Prime Minister

Chapter 1219: Duke of the State

Chapter 1219: Duke of the State

Inside the Golden Palace, the Emperor was talking to Lu Huiqing, who had returned home to mourn his father's death.

Lu Huiqing presented the emperor with strategies to pacify the Dangxiang. These strategies had been brewing in his mind for three years. He knew that once these strategies were released, they would please the emperor.

Sure enough, the emperor was very pleased to hear what Lu Huiqing said, and he almost clapped his legs in applause.

Lu Huiqing said: "Your Majesty, Song already has Zhang Yuan and his ilk, so how can we be sure that there are no Guan Zhong and Wei Zheng? As long as we persuade them more, we will surely succeed."

The emperor said happily: "I intend to appoint you as the governor of Taiyuan Prefecture. When you come to this important place, you will carry the burden and overlook the Hengshan Mountains of the Tanguts, and also monitor the movements of the Liao Kingdom."

Lu Huiqing said gratefully: "Your Majesty has appointed me to this position. I will go through fire and water and die without hesitation."

At this point, Lu Huiqing said, "Your Majesty, I have been in mourning for several years in Jianzhou. I dared not drink cold water, fearing that I would be sick and people would say that I was sad and died. Your Majesty would never use me again."

"But please, Your Majesty, withdraw your order to be the governor of Taiyuan Prefecture and allow me to stay by your side, admiring your Majesty's face every day, just for one palace."

The emperor was also moved when he heard Lu Huiqing say this. The two of them were king and minister, and the emperor sometimes felt that Lu Huiqing was competitive and jealous, but he still liked his loyalty.

He said to Lu Huiqing: "I have been looking forward to your return to the court to help me. When we sent out the two armies, you advised me not to attack the Tanguts lightly, but I did not listen to your advice and ended up suffering a great defeat. This is all my fault for not listening."

Lu Huiqing said, "How dare I, Your Majesty, hurt Your Majesty's wisdom? Your Majesty was brave and wise in the battle against the Tanguts. How could there be any mistakes? It was just that the officials and generals below misunderstood Your Majesty's intentions, so that the subtle intentions of Your Majesty could not be conveyed to the army, which led to the great defeat."

"If the people below had been willing to follow your Majesty's advice, there would have been no such failure. Now that the court has conquered Liangzhou, it is attributed to your Majesty's two-pronged attack on the Dangxiang."

The emperor smiled slightly after hearing what Lu Huiqing said. No matter when, Lu Huiqing would always find a way out and whitewash himself. This was where Zhang Yue was inferior to him.

The emperor said, "I am very touched that you want to stay in the capital to accompany me. I don't need you to serve in the palace, but to serve as a border official. Besides, Taiyuan is also an important place."

"I have appointed you as a scholar in Guanwen Hall. If Hedong wants to make achievements, you are indispensable. After you arrive in Taiyuan, please focus on this. If you can achieve my long-cherished wish, you will be in charge of the central government in three years."

Lu Huiqing was moved by what he said. The emperor had never forgotten him. Three years later, Zhang Yue would resign as the prime minister. Who would be the next prime minister? Was the emperor hinting at him?

Lu Huiqing was moved by what he said and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor asked Lu Huiqing, "What do you think of Zhang Dun's absence?"

Immediately, Lu Huiqing remembered Zhang Yue's words and said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Dun is not only talented, but also has the talent to govern the country."

The emperor understood what Lu Huiqing meant and said, "I know what you mean."

After Lu Huiqing finished speaking, he thought to himself, how could I, Lu Huiqing, be manipulated by you, Zhang Yue?

……

Watching Lu Huiqing leave the Golden Palace in high spirits.

Wang Anli sat in the west hall of Zhangyue Central Secretariat and said, "If Lü Huiqing goes to Taiyuan, there will be more trouble at the border."

"This person does not know how to be quick and slow, and is unwilling to do things quietly. He is extremely ambitious and will definitely change his ways."

Zhang Yue smiled slightly when he heard Wang Anli's complaints and grumbles about Lu Huiqing. That day, when he saw Lu Huiqing off from the house, he mentioned that he wanted to draw a clear line between himself and Zhang Dun.

At that time, Lu Huiqing finally agreed, but Zhang Yue could tell that the other party was not sincere. This person did not really want to agree, and would most likely change his mind later.

