Prime Minister

Chapter 1058: Benefiting the People is to Benefit the Country

Chapter 1058: Benefiting the People is to Benefit the Country

After staying up all night praying for snow, Zhang Yue left the Jing Palace and returned to the imperial city.

When Zhang Yue's carriage passed by Han Jiang's mansion, he saw an endless stream of people coming to pay their respects.

In fact, Han Jiang did not make many political achievements in history, and even lost Luowu City. But as long as you do one good thing, the people will keep you in mind.

This is also the purpose of benefiting the people.

Thinking of the friendship between Zhang Yue and Han Jiang, Zhang Yue couldn't help feeling sad.

To be honest, during the more than one year that the two of them have worked together, Han Jiang has always been very tight-lipped about the benefits, not giving himself much, and giving most of the benefits to his own confidants.

However, Han Jiang was almost obedient to his own choices regarding major national affairs.

Whether it was advancing into Qingtang, reforming the labor service law, or worshipping Mencius, Han Jiang listened to his opinions and gave his full support.

……

The carriage stopped outside the imperial palace, and Zhang Yue, wearing purple court robes, stepped into the capital.

Zhang Yue walked very fast, but the long-winged hats worn by officials did not allow him to walk so fast, which required the officials to maintain a unique posture when walking.

When Kou Zhun went to the people in disguise, an old man was particularly respectful to him. Kou Zhun said, "I am just an ordinary scholar, you don't have to be like this."

The old man said, "You are an official appointed by the court, and I dare not be disrespectful to you."

Kou Zhun asked, how did you figure that out?

The old man said that when you passed through the narrow alley just now, you looked sideways, afraid that something would hit your hat. If you didn't always wear a long-winged hat, how could this happen?

Therefore, officials should not walk fast, otherwise their hats will fall to the left and right, which would appear to be extremely disrespectful.

Zhang Yue was angry with the government, so he walked in quickly. At this moment, he could not care about so many things, so he just let it go even if his hat was crooked.

The eunuchs were all surprised to see Zhang Yue come in so hastily, and they all stepped aside and tactfully went to report immediately.

Shi Deyi was serving the emperor in the inner hall when he heard the eunuch's hurried report.

Shi Deyi was also surprised to hear that Zhang Yue had come with ill intentions. Just as he was thinking about how to explain, he saw the official coming over and asking, "What's the matter?"

Shi Deyi lowered his head and reported: "Your Majesty, Zhang Yue has finished praying for snow and is already in the palace."

The official said, "I was just about to see him. Let him come and talk."

After the official finished speaking, Shi Deyi hesitated and asked, "What?"

Shi Deyi swallowed his words and said, "Your Majesty...Yes."

The official who had been the emperor for more than ten years could not notice Shi Deyi's hesitation and thought, could it be that my order to Zhang Yue to pray for snow had made him unhappy?

But then I thought again, I am no longer the same person I was before, and Zhang Yue dare not do anything.

Thinking of this, the emperor said proudly: "I will see you in the side hall!"

A moment later, Zhang Yue, who received the imperial edict to receive him, straightened his clothes, regained his composure, and walked into the side hall.

Zhang Yue first kowtowed to the emperor. The emperor saw that Zhang Yue looked normal and thought it was nothing. After all, the relationship between the emperor and his subjects would not change.

After Zhang Yue stood up, the emperor did not, as usual, ask Shi Deyi to give him a seat and treat him as a prime minister, but instead let him stand and talk.

The official asked, "How are you doing with the matter of praying for snow?"

Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty's saintly virtue will surely move the emperor's ancestors, and they will choose a day to send down a sweet rain to bless the people."

The emperor heard Zhang Yue's tone and it seemed very calm, without any ripples. He didn't seem angry because he sent him to pray for snow and missed Han Jiang's funeral, nor was he unhappy about being denied the courtesy of sitting in the hall.

The emperor actually used this way to express that all your favors are given by me, but I can also take them back.

Seeing that Xiao Xiao had achieved his goal, the emperor immediately said to Shi De: "Why don't you give Mr. Zhang a seat!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Deyi immediately apologized, saying, "It was my negligence."

