Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 153 It's never too late to mend the fold! (Today 9k)
After entering the inner hall, the two sat down.

Zhang Xu said with a sullen look on his face: "The emperor is determined to support Su Yun this time. Lord Wang, the situation is already critical. Don't you plan to do anything?"

Wang Gui glanced at Zhang Xu and said, "You have questioned the emperor in person, and the emperor has sent you back. If I go instead, will it be of any use?"

Hearing Wang Gui's words, Zhang Xu flew into a rage and said, "Mr. Wang, don't forget that once the old party comes back, you will be the first one to be liquidated! Do you think you can escape?"

Wang Gui laughed and said, "I have always been kind to others. Those things were done by Li Ding, Shu Tan, He Zhengchen and others. What does it have to do with me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xu looked at Wang Gui in disbelief. He only knew that Wang Gui was criticized as the Three-Edict Prime Minister, but he didn't know that he was so stupid!

This group of people, including himself, Li Ding, He Zhengchen and Shu Tan, all surrounded Wang Gui.

It is true that Wang Gui is their leader, but if this leader of the new party does not have the help of their capable subordinates, how can he fight against Sima Guang, Lu Gongzhu and others of the old party, and how can he fight against Cai Que and Zhang Dun?

Now he actually said such words, he is so stupid that he is hopeless!

Zhang Xu still had some doubts. If Wang Gui was such a fool, how could he become the prime minister? He said, "Prime Minister Wang, the government is likely to recall the old party. If Sima Guang and Lu Gongzhu come back, we will have to make room for them. Do you understand?"

Wang Gui glanced at Zhang Xu and said quietly, "Mr. Zhang, I want to remind you that you should be prudent and protect yourself in the near future. Otherwise, you may end up dying."

Zhang Xu was shocked and said, "Prime Minister Wang, what do you mean? I don't understand!"

Wang Gui looked around and said, "The emperor has fallen seriously ill. People lying in bed have many thoughts. Now, at a glance, everyone in the court is a member of the New Party..."

Having said this, Wang Gui kept silent.

Zhang Xu was still a little stunned, but then he turned pale with horror. He suppressed his fear and whispered, "You mean, the emperor is already considering his future affairs, and is afraid that our new party will take away orphans and widows after him..., so he wants the old party to return to control us?"

Wang Gui looked at Zhang Xu and said with a smile: "You are not stupid."

Zhang Xu was furious again and said, "Prime Minister Wang! Why didn't you remind me before? You made me look like a bad guy in the eyes of the government for nothing!"

Wang Gui glanced at Zhang Xu and said, "Think carefully, did I not remind you?"

Zhang Xu suddenly remembered that Wang Gui had advised him not to go to the emperor, but his heart was filled with anger brought by fear at the time, and he could not listen to Wang Gui's words at all. As soon as the morning court was over, he ran to Chongzheng Hall to find Zhao Xu, and he immediately regretted it so much.

Zhang Xu's lips trembled as he asked, "Is it too late for me to apply for a post outside the capital now?"

Wang Gui looked at Zhang Xu with pity and said, "The emperor is not a petty person. There won't be any problem. You don't need to be too nervous."

Zhang Xu looked at Wang Gui, and the fear in his heart immediately turned into anger: Why didn't you explain everything to me before? Now I'm in danger, and you are still here making sarcastic remarks?

"Alas, what can I do?"

Zhang Xu walked out in despair.

Wang Gui looked at Zhang Xu's figure and sneered.

Zhang Yu claimed that he was following his orders, but in fact he was in cahoots with He Zhengchen, Shu Tan, Li Ding and others.

Many things are done on one's own, so how can one take oneself seriously?

Last time, someone said in private that Zhang Yu used the Three Imperial Edicts to make trouble in front of Shu Tan and others.

Haha, if you really respect me as a leader, why didn’t you listen to me this morning when I advised you not to go to the government?
Humph, besides, I am not from the New Party. I am clearly from the Emperor's Party. I will do whatever the government says. What do you, the New Party or the Old Party, have to do with me?
Wang Gui paced from the inner hall to the Council Hall. When he came out, he saw Zhang Dun and Cai Que chatting. Wang Gui coughed lightly. Zhang Dun and Cai Que looked up at the same time, then stood up and bowed to Wang Gui.

