Chapter 4256 Staying Overnight in the Palace
When the Tang Dynasty was founded, it seemed that the territory was unified, but the Turks were at their peak and could even drive straight into Xianyang Bridge, forcing His Majesty Li Er to empty his treasury and grovel, and to conclude the Weishui River Alliance, which was a great shame and humiliation...
For more than four hundred years, has the land of China ever had a peaceful life?
The land was desolate, commerce was in ruins, all kinds of materials were extremely scarce, and production resources were extremely backward. Even during the Zhenguan period, the monarchs and ministers were united and the officials governed the Qingming Dynasty. However, they successively destroyed Tujue, Tuyuhun, and Xue Yantuo, and devoted all their efforts to the eastward expedition. The treasury was still in ruins. Empty.
In such a trough of poverty and poverty, any achievement at all will be sung by historians and recorded in the annals of history.
In the past, I only felt the pressure of inheriting my father's throne was overwhelming. Now, looking at it from another angle, I found that at the beginning of the end of the road, suddenly there was a dark future, and the future was bright...
It doesn't seem to be difficult to be a good emperor who is famous enough to go down in history.
……
Fang Jun looked at Li Chengqian, whose brows were excited, and said with a smile: "So, although the future is full of thorns, it is not a cliff, a mountain of swords and a sea of fire. Your Majesty needs to keep his mind steady, and after confirming the direction of the empire, just proceed step by step. There is a bright future. Waiting for Your Majesty and all the people of the Tang Dynasty.”
When the rebellion is suppressed and the situation in the DPRK is stabilized, Tibet, the only enemy country that is barely strong in the surrounding area, is falling into civil strife, the border areas are stable, and the prosperous times will come as expected. With the introduction of money, food and materials from overseas countries at sea, this prosperous age will only become more grand and lasting.
The strength of the family members has been severely weakened, and it is good to just maintain the inheritance. It is difficult to steal the local military, fiscal and taxation power to dominate one party, and compete with the central government to form a situation of strong support and weak cadres like in history.
Without the support of aristocratic families, warlords cannot be formed, and the hidden danger of rebellion is completely eliminated. Even if the successor is incompetent, relying on the decentralization of power in the political hall and the military department can make the empire run smoothly.
A grand picture of a prosperous age has already unfolded in Fang Jun's mind...
The emperor and his wife chatted with Fang Jun until Xu Shi. The candles had been burned out. Princess Jinyang and others had already returned to the palace to sleep. Only then did Li Chengqian get up with satisfaction: "It's late and I'm a little tired. Erlang will stay in the palace tonight." In the morning, we will go to rectify the army outside Xuande Gate."
Fang Jun thanked him quickly and did not refuse. He couldn't go back to his hometown anyway, so he would find a place to rest in the palace so that he could get up early to do things tomorrow.
Queen Su smiled and her eyes moved. Under the candlelight, her jade face was stained with clouds and looked extraordinarily soft. She said to the two maids serving on the side: "Take the Duke of Yue to the side hall to sleep. You will have a good time serving me tonight."
The delicate bodies of the two twenty-eight-year-old palace maids trembled slightly, and they lowered their heads. They were shy and happy, and said softly: "Here."
Inside and outside Chang'an, who doesn't know that Fang Erlang is a hero and a compassionate man? It seems that the queen means to serve them "with all her heart" tonight. As long as Fang Jun is satisfied, the queen will probably give them to Fang Jun tomorrow morning.
The maid given by the queen must at least be a concubine in the courtier's family, the kind with status. For the palace maid, it is like pie falling from the sky. Moreover, Fang Jun is the best choice regardless of his talent, power, character, and appearance. If he is lucky enough to serve him for one night, he will definitely be willing to pay her back...
Fang Jun quickly declined: "How dare a humble minister overstep his bounds? Absolutely not."
Li Chengqian stretched out and waved his hand casually: "Why should you worry about what the Queen has given you? Erlang, your achievements are worthy of such treatment. Go and have a rest."
