Prime Minister

Chapter 1371 All good things must come to an end (First update)

Chapter 1371 All good things must come to an end (First update)

When Zhang Yue saw Lü Huiqing again, he was filled with mixed emotions.

He explained to Lü Huiqing, "Jifu, I was indeed unaware of the impeachment beforehand."

Upon hearing this, Lü Huiqing was deeply moved and said, "I am deeply grateful for the Prime Minister's words."

After a pause, Lü Huiqing said, "Infighting has existed since ancient times. When I was working under Lord Jing, I had to handle many things for him. It was something I had no choice but to do."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue smiled to himself, thinking, "I wonder if you did all these backstabbing things when Wang Anshi was in power or when he wasn't."

The two arrived at the living room and took their seats. Seeing that Zhang Yue was now living in a state of great power and influence, even more so than when he first became prime minister, Lü Huiqing couldn't help but feel a little resentful.

Zhang Yue hosted a banquet to entertain Lü Huiqing.

Knowing that Lü Huiqing was coming today, Seventeen Sister specially had the cook show off his skills, serving up a dazzling array of dishes. Seeing Zhang Yue's splendid appearance today made him feel even more uncomfortable.

Zhang Yue observed this closely; Lü Huiqing was a man who readily showed his emotions.

Lu Huiqing quickly suppressed his emotions and said with a smile, "Prime Minister, do you still remember when we first met at the Ouyang Mansion..."

Lü Huiqing took the initiative to reminisce about the past.

Zhang Yue was already immune to Lü Huiqing's tricks. While serving Lü Huiqing food, he asked, "Jifu, do you still remember that folk song?"

"You ride in a carriage, I wear a straw hat; when we meet again, I will dismount and bow. You carry an umbrella, I ride a horse; when we meet again, I will dismount for you."

Upon hearing Zhang Yue's explanation, Lü Huiqing learned that this was a folk song from the Baiyue region during the Han Dynasty, which was very popular in Fujian. When Zhang Yue and Lü Huiqing first became friends, they had casually discussed this song.

Firstly, it was to reminisce about their hometown, and secondly, it was to express their hope that the two would never forget each other, whether in wealth or poverty.

If one day you, Lü Huiqing, are riding in a carriage and I am wearing a straw hat, will you get off the carriage to greet me? But if one day you are carrying a load on your shoulders and I am riding a tall horse, I will definitely dismount to greet you.

Zhang Yue said, "We are friends from humble beginnings, how could I forget?"

Lu Huiqing was moved, and Zhang Yuezhen always remembered their time together.

Immediately, Zhang Yue sighed, "Jifu, but talking about the past today is like picking up fallen flowers in the morning. At this moment, it doesn't mean much to you or me anymore."

"Life is like a grand play, scene after scene, so don't take it too seriously. I remember when I first became prime minister, I couldn't let go of anything on my mind, tossing and turning at night, afraid of failing the late emperor's trust and judgment of people, and ultimately ruining the country and the nation."

"Now that he has been governing the country for many years, things have only just started to improve."

As Zhang Yue finished speaking, he noticed Lü Huiqing's expression and saw that he looked extremely uncomfortable again.

Zhang Yue fell silent.

This time, Lü Huiqing put down his chopsticks and couldn't help but say, "When the late emperor entrusted his son to the emperor, all the ministers were present, such as Chizheng and Zihou. We were also witnesses when the late emperor asked Your Majesty to serve at the banquet."

"Although I have been in Hedong all these years, I have never forgotten His Majesty's entrustment for a single day."

"The affairs of the world are both in the hands of the Minister of Works and in the hands of us."

Zhang Yue thought to himself, "Lu Huiqing is indeed still resentful that the late emperor entrusted the affairs of state to me on his deathbed instead of him, and he can't help but argue with me about these things."

Doesn't Lü Huiqing understand?

Han Zhongyan: The reason Cai Jing wanted to impeach Lü Huiqing was because Lü Huiqing and Zhang Yue had a dispute over this matter.

Lü Huiqing immediately said, "Although the temple name of the late emperor, Shenzong, is a beautiful posthumous title."

"According to the system of posthumous titles, a person who is beyond the people's ability to name is called a god; a person who is inactive and does nothing is called a god; a person who brings peace and establishes a benevolent government is called a god; a person whose things are mysterious and boundless is called a god; a person whose sage is unknowable is called a god; a person whose yin and yang are unfathomable is called a god."

"This is the highest possible posthumous title, but the people are unable to name it, and it is also considered that the subjects have no idea what the emperor is thinking or doing. This has the suspicion of being an inauspicious posthumous title and is not worthy of praising Your Majesty's status as a restorer of the dynasty."

Zhang Yue said, "The matter of the late emperor's temple name was decided by the ministers before I returned to court. I believe that although it is not the highest posthumous title, it is not as malicious as you, Jifu, have speculated about."

This can only be interpreted as not being an extremely high posthumous title, nor is it intended as sarcasm.

If it was truly meant as sarcasm, the man's son is still on the throne; he wouldn't be afraid of causing trouble for himself.

But in his words, Lü Huiqing implied that the late emperor had entrusted the empire to him, and that he was not doing his best in this matter.

Zhang Yue asked, "In Jifu's opinion, what temple name should it be?"

Lü Huiqing said, "He deserves the title of 'ancestor'."

Zhang Yue thought to himself, "The temple name 'Zu' is too much. It's usually reserved for founding emperors or emperors who restore a dynasty."

