Chapter Nine: The Most Powerful Man
In the morning, the city of Kaifeng in Beijing gradually began to be noisy and lively. All kinds of people walk through the bustling road, and everyone is busy and struggling for their own livelihood.
Li Gang stood alone next to the mansion of the First Power Minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, and not far away there was a beautiful woman quietly waiting for him. The woman's face was very pale, but her eyes never left Li Gang for even a second. The morning breeze blew by, and the woman's body began to tremble with the biting cool breeze.
On this night, she experienced a tragic and joyful encounter from birth to death, and from loss to hope. What brought her hope was the big boy in front of her, Li Gang. When she woke up, she was back at her familiar doorstep. She didn't know how this big boy, who had come to the capital for the first time and had no relatives, had carried her out of the Sanssouci Cave step by step and found her own home.
Li Gang touched the coarse cloth clothes on his body, and there was a hint of warmth in his heart. This set of clothes is the old clothes worn by Cui Shuzuo, and Cui Niangzi washed them very clean. He grew up in his father's barracks, where he grew up to be a real man. Later, he got to know his teacher Lu Huiqing, and by his teacher's side, he learned the way to govern the country and mastered the art of war. And the only thing he lacks is maternal love, a woman's heartfelt care.
Remembering the reckless behavior not long ago, Cui Niangzi's face glowed with an imperceptible red glow. She caressed every inch of Li Gang's body like crazy, just because there were several knife marks on his bloody clothes. She was afraid, afraid that the boy would have something to lose. Unconsciously, she began to rely on this big boy.
Putting away this warmth, Li Gang felt more confused than ever. Lü Yuan and Zhang Huaisu's whereabouts were unknown, and he did not have any means to find them. He could only wait foolishly at the gate of the Zhangfu Mansion. He firmly believed that the eldest brother would come to see Zhang Huan with that important letter. At that point, he will be reunited with his eldest brother. Glancing at Cui Niangzi, who refused to leave, Li Gang shook his head helplessly. In this strange city, it seems that only these two people depend on each other.
In the imperial palace, in the imperial study, the two most powerful men in the Northern Song Dynasty were discussing the future of the country. Luckily, the two men trusted each other. The young Emperor Zhezong fully supported this powerful prime minister. Zhang Huan felt that he had met someone who really understood him, and he could completely let go and build the country according to his own vision.
What about Wang Anshi, and what about Sima Guang. Zhang Wei believes that he is completely comparable to Zhao Pu, the founding minister of the Northern Song Dynasty and the first hero in the eyes of the Zhao Kuangyin brothers. Today's Northern Song Dynasty, the national treasury is full. The border severely damaged Western Xia, shocking the Liao state. The people live and work in peace and contentment, and the business is highly developed. All this is the merit of his chapter.
"Official, how should Yelü Hongji reply to this letter of state?" Zhang Wei asked. This was a contest between the emperor and the emperor, and even if he knew Zhezong's thoughts, he also needed the official attitude of Emperor Zhezong.
"A letter from the Liao state wants us to negotiate peace with the Western Xia strikers, where in the world is such a cheap thing?" Zhezong said with some anger.
"No reply, just hang him Yelü Hongji." Zhezong added.
"The top brass of Western Xia gradually showed signs of infighting. The puppet emperor Li Qianshun and the clan behind him were ready to challenge the core interests of the Empress Dowager Liang's family. Zhang Wei said.
"There is also some information about the interior of Western Xia on the Side of the Imperial City Division, and I will let Liang Congzheng talk to you alone." This Li Qianshun does not seem to be as simple as we have mastered. Emperor Zhezong replied. The Imperial City Division was subordinate to himself, and without his instructions, even Zhang Huan did not have the right to go to the Imperial City Division to understand the situation.
"Official, in this Battle of Pingxia City, Lü Huiqing did a lot of things that were beneficial to the country, and it was a great contribution to the imperial court." Remembering the young man standing outside the door of his own house, Zhang Huan planned to say a few words for Lu Huiqing.
"The first merit of this campaign against the Western Xia is Zhang Jie, don't be humble because he is Qing's brother." All the outstanding generals of the Western Route Army, the Yao family, and the Folding Family must also be rewarded according to their merits. Emperor Zhezong said firmly.
