Zhang Gongjin put his hands on his knees covered by the wool blanket, lowered his head and said with emotion: "When you left the court, your Majesty was still somewhat youthful. Now that he has been on the throne for ten years, he has a city, a plan, and will not be influenced by others. "
I heard the teacher whispering to himself in a low voice, and there was a hint of appreciation for His Majesty in his words.
Zhang Xiangxiang and Da Su were not in good spirits, and even Xu Jingzong seemed to feel that they could not keep the current Diplomatic Academy.
Zhang Yang first looked back at the teacher, then looked at the three people in front of him, and whispered: "The power of the Protectorate can be handed over to the Central Government, but we cannot give in to the power of diplomacy."
The former Ministry of Rites came step by step from a small official residence with three people.
At that time, the Ministry of Rites was unknown and the most inconspicuous.
At that time, everyone had nothing and sacrificed everything to work in the Ministry of Rites. For the benefit of the Ministry of Rites, Zhang Shangshu dared to challenge Sun Wuji, the leader of the Taiji Hall.
This is something the Ministry of Rites has fought for little by little.
It was also during his four or five years in the Ministry of Rites that Xu Jingzong felt the most. At that time, the people in the Ministry of Rites were soft-spoken, had to be cautious in doing things, and had to watch the faces of other ministries in the court.
Now that His Majesty wants to seize the power of the Protectorate, Xu Jingzong feels uncomfortable no matter how he thinks about it.
Because of this, His Majesty said at the court meeting about giving rewards to everyone in the Ministry of Rites. Thinking of this, His Majesty has been planning it since last year.
Now I want to take away the power of the Protectorate, and there will be rewards afterwards.
This is His Majesty's arrangement, in order to achieve the results of the Diplomatic Academy. The current situation in the Diplomatic Academy is the result of everyone's concerted efforts. Over the years, everyone has finally made achievements in the Ministry of Rites.
Xu Jingzong was extremely reluctant to let this situation go. He clenched his fists with his hands, and there was a lot of unwillingness in his eyes.
It wasn't until Zhang Yang's hand fell on his shoulder that he relaxed slightly.
"Old Xu, I know it has been difficult for you these past few years, but this matter involves the ownership of military power. We cannot fight with the DPRK and China yet."
Xu Jingzong lowered his head and said, "I am willing to listen to Zhang Shangshu's arrangements."
Zhang Yang looked at Zhang Xiangxiang and Dasu, and whispered: "It is okay for the Foreign Affairs Council to hand over the powers of the Protectorate, but the governance of Liaodong is still the same as that of Goguryeo. We must have enough initiative."
Turning around, Zhang Yang took a deep breath and ordered: "Let Li Yifu speed up the internal fighting in Goguryeo. The sooner Yeon Gaesumun usurps the throne, the better. Mr. Wen has sent three thousand Hebei disciples to Liaodong to help Da'an. We have to decide on Goguryeo." ”
Xu Jingzong quickly bowed and saluted, "What Zhang Shangshu said is true, we have to settle on Goguryeo."
The three of them left with firm eyes.
After walking far away, Li Tai had already left with a large bundle of blueprints in his arms. He pretended not to have heard the conversation just now and ran away far away.
The conflict and hostility between brother-in-law and father-in-law should be kept as far away as possible, focusing on technical research and never interfering in things that should not be involved.
Zhang Gongjin sent his two sons away, watched Xu Jingzong leave, and whispered: "Zhang Yang, do you really want to do this?"
"Teacher, are you talking about planning for Goguryeo?"
"Well, after so many years, you have really not changed at all. You will not give in to foreign enemies, and you will not give in to the emperor. Even if you have to hand over the power of the Protectorate of the Foreign Affairs Council, you will still capture Goguryeo."
Zhang Yang nodded and said: "After taking over Goguryeo, we can negotiate the price with His Majesty. As for the hot meat of the Protectorate's authority, I am happy to see it become the sharp heads of the various ministries in the DPRK to grab it, and I can sit on the mountain." Watching the tiger fight, when they were exhausted from arguing over the authority of the Protectorate, when I looked at the situation again, I saw that Da'an had already captured Goguryeo."
Hearing this, Zhang Gongjin smiled and said: "It's just like when we captured Gaochang."
Letting this disciple push his wheelchair, Zhang Gongjin had a worried look in his eyes, "In your eyes, there is never absolute surrender. Many people bow to His Majesty. In my opinion, you are more willing to exchange with His Majesty." Benefit."
"The teacher was joking."
Zhang Gongjin said again: "You are right to leave the court. It seems that neither Xiang Xiang nor Da Su can hold the post of Minister of Rites. These two children are good people. They have no means, no matter how unwilling they are in their hearts. Loyalty to the emperor will make it easy for them to hand over their power, instead of fighting for it like you do, and you keep it.”
"You are different from the people I have seen before."
