Chapter 1,286 Uncle and Nephew Prime Minister (two updates combined into one)
Chapter 1294 Uncle and Nephew Prime Minister (two updates combined into one)
Half a month later, the news of Zhang Zhi's transition to the position of Vice Minister of Zhongshu spread, causing a sensation throughout the capital.
Now, Zhang Zhi has surpassed Cai Que and taken up the position of Vice Minister of Zhongshu. This makes people think that the officials are asking the Zhang family to appoint another right minister.
This means that uncles and nephews succeed each other.
The story of Zhang Yue and Zhang Zhi reminds people of the story of Lu Mengzheng and Lu Yijian's uncle and nephew.
Lu Mengzheng served as prime minister three times, and later insisted on becoming an official to make room for young people. Such a move of knowing how to advance and retreat was naturally appreciated by Zhenzong.
In the year when Emperor Zhenzong was granted Zen status in Taishan, he went to Lu Mengzheng's home to visit this veteran minister who had become an official at home.
When the monarch and his ministers met, they had a heart-to-heart talk with each other. Emperor Zhenzong glanced at Lu Mengzheng's sons who were standing aside, and he suddenly felt a desire to support him and said to him: "My dear, take a look, which son can be reused."
?”
When Emperor Zhenzong said this, he must be using one of Lu Mengzheng's sons, which must be a good thing for Lu Mengzheng. Lu Mengzheng's sons, Lu Congjian, Lu Weijian, Lu Chengjian, Lu Xingjian, Lu Wuguan, Lu Jujian, and Lu Zhijian, all served as officials in the court.
, but their official positions are low.
However, Lu Mengzheng replied at that time: "These sons of mine are not of much use, but I have a nephew named Lu Yijian who is serving as an official in Yingzhou. He has the talent of a prime minister."
Zhenzong listened very carefully.
When he returned, he wrote Lu Yijian's name on the screen. Then Lu Yijian was promoted one after another, and finally became prime minister.
This is a good story about a king and his ministers.
Everyone could not help but think that Zhang Yue would become official a year later, so they recommended Zhang Zhi to the emperor to replace themselves as right minister.
On the other hand, when the emperor punished Cai Que and ordered him to go to the palace to apologize, Huang Yan and other officials who impeached Su Shi were demoted to three levels, and several members of Cai Que's party were punished.
Many officials believed that Cai Que had lost power and was no longer the candidate to replace Zhang Yue as right minister in the future, but instead replaced him with Zhang Zhi.
All of a sudden, Zhang's house was full of guests.
Zhang Zhi was Lu Gongzuo's son-in-law and Zhang Yue's nephew, so after paying homage to the prime minister, there was a huge crowd, and there were even more officials waiting outside to receive him than when Zhang Yue paid homage to the prime minister.
The Zhang Party, the old Party, and even the Imperial Party all regarded Zhang Zhi as one of their own.
Now Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue have separated.
Lu Gong was famous for his strict family management, and none of the Lu family's descendants were extravagant. Therefore, after the separation of the family, Zhang Shi did not buy a big house, but bought a house in the outer city, which looked quite simple and shabby.
When the congratulatory officials arrived, they were greatly moved to see Zhang Zhi as deputy prime minister living in such a simple house.
"Officer, why don't you go see the guests?"
After the ceremony, Mrs. Lu looked happy and in high spirits.
It is said that women in ancient and modern times hope that their husbands will become successful. Mrs. Lu has always been worried about Zhang Zhi's official career, and she secretly competes with the Seventeenth Mother. Now that her husband has become the Deputy Prime Minister, it can be said that she has got her wish.
Zhang Zhi said to Lu with a sad face: "Hey, madam, I can't do this job!"
"Why officials?" Ms. Lu was also anxious, "The imperial edict has been issued, and hundreds of officials have come to congratulate me. Do officials want to resign as prime minister?"
Zhang Zhi turned to look at Lu and said, "Madam, you don't understand my difficulties."
