Chapter 4023 Threats and Intimidation
At this time, heavy rain poured down, and the officials after the dynasty gathered outside Chengtian Gate to wait for their carriages to arrive. They all saw Fang Jun taking three steps at a time to catch up with Liu Ji's carriage, and then jumping on it as quickly as an ape. They were shocked. The horses pulling the carriage neighed and jerked left and right, causing the carriage to sway.
The officials stopped and watched, as if waiting to see if Liu Ji would be thrown from the carriage by Fang Jun...
No one thinks there is anything wrong with what Fang Jun did. It is very common for Fang Jun to have different ideas and camps in the officialdom. Sometimes they are clearly close friends, but they often have troubles because of their different political ideas. In private, their friendship is very strong, but in court, they are very close friends. But you and I live and die.
But for example, Liu Jie stood in the East Palace for a while, stood for the powerful families in Shandong and Jiangnan, regarded Cen Wenwen as a senior teacher, and then bowed his head and surrendered to him at His Majesty's signal... This was the case in various camps. It is very disgraceful to act sideways and just pursue interests regardless of one's position.
Besides, this is Fang Jun's style. When he is angry with His Majesty, he can't speak out or even resist. You, Liu Jie, have to jump on him and let him find a chance to vent. Who can complain?
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However, what is disappointing is that until the carriage drove far away, Liu Jie was not thrown out of the car...
……
On a rainy day, he was already feeling sticky and uncomfortable. Seeing Fang Jun kicking open the car door and getting in, Liu Ji suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. He wiped his greasy face and said with a forced smile: "Erlang... this is What?”
Fang Jun sat cross-legged in front of him with a sneer, stared at him, and asked slowly: "Liu Shizhong, we have not offended you, why should we seize the opportunity to kill ourselves?"
Liu Jieqiang calmed himself down and said with a smile: "As you said, Erlang and I have a deep friendship, how can we add insult to injury? But His Majesty sent someone to the house last night to give special instructions. How dare I disobey? We are all ministers of human beings, and we must not disobey. Your Majesty's wishes, please I hope Erlang will understand. Furthermore, although Erlang lost the General Youtunwei and the Minister of the Ministry of War, he also gained a Shangzhu State and the Minister of Rites. Of course, it is a loss, but it is not nothing. ”
Although he felt that he had done nothing wrong, he could not help but feel guilty when facing Fang Jun at this moment, especially if this guy was unreasonable, he would be in big trouble.
At least no one else would have rushed up to the carriage in full public view, beating the sap in the dark against the sky... This thought flashed in his mind, and he shivered again, feeling that he still rushed up like this. For the best, after all, everyone is watching, and Fang Jun doesn't dare to go too far. It would be too miserable if he puts a sack on himself and beats him in the dark.
Fang Jun looked around and reached out to open a hidden compartment on the wall of the carriage. Sure enough, he found a small wine bottle inside. He picked it up and shook it and found that there was wine. He took another cup and poured a glass of wine and took a sip.
Looking at Liu Jie, he said: "I am an impatient person with clear grudges. I think Liu Shizhong also understands this."
Liu Ji forced a smile: "Erlang is eager for public justice and straightforward. He is truly a role model in the court. I deeply admire him."
This statement is inevitably flattering, but it is not a complete lie. Everyone knows that Fang Er is a stick, and will not care if he embarrasses you when he gets angry. But everyone also knows that Fang Er is loyal and acts aboveboard and never disdains Playing tricks and tricks, as long as you can have a heart-to-heart relationship with him, you can trust him with your wife and children.
But you wouldn’t rush into your own carriage to show off your character, right?
Fang Jun took another sip from the wine glass and praised: "This wine is good..."
Then he said slowly: "So, I know that there are some things that you can't help yourself, so I won't argue with you. It's the duty of a minister. It's understandable. But there are some things that must not break the bottom line. Otherwise, not only will I not have anything to do with you, Liu Shizhong, you will also be remembered forever.”
Liu Ji's eyes widened and he looked confused.
How come I have been infamous for all eternity?
Fang Jun put down his wine glass and patted Liu Ji on the shoulder: "I don't blame you for what happened today. It's the duty of a minister. But please remember these four words, Liu Shizhong. When you are in a dilemma or indecisive in the future, never forget it." Don’t forget it. Otherwise, don’t blame me for telling you that today I was ruined by the general account of General Youtunwei and Minister of War!”
After saying that, he stopped the carriage, opened the door and walked out, jumping out of the carriage. His own soldiers followed him. Fang Jun, the waiter, got on his horse. His iron hooves rumbled on the road, splashing a pool of water, and he walked away.
Liu Ji was sitting in the car, touching his chin, thoughtfully.
There is only one thing that can make him infamous for eternity... And Fang Jun's words warned and threatened him to strictly adhere to the bottom line. What is the bottom line? Liu Ji couldn't understand it better.
In fact, as he just said, "It is the duty of a minister to serve", unless he had no choice, how could he be willing to add insult to injury?
Not to mention breaking through the bottom line and doing things that will be scolded by the world for generations.
But the problem is that he can't help himself now. If His Majesty forces him to choose a choice, how can he dare to refuse?
On one side is His Majesty's oppression and on the other side is eternal infamy. How to choose?
However, another thought suddenly popped into Liu Ji's mind - was Fang Jun boarding his carriage in full view of everyone just to threaten and intimidate him? These words can be said at any time in private, why choose this time?
