The servants in the Zhao Mansion have been busy these days. Now that Zhao Chu is going back to Beijing to serve as an official, he naturally has to pack his luggage and go to Qingyang together.
Zhao Chan also had an excited look on his face. At this moment, he was carefully packing his belongings in the room and preparing to return to Qingyang with the Eastern Tour Saint. He even had a smile on his lips. He couldn't help but think of all the past events in Qingyang. The prosperity of Yangcheng, in his heart, he has long been a native of Qingyang.
At this moment, a servant of the Zhao Mansion came to report: "Second Young Master, I am looking for you."
Zhao Chan was stunned when he heard this and said, "Okay, I understand."
Zhao Chan went to the inner hall and saw his father drinking tea in the inner hall, and his mother Zou Shi was also chattering in the inner hall.
When Zou saw Zhao Chan coming, she stepped forward with tears in her eyes, took Zhao Chan's hand and said, "Chan'er, we are going to Qingyang this time, you have to take good care of yourself!"
Zhao Chan asked doubtfully: "Mother, why are you crying? Hasn't His Majesty already appointed the child as a minister? Are we going to Qingyang together?"
Zhao Chu said solemnly: "Chan'er, come here."
Zhao Chan came to Zhao Chu with a puzzled face, and Zhao Chu asked: "Chan'er, you have been the chief of the county for nearly a year, what do you think? Are you familiar with the procedures of the county government?"
After hearing this, Zhao Chan honestly talked about his experience and insights from working at the grassroots level in the past few years. What he said was clear-cut and well-founded.
Zhao Chu said with satisfaction: "Well, that's good. Although you can do things for the imperial court in your hometown, it will be a lot easier for you. Even if the local people don't look at the imperial court, you won't encounter any difficulties for the sake of our Zhao family. If If I move you to another unfamiliar county, I wonder if you can handle it as usual?"
Zhao Chan said confidently: "Father, don't worry. I have long been familiar with the affairs inside and outside the county government. So what if I change the place? I can do whatever I want."
Zhao Chan praised: "Okay, very good. Chan'er, please read this letter of appointment first."
Zhao Chan took the letter of appointment and looked at it for a long time. The excitement in his heart about returning to Qingyang was gone. It turned out that this was asking him to leave immediately to work as a county captain in Lingqing County, which is more than 300 miles away from here. The county lieutenant is an assistant to the county magistrate and is in charge of local security. This is equivalent to a formal official of the imperial court.
Zhao Chan said: "Father, didn't His Majesty appoint my son as Langguan the day before yesterday? Why do you have to go to Lingqing County to take up the post again?"
Zhao Chuyu said earnestly: "In our dynasty, since Duke Wu's reform, the prime minister must be from the state department, and the strong generals must be sent from the army. You lack the experience of training at the grassroots level. Even if you serve as an errand by His Majesty and you are re-employed, there will be good opportunities in the future. Your Majesty will do it again." How can I rest assured that I can entrust you with a heavy responsibility? In the end, you still have to go to the grassroots level to train before you have a chance to return to His Majesty. Especially for this, it is better to send you to the grassroots level now to practice and practice. I have already informed Your Majesty about this matter. Having said that, Your Majesty also agrees with me, and I hope you will not disappoint your father's expectations for you."
Zhao Chan smiled bitterly when he heard this. He also knew that what his father said was reasonable. Finally, he put away the letter of appointment and said, "Yes, father, I understand. I will pack my bags and go to Lingqing County to take up the post."
After all, her mother was worried about her son traveling thousands of miles away. At this time, Mrs. Zou was unwilling. She stepped forward and took Zhao Cu's hand and said, "Sir, Your Majesty has appointed Chan'er as Lang Guan. How can you bear to leave us? Now, your Majesty has appointed Chan'er as Lang Guan. The second child has also left, and the eldest son, Su'er, is also working in other places. Now there is no one left around the old couple..."
