Chapter 252 Wei Yuan's Secret Political Ally

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

In Bianjing, in the Zhongyong Hou Mansion, in the bedrooms of Wei Yuan and Zhang Guifen, 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 official system was to promote a trend of ostracizing scribes."

"Later, when the officials found out about it, they called my father to the palace and reprimanded 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 talk 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, he looked at Minglan again,

"Given your father's temperament, he must have already reprimanded your third brother, right?"

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."

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." ”

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

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."

"How can we, the rest of us, figure out a person like this?"

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. .

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

Minglan gently touched Brother Zhuang's little hand,

"Brother Zhuang is so cute."

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

Zhang Guifen shook his head.

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. There are not many days left."

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

"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?"

Hai Chaoyun asked curiously.

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'.

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

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

Switch from defense to offense?

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

Minglan just listened and did not speak.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hai Chaoyun was convinced.

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

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

With such a person guarding the Zhou Dynasty, why worry about war?

"Girl Ming, the Queen is going to invite me and my mother to have a meal in the palace 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."

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

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

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?"

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

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

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

"Your tea shop doesn't make much money every month, so you gave me such an expensive gift, but what trouble did you get into?"

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."

"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."

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. They are so lively and lively.

Mrs. Zhao would never refuse, she nodded with a smile and said:

"It's 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, "Please rest assured, madam."

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 visited several noble families, 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 the current Fuchang Bo Rongxian. 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 plan my aunt told General Chen?"

Zhang Guifen shook his head and said, "Don't mention it. Ever since your uncle beat up the young prince who served as the assistant to the Duke, the two families have rarely had any contact with each other."

"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 accompanying 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, a humble official, 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 person."

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 duty 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 communication 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.

Without waiting for Yan Da to say anything, Zhang Xun jumped into the lake quickly, grabbed the fishing rod, caught the fish in his hand, and laughed:

"Sir, what a big fish!"

Yanda looked at him deeply, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and slowly said: "It is indeed a big fish."

After Zhang Xun caught the fish on the shore, he said again: "Sir, I don't know where the fish basket is? I will put it in for you."

Yanda waved his hand and said: "This fish is a reward for you."

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

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

Yanda narrowed his eyes and said: "Anyone can say nice words, tell me what you want."

Zhang Xun clasped his fists and said: "I dare to ask you for a job, and I will serve you even if I die!"

Job?

Yanda said coldly: "Go to the enemy country to spy on military intelligence, can you do it?"

Zhang Xun bowed his head and said nothing.

Yan Da continued, "Can you serve as a military supervisor in the border army and guard one side?"

Zhang Xun's face was embarrassed, and he trembled all over in the face of the majesty revealed by Yan Da.

Yanda slowly stood up and turned his back to Zhang Xun, "There is an errand. The emperor's dragon body is not well, and he needs the snow lotus from the Helan Mountains as a medicine. You go to get it. After you come back, go to the Imperial City Supervisory Department to work."

Hearing this, Zhang Xun's face was delighted, and he kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Thank you, Commander Yan, for your cultivation!"

Afterwards, when Yan Da returned to the Imperial City Office, he found a confidant and told him:

"You go to Yanbian in person and ask to see Lord Wei, and tell Lord Wei about Zhang Xun's identity."

The confidant asked curiously, "Does the commander want to kill someone with a borrowed knife?"

Borrowed a knife? Killing?

Yanda glared at him and said, "Why do you need the Lord to help a mere Zhang Xun?"

The confidant said no more.

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

Borrowed a knife to kill someone?

Even if Yan Da killed Zhang Xun, what would happen?

He was just a male prostitute, and if he was gone, he was gone. How dare Zhang Maoze turn against him?

He just wanted to tell Wei Yuan that he could use Zhang Xun's matter to overthrow Zhang Maoze and do a favor to Zhu Zongguan.

Yan Da could also earn this favor, but as the commander of the Imperial City Division, Yan Da did not need Zhu Zongguan's help.

But Wei Yuan needed it.

As long as Zhu Zongguan owed Wei Yuan this favor, the political alliance between the three would only become more stable from now on.

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

Yan Da, sitting in the carriage, murmured and slowly closed his eyes.

——

At the same time.

Yanbian.

Wei Yuan left Baoan Village and headed for Helan Mountain.

Qingzhou, Kangguogong Mansion.

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

Young Master Han asked, "Father, how about letting me go to visit Wei Yuan?"

Han Jiang glanced at him, "You? What position do you hold in the court? What qualifications do you have to visit Lord Wei?"

Master Han was a little embarrassed, "What does father mean?"

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."