"What kind of people have you seen before, teacher?" Zhang Yang asked in a low voice.
"There are people who are loyal to the emperor, and there are people who are willing to sacrifice all their wealth for the emperor for the sake of official career, but they don't know how to fight for their own interests." Zhang Gongjin said with a smile: "Just like you go to talk to the emperor for the benefit of everyone in the Ministry of Rites. Conditions, there are very few such people, it doesn’t mean that you are right to do this, nor does it mean that you are wrong.”
After a pause, Zhang Gongjin looked up at the sky, "I should really keep my children away from you."
Zhang Yang smiled awkwardly and became more and more puzzled, "Why did the teacher say this?"
"Why did I say this?" Zhang Gongjin sneered and said: "Whether it is Changsun Wuji or Fang Xuanling, among the counselors of the Qin Palace, they were also counselors, but they were not as unscrupulous as I was. In order to let His Majesty stay in Xuanwu Gate To besiege and kill Li Jiancheng, I risked my life and lied about the sky warning, how dare I do this, how dare Zhangsun Wuji and others say such things?"
Zhang Yang pushed the wheelchair to the courtyard of the teacher's house, where his wife was preparing meals.
"I am different from Changsun Wuji and the others. I am an unscrupulous person. They often speak ill of me behind my back and say that I am cruel. Among the many counselors, Changsun Wuji and the others are in the Ming Dynasty, but I have always stood behind His Majesty. , secretly made suggestions, and during those years in the Prince of Qin's Mansion, I did a lot of dirty things for the Prince of Qin, including killing people and framing people as blame."
"They always say that I am an old man, but when I teach these three children, whether they are Xiang Xiang, Da Su, or Da An, I uphold the conscience that still exists in my heart and teach these three children to be honest, honest and kind. generation."
"Such a child cannot inherit my mantle." Zhang Gongjin said.
"I will inherit the mantle of teacher."
"Ha." Hearing this, Zhang Gongjin smiled with some contempt, "With your methods, you can't even defeat Chang Sun Wuji, and you still want to inherit my mantle."
Zhang Yang nodded, "Teacher's words are a bit hurtful."
Zhang Gongjin smiled again, "You are outstanding among your peers, but you are still much younger in the eyes of old foxes like Changsun Wuji."
"Please also ask the teacher to live a few more years and give you more guidance."
"What do you mean? I'm already suffering from a serious illness. I want to die early, but you let me live a few more years."
"Isn't this what you should do as a disciple?"
Zhang Gongjin stroked his beard and frowned: "You should worship under Changsun Wuji's disciples."
With a hearty smile, Zhang Yang saluted his teacher's wife and left the courtyard of his teacher's house.
Back on Lishan Mountain, Zhang Yang picked up his daughter and asked, "Do you think daddy is a bad person?"
Xiao Qingqing nodded slightly, but when she saw her father's expression changed, she quickly shook her head.
Zhang Yang was satisfied with his daughter's behavior and smiled: "What do you want to eat tonight?"
Xiao Qingqing's little hand propped up her chin. This was her mother's habit. She likes to prop up her chin with her hand when thinking, "I want to eat roast mutton."
"Don't eat too much barbecue. Let's have ribs for dinner."
"I want to eat barbecue!"
Xiao Qingqing resisted verbally and walked to the Huaqing Pool. Zhang Yang put her down.
Li Yue was cleaning up the library. When her husband arrived, she put a pile of torn volumes into the library and said, "The weather is gloomy and it's probably going to snow again."
She carried a lot of books into the library.
Zhang Yang reached out and took the scroll in her arms, "I'll do it, hurry up."
"Um."
There are many books at home. These books include some popular Chinese books on the Analects of Confucius, and some unique copies left by the previous dynasty. There are also notes and annotations taken by my daughter-in-law during her daily reading, or notes she left when giving lectures to her younger siblings.
These books are her treasures. Even the little bear cannot step into the library. This is her forbidden place.
Xiao Wu and Xu Hui also came back after the New Year. They were sorting books in the library.
He glanced sideways and saw the master and teacher chatting and laughing, "Senior sister, teacher and master are so kind."
Although the couple sometimes quarrels, they always make up and live in harmony.
Xiao Wu whispered: "Teacher and Master always talk about important things about the family and the country, and their ambitions are very lofty."
I don’t know if it was influenced by the teacher. Xiao Wu is still a young girl, but she already has great ambitions. She wants the Shanmen School of Lishan to establish itself in the Central Plains and spread throughout the world.
The teacher often chats with the master about family and country affairs, looking at the map and chatting about the situation.
Such a scene planted a seed in her heart, and she didn't want to live like those girls outside.
Xiao Wu whispered: "What does it feel like to hold power?"
Xu Hui was stunned when she heard this, and whispered: "I don't know either, but the master is always far away from the court. Dad also said that the master does this because he doesn't want to be involved in power. It's better for senior sister to stay away from power."
