In the residence of Prime Minister Zuo, Shi Li Hu, the chief minister of Prime Minister Zuo's office, placed the memorial approved by the emperor on the public case and said: "Your Excellency, this is the memorial sent from the palace."
Gao Zhong hummed, took out a scroll of bamboo slips and started reading. After a while, Gao Zhong looked at Chang Shi and frowned thoughtfully.
Gao Zhong said: "Li Hu, tell me, what does it mean for His Majesty to appoint Zhao Chu as the Right Prime Minister?"
Li Hu said: "For your information, Your Majesty the Prime Minister, I would like to analyze that after the Shucheng Incident, the Huo family's cronies in the Lieutenant's Army have been purged, and the Lieutenant's Army has also carried out a new round of reorganization after returning to Beijing. After the military reform, Then the next step is to stir up trouble in the court. Now that Prime Minister Zhao has been re-employed by His Majesty, he wants to use Prime Minister Zhao's hand to continue to replace a group of officials promoted by the Huo family in the court."
Gao Zhong nodded slightly and said, "That makes sense."
Seeing Gao Chong's approval, Chief Shi Li Hu lost no time in handing over dozens of greeting cards and said: "Master Xiangguo, please take a look. These are the greeting cards from the officials of the DPRK and China who wanted to visit you a few days ago."
Prime Minister Zuo Gaozhong took the greeting cards and read them one by one. He understood in his heart and said: "These people really know where the wind comes from. They have a good nose. Now they want to find their true identity."
Shi, the Prime Minister's Office Chief, laughed and said: "Your Excellency, these officials were once promoted by Master Huo when he was in charge of the country. Now that there is a big change in the imperial court, these people are afraid that their positions will not be guaranteed, so they come to you, Your Majesty." , they can only follow your path at the moment. If you protect them, Mr. Xiangguo, this will be a great kindness. They used to be Taishi Huo’s wings in the past, and they will be your wings, Mr. Xiangguo from now on."
Gao Chong knew what he said made sense, but he still pretended to say: "Don't be anxious, let me think about it."
At this time, a lay official from the Prime Minister's Office came to report: "Your Excellency, Lu Jian is here to visit."
Upon hearing this, Gao Zhong realized that he was from Lujiabao and probably knew what he was doing. After thinking about it, he said, "Let him come in."
"promise!"
Outside Prime Minister Zuo's Mansion, Lu Jian led several entourages into Prime Minister Zuo's Mansion. When he saw Prime Minister Gao coming forward to greet him warmly, he ordered people to bring the gifts into the inner hall. This was already the third time he had prepared a heavy gift. I came to visit Prime Minister Gao’s house.
Gao Chong smiled and said politely: "Mr. Lu will come as soon as he comes, why bother preparing big gifts."
Lu Jian smiled and said: "Gao Xiangguo, I am here today to congratulate Mr. Xiangguo for officially taking over the position of Prime Minister Zuo. It would be disrespectful to show such a small gift."
Gao Zhong glanced at the boxes subconsciously. He knew that the Lu family was an aristocratic alchemy family and was as wealthy as anyone else. The so-called small gifts were enough to make anyone's heart flutter.
Gao Chong smiled and said: "Lu Jun is here not just to congratulate the prime minister on his official takeover, right?"
The Lu family smiled and said, "Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, is aware of everything. I am here just because of my brother, the head of the Lu family, Lu Yifang. I hope that, considering our past friendship, you, the prime minister, can let me, the head of the Lu family, go free."
Gao Zhong picked up the tea cup and took a sip, and said calmly: "Master Lu, this truth has saved your Lu family from the disaster of ruining your family. If the truth hadn't been argued in front of your majesty, all of your Lu family would have been exiled." Rongbian, now we have only sentenced the head of the family, Lu Yifang, to the crime of one person. This is already a great grace. You, the Lu family, must not push your limits."
Lu Jian said with a smile: "Yes, yes, what Mr. Xiangguo taught me is that on behalf of the Lu family, I will never forget your kindness. I came here today just to ask Mr. Xiangguo to raise your hand a little and ask if my brother can be released from the prison." If my brother can be detained in Dong'an City, we, the Lu family, can't live without an owner for a day. If my brother can return to Dong'an City and be detained, he can also arrange the affairs of our Lu family nearby."
Lu Jian's meaning is very simple. She does not seek immunity, but wants Lu Taigong to be sent back to his hometown to serve his sentence. The Lu family is a local gangster there. The Lu family also has a good relationship with Dong'an Ling Zhao Gang, the top leader in Dong'an City. They arrange a VIP private room in the prison. Going to jail is even less of a problem, as long as you look good on the surface.
Gao Zhong asked: "Brother Jian, can the Lu family be ineffective without Lu Yifang? At worst, your Lu family will have to choose a head."
