Liu Jie hurriedly arrived at the Imperial Study Room of Wude Hall after being summoned by his chamberlain to enter the palace. As soon as he entered the door, he heard His Majesty's voice of uncontrollable joy: "Erlang is really the stronghold of the country. Such a difficult thing was accomplished overnight. The credit goes to Sheji." , benefit in the future! ”
This was followed by Li Daozong's approval: "When a benevolent king is in office, people's minds are at peace, which is why the Duke of Yue is able to make great achievements. Since the Jin Dynasty and the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the families of the aristocratic families have ruled by dividing the territory and have not subordinated themselves to the central government. They have even repeatedly abolished and established How arrogant and unruly are you doing? But today, everyone has surrendered to His Majesty’s kindness. Congratulations to Your Majesty for peace and prosperity in the world!”
"Haha! Uncle Wang is exaggerating. How can I dare to take it? It's all ministers who serve wholeheartedly and work diligently. This is why they have achieved some results. You should encourage yourself and not be impetuous."
As he walked to the door, Liu Ji's eyes jumped twice uncontrollably. Although Li Daozong was a noble member of the clan and had great military exploits, he was already very proficient in flattery and flattery and was unique in the court. It's no wonder that Emperor Taizong treated him again. It's about cherishing and fearing.
This is purely the embryo of a "sycophant", but he has never gone astray.
What a pity for this talent...
But His Majesty puts Fang Jun on the same level as himself, otherwise he would not have said such words to replace Fang Jun's humility. If it were someone else, His Majesty could only praise him, how could he be humble?
This is treating Fang Jun as one of our own without any barriers...
But is there really no barrier?
Not necessarily so.
Every human being has an untouchable negative scale, and His Majesty's negative scale may not only lie in the ownership of imperial power, but also in the recognition of the people of the world.
It's your Fang Jun who has done everything. Wouldn't it be a good situation to just replace him as the emperor?
So where does my value lie?
……
"I have an audience with Your Majesty."
Liu Ji walked into the imperial study and saluted. Li Chengqian smiled warmly and waved his hands and said: "I love you, you don't need to be polite, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After thanking him, he greeted Li Ji, Li Daozong and Ma Zhou who were present, and then sat on a chair on one side.
The waiter served the fragrant tea and bowed away...
Just as Liu Er took a sip of tea, he heard Li Chengqian ask: "Is Zhongshu Ling already aware of what happened in Luoyang?"
Liu Ji quickly put down his tea cup and replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have just found out."
He couldn't say that he hadn't received the news. He was Zhongshu Ling and a civil servant leader. It was impossible for him to be unaware of such a major event in Luoyang. If he really didn't know anything, it didn't mean that he was a pure minister and had no contact with the Henan family. , can only prove that he is an incompetent person who only eats nothing.
Li Chengqian nodded and said: "The King of Wei wrote a letter saying that the construction of the Eastern Capital was cumbersome. He hoped to transfer Yan Liben, a doctor in the Ministry of Punishment, to serve as a general and a young prisoner, and go to Luoyang to preside over the construction. I wonder what the order of Zhongshu said?"
Liu Jie asked curiously: "Yan Liben's painting skills are unparalleled in the world, but he is also proficient in architecture? It seems that this is the origin of his family education. The king of Wei knows people and employs them, and his ministers naturally support him. Later, when he returns to the ministry, he will issue a transfer letter. Text.”
Yan Lide's architectural knowledge was extraordinary, but he was punished by Emperor Taizong for failing to build the Zhaoling Mausoleum. Unexpectedly, his younger brother Yan Liben also had talents in this area, but he was usually overshadowed by his amazing painting skills and was not well known. .
Yan Lide is the father of Princess Wei. Even if the King of Wei wants to make him ordinary and clear up his guilt at this time, Liu Jie can't say anything against it, let alone Yan Liben is only transferred now?
He immediately said: "His Royal Highness the King of Wei is sitting in Luoyang. He is really majestic and powerful. Otherwise, how could Xu Shangshu implement the central government orders so smoothly? Since His Majesty came to the throne, the government and the public have slandered His Highness the King of Wei. If His Majesty is because of this, His contribution to the king of Wei may be able to offset many criticisms. The clan is the foundation of the world. If the clan is stable, the world will be stable. Furthermore, I hope your majesty will think twice. Pei Huaijie has made great contributions and should be rewarded. "
Li Ji glanced at Liu Ji and drooped his eyelids.
Li Daozong glanced at His Majesty's face and said dissatisfied: "Zhongshu Ling's words are wrong. The implementation of the Central Government Order in Luoyang was so smooth. Pei Huaijie and Xu Jingzong certainly contributed a lot, but they can be said to be 'the greatest contributors'." It’s only Fang Jun who deserves the credit. General Zhongshu Ling They are all recommended to Pei Huaijie and Xu Jingzong, but they are dismissive of the real heroes. With such unclear rewards and punishments, how can they assist His Majesty in handling the affairs of the court? The wind cannot last.”
There were some things that Li Ji couldn't say, but he had to say them.
It’s just Pei Huaijie, but he still wants to give King Wei a reward?
Originally, appointing King Wei as "Luoyang Remainer" gave King Wei an opportunity to perform meritorious service. As long as Luoyang was built and completed step by step, it would be a great achievement. By then, the government and the public would understand that His Majesty is generous and kind to his brothers and sisters.
But everything is too much and too little is too little. One merit can be seen by others, but two great achievements add up. This is to make those who have given up their desire to "waste the crown prince" once again think back to how Emperor Taizong doted on King Wei, and even how many times he loved him. The old story of wanting to establish the King of Wei as the crown prince?
