manynovel Chapter 1103: What can a clay chicken or a clay dog do to me?
Chapter 1103: What can a clay chicken or a clay dog do to me?
Chapter 1103: What can a clay chicken or a clay dog do to me?
In the residence of Huang Lu, the Third Secretary.
The governor of Kaifeng Prefecture, General Xu, was also a guest of honor. In addition, there were Han Zhongyan, Chen Mu and about a dozen other high-ranking officials of the Zhang faction in the court. They got together regularly every ten days.
When Zhang Yue was ill, Huang Lu was in charge. When Huang Lu was not there, Xu Jiang would take his place in the main seat.
Although General Xu's official position was higher than Huang Lu's, as long as Huang Lu was there, the other party would definitely sit in the main seat.
In the past, Cai Jing was also a frequent visitor.
But one day, Huang Lu suddenly said to his attendants at a banquet, "In the past, anyone could come to my house, but from now on I have to be more strict and only loyal and righteous people can come in."
Cai Jing knew best how to advance and retreat. After hearing what Huang Lu said, he never came again.
Of course, after Cai Jing left, new people came in, and the circle, like the officialdom, was full of people coming and going. Wang Gui and Yuan Jiang suppressed these people intentionally or unintentionally, but Huang Lu supported the situation in the court and protected many people.
Huang Lu unconsciously became the mainstay of Zhang's party in the government.
Although some people have left as the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles tests a horse's strength and time reveals a person's true character, those who remain have withstood the test.
Today, these people knew the news that Zhang Yue was on duty early, so they sat in Huang Lu's house to celebrate. Zhang Yue ended his sick leave, returned to the court, and became the prime minister, so they were naturally very happy.
What are they happy about in their hearts?
Isn't it because of the departure of those speculators who did not hold on, who were unable to provide timely assistance, and who only knew how to add icing on the cake, that their persistence has meaning?
Everyone knew that with Zhang Yue's personality, he would definitely not forget their kindness.
Isn’t this the case in official circles?
Taking sides is always the most important thing to learn.
Their persistence has finally paid off today, and now is the time to reap the rewards.
During the banquet, cups were clinked. Huang Lu loved wine and had a high alcohol tolerance. He could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.
He saw through everyone's thoughts and the eagerness in their eyes. He suddenly put down the wine cup he was holding. Everyone looked at him and stopped drinking, and they immediately put down their wine cups as well.
Huang Lu looked at everyone and said, "You all want to get a good job?"
Everyone knows it tacitly.
Huang Lu said: "Do you know why His Majesty appointed Lord Zhang as Prime Minister this time?"
"It's because we want to pacify Xia!"
Huang Lu said: "That's right. So if you want to seek good positions and good assignments in the future, Prime Minister Zhang can give them to you, but you need to contribute to this matter. This way, you can not only serve the king, but also live up to Prime Minister Zhang's future support."
"This is the way for us real men to gain fame, fortune and power in an upright manner!"
The officials nodded in agreement.
Huang Lu said: "From ancient times to the present, there have been endless party struggles. Wherever there are people, there will be conflicts of interest."
"Where there is a conflict of interest, there will be factions. No one can stop it. Mr. Ouyang said that villains have factions and gentlemen have factions. This is true!"
"It is not wrong for people to seek promotion, fame and wealth, but only those who can use their ambitions for national affairs will live up to the history books and be remembered by future generations!"
"Now Prime Minister Zhang is shouldering the responsibility of the whole country and the trust of Your Majesty. The burden on his shoulders is indeed heavy."
"As long as we can help relieve the worries of the country and the prime minister, then a successful career is just around the corner."
After hearing Huang Lu's words, everyone understood.
At this moment, a servant came in and whispered something to Huang Lu.
Huang Lu stood up and took over his words and continued speaking.
Huang Lu arrived at the inner room and found out that it was a secret letter sent by his father-in-law Shen Kuo from thousands of miles away, which arrived in Beijing almost at the same time as the gold medal was used.
