Chapter 216 The four members of the Ministry of Rites
Zhang Xiangxiang went to see Xu Jingzong, but they couldn't figure out the reason, so they came to the village together.
Zhang Yang was tidying up the cotton field, removing weeds and checking the soil condition. Zhang Dasu and Xu Jingzong sat on the edge of the field with sad faces. Zhang Dasu was not as steady as Zhang Dasu, although his brother Zhang Dasu's temper was more like The warrior scolded him for most of an hour.
After cursing and cursing for most of an hour, Zhang Xiangxiang couldn't bear it anymore and said, "Second brother! Sit down and think about it carefully."
Hearing this, Zhang Dashu sat down.
Zhang Yang sat aside with his sleeves tucked in, while Xu Jingzong also looked calm.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and the four people sitting on the edge of the field stared blankly at the cotton field, speechless for a while.
At the beginning of this year, the four of them were still dominant among the six departments, making their own efforts to revitalize the Ministry of Rites.
I have only been in the Ministry of Rites for half a year, and the current owner of the Ministry of Rites has changed, and the current Ministry of Rites does not have much to do with everyone.
Xu Jingzong looked at Zhang Yang and asked, "Shilang Zhang seems to be very concerned about this field."
Zhang Yang nodded and said: "The cotton seeds planted in September are just waiting for them to grow up. Do you know what the seeds mean?"
Xu Jingzong whispered: "Does it mean harvest?"
"Wrong means hope." Zhang Yang said with emotion: "I am a poor person and I am used to farming. If I don't plant a few acres of land, I feel uncomfortable all over."
Xu Jingzong smiled awkwardly, "I heard that Shilang Zhang's family already has a fortune."
Zhang Yang took a breath and frowned, "Is this the case?"
Xu Jingzong suddenly said: "Maybe it's all rumors?"
Zhang Yang nodded, "It must be a rumor."
Seeing that the two still didn't talk about the Ministry of Rites, Zhang Xiangxiang couldn't bear it anymore. He stood up and said loudly: "Today's Ministry of Rites are all his high-performing brothers and sisters. Where is there room for us and others?"
"Brother Elephant is safe and his mother is impatient." Xu Jingzong said with emotion: "The person in charge of the Ministry of Rites now is Gao Xingcheng, who can tolerate it."
Zhang Yang struggled, "You said that this Gao Jingcheng doesn't want others to be better than him. This person is a bit perverted."
Xu Jingzong took out a roll of sheepskin and said, "This is a letter sent by King Ju Wentai of Gaochang. In addition to His Majesty's credentials, there is also this sheepskin roll."
Zhang Yang peeled off the sealing wax on the sheepskin scroll, opened it and looked at the crooked words on it, "Did this King of Gaochang just learn Chinese characters?"
Xu Jingzong also took a look and could barely understand the meaning. The content was full of praise for the Ministry of Rites, and even said that he would use hundreds of barrels of grape wine to repay the favor.
Zhang Yang put away the parchment and "sent someone to send a message to Adalan, telling him to let Gaochang people read as few Central Plains books as possible."
Xu Jingzong lowered his tone and said, "Shilang Zhang means to let King Gaochang indulge in wine and meat?"
"What if? The stupider they are, the better for us."
"clear."
The emperor's words are 70% false and 30% true. Don't expect an emperor to be sincere to you.
As for the second chance Li Shimin said, it was nothing more than making others loyal to him.
Whether it was Yi Nan's fate, the incident at Xuanwu Gate, or Jie Li's ending, it all showed that Li Shimin was a ruthless person, and ordinary means could not threaten this vicious Tian Khan.
Don't even think about using your own interests to negotiate terms with Li Shimin, he will eat you up.
Noticing Zhang Dashu's eyes, Zhang Yang whispered: "Brother Dashu will stay in the village from now on so that he can take care of the teacher."
Zhang Dasu said with a straight face, "I don't want to stay with my father."
Zhang Yang was puzzled: "Why?"
Zhang Dasu lowered his head.
Zhang Elephant explained: "My father would only scold him and drive him away."
It's true that the teacher is also very strict with his own children and calls his son a fool all the time.
Letting Zhang Dashu stay with the teacher is also a kind of torture.
Xu Jingzong thought for a long time and said, "Why don't you arrange some intelligence matters with me?"
It was quite tiring for Xu Jingzong to be busy all by himself. Zhang Xiangxiang nodded and said, "That's it, Da Su will follow Xu Jingzong to do things."
Zhang Dashu nodded, "That's fine."
Patting Zhang Elephant's shoulder, Zhang Yang whispered: "The Ministry of Rites is now in the hands of Gao Xiang. Brother Elephant, please take a break these days. Just say that you are also infected and return to the Ministry of Rites in the future."
"clear."
"I am no longer the Minister of Rites, and I don't need to call myself Minister Zhang. Just call me Xiao Zhang."
Zhang Xiangxiang cupped his hands and said, "I won't be able to change my words for a while."
