Prime Minister

Chapter 1357: Respect for the Minister

Chapter 1357: Respect for the Minister

February of the first year of Yuanyou.

The wind and snow in the first month of the lunar year had been raging for a whole month, and today the clouds and snow finally cleared. However, the spring was still chilly, and it was still a bit bit cold outside the palace. The charcoal fire in Wuying Palace was blazing, isolating the cold outside.

Zhang Yue, wearing a purple robe and jade belt, holding an ivory tablet, stood solemnly at the foot of the red steps. On the throne, the emperor sat upright like a pine tree; behind the pearl curtain, the empress dowager listened to government affairs behind the curtain.

In the hall, important ministers, prime ministers, and privy councilors who were in charge of important military and national affairs were seated on both sides. The hall was so quiet that one could hear the crackling sound of charcoal fire.

Zhang Yue bowed solemnly to the emperor and said in a voice as clear as gold and jade: "I would like to present to your majesty, the queen mother and the other officials the strategy of destroying the Tanguts and recovering Youyan!"

Zhang Yue's voice echoed in the hall like the sound of gold and jade. Since he resumed his position as prime minister, he mostly let the right prime minister Lu Gongzhu take charge of government affairs, Su Song take charge of military affairs, and the officials of the three ministries express their own opinions.

But today, Zhang Yue was personally presenting his plan in the Golden Palace, apparently intending to personally decide on the general strategy for governing the country.

Consider it the foundation of Yuanyou!

"Governing a country is like playing chess, the most important thing is 'trend' and 'order'." Zhang Yue's eyes were sharp, "In the second year of Xining, when the Duke of Jing Wang Anshi met the late emperor, he said: First, the laws and regulations must be changed; second, the governance of the country should seek prosperity and strength; third, the army should be placed among the people to whip the barbarians."

He paused, and looked around at the ministers in the hall: "In the fifth year of Xining, Jing Gong and the late emperor decided on the strategy of 'pacifying the world and controlling the barbarians'. Now, Your Majesty should carry on the late emperor's will and focus on destroying the Dangxiang and recovering Youyan. The plan is clear and the vision is broad."

The content of Wang Anshi's secret conversation with Emperor Shenzong was not made public until the eighth year of Xining. These three policies were: reform and strengthen the country, enrich the country and strengthen the army, and quell foreign aggression.

In the fifth year of Xining, Wang Anshi designed the top-level strategy for the court with the eight words "regulate the world and control the barbarians".

During the reign of Emperor Shenzong, the national policies of Xining and Yuanfeng all revolved around this.

Having said this, Zhang Yue glanced across the hall.

Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing, as veteran ministers, were both sitting in the palace. They were also invited back by Empress Dowager Xiang and the Emperor to supervise their administration in the court.

Although Wen Yanbo was in his eighties, his eyes were determined, while Feng Jing was silent as an abyss, staring calmly at Zhang Yue.

Zhang Yue paced in front of the curtain, glanced at Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing, then turned to the emperor on the throne and said.

"The late Emperor Yuanfeng reopened the Tianzhang Pavilion to ask for advice from me, to seek my advice on how to stabilize the country and bring peace to the world and eternal peace!"

When the ministers in the palace heard this, their faces were all stern. The Tianzhang Pavilion enshrines the portraits of Emperor Taizu, Emperor Taizong, and Emperor Zhenzong. Asking for advice here is of great significance. Although Han Jiang and Zhang Yue were asked at the same time, everyone knew that the one Shenzong really wanted to ask was Zhang Yue.

Zhang Yue said with a more determined look, "I offered your Majesty the strategy of conquering the Tanguts! Even until the death of the late emperor, I still kept this in mind!"

The emperor on the throne had red eyes when he heard this. The charcoal fire in the palace reflected the solemn faces of the ministers, who listened quietly to Zhang Yue's speech.

At this point, Zhang Yue waved his sleeves and shouted, shaking the palace: "Why didn't the late emperor forget this?"

"The Dangxiang have seized Lingxia, and the Khitan have occupied Yanyun. These are the territories of the Han and Tang dynasties! If we don't take these two places, there will be no peace in the western frontier, and the five armies will waste money and food. If Youyan is not returned, the Khitan cavalry will march out every morning and arrive every evening, and Bianliang will eventually become a dangerous city. This is not an alarmist statement by me. The regret of Emperor Taizong's Northern Expedition and the shame of Emperor Zhenzong's Chanyuan are still vivid in our minds!"

What is the problem?

The gap between reality (A) and expectations (B).

What is strategy?

The path from reality (A) to expectation (B).

From problem to strategy, from I want to destroy the Dangxiang to how do I destroy the Dangxiang?

Zhang Yue held a tablet in his hand and stood solemnly at the bottom of the stairs, saying: "Your Majesty, Queen Mother, and gentlemen, today we are discussing the strategy of destroying Xia. We should first clarify three things: First, what is the righteousness? Second, what are the benefits and disadvantages? Third, are you determined?"

"The Dangxiang have occupied Lingxia for a hundred years. This is the land of the Han and Tang dynasties. The late emperor was still obsessed with recovering it before his death. This is the clear justice of heaven. Only by having a legitimate reason can we comply with the will of heaven and the will of the people."

"The five garrisons in Shaanxi account for two-fifths of the world's military equipment, and consume countless money and food every year. If we destroy the Dangxiang, we can save tens of millions of border expenses and be able to fully deal with the Khitan. This is the benefit."

Zhang Yue said this, and Feng Jing, the Minister of Military Affairs, said: "However, the Liao Kingdom is watching closely, and I am afraid that they will repeat the mistakes of Yongle City."

