Moreover, if Goguryeo wants to hand over the bones of the soldiers who fought in the Eastern Expedition, whether they will agree is another matter.
Since Yang Guangdong's expedition, Goguryeo has not obeyed the discipline of the Central Plains.
After losing the four Han counties, the chaos in the Central Plains also lost contact with the four counties.
Since the establishment of the four counties in the Han Dynasty, Goguryeo has always been the four counties of Liaodong in the Central Plains. Now people's hearts are not attached to each other, and they are divided into one side.
Xu Jingzong's arrogant talk is not necessarily a bad thing.
Wei Zheng's face turned red with anger, "Do you know what it means if something goes wrong in this matter and the Liaodong war begins?"
"The official understands that the DPRK has not many troops deployed in Youzhou. Once Goguryeo invades Liaodong, it will cause huge disaster."
Wei Zheng said in a deep voice: "Since you know it will cause disaster, you should consider it carefully."
Zhang Xiangxiang was already making arrangements. Zhang Yang said that this matter was imminent. If he wanted the Ministry of Rites to have a backer, he could not rely solely on the Prince of Hejian.
The Prince of Hejian County could protect Zhang Yang, but he could not protect everyone in the Diplomatic Academy.
The only way is to strengthen one's own camp. For example, to pull Wei Zheng into trouble. It is one thing to protect one's life wisely, but it is another thing to go through fire and water. All I know are petty officials and minor officials, and the Duke and General are even more out of reach. .
It was difficult to persuade Wei Zheng. Xu Jingzong thought that he was not good at lobbying. He bowed and said, "If Zhang Shangshu insists on doing this, even the lower officials will not be able to stop him. I think Duke Zheng also knows his temperament."
"This boy is too bold."
"Xiaguan is very worried. Why don't Zheng Gong and Xiaguan go to persuade her together? Just try to persuade Zhang Shangshu before this matter causes a big disaster."
"How to find him if he is missing?"
"Tomorrow morning after I leave my official position, I will come to see Mr. Zheng. I will definitely see Zhang Shangshu."
Arguing with Wei Zheng was a bad idea. Since it was Zhang Yang's idea, he had to meet him in person.
"What if I don't go?"
"If Mr. Zheng doesn't go, it will be the Foreign Affairs Commission and Zhang Shangshu who will be criticized when the Liaodong incident occurs. There is no problem in resigning. It's just that Zhang Shangshu is still young and thought he could take over the mantle of Mr. Zheng. It's a pity..."
Wei Zheng snorted coldly: "You don't need to say anything. I went to see him not because of his personality, but because of the country and the country of the Tang Dynasty."
"Zheng Gongyuan is impressed by the official. I will pay him a visit again after tomorrow morning."
After walking out of Wei Zheng's house, Xu Jingzong wiped the sweat from his forehead. Zhang Shangshu, there is not much I can do. I hope this matter can go smoothly.
It is the season of summer and Chang'an City is very lively in the morning.
Xu Jingzong took Wei Zheng and others on the streets of Dongshi.
"Can I see Zhang Yang here?"
"Most of the officials below will come here because they know about Zhang Shangshu. Today is a busy day in the East Market. Zhang Shangshu is usually diligent and thrifty, so he will definitely come to buy groceries."
"Then wait a little longer."
After standing there for a while, Wei Zheng wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Maybe he won't come."
"Old Xu?"
Hearing the words, Xu Jingzong almost cried on the spot when he saw the person. When he turned around and saw Zhang Yang, he even wiped his tears and said, "Shilang Zhang! Zhang Shangshu! I've been waiting for you."
He was working in the Ministry of Education and was in charge of the Foreign Affairs Academy. At this moment, Zhang Yang was still dressed like a country man, with a coarse cloth short coat, straw sandals and a bamboo hat.
Zhang Yang was surprised to see Xu Jingzong and Wei Zheng standing together while carrying a vegetable basket, "Are you here to buy vegetables too?"
Wei Zheng was about to speak but stopped, and for a moment he forgot what he was going to say.
Zhang Yang took out two eggplants from the vegetable basket, "This is rare in Chang'an City. I came before dawn. If you come late, you won't be able to buy such good things. You have to go shopping and come early. I'm late. The fresh vegetables have long been picked away.”
Wei Zheng took the eggplant and sighed: "Do you live like this all day long?"
Zhang Yang nodded, "I have been reading books on sages recently. His Majesty asked me to read them. He wants me to be a good person."
Hearing him speak so calmly, Wei Zheng nodded and said, "I have already heard what Xu Jingzong said. Do you really want Zhang Daan to ask Goguryeo for the bones of former Sui generals?"
Zhang Yang found a relatively clean place by the street to put down his vegetable basket, and sat in the shade in the corner. "It's cooler here. Mr. Zheng can come over and talk."
After standing on the street for a long time, my back was soaked with sweat.
