It is freezing cold in Bianjing during the first month of the year.
When Peng Jingyi led Shen Kuo into Zhang Yue's study, the other party happened to meet Xu Xi face to face.
Shen Kuo and Xu Xi both worked together in the Zhang Yue shogunate back then. They had no friendship and only exchanged a few words.
But I saw Xu Xi worshiping outside Zhang Yue's study, motionless.
Shen Kuo knew a lot about Xu Xi.
A few days ago, he was also a high-ranking official. Meng Zhangyue, Li Xian, and Tong Guan recommended him to the officials for appreciation, and he was promoted to Zhongshu Hufang to study official affairs.
At the end of the year, Xu Xi returned to Beijing to meet with the emperor. The officials had been advising him for a long time, and finally they praised him deeply and said: "I have read many people, but I have never seen anyone like you."
Immediately after Xu Xi was in the palace, he was promoted by the official family to the school manager of the Secret Pavilion, You Zhengyan.
As soon as this appointment came out, Shen Kuo was envious.
What was Xu Xi's background? He was from a commoner background and had not passed the imperial examination.
Zhang Yue single-handedly selected the opponent, and he went from being a judge in the Tongyuan Army to a military officer in Huizhou. When Zhang Yue took him to Zhending Mansion for negotiations this time, he was the Prime Minister of Dali Temple and had been transferred to the position of Capital Official.
Seeing Xu Xi's promotion, Shen Kuo understood what it means for the emperor to be in a hurry in employing people, what it means to employ people in an unfavorable manner, and what it means to employ people like a pile of salary, with the latecomers taking precedence.
The officials want to use you.
It doesn't matter what qualifications or origins you have. Even a person who has not passed the imperial examination can be awarded a post and a specially promoted official position such as You Zhengyan.
There were three systems for the promotion of officials in the Song Dynasty: one was to be exiled to the imperial court, the second was to be removed from the Imperial Academy, and the third was to be appointed by the Emperor's special order.
Xu Xi was promoted by the Emperor because he was outside the Three Realms and was not among the Five Elements. His origin, qualifications and age could not restrain him.
And this popular man in front of the official family is now kneeling outside Zhang Yue's study in the first month of the year.
Shen Kuo didn't know what mistake Xu Xi had made, which made Zhang Yue unhappy. Shen Kuo felt that it was a bit like killing a chicken to scare the monkey.
Shen Kuo also knew that his official reputation was not very good now.
Some people call themselves domestic slaves with three surnames.
Wang Anshi, Han Jiang, Lu Huiqing and Shen Kuo have all voted for him, and now he has voted for Zhang Yue.
I heard that everyone in Bianjing was placing bets on when Shen Cunzhong would kick Zhang Yue and climb to another high post.
Shen Kuo suddenly thought of Wang Shao at this moment.
When the emperor ordered Guo Kui to join his hands, he tried several times to revive Wang Shao, but for some reason Wang Shao still can't get up until now, as if he was suppressed by someone.
After Shen Kuo glanced at Xu Xi, he didn't dare to look again, and followed Peng Jingyi into Zhang Yue's study.
Zhang Yue was looking for books on the bookshelf in the study room when he saw Shen Kuo coming and said with a smile: "Cunzhong is here, sit down!"
Zhang Yue asked him to sit down, but Shen Kuo did not dare to sit down. Instead, he respectfully expressed New Year's greetings to Zhang Yue.
Logically speaking, Shen Kuo is one generation older than Zhang Yue, and he is also the third envoy.
Before the power of the three divisions was weakened by Wang Anshi, the three divisions of Zhongshu, Privy Council and the three divisions stood together, and their power was not inferior to that of the prime minister and the privy envoy.
Now Shen Kuo is in Zhang Yue's power and dare not speak.
In fact, it is a foregone conclusion that Wang Anshi will retire after the spring, but who can replace him?
Wang Gui once made mistakes in the political alignment, but now he is in his position. Feng Jing was born in the old party, and he can't stand the new party like him who has climbed up.
Yuan Jiang, who is also a member of the New Party, extended an olive branch to him.
