Prime Minister

Chapter 1093 Sandbank

Chapter 1093 Sandbank

After granting the order, the emperor said to Zhang Yue: "I am ill, so I will entrust the affairs of state to you and Prime Minister Wang for the next few days!"

Zhang Yue said: "I will definitely not fail in my mission."

The official nodded, and Zhang Yue took his leave.

After Zhang Yue left, the emperor suddenly covered his face and cried. Shi De said, "Your Majesty..."

The emperor shed tears and said, "Shi Deyi immediately ordered the Daxiangguo Temple to hold a ritual to commemorate the soldiers who died in Fuyan Road."

"Yes."

By the time Zhang Yue finished his audience with the emperor, the emperor looked much better. With the help of Shi Deyi, he sat up and took some medicinal food.

The imperial physicians came in to examine the emperor and asked him questions, all of them with happy expressions on their faces. They immediately prescribed medicine for the emperor to continue his recuperation.

The two Empress Dowagers, the Queen, and the palace maids of Consort Zhu, who had been waiting at the back of the palace to gather information, immediately reported the news to their respective masters.

Zhang Maoze personally escorted Zhang Yue out of the hall and said to him, "We all know that Mr. Zhang never disappoints us."

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "I have to thank the Empress Dowager for her trust and respect for me."

"Mr. Zhang is a veteran of three dynasties, so he deserves it!"

Zhang Maoze watched Zhang Yue's back gradually disappear into the rain and said, "It's time for a new look in the court!"

……

After Zhang Yue walked out of the hall, the heavy rain still showed no sign of stopping, and Cai Bian followed closely behind him.

Many people express an attitude through a detail.

Zhang Yue said to Cai Bian, "Yuan Du, Han Feizi once said, 'If you don't know but still speak, you are unwise; if you know but don't speak, you are unfaithful. What do you want to say to me?'

Cai Bian said: "Mr. Zhang, you are right. My brother and I are both loyal to you, sir."

Zhang Yue said: "Yuan Du, I also started as a lowly official and have come this far. I have walked the same path you have walked, and I have had the same thoughts you have."

Cai Bian's face changed.

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Zhuge Liang served in Shu, and Zhuge Jin served in Wu. Both brothers are powerful. Very good, very good!"

"Mr. Zhang!"

Zhang Yue stretched out his hand and pressed it, saying, "I have been away from the Secretariat for nearly a year. I also understand how difficult it is for Yuan Chang to serve Prime Minister Wang alone in the Secretariat."

"If we were in the same position, I would do the same. Tell Yuan Chang not to take it to heart. I will still treat him the same as before when we are together in the Secretariat."

Cai Bian had sweat on his forehead. Don’t take it to heart?

Zhang Yue said that he didn't care about this matter, but do you really think he didn't care?

Given Zhang Yue's current situation, if he has even the slightest concern in his heart, it will be a disastrous disaster in the future.

You have to learn to listen to what he says in reverse. People in his position can kill people without bloodshed.

Seeing that Cai Bian was still in doubt, Zhang Yue thought to himself, well, it looks like the two brothers won't believe what he says now.

There is a saying: What does it mean to have seen the world?

There is a saying that when you face the unfolding of human nature, you will feel calm and at peace, which is what it means to be a worldly-wise person.

After saying this, the eunuchs surrounded Zhang Yue and left, leaving Cai Bian standing alone in front of the palace gate in a daze.

"Yuandu!"

When Cai Bian saw Zhang Yue turning around and waving at him with a smile, he immediately fixed his eyes and followed him.

But Zhang Yue walked down the stairs calmly, and Cai Bian followed closely beside him.

In the misty rain, Zhang Yue looked up at the endless sky and said, "Yuan Du, do you know? The strength of a country depends on its people."

"As long as there are one or two people in the court who are willing to do what is right, the whole country will do it. If the hearts of one or two people are inclined to benevolence, then the hearts of the people will also be inclined to benevolence. Therefore, if the people are inclined to do what is right, and the momentum is in favor, great things can be accomplished!"

"For a country to be revived, it must have a number of upright people who are able to endure hardships, to pioneer reforms, and to lead the world in righteousness."