"If Lishan wants to open up the mountain gate and study knowledge well, we should concentrate on studying knowledge. After all, the power of the court is too far away from us."
Xiao Wu's eyes had a different look.
The two are junior sisters, but their childhoods before coming to Lishan were very different.
Because of her family and origin, Xiao Wu had a difficult childhood. She was not the legitimate daughter of the family, but also had her mother's background.
Xu Hui, on the other hand, is better. She has been an official with her father since she was a child. She is also from the famous Xu family in the East China Sea. She is influenced by her family's family background. She has been reading and writing since she was a child. She is able to write articles and is sensible. She is loved by her elders.
Her father is now serving in the court, and he will also talk to her about some things that happened in the court, and also talk about the current situation of her master.
Xu Hui whispered: "Sister, I've sorted it out here."
Xiao Wu looked at his bookshelf and responded, "I'm here soon."
Xu Hui climbed the ladder and came down from the high place of the bookshelf, "Let me help senior sister organize it."
Two pairs of small hands picked up the books on the ground and put them on the bookshelf one by one.
Xu Hui smiled and said that she would help her senior sister if she could. This is what her father has always taught her, which is to help others, make friends with others, and be a good person.
In fact, she understood what this senior sister was thinking, but she tried her best to persuade her and influence her.
The family worked hard for a long time, and towards evening they sorted out the books in the library.
Zhang Yang was busy in the kitchen, "Xiaohui, help me pick some onions."
Xu Hui responded: "Okay!"
"Xiao Wu, bring the jar of lard. There is no lard in the kitchen."
"Bring it here."
The master's words interrupted the whispers of the two little girls, who hurriedly went to do their business.
Xu Hui held a handful of green onions and placed them beside the stove. Xiao Wu also brought lard and put it on the cabinet nearby.
"Xiao Wu, at the beginning of spring this year, Xiao Hui and Li Zhi will have hair extensions, and you will join us."
"But I'm not old enough yet." Xiao Wu whispered.
Zhang Yang was cooking the dishes, "It doesn't matter, we have nothing to do for a year or two, so why not do the haircut ceremony together to save yourself the trouble of having to do it in the future."
"Yeah!" Xiao Wu nodded heavily and suddenly smiled.
Seeing that the senior sister was no longer worried, Xu Hui also became happy. The two girls held hands and left again.
Zhang Yang tasted the newly fried cabbage. His wife was pregnant with a child, so she had to pay more attention when eating. The cabbage should not be fried too oily. The dish in front of her looked a bit dry.
The taste is just okay, but you need to put more thought into the nutrition during pregnancy and the combination of meat and vegetables.
In Chang'an City in the wind and snow, Xu Jingzong and Zhang Xiang and Da Su hurriedly walked into Chengtian Gate.
The three of them had no choice but to end their summer vacation early and get busy in advance for this year's events.
The palace in the wind and snow was freezing, even colder than the vibrant city of Chang'an.
Looking at Tai Chi Hall from a distance, it looks like a man-eating beast with its mouth open.
The guards stood here silently, looking straight ahead, standing neatly with a chilling air.
This kind of silence and coldness makes people slow down their breathing unconsciously.
Under the leadership of the eunuch, the three of them braved the wind and snow to walk to the Manna Palace.
The palace in the distance that was the first to be lit with lights was the Manna Palace. The three of them stopped in front of the palace, patted the snowflakes off their clothes, and then walked into the palace.
Inside the hall, it was like two different worlds from the cold outside. The coals in the brazier made a slight crackling sound, but the firelight seemed extremely dim.
Li Shimin was looking at the scroll in his hand, with a calm and authoritative expression that made people dare not look directly at him.
Now His Majesty is showing more sharpness than before, and there are even fewer and fewer memorials to remonstrate recently.
"Have you gone to see Zhang Yang?"
His Majesty's words came, and Xu Jingzong mustered up the courage to step forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have indeed made a trip to Lishan. Many matters of the Ministry of Rites still need to be discussed by Zhang Shangshu."
Li Shimin nodded slightly, "The Ministry of Rites must also have regulations for its actions. I can facilitate it for the Foreign Affairs Council, but the general memorial must be the same as the other six departments. This cannot be changed."
"I understand." Xu Jingzong saluted, Zhang Xiangxiang and Da Su followed suit.
Li Shimin nodded and said: "I have thought about it. The three of you were the first to be in the Ministry of Rites and the first to follow Zhang Yang. You should have been rewarded for your hard work in the past few years. Zhang Dashu went to Tubo for the great plan of the DPRK. , take the lead as a soldier, serve as a member of the middle school, and lead the history of Huaizhou governor from afar. The salary is based on the total of three positions. Of course, since you are less than thirty years old, you still stay in the Ministry of Rites, and you will be given additional rewards in the future."
