Zhang Xiangxiang went to see Xu Jingzong, but they couldn't figure out the reason, so they came to the village together.
Zhang Yang was tidying up the cotton field, removing weeds and checking the soil condition. Zhang Dasu and Xu Jingzong sat on the edge of the field with sad faces. Zhang Dasu was not as steady as Zhang Dasu, although his brother Zhang Dasu's temper was more like The warrior cursed for most of an hour.
After cursing and cursing for most of an hour, Zhang Xiangxiang couldn't stand it anymore, "Second brother! Sit down and think about it carefully."
Hearing this, Zhang Dashu sat down.
Zhang Yang sat aside with his sleeves tucked in, while Xu Jingzong seemed calm.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and the four people sitting on the edge of the field stared blankly at the cotton field, speechless for a while.
At the beginning of this year, the four of them were still dominant among the six departments, making their own efforts to revitalize the Ministry of Rites.
I have only been in the Ministry of Rites for half a year, and the current owner of the Ministry of Rites has changed, and the current Ministry of Rites has nothing to do with everyone.
Xu Jingzong looked at Zhang Yang and asked, "Shilang Zhang seems to be very concerned about this field."
Zhang Yang nodded and said: "The cotton seeds planted in September are just waiting for them to grow up. Do you know what the seeds mean?"
Xu Jingzong whispered: "Does it mean harvest?"
"Wrong means hope." Zhang Yang said with emotion: "I am a poor person, and I am used to farming. If I don't plant a few acres of land, I will feel uncomfortable."
Xu Jingzong smiled awkwardly, "I heard that Shilang Zhang's family already has a fortune."
Zhang Yang took a breath and frowned, "Is this the case?"
Xu Jingzong suddenly said: "Maybe it's all rumors?"
Zhang Yang nodded, "It must be a rumor."
Seeing that the two still didn't talk about the matter of the Ministry of Rites, Zhang Xiangxiang couldn't bear it anymore. He stood up and said loudly: "Today's Ministry of Rites are all his high-performing brothers, how can there be room for us and others."
"Brother Elephant, don't be impatient." Xu Jingzong said with emotion: "The person in charge of the Ministry of Rites now is Gao Jingxing, who can tolerate it."
Zhang Yang struggled, "You say that this Gao Jingyi doesn't want others to be better than him. This person is a bit perverted."
Xu Jingzong took out a roll of sheepskin and said, "This is a letter sent by King Ju Wentai of Gaochang. In addition to His Majesty's credentials, there is also this sheepskin roll."
Zhang Yang peeled off the sealing wax on the sheepskin scroll, opened it and looked at the crooked words on it, "Did this King Gaochang just learn Chinese characters?"
Xu Jingzong also took a look and could barely understand the meaning. The content was full of praise for the Ministry of Rites, and even said that he would use hundreds of barrels of grape wine to repay the favor.
Zhang Yang put away the parchment and "sent someone to send a message to Adalan, telling him to let Gaochang people read as few Central Plains books as possible."
Xu Jingzong lowered his tone and said, "Shilang Zhang means to let King Gaochang indulge in wine and meat?"
"What if? The stupider they are, the better for us."
"clear."
The emperor's words are 70% false and 30% true. Don't expect an emperor to be sincere to you.
As for the second chance Li Shimin said, it was nothing more than making others loyal to him.
Whether it was Yi Nan's fate, the incident at Xuanwu Gate, or Jie Li's ending, it all showed that Li Shimin was a ruthless person, and ordinary means could not threaten this vicious Tian Khan.
Don't even think about using your own interests to negotiate terms with Li Shimin, he will eat them up.
Noticing Zhang Dashu's eyes, Zhang Yang whispered: "Brother Dashu will stay in the village from now on so that he can take care of the teacher."
Zhang Dasu said with a straight face, "I don't want to stay with my father."
Zhang Yang was puzzled: "Why?"
Zhang Dashu lowered his head.
Zhang Elephant explained: "My father would only scold him and drive him away."
It's true that the teacher is also very strict with his own children and calls his son a fool all day long.
Letting Zhang Dashu stay with the teacher is also a kind of torture.
Xu Jingzong thought for a long time and said, "Why don't you arrange some intelligence matters with me?"
It was quite tiring for Xu Jingzong to be busy all by himself. Zhang Xiangxiang nodded and said, "That's it, Da Su will follow Xu Jingzong to do things."
Zhang Dashu nodded, "That's fine."
Patting Zhang Elephant's shoulder, Zhang Yang whispered: "The Ministry of Rites is now in the hands of Gao Xiang. Brother Elephant, please take a rest these days. Just say that you are also infected and return to the Ministry of Rites in the future."
"clear."
"I am no longer the Minister of Rites, and I don't need to call myself Minister Zhang. Just call me Xiao Zhang."
Zhang Xiangxiang cupped his hands and said, "I won't be able to change my words in the next moment."
