Prime Minister

Chapter 1353 Military Remonstrance

Chapter 1353 Military Remonstrance

In Dingli Temple.

Zhang Yue moved here again.

In this muddy world, it is really not easy to find a quiet place.

The last time Dingli Temple was moved was against the government's wishes. Due to Han Zhongyan's tough attitude towards the Liao Kingdom, he was sent as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom and provoked the Liao ruler.

In addition, due to the appearance of a comet, he was forced to resign and lived in Dingli Temple for dozens of days.

It is still a familiar feeling to revisit the old place now.

The one who greeted Zhang Yue was his old friend Elder Zhineng again. Elder Zhineng was also a legend. He had been seriously ill for a year and didn't have much time left, but he survived after a few days.

When the monks below asked him, he always said that his worldly ties were not yet complete.

It was not until one day when Zhang Yue entered the temple that he was able to get up again.

This time the two met again.

The wise elder faced Zhang Yue despite his illness.

Elder Zhineng lit a lamp for Zhang Yue. The two of them were in the small Zen room, just able to see each other's faces clearly.

"Why did Duke Wei resign his position as prime minister three times?"

"I have studied hard since I was young, and all I wanted was to be a prime minister. Now it is within my reach." Zhang Yue suddenly smiled, and his teeth trembled slightly, "But I am afraid."

Elder Zhineng flicked the oil lamp and said to Zhang Yue, "Mr. Wei is not like Mr. Ye who loves dragons."

Zhang Yue said: "Yes, I was thinking about the future situation."

"I am not a cruel person."

When Zhang Yue reached here, he picked up the teacup in front of him and was about to drink, but then put it down again.

Elder Zhineng asked, "So Lord Wei took refuge in Dingli Temple to seek peace of mind, right?"

Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Master, do you still remember what we talked about in the temple?"

Elder Zhineng said, "I remember, I remember that Lord Wei mentioned wages, profits, and land rent."

Zhang Yue said: "Yes, looking at the last years of the dynasty, there is a scene, that is, the abnormal prosperity of business, and the unorganized force destroying the entire country."

Elder Zhineng said, "Mr. Wei, I don't understand what you are saying."

Zhang Yue said: "In fact, it is the increase of entropy. Any person, any thing, any civilization will go from being organized to being disorganized, and finally will perish. This is the way of heaven."

"Just like you and I were strong and healthy at 20, but when we are 50 or 60, our bodies become weak and our bodies are no longer as good as before. The same is true for the country."

"In the first fifty years after the founding of the court, the country was still peaceful. The court could deal with any slight changes, just like people in their prime years did not take minor illnesses seriously. But after a hundred years, it was no longer sustainable, corruption was rampant, and efficiency was low. This is the step from organization to disorganization."

"This is something that no dynasty can change. If it continues for too long, it will either fall from within or from without."

"If the dynasty is to continue, it must negate entropy and transform from disorganization to organization."

"It's like a person has a piece of rotten flesh. If it is not cut off, the rotten flesh will grow. Once the rotten flesh is cut off, new flesh can grow. But the difficulty lies in the rotten flesh. Not everyone dares to cut it out. Or maybe it has grown too deep, or even shared the fate of the person. Once it is cut out, the person will die immediately due to excessive blood loss."

Elder Zhineng heard this and said, "Who would do this? Who would have this idea?"

Zhang Yue was silent for a moment and said, "When I first drafted the exam, I used the words 'Strong and Zhuang' as the theme, advocating a centralized approach from top to bottom... Jing Gong's approach is not bad, but it also has many disadvantages."

Elder Zhineng said, "Mr. Zhang is talking about important national affairs. I am a layman and do not understand them very well. I only know whether human nature is good or evil."

"If one's nature is evil, then one cannot correct it by oneself and needs an external force to correct it."

"If one's nature is good, then no external force is needed, just enlighten your mind and see your nature."

Zhang Yue understood the meaning of intelligence. Confucianism believes that human nature is good, and that the current social situation can be gradually improved through morality and human self-awareness.

The Legalists did not believe in human nature, so they used external forces (reforms) to guide human nature.

Zhang Yue said: "If it is difficult to enlighten the people, what is the external force?"