Lu sighed: "What I hate in my life is that I didn't give birth to a son for the official, but my two sons are the same as my own!"
"My lord, is there anything you can't discuss with me?"
Zhang Zhi shook his head and thought.
As a lady of the family, Mrs. Lu did not act harshly towards her concubines, and even took good care of Zhang Zhi's son.
On weekdays, Mrs. Lu was the matron of the family, but she was never arrogant. She paid close attention to her parents-in-law's day and night. On weekdays, she would personally mend and iron clothes with the family's maid.
Zhang has been recuperating at home these past few years, thanks to Mrs. Lu's careful care.
So Zhang Zhi was a little unhappy with Lu's failure to manage the relationship with Qiniang, but as far as his wife was concerned, Lu really couldn't find any reason to blame.
What's more, Lu's ability to review things and her political vision are not inferior to hers at all.
Zhang Zhi immediately expressed his thoughts to Lu.
Seeing Zhang Zhi's behavior, Mrs. Lu immediately composed herself and said, "Every official's words are reasonable."
"The Lu family, the Zhang family, and your majesty, I can't afford any of them." Zhang Zhi sighed.
"Madam, what's wrong with you?"
"No."
Lu turned her back and wiped away her tears and said, "How many men abandon their wives and children for fame and wealth. In ancient times, Wu Qi killed his wife to seek generalship, but officials would rather not serve as prime ministers than let down their families."
It is a blessing for a woman to marry such a husband.
I didn't blame anyone for anything! Dad didn't choose the wrong son-in-law either.
She composed herself and said, "I heard that my third uncle originally intended to be a disciple of Duke Jing before he got married, but after he got married, he decided to take his father-in-law, Han Xiansu (Han Jiang) as his favor!"
"As a concubine, I don't ask for an official to be like my third uncle. I just want to be able to take care of my Lu family in the future as prime minister."
Zhang Zhi was shocked when he saw this, and immediately said: "Madam, I am not a person who is ignorant of righteousness."
Lu said: "Do the officials think that my father is unreasonable and ignorant of the current situation?"
"How do you say this, Madam?" Zhang Zhi asked.
"My previous objection to the imperial court's use of troops in the northwest was due to the suffering of the people. Later, my third uncle presided over Western affairs and won successive victories. My father often said this at home. Fortunately, the matter was not abandoned because of his own opposition."
"Actually, as long as we can do it for the sake of the people of the world and the country, it doesn't matter who is right or wrong."
In another time and space in history, after the defeat of Yongle City, the officials repeatedly came to court and sighed: "The people in the border areas are so exhausted. Only Lu Gongzhu told me."
In other words, only Lu Gongzhu, the official of the Manchu Dynasty, put forward correct opinions and dared to give honest advice.
But now the official family is very proud, and Lu Gongzhu also has the courage to admit his previous mistakes.
Seeing what Lu said, Zhang Zhi was also moved. Lu ordered the female envoy to bring out a well-ironed official uniform and said: "My lord, please allow me to help you change your clothes! Don't keep the greeting guests outside waiting!" "
Zhang Zhi nodded.
After changing his clothes, Zhang Zhi said: "I haven't worn this robe for a long time, but it's still brand new."
After a pause, he said straightly: "It is truly a blessing that I have cultivated in three lifetimes to be able to have my wife as my wife in this life."
Mrs. Lu smiled lightly when she heard this.
Soon after, Zhang Zhi stood up and went out. Countless people were already outside congratulating Zhang Zhi.
Mrs. Lu looked at Zhang Zhi's back, and all the female envoys on the side congratulated Mrs. Lu.
At this moment, Mrs. Lu was as calm as waiting for Qianfan to pass. She said: "You guys take care of it for me first."
Mrs. Lu walked into the inner courtyard.
"Mom and dad, why are you drinking tea here!" Mrs. Lu looked at Zhang Shi and Mr. Yu in surprise as they hid in a small room next to the kitchen and drank tea.
Yu laughed and said, "I haven't seen much of the world, so I'm afraid I might be frightened. Besides, I can't welcome you as they are friends from Ah Xi's officialdom."
