Prime Minister

Chapter 1326: Prime Minister

Chapter 1326: Prime Minister

The post road from Fuyan Road to Bianjing originally took eight days.

But before planning the Battle of Yongle City, the emperor specially ordered the Ministry of Works to renovate it. The golden envoys used the best post horses and could deliver reports from the frontline troops to Bianjing City in just seven days.

But seven days was too long for the official who was walking quickly with his hands behind his back in the Chuigong Hall. It was even longer than seven years.

The government is now looking forward to it anxiously.

The twelve gold-lacquered screens in the hall were rustling in the north wind.

The report of Lü Huiqing was presented to the emperor: 150,000 Liao troops were found in Hedong Road, and the elite troops of Pi Shi were already in Yinzhou. Although Shen Kuo led troops from Mizhizhai to the north to provide assistance, he saw that the Liao and Xia forces were already encircling each other.

All this shows that the battle of Yongle City was a premeditated battle between the Liao and the Tanguts. No matter if the Song army went out from Jingyuan Road or Fuyan Road, they would be lured by the Tanguts. But when Cai Que proposed to increase the annual tribute of the Liao to 700,000, the Liao looked very interested and pretended to be accommodating to him.

Cai Que even secretly reported that the Liao envoys had spoken in Khitan language at the time, saying, "As long as the Southern Dynasty continues to pay tribute, even if the Dangxiang are all killed in Xingling, what does it matter?"

Therefore, Cai Que in the imperial court repeatedly said that "the Liao people are short-sighted and greedy for silk."

The official was sweating through his heavy shirt, his clenched palms were bleeding, and he said helplessly: "Cai has indeed misled me!"

The official walked around the pillar and looked at the emperor's rage. The palace servants holding the food trays had sweat in their palms, but they did not dare to take a step forward.

Shi De saw the blue veins on the emperor's neck and pulled Song Yongchen's sleeve. The two of them said in unison: "Your Majesty has not eaten for a day and a night. It is too much to torture your body like this."

"This is my fault." The official suddenly stopped and sighed.

Upon hearing this, the attendants hurriedly served food as if they had been pardoned.

Shi Deyi took the ginseng porridge that had been simmering on the red clay stove from the palace maid and brought it to the emperor. With the crisp sound of the silver spoon touching the porcelain cup, the emperor took a few bites and suddenly stopped.

Shi Deyi, Song Yongchen was about to speak, but was interrupted by the emperor: "How about Li Xian?"

Shi Deyi said: "Li Xian is ill and is still recovering."

The emperor said, "I regret that I should have appointed Li Xian as the commander this time. Even if he is incapable, Li Xian can still give me advice."

The official thought again, and seemed to be talking to himself: "Could it be that Li Xian knew of this defeat on purpose, and therefore made an excuse not to leave?"

Shi Deyi and Song Yongchen lowered their heads and dared not say a word.

After a moment, the emperor raised his head silently, his eyes fixed on a certain part of the map, and said, "I... regret not listening to Mr. Zhang's advice."

The emperor recalled that when Zhang Yue left the throne, he repeatedly warned me that we should wait until there was a change in the Liao Kingdom before we could attack the Dangxiang!

But the emperor refused to listen and insisted on having his own way, thinking that after conquering Xia City, the Dangxiang no longer had the strength to fight again.

Shi Deyi, Song Yongchen thought to himself, although the emperor said so, how could he possibly use Zhang Yue again?

Even if the army was defeated at Yongle City, the emperor would not use him again.

After saying this, the official waved his hand to signal for the food to be removed.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

The emperor waved his hand and the eunuchs had to retreat.

The official then carefully examined the map by the light of a firefly, and returned to a gilded jade box beside the imperial desk and took out the secret letter from Zhang Yue to the emperor.

The emperor murmured to himself, "I don't know if Shen Kuo can save Xu Xi."

Thinking of this, the official threw Mi Zha into the brazier.

"It's already the seventh day!"

The military intelligence carried by the gold medal messenger arrived at dusk.

……

"If the Dao is insufficient, then there will be many tricks; if virtue is insufficient, then there will be many desires; if knowledge is insufficient, then there will be many worries. This is the crux of your majesty's problem."

In the shade of the side hall, Zhang Zhi said while waving his folding fan.

Zhang Gen, who was standing by, frowned and said, "Brother, please be careful with your words! How can a minister make irresponsible remarks about the emperor?"

Zhang Zhi said: "You just joined the court, so you don't know."

Zhang Gen retorted: "Daddy has served you for twenty years and never complained."

Zhang Zhi was stunned and thought to himself, yes, but even though Zhang Yue never said a word to his face, he must have complained in his heart.

He couldn't blame Zhang Gen directly.

Zhang Gen is now just like himself and Zhang Yue when they first became officials. They were also loyal to the emperor at that time.

Of course, it doesn't mean that they have any second thoughts now. They all know that without the promotion of the government, how can their Zhang family have the prosperity and wealth today.

It’s just that you have been severely beaten by the imperial power, so you understand everything. That’s it.

Zhang Gen said: "The emperor also has his own difficulties. Your Majesty is wise and decisive, and it is absolutely not a real temple!"

"So what do you think about the battle of Yongle City?"

