Eighty years old was considered a very old age in modern times. During the Tang Dynasty, it was considered a very old age. It was almost unimaginable that such an old man could still have such exuberant energy, meticulous thinking, and be able to handle heavy and complicated government affairs. But it didn't mean it didn't exist. Zhang Jianzhi, who was a late bloomer, was such an anomaly.
He had been a county lieutenant until he was over sixty years old. If it was someone else, they would have retired and returned to their hometown. But Zhang Jianzhi, who had just survived, seemed to be glowing with vitality. He became the Prime Minister at the age of eighty and would soon enter a new year. By then, he would be eighty-one years old.
In the study, Zhang Jianzhi, who had just paid his respects to the Prime Minister, pressed a piece of snow-white paper and hung a brush on it. The tip of the brush was drooping, like the sharp tip of a spear.
He pondered for a while and waved, "Qingtian White Crane Danshan Phoenix, Wunu Heng 'e send me off. In front of whose peerless tent, bright powder and fragrant rouge reflect the jewel. Graceful jade hall with green curtains, uneven embroidery hanging bead foil. Peerless three or five love red makeup, long sleeves with the fragrance of orchids. Spring goes and flowers change easily, but the years don't wait for each other! "
Spring goes and flowers change easily, but the years don't wait for each other! Yes, for him, who was eighty years old, it was already time for no one to wait for him. He became the Prime Minister, a high-ranking official. It could be said that he had achieved the highest achievement of an official's life. He should be satisfied. However, what could he do as the Prime Minister?
Assist the Emperor to govern the world like Fang Du and create a peaceful and prosperous era? That would take at least several decades. It was impossible for him to live for that long. Be like Di Renjie, bring order out of chaos, turn the tide, save the fate of the country, and maintain the vitality of the country?
That was not something that could be done in a year or two. Although his body was still very healthy, when he reached the age of eighty, what he most often thought of was the "date of death." When death became something that he could face at any time, he had a very urgent feeling.
When he was nearly seventy years old, he finally jumped out of the small county that he had been squatting in for his entire life and truly embarked on the road to the pinnacle of power. When he was eighty years old, he finally became the head of all the officials! His life's ambition was to make a name for himself and restore the Li Tang Empire. However, he didn't have much time left. Therefore, anyone could wait, but he couldn't.
Time passed quickly, especially for him. He had just taken the position of Prime Minister and had not even warmed his seat yet. However, he did not have the time to do a good job as a Prime Minister step by step. He had to seize every minute!
"Ah Lang, they are here!"
The old man who had served him all his life walked up to him with a hunched back and whispered to him.
Zhang Jianzhi, who was studying the poem carefully, said in a deep voice, "Invite them in."
After a short moment, the sound of rustling footsteps resounded, and Song Jing, Cui Xuanhui, Yang Yuanyan, Huan Yanfan, Yuan Shuji, and Jing Hui walked in successively. Zhang Jianzhi had just become the Prime Minister, but in the year he had been the Autumn Officer, he had not been idle. He had long gathered his strength and contacted his comrades, all for this day.
Yao Chong had been lured away. Before he left office, he strongly recommended Zhang Jianzhi and pushed this old man, who was more radical than him, to be the Prime Minister.
The candlelight flickered, and the room was quiet. Everyone who entered the study had a serious look on their faces. They had already guessed what Zhang Jianzhi wanted to discuss with them.
At this time, Zhang Jianzhi was the Assistant Minister of the Autumn Official and the Minister of Justice. The Assistant Minister of the Heavenly Official Cui Xuanhui was the Deputy Minister of the Organization Department. The Deputy Minister of the Imperial Censor, Song Jing, was the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Procuratorate. The Right Minister of Zhongtai, Jing Hui, was the Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council. The Junior Minister of Punishment, Huan Yanfan, was the Deputy President of the Supreme Court.
No one knew what they were discussing. The voices in the study were sometimes high and sometimes low. Sometimes they were passionate, and sometimes they were low and depressed. When the old steward delivered the supper at midnight, he found that the faces of these important officials were all strangely flushed, and their eyes were bright with excitement. They didn't look tired at all.
The next morning, the officials who hadn't slept all night quietly bid farewell. They boarded their unmarked carriages and silently left the Prime Minister's Mansion. A secret operation began quietly on this day.
Zhang Jianzhi had just become the Prime Minister, and the end of the year was approaching. He should pay a formal visit to the important figures who were above the Prime Minister. Taking advantage of this convenience, Zhang Jianzhi first visited the Crown Prince.
Li Xian didn't know much about Premier Zhang, which was why he didn't know the latter's style of doing things. He had thought that Zhang Jianzhi was just greeting him out of courtesy, and that was why he had put on a fake smile on his face. He had planned to stand up and see Zhang Jianzhi out after chatting with him for a bit. However, Zhang Jianzhi's straightforward words startled him.
Li Xian stuttered, "The Second Zhang … doesn't have great ambitions. I … I don't think he will cause any harm."
Zhang Jianzhi said, "Among the Second Zhang, Zhang Changzong is really incompetent and not a threat. However, although Zhang Yizhi isn't very resourceful, he is also very cunning. Moreover, they have many henchmen, and there are many ambitious people among them. Who knows if they will instigate the Second Zhang to do anything in desperation? "
Li Xian said hurriedly, "The Second Zhang's identity is awkward. He is neither a member of the royal family nor a relative of the emperor. Even if he wants to rebel, he won't succeed."
Zhang Jianzhi didn't expect Li Xian to be so timid. However, Li Xian was the Crown Prince, a symbol of righteousness. Zhang Jianzhi had to get his approval to ensure that his actions would be justified. Only with his approval could all his actions have a legal and reasonable basis. Since he had to win over this person, Zhang Jianzhi could only continue to persuade him.