Zhang Yue said, "Jifu, the late emperor declined the honorific title many times while he was alive. If he were still alive, he would never want future generations to call him that."

"If the late emperor's achievements were truly great, wouldn't it be better to let history record them?"

"If you insist on adding it according to your wishes, it will only damage the late emperor's illustrious reputation."

Zhang Yue's implication was that Lü Huiqing was so eager to praise the late emperor and wanted to add the temple name "Zu" to him. Was he really doing this for the sake of the late emperor?

The late emperor also disliked his officials openly praising him. That's just how things are; too much of a good thing can be bad.

Zhang Yue once again earnestly said to Lü Huiqing, "Jifu has said so much, but it would be more important for us to truly complete the unfinished work of the late emperor."

"Instead of discussing posthumous titles, this way we can face the late emperor in the afterlife."

When Lü Huiqing heard Zhang Yue's last sentence, she became somewhat agitated, and her eyes reddened slightly.

Lü Huiqing said, "But the Prime Minister is too lenient towards the old faction. How can someone like Sima Junshi be given such a high posthumous title? And why not remove all the likes of Lü Huishu from the court?"

"These people will bully you in the future, and they will come back with a vengeance, repeating what happened during the Yuanfeng era."

Zhang Yue thought to himself, "Lu Huiqing, you haven't finished playing this part of your factionalism and suppression tactics yet."

In fact, there were quite a few people who advocated this view. After Zhang Yue demoted all of Sima Guang's associates, including Liu Zhi, he did not take any further action and instead began to venerate Sima Guang.

This greatly displeased the New Party, who had previously been furious with Sima Guang, and the purge was not thorough enough.

Zhang Yue said, "Jifu, that's enough. The infighting in the imperial court has no end."

"Even if you remove all the old officials from the Jiayou era from the court, I'm afraid that in the Xining and Yuanfeng eras, they will inevitably split into two factions and exclude each other. There will be contradictions after contradictions, struggles after struggles, and there will never be a way to solve the problem once and for all."

"Besides, I might have ruthless methods."

Lu Huiqing felt a chill run down her spine. Indeed, Liang Weijian, Empress Dowager Gao's confidant, died under mysterious circumstances, supposedly ambushed and killed by bandits on his way back to the palace. Bandits in the inner city of Bianjing, right under the emperor's nose—wasn't that absurd?

Lu Huiqing smiled wryly and said, "I am over sixty years old and my days are numbered. I only offered a few words of advice because of my long-standing friendship with the Prime Minister. I have no other intentions."

Looking at the elderly Lü Huiqing, who was already in his sixties, Zhang Yue felt that the other party could hardly pose a threat to him anymore.

Lü Huiqing was also expressing his current state.

Previously, when Han Zhongyan and Su Zhe instructed others to impeach or make things difficult for Lü Huiqing in official documents and decrees, Zhang Yue remained silent, pretending not to know, and even secretly applauded it.

But as things unfolded, and many of the old party members who had been lying low in the opposition rose up to criticize and condemn Lü Huiqing, Zhang Yue began to realize the situation.

It seems the situation is developing in a direction that is not what we want.

Zhang Yue now needs to balance the relationship between the New Party and the Old Party, not allow either side to become dominant.

The struggle for factionalism and the suppression of dissent will never end; the only solution is to mend the rifts and eliminate disputes.

Zhang Yue relied on Lü Huiqing for another reason: the more than 100,000 troops in Xihe Road, as well as the nearly 300,000 Western Army troops in the four Shaanxi routes (Qinfeng, Huanqing, Jingyuan, and Fuyan), were all Zhang Yue's confidants. If Lü Huiqing of Hedong Road left, he would be replaced by someone else.

This move would be extremely envied, and stories like "my dog ​​has grown horns" would probably circulate in the capital. Zhang Yue wouldn't do something so stupid.

Of course, the most important person is Lü Huiqing, who truly possesses unparalleled talent and is proficient in politics, economics, and military affairs. He single-handedly managed Hedong for many years, defending against the Dangxiang in the east and resisting the Khitan in the west.

Therefore, Zhang Yue summoned Lü Huiqing to the capital for a long talk.

Zhang Yue put down his chopsticks and gestured to those around him to clear the table and replace it with fragrant tea.

After everyone left, Zhang Yue took a sip of tea and said, "Jifu, you are also a veteran minister who has served since the Jiayou and Zhiping eras. You can submit a memorial to His Majesty to analyze the events of the Xining and Yuanfeng eras, and discuss their merits and demerits in detail."

Lü Huiqing understood that Zhang Yue wanted him to review his merits and demerits during the Xining and Yuanfeng reigns to the emperor.

Zhang Yue then said, "I know that Ji Fu Deng Wenyue (Deng Wan) has a past relationship with you. Tell him about it."

Lu Huiqing said, "Deng Wenyue wavered back and forth. After Jinggong was dismissed from his post as prime minister, he attached himself to me. After Jinggong was reinstated as prime minister, it was Deng Wenyue who impeached me for the land acquisition in Huating and sent me to be the prefect of Chenzhou."

Zhang Yue continued, "Deng Wenyue is now the prefect of Dengzhou. Do you have any evidence against him?"

Lu Huiqing's eyes sharpened. Zhang Yue's move seemed familiar. Previously, Zhang Yue had asked him to deal with Zhang Dun, but he had not agreed.

Now he's tasked with dealing with Deng Wan, who happens to be his sworn enemy. Zhang Yue and Deng Wan are also at odds.

