This winter was not very cold, but Zheng Lang felt it was particularly cold.

Starting from Zhou Qing, Zheng Lang and his wife were all sick in winter, and the elderly were more sick. Sanniang was eighth, Si Niang was in her seventies, and the youngest Liu Niang and Qi Niang were also in her sixties.

Life is rare in seventy years. It was the Tang Dynasty. The living conditions in the Song Dynasty gradually increased, and people's life span gradually increased. Wen Yanbo lived to be over ninety years old, and Fu Bi lived to be eighty years old. Pang Ji lived in a cold and difficult situation since childhood and was still in his seventies. Fan Zhongyan was very harsh to himself, and lived to be over sixty years old.

But getting older is not good.

Especially when Sanniang and Siniang were seriously ill, Zheng Lang had to reduce the time for inspection. The five ministers in the river management, He Tan, Cheng Shimeng, Tian Yu, Zhou Qing, and Yuan Tao had to bear extra work. Zheng Lang took the lead, and the rewards and punishments were relatively fair. The officials below could not be transformed into Jiao Yulu, but they were more motivated, including five ministers. Zhou Qing became older and overworked. In addition, some people in the court were vaguely in trouble, and they were in a bad mood and died of serious illness. The court posthumously awarded the title of Minister of Works. Then Yuan Tao was seriously ill and had to return home.

The impact was not great. At this time, the river engineering gradually reached the end stage. Another person died, but Zheng Lang felt very sorry, Pang Ji.

He was dragged down by himself, and even if he resigned from his position, he would still assist his ministers in the Secretariat to handle government affairs. Without Pang Ji, the official affairs would be worse, at least in terms of fiscal revenue.

At this end of the year, he finally died three months early. He abolished the court, was appointed as the founding father, and was given the title of Sikong and Shizhong, and was named Zhuang Min.

Zhao Zhen felt a pity, but he didn't know that Pang Ji's death was a milestone. Zheng Lang couldn't help but see the historical fact that when Zhao Xu ascended the throne in history, he actually lost more than 100 million yuan a year. If so, even if he built a good foundation, it would not be enough to make Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu trouble.

That's fine.

Crisis is life. Without this trouble, you may not know what it means to cherish.

Then Sanniang became more and more ill. When she was dying, she called Zheng Lang and the other four ladies and murmured: "If you want to believe in Buddhism, maybe our Zheng family can have another son."

Liu Niang said anxiously: "Sister, we Zheng Lang have no son."

Zheng Lang missed Cui Xian.

Cui Xian understood and walked out, called Zhao Niannu, and then sent the servant out. Zhao Niannu said to Li Gui, "Kneel down."

Li Gui opened his eyes wide and thought for a while. He still listened to his mother's words and knelt beside Sanniang's bed.

Sixth and seventh ladies were so anxious that they wanted to pull Li Gui up, but suddenly they reacted and opened their mouths wide.

Thunder.

The Third Lady sighed and said, "I am the only one who can see you, but I don't dare to have a surname Zheng."

Then close your eyes.

Sanniang passed away, and the Fourth Lady was seriously ill. Wuniang also often fell ill. Zheng Lang finally lost his mind and wrote his resignation and asked for a death sentence.

But he recommended someone to come to the river engineer, Ouyang Xiu.

Ouyang Xiu knew a little about water resources, but whether it was really or false. It was not a big problem. Anyway, it was the final stage, and there were two officials from Cheng Tian who helped him. At least the disadvantage of Liutahe was that Ouyang Xiu was the first to issue an objection.

This is to use people without avoiding relatives and enemies.

Actually, it is not. If you really consider the experts, neither Cheng Shimeng nor Tian Yu are more proficient in water conservancy than Ouyang Xiu.

It was because of the current situation that Zhao Zhen, first Wang Ding, then Fan Lu, and then Zheng Jia, then seemed to be blooming, but in fact it had become Zheng Wen. Zheng Lang was far away from the capital at that time. This influence was not seen. Han and Zheng had become clear.

Zheng Lang has an influence that exceeds Han Qi. However, the real power faction is still in the hands of the Han faction ministers.

Once Zheng Lang left the river engineering, it was time to divide the cake. I don’t know how to ruin it. In the mild case, it was impossible to protect Tian Cheng and other ministers of Hegong, and in the severe case, it affected the final completion time. Let Ouyang Xiu divide the last largest and most smooth piece of cake without these worries. It is a compromise and a wise move.

After seeing the memorial, Ouyang Xiu was eager to try it out.

At this time, I went to the river industry and took advantage of it. Even the dispute over occupying arable land did not need to be dealt with, so it had been handled long ago.

However, this memorial caused great controversy.

First, Yang Ting said no. According to the truth, Zheng Lang could only invite mourning for the Grand Empress, but nothing else could do, including the Si Niang. This is etiquette and law. It cannot be invited. If Zheng Lang has five more empresses, don’t be an official, so he should mourn and mourn filial piety slowly.

Yang Ting was not completely correct either.

