Prime Minister

Chapter 688 Shuangyun Xuezhu Zhongshan Temple (two updates in one)
Kaifeng Mansion in July.

The day has turned from scorching heat to cool.

Outside the Chongzheng Hall, the three of them were waiting for the official to be summoned in turn. They were none other than Zhang Zhi, Zhang Li, and Cai Que who made great contributions in Shaanxi this time.

Although Han Jiang was dismissed as prime minister, she did not forget these three people when she left.

Zhang Zhi and Zhang Wei helped him put down the Gyeongju mutiny, while Cai Que and Zhang Wei were under his cover and contributed a lot.

Therefore, when Han Jiang changed his post, he made a lot of remarks on the merits of the three people.

As soon as the officials heard it, they called three people back to Beijing to see the performance.

It was not the first time for the three of them to face the saint, but both Zhang Yi and Cai Que were a little excited, but Zhang Zhi was fine.

From time to time, the servant came down from the steps in front of the hall and gave instructions to explain a few things to say during the audience, what to pay attention to, such as which blue brick to bow down to, and so on.

Zhang Zhi felt that there were not so many rules in the past, but now it is red tape... No, the authority of the officials is getting heavier and heavier.

Thinking of the days when the two were classmates, the identities of the two are very different.

But he still thinks about this friendship so far, but what about the officials?
After a while, the three of them were allowed to enter, Zhang Zhi entered the hall, but saw more than a dozen officials standing in the hall, most of them were in purple robes.

Zhang Zhi saw Wen Yanbo and Wang Anshi inside.

See after bowing down.

The official said on the throne: "You are all from Shaanxi. If you have any military or public sentiments, you can play them for the reference of me and the ministers."

After the official finished speaking, the three of them dared not answer for a moment.

Wang Anshi said: "Now there are still disputes between the attack on Hengshan, whether from Qinfeng or from Hehuang, you should first tell your majesty about this matter."

Zhang Wei came forward and said: "Your Majesty, since Zhao Yuanhao's rebellion, he has repeatedly sent out to Yanyan and Huanqing. The reason for this is that these two places are conducive to the Xixia army's advance, but not conducive to our defense. On the other hand, our army is going to attack the Western thieves. , Even if you conquer Hengshan, you still have to face the vast sea of ​​seven hundred miles, and it is difficult to go deep.

"On the other hand, if Dangxiang goes out of Qinfeng Road to attack me, it will be an expedition for the teacher. Therefore, Zhao Yuanhao and Zhao Liangzuo have not attacked Qinfeng Road once since the army was raised. This is the reason."

"I heard that the two armies want to fight the enemy in a place that is beneficial to our army, not a place that is beneficial to the enemy's army. If Dangxiang sends troops from Fuyan and Huanqing, our army will also march from these two armies. Wouldn't it be that Dangxiang was defeated? On the contrary, if our army can manage Lanhui to gain a firm foothold, and then cross the Yellow River and advance northward, Dangxiang will lose sight of the other."

After listening to Zhang Yu's words, the official nodded.

Feng Jing asked: "How about the recruitment law in Shaanxi? I ​​heard that the people's livelihood is hard. This is because the tax payment is already heavy for the common people. Fangguo households and government households do not increase taxes, but it is feasible to increase the taxes of the common people. no?"

Cai Que replied: "Indeed, as said, the people's livelihood in Shaanxi is quite difficult. If the number of taxed households should not be increased, but should be reduced, this is the meaning of convenience for the people."

"However, I see that although the people's livelihood in Shaanxi is bitter, it is not as difficult as the rumors say. I think that the court can collect more taxes in good times to make the remaining money rich. In bad years, they can help the people more , which is in line with the law of the former king."

"If you talk about whether the taxes in Shaanxi are heavy or not, I think they are not heavy, but the annexation is too heavy. In addition to the current natural disaster, many annexes have stolen the court's favor. In fact, based on your majesty and the government's respect for the people Grace is even better than it was in the third generation, but the violence of today's tyranny is far better than it was when Qin died."

