Prime Minister

Chapter 536
There was a snowfall in Bianjing City in early winter, and after the snow, Bianjing seems to have added years, especially the Ouchi Imperial Palace looks more simple and vicissitudes.

Han Qi in a purple robe looked at the palace wall, and couldn't help but think of the scene when he entered the palace when he was young.That day, he had just won Jinshi No.2, and he walked into the palace city full of apprehension.

At the time of roll call, auspicious clouds descended from the sky, and white clouds rose slowly holding a round of red sun.

The ministers said one after another that if the colorful clouds support the sun, they must be the masters of virtuous ministers.

Han Qi narrowed his eyes slightly, the snow was clear, and a ray of sunlight fell on his face across the eaves of the palace.

In the wind and snow, the black-haired youth who was wearing a green robe with a high spirit was now an old man with white hair and a purple robe.

Although his face has changed, the fighting spirit in his chest has not diminished. It's just a pity that he no longer has a place in the court.

The boots stepped on the unthick snow, and the surroundings were extremely silent, except for the occasional gust of wind rushing past.

Walking up to the steps, Zhang Mao stepped down to meet him and said, "The road is slippery in snowy weather, and let our family help you."

Han Qi waved his hand and said, "You know without any effort, the old man can still walk."

Han Qi arrived in the hall step by step, but saw the young official sitting on the yutai in front of him.

Han Qi knelt down and bowed to the officials, and the officials signaled to Zhang Mao to read the imperial edict.

But Zhang Mao said: "The imperial edict says that Han Qi will be given access to the second residence, and also given a district of Xingdaofang House, and his son's secretary, Cheng Zhongyan, will be the school manager of the secret pavilion."

"The minister, Han Qi, dare not accept the gift."

But the official left the throne in person, bowed and helped Han Qi up from the ground, saying: "In the past, Sima Guang, Wang Tao criticized the Duke too much, and I apologized to the Duke for them."

Han Qi said: "In the past, when I was an admonisher, I was able to attack the prime minister's mistakes. Now I think that I am a prime minister, so how can I not be attacked by the admonisher? This is not the way to treat others and yourself."

The officials looked at Han Qi very well, and thought that Wang Tao's impeachment of Han Qi was his acquiescence, so they couldn't help crying at this moment: "Duke, even when King Zhou Cheng was in power in the past, how could he not doubt the time of Duke Zhou?"

Hearing that the officials compared himself to Zhou Chengwang and Zhou Gong, Han Qi felt completely relieved when faced with the officials' surprise and calmness, and let go of many things.

"Your Majesty is far superior to King Cheng of Zhou, but I dare not compare with Duke Zhou. It's just that the old minister has reached his age, and the eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lu, died of illness. I can't help but feel sad. In addition, I have worked hard on the tomb of the late emperor. My health is not as good as before. Now I just want to live in my hometown forever.”

The official supported Han Qi to sit across from each other in the hall, mentioned the matter of rewarding again and said: "This is all my intention, after my husband returns to his hometown, he will return to the court to assist me."

Han Qi said: "Your Majesty, I have been a minister for many years but dare not be awarded the first rank for the country. What's more, the school manager of the secret pavilion is a dignified post, and you should not give it to the dog indiscriminately. You should try your skills and be dismissed after passing the test."

The official said: "Since the gentleman insists, let the son's academy hold an examination before awarding it. The rest can no longer be shirked."

Han Qi finally agreed and said: "Thanks to Your Majesty's grace, the monarch and his subjects can always be together. I thank Your Majesty."

The official couldn't help being moved when he heard the words, and said to Han Qi: "I still have state affairs to bother my husband, and I hope that my husband will not shirk."

"Because of Hengshanwei's famous mountain incident, Western captives were rampant. Suizhou was lost, and Xixia stationed heavy troops in Yinzhou. At the same time, Li Liangzuo led an army of [-] to linger on the border, declaring that he would invade Bianjing."

