The Inspector of the Fifth Room of Zhongshu is an official subordinate to the prime minister, and is a subordinate to the prime minister. This was set up by Wang Anshi after the Xining Reform.
The original five rooms of Zhongshu were selected by six post-officials from the Ministry of Personnel, and their treatment was based on the standards of the deputy minister of the Privy Council.
Zhongshu Jianzheng, as a subordinate of the prime minister, had different opinions on the selection of scholars and Cao officials.
Cao officials mainly have low status. The subordinate officials in each yamen have great power and often ignore the superiors. Therefore, appointing Cao officials can kill the ceremony and use the method of being powerful and humble to prevent the other party from becoming bigger.
The same approach is also used by businessmen.
When Zhao Pu was prime minister, he openly allowed officials to accept bribes. This was not unprecedented.
However, under Wang Anshi's insistence, Zhongshu Jianzheng was finally appointed as a court official or above, freeing him from the fate of a Cao official and ranking above the post officials.
Since then, the authority of Zhongshu Wufang has greatly increased, and it has become a shortcut for officials.
In the three years since Xining, Ruxin Party generals Zeng Bu, Lu Huiqing, Zhang Dun, Li Chengzhi, and Deng Runfu have successively held this position, and finally became important figures in the government and the public.
And for the sake of balance of power and confusion of different opinions, Wang Anshi cannot make full use of the New Party.
For example, Lu Dafang, Sun Zhu, Li Qingchen, etc. also served as inspectors of Zhongshu.
After Wang Anshi agreed, he slowly mounted his horse with help from the left and right. Lu Jiawen, who was the inspector of the fifth room of Zhongshu, said to Zhang Yue: "Daqen can take a step to speak."
Lu Jiawen said to Zhang Yue: "I'd like to inform you that Cai Jing is not a court official yet. It's better to study official affairs for Zhongshu Wufang first, and then become a power inspector to correct official affairs for Zhongshu Wufang. What do you think?"
Zhang Yue said: "The fifth room of Zhongshu studied official affairs and selected people to serve. After all, Cai Jing is also a capital official. How can he submit to the post of selecting people? At the beginning, Lu Dafang and Xiang Zongru all worshiped Jianzheng as Yuanwailang, following the old practice. That’s it?”
Lu Jia asked: "The two of them are also the story of Xining's three years. There is no such case now..."
Zhang Yue said: "It's enough to add the word "quan", no need to say more."
Lu Jiawen was annoyed by Zhang Yue's words and said, "Tu Gu can be appointed as the judge, Zhongshu and Wufang official. It doesn't matter if he has power or not."
Zhang Yue said: "Anyone whose name has been removed from the genealogy can correct the situation for the capital, let alone Tu Gu?"
Seeing that Lu Jiawen was so excited by his words that he almost couldn't breathe, Zhang Yue saw this and said: "Looking at it, I have been dating Uncle Hui (written by Lu Gong) for many years. I guessed what happened to you from his words." Get some out.”
Lu Jiawen's face turned pale after hearing this.
At this time, Wang Anshi, who had mounted his horse, looked here, and Lu Jiawen stopped talking.
Tang Jiu also rode a horse for Zhang Yue.
Compared with Wang Anshi's difficulty in getting on the horse, Zhang Yue could have simply jumped on the horse's back without even needing to mount the horse.
However, he slowed down his movements and asked for help.
Even so, in the eyes of Zhongshu Prime Minister and Yuan Sui, it was clear at a glance which one had a better future, a young and strong new husband-in-law or an old and frail old husband-in-law.
Wang Anshi said to Zhang Yue: "What did Du Zhi just talk to Wang Zhi about?"
Zhang Yue said: "It's nothing more than Yuan Chang's appointment."
Wang Anshi smiled and said: "There is no doubt about Yuan Chang's talent, but...it's just my personal opinion."
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Thank you, Prime Minister, for telling me!"
After talking about Wang Anshi, Lu Jiawen left.
Lu Jiawen stood beside Wang Anshi and said, "Prime Minister, Zhang Yue dared to propose that Cai Yuanchang be his prime minister when he first joined politics. Why did the Prime Minister agree to this matter so easily?"
Wang Anshi heard this and said, "Zhang Duzhi wants to take this opportunity to say that when he met you just now, he didn't say anything about my fault."
"Of course he helped me and asked for some benefits in person. It's natural."
Lu Jiawen suddenly said: "That's it."
Lu Jiawen thought to himself, of course Zhang Yue could ask for favors from Wang Anshi on one side and speak ill of Wang Anshi in front of the emperor on the other.
It's not impossible, but it would destroy one's character.
At the level of Wang Anshi and Zhang Yue, credibility is the most important thing, unless the benefits derived from it are greater than the two.
