The next day, when the four seas returned to the same palace, the good news came from Dongjun. Huo Zheng led all the ministers to meet the emperor and continue the court discussion.
Seeing that the emperor had not arrived yet, Wei Wei Gao Chong seemed to be in front of the left prime minister Huo Xiang and whispered something to him, and the other officials were also whispering to each other.
After a cup of tea, Yang Jin, the general manager of the inner court, stepped forward first and said loudly: "Your Majesty has arrived."
When the ministers scattered in the hall saw the emperor arriving, they all returned to their seats. They bowed slightly and saluted the emperor on the throne and said: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live my emperor."
Mu Sheng said: "Everyone is safe."
At this time, Wei Weigao remembered what he had just discussed with Huo Xiangguo. Before other officials could report, he took the lead and stepped forward to speak to the emperor: "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Mu Sheng raised his hand slightly and said, "Invite Gao Qing's family."
Gao Zhong said: "Your Majesty, good news has come from Dongjun. The civil uprising in Dongjun that spread to several counties has been successfully suppressed. According to my investigation, this incident was caused by the magistrate of Mingxian County who abused his power and squeezed the people. This person is dead. Amidst the chaos, the details of the incident cannot be traced. I believe that it has been six months since Your Majesty succeeded to the throne. The common people do not know the Majesty's power, and local officials are neglectful of government affairs, which has led to a civil uprising in Dongjun. I would like to ask Your Majesty to follow the example of the late Emperor for good luck. Patrolling down to impress the king."
The doctor ordered Huo Jun to step forward and echo: "I second my opinion."
Zou Dan, the young master, stepped forward and said, "Everything Master Gao said makes sense. I second my opinion and ask for your Majesty's Holy Judgment."
When officials from Huo Zheng's group saw that Huo Xiangguo's confidants had expressed their stance, they all came out to support him.
Prime Minister Zuo Huo Zheng meant what the imperial court meant.
Mu Sheng turned to look at Huo Zheng helplessly and asked, "Huo Xiangguo, do you also mean this?"
Huo Zheng stepped forward and said: "I believe that since the late emperor unified the country, in the past twenty years, we have conducted eight tours. Each time we visited various parts of Guandong, officials and people from all over the country were so intimidated by the majesty of our emperor that they did not dare to do anything rebellious. My heart, during the reign of the late emperor, there was never a civil uprising in the old land of Guandong. In this extraordinary period, I suggest that your majesty choose an auspicious day as soon as possible to make a tour to show the majesty of our emperor."
Before the emperor could express his position, Dr. Bao You stepped forward and spoke: "Your Majesty, I believe that the rule of a country is based on virtue rather than prestige. Under the inspections, extravagance and waste are incurred, and the cost is huge. Officials from all over the country also act at will to receive the emperor. Increasing taxes will increase the burden on the local people. The veteran believes that it is better to do less corvee and less tax and implement benevolent policies widely, which is the right way to win the hearts of the people. It is okay not to do what he did during the inspection, and I hope your majesty will accept your advice."
Several officials also came forward to echo Dr. Bao You's remarks.
Hearing this, Huo Jun, the doctor, sneered and said: "Old man, you dare to inspect this, which is extravagant and wasteful? Then the eight inspections conducted by the late emperor were just a waste of people's energy and extravagant and wasteful? Why didn't you, old man, during the late emperor's reign? Dare you speak like this? You are clearly trying to deceive me, the new king, who has just ascended the throne, so you are so open-minded?"
Bao You sneered and said: "Hmph! Who is the one who deceives the emperor and ignores his superiors? Since ancient times, all matters in the court have been decided by the sons. You control the government and dominate the government. All government orders come from the prime minister's office. When the emperor is weak and the ministers are strong, , you have been the leader of troubles since ancient times, you are the thieves who deceive the king and the country, I am ashamed to associate with you and other rats!"
As soon as these words came out, it was like a bomb was thrown into the court. The sound of needle dropping could be heard in the hall. The expressions of all the ministers changed slightly, and they secretly glanced at Zuo Prime Minister Huo Zheng. Many things are actually just acceptable on the surface. Bao You was such a stubborn old man. He came right up and took off the underwear of Huo Zheng and others and aired them in front of everyone. If this was not handled properly, it would immediately be a big earthquake.
Brothers Huo Zheng, Huo Jun, and Huo Qi were sitting on pins and needles.
The doctor's order, Huo Jun, felt as if he had been stepped on by a rat's tail. He grabbed Bao You by the collar and cursed angrily: "Old man, you will die today or I will live. I am loyal to Your Majesty. The sun and the moon can tell you." Corrupt Confucianism harms the country, deliberately instigates the relationship between the monarch and his ministers, and harbors evil intentions. What are your intentions, old man?"