Hearing this, Lu Jian had a wry smile on his face and said: "Qi Xiangguo, you don't know something. Before my eldest brother was escorted to Qingyang to serve his sentence, he simply told the eldest son to act as the head of the Lu family. Although the eldest son has the actual status of the head of the family, he does not have the name of the head of the family. Now that the position of the head of our Lu family has been vacant for a long time, the eldest brother’s other three and four sons cannot help but want to compete with the eldest son for the position of the head of the family. As the saying goes. He said that running a family is like running a country. Nowadays, several young masters of our Lu family are fighting for power, which has caused chaos in the Lu family fort, and there is no peace. I have no choice but to come to Qingyang to ask for help from the Prime Minister. Alas !”
Hearing this, Gao Zhong felt dumbfounded in his heart. The Lu family is really a temple demon. Chi Qian has many bastards. The old man has not died yet, and his sons have already started fighting. Lu Yifang is really going to die in Qingyang Tingwei Prison. , then Lujiabao must not have been overthrown by his unfilial sons?
Gao Zhong stood up and turned around a few times with his hands behind his back, then inadvertently glanced at the heavy gift sent to him by the Lu family, and said: "There is no way, but Taigong Lu is guilty of treason, and he will be imprisoned." It is definitely inevitable, but the truth is that there is a plan."
Lu Jian was shocked when he heard this. He hurriedly stepped forward and cupped his hands and said, "Please give me your instructions, Mr. Xiangguo."
Gao Zhong said: "Although Lu Taigong is not the mastermind, the crime of losing the elixir cannot be given a light sentence. We can only wait for the next amnesty. By then, serious crimes can also be given a light sentence. There is no other way. As long as we wait for the amnesty, the truth will be fine." Send a message to Tingwei to change the sentence of Taigong Lu from Tingwei Prison to Dong'an City to serve his sentence."
When Lu Jian heard this, she was stunned on the spot, cursing secretly in her heart, why do you need to say this? This kind of amnesty can't happen at any time. Only when something great and good happens to the country can the world be amnesty. If you are lucky, it will come out in a few years. If you are not lucky, it will not come out after more than ten years. There are many people here, maybe Lu Yifang will die in prison.
Although Lu Jian scolded her in her heart, she still had a smile on her face and said, "Master Xiangguo, this... this... the amnesty for the world will have to wait until the Year of the Monkey and the Horse and the Moon?"
Prime Minister Zuo said with a high smile: "Lord Lu, please be at ease. I have my own way. Soon Taigong Lu will be able to wait for your majesty to personally issue an edict for amnesty to the world."
When Lu Jian heard this, he felt relieved and stepped forward and said softly: "Master Xiangguo, if my eldest brother is pardoned, I, the Lu family, will be very grateful."
Hearing this, Gao Zhong was moved in his heart and said, "It's easy to say, Mr. Lu, just go back and wait for the good news from the court."
With Prime Minister Zuo's repeated assurances, Lu Jian bowed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Xiangguo, for your help. Lu will take his leave."
After Lu Jian exited the inner hall, Shi Li Hu, the chief minister of the prime minister's office, came out of the back hall and said: "Master Prime Minister, I am afraid it will be difficult to convince your majesty to grant amnesty to the world."
Hearing this, Gao Zhong smiled mysteriously and said, "You don't need me to try hard to convince your majesty. Something great will happen soon. Your majesty will definitely grant amnesty to the world. I am just sending a favor to the Lu family."
After hearing this, Li Hu, the chief historian, understood and asked: "Master Xiangguo, but the cultivation of the sweet potato donated by General Deng has made significant progress? Is it possible that your majesty will declare an amnesty for the whole country when he promotes sweet potato throughout the country?"
Gao Zhong nodded slightly and said, "Well, I didn't expect that His Majesty would attach unprecedented importance to agriculture. Food is the most important thing for the people. If this thing is successfully promoted across the country, countless people will live. It is really a good government."
Li Hu praised: "Your Majesty is far-sighted and I admire you."
After speaking, Chief Shi Li Hu took out a land deed and gave it to Zuo Xiang Gao Zhong, saying: "Master Xiangguo, this is what Lu Jian asked his subordinates to give to you privately when he came to visit Xiangguo. This is the land deed for five thousand acres of fertile land in Puyang. .”
Prime Minister Zuo Gao Wei nodded slightly and said: "I'm determined." He turned to ask Chang Shi again: "Li Hu, the Prime Minister is going to the palace to meet His Majesty, are you ready for the memorial?"
Li Hu stepped forward and presented the bamboo slips and said, "Master Xiangguo, we have already prepared it."
Prime Minister Zuo carefully collected the memorial, then Shi Shiran got up and went to Zhangtai Palace to see the emperor.
Gao Zhong entered the main hall of Zhangtai Palace and saw that the right prime minister Zhao Chu was also reporting to the emperor. He knew that it must be the appointment and dismissal of personnel by the imperial court.
Right Prime Minister Zhao Chu presented a list of court officials who needed to be adjusted both inside and outside the court and said: "Your Majesty, these are some unqualified officials who have been investigated repeatedly since I took office. These people are sitting in their posts and eating nothing, wasting the imperial salary and doing nothing. I think these people should be removed from their official titles as soon as possible in order to straighten the government."
In fact, it was just an excuse to evict the officials promoted by the former left prime minister Huo Zheng, and at the same time make room for the cronies promoted by the new emperor. Of course, some of these officials were just messing around, and it was appropriate to evict them.