The four of them were members of the former Ministry of Rites. Although they no longer work in the Ministry of Rites, Xu Jingzong is still doing his intelligence work. Everyone is still busy with the previous affairs. The Tibetan and Turkic intelligence is also in Xu Jingzong's hands.
A few people were walking on the field ridge. Zhang Yang walked with his hands in his hands and asked, "How many intelligence personnel do we have in total?"
Xu Jingzong was asked to take charge of intelligence work. I don’t know how well he is doing the intelligence work now.
"Tujue has a total of six eyeliners, one of whom is working next to the little Turkic Khan. Du'er has also arranged a few eyeliners to keep an eye on it. However, Xue Yantuo has not sent anyone there yet. Gaochang Kingdom includes some scattered places in the Western Regions.
We also have people who have made friends with a few businessmen from Nanzhao, and they will also help me get some information. We have arranged some Tibetan spies, but Songtsen Gampo only uses his own people, and our informants cannot be sent to him for a while.
Come to Songtsen Gampo."
You don’t know if you don’t ask. Now let’s take a closer look at how well Xu Jingzong did his intelligence work.
Zhang Yang took a breath, "You even have news from Nanzhao?"
Xu Jingzong said with a smile: "I drink with people in Pingkangfang on weekdays and get to know some businessmen from Nanzhao, and I have reached cooperation with them."
Zhang Yang sighed: "Nanzhao has a lot of copper."
"copper?"
"Well, Nanzhao is a very wealthy place."
"I drink with friends on weekdays just to get some information. This high official actually impeached me for lying about my illness. It is really abominable." Xu Jingzong said worriedly, "Sooner or later, my official clothes will be stripped off."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Zhang Yang frowned and said: "How about you please Gao Jingxing, with your ability he will definitely treat you as a confidant, and then you can stab him behind his back.
"
Xu Jingzong stopped and looked up into the distance, "Secretary Zhang, I am a principled person. It is not my style to please Gao Jingcheng. I would rather take off my official clothes and stop being an official than stay with him."
"I didn't expect you to be a man of integrity."
Xu Jingzong looked a little ashamed, "Shilang Zhang misjudged me. I'm not a man of integrity. I'm just a good bird choosing a tree to roost in. His talent for high performance is not even half as good as Shilang Zhang's. This person can't accomplish much."
And why should we follow him?"
No wonder Xu Jingzong can hold a high position in history, his ability is so flattering.
After chatting with the three people for a while about the arrangements, Zhang Dasu continued to stay in the Ministry of Etiquette but had to rest for some time. Zhang Dasu followed Xu Jingzong to work.
Gao Jingxing, who had gone to court the next day, listened to Li Baiyao's report. Xu Jingzong still claimed that he was ill and could not come to work in the Ministry of Rites. Zhang Xiangxiang also reported that he was ill. Even Zhang Dashu bluntly said that he did not want to follow him.
The original four members of the Ministry of Rites now have no one left.
Gao Xingyi threw something in front of him, "What do these people mean?"
"Back to Mr. Gao, it's the time of season change these days, so you have to pay attention to your health and don't catch a cold." The new Minister of Rites on the side said.
"Recently, the Ministry of Education has come to inquire about Tibetan affairs."
Hearing the word "Tubo" was like a thorn in his heart. When Gao Xingyi heard the sound, he saw that the person speaking was Li Baiyao.
Facing Gao Jingxing's eyes, Li Baiyao lowered his head and did not dare to say anything.
Gao Xingyi slapped his eucalyptus and said coldly: "Without him, Xu Jingzong wouldn't be able to do the work of the Ministry of Etiquette?"
After speaking, Gao Jingcheng looked at the people in the Ministry of Rites and said loudly: "We in the Ministry of Rites are full of talents. We immediately sent a letter to Tibetan Songtsen Gampo, ordering him to release our envoy immediately."
At this moment, there was a scroll in front of Gao Jingcheng. What was recorded on this scroll was Zhang Yang's strategy of imposing heavy taxes on the Turks. It was not only a previous attack by the Ministry of Rites, but also a means to suppress the Turks.
"Since heavy taxes have already been implemented, why not add some more."
Hearing Gao Jixi's words, Li Baiyao immediately said, "Absolutely not. The current heavy taxes were originally decided by Tujue and Zhang Shilang. If they are changed now, it will cause Tujue's rebellion. This will most likely make all previous efforts in vain.
.”
[To be honest, I have been using the Huanyuan app recently to read and catch up on updates. It can switch sources and read aloud with many sounds, huanyuanapp. Both Android and Apple are available.]
"This is the strategy that Zhang Yang left behind when he used power for personal gain. Should he continue to use it?"
Li Baiyao bowed and said: "Although it is evidence of abuse of power for personal gain, it was only retained after consultation with the Central Secretary. This matter should not be acted upon lightly."
Gao Xingyi nodded and said: "Do you mean that with so many talents in our Ministry of Rites, we are not as good as Zhang Yang?"
Li Baiyao glanced at the people in the Ministry of Rites and said, "As far as I know, these people were all friends of Mr. Gao at the beginning. They were not hired by the court, nor were they transferred from other government agencies. In terms of ability, these people are really worthy.