Wang Gui said with a smile: "Don't be so polite, what are you talking about?"

Cai Que smiled and said, "We are discussing the matter of the Small Lecture. The emperor said that he would invite Su Yun, the author of the Annotated Mencius, to give a lecture on the Annotated Mencius. We are discussing whether we should go or not."

Wang Gui smiled and said, "Oh, this Su Juzheng, I have heard of him, but I haven't read his book. Is he well written?"

Cai Que smiled and said, "I haven't read it either, but Zihou said it's very well written."

Wang Gui looked at Zhang Dun, who laughed and said, "It's well written. Prime Minister Wang, are you going to sit in on the imperial lecture?"

Wang Gui thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Go ahead, go ahead. The government will listen to it and think it's a good idea. I will also go and see what kind of remarkable young people have appeared in our Song Dynasty. If they are really amazing, I will also lend a helping hand."

Zhang Dun and Cai Que looked at each other and both smiled, but Zhang Dun was quite alert in his heart.

Just now they saw Zhang Xu leaving angrily, and they didn't know what conflict he had with Wang Gui. But when they heard that Zhang Xu looked unhappy when he came out of Chongde Hall, it seemed that he had run into a snag with the government.

Cai Que and Zhang Dun knew exactly why Zhang Xu was going there. It was simply because he was afraid of Su Shi's return. As for Wang Gui's current mentality, no one knew.

But Wang Gui may seem slick, but he is actually insidious, as evidenced by his previous attempt to kill Su Zizhan. When he goes to the small imperial lecture this time, you have to be careful that he doesn't trip up Su Yun.

Wang Gui also said with a smile: "Okay, I have almost finished my work. I am also tired today, so I will go back first."

"Go slowly, my Lord."

Cai Que and Zhang Dun bowed and saw him off.

Wang Gui waved his hand and left with his sleeves waving.

In the evening, Zhang Dun returned to the Zhang Mansion and Su Yun was already waiting for him there. This was what Zhang Dun had asked him to do last night.

Zhang Dun explained what happened today, and then said, "Zhang Xu and Wang Gui should both be attending the small lecture. You must be careful that they may trip you up during the lecture."

Su Yun nodded and said with a smile: "If it's just a debate, I'm not afraid of them."

Zhang Dun nodded. He was of course confident in Su Yun's ability in debate. These days, he sat in on the debates between Su Yun and Su Zhe. Sometimes he wondered if the Su family's talent was all in their mouths. Why were they so eloquent?

Su Zhe was fine, as he could scold people very effectively. He knew this before. But how could Su Yun, who looked like a burly man with a face that looked like an embroidered pillow, be so eloquent?
It can only be attributed to the fact that all the members of the Meishan Su clan have such talent. Other than that, there is no other explanation.

"You still have to be careful. They may not debate with you in an upright manner, and they may even try to trip you up in other ways."

Zhang Dun gave some instructions.

On July 20th, Su Yun got up early and followed Zhang Dun to the imperial city. After arriving at the imperial city, the troops split into two groups. Zhang Dun went to the morning court, while Su Yun followed the eunuch to Erying Palace.

Erying Hall is an important place for holding imperial lectures, and it is a relatively formal venue. Lectures are also held in Chongzheng Hall, but in Chongzheng Hall it is called storytelling, and the degree of importance is somewhat different.

Zhao Xu arranged the imperial lecture in the Erying Hall, which meant that it was a more formal imperial lecture. Once the officials approved of it, the "Collected Commentaries on the Mencius" would be recognized by the emperor and the prime ministers.

Su Yun was brought into Erying Palace. Zhao Xu and other officials had not arrived yet, so Su Yun could make some preparations inside.

Su Yun brought a stack of Mencius's collected notes, which would be distributed to the gentlemen for temporary reading, while the eunuchs prepared other teas, snacks and the like.

Su Yun was just looking down at the lecture materials when someone suddenly approached. Su Yun looked up and saw that it was the person who came to inform him to enter the palace and accepted a gold leaf from him... Zhen Shixuan?

Zhen Shixuan smiled and said, "Master Su, do you still remember me?"

Su Yunha smiled and said, "Isn't this Zhen Zhonggui? Long time no see."

Zhen Shixuan was very happy and said, "Mr. Su still remembers me. I am so lucky." Su Yun smiled and said, "I don't deserve your words, Zhen Zhonggui."