Huang Lu's face changed when he read Shen Kuo's letter.
After reading the letter, Huang Lu returned to the banquet. General Xu saw that he had a gloomy face.
"There's news about the troops in Jingyuan Road!" Huang Luyan said.
After hearing this, all the officials asked what happened.
Huang Lu said: "The Western Xia dug a seven-level canal to flood Lingzhou City... Wang Zhongzheng refused to withdraw his troops and imprisoned Zhong Shidao for no reason. Zhang Zhi killed Wang Zhongzheng to force him to hand over his military power. Fortunately, Zhang Zhi led his troops to withdraw and avoided being flooded."
"Now Zhang Zhi is leading the rear guard troops and is surrounded by the Xixia people in Mingsha City, while Zhong Shidao is leading his troops to retreat from Lingzhou City. Although there are no major casualties in the troops, all their armor and weapons are lost."
"Shen Kuo and Zhong Shidao, lead the troops north to forcibly relieve Mingsha City!"
All the officials were dumbfounded when they heard this.
"Kill Wang Zhongzheng. Although Wang Zhongzheng is annoying, he is the commander-in-chief after all and is the main general. If we kill him, Zhang Zizheng will be dead. Even the prime minister will be implicated!" said General Xu.
Han Zhongyan said: "The eunuchs commanding the army was the result of the previous dynasty's failure, and Wang Zhongzheng's army was advancing without following the rules. One incompetent general caused the whole army to fail. What crime did Zizheng commit in killing him?"
"If Your Majesty wants to kill Zi Zheng, I will not hesitate to lose my position and will submit a petition to protect Zhang Zi Zheng!"
"Well said, Han Da!"
"Me too."
Several officials echoed in unison.
Huang Luyou felt relieved after hearing Han Zhongyan's words.
Chen Mu said: "But Zizheng is trapped in Mingsha City, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of Xixia troops. Maybe we don't need to protect him, as he will have a hard time surviving."
"If Shen Jinglie and Zhong Shidao lead the remaining troops to rescue them, won't they also be involved?"
General Xu said: "If you were Shen Jinglie, how could you not save him?"
Chen Mu was silent for a while, then nodded and said, "That's absolutely true."
"This matter is extremely difficult. It all depends on how Prime Minister Zhang handles it!"
General Xu stroked his beard and said, "I think someone will use this incident to accuse Zhang Zizheng and use it to attack the Prime Minister in front of the emperor!"
Huang Lu nodded and said, "This is Xiang Zhuang dancing with a sword, aiming at Pei Gong!"
……
In front of the official's bed.
Wang Gui, Zhang Yue, and Yuan Jiang were all sitting around on chairs, with Xu Xi standing beside them.
Xu Xi said, "Your Majesty, Shen Kuo's report is all here. I think we need to listen to Zhong Shidao's report to find out the truth."
Yuan Jiang, who was standing by, was in high spirits today, having completely changed his depressed look yesterday, and said, "Your Majesty, I think with Shen Kuo's memorial, we can know everything."
"Wang Zhongzheng is the commander-in-chief at the front, and he is no different from a minister appointed as a general. Although Zhang Zhi had asked for permission beforehand, he was still killed. This is like a conspiracy, which is intolerable in all dynasties. I ask your majesty for a wise decision!"
The emperor is still ill.
He lay on the couch and said weakly, "I already know about this."
Yuan Jiang said: "Your Majesty, if this is the case, I request that you immediately send someone to arrest Zhang Zhi and escort him back to the capital."
"If this matter is not severely punished, there will be rebellion and killing of generals in the future, and it will be unstoppable. Your Majesty's prestige will also be completely destroyed."
After Yuan Jiang finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Yue, but today he didn't say a word and just sat there watching his performance.
Seeing that Zhang Yue remained silent, the emperor said, "Yuan Qing, if it weren't for Zhang Zhi, the army of Jingyuan Road would have been wiped out long ago. But I am not an unobservant ruler. I also saw clearly that he led the troops to the rear."
