Prime Minister

Chapter 1369 Unity of Heart and Mind between Ruler and Subject (First Update)

Chapter 1369 Unity of Heart and Mind (First Update)

Looking out from the pavilion.

Zhang Yue was admiring the fish in his own waterside pavilion, which cost nearly ten thousand strings of cash to build.

Zhang Yue was known for his integrity as an official, but building pavilions and terraces for leisure was not a common occurrence for him. However, after being in officialdom for a long time, he could not remain out of place forever.

As you climb each step of life's journey, you see different realms, different scenery, and different people.

When people visit parks in later generations, these pavilions and terraces seem unremarkable. However, moving them into one's own courtyard is a completely different experience.

In your free time, you can sit here and be undisturbed.

No wonder everyone is scrambling to climb the ladder.

Having reached this position, it's inevitable to have the mindset of looking down on the masses as if they were ants, something Zhang Yue is always wary of.

Now, watching the fish playing in the water, Zhang Yue felt a slight relief from the worries in the court.

Soon after, Peng Jingyi and his son Peng Kuanyuan entered.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Yue immediately waved. Of Peng Jingyi's three sons, only Peng Kuanyuan was promising. He had previously entered the Imperial Academy, but only reached the lower level.

Today, Peng Jingyi brought Peng Kuanyuan to see him.

There's a saying that geniuses are merely the threshold to my door. In Zhang Yue's eyes, heroes of the world are truly as numerous as carp crossing a river.

Over the years, Peng Jingyi has always been very sensible and has never troubled Zhang Yue with matters concerning the children.

Now that Peng Kuanyuan has spoken up for us, Zhang Yue will grant him a meeting.

Peng Kuanyuan was extremely cautious when he met Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue asked him a few questions, and when he found that Peng Kuanyuan's answers were to the point, he nodded approvingly.

After Peng Kuanyuan left, Zhang Yue said, "Wulang is a promising talent, so you can rest assured."

Peng Jingyi was overjoyed and bowed deeply.

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "If I can help, I will. What the world lacks most is talented people, but what it lacks are talented people who are also loyal and reliable. Everyone says that one should not appoint relatives or friends, so how could I appoint strangers?"

At this point, Zhang Yue sighed.

"Unfortunately, Shiro doesn't understand this principle."

Similarly, the difference between Peng Jingyi and Huang Haoyi, former friends, is vast.

Subordinates and friends are different. When it comes to friends, it's about being equals, but when it comes to subordinates, it's about having a sense of boundaries.

Those in high positions can joke with their subordinates, and in some situations, the two can even be as close as friends.

But subordinates shouldn't really assume that others consider them friends.

Therefore, one must always be mindful of one's position.

Huang Haoyi was like that; seeing his good friend in a high position while he had to depend on him, he felt a little unbalanced. Although he didn't show any unusual behavior, Zhang Yue could easily see the awkwardness in his heart.

The last time, he pleaded with Zhang Yue to let his two sons become officials in the Jiaoyin Bureau, but Zhang Yue heard that the sons had a bad reputation and refused to let them in.

Huang Si grumbled a bit, and was immediately sent by Zhang Yue to Chenzhou on an official mission, which would take at least a year and a half.

"Sikong, Huang Si has returned from Chenzhou. Would you like me to give him some pointers?"

Thinking of this, Zhang Yue smiled slightly and continued watching the fish swimming in the pond.

"No need, people rarely have self-awareness."

"It's too easy to make money in Jiaoyinjian. Three years ago, a mere lowly official embezzled more than 50,000 strings of cash in just three years."

"I'll arrange a leisurely job for his second son outside the mansion later."

Peng Jingyi nodded and said, "Yes."

After a pause, Peng Jingyi said, "Master, Wang Hou has sent a letter saying that he has made contact with the Zubu tribes through the Xizhou Uyghurs."

After finishing speaking, Peng Jingyi handed Wang Hou's letter to Zhang Yue, who was overjoyed upon opening it.

This is the benefit of opening up the Hexi Corridor after capturing Ganzhou and Suzhou.

Upon reading the letter, Zhang Yue indeed found that the various tribes of the 'Zubu' had been suffering in Liaodong for a long time.

Zhang Yue said to Peng Jingyi, "Let Wang Hou continue to use the benefits of cotton clothing, salt, and iron to win over the various tribes of the Zanbu!"

Contacting the Jurchens to rebel against Liao was a distant prospect, but it was merely a side hustle. What was truly useful was obstructing the Liao.

Zhang Yue remembered that it was during the Yuan You era that the Zubu tribes on the grasslands launched the largest uprising against the Liao Kingdom, which lasted for eight years and severely damaged the Liao Kingdom.

And now the day is drawing near.

This is why he agreed to temporarily negotiate peace with the Liao Dynasty. However, Cai Que, Lü Huiqing, Zhang Dun, and others in the court expressed their opposition to the peace negotiations.

Cai Que went even further, saying that Zhang Yue was acting like a tyrant seeking fame and would surely regret it in the future.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue almost considered reigniting the Wutai Poetry Case and exiling Cai Que to Lingnan. However, in reality, not only Cai Que, but also some within Zhang's own faction had reservations.

The Zhang faction and its followers are no longer what they used to be; figures like Han Zhongyan, Cai Jing, and Cai Bian now wield considerable power.

Although they still maintained respect for Zhang Yue, for example, every time Cai Bian arrived at Zhang Yue's residence, he would have his carriage parked far away and then walk a distance to the residence himself.

