Chapter 179 Father and Daughter Join Forces
While waiting for the results, he and Lord Lu kept in touch.
Knowing that he was worried that the Umbrella of All People would be ineffective, Lord Lu, in order to reassure him, gave him a tip in a letter: He instructed him to write a memorial to the new emperor every month, flattering him and reporting on his administration in Tonghua County.
He was also told that it didn't matter if he didn't produce results immediately, but he had to submit memorials to the emperor regularly to let the emperor see his efforts and the progress he made in governing Tonghua County.
Later, Lord Lu always comforted and advised him in his letters, telling him not to be too modest.
Tell him that the new emperor is very busy, and it's no exaggeration to say that he has a myriad of affairs to attend to every day. If he doesn't write this memorial, how will the emperor know his talents? What aspects of his talent are outstanding? How can he know that he can be of great use?
If no one praises him, he will praise himself. He has political achievements as a foundation, so it is not unreasonable for him to brag about himself.
During that period, it would be more accurate to say that it was Lord Lu who was instructing him rather than the two of them communicating with each other.
For him, Lord Lu's advice was truly a revelation! Deeply influenced by Confucianism, his thinking had always been somewhat rigid. Lord Lu's guidance, in effect, pointed the way for his career, freeing him from some of his own constraints.
Lord Lu's help to him was sincere and powerful.
Although he and Lord Lu were not master and disciple in name, they were master and disciple in reality.
These ways of being an official are truly the essence of the essence. They are all taught to one's own sons and disciples. How could one easily teach them to an outsider?
Therefore, he bowed willingly.
Lu Desheng stretched out his hand and helped him up, "There's no need to do that. In fact, you have already thought of that layer. It's just a thin layer of paper. Just break it open and it will be fine." Being able to think of realizing political achievements in a timely manner means that he has already touched the door.
Zhang Xian really admired him. Just think about it, what was difficult for him at first was easily solved in Lord Lu's hands.
When talking about the Wanmin Umbrella, Zhang Xian couldn't help but mention his concerns.
It was thanks to the merits of this umbrella that he was able to appear before the new emperor. Otherwise, how would the new emperor know who Zhang Xian was? However, this umbrella was somewhat watered down, and he felt a little guilty holding it.
"Actually, you don't have to worry about this at all. The new emperor won't personally visit Tonghua County anyway. Are you telling me you uprooted Qinglong Village? Are you telling me you saved the people of Tonghua County from the scourge of bandits? Is their gratitude to you fake?"
Lu Desheng asked several questions in succession, but Zhang Xian shook his head.
Lu Desheng picked up the teacup and took a sip, "So, what do you have to worry about?" He was just bragging a little. Is bragging against the law?
Lu Desheng continued, "However, if you have these worries and doubts, it's because you haven't completely established your footing in front of the new emperor. When I say established, I mean as solid as a rock, so solid that no one can shake your position in the new emperor's heart."
Zhang Xian pondered, is it just like how Lord Lu was in Emperor Kang Cheng's mind before?
Lu Desheng told him directly, "You can't follow my example and become a lone minister. Now that you have entered the court and have made your presence known to the new emperor, you must seize the opportunity to develop your own team and influence. Otherwise, you will not end well."
The new emperor is not Emperor Kang Cheng and cannot protect him.
Think about it, within less than two months of the new emperor ascending the throne, he had promoted, appointed, dismissed or demoted more officials than during Emperor Kangcheng's entire reign. No, more than during his father's two years in office.
In short, after the new emperor ascended the throne, some ministers were exhausted.
Zhang Xian's expression froze when he heard this.
He stood up again and bowed deeply, "Thank you again, Lord Lu, for your advice."
After helping him up again, Lu Desheng said frankly, "I won't hide it from you. The reason I'm helping you is, first, I hate Yan Hua, and second, I admire you, Zhang Xian. You were truly a gifted man back then, but that old villain Yan Hua wasted your life and brought you to this point. It's truly a pity."
When Lu Desheng mentioned Yan Hua, a hint of disgust flashed across Zhang Xian's eyes.
"Also, the current Minister of State, Zuo Anmin, was recommended by the former Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Xie Zhan. You've been back in Chang'an for some time now, and you must have heard about the grievances between the Qin and Lu families, and the Xie and Zhao families. Therefore, I am worried that he will make false suggestions to the Emperor and harm my little girl."
