Chapter 240: Shi Lang Gongsun, this Highness is back
Daqing Hall, court meeting.
There was a special seat for the prince next to the dragon chair.
Because the emperor is still alive, the prince has not ascended the throne. He is just a supervisor of the country. He cannot sit on the dragon throne, but can only sit next to it.
But this does not affect the prince's power to govern.
Today, all the officials, big and small, are present at the court meeting. Officials who were missing a few days ago are all here, including the fortune-teller.
The first government matter to be dealt with today is about Gongsun Wen.
"Shilang Gongsun," the prince knocked on the pile of memorials on the table and asked, "there are a total of 116 memorials to impeach you, 82 of which recommend that you be dismissed from office and investigated, and the remaining 34 recommend that you be dismissed from office and investigated.
What do you think about taking you to the Criminal Department?"
"My lord, you have a clear conscience!" Gongsun Wen had already prepared for this. He expected that the prince would dismiss him from his post and even send him to prison.
He would first lead a group of disciples in the court to argue with reason and defend to the end.
Then outside the court, a group of Confucian scholars from Longnu Society were mobilized to cause trouble in the capital.
At the beginning of the prince's supervision of the country, he caused such a big mess. He could not secure his position as supervisor of the country. Gongsun Wen even had the confidence to overthrow him from the position of crown prince!
All the disciples were ready for a verbal battle. Gongsun Wen looked calm and waited for the prince to make his move.
"You have a clear conscience!" The prince hammered the case and said with a smile, "I believe what you say!"
He's taking action!
Gongsun Wenwen thought that the prince was ridiculing him, and was about to retort when he suddenly heard the prince say: "What Gongsun Shilang said is true. Although he is a little cautious in doing things, his whole intention is to promote the country for me. In the capital,
Many atrocities were committed, but these were all committed by Longnu Society and had nothing to do with Gongsun Shilang.
Today, the Xing Wen Pavilion has just been completed and has not yet appointed a bachelor. I would like to appoint Gongsun Shilang as a direct bachelor of the Xing Wen Pavilion as a reward. I wonder what the public opinion is?"
All the ministers were stunned.
Commendation?
At first, when they heard the prince talking about the award, the ministers thought it was a joke, but they didn't expect that the prince really wanted to give Gongsun Wen the award.
The minister of the Ministry of Personnel is a third-rank official, and the direct bachelor is also a third-rank official. Gongsun Wen got a false title for nothing.
Gongsun Wen also didn't expect that he was going to have a verbal argument with the prince. Now, all the arguments were useless.
The prince did not demote Gongsun Wen's official position or give him any punishment. Even if Gongsun Wen wanted to quarrel, he could not find an angle.
But Gongsun Wen then thought about it and realized there might be something else going on here.
He wants to exchange his false position for my real power. His next step will definitely be to remove me from the position of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Even if he is dismissed, he has no temper. The prince just made a normal transfer. If I say that I don't want to be transferred, it will become my unruly behavior.
It doesn't matter, you come to be soft, and I will be soft. When you want to remove me from the position of the Ministry of Personnel, I will ask to temporarily retain the position of the Ministry of Personnel, and hold both positions at the same time. Let's see how you respond.
You will definitely not agree, so I will argue with your reasoning and we will be tough when the time comes.
Prince, I know you too well.
After all these years of pretending to be stupid, I know you are a little clever.
But this little cleverness can't save you.
The ups and downs in the court are not something that a young man can understand. You have to study for a few more years. If you study some things for a lifetime, you may not be able to learn the essence.
The prince looked at Gongsun Wen and said: "Shilang Gongsun, can you say something?"
Gongsun Wen was a little lost in thought and just came to his senses: "My lord, I am willing to listen to His Highness's arrangements!"
"Is this the end?" The prince was unhappy, "I have already discussed this matter with the cabinet. Are you willing to just listen to the arrangement and be done with it?"
After discussing with the cabinet and proving that the matter was settled, Gongsun Wen felt that he did not need to make any unnecessary remarks.
Yan Anqing reminded: "I haven't thanked you yet."
Almost forgot.
Gongsun Wen leaned over and saluted and said: "My lord, thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Young man, don't forget to show your wits at this time. I'll see how long your cleverness can last. When we get into an argument later, don't say I don't want to save your face.
