First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 486 Zheng Shanguo Returns to Beijing

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In Gao Chong's view, Zheng Shanguo was the son of a family with a golden key in his mouth.

He came from the direct line of the Zheng family in Xingyang. His father, Zheng Cheng, unfortunately died in battle when he was recruiting Wei Chi Gongjiong. One thousand households.

Zheng Shanguo's mother was the legitimate daughter of the Cui family of Qinghe. When Zheng Cheng died in battle, the 20-year-old Cui family became a widow. Her father was Cui Yanmu, the governor of Xiangzhou.

Cui Yanmu felt sorry for his young daughter and planned to let Cui Shi remarry.

Unexpectedly, Cui firmly refused to follow the young Zheng Shanguo, and said: "There is no reason for a woman to commit herself to a man a second time.

Although my husband is dead, I still have a son. If I remarry, I will be unkind to my children and disrespectful to my husband. I would rather cut off my ears, shave my hair, and never do anything that violates etiquette and abandons kindness. ".

When these words spread, it was very sensational. Yang Jian issued an order to commend Zheng Shanguo, Duke of Kaifeng County, to Duke of Wude County.

When Zheng Shanguo was 14 years old, he was awarded the governor of Yizhou. Every time Cui sat behind the tent and watched Zheng Shanguo handle government affairs, if he handled it properly, he would smile. Cui covered her face and wept in front of Zheng Cheng's spiritual throne.

Seeing this, Zheng Shanguo had to kneel down and admit his mistake. Cui reprimanded him: "You have been in a high position since you were a child. How can the prestige of Duke Shu be worthy of your father who died in battle?"

Since Cui became a widow, she no longer used makeup, only wore coarse clothes, and often spun till late at night. Zheng Shanguo said: "My son is now an official, and his salary is enough. Why does my mother work so hard?"

When Cui heard the words, he strictly taught: "Your salary is rewarded to you by the emperor in return for your father's dedication to state affairs. You should dedicate it to the widows and widows in the family to reflect your father's favor, not to enjoy it yourself." .

Under Cui's earnest teaching, Zheng Shanguo was diligent and frugal, obeyed the law and obeyed the law, and his reputation soared, and he was promoted all the way to Dali Temple Minister.

When Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty evaluated the administration of officials, the inspectors headed by the imperial historian Zhang Heng rated the achievements of Dali Temple Minister Zheng Shanguo as the best in the world.

At this time, Zheng Shanguo's reputation reached its peak, and he successfully served as the head of the Zheng family in Xingyang. However, the good times did not last long, and Cui's family died of illness. Zheng Shanguo's next words and deeds stunned the world.

He likes to eat duck tongue. Originally, when Cui Shi was alive, he didn't eat it once a year. After Cui Shi died, hundreds of ducks were slaughtered every day for eating duck tongue.

Maybe it was because when Cui Shi was alive, he was suppressed for too long. After Cui Shi died, Zheng Shanguo completely indulged.

Because Li Jiancheng is the son-in-law of the Zheng family, Zheng Shanguo actively supported Li Jiancheng, and thus officially worshiped the prince Zuo Shuzi in order to follow the dragon's merits, but he did not expect to be defeated.

Seeing Zheng Shanguo striding out of the forbidden garden with his hands behind his back and his head held high, Gao Chong was extremely upset.

This guy is no longer the Dali Temple Minister Zheng Shanguo who was honest and incorruptible decades ago. There is a sign that a dragon slayer will eventually turn into a dragon.

Zheng Shanguo has nothing to fear, just because he is the head of the Zheng family, so he uses this to control Li Shimin, anyway Li Shimin dare not do anything to the Zheng family.

"Patriarch Zheng", Gao Chong shouted in a deep voice: "The younger generation admires Mrs. Cui's noble character, and when he returns to Beijing, he must visit the house to pay respects."

