"Yes. So, they imitated the old times very quickly. As long as they had an official position, they would have the corresponding talents and abilities. The reason why the revolutions of previous dynasties were finally usurped by the landlord class was of course because the new court was still based on an agricultural system. A large part of the reason was that their level was completely inferior to those intellectuals who came from landlord gentry families. In the end, they still lost in the competition."
Although Huo Chong said it calmly, Qian Qing couldn't take it calmly. Thinking of these old brothers and the increasing number of new guys, Qian Qing really couldn't accept the fate of the old brothers being replaced.
"Sir, is there no way to solve this problem?" Qian Qing asked helplessly.
"Yes. There are many ways. The simplest, most fundamental and also the most difficult is to learn. It is enough if you can learn to the level you are at when you met me."
"I was still a child at that time. Only ten..." Qian Qing couldn't help but recall the past.
"No, you understood then that there was no other choice except to become stronger through learning. You knew you were weak. You had to cooperate and become stronger to have a future. If you don't learn and make progress, you won't feel at ease. It was like this in the past, and it is still like this now."
Qian Qing was stunned. Huo Chong rarely mentioned Qian Qing's childhood. Over the years, if Qian Qing didn't say anything, Huo Chong wouldn't even ask. Qian Qing was also surprised to think of this. He couldn't help but ask, "Sir, do you still remember my childhood?"
"Of course. Although I can't say that I raised you with all my heart, you have been with me since you were twelve or thirteen years old. It has not been easy for you. You were forcibly taken away by a strange uncle, and you carried a knife with you for many years. Later, you no longer carried a knife, but a gun and followed me to conquer the world. It was really hard for you."
When Qian Qing heard this, her nose felt sore and tears came out. She wiped her tears quickly and replied, "Sir, you are wrong. I feel at ease when I am with you. I feel sad when I think of my parents' affairs these years. But when I am with you, I understand why I encountered those things. I also understand a lot about what kind of person I am. Haha, this is what you mean by liberation."
"You sought liberation on your own. You wanted to free yourself from the pain, and you believed that learning was the only way out. Your parents taught you these things when you were little. I have no credit for it. It's just that I think and do the same. We are the same kind of people."
Qian Qing nodded, and suddenly some things became clear to him. Before, he felt very comfortable following Huo Chong, and in the end, they just shared the same values.
After realizing this, Qian Qing suddenly felt an urge in his chest, and he almost blurted out that he wanted to live with Huo Chong. If it were in the past, it would be very important to Qian Qing who the other person was and whether their values matched.
However, seeing his former subordinates getting married, having families, and especially having children, Qian Qing felt inexplicably lost.
There were many people pursuing Qian Qing, and Qian Qing herself knew that she never objected to being a mother. But when she thought of the father of her child, the only person Qian Qing hoped for was Huo Chong.
Just when the request was about to come out, Qian Qing held back the words when he saw Huo Chong's expression. Huo Chong was just like he had been doing in the past few years, thinking about the country's affairs. It didn't involve Huo Chong himself, nor Qian Qing.
Even out of modesty, Qian Qing didn't want to say it at this time. Or maybe he didn't dare to say it.
Huo Chong is not a so-called scheming person. If he doesn't say it, it must be that he has never thought about it. Qian Qing suddenly became very scared. If he made a request and was rejected by Huo Chong... then he would not even dare to see Huo Chong!
Being able to stay by Huo Chong's side like this means that he is naturally Huo Chong's spokesperson, the representative of Huo Chong's power... and Huo Chong's most beloved disciple.
Forcefully withdrawing her thoughts, Qian Qing talked about something that had nothing to do with her current mood, "Sir, what should we do with these guys in the military academy?"
"If they don't want to study, we will force them to study. The training cycle is three years. After three years, the Ministry of Rites will definitely become stronger and able to assume considerable responsibilities." Huo Chong expressed his views.
Qian Qing would worry about the safety of her old brothers, but she would not care about their future. One has to fight for his future, and Qian Qing has lived like this for so many years. She does not think she is any different from others.
