Prime Minister

Chapter 1356: The Painting Work Still Needs More Efforts

Chapter 1356: The Painting Work Still Needs More Efforts

In the spring of the first year of Yuanyou.

Jiangning Banshan Garden.

Outside the window in front of the bed, a sick plum tree swayed in the cold wind. Wang Anshi, wearing an old cotton robe, got up from the sickbed, holding a silver scissors, and carefully trimmed the dead branches.

"Sima Twelve really wants to abolish all the new laws?"

"That's what the students from Bian Jing said," said nephew Wang Fangyan.

"Not only must the new law be abolished, but compromises must be made with the Tanguts and Khitans, and even the three auxiliary troops that Zhang Shang had set up in the capital to defend against the Liao must be disbanded."

With a snap, the dead branch snapped. Wang Anshi slowly put down the scissors, his gray beard trembling slightly as he said, "Sima Guang wants to abolish the new laws. Let him do it. If the Song Dynasty is blessed, the new laws will never be abolished."

"There will surely be someone who can restore the new law in the future. These words are not for outsiders to say. Just understand them yourself."

Wang Fang heard this and said, "Yes, nephew will remember your uncle's teachings."

"Have you completed the burning of the diary that I asked you to do?"

Wang Fang hesitated for a moment, then said, "My nephew has already burned part of it."

Wang Anshi nodded, but still worriedly said, "In the seventh year of Xining, after I was dismissed for the first time, Lu Huiqing launched a purge of his followers to investigate the past."

"And they prevented me from returning to the throne. These are all lessons."

"I had no intention of arguing with him at that time. Later, I wrote the diary not only for self-reflection, but also for the purpose of revising it and presenting it to the late emperor when he left office. It was also to record the whole process of the reform and to clarify the right and wrong."

"Why didn't my uncle present it to the late emperor later?" Wang Fang asked carefully.

"The late emperor." Wang Anshi suddenly started coughing violently, and after he calmed down, he smiled bitterly and said, "At that time, the differences between the emperor and his subjects were already deep, and presenting these things only adds to the sadness."

"I have been ill for so long, and my days are numbered. If Sima Guang is reinstated as Prime Minister, I am afraid that these diaries will be in your hands and cause disaster."

Wang Fang nodded and said, "These are all the hard work of the Prime Minister. Those who read history in the future will understand the Prime Minister's hard work."

"How can we bear to see Sima Guang fabricating right and wrong and slandering the new law?"

Wang Anshi said, "Didn't I tell you that?"

"As long as the new law benefits the country and the people, there will be people who will inherit it. Why do we need these words to prove it?"

"Today, you must burn all of these in front of me."

Wang Fang had no choice but to do as he was told.

Green smoke rose from the ashes of the sun in the copper furnace.

Wang Anshi glanced at the sick plum blossoms in front of the window and sighed:

"Old age makes me happy, and I am sick in bed. I draw water and place new flowers to comfort the fleeting time. The fleeting time is only a moment, and I am not long-lasting. The new flowers and the old me, have forgotten each other."

Wang Fang felt even more sad when he heard the line 'New flowers and old me, now we have forgotten each other'.

……

Wang Fang burned half of the scroll, and after a while someone said, "We know that Shen Kuo from Jiangning is here to visit."

After Sima Guang became prime minister, he transferred Shen Kuo to the post of governor of Jiangning, but did not appoint him as acting privy councilor, which was like abolishing the acting privy council set up by Zhang Yue.

Wang Anshi was very dissatisfied with Shen Kuo's behavior as a "slave of three surnames".

Wang Anshi ordered Wang Fang not to burn anymore. Wang Anshi went to the living room and finally met Shen Kuo.

When the two met, Shen Kuo bowed deeply to Wang Anshi and said, "Shen greets the Prime Minister."

"Shen's behavior back then was shameless, and I feel ashamed of the Prime Minister."

When Wang Anshi saw Shen Kuo, he said, "It was just what happened back then. You are also a person who is devoted to the country."

"In the Battle of Pingxia City, you have made great contributions to the country, and now you have finally been promoted to the position of the Prime Minister. I am happy for you."

But Shen Kuo was even more ashamed to hear this, and stammered: "Shen...I have been dismissed from my post, and there is not a day that I don't think about the war in the northwest."

"Sima... Once the twelfth general abolishes the new law, all the efforts made by the imperial court in the northwest over the past twenty years will be wasted."

"Even if Mr. Shen is promoted to the position of the Prime Minister, what's the point? I'm afraid there will be no day in my life when I won't regret it."

Shen Kuo's words made Wang Anshi choke.

What Shen Kuo said really hit the nail on the head.

Wang Anshi said: "When I first learned that Sima Guang and others wanted to change the new law, I was also shocked."

"Even though my administration during Xining was harsh on the people, Duke Zhang Wei succeeded me and made changes. Why is it still inconvenient for the people? This is something I don't understand."

"Then Zhang Wei's contribution to Liang was also a demonstration of the benefits of the new law."

Shen Kuo said indignantly: "This is all Sima Twelve's fault. What kind of person is Sima Twelve, Prime Minister?"

Wang Anshi was silent for a moment before he said, "I have known him for decades and know that he is a virtuous man, so I dare not complain about him."

Shen Kuo was very disappointed that Sima Guang wanted to abolish all the new laws. However, Wang Anshi still praises Sima Guang's character to this day.

Wang Fang, who was serving beside him, knew that although Wang Anshi said so, when he knew that Sima Guang wanted to abolish the new law and dismiss the old ministers of Xining and Yuanfeng, Wang Anshi fell seriously ill. After recovering from the illness, he wrote Sima Guang's numbers on the entire screen, which shows that he was very upset.

