In Daye Hall, there was a dead silence because Yang Ji impeached the dead and living generals; because Yang Ji impeached the king and his ministers. But the "Sui Yuntai" that was played immediately caused an uproar as if it were huge dropped into a calm lake. Military generals came in one after another, and civil servants with military exploits also came in, causing the impeachment of Cui Zhongfang and others to disappear without a trace.
Of course, this is not the main reason for the defeat of Cui Zhongfang and others. The main reason is that most of them are personal attacks. The content of their words is too pale and lacks any "dry information", so they are not convincing.
To put it bluntly, Yang Ji's impeachment was a way of repaying the other person's actions. The vigorous impeachment was like a thunder, which stunned the Shandong gentry faction. They didn't have as many people as Yang Ji did. I feel that opposition is not enough, and support is not enough. I will just shout words such as "There is no king and father, and the crime must be punished."
Yang Guang's eyes were filled with gleams of light, until the ministers came to an end, and the stern-eyed Kui patrolled the palace, struggling to his death, and once again went out to sue Yang Ji's ministers: "Do you have any high opinions on military affairs?"
Most people could hear the impatience in Yang Guang's words. The implication was that anyone who could only shout slogans such as "There is no king and father will be punished for his crimes" should shut up.
After a long while, the officials of the Shandong gentry faction were hesitating and unable to respond. Yang Ji just started talking nonsense. They felt that every word did not sound right and every sentence was wrong, but for a while they were unable to refute. Besides shouting slogans and showing loyalty, what else can they do?
Yang Ji waited until they were quiet, then took a few steps forward, cupped his hands towards the aloof Yang Guang and said, "Sage, I have this memorial for you, Yang Ji."
Yang Guang raised his head and said, "Say!"
Yang Ji cupped his hands and said: "Sage, Cui Zhongfang, as one of the prime ministers in the council hall, is supposed to assist the king in managing the world and help hundreds of officials in running the military and government. However, he is fatuous, old and narrow-minded. He has no long-term strategy to govern the country and secure the country, and he forms too many parties to build momentum. He is strange and treacherous, his talents are not good enough to take charge of Bai Kui, and his moral character is not enough to lead the people. I inspect the minister of the military department of the school, the pastor of Liangzhou, and the king of Wei Yang Ji. I implore the saint to remove him from the post of prime minister and minister of the Ministry of Rites."
When he went to give orders to the Yang family yesterday, he made a promise to the Yang family on behalf of Yang Guang to be the Minister of Rites. Judging from this promise, we can know that Yang Guang is dissatisfied with Cui Zhongfang. But whether Cui Zhongfang will die soon or resign is impossible. If he has no mistakes and no mistakes, how can Yang Guang have Yang Xuangan as the Minister of Rites? So you, Old Dog Cui, should follow the emperor’s wishes and get out of here as soon as possible!
As for the position of Chancellor of the Council, it seems to be extremely noble, but it only has the right to propose and vote, but it has little real power. If Cui Zhongfang loses the powerful position of Minister of Rites, he will be dead. Without the support of the ministerial officials, it would be impossible for him to be the prime minister for a long time.
The officials in the palace were dumbfounded and shocked beyond words: Mutual impeachment is a daily "little matter" in the court. If there are no major interests such as life and death, official position, etc. involved, the court officials usually refute their opponents and then say nothing more. .
The reason why there is such a default unspoken rule is that firstly, there is not enough evidence to kill the official who impeached him, so after the dynasty is over, he will go down and work hard to collect evidence, and then choose the opportunity to retaliate; secondly, he will report his revenge on the same day and give people a This feeling of tit-for-tat confrontation based on personal grudges can easily make the emperor think that you are a person who is determined to retaliate against you, and then feel disgusted with you; thirdly, retaliating on the same day is unofficial, and colleagues will think that you are narrow-minded and cannot tolerate others' criticism. You are fearless and distant.
Since on small issues, retaliating on the same day would bring more harm than gain, wise officials would naturally refrain from doing so. However, Yang Ji didn't even put on a disguise and just "bombarded" Cui Zhongfang?
Pei Ju looked at the body that looked like an unsheathed sword, his eyes lit up, and he admired silently in his heart: Yang Ji's way of doing things is to retaliate every day and not to take revenge overnight. His honest and honest style of conduct , which is what the emperor admires and likes most; if he smiles and retreats like an old official in the officialdom, then he is no longer the Yang Ji the emperor is familiar with, nor is he the Yang Ji the emperor likes, so others cannot take advantage of the victory to pursue him. , but Yang Ji had to do this in order to protect the emperor's image in his heart, otherwise it would be of no benefit to himself.
At the same time, Pei Ju also had expectations for Yang Ji, hoping that he would cripple Cui Zhongfang. Although he and Cui Zhongfang had no personal grudges, their "spheres of influence" greatly overlapped.
