Zhang Dun was reminded by Cai Bian and knew that it was the most important thing to confirm the envoyship of the Liao Kingdom. He did not dare to delay. Although it was already dark, Zhang Dun said goodbye to Cai Bian after leaving Donghua Gate and turned to Shangshu Province.
He first asked people to go to Shangshu Province to see if Shangshu Zuocheng Lu Huiqing and Minister of Rites Han Zhongyan were still there.
Soon, the visitor reported that Lu Huiqing and Han Zhongyan were both in Shangshu Province and had not returned from office yet. I heard that Prime Minister Zhang had something to discuss with them, so he went to the Political Affairs Hall to wait.
Officials are diligent, but subordinates dare not slack off.
In particular, the secretarial department after the government's renovation was even more of a tightening curse.
Starting early in the morning, Cai Bian, Changsun Moli, Liu Kai and a secretary, Pan Yi, who recorded affairs in the Provincial Confidential Bureau, took turns to be on duty at Minxing Pavilion, communicating with each other.
It wasn't until the evening when the official affairs were completed and they left Chongzheng Palace and returned to Yanfu Palace to rest that they took off their time.
Everything is handled promptly and never left until the next day. There is also the Supervision and Inspection Bureau, which keeps an eye on the three provinces, six ministries and the Privy Council. Based on the official approval, follow-up supervision and regular inspections are carried out.
The chief officials of each yamen are extremely careful and do not dare to neglect in the slightest. Everyone is afraid that someone from the inspection bureau will write down his name in the small book, and then report it to the secretary at the regular provincial meeting.
Congratulations, Jane is in the emperor's heart. From now on, your future will be clear.
As a result, the pressure was passed down layer by layer, and now the efficiency of the central government offices is much higher than before.
The Ministry of Secretaries responsible for handling state affairs did not dare to slack off. From Zhang Dun and Lu Huiqing to the ministers of the Six Ministries, they all tried to stay as late as possible because people from the Ministry of Secretaries often came to ask questions at night.
Needless to say, the official must have asked the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance when handling government affairs in Chongzheng Palace. The Secretary of the Ministry did not find the relevant information, so he sent someone to the Minister of Finance to inquire.
Therefore, several court officials would stay in their respective rooms at the same time and wait until a letter came from Minxing Pavilion saying that the officials had returned to Yanfu Palace, then they dispersed.
At the critical moment of political reform, no one dares to be careless. If it leaves a bad impression in the minds of officials, their position may change in the new official system.
Entering the political hall, Zhang Dun was not polite and first held his hands in front of him.
"Ji Fu, Shi Pu, it's really an urgent matter to disturb you two from resting, so please forgive me."
"You're welcome, Mr. Zhang."
"Okay, I'd better stop chatting. The officials requested to send an envoy to Northern Liao as soon as possible. The name is to wish the Lord of Liao a seventy-year-old longevity. The actual purpose is..."
Zhang Dun got straight to the point and stated Zhao Si's request and purpose.
"What matters now is the chief envoy and deputy envoy of this envoy. As the chief envoy, I have thought of one person, Su Zi, Mr. Xiao Su..."
Zhang Dun explained his reasons, and then asked: "Ji Fu, Shi Pu, what do you two think?"
Lu Huiqing and Han Zhongyan pondered for a while and said in unison: "Xiang Zhang has a long-term plan, and Su Ziyou is the most suitable envoy."
Lu Huiqing also added, "In the fourth year of Yuanyou, Su Zi was appointed Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Minister of Justice, Zhao Wuwei, and Zhao Shixi to the Liao Kingdom. They were deeply respected by the monarchs and ministers of the Northern Liao Dynasty. It was logical to send him to the Northern Liao Dynasty again this time.
The icing on the cake.”
Zhang Dun glanced at Lu Huiqing and knew that he already understood his deeper intention of recommending Su Che.
In the first year of Yuanyou, Su Che impeached Lu Huiqing with three consecutive slanders. Su Che was good at writing and was a famous scholar in Yunei. He shocked the world with three consecutive slanders. In the end, Lu Huiqing was disgraced and her reputation was ruined.
Presumably Lu Huiqing is not that tolerant.
Zhang Dun nodded, "Well, the Minister of Secretariat has selected Su Ziyou as the recommender for the chief envoy. What suggestions do you have for the two deputy envoys?"
"Zhang Xiang, one of his subordinates recommended one person. Li Kui, Li Sihe, the great prime minister. He was a Jinshi in the third year of Yuanfeng. He was familiar with criminal names and knowledgeable about military affairs. Jifu knew Yan'an Prefecture and was also the judge of the Yan'an Jinglue to appease the department. When he was in charge of the Yan'an Jingluo
The Luo appeasement department was engaged in official business. At that time, Jifu had only been in office for a month, and more than 100,000 Xia troops attacked by surprise, and all the generals abandoned the city and fled."
"At the critical moment, Li Sihe fought against all opinions and insisted on holding on to the troops. He spread suspicions and made a big noise, which made the Xia people think they were prepared and retreated for the time being. When they got a breather, Li Sihe asked to build a wall and send troops to guard it.
The key pass will eventually make it difficult for the Xia people to find opportunities to invade."