Cai Bian said solemnly: "Bian Cheng, Prime Minister, has taught me that I will sacrifice my life for the country and the people without hesitation."

As the two walked down the stairs, they saw the rain gradually subsided from the heavy downpour. When Zhang Yue stepped to the square, the rain and fog had stopped.

The palace maids on both sides smiled and said, "The sky is finally clear."

"It rained so hard before, it was as if the sky had cracked open."

Everyone's face was filled with joy.

It seemed as if the murderous aura between heaven and earth diminished a little in an instant.

Looking at the dripping water from the palace eaves, Zhang Yue ordered his attendants to take away the umbrellas and stopped to gaze at the sunlight that just passed through the red clouds in the sky. Zhang Yue stared for a moment and said to Cai Bian: "Yuan Du, I suddenly remember that you came to my house to visit me during the heavy snow last year, and we talked for a long time."

"Today I cherish the passing of time. I am nearly forty years old, but I have still not achieved anything. Today I am inspired to write a poem for you, and also to express my aspirations!"

Zhang Yue paused and said.

"Old man, how can I say that? It seems like now, Yuanlong smells bad, Menggong is involved. I was sick, and you came to sing and drink, and the snow on the roof was blown away. You laughed at the wealth and honor, which was as heavy as a hair. Who would listen to the hard words? I remember that time, there was only the moon in the west window. Bring more wine, and change to the harp."

"Things are the same, but people's hearts are different. I ask you: How many times has China been separated? No one cares about the salt carts that sweat blood, and the horses' bones are collected in vain after thousands of miles. The roads are cut off. I pity you the most for dancing in the middle of the night, saying "A man's heart is as hard as iron until death". Let's try to mend the crack in the sky."

“Let’s try our hand at mending the crack in the sky!” Cai Bian repeated these two sentences in a daze, looking at the morning light shining through the heavy clouds in the sky.

When I looked again, Zhang Yue had already left.

Cai Bian watched Zhang Yue's back and said, "Mr. Zhang's generosity and magnanimity are comparable to those of Yao Chong and Song Jing, two prime ministers who restored the country. His career is even better than theirs!"

Cai Bian suddenly thought about the poem Zhang Yue gave him, which contained a sign of respect for him, and suddenly felt his heart surge.

……

After Zhang Yue got back home, he immediately ordered his men to close the gates and not allow anyone to enter or leave.

No one is allowed to go out and no one is allowed to come in.

Tomorrow is the Great Inauguration Ceremony. The Hanlin Academy and the eunuchs who drafted the imperial edict have been locked up in the courtyard. Although I am going home, I cannot let any news leak out. Who knows what will happen before this last night?

Zhang Yue was sitting in the hall, while Zhang Shi and Yu came up to ask questions.

Zhang Yue didn't dare tell them the news of the defeat in Fuyan Road, lest they worry about Zhang Zhi. Zhang Yue covered it up with a few words, and Shiqi Niang came up to help him change his clothes.

Although Zhang Yue didn't reveal a single word, Shiqi Niang was so smart that she had already guessed it, her eyes sparkling.

Seeing Shiqi Niang's expression, Zhang Yue knew that she already knew it, so he immediately hugged her in his arms and said.

Shiqi Niang teased, "Sir, you are looking for a good minister in times of national crisis!"

Zhang Yue smiled slightly, he remembered that there was also a next sentence to this sentence, 'When there is nothing to do, Zhong Wuyan, when there is something to do, Xia Yingchun'.

Zhang Yue said: "I am not afraid of being used by others, nor am I afraid of being discarded."

"My lady, I have thought about it. I will be the prime minister for five to seven years. After I destroy Xia, I will choose a talented person to succeed me!"

"Then I can retire. I will travel around the world with you, my lady, and play with my grandchildren. I will never ask about government affairs again. What do you think?"

Shiqi Niang smiled sweetly and said, "Really? Sir, are you lying to me? Your position is easy to get into but hard to get out of."

Zhang Yue laughed and said, "What's so difficult about this? Wang Jiefu, Han Weigong, and Fu Zhenggong can all step down, but I can't?"

