Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao left Sun Quan's mansion. They were supposed to go back to their respective homes.
But after Zhang Zhao left the house, he suddenly took Zhou Yu's hand, smiled and said to Zhou Yu, "Gong Jin, do you have free time to come and sit at my house?!"
Zhou Yu was stunned for a moment, then quickly bowed and replied, "Gong Zhang invited me, and Yu shouldn't have refused. However, there are still important matters in the house. After Yu has finished handling them, he will come to visit again. I wonder what Gong Zhang wants?!"
Zhang Zhao still kept smiling, nodded, let go of Zhou Yu, and turned around to go home.
Zhou Yu looked at Zhang Zhao's leaving figure, sighed slightly, and went home.
After returning home, Zhou Yu took off his outer robe, changed into regular clothes with Xiao Qiao's service, and sat in the study in a daze.
Recently in Jiangdong, the relationship between the ministers has become more and more disliked by Zhou Yu.
At first, under Sun Ce's command, Zhou Yu could match Sun Ce's brothers, Sun Ce could allow Taishi Ci to raise private soldiers, and Zhang Zhao could discipline Sun Ce. But now, everything has become strange.
Since the Battle of Chibi, the lord Sun Quan has become more and more powerful in recent years and has become more and more arbitrary.
Today's matter, on the surface, it seems that Sun Quan took the initiative to discuss Lu Su's successor arrangements with Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao, but in fact, what Sun Quan needed was just the approval of Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao.
It's not that Zhou Yu didn't understand some things. He understood Sun Quan's difficulties and knew that Sun Quan had to make some changes in order to consolidate his rule in Jiangdong. But Zhou Yu really didn't like this change.
And Zhou Yu believed that he was not the only one who felt this way, Zhang Zhao also felt the same way.
Although during the Battle of Chibi, Zhou Yu was in charge and Zhang Zhao was in charge, they were veterans of Sun Ce's era after all. Although they had their differences, they should be in the same boat in this regard.
But the current situation is like this. Although Zhou Yu doesn't like it, for Jiangdong, for the legacy left by Brother Bofu, and for the current lord Sun Quan, even if Zhou Yu feels uncomfortable, when he should speak for Sun Quan, Zhou Yu will still explain.
It's just that now Zhou Yu can't understand Zhang Zhao's behavior.
Especially the invitation, in Zhou Yu's opinion, was actually something incredible.
The personal relationship between Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao is actually not good.
The root of all this must start with Zhou Yu leading troops to attend the funeral after Sun Ce's death.
Sun Ce left Zhang Zhao alone before his death, so Sun Ce could only leave Zhang Zhao alone. He also said that it was impossible for Zhang Zhao to replace Sun Quan and return to his hometown in Huainan.
It can be said that at that time, Sun Quan's prestige was insufficient and Zhang Zhao's family was the dominant one, which even had enough excuses to abolish the throne.
At this time, Zhou Yu led troops to attend the funeral, and immediately supported Sun Quan, establishing the relationship between monarch and minister, which allowed Sun Quan to secure his position, and at the same time obtained half of the right to assist the government from Zhang Zhao.
Although Zhou Yu was doing it for the sake of Jiangdong's foundation and the Sun family, Zhang Zhao might not really depose him. But what Zhou Yu did did really make Zhang Zhao lose face. Therefore, the relationship between the two was quite bad. .
Fortunately, both of them are business-oriented and don't pay attention to private matters, so they can cooperate with each other on official matters. Even during the Red Cliff period, Zhang Zhao advocated peace, but after Sun Quan made up his mind to fight, Zhang Zhao did not give up the challenge, but devoted himself to He tried his best to assist Sun Quan and handle the logistics and government affairs.
But the personal relationship between Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao has not improved at all.
Over the years, as Sun Quan's power has grown, one of them is the number one person in the military, and the other is the number one person in the civil service. They both know that Sun Quan wants to use checks and balances to strengthen his control, so there is no reason for the two of them to communicate privately. .
But now, Zhang Zhao actually broke this rule and invited Zhou Yu to a private gathering. What did Zhang Zibu think? !
Although Zhou Yu declined the gathering, it was because he had just left the gate of Sun Quan's mansion and just wanted to avoid suspicion.
