There was a snowfall in Bianjing City in early winter. After the snow, Bianjing seemed to have grown older, especially the Ouchi Imperial Palace, which looked more primitive and ancient.
Han Qi, who was dressed in purple robe, looked at the palace wall and couldn't help but think of the scene when he entered the palace when he was young. That day, he had just won the second place in Jinshi, and walked into the palace full of trepidation.
During the roll call, auspicious clouds descended from the sky, and white clouds supported a red sun rising slowly.
The ministers said one after another that if the colorful clouds support the sun, there must be virtuous ministers.
Han Qi squinted his eyes slightly. It was clear behind the snow, and a ray of sunlight happened to cross the eaves of the palace and fall on his face.
In the wind and snow, the energetic young man with black hair wearing a green robe is now an old man with gray hair wearing a purple robe.
Although his face has changed, the fighting spirit in his chest has not diminished since he was young, but it is a pity that he no longer has a place in the court.
The boots were stepping on the not-so-thick snow, and the surroundings were extremely quiet, except for the rushing wind from time to time.
When they reached the steps, Zhang Mao stepped down to greet him and said, "It's snowy and the road is slippery. Please let me support my husband."
Han Qi waved his hand and said: "You know it even if you don't work hard, I can still walk."
Han Qi arrived at the palace step by step, and saw the young official sitting on the imperial couch in front of him.
Han Qi knelt down and saluted the official, who signaled Zhang Mao to read out the imperial edict.
But I heard Zhang Maoze say: "The imperial edict said that Han Qi would be given access to the second house as a ritual, and he would also be given a district in Xingdaofangzhai, and his son, secretary Cheng Zhongyan, would be promoted to the school manager of the Secret Pavilion."
"I dare not accept this gift, Han Qi."
But seeing the official leave the throne in person, he bowed and helped Han Qi up from the ground and said, "In the past, Sima Guang and Wang Tao criticized the Duke too much. I apologized to the Duke for them."
Han Qi said: "In the past, when I was admonishing the state, I could attack the prime minister's mistakes. Now that I am the prime minister, how can I not be attacked by the admonishment of the state? This is not the way to treat others the same as oneself."
The officials were familiar with Han Qi and thought that Wang Tao impeached Han Qi because of their tacit consent. At this moment, they couldn't help crying and said: "My lord, even when King Zhou Cheng was in power in the past, how could he not doubt Duke Zhou."
Hearing the official compare himself to King Cheng of Zhou and compare him to Duke Zhou, Han Qi felt completely relieved in the face of the official's unexpected calmness and let go of many things.
"Your Majesty is far better than King Cheng of Zhou, but I dare not compare with Duke Zhou. It's just that I have reached old age. My eldest daughter-in-law, Lu, died of illness. I can't help but feel sad. In addition, I have been busy with the late emperor's mausoleum. My body is not as good as before. Now I just hope that I can stay in my hometown forever."
The official helped Han Qi sit across from him in the palace, mentioned the reward again, and then said: "This is all my intention. After my husband returns to his hometown to take good care of himself, he will still return to the court to assist me."
Han Qi said: "Your Majesty, I have been the prime minister for many years but have done nothing for the country and dare not be awarded the first rank. What's more, the director of the secret pavilion is a noble and noble position, and he should not be given to dogs indiscriminately. He should be given a test and be removed after passing the exam."
The official said: "Since my husband insists, let the Master's Academy hold an examination before granting the award. There is no other shirk."
Han Qi finally agreed: "Thanks to your majesty's grace, I can be a king and a minister. I thank your majesty."
The officials couldn't help being moved when they heard this, and said to Han Qi: "I still have state affairs to trouble my husband, and I hope that your husband will never shirk it."
"Due to the Hengshan Weiming mountain incident, the Western captives were rampant. Suizhou was lost, and Xixia stationed heavy troops in Yinzhou. At the same time, Li Liangzuo led an army of 100,000 to linger on the border, claiming to invade Bianjing."
