Yang Ji sent Su Wei and Yu Wenkai out of the gate, but saw the square in front of the gate bustling with traffic, crowds of people, and extremely noisy. This scene even shocked Su Wei and Yu Wenkai, who were well-informed. When they arrived at the square in front of the house, there were only two horses on the square, presumably the mounts of the two samurai before. However, within a short period of conversation, the square was full of carriages and horses.
"It's a bit exaggerated!" Looking at the crowded square, Su Wei said to Yang Ji, "Your Majesty, it seems that the Yang family was not as good as when old Chu Gong was alive."
"They want to come on their own, what can I do?" Yang Ji shook his head and said helplessly: "And giving gifts is polite, sincere, giving, and respectful. I can't reach out. Are you going to fight the gift-giver?"
"Of course you can't!" Su Wei chuckled and added meaningfully: "The Book of Han says, "If Heaven does not take it, you will suffer the blame; when the time comes, if you fail to do it, you will suffer the disaster." This statement is even more applicable to dignitaries in the officialdom. There are few people in the world who don't like famous people's calligraphy and paintings, rare treasures, gold, silver and jade. Although the king does not lack these, since others voluntarily bring them to his door, there is no need for the king to be unique, so what's the harm in taking them? Haha, how can anyone be perfect? "
"Su Xiang's words are reasonable. You have learned a lesson!" In fact, as early as the beginning of Yang Ji's official career, Yang Jian taught him the way to be an official. The essence of it is to "collect money but not do things, take bribes but not bend the law"; and he has been doing this all these years. Acting in accordance with Yang Jian's ideas, in short, "I don't want things, but I want goods." Over time, no one came to ask him for help. Unexpectedly, as he rose higher and higher in the officialdom, gift-givers began to appear again. Some people even gave gifts just for the sake of giving them, without asking him to do anything.
From the clothes and vehicles of the people in front of them, it is obvious that they are not from famous families, but from poor families and merchants; and this type of people are generally the group that gives gifts. Their social status is generally not high, and the merchants are not even as good as ordinary people. They never expect high-ranking officials to promise anything or give anything in return. The purpose of giving gifts is just in case. If one day they are remembered by a high official, they will feel that their previous efforts were worth it.
For now, if Yang Ji, a prince and minister with great military exploits, is willing to lower his profile and lower his body to talk and interact with these people, his qualities of making humble submissions and making humble remarks can make countless humble scholars think He has the air of a king, and he is excited to help spread his reputation for free. However, it is a pity that Yang Ji never wanted to be a wise king and did not deliberately manage his reputation at all. Therefore, his reputation among the people and scholars was more bad than good, which is very controversial.
In view of his choice, Yang Ji really didn't understand what the princes who were known as virtuous kings thought. Forget about those princes who wanted to fight for the throne, princes who didn't want to be the emperor, the emperor's younger brothers and cousins also sneaked out. When a virtuous king becomes famous, isn't he afraid that the emperor or the next emperor will be jealous and have his head beheaded?
…………
The square in front of the palace was extremely lively, but the Duke of Chu's palace in the same building was deserted. This was very similar to before Yang Ji became an official. However, now, the situation in the two palaces is reversed.
The palace of the Duke of Chu was filled with gloom and dark clouds. The news that Yang Wensi was demoted from the position of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs to Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the School was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for the Yang family. This was even worse than Yang Yue being removed from the post of Internal History Order. serious.
After all, the Ministry of Civil Affairs is a real important position, while the Internal History Ling is a false position. However, when Yang Yue lost the Internal History Ling, the Yang family was panicked and panicked. At this moment, Yang Wensi was demoted to a temporary general inspector. Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, why are the Yang family not surprised? What made them even more anxious was that the time between dismissal and demotion was less than half a year.
Yang Wensi's demotion also meant that the Yang family had lost its status as a top sect. It was reduced from the most dazzling sect of the Sui Dynasty to a first-class sect that was "obliterated by everyone". Apart from the glory that passed away with Yang Su, it would never be seen again. There is nothing left to show off.
After Yang Xuangan sent his uncle Yang Wensi away, he held a meeting of elders and discussed many things. Then he locked himself in the study and paced back and forth in an extremely irritable mood.
His father had high hopes for him and handed him the huge business before his death, hoping that he would firmly guard the family.
His father did not expect him to grow further, he only hoped that he would not let the family go down the road of decline. However, he, the new head of the family, had let down his father and turned the family into a dim light in less than a year. Just now, the elders of several other families were already complaining and making accusations. If this continues, even the family will be in ruins. There is a danger of disintegration, let alone how to maintain and consolidate relationships with external connections.
