Prime Minister

Chapter 1320: Chess Game (2 updates in 1)

Chapter 1320: Chess Game (Two Updates in One)

Zhang Yue went to Yongjia to meet Master Guan, who often met with Lin Shi.

Someone was sent to deliver the invitation and set the date, and then Zhang Yue took a boat along the Oujiang River to Yongjia for the meeting.

The Oujiang River in late spring carried the newly emerged greenery in the mountains, rolling up tiny silver waves on the bluestone beach. Zhang Yue thought of the "Yongjia Tujing" he had read in the pavilion when he first entered the Three Museums. This book was written in the early Sui Dynasty.

Yongjia was already an important place in Jiangnan during the Sui and Tang dynasties.

Yongjia is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side. Before the maritime ban was lifted, local merchants had already traded with Goryeo.

Now, since Su Shi's mission to Goryeo, Zhang Yue, in order to form an alliance with Goryeo and suppress the Liao Kingdom, decided to fully open the sea ban on Goryeo and allow merchants to trade with Goryeo through the form of imperial merchants.

Merchants no longer hid their identities and bought the status of royal merchants, and began to trade with Goryeo and Tamra on a large scale via sea routes.

Although Yongjia's maritime trade was not as developed as Mizhou, Mingzhou and Quanzhou, it had already taken shape. At the same time, the circulation of Jiaozi salt currency also promoted the development of commerce.

The river water hissed and broke into powder under the black-sailed boat. Zhang Yue leaned on the railing and looked out at the mountains on both sides. The mountains here were like a lock, forcing the river to twist and turn between the rock walls. Sometimes he thought about a problem. There is a very famous theory called the long-term theory.

That is, the geographical environment in which one grows up has a long-term inertia and influence on one's character and civilization.

For example, in tropical regions, it has been difficult to give birth to a strong civilization since ancient times.

Fujian and Zhejiang have a common feature: arable land is scarce and commerce is developed, so people are naturally more pragmatic and don't talk nonsense. The barren fields can't support a family of scholars, and the difficulties of begging for food from the sea naturally give rise to realism.

While Zhang Yue was sailing on the Oujiang River, he thought of what was said when Neo-Confucianism was introduced to the Yongjia period: "Sail upstream along the Oujiang River and return with the Luoshu."

"Look, sir, the Shuangchao Pavilion is ahead." The boatman pushed the bamboo pole, and the black-sailed boat deftly bypassed the reef.

The boat sailed with the wind. Zhang Yue squinted his eyes and saw, as expected, the eaves of the cliff overlooking the river looked like cranes. Three scholars in blue robes were leaning on the railing and bowing.

The boat moored and the three said to Zhang Yue, "We are here to welcome you, Lord Jiang. Please move to Fenghe Tower downstream. We have already prepared a banquet to welcome you."

Zhang Yue said, "I don't deserve it, my two senior brothers. When I was still a student, you taught me a lot. Today, regardless of official rank, we are just talking about friendship. We are here to reminisce and ask for advice. This must be Mr. Tangao, right?"

The other party agreed.

Zhang Yue: "That's right, I have some wine and food on my boat. Let's take them to the pavilion and eat and chat, and then we can walk around and take a look. What do you think?"

The three of them laughed and said, "It is better to obey than to be respectful."

Zhang Yue smiled and immediately ordered Huang Haoyi to take some braised tofu, duck in sauce, smoked fish and other dishes that had been prepared earlier from the boat and put them on the pavilion. The wine was the famous yellow wine. When the amber-colored old wine was poured into the cup, the river breeze wrapped in salty water vapor seemed to blow Zhang Yue and Er Guan back to the scene of their reunion twenty years ago.

The brothers Guan Shifu and Guan Shichang never looked for Zhang Yue once when he became the top scorer in the imperial examination and entered the officialdom, and even became the prime minister.

The character of scholars can be seen here.

Zhang and Yue met again after a long time, and they got along very well. The conversation turned to Wang Anshi's previous reforms.

Master Guan Fuxian said: "The laws of our ancestors have been suddenly changed, and the people cannot bear it."

