A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 190: Prolonging your political life is the only way to have the last laugh

Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin saw the pitfalls that the monarchs of the Five Dynasties had fallen into.

You can even cross the river by feeling them.

Moreover, Zhao Kuangyin was crowned emperor when he was in his prime.

His political career lasted for sixteen years.

He personally led the team to complete 70% of the unification process.

Just these two points.

He was stronger than the other emperors of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.

In addition, there was no major chaos during the handover of power between him and Taizong.

Whether it is the candlelight and the axe sound, or the Golden Casket Alliance.

In short, as the second most powerful person in the Song Dynasty for many years, Zhao Kuangyi took over the power smoothly and stabilized it.

This made the Shen Ce Army inheritance law, Jiedushi inheritance law and Yabing inheritance law passed down from the Tang Dynasty all vanish into thin air at this moment.

Even after Taizong's donkey cart drifted back, he once again overthrew the military leaders who supported the new emperor's succession law to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Five Dynasties and even his elder brother.

Cao Liyong certainly understood that it was Taizu and Taizong who were emperors for so long that they ended the chaos of the Five Dynasties.

He is not from a military family.

Cao Liyong took advantage of his father being a Jinshi (a scholar) to become a military general.

So he listened to everything Song Xuan said just now.

If he really had no brains, he would not have been sent to negotiate with the Liao Kingdom, let alone be able to hold his own in the negotiations.

However, many years of smooth life have made him more arrogant and conceited.

Cao used people who were convinced by him, such as Wang Dan, Li Hang, Li Jilian, Kou Zhun and others, while the real general Cao Wei was framed by Ding Wei.

He has just been reinstated as the Huazhou Observer and his health is not good.

Cao Liyong counted all the people in the court, and found that there was no one better than him.

He didn't take other people seriously at all.

No one can suppress him!
Even Wang Qinruo, who ranked first, was not taken seriously by Cao Liyong. He used all his abilities to please the emperor.

Otherwise, he would not have competed with those civil servants for seating rankings and the like.

Even though the Song Dynasty had the unspoken rule of using civil power to control military power, Cao Liyong was unwilling to give in easily.

"Lao Cao, only by living longer can one's status become more secure, and eventually one might even become a mascot."

Cao Liyong sighed dejectedly:

"Shi Er Lang, your words really woke me up from my dream."

"It's just as you said. I counted on my fingers, and there's not a single person in the whole court who is my confidant."

"But to be honest, I don't dare to have any confidants!"

Song Xuan also understood that he was in a game.

But you can't control your future behavior as you wish.

"But I never thought that even though I had become a lone minister, I would still be plotted against like this."

"I actually always felt that the Queen Mother relied on me, otherwise she wouldn't have let me teach her eunuchs a lesson."

"Tsk tsk tsk, why should I rely on you?"

Song Xuan poured himself another glass of cold water:
"You, Cao Liyong, have been promoted to Zuo Pushe and concurrently serve as Shizhong, Jiedushi of Wuning Army, and Jingling Palace Envoy, and have also been granted the title of Sikong."

"That is, after you die, they'll give you some honorary title like a prince. There's no more titles you can be given, so why would you bribe me?"

"Besides, you were promoted by Emperor Zhenzong, and you supported the son of Emperor Zhenzong to control the Song Dynasty. How could you support someone from another family ruling the Song Dynasty?"

"Why not promote one of your deputy privy councilors? They can definitely take her place, and they will remember the Empress Dowager's kindness."

The current Privy Council members are:
Zhang Qi and Yang Chongxun were both the Empress Dowager's confidants.

Zhenzong's confidants Xia Shouyun and Cao Liyong.

Cao Liyong silently counted the people who could replace him, and suddenly felt very disappointed.

Xia Shouyun caught the eye of Emperor Zhenzong because of his brother Xia Shouen, but his brother was expelled from the throne and became a commoner, and died in exile, so he was also affected.

As for Zhang Qi, he received the best treatment, which was an investment that no one could envy.

In Tokyo, where every inch of land is valuable, he was granted 700 contiguous houses.

The person he despised the most was Yang Chongxun, who was greedy and had the highest possibility of replacing him.

Since this person was promoted by the Queen Mother, she must have planned it long ago.

Cao Liyong was suddenly a little defeated.

Because when he thought about it carefully, he realized that what Song Xuan said was absolutely right. He had not noticed it at all, but instead he looked down upon those people in the court more and more.