Elder Zhineng folded his hands and said, "Mr. Wei seems to be very disappointed about the future. I think that since heaven and man are one, how can there be any external force?"

Zhang Yue sighed, "To make the king as great as Yao and Shun, and to make the customs pure again, is my wish."

"Now... I am only thinking about how to repay the late emperor's kindness!"

Elder Zhineng folded his hands and said, "Mr. Wei's confusion is beyond the reach of this humble monk. Only Mr. Wei himself can resolve it."

"It is better to sit in seclusion and see things clearly."

……

The bells of Dingli Temple sounded faintly in the snow. When the Queen Mother's carriage rolled over the frozen imperial ditch.

Both sides of the imperial road had already been cleared, and the Jinwu guards stood with spears in hand, their iron armor reflecting the morning light, as dense as a forest.

The stone steps in front of the temple were swept spotlessly clean. The monks in robes stood in front of the temple gate, with their brows lowered and their hands clasped together. The sound of Buddhist chants drifted away with the sound of bells and drums.

Zhang Maoze arrived first. He raised his finger and twenty-four blue-robed eunuchs from the Ministry of Internal Affairs knelt in unison by the roadside, holding vermilion lacquer trays high above their heads - the trays contained the gilded incense burner bestowed by the emperor, the kasaya, and palm-leaf scriptures. Even the rosewood box containing the scriptures was engraved with a pattern of two phoenixes holding a chrysanthemum.

Suddenly, three whips were heard, and the feathered guards of honor gradually emerged from the morning mist. Sixteen strong men in crimson robes carried the empress dowager's sedan chair steadily, and the tassels held by the golden phoenix on the top of the sedan chair swayed with each step.

All the officials below the steps held their breath, but suddenly the Queen Mother handed the stove in her hand to Zhang Maoze.

The wind suddenly blew, causing the prayer flags around the temple to flutter.

The abbot personally welcomed and led Empress Dowager Gao inside to offer incense.

After offering incense, the abbot brought out fragrant tea, and Empress Dowager Gao asked, "Is Mr. Zhang in the temple?"

The abbot replied, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Lord Zhang Wei is indeed in the temple."

"Why don't you come to meet me?"

"Mr. Wei is doing a seven-day meditation in the Buddhist chanting hall of this temple and cannot see guests."

"Oh?" Empress Dowager Gao's eyes narrowed.

Zhang Maoze then realized that he had neglected the idea and that practicing Chan for seven days was the first-class method of practice in the Zen Buddhism.

Every winter retreat requires a seven-day meditation practice, which lasts for 49 days.

During these 49 days, those doing the retreat must concentrate on practicing Buddhism and cannot see guests.

Zhang Maoze asked, "Did Duke Wei become a monk?"

The abbot folded his hands and said, "Mr. Wei sits alone in the meditation hall as a layman, only receiving one meal a day, and does not see outside guests at other times."

Empress Dowager Gao was also a Buddhist, so she certainly knew what kind of practice the seven-day meditation retreat was.

A person sits in meditation alone in a Buddhist temple for 49 days, without receiving any news from the outside world. Such a sincerity is something that no one else can achieve.

The host slowly said: "Humans have eight consciousnesses: eye consciousness, ear consciousness, nose consciousness, tongue consciousness, body consciousness, mind consciousness, manas consciousness, and alaya consciousness."

"As long as the first six consciousnesses are cut off, one cannot enter the manas consciousness. The seven-day meditation is also to cut off the manas consciousness."

"Every thought of a person is caused by the manas consciousness, which is also the origin of good and evil, high and low, and strange things. The Avatamsaka Sutra says that the thought will disturb the gods and demons in all directions. The first seven consciousnesses will eventually become the alaya consciousness, and after the mind is enlightened and the nature is seen, it will become a treasure."

Empress Dowager Gao said, "It is usually difficult for me to sit in meditation for three hours. I admire you for being able to sit in meditation for 49 days. Which day is it today?"

"The third day."

Empress Dowager Gao nodded. If she hadn't met Zhang Yue this time, she would have lost all face.

"Since Mr. Zhang is doing a seven-day meditation, who should be entrusted with the negotiation with Liao? We cannot afford to do that at this moment."

Empress Dowager Gao talked with Zhang Maoze.

