Zhang Shixun played a video and then turned it off.
There is more serious business to discuss.
"Mr. Zhang, the Jin army's western siege of Taiyuan is intensifying. It's too far away and they won't be able to hold out for long. Wulibu, commander of the eastern army, has successively captured Xiongzhou, Zhongshan, and defeated Zhongshizhong at Jingxing, taking Tianwei Army. The situation is extremely serious."
"Yes!" Zhang Shuye sighed deeply, his voice tinged with worry. "Under such circumstances, the government, instigated by Geng Nanzhong and others, has seized Li Gang's military power and exiled him. They've also promoted the newly appointed Kaifeng prefect, He Li, to the position of prime minister, granting him full authority over war, defense, and peace... Alas! He's just a scholar, and while he's still in favor of war, his resolve is weak and he's easily swayed."
Zhang Shixun knew that He Li was the last prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty. Although he advocated war, his ability was too weak.
The most fatal thing is that He Li, Sun Fu and others believed in Guo Jing, a rogue soldier in the Palace Guard, and promoted him to be a general, ordering him to recruit idle people in the market to become the Six Jia Divine Soldiers.
Kaifeng City was broken, and Guo Jing was the culprit.
Zhang Shixun looked at the elderly man, who was so concerned about his country and the people, and said helplessly, "The emperor favored He Li because he was a useless scholar and could completely control him... At this critical moment of life and death, the emperor is still desperately trying to maintain imperial power. How foolish! Heaven's will can be avoided, but one's own will cannot be avoided."
Zhang Shuye quickly intervened, saying, "Sir, be careful with your words!"
Zhang Shixun shrugged, "Haha! I'm just telling the truth."
Zhang Shuye shook his head helplessly. "No wonder the Grand Emperor and the Emperor are so wary of you. You have omnipotent abilities, yet you show disrespect for the imperial power. It would be strange if they would use you."
"Excuse me, Lord Zhang. I have always respected the Emperor and the Emperor. Until today, everything I have done has been for the benefit of the Song Dynasty. However, the actions of the imperial family have greatly disappointed me."
Zhang Shuye didn't want to continue the conversation, so he quickly changed the subject and asked, "Shixun invited me here today. What's the matter?"
"Yes, one is to give you a farewell party, and the other is to ask you something."
"Oh! Then ask me. I will tell you everything I know."
"Who is more important, the emperor or the people?"
Zhang Shuye blurted out, "Don't worry about this question. The people are the most important, the country is second, and the emperor is the least important."
Zhang Shixun was waiting for these words. "Mr. Zhang, have you truly savored the meaning of these words?"
"I……"
"Humph! From the government officials to the ministers, they speak with such confidence, but in their hearts they treat the people like shit."
Hearing Zhang Shixun start to swear, Zhang Shuye shook his head helplessly.
"Who's more important, the ruler or the people? The people know it in their hearts, but the ruler doesn't know that the people know, and the people don't know that the ruler doesn't know. People like you and me know it all, but... hehe! Everyone wears a mask, harbors evil intentions, and pretends to be ignorant even though they know the truth."
Although these words were confusing, Zhang Shuye understood them all.
"Shixun, your words are too harsh. There are many things that should be kept in mind and not spoken aloud. Otherwise, it would be considered treason."
"If you want people to respect you, you must give them a reason to respect you. Otherwise, why should I respect them?"
Zhang Shuye could no longer sit still, so he stood up and said, "Shixun, I will carefully consider the question you raised. It's getting late, so goodbye."
"Take care, Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Shixun stood up and helped him down the stairs.
Song Jiang and others were waiting at the door. When they saw them come out, they hurriedly led the horses over.
"Song Jiang, Mr. Zhang is old and he's going on a long journey. It's better to get him a car."
"Yeah, I know."
Zhang Shixun turned around and took a small, straight box from Sangou's hand. He smiled and said to Zhang Shuye, "These contain a few bottles of Gao Laozhuang wine. The imperial court has banned the brewing of wine, so these are the only bottles left in the restaurant. I'm giving them to Mr. Zhang."
"In that case, I will accept it without hesitation. Thank you, Shixun."
Zhang Shixun handed the wine to Song Jiang and personally helped Zhang Shuye onto the horse.
Looking at the figures of Zhang Shuye and his party walking away, Zhang Shixun felt very heavy.
During the reign of Emperor Qinzong, there were few loyal officials who devoted themselves to the country and resolutely resisted the Jin Dynasty.
If you count on your fingers, there are Li Gang, Zhang Shuye, Zong Ze, and Li Ruoshui who would rather die than surrender. There are almost no others.
Sad! Lamentable!
"Zhang Shixun, what are you standing at the door in a daze for?"
Someone called him from behind.
Zhang Shixun turned around and saw that it was Prince Pu.
"Haha! It turns out to be His Royal Highness Prince Pu. I am honored to meet you."
He said this while bowing.
Prince Pu glared at him and said, "Zhang Shixun, you are putting your right hand in front of me. Are you cursing me?"
"Oh! Wrong." Zhang Shixun bowed again, then said, "I've been so busy lately with worldly affairs that I've been completely exhausted. Seeing Prince Pu, I was so happy that I made the wrong bow. Don't blame me! Don't blame me!"
"Happy you big head ghost!"
Prince Pu feigned anger and said, "If you don't apologize today, I will never let you go."
"That's as it should be. How about I treat you to a drink?"
Zhang Shixun realized that Prince Pu came to see him specifically and it was not a chance encounter.
Prince Pu was invited upstairs and sat by the window. Zheng Rongrong was asked to prepare a few dishes and a pot of wine.
Zhang Shixun filled Prince Pu's glass with wine and said straight to the point, "Your Highness Prince Pu, you weren't out strolling around today and just happened to run into me, right?"
Prince Pu did not answer. Instead, he picked up the wine glass, drank it all in one gulp, wiped his mouth and said, "Gao Lao Zhuang's wine is still strong. Ever since I drank your wine, drinking other wines is like drinking horse urine, tasteless."
Zhang Shixun filled his glass with wine again and said with a smile, "If it tastes good, drink more. Gao Laozhuang's wine is no longer allowed to be brewed, and the restaurant's stock is low. Every sip you drink is one less."
Prince Pu drank the whole glass of wine, but still felt unsatisfied, so he grabbed the bottle and gulped down a few mouthfuls.
Zhang Shixun advised: "You should drink slowly. Besides, drinking like this is not good for your health."
"Forget about dying! Anyway, I've enjoyed all the happiness I deserve. I've lived enough in this life."
Zhang Shixun laughed when he heard this. "I often hear people say that there is no hardship that cannot be endured, only happiness that cannot be enjoyed. It seems that this saying is right. When happiness lasts too long, it no longer feels like happiness."
Prince Pu nodded in agreement and suddenly said, "Zhang Shixun, may I borrow one of your men?"
"Borrow someone?" Zhang Shixun was stunned and asked hurriedly, "Who does Prince Pu want to borrow?"
"It's time for fleas to fly."
"Ah! Why does Prince Pu say that?" Zhang Shixun was shocked.
"Haha! Everyone thinks you and Shi Qian are irreconcilable, but I think you are in the same group with him."
"If I were in cahoots with him, why would I help the government catch him?"
"You are just putting on a show for people to watch."
Prince Pu said this, looked around, and then lowered his voice and said, "Don't think you are doing it secretly. Someone once saw Shi Qian, Lu Zhishen, and Li Kui enter your backyard and never come out again."
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