Cai Jing was always respectful and attentive when visiting Zhang Yue, and he would come whenever Zhang Yue called. However, when he left Zhang Yue's house, he would leave in a grand procession, surrounded by a large entourage.

Han Zhongyan, Cai Jing, Cai Bian, and Huang Lü and Shen Kuo, who were also prime ministers, all supported or encouraged Zhang Yue to exterminate the Dangxiang.

Zhang Yue thought to himself, since they are all warlords, it would be bad if he blocked his subordinates' path to advancement.

……

In the second year of the Yuan You era, the Song Dynasty continued its all-out expansion and advancement in all directions.

During the reign of Emperor Shenzong, Zhang Dun expanded the border to the southwest, including the areas north and south of Chenzhou.

Xie Jingwen captured Chengzhou.

Kumamoto captured Nanping Army.

These were all achievements of territorial expansion during the reign of Emperor Shenzong, but they were all glossed over by the Yuanyou faction.

In another historical period, at the beginning of the Yuan You era, in addition to compromising with the Tanguts, it was also necessary to abandon the achievements of the Xining era in expanding and advancing in the southwest.

The Song Dynasty's concession to appease the situation did not win the support of the local people.

In the second year of the new Yuan You era, with the great victories of Zhang Dun, Zhang Zhi, and Wang Hou, the domestic economic system was re-established, the Yuan Feng reforms continued, and the national strength of the Song Dynasty was rising steadily.

After acquiring the three newly conquered prefectures of Dingnan, Zhang Yue abolished Yinzhou and renamed it Yinchuan City, focusing all his efforts on developing Hengshan.

Meanwhile, at the end of the second year of the Yuan You era, the Liao Kingdom suffered a great famine due to the failure of its reforms.

Seeing that Goryeo was already showing signs of making moves, the Liao Dynasty was also forced to waive its annual tribute to Goryeo in order to focus all its efforts on containing the Song Dynasty from the south.

At the same time, the Song Dynasty also sent envoys to bypass Goryeo and make contact with the Jurchens through Japan.

In November of the second year of Yuanyou.

Suburban sacrificial ceremony.

A waning moon hangs in the sky.

Under the blazing flames, the vast courtyard in front of the Daqing Hall stood solemnly like a forest. The guides, dressed in black ceremonial robes and holding golden staffs, stood on either side of the steps.

The officials were completely silent, their fingertips peeking out from their robes, blue with cold. Their gazes were fixed on the tightly closed palace doors. Just half a month ago, Left Chancellor Zhang Yue had signed the peace treaty with the Liao Dynasty in the capital. During this time, the Song and Liao dynasties had not stopped fighting; both sides had been negotiating while fighting.

At this moment, the air in front of the Daqing Hall still seemed to linger with the acrid smell of burnt candles.

At that moment, amidst the ticking of the palace water clock, the shrill announcement of the imperial procession could be heard from afar.

Emperor Zhao Xu's palanquin slowly emerged from Xuande Gate. He stepped onto the backs of the prostrate eunuchs and entered the jade carriage. The wind stirred up the snow on the imperial road, and the black ceremonial flags fluttered in the wind.

When the imperial carriage arrived at Jingling Palace, the emperor performed the Three Offerings Ceremony amidst the rising snowflakes.

The newly burned camphor wood in the stove emitted wisps of blue smoke.

The official in charge of rites recited the prayer in a high-pitched tone: "...respectfully, Heaven has blessed the Song Dynasty with its mandate...to sweep away the barbarians."

The Tangut surrender documents offered before the altar fluttered in the wind.

As the imperial procession proceeded to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the eastern sky was already tinged with the blue of dawn. Just as the chief priest presented the Emperor Taizu's sword, a sudden sound of falling roof tiles echoed from outside the hall, and heavy snow began to fall.

The ceremonial guard moved to the Vermilion Bird Gate amidst the blizzard. Snow piled up to an inch on the armor of the guards, and melting snow water flowed down the armor plates.

Upon seeing this, the emperor remarked, "Snow foretells a bountiful year; this snow is a good thing, but it's just not timely."

Zhang Yue said, "The heavier the snowstorm, the more sincere His Majesty's heart is."

The Emperor nodded and said, "This is the first time I have presided over a grand ceremony since my ascension to the throne, but I hope everything goes smoothly."

……

The north wind howled, and the snow swirled.

By the time they reached the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the snowfall had intensified and continued until the second watch of the night.

The Emperor dispatched Yan Shouqin and Yan Anzhong, officials from the Imperial Pharmacy, to Zhang Yue's study to deliver a message. Yan Shouqin inquired, "Your Majesty asked the Minister of Works: If the snow continues and the wind and snow remain heavy tomorrow, how shall the grand suburban sacrifice be performed?"

Zhang Yue's gaze pierced through the snow curtain outside the window as he said, "The grand suburban sacrifice is the day after tomorrow! The cycle of Heaven is cyclical; there is no reason why the day after tomorrow will not be sunny!"

His tone was firm and left no room for doubt.

Yan Shouqin said with a worried expression, "I'm afraid the wind and snow will be too heavy, making the roads difficult to travel and the ceremonial procession unstable."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Yue retorted, "What's there to fear about heavy snow? Tens of thousands of officials, soldiers, and civilians along the way are clearing the roads, so there's absolutely no reason for any blockages! Even if a light snowflake hits our faces, it won't cause any major problems!"

"Besides, this snow is so heavy, it certainly won't last long!"

