Chapter 4147 So shrewd
Cheng Yaojin stood outside the Chengtian Gate, with his eyebrows lowered and his head lowered, without saying a word. The soldiers of the imperial army on the left and right looked nervous, fearing that the next moment an order to "behead the rebellious ministers" would come from the palace, and they would have to rush forward to confront this murderous man. The illustrious Demon King.
Although Lieutenant Chi Gong, one of Zhenguan's ministers, was recognized as a man of extraordinary courage, facing thousands of troops with a single horse pole, he could take the enemy's general's head like a bag, but Qin Shubao and Cheng Yaojin were also famous and peerless generals. , it is not easy to capture or kill him in such a wide area under Chengtian Sect, and he will definitely pay a heavy price.
After a while, the palace door opened, and a group of forbidden troops came out. The leader was Li Junxian, the commander of the "Hundred Cavalry Division": "Your Highness has an order, please invite Duke Lu to enter the palace."
He stood by the door, stepped out of the way, and bowed slightly: "Gong Lu, please."
Cheng Yaojin glanced at Li Junxian, snorted, took off the sword from his waist and threw it back to the soldiers, then strode into Chengtian Gate.
Anyone who enters the palace is not allowed to carry an ice blade with him. The rumored "swords and shoes going to the palace" can only be done by arrogant heroes such as Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao. Therefore, when civil servants and generals enter the palace, they are ordered by the Imperial Guard to remove their swords. Keep it for safekeeping and return it when you leave the palace.
Now Li Junxian actually forgot to ask him to take off his sword. I don't know whether he really forgot or did it on purpose.
Carrying a sword into the palace is no small sin...
Li Junxian's expression remained unchanged. After Cheng Yaojin entered the palace gate, he had the palace door closed and then followed Cheng Yaojin into the palace.
The late emperor's body was laid to rest at the Wude Hall, so after entering the palace, you should turn right and go east through Quy Nhon Gate, then turn along the Longshou Canal, go north past the Bell Tower and enter the Gongli Gate, and then pass through the Menxia Province, Hongwen Hall, History Hall and other government offices. The building complex composed of offices reaches Wudemen.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Yaojin didn't go like this, and went straight north through the Jiade Gate. When he arrived at the Tai Chi Gate, he looked at the majestic Tai Chi Hall in the distance. He took off his headband and knelt on one knee in front of the Tai Chi Gate. He didn't leave...
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Li Jun asked curiously: "His Royal Highness is waiting for you at Zhaode Hall, why does Lu Guogong stay here?"
Cheng Yaojin knelt on one knee and said nothing. The rain quickly wet his hair, and the strands dripped onto the ground. The armor on his body was also washed shiny by the rain.
A group of forbidden soldiers were even more confused. Li Junxian was speechless for a long time, and hurriedly asked the officials of Zongzheng Temple to ask for a set of linen mourning clothes. Cheng Yaojin stood up and put them on, then put on his pocket and walked out of Tai Chi Gate. Go eastward and pass through Donggemen, bypass the bell tower and enter Gonglimen, and go straight to Zhaode Hall.
Li Junxian clicked his tongue, thinking that if anyone dared to tell him that Cheng Yaojin was vulgar, rude, arrogant and domineering, he would definitely go up and give that person a big mouth. Since entering the palace, Cheng Yaojin has been careful and cautious. , there is no fault at all, even if those censors who are good at criticizing can find faults with the complete set of "Zhou Rites"...
Tightly fitted and watertight.
……
The Zhaode Hall is not far to the south of the Wude Hall. The coffin of the late emperor was parked in the Wude Hall, and it became the temporary residence of the prince. Officials from Zongzheng Temple and the Ministry of Rites who presided over the funeral came to ask for instructions, so people came and went. There was an endless stream.
