Compete for the Song Dynasty

Wang Pang and Wa Zhuang came to the Chancellor's Mansion, and Wa Zhuang handed Wang Pang's name card in front of Wa Zhuang's door. A guard took the name card, glanced at it and said, "Mr. Zeng has an order. If Wang Shilang comes, please come to Wang Pang's study room." Wait." After saying this, the man led the way and brought the two beside the king to the prime minister's study.

"Wang Shilang, please sit down and wait for a while." After the guard said, he ordered someone to serve tea to the king, and turned around to leave the study and closed the door.

In the Prime Minister’s study room, there was incense in the incense, and the room was filled with a delicate fragrance like a lotus flower.

Wang Pang also smelled this fragrance, and Wang Pang couldn't help but carefully looked at the prime minister's study.Compared with his biological father Wang Anshi's study full of books, Prime Minister Zeng Gongliang's study is much fresher and more elegant.Outside the square frame, there is a screen with paper pasted and framed calligraphy and paintings. Behind the screen is a book case. Behind the book case, the front wall is full of bookshelves, and the bookshelves are full of books.

A table and four chairs in the room should be used by the owner to meet guests here. In addition to the guqin, strange stones, and ancient paintings, there are also exquisite cabinets, tables, curtains, water drop pen holders, small flower vases, famous porcelain incense burners, ornamental Ornaments and so on are all things that adorn the study.Although there are many items, they are well arranged. [

The book case is large, with pen grids, armrests, inkstone drops and inkstone screens placed on it.In addition, dozens of volumes were stacked neatly on it, so Wa Zhuang picked up the top one and flipped through it.Although Wang Pang felt that it was inappropriate, he did not stop him. Since it is the owner's preference to keep guests in the study, talking about books and Taoism, naturally he doesn't mind the guests reading the books.

Wang Pang was admiring the exquisite decoration of the prime minister's study, but he heard Wa Zhuang say: "Good book! Good!"

"What book do you read with such relish?" Wang Pang couldn't help admiring Wa Zhuang, and couldn't help asking.

Wa Zhuang looked at the cover of the book and said, "My lord, why is there no name for this book? The cover only says the second volume five. You can see here: the small chapter is titled 'Sounding to the East and Hitting the West', which is about Cao Gong and Yuan Shao. At Guandu, Shao sent generals Guo Tu, Chun Yuren, Yan Liang, etc. to attack Liu Yan, the prefect of Dongjun, in Taima. Shao led his troops to Liyang and crossed the river. Gongbei rescued Yan, and Xun You said: "There are too few soldiers to defeat the enemy, so divide them. Its momentum is possible. When the Duke arrives at Yanjin, if he sends troops across the border, he must respond to them from the west, and then light troops attack the white horse to cover up his surprise, and Yan Liang can be captured.' Divide the troops to the west to respond. The Duke led the army and went on the white horse. Before reaching more than ten miles, Liang was shocked and came to fight against him. Zhang Liao and Guan Yu stepped forward, smashed and cut Liang, and then relieved the siege of the white horse."

Although what Wa Zhuang said is true, Wang Pang is very familiar with the Three Kingdoms. In the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao attacked and beheaded Yuan general Yan Liang in Baima (now Huaxian County, Henan Province), which was extremely exciting.Seeing Wa Zhuang's eyes shining brightly, Wang Pang wanted him to listen to the storytelling "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" a few more times, so naturally he knew everything.Wang Pang said with a smile: "Shooting east and attacking west is one of the strategies in the 36 strategies of war. Suddenly east and west, hit and leave, create false appearances, lure the enemy to make wrong judgments, and then take the opportunity to wipe out the enemy."

As soon as Wang Pang finished speaking, he saw Prime Minister Zeng Gongliang walk in as soon as the door opened, and said, "Well said!"

Seeing this, Wa Zhuang hurriedly put down the book in his hand, Wang Pang waved his hand, and Wa Zhuang backed out.Wang Pang cupped his hands and said to Zeng Gongliang: "Ms. Zeng smiled at each other. Just now, the guards have no rules. After reading the books on Mr. Zeng's case, I expressed some emotion."

Zeng Gongliang twisted his beard and said with a smile: "Wang Shilang can be said to be a strong general with weak soldiers. All the guards around him are so obsessed with the art of war. No wonder Wang Shilang is one of the rare generals in the court who always wins."

"Ms. Zeng has won the award!" Wang Pang returned respectfully with his head bowed.

Zeng Gongliang looked at Wang Pang and said: "Wang Shilang is young and talented, no wonder Bao Cheng loves you very much. I know that you are sad because of the loss of your wife, but if you give up your good official career just because of your children's love, isn't it a bit strange?" What a pity?"

Wang Pang knew that Zeng Gongliang called him to come to the mansion, and he must persuade him. Accompanying the king is like accompanying a tiger, especially accompanying Yingzong, the emperor who can go crazy at any time. Wang Pang decided to resign. He said firmly: "Thank you Prime Minister Zeng for your kindness, but this matter is definitely not just because of the loss of my wife. Presumably Prime Minister Zeng also knows about my Jinxiang Mansion, and even officials have been implicated in the Jinxiang Mansion. If I continue to be an official, my merits and demerits will inevitably be offset. Colleagues complained; moreover, it seems that the people in the capital use coal because of me, so I don’t think it’s interesting for this official to do it or not. I also ask Prime Minister Zeng to look at it for the sake of Prime Minister Bao’s old friend, and it’s all done.”

Mr. Zeng nodded brightly: "It's hard for you to have such achievements at such a young age. I was also entrusted by Prime Minister Bao, please take care of you in the court. Now if you have made up your mind, I will help you and protect you." You retreat completely. But you also have to do one thing for me!"

