novelonline Chapter 1141 Pressing the Head
Chapter 1141 Pressing the Head
Chapter 1141 Pressing the Head
Wang Gui said, "Jixian, I heard that Su Shizhan wrote a few new poems after he was released."
Zhang Yue pretended to ask: "Is this true?"
Wang Gui said, "You are the one who protected Zizhan. You should give him more advice and stop doing things that would embarrass you and me."
Zhang Yue said: "History Museum, Su Zizhan is indeed the result of your majesty's grace. I just said a few words."
"In fact, the historians have long seen that your majesty has no intention of killing Zizhan."
Wang Gui said: "There is a system in this dynasty that scholars and officials are not to be killed. Although it is not written down, everyone knows it tacitly."
"But it was this tacit understanding that allowed Su Shizhan to act recklessly and make irresponsible comments on state affairs."
Zhang Yue said: "This is indeed Su Zizhan's fault, but that's the end of it."
"History Museum, your majesty said that you pardoned Su Zizhan because of Empress Dowager Cao, but it is also because your majesty loves talents. Killing great talents in a prosperous era is unlucky for the country. Isn't this unreasonable?"
"It is better to move the water of three rivers than to move the hearts of Taoists."
Wang Gui's expression paused when he heard this. People who hold his position as an official all believe in metaphysics to some extent.
Wang Gui said: "I also admire Su Shizhan's talent, but I do it for the sake of the country."
Wang Gui changed the subject and said, "Now that the exchange rate of Jiaozi has fallen below 50%, people are talking about it. I wonder how you will respond? It's not me who asked you this question, it's Feng Sanyuan who asked this question."
Zhang Yue said: "The court has allocated two million strings of money to buy Jiaozi on the market."
Zhang Yue thought to himself that it was strange that the price of Jiaozi and Yanchao fell so sharply. Unless the news of the defeat in Lanzhou reached Bianjing, Liang Yimei took advantage of the situation and swept into Xihe Road.
Therefore, merchants who learned the news in advance and knew that the Silk Road was cut off sold Jiaozi in the market in advance.
But the court’s information channels were the fastest, so the merchants would not know it first.
Zhang Yue continued, "In fact, the fluctuations in Jiaozi and Yanchao are normal. As long as the victory or defeat of Lanzhou is determined, the fluctuations will subside."
Wang Gui said, "Ye Zuqia is not doing his job well. I don't think he is suitable to be the judge."
Zhang Yue said: "Reporting to the History Bureau, when employing people, trust them. When you doubt someone, don't employ him."
Wang Gui said, "Since you have said this, I cannot say anything more. I also do not know how to cover up for you. When His Majesty asks about the public uproar over the Jiaozi, what will you say?"
Wang Gui's advice seemed to be well-intentioned, but it was actually a threat.
Zhang Yue said: "I will explain it to you in front of the emperor."
Wang Gui nodded with an expression that said 'don't blame me for telling you so'.
The two governments were discussing matters, and it was dark outside the hall.
During the meeting, Feng Jing repeatedly criticized the expedition against Western Xia and the sharp depreciation of Jiaozi, believing that it was the court's indecisive policy towards Western Xia that led to this situation.
When Fu Bi spoke in Luoyang, Feng Jing responded in Bian Jing. The father-in-law and son-in-law were truly one.
After the discussion, Zhang Yue stayed behind to make a reply.
Looking at the unfriendly official, Zhang Yue understood that the official had an opinion about Zhang Yue delegating power to the Privy Council. It was like tying up the hands and feet of a novice player who was addicted to playing games and making him watch others play games.
After explaining the fluctuation of Jiaozi, the emperor was relieved and said, "I know that when Liang Yi buried 800,000 troops to besiege Lanzhou, he was extremely anxious and wanted to grow wings and go to Lanzhou."
"But from thousands of miles away, I wanted to give a message to the generals at the front, but I held back because of your words."
Zhang Yue thought to himself that the government was just a spendthrift. He couldn't control his unicorn arms.
Zhang Yue thought that the emperor was going to criticize him for the military situation in Lanzhou and the fluctuation of Jiaozi, but who would have thought that the emperor would say: "I have been unable to sleep well every night after looking at the military situation in Lanzhou these days. My head is swollen..."
"I have thought about it. The emperor's affairs must be prepared in advance and arranged early. You should make plans for me. What will happen to my laws and foundation after my death?"
Zhang Yue was extremely surprised by the emperor's words. No one had expected that the emperor would keep him here to discuss this matter.
Zhang Yue immediately said: "Your Majesty can live for a hundred years, why bother talking about the current situation."
"Even if it is to prepare for a rainy day, I believe that future generations will follow the system and the foundation will last for generations."
The emperor looked at Zhang Yue. He fell ill again due to his anxiety about the Battle of Lanzhou, but this time he immediately recovered after being treated by Qian Yi.
So the ministers didn't notice it.
However, Qian Yi warned the emperor not to work so hard and worry so much any longer, otherwise even the gods could not cure him.
But he was unwilling and unwilling to let the government be left alone and let the power fall into the hands of others.
But thinking of his deteriorating health, he suddenly had today's conversation between the king and his subjects.
The emperor said, "There are only the emperor and his subjects here, so don't say these things. I also saw in the court today that there are many people like Feng Jing and Fu Bi in the world."
"What I am most worried about is balancing the party struggles and reconciling the old and new parties in order to stabilize the political situation and prevent the court from making random attacks."
