Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 481 Justice Wanted

For a moment, there was silence outside the Shangshu Province.

The Secretariat was in charge of the Six Ministries, and its public officials were in liaison with the Six Ministries to manage their affairs. Those officials who were able to serve in the Secretariat were the best among the officials in the capital.

He is familiar with the ways of officialdom, but this is the first time he has encountered such a situation after serving as an official for many years.

It was not uncommon for officials to quarrel with each other because of work-related problems. It was an occasional occurrence in the martial Tang Dynasty.

But I have never seen such a cruel fight in my life.

Too bad!
What a scholar seeks all his life is nothing more than a name.

Reputation before life and reputation after death.

He was admired by thousands of people during his lifetime, and was given a beautiful posthumous title after his death, leaving his name in history.

Chen Qingsi was smearing discredit on Zhang Wenguan's face, leaving a stain that could never be wiped off.

Chen Qingsi is different from ordinary people. His reputation in the literati circle is unmatched.

If he had just called me "shameless", that would have been fine.

I just specially made up a couplet that goes "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, and honesty" which does not use any dirty words and is full of topics.

I believe that it won’t be long before the whole world will know that Zhang Wenguan, the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, was shameless, and this will be passed down to future generations and become a topic of interesting conversation.

If Chen Qingsi really kept his promise and went to Zhang Wenguan's grave a hundred years after his death to perform this act, it would be "famous for generations to come."

Zhang Wenguan stared at the figure that had long disappeared, his eyes widening with anger.

He has a clear conscience about this matter.

Everything is for the overall interests of the court. What if Su Dingfang suffers some grievances?
The current court, because of the existence of Su Dingfang and Chen Qingsi, has led to a martial spirit that is even stronger than before.

If we want to keep the people in peace, we must suppress the martial spirit. Otherwise, everyone in the court, whether civil or military, will be thinking about fighting, serving on the frontier, and building achievements. How can we rest with the people?
Zhang Wenguan was full of truth. He was not afraid to argue with Chen Qingsi, nor did he think that his eloquence was inferior to Chen Qingsi.

But Chen Qingsi's behavior of losing the most right away and then retreating immediately after losing the most left Zhang Wenguan speechless...

Now that this person has run away, who can I debate with?
But Zhang Wenguan didn't have the heart to pretend that this incident had never happened.

It’s not that Zhang Wenguan doesn’t have the magnanimity of a prime minister, it’s just that Chen Qingsi is too immoral.

There is always something to pursue in life.

Zhang Wenguan had already become the prime minister, the pinnacle of an official. What he wanted now was to display his political ideas and win fame before and after his death.

But now Chen Qingsi stabbed him directly in the lower back with a knife, linking the news of Su Dingfang's death that he had suppressed with his own announcement of the death.

Can this be compared?
"You are going too far, you bastard."

Zhang Wenguan couldn't bear this and shouted, "Prepare the horses!"

He had to regain his face no matter what. Otherwise, if the news got out, his reputation wouldn't be ruined, but it would leave an indelible stain.

Zhang Wenguan didn't even have the mood to bow and say goodbye to his colleagues. He snatched the reins handed to him by his servant and galloped towards the place where Chen Qingsi left.

Shang Shu You Pushe Le Yanwei saw this and said anxiously: "Quick, follow Zhang Xianggong, don't make any mistakes. Zhang Ke can't beat Mr. Chen..."

Chen Qingsi rarely displayed his martial arts in front of outsiders. When facing Jie Bo's self-sacrificing attack in Baekje, it was spread that Chen Qingsi was invincible, mastered the Taoist magic, and with one slash of his sword, flames roared, and he performed a heroic feat of riding alone to defeat thousands of people.

However, not many people believed it, but even so, it was not something Zhang Wenguan could handle.

For a moment, no one moved, and no one wanted to get involved.

Zhang Wenguan has indeed been very popular recently, but Chen Qingsi's popularity has never declined.

During Li Zhi's reign, the prime minister's positions rose and fell too quickly. Although he had great power, he also lacked the prestige he should have.

Chen Qingsi was secretly called a hidden prime minister when he was in his mid-twenties, and his favor has not diminished until now. He is very likely to be the second Xu Jingzong.

It is true that Zhang Wenguan's position as prime minister is higher than Chen Qingsi's. To be more specific, Zhang Wenguan, who is in charge of the Secretariat and commands the six ministries, is also Chen Qingsi's direct superior. If they really fight, it is still unknown who will win and who will lose.

However, three people soon took action. Although they were reluctant, they knew that if they did nothing, their career would not last long.

Le Yanwei then ordered others not to gossip.

Despite his arrangements, everyone knew that this matter could not be kept secret.

Now is the time to resign. There is more than one Secretariat in the Imperial City.

The three followed Zhang Wenguan from the imperial city all the way to Chen's house.

Zhang Wenguan knocked on the door of Chen's house, looked at the tall and strong Zhou Kui with half-lost eyebrows, and said, "I am Zhang Wenguan, the third-rank official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and I want to see your master."

