When Zhang Xingcheng came to visit, Cheng Yaojin treated him generously. Not only did he personally host a banquet, he also asked his eldest son and second son to accompany him. Considering Zhang Xingcheng's official position and status, this was already considered a very high standard.
This is because Zhang Xingcheng is the representative of the Shandong family in the court. Otherwise, given Cheng Yaojin’s meritorious status, why would he need to give face like this?
Zhang Xingcheng naturally knew this, so even though he was a high official in the imperial court, he was very courteous and complimentary in his words. He kept his arrogance very low. After all, he came today to ask for something, just in case.
Cheng Yaojin was offended by his careless words and ordered to expel the guests, which would make him very embarrassed.
After all, there had been fierce battles outside Chang'an City before, and when the situation was at stake, Cheng Yaojin was not firmly on the side of the Shandong family...
Now Cheng Chumo asked in person whether he could be transferred back, which made him extremely dissatisfied.
I have lowered my stance and made it clear that I came here with a request today, so why do you have to slap me in the face?
Knowing that I, the Minister of the Ministry of War, am useless, still making such a request is simply too deceptive...
Fortunately, before he could speak, Cheng Yaojin stared at his son and scolded his son: "Today Zhang Shangshu is a guest. Even if you have any request, you have to prepare a generous gift and come to ask for it another day. After such a banquet,
Why is it mentioned above? Furthermore, Xinan is a rare place with beautiful mountains and rivers and a pleasant climate. You only need to spend a few ideas there and accumulate qualifications to go to the imperial court.
I will promote you, so why are you seeking transfer in less than a year? You can’t bear any hardship, it’s useless!”
Cheng Chumo had an innocent look on his face: "My son is now in Guizhou, serving as the Commander-in-Chief of Xinan Prefecture. Although the place is relatively simple, the mountains are high and the roads are far away, and the land is smoky. It is difficult to fulfill his filial piety in front of his father... It is not easy to find some free time.
I just need to go home, and I happened to meet Zhang Shangshu today. It would be best if I could do it conveniently. If it is difficult, just pretend that I didn’t say anything. What’s the big deal? My child is already old, so you can’t always blame me!
"
Cheng Chuliang, who was beside him, was smiling and serving wine and dishes to Zhang Xingcheng, acting like a guest.
But Zhang Xingcheng couldn't pretend that he didn't exist. After all, he was Princess Qinghe's consort and the uncle of His Majesty Li Er...
Feeling ashamed, angry and embarrassed at the same time, he reluctantly said: "Da Lang's request is originally an ordinary one. Who told us that we are from the same lineage in Shandong, and are connected by blood and blood? I just ask Da Lang to understand my difficulties.
Now that I have just become the Minister of the Ministry of War, I have no idea about the affairs of the Ministry, and I cannot handle it at all. Wait for a while, and when I have sorted out these things, I will definitely transfer you back to Guanzhong..."
He finally understood that it was nonsense that Cheng Dalang had no authority and was rude and straightforward. These three men were trying to give him a blow, lest he trust the Secretary of the Ministry of War and become proud and conceited. What he did today when he visited the house made the Cheng family embarrassed.
, just plug your mouth back...
There seems to be some misunderstanding.
Cheng Chumo picked up the wine glass and laughed: "My nephew is a vulgar person and often gets confused. Today I will punish myself with three glasses of wine. I will definitely come to apologize to you another day."
After that, drink three cups in a row.
Zhang Xingcheng had no choice but to pay for a cup...
Cheng Chuliang, who was smiling, also raised his glass: "Brother, I am upright and upright. If I offend you, it must be unintentional. I hope Zhang Shangshu will forgive me."
The emperor's uncle proposed a toast. Zhang Xingcheng couldn't refuse, so he quickly toasted too...
As soon as he put down the cup, Cheng Yaojin sighed: "I am an ignorant child and don't understand the constraints and deceptions in the officialdom. As a father, I am really embarrassed and cannot teach you well. Come, let's have a drink."
Cheng Chuliang kept the wine flask in his hand and immediately filled it with Zhang Xingcheng...
