Chapter 418 "Prime Minister, are you questioning me?" (5k)
Cao Mao, Duke of Anguo, was disarmed and returned to his fields.
This news was like a whirlwind, spreading in the official circles of Yu State in the afternoon of that day, attracting the attention of countless people.
There are many details in it that attract interested people to pry into. It's a pity that the parties involved have a tacit agreement to keep it secret, so it is difficult for outsiders to know the details. This incident has become another strange chapter in "The Secret History of the Empress" written by a folk historian.
One of the most striking scenes is that someone witnessed Zhao Duan riding into the palace in the heavy snow.
In the next few days, Zhao Duan controlled public opinion and put an end to the matter. The Lang Shiba case developed smoothly according to the drafted script.
Luo Kedi returned to Jubeicheng with Cao Mao's personal letter handing over military power to complete the change of power.
At the same time, time has finally come to the end of the year.
……
Early in the morning, in the Zhao family's wing.
Zhao Duan was awakened by the sound of firecrackers.
He opened his eyelids and stared at the top of the window curtain for a few seconds, then turned over and sat on the edge of the bed, yawning and rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Dong dong dong, Dalang, are you awake?"
Footsteps approached outside the door, followed by the stepmother's earnest call.
"Come in."
Zhao Duan looked at his pajamas and pants and said casually.
The door of the room was pushed open, and dazzling white light came into the room. Eugene, wearing a new dress, stepped into the room with a smile, followed by three maids.
Everyone holds some clothes or a washbasin in their hands. After entering the house, they familiarly serve the "master" of the family to wash themselves without any instructions.
Well, because Zhao's father died early, Zhao Duan, as the only male head of the family, was automatically promoted to "Master" among the servants.
"I can do it myself..."
Zhao Duan resisted, but in the end he couldn't stand the pull of the four women. The majestic "Zhao King of Hell" was stunned and was dressed up in turns like a doll.
A moment later, Zhao Duan in the mirror had finished washing and was full of energy. He was dressed in brand-new, well-fitting bright-colored clothes from head to toe.
Today is New Year's Eve. Due to financial constraints, ordinary people have to wait until tomorrow, the first day of the Lunar New Year, to change into new clothes.
But the Zhao family, which has long been among the new rich in the capital, does not lack a few clothes.
According to Eugene Flower:
"During the Spring Festival, Dalang always welcomes and greets people in official circles during these days. It is only proper etiquette to prepare a new set of new robes every day."
Okay...
Zhao Duan wanted to refuse but still welcomed him, and within a year of time travel, he was successfully assimilated into feudal society.
In front of the mirror in the room, Eugene Flower stood beside him, carefully arranging the corners of his clothes, and said happily:
"The big banquet is in the evening, right?"
"You have to go early in the afternoon." Zhao Duan explained casually.
On New Year's Eve, the empress held a banquet for all ministers in the palace, called the "Grand Banquet", and Zhao Duan was invited to attend.
Eugene Flower admired the handsome and upright stepson in front of her, and said happily: "I heard that at the banquet in the palace, you can't even eat and drink. You should eat more at home at noon."
"I know." Zhao Duan said perfunctorily.
After walking out of the room, the entire Zhao Mansion in front of me was decorated with a festive atmosphere. Red lanterns were hung on every corner of the eaves, and the windows were covered with window grilles in different postures.
The servants in the mansion also changed into new clothes, received reward money, and were busy, either moving New Year's goods or cleaning the clean courtyard again and again.
"Crackling..."
Outside the gate of the mansion, Zhao Pan led the maids and fired off the cannon in person under the nervous gaze of the servants.
Firecrackers exploded continuously, and the red pieces of broken paper fell into the snow on the street outside, which was particularly beautiful.
The Pekingese was so frightened by the sound of firecrackers that he lay trembling under the table in the inner hall.
"Brother!"
Zhao Pan looked at Zhao Duan walking over and raised a smile.