"Where is Mr. Zhang? I will ask him in person."

……

Snow weighs down the pine branches, and the Buddhist temple is quiet.

The abbot did not dare to disobey the empress dowager's order, so he had to lead the phoenix carriage to the depths of the side courtyard.

This Buddhist temple is located in a very remote place of Dingli Temple.

Now the lonely Buddhist temple stands in the snow, with its doors and windows closed, leaving only a palm-wide window for delivering food.

Queen Mother Gao stopped at the door, her eyes narrowed slightly: "If there is a fire, Duke Wei will not come out?"

The abbot folded his hands and chanted the Buddha's name softly, not daring to answer.

The Queen Mother sighed, and Zhang Maoze understood and immediately ordered people to remove the door panels. Queen Mother Gao waved her hand to stop the attendants who wanted to follow her, and walked in alone with a candle. In the flickering candlelight, Zhang Yue, dressed in a monk's robe, was seen sitting cross-legged on a cushion, his eyes closed like an old monk in meditation, as if he was unaware of the movement around him.

Empress Dowager Gao stopped by and said slowly, "The country is in danger, and I have no choice but to disturb Mr. Zhang's meditation."

The Queen Mother's voice was particularly clear in the empty hall.

Zhang Yue slowly opened his eyes, and was startled to see the Empress Dowager Gao standing beside him. He then knelt on the ground and said, "I didn't know the Empress Dowager was coming in person. I failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The attendants hurriedly brought in seats, lit candles and served tea. Empress Dowager Gao stared at Zhang Yue's thin face and said sincerely, "I really admire your willingness to give up wealth and fame to practice Zen for seven days."

These words were by no means polite. Just think about it, the King of Dali was able to give up his throne and become a monk, but this powerful official in front of him could actually be indifferent to fame and fortune.

Zhang Yue said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have only practiced superficially. Although I have been confined to a small space, I still find it difficult to subdue the delusions in my heart. I am really ashamed."

"Oh?" The empress dowager raised her eyebrows slightly, "Why is the Minister of State so upset?" The address of "Minister of State" made Zhang Yue feel a chill in his heart.

Zhang Yue said, "I have been studying the teachings of Confucius and Mencius since I was young. To be honest, I have some stubbornness and unrealistic ambitions as a scholar. Later, when I led troops in the northwest, I governed the army according to the laws of Shen and Han, and learned the hegemony of the Legalists."

Empress Dowager Gao shook her head and said, "The way of the Legalists is not the right way after all."

Zhang Yue said: "The Queen Mother is wise. When I returned to the court, I found the new law too hasty and too harsh. So I said to the late emperor, 'The more you practice, the more you know. The deeper your knowledge, the more you can practice.'"

"The reform is from top to bottom, using the body to control the arms, the arms to control the palms, and the palms to control the fingers."

"I advise Your Majesty to take charge of the power, and I advise you to suppress your selfish desires with the highest moral sense. It is like a scholar who studies day and night with a needle piercing his thigh and hanging his head on a beam."

Empress Dowager Gao laughed and said, "I have never heard of anyone who could be so successful."

Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, you don't know that most people born in poor families have to endure hardships like this."

He thought to himself that later generations often attributed the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty to Sima Guang's abolition of the New Law, but they did not know that the reign of Emperor Zhezong Shaosheng and even Emperor Huizong was actually a continuation of Wang Anshi's reforms. Even if Cai Jing served as prime minister for more than ten years, what was the essential difference between him and Wang Anshi? The failure of the New Law was not due to the New Law itself.

Zhang Yue said: "During the time of the previous emperor, the government wanted to reform the law, but when it came to the local level, it was all path-dependent. Officials like Sima Guang opposed the reform. And among the people in the underworld, there were also many who were terrified at the mention of the tiger."

Zhang Yue continued, "So I think that the implementation of the new policy should be gradual, from the government to the society."

He looked directly at Empress Dowager Gao and said, "Your Majesty, I believe you know that since the late emperor became seriously ill, Sima Guang and others have been in power for nearly a year. How has the government and the public responded?"

Empress Dowager Gao knew that after Sima Guang came to power, he abolished the horse protection law and the market exchange law, and also dismissed dozens of officials including Cai Que and Han Zhen.

