bookrandom Chapter 1305 Establishing a Crown Prince
Chapter 1305 Establishing a Crown Prince
Chapter 1305 Establishing a Crown Prince
Yanhe Hall.
Zhang Yue had anticipated the emperor's idea a long time ago.
The emperor will definitely regret the matter of establishing a crown prince.
But the problem is that if the government wants to go back on its word, there’s nothing you can do about it.
On the contrary, forcing the emperor to acknowledge it and issue an edict to establish a crown prince was not the best option at that time.
Zhang Yue was dressed the same as before, except that he wore a "jade belly-hugging" belt around his waist, which was given to him by the emperor when he pacified Xihe.
Zhang Yue was afraid that it might break down, so he usually kept it at home and didn’t take it out unless it was an important event.
Today, Zhang Yue was wearing the "Jade Belly", and the emperor saw it at a glance and couldn't help but think of their old friendship.
So he couldn't let Zhang Yue retire from the palace.
One reason is that it doesn't look good, as Zhang Yue has made great contributions to the court; the other reason is that he will only feel at ease if Zhang Yue is where he can see him.
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, there are two things left to do. One is to abolish the Market Exchange Law, and the other is to change the Green Seed Law to a pawnshop run by the imperial court."
"I have discussed the details of the reform with the Secretariat, and Your Majesty can implement them now to win the hearts of the people and make up for the shortcomings of the reform."
The emperor knew that Zhang Yue's own changes would be an embarrassment to him, so he left it to him to make the changes.
"There is also the Liao matter. Your Majesty must not act too hastily. If there is no major change in the Liao Kingdom, you must not attack the Dangxiang easily. You must wait until there is a change in the country, and you must not increase the annual tribute to appease them."
The emperor's face turned slightly awkward when he heard this, as Zhang Yue's words hit the nail on the head.
Zhang Yue looked at the official's expression and understood what he meant. He shook his head helplessly and continued.
"Your Majesty, when negotiating with Liao, you must not fool them, but be sincere. Why is it that 'everything has a beginning, but few have an end'?"
"It is a mistake to have too high expectations. If Your Majesty attacks the Tanguts and expects the Liao Kingdom not to intervene, it is tantamount to handing the power of life and death to others."
"Nothing in the world is difficult. It's just a matter of setting a direction and working on it step by step. It's okay even if I tell others what I have in mind."
The emperor asked back, "Didn't you tell me before that I should be strategically ambiguous?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, that was at the beginning. Now your Majesty wants to revive Ling, and even the Uighurs and Jiaozhi have heard of it."
"How could the Liao Kingdom and the Tanguts not know about this? Even a three-year-old child knows about it."
The emperor felt a little embarrassed when he heard this. Zhang Yue looked at the emperor and said, "This is how a ruler is. When everyone flatters you, you will often make common sense mistakes in judgment."
Zhang Yue said: "It doesn't matter if you know it. I'm good at tactics, not morality. In my opinion, the issue of the crown prince of Liao will change. Now is a good time for Your Majesty to attack the Dangxiang."
The official was overjoyed when he heard this and asked, "When will it be?"
Zhang Yue said: "In these few years."
After a pause, Zhang Yue said, "As for domestic affairs, Your Majesty should guard against counterattacks and new methods, so it would be best to ask Sima Guang to return to the central government. I am just afraid that he will not be willing to come back."
The official said: "The most urgent matter of state affairs is talents. Apart from Sima Guang, what other ministers are available?"
Zhang Yue took out a piece of paper from his boots and gave it to the emperor, saying, "These people have all been examined by me, but they have not been put to great use. I will leave them for your majesty to use."
The emperor carefully read the names on it, and said in his heart, "I will write them down on the screen later. I have remembered your words. Is there anything else you want to say?"
Zhang Yue said: "The performance evaluation system is a good system. It is up to your majesty to decide on the selection of personnel. We will only discuss national affairs here. As for other matters... after I retire and return home, your majesty can make your own plans. I have said everything I wanted to say."
