This morning, Yingping was obviously a little excited. He described a blueprint for a bright future for the New Tang Dynasty with high spirits and impassion. Moreover, today the officials of Wang Yanqing's faction seemed to be like docile sheep and did not raise any objections to Yingping's decisions and plans, which made Yingping very happy and comfortable.
However, there was one thing that surprised Yingping. Several officials reported that some nobles were kneeling outside the palace gate to beg for help. They said they wanted to see the Holy One and ask the Holy One to think twice about slowing down the implementation of the new laws, or even temporarily. Take back.
When Yingping heard this, he couldn't help feeling ridiculous. These shabby nobles, you are the ones I want to clean up. Do you still have the nerve to come to me? None of these high-ranking officials in the DPRK have any objections, but you insignificant and useless blood-sucking bugs have demands? But don’t you know that ‘you have no joke’? Yingping snorted coldly at this matter and ignored it.
After retiring from the court, Yingping went straight to the Qinzheng Hall - today was the day for political discussions. Four ministers, Yin Jingting, Wang Yanqing, Chang Zhishan and Gongsun Cuo, also came to the hall early to wait for Yingping.
The four ministers greeted Yingping in unison, and Yingping put on a smile again, waved his hand and said: "Everyone, get up -"
"Thank you, Your Majesty—" the four of them replied in unison.
"Four dear friends, do you have anything important to do today?"
There was silence in the hall, and the four people seemed to have reached some kind of tacit understanding, and they all remained silent.
Faced with this situation, Yingping felt a little surprised. He had originally speculated that if he continued to implement the new laws today like striking the iron while the iron is hot, he would inevitably encounter opposition from some courtiers, but everyone was surprisingly silent.
"My darlings, don't you have anything to say?"
The atmosphere of silence still permeated the hall. Seeing that the four ministers who cared about life were already reluctant to talk, Yingping thought that since you had nothing to say, let's just leave. I have been very busy during this period, so I'll find you later. Go out for a walk in a long gown...
"Since there is nothing to do, let's go..."
"Your Majesty - I have something to report to you -"
Everyone turned their surprised eyes to Chang Zhishan. In the past six months, Chang Zhishan had rarely spoken. There was even a period of time when he took leave and didn't even come to the morning court. Everyone wondered what was going on with General Chang. Is he really preparing? Can't retire?
In fact, Yingping also considered this. Chang Zhishan now has no power and position, and he only has a sinecure in the school affairs office. I'm afraid he himself feels quite uncomfortable staying in the court, right? When the time is right, he will find a reason to resign Chang Zhishan decently. Speaking of which, Yingping felt a little sorry for Chang Zhishan. He was obviously a talented person, but he had to embarrass himself everywhere, which made Yingping quickly give up on using him. After all, who wants to use someone to fight against him every day? What about the people?
However, since he has the title of Assistant Minister, he cannot ignore it. Yingping brought his thoughts back to his eyes and said: "General Chang, please speak."
"When I passed by Zhuque Street, I also saw several princes leading some people kneeling at the palace gate to ask for orders. I thought..."
"General Chang said it's okay—"
"I believe that the fathers and ancestors of these people are all people who have made contributions to our Tang Dynasty. As for the Duke of Liang and the Duke of Jin, their ancestors even opened up the territory and expanded the territory, and served as dragons to protect them. If the gifts awarded to them by the late emperor are taken back, , or even deprive him of his title... I'm afraid it will upset the hearts of the soldiers, which may be very inappropriate."
Chang Zhishan said it very sincerely, and it didn't look like he was joking.
Ying Ping glanced at the four of them expressionlessly, but sneered in his heart - You Chang Zhishan, I'm just waiting for this! Unexpectedly, Wang Yanqing, an old fox, didn't speak first. You said something nice for Lin Feng, the Duke of Jin. Could it be because his grandfather also saved your father back then?
Yingping withdrew his gaze, picked up a booklet on the case and flipped through it casually. His tone remained calm, and he asked calmly: "Then how should I respond according to General Chang's wishes?"
