Inside the Yiying Palace.
Zhang Yue stood aside. Back then, both Renzong and Yingzong held sutra banquets here. After the banquet, they discussed state affairs with officials here.
Now it is this young official who ascended the throne at the age of twenty.
Unknowingly, Zhang Yue can be regarded as a veteran of three dynasties.
Prime ministers, Hanlin bachelors, and banquet officials all discuss military and state affairs in this hall. Even if Zhang Yue is just a spectator, he is honored.
However, after a long lecture at the Sutra Banquet, Zhang Yue felt a little tired, while Sima Guang, who was nearly fifty years old, was still in high spirits.
He was older than Zhang Yue and the official family combined. After having just lived and discussed politics and held a banquet, he was not tired at all. Instead, he strongly opposed the accommodation of the Wei Mingshan brothers and the tens of thousands of rebellious Tibetan people on the spot.
Zhang Yue couldn't help but admire that Sima Guang's body was really good.
But I heard Sima Guang say: "Your Majesty has just ascended the throne. Both the court and the local government are short of money. It is not easy to act rashly at this moment, let alone talk about military and national affairs."
Zhang Yue frowned slightly when he saw the official's brows.
"Although Li Liangzuo, the Xia chieftain, repeatedly violated the borders of our dynasty, he at least still maintained the etiquette of a courtier. He sent envoys to our dynasty to pay homage several times. Emperor Yingzong died not long ago, and he even sent envoys to express his condolences. Compared with Li Yuanhao was quite respectful at first.”
"Currently, the Xia people's envoys are still in Bianjing, but our dynasty has taken in their rebellious subjects and surrendered to the people. This move will not only anger Li Liangzuo, but also make our dynasty fail to do so and make your majesty lose trust with the Tibetan people."
Lu Huiqing on the side came forward and said: "Your Majesty, Li Liangzuo has repeatedly invaded the borders and sent envoys to deceive peace. If these ministers can be called obedient, then how should other Tibetan countries deal with themselves?"
"Li Liangzuo is now making peace. Firstly, there has been a major disaster and famine in the country. Secondly, there is a rift with the Liao Kingdom. Thirdly, it is because our army has won the victory over Dashun City. Is it because of his obedient nature? In the past, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty drove north. The Xiongnu and Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty captured Jie Li alive because China treated Rong and Di with courtesy?"
Zhang Yue secretly applauded in his heart, and he recommended Lu Huiqing just so that he could confront him.
Sure enough, the official was very happy after hearing Lu Huiqing's words.
Everyone present was paying close attention to his words, and they obviously knew the emperor's innermost plans.
Zhang Yue thought to himself that even if Lu Huiqing and Sima Guang lost the fight, the emperor still won in his heart.
But Sima Guang argued hard: "The dynasty should treat the Rong and Di with a gentle policy, or use the power of the king to prevent them from entering the invaders, so that China can be safe. There is no need to be like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in the northern expedition to the Huns, so that When changes occur in the country, there is no need to capture Jie Li alive like Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, which wastes the people and money."
"Besides, the people of Rong and Di have practiced riding and archery since they were children. However, it would take at least five years for this dynasty to raise a soldier who is good at riding and archery. During this time, I don't know how much money, food and horse materials are consumed, which is not as good as the army. The whole people of Di are soldiers, so this is not something that China can win."
"Since Emperor Taizong, there has been almost no victory in the Song-Xia campaign. Every battle will consume national power and harshly suppress the people. The west of Chang'an can be said to be a wilderness covered with bones, and the streets are full of howls. The people of Guanxi still weep bitterly to this day. Ah, and I think back to those days when both sides were at peace with each other, Guanzhong was still a scene of living and working in peace and contentment."
Lu Huiqing said: "But now I don't want to cause trouble. This Suizhou was originally the hometown of our dynasty. In the past, Li Yuanhao stole it and ran away. Why not return it to Zhao intact now?"
Sima Guang scolded: "For example, if a neighbor steals my family's money, I can just rebuke him with my words. How can I steal his money in retaliation? What is the difference between me and my neighbor who is a thief?"
Lu Huiqing wanted to say more.
