Chapter 5 　　

In the side hall next to the Chongzheng Hall, Zhao Xu sat casually with his legs curled up on the imperial couch, and Shi Yue sat respectfully at his lower left head, with a serious expression, listening to Wang Gui's report on Empress Dowager Gao's birthday celebration . Your Majesty, after discussing with Wen Yanbo, Lu Huiqing and others, I thought that the congratulatory ceremony for the Empress Dowager's birthday can be compared to the birthday ceremony on the Changning Festival during Renzong's reign. On the day of the Empress Dowager's birthday on July 16th, the Empress Dowager was invited to hang the curtain in the Chongzheng Hall, and all the officials and Khitan, Envoys from Goryeo, Jiaozhi and overseas countries paid homage to the court.There is one group of ministers, one group of officials, and one group of envoys from various countries, and they serve birthday wine respectively.After the ceremony, the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, and all the officials went to the east gate to pay respects and congratulate her. The concubine of the king of Korea and the wives who were married came in to celebrate their birthdays, and those who were not allowed to enter would go to the palace.The internal servants first lead the married woman, then the princess of Goryeo and others, and then the foreign married woman, such as Baiguan Yi Shangshou.On July 17th, a big banquet.Speaking of this, Wang Gui secretly raised his eyes and glanced at Zhao Xu, and saw that Zhao Xu's eyebrows frowned imperceptibly. He quickly explained: Kaifeng Mansion celebrates the three-day celebration, which is originally the Changning Festival. Nothing, but the envoys from various countries have come to celebrate their birthdays, and the two governments thought it was inappropriate to lose the dignity of the heavenly kingdom

Zhao Xu shook his head subconsciously. Decent things, after all, are just false names.Today is different from the past, the envoys of various countries are all permanent, like Emperor Sui Yang who admires fame and can't bluff people.The Empress Dowager is frugal by nature, and she is often worried about the emptiness of the national treasury.This season is so ostentatious and a waste of state money, if the Queen Mother finds out, I am worried that the Queen Mother will be unhappy instead.The three-day celebration in Kaifeng Mansion, have you figured out how much money you will spend? The ministers thought that if they saved a little, one hundred thousand strings would be enough.Wang Gui didn't seem to realize that the emperor's unhappiness came from his heart, and he praised: "The Empress Dowager's sage and virtue spread all over the world."Today's people in Kaifeng know that the Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching, and most of them offer incense and prayers at home, wishing the Empress Dowager a long life.The Koryo state stated that because of the Queen Mother's holy day, thousands of ganoderma lucidum sprang up outside Kaicheng overnight. Standing on Kaicheng, it turned out to be a big longevity character.This kind of auspiciousness, I have never heard of it in the history of the scriptures.This matter was reported by various newspapers, and almost everyone in the world knew that the king of Koryo would escort the largest ganoderma to Beijing on July 16th. The common people wanted to witness this grand occasion that had never happened in a thousand years.The ministers of the two governments all thought that they could use this auspicious auspiciousness from the sky to declare the national prestige of our Great Song to the people of the world and the barbarians all over the world. Kingdom of heaven.Such a grand ceremony should not be too simple.What's more, in the past three years of the imperial court, hundreds of officials and the forbidden army have not received a big reward from the imperial court for a long time.

Want a big reward?Zhao Xu's brows were tightly knit together. The two governments negotiated, and each person below the Xiangjun Festival level will be given one hundred coins and two liang of wine; each person below the Forbidden Army Festival level will be given three hundred coins and four liang of wine; The army will be rewarded twice, and the Fan army and the rural soldiers will be compared with the Xiang army.The remaining civil and military officials are rewarded according to their ranks.The total cost will not exceed 500,000 guan. Five hundred thousand!Zhao Xu gasped.In fact, this level of reward is not worth mentioning in the history of the Song Dynasty.In order to win over the army, at least once every three years, taking advantage of the opportunity of the suburban festival, the Song court will give big rewards as usual.However, this behavior has always been opposed by Sima Guang, and after the reform of the military system, the military salaries of the Song Army have also been greatly adjusted according to their ranks.So this great reward was gradually withdrawn.This wasn't an issue a few years ago.Because the Song army won frequently, Xiu said that the Song army differentiated the treatment of the border garrisons and inland garrisons, and the rewards after the great victory could also make up for the losses of the soldiers.But this does not mean that there are no complaints. After all, there are still many civil and military officials who have lost a sum of income for no reason. How can these people not be full of complaints?It's just that there is no chance to express it.But the situation is different now. The army has not received general rewards in the past three years, and prices have risen again. It is impossible to say that there are no complaints in the army.In the case of the Weinan Mutiny that just happened, the two governments would never dare to joke about the stability of the army. It is only natural that some people want to take this opportunity to restore the big reward.

But 500,000 guan is definitely not a small amount for the current treasury of the Song Dynasty.Not only that, but after the hole is torn open again, Sima Guang's efforts will be considered in vain. Taking advantage of Empress Dowager Gao's birthday, some people want to whitewash the peace, some want to restore the bad government, and some want to flatter them. In the name of loyalty and filial piety, not only the wishes of Empress Dowager Gao can be completely ignored, even the emperor can't Oppose what you don't want to do.When it comes to the stability of the army, no one dares to take it lightly.

Zhao Xu cast his gaze on Shi Yue who had been sitting upright.But Shi Yue didn't seem to see the emperor's eyes at all. He focused on Wang Gui and listened carefully, but there was no expression of approval or disapproval on his face. For such a large amount of expenditure, the treasury Zhao Xu's eyes did not linger on Shi Yue, he frowned and muttered, at least nearly 700,000 yuan in total. Your Majesty, these expenses cannot be saved. The reward of 500,000 guan, the celebration of 100,000 guan, and the Ganoderma lucidum sent by the King of Koryo all the way, are not cheap. Listening to the dialogue between the emperor and Wang Gui, Shi Yue kept shaking his head in his heart. The two governments should have clearly rejected Goryeo's auspiciousness at the beginning, but such a big Koryo flattery was photographed, and the entire Song Dynasty was photographed dizzy from the monarchs and ministers to ordinary people. How many people can remember that after receiving flattery, they must pay the bill?

It's too late now.The Ganoderma lucidum of Korea may have arrived in Hangzhou, so let people go home at this time?Goryeo is not the state and county of Song Dynasty, which will make it impossible for both parties to step down.What's more, now not only countries, but even Xixia have sent congratulatory forms. Since people came here in a lively manner, even if the Song Dynasty didn't want to hold a big banquet, it would be impossible.Now that the tone of Daqing has been set, it is reasonable for officials and soldiers to look forward to a little reward.What's more, on the other hand, the Song Dynasty really needed such an opportunity to stabilize the morale of the army and the people.

Which of the ministers of the two governments does not know the details of the treasury?However, peace sometimes needs to be whitewashed. Moreover, Empress Dowager Gao did have a high prestige among her subjects, especially in the minds of northern scholar-bureaucrats, this empress dowager who was raised by Emperor Renzong and Empress Dowager Cao in the palace had a very special status.Many scholar-bureaucrats usually don't believe in ghosts and gods, and they hate it when they mention auspiciousness. But this time, because they are related to Empress Dowager Gao, they wrote poems and odes to commemorate it. Human beings can always easily believe what they want to believe.

