bookrandom Chapter 1252 The True Meaning of Confucianists
Chapter 1252 The True Meaning of Confucianists
Chapter 1252 The True Meaning of Confucianists
Huang Lu felt a little unfamiliar when he stepped into the East Hall of the Secretariat.
Nine out of ten times he went to the Secretariat, he went to the West Hall to discuss matters with Zhang Yue. As for the number of times he went to the East Hall, it was very few.
But since he was already here, what’s more, it was a letter from the Secretariat and personally delivered by Prime Minister Wang Gui.
When Huang Lu arrived at the East Hall of the Secretariat, Wang Gui treated him with great courtesy and held a table for him.
After the clerk served the two men a drink, Huang Lu just took a sip when he heard a bang and Wang Gui placed the bowl heavily on the table.
Wang Gui said, "Could it be that the three departments are so desperate that they can't even give the National Trust Bank 50,000 strings of cash?"
The Guoxin Office was a government office specifically responsible for receiving Khitan envoys and was under the jurisdiction of the Privy Council. Its full name was the Guoxin Office for Receiving and Sending Correspondence, and it was established in the fourth year of Jingde reign of Emperor Zhenzong.
In order to receive the Khitan envoys who came to "ask for punishment" this time, Wang Gui ordered the State Information Office to receive them well. There were procedures for meeting, banqueting, saying goodbye, and touring. In addition, gifts, saddled horses, and return transactions were all carefully arranged. He also approved a sum of 50,000 strings of cash and ordered the three departments to allocate it.
However, when Guo Xinguan went to Sansi to withdraw money, he was rejected by Huang Lu.
Guan Gou went back to report to Sun Gu, who in turn informed Wang Gui. Wang Gui was furious and summoned Huang Lu himself.
Wang Gui said: "Your Majesty has repeatedly said that the Liao envoys should not be treated with the same courtesy as other tribes, so the host and the guest will decide the right and wrong. How dare you be disrespectful!"
Seeing that Wang Gui got angry, Huang Lu remained calm.
He was no longer the high-spirited student he once was. After years of experience in the officialdom, he understood one thing: when your boss loses his temper and scolds you, you must not lose your temper.
Otherwise you will be scolded in vain.
Huang Lu said calmly: "Reporting to Lord Zhaowen, according to tradition, the number of Khitan envoys entering the country shall not exceed 100, and the number of envoys sent by our dynasty to Khitan shall not exceed 100. But this time, there are more than 200 Khitan envoys, which is not in accordance with the system."
"I'm sorry that I can't allocate the full amount of money because I can't accommodate so many people."
Wang Gui was old and frail and didn't want to argue any more, so he just bit the bullet and said, "This is because the Khitans are more respectful to me. At the same time, we should send more troops to protect the envoys' safety."
Huang Lu said: "I heard that although the chief envoy Han Shipu was released, he received no gifts from the country. He was not given food during the three days he was detained in Liao State, and was only given bad water. Even Tong Guan, the deputy envoy, was detained by Liao State in Youzhou."
"I didn't know there was such a solemn etiquette from ancient times to the present! Please explain it to me, Lord Zhaowen!"
Cai Que said, "Prime Minister Ji, Xiongzhou has reported that the Liao Kingdom has been gathering at the border, and is planning to move south. If the Liao Kingdom's cavalry moves south, what should we do? Can the court dispatch elite troops from Xihe Road and Shaanxi Road, which are thousands of miles away, to provide assistance?"
"This time, the Liao army attacked our Xiaonanhe Village in Cangzhou and killed thousands of our soldiers and civilians. This was more than just a warning."
Huang Lu said: "Reporting to the Grand Counselor, we must not be arrogant at first and then respectful. If we take the initiative to show weakness, the Liao envoy will know our strengths and weaknesses."
Cai Que said, "That's better than bluffing like this! Once the Liao invades the south, Hebei will have no way to defend itself. The court has spent too much money on Xihe Road and Shaanxi over the years. As a result, Hebei's military preparations have been neglected. Isn't it too late to reorganize the army and set up the Three Auxiliary Armies now?"
Wang Gui said: "If the Liao army really goes south, it will be too late for us to negotiate peace. We might as well take advantage of now... when the Liao's demands are not too excessive."
"As far as I know, Liao Lord Yelu Hongji is a reasonable man."
Huang Lu said: "On the contrary, as far as I know, the Liao ruler Yelu Hongji is not a good person. How can he be called a good person if he can kill his wife and children? Now the Liao Kingdom has put the knife to our necks. The court cannot expect to be forgiven by giving in."
Wang Gui said: "The Secretariat will discuss matters of etiquette. Will Anzhong allocate funds?"
Huang Lize said, "Reporting to Lord Zhaowen, I will tell you how Kou Zhongmin dealt with the Khitans back then. Please tell me how you deal with the Khitans today! We must not think that if we appease them, the Liao Kingdom will really let us go."
