"Prime Minister Zhao!" The respectful greeting pulled Zhao Pu out of his daze.
When he looked up, he saw Lu Mengzheng, the Minister of Justice of the Ministry of Justice, maintaining a low-key and humble attitude while maintaining the salute. Seeing this rising star in the central officialdom, Zhao Pu came back to his senses and showed a smile: "It's a sacred skill!
present!"
Due to his responsible performance before and after Lu Yu, this young minister of the Ministry of Justice received a lot of recognition. His position in the Ministry of Justice gradually stabilized, and he also established a foothold in the central government, becoming an eye-catching new political star.
Zhao Pu was quite certain of his ability, but he did not have too much contact with him or use him for his own use. After all, this was someone who was personally promoted by Emperor Liu, and it was inconvenient for him to interfere.
Looking at the extraordinary Lu Mengzheng, Zhao Pu asked casually: "Are you going to see the driver?"
Noticing that Zhao Pu was staring at the memorial in his hand, Lu Mengzheng did not hide it, nodded and said: "A new batch of criminal officials have arrived in Beijing. After verification, the crimes are correct, and they will be sent to the table for execution!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu couldn't help but frowned: "This is the third batch, right! Is the review of Dali Temple over?"
"Yes!" Lu Mengzheng nodded.
Zhao Pu immediately said: "Why didn't Murong Chengde report it? Instead, you, the Minister of Justice, were put in charge. Is this in line with the imperial system?"
Hearing this, Lu Mengzheng's heart tightened, something strange flashed across his face, and he whispered a far-fetched reason: "Qing Murong Si is ill!"
In response to this, Zhao Pu opened his mouth, but did not bother about it anymore, and asked again: "How many people are in this group!"
"118 people in total!"
"Go ahead!" Zhao Pu showed no expression on his face and got out of the way.
Seeing this, Lu Mengzheng saluted again: "I'm sorry, please retire!"
After saying that, he walked towards Chongzheng Hall with small steps. Looking at Lu Mengzheng's back, Zhao Pu sighed leisurely, there are hundreds of people, hundreds of bureaucrats, hundreds of lives.
Zhao Pu couldn't help but think deeply. The reason why His Majesty could not make a final decision on the central personnel adjustment was because he wanted to wait for the complete end of Lu Yu. If this is the case, it seems incomprehensible.
However, looking at Lu Mengzheng who was drifting away, Zhao Pu frowned again subconsciously. This person is actually a person who can do things, and His Majesty also values it very much. Could he be used in a big way?
But this idea was quickly abandoned. After all, it was not twenty years ago. Your Majesty still prefers veterans. Even if you value Lu Mengzheng, he still has a long way to go. His qualifications are shallow and his foundation is not solid.
If you don’t have enough local experience, and you haven’t even had experience as a local Taoist priest, how can you possibly enter the political hall...
What about Xin Zhongfu? It seems reasonable that this person holds a big responsibility in Lu Yuzhong and serves as the Minister of Punishment...
Wang Pu, he has been ill during this period, so there should be some changes, and the political affairs hall needs to be supplemented by new candidates.
Zhao Kuangyi, this person has become more and more silent recently, something is wrong.
...
Zhao Pu spent the whole day in thinking. Even when he returned home in the evening, he was still worried about gains and losses. Perhaps because he was getting older and his energy was running out, Zhao Pu was no longer as busy as he used to be, often late into the night without knowing it.
.
In Kaifeng in winter, the chill is getting heavier, the air seems a bit heavier, the cold moon is dull, and the wind is blowing, but the Prime Minister's Mansion is still as stable as a mountain, with bright lights.
As soon as we got out of the car, the concierge immediately greeted us enthusiastically, with a smile on his face: "We sincerely welcome your husband back home!"
"Yeah!" Zhao Pu responded dully. Seeing his excited expression, he asked, "What makes you so happy?"
The steward led the way and said with a smile: "Ya Nei is back!"
The yamen that the steward was referring to was naturally his eldest son Zhao Chengzong. As the son of Zhao Pu, his official career was naturally very secure. He had been working as an official outside the country before.
Zhao Pu was well aware of the return of his eldest son. After all, it was his arrangement. Therefore, he simply nodded and ordered: "Let him meet me in the study!"
Zhao Pu's study room is still very exquisitely decorated, of course, the most abundant are all kinds of books. Zhao Pu's academic achievements have always been criticized by others, and he has always ignored them, but in fact, in private, he is very studious, and he has always been very studious.
In terms of reading, he may not be very good at writing poems and essays, but his understanding of the classics and history is by no means inferior to anyone else. What he is better at is applying the classics.
Before Zhao Chengzong arrived, he kept his past habit and took out a volume of "Kaibao General Class" to read. Emperor Liu often read this all-encompassing general classic of the Han Dynasty, let alone him, and he has only read it so far.
More than five hundred volumes.
Soon, Zhao Chengzong came inside to pay homage. Zhao Pu did not say anything, but looked at him silently. Such gaze made Zhao Chengzong subconsciously put away his relaxed smile and slowly lowered his head.