Reputation is something that only comes first and not second time.
Confucianism talks about the debate between justice and benefit all day long, but never considers objectivity. In a stable system, moral people will reap the greatest long-term benefits.
…
After Wang Anshi left first, Zhang Yue was about to ride on his horse. Several officials from Zhongshu hurriedly came to pay homage to Zhang Yue's horse.
"Congratulations to Mr. Zhang for returning to Beijing and taking up the post of political participation!"
Several people bowed down in front of the horse, looking very respectful.
There was still a ceremony for Zhang Yue to take office, but several officials were eager to come to pay homage, so they wanted to recognize the mountain.
Wang Anshi's power was still not declining at this time, but the officials in Zhongshu were very likely to wake up before the golden wind moved.
As officials in Zhongshu, these people have a very keen sense of politics and can know the subtleties.
"You guys are interested!"
When these people heard what Zhang Yue said, they were all overjoyed and said, "I am willing to hold the whip for my husband from now on!"
Zhang Yue nodded slightly, then rode away from the palace.
At the entrance of the palace, he saw Cai Que.
Cai Que put his hand on the reins here, obviously waiting for him for a while.
Cai Que now knows how to make imperial edicts, knows the admonishment court, and is also the judge of Sinong Temple. From the long list of official names on him, we know how popular he is in the eyes of the emperor.
However, as Zhang Yue participated in politics, he immediately paid tribute to Cai Que because of his official position.
However, Cai Que ignored these etiquette in front of Zhang Yue, and instead urged his horse to come to his side and ride with him.
"came back!"
Zhang Yue nodded.
Cai Quedao: "It's good to come back. It's time for you and I to do something big together. Let's make great plans!"
Zhang Yue said: "Senior brother is right, I am going to find you."
The two chatted while riding horses. After leaving the palace gate, they entered the bustling Royal Street.
As the year draws to a close, Royal Street is still crowded with people.
There are still more than a month before the Lantern Festival Lantern Festival, but things have already been set up outside the city gate in advance. The two city gates have been painted with a new layer of vermilion paint and look particularly bright. Aoshan has been set up to watch the lanterns. There are officials and ladies in rich and colorful clothes on the corridor, and vendors in the colorful sheds and open houses sell all kinds of goods.
As long as you can afford it, you can buy anything in Bianjing.
Zhang Yue and Cai Que have been here for many years, and have become accustomed to the life in Bianjing and like it here.
Bianjing is a city that has no sense of rejection. It embraces everyone who comes from a foreign land and accepts them as one of its members.
In this city where more than 1.5 million people live, there are countless new things happening every day from morning to night. Here you can meet any famous person in the world, and there are all kinds of beautiful women in the brothels and Chu palaces. Satisfy any imagination you have for women.
The prosperity here is far from comparable to the Fujian Road where Zhang Yue and Cai Que were born.
Zhang Yue, as a time traveler, is somewhat immune to these, but every time he sees Cai Que's shining eyes, he can empathize with them.
This is one of the reasons why he has such a good relationship with Huang Lu and Cai Que.
They have a common origin and a common ambition.
"What did the officials say today?"
Zhang Yue glanced at Cai Que and said, "You want to spy on the king? Can you ask me to reveal the forbidden language?"
Cai Que smiled when he heard the words: "You don't have to tell me that if the king is not secretive, his ministers will lose their secrets, and if their ministers are not secretive, they will lose their virginity. Are the officials asking you about changing the Yuan Dynasty?"
Zhang Yue's heart trembled. Did Cai know about this earlier than he did?
Cai Que looked at Zhang Yue's expression and smiled: "It's just as I expected."
After a pause, Cai Que said to Zhang Yue: "I secretly advised the officials on this matter!"
Zhang Yue suddenly said: "You are so upright, it turned out to be your idea."
Cai Que said: "Wang Jiefu is old, and it will be a matter of time before he loses his holy family."
"The rest of Wang Yuyu is of no use, and Chen Shengzhi is seriously ill. As long as Wang Jiefu leaves, you can show off your ambitions."
Zhang Yue said: "Senior brother, are you advising me to replace Wang Jiefu as soon as possible?"
Cai Quedao: "It's a matter of time. Wang Jiefu's methods are no longer in line with the wishes of the officials. Nine years after the reform, everyone in the world is tired of his methods."
Zhang Yue said: "In that case, wouldn't it be better to let Wang Jiefu retreat on his own? Why do I have to push him!"
Cai Quedao: "Du Zhi, what are you waiting for? If you don't take it, you will suffer the consequences. If you delay it, things will change!"
"It's like that dead tree, it will rot sooner or later. If you push it down, no one will say that you are not good. Instead, they will respect you. Don't be a woman anymore. Have you forgotten that Lu Jifu forced you to leave the capital? "
"If you had him as a decisive leader, you would already be the prime minister now."