The four of them were members of the former Ministry of Rites. Although they no longer worked in the Ministry of Rites, Xu Jingzong was still doing his intelligence work. Everyone was still busy with the previous affairs. The Tibetan and Turkic intelligence was also in Xu Jingzong's hands.
A few people were walking on the field ridge. Zhang Yang walked with his hands in his hands and asked, "How many intelligence personnel do we have in total?"
Xu Jingzong was asked to take charge of intelligence work. I don't know how well he is doing the intelligence work now.
"Tujue has a total of six eyeliners, one of whom is working next to the Turkic Khan. Duer has also arranged a few eyeliners to keep an eye on it. However, Xue Yantuo has not sent anyone there yet. Gaochang Kingdom includes some scattered places in the Western Regions. We also have people who have made friends with a few businessmen from Nanzhao. They will also help me get information. We have arranged some Tibetan spies. However, Songtsen Gampo only uses his own people, and our informants cannot be sent to him for a while. Come to Songtsen Gampo."
You don’t know if you don’t ask, but now if you ask carefully, Xu Jingzong did his intelligence work well and impressively.
Zhang Yang took a breath, "You even have news from Nanzhao?"
Xu Jingzong smiled and said: "I drink with people in Pingkangfang on weekdays, and I got to know some businessmen from Nanzhao, and we reached cooperation with them."
Zhang Yang sighed: "Nanzhao has a lot of copper."
"copper?"
"Well, Nanzhao is a very wealthy place."
"I drink with friends on weekdays just to get some information. This high official actually impeached me for lying about my illness. It is really abominable." Xu Jingzong said worriedly, "Sooner or later, my official clothes will be stripped off."
Zhang Yang frowned and said, "How about you please Gao Xingxing? With your ability, he will definitely treat you as a confidant, and then you can stab him in the back."
Xu Jingzong stopped and looked up into the distance, "Secretary Zhang, I am a principled person. It is not my style to please Gao Jixi. I would rather take off my official clothes and stop being an official than stay with him."
"I didn't expect you to be a man of integrity."
Xu Jingzong looked a little ashamed, "Shilang Zhang misjudged me. I'm not a man of integrity. This is a good bird choosing a tree to roost in. His talent for high performance is not half as good as Shilang Zhang's. This person can't do much merit." And why should you follow him?"
No wonder Xu Jingzong can hold a high position in history, his ability is so flattering.
After chatting with the three people for a while about the arrangements, Zhang Dasu continued to stay in the Ministry of Rites but had to rest for some time. Zhang Dasu followed Xu Jingzong to work.
Gao Jingxing, who had gone to court the next day, listened to Li Baiyao's report. Xu Jingzong still claimed that he was ill and could not come to work in the Ministry of Rites. Zhang Xiangxiang also claimed to be ill. Even Zhang Dashu bluntly said that he did not want to follow suit.
The original four members of the Ministry of Rites now have no one left.
Gao Xingxi threw something in front of him, "What on earth do these people mean!"
"Back to Mr. Gao, it's the time of season change these days. You have to pay attention to your health and don't catch a cold." The new Minister of Rites said beside him.
"Recently, the Ministry of Education has come to inquire about Tibetan affairs."
Hearing the word "Tubo" was like a thorn in his heart. Gao Xingyi heard the sound and looked to see that the person speaking was Li Baiyao.
Facing Gao Jingxing's eyes, Li Baiyao lowered his head and did not dare to say anything.
Gao Xingyi slapped the case and said coldly: "Without him, Xu Jingzong wouldn't be able to do the work of the Ministry of Etiquette?"
After speaking, Gao Jingcheng looked at the people in the Ministry of Rites and said loudly: "We in the Ministry of Rites are full of talents. We immediately sent a letter to Tibetan Songtsen Gampo and ordered him to release our envoy immediately."
At this moment, there was a case file placed in front of Gao Jiancheng. What was recorded in this file was Zhang Yang's strategy of imposing heavy taxes on the Turks. It was not only a previous attack by the Ministry of Rites, but also a means to suppress the Turks.
"Since heavy taxes have already been imposed, why not add some more."
Hearing Gao Xingxi's words, Li Baiyao immediately said, "Absolutely not. The current heavy tax was originally set by Turks and Zhang Shilang. If it is changed now, it will cause Turks to rebel. This will most likely make all previous efforts in vain. .”
"This is the strategy that Zhang Yang left behind when he used power for personal gain. Will he continue to use it?"
Li Baiyao bowed and said: "Although it is evidence of abuse of power for personal gain, it was only retained after consultation with the Central Secretary. This matter should not be acted upon rashly."
Gao Xingyi nodded and said: "Do you mean that with so many talents in our Ministry of Rites, we are not as good as Zhang Yang?"
Li Baiyao glanced at the people in the Ministry of Rites and said, "As far as I know, these people were all friends of Mr. Gao at the beginning. They were not hired by the court, nor were they transferred from other government agencies. In terms of ability, these people are really worthy. Not talented enough.”
"How dare you contradict me! I am the Minister of Rites!" Gao Xingcheng shouted.