Zhang Yue said: "That's why we must be more resolute! Back then, Jing Gong's strategy of 'pacifying the world and controlling the barbarians' was to coordinate the country to carry out comprehensive reforms. When the late emperor reopened the Tianzhang Pavilion, the strategy I proposed to the late emperor was to accumulate small victories into a big one. It is necessary to proceed step by step."

Once you have established your strategic direction, you need to break down your strategy.

After determining a grand strategic goal (annihilate the Dangxiang), we broke down the strategic issues into campaign levels, then broke down the campaign levels into tactical details, and set small goals one by one.

To be specific, it means establishing a grand strategy, breaking down the battles into subdivided tactics.

Zhang Yue waved his sleeves and pointed at the three-person-high Xihe Pingbian map on the Wuying Hall, and pointed in the air with his tablet.

"The great cause of destroying Xixia should be divided into three steps. First, we should take Xihe Road, conquer Lanzhou and Liangzhou, and control the Hexi Corridor."

"Next, at the Jingyuan Road battle level, we will take Lingzhou and attack the enemy's heartland."

"After the battle of Fuyan Road, we will take over the five states of Dingnan and cut off their roots. The order of priority cannot be changed!"

The empress dowager, the emperor and his ministers, who were standing behind the curtain, looked up at the map of the border expansion along the Xihe Road.

Zhang Yue said slowly: "Now Xihe Road has controlled Liangzhou, Jingyuan Road has reached Lingzhou City, and Fuyan Road is only short of Dingnan Five Prefectures! These three routes are like three arrows on a string. The previous Dangxiang elite troops were lost in Pingxia City, which was a godsend opportunity to destroy them!"

"Unfortunately, the Liao Kingdom intervened and our army was defeated in the Battle of Yongle City, which made Yuanfeng's plan to conquer the Tanguts fail."

"I only hope that Your Majesty will be resolute. The failure of Yuanfeng was due to over-aggression. We should use war to promote change, and take the opportunity of conquest to deepen the reform and eliminate the accumulated evils. Just as Jing Gong used reform and strengthening as the basis for lashing out at the four barbarians, today we should use the conquest of the four barbarians as an aid to reform."

If we say that during the Xining period, Wang Anshi's grand strategy was to reform the country to enrich the country and strengthen the army, and finally to lash out at the four barbarians, Zhang Yue, on the other hand, actually pushed forward the reform by lashing out at the four barbarians.

It's like your vision, knowledge and means have been improved, and things will be accomplished naturally.

You can become a great person first, and then complete this task. You can become a great person by completing this task.

In philosophy, there are deduction and induction.

The deductive method is that theory guides practice, and the inductive method is from practice to theory.

Wen Yanbo, the Minister of Military Affairs, said, "This is what Duke Wei often said, 'The more you practice, the more you know; the deeper your knowledge, the more you can practice.' Using troops and reforming the law are two sides of the same coin."

"But the state expenditure must be carefully considered. In the past, Zhang Gong said that in the tenth year of Xining, the court would be able to be self-sufficient by opening up the western regions. However, up to now, the expenses of Xihe Road have cost the court three million strings of cash every year, and the establishment of three auxiliary military camps has cost several million strings of cash every year. The savings of the court during the Xining and Yuanfeng Reforms have been spent on this."

Zhang Yue said solemnly: "Your Majesty, using troops can strengthen the country's weapons, and reform can consolidate the foundation. The two complement each other and can achieve great things."

"As for the three million strings of cash spent on Xihe Road, it was because we had to station troops and set up garrisons in the newly conquered Liangzhou and Lanzhou. If we had not taken Liangzhou and Lanzhou, we would have been self-sufficient in cotton cloth by now, and even had a small surplus, thanks to our access to the Western Regions."

The subordinate Lu Gongzhu thought to himself, according to Zhang Yue's words, the Yuanyou policy was actually a continuation of the Yuanfeng policy.

Or it could be to complete Yuanfeng's unfinished work using a more reliable method.

After Zhang Yue finished speaking, there was silence in the hall for a moment, and suddenly one heard Empress Dowager Xiang hitting the table.

After the shadow of the curtain moved slightly, he said to the Queen Mother: "I don't really understand these military and national affairs. Since all the gentlemen have no objection."

"I approve of Mr. Zhang's plan!"

Empress Dowager Xiang usually didn't give opinions. Once when she encountered a statement on a memorial, she smiled and said to the ministers, "I don't know so many words. You gentlemen will decide."

In response to Empress Dowager Xiang's actions, Prime Minister Zhang Yue and other ministers praised her wisdom.

……

Previously, they fought back against the Tangut troops in Mizhi Village, and only today did they re-establish the major policy of using troops against the Tanguts in front of the emperor.

Zhang Yue walked down the steps and had a detailed chat with Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing.

Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing only saw each other once every five days, so they had few opportunities to meet.

In fact, at Wen Yanbo's age, he would not have the energy to participate in the decision-making of military and national affairs. But as an advisor, there was no problem, and the Wen family continued to maintain its influence on the central government.

Wen Yanbo leaned on a cane. Although he was in his eighties, his eyes were still bright. "Minister, how is the matter of the auxiliary troops in the east and west garrisons going?"

Zhang Yue said: "Now Cai Yuanchang is here to investigate this matter. He has surrendered and arrested twelve officers above the rank of Yuhou who plotted this matter. Sixty percent of them are Taixue students."

He paused and said, "It's really tricky!"

Feng Jing asked, "Minister, why don't you hand over this kind of calamity to the Censorate or the Ministry of Justice?"