Looking at the heavy snow outside the window, Yan Shouqin wondered, "Will the heavy snow stop, just as the Prime Minister said?"

Zhang Yue's expression was solemn: "The emperor, acting in accordance with the will of Heaven, performs suburban sacrifices to the Supreme Heaven. Heaven will surely bless him and bring forth clear skies! This is the covenant between man and god, and the mandate of Heaven!"

"Even if the snowfall is worse than the day before, we must still go to the suburban altar! This resolve cannot be broken! If the journey to the altar is truly difficult, we can move to the Duancheng Hall to perform the rites of offering sacrifices to the ancestors, which is also part of the suburban sacrifices. This is an ancient custom, and it is an inviolable bottom line!"

Seeing Zhang Yue tap the table with his index finger, Yan Shouqin knew that the other party had made up his mind.

Zhang Yue said, "The imperial edict has already been proclaimed to the world, and all the people of the four seas are eagerly awaiting it. The emperor's word is law, how can he abandon the project halfway because of the wind and snow? What kind of behavior would that be!"

Intimidated by his imposing manner, Yan Shouqin whispered, "Right Chancellor Lü Gongzhu suggests that the sacrificial ceremony may be performed inside the Daqing Hall."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue knew that this must be an attempt by Lü Gongzhu to sway the emperor's mind, and said in a deep voice, "The sacrificial ceremony at the Daqing Hall?"

"Absolutely not! This idea is utterly flawed!"

After speaking, Zhang Yue waved for Yan Shouqin to report back, leaving no room for negotiation: "You shall report back to His Majesty in this manner: The suburban sacrifices shall be conducted in accordance with the ancient system, regardless of wind or rain! Lü Gongzhu's proposal must not be accepted!"

After Yan Shouqin finished speaking, he left Zhang Yue's study.

Zhang Yue's gaze swept across the room like lightning, and he instructed Peng Jingyi beside him, "Immediately gather the ministers in my study to discuss this!"

Zhang Yue thought to himself, "Since Lü Gongzhu is giving advice to the emperor in private, then I will take the initiative."

……

The north wind continued unabated, and the snow fell heavily.

Not long after, Lu Gongzhu and other important officials entered Zhang Yue's study.

As soon as Lü Gongzhu entered, he saw that most of his colleagues had already arrived, and his heart tightened. Looking up, he saw Zhang Yue, dressed in a dark purple official robe, standing with his hands behind his back by the window.

Under the orange glow of the torches, the night snow fell heavily. Zhang Yue's face, with its flickering light and shadow, was dignified and solemn, standing like a mountain.

Everyone sat down in silence, with only the howling of wind and snow outside the window.

The room was eerily silent, with only the crackling of the charcoal fire clearly audible.

After a long silence, Lü Gongzhu broke the silence and said, "If this wind and snow continue, perhaps we could consider moving the worship ceremony to the Daqing Hall?"

The Left Vice Minister Huang Lü immediately interjected, his words sharp: "The Left Chancellor's words are still ringing in our ears! How can we change our orders so easily? Moreover, the will of Heaven is cyclical; there is no reason why things will not be clear in the future!"

He glanced at the crowd and said, “If we rashly move the capital to the Daqing Hall, and the weather turns bright and clear, where will we place the ancestral sacrifices? Where will we place Your Majesty?”

Zhang Yue slowly turned around and said firmly, "Since Your Majesty has this concern, it is truly out of compassion for the difficulties of your subjects. In that case, we should discuss it in the imperial court and make a decision through public discussion."

After speaking, he went straight to his desk and personally wrote down the memorial. The ministers of the two offices came forward one after another, some readily and some hesitantly signing their names.

Under the flickering candlelight and the sound of snow, Lü Gongzhu's expression was uncertain. Seeing that most officials were on Zhang Yue's side, he finally put down his pen and signed his name.

Once the ink was dry, the memorial was sealed with wax and immediately sent into the Forbidden City.

Before long, Yan Shouqin strode in, his face beaming with joy. He bowed to Zhang Yue and said, "His Majesty read the memorial and was greatly pleased! He said, 'Faced with this momentous and precarious matter, the prime ministers must be of one mind, deliberate before making a decision; this is the way to go!'"

Upon hearing this, the officials took their leave, and the quiet room returned to its tranquility in the snowy night.

……

Just after midnight, the raging, torrential snow suddenly and silently ceased.

The world was filled with a stark, desolate white light.

The fifth watch drum sounded.

The emperor performed the grand ceremony of paying homage to the nine ancestral temples in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Zhang Yue and Lü Gongzhu, dressed in imperial robes and holding jade tablets, served as ceremonial envoys. In the dim light of the incense in the deep temple, they solemnly guided the emperor to the position of the washing vessel to perform the ritual of washing hands.

At that moment, a full moon hung prominently above the flowing clouds, and silver frost covered the eaves of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The emperor raised his eyes, gazed at the clear moonlight breaking through the gloom, and said with delight, "The moonlight is so bright, this is an auspicious omen!"

Upon seeing this, Zhang Yue stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, not uttering a single word.

Everyone knows that Zhang Yue was unwilling to take credit, attributing the turn of events entirely to the Emperor's sincerity.

Zhang Yue looked up at the bright moon and thought of his childhood when he and his senior brother copied books together at the Zhang clan school, and saw the same bright moon together.

At that time, he believed that hard work would definitely pay off, even if it wasn't in the same way he was working towards his goal.

