Compete for the Song Dynasty

Wang Pang thought of Qin Minxue, who was young but spoiled and domineering, and asked Zhongzhen, "King Ying, let me ask you about a person. I came back from Liao and passed through Baozhou. I was sent to Korea as an envoy. The person delivering the decree is a boy of seventeen or eighteen years old, but I don’t know him at all, and his behavior is quite arrogant, it seems that his surname is Qin, does Zhong Zhen know this person in the court, and is this person in the capital?"

"The one with the surname Qin?" Zhong Zhen thought for a while. Before his father came to the throne, there seemed to be a person with the surname Qin in the family, but he was not seventeen or eighteen, so he said, "There is one person with the surname Qin, and it is similar to Ruo Ruo. Brother has some connections, and the person who went to Jincheng to check Brother Ruo's land this time is Qin Minzhi, an official of the household department. But that person is in his thirties, not seventeen or eighteen years old as my brother said."

Wang Pang thought to himself: Yingzong ascended the throne and changed the court, I am afraid that many newly appointed officials have not been in the court all the time, so it is inevitable that many faces will be faced.Since Zhongzhen didn't know about this person, maybe that person surnamed Qin was just a petty official, and it's not impossible to bluff with his holy order.

Putting this matter aside, the three chatted for a while, and Yuan Ze persuaded his brother again, seeing that Wang Pang's resignation was determined, he stopped talking.Ying Wang Zhongzhen also ordered Zhe Kejun and others to come to see the king. These are brothers who have fought together in the battlefield, and their feelings are naturally different from those of ordinary masters and servants.Wang Pang thought about Tong Xiao again, and when Zhong Zhen agreed to enter the palace again, he brought Tong Xiao back, and Wang Pang felt a little at ease.

After seeing off Zhongzhen and Yuanze, it was already dark, the hall of Mayer Mansion was lit up, food was placed on the hall, and everyone sat around but no one moved their chopsticks.Except for Wang Pang, everyone here is full of mixed joys and sorrows. Everyone is sad when such a thing happened in the house, but seeing Wang Pang come back and sitting with everyone is also a comfort in his heart. [

At this time, Wang Pang's mind was full of going to Kaifeng mansion tomorrow, he went to pay attention, seeing that the food was cold, and everyone still didn't move their chopsticks.I couldn't bear it, so I greeted everyone, and everyone ate a few bites.

When Wang Pang returned to the room, there was already a fire in the room, and there was a little warmth. Wang Pang lay on the bed in a daze.His heart was at a loss and his mind went blank.Suddenly saw a figure shaking in front of the door, a figure of a woman by the door, hesitated, turned and left again.Wang Pang knew that it must be Rou'er, and it was best to leave, Wang Pang also wanted to be quiet.He got up and went to the table, lit the candle and wrote down his resignation letter.

You have to talk little by little, and you have to do things one by one, as if Wang Pang was confused before he returned to the capital, and when he really came back to face it, it was much easier to deal with one by one than he expected up.At least now, his foster father, Prime Minister Bao, and his mentor, General Yue Fei Di Qing, finally have the honor of being buried in the imperial mausoleum.And now he knows that Yue Xia walks peacefully, maybe his child is still alive.

The next morning, Wang Pang went to the Minister's Mansion first to report the results of the mission to the prime ministers Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang. Since Yang Shihan had already played the performance once in advance, Wang Pang had to repeat it.Then Wang Pang took out the resignation memorial from his pocket and handed it to the two prime ministers.

Han Qi took the resignation letter with a heavy expression on his face. After reading it, he handed it to Zeng Gongliang, and then said to Wang Pang, "Why should Wang Shilang do this? Madam's death is indeed an unfortunate thing, but it is not a serious funeral. I see we will You can ask the emperor to play and give Wang Shilang a few months of official leave, what do you think?"