Zhang Yue almost laughed out loud. He said, "Let Liu Zhi, Wang Yansou and Liang Tao judge the case. They will be able to find out something wonderful about it."

Zhang Yue said: "If it weren't for the drastic actions of the officials in the Censorate, how could the military remonstration be provoked? This prime minister has long intended to rectify this."

After the court makes adjustments to its major policy directions, personnel adjustments must also be made.

Wen Yanbo tapped the blue brick with his cane and asked, "How do we deal with Cai Zhizheng and Zhang Zihou?"

Zhang Yue glanced at Feng Jing. Cai Que and he were in-laws.

"Mr. Wen is wise." Zhang Yue looked at the palace lanterns in the distance, "If we want to calm the disputes in the court, we must be fair."

Wen Yanbo stroked his beard and nodded: "I heard that the Empress Dowager meant that these two people should be exiled to Lingnan."

Zhang Yue suddenly said, "When Duke Wen came to the capital, the people of Luoyang sent him off with their elderly and children, which shows how great his virtue and prestige are."

Wen Yanbo shook his head and smiled, "At my age, I shouldn't be involved in government affairs. But..." He looked at Zhang Yue with a deep gaze, "Some things always need to be said by someone."

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Just now when I heard you two talk about military remonstrance, I remembered a story."

"Once upon a time, a king, a great monk, and a wealthy merchant were in the same room. At the foot of the stairs stood a commoner holding a knife. All three ordered him to kill the other two. Guess whose order the commoner would obey?"

Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing were slightly thoughtful after hearing this. Wen Yanbo slammed his staff on the ground and said, "Shizhong, this is a question."

Zhang Yue said: "Some people say that he must be the king, but when rituals and music are in disarray, the king's orders are not as important as straw dogs."

"Who should the people kill? It has nothing to do with the identities of the king, the monk, and the wealthy businessman. It depends on the people themselves."

"It depends on whether the people are greedy for money? Are they pious? Are they loyal to the emperor? Power does not lie in the status of the superior, but in the will of the people..."

"Why did the military remonstrance happen?"

"It is wrong to put all the blame on Yu Hou, Cai Zhizheng, or Zhang Zihou who instigated the rebellion. The fundamental reason is that the court suddenly abolished the reform."

Wen Yanbo and Feng Jingdu knew that Zhang Yue was making excuses and quibbling, but who could do anything at this time?

Feng Jing was also unwilling to kill Cai Que, but he had to show an attitude of getting to the bottom of the matter in order to clear himself of suspicion.

But Zhang Yue was different. He wanted to bridge the party disputes, so the political struggle could not be intensified, at least it had to appear calm on the surface.

Wen Yanbo had close ties with the palace, and perhaps the Empress Dowager was behind it.

Feng Jing suddenly asked, "The Minister just mentioned that we should reorganize the Censorate. Do you have any suitable candidates?"

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Liu Zhi, Wang Yansou, Liu Anshi, and Liang Tao are to blame for the military remonstrance and must be dismissed from their posts as censors."

"Four positions are vacant. I have two candidates! One is Xue Shaopeng, the son of the former councillor Xue Gong, and the other is Bi Zhongyou, the great-grandson of the former chancellor Bi Wenjian. I'm just going to ask you two for your advice on the rest."

Xue Shaopeng was the son of Xue Xiang. Bi Zhongyou's Bi family was on good terms with the Wu family. When his brother Bi Zhongyan was recommended by Zhang Yue to be the inspector of the Secretariat of Rites, he was dismissed after Zhang Yue lost power because he refused to submit to Wang Gui.

Bi Zhongyan has now passed away due to illness, but Zhang Yue has not forgotten his kindness and promoted his brother Bi Zhongyou.

After Zhang Yue returned to the court, he rewarded the son of his old friend and those who had supported him.

Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing are both smart people and of course they understand Zhang Yue’s specific arrangements.

The two of them also had their own plans.

Zhang Yue said to Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing, "As for the treatment of Cai Zhizheng and Zhang Zihou, let's wait until Kaifeng Prefecture has investigated thoroughly before we decide."

Wen Yanbo said solemnly: "The remaining followers of Cai Zhizheng must also be eliminated."

……

Anzhou.

Cai Que had been exiled to Chenzhou, but he did not expect the military remonstrance to happen. The court was furious and accused him of collusion. He was then exiled to Anzhou and his rank was further reduced.

When Cai Que arrived in Anzhou, he was in a low mood. He was managing the affairs of a state, but a small state like Anzhou was nothing compared to when he was the prime minister and was in charge of the world.

Therefore, Cai Que handed over most matters to his assistant officials and rarely took charge of anything himself.

Anzhou was a remote place with poor people, and the government office was deserted, except for the prefectural government office, which was of a relatively large scale. However, since Cai Que moved in, strange things suddenly appeared around the government office: a team of Bianliang imperial guards quietly stationed there, and people were often seen in front of the shops.

Cai Que suspected that this must be a patrol officer from the Imperial City.

In fact, Cai Que's suspicion was not wrong. The imperial guards transferred from Bian Jing were sent by Su Song on the orders of Zhang Yue to monitor Cai Que, and the people coming in and out of the business were from the Imperial City Bureau. They were directly ordered by Li Xian and had to report Cai Que's words and deeds to the palace every day.

After all, the remnants of the former prime minister even caused a military remonstrance. Who dares to say whether there is any connection between the military remonstrance and Cai Que?

However, Cai Que did not care about these things. He settled all his sons and daughters back to his hometown Chenzhou, and gave away his singing girls and concubines or paid them off. Cai Que only had one concubine named Pipa. Pipa raised a parrot that could learn human language.