But Zhou Yu still couldn't figure out Zhang Zhao's true intention.
Continue to struggle with the issue of Lu Meng’s succession? !
This is unlikely.
If we want to struggle with this issue, with Zhang Zhao's qualifications, he can definitely stand up to Sun Quan, and Sun Quan can't do anything to Zhang Zhao.
On the contrary, once Zhang Zhao relents, the matter becomes a decision, and if Zhang Zhao insists on it in turn, it seems very unreasonable.
It is impossible for Zhang Zhao to do such a thing.
Is it possible that Zhang Zhao is dissatisfied with the status quo? !
This is also unlikely.
As the number one man in the army, it would be reasonable if he was jealous of his lord. Zhang Zhao did not have military power in his hands. Sun Quan usually respected Zhang Zhao very much and treated Zhang Zhao with courtesy. Why would he be dissatisfied? !
Zhou Yu couldn't figure it out, so Zhou Yu decided that it would be better to send someone to Zhang Zhao's house to deliver the name card and make an appointment for the two of them to have a good chat.
This was a formal visit, it was reasonable, and even if Sun Quan knew about it, he wouldn't say anything.
Therefore, after the two met for three days, Zhou Yu personally visited Zhang Zhao and recounted their past friendship.
Sun Quan actually knew about this on the night when Zhou Yu sent someone to deliver the greeting card.
But Sun Quan really didn't take it seriously.
It was a very common thing for ministers to communicate with each other in this era. Even Sun Quan knew about it. Zhou Yu immediately rejected Zhang Zhao's invitation and instead made a formal appointment. The open and honest visit itself represented Zhou Yu’s attitude.
In addition to his previous support for Lu Meng, Sun Quan was not so confused that he could not distinguish between right and wrong, so he did not doubt Zhou Yu.
As for Zhang Zhao, Sun Quan would not doubt him.
Since Zhang Zhao was given half of his power by Zhou Yu, he has never had any contact with military power. Although he still has a bad temper on weekdays and likes to scold others. Sometimes he even scolds himself, his master. But such a person, There is no threat to Sun Quan.
Therefore, Sun Quan really didn't take it seriously when the two visited each other.
Zhou Yu formally paid a visit to Zhang Zhao's residence on the agreed date, and Zhang Zhao also opened the central door to welcome Zhou Yu. The two entered the residence chatting and laughing, and took their seats respectively.
After a set of guest and host etiquette, both parties sat down. Zhang Zhaocai smiled and said to Zhou Yu, "Recently, something appeared in Jiangdong, called "paper". I wonder if Gong Jin has heard of it?!"
Zhou Yu smiled slightly and said, "What Zhang Gong said was brought by Fei Yi, the envoy from Jingzhou?! Yu must have heard about it."
After hearing this, Zhang Zhao continued, "It is indeed this person who did it. Gong Jin thinks that this person brought this thing to Jiangdong, what is his intention?!"
Zhou Yu continued to smile, raised his glass and toasted Zhang Zhao. After drinking, he said, "I wonder what Mr. Zhang has to say?!"
Zhang Zhao was a little dissatisfied when he saw Zhou Yu's virtue.
I don't believe that a person of Zhou Yu's level and vision can't see the purpose of Fei Yi coming to Jiangdong with the paper.
"Hmph! In my opinion, this person must have bad intentions!" Zhang Zhao snorted dissatisfied, and then said, "This person came to Jiangdong, relying on paper, just to buy money."
Zhou Yu remained unmoved, lowered his head slightly and said, "In that case, why doesn't Mr. Zhang make it clear to his lord?!"
Zhang Zhao paused for a moment.
Yes, why can't you explain it to the lord? Because paper is really a good thing.
As a great scholar of the time, could Zhang Zhao not see the benefits of paper? !
As a child of an aristocratic family, would Zhou Yu not know the disadvantages of paper? !
Why was Fei Yi arrogantly walking around Jiangdong with papers in hand? Even Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu knew clearly that this guy was here to win people's hearts and money, but no one reminded Sun Quan? !
In other words, would Sun Quan not know Fei Yi's true intentions? !