Zhang Yang took out the cattail leaf fan from his waist. The weather was so hot today, "I plan to go to Lishan to escape the heat after buying groceries today. Is Mr. Zheng interested in joining me?"
"I need to take care of many matters in the court. You haven't been to the morning court for a long time. Although your majesty is open-minded now, you can't encourage this trend. You can do it alone. There will be people like you in the future. How will your majesty control your ministers?"
"What Mr. Zheng said is true. Your subordinates must remember it."
When the conversation changed, Xu Jingzong almost forgot what he was here for, "Mr. Zheng also talked about matters in Liaodong and came here to discuss with Zhang Shangshu."
Only then did the words come back.
Wei Zheng asked in a low voice: "The Western Region has not yet been decided, so there should not be more wars in Liaodong at this moment."
"We at the Diplomatic Academy just sent someone to send a message to Goguryeo."
"It is not certain that Goguryeo will return the bones of the war against Goguryeo. Moreover, this is an old thing left over from the former Sui Dynasty, and it is more likely to arouse suspicion between the DPRK and China."
Xu Jingzong added: "Mr. Zheng is worried about changes in Liaodong."
Zhang Yang smiled at first, "I just asked someone to send a message first. Goguryeo is currently in civil strife and has nothing to do, so it won't be in the mood to invade Liaodong for a while."
"really?"
Seeing that General Wei Zheng was doubtful, Zhang Yang said again: "Mr. Zheng, we at the Diplomatic Academy have a lot of intelligence personnel, and the border officials are all looking for information. I am 90% sure that Goguryeo cannot take care of the Tang Dynasty at this moment."
"The Ministry of Etiquette must exercise caution in this matter. It is good to be young and energetic, but do not be greedy for success. Rushing for quick success is not a good thing."
"I understand, and I promise that this is just a greeting from the Foreign Affairs Council to Goguryeo, and it has no intention of provoking trouble."
Wei Zheng waved his sleeves and said, "I'm not afraid of provoking trouble. Our army of the Tang Dynasty will recover Goguryeo sooner or later. It's just a matter of time."
"Mr. Zheng is right."
With Zhang Yang's guarantee, Wei Zheng was relieved.
Farewell to Duke Zheng, Xu Jingzong asked in a low voice: "How does Zhang Shangshu know the current situation in Goguryeo?"
"What's the situation in Goguryeo?"
"Didn't I just say that Goguryeo was in civil strife? Our diplomatic corps's eyes hadn't spread to Liaodong yet. How did Zhang Shangshu know about it?"
Zhang Yang cleared his throat, "There is a man in Goguryeo named Yeon Gaesumun. He is now eradicating dissidents and preserving himself while gaining power. It is the period of power transition in the Goguryeo royal family. The first thing King Yeongryu of Goguryeo wants to eradicate is the man who holds heavy troops. Yeon Gaesumun.”
"So that's it." Xu Jingzong was secretly surprised, "Let Da'an go to Liaodong to develop at this time. If the situation changes in the future, we can take precautions. Zhang Shangshu's move is smart, and I admire him."
Zhang Yang clasped his hands and watched Wei Zheng walking further and further, "Don't be impressed. You must have ulterior motives for coming to Mr. Zheng this time."
"The matter in Liaodong will definitely be discussed in the DPRK and China. If Mr. Zheng can help, we at the Diplomatic Academy can have more strength."
Zhang Yang looked at Xu Jingzong's expression and whispered: "Old Xu, have you and I worked together for three years?"
Xu Jingzong nodded, "Exactly three years."
"You should know very well what kind of person I am. I don't like to form cliques in the DPRK, nor do I like to have any alliances in the DPRK."
Seeing Xu Jingzong lowering his head, Zhang Yang said again: "You are older than me. You should also understand that it is not a good thing if the Foreign Affairs Academy has too many entanglements with the Military Center or other departments of the Six Ministries. What kind of suspicion will be caused in the future?"
"Your Majesty..."
"I know you are thinking about me. I am a simple-minded person and don't have so many calculations like you, but now you still want to drag Mr. Zheng into the water."
As he spoke, Zhang Yang clasped his hands and said melancholy: "Can't we be more righteous? For example, live more openly? Your minds are dark, well! It's too dark."
Listening to Zhang Yang's words, Xu Jingzong felt pain in his heart again, how dark it was.
Speaking of darkness, how many bad things has Zhang Shangshu done?
Who is darker than who?
Zhang Yang now said that Goguryeo was in a period of civil strife. Xu Jingzong felt that it was generally correct. There had indeed been scattered news sent before, and he also talked about Yeon Gaesumun.
It's just that at that time, the Diplomatic Academy was all focused on the affairs of Tubo and the Western Regions, so they didn't pay too much attention to it.
We still need to send someone to Liaodong to inquire before we can confirm.
Xu Jingzong asked again: "If the Goguryeo people are unwilling to return them, what will happen to the bones of our Central Plains soldiers?"
"Old Xu, you know that our Foreign Affairs Academy has done so many things. What has always been the most important principle?"