"The Yanyan Road asked for help from all sides, but the frontier fortress was suddenly frightened overnight. Prime Minister Wen Shu also requested that Suizhou be returned to Xixia for the time being to calm the matter. I would like to ask the Prime Minister to go to the west first and make a decision on this matter."
Han Qi said: "However, this matter was done by the commander-in-chief on his own initiative, so that he would blame Rong Di. I can report it to the court after I get to the place."
Seeing Han Qi's obedience, the officials immediately said with great joy, "I feel relieved that my husband will be in charge of the northwest."
At this point, the official paused and asked, "After my husband leaves Beijing, who can entrust me with state affairs and assist me in handling state affairs?"
Han Qi said: "It is feasible for the Third Division to envoy Han Jiang."
The official nodded and said, "I have planned to appoint Han Jiang as Deputy Privy Envoy. I wonder what Mr. Han thinks of Wang Anshi's talents?"
Han Qi shook his head and said: "Wang Anshi is talented enough to be a Hanlin scholar, but not in the position of assistant minister."
The officials couldn't help but remain silent when they heard the words. At this time, the chamberlain reported: "Mr. Zeng and Mr. Wen know that Mr. Han is here and request that the Western affairs be discussed with us."
The official nodded and said: "That's it."
This was Han Qi's last prelude to his appointment as prime minister. Unexpectedly, Han Qi stood up and said: "Your Majesty, when I was the central prime minister the day before yesterday, we should discuss it together. Today, I am a local vassal. I only follow the orders of the imperial court. The rest Never dare to smell it.”
The official sighed: "It's the Duke who doesn't know what I mean. It's just... I just want to keep the Prime Minister for a while longer."
Han Qi bowed to the official again, choked with sobs and said: "I retire, I hope your majesty will take care of the dragon body!"
After Han Qi got up and left the Golden Palace, he happened to pass by Zeng Gongliang and Wen Yanbo.
My mood is different when I come and I go, and the scenery I see is also different.
I saw snow had already fallen, but when I saw the vast sky and earth, snow powder was fluttering.
Snow fell on the red wall, and the young man with beautiful face turned into a white-haired old man in an instant.
Han Qi felt something in his heart. Just as he was about to move, he saw a young official wearing a scarlet robe standing under the eaves and looking at him.
Seeing the other party's heroic spirit and majestic appearance, Han Qi seemed to see himself back then.
The other party said: "Please allow me to escort Duke Wei out of the palace."
Han Qi said: "Zhang Youyan is waiting in front of you at this moment and will send you off without any trouble."
Zhang Yueze said: "In the past, when I was dismissed from office, the Duke did not hesitate to come to the official residence to express his condolences with the dignity of the Prime Minister. Now that the Duke has retired, please allow me to repay this kindness."
Han Qi's expression of surprise flashed across his face when he heard this, then he nodded slightly and took steps forward. Zhang Yue opened his umbrella to cover Han Qi from the snowflakes in the sky and followed behind.
An old man and a young man walked along the palace road in the snow.
Han Qi looked at the palace road at his feet and sighed: "When I was young, I always felt that this palace road was very long, so I couldn't wait to speed up my pace. At that time, Fu Zhenggong (Fu Bi) was always there to persuade me. I walked slower, but unfortunately I was young and energetic at the time and never listened."
"Did the Duke ever fall in the palace?"
"Never."
"Then why does the Duke feel sorry?"
Zhang Yue felt stupid as he spoke. There must be no other person who could persuade Han Qi like Fu Bi did.
Han Qi did not answer and asked instead: "How do you comment on me? It has been nine years since I became an official in the third year of Jiayou. It has been nine years. How do you comment on my career?"
Zhang Yue said: "The Duke resigned from the prime ministership at a time of great glory and returned to his hometown. He also served as governor of the two towns and prepared the plans for the three Dukes. This honor and favor can be said to be extremely noble and rich. There is no need to say anything about being a low-ranking official."
Han Qi insisted: "I still want to listen carefully to your words."
Zhang Yue knew that after a big boss like Han Qi resigned, officials would write a letter of congratulations.
The congratulatory note is not just a formality, but everything you say in it is evidence. If you dare to liquidate me when you become prime minister in the future, I will take out the congratulatory note you wrote to me. Although it is useless, You can also let the world see your face.
