Chapter 660 Duel between the monarch and his ministers (Part 1)
The carriage of Fang Jun and Princess Gao Yang stopped outside Chengtian Gate. The newlyweds got off the carriage and headed for His Majesty Li Er's palace, accompanied by a long row of maids. More than a dozen carriages carrying various gifts were led to the corner gate on one side. They were allowed to enter Tai Chi Palace only after undergoing strict interrogation.
The spring is warm and the flowers are blooming, and the Tai Chi Palace is full of spring.
His Majesty Li Er's ace confidant, the old chamberlain Wang De, led the way, leaning slightly sideways and talking to Fang Jun all the way.
People become better with age, let alone a sweetheart like Wang De?
Now Fang Jun's rise is unstoppable. Wang De had met countless marquises and dukes who were not as good as the weak ones, but such a young official was responsible for the preparations for the Eastern Expedition, which His Majesty attached great importance to, so Wang De had to look at him differently.
It can be foreseen that as long as he makes corresponding achievements in the future Eastern Expedition, he will definitely be promoted to a senior official at the ministry level after returning to Beijing. In the long run, the position of a prime minister is almost certain...
"I heard that Manager Wang's hometown is in Hangzhou?" Fang Jun asked casually.
Wang De smiled with a smile on his face: "It's hard for the consort to know that the slave's life experience is a village at the foot of Kunshan in Suzhou. At that time, the family was poor and had many brothers and sisters. There was another flood in his hometown. Seeing that he could no longer support himself, my father The slave was sent to Chang'an, purified and entered the palace, and was later given to the late Emperor by the former Emperor Wen of Sui Dynasty. In the blink of an eye, several decades passed..."
Wang De was a little emotional, but he didn't object to talking about some tragic past events. Reminiscing about the past and thinking about the sweet has always been a good way to have a heart-to-heart relationship. It can easily bring the relationship closer and relax the guard.
Fang Jun smiled and sighed: "I would rather be a peace dog than a person in troubled times..."
Wang De clicked his tongue and cupped his hands in admiration: "The prince-in-law is really talented in writing. In one sentence, he can express the sorrow and misfortune of human life being as cheap as a dog in troubled times."
Princess Gao Yang walked in a dignified manner, with little expression on her pretty face. After hearing these words, she raised her eyes and looked at Fang Jun, her eyes sparkling with pride and love.
Fang Jun walked leisurely, smiling and waving his hands: "You always eat more salt than I eat rice, how dare you show off in front of you? By the way, I don't know if I have any relatives at home? I am about to leave Jiangnan, you also know that a certain fiefdom is in Huating Town, just one step away from Kunshan. If there is anything that needs to be taken care of, it’s okay.”
Wang De bowed slightly and said gratefully: "Thank you, Prince Consort. It's just that all the brothers and sisters in the family have passed away, and there is only one nephew, but he is a farmer with no talent and no virtue, and he has no place on the stage. The slave bought him a few acres of thin farmland. , work hard and rely on the sky for food. Although it is more difficult, it is better than being practical. ”
Wang De was very grateful for Fang Jun's concern.
From the late Emperor to the present His Majesty, the restraints on eunuchs have been very strict. Even a close eunuch like Wang De is not allowed to make friends with foreign courts, let alone participate in political affairs. Wang De didn't dare to ask Fang Jun for anything...
Furthermore, if Fang Jun had his heart, why would Wang De ask for it?
Fang Jun raised his thumb and praised: "The old man is really wise and can see the true meaning of the world!"
How many people immediately look up to their relatives and friends when they suddenly get rich? Wealth, official position, desperately trying to get back, lest others don't know how capable he is, it can be said that one person has achieved enlightenment, and chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.
But often this is the worst possible behavior!
In the past, a poor man in the countryside could become a high-ranking figure overnight even if you gave him gold, silver, and power. Not only is it impossible, but it is also very easy for others to win over and attack and annihilate...
Just like Wang De, it is the best way to just buy land for his nephew in the countryside and become a prosperous farmer.
Wang De smiled calmly: "The prince-in-law is over-reputed, and the old slave is just a eunuch. How can he be wise? He just takes things as they come, and just wants to be dealt with safely."
Fang Jun shook his head and said: "So what if you are an eunuch? No one wants to harm himself in order to get rich! In the end, it is just a way to survive. There are many things in the world. If you just want to have a clear conscience, isn't it better than those sanctimonious people? In fact, how much better are the so-called literati who are full of scraps? ”
It is true that because of the physical disability of eunuchs, their mentality will be greatly different from that of ordinary people. Because they have no offspring and do things without any scruples, they often become extremely insidious and cruel scourges.
