A plate of tofu with scallions, a plate of stir-fried meat with bamboo shoots, and a bowl of crucian carp soup. It looks very simple. It combines meat and vegetables, with soup and vegetables. For Liu Chengyou, it is already an "improvement in life."
He picked up a piece of tofu with his chopsticks. It was tender and juicy. He put it into his mouth and took a bite of rice. As he chewed, staring at the plate of tofu, Liu Chengyou was thinking that his preference was well known to others. Have to change.
"It would be better if it was a little spicy..." However, he still couldn't help it, and Liu Chengyou muttered softly.
"The official family, the palace envoy Li Shaoyou, has been ordered to pay an audience." The chamberlain reported.
"Xuan!"
"Jia Gong, please step aside for a moment." Liu Chengyou turned his head to the side and said to Jia Wei who was behind the case.
"Yes!" This time, Jia Wei didn't hesitate much. He stood up and bowed: "I leave."
Liu Chengyou's tone was calm but firm, and Jia Wei could hear it. Over this period of time, Jia Wei had almost figured out Liu Chengyou's temperament. He was a very independent emperor, and he might be tolerant of his subordinates when he succeeded to the throne. , but it is by no means tolerated blindly.
Although this old gentleman has a strong personality and is known as an "iron mouth", he is not completely ignorant of current affairs and is aware of the situation. Of course, as a historian, if he is really stubborn and uses force, in this era, He won't be able to survive now.
"I pay my respects to the official." As soon as Li Shaoyou entered the palace, he bowed and saluted politely. Even though they were close friends, Li Shaoyou behaved very respectfully in front of Liu Chengyou. Of course, this was not necessarily the case in front of outsiders.
"No gifts, just a seat."
"Thank you, Guanjia."
Liu Chengyou was still eating his meal slowly. Li Shaoyou glanced at it and said proactively: "The official family is still as usual, practicing frugality and using this simple meal."
"With this simple diet, how many ordinary people can eat two meals a day?" Liu Chengyou sighed and said, "I should set an example."
"I admire the officials' love for the people very much!" Li Shaoyou said, the compliment was true and his tone was true.
No one was around to record it, but Liu Chengyou still said this, which was true. Is Liu Chengyou really loving the people? I'm afraid he himself is a little unsure. Perhaps, after pretending for so long, he has completely become accustomed to it.
As soon as he started talking, Li Shaoyou became a little arrogant again, with a bit of contempt in his tone, and said: "The officials are frugal like this, but some people don't know how to restrain themselves. When the country is poor and the people are scarce, they are still arrogant and extravagant. Alas, there is a lot of extravagance and waste..."
"Who are you referring to?" Liu Chengyou asked calmly.
"The officials don't know?" Li Shaoyou seemed a little surprised.
"Tell me."
At this time, Li Shaoyou hesitated a little, and glanced at Liu Chengyou, trying to see his expression, but all he could see was that calm face.
"Huh?" Liu Chengyou's tone rose a little.
Seeing this, Li Shaoyou rolled his eyes, and then said: "Maybe it's a rumor. When I came here, I heard that Mr. Su said that the food in the hall today was shabby and inedible, so he ordered the chef to bring meals to the palace, and he made every possible delicacy... ..."
The chopsticks in Liu Chengyou's hand paused. Although there were two prime ministers Su in the Political Hall, Liu Chengyou knew exactly which one Li Shaoyou was referring to. He put down his chopsticks and twitched the corners of his mouth slightly. Liu Chengyou picked up the silk scarf and wiped his mouth, looking at Li Shaoyou. , said calmly: "You are still so well-informed about the news. Even the prime minister is aware of such trivial matters as eating."
Hearing this, Li Shaoyou's heart tightened. He seemed to feel the metaphor in Liu Chengyou's words. He tensed up and explained in a low voice: "The officials know me, but these eyes and ears are more sensitive. I have nothing to do in my free time. It’s just what I’ve seen and heard…”
Seeing his performance, Liu Chengyou picked up the tea cup on the dining table, took a sip, and said, "I have summoned you. I have an errand for you!"
When it came to business, Li Shaoyou became serious and changed the topic: "Please give me the official's instructions."
"Since I succeeded to the throne, Brother You has taken care of the affairs of the inner gardens of the imperial city. Everything is going well, and I am very satisfied. With your talents, the envoys of the palace and gardens are too submissive, so I want to use you as a military envoy!" Liu Chengyou said.
"Wu De Envoy?" Li Shaoyou was a little surprised.
Probably knowing what Li Shaoyou was wondering about, Liu Chengyou explained: "Xuanhui Nanyuan envoy Li Hui moved to Heyang, and I replaced him with my brother-in-law."
"Isn't this proposal rejected by Prime Minister Yang?" Li Shaoyou asked.
Liu Chengyou said: "The Queen Mother has already spoken. It is rare for my mother to ask me for help. Can I refuse?"