Throughout the dynasties, no matter how the times change, no matter how the national system changes, if a new leader wants to secure his position after taking office, he must change his administrative team. If he still retains the people promoted by his predecessor, he is simply making himself unhappy. At the same time, replacement is the most direct and effective means of deterrence for leaders to declare power and demonstrate authority. The so-called three things to do when a new official takes office is like this. Regardless of whether it is Chinese or Western, the most basic logic of action is the same, it is just routine operations.
After reading the list, Mu Sheng nodded slightly. This was also his acquiescence that Zhao Chu wanted to do this. He picked up his pen and circled the names of a few people he wanted to keep for review, and said, "Well, although these people are from the sect of Master Huo, they are I still have the ability, I’ll keep it for now to see the effects, and I’ll do the rest as you wish.”
Right Prime Minister Zhao Chu received the emperor's approval and said: "I will adjust the appointments and dismissals according to your Majesty's wishes."
Upon seeing this, Prime Minister Zuo Gao Zhong also handed over a memorial for the appointment and dismissal of a group of officials. After the emperor read it, he simply said, "Accurate memorial."
When the left and right prime ministers saw that things were almost done and were about to resign, the emperor left the right prime minister Zhao Chu alone to arrange some things.
Mu Sheng went straight to the point and said, "Uncle, it's time to settle the past matters. Let's leave this matter to my uncle."
Of course, the right prime minister Zhao Chu knew that the emperor was talking about Zhao Ji's matter, and said: "Your Majesty, I will take care of it now."
After seeing Zhao Chu exiting the hall, Mu Sheng casually took an appointment letter, and Zhu Pi officially confirmed that the new commander-in-chief of the lieutenant army was Zhou Jian. Zhou Jian was originally a captain of the Northern Army Guard Corps. During the process of seizing power, he had a firm political stance, was loyal and reliable, and handled the Qingyang Incident well. Naturally, he also won the emperor's favor, and the important task of guarding the capital was given to him.
The adjustment of civil servants was basically left to the left and right prime ministers, but for the adjustment of positions in the army, Mu Sheng had to personally handle and strictly control it. According to the practice of the previous dynasty, he arranged for Lang Wei, a loyal and reliable man from a noble family, to serve as the lieutenant of the army. deputy position.
The Confederate military guards guarding the palace were led by the emperor's trusted guard Guo Xuan. Mu Sheng still followed the same method. Some of the deputy positions in key positions of the Confederate Army were adjusted to Longwei, who was loyal to the royal family, to take over to ensure a state of internal and external decentralization and checks and balances. Only in this way can we ensure that the imperial military power is firmly in the hands of the emperor, and Mu Sheng can sleep peacefully in the palace.
After adjusting the most critical military power, the next step is to adjust the commanders of the major standing field armies. The candidates for the Lingnan Corps have already been on the tour and have been arranged. What needs to be done now is to arrange the commanders of the nearly 500,000-strong Great Wall Corps. Candidate.
In this era, the elite border defense Great Wall Corps of the Jin Empire was divided into two parts. The regiment guarding the Great Wall in the north, also called the Northern Corps, consisted of various types of cavalry and infantry with a total of 300,000 soldiers and horses. The regiment guarding the Great Wall in the west The Longwu Army, also called the Northwest Corps, had 200,000 soldiers and horses. After unifying the world, the third emperor was not idle. In addition to the southern expedition to Lingnan, he also sent 300,000 troops to the west to conquer the northwest region of the empire today, which is the Western Regions. , the Western Expedition army also destroyed countless countries and expanded thousands of miles of territory along the way. After the end of the Western Expedition, the empire established counties in the Western Regions, and stationed 200,000 troops for a long time to stabilize the situation in the northwest.
Mu Sheng glanced at the candidates for the current commander-in-chief of the Border Army Corps, and decided not to rush into war, but to focus on wooing them with gifts. Compared with the huge number of Border Army Corps, although the Central Forbidden Army was small in number, it was too close to the core of power. The most important thing is that as long as he can control the forbidden military power, it is enough.
Despite the fact that the frontier army has more than half a million soldiers and horses, it is large in number and has strong combat effectiveness. However, the logistical support of the frontier army at the station is completely dependent on the imperial court transporting food and wages from the mainland. The frontier army is usually stationed in scattered places. Soldiers and officers are rotated every three years. The commander of the frontier army With all the family members living in the capital as hostages, it would be the most difficult for the frontier army to rebel. As soon as the imperial court weaned them, the soldiers of the frontier army would not be able to go far, and they would have to disperse and leave without food. Even the most powerful people , they can hold on for three days at most, let alone rebel, they can't even hold weapons.
Historically, the border armies were able to successfully rebel because the imperial court was in power and delegated too much power to the border military regions, which led to the expansion of the border generals and threatened the court, such as the vassal and town system established in the mid-Tang Dynasty, and then there were all kinds of myths about lower IQs. The operation gave the rebels power. As long as a sensible person is in power, the country will not fall into an uncontrollable situation.
