Prime Minister

Chapter 1099: A lot of help

Chapter 1099: A lot of help

As soon as the news of the Lanzhou victory came out, the whole room was filled with joy.

Watching the prime minister and the clerks coming to Zhang Yuehe to report the great victory in Lanzhou, Cai Jing felt a sense of discomfort in his heart.

The capture of Lanzhou was not surprising. It took an army of over 100,000 two months to capture it.

As a result, Xihe Road even missed the original strategy of conquering Lanzhou and advancing along the north bank of the Yellow River. Many people accused Li Xian and Wang Hou of being mediocre generals who had hundreds of thousands of troops sitting under the city of Lanzhou and missed the opportunity to join forces with Xingling.

But it happened to be the day when Zhang Yue returned to the court to be appointed prime minister, and this good news arrived neither a day earlier nor a day later.

This luck is truly enviable and jealous.

Is Zhang Yue really the prime minister destined by heaven?

Zhang Yue said, "This is all the emperor's work. We are just taking advantage of the situation by accepting his orders."

The officials continued to congratulate.

Feng Jing, who had been so aggressive just now, was now discouraged.

Under Feng Jing, Xue Xiang, who had been wavering since entering the court, also congratulated Zhang Yue and said, "Congratulations to the Prime Minister. Once we are in Lanzhou, we can drink from the Yellow River at any time. Whether we go north along the Zhuanglang River to Liangzhou, or go west along the Yellow River to Xingzhou, it is the best strategy to capture Lingzhou!"

Zhang Yue was very satisfied that Xue Xiang showed goodwill at this time.

After all, Han Jiangzhangyue had contributed a lot to recommending the other party to serve as the Deputy Privy Councilor.

Zhang Yue still recognized Xue Xiang's talents, but he thought he was unscrupulous in doing things.

Zhang Yue said with a smile on his face: "Vice-Chairman Xue Shu is absolutely right. Prince Li Xianhou will definitely act accordingly in the next step."

Xue Xiang said: "I have been an official in Shaanxi for many years and have long been familiar with the situation. I beg the Prime Minister to allow me to make some suggestions later. I will be very grateful!"

Oh, oh, you are so good, Master Xue, you are so impatient... Zhang Yue also returned the favor and said: "I have a long-standing friendship with Deputy Envoy Xue. When we first set up the exchange office, I was very grateful for your advice. In the future, I will rely more on Deputy Envoy Xue's advice when I attack Xia!"

Xue Xiang immediately said, "I don't deserve it. I am proud of my talent in economics. When I was the transport commissioner of Shaanxi, I didn't know the wonderful use of salt notes. It was all thanks to the foresight of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister had such insight when he just entered the officialdom. I always admire him."

If Xue Xiang's words were put into any other context, everyone would definitely vomit collectively.

You, Xue Xiang, are the deputy envoy of the Privy Council after all, but you are so shameless to flatter Zhang Yue. However, everyone is used to hearing such words in the officialdom. Everyone in the Political Affairs Hall also thinks it is normal and does not think it is excessive.

But Feng Jing was so angry that he turned his head away. With the return of the pro-war Zhang Yue to the court to serve as prime minister, two traitors, Xue Xiang and Zhang Qi, emerged from the Privy Council.

Lian Zeng Xiaokuan said: "Congratulations to Prime Minister Zhang. With the capture of Lanzhou, the entire Xihe Road has been revitalized."

Wang Gui had a slight smile on his face, but no one knew what he was thinking in his heart.

Cai Jing was observing the expressions of Wang Gui and Zhang Yue all the time.

Wang Gui was a man of generous appearance but cautious heart, appearing masculine but actually being treacherous. He would bully people without showing it. Even a smart man like Cai Jing suffered a lot at his hands.

What does it mean that if you want to accuse someone of a crime, you can always find a pretext?

Wang Gui is the only one who is not happy with you, and he has also caused the entire Zhongshu to isolate Cai Jing.

You are not informed of important matters in advance, the important power in your hands is taken away, and a bunch of difficult and troublesome things are thrown at you. When your suggestions are not adopted, the monkeys in the officialdom see through you and take the initiative to be cold and distant from you.

