Chapter 4134: No desire or desire?
Heavy rain poured down, and the entire Tai Chi Palace was rolling and noisy like a pot of boiling water. Even though the guards and soldiers of the Baiqi Division were yelling and suppressing, it was of no avail. Outside the palace gate, the Sixth Commander of the East Palace and the Youhou Guards were fighting fiercely. The sound of drums and horns had already penetrated the wind and rain and entered the palace. The battle to seize the heir had already broken out. One's own life and death were as insignificant as ants. They were easily wiped out and no bones were left. Who could Indifferent?
The change of imperial power is often accompanied by bloody massacres. It seems that those who have been born in the palace know too many royal secrets and often become the first targets to be eliminated...
In the Liangyi Hall, the officials suppressed the fear and fear caused by the war in their hearts. Li Yuanjia, the minister of Zongzheng, and Li Huaiyan, the minister of rites, confirmed the etiquette regulations for the "big burial" to ensure that there could be no mistakes in every step and process. , but also to discuss the process after the prince read out the sacrificial rites in public and accepted the worship of hundreds of officials.
Such an important matter should have been discussed by Zong Zhengqing and the Minister of the Ministry of Rites together. However, after Fang Jun was dismissed as the Minister of the Ministry of War and Guo seized the power of the Youtun Guards, he insisted on appointing the Minister of Rites. He never went to the Rites Yamen to take up the post. Later, he reluctantly accepted it. He has never participated in the affairs of the Ministry of Rites. All ministry affairs are presided over by Li Huaiyan, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites...
Being able to handle ministry affairs as Zuo Shilang is almost equivalent to being recognized as the candidate for the next minister. Li Huaiyan is naturally secretly happy, so he always works seriously and has a lot of respect for Fang Jun, an empty minister, even if Fang Jun does not interfere with the ministry. Wu Dan also came to ask for advice every time, and he was very respectful.
But today, as one of the hosts of the "big funeral", Li Huaiyan felt like he was sitting on pins and needles and was sweating profusely when he was showing off his status.
He presided over the "big funeral" and assisted the prince in reading out the memorial. If the king of Jin finally entered the palace and won the throne, would he be regarded as a member of the prince's gang and be cut off?
The conscience of heaven and earth, their lineage comes from the Li family of Longxi, and they have the same ancestry as the Li and Tang royal families, but they will never participate in the internal affairs of the royal family. Whether the prince or the king of Jin, it is the same to him no matter who becomes the emperor, and he will never take sides. The truth...
Wiping away his sweat, Li Huaiyan put on a look of sincerity and said to Li Yuanjia in a low voice: "Xiaguan is only the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the second assistant of the Minister of Rites. How can he be qualified to preside over the 'big funeral'? Why don't we send the Duke of Yue to the funeral?" Please come and take charge of the overall situation with Your Highness, this is safe.”
The opportunities that we looked forward to in the past are now very likely to become a rope that chases our lives. We should retreat and push our heads hard...
Li Yuanjia was rummaging through the classics related to the "Great Burial", reading them word for word, holding a pen in his other hand to excerpt the important points one by one to avoid omissions. Hearing this, he stopped writing and raised his head, glanced at Li Huaiyan, and said calmly: "Why? Officials eat the emperor's salary, As a matter of loyalty to the emperor, the more difficult the situation becomes, the more important it is to stand up. If you are afraid of yourself and shy away from the difficult situation, why not just resign and return to your hometown, where you can play with your grandson under the forest and spring, and end up in a relaxed place? Comfortable?”
Li Huaiyan's face turned red and he quickly complimented him.
Although His Royal Highness the King of Han's prestige within the clan is not as good as that of the Prince of Hejian and Jiangxia, in terms of blood, he is indeed the biological son of Emperor Gaozu. Regardless of whether the Crown Prince or the King of Jin finally ascends the throne, he must be revered as "Uncle". Moreover, Although Fang Jun may be disgraced along with the prince, Fang Xuanling has always stayed in Jiangnan and stayed out of the matter. As long as Fang Xuanling survives, who dares to touch his beloved son-in-law?
In comparison, I, a descendant of the Li family in Longxi, are nothing...
Li Yuanjia was dealing with Li Huaiyan, holding the scroll in his hand, but looking at the side hall from time to time. Ma Zhou had just come to visit Li Ji, and the two were having a secret conversation here. Everyone could guess Ma Zhou's intention of coming, and Everyone knows that Li Ji's position can determine the outcome of this battle for the heir, so whether Li Ji can finally accept Ma Zhou's lobbying affects everyone's minds.
……
The rain was gurgling outside the window, and a carved lacquer table was placed on the floor by the window. The charcoal fire in the small red clay stove was burning brightly, and the silver kettle was steaming. Li Ji raised his hand to stop Ma Zhou, and his parents lifted the kettle. Pour the boiling water into the teapot, and the aroma of tea will soon bloom, refreshing your heart and mind.
After pouring tea into the two teacups on the table, Ma Zhoucheng pushed one of them to the opposite side. Ma Zhoucheng took it with both hands in panic. He picked up the teacup and brought it to his lips, taking a sip.
Putting down the tea cup, he reached out and picked up a piece of sweet-scented osmanthus cake from a plate on the table, put it into his mouth and chewed it. He raised his hand to signal Ma Zhou to take it by himself without being formal.
This world-famous commander who was born in the military and fought all the way to the top of the Prime Minister's office has no trace of the spirit of iron-blooded killing in his body. He is calm, elegant and informal, and his graceful style is heart-breaking...
