Chapter 286: The Battle of the North (Part 1)

At the fourth update, the sky was still very dark, and the heavy night fog enveloped Chang'an City, but the lights of many families were lit up at this time, and the servants began to get busy. Today is the first day of April, the first court meeting in the seventh year of Xuanren, and the first court meeting in person by the emperor. All officials in Beijing, including the sixth rank and above must attend.

Zhang Huan's mansion started to be busy before the fourth update. The servants started to boil water and cook, while Pei Ying took Yang Chunshui to prepare official clothes for Zhang Huan, wash and change clothes, and was so busy.

But the owner who was going to court today seemed very leisurely. After getting up, he stayed in the quiet room, looking through page by page as the palace supervisor sent someone to the meeting agenda. This was just a framework outline, which stipulated the details of the court meeting time, dressing, congratulations and other etiquette. As for the content of the court meeting, there was no mention of it, which was very different from the usual court meeting.

Although it is written briefly, Zhang Huan still smelled a clue between the lines. Today, the Emperor of Tang Dynasty, Li Miao, will attend the court meeting, and Cui Xiaofu sat in the Empress Dowager's House later. This is a signal, a signal of "using the emperor to command the princes", which means that Cui Xiaofu will attack strongly today.

Zhang Huan smiled and slowly closed the memorial. This was obviously a special arrangement for him, but who would not prepare until today?

"Master, the lady has packed it up, please go to breakfast." The voice of Pei Ying's close maid Ping'er came from outside the door.

As time goes by, many of his little maids grew up. Hua Jinxiu, who had been serving him, was already eighteen years old. Now the housekeeper in Longyou will soon enter his room as his concubine. Xiaoqiu, who used to serve Pei Ying, also married Lin Jiuhan as his second wife last year. At the beginning of the year, he heard that she had given birth to a son.

This maid Ping'er is the youngest daughter of Butler Sun. She replaced Xiaoqiu last year and is only fifteen years old this year. Zhang Huan stood up and walked out of the house. The little maid bowed obediently and said, "Madam said it's too late, and after breakfast, the master should set off."

"I see."

Zhang Huan quickly walked to the front hall. The lobby was brightly lit, and the table was filled with breakfast. More than a dozen maids stood around. Seeing him coming in, Pei Ying hurriedly stepped forward and smiled, "I guess the court meeting will be very long today, so prepare more so that you can eat before leaving."

"Thank you, madam!" Zhang Huan nodded with a smile and sat down. He reached out to pick up a steamed bun. He had just eaten two bites, but someone hurriedly ran into the door and reported: "Master, Secretary Chu is here!"

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It was almost dawn, and the sky showed white fish belly, and the black sky was gradually fading. Carriages were already running on the streets. Most of them were officials entering the palace to attend court meetings, including high-ranking officials who were heavily guarded by servants, and low-ranking officials who rode single horses, with orange-red lanterns swaying on the carriage.

The more we headed to the Daming Palace, the more people went to the court, and the vastness of the people gathered into a magnificent army of the court.

Zhang Huan and Chu Xingshui were riding in the same carriage. Today, Chu Xingshui came to find Zhang Huan for something. He put down the curtain of the car and whispered to Zhang Huan: "Pei Jun came to find me last night."

When I came to visit the night before I went to court, there was obviously too much mystery here, "What did he say?" Zhang Huan asked without saying a word.

"It's about the cabinet, he proposed a new plan." Chu Xingshui took out a booklet and handed it to Zhang Huan.

"There are nine people in total, three chief cabinet ministers, Pei Jun, you and Li Mian, the Empress Dowager will attend the cabinet meeting and not occupy the quota. The remaining six are auxiliary cabinet ministers, and each chief cabinet minister nominates two people, which can be changed randomly."

While listening, Zhang Huan looked through the booklet. The booklet was written by Pei Jun himself and was specially given to her. It was transferred through Chu Xingshui. This was a new power adjustment made by Pei Jun based on the three major forces formed by the court. As the empress dowager, Cui Xiaofu, of course, could not be a cabinet minister, but she could attend the meeting and invisibly gained the upper hand in the number of people. Although she had a great power in the court, she was not strong enough, so Pei Jun used the number of people in the cabinet to make up for her weakness.

After pondering for a while, Zhang Huan asked again: "Cui Xiaofu's auxiliary pavilion is confirmed?"

"He didn't say it, but I can guess that one is Cui Qinggong, and the other must be Wei Yan. These two are both powerful figures and the power that Cui Xiaofu lacks most at the moment. Pei Jun's two are Lu Qi, the minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and the other is Pei You, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel. I just feel sorry for Wang Ang. Without a foundation, he is nothing now."

Speaking of this, the smile on Chu Xingshui's face gradually disappeared. Why didn't he want to get his own position? The reason he came early in the morning was to get a quota from Zhang Huan. Since the first year of Qingzhi, the Chu family has been a member of the cabinet, and he did not want to be excluded from the power circle of the court.

But he also knew that this matter was of great importance and could not be decided in a short while. He stopped talking and just waited quietly for Zhang Huan's conclusion.

