Zhang Yue rode his horse alone on the road to Bianjing. At this moment, he was extremely depressed. A few days ago, he knew that it was the time when the spring breeze was proud of making imperial edicts, but today he continued to offend the officials and Wang Anshi, as if the cold autumn wind suddenly swept people away. It gave me a chill.
Zhang Yue sent Tang Jiu and Zhang Gong back home, while he rode a horse and wandered around the streets at will. At this moment, the cold wind was blowing down, which made his head hurt even more, and his cheeks on both sides were as red as if they were burning.
Zhang Yue thought to himself, is it necessary for an official to learn from Deng Wan's famous saying, "Let him laugh and scold, but I will do it myself if I am a good official"?
Since the officials trust me so much and follow him in everything, why should I talk so much? Isn't it good to pay homage to the prince smoothly?
I knew that the government was determined to send troops across the mountain, so why didn't I have the foresight to oppose him?
Even if Hengshan is defeated, Han Jiang will be the main punisher, and he will be implicated at most.
It's really not worth losing the favor of the officials for this.
Zhang Yue was walking down the street on horseback when he saw a carriage suddenly stop in front of his horse.
"Lady!"
It turned out that Seventeen Niang saw that Zhang Yue had sent Tang Jiu away alone, and Zhang Gong was wandering out without returning home, so she felt uneasy and went out to look for him.
"The Sword Comes"
Seeing Zhang Yue feeling so distressed, the Seventeenth Mother said: "Guanren!"
Zhang Yue got on the carriage, feeling aggrieved at the moment, and then told Qi Niang what had happened.
Seventeenth Mother didn't say anything, but listened quietly to Zhang Yue's words.
Zhang Yue held Seventeenth Niang's hand and said: "...I am no longer a humble official, and I have suddenly gained the position of sacrificing others."
"It's not because of the high official's generous salary that I bowed down for these five buckets of rice. It's just that in the past, I was kind to the late emperor, so I contradicted him. But today, the official family is kind to me, and they have always trusted me. I do this to his face. Falling out against him is no different from being a wolf with white eyes."
…
After a pause, Zhang Yue asked: "Madam, what do you think I should do?"
Seventeenth Mother said: "The official has already made his decision, so why should I say more? You also know that you make the decision on all major matters at home and abroad."
Zhang Yue nodded.
The Seventeenth Mother smiled and said: "My lord, the new wine ingredients of Qingfeng Tower are now available. Please accompany me there!"
Zhang Yue accompanied Shiqi Niang to buy new wine from Qingfenglou and returned to the house, then entered the study.
Mother Chen said: "Mother, the crabs are steamed, can you call me Master..."
Seventeenth Mother said: "I will carry it in myself!"
Mother Chen advised: "But mistress, you just got pregnant..."
The Seventeenth Mother smiled and said, "As long as there are some things that don't hinder me, don't bother me in the study."
Mother Chen said: "Yes, Mistress."
Mother Chen followed Seventeenth Mother's gaze.
The autumn wind brought the evening, and under the light of the lamp, Zhang Yue had already written on the eucalyptus, with a determined look on his face.
The kitchen had cooked the fresh scallops that were served in autumn, and Seventeenth Mother prepared some ginger-vinegar sauce and a pot of new wine, and brought them to Zhang Yue's study in person.
Seventeen Niang saw Zhang Yue concentrating on writing Zazi.
Zhang Yue once told Qi Niang that the pen is the sword and the article is the armor. Scholars fighting in the court are like generals fighting on the battlefield.
This is the place where scholars live and die.
Zhang Yue is now one of the two systems. The ministers of the two systems have one power, which is to write zhazi. Zhazi is a special performance, which does not need to go through the second government, but is directly given to the officials for inspection. It is a private conversation between ministers and officials.
At this moment, Zhang Yue suddenly didn't realize that Seventeenth Mother had entered.
Seventeen Niang placed the wine crab on Zhang Yue's head, and then quietly left.