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "If Hefu doesn't want Lu Huiqing to go to Taiyuan, then let him stay in the court."

Wang Anli said: "It is even more unacceptable. How can a good man like Lu Huiqing stand on his own when he is in the court?

Zhang Yue laughed: "We can neither advance nor retreat, what should we do?"

Wang Anli paused and said, "Back then, my brother's reforms were criticized by the world, and most of it was caused by Lu Jifu. Although this man is very talented, he is a crooked person with ulterior motives and impure intentions."

Zhang Yue thought to himself, there is no denying that Lu Huiqing is indeed talented, if only the emperor would not have mentioned this person again and again in front of him.

Having said that, Zhang Yue himself also admired Lu Huiqing's talent. Once Liao and Dangxiang united, Taiyuan would be extremely important. Apart from Lu Huiqing, Zhang Yue really couldn't think of anyone else who could be in charge here.

In another time and space, during the Shaosheng period, Lü Huiqing returned to the army for the fourth time and did an excellent job in Taiyuan. Whether in terms of command, combat, or building forts, his performance was even not inferior to that of Zhang Yu, who was on another front. However, Song Zhezong did not like Lü Huiqing, so he was suppressed all the time.

Now that the Song Dynasty has seized Liangzhou and the Dangxiang have cut off tribute from the Western Regions, the national strength will tend to decline. This is an inevitable trend.

As long as they waited for a few years, conflicts would surely break out in the Dangxiang. But within a few years, Zhang Yue wanted Lu Huiqing to help him stabilize the Liao Kingdom.

Zhang Yue said to Wang Anli, "Don't worry, Hefu. I will invite one person back to the court and he will surely be able to control Lu Huiqing."

Wang Anli asked, "Who is it?"

"Zeng Zixuan (Zeng Bu)!"

Zhang Yue thought to himself, since you, Lu Huiqing, dare not listen to me, then don't blame you for being the first and I for being the fifteenth.

As soon as he finished speaking, the chancellor came in with several followers and said, "Congratulations, congratulations, His Majesty has issued an edict to promote Zhaowen Xianggong to Xunguogong and Shiguan Xianggong to Jianguogong. The edict will arrive soon, and I will congratulate the prime minister first."

After saying this, the chancellor and several followers bowed down.

Upon hearing this, Wang Anli immediately stood up and said with a smile: "Congratulations, Prime Minister!"

Zhang Yue nodded.

After a while, there was a noisy sound outside the hall. It turned out that the clerks learned that Zhang Yue was promoted to Duke, and they all rushed to congratulate him.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue smiled and sat on the chair to accept everyone's congratulations.

Soon Li Xian came to announce the decree, and on the other side, the East Hall was also very lively. Shi Deyi went to the East Hall to announce the decree.

It is conceivable that Wang Gui was so happy that he was carried by Zhang Yue to be crowned Duke while lying down all the way. The officials rushed to the East Hall to pay their respects first, and then to the West Hall to pay their respects.

It is a good story that two prime ministers were promoted to Duke on the same day.

After the imperial edict was announced, Li Xian congratulated Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue smiled and nodded slightly, which seemed very reserved.

Facing the congratulations from everyone, Zhang Yue and Wang Anli said, "Hefu, let me say a few words of intimacy to you."

"The person I envy the most now is Zhang Liang."

Wang Anli asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhang Yue said to Wang Anli, "After Zhang Liang helped Liu Bang gain the world, Liu Bang rewarded Zhang Liang according to his merits, and Zhang Liang chose the poor and small Liu County."

"Because he knew that if he left a place that was too fertile, his descendants would not be able to keep it, so it would be better to choose a poor place."

"It is really difficult for a person to retire calmly after reaching a high position. Therefore, after achieving great success, I would like to retire like Zhang Liang."

Wang Anli asked: "At this point, Prime Minister, shouldn't you think further about destroying the Tanguts? Why are you thinking about retiring after your success?"

Zhang Yue thought to himself, I am now a duke, if I destroy the Tanguts I will be made a king, and that would be a great achievement. It would be unpleasant for anyone to be the emperor.

Officials always want to retire, and this has been the case since ancient times.

Holding on to power is not necessarily a good thing. Officials must always put themselves in the right position.