Next, he planned to abolish the Qingmiao Law, the Agricultural Water Conservancy Law, the Baojia Law, and the Fangtian Equal Tax Law, while continuing to suppress Zhang Dun, Zhang Yue and others.

Empress Dowager Gao asked, "What do you think?"

Zhang Yue said: "I think we should let Sima Guang and his people do it. Otherwise, the imperial court's policies will be difficult to communicate from top to bottom, and decision-making and execution will inevitably be out of touch. If this continues, the court will inevitably be divided."

"I have always believed that when formulating policies in the imperial court, one can use Confucianism or Legalism, but the means must be Taoist."

Empress Dowager Gao was slightly confused and asked, "What is a Taoist method?"

Zhang Yue said: "It is either Confucianism on the outside and legalism on the inside, or Confucianism on the inside and legalism on the outside. This is the essence of Taoism, and the true meaning of 'Tao'."

Empress Dowager Gao suddenly realized that although she was not very knowledgeable, she knew that the saying "My Han system is a mixture of kingship and hegemony" actually meant Taoism.

Zhang Yue said: "May I ask the Empress Dowager, what is reform? Or is it legalism?"

Empress Dowager Gao said, "I don't know."

Zhang Yue said: "During the Xining period, Wang Anshi opposed annexation, and during the Yuanfeng period, officials wanted to suppress annexation."

"Although there is only one word difference between "destroy" and "suppress", to put it bluntly, the Legalists want to overthrow the vested interests. The world is like a pie, and everyone cuts it and redistributes it, with the court getting some, the officials getting some, and the people getting some. Wang Anshi wants to keep the people's share intact and let the court get more. I want to keep the court's share intact and let the people get more. They both mean the same thing."

"In any case, the crackdown on mergers and acquisitions is bound to be fierce and overbearing. The measures cannot be too hasty. We must always make room for leniency and have room for maneuver. If we push too hard, it will be easy to lose both sides."

Empress Dowager Gao nodded slowly.

The snow on the bamboo branches outside the hall swayed gently, as if listening to these wise words on governing the country.

Zhang Yue added: "However, my original intention is still Confucianism. Through the way of promoting trade and benefiting workers, we can stimulate the self-motivation of the people. Although we guide them with benefits, we can make the pie bigger through the bottom-up approach."

"But since I use the essence of Confucianism, I must use the path of Legalism."

For example, in the Northern Song Dynasty and the late Ming Dynasty, both industries and commerce were abnormally prosperous, so why did they fail? That’s because the profits were taken away by a small number of people, and the rich got richer and the poor got poorer.

That kind of prosperity was just a last gasp, indicating that the imperial court had lost control over the grassroots.

Zhang Yue said: "If we don't suppress mergers and acquisitions, it's like the imperial court constantly throwing bait into a pond, but in the end, all the bait is snatched away by the biggest fish, and the vast majority of the fish are left hungry."

"No matter how big the pie is, it will be of no benefit to the country and the people."

"The Minister said it well, but given what the late emperor said before his death, why not take part in the game yourself?" asked Empress Dowager Gao.

Empress Dowager Gao held on to the word "late emperor".

Zhang Yue said: "I am stubborn and I am afraid of offending the Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Gao stared at Zhang Yue for a moment and said, "Since the Minister has spoken out, I might as well speak frankly. If Duke Wei wants to wait until the government is in chaos and out of control, then he can come out and take control."

"That's wrong!"

"I don't eat these."

Zhang Yue was silent for a moment and then said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your words. I have no such intention. The Song Dynasty cannot stand such turmoil."

"I want to wait until after the seven-day meditation before deciding whether to take up the position of Minister of the Interior!"

……

A few days later, in the capital hall, candlelight flickered as the ministers gathered to discuss matters. Sima Guang looked pale but his eyes were bright.

Sitting upright in the first seat, Lu Gongzhu looked solemn: "The Empress Dowager has decreed that we must be cautious in our negotiations on Liao affairs and not give in easily."

Zhang Dun had a sneer on his face and a sharp look in his eyes.

"How do you call giving in too much?"

