While the emperors of the Song Dynasty chose the political power of scholar-bureaucrats as partners, they also adopted the system of collective leadership of prime ministers and assistants
in order to prevent the expansion of personal power and avoid the influence of the prime minister's weight. out of control. This collective leadership system is also the inheritance of the "political affairs hall" system of the Tang Dynasty. However, due to the failure of the Tang Dynasty to solve a series of problems such as the mutual balance of various political forces and the suppression of the power of concubines and eunuchs, the collective leadership system has been completely destroyed. The people of the Song Dynasty reconstructed and improved it based on the experience and lessons of the people of the Tang Dynasty. Zaifu's collective leadership team includes the Chief of Government of the Privy Council. Below
A special chapter will be devoted to the issue of the Privy Council, so a detailed introduction will not be given in this chapter.
1. Reconstruction and improvement of the collective leadership system.
Song Taizu seized power from an orphan and a widowed mother. Internally, there were problems with the replacement of old and new regimes and stabilizing the political situation. Externally,
also had to face the Northern Han, Southern Tang, Khitan, etc. Waiting for a critical situation surrounded by powerful enemies, everything is waiting for improvement. In this troubled and dangerous autumn, the methods adopted are also temporary emergency measures. Standardized systems such as the collective leadership system of the prime minister and the assistant have not been taken into consideration. category.
First of all, in order to maintain the image of orthodox succession that legally obtained the throne from the Zhou Dynasty, Taizu retained the three prime ministers from the Zhou Shizong period, Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, and Wei Renpu, but left them The real central power is controlled by himself and individual confidants (such as Zhao Pu)
. In the first month of the second year of Qiande (964), the three prime ministers Fan, Wang and Wei were dismissed. In the same month, Zhao Pu paid homage to the prime minister. Until August of the sixth year of Kaibao (973), Taizu had great trust in Zhao Pu, and Zhao Pu was the only prime minister in Zhongshu. This period lasted for nearly ten years. Obviously
at this stage, the collective leadership system of Zaifu was not established. This was just a transitional period from the Tang and Five Dynasties to the Song Dynasty.
The formation of the collective leadership system of Zaifu was marked by the establishment of political advisors. In April of the second year of Qiande (964), Taizu appointed a deputy for Zhao Pu, who was said to participate in political affairs. "Don't announce the system, don't take classes, don't know how to seal, and don't promote to the political hall" ("Changbian" volume
5). After the decline of Zhao Pu's grace, the collective leadership system also developed and improved accordingly. In June of the sixth year of Kaibao's reign (973), Taizu issued several edicts, granting the Councilor Zhizhi the power to discuss politics together with the prime minister and take turns to govern. After Zhao Pu dismissed the prime minister, he appointed Xue Juzheng and Shen Yilun as prime ministers, and Lu Duoxun as the minister of political affairs. At this point, the collective leadership system of Zaifu was formally established.
The collective leadership system generally implements two principles: first, the collective discussion system of chief and assistant. All major national affairs are collectively discussed by Zhongshu Zai
Fu or the ministers of the second government, and then reported for approval. Second, the prime minister "knows the seal according to the day" and takes turns to be the pen. This enables
each prime minister to have equal power in handling daily government affairs. Sometimes, those who participated in political affairs also participated in this process
For example, in Volume 374 of "Changbian": Zhongshu Provincial Yan says, "The Minister of Provincial Affairs is proficient in writing, and the servants around him are always writing." And "
Edicts control the prime minister's power and the main seal is the pen."
In order to ensure the smooth implementation of the collective leadership system, generally speaking, the political opinions between the prime ministers need to be roughly the same. . It is obviously impossible for two contradictory people to serve as prime minister at the same time. It is obviously impossible to coordinate their work. In February of the seventh year of Qingli Dynasty (1047), he entered Chen Zhizhong as Zhao Wenxiang. In March, he summoned Xia Song as the Prime Minister of Jixian. After three days, he changed his name to Xia Song as privy envoy, because "admonishing officials" Yu Shiyan
: Song and Zhizhong had disagreements in Yongxing, so they could not both be prime ministers, so they changed their names to Yan." ("Song Huiyao·Zhongguan" 1 no. 7
6)
2. The number of prime ministers and assistants.
There were two permanent prime ministers in the Song Dynasty. In the early Northern Song Dynasty, there were roughly two prime ministers, Zhaowen and Jixian, and the historians generally held concurrent posts.
Occasionally, there are three prime ministers. Except for special circumstances in the early Song Dynasty, Taizong ascended the throne in October of the ninth year of Kaibao (976), with Xue Juzheng
as Zhaowen prime minister and Shen Yilun as prime minister. The Prime Minister of History and Lu Duoxun were the Prime Ministers of Jixian. After Xue Juzheng died, Zhao Pu was replaced as the Prime Minister of Zhao and Wen.