Zhang Gen said: "Your Majesty has entrusted Dad to manage Shaanxi and Hedong for many years, and the court will never fail."

Zhang Zhi smiled and saw Shi Deyi and the eunuch Song Yongchen retreating from the hall with the food in their hands.

Zhang Gen stopped talking and whispered, "Brother, there are many ears in the palace. You should know that the words in the palace are like spring ice. Even water dripping from the eaves can wear through the stone."

Zhang Zhi looked up and thought to himself, what Zhang Gen said was right. It would be bad if other people heard his words of resentment.

As prime minister, he is not as meticulous as his brother.

It's not entirely true. He just can't help but express himself and won't hold it in his heart, otherwise he wouldn't have smashed his tablet.

Zhang Zhi said: "You are right, a gentleman should be cautious when he is alone!"

Zhang stood up and asked, "May I ask if His Majesty has had his meal?"

Shi Deyi, Song Yongchen bowed to Zhang Zhi and said, "Greetings, Mr. Zhang, Your Majesty has only eaten a few mouthfuls of ginseng soup."

Zhang Zhi said: "Your Majesty has not eaten for a day and a night, which is really worrying."

Shi Deyi swept the agate-handled whisk across the blue bricks and said, "It seems that Your Majesty cannot let go of the fact that the military report from Yongle City has not arrived. Thank you for troubling Mr. Zhang to wait here."

Zhang Zhi said: "I dare not speak out to share your majesty's worries. You are too busy."

Zhang Zhi stared at the setting sun in front of the steps of the side hall.

At this moment, a eunuch arrived.

"Urgent report! Cai Que is entering the palace to see His Majesty! The golden envoy has delivered military intelligence from Yongle City!"

"Please come in and report to the officials."

Zhang Zhi stood up upon hearing this, but heard rustling footsteps on the stone steps.

There was a commotion at the palace gate. The golden messenger came rushing over with a lacquer tube on his back. The iron armor and the golden talisman collided, making a clanging sound like metal and stone tearing silk. Cai Que followed closely behind in a python robe and jade belt, with the fish bag on his waist swaying with every step.

Zhang Gen looked at Cai Que with a stern look and stood beside Zhang Zhi.

But when he saw Cai Que arriving at the palace with the golden envoy, Zhang Zhi thought to himself, what a good Cai Que is! He knew that the battle report would be delivered to Yongle City today, so he went to the emperor's presence in advance to wait.

But isn't he?

Zhang went straight to Cai Que, where the two once-powerful purple-robed officials were staring at each other with swords drawn. After a moment, Zhang Gen saluted and said, "Zhang Gen greets the Right Prime Minister!"

"How long have you been waiting for me?" Cai Que stroked his beard and smiled, "It seems that you are also eager to learn about the military situation in Yongle City."

Zhang Zhi said: "The Right Prime Minister is no exception. As soon as the military intelligence from Yongle City arrives, he rushes to the Chuigong Palace, which is three times faster than the urgent delivery from the Political Affairs Hall."

Cai Que smiled broadly.

Zhang Zhi said with a fierce look: "In order to build Yongle City, the court mobilized more than 200,000 soldiers and civilians, and spent 3.5 million strings of cash!"

"The army is now fighting hard outside. If anything goes wrong, I'm afraid... I, the prime minister, will not be able to explain it."

Cai Que said, "Explain? I, Cai Que, have done things with a clear conscience. I have done my duty to the king and the people. Why should I explain?"

"Could it be that some officials hope that the court will lose the battle of Yongle City?"

At this point, Cai Que's tone turned stern: "I wonder how many treacherous ministers like this there are in the government?"

Zhang Zhi said: "I am not looking forward to losing. I hate some ministers who use public power for personal gain in order to consolidate their positions."

"Who was it that said in the imperial court half a month ago that the Liao Kingdom would not send troops?"

Cai Que laughed, and with a sharp edge hidden in the smile lines at the corners of his eyes, he said, "I told you that you are so anxious to get promoted."

"You're looking forward to my collapse day and night, right?"

Cai Que paused deliberately, glanced at Zhang Zhi's tightly clenched fist in his purple sleeve, and said with a smile: "I'm afraid that this Yongle City battle report will disappoint Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Gen suddenly stepped in, the hem of his scarlet robe brushing across Cai Que's purple robe: "You are joking, Right Prime Minister. Daddy always said, 'The safety of the country is more important than Mount Tai', how can you say you are disappointed?"

Cai Que glanced at Zhang Gen and said, "What a good Second Young Master Zhang, you are as smart as your father. You are much better than your brother. But I'm afraid this is not the case in the court..."

At this time, the sound of chimes was heard from the main hall.

Shi Deyi and Song Yongchen said together: "The two gentlemen, please stop arguing for now."

"Let's meet His Majesty first."

Footsteps were heard in the empty Chuigong Hall, and an official suddenly opened the shark silk curtain.

The gold medal messenger carrying the paint bucket took it up and presented it with both hands.

Cai Que and Zhang Zhi held ivory tablets, and Shi Deyi, Song Yongchen and others also followed.

The official took a look at the lacquer tube before him. The wax print on it was blindingly red in the setting sun.

(End of this chapter)