When Cheng Yaojin strode forward, all the officials who came and went could see clearly and were surprised. This general, who was responsible for guarding the capital, let go of the city gate when the rebels rose up and huddled near the West City, facing the rebels. The army attacked Taiji Palace and allowed it to go unchecked. Many people believed that Cheng Yaojin had completely sided with King Jin.
How dare you enter the palace?
I'm really not afraid that the Crown Prince will throw a cup as a signal, and he will ambush the knife and axemen on both sides and suddenly attack him and chop him into meat paste...
But I only dare to think about such words in my heart, and never dare to say them out to discuss with colleagues. Li Yifu has learned from the past, and no one wants to be the second chicken who has his official clothes stripped off and goes all the way to the end.
When he arrived outside the Zhaode Hall, the prince had appointed Ma Zhou to stand at the door to greet him. When he saw Cheng Yaojin's linen filial piety clothes, he was stunned for a moment, then went down the stone steps, walked two steps quickly and came to Cheng Yaojin, and bowed his head to Cheng Yaojin. He came to the ground and said respectfully: "I have met Duke Lu. His Royal Highness has been waiting in the palace for a long time. Please follow me into the palace."
Cheng Yaojin didn't always act arrogant and domineering in front of everyone. He was very optimistic about Ma Zhou and highly respected this official from a poor family, so he nodded in greeting and said: "There is Lao Ma Fu Yin."
Ma Zhou said: "I don't dare, please."
First, Cheng Yaojin was led into the Zhaode Hall. There were many officials coming and going in the hall, and several side halls had been set up as temporary offices. A large emperor's funeral had many rules and was of great importance. Moreover, what had just happened outside the palace There was a big war and the situation was unstable, so most of the officials here looked impatient and very noisy.
Entering the main hall, the noise suddenly decreased.
"I see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and the armor is on for another review. Please forgive me for not being able to perform the courtesy properly."
Cheng Yaojin knelt down on one knee to perform military salutes in the hall. His voice was like a bell, buzzing and echoing in the hall with excellent sound.
Very powerful.
Li Chengqian was sitting in the main seat, flanked by Li Ji, Li Xiaogong, Cen Wenwen, Li Yuanjia, Fang Jun and other important civil and military ministers and clan giants. They seemed to be discussing something. When Cheng Yaojin entered, they stopped talking and looked at each other. .
Li Chengqian calmed down and said warmly: "Why does Lu Guogong need to be so polite? If you come, please give me a seat."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
A chamberlain brought a chair and placed it under Fang Jun. Fang Jun quickly stood up and motioned for Cheng Yaojin to take a seat, while he stepped back one step and sat on the chair that had just been placed.
Cheng Yaojin was not humble, he only nodded slightly to Fang Jun and sat down with his big horse and golden sword.
Li Chengqian asked his servants to serve tea again, and asked with a worried look on his face: "There was a fierce battle outside Taiji Palace, and both sides suffered heavy losses. Lu Guogong was responsible for guarding the capital, and he wanted to command his subordinates to block all streets and alleys, and pay attention to every neighborhood. Don't let the defeated soldiers sneak in and harm the people, and be on guard against anyone colluding with those defeated soldiers to take advantage of the situation. If you find one, punish them severely. No matter who it is, you will never tolerate it."
As a sequelae of war, rebels and defeated troops have always caused serious disasters. Especially in Chang'an, which is the capital of the capital. Once rebels and routed troops rush into various places to burn, kill, and loot, the impact will be extremely bad and the consequences will be extremely serious.
What's more, those who were dissatisfied with him as the prince and sympathized with the king of Jin colluded with the troops to cause chaos in Chang'an, which caused endless troubles.
It is difficult to wipe out the entire Chang'an with the power of Jingzhao Mansion alone. It must be coordinated by the army.
Cheng Yaojin patted his chest and said loudly: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I have already sent people to keep an eye on me. Who dares to jump out and cause trouble and harm the people at this time? Even if he is the king of heaven, I will have to skin him!"
