I studied in modern times

Chapter 854 Win-win
The second year of Yuanyou, June Bingwu (26).

Before midday, Zeng Bu rode his horse, surrounded by Yuan followers, and marched into Xuande Gate in a mighty procession, arriving at the iconic red wall of Dutang that was painted with pepper powder.

At this time, it was still dark, and the dawn light had just begun to bloom on the horizon.

The gatekeeper on duty had been waiting in front of the gate long ago. Upon hearing the voice, he immediately came forward with his men, saluted and greeted: "Your subordinates respectfully welcome the provincial governor..."

"Has Zuo Kui arrived?" Zeng Bu asked after dismounting his horse.

The clerk shook his head: "Zuo Fu has been busy with the pawnshop affairs lately and has rarely arrived at the capital on time..."

"Oh!" Zeng Bu nodded and rolled his eyes. No one knew what he was thinking, but he stood there, just looking at the pink wall of the hall.

Everyone had no choice but to stand here with him.

I don’t know how long it took, but the sun had already risen, and the morning sunlight fell on the palace of the imperial city.

There were footsteps heard in the courtyard outside the hall.

Zeng Bu then came back to his senses and looked at Lu Gongzhu, who was riding a horse with a tired face.

"Your humble servant respectfully welcomes the Left Prime Minister..." Zeng Bu stepped forward and bowed earnestly to greet him.

Lu Gongzhu dismounted and returned the greeting to Zeng Bu: "Is Zeng Shengzuo waiting for me?"

"Yes!" Zeng Bu felt Lü Gongzhu's alienation and felt a chill in his heart, but he did not show it. He still bowed respectfully and said, "Since I took office, I have been thinking about asking Zuo Kui for advice..."

"However, the Left Prime Minister has been busy with state affairs, and I have had little chance to..."

"I wonder if I have the chance to listen to Zuo Kui's teachings today?"

Zeng Bu knew that Lu Gongzhu liked to talk about Buddhism and metaphysics, so he deliberately spoke in the tone that Lu Gongzhu liked to hear.

Lu Gongzhu looked at Zeng Bu, and to be honest he didn't like Zeng Bu very much.

He is almost the same as his younger brother Zeng Zhao.

They are all ambitious people who desperately want to climb up.

The only difference is that Zeng Zhao's ability is limited and he is not mature enough.

Zeng Bu had been working in the local counties and prefectures for seven or eight years and had already been tempered.

Thinking of this, Lu Gongzhu suddenly remembered Zeng Bu's brother Zeng Gong.

Although, he once attacked Zeng Gong in front of the previous emperor - Gong's conduct was not as good as his political affairs, and his political affairs were not as good as his writing.

But that was purely because Zeng Gong was Wang Anshi's confidant.

He was afraid that Zeng Gong would gain favor, giving Wang Anshi the opportunity to return to the court.

But Lu Gongzhu admired Zeng Gong's character.

It is said that all the Zeng brothers were taught personally by Zeng Bu.

I really don’t know what Zeng Bu and Zeng Zhao were thinking about when they were studying with Zeng Gong?
Why didn’t you learn Zeng Gong’s honesty and simplicity?
But how could Lu Gongzhu imagine the Zeng family’s difficult and poor life back then?

In order to take care of and raise his younger brothers and sisters, Zeng Gong did not get married until he was 39 years old.

Every grain of rice that the Zeng brothers ate when they were young was grown by Zeng Gong.

Farming is hard work!
It was even more difficult for six scholars to work on the farm together, and they were criticized by their neighbors.

Especially when the two eldest brothers among the six brothers failed the exam repeatedly.

Especially when Zeng Bu and his family saw that their brother couldn't even get married because of them.

The discomfort and embarrassment made the young boys at that time swear in their hearts -

I must reach the top step by step!

Let my brother and mother be proud of us!
Lu Gongzhu didn't know this, and even if he did, he wouldn't be able to understand it.

However, although Lu Gongzhu could not understand it, he could not put himself in their shoes.

But immediately, he thought of his children and grandchildren, and fell silent.

The three sons were either abducted by Wang Jiefu or ran away with Cai Que.

Even the eldest grandson, Lu Haowen, became more and more inclined towards Wang Jiefu's new learning and paid less and less attention to the family classics.

Fortunately, he did not suffer a loss. He made an extreme three-for-one exchange with Wang Jiefu and exchanged Wang Jiefu's adopted grandson Wang Di. These days, he has been slowly giving Wang Di special treatment.

Wang Di was studious and inquisitive, and he learned quickly, and gradually absorbed the classics of his Lu family.

Although it seems that he lost.

But Wang Jiefu only had one adopted grandson, while Lu Gongzhu had more than a dozen grandchildren!
So, he still won!
Thinking about these things, Lu Gongzhu said to Zeng Bu, "I wonder what Zeng Shengzuo wants to ask?"

He knew that Zeng Bu was waiting for him here today.

Moreover, his attitude was so humble that he must have something to ask of him.

Otherwise, why would Zeng Bu’s attitude be so good?

"Does Zuo Kui know the youngest son of Lord Xue Jiansu?"

