News of Wang Shao's great victory reached Beijing, and officials continued to send congratulations to the emperor.
Members of the New Party, such as Deng Wan, Lu Jiawen and others, all praised Wang Shao's achievements in taking over Minzhou. For a while, it seemed that Wang Shao had won one state by himself, which was even greater than when Wang Shao of Zhangyue had won five states.
Suddenly there was a voice in the court, saying that Zhang Yue's pacification of the five states was entirely due to Wang Shao's efforts, and Zhang Yue was just taking advantage of Wang Shao.
Some people even say that Zhang Yue went to Xihe Road just in name, and that he was just sitting back and enjoying the results without exerting any effort. In fact, Wang Shao planned everything.
Wang Shao has now obviously fallen under Wang Anshi's sect, so for the sake of the Prime Minister, there are quite a few people who praise him like this.
They were also disgusted with Zhang Yue, but everyone could still see where the wind was blowing in the hall.
Deng Wan even spread such news with certainty, and many officials who did not know the truth believed it.
And why did Zhang Yue transfer back to Beijing at this time? Why did Wang Shao make a contribution at this time? The coach of Xinxihe Road had already made arrangements silently and quietly.
A discerning person can see clearly at a glance.
In the days after he retired from the court that day, Zhang Yue stayed at home. He didn't ask about the gossip in the court, but he knew everything about it.
Huang Lu, Cai Que, Xu Jiang and others came to visit one after another, and it was inevitable that these words would reach Zhang Yue's ears.
Everyone couldn't help but feel aggrieved for Zhang Yue, but Zhang Yue laughed with everyone and said: "Outsiders say that I took over the five states of Xihe with the help of Wang Zichun, and they are not wrong!"
Everyone was stunned.
Zhang Yue said with a smile: "Gu Wei was created by the prince, and I took advantage of it. Besides, I really don't know how to lead troops."
Zhang Yue thought about Wang Shao's military exploits in Xihe, and he was learning from his ideas in history.
"But uncle was recommended by you as Wang Zichun. If not for this, he would still be unknown. It was you who allowed him to gain a foothold in Guwei, and it was uncle's decision to attack Lanzhou and Huizhou. How could these be Wang Zichun's merits?
?”
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter."
Cai Que said sternly: "Duzhi, you continued to use troops in the northwest for the sake of the imperial court, and you did not hesitate to fight for the border with the Khitan. Prime Minister Feng and Prime Minister Cai had different opinions. But now Wang Xianggong plans to ignore Qi and pass through the Xihe River.
How could you be so careless?"
Cai Que was right. Zhang Yue made a political mistake, that is, he offended the conservatives and was kicked away by the reformers. In the end, the two sides did not get along well and lost his own space.
Zhang Yue said to Cai Que: "What Zhizheng said is absolutely true. Old Taishan has already spoken about this matter."
Cai Quedao: "This matter is indeed a matter of carelessness."
Zhang Yue nodded. It had been a long time since anyone had criticized him in person. Cai Zhe, on the other hand, spoke frankly. After all, he was a senior brother.
General Xu said: "Dude, this is Prince Chun's unkindness. He was favored by your recommendation, but he had an affair with Wang Xiang and his son. Now Deng Wan and others are saying everywhere in the court that you have taken advantage of Prince Chun. Du."
Why don’t you argue?”
Zhang Yue said: "I spread rumors with my mouth, but I will break my legs if I refute them. I won't argue anymore. The Sacred Heart knows my merits and demerits. Besides, there will be comments from later generations."
Xu Jiang sighed after hearing this. He and Cai Que were both worried about Zhang Yue now, but Zhang Yue was very tolerant.
But Huang Lu asked normally: "What are your plans for the future?"
After hearing these words, Cai Que and Xu General were all upset. Huang Lu was not very ambitious about his career, unlike Cai Que, so General Xu was worried that Zhang Yue would be discouraged by this.
Zhang Yue was about to speak when he suddenly heard someone outside reporting that it was Ouyang Fa who came to see him.
