Prime Minister

Chapter 1270 Wang Gui’s Visit

Chapter 1270 Wang Gui’s Visit

Military sentiment is on fire.

Border reports from Shaanxi and Hedong were transmitted to the capital one after another.

The cavalrymen galloped hastily through the Imperial Street, and passers-by dodged in all directions.

The messenger knocked on the palace gate late at night with military reports in hand and rode his horse straight into the palace.

Wang Gui and Cai Que were appointed as ministers and stayed in the palace on duty.

Wang Gui was old after all, and resting in the Secretariat was not as good as resting in his own residence. Moreover, he could not hold a grand banquet for guests or enjoy "slow singing and dancing and stringed instruments" in the palace like he could in his own residence.

However, even though he was in the mansion, Wang Gui could not avoid being frightened several times a night.

Wang Gui said to Cai Que, who was also on duty in the Secretariat, "The Khitan army in Hebei is approaching, and the military situation in Shaanxi is raging. I am really being roasted on a stove right now!"

In the East Hall of the Secretariat, officials from various departments were coming and going non-stop, and outside, a group of officials were waiting for business.

Cai Que looked up and said, "The lights in the Zizheng Hall are still on all night."

"Your Majesty, this is difficult."

At this time, Wang Zhichen, the inspector of the Secretariat's clerk room, came walking over and handed over another stack of official documents.

Like Chen Mu, Wang Zhichen was born in the same year as Zhang Yue in the sixth year of Jiayou. However, Wang Zhichen always had some grudges against Zhang Yue because he almost had a marriage with Shiqi Niang.

Later, Wang Zhichen also wanted to make peace with Zhang Yue.

However, there was a gap between them, and the two could never open up to each other. In the end, he chose Wang Gui between Zhang Yue and Wang Gui.

However, Wang Zhichen was recommended by Wang Gui to be the Inspector of Official Affairs in the Secretariat, and he was considered an outstanding figure among his peers in that subject.

Wang Gui asked Wang Zhichen, "Have you shown these to the historian?"

Wang Zhichen said: "It was sent to the Prime Minister's residence, but no instructions were given."

Wang Gui said, "You were also a Jinshi in the sixth year of Jiayou, and you were the second place in the imperial examination. Why can't you say that the History Museum has seen it?"

Wang Zhichen said, "Yes, but the people in the prime minister's residence reported that the prime minister was dizzy and could not see."

Wang Gui said, "I am already seventy years old and my eyes are blurry, but the historian is not even forty and he is already dizzy and blurry?"

Wang Zhichen didn't know how to answer.

Wang Gui could only signal Wang Zhichen to leave, and then said to Cai Que: "How should I respond to this?"

"Sun Yunzhong is not here anymore, and I am also in charge of the West Mansion."

Because of his weak attitude towards the Liao Kingdom, Privy Councilor Sun Gu was still in office but was actually dismissed from his post.

Currently, Zhang Yue is in charge of the Privy Council.

Now that Zhang Yue is recuperating from illness, the affairs of the East and West Palaces are shouldered by Wang Gui.

Under normal circumstances, Wang Gui would have been more than happy to accept the request, but now he had to shoulder the burden of hundreds of Song military prefectures, as well as the Khitan and Tangut forces, and was faced with both internal and external troubles.

Old man Wang Gui can't handle it all by himself.

Cai Que calmly reviewed a note and then said, "We have been in the Secretariat for many years, and we are not unfamiliar with the methods of the Historian. He has always been fighting by not fighting. He seems not to take charge of things, but those who are capable will be promoted and those who are not will be demoted."

"It's still up to us to clean up the mess and the aftermath."

Wang Gui said: "But Shiguan is really ill this time."

Cai Que said: "No matter how seriously ill you are, you can handle official business if you have the heart to do so."

"He holds you in his hands, but I can't do anything to the Khitan and Tangut."

Wang Gui said, "There is really nothing we can do! I think that you are trying to fight for the 'right to request an imperial decree' and Prime Minister Zhang has learned about it."

Cai Que laughed angrily, "Zhang San is still like this after all these years."

"Well, if you want it, I'll give it to you. How generous of you. I just can't stand his hypocritical attitude."

Wang Gui said, "In my opinion, the position of the Minister of State shall still be that of the Secretary of State. All the members of the court shall ask for the Emperor's order. No one shall argue with each other."

Cai Que said: "Duke Zhaowen should think twice. Once you give up your power, it will be difficult to take it back."