Although this wasn't the first time Zhang Yue had asked him to do such a thing, Lü Huiqing didn't agree but instead said, "Cai Chizheng, now that Deng Wenyue is gone, does the Prime Minister intend to reinstate the old faction to quell the Dangxiang and destroy the Liao?"

Zhang Yue said, "I plan to appoint Lü Wangzhi (Lü Jiawen) to the capital as Minister of Works."

Upon hearing this, Lü Huiqing immediately shook his head and said, "Lü Wangzhi is too harsh and tyrannical in enforcing the law."

Zhang Yue laughed when he heard Lü Huiqing say that. "Are you just making a fuss over nothing? You have such a high opinion of yourself, thinking you're the 'middle-of-the-road' person."

Zhang Yue said, "Jinggong once said that Lü Wangzhi enforced the law without regard to his close associates, which is why I value him."

Lu Huiqing paused and asked, "Prime Minister, how is the process of handling the matter after Chizheng's death going?"

Zhang Yue said, "For now, everything will be kept simple, but after the Dangxiang are destroyed and Youyan is subdued, the court will surely compensate him handsomely."

Lu Huiqing showed a pleased expression, as he took the opportunity to speak about himself in the name of Yan Cai.

Lü Huiqing felt a huge weight lifted from her heart.

He stood up and said, "I knew the Prime Minister would not easily give up on this important matter and fail the late Emperor's wishes."

"So, negotiating peace with Liao and Xia is just a smokescreen!"

Zhang Yue smiled slightly and said, "Jifu, you must not tell outsiders about this matter!"

Lu Huiqing smiled slightly and said, "Everyone has to die eventually. Ordinary people's lives are no different."

"But as time goes by, your achievements will be immortal, your name will be recorded in history, and your deeds will be praised for all eternity. This life is enough!"

After a pause, Lü Huiqing continued, "As the old saying goes, 'When an army is defeated, its reputation declines.' The Dangxiang people rose to power through military achievements, but now, after repeated defeats, their chieftain's prestige has greatly diminished. It is truly time to take them over."

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "I understand."

After saying this, Lü Huiqing got up and took her leave.

Before parting, Zhang Yue saw Lü Huiqing off at the mansion.

Lü Huiqing said, "I heard that the Prime Minister cherishes calligraphy as if it were gold, so he gifted me a piece of calligraphy so that I can pass it down to my descendants."

Zhang Yue knew that Lü Huiqing was asking him for her calligraphy, and this was also a protective charm.

Zhang Yue remained noncommittal and said, "Chizheng is gone. Now I only have you, Jifu, as an old friend. Take care of yourself."

After saying this, Zhang Yue watched Lü Huiqing get into the carriage and leave.

A few days later, Lü Huiqing met with the emperor and discussed his past governance during the Xining era. He admitted that he had been quite radical in handling matters such as the "hand-held law" and that he had handled this matter inappropriately.

The emperor comforted Lü Huiqing and allowed him to remain in his position as the military commissioner of Hedong Road.

Several days after Lü Huiqing returned to Hedong.

After receiving the charges against Deng Wan from Lü Huiqing, Zhu Guangting submitted a memorial impeaching Deng Wan, who was then demoted again and stripped of his post as a waiting official.

Zhang Yue then presented Lü Huiqing with a calligraphy piece and ordered it to be sent to Taiyuan.

The letter reads, "Do not speak of what has been accomplished, nor offer advice on what has been done."

The inscription reads, "Presented by Zhang Yue to my elder brother Jifu."

A few days later, Lü Jiawen returned to the capital and was appointed Minister of Works.

Lü Jiawen had a grudge against Lü Gongzhu. He had betrayed the Lü family and joined Wang Anshi, and was therefore labeled a "traitor within the family" by Lü Gongzhu.

Zhang Yue actually knew there was more to the story; one shouldn't put all their eggs in one basket when it comes to matters of aristocratic families. Wasn't his Zhang family the same?

Sending Lü Jiawen back to court was both a way to deal with Lü Gongzhu and a way to leave a bottom line.

Indeed, Lü Gongzhu was a gentleman and a relative by marriage to Zhang Yue, but now he is Zhang Yue's political enemy.

But when it comes to power struggles in the imperial court, it doesn't matter whether you're a gentleman or a villain, or whether you're related by marriage.

……

In the third year of the Yuan You era, 608 people passed the provincial examination and became Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

This was the year with the most successful candidates since the Song Dynasty began holding the imperial examinations.

Following the "selection of officials based on righteousness" at the Imperial Academy, the new officials of the Yuanyou era gradually underwent a reshuffle, replacing all the old officials from the "Jiayou, Xining, and Yuanfeng" eras with fresh blood.

Zhang Yue originally intended to appoint Su Shi as the acting examiner. He valued Su Shi and hoped that he could select a talent that would be as outstanding as Ouyang Xiu had been when he was the examiner in the second year of the Jiayou era.

However, Su Shi consistently opposed selecting officials based on Confucian classics, a practice that had been prevalent since the Xining era, and instead insisted on selecting officials based on their essays and poems.

Zhang Yue knew that Su Shi had always disliked the "selection of officials based on classical texts" system, believing that Wang Anshi's approach was a disaster for the country and its people. Su Shi had once told Zhang Yue that the decline of literature had never been as severe as it is today, and that this decline actually originated from Wang Anshi.

Wang's writing may not be bad, but the problem lies in his tendency to make others agree with him.

Su Shi's words are always so incisive. Zhang Yue feels that after the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, the level of literature did indeed decline. In this respect, the eight-legged essays of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which used Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism for selecting officials, seem to bear a lot of the blame.