"It's not that the three ministries don't have money, but I'd rather use 50,000 strings of cash to build a 1,000-man army camp than to feed the Liao wolves."
"I'm resigning!"
After saying this, Huang Lu stood up and left, leaving Cai Que and Wang Gui looking at each other in bewilderment.
Wang Gui said angrily: "This Huang Anzhong clearly doesn't take the truth into consideration."
Cai Que said calmly: "I have long advised the Prime Minister to recall Lü Jiawen, Deng Wan and others to the court, but the Prime Minister did not listen."
"Now the court is full of Zhang San's followers, what should we advocate?"
……
In Dingli Temple.
Zhang Yue had already settled down there, and was enjoying himself discussing scriptures and philosophy with the monks in the temple and Li Kui every day.
Although he was in seclusion, officials of all ranks, such as Huang Lu, would still write down important official matters on paper and report them to him.
Although Zhang Yue handled the message with the method of "read but not reply", he still knew everything about the court inside and outside while living in the Zen room.
Among all his disciples, Li Kui followed Zhang Yue the longest. When he was fighting in Xihe Road, he followed Zhang Yue from beginning to end. He made great contributions in the war and was awarded an official title. Li Kui later passed the Suoting examination and was admitted as a Jinshi in the second year of Yuanfeng.
Li Kui's ability was not outstanding among all the disciples, although not as good as Cai Bian and Chen Guan, but Zhang Yue trusted him the most.
Zhang Yue's semi-seclusion from the hustle and bustle of the world also made him follow him.
The courtyard where Zhang Yue lived in the temple was shaded by lilacs, and there were also a few sparse bamboos interspersed among them, with emerald green leaves.
The whole garden is filled with spring.
The morning bells and evening drums cleanse people’s hearts.
It's really a great place to escape from the world.
In the past few days, Zhang Yue also followed the same schedule as the monks. He got up at the morning bell and went to bed at the evening bell, which actually regulated his biological clock.
After a good night's sleep, Zhang Yue played chess with the wise elder in the temple in the courtyard today, and Li Kui watched from the side.
Listening to the sound of chess pieces tapping on the chessboard and looking at the lilacs all over the garden, Zhang Yue stroked the cold chess pieces and couldn't help but think of the poem written by Wang Anshi here: 'Diligently untie the knots of lilacs, and let the luxuriant branches spread to usher in spring.'
Zhineng is Master Zhiyuan's junior fellow apprentice. It is unknown whether they are brothers in the same school, but the two have very similar temperaments. Zhang Yue never thought that he would meet him in this situation.
Zhang Yue asked, "Why is it so quiet inside and outside the temple these days?"
Elder Zhineng said, "Kaifeng Prefecture Governor Su has sent soldiers to block the nearby streets. There are guards at every few places. It can be said that no one can get through."
"Now even pilgrims dare not come to our temple."
Zhang Yue said apologetically, "I originally took refuge here, looking for a place to escape from the world. Unexpectedly, I disturbed the tranquility of your temple."
"I'll ask Magistrate Su to evacuate the people."
The intelligent master laughed and said, "The prime minister doesn't need to say anything. He said that all beings are equal, but in fact, how can all beings be equal? The prime minister who has retired is still the prime minister!"
Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Master is right."
Master Zhineng sighed, "In fact, there is no real place in the world for enlightenment, otherwise we monks wouldn't need offerings from believers."
Zhang Yueluozi said: "Master, as a scholar, in fact, all scholars are struggling between being an official and being a hermit...Seclusion is not to escape from the world, but to find a quiet place for one's heart!"
Just as Zhang Yue had been struggling between being a homebody and not being a homebody before he traveled through time.
In his previous life, Zhang Yue thought that it was such a good thing that he could get paid without having to work.
But now Zhang Yue is not in this mood. Is this what a prime minister wants?
Avoiding social interaction and being afraid of it is not the same as leaving the world.
The worldly pursuit of scholars is like what is written in Walden, to truly follow one's inner thoughts. The farther one is from the world, the closer one is to oneself.
After being able to see the true nature of one's mind, one finally returns to the world.
Zhang Yue stared at the chessboard and continued slowly: "I have been the prime minister for three years, and all the state affairs, big or small, are decided by you. It seems that the world cannot do without you for a moment."
“It is said that those who have accomplished great things throughout history are mostly people with great mental strength, but such a heart is also extremely tired!”
The first half of Zhang Yue’s sentence was correct, but the second half was not mentioned.
He took this opportunity to leave the court for a while and look back to see if the people you follow and the laws and regulations you have established can run smoothly. He wanted to see what problems had arisen from the perspective of an outsider.
Choosing to leave actively and leaving passively are two completely different things.
Zhang Yue sometimes thought that he didn't have to hold on to power. If someone could really help him destroy the Dangxiang and recover Youyan, he could do that without me.
