Chapter 2937: First-class character
"Yo!"
Fang Jun pretended to be surprised and said: "When did His Highness the King of Jin understand the righteousness so well? It is really impressive."
Li Zhi put down the tea cup and said angrily: "Why are you so weird? When I mention this, I just want to remind Duke Yue to be careful when walking at night to avoid being knocked by someone with a sack on his head. Sap, making people laugh. ”
Putting a sack on someone and knocking on a sap are all trivial matters. Only grandson Wuji would not do such nonsense. If he didn't take action, he would be killed.
In the past, Changsun Wuji certainly wanted to kill Fang Jun, but there were too many constraints. After careful consideration, he naturally restrained himself, and his actions were measured and he did not dare to cause too much trouble. Now, an old face has been slapped by Fang Jun, and his lifelong reputation is about to become a laughing stock. Maybe he will ignore it in anger.
Fang Jun looked at Li Zhi and said in confusion: "Supposedly, His Highness should wish that the minister would fall to death while walking or drown in the bath, so why did he kindly remind him?"
Li Zhi rolled his eyes and said: "Is this king as narrow-minded as you say? The competition for the reserve is a battle between gentlemen. Just as Duke Yue said before, everything must be bound by a bottom line. Once the bottom line is exceeded, not only will If you cause turmoil in the court, you will regret it even more. Besides, you are my brother-in-law. Even if I am unhappy with you, I will never see Sister Gao Yang become a widow, right?"
Having said this, my heart suddenly moved, thinking that if this guy was really killed by Changsun Wuji, it might be a good thing. At least his concubines might not be widowed for him. With some tricks, he might be able to bring Wu Meiniang into his house. middle.
It's a pity that Mrs. Wu gave birth to an heir for this guy, which is a bit ugly...
How did Fang Jun know that the brother-in-law in front of him was still thinking about his beautiful concubine? He nodded happily and said: "Your Highness is able to understand the righteousness deeply, which is really a blessing to the empire."
Li Zhi knew that Fang Jun didn't like him very much, and was even wary of him, so he ignored his teasing and sarcasm, stretched out on the chair, opened his mouth to speak, but saw Cui Dunli walking in from outside. Then he closed his mouth.
Cui Dunli entered the duty room, first saluted the two of them, then placed a document in front of Fang Jun and said: "There is news from Liaodong. After the delayed arrival of the ordnance years ago, because of the rush to send it to the various armies, The Youzhou Governor's Office had to send soldiers on the road in the snow, so the losses were considerable. A total of 370 people suffered from frostbite, including 16 who died. The list is hereby reported and requested for compensation. "
It stands to reason that although Fang Jun was the Minister of the Ministry of War, Li Zhi wore the title of "Inspector of the Ministry of War" and was regarded as the "supervisor of the army" sent by the emperor to the Ministry of War, with more authority than Fang Jun. But after Cui Dunli came in, he didn't care about Li Zhi at all. He just asked Fang Jun for instructions and regarded Li Zhi as nothing.
Although Li Zhi is young, he still has a certain amount of courage. At least there is no displeasure on his face...
Cui Dunli didn't care whether he was pleased or displeased. Although he came from a well-established family and knew how to be flattering and tactful in officialdom, he was a practical man. He was sure that following Fang Jun and the prince would allow him to showcase his talents and even have the chance to become a famous figure in history, so he was determined to go all the way and never considered switching to the King of Jin's camp.
In fact, this is also the attitude of many Shandong aristocratic families today.
Since Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty reformed the Sinicization of family names and surnames, Shandong aristocratic families have become unique with their strong cultural heritage, influencing the historical process for hundreds of years. However, they never really had access to the supreme power in the world, and even split into two after the "Yiguan Nandu". One part went south to open up the south of the Yangtze River, and the other part stayed in the north to survive.
It wasn't until the Great Sui Dynasty that the Shandong aristocratic family rose to prominence under the oppression of the Hu people. However, they made another key mistake. They pursued political speculation against Qin, Mu and Chu, and acted duplicitously. As a result, they were not only severely suppressed by the Guanlong nobles, Even the Jiangnan gentry, which was based on the Shandong aristocratic families who crossed south, were catching up at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and their status was once very embarrassing.
From the Sui and Tang dynasties to the present, the Shandong aristocratic family possesses the foundation of Wenzong in the world, but they have never been able to enter the political center and obtain corresponding power and interests.
Now I have learned from the painful experience and decided to concentrate all my strength to firmly support the prince and never do such speculative things again.
Fang Jun picked up the document and looked at it carefully. After a long time, he raised his head, put down the document, and frowned in thought.