"Li Sihe signed a letter to transfer Pingjiang Jun Jiedu to judge the official affairs of the government office. At that time, Pingjiang Jun's cases were backlogged, the prison was full of prisoners, and they were complaining endlessly. Li Sihe ordered the people to sort out the cases one by one and judge them one by one. The merits were clear and there was no claim of injustice.
"
After hearing Lu Huiqing's explanation, Zhang Dun sneered twice in his heart.
What a calculation.
Zhang Dun nodded calmly, "Jifuti's candidate is suitable. He is well versed in military affairs and has experienced on the Yanyan Road. He knows the importance and will definitely understand the deep meaning of officials. When he is sent to Northern Liao, he can also persuade Su Zi from time to time.
You must not give in lightly. Every inch of land is the blood of our Song Dynasty soldiers, not to mention the hard work of my officials."
"Well, there is still a vacancy for a deputy envoy, Shi Pu, do you have a suitable candidate?"
"Xiang Zhang, I really have a recommended candidate. Li Gefei, a foreign minister of the Ministry of Rites, is Li Wenshu. He is a Jinshi in the ninth year of Xining and is also a disciple of the Yan family. When promoting virtuous people, he does not avoid relatives. Li Wenshu's literary reputation is evident and he is especially good at Confucian classics. He
The "Records of Famous Gardens in Luoyang" written by him was republished by Chuanshi Literary Society last year and spread to Northern Liao Dynasty. At that time, paper was very expensive in Yanjing."
"The Lord of Liao and the Emperor's Grandson wanted to build a landscape garden in Nanjing City of Northern Liao Dynasty, so they specially sent an envoy south with the drawings to consult Uncle Li Wen. If he were the deputy envoy, the Lord of Liao and the Emperor's Grandson would be willing to sell their favor.
"
They are all talents.
I just briefly conveyed the official's meaning in just two sentences, but you were able to understand it quickly and clearly. What else can I say?
Zhang Dun immediately made a decision and said: "Okay, the candidates recommended by the Shangshu Province are Su Ziyou, a bachelor of Hongwen Academy, the deputy envoy is Li Sihe, the great minister, and Li Wenshu, the minister of rites. I immediately wrote down the document and you two countersigned it.
, invest in the secretary and save it. At this time, the officials should still be handling political affairs in Chongzheng Hall."
The recommendation letter from Shangshu Province was submitted directly to Chongzheng Hall via the Secret Bureau half an hour later.
"Su Che, Li Kui, Li Gefei?" Zhao Si looked at the names of the three people and was silent.
"Officials, these are the resumes of three people. The Confidential Bureau has just copied them from the resume library of the Secretaries and Provincial Officials." Pan Yi, the secretary on duty at the Confidential Bureau, said softly to the side.
Zhao Si glanced at ten lines and read it quickly. With his initial impression, he felt satisfied.
"Pan Qilang, please arrange for Mr. Xiao Su, Li Kui and Li Gefei to come to Chongzheng Hall to see me tomorrow morning. Each person will be scheduled for two quarters of an hour. The originally scheduled meeting will be postponed to a later date."
"It's Your Majesty."
"Pan Qilang, you go and do your work first."
"It's Your Majesty."
Zhao Si turned around and asked, "What time is it now?"
"A quarter past twenty." Li Fang replied
"Call Shi Cheng."
After a while, Liang Shicheng arrived.
"Guan Jia, please call me the younger one."
"Are the gifts ready?"
"When I return to my official home, I have prepared gifts for the Lord of Liao, the grandson of the Emperor of Liao and all the family members. This is the list."
Zhao Si took it and looked at it carefully, then nodded with satisfaction.
"Shicheng, you are going to Northern Liao with the mission this time to congratulate the Lord of Liao on his birthday on my behalf. You must know how to speak and act."
"Guan family, I understand in my heart."
"Have you remembered all the important things?"
"Back to the official house, I will remember it. The emperor's grandson, his concubine, his concubine, Xiao Fengxian, I must be very flattering and fawning, and let them say good things for me, the Song Dynasty."
"Say good things is one thing, but more important is the future. The more stupid and corrupt the Liao monarchs and ministers are, and the more chaotic and unstable the political affairs are, the more beneficial it will be to us, the Song Dynasty. Do you understand?"
"clear!"
"Master, everything is done. When you come back, you will not only become famous, but you will also be remembered in history. I promise you this!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liang Shicheng kowtowed in surprise.
Looking at Liang Shicheng's back leaving the palace gate, Zhao seemed silent. After a while, he turned his head. Li Fang, who had been standing behind him like a wooden figure, quickly came forward.
"Guardian, please give me your instructions."
"Daban, please send a message to Yu Huatian..."
Zhao Si hesitated for a moment, and finally changed his words, "No, let's go to Xuan Ming. There is naked hatred between colleagues. Yu Huatian and Liang Shicheng have overlapping responsibilities, and I am worried that he will not be clear about his public and private affairs."
"The official is wise. May I ask what the official told me to tell Mr. Xuanming?"
"Tell him to send someone to keep Liang Shicheng under my watch quietly. I will ask him to win over others. If I ask others to win over him, it will be a big joke."
"Guan family, I have remembered it and will pass it on to Mr. Xuan Ming right away."
Chapter 180: Candidates for the Mission This chapter has been completed!