Prime Minister

Chapter 1275 You Khitans Are Not Worthy

Chapter 1275 You Khitans Are Not Worthy

The officials who came to congratulate gathered and dispersed.

It's just like in the officialdom, some people leave and some stay.

Many officials wanted to stay in the mansion and talk to Zhang Yue in the hope of being reused in the future, but in the end only a dozen core members of Zhang's party were received by Zhang Yue.

Such as the brothers Cai Jing and Cai Bian, the brothers Su Shi and Su Zhe, and the uncle and nephew Zhang Zhi and Zhang Qie.

Zhang Yue had less than two years left in his term as prime minister, and he had asked Qian Yi about the emperor's health a few days ago. Qian Yi said that the emperor's health had been good after his care, but the emperor did not control his desires, had irregular eating habits, and was easily happy and angry, which was not the way to maintain health and prolong life.

Zhang Yue thought to himself, if the emperor still lived as long as in history, then he would still have a chance to return to politics.

If Qian Yi could prolong his life after taking care of his body, he would also have to be prepared to live in seclusion in the mountains.

Zhang Yue recalled that when he was young, every time he climbed a mountain, he could see better scenery. Now he has reached the top of the mountain again!

When you reach the top of the mountain, you have to go down and then choose a higher mountain to climb.

I am more and more looking forward to this chapter.

Regarding the question of who will succeed Zhang Yue, Zhang Yue had previously planned to choose Cai Jing, but now he plans to arrange Cai Bian.

Cai Bian was an excellent choice as a replacement, as he could continue his reform path and was excellent in all aspects. However, the emperor had already found a replacement for himself, and that was Zhang Zhi.

This was the intention behind promoting Lü Gongzhu to be the Deputy Privy Councilor.

Zhang Yue couldn't help but think of the marriage between the Zhang family and the Lu family, which was facilitated by Han Qi. At that time, Han Qi didn't want to see him join Wang Anshi's camp, so he tried every means to match him with Lu Gongzhu.

Lü Gongzhu is undoubtedly a benchmark and a banner in the old party, with qualifications and status not inferior to Sima Guang. As his son-in-law, Zhang Zhi always has a certain path dependence regardless of his political spectrum.

It’s like two things, one thing goes smoothly for you, while the other is more difficult, so you tend to work towards the easier one.

Not only was Lu Gongzhu a member of the Old Party, but several of his sons such as Lu Xizhe, Lu Xiji, and Lu Xichun were all students of Shao Yong and tended to be members of the Old Party.

Plus Zhang Zhi and Lu's pillow talk.

"Axi, how are you feeling these days?" Zhang Yue asked Zhang Zhi.

Zhang Zhi said: "My back hurts all the time. I can't sit for a moment and have to lie down!"

Hearing Zhang Zhi say this, Zhang Yue knew that this was an old injury he suffered when he fell from Mingsha City several years ago. He couldn't sit at first, but it's better now. However, it hurts if he sits for a long time.

"But I heard my brother and sister-in-law said that you can come back to work."

That's right, Lu asked Zhang Shi and Yu Shi's couple to tell her every now and then that Zhang Zhi had recovered and could return to the court to serve. Zhang Yue knew it very well, so he didn't say it out loud.

Zhang Zhi said somewhat awkwardly: "Yes... yes... my wife meant it."

Zhang Yue smiled, Zhang Zhi was honest.

However, Zhang Yue realized early on that Zhang Zhi was unwilling to return to the court. He seemed not to want to put things in a difficult position between himself and his father-in-law, but he could not stand having a wife who wanted him to succeed.

Zhang Yue sighed that Lu's temperament was just like the amplified Seventeenth Lady. Her ability was not as strong as hers, but her ambition was ten times stronger than hers.

Zhang Yue understood the emperor's intentions. Rather than reforming the government, the emperor now had to reconcile the factional struggles in the court. So he wanted to reinstate Sima Guang, but was blocked by Wang Gui and Cai Que. Now he chose an official like Zhang Zhi who had connections in all aspects as the core of the next prime minister team. This way, he would be an excellent candidate for succession and transition.

Zhang Yue said to Zhang Zhi, "You are His Majesty's childhood friend. His Majesty told me personally that he can ignore Wang Zhongzheng's affairs and summon you to the court and take up the position in the two ministries."

"Besides, not only does His Majesty have high hopes for you, but Zunyue and I also have the same thoughts."

What happened to Wang Zhongzheng would have been a serious crime for any other minister, but when it came to Zhang Zhi, he had the halo and only had to stay at home idle for a few years to get through it.

Zhang Zhi said: "Uncle San, I have thought about this a long time ago. Yes, I am the candidate that everyone wants, and that's why they value me."