The coexistence of the three prime ministers lasted until April of the seventh year of Taiping and Xingguo (982); Renzong In June of the second year of Zhihe (1055), Wen Yanbo was appointed as the prime minister of Zhaowen, Li Hang was appointed as the prime minister of history, and Fu Bi was appointed as the prime minister of Jixian. When Shenzong was reorganized, Zuo Pushe was appointed as prime minister.
Later, it was renamed as Dazai, Shao Zai, and Zuo Prime Minister. The number of prime ministers never exceeded two.
The number of people involved in political affairs is between two and four. In the early Song Dynasty, the situation of one prime minister (Zhao Pu) and three ministers (Xue Juzheng, Shen Yilun, and Liu Xigu) was maintained for a period of time; during the period when Xue Juzheng, Shen Yilun, and Lu Duoxun were concurrently prime ministers, there was no counselor. Political affairs (
Three prime ministers did not participate in politics); during the period when Wen Yanbo, Li Hang, and Fu Bi were concurrently prime ministers, only Cheng Kan participated in political affairs (three prime ministers and one participated);
To In the third year of Dao (997), there was also the situation of one phase (Lu Duan) and four ginseng (Wen Zhongshu, Wang Huaji, Li Zhi, Li Hang).
After the reorganization of the Shenzong, the ministers of ministers, ministers of Zhongshu, ministers Zuocheng, and ministers Youcheng were used to replace the ministers of political affairs. In fact, they set up
two phases and four ministers. After the Southern Song Dynasty resumed the title of participating in political affairs, the number of members fluctuated between one and three.
The most common number of Zhongshu or prime ministers in the three provinces in the Song Dynasty was two-phase and two-can. In July of the second year of Yuanyou (1087), You
Pushe Lugong wrote: "Today's ministerial affairs in the three provinces are the same as those of the old Zhongshu. The number of Zhongshu prime ministers and those involved in politics was originally four. ”
("Long Bian" Volume 403) If there is expansion and contraction, it will probably remain between three and six people.
3. The term of office of the prime minister.
In the Song Dynasty, there was no fixed term for the prime minister’s term. The longest term is as long as 20 or 30 years, while the short term is only a few months. For example, Shi Miyuan has been in the phase for 26 years, and Du Yan has only 4 months. Most prime ministers in the Song Dynasty had terms of more than 1 year and less than 5 years, with terms of 2 and
3 years being the most common. During the Yuanyou period, after Zuo Pushe Lu Dafang's term of office expired for three years, he begged the Empress Dowager to retire and said: "Yao Chong and Song Jing only served as prime ministers for three years. Three years, but each time is only three years." ("Changbian" Volume 45
8) Lu Dafang cited examples from the Tang Dynasty to the Song Dynasty to show that terms of office within three years are normal.
Many people enter the phase several times. In the Song Dynasty, Cai Jing became prime minister for the fourth time; Zhao Pu, Lu Mengzheng, Kou Zhun, Wang Qinruo, Lu Yijian, Zhang Shixun, Wen Yanbo and others became prime minister for the third time; Li Fang, Zhang Qixian, Xiang Minzhong, Wang Zeng
, Li Di, Chen Zhizhong, Fu Bi, Wang Anshi, Fan Chunren, Zhao Tingzhi, Zhu Shengfei, Lu Yihao, Zhang Jun, Zhao Ding, Qin
Hui, Tang Situi, Chen Kangbo, Shi Hao, Zeng Huai, Zheng Qingzhi, Qiao Xingjian, Wu Qian and others.
Only when a prime minister is in a relatively stable position can he be said to be effective, and the emperor's "commissioned duties" can be implemented
The so-called "long-term appointment with dedicated responsibilities" (Shen Zong's words) , "Changbian" Volume 230). When Zhenzong came to the throne, Wang Yucheng made a request
"Once you get the prime minister, use it without hesitation, let the prime minister choose the chiefs of the departments, and the chiefs of the departments will choose their own staff, and then they will govern with their clothes down" ("
Volume 42 of "Changbian"); Liu Kai wrote: "Prime ministers, privy councilors, and ministers of the imperial court must appoint them without doubt, and they must be put to the right use"
, requesting that the prime ministers and assistants be given sufficient support Trust and appointment (Volume 43 of "Long Edition"). During the reign of Yuan You, Wang Yansou, a Privy Councilor, once said: "When the emperor attaches great importance to his ministers, he will do his best; if he neglects them, things will be uneasy" ("Changbian" Volume 467), this is It's
a simple truth. "There are many changes in officialdom, and there are bad laws." (Volume 39 "Official System Gate" of "The Continuation of Shantang Kaosuo") "The Complete History of the Song Dynasty" quoted Lv Zhong summarizing the experience of employing people in the Taizu Dynasty as saying: "The beginning is a good choice, and the end is a long time. If the choice is good, villains will not abuse their choices; if the time is long, a gentleman will be able to fulfill his duties." Examples such as "Zhao Zhongling's prime minister was eleven years old" illustrate that "all of them have been in office for a long time and have been successful" (Volume 12 of "Changbian"). However, due to the emperor's suspicion and the conflict between the imperial power and the prime minister's power, it was often difficult for the emperor to confide in the prime minister. More often, the transfer of the second prime minister's assistant