Zhang Yue was scolded by Cai Que's words, and his face looked a little ugly. He is in a high position and no one has spoken to him like this for a long time.
Cai Que calmly said: "You just lack the energy to kill decisively. Also, you are the number one scholar, imperial scholar, and your official career has been smooth sailing. You don't have to fight for anything, someone will pull you up from above. It will naturally help you further."
"But there is no reason to wait for the position of prime minister. If you don't go and tear this face apart, are you waiting for this great benefit to be given to you?"
Zhang Yue said: "Others can do it, but Prime Minister Wang can't."
Cai Que had a ridiculous look on his face and said, "Were you single-handedly promoted by Wang Jiefu? Do you have a deeper relationship with him than Lu Jifu? When you made great achievements in Xihe, how did Wang Jiefu instigate Wang Shao to replace you? "
"So what if you are returning to court this time and have no plot against Wang Jiefu? But the people under him, like Lu Jiawen, Deng Wan, Deng Runfu and others, are always on guard against you."
"When you were in Hebei, these people often made mistakes about you in front of you. If we hadn't protected you, how would you have made great achievements in Xihe?"
Zhang Yue listened to Cai Que's words and continued to say nothing.
Seeing that Zhang Yue did not adopt his opinion, Cai Que said again: "Du Zhi, I only have advice for you. If you really don't listen, then that's it. Don't blame me for not speaking up before the time comes."
Zhang Yue was unhappy in his heart when he heard this, but he said on his face: "Thank you, senior brother, for your words."
Zhang Yue rarely argued with others these days. One person's argument hurt his feelings, and the other's argument was useless.
The two of them walked through the Royal Street, but they saw various acrobatics being performed on the roadside. A drama club was performing. Many people gathered here, clapping their hands and cheering, their faces full of joy.
On the high platform, a vaudeville performer with a big painted face suddenly sprayed out a ball of fireworks from his mouth, lighting up the people around him and screaming.
The various scenes of life and the joy on the faces of the people were truly reflected in their eyes.
Cai Que suddenly asked: "Du Zhi, do you still remember Wu Bogu (Wu Chuhou)?"
Zhang Yue said: "I remember, I heard that his poetry is excellent, and my senior brother wanted me to study poetry under him."
Cai Que sighed and said: "Du Zhi, I still remember this. Yes, it turns out that my master had been kind to him at the beginning. Later, when I first arrived in the capital, I took refuge in his disciples and entrusted his care."
"But Wu Zigu was very cold to me. He had a lot of contacts in the court at that time, but he never recommended me to anyone. Although I learned poetry from him, he was very perfunctory."
"Afterwards, I passed the Jinshi examination and was so strapped that I didn't even have the money to travel to take my post. I asked him to borrow some money to use, but he didn't give me a penny and instead sent me away."
"Now he has been an official for many years, and his career has almost gone in circles. Then when he saw that I was doing well now, he would say to everyone in Beijing, how he helped me so much in the past, and how much he valued me? Later, these words came to my ears. When I asked him, he said he had never said that."
"But he also mentioned to me that his career is now difficult, and he hopes that I can take care of him and find a good job. Duzhi, do you want me to help him with this?"
Zhang Yue thought for a while after hearing this, and asked himself, would he want to help if it were Cai Que instead?
He knew something about Cai Que's relationship with Wu Chuhou.
The poems and poems written by Wu Chuhou are indeed impressive to read, and the articles are also quite interesting. There is no doubt that Cai indeed learned poems from Wu Chuhou at that time.
Zhang Yue said: "I can't help my senior brother in this matter. But since he has spoken, it is not good to refute him face to face. Moreover, this person talks about how he helped his senior brother back then. It can be seen that he is also a difficult person."
"If you offend this person, I'm afraid there will be trouble later. Senior brother will make his own plans. It doesn't matter if he doesn't help."
Cai Que smiled low, and then said: "Du Zhi, do you know how I should answer? I said that in the past, when Chen Zhizhong was the prime minister, a son-in-law asked for help. Chen Zhizhong said, this official position belongs to the imperial court and is not something in the bedroom cage. My son-in-law is safe. Do you have to have it?"
"And is my friendship with you better than that of my husband-in-law?"
After speaking, Cai Que burst out laughing, very happy.
Chen Zhizhong was the person Cai Que hated most in his life, but Cai Que used Chen Zhizhong's example to humiliate Wu Chuhou. It is really... There is a saying that character is destiny, and it is really true.
At this time, the Qianbu Corridor came to the end, and the two people bowed to each other on horseback and said goodbye to each other.
Zhang Yue watched Cai Que leave.
