It seemed difficult to continue the topic for a while. Both of them remained silent, sipping wine and eating vegetables slowly.
When the pot of wine was finished, Fang Jun put down his chopsticks, picked up the handkerchief on the side and wiped the corners of his mouth, and said, "My nephew has something to do and I don't dare to drink more. I'll take my leave now."
Outstanding people like Li Ji not only have amazing talents and abilities, but also have perseverance. Once they make up their mind and make a decision, it is difficult to be influenced by others. However, today Li Ji was candid and stated his thoughts in detail, making it clear that he would never get involved in the struggle for the throne.
Li Chengqian will naturally be disappointed, but he also puts aside his worries.
After all, as long as someone like Li Ji doesn't stand against him, it's good news...
Li Ji also put down his wine glass, considered it for a moment, raised his eyelids and looked at Fang Jun, and said: "Although I don't want to get involved in the struggle for the throne, I don't want to see the government collapse and the war in Guanzhong rise. Go back and tell your Majesty, Let him pay more attention to the clan."
Fang Jun was shocked and asked hurriedly: "Why did uncle say this?"
Any emperor who wants to sit firmly on the throne must get the support of the clan. Compared with those seemingly loyal civil servants and military generals, the clan is the foundation of the emperor, because only the clan has the same interests as the emperor. .
Once the clan is unstable, the throne will be in danger.
Although the clan is currently under the leadership of Li Xiaogong and has sworn allegiance to Li Chengqian, brothers Li Chengqian and Li Zhi are feuding and fighting with each other. It is possible that no one within the family has other thoughts. When outsiders want to overthrow Li Tang's empire, the clan will naturally share the same hatred, but if one's own family is fighting for power and profit, it will be difficult to guarantee everyone's side...
And who is Li Ji? Since he said this, it proves that even if he does not have exact information, he must have some basis for making such a judgment.
Sure enough, Li Ji shook his head and said: "This matter is just my guess. I have nothing to point out and no evidence. How can I dare to make random accusations? In short, it is better to be careful."
Fang Jun could only nod his head and said: "My nephew will definitely tell His Majesty to say goodbye first."
Li Ji nodded slightly and stood up to see him off.
Nowadays, Fang Jun is already one of the important ministers in the court. Because the court does not have "three princes", the importance of the "three young masters" is extraordinary. Between himself, the "Prince Shaofu" and Fang Jun, the "Prince Shaobao" There was not much difference in political status during the period.
He was determined to avoid reaching the pinnacle of power, which would inevitably make Li Chengqian dissatisfied. Even if he did not become idle, it would be inevitable for him to be surpassed by Fang Jun in official position.
Who would have thought that in just a few years, this former playboy would be destined to reach the pinnacle of power in the Tang Empire?
Standing at the door of the study and looking at Fang Jun's retreating figure, Li Ji felt sad in his heart. Looking back on the past, it felt like a lifetime ago.
*****
In the study in the back hall of Wude Hall, Li Chengqian heard Fang Jun's reply and said in shock: "Your Excellency actually has such a guess?"
The Li Tang clan has been purged no less than three times since the Guanlong Rebellion. The number of princes and princes who have fallen is unknown, and even several princes have been lost. The remaining ones are either not enthusiastic about power, or they are not interested in him as a new member. The emperor expressed his support. Even if he had a disobedient heart, he stayed dormant and did not dare to show his edge to avoid causing disaster.
Now, it turns out that because the Pheasants are stationed at Tongguan in order to steal the treasure, there are still people who are determined to commit crimes and secretly do disobedient things...
On the side, Cen Wenwen looked solemn and said in a deep voice: "The British Lord is cautious and has a calm temperament. Since he said this, he must have a target. This matter cannot be underestimated. It must be investigated strictly. We will never allow such a traitor to hide in the clan. Within, otherwise it will be a big trouble."
Li Chengqian was naturally worried.
Although he has ascended to the throne, and all the civil and military officials in the country have sworn allegiance, more than half of the Sixteen Generals in Guanzhong have always been aloof and cryptic. We cannot rule out the possibility of changing their tune and joining the rebels at the critical moment. If someone else in the clan secretly Taking precautions, the combination of internal and external forces is enough to endanger the throne.
He looked at Li Junxian, who was standing with his head bowed, and asked, "Is General Li aware or suspicious?"
Li Junxian said: "Within the clan, everyone with status and prestige is under the supervision of the 'Baiqisi', and they have never relaxed in the slightest, but until now, no one has been found to be suspicious, or to be in tandem with the upper and lower levels, or to collude with the inside and outside. "
As the commander-in-chief of the "Hundred Cavalry Division", it is his duty to supervise all officials. Especially now that the imperial power is unstable and the situation is unstable, how can he dare to take it lightly? Even the princes were under his supervision, but nothing wrong was found.
But as Cen Wenwen said, how could Li Ji be a casual talker? Since he can say this, someone must be doing something secretly.
He had no idea, and he was frightened and anxious. This was a serious dereliction of duty...
