His Majesty was ill and refused to see Changsun Wuji, so he ordered the six ministries to stay away from court for three days.
He went to Zhongshu Province and ordered Li Mu, the minister in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to make an accounting and sort out the imperial property.
The three messages in a row seemed to have no connection, but they were completely connected. While all the forces were confused, they had to guess the deep meaning contained in them.
In the palace, a banquet was going on, but in front of the table full of delicious food, no one moved their chopsticks, and they all sat there with a frown on their faces.
The arrival of the butler broke the silence, and everyone's eyes were focused on him. Wang knew what everyone wanted to know, so he didn't delay and asked directly in front of everyone: "How?"
"Uncle Guo came out of the palace, expressionless, a little lost. Our informant in the palace spread the news that he was also on duty at the entrance of the palace at the time, but he was a little far away, so he didn't hear very clearly. He only heard
a word"
Wang frowned and said: "What's the point at this time? Say it quickly!"
"Nuo!" The steward responded and said: "It seems that he said that the matter falls on Zhulu Hou and asked the uncle to go to him to discuss it."
"well!"
Sighs came and went, Wang waved his hand, and the butler retreated.
"The worst has happened," Wang said with a serious look on his face: "Your Majesty seems to be determined. There is no room for change in this matter."
"Can't you think of a way?" The person who spoke was an elder of the Wang family in Taiyuan. Although he was younger than Wang, according to his seniority, the king would still call him uncle: "We have five surnames and seven looks, and we have the same spirit. Is it possible?
Are you being subdued by a young boy? King, is there anything you can do? If you can't do anything, I will write a letter and ask Jisi Hall to send someone to take care of this matter!"
"Absolutely not!" When Wang heard the words 'Ji Si Tang', his expression suddenly changed. He looked at the speaker seriously and said, "Uncle Clan, I respect you as an elder and don't want to have a quarrel with you. But this matter
If you are good at making opinions, don’t blame me for being ruthless. The lord of the clan has repeatedly stated that all matters in Chang’an City will be decided by me. Then what I say must count!”
Seeing that the king was angry, the clan elder was also a little scared, but then he thought about it because he was an elder, so what if he said a few words? He was unconvinced and said: "You don't want me to find the successor hall, then you should come up with a way.
?Is it possible to just watch that kid succeed? Are you worthy of your ancestors?"
"Uncle, don't worry. Since the clan leader has left the matter to me, I will do my best to ensure that the family's interests are not damaged."
"Then, I'll wait and see!"
After that, the clan elder left angrily. The rest of the people turned their attention to Wang and did not dare to ask, but the invisible pressure brought by their gazes also gave Wang a headache. Wang suddenly missed Wang Pu very much, and Wang Pu
Although this guy is a bit arrogant, at times like this, he will always stand by his brother's side without hesitation. Although it doesn't have any effect, at least it makes Wang feel not alone.
But now...
The king sighed, and said to the tribesmen in front of him who only cared about whether their fields would be reduced and whether their interests would be lost, "Everyone, please go back. I have nothing good to do now. If there is any news, I will inform you.
"
A young man with a sinister face said fiercely: "Uncle, why don't we send some good people to block the road that this guy must pass through?"
Wang's eyes widened: "How dare you?! Who gave you the courage to even have the idea of assassinating a third-grade military lord? Do you want to rebel? Die by yourself, don't take your clan with you, you are giving
The Wang family in Taiyuan is causing trouble!"
The young man said angrily: "Uncle, I think you are old and have lost your spirit! What are you afraid of? It was Li Mu who was arrogant first. He doesn't know how to behave. There is no need for us to tolerate him. I don't believe that Your Majesty will
For the sake of a young boy, he offended our Taiyuan Wang family. We are the head of the family, so who is he? He just appeared from a mountain village out of nowhere."
"Crack!"
Everyone was shocked, and the young man who spoke was also shocked. The always good-tempered Wang actually gave him a slap in the face with his hand!
The young man covered his cheek blankly and said in confusion: "Uncle, you"
"Go away! Go back to Taiyuan, don't let me see you in Chang'an City, you idiot!"
The young man was overwhelmed by Wang's aura and dared not look directly into his eyes. He lowered his head and turned to leave. However, the resentment hidden in his eyes did not dissipate and became more determined.
"I'll say it again, the Valve Master has an order. All matters in Chang'an City are decided by me. Without my order, if anyone dares to harm Zhuluhou, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
After the king finished speaking, he threw up his sleeves and left, leaving only the disciples of the Wang family in Taiyuan looking at each other.