Zhou Kui said with a stern face, "My husband said that he disdains to be associated with people who are lenient with themselves and strict with others, and he specifically asked that Mr. Zhang not see him."

He said, and closed the door.

Zhang Wenguan was so angry that he cursed, "You little bastard, if you don't explain this matter clearly, I will never let you go."

After all, Zhang Wenguan was a prime minister. He was unwilling to lose his demeanor in public and left in anger.

Chen Qingsi's questioning of Zhang Wenguan at the gate of the Secretariat caused a huge uproar in the court.

It's like an earthquake...

Exploded in the temple...

Gao Zhizhou, who had received the news, listened to the whole story, including the left couplet "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven" and the right couplet "filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, faith, propriety, righteousness, and honesty", and could not help but say, "It would be better to just beat him up."

He looked at the sunset outside and felt like the sky was falling.

As a result, on the second day, nothing happened in the entire temple.

Everybody knows it, but no one dares to mention it.

Chen Qingsi was waiting for Zhang Wenguan in the Ministry of War's office.

He was able to stop Zhang Wenguan at his doorstep, but he could not stop Zhang Wenguan from coming to the Ministry of War.

After all, Zhang Wenguan was the highest-ranking official in the Ministry of War.

"Minister Chen, Mr. Zhang is here!"

Zhang Ming felt like he was facing a formidable enemy.

Although Zhang Wenguan was the highest-ranking official in the Ministry of War, almost everyone in the Ministry under Chen Qingsi's management put him first. They could not stop Zhang Wenguan and could only delay for a while, and then Zhang Ming would come to notify them.

"It's okay!" Chen Qingsi didn't care and just waved his hand to let him go.

There was a hint of fatigue in Zhang Wenguan's eyes, but after a night of sorting out his emotions, he was obviously not as irritable anymore.

Chen Qingsi was even more refreshed. He was originally upset because of Su Dingfang's matter, but after scolding Zhang Wenguan, he slept very well last night and was full of energy.

"Meet Mr. Zhang!"

Chen Qingsi acted as if nothing had happened and was very polite.

Zhang Wenguan became even angrier when he saw this. He looked at Chen Qingsi and asked the same question: "Does Zhang have a grudge against Minister Chen?"

"No hatred!"

"Do you have any grudge against Minister Chen?" "No!"

Chen Qingsi's answer was exactly the same as Zhang Wenguan's.

Zhang Wenguan said: "Since there is no hatred or resentment, why do you humiliate Zhang in public?"

Chen Qingsi was surprised and asked, "When have I ever humiliated Mr. Zhang?"

"You..." Zhang Wenguan said, "Don't you think you are the only smart person in the world? Isn't your couplet a humiliation?"

"No!" Chen Qingsi said seriously, "I was speaking from my heart and seeking truth from facts. I never meant to humiliate Mr. Zhang, I just felt that Mr. Zhang was just that kind of person. If I am wrong, Mr. Zhang will not report his death to the court after a hundred years and will refuse the court's posthumous title. I admit defeat and will do whatever you say. Even if you ask me to mourn for you and wear mourning clothes, I am willing to do so."

"If that is not possible, then Mr. Zhang deserves a certain couplet."

Zhang Wenguan said anxiously: "This is not the same thing at all."

Chen Qingsi responded sharply, "In my opinion, it is the same thing. You, Prime Minister Zhang, were reluctant to give up your reputation after death, but you suppressed the news of Su Xinggong's death for your own selfish reasons. Su Xinggong fought for the court for decades, and his meritorious service was outstanding. No one could compare with him except Duke Wei. Such a person should be admired by the court and the people, and respected by the world. He died of illness and I returned victoriously, so he should be buried with great splendor, putting a perfect end to his life, showing the grace of the court and preserving his reputation after death."

"What was the result? Because of your selfishness, such a meritorious general was hastily executed. How can this be justified in the world..."

Zhang Wenguan ignored Chen Qingsi's words and recited a poem instead.

"The beacon fires illuminate the Western Capital, and I feel uneasy. Ya Zhang leaves the Phoenix Palace, and the iron cavalry circles the Dragon City. The snow darkens the flags and paintings, and the wind is filled with the sound of drums. I would rather be a centurion than a scholar."

"Can Minister Chen pass this poem?"

Chen Qingsi said, "Of course I have heard of it! This is Yang Jiong's "Joining the Army"."

Zhang Wenguan said earnestly, "Yes, it is Yang Jiong's "Joining the Army". After listening to this poem, doesn't Minister Chen feel scared?"

"Yang Jiong, Yang Lingming, is a child prodigy of the time. He is only thirteen years old this year, but he was able to write this poem and has such an ambition to join the army. This shows how the people of the world feel... If this martial spirit is not eliminated, the future of the Tang Dynasty will be worrying."

