"You mean that Zhongshu Lu Jianzheng asked about the last Northwest War?"
In the official hall, Gao Lingbo put down the tea bowl in his hand and asked.
The green-robed official in front of him nodded with his hands lowered and his waist bowed.
"Did he ask, or did Chen Shao ask?" Gao Lingbo snorted.
"I heard that Zhou Fengxiang has been exchanging private messages with Chen Dashen." The green-robed official said in a low voice.
It has been two years, and the position of Northwest Economic Envoy is still not settled. As Gao Lingbo's status becomes higher and higher, his weight in the court becomes more and more important. I believe that it won't be long before Jiang Wenyuan can get this position.
.
After settling on the strategic envoy, Zhou Fengxiang, the unjust and unjust supervisor, could come back, so Chen Shao must be anxious because he hasn't caught anything significant in two years.
"So they want to play tricks on this war?" Gao Lingbo said with a bit of disdain, "They are not so stupid, are they? Isn't this a slap in the emperor's face?"
"Chen Dacan and Supervisor Zhou said in private messages that the official doesn't know yet." The Qingpao official said, "But Lu Jianzheng asked about the matter and the official knows."
"What did he ask?" Gao Lingbo said.
"He seemed to be asking if he had taken credit under his own name during the last war and the rewards and punishments were unclear." said the Qingpao official.
………………………………….
When Lu Jianzheng walked into the palace, he quietly raised his head and saw that the emperor on the royal bed had a gloomy look on his face. Looking at the officials around him, some smiling and some expressionless, he knew that there must be nothing good going on.
"...I heard that the Northwest Army is quite resentful of my reward and punishment?" The emperor's voice fell softly.
Lu Jianzheng's heart skipped a beat and he subconsciously looked up at Chen Shao.
Chen Shao's face was expressionless.
"Jiang Wenyuan and others refused to accept the reward, saying that the victory of Longgu lies in the elite soldiers and generals. They are just generals in the army and have no merit, so they dare not accept the reward for fear that others will not accept it." The emperor continued, looking at him.
Looking coldly at Lu Jianzheng, who was standing bowed below, "Lu Sian, who do you think is dissatisfied?"
Sweat broke out on Lu Jianzheng's face. He didn't want to answer, but he had to answer.
"Your Majesty, no one is dissatisfied. The army was victorious and the general commanded it well, so he deserves the reward." He said.
"Does that mean you are dissatisfied?" the emperor asked calmly.
Lu Jianzheng immediately bowed.
"I don't dare, I don't," he said hurriedly.
"Your Majesty." Chen Shao suddenly spoke, "Jiang Wenyuan ignored the emperor's order and acted frivolously. He will be punished for seeking fame and reputation."
If ordinary ministers did such a thing that brought shame on the court, they would naturally be reprimanded by the emperor, asking them to be kind and be kind.
But this time it was Jiang Wenyuan and others, whom the emperor had just congratulated for their victory. They defeated the Western Bandit King's division in a battle that was announced to the world. The credit was really gratifying.
The emperor's face became even more ugly.
Especially the one who spoke was Chen Shao. Who didn't know that Lu Jian was recommended by Chen Shao? It was said that Lu Jianzheng was investigating this matter privately. In fact, everyone guessed that it was Chen Shao who had instructed him, but there was no evidence.
However, in this situation, Chen Shao was undoubtedly defending himself when he spoke out, but if he didn't speak out, he would inevitably be labeled as a ruthless, unrighteous and wise person.
In short, this time was enough for him to fall several places in the emperor's heart.
The corners of Gao Lingbo's mouth curved even wider. He had never appreciated Chen Shao's upright attitude so much.
"Your Majesty, how can the imperial court refuse to reward meritorious deeds?" Seeing that Chen Shao was still going to speak, Lu Jianzheng gritted his teeth and said first, "I have acted inappropriately. I am willing to go to the northwest in person to deliver rewards to Master Jiang and others."
This is a self-invited release!
There was a sneer on the emperor's lips.
Do you see, this is the pursuit of fame and reputation? If he asks for a name, just give him this name and let him seek benevolence and get benevolence. Do you really think that the court will be reluctant to let him go?
"I really haven't heard anyone dissatisfied. Then go and listen on my behalf to find out who is dissatisfied and how many people are dissatisfied." The emperor said calmly.
Seeing the courtiers retreating, the emperor leaned on the royal bed tiredly.
The eldest prince standing below immediately stepped forward.
"Father, it's better to go back to the palace and rest." He said with concern.
The emperor did not stand up, but stretched out his hand and pressed his forehead.
"What do you think of today's events?" he asked.
"Resentment." The eldest prince immediately replied, "They have resentment. This kind of officials cannot be used. Master Jiang's merits can be seen, but these officials sitting in the capital turn a blind eye to their efforts and only see their gains. They are born with resentment and should be punished.
If we are not punished, we will definitely have trouble doing things in the foreign military in the future."
The emperor nodded, and the eldest prince couldn't help feeling a little proud, but saw the emperor looking to the other side.
"Wei Lang, what do you think?" he asked.
The prince of Jin'an County bowed and saluted.
"I think this matter is a little strange," he said. "Lu Si'an's investigation is strange, Jiang Wenyuan's refusal to accept the reward is strange, and what Mr. Chen said is also strange."