"Afraid of other people's jokes."
Lu smiled and said: "Mom and dad, who dares to laugh at the prime minister's parents today?"
Yu smiled and said, "Then we can't lose the prime minister's face."
Zhang Shi smiled and said nothing. It wasn't that Zhang Shi didn't want to talk, but he was afraid of losing his status in front of this daughter-in-law who came from a wealthy family.
Yu smiled and said with emotion: "Actually, we don't know what the glory of an uncle, nephew or prime minister is!"
“It’s as if what happened when my third brother was holding a copy of Mencius and told me that he wanted to study is still happening before my eyes!”
Speaking of this, Mr. Yu, who had gray hair on his temples, looked far away.
“Unknowingly, so many years have passed in a flash!”
Zhang Shi looked back with emotion.
Since then, the Zhang family has been getting better day by day.
——
Two months after Zhang Zhi took office as the Vice Minister of Zhongshu, Bianjing ushered in the first snow.
It snowed very hard this time, and houses far and near were covered with white snow.
Inside the Zhang Mansion.
Zhang Yue and Zhang Zhi sat opposite each other in the pavilion in the courtyard, admiring the snow and eating mutton hot pot.
The cook on the side used a knife to toss the mutton into thin slices one by one. Zhang Yue Zhangzhi picked up the cut mutton and poured it into the pot.
Zhang Yue dipped the cooked mutton into the sesame sauce, then put it in his mouth and chewed it.
The uncle and nephew were chatting happily, then Zhang Zhidao said.
"Third uncle, have you read the Zhazi on Liangzhe Road?"
Zhang Yue glanced at Zhang Zhi but did not answer.
Zhang Zhi realized immediately and said again: "Prime Minister, officials from Liangzhe Road came to Zha Zi to say that the price of rice in Liangzhe has soared, and the people of Liangzhe have been unable to make a living."
After hearing this, Zhang Yue put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin. There is a saying, "Weigh plants while working"!
Just now, when we were chatting about family affairs, we said that the third uncle was fine. When it came to official matters, we had to settle things down.
Zhang Yue said: "What do you think?"
Zhang Zhidao: "In the seventh year since Xining, after the Prime Minister proposed to promote cotton cloth in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and through the development of Mr. Gu Ling (Chen Xiang) and Zhang Ziping, the imperial court continued to promote the textile industry in Suhu, because cotton cloth was extremely expensive.
It can even keep out the cold compared to silk and attract people to compete for profit."
"After the dynasty captured Liangzhou in recent years, the overland Silk Road was opened again. With the demand for silk and cotton cloth, the people of Suhu began to plant mulberry and raise silkworms."
"This year, the sixth year of Yuanfeng, the textile industry in Suhu has become quite developed. Due to the demand to convert rice into mulberry, or even rice into cotton, the price of rice in Suhu has started to skyrocket since last year...
"
Having said this, Zhang Zhi glanced at Zhang Yue's expression.
Zhang Yue said: "Keep talking."
Zhang Zhidao said: "The common people feel that it is not cost-effective to work hard to grow grain, and it is not as profitable as growing cotton and mulberry. In Hangzhou and Suzhou, under the promotion of the imperial court, various new looms such as spinning wheels and waist looms are
There are many levels. Now the local textile guilds have suppressed the government-run textile institutes. There are many private looms with five to six hundred, or even thousands."
"Therefore, officials from both Zhejiang and Zhejiang provinces advocated whether to use the means of decentralizing the cross-border trade and postal services."
Zhang Yue said nothing when he heard this.
Zhang Zhidao: "I heard that businessmen will do whatever it takes to purchase cotton and silk from the private sector."
"They even bought large amounts of land in Suzhou and Hangzhou, then destroyed all the rice fields where green seedlings had just been planted, and then planted cotton trees."
"Therefore, grain prices in Zhejiang and Zhejiang have skyrocketed."