Just as those who chase the moonlight are eventually illuminated by it.

Then the emperor was led to the wine vessel for washing.

The emperor raised his head again, and the moonlight remained the same.

His voice rose slightly, revealing the joy and relief of a young emperor seeing such an auspicious celestial phenomenon: "Look, the moonlight is shining even brighter!"

Zhang Yue then bowed solemnly and replied calmly, "Your Majesty personally performed the sacrifice to the Supreme Heaven, which moved the gods with your filial piety. How could Heaven not bless you with clear skies and sunshine?"

Zhang Yue still attributed the clear weather to the emperor's sincerity, without mentioning his own contribution.

The emperor nodded slowly, and Lü Gongzhu's expression darkened.

When the emperor knelt before the shrine of Emperor Shenzong, raised the sacrificial vessel high, and bowed deeply in worship, tears suddenly rolled down his cheeks.

The air in the Imperial Ancestral Temple seemed to freeze instantly, with only the Emperor's suppressed yet clearly audible sobs audible.

The late emperor's voice and appearance were as if they were right before their eyes, and his pioneering spirit and ambition in initiating the Xining Reforms were still fresh in their minds. The ministers were all deeply moved, and they covered their faces with their sleeves and bowed their heads.

The emperor choked with emotion, unable to speak, and reached out to tightly grasp the arm that Zhang Yue was supporting, saying, "If it weren't for Minister Zhang's strenuous efforts to save the emperor from this crisis, how could I... have the face to meet the late emperor at the Imperial Ancestral Temple today!"

Zhang Yue, with tears in his eyes, said, "Your subject... is terrified and dares not claim credit."

After a pause, Zhang Yue said, "The late emperor's ambition remains unfulfilled. I hope Your Majesty and all officials will continue to strive for it!"

At this point, Zhang Yue bowed deeply.

The emperor nodded slowly and said solemnly, "As Zhang Qing said, King Wu of Zhou was able to amplify the voice of King Wen, and King Cheng of Zhou was able to inherit the ways of King Wen and King Wu."

"I have inherited the will of the late Emperor...to extend my grace to all corners of the land!"

When the emperor returned to the ancestral temple to offer wine, the long-suppressed sorrow finally turned into a loud wail.

The moonlight carries with it a mix of regret for her father's unfulfilled ambitions and gratitude for the divine favor she receives at this moment.

At this moment, the emperor's cries echoed deep within the solemn and majestic Imperial Ancestral Temple, and many elderly ministers with graying temples couldn't help but shed tears.

……

During the grand suburban sacrifice ceremony, the emperor, in order to communicate with Heaven, specially refrained from his regular meals and prayed with a pure heart for clear skies.

At dawn on the day of the sacrifice, the emperor devoutly moved from the Imperial Ancestral Temple's fasting palace and boarded his jade carriage to go to Qingcheng.

The gloom before the trip had dissipated, and the sky occasionally peeked through the clouds.

When the emperor arrived at Qingcheng, at dusk, the sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly, with the glow of the sunset spreading across the countryside. The five envoys inspected the procession to Yujin Garden, where they saw the setting sun reflecting on the fields, and all the officials were delighted and celebrated.

"This is the clear will of Heaven!"

Huang Lu couldn't help but speak to Zhang Yue.

Zhang Yue smiled.

The next day at the fourth watch, the emperor and his ministers went to the altar in the suburbs to wait quietly.

As soon as the emperor's carriage arrived at Daci, before he could rest, the officials respectfully invited him to pay their respects outside the curtain.

The official in charge of rites then led the emperor to the smaller altar, where he ascended again and solemnly offered sacrifices.

Then they were led to the place where they washed their hands and revered the spirit, and once again solemnly ascended the altar to offer libations to the gods.

At this moment, the entire sky was clear and bright, the stars shone brightly, and not a single cloud appeared.

The emperor gazed upon it several times and exclaimed in admiration, "Truly, the Milky Way shines brightly!"

Before the next meeting, he specially instructed Zhang Yue, saying, "This is due to my sincere reverence, which has moved Heaven to show its favor!"

The emperor's tone revealed both reverence for Heaven and tacit recognition of Zhang Yue's achievements in governing the country.

As the second officiant ascended the altar, the master of ceremonies requested that the emperor rest briefly in a smaller room. However, the emperor, with utmost sincerity, declined the request and remained upright facing east throughout the entire ceremony. His pious and respectful demeanor served as an example for all the officials and demonstrated the unity between the emperor and his subjects in participating in this grand ceremony.

The ministers saw that although the emperor was young, his sincerity was evident.

After the ceremony was completed, and the burning of the torch was finished, Zhang Yue respectfully reported that the ceremony was finished, and then led the emperor back to Daci.

According to etiquette, the ceremonial officer should stand outside the curtain and wait until the curfew is lifted before taking his leave. However, the emperor was thoughtful and, considering Zhang Yue's situation, instructed the chief attendant Yan Shouqin: "You must escort Zhang Yue safely out of the gate, lest the cavalry arrive and it become inconvenient for him to proceed."

Such extraordinary favor was praised by the court officials, who all said that the emperor's compassion for meritorious officials was a true example of the emperor and his ministers being deeply indebted to each other.

At dawn, the chief ministers of both offices arrived at the Duancheng Hall to congratulate the emperor on the successful completion of the grand ceremony. At daybreak, the emperor boarded his carriage and returned to the palace.