"Crown Prince, the Empress is critically ill, and the palace is strictly guarded. Only the Second Zhang can come and go freely. Once they have wild ambitions and forge an imperial edict, after the Emperor passes away, they will have the Emperor's posthumous edict and the help of their best friends. The country will fall into their hands. Even if they don't have the support of powerful military figures, we will still be on the defensive. At that time, even if we kill the treacherous officials, it will be hard to avoid being labeled as a traitor in the annals of history. Thus, we must kill them first to prevent future troubles. "
Li Xian's face was ashen. He repeatedly shook his head and said, "No, no. The Empress is still here. Presumably … presumably, the Empress has made appropriate arrangements for everything. This Guaren is the Emperor's subject and the Empress's son. How can I act without authorization and rebel against my superiors?"
Zhang Jianzhi raised his white brows and said, "Crown Prince, this is not rebelling against your superiors. It is to bring order out of chaos, to use military force to purge the Emperor's vassals!"
Li Xian shook his head like a rattle drum. "You can't, you can't. It won't work, it won't work. This absolutely cannot work."
Zhang Jianzhi had said all sorts of good words, but Li Xian still refused. Zhang Jianzhi frowned and could only change his words. "Since the Crown Prince does not agree, this old subject naturally cannot act without authorization. However, one cannot have the intention to harm others, but one cannot lack the heart to guard against others. This old subject wishes to unite many loyal officials, just in case. If the Second Zhang does not act, I will not act either. This is only for self-protection. Will the Crown Prince allow this? "
When Li Xian heard this, he felt that these words were still acceptable. If the Second Zhang really planned to rebel and start a mutiny, he would have to protect himself no matter what. It was necessary for the loyal officials to take some precautions. He was about to agree, but he swallowed the words back down. He was afraid that once he agreed, it would be difficult for him to escape. Once the Empress found out and investigated, it would be a great crime.
As a result, Li Xian deceived himself and said, "This Guaren is the heir apparent. The Emperor is still here. This Guaren should not participate in political affairs. Master Zhang is the current Prime Minister, assisting the Emperor, in charge of all the officials, guarding the feudal vassals, and taking care of the tens of thousands of commoners. What you should and shouldn't do is up to Master Zhang. There is no need to ask this Guaren. "
Li Xian's son and daughter had both been killed by the Second Zhang. As their father, this was a blood feud. However, when he heard that Zhang Jianzhi was going to act against the Second Zhang, he was still so afraid. Zhang Jianzhi couldn't help but bitterly smile.
However, he had at least received a word from the Second Zhang. Whatever he did next, he would be able to use the Second Zhang's name. Zhang Jianzhi could not say anything else, lest the Second Zhang panic and make it clear that he did not support Zhang Jianzhi's actions. If that happened, it would be difficult to rally the officials loyal to the Crown Prince. Thus, Zhang Jianzhi clasped his hands and took his leave. "This old subject understands. This old subject will take his leave!"
The second person Zhang Jianzhi visited was the Prince of Xiang. Under the pressure of his powerful mother, the Prince of Xiang's personality was not very resolute or resolute. However, compared to his seventh brother, Li Xian, Li Dan was clearly a little more hot-blooded. Perhaps it was because his outstanding sons had a greater influence on him.
Hearing Zhang Jianzhi's words, Li Dan remained silent for a long time. Zhang Jianzhi thought to himself, The Prince of Xiang won't be as cowardly as the Crown Prince, right?
Li Dan lowered his eyelids. After thinking for a long time, he suddenly opened his eyes and sternly asked, "The Crown Prince has already given his consent?"
Zhang Jianzhi was afraid of scaring him away, so he vaguely replied, "The Crown Prince has promised this old subject that he can act as he sees fit."
Li Dan bluntly asked, "What does Master Zhang want this Prince to do?"
Zhang Jianzhi replied, "Your Highness was once the Emperor and also the Crown Prince. Your reputation is grand. We still need Your Highness's full support. If the Second Zhang is scheming and urgently needs to respond, the Crown Prince must oversee the central command. At that time, only Your Highness's status and reputation will allow you to oversee the Nine Cities. As for now, we still need Your Highness … "
Zhang Jianzhi's train of thought was very clear, and he explained everything clearly. After hearing him out, Li Dan resolutely said, "Fine! This Prince will give Master Zhang all his consent! " Saying this, he stood up and solemnly clasped his hands to Zhang Jianzhi. Zhang Jianzhi hurriedly rose to avoid the greeting and asked, "What is Your Highness doing?"
Li Dan solemnly said, "On behalf of the ancestors of the Li clan, this Prince thanks Master Zhang. If this matter succeeds, Master Zhang will be the great benefactor of my Li clan!"
Zhang Jianzhi took his leave from the Prince of Xiang's residence and then went to pay a visit to the Prince of Liang, Wu Sansi. However, he would not be frank with Wu Sansi. If he wanted to be frank, he would have to depend on the person. He knew that no matter how straightforward he was with the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang, he did not need to worry that they would run off to the emperor to inform him. However, the Wu clan depended on Wu Zetian.
The Wu clan controlled the largest armed force of the Wu state. If he wanted to carry out a military remonstrance, he could not do so without the Wu clan's support or acquiescence. However, he did not intend to personally discuss this matter with Wu Sansi. Not long after Zhang Jianzhi left the Prince of Xiang's residence, the Prince of Xiang prepared a carriage and went straight to Princess Taiping's residence to find his little sister, Li Lingyue.
An invisible net was quietly being woven in Chang 'an.
As the spider with the most sensitive sense of touch, Yang Fan was quietly lying in a corner, as if he had already sensed something …
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