Zeng Gongliang listened to Han Qi's suggestion, and said earnestly: "Yes, Wang Shilang is young and talented. Now that the new emperor has just ascended the throne, it is time to employ people. Wang Shilang has just made great contributions. Why should he stop his official career at this time?" Woolen cloth?"

Wang Pang smiled slightly: "Thank you for the kindness of the two prime ministers. Although the loss of a wife is not a serious loss, my wife suffered when I was an envoy for the court. I feel ashamed for abandoning my wife and son for the affairs of the court. I dare not I have complaints against the imperial court. Now that my private property is also suspected of damaging the country's taxes, I want to resign both publicly and privately. I return to my hometown to reflect on myself. What's more, the loss of a wife is not a serious mourning, but Prime Minister Bao is my adoptive father. And I am the only son who can wear mourning. I will also do this filial piety, and hope that the two prime ministers will be fulfilled."

Han Qi shook his head, this old minister really loves and hates Wang Pang, he thinks Wang Pang is stubborn, but also thinks Wang Pang is talented; Wang Pang can be regarded as the one that Han Qi watched grow up, in Han Qi's eyes Wang Pang It is a wild horse that can be tamed by anyone. Although it has made great achievements in battle, it is difficult to tame.

Han Qi is different from Zeng Gongliang, retaining Wang Pang is not a matter of state, just say a few words and let it go. Seeing that Wang Pang is persistent and Zeng Gongliang still wants to keep him, Han Qi thought to himself that the old Zeng was appointed as the new prime minister not long ago, and he has never been taught that Wang Pang is stubborn. Han is not wading through this muddy water anymore, who doesn't know that Emperor Yingzong deliberately doesn't want the king to stay in the court?But having said that, this Wang Pang is smarter than a monkey cub, maybe one day he will kill him again and he won't be offended.After thinking about it, Han Qi decided to stay away from right and wrong.

Seeing that Zeng Gongliang was still about to speak, he stood up and frowned: "Oh, Mr. Zeng, my head hurts a lot. I'm afraid it's because of the cold. If you persuade Wang Shilang again, I'll take a leave of absence." A break?!"

Both Zeng Gongliang and Wang Pang looked at Han Qi, and saw that he was frowning. Zeng Gongliang hurriedly said, "Han Xianggong, I can't persuade this Wang Shilang alone. Oh, seeing you like this, you should go to rest first!"

"Then I'll go too, and go to Kaifeng mansion!" Wang Pang said and wanted to leave.But Zeng Gongliang stopped him again: "Wang Shilang stay, the old minister has a few words to say."

If Wang Pang had never been to the Liao Kingdom, he would have treated Zeng Gongliang as a courtesy to a prime minister, but when he came back from the Liao Kingdom, Wang Pang looked at Zeng Gongliang, an old prime minister, differently.Wang Pang once heard from Xin Zan that on New Year's Day this year, the Liao Kingdom sent envoys to celebrate the new year of the Song Dynasty, and the imperial court gave a banquet to the Zichen Palace as usual.At that time, Yingzong was ill, so he ordered Prime Minister Zeng Gongliang to invite envoys from various countries to a banquet in Zichen Hall.

At that time, the envoys of the Liao Kingdom believed that this was breaking the convention and losing their dignity, so they did not want to attend.Zeng Gongliang said unceremoniously: "If you don't go to the banquet, you are dishonest to the king's order! What is the intention of asking him to come in person if the master is not healed?" Hearing this reasonable words, the envoy had no choice but to sit down obediently. .When they returned to the Liao Kingdom, they talked about this matter. Xin Zan also joked: It seems that not only Wang Shilang is tough in the Song Dynasty, but also the prime minister of the Song Dynasty.

Hearing what the old prime minister had to say to him now, Wang Pang was in awe, naturally he did not dare to insist.So he respectfully said: "Please make it clear, the prime minister."

