Lord Moyu was forced to open

As soon as Zhao Jun finished speaking, Zhang Zheng and others had not yet reacted to the meaning of his words, but Wang Huai'en walked in quickly at this time.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Zhang is outside the palace asking to see Your Majesty."

"Speak of the devil, here comes Prime Minister Zhang. Let's bring him in."

Zhao Jun was stunned for a moment, but then a smile appeared on his face and he nodded, asking Wang Huai'en to bring him into the palace.

Wang Huai'en nodded and left. Everyone waited in the imperial study. After a while, Zhang He followed Wang Huai'en to the imperial study. After paying his respects to Zhao Jun, Zhao Jun asked him, "What is the purpose of Zhang's visit today?"

Zhang He looked around at Zhang Zheng and the others, took a deep breath, and then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to allow me to retire and return home!"

Ignoring the shocked looks of Zhang Zheng and others, Zhang He continued:
"Your Majesty, I requested to retire last year, but Your Majesty was preparing to survey the entire country, so I had to stay for another year. Now that the survey has been completed, our Song Dynasty has become more prosperous under Your Majesty's various measures.

"I am old now and I really don't have the energy to handle state affairs. Your Majesty, please have mercy on me and allow me to return home to spend my remaining years in peace, considering my busy life for the Song Dynasty?"

After saying this, Zhang He immediately knelt down and prostrated himself on the ground.

Zhao Jun's face changed, and he hurriedly said, "Wang Banban, help Zhang Xiang up!"

Wang Huai'en did not dare to delay and hurried over to help Zhang He up. Zhao Jun also walked out from behind the desk, came to Zhang He, held Zhang He's arms with both hands, and said sadly: "Prime Minister Zhang is an old minister during the time of my father. When my Song Dynasty was in trouble, he single-handedly supported my Song Dynasty. For my Song Dynasty, Prime Minister Zhang has devoted himself to the country and made great contributions.

The whole government and the people have great faith in Prime Minister Zhang. Over the years, I have relied on Prime Minister Zhang's maturity and prudence, which is why I dare to carry out bold reforms. It is because I understand that with Prime Minister Zhang, the pillar of the Song Dynasty, I can have its support. No matter what the Song Dynasty becomes after the reform, I believe that as long as Prime Minister Zhang is in my Song Dynasty, there will be no major worries.

Prime Minister Zhang is my source of strength, but time makes people grow old, and now Prime Minister Zhang is leaving me. I feel really uncomfortable in my heart, just like a fish out of water or a tree out of soil. I feel so uncomfortable!
However, Prime Minister Zhang has worked hard for our Great Song Dynasty all his life. Now he has reached the age of knowing the destiny, and he should return to his hometown to enjoy his remaining years. It is I and the Great Song Dynasty that have dragged down Prime Minister Zhang, so we have to let Prime Minister Zhang continue to work hard for our Great Song Dynasty at this old age. The Great Song Dynasty is sorry for Prime Minister Zhang, and I, the emperor, am even more sorry for Prime Minister Zhang.

I feel very ashamed!"

As Zhao Jun was talking, two tears fell from the corners of his eyes. Zhang He saw this and immediately covered his face and cried, saying hurriedly:

"Your Majesty, you are too serious!

It was because I was worried about the Great Song Dynasty that I took up this position and refused to leave. Now that I see that the Great Song Dynasty is thriving, I am relieved. Your Majesty, please forgive me for deserting the battlefield!"

"This is not desertion from the battlefield, but retreat after achieving success!"

Zhao Jun grabbed Zhang He's arms with excitement and said, "Now that things have come to this, I can't stop you. I will agree to Zhang Xiang's request today and let him return to his hometown to spend his remaining years. However, Zhang Xiang has devoted his whole life to the Song Dynasty, and I can't let him go on this journey alone.

I will definitely make Prime Minister Zhang honorable and return home in glory. This will be the final reward from me and the Song Dynasty to Prime Minister Zhang!"

