bookrandom Chapter 1188 Retreating to Advance
Chapter 1188 Retreating to Advance
Chapter 1188 Retreating to Advance
To deal with important military and national affairs?
The emperor said: "I studied the system in the Tang Dynasty. In the first year of Emperor Zhongzong's Shenlong reign, Zuo Pushe Dou Lu Qinwang was given the important post of Pingzhang Junguoshi."
"In the second year of Shenlong, Shangshu Zuo Pushe and Duke of Rui, Dou Lu Qinwang, was appointed as Kaifu Yitong Sansi, and continued to be in charge of important military and national affairs."
"In the first year of Yanhe, Dou Huaizhen was the Shangshu You Pushe, in charge of important military and state affairs. These are all the duties of a prime minister."
"Later, Pei Du also served as a minister of state affairs, and Emperor Wenzong allowed him to visit the Secretariat every three or five days due to illness."
"This is because Emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty took into consideration Pei Du's high reputation and his illness, and could not bear to see him lose his position as prime minister, so he ordered Pei Du to take charge of military affairs. From then on, the title of taking charge of military affairs was used to honor senior officials."
Zhang Yue listened carefully and said, "Your Majesty rarely gives such detailed accounts. It seems that you have studied the Tang system for a long time. However, Your Majesty may have forgotten that the position of Pingzhang was also given in this dynasty. Wang Wenzheng (Wang Dan) and Lu Wenjing (Lv Yijian) were given the position of prime minister, but they declined the offer."
The official really showed an ignorant look and asked, "There is such a thing?"
It seems that the emperor thought he had come up with it himself. In fact, there was a precedent in the Song Dynasty, but Wang Dan and Lu Yijian did not accept it. It seems that the emperor did not discuss it with others, otherwise someone would have pointed out the mistake.
Zhang Yue asked, "May I ask Your Majesty if this is also part of the re-detailed official system?"
The official said: "The position of Zhongshu Pingzhang Zhengshi is the position of the current prime minister. Zhongshu Pingzhang is a favored minister. The position of the old prime minister is comparable to the three highest officials. This is why I respect old ministers with virtue and prestige."
Zhang Yue thought to himself, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, what are you thinking about? Don’t you think I don’t know?
You and I have been king and subject for many years. If there is anything you want to say, why not just say it directly? There is no need to beat around the bush.
Zhang Yue said calmly: "This old minister has great virtue, so he is specially favored. This is the grace of the emperor."
Listening to Zhang Yue's calm and indifferent tone, the emperor said, "Sir, this is what I think. I also asked Wang Anshi and Wu Chong to attend court once every five days. They should not come to the Secretariat, sign their names, or participate in national affairs unless it is a court day."
"Only when it comes to important military and national affairs, and I need an advisor, can I have a seat at the table."
Zhang Yue slightly changed his sitting position, and the muscles on his forehead moved. If the emperor wanted Wang Anshi to return to the court, he would never accept it.
It is the same whether it is Pingzhang Zhengshi or Pingzhang Junguozhengshi.
From yesterday's conversation with his father-in-law, he understood one thing: many things should be nipped in the bud once the consequences are seen, rather than waiting to advocate them later.
It is better to refuse things decisively at the first opportunity than to oppose hesitantly later.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty, this is the Emperor's business, I have no objection. I am here today to discuss another matter with Your Majesty."
The official said, "Please tell me, sir."
Zhang Yue said: "When I was a student at the Imperial College, I once had my face read. I heard the fortune teller tell me that I would not only pass the imperial examination, but also the top scholar, and even have the destiny to become a prime minister, but I cannot serve as prime minister for more than five years."
"I have been the prime minister for more than a year now. Regardless of whether I can accomplish the great task of destroying the Tanguts for Your Majesty, I will resign after five years and will never interfere in government affairs again! I believe this without a doubt, and I hope Your Majesty will understand."
The emperor frowned upon hearing this, as if he was surprised by Zhang Yue's sudden words, and then he said casually, "How can we take the words of the Taoist seriously?"
