"Don't use the Yushitai?" The people from Hunan frowned, confused, "Although we can also write a letter of impeachment, if we go directly to Tianting, we will inevitably be found guilty of overstepping our duties; if we act according to the rules, If we ask the Yushitai to forward the report, we will be suppressed by Lu Tingci and cause a lot of trouble. But if Ge Ming is secretly impeached, he can not only take us out, but also have to go straight in and hit the thief unprepared. It is justified. , Why not? I really don’t understand the mystery of your words."
Chen Tongpao was not in a hurry to refute, but just nodded and said: "It is indeed what you said. The impeachment of the censor has many advantages. However, now is definitely not the time for a big move."
He continued to explain: "Ye Thief has not yet started a new policy. His Majesty has also been attracted to King Yi recently, so naturally he will use him to attack the prince's party. As the censor suddenly impeached, we will definitely sign the attached memorandum. Once signed, everyone will Qingliu felt that he was powerful and could be relied on, and he would play one after another. How could the situation be controlled by you and me at that time? If the matter escalated, it would be a disgrace to the emperor. In anger, the emperor reproached him with "gathering people in crowds to intimidate the emperor." , how can we bear it?”
"That's right... Master Chen's words have enlightened the younger generation!" The people from Hunan couldn't help but praise loudly.
Chen Tongpao humbly said "How dare" twice, and then continued: "But when the matter has developed to this extent, we cannot do nothing. It is better to follow my method: on the one hand, I submit a secret letter to Lu Tingci, the imperial censor, and question him on Why do you condone the Ye Party's affairs? On the one hand, you should write to the prime minister, please hold a meeting in the province, and return the two criminals to Dali Temple for trial. Your Majesty will be happy to see that I am fighting with other ministers in the outer court and will not interfere. , the prince’s side can handle it too.”
The people in Hunan heard this, but they didn't understand it completely, but they thought in their hearts: "Mr. Chen is extremely wise and has every advantage, so why should I have any doubts!" 'So I stopped asking questions and went about my business honestly.
"Master Lu, Chen Shangshu sent someone to deliver a letter, saying it is a private matter."
Lu Tingci was having a drink with Ge Ming when he suddenly heard someone coming to report from outside the door. He glanced at it and said, "Private matters? I have no friendship with Chen Gongzhou... Just leave it on the table."
The servant nodded, carefully placed the book on the table, and hurriedly closed the door and left, leaving only the light coming in through the window.
"Did I hear you correctly?" Ge Mingwei slowly raised his head and asked.
"You heard me right," Lu Tingci stood up to get the letter and smiled, "That's Mr. Chen over there. I don't know what he is planning today. It's inexplicable."
Ge Ming said seriously: "What Enyan said is wrong. Mr. Chen is a model of Confucianism in the world. We follow him, but we are just like-minded. How can we distinguish between 'you' and 'us'? This is all just a matter of partisanship." limit."
"According to your opinion, I am a friend." Lu Tingci said.
"The Ye thief used personal favors to win over the ministers and ignored the holy will. Isn't he a clique or what?" Ge Ming was filled with indignation. "Because of this, I don't understand why En Yan is committed to serving the country, but why is he placed under the fence of the Ye Party? Are you willing to be a crony? Do you want to associate with a scoundrel like Cui Yi more than the virtuous Mr. Chen? Can a lunatic like Ye Yongjia lead the country to prosperity? "
When Lu Tingci was questioned like this, he didn't show any anger at all. He just exhaled a long breath and replied calmly: "Based on my judgment on national affairs, following the old system is not a good medicine. I grew up in a family with a good family background. We are fully aware of the irremediable decline of the trend. Even if it is revived once, it will still be exploited and exploited in the future. Today, there are more than millions of refugees in the world. The people are already miserable. If the system is not abolished, the old laws will be changed. , I only show you small favors in order to survive for a while, I really don’t know how long it will last.”
"so what?"
Lu Tingci spread his hands again: "So I am just pursuing what I dream of. Of course, this is just my opinion. Maybe I am also blinded by prejudice and cannot see the shortcomings of the New Deal. After all, Mr. Chen and you are just It's just that I have political disagreements with Mr. Lu, but I don't want to be like Cui Yi, who regards each and every member of the "Chen Party" as enemies and opposes them indiscriminately. I should take the opinions of the listeners into consideration."
"Enyan is indeed a sober person!" Ge Mingwei picked up the wine glass and said, "Ge did not make the wrong friends! Come on, have another drink!" The two immediately laughed, clinked the glasses, and drank a full glass.
Lu Tingci then turned around and opened the letter. When he saw the delicate words on it, he suddenly became pale:
"Ye Yongjia has become increasingly clique-y in recent times. Doesn't the censor An know?" Let’s take a look at the people he put in important positions. Cui Yi was no more than a commoner in the countryside and had not made any significant achievements, but because he was related by marriage, he was suddenly promoted to a chief officer. Dong Sheng was no more than a junior scholar, but because he was attached to a party member, he was assigned to the position of leading the army. The facts are overwhelming, but Your Majesty has indulged in it without any impeachment in several years. How can this be repaid by Your Majesty? I hope that the Lord will take Taiwan's remonstrance as his responsibility, quickly expose the rebellious situation, and do not make his officials feel sad. Chen Tongpao, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, paid homage. '
Seeing that he was motionless, Ge Ming hurriedly asked: "What's wrong?"
Lu Tingci couldn't tell the truth, so he just took the letter and asked him, "Have you seen this letter?"
Ge Ming asked for a look and looked over it. He was even more surprised than him: "Master Chen is preparing to attack? I thought he was going to come to the Yushitai first..."
"Stop saying anything," Lu Tingci pressed the letter on the table and said anxiously, "Listen, if this matter is reported to the emperor and causes a bloody storm, it will not be good for you or me. How about that? After tearing up this letter, Ge Xueshi, you must not spread it out!"
Ge Ming said: "This is about the life of my virtuous brother. How can I betray my friend for glory? Give it to me and I will tear it up for you. If anything happens, I will take the blame."
Before Lu Tingci could react, he pulled out the letter and tore it into pieces in his hands with all his strength. Almost every word was unrecognizable. Lu Tingci shed tears of gratitude, thanked him deeply for his kindness, and bowed deeply before saying goodbye.
He did not dare to stop on the road, so he rushed all the way to the Yamen of the Ministry of War and explained the matter to Ye Yongjia. Although it seemed to him that it was extremely urgent, Ye Yongjia only felt that it was very strange and asked many questions unhurriedly, which made the former a little annoyed: "Tongpao Chen has the intention of counterattack and will soon hinder the New Deal. Mr. Ye will not Discuss with your confidants, plan strategies, and ask what are you doing with these innocuous matters?"
Ye Yongjia pondered and said: "Because this is so unreasonable... He didn't know that his party members would write a letter of impeachment and caught me off guard, but he wrote to us and told us the news... What's the trick in this?"
"Yes," the scheming Cai Xianqing was also confused, "Tongpao Chen has always been shrewd and would never make such a mistake. Could it be..." At this point, he shivered and his wrinkles deepened.
