In the back garden of Dongping Palace, the cool breeze is like water, the vegetation is sparse, and the fallen leaves are withering. The whole thing looks like a cold and desolate autumn.
In the quiet and long corridor, two figures walked slowly forward. One of them was walking very slowly, leaning on a walking stick. The sound of the collision between the end of the stick and the floor tiles could be clearly heard. It was Zhao Kuangzan, King of Dongping.
Like many veteran Qianyou ministers, Zhao Kuangzan has gradually become depressed over the years. He resigned from most of his positions, no longer interfered with court affairs, and returned to the palace. There were reasons for Emperor Liu and physical factors, but in the final analysis, he was still Emperor Liu.
Since the Qianyu Northern Expedition, Zhao Kuangzan accompanied him back to the court and has been enjoying lofty courtesy. Perhaps because his relationship with the court was too close in the past, unlike other separatist regimes, Zhao Kuangzan received very little suspicion and control. After all, the former
Although Youyan has certain independent attributes, it is always under the rule of the imperial court.
And Emperor Liu always adhered to his original promise to share weal and woe with the Zhao Kuangzan family. Not only did he receive a title and generous salary, he even allowed him to participate in court affairs and gave him real power. He even allowed Zhao Wang Liu Fang to marry him.
He married Zhao Kuangzan’s daughter, and his kindness and kindness were enviable and even more surprising.
However, as his age increases and his body weakens, Zhao Kuangzan's presence in the court continues to decrease. Now, except for the title of Prince of Dongping County, which is remembered from time to time, he has basically faded out of people's mind.
Vision.
"Chu Bao, this is not like your style!" The old voice drawled with a little doubt in his tone. As Zhao Kuangzan walked, he looked at Song Qi who was following him.
"Both the government and the public know that the Imperial City and the Second Department of Wude are His Majesty's minions, spreading the eyes and ears of His Majesty. Countless people are gnashing their teeth at the detectives of the Second Department, wishing they could get rid of them quickly, but they have never succeeded. Why,
They have His Majesty's blessing!
Fan Zhi, Wang Pu's prestige is higher than yours, and your relationship with His Majesty is closer than yours. Because of his admonition to the Second Division, he was also criticized and reprimanded by Your Majesty. Why do you need to touch His Majesty's disobedience during the period of national mourning...
I don't understand, what is your intention? Now that the phase has been lost, if Your Majesty uses this suspicion and commits more crimes, I'm afraid your life will be in danger. You have always been smart and wise, why are you so reckless now?" Zhao Kuangzan
He sighed with emotion, his tone full of concern.
When Song Qi heard this, she was very calm and even showed a smile: "Although I have lost my phase, I still have this free time and can go to the palace to visit. Ordinarily, there is no such opportunity?"
Zhao Kuangzan frowned immediately, stopped and stared at Song Qi: "Are you determined to retreat?"
In response to this question, Song Qi was silent for a moment, and then said softly: "Nowadays, in the imperial court, there are countless people who are obsessed with power, fame and fortune, but those who want to retreat are probably not only me, but also the king, so why not
?”
Hearing what Song Qi said, Zhao Kuangzan shook his head and said: "You are different from me! You are a talented person, a capable minister, and the talent the court needs. His Majesty has always relied on you and valued you.
You must know that since the founding of Qianyu Bao, there have been so many prime ministers in the Han Dynasty, and your Song Chubao is the one with the weakest foundation. Even Zhao Pu, although he came from the feudal ministers, has stayed with His Majesty for several years.
Your journey from Youzhou to Shanyang, and then to the Zhengshitang as prime minister, was so difficult..."
Hearing this, Song Qi finally sighed: "I am getting old after all. There are many talents in the court, and there are endless rising stars, such as Zhang Qixian, Lu Mengzheng, Li Hang, Zhang Yong, etc. They are all capable of managing the world and can take on big responsibilities.
There is no need for an old man like me..."
"You don't mean what you said!" Zhao Kuangzan raised his finger and said.
Song Qi turned around, stood with her hands behind her back, and looked at the autumn scenery in the backyard of the palace. After a long time, she sighed: "It doesn't hurt to speak frankly to your Majesty. I am admonishing you as the sexton of the Imperial City. First, I really think that such a hawk-dog organization is like this."
Power needs to be curbed to avoid causing trouble and disrupting the political agenda.
Your Majesty is actually prepared for this. In the early years, he had many restrictions on the Wude Division and strictly controlled his powers. However, in recent years, he has become more and more indulgent. The power of the Second Division has become rampant and has violated the powers of the officials of the Imperial Court. In the long run,
It will definitely be detrimental to the stability of the government and the stability of people's hearts.
Secondly, as the king said, I have the intention to retreat! I have been loyal to the king for more than thirty years. Although I have no great achievements, I still have a clear conscience. Now it is time to enjoy my old age in peace.
Your Majesty is an unparalleled hero, but every hero who has great achievements must also have great harm! To put it bluntly, His Majesty can no longer be regarded as the wise, powerful and broad-minded entrepreneurial king he was in the past.
That’s it!
Once the Queen is gone, there will be one less virtuous queen in the world, and Your Majesty will also have one less restraint. In the past, Your Majesty often treated old ministers as if they were deposed and returned to support, but this may not be the case in the future."
After Song Qi finished speaking, Zhao Kuangzan thought for a while and then sighed: "You actually have such an idea. It is really dangerous to continue to be the prime minister! However, even if you want to retreat, why choose such a dangerous way?"
Song Qi shook her head and said with some sadness: "This can also be regarded as a test, and the result was as expected!
In addition, your Majesty should know about the former military commander Li Jungong. He retreated several times and was unable to do so. Your Majesty is now violent and moody. He can abandon others, but he cannot tolerate others abandoning them. I am not sick or in trouble. If you ask rashly
I am afraid that not only will it be difficult for His Majesty to agree to the resignation, but it will also arouse his suspicion.
Even, I don’t dare to excuse myself and claim to be sick..."
After hearing Song Qi's words, Zhao Kuangzan was stunned for a moment, with a bitter smile on his old face: "I have been away from the court for a long time, but I didn't know that Your Majesty has become so terrifying!"
"Your Majesty is a hero! How can a hero not be suspicious? The older you get, the more so..."
"If this is the case, then what if the prime minister doesn't do it?" Zhao Kuang praised, and as he spoke, he couldn't help coughing violently.
Seeing this, Song Qi hurriedly supported Zhao Kuangzan, stretched out her hands to stroke his back to help him calm down, and advised him: "Your Majesty, do you still need to take care of yourself?"
"It doesn't matter, people get sick as they get older. In their early years, they were dissolute and suffered from some diseases. Now, it's just about paying off the debt!" Zhao Kuangzan coughed a few more times and waved his hand.
Speaking of old, Zhao Kuangzan is only in his early 60s, several years younger than Song Qi, but his old appearance completely overshadows Song Qi's. Half a head of silver hair, a face full of wrinkles, and a thin body always make people...
A feeling of overwhelming vulnerability.
"I have a lot of emotions after talking with Chu Bao today. Come with me. There is something I want to show you. Please give me an idea!" Zhao Kuangzan signaled to Song Qi.
"Your Majesty, please!"
The two entered the study and sat down. Zhao Kuangzan rummaged around on the desk, took out a memorial, and handed it to Song Qi: "Take a look!"
Song Qi took it with a little curiosity, and after reading it for a while, a touch of caution quickly appeared in her brows.