Li Mu looked at Li Shimin's expression. At this moment, he couldn't guess whether Li Shimin was grieving for Du Ruhui or for losing a talented assistant, but he knew what he should say.
Under the shocked eyes of Eunuch Gao, Li Mu gave Li Shimin a hug.
Li Shimin was also stunned. Although the atmosphere in the Tang Dynasty was open, it had not reached this level. Especially between men and men, if it were not for Long Yang's kindness, it would definitely not be like this.
Li Shimin blushed instantly and shouted in a low voice: "Li Mu, what are you doing!"
Li Mu let go of Li Shimin and said: "Your Majesty is grieving for Duke Du. I don't know Duke Du, but I feel sad for him because of your majesty's grief. I thought in my heart that Duke Du must be a virtuous and good prime minister in your majesty's heart. I don't think so."
I dare to say that I can become like Du Gong in the future and be His Majesty’s arm. But I will work hard and do my best. If Du Gong is His Majesty’s arm, I am willing to be His Majesty’s prosthetic limb.”
"..." Li Shimin looked at him blankly. He fully felt the concern in Li Mu's tone, but what does "prosthetic limb" mean? Are there also fake limbs?
When Li Mu saw Li Shimin's confusion, he also wondered in his heart, could it be that I wasn't speaking Chinese? Why did your Majesty look like he didn't understand?
Suddenly he realized that it was a word problem and quickly explained: "Your Majesty, the meaning of prosthetic limb is, for example, if a person loses a leg, a prosthetic leg made of wood is used to replace it. The wooden prosthetic leg cannot walk, but it can
Standing probably means this. Although not as good as Du Gong, I can make do with it. What I mean is that your Majesty does not have Duke Du, but you still have me here. I am not as good as Duke Du, but I can make do with it..."
Li Shimin felt irritated and interrupted him, saying: "Okay, I won't listen to your nagging. I called you here because when Ke Ming was dying, he said he wanted to see you. Unfortunately, before you arrived, he had already..."
Li Shimin sighed and said: "You are not destined to be together, but since you are here, don't leave tonight and help me organize things. The night is getting late and I can't leave the palace for too long, so you can do your best for me.
Bar."
Now that he's here, how can Li Mu still say no? He bowed and saluted and said, "I accept your order."
Li Shimin stood up, glanced at Du Ruhui for the last time, and left without saying anything. Eunuch Gao followed him and returned to the palace. He left Li Mu alone in the hall, looked around, and cried.
Howling, no one he knew, Li Mu smiled bitterly, and thought to himself, it's said to be taking care of me, how can I take care of it? Can someone come first to take care of me?
Just when he was feeling worried, when he saw Cheng Yaojin and others coming over, Li Mu slapped his head and said, "Why don't you just be an acquaintance first?" Isn't this considered as a gesture of kindness?
Thinking like this, Li Mu went up to him. When Cheng Yaojin saw Li Mu, he was stunned and asked, "Why are you here? Do you also have friendship with Du Gong?"
"No!" Li Mu smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty asked me to do my part for him, isn't this what happened? Uncle Cheng, you live so far away, but you were the first to arrive. Could it be that you and Du Gong,
Are we inseparable from each other?"
Cheng Yaojin sighed and said: "I am an old member of the Prince of Qin's palace. Needless to say, I have feelings for you just now. I met your Majesty just now. From the look on his face, it was obvious that he had cried a lot. Alas, I really didn't expect that Keming is younger than me."
How old are you, you are walking ahead of me, alas!"
Cheng Yaojin sighed repeatedly, and his regret was beyond words. At this time, he saw that the servants in the mansion had hung up Bai Juan and brought in coffins and other items. They were obviously prepared for this. Li Mu called Dugu Jiu over and asked him to
He went to the Ministry of Industry and asked some craftsmen to come and help. Cheng Yaojin also separated from him. He also wanted to see Du Ruhui one last time.
Not long after, Gongsun Kang came with the craftsmen. In fact, there was nothing to do. It was just a matter of helping others. With one more person, the work could go faster. The work continued until the sky became bright and the mourning hall and sheds were all set up.
After getting up, condolences came one after another. Li Shimin had a decree that all officials in Chang'an City should come to express condolences to Du Ruhui. After this decree was issued, there were more people. There were more than a hundred high-level officials in Chang'an City.
people.
At this moment, there was nothing more for him to do. Li Mu asked Gongsun Kang to take the craftsmen back and settle the wages as usual. He took the time to go back home and catch up on his sleep. When he woke up and ate something, he arrived again
At Laiguo Duke's Mansion, there were no shortage of people paying their condolences.
After struggling for three days, all the officials in Chang'an City finished paying their condolences. During these three days, Li Shimin came every morning and afternoon, crying loudly every time. Although Li Mu guessed with his own villain's heart, Li Shimin was like this
Doing it, there is inevitably the element of acting for people to watch. But he also has to admire that even if it is acting, as an emperor, he can act to this extent, and his ministers should be satisfied.
During these three days, a decree was conveyed from the palace every day.
On the first day, Li Shimin issued an order and ordered Yu Shinan, the Minister of Rites, to personally write an inscription enumerating Du Ruhui's achievements.
On the second day, Li Shimin issued an order to let Du Ruhui's eldest son ascend the throne.
On the third day, Li Shimin issued an edict, posthumously conferring Du Ruhui the title of Sikong, and personally asked about Du Ruhui's posthumous title, which was agreed upon as 'Cheng'. Announcing the people and setting up the government is said to be 'Cheng'; punishing the people to overcome them is said to be 'Cheng'; assisting the prime minister to defeat the end is said to be 'Cheng'; making justice to overcome is said to be 'Cheng'.
