Chapter 4211 Civil and Military Struggle
It seemed difficult to continue the topic for a while. Both of them remained silent, sipping wine and eating vegetables slowly.
When the pot of wine was finished, Fang Jun put down his chopsticks, picked up the handkerchief on the side and wiped the corners of his mouth, and said: "My nephew has something to do and I don't dare to drink more, so I'll leave now."
Outstanding people like Li Ji not only have amazing talents and stunning abilities, but also have perseverance. Once they make up their mind and make a decision, it is difficult to be influenced by others. However, today Li Ji was candid and stated his thoughts in detail, making it clear that he would never get involved in the struggle for the throne.
Li Chengqian will naturally be disappointed, but he also puts aside his worries.
After all, for a person like Li Ji, as long as he is not on the opposite side of himself, it is already good news...
Li Ji also put down his wine glass, considered it for a moment, raised his eyelids and looked at Fang Jun, and said: "Although I don't want to get involved in the struggle for the throne, I don't want to see the government collapse and the war in Guanzhong rise. Go back and tell your Majesty, let's He pays more attention to the clan.”
Fang Jun was shocked and asked hurriedly: "Why did uncle say this?"
Any emperor who wants to sit firmly on the throne must get the support of the clan. Compared with those seemingly loyal civil servants and military generals, the clan is the foundation of the emperor, because only the clan has the same interests as the emperor. .
Once the clan is unstable, the throne will be in danger.
Although the clan is currently under the leadership of Li Xiaogong and has sworn allegiance to Li Chengqian, brothers Li Chengqian and Li Zhi are feuding and fighting with each other. There may not be anyone within the family who has other thoughts. When outsiders want to overthrow Li Tang's kingdom, the clan will naturally share the same hatred, but if one's own family is fighting for power, it will be difficult to guarantee everyone's side...
And who is Li Ji? Since he said this, it proves that even if he does not have exact information, he must have some basis for making such a judgment.
Sure enough, Li Ji shook his head and said: "This matter is just my guess. There is no point and no evidence. How dare I make random accusations? In short, it is better to be careful."
Fang Jun could only nod his head and said: "My nephew will tell your majesty and leave first."
Li Ji nodded slightly and stood up to see him off.
Nowadays, Fang Jun is already one of the important ministers in the court. Because the court does not have "three princes", the importance of the "three young masters" is extraordinary. Between himself, the "Prince Shaofu" and Fang Jun, the "Prince Shaobao" There was not much difference in political status during the period.
He was determined to avoid reaching the pinnacle of power, which would inevitably make Li Chengqian dissatisfied. Even if he did not become idle, it was inevitable that he would be surpassed by Fang Jun in the official position.
Who would have thought that in just a few years, this former playboy would be destined to reach the pinnacle of power in the Tang Empire?
Standing at the door of the study and looking at Fang Jun's retreating figure, Li Ji felt sad in his heart. Looking back on the past, it felt like a lifetime ago.
*****
In the study in the back hall of Wude Hall, Li Chengqian heard Fang Jun's reply and said in shock: "Your Excellency actually has such a guess?"
The Li Tang clan has suffered no less than three purges since the Guanlong Revolt until now. Countless kings have fallen, and even several princes have lost their lives. The remaining ones either have no enthusiasm for power, or they are not interested in him as a new member. The emperor expressed his support. Even if he had a disobedient heart, he stayed dormant and did not dare to show his edge to avoid causing disaster.
Now it turns out that because the Pheasants are stationed at Tongguan to steal the treasure, there are still people who are determined to do things that are disobedient to the emperor secretly...
On the side, Cen Wenwen looked solemn and said in a deep voice: "The British Lord is cautious and has a calm temperament. Since he said this, he must have a target. This matter cannot be underestimated. It must be investigated strictly. We will never allow such a traitor to hide in the clan. Within, otherwise it will be a big problem.”
Li Chengqian was naturally worried.
Although he has ascended to the throne, and all the civil and military officials in the country and the country have sworn allegiance, more than half of the Sixteen Generals in Guanzhong have always been aloof and have an cryptic attitude. We cannot rule out the possibility of changing their ways and joining the traitors at the critical moment. If someone else in the clan secretly Taking precautions, the combination of internal and external forces is enough to endanger the throne.
He looked at Li Junxian, who was standing with his head bowed, and asked: "Is General Li aware or suspicious?"
Li Junxian said: "Within the clan, everyone with status and prestige is under the supervision of the 'Baiqisi', and they have never relaxed in the slightest. But until now, no one has been found to be suspicious, or to be in tandem with others, or to collude with internal and external parties. ”
As the commander-in-chief of the "Hundred Cavalry Division", it is his duty to supervise all officials. Especially now that the imperial power is unstable and the situation is unstable, how can he dare to take it lightly? Even the princes were under his supervision, but nothing wrong was found.
But as Cen Wenwen said, how could Li Ji be a casual talker? Since he can say this, someone must be doing something secretly.
He had no idea, and he was frightened and anxious. This was a serious dereliction of duty...