Nowadays, the clan is in turmoil and undercurrents are surging. After the defeat of King Jin, another King of Wei will be established...
Absolutely not.
However, Liu Jie and him have different positions and different perspectives on things, so their choices are naturally different.
From his point of view, Fang Jun is his biggest competitor, and Xu Jingzong is Fang Jun's closest accomplice in the court. The two men are very powerful when they join forces, as evidenced by his several defeats. If this person is allowed to If the two of them achieve great feats again, especially such great achievements, their prestige will surely increase and they will become increasingly difficult to deal with.
As for whether King Wei's prestige will soar and become another mountain in the clan, attracting countless people who are interested in overthrowing Li Chengqian... what does it have to do with him?
That is a clan issue. As a Zhongshu Ling, the power and responsibility lies only with the court.
Moreover, with his current status and reputation, even if he were to change to another emperor, the position of Zhongshu Ling would still belong to him.
Therefore, in the face of Li Daozong's criticism, Liu Jie explained: "The county king may not have thought enough. The reason why the people in the clan are unsettled is because most of them participated in the two previous mutinies. Although His Majesty once expressed his dissatisfaction. They should be held accountable, but after all, those people have a guilty conscience and fear that they will be punished one day. In case of liquidation. But if His Majesty continues to show kindness to the King of Wei, and others see how magnanimous His Majesty is, even the "enemies" who were directly competing for the throne are treated with kindness, how can they not forgive them compared to their true merits? It doesn’t matter who did it.”
Speaking like this, Li Daozong was speechless.
Politics is not about right or wrong, but about trade-offs, trade-offs, and compromises.
I'm afraid that His Majesty's heart is already moved at this moment, and if I keep talking nonsense, it will be counterproductive...
Sure enough, Li Chengqian pondered for a while and said: "I will put this matter on hold for the time being, and I will make a decision after I think about it carefully."
Li Daozong frowned. He knew that His Majesty said "it's a good idea to think about it", but in fact he had already made a decision and agreed with Liu Ji's advice.
But what else could he say? He has never been a "critic" or "remonstrator". He is the number one prince in the clan. Even the prestige of several princes is lower than him, so he has to be more cautious in his words and deeds.
He couldn't help but look sideways at Li Ji, but the latter was still so "tight-mouthed" and had no intention of speaking out on this matter...
Sighing slightly in his heart, Li Daozong shook his head and said nothing.
……
Inside the sleeping hall.
Seeing Li Chengqian coming back quickly and beaming with joy, Queen Su knew that something good had happened. She took the tea cup from the maid's hand and placed it in Li Chengqian's hand. Then she sat next to him and asked with a smile: "Your Highness is in high spirits. Is there something wrong?" What good happened?”
"Haha! Anyone who knows me is a queen!"
Li Chengqian took the queen's hand and told what happened in Luoyang in detail.
Then, he said excitedly: "Did you know? This is what my father wanted to do with all his heart. However, my father's talents and strategies had to succumb to the local power of the aristocratic family, and they could only stop their activities. Now, but It can be completed in my hands. When I worship heaven and worship my ancestors in the future, I can proudly say to my father’s heroic soul: My son is not an adou who cannot help me, and I have not tarnished my father’s heroic name!”
This is what he cares about most.
Just like His Majesty Li Er worked diligently, loved the people, and humbly accepted advice in order to prove to the world that he was no worse or even better than his brother. Li Chengqian also had his own inner demons, which was that His Majesty Li Er repeatedly wanted to save money. The blow to his self-confidence was extremely serious.
Now what his father never could do has been accomplished in his hands. What kind of achievement is this?
Now, even if his father is standing in front of him, he can straighten his back, look directly into his father's eyes, pat his chest and say: I am not bad at being emperor!
Empress Su felt her husband's excitement and was very happy, so she said: "I don't understand the affairs of the court, so I don't dare to say anything. But as the saying goes, rewards and punishments are clear. This matter all depends on the planning of the Duke of Yue and Xu Jingzong." Since it is a great achievement to take the lead, it should naturally be heavily rewarded.”
Speaking of this, Li Chengqian's excitement suddenly faded, and he hummed in silence.
Queen Su observed the words and asked curiously: "Is what I said wrong?"
Li Chengqian sighed: "Of course it is right, but the current situation is different, maybe... I have to feel a little wronged."
Then he told Liu Ji's advice.
Queen Su disagreed. She believed that this was Liu Ji's way of taking advantage of the opportunity to attack his political opponents, and all the reasons were just excuses.
However, she knew Li Chengqian and knew that Li Chengqian had already acquiesced to Liu Ji's advice. After thinking about it, she said softly: "Why should your majesty be in trouble? The Duke of Yue is your majesty's humerus. He will treat your majesty with loyalty and sincerity. He has a noble character and is humble and has never cared about the power of officials and titles. As long as His Majesty speaks kind words and comforts the Duke of Yue and explains the truth, a gentleman like the Duke of Yue will not feel alienated. "
Li Chengqian felt it made sense, but felt uncomfortable.
His wife praised another man so well in front of her. It was obvious that that man had a very high status in her heart. Which man could feel comfortable?
Not to mention him, a wealthy emperor...
If you think about it carefully, Fang Jun is both civil and military, has outstanding talents, is young, handsome, and talented. He is exactly the kind of man who can win the heart of a woman.
Even if her own queen is fond of him, it is natural. I feel a little jealous for no reason...