Hearing this, Zhang He immediately broke free from Zhao Jun's hand, knelt heavily on the ground with a thud, and said loudly:
"Your Majesty, I, Zhang He, thank you for your approval and your love. Although I am leaving, I still hope that our Song Dynasty will prosper and become strong and prosperous! Under your Majesty's leadership, we will thrive and the world will be peaceful. We will soon achieve the great harmony of the world! The people will live and work in peace and contentment!"

This time Zhao Jun did not dodge. He knew that this was Zhang He's last salute to him as the Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty. He straightened his back and accepted the salute silently.

After Zhang He finished his greeting, he nodded heavily with tears in his eyes: "Prime Minister Zhang is so thoughtful! Get up quickly."

Zhang He stood up, looking downcast, and said, "Your Majesty, from now on, the Song Dynasty will depend on you and your colleagues. I will take my leave now."

After saying that, Zhang He slowly turned around and walked out of the imperial study.

Zhang He and the others looked at his back and shouted subconsciously, "Prime Minister Zhang!"

Zhang He turned around and looked at Zhang Zheng and the other young faces. He nodded slightly with a smile and bowed to them: "Everyone, from now on, the Song Dynasty will be in your hands!"

Everyone was silent, looked at each other, and then bowed together: "We bid farewell to Prime Minister Zhang!"

Following the voices of Zhang Zheng and others, Zhang He turned and walked out of the imperial study, and this time he never looked back. This old man who had worked hard for the Song Dynasty all his life just left the court where he had fought all his life.

After Zhang He left, Zhao Jun was no longer in the mood to chat with Zhang Zheng and others, so he sent them away.

And news always spreads the fastest.

The news of Zhang He's retirement and return to his hometown spread throughout the entire Bianjing city at an extremely fast speed, causing an uproar.

The people are talking about it, the officials are talking about it.

Many officials from Zhang He's department and his students hurried to Zhang's residence that day, wanting to meet Zhang He.

But after Zhang He left the palace, he never saw anyone again.

No matter how they asked for a meeting outside, the door was not opened. Gradually, everyone understood what he meant.

It was understood that the Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty, who was second only to the Emperor, had really decided to leave the court.

The next day.

In the court, Zhao Jun took out the letter of retirement submitted by Zhang He in front of all the officials, and approved it on the spot.

Although the news of Prime Minister Zhang's retirement had been widely circulated for a long time, when the matter was actually announced in the court, many people who originally thought that it might be just a rumor had no choice but to admit it.

Immediately afterwards, all officials, under Zhao Jun's instructions, discussed the reward for Zhang He.

Since Zhao Jun said he would let Zhang He return home in glory, he would naturally not go back on his word. With Zhang He's merits, he is also qualified to do so.

After a morning of discussion, the court finally announced its reward for Zhang He.

First of all, Zhao Jun granted land to this old man who had worked hard for the Song Dynasty all his life. He directly obtained a fief of 10,000 acres of land from the imperial farm. Before Zhang He died, all the output from this 10,000 acres of land belonged to him.

Then there are the titles. It was difficult for civil officials in the Song Dynasty to be granted titles. Generally, titles were granted based on military merit, but there were exceptions.

That is, if a civil official has made great contributions to the country before retiring or dying, he can be granted a title, but this title cannot be passed down and is only conferred on the person himself for one generation.

According to Zhang He's merits, Zhao Jun conferred him the title of Marquis of Anguo.

Since his retirement, Zhang He held the title of Marquis until his death when the court took back the title.

Then came some honorary rewards, such as positions like the Prince's Grand Tutor and some miscellaneous things.

In short, Zhang He died in glory in the end. With the title and fiefdom, his life in his later years was guaranteed.

On the day Zhang He was leaving Beijing, all the officials came to see him off. Zhao Jun even took Zhang Yuyan with him, and the scene was extremely grand.

After Zhang He left Beijing, the capital began to be turbulent again.

Everyone is guessing who will be the next prime minister?
However, Zhao Jun's decree shocked all the officials who were waiting to see who would become the next prime minister of the Song Dynasty!

……

(End of this chapter)