Shortly afterward, the emperor ascended the Xuande Gate Tower and issued an edict granting a general amnesty to the entire realm. The emperor and his ministers celebrated together, demonstrating the emperor's compliance with the will of Heaven and the peace and prosperity of the people.

This concludes the grand suburban sacrificial ceremony.

……

This suburban sacrifice demonstrated the unity of the emperor and his ministers. The 13-year-old emperor's maturity beyond his years, his unity with the emperor, and his sincerity in serving Heaven and upholding the rites made the ministers feel that this future emperor was wise and promising.

"Meet Sikong!"

Zhang Yue's carriage stopped, and seeing that it was the Prince of Suining by the roadside, he respectfully bowed.

As Emperor Huizong of Song in another timeline, Zhang Yue had no affection for him.

In fact, in terms of imperial governance, Emperor Huizong of Song did a decent job. Considering the first twenty years of his reign, he could be considered an accomplished emperor.

The Jurchens in history were too powerful; even the Liao Dynasty, which was stronger than the Song Dynasty, could not stop them.

According to the grand historical perspective, the rise and fall of dynasties should not be largely attributed to the changing thoughts of emperors and generals.

But Zhang Yue still didn't like this person.

"Is the car broken?" Zhang Yue asked.

The Prince of Suining smiled wryly and said, "That's how it is."

"Find a horse for the Prince of Suining." After saying this, Zhang Yue lowered the curtain.

"Thank you, Minister." Prince Suining dared not express any objection or dissatisfaction when he saw that Zhang Yue had not invited him to ride with him.

Peng Jingyi whispered in Zhang Yue's carriage, "I heard that a few days ago, the Prince of Suining spent three thousand strings of cash to buy a piece of calligraphy by the Minister of Works from the market."

Zhang Yue smiled slightly upon hearing Peng Jingyi's words, thinking that the Prince of Suining was indeed putting in effort on this matter.

Zhang Yue usually burned his writings after they were read. He rarely wrote anything himself and usually had his staff write for him, so as to prevent people from buying them or using them for currying favor or bribery. However, a few of his writings still made it to the market and ended up selling for exorbitant prices.

The Prince of Suining is stirring things up here... His intentions are... Instead of focusing his mind on the right path.

There's a saying that goes, "flattery backfires," which perfectly describes this situation.

……

"Your Majesty, for the sake of our ancestors' dynasty and the long-term stability of the nation, we humbly request that Your Majesty begin preparations for your wedding as soon as possible!"

Surrounded by his ministers, Zhang Yue solemnly reported the matter to Empress Dowager Xiang behind the curtain.

There was a moment of silence inside the curtain. The emperor, still a young man, appeared somewhat flustered upon hearing about his own marriage.

The Empress Dowager slowly said, "His Majesty is still young. Isn't it a bit too hasty to arrange a grand wedding?" Her voice came through the gauze curtain, carrying a hint of consideration, "Moreover, the choice of which family's daughter to be the Empress must be made with utmost care."

Zhang Yue knew that the grand wedding signified the emperor's coming of age, which meant the approaching time for him to assume full power. This was precisely the key reason why he was unwilling to relinquish power prematurely after gaining real authority. He had a plan in mind and immediately replied: "Your subject respectfully proposes that several dozen virtuous, gentle, and wise women be selected from among the most prestigious families in the land and brought into the palace first. With the Empress Dowager's careful instruction in palace etiquette and the virtues of womanhood, one can then be chosen at a later time to serve as the empress, a model for the nation."

These words were exactly what Empress Dowager Xiang wanted to hear. They both preserved her right to "instruct" the emperor in choosing a daughter-in-law and empress, and delayed the actual process of the emperor assuming personal rule.

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Xiang was clearly very satisfied with this thoughtful and prudent arrangement, and immediately approved it: "Very well. We shall proceed as you have suggested."

Historically, the emperor's empress was Empress Meng, appointed by Empress Dowager Gao, but the emperor disliked her.

After Empress Dowager Gao's death, a witchcraft incident occurred in the palace, which directly led to Empress Meng's deposition. Empress Meng was also a pitiful person; when the old party was powerful, she was either Empress or Empress Dowager, but once the new party came to power, she was deposed.

She was twice made empress or empress dowager, and twice deposed.

Even during the Jingkang Incident, there were plans to reinstate Empress Meng for the third time, but the Jin army captured Bianjing at that time, preventing her from being reinstated.

As a result, none of the concubines in the six palaces who had titles were spared and all moved north with Emperors Huizong and Qinzong. However, Empress Meng was fortunate enough to escape this fate because she did not have a title.

During Emperor Gaozong's reign, Empress Meng was reinstated as Empress Dowager and eventually died peacefully.

Now, the emperor is asking you to choose from among the empress dowagers, without the interference of the empress dowager herself. He hopes that the emperor can choose a suitable match from among them, at least one that suits his own wishes.

At least... Zhang Yue thought of the Prince of Suining's face, and knew that the future of the Song Dynasty must not be handed over to this person.

The emperor's choice of empress naturally reached the ears of many officials. In the Song Dynasty, empresses were mostly chosen from women of noble families, which was completely different from the Ming Dynasty's system of choosing women from the common people without any background.

Therefore, the actions of women in the imperial harem were frequently seen in the operation of imperial power during the Song Dynasty.

Of course, this doesn't mean that it would have been better if the civil service class in the Ming Dynasty had established a system for the crown prince.

However, as prime minister, it is only natural for him to strive for the interests of his own group and expand his power.

