In the eighth year of Qingli, Emperor Renzong exercised restraint because of the large number of soldiers in Heshuo, and appointed civil servants in Wei, Ying, Zhen, and Ding four routes as pacification envoys.
Now that the Khitans were aggressive, two important ministers, Han Qi and Wen Yanbo, were placed in Hebei.
Now that Han Qi is seriously ill, everyone in Hebei and Bianjing is worried.
Before crossing the river in Baima County, Zhang Yue met Li Qingchen, and the emperor asked him to visit Han Qi with Zhang Yue.
Li Qingchen was Han Qi's niece and son-in-law, and was reused by Wang Anshi to preside over the reform. When they learned that Han Qi was seriously ill, the two hurriedly crossed the Yellow River north to Xiangzhou.
Xiangzhou, where Han Qi was based, was called Yecheng in ancient times and was also the capital of the Northern Qi Dynasty. After the Northern Qi Dynasty was destroyed, it was razed to the ground by Yang Jian.
Zhang Yue went straight to Han Qi's state office.
Along the way, Li Qingchen said to Zhang Yue: "Han's reputation among the ministers is very impressive to the Yi Xia. Whenever the Liao envoy comes to the capital, he always asks about Han Qi's current situation. It is obvious that he is very afraid of Han Gong."
"There are even words in the Liao Dynasty that the Song Dynasty cannot be easily conquered if there is such a person. Now that Han Gong is gone, a pillar of the country will collapse!"
Zhang Yue felt that Li Qingchen's words were a bit exaggerated, but Han Qi was very popular and popular, so it was normal for everyone to brag about it.
On the side, Xu Xi curled his lips in disdain and said to Huang Haoyi: "Of course, there is also a saying in Shaanxi that 'there is a Korean in the army, and the Western thieves will feel cold to the heart when they hear it'."
Upon hearing this, Huang Haoyi said: "Yes, yes, it's not surprising that Xia Song never stood up. Han Qi is not surprised."
Zhang Yue heard their words with his sharp ears and thought, are these two really a loser? But having said that, when I first served as an official under Han Qi, I was quite disapproving of him. But now that I have experienced officialdom for a long time, I realize how difficult it is for Han Qi. After all these years, I can only admire him sincerely.
As for the person who took care of Shuichuan and held on to Han Qi's mistakes, he looked very much like himself who had just entered the officialdom.
Take ignorance as personality.
Zhang Yue thought about this and was not in the mood to criticize Xu Xi and Huang Haoyi.
When they arrived at the Yamen in Xiangzhou, Han Zhongyan, his younger brothers Han Duanyan, Han Chunyan, Han Cuiyan and his cousin Han Zhengyan all met in front of the Yamen.
Zhang Yue and Li Qingchen met with them.
Zhang Yue and Han Zhongyan asked, "How is Han Shizhong doing?"
Han Zhongyan sighed and said: "What else can we do...just in the next two or three days."
Zhang Yue listened to Han Zhongyan's tone and said, "It's hard for you."
Han Zhongyan smiled bitterly and said, "It's hard to describe in just one word."
Zhang Yue knew that in the past when he was in Imperial College, Han Zhongyan was as afraid of his father as a tiger, and now he felt strange to see him acting like this.
Immediately Zhang Yue walked into the prefectural government office. Han Qi's prefectural government office was the Zhoujin Hall where Ouyang Xiu wrote and remembered it, as an ethnic study.
This chapter has the same name as the Zhoujin Hall built, and I don’t know who copied it from whom. However, just like Fan Wenzhenggong's Fan Clanology, giving back to the family after becoming successful is something that all prime ministers do.
There are also Wanji Hall in Ethnology, which contains ten thousand volumes of books, Sima Guang Reading Hall, and Ouyang Xiu's Liuyi Hall, which were both famous at that time. In his later years, Han Qi never let go of his books and sorted out all the books in his collection, showing the demeanor of a veteran cadre.
Zhang Yue went inside to visit Han Qi, but saw Han Qi lying on the bed with extremely thin cheeks and unconsciousness.
Zhang Yue leaned into the tent, took a look and called out: "Servant, servant, Han servant!"
After several calls, Han Qi did not respond.
Zhang Yue turned back to look at Han Zhongyan and Li Qingchen, only to see that Li Qingchen's face was filled with tears, and tears rolled down his clothes.