Shen Kuo was greatly disappointed when he heard what Wang Anshi said. He immediately stood up and said, "I know that the Prime Minister is not feeling well, so I came to bring you medicine."

"The medicine has been delivered. Shen will take his leave."

Just as Shen Kuo was saying goodbye, he suddenly learned that news had arrived from Bian Jing.

……

"The Chinese envoy has arrived at Guazhou and has come with a fast horse to inform the Empress Dowager that she has summoned Jing Gong to be the Minister of State and Military Affairs! I heard the news and came to report it immediately."

When Shen Kuo heard what Wang Anshi's disciples said, he was so shocked that he couldn't control himself.

But the other party said, "Mr. Shen, there is another decree for you. The Empress Dowager orders you to resign from your post as the governor of Jiangning Prefecture and go to the capital to take up your post."

Shen Kuo was very surprised.

Even Wang Anshi was kept in the dark.

The other party smiled and said, "I forgot to say that the person who handles state affairs in Bianjing is no longer the Grand Empress Dowager, but the Empress Dowager."

"Duke Wei has been appointed as the Minister of the Court, and has been appointed as the Prime Minister for the second time, presiding over the government!"

"So I invite Lord Jing to come to the court to discuss state affairs!"

"Ah!" Shen Kuo was surprised and happy.

Wang Anshi pondered for a moment and asked, "Although the Empress Dowager is old, she is still in good health. Why would she suddenly let the Empress Dowager handle state affairs?"

The other party said, "I didn't hear it clearly at the ferry, but I heard that it was Sima Guang who wanted to dismiss the auxiliary troops and withhold the rewards for the imperial guards, which eventually led to the rebellion."

"The Empress Dowager was unable to quell the chaos, so she let Duke Wei take charge of state affairs!"

Shen Kuo clapped his hands and laughed: "God bless the Song Dynasty! Duke Wei is finally back!

Wang Anshi nodded to confirm the news.

The old prime minister Wang Anshi recalled the past when he had debated with Zhang Yue several times over the decades they had known each other.

The imperial scholar and number one scholar, who doted on his wife and was reluctant to leave the prosperous capital, is now appointed as prime minister and is asked to take charge of his unfinished new legal undertakings, and the emperor has also invited him back to the court to discuss state affairs.

The student laughed and said, "This is an important military and national matter. Duke Wei has not forgotten it after all. Only the Prime Minister is in charge of the court. This is the real new law."

Shen Kuo smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Jing, the late emperor entrusted his son to the Duke of Wei before his death. It turned out that he did not entrust the son to the wrong person."

Wang Anshi then said: "The late emperor has always been good at judging people."

"When the ministers came to the palace, the late emperor examined their talents and found that eight out of ten were good. The ministers of Xining and Yuanfeng were not unmatched in ancient and modern times. But in history, there are very few emperors who are as good as the late emperor in knowing how to use people."

Wang Anshi's face showed an expression of both relief and nostalgia.

Shen Kuo himself was promoted by the late emperor, and he deeply agreed with Wang Anshi's words.

Wang Fang, who was standing by, cried with joy and wiped his tears repeatedly, saying: "With Duke Wei in the court, Sima Guang will never abolish the new law."

Shen Kuo also said: "The court will continue to use troops in the northwest, so there is no need to worry about all the efforts being wasted."

"The late emperor's wish to destroy the Tanguts has been fulfilled."

When Shen Kuo thought of this, he wished he could grow wings and go to the capital immediately. He said repeatedly: "I will pack my bags now! I will destroy the Dangxiang and take back Youyan, and the late emperor's wish will be fulfilled!"

"Prime Minister! Please go on the same boat with me!" Shen Kuo asked.

Wang Anshi looked at the flowers in the vase and shook his head, saying, "These flowers seem to want to keep me here, but the mountain birds are asking me to go home for no reason."

When Shen Kuo heard Wang Anshi's poems, he thought that after Jing Gong was dismissed from his post as prime minister and returned home, even his poems became more exquisite.

No wonder Wei Gong often said that the most skillful way to express vicissitudes of life is to write poems.

Shen Kuo asked, "Does the Prime Minister not want to come to the capital?"

Wang Anshi said to the envoy: "I originally intended to go to Bianjing to see the new atmosphere in the court. But unfortunately, I have been ill for a long time and my time is running out. So I will not go to the capital to join in the fun."

"I would like to thank the Empress Dowager for her grace and the Minister's kindness."

Shen Kuo was not surprised. Seeing Wang Anshi like this, he knew he was indeed ill.

Shen Kuo said: "Prime Minister, take care!"

"Wait a minute!"

Wang Anshi said to Wang Fang, "Bring me my diary!"

Wang Fang said yes and immediately came forward with several books.

Wang Anshi said to Shen Kuo, "This is the diary I wrote, which records the conversations between me and the late emperor during the Xining period. Please come to the capital and pass it to Duke Wei for me!"

Wang Fang smiled and handed the diary to Shen Kuo, saying, "Mr. Shen, keep it!"

Shen Kuo accepted it solemnly and said, "This is the result of the Prime Minister's hard work. I will give it to Duke Wei. Do you have anything for me to tell Duke Wei?"

Wang Anshi pondered for a moment and said slowly: "I am old and sick, I am afraid it will be difficult for me to do anything for the court."

Wang Anshi continued: "In my old age, I am proud of three things: poetry, calligraphy, and my governance of the country, which are worth learning from for future generations."

"For example, my calligraphy is a method without rules, but you cannot learn it. If you learn it, you will not be able to learn it."

Everyone listened to Wang Anshi's words and nodded.

Shen Kuo was also good at calligraphy. Wang Anshi's handwriting was crooked and looked ugly at first glance, but if you look closely, you will find that there is a structure to the chaos, and it has the style of the Wei and Jin dynasties.

Many people want to learn but don’t know how.

