Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4067 lead astray

When Zhang Xingcheng came to visit, Cheng Yaojin treated him generously, not only hosting a banquet himself, but also allowing his eldest son and second son to accompany him.With Zhang Xingcheng's official position and status, this is considered a very high standard.

This is because of Zhang Xingcheng's role as a representative of the Shandong family in the court, otherwise, with Cheng Yaojin's meritorious title, why would he need to give face like this?

Zhang Xingcheng naturally knew this too, so even though he was a high official in the imperial court, he was very respectful and complimented a lot in his words. Careless words made Cheng Yaojin angry and ordered to chase away the guests, he would be ashamed and ashamed.

After all, when there were fierce battles outside Chang'an and the situation was at stake, Cheng Yaojin was not firmly on the side of the Shandong family...

Now Cheng Chumo asked in person whether he could be transferred back, which made him extremely dissatisfied.

I have already lowered my stance and made it clear that today I came here for a request, so why do you bother to slap me in the face?

Knowing that I, the Minister of the Ministry of War, is useless, but to make such a request is simply too deceitful...

Fortunately, before he could speak, Cheng Yaojin stared at the side and scolded his son: "Zhang Shangshu is a guest today, even if you have any request, you have to prepare a generous gift and come to ask for it another day. What is the reason mentioned above? Besides, the beautiful scenery and pleasant climate in Nannan is a rare good place. Since you will be promoted and promoted to you, why did you seek a transfer in less than a year? You can't suffer a little bit, it's useless!"

Cheng Chumo looked innocent: "The boy is now serving as the captain of Zhechong in Nanfu in Guizhou. Although the place is relatively simple, but the mountains are high, the roads are far away, and the smoke is everywhere, it is difficult to be filial in front of his father... It is hard to find a free time. I just need to go home. Today I happened to meet Zhang Shangshu. It would be the best if it is convenient. If it is difficult, just ignore it. What’s the point? The child is getting old, you can’t always blame me! "

Cheng Chuliang, who was on the side, poured wine and vegetables for Zhang Xingcheng with a smile, honestly being an accompanying guest.

But Zhang Xingcheng couldn't pretend that he didn't exist, after all, he was Princess Qinghe's son-in-law, the son-in-law of His Majesty Li Er...

Feeling ashamed, indignant and embarrassed, he cupped his hands helplessly and said, "Da Lang's request was originally ordinary. Why did we come from the same line of Shandong, connected by blood and blood? I just ask Da Lang to understand my difficulties. Now that you have just served as Minister of the Ministry of War, your eyes are so dark on the affairs of the Ministry that you can’t take it up at all. Wait for a while, and when I have sorted out these things, I will definitely transfer you back to Guanzhong.”

He finally understands that Cheng Dalang has no city, is rude and straightforward, it's pure nonsense, the three of them are simply trying to give him a blow, lest he trust the Minister of the Ministry of War and make him proud and conceited, what he did at the door today made the Cheng family embarrassing , just plug your mouth back...

There seems to be some misunderstanding.

Cheng Chumo raised his wine glass and laughed: "My nephew is a vulgar person who often gets confused. Today he punishes himself with three drinks, and he will come to the door to apologize some other day."

After all, drink three cups in a row.

Zhang Xingcheng had no choice but to pay a cup...

The smiling Cheng Chuliang also raised his glass: "Brother is upright and upright. If you offend him, it must be unintentional. I hope Zhang Shangshu will forgive you."

The emperor's son-in-law raised his glass, Zhang Xingcheng couldn't refuse, so he quickly raised his glass too...

As soon as he put down his cup, Cheng Yaojin sighed: "I am ignorant, I don't know how to restrain people in official circles and intrigue, I am really ashamed as a father, I have no way to teach. Come, let's have a drink."

Cheng Chuliang kept the wine pot in his hand, and immediately filled it up for Zhang Xingcheng...