Guan Shichang also said: "Business is not doing well, and prices are soaring. In the past, Jing Gong built dikes and dredged rivers in Yin County, and the "Construction Methods" he used were all verified in real life. Why did the Qingmiao Law become a method that harms the people after he entered the central government?"

Zhang Yue couldn't help but fall into deep thought after hearing this.

Master Guan replied: "The way of the day is to make the four classes of people work together to achieve their goals, but Anshi tempts the people with benefits, which is not the way of a sage king."

Zhang Yue looked at Lin Shi and asked, "What do you think, Mr. Tangao?"

Zhang Yue looked carefully at Lin Shi's worn cuffs. He had heard that this Mr. Tangao personally supervised the shipbuilding, and his clothes were often stained with tung oil and rust, which was completely different from the wide sleeves of the literati in Bianjing.

The other party replied: "I have always believed that those who have no practical experience have no reason to speak; those who have no evidence have no moral principles; and those who have lofty ideas but violate the facts are also unacceptable."

"If Jing Gong can appoint people according to their abilities and implement laws in detail, the drawbacks may be eliminated. Looking at the reign of Xining, Jing Gong certainly had great talents, but his drawback was that he 'used reason to suppress affairs'."

Lin Shi's point of view was exactly the same as Zhang Yue's. He could not help but nod slowly and said to the server with a smile: "Mr. Tangao's argument is very profound."

"Have you heard of Lin Zhaoqing, a foreign merchant from Quanzhou?" Zhang Yue suddenly changed the subject and said, seeing the three people shaking their heads, "This man encountered a storm in Tamra and survived with the help of the astrological chapter of the Pingjiang Map. The court is going to lift the maritime ban or this kind of livelihood for scholars of statecraft."

Master Guan often clapped his hands and exclaimed: "How wonderful! Master Jian wants to use the business philosophy to convey the sacred teachings!"

Zhang Yue said: "To be able to change one's existence and non-existence is the way of a sage."

The three of them talked loudly and happily, and ate up all the food and wine on the pavilion. Lin Shi, who was always silent, also felt that he had not yet finished his meal.

Several people then set off on a boat.

Several merchant ships were sailing side by side on the river.

Lin Shi said, "Look, sir. This is where the two tides converge. In the past, Mr. Wo Yun and Mr. Gui Shan (Yang Shi) discussed the Dao at the bow of this boat. The tides were so excited that snow burst out. They just happened to be discussing the distinction between righteousness and profit!"

Zhang Yue stood up and said to the three people: "To pursue both righteousness and benefit is indeed the golden mean of the saints."

“But moderation must be a result, not a goal. Otherwise, it is easy to go astray and compromise in everything.”

……

Bianjing was shrouded in a lead-gray sky. Zhang Dun stood in front of the hall, staring at the eaves in a trance. Zhang Shangying hurried to Zhang Dun's side with a newspaper in his hand and asked, "What did you call me for, sir?"

Zhang Dun twisted the jade belt buckle at his waist and said to Zhang Shangying with a cold look in his eyes: "You are a good Zhizheng, but you have fallen into such a big trouble."

"I knew that sooner or later the foundation of our new party would be destroyed by this stubborn person."

Zhang Shangying said: "When Cai Shang changed the salt and banknote law, Chen Mu argued with him in the government hall, and the disagreement between the two arose from this. Later, Prime Minister Cai did not listen to public advice and denounced the party for attacking dissidents. It is not surprising that he ended up in such a situation."

Zhang Dun said: "I am not worried about Cai Zhizheng, I am worried about the survival of the new law."

Zhang Shangying said, "Since the reforms by Lord Jing, the factions have been fighting for so many years, but it can still be considered a gentleman's fight. We can barely call it a fight between people who are at peace but different. When have we ever seen blood splattered within five steps of each other? Chen Heshu was a minister after all, but now he has jumped into a well and died."

"Shut up!" Zhang Dun suddenly turned around, his purple official uniform fluttering in the wind. He glanced at the clerks from the three provinces who were hurriedly walking by with documents in their hands, and only spoke in a low voice when the green robe disappeared behind the moon gate.

