One hundred and twentieth eight chapters on the forest line (7)
Since last winter and spring this year, Zhang Xing's mentality has changed significantly since he returned from two trips to Jiangdong and Huaishang. No one knows what he thinks, and even he may not be able to tell.
Know what you want to do.
Close friends such as Bai Yousi and Qin Bao were obviously aware of this and made their own expressions.
As for Li Ding, he is a middle-aged man, from a big family, a member of the Ministry of War who lives in the military, and has a successful career and family. Even though he has a beautiful wife, he has no time to care about others, so he has no relevant words.
No matter what Zhang Xing thinks, it is very clear that he is now looking at things in the court with a cold-eyed attitude, as if he is enduring something, and he seems to be waiting for something.
.
This point does not change because of the excitement in the court.
In late March, the spring breeze gradually picked up, and in the last ten days, a jaw-dropping drama was staged in the core power structure of the Eastern Capital of the Wei Dynasty.
There are three protagonists in the play.
The sage Cao Che, the emperor's uncle Cao Lin, and Mr. Zhang Hanzhang who are not easily defined by their official positions.
Zhang Han is in his forties this year. Although his surname is Zhang and his ancestral home is Hedong, he has nothing to do with the Zhang family in Hedong. On the contrary, he is just like the deceased former Minister of Punishment Zhang Wenda. They are both standard southerners. All his ancestors were
The senior official of Nanchen... It's just that he is a higher level person. He saw that Nanchen was in trouble early. The saint he was in was still in Jiangdu as Fangzhen, and when he was just a county magistrate, he took the initiative to write to the then-unknown official.
The saint who ascended the throne showed his kindness, so he was able to become a minister at this age.
But that's all, because after all, he is a descendant from the south. If he doesn't have any special merits, according to Zhang Xing's world, the invisible ceiling in the workplace has reached... I estimate that he can serve as minister for half a year before retiring, and then retire.
The greater probability is that he didn't even get a chancellor, he just transferred to a wealthy southern prefecture near his hometown, and then ended his official career.
Obviously, Zhang Han did not want to live his whole life quietly. He wanted to be a minister and a minister, otherwise he would not have risked the disapproval of the world and followed the path of the previous Zhang Shangshu who was born in the south.
I just want to throw away some things and actively join His Majesty in exchange for the power I crave.
Of course, sages also like such people very much, so when Zhang Han applied to lead the Ministry of Civil Affairs to undertake the preparatory work for the Golden Pillar, Zhang Shilang immediately became Zhang Shangshu.
But this is only the first step, and the fun has just begun.
Two days later, perhaps because he had recovered from Nanya's betrayal, the emperor's uncle Cao Lin chose to enter the palace again and asked to see the saint.
The saint said that he was "ill" and refused to meet him.
On the second day, Cao Zhongcheng publicly submitted a letter, saying that Zhang Han had no merit and was only responsible for preparatory tasks. He was also a minister. Zhang Han was not qualified to serve as a minister with a single request, and there was no reason to treat an aborigine who had no fault at all.
Wei Chong, the Minister of the Ministry, was transferred to stay in Yedu.
In the book, the saint made no reply and made no movement.
So one day later, Cao Zhongcheng wrote for the second time, and directly said that Zhang Han was a villain. Promoting a villain like this would cause Xiao Xiao to imitate him. He probably felt that he had been sorry for Cao Zhongcheng, Prime Minister Su Gong, and Minister of Civil Affairs Niu Gong.
They also jointly submitted a memorial again. The content of the memorial was the same as that of Cao Zhongcheng. They all said that Zhang Han had no merit. There was no reason to enter the level of minister just because of one sentence.
Of course, the words are just a little gentler.
The second memorial of remonstrance entered the palace, and the saint finally responded by issuing an edict to join Zhang Han, the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, as a minister of the province, and to go to Nanya to discuss politics.
There is a sentence in the Zhongzhi that is particularly interesting: "The prime minister will make his own decision regarding the responsibilities of the minister, and I will make my own decisions regarding the responsibilities of the prime minister."
As soon as the news came out, everyone in the government and the public were stunned. Su Gong and Niu Gong immediately shut up and stopped talking.
