Water Margin official

A large ship sailed on the water, cutting through the wind and waves at an extremely fast speed, and the scenery on both sides of the bank retreated as if flying.

Zhang Zhengdao stood at the bow of the ship, looking far into the distance.

At this time, it was already dawn, and the sun was rising in the east. Under the glow of the twilight, one could clearly see the boats constantly coming and going on the water.

There were many waterways and canals in the Song Dynasty. North-south transportation was all connected by rivers and waterways, so the shipbuilding industry was very developed.

That day, after Sanruan settled things at home, he and Zhang Zhengdao, four of them, rode a horse together and rushed to Juye Castle in Jeju Prefecture.

They then sold the horses of Wu Song and the others, leaving only Zhang Zhengdao's horse from the North. With the silver earned from selling the horse, he chartered a large civilian ship with seven people and one horse, and left from Juye Pier.

After boarding the ship, the big ship left the dock and drove southeast along the Nanqing River, passing Xuzhou, descending to Yangzhou, and then turning to Hangzhou.

At this time, he had spent more than ten days on the ship. He was feeling stuffy in the cabin, so Zhang Zhengdao came out of the cabin and stood at the bow of the ship to breathe.

Ruan Xiaoer stood behind him, looking at a three-masted official ship running parallel on the river not far away, and said with a smile: "At this time, it is going straight down the river, and with the help of the wind, this speed is difficult to catch up with on horseback.

."

Ruan Xiaoqi, however, was squatting on the deck, studying the paintwork of this big ship. He raised his head and said with a smile: "This is such a good ship. Walking on this water, it feels like walking on flat ground. It's a good ship."

Zhang Zhengdao smiled and said: "This is just a small boat. How can it match the skills of the three heroes of the Ruan family? When we have the opportunity, let's get a sea boat and sail out to sea. We will go to the sea and dance with the tide. Wouldn't it be fun?"

."

Ruan Xiaoer continued: "What you said is true. I have long heard that there are countless large sea ships at Dengzhou Pier, traveling to Korea, Ryukyu and other countries. If I have the opportunity, I really want to go to sea and experience it.

."

Zhang Zhengdao replied: "Don't worry, second brother, there will be such a time."

Wu Song was a landlubber. He fainted while sitting on the boat. At this moment, he had already vomited all the yellow soup in his stomach. He staggered out of the cabin. Being blown by the river wind, he felt refreshed and felt seasick.

, but it has dissipated a lot.

"Brother Wu, if you see more wind and waves, you won't faint anymore." Ruan Xiaoqi said with a smile.

Wu Song waved his hands feebly, then slumped down beside the side of the boat and exhaled.

Seeing that he was almost arriving at the city of Hangzhou, Zhang Zhengdao was thinking in his mind, wondering whether this trip would be successful.

At this time, more than two years have passed since Cai Jing's second resignation as prime minister. He has been demoted from Bianliang, Tokyo, and is dormant in Hangzhou. I am afraid that Cai Jing will not be willing to spend the rest of his life. There must be something behind his back.

Unknown means, otherwise Zhao Ji would not have sent Cai Jing back to Beijing in May of the second year of Zhenghe, and paid homage to the prime minister for the third time.

Speaking of Cai Jing, he served as prime minister four times in his life and controlled the court for seventeen years. However, he rose and fell in the position of prime minister and assistant, making him the first person in ancient and modern times.

Although he was scolded as "the leader of the six thieves", Cai Jing is still trusted by the current official Zhao Ji.

In the leap six months of the first year of Chongning, Zeng announced his resignation as prime minister. With Tong Guan's strong recommendation, Cai Jing got his wish and took the position.

In order to consolidate his power, Cai Jing invoked his fellow party members to attack dissidents, launched a massive ban on the party, wrote the "Stele of Traitors to the Party", and had it engraved on the monument and spread throughout the country. He also catered to the legacy of Zhao Ji's father and brother and continued to carry out reforms.

In order to cater to the enjoyment of the official Zhao Ji, he advocated the theory of "enjoy the richness of Henan University".

