On the first day after returning to Beijing, Emperor Liu seemed a little sentimental. He wandered around the magnificence of the Imperial City of Tokyo, traced traces of the past, and was immersed in the nostalgia and emotion of the old days. His mood could not calm down for a long time.
It was not until the next day that things returned to normal. Although he was full of love for the people and high-sounding when he set out, after actually arriving in Kaifeng, Emperor Liu stopped continuing his eastward tour.
In the two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, I just visited various places, full of leisure and leisure, and symbolically inquired about the situation in the disaster area and disaster relief matters. In fact, Zhao Pu, Lu Yin and other ministers were responsible for all major and minor affairs. Emperor Liu's days
There is not much difference from the time in Luoyang.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, as usual, Emperor Liu ordered an imperial banquet to be held. Perhaps due to the lack of attendance, the banquet was not held in Chongyuan Hall, the main palace of Kaifeng Imperial City, but in Qionglin Garden.
As the only royal garden that underwent major construction during Emperor Liu's stay in Kaifeng, it once became a place for entertaining every Jinshi. After the imperial court moved westward, it fell into silence for a time. Until now, it has become full of vitality again.
Although the queen, the prince, and a large number of ministers were not present, the large number of people present at the banquet did not fade much. This was still a gathering of the upper class elites of the Han Dynasty, full of power and wealth.
The master of ceremonies who presided over the banquet was still the uncle of the state, the prime minister Li Ye. Over the past few years, Li Ye had completely become a role member of the power center of the imperial court. After struggling for power to no avail, Li Ye gradually accepted his position.
, serve Emperor Liu wholeheartedly.
In the past few years, Li Ye has not failed to work hard. He has seen several opportunities to pull down powerful prime ministers like Zhao Pu and Song Qi and replace them with others, and he has also used some means to do so.
However, the results are often unsatisfactory, and all actions show that it is a meaningless struggle. When it comes to political skills and administrative abilities, Li Ye is far behind his competitors. The only advantage is probably
In terms of identity.
But similarly, identity seems to be an invisible restriction. If you want to make a breakthrough, the biggest reliance is Emperor Liu, and only Emperor Liu. However, it is Emperor Liu who restricts him, as if he is in a prison of power.
In the cage, he was held high, but his whole body was bound and he struggled endlessly.
After so many years, Li Ye has actually been somewhat shaken. He is not a person with strong willpower, and it is not his character to become more courageous with every setback.
And probably because he has become more aware of the reality, in the past year, Li Ye has become a bit messed up. When dealing with various affairs between the DPRK and China, he has gradually shown a calm attitude, and seems nonchalant in the face of everything.
You must know that Li Ye has been a troublesome person since he was young. More than 20 years ago, relying on the favor of Empress Dowager Li, he even dared to interfere in Emperor Liu's affairs.
In order to enhance his authority, Puzhou even did not hesitate to attack Chai Rong. You must know that Chai Rong at that time had the support of Emperor Liu and Guo Wei, and there was no grudge between him and Chai Rong.
But Li Ye just did it. It can be said to be bold or stupid, but it can all reflect Li Ye's enthusiasm.
Even after returning from local posts, being trained several times by Emperor Liu, and becoming Prime Minister, he still maintained his aggressiveness, actively participated in the affairs of the DPRK, and never missed any opportunity, trying his best to gain a sense of presence.
Over the years, Li Ye has indeed done some things, especially in the fight against corruption. However, Li Ye's purpose is not to eliminate officials, but to enhance his authority and make others fear him. He also enjoys the feeling of holding power.
, the awe-inspiring looks of others often make him happy.
However, up to now, I don’t know whether it was due to old age or being suppressed too much. Li Ye’s enthusiasm has been quietly lost. For example, in the impeachment crisis that Zhao Pu encountered some time ago, if it were normal, Li Ye would not end it personally.
There will always be some secret manipulation and promotion to see if there is a chance to remove Zhao Pula from power.
But, no, Li Ye did not participate at all, did not express his position, or made any comments, just pretending that it was nothing. He was relaxed and lazy, and he began to be indifferent to government affairs.
Such a contrast between before and after naturally attracted the attention of Emperor Liu. Of course, Emperor Liu did not say anything rashly, but just observed and thought silently.
Could it be that this uncle was suppressed too hard by him and was spoiled?
Even at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Li Ye seemed careless as the master of ceremonies. He drank and drank, changed cups and cups, and was not interested in it, and he was no longer active in socializing.
Looking at Li Ye who was sitting there enjoying himself and drinking, Emperor Liu finally took the initiative to ask: "Uncle, it is the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the hall is full of people gathering and enjoying themselves. Why are you unhappy?"
Li Ye turned slightly sideways, almost leaning on the eucalyptus, and his drunken eyes looked drowsy. When he suddenly heard Emperor Liu asking a question, he became unsteady and knocked over the wine glass, spilling the wine all over his body.
After hurriedly wiping it, he stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, forgive me, I have been discourteous!"
"No problem!" Emperor Liu looked at the somewhat embarrassed Li Ye, waved his hand, and said with a chuckle: "It seems that uncle is not unhappy, but has forgotten his feelings!"
"Your Majesty was made to laugh!" Li Ye said, no matter his expression or posture, he looked very respectful.
This once again aroused the curiosity in Emperor Liu's heart. He looked at him with a heavy look and said: "Uncle, as the master of ceremonies, you are not doing a good job. You should go to persuade the officials to drink and let the officials and ministers have a good time.
!”
"Yes!" After hearing this, Li Ye was slightly startled and said quickly: "I am just slightly unwell and slacked off a little. Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
In a few words, Li Ye had already apologized twice. Such a performance was so different from the past. Emperor Liu had never seen Li Ye so humble, or in other words, decadent.
Emperor Liu frowned slightly, but his tone was still gentle and said: "If you are feeling unwell, then drink less wine. Uncle, please take care of yourself!"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!" Li Ye said.
However, he still raised the full glass and toasted Emperor Liu personally, and then turned around and sat down. From the beginning to the end, Emperor Liu was observing Li Ye's performance. His uncle seemed to be really going downhill. His face looked...
He does not look very healthy, he looks like he has been drinking too much.
When his attention shifted from power and government affairs, Li Ye put more energy into personal enjoyment. If there are those who are greedy for pleasure and have extravagant styles among the ministers, then Li Ye must be the "best" among them.
In the past year alone, Li Ye has taken in four concubines. Playing and singing every night is really a big burden for Uncle Li who is over fifty years old.
Even Emperor Liu could not help but be filled with doubts and surprise at such a change. From Emperor Liu's point of view, this uncle was not such a degenerate person. With his troubled character and style, this change was really too great.
Big.
At the same time, Emperor Liu couldn't help but secretly think about how he should treat his uncle in the future. Li Ye was a catfish he placed in the center of power as a check and balance on other ministers. Now this catfish is half dead. In his position
If you don’t plan for your own affairs, is it still necessary to focus on your position?
I have a sinister idea. I put Li Ye in the political hall just to let him cause trouble. Now that he is no longer causing trouble, Emperor Liu is not used to it anymore...