Chapter 4703 Take the initiative
Fang Jun is still not sure what is going on between this supreme couple. Are they cooperating with each other to give the outside world the illusion of "discord between the emperor and the empress", or are they pretending to be a fake and really something bad happened...
I wanted to test it out, but found that I was getting more and more confused.
Seeing that Fang Jun was silent, the queen chuckled lightly and picked up the tea cup with bare hands: "Rumors are flying around now and people's hearts are floating. It's better for Duke Yue to leave as soon as possible, otherwise it will be bad if the lies are turned into truth."
Fang Jun could only stand up and say goodbye, but he still warned: "The queen should take good care of the people around her, otherwise once someone is involved in the whirlpool, it will be extremely difficult for the queen to escape."
Some things only need to be done by the slaves around them, and they are basically the same as what the master does. At that time, if someone says something that has nothing to do with the master, who will believe it?
And once those slaves are bribed or coerced into doing something treacherous and unethical, then the queen, the master, will be in danger...
The queen nodded slightly and said softly: "Don't worry, Erlang, I know what to do."
Fang Jun was speechless. At such a turbulent time, you called me such a close friend. Are you really not afraid that the rumors will be true?
After coming out of the Zhengzheng Palace, I looked up at the sunlight coming from the glazed tile roof of the west palace, feeling a little depressed.
Not only was Li Chengqian's behavior incomprehensible, but it was also difficult to guess the Queen's thoughts... Could it be that the two couples really had some trouble that led to the fake show?
*****
The city of Chang'an was in turmoil, and everyone in the government and the public could feel the undercurrent of irritability, which made people panic. In the officialdom, with all kinds of entangled interests, no one dares to guarantee that he will be alone. When the current surges, he can't help but be swept into it.
The kind of panic caused by "changes not seen in a thousand years" makes everyone uneasy.
At the moment, the one receiving the most attention is naturally the Ministry of War Yamen.
The reform of the military system has become a foregone conclusion and no one can resist it. However, no one in the entire army knows how to reform it or how it will be carried out. The "Mansion Army System" inherited from the "Six Towns of the Northern Wei Dynasty" has already shown many shortcomings and is no longer suitable for the current national conditions of the Tang Dynasty. However, the "Mansion Army System" and the "Recruitment System" have their own advantages and disadvantages. Simply abolishing the "Mansion Army System" It does not make the military system look brand new.
In particular, the repeatedly mentioned "complete separation of the military from the local area" has obviously touched the interests of countless people. These people include military generals, local officials, aristocratic families, and even clan members, which naturally attracts everyone's attention.
……
The sky was slightly exposed, and the gates of the imperial city slowly opened. The officials waiting outside the gates entered the imperial city one after another, either by car or on horseback, and went straight to their respective offices. For a time, lights flooded in, traffic was busy, and the silent imperial city slowly Wake up slowly.
Today is not a big dynasty, so unless ministers have important matters to report to the palace or are ordered to visit the palace, the rest are on duty in their respective official offices.
The streets in front of the Ministry of War Yamen were a bit congested. Not only were the officials from the headquarters arriving one after another, but the members of the recently added "committee" were also on duty for the first time today. Each of these people were big bosses, surrounded by subordinates and servants, and their number was huge. There were so many that they blocked the long and narrow streets for a while, and even affected several other adjacent ministries and yamen.
Xu Jingzong, the Minister of Rites, glanced at the bustling Ministry of War gate in front of his Yamen, sighed, and shook his head.
Such a prosperous Ministry of War yamen will inevitably arouse the jealousy of others. Prosperity represents power, and power represents status...
There is a courtyard on the left side of the military office hall, which was usually used for the rest of the ministry officials. Now it has been cleared out. The main hall is covered with thick Persian carpets. Except for the sunny side of the door, there are chairs on the north, east and west sides. , coffee table, desk, an exquisite bronze crane stove in the middle has already lit up sandalwood, white porcelain tea cups are filled with hot tea, and cakes are placed on the plates.
Li Ji, Fang Jun, Li Jing, Zheng Rentai, Cui Dunli and others took their seats one by one, drinking tea and eating cakes.
Li Jing smiled and said: "Out of the six government offices, only the military office has the most adequate logistics supply. Even the tea cups are made of high-quality white porcelain, and the tea and water are both sweet. The chairs are made of red sandalwood. This carpet is afraid of It’s expensive, right?”
It is just a temporary addition. Everyone usually only discusses the reform of the military system here, and is not on duty every day. However, the furnishings are luxurious and grand, and are not inferior to some palaces in the palace. Among the six Among them, it should be the first.
Li Ji smiled calmly and said: "Everyone knows that the Ministry of War is rich."
Fang Jun complained to Cui Dunli: "I have already told you to keep everything simple. All of you here are important ministers of the military and state, so naturally you will not care about it. But once it spreads, you will definitely be targeted by the Yushi Yanguan, who will spend money to pay you back." It’s good to be out of touch, but it’s too stupid to reach.”
Cui Dunli did not defend himself, and nodded and admitted his mistake: "The lesson taught by the Duke of Yue is correct. The subordinate officials did not think carefully, so when they turned back they had them removed. Simplicity is the best."
Others watched the two men perform, all bowed their heads and drank tea, as if they had not seen them.