Looking up at night in Bianjing, you can see the stars, and the dead branches with fallen leaves paint the night sky. The lights in the house are still bright, and the shadow of a man writing furiously is outlined on the window paper.
…
"Those who serve as ministers must have a place where they can live in temples. Those who make imperial edicts, celebrities in palaces and pavilions, and role models for scholars..."
"I have not personally experienced the place, and unless I was promoted by Your Majesty, I am still in the mountains and forests, decaying with the grass and trees. I can only repay Your Majesty's kindness with dogs and horses... I am from a humble background, and my knowledge cannot be far-reaching, so I am not good enough to help you. Praise to the left and right is just for the job, so I speak out and give advice...
After reading Zhang Yue's memorial, the official said with slightly moist eyes: "Zhang Qing is loyal to me..."
Zhang Yue expressed his sincerity in his sincerity. Not only did he once again state his intention to use troops in Hengshan, but he opposed the idea of taking Hengshan head-on, thinking it was too urgent. At the same time, Zhang Yue expressed his willingness to serve as his own in the border areas instead of dictating in the shogunate.
At this point, the official also reflected on his excessive words yesterday and lost his temper with Zhang Yue in court. However, the officials were moved, and they were still a little angry that Zhang Yue once again opposed his sending troops to Hengshan.
It is certain that no matter who persuades him, they cannot shake his determination to use troops across the mountain and complete the victory in one battle.
At this time Wang Anshi came to see him.
The official sat opposite Wang Anshi.
The official showed Zhang Yue's zhazi to Wang Anshi. After reading it, Wang Anshi said to the official: "Your Majesty, I also have a zhazi from Zhang Yue here to report to your majesty."
Wang Anshi originally carried this letter with him and presented it to officials. He didn't know before that there was a serious disagreement between Zhang Yue and the official family Yinhehuang and Hengshan Raiders.
The official read Wang Anshi's letter and said: "The Imperial Academy openly opposed the new law, and this student's sarcastic words were regarded as superior."
Wang Anshi said: "This Su Jia is the son of Su Song, the former Sheren."
The official asked: "Zhang Yue is in charge of Gou Taixue, does he know it or not?"
Wang Anshi said: "I don't know the cause, but it's hard to escape the blame."
The official thought for a while and said: "I need to pay attention to the affairs of Xixia now. The important affairs of the country are to be sacrificed to Rong."
Wang Anshi said: "Your Majesty should make this decision. As for the use of troops in the northwest, I believe that the way to use troops is both strange and correct. Capturing Hengshan can be the positive one, and recovering Hehuang can be the secondary one."
In this time and space, although Wang Shao switched to Han Jiang's tent, Wang Anshi still retained a supportive attitude towards He Huang's use of troops.
The official nodded and said, "But now the Privy Council opposes my use of troops."
Wang Anshi said: "Those who oppose may not all be villains, just like Sima Guang and Lu Gong, they are all gentlemen. But the harm of a gentleman is sometimes more harmful than that of a villain. This is due to academic irregularity."
"Since Your Majesty has made up his mind in his heart, if the argument does not agree, then let it go."
"It is said that the emperor of the Ming Dynasty must make his own decisions and the court must have laws, but it is not enough to rule, and there is no way to follow the law. I think that your majesty has been too lenient in the past."
The officials were convinced by Wang Anshi's words. Sima Guang, Lu Gongzhu and Wang Anshi were all good friends, but they left one after another because they opposed the reform. So for Zhang Yue who opposed the use of troops across the mountain, the officials also felt that they must be reprimanded and let him know what to do.
Wang Anshi's words also made officials reflect on whether they were too lenient towards those close to them.
The official nodded and said: "What you said is the best, so I will give you the full authority to handle the affairs of the Imperial Academy."
Wang Anshi was interested in the affairs of Taixue. The officials had made an agreement with him before. It was Zhang Yue's wish to take charge of the affairs of Taixue. If he did not do well, he would be the one to blame him and not Wang Anshi. But now the officials let him Wang Anshi took matters into his own hands.