Today, the girl is wearing a colorful jacket with a circle of white fluff around the edge. Her neck is tied tightly, and her fair face is sculpted like jade. She looks like the girl who brings wealth in the New Year paintings has grown up.
He also held a yellow incense stick with a scarlet tip in his hand and handed it to him excitedly:
"Are you coming too?"
"No, you are now a well-known 'Miss Zhao' in the capital. You should pay more attention to your image," Zhao Duan couldn't help but sigh.
Zhao Pan puffed up his cheeks and acted cute: "Can't I learn to be a lady..."
"Okay, okay, whatever you want."
Zhao Duan waved his hands, feeling comfortable in his heart.
Although the women of this era are good, they all pursue gentleness and virtue, which makes them tired after seeing too many of them.
A girl like Zhao Pan, who grew up in a military family, didn't have many rules and seemed more like a "modern person".
Zhao Duan reluctantly let go of a whip, and was dragged into the house by Zhao Pan to write Spring Festival couplets.
The girl eagerly laid out the red paper on the study table, polished it herself, and added a red sleeve to add fragrance.
Zhao Duan held a pineapple brush, dipped it in ink, thought for a while, and wrote the couplet.
"Spring breeze, spring rain, spring scenery; new year, new scenery, new home."
Zhao Pan looked at this couplet and couldn't tell whether it was good or bad. He smiled and said:
"It's quite appropriate for the occasion. It's the New Year and it's a new home... But our family has been moving for a few months, so I wrote this word a little late."
"What do you know? This is Wang Xizhi's couplet."
Zhao Duan placed the brush on the white porcelain pen holder, but smiled with complicated eyes.
In this world, he is probably the only one who knows the true meaning of the word "new home".
It's been a year, and before he knew it, he had taken root in this world and had a new family and identity.
"Who is Wang Xizhi? I've never heard of it..." Zhao Pan muttered, but quickly put the doubt aside and went out in person to bring out a bowl of hot paste.
As he walked, he used his onion-white little finger to scoop out a lump of paste from the bowl, stuffed it into his lips and tasted it, his eyes curled into crescents.
Zhao Duan couldn't help laughing when he saw it, remembering that he had done similar things when he was a child.
After the brother and sister finished posting the Spring Festival couplets, officials and officials from nearby came to visit them. This was not a New Year greeting, so Zhao Duan was in a good mood and greeted them with greetings.
At noon, the family had a full meal. Zhao Duan changed into his official robes and set out for the palace.
Eugene Hua and Zhao Pan also made arrangements and made appointments with many ladies in the capital to watch the lanterns together.
……
……
After Zhao Duan went out, he first went to Zhaoya and joined the large army.
During the grand banquet, Zhaoya Jinyi, as a forbidden soldier, also needed to enter the palace to maintain order - in fact, he acted as a guard of honor.
"Come here." Ma Yan saw him coming and waved to invite him to ride in the same car.
Zhao Duan was slightly surprised, stepped into the carriage and sat down, then asked curiously: "Senior brother, do you have anything to say alone?"
Ma Yan had a dull expression on his slender face, glanced at him and said:
"Li Yanfu is also present at today's big banquet."
Isn’t this nonsense? He is the Prime Minister and must be here... Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment and then realized:
"You mean, Li Yanfu is going to cause trouble? That's not true, today is New Year's Eve. And isn't Li Dang very low-key during this period? In his previous fight with Cao Mao, he pretended to be dead the whole time."
Ma Yan said: "There is news from below. Yesterday, several important ministers of the Li Party met privately. To the outside world, they were visiting years ago, but in fact they were summoned by Li Yanfu."
"Because of me?" Zhao Duan took it blankly, unable to understand the logic.
Ma Yan shook his head and said:
"No. It should be because the latest memorial sent back from Huting the day before yesterday alarmed them.