Moving seems too frequent. Tian Xi once criticized Taizong's treatment of the prime ministers by "treating them as official officials and treating them with suspicion like everyone else" (Volume 25 of "Changbian"). In the first year of Jingyou (1034), Li Shushang was informed of the "Ten Discussions" on the current affairs of the imperial court. One of them said:
The two governments moved a little more frequently. ... As for the ministers, the country's leaders must be carefully selected. Taizu ruled the world and used the three prime ministers of the Zhou Dynasty for six years, and then replaced him with Zhao Pu. In the eleventh year of Fan's reign, he was replaced by Xue Juzheng and Shen Lun. Taizong's only successor was Lu Duoxun, who was appointed Zhao Pu for another six years. In the next eighteen years, although three or four phases were changed, the only ones who used them were Li Fang, Song Qi, Lu Mengzheng, Zhang Qixian and Lu Duan. At that time, those who advanced competed to be loyal, those who retreated were afraid and cultivated provinces, and the prime ministers who advanced and retreated were all wise and decisive. Zhen
Before Zong Jingde, there were three changes, but only five prime ministers were Li Hang, Xiang Minzhong, Wang Dan, Bi Shi'an and Kou Zhun. He served as Wang Dan for ten years and two years, and Xiang Minzhong served as prime minister for another ten years. When these two men were in power, there was no doubt that they were similar. They were sincere and magnanimous, and they recommended and appointed without interruption, but did not attach importance to power. (Volume 114 of "Changbian")
Li Shu cited a large number of examples and emphasized that the achievements of the three dynasties in the early Song Dynasty benefited from the emperor's trust in the prime minister. . In order to create this peaceful and quiet situation in central politics, the efforts of both the emperor and the prime minister were needed. The emperor should
be "magnanimous and tolerant, and should be elected without interruption", and the prime minister should "not put more emphasis on power."
"On Selecting Talented Prime Ministers and Prolonging Their Appointment" discusses the prime ministers and assistants used by Renzong and the effect of their appointment:
From the beginning of his accession to the present, the ministers appointed by the two governments have been There are dozens of people. Compared with the people appointed in the three dynasties, none of them are as numerous as today. However
If you use it urgently, it will not last long. The further one is five or seven years, the second is two or three years, and the next one is not as good as it. Only the Lu Yijian bamboo slips were in the period for more than ten years, and were reused in the middle.
Li Diliang was worshiped, only a few months after he took office, and he was only over one year old. Du Yanzhi
worshiped, just a hundred days later. Even if you use sacrifice to advance or retreat, everything will be accomplished as determined by the Holy Consideration. However, the human nature saw that His Majesty was beginning to use it and did not hear that it was exhausted
The virtuous man retreated without knowing his fault. He said that it was normal for all ministers to come in and out of the two houses. ...The ministers of the second government are not used by your majesty.
They will surely be famous in the world, and the people of the world will also look forward to them. ... The two governments have no definite responsibilities, but if they want to discuss the governance of the world, they will never be able to do so. ... As for the ministers of the second government, they must know their talents and then use them; once they are used, they will be in their posts for a long time
; now that they have been in their posts for a long time, they must be treated without suspicion. After reviewing these cases, it took a calendar year to blame them for their success. Although the person is of good quality, His Majesty's trust is solid, and he will reluctantly work for His Majesty to declare his power and talk about long-term plans. If talented people are appointed for a long time, the rule of Yao and Shun will be no more difficult.
(Volume 164 of "Quan Song Wen")
Renzong's performance in this aspect is quite commendable. In June of the second year of Zhihe (1055), Renzong praised Pang Ji's new ministers Wen Yanbo and Fu Bi. Pang Ji said: "Since your majesty knows that the two ministers are virtuous and uses them, you should trust them when you use them." Be firm and leave it for a long time, and then you can succeed. If one person talks about it, and soon another person doubts it, I am afraid that the success of peace will not be sudden.
To you." Renzong strongly agreed with this ("Changbian" Volume 180). Precisely because Renzong valued the remonstrances of his ministers, there was a lot of discussion on the term of office of the prime minister during this period.
Generally speaking, if the emperor is talented, can control the second government team, and trusts the prime minister, the prime minister will be in office for a longer time
and it is easier to achieve political achievements. Most of this happened in the early and middle Northern Song Dynasty. All the examples given by Li Shu were from the early Northern Song Dynasty. Wang Dan served as prime minister for a long time (1006-1017), so Wei Ye wrote a poem: "The Prime Minister of Taiping comes out every year, and you are in the twelfth autumn of Zhongshu." (Part B of "Helin Jade Dew" Volume 3) Since the late Northern Song Dynasty, the appointment of prime ministers has lost objective standards
. The term of office of a prime minister is either short-lived due to the emperor's suspicion, or too long because the powerful prime minister deceives the emperor.