Li Chengqian said happily: "With Lu Guogong's words, I can rest assured."
The monarch and his ministers talked for a long time, and no one mentioned the tacit understanding that the Chunming Gate was opened last night to allow the right Houwei to enter the city, while the Zuo Wuwei huddled in the West Market and stood by, as if this matter was not worth mentioning at all and had long been forgotten...
Seeing that the two of them had finished talking, Cen Wenwen said: "The late emperor's funeral has passed halfway, and we need to start preparing for your highness's enthronement ceremony. This is a top priority. The rules are complicated and there are many etiquettes. They cannot be ignored. In this tense situation, There can’t be any mistakes.”
Overtly or covertly, there are countless people waiting to find fault. Whether it is the funeral of the late emperor or the enthronement ceremony, if there is any mistake, it will be discovered and magnified infinitely, and then arbitrarily extended, causing extremely bad effects.
Li Chengqian naturally knew the seriousness of the matter, nodded and said: "That's right, let's let the officials of the Ministry of Rites and Zongzheng Temple start the preparations. First is the funeral of the late emperor, and then the enthronement ceremony. The top and bottom of these two yamen have great responsibilities, and the hard work is great. If the word goes on, we will wait for it." When everything is settled, I will definitely be rewarded based on my merits.”
King Li Yuanjia of Han quickly stood up: "Everyone at Zongzheng Temple will go all out to live up to His Highness's trust."
This is a statement made on behalf of Zongzhengji officials.
But no one from the etiquette department of another important Yamen stood up to express their position...
Everyone looked at Fang Jun, who was drinking tea slowly.
Fang Jun was stunned for a moment, then realized what he was doing. He quickly put down his teacup and stood up. He smiled bitterly and said: "I, the Minister of Rites, really do not live up to my name. I have never even been to the Yamen of the Ministry of Rites... This matter is of great importance. Your Highness might as well select someone." A mature and prudent person should preside over the affairs of the Ministry of Etiquette, otherwise the humble minister will be afraid of bad things.”
It's okay for him to do some practical work. After all, he has experience and insights from his previous life. However, the Ministry of Rites is all pragmatic, and it is different from the ideology of later generations. It is completely within the rules and regulations of etiquette and law, and he does not pay attention to the creation of ideology at all. , How could he do it?
I don't have the patience to do it either.
Li Chengqian said: "The Ministry of Rites is the head of the six departments. How can it be so easy to find someone to take over? There is no need for you to do everything. It's just about knowing people and assigning them well. There are still many capable officials in the Ministry of Rites. For the time being, you will be in charge. Well, when the situation stabilizes, there will be corresponding changes in various official positions in the court, and then we will find a suitable candidate."
Fang Jun said no more, nodded and said: "Your Highness, don't worry, I will spare you the trouble."
It takes three things for a new official to take office, let alone a new emperor ascending the throne?
After Li Chengqian ascended the throne, the first thing he announced to the world must be personnel changes. Officials who have been close to and supported him will be vigorously promoted. This is a reward and will also help control the court. Those who oppose it and those who violate it will definitely be demoted or even dismissed from office. They can't stay in the court and look at others, right?
Cheng Yaojin drank water with his eyelids drooped, as if he didn't hear the prince's words at all, and it seemed that the personnel changes the prince was talking about had nothing to do with him...
At this time, a chamberlain quickly stepped inside and reported: "Your Highness, Duke Wei sincerely requests to come to the palace to have an audience."
Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows and said: "Xuan!"
"Here!"
The chamberlain exits.
The expressions of everyone in the hall became solemn. The current situation naturally prioritizes military affairs. If the Jin rebels cannot be defeated, not only will the emperor be unstable, but the empire will also fall into protracted turmoil. The program will be overrun, the treasury will be empty, and all industries will be ruined. , the people are in dire straits.
By that time, no one is a winner, they are all sinners of the empire. (End of chapter)