As for Han Zhongyan, who had a heavy look on his face, he immediately stepped forward and said beside Zhang Yue: "Daddy, daddy, Deputy Zhang Shu is here to visit you on behalf of His Majesty."
Han Qi still didn't answer.
Han Zhongyan immediately ordered someone to give Han Qi some ginseng soup made from centuries-old ginseng. Han Qi clenched his teeth at first. The servants of the Han family tried their best to feed Han Qi a little, and a lot of it was even sprinkled on his clothes. superior.
Zhang Yue was also very sad when he saw this scene.
On the night Emperor Renzong died, the scene of Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu and others supporting Emperor Yingzong was still before their eyes. At that time, Han Qi was so brave and decisive. In Ouyang Xiu's words, he was trying to keep the world in peace with Mount Tai.
But now he is so slumped that he can't even drink soup.
The most unseen thing in this world is that heroes have gray hair and beauties grow old.
Seeing this, Zhang Yue withdrew, leaving Han Zhongyan in the room. Han Zhengyan, Han Duanyan and several other Han Qi's nephews were standing by.
Zhang Yue looked at the hesitation and even uneasiness of several people and guessed something.
So Zhang Yue said to them: "Emperor Yingzong moved a small sect into a large sect. The situation was full of crises and undercurrents were surging on all sides. At that time, I saw with my own eyes that Han Shizhong did not suppress it with force, but supported Emperor Yingzong with Emperor Renzong's last words. Ascending to the throne of God and preventing the destruction of all living beings in the world, there is no greater achievement than this."
After hearing Zhang Yue's words, several people expressed joy and said, "Your Majesty now relies on Mr. Zhang."
"Your Majesty, the candle shines thousands of miles away. I understand without you having to explain more."
While speaking, Han Zhongyan stepped out and said: "Daddy is awake!"
Zhang Yue immediately stepped inside, but saw that Han Qi was already talking to Li Qingchen, and Han Zhongyan said at the side: "Dad, is Mr. Zhang here?"
Han Qi looked a little confused and asked, "Is this Zhang Xiyan (Zhang Dexiang)?"
Han Zhongyan looked embarrassed.
Zhang Yue fell forward and said: "Servant, in the next chapter, Zhang Yue will come to see you on behalf of His Majesty."
Han Qi suddenly realized, stretched out his withered palm and said: "Yes, save him! You are also a husband now. I remember."
Zhang Yue said: "What message do you want me to convey to Your Majesty?"
Han Qi shook his head and said: "Although I have been away from home these years, His Majesty Meng often inquires about state affairs. The words are all in the memorial. There is nothing to say."
Zhang Yue asked: "What can you ask for for your descendants?"
Han Qi said: "It is my destiny to be poor. I have been a general for almost four years since I entered the court. I am aloof and self-confident. I have never tried to meet the demands of power in order to gain advancement. I am the only one who knows this. I, Han Qi, have been a general and prime minister for more than 20 years. , then to the Three Lords, the only things they hold on to are loyalty and the way of heaven. There is no need to ask for anything more."
At this moment, Han Zhongyan and his nephews all cried silently when they heard this.
Li Qingchen asked: "Do you have anything to tell the Prime Minister?"
Han Qi said: "Some people say that Wang Jiefu pretends to be stupid to make his political opponents relax their vigilance. I think otherwise. Although I disagree with his political views, I know that this is a smart man who does not stick to external things."
"This person's achievements in the future are uncertain, and I don't know whether he will be able to stabilize the country."
Zhang Yue said: "In ancient times, supporting a new king was the first achievement, followed by ensuring the stability of the country. Serving the prime minister in three dynasties, setting up two emperors in two dynasties, and taking care of life, there is no greater merit than this."
Han Qi said calmly: "I'm just a simple old man."
Zhang Yue sighed and said, "Your Majesty, take care!"
At this moment, Han Qi suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Du Zhi, I have a favor for you."
"Your Majesty, please give me your instructions!"
"I like the inscription on the tower of Anguo Temple that you gave me back then. I will give you this epitaph too!"
Zhang Yue said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, this matter will be settled on me."
Hearing this, Han Qi showed a relieved look: "I, Han Qi, will be loyal to the imperial court throughout my life and will live up to the late emperor's trust. Your Majesty knows that."
After saying that, Han Qi closed his eyes and said no more words.
That night, someone saw a big star falling behind the Zhoujin Hall.
It's night, and Han Qi is dying.
