For many in the Ordinance Division, they would rather never talk about military change again. After the rebellion was attributed to the shortcomings of the new law, many people were terrified and terrified. In the face of the overwhelming attacks on the Ordinance Department and the two adults, they once thought that the matter of changing the law was probably going to end here, and the two adults were afraid that they would not be able to withstand it. However, the emperor did not hesitate to draw a sentence on this matter in the way of the following crimes, which made them somewhat relieved. But in their hearts, they secretly called it a fluke. Although the emperor protected the two adults, this shows how bad the situation was for a while. In this case, the faith of the reformers was actually greatly damaged.

For the past month or so, the atmosphere in the Ordinance Division has been dreary. It is in stark contrast to the noisy place in the past, where everyone speaks in a very high tone and full of confidence. Therefore, the officials in the regulations department are aware that they must keep a low profile at this time, and they must not be like in the past, and they must not make any more trouble. They also all believed that Lord Yan and Lord Fang would also judge the situation and would no longer rush to push forward the matter of changing the law in the army.

However, at today's meeting, Fang Dunru's words still surprised them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, during this time, the old man and Lord Yan have carefully considered the implementation of the new law. We don't think we can afford to wait any longer. It is imperative to reform the military affairs and reduce the law of war. The emperor is fully aware of the disadvantages of redundant troops, and we must solve this hidden danger that will bring down the finances of the imperial court. The purpose of changing the law is to enrich the country and strengthen the army. Now the first two new laws have been implemented smoothly and have achieved remarkable results. But the effects they bring will be consumed, especially the hidden dangers caused by the huge and complex army and the huge military spending. As soon as the year is over, Lord Yan and the old man will once again ask the emperor for approval to implement the "Law of Arms Reduction." Next, the "Law on the Placement of Generals," the "Law on Protecting Armor," the "Law on Weapons and Other Weapons," and other related new laws must be introduced one by one, and we must not slack off. ”

As soon as Fang Dunru said this, the seven or eight key officials who participated in the meeting were all silent.

"What's wrong with you? Why don't you speak? Yan Zheng asked in a deep voice.

In silence, an official spoke. This person is the head of the implementation supervision department of the Ordinance Department, and the chief officer with the official position of Xiangdu Interests Officer is named Chen Sheng. This person is a student of Yan Zhengsu, and since the beginning of the reform, he has been one of the most staunch backbones.

"Two adults, the lower official has an immature idea. Xia Guan thinks that this matter needs to be slowed down. The last incident has just subsided, is it a little hasty to mention the reform of military affairs at this time? The lower officials are worried that this will cause another attack. Yang Jun has always resisted the matter of the military incident, and he will definitely oppose it. And...... Last time the youth education was in turmoil...... The new law has been criticized, can we wait for the rumors to subside before implementing it? ”

"Hold off? Can it be slowed down? Do you know what the court is facing? My Great Zhou has already made enemies with Liao, and maybe in a few months, or even tomorrow, the two countries will go to war. If the military does not change, the combat effectiveness is low, and the army is not strong, how can we win the war? Military spending is extravagant, dragging down the finances, various affairs cannot be promoted, and the taxes collected are swallowed up by the bottomless pit of the army. In the end, I am afraid that it will not be reduced to the point that there is no money for fighting, and the money will be consumed. If you wait any longer, you will regret it. It is necessary to make a decisive decision at the right time and immediately reduce the number of troops and reform. Yan Zhengsu shouted.

"But my lord, have you forgotten about the Qingjiao? The aftermath of that incident is still there, don't the two adults think about the impact? Xia Guan often went down to the border state capital and came into contact with the local authorities. Now they all say that our new law has drawbacks, and it has caused chaos. Local officials said that they are now extremely worried about this matter and do not dare to vigorously carry out it, for fear of causing further trouble. Xia Guan felt that we should settle this matter first and make some adjustments to the provisions of the "Changping New Law" and the "Employment Law". That's the most important thing. Rather than rushing to the next step. Chen Sheng still has some insight, and he is also diligent in thinking, so he also has some opinions on these things.

"Chen Sheng, you bastard. Where did you get these ideas from? How do I sound like someone who was expelled from my ordinance department before? It's scary to think like this. The only purpose of being included in the Department of Ordinances is to implement the new law and achieve the goal of enriching the country and strengthening the army. There can be no other distractions. Like outsiders, do you think that the rebellion of the Qingjiao was caused by the new law? It's a bastard. Yan Zheng scolded in a solemn voice.

Chen Sheng frowned and didn't dare to say more, but he still had reservations in his heart and still insisted on his own point of view.

"Except for Chen Sheng, do you think so too?" Fang Dunru said in a deep voice.