"What do you mean by 'not giving in easily'? Xiao Xi's letter clearly stated that the trade in the market caused the Liao Kingdom to lose hundreds of thousands of strings of cash every year. If the annual tribute is not increased, will the Liao ruler be willing to give up?"

Su Song said solemnly: "After Deputy Han Shu left his post, Huang Luxin was promoted to the position of the Minister of State. We need to be more cautious about this matter. Let's wait for him to return to Beijing!"

Sima Guang coughed lightly, his voice weak but every word was sonorous: "During the Yuanfeng period, Cai Zhizheng had proposed to increase the annual tribute to 700,000 in exchange for the Liao Kingdom not helping the Tanguts. However, after the Battle of Yongle City, the Liao Kingdom broke the agreement and intervened, and the negotiations were abandoned."

"The imperial court was afraid that the Liao Kingdom would march south to Hebei at any time, so the imperial court still paid 500,000 yuan in tribute every year."

Su Song said: "He glanced at the crowd, "Now the annual tribute is still 500,000 according to the old rules, including 300,000 strings of money and 200,000 salt notes - this is the result of the reform of the system by Zhang Weigong back then."

"Xiao Xi is asking for a million yuan in annual tribute this time. He said that even if the amount is increased to 700,000, Liao will still lose money. Only a million yuan can show the friendship between brothers."

Sima Guang said: "During the Chanyuan Treaty during the reign of Zhenmiao, the annual tribute was reduced from 3 million to 300,000; during the Qingli period, Fu Bi increased it by 200,000, which in turn led to the Liao Kingdom and the Tanguts going to war. This is not 'serving Qin with land', but a way of diplomatic checks and balances."

"It is absolutely not what the Prime Minister said about using land to serve Qin."

Zhang Dun sneered when he heard this.

Zhang Dun sneered repeatedly, thinking of Su Shi's repeated advice to him not to argue with Sima Guang, but he could not hold back in the end: "May I ask the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, if the annual tribute is increased by 200,000, where will the money come from? The annual tribute of 200,000 from the Tanguts needs to be restored. Not to mention the annual loss of hundreds of thousands if the market exchange law is abolished, and the reconstruction of the animal husbandry bureau will cost another million." He counted with his fingers, "How is the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel going to balance this account?"

Sima Guang stroked his beard and said slowly: "When Emperor Ying died, he was granted 15 million strings of cash. When the previous emperor ascended the throne, it was reduced by half. Now we can cut it by half again."

After a pause, he continued, "I am willing to take the lead in reducing my salary by 50% to set an example."

Zhang Dun almost laughed out loud when he heard this.

Of course, if Zhang Yue were in power, he would probably laugh at Sima Guang's strategy of coexisting with Sima Guang overnight.

Zhang Dun suppressed his anger and said, "It's OK to reduce the salary of civil officials, or even give them nothing. But we won't have any dealings today, and don't even mention how to appease the imperial guards."

"There are 60,000 soldiers of the Sanfu Army around the capital, and they also need to be appeased."

Sima Guang said: "The Three Auxiliary Armies are useless and waste the imperial court's money and grain! They should be abolished! Where will the rewards come from?"

Zhang Dun sneered, "In the eighth year of Yuanfeng, Cai Zhizheng was eager to expand the border and re-implemented the Iron Horse Law and the Tea Law. Although he made money, he ruined the reputation of the new law. The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel abolished the new law and dismissed the ministers today, but if he cuts down the rewards again and again..."

Zhang Dun paused and emphasized again: "Rewarding one province after another... I'm afraid there will be objections from below."

"I will bear all the blame alone!" Sima Guang said firmly.

The wind and snow outside the hall are getting stronger.

……

The winter nights in Chenqiaoyi are particularly cold.

A commander of the Eastern Auxiliary Army is stationed here.

Inside the East Auxiliary Army's command tent, several Yu Hou and Commander Quan were sitting around a stove.

"The imperial court established the Northern, Eastern and Western Auxiliary Armies in order to prevent the Liao cavalry from advancing southwards." The leading commander, Zhao Deming, put down his wine bowl heavily. "We, the students of the Imperial Academy, joined the army hoping to make achievements, but now we can't even support our families."