Wang Anshi is a smart man. He usually just concentrates on doing things and is too lazy to figure out other people's thoughts. But Wang Anshi still understood the official family attentively, and he immediately caught the unspoken thoughts of the official family.
When Wang Anshi left Chongzheng Hall, he thought for a while and asked Yuan Suidao: "Where is Xianggong Han?"
"He was away on business, but said he would return to Zhongshu in an hour."
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "In that case, let Zhang Yue come to Zhongshu to see me in an hour."
…
Zhang Yue did not get a reply from the officials after going to the court, so he planned to go to the palace to make a speech today to explain his meaning clearly. When he came to Hemen and wanted to meet the emperor through communication, a Zhongshu official was already waiting here.
The other party saluted Zhang Yue and said, "Mr. Zhang She, Mr. Wang has summoned you for something."
Zhang Yue asked: "What's the matter?"
But when he saw the other party, he said, "You'll know after you leave."
Zhang Yue knew he was puzzled, so he followed the other party to Zhongshu later.
Wang Anshi and Han Jiang were both in the hall, along with Zeng Bu, Deng Wan and Li Chengzhi.
This was the first time Zhang Yue met Deng Wan.
Deng Wan also rose to power because he praised Wang Anshi and the new law.
When Deng Wan met the king, the official asked, "Do you know Wang Anshi or Lu Huiqing?"
Deng Wan said he didn't know him.
The officials thought that you didn't know him, so they praised Wang Anshi. The official told him: "Wang Anshi, among the ancients today, Lu Huiqing is a wise man."
When Deng Wan went to see Wang Anshi after visiting the official family, he was very cordial, as if the two had been dating for a long time. Now Deng Wan was promoted by Wang Anshi to serve as the chief secretary of the Ministry of Justice.
Wang Anshi handed Zhang Yue a volume and said: "This is Su Jia's countermeasures in the Imperial College, discussing the gains and losses of current affairs. It talks directly about Jiao Qianzhi and Wang Ruyi as the superior ones, and talks directly about Liang Shimeng, Yan Fu and Lu Tong. People are judged as inferior.”
"How can you allow this to happen when you supervise hookers for the sake of the country?"
Zhang Yue looked at Su Jia's paper and saw that it openly criticized the government, and then several examiners made comments below.
Zhang Yue thought to himself, this Su Jia is so courageous, but the other party is Su Song's son, and it is understandable that he is aggrieved by his father's demotion.
Zhang Yue said: "I know a little bit about this Su Jia official, he seems to be the son of Su Zirong, the former Sheren."
Deng Wan said: "How is Su Jia's writing? You can leave it alone, but I don't know the direct comments of several people. There is something wrong with this topic. It can be said that it contains evil intentions, and its intentions can be punished!"
Wang Anshi said: "When I was studying Guan Gou Taixue, I told you that in today's world, there are few talents, and their academics are inconsistent. One person has one righteousness, and ten people have ten righteousnesses. If the court wants to do something, it will have different opinions. There are many, but no one is willing to listen! Therefore, I am not the same as Yan."
"If there is no enlightened leader who teaches and establishes the Tao, there will be gangsters who lead private studies and create chaos below. If the Imperial Academy does not adhere to one moral code and keep scholars in one place, how can it reward talents?"
Wang Anshi made a long speech, and Han Jiang, who was worried about Zhang Yue's displeasure, said: "My Lord, I know that you learned about the imperial edict a few days ago, and you can't take care of Gou Taixue. You have no intention of reducing the responsibility. Just listen."
Zhang Yue thought to himself, saying that he didn't reduce the blame doesn't mean he blames you.
Zhang Yue said: "My lord, I will find out the cause of this matter and give you an explanation. If there is really a fault, my lord will punish you."