If Si Niang was driven out after Zheng Lang's biological father died, or if the aunt used some method to force her to remarry, this filial piety would not be maintained. But in the Zheng family, it was also impossible to ignore it. However, San Niang had different natures. She was a concubine and was not a biological mother, so it didn't matter whether Zheng Lang was guarding it or not.

It caused a lot of echoes.

However, some people say that the country governs the world with filial piety. Zheng Lang and his wife regard Zheng Lang as their biological son, and it is unreasonable to not guard against the mourning. If Zheng Lang himself puts the country first and does not mourn or force it, however, Zheng Lang takes filial piety first and even lets go of the river craftsmanship, why not allow Zheng Lang to ask for mourning?

There was a dispute between the two parties.

It seems to be fighting for filial piety, but what is actually fighting for is power.

Finally, Han Qi shouted: "If you don't have any mourning, why is the minister of the country? It really doesn't work. I will issue an edict to seize the love a hundred days later."

At this time, Han Qi had a faint appearance as a "responsible minister", and Zhao Zongshi became honest for the time being, which made him withdraw. Although some officials were not convinced, Han Qi's prestige was getting heavier day by day. Zheng Lang had not seen the Secretariat, so he was the only one who kept his word.

With a shout, all of them were silent.

Zhao Zhen thought about it, so he sat on the dragon throne and said, "Just according to Han Qing's opinion."

The others didn't argue too much, anyway, it was a hundred days of funeral, so the problem was not serious.

Ouyang Xiu immediately went to Yunzhou to hand over.

Zheng Lang spent a day instructing him, feeling sad, but he couldn't let Ouyang Xiu do it in such a big way, so he was ready to take the coffin away from Yunzhou and return to Zhengzhou.

Before leaving, Ouyang Xiu suddenly stopped them and said, "Xingzhi, if you go back to Zhengzhou to maintain filial piety, you can no longer bring the princess and the princess, your princess, and the young master."

He underestimated Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu and Wang Anshi were overturned for a long time later, but they actually had a bad reputation in history. Not to mention the sarcastic meaning of the posthumous title, just talk about how many derogatory words there are in his original classics. But in Zheng Lang's opinion, it is not true.

It is good to do something, but it is too frivolous and impetuous, and has not handled the relationship between various ministers well. It is not necessary to be an emperor to learn from Zhu Yuanzhang and Yongzheng. Zhu Yuanzhang's physical fitness is unquestionable. Yongzheng is sad and exhausted. These two cannot be understood. The key is to use people, and not use ministers well is to neglect their duties.

Therefore, Zhao Xu is not a wise ruler. He can only say that he has done a good job and has done bad things with kindness. He is the king of Chinese capital.

But his cleverness and achievements cannot be ignored.

In fact, after all, Zhao Shu died early and did not give Zhao Xu a good education in time. Gao Taotao delegated power early, causing many bad results. Zhao Xu has real talent, and what Zheng Lang does now is to make up for Zhao Xu as a shortcoming.

Since Zhao Shu officially became the prince, Zheng Lang's education on him has further deepened and he has vaguely mentioned some knowledge about political struggles.

Zhao Xu had learned so much, but it was simple to know. What was Ouyang Xiu coming here in a fierce manner? Mr. Zheng abandoned his opinion and asked you to eat this big cake? Before Zheng Lang could speak, Zhao Xu answered first: "Mr. Ouyang, I came to Yunzhou according to the order of Your Majesty to learn from Mr. Zheng. If you ask me to leave Mr. Zheng and return to the capital, will there be an edict?"

What decree did Ouyang Xiu have?

Zheng Lang snatched it over and blocked Zhao Xu behind him. He said, "Uncle Yong, let's do this. I will go south from the waterway to Liangshan Lu, then from Wuzhang River (Guangji River, Xiji River) to the capital, and then follow the Bian River to Zhengzhou westward. It is relatively slow to sail against the current. You write a memorial and ask the court to issue a clear edict. Recalling the emperor's grandson and His Royal Highness back to the capital. It's just enough time."

Ouyang Xiu also came to Yunzhou City from this waterway, but when he came, he was going smoothly. It was faster, so Zheng Lang would go back very slowly. Ouyang Xiu thought about it and it would be fine.

The group of people was quite large, including the foreign cavalry, and the guards and eunu from Zhao Niannu and Zhao Xu, rented several ships, and then they were sent by the crowd and boarded the ship one after another.

After getting on the boat, Zhao Xu said, "Duke Zheng, why should I just take him?"

"Don't be anxious, I'll tell you the reason later." Zheng Lang said as he began to write a memorial and took the initiative to report two things. The first thing was that I would go back to Zhengzhou to invite the funeral, and let the emperor's grandson follow me to Zhengzhou. In fact, someone in the court probably reacted.

He started to argue that Zheng Langhe was not suitable for not being suitable for the Hegong, and went back to Zhengzhou to ask for funerals. He was confused. He left himself and refused Ouyang Xiu. Many ministers would advise and impeach, but they might not be unhappy in their kindness, which was against etiquette.