Lu Gongzhu frowned and said, "Xue Zhanshe?"

"Um……"

"What's wrong with him?" Lu Gongzhu became curious.

Xue Kui and his father Lu Yijian were both colleagues and good friends.

The two families can be considered old friends.

In addition, Lu Gongzhu also had a good impression of Xue Zhanshe.

Because when he was young, it was Xue Zhanshe who took him to visit Wazi for the first time.

At that time, Xue Zhanshe was full of vigor and vitality. He walked in the tile-roofed house. The singing girls and dancers in the house lined the streets to welcome him, which shocked Lu Gongzhu so much that he was speechless.

"Alas..." Zeng Bu sighed, "He was involved in a case involving a thief official in the prefecture... A guilty official confessed that he beat and killed a kind person at his instigation..."

Lu Gongzhu opened his eyes wide, not believing it at all, but he couldn't say anything.

Because his current identity is the Left Prime Minister.

As long as he opens his mouth to say: Xue Zhanshe is not that kind of person or something similar, he will be found guilty.

I only heard Zeng Bu say: "The Dali Temple has issued an official letter, ordering him to appear in court for questioning today..."

Then Zeng Bu bowed to Lu Gongzhu and said, "Lord Jian Su was the ruler of the previous dynasty, and Xue Zhanshe was Lord Jian Su's beloved son..."

"I heard that Lord Ouyang Wenzhong and Lord Wang Yike loved him very much when they were alive..."

"This matter is of great importance. I don't know how to make a decision for the moment. I hope the Left Prime Minister will give me clear instructions..."

Lu Gongzhu moved his lips, but in the end he said nothing. He just said to Zeng Bu: "The provincial governor is the ruler of the country. He should abide by the law and not be partial to others!"

Zeng Bu wanted to continue speaking, but Lu Gongzhu had already led his men directly into the capital's hall.

Zeng Bu looked at Lu Gongzhu's back, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Zuo Kui, ah Zuo Kui...Zuo Kui wants to avoid this matter, but can he avoid it?"

Xue Zhanshe alone can bring down almost all the ministers in the court.

Because, among all the ministers in the court today, who has not received the favor of Ouyang Xiu?
Take Zeng Bu for example.

He was a Jinshi in the second year of Jiayou, and the examiner of the imperial examination was Ouyang Xiu!

At the same time, he also followed his brother Zeng Gong and studied under Ouyang Xiu.

Therefore, no matter from which perspective, he is Ouyang Xiu's disciple.

Although Ouyang Xiu is dead, his widow is still alive.

This is the Master’s wife!

Master of Heaven and Earth!
Once a teacher, always a father!
Therefore, the teacher’s wife is also a mother and needs to be served and respected.

Once Lady Renshou County asks for mercy, will Zeng Zixuan help her or not?
To help is disloyalty; not to help is unfilial.

It's difficult!

Therefore, after Zeng Bu learned about the attitude of the palace yesterday, he did not sleep all night and came to the capital early to block Lu Gongzhu.

Just want to drag Lu Gongzhu into the water!
Lu Gongzhu also received great favors from Ouyang Xiu!
Don’t look, Lu Gongzhu’s father Lu Yijian was Ouyang Xiu’s political enemy.

But at the beginning, after Lu Gongzhu passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, the first official position he was granted was the Tongpan of Yingzhou.

At that time, the governor of Yingzhou was Ouyang Xiu, who had been suppressed and demoted by his father Lu Yijian.

Normally, enemies should be extremely jealous of each other when they meet.

However, Ouyang Xiu was Ouyang Xiu. When he saw the young Lü Gongzhu, he liked him very much and often gave him advice and guidance on his poems and articles. He even spared no effort to make Lü Gongzhu famous, and even wrote a letter to recommend Lü Gongzhu to the Emperor Ren.

Because Lu Gongzhu was the son of Lu Yijian, and Ouyang Xiu was Lu Yijian's political enemy.

Therefore, this incident became a good story in that year.

It was precisely because of Ouyang Xiu's appreciation and recommendation that Lu Gongzhu's official career was so smooth.

So, Lu Gongzhu owed Ouyang Xiu no less than he had owed Zeng Bu.

……

"This Zeng Zixuan..." When Lu Gongzhu walked into his command hall, his expression changed completely: "How cunning and treacherous!"

Just at this time, Wang Di, who was interning with Lu Gongzhu, walked in with a plate of snacks.

"Ms. sir..."

"This is the breakfast that was just given to you by the palace..."

Lu Gongzhu looked over and saw the breakfast that was still steaming in Wang Di's hands.

When Wang Di brought the dishes to him, he found that they were all his favorite porridge and soup that were easy to digest.

A warm feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

In the past, ministers had to buy their own breakfast when they went to work in the capital.

However, starting from the first year of Yuanyou, the emperor of the time issued an edict, ordering the imperial kitchen to provide breakfast to the prime minister and the officials of the six ministries every day.

There are special instructions specifically targeted at the ministers.

For example, he was old and had a bad stomach, so he was given porridge and rice, and the porridge soup was Huainan style.

Looking at the porridge in front of him, Lu Gongzhu said softly: "Chu Yi, please eat some with me..."

