Chapter 285: The eve of the Korean War

During the heyday of the aristocratic family government, many major personnel changes, and many major issues related to national economy and people's livelihood were discussed and decided by the cabinet. However, in order to respect the imperial power, they still voted in the dynasty by the third reading method. For example, Zhang Huan's position as Minister of War. Although he has served for nearly half a year, he has not passed the third time at the court meeting, so he still has the title of temporary camera.

Since each grand dynasty meeting will expose conflicts of interest between parties and future situations, it has always been the focus of the world, especially in the New Year's Day meeting in the seventh year of Xuanren, which was postponed to April 1 due to the outbreak of the Xiangyang crisis. It can be said that this grand dynasty will decide that the power reorganization of the Tang Dynasty after the chaos involves the vital interests of everyone. Moreover, when the cabinet has been in name only, many major matters will be proposed and decided at the dynasty meeting, so this grand dynasty is actually a real power battle.

On March 25th, there were five days before the dynasty. On this day, Chu Xingshui entered Beijing, Wei Deqing entered Beijing, and Cui Qinggong entered Beijing. The personal guards of local warlords wearing various military uniforms could be seen everywhere on the streets. In the restaurants and teahouses in Chang'an, almost everyone was talking about the upcoming dynasty meetings that were related to the future and destiny of the Tang Dynasty.

As the storm was about to come, everyone felt a sense of oppression on the eve of a storm.

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In the Zichen Pavilion of the Ming Palace, Pei Jun was confirming the content of the court meeting with Cui Xiaofu. In the past, the content and procedures of the court meeting were drafted by Pei Jun or Cui Yuan himself. However, this court meeting was the first time that Pei Jun discussed with Cui Xiaofu for the first time. This was not only because Cui Xiaofu represented the voice of more and more people, but the more important reason was that the balance that Pei Jun originally maintained between Zhang Huan and Cui Xiaofu began to tilt towards Cui Xiaofu a little.

At the same time, the confirmation of the content of the court meeting was Li Mian, Minister of Rites and Pei You, Minister of Personnel. They were both, one of them was Cui Xiaofu's confidant and the other was Pei Jun's confidant. Although they were just a foil, their existence showed the seriousness and formality of this brief meeting.

"This court meeting requires the appointment of Zhang Huan, Minister of War, Zhang Potian, Minister of the Sect, Pei Jia, Minister of the Secretariat, Yuan Zai, Minister of War, and Qin Yunxiao, Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites, to remove all positions of the Left Minister of the Left Master Zhu Li...

Important personnel appointments and removals are always the first priority. Pei Jun reads the booklets drafted by Pei You in a script. These personnel changes have long been fait accompli, Cui Xiaofu has signed and sealed them, and the Ministry of Personnel has issued an appointment. The so-called third reading is just a form, just a formality.

However, Cui Xiaofu heard it very seriously. Seeing that she had not expressed her opinion, Pei Jun seemed to be thinking about something, he smiled and said, "Does the Queen Mother still have any objections to these personnel changes?"

"There is no objection, the Ai family is thinking about something."

Pei Jun owed slightly and said, "Please tell me frankly."

"Ai family is thinking that if four of the first seven cabinet members opposed it, the proposal would not be passed. For example, Cui Yuantie Cui Qinggong was promoted to the Secretariat of the Secretariat, but was eventually rejected. If someone opposed these personnel changes in the dynasty in early April, what regulations would be used to confirm that the third reading was not passed?"

It should be said that Cui Xiaofu's opinion is very timely. This actually involves whether the cabinet is in name only or it still has its effect. In the past few months, the cabinet has not held a meeting. The formation of the three major forces has made everyone think that the cabinet has actually disappeared. Even many cabinet members themselves believe that the cabinet has no meaning of existence, but since the old is about to end, there must be a new beginning, otherwise it will be chaos and make people unable to adapt.

So the essence of Cui Xiaofu's proposal is to ask Pei Jun what kind of power balance method to replace the cabinet.

Pei Jun has been considering this matter. According to the traditional balance of power, it is the balance between the monarch and the prime minister's power, that is, the balance between him, Pei Jun and Cui Xiaofu, but now the situation is that Zhang Huan's existence cannot be avoided.

"The Queen Mother, I have thought about this matter many times. I think that the cabinet system should be maintained, but it needs to be reorganized to adapt to the current situation."

"The Prime Minister thinks how to reorganize is reasonable?" Cui Xiaofu asked reluctantly.

"This..." Pei Jun was a little difficult to speak. Politics is realistic. Any system must be directed at reality and change at all times in order to adapt to reality. However, the original spirit behind each system cannot be changed. Just like the cabinet system in the past was to adapt to the rule of the seven major families, the spirit behind it was power checks and balances. Now that the government affairs of aristocratic families are gradually declining, the cabinet system must also change accordingly, becoming the three major forces participating in politics, but the spirit of power checks and balances has not changed.

