manynovel Chapter 1072: Two Ways to Attack Xia
Chapter 1072: Two Ways to Attack Xia
Chapter 1072: Second Route to Attack Xia
After Shi Yan, Chen Guan and Zhang Gen were ranked in the top three, the remaining places were also decided.
Nowadays, the money collected for Jinshi is different from that in Zhang Yue’s time. It is all given by the emperor in one lump sum, instead of being self-raised as before.
This was also a way for the government to show the wealth of the national treasury. At the same time, the emperor recorded the names of the successful candidates in various subjects in the hall and announced the news that the Imperial College would expand its enrollment to 2,400.
All of these show that the government wanted to put the achievements of the Xining Reforms into practice and demonstrate the country's wealth to the world.
Although many officials could not help but say that this was an act of ostentation.
After the ten years of reform in the Xining period, with the assistance of Wang Anshi, Han Jiang, and Zhang Yuequn, the Song Dynasty expanded its national strength by 3,000 miles to the Qingtang border. This is an indisputable fact.
After all the scholars expressed their gratitude, they went to the Imperial Street to praise the officials.
March is a good time of the year, and the Song Dynasty's national strength is booming, so the government is willing to be more extravagant.
The prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture, Xu Jiang, personally gave horses and flowers to the top three Jinshi candidates. After that, thousands of Jinshi candidates and those who were specially nominated left the imperial city in a mighty procession.
Zhang Gen looked at the group of white-haired people behind him, all of whom were crying with joy as they were recommended as Jinshi. He also said to Chen Guan who was riding a horse beside him with a sincere sigh: "Look at these people..."
Chen Guan smiled slightly and said, "Erlang Jun, you can look down on them, but you still have to be more serious about it."
Zhang Gen said: "How could I not know? They all thought that they had put in decades of hard work and finally made a desperate effort to change their appearance. In fact, it was just some leftovers from the court to give alms, buy people's hearts and buy peace."
"Dad used to tease me by telling me about a man named Fan Jin who went crazy after passing the imperial examination."
Chen Guan sighed and said, "This is what the court means, but you have to think about how much you pay and how much you get. If you think it's worth it, then go for it."
"Even if it's Fan Jin, you all laugh at him, but 99% of the scholars in the world want to do it but can't."
Zhang Gen grinned and said, "That's why it's said that being an official just for the sake of being an official is the most boring thing."
Chen Guan nodded and said, "Yes, so what Zhang Xianggong said, 'to accomplish the king's affairs and win a good reputation before and after death' is the most remarkable thing."
Zhang Gen slapped his thigh and laughed, "You believe it too? There is nothing you can listen to from Daddy's mouth."
The two of them said this.
Countless people on Imperial Street cheered for Shi Yan, Chen Guan, Zhang Gen and others.
Although Shi Yan and Chen Guan ranked first and second respectively, they both had average looks. Only Zhang Gen was not only young, but also handsome and elegant. He was also the son of the prime minister of the dynasty, a true young man from an aristocratic family.
The people all came to see Zhang Gen.
But Zhang Gen was wearing two flowers on his hat, wearing a new robe, and riding a strong horse. He looked like the ideal son-in-law in the hearts of every father-in-law and mother-in-law, and also like the lover that every girl in the boudoir longed for.
"Another 'Mei Zhang Lang'."
"Good-looking, no less handsome than his father!"
"What a good Mr. Xiao Zhang!"
The women along the street threw flowers in front of Zhang Gen's horse to express their love and admiration for him.
Zhang Gen was not at all shy and accepted it graciously, unlike his father who was so shy when he wore a flower on his hat when he praised him. Zhang Gen smiled and bowed to all sides, and this action aroused the longing of many girls and touched the hearts of many young girls.
Chen Guan secretly reminded Zhang Gen to be more low-key and not to be so arrogant and steal the glory from Shi Yan, the top scholar.
Zhang Gen said without any concern: "Drinking and singing all day is in vain, and being arrogant and domineering is for whom!"