Power is always earned through struggle, not by waiting.

However, Zhang Yue didn't get involved in the selection of an empress. As for whether she was Empress Meng in history, Zhang Yue didn't care.

But Empress Xiang and Empress Dowager Gao were both shrewd and discerning; when it came to judging people, especially women, they were never wrong. At least, they wouldn't have harmed the Emperor in this matter by deliberately choosing a wicked woman to be the Empress.

……

On a cold night at the end of the second year of the Yuan You era, inside the place of exile in Anzhou.

The candlelight flickered uncertainly in the north wind blowing through the hall.

Cai Que's gaunt figure was cast against the mottled earthen wall.

Cai Que sat alone at his desk, with the official gazette spread out before him. The gazette clearly stated that the Song, Liao, and Xia kingdoms had reached an alliance, ceased hostilities on the borders, and agreed to maintain the same annual tribute.

There are also some copied copies of memorials, which are the old party members in the court who have been impeaching him for his old crimes such as the Wutai Poetry Case and the Yu Fan Case of the Imperial Academy during the reign of Emperor Shenzong.

"The Wutai Poetry Case: A Fictitious Frame-up"

"The case of Yu Fan of the Imperial Academy implicated innocent people."

"Assisting the late emperor's new laws to cruelly abuse the people"

He was a retired prime minister, but the old faction in the court never left him a way out. They were very wary of him and feared that he would make a comeback.

Cai Que suddenly let out a cold laugh.

“Zhang Duzhi…do not fear Liao like a tiger!” After saying this, he actually broke off an inch of gold ornament.

"The northern barbarians are exhausted and we should not take what Heaven has given us! I urge the Prime Minister to lead the army to recover Yan and Yun—never forget the late Emperor's ambition to avenge our humiliation!"

The last stroke of Cai Que's farewell letter was so powerful it pierced through the silk.

When the servants broke down the door, they found Cai Que lying face down on his desk, dead.

The "Regulations of the Xining New Laws" on the desk were scattered on the ground. These were suggestions and advice that Cai Que had written to the late emperor, and they also contained many of the late emperor's approvals and recommendations.

This harmonious relationship between ruler and subject lasted for decades, and he never forgot it, even on his deathbed.

There was also a scroll with the inscription "Cai Que and Zhang Yue were classmates" written on it.

A table was covered with books.

There were still many paper ash residues in the charcoal brazier, the contents of countless secrets from the imperial court.

Outside the window, heavy snow has broken bare branches.

……

At the end of the second year of the Yuan You era, the grand court assembly in the first month of the lunar calendar was about to begin. This was a time when all nations came to pay tribute to the Song Dynasty.

The Song Dynasty's territory has now expanded to the northwest. The Uyghurs of Xizhou have been paying tribute to the Song Dynasty once a year. In fact, the Uyghurs of Xizhou have long been incorporated into the Khmer Empire, but they still pay tribute under the name of the Uyghurs of Xizhou. The Song Dynasty knows this but does not expose it, and the two sides continue to treat each other as uncle and nephew.

However, by this time the Black Khanate was already in decline, and its western border had been annexed by the Sajjur Empire. If the historical trend had been followed, it would have been annexed by Yelü Dashi's Western Liao in the future.

In addition, many small kingdoms in the Western Regions were visiting the court for the first time.

Also present at this pilgrimage were the Zubu Zhongbaisiba tribe and the Wanggu tribe.

Upon learning of the arrival of the Zubu Zhongba Siba tribe and the Wanggu tribe, the Ministry of Rites of the Song Dynasty was both surprised and delighted, but also faced a major dilemma.

There was a big joke during the reception.

Accompanied by Su Zhe, the Minister of Rites, the two envoys went to the capital to pay their respects to Zhang Yue.

The main hall was originally the place where the prime minister held meetings, but now a separate hall has been set up to meet foreign envoys.

In the meeting hall, Qin Guan, a secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhang Kangguo were bowing before Zhang Yuemi.

Qin Guan said, "Prime Minister... Your Excellency, please forgive me! These two envoys from the Bubu tribe have arrived, and we, following precedent, arranged for them to stay in the Mohe guesthouse... but we never expected... but we have made a grave mistake!"

Zhang Kangguo said in surprise, “We only found out the truth after we were in complete disarray. The Turks called the Shiwei ‘Tatar,’ which means outsider and is a derogatory term! Both tribes are very secretive about this and it is absolutely forbidden to use it! ‘Zubu’ is not their self-designation either, but a general term used by the Liao Dynasty… Alas, in the past, our dynasty’s territory did not extend to the northern frontier, so we knew very little and mistakenly thought that ‘Tatar’ was a descendant of the Mohe people. This was a great mistake!”

The term "Tatar" is not a tribal self-designation. Similarly, "Zubu" is not a self-designation.

Neither the Tatars nor the Zubu ever formed a cohesive tribal alliance. Each tribe had its own self-designation and did not recognize themselves as part of the Tatars or Zubu. Only self-designation carried ideological recognition.

Zhang Yue sat at the head of the table, took a sip of tea, and said, "With the expansion of territory, our understanding needs to be renewed. Now that we know our mistakes, we should correct them. Clear communication is the only way to show respect."

Qin Guan and Zhang Kangguo both bowed and agreed.

Soon after, Su Zhe, the Minister of Rites, led two envoys, Bu and Zhu, to pay homage to Zhang Yue.

