#头条创作挑战赛 #
During the reign of the Northern Song Dynasty, the eunuch Liang Shicheng received the favor of Emperor Huizong of Song with his ability to sycophant, and moved to the imperial lieutenant, Kaifu Yi and the third division and Huainan Jiedu envoy. Liang Shicheng left and right the imperial examination and controlled the selection department, which was called "hidden phase" at the time.
Liang Shicheng usually deliberately hung calligraphy and paintings in his house, filled with classics, and invited literati from all over the world to come and admire. Liang Shicheng's cronies were puzzled:
"Adults are high, and they shouldn't associate with literati and inkers in private, isn't this too much to lift them up?"
Liang Shicheng smiled and did not answer.
Those who pursue fame and fortune take this opportunity to woo him, offering him their precious calligraphy and paintings, and exquisite pens and inkstones. Liang Shicheng did not refuse, and let his family sell these things at a high price, and store the gold and silver obtained in their own treasury.
Liang Shicheng's behavior was too shameless, and people who knew the inside story despised him. Once, one of Liang Shicheng's confidants persuaded him:
"Adults are in a high position, the most important thing is to maintain their reputation and image, why should they seek some small wealth? Those who bribe adults are shameless, and if they tell the secret and the world is in an uproar, this will shake the foundation of adults. ”
Liang Shicheng questioned his henchman:
"Aren't you afraid that I will turn my face and not recognize people? You don't know the truth and dare to accuse me of taking bribes, but by whom?"
When Emperor Huizong of Song heard that Liang Shicheng had taken a bribe, he summoned him and asked:
"Some people say that you accept bribes, but Xu doesn't believe it, what do you say?" Liang Shicheng quibbled for a long time, and then said:
"The courtiers are deeply favored by the emperor and have enough food and clothing, so why should they accept bribes? These are all people who are jealous of their courtiers to frame me. If His Majesty does not believe in a minister, he may dismiss him from his post. ”
Song Huizong was originally a comatose monarch, so he was convinced of Liang Shicheng's lies. Liang Shicheng was even more daring in doing things.
An elder of Liang Shicheng saw him acting presumptuously, and repeatedly persuaded him:
"It's not easy for you to have the status you have today, so why make it lost? Blatantly and immorally doing things will only accumulate evil. Once you are terminally ill, who can save you? You should not despise the reader, you must first cultivate virtue in order to maintain your power. ”
Liang Shicheng did not put the elders in his eyes, he taunted the elders and said:
"What you said is all nonsense, are you also jealous of me? I am powerful and powerful, and others ask for me, this is a consensual thing, how can I ever persecute others?"
Liang Shicheng did not have any introspection, but intensified. Every time during the scientific expedition, Liang Shicheng's mansion hitchhiked the horse, and many people bribed Liang Shicheng to ask for officials in the name of asking for advice. Due to the large number of people, Liang Shicheng set up a special reception room to register gifts given by the reception staff one by one. Every year, in the imperial examination alone, Liang Shicheng received millions of bribes.
Liang Shicheng instigated Song Huizong to determine his rank according to the amount of bribes paid by the candidates. Those who pay a lot of money, all of them go to high school and get a good job; Those who pay less, some can also get it, but they will not get the lack of fat; Those who refuse to contribute or have no money to contribute, even if they are highly educated, will eventually be deposed.
A relative and friend of Leung Shicheng, fearing retribution, said to Leung:
"The fame of a scholar in his life is maintained on the scientific examination, and adults do not ask about knowledge, but only about money, which not only misses people's futures, but also misselects materials for the imperial court, which is too unethical." Adults should not do things excessively, otherwise, I am worried that adults will not be able to stand the curse of the world. ”
Liang Shicheng said with a smile:
"What is the use of the curse of the world? Being an official will inevitably be scolded, and there is no need to mind. ”
One year, Liang Shicheng personally planned to enter the ranks, and as many as 100 people were inscribed on the gold list, all of whom were the children of rich businessmen and wealthy families, and even scoundrels in the city, but none of the commoners won the prize. There was a lot of discussion between the government and the public, and the people all cursed Liang Shicheng for dying early.
Later, Song Qinzong came to power, and Chen Dong, a student of the imperial family, led a petition calling for the killing of Liang Shicheng and other "six thieves". In 1126, in January of the first year of Jingkang, Liang Shicheng was demoted to the rank of deputy envoy of the Changhua Army. When he left the capital and marched to Bajiao Town, Song Qinzong sent people to hunt him down. Subsequently, all of Liang Shicheng's family wealth was confiscated.
Money is a good thing, but if the means are not collected, wealth will become a bane. From ancient times to the present, there are too many words for "wealth", and the lessons of history are repeating themselves over and over again, and it seems that they never stop. Profit is exhausted, and finally tastes the fruit. A gentleman loves money, has a way to get it, and should always be vigilant.