Chapter 1823 The emperor and his son, a double act
The place where the emperor summoned was the Shenlong Hall. Compared with the Liangyi Hall, which usually received foreign guests to discuss government affairs, this place was the emperor's bedroom. Most of the emperor and his ministers sat in the study, with a desk, a few chairs, and a pot of tea. , seems more easy-going and comfortable.
Although everyone knows that the emperor must not have good intentions when summoning these ministers at such a critical moment...
Xiao Yu had just returned to Chang'an from the south of the Yangtze River. As soon as he arrived at Tongguan, he caught up with the heavy snow. He was sitting in a carriage surrounded by a heater and covered with two layers of quilts, which could not block the bone-chilling cold.
When he got home, he hadn't warmed up yet, and he didn't even have time to change his clothes and take a shower. Then he was summoned to the palace by the emperor.
Entering the Dragon Palace, I saw His Majesty Li Er dressed in regular clothes and wearing a futou on his head. The two futou were made of hard legs and slightly bent upward. Only the emperor's futou looked like this in the world, and the two futou of ministers and ordinary people were like this. The feet can be stretched straight to the sides or drooped.
The emperor was in good spirits, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a gentle expression. Only the sideburns exposed under his head were like snowy hair...
Suddenly, this proud man of heaven has reached middle age.
He has worked diligently on state affairs for many years. In the past few years, he even had sleepless nights for fear that when he woke up, the Turkic wolf cavalry had already invaded the city of Chang'an. These years have been a little better, but he was burdened by the ambition of "one emperor for eternity", and he only wanted to create something for eternity. There is nothing more labor-intensive than the preparation and development of a great achievement that has never been achieved before.
Xiao Yu sighed in his heart.
Didn't he himself go from being in his prime to becoming an old man today in the blink of an eye?
His life has been full of misfortunes, and his official career has been full of ups and downs. It seems that he has been a former emperor for generations, but who can appreciate the hardships and tremblings involved?
At this moment, Xiao Yu suddenly had an epiphany.
Times have changed. It was neither the Liang Dynasty that struggled to survive while watching the faces of the surrounding powerful countries, nor the Sui Dynasty where Guanlong Wuxun was rampant and bandits were rising all over the world. Nowadays, the Tang Dynasty is becoming more and more prosperous and beautiful, and the national treasury is sufficient. , the military is strong, the people are united, and the country is stable. The image of a prosperous age has long appeared, and the foundation for a century has been laid. The imperial power will be concentrated in the hands of the emperor like never before. Whoever dares to obstruct will die...
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Xiao Yu entered the imperial study, bowed his hands to the ground, and saluted: "Old minister, I have an audience with Your Majesty."
His Majesty Li Er smiled and said: "Song Guogong, there is no need to be polite, hurry up and take a seat, we are waiting for you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xiao Yu thanked the emperor and gave everyone in the study a little hug: "Everyone is polite."
After everyone returned the courtesy, he took his seat.
The private waiter served the fragrant tea, and Xiao Yu held the tea cup and looked around. The prince, Ma Zhou, Cen Wenwen, Changsun Wuji, Zhang Xingcheng... all the forces in the court were present.
The emperor is going to play a big game of chess!
Xiao Yu's face remained calm, but he was wondering in his heart what bad tricks the Fang family and his son had pointed out to the emperor to plot against all the famous families in the world...
Everyone sat down, His Majesty Li Er did not get straight to the point, but asked Ma Zhou: "This heavy snowfall has been rare for many years, and most of the roads in Guanzhong are blocked. Fortunately, very few people and livestock died of freezing. This is thanks to Ai Qing's hard work and love for the people. Push the fire kang, I will remember your success, but don't be complacent. Officials in Jingzhao Prefecture should also be directed to clear the roads as soon as possible, otherwise long delays will not only affect the livelihood of the people, but also delay the transportation of goods and crops. There is a shortage of supplies in Guanzhong, and merchants are urgently needed to dispatch rice, grain and other necessities from outside the Guanzhong, so this must not be done. Careless and slow.”
Ma Zhou quickly stood up and bowed to accept the order: "I know that I will go back to the government office later. I immediately mobilized capable officials to rush to the main roads everywhere to supervise the county offices to clear and dredge the snow in a timely manner."
"Well, we must strictly urge and don't slack off!"
His Majesty Li Er warned, then paused slightly, and then said in a deep voice: "At the same time, we need to pay attention, if anyone takes advantage of the people's suffering to make loan sharks, drink human blood, or even force girls to sell their sons and daughters into prostitution, Just give me severe punishment Place! Maybe in other places, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, and I can't see it, but in Jingzhao Mansion, in Guanzhong, under my nose, whoever dares to do such an unconscionable thing, I will make him regret being born in this world. ! ”
The rich voice buzzed and echoed in the imperial study room, shaking the hearts of everyone present...