Su Shi firmly opposed this to Zhang Yue, and stated that if the selection of officials was not changed to a written examination system, he would not take up the post of examiner this time.

Su Shi believed that Zhang Yue would compromise with him as he had done in the past.

However, when Zhang Yue realized he couldn't persuade Su Shi this time, he gave up and decided to choose someone else.

In another historical timeline, Su Shi found himself in a difficult position during this imperial examination. Although, as Su Shi intended, the selection of officials would be based on their literary talent, internal strife within the old faction, particularly the Shuo and Luo factions, led to constant attacks on him. Consequently, Su Shi dared not even admit his prized student, Li Zhi.

Ultimately, this resulted in Li Zhi never holding an official position in his lifetime.

Su Shi declined the offer, while Su Zhe and Cheng Hao held concurrent positions as Minister of Rites and Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, respectively, making it impossible for them to preside over the imperial examinations.

Therefore, Zhang Yue decided to appoint Cai Bian as the acting prefect of the imperial examinations, which also paved the way for Cai Bian's future.

In fact, Chen Guan and Zeng Bu both had strong objections to Zhang Yue's choice of Cai Bian as his replacement, and even his own brother Cai Jing did not support it.

Cai Jing wanted to go it alone and take charge. And Zhang Yue simply couldn't help but like Cai Jing.

Of the 608 people selected in this provincial examination, 388 were students from the Imperial Academy or local prefectures and counties. This number far exceeded that of Zhang Yue's imperial examinations, and also surpassed any period during the Xining and Yuanfeng eras.

The same was true of the Ming Dynasty's system of "the imperial examinations must be conducted through schools".

Both the Han and Tang dynasties relied heavily on aristocratic families, hence the saying that during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Wang and Ma families shared the world.

Starting from the Song Dynasty, people from humble backgrounds were gradually brought into the ruling class.

By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the poor had begun to enter the ranks of the migrant population.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, very few scholars who were not in government or public service passed the imperial examinations. In addition to official schools, Zhang Yue also supported privately run schools, with candidates taking the exams through academies. Of course, these academies had to be approved by the imperial court first.

In the past year, more than 130 officials were dismissed or retired due to their incompetence under the "Assessment and Performance Law". After the report was submitted to the Ministry of Personnel for review, the number was reduced to more than 70. The expansion of the imperial examination system also required people to fill the vacancies.

Something always happens during the imperial examinations.

In the provincial examination of the eighth year of the Yuanfeng era, Cai Bian, serving as the assistant examiner, almost lost his position due to a fire in the examination hall. At that time, besides Cai Bian, Cai's confidant He Zhengchen was the examiner himself. The New Party suspected that the Old Party had deliberately set the fire to bring down the New Party.

Similarly, those who failed the provincial examination this time launched a fierce attack, arguing that the imperial court relied too heavily on the Imperial Academy.

Behind this was the stirring up of trouble by disgruntled members of both the New and Old Parties. However, such false rumors subsided after a while.

After the provincial examination, Cai Bian's question, "On the saying 'If a country has no wise advisors and capable ministers when it is at home, and no external enemies when it is abroad, it will surely perish,'" also caused considerable controversy in official circles.

Zhang Yue understood this policy essay topic very well.

Cai Bian, true to his word, aptly explained that Zhang Yue's initiative in reclaiming the former territories of the Han and Tang dynasties and his pioneering efforts would promote internal reforms.

So who was the Legalist Fushi?

It is also a proposition.

After the provincial examination questions were drafted, Feng Jing first told the emperor that Cai Bian's proposed questions were inappropriate and not the purpose of Zhang Yue's entry into the court to reconcile new and old officials.

Cai Bian, however, stated that the term "法家拂士" (Fajia Fushi) did not refer to the Legalists of the Warring States period, but rather to virtuous scholars, and had no other meaning.

However, Feng Jing and Cai Bian argued fiercely and eventually parted ways.

Seeing that Feng Jing had left, Su Shi felt that his advice had not been adopted by Zhang Yue, so he also requested to leave. Besides this incident where Zhang Yue rejected Su Shi's suggestions regarding the civil service examination, Su Shi also had a strained relationship with Cheng Yi. Cheng Yi's faction in Luoyang consistently attacked Su Shi.

Even some within Zhang's faction felt that Su Shi's sudden rise to a high position was inappropriate.

What exactly did you accomplish during the Yuanfeng era? You only spoke a few fair words for the New Party when Sima Guang wanted to abolish the exemption from corvée labor.

Some even held a moderate view, believing that Su Shi, like Wang Anshi, was only good enough to be a Hanlin Academician, and lacked the qualities to become a prime minister.

In other words, the position of Hanlin Academician was the limit.

Instead of directly agreeing to Su Shi's request, Zhang Yue took advantage of a day off to summon Su Shi to his residence.

A few days later, Zhang Yue wanted to meet with Su Shi in person. They agreed to meet the next day, so Su Shi went to bed early that night.

Su Shi was fond of health preservation. Before going to sleep, he would stretch his limbs on the bed to completely relax them. If he felt uncomfortable in any area, he would massage it for a while.

Finally, regulate your breathing, calm your mind, and don't move around unnecessarily if you feel any discomfort.

After getting up at dawn, Su Shi felt refreshed and then ordered someone to comb his hair hundreds of times. He would lie down on a chair for a while and think about his own affairs. Whether attending court or staying at home, Su Shi spent his years in this way.