Zhen Shixuan said with great emotion: "When I first saw Master Su, I felt that he was a rare talent. I thought that he would be admitted to the imperial examination in a few years, and in ten years or so, he would definitely become a powerful and noble person.

I didn't expect that in just a few months, Master Su had transformed into a great scholar of classics. I really didn't recognize him at that time."

Seeing Zhen Shixuan's admiration and surprise, Su Yun laughed and said, "It's nothing. I just studied the meaning of the classics when I was preparing for the imperial examination. I felt that the ancient sages interpreted the meaning of the saints, so I tried to explain it.

I didn’t expect that this book would be circulated and seen by the government. The government gave me this opportunity to preach the sutra, but I was actually very scared in my heart.”

Zhen Shixuan chuckled and whispered, "Sir, don't be too modest. The emperor values ​​you very much..."

He looked around and whispered, "...I have read your Romance of the Three Kingdoms at least five times. You have long been in my heart. Just speak boldly today. I will take care of the rest."

Su Yun was startled when he heard this, and wanted to stand up to salute Zhen Shixuan and thank him for revealing this key information, but Zhen Shixuan pressed his shoulder and whispered, "Don't stand up, so as not to attract attention."

Su Yun took a deep breath and said, "Zhen Zhonggui, you have helped me so many times. I don't know how to thank you."

Zhen Shixuan shook his head repeatedly and said, "We are all the emperor's people. Those the emperor likes are the ones we respect, and those the emperor hates, hehe."

Zhen Shixuan's face showed a stern look, and the meaning of that "hehe" was naturally self-evident.

Su Yun suddenly thought of the secret agency of the Imperial City Bureau, and thought that Zhen Shixuan might be one of them.

When people in later generations talk about ancient secret agencies, the first things that come to mind are the Jinyiwei and the East and West Factories, but the Imperial City Bureau of the Song Dynasty was actually no less important than the Jinyiwei.

The reason why Zhao Kuangyin was able to wear the yellow robe was that he took advantage of the fact that the Later Zhou Dynasty had no reliable information channels at that time.

At that time, Fan Zhi, the prime minister of the Later Zhou Dynasty, received news that the Liao Kingdom and the Northern Han regime were going to attack the Later Zhou Dynasty from the south. There was no way to verify the truth of this news, so he could only arrange for Zhao Kuangyin to lead the army north to resist the enemy.

Zhao Kuangyin took advantage of this, seized the army, and then launched a coup d'état, seizing the Later Zhou Dynasty.

In view of this, Zhao Kuangyin rebuilt the Wude Division, which later became the Imperial City Division.

Zhao Kuangyin obtained the throne illegitimately, so he was extremely sensitive. Naturally, the Imperial City Bureau took this opportunity to expand its power.

Later, Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, but his access to the throne was also illegitimate. He seized the throne from his nephew and forced his nephew to death. He was more sensitive than Zhao Kuangyin, so the Imperial City Bureau ushered in its second major development.

With the strong support of two generations of emperors, the Imperial City Bureau has long since developed into a behemoth with its roots deeply rooted in every aspect of the imperial court.

Su Yun suddenly felt a little wary of Zhen Shixuan, but also took him seriously.

Don't be fooled by his appearance that he is just a eunuch, he may be a big spy, and his tentacles may reach every aspect of Bianliang.

Su Yun waited for nearly an hour. When it was bright outside, Zhao Xu came with Zhang Dun and others.

The reason why he said he was bringing Zhang Dun and others was because Su Yun didn't know the other people.

But looking at their positions behind Zhao Xu, the one on the left should be Wang Gui, the one on the right should be the new Privy Councilor Sun Gu, and the one behind Wang Gui should be Cai Que, and the one walking side by side with Zhang Dun should be Zhang Xu.

Today is a small imperial lecture. Except for the prime minister, no one else is here. The scope is not large, but it does not mean that the importance of this imperial lecture is unimportant.

Su Yun suddenly understood why Zhang Xu was so nervous about his appearance, because Sun Gu was a staunch member of the old party. His sudden replacement of Feng Jing as the Privy Councilor largely expressed Zhao Xu's attitude. Now Zhao Xu was holding a small imperial lecture for him. In the eyes of some people, the political direction had changed.