As soon as Cai Que said this, Wen Yanbo, Feng Jing and other officials couldn't help but look sideways.

Feng Jing just asked what does this mean?
One of the reasons why Han Jiang resigned as prime minister was that he disagreed with Wang Anshi on the collection of household exemption money and exemption money.Han Jiang refused this law without authorization in Shaanxi, which caused Wang Anshi's displeasure.

but?
Cai was indeed favored by Han Jiang's recommendation, but now Mr. Mian speaks for Wang Anshi. Isn't this stabbing Han Jiang?
However, Cai Que's play is right, but it is very in line with the wishes of the officials.

The privy envoy Wen Yanbo, the head of the right class officials, said: "In the past few days, I have heard a lot in the capital, saying that Dong Zhan, Mu Zheng, Yu Longke and others have always been respectful to the dynasty. Since the time of the first emperor, these people have been paying tribute from time to time."

"As soon as Wang Shao arrived in Qingtang, he said that he had recovered Yu Longke. It would be better to say that he was a Song official, and he even forced Dong Zhan and Mu Zheng to rebel. Where does this credit come from? In the seven or eight years of Guwei, it took With so much money from the imperial court, is it to crusade against these Fan tribes who are loyal to my Song family?"

"Who among you three can tell the situation to the officials?"

Zhang Zhi was stunned and immediately said: "This is not true..."

As soon as Zhang Zhi said this, Wen Yanbo became a little unhappy. Doesn't this mean that he is talking nonsense?Zhang Zhi settled down and said: "Your Majesty, although most of the Tibetan tribe in the Qing and Tang Dynasties are of Han race, but the Tibetans have long been ignorant of Chinese rituals, so they are afraid of power and not virtuous."

"Dong Zhan, although Mu Zheng was obedient before, but he was only greedy for the rewards of the dynasty, and he has no real loyalty. I think that in order to truly take Qingtang as the foundation and make progress in the party, you must register households and Qimin in the local area. Or in Xizhou, Huizhou, the Tongyuan Army is operating under the military system..."

Zhang Zhi heard Wen Yanbo's words, and Wang Anshi frowned.

Wen Yanbo was not happy, needless to say, Wang Anshi was also not happy because Han Qi suggested the establishment of the Fubing system in Shaanxi, and Wang Anshi advocated the Baojia Law.

The Baojia Law was implemented in the third year of Xining.

Wang Anshi said: "Since ancient times, soldiers have been recruited, and they will stop when they encounter problems. There are so many redundant soldiers in this dynasty, so it is impossible to stop. Now the imperial court's Baojia law can get rid of this disadvantage, and it can be used in conjunction with recruiting troops. , It can also save the cost of raising troops.”

"There is really no need to implement the system of government soldiers."

Zhang Zhi heard the words and debated that this Baojia law can be implemented in the mainland, but it cannot be implemented in Qinfeng Road.

Zhang Zhi was about to speak, but saw the official above move his body...

The chief ministers stopped talking, and the eunuch signaled to the three of them that they could end the performance.

Afterwards, Zhang Zhi and the others quit the hall.

After that, the official family retreated to the side hall, but Wang Anshi asked to stay and play.

After Wang Anshi stayed behind, he said to the officials: "Your Majesty, I beg you to go!"

Hearing the words, the officials wondered what kind of anger Wang Anshi had suffered again, so they came to ask him to resign.

The official comforted him and said: "The customs are corrupt and difficult to correct. Why do you ask to go? You need to understand what I mean, and you don't have to listen to what those people say."

Wang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid your Majesty's intentions will be misunderstood. Your Majesty, please look at the lords of Zhongxing in the past. How can the customs remain unchanged and the rules and regulations not established? Is it true that the minister has been in power for two years? It’s the same as before, it’s really hard to do.”

