Zhurou

Chapter 232 Dilemma

Perhaps it was because he had been standing there for too long, or perhaps it was because he suddenly heard such a proposal, which seemed really absurd. However, within that absurdity, there was also a sense of righteousness, which made Zhang Yi feel slightly dizzy, and his heart skipped a beat.

How to do it?

If he refuses, once the news gets out, he is a prime minister who is unwilling to go north on a diplomatic mission for the country. What reputation will he have?

  But if he doesn't make excuses and really leads the team north himself, what should he do?

As expected, it was agreed that all the old ministers would be brought back, and the colleagues from the two governments standing in the hall now could eat him directly.

  Even if he didn't eat himself, when Ding and Hu came back, they were both veterans in the Privy Council with more experience. How could he find a place to stay, not to mention others? Could he expect them to all turn to vegetarianism after staying in Xiazhou for a year?

Many people in Xiazhou who were unable to kill the Di people were good at fighting their own people. They might start fighting each other in the future, and they might not be in the same position as they are today.

And if I cannot bring it back, many of my children, relatives and friends who are still in Xiazhou will bear a grudge against me.

It is definitely impossible to satisfy everyone with such a task, and no matter what I do, I will offend many people, and no matter what I accomplish, the faults will outweigh the merits.

Zhang Yi was blamed for no reason and had no way to avoid it. After years of ups and downs in the political world, he quickly calmed down and said, "I am going north to welcome back the emperor and the ministers. I cannot refuse. But everyone has their own duties. I am going to Xiazhou now. The journey is long and there are many twists and turns along the way. I am old and weak, and I am afraid that I will ruin the mission. I think it would be better to hire new talents to take on this important task."

As he spoke, he turned his head slightly and looked not far behind him.

However, this time, no one stepped forward to second the motion for a long time.

Seeing that no one in the hall spoke, it was awkward for a while. After a long while, someone stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, this matter should not be handled by the Prime Minister. It is really disrespectful to the society. We should follow the tradition and ask the Honglu Temple to handle it..."

Before the man finished speaking, Zhao Mingzhi said, "This is not an ordinary routine meeting, but to welcome back the retired emperor and all the ministers of Xiazhou. Is this also a disgrace?"

These words lifted up the retired emperor and the old ministers of Xiazhou, so the people on the other side dared not mention anything disrespectful. They could only lower their heads and hands, hoping that no one would look at them again.

However, Zhao Mingzhi did not do as he expected. He paused, recognized the other person's appearance, and asked, "Are you Censor Deng? This time, we should have more people, not less, and higher positions, not lower. We should employ upright people to protect the face of our dynasty and to invite the emperor and other officials back. I think you are outspoken today, which is exactly what a censor should be like. You should go north with Prime Minister Zhang..."

At this point, she slowed down her speech and asked in a calm voice, "I wonder if Censor Deng is willing to go north for the country and share your worries?"

That man was nowhere near as shrewd as Zhang Yi. His hands and feet began to tremble, and his face immediately lost all color. Even his lips turned pale. He raised his hand, but for a long while he could not even salute, and he could not even utter a word of agreement.

Zhao Mingzhi did not wait for him to speak, but asked again: "The emperor is of noble status, and the officials of Xiazhou are the backbone of the country. The Di people will not easily agree to let them go. I just want you to work together and use your strengths. I ask Zhang Shumi to be the leader and select capable talents. I wonder if it is appropriate or not?"

As she spoke, she turned the topic back to Zhang Yi.

"Your Highness, this matter is of great importance. My qualifications and prestige are not sufficient. We should choose other virtuous and talented officials..." Zhang Yi bowed and said.

Zhao Mingzhi shook his head and said with a smile: "Why is the Privy Councilor so modest? Among the two governments, the Privy Councilor has the best qualifications and prestige. If you want to choose a better one..."

She didn't say anything else, but paused.

Through the screen, the officials below the stairs could not see where her gaze was going.

But at this moment, no one dared to step out and speak.

After all, she is the princess behind the curtain. After defending the city this time, she has great prestige among the people.

She might not be able to do anything to the gentlemen, but if she could just order a few ordinary court officials to go north, it would be an easy matter - just like the censor just now, could she still expect anyone to stand up for her?

When it comes to my turn, who among the prime ministers will stand up for me?

Everyone couldn't see her intention clearly, so they could only guess. According to their own guesses, everyone looked at Yang Ting who had already stepped out.