Wang Gui treated Bi Zhongyan in the same way, but once Wang Gui made fun of him, he would lie down, leaving no chance for the other party to take advantage of him. In general, officials who encounter this situation will not be promoted, and in the end they will either endure it or leave.

Cai Jing saw the unfolding of human nature.

He is able to adjust his mentality, but he is an ambitious person. He is not content with his current situation, nor does he want to lose power.

So in the face of Cai Que's lobbying, Wang Gui took the initiative to offer the bargaining chip of marriage. Cai Jing found Cai Bian, and the two brothers decided to serve separately.

Seeing Zhang Yue return to the government hall today and witnessing the capture of Lanzhou made Cai Jingdu feel a little lost.

Even Xue Xiang and Zhang Qie were considered heroes who knew how to adapt to the changing times.

Do you regret it today? Somewhat.

Cai Jing took some time to calm down, walked up to Zhang Yue and said, "Congratulations to the Prime Minister on the recovery of Lanzhou!"

Zhang Yue paused for a moment and looked at Cai Jing and said, "Yuan Chang! There's no need for us to be so formal."

Cai Jing was flattered to hear Zhang Yue calling him by his courtesy name. Just as he was about to say something, another person came to congratulate Zhang Yue, so he left.

Cai Jing calmed down and stayed where he was. Zhang Yue turned around and saw that Cai Jing was still lingering and asked, "What do you want to say, Yuan Chang?"

Cai Jing whispered, "I just got the news from a confidant in Jingyuan Road that Zhang Jinglue killed Wang Zhongzheng in front of the army!"

Zhang Yue said calmly, "I understand."

Although Zhang Yue looked calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil. He didn't understand why Zhang Zhi had taken the wrong medicine and dared to kill the commander-in-chief?

Hasn't he received the imperial edict to withdraw his troops?

Could it be that Wang Zhongzheng doesn't agree?

impossible.

But now there is no news from the troops in the direction of Jingyuan Road, which is exactly the same as the situation in Fuyan Road before. How can Zhang Yue not be worried?

Zhang Yue sat back in his chair. At this moment, Wang Gui seemed to notice how heavy his mood was. He smiled and tried to inquire about it, but Zhang Yue would not tell him. The two of them just chatted and laughed as if nothing had happened.

Zhang Yue thought that on his first day in office, he had a lot of difficult things to deal with.

The murder of Wang Zhongzheng by Zhang Zhi was one thing, and the corruption scandal in Fuyan Road was another.

Corruption was a well-known secret among officials of the Song Dynasty. The military funds of Fuyan Road amounted to millions of strings of cash every year. It was absolutely impossible for officials along the entire road not to share in the profits based on their moral standards.

Now that Fuyan Road has suffered such a terrible defeat, many officials must pay a heavy price.

There are thousands of things in my heart, but I can't show them on my face.

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "On the capture of Lanzhou, our two governments should present congratulations to His Majesty!"

Wang Gui said, "That's right."

Zhang Yue said: "When it comes to writing, there is no one better than the History Museum in this dynasty. I'll leave the congratulatory memorial to you."

Wang Gui liked to write congratulatory articles and the like to sing praises of the emperor. This was how he stood out from Emperor Renzong.

It's easy to mess up a job, but it's not wrong to be careful in writing articles. Zhang Yue naturally left the task of adding the icing on the cake to the other party.

Wang Gui smiled and said, "Jixian is a man of great talent, why should he be so modest?"

Zhang Yue smiled at Wang Gui and said, "Students will always be students."

Wang Gui laughed loudly upon hearing this, as if both of them had forgotten their grudge against each other at this moment.

At this time, Yuan Jiang had just walked out of the government hall and saw the officials congratulating Zhang Yue and Wang Gui, as well as Wang Gui and Zhang Yue looking at each other and laughing. After learning the news of the great victory in Lanzhou, he felt jealous.

Why does Zhang San have such good luck?

Upon hearing this, Yuan Jiang returned to the office hall in anger again and did not come out.

Zhang Yue and Wang Gui were unaware of the change in Yuan Jiang's heart, until the official reported it.

"Han Yuru has arrived!"

Wang Gui smiled and said, "What a coincidence!"

Zhang Yue smiled.