The prince continued: "Next let's talk about the Imperial City Department."
etc!
Gongsun Wen was stunned, is my matter over now?
Shouldn't you remove me from my post?
After preparing so many words, the prince didn't say anything further.
Gongsun Wen's matter has been dealt with in this way, it's time for Zhong Shen.
This is not the routine envisioned by Gongsun Wen.
What on earth is the prince going to do?
"Commander Zhong, a lot of things have happened in the Imperial City recently, and you, the Imperial City Division, are certainly to blame. In the afternoon, I will bring your subordinate Shi Xun here and ask him if he can still do the job of holding lamps for thousands of households. If he is a useless person, , just resign and return to your hometown, don’t disgrace the Imperial City Secretary again,
However, flaws cannot be concealed, and faults cannot be concealed. Your subordinate Xu Zhiqiong has outstanding military exploits among the northern warriors, and the lantern man bravely killed the enemy. I also remember this matter. When the reward is due, I will not be stingy, and I will do the same. I have also discussed this matter with the cabinet about making you a direct bachelor of Xingwen Pavilion."
Zhong Shen quickly thanked him.
"The Onmyoji Division also played an indispensable role in the war, and was awarded the title of Direct Bachelor of Taibo Star Wen Pavilion!"
Taibu also quickly thanked him.
The series of operations happened so fast that Gongsun Wen had no time to respond.
It seems that there is no need to deal with it. The position of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs is still there. It is just a few false posts of direct bachelors, so just ignore it.
It seems that the prince has learned to understand the general situation, knows who not to provoke, and knows how to hold his position.
Since he is self-aware, the court should let him go first, and then put pressure on him after the court is over.
The prince next asked about farming, and the Minister of Household Affairs reported: This year's harvest is not as good as previous years, but at least 70% has been saved.
After asking about farming, ask about fortifications. Should the money for building river embankments and canals be paid out? All other fortifications will be exempted or exempted.
Next, he asked about the administration of officials, the promotion and demotion of officials, but the prince ignored him. Gongsun Wen took another breath, and the disciples he promoted were also safe.
Next, we have to ask about military affairs. This is the key.
There was a vacancy in the Ministry of War, Sui Zhi was in a coma, and there was only one right minister left, but the prince wanted to know more about it.
"Fang Shichen, the right minister of the Ministry of War, I want to ask you, how are the preparations for the 100,000-strong army?"
Fang Shichen hurriedly reported: "Your Highness, the preparation of troops and horses has been handled by the Sui Shilang, and none of the ministers know about it."
"Shilang Sui fell ill. Now you tell me that you don't know anything about it. What have you been doing these days?"
Fang Shichen said: "I am responsible for the miscellaneous affairs in the army. The inventory of the military treasury, the distribution of pay and silver, and the preparation of military registration books are all in charge of the minor ministers."
The prince smiled and said: "You can just leave these chores to the chief, so why does the court need to keep a minister?"
Fang Shichen, I will give you two days to figure out the preparations for the army, otherwise I will demote you to a commoner. Don’t blame the law for being ruthless!"
Fang Shichen did not dare to argue, and the meeting broke up.
Gongsun Wen was in a good mood and returned to the Ministry of Officials to prepare a memorial.
The prince showed weakness to him and did not pursue the previous matters. This proved that the prince cherished his position as supervisor of the country and did not dare to cause trouble to Gongsun Wen.
He just took the opportunity to submit a letter and continue to install his disciples in the court.
Especially the cabinet, this place cannot be left to Yan Anqing alone, and his own people must be deployed.
After writing more than a dozen memorials and sending them to the Supervisor of Ceremonies, Gongsun Wen estimated the prince's reaction.
The prince must be in a difficult situation and he must want to drag things out.
We cannot give him a chance to delay, so we will put pressure on him tonight.
Gongsun Wen ordered his people to summon the members of Longnu Society to the south of the city. The target tonight was Yinggeyuan.
Why go to Yinggeyuan?
Of course they want to destroy Yinggeyuan!
Yinggeyuan is immoral and an unattainable place for poor Confucian students. If this place is destroyed, the Confucian scholars will definitely applaud.
More importantly, Yinggeyuan is a teaching center under the Ministry of Rites and the spiritual sustenance of Daxuan literati.
