All the officials outside the door congratulated him.
However, the three censors left their duties and did not congratulate the Prime Minister with the officials.
The censor was originally there to supervise the prime minister. In the past, censors often impeached the prime ministers of the second government.
These three censors are Chen Mu, Cai Chengxi and Deng Runfu who returned from their mission to Goryeo and are currently supervising the censors.
Chen Mu was recommended as censor by Zhang Yue through Han Jiang. At that time, Zhang Yue also considered recommending Lin Xi, another fellow countryman, but Lin Xi was worried about what would happen if the ship capsized and people died when traveling to Goryeo by sea due to high winds and waves. , so he declined Zhang Yue’s invitation.
As for Cai Chengxi, he was from Linchuan and was Wang Anshi's core supporter. As for Deng Runfu, he was Wang Anshi's confidant.
Since Li Ding's incident, the Yushitai has been infiltrated by Zhongshu. Compared with the strength of Fan Zhongyan and others who checked and balanced Zhongshu in the past, it can be said that it is far inferior.
In recent years, Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing have successively reduced the power of the three divisions, Yushitai, and Sherenyuan, making power more concentrated upwards.
Now seeing Wu Chong, Zhang Yue was praised by all the officials. Deng Runfu knew that he had just impeached Zhang Yue the day before.
Now it was the turn of the three to congratulate. Although Deng Runfu was unwilling, he had to go.
Just in line with that sentence, I don’t have to accept it, but you can’t help but send it. I don't have to accept it, but you have to congratulate me.
You have to get your face close, and it’s up to the other person to decide whether to hit you or not.
But Deng Runfu was not willing to be so condescending. He stepped forward and made a salute to Zhang Yue. Instead, he asked in front of the congratulatory officials: "I heard that Zhang was in power and obeyed Guan Zhong. In the past, Guan Zhong paid homage to his prime minister. Duke Huan of Qi asked about his government. Later, Qi became one of the five hegemons. First, Deng is not willing to wait and see, hoping that Zhang will also be successful in governing and imitate the story of Guan Zhong."
Zhang Yue said: "The way of heaven. It is like stretching a bow, and those who are high suppress it, and those who are low are lifting it. Deng Zhi's admonition said this, I dare not take it. If you climb high, you will fall heavy. I can cooperate with you and do what I can. Things will be fine."
Deng Runfu sneered and said: "Is this true? Ruan Bingren (Ruan Ji)'s saying that "there are no heroes in times to make Shuzi famous", is it also the sigh of today?"
Seeing that the other party was making further progress, Zhang Yue said: "People know how important they are, and the appointment of a vice-president is of great importance to the country. When Liu Penzi became emperor, he changed his name to Jianshi. Why? He won by drawing lots. It was the first time he met the officials. When I paid homage, I was so frightened that I cried.”
"However, Liu Penzi was virtuous. He resigned several times and finally died a good death. From my perspective, I may not be as good as him in the future."
Deng Runfu was disgraced.
On the side, Cai Chengxi had already expected that Deng Runfu usually yelled fiercely because he had no opponent. This time he met Zhang Yuenai and was humiliating himself.
Although Cai Chengxi is not like Deng Runfu, he has other plans in his heart.
He asked: "I dare to ask the ruler. It has been eighty years since our dynasty and Liao Dynasty. Since this year, the Lord of Liao has made trouble and is determined to devour the land. This time the Liao Dynasty comes back and he is determined to win. This dynasty is not as powerful as the Liao Dynasty." , if something unexpected happens, how should we deal with it?"
All the officials nodded one after another. The Liao Kingdom has indeed been too rampant recently.
It's like a person who is more powerful than you is holding a sword and gesticulating in your face all day long. If you can't beat him, you have to swallow his anger.
Zhang Yue knew that Cai Chengxi's question must come from Wang Anshi.
All the officials in the square were listening attentively. Wu Chong and Wang Gui looked solemn on the side, showing their attention and solemnity.
Zhang Yue said: "Now in the second discussion in the court, the Liao Kingdom, which has been strong for a long time, is preparing to go south, and once it raises its troops, it will annex Yannan. There are many people who are worried, worried that their country will become stronger, so they insist on seeking peace."