In fact, because Yang Xuangan's mother and wife favored her natal family, other elders had been expressing their dissatisfaction to Yang Xuangan on the grounds of favoring direct descendants over concubines and unfair distribution. However, it is unprecedented for the Presbyterian Church to speak so fiercely and sharply as today.
This shows that the authority of the family leader has been shaken and the family's popularity has dispersed. If he, the head of the family, cannot turn the tide and come up with a good way to stop the decline, the internal situation will become even worse.
At this moment, the steward's voice came from outside the door: "Master, Pu Shanggong wants to see you."
Yang Xuangan was refreshed. He raised his head and said, "Please, please, ask him to come to my study!"
After a moment, Li Mi walked in, smiled and saluted Yang Xuangan, "Congratulations, brother!"
Li Mi and Yang Xuangan had a very close friendship. They always talked about everything and could confide in each other. Li Mi was twenty-five years old this year. He was tall, handsome, and quite extraordinary in appearance. He was versatile in both civil and military affairs and had lofty ambitions. He was not only responsible for saving the world. It is his duty to help the people, and he has a profound understanding of the current situation.
Li Mi succeeded his father, Duke Pushan, and in the first year of the Daye, he relied on his father's influence to serve as the governor of Zuoqinweifu and the Qianniu Preparation of the East Palace, and became a general under Yang Zhao. However, Li Mi resigned that year; this was not He had no intention of pursuing an official career, but he believed that Yang Guang was young and had at least twenty years of life. In the long time to come, the position of prince would be full of variables. Even if Yang Zhao succeeded in succeeding to the throne, he would already be fifty. I'm so old, it's impossible to reach the sky in one step at that time.
It is neither safe nor difficult to be promoted in the East Palace. Not only is he talented, but he is also a descendant of the "Eight Pillar Kingdom" of Guanlong nobles. In this case, instead of wasting his youth in the East Palace with an uncertain future, it is better to resign his position. Not only can you make friends and gain fame, but you can also further your education.
After hearing Li Mi's words of "congratulations, brother," Yang Xuangan couldn't help but be startled. He smiled bitterly and asked Li Mi to sit down, and ordered the maid to serve tea.
The maid served the tea, closed the door and retreated. Suddenly, only Li Mi and Yang Xuangan were left in the room. Yang Xuangan then asked: "My dear brother, I think you have also heard the news that your uncle was demoted to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Congratulate me, why should I be so happy?"
Li Mi smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "Brother, are you feeling frustrated about this?"
"Can you not be depressed?" Yang Xuangan let out a long sigh and said with a wry smile: "Didn't my dear brother notice the oppression of the Yang family? Have you ever seen anyone in the Yang family have a smiling face?"
Li Mi did not serve as an official and had been studying at home, but he was very concerned about and understood the world's major events. Hearing this, he shook his head and said: "Brother, as a person in the game, only sees the disadvantages but does not know the benefits. But from the perspective of an outsider like me, Mr. Yang Being demoted to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, apart from a slight loss of face and salary, has no real impact. As long as Duke Yang completes the tasks assigned by the saint well and securely, he will be promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This is in line with the emperor. The way of percussion can easily satisfy the emperor, because the saint feels that all the changes in Yang Gong are due to his percussion, which gives him a sense of satisfaction in teaching people to become talents."
"So I think the most important thing for my brother right now is not to stand by and do nothing, nor to blame others, but to do everything possible to help Mr. Yang get through this, so that he can do the most perfect thing in the shortest time. . In this way, Yang Gong’s position as Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs will be preserved. If the elder brother is selfless and dedicated in this matter, he can not only take over Yang Gong’s important house, but also establish his prestige as the head of the family. If With the support of Mr. Yang, you, the head of the family, will have a much easier time in the future."
Yang Xuangan's eyes gradually brightened, and he understood what Li Mi meant: for him now, the most important thing is the position of the head of the family and whether the family can work together. If, as Li Mi said, he can keep Yang Wensi's position as Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs With this position, the crisis within the family was immediately reduced by more than half. He pondered for a moment, raised his eyes and asked, "Brother Xian, what I'm worried about now is the saint. The saint's attitude towards the Yang family is very bad! Aye promoted him with one hand during his lifetime.
Generals and officials also alienated the Yang family because of the saint's attitude. "
"Brother, what you said is wrong! Regardless of whether they are saints or generals, their current attitude is actually due to the Yang family's previous failures." Li Mi sighed and pointed to the crux of the problem: "Brother, look at Cui, Hedong Xue Shit, when Cui Zhongfang and Xue Zhou were demoted, how did they respond? They stayed silent and tried their best to avoid the sage's anger, instead of provoking the power of the emperor by relying on their large family, many talents, and wide connections. .”