Zeng Gongliang stroked his beard, looked at the king, paused, and said: "During the Qingli period, the old minister proposed "choosing generals" to strengthen military equipment in response to the current disadvantages. I think: the way to choose a general is to judge his talents Usable, don’t abandon it because it’s far away, don’t abandon it because it’s cheap, don’t abandon it because it’s deceitful, and don’t abandon it because it’s a crime. The reason why generals are incompetent today is not that they are talented, but that they are not selected for what they want, or that they cannot be employed. Make the best of your talents. Now the imperial court is already considering advice from veteran ministers. Those who have achieved good performance in the three-year inspection will be promoted to officials; In two or three years, you have made great achievements many times. With Wang Shilang's current official salary, you can definitely reach the second rank or above in a few terms. Wang Shilang, you are so young and have great prospects, why give up halfway?!"

After Wang Pang listened, he was silent for a while, and when he looked up at Zeng Gongliang, his eyes met, Wang Pang smiled slightly: "I thought that in the Liao Kingdom, the Liao officials all said that Zeng Xiang was a man who was upright and unyielding, so I respect Zeng Xianggong. I didn't expect Mr. Zeng's words to persuade Wansheng, and it wasn't about fame and fortune in the officialdom. Thank you Mrs. Zeng for your kindness. Wansheng just wants to bury my wife properly, and then find out the whereabouts of my son. As for the future, I don't care about it now. think."

He didn't wait for Zeng Gongliang to speak, and asked to resign again: "Wansheng has to go to Kaifeng Mansion to find out about the fire in the mansion, so I want to say goodbye to Zeng Xiang!" After speaking, he got up and saluted.

Zeng Gongliang snorted and smiled: "Wang Shilang, it's just you and me in the room. I just want to say one thing. If you listen, listen to it. If you don't listen, I will tell you about your resignation tomorrow morning." [

"I asked you to clarify!"

"Wang Wang, you said that you were born late, and you are speaking modestly. Let me ask you from the perspective of a teacher. Do you deserve the respect of the late emperor and the support of your foster father, Prime Minister Bao, if you resign like this?"

Wang Pang didn't expect that Zeng Gongliang, the prime minister whom he had little contact with, would teach him a paternalistic tone, and the lesson was plausible.Wang Pang smiled wryly, he was an ordinary person in the first place, he was frivolous and aggressive when he was young, so he showed his sharpness everywhere, and now he is reaping the fruits of his own fruit and his wife and children are separated.But Zeng Gongliang was not wrong at all, and he never refuted it.

Seeing the king's silence, Zeng Gongliang said: "The former emperor always had a wish to recover Yanyun one day, but he was kind-hearted and feared hurting the world. However, peace in the world is not just a wish. Fighting against the soldiers of the people, and the Liao Kingdom can use troops to help Goryeo defeat the Japanese slaves. Why is such a talented person not committed to being loyal to the court? If you don’t fight for peace in the world, if you fight, you can recover Yanyun, but the emperor’s wish is also worthy of The late emperor has protected you many times."

Thinking of Emperor Renzong, Wang Pang felt even more sad, he said in a low voice: "My Wang Pang is not a person with a heart, nor is he ambitious, but since Prime Minister Zeng knew that I was protected by the late emperor, he must know that it is not easy for me in the court." Stand still, even if I am afraid, I will use it."

Hearing what Wang Pang said, Zeng Gongliang patted Wang Pang: "Young man, I am very aware of your situation, and today I am not determined to persuade you to stay in office. It is always right to take a break. Now Prime Minister Han Qi and I are the same. There are more than [-] people, but looking down on the officials of the Manchu Dynasty, it is difficult to find a person who is talented in both civil and military affairs. I think that I took the exam with your adoptive father Bao Zheng in the same year, and we have a very close relationship. Therefore, if you still care about Prime Minister Bao, you will be respected by the late Emperor Renzong , I would like to ask you to do one thing while you are resting."

"Alas!" Wang Pang sighed deeply: "Mr. Zeng, please tell me! Wansheng will definitely try his best."

Seeing what Wang Pang said, Zeng Gong nodded and said, "You come to my house tonight, I have something important to talk to you in private!"