The atmosphere became a little serious. Could it be that on the first day of duty, Li Ji and Fang Jun, the second-in-command, had a tit-for-tat confrontation?
Li Jing felt that he had said something wrong that caused this. He was a little depressed and drank tea in silence.
He just said that he was not good at such weird officialdom battles and shouldn’t have come...
After talking for a while, the noise outside gradually subsided. It was time to go on duty, and the officials and clerks in the ministry began to handle their official duties step by step.
But the Pei Huai Festival has not yet arrived...
Fang Jun put down his tea cup and looked at Li Ji: "Although our organization does not have a formal structure, the affairs involved are important military matters and we dare not slack off in the slightest. Duke Ying thinks whether we should set some basic rules, such as discussion Don’t be late on the day?”
Li Ji looked calm and said: "Of course there should be rules, but after all, it is the first day on duty, so there is no need to be strict."
Although he was also dissatisfied with Pei Huaijie, this kid showed such a strong desire to attack on the first day. He obviously wanted to control the situation and gain the initiative. How could he let him do so?
Fang Jun said with a smile: "It is said that Ying Gong is strict in running the army and has strict laws and disciplines, but why is he so tolerant and lax in discipline here? Do you think that things here are more important than things in the army, so you are slacking off and perfunctory? ?”
The expressions of the other people remained unchanged, but they began to get excited in their hearts, because Fang Jun's words were not accusing Li Ji of whether he paid attention to matters here, but mentioned that he had neglected government affairs, kept a low profile, and far away since he became minister Zuopushe. It is not as vigorous and strict as when he was in the army.
In short, Li Ji is accused of dereliction of duty...
This is a serious crime. Although it is impossible to prove it, it is a big blow to Li Ji's prestige.
The tit-for-tat confrontation from the beginning was already surprising, and the attack was so sharp that it made people feel even more tense...
Li Ji was unmoved and said calmly: "Erlang is young after all. Although he has led troops, he does not know the difference between the army and the court. The military discipline is strict and the court regulations are rigorous, but mistakes in the army are often punished with military sticks and whips. In the court, How can it be like this? And when military discipline is serious, it can be killed with a stick? Even the leader, how can the same thing be done in the court and in the ministry? The army must be restrained by military discipline, be sharp at all times, and be meticulous without making any mistakes. The court is different. To a certain extent, mistakes are allowed. ”
The implication is that this is a ministry, not an army, and cannot be generalized. At such a young age, one should not be full of hostility, but should be tolerant.
Just as he was talking, there was a sound of footsteps outside the door. Pei Huaijie stepped inside, clasped his fists and saluted, and said apologetically: "Sorry, sorry, the carriage broke down on the way here, which delayed me for a while. Please forgive me."
Li Ji nodded and said: "It doesn't matter..."
Before he finished speaking, Fang Jun said, "If you don't want to forgive me, how will you treat me?"
Pei Huaijie was stunned and suddenly felt at a loss, with embarrassment on his face and anger in his heart.
It's just a little late, why is it like this?
But he could only hold back his anger and said with an apologetic smile: "It's all the fault of the official. Today at noon at Zuixian Tower in Kangfang, how about the official holding a banquet for you all and toasting to apologize?"
Fang Jun disagreed: "Here are the ministers of the Ministry of War, the ministers of the Ministry of War, and the generals of Wei, who are leading the army on the left... They are all important ministers of the military and state. They work hard and sleep late, forgetting to eat and sleep for national affairs, but because of your lack of discipline and negligence, If you are slacking off and wasting time here, how can you just buy a drink and get over?”
Pei Huaijie glanced at Li Ji. The latter's face was as dark as water and he said nothing. His anger rose in his heart and he asked: "Since the Duke of Yue is so picky, how do you think he should be punished?"
Fang Jun: "Get out."
Pei Huaijie: "...what?"
He looked confused, thinking that his ears were ringing. What did he hear?
Fang Jun pointed to the door: "There are people here talking about military exploits, political achievements, titles, and family backgrounds. Which one is not someone you need to respect? Not only did you ignore the time and delay, you were late, and you even came in without even calling the door. You are arrogant and domineering. , No superiors, how arrogant! Now go out and call the door again, and then come in after permission. ”
Pei Huaijie's face turned red, his beard and hair were tangled, and he was so angry that his whole body was trembling slightly. He was also a third-grade Henan Yin, one of the best among the officials in the border areas. A proper military minister, how had he ever suffered such humiliation?
Li Ji stared at Fang Jun with sharp eyes: "Dong Yue, is this too much?"
Fang Jun showed him a smile and asked: "There is no rule without rules. If you forgive him for being late and being rude today, then I will do it again tomorrow. Can you forgive me? What should I do if someone does this again in the future?" br>
Not only must he take the initiative, but he must also suppress Pei Huaijie.
Li Ji remained silent, feeling a strong provocation. He knew that Fang Jun was not joking. If he insists on forgiving Pei Huaijie today, tomorrow Fang Jun will regard all rules as nothing, and the entire "committee" will be in vain, and the final responsibility must be his. This nominal Shangguan is burdened.
Of course, he could forcefully suppress Fang Jun, but for Pei Huaiji, there was no need... And Fang Jun chose to take the initiative today to try to control the situation and enhance his voice, which caught him off guard and felt the difficulty.