bookrandom Chapter 1225 Performance
Chapter 1225 Performance
Chapter 1225 Performance
The carriage stopped near Daxiangguo Temple.
Zhang Yue went to Daxiangguo Temple to buy flowers and trees for Shiqi Niang to enjoy. Daxiangguo Temple is the CBD center of Bianjing. Why?
Because the destination of the grain ships from the southeast to Bianjing was Daxiangguo Temple, many merchants who came to Bianjing from thousands of miles away settled here as their first stop. Therefore, Xiangguo Temple Street, Temple East Gate Street, and Back Gate Street were all particularly prosperous places.
As for the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, as well as the third and eighth days, the temple fair at Daxiangguo Temple is a must-visit spot for visitors to Bianjing. The two wings of the temple courtyard alone can accommodate tens of thousands of people.
Zhang Yue remembered that when he came here for the first time, he did not go directly to the Daxiangguo Temple Fair, but went to the vegetable garden to look for monks and see how tall the weeping willows were.
While looking for flowers and trees in the temple, Zhang Yue couldn't help but smile as he recalled the time when he made a living by carving seals and selling them in this Daxiangguo Temple.
Zhang Yue also wanted to visit the original place of Suoguzhai, and couldn't help but think of the times when he was poor and struggling to make a living.
At that time, the Prime Minister praised Confucius in front of Zigong as a saint, saying that he was so versatile. Zigong said that it was God's will that Confucius was born to be a saint, so he had so many talents.
Confucius heard this and said, "Grandmaster, do you know me? I was poor when I was young, so I was good at menial jobs. How could I have so many talents? I was forced to do them."
When Zhang Yue thought of this, he couldn't help but admire the saint's broad mind.
As for Zhang Yue, he also worked as a hawker when he was young. It’s not because I have many talents, but it’s all due to the pressure of life.
Fortunately, seal carving is still a refined thing. But as long as you earn money through your own hard work, there is no shame in it.
Zhang Yue arrived near the Suoguzhai of Zisheng Gate, but found that the original place had been replaced by a place for pawning books. Many scholars would rather sell their clothes to buy books.
That eager look in his eyes reminded Zhang Yue of himself back then.
Zhang Yue recalled the time when he met Sima Guang and the rich lady here, but he felt that thousands of things passed by in his mind, like fleeting shadows, and finally gradually became blurred.
Zhang Yue personally selected and bought hundreds of pots of flowers and trees and brought them back to the mansion, which really made Shiqi Niang smile.
Shiqi Niang pointed at the flowers and said, "Sir, which cluster of flowers do you think is the most beautiful?"
As a couple for twenty years, Zhang Yue certainly knew what Shiqi Niang was thinking.
He picked a flower from the bush, looked at Shiqi Niang's slightly wrinkled brows and sighed slightly in his heart, and personally pinned it in her hair.
Shiqi Niang nodded with a smile and also broke off a hairpin to help Zhang Yue put it on.
Zhang Yue had a simple meal with Zhang Cheng and Guo Xuan. Seeing Guo Xuan and Zhang Cheng talking about everything, he recalled the days when he and Guo Lin were classmates as teenagers, and felt very relieved.
When Zhang Yue was asking Guo Xuan about some homework, he suddenly heard someone report that Xue Xiang suddenly fainted and fell at home and was in danger of death.
Zhang Yue was shocked when he heard this and immediately decided to visit Xue Xiang in person.
He knew that Xue Xiang had been in poor health, so he asked Qian Yi to treat Xue Xiang.
However, although Qian Yi is a miracle doctor, he cannot reverse the life span.
Zhang Yue sighed and rushed to visit him overnight.
After arriving at the Xue family, Xue Xiang's eldest son Xue Shaopeng was accompanying him.
Xue Shaopeng was very moved to see Zhang Yue come overnight. Not every minister had such a close relationship with him to come and visit him.
Zhang Yue said, "Let's not talk about anything else. Can Lord Xue speak?"
Xue Shaopeng said: "I have just arranged my affairs, but I have not yet spoken about the state."
Zhang Yue nodded and said nothing more, Xue Shaopeng followed closely behind Zhang Yue. Xue Shaopeng did not become an official, but he was a famous calligrapher of the time. In the past, he represented Xue Xiang, who was then the transport envoy of Shaanxi, in negotiations with the fledgling Zhang Yue on the issue of salt and banknotes.