"But if you can't please both sides, you will be bullied by both sides. Among all the civil and military officials in the court, who else but you can convince both the new party and the old party? And my uncle has come to where he is today by relying on his achievements over the years. Without the reputation of these consecutive victories, I'm afraid even you, my uncle, would find it difficult to keep your position."

Zhang Zhi's words made Zhang Yue feel sad. When he first became the prime minister, his life was extremely difficult. Fortunately, he managed to survive now.

Otherwise, how could the scene in front of the hall just now have happened?

Zhang Zhi continued, "I was defeated in Mingsha City, and all the soldiers who followed me were killed in the army. I was the only one who escaped. In recent years, I couldn't sleep at night every time I thought of my comrades who died in the battle. As soon as I closed my eyes, the elderly, women and children asked me for my husband and son. I didn't sleep well at all."

"If I am nominated like this, it will be a situation where neither the new party nor the old party will accept it. Why should I wade into this muddy water?"

Zhang Yue thought to himself that Zhang Zhi was suffering from post-war stress syndrome.

However, what Zhang Zhi said was right. The reason why Zhang Yue could suppress these evil spirits in the court was because of his great achievements in killing his way through.

If I lose one of these battles, what do you think the people in the government and the country will look like?

The reason why I am in power now is that all officials have developed a first-class path dependence. If there is one person who can lead you from one victory to the next, then everyone will follow you blindly regardless of everything.

This is also why the prestige of founding emperors is so high in history.

But whenever Zhang Yue lost a game, someone would immediately say "I knew it".

Zhang Yue realized that he had underestimated Zhang Zhi. He thought that Zhang Zhi was actually a very politically wise man and that he should not judge people with old eyes.

"If you can't be the best, you can only be unique!" Zhang Yue said. No wonder Zhang Zhi was unwilling to come out. He was afraid of taking sides.

Zhang Yue immediately said, "I will transfer Shen Cunzhong back to the court. How about you go to the northwest to replace him?"

After the Tanguts lost Liangzhou, they went from bad to worse, and lost all their elite troops in Pingxia City. They were like a tiger without claws and teeth, and they were no longer to be feared. If Shen Kuo was transferred back and Zhang was allowed to fight a few battles directly for him, wouldn't he have more prestige?

Isn't this how the second generation of officials get gilded?

For the sake of Zhang Zhi's career, Zhang Yue couldn't help but have selfish motives.

Facing Zhang Yue's words, Zhang Zhi couldn't help but struggle for a while. Seeing the other party's expression, Zhang Yue immediately said, "You don't have to answer me in a hurry. Think about it slowly."

Zhang stood up and said, "I'm sorry, Third Uncle, I can't do this!"

Zhang Yue was also a little angry when he heard this, and said: "What are you thinking about? Shen Cunzhong has made great contributions. He will be promoted to two positions when he returns to the court. It is just right for you to replace him."

When a general made contributions on the front line, he would be transferred back to the court. This was also the tradition of the Song Dynasty.

Zhang Zhi blushed and said, "Uncle San, let Uncle Xi go! He is more qualified than me!"

"You..." Zhang Yue was so angry at Zhang Zhi's words that he waved his hand and said, "Whatever you want, whatever you want."

Zhang Zhi said apologetically: "Axi has failed Uncle San's painstaking efforts in cultivating you!"

Zhang Yue was angry and didn't answer.

"Uncle San, take care of yourself. I'll take my leave first." Zhang Zhi had no choice but to leave Zhang Yue's study.

After Zhang Zhi left, Cai Bian came in.

Zhang Zhi and Cai Bian were like the palms and the backs of Zhang Yue's hands, but Zhang Yue was inevitably closer to Zhang Zhi. After Zhang Zhi, Wang Anshi married his daughter to Cai Bian.

Cai Bian had always been very good to Wang Anshi, and this time Wang Anshi approved of him coming to do things for him.

This gave Zhang Yue a helping hand and also helped him win over many members of the New Party.

In fact, there is no secret to being an official. The first key is to follow the right people.

If you follow the right person, you are right. If you follow the wrong person, you are wrong.

Cai Bian is well aware of the key points here.

Cai Bian is a man of few words, low-key, smart, capable, and most importantly, loyal. Cai Bian has a famous saying, "Don't learn from the hungry eagle that flies away when it is full."

This sentence was a mockery of an official.

This official originally worked for Su Shi. After seeing Su Shi being demoted to Huangzhou, he took the initiative to distance himself from the other party and switched to Cai Bian's camp.

Cai Bian had a good relationship with Su Shi and had learned calligraphy from him. After this person joined his camp, Cai Bian did not reject him in person, but deliberately set up a family dinner at home one day and invited this person to the table.

In front of everyone, Cai Bian wrote a poem to the mandarin ducks in the courtyard pond: "Don't learn from the hungry eagle that flies away when it is full."

All the officials could hear Cai Bian's sarcasm towards this man, and they humiliated him in public, saying that the other party wanted to run away after eating and had no gratitude at all.