But Shen Kuo was not convinced by Yuan Jiang. In terms of talent, only Zhang Yue could be compared with Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing in the world today. But Yuan Jiang was not worthy of carrying shoes for the three of them.
At least Shen Kuo feels that he is still very upright and not so casual.
Zhang Yue took out a book from the bookshelf and saw Shen Kuo still standing with a cautious expression on his face. He subconsciously glanced at Xu Xi who was kneeling opposite the window.
"Xu Dezhan! Are you familiar with him in Cunzhong?"
"I'm not familiar with it. I just said a few words in front of Xianggong." Shen Kuo quickly clarified.
"I forgot..." Zhang Yue pretended not to know, and then said, "Nowadays, when some people succeed, they easily forget their roots. The world is declining, and people's hearts are not as old as they used to be!"
Shen Kuo agreed: "What your husband said is very true, so the emperor should not be too lenient and should be tightened from time to time."
Although Shen Kuo said this, his heart was in a state of confusion.
Shen Kuo thought to himself that he didn't know why Xu Xi annoyed Zhang Yue.
Zhang Yue seemed to understand what Shen Kuo was thinking and said: "Cunzhong, back then, your Majesty sent someone to knock on the door of Zeng Zixuan's mansion at night and asked how the market changes were? If you were Zeng Zixuan, how would you answer?"
Shen Kuo was stunned.
After Zeng Bu was appointed as the third envoy, the officials sent someone in the middle of the night to ask him what the market change law was like.
After Zeng Bu asked Wang Anshi, he chose to tell the truth to the officials. This clearly meant that he chose to side with the officials between Wang Anshi and the emperor.
Could it be that Xu Xi also made the same mistake as Zeng Bu did... Shen Kuo sweated on his forehead and said: "If you answer truthfully, you will be unkind, and if you don't answer, you will be bullying the emperor. It is really difficult."
"But there is a way to live up to both expectations!"
Zhang Yue listened to Shen Kuo's words and knew that this answer was the worst.
The two are not negative, that is, both are negative.
You answered like this in front of me. Do I really expect you to be reliable if something happens in the future?
Zhang Yue said: "It is wrong to act like this in Cunzhong. It is our duty to be loyal to the emperor because of his salary. We must not think about taking advantage of both sides!"
Shen Kuo was stunned and suddenly realized that what he said was a huge loss to Zhang Yue.
Shen Kuo said with sweat all over his head: "Mr. Sir, Shen is a humble person. He only knows how to do things and doesn't know how to deal with this matter..."
Zhang Yue was speechless again after hearing this...
Shen Kuo's face was red and he was so anxious that he didn't know what to say.
Zhang Yue said to Peng Jingyi outside the study: "You can help Xu Dezhan to the side room to warm up by the fire."
After a while, Peng Jingyi reported back: "Xu Zhengyan's hands and feet are frozen."
Zhang Yue asked Shen Kuo: "What should we do?"
Shen Kuo then said, "You can wipe his hands and feet with snow."
Zhang Yue said: "There is still a way to save it!"
Peng Jingyi immediately ordered people to do it.
Zhang Yue seemed to be thinking about himself and said: "This Dezhan is really tolerant. His whole body was frozen and he didn't say a word."
Peng Jingyi said: "Yes, it's very cold in Bianjing today, and we southerners can't bear it."
Zhang Yue said: "To be honest, Dezhan is still a Jiangyou person, and I am still a Fujianese. If I had to kneel for a day inside or outside the first month, I would probably lose my life."
There was sweat on Shen Kuo's forehead. He was also from the south and was not cold-resistant.
Zhang Yue looked at Shen Kuo and said, "How is Cunzhong doing lately?"
Shen Kuo was full of intelligence and immediately said: "Xiaguan's health is not good either."
Zhang Yue said: "You need to take good care of it, and be more cautious on weekdays, so that you can live a long life."
"Yes, yes." Shen Kuo said solemnly.
"Do you have anything else to do here?"
Shen Kuo immediately said: "Yes, I didn't know that Xiang Zhishi was a classmate of Xianggong. I made such an oversight that I should apologize to Xianggong!"
