In Liu Ji's view, this move by Fang Jun and Li Jing was nothing more than a vicious backstab. After all, the current turmoil in Yi Chu was fierce. At this time, even though the two of them took the initiative to resign, they tried to dispel His Majesty's wariness about the East Palace and thus retain their
The prince's reserve position can save the prince's life at the worst... but who will believe it?
In the eyes of outsiders, this must be the result of His Majesty's coercion, in order to achieve the goal of completely cutting off the wings of the East Palace and deposing him calmly.
In this way, it is inevitable that His Majesty will be given the reputation of "treating meritorious officials harshly" and "hiding the bird behind the bow"...
With how much your majesty values your reputation, how can you not be furious?
…
There was a candle in the study, and its shadow flickered. His Majesty Li Er sat behind the desk, motionless and silent for a long time. Liu Ji stood in front of the desk, bowed, sweating profusely, and the solemn atmosphere in the room was overwhelming.
He couldn't breathe, and quietly swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Suddenly, he felt that it would be worse than His Majesty's thunderous and furious explosion.
I don’t know when, the upright and upright His Majesty Li Er suddenly became gloomy and unpredictable, and his thoughts were completely unpredictable...
After a long time, His Majesty Li Er took out a breath and asked slowly: "What does Liu Shizhong think about this matter?"
Liu Ji's throat moved, and he thought, "How can I see it? How dare I see it?"
He could only say: "Both the Duke of Wei and the Duke of Yue are honorable ministers of the country. They have great military exploits and high prestige, and are the pillars of the country. No matter why these two people went to the throne to resign together, Your Majesty will not allow it, but will give them a reward."
, double the favor to show honor.”
This incident was a huge blow to His Majesty Li Er's reputation. In his opinion, it should be dismissed immediately and the reward increased to dispel doubts from the outside world.
His Majesty Li Er did not speak. He closed his eyes and pondered for a while, and then suddenly said: "I will draft an imperial edict later to approve the resignation and memorial of the two of them. The ministry must approve it and cannot deny it."
The Menxia Province was a bridge between the imperial power and the ministers. All submissions from ministers had to be reviewed by the Menxia Province first, and then submitted to the emperor. At the same time, the emperor's will also had to be reviewed by the Menxia Province before it could be promulgated. If the Menxia Province believed that the memorial was
Or if the imperial edict is unreasonable, we have the right to refute it.
This is the power of the Menxia Province, but Liu Ji never thought of using this power from the moment he took the position of Minister.
If you refute the subordinates, it may be seen as blocking the way of speech, abusing power, and making the courtiers dissatisfied; if you refute the superiors, it is inevitable that the ministers will exercise power, ignore the emperor, and be resented by your majesty. Therefore, he is diligent and diligent.
But things don’t always follow the rules.
But at this moment, His Majesty Li Er ordered him not to deny the refutation, but Liu Ji hesitated. After a long time, he came to the conclusion: "Your Majesty clearly knows that the previous removal of the Minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs of the State of Yue and the post of General Youtunwei has aroused dissatisfaction among the courtiers and caused an uproar in public opinion.
, many people in the city are advocating that this is "chaotic government" and have many criticisms against Your Majesty. If you allow Duke Yue and Duke Wei to resign now, I am afraid that they will be regarded as suppressing heroes by the outside world, which will have a negative impact on Your Majesty's reputation.
Damage, I hope Your Majesty will think twice."
It was not that he was really worried that His Majesty Li Er's reputation would be damaged, but that Fang Jun had not communicated with him about the matter beforehand. He didn't know what Fang Jun was thinking. What if this was just a method used by Fang Jun to coerce His Majesty?
Your Majesty issued a decree and approved it, but the province clearly had the right to refute it but did not implement it. Will Fang Jun be resentful?
He was a little afraid of Fang Jun's methods. He finally got into the position of servant, and he only wanted to serve faithfully and diligently, and did not want to get involved in Fang Jun and Yi Chu's affairs.
His Majesty Li Er pulled a face and said displeasedly: "I have been guided by heaven in my life, so why should I be afraid of rumors and criticism? You don't need to interfere in this matter, just follow the instructions."
"Here."
Liu Jie did not have the guts of Wei Zheng to dare to remonstrate directly. As soon as His Majesty Li Er became angry, he immediately gave up and left quickly without caring whether Fang Jun would blame him.
His Majesty Li Er stood up from his desk, walked to the window and stood with his hands behind his hands. He looked out the window at the heavy rain falling in the dark night, and felt full of irritation.
In the past, he sat in the position of emperor with ease. Although there were people around him who had various tricks, but on the whole they were loyal and followed him wholeheartedly to govern the world. In the nearly twenty years since Zhenguan, he has worked hard to govern, and the world has begun to fade. He had the appearance of a prosperous age, and he could be said to be "the emperor is wise and his ministers are virtuous, and the people are upright and prosperous in the dynasty". This is one of the reasons why he is confident that he can surpass the Qin Emperor and the Han Dynasty and become "one emperor through the ages".
If his subordinates are all treacherous and sycophantic people like the "Ten Permanent Attendants", even if Li Er is a wise and powerful man, he will not be able to govern the country...
But I don't know since when, those originally loyal people gradually became alienated from him. On the surface, they still respected and respected him, but secretly they had their own little plans, formed cliques, and each pursued their own interests.
Therefore, His Majesty Li Er just feels that there is no minister around him that he can completely trust, and he doesn't know who to confide his concerns to...
Has Li Er, who was once so arrogant and majestic, finally become a true "lonely man"?
It was raining at night and the air was cold and humid. His Majesty Li Er, who had stood in front of the window for a long time, sighed dejectedly. He felt that all his energy was vented like a river embankment bursting. His whole body was empty and weak, and he seemed to have difficulty raising his eyelids.
