In Jiying Hall, Wang Gui was left alone to play the duel.
In the past, the imperial family had given Zhang Yue the chance to stay with him. I wonder if the officials now feel that they are too biased to favor Zhang Yue alone. Recently, they have called Wang Gui to stay with him several times.
After Wang Gui met with the emperor, he said: "The minister Liu Bojun impeached Han Zhongyan for being rude to a foreign country. Not only should he not be promoted to a Hanlin bachelor, but should he be punished?"
"I wonder what your Majesty wants?"
The official heard Wang Gui's words and asked, "How do you judge this matter?"
Wang Gui was in a hurry. His original intention was to test the emperor's inner attitude to see if he still trusted Zhang Yue. Unexpectedly, the official came back and asked: "I think punishment and reward have both disadvantages and advantages."
The official asked: "What are the disadvantages and advantages?"
Wang Gui said: "This is a peripheral matter. If the court still insists on pushing the situation, it should be rewarded. If it intends to temporarily slow down for safety, then it should be punished!"
The official continued to ask Yuanmo: "There is a vacancy for the Privy Council, and I intend to appoint Sun Gu to take over. Do you have any objections?"
Wang Gui was stunned and immediately said: "This is your Majesty's appointment, and I have no objections."
The official nodded and said: "I ordered Baima! Han Zhongyan was promoted to Hanlin bachelor, and Sun Gu was appointed as privy envoy."
Wang Gui said yes, and he was speculating and studying the application of the official power in his heart.
The official said: "Wang Qing, the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty who had the same name as you, taught the prince the four words 'the most joyful thing is to do good', you should also share my worries in this way!"
Wang Gui immediately understood what the official meant and said immediately, "I know."
Wang Gui left the main hall.
Sun Gu was the most active and resolute opponent of Zhang Yue's provocation against the Liao Kingdom in the political hall in front of the ministers of the two governments. Although he was completely refuted by Zhang Yue on the spot, many people knew about it. Now the official family
Grant him the position of Privy Councilor that became vacant after Feng Jing left.
As for Wang Gui’s explanation that ‘doing good is the happiest thing’, the most important thing in this sentence is the word ‘we’.
After Wang Gui returned to the East Hall of Zhongshu, he told Cai Que, the counselor and political officer.
When it comes to who in the world can best observe the wind and understand the emperor's will, apart from Cai Zhen, there is no second person.
Previously, Zhang Yue and the emperor had differences on the matter of attacking Dang Xiang. The relationship between Cai Que and Zhang Yue suddenly fell to a freezing point. Later, the emperor commissioned Zhang Yue to go to Liangzhou to attack Dang Xiang. Cai Que resumed his attitude of following Zhang Yue.
.
This entry and exit is the essence of being an official.
Now after hearing what Wang Gui said, Cai did have some thoughts.
This move may be the emperor's threat to Zhang Yue's power, or it may be a precursor to the loss of the Sacred Heart.
Cai Quedao: "The official intention is to seize all party items without the intervention of the Liao State. Now we all know that this is impossible."
"Xiang Zhang was betting that the Liao Kingdom would fall out with the Song Dynasty due to the Liangzhou incident, but the officials believed that they could not take this risk and put the world in danger. This is where the two differed."
Wang Gui nodded and said, "That's exactly what it is."
Cai Que said: "The officialdom is now ambiguous, but the courtiers are also watching the wind like grass on the wall, and they will fall to whichever side is stronger."
"The attitude of Prime Minister Zhang is so resolute, but it is indisputable that His Majesty and the courtiers are afraid of Liao."
Wang Gui said: "But it's difficult to do. Once the Khitan cavalry goes south, let's not say how we will win or lose."
"Hebei has been devastated, but the common people and scholars are full of resentment. We cannot escape the blame."
“The achievements made since Yuanfeng’s New Deal have also been lost.”
Cai Quedao: "This matter cannot be discussed alone, it needs to be discussed openly. Lu Jiawen, Deng Wan, Li Chengzhi and others were successively demoted from the capital because of Prime Minister Zhang. It is better for the Prime Minister to recall them. Even if he refuses, it is still a favor."