Zheng Shanguo paused, looked back at Gao Chong, with no expression on his face, just crossed his hands and saluted, "Gao Siqing has a heart."

Then he flicked his sleeves and walked away, couldn't he tell that this was Gao Chong deliberately arranging him, after all, his incorruptibility and extravagance aroused criticism, but Gao Chong held the younger generation's worship to his mother, so he couldn't get angry.

"Yuzhi, this..." Zheng Rentai's character is simple and straightforward, but he could also see that the two of them were vaguely at odds, and said anxiously, "Youzhi, my uncle will be okay, right?"

Gao Chong glanced at Zheng Rentai, "Zheng Tongjun was joking, after all, Patriarch Zheng is the patriarch of Zheng Tangtang's Xingyang Zheng family. After returning to Beijing, he will be a high-ranking official with a rich salary. How can something happen?"

"That's good." Zheng Rentai breathed a sigh of relief, and then slapped Gao Chong on the shoulder, "What Zheng Tongjun, don't shout so loudly, now that the business is done, let's go and have a drink."

Gao Chong was a little speechless. After Li Zhi ascended the throne, this guy was able to be promoted from the county marquis to the county prince. It was definitely because of his long life and high qualifications. I don't know if this guy was intentional or not. The emotional intelligence he showed was really worrying, so he waved his hand immediately Said: "No, time is tight, I can't afford to delay."

Zheng Rentai was very sorry when he heard the words, and immediately ordered people to prepare water bags and dry food for Gao Chong and his party, and sent them to the ferry of the Yellow River.

Gao Chong couldn't bear to see this fellow continue to be "confused", so he pulled him aside.

"Rentai, Patriarch Zheng used to be an important minister who abolished the crown prince. Although the prince is not to blame for the past, you still need to stand firm. I know you are in trouble, but it is a crime for you to allow Patriarch Zheng to enter the royal enclosure without permission. You take this to plead guilty and ask for punishment." , Your Highness will definitely not delve into it."

Zheng Rentai was quite moved, "Youzhi, I know I did something wrong this time, but he is my uncle, I can't refuse, I will plead guilty in a letter later, and I am willing to be punished."

Gao Chong nodded and patted him on the shoulder, "No matter what, we are still brothers fighting side by side."

Zheng Rentai grinned when he heard the words, "Don't worry, I don't understand those twists and turns, but I will definitely not let the prince down."

Gao Chong nodded slightly, rode his horse away, and sighed secretly in his heart: Sometimes it's not enough to be loyal, different positions, after all, there is a gap between hearts.

Seeing Gao Chong walking away, Zheng Rentai restrained his smile, and walked back to the military mansion with heavy steps, took off his armor, and placed the soldier amulet.

He also entrusted the military affairs of the Guizheng Army Mansion to another general. This other general also came from the Right Leader Army Mansion under Li Shimin's command when Jinyang raised troops.

Then Zheng Rentai wrote a letter and handed it to the servant of the Zheng family, "Go to the Changchun Palace and hand it to the master".

After everything was settled, Zheng Rentai rode alone and returned to Beijing to plead guilty.

After Zheng Shanguo read the letter, his face was gloomy, and he snorted coldly, "Zhuzi..." and threw the letter into the lampshade, turning it into ashes.

What happened in Changchun Palace was quickly reported back to Chang'an by Wei Fengwei, and Li Shimin was also unhappy. .

Zheng Shanguo, an old fox, had already planned everything. He returned to Beijing on the charge of trespassing on the royal enclosure, and then contacted Zheng's disciples and old officials in Beijing to build momentum, and directly framed Li Shimin.

This time Li Shimin deeply felt the oppression from the aristocratic family, so he had no choice but to send letters to the three provinces. Zheng Shanguo, the Duke of Xingyang County, trespassed on the royal enclosure, reduced [-] households in the food town, and appointed Zheng Shanguo as the Shaoqing of Dali Temple.

This is the power of the family.

(End of this chapter)