Something's not right. Could it be that the emperor wants to scare the monkeys and give us a showdown first?
Ma Zhou respectfully said: "I obey the order!"
His Majesty Li Er nodded slowly and motioned Ma Zhou to sit down. He glanced around at everyone, then looked at the prince with a fair face and respectful face, and asked warmly: "I have been feeling unwell since the beginning of winter. Most of the government affairs are handled by the prince. Should I Knowing the difficulties of being a king, he is careful and trembling in everything, fearing that he will make mistakes if he does not handle it properly, which will lead to disaster. The empire's hard-won good situation has caused irreversible effects. How many people with lofty ideals and loyal ministers sacrificed their lives to bring about the current prosperity of the empire? No matter who dares to destroy this prosperous and stable situation, it belongs to the empire. An enemy, even if he is a king!”
That's right...
All the big bosses watched with eyes, nose and heart, saying nothing and motionless.
I really don’t dare to say anything, let alone do anything. I just watch these two men singing the double act...
Sure enough, as soon as His Majesty Li Er finished speaking, the prince hurriedly stood up, bowed his arms to the ground, and said loudly: "My son, I will always remember the teachings of my father, 'The people are water, and the king is the boat. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize a boat. The banner with the words "Zi" is hung on the bedside of my son, and he must recite it silently every morning and night, keeping it in mind and not daring or forgetting it for a while. "
His Majesty Li Er showed his face and said: "Very good! My son's heart is kind, gentle and peaceful, and he will be able to continue the prosperity of the empire. I am very pleased! How about, are you encountering any difficulties in handling state affairs? You might as well talk about it here, everyone here They are all mature pillars of the country. Let’s take a closer look at them.”
The big guys were shocked, it’s coming, it’s coming...
His Royal Highness the Prince frowned for a moment, thought for a moment, and then said: "Previously, the government affairs were always decided by my father, Emperor Qiangang, with the help of virtuous people such as the Prime Minister, uncle, Song Guogong, Shen Guogong, etc. It can be said that the affairs are handled in an orderly and proper manner. My son and ministers are nothing like this now." It's just following the pictures and following the script. Fortunately, it's still It was considered rigorous and no mistakes were made. However, since the emperor asked what the problem was, the son thought about it and felt that the infrastructure in various states and counties in the empire was too crude and could not keep up with the empire's booming situation. Keeping up with the times complements each other, but becomes a drag..."
His Majesty Li Er said: "Oh? You might as well explain it carefully and listen."
The prince said: "For example, the schools in various counties... The imperial examination was established in the previous dynasty, which became the level for scholars all over the world to advance to the country. Talented scholars were selected for the use of the country. In this dynasty, my father has vigorously promoted the imperial examination system. Every year Opening a new subject and getting a scholar is a time of excitement for students all over the world. . However, I have seen that most of the school buildings in Chang'an, Wannian, and Lantian are dilapidated and dilapidated, with thatched roofs and cracked walls. How can students study hard in these school buildings and how can they serve the king? The land in Guanzhong is still like this, and the more remote places Even the school buildings have been demolished, and the houses have been turned into warehouses and warehouses, which is really a disgrace... My father often taught his sons that if you want to strengthen the country, you must strengthen the army, if you want to make the country rich, you must strengthen discipline, and if you want to create a foundation that will last forever, you must revitalize education. ...But there is so much to learn The son lived in a shabby house and studied hard, and even had three meals a day to live in poverty, while those rich men and wealthy businessmen were living in luxury and extravagance. How unfair is it? In the long run, I am afraid that the foundation of the empire will collapse and the hegemony of a century will wither..."
The prince's Qiqing expression was solemn as he spoke about this long speech, and everyone nodded repeatedly. Although the prince is young and has a somewhat gentle temperament, his current performance shows that he already meets the basic requirements of a qualified politician telling lies. ……
What does it mean to have a school abandoned?
At the end of the Sui Dynasty, the world was in chaos. Thirty-six rebels against the king and seventy-two puffs of smoke. After you sing, I will appear on the stage and make the land of China ablaze. Bandits are everywhere. Even life may not be saved. Who has the heart to study? At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, His Majesty Li Er vigorously promoted the imperial examination after he ascended the throne. He also ordered county schools in various places to recruit students to teach at banquets. However, it was not easy to support the county schools in the ruins.
Of course, there is also the reason for the deliberate suppression by the family members...
But when the prince mentioned the matter of the school and the infrastructure, it was obviously not as simple as it seemed. Moreover, the word "infrastructure" is very new. I have never heard it before. After thinking about it carefully, I can see that it has some of Fang Jun's unconventional style...
A strong smell of conspiracy filled the imperial study room, and all the big bosses braced themselves, waiting for the emperor and his son to play their cards. (End of chapter)