Cheng, this is a posthumous title, which is in line with what Du Ruhui has done in his life.
On the day of the funeral, Li Shimin went there in person, and Cheng Yaojin, Hou Junji, and other former generals of the Qin Palace carried the coffin. The procession was several miles long.
True and false, false and true, no matter what, Du Ruhui was extremely sad and honored.
Although Li Mu was not acquainted with Du Ruhui, he was busy with his funeral affairs from beginning to end. Except for taking time to go home to catch up on sleep, he was at Laiguo Duke's mansion every day. He couldn't think of it, but Li Shimin was there morning and afternoon.
, asking him when you can't see him is really annoying for him.
After returning from the funeral, Li Mu took a hot bath and slept for a whole day before feeling better.
The next day, someone came from the palace and asked him to attend the court meeting. Li Mu crawled out of bed, not wanting to go, but he learned from the eunuch who passed the order that the team of Ju Wentai, the leader of Gaochang Kingdom, was about to arrive. Calculating the distance, there was another day.
We will arrive in Chang'an on the same day. Therefore, Li Shimin summoned all officials to make preparations for welcoming the Gaochang mission tomorrow.
Li Mu suddenly understood why Du Ruhui's funeral, although it was extremely mournful and grand, seemed somewhat hasty. It turned out that the problem arose here. Li Mu couldn't explain how he felt. He had a vague feeling in his heart, no matter how great it was,
Important ministers were actually not particularly important in Li Shimin's heart. What he really cared about was his imperial power.
But this is understandable. As an emperor, if you take your ministers too seriously, how can you be a good emperor?
Li Mu chuckled lightly, put the inappropriate thoughts out of his mind, put on his court clothes, and went to attend the court meeting with the eunuch who passed the order.
This court meeting was as boring as Li Mu thought. Welcoming the envoys was mainly a matter of the Ministry of Rites. Li Mu really couldn't understand why everyone should be called to listen to a matter at the yamen gate. Could it be that the six departments of the three provinces of the Tang Dynasty
Are all the people very idle?
But he would not say such words. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is now the target of public criticism, with eight hundred pairs of eyes staring at it. There is no point in seeking such distaste. It is better to just act like a fool and ignore matters that have nothing to do with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Whoever takes advantage and who suffers the loss is the right way to keep silent and make a fortune without getting involved.
Just when Li Mu was about to fall asleep standing up, he finally heard Eunuch Gao's shrill voice shouting, "Retreat from the court." Li Mu yawned and walked out. Before he left the Liangyi Hall, Eunuch Gao's voice sounded again behind him.
sound.
"Master Marquis, please go slowly. Your Majesty has asked our family to inform you and ask you to wait at the gate of the palace. Your Majesty is going to visit the Supreme Emperor in heaven and earth. He will call your name to follow."
Li Mu turned around and said helplessly: "Eunuch Gao, could you please tell your Majesty that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is just starting up and there are too many things to do. I, I am really a little busy. Your Majesty is going to visit the Supreme Emperor. Can't he go by himself? I'll go.
What are you doing? The Supreme Emperor has a good temper now and will not get angry easily."
Eunuch Gao smiled and said: "His Majesty guessed that you would say that. His Majesty said, if you are asked to go, you go. Just treat it as a game of mahjong and don't talk so much nonsense."
"..." Li Mu choked and said, "Did His Majesty say this?"
"nature."
"Ha!" Li Mu muttered in a low voice: "Did your Majesty be a rogue when you were a child? You are so unreasonable."
"What did you say?"
"Ah!" Li Mu quickly added: "I said that your Majesty is really discerning. I just don't like to do serious things, I just like to play mahjong. Otherwise, how could I invent mahjong, right..."
"You're the one who talks so much nonsense!" Li Mu and Eunuch Gao were chatting for a while. Li Shimin had already changed into his casual clothes. Hearing Li Mu's strange annoyance, he couldn't help scolding him. Li Mu quickly put on a smile and said: "Your Majesty,
Isn't this because I am waiting for you? Waiting at the palace gate is also waiting, waiting here is waiting, no matter what, it is always waiting, why not stay with His Majesty."
"Huh!" Li Shimin ignored him and strode ahead. Li Mu and Eunuch Gao followed behind, and the three of them came to the palace gate together. Li Shimin got on a carriage. Li Mu hesitated for a moment and winked at Dugu Jiu.
He also squeezed into Li Shimin's car.
When Li Shimin saw him, he didn't say anything. He gently opened the curtain and looked outside.
Li Mu had nothing to say, and said: "Your Majesty, why are you so free today and thinking of visiting the Supreme Emperor? Let me guess, is it related to the audience of the Lord of Gaochang? Your Majesty wants to ask the Supreme Emperor to come forward, but he is worried that the Supreme Emperor will not agree.
, so I brought you along with me, hoping that I would say something nice for Your Majesty."
"Do I need you to speak for me?" Li Shimin sneered and said, "I am no closer to my father and my father and son than you are? Also, what did you say just now? What do you mean I am free today? I am visiting you.
My father is a filial piety. For you to say this, it seems that I just thought of visiting him today, which is not filial enough."
Li Mu hurriedly said: "I said something wrong. Your Majesty, please don't be as knowledgeable as me." He said this, but he was cursing in his heart. Your Majesty, you are really filial. You are worried that your father will be too tired to be the emperor, so you take the initiative to make this tired.
He took over the work and did it himself. Such filial piety was truly touching.