He was even extremely unhappy about the Queen Mother being in power.

The empress dowager was able to rise from a singing girl to the empress dowager of the Song Dynasty today, and she also likes to wear dragon robes. It is inevitable that she has aspirations to be like Wu Zetian.

If she really wanted to go that far, she would have to rely on the support of military generals, and then Yang Chongxun would definitely replace her position as the Privy Councilor.

Cao Liyong was shocked by his previous thought.

The Two Saints of the Tang Dynasty.

Tiansheng of the Great Song Dynasty.

no difference!

There was no need to find too many reasons for this blatant hint.

Why did the emperor choose the reign title Tiansheng?
Didn’t someone tell Liu E about this and she made the final choice?

"Are we going to let those eunuchs seize power?"

In the end, Cao Liyong did not have the courage to say the word "Empress Dowager", so he pointed at her dog and scolded her.

It is equivalent to saying that I want to overthrow the emperor, but I have to raise slogans like "Fengtian Jingnan" and "Purge the court of evil officials".

"The emperor will eventually grow up. In a few years, he will need the ministers who launched the Shenlong coup."

"If you, Cao Liyong, want to be honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple after your death, you must learn from today to endure humiliation and be a good gentleman in the court. When the emperor needs you, you will step forward."

"Otherwise, you'll be framed and end your political career prematurely. Even if the government wants to rely on you, they won't have the chance!"

Cao Liyong nodded again. When Yan Shu said that Song Xuan was a child prodigy, he was still a little skeptical.

Song Xuan analyzed the current situation in the court clearly. Yan Tongshu has a good eye for people. He is not as good as him.

Song Xuan took the cold drink and drank it all in one gulp:

"Lao Cao, I'll call you a good boy again."

"it is good."

Cao Liyong has been completely convinced by Song Xuan. Now he is bowing his head and enduring in order to help the emperor restore orthodoxy in the future!
"First, you must seize the initiative to be invincible."

"Then we must look for the enemy's loopholes, flaws, and weaknesses, and seize the opportunities they offer us. Never engage in a lion-on-lion war."

Cao Liyong was once again shocked by Song Xuan's words, and finally couldn't help asking:
"Who told you all this?"

Song Xuan put down the cup in his hand:
"It's from Sun Tzu's Art of War."

"what?"

Cao Liyong quickly lowered his voice and asked, "Where did you see this book?"

At present, the Song Dynasty prohibits the circulation of military books among the people to prevent people from learning them and causing rebellion.

Only after frequent wars with Western Xia did such restrictions become much less severe.

The Wujing Zongyao compiled by Zeng Gongliang has not yet been published.

This is an officially approved book and can be circulated.

"My deceased master taught me."

No matter what difficulties he encountered, Song Xuan would directly throw the problems to his dead master Xukong.

After all, sometimes the dead are more useful than the living.

Cao Liyong nodded.

Master Song Xuan knows a lot, and it is a real regret that I don’t have the luck to meet him.

"Then keep talking."

"This doesn't align with Sun Tzu's strategic goal of achieving great things with little money. Therefore, Sun Tzu highly advocated the tactic of a lion fighting a rabbit. The battle between the elite armies of Song and Liao was like a lion against a lion, with neither side gaining the upper hand."

Song Xuan looked at Cao Liyong and said, "You have to wait patiently to find their weaknesses and exploit their loopholes. Eventually, you can defeat them in one fell swoop."

"If you can't control your temper every time, you might as well read more of Sun Tzu's Art of War."

Cao Liyong nodded, then lowered his voice and said:
"Twelfth brother, I'll teach you a lesson too. Don't read Sun Tzu's Art of War on a daily basis, and don't easily tell others about this."

"I usually read the Spring and Autumn Annals. Who will take care of my grandson?"

"Hahaha."

Cao Liyong burst into laughter. He realized that Song Xuan had just said that the Queen Mother was a gifted person.

But how could Song Xuan not be a gifted person suitable for working in official circles?
I hope that the essay he writes will be so outstanding that all other candidates will have to look up to him.

Cao Liyong sighed secretly. It was a pity that the imperial examination of the Song Dynasty was still based on the Tang Dynasty, mainly based on poetry and prose.

If it is the imperial examination of the imperial court, it would be best if it could focus on policy essays!

This idea popped up in Cao Liyong's mind, but he didn't know whether it would work or not.