There are several famous calligraphers in the world. Zhang Yue is one of them, Cai Jing and Cai Bian are the second, and Su Shi is the first. You can learn to write like these people. But Wang Anshi's calligraphy is the only one that you can never learn to write like.

Wang Anshi said: "Governing a country is like this. Those who follow the spirit are successful, while those who imitate the form are slow."

"Yes, I remember a time when Master Zhang told me that a monk wrote a poem when he passed by West Lake. I saw a picture of this lake in the past, but I didn't believe that there was such a lake in the world. Today, I passed by the lake, and the painter still needs to work harder."

"Mr. Wei has always been skeptical about my reforms and feels that there are many mistakes. I don't care, but I hope he will continue to move forward. I hope that one day he will come to my grave, light three incense sticks and say, 'The painter still needs to work harder!'"

After saying this, Wang Anshi said no more.

Wang Fang and Shen Kuo both shed tears.

Shen Kuo asked, "Does your husband have anything else to say?"

Wang Anshi shook his head and said no more.

After walking out of Banshan Garden, Shen Kuo suddenly stopped and looked back at Banshan Garden embedded in the mountains and waters of Jiangning.

Shen Kuo said to Wang Fang: "In fact, if the Prime Minister had not made drastic changes to correct the wrongs, there would be no Yuanfeng policy of Duke Wei!"

"Shen was wrong about the Prime Minister back then. If Lord Zhang were here today, he would surely say the same thing."

After saying this, Shen Kuo bowed deeply towards Banshan Garden.

……

Luoyang, the spring snow has just cleared.

As soon as the imperial edict arrived at the mansion gate, the descendants of the third and fourth generations of the Wen family had already knelt in the front yard according to their rank.

It is truly a family of nobility with many descendants.

The eunuch took a look and announced the decree.

Under the sect:

I have inherited the imperial lineage and am in charge of the imperial treasure map. I am not clear about the path ahead and do not know what to do. I have favored the elders and assisted the three dynasties. Their contributions have benefited the people and their reputations are high in the world. Heaven has given me a long life and I am prosperous. I should return my teachers and ministers to assist me in my major affairs. I have issued an edict to grant me the title of Grand Tutor and Minister of Military Affairs.

They could attend the imperial lectures twice a month and the court once every six days, because they would go to the capital hall to discuss matters with the ruling officials. If they encountered military and national secrets, they would be allowed to attend without time limit and participate in the decision. For other official matters, they could only be signed and sent by the Pushe and below, and their salaries were granted according to the rules for prime ministers.

Wen Yanbo was wearing a purple robe and jade belt. His eyes were still sharp as he leaned over to take the jute edict.

The veteran of three dynasties looked at the number "Pingzhang Military and National Important Affairs" on the imperial edict and suddenly recalled the old events forty years ago when he and Fu Bi discussed the New Policies of the Qingli Period. Now he had returned to the government at the age of eighty and was granted the special privilege of "attending court once every six days", which was unprecedented in this dynasty for a prime minister to retire and return to office.

The eldest grandson Wen Weihan and the sixth son Wen Jifu supported Wen Yanbo on his left and right.

"Go and have some tea!" Wen Yanbo accepted the imperial edict with a smile, and then asked someone to give him a hundred gold coins.

The eunuch was overjoyed, and when he went to Wen Yanbo's residence to announce the decree, everyone in the palace rushed to come. Everyone knew that Wen Yanbo was always generous in winning over the palace people.

The eunuch said, "The Empress Dowager has said that although the Grand Master has been retired for many years, his military strategy in dealing with the Khitan in the northwest and his vision in reconciling the old and new parties during the Qingli and Jiayou periods are exactly what the court urgently needs."

Wen Yanbo laughed when he heard this.

After the eunuch left, the Wen family entertained him warmly.

The nephew of the Wen family flattered him, saying, "Grand Tutor Xu goes to the palace every five days, and he goes to the Secretariat every day. If there are important military and national affairs, he will come to the palace without any time limit and will be ordered to participate in the decision-making."

"This is based on Wang Dan's story."

"The Empress Dowager values ​​the Grand Master more than the Grand Empress Dowager."

“Not only the Empress Dowager, but I was also recommended for this position by the Minister of the Court.” Wen Yanbo said with a smile, stroking his beard.

The nephews and nieces of the Wen family all laughed and said in unison: "Duke Wei is so righteous."

Wen Yanbo specially authorized the prime minister and envoys to be sent to the imperial court to write judgments, which was indeed a great honor.

Wen Jifu was even more proud of it. Everyone knew that since he was connected to Zhang Yue, his status in the Wen family had risen. Even his wife, Shiwu Niang, was loved by Wen Yanbo and his wife in front of the many nieces and nephews of the Wen family.

Wen Jifu was the sixth son of Wen Yanbo, and suddenly became an important figure in the Wen family.

Now that Wen Yanbo has been appointed as the Prime Minister in charge of important military and national affairs, he will also be appointed as the Vice Minister of Works and enter the court.

Wen Jifu supported Wen Yanbo into the study, and Shiwu Niang came forward to pour tea. Wen Yanbo had known the news from Bian Jing two days ago. When the imperial edict came out to appoint him as the Prime Minister of military and national affairs, Wen Yanbo already knew about the appointment.

The charcoal fire was burning brightly in the warm room of the study, and Wen Yanbo was reclining on the rosewood couch.

Wen Jifu and his wife Shiwu Niang stood on both sides, with unconcealable joy on their faces.

"Dad," Wen Jifu said with a smile, holding the teacup, "Minister Zhang will continue the previous emperor's policy of opening up the border. My position as the Minister of Works will be just right for me to serve the northwest military supply."

Zhang Yue implemented the strategy of shallow attack and construction in the northwest, carried out large-scale civil engineering, and used fortress tactics to surround the Dangxiang and tie up the dragon.