Could this guy be doing this on purpose to make others mistakenly think that he has reached some kind of compromise with him?
It’s okay for others to think so. What if His Majesty thinks so too and even thinks that he will be won over by Fang Jun again...
Liu Jie had a splitting headache.
A weak stance is indeed a taboo in officialdom. Although one can have both sides, it is difficult for anyone to entrust such people with heavy responsibilities.
But is that because I like to jump horizontally repeatedly?
I was completely forced by His Majesty...
*****
In the Hall of Wude, after the court, His Majesty Li Er took a hot bath. After bathing, he changed his clothes. His lunch was a few exquisite side dishes and a bowl of white porridge. Sitting in front of the window with a pot of tea, sipping the tea, looking at the rain curtain, thinking about the affairs of the court.
Wang Shoushi bowed his body and entered quietly from the outside. He came to His Majesty's side, leaned over and muttered a few words.
"Fang Er jumped on Liu Jie's carriage?"
His Majesty Li Er just took a sip of tea, and Wen Yan asked in surprise.
Wang Shoushi nodded and said: "That's it. The court has just dispersed, and many ministers outside the palace gate have not yet left, and they all saw it clearly."
"Hey!"
His Majesty Li Er didn't know how to express his feelings, so he tsked his lips and said: "I really plan to be a playboy for the rest of my life..."
I think back then, Emperor Gaozu was very favored as a relative of the Sui Dynasty and a cousin of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. He, Li Er, also relied on the power of his father's generation to be domineering and dandy. Compared with Fang Jun now, he is no less generous and has made great achievements. Less trouble. However, as he got older and his official position was promoted, he began to yearn for achievements and his dandy behavior gradually decreased. When Jinyang raised troops, he had a cloud of fierce generals and a rain of advisers under his command, so he no longer had any dandy habits.
But Fang Jun is now in the Shangzhu Kingdom, with the highest imperial rank, and is the Minister of Rites representing the world's ethics. Instead of reining in his past stubborn habits, he has intensified and went his own way, making him, the emperor, somewhat unsure of how to deal with it.
Do you want to criticize someone for not making progress, or praise someone for not forgetting their original intention?
"What happened in the end? Did Liu Jie get beaten?"
Although Fang Jun, who cut off the wings of the East Palace this time, had wronged him and was willing to give him some compensation, Liu Jie was the governor of Zhongshu Province, one of the prime ministers, and represented the face of the empire. If Fang Jun had beaten him up, , that must be punished.
It's one thing that I'm willing to give you some tolerance and compensation. It's another thing if you rely on my guilt to be lawless...
Wang Shoushi shook his head, seeming a little regretful: "The Duke of Yue probably didn't take action, or maybe he did it in the carriage and Liu Shizhong didn't dare to say anything... In short, after the Duke of Yue got off the car, his expression was as usual and he walked away. Liu Shizhong never showed up. , return home directly.”
If it were in the past, he could have used spies placed everywhere to find out what happened to Liu Jie after he returned home. It would be clear whether he was beaten or injured. However, this time the "Hundred Knights" teamed up with the Sixth Leader of the East Palace and the Jingzhao Mansion to launch a thunderous attack on the dead soldiers and spies under his command. The power in the city was almost completely lost. Only those who followed him survived, resulting in a huge power reduce.
His Majesty Li Er put down his tea cup, stood up and stood in front of the window, stroking his beard. He squinted at the heavy rain in the courtyard, and his thoughts turned to the people affected by the disaster in Guanzhong.
He didn't care whether Liu Jie might be attracted by Fang Jun again to go to the East Palace. With the authority of the emperor and the majesty of the emperor, Yi Chu was bound to do it and no one could stop him. Why would he care about having one more Liu Jie? The reason why Liu Jie was brought over this time was just to use it as a knife, which was quite easy to use. To carry out the emperor's will honestly, he would be retained as a servant. If it didn't work, he would be replaced by someone else.
The powerful families from Jiangnan and Shandong are about to enter the court in large numbers. They need to give some heavyweight positions to appease them. The position of Minister is very suitable...
But the disaster cannot be ignored.
No matter who the prince changes, no matter who the ministers are, this world is his Li Er's world, and the people in the world are his Li Er's people. If he doesn't feel sorry for him, who will?
"Immediately send out manpower to investigate the disaster situation in Guanzhong. Previously, there were more than 100,000 flood victims in Guanzhong. Now it is coming again and again. Disaster relief is urgent. I must be aware of it. Also, go carefully check the Laoshizi's Royal Rescue Team ', find out how it works, how powerful it is, the source of money and food... and then report it quickly."
"Here."
Wang Shoushi bowed and retreated as ordered.
His Majesty Li Er glanced back at his back, turned back to the desk and sat down, sighing imperceptibly.
Although Wang Shoushi's strength was seriously damaged and the power in the city was almost uprooted, he could only delegate such tasks to him instead of the more powerful "Hundred Qisi".
On the contrary, the stronger the "Hundred Qisi" is, the more suspicious he becomes. Li Junxian and Zhang Shigui... must be dealt with easily. He doesn't want his hawks, dogs, minions and Su Wei Gongjin's confidants to all end up together. Standing on the other side of the East Palace, I unknowingly gave myself a "Xuanwu Gate Change"... (End of Chapter)