Several prime ministers in the court broke up on bad terms at the banquet at Shi Hongzhao's mansion. At the court meeting a few days later, Yang Bin once again argued with Su Fengji and others in court. Shi Hongzhao even argued in front of the emperor and officials. On the other hand, the court denounced Su Fengji and others for not knowing how to use spears and swords, calling them "Mr. Mao Zhui" and unable to stabilize the country.
Guo Xin and Guo Tong wrote secret letters quickly after the banquet. Although Guo Tong was very curious about the relationship between Guo Xin and Hou Yi, he still chose to trust Guo Xin in important matters and explained the inside story of moving to the town to Guo Wei in the letter. , and quickly sent to Yedu through the Guo family's own channels.
Unexpectedly, after the Shangyuan Festival, the struggle in the court suddenly became fierce, so much so that Yang Bin, Wang Zhang, and Su Fengji successively wrote letters requesting to be appointed as feudal lords, but they were all retained by the Queen Mother and officials.
Even the mother Zhang in the inner house heard about these things and asked Guo Xin what he thought when he went to greet him.
"The civil and military generals in the imperial court have become very close to each other. My father has become closer to Yang Bin and Shi Hongzhao. Wang Zhang, the envoy of the Third Secretary, is married to my family. My father's prestige in the army is unparalleled... Today's official family is young He is young and may not be able to see the situation clearly, but he must be wary of my father. If this continues, something bad may happen."
Sure enough, Zhang's face was full of worry: "I've known for a long time that Tokyo has never been at peace. What should I do?"
Guo Xin comforted him and said, "Mom, don't worry. There are father and brother in the court, brother Rong and Zhang Yongde in the palace, children and cousins in the army. There are so many people, no matter what the situation, there is always a way."
Mrs. Zhang sighed, and Guo Xin stopped elaborating, but took advantage of the situation and said: "A few days ago, my son met the prince-in-law, Captain Song Xie. During the conversation, he told the child that there was a Master Dedao in Xiangguo Temple who would visit him every day. I lecture on Buddhism on a moonlit day, and I always feel the protection of the Buddha's light after listening to it, and I feel quite at ease. My mother likes the Buddha, so why don't I ask Guo Pu to take someone to escort her, and ask my sisters-in-law, Wang and Liu, to accompany my mother to listen to the Dharma.
Zhang was a little surprised: "I remember that Brother Yi was not very interested in Buddhism and Taoism."
Guo Xin nodded and said: "My child doesn't believe in Buddhism at all. But last year when I was in Guanzhong, before going into battle, I would occasionally think of the scene where my mother had walked incense and prayed for me. At that time, I would feel peaceful in my heart and not afraid of the battle at all. The dangers in the world... I think Buddhism and Taoism are at least very effective in calming people's minds."
After hearing this, Mrs. Zhang said it was good and her mood calmed down a bit.
... In Tokyo, Zhang was not the only one who was also worried about the fierce imperial struggle.
After the court meeting, the young emperor Liu Chengyou met with his close ministers Li Ye, the military envoy, Yan Jinqing, the Hakka envoy, Hou Kuangzan, the Feilong envoy, and others.
Liu Chengyou was in a bad mood. At the court meeting in the Long Live Palace this morning, Su Fengji and others were still arguing about whether to send troops and how to deploy the imperial army. During this period, he also tried to speak to persuade the ministers to stop arguing, but no one listened to him. If so, Shi Hongzhao even said: Your Majesty, just keep silent, your ministers will be waiting for you.
After the court meeting, Liu Chengyou still had not recovered from the feeling of resentment.
Only when he returned to the Guangzheng Hall, sat on the high dragon couch, looked down at the respectful manners of his ministers in front of him, and stood on his side to discuss matters in the court, did he feel that he was still an emperor.
At this time, Liu Chengyou heard Yan Jinqing talking about what happened in the court just now: "Shi Hongzhao and others are arrogant and domineering in front of all the officials, and they speak unscrupulously! They will definitely cause trouble in the future."
Liu Chengyou felt the same and couldn't help but nod in approval.
Yan Jinqing continued: "When Yang Bin requested to go to the town, the officials should not have listened to the Queen Mother's advice to stay, but should have allowed him to go to the town. The remaining Shi Hongzhao was frivolous and brainless, and he was no match for Su Xianggong in the court. .”
Nie Wenjin, the Privy Councilor, asked: "What should we do if Yang Fan imitates Li Shouzhen and rebels after he goes to the town? Yang Fan has been in the position of Privy Council for a long time, and Guo Gongsu has made good friends with him. The Forbidden Army is all their people. Who will go then? Conquest?"