Wang Pang looked at Zeng Gongliang: "Zeng Xiang is one person under one man and above ten thousand people, what is it that asks the evening to help?"

"It's up to you!" Zeng Gongliang pointed to Wang Pang and said. "Do you know that it is too unconventional for you to propose resignation before you return to the court before meeting the king. If you are punished for your disrespect, it must be very easy."

Wang Pang said disdainfully: "If you want to add a crime, why bother? The emperor confiscated my property and invited my wife into the palace. Isn't it also unconventional? I don't think the current emperor may want to see me."

"This old man is the prime minister of a country. Wang Shilang said so here. Aren't you afraid that this old man will speak clearly to His Majesty?" Zeng Gongliang asked questioningly.

Wang Pang smiled: "Private Zeng invited late students to come to the mansion in private. It must be out of the love of the elders. Although I don't know what Zeng Xiang is looking for me, I think Zeng Xiang will not tell the Holy Spirit what I said tonight. The current matter At this point, I hope that Prime Minister Zeng will speak kindly in front of the Holy Master, so that I can resign smoothly and Prime Minister Zeng will live up to his old friend's trust."

Zeng Gongliang twitched his lips and said with a smile that was not a smile: "You boy, no wonder even your adoptive father said you were tricky, well, tell me how you want me to say about your resignation?"

Wang Pang saw the layout of Zeng Gongliang's study from the moment he entered the study. From the books he read, he could tell that this person was different from Han Qi and other officials. If you help, you know that today will not be in vain, not to mention that he and Bao Zheng are also old friends, or his adoptive father entrusted him when he was not in the capital. [

"Troublesome Prime Minister Zeng said that Wang Pang lost his wife, lost his adoptive father, and was suspected of bribery to buy land to evade taxes. He felt guilty and depressed, so he behaved perversely. Please read that the minister has made meritorious service. Forgive the minister for not facing the king. Now Wang Pang I just want to concentrate on guarding a little savings and family business, and I will resign from office if I don’t care about politics.”

"You're a businessman and don't care about politics! Now Wang Shilang has made extraordinary achievements, if you want to be wise and safe, this is probably the only way to keep you safe." Zeng Gongliang said lightly.

"So, did Prime Minister Zeng agree to Wan Sheng's resignation?" Wang Pang asked.

"Does Wang Shilang think that the old man asked Wang Shilang to come to the mansion today to try to keep him in office? No, no!" Zeng Gongliang shook his head and said.

This old master is still selling the switch, Wang Pang smiled secretly: "Then please ask Mr. Zeng to express it clearly, and I will try my best to do it at night!"

"This matter is of great importance. It's not about doing your best, but about having to. You must agree to this old man. Besides, this is also the order of the late emperor and the entrustment of the prime minister." Zeng Gongliang said solemnly.

The first emperor?Emperor Renzong's will?And Master Bao entrusted him?What is so serious?

"Well, as long as you agree to my resignation, this matter has nothing to do with political affairs, and it is not a matter of murder and arson, I will agree to Prime Minister Zeng." Wang Pang said.

"Okay! The old man promises you, come and see!" Zeng Gongliang took Wang Pang to the desk, pointed to the neatly stacked books on the desk and said, "The old man asked you to promise me that you will read all these books within ten days." .”

"What?!" Wang Pang's eyes widened. There were dozens of volumes on the desk. Not to mention he hated reading traditional Chinese characters. Even if he liked to read these books, it would be enough for him to read them for half a year. "Zeng Xiang, are you kidding me? Well, there must be thirty or forty books. Let alone ten days, I can't finish reading them even if you let me read them for ten months!"

Wang Pang thought, what is Prime Minister Zeng Gongliang doing?Wouldn't he resign by himself, and put himself under house arrest in the name of reading a book?Wang Pang thought about it and said with a smile: "Mr. Zeng, don't go around in circles with me. Is what you want me to do related to this book? Could it be that there are some martial arts secrets here? You can just say it directly, and I will do it at the worst." Can't you just look around?"

"Oh, you child!" Zeng Gong said in a naive manner, no wonder he said that Wang Pang is a child, Wang Pang is only about 20 years old, and he is the adopted son of an old friend, it is not an exaggeration for the prime minister to like Wang Pang from the bottom of his heart.

Wang Pang saw that Zeng Gongliang's tone was more concerned about love than blame, so he pretended to be pitiful and said: "Look, I still have nothing to do to pick up the clothes of my adoptive father and my mentor to bury the late emperor. You let me sit Reading, how can I feel at ease? Besides, how can I feel at ease because my beloved wife has not yet been buried, or you give me half a year first, and I will do all these things before I come back to read the book?"

As he spoke, he flipped through the books on the table with his hands, which surprised Wang Pang secretly. Some of these books showed formations of soldiers and formations, some showed bows and crossbows, and some Wearing armor, and some divination.Wang Pang thought to himself, what kind of books are these? How could they be recorded in such detail.Although I thought so in my heart, there was a calm expression on my face.

Zeng Gongliang sighed: "Forget it, let me tell you. Prime Minister Bao told me when he was dying that your father, Wang Anshi, wanted you to study under Prime Minister Bao, but the Prime Minister was self-effacing and always wanted to find a place for you. A teacher with both civil and military skills has been mentioned to me for a long time, and Ding Du and I were compiling the military obedience book written by Emperor Renzong himself, so the method was agreed to by the prime minister, so it took several years."

When Wang Pang heard it, he understood that it was entrusted by his adoptive father. He hurriedly said respectfully, "Could it be that Zeng Xiang wanted me to familiarize myself with these books and teach my disciples the art of strategy?"

Having said that, if Zeng Gongliang really wanted to read these books by himself, he would be really worried about the death of the king.