The Minister of Works is naturally a lucrative position.

Wen Yanbo smiled slightly and said, "Why do you think the Empress Dowager and the Minister want me to return to the court?"

Shiwu Niang moved lightly and poured new tea for Wen Yanbo.

Wen Jifu said: "The Minister should unite the ministers of the two parties so that they are of one mind."

"And the Minister of the Court is the only person with such prestige in the current court."

"This is also the intention of the late emperor to entrust his son to look after his fate."

Wen Yanbo smiled and said, "The late emperor entrusted me with this task not to maintain the status quo, but to expand the country."

"The remnants of Cai Zhizheng instigated the riot, the Minister watched from the sidelines, Han Shipu fanned the flames, and finally forced the Empress Dowager to hand over power. The Minister's power was so great that it was inevitable that he would use his power as a minister to force the imperial power. Unless the Minister wears the yellow robe one day, it would be a way to disaster. Even the history books say that the Minister's words "a traitor pretending to be loyal" are not an exaggeration. So the Minister asked me to return to the court with Feng Dangshi and Wang Jiefu to perform with him."

"Wang Jiefu will definitely not go, so only I and Feng Dangshi can compete with him in terms of qualifications and popularity."

Wen Jifu and Shiwu Niang suddenly realized. The warm room suddenly became quiet, and the crackling sound of the charcoal fire was particularly clear.

"Where does Zhang Du's power come from?" Wen Yanbo asked. "Isn't it because of his current position as the Minister of the Interior? Two points come from his military exploits in the northwest, three points come from the will of the late emperor, and five points come from the reputation of the officials and the people during Yuan Feng's administration. This is his real confidence."

"Although Feng Dangshi and I have a lot of experience, we are not as good as Zhang San. But in this court, there has to be someone who plays the good cop and someone who plays the bad cop."

……

After receiving the imperial edict, Feng Jing was the first to arrive in Beijing.

Feng Jing was the governor of Heyang as the Grand Secretary of Guanwen Hall, so he arrived the fastest after receiving the imperial edict.

Feng Jing and Cai Que were in-laws. This time, when Cai Que's remnants rebelled, Feng Jing was stationed in Heyang Prefecture, but he did not take any action to respond. Everyone knew that Cai Que's son Cai Wei, Feng Jing's son-in-law, was hiding under his tent.

Later, the Empress Dowager gave up her power and summoned Feng Jing to be in charge of important military and national affairs, allowing Feng Jing to put his worries to rest.

From passing the imperial examinations and becoming Fu Bi's son-in-law, Feng Jing had always wanted to have political ambitions.

When Xining came to power, he was at odds with Wang Anshi at first, and was later dismissed by Lu Huiqing. When Zhang Yue became prime minister, the two of them were at odds with each other but harmonious in their hearts. When Cai Que became prime minister, Feng Jing was dismissed again.

The north wind was howling outside the carriage, blowing up the broken snow and hitting the curtains.

"Old Taishan, you are not the Privy Councilor, but the Minister of Military Affairs!" Cai Wei said somewhat unfairly, "Zhang San is trying to sideline you and make you a mere figurehead."

Feng Jing put down the imperial edict, slowly raised his eyes and said: "The Minister's meaning is very clear. We must use the two parties to win over the people's hearts and eliminate the party disputes."

"The real Yuanyou is a combination of Yuanfeng and Jiayou. The words in the imperial edict, 'You are the only scholar left among the former Zhaoling scholars', touched my heart. The Minister of the Interior really knows how to win people's hearts."

Cai Wei was startled when he heard this, and suddenly saw a glimmer in the corners of his father-in-law's eyes.

Cai Wei thought to himself that his father-in-law was the only surviving Hanlin scholar during the reign of Emperor Renzong, so he took one character from each of Yuanfeng and Jiayou and established the Yuanyou era.

As a Hanlin scholar during the Jiayou period, Feng Jing represented the spirit of the Jiayou period.

"Yuanyou, Yuanyou." Feng Jing looked at the snow outside the car, as if he saw the lights of the Qionglin Banquet in Bianliang forty years ago, the grace of Emperor Renzong, and the harmonious and happy relationship between the emperor and his subjects during the Jiayou period.

"Yuanyou is a combination of Yuanfeng's aggressiveness and Jiayou's harmony... This is exactly why Zhang Du wanted me to return to the court."

Cai Wei said: "Old Taishan, do you really want to accept Zhang San's request?"

Feng Jing said: "Zhang Duzhi has said so much, Duke Wen Lu will also go."

Cai Wei said: "Lord Lu and the Minister have a close relationship. Not to mention that the two families are related by marriage, in recent years when Zhang Yue was expanding the border in the northwest, the Wen family took real money and bought it from the barbarians at low prices, and bought countless fields. One third of the cotton fields in Xizhou alone belong to Wen Yanbo's family."

Feng Jing glanced at Cai Wei, although he did not go to the northwest to buy land.

But the Wu family, the Lu family, the Han family, the Zhang family, and his father-in-law's wealthy family, which one has not acquired properties in the northwest?

Cai Wei said: "How can the Yuanyou Dynasty continue the Yuanfeng policy of opening up the borders, and not repeat the mistakes of Yongle City? In the face of the Liao Kingdom's covetous eyes, we should use troops against the Tanguts, and not let the people suffer, and let the court return to the Jiayou style."

"I can only say that Minister Zhang is a little fanciful. It is a pipe dream to want to eliminate the party disputes just based on the differences between the two parties!"

"From ancient times to the present, in factional disputes, only one side can be completely defeated, otherwise it will be a situation of no return. What right does Zhang San have?"