Sima Guang said: "Your Majesty is eager to punish the Westerners. However, if you want to achieve success externally, you must first govern internally. How can you bring peace to the world without governing the country? I hope that Your Majesty will recuperate and recuperate, and the tranquility of national affairs will be your top priority."
"Besides, recruiting rebels, haven't we seen Hou Jing's rebellion? Hou Jing was once a general of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, and finally destroyed the Liang Kingdom. This is a lesson learned from the past and must be taken into consideration!"
Hearing what Sima Guang said, the officials couldn't help but wonder, what Sima Guang said could mean that I am Emperor Wu of Liang? So where is Xiao Zhengde? "
When the officials heard Sima Guang's words, they were really angry.
Yes, Sima Guang was a virtuous gentleman whose character and conduct were respected by him. It turned out that I thought that the other party was just a little pedantic and conservative. Because such a minister cannot observe the words and deeds, understand the monarch's preferences, and shape the words and deeds of a monarch based on the Confucian standards in his mind.
But in this matter, for the first time, the officials felt that Sima Guang was so far from the virtuous minister in his mind, and that the other party was so incorrigible.
The officials were silent, and Zeng Gongliang and other prime ministers were also silent.
The officials had no choice but to inquire about the meaning of Lu Gong's writing.
Lu Gong wrote: "Now that the inside and outside are empty, it is difficult to talk about military matters."
Lu Gongzhu always said that his wife would hit the mark without saying anything, so he expressed his support for Sima Guang in a concise and concise manner.
Now, except for Lu Huiqing, no one has come forward to support the war with Xia. Logically speaking, the officials should listen to everyone's opinions at this time and let the matter go.
Unexpectedly, the official said: "I heard Xue Xiang say that the Xia Kingdom has been gathering frequently in recent times, so that the Hengshan tribes have become estranged. Seeing that Hengshan tribes have the intention of joining in, the Xia Lord moved all the Hengshan tribes to Xingzhou, and all the tribes in Hengshan moved to Xingzhou. Everyone cares about the country."
"The Fan tribe is also my people, how can I abandon them? Since you are not willing to do it, for fear of taking the blame for losing troops and losing territory, then I will do it myself. In the future, the recruitment and surrender of the Hengshan Fan tribe does not need to go through the two governments. Xue Xiang will report directly to me! I will command with my hand."
As soon as the official said this, everyone was surprised, except Lu Huiqing who looked happy.
Zhang Yue was also surprised. What is this? Did the emperor bypass the Zhongshu Privy Council and directly micromanage the battle situation?
Seeing that the officials' displeasure was palpable, the ministers could no longer say anything.
Zhang Yue thought to himself that the temperament of the official family was also very outward and strong at the same time, but once they decided something, they would not easily look back. All in all, he is still a very decisive king.
Zhang Yue retreated to Tianzhang Pavilion. Before he could sit down and take a sip of tea, the eunuch came and said, "Your Majesty declares the truth before you."
This is not the first time that the emperor has made an official appearance, but the banquet has just ended, so it is really rare for the emperor to make an official appearance.
But there is nothing we can do. As an aide-de-camp, we are dedicated to giving advice to the emperor. Who told us to eat this bowl of rice? Zhang Yue put down the cup of hot tea again and hurried to the palace with the chamberlain.
When Zhang Yue arrived at the palace, he saw an official standing in front of a map depicting the appearance of Shaanxi, while lunch was placed on the imperial table beside him, and apparently not a single chopstick was touched.
After Zhang Yue met the official, the official waved and said, "Come here, Qing Zhang."
Zhang Yue walked to the official's side and stood next to him.
The official looked at the map and asked, "Zhang Qing, am I too anxious today?"
Zhang Yue thought to himself, it's a little too late to regret it at this time. You have let out all your words.
Zhang Yue said: "Since your Majesty has made a holy judgment, you must not regret it, otherwise you will easily be underestimated by your ministers."
The official said to the map: "Our territory of the Song Dynasty was lost to Di Rong. The civil and military officials of the whole dynasty did not agree, but I am the only one who is sad."