"Can you see Zizheng at the court meeting today?"

Zhang Shangying nodded in understanding: "The sound of the slamming of the tablets even startled the guards outside the Chuigong Palace. When I was staying in the palace today, the Minister of the Central Secretariat and the Right Prime Minister had a heated argument in front of the emperor, but Cai Que was calm and composed, as if he had expected the emperor to be partial to him."

Zhang Dun nodded upon hearing this, his eyes passing over the young boy who used to debate scriptures as a child, and to see how he has grown up today.

Zhang Dun cursed, "What a useless thing! He killed Wang Zhongzheng in Huanqing Road. He was so decisive and ruthless. Why is he now imitating the style of a corrupt scholar who died for his advice? He is useless and should not be used."

Zhang Shangying stepped forward and asked, "Mr. Zhang, do you mean to join forces with the Minister of the Central Secretariat?"

Seeing that Zhang Dun did not answer, Zhang Shangying's face lit up. If he defeated Cai Que, Zhang Dun would be the right prime minister. It was well known that the left prime minister Wang Gui was just a puppet, and only the right prime minister was the real powerful prime minister.

Zhang Shangying took another half step closer and added, "You and I are of the same age, so perhaps..."

"No hurry." Zhang Dun raised his hand to interrupt the conversation, and cast his eyes towards the lights gradually lighting up in the direction of the palace. "Let's see what Uncle Lu Hui decides first."

Zhang Shangying said, "I'll go and test the waters tonight."

……

In the Privy Council, wax from the candles piled up on the lampstands, and the map on the screen flickered with the flames.

Lü Gongzhu looked at the broken pieces of the tablet on his son-in-law's official robe that had not yet been brushed off and said angrily, "Nonsense! How could a prime minister be so disrespectful in front of the emperor?"

Zhang Zhi stood up suddenly, and the jade belt on his waist made the table shake. "Old Taishan, even though Chen Mu embezzled 300 strings of cash, he is still an old official of the court! Cai Que framed him and forced him to death, clearly to shock the world!"

Zhang Zhi bowed his hands and said, "I am determined to do it. If Cai Zhizheng is not dismissed, then it will be me... I would rather break my head on the jade steps than stand by and watch."

Sit down! "Lü Gongzhu picked up the candle scissors and lit the wick. "What you said about breaking the jade steps can only backfire. Nowadays, the government is manipulating power and is most afraid of officials forming factions. You want to contact me to impeach Cai Que, but he is jealous of you. "

At this point, Lu Gongzhu opened the window and said, "Do you see the lanterns in the distance?" He pointed to the bright yellow halo swaying on the palace wall. "How long the lanterns can hang depends entirely on the skills of the lantern holder. If you rush to pick them up, be careful not to burn your hands."

"Son-in-law, son-in-law..." Zhang Zhi said anxiously.

Lü Gongzhu turned around and said, "Chen Mu is greedy, and the matter of the three hundred strings of cash is also confirmed."

"Once this matter is exposed, there will be constant factional strife in the court. Let's put it aside for now and maintain the dignity of the monarch and his subjects. The affairs of the world are nothing more than things will be resolved if you take it slow, and people will be at peace if you take it slow! Take it slow, and the light boat will sail through thousands of mountains."

Zhang Zhi didn't know what to say after hearing what Lu Gongzhu said. He wanted to use the power of his father-in-law to unite with the officials in the court to overthrow Cai Que, but Lu Gongzhu's cautiousness made Zhang Zhi helpless.

He raised his head and saw the palaces looming in the lights.

……

The dusk was like the residual ink in the inkstone, gradually staining the eaves of Bianjing City. Zhang Zhi rode back to the mansion on horseback.

After passing through the triple moon gate, I suddenly heard the sound of porcelain breaking from the west wing, accompanied by a woman's sharp scolding: "How dare you, a filthy woman, touch my brother's "Collected Annotations of the Analects"?"

Zhang Zhi lifted the bamboo curtain and saw Aunt Xu twisting the ears of a pigtailed child. The ground was covered with ink stains. Although the child was gritting his teeth in pain, he still held the half-broken page tightly: "Don't you see who you are? You actually want to read the book of sages."