The official said: "The masters of the previous generation were all born in decline, and the human situation was urgent, so it was not difficult to solve it. However, the evils of this dynasty have been accumulated for a hundred years, and there is no one day's success. Now we should do what we do and do not change, as long as we do it slowly. , human feelings are gradually changing."

Wang Anshi said: "The problem today is that villains are still unwilling to change their minds. If Your Majesty can see everything and control it by taking advantage of interests, no villains dare to be evil. As long as the people in the court refuse to be evil, the customs will change."

The officials thought to themselves, is it because of Han Jiang that Wang Anshi asked to go?

"Northwest affairs? How do you see it?"

"Your Majesty originally promised Han Jiang that the affairs of one side belonged to him, so that it would be no problem to manage the side affairs, and he could do it in the future. As for the fact that Hengshan did not go down, it was because of Khitan Yin's sending troops, and it was not a crime of war. What's more, Zhang Yue, Wang It is an unexpected joy that Shao harvested the two states of Lanhui for hundreds of miles, and it all depends on His Majesty's temple planning."

After a pause, Wang Anshi said again: "I think that your majesty is extremely concerned about all things, but you should combine virtue with morality, and morality with morality. Your majesty should know the way to control the public, and should not be worried about labor. If there is no way to be righteous, Although you are worried and diligent, you can’t cure everything.”

"Your Majesty is discussing the way of the emperor with his ministers, and they are doing nothing, and the audience's ministers are hypocritical..."

Listening to Wang Anshi's words, the officials were deeply moved.

All the ministers under his audience are more or less powerful, with only two exceptions, one is Wang Anshi, and the other is Zhang... Zhang Zhi, of course Sima Guang can also be counted as one, but he is Not of one mind with oneself.

These few people really take governance as their own responsibility, and plan for the country and society wholeheartedly, not for their own power and position.

The longer the officials get along with Wang Anshi, the more they can understand this point, how rare such a courtier is.How lucky I am to have it.

It seems that what Wang Anshi said to himself is completely the way of governing the country, and a second courtier would not say it to him.Wang Anshi now has the intention of retreating, but he hopes that the emperor's official family can carry out the reform on his behalf, so that he can let go.For Wang Anshi, he has no love for power and position.

But now the officials are asking themselves, they really can't do without Wang Anshi, at least there is no courtier around him who can stand up to him.

The official asked: "What do you think of the three ministers in the palace today? What important tasks should you entrust?"

Wang Anshi thought for a while and said, "Zhang Yi is familiar with border affairs and is from a prominent family. In the future, he can be a handsome official of one side, and now he can be used for the affairs of Cao Si. He will be used in the management of Shaanxi in the future."

The officials were delighted to hear the words, and recorded Wang Anshi's words in the hall.

Wang Anshi said: "As for Cai Que, who is smart and capable, although he had some flaws as an official at the beginning, it does not hinder his great use. You can order him to be in charge of official affairs in Kaifeng Prefecture, judge his talent by miscellaneous matters, and if he has merit, he will be promoted to Yushi."

The official praised: "I also think that Cai is really smart and can understand what I mean."

Wang Anshi said: "As for Zhang Zhi's loyalty and integrity, without him this time, Qingzhou will undergo great changes. This man's character can be called a pillar of talent, but he is too straightforward. Your Majesty can keep him by your side, and it will be easy to use him. broken."

The official said: "I asked him to be a storyteller in the Chongzheng Palace when my uncle was in charge. It happens that your son is the same official. Isn't that a good thing?"

Wang Anshi's son Wang Yu is now a storyteller in Chongzheng Hall.

Wang Anshi said: "If your Majesty intends to promote him, it is better to change it to Tongzhi Liyuan."

The officials wanted Zhang Zhi to be promoted, but they were blocked by Wang Anshi and couldn't help but slander, whether he didn't treat him as the son-in-law of the Yi family back then, so he blocked him.Or is it purely a quarrel with Zhang Yue?

The official deliberately said: "Yes, these three people have a very close relationship with Zhang Yue, what do you think of him?"

Wang Anshi said: "Zhang Yue is His Majesty's confidant, and I dare not talk about it."