Zhang Yue said: "I have always believed this without a doubt. Otherwise, how could the fortune teller know that I could pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar? I am just a child from a poor family. How could he know for sure? I really have to believe it."
The emperor said, "You are still so young. Even if you serve as regent for five years, you will only be forty."
"Han Zhongxian served three dynasties and assisted the country for ten years. You are younger than him, so how can you say five years?"
Zhang Yue said solemnly: "I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sit and discuss philosophy with Your Majesty. This is a great honor that has surpassed many prime ministers in ancient and modern times. How can I enjoy this blessing forever?"
"Now I only ask Your Majesty to allow me to do this! As long as I can complete these five years, it will be fine. During this time, I will find a good successor for Your Majesty. After this is done, I will return to my hometown in Fujian!"
The emperor frowned and said, "I understand what you mean. You also know that I don't make decisions on many matters by myself, but delegate them to others. This is the way benevolent emperors in ancient times ruled the world."
"So I will also respect the Prime Minister's opinion."
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to use the Tangut as a rope. I am determined to carry out this matter. Even if many people oppose it, I will continue."
"So this five-year period is also my answer to myself. If I can't do it, it's my incompetence and I should resign. If I can do it, Your Majesty can accomplish the great cause of restoring the country."
"When the time comes, all the people in the world will look up to Your Majesty, and I can retire after my success."
The emperor asked, "You would rather resign as prime minister in your prime years than to attack the Tanguts?"
Zhang Yue said: "I have spent too much time dealing with internal friction in the court, but not enough on state affairs. Therefore, I will focus on doing one thing in the next three years to repay your majesty for his kindness."
The emperor said: "The matter of attacking the Tanguts is complicated and has been my long-cherished wish. There is no reason for me not to support you."
Zhang Yue said: "In this case, I thank your Majesty and I will take my leave."
After Zhang Yue stood up, the emperor tried to stop him, saying, "In order to defeat the Tanguts, the first thing is money. I know that the salt notes, Jiaozi and Beijibu have made a lot of money for the court in recent years."
"But the salt pond in Jiezhou has been destroyed, and the imperial court has lost more than 5 million strings of cash a year. Where will the money come from to attack Liangzhou next?"
Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty, I have ordered Qinfeng Road Transport Commissioner Fan Yu and Inspector Sun Lu to investigate the corruption in Xihe Road."
"Those who turn in stolen goods will be exempted from punishment, and the administration of officials will be thoroughly rectified to increase customs and trade taxes."
"I have calculated that with the achievements of the military farming in the past few years and these, Xihe Road can completely avoid the annual subsidy of 2 million guan from the imperial court."
"As for the salt notes, I have calculated that the price of notes is very high in the market now. If the court issues an additional 5 million strings of salt notes next year, it can stabilize the price to around 5 strings."
"If this money is saved and used for the Liangzhou campaign next year, I think we can conquer Liangzhou and then the Western Regions before September next year!"
The official heard this and said, "Very good."
……
After the emperor and his ministers made discussions that day, they appointed Wu Chong and Wang Anshi as the ministers of state and military affairs, and there was no further news from then on.
Afterwards, when the Guiyi Army returned to the court, Cao Zhongshou brought more than a dozen Guiyi Army leaders to present the seal of the Guiyi Army's Jiedushi to the emperor.
The emperor was very pleased and immediately officially appointed Cao Zhongshou as the Jiedushi of Guiyi Army, and the other leaders were also appointed as inspectors of various states.
When the Guiyi Army returned to the capital, Cai Jing also used the propaganda and public agitation methods he had used.
Suddenly, calls for reopening the Western Regions and re-opening the Han and Tang Dynasty territories arose again among the government and the people. As for the merchants, they also looked forward to reopening the Western Regions and the Hexi Corridor.
January of the fourth year of Yuanfeng.
Under the advocacy of Empress Dowager Liang and other ministers, Li Bingchang, the leader of the Tangut state, was forced to dismiss Li Qing from his position as prime minister and replaced him with Liang Yibu, the son of Liang Yimai.
(End of this chapter)