Zhang Yue accused Wu Chong of being weak in his policy towards Liao Dynasty, which surprised Yuan Jiang and Wang Gui who were standing by. At the same time, they were also thinking secretly in their hearts.
This is related to a question, that is, whether Zhang Yue, Wuchong and Weng's son-in-law formed a party.
What is a party?
That is to say, on issues and opinions regarding government affairs, not only do the two sides not undermine each other, but they are highly consistent.
For example, in the Godfather movie, when the leader of the opposite party was negotiating with the godfather and his son, he noticed the difference in views between the other father and his son, and believed that there was an inconsistency between the two. Finally, he made a plan to assassinate the godfather first and then negotiate with the godfather's son.
So the same goes for forming a party.
Differences must not be exposed externally, but consistency must be maintained, and issues can be discussed internally.
But in fact, can two people agree on everything? The above examples tell us that even father and son cannot.
But forming a party is manifested in mindless unity on major political issues and criticizing political opponents. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be called forming a party.
But now the differences of opinion between Zhang Yue and Wu Chong were openly exposed in front of the emperor and several ministers.
Although Zhang Yue and Wu Chong were sons-in-law, they were also ministers of the imperial court. They were loyal to the emperor, so how could they dare to be selfish in state affairs?
Therefore, when it came to negotiations with the Liao Kingdom, Zhang Yue discussed matters in front of the emperor.
Wu Chong had a few arguments with Zhang Yue, and he also knew what to do. Now Wang Anshi was stabbed in the back by Lu Huiqing, so his prestige was greatly damaged and he was disgraced.
Now I am recuperating at home, and it seems that I want to go out into the wild.
As the second-ranking figure in Zhongshu, once Wang Anshi resigns, it will be Wu Chong who will succeed Wang Anshi and become one person below ten thousand people.
But Wu Chong knew that Wang Anshi actually had no plans to step down for the time being, so at this time he asked Zhang Yue to criticize him, saying that I too had taken the blame and that I had also made an oversight.
Regarding the affairs of the Liao Kingdom, my judgment was not correct.
If you are unlucky, I will also be unlucky, and we will advance and retreat together.
When the officials heard that Zhang Yue wanted to prepare for war in Hedong and Hebei, and even made the decision to fight with Liao if the negotiations failed, their faces turned pale with shock.
This is something that neither Wang Anshi nor Wu Chong dared to mention.
At this time, Your Highness came to report that Wang Anshi asked for an audience!
The officials were surprised and happy that Wang Anshi was willing to take matters into his own hands again, so he immediately declared his presence.
After everyone watched Wang Anshi dragging his sick body back to the palace, the officials immediately ordered someone to bring him a large and comfortable low bed so that he could lean on it and talk.
Compared with this, Wu Chong, Zhang Yue and other prime ministers were just ordinary senior officials.
After Wang Anshi sat down and understood the differences between Wu Chong and Zhang Yue, he said: "Your Majesty, the responsibility for this matter lies with me. I am too eager to deal with the Liao Kingdom. But Zhang Yue just accused Wu Chong and the Liao Kingdom.
It’s natural to give in too much.”
Zhang Yue thought to himself, well, I won't criticize him by name yet. It would be better for you, Wang Anshi, to name him directly. This will also prove Wu Chong's crime.
The official said: "Xiao Xi was in the capital before and refused to return to Liao to resume his duties. Thanks to the second minister's extra effort, he sent Xiao Xi back to the capital. I thought I shouldn't worry about it anymore. I just risked it with Liao."
I think it has too much to do with the risk of war between our countries."
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, regardless of whether we are at war with the Khitan or not, we should eliminate mediocre generals and redundant troops in Hebei and Hedong. At the same time, we should repair the city and replenish horses, so that the Liao Kingdom knows that we are prepared."
Wu Chong said: "Your Majesty, I think that because of your Majesty's virtue, why should I be stingy with the solidity of the Jincheng Tangchi? Once you serve soldiers, your wealth will be wasted, and it will cost you tens of thousands of gold every day. At present, there is a severe drought in the Jianghuai River, and the capital will be rescued if there is surplus food. Once
If we go to Hebei, there will be no way for ordinary people to live."
