Prime Minister

Chapter 1285 Zhang Cheng's life at the Imperial College (2 chapters in 1)

Chapter 1285 Zhang Cheng's life at the Imperial College (two chapters combined into one)

There are two roads leading into the Central Plains from behind the mountains.

One route was to march from Xijing of Liao Kingdom via the west side of Taihang Mountain, and the other route was to march southward from Hebei on the east side of Taihang Mountain.

This time, the Liao Kingdom did not launch a large-scale attack from Hebei, but marched southward from the direction of Xijing. After first conquering Yanmen Pass, the Liao Kingdom stationed a large army there, seemingly waiting and watching. After conquering Yanmen Pass, the Liao Kingdom sent a letter to the Song Dynasty, asking for an increase in the annual tribute from 500,000 to 700,000.

It is said that since the Song army had stopped giving the Dangxiang a gift of 200,000 yuan, it was reasonable for the Liao Kingdom to collect this part and then give it to the Dangxiang.

The emperor and his subjects of the Song Dynasty were deeply moved by the generosity of the Liao Kingdom.

However, Lu Huiqing, the governor of Hedong Road, submitted a memorial to the court saying that the Hedong Road was dangerous and had many passes. The Hedong troops had fought against the Dangxiang for many years and their soldiers were well-trained and their generals were brave.

The best strategy would be to let the Liao Kingdom take the initiative to attack Hedong, rather than attacking the various troops in Hebei, which are relatively flat and not good at field battles.

Therefore, Lu Huiqing sent people to issue a declaration of war to the Liao army that had captured Yanmen Pass, saying that he was willing to fight a decisive battle with the Liao Kingdom on the line of Shuozhou, Wuzhou, Daizhou and Xinzhou.

The Liao army did not take it seriously at first, but they did not expect that Lu Huiqing actually led his troops to attack the Liao army stationed in Yanmen Pass, Shuozhou and Wuzhou.

In May, after the Liao Kingdom received no response from the Song Dynasty and saw Lu Huiqing's repeated provocations, it began to move southward.

The Liao army attacked Daizhou while attacking Shiling Pass.

Shiling Pass is the last line of defense in Taiyuan. Lu Huiqing sent troops to defend it and at the same time requested reinforcements from the court.

At the same time, Zhang Dun, who was stationed in Dingzhou, sent a letter to the court, discovering the problem of large-scale assembly of Liao troops.

Since the fall of Yanmen Pass, the outer court has not yet discussed how to deal with the Liao Kingdom.

The reports from Lu Huiqing and Zhang Dun were gradually transmitted to the capital, and the court began to discuss the matter. After the Liao Kingdom attacked Shiling Pass, the people of Bianliang also gradually learned about it.

How to deal with the Liao army became the most concerning issue for the whole government and the public.

……

At this moment in the Imperial Academy, the scholars were extremely excited. No one had the heart to study, and most of them were discussing the Liao Kingdom's military campaign.

Most scholars of this age are full of passion, and many of them regard themselves as having the same broad-mindedness as Fan Zhongyan and Wang Anshi, who take the world as their own responsibility.

In addition, the gradual popularity of the Luo School and Guan School of the Cheng brothers and Zhang Zai also made scholars feel more responsible for sharing the rise and fall of the country.

Every day, scholars would privately discuss national interests in their dormitories, and they believed that the court's policy towards the Liao Kingdom was too appeasement.

After failing the imperial examination last year, Zhang Cheng changed his name to Zhang Cheng and studied in the Imperial College.

Since the reform of the Imperial College, scholars had to either be recommended by prefectures or counties or take the Imperial College’s independent entrance examination to enter.

However, even if recommended by the prefectures and counties, one still had to go through the Imperial College's screening examination after entering, thus avoiding backdoor entry.

Zhang Cheng entered the palace by passing the Imperial College examination.

The Imperial College's independent enrollment examination is divided into two levels, one for children from poor families, and the other for children from officials. The difficulty of the Imperial College's enrollment examination for poor families is no less than that of the provincial examination.

But Zhang Cheng managed to pass the exam and became an external student of the Imperial College.

Inside the dormitory of the Imperial College.

"Brother Liangbi, we have been discussing this for a long time, why don't you say a word? Do you think highly of us?"

Zhang Cheng put down the file after hearing this, scratched his head and said, "I'm sorry, everyone. Tomorrow I will ask for a regulated verse. I'm not good at poetry and I haven't written one yet."

Several people laughed loudly upon hearing this and said, "Regular poetry is old news. It is not popular in our Imperial College now. Scholars should form associations, advocate for justice, and discuss right and wrong!"

Zhang Cheng said, "My parents have told me many times not to join the society. They just want me to study with peace of mind."