Shi Yan's expression was indeed very ugly, but there was nothing he could do. After all, the other party was Zhang Yue's son, so he had to hold back his anger.
Zhang Gen rode his horse past the Ruyi Tower next to the Imperial Street. This place was originally the property of the Wu family, and later became Shiqi Niang's dowry.
Shiqi Niang, Zhang Cheng, and the Zhang family's family members were all on the three-story Ruyi Tower, watching Zhang Gen boasting about his official duties on the imperial street. Zhang Gen passed by here, saluted on his horse, and then rode away.
Seeing this scene, Shiqi Niang choked up and said, "If my son can be like this, what else can I ask for!"
Countless flowers fell in front of Zhang Gen's horse, and the horse's hooves stepped on the fragrance as it went away, creating a magnificent scene.
……
Everyone in the Zhang family went to see Zhang Genyu Street to praise his position as an official, and Zhang Yue stayed in the mansion and became an "empty nester".
Peng Jingyi reported to Zhang Yue about Zhang Gen's praise of officials in the Imperial Street today.
Zhang Yue shook his head and said, "This kid just loves to cause trouble for me."
Zhang Gen stole Shi Yan's limelight today, but that was secondary. He made an enemy for nothing. Zhang Yue could see that Zhang Gen's character would probably continue to offend people in the future.
Zhang Yue has been low-key and cautious throughout his life, and of course he didn't want Zhang Gen to come forward like this and cause trouble for him.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yue ordered Peng Jingyi to prepare a car, and he was willing to give up his illness and stay at home to go to Huang Lu's house.
When Zhang Yue arrived at Huang Lu's house, he saw that he was in high spirits and thought to himself, great, in the end, you're the most proud person.
As soon as Huang Lu saw Zhang Yue, he knew what he was up to and said, "Don't say too much. Drink a few more cups with me today!"
Zhang Yue said: "I am still sick!"
Huang Lu said bluntly: "Don't lie to others until you believe it yourself."
Zhang Yue shook his head.
Huang Lu cooked a few side dishes at his house, and Zhang Yue and Huang Lu drank together.
Zhang Yue said: "I came to your house today to set the date for the wedding of Gen'er."
Huang Lu laughed and said, "I'm not in a hurry, why are you in a hurry?"
Zhang Yue said: "I..."
Huang Lu said: "Geng'er is very much like my temper. He is a wandering dragon in the sky. You should not restrict him. Why should we hastily arrange the marriage of our children for this reason?"
"First serve as an official in a local government for three years, then come back and get married."
Zhang Yue asked, "Are you playing hard to get?"
Huang Lu laughed and scolded, "Am I like that? But you are right about one thing. The more you restrict Heng'er's personality, the more he will argue with you. When he goes out and comes back, he will be himself again."
"The purpose of one's life is to train one's mind! If one's mind is not trained, then even the vastness of the universe is just a cage. If one's mind is trained, then even a cage will be as free as the universe."
"Geng'er is a very smart person. The more intelligent he is, the more you should follow his will. Once his mind is clear, his achievements will exceed our expectations. Your Excellency Zhang is very good at judging people, why can't you understand how to educate your son?"
Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Okay, don't say any more. You can teach me from now on."
Huang Lu said: "Your Majesty has already secretly decided to send troops to attack Xia in two directions."
Zhang Yue smiled bitterly and said, "If Cai Que is allowed to start a prison, add more Jinshi candidates, and increase the number of special nominations, it is intended to win over people's hearts and eliminate the scoundrels. The government's ultimate intention is to clear everything before attacking Xia."
Huang Lu said: "After Lü Jifu went into mourning, the post of Governor of Fuyan Road was left vacant, and the government weighed the pros and cons and gave it to Gao Zunyu."
“Before the award to Gao Zunyu was granted, both the Grand Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother opposed it.”
"I heard the news from the palace that the Queen Mother once said to the emperor that Gao Zunyu is as loyal to the emperor and the country as anyone else, but his shortcoming is that he is narrow-minded and cannot tolerate others, let alone others who have greater achievements than himself. When he was a general in Xihe Road, he competed with you for merit."