“I believe that a gentleman’s first priority is to serve morality, and if you want to defend Hebei, it’s your morality that is not in danger.”
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, I do not agree with this argument. The Liao Kingdom is now frequently plundering the Han territory. The people of Hebei are no longer at ease. The people's hearts are shaken and the Guizhou leader is not attached. How can this be a virtue and not a danger?"
"Nowadays, every time the Liao Kingdom enters the country, they will plunder and lure the population to the north. If we don't make preparations to stop it in advance, the Liao Kingdom's ambitions will be even greater."
Wu Chong said: "The laws that Shen Kuo played before can protect armor, market squares, etc., and prohibit entry and exit, which can prevent the Khitan from plundering people and taking wealth. There is no need to go to war!"
"At the same time, the Lord of Liao can send envoys to observe the situation on his birthday this year and give generous gifts, and then order the Lord of Liao to restrain his troops and horses."
The officials sighed after hearing this.
Everyone knew what the officials wanted, and they still preferred not to engage in war with the Liao Kingdom.
Wang Anshi said: "Why don't your Majesty send someone to take charge of the military affairs in Hebei and Hedong first, thinking that there will be an unexpected war between the Liao Kingdom and the Liao Kingdom?"
The official pondered for a long time and said: "It would be best if we can start a war. If not, I will not let the Liao people bully me. Who do you think is qualified?"
Wang Anshi said: "There is Han Qi in Xiangzhou and Wen Yanbo in Daming Mansion. It would be best if we can have these two people to supervise the affairs."
The official frowned after hearing this, Han Qi and Wen Yanbo? Let them go to captain Hebei and Hedong troops? Can he trust them?
He still remembered that when Wang Anshi implemented the Qingmiao Law, rumors spread throughout the dynasty that Han Qi had led troops to Beijing to attack the Qing Dynasty. Han Qi withdrew from the political center in the first year of Xining, but he was still in the field and frequently criticized the new law, while Wen Yanbo was in power in the first two years.
Only then did he retire, but he always opposed Wang Anshi.
To put it bluntly, officials are still not confident about veterans like Han Qi and Wen Yanbo. After all, they were not promoted by themselves.
But the officials did not object. Doesn't this show distrust of these two people?
Wang Anshi continued: "Both of them are old and cannot work easily. I think it is better to send a promising minister from the imperial court to Hebei to discuss with Han and Prime Minister Wen."
The officials nodded after hearing this, and the ministers who had longed for it said that the official position could not be lowered. If it was lowered, there would be no way to discuss it with Han Qi and Wen Yanbo.
At the same time, this person also needs his absolute trust, so that he can finally make the decision and bear the consequences of war with the Liao Kingdom.
The official looked at Zhang Yue and said, "Can you please go to Hebei?"
Zhang Yue said without hesitation: "Your Majesty is so important to you that I am obliged to do so!"
The official nodded and said: "Okay, Prime Minister Wen and Prime Minister Han are both old. You must not rely on my power and ignore them. Everything must be discussed with them and negotiate with the Liao Kingdom."
Please tell me everything in detail."
In fact, what the officials say is to be listened to in reverse. You must remember that you are my people. Don't be manipulated by Wen Yanbo and Han Qi when you go to Hebei. You must control them to make decisions on major matters.
In the final negotiation with the Liao Kingdom, you must not make any arbitrary decisions. If a fight breaks out, you will be the one to take the blame.
Zhang Yue said with understanding: "I obey the decree!"
The official looked at Zhang Yue with confidence. From the time he recommended Wang Shao to Pinghe Huang, he had always trusted Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue had never let him down in important matters.
In the negotiations with Liao, having experienced and young officials like Zhang Yue preside over the negotiations was more reassuring than going there in person.
But this time Zhang Yue will still live up to his trust and return home with a full load.
