Chapter 2691 Xiang Zhuang Sword Dance
Tai Chi Palace, Dragon Palace.
The autumn sun is warm outside the window, but the howling autumn wind blows by, and the withered yellow leaves fly down from the branches, whirling to the ground, and laying a thick layer in the yard.
Three or five little eunuchs rolled up their sleeves and took brooms to sweep the fallen leaves to the corners of the wall, exposing the green bricks on the floor that were buried by the fallen leaves. Birds flew by from time to time, and the autumn mood was already strong.
The room was filled with sandalwood and the fragrance of tea. His Majesty Li Er, dressed in regular clothes, knelt down behind the table. He took a sip of tea, put the cup on the table, and asked Ma Zhou, who was kneeling at the bottom: "The autumn harvest has already begun. Are some days generally smooth? ”
Ma Zhou sat upright and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, on the whole it's in good condition. As early as half a month ago, officials and messengers in Jingzhao Mansion were assigned to various counties and cities under their jurisdiction. , all set up an army The order is used to supervise county officials and detect illegal activities, and the effect is good. The weather has been fine recently, which has made the grain harvest very abundant. It is expected that this year's output will increase by 10 to 20% compared to last year."
His Majesty Li Er nodded, looked away from Ma Zhou, and scanned the faces of Li Ji, Changsun Wuji, Xiao Yu, Liu Jie and others in front of him one by one, and said in a deep voice: "The people have worked hard for a year, and they have already been exhausted." Exhausted, looking at the autumn grain being put into the warehouse, this year has been a good harvest. The hard work has not been in vain. Naturally, the people's hearts are stable and the grain has been harvested. If anyone dares to exploit tenants or fish farmers at this time, I will investigate and deal with him in accordance with the law, regardless of whether he is a nobleman or a relative of the emperor. In the name of cruelty, he must be punished with death!”
Several prime ministers and ministers trembled in their hearts and hurriedly lowered their heads and said: "I will wait for you to receive the order!"
They are all old men who have followed His Majesty Li Er for many years. They are familiar with His Majesty Li Er's temper. They know when His Majesty will be lenient and when he will be ruthless. They will never challenge His Majesty Li Er's bottom line.
Autumn harvest, like spring planting, is a top priority for the country. However, every autumn harvest is also the time when people pay rent and taxes. It is inevitable that there will be some unkind people who want to get rich and enter the fish and meat village. It is even more inevitable that there will be evil-hearted officials. Expropriating and exploiting the people.
If the dynasty was in trouble, then the aristocratic family members and court officials would need to help the emperor maintain his rule. Even if he bullied the people, he would have to turn a blind eye. But now that the world is prosperous and the country is splendid, the people's support is the most important to the emperor. Who is it? At this time, His Majesty Li Er is allowed to bear the reputation of being "foolish and violent". His Majesty Li Er will definitely let those black-hearted guys know what the real "violence" is!
His Majesty Li Er looked around and saw the expressions on everyone's faces. He knew that his coercion had an effect. These ministers would never dare to violate the rules or be negligent, and he was satisfied.
The way of the king is the art of balance. Blind pressure will make the ministers feel conflicted. The king's way is to use kindness and power at the same time.
Therefore, His Majesty Li Er's face softened, he invited everyone to drink tea, and said with a smile: "Don't blame me for being too harsh, it is true that all the past events are vividly visible. The Tang Dynasty was established from chaos and rose from the ruins. How can I and you all put in so much effort to achieve today's prosperous scene? Because of negligence and slackness, we allowed years of hard work to go to waste, repeating the tragic situation of the turbulent times of the late Sui Dynasty. It is easy to build a country, but it is too difficult to maintain it. We, as monarchs and ministers, should not forget our original aspirations and build a prosperous Tang Dynasty again. The style of Yao and Shun will be remembered in history for thousands of years. ”
The ministers quickly stood up from the table, bowed their hands to the ground, and said loudly: "I should do my best and work hard to help His Majesty achieve his great cause!"
"Hahaha!"
His Majesty Li Er waved his hand, and Long Yan was delighted: "I encourage you all! Sit, sit, sit, sit down!"
Everyone sat down again. His Majesty Li Er stroked his beard and looked at Li Ji and said: "The King of Jin has been studying politics in Shangshu Province these days. How is his performance? If there is any slack, you don't have to be shy about making achievements. Just give him strict instructions." , I don’t think he dares to feel resentful.”
Li Ji hurriedly said: "His Royal Highness the King of Jin is smart and diligent, dedicated to learning and quick to practice. Although he has little experience in handling government affairs, he is conscientious and conscientious. In time, he will become a pillar of the country."
Everyone is carrying the sedan chair. Since His Majesty Li Er has placed high hopes on the King of Jin and has placed him in the Shangshu Province regardless of the opposition of many people, Li Ji can only say good things regardless of whether he is "devoted in learning and quick in practice". .
In fact, King Li Zhi of Jin is indeed good...