Well, maybe you didn't pay attention. Feng Jucheng, who is in charge of the New Deal Chamber of Commerce in Huting, sent back the news. I don't know the details. Anyway, it's a good thing. It should be that the new city you built has improved. Feng Ju probably also wants to catch up in the New Year. This is a gift to His Majesty. ”
Zhao Duan suddenly realized it and said with a smile:
"It seems that this group of southern nobles saw the remarkable results of the imperial court's opening of the market and became anxious."
He wasn't surprised.
Although Li Yanfu was extremely quiet these days, Zhao Duan knew that this was just the calm before the storm.
The contradiction between the group of nobles behind the "Li Party" and the New Deal could not be eased at all.
Before the New Deal had not yet exploded in power, the pressure on Li Yanfu was not great. But as the New Deal takes effect, the pressure from the entire Li Party will force Li Yanfu to take action.
"It shouldn't be so urgent. Even if Party Li wants to take action, it will have to wait at least until the spring of next year." Zhao Duan said calmly, "Senior brother, do you have any inside information? What might these people do?"
Ma Yan said:
"Some days ago, the Governor of Southern Water Transport urged Beijing to appoint new officials as soon as possible to fill the vacancies.
Not only will the road be built, but as far as I know, the imperial court will determine a list of officials after the year to be transferred to the south to assist the Governor of Water Transport in promoting local new government reforms. The final personnel have not yet been decided. ”
Zhao Duan asked curiously: "So, maybe Li Dang will try to make a fuss about this matter?"
Ma Yan shook his head and said: "I don't know. I just want to inform you in advance."
Zhao Duan couldn’t laugh or cry:
"I am not responsible for the appointment and dismissal of officials in the south. Li Yanfu wants to cause trouble and it has nothing to do with me." Ma Yan looked like "you are too young":
"Not to mention your influence on the development of the New Deal, if I were Li Yanfu, facing the pressure of the entire party, I would have to take a stand first and do something to stabilize the 'military morale' of the Jiangnan gentry. Sometimes, taking a stand itself is Necessary.”
Zhao Duan grinned:
"So, senior brother, do you suspect that Li Yanfu may find fault with me to express his stance to the entire Li Party?"
When he thought about it, it was really possible. After all, it was Zhao Duan who decided on the opening of Huting. He was full of symbolic meaning.
However, what trouble can Li Yanfu bring to him?
Ma Yan was noncommittal and said, "You know better than me about those intrigues."
"..."
No, Xiaoma, what's your attitude? When did you learn to sarcastically mock people? Where has the old ruthless style of being cold and domineering and cutting with a sword gone?
Zhao Duan looked regretful.
……
……
While the two were teasing Menzi, the brocade-clad team arrived at the palace.
The grand banquet was held in the "Fengtian Hall", and a huge New Year's lantern had been built outside the Meridian Gate, with a height almost as high as the palace wall.
At this moment, a large group of craftsmen were busy under the "protection" of the Forbidden Army.
Outside the Imperial City, countless lanterns have been hung on the main street to highlight the new year.
The banquet was hosted by the Ministry of Etiquette and prepared by Guanglu Temple.
Follow the rules.
The personnel of Shangbaosi will set up the throne in Fengtian Hall.
Jin Yiwei is responsible for planting yellow flags on the east and west sides of the hall.
Jinwu and other guards posted twenty-four guard officers on the east and west sides of the palace.
The Jiaofang Division under the Ministry of Rites is responsible for setting up nine-piece music and songs inside the hall, a large music group outside the hall, and three dance groups under His Highness.
Guanglu Temple is responsible for setting up a wine pavilion to the west and a dining pavilion to the east under the throne. To the east and west of the wine and dining pavilion are a precious delicacies pavilion and a fermented rice pavilion.
There are imperial banquets on the east and west sides of the throne, and the crown prince's seat is located on the east side of the throne, facing west
——But because the prince became cold, this position was removed.
The kings were arranged on both sides of the royal banquet, facing east and west, and arranged in sequence from north to south
——Well, not a single prince has entered the capital this year, so this section has also been removed.