When Huo Zheng saw that the situation was getting out of control, and things were getting darker and darker, he immediately stood up and roared: "Huo Jun, shut up, you are roaring in the court, insulting old ministers, how unbecoming are you? Come here, take him out... …”
Two palace guards entered the palace and took Huo Jun out, who was still talking harshly.
Immediately, Huo Zheng stepped forward to comfort Bao You and immediately started his performance. He said in a choked tone: "Sir, you are teaching me a lesson. I remember that when the late emperor was critically ill, I stayed by the holy chariot. The late emperor repeatedly warned me before he died. , I assist the new monarch with all my heart. I shoulder the heavy responsibility of entrusting you, and I never dare to forget the late emperor’s instructions. I am also afraid of missing important national affairs, so I put all my efforts into checking the situation for you. Alas, it is all my fault. I always think that your majesty is still young. Just now After succeeding to the throne, the veteran minister will first take care of His Majesty and shoulder the burden for a few more years. Unexpectedly, he has now been misunderstood by the ministers. "
After Huo Zheng finished speaking, he knelt down in front of the emperor's throne and saluted, saying: "Since you succeeded to the throne, your Majesty has been diligent in political affairs and handled everything in an orderly manner. You have not ignored the expectations of the late emperor for you. Now that the old minister is old and frail, it is time for you to retire." Retired, I would like to resign as Prime Minister Zuo, go home to take care of my old age, and will no longer be involved in government affairs. Please give me your permission."
Who is Mu Sheng? With a heart like a mirror, he immediately entered the performance state, with an expression on his face that was about to collapse. He stood up and ran forward to help Huo Zheng up. He said softly and comforted: "Oh! Prime Minister, why do you say this? Prime Minister assists the late emperor in governing the country. Anbang, sorting out the government affairs, this is obvious to all. The new dynasty cannot tolerate such a virtuous prime minister who has helped the world and Anbang. It is really my fault. I will never agree to the resignation of the Prime Minister. You must not do it, Prime Minister. If someone attacks me, then abandon me and go away."
Huo Zhengxin was pretty good at it. Seeing that the emperor had given him a step, he immediately hurriedly cooperated with the emperor in the performance and said in a sad tone: "How can the veteran He De be so valued by your majesty? I am ashamed of myself!"
The number one lackey of the Huo Zheng Group, Weiwei Gao Zhong, hurriedly looked at the ministers behind him. The ministers understood and stepped forward to cry and admonish: "Master Xiangguo, you are always the pillar of the imperial court, you can't leave..."
Huo Zheng used retreat to advance, and with the cooperation of the ministers and the emperor, he finally managed to resolve the storm.
Feng Chang Zhang Xi, Zhi Su Nei Shi Tian Jian and others saw this behavior in the court, and they felt angry. Who could be fooled by such a trick? But they also know that Xiang Huo is in power and cannot be offended, let alone directly quarrel with him, as that would not be good for anyone.
Doctoral officer Bao You puffed his beard and glared angrily. He was still recognized as a human being for his righteous outspokenness? Is there any reason? Just as he was about to angrily reprimand these actors, several officials he had become friends with saw that something was wrong and quickly pulled him back and fired off the bombs in public, making the matter difficult to end.
The ministers once again came forward to persuade the emperor to inspect. Mu Sheng was afraid of causing trouble, so he readily agreed. A seemingly murderous incident in the court was resolved and invisible. Mu Sheng slightly ignored it. Doctoral officer Bao You, who had an unhappy look on his face, sighed in his heart, thinking that the old man might not be able to eat anymore and walk away.
After retreating from the court, the three Huo brothers left hand in hand. Huo Zheng patted the doctor, Ling Huo Jun, on the shoulder and said, "Second brother, I just wronged you."
The doctor ordered Huo Jun to wave his hands repeatedly and said: "Brother, I'm not wronged. I'm just so angry that I can't stop thinking. If you hadn't handled it well, brother, I really don't know how it would have ended."
Huo Zheng said: "Well, just understand it. You, me, Huo Qi, we are all family members. If you say something, I understand that our Huo family is now the target of public criticism. Everyone in the government and the public is staring at us. , we need to be more cautious in our actions. One wrong step will lead to catastrophe. The wealth of our Huo family will be like a passing cloud. Don’t look at the courtiers who obey me on the surface, but realize what they are thinking in their hearts. Who knows? People’s hearts are separated from each other. Ah, for people like Bao You, what he says is straightforward. His meaning may not only represent him. Maybe there is a group of people behind him who can't stand us and will seize the opportunity to pull us down at any time. Now you still think Is this position of prime minister so easy to sit on?"