Wang Anshi said: "No need, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to deal with it. I have decided to dismiss these five direct talks!"
Zhang Yue was surprised.
Deng Wan said: "Yes, Su Jia and Su Jian should also be dismissed from their academic status and expelled from the Imperial College!"
Zhang Yue glanced at Deng Wan, who blindly supported Wang Anshi.
In the officialdom, there are people who are unconditionally obedient and have absolutely no conscience or opinions of their own.
There are many people like Deng Wan, and Zhang Yue also feels that it doesn't matter. People in the world either live a noble life or live a secular life. It doesn't matter.
But Deng Wan fawned over Wang Anshi, but what would he do if he offended me?
Zhang Yue didn't even look at Deng Wan, and said: "My lord, please think twice. Liang Shimeng, Yan Fu, and Lu Tong directly criticized the inferiors. Why should they be expelled together? Su Yang's article did not violate any taboos." Why should I be implicated for no reason?"
Zhang Yue was very restrained, but Wang Anshi was very unhappy when he heard the word "implicated", and his expression was clear.
Deng Wan echoed Wang Anshi's intention and said: "Although Su Jia has no outstanding achievements, he is a brother of the same mind. How could he not know what his brother meant? It was a serious crime for him not to dissuade him. As for Su Jia's article, the three To put it bluntly, to be classified as inferior, since you are inferior, you still have to wait... If you wait, you are guilty!"
"It's a crime to wait!" Hearing this, Zhang Yue couldn't bear it anymore. He pointed his finger at Deng Wan and cursed: "When I talk to my husband, there is no room for thieves to interrupt? I will tear you apart if you believe it or not." It’s your mouth!”
As soon as Zhang Yue said this, all the officials in the room were shocked.
A dignified official is actually in Zhongshu Province, where the Prime Minister's office smells fragrant!
"you……"
Deng Wan's face turned red.
Zhang Yue glared at Deng Wan coldly, put his hands behind his back and uttered two words: 'villain'!
When Deng Wan saw Zhang Yue's contemptuous expression, he exploded with anger on the spot.
Wang Anshi's face turned blue. Zhang Yue pointed at Deng Wan and scolded him in Zhongshu Province, which was no different from scolding him.
Seeing that Zhang Yue and Deng Wan were about to quarrel in Zhongshu, Han Jiang immediately pulled Zhang Yue out.
Of course Zhang Yue wanted to sell Han Jiang's face, but before leaving the house, he said to Wang Anshi: "All the mistakes in the affairs of the Imperial Academy are due to the inability of the subordinates to carry out the Prime Minister's wishes and the unfulfilled responsibilities. Therefore, he ordered Zhidao to talk to the students." It’s quite inconvenient to say that the new law is inconvenient. All the responsibilities for this lie with the official and not others. Please just ask your husband to punish the official at will!”
After walking out of the door, Han Jiang said to Zhang Yue: "Why bother with Deng Wan? Now that troops are about to be deployed in the northwest, I have already taken the initiative to ask for help. You should just go with me and withdraw from the court to avoid conflict with Jie Fu in the court." This quarrel today is really unnecessary, and it only gives people evidence."
Zhang Yue said: "The students of Taixue and Zhisuo all trust me deeply. I am indeed to blame for this!"
Han Jiang sighed and said: "Everyone knows that this matter has nothing to do with you, but you take all the blame on yourself. Why is this?"
Zhang Yue smiled bitterly and said, "Just seek peace of mind."
In Zhongshu, Deng Wan complained to Wang Anshi: "My lord, Zhang Sheren has been in charge of the Imperial College for more than a year. He is busy printing books and carrying out large-scale construction projects every day. How can he take the care of my lord at all?"
Wang Anshi also knew Deng Wan's character very well, but there were so many people who opposed the new law that he had to use such a villain.
Faced with Deng Wan's words, Wang Anshi was speechless. He neither agreed nor objected.
After meeting the officials, he summoned Zhang Yue to Zhongshu this time, with the intention of reprimanding him and settling the matter.