"Mr. Gao is only temporarily acting as the Minister of Rites, and he was appointed by Xu Guogong. Nowadays, the appointment and dismissal of officials in the Central Committee of the DPRK must be reviewed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
Gao Xingyi was so angry that veins popped out on his forehead.
Li Baiyao's expression was neither humble nor arrogant, "We still need to discuss the formal appointment and removal of the position of Minister of Rites. As for the people brought into the Ministry of Rites by Mr. Gao, they have not yet served in the court, and they have not been included in the official list. If they were talented people, they would have been admitted long ago. The official register is reused by the government."
The people around them were indeed good friends, but Li Baiyao's words seemed to have stripped them of their clothes, which made them angry and annoyed.
Gao Xingcheng looked at everyone and then looked at Li Baiyao, "From now on, you don't have to work in the Ministry of Rites."
Li Baiyao looked directly at Gao Xingyi, "You don't need Mr. Gao to find Duke Xu to punish me. I can just go on my own."
After speaking, Li Baiyao took off his official uniform, official hat, and official boots on the spot, and walked out of the Zhuque Gate with bare feet and thin clothes.
Li Baiyao met Xu Jingzong just after taking a few steps.
Xu Jingzong handed him a coat, "It's cold now, so I still have to wear one."
After standing there for a long time, Xu Jingzong sighed: "Get dressed. Although you and I didn't get along well in the Ministry of Etiquette, we didn't get to know each other until we started fighting. At least we are different from Gao Jingcheng."
Taking the coat from Xu Jingzong, Li Baiyao put on the coat and then received a pair of boots from Xu Jingzong.
The two of them sat down at a wine shop, and Xu Jingzong asked the waiter to serve the wine.
After drinking, I felt much more comfortable.
Xu Jingzong said helplessly: "Brother Baiyao has been wronged. I heard about Brother Baiyao's talent in the first place."
Li Baiyao put his hands on his knees and glanced at Zhuquemen, "Young Master Gao will sooner or later suffer losses and get into trouble if he is young and energetic."
Xu Jingzong took a sip of wine and said, "Actually, as long as Mr. Gao does the work of the Ministry of Etiquette well, at least he will not make any mistakes."
Li Baiyao smiled bitterly, "I already made a mistake by sending the envoy to Tubo. I made a wrong step and made a mistake every step. The current Gao Jixiu is too eager for quick success and quick gain. Even though he is Zhang Shilang, he is not a good person."
"Cough cough cough..." After hearing this, Xu Jingzong choked on his throat with a mouthful of wine and kept coughing.
Li Baiyao said worriedly: "At least Mr. Zhang is humble and tough in handling affairs. If he is not tough in dealing with various countries in the Ministry of Rites, he will not be able to gain a foothold. Why bother with this official position now."
Xu Jingzong poured him a drink and said, "There was also a conflict between Brother Baiyao and Brother Da'an back then."
Li Baiyao said with a smile: "Da'an lacks experience and is young. He will be fine in the future if he is taught well."
Recalling the time he sent someone to beat Li Baiyao, Xu Jingzong said calmly: "Actually, the person who beat you up was arranged by me, just to make the three brothers of Zou Guogong's family feel bad."
Li Baiyao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed again, "Since there is a festival, why do you treat me like this and treat me to a drink?"
Xu Jingzong cupped his hands and said: "Our Shilang Zhang has a very good saying, the one who makes many friends will make few enemies. Although Zhang Shilang does not take Gao Jingcheng seriously, at least he can be regarded as an enemy. Brothers Baiyao Those who turn against Gao Feng are our friends."
Li Baiyao shook his head, "I don't want to get involved in court disputes."
Xu Jingzong smiled and said: "This is not a dispute in the court, it is just a matter of making friends."
Li Baiyao picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp, "Thank you very much."
Xu Jingzong poured him another drink, "Now it seems that this high-ranking minister will destroy himself without Zhang Shilang taking action."
After three bowls of wine, Li Baiyao stood up and took the initiative to pay for the drinks, "Goodbye."
Xu Jingzong cupped his hands and said, "I won't send it away."
Watching Li Baiyao leave, Xu Jingzong frowned and said to himself: "The character of a scholar, it is a bad thing not to think about changing."
Zhang Yang was tinkering with paper pulp at home while listening to Aunt Wang's story, "Li Baiyao took the initiative to take off his official uniform and quit?"
Li Yue ate the persimmon and looked at the book in her hand.
Aunt Wang arranged the bamboo silk, "It's true, I had a dispute with Mr. Gao."
This kind of thing is not difficult to find out, and maybe it has already spread throughout the government and the public.
Li Yue took another bite of the persimmon and said, "If you offend Mr. Gao, you will offend Gao Shilian. Li Baiyao's career will probably end here."
Zhang Yang picked up some paper pulp and observed it carefully, "Not necessarily. Gao Shilian will not always be in a high position. Sooner or later, someone will replace him in the court."
(End of chapter)
