Chapter 4469: Entering the palace for an audience
Chapter 1,402: Entering the palace for an audience
Wang Fangyi couldn't help but ask for two wooden sticks to briefly fix Linghu Defen's broken leg, then carried him into a carriage found in the manor, and then gathered his troops. Every prisoner in the manor is a "walking meritorious deed", so naturally he will not let it go, and a more extensive search was carried out, and valuables such as soft goods, goldware, etc. were all seized...
After gathering, more than 500 riders left the manor in a mighty manner and headed north along the Chan River, returning to Chang'an.
Chu Suiliang was so angry that he vomited blood, but he could only follow closely. No matter what, he had to follow the officials of the Ministry of War into the palace and appear in front of His Majesty. It's meaningless to think about meritorious deeds now. Being treated like this by Wang Fangyi can be said to be "a reward for those who see it". How much merit do you have left? Just to express my position to Your Majesty: I, and the entire Qiantang Chu family, are loyal to Your Majesty wholeheartedly and have no second thoughts. No matter who wants to stand against Your Majesty, they are enemies.
Besides, we are now bringing the blame on ourselves and returning to our hometown after serving as official, so please just be patient and don’t target us...
……
A group of cavalry returned to Chunming Gate in a mighty manner. Donggong Liu led his soldiers outside the gate to check Wang Fangyi's waist badge and then let them go. When they arrived at the city, they checked again and asked about the reason for entering the city at this moment. Then they opened the small city gate on one side and let them go. A group of people entered the city.
After entering the city, they went straight to Yanximen along the street, called for the city gate to be opened, and led more than ten riders into the imperial city until they arrived at the Yamen of the Ministry of War.
It was already around midnight, but many yamen, including the Ministry of War yamen, were brightly lit, and many scribes were busy coming in and out of the door. The rebels decided that the government was in dire straits, and it also coincided with a major adjustment in the power structure. It involved countless personnel and affairs. Every yamen had to work overnight to get the government on the right track as soon as possible.
Of course, every personnel appointment, dismissal, and government affairs is related to the interests of countless people. No one dares to be so negligent that the benefits obtained are snatched away by others, which in disguise improves the operational efficiency of the central organization. It’s an unexpected surprise...
After getting off his horse outside the Yamen of the Ministry of War, a disciple had already come to greet him: "General Wang is entering the city at this time. Is there something wrong? I don't know which Shangguan I want to find. I will go and report it now."
Wang Fangyi jumped off his horse, threw the reins to his soldiers, walked towards the gate, and asked, "Is Cui Shangshu here?"
Menzi hurriedly said: "Yes, Cui Shangshu stayed in the Yamen all day today. He even had lunch and dinner in the Yamen. As you know, there are too many things in the Yamen now, and several Shangguan officials can't finish their work."
With the defeat of the King of Jin, the Zuo Tun Guards, Right Guards, Right Xiao Guards, and many armies involved were faced with major personnel changes. How to select and promote generals, place and dismiss generals, and balance the interests of all parties are all at stake. The major matters before the Ministry of War are complicated and complicated, and there must be no mistakes. It is a big challenge for the officials of the Ministry of War.
But while being busy and nervous, there is also the pleasure of having great power. Today, the Ministry of War has already held the appointment and dismissal of all personnel of the Tang army in its hands. Although it still needs to obey the orders of His Majesty and the "Military Aircraft Department", all officials still have to obey the orders of His Majesty and the "Military Aircraft Department". Excited.
Wang Fangyi stood at the door and had Linghu Defen's mouth gagged and carried into the door. He said to the door: "Please tell me that Wang Fangyi... and Chu Suiliang asked to see Cui Shangshu."
"Uh... here!"
Menzi glanced behind Wang Fangyi, Chu Suiliang? Here, a big five-flower kid was tied up and sent to the gate, and there was also Chu Suiliang. Could it be that Chu Suiliang was determined to be a traitor and had some idea of starting a rebellion?
Curious in his heart, but not daring to ask any more questions, he hurriedly went inside to report. After a moment, he turned around and said, "Cui Shangshu invites the general and the prince to come in for a meeting."
Wang Fangyi nodded, glanced at the soldiers guarding Linghu Desfen, and ordered: "Watch it, don't let him talk!"
"Here!"
Wang Fangyi then said to Chu Suiliang: "My lord, please!"
"Please!"
The two of them entered the main hall of the Ministry of War one after the other, then turned left from the rain corridor in front of the main hall and went to the duty room of the Minister of War.
Along the way, many officials from the Ministry of War greeted Wang Fangyi one after another. Wang Fangyi smiled and returned the greetings one by one, which made Chu Suiliang a little jealous. Since his father Chu Liang's generation, the Chu family has been more famous than powerful. When it comes to fame, everyone in the world looks at it with suspicion, but when it comes to real power, it is too far away from the core of power. Originally, Chu Suiliang had a chance to truly enter the power of the empire. middle However, he was accidentally punished by Emperor Taizong for being involved in Wei Zheng's manuscripts during his lifetime. Although he later returned to Emperor Taizong, he could only participate in military and state secrets as a "lucky minister", with an unfair name and unreasonable words.
And Wang Fangyi is just a right guard general, but when he enters the military office at the center of the military state, he feels like going home. He looks pleasant and respectful, just because he is Fang Jun's lackey, Eagle Dog...
This shows what kind of power and influence Fang Jun has in the entire empire.
It really makes people envious and jealous...
