When night fell, Zhang Yue was hungry for a whole day and night. His stomach was empty. He knew he would have drank more tea at yesterday's banquet.
Zhang Yue looked through the window pane and saw Yu Zhi, who was guarding the door, holding a gourd and seemed to be drinking freely.
Zhang Yue coughed and said, "You two, I wonder if Mr. Han and Mr. Zeng have responded."
The two imperial officials heard this, and one of the older ones said, "I reported it to Zhongshu on behalf of the high official, but there was no reply."
"Can we accommodate some drinks?"
The elder Yu Zhi said: "You have committed a serious crime and did not give orders. How can I dare to give you a drink? If the superiors find out, it will be miserable for both of us."
Another person said: "Yes, we don't dare, so please ask the officials to be patient and patient."
Zhang Yue said: "You two, as long as you are in custody, the superiors have not said that I am not allowed to eat. Besides, I haven't eaten for two days and I am not in good health on weekdays. If I faint, you may not be able to explain it."
Seeing the two men's hesitation, Zhang Yue asked again: "I wonder what the last names of these two brothers are?"
The elder said: "My surname is Wu."
The young man was too cautious to say anything.
Zhang Yue said to the elder Yu Zhi: "What a coincidence, my wife's family name is also Wu, so brother Zun is also a relative of mine. Brother Zun, do you understand that if I really committed a serious crime, I would not be locked up here. Please excuse me." With some food, if you come out of this door one day, you will be richly rewarded."
The older Yu Zhi was a little moved after hearing this, and the younger Yu Zhi said: "The superiors told us to keep a close eye on him. What should we do if he has eaten and drank enough and thought of running away?"
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "This Ban Zhi can't tell me whether I can run out of this window. Even if I run out, I can still run out of the palace. Haven't you heard about Han Hui?"
The two shook their heads.
"In the past, a high-ranking official was imprisoned and was treated harshly by a jailer. His words were reborn, let alone people. The jailer didn't believe him. Later, the official was reinstated. What do you think of him?"
"You two, that official is a gentleman. What if it were someone else? It doesn't matter what I eat. It doesn't matter if I really want to be blamed. Why don't you make a bet on whether I can get out of here?"
The elder said honestly: "I think it's okay to give some food to the high officials. The higher ups can't blame me."
The young man said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. We also obey the orders of high officials. Don't blame us in the future."
Seeing that he had frightened the two of them with his words, Zhang Yue said: "You are doing things under orders, how can you blame me? I will be accommodating and not forget your benefits in the future."
Immediately, Zhang Yue stretched out his hand through the crack of the door, and Yu Zhi poured some wine into his palm.
The elder said to the younger: "You go outside and watch, I'll help you."
Zhang Yue drank a piece with his hands, and suddenly felt happy and said repeatedly: "Have fun, come again!"
Zhang Yue drank more than a dozen cups of wine, and then the two of them broke the cake. Zhang Yue ate some of it wholeheartedly, and then he felt comfortable.
Zhang Yue had something in his stomach, so he immediately ignored it, cleared the things on the table, and lay down on the table with his clothes on and slept all night.
After Zhang Yue woke up the next morning, he wrote a letter home and got some food with the two imperial officials.
Zhang Yue became more familiar with them. Zhang Yue took off the jade pendant from his waist and handed it directly into the hands of the elder Yu Zhi through the crack in the door.
"Sir, what does this mean?"
Zhang Yue said: "Please send me a letter from home."
"This. Yesterday it was accommodating drinks, but today...it's not appropriate, it's not appropriate."
Zhang Yue said: "Wu Banzhi, you don't know what I am like. I will repay my kindness. Don't worry, I just want to repay you for your safety. There are no unnecessary words."
The elder Yu Nao finally agreed to send a letter to Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue breathed a sigh of relief. That's how people are. After agreeing to do a small favor, it would be much easier for him to do a big favor.
Zhang Yue originally thought so, but he heard Yu Zhi say: "Sir, I heard that you are the number one scholar. Since you are the number one scholar, you are definitely not a bad person, so I will help you this time, so I have nothing to repay."
Zhang Yue said: "Wu Banzhi, I never like to owe favors. If you do this, I will be in trouble."
The other party said: "That's fine, just follow the Number One Scholar."
On this day, Yu Zhi changed his shift. Zhang Yue had something in his stomach and felt at ease. Thinking about how he became famous at a young age, failed all the way in the imperial examination, married a beautiful and virtuous wife, and had the support of his in-laws, his life was very smooth.
This predicament now gives me enough time to reflect on myself. Anyway, he had nothing to do, so Zhang Yue picked up his pen and started writing on the inkstone with the remaining wine from yesterday.
And this day in the side hall next to Daqing Hall.
Han Qi, Zeng Gongliang, Ouyang Xiu, Zhao Gai and other prime ministers were guarding the palace, waiting for news about the emperor's condition.
Several prime ministers had not closed their eyes all day and night, and their eyes were bloodshot.
But seeing a eunuch from the Ministry of Internal Affairs passing by, Ouyang Xiu went out to call him and asked, "I wonder how the official's body is doing?"
The eunuch said: "Replying to my husband, how dare I reveal even a single word about forbidden matters? This will cost me my head."
Zeng Gongliang stepped forward and said: "We also know the rules in the palace, but at this point, our prime ministers don't know about your majesty's condition, so how can we explain it to the civil and military officials? I will ensure that nothing happens to you."
The eunuch said: "How can this be done? The husband-in-law has the final say on matters outside the palace, but not on matters within the palace."
Zhao Gai stepped forward and said, "Since you don't say anything, let me tell you that we want to see the Queen."
The eunuch said: "I dare not spread this word!"