After saying this, Mrs. Zou burst into tears.
Zhao Cu had an impatient look on his face and said: "From the perspective of women and children, madam, don't you understand what I just said? Jade cannot be used without polishing. Chan'er has already been crowned and is now an adult, and he still keeps watch all day." What kind of words are there around us? A good man has ambitions in all directions. Do we want him to follow us back to Qingyang and hang out with those ungrateful young men who do not do their jobs properly? That would destroy Chan'er. "
Ms. Zou was not an unreasonable person. She knew what her old man said was reasonable, but she started crying again when she thought about her son not being around.
When Zhao Chan saw his mother like this, he had no choice but to step forward and comfort him: "Mom, what my father said makes sense. If I go back to Qingyang and hang out with those gangsters again, it will be useless. Mother, please rest assured that the child will take good care of himself. "
Mrs. Zou touched her son's cheek distressedly and said, "Chan'er, mother can't tell you what your father is. You must be careful on the road."
"Well, don't worry, mother!" The mother and son sighed again.
Zhao Chan came to Zhao Chu again, knelt down and worshiped.
Seeing that his son was so sensible, Zhao Chu said in a gentle tone: "Chan'er, remember, heroes have suffered many hardships since ancient times. There has always been a dandy and a great man. If he does not go through some trials and hardships, he will not be able to become a dignified husband. No matter what your majesty thinks of me, His Majesty really values you because of his reputation. No matter how many people kneel on the ground, they cannot ask for such an opportunity. I hope you can understand what this means to you."
"Although I am young, my father listens to his words and observes his actions. Your Majesty will definitely become a wise master in the future. I did not expect that your Majesty could take advantage of the Shucheng assassination incident and take it back in a flash. Power has failed even an old man like Huo Zheng. To be honest, even his father has misjudged it. Your Majesty is a very important person now. If you don’t show some real talent and learning from now on, it will be difficult for you to gain the respect of His Majesty. You Remember, in the officialdom, you can’t get far just by relying on grace.”
Zhao Chu taught earnestly, but Zhao Chan was enlightened by what he heard. Knowing that his father had high hopes for him, he bowed and bowed and said: "Father teaches, children will remember it in their hearts."
After saying this and bowing again, Zhao Chan said with firm eyes, "My child will leave for Lingqing County to take up his post immediately."
Zhao Chu nodded slightly and said, "Well, you go ahead."
At this moment, a servant of the Zhao Mansion came to report: "Sir, Master Wu is here to visit."
Zhao Chu said: "Yes, I understand." After saying that, he went out to meet him in person.
The owner of Wu Zhuang was Wu Xie himself. Zhao Chu welcomed him into the inner hall with a smile, and the two sat down.
Seeing Zhao Chu's proud face, Wu Xie smiled and said, "Old Zhao, I heard that you are going back to Beijing, so Wu came here to see you off."
Zhao Chu also smiled and said: "Mr. Wu... No, Mr. Wu, thank you for sending me away."
Wu Xie frowned and said, "Do you still need such false courtesy between us? Just call me Lao Wu. Your Majesty made me the Marquis of Guannei. You know the reason."
Zhao Chu smiled and said: "Okay, okay, Old Wu, of course I understand what your Majesty means. You, Old Wu, have never been a person who covets fame and wealth. The reason why you received the title is just to make His Majesty feel at ease. If you refuse, His Majesty will I won’t let you go easily. Since ancient times, if your talent cannot be used by me, it can only be destroyed, especially since you participated in His Majesty’s battle for the right to inherit the throne.”
Wu Xie sighed and said: "Yes, now that His Majesty has successfully taken power, he has become an emperor who can say a word and make thousands of mistakes. Naturally, it is impossible for me, Old Wu, to let go. Now that I have received the title and accepted His Majesty's kindness, Your Majesty Only then are you willing to let me come back and continue to live this happy life. Your Majesty is kind by nature. If it were the late Emperor, I, Wu, would not be able to escape unscathed."