"I'm really scared both from the front and from the back."

Zhang Cheng smiled but said nothing.

Zhang Cheng is not keeping a low profile, he is just afraid that his identity as the prime minister's son will be recognized by others through socializing.

It was the hottest time in Bianjing, and Zhang Cheng's sweat dripped from his wrists while he was writing, so he wrapped a handkerchief around his wrists to prevent them from getting wet. He suffered a lot in the Imperial College, but compared to the pampered life at home, he was more willing to suffer this hardship in the Imperial College.

Seeing this, several people shook their heads and continued to sit together, cooking a large plate of mutton, drinking wine, and discussing court affairs.

Nowadays, students of the Imperial College are keen on forming associations or making friends with wise men. They put aside their literary works and spend all day studying the skills of dealing with people. Zhang Cheng, who is devoted to studying, is naturally laughed at by them as being pedantic.

One person couldn't help but sneer in a low voice: "Do you really think that you can turn from a sparrow into a phoenix and fly high on the tree just by being good at reading?"

Another person poked the mutton in his bowl and said, "That's right. A poor boy would never have made it. If he is not the son of a minister or an assistant minister, it's like a fool's dream to soar to the top of the Imperial College by studying."

"A sixth-rank official like Liu Yanei is not only modest and reserved, but also has many friends. People like Liangbi who think that studying is good and ignore others will suffer sooner or later."

The other party smiled and said, "It's just a sixth-rank family, so it's nothing special. The last time my father had his birthday, the official from the Ministry of Personnel came to congratulate him. That kind of demeanor and pomp is really enviable."

"He exchanged a few words with me at the time. To be honest, I don't remember what we said. I was just very nervous. I spilled some of the wine when I toasted him, and I couldn't speak clearly. Afterwards, my father scolded me."

Everyone was in awe when they heard this.

"Your father's teachings must be extremely strict!"

The other party laughed and said, "Not really. I have always endured small fights and fled when there were big fights since I was a child!"

Everyone said: "Yanei must have suffered a lot, but if you want to be respected in front of others, you must suffer behind their backs."

Finally, Liu Yanei raised his cup and said, "From now on, everyone should live in the same dormitory and take care of each other. You help me, I help you, and when everyone adds fuel, the fire burns brighter."

Everyone drank happily.

They thought that Zhang Cheng couldn't hear what they said, but they didn't know that Zhang Cheng's hearing and eyesight had become ten times sharper after he received the divine enlightenment that night.

This is one of the reasons why Zhang Cheng wanted to come to the Imperial College to experience life. It was too quiet at home, and one could hear a mosquito flying by ten meters away. On the contrary, in the crowded and noisy Imperial College, there was a kind of white noise that masked everything.

However, Zhang Cheng didn't care much about these words.

After a moment, Liu Yanei suddenly said, "It's Mr. Zhang Sanlang. I'm sorry for not welcoming you!"

Zhang Cheng's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. When he looked up, he saw an elegant man walking into the dormitory.

When Zhang Cheng saw this person, he was shocked. He also knew the other person. He was Zhang Wei, the third son of Zhang Qie's family.

Today, the Zhang family has produced two generations of prime ministers and one ruler, and their reputation has long been compared with the two Hans and one Lu.

What’s even more amazing is that the family has many talented children, and each generation has top figures. Apart from Zhang Zhi who is recuperating at home, people like Zhang Gen and Zhang Wei are the best of this generation.

At the age of thirty, Zhang Xuan was already an upper-class student in the Imperial College and a first-class figure respected by both lecturers and assistant teachers.

As soon as the other party entered the dormitory, everyone came forward to greet him. Just taking the identity of the son of the ruler as an example, it was an existence that they would never be able to reach in their lifetime. Even if Zhang Yu was the ruler with the least presence in the court, the ruler was still the ruler.

When Zhang Cheng saw the other person, he thought, Oh no, my identity is exposed less than two months after entering the Imperial College?

Zhang Cheng did not go out to greet them, but at this time several classmates could not help but say, "Liang Bi, Liang Bi!"

Everyone was very dissatisfied. Zhang Lu didn't even go up to say hello when she came to their house. Did she really rely on her excellent academic performance to look down on everyone?

Zhang Wei still had a smile on his face when he heard this and said, "This brother is so eager to learn, he must have something extraordinary!"

Everyone was embarrassed and dared not respond.

Zhang Cheng had no choice but to go out and bow, saying, "I am Zhang Cheng Gongzhang, and I am here to greet you, Mr. Sanlang!"

Zhang Wei was surprised to see Zhang Cheng, but he reacted quickly and said, "I'm Zhang Wei, nice to meet Brother Liangbi!"

Seeing Zhang Wei's reaction, Zhang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and said, "You guys chat slowly, I'm going to write my composition."

