Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 493 The Successor to the Protector-General of Anxi

To be honest, working in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is much more enjoyable than working in the Censorate. Especially as the Emperor's birthday approaches and musicians from all over the country gather in the capital, one can see the elegance and charm of people from all over the country, a feast for the eyes!
While the Censorate held a more prominent position, it required constant vigilance, like a fighting cock, and the constant need to glare and point out others' mistakes. It was also a far cry from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

For the next period of time, apart from clocking in at the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice at fixed times each day, Zhang Dai spent the rest of his time at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, assisting the Court of Music and the Court of Music and Music in arranging birthday celebration programs.

In terms of song and dance choreography, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices had its own professional talent, so temporary workers like Du Fu were naturally dismissed.

Because Du Fu expressed his intention to participate in this year's imperial examination, Zhang Dai advised him to go to Princess Yuzhen's villa in the south of the city to socialize with the contemporary elites and cultivate a reputation that would play a significant role in the examination process.

Alternatively, one could go to the bookstores in the East Market to buy some anthologies of current affairs essays, which compiled many excellent examination essays from recent years, including not only provincial examination essays but also essays from various prefectural examinations.

As the capital of the empire, Jingzhao Prefecture was a hub for powerful and influential figures, making it the most difficult place to pass the imperial examinations. Not only did candidates need exceptional literary skills, but they also required strong connections. It would have been ridiculous for Du Fu to fail even this crucial hurdle if he wanted to participate in the imperial examinations.

Zhang Dai certainly believed in Du Fu's abilities, but there was a difference between taking exams and creating poetry and prose in ordinary times. He naturally hoped that Du Fu could participate in the exams in a better state.

However, Du Fu at this time was basically still a carefree young man who did not yet have a deep understanding of the dangers and hardships of the world. Even if he wanted to participate in the imperial examination, it was only on a whim and he did not regard it as the only way to get a good social standing. Therefore, he was not very interested in scheming.

Zhang Dai knew that everyone has their own nature and destiny. Even if he wanted to help Du Fu, he could not impose his own will on him and erase Du Fu's personality.

So he only gave a brief reminder, and whether Du Fu listened or not was up to him. In any case, even if Du Fu failed the imperial examination, it wouldn't be difficult for Zhang Dai to arrange a leisurely and well-paid official position for him to live a carefree life once he came to power.

Compared to the carefree and unrestrained young Du Fu, the newly appointed Assistant Musician Song Zhuo was much more ambitious. Since taking office, he had lived in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices almost every day, and he had completed all the tasks assigned to him conscientiously, showing even more of the spirit of an ox or horse than his predecessor, Ma Lizheng.

As a renowned minister, Song Jing was not as enthusiastic about helping his descendants as Zhang Yue. However, even with family matters, Song Zhuo was able to observe some of the true workings of the world. Compared to Du Fu and other sons of officials who were deeply romantic and passionate, he was more purposeful in his actions.

Song Zhuo knew how rare it was for him to take up the position of Assistant Musician at this juncture, so he naturally wanted to seize the opportunity and strive to perform even better.

Unlike Ma Lizheng, who compensated for his lack of talent with diligence, Song Zhuo himself was quite musically talented and was adept at his duties as a music assistant. He personally supervised the rehearsals of every large-scale song and dance performance and was much more responsible than Zhang Dai, who often shirked his responsibilities.

Zhang Dai was happy to delegate these duties to Song Zhuo, while he would mainly act as a liaison.

This year's birthday celebrations are far grander than in previous years. Zhang Dai's grandfather, Zhang Shuo, had already drafted a memorial requesting that the birthday be designated as the Qianqiu Festival, and it was just waiting to be presented to the court on the birthday.

In fact, a similar proposal had been made last year when Zhang Yue presented the "Dayan Calendar" on the emperor's birthday. However, due to the unrest on the borders last year, it was not appropriate to deify the emperor personally, so it was postponed until this year. This year, with repeated successes on the borders and favorable weather at home, it is naturally appropriate to carry out this initiative.

Therefore, this year's birthday performances included performers from the Imperial Music Bureau, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and various prefectures, with tens of thousands of people directly and indirectly involved. Since they belonged to different institutions, it was natural that someone needed to travel around to make contacts and coordinate.

Zhang Dai served as the music director, and the musicians from both the inner and outer music bureaus were placed under his command. Now, because of the song "Man Chao Huan Ling," the actors from other prefectures who came to the capital also had a greater fondness for him and were willing to follow his coordination and arrangements.

So while preparations were underway for song, dance and entertainment, he rode his horse around the various palaces to coordinate the progress of preparations, striving to present a magnificent and spectacular birthday celebration performance on the fifth day of the eighth lunar month.

Recently, Zhang Dai killed another son of Wang Maozhong, deepening their enmity. The reason he dared to enter and leave the palace was that his grandfather and Gao Lishi had begun a long-planned operation against Wang Maozhong.

Wang Maozhong had already been transferred out of the capital, and the next step was to adjust and remove him from his post. Among Wang Maozhong's many positions, one very important one was the Palace Attendant.

The Palace Attendant was an official position in charge of all matters related to the emperor's carriages, clothing, food, and medicine. The Palace Attendant was responsible for overseeing all the emperor's daily needs, including clothing, food, housing, transportation, medicine, and health. This was one of the positions most closely connected to the emperor and held by the outer court, and therefore could only be held by trusted confidants. For example, Zhang Wei, the Duke of Deng, whom Zhang Shuo chose to ally with, had previously served as Palace Attendant, and his son later held the same position as well, demonstrating the depth of the emperor's favor towards him.

