Chapter 253 The Back Wave

Perhaps because many scholars came from far away to participate, this year's Imperial College political meeting was particularly lively and fulfilling, so much so that it lasted for two consecutive days.

It can only be said that the enthusiasm of scholars to participate in politics and affairs of state is still worthy of promotion and encouragement.

However, the only drawback is that for some reason, the emperor has been acting a little listless these past few days. Most of the time, he just sits there, allowing officials to communicate with scholars and students... According to rumors, the emperor may have caught a cold and is not feeling well, but some senior officials have revealed that Emperor Zhao has always had this kind of temperament. On the contrary, he was tense and looked energetic last year because there was a war to fight, but now that the war is over, he suddenly relaxed and looks like a saint or a Buddha, but also a little listless.

No matter what, the lively twelfth lunar month passed quickly. Before the New Year, the political meeting ended, the government bonds were sold, the Cuju and Sumo competitions also came to an end, and after Emperor Zhao gave a banquet, the generals and ministers returned to their respective jurisdictions to continue their official duties.

But as expected, with the increase in various political activities at the end of the year and a large number of political issues being put on the agenda, the contradiction between the Prime Minister Zhao Ding and the Privy Councilor Zhang Jun became more and more obvious.

At this time, many people have already realized the conflict and inappropriateness between these two people.

To put it bluntly, Zhao Ding is in his forties this year, was born in the occupied area of ​​Hedong, has been struggling in the middle and lower classes for half his life, and is steady but conservative; while Zhang Jun is in his early thirties this year, was born in a wealthy family in Shu, was successful at a young age, and is impulsive but reckless... It was impossible for the two of them to get along.

As for personal relationships, it is ridiculous to talk about them when you are in this position.

However, it is worth mentioning that Zhao Ding was the Prime Minister of the capital province, so his position was naturally higher. He was also familiar with the affairs of the people and the operation of the grassroots, and was good at uniting officials. In addition, under the situation of confrontation between the north and the south, people's hearts naturally tended to be stable. He should have easily suppressed Zhang Jun by relying on the general situation... But in fact, it was not the case. After all, Zhang Deyuan was naturally closer to the government, better at guessing the intentions of the government, and often won by surprise. Many people also realized this and gathered around him, forming a certain force.

Therefore, the two of them have always been equals, and neither is weaker than the other. This time the fight has become intense, and it can be regarded as a fight between dragons and tigers.

However, just as this struggle was beginning to show signs of becoming fierce, it was soon forced to temporarily stop, because with the arrival of New Year's Day, the seven-day New Year holiday also arrived... Seven-day New Year holiday is an old custom that has been in place since the Tang Dynasty, but the Song Dynasty had been doing that for several years before that, so the New Year's Day holiday in the fifth year of Jianyan and the first restoration of the usual New Year rewards seemed very symbolic.

Back to the present, this day was the first day of the Lunar New Year. The New Year's Day court in the morning was of course not held according to the regulations of the so-called New Year's Day court. Emperor Zhao was just seated, and then the prime minister Lu Haowen led all the officials to pay their respects, presented a New Year's greeting, and ended the court conveniently.

Then, all officials dispersed and the holiday officially began.

Among them, the middle and lower-level officials generally went to the old Shangshu Province opposite Xuande Tower to receive the New Year's rewards to celebrate the New Year. In addition, the provincial governor Zhao Ding did not need to go there in person to receive the rewards, as there were clerks to deliver them in person... But he still took the initiative to go there and personally take charge, and he had to see that the lower-level officials had received the rewards properly before he could rest assured.

That was not all. After the affairs of the old Shangshu Province were concluded, he personally brought some supplies and had someone drive a mule cart to the Imperial College to comfort a few students who were unable to return home due to poverty.

However, he was a step late this time. The Privy Councilors Zhang Jun and Zhang De were faster than him and arrived here with supplies earlier.

In desperation, Zhang and Zhao could only hold hands and talk happily, and then spend some time together in the Imperial College before they bowed and said goodbye and returned to their respective homes.

Let's not talk about how Zhang Deyuan went back, let's just say that it was already evening when Zhao Yuanzhen returned home. Although he was old and had been working hard for many days before the New Year, he was already exhausted. However, as soon as he got home, he was ready to take a bath and rest early... But since he had come to this point, there were some things he couldn't easily avoid.

"who?"

Zhao Ding, who was holding his son Zhao Fen's arm as he got out of the car, didn't hear clearly for a moment.

"Zhang Jun's nephew Zhang Zigai." Zhao Fen repeated in a low voice in front of the car.

Zhao Ding stopped and immediately frowned and twirled his beard: "We should call General Zhang... But how come Zhang Zigai is in the capital now? Didn't he go back with his uncle?"

"It is said that his uncle, Zhang Taiwei, asked the emperor for mercy before he left a few days ago and sent him to the imperial guard." Zhao Fen corrected his mistakes. "It is also said that my father is now the governor of the capital, which is different from before, so he dared not disturb Zhang Taiwei when he was with the emperor in Beijing a few days ago, so as not to cause criticism, so he came now."

"He is still somewhat sober." Zhao Yuanzhen nodded. "Zhang Boying and I have had many connections in Huaishang. He is not an ordinary warrior. I will go wash my face. You take Zhang Zigai to the back hall to meet him..."

Zhao Fen responded immediately.

A moment later, Zhao Ding came to the back hall where the floor dragon was lit to meet Zhang Zigai. After the two sides exchanged some New Year's greetings, Zhang Zigai, who was young and a warrior after all, simply stated his purpose.

"Uneasy?" Zhao Ding, sitting calmly in the upper seat, holding a cup of ginger tea, seemed puzzled. "What is uneasy, who is uneasy, and why is it uneasy?"

"Sir." Zhang Zigai looked at him carefully. "To be honest, Sir, my uncle has been getting increasingly uneasy since he met the Emperor a few days ago. I have also been a little uneasy since I started working here... My uncle is uneasy because he feels that he has made the least contribution in the previous battle of Yaoshan, and I am uneasy because I have been a class guard here, but I don't even have a cabinet position, not even a Xuanzan Sheren, and I am worried that I will be looked down upon."

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