"But you have spent your whole life reading the books of saints and sages, but you can only be a boastful person, closing your eyes and ears to the evil deeds of the family, turning a blind eye!"
The old gentlemen were almost going crazy. They were stamping their feet, lamenting, and cursing angrily!
"Zhang Yang! Don't you have selfish motives? You built Lishan Mountain to make money!"
Saluting everyone again, Zhang Yang straightened up and said, "Everyone, wake up quickly. Open your eyes and look at what is happening in Luoyang. Look at how many poor students in the world have no way out. They are living in the dust. If you can’t hold your head up, you won’t find a way out in life, have you ever thought about it?”
"How long has the mountain of the aristocratic family been pressing down on the country? Haven't you noticed that they underestimate the interests of the country and the country? They ignore the country and build their own moats. They are the thieves who want to separate themselves."
From the time Zhang Yang started arguing with these old gentlemen, he never gave in to the aristocratic family or the imperial examination.
Li Shimin, who was sitting behind the curtain, stood up and left from the back of Tai Chi Hall.
Changsun Wuji looked at the many angry old gentlemen and waved to Li Junxian to come over. He whispered: "Take these old gentlemen back to another hospital and ask the Imperial Medical Office to send three or two medical officers to take care of them. Don't let them Leave and don’t let them touch them.”
"Here."
Zhao Guogong can only protect them now. No one knows what will happen to these old gentlemen when they leave Tai Chi Hall, and no one knows what they will encounter.
Before anyone left Tai Chi Hall, the debate in the hall had already spread.
Seeing these elderly people leaving one by one while still yelling and cursing, Zhang Yang stood there and looked at the old man who was being helped to leave, "Mr. Shen must have understood now."
Some of the old gentlemen had droopy faces, and some were angry.
An argument came to an end.
This time the opponent underestimated the enemy.
Fang Xuanling looked worried, "It won't take half a month for the nobles in Shandong to know what happened here."
Changsun Wuji looked solemn, "They won't give up."
The prince walked over quickly and said, "Your Majesty, please ask Mr. Zhang to go to Ganlu Hall."
Changsun Wuji nodded and said: "You go ahead, I will let others arrange the things here."
Zhang Yang nodded upon hearing this and followed the footsteps of Wang Gonggong and left.
Walking out of the Tai Chi Hall, the cold wind made my clothes rustle. The snow was getting heavier and heavier, and the wind was getting stronger.
"Old Wang, what does your Majesty want from me?"
The prince smiled and said: "I have told you so many times that this old slave must never ask His Majesty what he is thinking."
Seeing his reluctance, he added: "Oh... Mr. Zhang always makes things difficult for the old slave. The old slave can only tell Mr. Zhang that His Majesty is in a good mood."
"Thank you, Old Wang, for your advice." Zhang Yang smiled and nodded.
Unknowingly, it snowed heavily for a day. The snow in front of Ganlu Palace was very thick, and the palace people cleared a path.
"Brother-in-law!" Li Lizhi and Li Zhi just came out of the Manlu Hall and jumped forward.
"Princess Changle, how is Shangshu Province doing recently?"
"Shang Shusheng has nothing to do. I just take my younger brothers and sisters to sort it out every day." Li Lizhi took a book from her younger brother Li Zhi and said, "Brother-in-law, please take a look at the experimental process of the young slave."
Zhang Yang took the book and opened it. Li Zhi used the lever principle and the relationship between air pressure to modify the well's water pump.
Looking at the drawing, a huge lever became the handle for pumping water.
Li Zhi explained: "Brother-in-law, can I design it this way to save more effort when fetching water?"
Zhang Yang smiled and said, "His Royal Highness, Prince Jin, you can try it."
Li Lizhi sighed, "I also tried to persuade Zhinu, but he is not convinced and still has to put in effort to build this thing."
Zhang Yang handed back the book, "Your father has serious business to discuss with me. I will teach you some other time."
"Okay." Li Zhi answered loudly.
"Brother-in-law, let's go back to the Li Zheng Palace first."
"Um."
The siblings whispered and left.
The interior of the Manna Hall is always very dark, and only the lit oil lamps can be seen outside. The house is not high, the windows are not wide, and the lighting inside the hall is also poor.
Zhang Yang patted some snow off his body and walked into the hall.
"No need to be polite."
Before I could salute, I heard His Majesty’s voice.
Li Shimin looked at the scroll without raising his head, "Give me a seat."
The prince diligently brought the chair.
First he sat down, and then Zhang Yang took the tea. The monarch and his ministers looked at each other in silence.
After being quiet for a long time, Li Shimin finally finished reading the book in his hand, "This is the third volume of geography sent by your Foreign Affairs Academy."
Zhang Yang drank tea one sip after another.
"It describes the conditions of the snow-capped mountains of Tubo and the customs and customs of Persia. Is Dashi really powerful?"
"Xu Shilang of the Diplomatic Academy is in contact with the Great Cannibal and will report to His Majesty in a few days."