"Lu Huiqing, this person, I have an impression. A few years ago, when he knew about the Daimyo Mansion, he came to the imperial study and spoke to me once. Soon after the game was right, I asked him to leave the capital and return to the Daimyo Mansion. Jejong continued.
"I remember the official family saying at that time that Lu Huiqing was too domineering." Zhang Wei replied.
"Capable talents are overbearing, and Lu Huiqing is a capable person." But the people he offended, even I couldn't help him. Former Privy Counsellor, Cai Xiang, also tried his best to prevent him from returning to Beijing to take up his post. Then seal him as a silver-green Guanglu doctor and continue to garrison the western Xia border. Zhezong shook his head and smiled bitterly. He believed that Zhang Huan would understand his suffering, and he could not do whatever he wanted to be a son of the day.
"The old man knows how to do it." Zhang Huan also said with a bitter smile that he felt emperor Zhezong's good intentions. Rumors that Lü Huiqing was overbearing and that placing him outside the political center were all deliberate arrangements by Emperor Zhezong. It's not so much a punishment as a low-key protection.
Cai Xiang recommended his brother Hubu Shangshu Cai Jing to enter the government affairs hall to participate in politics. The Envoy of the Privy Counsellor strenuously objected, saying how brothers could enter the center of the state at the same time. Qing family, you decide. Zhezong rubbed his forehead and said. During this time, he always felt a little tired in his body.
"Cai Jing, this person, the old minister should observe for some more time. Now I enter the government hall and walk, and I still lack some fire. Zhang Wei replied. In addition to this Lü Huiqing, the appointment and dismissal of important personnel in the court, Zhezong was at the mercy of Zhang Huan's advice.
"I hope that people will be together for a long time, this Su Dongpo!" Qing family, recently the harem began to popular Su Shi's poetry again. Hi, what a headache. After talking about national affairs for too long, Zhezong said relaxedly.
Lao Chen also heard that there were many merchants in the market who made a lot of profits by selling Su Shi's poems. There are also more and more people who scold the old ministers for "picking up the skin stamps". Zhang Wei said indifferently.
"Pickpocket, apt, hahaha!" The two of them looked at each other and laughed.
"Qi Yu official's family, His Highness the Duan King has an urgent matter to see." Outside the study, a eunuch whispered.
"Brother Emperor, the brother has something important to report." Without waiting for Emperor Zhezong to reply, Zhao Tuo walked into the imperial study accompanied by Liang Congzheng and Liang Shicheng. Zhezong looked at his brother and smiled without saying anything. Zhao Tuo had this qualification, and among the many imperial brothers, Emperor Zhezong Zhao Xu loved him the most. Even King Zhao Xiang, who was born to a mother, did not have his grace.
"Official, the old minister has retreated." Zhang Huan looked at Zhao Yao who had come in and got up to leave the imperial study. He very much wanted to meet the young man Li Gang, and he was very disgusted with this frivolous and debauched Duan Wang Zhao Yao.
"Gao Li, you should be clear about who we are and what we are going to do." Cheng Xiaomei said unhurriedly.
"I've already decided, and I won't regret it." Gao Li said. A series of things that made his values collapse directly. If you want to live, you have to hug your thighs. If you want to get ahead, you have to sell your faith. Even if it is to protect the Meng girl in his heart, he must live. As for dignity, Gao Li gave up.
"The leader of the group of Iron Harriers was called Brother Richard, and he was the younger brother of Li Qianshun, the current Emperor of Western Xia. He also had another identity, that is, the deputy envoy of the Western Xia mission. Cheng Xiaomei said.
"Isn't The Deputy Envoy of Xixia a bearded man?" Moreover, he should have been poisoned. Gao Li asked in surprise.
"Dressed up, the entire Western Xia mission is only the right envoy to know his identity. As for poisoning, you think about why Cui Shuzuo suddenly disappeared. Cheng Xiaomei said.
"I understand that it is Cui's body that has been examined, and as long as he is willing to do it, that person can fake his death to escape everyone's sight." Gao Li said.
"This is just the beginning." Cheng Xiaomei Wan'er smiled.