The Romance of the West Chamber: The Bells are Ringing

As the sun sets in the west, the smoke of fireworks gradually becomes thicker on the streets of Chang'an City. Zhang Sheng wore luxurious clothes and walked on the bustling streets. There was a smug smile on his face, and a wild gleam in his eyes.

"Haha, Chang'an City is really a good place, with everything you need to have fun." Zhang Sheng said to himself, while brushing the dust off his body gracefully.

When he returned to his house, Qintong was busy cleaning the yard. When the piano boy saw his master returning, he hurriedly saluted: "The master is back."

Zhang Sheng threw down his coat and waved: "Continue your work and leave me alone."

He walked into the living room, looked at the busy backs of the servants, and felt a sense of inexplicable satisfaction in his heart: "This is power, this is status."

At this time, Zhang Sheng received a banquet invitation from Chen Tingjing, the Minister of Rites, and was secretly happy: "Chen Shangshu is indeed my noble man, and he can help me bridge the gap in the court."

At the banquet, Zhang Sheng and Chen Tingjing's party members toasted each other, and their conversations were full of flattery and calculations.

"Chen Shangshu, your status in the court is not comparable to that of ordinary people. Zhang is truly lucky to have a drink with you today." Zhang Sheng toasted with a flattering smile on his face.

Chen Tingjing laughed loudly: "Jun Rui is overrated. Your grandfather's status in the Ministry of Rites was unmatched by anyone. We support each other and work together to achieve great things."

The banquet lasted until late at night, and Zhang Sheng took advantage of his drunkenness to privately discuss future plans with the officials. Their words are full of desire for power and indifference to the suffering of the people.

Zhang Sheng thought to himself: "These officials are just pawns to achieve my goal. As long as I can use them, there is no need to worry about accomplishing my great cause."

On this day, at the thank you banquet held by Zhang Sheng, the lanterns were lit, the aroma of wine overflowed, and the court officials gathered together. However, the atmosphere at the banquet was not as relaxed and happy as usual, and an uneasy atmosphere filled the air.

A middle-aged official whispered to his colleague sitting next to him: "Have you heard? Recently, more and more officials in North Korea and China have been assassinated. It is not only limited to high-ranking officials who have become official, but also many officials at all levels in office. Died at home."

The narrator’s colleague frowned and said, “Yes, those officials who were assassinated were all because they participated in the impeachment of Liu Ri’an many years ago.”

"But without exception, they are all written in the blood of the deceased on the white wall of the house next to the corpse: Anyone who falsely accuses Mr. Liu of a good day will die!" Another official listened and joined the discussion.

All the officials were trembling with fear and reminded each other to be careful at the banquet.

An official put down his wine glass, stroked his chest, and said, "Fortunately, I didn't participate in the joint memorial."

"That's not necessarily possible!" An official opposite shook his head and said, "Some officials were chatting in the brothel and were disrespectful to Liu Ri'an, so they were killed at home the next day."

The official next to him responded with a trembling voice: "It's really scary. Although I have never written a letter, I once talked about Liu Ri'an in a wine shop. Isn't this..." Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by a middle-aged official: "Keep your voice down. , the walls here have ears.”

Zhang Sheng frowned slightly when he heard this. He thought in his mind: "This Liu Ri'an has been dead for so many years, and now his supporters still dare to be so presumptuous!"

He called the waiter with a gentle wave of his hand and gave a few instructions in a low voice. Then, he stood up, picked up the wine glass, cleared his throat, and said, "Everyone, we gather together tonight not to fear, but to celebrate our friendship and cooperation."

After hearing Zhang Sheng's words, the officials at the banquet put aside their worries and began to toast each other.

Zhang Sheng took advantage of his drunkenness to chat with the officials, trying to find out more information about Liu Ri'an. He knew that in such a situation, every word could mean life or death.

An older-looking official approached Zhang Sheng and whispered to him: "Jun Rui, you also know that back then Liu Ri'an served as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Pingzhangshi under Tongzhongshu Menxia, ​​Duzhi Envoy, Money Making Envoy and He He held official positions such as Salt and Iron Envoy, and was granted the title of Founding Bo of Pengcheng County. A series of measures were implemented, including reforming the Salt Law, reforming water transportation, and reforming the Changping Law. Although the ban on "official patents" was replaced by the ban on "official and business profit distribution", Examining the system has mobilized the enthusiasm of private traders to sell salt, and the profits of the government-run salt industry have doubled, but the gains of the gentry and other noble families have been completely eaten away."

Zhang Sheng nodded and said: "Oh, that's it. He touched our wealth, so he deserves to die!"

“This is just one of them,” the older official added: “Liu Ri’an also deliberately raised the price of shipbuilding, leaving a margin to avoid a shortage of funds caused by corruption and misappropriation of public funds by officials, and to try to ensure the quality of government-built ships. But in this case, our noble family’s grabbing of wealth will become the target of public criticism.”

Zhang Sheng frowned and said: "This Liu Ri'an behaves like this, it is extremely abominable!"

"Furthermore, Liu Ri'an also changed the Changping Law." The older official continued, feeling excited, "He actually sent special officials to manage Changpingcang in each state, under the unified command of the imperial court; he also expanded Changping varieties to allow We, the noble family, are at our wits’ end.”

