Regarding the reinstatement of the prime minister, Liu Bei convened everyone and discussed for a long time, but still could not make a final decision.
Because it is always impossible to define and standardize the rights in the hands of the prime minister.
If the prime minister is simply responsible for government affairs, then the position of Zhongshu Ling can also be achieved, and there is no need to reinstate the prime minister at all.
Liu Bei's purpose in reinstating him as prime minister was to let Zhuge Liang escort him for a period of time before Adou had accumulated enough experience in ruling after a hundred years.
But the degree here is difficult to grasp.
Liu Bei trusts Zhuge Liang, but Liu Bei must also consider the reactions of various interest groups.
Today is not the time in history when Liu Bei was defeated in Yiling. Today's Han Dynasty is prosperous, and even its talents have not withered much. The great talents who originally died young in history are now living well.
For example, Fazheng, Pang Tong, Liu Ba, Zhang Fei, and Guan Yu.
In fact, these people couldn't understand in their hearts why Liu Bei had to reinstate the prime minister and let Zhuge Liang have full power to preside over the government.
Even if the heir really lacks experience in governing, wouldn't it be better to have so many veterans to protect him than to have Zhuge Liang fully responsible for the government affairs? !
At least, there is no need to worry about the suspicion that Zhuge Liang has great power and is making great changes.
Not everyone trusts Zhuge Liang as much as Liu Bei does, and unconditionally trusts Zhuge Liang's character. What's more, once Zhuge Liang becomes prime minister and holds military and political power, it will inevitably affect the interests of these people and the power groups behind them.
This back-and-forth tug-of-war made Liu Bei a little annoyed.
Although Liu Bei's health has stabilized under Wei Xun's care, his physical condition is indeed not as good as before. This winter is indeed not very comfortable. In addition, Liu Bei's mood is not going well. Oops.
After much deliberation, Liu Bei felt that he had to reach a consensus on the restoration of the Prime Minister in his own small circle first, and then have the opportunity to use his power to forcefully promote the establishment of the restoration of the Prime Minister.
Therefore, one day in mid-December, Zhang Xi received a personal letter from Liu Bei, inviting Zhang Xi to a banquet at Liu Bei's palace in Chang'an.
It was not an edict, but a private letter. Liu Bei held a banquet in his private capacity and invited Zhang Xi to attend.
This kind of thing hasn't happened for five or six years, right? !
Ever since Liu Bei claimed to be the King of Hanzhong, considering the dignity and etiquette, and also to emphasize the difference between monarch and minister, Liu Bei rarely used his personal identity to hold banquets to invite his ministers. Now Zhang Xi was a little surprised to suddenly receive an invitation from Liu Bei to a private banquet.
But no matter what, if Liu Bei invites you to a banquet, whether it is a private banquet or a public banquet, you have to go, right?
Zhang Xi naturally went to the appointment on time.
When Zhang Xi arrived at Liu Bei's palace and glanced at the people attending the banquet, he understood that this was really a private banquet.
There were not many people attending the banquet, only a few people.
Chariot General Zhang Fei, Guard General Zhao Yun, Zhongshu Ling Zhuge Liang, Zuo General Xu Shu, and finally the former general Zhang Xi.
Obviously, these are the courtiers who have been following Liu Bei for the longest time in Chang'an, gathered together.
As for Liu Bei, he was not the last one to appear at the banquet like in the past. Instead, he was waiting for everyone to arrive at the palace gate from the beginning, just like a private banquet.
There were not many people, and they arrived not long after each other. Liu Bei personally welcomed them to the hall and took their seats.
"A few days ago, you were busy with state affairs. It was rare for you to have any flaws, and it is not convenient for you to bother me." Liu Bei smiled as he said his opening remarks, "But now it is almost the end of the year, everything has come to an end, and it is rare for preparations to have flaws. I have specially organized this private banquet to invite all of you for a moment. Firstly, I haven’t had a long banquet with you for a long time, and secondly, it is rare for Yuan Zhi to come all the way to Chang’an, so I should give Yuan Zhi the wind to wash away his dust."
When Xu Shu heard what Liu Bei said, he had to respond emotionally and rationally.
Therefore, Xu Shu immediately stood up and bowed to thank him.
"Your Majesty is so kind to me, I am deeply grateful."
After hearing this, Liu Bei smiled and waved his hands, and said again, "Yuanzhi doesn't have to be like this. This banquet is a private banquet for old friends. There are only old friends at the banquet, and there are no monarchs and ministers. Yuanzhi does not need so many courtesy."
Liu Bei repeatedly emphasized the private banquet, and even said that there were no monarchs and ministers at the banquet. Obviously, this was to set a tone - today is a gathering for oneself, and there is no need to worry about what to say.
In today's era, the defense between kings and ministers is not as strict as it was later. Coupled with Liu Bei's own character, no one really thinks that Liu Bei is being polite.
Plus.
"What the eldest brother said is true. It's a pity that the second brother is unwell and cannot bear to travel long distances. He has to stay in Jingzhou. If the second brother can also come to Chang'an, it will be a good thing for us and the brothers to gather together." Zhang Fei sighed with emotion. said.
As soon as Zhang Fei said this, he immediately aroused a sigh of relief from Liu Bei. At the same time, it also completely confirmed the tone of this gathering.
It's just a private party.
After this fight, Zhang Xi, Zhao Yun, and Zhuge Liang finally relaxed a little.
Zhuge Liang actually guessed Liu Bei's purpose of holding a private banquet today. He was still not easy to talk, so he was a little nervous.
