Chapter 498: Drawing fire from the bottom of the cauldron
Since the day Fang Jun took charge of the Ministry of War, the Ministry of War has actually become the most solid base camp for Prince Li Chengqian. It was the series of reform measures made by Fang Jun in the Ministry of War that made the Ministry of War jump from the bottom among the six departments to the one with the most presence.
A strong yamen is only slightly inferior to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which is responsible for the world's money and food.
Today's Ministry of War has a lot of power. Not only does it have the power to mobilize troops from all over the world, it also has the power to manufacture weapons, transport grain and fodder, promote generals, and conduct military trials.
Who else is qualified to squeeze out Fang Jun and sit in the position of Minister of War?
There are only a handful of civil and military officials in the Manchu dynasty.
But even among these few, who is willing to risk offending Fang Jun and the prince to death by sitting on this crater?
At this time, the door was knocked open, and a clerk came in with a kettle in one hand and a tray in the other. He first placed it on the table, then placed the teapot and teacup in the tray on the table, and then bowed and retreated.
go out.
Fang Jun stood up, took the teapot, poured tea into the teacups, handed one cup to Li Tai and the other to Cui Dunli.
Cui Dunli quickly stood up, took it with both hands, and then dared to sit down...
Li Tai picked up the tea cup, glanced at the frightened Cui Dunli, clicked his tongue, and said: "The Ministry of War is now flourishing due to Fang Er's torment, and its power has greatly increased. Although replacing Fang Jun as Minister of the Ministry of War will offend many people,
But you have to know that picking peaches has been the best business since ancient times. After weighing the pros and cons, someone will always come forward."
After saying that, he lowered his head and drank tea.
Fang Jun also said: "What's more, there are indeed some civil and military officials in this dynasty who are not afraid of offending the official and the prince, and there are more than one or two."
Only then did Cui Dunli wake up.
There were many dignitaries in the court, and many of them dared to go against the prince, but there were really not many who dared to challenge Fang Jun directly. Even the big bosses of the Guanlong nobles usually hated Fang Jun to the point of itch, but let him
They faced Fang Jun directly, but few of them were willing.
Only Changsun Wuji is an exception.
But even if Changsun Wuji is willing to surrender his status as the Minister of the Ministry of War, how will His Majesty Li Er believe him? Today's Ministry of War has too much power, and the Minister of the Ministry of War must be someone whom the emperor fully trusts. Today's Changsun Wuji has already been with His Majesty Li Er
As we drift apart, how can we talk about trust?
The only remaining candidate is His Royal Highness Prince Jin himself...
Cui Dunli took a deep breath and said: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Duke Yue please rest assured that Cui Dunli will never change his determination no matter where and whenever he is, and he is willing to work hard for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
The Shandong family originally supported the prince, and Fang Jun was his benefactor. No matter what aspect he considered, it was impossible for him to defect to the arms of the King of Jin.
I just thought that if the King of Jin parachuted into the military headquarters, and I had to confront them tit for tat for the interests of the prince and Fang Jun, the pressure would be extraordinary...
Fang Jun drank all the tea in the tea cup and held the pot to refill it, but Cui Dunli snatched the tea pot away and stood up to pour tea for Li Tai and Fang Jun.
Fang Jun smiled and said: "You don't have to be too stressed. We are His Majesty's ministers, and the King of Jin is His Majesty's own son. How can we be disrespectful to the King of Jin? If the King of Jin really comes to the Ministry of War, you must cooperate fully.
I believe your Majesty's original intention is to use the Ministry of War to train the King of Jin's abilities, so when you encounter problems, you should ask for instructions, obey orders, and perform your duties with due diligence."
Cui Dunli knew the elegant meaning after hearing the song. Cui Dunli understood it instantly and said quickly: "I understand!"
After all, I have been involved in the officialdom for more than ten years. I have seen a lot of various methods of overt and covert struggle for power. How can I not understand what Fang Jun means?
If the King of Jin really comes to the Ministry of War, he cannot be tough and adopt a roundabout strategy. If there are difficulties, let the King of Jin come. If there are no difficulties, let the King of Jin come...
King Li Tai of Wei was not a fool either. Seeing the scheming and scheming looks of these two people, he not only shook his head but became worried for Zhinu.
However, he stands firm and will never get involved in the fight for the reserve, so naturally he will not run to tell the young slave: It is better not to go to the Ministry of War. There are people from top to bottom waiting to cause trouble for you...
*****
Jin Palace.
In the flower hall in the back hall, there was a table of fine wine and delicious food, but there were only two people sitting across from each other.
Changsun Wuji raised his wine glass and said with a smile: "I borrowed flowers to offer to the Buddha. I would like to use this glass to wish His Highness a great future and a bright future!"