Destroying the Yingge Courtyard would firstly shock the Ministry of Rites, and secondly, it would shock the literati, allowing them to jointly put pressure on the prince and let him understand the strength of Longnu Society.
At night, Gongsun Wen came to the south of the city and saw more than a dozen soldiers.
Gongsun Wen frowned and said, "When did this happen? The disciples haven't come yet?"
The teachers were silent.
Gongsun Wen was furious: "Why are you deaf? Can't you hear me?"
A fourth master said: "Master, I know you have your own difficulties, but this matter happened so suddenly, the disciples really can't figure out the master's intention."
Gongsun Wen said in astonishment: "What are you talking about?"
Another Fourth Master said: "Master, someone from Xingwen Pavilion came today and announced the dissolution of Longnu Society. No lectures will be allowed tonight. They also said that this is Master's order."
"That's nonsense!" Gongsun Wen was furious, but saw the Fourth Master handing over the documents from His Excellency Xingwen.
The document clearly stated that the Dragon Fury Society was to be disbanded, and the Dragon Fury God was not allowed to give lectures or hold meetings in the future. Otherwise, he would be punished for treason and be expelled from the school immediately.
Who wrote this document?
It seems obvious.
The calligraphy is Gongsun Wen's handwriting.
There is also Gongsun Wen's seal underneath.
In the eyes of all the disciples, this was written by Gongsun Wen himself!
"You fools, you are so stupid!" Gongsun Wen threw the document on the ground, "But this document has deceived you. Why don't you ask me face to face?"
Master Si already said: "Senior Brother Zhou went to ask."
"Where did you ask? Why didn't I see him?"
"He said he went to Xingwen Pavilion to ask, and he said he saw you!"
"Has he seen me?" Gongsun Wen couldn't believe his ears. He couldn't believe that Zhou Kairong would lie about such a thing.
"Do you expect to believe him?"
The Fourth Master said with an aggrieved look: "Can't you even believe Senior Brother Zhou? In addition to Senior Brother Zhou, several senior brothers also went together. They all said that they saw you, and they all said that you personally ordered the dissolution of the Dragon Fury Society. !”
"Absurd, how absurd!" Gongsun Wen roared, "Why do you believe what they say? Why do they go to Xingwen Pavilion to find me? Why don't they go to the Libu Yamen!"
A fourth master looked helpless: "Master, they say that you have become a direct bachelor of Xingwen Pavilion. Is this also a lie?"
Gongsun Wen pondered for a while and said: "So what if it is true? How can Xingwen Pavilion control our Longnu Society? We are disciples of the Emperor!"
"Master, notices have been posted in the capital. All the societies in the capital are under the control of Xingwen Pavilion, and Dragon Fury Society is specifically mentioned in it."
Gongsun Wen felt his scalp numb and all his thoughts were in a mess. He had to sort them out.
It doesn't matter if you become a direct bachelor of Xingwen Pavilion, it's just a false job.
Mr. Xingwen wrote a document to dissolve the Dragon Fury Society. This was not a clever move. The document was just written in his own handwriting.
But Longnu Society was disbanded because of a piece of paper from Xingwen Pavilion. Gongsun Wen really couldn't understand.
Zhou Kairong actually betrayed him, which made Gongsun Wen even more confused.
After thinking for a long time, Gongsun Wen suddenly figured it out.
Gongsun Wen picked up the document and read it from beginning to end. He understood the weight of the document.
If this document is said to be false, it is indeed false, but if it is said to be true, it is also true.
Because this is an official document of Daxuan orthodoxy, it has a strong deterrent effect on Confucian scholars, not to mention that the document contains Gongsun Wen's handwriting and seal.
Gongsun Wen made a mistake, he was wrong from the beginning.
He thought that the position of direct bachelor of Xingwen Pavilion was a false position.
In fact, Xingwen Pavilion's direct bachelor's degree is not a false position, and Xingwen Pavilion is not a false institution.
The prince never said that Xingwen Pavilion was a fiction. It was an institution given actual power by the imperial court. He had strong control over the academy in the capital.
The prince used the actual power of the court to dissolve the Longnu Society.
Gongsun Wen stood in the clubhouse speechless for a long time.
In the night wind, he seemed to hear the prince's mocking voice.