Feng Jing said: "You said that eliminating factional disputes is a foolish dream. But Zhang Duzhi dared to summon me with the four characters 'Zhaoling Scholar', which means he saw that I can't let go of the harmony between the emperor and his subjects during the Jiayou period."

"I'll see the Minister first."

……

Zhang Yue returns to the capital.

Sima Guang was appointed as prime minister with the title of Shizhong and Shangshu Zuo Pushe. Since Cai Que, Zhang Dun and Han Zhen were dismissed one after another, Sima Guang was bedridden in the government.

Zhang Yue was in charge of the prime minister's affairs. Although Lu Gongzhu assisted him, his popularity and achievements were not as good as Zhang Yue's.

However, after Zhang Yue came to power, the old practice was changed. Previously, the ministers would gather in the hall every three to five days. The clerks would hold documents and report to the various departments. When Cai Que was in power, he always made the final decision, and his colleagues could not argue with him.

Sima Guang once suggested to Cai Que that he should allow the ministers to express their opinions on each matter during the meeting in the capital hall, but Cai Que ignored Sima Guang.

However, after Zhang Yue came to power, he made major changes to his opinion.

After Feng Jing arrived at the capital hall, he heard the words of the hall clerk and was surprised that Zhang Yue had changed the meeting time from once every three to five days to once a day.

He always knew that Zhang Yue was diligent in government affairs, and only he could put into practice the system of one meeting per day.

After Feng Jing arrived at the capital hall, he originally wanted to wait in the corridor for the ministers to gather and discuss before entering.

"This world!"

But he saw Zhang Yue, who was dressed in a purple robe and not wearing a hat, and he didn't care about the snow falling on his shoulders. He actually came out to greet him in person at the corridor.

Feng Jing hurriedly bowed and said, "How dare I trouble the Minister to come and welcome you in person!"

Zhang Yue held his hand and said with a smile: "You are the minister who is in charge of important military and national affairs, and a senior figure in three dynasties. Why not welcome him?"

Zhang Yue said: "In the past, according to the Yuanfeng tradition, the prime ministers would gather in the capital hall every three to five days to discuss matters."

"I will now summon all the ministers to gather in the capital hall every day, so that they can express their opinions calmly and make decisions after full discussion."

Feng Jing understood that meetings were held every three to five days, and as there were many matters to be dealt with, decisions were made by the prime minister alone, and only major matters would be discussed.

There is a meeting every day, and the prime minister can express his opinions on all matters, no matter big or small.

Feng Jing asked hesitantly, "Is this temporary or long-term?"

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "As a story of Yuanyou's reign, it will serve as a model for future generations. Do you think it will be temporary or long-term?"

Feng Jing was moved when he saw Zhang Yue restore the order of the prime ministers to hold a meeting.

After Feng Jing arrived at the capital hall, he saw Right Prime Minister Lu Gongzhu, Privy Councilor Su Song, Shangshu Zuo Cheng Li Qingchen, Right Prime Minister Zhang Xu, and Privy Councilor Huang Lu sitting in the hall.

All the ministers sat around to discuss state affairs.

He looked at the clerks standing in a line in the corridor, each holding a chin-high document in their arms waiting to be interviewed. This scene was indeed something that had never been seen during Cai Que's administration.

Feng Jing looked back into the hall, where Lü Gongzhu was talking to Su Song in a low voice, Li Qingchen and Zhang Xu were reviewing documents, and Huang Lu was asking the clerk for details. This scene was just like the Secretariat when Han Qi was in charge 20 years ago.

It is nothing like the past when the clerks could only wait in the corridor trembling with fear and only dared to move after Cai Que had reviewed the documents with his red brush.

Feng Jing knew that Zhang Yue wanted to eliminate factional disputes. If the system of public consultation was truly implemented, the customs of the Jiayou period could be restored.

After discussing the matter, everyone chatted.

Feng Jing said to Zhang Yue, "During the Jiayou period, Princess Han Wei was the secretary. If an official asked about government orders, Princess Wei would ask Jixian (Zeng Gongliang); if they asked about classics, she would ask Dongting (Ouyang Xiu); if they asked about literature, she would ask Xiting (Zhao Xing). She would only come forward to make decisions on major matters."

"The actions of the Minister today are truly in line with the spirit of Jiayou."

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "I am not saying this casually. From today on, we will resume the old Jiayou system - hold meetings every day and only act when everyone agrees."

Feng Jing said: "The emperor rules with ease, and the ministers work diligently and respectfully - this is the atmosphere of peace!"

At this time, the hall clerk presented an urgent report on the Fuyan Road. Zhang Yue was not in a hurry to read it, but instead told Lu Gongzhu: "Uncle Hui, take a look at it first."

After all the ministers had read it, he slowly asked, "What do you think should be done?"

The ministers resumed the scene as they did during the Jiayou period, each expressing their own opinions.

Feng Jing looked at the rising sun outside the hall, and his eyes gradually became blurred.

……

After seeing Feng Jing off, Zhang Qie walked into the capital hall.

But outside the hall, the snow was fluttering in the wind, and Zhang Yue was writing quickly at his desk, not even noticing that the cuffs of his purple robe were stained with ink.

Before Zhang Qijing filed the case, he raised his eyes and fell on the familiar petition with the ink still wet - "Deputy Privy Councilor Zhang Qi is appointed as Privy Councilor of the Five Routes in Shaanxi."

"Zhifu," Zhang Yue put down his pen, splashing a few ink stars and said with a smile, "You will set off for the northwest tomorrow."

Zhang Yu was agitated when he saw the draft written by Zhang Yue, but he still asked, "Isn't this an order from Shen Cunzhong?"

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Cun Zhong is good at training soldiers and making weapons, but in the war to destroy a country, only you, Zhang Zhifu, can do it!"

The candle flame suddenly jumped, causing tears to glisten in Zhang Qie's eyes.