Zhang Wei said: "It's our first meeting, please come outside for a drink! Thank you for your presence!"

Everyone shouted, "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang!"

When the students first came to Bianjing, they were not used to the practice of Bianjing people eating and drinking in restaurants.

Those who could go to school were all children from wealthy small landlords' families, but even so, they could only eat meat once a month at home.

Going out to eat is considered a waste of money. If you can avoid eating out on weekdays, you will not go out to eat.

Even if he had some money, he would grit his teeth and never indulge in extravagance. In good years, he would store money and grain, and in bad years, he would sell grain to buy land. After enduring one cycle after another, he went from being a small landlord to a big landlord.

Of course, the premise of all this is that there must be an official in the family or clan.

People who come from small places are all full of desires of one kind or another, and when they first step into the Imperial College, there is a gleam in their eyes.

Everyone thinks that he is the chosen one, the person who will transform the family in the future.

Everyone agreed happily. Zhang Cheng wanted to leave but was stopped by Zhang Wei, who said, "Brother Liangbi, come with us!"

"Yes, Liangbi, don't spoil the fun!" everyone said for Zhang Wei's sake.

Zhang Cheng had no choice but to agree.

Everyone ate and drank in the restaurant next to the Imperial College.

A dinner party is not about eating, but about having a party. People just get together under the name of eating, either to exchange resources or to get to know someone.

Everyone rushed to toast Zhang Wei with wine. Zhang Wei was also straightforward and drank every glass of wine.

It is true that one can tell a person’s character from his drinking habits. Everyone was proud to get to know Shang Zhangwei.

Liu Yanei thought Zhang Wei was doing this for his own sake, but Zhang Wei let Zhang Cheng sit next to him and treated him with great care.

Seeing how Zhang Wei took care of Zhang Cheng, everyone thought that the other person might have some extraordinary qualities.

However, Zhang Cheng's mind was not on the dinner party. He looked out the window and saw the bustling people on the streets of Nanxun Gate outside the Imperial College. These people were either getting up early or going to work late. Although the imperial court had a rich treasury in recent years, most of it was spent on military affairs in the west and north, and people's lives were still difficult.

Although my father promoted Mencius's theory in the Imperial College, which advocated "people-oriented", he also admitted that officials today are already good officials if they can avoid causing too much trouble for the people, let alone put the people first.

However, at the banquet, several people from Liu Yanei said that if it were not for the two wise ministers Jing Gong and Jiang Gong, they would have defeated the Dangxiang in the west and resisted the Khitan in the north.

How could the Song Dynasty have the peace it has today?

During the meal, Zhang Cheng changed his clothes, and Zhang Wei caught up with the other two and had a chance to talk.

"Brother Cheng, how did you come to the Imperial College under a pseudonym?"

Zhang Cheng said with a sad face: "I failed the provincial exam last time, which made my mother lose face. Even my father's pleading for me was useless, so... I came out to hide."

Zhang Wei showed a look of deep sympathy, because everyone knew that Shiqi Niang was the "Grand Prime Minister".

The emperor and Zhang Yue always discussed important matters in the imperial court; but in Zhang's mansion, Zhang Yue often had no say...

Zhang Wei sighed, "No wonder I didn't see you the last time I went to your house with my father!"

Zhang Cheng said, "I am not like you. Last time, it was your father who came to mediate between Uncle Zihou and my father!"

"Uncle Zihou has regretted it for so many years, but he has never said it in words."

Zhang Wei nodded and said, "Yes, but your father still didn't agree. In fact, Uncle Dun has always been arrogant and never expressed his regrets. But this time, after so many years, his temperament has changed. He often asks my father about your and Brother Weng's recent situation. He has always kept it in his heart."

Zhang Cheng said: "But I think Daddy is right. It's said that new clothes are worse than old ones, and old people are worse than old ones."

"Don't get entangled with those old people and things that missed you and came back to you."

"You have to sort out your original relationship with him, and you have to look at the future. The past is the past."

Zhang Wei said: "Your words make sense. It is true that a blessing in disguise. You have improved a lot since I first knew you."

Zhang Cheng said, "Don't belittle me. Yes, you are very familiar with Liu Yanei?"

Zhang Wei laughed and said, "What Liu Yanei? Is he worthy of being called Yanei? His Liu family has long been in decline. I am inviting your roommates to a banquet today just for your sake."

"How come his family is not a noble family? His father is a sixth-rank official." Zhang Cheng asked.

Zhang Wei said, "Humph, I tell you, even if this official family has fallen into poverty, it cannot be seen by outsiders. At least it must maintain its dignity."

"Why? Isn't that just pretending to be rich?"

