Chapter 114: Community Rat and City Fox, in full swing

There is only more than half a year left until the Spring Examination, which is held every three years.

Students who aspire to become Jinshi have already started to get ready.

The atmosphere of research and study is very strong throughout the capital.

Even the children of high-ranking officials in various governments often invite each other to join them, which is not only a chance for them to exchange knowledge, but also a way to motivate themselves.

Recently, Zhang Siwei's residence has been extremely lively, and the atmosphere of study and research is no worse than that of the Quanjin Guild Hall.

Wang Chonggu's sons Wang Qian and Yang Bo, Wang Chonggu's son-in-law Feng Lun, Zhang Siwei's relative Han Chan and others, as well as Zhang Siwei's own son Zhang Jiazheng.

They are all good relatives who study together.

As for which of them were there to appease Zhang Siwei and ease the relationship between relatives, that is a matter of opinion.

Feng Lun closed the "Memorials of Gao Wenduan" in his hand, and picked up a book "Imperial Illustrated Book" and flipped through it casually.

In the imperial examination, apart from classics, one also had to write policy essays.

The works of the current ministers in power must be reviewed once, and only then can the likes and dislikes of the examiners be catered to.

However, "The Emperor's Picture Book" is an enlightenment reading material after all, and most of the content is filled with illustrations that list the good and bad deeds of emperors of all dynasties.

There was really no need to study it carefully, so Feng Lun just glanced over it.

After a long while, he slowly closed it and said with some emotion: "The Prime Minister is really fond of Emperor Taizong of Tang. Among the eighty-one virtues, Emperor Taizong of Tang alone has thirteen of them."

Having said that, it has been decided that when quoting classics in this year's policy essay, Emperor Taizong of Tang must be given a place.

Han Zhen took over the conversation without hesitation: "After all, as the greatest emperor of all time, he should have this weight."

As he spoke, he also took out an illustrated book of Emperor's Stories from the pile of books and handed it to his eight-year-old nephew who came with him, Han Yu. Han Yu's elder brother, Han Ji, was a student of Gao Gong. Due to the turmoil last year, he was banished from the capital, and his family members in the capital were taken care of by Han Yu.

Although this nephew is only eight years old, he is really smart. He always takes his nephew with him when he goes out to study, so that he can learn from him.

Of course, Han Zhen naturally didn't know that his nephew Han Yu was the prime minister of the dynasty and a veteran of the Donglin Party in history.

It's normal to have some prodigy qualities at this time.

Zhang Siduan, Zhang Siwei's brother, immediately shook his head when he heard this and said, "The greatest emperor of all time? I think that Emperor Taizong of Tang is far inferior to the current emperor."

As soon as the words fell, everyone had different expressions.

If you flatter the emperor in private at this time, wouldn't that make you an outsider?
In the past, Zhang Siduan had often slandered and ridiculed the emperor.

Wang Chonggu's only son, Wang Qian, knew his cousin's personality better and asked curiously, "What do you mean by that, cousin?"

Zhang Siduan nodded as a matter of fact: "Comparing Tang Taizong with the present emperor, Tang Taizong had ten defeats, while the present emperor had ten victories."

Everyone cast curious glances at him.

Zhang Siduan was holding a book in his hand, shaking his head and saying, "Tang Taizong fought for the throne in the Central Plains and wandered for half his life before he gained the world; but now you are born to be the emperor, the inheritance is orderly, and you obey the will of heaven. This way is better than the other."

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone immediately reacted - it was indeed the same taste as before!

It turns out that they were just making fun of the emperor in various ways. That's fine.

One rules the world, the other inherits the throne, so it's easy to tell who's better.

Zhang Siduan started the conversation, so there is no need to keep the topic secret: "Tang Taizong ordered Jie Li to perform a dance, but he humiliated him. This is a loss of structure. Now let's look at the current emperor. He rewarded Tuman Khan and conferred the title of Duoyan Guard on him. He made foreign barbarians feel at home. This is a better example of kindness than the other two."