"Are you going to make money?"
Looking at Xu Jingzong again, Zhang Yang said sadly: "Old Xu, do you have any ideals in life?"
ideal? Xu Jingzong thought, "Money? Women?"
Zhang Yang said with a straight face, "Can we be more honest with each other?"
Xu Jingzong took a deep breath, and his expression became more solemn, "What does Zhang Shangshu think a person's ideal should be?"
"Of course it's career and love."
"this……"
"What else could it be?"
As people came and went on the street, Xu Jingzong pondered, "It seems that Zhang Shangshu's ideals are no different from those of lower officials. What does this have to do with Goguryeo not returning our bones to the Central Plains?"
"Of course it does matter?" Zhang Yang patted him on the shoulder, "We are good people, they are bad people. The ideals of good people are career and love, and the ideals of bad people are money and women."
Xu Jingzong lowered his head and suddenly thought of some rumors in the East Palace, which seemed to come from the prince. Since Zhang Yang left the East Palace and served as the Minister of Rites, he has become less and less talkative.
Xu Jingzong looked up to the sky and sighed, it's so profound, I can't understand it...
"Being a good person means doing the right thing. No matter what our Foreign Affairs Council does externally, we must stand on the right side, stand on the right side of history. Even if we start a war, we must have a legitimate reason for the war. This is what our diplomacy The foundation of the hospital.”
"Do you really think we are just trying to get those bones back?"
"Otherwise?" Xu Jingzong has not yet recovered from the previous question. His mind is still digesting the previous words. The topic jumps so fast that it is difficult to keep up.
"If Goguryeo does not return the bones, we will have an excuse to hold Goguryeo accountable, and then send people to contact the King of Goguryeo. If Yeon Gaesomun really has the intention to seize power, and escort the King of Goguryeo to Chang'an City, we will have a legitimate start to war. Reasons for the Eastern Conquest of Goguryeo."
"Otherwise, why would I let Daan go run Liaodong so early?" Looking at Xu Jingzong strangely, Zhang Yang struggled and said, "With your talent, Xu Jingzong, you shouldn't have thought of this."
Xu Jingzong laughed bitterly and said: "Xiaguan has been busy with trivial matters in the Western Regions recently. He doesn't sleep much every day, and he feels a little confused from time to time."
The three of them are responsible for all matters in the Diplomatic Academy, large and small. They have a lot of manpower to make arrangements, and they can command nearly a hundred people. The arrangement is really tiring.
"Old Xu, if you have the chance, find some time to recuperate. In the future, the Diplomatic Academy will ask you to preside over it. If you continue like this, you may be in a trance."
He was a thief and shrewd man back then, but now he looks a little foolish.
How could such a good person become like this?
Xu Jingzong kept up and said, "Zhang Shangshu, the lower official recently discovered a person who is very talented and learned."
Zhang Yang kept walking, "Who is it?"
"This person's name is Li Yifu."
Bad people will always attract each other. Historically, there have been many different opinions on the evaluation of a celebrity like Li Yifu. It is better to understand this first. Judging from the results of various deeds, this guy is probably the same as Xu Jingzong , are not good people.
Zhang Yang asked in a low voice: "Are you familiar with him?"
"We met before. We had a bottle of wine together when we had time the day before yesterday. This person has only entered the official position this year. He has been recommended by others before, but was rejected by Zhao Guogong. He participated in the imperial examination this year and was lucky enough to be nominated. He is a member of the province. work."
"What do you think?"
Xu Jingzong looked around, leaned over and whispered: "I think it's a pity that this kind of talents are not used by our Diplomatic Academy. We are short of people to send to Goguryeo to check the situation there. If things change, You can prepare in advance, what does Zhang Shangshu think?"
Zhang Yang said clearly: "In the name of our diplomatic envoy, are you sent to Goguryeo to explore the road?"
Xu Jingzong smiled and said, "It would be good to give more opportunities to young people."
"Asking him to go all the way to Goguryeo, what about Li Yifu offended you?"
"That's not true. We can still take care of the Da'an brothers by sending people to Goguryeo. I thought it was the best idea. Zhang Shangshu has great ambitions. The Tang Dynasty will take back the land of the four counties sooner or later, so let him go to the province. Being transferred to our Ministry of Rites and Diplomatic Affairs will be a great achievement if things go well in Goguryeo."
"Well, you can arrange this."
"Here."
Zhang Yang was in a very beautiful mood. When he returned home, his wife and Xiao Wu had already packed their clothes, and the two aunts also put a bunch of furniture on the cart.
You can go here to escape the summer heat and focus on building a new home.
Li Yue added: "Auntie, please send a message to the queen mother, saying that our family should go to Lishan Mountain to escape the summer heat. If my younger brothers and sisters come to come, we can also let them come to Lishan Mountain."
Bringing two more steamed salted duck eggs, Li Yue carried a food box, "Husband, we have arranged everything."