Cao Zhongcheng became even more furious, but he publicly submitted the memorial again the next day. He copied a copy of his memorial and posted it in front of the gate of Nanya just like the previous incident. The content was very simple, and he still opposed the unwarranted promotion of Zhang.
Han. But this time, he bluntly said that Zhang Han is a villain. It is ridiculous to move two places in a few days just to please the emperor. If this person enters Nanya, he will beat him face to face!
If the Grand Master wanted to "beat him face to face", I'm afraid it would be more direct than any other threat.
Zhang Han was extremely excited. Mr. Zhang came to Nanya with empty steps. When he saw the memorial posted on the door, he didn't dare to go in. In the end, he could only walk around in circles and sadly returned to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. At the same time, he submitted a letter asking himself to return.
As a minister, he is still responsible for the preparation work for the Great Golden Pillar.
So the saint's decree came again, and the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs led the provincial minister Zhang Hanjin Ziguanglu, the minister, and ten members of the Fulong Guard were sent to accompany the palace, the city, and the courtyard to serve as guards during the construction of the big golden pillar.
Zhang Xing was enjoying himself watching the fun, but he got confused and the pot was thrown on his head.
"Who's going?"
Duke Gao did not come with an imperial edict, nor did he put on any airs. He just arrived at the White Tower, hurriedly explained his purpose, and looked around, as if he was impatient. "Do you want to ask for a formal edict? You are Fulong Guards, saints.
What do you mean, can you still avoid it?"
Of course, you can't avoid it, but facing the emperor's uncle, your theoretical immediate boss, and the number one master in the Wei Dynasty, everyone feels guilty, right?
"Dare to ask Duke Gao."
Bai Yousi was inexplicably absent, and Zhang Xing had no choice but to come forward and surrender in front of the tower. "Should we allocate ten people to this matter, or should we just ask Fulongwei to send people, and we can allocate them by ourselves?"
"It's up to you to do whatever you want." Gao Dugong didn't move, just stood there, looking more and more impatient. "Anyway, I have to reply quickly... For the extra logistics materials and allowances, just fill in a form and send it to Beiya.
, and nothing will go wrong."
The meaning is obvious, the saint's will comes first, and it is easy to say that Ma Liu obeys the decree no matter what. Don't try to find any excuses or push Bei Ya's responsibility at all.
"In that case, let's take turns on duty!" Zhang Xing turned around to look at the white ribbons behind him. "Let's make a new duty list. Logistics materials and allowances must also be sent to Beiya... Let Qin Bao lead eight people. Now follow
I go."
Hearing this, Duke Gao was startled and finally laughed: "It doesn't matter to others, Deputy Changjian Zhang is not afraid of being torn apart by Zhong Cheng?"
"Zhongcheng is not that kind of person." Zhang Xing responded calmly. "Besides, even if there is something wrong, Chang Jian happens to be away at the moment. As my deputy, I can't hide behind others."
"Sure enough, he is so brave. He is not a desperate Saburo who comes here in vain." Gao Dugong looked at the other party and finally nodded. "Then let's go... Your husband-in-law is still waiting for you."
This is a piece of shit, my husband.
Deputy Changjian Zhang cursed secretly in his heart, but his words became more and more high-profile: "Serving you, I dare not spare my life. Gao Dugong and the six will lead the way. We will go as soon as we gather."
"No problem, I'll take you there myself." Duke Gao just smiled and bowed. "You don't dare to spare your life to serve me. How dare I, the governor of Beiya, spare my life?"
"Brother Zhang, Han Baishou asked you if you want to wear armor?" While waiting, Zhou Xingfan came to report, but his face turned pale, as if he was really afraid that something would happen.
"What a ghost! Is Zhong Cheng the enemy?" Zhang Xing was speechless. "Ask Lao Han, why don't you wear the Fulong Seal?"
Xiao Zhou woke up and turned back in embarrassment.
But Duke Gao just smiled and said nothing.
However, no matter what, there was no way to escape this situation. Even if Zhang Xing wanted to scold his mother, he could only take Qin Bao and several other Fulong Guards and follow him honestly after a while.
Already.
Near noon, there was no one else inside the Duanmen of Ziwei Palace, outside the inner hall, and in front of the small courtyard of the Nanya Assembly Hall. Only Mr. Zhang Han, who had reached the top rank and power in the dynasty, was wearing a purple robe.
