Chapter 4039: Puzzled
His Majesty Li Er asked who recommended the new Navy Commander. All the ministers shook their heads. Even if there was no suitable candidate, they did not dare to rashly reach out to Fang Jun's troops, otherwise they would be blocked by Fang Jun after the court. At the entrance of the palace...
Seeing no response from everyone, His Majesty Li Er looked at Fang Jun and said slowly: "You created the Navy with your own hands. You know everything from top to bottom. I believe no one can understand what kind of talents the Navy needs better than you. Tell me. Let’s see.”
Fang Jun thought for a while and said: "Liu Rengui, deputy general of the Navy, can succeed as the commander-in-chief of the Navy."
Liu Rengui was stationed in Da Nang all year round. His troops threatened Annan and acted in an extremely domineering manner. He treated the kings of the Southeast Asian countries as nothing. He severely attacked the merchants of the Tang Dynasty for the slightest infringement and destroyed the country at every turn, making the entire Nanyang dormant in the Great Tang Dynasty. Under Tang Tianwei, who has never heard of this person if his family has maritime trade business with Nanyang?
His Majesty Li Er obviously knew Liu Rengui very well. After thinking about it for a while, he nodded and said: "Yes."
Then he said to Zhang Shigui: "After returning, I ordered the clerk of the Ministry of War to issue a transfer order to transfer Su Dingfang to Beijing as the general of Zuotunwei. At the same time, he promoted Liu Rengui to the commander of the navy to control the royal navy. As for who will be stationed in Da Nang after Liu Rengui is transferred. To maintain the empire's interests in Nanyang, it is up to the Navy to discuss it internally and report it to the Ministry of War for review. ”
Zhang Shigui was stunned and said hurriedly: "Here."
Originally, he was not of high rank and should not participate in this court meeting, but he was called by His Majesty to be "Counselor of Military Affairs", so he was qualified to attend. Hearing His Majesty's order at this moment, he couldn't help but be stunned...
The officials in the palace were also a little confused.
If His Majesty supported the Zuo Tun Guards against the Right Tun Guards, why did he drop Su Dingfang into the capital to preside over the reorganization of the Zuo Tun Guards? If this was to weaken Fang Jun's control over the Royal Navy, then why was Liu Rengui appointed as the new Navy Commander?
Although Liu Rengui is now famous and has traveled across the seven seas, he was once Fang Jun's personal soldier and could almost be regarded as a domestic slave... Doesn't it further enhance Fang Jun's prestige among the navy?
During today's court meeting, the ministers looked confused from beginning to end, completely unsure of His Majesty Li Er's intentions...
His Majesty Li Er looked around and asked: "Do you have any other matters?"
Seeing the ministers shaking their heads, he said: "Since there is nothing to do, let's retreat from the court. After returning, we will pay attention to the disaster relief matters of Jingzhao Mansion. If necessary, we will do our best to assist. Guanzhong is the foundation of the empire. Not only can it not be chaotic, It is even more impossible for the people to live in dire straits and live in ruins, otherwise the country will be shaken and the harm will be serious. ”
"Here!"
All the ministers agreed in unison, then stood up, saluted, and exited the hall one after another.
When the ministers all walked out, His Majesty Li Er sat behind the imperial desk, looking at the empty hall and the shiny floor tiles. Suddenly, a feeling of loneliness and sadness came to his heart... Among the civil and military ministers, even today he can't even There is no one who I completely trust to stay and discuss things...
Once upon a time, he boasted that he was the most enlightened monarch in history. The ministers who followed him through life and death were loyal to him. He also promised more than once that he would "share wealth and honor" with everyone and would never do anything like "eliminate all birds". Things like "Gong Zang, rabbit dead and dog cooked" and so on, treat the honorable ministers with sincerity and extreme kindness, even for those who are rebellious like Hou Junji and Changsun Wuji, it is just a death penalty, written off in one stroke, not a disaster. Extend relatives, sins and descendants.
Has there ever been such a kind and kind king throughout the ages?
However, now, the ministers are alienated from him one by one. They all have their own little calculations, and they are even willing to support the prince against his wishes...
After a long while, His Majesty Li Er woke up from the loss and anger. He exhaled a breath and said to Wang De beside him: "Go and call the Duke of E. I have something to tell you."
"Here."
Wang De accepted the order and hurried out of the palace in person and rushed to the Duke's Mansion to summon Yuchi Gong.
……
His Majesty Li Er returned to the back hall, took off his dragon robe and crown, took a bath and put on regular clothes. He sat on the mat in front of the study window and made a pot of tea. After just a few sips, the chamberlain informed Wei Chi Gong that he had arrived. His Majesty Li Er waved his hand to summon him.
Yuchi Gong was dressed in regular clothes. After entering, he knelt down on one knee and performed military salute: "I am here to see you, what are your orders?"
His Majesty Li Er looked as usual and said warmly: "It's nothing important. I just haven't seen you for a while and I want to talk to you. It's just you and me here. Don't be formal. Come and have tea."
"Here."
Yuchi Gong stood up and carefully knelt down opposite His Majesty Li Er. When he saw His Majesty Li Er reaching for the teapot, he was so frightened that he quickly snatched it away: "Your Majesty, you can't do it. Let me come..." Holding the pot and pouring the tea, Yuchi Gong stood up and sat down carefully. Uneasy.
Although His Majesty did not look like he wanted to hold him accountable for his previous disobedience of military orders and defense of the Guanlong clan, after all, he made the mistake first, so he was unavoidably trembling with fear.
His Majesty Li Er seemed to be unable to see his reserve and panic. He took a sip of tea and did not mention those things at all, but asked: "I, can I trust you as always?"
