In the political hall.
The Q&A between Zhang Yue and Lu Jiawen was said to be just a casual chat, but it quite involved the question of what will happen to the country in the future?
Zhang Yue's wariness and fear about Lu Jiawen, as well as his worry about replacing Wang Anshi, can be said to be clear at a glance.
Although he repeatedly stated that he had no such ambitions, others did not believe him.
Zhang Yue simply refused to explain.
In fact, not only Lu Jia asked, but Wang Gui, Yuan Jiang and others might not believe it either. Other Zhongshu officials didn’t believe it either.
Zhang Yue can feel it from the eyes of others. There is no evidence at all for this experience, but it can be experienced.
Understanding people's hearts, appreciating people's opinions, etc. will come naturally when you have a high official position. Many people are addicted to this method, but it is actually useless. Once you have enough experience, you will know.
It can be seen that in the entire capital, Wang Anshi does not mind this. He was the only one who came in and out of the position of prime minister, and in the end he was the only one who was very light-hearted.
Wang Gui said: "Zhang Dashen, what did Duke Han Wei want to say before he was promoted to immortality?"
Zhang Yue said: "He only said that he was loyal to the imperial court, and this can be learned from the sun."
Everyone nodded when they heard this.
Zhang Yue stopped talking here and glanced at Wang Anshi.
It is well known that Wang Anshi and Han Qi had a bad relationship, but things changed after he came to power for the second time. Han Qi also wrote an elegiac couplet after his death, regretting what he had done when he was young.
It was obvious that Wang Anshi was also touched by the mention of Han Qi.
After saying this, everyone dispersed.
Zhang Yue left the Zhengshi Hall, also known as the Capital Hall. As Zhongshu, the Zhengshi Hall was just his office.
In the Song Dynasty, the power of the prime minister was extremely great. Those below Zhongshu were directly under the imperial imperial court, the Sheren Court, the East Courtyard of the Judge, the West Courtyard of the Judge, Liu Neiquan of the Ministry of Personnel, the Sanban Courtyard, the Living Courtyard, the Rite Courtyard, the Qunmu Division, and the Chongwen Courtyard. .
In the third year of Xining's reign, the Fifth Office of Zhongshu was set up to inspect the affairs of state, which further usurped the powers of etiquette, officials, households, and punishment.
The power of the prime minister is greatly increased! The respect of the prime minister is the pinnacle of the founding of the country.
Of course, when it comes to power, it also depends on your status in the minds of officials.
When Wang Anshi was in power, he participated in politics, but other ministers could not restrain him at all. The ministers in the same dynasty were said to suffer from birth, old age, illness and death.
Except for Wang Anshi, who is full of vitality, the other four prime ministers only have old age, sickness and death.
Later, when Lu Huiqing was in Zhongshu, Han Jiang, Wang Gui, and Feng Jing were all ignored by him. After Wang Anshi returned to the court, Lu Huiqing immediately stepped aside.
Zhang Yue left the Political Affairs Hall and returned to the main hall.
This hall is also called the Shishihe, and is also under Zhongshu's sect. The Zhengshi Hall is the place where several prime ministers discuss matters together and issue government orders. At this time, usually from the third to the fifth day, the governors gather in the political hall to discuss matters.
But this office is specific to each prime minister, and it is related to the real power in his hands.
After ordinary officials went to the political affairs office to report their errands to the prime minister, what they said at this time was high-sounding, and there were people on the side who recorded it.
But when an official arrives at the Prime Minister's Office to report something, the Prime Minister will step aside and talk to you alone. This is where the real drama lies.
However, Emperor Renzong always believed that this would hinder public discussion, so he issued an imperial edict not to allow officials to come to the Prime Minister's Office for discussion.
In other words, the prime minister can only go to the Political Hall to issue government orders under the supervision of several other prime ministers. There is absolutely no room for private discussion without bypassing his colleagues.
However, there are policies from above and countermeasures from below.
If an official has something to do and wants to ask the Prime Minister what to do, he should first go to the Prime Minister's house to explain the matter clearly the day before, and then go to the political hall to talk the next day.