At this time, Han Qi, who was at the head of the army, suddenly jumped up from the couch and rushed directly in front of the official, grabbing his clothes.
"Mr. Han, you can't do it, you can't do it."
Han Qi shouted: "The official family is suddenly ill. Only you can enter and leave the palace, but as the prime minister, we don't know how sick your majesty is? What are your intentions? Do you want to close the palace gate? Don't let the prime minister know. Is His Majesty safe?"
The eunuch was so frightened by Han Qi's momentum that he collapsed to the ground and kowtowed to Han Qi repeatedly.
The eunuch said: "Your Majesty fainted yesterday and was treated by the imperial doctor. He woke up this morning. I heard an hour ago that he could take some rice soup."
Han Qi and others were relieved when they heard this.
"This is true."
"It's absolutely true. Even if our family had a hundred courages, we wouldn't dare to deceive our husbands."
"Okay, I'll just believe you once."
After the eunuch left, Zeng Gongliang said: "I need the queen to come and give me a word about this matter before I can feel at ease."
Han Qi frowned. Empress Cao only trusted Wen Yanbo and Fu Bi, but did not trust herself. Ouyang Xiu said: "Since your Majesty has regained consciousness, he will summon the Prime Minister immediately, so don't worry."
Han Qi nodded slightly.
Han Qi said: "Actually, regardless of whether the queen has any opinion or not, I remember that when Your Majesty was hesitant, the two prime ministers Wen and Fu discussed making Zhao Zongshi the crown prince. If there is any emergency, we will use this to advise the queen!"
Ouyang Xiu and the others looked slightly changed after hearing this.
Several prime ministers sat there until early morning on the third day.
Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang couldn't bear it. After Ouyang Xiu woke up after a while, an official from Zhongshu happened to be summoned for him when he came to report something.
Ouyang Xiu asked him, "How is Bachelor Zhang doing?"
"I have been locked up next to Yiying Pavilion for more than two days and two nights, and now not a drop of water has come in."
Ouyang Xiu said: "This kind of punishment can be considered as a way to give an explanation to the officials. What if the person is really starving and thirsty? You secretly send some food to Bachelor Zhang."
"yes."
After Ouyang Xiu finished speaking, a young man from Huangmen arrived and said: "Your Majesty has woken up. Please invite some of your husbands to go to the palace to meet you."
Han Qi and others were overjoyed.
Everyone followed the small yellow gate into the emperor's palace.
When I arrived at the palace, I saw the official's face was pale, lying on the royal couch, and the palace maid was feeding medicine with a spoon.
Han Qi and other prime ministers could not help but burst into tears when they saw this.
After taking the medicine, the official said feebly to the servant: "Are Zhigui and the others here? You go outside and take a look."
Han Qi was stunned. Officials rarely called him by his first name, but now he was called by his pseudonym.
Han Qi hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I will not dare to disturb you when I see your Majesty taking medicine. Please forgive me."
The official nodded slightly and said, "I feel at ease now that you are here."
Han Qi said: "I don't know the inside story of the palace, so I'm waiting for news in the Daqing Palace, worried about the safety of His Majesty's dragon body."
The official said feebly: "To be honest, my health is getting worse day by day. I thought I could hold on today, but I didn't expect that when I was just listening to the lecture, I felt dizzy and couldn't stop it."
"Yes, what's wrong with Academician Zhang? My dragon body's violation has nothing to do with him, it's his own fault. You can't embarrass him because of me."
Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu and others were stunned.
Han Qi said: "The ministers did not make things difficult for him. Academician Zhang is now being detained next to Yiying Pavilion. We dare not let him go without hearing from His Majesty."
The official said: "Then let him go. He's a good man. Don't make a fuss. Don't tell anyone about this matter. This is the first time Zhang Xueshi has served Jingyan. This word has spread to the ears of all the officials. The admonishment officials will know about it." It will ruin his future future.”
"And don't implicate others because of my illness. And if something unexpected happens to me, you can't embarrass the medical officials. Treat them well, just like me."
Han Qi and others said: "Your Majesty is tolerant and kind, and he will sincerely thank God and increase his longevity."
The official looked at the top of the tent and said: "I have been in office for forty-one years. Although my governance is mediocre, my enjoyment of the country has surpassed that of Taizu, Taizong, and the previous emperor. It doesn't matter whether I increase my life span or add discipline without adding discipline." regret."
Han Qi said: "Your Majesty, I have the courage to speak out. In the past few days, I and other prime ministers have been guarding the Daqing Palace in fear, fearing that something might happen. If something happens that endangers the country and the country, I will not be able to bear the blame even if I die."
"As a minister, you should plan for your majesty and make arrangements early. Now that the East Palace is empty, I would like to ask your majesty to make arrangements for the reserve as soon as possible to calm the hearts of the subjects at home and abroad."
The official was speechless, and after a while he said, "I'm tired."
Han Qi and others had to resign.
Zhao Gai and Zeng Gongliang responded first, while Han Qi and Ouyang Xiuchi spoke behind.
Ouyang Xiu said: "It seems that the official family does not want to appoint the heir apparent. It will be useless for us to wait."
Han Qi said: "Mr. Ou, now is not the time to say these words. The matter of the crown prince involves the foundation of the country and must be discussed."
Ouyang Xiudao: "But I see what the official family wants. The two husbands, Wen and Fu, have already agreed on the throne. Can't we, the prime minister, ask the queen again after the official family's funeral? If the prince is established early, the plan changes. What if I can’t find him?”
Han Qi said anxiously: "Uncle Yong is confused! How can a woman interfere in the important matter of the throne? How can your majesty and I be put in power in this way? Aren't you afraid that the incident of the Empress Dowager Xianzhang listening behind the curtain will happen again?"
Ouyang Xiu suddenly said: "Yes, I lost my mind."