…
Changsun Wuji didn't know how he got home. He sat in the carriage and was confused all the way. His mind was filled with the past of growing up with Li Shimin. He still can't believe that Li Shimin actually refused to see him. What made him even more confused was that he didn't know how he got home.
Feeling cold all over his body, he left the Tai Chi Palace and turned towards the Li Zheng Palace, only to be kicked back. His biological sister also didn't see him!
What the hell is going on?
Didn't he just say one more word and the matter has not been finalized yet, so why did he turn away the door? Regardless of friendship and family ties, Changsun Wuji really wanted to ask this cruel couple face to face what Li Mu had done to them.
What kind of ecstasy soup was poured into them to confuse them like this!
Returning to the mansion, the servants asked for greetings and saluted, but Changsun Wuji turned a deaf ear and went straight back to the study and sat behind the desk. On the desk was the memorial sent from the palace yesterday, which contained Li Shimin's approval.
I want him to take another look to see if there are any omissions.
You have obviously been favored to such an extent, so why in the blink of an eye did you become a different person? The ancients said that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, so you can’t deceive me!
I don’t know how long I sat there, and the servants didn’t dare to disturb me. It wasn’t until the sky turned dusk that Changsun Wuji stood up and looked out the window, only to realize that half a day had passed. In a daze, four hours had passed. He hadn’t eaten lunch.
It's already dinner time.
Feeling a little hungry, Changsun Wuji sighed and said, "Is anyone here? Bring me some cakes."
There was a reply from outside the door, but it was Changsun Chong who walked in.
Changsun Chong put the cakes on the table and stood next to Changsun Wuji with his hands tied. Changsun Wuji glanced at him and pointed to the chair next to him, and Changsun Chong sat down.
"If I remember correctly, you should be reporting to the Ministry of Works today, right? Is the Ministry of Internal Affairs busy with affairs? Talk to my father."
Although his heart was filled with sorrow, Changsun Wuji was still very concerned about his son's affairs.
"Yes, father." After Changsun Chong suffered from the inhumane training of Datang Technical School, his whole personality changed. Even when he was not in front of Li Mu, he was strict and did not dare to slack off at all. Changsun Wuji also adapted to his training.
The new style doesn’t feel like there’s anything strange about it.
"The reporting process is very simple. You get the seal and are assigned a room. Then you have to learn the regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs..."
"Regulations?" Changsun Wuji took a sip of herbal tea and said, "What are they?"
"The rules that regulate the conduct of officials in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, what they can do and what they cannot do. What they are rewarded for if they do well, and what they are punished for when they do something wrong. Everything is fine and detailed. It is all listed above."
Changsun Wuji snorted and continued to eat his cake without comment.
Changsun Chong seemed not to have heard anything and continued: "We had lunch in the cafeteria at noon."
"Wait, what is the cafeteria?"
Changsun Chong was not angry after being interrupted continuously, and explained: "The canteen, as the name suggests, is a place to eat. There is a new large canteen next to the Yamen of the Ministry of Works. Everyone from the top to the bottom of the Ministry of Works can eat in it. Use money to buy food coupons.
Then use the coupons to exchange for food. The child ate three steamed buns and two dishes for lunch, which cost 26 coins."
Changsun Wuji smiled and said: "It's not expensive, but it's quite indecent for officials and craftsmen to eat together."
Changsun Chong said seriously: "Father, craftsmen and officials are all human beings, and there is no distinction between high and low when eating. I think there is nothing indecent about it."
Changsun Wuji looked at Changsun Chong and sighed: "Li Mu is really not boasting. He is indeed a good teacher. Look what he has taught you. That's all. You are not a father. Continue talking.
, continue."
"The teacher came in the afternoon and told the child something."
"Oh." The sweet-scented osmanthus cake was very good. Changsun Wuji put another piece into his mouth and asked casually: "What errand did your mentor give you?"
"Hai'er serves in the Imperial Property Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and my mentor entrusts him with accounting for the royal property."
"Uh!" The whole piece of osmanthus cake got stuck in his throat, which made Changsun Wuji's neck feel tight and his face turned red. Changsun Chong quickly gave him water and finally managed to get the piece of osmanthus cake down. Changsun Wuji
Blocking Chang Sun Chong's hand that patted his back, he grabbed his sleeve, looked into his eyes and asked, "What did you say? Li Mu handed this matter over to you?"
Changsun Chong didn't seem to understand what Changsun Wuji meant. He had clearly said that he worked in the Imperial Property Bureau, so he had to repeat it again and said: "Father, my son works in the Imperial Property Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
Changsun Wuji grabbed Changsun Chong's shoulders and shook him, glaring and saying, "I ask you something, you answer it!"