Zhang Xingcheng also has a good capacity for alcohol, but most of the fine wine stored in the Cheng family's cellar comes from the highly distilled Fang family winery. After drinking three cups in a row, he felt his stomach was on fire, his whole body was hot, and the blood vessels on his forehead swelled with his breathing... …

He had no choice but to block Cheng Chuliang's jug that was about to pour wine, and said with a wry smile: "To tell you the truth, I came to the door today to ask Mr. Lu about something. Let's discuss the business first, and then accompany Mr. Lu and the two lords to have a good drink, how about it?"

Cheng Yaojin stroked his beard with a worried expression.

Here, Lao Tzu expressly hints that the dismounting power is used together, just to save you from opening your mouth, why don't you understand?

No matter what, the Shandong imprint on him cannot be erased. After all, he was also supported by the Shandong family back then. Now that the Shandong family has entered the court in a big way, he can't turn his back on him, can he?So he was extremely careful about all the requests from the Shandong family, avoiding them if he could... But today he couldn't avoid them.

You can't drive Zhang Xingcheng away without saying a word, right?

He had no choice but to ponder and said: "The old man has been estranged from the court in recent years, and has gradually handed over military affairs. Many things are really powerless. Even the Zuo Wuwei under his command may not always listen to the old man. Many facts are really powerless... I don't know Deli What is the problem? Why don't you tell me and listen, if you can help, it's a natural duty, if you really can't do anything, please blame yourself."

He looks rough and straightforward, but in fact he has been cautious all his life, and he will never fall into the trap of others easily and suffer a big loss...

Zhang Xingcheng just acted as if he didn't understand, sighed, and explained the predicament he was facing in detail. At the end, he said sincerely: "I have been working in the Minister of Ministers in the past, and I only know how to do things diligently. I lack the experience of this level of sophistication. Don't be afraid of Lu Guogong's jokes. Now, when I first arrived at the Ministry of War, I couldn't even perform the most basic ministry duties. If I signed an official document without the consent of my left and right ministers, I would be thrown into the wastebasket by the official clerk when I turned around... It's really embarrassing."

Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang looked at each other, then looked away.

The two brothers have the same heart, and they both admire Fang Jun's wrist. When they were in the Ministry of War, the whole Ministry of War was like arms and fingers, and they were all in one mind. Tried every possible means, but to no avail.

so amazing……

Cheng Yaojin also understood that the Shandong family was eager to enter the imperial court to seize the real power of the various ministries, and the first to bear the brunt was the Ministry of War, whose power had risen sharply in recent years. He thought that with Zhang Xingcheng, the Minister of the Ministry of War, he could use a little tricks to control the Ministry of War. Unexpectedly, he kicked on the iron plate. Not only did he fail to control the affairs of the department, but he was emptied by his subordinates.

This not only caused extremely bad consequences for Zhang Xingcheng's own political future, but also frustrated the progress of the Shandong family's control of power. Take the Ministry of War in your hands...

His Majesty Li Er concurrently served as Minister of Ministers, and the entire Minister of Ministers of Ministers was under his personal control. The officials at the upper and lower levels would act honestly and in accordance with the rules and regulations. Who would dare to do anything wrong?But the Ministry of War is completely different, involving countless interests of all parties, how can it be so easy to figure it out?
After pondering for a long time, Cheng Yaojin said helplessly: "Above the officialdom, it is not so much about political ideals and governance concepts, as it is about sophistication and entanglement of interests. The same interests naturally attack and defend each other, advancing and retreating together. Fang Jun follows the lead because their interests are the same as Fang Jun's, or Fang Jun gives them far more benefits than you... So don't think about the art of imperial servants, try to figure out people's hearts, just think about it Think, can you give more than Fang Jun?"

Zhang Xingcheng shook his head with a bitter face.

With Fang Jun's influence in the military and political circles today, how can Zhang Xingcheng compare with him?Zhang Shigui, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and Fang Jun had a deep friendship, and they even almost stood on the front line of the East Palace together before. Let Zhang Shigui arrange a better place for these people.

Even the officials who were redeployed from the Ministry of War may still be under Fang Jun's command...

