The green smoke lingers, making the Buddha sitting behind the incense table appear compassionate and solemn.
Zhang Qixian, the commander of the Yongxing Military Route of the Great Song Dynasty, put down the incense sticks, clasped his hands together, and bowed again. Then he walked backwards out of the Main Hall.
Although he couldn't see the road behind him, he walked steadily with every step.
"Enxiang, be careful of the frost on the steps!" Guard Liang Xiao was worried that he would fall and be injured, so he quickly rushed forward and gently held his arm.
"It's okay, I know it well!" Zhang Qixian refused to appreciate it, turned around and gently shook off Liang Xiao's support, shaking his head with a smile.
The early morning sunlight shone down from the eaves of the Buddhist temple, illuminating his snow-white beard and wrinkled face. In an instant, he looked somewhat high-spirited.
"Yes!" Liang Xiao took half a step back, but tried to keep an arm's length away from Zhang Qixian so that he could lend a helping hand at any time.
"Let's get on the bus and go to Huaqing Pool. I want to take a bath in the hot spring!" Zhang Qixian's mood was as bright as the sunshine on his face. He ordered with a smile and strode out of the temple.
Looking at it from behind, it is simply unbelievable that he has reached the age of petitioning for bones. (Note: Begging for bones, in ancient times, high-ranking officials who wanted to retire and return to their hometowns were called begging for bones.)
When a person is proud, he feels refreshed, which is why he is in such a state.
It has been more than a year since he served as the military commander and pacifier of the Yongxing Army. Only in the past few days has he finally found the feeling of protecting the emperor's side.
Yin He Junbao of the Jingzhao Prefecture, who was originally very respectful to him but rarely interacted with him in private, suddenly sent a message and came to ask for advice. Chen Youliang, deputy envoy of the Transportation Department, who used to hide when he saw him, has also tried every means in recent days.
Get in front of him.
As for other fifth- and sixth-rank officials such as magistrates, military envoys, etc., there was a long queue outside the side door of his temporary residence.
Even the magistrates and magistrates of Shangzhou, Shaanzhou and Yaozhou, which were hundreds of miles away from the Yamen of the Economic and Social Envoy, made excuses and rushed over one after another, hoping to listen to Zhang Xianggong's teachings in person.
Zhang Qixian had previously served as a disciple of Tong Zhongshu, so he naturally deserved to be called "Mr. Lord". However, he had no interest in "teaching" the officials who came to flatter him recently.
When these people, for the sake of petty profits or so-called "colleagues", banded together to cover up the situation, they never thought of listening to the teachings of this second-level manager and pacifier.
Now, the lid could no longer be covered, and seeing flames jumping onto the stove, all of these people suddenly remembered that he, Zhang Qixian, was the head of Yongxing Military Road. Isn't it too late?
Zhang Qixian is a disciple of a saint, and at the same time, he is also a devout Buddhist. What he despises the most is the behavior of "not burning incense in ordinary times, but cradling the Buddha in times of trouble".
These confused officials at Yongxing Military Road had never given Zhang Qixian the due respect he deserved before. Now, don't expect Zhang Qixian to step forward and fill everyone's holes.
Moreover, the hole in the Yongxing Army is not that easy to mend now.
Whether it's official grain being stolen and sold, but no one cares about it for a long time, or local powerful officials openly offering rewards and mobilizing officials in the yamen to help hunt down serving officials, it's not something that can be solved by just finding a few unlucky ghosts.
What's more, it's now clear what the Red Lotus Sect's intentions were.
He, Zhang Qixian, had previously made concessions step by step to the transfer office and local state capitals. He hoped to maintain the stability of the Yongxing military route after the war and live up to the trust of the officials.
And since the Yongxing military road is no longer stable. Officials at all levels, from the Transportation Department to the local government, still treat Zhang Qixian as a fool. Then there is no need for him to be a good old man anymore.
As the Zhenrong Army is about to withdraw from the Huanzhou front line and drive to Chang'an City, neither breaking nor establishing is the best choice now.
"Your Majesty!" Judge Liang Hao galloped over on his horse, and before Zhang Qixian got on the carriage, he handed a brocade box containing official documents to him with both hands. "This is an urgent document handed down from the imperial court, please be kind to Your Majesty."
After reading it, it will be handed over to the Yongxing Military Road Transport Department and the chief officials of various states and counties for circulation!"
"Well! It's time to come!" Zhang Qixian originally wanted to see his close confidant Liang Hao after paying homage to Buddha. However, when he saw him today, his face showed a bit of joy, "Have you seen it?
, what’s on it!”
"How dare I dare to overstep my bounds before En Xiang saw it?" Liang Hao was in a good mood and shook his head with a smile. Then he quickly added, "However, the messenger who delivered the official document revealed a few words to the official. I don't know En.
