Prime Minister

Chapter 503
Sima Guang stayed overnight in Zhang Yue.

Sima Guang is also an idle person now, even in the early dynasty, the officials in the daily life were allowed to be exempted, otherwise the officials in Beijing would not be able to be at ease.

In the early morning, the smoke from the kitchen rises in the courtyard, and the villagers all go to work in the fields after breakfast.

Because Zhang Yue is an official, the estate does not need to pay taxes, and the villagers are hired by the Zhang family, and the government labor is not inferior to them. Therefore, for the villagers, this kind of life can be lived in peace without any disturbance.

For the farmer, Zhang Yue and Shi Qi Niang are good lords, unlike those who take the initiative to beat, scold and enslave the farmer, making their life worse than death, so the face of the farmer is full of blood when they work in the field. The color of joy.

The real rural life here, living here can also experience the true meaning of what Tao Yuanming said.

Not to mention not knowing the Wei and Jin Dynasties, regardless of the Han, but as long as there is no change of dynasty, continuous wars, or some famine or disaster, Zhang Yue seems to be able to live in seclusion in this manor for a lifetime, until the end of his life.

Sima Guang stayed overnight and was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, he persuaded Zhang Yue to follow him to Bianjing for the third time to edit books.

Sima Guang said that he had already asked Liu Shu to move, and Liu Tun and the two of them assisted him.Liu Shu is a famous historian today, especially good at the history of the Five Dynasties.

As for Liu Tun, Liu Chang's younger brother, he is as famous in talent and learning as his elder brother, and is especially proficient in Han history.

Both of these two are famous ministers of the pavilion, and both their articles and historiography are top-notch in the world.Editing books with these two people is not wronged Zhang Yue.

Sima Guang also made a promise with Zhang Yue that as long as he joined his bookstore, Zhang Yue could be his deputy and take charge of the bookstore, and at the same time, the official could be promoted to a higher level.

Sima Guang's third invitation really made Zhang Yue feel his sincerity.

But Zhang Yue still refused, and instead recommended Fan Zuyu and Guo Lin to Sima Guang's bookstore.

Fan Zuyu and Zhang Yue have been classmates for many years, and he knows that he is particularly accomplished in Tang history. As for Guo Lin, who is studious and tireless, now his wife and children are in Bianjing, and he can also use book writing as a promotion.

Sima Guang listened to Zhang Yue's words and expressed his willingness to consider the two.

However, Sima Guang was still a little disappointed seeing Zhang Yue's refusal, but the matter was only three, Sima Guang felt that he had done his best, and did not push any further.

After lunch, Sima Guang decided to leave immediately after eating another bowl of noodle soup cooked by Shi Qi Niang.

Before leaving, Sima Guang and Zhang Yue said: "Duzhi, you and I have met for a while, and I have a few words from the bottom of my heart, I want to tell you."

"I also ask Sima Gong to enlighten me."

Sima Guang said: "Every word of a sage lies in the two characters of human feelings. Since the rule of Yao and Shun, it must be based on human feelings. It is not based on high intentions, nor is it reputation for not going against the feelings."

"My generation not only studies on human feelings, but also governs on human feelings. If politics comes out of human feelings, everything will be clear and easy, and it is also the direction of the people's hearts."

Zhang Yue listened in silence for a moment, he knew the purpose of Sima Guang's visit.

Sima Guang said: "It's like wine, it consumes too much food and is harmful to the body. In the past, King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty perished because of wine. The Duke of Zhou issued a "Jiu Gao", no Yi wine, drinking in groups, and abstaining from Burmese wine. "

"That's why I never drink alcohol, and I also follow the teachings of the sages, but I never persuade others to drink. Because how can someone who never drinks persuade someone who is a good drinker not to drink too much?"

Zhang Yue said: "For example, a person's good wine is human affection. It is not humane for a person who does not drink to persuade others to quit drinking."

Sima Guang, a non-drinker, speaks from his own experience, which is far more effective than any rhetoric.

Sima Guang nodded and said: "Of course, if you look at the cooks, since ancient times, all cooks have been stealing food."

"However, there are some things that are forbidden in the master's house, and there are things that cannot be prohibited. Since the cooks don't steal the food, how can they be fed to the master's house? What will happen if the master's house strictly prohibits the cook from stealing food?"

"Taught!" Zhang Yue said.

Sima Guang said: "Of course it is better not to drink alcohol than to drink alcohol, and it is better to be a chef who does not steal food than to steal food, but we can use morality to punish him, but we cannot use criminal law to punish him."

"At the beginning of my career as an official, I also had the intention to get rid of the evils, but after a long time as an official, I know that there are human emotions in even many evils. I don't know why, and the sudden change will lead to chaos in the world."

If Sima Guang's political views are close to human feelings, then Wang Anshi is not close to human feelings.No wonder conservatives are not born, but mostly acquired, and even the most stubborn conservatives were once members of the Reform Party.

Sima Guang used to be an upright young man, but now...

But this time he came to find himself personally and let himself become a member of his bookstore, because he was also worried that he would become his opponent and his political enemy in the future.

Although Zhang Yue did not agree with Sima Guang's words, he also felt that what he said had his own set of reasons, and the logic was self-consistent.

What's more, although he is now marginalized by politics, his reputation and status in the court are far above his own. To be able to condescend to travel so far and persuade himself to join the bookstore three times is enough to show Sima Guang's respect for him. I value my own.

If Zhang Yue argues with Sima Guang about any point of view at this time, it will seem too 'inhuman'.

Don't talk too much about right and wrong in everything, but also talk about the likes and dislikes of people's hearts. If you understand this, the road of life will go much smoother.