Those who have served for a long time include Cai Jing, Qin Hui, Shi Miyuan, etc. The performance of those with short tenures was particularly outstanding in the Southern Song Dynasty. Zhou Kui, the imperial censor of Emperor Gaozong, criticized the emperor for being unprofessional in appointing prime ministers: "Your Majesty came to the throne and appointed ten people. The public discussion was not allowed and the ministers had no solid ambitions." ("Song History" Volume 385 "Zhou Kui Biography") "Shilin Yanyu" Volume 2 Statistics said: "This Dynasty
Prime Minister, from the first year of Jianlong to the fourth year of Yuanyou, one hundred and thirty years, there were fifty people; from the fifth year of Yuanyou to the sixth year of Shaoxing, four sixteen years, there were twenty-eight people The number of people is several times greater than before.”
The prime minister has exclusive power and controls the emperor to a certain extent. Therefore, the prime minister’s reign often evolves into a lifelong tenure, which is by no means normal.
state. Moreover, it can easily drag the country into a dangerous abyss. At this time, most of the power of the prime minister was out of control, the power mechanism
was out of balance, and the darkness of the political situation ensued. This situation roughly occurred in the late Northern Song Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty. When discussing the destruction of collective leadership below, many examples will be mentioned.
Generally speaking, the terms of office of prime ministers in the two Song Dynasties have experienced a process of "long-short-long" changes. Before the middle of the Northern Song Dynasty
There was a good cooperative relationship between the emperor and the prime ministers, and the tenure of the prime ministers was relatively stable and long. From the middle of the Northern Song Dynasty to the Xiaozong period of the Southern Song Dynasty, the suspicion between the emperor and the prime ministers deepened. Although there were some powerful prime ministers like Qin Hui, most prime ministers were uneasy in their positions. The candidates for prime minister changed frequently. In the late Southern Song Dynasty, the power of the government changed, the government's agenda was abnormal, and the prime minister's term sometimes became unrestricted by time.
4. The principle of “harmony without difference” in the collective leadership system.
The collective leadership system must avoid the emergence of two bad tendencies. One is that the ministers and ministers of the second government are in conflict with each other and form cliques for personal gain
; the second is that the ministers of the second government have different political views. , quarreling, and even intrigues. Xiaozong once imagined an ideal cooperative relationship between prime ministers and assistants. He took Confucius's meaning of "gentlemen are harmonious but different, and villains are harmonious but not harmonious" and said: "Government is based on the prime minister, and it should be done
Harmony but not the same" ("Song History" Volume 391 "Zhou Bi Da Zhuan") "Harmony but not the same" also applies to the relationship between prime ministers, ministers
Government affairs, and the Privy Council. The principle of "harmony without difference" should be established between the deputy ministers, between the Zhongshu and the Privy Council, etc., that is, between the ministers of the two government offices. The premise of "harmony without difference" must be to serve the public and the country. This is the basis of "harmony".
Both parties can coordinate their work, have a harmonious relationship, express their own opinions, and disagree with each other. With regard to scheduling and control,
This is naturally the most ideal working relationship between the prime minister and the assistant.
If the prime minister and his assistants quarrel and intrigue, the court will be unable to implement a unified policy and implement the court's laws
Regulations and government orders will inevitably reduce the work efficiency of the two governments. This is also the reason why the emperor What you don't want to see.
When irreconcilable conflicts arise between the ministers of the two governments, they may either remove both parties, replace the ministers, or make local adjustments to ensure that the secretariat or the Privy Council can achieve the goals within a certain scope. Coordinate and unify. In June of the seventh year of Zhenzong's Dazhong Xiangfu reign (1014), the privy envoys Wang Qinruo, Chen Yaosou and the deputy privy envoys Ma Zhijie all stopped. The reason was that Ma Zhijie despised Wang Qinruo's character and "denounced his treachery" in front of the emperor and "argued over the former". Zhenzong believed that the envoys and deputy ministers of the Privy Council were "exceptionally discordant, and the matters were not big or small." , compete at every turn" and could no longer work normally, so they all stopped ("Changbian" Volume 82). In April of the fourth year of Renzong Jingyou's reign (1037), Zhaowen Prime Minister Lu Yijian and Jixian Prime Minister Wang Zeng, Shenzhi Zhengshi Song Shou and Cai Qi were dismissed. The reason was that Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng "had many disagreements in their discussions." ", and attacked each other
"In front of the most intimate relationship with the emperor", Song Shou assisted Lu Yijian, Cai Qi assisted Wang Zeng, Zhongshu split into two factions, and the collective leadership system could not
operate. Therefore, the four of them were dismissed together (Volume 120 of "Changbian"). In August of the sixth year of Qingli reign of Emperor Renzong (1046), Wu Yu, who was a political advisor, asked to be appointed deputy privy envoy because Wu Yu wrote in Zhongshu that he "dare to speak out when things happen and came forward to discuss disputes with Prime Minister Jia Chang. "Everyone in the palace was eclipsed." So he changed places with Ding Du, the deputy envoy to the Privy Council. ("Changbian" Volume 159) After that, the two still "quarreled several times over the emperor". In March of the following year, both Jia Changchao and Wu Yu were dismissed from their posts ("Changbian" Volume 160). In April of the fifth year of Renzong Jiayou's reign (1060), Cheng Kan, the deputy envoy to the privy council, was dismissed because he and Song Xiang, the privy council envoy, were "not in harmony, and the disputes were so frequent that they lost their voice" ("Chang"
< p>Editor"Volume 191). At the same time, whether the team can coordinate and cooperate is also one of the factors that is considered when appointing and dismissing officials. In February of the sixth year of Yuan Dynasty (1091), Su Zhe removed You Cheng, the censor, and gave him the power to Zuo Sijian. Yang Kangguo thought that Su Zhe had impeached him when he was appointed censor Zhongcheng.Fu Yaoyu, the Minister of Zhongshu, and Han Zhongyan, the Privy Councilor of Tongzhi, had disputes with other prime ministers Lu Dafang, Liu Zhi, and Su Song. Yang Kangguo retorted: "I thought I was obedient." If there is no relationship, the situation is different. Therefore, since the ancestors of the Holy Dynasty, officials who have discord will always avoid each other because of their feelings. , but it is enough to defeat the accident
" Therefore, Yang Kangguo believed that "it is not suitable to use ru" for governance ("Changbian" Volume 455).