When Wang Gui heard this, he thought that this was a good move, but it would not be wrong to offend Zhang Yue. Cai really wanted to kill someone with a borrowed knife, how could I fall for your deception?
Wang Gui smiled and nodded: "I understand."
Cai Que looked at Wang Gui's look and knew that he would not agree.
…
When Wang Gui returned to his mansion, he saw his son Wang Zhongxiu, and Wang Zhongyi came to greet him. Both of their faces were full of joy.
Wang Gui said: "I warned you a long time ago, don't do the same thing again."
Wang Zhongxiu and Wang Zhongyi said: "Dad, now we have earned all this money openly. After the imperial court took Liangzhou, the money was like falling from the sky."
They both laughed together.
Wang Gui asked: "How much did you earn?"
Wang Zhongxiu looked around and spoke to Wang Gui in a low voice. Wang Gui was surprised and said: "So many?"
Wang Zhongxiu and Wang Zhongyi nodded.
Wang Gui was very pleased to hear this, and immediately sighed: "It would have been better if it had been like this, but your leverage is still in Zhang San's hands."
Wang Zhongxiu and Wang Zhongyi said: "Dad, we will not pay attention to this matter. If the Liao Kingdom sends troops to Hebei, the position of Prime Minister Zhang will not be guaranteed!"
"Even if we don't send troops to Hebei, Prime Minister Zhang will only be in office for two years, and your world will be yours again in two years."
Wang Gui said: "Not to mention two years later, I am afraid that the nest will be overturned and there will be no eggs left."
After a pause, Wang Gui said: "It doesn't matter if I make some extra money. I'll just go back to my hometown in Sichuan when the time comes."
"I am also looking for candidates. What do you think of Cai Chizheng?"
Both of them shook their heads and said: "Cai Chizheng has offended too many people over the years, and he is not the person to be entrusted with his own safety in the future."
Wang Zhongxiu said in a low voice: "It seems that Cai Jing will have a bright future in the future. One day, when I was at the court meeting, I saw the scorching sun rising in the sky. All the ministers were standing in line waiting, but they did not dare to look directly at it. Cai Jing was the only one who looked directly at it.
, His eyes never blink, this is the sign of a truly noble person.”
Wang Zhongyi said: "The same is true for the child. That day, the child entertained guests. I specially asked a fortune teller to look at them one by one. After seeing Cai Yuanchang, the fortune teller said that this person's face is like a beautiful jade carving, and his body is perfect. All of them are the magnanimity of a prime minister. However,
What happens next is unknown.”
Wang Gui smiled happily and said: "You two are quite knowledgeable. Cai Yuanchang does have the appearance of a high-ranking official and a Confucian minister."
"It's a pity that this man's heart is not right, otherwise he would come to power after Zhang Xiang left, which would make the world feel at ease."
…
Cai Jing was riding a carriage and horse on Ma Xing Street.
But I saw that his carriages and horses looked ordinary on the outside, but they were indeed extremely luxurious on the inside.
Every utensil and object used is not only valuable but also has its origin.
Cai Jing knew that Zhang Yue didn't like the extravagance of the officials below him, so he also took care of his integrity. But after all, he was a person who loved to enjoy and show off. If he persisted for a while, it would be difficult to continue.
After Cai Jing did a few more useful things for Zhang Yue, he became more relaxed.
Although Zhang Yue once again warned Cai Jing that integrity is the foundation of morality, Cai Jing did not listen.
Cai Jing is a person who likes to make friends. He can't live without banquets and banquets. He feels lonely when he has no one to accompany him when eating. Cai Jing is also very generous. He must eat until the guests who come to the banquet are satisfied and enjoy themselves. Every banquet is preceded by food
Every detail of the furniture is thoughtfully arranged, making you feel at home.
Over time, it was a matter of pride in the capital to go to Cai Jing's banquet.
In a place like the capital, which is full of sensuality, Cai Jing can be said to be at home like a fish in water.
Cai Jing got off the carriage and arrived at a tea shop.
