Historically, Cai Jing has received mixed reviews. Objectively speaking, Cai Jing is a "literati" who is good at calligraphy, has both literary talent and political skills.
The "History of the Song Dynasty" listed Cai Jing in the "Biography of Traitors" and denounced him greatly. But many people have written articles on his behalf to reverse the verdict. After Cai Jing's death, his disciple Lu Chuan Bian Xiang paid for his burial. He once wrote an epitaph for Cai Jing, which included the sentence "At the end of Tianbao, how could Yao and Song be guilty?" He believed that Cai Jing could not be entirely blamed for the invasion of Jin soldiers. Ye Shi, a native of the Southern Song Dynasty, said: "In the Song Dynasty, the income of wealth doubled compared with that in the Tang Dynasty, and after Xifeng, it increased several times. 'And Cai Jing changed the banknote law, and later it doubled again than in Xining.'" The Salt Law was established in the early years of the Dynasty, and "the The bureau set up officials and ordered merchants to sell vendettas." They are all extensions of Cai Jing’s salt method. Wang Fuzhi also said: "Fang La's rebellion, the one who beat him, Zhu Donghua, and the stone harassment, are not forced by the new law.
He is a very talented and learned person: he became a Jinshi in the third year of Xining, and he is a famous calligrapher. , known as a talented man, has made brilliant achievements in various artistic fields such as calligraphy, poetry, and prose. His calligraphy ranks among the four masters of calligraphy in the Northern Song Dynasty: Su, Huang, Mi, and Cai. His calligraphy is charming, bold and vigorous, and he has a unique style that is admired throughout the country. It is said that Cai Jing once asked Mi Fu: "Who is the best calligrapher today?" Mi Fu replied: "Since Liu Gongquan in the late Tang Dynasty, it has been you and your brother Cai Bian." Cai Jing asked: "What's next?" Mi Fu said, "Of course it's me." "Existing writings include "Inscriptions on Poems in the Caotang", "Tie of Jie Fu", "Tie of Palace Envoy", etc.
Cai Jing once actively participated in the reform
Cai Jing was a firm supporter of Wang Anshi's reform Wang Anshi's reform led to an increase in government revenue; agricultural production was promoted, and more than 10,000 water conservancy projects were built across the country. However, at that time, there were many opponents of the reform, who regarded the new law as a scourge, and Wang Anshi was said to be a traitor. After the death of Shenzong of the Song Dynasty, Zizhezong was established, Empress Dowager Gao came to the court to take charge of the government, and Sima Guang became the prime minister. He restored the old people and the old laws, and eliminated all new people and new laws. Cai Jing, a capable general of Wang Anshi's reform, became the main target of attack until Yuanyou. In the eighth year (1093), Zhezong took charge of the government and resumed the reform. Soon, Cai Jing returned to the capital and served as the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs. He continued to promote and introduce Wang Anshi's new law, so that someone could inherit Wang Anshi's legacy. For this reason, Cai Jing and the conservatives "connected to the sky." "Chen" is as powerful as water and fire,
In addition, Cai Jing is famous for corruption. Cai Jing was the prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty. He once had great power and served as prime minister four times for a period of seventeen years. When he was in office, he set up a response system. Fengju and Zaozuoju launched the Battle of Huashigang; built Yanfu Palace and Genyue at a cost of tens of thousands; set up a field farm in Xicheng and plundered people's fields; in order to make up for the financial deficit, he changed the salt method and tea method, and cast ten pieces of money. As a result, the currency system was in chaos and public dissatisfaction boiled, and he was called "the leader of the six thieves". Finally, he was sent to Shaoguan, Lingnan, and died just half way.
In short, The evaluation of Cai Jing should be more objective and cannot rely solely on the words of novelists.
But when Cai Jing became prime minister for the fourth time in 1124, and during the Jingkang Incident in 1127, the people were devastated and their families were destroyed. Naturally, the higher-ups must be held accountable. Cai Jing, the previous high-ranking official, was naturally the first person responsible, and he will bear the infamy throughout the ages.