The ideal relationship of "harmony without difference" is difficult to achieve. During the Song Dynasty and the Song Dynasty, similar ideal situations occasionally occurred in the second government.
When Lu Zhong discussed that the independent prime minister had "the selfishness of exclusive power" and that the prime minister had "the danger of establishing a party", he commented: "With Zhao Zhongling (Pu)
he has exclusive power and heavy responsibilities, and can cooperate with new entrants. Lü Meng was in charge of the affairs of state; with Bishi Ande Zunwanglong, he was able to cooperate with the envoy Kou Zhun in politics. Not only did he not have the style of building a party with friends, but he also shared the same feelings. "The meaning of heart." ("Changbian" Volume 47 cited in "The Complete History of Song Dynasty") is a relatively typical example. The most typical example is that during the Qingli period, the imperial court appointed Du Yan as the prime minister, Fan Zhongyan as the counselor of political affairs, and Han Qihe
Fu Bi as deputy privy envoys. Ouyang Xiu commented: "Du Yan was a clean and disciplined man who abided by the rules. , Zhong Yan is confident and undoubted
, Han Qi is pure and upright, and Fu Bi is smart and fruitful. Although they are all different in nature, they are all loyal. /p>
They had different views, so they often disagreed with each other when discussing matters. For example, if Du Yan wanted to offend Teng Zongliang deeply, Zhong Yan tried to be lenient; Zhong Yan said that Dan would attack Hedong. , please make urgent border preparations, Fu Bi has nine things to say, and strongly states that the Khitans will not come; as for Yin Zhu, also known as Zhongyan's party,
As for the battle for water and Luocheng, Han Qi is Yin Zhu is not Liu Hu, and Zhong Yan is Liu Hu, not Yin Zhu." ("Changbian" Volume 155)
The four people are dedicated to serving the public and have different views on government affairs, but they are of the same mind. Together, Mao Zedong presided over the "Qingli Reform". However, Renzong did not understand the problem in this way, and identified these ministers as "cronies". Du Yan only served as prime minister for 120 days, and Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi
and Fu Bi were all excluded from the imperial court in less than two years. Another example is that during the Yuanyou period, Fan Chunren served as Youpuse and Wang Cun
as Shangshu Zuocheng. The two had "many common interests" and each expressed his own opinion when things happened. "Long Edition" Volume 429).
As mentioned above, if the relationship between the two governments is truly "harmony but different", the time is also very short. Most of the time, it relies on the adjustment of the emperor, the checks and balances of the ministers of the second government, and the manipulation of the ministers to maintain the coordination and cooperation between the two government teams.
5. The avoidance system between the prime minister and his assistant.
After establishing the principle of collective cooperation of "harmony without uniformity", we must guard against all human factors that may endanger this principle.
In a feudal autocratic society, under normal circumstances, "nepotism" prevails. When one person becomes enlightened, chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. Of course, the Song Dynasty
could not eradicate "nepotism" in officialdom. In order to win over ministers, the rulers even went to great lengths to expand the number and scope of "favors"
which contributed to the popularity of "nepotism" .
However, the rulers of the Song Dynasty adhered to a principle, that is, the avoidance system must be implemented among the second government prime ministers and even senior officials to prevent "nepotism" and cliques among senior leaders for personal gains. Efforts should be made to win the hearts and minds of ministers without endangering the normal operation of the collective leadership system.