Although the Queen Mother Li is wise, everyone has a selfish mind, and she is no exception. There are seven Kunzhong brothers, and Li is especially fond of the younger brother. Even though this younger brother has high vision, low skills, and short knowledge. Xuanhui Nanyuan has a shortage of envoys. Therefore, he spoke in person and asked for an official position, but was rejected by Yang Bin.
"What's more, when it comes to appointing or removing official positions, do I have to ask Yang Bin for instructions in advance?" Liu Chengyou said again coldly.
Li Shaoyou nodded and couldn't help but murmured: "The ambassador of Xuanhui is an important position in the imperial court. Is my uncle qualified for the job?"
Since the establishment of the Xuanhui envoy in the middle Tang Dynasty, it has developed to the present day. Enshrine famous things inside and outside.
Listening to Li Shaoyou's tone, he seemed to have some disdain for his uncle. However, what he was more curious about was what Liu Chengyou meant by asking him to take over as the military commander, even though the military commander was a close minister of the emperor and a confidant. , but it has not expanded to a certain extent yet.
As for Li Shaoyou, based on his feeling, Liu Chengyou should have entrusted him with something else. Otherwise, he would not have summoned him personally, but would have stood aside and ordered him so cautiously.
"Officials, do you have any other explanation?" Li Shaoyou looked at Liu Chengyou and asked tentatively.
Liu Chengyou was not surprised by his alertness. He pondered for a while and said: "Since I conquered Yedu last year and returned to the court in triumph, I have never left the city of Tokyo. When I ascended the throne, the government was busy with affairs and was busy with state affairs. The last time I went to work, I didn’t even take a step outside the imperial city.”
"Staying in the deep palace, it is inevitable that the news will be stagnant, and the ears and eyes will be unclear. The country is governed by memorials, but it will eventually become shallow and it is easy to have bad government. I know that under the rule of the Han Dynasty, the people are suffering a lot, but I don't know the cause of the sufferings of the people. As the emperor, I You should listen to Ming Yuan and get news..."
Speaking of which, with Li Shaoyou's astuteness, he still didn't understand anything. In addition, he was good at snooping for information. Previously, when Liu Chengyou was leading troops outside, he would pay attention to most of the internal news.
"The officials want me to..."
Seeing Li Shaoyou's cautious look, Liu Chengyou stared at him and said bluntly: "I want to set up a military ethics department, and use you as a military moral envoy, as an ear and eyes, and as a minions! Aren't you a smart person? I want you to monitor the world for me. Starting from Tokyo, we will listen to the reports on the situation in the army, the situation in the government and the people, and the ridicule in the city!"
"Manpower, I will mobilize a group of people to assist you, and select trusted and reliable people from the army. We will first set up the yamen organization, and the rest will be added later..."
"Do you understand?"
Li Shaoyou pondered for a while, then cupped his hands and said, "I understand!"
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou hesitated for a moment and then added: "Remember, what I want are eyes and ears. When the Wude Division was first established, we kept a low profile. You have the power to spy on and monitor the performance, but you cannot act arbitrarily! "
"yes!"
When he exited the Chui Gong Hall, Li Shaoyou's handsome face was still a little thoughtful, but also a little excited. He was very interested in Liu Chengyou's new job to spy on the world's public opinion, and he was a little excited just thinking about it. .
Looking back at Chui Gong Hall, Li Shaoyou couldn't help but calm down again as he thought about his conversation with Liu Chengyou.
Liu Erlang was really different back then. Although he was still very friendly to him, Li Shaoyou could also feel the sense of oppression brought about by his change of status. In fact, during the process of communicating with Liu Chengyou, he couldn't help but I felt so uneasy that I couldn't feel as relaxed as before.
However, thinking about the important task entrusted to Liu Chengyou, I couldn't help but feel reassured. At least it proved that the emperor still valued and trusted his cousin.
"I have to remind you, old man, to be more restrained. If you are as willful as Su Fengji, you will only bring disaster to yourself..." Li Shaoyou whispered to himself and left the palace.
In the palace, after Li Shaoyou resigned, Liu Chengyou continued to eat his lunch, which was already cold.
The establishment of the Wude Department was decided by Liu Chengyou after several considerations. The powers and responsibilities were naturally incomparable to those of the Imperial City Department of the Song Dynasty. The current national conditions of the Han Dynasty did not allow the emergence of a behemoth like the Imperial City Department. However, this did not affect Liu Chengyou tried to make a prototype and lay a foundation first. A systematic intelligence (espionage) organization is necessary to maintain imperial power and consolidate the throne.
Of course, Liu Chengyou had no intention of disbanding the original intelligence organization "Xiao", but he just wanted to hide it deeper.
Staring at the simple food on his desk, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh indifferently: "I thought that Yang Shi would be the first to clear out the court. Maybe the order should be changed?"