After a long time, Zhao Pu asked: "When did you arrive in Beijing?"
Zhao Chengzong hurriedly replied: "The time has passed."
"Have you gone to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to report on your work?" Zhao Pu asked again.
At this time, Zhao Chengzong's face changed slightly and his voice lowered: "Not yet!"
Hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately scolded him sternly: "You are a foreign official. When you return to Beijing, you don't go to the Ministry of Personnel first, but instead go back to the Prime Minister's Office. Isn't this true?"
Zhao Chengzong opened his mouth. He really didn't dare to offend his father's majesty, so he could only admit his mistake: "It was my son's negligence. I will go to the official department tomorrow!"
Seeing his attitude, Zhao Pu's nameless anger had just subsided a little, and he sighed softly: "Although your official position is not high, you can't help but hear about the turmoil in the court in the past six months. I sent you a letter.
Could it be that you didn't pay attention to it? Although it is a trivial matter, it is not even a mistake, but at this moment, it is a handle, a shortcoming that others can attack!
You won’t be like those mediocre people who foolishly think that since Lu Duoxun has fallen, my Zhao family will dominate the court! Don’t you know how taboo such rumors are?”
Hearing what Zhao Pu said, Zhao Chengzong's expression suddenly changed and he immediately said, "You must have lost your guard!"
Zhao Pu said seriously: "Others are just that. They are outsiders after all. You are my eldest son! Those who want to see my joke are probably staring at your brothers. How can you be careless!"
"My father's teachings will be remembered by my son, and he will not dare to do it again!" Zhao Chengzong said solemnly.
The conversation between father and son unfolded in this tense and depressing atmosphere.
After Zhao Pu let go, Zhao Chengzong was able to sit down and deal with it. He looked at his old father's gloomy and serious face and became a little more worried: "I was in Huazhou and heard that the situation in Beijing was tense, but I didn't expect that it was already so serious.
!”
Obviously, Zhao Chengzong is not a fool. From Zhao Pu's words, you can feel that it is unusual. After listening to his words, Zhao Pu stared at him for a while and said: "Don't get involved in Beijing's affairs. Be your own official and do your best."
Mind your own business!"
It's easy to say it, but how can we not show concern? After all, father and son are connected by the same blood. After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Chengzong still responded obediently.
Zhao Chengzong is over thirty years old, but so far, he is only a magistrate of Baima County. Although he belongs to Wang County and is an integrated state and county, as the son of the current prime minister, he still seems a bit low. Even in the increasingly solidified bureaucratic class
At present, there are many younger county-level officials. Therefore, among the powerful children, Zhao Chengzong's position is very "mediocre".
Seeing that his eldest son was so obedient, Zhao Pu's mood improved a bit, and then he said: "I won't hide it from you. It is my intention to call you back to the capital this time. I will have another appointment for you!"
"You should obey your father's orders!" Zhao Chengzong said.
"At your age, there are many sons and daughters of the royal family who have held important posts in the state capital or even higher positions. You must be feeling aggrieved to have been the county magistrate for so many years!" Zhao Pu said calmly.
Faced with such a problem, even if he had an idea in his heart, Zhao Chengzong did not dare to say anything. He could only express modestly: "My son has little talent and little virtue. It is not enough to govern a county, let alone a state!"
"You don't mean what you say!" Zhao Pu immediately pointed out: "I have seen your political service to the people in Baima, and your official reputation is good. Not to mention how great your achievements are, at least it is quite satisfactory!"
"Father, thank you!" Zhao Chengzong became more relaxed.
With another sigh, Zhao Pu said directly: "You are ready to prepare. After debriefing, you will go to Chuzhou to take office. Your new arrangement is to know Chuzhou!"
Zhao Chengzong was overjoyed when he heard this, but when he saw Zhao Pu's always serious expression, he suppressed it and cupped his hands and said: "I should obey the imperial court's instructions, but I still need my father's teachings!"
"I hope you can maintain this humility and not just show it to me!" Zhao paused for a moment before saying.
Without giving him any explanation, Zhao Pu explained: "Chuzhou is the center of canal transshipment. It is an important place for water transportation. Most of the finance and taxation in the southeast are transshipped here. Most of the business trips from the north to the south are also transshipped here. Therefore, transportation is the most important place in Chuzhou."
Most importantly, you need to work closely with Southeast Transshipment without making any mistakes.
In addition, Chuzhou is the Huaihe River, where the canals meet. The river network has both its power and its harm. The Huaihe River has never been truly calm in these years. Although Wang Yanguo restored Hongze Lake and dug the Guishan Canal, the
It has been a long time, but we still cannot relax on the matters of water conservancy irrigation, flood control and flood discharge!
Do these two things well and maintain your political style in Baima County, and Chuzhou will be safe!"
"Yes!" Zhao Chengzong listened carefully to Zhao Pu's explanation. After memorizing it, he bowed respectfully and solemnly replied: "I understand, thank you father for your teaching!"
Although Zhao Pu refused to let him take care of it, Zhao Chengzong couldn't help but be concerned: "Father, you are so worried. Is the situation in the DPRK really so embarrassing?"