It turned out to be Xiang Qi's business. Xiang Qi is also the life of most officials.
After becoming a scholar in the fourth year of Jiayou, he was still in the process of selecting candidates for eighteen years as an official.
Officials of the Song Dynasty went around selecting people and coined a word called "sea selection".
The sea of selection is the sea of selection. It is extremely difficult to "select" from the sea of choices to become a Beijing official. Even Zhang Yue Jiayou's classmate for six years now has only more than 30 people who have become Beijing officials.
Xiang Qi spent a lot of effort, but now he is just selecting a second-level observation envoy.
Even so, Shen Kuo tried every means to ruin Xiang Qi's career.
Shen Kuo is a typical person with two faces: one is a bit servile, the other is bullying, especially when he has some power.
Having said that, Shen Kuo is not a bad person, but he is forced to adapt to the rules of the officialdom. He was bullied in the past and was trained severely, so he wanted to bully those who were not as good as him.
Now that Shen Kuo knew that Xiang Qi was Zhang Yue's classmate, he felt a little panicked.
Zhang Yue said to Shen Kuo: "Cunzhong, Xiang Qi and I are indeed classmates, but we have not interacted with each other for many years."
"But I heard that what he was criticizing was what Lu Jifu did when he was sent to the military prison. Later, he mistakenly thought that Lu Jifu had done something about Zhang Guan and Li Dai. You can decide how to deal with it yourself, and there is no need to report it to me!"
Shen Kuo had been worried about offending Zhang Yue by dealing with Xiang Qi, so he felt relieved immediately after hearing what he said.
No matter what, Zhang Yue was willing to say a word for Xiang Qi, and Shen Kuo would give Zhang Yue enough face.
Shen Kuo immediately said: "I understand now. Since it is a misunderstanding, I won't pursue it any further."
After saying this, Shen Kuo resigned.
Shen Kuo walked outside the wing and saw Xu Xi, whose nose was bruised and swollen from the cold. He couldn't help but tremble in his heart. Wang Anshi and Han Jiang were both gentlemen and elders. It was okay to offend him, but Zhang Yue could not do this.
…
After Shen Kuo left, Zhang Yue entered Xu Xi's wing and saw a large basin of charcoal fire rising. At this moment, Peng Jingyi was using another servant to wipe Xu Xi's hands and feet with ice and snow in the basin.
Zhang Yue walked in front of the door and remembered that in history, Shen Baozhen, Li Hongzhang, and Zuo Zongtang all came from Zeng Guofan's staff, but after being recommended by Zeng Guofan, these people later 'betrayed' Zeng Guofan.
Zhang Yue asked his servants to leave, and he sat down and wiped his hands and feet with Xu Xi, ice and snow.
Xu Xi was so ashamed that he said to Zhang Yue: "My lord, I can't do it, I can't do it."
Zhang Yue said to Xu Xi: "Why are you doing this?"
Xu Xi's lips trembled and she said: "Not only is the emperor's kindness so great, but it is also my husband's kindness. I, the lower officials... the lower officials... don't dare to disappoint me."
But you have already betrayed me... Zhang Yue thought of this and glanced at Xu Xi and said: "Don't be in a hurry to speak, you can think about it again."
After a while, with the help of Zhang Yue and Peng Jingyi, Xu Xi's face turned rosy and she finally regained her breath.
Xu Xi said: "It's not right to report to your Majesty, the official said. In addition to the emperor's favor, he also has the intention to make contributions!"
Zhang Yue sat up straight and said after hearing this.
"It's great that you have such an idea and the ability to take matters into your own hands. But I heard that you boasted that in front of the emperor, Yunxi Province could be easily obtained, and Xixia could be destroyed in a day and night. I only hate that the person in charge is too much."
He is so timid that he just sits back and watches the Western thieves rampage to this day."
"Such a wild plan to underestimate the enemy will make you one day like Ma Su, and you will be undefeated. Your own life is at stake. If you lose your master and humiliate the country, destroying Xining's ten years of reform in one day, you will be our great Song Dynasty."