Just as the discerning people were paying attention to the campaign led by Yu Qian, the branch chief, to attack Fujian, news came from the Qing Dynasty. Xi'an had sent troops north last year, saying that they were going to fight the Dzungars in the west. But after the beginning of spring, they suddenly turned eastward, joined forces with the Mongolian tribes that had defected to the Xi'an court, and attacked the Shengjing court fiercely.
The Chinese court didn't care about this. Isn't it good for the two sides to fight each other? The Chinese court didn't care how the Qing Dynasty fought.
At this time, everyone in the Chinese court knew that only the Chinese court itself could decide its fate. As long as the Chinese court itself did not get into trouble, even if the Xi'an court of the Qing Dynasty and the Shengjing court joined forces, it would not be a big deal.
At least that's what Gao Pang thought. However, when Kong Bugeng, the governor of Jiangsu under the governor-general of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, came to visit, Gao Pang was greatly surprised by Kong Bugeng's opinion.
"Brother Gao, I heard that you have some personal relationship with Commander Qian?"
Gao Pang was puzzled as to why Kong Bugeng thought of such a question, and hurriedly responded carefully, "No way. I just want to talk."
"Oh? How far can you go?"
"What... do you want to say?" Gao Pang sensed an inexplicable danger.
Kong Bugeng answered straightforwardly: "I just thought that it would be great if Brother Gao could propose marriage for Commander Qian."
Gao Pang was completely stunned. Qian Qing was Huo Chong's beloved disciple and was generally considered to be Huo Chong's daughter. And Qian Qing's temper was so sharp, who would dare to propose marriage to Qian Qing! Did he think he had a long life?
Just when Gao Pang was frightened, he heard Kong Bugeng continue to say: "As ministers, we naturally plan for the lord. Commander Qian has always admired Your Majesty. I heard that Commander Qian was Your Majesty's apprentice sister at first. The saying of apprentice is just that Commander Qian just met Your Majesty when he was young and wanted to protect himself. Now Commander Qian is already this age, and Your Majesty is in the prime of life. So please ask Your Majesty to marry Commander Qian, and from now on, the power will be combined with Your Majesty's family. This is the way for the court to be safe and secure."
Gao Pang was completely dumbfounded. Kong Bugeng, Weber, Gong Yu and others were all considered to be part of the school of diplomacy. Although it cannot be said that they were fickle, Gao Pang did not regard them as people with firm beliefs.
What Kong Bugeng said at this time not only shocked Gao Pang, but also reinforced Gao Pang's cognition.
There was no time to refute, Gao Pang sent him away straightforwardly. Kong Bugeng didn't seem surprised, and said, "If Brother Gao thinks I'm talking nonsense, why don't you discuss it with Zun Taishan?" Then he stood up and left.
Gao Pang felt his heart beating wildly, and it took him a long time to recover. However, the more he thought about Kong Bugeng's words, the more ridiculous they seemed. He could even taste a sense of "this statement actually makes sense" in this absurdity.
Unable to bear the inner torment, Gao Pang went to see his father-in-law. He thought his father-in-law would refute after hearing what he said, but Chen Mingtai thought for a moment and said, "I didn't expect Kong Bugeng to be loyal to His Majesty."
Gao Pang was really dumbfounded when he heard this. His father-in-law looked at him with some disappointment and sighed, "Gao Pang, are you thinking of that rumor about Zhu Xi?"
Now Gao Pang suddenly understood why he was so resistant to Kong Bugeng's proposal. Although Gao Pang no longer admired Zhu Xi, he had read books on Neo-Confucianism for so many years and felt that Zhu Xi was knowledgeable. So he could not accept Zhu Xi's personal morality.
Chen Mingtai looked serious, but Gao Pang had a feeling that he was not as good as Chen Mingtai. He then said, "Gao Pang, Miss Qian is very powerful among the military commanders... No, she is the chief military commander of the imperial court. In other dynasties, she would have been a powerful official! If Miss Qian married His Majesty and became the empress, all civil and military power would be in the hands of the royal family. The imperial court would be as stable as Mount Tai from then on."