Naturally, Shi Yue knew that Empress Dowager Gao had even been hailed as Yao Shun in another time and space. Although his own evaluation of Empress Dowager Gao was not as high as Empress Dowager Cao, he had no ill feeling towards her.Those who hold power in their hands but refuse to abuse it are always worthy of respect.Shi Yue can personally experience how much temptation it is.But Empress Dowager Gao not only restrained herself, but also restrained her clansmen. Her political ability may be insufficient, but her moral character is indeed beyond reproach. From public to private, he couldn't find a strong reason to oppose this matter.

The treasury is indeed facing difficulties, maybe they have to issue additional banknotes again, but this is something that Lu Huiqing and Sima Guang have to worry about. With the current situation, the Great Song Dynasty will face a big trouble sooner or later.Since it cannot be avoided, it is better to let it break out earlier than to spend a lot of time on thankless tinkering. Lu Huiqing's current situation is to drink doves to quench her thirst. Shi Yue can guess Lu Huiqing's mentality, he is definitely not willing to let the reputation of Empress Dowager Gao continue to rise, it is well known that Empress Dowager Gao doesn't like him; To make the treasury worse, but now he desperately needs a chance to whitewash the peace!

Therefore, no matter how bitter the wine is, he will swallow it. Forget it, this matter will be discussed and handled by the two governments.The emperor shook his head helplessly, as if he wanted to put these unpleasant things behind him.Xu Shi felt a kind of awkwardness in his heart, and the emperor's voice became a little depressed. Chen Yi's eldest son had handed in a thank-you form a few days ago, saying that Chen Yi had left a will early on, and the money from the court had been returned intact.Why!Zhao Xu couldn't help sighing in a low voice, what the Ministry of Punishment wants is someone who is honest and fair, and who can understand the situation.Chen Yi's death is a failure of my ability.

Under Chen Yi's nine springs, he must have no regrets to hear His Majesty's words.Wang Gui said emotionally, with tears welling up in the corner of his eyes, he seemed to have forgotten that he had ordered someone to impeach Chen Yi a few months ago. Shi Yue glanced at him contemptuously, but echoed the same in his mouth: Chen Yi is upright, and his career cannot be accomplished without His Majesty's sage.Therefore, he cherishes the kindness of knowing and encountering, and repays His Majesty as a national scholar, and he will not talk about family affairs until his death.If all the ministers in the court can do this, why not worry about peace? Zhao Xu sighed silently, and after a long time, he followed his own train of thought and said: The Ministry of Punishment is a department with complicated affairs, and it also concerns the country's important codes. When Chen Yi was here, I was very relieved to entrust the Ministry of Punishment to him.Now that Chen Yi has gone, the Ministry of Punishment has to choose him well. My intention is Fan Chunren. What do you think? Fan Chunren?Shi Yue almost couldn't help being stunned for a moment, he had always believed that Fan Chunren was a strong candidate for Yushi Zhongcheng, but he never imagined that the emperor would let him directly enter the capital province to be Minister of Punishment.If this move is made, what will happen to the political situation of the imperial court is really unpredictable.If Fan Chunren is the minister of the Ministry of punishment, who will be the censor Zhongcheng?He peeked at Zhao Xu suspiciously, feeling startled and suspicious in his heart. Could it be that the emperor is already planning a big reshuffle? While he was still in astonishment, Wang Gui had already replied: Your Majesty, Fan Chunren's good character, talents and qualifications are all worthy of important responsibilities.With him in charge of the Ministry of Punishments, His Majesty will not be disappointed. Shi Yue was even more surprised. Even if Wang Gui didn't want Fan Chunren to be in charge of Lantai, what good would it be to Wang Gui if Fan Chunren was in charge of the Ministry of Punishment and became the ruling minister in one fell swoop?Could it be that he has decided that it is an unchangeable fact that Fan Chunren has entered the Ministry of Criminal Justice?Shi Yue knew that Wang Gui was the emperor's answering worm, and for a moment he was even more suspicious that although the emperor called it a consultation, he actually had an opinion in his heart. But at this time, Shi Yue couldn't allow Shi Yue to think too much. He felt the emperor's eyes looking at him, and he didn't dare to look at Wang Gui's expression right now. Just in terms of character, talent, and qualifications, it is very appropriate for Fan Chunren to be in charge of the Ministry of Criminal Justice.only just what?Zhao Xu heard the objection in Shi Yue's words, and was also surprised, so he couldn't help asking. Shi Yue raised his eyes to meet the emperor's gaze, and boldly said: Excuse me for being bold, but I don't know what Fan Chunren himself means? oh?Did you mean that Fan Chunren would not want to be a political adviser?The surprise in Zhao Xu's eyes grew stronger. Wang Gui shook his head disapprovingly and said: Ziming also thinks too highly of Fan Chunren.How many people in the world can face the ruling position without being tempted?Fan Chunren didn't want to be a hermit.Shi Yue just smiled and didn't speak.Zhao Xu looked at Wang Gui, then at Shi Yue for a long while, and wondered: So, Qing already knew that Fan Chunren wanted to go to Yizhou to be a watcher? This time it was Shi Yue's turn to be dumbfounded, Fan Chunren as Yizhou Watcher?He speculated that Fan Chunren might not be willing to enter the political affairs hall, but he was not sure.After all, a person like Sima Guang who did not hesitate to refuse even the Deputy Envoy of the Privy Council, no matter how much he advertises himself as a gentleman, is rare.What's more, the six ministers who are also in charge of political affairs are regarded as high-ranking and important in today's Song Dynasty, and their weight is actually far more important than that of the deputy privy envoy.But Shi Yue believed that Fan Chunren's entry into Lantai was Sima Guang's strategic plan, and it would not change easily, so Fan Chunren might not be willing to enter the Political Affairs Hall in a hurry. this hand. But it took less than two days for Fan Chunren to recommend himself, and it was still a very confidential matter.Zhao Xu couldn't help but suspect that Fan Chunren was frivolous.He looked closely at Shi Yue's expression, but he didn't seem to be fake, and he couldn't help but feel relieved, but he couldn't help being surprised.Yin asked: Why did Ziming think that Fan Chunren did not want to be in power? Shi Yue knew this question but couldn't think about it, and immediately replied carefully: I am actually just guessing.When I was in Shaanxi, I worked with Fan Chunren, and I know that this gentleman has a lot of his father's legacy, and he is a man who forgets his personal interests.Prison is the most important weapon of the country, but Fan Chunren has never judged a case for more than ten years. The criminals dare not say that Fan Chunren can't win or lose, but if it hurts His Majesty's knowledge of people, it may not be what Fan Chunren wants I see.Zhao Xu said with a smile: Ziming is also a knower.He said again: "However, I think the most important thing in the Minister of Criminal Affairs is to be cautious and fair."As for the format of imperial laws, how can the scholar-bureaucrats know everything about cases and prisons?Get familiar with it slowly.Fan Chunren was also an excellent candidate to go to Yizhou.He reported fourteen things about Yizhou, which I think is quite beyond the reach of others.It's just that I now lack a Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, and the relationship between punishment and prison is more important than that of Yizhou.What's more, Fan Chunren went to Yizhou to be a patrol envoy, like killing chickens with a sledgehammer.For this kind of dispatch, it is enough for Wang Zhongzheng to make a trip. The emperor used Wang Zhong to be familiar with it. In the early years of Xining, he was used to control the four military forces in the east of the river; Wang Shao was the first to open the Xihe, and Wang Zhongzheng was the first to observe the situation. His report on the emperor's final determination to restore Xi He played a vital role; Wang Zhongzheng was also responsible for supervising the implementation of the Baoma Law.Naturally, Shi Yue knew all these deeds in detail. To be fair, the merits of these Li Wang Zhongzheng were too great or too small, and it was reasonable for the emperor to trust him.But Wang Zhongzheng has a very good relationship with Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing, and he is an outspoken and rich man. If this person is sent to Yizhou, it may be the fuse that drives Yizhou out of the peasant uprising; Participating in the battle against Xia prevented him from making this great contribution, and the two had already forged enmity.Whether public or private, Shi Yue could not remain silent on this matter. As soon as the emperor finished speaking, he immediately left his seat and knelt down, paused and said: Your Majesty, this must never happen! Zhao Xu didn't expect Shi Yue to object so fiercely, he was almost taken aback, and his expression became serious.He listened attentively to Shi Yue's words: Your Majesty, I have been visiting Shaanxi for a long time, and I have heard some rumors.When Wang Xilie was in Hedong, he was good at doing good fortune, not at all the prudent and cautious appearance he was in the capital. The generals who gave a lot of money would be promoted quickly even if they had no merit;Even for more than a hundred years, the family has been the fence of the country and has been in Hedong for a long time. They even bribed an internal official to protect themselves!Even when Wang Shao opened the Xihe River back then, the officials also heard rumors that Wang Xiangmin had no choice but to bribe Wang Zhongzheng because of his own will, so that he would not be a hindrance.Although I have no real evidence for these misdeeds, there are many people in Shaanxi and Hedong who know about them.I don't dare to frame Wang with catchy words, but today's Yizhou is an extraordinary place. Your Majesty, the country has always had a saying that one is beneficial and the other is a prosperous place. There was no natural disaster reported before. How can the price of grain be unreasonable? Skyrocketing?The minister also heard rumors that the Weinan mutiny was caused by the Hebei Imperial Army's unwillingness to go to Yizhou to die for no reason. How could there be such rumors?The so-called carefulness makes the Wannian ship, for the sake of the country, Yizhou will not be chaotic. I think that even if it is finally found out that it is just a false alarm, it is better to be cautious than to regret it later.Therefore, Wang Xilie's rumors, if it is normal, I dare not speak up; but in this extraordinary time, I