With the change of dynasties, the excellent prime ministers in history will always appear "just right" at a time node. After that, they assisted the emperor, maintained the dynastic rule, and wrote their personal glory chapter.
But even then, history will always squeeze in some different kind of vignette.
Today, we will get to know these three excellent prime ministers together.
The first one: Yelü Chucai, the merit of the benevolent, the ability and the capital.
Yelü Chucai, a descendant of the Liao imperial family, was a resident of Zhanran. Proficient in many disciplines, he surrendered to Genghis Khan in 1215 and worked mainly astrology and military doctors.
Moreover, he was an acquaintance and an upright man, and in 1218 he joined the government and became an official to the Zhongshu Order. Therefore, many of the important rules and regulations formulated by the Yuan Dynasty are his achievements, which are deeply valued by Genghis Khan and his sons. At that time, politically, he changed the Mongolian system of "military and government integration", set up a chief officer to manage political affairs, not only selected Confucian sheng to hold official positions, but also helped him formulate a system of etiquette for his subjects.
Since then, the Mongols have had the kneeling ceremony of "Zun Khan".
In addition, he proposed a provisional law on "Cheap Eighteen Things", which greatly improved social order. Moreover, he opposed the forced taxation of the Mongol nobility, proposing to change slaves, serfs and exorcisms into "official household registrations", to organize households for the state, and to promote social progress. In addition, he also established a new tax system that would not allow the Mongol nobility to convert farmland into pastures.
Militarily, he opposed the barbaric slaughter of the city and saved many lives. Culturally, he promoted Confucianism and advocated the protection of Confucianism. However, after the death of Wokoutai Khan, he was marginalized. After his death, according to his last wishes, Yelü Chucai was buried at the foot of urn mountain in Yanjing's hometown.
It can be said that the emergence of Yelü Chucai not only made the Mongolian nobles gradually abandon the primitive nomadic way of life, but also allowed the civilization of the Central Plains to be protected and developed. However, there is no room to show his fists and feet, even if you have a "no study", you can only regret the rest of your life in sorrow.
The second: Zhang Juzheng, when he met the Lord, he stood up for it.
Zhang Juzheng, can be said to be a prodigy, 12-year-old Zhongxiucai, 13-year-old to participate in the township examination. However, he met Gu Xuan, who felt that talents should be tempered more. Therefore, a good article did not impress him, and it was not until 3 years later that Zhang Juzheng got a diploma in lifting people. After that, he entered the cabinet at the age of 23, entered the cabinet at the age of 43, and became the prime minister at the age of 48.
At this time, the Ming court, officials did not govern, the army was corrupt, the treasury was empty, and the peasants did not cultivate the land, all rose up and rebelled. Therefore, he stood in the position of "emperor", first using the means of "stealing and cutting", and then actively promoting "change", so that the national treasury could fill the people with food and clothing, thus also enhancing the combat effectiveness of the army.
Zhang Juzheng's contribution is mainly manifested in the following five aspects:
1. Streamline and rectify the organization;
At that time, he felt that there were too many officials, so he merged all the departments that could be merged. In the household department, unified revenue and expenditure have been implemented, and officials who fail to pass the assessment have basically been eliminated. Moreover, it has also clarified its authority and responsibilities, formulated strict measures for the evaluation of officials, and strengthened personnel management. Therefore, it not only reduces fiscal expenditures, but also improves the efficiency of work.
2. Rectify the atmosphere of law and discipline;
In his view, it is necessary to govern the country according to law, and only in this way can the hearts and minds of the people of the world be "obeyed." Xu Jie had been the first assistant and his sponsor, and his relatives had broken the law, and he was equally ruthless. In addition, Mu Chaobi, the Duke of Qianguo, a meritorious family, flouted the law more than once, and others felt that it was tricky, but he was not afraid and did not make a mistake.
3. Take the lead in integrity;
At that time, Li Chengliang thanked him for his "recommendation" and sent someone to send money. And he not only resolutely refused, but also said solemnly: "Your master has won this honor by his own achievements, and if I take this gift, it will be disrespectful to the emperor." It is precisely because of his "integrity" that the decrees he formulates will be implemented by everyone.
4. Persist in reducing or waiving "debts";
Zhang Juzheng and the emperor said: "Now, the income of the common people is limited, and the income of the people in a year is barely able to live for one year, if the annual success is not good, life will be even more difficult." After listening, the Myōjin Sect agreed, exempting the peasants from their arrears before the seventh year of the Wanli Calendar, thus greatly reducing the burden on the peasants.
5. Employ only personnel, do not ask for provenance;
At that time, Zhang Juzheng and the emperor said: "In the future, it is necessary to look at the ability to employ people, and other conditions can be relaxed." Therefore, Li Chengliang, Qi Jiguang and others were all recommended by him.
Although he has been in power for 10 years and the government has taken on a new look, some people still make small reports. So he "defended" himself: "My position is very dangerous, and people who say bad things about me think that I will abuse my power, and what I am doing is exercising my authority." If I want to silence others, I will mistake the country, and if I am responsible for the country, I will inevitably be killed by people gossiping. ”
At that time, his father died, and according to the rules of his ancestors, he should "keep the rules". However, considering the complexity of state affairs, he did not "keep the system" and was impeached. However, these people have been removed. But after his death, these people returned. After that, there were more people who said bad things, and the emperor took it seriously, the title was gone, and the home was copied.
It was not until 1630 that Zhang Juzheng was truly rehabilitated.
The third: Zeng Guofan, talented and humble, grand and condensed.
Zeng Guofan, born in an ordinary farming family, likes to read, and was admitted to the jinshi at the age of 27. In the second year of Xianfeng, his mother died, and he returned home to keep filial piety.
At this time, the Taiping Army was "unstoppable" all the way, and he was ordered to train in the Hunan Deputy Regiment to counter the Taiping Army. Therefore, on the basis of Luo Zenanxiang Yong, the organization of the regiment was separated from the training, and the focus was on "practicing courage". Among them, the backbone generals were their own compatriots, classmates or relatives and friends, and the battalion officers were intellectuals, recruiting strong peasants as soldiers and managing them.
During this period, the only person in charge of the entire Xiang Army was Zeng Guofan himself. As a result, a strict upper and lower rank has been formed, and the combat effectiveness has been significantly improved. At that time, he was stationed in Hengzhou, building warships, encouraging everyone to donate money, and training soldiers every day. Two years later, it reached 17,000 people and became the core force in suppressing the Taiping Army and maintaining the ruling class's power.
In addition, he advocated Confucianism, and although he took Cheng Zhu Lixue as the main body, he still drew on other advanced ideas. Zeng Guofan believed that it is necessary to learn from the advanced science and technology of the West, advocated the use of Confucian thinking to govern the army, and changed the military system into a conscription system, and believed that spiritual education is the key factor in leading good soldiers.
These outstanding prime ministers in history promoted the development of that era with their words and deeds, wrote "models" with their words and deeds, and practiced their "creeds" with their words and deeds. Imagine, how can these not be a "wealth" for posterity, a key to unlocking the "confusion"?
Resources:
[Zhongshu Ling Yelü Gong Shinto Stele", "Ming Shi, vol. 213, Zhang Juzheng Biography", "General History of the Qing Dynasty"]