Su Shi once said that one should always get up before dawn, because the time between dawn and sunrise is truly one's own.

After sunrise, your whole being and body belong to the public.

After becoming a Hanlin Academician, Su Shi was caught up in the infighting at court and his busy official duties. The short time he spent reclining on his chair was the most precious moment of his day.

Su Shi then set off.

Su Xun had sold the house he bought outside Yiqiu Gate during the Jiayou era. So Su Shi bought a new house in the west of the city. After Su Zhe became the Minister of Rites, he also bought a house in the west of the city for nine thousand strings of cash.

The two brothers lived very close to each other and visited each other regularly. They were both prominent figures in the court and respected by others. Their situation was quite different from their impoverished state during the Xining era and their precarious existence during the Yuanfeng era.

When Su Shi arrived at Zhang Yue's residence, Zhang Geng personally greeted him. Su Shi greatly admired talented younger generations and always treated Zhang Geng as his own nephew.

Zhang Gen regarded Su Shi as a teacher and uncle, and he also had a good relationship with Su Mai and others.

As the two talked, Zhang Geng seized the opportunity to ask Su Shi for advice.

After Zhang Gen escorted Su Shi to the living room and left, Su Shi went to the inner room and saw Zhang Yue.

After taking their seats, Zhang Yue asked Su Shi directly, "Why did you request a prefecture, Zizhan?"

Su Shi said, "I have been ill for years and my physical strength is insufficient to meet this task."

That was obviously an excuse. I heard just a few days ago that you got completely drunk at the West Garden Gathering.

Zhang Yue said, "If it's because of discussions in the court, we can ignore it."

"Zizhan, the most important thing about you is that you are unwilling to change your mind at any time."

Su Shi said with a wry smile, "It's not that I'm constantly changing my mind; I'm just full of things that are out of step with the times."

Zhang Yue observed that Su Shi had a sharp eye and always saw the crux of the matter, but his opinions, as he himself said, were always out of touch with the times.

Su Shi then added, "But if I don't go soon, the country will be in danger sooner or later."

“Prime Minister, I do not care about fame and fortune. When Ziyou and I were preparing for the imperial examination at Rouyuan Post Station, we ate three white dishes every day, which were extremely delicious. I almost did not believe that there were any delicacies in the world.”

Zhang Yue nodded and said, "I've heard of it: a pinch of salt, white radish, and white rice—that's what 'three white rice' means."

After Zhang Yue finished speaking, Su Shi recalled the time when the three of them took the imperial examination. Zhang Yue sighed with emotion, "A journey of ninety thousand miles on the road to success, twenty years spent studying by the light of fireflies in the snowy window!"

"Back then, we studied diligently so that we could contribute our modest efforts to the country and the people of the world in the future."

"Won't Zizhan reconsider?"

Hearing Zhang Yue's words, Su Shi sincerely said, "You have achieved what the Prime Minister has said: 'You have traveled ninety thousand miles on the road to success, and spent twenty years studying by the light of fireflies in the snowy window.'"

"My only pursuit in this life is the art of writing, and I am not suited to be an official."

“Remembering that Ouyang Wenzhong entrusted me with the position of Emperor Wenzong, I dare not fail to do my best. If I entrust it to someone else in the future, I hope that his teachings will not be lost.”

Zhang Yue knew that Su Shi was not suited to be at the center of the political vortex, which was a common problem among intellectuals who often wavered in their political views because they "only followed the facts and not their superiors."

Therefore, Wang Anshi criticized Su Shi for always focusing on one issue at a time and refusing to consider things from a holistic perspective.

Zhang Yue said, “Since Zizhan is determined to leave, I can only reply with what Wenzhong Gong said back then. People have different talents and personalities, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. If you use their strengths, nothing is impossible. If you force them to do what they are not good at, their governance will inevitably fail.”

When judging a person, don't focus on their shortcomings, always focus on their strengths.

If you only look at the strengths, anyone in the world can use them; if you only look at the weaknesses, no one can use them.

Finally, Zhang Yue said, "Everything is as Zizhan requested."

Zhang Yue finally agreed to his request to take up a post outside the capital. A look of bewilderment flashed across Su Shi's face.

Where does Zizhan plan to go?

Su Shi immediately replied, “Hangzhou! When I was the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou, I saw that West Lake was very beautiful, but it was heavily silted up. In the past, some members of the New Party suggested filling it in, just like Xuanwu Lake in Jiangning.”

"But if Hangzhou were without West Lake, it would be like a person without features; it wouldn't be worthy of being called Hangzhou. Only by clearing the way can we truly make things convenient for the people."

Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Dredging West Lake is a good thing that benefits the country and future generations."

Upon hearing Zhang Yue's words, Su Shi immediately forgot his earlier displeasure and said, "When I was a sub-prefect in Hangzhou, I heard someone suggest that the lakeside area be rented out to local households to grow water chestnuts."

“The place where water chestnuts are planted must be free of weeds, so we can ask the villagers to clean the silt once a year and collect rent at the same time. This is a win-win situation.”

When Su Shi talked about his areas of interest, his brows furrowed with joy.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Yue said with delight, "Zizhan, please go now. After I retire in two years, I will definitely visit West Lake in Hangzhou again."

Zhang Yue thought to himself, "All good things must come to an end. Some people leave, some people stay. The path of governance is always becoming more and more lonely."

After Su Shi left, Cheng Yi happened to enter.

Cheng Yi was dressed in coarse linen clothes, giving off an unapproachable air.