Deputy Commander Wang Meng said: "Yes, this old man Sima Guang wants to abolish the new law. This time, not only will the rewards be gone, but even the salaries of the Imperial Guards and the Three Auxiliary Armies will be cut."

"Don't even mention the promotion of official titles. Today, we were ordered to guard here, and even the wine and meat were withheld."

"That's right!" Li Su, a military officer, counted on his fingers. "Originally, we had one bottle of wine and one pound of meat every day. Now, we have reduced it to one bottle of wine every two days, and only six ounces of meat. How can the soldiers not be disheartened by such a reduction in military supplies?"

"It ruined the imperial reward."

The cold wind howled outside the tent, and the atmosphere inside the tent became increasingly solemn.

A young Yuhou suddenly smashed his wine cup to the ground and said, "During the Yuanfeng period, the army was expanded to prepare for war, but now the military budget is being cut. How can we cope with the court's frequent changes in its orders?"

"Mr. Sima wants to abolish the new law, but what should we do if the court has set up such a big racket since Yuanfeng?"

Zhao Deming looked around at everyone and lowered his voice and said, "Back in the Imperial College, we all received the favor of Prime Minister Cai. Now Prime Minister Cai has been demoted, and there is no one in the court to speak for us." He paused, "Envoy Zhang is in a bad situation now, so why don't we ask him for his opinion."

Upon hearing this, all the generals nodded and said, "That's exactly the truth. Eradicating the treacherous and corrupt is exactly what we should do."

The commander-in-chief immediately wrote a letter and sent someone on horseback to the capital.

The next day, the other party returned and said, "I didn't see Prime Minister Zhang, but the letter has been delivered to your residence."

Zhao Deming sneered: "It's okay, I've got your point. We're not rebelling, we're just seeking justice."

While speaking, the other party said to several subordinates: "Do you all know?"

These officers and soldiers were stationed at Chenqiao Posthouse. Along the way, several officials passed by in carriages and horses, and their travel was extremely luxurious.

The soldiers cursed: "These officials only receive a few dozen strings of cash a month, but their official expenses are 10,000 strings of cash. What kind of reward do they want?"

As they were talking, they saw another person walking towards them.

The soldiers below said, "It's the Empress Dowager's nephew Gao Gongji!"

The leading commander said in a hateful voice: "You have come just in time. Taiwei Yan was loyal and helped the crown prince ascend the throne, but now he has been dismissed from his post by the queen mother and banished far away."

"If it was a dandy like Gao Gongji, holding an important position in the three yamen, when would he be killed if not executed?"

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up and drew their swords.

……

The flying snow in Liangyuan fell gently, dyeing the pavilions and towers a pure white.

The charcoal fire was burning brightly in the warm room, and Han Zhongyan was drinking with Cai Bian.

Han Zhongyan poured wine for the two and said, "Yuandu, the two auxiliary armies in the east and west have been quite unstable recently."

Cai Bian said: "Since Cai Zhizheng left, these people have become lost dogs."

Han Zhongyan raised his lips slightly and said, "The generals of the Sanfu Army were all selected from the students of the Imperial College and the Military College. The original intention was to fight against the Liao army's southward advance and to build an army with scholars."

"In the seventh year of Yuanfeng, Zhang Gong was dismissed from his post. Cai Zhizheng reorganized the two auxiliary armies in the east and west and filled them with his trusted aides."

"Now, except for the generals of the Northern Auxiliary Army who are still under the control of our Liangyuan Society, the 40,000 troops of the Eastern and Western Auxiliary Armies are leaderless!"

"The Liangyuan meeting made a brilliant move." Cai Bian suddenly chuckled, with a sharp gleam in his eyes.

Han Zhongyan's Liangyuan Society was an organization established within the Imperial College.

In view of the fragmented and divided situation of the New Party, Han Zhongyan established the Liangyuan Society in the Imperial College under Zhang Yue's idea of ​​"governing the country with righteousness".

In stark contrast to the New Party, the Liangyuan Society was more tightly organized.

There is also a member recommendation and introduction system, which also requires assessment.

The outermost layer is the "group" for the military, chamber of commerce, and Tai students. The middle layer is the "society" mainly composed of Tai students. The core is the "Liangyuan Society" composed of more than 20 carefully selected people.