He stood with his hands tied, bowed his head and said nothing, like a punished official servant.
On the gate of the small courtyard in front of this purple-robed official servant, there was a simple memorial document with its cover removed. It was like a Tathagata Buddha in another world unveiling a note, which stopped him from moving forward.
At the same time, on the main road of Nanya behind him, countless Dongdu officials were coming and going, but they couldn't help but glance sideways.
Everyone wants to see how this matter ends?
It was under such circumstances that Zhang Xing and Gao Jiang arrived here.
"Mr. Zhang." As expected, Duke Gao was willing to sacrifice his life for his holy will. He went directly to greet him with a smile. "Our family is Gao Jiang from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We were ordered to go to Xiyuan to find Fulongwei. Now we have brought him
, ten people, no more, no less, let’s go in together?”
Zhang Han immediately raised his head, his eyes burned, then flashed, and he lowered his head slightly. Zhang Xing, who was following Gao Jiang, almost trembled in shock. How could he not know, despite what he had said to Bai Yousi yesterday?
A Zhang Shangshu, at this time, it seems that this person is obviously younger, more eager, and more unscrupulous than Zhang Wenda.
In fact, if you think about it, Zhang Wenda came in stages. He was sold once many years ago and became much more honest, and then he was promoted to the position of minister. He only moved to Nanya for the final step, so on the surface he was still very respectable.
of.
As for this one...
In fact, Gao Jiang, not to mention Zhang Xing, was obviously startled after meeting Zhang Han's flashing intense gaze, and then continued to laugh.
"This is the Holy Will. As a minister, I dare not disobey orders." Zhang Han restrained his expression and replied seriously. He even gave a slight salute to Gao Jiang and Zhang Xing. "I just want to make it difficult for you two."
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter." Gao Jiang turned around and looked around, smiling all the time. "It's a coincidence today. I'm really not afraid of anything... let's go... let's take a look... Deputy Changjian Zhang will take the lead."
Zhang Xing was stunned and had no choice but to bite the bullet and lead the people inside.
He never imagined that for the first time in his life, he would enter the most important meeting hall of Nanya in this way.
With mixed thoughts, he came to the door of the small courtyard. The two Jinwu guards inside gave him complicated looks, and then they all looked at the memorial on the door of the courtyard. Zhang Xing followed the gazes of these people and looked up at the memorial, feeling in his heart.
He moved slightly again, but actually stopped, turned around and walked to the door. Under the strange looks of several people behind him, he took off Uncle Cao's memorial and stuffed it into his arms.
The timing was subtle, and the location was also subtle. Zhang Xing didn’t explain it, and the people behind him didn’t ask. There were people coming and going on the avenue behind, and there was some turbulence for a while, but Zhang Xing walked forward without delay, and walked directly into the middle of the small courtyard.
Just turned back.
"Mr. Zhang." Zhang Xing asked sincerely. "Do you want us to stand guard in front of the public house, or do you want us to stay at all times?"
"I'm here for the first time. I'll open the public room again in the afternoon. I want to go in now. Please allow me to apologize to Duke Cao and other nobles in person." Zhang Han thought for a moment, then immediately gave an expressionless reply, but he pointed to a small hall directly in front of him.
In the event of an accident, that should be the place where the Nanya princes were discussing and collaborating. "As for how you will protect them, I really don't know."
Zhang Xing nodded, raised his knife and looked at Gao Jiang again: "Gao Du Gong, it is you who passed the decree... The saint said that we would be here to protect you, so of course there is no problem, but are we allowed to enter or not allowed to enter the important place of the meeting hall? We are allowed to enter or not to enter.
Should you stay in front of the door, or follow in?"
Gao Dugong also thought for a moment and immediately gave the answer: "Follow me."
Having nothing to say at this point, Zhang Xing turned around and walked forward, pushing open the ajar door.
Those who greeted Zhang Xing were seven sitting or standing ministers with different expressions: Su Wei, Emperor's uncle Cao Lin, Shangshu Zuocheng Zhang Shizhao, British Gong Bai Hengqiu, Shangzhu State Sima Changying, and the official Tianguan Niu Hong.
