Chapter 5018: Differentiation, Checks and Balances
The deepest meaning of the creation of the title of "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Ping Zhangshi" is to "expel" Fang Jun and Li Ji from the prime ministers, so that they cannot directly participate in Henan political affairs, thereby increasing the influence of civil servants , to check and balance the military.
For this reason, they even did not hesitate to make the official positions of the left and right servants who were originally regarded as prime ministers vacant...
But now he suddenly mentioned that Fang Jun should return to the political affairs hall. What is your Majesty's intention?
Fang Jun was confused and wanted to ask Fang Xuanling for help, but he also knew that Fang Xuanling would not give him any advice under such circumstances. He thought for a while and declined politely: "Your Majesty is so kind, I am grateful. But Your Majesty should also I know that I am not interested in court affairs. Even if I am impatient to deal with those general affairs, I don't think I can do better than the prime ministers. I am satisfied with teaching and educating people in an academy and promoting some high-yielding grains in my spare time, so I can't accept my order."
Although I don’t know what kind of medicine Li Chengqian sells in his gourd, it is definitely not a good medicine, and he is definitely right to refuse.
Li Chengqian was very dissatisfied: "What kind of mentality do you have?"
He looked at Fang Xuanling and complained: "Look, Prime Minister, isn't Erlang giving up his job? The empire is booming, the country is getting stronger, and the glorious and prosperous age unprecedented in the ages is coming as scheduled. We should do our best and work hard." Sleep! For National Day He works hard at night, but he only chooses light things and refuses to take on more burdens. How can he be worthy of Emperor Taizong's favor and my trust? "
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Fang Xuanling chuckled: "The old minister has returned to his hometown after serving his official duties. He spends his days entertaining his grandchildren and enjoying his family life. He has worked hard for the empire for half his life, and his energy has long been unsustainable. There is really no room for comment on such things."
The manifestation of imperial power lies in checks and balances.
The simplest and most effective check and balance is to "hit one and pull another", so that the ministers cannot be of the same mind and naturally rely on the emperor for everything. This way the imperial power is stable.
He could see Li Chengqian's methods at a glance, but he had to admit that such simple methods were often extremely effective.
This is a conspiracy.
Li Chengqian looked at Fang Jun again, and spoke earnestly and even condescendingly: "Although we are called monarchs and ministers, we are actually close friends and brothers! Now that the country is strong and government affairs are complicated, how can you bear to let me work on paperwork and forget to eat and sleep alone? You must share some of the burden for me. ! Now there are six prime ministers in the political affairs hall. Prime Minister, there are often three-to-three draws, and trivial matters have to be brought before me for adjudication. How can I make a decision? Your going to the Political Affairs Hall just breaks the balance of power. Most government affairs are decided in the Political Affairs Hall. I It can also save a lot of money.”
There was a sudden silence in the hall, and everyone's eyes turned over, mostly on Fang Jun's face, to see how he would deal with the choice.
It is unique for the emperor to say such words, regardless of his original intention. If Fang Jun continues to refuse, he will inevitably be suspected of "deceiving the emperor"...
Fang Jun was helpless. He had vaguely understood what Li Chengqian meant, and he probably wanted to destroy his alliance with Li Ji in this way - Li Ji was older than his seniority, and Li Ji was no less generous than his meritorious deeds, and because the two of them They worked hand in hand to control the army but were expelled from the ranks of prime ministers. Now if he returns to the political hall and becomes prime minister again, what will Li Ji think?
No matter how generous Li Ji is, no matter how understanding Li Chengqian's intentions are, he will definitely draw a clear line with Fang Jun, and the alliance will collapse.
But Li Chengqian was so cowardly that he didn't intend to let Fang Jun refuse.
Otherwise, how would the ruling and opposition parties view his extravagant and domineering behavior?
Queen Su on the side seemed to feel Fang Jun's embarrassment and anger, and hurriedly hugged the child and said: "Erlang and Your Majesty have a deep friendship. At this time, the government affairs are overwhelming and overwhelming, so you should lend a helping hand to assist Your Majesty." Only by sharing some of the burdens can the king and his ministers work together to create a prosperous world, without caring about what others think.”
This can be regarded as giving Fang Jun a step up, otherwise we would only see Li Chengqian's slightly distorted face, almost on the verge of explosion...
"Your Majesty has so much trust in me, so how can I dare to take my time off? I just obey the emperor's orders."
"Haha, that's right!"
Seeing Fang Jun relent, Li Chengqian was overjoyed and patted Fang Jun on the shoulder: "Don't you have many ideas and want to realize them one by one? Don't worry, go ahead and do it, I support you!"
He has never suppressed Fang Jun's "heart for change". After all, all the "reforms" that Fang Jun has advised or presided over in the past have been very effective. Facts have proved that it is difficult to keep up with the ever-changing process of the empire by sticking to the rules. Only innovation and change can Promote the continuous progress of the empire.
With such a "capable minister" at his side to assist, many government affairs can be digested in the political hall, and will not fly to his desk like snowflakes waiting for decision.
He really felt that his energy was limited and unsustainable when faced with mountains of documents...
