Chapter 351 This is the only one in the whole dynasty
"After saying so much, I'm thirsty!" After the matter was concluded, the atmosphere in the palace relaxed. Emperor Liu was like a tiger with its claws restrained, with a smile that was almost alms on his face, and his words They all felt much more relaxed, and scolded Yantuo who was standing beside him: "Didn't you see me talking to Li Qing? Why don't you serve tea?"
Probably frightened by Emperor Liu's dragon power just now, after hearing the scolding, Yan Tuo finally realized and responded quickly: "It's my negligence. Please forgive me, I will send someone to serve you tea immediately!"
After saying that, Yantuo turned his buttocks outward and bowed his body to retreat and make arrangements. Emperor Liu pointed at Yantuo and said to Li Chongju: "This eunuch is also an old man next to me. He has always been able to serve others and handle things very decently. He even He sometimes makes omissions! It can be seen that people will make mistakes, and I am no exception, so you don’t have to worry about some things!"
Suddenly hearing such words from Emperor Liu, Li Chongju thought to himself, and then he realized that this probably refers to the mistakes that Emperor Liu reprimanded in the Wude Department last year.
He slightly cupped his hands and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty is magnanimous, and I admire you!"
After waving his hand, Emperor Liu looked at him and said: "Although your fame in the court is not obvious, I will keep your hard work for more than 20 years in mind. Now that you want to retire, I should honor you." If you are promoted to a Duke, and become an official by serving as a servant, I will give you a village, a house each, a hundred catties of gold and silver each, and a dragon head and a crutch!"
"Your Majesty, I am so grateful for the grace!" Hearing this, Li Chongju breathed a sigh of relief, slowly leaned forward, and bowed: "However, I don't dare to accept the title of Duke, please take it back, Your Majesty!"
"All the nobles of the Han Dynasty want to be promoted to a noble family, and there are many generals who have grudges because of their rank! You are different. The prince of the county and you actually refused and asked me to tell you what you are good at. !" Emperor Liu grinned.
After hearing this, Li Chongju responded frankly: "Your Majesty, people should have self-awareness, and I should think about myself. Although I have worked hard in the past, I will not be granted a title. If I accept it, it will be difficult to convince the public and my heart will be uneasy. Your Majesty. The reward is given to the county prince, but there are already many criticisms, and I don’t want your majesty to show mercy and be promoted to a high rank. I hope your majesty will take it back!"
After listening to his confession, Emperor Liu shook his head lightly and said solemnly: "My lord, the country's famous weapon should not be given to others lightly! I will reward you with titles and honors. I have always been a teacher who is famous, and I have never been rewarded without merit! I miss your merits. Why do you think so lightly?"
After a pause, Emperor Liu continued: "You are also a self-reliant person who walked out from my side. When you fought from Hedong to Hebei, you were on the battlefield and went through life and death. How did you spare your life?
At the beginning, you were also the general who commanded an army. When I asked you to take over the Wude Division, I also deprived you of the opportunity to lead troops in battle and make meritorious deeds on the battlefield. Otherwise, how could you not be able to use your talents in the process of flattening the world?
How can I not know these situations in my heart?"
Emperor Liu's heartfelt words made Li Chongju silent for a moment, and finally he bowed again: "Your Majesty's kindness is so great that I never dare to forget it. I just feel sorry for it!"
"My decision has been made! It will be difficult to take it back. You have to wait for many more years. If anyone in the court is dissatisfied, let him come to me!" Emperor Liu waved his hand forcefully.
Seeing Emperor Liu's resolute attitude, Li Chongju deserved to express his gratitude. One of these emperors and ministers wanted to be given a high title, but the other repeatedly declined. This was the only example in the current dynasty.
Li Chongju was a man with no knowledge of the world, no talent, no military ability to control the world, but he could always see in him some rare and valuable qualities of contemporary heroes and lofty ideals. His loyalty, humility and prudence were rare.
Of course, there may be some unavoidable reasons for this. After all, he is serving a monarch like Emperor Liu. As for Emperor Liu, agreeing to Li Chongju's resignation may not be out of consideration for his loyalty and diligence, so that he can spend his old age peacefully. All this time, In the eyes of Emperor Liu, Li Chongju was a rare pure and lonely minister.
Even though Emperor Liu had long since transformed into a political animal with a heart as hard as iron, he was not a tree after all. He had some feelings for ministers like Li Chongju.
"Later, ask the imperial doctor to clean up his forehead!" Emperor Liu said caringly, noticing Li Chongju's bruised head.
"yes!"