Minister Youcheng Yu Changji, almost everyone was startled, and then they all came to look at it.
Among the people, Zhang Xing only recognized three or four faces, but without delay, he lowered his head slightly, held the knife and entered the door, then quickly turned around and came to the innermost table behind Bai Hengqiu, holding the knife and standing proudly.
"Zhang Xing!" Only at this moment did Cao Lin react, but he became furious and threw a cup to the ground. "Nanya Assembly Hall is an important place, and no one except the prime minister is allowed to enter. This has been the case since the Eastern Capital was built! Who?
What gave you the courage to enter here?"
Even Bai Hengqiu looked back at the boy behind him with a cold expression.
In this regard, Zhang Xing just remained silent. It was not his turn to speak here, and he did not believe that with Cao Lin and Bai Hengqiu's cultivation level, they could not hear and "see" what was happening outside the door and the conversation.
Let alone the will of the saint.
Sure enough, the next moment, Duke Gao and Zhang Han entered the meeting hall, attracting everyone's attention.
"I am eager to serve the country, but my behavior has been careless, which has angered all the gentlemen. I am here to apologize." Zhang Han bowed his head as soon as he entered the door. "But the state affairs come first, and the kindness of the king is as high as the mountain. I also ask all the gentlemen not to neglect the public affairs for personal reasons. This is bad."
National affairs... Mr. Bai, we must cooperate sincerely in the future."
Bai Hengqiu, who had just looked back at Zhang Xing, was twirling his beard. He was stunned for a long time and could only nod blankly: "Easy to say, easy to say."
Zhang Xing almost wanted to laugh when he saw it.
After receiving Bai Hengqiu's words, Zhang Hanfu went to see Cao Lin again: "Cao Gong, you are the foundation of the nation, why are you angry with me?"
Cao Lin had no choice but to scold: "You villain, didn't you see the memorial I posted on the door? How dare you come in?"
Zhang Han was silent for a moment, then just handed over his hands and said, "I'm sorry for my slowness, but I didn't see the memorial posted on the door."
Cao Lin was startled, then laughed angrily, and turned to look at Gao Du Gong, who was standing with his hands tied: "Gao Jiang, if you come in with him, can you see my memorial?"
Duke Gao immediately bowed his head and responded: "Reporting to your uncle... When we came in, we really didn't see any memorials. The door was clean."
Cao Lin was stunned for a moment, at a loss, and then looked at Zhang Xing again: "Zhang Xing, where are you?"
"My subordinates didn't see it either." Zhang Xing answered earnestly with a deadpan expression.
Cao Lin immediately fluttered his sleeves and walked out of the meeting hall.
The atmosphere in the hall felt a little relieved for a moment.
After a while, it was Prime Minister Su Wei who coughed dryly and smoothed things over: "It's noon today. Let's call it a day. Everyone goes back to the public rooms to arrange the documents and decrees they have received, and then let's call it a night."
After saying that, he probably felt embarrassed and walked out directly.
Zhang Han, who was standing within the threshold, quickly bowed his head and saluted, followed closely by Zhang Shizhao, Niu Hong, and Sima Changying, all of whom left without saying a word. It was Bai Hengqiu's turn and couldn't leave, but he paused in front of Zhang Han for a moment.
, and then leave.
In the end, Yu Changen seemed to be more free and easy. He paused for a moment, returned a half salute, and then left.
As soon as Mr. Yu left, there were only a few Fulongwei, Gao Jiang and Zhang Han left in the meeting hall.
Zhang Han was silent for a moment, then slightly raised his hands and looked at Gao Jiang: "Mr. Gao Du, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. Thank you very much for this matter. You can go back. I will go to the public room next to you to take a look."
Gao Jiang nodded and left quietly.
Zhang Xing and others also followed Zhang Han to a new room in the small courtyard. The public room was small and could only accommodate two or three people. It was obvious that it was just for storing memorials and other things, and was not a real office location.
Zhang Xing also arranged for the others to go outside the door, and stood alone in the public room, watching the new husband calmly clean up his own room.
After a moment, Qin Bao suddenly came out of the door and asked: "Deputy Inspector Zhang, I have something to report."