When they came to the door of a duty room, they saw that the door was open. Wang Fangyi and Chu Suiliang went in directly. They saw Cui Dunli, dressed in official uniform, sitting behind a desk with his head buried in his papers. They hurriedly said: "I will see Cui Shangshu!"< br>
Chu Suiliang cannot be called "the last general" or "the official". He can only be vague and confused...
Cui Dunli was a kind man and had no intention of getting to the bottom of Chu Suiliang's vague words. He put down his pen and stood up, casually waving his hand at Wang Fangyi: "Get up."
Then he walked out from behind the desk, stepped forward, stretched out his hands to support Chu Suiliang's shoulders, and lifted him up. He smiled warmly and said, "The prince is so polite, doesn't he offend his subordinates? Please take a seat."
Chu Suiliang's depressed heart seemed to have a crack, and then a ray of sunshine shone in, and his whole body warmed up. This feeling like a spring breeze had never happened since the defeat of King Jin. In his heart, he was grateful for Cui Dunli's humility and courtesy. I have a good impression, even a little moved...
It is normal in the officialdom to favor the popular and suppress the unfavorable, not to mention that Cui Dunli and he have never been in the same camp. At this moment, it is kind to not add insult to injury. Being able to treat him with such courtesy is simply a model of morality.
Cui Dunli and Chu Suiliang took their seats one after another, but Wang Fangyi stood still and told Cui Dunli what happened...
Who is Cui Dunli? Although Wang Fangyi's words are not entirely true, but one look at Chu Suiliang's embarrassed face will tell that Wang Fangyi may have played a trick on Chu Suiliang and took a lot of credit away from Chu Suiliang. .
But this is no wonder Wang Fangyi. Since you, Chu Suiliang, can't handle Hu Defen yourself and have to turn to Wang Fangyi for help, you naturally have to get a share of the pie. Otherwise, how can you expect anyone to work for you for free?
There's no such rule.
However, he also knew Chu Suiliang's current situation, so he smiled and patted the back of Chu Suiliang's hand, and said warmly: "I will go to the palace later to meet the Holy See. I also ask the Duke to accompany me, and I will recount the details to His Majesty, so as not to make any mistakes." Omission.”
Chu Suiliang only felt a feeling of "meeting him too late". He knew that Cui Dunli knew his thoughts and Wang Fangyi's thoughts very well, but he still took the initiative to enter the palace with him. This friendship of providing help in times of need was not just talk. That's all, you have to know that since "surrendering anyway", he has never seen His Majesty...
"Cui Shangshu is eager for justice and justice. I am deeply grateful. There is no need to say more. From now on, Cui Shangshu has his orders, and the Qiantang Chu family will all obey them."
These words naturally meant to express my gratitude, but at the same time, I also wanted to establish a relationship between myself and Cui Dunli.
Everyone knows that Cui Dunli is one of Fang Jun's most trusted "eagle dogs". Moreover, this person is knowledgeable, honest and polite, and has outstanding talents. His future is limitless. If the Qiantang Chu family can form an alliance with him, the benefits will not be too great.
Cui Dunli laughed and did not respond directly. He just nodded and said, "Let's go. It's not early. If it's later, His Majesty may have to sleep."
……
During these days, not only were the three provinces, six ministries, and nine temples in the court busy, but Li Chengqian also had a lot of government affairs in the Taiji Palace. He was dealing with official documents day and night. He could only sleep at the ugly hour, and he would wake up at Mao hour. He could not sleep for an hour. I only managed to hold on by taking a two-hour nap at noon during the day.
When Cui Dunli took Chu Suiliang to knock on the palace, Li Chengqian had just finished washing and had to get up from the bed. He mustered up his energy and asked someone to open the palace door and bring him into the palace to receive him.
Any visit to the palace at this time must be a major event and cannot be delayed...
When he met Cui Dunli and Chu Suiliang, and heard that Linghu Defen had been captured, Li Chengqian immediately became energetic.
After letting his wife serve tea, Li Chengqian looked at Cui Dunli and asked, "How do you think An Shang should respond?"
"An Shang" is Cui Dunli's character. The emperor used the word to commemorate him, which shows his closeness. Chu Suiliang on the side couldn't help but his eyelids jumped. Now not only Fang Jun is "Jian is in the emperor's heart", but also the entire camp affiliated with Fang Jun. I have won the trust of His Majesty, and I believe that soon there will be a powerful power faction in the court, with power over the government and the public.
Cui Dunli said respectfully: "Although Linghu Defen came to Chang'an on his own initiative and seemed to have the intention to plead guilty, he failed to enter the city after all, and was captured by the Duke and Wang Fangyi together... How to define the period still needs your Majesty's decision." br>
Although Wang Fangyi could not enter the palace, Cui Dunli would not treat his family badly. He even mentioned Wang Fangyi's name to let His Majesty know that he had a share of credit, and then gave His Majesty the choice of how to deal with Linghu Defen.
Either he takes the initiative to admit his mistake and plead guilty, or he is stubborn and is defeated and captured. The initiative lies with His Majesty, and two completely opposite rulings determine Linghu Defen's fate of life or death.
Li Chengqian smiled and said: "I have always been soft-hearted and can't bear to go on a killing spree. Let Linghu Deben make the choice himself. If he is still stubborn, no one in the world will blame me for killing him. If he knows his mistakes and corrects them, How can I be stingy about giving him a chance?”
The monarch and his ministers looked at each other and smiled, Cui Dunli said: "Your Majesty is wise." (End of this chapter)