His Majesty Li Er stroked his beard, looking very pleased, and looked at Changsun Wuji and said: "Thanks to Zhao Guogong for his efforts to help the young slaves, every time the young slaves have a little understanding of government affairs, they will ask Zhao Guogong for help. Very relieved.”
Changsun Wuji hurriedly said: "The old minister and the King of Jin are nephews and uncles, and they are connected by blood. Naturally, we must do our best, otherwise how can we be worthy of your majesty's trust?"
Li Ji, Xiao Yu and others lowered their eyelids and turned a deaf ear.
Ma Zhou and Liu Ji also kept their mouths shut and remained silent.
His Majesty Li Er took a look at the faces of everyone and knew what was going on. He did not interrupt Changsun Wuji to express his loyalty.
Changsun Wuji heard the elegant meaning of Xiange, so he changed the topic and said: "It's just that in the opinion of the veteran, although His Royal Highness the King of Jin is very talented, he is not suitable to stay in the Ministry of Education for a long time."
Li Ji and others immediately raised their eyebrows, raised their eyelids, and looked at Changsun Wuji in surprise.
Putting Li Zhi in the Shangshu Province was His Majesty Li Er's intention. It was intended to help Li Zhi gain political achievements better and faster, and to train him to form his own faction to fight against the prince's East Palace forces. Although in the eyes of outsiders, no matter how well Li Zhi did, it was Because the emperor has single-handedly supported him, he may not be very good himself, but in the face of solid political achievements, he can refute many people's doubts.
But it sounds like Changsun Wuji’s tone actually disapproves of Li Zhi staying in Shangshu Province...
He is the staunchest supporter of King Jin. Does he actually want King Jin to leave Shangshu Province?
Some are incomprehensible...
His Majesty Li Er, however, had a good time, nodded slowly, and said, "Oh? If Duke Zhao has any opinions, you might as well tell him."
Changsun Wuji said: "The old minister is bold and thinks that your majesty loves his son very much and wants to let the king of Jin familiarize himself with government affairs and train him in Shangshu Province so that he can be qualified for big posts in the future. In fact, he is unfair to the king of Jin."
His Majesty Li Er said: "What do you mean by this?"
Li Ji and others were also a little confused. Is there anything more comfortable than being placed under the emperor's nose and being supported by the emperor with one hand? This eldest son Wuji actually dislikes the king of Jin living with the prince...
Changsun Wuji obviously had a plan in mind, and said directly: "Our family's training for the next head of the family is not to make him prosperous and prosperous, but to entrust him with important responsibilities when he is young and put him in a certain position. In a relatively harsh environment, only in this way can one's mind and spirit be strengthened, and not only can one practice how to deal with difficulties, but also be able to Only by honing the character of perseverance and overcoming difficulties can you succeed as the head of the family. Your Majesty is very affectionate and puts King Jin in Shangshu Province, but there is no opportunity to sharpen King Jin's character. Throughout the ages, great things have happened. All of them have the quality of perseverance, and there is absolutely no possibility of success in the flowers sheltered in the greenhouse. ”
Li Ji and Xiao Yu looked at each other and saw each other's doubts and confusion.
From what Changsun Wuji heard, he wanted to transfer the King of Jin from the Shangshu Province to serve in another government office. Is it a wise move to leave the protection of His Majesty Li Er and take a difficult road?
His Majesty Li Er looked at Li Ji and asked with a smile: "Do you agree with Duke Zhao's words?"
Li Jili hesitated for a moment, unsure of Changsun Wuji's intention. How could he dare to speak nonsense? Knowing too much about this Yin person's temperament, he would fall into the trap and suffer a loss if he was not careful, so he had to say: "Mencius said: Born in sorrow, died in peace and happiness. I agree with the words of Duke Zhao."
He did not say what he thought about the King of Jin, but only expressed his approval of Changsun Wuji, who said that people cannot be effective without tempering...
His Majesty Li Er did not comment, looked at Changsun Wuji again, and asked: "Then according to Zhao Guogong's wishes, what should be done?"
Changsun Wuji said: "The old minister believes that the right way is to transfer His Highness the King of Jin from the Shangshu Province and arrange for him to be trained in other yamen. The King of Jin is under the wings of His Majesty in the Shangshu Province. Even if he has achieved something, it is hard to say Excellent, but only if he can achieve results in other yamen can he show his talent."
Li Ji remained silent.
Not only him, but everyone present could see clearly that His Majesty Li Er and Chang Sun Wuji were in harmony. Even if they did not collude in advance, they must have a tacit understanding of each other based on a certain interest.
After all, they are old comrades who fought side by side in the past. Although they have drifted apart in recent years and even become tit-for-tat, once the prejudices are put aside, this tacit understanding still exists. However, everyone still can't figure it out. Where else can there be a place where it is easier to get results than Shangshu Province?
If the previous episode was just Xiang Zhuang's sword dance, then what was its meaning?
(End of chapter)