The maids in the palace are the property of the emperor. Giving them to meritorious ministers is an extremely prominent expression and is not excessive.
Fang Jun had no choice but to bow and thank him, and followed the slim and delicate figures of the two maids out of the study, but he made up his mind that he would not let them serve him later, lest he be called "arrogant and lewd".
As a result, as soon as they left the door, they saw four palace maids waiting there in the night holding palace lanterns. When they saw Fang Jun coming out, they all stepped forward to salute Wanfu. The first palace maid said crisply: "Servants serve under the orders of my Highness Jinyang." I have been ordered to wait here. The sleeping place has been arranged. Please go with your servants.”
The two maids assigned by the queen had smiles on their faces, and they were a little at a loss.
Fang Junze felt happy and said with a smile: "His Royal Highness Jinyang is worried about me, please lead the way."
There is no brother-in-law who dislikes his sister-in-law. Most of the time, the sister-in-law is the most considerate of the brother-in-law's mood and preferences, and they get along most harmoniously without distinguishing each other...
Then he said to the two maids who looked disappointed: "Please go back and inform Her Majesty the Queen, so I won't bother you anymore."
After saying that, he followed the lead of the four palace maids carrying palace lanterns and left.
The two maids looked at each other helplessly, then returned somewhat discouraged. They found Queen Su and informed them of the matter...
Queen Su had just taken off her makeup, her gorgeous palace skirt had faded away, and she was wearing a silk middle coat. Her figure was slender and graceful, and her open neckline was white and plump.
With bare hands, he pulled off the hairpin that bound his hair, and a black hair fell down like a waterfall on his fair and round shoulders. He looked through the bronze mirror at His Majesty the Emperor sitting behind him on the bedside, holding a book, and pursed his lips, hesitating. He said at once: "Jinyang's thoughts...how does your Majesty plan to deal with it?"
Where is the rule for a princess to send her maid to serve her brother-in-law and at the same time be a minister of the court?
Even if etiquette is not popular in today's world, women are very tolerant, but as long as this matter spreads, it will have an impact on Princess Jinyang's reputation. Those who want to have a princess will inevitably be wary...
Li Chengqian was also a little helpless. He put down the book, rubbed his eyebrows, and sighed: "Although Erlang is not a gentleman, he is not a willful person. He treats Si Zi with the heart of an elder and does not treat him inappropriately. It all depends on Sizi, but it is normal for the cardamom girl to admire her at a young age. After all, Erlang is extremely good in every aspect. After a few years, this thought will fade away. "
Queen Su waved her hands to repel the maids, and said with a half-smile: "I hope so."
……
The next morning, as soon as the eastern sky turned white, Fang Jun woke up. He put on his clothes and washed himself briefly under the service of the palace maid. He was thinking about going to have breakfast in the military camp outside Xuande Gate when he saw a palace lady carrying The food box came in and placed several plates of exquisite side dishes, snow-white steamed buns, and fragrant white porridge on the table.
"His Royal Highness Changle heard that the Duke of Yue State stayed in the palace last night. He was worried that you would not be able to eat in time after getting up early to attend to military affairs. Therefore, he told us to prepare meals and bring them to you early. My servants will serve you to eat."
Fang Jun was stunned for a moment, but without refusing, he sat down calmly, took the porridge served by the palace maid, and started eating with side dishes and steamed buns.
All the maids in Shujing Palace knew about the entanglement between their highness and Fang Jun. Compared to the maids at Princess Jinyang's side, they were a little more casual. Several maids served Fang Jun for meals, chatting and laughing softly from time to time. In a sentence, the atmosphere is very harmonious, just like serving your own prince-in-law...
While watching this, several maids of Princess Jinyang felt a little disgusted and pursed their lips, feeling a little unhappy.
After eating and drinking enough, he put on his armor under the service of several pairs of snow-white soft clothes, and then went out to Xuandemen.
Before leaving the house, Princess Changle's maid did not forget to remind her: "His Royal Highness said that if the Duke of Yue stays in the military camp at noon, he will ask the imperial kitchen to prepare dishes and send them to you."
