Chapter 248 Minglan’s reminder
A gentleman observes etiquette, does not know how to adapt, and is more accepting of death.
Although villains see profit and forget their loyalty, they are very flexible. As long as the benefits are sufficient, they will not worry about betrayal.
Of course, there are gentlemen who know how to be flexible, and there are villains who are short-sighted. We cannot generalize.
"Since you know it in your heart, I'm relieved." The official nodded slightly and asked, "By the way, in two months, Xixia will send the eldest princess over for marriage. You have to More snacks.”
"I understand!" Zhao Xing nodded and took the opportunity to propose that Gu Tingye and others should go to the northwest to experience for a few years, including the arrangements for them.
After hearing the words, the official thought for a moment and then agreed.
Wu Xiong's army was no more than 10,000 people, and they were border troops, so they were defenseless against Zhao Xing.
Furthermore, according to the rules of the Song Dynasty, the power to mobilize troops belongs to the Privy Council. Even if the command of Wu Xiong's army is held by someone from Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing cannot mobilize it.
After asking some more about Zhao Xing’s current situation, the officials asked Zhao Xing to go back.
Zhao Xing left the palace and returned to the East Palace. As soon as he got off the carriage, Liu Sanshi came up to him and saluted: "Your Highness, a man named Sima Guang just came to the East Palace to take up a post with a document from the Ministry of Personnel."
"Since there are official documents, you can just follow the official position arrangements." After Zhao Xing finished speaking, he got on the chariot.
The East Palace can be seen as a microcosm of the imperial court.
The front palace is where he and the officials of the East Palace work. However, the officials of the East Palace all hold concurrent posts. They usually work in the imperial government offices and do not come here.
There are not many officials who truly belong to the East Palace.
Even so, there are public houses for various officials in the East Palace.
Liu Sanshi is the manager of the front palace, and he is responsible for all these matters.
"The slaves have made arrangements, but this person requested to see His Highness." Liu Sanshi said.
Zhao Xing frowned when he heard this and said, "Tell him that he is busy alone and has no time to see him!"
"Yes!" Liu Sanshi responded.
Not long after, Zhao Xing took a chariot and arrived in front of the Chaoyang Palace. As soon as he got off the chariot, there was a noise from the left. Zhao Xing looked around and saw several eunuchs blocking Sima Guang in the distance.
Liu Sanshi hurried over to ask without Zhao Xing's instructions, and trotted back after a while and said: "Sir Ma learned that His Highness was back and came over to see His Highness. The servants were worried that he would rush into His Highness and were blocking him. "
Zhao Xing said with a gloomy face: "Let him enter the palace!"
After saying that, Zhao Xing stepped on the steps and entered the Chaoyang Palace.
Not long after Zhao Xing sat down, Sima Guang walked in, bowed and said: "I pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Zhao Xing ignored him, took the tea brought by the tea palace maid, and began to drink it.
Sima Guang stood there motionless with his head bowed.
After a long time, Zhao Xing put down the tea cup and said in a slightly cold voice: "Sima Guang, do you know your guilt!"
"I know my crime!" Sima Guang's tone did not waver at all.
Zhao Xing sneered in his heart and admitted his mistake quickly, but this attitude made people very unhappy.
Many people in later generations believed that Sima Guang was a sinner and felt that Wang Anshi's reform might not have failed if he had not blocked it.
But in Zhao Xing's view, there is no absolute right or wrong between Wang Anshi and Sima Guang.
Wang Anshi hoped to solve the accumulated disadvantages through reforms, while Sima Guang advocated small-scale adjustments on the existing basis to solve the accumulated disadvantages.
From an objective point of view, Wang Anshi is radical, while Sima Guang is too cautious. It is impossible to say who is right and who is wrong.
This is also the reason why Zhao Xinghui has a headache because of Sima Guang.
If he hadn't seen that Sima Guang had some talents, how could Sima Guang dare to violate his words and remonstrate directly, Zhao Xing would not have had a headache.
The worst case scenario is to accuse him and send him to a bitter and cold place.
But what Sima Guang did today made him very angry, and he actually wanted to stop the driver just to see him.
If Sima Guang comes to the East Palace for some time, Zhao Xing has been avoiding him. Zhao Xing can understand his behavior.
But Sima Guang just came today and did such a thing.
If I don't do what he says in the future, won't he have to reprimand me at every turn?
"Do you know the consequences of rushing?" Zhao Xing said coldly.
"Death penalty!" Sima Guang said in a calm tone: "This is my duty. After I finished my remonstrance, I am willing to be punished!"
"Sima Guang!" Zhao Xing took the case and He stood up, glared at Sima Guang, and said: "You knew that you were committing a crime, but you said what your responsibilities were. You are so righteous. Do you think I dare not kill you?"
What angered Zhao Xing the most was Sima Guang's attitude. He knew it clearly. This is wrong, but he looks fearless and loyal to his country.
He keeps talking about capital punishment, but does Sima Guang really care?
It’s not that he doesn’t care about life and death, but he doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with doing this.
It’s all a habit.
"I don't dare. I knew I would rush into His Highness the Crown Prince, and I was already prepared to die when I came." Sima Guang said.
"Hmph!" Zhao Xing snorted coldly: "I want to hear what you have to say, so I need to give advice to me like this."
"Your Highness, I have ten words of advice." Sima Guang said calmly: "In a word, as the Crown Prince and the governor of Kaifeng Prefecture, Your Highness should not stay in the East Palace every day. He should go to the Kaifeng Prefecture Office from time to time. , Handle the official affairs of Kaifeng Mansion. Two words..."