After saying this, Shi Deyi personally moved a chair for Zhang Yue to sit on.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhang Yue sat down.

The emperor has already spoken: "Lü Huiqing reported that the westerners gathered at the western border and invaded. The bandits killed and injured the soldiers and horses of the defense field from Mantangchuan and Dahuiping. Military officer Li Pu and others forced them out of the border. Our army won a great victory in this battle, and Lu Huiqing reported Gao Yongneng for his meritorious service."

"Lü Huiqing is indeed capable and has won many battles against the western bandits. I intend to appoint Lü Huiqing and Xu Xi as the governor of Fuyan Road and concurrently take charge of the four border defenses along the western Shaanxi border. All other matters have yet to be resolved."

"What do you think?"

The emperor said that on the one hand Lu Huiqing was praising his ability, and on the other hand he wanted Zhang Yue to express his stance on the attack on Xia.

At the same time, there is also the intention of using Lu Huiqing to stimulate Zhang Yue.

The emperor always has two plans when employing people, to ensure that no one is irreplaceable and that anyone can take over if the court leaves.

Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty, Lu Huiqing is both civil and military, and can govern the country and the army. Xu Xi came from my shogunate, and I know that he is good at military affairs. Whether it was the campaign against Xihe or the suppression of Liao, I relied heavily on his advice."

"Now that we have Lü Huiqing and Xu Xi to assist us in conquering Xia, Your Majesty does not need to ask me."

After hearing what Zhang Yue meant, the official's face froze as he realized that he didn't take his hidden threat seriously at all.

The other party didn’t answer at all!

After hearing this, the emperor felt a little embarrassed, but he immediately lowered his posture and said with a smile: "You can win a victory from a thousand miles away by planning and strategizing. I still want to use you."

"I said at the beginning that peace cannot be achieved without order, so I ordered you to take Xihe first to cut off the right arm of Western Xia, and then take Lingwu to continue the right arm of Liao. Now that Xihe has helped me, the next step is to take Lingwu directly."

Zhang Yue glanced at the emperor. It was clearly me who offered this strategy to you, but you took it for your own use.

Zhang Yue said mercilessly: "Your Majesty, it was Wang Shao who proposed to take Xihe first and cut off Xixia's right arm!"

When the emperor heard this, he thought, "Zhang Yue, you are really crazy today. Are you going to attack me with all your might?"

The official knew that Zhang Yue was really angry today, so he hurriedly picked up the tea bowl and drank tea to hide his embarrassment and panic.

Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say today. Han Jiang passed away. Has Your Majesty arranged his funeral?"

The emperor put down his tea bowl and said, "I have been absent from court for three days, and other matters are still being discussed. You have been praying for snow these days, so you are not allowed to hear about it. Everything will be decided according to your opinion."

Shi Deyi, who was watching the whole process from the side, thought to himself that the emperor was really a little afraid of Mr. Zhang.

Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty, when I passed by Han's mansion on my way back to the palace, I saw a constant stream of people coming to pay their respects. Every day, tens of thousands of people came to pay their respects. I even heard that some people sold their clothes to pay for their travel expenses and traveled dozens of miles to pay their respects."

"Your Majesty, do you know the people's will? Do you know that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it?"

The emperor finally couldn't help but say, "Mr. Zhang, I certainly know what the people want. But I am using the new law to break up annexation, isn't it for the benefit of the people?"

"Take a step back and say that this is a joint rule of the emperor and the scholars and officials. If I win the hearts of the people again, will the people of Xia Kingdom submit to me? Can this people's hearts help me to defeat Xia? But as long as I defeat Xia Kingdom, I will win the hearts of the people of the world!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue said decisively: "Your Majesty is wrong. What I advocate is to benefit the people in order to benefit the country!"

Ps1: Happy New Year to everyone, good luck in the Year of the Dragon, make a lot of money, flourish in your career, and have a happy family!

Ps2: Thanks to the book friend Yishisixiu for joining us again!

(End of this chapter)