Chapter 1026: Huang Shang, Yuan Ji

Seeing the emperor offering a seat, Zhang Yue was taken aback and wondered what the emperor meant by this.
Zhang Yue's face was filled with astonishment, and he was unable to utter a single word. Sun Yong, who was standing by, hurriedly said, "Your Majesty! This must not be!"
Seeing the words of the emperor, Sun Yong suddenly realized that his own actions were inappropriate. He had spoken out of excitement and now regretted it.
Sun Yong angrily exclaimed that not only did he remind the emperor, but he also saved Zhang Yue's life.
The Emperor is the ultimate authority and should never allow a minister to sit in his place under any circumstances.
The Emperor said, pretending to scold, "Can't I sit together with Minister Zhang?"
Zhang immediately replied, "I absolutely dare not!"
The monarch smiled and said to Zhan Yue, "Do not be suspicious, we share the same goal."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Yue felt that the emperor's words were becoming increasingly suspicious. He quickly replied, "I am wholeheartedly devoted to repaying Your Majesty, I have no other intentions, and I humbly ask Your Majesty to understand my words."
The Emperor laughed and said, "Your meticulous planning not only secured the conquest of Huangzhou and the capture of Ali Gu, but also convinced Dong Fan to submit to the Great Song. The entire Qingtang region has been swept in our grasp."
"For such incredible and heaven-shaking achievements, how should I reward you? What more can you ask for?"
Oh, I see.
Zhang Jie not only broke through Huangzhou this time, but also captured Ali Gu. Now, Dong Fan is requesting to surrender, and the entire Qingtang region is under control.
Such martial arts can indeed be reported to the ancestral temple and recorded in the history books.
Zhang Yue and Sun Yong both knew that under the extreme joy of His Majesty, it was inevitable for him to become emotional with his words.
Sun Yong said, "Your Majesty, I do not understand why we have launched an attack to capture Huangzhou, and how we can capture Ali Gu and make Dong Fan submit?"
The emperor laughed and said, "I am also puzzled. Shall we ask Minister Zhang?"
Not only the emperor, but also Sun Yong, Shi Deyi and others looked towards Zhang Yue. They thought that it was only a matter of capturing Huangzhou, but how did they end up controlling the entire Qingtang region? Therefore, they wanted to hear the answer from his mouth.
However, Zhuang Yue cautiously said, "Although I am about seventy to eighty percent sure, I dare not make a definite statement without seeing the military report."
Despite the suspicion of keeping people in suspense, the emperor knows that Zhuang Yue is not someone who is unsure about things.
The emperor said, "By hearing these words, I know that everything is within your strategy, truly worthy of the wisdom of Zhuge Liang!"
Zhang Yue said, "Your Majesty, although Dong Chan has submitted a request to surrender, it is not sincere. It is a test to see if our dynasty has any intention of annexing Qing Tang. I believe that although we have conquered Huangzhou, the situation is not yet stable, and the newly surrendered people may have dual loyalties."
"Your Majesty, please decree immediately to grant Dōng Zhān the title of a military governor, in order to appease his heart!"
"Permission granted!" Without any hesitation, contrary to what the emperor usually pondered, he instantly agreed and then said to those around him, "Shí Deyī, set up a structure here. Tonight, you and I will enjoy the lanterns together."
This...
Noble and imposing, Xuande Gate faces south, with only the Emperor sitting alone. However, the Prime Minister, such as Han Zhang, and the Emperor's birth mother, like Empress Dowager Gao, can only sit in the Dongxi Duo Building.
Is this appropriate?
Zhang Yue suddenly thought of a story from Zhuangzi.
Zhuangzi once went to the mountains with his students. They saw a sturdy and tall tree, but the lumberjacks did not cut it down. Zhuangzi asked why, and one of the lumberjacks replied, "Because it is not usable, we do not cut it."
Zhuangzi and his disciple arrived at a farmhouse, where the owner killed a goose to entertain them. One goose was able to make sounds, while another could not. The owner decided to kill the goose that could not make sounds for Zhuangzi and his disciple to enjoy.
A student who had descended from the mountain asked Zhuangzi a question: "Trees are able to live long because they don't strive to become valuable, while geese die because they are not valuable enough. In life, should we strive to become valuable or not?"