When Cai Que called for Pipa in his mansion, he only needed to strike a small bell and Pipa would respond. And whenever he heard the bronze chime in the palace being struck, the parrot would also call out Pipa's name, which was quite interesting.

This became a source of pleasure for Cai Que during his time in exile.

Although he was suspected, Cai was comforted by the company of a beautiful woman.

Moreover, Tsai Que was well aware that with Zhang Yue's character, he would reconcile the disputes between the new party and the old party and mend the rifts in the party disputes after taking office, so he would never try to kill him, and would even protect him instead.

Therefore, even though there were news of Cai Que's remnants in Bian Jing launching a military rebellion, Cai Que was not too worried.

Firstly, this matter has nothing to do with him, and secondly, Zhang Yue will protect himself.

As his exile lasted for a long time, Cai Que gradually developed a desire to travel. Although Anzhou was shabby, it still had beautiful scenery. Every morning when he woke up, he would see the imperial guards standing in the corridors and the merchants patrolling the street corners, while Cai Que would go out to stroll around, putting on his hat and tidying up his hat.

On the bank of the Han River, the Chegai Pavilion stands overlooking the river.

Cai Que was dressed in a blue shirt, standing in the pavilion with his hands behind his back, gazing at the surging river in the distance, with the rippling waves reflected in his eyes.

"Master, the wind is strong, be careful not to catch a cold." Pipa handed over a thin cloak.

Cai Que didn't answer, but just said calmly: "It's okay."

He walked slowly around the pavilion, his fingertips stroking the mottled stone railings, as if reminiscing about the past. Back then, he was in high office, in charge of government affairs, but now he was relegated here, tantamount to exile.

Cai Que heard this and said slowly: "Sima Twelve is very resolute, but unfortunately... he can abolish the new law, but he can't abolish the people's hearts."

He turned and looked outside the pavilion. The river breeze blew on his face, blowing away a few strands of gray hair on his temples.

"Master, do you want to write a poem?" Pipa handed over the pen and ink.

Cai Que took it, pondered for a moment, picked up the brush and dipped it in ink, and wrote on the pavilion pillar:

"I woke up with a smile on my face, and heard the sound of fishermen's flutes in the water."

"Hao Zongshan, a famous minister, was upright and honest during the Shangyuan period."

After writing, Cai Que looked towards the north, as if he could see through thousands of miles and reach Bianjing: "After all, Sima Twelve does not have the final say in this world."

"If Zhang San can carry on the late emperor's will, I will die with my eyes closed."

The wind from the river suddenly blew up the fallen leaves in the pavilion. Cai Que's robe fluttered, and he stood proudly like a solitary pine.

While he was speaking, a personal attendant arrived and said, "Sir, there is a letter from the court."

After reading it, Cai Que couldn't help but feel angry.

Pipa asked, "What happened, Master?"

Cai Que looked a little pale as he said, "Five of the twelve who participated in the military remonstration were executed, and the remaining seven were exiled three thousand miles away!"

Cai Que angrily asked, "What crime have these people committed?"

"We are all strong men. If resisting the Liao is a crime, then who in the world is not guilty?"

Cai Que said this, and finally said to Pipa: "War is always a sin."

Pipa has followed Cai Que for many years and said:

"Master, why don't you write a letter to the Minister and ask him to plead for you. We won't take any official positions and we can just go back to our hometown in Quanzhou."

Cai Que said: "You mean to destroy the writings since my birth and allow me to return to my hometown in Quanzhou. Yes, there are still a few acres of thin land in my hometown, which can support you and me. It can be considered a free and happy life."

"But since you are exiled, the court will not let you live so easily. This is called "You can escape the death penalty, but you can't escape the living crime. I have offended so many people over the years, and the court is waiting to laugh at me."

As the river breeze blew from the Chegai Pavilion, Cai Que looked toward Bianjing. He seemed to see Zhang Yue in a purple robe and jade belt, standing at the gate of Xuande, with all the officials bowing their heads. The Han River was surging, and would eventually flow eastward into the sea.

He said to himself: "But as long as Zhang San destroys the Dangxiang."

"History will give Cai Que justice."

After Cai Que returned to his palace, he sometimes passed through Anzhou with other officials. When the transport envoys arrived, he did not receive them. Instead, he said to his assistants, "In the past, Minister Zhang also called me his senior brother and followed me to the rear. Now I am old, and I cannot bow down to these young people."

Later, Cai Que heard that Xiang Qi was exiled to Lingnan after his property was confiscated, and he jumped into the water and died when passing by a bridge. When his followers Huang Yan, He Zhengchen and others were demoted one after another, he shed tears of sadness.

Wu Chuhou, the prefect of Hanyang, wanted to transfer the soldiers from Jingjiang to Hanyang, but Cai Que refused. Wu Chuhou was furious and wrote to Cai Que, cursing: "You learned poetry from me in the past, and later framed me several times when you were in the government. Now that you have fallen to the position of prefect, you are still so treacherous and evil?"

Cai Que laughed after reading the book.

……

Zhang Yue opened the letter on the table.

Every word Cai Que said was reported to Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue was displeased when he heard Cai Que say "attached to the rear". With his current status, how could he like to hear others talk about his humble past?

But when Tsai Que said that history would give him justice, he couldn't help but sigh.

The retired Empress Dowager Gao and Wen Yanbo both advocated holding Cai Que and Zhang Dun accountable for their crimes in the military remonstration.

Liu Zhi, Liang Tao, and Wang Yansou were all dismissed, but Zhang Yue decided to keep Liu Anshi for a few days.