…
Zhang Yue went home.
As soon as I arrived at the mansion, I saw dozens of greeting cards. They all came to visit me today when they learned that I had just returned to Beijing.
In some cases, the greeting card arrived but the person did not arrive, and they agreed to come to the door on another day.
Some people arrived and were still in the living room. They also estimated that Zhang Yue would have to meet his family after meeting the Holy Spirit, and would definitely not have time to meet them, but they still stayed here to express sincerity.
Huang Haoyi on the side said: "Ms. sir, these posts are nothing more, but there is someone you have to meet!"
"who?"
"Xiang Qi!"
This person's name has not been mentioned for a long time.
Zhang Yue remembered a lot of things after looking at him, and immediately said to Huang Haoyi: "Invite him to my study."
Even if he no longer wants to socialize at this time, Zhang Yue still wants to meet the other party if he comes to visit him.
After arriving at the study, Huang Haoyi pushed the door open and led Qi into the room.
Zhang Yue and Xiang Qi met each other's eyes, and the other party said unnaturally: "Ms. Zhang, I'm here to pay you a courtesy."
Zhang Yue said: "Qilang, please don't say that. You and I are just friends in common people, and we don't care about these things."
Xiang Qi smiled bitterly and said, "Hey, you're the only one who can tell me that. How can you be in the officialdom and not see someone serving you food?"
Huang Haoyi's expression changed after hearing this, "Zhang Yue said this to be polite, but you actually took it seriously." Cai Que and Zhang Yue were dating as commoners, but in front of outsiders, the other party respectfully called Zhang Yue his husband.
You, Xiang Qi, don't have the slightest sense of propriety.
Huang Haoyi said: "Xiang Qi, I'm going out. You can talk to your husband by yourself!"
Xiang Qi smiled and said, "Huang Si, you have grown up as Sanlang Yuansui."
Huang Haoyi was angry after hearing this. When Zhang Yue signaled him to leave, he immediately closed the door and left.
After Xiang Qi took his seat, he said: "When we were in Taixue, we were said to be 'leading the Toutuo Academy and having no official censors'. We lived a poor life and discussed important court affairs all day long."
"Nowadays, people are suffering from poverty, but they dare not discuss important matters of the imperial court."
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "Qilang, I haven't seen you for so many years, and I haven't heard anything about you. I remember you were Ding You for a while, right?"
Xiang Qi nodded and said sentimentally: "Yes, Xiang Qi's parents had a hard life and did not live a good life. Xiang Qi died of illness one after another. I rushed back to my hometown to mourn, and became an official one after another. My father-in-law also died of illness. Without the care of Lao Taishan's family, his career would have been wasted."
Zhang Yue sighed and thought, Xiang Qi came to me today to ask for an official position?
Having said that, the powers held by those participating in politics and those held by privy envoys are different.
Zhongshu has a great power, which is to eliminate the court.
Once an official is included in the list of officials to be expelled from the court, your personnel relations will be under the control of the prime minister, not the Ministry of Officials.
The gold content of removing officials from the Prime Minister's Hall is much higher than that of selecting officials from the Ministry of Personnel. Some important positions can only be counted if they are removed from the Prime Minister's Hall. As a political advisor, Zhang Yue can decide the fate of many officials. Of course, it also depends on whether Wang Anshi buys into his own account.
Xiang Qi saw Zhang Yue's face when he said this, and immediately said: "Du Zhi, I'm not here to ask for an official position from you. But I'm in trouble and I want to ask you to help me!"
Zhang Yue was a little surprised to hear that Xiang Qi did not come to him to seek an official position.
Not to mention that he is now involved in politics, in the past when Zhang Yue was a Hanlin bachelor, seven or eight people came to his door with various requests, most of them seeking official positions.
Therefore, it was unavoidable that Zhang Yue's first reaction when he saw Xiang Qi's visit was to come to ask for an official position.
Now listening to what Xiang Qi said, Zhang Yue felt that he was also arrogant. At least for so many years, he really hadn't asked for anything from himself.
"Whatever the difficulty is, just say it bluntly."
Xiang Qi sighed and said: "Du Zhi, I have offended Shen Cunzhong, and now I can no longer tolerate it. If it was not absolutely necessary, I would not come to ask you to come forward!"
Have you offended Shen Kuo?
Zhang Yue almost laughed out loud.
Zhang Yue knew Shen Kuo very well. Although he is a pedantic scholar, he always looks like he is kneeling on the washboard at home.
I underestimated people in this way. In fact, many scholars like Shen Kuo have quite vicious hearts and ruthless methods.
And sometimes you don't know how to offend him. He will come up with a logic on his own. Because his emotional intelligence is not high enough, he will kill you with his first move and leave no room for you.
(End of chapter)