Li Shimin stood up and put the scroll on the bookshelf aside, "I just heard you talking to Li Zhi and the others outside the palace. My children all rely on you as my brother-in-law."
"They are younger siblings, so naturally I have to take care of them."
"Yes." The emperor nodded in agreement, then sat down again, "How is Zhang Gongjin's health lately?"
"The teacher's health cannot be said to have deteriorated, but the stubborn disease is difficult to eliminate and will eventually drag down the internal organs."
"How long can he live?"
The emperor's questions were straightforward, which would make people feel uncomfortable.
Zhang Yang clicked his tongue and said: "I don't know. Now I can only rely on medicine to treat it. If it doesn't get worse, it can last for a few years. The main reason is that the environment in Lishan is very good."
Then he looked sideways at Lao Wang and continued: "Lishan is a good place to raise people. I suggest that Lao Wang can come to Lishan for retirement in the future."
Lao Wang kept darting his eyes, and facing His Majesty, he could only lower his head and lower his eyes. For a moment, his expression was very complicated. He wanted to laugh but couldn't laugh, and wanted to explain but couldn't open his mouth.
Li Shimin saw it all in front of him, "Everything in the palace depends on him. I can't leave him to you."
Zhang Yang was drinking tea. The tea in the palace was always very strong. He had also drank the tea in the palace before. His Majesty's tea seemed to be getting stronger and stronger.
"Your Majesty, if the old Wang is too dim and unable to help Your Majesty in the future, he can also be sent to Lishan. I don't have to wait in a hurry."
Li Shimin nodded slightly, "Did you hear that? Zhang Yang misses you very much."
The prince saluted repeatedly, "Your Majesty, don't make fun of this old slave. This old slave will be at your Majesty's side for the rest of his life."
Zhang Yang still had a smile on his face, "I told you, I can wait."
These words made Lao Wang lower his posture.
"Your Majesty, I heard from Brother Wen that as long as we settle those old gentlemen's affairs, they won't care about my salary."
Li Shimin nodded, "I did say that."
"Now then..."
"Haven't those old gentlemen not left Chang'an City yet? Why are you anxious?"
There is no written evidence, no decree, just a verbal promise from the emperor. If he turns his back and denies it, there is nothing the emperor can do about it. Is it possible to cry out for injustice in front of Chengtian Gate?
The emperor is unreliable.
Cen Wenwen hurriedly entered the palace and said, "Your Majesty, the contents of this discussion have been recorded. The Prime Minister and Duke Zhao were also present. Your Majesty, please take a look."
Zhang Yang crossed his legs and leaned on the armrest of the chair, "Brother Wenwen, you have done me a lot of harm."
Cen Wenwen said helplessly: "Every matter in the DPRK is never decided by the lower official alone. If there is a decision, it is decided by the entire Zhongshu Province."
"Your entire Zhongshu Province is trying to harm me."
"Shilang Zhang's words in the Taiji Hall were so shocking that all the scholars and students in Chang'an will soon know about it."
Zhang Yang held his forehead, "Will you kill me after you find out?"
"Shilang Zhang was joking. At this moment, the Hongwen Hall is already filled with cheers. Many students are already standing in front of the Suzaku Gate, braving the wind and snow to come and salute Shilang Zhang."
Li Shimin went through the minutes of the discussion and said, "Now that I have made it clear to those old gentlemen the position of the DPRK and China, are there any future arrangements?"
Zhang Yang looked at Cen Wenwen.
The other party didn't reply.
"Cen Wenwen, please step aside first."
"Here."
The wind and snow outside the hall were still there, Zhang Yang glanced at Lao Wang again. At this moment, he looked down at the ground, as if he was petrified and motionless.
If it weren't for the rising and falling of his breathing, I would have thought he was a statue.
"I'm asking you, how are Lishan's preparations going?"
"I have to say that Lishan is not ready yet. There is a lot of paper in stock now, and the new assembly line can be put into production. It can print tens of thousands of books."
Li Shimin put down the volume of discussion records and placed it on the desk, "Ten thousand copies are not enough, I want one hundred thousand copies."
"Will Chao Zhong give me money?"
Zhang Yang immediately asked, "We at Lishan also have costs to print books. Even if we don't make any money, at least let me get my money back. Your Majesty doesn't want to see Lishan collapse."
"Aren't you concerned about the taxes on the Hexi Corridor? I'll give you another 30%."
Zhang Yang thought in his mind, "That's 80% of the tax?"
The emperor's face was dark, and his eyes seemed to say that I gave you 80%, how much more do you want?
Anyway, the palace had no money, so it had no choice but to promise future taxes on the Hexi Corridor to Lishan. Moreover, the Hexi Corridor was under construction, so it would not be a matter of three or two days to get some taxes.
"Your Majesty, I have one more request."
Li Shimin nodded, "It doesn't matter if you say so."