"Qianyan Road asked for help from all walks of life, but the frontier fortress was shocked overnight. Minister Wenshu, please return Suizhou to Xixia for the time being, so as to calm things down. I would like to ask Mr. Xiang to go to Fuxi to decide this matter."

Han Qi said: "However, this matter was initiated by the handsome minister without authorization, so as to blame Rongdi. After the minister arrives, he can report to the court."

Seeing that Han Qiyi was willing to give up, the officials were overjoyed and said, "I'm relieved that Xianggong is in charge of the northwest."

Speaking of this, the official paused and asked: "After Xianggong leaves Beijing, who can entrust state affairs and assist me in handling state affairs?"

Han Qi said: "Third Division Envoy Han Jiang is feasible."

The official nodded and said: "I have planned to appoint Han Jiang as the deputy envoy of the Privy Council. I don't know what Han Xianggong thinks of Wang Anshi's ability?"

Han Qi shook his head and said: "Wang Anshi's talent is more than enough to be a Hanlin scholar, but he can't be in the position of assistant prime minister."

The officials couldn't help being silent when they heard the words. At this time, the servant reported: "Mr. Zeng, Mr. Wen knows that Mr. Han is here, and asks for a discussion on Western matters."

The official nodded and said, "That should be the case."

This is also the prelude to Han Qi's last time as prime minister, but Han Qi got up and said: "Your Majesty, when I was the prime minister of the central government the day before yesterday, I should discuss together. Today, I am a local vassal. I only know how to obey the orders of the court, and the rest Never dare to smell it."

The official sighed: "It's the Duke who doesn't know what I want, but... it's just that I want to stay with him for a while."

Han Qi bowed down to the official again, choked up and said: "Your Majesty, please take care of the dragon's body!"

Han Qi got up and left the Golden Palace, passing Zeng Gongliang and Wen Yanbo just in time.

The mood is different when you come and go, and the scenery you see is also different.

Seeing that a snow has already fallen, but when seeing the vast world, the snow powder is fluttering.

The snow fell on the red wall, as if the handsome young man had become a white-haired old man in an instant.

Han Qi felt something in his heart, but just as he was about to take a step, he saw a young official in a scarlet robe standing under the eaves and looking at him.

Looking at the other party's heroic and dignified appearance, Han Qi seemed to see himself back then.

Fang Yan said: "Please allow me to send Wei Guogong out of the palace."

Han Qi said: "At this moment, Zhang Youyan is serving you directly in front of the king, and will send you off without any trouble."

Zhang Yue said: "When the subordinate officials were dismissed in the past, the Duke did not hesitate to come to the official house to comfort him with the honor of the prime minister. Now that the Duke is retiring with honor, please allow the subordinate officials to repay this kindness."

Han Qi was surprised for a moment when he heard this, then nodded slightly, and took a step forward.Zhang Yue opened his umbrella to cover Han Qi from the snowflakes all over the sky, and followed him.

An old man and a young man walked along the palace road in the snow.

Han Qi looked at the palace road under his feet and sighed: "When I was young, I always felt that this palace road was very long, so I couldn't wait to speed up my pace. At that time, Fu Zhenggong (Fu Bi) always persuaded me I walked slowly, but unfortunately I was young and energetic at that time, so I didn't listen to it."

"Has the Duke ever stumbled in the palace?"

"Never."

"Then why is the Duke regretful?"

As soon as Zhang Yue said that, he felt stupid. There must be no other person who persuaded Han Qi like Fu Bi.

Han Qi didn't answer but asked instead: "Duzhi, how do you comment on this old man's nine years since Jiayou's three years of official worship and collection of virtuous ministers? How do you say my career?"

Zhang Yuedao: "The Duke resigned from the prime minister when he was extremely prosperous, and returned to his hometown in honor. He also served as the governor of the two towns and prepared the policies of the three princes. This time the honor and favor can be described as extremely rich. Why do you say nothing again?"

Han Qi insisted: "I still want to listen carefully to Duzhi's words."

Zhang Yue knew that after a big boss like Han Qi left his post, the officials would write congratulatory forms.