Zhang Huan was indeed considering his two quotas, one of which must be Chu Xingshui, while the other quota made him a little embarrassed. According to his original intention, he was to give Zhang Potian the opportunity to revive the Zhang family, but in this way, the Cui family was excluded from the circle of power.

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Huan came to the conclusion that it should be Cui Yu. This is not only because Cui Yu is the left prime minister, but more importantly, Cui Yuan is behind Cui Yu, and the Cui family with still great potential. He must tie the Cui family firmly to his chariot.

Suddenly, Zhang Huan looked up and saw Chu Xingshui staring at him, his eyes showing nervousness. He smiled and asked, "Does my uncle want to be my assistant?"

"Of course, can I help Pei Jun if I don't help you?" Chu Xingshui also smiled, and his heart quietly fell to the ground.

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The speed of the carriage began to slow down. The Danfeng Gate was already crowded near the Danfeng Gate. No one was allowed to pass on the street in front of the Danfeng Gate. Thousands of soldiers from Niu Guards controlled the flow of people. All entourages were excluded from a mile away and were not allowed to enter. All officials must register one by one.

Zhang Huan and Chu Xingshui broke up after registering. At this moment, a red sun blew out from the rolling sea of ​​clouds. The purple rays of the east sky filled the sky. Danfengmen Square was already full of officials, whispering in groups of three or five, discussing what might happen to the court meeting today.

When everyone saw Zhang Huan coming, they stopped talking and made way silently. Zhang Huan greeted the officials while walking slowly. At this time, he saw more than a dozen officials not far ahead gathering to talk about something, and the person in charge was Wei Yan.

Wei Yan turned his head and saw Zhang Huan. His face changed, then he sneered, and then pulled someone over and walked to Zhang Huan.

"I heard that Zhang Shangshu Rong was appointed as the three heads of the cabinet, and he was so proud of his youth!"

Zhang Huan smiled faintly and said, "Zhang Huan has not been in the court for a long time. In fact, this position in the cabinet does not mean much to me. If Uncle Wei Shi is interested, what will I give it to you?"

"Shangshu Zhang is sarcasticating me!"

Wei Jie smiled coldly, and he pulled the person beside him and said to Zhang Huan: "Can you know my nephew, Shangshu Zhang?"

The man with his left arm broken, his body was thin and powerful, his skin was dark and shiny, his eyes were calm, and there was no expression on his face. It was Wei Deqing who came to Beijing to report his work.

"Brother Deqing, we should be acquaintances!" Zhang Huan looked at him and smiled.

"Yes, if Governor Zhang had not fought back, how could I, Wei Deqing, be what I am today? I will remember the kindness of Governor Zhang back then." Wei Deqing responded mercilessly.

"Each! Each other! Then let's see who will laugh to the end!" Zhang Huan bowed to Wei Yan, turned around and left.

Wei Yan kept staring at Zhang Huan's back and walked away, then he gritted his teeth and said to Wei Deqing: "You have to remember that this person is the irreconcilable enemy of my Wei family. If you can take back Longyou, I will give up the position of head of the family to you."

Wei Deqing also looked at Zhang Huan's back. After a long time, he slowly said: "The head of the family is the eldest son. Deqing dares not think about it, but if he wants Zhang Huan's head, Deqing has no choice but to do so!"

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"Dong!Dong!..." The thick and melodious bell sounded over the Daming Palace. This was the bell that officially began in the dynasty. The crowds of people in the Danfeng Gate Square began to surge. The ministers were looking for their seats. Soon, thousands of people lined up in two long teams. Under the guidance of the two censors, they walked along the Dragon Tail Road toward the Hanyuan Palace.

Today, Hanyuan Hall has been cleaned up, with glazed bricks illuminated by people. The hall is vast and profound. Both sides have already arranged seats according to the positions of the three provinces, six ministries, nine supervisors and five temples. In addition, many local officials in Beijing, scattered officials who do not hold positions, royal family members, etc. also attended the court meeting together.

"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Emperor is here!" With the shout of the prison in the hall, the hall suddenly became quiet. Then, teams of palace maids and eunuchs came from both sides, holding Luo umbrellas and holding round fans, surrounded Cui Xiaofu and Tang Dynasty emperor Li Miao walked out of the back hall.

Li Miao was attending the court meeting for the first time today. His little face was nervous without a smile. He held his mother's hand tightly. Cui Xiaofu looked cold. She took her son to the hall and told him softly. Li Miao let go of her hand and walked to the imperial throne alone to sit down. Cui Xiaofu sat next to him, with her waist straight and raised her head to signal the beginning of the court meeting.

"Dang~" A crisp bell rang out, and the censor in the hall shouted loudly: "Greetings!"

All the ministers bowed together and said, "I will meet Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager! I wish my emperor long live, long live! I wish the Empress Dowager a thousand years old!"

"You are all dear!" What came from the hall was not the young emperor's voice, but Cui Xiaofu's calm and slightly low voice.
Chapter completed!