Three years after the Liangyuan Society was founded, its membership had increased from more than ten to more than twenty people, while the membership of several societies outside the society was less than two hundred.

The members of this society must be from the Imperial Academy, either being students of the Imperial Academy or having been students of the Imperial Academy.

To join the Liangyuan Society, one must first join the society. After joining the society, one must be recommended and assessed.

Cai Que certainly has the same idea.

Cai Que also followed suit, but he only knew how to recruit followers. His organization was like a sieve, and was riddled with holes by the Liangyuan Society.

Now the East and West Auxiliary Armies are all Cai Que's confidants, and the Northern Auxiliary Army's generals who come from the Imperial College are mostly from the Northern Auxiliary Society under the Liangyuan Society. In addition to the Northern Auxiliary Society, there are also [Societies] in the Jiaoyin Office and the Imperial College.

In the Liangyuan Society, the society is specifically at the executive level, and there are also groups outside the society.

The rules for joining and leaving the groups were relatively loose, and not everyone had to be a graduate of the Imperial Academy to join. For example, the groups under the Beifu Society were all officers from the Beifu Army. Although the groups could accept a wide range of members, to move from a group to a society, one had to be a graduate of the Imperial Academy.

This three-level structure makes the organization extremely strict.

Han Zhongyan also placed his cronies on Cai Que's side, and they were infiltrated and riddled with holes, but Cai Que never infiltrated the Liangyuan Society.

Therefore, the instability of the two auxiliary armies in the east and west immediately reached Han Zhongyan's ears.

"The Empress Dowager wants to take power. Duke Wei has the late emperor's instructions but he cannot use them. He is forced to take refuge in Dingli Temple." Cai Bian said word by word.

"As the prince's tutors, you and I must do our best at this moment, otherwise... Yuandu, remember, the old party is protecting the Empress Dowager!"

"How can you not remember the fire in the provincial test?"

Cai Bian suddenly crushed the walnut in his hand, and sawdust fell. Last year, there was a fire during the provincial examination, and he was used as an examiner by the old party to make fun of him. He has always remembered this account.

The last time there was a fire in the provincial examination, Cai Bian, as the examiner, was blamed by the leader of the old party.

Cai Bian was a feminine person who would never let go of a grudge. No one in the officialdom dared to offend him. How could he bear to suffer such a great loss?

"Duke Wei has done his utmost for the Empress Dowager!" Han Zhongyan said, "The new commander of the imperial guards is Liu Changzuo, who will replace Yan Da. Do you know who recommended him?"

"who?"

"It's Gao Zunyu."

Cai Bian laughed when he heard this, then said seriously.

"Liu Changzuo is also a former general of the Western Army, but he is a man that cannot be penetrated by water or burned by fire."

Han Zhongyan said: "Yuan Du is right. Perhaps this is why the Empress Dowager values ​​him."

"But Liu Changzuo has just arrived and is unfamiliar with the place, and there are many of Yan Da's former subordinates in the three yamen. Besides, Sima Guang has delayed the reward for the imperial guards, and the imperial guards have long been dissatisfied."

"Even though there are several nephews of the Gao family in the imperial guards, they are still unable to convince the public."

At this point, Han Zhongyan said: "Now you and I should prepare for a rainy day. If something happens, we need to take a bold risk."

Cai Bian said: "At this point, what else can we do except give it a try. I will tell my family."

"Just should I inform Duke Wei about this matter?"

"I have already informed Duke Wei about the instability of the East and West Auxiliary Armies." Han Zhongyan pondered for a moment and said, "But he has not expressed his opinion. Besides, the East and West Auxiliary Armies have not caused any trouble. We will just wait and see what happens."

"When necessary, we have to take charge of the situation on behalf of Mr. Zhang."

While the two were talking, someone suddenly reported: "Han Shibao, the East Auxiliary Army of Chenqiao Post is causing chaos!"

"Oh?" Han Zhongyan's voice was somewhat excited.

Cai Bian looked delighted.

……

Inside the elegant pavilion at the highest point of Fanlou in Bianjing

Empress Dowager Gao's uncle Gao Zunyu was reclining on a soft gold-woven pillow, with four courtesans with their hair in bikinis sitting on his left and right. Opposite him sat the newly appointed deputy commander of the palace, Liu Changzuo.