As for the successors to the position of Censor, they were Fan Zuyu and Wu Anshi who were recommended by Feng Jing and Wen Yanbo.

Wu Anshi was recommended by Wen Yanbo. Unexpectedly, this brother-in-law, after hitting a wall himself, actually found his way to Wen Yanbo.

Just as Zhang Yue was thinking carefully, someone reported that Liu Anshi wanted to see him.

It was a dark rainy night. The two large lanterns in front of the Zhang residence made the puddles in front of the steps glow faintly.

Liu Anshi tightened his robe, took a deep breath, and bowed to the doorman, saying, "Please inform the censor Liu Anshi that he wants to see the minister."

The doorman looked him over and whispered, "Prince Liu, please wait a moment."

After a while, the palace steward came out and bowed to lead the way: "The minister is waiting in the study, please follow me."

Passing through the three courtyards, Liu Anshi's boots rolled over the puddles under the corridors. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the guards standing solemnly under the corridors on both sides, their armor reflecting the light of snow, as dense as a forest.

There were also dozens of aides handling official business on the left and right sides of the main hall. Liu Anshi knew that Zhang Yue always appointed his own aides and liked to select talents from among them. Current provincial governors such as Chen Guan and Huang Shang all came from Zhang Yue's aides.

At this time, the house was still brightly lit, with staff coming in and out, handling official business.

The steward bypassed the main hall and led the way to a house in a secluded courtyard behind the main hall. He knocked on the door and a steady voice came from inside: "Come in."

Liu Anshi straightened his clothes and pushed the door open.

A charcoal fire was burning in the study. Zhang Yue, dressed in a plain shirt, was leaning on the couch, reading a book by candlelight. He looked up at the sound. Under the candlelight, the sharpness between his brows was three times stronger than in the court.

"Qizhi came here in the rain, are you bringing a message to Sima Gong?" Zhang Yue sat up straight and motioned him to take a seat.

Liu Anshi bowed deeply to the ground and said in a deep voice: "Anshi, I came here not for Sima Gong, but for my own future."

Zhang Yue raised his eyebrows slightly: "Oh?"

After saying this, he pointed to the teacup beside the table.

Liu Anshi took the teacup with both hands, and said with the steam rising from the tea soup, "I heard that Duke Wei wants to dismiss me from my position as censor?"

Zhang Yue said: "That's exactly what I meant."

Liu Anshi said: "On the day when Duke Wei was appointed Prime Minister, outside Xuande Gate, Anshi had already made it clear to Brothers Zhi and Tao that the general trend was on Duke Wei's side and it could not be reversed."

Zhang Yue said: "I've heard of it."

Liu Anshi knew that the other party's sources of information were pervasive, but he still felt a chill in his heart.

Liu Anshi looked up at Zhang Yue and asked, "But Anshi has a question! Duke Wei keeps saying he wants to eliminate factional disputes, but why does the Privy Council only use his cronies? Although the old parties in the three provinces remain, they are like clay sculptures or wooden carvings! This is not reconciliation, it is just empty talk!"

The rain outside the window fell suddenly, making the window paper rustle.

Zhang Yue chuckled and said, "Yuan Cheng, do you know why I dismissed Liu Zhi, Wang Yansou, and Liang Tao, but left you alone?"

Without waiting for Liu Anshi to reply, he said, "Among all the old party members in the court, you are the only one who dared to say in front of Sima Guang's bed that 'the exemption law should not be abolished', and you are the only one who dared to impeach Lu Gongzhu for 'being cowardly and complacent'. Such a strong character..." He tapped the documents on the table with his fingertips, "is exactly the kind of minister who can advise me."

Liu Anshi's pupils suddenly shrank.

Zhang Yue pushed aside a book of empty official documents on the desk, and said with fresh ink: "Can you take the position of Imperial Censor?"

This was actually a direct promise to him of the position of Imperial Censor!

He was promoted two levels directly from the Censor-in-Chief to take Liu Zhi's position.

Liu Anshi clenched his teacup tightly, his knuckles turning white. He recalled Sima Guang's words on his deathbed, "History will always be fair," and the pride of the New Party officials outside Xuande Gate.

After a long while, he put down the teacup heavily, prostrated himself and said, "An Shi is willing to be the emperor, and the minister will write for me. But I have a request!"

"speak."

"If the Minister allows the new party to suppress the old ministers in the future..." Liu Anshi raised his head, his eyes like lightning, "Anshi will have no choice but to resign to express his gratitude!"

Zhang Yue laughed and said, "What a tiger in the palace."

……

A few days later, inside the Zichen Palace.

The emperor met with the new censor Bi Zhongyou.

Now the twelve-year-old emperor was getting healthier and healthier. He began to understand state affairs and was able to symbolically receive officials.

But he had to be accompanied by Cai Bian or Cheng Yi.

Cheng Yi mainly taught about etiquette, while Cai Bian was thoughtful and could also provide guidance.

This time, the emperor met Bi Zhongyou accompanied by Cai Bian.

Before going to the palace to meet the emperor, Bi Zhongyou wanted to go to Zhang Yue to receive "teaching". Zhang Yue smiled and said to him, say whatever you want, don't think that you can fool the emperor because he is young.

The Emperor is a wise and intelligent person, you can speak your mind without any reservations. Even if there is something inappropriate in the new law, you can speak frankly.

Bi Zhongyou listened to Zhang Yue's instructions and immediately went to the palace to see the emperor. He saw the twelve-year-old emperor sitting at the imperial desk. Although he still looked immature, his brows already showed some heroic spirit.