At that time, the two were still negotiating opponents.
Who would have thought that more than a decade later, even his father Xue Xiang would have to rely on Zhang Yue. Last year, Xue Xiang suggested changing the Baojia system, which was only slightly heard in the government, but...
Xue Shaopeng calmed himself down and led the way.
Zhang Yue came to Xue Xiang's bedside. Xue Xiang's face was leaden and his cheeks were sunken. Zhang Yue had seen such a face on many dying people.
Zhang Yue knew about Xue Xiang's affairs for a day or two.
Xue Xiang opened his eyes and reluctantly said to Zhang Yue, "When I was the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, the censors Liu Shu, Qian Kai, Liu Qi, and the censor Fan Chunren all said that I, Xue Xiang, could not be a high official. It was because of Lord Zhang's good words in front of the emperor that I was able to ascend the throne."
Zhang Yue said: "Mr. Xue is a very capable person, but now... I really feel sorry for him for the country."
Xue Xiang said to Zhang Yue: "Everyone must die, but at this moment I suddenly have a clear mind."
"I think of something that Emperor Zhenzong said back then: "Our ancestors had a hard time starting their business, and now that we are able to see peace, I celebrate with you all."
"The ministers congratulated him, but Li Wenjing (Li Hang) stopped drinking. The next day, Wang Wenzheng (Wang Dan) asked him why.
"I used to fear that the words 'Wen Jing, Jian Dao, Tai Ping' would be used by flattering ministers as an excuse to get promoted. Now the ruler uses them to boast about his ministers. How can such a loyal and upright minister be promoted?"
"Since the country is peaceful, we should seek auspicious signs and perform Fengshan. If we do so, we will waste the treasury and neglect the people's strength. If a disaster occurs unexpectedly, how can we defend ourselves?"
Zhang Yue sighed when he heard this and said, "You are advising His Majesty not to perform the Fengshan ritual."
Xue Xiang said: "I have always had this in mind, but Cai Zhizheng was discussing it with the Prime Minister that day, so I couldn't object. Today, the man is about to die and his words are good. Although the country has taken Liangzhou, it has only traveled half a hundred miles."
"We are not even ninety yet, we must not let our efforts fall short."
Zhang Yue said: "Mr. Xue has far-sighted plans, which I cannot match. I will advise Your Majesty."
At this point, Xue Xiang sighed and said with deep regret: "It's a pity that I can't see the day when Mr. Zhang achieves great success!"
"It is a pity that we will never see the day when our country will be revived again!"
Zhang Yue's eyes reddened, and he took Xue Xiang's hand and nodded.
……
After Zhang Yue left Xue's house, he thought to himself, once Xue Xiang is gone, the position of councilor will be vacant, who can fill it?
Wang Gui had a candidate in mind, and that was Zhang Xu. However, Zhang Xu and Zhang Yue did not get along, so Wang Gui could not let him push someone to fill the position.
The candidate that the emperor secretly expects is definitely Lu Huiqing.
Putting aside his character, Lu Huiqing was indeed talented. Even Cheng Yi praised him highly.
When Lü Huiqing was the governor of Taiyuan, Cheng Yi happened to be back home to visit his relatives. Cheng Yi knew that his brother Cheng Hao hated Lü Huiqing very much, so he said to his disciples, "I have heard about this fellow Lü Huiqing for a long time. He will definitely pass by here tomorrow. Let me take a look."
Cheng Yi waited all night but did not see Lü Huiqing. Cheng Yi asked others and learned that Lü Huiqing had passed away, and the people on the roadside had not heard of him either.
Cheng Yi sighed upon hearing this: "No need to meet him, I already know."
"Lu Huiqing led a group of several hundred people and dozens of horses, but he was able to move along the road without making any noise. He managed his people in such a way that he was in a very orderly manner."
"No matter how people in the world evaluate him, his talent cannot be concealed."
When Cheng Yi returned to Beijing, he told Zhang Yue about this and praised him, saying, "Lu Huiqing is truly a rare talent in the world. The Prime Minister has a grudge against Lu, but he still uses him. I admire him even more."
Zhang Yue couldn't help but feel amused when he heard this, so he said, "Uncle Zheng, you are truly a gentleman."