dare not keep silent.If Wang Xilie is sent, it is better to let Fan Yaofu go. Zhao Xu's face became more and more solemn as he listened, and in the end, his entire face turned black.You know, Shi Yue seldom attacked any official so nakedly in front of him.This is also one of the reasons why he likes him very much. He is really tired of the mutual attacks between the old and the new parties, and often there is no evidence, just accusing each other of each other's character, and even the memorials of Taiwan's admonishment are like this. It is to degrade the character of the person to be impeached to nothing, and then start the topic. According to them, Sima Guang and Shi Yuezhi are treacherous, compared with Li Si and Zhao Gaobei.This kind of argument really annoyed Zhao Xu.Several times, Zhao Xu couldn't help having an outburst, and retorted face to face, which made those courtiers extremely embarrassed.Only Shi Yue was an exception. No matter who the other party was, he just discussed the matter as it stood, rarely involving the other party's character.Moreover, Zhao Xu also knew clearly that Shi Yue was one of the scholar-bureaucrats who rarely attacked eunuchs. But just like that, although Shi Yue's words were only based on rumors, they already made Zhao Xu very angry. It is not intolerable for eunuchs to accept bribes.However, when it came to the point where even Zhejia and Wang Shao wanted to offer bribes, it was not as simple as accepting bribes.What's more, Kaixi River is a national policy, Wang Zhong is going to observe the situation according to the order, and his one sentence is related to the national policy of the imperial court for more than ten years, how dare he say it because of bribery?If it wasn't for Wang Shao's death, otherwise, he would not be able to get rid of the crime of editorial management just for this one! And the most important thing is that Zhao Xu sent eunuchs to join the military plane in order to monitor each other.The emperor expects them to observe every move of the general and then report the truth, but if the eunuchs accept bribes and collude with the general, and instead become a tool for the general to deceive, then what use are these weak people to the emperor ? Collusion between inside and outside has always been a taboo. A feeling of being cheated filled Zhao Xu's emotions. Zhao Xu stared at Shi Yue fiercely, and said coldly: Are you telling the truth? Shi Yue raised his head to look back at the emperor, and said calmly: How dare a subject deceive the emperor? good!good!Zhao Xu sneered again and again, and suddenly shouted sharply: Come on! Minions are here.Li Xiangan, who was waiting outside the side hall, didn't know what happened, so he hurried in. you go to preach His Majesty!His Majesty!Shi Yue and Wang Gui interrupted the furious emperor at the same time. Zhao Xu glanced at the two of them, and before they opened their mouths, he already understood that if this matter is really to be pursued, it must be a big prison!And those involved are all generals in the army. You go to pass the decree, telling Wang Zhongzheng to go to Beijing to recuperate! ah?Li Xiang'an couldn't help being stunned for a moment, but after all, he had been a job post for more than ten years, and before the emperor got angry, he quickly said: "Observe the order." Let Tong Guan go to Hedong, ask Zhe Kexing, and ask him to make a list of gifts for Wang Zhongzheng and bring them back to me. Compliance. Only then did Li Xiang'an realize that something had happened to Wang Zhongzheng, and hurriedly kowtowed and retreated. But Zhao Xu still couldn't understand his hatred, and said with hatred: "When this matter is over, I will definitely investigate and find out." Wang Gui glanced at Shi Yue with jealousy and jealousy. The emperor's partial belief in Shi Yue's one-sided words made him both envious and jealous.Decades of ups and downs in the officialdom have told him that nothing can compare to the trust of the emperor.The ups and downs on the surface are just illusions, and the impression of the courtiers in the emperor's mind is the most fundamental.At this moment, he seemed to fully understand the real reason why Shi Yue was ups and downs in the Xining Dynasty, but he was still defeated trust.No matter how contradictory it seemed, at this moment, Wang Gui firmly believed that his judgment was correct.It seems that I should let my sons go to Shifu a few more times. Even Shi Yue himself did not expect this result. He was already prepared to prevent Wang Zhongzheng from going to Yizhou at all costs. He had a lot of trust in Shaanxi, and it was not difficult to find someone to impeach Wang Zhongzheng, no matter the local officials or military generals.Even if he can't bring him down, he can slow down the emperor's order.In fact, Shi Yue didn't expect that a few words of his own would almost bring down a very popular eunuch.It was surprising how easy it was. Your Majesty, Wang Zhongzheng's matter is not an urgent matter, but is the choice of Yizhou Guanfeng Envoy. Your Majesty must not be careless.Shi Yue began to look forward to Shu, but he still said it very euphemistically. The minister thought that the matter of Yizhou involved the change of the court, the birth of the people along the way, and the national fortune of the Song Dynasty for decades. If the wrong person was chosen, the consequences would be disastrous. Zhao Xu's words were harsh to Zhao Xu's ears.Although Zhao Xu also suspected that there was a problem in Yizhou, he still believed that the opponent's words were a bit exaggerated.The so-called must not believe it, nor can it be fully