Zhang Xian: Not really? Lü Er has been exiled to Pingzhou with the Qin family. Would Zuo Anmin still bother her? Besides, why does Lord Lü value this legitimate second daughter so highly? He had also heard recently that Lord Lü had requested a transfer to a different location, and it was said that he had personally designated the location, which had to be near Pingzhou.
"Actually, the fate between you and me is all thanks to my little girl." Lu Desheng decided to say it clearly so that he would know who his benefactor was.
Zhang Xian was puzzled.
"The person who gave you the letter and addressed you as my uncle was not my youngest son, Lü Mingzhi, but my little girl, Lü Songli."
Zhang Xian's eyes widened. The person who wrote the letter turned out to be his daughter?
No wonder, no wonder. Zhang Xian suddenly understood.
After he returned to Chang'an, he thought that a young man as smart and insightful as Lu Mingzhi would definitely become famous in Chang'an.
But what puzzled him was that although Lu Mingzhi was famous in Chang'an, his reputation was not as good as that of his second sister Lu Songli. How to explain it?
When the younger generation mentions her, one can see admiration and worship in their eyes, but when asked the reason, they don't say anything, giving people a feeling of secrecy.
Zhang Xian had only been back in Chang'an for a short time and did not fully understand many things.
However, for those veterans who had been immersed in the imperial court for many years, nearly two months had passed since the late emperor's death. During this period, through repeated reflection and analysis of the game between light and darkness that took place during the transition of imperial power, they had been able to discern some things.
For example, the Lu family has a master behind them. Otherwise, with Lu Desheng's fickle personality, how could he escape unscathed among the officials chosen by the late emperor to be buried with him? Lu Desheng's mouth is powerful, but his brain is definitely not that smart!
However, when these old foxes in the officialdom found out that the mastermind behind the Lu family was Lu Desheng's youngest daughter Lu Songli, they were still very surprised.
But no matter how surprising it is, it is the fact.
First, there is the conversation between the four families of Qin, Lü, Xie, and Zhao in front of the Dali prison gate. Lü Songli herself admitted that she brought down the Xie and Zhao families as a prisoner.
Moreover, according to the secret story of Dali Prison, before the downfall of the Xie and Zhao families, Lu Songli met the new emperor who was then the fourth prince. This also indirectly confirms Lu Songli's methods.
Secondly, the Xie family fell, and officials from the Xie faction were implicated. Some of them sold out some of the Xie family's secrets in order to save themselves.
But with the fall of the Xie family, the information they originally possessed became worthless, except for Xie Zhan's analysis of Lu Songli.
The family that sold the information initially thought it was just a get-away, but those old foxes thought this information was the most valuable.
Then, these old foxes in the officialdom could infer the traces of her actions through reverse reasoning.
For example, she used an open and aboveboard conspiracy against the Fourth Prince. Therefore, the new emperor knew that she was seeking revenge and was using a knife to kill someone, but could he refuse? Considering the interests of the new emperor, it was difficult for him to refuse.
The more the old foxes analyzed Lu Songli, the more jealous they became of Lu Desheng. They also felt that the younger generation in the family, who was originally quite pleasing to them, was inferior to the girl in every way.
For a period of time, the young men and ladies of Chang'an City also felt the critical gazes of their elders. They were both puzzled and dissatisfied about this, until their elders told them the reason, and they were stunned.
At this moment, Zhang Xian could only sigh that Lu Gong was so lucky that his children were so smart.
"Master Lu, you and your daughter have been so kind to me..."
Lu Desheng interrupted him, "Stop, what I just said to you was just to prepare you mentally, not to demand a favor in return. You don't have to feel embarrassed now. But I believe that you will soon understand that you and Zuo Anmin are destined not to be on the same page. Zuo Anmin is not a tolerant person. If you want to get to the top, he will definitely not tolerate it."
Lü Desheng's intention was clear: to help Zhang Xian ascend to the throne and challenge Zuo Anmin. He was well aware of the influence of the emperor's close associates. Furthermore, he believed that Zuo Anmin and Xie Zhan of the Xie family were inextricably linked. Since he had placed people around the emperor, they couldn't fall behind.
The little girl was in exile and was not aware of the situation in Chang'an, but Lu Desheng believed that she sent Zhang Xian to him because she wanted to use him.
Zhang Xian stayed at the Lu family's house for half an hour before leaving. When he left, Lu Desheng gave him a brocade box.
When Zhang Xian got home, he opened it and found a booklet inside. The thin booklet recorded Lu Desheng's experience as an official over the years.
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