Chapter 4760: Slippery
Fang Jun and Li Xiaogong were not only close friends for many years and had an irreversible friendship, but they also had many business cooperation interests and were the most solid allies. Therefore, when Li Xiaogong realized that something was not right, he did not hesitate to ask directly and give it a try. Let’s see if we can save Li Chongxu.
Although this kid is a bastard, he is his nephew after all. His elder brother died in the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" that year. His Majesty Li Er was grateful for Li Xiaogong's achievements so he did not kill them all. Although he has ignored that branch in recent years, he still He also acquiesced to the nephews who were using his banner outside. Naturally, he would not just sit idly by due to blood ties and family ties.
Fang Jun thought for a while and whispered: "Don't ask more, I can't say... As for Li Chongxu, it's not a big deal, but he was implicated. This matter will definitely go through Zongzheng Temple and Sanfa Division in the end. After the trial, go back and talk to King Han, he will definitely sell you this face.”
Li Xiaogong's prestige in the clan was unparalleled, and it was not difficult for him to keep his nephew, who was not deeply involved.
Unexpectedly, Li Xiaogong shook his head: "I can't let go of this old face. You go and talk about it."
Fang Jun looked surprised: "You can't give up your face, but you ask me to give up my face to ask for help, so my face is not valuable?"
"Isn't that your brother-in-law? You speak better than me. If I beg him, he will be too lazy to pay attention to him."
"You also said that he is my brother-in-law. How can any brother-in-law listen to his brother-in-law?"
"He dares to ride to King Han's Mansion without listening to you. I heard that King Han recently took a concubine. Your sister is a princess and it's hard to stand out. You just go and scare that concubine to support your sister."< br>
Fang Jun was worried: "It was just a young and frivolous impulse. It has been so long, how can anyone remember it clearly? You high-ranking officials have nothing to do all day long?"
Li Xiaogong said: "Are you going to tell me or not?"
Fang Jun was helpless: "You have opened your mouth, how dare I not say it?"
"That's funny, I owe you a favor. I'll leave this place to you and Ma Zhou. You two can take care of it. You get sleepy when the hour comes. I'll go back home to rest."
Li Xiaogong patted Fang Jun on the shoulder, turned around and walked away. The old fox knew how to protect himself wisely. Since he knew that this was a big whirlpool, it was only right to retreat quickly.
Returning to Ma Zhou, Ma Zhou said with some disdain: "Did you see it? They are all old foxes. They don't want to get into any trouble. They swarm around when there are benefits, rack their brains to dig around, and run away when there is trouble. Faster than a rabbit. Only fools like us can do the so-called things of serving the country and the people, not only suffering hardships, but also annoying people and attracting infamy.”
"It's just human nature. After all, not everyone can bear the word 'noble'. A good official like you who is loyal to the emperor and loves the people is like a cow. What he eats is grass and what he squeezes out is milk. The so-called 'brilliant eyebrows are cold to thousands of husbands'" It means that you should bow your head and be a coward. Do what you want and don’t be cynical. ”
"This poem is really good, but I am so frightened that I feel I am not worthy of it."
"Then keep working hard, overcome all difficulties and persevere in accordance with your ideals, and one day you will be worthy of it."
Ma Zhou blushed. He was a shy person and would only say a few words in front of a few familiar people. The more he thought about this poem, the more meaningful and memorable it became. He sighed: "Shanghai Reply to the "Ink Bamboo Picture" you gave me "Poetry" hangs in the public house. I observe it every day, reflect on it all the time, and use it to spur me on. I feel deeply frightened. The artistic conception of this poem is more profound and the intention is more noble. I am afraid that I will not be able to match it in my lifetime. ”
Just saying "bow down and be willing to be a coward", what kind of state of self-sacrifice, body and bones are willing to be turned into dust?
It's easy to say, but if you can really do it, it may be a little insufficient to be called a "sage", but it is enough to be a "sage". This is something that many great scholars admire and yearn for but cannot do it in their entire lives...
*****
The study room of the Xiangyi County Prince's Mansion was brightly lit. Li Shenfu drove away all the other children and grandchildren, leaving only Li Demao. The father and son sat opposite each other on the floor by the window, drinking tea slowly, and servants came and went constantly. Report the situation in Jingzhao Mansion.
Because they were looking forward to the situation and were too nervous, the father and son just drank water separately and did not communicate much.
When the news came that Youjin Wuwei had entered the city from Jinguang Gate to block the Jingzhao Mansion Yamen, the father and son let out a sigh of relief at the same time. The expectations in their hearts disappeared. The expected chaotic situation did not appear. They felt disappointed and relaxed at the same time.
Although it is exciting to do something big, the pressure during the waiting period is so great that even the heartbeat seems to have stopped...
"Huh... Fang Jun really controls Chang'an City without leaving any gaps. If we want to succeed, we must move him down. At the very least, we must remove him from the control of the left and right Jinwu Guards, otherwise There’s really no chance.”
Li Demao shook his head and sighed.
Li Shenfu's face was solemn: "Easier said than done? Although this guy has had some troubles with His Majesty recently, his loyalty has not changed, and Your Majesty's trust in him has not diminished. I thought before that there was a rift between them, the monarch and his ministers, that would allow us to have a relationship. There is an opportunity, but the one whom Your Majesty trusts most at the critical moment is Fang Jun.”