Under such a situation, who would be afraid of him, the Minister of the Ministry of War?

Cheng Yaojin said earnestly: "Furthermore, the military department is controlled by Fang Jun, and Fang Jun is the prince's confidant, which means that the military department is the only real government office that the prince can influence... After all, the prince has not been deposed yet. "

As long as His Majesty's edict to abolish the crown prince has not been promulgated for a day, the prince will still be the prince.

Since he is a prince, he should have the power and dignity of a prince. Once the only foundation of the prince is touched, who knows whether the prince, who has always been generous, will go crazy in anger?
Although His Majesty is extremely firm in Yi Chu's heart, he must feel guilty towards the Crown Prince. Even if the Crown Prince does a few outrageous things to protect his own dignity and face, how can His Majesty pursue it?
Even His Majesty himself will be dissatisfied: how I manipulate my own son is my business, why do you outsiders bully my son?

Cheng Chumo nodded at the side, and said carelessly: "So, whoever provokes the prince at this time will be the stick."

Zhang Xingcheng broke out in a cold sweat, almost sober from the wine.

No wonder those officials of the Ministry of War, big and small, dared to treat him like this, and turned a deaf ear to his words. They had no fear at all!
A few reprimands in a low voice, these bureaucrats don't take it seriously at all, you say yours they still go their own way; if things get serious, not only will Fang Jun support them, but it may even cause His Majesty's dissatisfaction... This minister of the Ministry of War sounds glamorous, but he is actually a doormat!
"This, this...how can this be good?"

Zhang Xingcheng was not a person without ideas, but at the moment he was in a mess.

On the one hand, a group of bigwigs from the Shandong family forced him to take control of the military power as soon as possible, and on the other hand, he frequently aroused the dissatisfaction of the crown prince and even His Majesty. How can such a splint be endured?

Cheng Yaojin asked his second son to add more wine for him, and said quietly: "Listen to what the old man said, you have to go back and tell the old people at home that this world belongs to His Majesty, not to the Shandong family. Some things should be done in moderation. Take it slowly, if you are greedy for merit and rush forward, it is very likely that your halberd will fall into the sand."

……

In the end, Zhang Xingcheng was still unable to escape unscathed, and the three masters of the Cheng family took turns to get him drunk and vomited several times before letting him go home with the help of his servants.

The father and son of the Cheng family went back to the flower hall to drink tea to sober up. Cheng Chuliang couldn't help but asked: "Your Majesty's intention to store Yi Chu has already been decided, and it is time to suppress and cut off the power in the Eastern Palace. Intervene, even happy to see it succeed...Why did father do the opposite and deliberately deceive Zhang Xingcheng?"

Cheng Yaojin drank his tea and said slowly: "The matter of Yi Chu is of great importance. It is not only a family matter of His Majesty, but also a state matter. How can it be abolished as soon as you want? The crown prince has been sitting steadily for so many years, and it is by no means what it looks like on the outside." The power is so weak, or do you think that His Majesty is only afraid of Fang Jun, so he took it slowly? After all, the succession of Zongzhen is the law of the world. Once the edict of His Majesty's abolition of the Chu Chu is issued, I don't know how many people will fight for it."

Cheng Chu asked in amazement: "Could there be any changes in Yi Chu's affairs?"

Cheng Yaojin put down his teacup, leaned back on the back of the chair, narrowed his eyes and said, "There are no absolutes in this world, who knows? Our Cheng family can't choose sides and put all our eggs in one basket, but we have to make a fair gesture and treat the prince , King Wei, and King Jin must all be treated equally."

If you don't make choices, you will make fewer mistakes.

Of course, this will lead to a sharp drop in future income, but at the moment when the situation is unpredictable, it is extremely stupid to consider interests, and it is justified to complete the transition of imperial power steadily.

It's just that I don't know if I helped the East Palace this time and stabilized Zhang Xingcheng, so that the Ministry of War is still under the control of the East Palace. Will it help the prince to stabilize his position?

At least the crown prince must remember our contribution...

(End of this chapter)