"In today's court meeting, I was really angry. The Xia people did not attack me overnight. If I didn't have some scruples, I would really like to imitate Taizong and have Emperor Zhenzong personally lead the expedition."
Zhang Yue was amused in his heart. He wanted to ask the official very unkindly to his face, "Do you know how to drive a donkey cart?"
On his face, Zhang Yue advised sternly: "Absolutely not. Your Majesty will take matters into his own hands in the border affairs of Shaanxi. You can just send a capable minister and a good general to put an end to it."
The official sighed and asked Zhang Yue: "The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty said that the Shaanxi transshipment envoy Xue Xiang was a utilitarian minister and could not be used very much. But I saw that he was good at military affairs in Qiangu, so he came from Tibet without costing the court a penny. Bu Na bought more than 10,000 good horses, but for some reason ministers like Sima Guang were prejudiced against him."
For Xue Xiangzhang, I really want to laugh twice.
When he first became the judge of salt and iron, he wanted to beat him up personally. As for Cai Xiang, the third minister, he scolded him every day and night, wishing to fuck Xue Xiang to death.
When did Zhang Yue change his mind about Xue Xiang?
After the establishment of the Exchange, Xue Xiang gave Zhang Yue a thousand salt notes every year. Even after Zhang Yue was dismissed as salt and iron judge, Xue Xiang never stopped.
So Zhang Yue felt that he could make this friend!
But taking your money doesn’t mean I have to speak for you. Did I help you, Mr. Xue Xiang?
Zhang Yue said: "Xue Xiang spent all the money he spent on buying horses to Hedong to issue salt banknotes. Because the salt banknotes were issued so excessively, the salt banknotes that were worth six guans per seat were sold for three or four guan per seat. In the end, the three divisions came out. Two hundred thousand guan was used to buy back salt banknotes at the Salt Institute of the Capital."
Zhang Yue's implication is, what does it mean to buy a horse for free? Is it shameful? It’s all our third company’s money that’s spent, okay? In the end, I set up a reference center to give you Xue Xiang the truth.
When the officials saw that Zhang Yue did not follow what he wanted to say, they felt that Zhang Yue's speech was really fair and objective, and he was not an official who waited for what he wanted to hear and said what he wanted.
After listening to Zhang Yue's words, the officials got to know Xue Xiang again and were no longer so angry with Sima Guang and others for their objection to their use of Xue Xiang.
He left the map and walked to the imperial table with Zhang Yue.
The official was obviously a little hungry. He picked up the buns with his chopsticks and asked, "So this Xue Xiang is indeed not a good person."
Guan Jia was about to speak but when he heard a cooing sound, he looked up and saw Zhang Yue looking embarrassed.
The official coughed lightly and said to the waiters on the left and right: "Get Zhang Qing some food."
The waiter was a little surprised that this seemed to be against the rules, but knowing that Zhang Yue was favored now, he followed the instructions and brought a bowl of sheep intestine soup cake to Zhang Yue.
The soup cakes are warmed from a small stove on the side, so they are neither cold nor hot.
Since the emperor is giving food, why should he be polite? When it comes to eating, Zhang Yue never says a word and just starts eating. Zhang Yue sat on a small stool nearby, holding a bowl and slurping sheep intestine soup cakes.
The officials were also happy to see Zhang Yue like this. His appetite had not been good since he ascended the throne, so seeing Zhang Yue's appearance gave him some appetite. However, the official family had only eaten a few mouthfuls, and the thought of Xixia's situation was still stuck in their throats.
With delicacies from the mountains and seas in your throat, how can you reach the great rivers and mountains and fall into the hands of other countries?
But seeing him stop his chopsticks and ask: "Zhang Qing said that he is looking for a capable minister and general who is good at border affairs. I wonder if you have anyone to recommend."
Lu Huiqing, whom Zhang Yue had recommended before, agreed with him very much, but now he asked Zhang Yue for his recommendation again.
When the official asked questions, Zhang Yueben ate the sheep's intestines with big mouthfuls, and suddenly there was a ding in his head when he heard the official's questions.
Zhang Yue was overjoyed. Isn't this a coincidence?
He happened to have a candidate to recommend to the officials!