Zhao Chu sighed: "Old Wu, you don't blame me for dragging you into the water, right?"
Wu Xie smiled, waved his hand and said: "Things have passed, what's the point of talking about this now? The fact that you, Zhao, found me to collude with each other in big things means that you didn't regard me as an outsider. Our friendship over the years is finally not in vain. Place. Furthermore, the sky is the game, and all the people are the sons. In this game of emperor-killing, you and I are very happy, aren't we?"
After Wu Xie finished speaking, the two looked at each other and laughed. It is difficult to find a close friend in this world. Just like the friendship between Boya and Ziqi, each other's thoughts have long been clear in their hearts.
Zhao Chu stood up, took the chessboard, set it up, and said, "Old Wu, how about we play a game?"
Wu Xie smiled and said, "Okay, that's exactly what I meant."
The two of them worked together in Zhuojun in the past. At that time, they were both superiors and senior chess friends, and their daily relationship was that of both teachers and friends.
Zhao Chu's black piece went first, and Wu Xie's white piece fell. An hour later, the two sides were killing each other.
Zhao Chu watched the changes on the chessboard and said casually: "Old Wu, please help me analyze it. Although His Majesty asked me to return to Beijing this time, for some reason he never mentioned any of my positions?"
Wu Xie smiled calmly and said: "You, you are a fan of the authorities. His Majesty asked you to return to Beijing this time, most likely to let you take charge of the overall situation in place of Prime Minister Huo. Although Prime Minister Huo lost his military power, was promoted openly and secretly, and was placed under house arrest by His Majesty, Huo The Prime Minister has been the Prime Minister for decades, and his disciples and old officials are all over the government and the public. The tree is big and has deep roots. It is difficult to completely eliminate his influence. The court has to slowly complete a major change of blood. At this time, it is necessary for your Majesty to be trustworthy and influence both the government and the public. Someone who is as powerful as Prime Minister Huo can stabilize the overall situation, and this person must be you."
Zhao Chu heard this and said thoughtfully: "You mean, your Majesty might let me take over the position of Prime Minister Zuo?"
Wu Xie shook his head and said: "No, the position of left prime minister must belong to Gao Zhong. Although Gao Zhong is only acting as left prime minister at the moment, your majesty will definitely officially straighten him up after returning to Beijing. This move is to appease Huo Zhong who once followed him. The disciples of the family are old officials."
Zhao Chu understood immediately. This was to send a signal to the outside world. The emperor could even use Gao Zhong, a confidant of the Huo family, let alone other people under the Huo family? It is to let other soldiers and crab generals who follow the Huo family see the hope of abandoning the dark side and turning to the bright side, and not to follow the Huo family to the end.
Zhao Chu suddenly said: "That makes sense. I never realized that my good nephew could have such a method in the past. It seems that the right Prime Minister Wang Xiangguo is probably going to end up doing this."
Wu Xie thought about it for a long time and then said: "Well, you are right. After all, Wang Xiangguo is an official promoted by the late emperor. Although his personal ability is good, Your Majesty has no favor with him. He will have to go down sooner or later. , the position of Prime Minister You belongs to you."
Zhao Chu sighed and said: "The emperor and his ministers are now benevolent and virtuous, and they are indeed like the wise kings of ancient times."
Wu Xie saw the right moment and made another move. The pattern on the chessboard immediately reversed. He put his palms in his hands and said with a smile: "Old Zhao, you lost."
When Zhao Chu saw that it was a decisive game on the chessboard, he had no choice but to abandon his piece and admit defeat unwillingly. He laughed at himself: "I'm really old..."
Wu Xieyi pointed out: "It's not that you are old, but that you have already entered the game. You are absent-minded and have distracting thoughts. It is normal to lose."
Zhao Chu only nodded in acquiescence.