Because of their profound family traditions and cultural traditions, the Wenxi Pei family and the Longxi Li family were classified as Shandong nobles in the traditional sense, which was different from the Guanlong nobles who were mainly of Xianbei descent. The Pei family, located in the south of Bingzhou, is separated from the Shandong gentry by the towering Taihang Mountains and the Central Plains gentry by the Yellow River. As a result, the Pei family is not so closely connected with the Shandong gentry and the Central Plains gentry.
It is this special existence that makes the Pei family's political stance neither biased towards the Guanlong nobles nor close to the Shandong gentry and the Central Plains gentry, but at the same time alienated from the Guanlong gentry. The political structure and stance of the Pei family are indeed profitable in troubled times, but once it comes to governance, they will be trapped in a dilemma where they are surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Originally, Pei Ju could rely on his status and official status as the Huangmen Minister and his clan brother Pei Yun as the Shaoqing of Taichang Temple to recruit the tepid and anxious Taiyuan Wang family and Taiyuan Wen family into the group. However, the establishment of the Assembly Hall and Cui Zhongfang's appointment as prime minister made the Hedong Xue family, Hedong Liu family, Taiyuan Wang family, and Taiyuan Wen family, who were on guard and had many old grudges, all turn to Cui Zhongfang.
If Yang Ji takes down Cui Zhongfang today, the benefits to the Pei family will be endless.
Those who held this mentality included Hongnong Yang Yue, Zhaojun Li Ziquan, and Xingyang Zheng Yuanxuan.
They also hope that Cui Zhongfang, who is backed by Er Cui, will fall.
But Yang Ji, who impeached Cui Zhongfang, was calm and composed when facing different looks.
If the other party wants to show off and cause trouble over nothing, then he can just show his sword; and others are shouting, "He has no father, and he deserves to be punished for his crime." How can he still be captured and beaten without mercy?
Slowly, the officials came to their senses, and when they thought carefully about Yang Ji naming himself, they were shocked again.
Impeaching the Prime Minister is naturally not a taboo for anger and resentment, but the identity of the prince has always been the "referee" in official disputes; Yang Ji is now impeaching important ministers in the name of the Minister of Military Affairs, Liangzhou Mu, and King Wei, which is tantamount to clear-cut opposition Cui Zhongfang.
At this moment, Cui Zhongfang felt cold in his heart. He had a keen sense of politics and naturally knew the political significance and value contained in "Chen Jian Xiao, Minister of Military Affairs, Liangzhou Mu, and Wei Wang Yang Ji".
It can be said that when Yang Ji impeached himself in these three capacities, he expressed dissatisfaction with Cui Zhongfang on behalf of the military, Liangzhou, and the royal family.
And in terms of Yang Ji's current achievements, fame, and status, he can fully represent it.
Its power is naturally extremely huge!
As a member of the Cui family, Cui Junsu naturally couldn't just watch Cui Zhongfang alone. Seeing that the wind was going in the wrong direction, he immediately walked out. He first bowed to Yang Guangshen, then turned to Yang Ji and said in a deep voice: "King Wei, although you are Minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs, General Youwei, Liangzhou Mu, Doctor Jin Ziguanglu, General Zhenjun, Prince, Shangzhuguo. But at such a young age, how much do you know about state affairs? Cui Xiangguo is dedicated and hardworking, even if he has no merit. There’s hard work, too.”
When officials in the Sui Dynasty reported their official names, there were also particular rules and regulations. First, they reported from the official position, followed by the civilian official, military official, title, and honor. The center started reporting. It doesn't matter whether the grade is high or low.
Cui Junsu is now a minister of the Si Dynasty and is very familiar with these rules. Seeing Yang Ji come up with three identities, he simply read through all his official positions. At the same time, he was also reminding all the civil and military officials present - "Yang Ji is a powerful minister with great achievements, let's get rid of him together."
"I Have a Picture Book of Ghosts and Gods"
Yang Ji was no longer the stupid young man he was before. He was keenly aware of the subtleties and said in a deep voice: "Because I am an important minister of the Sui Dynasty who has been deeply favored by the emperor, I must speak out and repay the saint."
He replied calmly to Cui Junsu, ignored him, and fired directly at Cui Zhongfang: "Cui Xiangguo, you said that Yang Ji was engaged in military violence and wasted human lives, but when you built the Great Wall in the second year of Kaihuang's reign, you killed thirty or forty thousand civilians. In the third year of your reign, you led more than 100,000 civilians, built dozens of castles, and caused tens of thousands of civilians to die of exhaustion. In total, 70,000 to 80,000 people died because of you, and 70,000 to 80,000 families died. Because you are broken, what do you say to that?”