"When Zhang San was staying at Dingli Temple, we had a hard time convincing His Majesty that from now on, the Secretariat will ask for His Majesty's approval. How can His Majesty change his mind every day?"

"Your Majesty, how will you view us?"

Wang Gui heard this and said, "Then Zhang San will be the Minister of the Secretariat, and I will be the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel! Let's give it up and let His Majesty know how generous we are."

Cai Que was moved when he heard this, and after moving his lips twice, he said, "Okay. Duke Zhaowen insists on this!"

Wang Gui said, "Don't worry. If Prime Minister Zhang replaces me one day, you will take over his position as Right Prime Minister and become the Minister of the Secretariat! Even if that day doesn't come, if Zhang resigns in two years, you will still be Right Prime Minister."

"This is the way to attack when advancing and defend when retreating."

"You guys can fight for power, I just want peace and security for my old age."

Cai Que flicked the jade pendant in his hand, which was given to him by Zhang Yue. Cai Que took it as an encouragement for the two to reach new heights in their rise to power.

Cai Que looked far away, and after looking at the bright lights of the Forbidden Palace outside the window, he said: "Prince Zhaowen is really leisurely and carefree."

"Just obey your orders."

Wang Gui said: "If he doesn't fight, I won't fight either. At a time when the country is in danger, it's a low point to fight over these things."

"As long as Liao and Xixia can withdraw their troops, I am willing to resign as Prime Minister!"

"If you have no objection, I will send my confidant to talk to him."

Cai Que asked, "Who is this confidant?"

"Cai Jing!"

"I think since it has come to this, it would be best for the Prime Minister to go to the Historian himself and explain it to the Minister."

Wang Gui heard this and rebuked him, "I think you are still trying to spy on the right prime minister, so you want to embarrass me."

After saying this, Wang Gui turned away.

-

The next day, Wang Gui's carriage arrived at Zhang Yue's residence.

Wang Gui's face has been dark these days. He is dizzy with state and border affairs. At this point, he really wishes he could grow wings and go directly to Zhang Yue's mansion.

When Wang Gui arrived at the gate of the mansion, he asked the servant of Zhang Mansion, "Has the report been made?"

"Since Lord Zhaowen is here, why do we need to inform him? Please come in directly."

Wang Gui waved his hand and said, "Although I am the chief minister, I am the same as Lord Zhang as a prime minister, and we are equal."

Wang Gui simply stood in front of the mansion gate and waited.

After a while, Peng Jingyi came out of the house and said, "The Prime Minister knew about this a long time ago. He is ill and cannot come to greet us in person. Please ask Minister Zhaowen to come in."

Only then did Wang Gui step inside.

When they reached Zhang Yue's bed, Zhang Yue struggled to stand up and pay his respects, but Wang Gui refused, saying, "Mr. Zhang, there's no need for us to be so formal."

Zhang Yue was indeed still ill. When he knew Wang Gui had arrived, he smeared some ginger water on his face to make it look more realistic.

Zhang Yue simply sat on the bed and said, "Thank you, Lord Zhao Wen, for coming here in person."

Wang Gui said, "Is my husband feeling better these days? I would be worried if I didn't come to see him."

"Over the years, all officials have relied on the History Museum to take care of state affairs. It's really hard work!"

Wang Gui sighed as he spoke, and he looked very worried about Zhang Yue's health. Zhang Yue said, "Serving the country is hard work. Fortunately, Duke Zhaowen has been taking care of me these years."

Wang Gui said, "What's the point of taking care of me or not? You and I are two different entities, so it's only right that we should help each other when there's something going on."

After a pause, Wang Gui said, "When you lived in Dingli Temple, Cai Zhizheng and I discussed that the Zhongshu should be the only one to ask for an imperial decree. I felt that this was inappropriate and did not agree to it."

"When Chi was staying with me one day, His Majesty mentioned this matter during a conversation, and His Majesty was quite pleased with it."

"So I think that's it. What do you think?"

Zhang Yue said, "Since Zhao Wen and Can Zheng have both made their decision, let's do it this way. I have no objection."

Wang Gui smiled and said, "The Zhongshu has been asking for imperial orders since ancient times. In the Tang Dynasty, all government affairs were first drafted by the Zhongshu, which was then reviewed by the Ministry of Personnel and then implemented by the Shangshu. The procedures were very precise."

"But the division of responsibilities will avoid disputes among the three ministries. So Wang would like to ask Mr. Zhang to take on more work and take over the Secretariat as well."