A maid who was watching at the door hurried to the backyard to report the news.
When he heard that he was back, Lu Bu ran out of another maid's room in disheveled clothes, buckling his belt as he ran.
Alas, being too handsome is also a sin. Since I moved into the Hussar General's mansion, many beautiful maids and even Dong Zhuo's concubines have come to visit me.
Although Lu Bu did not dare to attack Dong Zhuo's concubines for the time being, several of his maids had already fallen into trouble. When Dong Zhuo was not at home, a group of people often acted haphazardly.
"Father."
When Dong Zhuo entered the front hall, Lu Bu, who was wearing twin ponytails, was already fully dressed and stood in front of Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo nodded and said: "Well, go and summon Li Ru, Yan Zhong, Zhao Lin and others to come over."
"only!"
Lu Bu was ordered to call them.
At present, the staff of Dong Zhuo's Mansion are divided into two groups. One group is composed of Li Ru, Yan Zhong, Zhao Lin, and others. Jia Xu is good at protecting himself wisely and wisely. He has not yet exposed his talents. He says nothing when discussing matters. Currently, he is Cao Yu of the General's Mansion and is temporarily in Niu Fu's tent.
Down.
The other faction consists of party members such as Zhou Ao, Wu Qiong, He Yong, and Zheng Tai, who are undercover agents. Since Dong Zhuo himself also needs them to act as lubricants with the party members, this group is in the prime of favor.
However, Dong Zhuo was not a fool. Naturally, he knew very well that he and Zhou Ao, Wu Qiong, He Yong, Zheng Tai and others were using each other.
So his real staff are still Li Ru, Yan Zhong, Zhao Lin and others.
Why them?
Because they belong to the Liangzhou faction and are from the same hometown.
There are two major characteristics of the human relationship network in the Han Dynasty: one is the relationship network with clans and fellow villagers as the link, and the other is the relationship network with the disciples and former officials as the link.
In fact, it was not just the Han Dynasty. Later feudal dynasties had frequent party disputes, formed parties and associations, and attracted people to build mountains. For example, in the late Ming Dynasty, the Qi Party, the Chu Party, the Zhejiang Party, the Zhejiang Party, and the Donglin Party were basically like this.
Therefore, this is an ancestral craft inherited by Chinese parties for personal gain. It is a traditional art that can truly be applied for World Heritage status. It is not just a Han Dynasty characteristic.
Yan Zhong was from Wuwei Guzang, and he was a well-known scholar in Liangzhou. Many generals in the Xiliang army were his fellow Wuwei people, and they had a very good relationship with him. Although Zhao Lin was from Fufeng in Guanzhong, his ancestors were from the Tianshui Zhao family, so he was also
He came from a famous family. Li Ru was from Feng Yi in Guanzhong, but in the Han Dynasty Yongliang was not divided into families, so it was also considered the Xiliang sect.
Moreover, there were originally some disputes and differences between Li Ru and Yan Zhong. After all, before Li Ru came, Yan Zhong was Dong Zhuo's number one adviser. If Li Ru wanted to ascend to power, in addition to coming up with good ideas, he also had to fight secretly with Yan Zhong.
Just have a fight for favor.
Such things are not uncommon. For example, later on, Yuan Shao's counselors were divided into several factions, such as the Jizhou faction such as Jushou, Tian Fengshenpei, etc., the Yingchuan faction such as Xin Ping, Guo Tu, Xunchen, etc., and the Nanyang faction of Fengji Xu You, who started fighting among themselves.
There is no end, and there is no unity of opinion.
But after Zhou Ao, Wu Qiong, He Yong, Zheng Tai and other party members came, Li Ru immediately changed his strategy and no longer fought secretly with Yan Zhongming. Instead, he made friends with Yan Zhong. The three of them hugged each other for warmth and formed the Yongliang Party.
Um.
Sure enough, when there are no external enemies, one's own people are most in danger.
When there is a foreign enemy, one second you are fighting to the death, the next second you are brothers and sisters, and then the knife blades are aligned to the outside world, it is also considered a traditional art.
The reason why Dong Zhuo called Li Ru, Yan Zhong and others over was to ask them what they thought of the outcome of today's court meeting.