Historically, when Cai Jing was the prime minister, it was very satisfying. He was in the political hall and almost did not have to discuss with other prime ministers, and even handled state affairs in the palace.
This power was far inferior to that of Wang Anshi when he was most trusted by officials. No wonder Cai Jing would grab Song Huizong's dragon robe and cry bitterly and beg for mercy every time he resigned.
The other delivers the words through someone else.
Jianzheng Zhongshu Wufang not only holds great power, but is also the prime minister's confidant.
Officials are not allowed to go to the prime minister's office to attend to matters, but as subordinates of the prime minister, they can freely enter and leave the office.
This is also the reason why the officials opposed Wang Anshi's proposal to let officials from the Beijing Dynasty instead of Cao officials take this position. If you have extreme power, you must not kill Li, otherwise you will be famous.
This is also the reason why Lu Jiawen, the prosecutor of the capital, was opposed to Cai Jing taking this position. The prosecutor of the capital was second only to the Prime Minister in Zhongshu Na.
Lu Jiawen is equivalent to the position of secretary general or office director.
Zhang Yue placed a confidant under him, which made him feel like he was stuck in his throat.
After Zhang Yue arrived at the main hall, he lay down and rested for a while.
Soon Peng Jingyi reported to An Tao, the official secretary of the inspector's office, Kong Mufang, to see him.
Zhang Yue opened his eyes and saw that Kong Mufang had the lowest status among the five rooms of Zhongshu, and was in charge of correspondence between Zhongshu and others.
An Tao, who is the inspector of Kongmufang, is born with a handsome appearance and can be called a handsome man.
Now An Tao came to see Zhang Yue with a thick set of documents, all of which he had to read.
An Tao stood aside respectfully. Zhang Yue looked at it and said, "Hou Qing is also from the Imperial Academy!"
An Tao said: "As Da Shen said, I used to study under Mr. An Ding. When I was in Taixue, I got sick. Thanks to Mr. An Ding's care, I was able to recover."
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "Mr. Anding also taught me a lot. Unfortunately, he went to Hangzhou not long after he entered the Imperial College. You were a Jinshi in the fourth year of Jiayou, and you are in the same class as Zhang Zihou and Cai Zhizheng, right?"
An Tao lowered his head and said, "Yes. In fact, when the official was serving as the editor of Lu Jiyi in Daming Mansion, it was Ouyang Wenzhong who recommended him to be appointed as the school manager of the Secret Pavilion."
It is extremely difficult for officials to get a position in the embassy. They must pass the embassy examination, and the embassy examination must be recommended by the big shots in the DPRK and China. Ouyang Xiu recommended An Tao and Zhang Dun participated in the examination, but Zhang Dun was unlucky and was turned away.
Zhang Yue said: "I heard that you and Zhang Zihou are commoner friends?"
An Tao could only say: "It's true. Before he was admitted to Jinshi, Xiaguan had a relationship with Zhang Zihou. Xiaguan also had a tacit understanding with Cai Zhizheng in Taixue. Later, they became the same year, and Xiaguan kept in contact with them."
Zhang Yue immediately said to An Tao: "Sit down and talk!"
After An Tao heard this, he sat down tremblingly. Zhang Yue said: "You were recommended by Ouyang Wenzhong and you are also a good friend of Cai Chizheng, so you are not an outsider. As for Zhang Zihou and I, although we have not been in contact with each other for a long time, we have no deep friendship." Qiu Daqian, you don’t have to worry about whether your association with Zhang Zihou has anything to do with me."
An Tao was relieved after hearing this, while Zhang Yue smiled and chatted with him. He came to Zhongshu to serve. He did not want to be ignored by Wang Anshi and Zeng Bu like Wang Gui and Feng Jing, and became an empty prime minister.
An Tao has expressed his intention to surrender to himself. As for whether he has a close relationship with Zhang Dun, what does it have to do with him?
Zhang Yue generally does not suppress others easily. Jiayou, the politics of the Xining Dynasty are like this. If you have real ability, no one can stop you from getting ahead. If others are capable, you can't stop them from shining.