Zhang Wei said, "Don't look down on these people. As long as Liu Yanei doesn't say anything, his Liu family is still a noble family. If there are any good jobs outside, they can also be assigned to him, or some officials will be interested in his family and are willing to marry him. In this way, at least there is a chance to turn things around."

"But once he reveals his true colors, not only will others lose respect for his family, but they will also no longer be able to enjoy these good things."

"This Liu Yanei you're talking about is maintaining his current status by selling off his family's assets and secretly borrowing money to maintain his current status. He keeps paying off old debts with new ones. I don't know how many years he can maintain this."

Zhang Cheng sighed: "No wonder, no wonder."

"This time, the Liu family spent a lot of effort to get him into the Imperial College. You are right. Don't associate with people like this. Not only will you be infected with bad habits, but you will also ruin your future. A gentleman would rather walk alone than put himself in a difficult position. Don't worry, I have shown that I value you today, and these people will know how to think carefully in the future."

"Thank you, Brother Wei."

At this point, Zhang Wei looked at Zhang Cheng seriously and said, "You are also a strange person. The son of a prime minister went to study at the Imperial College under an assumed name. Are you trying to pretend to be a pig and eat the tiger?"

Zhang Cheng said, "Brother Wei, I have already told you why I came here. Besides, I am not a playboy. Although the life in the Imperial College is hard, I can still live a good life."

"My father had a much harder time than me when he was studying at the Imperial College, but he was able to pass the imperial examination and eventually became the top scorer. Why can't I do the same?"

"what!"

Zhang Cheng said angrily, "Brother Wei, don't look down on others. Let's see who will win the Imperial Examination in a year!"

Zhang Wei slapped his thigh and said happily, "Well said. This is how the children of our Zhang family compete with each other. Let's see which one is more promising in the future."

"To be honest, you failed the provincial exam last time, and several of Uncle Dun's sons laughed at you after reading your paper."

Zhang Cheng was very angry when he heard this.

Zhang Wei deliberately smiled and said, "I'm telling you this because I want you to fight for your dignity. I won't get involved in the grudges between your two families, but my father and I have the same attitude. We just hope that the children of our Zhang family can be well!"

"If we, the children of the Zhang family, want to compete, let's see who can serve our country, our country, and our people with loyalty!"

"Who can bring glory to our Zhang family for generations to come?"

As expected, when Zhang Cheng and Zhang Wei chatted and returned to the dinner, all the classmates suddenly looked at Zhang Cheng with new eyes. I don't know what good fortune this boy has, he can actually talk to Zhang Wei happily, I don't know how many lifetimes this fate has been cultivated!

Liu Yanei's attitude towards Zhang Cheng also changed, and he even took the initiative to pour him a cup of tea.

Zhang Cheng felt a little embarrassed instead.

Shiqi Niang did not allow him to associate with the sons of officials, for fear that he would be tainted with the airs of a playboy, so he usually only interacted with his brother Zhang Gen and Guo Xuan.

Now everything is new to me.

When Liu Yanei wanted to test Zhang Cheng's identity, Zhang Qi said, "I have great respect for scholars who are eager to learn. When I entered the room just now, everyone came to greet me, but Liang Bi was the only one who held the book tightly. It is clear that he will be a man of great talent in the future."

"If you have any problems in the Imperial College in the future, Liangbi can report my name."

When everyone heard this, they were surprised to find that there was such a way to gain others' appreciation.

However, after Zhang Wei said this, everyone felt relieved.

However, Zhang Cheng could see that his classmates and even Liu Yanei yearned for Zhang Wei's level.

But Zhang Cheng knew clearly what was behind Zhang Wei's courtesy, generosity and righteousness. None of the people at their level got to the top by being gentle, respectful, frugal and modest.

Before the great victory at Taoshui, Zhang Yu watched Liang Yi's troops burning, killing and looting in Xihe Road. Countless people died at the hands of the Dangxiang people, but Zhang Yu remained indifferent throughout.

It was not until the Dangxiang troops returned to Dangxiang after being fully plundered that Zhang Yu led the Song army, which had been gathering strength for a long time, to appear at the Tao River behind the Dangxiang troops for the final battle to decide the outcome.

Afterwards, many officials in Xihe Road wanted to impeach Zhang Yu, but they were all suppressed by Zhang Yue. Even the emperor said that Zhang Yu was too cruel.

At this position, there is no real gentleman or good person.

Sima Guang may be the only exception in the world.

How can there be wine without sex? Soon, a singing girl came to drink wine. Zhang Cheng was not used to this. Zhang Wei laughed and refused for Zhang Cheng, but she herself acted like an old hand. Zhang Cheng didn't know if his father had encountered such a scene in the Imperial College.

After a moment, Zhang Cheng left and went ahead.