Zhang Yue looked at Zhang Qie like this, and thought that the strategy of shallow attack and construction that Zhang Yue implemented in the northwest was learned from the historical Zhang Qie.

He smiled and said, "Zhifu, when you were left unused, didn't I tell you again and again that you should stay useful and lie dormant for a while, and you will surely make a comeback in the future."

"When you take over as the acting privy councilor, you will take full charge of the defense of the northwest. I want to ask you, what should you do first to destroy the Tanguts?"

Zhang Qie was very emotional when he heard this. The achievement of destroying the Dangxiang tribe would go down in history - such a heavy responsibility actually fell on his shoulders.

Thank God for bestowing upon me this achievement that will be remembered through the ages.

"Minister." Zhang Yu was about to speak, but Zhang Yue raised his hand to stop him and asked, "Is your Majesty's lecture over?"

"Not yet."

He said to his attendants, "Prepare for the Wuying Palace. Your Excellency, please move forward."

Zhang Yue turned to Zhang Qie and said, "Follow me, my dear, and present this matter to the emperor!"

The snowflakes rustled as they hit the window paper. Zhang Qi took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to Zhang Yue.

Twenty years of ups and downs and half a lifetime of ambitions are all here.

In the snow and wind, Zhang Yue and Zhang Qie walked into the palace together holding umbrellas.

A thin layer of snow fell in front of the hall. The two ministers left two lines of footprints in the snow. Soon, the outline of Wuying Hall was seen looming in the snow.

The eunuchs at the palace gate were so cold that they either blew their hands, shrank their necks, or huddled their bodies.

None of the eunuchs seemed to have expected that a minister would come in the cold and snow.

At this moment, the eunuch Shi Deyi had already come out of the palace gate with a Buddhist whisk, braving the wind and snow to wait for Zhang Yue and Zhang Qie. After Zhang Yue returned to the court, Empress Dowager Xiang immediately recalled Shi Deyi and Li Xian, who had been banished from the capital by Empress Dowager Gao, back to the court.

When Shi Deyi saw the two men coming in the snow, he scolded the eunuchs, "You ignorant servants, didn't you see the Minister himself coming?"

Upon hearing this, several eunuchs hurriedly held umbrellas and went to greet Zhang Yue and Zhang Qie.

Shi Deyi personally stepped forward to brush away the snow on Zhang Yue's robe and welcomed him into the hall.

At this moment, a copper furnace had already been lit in the Wuying Palace, and the eunuchs were busy adding charcoal into the furnace.

Cai Bian and Li Xian were accompanying the emperor.

The emperor looked at the three-person-high map of Xihe Road in the hall, which was covered with the late emperor's imperial comments. After the late emperor passed away, Empress Dowager Gao disliked the idea of ​​war and ordered the eunuchs to put the map away.

Now this picture sees the light of day again, but still needs new ink!

Zhang Yue led Zhang Yu to pay respect to the emperor, and then introduced him to the emperor: "Your Majesty, this is the former Deputy Privy Councilor Zhang Yu!"

Zhang Qi bowed solemnly.

The emperor helped Zhang Yu up and said, "I have heard from the late emperor that your family has been in hiding for ten years, waiting for today's event."

"Today I entrust the affairs of state to you, you must be the right person."

Zhang Yu choked up when he heard this, as if he saw himself patrolling the border on horseback in the northwest snow during the Xining period.

Zhang Yue looked at Cai Bian standing beside him. Cai Bian shook his head slightly. It was obvious that these words were the emperor's own words and not taught by him.

Zhang Yu said: "The previous emperor was determined to make progress and conquer the old territory of Han and Tang dynasties."

"My life's ambition is to restore the unfulfilled wish of the late emperor!"

Upon hearing this, the emperor stroked the "Xihe Border Opening Map" and said, "Li Keyong left three arrows for Li Cunxu to avenge his hatred. Although I am not talented, I dare not forget the hatred of my ancestors and the previous emperor for a moment!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xian and Shi Deyi both sighed.

The emperor turned to Zhang Yu and said, "From now on, you will be my Cao Bin and Wang Pu. If you have any good advice, please tell me!"

Zhang Yue nodded to Zhang Qie and told him to speak frankly.

Zhang Yu said: "In the past, Wang Pu's strategy for pacifying the border was mentioned. Pu considered large and fragile things easy, and small and strong things difficult. Today, some people say that Wang Pu is harming the country. It would be better to do the difficult things first and then the easy things, destroy the Northern Han, drive out the Khitan, and recover Youyan, and then go south. Why not be in this predicament of being oppressed by the Khitan for a hundred years now?"

"This is the scholar's argument that misleads the country. When the country first rose to power, it first pacified the south of the Yangtze River and then settled the east of the Yellow River. The order cannot be changed."

The emperor looked at Li Xian standing aside.

Li Xian nodded to the emperor, and immediately ordered the eunuchs who were adding charcoal to leave.

The emperor motioned for Zhang Qi to continue.

Zhang Yu said: "It is the same when attacking Dangxiang. Xihe Road is easy, Jingyuan Road is next, and Fuyan Road is difficult."

"Our dynasty has suffered more defeats than victories in the battles with the Dangxiang in Fuyan Route, and the victories we have won are all in Xihe Route and Jingyuan Route."

"This time Li Bingchang attacked our Mizhi stronghold again along the Fuyan Road. I should not respond to him here, but..."

Cai Bian handed the bamboo stick to Zhang Qie. Zhang Yue stepped aside and Zhang Qie took over.

"Your Majesty," Zhang Yu's sleeves trembled, and he tapped the map with his staff, "But we are going out of Jingyuan Road... to attack Lingzhou!"

The emperor and his ministers all looked towards Lingzhou, which was located in the center of the picture.

