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

Chapter 276 I have never let you down, and you have never let me down, this is very good

The Jurchens mentioned by Yelu Renxian were actually the Jurchens, who later became the Jin Dynasty.

In order to avoid the taboo of Liao Xingzong Yelu Zhen, the Liao Kingdom called the Jurchen people "Nüzhi".

But within the Great Zhou, they were still called the Jurchens.

At this moment, in the empty hall, Yelu Hongji slowly said:

"You once said that Wei Yuan, the commander of the Zhou Kingdom's front line, was a genius, and that Daizhou, which he was stationed in, would require at least 300,000 troops to capture."

"His teacher, Zhang Fu, is also a famous general who has fought many battles. Even though Zhao Zhen is critically ill and the crown prince is young, with the two of them here, I'm afraid my army's journey south will not be smooth."

Yelu Renxian said, "What I mean is that if the Jurchens and the Liao Dynasty join forces and march south, even if we cannot seize Daizhou, we can use this opportunity to deplete the Jurchens' strength."

Yelu Hongji shook his head and said, "Wanyan Wugunai, the leader of the largest tribe of the Jurchens, is a man of deep thoughts. He will not do as you wish."

Wanyan Ugunai had a grandson named Wanyan Aguda, who later inflicted heavy damage on the Liao Kingdom and established the Jin Kingdom.

Yelu Renxian smiled and said, "Although Wanyan Wugunai is cunning, if our Great Liao promises him great benefits, he may not be unmoved."

"What benefits?" Yelu Hongji asked curiously.

Yelu Renxian's expression suddenly changed, and he became extremely serious. He said word by word: "Go south to capture the dragon and divide the world equally."

The four words "Go south to capture the dragon" have a certain sacred charm to the various tribes on the northern grasslands.

It is just like the Central Plains regime always talking about "going north to offer sacrifices to the gods".

Early March of the seventh year of Jiayou.

After a period of recuperation, Zhao Zhen's condition not only did not improve, but seemed to be getting worse.

I am only awake for two or three hours a day.

Moreover, due to being bedridden all the time, he had already developed injuries on his body, and even his weight had dropped sharply, making him look even thinner.

On this day, Wei Yuan went to the palace to meet Zhao Zhen.

This was the first time the emperor and his ministers met after Wei Yuan was dismissed from office.

In the huge bedroom, there was no one else except a few eunuchs and palace maids serving Zhao Zhen.

At this moment, Wei Yuan was kneeling in front of the dragon bed, looking at the terminally ill Zhao Zhen, feeling filled with emotion.

He remembered the first time he met Zhao Zhen. The aura he exuded was enough to frighten him. It was as if a tiger was coming down the mountain. If he was not careful, he would be swallowed by it.

But now, the tiger is old and sick and can no longer be called a tiger.

"Your Majesty, I am here to take my leave." After a moment, Wei Yuan spoke.

Zhao Zhen slowly opened his eyes, "When do you plan to come back, Wei Qing?"

Wei Yuan was silent, thought for a while, and said: "When the emperor needs me, I will come back."

Zhao Zhen forced a smile and said, "Is it me, the emperor, or the future emperor?"

Wei Yuan kowtowed and said, "Of course it is your Majesty!"

Zhao Zhen looked at him and said, "Half a month ago, I promised you that you could go to Jiangnan to travel around, but now, I regret it a little."

Wei Yuan frowned and said, "If the emperor doesn't let me go, I won't leave."

Zhao Zhen shook his head and said, "Let's go. It will be good for you to leave the capital for a while."

"I'm just worried that once you leave, I'll never see you again."

Wei Yuan kowtowed again, and after a 'bang' sound, he said, "Your Majesty's illness will eventually be cured."

Zhao Zhen smiled bitterly, "It's just you. If it were someone else, I'm afraid they would have already wished me a long life."

He was tired of hearing this kind of talk.

Life and death are determined by fate, and even the emperor cannot force it.

"Wei Qing, come closer, let me take a closer look at you."

Zhao Zhen was supported by the palace maids around him and half sat up.

Wei Yuan took two steps forward.

Zhao Zhen waved his hand at him, "Come closer."

Wei Yuan walked straight up to him.

Zhao Zhen looked at him without saying a word. After an unknown amount of time, the Great Zhou monarch, who was already in his last years, suddenly grasped Wei Yuan's wrist, like an amiable elder looking at a younger generation that he was proud of.

"Good Wei Qing, good boy, you and I have been king and subject for a long time. I have never let you down, and you have never let me down. That's great."

For some reason, Wei Yuan suddenly felt a lump in his throat. "Official."

Zhao Zhen patted Wei Yuan's shoulder with all his strength, revealing a kind smile.

"You are a good kid in every way, except that you are too confident and complacent sometimes. You think that you will get something out of everything after careful consideration. But no one is perfect. You need to change your temper. Otherwise, you will be killed in the future. Remember my words."

