Prime Minister

Chapter 916 Arranging Errands
Outside the Wulin Gate, it was the time when the mast sails were unloading and the department stores were on the market, and the lanterns on the bow and shore lit up like daylight.

What a bustling scene.

The person who came was a man surnamed Chen in his thirties, wearing a cloth shirt and holding a folding fan. It could be seen that he was dressed as a Confucian businessman.

Zhang Yue looked at the gift list presented by the other party and said: "Your Excellency sent it to the wrong person, I don't care about these."

The other party said: "I know that these priceless things are nothing in the eyes of Zhang Gong today, but they are just to show respect. If Zhang Gong doesn't like it, I will give these to Lingyin Temple tomorrow and ask them to give to the poor in this city." people."

Zhang Yue said with a smile: "This is Your Excellency's money, as for how to spend it, of course it is at your discretion."

The other party smiled and said: "Mr. Zhang is really the only official I have ever met. I respect Mr. Zhang as an official, but I dare not break the rules. I have heard a saying that you should treat yourself as an official when you are in business. I don’t know if it’s right to treat being an official as a businessman, so please ask Zhang Gong for advice.”

Zhang Yue smiled, this is not a first-class irony.

Zhang Yue said: "That's right, I don't know which god to worship when I'm in business, and it will be closed in two days. An official has to spend money everywhere, because wealth can pass through the gods."

"The so-called big lawsuit is big money."

Zhang Yue nodded, and the other party said: "Zhang Gong, I have a few words from the bottom of my heart that I can only tell a gentleman like you..."

Zhang Yue nodded upon hearing this.

On the boat, Shi Qi Niang came out with her clothes on, watching Zhang Yue just send him away.

Seventeen Niang couldn't help being curious and went up to ask Zhang Yue: "Officer, who is it? You've been seeing him for an hour?"

Zhang Yue said with a smile: "It's a woman disguised as a man who came to the boat to meet me privately."

Seventeen Niang smiled and said: "The officials are joking, don't you know who you are as a concubine?"

Although Shi Qiniang said so, she still took a deep look at the back of the other party.

Seeing Shi Qiniang's...exploring eyes, Zhang Yue still decided to 'confess': "It's a businessman surnamed Chen, a wealthy local businessman in Jiangsu and Zhejiang."

After a pause, he added: "It's a rare talent."

Seventeen Niang asked: "Businessman? Are you asking for shelter?"

Zhang Yue said: "I thought he was interested in the cotton field and the cotton cloth business and wanted me to introduce him, but that's not the case. This person came here today to ask for directions, but it's a pity that a businessman is a businessman after all, and it is difficult to break through his level."

Seventeen Niang smiled and said, "The official asked to see you, why do you say that about him?"

Zhang Yue said: "Why am I talking about him? It's just a lament. You say that scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen have to study only if they want to get ahead. As for other businesses, how successful are they? How much land is planted? How cleverly crafted." ?”

"They are trapped in it. There are thousands of roads and ten thousand roads. After all, there is only one road to study. Isn't it their sorrow and the sorrow of the court."

Seventeen Niang said: "Officials, you study and become an official, and officials worship three ranks. These are not things you should think about."

Zhang Yue said: "I can't do it if I don't want to. I have a lot of anger in my heart. After seven years of reform, it should be like Dayu's water control. It should be dredged instead of blocked. In other words, it is both blocked and sparse, but I just see the blockage so much that I don't see anything else."

Seventeen Niang held Zhang Yue's hand and said: "Officer, you must be cautious when you come to Beijing this time. Now that there is no Han Gong in court, my father also advises you to be cautious this time."

Zhang Yuechang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I understand, but I just can't see it."

……

The boat left Hangzhou the next day and traveled northward. Zhang Yue saw many riverboats traveling from north to south along the way.After Zhang Yue inquired, he knew that the Khitan had suddenly sent troops into Daizhou. It was rumored among the people that the Khitan was going south in a large scale. Many wealthy families in Hebei fled south with their families.

Zhang Yue saw the current situation like this, and was even more worried.

Cai Ting, deputy envoy of the Privy Council, has been in poor health these days. Last year, he suffered from dizziness and fainted in court. Since then, Cai Ting has been recuperating at home and did not go to court.

And another privy envoy, Chen Shengzhi, also asked to resign due to repeated illnesses.

The second government is short of people.

Wang Lian, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, has been coming and going frequently to Cai Ting's residence recently. When meeting Cai Ting, Wang Lian was very generous.

Cai Ting knew that Wang Lian would go to the Three Treasure Hall for nothing, and watched him ask for advice about Khitan.

Cai Ting knew Wang Lian's talent, the last contact with the Khitan envoy was a mess, and now he came to ask him again, as if he wanted to leave a good impression in front of the emperor.

Cai Ting concealed his impatience and pointed him a few words, then sent Wang Lian away.

And here Zeng Xiaokuan also came to visit Cai Ting's condition. Cai Ting knew where Wang Lian and Zeng Xiaokuan came to visit his condition, but just to see if he could continue to hold on to the position of deputy privy envoy.

But his position was obtained through marriage with Zeng Gongliang, and he must value Zeng Xiaokuan himself, at least on the surface.

Cai Ting supported his body and finished speaking with Zeng Xiaokuan, then let him go.

Cai Ting was very tired afterwards, and the maids fanned him and fed him ginseng soup.Cai Ting half-closed his eyes, he finally became the head of the prime minister, how could he retreat so easily, even if he supported his body, he still had to do it.

And I heard that after Han Jiang and Feng Jing abdicated in Zhongshu, there was a vacancy in the position of participating in politics. Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing transferred Yuan Jiang, who had been released because of the fire in the third department, to serve as the herd envoy, and seemed to intend to take over. Feng Jing entered the phase.

In addition to Zhang Dun, who is now in the limelight in the court, and Yang Hui, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, these people are expected to be included in the Zhongshu.

But in the end who can enter the Second Mansion still depends on the emperor's will and whether Wang Anshi agrees or not.

In the Zhongshu, Lu Huiqing said to Wang Anshi: "Master, this time you can completely suppress the three divisions and transfer the financial power to Zhongshu. Yuan Houzhi has made great contributions. In fact, with his qualifications and talents, it is not a problem to be a political advisor. Down."

Wang Anshi said: "Yuan Houzhi has the courage and strategy, and it is a personal choice. When the officials ask, I will mention it."

Lu Huiqing said: "That's great. Yes, Zhang Duzhi is going back to court soon. What errands did your husband arrange for him?"

Wang Anshi said: "Let's go to the Jingyan."

Lu Huiqing breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the words, but said: "It's better to let Yuan Houzhi become a prime minister, and let Zhang Duzhi be the shepherd envoy."

Wang Anshi said: "We will discuss this matter again."

Lu Huiqing's heart sank.Li Chengzhi on the side knew Lu Huiqing's intentions, and asked, "If Zhang Duzhi returns to the court, what if the officials let him enter the Second Mansion?"

Wang Anshi said: "The officials should not have such intentions. Now Wang Lian, Zeng Xiaokuan, and Yuan Jiang are all qualified to be prime ministers. Why do the officials insist on using him? Even so, Zhang Duzhi is not my subordinate, so I don't use him." .”

Lu Huiqing felt a little relieved when she heard the words.

Although the two had a secret rift now, at least in front of the emperor, it was still the same as before. Lu Huiqing took the initiative to sing peace with Wang Anshi many times, which was very caring.

Wang Anshi said to Lu Huiqing: "The Khitan matter needs to be discussed tomorrow!"

(End of this chapter)