But everything must be viewed dialectically.
Are those sanctimonious literati really better than eunuchs?
The eunuchs of the Han Dynasty were famous in history and had a bad reputation for thousands of years, but there were very few good officials in the Han Dynasty!
With insights far ahead of the times, you naturally look at problems from a different perspective.
Wang De was moved inexplicably.
As Fang Jun said, if he couldn't survive, who would be willing to cut himself off with a knife, ruin his life's light, and become an eunuch destined to rot in the darkness and be disgusted by others?
But the world will never pity these emasculated people. In the eyes of the world, as long as we talk about eunuchs, they must be yin and yang, cruel and violent existences, doing evil, causing harm to the country and the people, and they are despised by everyone...
After taking a deep look at Fang Jun, Wang De lowered his head and did not say any words of gratitude.
There is no need to say some words out loud, just keep them in mind...
Of course, Wang De, who has experienced strong winds and waves, will not have any ridiculous thoughts about "a scholar will die for his confidant" because of Fang Jun's words, but a certain degree of goodwill is inevitable.
While talking, they came to the door of Shenlong Palace.
Wang De bowed slightly and said: "Your Majesty has a decree. Her Royal Highness the Princess and her consort have arrived. Just come in and no one else is allowed to wait on you. Your Highness, your consort, please!"
Princess Gaoyang smiled slightly and said softly: "Thank you, sir."
Fang Jun also clasped his fists and nodded, and joined hands with Princess Gaoyang to climb the steps at the entrance of the Dragon Palace.
Wang De stood for a while, looking at Fang Jun's back slightly distracted, and then quietly stepped away.
Princess Gaoyang walked lightly, looked around, and asked Fang Jun in a low voice: "Why does Mr. Lang want to befriend Wang Daguan?"
Fang Jun smiled and said: "It is a law of the Tang Dynasty that foreign ministers are not allowed to associate with internal servants. This is not a small crime. Madam, please do not harm me..."
"I'm too lazy to pay attention to you!" Princess Gao Yang rolled her eyes, showed a disdainful look, and quickened her pace.
Sandalwood is burning in the main hall, giving it a quiet and light fragrance.
His Majesty Li Er was dressed in regular clothes, sitting on the brocade couch, holding a book and reading with gusto.
Fang Jun and his wife fell to the ground together: "My son, I have met my father."
His Majesty Li Er put the book in his hand, smiled and said: "No need to be more polite, Shu'er, hurry up to your father and let him see if he has lost weight?"
Princess Gao Yang obediently stood up and snuggled next to His Majesty Li Er. She said with a bright smile: "Father, it's true, is your residence a dragon's pool, a tiger's den, or a barren mountain? How come you've lost weight in just three days?"
His Majesty Li Er ruffled his daughter's hair and looked doting on his face: "Although it is only three short days, in my father's heart, it is like three autumns. Every day I am worried about you, and my days are like years. I am just waiting for you to come back. ”
"Father..." Princess Gao Yang called softly, her clear eyes filled with moisture.
His Majesty Li Er gathered his thoughts, patted Princess Gaoyang's shoulder, and said with a smile: "Go and hang out with all the empresses. Don't act like a child, lest Fang Er, a good guy, laughs at us women!"< br>
"Hmph! He dares?"
Princess Gaoyang raised her snow-white pointed chin with a proud look on her face.
His Majesty Li Er laughed and said: "Okay, she is indeed the daughter of a certain Li Shimin, she has courage!"
Princess Gaoyang smiled carefully, stood up and walked out of the palace lightly, going to the residences of the concubines to deliver gifts.
Fang Jun looked depressed and looked at His Majesty Li Er with dissatisfaction.
Are there any fathers like you? If you openly encourage your daughter to bully your son-in-law, do you have any human rights anymore...
His Majesty Li Er sat upright, looked at Fang Jun who looked hesitant with a smile, and asked with a smile: "Why, I support my daughter to be tougher, but you don't accept it?"
Fang Jun pouted: "I don't dare."
It’s not that I don’t have it, it’s that I don’t dare to...
His Majesty Li Er raised his eyebrows without commenting. No matter you don’t have it or you don’t dare, don’t you still have to suffer it?
He raised his hand and motioned for Fang Jun to sit down on the mat beside him, and asked: "Do you have any clues about Jiangnan?"
Fang Jun thought for a while and said inexplicably: "Huating Town is really a good place..."
His Majesty Li Er was shocked. Is this guy dissatisfied with the title of "Marquis of Huating County"? (End of chapter)