Hu Qi's face didn't look relaxed either. He and the other officials sat on both sides, listening listlessly to the second prince's opinions.
"Let's talk about the redundancy plan first," Wan Heshun wiped the sweat off his head and raised his head and said, "We discussed it a few years ago, right? Hu Shangshu, you have a good memory. I wonder if you still remember the situation at that time?"
Hu Qi tried his best to cheer up: "I remember. It was originally decided to only reduce the number of officials, but later... many officials were also cut."
Wan Heshun saw that he didn't dare to continue, so he quickly smoothed things over: "Master Ye was also present at that time, and he was able to suppress the situation, so he negotiated such a result; of course, the past life was different, and that method is no longer suitable today. .”
He continued: "I think the reduction of redundancy should be in line with the people's wishes. If we are allowed to do whatever we want, I am afraid that complaints will spread all over the place, which is inappropriate. Therefore, idle officials, harsh officials and those who are rampant in lawlessness in the army should be eliminated first, so as to Follow the people’s will.”
"The prosecution campaign was very effective back then," said an official from Wan Dang. "Do you think we should..."
Wan He waved his hand and blocked his thoughts: "Although reporting can arrest many people and the effect is remarkable, it can also easily accuse good people. Let me make it clear to you, because the emperor is here now, there must be no movement or movement. The main thing is to stabilize Nanjing. I will never use such a vigorous and resolute strategy. Mr. Lu, what do you think?"
Lu Fangxuan knew that the prince was afraid of Liu Dang's power and did not dare to make any earth-shaking changes. But judging from his understanding of this person, if he really wants to taste the sweetness of party struggle, he will not give up easily.
But agreeing is much better than refusing. Lu Fangxuan repeatedly echoed: "Hui Zhi and I have the same idea."
"This problem has been solved, we still need to talk about who needs protection to prevent Zhongliang from being wronged." After Wan Heshun said this, he winked at Hu Qi.
Lu Fangxuan knew very well what the answer was. He just twirled his beard lightly and smiled without saying a word.
Hu Qi hesitated for a moment and then answered hesitantly: "Wei Chong... Wei Shuban, he has made great efforts in cutting redundancies before. Such an official should not be suspected."
Most of the people present were Wan Dang. Everyone looked at each other and smiled knowingly. No one pretended to be surprised or made any noise. The whole room was silent.
Of course Lu Fangxuan knew it well. After all, this was just as he imagined. Wei Chong's position in the party struggle had become indispensable.
Everything was leading to a struggle between them, but Lu Fangxuan was not angry or anxious. Instead, he smiled at Wan Heshun and said with a sinister smile: "What Hu Shangshu said is so good! Wei Shuban cannot be classified as a redundant official." , he is a powerful man. Fang Xuan thinks it would be a pity not to promote such a person, so why not appoint him to take charge of the overall redundancy reduction situation, what do you think of it? "
"That's exactly what Wan has in mind! I didn't expect this negotiation to be so successful. It was concluded in just half an hour. There is nothing left to correct. I will write an official document tomorrow to notify all departments of the newly proposed cuts." Wan Heshun Smiling with satisfaction, he stood up, clapped his hands, and stretched his hands in front of Lu Fangxuan, "Come on, dear brother, let's celebrate!"
Lu Fangxuan stood up slowly, looked into Wan Heshun's eyes, raised his rough hands, and shouted: "Everyone, you see, Brother Wan and I are of the same mind! We are of the same mind!"
This "there is no silver here"-style response not only did not make Wan Heshun feel ashamed, but also played into his heart, and both of them laughed.
They showed frightening smiles, and their eyes did not have the harmony of sworn brothers, but looked like the fierce glare of wild beasts pouncing on prey. They finally freed themselves from the fragmented alliance and once again fell into the madness of partisanship and opposition.
This result is very wonderful for all three parties. Liu Dang could watch the fire from the other side, Wan Lu could fight for a while, and now Wei Chong could make a fortune. This was the first day of his implementation of redundancy. He was crossing his legs, holding a list of officials in one hand, and spinning an ink-soaked brush in the other hand, reviewing each name on it.
In his downtrodden days, if there was anyone who he held the most grudge against, it was none other than the instigator - Jiang Tian's inspection. But he stood in Ye Yongjia's protective circle, and he would only suffer a loss if he attacked him. He turned the page helplessly, his lowered eyes scanning the insignificant names, and his boredom surged like a flood.
"Master Wei," the clerk next to him asked, maybe this title would make him feel better, "I haven't found anyone yet..."
"When it's not your turn to speak," Wei Chong put on a cold face, "it's best to keep your mouth shut."
The man did as he was told.
Wei Chong was distracted by this and accidentally put his pen on the roster and drew a black dot on it. He was immediately in a hurry when he saw the name above the black dot: 'Inspection Department's arrester Ma Si...'
"What is this Ma Si?" Wei Chong became furious when he saw the inspection department and asked sharply.
The clerk took a few steps closer, took a quick look, and said, "I remember this person was following Jiang Tian. He is very important. It seems that he will be promoted."
"If I can't cure the inspection, why can't I cure him..." Wei Chong gritted his teeth and ticked his pen, "This guy must die first!"
"How do you want to kill him?" the clerk asked with a wicked smile.
"Call him here first," Wei Chong put his legs down on the table, "see what he can do..."
Jiang Tian happened to be in the inspection department when he saw a soldier roll up the curtain and kneel down to report: "Sir Jiang, there is a junior official asking to see him, saying that there is an order from the Wei Secretary's Office to call the horse arrester into the Yamen."
Ma Si was right next to him. His face was covered with beards, his bare arms were thick, and he looked extremely tough.
"Tell him," Ma Si shouted, "he is just a slave in the yamen, no bullshit! Where did he get the ability to summon the master! Master Ye no longer thinks that he is the prefect?"
Without waiting for Jiang Tian to persuade him, the man had already gone down. After a while, the man came back to report: "The little official said that the Wei Secretary's Office was personally appointed by Wan and Lu to dismiss anyone, and he had the right to call anyone. He also said that the matter was resolved by the emperor. If If you refuse to go, it will be regarded as disobedience."
"Damn it, bring the emperor out and scare me!" Ma Si slapped his chest, "I'm not afraid of him yet! Go ahead, that kid can do anything to me!"
Inspector Jiang wanted to hold him, but just as he was about to extend his hand, he slowly retracted it.
"Be careful." He only said one word, and then let Ma Si walk out of the house happily.
"Fourth Master Ma is here!"
When Wei Chong heard the roar, he stood up from his chair in fright. When he saw the figure of the big man from the window, he felt a little uneasy.
'A soldier, a bastard...why should I be panicking? Not wanting to show his cowardice, Wei Chong straightened his collar, rubbed his face, coughed three times, and pretended to make a sharp voice: "Let him in."
