Zhao Hongrun stared at Emperor Wei with a sullen face.
He finally realized that his father, Emperor Wei, had smiled strangely at him at the Temple of Heaven, and that was definitely not an illusion.
Rather, it was a kind of ridicule from the winner to the loser that he hated very much, just like the weird laughter outside the Chui Gong Hall a few days ago.
So that's it... Maybe this old fox already knew that King Yong would frame the prince during today's ceremony, but he chose to stand by and watch. The purpose... was to trick me?!
As if he had vaguely figured out something, Zhao Hongrun gritted his teeth in hatred.
You know, he doesn't want to think about those six departments and twenty-four divisions. In the past, he had no money in his hands and had no financial foundation to go out for fun. But now he has a lot of money in his hands, and it's time to start a free and unrestrained life.
How could he be willing to work hard to become an official?
Thinking of this, Zhao Hongrun cupped his hands and said: "Father, the emperor knows clearly that the emperor has nothing to do with today's matter. Even if the father wants to punish him, he can't punish the emperor!"
punish……?
Yong Wang Hongyu, Xiang Wang Hongjing, and Qing Wang Hongxin couldn't help turning their heads, looking at Zhao Hongrun with strange expressions, and then nodded with relief: Yes, the "punishment" their father just said was simply too much for the three of them.
It was great news, but for the eighth brother who had no intention of competing for the throne, it was simply punishment.
When he thought of this, even Yong Wang Hongyu felt a little embarrassed and guilty. After all, it was because of his relationship that Zhao Hongrun was implicated.
"What do you want to say?!"
Emperor Wei stared at him, his face filled with anger that he had never seen before, and he asked with gritted teeth.
However, Zhao Hongrun was not afraid, because he was sure that despite the angry look on their father's face at the moment, in fact, the old fox was probably laughing in his heart.
However, he could not break through his father's disguise.
You must know that the reason why he was able to see through his father's disguise at this time was because Emperor Wei smiled strangely at him at the Temple of Heaven, and this was just a message specifically for him.
In other words, if Zhao Hongrun exposed his father's trick, it would be too unruly.
Therefore, Zhao Hongrun could only hold back the depression in his heart and defend himself honestly: "Father, the emperor knows clearly that the emperor has nothing to do with this matter..."
"It has nothing to do with it?" Emperor Wei sneered twice, squinted his eyes and said coldly: "I don't believe it. With your intelligence, you can't see what will happen in today's ceremony to worship the heaven! ... But have you reminded me?
"
What a reminder! You know clearly that you are different?!
Zhao Hongrun gritted his teeth in hatred.
"You didn't remind me, the prince, or the court! ... You just stood by and watched the fire from a distance. You are also a descendant of my Ji family. Don't you know that if anything goes wrong in the ceremony of worshiping the heaven, I, Ji, will be ruined?"
Do you want to bring disgrace to the imperial court?!"
"..." Zhao Hongrun screamed angrily and felt a tightness in his chest.
At this moment, King Yong Hongyu whispered in a cryptic voice: "Old man, don't disobey your father again and make your father even more angry."
He's angry? He's so angry!
As probably the only insider in the palace, Zhao Hongrun watched his brothers being fooled around by their father, feeling both angry and amused.
"That's it!" After glaring at Zhao Hongrun, Emperor Wei said angrily: "If you don't accept it, I will punish you for not reporting what you knew!"
At this time, Yong Wang Hongyu, Xiang Wang Hongjing, and Qing Wang Hongxin wanted the Emperor of Wei to resolve the matter as soon as possible, so they persuaded Zhao Hongrun one after another and hinted to Zhao Hongrun that they would compensate him afterwards.
This old fox...
Facing the three brothers' repeated whispers of persuasion, Zhao Hongrun was speechless.
In the end, he had to choose silence.
Seeing this, Emperor Wei turned to look at Crown Prince Hongli and said coldly: "Hongli, you are the Crown Prince. You choose a department first."
I have to say that Prince Hongli's expression was very complicated.
You know, Emperor Wei asked him to choose a headquarters, which meant that he could add people to that headquarters openly and openly. Compared with the past, which was sneaky, he was much freer.
But the problem is that he is not the only one who has this kind of treatment, which makes him very confused.
But until now, he did not dare to disobey Emperor Wei. Because in his view, even Zhao Hongrun, his younger brother who was now extremely favored by their father, was scolded this time. One can imagine the feelings in their father's heart.
anger.
After thinking for a while, Prince Hongli whispered: "Emperor's selection... Department of Literary Selection of the Ministry of Personnel."
The Literary and Selection Department... is terrible!
Upon hearing this, King Yong Hongyu and others frowned and glanced at the prince.
You must know that the Wenxuan Department is the department responsible for promoting officials. Although it has been deprived of many powers by the Yushitai, it is undeniable that it is still a department with considerable power. To put it bluntly, if the prince controls the Wenxuan Department, everyone will
People who want to be officials but don't want to pass the scientific examination will flock to the prince. What does this mean?
"Hongyu." Emperor Wei looked at Yong Wang Hongyu.
I saw King Yong Hongyu glance at the Prince of the East Palace, and after thinking for a moment, he whispered: "Father, the emperor chooses...the Supervisory Department of the Ministry of Punishment."
Second child, are you planning to restrain the prince?
King Xiang Hongjing smiled secretly when he heard this. You must know that the Supervision Department of the Ministry of Punishment is a department that specializes in arresting criminals and collecting evidence of crimes. This means that if the people under Prince Hongli do something unclean in the future, Yong will be punished.