Fang Jun said casually: "Then send it there. Today we need to rectify the army. There are many things and we can't finish them in a while."
The maid responded softly: "Now, I will go back and inform Your Highness."
Fang Jun nodded and strode out.
All the servants of the palace here were waiting outside the door. When they saw Fang Jun, they all bowed and saluted. They were filled with admiration in their hearts: Which foreign minister can stay in the palace overnight like the Duke of Yue? Not to mention that the queen gave a palace maid to serve her, and the two princesses competed to send people to serve...
……
Although Fang Jun was transferred away from Youtun Guard for a long time, there were many of his former subordinates in Youtun Guard. After Li Daozong took over, he did not want to add too much sand to affect the combat effectiveness of Youtun Guard, so he had no idea about Fang Jun's training plan and army formation in the past. The strategy was adhered to, and Gao Kan and Cheng Wuting were the backbone of this army. Although Cheng Wuting was rashly deployed to lead an army to the Forbidden Garden outside Xuande Gate, the structure of the army remained unchanged and the reorganization was completed in one day.
In the evening, Li Daozong unexpectedly sent someone to invite Fang Jun to a banquet at Xuanwu Gate...
Fang Jun had also wanted to talk to Li Daozong for a long time, so he entered the palace from Xuande Gate and rode west along the north palace wall to Chongxuan Gate. After entering the gate, he saw the majestic towers of Xuanwu Gate standing above and below the city. It was full of imperial troops, with flags and swords flying like a forest, and not even a fly could come in or out.
"The prince's military skills are unparalleled and he uses troops like a god. With you guarding Xuanwu Gate, everything will be safe. Your Majesty can sleep peacefully in the palace."
As soon as they met, Fang Jun smiled and complimented.
Li Daozong stepped forward to greet him, and said with a half-smile: "Erlang is also a man who knows the art of war. He should know that there is no battle that is guaranteed to be won. He must plan a retreat at any time, and cannot move forward without hesitation. Although your Majesty has never experienced a battle, he has many insights into the art of war." Obviously the level is quite high, otherwise why would there be a need to recruit a group of Youtun guards into the Xuande Gate Forbidden Garden and have Erlang Qian command them? "
Since I am like a god in my military skills, why did I send you to guard the palace?
Fang Jun walked into the barracks with a smile and saw that the food and wine on the table had been prepared. He took a seat under Li Daozong's offer and said with a smile: "What determines the outcome of a battle is not just correct tactics of war, soldiers who dare to fight, and brave generals." ... What's more, the army must have an unwavering will. People can die in battle, but their faith cannot be lost. You, the prince, are not as good as me."
Why bother being sarcastic here? The emperor has made it clear that he does not trust you. Compared with you, I have a higher degree of trust, so he asked me to lead the army to guard the palace, firstly to prevent the rebels from causing rebellion, and secondly, to prevent you from suddenly plotting rebellion.
We are all smart people, so it is more comfortable to get straight to the point, otherwise it would be too embarrassing to hide things.
Li Daozong's expression changed. He sat down next to Fang Jun and waved his soldiers away. Only the two of them were left in the barracks. He personally held a pot and poured wine for Fang Jun.
After clinking glasses and finishing their drinks, Li Daozong asked: "I remember that the late emperor once said that your second roommate is loyal to the emperor, but he is even more loyal to the country. Once the emperor goes against the country, he will abandon the emperor and be loyal to the country... I don't know. Or not? ”
This time it was Fang Jun who poured wine for Li Daozong and said calmly: "The king is the country, and the country is the king. The interests of the king are consistent with the interests of the country, and they are attached to the country. After all, the king can be replaced, and there is only one country to change." ……so There is no difference between being loyal to the emperor or being loyal to the country. If one day the interests of the monarch are contrary to the interests of the country, it means that there is something wrong with the monarch and the country, and ministers should have the courage to speak out and correct the chaos. "
While talking and laughing, his words are as sharp as a knife. (End of chapter)