Zhuangzi responded to the student: "If I were to answer, I would say that I am somewhere in between becoming valuable and not becoming valuable. Just like a dragon or a snake, I am capable of hiding and revealing myself, as well as soaring and flying. It is not possible to make a blanket statement about everything, as I hold onto both ends."
If you lack talent, people will bully you; if you are respected, others will slander you; if you act like a gentleman, others will scheme against you; if you behave like a villain, people will dislike you.
So, one must not be attached to worldly possessions but rather focus on the integrity of one's heart. One's abilities and shortcomings can change over time, but moral values remain constant.
Whether one becomes successful or not can change at any time.
Zhang Yuande agrees with this.
Some emperors are wary of talented individuals. The more talented you appear in front of them, the quicker you will die. When encountering such an emperor, you must know how to restrain yourself and never be too outstanding or clever.
否则就是当作大木伐去。明清不少皇帝，都是伐木的行家里手。
从李善长，胡怀庸到张居正，到了清朝连堪称官场谋身第一人的张廷玉都几乎晚节不保。
This is a story about one person ruling the world.
However, some emperors value talent, and if you can demonstrate your competence in front of them, you will be more likely to receive recognition and be highly utilized. We can accept the idea of birds being shot till none left and arrows being hidden, but we can never accept the idea of killing rabbits and cooking dogs.
As for the request from the officials, all the eunuchs and Sun Yong looked at how Zhang Yue would respond.

Zhang hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the inchworm bends to seek trust and the snake hides to preserve its life."
"Considering my abilities, I am truly unfit for such a position among talented individuals."
The bending of the earthworm is for the sake of stretching, while the hibernation of the dragon and snake in winter is for the sake of seeking survival.
The emperor is also aware of the story of the wooden geese between chapters. The implied meaning of Zhuang Yue's words is that I, as a person, prioritize personal interests over national interests. If it weren't for pushing forward national matters, I wouldn't dare to boldly sit in this position without relying on your imperial power and blessings.
Otherwise the people below won't respect you.
The official's experiences over the past few days have been well-known to the government. He has been heavily criticized, both for the reform of the conscription law and for the invasion of Huangzhou; he is constantly being berated, and it seems that he cannot please anyone, no matter what he does.
The emperor deeply expressed his emotions, saying, "We understand your intentions! The empress dowager mentioned that you employ soldiers on a superficial level but not profoundly."
"The way you manage the country's affairs is the same, focusing on light tasks but neglecting the heavy ones. Your execution is swift but lacking in depth. This is an exceptional quality that no one else possesses, and only today have I come to realize it."
These words are heartfelt by the emperor. "Zhang Yue Raises a Wooden Goose" and "The Official's Words Are Fleeting like the Wind" are both from Zhuangzi.
It speaks of a person applying a thin layer of white powder on their nose, resembling the wings of a fly, and asking a stone mason to use an axe to remove this layer of powder. The mason skillfully swings the axe, removing the powder without harming the person's nose at all.
Official, your words are sincere and enlightening. In the past, although I knew you were formidable, I didn't fully understand you. Now I realize that your governing skills are so exceptional that you handle matters with great agility, just like the wind carries a swift pound.
With this conversation, the mutual worries between ruler and minister are completely resolved.
The monarch said: "From now on, you should use Huang Shang!"
In hexagram "Kun," the fifth line represents Huang Shang, which brings great auspiciousness.
The fifth line of hexagram "Kun" corresponds to the ninth line of hexagram "Qian," which is described as a flying dragon in the sky.
Both hexagram 65 and hexagram 95 are the most flourishing moments for the Qian and Kun hexagrams. From the hidden dragon to the flying dragon in the sky, Qian hexagram metaphorically represents how a noble person goes from hiding to soaring, just like a dragon.
Similarly, Kun hexagram symbolizes the position of a subject. Qian represents the emperor, while Kun represents the subject. Translated content:
Kun Gua, the fifth line, Huang Shang. It is also the most prosperous time for a courtier.
The yellow robe is the garment worn by the emperor, and the yellow garment is like a symbolic attire of a pseudo-emperor, representing the control of the world as if being the emperor himself.
And Song is the one who governs the world with the emperor and the literati.
Zhang Yue's words from the emperor have wiped away all the suffering of these days. In this world, there are only two kinds of prime ministers. One kind is like a mouse in a bellows, being oppressed from both ends. The other kind is like a knife cutting through tofu, shining on both sides!