"I think we should slow down——"
"Those princes and nobles have been like moths and rats in the country, eating away at the treasury and occupying the court's farmland, but now they come to the palace to ask for a face? How are these behaviors different from those of rebellious officials and traitors?"
Wang Yanqing interrupted Chang Zhishan before he could finish his words. Although his words were not scolding, they were full of disdain.
Yingping looked at Wang Yanqing with some suspicion, and for a moment he couldn't believe his eyes and ears - why did this old thief suddenly change his gender? Are you becoming a loyal minister?
"In your opinion, what should I do?" Yingping asked tentatively.
"Just let the governor of Jingzhao drive these people away——"
"Hahahaha!" Yingping suddenly patted his thigh and laughed. Today he looked at Wang Yanqing more and more, but he felt that this old thief was a little too timid. He said contemptuously: "Jingzhao Mansion? There are just a few drunkards with no power to restrain a chicken. Do you still need my Jingzhao Mansion to personally intervene?"
"Your Majesty, I have some friendship with the old Duke of Liang, Zhao Yong. It's better to let me go out and persuade those people to disperse. After all, these people are princes and nobles. It is indeed degrading to gather at the entrance of the palace-"
"Humph - it's just a mob!" Yingping interrupted Wang Yanqing's proposal contemptuously, and continued: "Decent? Since they don't want 'respect' themselves, I will help them pick it up and hand it over, right? Make a fuss? Let me They're making trouble! How dare a few lousy nobles make any noise? I'm just sitting here in Tai Chi Palace, and I want to see what tricks these people can do!"
The four ministers were all startled, then lowered their heads and exchanged glances with each other, and then said in unison -
"I will obey the Holy Order——"
Chang Zhishan stood aside in silence. Indeed, Zhao Xingwen's mother came to her house to beg her yesterday. She knew what her unsatisfactory son had been preparing for in recent days. She was worried that her son would annoy the Holy Emperor, so she hurried to Chang Zhishan to ask for help. Because his father-in-law and General Chang's father were close friends, he asked General Chang to come forward to help his son. Chang Zhishan agreed because of his old friend's face. But everything that happened today put the cold fact in front of him - he could now be described as "a person who speaks lightly". Even if Wang Yanqing refuted him face to face, he had no room for objection.
Since you have worked hard, you can be considered worthy of your old friend, right? What's more, the Holy Emperor has not unleashed his thunderous wrath. Let these people make trouble for a few days. Maybe it will end hastily when they get tired.
Chang Zhishan looked at the dragon chair and smiled to himself, then silently stepped aside. But at this moment, Gongsun Cuo, who rarely spoke out to express suggestions, suddenly spoke——
"Your Majesty, since some people have gathered to make trouble, I finally feel that 'if you are not afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of what happens.'"
Everyone was surprised when they heard Gongsun Cuo's voice. In recent years, everything has been relatively peaceful, and even the northern barbarians outside Tianmen Pass rarely cause trouble. Therefore, every time when discussing politics, Gongsun Cuo only reported military information. At this time, he suddenly spoke out about this matter, no wonder everyone was surprised.
"Since the Holy One does not want to send the Jingzhao Mansion openly, the ministers can send some Shence Camp soldiers in disguise to guard near the palace gate. If these people change violently, they can be stopped in time," Gongsun Cuo continued.
Yingping was lowering his head and thinking, weighing whether Gongsun Cuo's proposal could be accepted. Suddenly, Chang Zhishan's voice came to mind again, but this time there was a hint of majesty, contempt and disdain in his tone.
"A mere drunkard with no power to restrain a chicken is worthy of my god... and worthy of the Shence Battalion? Humph! General Gongsun has become less and less courageous over the years!"
Gongsun Cuo was stunned at first, and then his eyes sharpened quickly, and he fired back tit for tat: "General Chang! The last general to command the Shence Camp on behalf of the Holy One is naturally to protect the Holy One's safety as his first priority! As for the prestige of the Shence Camp, it may be worth it. Or not, I’m afraid it’s not as thoughtful as General Chang’s!”