The first is the avoidance between the ministers of the second government. The complex kinship relationships are not necessarily noticed every time the second minister is appointed. Or the second minister becomes a son-in-law during his tenure, and the minister is in a suspicious place. They often come out to explain themselves and ask for avoidance. During the Qingli period of Renzong, Pang Ji's daughter, the deputy envoy to the privy council, married the son of Song Xiang, who was a political official. "Xiu said something to his superiors, so he could not do anything because of his relatives" (Volume 159 of "Changbian"). In August of the third year of Qingli (1043), Fu Bi was appointed as the deputy privy envoy. At that time, Yan Shu was appointed as the privy envoy and was responsible for the affairs of the affairs of state. I asked for help from the Secret Envoy, but I was not allowed to do so" (Volume 142 of "Changbian"). In August of the third year of Xining (1070), Shenzong asked Wang Anshi, the counselor of political affairs, "Wu Chong can be a member of the two governments?" Wang Anshi replied: "Chong is a relative of the minister" and consciously asked to avoid ( "Long Series" Volume
214). The next month, Shenzong still wanted to appoint Wu Chong as the counselor of political affairs. Wang Anshi once again emphasized that "Chong and his ministers had a close relationship", so he appointed Wu Chong as deputy privy envoy ("Changbian" Volume 215) . In March of the fifth year of Yuanyou (1090), the imperial court appointed Han Zhongyan to be the Privy Councilor. Han Zhongyan’s younger brother Han Chunyan’s wife was the daughter of Sun Gu, the Privy Councilor. The two had an indirect relationship. Regarding the in-law relations
, "Everyone can beg for help if they are dissatisfied with their relatives." ("Changbian" Volume 439) Once these relations are explained, the emperor usually has to deal with the second house team. Make reasonable adjustments to maintain the "avoidance" system. However, there were also ministers of the second government who were especially trusted by the emperor, and he would never allow them to avoid them, such as the above-mentioned Yan Shu, Fu Bi, Han Zhongyan and Sun Gu. This kind of emperor deliberately relaxed the standards, and unknowingly left hidden dangers for the destruction of the system.
By extension, within the Zhongshu or the three provinces, and the second office of the Privy Council, the avoidance system also needs to be implemented between the chief executive and the main officials
In October of the fourth year of Chunhua (993), Zhao Changyan was involved in political affairs, and his son-in-law Wang Dan was the one who knew and made the imperial edict. Therefore, Wang Dan "sent a memorial to Zhizhi and the imperial edict, and the letter was an official." The story of Dugu Yu of the Tang Dynasty avoiding power and virtue, insisting on dismissal, and being honored by the emperor." (Volume 7 of "Sushui Jiwen") In February of the eighth year of Xining (1075), Wang Anshi paid homage again. Prime Minister, his younger brother Wang Anli "dismissed the examination in Zhongzhong
Shu Kongmufang's official affairs, and avoided his brother Anshi." (Volume 260 of "Changbian") In May of the seventh year of Yuanfeng (1084), the court ordered Wang Cun
As the Minister of the Ministry of War, Wang Cun insisted on his words and said: "The wife of Zuocheng Wang Anli is the sister of the minister's late wife, so the law should be avoided." There is an edict
Not allowed ( "Long Edition" Volume 345). In August of the first year of Yuanyou (1086), "Fan Zuyu was appointed as the doctor and also served as the lecturer". Fan Zuyu was the son-in-law of Mr. Lu, the right servant at that time. He "please avoid suspicion", and the left servant shot Sima Guang. He believed that "the prime minister should not use private opinion to abolish public discussion", and his subordinate Han Wei believed that "it is not allowed to interfere with the employment of people by governing" ("Changbian" Volume 384). In November of the fourth year of Yuanyou (1
089), "The privy council members all agreed that Wang Yansou should get rid of the people in Zhongshushe. Yansou said that his deceased wife was Sun Gu's daughter, and he was begging to avoid relatives.< /p>
” (Volume 435 of "Changbian") In February of the sixth year of Yuanyou (1091), Su Shi became the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, because his younger brother Su Zhe was the Minister at that time
You Cheng, Therefore, Su Shi was renamed as a Hanlin scholar to carry out the imperial decree. In November of the fourth year of Yuanyou (1089), "The Privy Council ordered Wang Yansou to be eliminated
from Zhongshushe. Yansou said that his deceased wife was Sun Gu's daughter, and he was begging to avoid relatives." ( "Changbian" Volume 435) Compared with the relationship between the Prime Minister and the Second House, the avoidance system between the Prime Minister and his main subordinate officials is not strictly implemented, and there may be more at any time
Exceptions for p>
.
6. The destruction of the collective leadership system.
The power of the prime minister in the Song Dynasty had a gradual expansion process. When the expanded power of the prime minister was concentrated on individuals, it meant the destruction of the collective leadership system.