Ministers of rank four and above are in the hall, and ministers of rank below five are in the corridors on the east and west sides of the hall. Official officials such as Si Hu, Shang Jiu, and Shang Shi were waiting nearby...
The main focus is to be well-organized and have clear responsibilities.
When Zhao Duan arrived, he found that the entire Fengtian Temple had been decorated.
He looked like an idler, wandering around, joking with female officials he knew well from time to time. Officials began to enter the palace one after another, and Zhao Duan greeted them with a smile, acting like a "host".
There was no trace of the formality of a courtier in the palace, and the chief minister felt as if he had returned home. The officials looked at each other in confusion, thinking, is the rumor about the face-to-face meeting true?
Speaking of which, although there are widespread rumors in the capital and even the whole world that Zhao Gounai is the face of the empress, this matter has always been in the "rumor" stage.
There has been no official confirmation.
Officials with high status never fully believed this statement and only regarded him as a "favourite".
When it got dark, important ministers arrived one after another.
"Mr. Yuan...you are here. I have been here for a long time."
"Grand Master, please slow down, haha... Are you here too, Master Han? Sit down quickly."
"Envoy Xue, you look really happy today. Sit here. Your seat has been prepared."
"Tang Guogong, why don't you see the daughter and the young prince? Oh, they are outside."
Zhao Duan would greet every person who came.
When Li Yanfu, who was wearing a crimson official robe, with sideburns like a hedgehog, eyebrows close to purple stones, and hair running along both sides of his cheeks almost connecting to the sideburns, arrived with his son, Zhao Duan stood up and said with a smile:
"The Prime Minister is finally here. How are you doing, Mr. Xiaoge?"
Li Yanfu squinted his eyes and slowly walked into Fengtian Hall with a calm expression.
Li Yinglong, who was following behind him, looked unhappy, snorted coldly, and walked towards the seat on one side with a flick of his sleeves.
Tsk, why don't you pay any attention to me? This guy has calmed down... Zhao Duan felt bored and smiled without saying anything.
At this time, night has arrived, and the entire Fengtian Hall is hung with red lanterns. There are singing and dancing in the hall, filled with palace rituals and music.
Suddenly, the music in the palace changed to "Great Music". The ministers stood up and looked outside the palace. They saw a chariot arriving outside like stars over the moon.
Wearing a dragon robe, the majestic and graceful Empress Dayu slowly got out of the chariot, and accompanied by Mochou and other female officials, entered the palace amid ritual and music.
"Welcome Your Majesty!"
Zhao Duan stood among the ministers. Due to his rank, he was located close to the palace gate and was the first to see the empress passing in front of him.
Today, Xu Zhenguan is dressed up, and his appearance is even better than before, almost dazzling.
However, all the courtiers in the palace lowered their heads and did not dare to look directly.
When the imperial throne rose, Xu Zhenguan took his seat and said, "Everyone is at peace."
The rituals and music ceased, and the officials took their seats.
The people from Guanglu Temple began to serve dishes one after another, accompanied by flowers and a series of performances.
Zhao Duan looked at the ministers sitting upright and motionless in front of the dishes on the table. The corners of his mouth twitched, thinking that his stepmother was really right. There was no chance for anyone to eat at this banquet.
It was hard to hold on until the end of a lot of rituals.
Xu Zhenguan looked around at the ministers with a smile:
"Tonight, New Year's Eve, I am very pleased to be gathered in the palace with all the ministers. In the past year, there have been many storms in the court. Fortunately, I relied on the collective efforts of all the ministers to protect our country and the people of the world..."
After reading the draft for a while, all the ministers expressed their opinions. They were all veteran actors and were skilled in the process.
However, just when everyone thought that the banquet would end according to the procedure.
Suddenly, Li Yanfu, who was sitting very close to the front and just below the empress, slowly stood up, cupped his hands in front of everyone and said:
"Your Majesty, on this good occasion, I have something to report."
The music in the palace suddenly became much quieter. The empress sat on the throne and looked down at Li Yanfu with squinted eyes:
"Oh? What is the matter with the Prime Minister that should be played at this banquet?"