believed.But what Shi Yue said involved changes in the court situation, it awakened Zhao Xu. It is indeed necessary to prevent someone from taking the opportunity to deny Xining's naturalization, and even intensify the party struggle between the court and China again. From this point of view, even Fan Chunren might not be the right candidate.Suddenly, a thought popped into Zhao Xu's mind: Could it be that Lu Huiqing was worried about recommending Fan Chunren as Minister of the Ministry of Punishment? , Throughout the ages, Lu Huiqing has never recommended one's political opponent to be the prime minister. This kind of party struggle method is still general. Some people in the government and the opposition do have a deep prejudice against Lu Huiqing. So Ziming has a suitable candidate in mind?Zhao Xu asked suddenly, at this moment he had calmed down, looking at Shi Yue with an unfathomable light in his eyes. Shi Yue didn't seem to be aware of the temptation in the emperor's words. The minister thought that His Majesty should choose a trustworthy senior official to go to Yizhou. On the one hand, His Majesty can trust that they will not be used by cronies; on the other hand, if the situation in Yizhou is really bad , He can also suppress the chief officials of the four divisions in Yizhou, and the patrolling and watching the wind will immediately become a pacifier, who can make decisive decisions and deal with affairs; the most important thing is that the experience of the veterans and important officials can also be relied on. Veteran and minister?Shi Yue's words moved Zhao Xu's heart. Shi Yue raised his head slowly, looked directly at Zhao Xu, and said calmly: I think that Your Majesty may call Wang Anshi to Shu. Wang Anshi? Zhao Xu stood up abruptly from the imperial couch. Wang Gui's eyes were full of shock.Doesn't Shi Yue know what he's doing?He was still talking about the change of the court just now, didn't he know that reappointing Wang Anshi would be the biggest change of the court!Besides, Wang Anshi's comeback, what's the benefit to Shi Yue?Although not many of Wang Anshi's new laws have been preserved today, and most of them are beyond recognition, Wang Anshi is still the person who initiated the Xining Reform, and he is still the red flag of the so-called New Party.Ten years after retiring to Jinling, people's impression of Wang Anshi has changed. He was self-willed and complained when he was in a phase. Except for those stubborn old party members, most people gradually forgot; On the personality charm, unparalleled popularity.There are even many people who believe that Shi Yue, Sima Guang, and Lu Huiqing have contributed greatly to the Song Dynasty's current situation, but Wang Anshi's pioneering contribution is even more indispensable!Shi, Ma, and Lu Zhi's political achievements, to a certain extent, are just standing on Wang Anshi's shoulders.Wang Gui still remembered a current commentary published in "Bianjing News". The article analyzed all the new policies of the Xining Dynasty, and finally found that the core part of the new policies of the Xining Dynasty was the sublation of Wang Anshi's new laws.Wang Anshi had already seen the problems that Shi and Ma saw. Shi and Ma were essentially just modifying Wang Anshi's solution, but Shi Yue was more active, while Sima Guang was more cautious.This current commentary published in the 16th year of Xining received wide acclaim, although in Wang Gui's view, the main purpose of this article was to deliberately name Wang, Ma, and Shi together in order to covertly Belittling Lu Huiqing is just to express dissatisfaction with current affairs.However, this also proves that Wang Anshi still plays an important role in the political situation of the Song Dynasty. Shi Yue actually recommended Wang Anshi, which is tantamount to playing with fire. Wang Anshi and Emperor Wang Jiefu paced back and forth, unable to hide their excitement in their tone. Shi Yue looked at the emperor silently, his heart was actually not as calm as his expression, if you observe carefully, you can find that Shi Yue's clothes are also trembling slightly. The conversation between the monarch and his ministers in the side hall lasted for nearly an hour before Shi Yue and Wang Gui resigned.Because Wang Gui was on duty, he went back to the Zhengshitang in the south, but Shi Yue went out of Da Nei via Donghuamen.He just walked to the Donghua Gate, and saw several eunuchs serving Yong Wang Zhao Hao dismounting outside the gate.Although he was quite taboo to deal with this virtuous king, but at this time he couldn't dodge deliberately, so he could only bite the bullet and go up to greet Zhao Hao. Zhao Hao also met Shi Yue by accident. Although the prince is the most honorable prince among the titles of the Song Dynasty, but in the Song Dynasty, the prince was inferior to the prime minister, and Shi Yue's name was higher than that of the prime minister. Zhao Hao did not dare to neglect. He hurriedly returned the gift, and said with a smile: Xiao Wang still remembers seeing Ziming for the first time, and it was also outside the Donghua Gate.Before I knew it, it had been more than ten years. Shi Yue hurriedly laughed and said: I am already old, but the majesty's demeanor is better than ten years ago. Zhao Hao said with a smile: Sima Guang often said dishonesty and should not be done, but Ziming's words were a little insincere.He glanced at Shi Yue again, and asked: Where is Wang Yuyu?Didn't the officials summon you two today? Shi Yue didn't expect Zhao Hao to be so familiar with the forbidden things, and he didn't shy away from it, he was stunned for a