When the system is operating normally, the court generally needs to prevent the emergence of an independent prime minister to avoid destroying the collective leadership system. In June of the fourth year of Yuanyou (1089), Fan Chunren, the right servant, came out of Zhi Yingchang Mansion. Only Lu Da was left in Zhongshu. Prime Minister,... it will be a trouble for the emperor, and a period of peace is not expected... The emperor is not close to the general government, especially the prime minister should not be given more power, and it is better to prevent it." ("Chang Bian") 》Volume 430)
However, in the feudal "man-governed" society, the collective leadership system of prime ministers and assistants was often destroyed due to various human factors
During the Song and Song Dynasties, this system was constantly in turmoil and swinging, slipping from time to time into an arbitrary situation.
First of all, the Song Dynasty did not impose any institutional restrictions on the dictatorship of one prime minister. On the contrary, the system allowed the existence of the independent prime minister pattern.
Therefore, in the Song Dynasty, prime ministers who were deeply trusted by the emperor or those who were good at manipulating the emperor often monopolized power in the central government and destroyed the collective leadership system. In the Northern Song Dynasty, most of the dictatorships of the prime minister were still under the control of the emperor. In the Southern Song Dynasty, it often turned into an out-of-control situation where the powerful prime minister manipulated the situation.
Secondly, the Song Dynasty still implemented the prime minister system, with Zhao Wenxiang as the prime minister, and later Zuo Pushe and Zuo Chengxiang as the prime minister.
The minister who serves as prime minister is often the most trusted by the emperor, and thus forms the core of the collective leadership system.
Sometimes, other prime ministers must act according to the will of the prime minister. If we go one step further, the collective leadership system will naturally be destroyed.
Of course, there are also prime ministers who are controlled by their subordinates and act like puppets. For example, in September of the third year of Xining (1070), Han Jiang, a political advisor, was appointed as the Xuanfu envoy of Shaanxi Road, responsible for the northwest frontier affairs; in December, Han Jiang, an advisor to political affairs, was appointed as Zhao Wenxiang, " He sent an envoy to worship him in the army." Wang Anshi, who was involved in political affairs, was appointed as the minister of history. It was not until March of the fourth year of Xining (1071) that Han Jiang resigned as prime minister. Han Jiang was still in the Northwest Army and did not really return to serve in the court. Only Wang Anshi, the prime minister of history, acted arbitrarily in the court.
Once again, power is an irresistible temptation for most people. The current prime minister always wants to gain more trust from the emperor through various means
so as to gain more power and dominate other prime ministers. The emperor also hoped to maintain a certain degree of conflict between the prime ministers to facilitate manipulation and control. These methods include "staying alone", secretly reporting on things, etc.
If Zhongshu becomes an independent prime minister, it will easily lead to the destruction of the collective leadership system. Statistics of Volume 8 of "Stone Forest Yanyu"
The time of the independent prime minister in the Northern Song Dynasty:
The prime ministers of the country since before Chongning: in the second year of Qiande, Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, and Wei Renpu stopped , Zhao Puxiang, six years after Kaibao,
it will be ten years for the independent prime minister; in the second year of Yongxi, Song Qi will end, Li Fang will be in power, and it will end in the first year of Duangong, and it will be four years for the independent prime minister; Chun In the first year of Hua, Zhao Pu was dismissed and Lü Meng was in office. The one who was the prime minister was more than one year old. In the third year of Jingde, Kou Zhun was dismissed and Wang Dan was appointed prime minister. In the fifth year of Xiangfu, Xiang Min was promoted to prime minister, Dan
p>It will be seven years for the prime minister to be alone; in the seventh year of Tiansheng, Wang Zeng will be dead and Lu Yijian will be in power. In the ninth year of Yuanyou, Lu Dafang stopped and Zhang Dun became the prime minister.
In the first year of Shaosheng's reign, Zhang Dun became the prime minister. The phase lasts for three years in Yuanfu, seven years in front and back), and seven years in the case of single phase.
In the long history of the Song Dynasty, which lasted about 316 years, there was only one prime minister for nearly 140 years. Sometimes, the situation of an independent prime minister for a few months or one or two years is caused by the vacancy of the previous and subsequent prime ministers. This does not mean the destruction of the collective leadership system.
For example, the independent prime minister in the Northern Song Dynasty was under the control of the emperor and must govern with other prime ministers and assistants in the second government. Sometimes, although the powerful minister
does not serve as the prime minister, or there are other prime ministers working with him in the center, such as Han Xuanzhou and Shi Miyuan, 1, in fact, the dictatorship of the powerful minister has already been formed. Collective leadership has been essentially destroyed. According to the actual time of the dictatorship of powerful ministers, Zhao Pu was about 10 years
, Qin Hui was about 17 years, Han Zhouzhou was about 12 years, Shi Miyuan was about 26 years, Jia Sidao was about 17 years, and *** was about 82 years② . The period of Zhao Pu's independence as prime minister was the emergence and formation stage of the collective leadership system, and the central power was completely controlled by the emperor. In essence, it was not considered dictatorship. The remaining seventy years of true dictatorship were all in the Southern Song Dynasty. The Southern Song Dynasty lasted for nearly 150 years, and nearly half of that time was dominated by the dictatorship of the powerful. By the Southern Song Dynasty, the collective leadership system had been seriously damaged. After Ningzong, most of the time
it was dictatorial power, and the collective leadership system was completely destroyed.