Yan Tuo led the people inside to serve tea, and the emperor and his ministers drank together. Afterwards, Emperor Liu breathed a sigh of relief, with a look of seriousness on his face, and asked: "Since the fifth year of Qianyou's reign, you have been in charge of the Wude Secretary's affairs for nearly 20 years. You suddenly resigned, who should be entrusted with the general affairs? How can I find someone who can take on this responsibility? You have posed a problem for me!"
Li Chongju obviously had some considerations and replied: "Since the establishment of the Wude Division, there has been a system in place. All bureaucrats can act according to the system. Even if they have no ministers, they can still operate normally!"
"What you say makes sense, but there is no one who is more familiar with and understands the affairs of Wude than you!" Emperor Liu said.
At this time, what Li Chongju probably didn't want to hear and was most afraid of hearing was that Wu Desi could not live without him. This was also the key reason why he made up his mind to resign.
"There are so many talented people in the Han Dynasty, why can't Li Chongju be the only one to take charge of them?" Li Chongju said.
"I can't think of any good candidates for the moment. Who do you think can take over after resigning?" Emperor Liu asked directly.
Li Chongju fell silent. Under Emperor Liu's aggressive gaze, he still did not answer directly. He just cupped his hands and said, "Please ask your Majesty to judge!"
Emperor Liu may also understand that with Li Chongju's current mentality, it would be very difficult for him to take the initiative to recommend talents. Therefore, he thought about it and raised his finger and said: "What about Wang Yinwu, who is well-known in Hexi?"
Li Chongju then spoke up and agreed: "Wang Yinwu is a capable general under the Wude Department. For more than ten years, he has been experienced in dealing with things, acted decisively, and has a tough style. He has made a lot of achievements. This time, he has gained new achievements and personally brought back the King of Wei. If your Majesty wishes to promote your two highnesses, Mr. Zhao, it is his blessing and there is no doubt about it!"
As for Li Chongju, he had already made up his mind. No matter whose name Emperor Liu mentioned, he would agree with it, so he answered without any hesitation. In fact, if Li Chongju resigned, there would be no more than two sources for his successor, one of which would be Liu. The emperor chose other trusted generals, and the second was selected from the magistrates under the Wude Department.
The Wude Division has become a well-established system, so it is not impossible to find a layman, but in order to make the transition smooth, Emperor Liu obviously prefers the latter. Under normal circumstances, the deputy envoy or the governor of Gyeonggi would be a more suitable candidate. However, They had a closer relationship with Li Chongju and were more influenced by him. This was one of the necessary conditions for him to firmly control the Wude Division in the past.
In comparison, transferring people from Daozhou outside Beijing seemed more suitable at this time, and Wang Yinwu happened to be able to reach Tianting due to his contribution to retrieving the expeditionary soldiers, leaving an impression on Emperor Liu. He had to.
It is said that people's fortunes sometimes just happen by chance. Of course, you have to be brave enough to gamble. If you hadn't risked your life and traveled far away to find someone, it wouldn't have been this result.
As for Emperor Liu's psychology, even though it was difficult for Li Chongju to fully understand it, he was able to get a glimpse of it. He couldn't help but sigh for his subordinates who had followed him for many years. He was delaying their promotion.
However, there was one thing that Li Chongju did not say out loud about Wang Yinwu's promotion. That is, Wang Yinwu had been in the northwest for many years and was too deeply involved with the military and politics of the northwest.
Of course, it all depends on how you look at it! Li Chongju wanted to remind him, but he was worried about Emperor Liu and didn't say anything.
"Then it's settled!" Emperor Liu also made the decision directly.
From Emperor Liu's point of view, whoever serves as a military envoy has fewer concerns. No one else is as good as Li Chongju. Without his qualifications and trust, it would be impossible for Li Chongju to be in office.
That kind of authority! This is perhaps the most important reason why Li Chongju, a military envoy, cannot continue to be a military envoy.
"You must have a pair of children at your knees!" After discussing the matter, Emperor Liu began to engage in family matters with Li Chongju.
"Exactly!" Li Chongju responded.
"Have you ever been married?" Emperor Liu asked.
As soon as the emperor opened his mouth, Li Chongju understood something and replied respectfully: "The eldest son Jichang got married two years ago and is now serving in the Ministry of War. The younger daughter Jiyun will be married this spring!"
"Oh!" Emperor Liu raised his eyebrows and said, "Which family are you marrying into?"
"They are all from ordinary, innocent and good families, and they are penniless!" Li Chongju said.
"Your children are also my nephews. It seems that I have to make up for two congratulatory gifts!" Emperor Liu said with a meaningful look at Li Chongju, with a hint of pity in his words.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!" Li Chongju responded.
"Stay later and have dinner with me. I also want to have a chat with you. In recent years, I have missed the time when I worked hard in the world more and more. The years have been so long and it is so nostalgic...