After Xue Xiang left, the emperor either appointed Lu Huiqing or Zhang Dun to come to the capital to serve as vice-chancellor.
I can't allow either of these two people to enter Beijing.
There is also a candidate from the emperor, and that is General Xu. General Xu was demoted out of the capital because of the Yu Fan case in the Imperial College, but the emperor still has a good impression of General Xu.
Zhang Yue wants to transfer General Xu back to Beijing to compensate him. Anyone who suffers a loss while working for me will be compensated by me in the future. This is something that the superiors must master.
This is why we can see that many officials who take the blame in the officialdom are demoted for a while and then promoted afterwards.
But when Xue Xiang left, he lost a position in the Secretariat, so he had no choice but to promote Shen Kuo to replace Han Zhen. Shen Kuo was a talented person, but he was not good at handling interpersonal relationships. If he was asked to handle the complicated relationships in the northwest, he might get into trouble.
Now the morale of the people has been boosted. Under the name of "rebuilding the country", any decision to use troops against the Tanguts will gain the support of the people. Therefore, Zhang Yue cannot dismiss Han Zhen on the pretext of abusing his power to send troops.
Especially under the premise that the people did not know about the secret peace talks between the court and the Tanguts. But most officials in the officialdom should know that Han Zhen was dismissed for violating the court's major policies.
But I'm afraid I can't escape the brand of being a treacherous villain because of this.
Zhang Yue thought to himself, he may be treacherous or treacherous, but those who accomplish great things are always talked about by others. However, I only have the last three years as prime minister, and I don’t know how many great things I can accomplish.
Then he thought of Xue Xiangzhang again, and he couldn't help but feel a pain in his heart. He had to cut off one arm before he could finish his great cause.
……
The Dangxiang are no longer vulnerable!
Han Zhen stood on the top of Weizhou City, looking towards the north with great ambitions in his heart.
The person Han Zhen admired most in his life was Cao Cao, and he would always compose poems about him.
"To the east is Jieshi to view the sea.
The water is so calm, and the mountains and islands stand tall. "
When Han Zhen read Cao Cao's poem "Viewing the Ocean", he would feel overwhelmed with emotion.
Now Weizhou has been taken in one battle, and further ahead is Mingsha City, where the Song army was defeated last time!
Just ahead is Lingzhou!
Go further ahead and you will reach Xingzhou!
Han Zhen pressed his sword and said inwardly: "Emperor Zhang Jiangong is a coward. Although he has the intention to take Liangzhou, he does not realize that the Tanguts have already been defeated. Let me take it!"
"A real man should carry a seven-foot sword and ascend to the throne of the emperor. How can he be depressed and fall behind others?"
At this point, Han Zhen drew his sword and pointed to the north, saying, "I will take this land to strengthen my momentum when I go to court!"
All the generals looked at Han Zhen's heroic appearance and bowed in admiration.
As soon as Han Zhen finished speaking, a rider suddenly arrived and said, "Prime Minister, an envoy from the imperial court has arrived!"
Han Zhen's expression changed slightly, and he clenched the hilt of the sword tightly in his hand. After a moment of anger, he had no choice but to order the generals to obey his orders.
Soon after, the messenger arrived.
Han Zhen led his generals to bow in the yellow soil beside the road. The golden envoy held the imperial edict in his hand: "Your Majesty has ordered that Han Zhen lead his troops to withdraw from Weizhou immediately!"
Han Zhen held the imperial edict in his hands with a look of shock and anger on his face. Although it was largely an act, there were also real feelings in it.
"Your Majesty, do you know that I have already defeated the Tangut troops at the gates of Weizhou, annihilating 3,000 of them! I was about to attack Lingzhou, so why do you suddenly call me back?"
"Don't you see the ambitions of the generals?"
When the generals heard Han Zhen's words, they shouted, "We want to conquer Lingzhou, why does Your Majesty want us to withdraw?"
The messenger was also surprised to see so many generals yelling loudly.
Han Zhen looked up to the sky and said, "Your Majesty, how can you let this make the thieves happy and the people of the country sad!"
"There must be treacherous officials in the court who are trying to prevent us from achieving great success!"
The envoy was frightened by Han Zhen, and all the generals also spoke out for Han Zhen.