The delivery was explained in such detail that Cao Liyong really listened to it.

He made up his mind that when he returned to the court, he must be a good man and save his political life first.

When the emperor grows up and wants to take back his power, he must stand by his side. The Song Dynasty will not allow a second Wu Zetian to appear!
The most important thing is that he has reached this position today.

Only if you work harder can you be worthy of being enshrined in the Taimiao and protect your family's prosperity!
Cao Liyong calmed himself down and learned new experience in struggle from Song Xuan.

At this time, Zhang Fangping also came back after washing his face.

He then said, "You two should study hard and strive to pass the prefectural, provincial, and palace examinations next year. The Song Dynasty needs newcomers like you."

Song Xuan saluted Cao Liyong, who patted his shoulders twice:

"I am leaving."

Zhang Fangping's mood improved a lot, and he breathed a sigh of relief:

"Brother Twelve, I know I didn't do well on the test this time, but after hearing the news, I still feel a little sad. Am I just too bad?"

Song Xuan was silent for a while before replying:
"Fang Ping, have you noticed that you're not in a very good state of mind and that you're taking things too seriously?"

Song Xuan had met classmates like Zhang Fangping before.

A student who is good at studying but comes from a poor family will often feel anxious about the financial burden of tuition, book fees, and living expenses.

Long-term financial pressure may affect his self-confidence and self-worth.

Zhang Fangping wanted to change his family's situation. He was truly the only one supporting the whole family, and he had a lot to bear.

"Especially if you're afraid you'll fail!"

Zhang Fangping was stunned on the spot.

Yes, I am afraid of failure.

Song Xuan certainly knew that there was no psychological counseling in the Song Dynasty, and many students who failed the exams so many times had psychological problems.

Shi Yannian and Liu Sanbian are clear examples.

When Song Xuan saw Zhang Fangping like this, he realized that even though he had tried hard to make this introverted man lively and energetic for more than a year, the burden of carrying him on his back for many years was not so easy to remove.

"The result of one exam doesn't mean much. There are more exams waiting for us in the future."

Song Xuan poured Zhang Fangping another glass of cold water:
“Failure is the mother of success. Not everyone can succeed at once.”

"At the age of 47, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was still playing with cats and dogs in the village and watching people fight. At the age of 54, he conquered the world."

"He lost many battles against Xiang Yu, and even had his entire family captured. But in one battle, he forced Xiang Yu to commit suicide by slashing his throat at the Wujiang River."

"Twelfth brother, how can I compare to Emperor Gaozu of Han?"

Zhang Fangping was a little amused and helpless. The person who was being comforted by his twelfth brother was really out of his reach.

"Hiss." Song Xuan thought for a moment:

"Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, was also always on the run. The name of our hometown, Lema Town, and that bridge are both clear evidence of this!"

Zhang Fangping burst out laughing.

It is not certain that Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, had ever been to our hometown. The name might have been deliberately made up to make it seem far-fetched.

"Thank you, Twelve Brother. I feel much better now."

……

Inside the Tokyo Imperial Palace.

Cao Liyong was reporting what he had found out to Empress Dowager Liu.

Liu E nodded. She had heard the whole story from Yang Huaimin.

What Cao Liyong was talking about was the missing version.

Little did she know that what Liu E knew was also the incomplete version.

It’s just that one is missing half, and the other is missing more than half.

It’s far from the truth.

"Thank you for your hard work, Minister."

Liu E said politely, "Then Song Xuan, the student, must have been frightened by this. I'm afraid he didn't do well in the exam, right?"

"In reply to the Queen Mother, his examination paper has been dismissed by Prefect Yan."

Cao Liyong had already promised Yan Shu not to expose this matter. Moreover, he had been enlightened by Song Xuan and had realized that the woman in front of him was definitely not a good person!
Liu E heard that Song Xuan was a child prodigy.

It was just that I was delayed by my family, and I didn't expect that I couldn't even pass the hair analysis test.

Moreover, he had made arrangements in advance. It can be said that the assassins sent by the Dou family were completely transparent to Song Xuan.

Then why did Song Xuan fail the test?

Liu E couldn't understand this.

"Now that the matter of Songcheng has been investigated, let's investigate the Dou family."

Liu E gave an order that killing an official in the street was considered a rebellion in the Song Dynasty no matter what.

Emperor Taizu had long ago said that he would rule the world together with the literati and officials.

"Here."