Wang Di bowed his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you, sir. But I had already eaten on the Imperial Street when I came here..."

He didn't like the food prepared by the imperial chefs in the palace.

He preferred the Jiangning food sold by the Jiangning vendors on Imperial Street.

"Oh..." Lu Gongzhu didn't force it and nodded.

Wang Di was just about to say goodbye and go downstairs to sort out today's official documents so that he could deliver them to Lu Gongzhu when he needed them.

But as soon as he reached the door, he was stopped by Lu Gongzhu.

"It's a promotion..."

"What do you want, sir?" Wang Di stopped.

"Be careful of Zeng Zixuan in the future..."

Wang Di blinked his eyes: "What happened to Mr. Zeng?"

"Just be careful!" Lu Gongzhu said meaningfully.

"I understand!" Wang Di bowed deeply.

Eighteen-year-old Wang Di is still very young.

But his grandfather had told him that although Uncle Lu Hui was an old man, he would not harm you! If anything happened in Beijing, just listen to that old man!

Therefore, he always listened to Lu Gongzhu's words.

Because this is what my grandfather taught me!
Looking at Wang Di's well-behaved and sensible appearance, Lu Gongzhu suddenly laughed.

"It seems that I have to send someone to Jiangning..."

He knew that Wang Di was very popular now.

Many people are eyeing this adopted grandson of Wang Jiefu and want to marry their daughters/granddaughters to him.

The shameless old man had even secretly planned to use his financial power to offer a sky-high dowry to seduce the young man.

But no matter how hard those old guys tried, it was useless.

because……

Marriage is decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers!

Only by dealing with Wang Jiefu can we deal with Wang Di, the son-in-law.

Coincidentally, Lu Gongzhu could deal with Wang Jiefu.

It just so happened that his eldest son, Lu Xizhe, had a little daughter who was not yet engaged.

"Cai Zhizheng can marry Wen Kuanfu and Feng Dangshi..."

"Of course I can also marry Wang Jiefu!"

"No matter what, Wang Jiefu and I were also one of the Four Friends of Jiayou back then!"

Thinking of this, Lu Gongzhu leaned back in his chair and squinted his eyes.

"I can't just ignore Xue Zhanshe's affairs..."

Definitely.

He is the left prime minister!

It’s okay if you don’t know.

Now that you know it, you have to take care of it.

"He is profound and taciturn, and he is not swayed by wealth and honor, nor by profit or loss..."

Lu Gongzhu murmured the contents of the letter that Ouyang Xiu had written to the Ren Temple recommending him. It was these flattering words that paved the way for his current official career.

So he sat up straight silently, picked up a pen, and began to write a note requesting an audience with the emperor.

However, when the letter was delivered to the palace, there was no response.

It was as if the palace had never received his note for an audience with the emperor.

……

In Baoci Palace, Zhao Xu looked at the note written by Lu Gong.

Empress Dowager Xiang sat next to him.

"Sixth brother, please give some consideration to the left prime minister..." Empress Dowager Xiang said cautiously, "Ask the officials to investigate. As long as Xue Zhanshe is not really involved, we should not investigate further..."

The Xue family and the Xiang family are also friends, and their friendship is very deep!

Xue Kui's elder sister, the late Lady Xue of Korea, was a close friend of the Empress Dowager Xiang's biological mother.

At the same time, this lady was also a close friend of the late Cisheng Guangxian.

At the beginning, when Lady Renshou entered the palace as a lady of honor and paid her first visit to Empress Cixi, Empress Cixi specifically asked her: Are you a daughter of the Xue family?

After getting a definite answer, he was summoned many times, attracting attention from both inside and outside the country. After Emperor Renzong passed away, Xue became the advisor of Emperor Cisi Guangxian, and many palace affairs were discussed specifically with Xue.

The fact that Empress Dowager Xiang was chosen by Empress Cixi Guangxian was largely due to the great contribution made by Xue.

Empress Dowager Xiang always remembered this favor.

Therefore, in Zhao Xu's previous life, after Lady Xue of Renshou County passed away, Empress Dowager Xiang, who had never been involved in state affairs, issued an edict specifically for her, which was a great honor.

Zhao Xu nodded and said to Queen Mother Xiang: "Mother, I know!"

"The Emperor once told me that Lord Jian Su was the first to propose that the Emperor's grandfather be made heir..."

"So, I just want to teach this Xue Yanei a lesson on behalf of Lord Jian Su..."

"He's already over fifty, it's time for him to settle down!"

There is no better tool than Xue Zhanshe.

Son of Xue Kui and beloved brother-in-law of Ouyang Xiu and Wang Gongchen.

Whether it is the new party or the old party, they all have connections and ways.

Therefore, as long as Xue Zhanshe doesn't dare to go to the county town in the prefecture again, who else would dare to go?
At the same time, Zhao Xu could also take this opportunity to show his kindness.

Win-win!

What a win!
"Sixth brother is so thoughtful!" Empress Dowager Xiang thought of Guo Xianqing who was still studying in the Imperial College.

That’s a success story, a perfect example of a prodigal son returning home!

(End of this chapter)