Prime Minister

Chapter 1214 The Son of an Old Friend

Chapter 1214 The Son of an Old Friend

Zhang Yue returned to his palace via the Imperial Street, with the emperor using the seven imperial guards to clear the way.

Kaifeng Prefecture Governor Su Song had soldiers escorting him along the way, and soldiers from the Street Office also came out to maintain order.

The whole journey was majestic and impressive.

Soldiers in red shirts and street soldiers in green shirts were seen mixed together to maintain order in the streets, while people on both sides of the roads were cheering or burning incense to worship.

The scholars all bowed from afar to express their admiration for Zhang Yue's recovery of the homeland of the Han and Tang Dynasties.

The drinkers filled their golden cups and drank one gulp.

Many young people who had just arrived in the capital were overwhelmed by the vastness, prosperity and luxury of Bianliang.

Whether it is the flowing Bian River, the fine wine and beauties in Fan Tower, the music and dance in the brothels and Chu Pavilions, the famous ministers and generals on the Imperial Street, and the princes and nobles under the Tian Street.

This soft red ten miles is dazzling.

Few people who first came to Bianjing were not shocked and lingered by the scenery, and they wished they could stay here forever.

When Zhang Yue's carriage passed through Tianjie, two young scholars were watching the scene on the side.

"Zixuan, look, that's the carriage of Prime Minister Zhang! Being a marquis and a prime minister is what I, a scholar, wish for. This time Prime Minister Zhang assisted the Holy Emperor in recovering Liangzhou, and I'm afraid he will be promoted to a duke. He has achieved such great achievements before the age of 40. How many people in ancient and modern times can reach that level?"

A thin scholar on the other side nodded and watched Zhang Yue's carriage pass by.

The scholar in front turned around and asked, "Zixuan, is it true that your father knew Prime Minister Zhang?"

"He was his classmate in Pucheng when he was young."

The scholar said, "You are wrong. My father never told me this. I learned it from someone else's conversation."

The other party said incredulously: "It's strange. Your father had a classmate and friend like Mr. Zhang, but he never thought of asking him for help. You came to Bianjing to study at the Imperial College this time, and you definitely didn't bring a letter from home to Mr. Zhang."

"This is really unexpected. Your father has always been known for his integrity. He is really a man of good character. But then again, it is precisely because of this that he was appreciated by Sima Xueshi."

This scholar was Guo Lin’s eldest son Guo Xuan.

……

After the people lined the streets to cheer, Zhang Yue returned to his residence and closed his eyes with a tired look on his face. Then Peng Jingyi said, "Prime Minister, the guests are here."

"it is good."

Zhang Yue stood up and walked to the reception area outside, but saw a man dressed as a businessman sitting down.

This person is not an ordinary businessman, and ordinary businessmen cannot see Zhang Yue. Previously, Zhang Yue sold all the land he bought with Wang Shao when he fought for Xihe Road.

The businessman bought them all at once, at the highest price, and paid in cash without bargaining.

"I have come from Liao to pay my respects to Lord Zhang."

Seeing that he had told the purpose of his visit, Zhang Yue said, "You really are from the Liao Kingdom."

The other party said: "I am not a spy from the Liao Kingdom, but a lobbyist."

Zhang Yue laughed and said, "Okay, tell me why you're here!"

"I just heard that Lord Zhang has recovered Liangzhou, so I congratulated him first."

"Did the Liao Kingdom congratulate me on my recovery of Liangzhou?" Zhang Yue asked back.

"Yes, my husband, do you still remember Yelu Po?"

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "We are old acquaintances. I heard that he has been appointed Duke of Wu in Liao."

The other party said: "When I came here, he was already the Privy Councilor of the Northern Court."

Zhang Yue said: "Then I have to congratulate Duke Wu. He is second only to the emperor. Could it be that the envoy was also sent by Yelu Po?"

The other party shook his head and said, "Yelü Po is the most capable minister of the Liao Dynasty. Unfortunately, he has been detained by the treacherous prime minister Yelü Yixin."

"I was not sent by Yelu Po, but I also represent the knowledgeable people of the Liao Dynasty who are with him."

Zhang Yue nodded.

