The pavement corridors between the palaces have always been kept clean and tidy due to the hard work of the palace people. However, on the eaves of the palace walls with distinct layers, you can still see some snow that has not yet melted, dotting this stern and cold palace. , also adds a bit of paleness.
Although the winter snow was cold, fortunately the wind was light, but it was not that unbearable. After walking for a long time, Zhao Pu even felt a bit of heat. When he arrived at the Chui Gong Hall to wait for the meeting, he didn't wait too long when the notice to enter the hall came. Led by Yantuo himself.
Compared to the cold weather outside, the interior of the Chui Gong Hall was quite warm. Two incense burners were placed opposite each other, and the incense-filled fires were burning vigorously. However, the atmosphere in the hall obviously gave people an unpleasant feeling.
Emperor Liu was barefoot, stepping on the soft carpet, with his hands on the stove, roasting carelessly. In the palace, except for the several chambermaids who were waiting, there were only Wang Pu and Li Fang.
Wang Pu's expression was serious, his head slightly lowered, and his expression looked unhappy. Li Fang stood on the other side, with an even more indifferent expression, like a statue without any emotion. The more eye-catching one was Yu. The pile of memorials on top of the eucalyptus.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Pu's alertness increased greatly, and his heart immediately rose. He stepped forward and saluted respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have been summoned to see you!"
"No courtesy!" Emperor Liu waved his hand calmly, glanced sideways at Wang Pu, then looked at Zhao Pu, and said calmly: "Qing Zhao came just in time, I just have something to ask!"
"Your Majesty, please speak!" Zhao Pu bowed his head as much as Wang Pu, showing great humility.
This was probably the first time that Emperor Liu refused to give Wang Pu face. He pointed at Wang Pu with his obviously calloused fingers, but looked at Zhao Pu and asked with a smile: "Wang Qing came to see me just now, sir. He wrote a memorial. According to him, the current situation in the court is in chaos and people's hearts are floating. It has reached the point where it has to change its course and bring order to the chaos. If there is no more order and stability, the court will collapse and the country will be shaken.
I'm very curious, weren't things going well some time ago? What happened? What kind of crisis did the Han Dynasty encounter, so serious that the court was in chaos?
Zhao Qing is the prime minister, co-managing the affairs of the country, and commanding all ministries and offices. He is in charge of the overall situation, but it is your responsibility. I am afraid that no one knows better than you about the situation in the court.
Tell me, is the court doing what Wang Qing said right now?"
Emperor Liu's words were somewhat knowing and sarcastic, which made Wang Pu a little embarrassed and made Zhao Pu not dare to take pleasure in his misfortune.
Glancing at Wang Pu, Zhao Pu bowed his hands and said: "I have received the honor of Your Majesty to preside over the affairs of the state. Since I have been greatly favored, I should do my best to repay the favor. If the court is in chaos and the state affairs are not smooth, it will be my dereliction of duty and my incompetence. But I beg your Majesty to punish me!
Nowadays, although there are some rumors in the DPRK, it is also a troubled time, but the operation of the government is still stable, and everything is under the laws and regulations of the country..."
"Qi Wu, you heard me!" Emperor Liu took back his hand, turned and stared at Wang Pu, and chuckled: "Zhao Qing and you have different opinions, why is there such chaos in the court?"
Wang Pu's stern face couldn't help but reveal a touch of rosy color, showing both shame and annoyance. Facing Emperor Liu's gaze, he took a deep breath and still maintained courteous manners, but his tone became serious and serious: "Your Majesty is wise and wise. He is respected by his ministers and ministers. Although he is in the inner court, I believe that your Majesty is well aware of the current situation of the court.
I have expressed all my concerns in this chapter, and I hope that your Majesty will treat it with caution. The case in Huazhou has become more and more involved. Hundreds of officials have been implicated. The impact is so deep that it has penetrated the flesh and bone. Now there is unrest both internally and externally.
The situation is so serious and far-reaching that it must not be ignored, otherwise the consequences will be endless!
Loyal words are hard to hear. I sincerely ask Your Majesty to accept some of your loyal words in order to bring peace of mind both at home and abroad..."
Wang Pu's sincere speech obviously did not win the approval of Emperor Liu. Instead, he looked at him slightly indifferently and said, "loyal words are offensive to the ears. You are right. You are a loyal minister and everyone in the government and the public knows that. If I don't accept your
If you give me loyal advice, you are a fool?"
"Your Majesty, calm down!" As soon as he said this, Wang Pu's legs went weak, his eyes turned red, his expression was excited, and his tone even sounded a little sad: "I never meant this!"