Just as he has two factions of counselors under him, Dong Zhuo's current strategy also has two directions.
The first was to adopt the suggestions of Li Ru and others and instigate officials who had surrendered to him to propose that he be appointed as a general at the court meeting to test the reaction of the Empress Dowager.
The second is to adopt the suggestions of Zhou Ao, Wu Qiong and others, reconcile with the party members, and let them help build momentum and enhance their reputation.
During today's court meeting, although Zhou Ao, Wu Qiong and others did not object, Xun Shuang, Han Rong, Chen Ji and other party backbones had clear objections. Moreover, these people were recommended by Dong Zhuo to the court. This made Dong Zhuo very embarrassed and felt in his heart.
Very unhappy.
Li Ru, Yan Zhong, Zhao Lin and the others came to the hall. It was a study room filled with books. Outside the window was the artificial lake of General Hussar Mansion, with green bamboos stretching in. The scenery was very beautiful.
The three of them sat on the floor. Dong Zhuo asked all the guards on his left and right, including Lu Bu, to go out and guard the door. When only the four of them were left in the room, he said resentfully: "These party members are really abominable. I kindly recommend them to the court."
As an official, I didn't expect them to stab me in the back."
Yan Zhong and others also knew what happened in the court. Li Ruzheng was worried that he could not find a chance to add insult to injury, so he immediately took over the conversation and said: "Ming Gong, I have long said that these party members cannot be trusted. They are just taking advantage of Ming Gong.
Ming Gong must not be fooled."
If Yan Zhong gave some advice at this time, Dong Zhuo went to confront Zhou Ao and others, and Zhou Ao and others made excuses, maybe the matter would be over, and Dong Zhuo would not be too resentful of the party members.
But Yan Zhong also did not think it was a big deal, and slandered Dong Zhuojin: "Brother Wen You said that is exactly what he said. Ming Gong thought that the party members were good, but in fact they are the most insidious."
"How could I not know? In the past, we just used each other."
Dong Zhuo sighed: "But who knew that after they took advantage of me, when they needed me to take advantage of them, they would have to step on me and step on me. It's really hateful. But fortunately, the Queen Mother still kept me in mind.
superior."
"oh?"
Yan Zhong was moved and asked: "Didn't the Empress Dowager not agree during the court meeting?"
Dong Zhuo laughed: "There were too many people who objected at the court meeting, and the Empress Dowager did not express her position at that time. Afterwards, she called me into Yong'an Palace and comforted me. She said that I would be appointed as the Third Duke at the end of the year, and I would be promoted to the position of general next year.
.After all, it is the Dong family, and the Empress Dowager still has to rely on my nephew."
Li Ru smiled and said: "This shows that Duke Ming is in the heart of the Queen Mother, but although he will be able to advance to the position of general next year, those party members and aristocratic families are now occupying the court and opposing Duke Ming. In my opinion, it is still
We need to drive these party members out of the court."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Yes, it was only in the court today that I proposed to rehabilitate the party members. I wanted to repair the relationship between me and the party members, but they turned around and stabbed me.
I was caught off guard. That's why I came to you to ask for a solution."
Dong Zhuo sighed: "Although I hate them to the core, after all, I said my words in court, and the Empress Dowager also agreed. It's really hard to go back on it."
In fact, this was also the purpose of Dong Zhuo calling them to discuss matters.
Because I, Dong Zhuo, helped your party members overturn the "September Coup" that year, and you slapped me in the face at the court meeting. You really can't afford to embarrass this person.
But the words have already been spoken, and the Empress Dowager has agreed to his proposal. How can he go back on his word at this time?
So Dong Zhuo thought about it and wanted to ask Li Ru and others about how he should deal with party members in the future, how to make friends with them next, what kind of change in attitude he should make, and what kind of strategy he should adopt.
Li Ru's opinion was also very simple, that is, first drive away the party members in General Hussar's Mansion, that is, Zhou Ao, Wu Qiong, He Yong, Zheng Tai and others, and then slowly deal with the party members in the court.
Therefore, although the topic just mentioned the Empress Dowager Dong, it was brought back by Li Ru. This shows that Li Ru was only focused on how to deal with the party members and did not think about deeper issues at all.
