After some deliberations, Shi Jingtang's think tank decided that they could no longer remain passive and wanted to take the initiative in the contest with the court, so they asked Shi Jingtang to test the court's sincerity.
How to test it? Li Congke was sent to Li Congke and asked to retire on the grounds that he was weak and unable to perform his duties.
Because Li Congke had absolute trust in Shi Jingtang's public attitude, he would inevitably "disobey" Shi Jingtang's request for retirement.
Just like Yang Fugong resigning to Tang Zhaozong and retiring, this is a trick used by courtiers to play tricks on the emperor. Because according to convention, regardless of whether he is qualified or not, and whether the emperor trusts or relies on him, when a minister requests to retire or resign, the emperor always politely refuses to show his respect, "The country can't live without you, and I can't live without you."
When the ministers came to the ground to "beg for bones" again and again, the emperor would reluctantly agree. It's the same as submitting a resignation application at the company. Maybe the leader has been longing for you to leave as soon as possible, but on the surface he still needs to politely retain you.
Once Li Congke rejected Shi Jingtang's request to retire, it was tantamount to publicly recognizing Shi Jingtang's status and power. Shi Jingtang will not be stupid enough to resign over and over again. This is a one-time deal.
And if Li Congke agreed without any pretense of politeness, it would be equivalent to announcing the breakdown of the relationship between monarch and minister. Even if Shi Jingtang openly rebels next, there will be no psychological burden or moral obstacles.
Therefore, Shi Jingtang took the initiative and wrote a memorial stating that he was in poor health and requested to hand over military power (commander-in-chief of the Northern Group Army to resist the Khitan) and move the town to a small feudal town in the rear so that more capable comrades could guard Taiyuan Prefecture in Hedong.
Li Congke convened a think tank to discuss. Xue Wenyu, Lu Wenji and other losers agreed that this was a God-given opportunity. You were suspicious of Shi Jingtang, but Shi Jingtang took the initiative to give in, surrendered military power and gave up important towns. Why not? Agree to him immediately!
Li Song, Lu Qi, and Fang Hao were firmly opposed, saying bluntly that this was Yang Fugong's old routine. Shi Jingtang would never be willing to retreat to the second line. He was testing the court's attitude.
So how did Tang Zhaozong handle Yang Fugong's resignation? Answer: The request was happily approved.
So what's the outcome? Answer: Yang Fugong is really contrary.
Then what? Answer: In the "Opposition Movement against Yang", Tang Zhaozong won and Yang Fugong's group was destroyed.
stop. Li Congke wanted to hear this answer.
But Li Congke should really listen to it. Tang Zhaozong defeated Yang Fugong, but lost the country. Unfortunately, Li Congke didn't have the patience to listen anymore.
That night, Li Song asked for leave temporarily and was no longer on duty in the palace. Only Xue Wenyu was on duty. Li Congke was unlucky, so he had a long talk with Xue Wenyu and exchanged views on the situation in Hedong.
Xue Wenyu once again quoted scriptures and told him about Guo Chongtao's "left hook" plan for Li Cunxu, and advised Li Congke not to be indecisive, not to look forward and backward, just one word - just do it! Cutting through the mess with a sharp knife and as fierce as a tiger in one move, Shi Jingtang was reduced to two hundred and fifty.
Li Congke was still hesitating and said that what Li Song and the others said made sense. For such a major matter, one should not be reckless and should think twice before acting.
When Xue Wenyu heard that it was Li Song and Lu Qi again, he became very angry. He suddenly became angry and attacked and slandered the two of them personally, "Your Majesty, is this emperor you or them? They are smooth-talking and eloquent, and they keep claiming that they will seize the country, but in fact they are planning for their own interests! They are seeking glory! They are the work of traitors and traitors. In my opinion, sooner or later, Shi Jingtang will rebel! You! If you agree to him, he will rebel; if you don't agree, he will rebel. Since sooner or later we will rebel, why don't we take the initiative, seize the opportunity, and strike first? Before his wings are full, catch him by surprise and nip him in the bud. This is the best policy! "
Not long ago, an "expert" told Li Congke's fortune, saying that he would meet a talented person this year. This person has the talent of the world and the ambition to stabilize the country and will definitely be able to assist him in achieving a great cause.
Now, Li Congke looked at Xue Wenyu in front of him, and the more he looked at him, the more he liked him, and he decided that he was the person that the master said, and was sent by God to assist him. So he was very excited and praised Xue Wenyu's idea again and again, "Zhenghe Guyi! That's right. No matter what the result is, just do it."
Li Congke immediately wrote a handwritten edict and ordered relevant departments to draft an edict and agree to Shi Jingtang's request.
Early the next morning, an edict concerning major personnel transfers was issued:
Shi Jingtang, the military envoy to Hedong Province, was appointed the military governor of Yunzhou Tianping Army. He was granted the title of Duke of Zhao and given the honorary title of "Henan Zhongzheng Meritorious Officer"; Song Shenqian, the military governor of Heyang Province, was appointed as the military governor of Hedong Province. Commander Zhang Jingda was promoted to commander-in-chief.
Song Shenqian was one of Li Congke's "Five Direct Lineage Group" and the only professional soldier in the group. Li Congke asked him to go to Taiyuan to replace Shi Jingtang, and at the same time gave Daizhou's wedgeman Zhang Jingda greater military power. Use powerful force to put pressure on Shi Jingtang.
At the same time, Shi Jingtang was promoted to the title of "Zhao Guogong" as a sign of appeasement.
A big stick in one hand and sweet dates in the other. Under Xue Wenyu's planning, Li Congke thought he had made a brilliant move that combined kindness and power.
When the edict was read out, when they heard the three words "Shi Jingtang", all the civil and military officials in the court were shocked and their faces changed drastically. For such an important decision, the emperor actually bypassed the civil and military ministers, bypassed the highest authority, and forced it through a "small meeting". Isn't this an oligarchy?
Six or seven days after the edict was issued, Shi Jingtang wrote a memorial publicly provoking Li Congke. The main idea was:
"Emperor Mingzong's country has been usurped by your boy. People are still dissatisfied. You'd better be wiser and take the initiative. Doesn't Emperor Mingzong have a biological son, King Xu Li Congyi? You should support Li Congyi and do a good job It is the duty of a minister to avoid causing trouble to Xiao Qiang and causing his infamy to last forever!"
This is Li Congke's biggest taboo, and Shi Jingtang's every sentence directly pokes at Li Congke's legal foundation. Li Congke was so angry that he tore the memorial into pieces and threw it to the ground. He ordered Ma Yinsun to draft an edict immediately and cursed back:
"The father has the country, and he passes it on to his son; when the king is in trouble, he relies on his relatives. He is dear to the king of E, so he is not alienated. In the past, the whole world knew what happened in Weizhou; but now, who is willing to believe the words of King Xu! Ying! Is this the case for being virtuous and doing things well?"
The general idea is: it is natural for a son to inherit his father's family business; it is also natural for a king to rely on his relatives when in danger. Are you related to Li Conghou? When Li Conghou was in danger, he defected to you. What did you do? Everyone on earth knows what you did in Weizhou, but now you have the nerve to talk about Li Congyi with such a shameless face? Let me ask you, where is Li Conghou? What kind of big-tailed wolf are you pretending to be!
When I usurp the throne, you are an accomplice! If I kill Li Conghou, you will be an accomplice! We are in the same boat, and we have a right mouth to eat meat - let alone fat (who).