moment, Fang replied: Today Wang Yuyu is on duty. But he went back to the Forbidden Office with a gold belt and robe?Zhao Hao joked. Shi Yue also couldn't help but smile, he knew that this was a poem written by Mei Yaochen back then, because Wang Gui was a typical Taiping prime minister, in his whole life, he almost never went out of the capital except when he was a judge in Yangzhou at the beginning of his official career. A prime minister, the Song Dynasty was founded more than a hundred years ago, and his fate is also different.When Mei Yaochen wrote this poem, Wang Gui was only an academician. Mei Yaochen, who had experienced ups and downs, envied him very much. Because of the harmony of the poems, he wrote half-truths and half-truths: Candles chant the window.There is no such thing as honor and honor in the world, who loves to hold festival buildings. Shi Yueyin said with a smile: Wang Yuyu was born rich and honored, and no one else can compare.Looking at his poems, it is the first day of dawn when the golden gate is moving, the spring breeze is in the period of the jade cup, and the emerald phoenix sometimes turns its shadow, and the silver toad falls into Qingjin at night. Such a rich poem cannot be written. Zhao Hao couldn't help laughing, is it the most precious pill?Zhibaodan was a famous medicine at that time. It was developed from raw black rhinoceros, raw tortoise shell, amber, cinnabar, realgar, bezoar, borneol, musk, benzoin, gold and silver foil, etc. Its ingredients were rare and hard to find, so the price was expensive.Although Wang Gui is a disciple of Oumen and is famous for his literary name, his writing style is completely different from that of Ouyang Xiu, because most of his poems are magnificent, inlaid with gold and jade, even Wang Gui's elder brother ridiculed him as the most precious pill , This matter was widely circulated, and people at that time simply called Wang Gui's poems the most precious Dan style. Zhao Hao shook his head with a smile, and said: "It's a pity that Ziming has refused to write poems." It's Jiang Lang's talent.Shi Yue quickly changed the topic with a smile, and reminded gently: "Did the king come to see you under the imperial edict?" If the official or the queen mother summoned him, how dare Xiao Wang delay?Zhao Hao didn't sell it, he pretended not to understand Shi Yue's words, he still had a pleasant smile on his face, and he didn't hide it from Ziming, I was talking about Xiang.A few servants heard about Wang Xilie's bad deeds, so they focused on the errands of the Royal Medicine Academy, and ran to me, crying and making noise, insisting on forcing me to intervene, he said with a smile while looking at Shi Yue, without blinking his eyes. Did something bad happen to Wang Xilie?Shi Yue looked at Zhao Hao in astonishment, when did this happen?Why is there no wind at all? Zhao Hao looked away suspiciously from Shi Yue's face, and said with a smile: That's what happened just now.No wonder Ziming didn't know that he was under the ban.The officials asked Li Xiang'an to deliver a decree, ordering him to recuperate in Beijing.But at this time, Wang Xilie was probably asking someone to intercede, how could he go away willingly if he didn't see an official once? Shi Yue heard Zhao Hao's words as a reminder that Wang Zhongzheng had been in the palace for decades, and most of the eunuchs in the Song Dynasty were family-owned occupations, which can be said to be deeply rooted, so they were driven to Beijing for no reason. Before the emperor's will, how could Wang Zhongzheng be willing to submit?And the emperor's mind will also change.The emperor also has affection but does not open it. But Shi Yue could only pretend to be deaf and dumb, because he said with a smile: This is also a reasonable thing.He didn't want to stay any longer, so he clasped his fists and said: I still have some mundane duties to do, so I'm leaving.I also beg the king to forgive me. Ziming can do it himself.Zhao Hao smiled slightly.Watching Shi Yue hurriedly board the car and leave, Zhao Hao turned around and said coldly: Enter the palace. After Zhao Xu met Shi Yue and Wang Gui, he asked the eunuch to pick out all the Yizhou military emergency reports in the past few days, and read them carefully again. Gui temporarily took over the command of the Song army, but the morale of the Song army was low. Facing the southwestern barbarians in Luzhou, they were helpless and could only protect themselves.Qu Gui reported every day, but the memorials were all complaining that the military rations conscripted were moldy and spoiled in the warehouse, and could not be transported to the front lines. Soldiers who actually fought could only carry dry rations for ten days, and their range of activities was very limited; the map looked very close However, they often have to cross dozens of rolling mountains. The roads in the mountains are unfamiliar, poisonous snakes are infested, and even mosquitoes can kill people. However, the Song army lacks medical care and medicine, and soldiers are bitten to death by poisonous snakes every day. , and once entering the mountains, it is extremely easy to be ambushed. Dozens of enemies attacked in the mountains, and hundreds of people were sent to hunt them down, but it was difficult to see them. Dare to chase the barbarians; there are also complex terrain in the mountains, too many soldiers can't be used, and too few soldiers means death; the original government orders of the prefectures and counties of the Song Dynasty did not go out of the city, and the officers and soldiers couldn't understand the language, and it was hard to find a guide, and