However, Su Yun actually knew that Zhao Xu had never changed his persistence and he still insisted on reforming the system until his death.

However, Su Yun suddenly remembered that he had heard from Zhang Dun that Zhao Xu had suffered a serious illness and had been bedridden for a long time, and had only recently recovered.

Combined with Sun Gu's coming to power and Su Che's return, he held a small imperial lecture for himself... Su Yun raised his eyebrows - it was related to Zhao Xu's illness!
Su Yun recalled that in history, before Zhao Xu died, he asked Gao Taotao to recall Sima Guang, Lu Gongzhu and other old party members to counter the new party, so as to prevent orphans and widows from being coerced by the new party.

So, Zhao Xu fell seriously ill and lost confidence in his health, so he made some preparations to prevent him from dying suddenly one day and the government from being completely controlled by the New Party?
Su Yu frowned. Was it really because Zhao Xu admired him that he praised him?

After all, if they are making preparations to balance the government, then a commoner like me who is not even a little Karami is naturally not included in these imminent preparations. So, it is probably just a weather vane for display?
After all, Zhao Xu had already promoted Sun Gu. If he could stuff another minister from the old party into the Council of State, the power of the old party might become stronger.

After all, Zhao Xu still wanted to reform the system. If there were too many ministers from the old party, there would be great resistance. So, he should elevate himself, a small figure, to create a trend to discourage the new party?
Thinking of this, Su Yun suddenly became clear-headed.

It’s not that he has a keen political sense. He knows the results of many things, and then he can work it out roughly by working backwards.

Well, hindsight is the best.

However, he did not have time to think about it, because when Zhao Xu and others came in, Su Yun immediately stood up and saluted, and then began to lecture in the imperial lecture.

Because it was a small imperial lecture, the procedures were quite simple. Su Yun was not even introduced to the people present. After all, Su Yun was just a small figure. There was no need to introduce small figures to big figures, but there was no need to introduce big figures to small figures.

After Zhao Xu sat down, he looked at Su Yun for a moment, then signaled Su Yun that he could start talking directly.

Su Yun was mentally prepared. It seemed a bit sloppy, but that was how a small imperial lecture was.

Su Yun began to lecture according to the lesson plan he had prepared. While he was speaking, he was also observing everyone's expressions.

Although Zhao Xu and the ministers sat upright, their expressions varied. Some seemed to be deep in thought, some looked a little disdainful, some had some admiration on their faces, and some had no expression on their faces.

The one who seemed to be thinking about something was Zhao Xu.

The one with a disdainful look on his face is... Oh, it’s Sun Gu.

The one with a blank expression is Zhang Dun.

Eh? Is the expression on Zhang Xu's face one of admiration?
No, why would this person look so appreciative?

Maybe… this is a sinister look?

Su Yun was a little confused. Sun Gu was from the old party and should support him. After all, he was Su Shi's nephew.

Zhang Xu and Su Shi had a life-and-death feud, so why would he praise himself? This is totally unreasonable!
However, Su Yun guessed wrong. After he finished explaining today's lesson plan, Zhao Xu said he would learn from his lesson, and then asked the ministers, "What do you think?"

None of the ministers spoke. When Zhao Xu was about to say something, Zhang Xu suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have listened to Su Juzheng's commentary on the Mencius. This commentary is extremely exquisite and explains the words that the sage has never said. This is the words of the great Dao!

I suggest that the "Collected Commentaries on Mencius" be included in the question bank for the imperial examination. This is just one thing.

Another important thing is that I request the court to posthumously confer the title of Saint Meng on Saint Meng, invite him into the Confucian Temple, and list him alongside other saints, and list the book Mencius as a classic, alongside the Five Classics, including the Book of Songs, the Book of Changes, the Book of History, the Book of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals! "

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in Erying Palace.

Everyone looked at Zhang Xu in surprise.

They naturally knew about the feud between Zhang Xu and Su Shi, and that they were from different factions, but now they were supporting Su Yun... So, what exactly happened?
Wang Gui was the most shocked and looked at Zhang Xu in amazement.

When Zhang Xu saw Wang Gui's expression, he suddenly felt very relieved.

"You bastard, if you don't save me, I will save myself. I have offended the government before, so I will follow the government's wishes now. It is never too late to mend the fold after the sheep have been lost!"

(End of this chapter)