Bi Zhongyou went to the palace.

"I am Bi Zhongyou, your Majesty."

The emperor looked at Bi Zhongyou and asked, "You are the new censor, so feel free to speak frankly."

"Although I am young, I know that listening to both sides will lead to a wiser future. You can even speak to me directly about any mistakes in the new law!"

Bi Zhongyou caught a glimpse of Cai Bian frowning slightly.

Bi Zhongyou was created by Zhang Yue in return for Bi Zhongyan's recommendation, and he and Sima Guang are also half-fellow townsmen.

He was very close to Sima Guang and Lu Gongzhu, and his political views were deeply influenced by them.

He thought about it, and since Zhang Yue had already said, "The emperor is intelligent, and he will just say what he means," he didn't care.

"I dare to speak frankly," he said, "The new law originated from Wang Anshi's method of promoting construction, and it originated from the shortage of funds during peacetime."

"So they set up green seedlings, set up market exchange, collected labor service money, and changed the salt law to collect money from the people. Since ancient times, when the emperor wanted to start a project, he always had to worry about insufficient funds."

"If the emperor cannot stop the desire to create, it will be useless even if Sima Guang and others abolish the new law."

"And the same is true of the war. Those who advocate the new law do not want to be expelled from the court, so they must use their inadequate sentiments and inadequate arguments to move Your Majesty."

"Even if the emperor is made of stone, he will be tempted. This is inevitable!"

The emperor was shocked when he heard this. It turned out that Bi Zhongyou really had something to say. Cai Bian's face sank and he really wanted to order someone to kill Bi Ziyou with a fork.

The emperor said: "Your words hit the nail on the head. Throughout history, emperors of all dynasties have been troubled by insufficient funds. So what is the plan?"

Bi Zhongyou said: "For the current strategy, we should make a big plan for the whole country, understand the income and expenditure, and return all the money and grain accumulated in various roads to the local officials, so that the funds can be used for twenty years."

"In a few years, it will be ten times what it is today."

The emperor thought what was said before made sense, but this method was really ridiculous.

Cai Bian said: "Your Majesty, the national policy of this dynasty is to centralize power and gather all the wealth and troops in the world in Bianjing. Today, the money is scattered in various places. How can we deal with border issues?"

"Some transportation makes the road poor, while some transportation makes the road rich. How can we make it equal?"

The emperor nodded and said, "I heard from the ministers that the Qingmiao Law is not appropriate. What do you think? Now that the new law is abolished, how will the country's finances be used?"

Bi Zhongyou said: "Your Majesty, the Qingmiao Law is a law that harasses the people. If the Qingmiao Law is completely abolished, the people will be satisfied. If the people are satisfied, the country will not have to worry about being in poverty."

The emperor shook his head and said, "Nowadays, things are different from the time of our ancestors. The state's financial expenditures have increased by an unknown amount."

"But the income is still just this. If we don't use the new law, and the whole government doesn't talk about profit, what will happen to the country in the future? I'm afraid there will be no money to use when I take power in three to five years."

Bi Zhongyou couldn't respond and had to leave.

However, the emperor was very pleased and said to Cai Bian: "I have learned a lot from listening to what Bi Zhongyou said."

"Zhang Qing really recommended the right person. He deserves ten thousand dollars."

Cai Bian gladly accepted the order and thought that the emperor thought that Bi Zhongyou was recommended by Zhang Yue and must be of the same mind as him. But after Bi Zhongyou made such a remonstrance today, the emperor aroused his rebellious intention and felt that the new law must continue.

The minister's move was truly brilliant.

Compared with those prime ministers who are bent on isolating the inside and the outside, Zhang Yue is much wiser.

The emperor looked at the rain outside the palace and said to himself, "In the time of our ancestors, an annual income of 50 million strings of cash was enough for our expenses. Now, an annual income of 80 million strings of cash is still not enough."

"If the new law is completely abolished, I am afraid I will have to follow the example of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty and sell official positions and titles."

The rain outside the palace was getting heavier, and Bi Zhongyou stood in front of the steps with the reward money in his hands.

He suddenly remembered Zhang Yue's smiling advice when he sent him out of the house: "Just tell the truth."

Thinking of this, Bi Zhongyou couldn't help but smile bitterly.

……

In the spring of the first year of Yuanyou, Lanzhou City.

The Yellow River is rushing eastward, carrying broken ice with it. New willows are sprouting on both sides of the river. Amid the sound of Qiang flutes, the spring breeze has already passed through Yumen.

The newly built granaries in the south of the city are as continuous as mountains. The rice harvested in autumn last year has not yet been fully stored, but the wheat fields this spring are already showing layers of green waves.

He Guan, the newly appointed deputy transport envoy of Qinfeng Road, rode his horse past the granary and stared in a daze at the rolling wheat fields beneath his feet.

"Deputy envoy, I heard that the new Taoshui canal was opened yesterday and can irrigate another 1,000 hectares of farmland!" The personal attendant reported with a smile, holding the account book.

He Guan took over the account book, looked at the densely packed records, and could not help but marvel in his heart that what Lanzhou produced in one year could actually supply the needs of 150,000 troops in Xihe Road for half a year!

Continuing on, the Han-Fan Market at the Yellow River ferry was bustling with activity. A caravan loaded with cotton cloth was trading with Tibetan and Uighur merchants. "One piece of white cloth for three sheets of green salt!"

"Add another bag of Tangut horses!"

Foreign and Chinese languages ​​were mixed together, and copper coins and silver ingots jingled against each other.

The foreigners were waving salt notes in their hands.