Zhang Yue thought that Han Qi was too cautious.
I've personally come to escort you out of the palace, but you still can't trust me. Are you really afraid that I will one day become the prime minister and liquidate you?
Zhang Yue said angrily: "The Duke served in three dynasties and assisted in two dynasties. His contribution to the country cannot be expressed in words."
"If we compare it to the ancients, it can be compared to Zhou Bo in the distant place, Huo Guang in the Han Dynasty, who was able to make decisions but ultimately cast doubt on it, and more recently it can be compared to Yao Chong, Song Jing in the Tang Dynasty, who was good at managing politics without experiencing changes."
Seeing that Han Qi was listening attentively, Zhang Yue calmed down a little and said: "It has been difficult for the ancients to hold a high position and achieve success since ancient times. However, if the Duke of the country has been in the position for nine years, he can maintain his reputation, be honored, and advance and retreat." He is calm and calm in every situation. From ancient times to the present, only Zhou Gong can be compared with Han Gong among those who can have both virtue and industry."
When Han Qi heard this, he stopped and suddenly looked up to the sky and laughed: "With these words, I will be well-known after my death."
Zhang Yue looked at Han Qi and couldn't help but be surprised. The other party spoke so highly of him. Can his few words to him influence how future generations will evaluate him?
Han Qi turned around and said to Zhang Yue, who was holding an umbrella behind him: "After my death, Du Zhi has long been a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. Please use these words to compose a poem for me."
Zhang Yue didn't know how to answer.
However, he saw heavy snow falling. Although he was covered by an umbrella, Zhang Yue's official robe unknowingly had a lot of snow powder falling on his shoulders.
"Daddy!"
It turned out that Han Zhongyan entered the palace to pick up Han Qi.
Han Qi said: "Please come over here, Duzhi and I have a few words to say."
Han Zhongyan stood aside as he was told, with a confused look on his face. Zhang Yue was talking to his father, and there was nothing he couldn't listen to.
"The dog is stupid, so let him take care of it from now on."
Zhang Yue said: "My lord, please rest assured."
Han Qi nodded, and then said sternly: "If the official family worships Wang Anshi as the prime minister, although this person is talented, he will not be able to serve as an assistant. When the time comes, he will most likely be the one who will cause chaos in the world..."
What?
Zhang Yue thought to himself, did you know that Wang Anshi was recommended by me? Wang Anshi caused chaos in the world, am I going to take the blame?
Zhang Yue said seriously: "Wang Jiefu is definitely not like this. I think he can bring peace to the world."
Han Qi said with a smile: "Placing stones may not be able to pacify the world. No matter whether Wang Jiefu can pacify the world, those who can judge mountains and rivers after him must be Du."
"Me?" Zhang Yue couldn't help but laugh, "Mr. Han thinks too highly of me..."
Actually I want to paddle more...
"...I hope Mr. Han will come out when the time comes."
Han Qi said: "As a matter of fact, after I return to my hometown, I will fish with gulls and never ask about government affairs. I built a hall of ten thousand books in my hometown, in which thousands of books are collected and hidden in rows of houses. I will do it myself when I return to my hometown this time." The book was written and proofread, with red and yellow writing."
"It's a pity that after my old wife died of illness, my eldest daughter-in-law, Lu, also died of illness, and then Zhongyan married his sister and took over the housekeeping. Both daughters-in-law have good wives and talents in managing the house, and they keep the inside and outside in order... "
"Although the daughter of the Lu family was born into a noble family, she has never been arrogant and cultivated women's ethics. You can tell the autumn by looking at a leaf. Marriage with a girl from the Lu family will not miss a good match. I hope you will consider marrying me. On the thin side of this point, I want my nephew to consider this marriage."
Zhang Yue couldn't help but be surprised when he heard Han Qi's words.
Unexpectedly, Han Qi also knew about this marriage? He also came forward to write an article for Lu Gong.
What are you doing here, helping Mr. Lu compete with Wang Anshi for his son-in-law?