"I, Yang Ji, have been in the army for many years, and the dozens of battles I fought were all wars that benefited the country and the people. The whole country agrees with this. Even the family records of the fallen soldiers have loyalty and the righteousness of the family and the country in mind. Although they died because of their loved ones in the war, It's painful, but they are also proud of the great feats of their relatives. If Cui Xiangguo doesn't believe it, you can go to Liangzhou and ask these brave and righteous soldiers and see what they say? In contrast, Yongzhou What do the people in the central and northern parts of China say about you, Prime Minister Cui?"
"And the casualties I have caused over the years are less than half of your killings. However, you don't reflect on your own 'mistakes', but here you say that I, Yang Ji, have resorted to militarism. How shameless is it? You are such a shameless person. Disciple, what qualifications do you have to be the Prime Minister of the Sui Dynasty and the Minister of Rites?"
This question was like a cold light shining in the palace.
Cui Zhongfang, however, looked livid and trembling slightly. He looked at Yang Ji coldly and said nothing.
It's not that he didn't want to refute, but it also involved the late emperor. In the early days of the founding of the country, in order to resist the powerful Turkic Khanate, he ordered him to build the Great Wall and fortresses in the shortest possible time to ward off powerful enemies.
In the process of building the Great Wall and fortresses, he did cause the deaths of 70,000 to 80,000 people, but more than 90% of those who died were Hu Ji who were constantly rebellious in the central and northern parts of Yongzhou. These descendants of Wu Hu not only attacked the Hu Ji at the beginning of the founding of the Sui Dynasty. The people of Yongzhou still responded to the Turks internally, causing great damage and trauma to the Sui Dynasty. Even if they died, it would not be a pity.
But the problem is that when he impeached Yang Ji, he expanded the scope of "benevolence and righteousness" to Turks and Tuyuhun; now, Yang Ji only places "benevolence and righteousness" in Yongzhou of the Sui Dynasty; this kind of behavior is reasonable and reasonable, after all, he was manipulated The tens of thousands of people who died were still Yongzhou people after all.
At that time, the late emperor, in anger, indeed acquiesced to him to kill these anti-Sui Hujis. But what was embarrassing was that Cui Zhongfang did not dare to say that it was Yang Jian's acquiescence and connivance.
Even if he dared to say it, there was no evidence.
He has no real evidence in hand. If he dares to speak nonsense, he will be falsely accusing the wise and powerful late emperor. By then, thousands of ministers who regard the late emperor as a sacred imperial relative and value material gains as much as their lives will be enough to kill his whole family. ; There is no need for Yang Guang to come forward.
So facing Yang Ji's sharp counterattack, he was speechless and unable to refute. But as soon as this happened, Cui Zhongfang's shameless "persona" of two standards was established in the hearts of all the officials in the palace. Although no one said anything, the glances made Cui Zhongfang feel like a ray of light on his back.
Seeing that he was silent, Yang Ji took advantage of the victory and pursued him: "In those days, Cui Xiangguo caused the death of countless Hujis 'in order to promote his personal reputation'. The cause you planted led to the consequences of Binzhou bandits causing trouble and harming the prefectures and counties. If it weren't for I, Yang Ji, will lead the Binzhou army to suppress the situation and contain it for a while. The Hu Ji thieves are almost in danger of becoming uncontrollable! But you, Cui Xiangguo, are in Daxing City, living in eight houses, and are indifferent to the situation in Binzhou. How can you know the situation in Guanzhong? Are you suffering?"
At this time, Xue Wei, the minister of Dali Temple who had retreated, came out again. He argued: "This is the responsibility of the Ministry of War, the 14th Battalion of the Beijing Army, and the Sima of Binzhou. Cui Xiangguo was in charge of the military reform and financial expenditure. If Cui Xiangguo How can the Binzhou army achieve a great victory by commanding the Ministry of Civil Affairs and supplying military supplies and silver on time? How can the already boiling Beijing troops be calmly accepted by the imperial court?"
"I am responsible for the military reform of the Binzhou Army. In order to calm the anger of the Binzhou Army officers and eliminate the old and weak, I used the corruption gains of Doulu Kuan, Wang Sheng, Liang Hong, Wang Shilang and other prisoners to The proceeds from the robbery by the Qiaoshan bandits such as Jia Lun and Liu Yaozi made up for the arrears of military pay for the entire army and resettled the old and weak. At that time, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which Cui Xiangguo was responsible for supervising, was living on a grain of rice and not paying a penny!" Yang Ji finished. , asked Xue Wei coldly: "Xue Dali, let me ask you, why is this?"
Xue Wei opened his mouth, unable to speak.
He felt like he was doing a disservice.
Yang Jiyu couldn't understand his hatred, and said coldly to Cui Zhongfang: "Cui Xiangguo is an old and clever woman who is also in charge of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but he doesn't know that it is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice, and the great cause of military reform almost failed. What qualifications, face, and what do you have?" Able to occupy high positions such as Prime Minister and Minister of Rites?"