Zhang Yue addressed the two envoys with a polite yet distant tone: "You two have come from afar, traversing thousands of miles to pay tribute in Bianjing. Your journey must have been arduous. May I ask how your tribes refer to themselves?"

Officials from the Ministry of Rites translated Zhang Yue's words into Uyghur.

The envoy from the Baspa tribe bowed with his hand on his chest and said in a loud voice, "Your Excellency Prime Minister of the Great Song Dynasty, our tribe is the Baspa tribe, from the vast lands of the west! We wish to offer you plump cattle and sheep, herds of fine horses, and precious furs to show our submission to the Celestial Empire!"

After saying that, he handed over the gift list.

Zhang Yue glanced at the gift list presented by the envoy from the Baspa tribe and was immediately delighted. He changed his previous distant attitude and said with a smile, "Very good. I will accept your tribe's goodwill on behalf of the Emperor of my Great Song Dynasty."

The envoy from the Baspa tribe thought to himself, "This prime minister of the Great Song Dynasty is also a man who won't act without self-interest."

The Ongud envoy followed closely behind, bowing respectfully and saying, "Your Excellency, the Ongud tribe admires the splendor of the Central Plains and hereby presents a hundred fine horses and a thousand pieces of the finest hides!"

Officials from the Ministry of Rites also presented a list of gifts.

Zhang Yue's attitude improved even more after seeing the gift list, and he smiled slightly, saying, "The gift list is generous, which shows our sincerity."

The Ongud envoy had little time for thought; upon seeing Zhang Yue's praise, he immediately showed his delight.

Looking at their expressions, Zhang Yue thought to himself, "Do you really think I'm after your little bit of wealth?"

As the saying goes, I may not accept it, but you cannot not give it.

You can't visit someone's home empty-handed, right? Bringing so many gifts shows your sincerity; it seems you've really been suffering for a long time.

At this point, Zhang Yue said with a profound look in his eyes, "Now that our dynasty has expanded to the Western Regions, bordering your territory, we will have frequent exchanges in the future. Would the sons of your tribe be willing to study at the Imperial Academy in Bianjing? To learn our elegant culture and etiquette, and to learn our Chinese characters."

After translation and paraphrasing.

The envoy from the Baspa tribe's eyes lit up, and he said to Zhang Yue, "The Prime Minister is very kind! This is excellent, and I will certainly inform my lord! It is a great honor for our children to study the culture of the Celestial Empire!"

The Ongud envoy looked slightly puzzled and cautiously asked, "Thank you for your kind offer, Prime Minister. But... these students coming to the capital...?"

Zhang Yue thought to himself, "I meant well, but you think I want your tribe to pay hostages?"

However, Zhang Yue smiled knowingly and said meaningfully, "It's not about restraint, but about fostering friendship and broadening horizons. It's about selecting talent for teaching and exchanging what we have."

Both envoys rose together, bowed, and agreed.

In fact, the Shiwei and the Khitan share the same origin and species, but according to the division between the east and west of the Greater Khingan Mountains, they both originated from the Donghu Xianbei.

Previously, Song Dynasty officials in the Ministry of Rites believed that the Tatars were descendants of the Mohe people, which was a grave mistake.

Previously, the northernmost extent of the Song Dynasty's territory only reached Baigou, and the Ministry of Rites officials' understanding of the Gaochang Uyghurs was entirely based on the "Record of a Mission to Gaochang" written by Wang Yande a hundred years earlier.

According to our understanding of the Zubu people on the grasslands, they are roughly the Nine-Surname Tatars.

The Khitans and Shiwei were closer in terms of ethnic relations than the Jurchens.

The Shiwei and Khitan were like cousins, while the Shiwei and Jurchen were like distant cousins. The Song Dynasty officials were worried that since the Shiwei and Khitan were so close, they might betray the Liao and join the Song.

In fact, Song Dynasty officials were wrong again; the closer the relationship, the easier it was for them to fall out.

The two envoys are now discussing in detail the origins of the Baspa and Wanggu tribes in Zhangyue.

Although Zhang Yue was not clear about the current situation of the various tribes of the Zubu, he had read the Secret History of the Mongols and had some understanding of the various tribes of the grasslands unified by Genghis Khan.

The Baspa tribe later became the Naiman tribe, with a vast territory that extended north to the northern desert and bordered the Beizubu tribe to the east.

The Ongud tribe, known as the White Tatars by the Song Dynasty, was located north of the Yin Mountains.

Specifically, the Naiman tribe was similar to the Uyghur-ized Mongols. The Naiman leader was called Taiyang Khan, while the Baspa tribe was punished by the Liao Dynasty once before, when the Liao Dynasty ordered Li Bingchang, the son-in-law of the Dangxiang, to lead the Dangxiang cavalry.

Timur, a famous general at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, belonged to the Naiman tribe.

The Ongud Uyghurs, who were Mongolized, were mostly fair-skinned and had high-set eyes, as can be seen from their name, the White Tatars.

After the Kyrgyz destroyed the Uyghur Khaganate during the Tang Dynasty, they did not establish a system and instead returned to the Mongolian steppe. In the power vacuum, the Shiwei and Khitan, formerly subordinate tribes of the Uyghurs, became independent, but they also retained many of the original Uyghur people and their customs.

The most important distinction between ethnic groups is based on their lifestyle and language, and language further divides them based on a sense of blood ties.

Of course, above language there are written language, beliefs, and laws.

These are all broad categories of ideology.