Cao Liyong responded.

Liu E sighed again, "During the time when the Minister of the Court was away from Tokyo, I couldn't find anyone I could discuss matters with."

Act, and continue acting.

"I am terrified."

Cao Liyong has also been in the court for many years and has the necessary experience.

It was just that he was blinded by his pride and arrogance before, and after Song Xuan's reminder, his vigilance returned again.

"You also know that my people are still living in hardship, so you want to reward them with some money and food."

Are the Empress Dowager's relatives living in poverty?

Your good nephew is a well-known playboy in Tokyo who spends money lavishly!
At such a young age, he looks like his body has been hollowed out by alcohol and sex.

Then again, he is short of money!
Although Cao Liyong was complaining in his heart, he still said politely:

"The Queen Mother wants to reward her own people, so she can do so. How can I stop her?"

"Oh?"

Liu E was very surprised. After all, Cao Liyong had always tried to stop her from showing favor to her clansmen.

After all, as a woman who was sold, it is normal for her to think about her family and provide them with support all the time!
Liu E was now rich and powerful. Her ex-husband Liu Mei had passed away, leaving behind two sons and a grandson.

Now, my grandson Liu Yongnian is less than four years old and is already eating the emperor's food. He can come and go freely between the two palaces. Who dares not to pamper him?
Even the current emperor has never received such treatment before.

"Has the Minister's temper changed after his trip?"

Hearing Liu E's implication, Cao Liyong sighed:
"So that the Queen Mother knows that I usually don't pay enough attention to my children when I am busy with my duties at the court. But when I returned from this assignment, I found that I was always thinking about them in my heart."

"I believe the Queen Mother feels the same way. I didn't understand her in the past, which is why I always gave her advice."

Liu E was very happy to hear this, as that was what she had been thinking. She was afraid that her relatives would not have enough food or clothing.

Although Zhao Zhen called her mother, Liu E still did not recognize him as her son in her heart.

Not as good as my ex-husband's brother's children.

There's nothing you can do about it. Sometimes people just don't know the seriousness of the matter.

If Cao Liyong did not change his words and agree with Liu E in time, people would gossip about him in the future, which would increase Liu E's resentment towards him.

"I said that you should talk more with the Minister in the future, and it will definitely help you solve your problems."

Liu E looked at the few strands of white hair on Cao Liyong's head and said: "After all, we are all old."

"The Queen Mother is still young."

Cao Liyong stroked his beard and said, "Unlike me, I fought in the army in my early years, shed too much blood, and lost my foundation. I'm afraid I don't have many years left to live."

Liu E was extremely surprised.

Because Cao Liyong's behavior changed so much after he went on a business trip.

Could it be that he really is like this because he misses his children at home?

Or does he want to secure some official positions for his descendants?

After all, Cao Liyong's eldest son Cao Yuan was only on duty in the Chongban of the Inner Palace, and his other sons did not hold any official positions.

Liu E couldn't judge for a moment, so she spoke again:

"Minister, why do you have to belittle yourself like this? The emperor is still young and needs an old minister like you to run around."

Cao Liyong began to talk about his willingness to serve the emperor and to do his best to live up to the trust of Emperor Zhenzong.

Liu E nodded, and then continued to test:

"My eunuch Luo Chongxun has committed a crime, and the Minister of the Interior needs to teach him a lesson."

"Whatever the Queen Mother says, I will do."

Liu E nodded, and then asked the eunuch Yang Huaimin to take Cao Liyong away.

Of course, Yang Huaimin was scolded by Cao Liyong, and he took off his hat and scolded him in public for a long time. He has always held a grudge against him.

Now he just happened to be unable to find his allies, and who would have thought that Luo Chongxun had also committed a crime.

When Yang Huaimin thought about what would happen to Luo Chongxun soon, he secretly planned to form an alliance with Luo Chongxun when the time came.

Only by uniting together can we move Cao Liyong to be the Privy Councilor.

The eunuch Luo Chongxun had really made a mistake. When he heard the news that the Queen Mother wanted Cao Liyong to teach him a lesson, his face turned pale.

There were many eunuchs in the palace who were scolded by Cao Liyong, but many of them had low status. However, Luo Chongxun was different.

He also wants to lose face.

Just as he looked up, Luo Chongxun saw Yang Huaimin leading Cao Liyong towards him quickly, and he secretly shouted in his heart:
"It's over!"

(End of this chapter)