Zhang Sheng suddenly stood up and said, "Is there such a thing? It's too much!"

"Yes," the older official said bitterly, "In addition, Liu Ri'an also tried his best to prevent us from getting involved in disaster relief measures and money making."

Zhang Sheng snorted and said, "Oh? Really? Then this Liu Ri'an is really the public enemy of our noble family."

The official looked at him with a smile: "Yes, so your grandfather and Cui Xiangguo joined many officials to impeach him, and finally got rid of this thorn in his side."

Zhang Sheng smiled, with a cunning light shining in his eyes: "In troubled times, there are always people who can find a foothold. All we need is to find the right time to take advantage of this chaos."

The morning light was slightly dew, and the sunlight shone through the window lattice in the house and into Zhang Sheng's gorgeous bedroom. He was still immersed in the intoxication of the previous night's party, but was awakened by the noise outside the door.

Outside the door, a group of officials, relatives and friends had gathered, with joyful smiles on their faces and congratulatory gifts in their hands.

"Congratulations, Mr. Zhang, congratulations! You won the first prize!" A middle-aged official in a green shirt was the first to walk in and shouted loudly.

Qintong's heart skipped a beat after hearing this, not because he was happy for Zhang Sheng, but because he thought that in this way, Zhang Sheng could go back to marry Cui Yingying, and the matchmaker sister could also marry as he wished and become Zhang Sheng's concubine. The matchmaker sister can finally get rid of her slave status.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel happy and smile on my face. Hurry and open the house door.

Zhang Sheng lazily climbed up from the bed, with a proud smile on his lips. He thought to himself: "I have expected this result, but these gifts and compliments always make people happy."

He straightened his clothes and walked slowly to the hall. Facing everyone, Zhang Sheng responded humbly: "You are all overly complimentary. I owe this achievement to you for your care."

The officials talked among themselves and discussed Zhang Sheng's future.

"Jun Rui's talent is known all over the world. Now that he has become the number one scholar, he will definitely be an important minister in the court in the future."

"Yes, with this title, his position in the officialdom is more stable."

When Zhang Sheng heard these words, he had a different thought in his heart: "This title of No. [-] Scholar is just a stepping stone for me to reach higher power."

In the next few hours, Zhang Sheng continued to receive congratulations from all kinds of people. He always had a gentle smile on his face, but his mind had already flown further away.

In the splendor of the palace, Tang Dezong and Li Shi hosted a banquet for the scholars who had passed the new examination.

As the number one scholar, Zhang Sheng was naturally expected by everyone. He wore a green robe of the number one scholar and stepped into the center of power.

The piano boy served Zhang Sheng and accompanied him into the palace, but when he arrived at the entrance of the main hall, he was still blocked. After all, he was just a slave.

However, as a slave, you can enter the palace, which is enough.

The palace is filled with jewels and jewels that are dazzling. Zhang Sheng walked into the hall, his eyes showing a trace of unnoticeable pride and caution. He thought silently: "In this place, every step must be taken with caution."

Li Shi, Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty, was sitting on the dragon chair, his eyes fell on Zhang Sheng, and he smiled and said: "The number one scholar is so talented. I am very happy to see you here today."

Zhang Sheng took a few steps forward and responded respectfully: "Your Majesty is overly complimentary, and the humble minister is just a fluke."

At the banquet, Zhang Sheng and other scholars talked with each other, but his mind was always observing the emperor's every move, trying to understand more from it.

An older scholar whispered to Zhang Sheng: "Master Zhuangyuan, you are now the center of everyone's attention, and you will have smooth sailing in the court in the future."

Zhang Sheng smiled slightly, but he was thinking in his heart: "These words sound good, but in the palace, it is not so simple."

During the dinner, Li Shi paid special attention to Zhang Sheng's behavior and words, nodding his head from time to time, showing his appreciation.

"No. [-] Scholar, what do you think of the future of Datang?" Li Shi suddenly asked.

Zhang Sheng was slightly surprised, but he quickly calmed down and replied after thinking deeply: "Your Majesty, I believe that the future of the Tang Dynasty lies in governance and the cultivation of talents. The rise and fall of the country is based on talents."

Li Shi nodded and smiled, looking at Zhang Sheng with satisfaction: "The Number One Scholar really has a vision."

After a pause, he asked again: "The threat from Tibet is constantly escalating, and the decisive battle in Victoria is imminent. In this decisive battle, we, the Tang Dynasty, must defeat Tibet."

Li Shi's voice was deeply serious: "However, the war requires huge funds, and the national treasury is already extremely scarce. Zhuangyuanlang, do you have any ingenious strategies that can help us raise military expenditures without arousing civil strife?" Complain?"

"Your Majesty, Wei Chen understands your troubles." Zhang Sheng said to Li Shi, "Wei Chen believes that we can solve this problem from two aspects. First, we can publicly announce the implementation of military taxation policy and collect military expenses from the private sector. At the same time, we can cooperate with businessmen and attract them to invest by providing tax incentives. This can solve the military expenditure problem without excessively increasing the burden on the people."

Zhang Sheng's words were full of confidence: "Your Majesty, we must deal with this problem wisely and strategically. Through reasonable policy adjustments, we can take into account national interests and public sentiment and achieve a win-win situation."

Li Shi smiled meaningfully and did not answer.