However, writing was a privilege reserved for large tribes and empires. Zhang Yue learned through inquiries that the Naiman tribe already had a written language (Uyghur script) and laws (Zhasa), while the Ongud tribe did not.

Through these external discussions, Zhang Yue had roughly made a judgment on the level of civilization of the Naiman and Wanggu tribes, and had a plan for dealing with them in the future.

The Liao Dynasty now divides the Zubu into Western Zubu, Northern Zubu, Northwestern Zubu, and Zubu Special Tribes.

The Western Zubu have surrendered to Liao. The Northwest Zubu are mainly composed of the Baspa and Ongud tribes.

Although the arrival of the envoys from the Northwest Zubu tribes of the Baspa and Ongud tribes pleased Zhang Yue, it was still a slight disappointment. Zhang Yue hoped to see the North Zubu tribe even more.

Unfortunately, the Song Dynasty had not received any news from them, but now they were trying to find out through these two envoys.

Zhang Yue asked, "What is the situation of the various tribes under the jurisdiction of the Northwest Route Pacification Commission of the Liao Kingdom? In the northern Zubu region, I have heard of a powerful tribe whose leader is named... Mogus?"

The envoy from the Baspa tribe spoke frankly: "What the Prime Minister says is quite true! The Kereit tribe, whose king is Mogus! Relying on the support of the Liao people, he commands the various Zubu tribes in the northern desert. Our Baspa tribe and their... well, the relationship is delicate. Sometimes we lend troops, sometimes we fight. The northern Zubu region is not only home to the Kereit, but also to the Merkit, Jalair, and Yeduqa (Yudujin) tribes. The Liao people have established military governorships to pacify them, but they sometimes surrender and sometimes rebel, never settling down!"

Zhang Yue suddenly realized.

An official from the Ministry of Rites said, “My lord! We’ve found it! The ‘Dagan Yu Yue Prince’s tribe’ mentioned in the ‘Record of the Mission to Gaochang’ should undoubtedly be the Kereit tribe! ‘Wudiyin’ is the present-day Yedugua tribe, and ‘Zhaili Prince’s tribe’ should be the Zhalai’er tribe. Their grazing land is close to the Liao Kingdom’s Khatun City!”

Zhang Yue watched the Ministry of Rites officials frantically flipping through books and couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

Su Zhe said, "Now it is under the jurisdiction of the Northwest Expeditionary Command of the Liao Kingdom, which is also the administrative system of the six prefectures and seven states in the northern desert of the Tang Dynasty."

"The Liao Dynasty's Northwest Expeditionary Command established military governors for the various Zubu tribes to pacify the Zubu tribes in the northern desert. Through spies planted in the Liao Dynasty over the years, we have learned that these Zubu tribes do indeed rebel and submit at different times."

Zhang Yue said, "Our homeland has been lost for many years, and it is not easy to regain it. But what we have gained today is the foundation for tomorrow."

Zhang Yue thought about what the two envoys had just said.

The Northern Zubu were undoubtedly the most powerful of the Kereit tribe. The current leader of the Kereit tribe was named Mogus. Historically, he had a grandson named Wang Han, whom Zhang Yue remembered from watching The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

The person who sparked the great uprising of the nine tribes of Zubu against the Liao Dynasty was none other than Mogus.

Meanwhile, the Mongol tribes known to later generations had begun to emerge. Around 100 years ago, when Genghis Khan's ancestor, the Borjigin clan's progenitor, Bodonchar, was first recorded, he had already subdued the Uriyangkhai people of the Khentii Mountains and lived a life free from want.

By this time, the Borjigin clan was already a noble Mongol clan, but its organizational structure was loose. It wasn't until the time of Genghis Khan's grandfather, Khabul Khan, that it came to be known as the Qiyan tribe. Khabul Khan defeated the then-powerful Jin dynasty and was enfeoffed as the King of the Mongols.

At present, the Kereit tribe is the strongest in the northern Zub, while the Yedugu tribe and later the Mongol tribes are either subordinate to the Kereit tribe or are at a disadvantage in their battles with the Kereit tribe.

The Liao Dynasty simply used the Kereit tribe to refer to the Northern Zubu, which is the entire Zubu tribe in the northern desert.

In the second year of the Xining era, a major rebellion broke out in the Northern Zubu. Yelü Hongji appointed the renowned minister Yelü Renxian as the envoy to suppress the rebellion in the Northwest.

Zhang Yue turned to the two envoys and said solemnly, "Since your tribe has sincerely submitted, I will naturally report to the Emperor. Our dynasty will follow the old system of the Tang Dynasty and bestow upon you the title of Khan, and appoint you as Governor-General and Military Governor!"

"You are permitted to trade with us... Silk, cotton, salt, and iron. You may purchase these goods at the border markets! Your caravan may travel to and from Ganzhou, Suzhou, and Liangzhou."

The envoys from the Baspa and Ongud tribes were overjoyed upon hearing this, and both knelt down, saying, "We thank His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty for his divine grace! We thank the Prime Minister for his benevolence!"

After another round of flipping through the books, the officials of the Ministry of Rites finally appointed the Khan of the Naiman tribe as the Governor of the Hanhai, and the leader of the Wanggu tribe as the Military Governor of Gaoque Prefecture, and bestowed many tributes upon him.

The two envoys will formally pay homage to the emperor at the grand court assembly in the first month of the lunar calendar.

Zhang Yuexin believed that the plan to stop Bu from rebelling against Liao would begin with these two tribes.

PS: There will be another update tomorrow. Also 10,000 words.