(Thanks to: book friend 56872834, the magical golden beetle for the generous reward.)
When Yuan Zhenqian exited the palace, it was already the second watch. The cool night wind blew on his burning face, which calmed his heated brain a little. He thought carefully about what the emperor said to him in the Chongzheng Palace. Then I felt relieved after confirming that I had not made a hasty decision because of impulsiveness. I still believed that this was an excellent opportunity.
However, Yuan Zhenqian is a meticulous person, and he believes that everything should be foolproof. Originally, he decided to leave the city immediately and return to the army camp, but in the end he turned around and headed to Lu Zhongtian's mansion. He wanted to talk about Lu Zhongtian's tone, from which he might be able to Getting some clues may help you make a more informed judgment.
Lu Zhongtian didn't sleep, he was actually waiting for Yuan Zhenqian. When someone informed that Yuan Zhengqian was coming to visit, Lu Zhongtian showed a faint smile on his face.
In Lu Zhongtian's spacious study room, Yuan Zhengqian saw Lu Zhongtian who was sitting behind the desk, holding a book and reading under the candlelight. Yuan Zhengqian stepped forward to salute respectfully.
"The lower official Yuan Zhenqian has met Prime Minister Lu."
Lu Zhongtian raised his head with a smile on his face, put down his book and pointed at the chair: "Master Yuan, please sit down, I'm waiting for you. I know you will come tonight."
Yuan Zhengqian hurriedly thanked him, and after sitting down, he smiled and said: "Mr. Lu has a clever plan. It turns out that I have already predicted that I will come."
Lu Zhongtian said: "That is not some clever plan. With an official like Mr. Yuan who is worried about state affairs, and the current situation is like this, how can he not come and talk to me about what is on his mind? That's why I am waiting for you to talk to me."
Yuan Zhengqian laughed and said hurriedly: "Prime Minister Lu is the one who works hard and worries for the country. Although the subordinate officials are also anxious, their abilities are limited. It is still okay to obey Prime Minister Lu's command and run errands."
Lu Zhongtian stroked his beard and smiled and said: "You are too humble. Mr. Yuan, when you are humble to the extreme, it will appear false. There is no need to tell lies between us. If you have anything to say, you can just say it. There is no need to hide it."
Yuan Zhengqian nodded and said: "Prime Minister Lu has always been a quick talker. I understand."
Lu Zhongtian smiled and said nothing. He just looked at Yuan Zhenqian and smiled without saying a word. The study suddenly became quiet. Yuan Zhengqian hurriedly asked: "What's wrong with Prime Minister Lu? Is there dirt on the official's face?"
Lu Zhongtian shook his head and said, "No, I'm waiting for you to speak."
Yuan Zhenqian said: "What did you say?"
Lu Zhongtian's smile faded and he said calmly: "Did the emperor leave Mr. Yuan alone to talk? But I don't know what he said."
Yuan Zhengqian let out an ooh and said hurriedly: "Oh, so that's what happened. In fact... I didn't say anything. The emperor left me to drink with him. We chatted for a few words, but didn't say anything worth saying. It was just a question. I just asked about the war in Taiyuan and what I thought of the enemy situation at hand. We just had a few casual conversations."
A sharp light flashed in Lu Zhongtian's eyes, and then disappeared without a trace, and his brows were filled with smiles again.
"I see, the emperor is very worried. Indeed, it is not easy for the emperor.
After ascending the throne, I, Zhou Dynasty, suffered from constant internal strife and foreign troubles. With the emperor's age and experience, it was really not easy for him to go through so many things. The old minister also advised the emperor not to worry too much. However, the emperor was worried and naturally refused to do so. Listening and talking too much has caused a lot of disputes. Hey, I am actually very tired." Lu Zhongtian sighed.
Yuan Zhengqian kept his expression and asked as if he didn't care: "How could anything happen if Lu Guan is concerned about the emperor?"
Lu Zhongtian waved his hand and said: "Don't mention it. As the saying goes, a big tree attracts the wind. Now I have become a thorn in the side of many people. All kinds of dirty water are poured on me, and all kinds of malicious speculations are made on me. I am really exhausted mentally and physically. The left and right are not human beings.”
Yuan Zhengqian said in a deep voice: "Why should Prime Minister Lu care about the words of a villain? Prime Minister Lu has a broad mind, so just pretend he didn't hear it."
Lu Zhongtian smiled bitterly and said: "I naturally disdain these remarks, but what I am worried about is that the people of the world will be deceived by them, and the emperor will also be deceived by their evil words. You don't know how vicious these people's remarks are, and I will not shy away from telling you. , some people say that I colluded with the Liao people to betray the Zhou Dynasty, and that in order to monopolize power, I designed to kill Yang Jun. They say that I have ambitions, want to be the emperor, and want to kill the emperor and replace him. How vicious are such remarks? Put me to death. I think I have worked diligently on the affairs of the Zhou Dynasty. I dare not say that I have merit for many years, but at least I have worked hard. Are you saying that I collaborated with the enemy to kill Yang Jun? Privy Minister Yang died because he was defeated. The crime of Jin Mansion. The emperor was very angry at that time. Even if he wanted to punish him, I tried my best to stop him, asking the emperor not to kill a loyal minister just because of a defeat in a war. But the emperor did not listen. The old minister tried hard to persuade him. There is no way, the emperor must do this, and I cannot disobey Longwei in anger. The emperor originally promised to wait for a while, but who would have thought that he would use the incense burner to knock out Privy Yang in the palace, in front of all the ministers. To do such impulsive things? In fact, Privy Councilor Yang himself knew about his grave sin. He was the one who submitted a confession before his death. But all of this was said to be the instigation of the old man behind his back. I have been slandered so much for no reason, do you think I can bear it?"