Not talented enough."
"How dare you contradict me! I am the Minister of Rites!" Gao Xingcheng shouted.
"Mr. Gao is only temporarily acting as the Minister of Rites, and he was appointed by Xu Guogong. Nowadays, the appointment and dismissal of officials in the DPRK must go through the review of the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
Gao Xingyi was so angry that veins popped out on his forehead.
Li Baiyao's expression was neither humble nor arrogant, "We still need to discuss the official appointment and removal of the position of Minister of Rites. As for the people brought into the Ministry of Rites by Mr. Gao, they have not yet served in the court, and they have not been included in the official list. If they were talented people, they would have been admitted long ago.
The official register was reused by the government."
The people around him were indeed good friends, but Li Baiyao's words seemed to have stripped them of their clothes, which made them angry and annoyed.
Gao Xingcheng looked at everyone and then looked at Li Baiyao, "From now on, you don't have to work in the Ministry of Rites."
Li Baiyao looked directly at Gao Xingyi, "You don't have to ask Mr. Gao to find Duke Xu to punish me. I can just go on my own."
After speaking, Li Baiyao took off his official uniform, official hat, and official boots on the spot, and walked out of the Zhuque Gate with bare feet and thin clothes.
Li Baiyao met Xu Jingzong just after taking a few steps.
Xu Jingzong handed him a coat, "It's cold now, so I still have to wear one."
After standing there stunned for a long time, Xu Jingzong sighed: "Wear it. Although you and I didn't get along well in the Ministry of Etiquette, we didn't get to know each other until we started fighting. At least we are different from Gao Jingcheng."
Taking the coat from Xu Jingzong, Li Baiyao put on the coat and then received a pair of boots from Xu Jingzong.
The two sat down at a wine shop, and Xu Jingzong asked the waiter to serve them drinks.
After drinking the wine, I felt much better.
Xu Jingzong said helplessly: "Brother Baiyao has been wronged. I heard about Brother Baiyao's talent in the first place."
Li Baiyao put his hands on his knees and glanced at Zhuquemen, "Young Master Gao will sooner or later suffer losses and get into trouble if he is young and energetic."
Xu Jingzong took a sip of his drink and said, "Actually, as long as Mr. Gao does the work of the Ministry of Etiquette well, at least he won't make any mistakes."
Li Baiyao smiled bitterly, "I already made a mistake by sending the envoy to Tubo. I made a mistake every step of the way. Now Gao Jixiu is too eager for quick success and instant gain. Even though he is Zhang Shilang, he is not a good person."
"Cough cough cough..." Upon hearing this, Xu Jingzong choked on his throat with a mouthful of wine and kept coughing.
Li Baiyao said worriedly: "At least Mr. Zhang is humble and tough in handling affairs. If he is not tough in dealing with various countries in the Ministry of Rites, he will not be able to gain a foothold. Why bother with this official position now."
Xu Jingzong poured him a drink and said, "There was also a conflict between Brother Baiyao and Brother Da'an at the beginning."
Li Baiyao smiled and said: "Da'an lacks experience. He is young and has nothing to do. If he is taught well, he will be good in the future."
Recalling the time he sent someone to beat Li Baiyao, Xu Jingzong said calmly: "Actually, the person who beat you up was arranged by me, just to make the three brothers of Zou Guogong's family feel bad."
Li Baiyao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed again, "Since there is a festival, why do you treat me like this and treat me to a drink?"
Xu Jingzong cupped his hands and said: "Our Shilang Zhang has a very good saying, the one who makes many friends will make few enemies. Although Zhang Shilang does not take Gao Jingcheng seriously, at least he can be regarded as an enemy. Brothers Baiyao
Those who are against Gao Jing are our friends."
Li Baiyao shook his head, "I don't want to get involved in court disputes."
Xu Jingzong smiled and said: "This is not a dispute in the court, it is just a matter of making friends."
Li Baiyao picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp, "Thank you very much."
Xu Jingzong poured him another drink, "Now it seems that this high-ranking minister will destroy himself without Zhang Shilang taking action."
After three bowls of wine, Li Baiyao stood up and took the initiative to pay for the drinks and said, "Goodbye."
Xu Jingzong cupped his hands and said, "I won't send it away."
Watching Li Baiyao leave, Xu Jingzong frowned and said to himself: "The character of a scholar, not wanting to change is a bad thing."
Zhang Yang was tinkering with paper pulp at home while listening to Aunt Wang's story, "Li Baiyao took the initiative to take off his official uniform and quit?"
Li Yue ate the persimmon and looked at the book in her hand.
Aunt Wang arranged the bamboo silk, "It's true, I had a dispute with Mr. Gao."
This kind of thing is not difficult to find out, and maybe it has already spread throughout the government and the public.
Li Yue took another bite of the persimmon and said, "If you offend Mr. Gao, you will offend Gao Shilian. Li Baiyao's career will end here."
Zhang Yang picked up some paper pulp and observed it carefully, "It's not necessarily true that Gao Shilian will not always be in a high position. Sooner or later, someone will replace him in the court."