The soup that spilled all over the floor was quickly wiped away by the quick hands and feet of the little Huangmen, and the fragrance of sauce that filled the air gradually dissipated, just like the emperor's anger just now.
"It seems that Lou Jing is right, it is still necessary to use Guanzhong to control Guandong.
These people from the Central Plains, on the surface, are trying to establish the capital for the Han Dynasty, but in fact, everyone has selfish motives. "
As soon as this idea came to his mind, when Liu Ji looked at the officials who were passionate and fiercely opposed to Lou Jing's policy, there was more scrutiny and playfulness in his eyes.
Suddenly, he noticed Zhang Liang who was silent all the time, and became curious.
"Zifang, what do you think?"
Hearing the emperor's question about his head, Zhang Liang went against his usual habit of retreating in order to advance. He struggled to hold up his hands on the scale, staggered a little but solemnly got up and walked out of the queue. He bowed to the ground, then raised his head and stared into his eyes, saying one word at a time. Said in a pause,
"Your Majesty, if I were to change places with you, I'm afraid I would drive west tonight and return to Guanzhong."
"Oh?" Liu Ji was also surprised that Zhang Liang could speak so openly and honestly. He couldn't help but sit up straighter.
"Unexpectedly, you actually agree to move the capital to Guanzhong?"
"The city of Luoyang is only a few hundred miles in radius, the fields are thin, and it is surrounded by enemies on all sides. This is not a country that uses force."
After Zhang Liang finished speaking, he bowed again and silently retreated to his seat, regaining his composure like an old monk in trance.
Although the words "a country that uses force" were spoken softly, they hit Liu Ji's ears like a heavy hammer, helping him finally make up his mind.
"Although this man is old and frail, he is still wise and has a deep understanding of the emperor's heart."
Liu Ji showed no expression on his face, only twirling his gray beard, and suddenly asked an irrelevant question casually,
"Zifang, are you still unwilling to be the prime minister?"
***
When Zhang Liang heard this, he was stunned for a moment, and his mind quickly recalled a chat between Queen Lu Pheasant and him when he first entered Luoyang.
At that time, the queen and he were standing on the compound road between the north and south palaces, overlooking the huge palace at their feet. They saw the cloud towers about to move and the mandarin duck tiles flying.
Lu Pheasant's tone revealed sincere regret.
"Brother Zhang, have you really thought about it? His Majesty has appointed several great heroes, but you are the only one who has always refused."
"Ahem, I have already thought about it.
My eldest father, Han Kaidi, served as Prime Minister of Han Zhaohou, King Xuanhui and King Xiangai. My father Han Ping also assisted King Li and King Yaohui.
Later, when Qin destroyed Han, I dispersed all my wealth and recruited warriors just to assassinate the First Emperor and avenge my family. Later, I was able to assist His Majesty with my sharp tongue.
Now he is at the extreme end of his life. He has reached the very beginning and is struggling to move forward. He must not be able to move forward any further. "
"If Brother Zhang insists on doing this, then please remember that no matter what official title your Majesty gives you or how many fiefs he gives you, you must continue to resign.
If you really can't turn it down, then you must ask for fewer fiefs and try your best to choose a false position.
Let's bet that His Majesty will eventually have a moment of weakness and nostalgia. "
Zhang Liang narrowed his eyes again, and the knife-like wrinkles on his face became more obvious.
"Thank you Queen.
The veteran can see that the queen is sincerely planning for the veteran. "
"Ovary?" Liu Ji's question was close to his ears. Zhang Liang muttered as if he was waking up from a dream, as if he couldn't hear clearly, and hesitantly looked at the emperor.
"Ah, Your Majesty is calling me Lao Chen?"
"Yes, I think you were fine just now, but why are you not as energetic as before?
You have been getting thinner and thinner recently. I heard that you spend all day at home doing inedia? "
Liu Ji stared at Zhang Liang's face carefully, using the sunlight coming from the white glazed window on one side, and realized that he had indeed lost a lot of weight.
"Oh, your Majesty, please remember that I have been practicing the method of fasting grains recently. I don't eat grains for three meals, and only eat some fruits and vegetables."