7. It is easy for mediocre people to emerge under the collective leadership system.
Collective leadership means collective responsibility. Under this system, talented and individual prime ministers and assistants are often rejected by conservative collectives and find it difficult to stay in office for a long time. Such as Fan Zhongyan, Wang Anshi, Shi Hao, etc., but a large number of mediocre bureaucrats who do not seek merit but only seek no faults can still stay in their positions and live a mediocre life. Under a collective leadership system, it is easy for mediocrity to emerge.
The Northern Song Dynasty was a period when the collective leadership system was sound, and it was also a period when a large number of mediocre people emerged.
Li Fang was "cautious and self-reliant when in power, and he was always forgiving when things happened" (Volume 4 of "Longping Collection" "Zai Chen"); Sun Mian thought that Prime Minister Lu Yijian "made peace with appeasement and avoided slander"< /p>
To know." After Lu Yijian knew the content of the memorial, he said with emotion: "I hate hearing about the words of medicine and stone ten years later" ("Changbian
" Volume 139); Prime Minister Zhang Dexiang "made no achievements" during the "Qingli Reform". After Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and others were forced to leave the Second Mansion, Zhang Ze "occupied his position with ease" (for details, see "Changbian" Volume 155 ; When the imperial court is involved,
it leads to civil and military affairs, and then relaxes and abolishes them according to the rules." (Volume 163 of "Changbian"); in April of the eighth year of Qingli (1048), he participated in the political affairs of Dingdu.
He Tan, the imperial censor, said that Ding Du "protected himself but had few mistakes, and never had a far-reaching plan for the country" (Volume 164 of "Changbian"); Stop. "Living in two houses, he is getting older, decadent and lazy, and he is also good at forgetfulness. His words and actions are ridiculous, and those who do good deeds will be regarded as true when they are passed down." ("Changbian" Volume 196); Shenzong Wu Chong, the prime minister of the dynasty, "kept quiet on the affairs of the prime minister
, did not send envoys, and did not promote decrees" (Volume 303 of "Changbian"); in April of the second year of Yuanyou, the censor Zhongcheng Fu Yaoyu and the censor
p>
Wang Yansou asked for Li Qingchen’s dismissal, but the Empress Dowager said, “It is not a fault.” Wang Yansou said to the Empress Dowager, “Being in power is useless
. For example, when others talk about one thing or one thing, it is too obvious" ("Changbian" Volume 398).
Li Hang, the prime minister of the Zhenzong Dynasty, "claimed that he held an important position, but in fact it was of no use. However, those who spoke in four dialects to benefit things were not even implemented. Let's use this to serve the country." ( "Changbian" Volume 56) Such a mediocre standard for prime ministers can actually be recognized by Chaolun and regarded as a wise saying. Volume 3 of "Sushui Jiwen" contains: "Lu (Yi bamboo slips) wrote in Zhongshu, and asked Song Shou to participate in the political affairs of Zhongzhi to compile the "General Rules of Zhongshu". The person said: 'Ziwu' If there is such an example, even a mediocre person can become a minister. '" Lu Yijian's words confirm the mediocre essence of the collective leadership system of the prime ministers and assistants in the Song Dynasty. Public opinion in the Song Dynasty generally recognized mediocre and rule-abiding people, but scorned the prime ministers who were determined to make a difference. Lu Zhong, a historian of the Southern Song Dynasty, said: "There are no people in our dynasty who are good at observing rules and regulations like Li Hang, Wang Dan, Wang Zeng, Lu Yijian, Fu Bi, Han Qi, Sima Guang, and Lu Gongzhu. ; Those who break the rules are no better than Wang An
Shi, Zhang Zihou, Cai Jing, Wang Fu, and Qin Huizhi are prime ministers. If we test their effectiveness and employ people, then those who break the rules are not as good as those who use them< /p>
Those who follow the rules will heal.” (Volume 6 of "Lecture Notes on Major Events of the Song Dynasty") Surrounded by such social trends and psychological stereotypes, those who actively demand to make a difference. Zaifu will also have to gradually lose his edges, or he will run into obstacles everywhere, have his wings broken, or even be ruined.
Therefore, people in the Song Dynasty tended to be conservative and mediocre, which had a lot to do with this collective leadership system that did not take personal responsibility.
The strengthening of the power of the prime minister in the Song Dynasty, to a certain extent, the emperor must also listen to the collective opinions of the prime ministers and assistants, which should be said to be a sign of the more rational operation of centralization
power. The supreme ruler cannot handle government affairs or decide the fate of ministers or even the fate of life and death based on his own happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy. In a society "ruled by men", having more basis for laws and regulations is of course a kind of social progress.
The "civilianization" of national governance is a trend of historical development, and the Song Dynasty firmly established this tradition.