"Some people say that although their master is now weak, one or two people are willing to preemptively send troops to attack the Liao Dynasty, regain the homeland of Yan and Zhao, and restore the prosperity of the Han and Tang Dynasties. This is also a theory."
"But I think both of these arguments are unfounded."
Zhang Yue said: "I thought that the enemy would not change and I would not change. It is true that I will treat him as he is. There are several shortcomings in the Liao Dynasty. The first is that Goryeo has no ministers. Although it is not as strong as the Khitan, it can still be controlled."
"The two Xihe rivers have been recovered by the imperial court. Dong Fean was once the son-in-law of the Khitan, and now he has surrendered to this dynasty. With the land of ancient Qinzhou threatening the Xia Kingdom, Xia dare not collude with the Khitan as before."
"The terrain in the north of the three is high and cannot be used as a pond. Therefore, over the years, the imperial court has sent officials to plant elms and willows all over the north in the hope that they will grow and control the enemy's cavalry."
"Fourth, when Hebei marched to Baojia, their general skills were superior to those of the past, whether it was the bravery of the people or the border troops."
"Fifth, the imperial court has spent a lot of money in recent years to dig new trenches in Hebei, build new enemy towers and war sheds, repair and improve the tools for defending the city, add armor and equipment everywhere, and build chariots to prepare for border dangers."
All the officials agreed after hearing this.
Zhang Yue continued: "None of these five can be compared with the Qingli period! Moreover, China's current situation is even different from that of Yongxi and Jingde. The troops in Hebei have not only multiplied, but also used militia and formations. If you train for a long time, you can use this to treat the enemy without being unprepared."
After listening to Zhang Yue's words, all the officials were talking about it.
The two theories Zhang Yue mentioned before are the two mainstream views in the court today.
The first class is the peace-seeking faction. The Liao Kingdom is so powerful. How can we, the Song Dynasty, have the ability to bargain? What if they are angered and come to fight? It’s not like we should give him whatever he wants. Let’s continue spending money to buy peace.
There is also the theory of quick victory. Taking advantage of the opportunity of Xixia's peace talks, the Lord of Liao was weak and said that the enemy's power was weakened, which was just showing arrogance. The imperial court should go all out to the north and regain the sixteen states of Yanyun in one fell swoop.
After defeating Xihe, I feel that I am very good. I am close to swallowing Xia and destroying Liao.
Chen Mu, who had been envoy to Goryeo, also nodded. He was the envoy to Goryeo and brought back valuable information, so he was promoted this time.
The favorable situation of seizing Xihe greatly reduced Xixia's worries about cooperating with the Liao State in sending troops. This is Zhang Yue's political achievement, which does not prevent him from bragging about it from time to time.
After hearing Zhang Yue's words, all the officials looked happy and their worries disappeared, as if they had swallowed a big reassurance on the spot.
An official said to a bystander: "In the past, the two husbands-in-law, Lu and Wang, couldn't explain clearly the Khitan matter. Why did the Khitan dare not come? What did they delay talking about? I think it was Zhang Zhizhi who made it clear. , all doubts are gone. It is better for Zhang to take charge of the overall situation."
"Yes, yes, I think this is not only true for Khitan affairs, but also for national affairs."
After hearing this, Cai Chengxi continued to ask: "Although the words are nice, they are all based on the Khitan not going south. If the Khitan really invades, how will the government deal with it?"
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "The soldiers who have been garrisoned for a long time in Hebei have not been conquered, but in Shaanxi and Xihe, there are soldiers who have won many times. They can be recorded in order to prepare for deployment. Once the Khitan invades the border, their annual rewards will be cut off first. If you approach them with good generals and soldiers, they will also perish themselves."
Speaking of this, Zhang Yue said to the officials in a loud voice: "In the old days of Jingde, the enemy was riding Nan Mu. When they met the army of Commander Zhenzong, they immediately asked for an alliance. If Zhenzong had not taken pity on him and surrendered, and promised to stop his troops, the enemy would have no enemies." It's just a relic. Nowadays, the Khitan is worse than ever, and the defense preparedness of this dynasty is far from what it was in the past. What do you have to worry about?"
Hearing Zhang Yue's words, all the officials laughed.
Cai Chengxi was also speechless and stepped aside, saying to Zhang Yue: "I bow down to you!"
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