The eunuch Shi Deyi continued to add charcoal into the copper furnace, watching the scene of the emperor and his ministers discussing together, the wise ministers who stabilized the country, the emperor who carried on the aspirations of the previous emperor, and the famous ministers like Li Shiji and Li Jing.

Seeing this harmonious scene between the monarch and his subjects, Shi Deyi glanced at the red-ink writing of Emperor Tujiao, "Restore the old borders of Han and Tang Dynasties", which was now illuminated red by the charcoal fire in the copper stove.

……

Snow night.

The wind and snow came in waves.

Sima Guang lay on his sickbed, his forehead covered with an ice towel. Guo Lin stood by the bed holding a medicine cup, while Fan Zuyu was stirring the charcoal basin to make it more vigorous.

"Han Wei, the Grand Secretary of the Zizheng Palace, has been appointed as the Minister of the Secretariat." Guo Lin reported softly.

Sima Guang coughed several times upon hearing this, and the medicine juice flowed out from the corner of his mouth: "Zhang Duzhi has always been 'making plans with the public, but making decisions alone'." He panted and pointed to the memorials on the desk, "It seems that the three ministries are composed of new and old people, but the Privy Council is full of his people."

On one side was the Privy Council, with Su Song as Privy Councilor, Huang Lu as Deputy Privy Councilor, and Shen Kuo who was about to return to the court, and Zhang Yu, the Acting Privy Councilor, who had made great military achievements during the Xining period.

Instead, the three provinces were Lu Gongzhu, Sima Guang, Han Wei who replaced Zhang Zhi, and Li Qingchen and Zhang Xu.

The three ministries continued to use both new and old officials, while the Privy Council was replaced by Zhang Yue's confidants.

Fan Zuyu added a piece of charcoal, and sparks crackled. "The minister's talk of reconciling the old and the new is probably about using the name of Jiayou to carry out the reality of Yuanfeng."

"I heard that the Xihe Border Opening Map in Wuying Palace has been hung up again. If this continues, the people will suffer a lot and the country will be in a difficult situation."

Guo Lin said: "I don't think so. Perhaps it is the unity of the emperor and his subjects during the Jiayou period, and the pioneering spirit during the Yuanfeng period!"

Fan Zuyu said: "But the most urgent task is to remedy the current difficulties."

Guo Lin glanced at Sima Guang's face without saying anything. He thought that pioneering and advancing was much more difficult than remedying the situation.

After a while, someone outside the door reported that Su Shi and Su Zhe came to visit Sima Guang.

Su Shi and Su Zhe saw that Sima Guang looked sick and haggard, and bowed deeply to the ground.

"The Minister ordered us to come and visit you, sir." Su Shi said softly.

Sima Guang said: "I am already old and frail, so a visit would be of no use."

"Zizhan, have you forgotten the Wutai Poetry Case?"

Su Shi said: "I dare not forget that when the previous emperor was in power, he suppressed dissenting opinions with a single morality and a single like and dislike, and used Cai Que and others to build a large prison. After you returned to the court, although you have good policies to open up the channels for speech, you allowed Liu Zhi and Wang Yansou to criticize the new law."

"Isn't this also the Wutai Poetry Case?"

"Back then, the new party eliminated the old party. Today, the old party is eliminating the new party. What will happen if the new party rises again in the future? This cycle will not benefit the country. I think it is imperative for the minister to mediate the party disputes and unite the upper and lower levels. This is also what the people of the government and the people want."

Sima Guang said: "Among the ministers in the Yuanfeng and Xining periods, there are many like Cai Que, Lu Huiqing, and Zhang Dun, all of whom are villains. They used the intentions of father and son to alienate the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, and finally led to the misfortune of the cliques, which was out of control. This is really painful for me."

"Tomorrow, tell the Minister of the Interior that we must settle accounts with Cai Que and Zhang Dun and investigate their responsibilities in this military turmoil. Otherwise... otherwise, history will have its own explanation!"

Sima Guang turned the tables on Zhang Yue.

Su Che said, "Sir, the late emperor's will is very clear."

"Before Yuanfeng, I had the same opinion as Prime Minister Sima, but after Yuanfeng, I went to various roads in Shaanxi, to Xihe Road, and to Xizhou, and only then did I know that there were thousands of miles of cotton fields and the harmony between the Han and the non-Han peoples. In recent years, the court has expanded the border to the northwest under the leadership of the Minister of the Court, and the gains are far greater than the losses. In the long run, it is more beneficial to the country."

Su Shi said: "Sima Xianggong, I was an official among the people, and the exemption law was very good. What you said before, abolishing the exemption law, is like a turtle kicking each other."

Sima Guang was lying on his sickbed and asked in confusion: "How can a turtle fight?"

Su Shi made a kicking gesture and said, "It's just like turtles kicking each other."

Sima Guang realized that Su Shi was telling jokes to tease him again, so he remained silent.

Su Shi and Su Zhe tried to persuade Sima Guang for half a day, but he still refused to listen.

……

The next day, hearing that Su Shi and Su Zhe were unable to persuade Sima Guang, Zhang Yue asked Zhang Xu and An Tao to visit Sima Guang again and ask him to change his mind and come out to do the work.

Sima Guang said angrily: "The campaign of Lingxia and the expansion of Xihe were initiated by our dynasty, and the land we occupied was all that land."

“For example, if A wants to seize B’s land, giving it to B without asking for it is better than giving it to B after asking for it. If A asks for it again but does not give it to B, the two families will inevitably fight.”

"Sir!" Upon hearing this, the Minister of War An Tao immediately stood up and said angrily: "From Lingwu to the east, all of them are Chinese territory. The late emperor raised an army to recover them. Why do you have to use this to criticize the late emperor?"

Zhang Xu was also reluctant to come and persuade Sima Guang, but he could not go against Zhang Yue's wishes.