So support each other more and undermine each other less.
Don't be like Lu Huiqing, Zeng Bu, who flourished quickly and died suddenly.
Zhang Yue's chat with An Tao was quite speculative. In addition to the political line and exchange of interests, there must also be some emotional investment, otherwise where will the popularity come from.
An Tao met and chatted for a while and then said privately: "Da Shen, I heard some rumors today that came from the palace, and they are related to you and the prime minister."
Zhang Yue heard this and asked, "Is he from the palace?"
An Tao nodded and then said a few words.
Zhang Yue heard that it turned out that he had arranged his words to slander Wang Anshi. No wonder Lu Jiawen looked at him with murderous eyes when he entered the political hall today.
It seems that some people are eager to fight Wang Anshi, so impatient.
But if he hopes to fight Wang Anshi, then who is he?
Empress Dowager Cao is extremely ill, and the officials have not yet worried about letting Wang Anshi go. The only possibility is Gao Taotao.
She is really a woman who fears that the world will not be in chaos.
"In just one day, the rumor spread to Zhongshu, which is really powerful. Thank you for telling me, this will be repaid well in the future!"
An Tao was secretly overjoyed when he heard this, but he said without any trace on his deep face: "I am doing my duty as an official, so I dare not say this."
After saying this, An Tao did not dare to stay too long, so he said goodbye and left.
This matter has been spread in Zhongshu, and it won't take long for it to reach Zhang Yue's ears. But since An Tao was the first one to tell the truth, Zhang Yue had to express his feelings to him.
After An Tao left, Zhang Yue continued to sit on the recliner and lit the stove beside him.
He was thinking about who else would be coming today.
Zhongshu Wufang had six posts for inspection and correction, but now there are only five.
They were Xiang Zongru, who was responsible for correcting official affairs.
Lu Jia asked about the official affairs of the household. Lu Jiawen had just been promoted to the post of Du Jianzheng, and for the time being he was also responsible for the official affairs of household house inspection. Among the five rooms in Zhongshu, the household office is the most important, and it is ranked first among the five rooms. When all vacancies become vacant, they are usually filled in from the household office and the official office.
Those who come out of Dujianzheng can be appointed as Hanlin bachelors, and have the power to send three envoys. For example, Lu Huiqing was appointed as Hanlin bachelors from Dujianzheng, and became prime minister two months later. Zeng Bu also came out from Dujianzheng to pay homage to the three envoys.
In addition, there was Cui Gongdu, who was responsible for the official affairs of the ceremonial house.
Cui Gongdu is an interesting person. He got his birth certificate by agreeing with the new law and did not pass the imperial examination. This man only knows how to flatter Wang Anshi all day long. He had to go to Wang Anshi's home every day to pay his respects. Wang Anshi was also speechless when he came to visit him day and night, and even saw him in the toilet.
One time Cui Gongdu walked behind Wang Anshi to hold his belt. Wang Anshi turned around and Cui Gongdu smiled and said: "My husband is dirty, I respectfully wipe it away with my robe."
There was also Zhang Anguo, who was responsible for prosecuting the torture chamber.
These people are all direct descendants of Wang Anshi, with the exception of An Tao. An Tao was personally appointed by the official to be the inspector of the fifth room of Zhongshu. At that time, An Tao returned to Beijing to report, and was appreciated by the official, who personally appointed him as the inspector. The fifth room of Zhongshu was inspected and corrected.
This is also the reason why officials are worried that the prime minister will have too much power and add sand to it.
Zhang Yue was resting in his room. When it was time to retire, another person came in.
The person who came was none other than Du Jianzheng Lu Jia asked.
Zhang Yue smiled slightly when he heard this.
Lu Huiqing and Zeng Bu both served as Hanlin bachelors and three envoys from the capital inspection department. Therefore, there has always been a saying that the inspection and inspection department did not do anything, which is no different from being in power.