Han merchants checked their accounts with abacus, while Tibetans stroked the smooth cotton cloth in amazement. Since Zhang Yue promoted cotton fields, Xihe white folded cloth has been exported to the Western Regions, and its price is higher than silk.

He Guan looked ahead and saw forts scattered all over the place and post roads like a network.

Looking far into the distance, you can see forts scattered all over the place, and post roads crisscrossing like a network. A team of cavalry galloped past, and the shouts of postmen echoed among the forts. On the 300-mile post road from Lanzhou to Hezhou, there was a military fort every 20 miles, and a military city every 100 miles, guarding the thousands of miles of fertile fields and granaries like a jade belt.

He Guan looked at this scene and said with emotion: "At that time, Minister Zhang said that the victory or defeat between Song and Dangxiang would not be decided on the battlefield!"

"And in these granaries and these thousands of miles of farmland, what Minister Zhang said today has finally come true."

At this point, He Guan recalled that he had served Zhang Yue in the sixth year of Xihe. Although he was later appointed as the Transport Commissioner of Jinghu South Road, he was now appointed by Zhang Yue to serve in Xihe Road again. After many twists and turns, he returned to his post in Xihe Road.

Fifteen whole years, how can it be described as ten years of accumulation?

How many fifteen years are there in a person's life? Half of my life's hard work has turned into the canals and grain fields of Xihe Road.

These fields and canals are like the bones and blood vessels of a giant.

He Guan continued to move forward, but saw smoke rising from the garrison and the soldiers' families were pounding rice and making wine.

Outside the fortress, foreign children were chasing each other, and next to the fields was the community school, where Han and foreign students were reciting the Thousand Character Classic.

He Guan could not help but say: "When Minister Zhang was in charge of building this fortress, some people in the court ridiculed it as a "waste of money and food." But now merchants travel at night without weapons, and Qiang people are eager to send their children to school. This is the real peace."

As they were talking, a group of cavalry suddenly came.

When He Guan saw the other party, he immediately dismounted and saluted.

"Wang Jinglüe!"

"Brother Zhongyuan!"

The other party was indeed Wang Hou, the governor of Xihe Road.

The man who came was none other than Wang Hou, the governor of Xihe Road. He was dressed in a brocade robe and jade belt. Although he was a military commander, he was somewhat elegant. However, the hardships of the frontier had left deep marks on his brows, and his every move showed the majesty of a frontier commander.

When Wang Hou saw He Guan, he immediately laughed and hugged him. The two of them met again after a long separation, and there were tears of excitement in their eyes.

"I'll welcome you into the city. You're so good at picking dates. Today is the day I marry my twelfth wife."

"Twelve?" He Guan was shocked.

On the top of Lanzhou City, red flags fluttered and the defenders' armor shone in the morning light. Since Zhang Yue implemented the strategy of shallow attack and construction, Xihe Road has experienced a decade of development and has long since become a pearl in the northwest of the Song Dynasty, a place on the border of the south of the Yangtze River.

Suddenly, thunderous applause came from the parade ground in the south of the city. He Guan looked in the direction of the sound and saw the soldiers and civilians having fun together, a scene of great prosperity.

"good!"

In the training ground, young Tibetans and Han people wrestled with each other. A young Han boy threw a beautiful Tibetan man to the ground. The soldiers and civilians watching, regardless of their ethnicity, all clapped their hands and cheered. Many white-haired Tibetan chieftains now wore Han-style cotton clothes and learned to dress like the Han people.

The two rode side by side, and Wang Hou waved his whip and pointed out, "Do you remember the time when my father presented the strategy for pacifying the barbarians to the late emperor?"

“That was twenty years ago!”

Wang Hou said: "At that time, Mr. Zhang said to my father that it all comes down to the two words 'three combinations' - merger, compliance with customs, and legality! Seven parts appeasement, and three parts imperial edict to suppress."

At this point, he pointed at the scene in front of him with his whip and said proudly: "Now, I have done it! All the people of Xihe Road, big and small, have been transformed into commoners and are now under the rule of the Song Dynasty!"

He Guan looked forward to the young Zhang Yue and Wang Shao making speeches and offering advice to the emperor in the palace, which would determine the strategic direction of the Song Dynasty for the next 20 years.

He Guan said to Wang Hou: "The governor should not forget the aspirations of my father!"

Wang Hou glanced into the distance and said, "Twenty years!"

"Back then, the Minister and my father led the Tongyuan Army together. We fought for more than 20 years and opened up 5,000 miles of border for the Song Dynasty!"

"I passed by Gongzhou last year. At that time, it was not called Tongyuanjun, but Guweizhai."

"When my father brought me to Xihe Road in the first year, he planted a willow tree for me next to this small village!"

"I didn't understand what my father meant when I asked him. He told me that Huan Wen passed by Jincheng during his northern expedition and saw the willow trees he had planted when he was young had grown to be as thick as ten feet in circumference. He couldn't help but weep and said, 'If trees are like this, how can people be better!'"

"I didn't understand it back then, but when I passed by last year, I saw that willow tree was as strong as the one Huan Wen saw back then!"

"It is only today that I finally understand what Duke Huan meant."

Speaking of this, both of them sighed.

He Guan said: "When I came to the northwest, I heard that Minister Zhang has advocated building a temple for my father in Bian Jing!"

Wang Hou clapped his hands and said, "That's great."

He Guan said: "You are talking about the personnel changes in the past twenty years! Jincheng is now under our feet, and Liangzhou has returned to China, and then there is Yumen Pass!"

Wang Hou laughed and said, "Yes, I will! I will drink three hundred cups with you tonight!"