Cheng Yi was widely recognized as an extremely difficult person to get along with, and his personality clashed with that of Su Shi, who was known for his love of joking and bickering.

Su Shi glanced at him but didn't greet him. In the words of Su Shi and his four disciples and six gentlemen, "I have always despised Cheng Yi's treachery and have never shown him any kindness or concern."

The two never gave each other a friendly look when they met.

The two turned and walked away. Cheng Yi went inside, greeted Zhang Yue, and then took his seat.

Zhang Yue glanced at Cheng Yi. Su Shi and Cheng Yi had very different personalities. Su Shi was witty and humorous. If Cheng Yi felt uncomfortable, Su Shi would just make a joke back, and that would be the end of it. They could even become good friends in the future.

After Su Shi told Liu Ban, another sarcastic person, about the Three White Rice incident, Liu Ban devised a plan to invite Su Shi to a banquet for Three White Rice.

Su Shi had never heard of "white rice" before. When he arrived at the banquet, he found only salt, radishes, and rice. Liu Ban jokingly remarked, "Three whites make white rice; this must be white rice."

Su Shi finished eating on the spot and then said, "Come to my house tomorrow and I'll treat you to a meal of fine rice."

Liu Ban had never heard of "cui fan" before, so he went to Su Shi's house for a banquet. However, after spending half a day there, he didn't see any "cui fan." Only when he was starving did Su Shi tell him that the salt was gone, the radishes were gone, and the rice was gone, so it was called "cui fan."

Liu Ban laughed and said, "I knew you wanted revenge."

Su Shi laughed heartily upon hearing this and immediately ordered a sumptuous feast to be prepared. Liu Ban ate to his heart's content and returned home.

If Liu Ban dared to serve Cheng Yi such a meal, the latter would definitely slam the door and leave.

However, Zhang Yue liked to consult Cheng Yi about Neo-Confucianism or to gauge the prevailing sentiment in the court.

Now, Cheng Yi serves as the emperor's lecturer, while Cheng Hao oversees the Imperial Academy. In addition to the students of the Imperial Academy and the emperor, the Western Army and the Three Auxiliary Armies are all governed by Neo-Confucianism.

All three were trained in Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism does have its unique aspects. From an idealist perspective, the emptiness of Buddhism and Taoism is certainly not something that most scholars can use for self-cultivation. However, Neo-Confucianism also has its flaws. Zhang Yue could not absorb it all; he had to decide the future direction of Neo-Confucianism.

Zhang Yue said, "I would like to hear Mr. Cheng's discussion with the Emperor yesterday at the lecture on the principle of 'one principle, different manifestations,' again."

Cheng Yi said, "Please allow me, Minister of Works."

"Nothing in the world is more about principle and energy. All things are one Taiji. Everything in the world takes principle as its nature and essence. We must not be distracted by external things."

The concept of "one principle, many manifestations" raises a philosophical question: is principle one or divided?

Like Cheng Yi's school, they all believed that there was an absolute truth, but it would manifest differently in different things.

Another school of thought believes that only through the clash of two opposing viewpoints can the truth be discovered; this is the principle of Yin and Yang, which is also a dialectical concept.

Wang Anshi often used the concepts of Yin and Yang to explain problems.

So, is it absolute truth or relative truth?

Zhang Yue nodded and said, "As you said, one plus one equals two, which is the principle of one. In the world, one goose plus one goose equals two geese, and one cow plus one cow equals two cows. This is the principle of one principle manifesting in many forms. There is no other principle in the world."

"But when it comes to governing the country and the people, there is no single principle. Just like a piece of clothing, whether it is beautiful or ugly, ten thousand people may have ten thousand different opinions."

Zhang Yue's implication is that absolute truth applies to natural science; for example, one plus one equals two, a principle that applies universally.

If one plus one sometimes equals two, and sometimes equals three.

If there were no absolute truths, then all knowledge and science would cease to exist.

Because we believe in the unity of reason, in theoretical mathematics and theoretical physics, we can deduce things that have not yet been discovered in reality or things that do not exist in reality from the theory, and then discover and create them.

Just like how we know that one plus one equals two, we can also know that one plus two equals three.

Therefore, based on the principle of unity, Zhu Xi deduced that even before there were husband and wife in reality, the principle already implied the existence of a husband-wife relationship. This is the meaning (principle precedes material force).

The principle is simple: if you don't agree that one plus one does not equal two, then you are definitely wrong, not the principle itself.

But not the humanities.

The humanities are more akin to the process of gradually arriving at absolute truth through relative truth.

Take the Confucian saying, "The ruler is the guide for the subject, the father is the guide for the son, and the husband is the guide for the wife." Confucian scholars, up to Cheng Yi and others, believed that this was an immutable principle, a principle that is universally applicable.

Reason is fundamental; it is the foundation of all ethics and the cornerstone of an edifice, and you cannot question it.

But what about this statement today?

Let's not even talk about the ruler being the guide for his subjects.

Furthermore, if we take the principle of the father being the head of the family as an example, each generation is stronger than the last, so why should others listen to you?

The idea that the husband should be the head of the household is a joke. There are countless examples of henpecked husbands everywhere. If you put this statement online, you'll be immediately attacked.

Therefore, Zhu Xi's statement that "even before there is a husband and wife in reality, the husband is the head of the household" is incorrect in the humanities.

It is acceptable to study the principles behind something after it has appeared or been discovered.

Instead of fearing new things.