After Zhang Wei left his post, Wang Maozhong took the position of Palace Attendant. This time, after Wang Maozhong was transferred out of the capital region and away from the emperor's side, with the constant encouragement of his former associates and eunuchs, Wang Maozhong was appointed as the Grand Envoy to the Imperial Mausoleum, and was left on the north bank of the Wei River to prepare for the year-end visit to the mausoleum. His position as Palace Attendant was then dismissed, and he was replaced by Zhao Yizhen, the Deputy Protector-General of Anxi.

Normally, the position of Palace Attendant, which is so closely related to the Emperor's safety, would rarely be granted to a border official. However, there are exceptions. For example, the Emperor has already sensed that Wang Maozhong is becoming too powerful and arrogant, and at the same time, he intends to promote a foreign official because of the successive victories on the border.

At present, the affairs of Hexi and Longyou were all arranged by Prime Minister Xiao Song, and Li Yi, the Prince of Xin'an who had just won a great victory, was not suitable to enter the court to take up this position. Therefore, Zhao Yizhen, the Deputy Protector-General of Anxi who also had the merit of defeating the Tubo and was currently in the court, naturally became a suitable choice. With the combined efforts of the inside and outside, Zhao Yizhen was able to enter the court to serve as the Palace Attendant.

Wang Maozhong is not currently in the capital, and his position as Palace Attendant has been revoked. Although he still has many followers at the North Gate, these people are not loyal enough to assassinate Zhang Dai in the palace.

Moreover, the situation at the North Gate was not stable at the moment. After several talks and persuasions by Gao Lishi, Ge Fushun also began to choose to cooperate. Especially after the Palace Attendant was won over and his son Ge Yanchang was appointed as a fifth-rank official under the Palace Attendant, Ge Fushun also expressed his support for Gao Lishi's proposed plan of extending grace and distributing hereditary privileges, which would promote the replacement of the old and young at the North Gate.

In short, the senior officers in the entire North Gate system are currently planning various personnel adjustments, and a new order is about to emerge. At this critical moment, naturally no one will continue to hold Zhang Dai hostage.

Moreover, Zhang Dai is now surrounded by burly eunuchs as bodyguards, and his uncle Zhang Yan is there to meet him at the palace gates, so he no longer needs to be worried about entering or leaving the palace.

Of course, he didn't completely let his guard down. Although, on a larger scale, the alliance had already formed, and dealing with Wang Maozhong was only a matter of time and a lack of opportunity, he still had to be careful about his personal safety and avoid turning his joy into sorrow. There were far too many examples of teams celebrating at halftime only to be defeated in a desperate comeback.

On this day, Zhang Dai returned home and found many guests gathered there. They were all people who had often met with his grandfather to discuss matters recently, and they were celebrating Zhao Yizhen's appointment as Palace Attendant.

Currently, the imperial court has appointed Prince Yan, Li Hui, as the Grand Protector of Anxi. Therefore, the Deputy Protector of Anxi is the highest military and political official of the Anxi Protectorate, managing a vast area including the Four Garrisons of Anxi. Naturally, he can also be called a regional governor.

However, the Four Garrisons of Anxi were far from the central government, so Zhao Yizhen was very happy to be able to return to the court and serve as a high-ranking official such as the Palace Attendant, and he accepted all the congratulations with a smile.

Knowing that the position of Palace Attendant was crucial in the upcoming battle against Wang Maozhong and other Northern Army forces, Zhang Dai ascended the hall to congratulate Zhao Yizhen. At the same time, he couldn't help but ask, "Now that Governor Zhao is leaving his post, is there a suitable successor?"

Zhao Yizhen had previously discussed the situation of the Four Garrisons of Anxi with Zhang Dai, and knew that Zhang Dai was quite knowledgeable about the situation in the four garrisons. Upon hearing this, he said, "The governor of Xizhou, Lü Xiulin, comes from a military family. His brother, Lü Xiujing, was formerly a protector-general. However, Lü Xiulin is not resourceful. The military commissioner of Yizhou, Zhao Hanzhang, is decisive and quick-witted, but he has only been in the garrison for a short time and is not familiar with the border situation. The garrison commander of Kucha, Lai Yao, is both wise and brave, but he is not good at providing relief and support. I have not yet decided who to recommend to succeed him."

Because the Anxi Protectorate was far from the central government, the protector was usually selected by local officials. As long as the candidate was not too outrageous, the court would generally agree, since the prime ministers who made the decision were not very familiar with the situation on the border.

"Zhao Hanzhang is shrewd and capable, making him a good choice."

When Zhang Shuo heard the two talking about this topic, he immediately laughed and said, "This fellow used to serve in Youzhou, and he is very capable in handling affairs."

Zhang Dai initially knew little about these candidates, but upon hearing his grandfather specifically praise Zhao Hanzhang, he immediately recognized him. Song Jing had an example of integrity: when Zhao Hanzhang, the Protector-General of Anxi, lavishly bribed court officials to gain favor, Song Jing was the only official who had not accepted any bribes from him after the case came to light.

Hearing his grandfather's praise of Zhao Hanzhang, Zhang Dai secretly thought that his grandfather must have received quite a bit of bribes from Zhao Hanzhang!
“While shrewdness is commendable, expediency in handling affairs inevitably lacks magnanimity. Anxi has been harassed by the Tibetans and Turgesh in recent years, and the various tribes are still undecided about whether to submit. Governor Zhao has been using military force to intimidate the people while he is in charge. At this time, appeasement is not as effective as force. Considering this, it seems that Lai Yao is a better choice!”

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Dai spoke up. After eliminating Zhao Hanzhang as the wrong option, he was not familiar with Lü Xiulin. Lai Yao was Lai Zhen's father. Since Zhao Yizhen praised him as a good choice, he should be able to do the job.

(End of this chapter)