However, he thought Sima Guang's words were too outrageous, and could not help but say: "The lands taken by Yuanfeng were all old Chinese lands, such as Lanzhou and Liangzhou, which were originally Western Fan lands and did not belong to the Tanguts. The previous emperor recovered them, and with such military achievements, how could he give them up so easily?"

Sima Guang was speechless. Seeing this, Guo Lin, who was standing beside him, silently fanned the charcoal basin. He knew very well that his teacher was good at writing history, but not very knowledgeable about border geography.

Seeing Sima Guang remained silent, An Tao and Zhang Xu also returned helplessly.

After the Su brothers, An Tao and Zhang Xu, many ministers came to persuade Sima Guang. Some, such as Fan Chunren, came on their own initiative, while others came at the order of Zhang Yue.

……

Among them was Xing Shu, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice.

When Xing Shu arrived at the capital hall, Zhang Yue was just returning.

The doorman knocked the ground with his stick, and Xing Shu and dozens of officials on his left and right all bowed down. A moment later, Zhang Yue, wearing a purple robe and jade belt, walked calmly into the main hall. Dozens of clerks in red robes followed behind him, each holding case files, showing the majesty of a prime minister.

Xing Shu waited for half an hour, and finally it was his turn to see the emperor.

Zhang Yue sat higher in the court, while Xing Shu stood and reported to him.

"Reporting to the Minister, when the Empress Dowager was dealing with military and national affairs, I have advised Sima Gong that since the Yuanfeng period, none of the officials in the court wanted to ruin the country. They all cared about the court and the people. The harm was caused by their own opinions. But the way of a mother changing her son is not justified. Even if it succeeds by chance, what will Your Majesty think about ruling the country in the future? How can you consider the future?"

"Mr. Sima answered without hesitation. I know what will happen in the future. I have no choice but to do so for the sake of the Zhao family."

"Please forgive me for asking, even if the Zhao family can be safe, what about the Sima family in the future?"

"At that time, Sima Xianggong replied that Guang's heart was only for Zhao's. If Guang's words were not followed, it would be unknown what would happen to Zhao's family in the future."

After hearing what Xing Shu said, Zhang Yue felt extremely helpless towards Sima Guang.

It turns out that Sima Guang had already predicted his future fate in history.

Zhang Yue said to Xing Shu, "Mr. Sima is the same. He is so determined and determined. He did it even though he knew it was impossible."

Xing Shu said, "Shu has been studying under Sima Xianggong for more than ten years. Sima Xianggong's morality is unparalleled in the world, so he is of course a loyal minister. But Cai Xianggong and Zhang Shuxiang hate him to the core, and think Sima Xianggong is a treacherous man who pretends to be loyal."

"Actually, in my eyes, Prime Minister Cai and Prime Minister Zhang are also truly loyal ministers! What a pity... What a pity..."

Xing Shu couldn't help but burst into tears after he finished speaking.

Zhang Yue handed Xing Shu a handkerchief and asked him to wipe his tears.

Xing Shu said, "I met Sima Xianggong again yesterday, and he said the same thing again. Most of the ministers in Xining and Yuanfeng were treacherous villains. It was they who alienated the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, which led to the current situation."

"He also said...he also said..."

Zhang Yue said: "Just speak frankly."

Xing Shu said: "Prime Minister Sima said that if the Song Dynasty is blessed by heaven, then the new law... the new law will not succeed."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue did not get angry but laughed instead, thinking that Sima Guang was too absurd and ridiculous. However, after laughing, he could not help but slamming his hand on the table.

Xing Shu said, "Please forgive Sima Xianggong's crime. Since he is determined not to change his original intention, you don't need to ask anyone to persuade him anymore."

"Mr. Sima has already run out of energy. Since he came to power, he has already made up his mind to sacrifice his life for the country. He has to personally take care of everything, no matter how big or small. Visitors see that he is weak and take Zhuge Liang as a warning, but Mr. Sima always says one thing: life and death are determined by fate."

Zhang Yue nodded slightly after hearing Xing Shu's words. He had no intention of persuading Sima Guang.

He was merely using this excuse to allow those in the court who held neutral opinions to express their stance and attitude by persuading Sima Guang, so as to decide whether to keep or send him, and whether to use him more importantly or not.

Hearing what Xing Shu said, Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Uncle He, it's not easy for you either."

"You have spoken well of everyone in the court. When the old and new parties disagreed, you were the one who mediated between them. You also did your best to persuade the Empress Dowager."

"Let's forget about your betrayal! Go to the Ministry of Personnel tomorrow to accept your new position!"

Xing Shu stood up, bowed deeply to Zhang Yue, then said goodbye and left.

Zhang Yue turned his head and looked at the "Diary" on the table. It was the one Shen Kuo presented to him when he went to Beijing. He wondered why Wang Anshi gave him this diary. Zhang Yue picked up a volume and saw traces of fire on it.

Zhang Yue thought that someone similar to Wang Anshi was Lu Huiqing.

Lu Huiqing also wrote four volumes of "Diary". He once said that all four volumes described his return to the United States after taking office, which proved his loyalty.

Zhang Yue glanced at the heavy snow outside the hall, and said to his attendants, "Collect the officials' proposals."

"Let's discuss this tomorrow!"

After finishing speaking, Zhang Yue closed the door and sat alone in the hall, flipping through the diary and muttering to himself: "The painting still needs more work!"

When I was aspiring to study, I read Wang Anshi's articles.

The sentence "The world's most magnificent and extraordinary sights are often located in dangerous and remote places, where few people go, and therefore only those with determination can reach them" has always been my motto for studying.

On that day, in front of the brazier in the hall on a snowy night, Zhang Yue held the diary written by Wang Anshi in his hands and read it all night.