"Many people in Liao wanted to improve relations with the Song Dynasty, but if the Song Dynasty continued to use military force against the Tanguts, the relationship between the two countries would be difficult to maintain."

Zhang Yue said: "Go on."

The other party said: "Duke Wu and other ministers hope that Prime Minister Zhang can maintain peace between the two countries."

"In response to this, we in Liao can show a large army approaching the border, forcing the Song Dynasty to stop attacking the Tanguts easily, and Prime Minister Zhang can also persuade the Emperor of the Song Dynasty to withdraw his troops."

Zhang Yue said: "But don't you Liao people know that it was me who advocated sending troops to Liangzhou?"

The other party said: "Prime Minister Zhang advocated the recovery of Liangzhou in order to restore the country, but it does not necessarily mean that the Dangxiang must be destroyed."

"May I ask you, Mr. Zhang, if we really destroy the Tanguts, will His Majesty still value you as much as before?"

"Of course, for our Liao Kingdom, we also need a capable prime minister from the Song Dynasty, so that we can change our old habits from top to bottom and make the Liao Dynasty prosperous again."

Zhang Yue said: "Well said."

"The most important thing is that our Liao Kingdom suffered a natural disaster and famine last year. So the whole country is unwilling to fight again, but if the Song Dynasty sends troops to attack the Tanguts, the Liao Emperor will definitely go his own way. But the common people are so innocent!"

Zhang Yue said: "It is rare for the Liao Kingdom to have a loyal minister like you."

The other party said: "I sincerely hope that Song and Liao can coexist peacefully. If the Song Dynasty can stop attacking the Tanguts, then Song and Liao can both enjoy long-term peace and stability."

Zhang Yue said: "I see, I understand. But what if the Tanguts insist on not making peace?"

The other party smiled and said, "We have our own way to deal with the Tanguts. Prime Minister, rest assured that within three months, the Tanguts will present a letter of peace."

Zhang Yue asked: "Are you so sure?"

The other party said, "Although I am a nobody, I have come a thousand miles as a lobbyist to see the powerful and influential Prime Minister Zhang. I must have been sent by a person who can have a say in the Liao court. So my opinion is also his opinion."

Zhang Yue thought to himself that this scene seemed familiar. Last time, he and Yelu Yixin bypassed the emperors of the two countries and negotiated terms in private.

Zhang Yue said: "Okay, I agree to your request."

The other party was delighted and said, "Song and Liao are originally brotherly countries, and in order for the hundred years of peace to continue, I really have to thank Mr. Zhang."

"Haven't we allowed half of the annual tribute to be paid in salt notes in recent years? We in Liao are very willing to continue dealing with Minister Zhang, a capable minister who is familiar with the economy."

After the other party stood up to say goodbye, Zhang Yue instructed: "Take good care of this person when he leaves the country."

……

After the other party left, Zhang Yuefang took a short rest. To be honest, recovering Liangzhou was a long-cherished wish of his, but after being in officialdom for so many years, he had become numb to the ups and downs, and was exhausted physically and mentally.

In fact, conquering Liangzhou was a high point in his career, but many more things followed.

Therefore, he had long since given up on preparing a banquet to celebrate the occasion. A bowl of bland porridge was enough for dinner.

All the officials and people congratulated him on regaining Liangzhou, but he felt nothing in his heart.

"Sir, Guo Xuan has arrived in Bian Jing." Peng Jingyi reported to him.

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "That's great! How come he didn't know to meet my uncle when he came to Bian Jing?"

Peng Jingyi said: "I know Brother Guo's character well. If you are down and out, he will never leave you. If you are successful, he will stand far away and watch over you silently."

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "I have seen countless people, but how many people are like you in this world today?"

"But we can't let our senior brother's son be so conservative. Ask Guo Xuan to come here, no matter how late it is. I'll be waiting."

"Yes, don't scare him."

Peng Jingyi smiled and said, "Okay, I'll send a carriage to pick him up right away."

Zhang Yue nodded and thought, at his age, what he lacked was not achievements, but the precious feelings of his youth.

Now, only meeting the son of this old friend can give him hope.

(End of this chapter)