Sima Guang talked about a lot, from official matters to private matters, and even talked about Zhao Xing's concubines in the harem.
It is said that Zhao Xing should be exposed to both rain and dew, and should not favor one or a few people. He also said that the two daughters of the Nasheng family were both of high rank and were overly favored.
The two daughters of the Sheng family mentioned by Sima Guang do not include Minglan, but refer to Shulan and Rulan.
In ancient times, clan was supreme. Although they did not have the same father and mother, they were of the same clan.
In the eyes of others, we belong to the same family.
When Sima Guang stopped, Zhao Xing said calmly: "Are you finished?"
"I have finished speaking, and I am willing to be punished!" Sima Guang said.
"Sima Guang, I heard that when you were serving at the local level, you often went to the countryside to understand the sufferings of the people. Do you think the people of the Song Dynasty cried when they suffered?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Bitter, very bitter!" Sima Guang replied without even thinking.
"In that case, why didn't you advise Gu Jin on how to solve the sufferings of the people, but instead focused on these trivial matters? For this reason, you did not hesitate to ram Gu's car, and you opened your mouth and were willing to die. You and What's the difference between those who seek fame and reputation?" Zhao Xing said calmly.
Sima Guang's face turned red and he said: "His Royal Highness is the crown prince, and in the future he will be the official of the people of the world. As the saying goes, one should follow the example, and His Highness must set an example."
Zhao Xing was very disappointed when he heard this. , not wanting to waste words with him, he said: "You rammed Gu's car, which is an unforgivable crime. But Gu Nian, you are a first offender, and you will be punished at home for half a year."
Sima Guang opened his mouth, but he didn't Thinking that Zhao Xing would punish him to stay at home for half a year. However, Zhao Xing's punishment to him was already considered lenient. He could only bow and say: "Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Highness!"
"Go!" Zhao Xing waved his hand.
"I retire!" Sima Guang bowed and retreated.
"Go ahead, if Sima Guang sends Zha Zi over, there is no need to give it to Gu." Zhao Xing said to Sanshui.
Originally, Zhao Xing wanted to use Sima Guang, and he also thought that if Wang Anshi and Sima Guang could argue with each other, Sima Guang might be able to change.
Although Zhao Xing has not completely given up on Sima Guang now, if he still has the same bad temper after half a year, Zhao Xing will definitely not be able to use him.
Speaking of which, Sima Guang was also an all-rounder in both civil and military affairs.
After the Song-Xia War, although the two countries fell into peace, small frictions continued.
When Sima Guang was serving in Hedong, he had an in-depth understanding of the situation between the Song Dynasty and Xixia. He once wrote a letter suggesting that the city should be cut off from Xixia. In order to prevent border residents from trading with Xixia and prevent border friction, he proposed to Fortresses were built at various key points along the border.
Later the imperial court adopted it, and the Song-Xia border became truly stable.
Although it cannot be completely blocked, it makes it more difficult for merchants to trade and smuggle with Xixia.
This is also the reason why Xixia did not hesitate to marry and also wanted to trade with the Song Dynasty.
Unfortunately, although Sima Guang was talented, he was too stubborn.
Although Zhao Xing felt it was a pity, if Sima Guang didn't change, Zhao Xing could only abandon it.
Rubbing his head, Zhao Xing went to the study room, preparing to review Zha Zi.
As soon as he sat down in the study, a eunuch came to report to Minglan for an audience.
"Let her come in." Zhao Xing said.
After a while, Minglan walked in with a tray.
"My servant pays homage to His Highness." Ming Lan saluted.
"No gift." Zhao Xing waved his hand and said: "What are you?"
"Today, the fifth sister was bored and went fishing in the pond in the garden, and caught a palm-sized crucian carp. . It is late autumn now, when the fish is plump, so the fifth sister asked her slave to make soup and bring it to His Highness.”
Minglan said, putting the tray on the table aside, filled a bowl, and sent it to Zhao Xing's desk.
Zhao Xing took it, took a bite, and said with a smile: "It's very fresh, and the craftsmanship is good."
"If His Highness likes it, I will stew it for you next time." Minglan said.
"You all go down." Zhao Xing said to the palace maid and eunuch standing in the study.
After everyone left, Zhao Xing drank the soup in the bowl in several mouthfuls and handed the bowl to Minglan.
"Give Gu Sheng another bowl." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes."
Minglan took the bowl, filled it and handed it to Zhao Xing. She came behind Zhao Xing and stretched out her hand to press Zhao Xing's shoulders.
"Your Highness frowned, but what's bothering you?" Minglan said softly.
"Alas." Zhao Xing sighed and said: "A person is very talented, but he is just like the stones in the pit, smelly and hard, so I can only give up."
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Minglan pinched Zhao Xing's shoulders and said after hearing this: "My grandmother once told me that no one is perfect, and there are always advantages and disadvantages. Just make good use of the advantages."
Zhao Xing heard the words. Startled, he pondered for a while, put down the bowl in his hand, pulled Minglan and let her sit in his arms, kissed her hard on the face, and said with a smile: "You are right, he is quite alone."< br>
Minglan's face turned red and said: "Your Highness is smart. Even if the slave doesn't say anything, Your Highness can figure it out."
"Haha." Zhao Xing laughed and pinched Minglan. He looked at her with his chin and said, "Tell me, why did you come to Gu Gu?"
Ever since Minglan came to him that night and the two had a candid chat, Minglan was no longer in front of him. So restrained.
But with Minglan's temperament, she never came to the front palace to find him.
(End of this chapter)