After a long silence, Pei Jun finally said: "I am just a preliminary consideration. The cabinet should still implement the nine-person standard. Three of them are regular systems, while the other six are auxiliary systems. The regular systems remain unchanged, and the auxiliary systems can be changed at any time. I wonder if the Queen Mother understands what I mean?"

"These three people are always used to make a living..." Cui Xiaofu lowered her head and pondered for a moment. She raised her eyes and stared at Pei Jun extremely harshly, asking word by word: "But it refers to the three people of Ai family, Pei Xiangguo, and Zhang Huan?"

"Yes!" Pei Jun nodded slowly, "Each person can choose two of them as the cabinet ministers, a total of nine."

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With the coming of the New Year's Day, Zhang Huan is also busy. Every day, officials come to visit him. There are senior officials who come to visit him secretly at night, and there are also middle and lower-level officials who come together. He treats all the officials who come to visit him with courtesy and sincere attitude, and will never despise the other party's official position because of the humble position.

At dusk that day, Zhang Huan walked to the door to see off several doctors and Yuanwailang from the Ministry of Works. Wang Ang was captured by Cui Qinggong in the battle in Xiangyang. Although he was released soon after under Cui Xiaofu's intervention, Wang Angji had lost his control over the Ministry of Works and had no strength as a backing. Yan Tingyu, the Minister of Works, turned to be loyal to Cui Xiaofu. However, most of his doctors, Yuanwailang and other real-powered officials were from Shannan, and their respective Yongye fields were mostly in Shannan. Many people considered reality and secretly loyal to Zhang Huan.

The three people who came today were the doctor of the Water Department and two ranks of the Ministry of Water Affairs.

"Please stop Zhang Shangshu, we are really ashamed." Yue Miao, the Water Department Department, bowed to Zhang Huan and thanked Zhang Huan repeatedly, asking him to stay. Zhang Huan also bowed and smiled: "Water conservancy is the foundation of agricultural affairs. I will promote the good strategies of the three of you to the local area. I also welcome the three of you to guide you often. Zhang Huan's door is open to you at any time."

"Sure! Sure!" The three of them bowed together and boarded the carriage.

Zhang Huan turned around and returned to the mansion. He saw that his wife Pei Ying had changed her clothes and stood in the yard waiting for him with two maids.

"My Master Zhang, see when it's time now, are you going? " Pei Ying said with some complaints.

Only then did Zhang Huan remember that he had made an appointment to go to Lu Qi's mansion tonight! He had forgotten. He quickly patted his forehead and smiled, "Look at my memory, please wait, madam, I'll change my clothes and leave."

He hurried back to the room. Yang Chunshui had already prepared clothes for him. Zhang Huan changed his clothes and instructed: "After dinner tonight, I may have to go to my uncle's house. I'll bother you to take care of you."

"Yes! Master, please rest assured. Second lady, I will take good care of her." Yang Chunshui whispered.

Zhang Huan suddenly felt that her voice was a little abnormal, so he turned around and hugged her waist and smiled, "What's wrong?"

Yang Chunshui lowered his head, wiped his tears, and said aggrievedly: "I saw the midwife today and said that the second wife is probably a boy. The eldest wife immediately rewarded the midwife with ten cents of money. I also wanted to reward the midwife with a few cents of money, but I didn't even have this opportunity."

"Oh! So that's it." Zhang Huan felt pity for a lot of pity. He raised her chin, kissed her lips hard, and smiled ambiguously: "From tonight, I'll come to you to plant rice every day, won't there be opportunities?"

Yang Chunshui was both happy and shy. She lowered her head and twisted her body gently. Zhang Huan was so angry that she didn't care about Pei Ying waiting outside. She hugged her and let her go.

"Why does it take so long to change clothes?" Pei Ying complained to him again as usual, "The appointment is only a quarter of an hour left. If you go late, how can you explain to others?"

Zhang Huan's head aches and he hurriedly begged: "Okay! My aunt, get in the car!"

Pei Ying was dressed in a grand dress and boarded the carriage with the support of two maids. Zhang Huan also got in. The carriage started immediately and rushed towards Lu Qi's mansion.

In the carriage, Pei Ying had already smelled the strong smell of powder on Zhang Huan. She knew that he must have done something with Yang Chunshui while changing clothes. She was secretly dissatisfied, but she didn't dare to say anything more. She smiled and said, "Mr. I seem to be in a good mood today."

"That's certainly." Zhang Huan smiled with a dazzled smile: "Today, three generals from the Water Department came to the door together. In this way, three departments of the Ministry of Works have been clearly loyal to me. Liu Langzhong of the Yu Department of Works are still undecided. He is from Jiangling. Tomorrow I will send his fellow countrymen to hint him, so that the entire Ministry of Works will belong to me."

Pei Ying pursed her lips and smiled, "Where is the minister of the Ministry of Works? Why don't you mention the minister of the Ministry of Works when you get sick?"