Having said this, Li Mi looked at Yang Xuangan and asked: "As for your Yang family, after you were punished, instead of thinking about your own mistakes, you got into a mess, complained, and asked for help, further making the matter worse. If it were my brother, would he like such a subordinate?"
"I understand." Yang Xuangan smiled bitterly upon hearing this. In fact, he knew everything, but he just couldn't change it; after all, he, the head of the family, didn't have any authority and couldn't control each house. But as Li Mi said before, Yang Wensi is an opportunity, and his second uncle Yang Yue is also an opportunity.
He took a long breath and said: "To be honest, I am in a state of confusion, with no master, and no good plan. In my opinion, how should I behave in the court? Please tell me, my dear brother. Please give me some advice!"
"On the one hand, I have to be the Minister of the Ministry of Etiquette with a humble and serious heart; on the other hand, I have to restrain each house and never make trouble again, otherwise the slightest mistake by my brother will cause the angry saint to be furious." Li Mi He glanced at Yang Xuangan and said, "As for the alienation of officials, it's not a big deal. At least it can help my brother see the true colors of some people."
Yang Xuangan nodded slowly. He pondered for a long time, and then said expectantly: "Brother, can you help me overcome this difficulty? I am referring to Uncle Wen Si."
"Old Chu Gong is kind to me, and my brother and I sympathize with our brothers and sisters. This is a matter of duty." Li Mi made it clear.
. . . . . . .
While Li Mi was talking to Yang Xuangan, a carriage also stopped in the square in front of Yuanshou Mansion. Yuan Hongsi got out of the carriage and hurriedly walked up the steps.
Yuan Shou's son Yuan Min had been waiting in front of the gate for a long time. He stepped forward and saluted, "Uncle."
Yuan Hongsi nodded and asked in a deep voice: "Nephew, has anyone else arrived?"
"Uncles from all the rooms are here. I'm waiting for you now. Please follow me!" Yuan Min led Yuan Hongsi towards the study.
Yuan Hongsi is over fifty years old. He is handsome and tall. He is a mid-level official in Menxia Province and one of the representatives of the Yuan family in the court. He lives in Yuyang County, Youzhou. He had been an official in Youzhou before.
In the early days of Yang Guang's establishment of the Supervisory Prefecture, the Guanlong nobles recommended him as the governor of Youzhou, while the Li family of Zhaojun and the Shandong nobles recommended Li Zixiong. When the two sides were arguing, Yang Ji interfered and Li Zixiong succeeded in becoming the governor of Youzhou. The governorship of the state made his dream come true, and also disrupted the Yuan family's established strategy of developing power in the northeast.
What happened in the morning and the chorus between Dugu Shun and Chang Sun Chi really worried Yuan Shou. As soon as he came back, he convened representatives from each house to discuss countermeasures.
In Yuanshou's study, the heads of the Yuan family, Yuan Zhou, Yuan Zhao, Yuan Wendu and others have all arrived, and now they are waiting for Yuan Hongsi.
Yuan Wendu is the leader of a branch of the Yuan family. He is now more favored by Yang Guang. He is worshiped as Sinong Shaoqing. After his old predecessor, Sinong Temple Minister, fell ill and passed away last month, Yuan Wendu took over as Sinong. Temple Minister; but Yuan Wendu was low-key, didn't talk much, and was almost invisible in the court, so he didn't attract much attention. Since today's meeting was extremely important to the Yuan family, he also came to Yuanshou's residence.
"Sorry, sorry, I'm late!" Yuan Hongsi quickly walked into the study room and saluted the people inside.
Yuan Zhou, who was sitting at the top, waved his hand: "I'm just waiting for you. Sit down quickly! Min'er also sit down and listen."
The Yuan family has now been divided into dozens of houses, but the people who came to Yuan Shou's study for a meeting today are all close relatives of Yuan Zhou and Yuan Shou.
Yuan Zhou said to everyone with a solemn expression: "Today, let's talk about the attitudes of the Dugu sect and the Dou sect. It is said that these two sects have united with our Yuan sect.
As an enemy, he intends to use the imperial court to seize the counties in Yongbei. Judging from the current situation, Dugu Shun is very likely to hand over various evidence of his inspection of the north to Xue Daoheng, and then use the power of Sili Tai and the hands of Xue Daoheng To achieve this sinister purpose. Third, the Dugu sect and the Dou sect most likely revealed the strength of our Yuan clan to the emperor through Li Yuan. Next, how should we hide our strength and how to avoid the emperor's attack. "