However, this sentence was more lethal than asking for guilt. Yuchi Gong was so frightened that he stood up from the table and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, why did you say this? Although I am sometimes confused, my loyalty to Your Majesty remains the same, even if the mountain collapses. The ground is cracking, but I don’t dare to waver at all!”
"Hey, it doesn't have to be like this."
His Majesty Li Er put a hand on Yu Chigong's shoulder, gave him a slight support, and said with a smile: "Among the honorable ministers of Zhenguan, the ones I trust the most are Shu Bao and you. It's a pity that Shu Bao is burdened with old wounds, and the year is not going to change. Now you are the only loyal person left. I just feel sorry for you. Please get up quickly.”
"Here."
Yuchi Gong stood up and sat down, feeling a chill on his back, and his middle coat was soaked with cold sweat...
His Majesty Li Er took another sip of tea and said directly: "I would like to transfer the six leaders of the East Palace to outside the city. You will be in charge of the 'Yuancong Forbidden Army' and the 'Xuanjia Iron Cavalry'. At the same time, you will station the Youhou Guards outside Chunming Gate. Do you have the confidence to take over the defense of Chang’an?”
Yuchi Gong was happy at first, and then surprised: "Your Majesty is magnanimous and does not pursue the faults of minor ministers, but minor ministers know that they are at fault, how can they be so shameless? They dare not accept such an important responsibility."
If something is abnormal, it is a monster.
He obeyed the orders of the Guanlong clan, first disobeyed Li Ji's military orders, and then escaped from the battle, almost causing a melee outside the Chunming Gate. If it were a tyrant like Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, it would be possible for him to be beheaded. Even though His Majesty is lenient, he will be lenient. It's best to be humble, but now it's too strange to be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility.
Moreover, taking over the defense of Chang'an means that he will be the pioneer in His Majesty's easy storage. Facing the East Palace, he may be regarded as His Majesty's hawk and dog, and he will also bear the infamy of deposing the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince has any shortcomings, he will be infamy for thousands of years... …
His Majesty Li Er was a little annoyed. He put down the tea cup and said displeasedly: "You are also an honorable minister of Zhenguan. Back then, you followed me across the world and annihilated all the princes in the world. How come you have lost your ambition now that you are a little older and are timid in doing things? Su Wei?" I don’t feel comfortable leaving important tasks such as palace confinement and the defense of Chang’an to others, so I’ll let you take over. Don’t push back and make me angry.”
Not everyone can gain the emperor's trust.
Therefore, although Yuchi Gong was a little worried, his majesty's heartfelt words made him very excited, and he had to express his position quickly: "Since your majesty has forgiven you and your trust remains, how can I dare to shirk anymore? Please rest assured, your majesty, I will definitely protect Chang'an City." Be as solid as a rock to repay Your Majesty’s trust!”
His Majesty is willing to accept soft things rather than hard ones, showing his extreme trust in himself at this moment. If he still refuses, I am afraid that His Majesty will be so angry that he will not be able to eat and walk around...
His Majesty Li Er nodded happily: "That's exactly what it is! Back then, I met you and other meritorious deeds to 'share wealth and honor'. Over the years, I feel that I have done a pretty good job. Even if someone is occasionally greedy and illegal, I will not investigate it deeply, even if it is such a wolf-hearted person." People disobey me , and it has never harmed your descendants, which the ancient sage kings could not do. You should also remember the friendship of the past, and do your best to assist me, so that the Tang Dynasty will last for eternity. You can be rich and noble from generation to generation. The country rests together.”
Did he mind that Yuchi Gong followed Guanlong's orders? That must be of concern. Under the imperial power, in the Jiuzhou, a general in charge of the army obeys the orders of a powerful family. Where do you put the emperor? Which emperor would dare to keep such a general by his side?
But His Majesty Li Er has his own way of controlling people. Now that Guanlong is weak and completely collapsed, as the saying goes, good birds choose trees to roost. How can Yuchi Gong get together as before? As long as he expresses his innocence and entrusts him with important responsibilities, Yuchi Gong will naturally know how to make a decision.
The East Palace is about to be deposed, and the powerful families in Shandong and Jiangnan have not yet gained a firm foothold. Under such a situation, Yuchi Gong naturally serves his duties loyally and does not dare to have the slightest hint of disobedience...
Yuchi Gong had a relatively straightforward temperament. Hearing His Majesty's heartfelt words, he became even more excited and his blood surged. He immediately swore: "I will obey your Majesty's orders, but if I have a different intention, I will be punished by heaven and earth, and my descendants will be cut off!"
Because he escaped outside the Chunming Gate, he offended Li Ji and was not welcomed by the East Palace, Cheng Yaojin and others. He had suffered enough in the past few days and was about to lose his power. His Majesty has already stated that he will not care about the past grudges and will return the favor. What's there to hesitate about?
In both public and private matters, one should obey the emperor's orders.
*****
When Fang Jun returned to Liang Guogong's Mansion in Chongrenfang, the steward Lu Cheng came to report that the main buildings in the mansion had been repaired and he could return to the mansion to live on another day.
Fang Jun sat in the flower room, took a sip of tea, casually took the almanac handed over by Lu Cheng and flipped through it. He saw that two days later it would be an auspicious day, which would be suitable for "marriage", "move-in" and other matters. Then he said: "I will stay in the mansion today. Send someone to the Youtunwei camp to inform the princess. Let them pack their bags tomorrow and move back to the mansion in two days."
"Here."
Lu Cheng went out and arranged for someone to go to Xuanwu Gate to inform.
Fang Jun sat alone in the flower room, surrounded by fresh flowers and trees. He took a sip of tea, closed his eyes, and thought about the current situation.
After leaning a little, Lu Cheng turned back and went in: "Erlang, the King of Jin wants to see you." (End of this chapter)