The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

After Yan Biyun left, Su Jin fell into deep thought. Yan Shu's reaction was indeed surprising. It was obvious that Yan Shu was unwilling to entangle in this matter. Of course, the evidence was indeed a little insufficient, and the confessions of one or two people were not enough To overthrow King Teng.

Su Jin didn't believe that Yan Shu would cover up the matter, and pretended to be a peacemaker without knowing it; Yan Shu's attitude could only show that the power of King Teng was beyond his imagination, based on Yan Shu's decades of experience in the officialdom. Thinking about it, this matter must be beyond Yan Shu's ability. It's not that he doesn't want to, but he can't act rashly.

Su Jin decided that according to what Yan Shu said, it is better to study obediently and earnestly. Now that King Teng and others may have to hold back for a while, they will wait until after the imperial examination; if even Yan Shu refuses to do it easily, What are you still jumping about?It is reasonable to wash and sleep.

Su Jin raised his heart and began to study poetry and books hard, but Yan Shu in the capital had a hard time. Ever since Yan Biyun's companion secretly sent Zhu Manzi to the capital, Yan Shu hadn't slept well for several days.

Judging from Zhu Laizi's dictation and the two statements he sent, King Teng is planning something secretly. Even if his behavior cannot be classified as a serious crime of treason, he is raising thousands of private soldiers and acting as a villain in Yingtian Mansion. The backstage of the power is also an extremely dangerous move, the latter is nothing, the purpose of raising private soldiers is absolutely intriguing.

Yan Shu is an old man in the officialdom. He has been trusted by the emperor for so many years, survived the factional struggles, and held important positions in the court. He did not rely on impulsiveness and lack of brains.

If there is a need to move, then move, if not change, then keep a low profile and never take the lead easily. In Yan Shu's view, this matter has not yet reached the right time to act. If you make a decision, you will act before you are fully sure. You must not bring this matter up publicly.

So Yan Shu sent the letter to Yan Biyun. In fact, the letter was written for Su Jin. Although this stupid boy is clever and quick-witted, he still has too much time for major events. His life was lost in vain; moreover, the matter had to be heard in secret, and no one had the right or courage to make this matter public.

In view of this, Yan Shu went to the palace alone to seek an audience with the emperor, and mentioned King Teng to Renzong Zhao Zhen in the name of reporting finances and taxes, in order to find out the emperor's attitude towards King Teng.

Yan Shu said: "Your Majesty, I heard that King Teng has been idle for a long time in Yingtian. There are very few people in the royal family who are as intelligent as King Teng. Why don't the emperor grant him an official position so that Prince Teng will not be idle and waste his golden years."

Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "Why did the Yanqing family make such a statement? Don't you know Taizong's legacy, which strictly prohibits the royal family from taking real positions to participate in politics?"

Yan Shu said: "Of course I know, it's just that I heard some gossip, saying that Prince Teng is too idle, and he raised some idlers to hang out on the streets of Yingtian, causing some trouble. Others don't dare to talk too much because they are from the palace. Although this matter is not the original intention of King Teng, I think it is related to the dignity of the royal family after all, and it is because of the fear of unemployment, so I made this statement."

Zhao Zhen pondered and said: "Yan Aiqing, others have said these words to me, but I still know Zongdan, a child. The words are deeply comforting to my heart, but my ancestors have taught me, so I can't entrust him with a big responsibility for the time being, I actually feel guilty towards him; rumors from the outside world are inevitable, I don't like it very much, so don't mention it, Aiqing."

Yan Shu closed his mouth very consciously, he clearly felt the emperor's intention of defending King Teng; according to the emperor's attitude, I am afraid that King Teng will not rebel with soldiers, and the emperor will not be punished just because he raised some private soldiers. Punish him; I'm afraid Zhao Zhen will be dissatisfied if he continues.

……

Early morning on August 29th.

The morning court at Chenshi was unshakable, and the ministers had been waiting in the court room for the high-pitched voice of the eunuch, but today it was already past, and they still hadn't heard the call from the morning court.

The ministers were discussing a lot, they don't know why there is such a delay today, the emperor is always punctual in court, today there is no order to stop the court, and no one came to inform, it is very strange.

A group of people buzzed like headless flies and asked each other in low voices, but the three of them remained motionless, sitting and drinking tea. Wearing a pair of thick-soled official boots, on the chest is a soaring crane patch, which is exactly what a first-rank official wears. This person has a handsome appearance, and he exudes a majesty when looking at him; this person is the prime minister Lu Yijian.