Zhang Xingcheng can be considered a good drinker, but the fine wines in the Cheng family's cellar are basically highly distilled from the Fangjia winery. After drinking three glasses in a row, he felt like his stomach was on fire, his whole body was hot, and the blood vessels in his forehead bulged with his breathing...
…
He had to block the wine flask that Cheng Chuliang stretched out to pour wine, and said with a wry smile: "To be honest, I came here today because I have something to ask Duke Lu. Let's talk about business first, and then accompany Duke Lu and the two gentlemen to have a good drink, how about it?"
Cheng Yaojin stroked his beard and looked uncertain.
I'm using my power here with explicit hints and hints, just to save you from speaking your mind. How come you don't understand?
No matter what, the Shandong imprint on him cannot be erased. After all, he was supported by the Shandong family back then. Now that the Shandong family has entered the court in large numbers, he can't turn his back on them, right? So he doubled down on all the requests from the Shandong family.
Be careful, avoid it if you can...but you can't avoid it today.
You can't just drive Zhang Xingcheng away without saying a word, right?
He could only mutter to himself: "I have been estranged from the court in recent years and have gradually handed over military affairs. Many things are really beyond my ability. Even the Zuo Wuwei under my command does not necessarily listen to me. Many things are really out of my will... I don't know the morals.
What's the problem? You might as well tell me. If you can help, I'll be obliged to do so. If you really can't do anything, please feel free to blame me."
He looks rough, reckless and generous, but in fact he has been cautious all his life and will never fall into the trap of others and suffer big losses...
Zhang Xingcheng just pretended that he didn't understand, sighed, and explained the dilemma he was facing in detail. At the end, he said sincerely: "I have been working in Shangshu Province in the past. I only know how to work diligently and lack the experience of being so sophisticated. I am not afraid of Lu Guogong's jokes.
, Now when I first arrived at the Ministry of War, I couldn't even perform the most basic ministry duties. I signed an official document, and without the permission of the ministers on my left and right, I was dismissed and thrown into the wastebasket by the clerk... It's really embarrassing."
Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang looked at each other, and then their eyes shifted.
The two brothers share the same mind, and both admire Fang Jun's skills. When he was in the Ministry of War, the entire Ministry of War was like an arm, not to mention the top and bottom minds. Now that he has been transferred from the Ministry of War, he still holds the Ministry of War firmly in his hands, no matter what Zhang Xingcheng does.
Tried every possible means, but to no avail.
so amazing……
Gu 荍/span Cheng Yaojin also understood that the Shandong family was eager to enter the court and seize the real power of various ministries. Naturally, the first one to bear the brunt was the Ministry of War, which had grown in power in recent years. He thought that with Zhang Xingcheng, the Minister of War, they could use some means to control it.
The Ministry of War was in control, but unexpectedly, it was kicked on the iron plate. Instead of controlling the affairs of the ministry, it was ignored by subordinates.
This not only had extremely negative consequences for Zhang Xingcheng's own political future, but also set back the Shandong family's progress in controlling power. This was unacceptable, so he came to me today to ask how to break Fang Jun's control of the Ministry of War.
Take the military department into your hands...
His Majesty Li Er is concurrently in charge of the Shangshu Ling, and he personally controls the entire Shangshu Province. Officials at all levels are conscientiously acting in accordance with the rules and regulations. Who dares to make any mistakes? But the Ministry of War is completely different, involving countless interests of all parties, how can it be so so?
Is it easy to grasp clearly?
After pondering for a long time, Cheng Yaojin said helplessly: "In the officialdom, it is not so much political ideals and governance concepts as it is human sophistication and entangled interests. If the interests are consistent, they will naturally attack and defend each other, and advance and retreat together.
Fang Jun follows the lead because their interests are consistent with Fang Jun's, or in other words, Fang Jun gives them far more benefits than you give them... So don't think about the art of imperial control, figure out people's hearts, and think about it.
I wonder if you can give me more than Fang Jun?"
Zhang Xingcheng grimaced and shook his head.
With Fang Jun's current influence in the military and political circles, how can he compare to Zhang Xingcheng? Zhang Shigui, the Minister of Civil Service, had a close relationship with Fang Jun. They even almost stood on the East Palace front together before, even though he begged Shandong to
The old guys from the aristocratic family came forward to force the officials to transfer Cui Dunli, Liu Shi and others. Later, Fang Jun asked Zhang Shigui to give these people a better place.