In addition, in order to seek merit, Cai Jing frequently used troops against Xixia and regained Huang, Shan and other places, which made his prestige even greater.

However, the weather did not go as planned, and Cai Jing was also unlucky. In the first month of the fifth year of Chongning, a comet appeared in the west. Some officials reported that the change was caused by the reform and the harsh treatment of the Yuanyou Party members.

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Therefore, Zhao Ji issued an order prohibiting the destruction of "treacherous party monuments" in various places. In February of that year, Cai Jing was dismissed as prime minister.

Although Cai Jing resigned as prime minister, he did not lose his royal favor. Within two years, in the first month of the first year of Daguan, Cai Jing became prime minister again.

This time, Cai Jing fully learned the lessons from the previous time, made friends with "Prince Xiang" Tong Guan, reduced the punishment for Yuanyou party members, continued to advocate "enjoying Henan University abundantly" and helped Zhao Ji enjoy himself.

However, the good times did not last long. In the third year of Daguan, the admonishing officials in Taiwan were impeached one after another, so Cai Jing resigned and stayed at home. He was responsible for compiling the "Records of Zhe Zong" and changed his title to Duke of Chu.

However, Cai Jing was too angry. Chen Chaolao, a student of the Imperial Academy, impeached Cai Jing on fourteen major crimes and asked Zhao Ji to exile Cai Jing to Yuanxijunzhou.

As soon as the old book of the Chen Dynasty came out, scholars rushed to copy it and co-authored it. Cai Jing was unlucky again. In May of the fourth year of Daguan, a comet appeared again between Kuisu and Lousu. The censor Zhang Kegong and others impeached Cai Jing several times, so Zhao Ji

Cai Jing was demoted to Prince Shaobao and retired to Hangzhou.

Cai Jing's dismissal as prime minister this time was really unlucky. He had already resigned and retired at home, but because the comet appeared again, he was demoted to Hangzhou, far away from Bianjing.

It's just that this time, Cai Jing's political opponents will be disappointed again. Although he has been driven out of Bianliang and lives in Hangzhou, he has not lost his holy family. In May next year, Zhao Ji will issue an order to summon Cai Jing.

Go back and serve as prime minister again.

This time, it was the most stable time for Cai Jing in terms of phase, which lasted for eight years.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zhengdao couldn't help but feel full of confidence in his own efforts this time. Except for him, no one in the world would think that Cai Jing, who had lost his position for two years and was far away from the center of power, would make a comeback and be better than before.

The power is even stronger.

Although the five hundred taels of gold I have is not too much, it is just right to take action at this time. If I give too much, I am afraid Cai Jing will not dare to accept it. If I give less, I am afraid Cai Jing will not look down on it.<

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Five hundred taels of gold, no more, no less, it will neither make it difficult for Cai Jing nor underestimate it, it is just right.

As for what kind of results these five hundred taels of gold can bring after Cai Jing gains momentum next May, it all depends on the conscience of this old thief.

Zhang Zhengdao felt a headache when he thought about the gold and silver of this era. It was really difficult to carry large amounts of gold, silver and copper coins with him. If more than a thousand taels of gold and silver were used, they could only be transported by carriage and horse.

Although Qian Yin was good, his credibility was ruined by the court, and the people did not trust him, making it difficult to circulate.

"Perhaps, setting up a bank would be an opportunity." Zhang Zhengdao murmured to himself.

"Sir, Yangzhou City is just ahead. Do you want to go into the city and have a look?"

At this time, the boatman came behind Zhang Zhengdao and said respectfully.

Zhang Zhengdao came back to his senses and looked forward, only to see a state city standing in front of him.

"Boatman, are there any thin horses in Yangzhou City?" Zhang Zhengdao suddenly asked.

"Skinny horse?" The old boatman was stunned by his question.

"Of course the fatter the horse, the better. What's the use of a thin horse? It's not comfortable to ride on." Ruan Xiaoqi shook his head and shouted.

Zhang Zhengdao laughed "haha", glanced at the nearby city of Yangzhou, and said loudly: "Brother Qi is right. The fatter the horse, the better. It will be uncomfortable to ride if it is thin."