The officials seemed to have said what Wang Anshi said, but they didn't seem to say it.

The official finally said: "It's a pity that Lu Huiqing will not be able to return to Beijing until October next year."

After retiring from the Chongzheng Hall, Zhang Zhi and Cai Que hadn't visited Bianjing for a long time, they were very interested, and they met to go to Fanlou for a drink.

Although Zhang Zhi was thinking about his wife in his heart, he still went with Cai Que because of his face.

The three of them sat on the high-rise of Fanlou, looking at the prosperity of Bianjing. The scene of the busy traffic was far away from being seen in a border area like Shaanxi.

Returning from the flames of war, the three of them looked at the scenery, enjoyed the delicious food and wine in the fan building, and listened to the little song played by the beautiful woman, it seemed like a lifetime away.

Cai Que raised his wine cup to Zhang Zhi, and Zhang Wei and the two said: "I left Bianjing after I became a Jinshi, and vowed to show my ambitions in the local area. When I come to the capital again, everyone will know my name, Cai Que. , and now there is only a little bit of hope."

Zhang Zhi said: "That's why Uncle Cai talked about the method of recruiting labor in the hall, didn't he?"

Cai Que couldn't help laughing when he heard the words: "What a Xi, your name has the word Zhi, which is really straight. But you are Duzhi's nephew, so I will answer you."

"Axi, there are two classes of people who can leave a legacy in this world and achieve a great career."

"Which two wait?"

Cai Que said: "The first class is unscrupulous, and the first class is not to change the original intention. For this reason, the person between the two is not a hero, but a hero. Ah Xi, you must know what you want, and then face him, Seek the shortest shortcut and pounce."

Zhang Yu said: "This statement is different. There is only one way in this world, and that is not to change your original intention."

Cai Que said with a sneer: "You can know the quality. Wealth lies in the number of skills, not in labor; the profit lies in the power, not in hard work. Take it without changing your original intention? You see that there are too many people working hard in the world. They also did not change their original intentions, and took their lives in the middle, but did the people who worked hard and worked hard finally become rich?"

"It's easy to say that you don't change your original intention, but if you don't have the wisdom and determination to do it, you will give up halfway."

Zhang Yu said: "I don't want to be rich, I just want to have a clear conscience in this life."

Cai Que smiled when he heard the words, and poured himself a glass of wine: "If you can keep doing it, I respect you with this glass of wine."

Zhang Zhi thought for a while and said: "Actually, in my opinion, as long as you don't change your original intention, you can use whatever means to do things, and this is the right way."

Cai Que and Zhang Yu all nodded.

While the three of them were talking, someone went upstairs to face Zhang Zhi and said, "Your Excellency, Zhang signed the judge? My family is here to invite you!"

Zhang Zhi looked at the post, and it turned out that Wang Anshi had invited him.

Cai Que looked at Zhang Zhi with envy and jealousy.Zhang Yi also thought that Zhang Zhi's answer was not the best among the three people in the palace today. It seems that even if the other party does not become Wang Anshi's son-in-law, he can still be appreciated by Wang Anshi.

Zhang Zhi showed a troubled expression, not because he didn't want to go, but because he was afraid of seeing Wang Yu.And I heard that Cai Bian and the girl from the Wang family were married, but Cai Bian was an official outside the capital and there was no house in Beijing, so the girl from the Wang family might still be at Wang Anshi's house.

At that time, Zhang Zhi will be very embarrassed.

Seeing that Zhang Zhi still didn't want to go, Cai Que showed a look of resentment, and he kicked Zhang Zhi violently under the table.

Only then did Zhang Zhi understand that Cai Que reminded himself that he must not show hesitation.

Zhang Zhidao: "I have been invited by my lord, and the officials are very frightened. It's just that I have just arrived in the capital, so why come empty-handed?"

The other party said with a smile: "It's okay, my husband doesn't care about these things, as long as the seal is awarded, it is a reward."