The child, who was only six or seven years old, said, "I just want to learn a few more words."

The maid scolded, "You just learned a few more words? After reading these books, you think you have opened your eyes and gained more knowledge. You think you have ability."

"You will no longer be able to be a servant like me and your father."

"The most important thing for a person is his duty. If you lose your duty, you will accomplish nothing in your life."

After saying this, the maid tried to put the book away, but the child held her back and refused to let go.

Zhang Zhi couldn't help but think of himself when he heard this. He said to his attendant, "What's going on? Go and have a look. We just happen to be in need of a study companion. Let this child be a companion to Nian Ge'er!"

When Zhang Zhi returned home, his wife, Mrs. Lu, was drinking tea.

The Jian kiln rabbit-hair teacup had crushed Miyun dragon floating in the tea soup. When Lu came and saw Zhang Zhi looking unhappy, she asked, "What's wrong with you, sir?"

Zhang Zhi told his wife the whole story.

When Mrs. Lu heard this, she laughed sarcastically and said, "Mrs. Xu has made such a fuss for her child so many times. Mrs. Xu's trick of inflicting pain on herself is more realistic than the dramas in the theaters."

Zhang Zhi said: "If he is a good student, it would be nice to be a study companion for Nian Ge'er."

When Mrs. Lu heard this, she laughed, and her mutton-fat jade bracelet jingled against the table as she said, "Sir, you are too kind. If you really want to learn, the seeds should have been planted long ago. Why do you have to smash bowls and cups every day?"

"It's just that while you were back home, Mrs. Xu deliberately arranged this scene in front of you so that her child could climb up the social ladder."

Zhang Zhi couldn't help but hold his forehead and said, "So that's how it is."

Zhang Zhi's mind was still too shallow, even less insightful than his wife's.

Mrs. Lu said, "But since the master has sent someone to ask, there is no reason to take it back. Go and clean up Brother Nian'er's study."

Zhang Zhi sighed and said, "Yes, I was not careful and felt compassion for her."

"Thinking back to the old days, my third uncle and I couldn't afford to go to school. Now we have passed the imperial examinations and become officials. Now that our horizons have been truly broadened, we are unable to do anything for the people or the world."

When the couple was talking.

Suddenly, it was reported that Zhang Shangying came to visit.

Hearing the name Zhang Shangying, Zhang Zhi frowned. He and Zhang Shangying used to be good friends in the Imperial College, and they could talk about anything.

Later, Zhang Shangying joined the New Party camp, and the two gradually drifted apart, but they did not completely break off contact.

Zhang Shangying's black boots trampled the moonlight all over the courtyard and came to the reception room. He chose the huanghuali armchair at the west end and sat down calmly.

Zhang Shangying smiled and said, "Do you remember this night, Mr. Zhang? We secretly cooked dangshen and mutton in the middle of the night when we were in the Imperial College."

The past came to his mind, Zhang Zhi was filled with emotion, and immediately said: "Tian Jue came here in the middle of the night, not to reminisce about the past, right?"

Zhang Shangying said unhappily, "Mr. Zhang, I'm here to help you, why are you talking like that?"

"Help me? Aren't you working for a subordinate of yours truly?"

Zhang Shangying asked, "Mr. Zhang, how do you think your disciple treated you in the past?"

Zhang Zhi was also a smart man, and he immediately understood Zhang Shangying's intention after hearing this. Zhang Zhi certainly remembered that he loved reading when he was a child, so Zhang Dun liked to teach him to read by the pond in front of the Pucheng County School.

He remembered these scenes vividly.

Zhang Zhi said: "It's been a long time since the incident happened, I don't remember it. The grudge with Prime Minister Cai is between him and me. I don't want to trouble others."

Zhang Shangying was stunned. Before he could say anything, Zhang Zhi evaded him.

Zhang Shangying was furious and thought to himself, I came here with good intentions to mediate peace between you and your second uncle, but you are so unsympathetic. Let's see how you can defeat Cai Que.

Zhang Shangying stopped drinking his tea and left in anger.