Wei Yuan nodded vigorously, "I will never forget your kindness to me!"

Zhao Zhen waved his hand, "Let's go, let's go."

Wei Yuan bowed and said, "I will take my leave."

He turned around, took two steps, and suddenly knelt down on the ground in the direction where Zhao Zhen was lying, kowtowed heavily,

"I started from humble beginnings. If it weren't for your majesty's support and giving me military control, I wouldn't be where I am today." "If it weren't for your majesty's trust, I wouldn't be where I am today either."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Zhen slowly closed his eyes without any response. He just waved at him, signaling him to leave as soon as possible.

Wei Yuan stood up, turned around every three steps, and bowed.

Until the moment you step out of the palace door.

Zhao Zhen stared at his back. After a while, when the tall figure disappeared from his sight, he murmured:
"Good Wei Qing"

The moment Wei Yuan stepped out of the palace door, tears welled up in his eyes unconsciously.

He wiped it gently, stood up straight, took a deep breath, and strode out of the imperial city without looking back.

This meeting may very likely be the last time this king and his minister meet.

Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect.

Wei Yuan was very fortunate that he met Zhao Zhen.

If you meet other emperors, such as the one who killed Yue Fei, or some of the founding emperors.
I'm afraid he has already died without a burial place.

After leaving the imperial city, Wei Yuan went directly to the city gate.

At this moment, the soldiers of the Manjia Camp, Zhang Guifen, Minglan and others were waiting outside the city.

After seeing Wei Yuan, Minglan and the others immediately went forward to greet him.

Zhang Guifen could not help but advise, "Put all the necessary valuables on the carriage. It is very humid in Jiangnan, so please take good care of yourself."

Wei Yuan nodded.

Minglan said, "Uncle, my mother is not feeling well and was unable to come and see you off. She said that you are the son of the Wei family and will have a bright future. She told you not to be discouraged by this misfortune, as it may not be a bad thing."

Wei Yuan asked: "How is your mother doing now?"

Minglan sighed, "It's just that I've lost my vitality and am weak, but there's nothing else wrong with me."

Wei Yuan felt relieved and said, "Gui Fen, find an opportunity to ask the imperial physician to take another look at your elder sister some other day."

Zhang Guifen nodded and said, "Don't worry, I'm at home, you don't have to worry."

At this time, Wei Yuan suddenly saw Zhang Fu's carriage slowly approaching and stopped not far from the crowd.

Wei Yuan hurried forward and was called into the carriage by Zhang Fu.

"Did you go to see the emperor just now?" Zhang Fu asked.

Wei Yuan nodded slightly, "I have seen him. The emperor is in poor health."

Zhang Fu nodded and said, "Everyone is born, grows old, gets sick and dies, and saints are no exception."

"Look at this."

As he spoke, he handed a secret report to Wei Yuan.

Wei Yuan looked at it in detail, his pupils gradually widened, "How could the Jurchens have 100,000 soldiers?"

Zhang Fu said: "The Imperial City Department spread a message in Liao that if the Jurchens are less than 10,000, they are invincible."

"I wonder if this rumor can stir up conflict between the Liao Kingdom and the Jurchens."

"No matter what, you are a little impatient to leave now."

Wei Yuan said: "With the teacher here to help with military and national affairs, I think there should be no worries."

Zhang Fu shook his head and sighed, "The government manipulated the party struggles to pave the way for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Now that both prime ministers have resigned, Fan Chunren is a man who maintains the status quo. Such a person is easy to be controlled by the Crown Prince."

"The government has not even spared the two prime ministers' followers, and has dismissed you from your post. How long do you think I can hold on to my position as prime minister?"

Wei Yuan looked surprised and said, "Not really?"

Not so?
Zhang Fu sneered, "In my opinion, the real purpose of the government dismissing you is, first, to sharpen you, and second, to protect me."

Wei Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Teacher, what you mean is that the government dismissed me in the hope of removing you from your position as prime minister?"

Zhang Fu nodded and said, "Our Majesty is a benevolent and righteous monarch. You have been out of office for a long time. I don't know how many imperial censors in the court have reported to me every day, but His Majesty has always kept those memorials in order to give me a decent face."

Wei Yuan was silent.

Zhang Fu said: "Pay more attention to the movements in the capital. If you feel something is wrong, return to the capital immediately without any hesitation."

Wei Yuan bowed and said, "Please rest assured, teacher. But once you retire, who will take over the position of prime minister?"

Zhang Fu looked at Wei Yuan with a meaningful smile.

Between them, master and disciple, only one person can stay in the court, no matter now or in the future.

Zhao Zhen or the prince naturally hoped that the person was Wei Yuan.

After Wei Yuan left Zhang Fu's carriage, he headed towards Jiangnan.

Later, Zhang Fu took out a memorial from his bosom, which read: "A letter of resignation from the Privy Councilor."

It doesn’t matter when you resign. What’s important is to let the government know your attitude.

(End of this chapter)