Zhang Yue said: "The imperial court is now opening up the Silk Road to the west, and to the east it wants to open up the trade between Korea and Japan."
"Do you know how many households in Dangxiang are left after opening up the Silk Road?"
In fact, Dangxiang's textile industry is not weak. In addition to the government-run Guanjin Yuan, there are also ordinary people's weaving households down to individual households.
Dangxiang itself also has "Wen Brocade", and people also grow mulberry and raise silkworms. Although the quality of Xixia silk is not high, it can barely be passed in places such as the Uighurs. Dangxiang then obtained silk from the Song Dynasty and resold it to the Western Regions.
At the same time, the Dangxiang area has been able to weave cotton since the early Song Dynasty, but the level of looms has never been as good as that of the Song Dynasty, so the output is extremely low.
However, after the Song Dynasty captured Liangzhou, the Dangxiang people could no longer make price differences, and various cheap and high-quality textiles hit the entire Western Region market.
Among them, the textile industry in Qinzhou and Jiangnan dealt a very heavy blow to Dangxiang, no less than another battle of Pingxia City. Dangxiang lost the battle of Pingxia City and could recover after a few years, but the textile industry
The bankruptcy and blood loss of the industry can never be made up for.
As for the Song Dynasty, which had been paying tribute to silk cloth from the Liao Kingdom, there had always been government-run weaving institutes in the Song Dynasty. However, at the beginning, most of the people were forced to hire private weavers to work for the government for free. It was not until Wang Anshi's exemption law that this situation was broken. Later, the official adopted
An outsourcing method is to cooperate with private operators to provide dyes, weaving, etc.
However, the official price is generally the lowest, and private operators have almost no profit.
Unexpectedly, the rise of the cotton spinning industry broke through the officialdom in one fell swoop, and even the officialdom barriers in the silk industry were broken down.
As for the soaring rice prices in the two Zhejiang provinces, this is an indisputable fact.
"There are many opponents? There are both old and new parties, right?" Zhang Yueyan said.
Zhang Zhidao: "There are indeed people who care about people's livelihood, but some people think that the gathering of people is not conducive to government management, and some people are interested in the huge profits and want to include the profits of cotton cloth into the government management."
Check out the correct version one by one!
Zhang Yue heard this and said: "But the banner we are using is all about people's livelihood, right?"
"Indeed."
"Then how do you think we can solve the problem?"
Zhang Zhi said: "I don't know, my subordinate."
Zhang Yue turned to look at Zhang Zhi and scolded: "You are already the prime minister, how can you not have a plan in mind? What if Your Majesty Ruo Jindian asks?"
Zhang Zhi said with a naive smile: "I, Xiao Guicao, can do whatever I want! Anyway, if we don't have enough food, we will adjust it from other places! We won't change the system!"
Zhang Zhi's rogue tone reminded Zhang Yue of the time when he taught Zhang Zhi to study in the small building at his home in Nanpu Xi.
Zhang Yue glanced at the falling snowflakes outside and said to Zhang Zhi: "Adjusting food is not enough. I still remember the answers to the questions in the Jiayou Sixth Year Subject Examination."
"The policy topic at that time said that although the fields were opened, the people were bored. Although the border was safe, the troops could not withdraw. The benefits were dredged, but the expenses were growing."
"I said, first of all, the population has increased. At the time of Taoism, the number of households in the world was 7.73 million, but at the time of Emperor You, it was already 1.53 million, a full one-third more, so per capita
There are fewer fields, this is one of them."
"The second reason is that the people of the world are not evenly gathered together."
"Wuyue has a small land and many people, while Huguang has a vast land and few people. If you go narrow, it will be wide."
"The Jingxiang area has many native officials and few displaced officials, and the people are divided and governed."
Zhang Zhi heard this and said: "What Sanshu means is to develop Huguang and use the upper reaches of the Yangtze River to store grain to support the lower reaches!"
Zhang Yue nodded, thinking of the time when he was studying in the country.
Zhang Yue was still very young at that time, and he supported the plan of the Prime Minister and the Third Division during the policy making. In fact, this is what Wang Anshi did.