Yang Ting's face was as gloomy as water, and he didn't even raise his head, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

Zhao Mingzhi asked again: "Then according to the Privy Council, who should take charge of this mission this time?"

It was already summer, and even if the palace door was open, there was no breeze at all. There were people everywhere, making it even more stuffy. However, Zhang Yi suddenly felt a slight chill on his back.

Who should take charge of this mission?

Was he actually asked to be the one who was in charge of selecting soldiers and generals?

No matter whose name is pointed out, you can imagine that the person being pointed out will be offended. But if you don’t say anything, does that mean you are really going there yourself?

But even if I can tell the person's name, will the person behind the screen really listen to what I say?

In just a short while, he was repeatedly put in a dilemma. For a moment, Zhang Yi inexplicably understood the situation of the princess behind the screen.

No matter how quick-witted he was, it was difficult for him to come up with a countermeasure immediately. He could not help but turn his head and look at Yang Ting in front of him on the left.

Yang Tingben was standing at the front, and because he stepped out of the line, there was no one else around him, so he was alone and very eye-catching.

At this time, Zhang Yi looked up at him, and the other officials were also looking at him, so at this moment, almost everyone in the hall focused their eyes on Yang Ting.

  The latter is not blind, how could he not feel it?

When he turned his head and saw Zhang Yi's gaze, he immediately raised his eyelids, revealing his slightly cloudy eyes, and seemed to just glance at Zhang Yi calmly.

Zhang Yi almost woke up instantly, but he didn't look back immediately, but looked at the other person coldly, and a thought flashed through his mind unconsciously - what, am I the only one who benefited from this matter? Now I am asked to take the lead, and the account is all on my head. Now I haven't asked you to do anything more, just share a little pressure, who are you pretending to be?

Is there still a distinction between high and low between you and me? !

Once this thought occurs, it is like a cancer attached to the bone that can never be thrown away. Instead, it keeps drilling deeper and deeper, and the rotten flesh keeps spreading larger and larger.

"Privy Councillor?"

It was Zhao Mingzhi above who asked again. Zhang Yi looked straight ahead, and then looked around with his peripheral vision. No one nearby raised their heads. All of them looked at their noses, their noses at their eyes, and their eyes at their hearts. Everyone seemed to be staying out of the matter.

How could Zhang Yichi not be shocked by such performance?

The benefits are shared by all, but should he be the only one to bear the sins?

How could such a good thing happen in the world?

If you do it on the first day, don't blame me for doing it on the fifteenth.

He sneered in his heart and held up his hu tablet, saying, "I have only been in the cabinet for a few years, and I do not have the experience and prestige of Yang Zhongcheng. Zhongcheng was once the Minister of Personnel and knows the people and affairs of the court. I agree with what Your Highness said. This matter is of great importance and cannot be neglected. It is better to ask Yang Zhongcheng to make the selection. I think it will definitely not cause any trouble."

  Between the lines, it doesn't really mean "the Zhongcheng will choose", it's clearly "the Zhongcheng will be elected"!

Although such words did not tear the relationship apart on the spot, they were almost the same as falling out.

No one in the hall dared to make a sound, and at this moment one could hear a pin drop.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Zhao Hong had never seen such a scene before. His heart beat faster and he couldn't help but clench his hands into fists. Fortunately, he suppressed his hands from waving in the air. He shouted to cheer for the two men, "Let's fight."

Zhao Mingzhi, on the other hand, was willing to follow suit. He stopped arguing with Zhang Yi and turned to Yang Ting and asked, "What do you think, Zhong Cheng?"

Yang Ting is not a vegetarian.

He spoke slowly and steadily, "I think that Zhang Shumi was once the governor of Daming Prefecture and had led troops to Lintao and Zhending. He is familiar with the situation in the Western Di and is indeed the best choice for the envoy."

If Zhang Yi was just setting a trap for Yang Ting, then Yang Ting's words were like a heavy spear that hit Zhang Yi hard in the face.

Such a counterattack was equivalent to tearing apart the thin alliance that had been formed between the two people, although it had not been stated explicitly, and completely breaking it.

In a rage, Zhang Yi could no longer remain calm, and immediately said: "Zhongcheng also led troops in Xijing and fought against the Di people many times. He also served in the northwest and southwest many times and led troops to suppress bandits..."

He forced himself to praise her for a few words, and then immediately said: "The court has ordered it, and as a subject, I cannot refuse. But if the Zhongcheng can be the chief envoy, I am willing to be the deputy envoy."

Seeing that the atmosphere in the hall was becoming increasingly tense, someone coughed loudly a few times.