The official was stunned for a moment, then said, "You are not confused at the moment, why are you talking about retiring?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, in fact, human life is like a grain of rice in a granary, like a flash of lightning that dazzles the eyes, like a rotten wood on a cliff, like a wave on the passing sea. If you know this, how can you not be sad? How can you not be happy?"
"Sometimes when I read history books, I see a page that depicts the life struggles of many people, and I can't help but feel deeply moved."
"I was born in a humble family, and was promoted by Your Majesty to where I am today. Unfortunately, my limited ability cannot help Your Majesty achieve an unparalleled foundation. But with these five years of experience, I have done my best for the people of the world."
The emperor was moved and asked, "Didn't you ask for it for yourself or your family?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty has allowed me to stay in the palace."
The emperor couldn't hold back any longer after hearing this, and grabbed Zhang Yue's hand and said, "Come with me."
Zhang Yue held the tablet in one hand and was led by the emperor with the other hand to the back of the hall.
At this time, there were countless eunuchs standing at the back of the palace. When they saw the emperor and Zhang Yue arriving, they all bowed and made way.
Zhang Yue followed the official to a small couch, but saw the Sixth Prince standing in the hall holding the hand of an old woman.
Compared to last year's banquet, the Sixth Prince seemed to be thinner, but his eyes were still bright and energetic.
Zhang Yue was surprised and happy to see this.
The official told the old woman, "Grandmother-in-law, please leave!"
The old woman agreed to leave, and the emperor took the Sixth Prince's hand. Zhang Yue immediately bowed to him and said, "Your Highness Zhang Yue greets the Sixth Prince!"
The emperor said to the sixth prince, "This is Mr. Zhang!"
After a pause, the emperor added, "Help me pacify Xihe and recover Liangzhou, Minister Zhang!"
The Sixth Prince said timidly, "Greetings, Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Yue smiled slightly and stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, although the Sixth Prince is still young, I have heard that he is very smart and studious, and can recite seven volumes of the Analects. When Your Majesty took the medicine, he wrote two volumes of Buddhist scriptures to pray for blessings. This is filial piety."
"Today, I saw the Sixth Prince of the Emperor, and he seemed to be the real empress of the Spring Palace."
The emperor smiled and said to the sixth prince, "Prince Zhang praised you."
The Sixth Prince didn't know what to say.
Zhang Yue looked at the emperor, expecting him to say something. The emperor remained silent for a moment and finally said, "I have made up my mind. I will issue an order later!"
Zhang Yue said happily: "This is a blessing for us, and for all the people in the world!"
The official looked solemn upon hearing this, with an indescribable bitterness in his expression.
After a pause, Zhang Yue said, "I will now bid farewell to Your Majesty. I hope to hear your kind words soon."
The emperor said to Zhang Yue in a somewhat depressed tone, "From now on, when I come to ask for advice, no one will be as frank and honest as you are to me."
"If the country has any major problems, who can I ask?"
Zhang Yue was startled and raised his head, looking at the emperor's words and said, "Your Majesty, if you have any questions, please issue an edict. I will answer them at any time."
The emperor nodded and said, "You go now. I will summon you to court at any time."
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Then I bid farewell to your majesty!"
The emperor nodded, and watched Zhang Yue leave with the sixth prince.
Seeing Zhang Yue disappear outside the palace, the emperor said to the sixth prince: "Governing a country is not easy. There are thousands of miles of land and hundreds of millions of people. But don't think that you can do whatever you want just because you are in this position."
"Others are afraid of your power, so they are afraid of offending you and speak in a flattering way. So it becomes increasingly difficult for you to know what is right and what is wrong."
"So you should select famous ministers and good ministers to assist him, please do so!"
The emperor looked outside the palace in silence. The sixth prince asked, "How do we select famous ministers and good prime ministers?"