The other party also reacted very quickly and immediately replied, "I am too greedy to fly away."

This man wanted to restore his dignity and continue to serve under Cai Bian. However, Cai Bian's wife Wang said, "What do you mean you are not willing to fly? Didn't you just fly from Su Shi's pond?"

This time the other party left Cai Bian's house in shame.

Zhang Yue said to Cai Bian: "Since your brother became the prefect of Kaifeng, he has been feasting and having fun every day!"

Cai Bian said: "I have advised you, brother, but you didn't listen. Sometimes you and I don't get along well."

Zhang Yue knew the situation of brothers Cai Jing and Cai Bian and asked, "I heard that the sisters-in-law are not getting along!"

Cai Bian nodded.

Cai Jing's wife was the daughter of Xu Zhongmou, who was a poor official and was dismissed from his post as wine supervisor because of his outspokenness. So Xu was just the daughter of a minor official.

Cai Bian's wife was the daughter of Wang Anshi, the prime minister's daughter.

What kind of relationship the sisters-in-law have is also unknown.

Cai Bian said to Zhang Yue: "Prime Minister, I have recently heard of a matter. A copy of my handwriting was secretly bought by the Prince of Yong for a thousand strings of cash!"

Zhang Yue raised his eyebrows after hearing what Cai Bian said and said with a smile, "Very good, this is the Prince of Yong praising you. Does the Prince of Yong have anything to say to you?"

Cai Bian immediately said, "No, I saw him a few days ago, and he didn't mention it at all."

Zhang Yue said: "Prince Yong is very keen on making friends with ministers!"

Cai Bian said: "I also gave the same words in this letter to the King of Jing several days ago under another name."

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "How clever!"

Prince Yong and Prince Jing are both younger brothers of the current emperor. Although Cai Bian learned calligraphy from Cai Xiang and Su Shi, one of his calligraphy pieces is not worth a thousand strings of cash, especially since the other party bought it without telling anyone, which shows that he has ulterior motives.

However, Cai Bian was very smart and resolved this difficulty.

Zhang Yue was entrusted by the emperor to help the sixth prince ascend to the throne, and at this time he could not tolerate anyone being indecisive.

Cai Bian was his confidant. If he had any dealings with Prince Yong, the emperor would surely become suspicious of his motives.

Cai Bian has always been very stable in his stance.

Zhang Yue said to Cai Bian, "The Sixth Prince is already seven years old. I plan to contact the court officials and ask them to transfer the Sixth Prince to the position of Kaifu Yitong Sansi in a few days. Then I will invite a teacher to teach the Sixth Prince, and then I will let you teach the Sixth Prince.

Cai Bian said gratefully, "Yes, teacher."

Zhang Yue said: "In the officialdom, there is no rush for the moment, but for the long term. Remember this. From today on, you should not get involved in the party struggles in the court, even after I lose my position as prime minister. Wait until the situation becomes clear before you make a decision."

"Yes."

As long as Cai Bian is on the side of the future emperor, he will be invincible no matter how the party struggles are. After all, Cai Bian's current qualifications are less than those of Cai Jing and Zhang Zhi.

At the same time, this is also a way out.

After Cai Bian left, Zhang Yue met several more confidants. He was exhausted at this moment.

Now Chen Guan comes in.

Zhang Yue wiped his face with a cloth and said to Chen Guan, "Yingzhong, it's up to you to take charge of Liao affairs."

After Chen Guan took down the wash basin, he said, "Students will follow the teacher's arrangements in everything."

Zhang Yue said to Chen Guan: "Do you remember what I told you before?"

Chen Guan said: "Teacher guides students out of confusion, and students have gained a lot of insights these days."

Zhang Yue smiled. The set of methodologies he had summarized was actually not foresight.

There is a best-selling book that summarizes the three F rules. The first is Focus. Set a quantifiable focus (goal) that you can stick to for a long time.

Feedback, establish an instant and efficient feedback system.

Fix it, correct and improve it little by little through the feedback system, and finally verify it repeatedly through a lot of practice, improving day and night.

Zhang Yue was never afraid of selling his true teachings to others, because most people could not understand them, and even if someone understood them, he could not do it himself. Instead, he could get feedback from teaching others and further improve his methodology.

When we fought against the Dangxiang.

Zhang Yue said to the emperor, "I will copy a thousand copies of my fortress warfare tactics and post them in the streets and alleys of the Tangut cities, so that the enemy will not be afraid of having a countermeasure if they know about it."

There is no other reason. For Zhang Yue at the moment, local and temporary victories are no longer within his current realm.

For the Song Dynasty, the most important thing is to upgrade the system through conquests, rather than building a few forts and occupying a certain amount of land.

Even though Chen Guan had been a student of Zhang Yue for many years, he still felt as if he was trapped in the Master's wall and could not get in.