The promotion and selection of military generals and the audit of soldiers' military merits are all the responsibilities of the Ministry of War. As the Minister of the Ministry of War, soldiers who freeze to death or suffer from frostbite while transporting ordnance on the front line should receive generous compensation. This can demonstrate the principle of fairness and justice, so that the soldiers will not be injured. Worrying about the future can also boost morale, so that every soldier can see that any sacrifice they make will be seen by the court and will not be ignored.
However, there is also a trouble in this, and that is the "degree" of this pension. What is considered appropriate?
Naturally, the Ministry of War has regulations regarding this kind of pension. Under normal circumstances, it only needs to be implemented in accordance with the regulations, and no one can express dissatisfaction. But the problem is that the Eastern Expedition is about to begin. In Fang Jun’s opinion, regardless of victory or defeat, the Eastern Expedition will probably end within a year. If he wins by then, will His Majesty Li Er generously reward those who have made meritorious deeds?
If compensation is provided in accordance with the regulations at this time, and after the victory of the Eastern Expedition, His Majesty Li Er will reward them lavishly, this group of frozen soldiers will be dissatisfied. They all served for the Eastern Expedition, so why should they be treated differently?
If the pension was increased but the Eastern Expedition ended in failure, there would naturally be no reward. This would make the pension for this group of soldiers too conspicuous, and the Ministry of War would inevitably be criticized.
As for providing pensions in accordance with regulations first and then increasing them as appropriate after the Eastern Expedition, it is even more unfeasible. In that case, the regulations of the Ministry of War will be described as false, leading to a great loss of prestige.
It is even more impossible to delay the pension until after the Eastern Expedition...
Li Zhi watched from the side, and when he saw Fang Jun's hesitant expression, he misunderstood. He snorted and said, "What's the trouble? I am responsible for transporting this batch of ordnance. If the time is delayed, the responsibility lies with me." On the body. The Duke of Yue can report this matter to the Political Affairs Hall. If there is any punishment, I will bear the responsibility and I will never shirk the responsibility and make you bear this crime."
Fang Jun was stunned for a moment, knowing that Li Zhi had misunderstood, and explained: "Your Highness has misunderstood. No matter how unbearable the humble minister is, how can he not take this responsibility? It's just that this time is more sensitive, and for the pension of these soldiers who died of frostbite, , somewhat difficult to grasp.”
He just gave a brief explanation, and Cui Dunli on the side explained the rationale to Li Zhi in a low voice.
Li Zhi breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.
He said he was not afraid of responsibility, but at the moment when he was competing for the throne, he failed to show any merit and instead received a punishment first, which dealt a serious blow to his reputation. I just feel that if Fang Jun has to leave this crime to him, he can't shirk it, so why not just be a bachelor and take it over...
Hearing that Fang Jun had no such intention, and seemed to be willing to shoulder the responsibility for the delay in ordnance, he felt a little moved. After thinking about it, he said: "What's so difficult about this? At most, in the name of my king, I will These soldiers were comforted Shi, the money will be provided by the king, and the official rank will be given at the discretion of the Ministry of War. Even if there is some discrepancy with the rewards after the Eastern Expedition, it is not the fault of the imperial court, let alone you, Duke Yue. "
It's very interesting that Fang Jun didn't add insult to injury. I paid a little money to solve Fang Jun's trouble, which can be regarded as a slight reward.
Fang Jun smiled bitterly and said: "How can this be done?"
Li Zhidao: "It's just some money. Don't worry about external things."
Fang Jun was speechless.
Although this boy will be a scheming emperor in the future, he is still too young now...
Cui Dunli also smiled bitterly and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, you must not do it. You are a prince, of the blood of the emperor, a nobleman of heaven. What is your intention in showing kindness to me privately?"
Since ancient times, the status of a prince has been the most noble, but it also has many taboos. It is always necessary to clearly distinguish between what should be done and what should not be done. The slightest violation will lead to trouble.
As a prince, and a prince competing for the heir apparent, it is a big taboo to use his own money to compensate some soldiers!
Once he is targeted by the imperial censor and a memorial is submitted to the political hall for impeachment, even if His Majesty Li Er favors Li Zhi, he will be troubled and in a dilemma.
Li Zhi was stunned and suddenly broke into a cold sweat.
How could I be so negligent and almost make such a big mistake? If this matter is known to the Yushi Yanguan, it will be a huge handle in his hands. A piece of paper at any time and anywhere can make him embarrassed and his prestige plummeted.
It is said that Fang Jun is a stick, but he does have a bottom line and a first-class character. Otherwise, if he follows him quietly, this matter may affect the final ownership of the reserve... (End of Chapter)