"So this matter is not about resentment at all." The emperor said, putting his hand on his forehead, shaking his head and smiling helplessly, "You see, no matter what happens, good or bad, happy or unhappy, these ministers who participate in the government can always do something about it.
We find opportunities to attack each other, and we can quarrel over trivial matters. We will always have different opinions, and it is rare to find peace."
"Your Majesty, please be patient. Checks and balances are inevitable. As long as they contribute to the country, you don't have to worry about their intentions." Prince Jin'an said.
The emperor nodded, looked at him, smiled, and stood up.
"Okay, I'm all tired, let's go back to the palace." He said.
The prince of Jin'an County saluted and said yes.
Seeing the emperor's honor guard leaving, the eldest prince raised his head with a look of anger on his face.
"Your Highness, are you going to the Queen Mother?" Prince Jin'an asked, "Why don't we come together."
The eldest prince snorted coldly, ignored him and turned around to leave.
Prince Jin'an didn't think it was strange, he smiled and walked slowly.
On the other side, Lu Jian was saluting Chen Shao.
"Sir, it's all the lower officials who have harmed you." His voice was choked with sobs. "This servant is ashamed of your recommendation. Not only did it not help, but it actually caused you to be framed..."
"Si'an, you said you were the same, you, why did you ask this?" The person next to him couldn't help complaining, "I don't even know what time this is. Isn't this a slap in the emperor's face?"
"This is also my fault. I shouldn't have mentioned Supervisor Zhou to him in private." Chen Shao said.
Lu Jianzheng looked even sadder.
"Sir, it's the little ones who have made their own decisions and thought that they are right, which has caused the adults to be like this." He choked and said.
"I still don't act cautiously enough. I don't know how many spies Gao Lingbo has planted in this official office." Someone sighed.
Chen Shao nodded.
"The matter is over now, don't think too much about it." He said, "It's better to go out and avoid it."
Yes, that's all that can be done. Lu Jianzheng bowed and saluted, looking depressed.
Things turned out to be like this. Gao Lingbo actually lit a fire first, which made the emperor furious. He, Chen Shao and others suffered an unreasonable disaster. They were scolded and humiliated even though they had done nothing.
How could this be a good thing? If that lady came to me again at this time, I was afraid that I would not be able to even evade her, and would have to directly dissuade her.
Just like the last desertion incident.
Chen Shao smiled bitterly.
Maybe the lady wouldn't come to find him at all.
In any case, the best thing is that as the madam said, she is worrying too much, and the madam will not really come to Beijing, nor will she take credit for the actions of these soldiers.
After all, regardless of whether Gao Lingbo took action or not, this matter is still too ridiculous to talk about.
If those soldiers were still alive, it would be worth discussing. What's the use of fighting after they're dead? Not to mention it's such a difficult thing. There are so many things to do in life, it's unnecessary.
Do meaningless things.
"But I will definitely find out who is plotting against you and me." He said slowly, "It's just a game. The chessboard is still there, and the winner or loser has not yet been determined."
…………………………………….
"Even so, the outcome is still undecided. Madam, you don't have to worry too much."
A few days later, Qin Shisanlang also said these words, sitting in a simple room with a bowl of tea in his hand, and the smell of corruption lingered in his nose, but this did not affect his calm expression.
"You said that the emperor said that he didn't hear anyone dissatisfied, so he asked someone to listen. Who is dissatisfied and how many people are dissatisfied," Cheng Jiaoniang asked.
"Yeah, it's such a pity. I originally wanted to ask my father to find an opportunity to talk about this matter, but I didn't expect that they were one step ahead of the curve and it ended up like this. This matter can't be mentioned for the time being." Qin Shisanlang said, "
Don’t be impatient, madam, let’s find a way.”
Cheng Jiaoniang shook her head and smiled.
"I'm not in a hurry," she said.
Qin Shisanlang put down the tea bowl in his hand and looked at the young lady in front of him.
With this little lady's habit, she never makes a move, but when she does, she will be confident.
He raised his head and looked around. Did he really move here on a whim to this dilapidated small winery outside the city that smelled of rancidity?
When he heard what the maid Banqin said, he thought he heard it wrong.
"Yes, the affairs of the court have nothing to do with you and me, put them aside." He looked at Cheng Jiaoniang again, "Madam, what are your plans for your affairs? Maybe you can tell me?"
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled when she heard this.
"There's nothing I can't say to others," she said, "that is, to welcome my brothers back and bury them."
"The cemetery has been selected. I wonder if my wife is ready?" Qin Shisanlang asked.
"It's almost ready." Cheng Jiaoniang said slowly.
Qin Shisanlang stared at her for a moment, shook his head and smiled.
"Okay, then I'll wait and see what you have prepared." He said.
He waited and saw.
Birds of prey are about to strike, flying lowly and folding their wings; beasts of prey are about to fight, and they fall down with their ears cut off. [Note 1]
He waited and saw.
Two years have passed in this capital city where she once left traces but almost disappeared. In this capital city where she was once famous but unknown, let’s see what kind of disturbance this little lady will cause and how many people will be surprised.
Talking about it, how many people's fate will change instantly, and how many people will grit their teeth and think to themselves, "Jiangzhou fool".
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Note 1: "Tai Gong Liu Tao. Enlightenment" is a Taoist military book at the end of the Warring States Period. The author is unknown and named after Jiang Wang, the teacher of King Wen of Zhou Dynasty.
PS: Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, everyone must save up and watch it together ~ it should feel good. (To be continued)