The eternal sinner! Can you be considered as such?"
After hearing this, Xu Xi's face turned blue and white.
If Zhang Yue said that he was a little ungrateful, he would admit that he felt guilty to Zhang Yue. But if he said that he was crazy and underestimated the enemy and underestimated Xixia, he would not be convinced.
Xu Xi wondered how he could be like Ma Su, who boasted that he was omnipotent and omniscient in military strategies and strategies, and had followed Zhang Yue and led the army twice.
The official also praised himself, "I have read many people, but I have never seen anyone like you."
His talents...
Xu Xi let out a long sigh and said, "What my husband said is absolutely true. From now on, I will never mention anything about destroying Xia before Your Majesty."
Zhang Yue said: "Why didn't you mention it?"
Xu Xi was stunned.
Zhang Yue said: "You and I both plan to make summer arrangements, but I am slow, you are anxious, and the officials are also anxious."
"When you first met the emperor, you talked about how Xixia was desirable, so you didn't have to worry too much. When the officials heard it, they were very happy with it, and they immediately decided to adopt you."
"Actually, even if you, Xu Dezhan, are not there, there are others. If the courtiers can spy out the thoughts of the official family, there must be someone who is lucky enough to come in and plan various paths for the emperor."
"If it were someone else, I wouldn't worry."
"But if Germany seizes you, you can at least listen to a few of my words. Since ancient times, it is always better to block things than to open them up."
Xu Xi's eyes lit up and she thought, "That's it."
When Xu Xi heard this, he was overjoyed and said: "After I get downgraded, I will only obey my husband's orders."
…
Xu Xi, who received Zhang Yue's trust, entered the palace to meet the saint.
The official had already received a reply from Zhang Yue's letter. Everything in the letter was as Xu Xi said, which made him believe Xu Xi even more.
The official said: "If Li Bingchang really wants to attach himself to the Song Dynasty, then it is up to him whether to change his surname back to his country. However, Xixia must cede Lanzhou and Henan."
Xu Xi immediately said: "The sage is as far-sighted as your Majesty."
The official said: "You and Zhang Qing have done a great job in finding out Li Bingchang's intention."
"In addition, Lu Huiqing also went to Shu to speak frankly about the affairs of Pingxia. He advocated taking Hengshan to overlook the Xia Kingdom. I asked Zhonge, and he also agreed. If the imperial court goes out of Hengshan to obtain Yin, Xia, and Youzhou, then the Xia people
be terrified."
"So I have ordered Lu Huiqing to know Yanzhou."
Xu Xi didn't care about this at first, but when he thought about Zhang Yue's remarks yesterday, he realized that the other party had expected all this.
Lu Huiqing was a person who was good at observing the intentions of his master. He was like a roundworm in the belly of an official. He knew exactly what the emperor was thinking.
Without him, Xu Xi persuaded the emperor to rush to Xixia, but with Lu Huiqing, he was reluctant to let the emperor attack Xia.
Lu Huiqing was expelled from Bianjing by Wang Anshi and Zhang Yue before and lost his position. Now he plans to seize Hengshan in order to regain his position and return to the court.
Xu Xi said: "Your Majesty, the imperial court has been operating the Xihe River to capture Xixia from the side. Now if it suddenly captures Hengshan, it may have to change its mind."
The official said: "We should continue to manage Xihe, but as Lu Huiqing said, Xihe is far away from the heart of Xixia after all. If we want to destroy Xia, Xihe Road is enough to contain it. If we really want to complete the task in one battle, we should
Send troops across the mountain!"
As he spoke, the official showed an unwavering gaze.
Xu Xi thought to himself, this is the Nine-Five Supreme Being, who has the ambition to swallow up everything!
But Wen Guanjia said leisurely: "In order to eliminate the great cause of Xia and avenge the shame of our ancestors, I have longed for it. At that time, Emperor Taizu's robes were all patched, there was no silk and satin for clothes, and the palace was decorated with reeds."