Only Yan Zhong listened to them talking about how the Empress Dowager had promised Dong Zhuo to make him a general next year. He thought quickly and said slowly: "Ming Gong, Wen You, I think the issue of how to treat party members must be dealt with first.
Let it go."
"Put it away?"
Li Ru was puzzled and said: "Chenghan, haven't you seen it? These party members are so ambitious that while they beguile Ming Gong to work for them, they are also trying to suppress Ming Gong. They have never thought about cooperating with us.
I think they are clearly just fooling us!"
Zhao Lin on the side couldn't help but interjected: "In recent days, I have also heard from my former colleagues that we Xiliang people are just barbarians. Everyone in the court is hostile and full of contempt for us.
.”
Yan Zhongxin asked Zhao Lin, what are you causing trouble? This topic cannot be discussed any further. However, he also understood that Zhao Lin was the deputy in charge of the Luoyang Military Intelligence Department. He was able to get here because of his good relationship with Liu Guan, Zhang Chen, and not
He was extremely intelligent, so it was normal for Chen Mu not to tell him his plan.
So Yan Zhong organized his language and then said slowly: "I'm not saying that party members are not evil, but just now Duke Ming mentioned that the Empress Dowager will let Duke Ming be the general next year. I'm thinking about a question, why?
The Queen Mother will really agree to this."
"What does Chenghan mean?"
Dong Zhuo was puzzled: "The Empress Dowager and I are both descendants of Duke Zhongshu, and now the court needs me as its support. Shouldn't I be a general?"
"Shouldn't."
Yan Zhong's words were somewhat blunt.
Dong Zhuo was very unhappy when he heard this and said: "Could a sincere man say this just to amuse me?"
"Ming Gong, please don't be angry."
Yan Zhong quickly explained: "Brother Wenyou and I naturally hope that Duke Ming will serve as the general, so that our future can be guaranteed. But to be fair, brother Wenyou, if you were the Empress Dowager Dong, you would let Duke Ming serve as the general.
?"
When Li Ru was asked about this, Li Ru began to think carefully, touched his goatee, and after a moment he slowly said: "No."
"Why?"
Seeing that his two great advisers were almost unanimous in their opinions, Dong Zhuo also paid attention to it. His eyes widened and he said in confusion: "The Empress Dowager clearly agreed to me personally..."
Li Ru smiled bitterly and explained: "If I were the Empress Dowager, there would be only one situation in which I would let Ming Gong become the general. That is if all the close relatives of the Dong family around me have died, and the Empress Dowager Dong's brother has died long ago, but there is still Dong Chong.
Dong Cheng has two close nephews. Dong Chong died in the last palace turmoil, but Dong Cheng is still there. Ming Gong thinks, is it Duke Ming who is close to the Queen Mother Dong, or Dong Cheng is close to the Queen Mother Dong?"
"this......"
Dong Zhuo's eyes were as wide as bells and he was speechless.
Yan Zhong also spoke up: "Exactly, although Ming Gong holds military power and his status is extraordinary, Dong Cheng has already taken over the Southern Army. With the Southern Army here, Ming Gong's importance is much less than before. So Empress Dowager Dong
In other words, it is most likely to stabilize Duke Ming, and Dong will definitely be the general next year."
"What?"
Dong Zhuo suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with anger: "This is impossible. This is what the Empress Dowager said personally. How can you deceive me?"
Yan Zhong shook his head and said: "If the Empress Dowager did not mention that it would be better to let Ming Gong serve as the Third Duke first, then it means there is still a chance. But if Ming Gong thinks about it, the hussar general is already superior to the Third Duke, and his status is no longer below the Third Duke.
In the first step, there is only the position of general. Why does the Empress Dowager have to let Ming Gong serve as the third Duke first and then the general?"
In the official system of the Han Dynasty, there were six Wanshi officials. Among them, the four permanent ones were General, Taiwei, Situ and Sikong. The non-permanent ones were Taifu and Hussar General. As for the later Great Sima, they were actually Taifu.
Lieutenant, so except for special periods, there are no Taifu and Hussar Generals in normal periods.
And these six official positions of ten thousand stones are also divided into upper and lower ranks. Normally, the Taiwei is the first of the hundred officials, ranking above the other two princes and the general. Later, as his relatives came to power, the status of the general soared, and gradually became the chief of the hundred officials.