"Fortunately you can tolerate others' mistakes, otherwise Gao Zunyu would have no chance of success. If the government really wants to use him, just make him the deputy."
"If you take him as the righteous one, continue to take credit for your achievements, and refuse to allow others to get involved, you will surely suffer a great defeat in the future."
Zhang Yue said: "The Queen Mother is indeed wise and decisive. What she said is absolutely right. Gao Zunyu is not a man who can do nothing but cause trouble. However, it was indeed hasty to appoint him as the commander-in-chief of the troops in Fuyan Road."
"This person is indecisive and greedy for small gains. He is especially good at competing for credit! As a general, he will definitely be partial to others!"
Huang Lu said: "Your Majesty may not be unaware of Gao Zunyu's shortcomings, but the court is short of generals who can lead a large army. The emperor originally placed his trust in Lu Huiqing, but he happened to be in mourning at this time."
"Fuyan Road is the most important of the five roads, but the emperor does not want you and Zhang Zhifu to lead troops to the front line again."
Zhang Yue's eyes froze when he heard this.
Huang Lu said: "After Gao Zunyu went to Fuyan Road, he recruited many sons and daughters of the imperial army officers in the capital, as well as old friends and relatives to serve under him. It's clear that he is here to gain credit!"
Zhang Yue said: "The children of the Imperial Army... this is a way to sell favors. As long as this battle is successful, I don't know how many people will be promoted."
Huang Lu said: "There is another route, which is the one led by Wang Zhongzheng and Shen Kuo to go out of Jingyuan."
Zhang Yue smiled when he heard this. This seemed to be a compromise.
This was because the government was unwilling to give up its goal of conquering Hengshan. On the one hand, it ordered Gao Zunyu to lead the main force of Fuyan Road to attack along the Hengshan line, while on the other hand, it followed its own plan to attack from Jingyuan Road.
Compared with the five-pronged attack on Xia in history, the government changed it to a two-pronged attack, and the scale of the troops was much smaller than in history.
I don’t know whether the emperor listened to what I said or not.
Zhang Yue drank the wine in the cup in one gulp. Huang Lu said, "I think no one in our dynasty can be better than you in planning border military strategies. What do you think of the outcome of Your Majesty's two-pronged attack on Xia?"
Zhang Yue sighed and said, "Your Majesty has never discussed this with me, so how can I know?"
After saying this, Zhang Yue stood up and looked at the flowers that had bloomed in the courtyard.
Huang Lu said: "It seems that the great victory in the previous attack on Qingtang made Your Majesty feel that it would be easy to destroy Xixia, so he underestimated the enemy."
Huang Lu asked, "Are you willing to return to the court to help His Majesty win this battle?"
Zhang Yue said: "If you ask me before the troops are dispatched, I can still say a few words, but the troops have already moved, what can I say? No matter if what I say is right or wrong, it will not help the overall situation and will only make people unhappy."
Zhang Yue was a little angry. He at least thought that the emperor would consult with him before sending troops, but he did not expect that the emperor made the decision himself, and finally told him the matter through Huang Luzhi.
It seems that the emperor has made up his mind to take charge of the war himself, without asking anyone else, including Zhang Yue.
It was a pity that Zhang Yue was still worried and deliberately told Zhang Gen something about "taking care of the king's affairs". In fact, he also wanted to find a way to return to the court.
He believed that after these days, the government would change its mind about attacking Xia and would be more willing to listen to his opinions.
After all, he did not want to keep being angry. Once the campaign against Xia failed, the vitality of the dynasty would be ruined. But now the emperor has already decided on the plan to attack Xia, and it is too late for him to return to the court.
Although Gao Zunyu and Wang Zhongzheng are mediocre, Shen Kuo and Zhong Yan are both talented. We should have some confidence in entrusting them with the task of conquering Xia this time.
A few days later, the emperor issued an edict appointing Zhang Gen as the storyteller in Chongzheng Hall, and serving in front of the emperor.
(End of this chapter)