Han Zhen was appointed as the Chief Secretary of the Privy Council at an early age, and was the head of the officials of the Privy Council.

However, in order to avoid suspicion with his brother Han Jiang, Han Zhen stayed at home. After Han Jiang died of illness, Han Zhen did not come out to work.

He knew very well that being an official was not just about holding a position, it also depended on whether there was support from above.

Now that Han Jiang is gone, he will be ostracized if he becomes an official.

Today, he learned the news that Zhang Yue was appointed prime minister, and decided to come out to congratulate Zhang Yue.

Han Zhen had a strong and harsh temper. He once joked with Zhang Yue that if Zhang Tang and Lai Junchen were alive again and met him, they would also obey his orders.

Han Zhen is strict but not reckless, and is able to judge the situation.

He is not like Wu Anshi, who is a third-generation official. Although Zhang Yue was a guest of honor in the Han Mansion in the past and was promoted by Han Jiang, he is now the prime minister after all. He has to obey orders when he should, bow his head when he should, and bend over when he should.

People who achieve great things are guided by their goals and never have any psychological barriers.

So Han Zhen rushed over to congratulate him today. From now on, his supporter will not be his brother, but Zhang Yue.

Before entering the government hall, Han Zhen met Xue Xiang.

Both of them were not easily tolerant of others. Han Zhen was appointed as the Transport Commissioner of Shaanxi after Xue Xiang, and he had changed his rules. The two had a lawsuit.

After they met, Xue Xiang said, "Yu Ru, you're here! Are you going to leave the mountain?"

Han Zhen said, "We need to raise troops for a thousand days to use them in one moment. Now that the situation on the border is not going well, I came to see you. What advice do you have for me today, Master?"

Xue Xiang said: "Nothing, Yu Ru congratulates you first."

"What's the matter?"

Xue Xiang said: "You will know once you enter the hall."

Han Zhen laughed and said, "Anyway, whether it's a blessing or a disaster, you can't avoid it."

After saying that, the two of them passed each other.

After Han Zhen entered the hall, he paid homage to Wang Gui and Zhang Yue.

The two asked the clerk to serve tea to Han Zhen. Zhang Yue said to Wang Gui, "Han Yuru once served as the Transport Commissioner of Shaanxi and the General Manager of Qinfeng Road. If we set up a Privy Council in Shaanxi this time, he would be a good candidate!"

Han Zhen was overjoyed when he heard this.

He was power-seeking, in favor of killing and war, and was in charge of the Privy Council. He was most happy to have control over local affairs.

Wang Gui said: "Yu Ru is a talented person, otherwise Qinfeng Road would not have the reputation of 'It is better to meet a young tiger than Yu Ru'."

Han Zhen stood up and said, "Thank you for your advice, Prime Minister. After I go to Shaanxi, I will definitely be disciplined and will not dare to act recklessly again."

Zhang Yue nodded to Han Zhen in approval. Wang Gui said, "This matter still needs your majesty's decision. Yu Ru can go back and wait for the news!"

Wang Gui smiled and said to Zhang Yue: "There are many talented people in the West Palace, such as Xue Shizheng, Zhang Zhifu, and Han Yuru, who all have a tacit understanding with Jixian."

Zhang Yue smiled. Wang Gui was beginning to be afraid of him.

Power comes from below. If you are a prime minister but have no troops on your own, it will be useless.

Zhang Yue has been in the court for many years, usually keeping a low profile, but today he was appointed prime minister.

Xue Xiang, Zhang Yu, and Han Zhen, five important officials in the Privy Council, all took the initiative to come to him. Wouldn't that make Wang Gui wary?

Zhang Yue said: "Meng Ziyun said that those who are righteous will have many supporters, while those who are unrighteous will have few supporters."

"The whole world wants to conquer the Xia Kingdom. Xue, Zhang, and Han have been working on this for a long time. Today's victory in Lanzhou has inspired people, so we think there is something we can do."

Wang Gui nodded, but he was even more worried in his heart. If Zhang Yue, relying on his advocacy of war against Western Xia, gathered his own faction in the court, he could easily overwhelm himself and Feng Jing.

Today’s victory report from Lanzhou is so good. If we continue to win in the future, won’t the whole room be filled with Zhang’s followers?

(End of this chapter)