After returning to the desk, I sat down and took a few breaths. When I saw the pile of official documents and government affairs on the desk, I couldn't help but rub my face. I knew I couldn't go to sleep now. After struggling for a while, I called Wang Shoushi who was guarding the door outside.
He looked tired and said: "I am a little weak in energy, so I will bring you the elixir."
Wang Shoushi hesitated for a moment, then bowed and said: "Your Majesty, it's already getting late, why don't you take a shower and go to bed, and wait until tomorrow to deal with these official duties? Although the elixir is good, it cannot be taken regularly for fear of damaging the organs."
Although the glutinous rice/span thing is very effective in refreshing the mind, it is obviously overdrafting the body. In the past, His Majesty only took it occasionally, and the body could bear it. But recently, it may be that he is under too much pressure, and the intervals between taking meals are getting shorter and shorter. Sometimes, I usually have to take it three or five times a day. What if something goes wrong...
His Majesty Li Er braced himself and said impatiently: "I know it well, you don't need to say more!"
Not only were the court officials alienated from him, but even the chamberlains around him were disobedient? What a bastard!
"Here!"
Wang Shoushi did not dare to say anything, so he hurriedly retreated to a side room, brought a brocade box, took out a red pill, presented it to His Majesty with both hands, poured a glass of water, and served His Majesty to take the pill.
Leaning slightly, His Majesty Li Er's cheeks showed two blushes, and his whole person looked radiant...
*****
In the Duke of Song's mansion, heavy rain was pouring outside the window. A copper hot pot was placed on the table, steaming alone, and the aroma of mutton overflowed.
Xiao Yu raised a glass to Cen Wen across from him with a glass of wine. After drinking it all, he sighed and said, "I'm so old that I can't help my stomach. I really shouldn't be greedy for this."
Cen Wenwen put his chopsticks into the hot pot. Instead of eating the mutton, he took out a chopstick of green vegetables and put it on the plate. He dipped it in the sauce and put it in his mouth. While chewing, he picked up the handkerchief next to him and wiped his sweat. He said with a smile: "
Such despicable eating methods are really contrary to the status and cultivation of our gentlemen, just like barbarians and barbarians. But if you do it occasionally, you can enjoy it."
Two important ministers of the empire and civil servant leaders actually gathered together to have hot pot on a rainy night. They talked happily and were in a good mood.
However, due to their old age, their stomachs couldn't stand this kind of eating, so they both just tasted it briefly, and asked the maid to remove the hot pot and dishes, make a pot of tea, dismiss the waiter, and lean against the window to drink tea.
Xiao Yu took a sip of tea and asked: "Regarding Fang Jun and Li Jing's resignation today, do you think the East Palace has completely given up resistance?"
Menxiasheng is the center of the court. I don’t know how many people are keeping an eye on it all the time. If there is any disturbance, all parties will know about it. Liu Jie left the Menxiasheng Yamen, and the affairs of Fang Jun and Li Jing spread like wildfire.
After leaving, the news came to everyone inside and outside the court.
Cen Wenwen put down his tea cup, shook his head and said: "On the contrary, I think this is a way for the East Palace to express resistance. Maybe they don't think they can save the throne, but they want to save the prince's life in a drastic way."
Xiao Yu frowned: "Why do you see that?"
Cen Wenwen held the tea cup in his hand and said slowly: "Fang Jun is a man who always knows how to advance and retreat. This man is not old, but when he acts, he agrees with the court's principles and understands the sophistication of people's hearts and the mentality of officialdom. He seems to have a supreme
The masters behind the scenes guide his every word and action, which is amazing."
Xiao Yu thought for a moment and said, "Fang Xuanling doesn't have such attainments either."
If Fang Xuanling was really as good as Fang Jun, why would he be suppressed by Changsun Wuji and hold a high position all his life but never really take charge of the power? Fang Xuanling's country is in Qiancheng, but what he lacks is this accurate understanding of the situation.
Control, and the ability to clear away the clouds and get to the root of things that appear to be cloudy.
Obviously, Fang Jun's series of amazing actions in the officialdom were due to his talent and not the guidance of others.
Cen Wenwen nodded and said: "Fang Jun is not an upright person. When it is time to give in, he will give in without hesitation, but he will never give in for the so-called preservation of the prince's life. With his consistent performance, the more he wants to give in,
The more proactive we are to protect something, rather than just giving in."
He had never heard of the phrase "Seek unity through struggle, and unity will survive; seek unity through concessions, and unity will perish." But summarizing Fang Jun's usual behavior, it was not difficult to come to such a conclusion.
Therefore, he admired and feared Fang Jun in his heart. How could a young man come up with such a penetrating theory just a few years into his official career?
In his opinion, this sentence can be applied almost perfectly regardless of politics or military affairs...
Xiao Yu understood what Cen Wenwen meant, but he was still puzzled: "But what if he submits this letter and His Majesty approves it? If the lie turns out to be true, then he will be smart."
Cen Wenwen smiled and said: "Isn't there Liu Jie? The Ministry of Menxia has the power to 'refute the edict', and Liu Jie can reject the imperial edict approved by His Majesty. As for whether it is true or not, we will see between the government and the opposition later.
We will know if there are rumors such as 'Liu Jie flattered the imperial power and his corpse was left alone'."
Xiao Yu suddenly realized: "To retreat in order to advance, this is forcing Liu Jie to refute His Majesty's will!"
More than just Liu Ji?
Once Liu Jie refutes His Majesty's will, it will not only damage His Majesty's prestige, but also give Him the feeling that "the whole world is against my Yi Chu"...
Everyone is betraying their relatives and leaving.