On the contrary, Zhang Yue was quite lenient when he became prime minister. Originally, Yuanfeng's restructuring of the Household Department Youcao (formerly Sinong Temple) was directly under the prime minister, but Zhang Yue returned it to the Household Department. Of course, this was also because of Huang Lu
Apparently, he and Cai Que both met Zhang Yue when they were still young.
After working together for so many years, Huang Lu often slapped Zhang Yue on the table, but Huang Lu also helped Zhang Yue withstand a lot of thunder at critical moments, and the friendship between brothers was nothing more than this.
Zhang Yue believed in the policy making at that time that the country had indeed "taken advantage of the situation".
At that time, the Song Dynasty had been a country for a hundred years, and there was almost no economic growth. To maintain it, we could only start from the stock, which was very difficult.
Therefore, Zhang Yue believed that the court must further centralize power to allocate resources for the future. That's why Wang Anshi's Reform was launched.
How to get rid of the problem of "profit is already in trouble"?
Zhang Yue remembered that a certain dynasty occupied a certain amount of global GDP. This is nonsense.
It's like a person raising sheep and eating them himself in the end, which cannot be counted in GDP.
Because gdp is the final commodity price, and before the Opium War, China was mostly a self-sufficient natural economy.
Gdp is only considered if you raise sheep and sell them to others in exchange for money. Gdp is a social division of labor and a transaction. I raise sheep not to eat for myself, but to sell them to others and finally exchange them for money. This is called social division of labor.
In the end, the sheep was sold and processed into mutton, the mutton was sold and made into mutton-shabu-shabu, and the mutton-shabu-shabu was sold to a hot pot restaurant and turned into mutton hot pot. Finally, you ordered a mutton hot pot takeout using Meituan.
From sheep to mutton to mutton shabu-shabu to mutton hot pot to mutton hot pot takeout, every step involves social division of labor, and some people earn wealth from it, and the price of mutton hot pot takeout is the final GDP.
The more social division of labor steps involved in the transaction, the more wealth can be created.
Hearing this, Zhang Zhi was a little puzzled and asked: "How can the court make wealth from this?"
But Zhang Yue said to Zhang Zhi: "Go over there and get a piece of mutton with your hands!"
Zhang Zhi went to take out the mutton with his hands.
Zhang Yue said: "Put it back again!"
Zhang Zhi put the mutton back again.
Zhang Yue said to Zhang Zhi: "See if there is a little more grease in your hands!"
Zhang Zhi suddenly realized.
As long as it is a transaction, whether it is a transaction between acquaintances or a roadside stall, the court can make money from it.
But if you raise your own sheep and eat them yourself, the court cannot make a dime from them.
Of course, when productivity is low, the natural economy has no solution.
For example, if I earn 20 yuan an hour, I have no choice but to cook and eat by myself. But if I earn 200 yuan an hour, I can order food.
Although ordering food is more expensive, I can earn back the money in less than ten minutes of work. On the contrary, it takes me an hour to cook.
This is a question of labor efficiency.
Social division of labor allows everyone to do more suitable things, rather than doing everything. This is the same as doing housework for your own family cannot create wealth, but doing housework for other people's families can.
The more developed the economy is, the more it moves toward a commodity economy, not a self-sufficient economy.
This is the way to get rid of the idea of "taking advantage of others"!
Of course there is also the development of Huguang!
Zhang Yue picked up a piece of mutton and said this to Zhang Zhi. That's why he encouraged the silk and cotton trade, because there are a lot of links involved in cotton planting, cotton seed removal, weaving, looms, machine shops, dyeing, etc.
, can drive a large number of industries.
Finally, from a piece of silk and cotton to ready-made clothing, there are countless social division of labor steps involved.
Zhang Zhi listened attentively and was enlightened.
Zhang Yue talked about his interest, so he couldn't help but drink a few more glasses of wine and said: "My great policies are all based on this path, and you should follow this path from now on!"