Even though Fang Jun no longer has the official position to control the Jinwu Guards, and both armies have appointed generals respectively, His Majesty still acquiesces to Fang Jun's control of the two armies, which shows the trust between the monarch and his ministers.
With Fang Jun controlling Chang'an City, it can be said to be impregnable.
When he heard that Li Jingshu died violently and that King Li Yuanjia of Han went to the palace to report the situation and asked for permission for the Three Laws Division to intervene, Li Shenfu was so shocked that he could not sit still.
He stood up suddenly, with a worried look on his face: "Li Yuanjia, this bastard, is timid and fearful of things and has no sense of responsibility! How can we report this matter directly to His Majesty? That will force His Majesty to investigate thoroughly and make the matter out of control. By then, I don't know how many clans, Your Excellency has been implicated! No, I have to go to the palace to advise Your Majesty, prepare your car quickly!”
Soon the servants prepared the carriage. Li Shenfu changed into his official uniform and went out with the help of Li Demao. He boarded the carriage and left the house and headed straight for Chengtianmen.
When he arrived at Chengtian Gate, he asked the guards in front of the gate and found out that Li Yuanjia had just entered the palace, so he quickly sent people into the palace to report and beg for an audience.
Li Shenfu saw the bright lights on the Chengtian Gate Tower and the elite soldiers with helmets and armor standing on both sides of the palace gate, so he asked: "Is the British Duke on the tower?"
"Exactly, by His Majesty's order, the British prince has been in charge of guarding the palace and has been living on the tower for several days without returning."
"Take me up to him."
"Here."
The guard opened the side door, led Li Shenfu inside, and climbed up the stairs on the wall on one side of the doorway to the gate tower.
"The king has come to the palace to see you. Why did you come to look for me? Come on, I just made a pot of tea. It is said that it was made by the Fang family in Shu. The craftsmanship is unprecedented. What's the matter? The wet green tea is piled up in piles, and the pine wood is dried over an open fire. 'I don't understand it anyway, but it's easy to store and has a refreshing taste that's completely different from fried green tea. It's quite delicious. ”
He pulled Li Shenfu into the duty room in the gatehouse and asked him to take a seat. Then he waved his hand to drive the soldiers out. He personally took the teapot from the stove, poured two cups and placed them in front of himself and Li Shenfu. Then he took his seat and smiled. He said: "The prince has a drink and has a look. If the taste is right, I will send two bricks of tea to the house later."
The tea in the white porcelain cup has an amber color, rosy and translucent. When you pick up the tea cup and take a sip, it is indeed different from the freshness of green tea. The entrance is mellow and sweet with a faint scent of pine smoke. It goes into the throat smoothly. It is indeed extraordinary. Ordinary product.
Li Shenfu put down his tea cup and sighed: "If Fang Er were not in the court, he would have become the richest man in the world. His ability to amass money and silk is rare throughout the ages. The most rare thing is that he does not compete with the people for profit. Stealing national funds is beneficial to the country and the people, and the likes of Fan Li and Deng Tong are not worthy of comparison."
Li Jishen thought so: "The land of the foreign barbarians is hard, the wind and the sun are hot, and the barbarians eat beef and mutton as their daily ration, which is not easy to digest. Over time, the stool will not be smooth, and many people will die from suffocation. Therefore, after every meal, if you can Drinking rhubarb tea and other substances is nothing more than a magical medicine for the intestines. Nowadays, tea The leaves have become an important source of wealth for the empire along with silk and porcelain. However, in the past, tea was fresh but could not be stored. Once it traveled a long distance, it often rotted and deteriorated. Once this black tea came out, it would definitely become a commodity in the tea trade, and the barbarians flocked to it. .”
There is no need to elaborate on the benefits of tea. The Yi people and the Hu people have gradually realized the magic of tea. A handful of leaves can solve the constipation problem that has troubled the Yi people for thousands of years. How can they not flock to it?
Now the tea trade can bring huge financial resources to the empire. In time, tea may also become a strategic material like salt and iron.
The obedient Yi people allowed them to participate in the tea trade, otherwise they would cut off the flow of tea to the area...
Li Shenfu's old face twitched slightly, and he secretly resented that this man clearly knew that he must have something important to discuss when he came here, but he kept talking about the quality of tea, which was simply slippery.
He impatiently followed Li Ji's words and exchanged polite greetings but said nothing. He knocked on the table and said bluntly: "You must have known what happened at the Yamen of Jingzhao Mansion, right?"
Li Ji drank tea slowly and said casually: "The prince should know better than me."
Li Shenfu paused and held back his anger: "What do you think of this matter?"
Li Ji put down his tea cup and said slightly strangely: "It is said that most of the participants are clan members and nobles. I am neither Zong Zhengqing, nor Dali Temple Minister, nor the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. What can I say? My opinion is that the matter is none of my business. High hanging.”
This indifferent attitude made Li Shenfu very angry: "But you are the minister Zuopushe, the prime minister! How can such a big event have nothing to do with you?" "Oh, I forgot to tell the prince that these two days are... I plan to submit a letter to His Majesty to resign. I am getting old and have low energy. It would be better to abdicate in favor of someone worthy of my post than to live a simple life.”