Zhang Xing looked at Zhang Han, who nodded slightly and then responded: "If you have something to say, come in and tell it in front of Mr. Zhang."
Qin Bao entered and reported calmly: "Zhongcheng wants Deputy Chang to go to his room."
Zhang Xing looked at Zhang Han again, but Zhang Han's expression was as usual, but he nodded naturally again, as if he didn't care.
After turning out, only a few dozen steps away, there was Cao Lin's small public house. According to custom, he should have jumped back to the black tower by now, but today he actually didn't move.
Zhang Xing walked into the room, feeling calmer than when he entered the Black Tower that day.
"You are so brave, tearing up my memorial." Cao Lin looked at it coldly.
"It's really public-spirited and has no selfish thoughts." Zhang Xing said, taking the memorial out of his arms and respectfully placing it on the table.
Just as he thought, Cao Lin didn't make any unnecessary moves, but Zhang Xing still felt a specious wave of true energy suddenly spread out, wrapping up the entire room without any movement.
"Same as before...acting out of line, but I have to admit that it was the best result." Cao Lin turned around and sighed. "I wanted to hire you as a think tank that day, but you kept saying treasonous things and stayed here.
Sisi, I almost wanted to take your life...but today...today...today..."
"Today's events are meaningless," Zhang Xing earnestly advised. "Because from the overall situation, there are many people outside the imperial court who are eyeing... the powerful, powerful, Dongyi, and Lich clans.
Everyone is watching, the trouble has reached the extreme level, and if it continues, it will only make them think that the saint and the Prime Minister have a fundamental relationship, that the imperial court has no backbone, and then a lot of courage and disasters will happen for nothing. "
Cao Lin shook his head: "It's all nonsense. I'm tired of hearing it these days."
Zhang Xing had no choice but to continue to respond: "Then my subordinate, just say no nonsense... Zhongcheng already lost more than ten days ago. There is no point in making a strong gesture. It will only make Nanya's authority more criticized.
As a member of the national family and an important minister, Zhongcheng's most important thing is to find a balance in the middle and find out what is left and make up for the vacancies... If the stalemate continues, Zhongcheng himself is magnanimous, he is a great master, and he has his own foundation, but Nanya is even more difficult.
, it will be even more difficult for Zhongcheng to balance things in the future."
"After what happened before, how can Nan Ya still be balanced?" Cao Lin put his hand on his forehead and sighed, like a real old minister, but he raised his hand impatiently. "I've watched this person, go down.
!”
Zhang Xing was granted amnesty and quickly handed over his hand.
But when I was about to go out, I felt like I encountered an invisible wall, and I was suddenly stuck, unable to move forward. Then I immediately woke up and turned around and bowed my head.
"I'm still angry... Go and pass a message to Bai Hengqiu who hasn't left yet." Cao Lin suddenly opened his eyes and took a deep breath. "After you finish the message, I will go back to Jing'an Terrace."
Zhang Xing could only respond.
A moment later, Deputy Inspector Zhang knocked on the door of Mr. Bai’s public room, which was only a few dozen steps away, with a complicated mood. Then he saluted respectfully, entered carefully, and shouted loudly at the threshold:
"Cao Zhongcheng asked me to bring a message to Mr. Bai!"
Bai Hengqiu was holding a package of memorials and was already ready to leave. Hearing this, he looked at it blankly: "What?"
Zhang Xing hesitated for a moment, but did not explain it immediately.
"Hurry up!" Bai Hengqiu was obviously impatient.
"Dong Cao said..." Zhang Xing suddenly stood up straight and pointed his finger at the British minister of industry in front of him, and then his voice was loud and fierce, and the tone spread throughout the small courtyard of the meeting hall almost instantly. "Tell Bai Heng."
Qiu, if he hadn't opened the Mingtang in order to flatter the saint, why would we have done what we have today? The one who started making figurines will have no descendants?!"
Bai Hengqiu was startled for a moment, then a golden light flashed beside him, and his true energy surged, but he immediately disappeared. However, Zhang Xing escaped early and quickly rolled back to Zhang Han's office.
The latter looked at Zhang Xing and finally laughed: "Deputy Inspector Zhang has a hard enough time."
Zhang Xing smiled awkwardly but politely, replaying his role as a loyal and dedicated guard.