Everyone smiled knowingly.

"Tang Taizong took Princess Qi, disregarding human ethics and being despised by others; the present emperor has secluded himself in the West Garden and is filial to Empress Dowager Chen. This virtue is better than the other three."

This is a recent rumor.

Last year the Emperor threatened Empress Dowager Chen and had her kept in captivity in the Western Garden, where even the ladies of the imperial court seldom saw her.

It is possible that because of her beautiful and plump appearance, she secretly did some immoral things in the West Garden.

"During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, there were people like Wei Zheng who dared to criticize the emperor to his face and acted lawlessly. Now, the emperor's voices are all from ministers like Li Zaiting and Ge Shouli who are sympathetic to the emperor's heart. This is a better governance than the fourth."

Zhang Siduan became more and more excited as he spoke: "Emperor Taizong of Tang was straightforward and inflexible in dealing with his subordinates. Now the emperor is courteous to his subjects and respects the wise and humble. This..."

When he was halfway through his words, he noticed that several classmates had turned their heads away silently, and he couldn't help but feel strange.

Just as he was wondering, he saw his nephew Zhang Jiazheng winking at the person behind him.

Zhang Siduan immediately realized that something was wrong.

He turned around with difficulty and saw two people standing outside the door.

One of them was Ma Ziqiang, the Minister of Rites, and the other was his own brother Zhang Siwei, who was staring at him with an ugly expression.

Seeing this, Feng Lun, Han Zhen and the others immediately stood up and said with an awkward smile: "Haha, we have gained a lot today. We still need to go back and sort out our memories. Let's stop here first."

After saying this, he bowed to Zhang and Ma who were standing outside the door and hurriedly left.

Wang Chonggu's only son, Wang Qian, walked last, but did not leave immediately after paying his respects.

Instead, he prepared his tone for a moment and showed a familiar look to Zhang Siwei: "Cousin, my mother is going to hold a family dinner tomorrow and specially asked me to invite you."

Ever since Wang Chonggu entered the cabinet, the relationship between the two families has become somewhat strained.

Wang Chonggu took advantage of his nephew, so naturally he tried every means to appease him.

Unfortunately, Zhang Siwei was still angry and did not give him face.

He glanced at his cousin and shook his head unkindly: "My uncle and I are in high positions, and we should avoid suspicion in private, so I won't go."

Zhang Siwei instructed his son, "Jia Zheng, go and see your uncle tomorrow on your behalf, so that people won't say that we don't value family affection."

Zhang Jiazheng responded with a bitter face.

The father is getting old and his temper has become worse recently.

After Zhang Siwei finished speaking, he turned around and left with Ma Ziqiang.

Wang Qian was left standing there with a stiff expression.

avoid arousing suspicion?

You and Ma Ziqiang's children are in-laws - Zhang Siwei's daughter married Ma Ziqiang's son Ma Xuan.

Now the two of them are walking in front of us with such brazenness, and they are still trying to avoid suspicion! ?

This is deliberately embarrassing yourself!

Wang Qian couldn't help but spit at Zhang Siwei in his heart - he didn't even look at who has entered the cabinet now, and he is still acting so arrogantly here!

Naturally, he still smiled bitterly at Zhang Siduan and Zhang Jiazheng, looking helpless, and asked them to attend the banquet tomorrow.

Zhang Siduan had a good relationship with his cousin, but he also knew that there had been some unpleasantness between the two families recently.

In fact, almost all the relatives who came today came to ease the relationship with Zhang Siwei.

Han Zhen's brother has a close relationship with Zhang Siwei.

Feng Lun probably represents the opinions of Yang Bo's group.

If Wang Qian really came alone, he might not even be able to enter the mansion.

Zhang Siduan, the younger brother, had tried to mediate several times before, but his brother got angry every time.

Now I don’t dare to get into this bad luck anymore.