Zhang Yue said: "In the Yuanfeng era, the distinction between the ruler and his subjects was already correct, but under strong pressure, people may not necessarily obey."
The emperor said, "It is true. These people have always been here, whether at the beginning of the reform or now. It is impossible for them to admit the benefits of the reform, unless I kill them or exile them all to Lingnan."
Zhang Yue listened without saying anything.
The emperor paused and said, "But I won't do that. I can't bear to kill even Su Shi. But I'm afraid that the new policy will be difficult to continue after my death, and my life's hard work will be ruined. I'm also afraid that the Niu-Li factional struggle in the Tang Dynasty will happen again, tearing the court in two, and then the foundation of our ancestors will be destroyed."
Zhang Yue said, "Su Shi came to my house a few days ago and talked about this matter."
The emperor was not surprised at all when he heard Zhang Yue say that Su Shi came to visit him. He had already known about this through the spying of the Imperial City Bureau.
However, Zhang Yue said it directly, which shows the other party's "sincerity".
Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty, Su Shi once told me about 'adding a head on top of a head'."
Zhang Yue told the story again and then said, "Su Shi happened to ask me the same question."
The emperor did not quite understand what Su Shi said and asked Zhang Yue in disbelief: Can 'adding a head on top of a head' really put an end to party disputes?
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, Su Shi's words do make sense, but they are useless."
"Your Majesty, the party struggle may seem like a struggle between two values, but behind it is actually a struggle of stances."
“Most people look at things from their own perspective.”
For example, netizens on the Internet are divided into two camps on one thing, arguing all day long. Some netizens still have some truths, but some netizens are exaggerating and making up rumors.
As for the other spectators, they just listen to and believe the news they like to hear, without carefully distinguishing the truth from falsehood.
Zhang Yue said: "The current party struggle between the new party and the old party is also like this. Officials of the old party only look at things from their own perspective and standpoint."
"Officials of the old party have been saying that the new law is bad since the reform began, and have even made up all kinds of rumors to discredit and defame the new law. This time, all kinds of rumors were flying around about the Lanzhou battle."
"For example, I was also programmed to speak."
The government also knew that it was rumored that Zhang Yue wanted to keep Lanzhou because he had a lot of private property in Xihe Road, and even half of the land in Xihe Road belonged to the Zhang and Wu families. He had so many shares in the Xihe Road Exchange.
But no one knows how many Zhang Yue has.
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, these rumors come and go, and no one will pursue them afterward, but for me, it is..."
The emperor said, "Mr. Zhang, I still trust you."
"I thank your Majesty. Su Shi said, 'adding a head to a head' means that in addition to talking about one's own position, one should add another head to examine one's own position."
"This is the method of introspection in Zen Buddhism."
"But most people don't have this. If we can put aside our positions and talk about the facts, Su Shi can do it, but 90% of people can't do it."
"Su Shi wanted officials from both the old and new parties to 'put aside their positions and talk about facts' and seek truth from facts. Is that possible?"
"Only dreaming!"
After hearing Zhang Yue's words, the emperor laughed.
Zhang Yue said: "Besides, I don't really agree with people who put aside their positions and talk about facts."
"For example, if it's their own child, no matter what, parents will think that it's smarter than other children. If parents and neighbors argue, parents will side with them regardless of whether they are right or wrong."
There is one more thing Zhang Yue didn't say. Although you, Su Shi, and Zhang Dun have different political views, at least they saved your life.
The emperor agreed with Zhang Yue's words.
"So I have often told Your Majesty that you can trust one side but not one side. This is the truth. But I think that to eliminate factional disputes, we also need to find a way to put an end to them."
"Please tell me quickly."
Zhang Yue said: "This is just like the Buddhist teaching of worshipping Buddha. In fact, the Buddhist teaching is about worshipping oneself. This is called 'I worship you because of me'."
"So worshipping Buddha is to teach people to respect. Confucius also said, 'worship the gods as if they are present.'"
"Not only must you respect, but you must also be sincere. After practicing Buddhism, I realized that respecting Buddha is respecting myself, and being sincere to Buddha is being sincere to myself."
"Because most people cannot do this, a statue is erected for you to worship."
"So to eliminate party disputes, we need to establish an 'image'. This will allow us to 'put aside our positions and talk about the facts'."
"What does it look like?" the official asked.
Zhang Yue said: "A god-like figure will make everyone believe in him, thus suppressing the differences between the two parties and eliminating party disputes."
"Only Your Majesty can live in this world."
The official said: "But I am already the emperor!"
"It's not enough!" Zhang Yue said bluntly.
"What should we do then?" the official asked anxiously.
"Reform the official system, amend the new policy, and defeat the Tanguts!"
The official nodded.
In fact, Zhang Yue also said this to himself.
In other words, it’s on the menu if not at the table.
Taking sides is something only the weak need to consider, while the strong will never take sides easily.
The establishment of the position of emperor allows him to avoid taking sides despite his likes and dislikes.
Can reconcile differences and follow the middle path.
So what about being a subject?
First of all, you are in a very important position. At the beginning, both sides will definitely be unhappy. But as long as both sides can't do anything to you, finally both sides will beg you.
This is also the path I want to take.
Guan Jia relies on his position, while Zhang Yue relies only on his ability.
When you bring victory again and again, many people will change from questioning to admiring you, give up thinking, and unconditionally follow you.