The rain has washed away the bluestone pavement of Tianjie, making it spotless. The trees on both sides of the road have fallen leaves in the autumn rain. From time to time, cadres hired by Jingzhao Prefecture will clean the fallen leaves accumulated on the road.
It should have been a quiet and peaceful autumn rain, where families should be reunited and enjoy family time. However, at this moment, the city of Chang'an was filled with turmoil and an oppressive atmosphere. Horse-drawn carriages were constantly passing through the streets, and the wheels were grinding on the road.
Water splashed everywhere.
When Liu Ji arrived at Chengtianmen by car, many imperial officials had gathered here. After all, the imperial army was defeated in Fengqiyuan, and the rebels had already arrived at Chang'an City. The officials were all panic-stricken and gathered here to inquire about the latest situation.
, Besides, it’s better to wait nearby for His Majesty’s summons...
"Liu Zhongshu, you are polite."
"I've seen Zhongshu Ling."
"May I ask Zhongshu Ling, what is the current situation in the south of the city?"
…
Liu Ji got off the carriage, took an oil-paper umbrella from the servant, held it up to block the rain, and walked towards Chengtian Gate. Along the way, civil and military officials bowed and saluted, and some of the close ones even asked about the current situation.
Dozens of officials took refuge on both sides. Liu Jie was wearing a purple jade belt and a beam crown on his head. He looked majestic and majestic. He walked through it like stars holding the moon. Greetings from both sides could be heard endlessly, and all kinds of admiring gazes gathered...
Liu Ji enjoyed this feeling very much. Isn't it the kind of respect that people pursue in the officialdom, which is the highest among tens of thousands of people, to get everything they ask for?
However, although he was very happy in his heart, he always kept a serious smile on his face. When he heard someone asking about the situation in the south of the city, he scolded him with a stern face: "The current situation is in danger. You are eating the emperor's salary. You should be loyal to the emperor. It is not easy to deal with the yamen affairs."
What's the point of gathering here to share your worries? If there is no call from His Majesty, please return to the office as soon as possible, otherwise I will urge the Yushitai to investigate and deal with it strictly!"
As soon as they heard "Yushitai", the surrounding officials immediately fell silent.
Today's Yushitai is not the harmonious situation of "Hello, I am ok, everyone" when Liu Ji was in office. The Yushitai officials are jumping up and down like hounds driven by whips, collecting dirty materials from officials, and even just
The matter of catching wind and shadow must also be pursued with great fanfare. Once you keep a close eye on the prey, you must bite off a piece of meat, otherwise you will definitely not give up.
Its horror is no less terrifying than that of Yama Palace...
Sometimes when officials get drunk at a gathering and hear the name "Liu Xiangdao" at first glance, the wine will evaporate from the pores instantly, which is more effective than any hangover medicine...
The expressions of some of the officials who were inquiring about the news changed slightly. They quickly bowed and returned to the carriage, and ordered the coachman to drive the carriage away quickly.
…
After entering the palace from Chengtianmen, he went to Wude Hall under the guidance of the imperial guards. On the way, he saw the towering roof of the newly renovated Taiji Palace covered with golden colored glaze. It was still majestic even under the rain. But for some reason, Li Chengqian
After taking the throne, he refused to move the meeting place back to Taiji Hall, but still placed it in Wude Hall...
Walking outside the Wude Hall, under the rain corridor stood a group of royal princes and princes in python robes and jade belts. When they saw Liu Ji, they all raised their hands to salute.
Liu Ji frowned slightly, returned the greeting with a smile, exchanged a few words of greetings, and then went straight to Wude Hall under the guidance of the chamberlain.
Under the rain corridor, a group of royal clansmen and princes looked at Liu Ji's back. Someone said in a low voice: "It used to be said that Liu Sidao was not easy to deal with. He was arrogant and arrogant. Now that Liu Xiangdao is in charge of the Yushitai, the whole court and the public are wailing. Only then do they know
Liu Sidao has a gentle temper."
"You can't say that. Liu Jie was an important minister of the late emperor. Looking at how many people in the court have more qualifications than him? The higher the qualifications, the higher the status. Even the current His Majesty must have three respects. If not,
Respect him Liu Sidao, but respect the late emperor. But Liu Xiangdao is completely different. He entered the Yushitai and became a purple-robed official. His foundation is shallow and his connections are withered. He only has the power he has today because of His Majesty's favor. Naturally, he has to find ways to cater to His Majesty.
Make a success."
"In the final analysis, His Majesty still wants to rectify the officialdom, which is why Liu Xiangdao behaves like a mad dog."
"Hmph! All day long, you brag about being a benevolent ruler and a kindhearted person. Once you ascend the throne, you support cruel officials and attack dissidents. It's extremely hypocritical!"
"Brother, be careful what you say!"
"What are you talking about? He completely ignored the reason why the late emperor demoted Li Jing. After the late emperor died, he replaced him with Li Jing. Where did he put the late emperor's majesty? Li Jing is also a man who is famous for his fame. Everyone said that he is the 'god of war'.
Do you really think that you are the 'God of War'? Now that Feng Qiyuan has been defeated, the situation has been completely corrupted. I have no way to explain, so I killed Liu Yanjing and took the blame. It is simply shameless!"
"Yes, we want to see how His Majesty responds to the current critical situation."
…
Liu Ji entered the Wude Hall and saw Li Xiaogong, Li Ji, Li Yuanjia, Fang Jun and others there, so he stepped forward and bowed, then sat down under Li Ji, silent.