Cen Wenwen glanced at Li Junxian and said calmly: "General Li is responsible for guarding the palace and supervising all officials. He should still concentrate on the king's affairs. Don't let the situation deteriorate out of control due to negligence. The consequences will not be yours. Able to bear it.”
Li Junxian was sweating a little. This sentence was a bit heavy-handed, but he could only nod his head and said, "This general will neglect his duty, please punish me."
Li Chengqian did not criticize them harshly. Those people were hiding in the dark, and their plans were shady. Naturally, they became more secretive. How could they be easily detected by the "Hundred Qisi"? Moreover, Cen Wenwen’s words are not without conflict between civil and military forces...
He just nodded and said in a deep voice: "The situation is critical, how can I kill you on the spot? But you should also be more vigilant and don't let those people hide the truth. Otherwise, even if I tolerate you, the national laws and regulations will not tolerate you." , just take care of yourself.”
Fang Jun suggested: "Not only must we investigate closely in secret, but we must also strengthen access control and set up additional sentries in the entire Taiji Palace and the Imperial City. No questions can be answered at all."
As the most majestic and majestic building complex in the world today, the Tai Chi Palace plus the Imperial City cover an extremely huge area. It would definitely not be difficult for someone to hide a team of hundreds of people in the Imperial City.
Of course, an army with such a large number cannot attack Chengtianmen by force, but if there is a secret passage connecting the palace and they sneak in and launch a sudden attack, it is theoretically possible to carry out a "decapitation operation"...
Before Li Chengqian could speak, Li Junxian had already said in a low voice: "I will do it right away. I will make sure that the entire imperial city cannot be splashed with water or pins can be inserted. If there is any mistake, I will come to see you!"
After saying this, he gave Li Chengqian a military salute, took three steps back, turned around and strode away.
He took a breath today. The dignified commander of the "Hundred Cavalry Division" was actually ridiculed by a civil servant in front of his face. He was beaten so hard. If he neglected his duties again, how could he lose his face?
Cen Wenwen glanced at Li Junxian's back, his eyelids drooped, he snorted and said dissatisfied: "Arrogant and domineering!"
Fang Jun smiled and said: "The way of being a minister is just to give advice and fight to the death, and whether it is civil or military, if you want to do this, you probably need some unruly spirit, rather than being servile and submissive. Back then, you guys When the civil servants impeached me, he was a passionate and impassioned person who didn't even give the late emperor face. , I turned pale and howled in a hurry, wishing I could eat up this sycophant in front of the late emperor... At that time, the late emperor said that this was Yan Guan's character and the cornerstone of the empire. Even the ancient sage kings can spit on their faces, let alone us? Master Cen is too violent."
The atmosphere in the study became tense.
Cen Wenwen opened his eyelids, looked at Fang Jun, and nodded slightly: "The Duke of Yue is indeed a famous general in the world, and he is also one of the best in arrogance and extravagance. Compared with you, Li Junxian, he is not even a little bit worse. With you guys A proud warrior, very good.”
Fang Jun sneered and said: "You don't have to be so sarcastic and play around with people's opinions to make money and destroy bones. Speaking of which, when the late emperor was here, you retired several times and retired. Why is it that now His Majesty has ascended the throne? From Zhenguan Dynasty to Ren Hechao, you are always full of energy and energy, and you have not mentioned anything about becoming an official? You want me to say that when you are old, you should go back to your hometown and enjoy the happiness of your family. If you don't have a holiday for the New Year, you will have no chance. ”
This is a bit damaging...
The other people looked at Cen Wenwen, whose expression changed slightly, and lowered their gazes without interfering.
Li Chengqian didn't wait for Cen Wenwen to speak, and quickly changed the subject: "Why did Erlang say this? The current situation is unstable, Cen Taifu is getting stronger, and I need him to assist me in stabilizing the government. How can I allow him to return to his hometown as an official? There is no need to say such things again."
Then he smiled bitterly at Cen Wenwen and said: "Although this man is already the prince's Taibao, his nature is like this, so you don't have to worry about him."
After all, why do you need to quarrel with your juniors when you are older? Winning the fight is all that matter. Anyway, you won’t be able to stay in the position of the Minister’s right servant for a few days. You will lose face if you lose. If you are angry again, you will become a laughing stock...
Cen Wenwen coughed twice, shook his head and sighed: "Your Majesty has good intentions, and I appreciate it. However, even though he is getting older, he has become increasingly disdainful of such arrogant, unruly and unafraid of imperial power. Your Majesty is laughing at it."
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So what if I'm angry to death? He will never back down.
This is not a personal grudge, but a battle that inevitably breaks out between civil and military forces due to fundamental interests.
Civilian politics is the lofty ideal of all civil servants. Seeing that His Majesty does not have the decisiveness of the late emperor to kill, and has a gentle personality and pure methods, this is the best opportunity to promote civilian politics. How can he hesitate because of the power of Fang Jun and others?
Wherever the Tao lies, even if your body is shattered into pieces, you will never move forward. (End of chapter)