Zhang Yang changed his sitting position, "First of all, Lishan determines the taxes on the Hexi Corridor, especially for goods flowing outside the customs. Secondly, the construction cost of the Hexi Corridor is equally shared with Lishan, and Lishan has the power to decide how much goods are circulated."
"How do you want to set taxes?"
"Business taxation is very complicated and cannot be explained clearly in a few words. Once we have prepared a written memorial, we will submit it to His Majesty."
"That's fine, anyway, you and Yue'er can enter the palace at any time."
"One more thing." Zhang Yang swallowed a sip of tea, "I need the power to govern Liaodong. These can be handed over to the Foreign Affairs Council. Your Majesty can also rest assured that we will not touch the power to mobilize troops and horses in Liaodong."
"fair enough."
"May I ask what books your Majesty needs to be printed."
In the Ganlu Palace, the monarchs and ministers discussed in low voices and finalized the arrangements for Liaodong and Hexi in the next few years. Only then did Zhang Yang walk out of the Ganlu Palace.
The wind and snow were so strong that it was hard to open one's eyes, and the strong wind brought snowflakes to the face, which was very painful.
"Old Wang, are there really many scholars gathered in front of Zhuque Gate?"
"Back to the County Marquis, the news just came. There are about a thousand people. They all came to praise the County Marquis and stood up for them in Taiji Hall today."
Zhang Yang stood there with his hands folded, "Is there any other door to leave the palace?"
The prince was puzzled and asked: "What does county marquis mean?"
"We have known each other for so many years, and you also know me. I am a relatively low-key person."
"Please follow me here, there is a way."
Follow him all the way to the west of Ganlu Hall, pass by Taiji Hall, then walk through a courtyard, and pass by the back door of the Tibetan Treasury. You will see a dilapidated scene in front of you.
The prince stepped on the rubble and explained: "This place has been abandoned for a long time, and has not been built for many years. When the Supreme Emperor was still in power, he proposed to repair it, and because all the money and food expenses were used to pacify the Central Plains, it has been like this again and again. Shelved, now.”
You can also see a few wild cats occasionally coming and going.
The wind and snow are falling, making the place seem even more bleak.
Going further, there is a pond full of water plants, walking across the wooden bridge, and another place.
The houses here are relatively neat, the ground is relatively clean, and there are palace maids walking around. When they see the prince, they quickly bow down and salute.
"This is the Yeting Palace. The maids who have committed crimes will do some hard labor here. The way out for the county prince is right in front of him."
After walking two miles, there is a small wooden door here.
Eunuch Wang explained: "Exiting this gate is Fanglin Gate. The county prince can take a detour to go back."
Zhang Yang pushed open the wooden door, and in front of him was a palace wall. There were three or two guards stationed here, and there was indeed a gate.
"In the past, palace maids would leave here to go to Chang'an City to purchase things. However, after His Majesty ascended the throne, because the Yeting Palace fell into disrepair, this door was abandoned and not many people in the palace knew about this place."
Zhang Yang nodded understandingly, "Lao Wang still insists on loyalty."
Eunuch Wang explained: "I won't give it away anymore."
"You must remember Lishan Pension. I will arrange the future matters. I told His Majesty today that I will continue to fight for it in the future."
"I appreciate the kindness of the county prince."
"Please also ask the prince to tell those waiting at Zhuque Gate that I have gone home and there is no need to wait."
"Old slave understands."
The abandoned palace was eerie. When Zhang Yang walked out of the palace gate, he saw a secluded alley in front of him.
First, he looked left and right and confirmed the direction of Fang Lin. Walking all the way from here was the West Market, and finally there were pedestrians in front of him.
Yeting Palace is a cold palace, and behind it is a palace that has been in disrepair.
Just thinking about it makes me feel irritated. I wonder how many people died inexplicably in the harem and became human fertilizer in the garden. The weeds there are also strangely lush, and they can still be lush in the winter.
Zhang Yang quickened his pace and walked all the way through the West Market, bypassing the path and crossing Zhuque Street to the East Market.
Tightening his clothes, Zhang Yang exhaled a breath of white mist in the cold air.
Just as Cen Wenwen said, a group of scholars were blocking Zhuque Gate at this moment. Zhang Yang felt more at ease after he quickened his pace and walked through Zhuque Street into Dongshi.
Along the way, I bought some meat and vegetables at the market for cooking in the evening, then turned onto the trail and headed home.
Even if there are millions of disputes outside, home is still the warmest place.
Auntie was clearing the snow in the yard, "Xian Hou, you are back."
Zhang Yang took off his official hat and nodded and walked into the house. His daughter was sleeping on the bear's back, and Xiao Wu was sleeping soundly against the bear.
Moving the still-burning stove to the door, Zhang Yang walked lightly to his wife. She put her hands in cotton covers and fell asleep sitting in a rocking chair.
After looking at her sleeping face for a while, Zhang Yang lifted her head and cushioned her with a cotton pillow.
Thanks for the monthly vote, more updates will be added.
A good start to the first day of June!
Asking for a monthly ticket!