These prostitutes are all extremely beautiful.

The muscles under Liu Changzuo's black brocade robe were as taut as bowstrings.

After a few drinks, even Liu Changzuo, a veteran who had fought in the battlefields of the northwest for decades, had a smile on his face when he was surrounded by such women, as if a thousand-year-old iron tree had bloomed again.

Gao Zunyu smiled and said, "When I was in the northwest, I had great respect for Liu Dianshuai, but it was a pity that Zhang Zizheng got in the way."

"Now that the Palace Marshal is in charge of the Imperial Guards, the safety of the city of Tokyo, both inside and outside the palace, all depends on Palace Marshal Liu."

Liu Changzuo said, "I don't deserve it."

"I'm new here and I need your advice, Commander. I have something to say."

Gao Zunyu said: "We are all family, there is no need to be so formal."

Liu Changzuo said: "During the reign of Emperor Ying, the imperial army was given a reward of 11 million guan when he ascended the throne. When the previous emperor ascended the throne, the treasury was empty, so they had to give out 5 million guan, but at that time there were already complaints."

"When I visited the Minister of the Imperial Household, Sima Gong, yesterday, he told me that the salaries of the imperial guards would not be raised, and that the bonus for the new emperor's accession to the throne would probably be less than three million strings of cash, and would not be paid until the autumn. Many soldiers in the army are complaining."

Gao Zunyu said: "Three million strings of cash is good, but the three auxiliary troops in the capital can't get a penny."

"Now Sima Gong wants to abolish the new law. Officials are not allowed to collect money. With tens of millions of dollars less in revenue each year, we have to live frugally. Who do you think the court will cut this knife on?"

"I heard that after the peace talks with Liao, the annual tribute will be increased by 200,000, but half of the 63,000 auxiliary troops will be dismissed. By dismissing these 30,000 troops, the court can save millions of guan a year."

Liu Changzuo sighed when he heard this.

While the two were talking, a junior officer came in and whispered a few words to Liu Changzuo.

Liu Changzuo's face changed, and he immediately stood up and said, "Military affairs are urgent. I will leave first."

"I will talk to you about your kindness in supporting me later."

At this point, a lieutenant came out holding a red silk tray, and Liu Changzuo said, "These ten garlic sticks are presented to the commander in chief as a present."

"For this year's winter clothes for the Imperial Guards, please ask the Commander to speak well of her to the Queen Mother."

Gao Zunyu smiled and said, "Please do as you wish, General."

……

After Liu Changzuo walked out of Fan Tower, he saw a team of armored imperial guards standing outside the tower, leading their horses. The white mist from the horses' noses condensed into frost flowers in the cold night.

"General!" The commander of the personal guards stepped forward quickly, "The third commander of the Eastern Auxiliary Army, Zhao Deming, led his troops to mutiny and has detained Gao Gongji!"

Liu Changzuo took the whip and said, "If this is true, do the commanders of the Eastern Auxiliary Army dare to cause chaos under the eyes of the imperial court?"

"It's true."

Liu Changzuo took the whip and tightened his grip suddenly, "Gongji Gao? The Empress Dowager's nephew?"

The commander of the personal guards said: "Wang Meng, the Marquis of the Eastern Auxiliary Army, led two thousand elite soldiers straight to Chenqiao Posthouse. Some of the imperial guards along the way actually defected."

Liu Changzuo was so angry that he laughed and said, "Who is this villain who dares to commit such a heinous crime?"

"I don't know, but some people say it was the Privy Council... that issued the order to mobilize troops! But Prime Minister Zhang said he was ill and didn't go to the government office today."

Liu Changzuo was surprised and asked, "Is it Zhang Zihou?"

"I don't know. But I heard that Zhang Zihou is a very daring person!"

At this time, another lieutenant came running and said, "General, the Western Auxiliary Army has also rebelled. I heard... I heard..."

Liu Changzuo asked: "What did you hear?"

The lieutenant said, "I heard that the Western Auxiliary Army is going to use force to remonstrate with the Empress Dowager! They are asking her to return power to the Emperor!"

Liu Changzuo's pupils suddenly contracted.

(End of this chapter)