Seeing his miserable look, Emperor Liu looked away without calling him. After a moment of silence, Emperor Liu murmured in a serious tone: "You are so active and want to calm down this storm, let me
I have shown mercy to those guilty officials and sinners. Could it be that someone from the Wang family is also involved? I have received too many reports recently and haven’t read them all yet. Have I ignored them?”
Hearing Emperor Liu's words, Zhao Pu was immediately moved, not because of his heart-wrenching remarks to Wang Pu, but because Emperor Liu's attitude, which originally seemed gloomy and hazy, seemed to become clear at this time.
Emperor Liu has already characterized those noble officials who committed crimes and called them "guilty ministers and sinners". What is his attitude? Is it necessary to elaborate?
Wang Pu was obviously not as astute as Zhao Pu. Of course, at this time, he did not have the intention to figure out the meaning of Emperor Liu's words. He just looked miserable and simply kowtowed: "Your Majesty's words, I have nothing to say.
, but please resign from your current and other positions and wait for your fate!"
Wang Pu's seemingly overreaction made Emperor Liu stunned for a moment. Naturally, his mood during this period could not be described in a good way. Seeing this, there was a slight smile on the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained the same.
Shockingly cold.
However, seeing Wang Pu burst into tears, I was somewhat touched in my heart. After all, he was a veteran minister for more than 20 years. Being so aggrieved made Emperor Liu seem a little cold and harsh to the veteran minister.
"Get up!" Emperor Liu sighed softly.
"Your Majesty!" Wang Pu called out with some emotion. He no longer had the demeanor of a famous gentleman, and his voice was very sad.
"Qi Wu, do you want to resist the order?" Emperor Liu was not one to coax him, so he said sternly.
Hearing this, Wang Pu immediately trembled, stood up tremblingly, and actually shed tears. His old face had turned pale, and he looked like he was deeply traumatized.
Of course, nostalgia for the past has its own differences. At least, Emperor Liu still believed in Wang Pu. He was a man who cherished feathers extremely. He served the emperor with loyalty, served the father with filial piety, and served others with courtesy. However, Wang Pu was
Wang Pu, the same cannot be said for others.
With only a slight hint in his eyes, Yan Tuo was like a roundworm in Emperor Liu's stomach. He suddenly understood what he meant and took out a silk scarf and gave it to Wang Pu, asking him to tidy up his appearance.
"Qi Wu, I have always believed in your character and integrity, and I have always been grateful for your devotion to me and to the Han Dynasty!" Looking at Wang Pu, Emperor Liu finally said calmly: "Shicai's words are serious.
Don’t be offended if you do something wrong!”
Without waiting for his answer, Emperor Liu continued: "During this period of time, I have received too many memorials and seen too many terrible things. I can't believe my own eyes and ears!
I can understand your concerns. Outside Huazhou, a series of incidents broke out, and the implications became wider. Public opinion inside and outside the government was raging, causing an uproar and uproar in the city. We all know this.
I also know that the secrets of these invitations are also circulating in the streets of Xijing. Many people and scholars even went to Luoyang Mansion to report to the Ministry of Punishment.
This is no longer just a few cases, nor is it limited to the imperial court. This is already the largest and most widespread scandal that has occurred in the imperial court since the founding of the Han Dynasty!"
At this point, Emperor Liu's tone became extremely cold: "There are so many noble ministers, so many officials, but under their gorgeous cloak of power, they are so miserable, it is simply shocking!
Are the heroes and nobles on whom I rely, the officials and workers on whom I rely, all scoundrels who know and break the law and commit crimes?
I know that if the situation continues to expand, I don’t know how many cases will be exposed, and I don’t know how many people will be involved, and by then, the imperial court will only lose its majesty and make everyone in the world laugh at it!"
"But!" Emperor Liu looked around the three ministers present, and his eyes finally fell on Wang Pu: "I can tell you clearly that trying to cover up the compromise is deceiving oneself and deceiving others. If there is a problem in the court, then seek a solution. If there is a problem,
After all, there is a punishment, and there is no other way.
Although your worries are of great significance to the country, they are completely unnecessary! I tell you, the sky will not fall, and the imperial court will continue to function as usual without anyone else.
I will not see a problem or a disease, then hide the disease and avoid medical treatment, allowing it to rot and fester!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Hearing Emperor Liu's tough and decisive words, which were like a declaration, Zhao, Wang, and Li could not help but feel shocked.
But in the same way, Wang Pu also respected the wise and wise.