The doctor Ling Huo Jun said bitterly: "Brother, I understand that this old man Bao You is really a stone in the cesspit, smelly and hard. Since he can't control his mouth, then send him to the old capital of Bo. , let him live with those collections of classics and history, and that Tian Jian, because he is the emperor's father-in-law, he is usually very arrogant, and he openly opposed us at the last court meeting, why not send him to his hometown Anyang County as a county guard never mind."
Huo Zheng said: "You just have a quick temper. You must change it in the future. You must be steady in doing things and be tolerant. Don't always shout and kill. They must be dealt with. Wait for Your Majesty. Let’s wait until the tour is over!”
Huo Jun laughed at this and said: "Yes, yes, everything is subject to big brother's orders."
Huo Zheng looked at his third brother, Lieutenant Huo Qi. Huo Qi also smiled and said: "Brother, you are right. We three brothers, one will be prosperous and one will suffer."
In the prime minister's house, Huo Zheng was browsing the memorials submitted from various places, when Wei Gao Zhong came to visit.
Seeing that the Prime Minister was alone in the palace, Gao Chong stepped forward to report to the Prime Minister: "Mr. En, this is the tour plan I have made. Please give the Prime Minister a preview."
Huo Zheng took the memorial, read it carefully, nodded repeatedly and said: "Well, yes, the patrol plan is very much what I want. However, the number of soldiers in this army needs to be discussed. There are too many people in the north camp, and there are too many people in the south camp." Too little, you know what I mean?”
Gao Zhongxin was as clear as a mirror and said: "Please make it clear, Lord Enxiang, that for the Zihu Army on this patrol, I have broken the old rules and increased the number of the Lieutenant Army to 20,000, which is enough to protect the safety of His Majesty the Emperor."
The high tone emphasized protection. In fact, this protection was no different from kidnapping. He understood the meaning of Xiangguo Da Rao very well, that is, he had to hold the son firmly in his hands to control the princes, and to keep the Huo family. Hard-earned power.
Huo Zheng took another look at the parade plan presented by Gao Zhongxian and said, "The lieutenant's army of 30,000 troops will accompany them on the parade. Do you understand what I mean?"
Hearing this, Gao Zhong was shocked and said: "Master Xiangguo, the lieutenant army is responsible for guarding the capital. If all of them accompany Your Majesty on the parade, Qingyang will immediately become an empty city. Is this?"
Huo Zheng said: "In addition to the three thousand palace guards who accompanied you on the tour, don't you have four thousand people under your command? You are deploying some soldiers and horses from surrounding counties to cooperate with your people to temporarily guard the capital. Moreover, during this tour, Beiying The number of troops and horses accompanying them will be reduced to 5,000."
Hearing this, Gao Zhong frowned slightly and said: "The parade is a rare opportunity for the Beiying soldiers to receive rewards. In the past, according to the old practice, the 50,000 elite soldiers of the Beiying army had to follow the Holy Driver on the parade. This time it has been reduced to 5,000. I am afraid that the Beiying soldiers will complain. Zhou Jian, the commander of the northern camp and the guard of the army, is a subordinate of General Cheng Pu. General Cheng Pu will definitely not agree to such an act."
Huo Zheng said: "So what if you have complaints? It's difficult for us to control the Beiying camp. Only Zi Shifu can mobilize it. As for General Cheng, I will obey him. The officers and soldiers of the Beiying camp, from the thousand-man leader to above, can accompany him on patrol. Ordinary soldiers do not need to go. After the parade, ordinary soldiers in Beiying will still receive rewards."
When Gao Zhong heard it, it was okay. The entire Beiying became an officer corps on a parade. Ordinary soldiers would still be rewarded if they didn't go. In this way, the emotions of the Beiying officers could be appeased to a certain extent.
Gao Zhong asked again: "Mr. En, in the past when the late Emperor went on tour, the army of the Imperial Guard would have at least 70,000 to 80,000 horses, not to mention the hundreds of civil and military officials accompanying them. Now, the number of the lieutenant's army and the officers and soldiers of the North Camp escorting them is less than 40,000. , it is indeed difficult to achieve the effect of deterrence. For the remaining number gap, I suggest that county soldiers be mobilized from surrounding counties to accompany you. What do you think, Mr. Xiangguo?"
Hearing this, Huo Zheng nodded slightly and said, "Well, I'll do as you wish."