Li Yanfu didn't seem to hear the displeasure in the empress's words. He looked calm, his face was as usual, and he said unusually calmly:
"In the early summer of this year, Zhao Duan, the envoy of the White Horse Prison, exceeded his authority and arrested Zhuang Xiaocheng, the rebel leader of the bandit, without authorization, causing him to escape...
At that time, the city was in turmoil. Although His Majesty later found out that it was not Zhao Duan's original intention, he still set a time limit to capture the bandit leader... Now, it is the end of the year, but I don't know if I promised this in the first place. number? ”
quiet.
The Fengtian Hall suddenly became quiet, and even the musicians paused in unison, sensing the instantaneous change in the atmosphere in the hall.
The originally joyful and peaceful atmosphere changed in the blink of an eye, and became slightly more solemn.
Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows and said to himself, Xiaoma, you are such a crow's mouth, you really got it right.
The other ministers all had expressions on their faces, and many of them had expressions of confusion. They wondered why the Prime Minister was so crazy that he had to report this matter today, at this moment.
Even if you want to write an article, can't you wait until tomorrow?
Should we wait until the next court session to impeach?
"Master Li! Isn't that inappropriate!" The first person to break the silence was Sun Lianying, the White Horse Supervisor.
This old eunuch acted in a low-key manner and was inconspicuous in the palace, but he was the first to speak and attracted everyone's attention.
Sun Lianying sat behind the long table, her face covered with traces of time, and her expression could not be seen:
"We are the Chief Superintendent of the White Horse Supervisor. What Zhao Duan committed at that time was also the matter of our White Horse Supervisor. He escaped for Zhuang Xiaocheng that day, but it has been found out later that it was not him who did it, but Kuang Fu She arranged it.
Okay, even if you take a step back and return to one code after another, in the past six months, Zhao Duan has arrested more than dozens of rebels?
The entire Kuangfu Society in the capital was uprooted by him, and the insiders in the imperial office were also uncovered by him... If we say that we have accomplished meritorious deeds, wouldn't these alone be considered meritorious? This is not even mentioning the achievements and achievements that have been made in the past six months..."
Li Yanfu looked calm and interrupted the former:
"Sir Supervisor Sun, the credit you mentioned is not his alone. There are many others who helped. Even if it is his alone, how can the merits and demerits be arbitrarily offset by state-owned laws?
What's more, how can a mere helmsman be compared with Zhuang Xiaocheng's head? Could it be that you can't tell which one is more important? Not to mention one sub-rudder, but two or three, how can it be worth one Zhuang Xiaocheng? ”
After a pause, he said again:
"Of course, if Your Majesty thinks that Zhao Duan's merits and demerits are enough to be offset, the veteran will naturally not dare to object, so he boldly asks, can the original promise be counted?"
"Are you questioning me?"
Xu Zhenguan looked down at Li Yanfu calmly. Behind the bead curtain hanging above her head, a pair of bright eyes pierced with cold light.
Zhao Duan couldn't sit still anymore, he stood up and said: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."
"Shut up." Xu Zhenguan blocked his words with a look. Then in Zhao Duan's confused eyes, the empress turned back and stared at Li Yanfu:
"Xiangguo, are you questioning me?"
Li Yanfu slowly lowered his head, but did not sit down. He just held his hands in his hands and said, "Old minister, I don't dare."
"Don't you dare?" Xu Zhenguan chuckled and said faintly:
"I think that's what you mean."
Without waiting for Li Yanfu to answer, Xu Zhenguan suddenly looked across the audience and said calmly:
"Let's put this matter aside for now, I have something to announce."
"Mo Chou." She called out.
The "female prime minister" not far away walked slowly and took out a few envelopes and a prepared imperial edict from her sleeves.
Zhao Duan was stunned, and all the officials in the palace were also at a loss, wondering what kind of medicine the empress was selling in the gourd.
——
Typos should be corrected first
(End of chapter)