He had some guesses as to why the clans outside came here. It must be that Liu Yanjing's defeat caused the situation to deteriorate. Yuchi Gong's troops came to Chang'an City, which made the clan kings realize that King Jin might succeed, so they all came to help Li Chengqian.
Apply pressure and even question them.
It may not be that they want to get something, it is probably just a casual move in advance. If King Jin takes over the Taiji Palace in the future and the mutiny succeeds, they all have an excuse to change the family: "We have identified your Highness, King Jin, you can do it."
Success, so even under the knife of Li Chengqian, he dared to face the struggle"...
This pressure is extremely huge for Li Chengqian, because he can't tell who is just taking precautions to prevent the future, and who is truly attached to King Jin and wants to take the opportunity to disrupt the entire clan...
The situation is tense at the moment. Although the outcome has not been decided, King Jin's advantage has been established bit by bit. If the clan is in chaos again, it will be an extremely bad phenomenon for His Majesty.
In the palace, King Li Yuanjia of Han had a troubled look on his face: "There is a lot of anger in the clan right now, and I am afraid that the rebels of King Jin will rush into the city to pursue them for supporting Your Majesty, so I would like to ask Your Majesty if you have any strategy to retreat the enemy and quell the rebellion. If so,
Your Majesty, please make it public to reassure people. If not, then we should pool our wisdom to come up with a perfect strategy."
Li Ji, who had never spoken much, couldn't help but exclaimed: "Even if it is a strategy to retreat from the enemy, it should be kept strictly confidential. How can there be any reason to make it public? It is simply unreasonable."
Li Chengqian glanced at Li Yuanjia and asked, "What else?"
Li Yuanjia rubbed his nose and said with a wry smile: "Also... they want His Majesty to guarantee that no matter how far this war goes, no innocents will be harmed."
Even Liu Jie was speechless this time. How can we guarantee this? Who can guarantee it?
Even if His Majesty can really guarantee it, he can never guarantee it. Otherwise, wouldn't it mean that the clan is above the emperor?
Then he said: "They are so proud and privileged. In times of crisis, instead of being able to help the country and offer advice, they end up trying to eat the inside out. Your Majesty must not agree to it. In the opinion of a humble minister, you can change the strategy of delay to appease them, and then
Recording the people who initiated this matter one by one and ordering them to sign and deposit it will surely quell this trend."
Everyone looked sideways.
Li Xiaogong frowned and said, "Play the piano randomly!"
Now asking those people to sign and pledge is equivalent to telling them that they will definitely settle accounts later. Who dares to sign this word? Since they dare not sign, the matter will naturally be dropped, which can indeed suppress the trend.
It's just that this strategy goes against the emperor's benevolent character. Once implemented, the trend will be suppressed, but the emperor's reputation will suffer...
Liu Ji was scolded, but the other party was Li Xiaogong, and he did not dare to express his anger. He only waited for a retort. Li Chengqian had already waved his hand and said with a sigh: "In times of crisis, everyone has the desire to protect themselves. It is understandable. They also
It’s just talk, I haven’t done anything unforgivable, so I don’t need to be severely punished.”
Everyone said in unison: "Your Majesty is kind and kind."
Li Chengqian smiled, said nothing, and asked the waiter to serve him some tea.
Li Xiaogong took a sip of tea and said: "The Duke of Wei killed Liu Yanjing to rectify the military law, which caused a lot of discussion within the clan. After all, Liu Dewei was one of the few remaining 'heroes of Yuan Cong'. He was very close to the clan when he was beside Emperor Gaozu.
Dear friends, now that Liu Dewei's beloved son has died tragically, he is heartbroken and clamoring to go to the mausoleum to hang himself. He also went to Emperor Gaozu to accuse Duke Wei of enforcing the law too strictly and deliberately framed him... Several princes and ministers talked about this.
There is quite a bit of criticism about the matter.”
The team of Emperor Gaozu who founded the Tang Dynasty were Guan Long and the clan. Back then, these two factions cooperated closely and worked hand in hand to conquer all the princes in the world and unify the country to achieve great achievements. Their interests were intertwined.
have you.
In the early years of Zhenguan, Changsun Wuji became the most popular official in the court by virtue of his supreme meritorious service. Under one person, he was above ten thousand people, which made Guan Long's power surpass that of the clan, which led to dissatisfaction in the clan and resentment between the two parties.
Dirty, the relationship is somewhat alienated.
However, since the death of Changsun Wuji, the power and status of the Guanlong clan has plummeted, and they have even almost disappeared from the court. They have suffered annihilation and have never regained their former overwhelming power. The clan has also become dispensable since Li Chengqian ascended the throne.
, both parties are frustrated people, but the relationship is closer than before...
Now that Liu Yanjing has been killed, no one dares to question the "hero of Yuancong". All the Guanlong clan members who were close to him are silent, and only the clan members are jumping up and down to express their dissatisfaction.
Fang Jun, who had been silent all this time, put down his teacup and sneered: "I want your Majesty to promise that the innocent will not be harmed... How can there be any innocence? A group of silverfish in the country with corpses lying on their backs, with rat at the head and two ends, vacillating and without a stand! See you there.
When the situation was favorable to the King of Jin, he immediately came to put pressure on His Majesty. The profit-seeking face was extremely disgusting! The clan is the foundation of imperial power and cannot be tampered with without permission. However, the minister suggested that your Majesty can re-determine the clan's rewards after this battle. Those who have meritorious service will be granted the title.
Those who have failed will be demoted. Anyone who wants to rest on the merits of his ancestors and wait for death for generations is just dreaming!"