Chapter 62 Section VI

At the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, the Tang Dynasty changed the Yuan Dynasty to the first year of Kaiyuan, and the emperor also humbly accepted the honorary title given to him by the ministers: "Kaiyuan Shenwu Emperor".There was an unreasonably optimistic atmosphere in the court, and there were probably only two people with heavy hearts: the emperor and Yao Chong. The emperor's concern is a worry that can't be told to anyone, that is, the relationship between him and the Supreme Emperor, and his elder brother Song Wang Li Chengqi.The emperor knows that he is not as noble as Boyi and Shuqi. He loves the throne of the emperor, and even more loves the supreme power.Although this power is still limited to a certain extent.

Yao Chong's worries are also related to power, but have nothing to do with self-interest.Now on the surface, it seems that he has occupied the position of leader in the political affairs hall, and Zhang Shuo and Liu Youqiu have not shown any signs of competing with him.However, without the cooperation of all the prime ministers, no matter how capable Yao Chong is, no matter how much the emperor supports him, his power can only be manifested in the political affairs hall, and cannot be carried out to the whole country. The crux of the problem is that Liu Youqiu is a great hero who helped protect the Supreme Emperor's enthronement, and Zhang Shuo has an extremely close relationship with the Supreme Emperor's family. It is not an easy task to get the two of them out of the Zhengshitang.But it's not that they didn't give Yao Chong such an opportunity, the key is whether Yao Chong will do it or not.

It is easier to deal with Liu Youqiu, because this person does not have the ability and experience to deal with political affairs, which is a good reason in itself. The crux of the matter lies in what Zhang said.Although it would appear that Yao Chong was narrow-minded to expel Zhang from Beijing, it was very important to Yao Chong and the emperor. In the evening of that day, Zhang Yue, dressed in casual clothes, quietly arrived at the mansion of the emperor's eldest brother, Song Wang Li Chengqi, in a car covered with oil walls. At this time, the reminder drums at the four gates of Chang'an were beating hard, and everyone was hurrying back to their neighborhood, no one would pay attention to such an unremarkable carriage.After Yao Chong returned to Beijing, Zhang said that he always used this cautious way to meet King Song.

"What did the Supreme Emperor say?" Zhang said that he knew that his position was at stake. Song Wang Li Chengqi was a slow-tempered man. Although he was only thirty-five years old, he behaved like an old man in his sixties.After Zhang said to sit down, he gently put down the sheep fat jade flute in his hand, and said unhurriedly: "The Supreme Emperor asked you to wait a while, and see Yao Chong's actions before making plans." "Actually, as long as the Supreme Emperor speaks to the emperor, everything will be resolved." Zhang said his disappointment was beyond words.

"We have to wait for the opportunity. Besides, the Supreme Emperor thinks that Yao Chong may not attack you." King Song replied after a while. It was impossible for him not to do it.Zhang Ming made it clear that he was the person who most strongly opposed Yao Chong's return to Beijing, and everyone knew that.According to Yao Chong's usual style, it would be a fluke if he was simply dismissed from the power of chancellor, but Zhang said he was absolutely unwilling to give up the respected position he had finally won after years of struggle. "King Song, can you say something kind to the emperor for this little minister?" Zhang said in a tone that was almost pleading.

King Song might feel that his feet were getting cold, so he stepped off the carved wooden couch, put on a pair of soft boots with brocade waist and leather soles, and walked to the charcoal brazier. "The emperor has always been very kind to me, you know that. But at the same time, you should also know that I am the eldest brother of the emperor. You are proficient in history, and you will understand it. In my position, you must not speak, especially to me. political affairs." The implication of King Song's words is that King Song himself is in a place of suspicion, and participating in political affairs can only bring him danger, or at least he is asking for trouble.

"So," King Song continued unhurriedly: "You visit late at night every three days, I'm afraid you will attract people to gossip about me." These days, King Song is also thinking about his relationship with Zhang Shuo, the two of them The previous relationship, though fairly close, had been one of drinking and pleasure, and probably one of his brothers was present.Now Zhang said that because of his own interests, he often avoids the eyes of the public and visits late at night, which will definitely give people the impression that there is a conspiracy. In the less than 100-year history of the Tang Empire, there have been more than a dozen coups related to the throne.Today, when the Supreme Emperor was still alive, the eldest brother of the emperor and the former prime minister frequently met late at night, and one can imagine what disasters would be caused.Thinking of this, Song Wang's attitude towards Zhang Shuo naturally became cold.

"You'd better go back. As long as you are loyal to the country, sooner or later you will serve the country." This is the first time since Zhang Shuo and Song Wang met, Song Wang used an official tone to him. Zhang said he knew that his future had been ruined.But, can you bow your head to Yao Chong and plead for mercy?Zhang said he immediately dismissed the idea.We are all prime ministers, if I do such a thing, I will be ashamed to see others in my life. "Master, Zhang Xianggong has gone to Xingqingfang again." Jin Wuwei Zuojie Envoy, who was in charge of public security in Chang'an East City, had received great kindness from Yao Chong. Therefore, since Yao Chong returned to Beijing, most of the princes, Zuojie envoys always report to Yao Chong in a timely manner about the personal contacts of important ministers.

"You have to go tonight to see when he comes out." "It should be of service. You said that Mr. Zhang went to visit the Prince of Song at night, is there something ulterior?" Zuojie Envoy is also a shrewd talent. Hearing this, Yao Chong's face darkened. "You just need to pay attention to the phenomenon. What's wrong with it? That's something I should worry about. Don't forget, if you think too much, you might bring yourself into trouble." In the last sentence, Yao Chong did It showed concern for Zuojie envoys. If King Song talked about Xiang Xiang for Zhang, what should he do?Thinking of this, Yao Chong felt a little short of breath.Since the emperor came to the throne, because of his unique status as the third prince, he has done everything he can to show his filial piety and love for his brothers.Therefore, once the eldest brother Song Wang speaks out for Zhang, it will be very difficult for the emperor.

This is one of the emperor's two major problems, and it is also the key to the emperor and Yao Chong's rectification of the court. That night, Zhang Shuo's carriage did not leave Prince Song's Mansion until the middle of the night.What is suspicious is that the lanterns in front of the car are not the special lanterns that the prime minister can pass after the curfew, but a pair of palace lanterns from the Song Palace.The prime minister's lanterns all have their own titles, whether it's Zhang's over-caution or the favor of King Song, Yao Chong made up his mind. For the sake of the Tang Dynasty, and for himself, Yao Chong hated this bad habit of multiple political parties left over from the Empress Dowager Wu and Emperor Zhongzong, and he had no choice.