Do you want to see it first or listen to it first?"
"Let me tell you first. In the Song Dynasty, official documents did not need to be opened at all. Before they left Bianliang, anyone who was interested could find out clearly what was written inside!" Zhang Qixian smiled, took the brocade box, and threw it in.
Within the carriage.
Liang Hao used to follow him as an official in Zhongshu Province, so he naturally knew that there was no secret in any government decree of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, he smiled and gently cupped his hands, "Then I just heard about it. It is said that the court wants to conduct a thorough investigation."
There was a fire in the Dingzhou granary on Yongxing Military Road. Worried about the lack of manpower on Enxiang’s side, he specially sent Kou Zhun, the counselor and political officer, and Zhe Weizhong, the judge of the North Court of Kaifeng Prefecture, to assist Enxiang.”
"Who?" Zhang Qixian was stunned and asked instinctively.
"Kou Zhun, the political advisor, Kou Lao Xi'er, and Wu Judge Zhe Weizhong!" Liang Hao smiled and nodded, repeating the names and nicknames of the future people clearly.
"Kou Laoxi'er?" Zhang Qixian laughed loudly, his snow-white beard trembling in the wind. "Hahaha, it seems that the official family is going to get serious this time. Liang Xiao, drive, we are not going to Huaqing Pool.
, return to my residence immediately."
After that, he smiled and said to Liang Hao, "Taisu, you get in the car with me. I'm dazzled, so I'd like you to help me read the official document!"
"Yes!" Liang Xiao and Liang Hao agreed to take action separately. The former jumped on the carriage's shaft and took the initiative to serve as the driver. The latter helped Zhang Qixian and entered the carriage together.
The two of them have been around Zhang Qixian for a long time, and both have developed a sensitive political sense.
Although the imperial court was too slow to make a decision on the Yongxing military route, it was obviously ready to take action!
This can be clearly inferred from the arrangement of the imperial court sending Kou Zhun to assist in the investigation.
Nakou Laoxi, although he is not currently in charge of the central government, he is one of the most trusted people in the official family.
The late emperor was hesitant about opposing the crown prince at the beginning, and it was Kou Laoxi who came to Fu Que to give advice, which made the late emperor make up his mind to pass the kingdom to the current official family.
"Your Majesty, please go slowly!" Just as the two of them were feeling elated, another series of calls came from not far away. But it was Chen Keli, the judge next to Song Shouzheng, the transfer envoy, who was holding his face covered with dust and
Sweat, Pegasus arrives.
Before he could leave the saddle, he had already bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the Secretary of the Song Dynasty specially sent a subordinate to ask for advice. He has been avoiding suspicion at home for many days, and the backlog of government affairs is huge. Can he be allowed to return to the transfer office first?
, while doing things, waiting for help at the same time!"
"Hmm? Sir Song is cured of his illness?" Zhang Qixian pushed open the car door, frowning, and asked knowingly.
"Alright, it's alright!" Transfer Judge Chen Keli responded with a reddened face and gasped.
"Hmm..." Zhang Qixian murmured in a low voice, sneering in his heart at the same time.
Song Shouzheng had obviously heard the news that Kou Zhun had brought Zhe Weizhong to assist in the investigation, so knowing that he was already defeated in this round of the game, he simply chose to admit defeat.
However, should he accept this person's surrender? Zhang Qixian was hesitant.
According to his original temperament, he can definitely give the other party a break, just give him a break.
After all, there is no big hatred between the two parties. Moreover, Song Shouzheng did ensure that the various armies fighting against Xia had a worry-free supply of food, grass and baggage last year. There was no credit but hard work.
However, thinking that Song Shou was trying to "avoid suspicion" for him at a critical moment, Zhang Qixian felt a little unavoidable in his heart.
If this person hadn't colluded with local officials, the chaos on the Yongxing Military Road wouldn't have been so big, and the Red Lotus Sect wouldn't have developed to the point where it couldn't be eliminated.
If this person didn't know how to advance and retreat, he himself would not be in trouble. He would almost be in danger of being late and unable to successfully return to his hometown.
While he was hesitating, he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves again, followed closely by several messengers with flags on their backs, rushing over. They didn't even care about the saddle, so they folded their hands and reported to him, "
According to the strategy, something bad happened. The Red Lotus Sect rebelled! They captured Anhua, the Gyeongju government office. Liu Dezhao, the governor of Gyeongju, died in battle! Liu Qiong, the magistrate of Anhua, burned himself to death when the city was breached!"
"Ah?" Zhang Qixian was shocked and couldn't care less about Chen Keli.
Before he could make an emergency decision, Liang Hao in the carriage had already gently tugged at his official robe, "My dear, don't be anxious. Don't be anxious. How can you know that a blessing in disguise is a blessing in disguise?"