*****
"Your Majesty's method seems simple, but in fact it is very effective. As soon as you enter the political hall, you will probably become a thorn in the eyes of Liu Jie and others. They will fight with each other endlessly. Your Majesty sits in the middle. All parties must rely on the imperial power to win... …but these It doesn't matter, the court is full of fights, and where there are people there are conflicts of interest. The most important thing is to talk to the Duke. No matter how magnanimous the Duke is, he will probably feel dissatisfied in the face of such a situation. .”
After Li Chengqian's family left, the father and son had a long talk in the study room, analyzing the pros and cons of Li Chengqian's move.
Fang Xuanling was quite worried.
"Jealousy" is human nature. Anyone who is abandoned by His Majesty and supports his allies to become prime minister again will not feel happy.
And once there is a gap in the alliance between Fang Jun and Li Ji, the military will no longer be monolithic...
Fang Jun sighed: "So it's no wonder that Emperor Taizong didn't think much of His Majesty back then. Sometimes he was really a little petty. As an emperor, he only knows how to weigh things, but he doesn't know how to act openly and openly. It's very disappointing."
Fang Xuanling drank tea and said disapprovingly: "Why are there so many stingy people? There is no distinction between bright or despicable means, only good or bad. Now you are being forced in public to agree to return to the political hall. The purpose This is a good way to achieve it. On the contrary, what is the use of being grand and grand but no one acknowledges it?”
"This is what my father taught me."
Fang Jun bowed down to receive the instruction, stood up and said, "I'm going to go to the British Duke's mansion and have a chat with the British Duke."
Fang Xuanling nodded and warned: "You only need to explain your thoughts. Don't try to make your father-in-law accept anything. The more you say, the worse it will be."
"The child understands."
……
Fang Jun immediately changed into civilian clothes, went out with his soldiers, and rode to the British government palace.
No need to inform, I went directly to the main hall under the guidance of the steward, just in time to see Li Yulong coming out...
"I heard that the Silla princess gave her brother a young husband?"
Li Yulong had already divorced and had never remarried. The little woman in her twenties had a beautiful face, innocent and innocent face, like a girl. When she saw Fang Jun, she immediately came closer with bright eyes.
Fang Jun sat down and said with a smile: "So well-informed? It has not been two hours since the child was born."
Li Yulong sat beside him and said, "The Fang family has a new baby, and your majesty and queen are here to congratulate you. Such a major event has attracted the attention of the entire Chang'an city. The news has been sent here a long time ago. Congratulations, brother."
Fang Jun laughed and said: "Same joy, same joy!"
"What are you happy about?"
Li Yulong's pretty face turned red and she rolled her eyes at Fang Jun.
Although she is married, she has never given birth, so how could she have "shared joy"...
His eyes were slightly resentful.
Li Ji came out of the back hall, smiled and waved to Fang Jun who stood up to salute, and said with a smile: "It's a happy event for the Fang family. I should have visited the Prime Minister, but you came in person, which makes me a little scared."
Seated one after another.
Fang Jun said: "You and I have a good family relationship, so why bother with these red tapes? I, the younger generation, should come here to ask for help."
Li Ji waved his daughter away, took a sip of tea with a tea cup, raised his eyelids and looked at Fang Jun, and said calmly: "I heard that Your Majesty and the Queen went to the mansion to congratulate you?"
"Why is this so? Hey! I'm very scared to be put in a position by His Majesty."
"Oh? Tell me."
Fang Junsui talked about his return to the political hall, looked at Li Ji's face, and sighed: "It seems that your majesty is becoming more and more jealous of you and me. He would rather divide us by treating us differently." The emperor’s authority is not respected.”
The sword has two edges. Li Chengqian was able to suppress Fang Jun in public, so that he had to consider the dignity of the imperial power and agree. Naturally, he had to bear the backlash caused by this. Even the dignity of the imperial power had to be used to intimidate the ministers. This shows that the dignity of the imperial power How many points are left?
Therefore, although Li Chengqian's move seemed successful, he actually killed one thousand enemies and suffered eight hundred losses to himself.
Li Ji said helplessly: "But your Majesty's skills are still very effective. I don't care about gains and losses. I can let you stand in front and be superior to me, but the arrogant and powerful generals under my command may not be willing to do so."
In politics, why should we take sides?
Taking sides means choosing, which side to stand on, and which side can "go to heaven" after making progress; otherwise, we will all be in misfortune.
Li Ji has seniority and high merits. Over the years, a large group of people have joined him because of the same interests, and they advance and retreat together, and share weal and woe. Now that Fang Jun has returned to the political hall, Li Ji is obviously the one who is suspected and suppressed by His Majesty, so the interests of those who follow him will inevitably be harmed.
So what if I understand His Majesty’s methods?
When one's own interests are indeed harmed, no matter how clear-minded people are, they will not be able to bear it. No one cares about conspiracy or conspiracy, interests are the most important...
Fang Jun said: "You and I don't want to play any tricks of adding nine tins and conferring royal titles. Even if some people below are dissatisfied and cannot cooperate as sincerely as before, as long as you and I advance and retreat as one, without any barriers, this will The army of the Tang Dynasty cannot be in chaos! "Why must it be monolithic?"
What's more, they are never monolithic...