Zhang Huan's face immediately became gloomy, and he said coldly: "So what if Yan Tingyu is loyal to Cui Xiaofu? Humph! Just a general without soldiers. He will one day regret his decision."

Pei Ying saw that her husband's rare good mood was driven away by her words, and she felt a little regretful, so she changed the topic and said, "Get rid of the disease,

Yesterday, Pingping sent her mother-in-law and Aunt Lin back to Longyou. Before leaving, she asked me to tell you that if you really don’t want to marry Pingping, just give me a letter. It’s not a solution to keep her like this. What do you think?"

Zhang Huan sighed slightly and said, "You also know that I am under great pressure during this period. I really don't have time to think about this matter. Let's do this! After the grand court, I will go to Changsha and Jiangling to comfort the soldiers. You will go back to Longyou first. At that time, I will go back to Longyou directly from Shuzhong. If she is willing to marry me at that time, I will definitely marry her."

Pei Ying glanced at him and smiled, "You can keep your word this time?"

Zhang Huan smiled bitterly, closed his eyes and stopped talking again.

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Lu Qi's mansion was also in Yonglefang, about two miles away from Zhang Huan's mansion. After only a moment of walking, the carriage arrived at Lu's mansion. At this time, the sky was getting darker and the carriage slowly stopped in front of the steps. Lu Qi and his wife Yang Feiyu had been waiting in front of the mansion for a long time.

"Mr. Lu, I'm late, I'm really sorry!" Zhang Huan got off the carriage and bowed and smiled.

Lu Qi smiled and greeted him, "Where! Where! Zhang Shangshu is willing to come, the mansion is already full of glory, how dare you complain again?"

The two looked at each other and laughed. Yang Feiyu and Pei Ying were also extremely intimate. They had a good relationship when they were in Wuwei. At this time, they met in Chang'an, and they felt the joy of reunion after a long time.

The two families talked and laughed and entered the mansion. The Lu family was an old family in the Tang Dynasty and one of the seven major families in the early Tang Dynasty. Although it had declined in the middle Tang Dynasty, the profound heritage of the Lu family can be seen from the wealth and grandeur of the mansion. The trees are towering, and the precious ancient trees for hundreds of years can be seen everywhere. In the large areas of thick green, a corner of the eaves were occasionally exposed, but they were carefully carved and exquisitely painted. Walking through a small bridge made of white jade, you can see the grand Lu Mansion Lord Hall from the cracks of the tree. Eighteen large pillars that both of them couldn't hold together were lined up, and the entire main hall could accommodate two thousand people to eat together.

"I heard for a long time that Lu Mansion is the most beautiful house in Chang'an. Now it seems that it is indeed worthy of its reputation." Zhang Huan exclaimed sincerely.

Lu Qi stroked his beard and smiled slightly, "No matter how well the mansion is decorated, it is not as good as the terrain of the Zhang Shangshuo Mansion. It is the mansion of Zhang Shuo, the famous prime minister of Kaiyuan. Because it is located in the 9th Five-Year Plan, Zhang Shuo has been ginseng. I will regret giving this mansion to you now."

Zhang Huanyi smiled and said, "Zhang Huan has come to this day because he lives in some place."

"Well said!" Lu Qi applauded, "A real man should be self-reliant. How can he succeed without hard work? Although Zhang Shangshu came from a noble family, he was a little harder than a poor child."

Behind them, Yang Feiyu and Pei Ying walked along the river, pointing at a few clusters of precious flowers and trees that were blooming from time to time, and whispering. Lu Qi looked at his wife with great affection, and suddenly whispered to Zhang Huan: "I'm not to hide it from you. The real intention of my invitation to you this time is to take the opportunity to tell you that I will stand on your side in the fight between you and Cui Xiaofu."

Zhang Huan was stunned. He didn't expect Lu Qi to say so bluntly. Lu Qi was Pei Jun's confidant. What did he mean to say these words to him? Zhang Huan couldn't figure it out for a moment, and he didn't answer, just laughed but didn't say anything.

Lu Qi seemed to understand Zhang Huan's thoughts. He smiled faintly and said, "My wife only has one brother, and she feels very sorry for him. In order to find a future for him, I sent him to the palace as a guard. Unexpectedly, I was killed by Cui Xiaofu, not even a corpse. With this alone, I can't resolve my hatred with her."

Zhang Huan then realized that Yang Qingyi was Yang Feiyu's younger brother. No wonder Lu Qi said this. He nodded and said, "I have received the intention of Mr. Lu!"

Walking through a long corridor and entering a moon gate, the back garden of Lu Mansion is in front of it. Although night has fallen, you can still see the magnificence of the back garden. Among the large clusters of flowers, there are pavilions and towers, and a winding water corridor connects each exquisite building, and all of this is actually built on a lake.
To be continued...