Cai Jing knew that Zhang Yue often liked to come alone to this tea shop to drink tea and listen to the people's opinions. After Cai Jing found out, he often went to this tea shop to see if he could meet him by chance.
Cai Jing happened to meet Zhang Yue here today.
Zhang Yue was sitting alone drinking tea when he saw Cai Jing and waved to him.
Cai Jing stood respectfully beside Zhang Yue without saying a word, and listened to the music with Zhang Yue.
After the song was finished, Cai Jing saluted Zhang Yue and sat aside.
"Prime Minister, I have an auspicious gift from Governor Chen Liu. I found this ancient sword, which seems to have been worn by Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty when he fought with Xiang Yu. It has the word 'Broken Liao' on it. Now this Sword of Broken Liao has been sent to the capital.
.”
Zhang Yue burst into laughter after hearing this, why did he ask Cai Jingneng to do the work?
Since ancient times, offering auspiciousness has always been within the scope of characteristics and has unique political significance.
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "Very good. Very good."
"What's the name of this official?"
Cai Jingdao: "My name is Zheng Chuduan!"
Zhang Yue said: "How can such a person stay in Chenliu? There should be other calls."
"I will release Lianzhou Zhizhou tomorrow!"
Lianzhou is located in Lingnan.
Cai Jing was shocked when he heard this, knowing that flattery was a slap on the horse's leg.
Cai Jing said: "Prime Minister, now the imperial court is as afraid of Liao as a tiger. If we don't rely on auspicious things, I'm afraid it will be difficult for the people to convince."
Zhang Yue said: "Why don't I know?"
Zhang Yue looked around at the teahouse with three floors, a middle one and a lower one. In the center was a large patio, with a singing girl and storyteller in the patio.
As for the teahouse on the third floor, it was already half full, with countless officials and gentry coming in and out, creating a lively and prosperous scene.
Zhang Yue tapped the tea set on the table and said: "Yuan Chang's pot of Shuangjing tea and these refreshments are actually sold in the tea shop for a drop of money, but the officials and gentry still flock to them."
"But once the Liao Kingdom invades, these days of pampering and pampering will be gone. What do you think?"
"The world has been at peace for a long time, people's minds are at peace, and dangers have arisen from it."
Cai Jingdao: "Prime Minister, this is a moral act."
Zhang Yue said: "Of course, there is such a hedonistic trend in Bianjing. When I went to Liangzhou to break the party items, the public sentiment was boiling, and everyone said that they should be taken."
"This time when I heard that the Liao Kingdom wanted to take Hebei, you can see how these people refused. Generally speaking, these are still the words of peaceful days."
"You say this is just an offering of auspiciousness, but it may not be useful."
To be honest, Zhang Yue also liked Bianjing very much, but this led to the prevalence of hedonism among officials. It would definitely be unacceptable for them to give up their good life and work hard.
The Song Dynasty was also immersed in the days of spending money to buy peace, and in the end it truly "was born in sorrow and died in happiness".
Zhang Yue said to Cai Jing: "Whatever should be done? I am responsible for all the consequences. But I don't bother to do such things!"
Cai Jing heard this and said, "Yes, Prime Minister."
…
On the day before the palace examination.
A comet suddenly appeared in the sky, as big as a bucket, dragging its long tail across the night sky.
The emperor was shocked when he learned about it. He immediately put on his clothes and looked at this scene in the night sky.
The comet is an ominous thing. When encountering such a sign, everyone is panicked for a while.
At this time, during Zhang Yue's reign, Yan Guan Shangshu Yan spent a lot of money to attack Dangxiang. Although the achievements were successful, the losses outweighed the gains.
At the same time, Zhang Yue ignored the peace of the people of Song and Liao, and for his own selfish desires, he started provocations and was rude to the Lord of Liao, causing the Liao Kingdom to attack the Song army.
Zhang Yue also intervened in the affairs of the Third Auxiliary Army, installed party members and cronies, and supported private individuals in order to control the troops and horses in this area, with evil intentions.
The imperial court should depose him from the position of prime minister!