The official remained silent.
……
After leaving the palace, Zhang Yue changed out of his purple robe and jade belt, dressed in ordinary clothes, rode his skinny horse and went straight out of Xuande Gate.
When he met several officials, he couldn't help but exchange a few words with them. Several people wanted to see him off, but Zhang Yue declined.
It was daytime when I came, and it was dusk when I left.
In front of Xuande Gate, Cai Bian was waiting: "Students are here to see off the teacher."
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Okay, you can accompany me."
The two walked forward together and out of Xuande Gate, they came to Qianbu Gallery. At dusk, countless vendors had already started their business.
In an instant, countless lights gathered into a sea like starlight.
Zhang Yue really likes places like this with a strong sense of everyday life.
Cai Bian said: "Now under the imperial city, hundreds of markets are prosperous, this is all the kindness that you have bestowed on the people."
Zhang Yue said: "This is what the people already have. On the contrary, if we don't forbid this or that, the people will benefit."
Zhang Yue said to Cai Bian: "In the past, I was a farmer in the morning and entered the emperor's palace in the evening. Now, I enter the emperor's palace in the morning and return to my hometown in the evening."
“When flowers and willows are dense and dense, the one who can push them aside is a man of skill; when winds and rains are strong, the one who can stand firm is a man of integrity.”
"Yuan Du, I have been the prime minister for five years, and I know how difficult it is to say this. Fortunately, I have done it, and now I can leave here with ease."
Zhang Yue took a look at the bustling Imperial Street.
Cai Bian choked up and said, "The people will remember the Prime Minister's kindness."
Zhang Yue said: "Yuan Du. I heard that textile factories in Qinzhou and Hangzhou have already hired boys as workers."
Cai Bian was stunned and asked, "Do you want to take care of it?"
Zhang Yue said, "This is not my business. Yuandu, eat a bowl of mixed food with me. I don't know when I will be able to eat this again."
……
At this moment in the palace.
The emperor was eating soup dumplings when he said to Empress Dowager Gao, "Empress Dowager, I have decided to make my sixth brother the crown prince."
"It will be…next month."
Empress Dowager Gao twirled the rosary in her hand, looked up at the emperor and asked, "Did Zhang Yue persuade you just now?"
The official said: "It's not just Zhang Yue, it's also what the prime ministers think, even Wen Yanbo said so."
Empress Dowager Gao was silent for a moment. The Emperor looked at her and asked, "Does mother love Prince Yong more?"
Queen Mother Gao said angrily, "Yong'er is also my grandson. I never thought of asking Prince Yong... or even promising him anything."
"So does Prince Yong have this idea?"
Empress Dowager Gao was silent for a moment, then said, "When you took the medicine, he only came to the palace because he was worried about my health."
Queen Mother Gao changed the subject and asked, "Do you know that Xing Shu invited Gong Hui and Gong Ji to the inner house in the name of admiring flowers, and mentioned the matter of supporting Prince Yong?"
The official said, "I have heard about this."
Empress Dowager Gao said, "Xing Shu is such a double-faced person. Does the emperor always use these people?"
The emperor certainly knew that Xing Shu was following Cai Que's instructions to test the Empress Dowager Gao's intentions through the Gao family.
The official said, "Queen Mother, do you think it is a good idea for a servant to be the prince?"
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Gao said, "The maid is a filial and sensible child."
The emperor said, "The queen mother's words are enough. I had no choice but to do this."
Empress Dowager Gao asked, "How did Zhang Yue persuade Your Majesty?"
The emperor smiled bitterly and thought, Zhang Yue is a man who uses softness instead of hardness, and weakness instead of strength. One person after another comes to persuade me, and everyone stands by him, and in the end I feel like a lonely man.
I am like a lone goose flying alone. Looking around, I see no one in the outer court who supports me!