However, after Du Jianzheng and other Zhongshu Wufang Jianzheng, their official careers were with the prime ministers in power. In the third year of Xining, Li Qingchen was recommended by Han Jiang to join the Jianzheng Zhongshu Wufang. However, as soon as Han Jiang resigned as prime minister, Li Qingchen was immediately dismissed from his position.
Lu Jiawen: Now is also a very critical time. If you take a step forward, you will be in trouble. If you take a step back, all your hard work will be in vain.
Zhang Yue said: "What's going on with Lu Dujian?"
Lu Jia asked: "There are some posts here that my husband has read first."
Zhang Yue asked, "Has Mr. Zhaowen seen it?"
"seen it already."
"Has Mr. Master of the History Museum read it?"
"Never."
Zhongshu Inspector ignored other officials and discussed with Wang Anshi alone. It was not a matter of one or two days. In the fourth year of Xining, Yang Hui, the imperial censor, submitted an impeachment report. Hearing that every decision was made by the inspectors, he did not submit it to the court. He only discussed it with the prime minister Wang Anshi alone. Feng Jing and others only submitted it based on what had been written. The written signature shall be executed'.
What does it mean? That is, the Zhongshu Jianzheng only reported to Wang Anshi, and all the posts were not read in advance. The posts that were read were those that Wang Anshi had already discussed with them.
At that time, Feng Jing and Wang Gui only needed to stamp their seals.
Zeng Buzeng said to Feng Jing and Wang Gui very arrogantly: "The prime minister has already made an agreement, why are you still asking questions? When the order comes out, just sign it!"
Lu Jiawen today is just like Zeng Bu back then.
Lu Jia asked: "The Prime Minister ordered Cai Jingke to be responsible for the official affairs of the Kongmufang of the Zhongshu, An Tao to be the official of the Zhongshu Xingfang, and Zhang Anguo to be the official of the Hufang of the Zhongshu."
In order to arrange for Cai Jing to enter the fifth room of Zhongshu, Wang Anshi actually made such a big move.
It seemed that Wang Anshi wanted to take care of the most important household rooms, ceremonial rooms, and official rooms, and let go of the unimportant Kongmu room and execution room.
"In addition, the official family intends to let Xu Xi learn household affairs."
Lu Jiawen revealed the news calmly. Zhang Yue thought to himself that the officials seemed to want to cultivate Xu Xi personally, and at the same time continued to place their own people in Zhongshu, step by step to promote his determination to carry out reforms.
People in official circles are all aware of the subtleties. Lu Jiawen also had a premonition about something, otherwise he would not have gone to his main hall in person today.
Of course, I will keep those Zhongshu Jianzheng and Zhang Yue in mind who have not visited our hall, and will visit them slowly in the future.
…
After calculating the time, Zhang Yue walked from the main hall to the political hall. But Wang Anshi was still listening in the political hall.
Wang Gui is not in the hall.
According to the rules, in the political hall, the prime ministers take turns to be on duty, and each person is in charge of the seal for a day.
Today it is Wang Anshi who holds the seal, and tomorrow it will be Wang Gui.
Yuan Jiang sat beside him, occasionally signing his signature on official documents.
In the political hall, there are ripe signs and entering grass, which are for the prime minister and the governor to sign together.
Only the chief inspector of the hall does not need to draw a seal, it is up to the chief's subordinates to draw a seal. An Tao had shown him before that it was a court inspection.
As soon as Zhang Yue took office today, he tidied up his own office, so he did not go to the political hall to listen to matters.
Yuan Jiang met Zhang Yue and said, "Zhang Dashen, there is a familiarity certificate here. Please sign it."
Zhang Yue nodded and walked over, glancing at the description of an official's dismissal. Zhang Yue made a mark without saying anything.
The familiar process is the daily process of the prime ministers. Generally, the prime minister will tell the matter, and the ministers and political officials will jointly draw it and submit it to the official. The official will write an approval on it and it can be executed.
This familiar statement is quite meaningful to Zhang Yue. It is the first edict he signed after joining politics.
Of course, I never discussed this with myself beforehand. Of course Zhang Yue didn't ask, so it's not impossible to ask.