Li Zhi also raised a toast and said: "Thanks to my uncle for taking care of me for many years, I also wish my uncle good health and a strong future!"
"Haha! Thank you, Your Highness. Come, come, drink this cup!"
"Drinking Saint!"
…
After drinking a glass of wine, Li Zhi served as the host and served dishes to the eldest grandson Wuji. The atmosphere between the nephew and uncle was harmonious and loved each other.
After drinking for three rounds, Changsun Wuji put down his glass and asked, "What are your plans for the future, Your Highness?"
Li Zhi held the pot and filled Changsun Wuji's wine glass, put down the wine pot, and said, "It's nothing important at the moment. Quan will stay in Shangshu Province for a while to become familiar with government affairs. My uncle should also know that this king has never been here."
If you have never handled government affairs, if you take any rash action, you will rarely make mistakes but it will not be beautiful."
The purpose of entering the Shangshu Province is to make some achievements to show to his father and prove that he can do better than the prince. However, if you are greedy for merit and rush forward, you will easily make mistakes. You will make a big mistake before the credit is achieved.
Wouldn’t that go against the original intention?
Changsun Wuji nodded and said: "Your Highness is cautious, and what you expected is not bad. But has your Highness ever thought about how long it will take if you follow the rules in Shangshu Province and wait until you are familiar with government affairs and then make some achievements? This paragraph
Within this time, it will be enough for the Crown Prince to consolidate his position, and it will be even more difficult for you to seize it against him."
You can take your time, but the prince will not wait for you.
Compared to King Li Zhi of Jin Dynasty, the prince participated in the government affairs of Henan earlier. Although the ministers around him were all rotten scholars and were embarrassed by their big responsibilities, they handled some trivial government affairs flawlessly and found no faults at all.
Moreover, now all the Shandong aristocratic families and Jiangnan nobles are openly leaning towards the prince, and they will not be of much help to the king of Jin. The only nobles of Guanlong who are willing to help the king of Jin have never been concerned with handling government affairs and governing one side.
If things go on like this, the gap between him and the prince will become wider and wider.
If you want to reverse the situation and win, you must find another way.
Li Zhi was also worried and sighed: "The prince's brother was established as the prince when he was eight years old. His father had high hopes for him and invited many great scholars and famous officials to serve as the emperor's teachers. He carefully cultivated and taught him strictly. I am not the king's master in political affairs.
It can be compared. Moreover, the prince has a great position and has numerous courtiers attached to Jiwei. I originally thought that by entering the Shangshu Province, I would be able to make some achievements under the care of my father, but now I know that it is as difficult as climbing to the sky."
Regarding entering the Shangshu Province as Shangshu Zuocheng, he actually had mixed feelings.
Of course, I am happy that under the care of my father, I can get twice the result with half the effort, and my achievements are not easily disturbed by others. But I am worried because under my father's nose, every move is magnified infinitely, and the few mistakes are made.
Father knows that the pressure is too great.
Changsun Wuji took a piece of food and put it in his mouth, chewed it for a few times, swallowed it, took a sip of wine and said, "This is the purpose of my visit to His Highness today."
Li Zhi's eyes lit up and he said happily: "What good advice does uncle have?"
Changsun Wuji said: "The King of Wei is going to the south of the Yangtze River recently. He has asked for your Majesty's imperial edict to allow Fang Jun to go with him. Does Your Highness know about this?"
Li Zhi's expression changed and he hurriedly said: "Uncle, be careful! Although I aspire to be the crown prince, I hope to rely on my own ability to make my father prefer me. I will never use any means to achieve my goal and kill the prince's assistant."
!Furthermore, Fang Jun has made great contributions to the empire, which is no less than Hou Ji's meritorious service. How can he be assassinated in a vicious way? Moreover, Fang Jun is my brother-in-law and a close relative. Even if I don't want to be the crown prince,
I will definitely not do such an animal thing!"
Changsun Wuji was stunned for a moment and said: "Where did your Highness think? Even if I am dissatisfied with Fang Jun, I have never had such a dirty plan to steal privacy!"
Li Zhi didn't believe it.
Everyone in the government and the public knows that Changsun Wuji is nicknamed "Yin Man"? This big boss is smiling in name, and his face remains unchanged even if someone offends him. He seems to be kind and kind, but secretly he is ruthless. I don't know how many of them he is.
Political opponents were eliminated by various vicious means.
It is not without reason that the Shandong aristocratic families and the Jiangnan nobles all want to eat his meat and drink his blood...
When Changsun Wuji saw the suspicious look on Li Zhi's face, he knew that his character and reputation were a bit unbelievable, so he had to explain: "The old minister mentioned this not to be detrimental to Fang Jun, but because he wanted to
If you want to advise His Majesty, you may wish to plead with Your Majesty to let you take charge of the Ministry of War and temporarily act as Minister of War."