"Could it be that he is really like Zhuge Wuhou, devoting himself to his work until his death?"

Shiqi Niang shook her head with tears in her eyes and said, "Sir..."

Zhang Yue was surprised and asked, "Madam, why are you crying?"

Shiqi Niang said, "Sir, there is something I shouldn't say, but I am afraid that you will do this."

"So many troops were lost on the Fuyan Road. The Western bandits are so aggressive. You must not get carried away. One day, learn from Zhuge Liang and lead the army in person! And you can also go to Qishan six times."

Zhang Yue laughed when he heard this: "Don't worry, my lady, I won't do that."

Zhang Yue wiped away Shiqi Niang's tears and held her in his arms.

At this time, food was brought in from the kitchen, and Zhang Yue and Shiqi Niang ate some food with a little wine. The couple ate and talked, watching the sky gradually darken.

It's also strange that it rained so heavily during the day, but there was no rain at night.

Even the clouds gradually dispersed.

The couple held hands and looked at the scenery outside the window. The breeze filled their bodies with fragrance, and red candles flickered in the house.

Zhang Yue suddenly felt that the courtyard was bright. He looked over curiously and found that a full moon was in the middle of the sky, illuminating the whole courtyard. The moonlight was like a silver thread, and its vast light instantly illuminated countless roofs and buildings.

The clouds follow the moon, and it is unclear whether the clouds are chasing the moon or the moon is chasing the clouds.

In the city of Bianjing, countless dignitaries and families stepped out of their houses to look up and see the beautiful moon.

Zhang Yue felt that this scene was very appropriate.

Shiqi Niang looked at Zhang Yue and said with a smile: "When the third and fifth days come, the family will be reunited, and the bright sunshine will protect the jade railing. When the moon appears in the sky, all the people in the world will look up at it."

Zhang Yue was embarrassed when he heard this, because this poem was written when he visited Wu's house that year.

This poem vividly depicts the ambition of this scholar from a poor family to stand out.

Zhang Yue didn't expect that Shiqi Niang would use this poem to tease him at this moment. He couldn't help feeling a little ashamed at this moment.

Zhang Yue said: "Madam, I am just like this."

Shiqi Niang said, "I know, your second brother was also at the table at that time."

Zhang Yue nodded. Now, he looks at many things from a different perspective than before.

What seemed like a big deal back then seems insignificant today.

The couple admired the moon for a while.

"Sir, go to sleep!"

Zhang Yue shook his head and said, "How can I sleep at this moment?"

Shiqi Niang smiled and said, "Even if I can't sleep, I can rest my mind by closing my eyes!"

Zhang Yue agreed and went back to the couch and closed his eyes. There were indeed many things in his mind. Shiqi Niang was lying beside him.

Before I knew it, the moon had risen in the west and the third watch had passed.

Zhang Yue took a short rest and then heard some rustling sounds coming from outside the mansion. It seemed that many people were busy that night.

And Shiqi Niang had already gotten up and was busy.

After Zhang Yue put on the purple robe again, it was still dark. Peng Jingyi led the way with a lantern, and Shiqi Niang followed behind him.

When the gate of the mansion was opened, I saw that the road in front of the mansion had been paved with sand again.

Countless officials and runners from Kaifeng Prefecture worked here all night, using carts and horses to carry sand and spread it on the road, building a sandy road that led directly to the palace gate.

This sand path is called a sand embankment.

The road was paved with sand embankments, which was a privilege only enjoyed by the prime minister except Bai Fang.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Yue could not help but say: "The nine-story city with dragon towers and phoenix pavilions, the prime minister is on the new sand embankment; I am noble and glorious, so don't envy me, I was just a scholar twenty years ago."

Shiqi Niang looked at Zhang Yue and said teasingly, "I want to ask again, did you think of this day twenty years ago?"

Zhang Yue smiled and shook his head, saying, "My wife is making fun of me again!"

Zhang Yue looked into the distance. The uneasy scholar who stood in front of the gate of Wu Mansion twenty years ago would walk across this newly built sand embankment today to enter the palace and be appointed as prime minister.

(End of this chapter)