Therefore, Zhang Yue bowed to Sima Guang and said respectfully: "Thank you Sima Gong for your words of gold and jade, I really benefited a lot from it!"

Sima Guang nodded, then boarded the carriage and left the manor under the watchful eye of Zhang Yue.

In the beautiful spring, a handsome young man on the outskirts of Bianjing was riding his horse back to Bianjing.

When he saw a middle-aged couple and a dozen servants beside the road pavilion, the young man jumped off his horse and kowtowed to them.

"Father, mother! Children are not filial."

"Brother Dun!" The middle-aged couple burst into tears.

The middle-aged couple are Zhang Yu and Yang Shi, and the young man is Zhang Dun.Zhang Dun used to be the governor of the Xiongwu Army, and now he just returned to Beijing after his tenure.

The young man refused to get up and said: "Since ancient times, sons greet their parents, how can parents greet their sons."

Both Zhang Yu and Yang wiped away their tears.

Zhang Dun saluted and got up behind him, and said to a young man standing beside him, "Brother Kai."

The young man's name is Zhang Kai, Zhang Dun's younger brother, but not from the Yang family.

Zhang Kai smiled and said: "Okay, okay, the family is looking forward to you, otherwise they will stare at me all day."

When Zhang Yu saw Zhang Kai talking like this, he got angry and said, "You are useless, if you have the spirit of Brother Dun at 01:30, I won't worry about you day and night."

Yang gave Zhang Kai a sideways look, and didn't mean to speak for him at all.

Zhang Yu said to Zhang Dun: "Come back and discipline him for me."

Zhang Dun said yes and said to Zhang Kai: "I bought a lot of things this time, and I will give you two good Xixia horses and a sword when I go back!"

Zhang Kai said happily: "Brother Dun is really kind to me, I thank you here."

Zhang Yu was happy from the bottom of his heart, but he frowned and said, "I told you not to spoil him, lest you get discouraged and buy such a valuable gift for him."

Zhang Dun said: "Daddy is right, but there is still time to learn about reading slowly. I think Brother Kai will be in a better mood, and he will learn to study hard."

Zhang Kai said repeatedly: "Daddy, look how well Brother Dun understands me."

Zhang Yu sighed and said to Zhang Kai: "Don't take these and show off in front of your classmates."

Yang's face gradually changed into a smile after listening, and she didn't look so contemptuous towards Zhang Kai anymore.

It is reasonable for foreign officials like Zhang Dun to live in the Jiyuan when they return to Beijing. However, after the new king ascended the throne, he did not strictly restrain the officials below him, so he turned a blind eye when implementing the rules.

The next family went back to the house.When they arrived in the mansion, Zhang Dun's wife, Mrs. Zhang, brought Zhang Dun's children to welcome him, and then Zhang's mansion prepared a dinner for Zhang Dun to clean up the dust.

Zhang Yu said: "Since you are in the same year as your former teacher in the capital, you should move around more."

Zhang Dun is the fifth Jinshi in the fourth year of Jiayou. According to the principle, after two terms outside, he can take up a post in Beijing and try a post in the museum at the same time.

Zhang Yudao: "Ouyang Zhizheng and I have always had a good relationship. I have been to his house a few times before, and he has already half-agreed to recommend you for a trial position. If you go to his house in person, the matter will be completed. gone."

Hearing what Zhang Yu said, Zhang Dun also knew that Zhang Yu's friendship was good, but it might be limited.

Seeing that Zhang Dun didn't speak, Zhang Yu knew that his son, whom he knew, would sometimes outperform himself in knowledge and concerns.

So he asked, "Are you satisfied with Daddy's arrangement?"

Zhang Dun said: "Father, I heard that there has been a lot of turmoil in the court recently because of the Pu Yi incident. Ouyang's ruling and establishment of Pu Yi has been criticized by the court. If he recommends me for a test post, I am afraid It is because other people will think that I support Yu Puyi, which will hinder my future career."

Zhang Yu said: "Don't pay attention to the words of the court, who will remember after we try the hall."

Yang felt sorry for Zhang Dun and said: "My lord, I think what Brother Dun said is reasonable. Ouyang has offended too many people in the court for many years. Before that, he impeached three people who had just passed the library test because of careful selection of posts. I’m afraid it’s not good to ask him to recommend Dun Ge’er’s restaurant, how about looking for someone else?”

Zhang Yu said: "Who else can we turn to? Except for Ouyang who is in power, I can't think of anyone else in the court who will help our Zhang family."

After a pause, Zhang Yu said again: "Aren't you on good terms with Su Zizhan? Why don't you ask him to come forward and ask Mr. Zhaowen! He passed the third-class examination in the previous hall, and I heard that even the officials think highly of him."

Upon hearing this, Yang coughed lightly and said, "Why bother an outsider with this matter, let's talk about it later."

After dinner, Yang found Zhang Dun alone, and the two had a lot to talk about after years of separation.

Yang Shi treats Zhang Dun as her own, and Zhang Dun treats her filially as his mother.

After a while, Yang said: "The job test is a big deal. It's best if Su Zizhan can help. If not, do you want to consider your own brother?"

Yang's emphasis on the word "brother".

"He has a very good relationship with the Privy Councilor Wen Shuxiang and the three secretary envoy Han Ji. These two are well-known in the court, and they did not intervene in this Puyi matter..."

Zhang Dun heard Yang's words and said: "Mother, I have my own opinion on this matter, but I don't want to say whether he still hates me... Even if I don't, I don't want to disturb him. There is no reason for an older brother to beg a younger brother in the whole world."

(End of this chapter)