However, Zhang Yue thought about it carefully and felt uneasy about entrusting such matters to others.
After making his move, the Master of Intelligence said, "In fact, it is not difficult to be born into the world. If you enter the world to the extreme, you will also be born into the world at the first level."
"Entering the world is a process of tempering the mind, and the so-called kingship and hegemony are also the result of tempering the mind to the extreme."
"Prime Minister, when it comes to the masters of entering and leaving the world throughout history, the best one to recommend is Liu Hou!"
Amid the lilacs in the garden, Zhang Yue's eyes slowly rose, glanced at Master Zhineng, smiled and said, "Master, you don't know that there are two levels of ministers."
"The first is like Liu Hou, who is a counselor and the only one serving Liu Bang. He can withdraw at any time and hide his achievements and fame."
"The other type is Xiao He and Han Xin. They want to be the ministers of the whole world, not just one person."
After saying this, Zhang Yue dropped a word.
The Master of Intelligence looked at it carefully for a moment and said, "The Prime Minister's words really cleared up my confusion. It's like the Prime Minister's move, although it's a light one, it's as powerful as thunder."
"I heard thunder in the silence! I lost!"
Zhang Yue stood up and shook off the petals on his body and said, "I have been studying for thirty years since I was a child. Although I have learned the art of ruling the country like Liu Hou, I disdain to use it. It is not difficult for Liu Hou to enter and leave the world, but that is the Huang-Lao school after all, not the true meaning of Confucianism."
The intelligent master asked, "What is the true meaning of Confucianism?"
Zhang Yue said: "It is just what the master said just now, to enter the world to the extreme and seek the knowledge of transcendence. Just like us ordinary people, what do we seek after working hard all our lives? It is not to change the world or change our fate, but when the real storm comes, we will have the confidence to be prepared and deal with it, and be calm and relaxed at that time."
Master Zhineng said, "I understand now. It seems that the Prime Minister is not really hiding!"
Zhang Yue's eyes shone, and Master Zhineng smiled bitterly and said, "Prime Minister, don't worry. I am seriously ill and will not live long. Besides, I don't speak carelessly."
Zhang Yue said: "I knew it a long time ago."
"When I see you, I can't help but think of Master Zhiyuan. Do you know that he died because of me?"
Master Zhineng clasped his hands and said, "Prime Minister, I only know that Master Zhiyuan was killed by Gui Zhang and died for the country. After his death, Buddhism was spread in Xihe and Hexi."
"Although my body will die, my long-cherished wish has been fulfilled, and I can rest in peace in my grave."
Zhang Yue sighed, "This matter has been on my mind for many years. Now that Master has said this, my guilt has been slightly alleviated."
……
In the afternoon, after Zhang Yue took a short nap, Zhang Cheng came to bring him some clean clothes.
Zhang Yue casually checked his article. He read it for a long time, then looked at Zhang Cheng and said, "You must have worked hard these days to be brave and ashamed!"
Zhang Cheng said with embarrassment: "I haven't been working very hard lately."
Zhang Yue shook his head and said, "I can tell whether you work hard or not. You have put in less than a month's work, but it is equivalent to what you would have put in a year before."
Zhang Cheng was surprised and happy when he heard this.
Seeing his expression, Zhang Yue was silent for a moment and said, "Actually, I don't want you to work so hard!"
Zhang Cheng asked, "Why, Daddy?"
Zhang Yue said: "You have never liked studying since you were a child, you were just forced to do so by your mother."
"In fact, the path you are taking will never be better than mine. If I teach you personally and you take this path, at most you will become another me. You have to walk your own path and be yourself. Don't go against your own wishes just because you failed the exam or because of your parents' orders."
"Perhaps you have something to hide?"
Zhang Cheng said: "After I failed the exam, I heard Zhang Zihou mocking me and I was very upset. That's why I started to work hard!"
Zhang Yue heard this and thought, okay, what’s this?
Zhang Dun's son mocked my son. He had also heard of Zhang Dun's sons, all of whom were outstanding in talent and learning.
It must be said that the Zhang family has good genes and produces scholars. Even Zhang Qie's sons are outstanding figures. He originally hoped that there would be a competitive spirit among the children of the family, but what kind of family tradition is it to mock those who fail the exam?
The grudges of the previous generation continued to the next generation.
Zhang Yue was furious when he heard that Zhang Cheng was being mocked. Zhang Cheng quickly said, "They didn't mock me in person, but a few friends told me about it. I know I am ashamed and have failed my parents' expectations."
"So I plan to work hard."
Zhang Cheng spoke the word "hard work" in a very low voice.
Zhang Yue said: "In this case, just make your decision according to your heart! No matter what you decide in the future, your father will support you!"
Zhang Cheng was overjoyed when he heard this: "Thank you, Daddy!"
(End of this chapter)