……

The waves of the Yellow River reflect the lights of thousands of homes, and where the golden scales roll, the towering granaries, the endless cotton fields, the numerous forts and the noisy trading markets are all reflected in this surging blood.

The red door of the Xihe Road governor's mansion was wide open, and red silk was hung high, as Wang Hou was celebrating the occasion of his taking in his twelfth concubine. Except for the hundreds of soldiers guarding him in armor, it was almost the same as a wealthy businessman taking in a concubine.

"General Jie, congratulations!"

"Congratulations! Please take your seats!" Wang Hou, wearing a brocade robe and jade belt, stood in front of the steps. His face, carved by the wind and frost of the frontier, was now full of rosy glow.

Inside the mansion, there were sounds of stringed instruments and clinking of glasses.

Foreign merchants, Han merchants, border generals, gentry, and even Tibetan and Qiang leaders all came with valuable gifts. Xihe Road was a prosperous trade route, and all ethnic groups had been exchanging what they had and had nothing, and had long been indistinguishable from each other.

During the banquet, a group of Hu girls danced gracefully to the beat of drums. Their graceful movements drew applause from the whole audience.

"Wang Jinglue is so lucky!" A foreign merchant raised his glass and said with a smile, "I heard that the new wife is the daughter of a nobleman in Qingtang City, and her dowry includes hundreds of acres of cotton fields and thousands of fine horses?"

"The cotton fields as a dowry are enough to cover half the size of Lanzhou city!" another foreign merchant pretended to be amazed.

Wang Hou laughed: "No, no, it's just a small fortune."

When everyone heard this, they became even more envious.

——The benefits of the cotton fields in Xihe Road have long been the best in the northwest!

The various tribes in Qingtang were also vying to plant the seeds. He Guan heard that in order to win over Wang Hou, the King of the Northwest, Qingtang vied to marry their daughters to him and offered generous dowries.

Seeing such kindness, Wang Hou wanted to retreat, but he felt embarrassed and thought that he was violating Yue's teachings.

But when Zhang Yue learned about this, he encouraged Wang Hou to do so.

This is also the local custom in Qingtang. Only in this way can we gain the trust and support of the local foreign tribes.

So Zhang Yue pushed Wang Hou out and "sacrificed himself" to complete the mission of "marrying" Qing Tang.

After marrying these wives and concubines, Wang Hou's prestige among the Qingtang tribes grew. He was fair in his dealings and did not waste Zhang Yue's teachings.

It was precisely because of Wang Hou's prestige that the Song Dynasty's business in Xihe Road became increasingly deeply rooted.

Since Zhang Yue promoted cotton fields in Xihe, the white folded cloth produced here has been sold far and wide both at home and abroad.

The trade routes in the Western Regions reached Daqin and Persia. Now the cotton merchants in Xihe Road were almost as rich as a country, the frontier troops had sufficient food and wages, the people lived and worked in peace, and the Qingtang tribe also made a lot of money.

That is why Wang Hou, the governor of Xihe Road, has been in office until today, and the court cannot replace him even if they want to. Apart from Wang Hou, there is no other person in the court with such prestige to rule the northwest.

He Guan lamented that Wang Hou's talents in all aspects were not outstanding. Compared with the previous governors Zhang Yue, Zhang Qie, Zhang Zhi and Li Xian, he was far behind, but he was the most qualified for this position.

Why?

He Guan was already a little drunk. He looked around with the cup in hand, and saw that the Tibetan chieftain on the left seat in the hall was calculating this year's cotton price with a Han merchant on his fingers, and the Qiang chieftain on the right seat was learning how to use chopsticks.

The boys in the corridor were playing and frolicking in a mixture of foreign and Chinese languages.

The vision of "merger, compliance with customs, and legality" that Zhang Yue and Wang Shao had when they presented "Plan for Pacifying the Rong" actually came true.

He Guan was really a little drunk.

It is really the result of twenty years of hard work, perseverance and perseverance that has brought us to where we are today.

The willow trees planted by Wang Shao beside the ancient Wei Village have grown into tall and majestic trees.

"Deputy envoy, I heard that the imperial court is going to build more forts?" a border general asked He Guan tentatively.

He Guan smiled and said, "Yes, the new Privy Councilor has issued an order to build three more large camps on the Huluchuan Avenue on Jingyuan Road this year, heading straight for Lingzhou!"

Everyone was excited when they heard this.

After the capture of Tiandu Mountain, Xihe Road and Jingyuan Road are now connected. With Tiandu Mountain, Liangzhou is guarding on the left and right, and the situation of Xihe Road is completely solid. The Dangxiang people have no way to attack Caogu.

"The imperial court is going to use troops again!"

"How many more horizontal classes can be added this time?"

"Marshal Jie will be made a marquis soon!"

The military generals were all happy to hear about war. They were really anxious because they had not made any progress in their official positions during the years of peace.

At this time, Wang Hou stood up from the main seat and said, "Everyone! Today's Xihe is all thanks to the strategy of Minister Zhang! If it weren't for your planning 20 years ago, how could we be here today?"

"Respectfully, Minister Zhong!" Wang Hou said loudly.

Hundreds of guests in the room responded loudly and drank from their glasses.

"Minister Jingzhang!"

Whether drunk or not, everyone gets drunk by themselves, so why drink so much?

In times of chaos, a real man wields a three-foot sword and accomplishes unprecedented feats. Although today is a peaceful time, the opportunity to become a general or a prime minister is right in front of you.

Outside the window, the spring breeze blows across Xizhou City, the cotton fields are like snow, and the caravans are like dragons - what a prosperous scene!