When Zhang Yue heard this, he immediately invited Ouyang Fa in. Ouyang Fa was bringing Ouyang Xiu's suicide note to Beijing.
Zhang Yue felt sad when he saw Ouyang Fabie.
Ouyang Fa shed tears and told Zhang Yue about Ouyang Xiu's death due to illness, and Zhang Yue expressed regret over and over again.
Ouyang Fa said: "In his later years, my father called himself a layman, one of which was his collection of 10,000 volumes of books. When he was living in Yingzhou, my father would not let go of the volumes, but he was very happy. He often said that when he was young, his family was poor and he had to walk all the way.
He borrowed books to read, and now that he has so many books around him, God has really treated him well."
Zhang Yue cried and laughed when he heard this, as if he suddenly saw the optimistic and open-minded Mr. Ouyang again.
Ouyang Fa said: "Yes, my late father told me three months before his death that after Du Yu defeated Wu, he was afraid that his achievements would be lost, so he ordered people to carve two monuments, one on Xian Mountain and one on the Han River.
In order to prepare for thousands of years later, after the mountains have become valleys and the rivers have become plains, his achievements will still be circulated in the world."
"My late father said, you, Sanlang, are doing the same thing as Du Yu now, but you don't need to care about your reputation after death like Du Yu. Only benevolence can be passed on to all generations."
He remembered that his achievements in Pingxia had been questioned, and many people believed even in name. It seemed that Ouyang Xiu had foresight and had foreseen what he would do today.
Zhang Yue sighed: "Ou Gong seems to know what I am doing today. How many people in the world can retreat as bravely as Ou Gong at the cusp of the storm? How many people in the world can be as wise and brave as him?"
After hearing this, Cai Que and the others said, "Well, they are asking Duzhi what he plans to do in the future. Are you going to persuade him to go home directly?"
Ouyang Fa said: "Han Wei Gong and my late father were lifelong friends, so my late father asked him to write an epitaph when he was dying. My late father also said, Sanlang, that your seal script is unique in the world, so I can ask you to write it."
Zhang Yueyan said: "At first I learned about Ou Gong because of the seal script. Now I use the seal script to see Ou Gong off. It shows that everything in the world has a certain destiny."
Zhang Zhi and others couldn't stand listening.
While Zhang Yue and Ouyang Fa were talking, Cai Que couldn't help but said to Xu Jiang and the others: "Listen to what Du Zhi said. He looks like he has seen through the world. He is only one step away from becoming a monk.
It’s not what the commander-in-chief of Jiezhen said.”
Zhang Zhi also thought to himself, yes, if everything is determined, then why send troops to fight and recover Xihe?
Isn’t this all wasted effort?
General Xu said: "What is the purpose of Zhenyang? Now everyone knows that Wang Xianggong summoned him back to the capital. He said it was to report on his duties, but in fact he was relieved of his military power."
Huang Lu said: "Actually, I don't think there is anything wrong with becoming an official and retiring. Wang Xianggong likes to do things in this world, so let Wang Xianggong do it."
Cai Que said displeasedly: "Anzhong, what are you talking about?"
Huang Lu said: "What are you talking about? Duzhi made immortal contributions in the northwest, but was relieved of military power after returning to the court. There is a lot of public opinion in the world, so let Wang Xianggong take care of all this by himself."
Cai Que said with a sharp look: "Yes, the DPRK and the Central Government have their own public discussions, otherwise Deng Wan and his like would not be in a hurry to smear it."
While he was talking, servants from the Zhang Mansion hurriedly came to the hall.
Zhang Zhi stopped the other party and asked, "Why are you so anxious?"
The other party said: "I'd like to inform you, sir, that there are many officers and soldiers with carriages and horses coming outside. They say that the officials have issued an edict to worship me as a Hanlin scholar!"
Zhang Zhi, Cai Que, and General Xu were surprised and happy when they heard this.
Zhang Zhi said happily: "I have said it before, people outside are confused, but the official is a sage, and he knows all about his uncle's contribution!"
Xu Jiang smiled and said: "Exchange it for four heads, this is a good deal!"