Even the officials who were transferred to the Ministry of War could not be sure that they were still under Fang Jun...
Under such a situation, who would be afraid of him, the Minister of War?
Cheng Yaojin spoke earnestly: "Furthermore, the Ministry of War is controlled by Fang Jun, and Fang Jun is the prince's confidant, which means that the Ministry of War is the only real power office that the prince can influence now... After all, the prince has not been deposed yet.
"
As long as His Majesty's edict to abolish the crown prince has not been issued, the prince will still be the prince.
Since he is a prince, he should have the power and dignity of a prince. Once the only foundation of the prince is touched, who knows whether the usually tolerant prince will go crazy in anger?
Although His Majesty Yi Chu is very determined, he must feel guilty towards the Crown Prince. Even if the Crown Prince does a few extraordinary things to protect his own dignity and face, how will His Majesty hold him accountable?
Even His Majesty himself would be dissatisfied: It is my business to deal with my own son. Why do you outsiders bully my son?
Cheng Chumo nodded aside and said carelessly: "So, whoever provokes the prince at this time will be punished."
Zhang Xingcheng broke out in a cold sweat and almost woke up from the wine.
No wonder the officials of the Ministry of War, big and small, dared to treat him like this, and turned a deaf ear to his words. They were totally emboldened!
I scolded a few words in a low voice, these officials are not taking the matter seriously at all, you said you, they still go their own way; if the matter gets serious, not only will Fang Jun support them, but it may even cause His Majesty's dissatisfaction...
This Minister of the Ministry of War sounds glamorous, but he turns out to be a doormat!
"This, this, this... what should I do?"
Zhang Xingcheng was not a person without ideas, but at this moment he was confused.
On the one hand, the big bosses of the Shandong family are forcing him to take control of the Ministry of War as soon as possible, and on the other hand, they often cause the dissatisfaction of the prince and even his majesty. How can such a splintered anger be tolerated?
Cheng Yaojin asked his second son to bring him more wine, and said quietly: "Listen to what I say, you have to go back and tell the old people at home that this world belongs to His Majesty, not to the Shandong family. Some things should be stopped in moderation.
Take your time to figure it out, and if you rush forward greedily for merit, you are very likely to fail and sink into the sand."
…
In the end, Zhang Xingcheng failed to escape unscathed. The three Cheng family masters took turns to get him drunk, and he vomited several times before letting him go home in the car with the help of his servants.
The father and son of the Cheng family returned to the flower hall to drink tea and sober up. Cheng Chuliang couldn't help but ask: "Your Majesty has made up his mind about Yi Chu. It is the time to suppress and eliminate the forces in the East Palace. If Zhang Xingcheng is tough and rotates the officials of the Ministry of War, your Majesty may not
Intervene, and even be happy to see the results...Why did my father do the opposite and deliberately deceive Zhang Xingcheng?"
Cheng Yaojin drank tea and said slowly: "The matter of Yi Chu is of great importance. It is not only a family matter, but also a state matter. How can we abolish it if we want? The prince has been sitting steadily for so many years, and he is definitely not what he looks like from the outside.
The general power is weak, otherwise you think that His Majesty is just afraid of Fang Jun, so he is slow to pursue it? Zongzong succession is the law of the world after all. Once His Majesty's edict to abolish the reserve is promulgated, I don't know how many people will fight for it."
Cheng Chu asked silently: "Is there something unexpected going on with Yi Chu?"
Cheng Yaojin put down his tea cup, lay back on the chair, and said with squinted eyes: "There are no absolutes in the world, who knows? Our Cheng family cannot choose sides now and take all chances. Instead, we must make a just gesture and treat the prince
, the King of Wei and the King of Jin must treat each other equally."
If you don't make choices, you will make fewer mistakes.
Although this will lead to a sharp drop in future profits, at the moment the situation is unpredictable, it is extremely foolish to consider interests, and it is only right to complete the transition of imperial power steadily.
I just wonder if this time I helped the East Palace and stabilized Zhang Xingcheng, so that the Ministry of War is still under the control of the East Palace. Will it help the prince to stabilize his position?
At least the prince must remember our contribution...