Changsun Chong closed his mouth for a long time and nodded: "Yes, leave it to the child."
"He actually handed it over to you?" Changsun Wuji fell down on the chair and murmured: "How is this possible? How could he hand it over to you?"
"Is he provoking me?"
"No, he doesn't have to."
"He wants to borrow my power?"
"That's not right. How does he know which side I will fall to?"
Changsun Wuji kept mumbling as if he was crazy. Changsun Chong couldn't help but sigh when he saw his father like this.
"Why are you sighing?"
"Father!" Changsun Chong met his father's gaze and said, "It's exactly what my teacher expected. Father lost."
Changsun Wuji frowned: "What do you mean by this?! He expected me," Changsun Wuji said in disbelief: "Did he expect what I just said?"
Changsun Chong nodded slowly and said: "Exactly what I expected. The child was still unconvinced at first, but now he is convinced by his mentor. My mentor asked me to tell my father that there is no need to guess what he thinks. As long as my father's heart is devoted to the Tang Dynasty, the Changsun family will not be harmed.
Otherwise, he will take advantage of the opportunity to rise. But if my father is bent on personal gain, the Changsun family will suffer heavy losses this time!"
"Is this what he said to you?"
"Teacher's original words, I didn't add a word."
Changsun Wuji fell silent. After a long time, he looked at his son and asked: "Chong'er, as a father, I want to ask you, do you love the Tang Dynasty or the Changsun family?"
"Father, no eggs are left unfinished when the nest is overthrown. Only if the Tang Dynasty is better, our Changsun family will be better. If the Tang Dynasty is not good, other aristocratic families may have a way out, but we, the Changsun family, have no other way out!
"
"There is no other way out!" Changsun Wuji laughed: "There is no other way out, Li Mu, Li Mu, I still underestimated you after all!"
"Father"
Changsun Wuji waved his hand to interrupt Changsun Chong and said: "You don't have to persuade me. Everyone says that those who understand the current affairs are heroes. My father can reach where he is today because of his words. My father will never do it.
He is a person who is ignorant of current affairs. Now his fortune lies with Li Mu. As a father, I should give him a helping hand. But..."
As soon as he said "but", Changsun Wuji suddenly stopped talking. Changsun Chong was waiting for his next words. After waiting for a long time, he didn't wait, so he asked: "Father, but what?"
"It's nothing." Changsun Wuji decided not to say anything. From Changsun Chong's words just now, he already knew that his eldest son now completely worships Li Mu. Now that he is reminded, he will definitely not listen, and he will also
To keep Li Mu on guard, it is better to look for another opportunity.
"When I see Li Mu tomorrow, tell him that I understand."
"My child, I remember." Changsun stood up, saluted, and said, "My child has gone back to sleep, and my father also went to bed earlier."
"Go ahead,"
Watching Changsun Chong leave, Changsun Wuji couldn't help but smile bitterly. A thought suddenly came to his mind, was he really old? It was just that he was suppressed by Li Mu, his son was here as a lobbyist, and he actually
I didn't notice it either. It seems that I am really old!
…
The next day, early in the morning, Li Mugong opened the courtyard door and was startled by the scene outside.
Looking around, from the door to the mouth of the valley, there are horse-drawn carriages and ox-carts. There are people sitting in the carriages, and the tops of the ox-carts are full of money. It is said that wealth is not revealed, but the ox-carts lined up in front of you seem to be eager to let others know.
As if seeing it, there is no obstruction at all, and they are all bright yellow copper coins. Facing the morning glow, they are shining brightly.
What impressed Li Mu the most was that with so many cows and horses outside the courtyard, he didn't hear any sound at all. This shows how cautious these 'guests' are, for fear of disturbing him.
The first one in line is Wang. He came right after the banquet yesterday and was the first in line. After the New Year, he was one step closer to eighty, and his energy was even worse. He stayed up all night in the carriage.
The situation was very bad, but when he saw Li Mu, he still tried his best to smile. When he got off the carriage, he wanted to greet Li Mu.
Li Mu hurriedly supported him. It was not because he respected Wang that much, but because he was afraid that he would fall to the ground and not be able to explain clearly.
The king was so flattered that he didn't even dare to accept it. He stood firm by holding on to the shaft of the carriage. He greeted Li Mu, pointed to the three ox carts behind the carriage, and said with a smile: "Master Marquis, on the day you got married, I was on the other side of the British father-in-law.
It is really a sin not to be able to congratulate me in person. To make up for it with a trivial gift is not a sign of respect, but I hope you will accept it with a smile."