He could only send Wang Qian away in a dilemma.

Zhang Siwei, who had been deliberately showing a bad face to spoil others' mood, relaxed his expression only after he went into the study with Ma Ziqiang to be alone.

He said in a somewhat resentful and aggrieved tone: "Did Ti Qian see it?"

"When my uncle first took my cabinet position, few people advised him on my behalf."

"Now that I've suffered a loss, they come to my house every now and then, always advising me to keep quiet!"

"This is really unreasonable!"

Apart from these relatives who are at home persuading me, that's all.

When he went to the Ministry of Rites to work, the Right Censor-in-Chief Huo Ji, the Minister of War Shi Maohua, and even the junior Wang Jiaping from the Hanlin Academy went to the Ministry of Rites every day to persuade him to put the overall situation first. After all, there was no difference between him, Zhang Siwei, entering the cabinet and his uncle entering the cabinet.

It’s so deceiving!
It was the first time that Zhang Siwei was advised to put the overall situation first!

Ma Ziqiang was helpless.

If he was not afraid of ruining the friendship between the two, he would also like to persuade Zhang Siwei - although they are from the same village, no one would be so humble as to refuse to join the cabinet.

Ma Ziqiang had only passed the imperial examination and was ranked third among the Jinshi class, but didn't he run around and end up being selected as a Shujishi?
No one knows what we are preparing for?
Even if Ma Ziqiang were to sit in Wang Chonggu's position, he would not give it up.

However, Zhang Siwei was angry and obviously could not say these words.

Ma Ziqiang had no choice but to obey: "Ziwei is really wronged."

He sighed in a pretentious manner, echoing Zhang Siwei's sentiments, and then subtly shifted the focus: "This is still the fault of the Central Government. How could they go back on their word?"

"Since Ziwei has replaced Lord Yang in the cabinet, how can we choose another one?"

It is better for Zhang Siwei to blame the emperor than to blame his own family members, because that would destroy internal unity.

Zhang Siwei calmed down immediately after hearing this.
The anger on his face disappeared in an instant.

He was silent for a long while, then sighed and chanted: "If you have never been to Chang'an Road, how can you know how difficult it is to travel. Three gates control the axis of the earth, and nine turns lead to the clouds."

"When crossing the water, I paddle the oars; when marching in the frost, I just hold the saddle. I would rather risk my life in the hall than fly high in the wind, and envy the roc."

Ma Ziqiang listened attentively.

I clapped my hands subconsciously and laughed, praising, "What a good poem!"

This poem is a masterpiece, both in terms of quotations from classics and in terms of its intention and style. It can be said to be a unique expression of emotion and profound self-satisfaction.

The hardships and frustrations as well as the depressed mood are vividly portrayed on the paper.

It was obvious that Zhang Siwei had suffered a setback in his career recently, and he was emotional. Zhang Siwei shook his head and continued Ma Ziqiang's words: "Your Majesty shoulders the world and focuses on the nine provinces. Who advances and who retreats in the cabinet is not for you and me to say."

Setbacks make people grow.

After his uncle went to Beijing, Zhang Siwei finally suffered the only setback in his life.

From being rude in front of the emperor during previous speeches, to being cautious in his words and actions even in private now.

Ma Ziqiang was still chewing on Zhang Siwei's poems. Apart from the frustration in them, he also tasted his unwavering ambition to enter the cabinet.

He secretly shook his head in his heart. With this intention, it was no wonder that he risked angering the emperor and blocked the reform of the royal family.

He considered it for a moment, then brought the topic back to the right track, and unobtrusively mentioned the proposal that the Ministry of Rites had rejected today: "Your Majesty is arbitrary in his decision, so it is not our place to interfere."

"But... I'm afraid that there are treacherous people in the court who are used to hearing pleasant words and make Your Majesty unable to listen to advice."

"Especially since the reform of the royal family system today has not gone as Your Majesty wishes, I am afraid that some villains will inevitably make slanderous remarks."