Cen Wenwen glanced at Li Junxian and said calmly: "General Li is responsible for guarding the palace and supervising all officials. He should still concentrate on the king's affairs. Don't let the situation deteriorate out of control due to negligence. The consequences will not be yours. Can afford it.”
Li Junxian was sweating a little. This sentence was a bit heavy-handed, but he could only nod his head and said, "This general has neglected his duty. Please punish him."
Li Chengqian did not criticize them harshly. Those people were hiding in the dark, and their plans were shady. Naturally, they became more secretive. How could they be easily detected by the "Hundred Qisi"? Moreover, Cen Wenwen’s words are not without conflict between civil and military forces...
He just nodded and said in a deep voice: "The situation is critical, how can I kill you on the spot? But you should also be more vigilant and don't let those people hide the truth. Otherwise, even if I tolerate you, the national laws and regulations will not tolerate you." , just take care of yourself."
Fang Jun suggested: "Not only must we investigate closely in secret, but we must strengthen access control and set up additional sentries in the entire Taiji Palace and the Imperial City. No questions can be answered at all."
As the most majestic and majestic building complex in the world today, the Tai Chi Palace plus the Imperial City cover an extremely huge area. It would definitely not be difficult for someone to hide a team of hundreds of people in the Imperial City.
Of course, an army with such a large number cannot attack Chengtianmen by force, but if there is a secret passage connecting the palace, and it suddenly launches after sneaking in, it is theoretically possible to carry out a "decapitation operation"...
Before Li Chengqian could speak, Li Junxian had already said in a low voice: "I will do it right away. I will make sure that the entire imperial city cannot be splashed with water or pins can be inserted. If there is any mistake, I will come to see you!"
After saying this, he gave Li Chengqian a military salute, took three steps back, turned around and strode away.
He took a breath today. The dignified commander of the "Hundred Cavalry Division" was actually ridiculed by a civil servant in front of his face. He was beaten so hard. If he neglected his duties again, how could he lose his face?
Cen Wenwen glanced at Li Junxian's back, drooped his eyelids, snorted, and said dissatisfied: "Arrogant and domineering!"
Fang Jun smiled and said: "The way of being a minister is just to give advice and fight to the death, and whether it is civil or military, if you want to do this, you probably need some unruly spirit, rather than being servile and submissive. Back then, you guys When the civil servants impeached me, he was a full-blooded and impassioned man. He didn't even give the late emperor face, so he screamed in the Tai Chi Palace with a red face, wishing he could eat me, a sycophant, in front of the late emperor... At that time, the late emperor said that this was Yan Guan's character and the cornerstone of the empire. Even an ancient sage king with such great talents and strategies as the late emperor can spit on his face, let alone us? Taifu Cen, you are too violent. "
The atmosphere in the study became tense.
Cen Wenwen opened his eyelids, looked at Fang Jun, and nodded slightly: "The Duke of Yue is indeed a famous general in the world, and he is also one of the best in arrogance and extravagance. Compared with you, Li Junxian, he is not even a little bit worse. With you guys A proud warrior, very good."
Fang Jun sneered and said: "You don't have to be so sarcastic and play around with people's opinions to make money and destroy bones. Speaking of which, when the late emperor was here, you retired several times and retired. Why is it that now His Majesty has ascended the throne? From the Zhenguan Dynasty to the Renhe Dynasty, you are always full of energy and high-spirited, and you have not mentioned anything about becoming an official? If you want me to say, when you are older, you should go back to your hometown and enjoy the happiness of your family. If you don't have a New Year's holiday, you can just No chance."
This is a bit damaging...
The other people looked at Cen Wenwen, whose expression changed slightly, and lowered their gazes without interfering.
Li Chengqian didn't wait for Cen Wenwen to speak, and quickly changed the subject: "Why did Erlang say this? The current situation is unstable, Cen Taifu is getting stronger, and I need him to assist me in stabilizing the government. How can I allow him to return to his hometown as an official? There is no need to say such things again."
Then he smiled bitterly at Cen Wenwen and said, "Although this man is already the crown prince's eunuch, his nature is such that you don't have to worry about him."
After all, why do you need to quarrel with your juniors when you are older? If you win the fight, that's all. Anyway, you won't be able to stay in the position of Shangshu's right servant for a few days. You will lose face if you lose. If you get angry again, you will become a laughing stock...
Cen Wenwen coughed twice, shook his head and sighed: "Your Majesty has good intentions, and I appreciate it. However, even though he is getting older, he has become increasingly disdainful of such arrogant and unflinching people who are not afraid of imperial power. Your Majesty is laughing at it."
So what if I'm angry to death? He will never back down.
This is not a personal grudge, but a battle that inevitably breaks out between civil and military forces due to fundamental interests.
Civilian politics is the lofty ideal of all civil servants. Seeing that His Majesty does not have the decisiveness of the late emperor to kill, and has a gentle personality and pure methods, this is the best opportunity to promote civilian politics. How can he hesitate because of the power of Fang Jun and others?
Wherever the Tao lies, even if your body is shattered into pieces, you will never move forward.
(End of chapter)