Zhang Zhi also stood up and straightened his robe, saying calmly, "It's getting late and the dew is heavy, I won't see you off."

The lanterns in the corridor flickered, reflecting Zhang Shangying's livid face. These words made him stride away even more excited.

At this time, Lu came out from behind the screen and said, "It seems that Zhang Zihou wants to join forces with you to deal with Prime Minister Cai. Why don't you agree? Didn't you say that he treated you very well when you were a child?"

Zhang Zhi said: "We have long stopped communicating, how can we ask him for help now?"

"I don't want to owe him anything. Dealing with Zhizheng is my own business."

After saying this, Zhang turned around and left.

Looking at Zhang Zhi's back, Lu shook her head and said, "Even so, you shouldn't offend him."

……

Although Cai Que was ordered by the emperor to reflect on his actions at home, the emperor did not dismiss him from his position as prime minister after all, so the capital and the Secretariat still came to report any matters, and official documents required his signature.

He, Cai Que, is still the Cai Que that the world cannot live without even for a moment, the Right Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Central Secretariat.

"Right Prime Minister, the dike of Yuancheng has burst, and Daming and Chanyuan counties have become swamps!" The clerk knelt down and reported with a note in his hand. Cai Que only knocked on the table three times with the chessboard, and the opponent bowed and retreated into the depths of the bamboo shadows.

Tsai Que continued to play chess with his good friend Huang Haoqian.

Huang Haoqian, as Huang Haoyi's elder brother, was originally a member of Zhang's party, but the other party was also Cai Que's childhood friend.

So even if Cai Que replaced Zhang Yue as prime minister, Huang Haoqian still held a secure position in the court.

Huang Haoqian placed the black pieces on the star positions, and the celadon chess pot reflected the sparse shadows of bamboo outside the window. The hem of Cai Que's purple official robe fell on the side of the sandalwood couch.

"I remember that year when you entered the Imperial College, you only brought three strings of cash." Huang Haoqian suddenly spoke, and the chess pieces made a crisp sound when they hit the chessboard. "Your mother melted down the silver bracelet that came with your dowry to raise enough money for your journey from Chenzhou to Bianjing."

The jade chess piece between Cai Que's fingers suddenly felt cold, and he suddenly saw his mother Ming standing in front of the mottled earth wall, her faded blue cloth skirt wet with morning dew, but she stuffed the last half a dollar into his bag.

When Cai Que made his move, his gold-embroidered belt accidentally revealed from his sleeves. He said, "Yes, twenty years ago, under the eaves of the Imperial College dormitory, I was still huddled in a thin quilt to keep warm. When I was poor and destitute, I came to you to share a cold pancake."

Huang Haoqian laughed and said, "The day you passed the imperial examination, we ordered the cheapest lamb wine at Fanlou, and ended up getting so drunk that you wrote a letter of thanks for passing the imperial examination as a letter of request to return home. Do you remember?"

Cai Que smiled with tears in his eyes.

Huang Haoqian picked up his teacup and sipped it. "The Ministry of Revenue sent another report about the flood in Hebei, saying that they wanted to use the silk from the treasury. Why did you refuse?"

"Since the emperor has allowed you to govern the country, why do you want to be a lone minister? Look at Qi and Xing Shu, who is worth using?"

Cai Que said: "In the past, the Imperial College doctor said that 'Southerners cannot be prime ministers'. Now I am a Fujianese and I am the right prime minister. This is a great grace. What else can I ask for?"

The chess pieces fell to the ground in groups of three or three.

"Look at the black and white chessboard fighting, it all depends on the game in the forbidden area."

Huang Haoqian asked anxiously, "But what about Chen Heshu?"

Cai Que continued, "Look, the outcome of this chess game is not important. You and I are just chess pieces."

Huang Haoqian felt a surge of sadness in his heart. Is it true that people born in a poor family are destined to be pawns?

Cai Que said slowly: "If the Northwest wins, all the slander will be eliminated; if it loses... my crime will be compounded!"

Huang Haoqian was surprised and said, "My husband, at this juncture, are you still going to give it a try in the northwest?"

Cai Que nodded and said, "I have no way out!"