Ma Ziqiang was somewhat dissatisfied. After all, if he was not careful, he would offend the emperor.

At that time, in order to maintain unity, he followed Zhang Siwei, so naturally he wanted an explanation now.

Naturally, he understood the implicit meaning of Zhang Siwei's conversation.

In the past, he might have just been perfunctory.

But now, Zhang Siwei learned from the emperor how to treat his followers.

He looked at Ma Ziqiang and said sincerely, "Don't worry, Tiqian. Your Majesty is kind and wise, and will not be deceived by slander."

"Since your majesty ascended the throne, you have been able to appoint the right people to the right positions. Whether it was Xu Jie, Gao Gong, or my uncle, you always trusted them."

Xu Jie and Gao Gong are both fine, so what is there to be afraid of?
He had a rough idea of ​​the emperor's character.

Why was his uncle able to join the cabinet? Wasn't it because the emperor needed Wang Chonggu to strengthen military preparations?
As long as it is useful, the emperor will not act on his emotions or be misled by villains.

If Zhang Siwei didn't make some trouble occasionally, the emperor would probably think he was insignificant.

You know, he is the head of the Shanxi Merchants! Not Wang Chonggu!
Zhang Siwei's father and uncle are both wealthy businessmen, and behind his mother's family are wealthy businessmen such as Shen Jiang.

Behind my wife’s family are also wealthy businessmen - my wife’s father Wang En and my wife’s brother Wang Hui.

In addition to clan relatives, there are also in-laws.

The second brother Zhang Siduan married the daughter of businessman Li Ji, and the fifth brother first married the daughter of businessman Wang Yin, and later married the daughter of businessman Fan Shikui.

There are too many other good friends, classmates, and childhood friends to count.

Han Ji, the son of wealthy businessman Han Bo and a student of Gao Gong, studied with him "devoted himself to the classics day and night".

The extremely wealthy Xu Jing was his childhood friend. "Since I was a student, I have been hanging out with Master (Xu) Jing."

Zhang Siwei is the big manager promoted by dozens of trading companies. Even if Wang Chonggu enters the cabinet, he cannot replace him!
The salt from Jie Chi and the silk from Lu'an Prefecture all had to pass through his hands.

The coal, rice and tea of ​​the entire Shanxi Province are all under his coordination and operation.

Every year, Zhang Siwei presided over the division of the iron taxes generated by the five iron smelters, Fuguo, Fengguo, Datong, Runguo and Yiguo, and it was only then that the imperial court would collect the taxes.

The entire Shanxi business is Zhang Siwei’s back garden!

It can be said that without Altan Khan’s approval, there is no way to start trade with him!

With his status as a person, what big deal would it be if he argued with the emperor?
Look at Shen Shixing.

Since Minister Shen took charge of the Ministry of Personnel, he has been vaguely promoted several times - the emperor would demote someone to a remote place, and before the person even left, the Ministry of Personnel would immediately promote him again, mostly to Nanzhili to avoid the limelight, and his rank would not be changed.

Vague promotion has always been a powerful weapon for civil officials to deal with the emperor's unwarranted demotion, and it is also a common means of showing magnanimity and currying favor with the small crowd.

Zhang Juzheng talked about Shen Shixing several times, but was fooled by him every time.

Later, the emperor couldn't help but complain, and personally stepped in to ask Shen Shixing to restrain himself.

Shen Shixing agreed readily, but didn't he do the same thing afterwards?
Since Shen Shixing has this weight because of his Nanzhili hometown party, it is natural that Zhang Siwei, who leads the Jin Party, should also have it.

Only when he got upset would the emperor remember his importance and comfort him a little.

Only when he stamped his feet from time to time would the officials of the Jin Party take a closer look at who was the Earth Dragon.

Ma Ziqiang did not comment.

Everyone has a time to try to figure out the emperor's mind.