"I will consider this matter. The most urgent task is to lift the siege of Mingsha City and protect Jingyuan Road, Xihe Road, Huanqing Road and other roads."
"You, Wang Gui and Xifu are discussing countermeasures in the Political Affairs Hall. You have also drafted an imperial edict to promote Han Zhen to the position of co-director of the Privy Council and concurrently the Privy Council envoy of Shaanxi. You must leave the capital today and control the six routes. You are not allowed to stay any longer!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wang Gui and Yuan Jiang stood up.
Yuan Jiang looked at Zhang Yue unwillingly, and the two of them retreated from the hall together.
Only the emperor, Zhang Yue, was left in the palace.
The faint smell of sandalwood incense rose from the center of the hall.
The emperor read Shen Kuo's memorial again, and then asked Zhang Yue, "Mr. Zhang."
"The minister is here."
The emperor frowned and asked, "Why didn't you explain just now about Zhang Zhi killing Wang Zhongzheng?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, I have no excuse."
The official asked, "Then why do you say that Shen Kuo should be punished severely?"
Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty, Mingsha City is already doomed and not worth saving. However, Shen Kuo insisted on leading the troops from Jingyuan Road to rescue it. This is extremely reckless. Once the troops are destroyed, Jingyuan Road will be left without soldiers to defend it."
The emperor said, "I think Shen Kuo's action is reasonable. Zhang Zhi is your nephew. Can you bear to watch him fall into death?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, I have no heart to do this, but there are priorities. Zhang Zhi's life is insignificant compared to the safety of Jingyuan Road."
"I would rather see Zhang Zhi... Zhang Zhi died in battle, serving his country and being loyal to Your Majesty, than to see him live in disgrace and return home to be filial and brotherly."
"minister……"
At this point, Zhang Yue could no longer speak and shed tears in front of the emperor.
Upon hearing this, the emperor sighed and said, "You only have this one nephew. I know how deeply you love him. Tell me the truth, are you really willing to let him go?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, I am reluctant to do this, but this is the only way."
The emperor nodded and said, "I will deal with the matter of Zhang Zhi killing Wang Zhongzheng later. The most urgent matter right now is the matter of Mingsha City, so put everything else aside for now."
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, it was I who recommended Zhang Zhi to be the governor of Xihe Road. This is my dereliction of duty. Please blame me, Your Majesty!"
The emperor shook his head and said, "I will not blame you for this matter, and I will entrust you with an important task. In the current court, only you can take the responsibility of destroying Xia on my behalf."
Zhang Yue said in embarrassment: "But Zhang Zhi must have made a serious mistake. If he is not punished... and I am under suspicion, I dare not..."
The emperor said, "I have made up my mind. You don't need to say anything more. I have my own decision on this matter."
"When Emperor Gaozu of Han conquered the world, he was good at employing people, so he was able to gain people. At least in terms of judging people and employing them, I trust you more than you."
"From now on, I will rely on you, and you must also learn to rely on me. You help me destroy Xia, and I will guarantee your Zhang family's power and fame. You and I complement each other and share wealth and honor!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Yue stood up from his chair.
……
Zhang Yue walked out of the hall with his hands behind his back, only to see the sun slowly setting from a corner of the palace eaves in the distance. He was also in the shadow of the palace eaves, and slowly walked to the place where the sun shone.
Many officials in the palace were discussing, and Zhang Yue saw Yuan Jiang standing with his hands behind his back in the corridor. Yuan Jiang did not go to the government hall as the emperor said, but stayed here to wait.
Yuan Jiang raised his head and saw himself walking out of the hall as usual, then he turned away.
Zhang Yue looked at Yuan Jiang's quickly disappearing figure and thought to himself, what can a lowly fellow like him do to me?
Zhang Yue walked down the steps of the hall and slowly passed through the crowd. At this moment, all the officials stopped talking and dared not breathe.
They called him "Prime Minister", stepped back, then bowed their heads and saw Zhang Yue off.
The power of the prime minister is so great!
(End of this chapter)