Chapter 4819: Each takes what he needs
Seeing that it was still early, Li Ji took Liang Jianfang to visit Duke Wei's Mansion in a carriage. When he arrived at Duke Wei's Mansion, he got off the car in front of the gate, entered through the side door, handed the gift to the steward of the mansion, and then walked through the courtyard under the guidance of the steward. Come to the main hall.
Li Jing also happened to come out of the back hall. Apparently he had just changed his clothes after hearing Li Ji's visit. Now Li Jing's hair and beard were all white, but his face was ruddy and energetic. He smiled and invited the two of them to take a seat and said to Li Ji: " Maogong is a rare visitor.”
He glanced at the reserved Liang Jianfang and nodded slightly.
Liang Jianfang hurriedly bowed in military salute: "The last general, Liang Jianfang, has met Duke Wei."
"We only discuss private matters in private, no need to be polite, just take a seat quickly."
Although they didn't have much contact with each other, they were familiar with each other after having been in the army for many years. Li Jing had no airs and was very kind and friendly.
Liang Jianfang then took his seat.
No wonder he was so reserved. In fact, how many people in the Tang army could be as relaxed in front of Li Jing as Li Ji? Although this man's official career was delayed and even his life was hanging by a thread for a time, his prestige in the army was unmatched by anyone. Even Li Ji, who is now recognized as "the number one man in the army", and Fang Jun, who was at the height of his power, were all powerful and domineering in front of him. Much inferior.
The praise of "Military God" may be a bit exaggerated, but it is only one step away.
The old servant served the tea. Li Jing motioned for the two of them to drink tea and said with a smile: "Now I live alone in such a big mansion. My children and grandchildren have their own futures. I am with this old man. On weekdays, except for going to the Ministry of War, I write books in the mansion. There are only a few visitors." , I am very lonely. I am very happy that you two old friends are visiting me. Don’t leave later. I have asked the kitchen to prepare some side dishes and let’s have a few drinks.”
Li Ji said: "I heard that the Duke of Yue gave you a lot of good wine before. The things that this boy can give away must be extraordinary. You are in good luck today."
"It's just wine, no matter how good it is, it's not a nectar. What you drink is atmosphere and friendship. As the saying goes, a thousand cups are too little when you have a close friend. As long as the person is right, it doesn't make any difference what you drink."
"Now that Duke Wei has become more sophisticated, his mentality and spirit are more relaxed, which is really enviable."
"It's better for the fish in Linyuan to retreat and build a net," Li Jing said with a smile: "Just take a step back and the sea and sky will be brighter."
Take a step back?
Li Ji shook his head: "I am in this mortal world with six impure roots. I can't retreat, and I can't retreat."
Being in an officialdom, with the interests of all parties involved in it being entangled, how can you just retreat if you want to?
What's more, he doesn't want to retreat now. The reform of the military system is complicated and full of dangers. He has reached an agreement with Fang Jun and is determined to complete this unprecedented feat in his later years.
How to get rid of fame, fortune and karma?
Li Jing shook his head and said warmly: "Everyone has his own ambitions. You and I pursue different things and take different paths, so what is there to envy? You are different from me. What I am good at is not above the court, but you are On the contrary, since it is within your ability and your ambition, why not do it? ”
He was a complete failure in his official career. Fortunately, His Majesty Li Er has a broad mind. Otherwise, what he did back then would be enough for an emperor to confiscate his family and exterminate his family. But now he can gain the trust of His Majesty and show off his talents by going to teach in the academy. , write books at home, go to the Ministry of War "committee" to be a "consultant", and live a colorful life in his later years without being involved in power struggles, which is enough.
However, Li Ji was at home in the officialdom, promoting the reform of the military system as a prime minister and assistant, and leaving a mark on history, so why should he retire?
……
Liang Jianfang was an expert at leading troops in wars, but he knew nothing about politics, so the two men's talk of bones and flesh exposed made him confused and could not understand him at all.
However, he is also an open-minded person. If he doesn't understand, he won't listen. After the food and wine are served, he sits aside and acts as the "bartender", holding the wine jar without letting go, pouring one drink for the two of them and drinking two for himself...
While Li Ji and Li Jing were chatting, he pointed at Liang Jianfang who was drinking heavily and asked Li Jing: "Does Mr. Wei think it is necessary to carve this kind of hard work?"
"The tools in the world include exquisite jade and chisels for attacking mountains. Uncut jade needs to be carved to be beautiful and valuable. But the chisel only needs to be hard. Even if it is coated with grease, powder, inlaid with gold and jade, What’s the benefit? ”
Liang Jianfang let out a wine burp and nodded repeatedly: "What Duke Wei said makes sense, what kind of jade am I? I can be a chisel for attacking mountains, crack mountains and crack rocks, that's enough for my wish."
Li Ji said angrily: "Since the chisel to open the mountain should go to the most difficult place, why come to my house and clamor for progress?"
Liang Jianfang was a little embarrassed and said with a naive smile: "I just want to make progress. As long as I can make progress, let alone break mountains and crack rocks, I can go anywhere."
Li Ji said to Li Jing: "Look, this guy is not willing to be lonely. He is an official fan."
Li Jing was still smiling, glanced at Liang Jianfang, and said: "There is nothing wrong with wanting to make progress, but if you come to my house to seek progress, are you worshiping the wrong god or entering the wrong door?"