The head of the official ranks above the three princes.
The Taifu is the Grand Duke and is also ranked above the Three Dukes. Therefore, when there are both a General and a Taifu, they are on the same level.
For example, when Emperor Huan died, Empress Dou issued an edict to appoint Chen Fan as the Taifu. Together with the general Dou Wu, the two became the leaders of the civil and military officials with the same status. Therefore, when planning to punish the eunuchs, they were the two who took the lead.
As for other positions such as Taiwei, Sikong, Situ, Hussar, General, etc., they are nominally at the same level. As for the specific status, it depends on whether there is a ministerial record.
The recorder of affairs represents the power to intervene in government affairs.
Only with this title can one become the superior of the Shangshu Ling, and can take charge of the Shangshu Taiwan and be in charge of the world's government affairs.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! If there is no ministerial record, then the titles of the three ministers are actually no different from empty positions, because they have no actual power, only a high status.
Now Yuan Wei is the Taifu in the imperial court, and he also records affairs.
This means that Yuan Wei is not only the head of officials in name, but also has real power, and all government affairs under the country are under his control.
The other three titles are actually equivalent to Dong Zhuo's current status as General of the Hussars.
Then Empress Dowager Dong asked him to serve as the third Duke and then as the general. It is indeed a bit unnecessary and thought-provoking. It is not necessary at all.
It's as if you are already an executive deputy director with real power in charge of finance. Your leader said he would promote you to director, but before that, not only did he take away your financial responsibility, but he also took away your title of executive.
After a set of operations, no matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like you are being promoted to a full-time job. Instead, it feels like you have been arranged to step down to the second line in advance and stay in the bureau until you retire.
So thinking of this, Dong Zhuo gradually came back to his senses and looked at Yan Zhong with twinkling eyes: "Why?"
"Because Sangong has no military power."
Before Yan Zhong could speak, Li Ru sighed: "Now the Southern Army is in the hands of Dong Cheng, and the powerful candidates in Guanzhong under our command, Cheng Yin, Li Kan, and Zhang Heng are not of the same mind as us, so the actual troops we have are only Ming Ming."
The total number of men from the public headquarters, plus some of the He Jin and He Miao troops that were later collected, was only more than 10,000. After Ming Gong became the Third Duke, he almost automatically gave up the army of the powerful people in Guanzhong. If the Empress Dowager gave them official positions,
With a little effort, most of Duke Ming's troops will be dispersed. By then, Duke Ming's strength will be greatly reduced, and even if he complains again, he will be insignificant to Empress Dowager Dong and cannot pose a threat. By then..."
"By then, we Xiliang people will not be far away from being kicked out of the court."
Zhao Lin silently gave the assist.
"Yes, by that time, although Duke Ming is ranked among the three Dukes, he has no political power internally and no military power externally. The best result is to wait until Duke Ming has no power in a year or two, then dismiss Duke Ming and go home to retire.
, I, the Xiliang people, have no future at all."
Yan Zhong nodded with satisfaction. Although Zhao Lin always failed to grasp the key points, at least she did not act like a pig teammate when it was time to speak out.
Hearing this, Dong Zhuo clenched his fists tightly and said with a gloomy expression: "But it would be too arbitrary to judge that the Empress Dowager is deceiving me just based on the fact that the Empress Dowager first asked me to serve as the third official.
Some...could it be that you are overthinking it?"
He still couldn't believe that it would really turn out like this. He was the nephew of the Empress Dowager, and without his own support, how could you, Empress Dowager Dong, be where you are today?
Yan Zhong said: "It's easy to know whether the Empress Dowager deceived Duke Ming."
"The plan is coming?"
Dong Zhuo asked hurriedly.
Yan Zhong and Li Ru looked at each other.
Li Ru said: "Ming Gong can ask himself to be the Third Duke. It depends on the reaction of the Empress Dowager. If the Empress Dowager readily agrees and allows Ming Gong to send troops, then everything will be settled."
Dong Zhuo's face was already ashen, and he was silent for a long time without speaking. After a while, he squeezed out a few words from between his teeth and said: "I understand."