The sound of the cough was like a blow to the head, awakening Yang and Zhang instantly.

  Especially Zhang Yi, thinking back to what he had just done, he felt it was really inexplicable. He was only asked a few questions by the person behind the screen, and there was no reason why he couldn't find another way. But in this situation, with her asking so many questions, and Yang Ting right next to him, and no one reacted - this situation was completely expected and reasonable, so why did he act impulsively and deal with it inappropriately?

He reacted very quickly and said immediately: "The Privy Councilor and I are old after all..."

Seeing that Zhang Yi wanted to turn around, Yang Ting also clenched the jade scepter in his hand, waiting for the right opportunity to step forward and speak.

However, before Zhang Yi could finish his words, Zhao Mingzhi said considerately from behind the screen: "You two gentlemen are devoted to the government, but the selection of the person is the most important after all, so don't make a hasty decision."

She said, "Since there is nothing else to do today, let's leave the court first - just..."

After slowly calling out the names of several people, Zhao Mingzhi said, "Please stay for a while so that we can discuss this together."

The people who were called out all looked expressionless, but in fact they wished they could bite all their teeth into pieces.

  However, although the officials who were not called out seemed to be leaving the hall one by one as usual, everyone was generally worried - who would be willing to take on such a task?

But several prime ministers were kept in the palace, probably to discuss the list of the diplomatic envoys heading north.

  Under the current circumstances, who can say that he will not become a victim of the struggle among the prime ministers?

In such a tense atmosphere, there was only one person who walked slower and slower, even taking one deep step and one shallow step - he was Censor Deng, the first person who had stepped forward to speak for Zhang Yi.

  Others might just be worried, but this person was already hopeless. At this moment, there was only one thought in his mind: What have I got? Why did I take such a step? In the end, he didn't get any benefits, but sold himself out!

When the people around him saw his expression, they all backed off. They dared not ask questions or approach him to talk, for fear that someone would see them and spread word, making the princess think that they also intended to join the delegation.

  ***

All the officials thought that there would be endless arguments in the palace over the list of envoys. Sure enough, the few important officials who were left behind did not come out from the inner court until it was gradually getting dark. After they came out, none of them looked happy.

But no matter how I asked, I couldn't find out anything.

As a result, countless people made many speculations and became cautious in their words and actions, fearing that they would follow in the footsteps of Censor Deng.

Only a few people who stayed in the palace that day knew what they had discussed or argued about. All they did was to be taken to different places by the eunuchs, and given paper and pen to write down their preferred candidates for the envoy and the reasons why they chose them. They were also asked to submit a written memorial to the emperor, stating what method and conditions should be used for this trip to the north, and how to invite back the emperor and many old ministers.

Everyone had no idea what others would propose, let alone the lists they would draw up. If their own proposal was inappropriate, it would be exposed to the public - given the princess's behavior, there was no way she could not do it - so this memorial, which should have been very easy to write, became extremely difficult.

  ***

The court officials here were behaving themselves for the time being, but the scene in the refugees' sheds was quite different.

Although it was a temporary structure and they had experienced the siege of the Di people, they had lived here for half a year after all. Everyone either claimed a piece of land, or applied for various jobs in the court, or started a business. Even ordinary old men and women could open up a small piece of land to work. They were busy during the day and rarely had time to rest.

However, this afternoon, after the fields were irrigated and there was still much work to do in the fields, Madam Zou returned home early. She did not cook, but closed the door and sat on the ground against the door for a long time before she got up and went to the kitchen to find a sturdy backpack. She also picked up some firewood and the big stone for soaking sauerkraut. She was walking around the yard when she heard someone knocking on the door and shouting, "Madam Zou, is Madam Zou here?"

She thought the voice sounded familiar, like the aunt next door, so she quickly responded, put down the backpack, and went to open the door.

When the door was opened, there were not just one aunt standing outside, but more than a dozen people, most of them old women.

The one in the lead said first: "Someone came over this morning and said that everyone gathered under the banyan tree yesterday to discuss something, and you were there too. Is that true or not?"

Madam Zou was asked such a random question, and she didn't know what it was about, so she didn't say yes or no, but just asked, "What's wrong?"

The other party said, "The village head said that someone from the government office came to tell us not to cause trouble in the village and not to spread nonsense. Did you know that?"

Madam Zou immediately became cautious and said with a smile, "I know about it now and I won't spread it around. You guys can go about your business."

Saying that, he was about to close the door.