Zhang Wenguan was full of righteousness and said: "A country may be great, but it will perish if it loves war..."

Chen Qingsi said: "Mr. Zhang cannot do something himself, but he wrongs others because of his own selfishness! He is lenient with himself and strict with others. Why can't he be called 'shameless'?"

"Chen Qingsi!"

Zhang Wenguan was so angry that he shouted, "I am telling you about the overall situation. I suppressed the news of Su Xinggong's death for the sake of the court, the country and society of the Tang Dynasty, and the people of the world. For the sake of the world, I, Zhang Wenguan, have no regrets."

Chen Qingsi nodded and said, "Whether Mr. Zhang has a guilty conscience or not, it doesn't count now. You will know the answer after a hundred years."

Zhang Wenguan almost fainted from anger and said, "This is not the same thing!"

Chen Qingsi said: "After all, Mr. Zhang still can't bear to give up his reputation after death. You can despise the reputation of others after death, but you can't bear to give up your own reputation after death! Isn't it like the actors in the brothel hanging a chastity arch?"

Zhang Wenguan almost fainted from anger, but he suppressed his nausea and said, "If it were for the whole world, I would be willing to give it up."

Chen Qingsi said: "Then I will wait and see! If Mr. Zhang can't do it, I will fulfill my promise..."

"you……"

Zhang Wenguan was so angry that his beard was shaking. He pointed his finger at Chen Qingsi and trembled, saying, "This is unreasonable!"

He didn't want to say anything more and just walked away.

Chen Qingsi said loudly: "Goodbye, I won't see you off."

This is Chen Qingsi’s attitude.

He had no intention of competing with Zhang Wenguan, and he couldn't compete with him at all.

Zhang Wenguan’s emphasis on civil governance is completely tenable from a logical point of view.

Zhang Wenguan was not a hypocritical person. He truly cared about the people.

Chen Qingsi agreed with this point, so when the other party suppressed the post-war rewards for generals, he did not confront him head-on, but took a step back.

Even when the incident with Wei Yuanzhong in the Ministry of Personnel happened, he did not directly resist, but simply ruined the matter.

There is nothing wrong in considering the people.

But Chen Qingsi didn't think he was wrong.

It is true that a country, no matter how big it is, will perish if it is warlike. However, there is another saying that goes, even if the world is at peace, it will be in danger if it forgets war.

Peace in the world depends not on reason but on strength.

Peace cannot be bought with reason. Reason without strength is just a piece of meat on the table.

Both sides have their own reasons and neither side is wrong.

There is no conclusion to the discussion...

If Chen Qingsi chose to argue with Zhang Wenguan, he would fall into his trap.

A question that cannot be discussed in a conclusion will trigger a discussion, thus clearing Zhang Wenguan’s name…

With both reasons on the left and the right, people who support Zhang Wenguan will naturally stand on his side, thinking that Zhang Wenguan is right. For the sake of the world's interests, what if Su Dingfang is wronged?
Once you think about things from this commanding height, reason is no longer reason.

For the sake of the world, all principles must be submitted to.

This is not the reason that Chen Qingsi wants, nor is it the justice he wants.

Su Dingfang went to the battle with the intention of dying. He never thought about coming back alive...

Even Su Dingfang himself didn't know how long he could hold on.

Indeed... the results are good.

Su Dingfang died of illness on his way back from triumph.

But the reality was that Su Dingfang had been hiding in Jishishan with his sick body, and it was possible that he could not even survive the Tubo attack.

Chen Qingsi's strategy may not be effective and may really lure Tubo out.

Before setting out on an expedition, everything is unknown.

It was under such circumstances that Su Dingfang, aware of the possibility of failure, resolutely eliminated the threat to the court.

Why should such a person be allowed to suffer injustice for the so-called overall situation?
Su Dingfang had a miserable enough life in history, but perhaps people later on did not realize it.

Because technology is so advanced and information is transmitted so quickly, posts and videos that vindicated Su Dingfang and the most slandered general appeared one after another. Everyone knew Su Dingfang, the most powerful man in the Tang Dynasty's foreign wars.

But more than ten years ago, people's impression of Su Dingfang was more of a villain, a villain who shot Luo Yi with a hidden arrow, was involved in the death of Luo Cheng, the seventh hero of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and was finally disemboweled and had his heart taken out by Luo Tong.

Perhaps Su Dingfang didn't care about these things, but Chen Qingsi could not tolerate Zhang Wenguan wronging him for the so-called righteousness.

Chen Qingsi did not try to reason with Zhang Wenguan. He only knew that Zhang Wenguan, relying on his position as prime minister, had treated badly the officials who had made great contributions to the country.

This is the indisputable truth.

Chen Qingsi's attitude was firm, and Zhang Wenguan could not tolerate himself suffering such a great injustice.

But the temple was strangely calm.

Surprisingly calm, terrifyingly calm...

Until April 1st, the first day of the lunar month, the grand court session.

(End of this chapter)