Zhang Zhi said seriously: "My nephew, remember this."
Unknowingly, the snow on the ground was already three feet deep. Zhang Yue stretched out his hand outside the court and saw snowflakes falling on the palm of his hand.
But in the pavilion in the distance, Shi Qi Niang and Mrs. Lu came into the corridor wearing one white and one yellow cloak.
Zhang Zhi smiled and said: "They must have thought that we were late for chatting and urged us to come in."
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Yes."
The friendship between women is very strange. Before, Shi Qiniang and Mrs. Lu were at odds with each other, and they fought fiercely secretly. The slaves on both sides didn't know what to do. But now the two women are holding hands and talking in detail, and they are very intimate.
"It's a pity that the snow scene is so beautiful." Zhang Yue looked at the scene of continuous snow with some reluctance.
Zhang Zhi said: "Yes, but the snow scene in Sanshu Bianjing is nothing compared to when we were on Xihe Road, where the grasslands and valleys were all covered with snow, and the sky and the earth were vast!"
“It’s like overwhelming!”
Both uncle and nephew had military campaigns in the northwest.
When Zhang Yue thought about this, he couldn't help but see the sight of the galloping horses and the heavy snow covering their bows and swords.
Zhang Zhi said with a smile: "When my third uncle saw this, he might as well compose a poem to remind me of the original!"
Zhang Yue's heart moved when he saw the vast snowy scene, and then said: "You also know that Third Uncle is not good at this."
Zhang Zhi looked at Zhang Yue's expression and said, "Third uncle must have a good word in his heart."
Zhang Yue had just had a few more drinks and was feeling drunk in his heart. Seeing Zhang Zhi's encouragement, he immediately said: "That's fine, let me write it down!"
Zhang Yue witnessed this snow scene, but when he saw the heavy snow rolling, he immediately put down his pen and paper.
"Tian Ding was so angry that he overturned the silver sea and scattered the pearl foils. Six strange flowers flew and filled the hills and valleys in the mountains. The tigers were mad and Su Lin was rampant, breaking the pearl ropes. The jade dragons were fighting fiercely, and their scales were falling all over the sky.
"
"Who thinks that thousands of miles away from the mountains, the conquerors stand frozen, their silk belts are stained with the flags and feet. The color reflects the spears, the light shakes the swords and halberds, and the murderous spirit crosses the curtain. The brave tigers are heroic, but they are brave, and they discuss military strategies together. We need to get drunk.
Look at the clear outline of the blue sky!"
After Zhang Zhi read it, he clapped his legs and said: "Great words, really a heroic spirit!"
Hearing the number of heroes, Zhang Yue suddenly woke up and suddenly became three points drunker.
He was about to write the paper and threw it into the stove. Zhang Zhi was surprised when he saw this: "Why is Third Uncle like this? It's such a pity for such a good poem."
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "It's a joke, just forget it after you've seen it."
"Now that you and I are both wealthy and powerful prime ministers, why bother thinking about this war anymore? Let's go!"
…
The next day.
Zhang Zhi handled official affairs in Zhongshu Province.
After finally taking some time off, I watched two officials warming themselves by the charcoal basin, while it was snowing heavily outside.
Zhang Zhi thought of this, and suddenly thought of the poem Zhang Yue wrote yesterday, and couldn't help but feel something in his heart.
He immediately took out pen and ink and re-wrote the poem on paper.
Zhang Zhi held the paper and read it again and again, and couldn't help but exclaim: "What a good word!"
"Good words!"
"It's really a very heroic and outrageous thing!"
After finishing writing, Zhang Zhi put the paper aside. After leaving the office, an official happened to see the paper with this word written on it, and he immediately copied it down.
…
That night at Cai Que's residence.
This poem has reached Cai Que's hands.
After reading it, Cai Que couldn't help but turn pale in shock and said: "Although it is written about snow, the murderous aura in his chest is so powerful!"
"This is such an ambitious statement. How dare you write it so boldly? Is it possible that you are going to rebel?"