“So this is Bigu?
You are so old and have always been sick, how can you withstand this? "
"Your Majesty, you don't know. It is said that in ancient times, Chi Songzi, the rain master, went through all kinds of hardships to learn this secret recipe of grain-breaking from the Kunlun Mountains, and passed it on to the Shennong family to cure diseases and prolong life.
I have tried it on my own for several months. I feel relaxed and happy, and it seems to be of great benefit to my internal organs and six spleens. "
As soon as these words came out, not only Liu Ji was greatly surprised, but also the aggressive ministers put aside their previous disputes and all asked about the art of cultivating immortals mentioned by Zhang Liang.
Although what he said was miraculous, everyone believed it with their own eyes, but they saw that he had become so thin that his cheekbones were bulging like knives and axes, and his skinny face was yellowish and white. There was no blood, only a sick air. Is this the way of fasting and cultivating? It can be imagined that it is really effective.
"You have always been very discerning, so why can't you see clearly when it comes to cultivating Taoism, gods, and gods?"
Liu Ji shook his head with a smile and asked again,
"Then you can become Prime Minister Zuo and serve as Xiao He's deputy. Is that okay?"
“I’m afraid this is inappropriate.
Old minister... I start to doze off and feel sleepy every afternoon in the afternoon, and my mind wanders around. I'm afraid I will miss important military and state affairs. "
"That's all. Then you go and be the Crown Prince and Tutor. You will take care of my son on weekdays. You can take care of the rest of the general affairs of the East Palace as long as you want, and if you don't want to, you can be free."
The prince's tutor, as the name suggests, means "the prince's master". He is an official of the East Palace who has existed since ancient times. He is mainly responsible for teaching the prince and commanding the officials of the East Palace.
This is a free and expensive position, and it will also facilitate further withdrawal from the court in the future. Zhang Liang was overjoyed and was busy thanking Liu Ji, but he heard Liu Ji say,
"Also, I plan to give you 30,000 households with food and food, all from Qi.
The land of Qi is the most prosperous. If you look at the 30,000 households that are pleasing to your eyes, you will take them away. "
"I thank Your Majesty for your love. However, Your Majesty, I don't even eat the grain now. It is completely useless to ask for so much food and taxes from the city. They are just useless things in the world, and they only add to the burden."
"There are so many generals waiting to be rewarded. If you continue to push back, wouldn't it be a joke on me?"
"Ah, this..." Zhang Liang seemed to be in a dilemma, he lowered his head and thought for a while,
"If it doesn't work, please, Your Majesty, grant me the title of Liuxian."
Liuxian County is a small county with less than 5,000 households. It is located south of Peixian County. It is the place where Zhang Liang and the pavilion chief Liu Ji first met.
Zhang Liang's request was a sign of weakness and a plea. Liu Ji sighed silently and looked at his old figure that had almost shrunk into a ball. He already agreed in his heart, but pointed at him and laughed and scolded everyone. road,
"Look at this man. He wants to become an immortal during the day. He wants to go crazy. All the glory and wealth in this world are no longer acceptable to his eyes!
Okay, since you invited yourself to the poor place of Liu County, I will make you the "Marquis of Liu" from now on. "
Only Liu Ji knew that there was such a rare sense of relief in his laughter and curses.
***
The sky outside the hall gradually turned gloomy, windy clouds gathered, and it became more and more muggy. Thinking that a heavy rain was coming, Liu Jizheng was about to let everyone disperse when he suddenly saw Shusun Tong running up to him.
"Your Majesty, you just said that you allowed me to go to the Beigong to teach and preach, do you still count?"
"Hey, why do you still remember this?" Liu Ji slapped his forehead and said,
"Count, count. Zhang Zifang is the Crown Prince now. If you are going to say something, go and discuss it with him.
The world has been decided, and the previous method of competing in the Central Plains is no longer suitable.
You can tell my sons all your Confucian principles of loyalty, filial piety, justice, and the distinction between king and minister, so that everyone can learn how to be a good son and a good subject. "