Continue to write, so when I take a boat to the west, when I arrive in the capital, I don’t have to wait for the imperial court to declare that I will send the emperor’s grandson and His Royal Highness to the shore. In addition, I will go home to ask for funerals, have no official position, and are in the heart of the Central Plains, and have no tolerance. I only bring twenty vanguards back, and the rest of the vanguards are sent back to the capital, so that they can make achievements on the border. This is the real function of the vanguards. Then Zheng Su led the 80 vanguards to the shore and sent them to the capital with memorials.

Eighty riders and horses were released all at once, and the boat became much lighter and faster.

Zhao Xu was about to get angry, which reminded him of Lou Shide, a figure in the Tang Dynasty. Others spit on his face and didn't wipe it. Why do you need to wipe it? Isn't that anger at people?

He said, "Mr. Zheng, I feel very depressed."

Zheng Lang laughed and made him vengeful. Zheng Lang disdained him, but he couldn't do it even if he asked him to be Lou Shide.

During this period, Zheng Lang was preparing to take the next step of the game, including the corruption of the country's finances, the feelings for him, and Zhao Zongshi... he was unable to live long, so he learned the practices of two of his students.

Since you go to hell, even if you are rescuing these ghosts, you will use some unconventional means.

Unfortunately, no one can see that if others don’t have his golden fingers.

Zheng Lang said: "Your Highness, you have studied with me for more than a year. I still have no intervention or participation in the matter of the royal heir, but there is a saying that I always keep in my heart. Your Majesty has never had children, so he has been unable to give birth to a royal heir. Once Your Majesty is not healthy, will he still let the royal heir be hung high regardless of the safety of the country? Who will the royal heir be established?"

Zhao Xu didn't say anything.

Zheng Lang did not intend to dig into this topic, and used it as an introduction, and said: "Why do so many ministers advised to establish a royal heir early? Some ministers are loyal and cannot be questioned. They are for the sake of the country, afraid that the country will turmoil in the future because of the royal heir. But some people are very weird in their intentions, such as making a mistake in establishing a royal heir to transfer Liutahe. Or for example, they want to obtain this merit of supporting."

"shameful!"

"Your Highness, don't be angry. Didn't I tell you that people always have greed. Today, when they become magistrates, they want to be magistrates, and they want to be magistrates. They also want to be censors, and they have two systems, and they want to be magistrates, and they want to be magistrates, and the prime minister. It is impossible for everyone to regard fame and fortune as dirt. If they want to use people like that, the first result is that they cannot use people, and the second result is that they become more and more hypocritical in order to vote for the king's joy. They are not afraid of real villains, but they are afraid of hypocrites. In fact, they are well used. You can use this official position to make officials do more political achievements for motivation. Therefore, it is not shameful."

"Mr. Zheng's mind is as broad as the sea." Zhao Xu said, and after following Zheng Lang, he went to the seaside and knew how wide the sea was.

"Don't praise me, listen to me. This is the first reason why Your Highness cannot be angry. The second reason why you cannot be angry is the scheming of some people. Emperor Wen and Jing were good emperors, but they were not the smartest people at that time. Why could he be an emperor because of his bloodline? But Your Highness, you are the only one who has the bloodline?"

Although Zhao Zongshi did not live long, he might have had several sons.

“It doesn’t matter.”

"As the eldest prince, how can you say it doesn't matter? If you don't go up, you may not end up like Li Chengqi (Brother Li Longji). Every time the emperor's heirs transition, few people can be safe, but many ugly people are."

Zhao Xu was speechless.

"If His Majesty is in misfortune and the prince is the king, he will be appointed to support ministers, and their power will be even more serious. If they join forces to turn against each other, what will happen to His Highness?"

Zhao Xu said: "They dare."

"There is nothing that I dare not. Not only do I dare, but they will also be righteous. If Your Highness goes down, it will not only not have a good ending, but it will also be destroyed by some people's writings and intimacy for thousands of years. Remember what I once said, what is a historical book? It is written by people, and it is all the good and bad in my number."

"Mr. Zheng, why am I more bored?"

"To learn this kind of depressedness, nowadays, you'd better not have too many disputes with them. It's not only to protect yourself, but also to the future of the country, the safety of the country, the relationship between father and son, and the relationship between brothers. After all, if there is a change in the Eastern Palace, there will be too many ugly things happening in every change. You have also read history books and believe that you have some experience. Many things are the same, such as military tactics, which have advances and retreats, detours and transfers. Sometimes retreat is for advancement, and sometimes advances and retreats. Proper retreat may not be of no benefit to you. Read more about the Book of Changes, and don't think about using it to divine divination, but think about the dialectical view inside it."

"Here." Zhao Xu finally lowered his arrogant head.

"Uncle Ouyang Yong's words are not unreasonable. I will go back to Zhengzhou to ask for mourning. It's not good for you to follow me. What is the biggest thing in my dynasty? The world is big, and the truth is the most reasonable," it is a good thing, but Zheng Lang's mouth showed a faint sarcasm.

"I haven't seen any truth."
To be continued...