Chapter 572 (1/2)
Zhang Fu
At this time, Prime Minister Zhang Dun was standing alone on the inside of the book case, looking at the rich red gift list in front of him, looking stunned.
”Shen Wang, Jian Wang, Xin Wang, Duan Wang... I really think highly of myself.”
He scanned all the gift lists one by one, but when he saw Duan Wang, he suddenly stopped.
For Duan Wang Zhao Ji, he could not understand more. He was gifted in poetry, song and Fu, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. More than that, this one is good at sound, color, dog and horse, comfort and pleasure. He is simply a replica of the former and future Lord Li Yu.
”If such a frivolous person ascends to the top, wouldn't it do great harm to the country?”
There was an undisguised irony in his eyes. As a prime minister, he naturally saw everything clearly. What he needed to be a qualified emperor was not those useless things.
Leng hum, without looking at the gift list, he threw it aside. At this time, his eyes turned back, but he lingered around in the rest of the gift list.
However, after pondering for a long time, he hesitated between Zhao Yu, king of Shen, and Zhao Xiang, king of Jian. As for the rest of the princes, no matter which aspect is insufficient, naturally they are not considered.
Of course, this matter is not what he can do alone. Lord, we still need to consult with you in power and the Empress Dowager in the palace before we can decide.
”Hey...”
Suddenly, he sighed. If the officials had no children, and suddenly died suddenly, even the imperial edict had no time to stay, how could there be such trouble?
”Da Da...”
But at this time, a burst of footsteps suddenly came from the outside, which immediately interrupted his meditation. Looking up, it was the housekeeper in his house.
”Master, housekeeper Liu of Lord Shen's house came to see you.”
”Shen Wang? Hasn't he been here once?” Zhang Dun paused with some consternation, and then said,
”You go and reply to him. As a prime minister, I will be impartial in some things. There is no possibility of favoritism. I also let him wait at ease without frequent activities and criticism.”
”Yes”
The housekeeper answered and turned away.
Outside the prime minister's house, housekeeper Liu sighed helplessly. The Lord asked him to come and express his attitude. As a result, he was ”invited” out without even seeing him. What should I do?
When I was worried, I suddenly saw a familiar figure coming not far ahead. His face was frozen. He was familiar with the man. Who was it that wasn't King Jane's house?
Housekeeper Liu frowned. Didn't this man come once yesterday? Somehow, I always think something's wrong there. Instead of staying any longer, he turned back to his royal residence at a high speed.
……
”See the Empress Dowager.”
”Ladies and gentlemen, please rise.”
In Baoci palace, the Empress Dowager summoned all the important officials in the East and West Houses to discuss important matters. As for what it is, everyone knows it.
”The sudden death of an official family is a tragedy for the whole country. However, the country must not be without a king for a day, or there will be chaos.” at this point, he paused to the empress dowager, glanced at the ministers, and then said,
”The new gentleman is sorry for a woman. People can't make up their mind. That's why they hurriedly summoned everyone.”
At the moment, all the ministers and workers standing below are the highest leaders of the power of the Song Dynasty. Their words and deeds determine the fate of the world.
”Tell the empress dowager, the old minister thinks that we should choose one between the ninth Prince and the thirteenth prince.” Zhang Dun took the lead in speaking out his opinions,
”In terms of seniority, it should be king Shen, who is the eldest brother of the emperor of the official family, or King Jian, who is the brother of the same mother of the official family, which is in line with the law of etiquette.”
The hall suddenly became quiet, and everyone looked at Zhang Dun in a strange way, with different expressions. They didn't know whether they were admiring or mocking.
”Zhang Xiang's remark is too hasty. Duan Wang, Xin Wang and Mu Wang are all close brothers of the official family. Why are they directly excluded? Isn't it unfair?”
”Duan Wang is frivolous. How can he be the king of the world? Moreover, the two kings of Xinmu are neither eldest brother nor talented. They don't have to consider it.”
”Duan Wang is talented and handsome. How can he be frivolous?”
”You...”
”Well, it's all about the current Dynasty. What's the matter with such a quarrel?”
But at this time, she suddenly opened her mouth to the Empress Dowager and interrupted their argument. His eyes turned to another person, who knew that the Privy Council had been informed. Nodding slightly to him, you said,
”The mourning family has no children, so there is no difference between legitimate and common people. The princes are all common people. They are naturally qualified to inherit the throne above the rites and laws.”
”What the Empress Dowager said is true. Zhang Xiangli's law is a little biased. I heard that all the princes gave generous gifts to the prime minister's house yesterday. Is it because the gifts given by others are thinner that Zhang Xiangxiang favors one over the other?”
”Zeng Bu, you dare to slander the truth!”
Zhang Dun looked ugly and stared at each other.
”Zhang Xiang speaks carefully. I'm just telling the truth. If I offend, I hope Haihan.” Zeng Bu arched his hand, but there was no apology in his face.
”You princes are not perfect, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The so-called monarch rules by bowing to the arch, even if there are some imperfections, it will not hurt the great elegance. We and other courtiers will assist in repairing the defects and omissions.”
”Sophistry.”
Zhang Dun looked gloomy. How could he not hear the hidden meaning in each other's words? He was just whitewashing for Duanwang. However, Zhao Ji is not only inappropriate, but his personality is taboo for the king.
”We all have our own opinions. It's not a way to argue like this. We might as well listen to the Queen Mother's opinions. In this way, as long as we have no objection, we can decide what to do?”
At this time, a figure suddenly came out. It was Cai Bian, Zuo Cheng, the Minister of justice. His position was high and powerful. Naturally, he had great influence. When his voice fell, most of the people were silent. It was obvious that they recognized his suggestion.
Zhang Dun was about to stop talking. Somehow, he always had a bad hunch. However, he saw that all the people had no words, and it was not good for him to offend the anger of the people.
”It's up to you to decide the result, or to shirk the embarrassment to the mourning family.” the Empress Dowager seemed to have some helplessness. After thinking about it, he continued,
”The AI family is a woman family, and it doesn't have much insight. However, when the former Emperor Shenzong was in power, he said that the Duan king had longevity and benevolence and filial piety. Therefore, the AI family felt that it could be established as a king. What did the Qing families think?”
”Empress Dowager...” hearing the words of Empress Dowager Xiang, Zhang Dun suddenly changed his face slightly and was about to refute, but he was interrupted by Zeng bu,
”As the former Emperor said, that is the holy meaning. Duan Wang is blessed with longevity, benevolence and filial piety, and also has great talent. If he is an emperor, he will become a generation of sages, Mingjun, and the minister will agree.”
”The vision of the former Emperor must not be within our reach. In this case, the old minister agreed.” Cai Bian bowed and agreed.
”Minister also seconded”
“……”
In a flash, the situation suddenly changed, and several rulers on the spot seemed to have discussed it long ago. They all chose to agree, and immediately made Zhang Dun's face change again.
So, isn't he completely isolated? Want to refute, however, looking at the people's smiling eyes, I suddenly felt a chill in my heart and didn't have the courage to speak.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager seemed relieved at last, smiled and said:
”Since all the ministers have no opinion, let's make a decision. It's not too late, Zhang Xiang. You'll be responsible for this. Other ministers will help. Don't make mistakes and cause unrest.”
”Old minister obeys orders.” Zhang Dun, aware of the hopelessness of opposition, could not help but sigh secretly and bowed to answer.
……