Li Ji said: "I just brought him here to pay a visit to Duke Wei. I have no other intentions. This guy is born to be a fighter. He is brave and brave on the battlefield, but he is not sure of the direction of the court. He doesn't know the danger of Chang'an at the moment, but he still has to rush in." Fortunately, his temper is well known to everyone, and no one will think that he has any ulterior motives, otherwise I would have kicked him out a long time ago."
Li Jing was thoughtful.
The life in Duke Wei's mansion was very simple. There were no great food or delicacies, just ordinary meals, but the wine was good.
The three of them exchanged glasses, and Liang Jianfang drank most of the jar of wine. When he left, he was drunk and sloppy.
After boarding the carriage, Liang Jianfang burped and was a little puzzled: "Didn't Duke Ying bring me to ask for an official position from Duke Wei? But why didn't I hear any mention of this matter from you?"
Li Ji put his hand in front of his nose and fanned it. The smell of wine was very unpleasant, and he said helplessly: "Just leave your elm head to breathe, and don't think about other things. I will bring you here." Duke Wei is asking for an official, but do you think it is possible for Duke Wei to go to the palace to speak to His Majesty now? Just go home and wait."
In the past, he would have refused Liang Jianfang's request for an official position. At most, he would have helped transfer him to the windy and cold place on the border to work hard for meritorious deeds, instead of placing him in a core area of power such as Chang'an. People eat it dry and wipe off the bones without leaving any residue.
But now is different from usual. Although the clan's activities have ceased due to the "attack on Jingzhao Mansion" and the "death of Li Jingshu", the undercurrent still exists. Even the more silent and simmering, the more violent it will be when it breaks out. Surging, a little carelessness is enough to annihilate everything.
Although he is known as the "number one in the army", his power in Chang'an is extremely weak. None of the left and right leading guards in the Suwei Palace, the left and right Jinwu guards guarding Chang'an, and the Xuanwu Gate guards guarding the entrance to Taiji Palace... are none of his. people.
He didn't care before, but now that he has chosen another path, he has to prepare in advance.
*****
After Li Ji and Liang Jianfang left, Li Jing went to the flower hall alone to make a pot of tea. He drank it slowly and thought about things. He sighed for a long time and muttered: "Everyone has Qiqiao heart and liver, and they are as smart as ghosts." Yes, my old bones have been able to persist to this day without being broken into ashes. I am really lucky!”
The old servant at the door was confused, wondering what the master was muttering...
"Go to the guest master's house and call him over. Tell him that I have something important to do."
"Here."
The old servant responded warmly and turned around to go out.
Li Jing drank a pot of tea and thought about something. Then he poured boiling water into the teapot and put it aside. He picked up a book next to him and started reading.
Less than half an hour later, Master Li hurried over and asked as soon as he entered the flower hall: "Brother sent someone to call me here so urgently. Why is it important?"
Li Jing glanced at him and pointed to the teapot on the coffee table.
Master Li reached out to pick up the teapot, touched the body of the teapot and tested the temperature. Seeing that it was completely cold, he simply drank half the teapot towards the spout and let out a long sigh.
Li Jing put down the scroll and looked at his younger brother: "Tomorrow, write a resignation letter and send it to the palace. At the same time, you will recommend Liang Jianfang to take your place."
Li Keshi was stunned for a moment: "Why is this?"
He is now the General of the Left Leading Army Guard, and he and General Zheng Rentai of the Right Leading Army Guard are in charge of the Suwei Palace. Continuous mutinies endangered the Taiji Palace, so Li Chengqian strengthened the palace guards, and the generals of the Left and Right Leading Guards are all A veteran of hundreds of battles, ensuring nothing goes wrong.
As soon as he came in, he asked himself to resign from his official position and recommended Liang Jianfang. Master Li was confused...
Li Jing didn't explain much and frowned: "Are you reluctant?"
"Brother, what are you talking about?" Li Keshi said hurriedly: "How can I not know what kind of character my brother is? I am impatient with such mundane matters. It's just that our family is weak now and there is no independent figure among the children. I am I reluctantly occupied a position, which at least gave my family some confidence. Not to mention that I don’t care about this great general. Even if I do, I have no reason to refuse as long as my brother asks. I just want to know the reason. "
Li Jing nodded and asked the old servant to bring some pastries and make a new pot of tea and put it in front of Master Li. Then he told the story about Li Ji and Liang Jianfang's visit just now.
At the end, he sighed: "Li Ji is the most cautious person and never speaks nonsense. Since he hinted that he wants my family to be separated from the power struggle, it must be that the situation is dangerous and may involve our family. Of course, this is only one aspect, he It is also true that the position of General Wei, the left leader, is used to place Liang Jianfang.”
Keshi Li thought for a moment, then let out a sigh of dissatisfaction: "This Niubi is really cunning. He asked our family to give up the position of General of the Sixteenth Guards to him, and we have to accept his favor and be grateful. It's really easy to calculate. ”
"Hey, you can't say that. If our family can get out of this power turmoil cleanly, we really have to be grateful to others and just take what we need. This matter cannot be delayed. You can write a memorial when you get back and I will do it tomorrow morning Pass it over." Master Li said happily: "Brother, don't worry, I understand the importance."