Yan Jinqing remained silent, and everyone stopped talking at this time.
Liu Chengyou glanced at their faces, and suddenly realized that his uncle Li Ye, who was usually the most active in discussing matters, had not spoken today, so he asked, "What do you think, uncle?"
Li Yedao: "As Brother Nie said, military power is very important. In my opinion, if your Majesty wants to take back the government, he must first control the Forbidden Army. Now that the Forbidden Army is completely controlled by Shi, Yang and Guo, he will definitely not take the initiative to use the military power In return, we can only kill these three people one by one!"
Li Ye's words were shocking, and Liu Chengyou suddenly became a little nervous, but he still did not interrupt Li Ye. Although he knew that the eunuchs and palace attendants had been ordered to wait outside the palace before the meeting, Liu Chengyou could not help but look around. His eyes rested on the big red pillars behind Li Ye and others, and a thought that frightened him came to his mind. : The pillar is so thick that if there is someone hiding behind it, it will be completely invisible from your position.
Li Ye met Liu Chengyou's gaze and continued: "I have some ideas recently. To deal with cunning people, I can only win through insidiousness. But now there is no chance, what we have to do is to wait for the opportunity, and when the opportunity arises, we will defeat the powerful minister Eradicate it in one fell swoop!"
After Li Ye said this, Liu Chengyou's first feeling was fear, but he also felt very excited inside.
Nie Wenjin on the side said: "I'm afraid it's not easy for us to do what we want. Maybe we should discuss it with Mr. Su in the long term? Mr. Su does not prepare for war, has been at odds with Yang Bin and others for a long time, and has always been respectful to the palace. In the You should be trustworthy in such a big matter."
"No!" Li Ye objected categorically, "If your Majesty can accomplish this, then the power will belong to your Majesty. If we had known about it to Su Fengji first, and we didn't know whether he would support us in doing this, even if it was done, wouldn't it mean that the power would fall into his hands again?" By Su Fengji's hand? His Majesty should think carefully."
Liu Chengyou was silent, but felt that what his uncle said was very reasonable. Although Nie Wenjin and others could also trust him, after all, only his uncle was his true family member.
So Liu Chengyou proposed not to discuss the matter for the time being, and several people talked about Hebei's military, but the topic could not be separated from Guo Wei.
Li Ye still had the opportunity to criticize the Guo family: "...our enemy, the most important thing is Guo Wei. He has been allowed to lead the army for too long. I heard that his son Guo Xin is also on good terms with the generals in the army. I look forward to the future." The biggest threat to this dynasty must be the Guo family."
Liu Chengyou didn't say anything. In fact, Liu Chengyou had always had a good impression of Guo Wei. Guo Wei was not as arrogant in front of him as Yang Bin and Shi Hongzhao. He listened carefully to what he said when he was alone, and his advice was not forceful. Most of the things were done after consultation with him. What's more, Guo Wei's leadership of the army is indeed reassuring. Many vassals and towns were fighting the three-town rebellion that was getting worse and worse. Guo Wei was able to stabilize the situation as soon as he left!
At this time, Hou Kuangzan on the side reported another thing.
"Wude Envoy mentioned the Erlang of the Guo family, and I suddenly remembered that at the banquet in Shi Hongzhao's Mansion, I accidentally met Guo Xin, the son of Guo Shizhong, who seemed to be on good terms with the Duke of Lu. During the banquet that day, I was resting in the vestibule of the hall. I noticed that When Guo Erlang and Lu Guogong escaped from everyone and returned to the hall alone, they must have been talking about something in the hall. When I returned to the hall with the guests, I saw Guo Jiaerlang walking away immediately! Therefore, I had this suspicion. "
Yan Jinqing immediately said: "Hou Yi is a very repetitive person. Kaifeng's governor position is important. Your Majesty should send him home to take care of himself because of his old age, and find another trusted minister to replace him."
Liu Chengyou nodded in agreement, but knew that this matter needed to be informed to the Queen Mother first, and then discussed with Yang Bin and Su Fengji before it could be reached.
"Alas!" Liu Chengyou sighed quietly, and his sitting body suddenly felt very tired.
Being respected by the courtiers and having concubines competing for favors, this is what it should be like to be an emperor. But Liu Chengyou's heart was full of fear for the seat he sat down on. The late emperor had killed countless people to sit here, and he probably had to kill people to be able to sit down.
