Chapter 5019 Fishing in troubled waters
Appointing a prime minister is a privilege of the imperial power. If he fails to do so, the emperor will become a puppet completely, which means that the imperial power has fallen and powerful ministers are in power, which is unacceptable in the world.
However, Li Chengqian appointed the prime minister at will, and re-appointed Fang Jun, who had been excluded from the prime minister's list before. Not only did he not discuss it in advance, but there was not even the slightest hint of news. This made Liu, who had always regarded himself as the "head of prime ministers" Very hurt.
Originally, the six prime ministers in the political hall were about to lose control because of Pei Huaijie's sudden betrayal and change of court. Now that a big fish like Fang Jun has entered the political hall, it is bound to completely muddy the water in the political hall. He, the middle secretary How can Ling give orders?
……
Early in the morning, Fang Jun walked to the political hall in Zhongshu Province with his hands behind his back. Many officials and scribes stepped aside and bowed to say hello. When he received a gentle nod and smile, everyone gathered together. Looking at Fang Jun entering the hall, they all had deep eyes and complicated thoughts.
Originally, six prime ministers were in charge of the Political Hall, which had caused a stalemate in many matters. There were quarrels and tensions from time to time. Now that such a big boss has arrived, it is clear that there will no longer be peace in the Political Hall...
The political hall is very spacious. Since it is not the prime minister's daily office, there are many tables and desks in the lobby but there are no mountains of documents. The chairs are wiped clean and placed in order. The huge space is very Leisurely.
It was still early, so Fang Jun walked around the lobby and went out to find an official room. He asked people to sprinkle water on it and clean it. It served as a temporary rest room. He also asked the clerk to boil water and make tea and sit at the desk. I crossed my legs behind me and took out a miscellaneous book. I drank tea and read while waiting for the prime ministers to go to work and discuss matters. It was very comfortable.
When Liu Ji came to the political hall, he suddenly looked ugly when he heard that Fang Jun had found an official house as a guest housekeeper.
Zhongshu Province is his territory. In theory, every official house is within his jurisdiction. Although the political hall is opened as a meeting place for the prime minister, there should not be any prime minister other than him here. , Fang Jun’s move was simply a provocation.
Not long after, a group of prime ministers came and gathered together.
Fang Jun also came out of the duty room and greeted the prime ministers one by one with a smile.
Tang Jian's beard was all white and he walked unsteadily. He was stroking his beard and smiling as he watched Fang Jun approach him to greet him. He reached out and patted Fang Jun on the shoulder: "Normally, it is difficult for everyone to agree on the same opinion, and they often go to His Majesty to ask for the Holy Judgment. I’m really ashamed. Now that Erlang is here, there is a backbone in this political hall, which is a good thing.”
Fang Jun helped him sit down and said very humbly: "You think it is a good thing, but some people think that I am disgusting, and I don't know how to curse me behind my back. It's just that it's hard to violate the holy will. Your Majesty asked me to come here to participate in the political affairs of Henan. I How dare you refuse? Just scold me if you want. After all, there are still many villains in the court.”
Liu Ji, who was inside and outside the door, suddenly jumped at the corner of his eyes: "..."
Tang Jian sat down, glanced at Liu Ji, patted the back of Fang Jun's hand, and said: "Hey, it's the duty of a minister to solve problems for His Majesty. How could there be such villains causing trouble? Erlang is too preoccupied."
Fang Jun sat next to him with a serious look on his face: "A villain doesn't know how to write this word on his face. He knows people but doesn't know their hearts. We must always be vigilant."
Liu Jie: "..."
Although he had already expected that with this guy messing around in the political hall, his life in the future would not go smoothly, but he still felt very angry when he was treated with such sinister connotations on the first day.
Mother!
Fortunately, Cui Dunli, Liu Xiangdao, Dai Zhou, Pei Huaijie, Ma Zhou and others arrived soon after, and the atmosphere in the political hall became more relaxed.
Major issues from all the yamen were brought to the political hall one by one. The prime ministers brainstormed, made suggestions, and solved problems one after another. Occasionally, when they encountered matters where everyone had different opinions and disputes, they would vote by a show of hands.
So Liu Jie found that he, the head of the prime ministers and assistants, was put aside. As long as Fang Jun approved, it would basically be passed, but almost everything he approved would be overturned...
Inevitably, Liu Ji was full of resentment towards His Majesty.
He could figure out His Majesty's intentions, but in order to divide the alliance between Fang Jun and Li Jizhi, he put Fang Jun into the Political Affairs Hall and put a tiger in his territory, the head of the prime minister, to constantly erode his prestige and power. , without caring about his feelings at all, how can you have peace in your heart?
……
The political hall meeting dispersed, and the prime ministers left one after another and returned to their offices to implement the results of the voting at the meeting.
When Pei Huaijie walked out of the door, he saw Liu Ji standing under a big locust tree in the yard talking to a civil servant. The two looked at each other, and Liu Ji squeezed out a smile: "I got some good tea yesterday, Pei Pushe might as well go." Can I taste it there?”
Pei Huaijie hesitated and nodded: "That's what you wish for."
The two of them came to Zhongshu Province one after another to check out the room.
After sitting down separately, the clerk boiled water and made tea before exiting the room and closing the door...
Pei Huaijie was on pins and needles, but he also knew that it was inevitable and had to be faced.