When he heard that Zhang Yue was going to hand over the affairs with Liao to him, he couldn't help but feel a little lack of confidence.

Zhang Yue said to Chen Guan, "You have the highest level of understanding among all the people I have ever met. You should talk to the Liao envoy according to your own understanding. Remember to be calm and composed. If anything goes wrong, I will take care of it for you!"

Chen Guan heard this and said, "Yes, teacher."

But Chen Guan still said reluctantly: "Teacher, don't you have anything else to say?"

Zhang Yue laughed and said, "I will tell you a Zen case. You can discuss it with the Liao envoy!"

……

The Liao envoy Xiao Xi was very dissatisfied with the arrival of Chen Guan. The first person to negotiate with them was the Privy Councilor Sun Gu, then it was the Hanlin Academician Chen Mu, and now it was the deputy envoy Chen Guan who had just entered the imperial court.

The envoys for the negotiations had lower official positions than each other. Was the Song Dynasty becoming less and less concerned about Liao affairs?

Chen Guan asked Xiao Xi, "Are you well versed in Zen Buddhist cases?"

Xiao Xi said disdainfully: "Why not? In this dynasty, from the Queen Mother on down, everyone worships and pays respect to Buddha. Even the emperor respects any high monk who has attained enlightenment!"

Chen Guan smiled and said, "That's good. This way, we don't have to worry about your Excellency not understanding."

"There was a case in Zen Buddhism!"

"I'm not interested in hearing about any cases," Xiao Xi scolded. "I'm asking you if the Song Dynasty is delaying this again and again, is it planning to go to war with the Liao Dynasty?"

"If the war breaks out and Hebei becomes a scorched earth, will you, a humble official, be responsible for this, or will some other minister in the court be responsible for this? You all understand the consequences!"

All the Song Dynasty officials looked unhappy. Chen Guan said with a smile, "Please calm down, Your Excellency. Just listen to me finish telling you the story first."

"When Huaihai gave a lecture, there was always an old man who came to listen. One day after class, all the students left, but he did not leave. Baizhang Huaihai asked, 'Who are you?'"

"The old man said, 'I am not a human. I used to be the abbot of this mountain. A student asked me if a great practitioner would still be subject to cause and effect.' I answered, 'No.' That's why I was reborn as a wild fox. Please, monk, tell me what to say."

"After listening to Baizhang Huaihai's teachings, would you like to ask again?"

"The old man asked: Do people who practice Buddhism still fall into the law of cause and effect? ​​Master Huai Hai replied: They are not ignorant of cause and effect!"

"The old man suddenly realized and said, I have escaped from the body of a wild fox."

Xiao Xi said angrily: "This case is not 'Wild Fox Zen'. People who understand Buddhism or not know a thing or two. It is really very superficial!"

Chen Guan laughed loudly upon hearing this, and then said, "Your Excellency only knows one side of the story, but not the other."

"In fact, according to my understanding, not being bound by cause and effect and not being ignorant of cause and effect can be summed up in one sentence: 'Not being bound by cause and effect means not getting into trouble when there is nothing to do, and not being ignorant of cause and effect means not fearing trouble when there is trouble.'"

Xiao Xi rebuked: "How can there be such an explanation? This is the words of a sect, it is the real wild fox Zen!"

Chen Guan said: "Yes, this is not entirely true, but it is also close to the truth. But isn't it the same between Song and Liao?"

"Since the Treaty of Chanyuan, our Song Dynasty has been abiding by the obligations of our alliance. We have never delayed paying tribute to Xiongzhou every year, and have never violated the obligations of the alliance or caused any trouble!"

"Yet your Liao Kingdom has repeatedly provoked trouble. Not only did it increase the tribute by 200,000 yuan during the Qingli period, but it also forcibly demarcated our territory during the Xining period. You have repeatedly provoked trouble and threatened us with large-scale military attacks. Do you really think that our Song Dynasty is afraid of war?"

Xiao Xi sneered when he heard this: "Are you the one who doesn't cause trouble when there is nothing to do, but is not afraid of trouble when there is trouble?"

"How dare you Han people fight against me, the Khitan! Have you forgotten what happened at Gaoliang River and Qigou Pass? Have you forgotten the alliance under the city?"

After Xiao Xi finished speaking, the Liao envoys accompanying him all burst into laughter.

Before the laughter died down, Chen Guan took out a note from his sleeve and smashed it on the table.

"shut up!"

The angry rebuke froze the smiles on Xiao Xi and the others' faces.

"From today on, you are no longer worthy of speaking to the Song Dynasty in this tone!"

Xiao Xi was greatly surprised. He was used to seeing the Song envoys being submissive these days. He had never seen a scene like this before. He looked at the note on the table and saw the number "Pingxia City" clearly written on it!