"And I think about the religious teachings of my ancestors, every porridge and rice, and I should remember that they are hard-won; half a thread and half a thread, I always think about the difficulties in material resources. I don't have the talent and strategy of Emperor Taizu, but I am not as luxurious as him. I am willing to compare with him.
"
"The ancient sage emperors and kings all regarded prosecution as a virtue and extravagance as a great evil. I have worked hard to cure it and we have it today. Lu Huiqing understands my intention very well!"
Of course Xu Xi knew that officials lived a frugal life on weekdays. He saw that officials in the palace did not use cloth to cover their houses with blankets. The reform had gathered so much money, but he did not add an extra penny to spend on his daily life. On weekdays, he would reduce it when he could.
If any extravagant things are introduced below, the emperor will scold them.
The officials are so hands-on, so how could Xu Xi, as a minister, not serve the country with loyalty and serve the king but suffer from a serious illness in his heart?
Thinking of this, Xu Xi bowed down with tears in her eyes and said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to be a pioneer, and I will do whatever it takes to do it!"
"good!"
The officials were overjoyed and helped Xu Xi up: "With your loyalty and courage, I can achieve my ambition!"
At this moment, the officials looked at Xu Xi as if they saw Zhang Yue back then.
…
"Reporting to Mr. Zhang, today I learned from Your Majesty that Lu Jifu instigated the officials to seize Hengshan!"
After Xu Xi came to court, he immediately informed Zhang Yue of the news, not caring about leaking the forbidden Chinese language.
Listening to Xu Xi's words, Zhang Yue couldn't help but laugh angrily.
The original strategy of capturing Xixia from Xihe was executed well, but when they heard that Li Bingchang was going to fall out with the Liang brothers and sisters, the officials changed the direction of the attack from Xihe Road to Hengshan.
Yes, the direction from Hengshan is closer to the heart of Xixia than Xihe Road. The Song army's attack from here can put full pressure on Liang's mother and son and the Xixia conservative forces, and better support Li Bingchang.
But the problem is that this is also the place where Xixia's power is strongest. At the same time, the Liao Kingdom can also intervene from here, and it is easy to face the danger of being attacked from both sides.
It was so easy to capture Hengshan. Han Jiang and Zhong E had already succeeded.
In order to regain the favor of the Holy Family, Lu Huiqing actually came up with this idea? How evil-minded!
At this time, I was still thinking about going back to the court.
You, Lu Huiqing, want to turn over, but with Zhang San here, you can never think about it in this life!
Zhang Yue said: "Okay, I know about the German occupation. Thanks to you for coming to report. Is there anything else you want to say?"
When Xu Xi heard this, he immediately told Zhang Yue what the official had said.
Zhang Yue nodded, Guan Jia was certainly a good emperor.
Some people evaluate emperors throughout the ages and say that Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty was the third richest in history.
Zhang Yue felt that this statement was well-founded. Ten years after Wang Anshi's reform, the internal warehouses were greatly filled. The emperor originally built thirty-six warehouses to store gold, silver and jewelry, but now they are full again... yes, they are full.
Already.
Now the government has built new warehouses to store gold and silver treasures. Are these gold and silver treasures useful to the government?
Although Yang Guangshi's national power was great, he himself was extremely extravagant.
However, the official family did not spend a penny on themselves. Instead, they reduced the expenses of the royal family as much as possible, and restrained the clan as much as possible.
Then he spent every penny the court had accumulated over the years in the northwest!
…
Chenzhou.
Lu Huiqing had received an order to move to Yanzhou.
After receiving the order, Lu Huiqing was so excited that he said to his attendants: "Your Majesty, I am thinking of you. You have not forgotten my old bones, and you still entrust me, Lu Huiqing, with important responsibilities!"
After Lu Huiqing finished speaking, he couldn't help but sigh.
It has been almost a year and a half since I was expelled from the capital the year before last.
Now that the emperor has allowed him to know Yanzhou, he has obviously accepted his suggestion to capture Hengshan.
The officials in Chenzhou on the side all advised: "My husband is not old, so why say this! Besides, Your Majesty has never forgotten my husband!"
