Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan.

Chapter 252 Wei Yuan’s secret political ally

In the sixth year of Jiayou's reign, it was early October.

In Bianjing, Zhongyong Hou Mansion, in Wei Yuan and Zhang Guifen's bedroom, Minglan was talking about recent interesting things.

"Brother Changbai and Sister Chaoyun's marriage has finally been settled, and a major event in our family has been settled."

"It's just that my third brother has caused a lot of trouble recently. He said that he was having a drink with several distinguished disciples in Fanlou. He dared to discuss national policies and threatened that Wang Shangshu's reform of the government was to promote a trend of ostracizing scribes."

"Later, when the officials found out, they called my father to the palace and scolded him severely. If my second brother had not gone to ask Wang Shangshu, my father would have suffered a disaster."

At this moment, Hai Chaoyun was sitting next to Zhang Guifen. The two of them were looking at Sister Jing and Brother Zhuang while listening to Minglan talking about something.

Zhang Guifen glanced at Hai Chaoyun and said with a smile, "When is the wedding date set?"

The latter blushed prettyly and said, "March next year."

Zhang Guifen nodded, "The beginning of spring in March couldn't be more appropriate."

After a pause, she continued: "Has my uncle sent you a letter to your aunt recently?"

Zhang Guifen shook his head.

The latter said: "I have tried my best. Looking at my third brother's injury, he has been unable to get out of bed for about half a month."

But Hai Chaoyun was different. She was the daughter of a scholar-official. People like them were most worried about war.

With such a person guarding the Zhou Dynasty, why worry about war?
"Girl Ming, the Queen will invite me and my mother to the palace for dinner in two days. I am worried that Brother Zhuang and Sister Jing will not be taken care of. When I go to the palace, you will come to the house to watch them. indivual."

Zhang Guifen said: "I often hear your uncle talk about that Wang Shangshu, saying that he is dedicated to the pursuit of the country and not good at seeking his own life."

Even these women know that the reason why Liao and Xia are now afraid of Zhou is not because Zhang Fu is in charge, but most of it is because of Wei Yuan.

Hearing this, Hai Chaoyun blurted out subconsciously: "Doesn't that mean there will be more wars in the future?"

Zhang Guifen shook his head and said, "I haven't asked. Besides, major affairs in the DPRK are not something we can worry about."

Minglan carefully touched Brother Zhuang's cheek. At this time, Brother Zhuang was not sleeping. Instead, he was sitting on the bed and looking left and right. When he saw Minglan, he opened his mouth and started laughing. .

Zhang Guifen smiled and said: "Okay, let's not talk about this kind of thing, lest it spread and make others laugh."

Seeing this, Zhang Guifen smiled and said, "I can see that your brother really likes you."

"The Zhongyong Hou family has a great business, so they must have everything. I personally picked these tea leaves and roasted them several times. I hope you, Mrs. Hou, will not dislike them."

Hai Chaoyun asked curiously.

Switch from defense to offense?

These women actually don't pay much attention to military affairs. They just talk about Wei Yuan, which always makes people think of the 'war'.

Minglan pretended to be indignant and said: "Uncle is the same. He didn't even want to wait for Brother Zhuang and Sister Jing's full-moon wine. He just went to Yanbian as soon as he said he was going to Yanbian. It's not too late in a few days."

Zhang Guifen is the daughter of a general, so when she heard about the war, she didn't seem to be too disturbed.

Afterwards, Hai Chaoyun and Minglan followed Zhang Guifen to the front yard to meet Mrs. Zhao.

Hearing this, Minglan nodded and said, "Why do I need Auntie to tell me about this kind of thing?"

Zhang Guifen was quite curious.
"I haven't asked her to teach me how to make tea in the past few days. When the two children were one month old, I invited her, but she didn't come. Why is she here today?"

"How can we be the ones to decide this kind of thing?"

Seeing the other party carrying some fine tea leaves, Zhang Guifen couldn't help but frown and said:

Whether it is the military training methods he wrote or the overall strategic policy for Xixia, they can be called "foresight".

"How can people like us be able to figure out a person like this?"

Zhang Guifen said: "It's time to fight. Your second brother finally accepted Wang Shangshu as his teacher. Logically speaking, your Sheng family and Wang family have a good relationship, but your third brother is so ignorant that he actually spoke ill of Wang Shangshu." ”

After a pause, he looked at Minglan again,
"With your father's temperament, he must have already reprimanded your third brother, right?"

Mrs. Zhao quickly shook her head and said, "I came here specifically to thank Madam Hou. If it weren't for your relationship, I'm afraid that the unfaithful man wouldn't have received the punishment he deserved."

"Why did Lord Wei go to Yanbian in such a hurry? Could it be that, as popular rumors say, the imperial court will start a national war against Xixia in a few years?"

"My family officials often say that it is better to take the initiative than to be beaten passively."

"However, I did ask my officials, and they said that the military focus of the imperial court in the future will definitely be to shift from defense to offense."