The seven or eight backbones in the audience were silent. Only one person stood up and said: "Xiaguan and Lord Chen have different views, Xiaguan supports the decision of the two adults, and Xiaguan intends to lead his colleagues in the inspection school to draft the draft military reform regulations during the New Year, and announce and implement them as soon as possible." ”

When everyone heard the voice, they saw that it was Liu Xiding, the chief writer of the school text public house, who spoke. Everyone frowned. This guy is full of arrogance on weekdays, but in front of the two adults, he pretends to be like a dog, blindly greeting him, which is disgusting. He also likes to inquire and sow discord. Few people like him. Today it is the same virtue again.

Fang Dunru glanced at Liu Xiding, waved his hand and said, "Only you agree with it." Brother Zhengsu, it seems that our Yamen of the Ordinance Department needs to be rectified, and the hearts of these people are beginning to waver, and they need to understand some truths. ”

Yan Zhengsu nodded and said, "Exactly, it is necessary." If you don't agree with the new law, how can you implement this important matter related to the survival of the imperial court? Brother Dun Ru should reason with them. ”

Fang Dunru nodded, looked at everyone, and said in a deep voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, a year ago, when the Regulations Department was just established, when the law reform was about to be implemented, it faced a lot of pressure. At that time, everyone doubted that the change would have an effect, and they all thought that the old man and Master Yan had other plans and were tossing around. At that time, many people who were in favor of changing the law were also swayed by this kind of public opinion, and they had a lot of doubts. I remember saying something to the people in the Ordinance Department and giving them a poem. I don't know how many people remember. ”

Liu Xiding said: "My lord, Xia Guan remembers, it seems to be 'Tingting Mountain Pine'." ”

Fang Dunru nodded and said, "Exactly, Lord Liu still has a good memory." ”

Liu Xiding said: "The lower officials have always remembered it." I remember that there was still Lord Lin at that time, and Du Weijian was also there. Now they have all forgotten their original intentions and have all retreated. ”

Fang Dunru frowned, waved his hand and said, "Don't mention those things." People come and go, everyone has their own aspirations, and that's not a mistake. They have all worked for the new law, and there is no need to say whether they are right or wrong. The old man presented this poem to all of you here today. The poem says: The pine on the Tingting Mountain, the stroke in the valley. The wind is strong, and the pine branches are strong. The frost is miserable, and the whole year is always upright. Isn't it cold and cold, pines and cypresses have nature. You guys are so good, how admirable, how amazing. The nature of the pine and cypress is tenacious, the wind and snow are not afraid of the cold, and they are upright all year round. If the pine and cypress are still like this, how can people be inferior? The old man yearns for the most in his life to become such a person, and the old man also hopes that you can have the same pine and cypress nature, noble and tenacious. Because you are fellow travelers with the old man and Lord Yan, I regard you as partners. ”

Everyone was quite moved, looking at Lord Yan and Master Fang in front of them, the two of them described them as withered, with gray hair, and working hard every day. How many times have the people of the Ordinance Department left, but the lights in the public house in the back house are still bright, and the two adults are still writing at the desk, or thinking for a long time. There were waves of attacks in the court, and how many slanders and impeachments came like swords, but the two adults didn't care, and still acted wholeheartedly, without showing the slightest frustration. Isn't the posture of the pines and cypresses described in this poem "Pine on Tingting Mountain" exactly the character of the two adults? Steadfast, tenacious, and uncompromising. The wind knife and frost sword, the face does not change color, stands on the cliff, and is as stable as Mount Tai.

“…… Many of you must also know that Vice Minister Wu impeached the old man and Lord Yan and punished us with ten deadly sins. The old man wrote an article in response at the time. Actually, Lord Yan and I don't want to respond, we have a clear conscience of heaven and earth, so why should we care about their impeachment? We just want to protect you from destroying the great cause of the new law. The old man lived in the mountains of Songshan Academy, and Lord Yan was even more in Beijing and other counties as officials, and neither of us had the intention of entering Beijing as officials, but the emperor warmly invited him and placed high hopes on him. My Great Zhou has also reached such a situation, and there is no way out if I don't change the law. At this point, the old man and Yan Da entered Beijing to take charge of this change. Both the old man and Master Yan knew that this matter was too difficult, but it was precisely because of the difficulty that we needed to do it. If you are afraid of difficulties and do not advance, you can only watch the decline of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the internal and external difficulties. One day, the society collapsed and died. In the history books of later generations, we will leave a legacy of infamy. Therefore, when we took over, we made a vow that we would either not do it, as long as we started to do it, and there would be no reason to give up and retreat. Without such faith, how would we be able to persevere to this day? ”

The crowd was silent, several of them had gone through all the ups and downs since the beginning of all the new law changes, and they knew the difficulties involved. Killing people is not enough, sometimes it is easier to die, and everything is over when you close your eyes and kick your legs. But this change of law is completely to put people on the fire to suffer, and they can't die or live, so they can only endure hardship. It can be said that today, if the Fa change has achieved a little effect, it is the result of the two adults suffering on the fire.