Chapter 661 Duel between the monarch and his ministers (Part 1)
Fang Jun and Princess Gao Yang's carriage stopped outside Chengtian Gate. The newlyweds got off the car and, accompanied by a long row of maids, headed to His Majesty Li Er's palace together. A dozen carriages carrying various gifts were
The corner gate leading to one side will allow you to enter the Tai Chi Palace after undergoing strict interrogation.
Spring is warm and flowers are blooming, and the Tai Chi Palace is full of spring.
His Majesty Li Er's ace confidant, the old chamberlain Wang De, led the way, leaning slightly sideways and talking to Fang Jun all the way.
As people age, let alone a sweetheart like Wang De.
Now Fang Jun's rise is unstoppable. He has seen many Marquis, Dukes, and Wang De before him, but such a young official is responsible for the preparations for the Eastern Expedition that His Majesty attaches great importance to.
Wang De couldn't help but look at him differently.
It can be foreseen that as long as corresponding achievements are made in the future Eastern Expedition, he will be promoted to a senior official at the ministry level after returning to Beijing. In the long run, the position of a prime minister is almost certain...
"I heard that Manager Wang's hometown is in Hangzhou?" Fang Jun asked casually.
Wang De smiled with a smile on his face: "It's hard for the consort to know that the slave's life experience is a village at the foot of Kunshan in Suzhou. At that time, the family was poor and had many brothers and sisters. The hometown was hit by floods. Seeing that he could no longer support himself, my father
The slave was sent to Chang'an, purified and entered the palace, and was later given to the late Emperor by the former Sui Emperor Wen. In the blink of an eye, several decades passed..."
Wang De was a little emotional, but he did not object to talking about some tragic past events. Reminiscing about the past and thinking about the sweet has always been a good way to have a heart-to-heart relationship, which can easily bring the relationship closer and relax the guard.
Fang Jun smiled and sighed: "I would rather be a peace dog than a person in troubled times..."
Wang De clicked his tongue and cupped his hands in admiration: "The prince-in-law is really talented in writing. In one sentence, he can express all the sorrow and misfortune of the troubled times when human life is as cheap as a dog."
Princess Gaoyang walked in a dignified manner, with little expression on her pretty face. After hearing these words, she raised her eyes and looked at Fang Jun, her eyes sparkling with brilliance, full of pride and love.
Fang Jun walked leisurely, strolling in the courtyard, smiling and waving his hands: "You always eat more salt than I eat rice, how dare you show off in front of you? By the way, I don't know if I have any relatives at home? I am about to leave
Jiangnan, you also know that a certain fiefdom is in Huating Town, just one step away from Kunshan. If there is anything that needs to be taken care of, it's okay."
Wang De bowed slightly and said gratefully: "Thank you, Prince Consort. It's just that all the brothers and sisters in the family have passed away. There is only one nephew, but he is a farmer with no talent and virtue and cannot get into the spotlight. The slave bought him a few acres of thin farmland."
, work hard and rely on the sky for food. Although it is a bit harder, it is better than being down-to-earth."
Wang De was very grateful for Fang Jun's concern.
From the late emperor to your present Majesty, the restrictions on eunuchs have been very strict. Even a close eunuch like Wang De is not allowed to make friends with the foreign court, let alone participate in political affairs. Wang De does not dare to really ask Fang Jun for anything...
Furthermore, if Fang Jun was serious about it, why would Wang De ask for it?
Fang Jun raised his thumb and praised: "The old man is really wise and can see the true meaning of the world!"
How many people, when they suddenly get rich, will immediately promote their relatives, friends, wealth, and official positions, and work hard to get it back, lest others don't know how capable they are.
But often this is the worst possible behavior!
In the past, a poor man in the countryside could become a high-ranking figure overnight even if you gave him gold and silver, power, level, and quality. Not only was it impossible, but he could easily become a target for others to win over and annihilate...
…
Just like Wang De, it is the best way to just buy land for his nephew in the countryside and become a prosperous farmer.
Wang De smiled calmly: "The prince-in-law is over-reputed, and the old slave is just a eunuch, so how can he be wise? He just takes things as they come, and just wants to deal with them safely."
Fang Jun shook his head and said: "So what if you are an eunuch? No one wants to harm himself to get rich! In the final analysis, it is just a way to survive. There are many things in the world. If you just want to have a clear conscience, isn't it better than those sanctimonious people?
In fact, how much stronger are the so-called men of letters who are full of scraps?"
It is true that because of the physical disability of eunuchs, their mentality will be greatly different from that of ordinary people. Because they have no heirs and do things without scruples, they often become extremely insidious and cruel scourges.