Ma Zhou put down his tea cup, did not eat the cake, and said straight to the point: "The King of Jin is in rebellion. The rebels have entered the city and are fighting fiercely with the Sixth Army of the East Palace outside the Chengtian Gate. The country and the country are in danger. The British Duke is the chief minister and the leader of the military. Your Highness the Crown Prince hopes that you will The generals of the Sixteenth Guards can be ordered to stay where they are and not to leave without permission. I wonder what the British public will do?”
Li Ji avoided answering, pointed to the cakes on the plate, and said calmly: "Since Fang Er got the true taste of tea from nowhere, tea has become popular all over the world and is more popular than ever. But although the tea is good, it is not suitable Drink it on an empty stomach and drink it with tea to avoid stomach trauma and nausea and acid reflux. This tea is carefully made by the master chef of the Imperial Kitchen. You may wish to try it. ”
Naturally, for such a person and at this time, none of his words would be nonsense. Ma Zhou understood this truth, so he sat upright, with a very standard kneeling posture and a serious face, and asked: "The British Lord does not need to use such specious remarks. If you are trying to prevaricate me, please let me know clearly whether you obey His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Jun’s order. I will go back and give my order immediately.”
It's not your style, Li Ji, to beat around the bush. Please give me a quick word of caution. Don't continue to be so secretive and specious...
Li Ji smiled bitterly and said: "You are really boring... In this case, I will give you a happy reply and reply to Your Highness. I will not order the General of the Sixteenth Guards what to do."
Although Ma Zhou shouted to Li Ji to have a good time, Li Ji was so happy that it was beyond his expectation...
He raised his thick eyebrows and asked curiously: "May I ask why?"
Li Ji, who was usually serious about his speech, seemed to be in a lively conversation today. He drank tea and asked: "Prince Bin is a leader among the younger generation. Let me ask you, how do you view the current struggle for imperial power? Do you think that if the king of Jin had stayed on his own and not raised his troops? Everything will go as usual and the world will be at peace? ”
Ma Yiyi was stunned, thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "I'm afraid that's not the case. To be fair, neither the prince nor the king of Jin are alone. There are too many people around them who rely on them to gain benefits, and the power of the two can be to some extent. It is said that it comes from the dependents around me... When a person is in court, he can't help himself, and the arrow is on the string, how can he not fire it? "
"Great insights!"
Li Ji sighed in admiration, and then said slowly: "In my opinion, the struggle for the throne and imperial power is like a boil. The source of poison has been planted since the day when the late emperor wanted to depose the prince and establish a new prince. removal, It will break out sooner or later. Instead of suppressing it and then bursting out causing huge storms and waves, it is better to endure the pain for a while and let the abscess burst out now, then scrape the bones to cure the poison and eradicate it completely. "
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Ma Zhou was dumbfounded. Although you, the British Duke, have great achievements and great power, you actually compared the battle to seize the progeny to a boil and have no respect for the imperial power...
He thought he had heard wrong, so he hesitated and asked, "Does the British duke refer to the prince and the king of Jin?"
Li Jijian raised his eyebrows: "Essentially, what's the difference?"
Ma Zhou was speechless. There is indeed no difference in essence, but as human ministers, shouldn’t we be in awe in our hearts?
Li Ji drank tea, but he actually only said half of what he said. When there are still some fair and honest officials in the court, and there are still men in the army who dare to fight to the death, what does it matter who becomes the emperor?
Ma Zhou naturally understood Li Ji's unfinished words.
When the prince ascends the throne, trouble will inevitably arise if the King of Jin is unwilling to do so; if the King of Jin goes against his will and takes the throne, how can the Prince sit back and wait for death? Therefore, both sides are the source of disaster that threatens the stability of the country and the country, and they are essentially the same.
Only by letting both sides do their best to have a hearty fight, wait until the winner is decided, and then choose the best to assist and calmly clean up the mess, then the opposition forces in the empire will disappear and at least decades of gains will be achieved. of peace and stability. The political power is stable, the government is clear and transparent, the prosperous age of Zhenguan will naturally continue, and the world will be more prosperous than before.
In this way, at least it makes sense in theory. Of course, it is unclear whether Li Ji's heart is so pure and unmixed with other purposes...
Ma Zhou was silent for a while and sighed: "But if this happens, your reputation and future will be ruined..."
Sitting on a mountain and watching a tiger fight, how would the tiger that won in the end view Li Ji, who was standing by and watching? No matter how important the country, the country, and the country were, in the eyes of the emperor, it was not as important as his own life.
Li Ji smiled proudly: "Since I entered the court, I have never been greedy for power or seized power. I have been clean and self-sufficient and dedicated to the public. When have I ever cared about my own future? This position of Prime Minister and Assistant was also forced upon me by the late Emperor. I couldn't refuse it, so I reluctantly accepted it." For this reason, none of the children or grandchildren in the family are outstanding, but they are in high positions because of me. This is not only impossible. The long line of blood has created the seeds of trouble, making me worried and unable to sleep at night. I would rather be happy and carefree when someone becomes the emperor. Is it possible that fame and fortune can be taken away from me? It’s just a passing thought, and I never cared about it. Naturally, I have a pure mind and can serve the public whole.”
His power and title have reached their peak. Even if he performs the feats of the dragon again, there will be no reward or title, so why should he specialize in this merit?
As for the current rumor that after the King of Jin ascends the throne, he will reward the meritorious officials and the feudal world... His family's children and grandchildren are unworthy, and high-ranking officials are generously paid. This is already a cause of disaster. If he is hereditary in a feudal land, he will become a true local emperor. , wouldn’t it only breed ambition?
Maybe one day they might even start a rebellion, causing disaster to the whole family...(End of Chapter)