Yuan Zhenqian was silent. Lu Zhongtian's version was different from the version said by Lin Jue. It was difficult for him to judge for the time being. It was also difficult to judge whether it was right or wrong. In this case, it would be better not to comment for now.
"They said that I have monopolized military and political power and wanted to usurp the throne. Such remarks were clearly intended to make the emperor suspicious of me and cause discord between our monarch and his ministers. After Yang Jun's death, the emperor took the initiative to ask me to serve as Privy Councilor. I was the Privy Councilor at that time. I firmly declined. Since ancient times, we, the Zhou Dynasty, have not had a prime minister in charge of the army, and the practice of concentrating power in one person is inconsistent with the ancestral system. But the emperor said that in extraordinary times, we must be extremely responsible, and insisted that I take over temporarily. It makes sense for me to think about it. After all, in times of internal and external troubles, I cannot let down the emperor's trust and must play the role of a mainstay. So I took over the post without fear of words. I am only a temporary envoy, and I have made an agreement with the emperor. , once there is a suitable candidate, I will give way to the talented person. But even so, people with ulterior motives still took the opportunity to slander me, causing me to suffer unjust injustice. Do I still want to fight for power? I have done it.
I have been the prime minister for almost twenty years and have done enough. Do I still need to fight for power? Even if I don’t fight, the power is still in my hands. What’s even more ridiculous is that I have the intention to seize the throne. These people are really crazy. Anyone with a little consciousness understands that I don’t need to do this at all. The current queen mother is my daughter, and the current emperor is my grandson. They are all one family. What is the difference between me usurping Guo Xu’s position and usurping myself? I both How many days can you live if you are seventy years old? How long can you live if you become emperor? Why risk the disapproval of the world?"
"Some people say that I have the final say in everything and let the emperor become a decoration. This is even more senseless. Under the current situation, I do everything in order to solve the dangers facing the court as soon as possible. I After all, you have a few more years of food and experience in dealing with things than the emperor, right? At this time, it has nothing to do with you and you don't care about anything. This is not what a minister should do. I stand up and work hard, but I have to be slandered by others? This is terrible It’s so chilling.”
Yuan Zhengqian listened to these words quietly, and suddenly began to feel that Lu Zhongtian was actually not easy. With the national crisis facing him, he, as the prime minister, must have been suffering. Could it be that he stepped back at this time and let the emperor take the lead? What if it happened? If you work hard and are misunderstood, it would be really disappointing.
A lot of confusion arose in Yuan Zhenqian's heart. He couldn't figure out whether what Guo Xu said was true or what Lu Zhongtian said at this moment was true. Both sides seemed to have their own reasons, which was confusing.
"Master Yuan, today in the court, the emperor wants to appoint you as Privy Councilor. I would like to express my attitude here. I think Master Yuan is absolutely qualified for this position. Master Yuan is what I have always considered to be the Privy Councilor." The best candidate. I agreed to it at the banquet tonight. But to tell the truth, I have concerns."
Yuan Zhengqian hurriedly said: "Prime Minister Lu, I will never mention it again. I have no intention of doing so, and I don't have the ability to do so."
Lu Zhongtian shook his head and said: "You don't have to be humble. Of course you are qualified for this position. What I am actually worried about is not your ability, but the current situation. Let you face such a situation, I can naturally feel relaxed, but for you But it's unfair for you. Because you have to face a severe combat situation and straighten out the relationship between your subordinates. It's really difficult. There's no need to hide the matter. Several commanders of the Forbidden Army don't treat you as well as I do. With such trust, if you can't convince them, you may not even be able to mobilize them, let alone the important matter of rejecting foreign enemies. It is precisely because of this worry that your Majesty is hesitant today."
Yuan Zhengqian bowed and said: "What Prime Minister Lu said is absolutely true, so I have no intention of doing so. Prime Minister Lu doesn't need to worry about this matter."
Lu Zhongtian shook his head and said: "Now that the matter has come to this, if I don't hand over the position of Privy Councilor to you, I will be able to confirm the rumors about me, and also say that I am greedy for power and refuse to give up my position. Therefore, I am the Privy Councilor." The position of envoy will definitely be handed over to you, and I have already thought about it. However, in order to better convince everyone of you, you must do something, so that I can rest assured about the power of the general. It’s in your hands. I’ve already figured out what to do for you, are you willing to listen to my advice?”