"Lu Xiang, what's going on today? Is there an oral order from the Holy Spirit?" Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Dexiang whispered in Lu Yijian's ear.

Lu Yijian snorted through his nose and replied without raising his eyelids: "What's the rush? I have something important to discuss today, the emperor is waiting for someone, so stay well."

Zhang Dexiang let out a groan, and looked up at the Privy Councilor Du Yan and the Third Secretary Yan Shu sitting upright on the left. Those two also sat upright, and seemed to have gotten the news as early as Lu Yijian.

After getting the news, everyone gradually calmed down, and each of them was dumbfounded. Some officials who got up too early took the opportunity to doze off, wanting to sleep back to make up for the exhaustion caused by Riri's going to court.

I don't know how long after, a fat figure appeared at the door of the court room and disturbed the quietness of the court hall. The man had kind eyebrows, a smile on his face, and he cupped his hands when he entered the door and said: "My lords have been waiting for a long time, the emperor ordered me to send a message, please All of you are going to the court to discuss matters, Commander of Yanzhou Lord Xia, Transit Envoy Pang Da, Lord Fan and Lord Han have all arrived."

Everyone hurriedly got up, Lu Yijian laughed and said, "I've got my lord servant, have the four lords arrived at the same time?"

The waiter smiled back and said: "Front and back, Mr. Fan and Mr. Han arrived first, Mr. Xia and Mr. Pang Da came after, but it's hard work for them. They travel day and night, and they have to go to court as soon as they arrive in the capital. It's really shocking." admire."

Lu Yijian chuckled and said, "Working for the state is a matter of hard work and a servant's job. Let's go. Don't wait for the Pope."

A group of people, headed by Lu Yijian, passed through the Daqing Gate in a mighty manner, walked along the long and wide avenue formed by bluestone and water mills, stepped on the high steps, and came to the front of the Daqing Hall. enter.

The four people who were already standing in the main hall, they were Xia Song, Pang Ji, Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan who had come from the northwest front line. The delay in going to court was to wait for the arrival of these four people.

No noise is allowed in the hall. Yan Shu's eyes just glanced slightly at Fan Zhongyan, who had a dark complexion and gray hair, and then they each went to their seats as if nothing had happened, standing there waiting for the emperor's arrival.

The servant's loud voice recalled that the frail and slender Zhao Zhen boarded the dragon seat from the side door. All the ministers knelt down and shouted long live to prostrate. Sit down."

The servant brought a stool and placed it in front of Lu Yijian, and after thanking Lu Yijian, Lu Yijian sat down on the stool.

"Your Excellencies, there are several important matters to be discussed today. You have already seen that the war on the northwest frontier is not over yet, but I asked these four people to come back to court. Naturally, there are important matters to discuss with you."

The ministers speculated and commented one after another. It is said that the successive wars in the Northwest have been fought in recent days, and they don't know whether they will win or lose. I am afraid that most people in the court don't know the news at all, because the news of the Northwest War has long been blocked by the emperor's order. Speaking of which, except for a few adults from the Central Government and the Central Government, no one else would know about it.

"Don't make noise, listen to the instructions of the sage." Ouyang Xiu turned his head and glared at the people who were discussing, and scolded, these guys became more and more presumptuous, and sometimes they acted in disregard of decency.

Everyone was rather vague about Ouyang Xiu, the people in the remonstrance court were mad dogs, if they failed, they would bite them, and the members of the remonstrance court had privileges, others had to have evidence to participate, but the privilege of the remonstrance court was that they could Talk by hearsay, in other words, they can go by hearsay, gossip, rumour.Even lies to impeach officials, which is too horrible.

Therefore, under Ouyang Xiu's scolding, the ministers had no choice but to keep their mouths shut obediently, even though they slandered endlessly.

Lu Yijian's face was watery, and he didn't seem to care about Ouyang Xiu's words and deeds, but his clenched old hands revealed his inner anger; Boss, it's no wonder that he is proud of his youth and has a flamboyant demeanor; but Lu Yijian doesn't care about him alone, the most important thing is that the person who recommended him, Yan Shu who seems to ignore everything, is himself rival.

Lu Yijian has had several ups and downs in his career in the past 30 years, and now he is firmly seated as the head of the political affairs hall. He can be said to be the second person in the world. He has never experienced anything, and he has never seen anyone. As long as he uttered one sentence, he could roughly determine the type of such a person.

Naturally, he would not openly express his dissatisfaction on such an occasion, what's more, the matter discussed today is extremely important, and it is truly a major event related to the country. No one is stupid enough to attack each other today. In fact, there are other people.