Zhang Yue said to Cheng Yi: "On this point, I strongly agree with Zhang Zihou's (Zhang Zai's) theory of one thing having two aspects!"

Cheng Yi immediately retorted, "May I ask the Prime Minister, does the idea of ​​'one thing having two aspects' mean that it is based on one principle or two principles?"

Zhang Yue burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Cheng Yi's question was asking Zhang Yue whether the statement "one thing has two aspects" was an absolute truth, and if not, where the positive and negative aspects lay.

It's like someone asking you where the dialectical aspect of dialectics lies. If there is a dialectical aspect to dialectics, then that statement is incorrect.

Zhang Yue laughed and said, "Mr. Yichuan is using your own spear to attack your own shield. As Mr. Zhang Zihou said, if the two cannot stand, then the one cannot be seen; if the one cannot be seen, then the two cease to exist."

"Just as people have knowledge from what they see and hear, and knowledge of virtue."

"One cannot be separated from two; for every one there must be two; two originate from one; by combining two to seek one, one can then know that one is within two. Just as this principle itself may not be correct, there will surely be a day when it is surpassed."

"There is only one universal principle governing all things."

Cheng Yi argued upon hearing this.

He argued with Zhang Zai about this matter many times.

Although Zhang Zai and Cheng Yi were later categorized as Neo-Confucianists.

However, Zhang Zai's concept of "principle in two aspects" and Cheng Yi's concept of "principle in one aspect" are completely different. Even Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao's ideas differed, and it was Zhu Xi who later carried forward and developed Cheng Yi's scholarship.

The study of Qi was later developed and popularized by Wang Fuzhi and others.

After chatting with Cheng Yi for a while, Zhang Yue said, "Master Mingdao is unwell. I intend to appoint Lü Yushu (Lü Dalin) as the head of the Imperial Academy."

Lü Dalin was originally a disciple of Zhang Zai, and later became a student of Cheng Yi, studying both Luoyang philosophy and Qi philosophy.

Zhang Yue decided to combine the Luoyang School of thought with the Guanzhong School of thought.

Lu Dalin was appointed to succeed Cheng Hao as the Imperial Academy Chancellor.

……

Finally, Su Shi was appointed as the prefect of Hangzhou, and Lü Dalin succeeded the seriously ill Cheng Hao as the chief priest of the Imperial Academy.

Cheng Hao passed away a month later.

Before Cheng Hao passed away, Zhang Yue visited him.

Cheng Hao grasped Zhang Yue's hand and said, "If we only abolish the laws that harm the people, the Xining Laws will surely benefit the country."

"Prime Minister, we should combine the methods of the Jiayou and Yuanfeng reigns."

After Su Shi and Feng Jing, those around him left one by one. Many people said that Zhang Yue discarded his usefulness after he had served his purpose. When his power was not yet consolidated, he had friends with everyone in the country, from the new party to the old party. But once his power was stable, he revealed his true nature and began to eliminate dissidents.

First it was Cai Que, and now it's Feng Jing and Su Shi; one by one, ministers have left the court.

Since Zhang Yue took office, criticism from both the government and the public has never ceased.

On March 10th, the Emperor held an interview at the Jiying Hall with the candidates recommended by the Ministry of Rites.

In the palace examination, those selected included Zhang Yuan (Zhang Dun's fourth son), Lü Yirou, Fan Zhixu, and several others. Zhang Cheng, who had already been selected as the top scholar of the Imperial Academy, achieved the second-highest rank in the palace examination, coming in third place.

Zhang Cheng was appointed by the court as a storyteller in the Chongzheng Hall. The court officials said that Zhang Yue doted on his young son and was unwilling to let him be sent to serve as an official outside the capital.

……

Northern grasslands.

Blizzard.

Under the pitch-black night sky, countless shadowy figures lay prone in the knee-deep snow. Their sheepskin coats were covered in ice, and their simple felt boots were frozen solid.

They were herders and warriors from the Kereit and Merkit tribes.

The sound of Liao cavalry hooves approached from afar, the faint light of torches on the snow reflecting off their heavy armor. This was the 50,000 elite Pishi Army under Yelü Wotela, the Grand Councilor of the Northern Court of the Liao Kingdom.

They ventured deep into the northern grasslands to seek out the main force of the Kereit tribe for a decisive battle.

The sound of the Liao army's patrolling cavalry's hooves grew louder as they approached. This was the core force upon which Yelü Wotela relied to rampage across southern Mongolia, the most renowned Pishi Army of the Liao Dynasty.

The herders glared angrily at Pishijun.

Since last year, the Liao Dynasty has imposed an excruciating "fur tax" and "horse tax" on the various tribes of Zubu, and even forcibly levied 10,000 sable and cowhides on the Kereit tribe. The hard-earned income of the herdsmen has been completely taken away, and their wives and children are crying out in hunger and cold.

Suddenly, a piercing sound of a bone flute ripped through the wind!

Tengri!

A deafening roar erupted like an avalanche!

Amidst the thunderous roar, the herdsmen, draped in sheepskin coats and wearing felt boots, leaped from the snow pits! The crude bone arrows in their hands flew like locusts towards the bellies of the Liao army's horses. The Liao cavalrymen, clad in chainmail, were caught off guard, and their warhorses neighed in alarm as they plunged into the snowdrifts.

Where the horse's hoof had sunk, the ambushing Kereit warriors suddenly sprang up and swung their swords, slashing straight at the horse's leg! Blood sprayed out, and the Liao army cavalry was instantly thrown into chaos.

"Boom! Boom!"