Who should Zhan Jun become the prime minister for?
The emperor has given the answer, except for Huang Shang!
A great man's destiny is always changing, to refuse what heaven grants is to invite disaster upon oneself!
Zhan Jun immediately hesitated no more and said without hesitation: "If the wise emperor has given the order, I dare not decline it anymore!"
Hearing the sound, Shi Deyi received a chair from the eunuch's hands and placed it respectfully beside the emperor.
Zhang Yue sat down on the chair brought by Shi Deyi, but instead of facing the south, he faced the west side, sitting beside the emperor. Translated content:
The officials in the court nodded at Zhang Yue, and then he turned to Sun Yongdao and said, "Declare the great victory of Huangzhou to the people!"
"Yes!" Sun Yong saluted and withdrew from the court.
Zhang Yue sat in his seat and looked at Bianjing from afar, and the scenery suddenly changed. Zhang Yue looked over and happened to meet the eyes of the officials at Xiduo Building. Please note that the above translation might not be accurate.
The night scene of this Lantern Festival is even more beautiful!
……
After seeing the scene of Zhang Yue sitting by the official's side, the minds of the gentlemen upstairs are filled with mixed thoughts.
Although everyone's expressions remain unchanged, as if nothing happened, the emotions in their hearts are extremely complex. Whether it is Yuan Zhang, Feng Jing on the steps, or Li Chengzhi and Wang Lian below the steps, their faces are incredibly complicated.
Everyone's facial expressions are all good, except for Li Chengzhi, who was lost in thought for a long time and then shook his head and smiled to himself.
When High Dowager Dongduo saw Zhang Yue sitting beside the emperor, her brows furrowed, feeling that Zhang Yue's behavior was somewhat presumptuous. She then turned to her nephews and said, "As long as the emperor is happy, it's all good."
Under the canopy downstairs from the Xuan De building, the officials' families were still discussing the authenticity of the recent victory announcement.
Cai Jing was sitting in the other side of the canopy, watching Zhuang Yue who was sitting beside the emperor. Translated:
Cai Jing muttered to himself, "Prime Minister, I should have taken this position long ago!"
"I have seen Prosecutor Cai!"
Cai Jing turned his head and saw that it was Xiong Ben, the judge of the Ministry of Agriculture. At this moment, Xiong Ben seemed a bit unnatural but still asked, "Did Huangzhou win?"
Cai Jing smiled and thought, "Is this still the same Xiong Ben who used to be so arrogant and insisted that the imperial law could not be changed even a bit, claiming that any changes would bring chaos to the world?"
Cai Jing showed no hint of mockery and walked up to hold Xiong Ben's hand, saying, "Brother Botong, I've been waiting for you for a long time!"
Xiongben's face grew bitter as he spoke, "I wish to discuss the matter of conscription laws with you again, Yuanchang."
"The real challenge lies not with the Ministry of Agriculture, but with the local authorities…"
Cai Jing said, "I understand that giving up power is easy but reclaiming it is difficult! But even though it's extremely difficult, it must start with something easy."
……
Meanwhile, as they were speaking, news of victory had already spread among the people.
The soldier who had just delivered the victorious report was rewarded with a large sum of money on the spot by the ruler, and Sun Yong ordered another person to reward him with drinks. The soldier was overjoyed.
And the magistrate of Kaifeng, Sun Yong, also confirmed this news for the people. When they captured Ali Gu, released Dong Chan after he surrendered, and learned that the Song army had taken over the entire Qingtang, the common people were in a frenzy.
Sun Yongben sent soldiers to spread the news, but he underestimated the excitement of the people.
The people went through the streets and alleys to announce this message.
In the wine shops and on the towers, the people heard this news, and the young men shouted loudly in the city: "The imperial army has captured Huangzhou and captured Ali Gu!"
The common people laughed heartily, raising their cups to celebrate this festive occasion.

The official sat on the imperial throne, his mouth curved into a joyful smile, while still maintaining the demeanor of an emperor, he waved his hand to acknowledge the people paying respect to him. Seeing the overwhelming support from the people, the official retracted his gaze and turned to Zhan Yue, who was sitting beside him, and said, "Your accomplishments are immense, I shall reward you generously!"