But everything must be viewed dialectically.
Are those sanctimonious literati really better than eunuchs?
The eunuchs of the Han Dynasty were famous in history and had a bad reputation for thousands of years, but there were very few good officials in the Han Dynasty!
With insights far ahead of the times, you naturally look at problems from a different perspective.
Wang De was moved inexplicably.
As Fang Jun said, if it is not possible to survive, who would be willing to cut himself off with a knife, ruining a lifetime of light, and becoming an eunuch destined to rot in the darkness and be disgusted by others?
But the world will never pity these castrated people. In the eyes of the world, as long as we talk about eunuchs, they must be yin and yang, cruel and cruel, do evil, harm the country and the people, and are despised by everyone...
After taking a deep look at Fang Jun, Wang De lowered his head and did not say any words of gratitude.
Some words don’t need to be said out loud, just keep them in mind...
Of course, Wang De, who has experienced strong winds and waves, will not have any ridiculous thoughts about "a scholar who is a confidant will die" because of Fang Jun's words, but a certain degree of goodwill is inevitable.
While talking, they came to the door of Shenlong Palace.
Wang De bowed slightly and said: "Your Majesty has decreed that His Royal Highness the Princess and the Prince Consort have arrived. Just come in and no one else is allowed to wait on you. Your Highness, Prince Consort, please!"
Princess Gaoyang smiled slightly and said softly: "Thank you, sir."
Fang Jun also clasped his fists and nodded, and joined hands with Princess Gaoyang to climb the steps at the entrance of the Dragon Palace.
Wang De stood for a while, looking at Fang Jun's back slightly distracted, and then quietly stepped away.
Princess Gaoyang walked lightly, looked around, and asked Fang Jun in a low voice: "Why does Mr. Lang want to befriend Wang Daguan?"
Fang Jun smiled and said: "It is a law of the Tang Dynasty that foreign ministers are not allowed to associate with internal servants. This is not a small crime. Madam, please do not harm me..."
"I'm too lazy to pay attention to you!" Princess Gao Yang rolled her eyes, showed a disdainful look, and quickened her pace.
Sandalwood is burning in the main hall, giving it a quiet and light fragrance.
His Majesty Li Er was dressed in regular clothes, sitting on a brocade couch, holding a book and reading with gusto.
Fang Jun and his wife bowed to the ground together: "My son, I have met my father."
His Majesty Li Er put the book in his hand, smiled and said: "No need to be more polite, Shu'er, hurry up to your father and let him see if he has lost weight?"
Princess Gao Yang obediently stood up and snuggled next to His Majesty Li Er. She smiled brightly and said: "Father, it's true, is your house a dragon's pool, a tiger's den, or a barren mountain? How come you've lost weight in just three days?"
His Majesty Li Er ruffled his daughter's hair and looked doting on his face: "Although it is only three short days, in my father's heart, it is like three autumns. Every day I am worried about you, and my days are like years. I am just waiting for you to come back.
"
"Father..." Princess Gaoyang called softly, her clear eyes filled with moisture.
His Majesty Li Er gathered his thoughts, patted Princess Gaoyang's shoulder, and said with a smile: "Go and hang out with all the empresses. Don't act like a child, lest Fang Er, this great guy, laughs at us women!"
"Hmph! He dares?"
Princess Gaoyang raised her snow-white pointed chin with a proud look on her face.
His Majesty Li Er laughed and said: "Okay, she is indeed the daughter of a certain Li Shimin, she is very courageous!"
Princess Gaoyang smiled carefully, stood up and walked out of the palace lightly, going to the residences of the concubines to deliver gifts.
Fang Jun looked depressed and looked at His Majesty Li Er with dissatisfaction.
Are there any fathers like you? If you openly encourage your daughter to bully your son-in-law, do you still have human rights...
His Majesty Li Er sat upright, looked at Fang Jun who looked hesitant with a smile, and asked with a smile: "Why, I support my daughter to be tougher, but you don't accept it?"
Fang Jun curled his lips: "I don't dare."
It's not that I don't have it, it's that I don't dare to...
His Majesty Li Er raised his eyebrows and was noncommittal. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t or he doesn’t dare, don’t you still have to suffer the consequences?
He raised his hand and motioned for Fang Jun to sit down on the mat beside him, and asked: "Is there any evidence about Jiangnan?"
Fang Jun thought for a while and said inexplicably: "Huating Town is really a good place..."
His Majesty Li Er was shocked. Is this guy dissatisfied with the title of "Marquis of Huating County"?