Minglan just listened and didn't speak.

When I learned tea from Miss Zhao, the relationship between them was quite close.

Six or seven days after Wei Yuan left, the Zhongyong Hou Mansion held a full moon party for the two children. All the dignitaries in Bianjing City came and it was quite lively.

During the conversation, Baozhu came over and said that Mrs. Zhao from Zhao's Tea Shop was here and brought some gifts.

Hai Chaoyun was convinced.

"Brother Zhuang is so cute."

Minglan gently touched Brother Zhuang's little hand,

Minglan nodded and said, "With uncle here, I'm not worried about whether there will be any war in the future."

Minglan said: "Wang Shangshu is very generous. After hearing about this, he just laughed it off."

"Your tea shop doesn't make much money every month. Why did you get into such trouble by giving me such an expensive gift?"

Zhang Guifen nodded, "You are interested."

On the day of the two children's full-moon banquet, Zhang Guifen just said a few words to Wang Shangshu.

People will keep this in mind.

The scholar who failed Mrs. Zhao is completely ruined.

In Wang Anshi's view, personal character is much higher than ability. If his character is not good, no matter how talented he is, the court will not hire him.

This matter is considered a turning point.

"You happen to be here. I wonder if you have time to make some tea soup? It's been a long time since I drank the tea you made."

Zhang Guifen said with a smile.

After Wei Yuan left, she felt bored staying in the house all day. Fortunately, Minglan and Hai Chaoyun often came to see her during this period, otherwise, she would have gotten sick sooner or later.

After all, women are most susceptible to emotional fluctuations during confinement or shortly after giving birth.

Now that Mrs. Zhao is coming, I might as well leave her behind. There is so much excitement among these people.

Mrs. Zhao would never refuse, she nodded with a smile and said:
"It is my blessing that Mrs. Hou is willing to drink the tea I made."

Zhang Guifen said: "Let's go to Chunyi Pavilion, the scenery there is good."

"Mother Zhang, please take care of Sister Jing and Brother Zhuang first."

Grandma Zhang bowed her head and said, "Madam, please rest assured."

When going to Chunyi Pavilion, Minglan mentioned something again,
"I heard that Uncle Fu Chang is looking for a marriage for Miss Rong recently. He has looked at several nobles, but none of them are satisfied."

Rong Feiyan?
Zhang Guifen said with a smile: "Fu Chang Bo Mansion can't rely solely on Concubine Rong in the palace. Your uncle doesn't like Fuchang Bo Rongxian now. If Fu Chang Bo Mansion wants to go further, it will naturally be for Rong Feiyan." Find a good match."

Hai Chaoyun said: "It has not been three years since Uncle Fu Chang passed away. Isn't it too early to be busy with the marriage of a girl from the Rong family?"

The children of scholar-bureaucrats attach great importance to these etiquette education.

Zhang Guifen said: "It's just an engagement first, not a marriage. Besides, few in Wu Xun's family care about this."

Minglan said: "How is the marriage that my aunt told General Chen?" Zhang Guifen shook her head and said: "Don't mention it. Ever since your uncle beat up the young father-in-law of the Duke of Fu, there has been very little contact between the two families."

"When the two children were having a full moon, General Qin Zhen just sent some gifts. Before they arrived, he probably was worried about your uncle being too harsh."

"If I come to bring Sister Qin and Daniel together at this time, I'm afraid I won't even be able to get through the gate of their Duke's mansion."
-
Yanda, the commander of the Imperial City Division, had nothing to do recently and went fishing in front of a lake outside the city.

Huang Chengsi always pays attention to appearance when traveling, and there are more than ten people who accompany him fishing alone.

At this time, a close confidant whispered something in his ear, and he couldn't help but snorted and said:
"Everyone is really coming to my Imperial City Department."

Suddenly, he realized something and hurriedly said: "Bring this boy up."

Then, a handsome young man came behind Yanda, knelt down and said:

"Zhang Xun, of humble rank, pays homage to Commander Yan."

A humble position?

Yanda sneered and said, "You haven't joined the Imperial City Division yet, so there is no need to call yourself a humble position."

Zhang Xun kowtowed and said: "I came here because I wanted to ask Commander Yan to give me a job. From now on, I will go through fire and water for Commander Yan without hesitation."

He is the godson of Zhang Maoze, the secretariat of the inner east gate. The so-called inner east gate is actually an organization of eunuchs whose responsibility is to check the entry and exit of forbidden persons in the palace and other matters.

The eunuch Zhu who serves Zhao Zhen personally is responsible for the eunuchs in the entire palace.

Zhang Maoze's position is more like the deputy general manager of the eunuch, and his status is second only to General Manager Zhu.

There are often conflicts between the two, and Zhang Mao poses a great threat to Manager Zhu.

Manager Zhu has his back against the big tree Zhao Zhen, while Zhang Mao has Queen Cao standing behind him.

Zhang Maoze's godson is also a handsome young man. It can be seen that he has a relatively complicated relationship with Zhang Maoze.