These words not only put the consequences of the military reform on Cui Zhongfang, but also scolded him for being worse than a woman.
If I, Yang Ji, had not taken a different approach, supplemented the military pay of the officers and soldiers of the Binzhou Army, and resettled the old and weak who had been reduced from the Binzhou Army, the situation at that time would have only become more chaotic. And you, Cui Zhongfang, supervise the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but you are not able to do anything. How did you become the prime minister without any money?
"Not only the Binzhou Army mentioned by King Wei, but also the Thirteenth Army of Chang'an, Wannian, Tongzhou, and Fuping did not receive a grain of rice or a penny. If not, how could Li Anqi and other thieves have instigated this? General of the Ten Thousand Years Army?"
Yuwenshu, who was left with only one Duke of Xu State, responded angrily. He was demoted to "civilian" due to fraud in the military exercise, so he regarded the power of military reform given by Yang Guang as a comeback for the war; he took over as the "executive director of military reform" Since taking on the task of "commanding", he has been working hard and thinking with all his heart. It is true that he made the mistake of eager for quick success, but the delay in the arrival of supplies from the Ministry of Civil Affairs was also a major factor in the failure of the military reform.
At that time, Cui Zhongfang was indeed the prime minister supervising the Ministry of Civil Affairs, so he hated Cui Zhongfang for ruining his good deeds. At this time, once Yang Ji provoked him, old and new hatreds suddenly came out, and he took all the responsibility for his failure. Pushing Cui Zhongfang on Cui Zhongfang can reduce his guilt, gain the sympathy of thousands of officials, and at the same time gain a chance for his comeback.
Cui Zhongfang's face was livid, his heart was burning with anger, his chest was heaving violently, and it was obvious that his defense had been broken. However, any rebuttal was feeble at this time. On the contrary, he ignored it, which further demonstrated the magnanimity of the prime minister and minister who disdained all "rumors".
"Xu Guogong said it is absolutely true!" Yang Ji agreed with Yu Wenshu's assist and asked Cui Zhongfang: "Cui Xiangguo, during the former Jingbing Rebellion, when Li Anqi and other thieves used their weapons to attack Xianyang and disturbed the order in Guanzhong, he was the military leader at that time. Situ Yangsu, who was changed to the commander-in-chief, was willing to take extraordinary risks and dragged his old and sick body deep into the boiling capital camp to appease the entire army and stabilize the entire army. But you, the prime minister who supervises the distribution of supplies by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, are still living in Xijing City without fear of death. Say, you still do nothing and let the whole army boil... Are you so loyal to state affairs and loyal to the saint?"
Things like Li Anqi's rebellion and the siege of Xianyang happened at a very critical juncture; but Yang Ji responded appropriately and quelled the situation in a timely manner. Yang Guang would have caused more riots, so he issued a gag order and no one was allowed to report this incident. The truth about the mutiny was made public.
Times have changed and military reforms have been decided, so it doesn't matter if Yang Ji says so.
Due to the imperial court's gag order, not many officials knew the inside story of the mutiny. Even though some people doubted the "official-sounding explanation," the mutiny lasted too short and did not cause much harm. Slowly, they Let’s not talk about it.
At this moment, as soon as Yang Ji came out, the officials were shocked and in an uproar!
When Yu Wenshu heard this, he felt sad and excited, and almost shed tears.
He worked hard to come back, but not only was he unsuccessful, but he also cost hundreds of people their lives. Afterwards, he had to bear all the blame.
Who knows about his grievances?
What Yang Ji said now simply helped him clear his name and made his comeback a little less bumpy. This was far more than the "few nice words" he begged for at the Princess Mansion.
King Wei, what a good man!
The low-level officials who came back to their senses finally recovered from the shock and shock. They all looked at Cui Zhongfang with a strange look, and they couldn't help but feel contempt in their hearts——
Cui Zhongfang, as Prime Minister of the Sui Dynasty, was ordered to supervise the distribution of supplies. Before the mutiny, he failed to live up to the high expectations of the saints and the court; during the mutiny, he hid in the rear and lived in espionage, causing Yuwen Shu's family to be massacred.
Such courage, demeanor, and deeds... He is truly worthy of being an outstanding figure from the Shandong gentry!
"It's nonsense, it's simply nonsense!" Cui Zhongfang couldn't care less about his so-called demeanor, and tremblingly scolded Yang Ji: "You are slandering!"
However, no one believed it.
Of course, no one responded.
Because everyone knows that so-called "slander" cannot withstand investigation at all; Yang Ji is so smart that it is absolutely impossible to use such low-level means to "slander" Cui Zhongfang.
This means that Cui Zhongfang is indeed such a person.
At least during the military reform process, Cui Zhongfang committed a heinous crime.