The congratulatory form is not just a matter of situation, but what you say in it is evidence. If you become prime ministers and dare to liquidate me in the future, I will take out the congratulatory form you wrote to me back then. Although it is useless, But it can also let the world see your face.

Zhang Yue thought Han Qi was too cautious.

I personally came to send you out of the palace, you still don't trust me, are you really afraid that one day I will liquidate you after I become the butcher?

Zhang Yue said angrily: "Three dynasties in the Gregorian calendar, and two dynasties in support, the contribution to the survival of the community cannot be expressed in words."

"If we compare it with the ancients, it is far comparable to Zhou Bo and Huo Guang in the Han Dynasty. He was able to make decisions and eventually raised doubts. He is close to Yao Chong and Song Jing in the Tang Dynasty. He was good at governing and did not change."

Seeing that Han Qi was listening very seriously, Zhang Yue said slightly calmly: "Since ancient times, it has been difficult for the ancients to be in a great position and be successful. There is more than enough calmness. From ancient times to the present, only Duke Zhou can stand shoulder to shoulder with Duke Han.”

When Han Qi heard that he stopped, he suddenly looked up to the sky and laughed loudly: "You Duzhi's words, I have a good name behind me."

Zhang Yue looked at Han Qi's words and couldn't help being surprised. The other party had such a high opinion of him. Could a few words he said to him affect the evaluation of him in the future?
Han Qi turned around and said to Zhang Yue who was holding an umbrella behind him: "After the old man passed away, Duzhi has long been a member of the Imperial Academy. Please use these words to make up words for the old man."

Zhang Yue didn't know how to answer.

But seeing heavy snow falling, even though it was covered by an umbrella, a lot of snow powder had fallen on the official robe on Zhang Yue's shoulders before he knew it.

"Daddy!"

It turned out that it was Han Zhongyan who came to the palace to pick up Han Qi.

Han Qi said: "Come on, I have a few words to talk to Duzhi."

Han Zhongyan stood aside as he said, with a blank face at the same time, Zhang Yue was talking to his father, so there was nothing he couldn't listen to.

"The dog is dull, and I will ask Duzhi to take care of it from now on."

Zhang Yue said: "Please rest assured, Duke."

Han Qi nodded, and then said seriously: "If the officials worship Wang Anshi as their prime minister, although this person is talented, he can't be used as the assistant prime minister. When the time comes, this person will probably be the one in the chaotic world..."

What?
Zhang Yue thought, do you know that Wang Anshi was recommended by me?Wang Anshi messed up the world, don't I have to take the blame too?

Zhang Yue said earnestly: "Wang Jiefu will definitely not be like this, I think he can bring peace to the world."

Han Qi said with a smile: "An Shi may not be able to secure the world, no matter whether Wang Jiefu can secure the world, but whoever can follow him in judging the mountains and rivers must be saved."

"Me?" Zhang Yue couldn't help laughing, "Mr. Han thinks too highly of me..."

Actually, I'd rather paddle...

"...I hope Han Gong will come out of the mountain at that time."

Han Qi said: "Duzhi, after returning to my hometown, the old man played with gulls and fished, and never asked about the government. I built a hall of thousands of books in my hometown, in which I gathered thousands of books and stored them in a row of houses. Write a book and proofread it, Danhuang characters."

"It's a pity that after my old wife died of illness, my eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lu, also died of illness, and then Zhongyan married his younger sister to take over the housekeeping. The two daughters-in-law before and after both have the virtues of women and the talents of housekeeping, and they take care of the inside and outside in order... "

"Although the daughter of the Lu family was born in a noble family, she has never been arrogant. She is a prudent woman. You can know the autumn by looking at a leaf. It is a good relationship to marry a woman from the Lu family. I hope you will consider it in my favor." On the thin side of this point, consider this marriage for your nephew."

Zhang Yue couldn't help being surprised when he heard Han Qi's words.

Didn't expect Han Qi to know about this marriage?He also came forward to speak for Lu Gong.

What is this for, to help Lu Gong fight Wang Anshi for his son-in-law?

(End of this chapter)