Point to point! After three years of living in peace and non-aggression, this was the first direct confrontation between Chang and Gongsun.
"Since you are worried about the safety of Your Majesty, why doesn't General Gongsun hold a sword and wear armor to guard the palace gate?"
"you--"
This sentence may seem like an understatement, but it deeply hurt Gongsun Cuo's self-esteem. Whether it is Xu Younian or Chang Zhishan, although their martial arts cultivation is not as advanced as that of Han Dan, they are still strong men in the Daman realm. Even Han Dan's "Five Tiger Generals" also have high cultivation levels and can command the army. A general must not only be well versed in the art of war, but he must also lead the way and kill the enemy bravely during battle. Otherwise, how can he serve the masses? But Gongsun Cuo is a little special. Perhaps due to congenital factors, or because he is too fat, his martial arts skills are no more than those of a small man. If he were to face those princes and nobles, I am afraid that their guards and bodyguards would be able to trick Gongsun Cuo. Beat him into a pig's head.
Due to his excitement, beads of sweat gradually appeared on Gongsun Cuo's forehead, and a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes.
Seeing Gongsun Cuo's reaction so fiercely, Chang Zhishan was still very disdainful and said in an increasingly contemptuous tone: "General Gongsun, don't forget that the 'Emperor of Civil and Military and Most Filial Piety' issued a decree that Shence Camp was not allowed to enter Chang'an City! Otherwise! ——”
After hearing this, Gongsun Cuo's eyes widened. He was shocked and felt a chill down his spine! Why did you forget this crucial point! ?
In terms of seniority, the "Emperor of Kaidao Civil and Military Supreme Filial Piety" in Changzhi Mountain Pass is Yingping's great-grandfather, who is also the grandfather of Emperor Tang. When the emperor was in power, his younger brother colluded with the then General Shence in an attempt to seize the throne. The prince led the Shence battalion to directly attack Chang'an City. Thanks to the Twelve Guards and the people in the Taiji Palace at that time, The Forbidden Army resisted desperately and finally eliminated the rebels. From that time on, Shence Camp gradually recruited elites from all over the country. It was also after this incident that Shence Camp never set foot in the capital.
If you let someone who is interested make a fuss about this matter, you can be accused of "committing chaos and committing crimes"...
Gongsun Cuo knew that he was wrong, so he retreated angrily and stopped confronting Chang Zhishan.
"Both generals are sharing the worries of Your Majesty. Stop arguing." Yin Jingting came out to smooth things over and said.
"Yes, both of you are sharing my worries, don't hurt your harmony." Yingping also realized at this time, and walked down the slope and said: "Okay, let's stop here today, those people at the door, I I know it in my heart, so don’t worry, you can just retreat.”
Seeing that there was no point in further arguing at this time, the four ministers put their thoughts away and stopped giving any advice. They said respectfully——
"Your Majesty, please retire. Long live my emperor! Long live my emperor -"
Upon seeing this, Yingping waved his hand, indicating that they could retreat.
After kneeling down, Chang Zhishan took the lead to retreat. As soon as he walked out of the palace gate, he raised his chest high, shook his robe and walked towards the palace gate.
Looking at Chang Zhishan's arrogant back, Yingping suddenly felt that Emperor Tang's decision was very wise - if this person were in power, he would definitely not be able to restrain him. The status of the Chang family in the army really had a 'far-reaching influence' . In today's conversation, Chang Zhishan's tone revealed a vague attitude, as if he was still the commander-in-chief of the army. Now that Gongsun Cuo is in charge of Shence Camp, he is faintly shrouded in Chang Zhishan's huge net. He must also be very... Uncomfortable? But if you think about it carefully, it's not a bad thing that Gongsun Cuo is so constrained now.
It seems that Chang Zhishan cannot leave the court early...