Zhao Yun has a personality problem, and he is quite serious in his behavior. Now Liu Bei is the emperor of Han Dynasty. Even if it is a private banquet, Liu Bei can not pay attention to etiquette, but Zhao Yun has to pay attention to the difference between monarch and minister.
As for Zhang Xi, Zhang Xi simply thinks too much. Influenced by the so-called thick and black knowledge of emperors in his previous life, he really doesn't believe that a person who has reached the position of a king can still feast with his subordinates like before. Fun.
Who knew that if that sentence was wrong, the emperor would fall out.
Although Zhang Xi was not ignorant of Liu Bei's character and conduct, the cautiousness engraved in Zhang Xi's bones made him subconsciously think more about it.
However, as the banquet progressed, the atmosphere became quite relaxed. Coupled with Zhang Fei's rough and delicate character, it's hard to tell whether he was deliberately helping Liu Bei adjust the atmosphere, or whether he really didn't want Zhang Fei to drink so much. They all drank so much that they ran and sat down side by side with Liu Bei. The seriousness of this banquet was naturally not much higher.
Today's banquets are divided into separate meals. Everyone has his own table and food. Even when toasting, there is a set of rules. If you really want to strictly follow the etiquette requirements, leaving your seat will be considered rude.
But Zhang Fei drank so much that he sat at the same table with Liu Bei, and Liu Bei really didn't mind at all. The two brothers drank and ate meat together side by side, and they laughed even more unscrupulously. They didn't look like emperors or generals at all. What if? Qin Mi saw it and had to start spraying on the spot.
In such an atmosphere, even if the remaining four people showed some etiquette and propriety, the overall atmosphere was quite relaxed.
Zhang Xi often went to Xu Shu for drinks, and Xu Shu also responded to Zhang Xi's request. It's been a long time since the two of them had seen each other. In addition, Zhang Xi's precious apprentice was also in Jingzhou. Zhang Xi must have a lot to say to Xu Shu.
On the other side, Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang also had a good chat, always talking and laughing. Sometimes Zhang Xi even felt that in terms of compatibility, Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang were actually the best match.
Halfway through the banquet, Liu Bei saw that the atmosphere was about to change. He waved his hand and removed the musicians and dancers. He also asked the accompanying maids and officials to step back, and he planned to get down to business.
"well!"
Liu Bei sighed, attracting everyone's attention.
At this time, naturally someone put up a fight.
But unexpectedly, this person was not Zhuge Liang.
But Zhang Fei.
"Brother, why did he sigh suddenly?!" Zhang Fei stared at Liu Bei with wide eyes.
It's not that Zhang Fei is angry, but Zhang Fei has this problem after drinking too much. Even if he is not angry, his eyes will widen.
Liu Bei naturally knew about his third brother's little problem, and there was no possibility of misunderstanding. However, whether Zhang Fei did it intentionally or unintentionally, he put on a really good airs, and Liu Bei immediately took advantage of the situation.
"Third brother, I just lament that time passes quickly. In the blink of an eye, my brother is already sixty-five years old, and third brother is already fifty-eight years old, right?!" Liu Bei said with emotion.
Zhang Fei was a little confused. He didn't know whether he had drunk too much or just couldn't remember. He actually counted on his fingers to figure out how old he was.
Liu Bei just smiled at this and did not stop Zhang Fei from cracking his fingers. Instead, he turned to look at everyone and continued, "Zilong is nearly sixty years old, Mr. Kong Ming and Mr. Yuan Zhi are also in their forties, and they are the youngest Yuanzhi." Sir, my daughter is also fifteen this year, right?!"
As soon as he said this, everyone present felt a little emotional, especially Zhang Xi. He was shocked to find that seventeen years had passed since he traveled through time.
While Liu Bei was talking, he suddenly stood up, took the wine glass, walked down the jade steps, came to the middle of the table, and continued talking.
"An ancient saying goes, you know your destiny when you are fifty. Now I am already fifty-five years old, and I should have died without regrets. But after all, I can't let go."
Having said this, Liu Bei paused for a moment, looked at the four close subordinates in front of him, suddenly stood up, and said, "I think back to seventeen years ago, when Bei Shang was trapped in Xinye. He didn't know where he came from, and he didn't know how to help him. The Han Dynasty. It is all thanks to the help of all the kings and the lives of the soldiers that we can conquer Guanzhong now. It is a pity to divide the world into three parts. Bei is old and may not have another seventeen years."
As soon as Liu Bei said these words, Zhuge Liang quickly stood up and persuaded, "Why did your majesty say such unlucky words?! Your majesty is the emperor of the Han Dynasty. He has God's blessing. Why worry about a mere ten years of longevity?!"
As soon as Zhuge Liang spoke, Zhang Xi, Xu Shu, and Zhao Yun all stood up and agreed.
It's true that everyone is flattering. When things have progressed to this point, not to mention Zhuge Liang, even Xu Shu, Zhang Xi, and Zhao Yun all realized that Liu Bei had something to say.
It's hard to tell what exactly it is, but no matter what, let's put the steps up first.
Therefore, when Zhuge Liang said this and everyone agreed, he was also setting the stage for Liu Bei.
Liu Bei, as expected, waved his hand and said, "Birth, old age, sickness and death are natural principles. How can there be a hundred-year-old emperor in the world?! Bei is not worried about the end of his life. What he is worried about is that the eldest son is young and ignorant, and will succeed him in the future. If there is no If others support him, he may not be able to fulfill his long-cherished wish to lead troops to defeat thieves and revive the Han Dynasty."
Well, as soon as he said this, everyone present except Zhang Fei, who looked confused, understood what Liu Bei was going to say.
In the final analysis, it is still a matter of reinstating the prime minister.
(End of chapter)