The Liao army's horn sounded hastily, and the cavalry attempted to charge in formation, only to encounter an even more terrifying sight.

The bare-chested strongman of the Merkit tribe swung his spiked club at the horse's head!

With a cracking sound, the warhorse neighed and collapsed. The lightly armored steppe riders cut in from the flank, their scimitars slicing through the bodies of the Liao soldiers.

Amidst the wind and snow, Mogus roared: "Take back the cattle and sheep stolen by the Liao dogs! Wash away the shame of yesteryear with the blood of the Khitans!"

The devastating rout began! The utterly defeated Liao army was driven like cattle and sheep by the herder coalition and forced to flee towards the wide but already frozen Onon River.

The panicked soldiers and their horses stepped onto the seemingly solid ice, but the ice shattered beneath their hooves!

"Crack! Crack—" The terrifying sound of ice cracking echoed one after another! The Liao soldiers fell into the icy water with desperate screams.

The struggle lasted only a few breaths before the heavy armor dragged them down to the bottom of the river.

Before the screams of the drowning victims had even subsided, the Mongol archers had already drawn their bows and mounted their horses. They lit the grease-soaked rockets and aimed at the struggling Liao soldiers' corpses and the floating ice in the river.

Whoosh!Whoosh!Whoosh!

The rocket crashed into a crevasse in the glacier like a meteor!

The ice and the grease on the corpses burned fiercely! The raging flames soared into the sky, illuminating the entire Onon River as if it were daytime!

It also illuminates the black eagle flag fluttering in the wind on the riverbank.

As the blizzard subsided, the morning sun shone on the mountains of Liao army corpses.

Mogus's tall and imposing figure stood atop the mountain of corpses, holding aloft his blood-stained Suluding spear as he stepped over the broken shields of the Khitan.

Behind him were the assembled Kereit and Merkit tribes, allied warriors responding to the call of the Black Eagle Banner, their herdsmen's fur coats soaked with blood and ice, their eyes revealing a murderous aura.

A few days later.

"Look! The Khitan's capital!"

On the eastern horizon, the outline of the arrow tower of the Liao Dynasty's Shangjing Linhuangfu (upper capital) was faintly visible in the morning mist.

One hundred thousand Mongol cavalrymen silently reined in their horses here, on this boundless expanse.

Mogus plunged his spear deep into the frozen earth, and the tribal leaders simultaneously drew their scimitars—

"Wherever the whip points, it is a gift from the Eternal Heaven to the warrior!"

……

Mogus besieged the Liao capital, Shangjing, for several days without success. When Liao reinforcements arrived, Mogus led his army to retreat to the northern desert.

This dealt a heavy blow to the prestige of the Liao Dynasty.

At the same time, the attack on Shangjing by the Mobei Zubu also made the Jurchens and the five kingdoms restless.

Seeing that Mogus was attacking Shangjing, the Tatar and Dilie tribes also responded to Mogus's call. This great uprising of the Zubu tribes, which affected the Liao Kingdom, was several years earlier than in history and was sweeping in at an alarming speed.

Meanwhile, the Baspa and Ongud tribes, who were observing each other between the Liao and Song dynasties, suddenly received news that Wang Hou, the military commissioner of Xihe Road, was leading an army of 20,000 men from Guazhou northward to meet with them on the orders of Zhang Yue.

The alliance has two meanings: I can send troops to attack you, or I can send troops to support you.

The leaders of the Baspa and Ongud tribes each led their troops to a meeting. In addition to retaining their original titles, they also bestowed upon each other weapons, armor, and valuables, while the other side offered cattle, sheep, and warhorses.

At the same time, the Baspa and Wanggu tribes also presented Wang Hou with a beautiful woman from their respective tribes, in a very proper manner.

The Liao Kingdom was busy suppressing the rebellion of the Zubu in the northern desert and had no time to attend to the alliance meeting, but Wang Hou's alliance meeting deeply shocked the Dangxiang.

The original location of the Baspa and Wanggu tribes was north of Keyimen of the Dangxiang, not far from the northern capital Dingzhou.

After a busy day, Li Bingchang, defying the opposition of the tribal leaders within the country, moved the capital to Dingzhou, only to find himself practically delivered to the doorstep of the newly allied tribes of the Song Dynasty, the Baspa and Ongud tribes.

Dingzhou is not safe now either.

Li Bingchang was furious that the Baspa tribe had sided with the Song Dynasty, so he immediately led 100,000 troops to attack the Baspa tribe, but ended up with a victory that was more loss than gain.

Before this battle, Li Bingchang had advanced his troops despite opposition from the tribes. After returning to the capital, some people supported Yelü Xian's son to launch a rebellion, which was fortunately quelled by someone informing on him.

Li Bingchang quelled the rebellion, killing more than two thousand people.

Ministers such as Renduo Baozhong suggested that since the capital had been moved several years ago, people had been complaining about the harsh conditions and inconvenience of life in Dingzhou. They requested that Li Bingchang move the palace back from Dingzhou to Zhongxingfu, which was formerly Xingqingfu.

Li Bingchang had no choice but to agree.

……

On the Wuying Hall.

The newly appointed storyteller of Chongzheng Hall, Zhang Cheng, stood respectfully to the side, watching his father, Zhang Yue, and other prime ministers, including Lü Gongzhu, discuss important military and national affairs with the young emperor.

"In your opinion, gentlemen, how many troops would be needed to wipe out the Tanguts now?"

The emperor's eyes gleamed.

PS: There will be another update tomorrow.