Wang Hongyu has thousands of reasons to find trouble.
Of course, the most powerful inspection department in the imperial court is actually the Yushitai. Unfortunately, it is not difficult to guess from Emperor Wei's tone that their father does not intend to hand over this government office to them, otherwise he would not say anything about the transfer.
Yushitai commented on their political achievements.
There are people in the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Punishment...
King Xiang Hongjing thought for a while and said: "Father, the emperor will choose the Cangbu under the Hubu..."
After that, Qing Wang Hongxin also made his choice: "Ministry of War, Chief of Staff."
Finally, only Zhao Hongrun was left.
Under the still angry gaze of Emperor Wei, and under the hint of the eyes of Yong Wang Hongyu and others, Zhao Hongrun gritted his teeth bitterly, and after pondering for a while, he said in a deep voice: "The Ministry of Industry...Yezao
Game!"
Since then, all the princes who have stayed in Daliang and have left the government have made their choices.
Seeing this, Emperor Wei did not leave any of his sons behind. After some harsh words, he asked them to retreat.
Only Zhao Hongrun stood motionless in the hall.
"Hongrun, don't be impulsive, my father is very angry..."
Maybe Yong Wang Hongyu also guessed what Zhao Hongrun wanted to do, and secretly pulled him, hoping that the eighth brother would not be impulsive and leave for the time being.
It's a pity that Zhao Hongrun didn't listen: "It's okay, I have something to discuss with my father. Brother (Hongxuan), you should go back first."
"Brother?" Zhao Hongxuan glanced at Emperor Wei fearfully and left obediently.
After all the brothers left Chui Gong Hall, Zhao Hongrun turned to look at Emperor Wei and said coldly with a displeased face: "Are you satisfied?"
Emperor Wei didn't say a word, his face was still full of anger. He stood up slowly and walked to the window. He watched his sons walk away one by one. Then he turned his head and faced Zhao Hongrun.
Just as Zhao Hongrun expected, there was no sullenness on Emperor Wei's face at this moment, only a smile that could not be concealed.
"Hongrun, you have won two and lost three." Emperor Wei said with a smile.
Zhao Hongrun was so angry when he heard this, he curled his lips and said displeasedly: "This time it doesn't count!"
"Doesn't it count?" Emperor Wei was not bothered at all and said with a smile: "Why doesn't it count? I, but I have achieved the goal I wanted."
…
Zhao Hongrun frowned and remained silent.
Although he didn't know exactly what "purpose" Wei Tianzi meant, one thing was certain, that was to restrict Zhao Hongrun's freedom so as to prevent him from running around when he was free.
Perhaps seeing the displeasure on Zhao Hongrun's face, Emperor Wei smiled and said earnestly: "Hongrun, intrigues among adults are not that simple. As the saying goes, it is easy to hide from an open gun, but difficult to guard against a hidden arrow. If someone
If he wants to plot against you, he will not inform you in advance, do you understand?"
"..."
Naturally, Emperor Wei could see that his son was not convinced yet, and he didn't care. He smiled and said: "You must have guessed it. Yes, I have long known that Hongyu would plot against the East Palace today. However, due to certain considerations, I did not
It's just interference... And what about you? As far as I know, Hongyu hinted at you on the night of the celebration banquet, and you knew about it. Unfortunately, your vision is still too narrow. You only saw Hongyu plotting against the prince.
But I have not considered whether this matter will be harmful to you in the end... Since you have not considered it, don't blame me for using this matter to plot against you... If you know the truth and fail to report it, you are as guilty as the conspirator!"
"..."
Zhao Hongrun remained silent.
Because in fact, as Emperor Wei said, he only regarded Yong Wang Hongyu's frame-up of the prince as a good show, and never thought about intervening, nor did he consider whether this matter would be exploited by some interested people.
Suddenly, Zhao Hongrun's heart moved slightly and he asked tentatively: "What if today the emperor excuses himself from illness and doesn't go to the Temple of Heaven to worship?"
Hearing this, Emperor Wei showed a deep smile on his face: "No, you won't. You really like the Prince Su's Mansion that I gave you... You won't give me any excuse to withdraw that permission.
Your promise to leave the cabinet."
This insidious...
Zhao Hongrun opened his mouth, but was speechless.
"Go on duty at the Ministry of Industry." Emperor Wei patted Zhao Hongrun on the shoulder, sounding like a winner.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongrun gritted his teeth with hatred and whispered: "Don't be proud, the emperor will get it back sooner or later."
"Can it be done?" Emperor Wei looked back at Zhao Hongrun, and said seriously in a tone that seemed plain but seemed to contain some kind of pressure: "I, I will never underestimate you again."
Looking at the serious expression on Emperor Wei's face, Zhao Hongrun suddenly felt an indescribable pressure. As if in an instant, Emperor Wei's body grew taller, as if it were a mountain, pressing down on the ground and making him unable to breathe.
You won’t look down on me anymore... In other words, if you come here in the future, do you have to come for real? Interesting!
After taking a deep look at Emperor Wei, Zhao Hongrun waved his sleeves and turned away without saying anything else: "We'll see!"
However, just when he was about to step towards the outer hall, Emperor Wei suddenly called out to him.
"Is there anything else?" Zhao Hongrun turned his head in confusion.
Emperor Wei raised his right hand and held up three fingers. At the same time, his face was filled with a smile that made Zhao Hongrun feel even more disgusted: "Three losses!"
……hateful!
Zhao Hongrun gritted his teeth, threw up his sleeves and left the Chui Gong Hall. (To be continued.)