Eunuchs also need a fun life.

Therefore, Yanda was extremely disgusted with Zhang Xun.

The position of commander of the Imperial City Division was always held by eunuchs in the early days of Taizu's founding of the country.

Later, because the Division was also a branch of the Forbidden Army, military generals were used as commanders.

Zhang Mao wanted to put Zhang Xun into the Imperial City Division, firstly to strengthen his own power, and secondly to give Zhang Xun a better future.

After all, the errands in the Imperial City Department are best treated with merit.

In the past, when General Manager Zhu suppressed Zhang Maoze, the other party would not dare to openly attack the imperial city.

However, Zhao Zhen's health was failing, but Empress Cao was still in good health.

In the future, when the new emperor ascends the throne, it will only be natural for the queen to listen to politics behind the curtain. By then, Manager Zhu will definitely lose power.

Therefore, Zhang Maoze was no longer afraid of Manager Zhu and began to openly expand his power.

There is no direct contact between Yanda and Manager Zhu.

However, they all knew in their hearts that he, Manager Zhu, and Wei Yuan were already a firm political alliance.

If Zhang Maoze is allowed to succeed, it will inevitably affect the political alliance between the three people.

Moreover, it is said that Zhang Maoze has begun to contact Wang Anshi.

Just when Yanda was thinking about how to arrange Zhang Xun, suddenly, the fish took the bait.

Yanda was not holding the fishing rod, but the fish was very powerful and actually pulled the fishing rod placed on the wooden support into the lake.

Before Yanda could say anything, Zhang Xun jumped into the lake with quick eyes and hands, held the fishing rod, caught the fish in his hand, and laughed:

"Master Yan, what a big fish!"

Yanda took a deep look at him, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and said slowly: "It is indeed a very big fish."

After Zhang Xun caught the fish ashore, he said again: "Sir, I wonder where the fish basket is? I humbly put it in for you."

Yanda waved his hand and said, "This fish will be rewarded to you."

Zhang Xun pretended to be surprised and knelt down again: "Thank you for the reward, sir!"

After a pause, Zhang Xun said again: "Sir, I want to stay by your side and serve you. I hope you will agree!"

Yanda squinted her eyes and said, "Everyone can say nice things. Tell me what you want."

Zhang Xun clasped his fists and said: "I dare to ask for a job from your humble position, and I will work for you, even if I die!"

Errand?

Yanda said coldly: "Can you go to the enemy country to spy on the military situation?"

Zhang Xun lowered his head and said nothing.

Yanda continued: "Can you serve as a supervisor in the border army and guard one side?"

Zhang Xun looked embarrassed, trembling all over when faced with the majesty revealed by Yanda.

Yanda stood up slowly and turned his back to Zhang Xun, "I have an errand. The official's body is ailing and they need to use the snow lotus from Helan Mountain as medicine. Go get it. When you come back, go to the Imperial City Supervision Department as an errand." "

Hearing this, Zhang Xun looked happy and kowtowed one after another: "Thank you Yan for commanding the cultivation!"

Later, when Yanda returned to the imperial city's official office, he found a close aide and told him:
"Go to Yanbian in person, ask to see Lord Wei, and inform Lord Wei of Zhang Xun's identity."

The confidant asked curiously: "The commander wants to kill someone with a borrowed knife?"

Borrow a knife? kill?
Yanda glared at him and said: "It's just Zhang Xun, why do you need to ask the Marquis to take action?"

The confidant said no more.

He believed that as long as he continued to ask, he would never see the sun tomorrow.

Kill someone with a borrowed knife?
So what if he, Yanda, killed Zhang Xun?
She was just a male prostitute, and she would be gone if she was gone. How dare Zhang Mao fall out with him?

He just wanted to tell Wei Yuan to use Zhang Xun's incident to bring down Zhang Maoze and give Manager Zhu a favor.

Yanda can also earn this favor, but as the commander of the Imperial City, Yanda does not need the help of General Manager Zhu.

But Weiyuan needs it.

As long as Manager Zhu owes Wei Yuan this favor, the political alliance between the three will only become stronger from now on =.

"Zhang Maoze, who do you think you are, how dare you get involved in the Imperial City Division?"

Yanda, who was sitting in the carriage, murmured and slowly closed her eyes.
-
at the same time.

Yanbian.

Wei Yuan left Bao'an Village and headed for Helan Mountain.

Gyeongju, Duke Kang's Mansion.

A confidant informed Kang Guogong Han Jiang of Wei Yuan's whereabouts.

Young Master Han asked, "Father, why don't you let me go to visit Wei Yuan?"

Han Jiang glanced at him and said, "You? If you hold any position in the court, what qualifications do you have to visit Lord Wei?"

Grandmaster Han looked slightly embarrassed, "What do you mean, father?"

Han Jiang was silent for a moment and finally made a decision.
"I will go to Helan Mountain in person to meet this famous Wei Wudi."

(End of this chapter)