Not long after, several officers from the Sixth Department also arrived in the hall one after another. Some of them were familiar with Deputy General Qi Zi, so they chatted with him and said, "I heard that Commander Qi recently admitted another child? It seems that it's still a big deal. It’s quite grand!”
Qi Zi sneered a few times, then gestured with his hands and feet, and continued talking:
"Look at what you said! Isn't this what I do? The day before yesterday, I fell in love with that girl and immediately gave her family 500 taels of silver as a betrothal gift. I also spent another 100 taels on gold and silver jewelry and other items. Her father Seeing that I was so willing to give up the money, he insisted on asking for 600 taels. If it were anyone else, how would he want it? But I followed his wish and added an extra 50 taels! Ordinary people marry concubines casually. After fooling around for a while, I carried him in through the corner gate without even playing the drums. But it's boring with so many people, isn't it? So I worked hard for a few days, hired more than thirty people to play, and spent forty taels of silver; The guests at the banquet were entertained with fine wines and served with fine wines. Thousands of handfuls of silver were thrown in before and after, and I didn’t even blink an eyelid!"
"Sure enough, they are all leaders, extraordinary!" Everyone agreed.
Lu Fangxuan was listening, knowing that he was bragging, but he didn't expose it. He just nodded and said nothing.
"Prefect Ye! Prefect Ye! Oh, I've been busy with business all day, and I can't see you in my free time..."
When he turned around, he saw Ye Yongjia also entering the palace gate, chatting with the officials.
Wan Heshun was also among them. He smiled kindly at everyone and said, "Give me a moment. I'll have a few words with Tinglong." When the officials dispersed, he put his hand on Ye Yongjia's arm and stared at him. Eyes: "Prefect Ye, this matter is of great importance. As the chief administrator of Nanjing, you must maintain the situation well and don't let the plan to reduce redundant officials fail... Do you know?"
Ye Yongjia shrank his hands and looked serious. He knew what consequences the competition between the two forces would bring to Nanjing, so he could only try his best to contain it.
"I'm reporting this to the prince, I know."
In a short time, all the adults had arrived. The officials in purple robes and jade belts were sitting on both sides. Only three officers, Wan, Lu and Ye, were invited to sit down. But before Ye Yongjia could speak, everyone stood up and started shouting so loudly that saliva was flying everywhere. The atmosphere was so heated that it was difficult to control.
"Shut up!" Qi Zi slammed the table, his face turned red, and he yelled angrily.
"Who do you think you are!" The Minister of War stood up and pointed at his nose, "Prince Wanjun and Duke Lu Yue didn't say a word, but they told us who are higher than you to shut up. I don’t know where I have the confidence!”
"You guys are just hawks and dogs that serve as slaves to the King of Wanjun. They are just wagging their tails when given a piece of bone! Why are you superior to others? At least my backbone is stronger than yours!" Qi Zi also refused to give in, pouting his beard and scolding loudly. road.
"Aren't you a slave of Master Lu? How can you say such nonsense!" The censor of the Imperial Procuratorate saw how fearless he looked that day, and his teeth were itching with hatred.
Ye Yongjia sat next to him, then turned to look at the expressions of Wan and Lu. They both fell silent and watched intently how this farce would continue. After all, it would be inappropriate for these three people to say anything at this time.
"Pause for a moment," Hu Qifu advised. "In order to serve the country and care about the people, we gather together to discuss the righteousness. Why argue endlessly, which only hurts people's hearts."
Qi Zifang realized that he had gone too far, but in order to express his dissatisfaction with Wan Heshun's group, he just snorted contemptuously.
"That's right, let's explain your views clearly first and try to shorten the time." Ye Yongjia finally gave an order in a stern tone.
"Then let me tell you my humble opinion first," Hu Qi bowed gracefully, "Think about it, although Nanjing is adjacent to the Yangtze River in the north and is located at the junction, bandits cannot thrive and thieves have no place to gather. , you won’t encounter rebel troops for decades. In this case, there is no need to raise a large number of troops and increase military expenditures. I heard that the number of officers has exceeded a hundred, so we can take advantage of this to reduce redundant soldiers and reduce redundant officers. This is a wonderful idea. count."
"How to implement it specifically? You can't just talk in vain!" Qi Zi asked.
Hu Qi never got angry, but said calmly: "Listen to me and explain slowly. What I mean is that the official positions set up by the Prince of Yue should be merged into the Nanjing Military and Horse Department, and then be selected based on merit. Those who are usually lazy Depose them, and promote those who are sincere, and things will be settled."
As soon as these words came out, the whole audience was in an uproar. Such a solution is not only a bit taken for granted, but will definitely trigger disputes between the two parties, making the situation worse and worse.
"Interesting... how can we, who have fought for our own official positions with one sword and one gun, be exempted from them and be at your mercy? Who is still doing this now and treating us Yuefu people as fools!" Qi Zi asked sternly, It caused a roar like waves.
Lu Fangxuan looked at Wan Heshun when the public was furious. The meaningful look in his eyes showed that he knew very well in his heart: this kind of countermeasure was definitely not the opinion of Hu Qi, the usually prudent official minister, but of the prince. Directed from behind the shadows.
"You rejected all our words, why didn't you hear the high opinion of the commander-in-chief?" These words of the Minister of Rites stirred up the crowd, and all the ministers in the palace echoed, "Yes."
Qi Zi looked around the hall and saw that they were aggressive and unforgiving, so he gathered his anger and said angrily: "You have already explained all the reasons, how can I dare to defend myself?" As he said this, he glared, Unable to swallow this breath, he flicked his arm and slapped the waist knife on the table, "In my opinion, just flatter your master in this speech hall! I won't argue, a bunch of forgetful..."
"Commander together," Ye Yongjia said with a serious look, "You see, Wan and Lu are very harmonious and like brothers. We in Nanjing can be said to be of one mind. Why should we get angry and separate from each other?"
"this……"
Ye Yongjia turned to look at the two of them: "Two adults, what's the point?"
After hearing this, Wan Heshun and Lu Fangxuan looked at each other, smiled and nodded in agreement.
Qi Zi had just taken two or three steps before he had to turn back, glanced at everyone with cold eyes, and sat down again.
"For the sake of Prince Mengwan and Duke Lu Yue, I will go around with you." Qi Zi said, "Anyway, my suggestion is to lay off the most important civil servants. To put it into practice, the subordinates of each department, and All the officers who should have been abolished but were not abolished should be dismissed. How about that? This is much milder than your ridiculous idea of abolishing officers."
Hu Qi and others didn't seem to think there was anything wrong, but Wan Heshun pondered for a long time and gradually frowned.
Ye Yongjia knew that most of the prince's confidants were officials in various ministries. If this plan was carried out, those minions, ears and eyes would disappear one after another. This trick was simply a hidden needle, making it difficult for people to guard against.
Ye Yongjia carefully considered the opinions of the two factions, and he could indeed see the different acting styles of Wan Lu and Wan Lu: one seeks victory in danger, while the other takes every step to win.
It is already clear who wins and who loses.