Like Zeng Bu, stand up and say, if you are asked to sign, just sign, what's the nonsense.
No one in the political hall dared to talk to him like this.
But Yuan Jiang was different. He looked at himself with a smile.
My ranking in the political hall is lower than him. In the future, Wang Anshi will tell the truth, and Yuan Jiang will be ahead of him in terms of seniority.
Yuan Jiang also thought that the official family probably had no intention of letting Zhang Yue replace Wang Anshi. If they really did, they should at least confer a bachelor's degree in Zizheng Palace first.
But it will be hard to say in the future.
The relationship between Zhang Yue and Yuan Jiang was forged when Lu Huiqing burned the Third Division.
At this time, Wang Anshi had finished listening and stood up.
Yuan Jiang and Zhang Yue immediately saluted Wang Anshi.
Wang Anshi walked up to Zhang Yue and said, "It's about time, let's go together with Du Zhi!"
Zhang Yue said: "It is better to obey orders than to be respectful."
Wang Anshi and Zhang Yue walked out of the political hall, and their Yuan Sui led their horses.
The two got on their horses one after another, and then rode together in the palace. Behind them was a long team of Yuansui.
Wang Anshi asked: "When Duke Wei of Han passes away, please speak to me again."
Zhang Yue spoke after a moment of silence.
Wang Anshi was very sad after hearing this, and then said to Zhang Yue: "When I first came to the court of Han Wei Gong, I was scolded by Han Wei Gong for studying all night and not washing up, so my hair was unkempt and my face was unkempt. He also said that I secretly went to look for flowers and willows."
"My servant was young and energetic at that time and didn't even explain. He said angrily that if you misunderstood me, just misunderstand me."
"The feud between the servant and Duke Han and Wei also started from this. He suppressed me, but I also prevented him from stepping down. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed."
"But there is a way to manage things."
"During the reign of Xining, Duke Wei of Han resigned as prime minister. His servants disagreed with him, but he wrote an article to congratulate him. This matter must have been criticized by many people!"
The more Zhang Yue listened, the more he felt something was wrong.
By talking about what happened between him and Han Qi, Wang Anshi was not talking about the grudges between himself and Wang Anshi.
Zhang Yue said: "Prime Minister, those rumors are not what Zhang said when he met the saint yesterday. Someone has slandered me."
Wang Anshi said: "I know your character, so I don't doubt you."
Zhang Yue breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, Prime Minister."
Wang Anshi raised his head and looked at the stars in the sky and said: "Actually, Pu Zao explained it to Duke Han Wei at the beginning. But it still happened like this later. Now that I have reached the stage, I know that things are not easy for Duke Han Wei."
Zhang Yue thought for a while and said: "The Prime Minister, when he is in his position and thinking about his own affairs, he is doing his duty, so the Prime Minister was not wrong at the time, and he is not wrong now."
Wang Anshi nodded slowly after hearing this and said: "That's good, that's it. So what is the most important thing in Da Shen's heart?"
Zhang Yue said: "Systems are rules, and they are the way of doing things."
Zhang Yue told Wang Anshi everything he wanted to say.
Wang Anshi also understood the meaning of Zhang Yue's words.
But Wang Anshi continued to ask: "What is the way of justice?"
Zhang Yue said: "The way of justice is the way of loyalty and forgiveness. Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you."
"Anyone who breaks this rule will be eliminated!"
Wang Anshi said: "I understand, Lu Jifu broke the rules back then, and you just expelled him from the court."
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "The Prime Minister wants to laugh at me for being pedantic and sticking to the situation."
Wang Anshi said: "I can break all the old habits in the world, but what you say is the latitude and longitude of the heaven and the earth and cannot be moved."
The two came to the palace gate. Outside the palace gate was Wang Anshi's guard of honor for the prime minister.
Zhang Yue dismounted and watched Wang Anshi go out.
At this moment, the night has appeared, and the crescent moon is on the horizon. Wang Anshi rides alone and slowly walks out of the palace gate.
(End of chapter)