The servant spoke very politely and respectfully.The servants of the Prime Minister's Mansion had the sharpest eyesight, and from the look on the other side's face, it could be seen that Wang Anshi attached great importance to Zhang Zhi.

Immediately Zhang Zhi bid farewell to Cai Que and Zhang Yi, and followed the servants of the Wang's mansion to Wang Anshi's mansion.Wang Anshi's mansion in the inner city was given to him by the officials after Wang Anshi was promoted to prime minister.

Zhang Zhi arrived at Wang Anshi's mansion, and his servants led him to the small pavilion in Xilu.

Wang Anshi was sitting alone in the small pavilion, cross-legged with his eyes closed, neither reading nor correcting official documents, just sitting there.

Zhang Zhi knew that Wang Anshi was meditating, so he also sat down opposite him, then looked up at Xiaoge.

Zhang Zhi saw a poem inscribed on the small window in the pavilion, which seemed to be "Shuangyun Xuezhu Zhongshan Temple, return to old age and return to this life." '

Zhang Zhi recited the poem gently in his mouth.

"This poem was mentioned by chance half a year ago when I was in charge of political affairs and paid homage to Tong Zhongshu." Wang Anshi woke up at some point and said.

Zhang Zhi was stunned, he looked at Wang Anshi in front of him.

When he was studying under Wang Anshi in Jiangning, he knew that Shuangyun Snow Bamboo in Zhongshan Temple could be called a grand sight, and Wang Anshi was able to write this poem when he was paying homage to the prime minister, and he was able to write this poem when he was congratulated by all the officials, which shows that he sees it. High interest, not contaminated by foreign objects.

Zhang Zhidao: "From the view of this poem, Mr. Xiang, you can know that when you wear jade, your heart is like a withered tree, and you want to stand in Dongshan when you stand in court."

Wang Anshi smiled and said, "It's not as tall as Xie An's. If you really regard wealth as floating clouds, a few people can do it."

Wang Anshi said: "I called you here this time to tell you that the officials wanted you to speak for the Chongzheng Palace, but I stopped you, and I just conferred you as the Tongzhi Liyuan. Do you blame me for this?"

Zhang Zhi said: "The court's arrangement must have intentions, how dare lower officials question it."

But Zhang Zhi was quite happy to think of staying in Beijing to accompany his wife.

Wang Anshi saw Zhang Zhi was like this, nodded happily and said: "Uncle Ling wanted to stay in Beijing at the beginning, but I tried to make him leave Beijing time and again. Because Uncle Ling is well-rounded in his handling of affairs, able to endure anger and ridicule, and handle affairs in a subtle way, he can From small to large, if he is a frontier minister, only Tao Shixing can compare. The local area is where he can make the most of his talents, and he must not live in the capital just because he is greedy for a moment of comfort."

"But you are different. Although you are upright and upright, it is inevitable that good steel is easy to break. I let you Tongzhi Liyuan just to let you read more books and sharpen your temper. As for the storyteller in Chongzheng Palace, of course the long companion However, it is also in the most dangerous place in the world, with your temperament, you will probably offend people, no matter how friendly you are with the officials, it will cause bad things."

Zhang Zhi suddenly realized.

He had heard before that Han Jiang and Wu Chong recommended Zhang Yue to return to Beijing to take advantage of this time's great achievements, but they were also blocked by Wang Anshi.

People at the time said that Wang Anshi was stingy, because Zhang Yue bumped against him in the Guozijian incident and deliberately blocked his official career.

But if you don't listen to him say such words now, you really don't know what his intentions are.

Zhang Zhi said: "The next official thanked my uncle for my uncle."

Wang Anshi said: "These are just trivial matters. I asked you to come here today to tell you that the old man expects a lot from you. Even if you can't be your son-in-law, it doesn't hinder you."

"I've been in power for two years, but it's really hard to see the vulgarity. The old man is also unable to do what he wants in the center, but I hope that there will be more ministers who are brave enough to help in the future."

(End of this chapter)