Liu Ji took a sip of tea and said straight to the point with an expressionless face: "Did Pei Pushe have nothing to say to me?"
He was very angry.
This guy was kicked out of Yin's position in Henan by Fang Jun. When he returned to Chang'an in embarrassment, he had no relatives and enemies in the court. He was carrying an empty title from the right servant of the minister, and no one in the government was willing to accept it. It was his expense. With his energy and resources recommended in front of His Majesty, he joined the "Military System Reform Committee" and found a place to establish himself.
And how did this guy repay him?
At the most critical time and place, he helped Fang Jun, who was supposed to be his enemy, to stab his benefactor in the back!
To this day, Liu Ji still cannot remember how angry and disappointed His Majesty was with Pei Huaijie because of his backstabbing that day...
Pei Huaijie smiled bitterly, held tea, hesitated for a long time, and then said slowly: "I am a court official. I should be loyal to the emperor, patriotic, and law-abiding. Since I am the prime minister and have the power to make decisions on an ad hoc basis, I naturally want to make decisions that are beneficial to the country. I It’s not the right thing to do to the person, and if Zhongshu Ling feels resentful because of this, then I have nothing to say.”
Liu Ji forced an angry smile and gritted his teeth and said: "So, Pei Pushe is loyal to the country and selfless?"
Pei Huaijie had no choice but to say: "I absolutely cannot deserve such praise, but the political affairs hall is the place where major affairs of the empire are decided. We are deeply favored and favored by the emperor. How can we take sides in advance because of the entanglement of interests of all parties?" ? If I think it is beneficial to the country, I will raise my hands in favor, and if it is not the case, I will express my opposition. No matter how I judge, I will not lose morality because of who's interests are gained or lost. I hope Zhongshu Linghaihan will do it."
There was silence in the fat, Liu Ji's face was gloomy, he said nothing, and his eyes were staring at Pei Huaijie.
Naturally, he didn't believe a word of what the other party said.
Are there any pure people in the court? Of course there are, such as Wei Zheng in the past and Ma Zhou now.
But it will never be Pei Huaijie.
A man who has been in Luoyang for many years, and who colluded with Henan aristocratic families to embezzle farmland, persecute the people, embezzle taxes, and resist central government orders during his tenure in Henan Province, has what qualifications does he have to say that he is fair and just?
Under Liu Jie's scorching gaze, Pei Huaijie still felt guilty. He smiled helplessly, put down his tea cup, spread his hands and said, "It's not because I don't want to recite Zhongshu Ling. I really can't help myself."
Liu Jie pressed him and asked: "Why can't you help yourself?"
As long as Pei Huaijie said in his words that Fang Jun acted out of compliance with the rules, or was coerced or induced, he could immediately gather the court officials to launch an impeachment, and he would definitely expel Fang Jun from the political hall.
He didn't care whether it would ruin His Majesty's plan.
The dignified Zhongshu Ling cannot control the political affairs hall. His prestige is being degraded day by day. In the long run, he has lost the support of the entire civil servant group. What political status does he still have?
The status of "civilian leader" is conferred by the full support of all civil servants. It cannot be bestowed by His Majesty with an edict!
Pei Huaijie vaguely understood what Liu Jie meant, how could he dare to talk nonsense?
He said with a bitter face: "I have already made my feelings clear. I have said what I should say, but I dare not say what I should not say. Why should Zhongshu Ling be so aggressive?"
He was also dissatisfied. Why couldn't Liu Jie guess why he stabbed Liu Jie in the back?
Do you have to get to the bottom of it and say something beneficial to you?
When the time comes and you take Fang Jun out of the political hall as you wish, how will I, Pei Huaijie, be able to gain a foothold?
Seeing that Liu Ji was determined and knew that his plan would fail, he had to say sincerely: "You must know that our interests are the same. As long as you stand by my side, I can try to control the political hall, otherwise everything will be suppressed." , although I have lost all my prestige, what benefits can you get? We both benefit from cooperation, you should understand this truth."
Pei Huaijie said nothing and drank water depressedly.
How could he not understand this truth?
The problem is that he doesn’t dare!
I have left too many traces in Henan, and now the Henan aristocratic families have been conquered by Fang Jun. The evidence for those things is conclusive. Once Fang Jun throws it out without hesitation, the censors at the Censorship Station will Launching a stormy impeachment in an instant is enough to make him die without a place to bury him!
Under such circumstances, Fang Jun asked him to beat the dog, but he didn't dare to chase the chicken!
Unless...
Liu Ji said bluntly: "After lunch, you and I will enter the palace to see His Majesty."
Pei Huai's program light flashed and he asked: "What advice does Zhongshu Ling have?"
Liu Jie also introduced His Majesty to him in the past, but I don't know how this person operated. Your Majesty was quite cold to him and didn't think much of him.
Without His Majesty's support, how could he dare to stab Fang Jun in the back?
Liu Jie said: "Your Majesty is very concerned about the Zhengshi Hall. My status is not suitable for saying too much. When the time comes, you can speak freely in front of His Majesty and let His Majesty know the situation of the Zhengshi Hall."
Pei Huaijie's eyes lit up, just to say bad things about Fang Jun?
He is very good at fishing in troubled waters, making a big deal out of one's words, ignoring orders from Zhongshu, using public weapons privately to protect one's own interests, and so on... (End of chapter)