On the surface, the emperor seemed quite precocious and would not easily let his likes and dislikes influence state affairs.

But the emperor is the emperor after all. If you have illusions and think that the emperor will definitely abide by the rules, you will suffer sooner or later.

Not everyone can be compared to Gao Gong and Xu Jie.

Moreover, the Huguang incident had already made the emperor furious for quite some time.

Now, the proposal to reform the royal family has been blocked by the Ministry of Rites. It is possible that they have kept it in mind and are planning how to settle the score.

Ma Ziqiang insisted on his own opinion: "I am afraid that the discussion will delay the important business of Huguang."

What he said was actually meant to let Zhang Siwei stop.

Zhang Siwei nodded, which was considered as his agreement.

Obviously he was still willing to listen to Ma Ziqiang's advice.

Immediately, he couldn't help laughing and said something off topic: "In my opinion, the matter of Huguang may not be resolved so quickly."

Ma Ziqiang cast a curious look.

Zhang Siwei shook his head and said nothing.

He has a business in his hands, so he can go deeper, deduce the situation, and get more clues.

But it's none of his business.

It would be better if the trouble lasted longer. The royal family has many problems, and the status of the Ministry of Rites will also rise.

……

Huguang Provincial Government, Changsha Prefecture.

Changsha is the capital of Huguang and the essence of the area, attracting many wealthy families in the surrounding areas to buy houses in the city.

The wealthy and the gentry also have different backgrounds.

Those with poor background can only move their families to become wealthy people in the capital.

The city with profound cultural heritage has houses inside the city and farms and fortresses outside the city.

Unfortunately, I have encountered bad luck recently.

The Jinyiwei came plowing the field.

Zhu Shitai had just captured a farm and fortress today and killed many people. It would be fine for other wealthy families, who could still make a few excuses, but this kind of wealthy family who was a good man in the village and occasionally worked as a bandit would always be killed on the spot.

Zhu Shitai casually kicked away the corpse blocking his feet and stomped his boots on the ground twice to rub away the blood on the soles of his feet.

He walked around the village again to check if there were any named fish that had escaped the net.

"Sir, there is a living person inside!"

A centurion pulled a half-grown boy out of the room.

Zhu Shitai waved his hand and said, "Hang it."

Without weapons and armor, there would be no need to shed blood.

He was feeling self-satisfied with his own kindness when he suddenly remembered something.

He turned around and said, "He might have been discovered on purpose to protect his brother or elder brother. Search the place carefully again."

When you are outside, you should exercise like you are exercising.

There are many such plots in novels, so you have to be careful.

This was a job his father risked his life for, so he had no other concerns and just wanted to complete the job thoroughly.

At least I can't let the old man scold me before he passes away.

After another half day, he let the Jinyiwei plunder some valuables in their arms - wasn't it for this matter that Mr. Jing went out on business?
After finishing the task, everyone left the fort, regrouped, and prepared to return.

Zhu Shitai was just about to climb onto his horse.

Then a Jinyiwei came towards him.

He looked closely and saw that it was his father's bodyguard.

Zhu Shitai shouted anxiously, "What's going on?!"

Although the Jinyiwei was in a hurry, he was not confused.

When he got closer, he gasped, "Prince! The Duke said that the situation in Huguang has changed, and asked you to go back as soon as possible!"

Zhu Shitai breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, his father didn’t die suddenly due to serious illness.

He climbed onto his horse and asked casually, "Didn't I tell you anything?"

The Jinyiwei approached Zhu Shitai's saddle and whispered, "Prince Taining, the governor of Jing, was afraid of the imperial envoy and burned himself to death out of fear of punishment!"

"Now, Huguang, whether it's the officialdom or the royal family, is shaken by this!"

"The Prince of Min's Palace is in a state of panic, and the Prince of Ji's Palace is in a state of panic..."

"The Duke is worried that they will lose their rationality and do something unwise!"

(End of this chapter)