Empress Dowager Gao saw that the emperor didn't say anything but guessed: "This chapter is indeed a minister left to you by the late emperor. Wang Anshi is far inferior to him in this skill."
"He and Sima Twelve helped the late emperor ascend the throne, and now he is the prime minister and has decided on the issue of the crown prince. His contribution is truly immense."
The official said: "No matter what happened to Mr. Zhang, he has already retired and returned to his hometown."
"He never asked for anything for himself, but only for the country and society."
Empress Dowager Gao said: "That is the vision of the Emperor Ren Miao and the late Emperor. And how do you plan to use Sima Twelve?"
The official said, "After he has edited the book, he will be appointed as the Chief Censor of the Imperial Censorate. Let Lü Gongzhuo and Han Zhongyan be his teachers and guardians."
"Just one Chief Censor?"
The official thought for a moment and said, "Then let the two governments govern!"
Empress Dowager Gao nodded and said, "That's more like it. Sima Guang's knowledge and character are no less than Zhang Yue's, but he is not as deeply rooted in the court as Zhang Yue. I feel relieved to have him assist the Song Dynasty."
"But will the new law or the ancestral law be used in the future? Will you decide whether to use it for new or old people?"
The emperor said, "There are many disputes between the two sides. I can suppress them for now. As for how to proceed in the future... I'm afraid no one knows."
Empress Dowager Gao was stunned; she also saw the emperor's hesitation and embarrassment.
It is not easy to be an emperor.
The emperor said, "Zhang Qing is right. Playing tricks is not a skill. Governing a country well is the responsibility of the emperor."
"When I was seriously ill, I thought a lot. It might be better for me to just stay ill and let the servant do it."
"But I will not be able to rest in peace until my party is destroyed."
……
Zhang Yue and Cai Bian were eating mutton offal.
Zhang Yue saw many passers-by wearing cotton-padded jackets while walking through the market. Even ordinary people were wearing cotton-padded jackets at the food stalls, eating with Zhang Yue and others.
When the common people wanted to exchange banknotes, they would take out Jiaozi and copper coins, and the restaurant owner would quickly find copper coins for them.
The storyteller talked at length about the battle of Pingxia City, the attack on Liangzhou, and the conquest of the Western Regions, and many people gathered around to listen with great interest.
Not far away there is an official hospital run by the imperial court.
Looking at all this, Zhang Yue calmly ate his third bowl of mutton offal. At this moment, there was also a storyteller in the restaurant who was criticizing Zhang Yue's politics.
The imperial court promoted cotton spinning in Suzhou and Hangzhou, which made the price of rice several times more expensive, causing the common people to have no food or clothing. There was also a large number of child laborers, even children as young as five or six were not spared.
In order to compete for profits, they completely disregard the people's well-being.
Zhang Yue felt very uncomfortable listening to the story, especially when the storyteller described the experience of a child laborer, which made everyone around him cry.
Cai Bian couldn't help but say, "Prime Minister, this is a fabrication."
"The business of Suzhou and Hangzhou has never reached this point."
Zhang Yue said: "Of course I know it is fabricated."
Cai Bian said: "I will order Kaifeng Prefecture to investigate."
Zhang Yue said, "Forget it. If I were in power, I would punish him severely. But I have already retired. Let him say whatever he wants."
"Let's go!"
After saying this, Zhang Yue threw a 10-yuan note on the table and said, "No need to change."
The vendor took it with many thanks.
Cai Bian followed Zhang Yue's horse and said, "Prime Minister, don't take these words to heart. Your good governance is known to the world. Even if some people don't understand it at the moment, they will know it after a long time."
Zhang Yue said: "It is said that we should be open-minded and accept criticism with an open mind. But I am no exception. When I hear criticism, I cannot help but take it seriously."
"But it is not difficult for an official to make people convinced. As long as the officials are not afraid of my strictness but my integrity, and the people are not convinced by my ability but my fairness, it will be done in the long run."