Wang Anshi's own view of Zhang Yue was that he was a man of great talent, but he was just greedy for comfort and did not want to go anywhere to take up his post.
As for his desire to be an official, he still trusted Zhang Yue to reuse him, so he was unwilling to take heavy responsibility. If Zhang Yue was willing to be reprimanded by him in public, then this matter would be revealed.
For this reason, he specially asked Han Jiang to come here to take charge, so that if Zhang Yue didn't accept it, he could make some changes.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Yue was not convinced at all, and even quarreled with Deng Wan in the hall. Fortunately, Han Jiang finally pulled Zhang Yue out, otherwise the situation would have been difficult to deal with.
Now that Zhang Yue has made this move, the matter can no longer be settled like this.
Wang Anshi is a strong-willed person and will never allow any official to challenge his authority. For this, he can deny his relatives.
He thought for a while and was about to go find the official, but when he walked out, he remembered that it would be bad to bother him again after he had just met her, so he wrote a note to the official instead.
Zha Zili told the officials about Zhang Yue's incident with the Imperial Academy and criticized Zhang Yue's attitude.
Zhang Yuemu has no prime minister and no dignity as a minister of imperial edicts. In the important place of the second government, he actually behaves like a scoundrel and scolds people.
Moreover, there was no intention to reflect on the situation of Taixue criticizing the new law.
But later Wang Anshi changed the topic and said in his post that Zhang Yue was different from Su Jia, Su Shi, Yan Fu, Sima Guang, Lu Gongzhu and others. Zhang Yue agreed with the new law and made contributions to the new law. I thought that his opposition was just a matter of disagreement on the new law's green seedling method and the rectification of the Imperial Academy. Moreover, he was not making trouble out of nothing, but was indeed well-founded.
Like Sima Guang, Lu Gong could just be demoted to serve as an official elsewhere, but Zhang Yue is different. His Majesty will still use this person in the future. He is a talented prime minister and assistant. From the two changes in Qingmiao Law, it can be seen that he must not be blamed again. In the future, when the minister is targeted by thousands of people or something unexpected happens, he will still want this person to come to save the world and assist your majesty in handling the government affairs.
Wang Anshi wrote this, thinking that one day in a few years he would no longer be in the court. If Lu Huiqing and Zeng Bu were not successful, Zhang Yue could take charge of the overall situation.
Moreover, like Sima Guang and Lu Gongzhu, Zeng Bu and Zeng Bu were not convinced by Lu Huiqing, but they were convinced by Zhang Yue. This was something that Lu and Zeng did not possess.
When it comes to people who are talented and famous, who can occasionally balance the situation in the court, and can also bridge the gap between the reform and the officials who oppose the reform, Wang Anshi believes that there is currently no such person who can do this.
On the next day, Zhang Yueshang took responsibility for the inconvenience of Taixueyan's new law and took all the blame on himself. He said that his governance was lax and had led to this past. He also asked your majesty to allow him to be dismissed from all assignments and positions.
Zhang Yue resigned from his post and went home to wait for orders.
The next day, officials asked Wang Anshi: "Zhang Yue asked to be dismissed from his post. How can this be a good thing?"
Wang Anshi replied: "Your Majesty can issue an order to take away Zhang Yue's three positions (he will be demoted three ranks, that is, he will be demoted from the doctor of the Ministry of Rites to the right secretary admonition), and he will be exempted from the post of supervising Gou Guozijian, but he will retain the knowledge of making imperial edicts. The library post will be ready for recovery."
The official heard this and said, "Good! Just give Zhang Yue a lesson. There is no need to blame him."
"I feel that Zhang Yue has nothing to do with the matter of Imperial College. At that time, I gave him the order of knowing and making imperial edicts, and he had no time to take care of it. I was also at fault in this matter. I had to let Zhang Yue take care of Gou. Imperial College.”
The officials felt quite guilty.