it was difficult to communicate, etc. These complaints were actually said by the generals of the Song Army who went there at the beginning, but Zhao Xu and the two governments regarded them as words of fear and reprimand, and criticized them severely. Since then, no one has dared to mention them more matter.But at this time, these words had a different taste in Zhao Xu's eyes.He knew about Qu Gui. The Qu family was also a famous general in the Song Dynasty. When Qu Gui was the first emperor, he worked as a class teacher in Da Nei. Zhao Xu met him a few times. Although he was illiterate, he was extremely loyal and honest. After he came to the throne, he was released to Xihe to earn fame. At that time, Wang Shao was in charge of Xihe, Li Xian was the supervisor of the army, Gao Zunyu was the deputy general, and Qu Gui worked under Gao Zunyu's account. Moving to the west frontier, Qu Gui was hit by three arrows in this battle, and he was the first to pass through the pass, reporting his first meritorious service.Later, in order to take Hezhou, Gao Zunyu had a disagreement with Wang Shao and Li Xian, and it turned out that Gao Zunyu was right, so Zhao Xu gradually let Gao Zunyu take charge of his own affairs, and Qu Gui followed Gao Zunyu all the time. The credit is very little.It wasn't until Gao Zunyu was demoted that the Privy Council found out that he had been suppressed by Gao Zunyu, but Qu Gui never defended himself.After Gao Zunyu's revelation, his brother Qu Zhen wrote to ask him if he had anything to report on his behalf. Instead, he distinguished for Gao Zunyu, thinking that Gao Zunyu had been in the Northwest for many years, and his merits outweighed his faults.It is unbelievable for such a loyal and upright person to say that he is afraid of difficulties.It's not that Zhao Xu doesn't understand in his heart that if these difficulties are still there, he will have to eat Coptis chinensis dumbly. He promised to go to Haikou at the beginning, how dare he slap his mouth now?The rest of the generals, seeing that their predecessors were sued, how dare they say anything?And no one in the imperial court would believe these words after losing the battle.Only people like Qu Gui dare to tell the truth. Zhao Xu sighed, reached out and rubbed his temples.The situation in Yizhou is really confusing.On the one hand, the minister of the imperial court said that Wang Xiaobo and Li Shun would be released from Yizhou tomorrow. Mobilize elite soldiers and powerful generals to attack, and the chaos can only be quelled with a single palm.Zhao Xu always felt that if it was due to policy mistakes and too much reluctance, Xining's naturalization was carried out very smoothly on Jingnan South Road, and there were a few holes that were unacceptable, and the local Tuntianxiang army was wiped out.If we talk about the geographical situation, is there such a big difference between Yizhou and Hunan?Hunan Road is also full of mountains, and there is also miasma.In the final analysis, the generals are still incompetent, and the defeated army harms the country.Even if what Qu Gui said is true, it is absolutely impossible that there is no way to solve it.At this time, Zhao Xu felt like a mirror in his heart, and the dispute over the candidates for the Yizhou Guanfeng Envoy was, after all, a party struggle.But to take into account the face of Wenwen, Ma and others, after all, it cannot be assumed that there is nothing wrong with Yizhou, and the price of food in Chengdu has skyrocketed, which is indeed strange.Therefore, we must be cautious and not be used by party struggles.And if something really happened, it would involve the fate of officials along the Chengdu Road, let alone just send someone casually.What Shi Yue said made sense.But what really matters to the situation in the southwest is the candidate for the economic envoy.The coach must choose a capable person. Thinking of this, Zhao Xu couldn't help but feel a little pity.Originally, Gao Zunyu was the one he had placed high hopes on, but a lot of bad things were involved. Judging from Qu Gui's affairs, he was still a bit jealous.If you don't have a big heart, how can you make the people below work hard?Once he and Shi Yue talked about how he served Shaanxi as a civil servant. Shi Yue said that he had nothing else to do, that is, two, one is not afraid of death. The principle of fear of death; one is not to be greedy for merit and avoid ability. The generals below know that the commander will not hold back and work hard by themselves. The court will definitely know that they will have the energy to fight.趙頊對此深以為然，當年韓絳誤事，就是為了怕死。高遵裕是不怕死的，但如果妒賢忌能，就難成大器。 一想起高遵裕來，趙頊忽然想到高遵裕因赦還京，今日正要進宮覲見太后，他瞥了一眼殿角的座鐘，估摸著高遵裕此時正在保慈宮。他心思一動，起身道︰去保慈宮。 才到保慈宮門口，保慈宮的內侍便已經見著趙頊一行人過來，嘩啦啦跪倒一大片，當下有人便要進去稟報，卻被趙頊笑著攔住了。他也不帶隨從，只叫了一個小黃門跟著，緩緩向保慈宮正殿踱去。還未到殿門口，便聽到殿中有人高聲說道︰有了這起事，才知唐康委實難得趙頊聽出聲音卻是高太后的親侄子，自己的表兄高公紀的，心裡不由得嘀咕了一下。外戚幹政是國朝的大忌，他知道高家的人都非常謹慎，從來不願意沾惹是非的，怎麼竟在這裡說起國事來？他留了神，正欲放輕了腳步，不料一個宮女恰好從殿中退出來，見著趙頊，倒是嚇了一大跳，慌慌忙忙跪倒請安。這麼一鬧騰，裡面便知道皇帝到了，趙頊生怕高太后出來迎自己，連忙快步進殿，卻見殿內除了高遵裕與高公紀外，雍王趙顥竟然也在，見他進來，全都跪了下來。趙頊一面給太后請了安，一面笑道︰今日只行家禮，不必太拘禮數。高太后也笑道︰並沒有外臣在，都起來坐了吧。三人這才起身坐了。趙頊便笑道︰太后剛剛聊什麼，還是接著說便是。 但高公紀卻不敢說了。只是趙顥笑道︰方才君正和太后說如今的兩件案子。 高太后臉上卻是沒了笑容，肅容問道︰官家，那陳世儒案，究竟是怎麼回事？ 趙頊沒想到高太后問的是這個案子，臉上頓時也沒了笑容，嘆道︰這是人倫慘案。這案子是今年正月陳府的奴婢到開封府告發的這陳世儒原是國子監的博士，他是陳執中的獨生子，他正室李氏，是呂公著的外甥女。陳執中不用說，真宗、仁宗兩朝名相，呂家也是本朝數一數二的世族，呂夷簡、呂公著都是位極人臣的誰能料到，這麼兩個名門望族之後，竟能做出這種喪盡天良的弒母案來。開封府已經遞進供狀，陳世儒夫婦都伏罪這案子的起因，原來竟是朝廷不合讓陳世儒去太湖縣當知縣！那陳世儒是紈褲子弟，習慣了汴京這個花花世界，到太湖縣都覺得是偏遠了，為了能回汴京，這夫婦倆竟唆使奴婢用毒藥謀殺陳世儒的親生母親張氏，張氏一死，陳世儒便可以丁母憂，順理成章回汴京來！不料奴婢用毒藥沒毒得死張氏，這夫婦竟半夜用鐵釘將張氏活活釘死！ 趙頊說到後面，已是咬牙切齒，保慈宮裡的宮女，聽到皇帝親口說出這起人倫慘劇，一個個嚇得臉色慘白。高太后原本將信將疑，怎麼也不肯相信這世間竟有這樣匪夷所思之事，這時候聽到趙頊親口證實，臉都氣白了，嘴脣氣得直發抖，哆嗦道︰這樣的人還留他做什麼？