Things like using time are not a big deal in this era. The Sun and Liu families are allies, but they often work with each other and bribe each other's ministers. In this era, using time is almost a big deal. The translucent thing.
As an envoy, Fei Yi wandered around Jiangdong. The real reason why he was not stopped until now was that Sun Quan was deliberately indulgent.
Sun Quan is also a hero. He can certainly see the usefulness of paper in destroying the family's right to annotate classics, and Sun Quan needs this thing more than Liu Bei.
After all, Jiangdong's family has been very dishonest since Sun Ce entered Jiangdong.
Sun Quan needed Fei Yi to help him promote paper, disrupt the family's right to annotate classics, and strengthen Sun's rule in Jiangdong. So Sun Quan didn't care what Fei Yi's real purpose was.
Even if Sun Quan connived with Fei Yi, he probably wanted to use Fei Yi's actions to find out the aristocratic families that were dissatisfied with the Sun family's control of Jiangdong, so that it would be easier to rectify them.
Therefore, Zhou Yu asked Zhang Zhao why he didn't take the initiative to report to Sun Quan.
As a giant in the army, how could Zhou Yu not know Fei Yi's intentions? With his understanding of the political situation in Jiangdong and Sun Quan, how could he not guess Sun Quan's true intentions.
In fact, Zhang Zhao can understand, but the problem is that Zhang Zhao is too close to the people of the Jiangdong family, and when considering things, he will inevitably favor the side of the Jiangdong family.
Therefore, Zhou Yu also tactfully reminded Zhang Zhao not to forget his true position. After all, you, Zhang Zhao, are still a veteran of the Huaisi Group.
As Chinese people, there are some things that cannot be said too clearly and must be left blank, otherwise it will offend people too much.
Zhang Zhao actually understands what Zhou Yu means, but today's matter is not really about Zhang Zhao speaking for the Jiangdong family, but Zhang Zhao feels that Sun Quan's idea is right, but his approach is wrong. He cannot do it just to deal with the Jiangdong family. Borrow the power of Liu Bei Group.
How can the people of Liu Bei Group be so kind? !
This kind of thing must be in your own hands to have complete control.
"I asked Gong Jin to come to the government today just for this matter!" Zhang Zhao continued to say with a smile, "I would like to ask Gong Jin and me to jointly submit a letter to the lord, handing over the paper matter to me. I don't know what Gong Jin wants. How about next?!”
Zhou Yu then raised his head slightly and looked at Zhang Zhao.
Is this Zhang Zibu not an old fool? This is really a clever move.
Sun Quan cannot directly control the distribution of paper. This is tantamount to putting himself on the opposite side of the Jiangdong family. Doing so will completely wipe out Sun Quan's more than ten years of hard work. The Jiangdong family will treat Sun Quan like Like Sun Ce, he attacked in groups.
But it was different when it was handed over to Zhang Zhao.
Zhang Zhao is the link between Huaisi Group and Jiangdong Group. He has high prestige and reputation, and has a good relationship with both parties. He is a suitable middleman.
Zhang Zhao controls the distribution of Jiangdong paper, and Sun Quan sits behind the scenes to control the situation. He can divide and suppress the Jiangdong family and consolidate his rule.
But since then, Zhang Zhao may have to bear the resentment from both the Huaisi Group and the Jiangdong Family. After all, the person in charge will inevitably complain about this kind of cake-sharing thing.
To some extent, Zhou Yu really admired Zhang Zhao.
Although the two sides have different political views, they are both dedicated to the Sun family's foundation!
Zhou Yu raised his glass sincerely this time, toasted to Zhang Zhao, and said at the same time, "Mr. Zibu invites me, I dare you not to obey."
Then, he drank it all in one gulp to express his respect for the veteran minister.
Zhang Zhao drank it all in one gulp, put down his glass, and continued, "Although this matter has been decided, Fei Yi and Gong Jin cannot ignore it."
Zhou Yu nodded and said, "If my lord has made a decision, Yu will take care of it and will not let this person do whatever he wants."
Zhang Zhao shook his head and said, "The Sun and Liu families are allies after all, Gong Jin needs to be cautious. Hey, you can't retrace the past, but I don't know if Gong Jin cares about the future?!"
Zhou Yu's expression suddenly changed.
(End of chapter)