這樣的人還留他做什麼？ 開封府已經鎖拿了陳家上上下下二十餘口。朕原本還顧念著陳執中是幾朝的老臣，只有這麼一個獨子，殺一個陳世儒不可惜，可嘆的是陳執中從此絕後，想給他留一脈香火趙頊苦笑道︰不過當時卻被陳繹頂了回來，這是人倫大惡，不能不窮究，不能不嚴辦！ 陳繹說的是正理。可惜也死了 太后放心，朕已經知會蘇頌了，不多久便能決案。趙頊一面寬慰著高太后，眼角間卻瞥見趙顥臉上露出若有所思的表情。他心裡頓時感覺一陣彆扭，忽然想起蘇頌當面回自己的話︰事在有司，臣固不敢言寬，亦不敢諭之使重。這是當面給了自己一個軟釘子。雖然趙頊信得過蘇頌不會枉法，但趙頊總覺得不太舒服。這時候不免又莫名其妙泛起疑心來，陳執中與呂公著都是門生故吏遍朝野的，難保沒有人抱著和自己一樣的想法，想著為陳家留一脈香火 正想著，卻聽高太后嘆息道︰汴京的確是個繁華世界，因為不想離開汴京連官都不肯當的事，我也聽過不少。曾布、蔡確，聽說到了南海，便是一鎮諸侯，南海各國的國王見了他們，都要畢恭畢敬；要權有權，要錢有錢，可還是一心想著能回汴京，就算不當官也甘願。我自小在宮裡長大，也不知道外間和汴京到底有多大區別。不過剛剛聽公綽說起西南夷那地方，竟是一個州城方圓不過三里，有一千戶人聚居，便是極繁華的所在，又有瘴氣，人沾上便死，西南夷向來不服管教，朝廷的政令出不了州城之外，地方官上任之前，都要先寫好遺書，更有人千方百計躲避差遣若比起來，太湖縣真是天堂了。陳世儒也是宰相的子侄，唐康也是宰相的子侄，為何區別竟這麼大？ 趙頊不料太后竟然毫不掩飾地誇起唐康起來，他想起剛剛聽到高公紀說的半句話，不由狐疑地向高公紀望了一眼。 官家不用疑心有人來這幹請。趙頊的表情早已落到了高太后眼中，是我自己問起唐康的事情。外邊的事情，原本我不應當問。不過聽到有人說，要殺田烈武、李渾，要問唐康的罪官家，忠義之士，是殺一個少一個的。唐康、田烈武、李渾，這幾個人何足道？但處罰了這些人，殺了這些人，會不會叫忠臣義士寒心？官家要三思。陳世儒這樣禽獸不如的東西，官家還想著陳執中的香火，官家難道就不念石越、文彥博的情面？田烈武、李渾，雖不是名門，可也都是烈士之後他們的行事，哪裡是陳世儒能比的？ 太后說得極是。趙頊這時已經明白扯出陳世儒案，不過是個引子。太后根本還是想為唐康等人說情，若是后妃，他早就直斥為干政了，但太后地位卻畢竟大不相同，當下只得堆滿笑容，耐心解釋道︰以朕的本心，當然不願意處罰他們。不過國家自有法度，總要依著規矩來才行。否則，既不能服眾，開了先例，更是後患無窮。擅調兵、擅殺，都是關係極大的大事。唐康這人，朕以為是有大將之材的，果敢、艱忍，也有擔當。他這個年紀，到戎州那種地方當官，換成旁人，還不知怎麼個哀天怨地，到了任上，要麼便是自暴自棄，要麼便是百般鑽營想著早日逃離苦海，偏他就能做出番事業來，這已是能為人之所不能了。只是年紀畢竟太輕了，有點心高氣傲，目中無人，在戎州時，與上司、同僚都相處不好，益州四司衙門便沒少彈劾他如今更加是膽大妄為了，幾千人，說殺就殺了。朕看公綽為將時，也不是他這般好殺的 高遵裕聽皇帝說著唐康，心裡頭也不知道是什麼滋味，在熙河打拼了十來年，真正和西夏打起大仗來，卻沒有自己的份了。在外待罪這麼多年，眼見著後起之秀一撥撥地起來，心裡更不是味道。這時候聽皇帝誇唐康是大將之材，正失神間，不留神皇帝竟說到自己，不覺一陣慌亂。卻聽皇帝又說道︰當年公綽取岷州，生怕士卒濫殺百姓冒功，戰前下令︰生獲老幼者與得級同。便是這點仁心，數萬人得活。至今岷州還有為公綽立生祠的。唐康年紀輕輕，做事卻不肯留半點餘地他一聲令下，殺掉這數千人，身上不知背著幾萬人的怨恨呢。 皇帝忽然誇起高遵裕來，不僅高遵裕，在座所有人都吃了一驚，不知道皇帝心裡打的什麼主意。高太后對自己的家人一向嚴厲，高遵裕雖然是叔叔，但也不肯假以辭色，因道︰取岷州是王韶的功勞，與他何干？倒是這幾萬亂軍眷屬，官家打算如何處置？ 這一軍之眾，也不是全部作亂的。凡不肯附逆而被殺的，照例進忠烈祠祭祀，自不必論；逃走的，也法外開恩，赦免其家屬不過這些也難以甄別，只能少冤枉一人算一人。其餘眷屬，死罪可以赦免，但是流放是免不了的。只是這人實在太多了，朕想借著太后壽辰，下一道德音，凡家裡有五十二歲以上老人的，一律赦免不問 趙頊這話一出口，眾人便已經知道，他根本無意再興起波瀾，本來幾千家被謫戍，一定會搞得河北路雞犬不寧，而且這麼拖家帶口遠赴異地他鄉，這不同於移民朝廷是不可能給錢的，路上少說也要死一半以上的人口，到了他鄉還要面臨種種更艱難的問題，最後能活下來的，能有十分之二三，就算是不錯了。但這道德音一下，幾乎等於便是赦免了六七成甚至更多的叛軍眷屬。這於穩定人心，自然是有好處的。而且理由也算是冠冕堂皇，朝廷也保持了尊嚴。 官家這是仁厚之心。治國便要這樣，到底要以寬為政 高太后的這番話，趙頊卻不以為然，他搖頭笑道︰石越曾和朕說過諸葛亮治蜀之事，不審勢則寬嚴皆誤本朝真宗、仁宗兩朝，便是以寬為政的，到朕手裡，應當嚴一嚴了，否則文恬武戲，必致千載之患。 這番議論卻不對高太后的胃口，她不悅地板著臉，道︰官家熟讀經史，自古以來，可見過嚴刑酷法能出太平盛世的？石越也是書呆子，諸葛亮那是亂世之法，豈足為萬世師？ 西夏還佔據河西走廊，眼見著要兼併西域，恢復國力，他日難保不又成中國之患；幽薊尚在胡虜之手，河北門戶洞開，全無塞邊可言史書上亦不曾見哪個太平盛世是這樣的。趙頊憤然道，話脫口而出，才發覺自己語氣太重，忙又轉圜笑道︰外間之事，太后盡可放心。朝廷最可懼者，不是以寬以嚴，而是怕陷入唐代牛李黨爭那樣的局面。今司馬光與呂惠卿都能和衷共濟，國家之福，莫過於此。這也是太后的福氣，才能如此。 本來太后、皇帝相爭，雖然還是溫聲細語，但殿中眾人卻早已嚇得臉色慘白，這時候氣氛緩和，高遵裕、高公紀還是不敢多話，只趙顥笑道︰官家也說了是不審勢則寬嚴皆誤，今日之勢，正是要寬嚴相濟。太后看今日的局面，實是開國百年以來未有的，官家恢復河西，不僅從此陝西又變成腹地，而且亦是一雪四朝之恥，這等功業，休說仁祖時范仲淹、韓琦們辦不到，便是數遍古今帝王，亦惟有漢光武能相比。朝廷內裡，也是君明臣賢、政通人和，太后盡可高枕無憂的，只要安享太平便好。 雖然趙頊刻意緩和，趙顥又打著圓場，但這些話，高太后心裡依然是不以為然的，呂惠卿這樣的人高居左僕射，是什麼國家之福？是禍患無窮才是真的。現在的國勢，又哪裡稱得上什麼政通人和？她也知道他這個皇帝兒子現在是威望極高的時候，皇帝在取得很大的功績後變得剛愎自用，聽不進別人的意見，最後被狠狠地摔下來，這樣的事情，不用說遠了，隋唐五代現成的例子便多的是。她是頗聽了些議論的，越聽便越發覺得趙頊太過於急功近利，滅夏之後，國力竟有點強弩之末的樣子，可如今這個皇帝卻還是一腔的雄心壯志，野心反倒是越來越大了。而且又開口法令，閉口規矩的，總是讓人感覺少了那種體恤下情的心意以唐康的身分，唐康、田烈武、李渾等人的行為，打著國法無親的旗號，關進御史臺、樞府的獄中，那是極容易的，但皇帝怎能全然不顧石越、文彥博的面子？全然不顧天下忠臣義士的感受？僅僅只是發還石越和文彥博的謝罪摺子，下旨撫慰他們，這能有多大的意義？高太后知道這些事情，一般的大臣生怕自己踏進旋渦中，避之惟恐不及，是斷斷不敢說的。她所以才不避嫌疑，想勸勸趙頊，至少在定罪之前，讓他們先回家待罪，不要一直關在獄中這也是給天下一個姿態，不料她還沒來及說出來口，趙頊便已經滴水不漏地堵了回來，又把話題岔開，從言辭語氣中，倒有猜忌自己幹政的意思，母子相疑至此，真是讓人灰心。這時候這些心意她也不願說了，太后與皇帝爭執，這樣的事情傳出去也不好聽，當下只勉強笑道︰外面的事，我有什麼放不下心的。不過是母子敘敘閒話，你便能說出這麼多話來 倒是兒臣該打了。趙顥笑道︰太后壽辰將至，還老說這些一本正經的事，官家整日操勞國事，在崇政殿聽這些也聽厭了，到這來還聽這些倒不如說點有趣的事。我先說一個。 說罷，趙顥一本正經地坐好，道︰說是編敕所有幾個官員好講《論語》，因說到七十二賢哪些家裡有錢，有個官員便說公西赤家裡定是極有錢的，眾人問他出自何典，他回道︰諸君不聞語云：赤之適齊也，乘肥馬，衣輕裘，眾人都很拜服，認為他學問好。有人便跑去告訴石越，誇道某君《論語》讀得好，石越聽完，慢慢抬頭，看了那人一眼，說了一句話太后、官家猜猜石越說的是什麼？ 高太后稍一沉吟，搖搖頭，望著趙頊。趙頊也笑著搖頭。趙顥又看高遵裕與高公紀，高遵裕倒也罷了，反正這並非所長，乾脆懶得弄腦筋；高公紀卻是外戚中少有的學問好的人，不由得皺眉沉思，卻再也想不出來。 趙顥因緩緩說道︰卻見石越一臉肅然，問道︰你怎知不是子路借與他的？ 他話音方落，便聽到噗哧一聲，高公紀已經先忍俊不住，大聲笑了出來。高太后與趙頊一愣，也都回過味，齊聲大笑。高遵裕雖不明所以，卻也只得跟著嘿嘿直笑。 半晌，高太后才忍住笑，道︰石越這麼一個一本正經的人，居然也會作弄人。 趙顥笑道︰太后有所不知，本朝三個姓石的學士、執政，都是些詼諧人。石曼卿是個石學士有一回馬夫不小心，把他從馬上摔下來，嚇得半死，他爬起來拍拍衣服，慢裡斯條道；幸好我是石學士，若是瓦學士，豈不被摔得粉碎？石中立也是個趣人，當員外郎時，和同僚去看御苑的獅子，聽說那獅子每日要吃羊肉十五斤，有人便感嘆︰我們這些人也算是郎曹，生活反比不上一隻野獸。石中立卻責怪道︰你怎麼不知本分？牠是園中獅，我們不過是園外狼，怎麼可以相提並論？ 他話未說完，連保慈宮裡的宮女、內侍，也都忍不住掩嘴偷笑起來。高太后更是笑得打跌，趙頊也是一面笑一面直搖頭。 自從皇帝接見王珪和石越起，在政事堂當值的呂惠卿便有點心神不寧，但他要講宰相風度，依然裝作沒事人一般。上午見過幾個換任的通判後，內廷忽然傳來消息，王中正不知何故得罪，被趕去北京養病這對呂惠卿無疑是當頭一棒，但王中正是內官，宋朝宰相雖然號稱事無大小，不分內外，皆統之，但皇帝貶竄內官，他到底不方便追問根柢，只得強忍著。但他下了極大的賭注，不惜舉薦范純仁入政事堂，目的就是想替王中正入蜀掃清道路，王中正被貶，他是賠了夫人又折兵，況此事又牽涉到他的命運，到底也不能當沒事發生。待王珪回到政事堂，呂惠卿便找了個由頭，想方設法想從他嘴裡套點話出來他心裡明鏡似的，整個上午，皇帝召見的只有王珪和石越，此事必與他們有關。但是王珪卻是城府極深的老滑頭，竟是滴水不漏，盡是說些有關太后生辰的不著邊際的話。呂惠卿原也知道，隨便洩露與皇帝對答的內容，是極犯忌諱的事情，一旦坐實，這一條罪名，便可以將任何一個宰相貶到天涯海角。但王珪這個三旨相公，平日卻是極會觀風的，且素與司馬光不和，在政事堂裡，還是傾向於自己這一邊的。這時候竟半點口風都不漏，本身便昭示出了大問題。 他滿腹心事的等到下午，又聽到消息，皇帝走馬燈似的接連召見文彥博、馮京、司馬光、王安禮、范純仁。呂惠卿更是幾乎如坐針氈偏偏這時幾個湖北路來的官員還絮絮叨叨，拿著一點芝麻蒜皮的小事說個沒完。他心裡雖然不耐，卻也不好發作，又找不到藉口離開，只得心不在焉地有一搭沒一搭地問著話，心裡只想著是不是皇帝打算除范純仁觀風使，一面則盤算著，怎麼樣才能找個藉口合情合理的把這首詔旨給堵回去。但沒多久，幾個翰林學士被召了進去呂惠卿心裡的石頭落了一半，按大宋現在的制度，觀風使這樣的差遣，知制誥草詔就可以了，翰林學士在這時候進去，多半是要有大除拜了皇帝打算讓范純仁拜相了。想到范純仁要進政事堂，呂惠卿剛剛放下的心裡，又變得五味雜陳，不是個味兒。 果然，沒多久，便見李向安滿臉笑容，帶了詔旨到政事堂要印。接過詔旨，呂惠卿頓時傻了眼皇帝彷彿是想將他這十年來忘記做的事情一次性做完，李向安竟是帶了五份詔書過來！連王珪都驚訝得說不出話來。 范純仁拜相，是呂惠卿自己推薦的，想想剛才皇帝召見的人，便知道兩府皆不反對，雖然如此一來，只要拜過太廟，經過一些繁瑣的禮儀，呂惠卿在政事堂便又多了一個強大的政敵。但呂惠卿啞巴吃黃連，亦只得強作笑顏，和王珪一起副署。 第二道詔旨，韓維為樞密副使，也是傳言已久的事情，呂惠卿與他又並無直接的利害衝突，倒也不覺意外。 但接下來幾道任命，卻讓呂惠卿目瞪口呆。 以高遵裕為瀘州知州。 以太府寺卿李陶為鴻臚寺卿。 以開府儀同三司、荊國公王安石為益州路巡邊觀風使！ 呂惠卿只覺得一陣暈眩。 石越！他在心裡惡狠狠地念出這個名字，眼前一陣模糊，那三份詔令，似乎化成了石越那冷靜的面孔，嘴角邊帶著一絲輕蔑的嘲諷。 千算萬算，卻沒算到石越。 呂惠卿的握著筆管的手，微微顫抖著。皇帝果然起了疑心高遵裕為瀘州知州，瀘州現在還西南夷的控制中，宋軍雖然遲早會奪回，但沒有不先任命經略使，反先任命瀘州知州的道理。重新起用高遵裕，皇帝就是給他一個機會，這個人不會受朝中任何一黨的控制，他監視的，不僅僅是軍事，肯定也包括民政。 太府寺卿李陶，是呂惠卿的同鄉、門生、親信。太府寺是大宋僅次於戶部的中央財政機構，在發行交鈔後，其地位更是日漸重要。而石越在太府寺時便兼任參知政事，韓維亦由此而升任樞副，使得太府寺在諸寺監中，更被視為要津。而鴻臚寺不過是總管全國蕃夷部落事務及海外殖民、藩屬國事務的機構。名義上雖然在太府寺之上，實際上卻根本無法相提並論。自從石越與韓維去職後，太府寺卿就一直被呂惠卿的親信佔據著。此時忽然將李陶升為鴻臚寺卿，一種不祥的預感，讓呂惠卿幾乎感覺到大廈將傾的恐懼。 而最致命的，卻是王安石的任命！ 高遵裕可以設法收買、交易；李陶的任命，也可以設法阻擾，大不了在新的太府寺卿任命上做點文章但王安石為益州路巡邊觀風使，卻幾乎在一瞬間，讓呂惠卿喪失了鬥志！ 再怎麼樣算計也沒用了。 這樣的感覺，瀰漫於呂惠卿的心中。 呂惠卿自己都沒有意識到，對於王安石，他實有一種莫名的忌憚。呂惠卿能有今日之地位，全靠著王安石的賞識