In the main building of the Qin Government Affairs Office, Li Longji looked at Li Linfu, then at Li Shizhi who looked calm, and asked:
"You should already know about Youzhou, right?"
"Returning to the saint, both the government and the public know about this matter. The ministers believe that although this battle is won, one must be virtuous and exercise power first, and this trend cannot rise."
Li Shizhi crossed his hands and saluted and said that he and Fang Youde had no enmity, but they had no friendship either. He just couldn't stand it.
If the generals in the feudal town all disobey orders to fight the Khitan today, and strive for merit to fight the Tibetans tomorrow.
If they win, it is their military merit, and if they lose, the country will protect them. What will happen to the world? What will become of the country?
"Well, what do you think, Ge Nu?"
Li Longji nodded noncommittally, looked at Li Linfu and asked.
"We can recruit Fang Youde as the governor of Youzhou. He is familiar with the situation there and is more suitable."
Li Linfu said slowly, with a gentle and friendly tone.
Li Longji nodded slightly, with a satisfied look on his face. Obviously, Li Linfu's words were more in line with his wishes.
However, since Li Linfu was able to react so quickly, it was difficult to say whether this person had already thought through the matter at home.
If so, that's fine, if not, that's terrible.
"Back to the saint, Zhang Shougui worked diligently and loved the people in Youzhou, and the border defense was consolidated without any mistakes or omissions. If Fang Youde is the military governor of Youzhou, how should Zhang Shougui deal with himself? As soon as this trend starts, the generals under the military governor will go to Bianzhen. Wouldn’t everyone have to put down their superiors?"
Li Shizhi asked a question that Li Linfu was not easy to answer. It is a serious crime for the prime minister to collude with the general of Bianzhen. Many words cannot be overstated.
"Now that the left prime minister is vacant, Wei Chen thinks that Zhang Shougui has enough qualifications and achievements to become the prime minister."
Li Linfu bowed and bowed deeply to Li Longji.
Li Shi was stunned. He never expected that Li Linfu would say this. Because Li Linfu is currently serving as both the left and right ministers temporarily, he should be the person most opposed to this.
The general approach is to give up the position of left prime minister to someone close to you.
Li Linfu's move of retreating into advancement will probably please Li Longji very much.
Li Shizhi was born in a royal family. Although he was not without scheming, his experience in political struggles was obviously much less than that of Li Linfu. How could he have known about the plans of the right prime minister of the Tang Dynasty.
Zhang Shougui is indeed more difficult to deal with than Niu Xianke and is not so easily manipulated. Li Linfu certainly knows this. But fortunately, Zhang Shougui also has no foundation in the court!
From this point of view, he is not much better than Niu Xianke.
Moreover, Zhang Shougui came up as a general, so naturally he couldn't get along with the circle of civil servants around Zhang Jiuling. Such a person will not affect Li Linfu's governance, or in other words, he will definitely not be able to defeat Li Linfu.
The lesser of two evils, Li Linfu could feel it. Li Longji's urge to worship the prime minister was extremely strong this time, and the voice in the court for Zhang Shougui to be prime minister was also very high, at least far more than Niu Xianke.
If he insists on stopping him, whether he can stop him is another question. Even if he can stop him, it will easily arouse Li Longji's resentment.
Zhang Shougui could not become the prime minister, and the arrogant generals in Youzhou could not be promoted. The trouble is all on Li Longji's desk.
Li Linfu knew very well that the prime minister was here to solve the saint's troubles, not to leave the trouble to the saint.
Zhang Shougui’s appointment as prime minister is a foregone conclusion!
He lamented in his heart.
"In this case, Wei Chen has no objection."
Li Shizhi also saluted Li Longji. For this reason, what else could he, a royal censor, do?
"Well, with this great victory and this year's autumn harvest going well, I plan to worship heaven and earth outside the city in three days. What do you think?"
Li Longji asked with a smile on his face, obviously in a good mood.
Worshiping heaven and earth?
Not to mention Li Shizhi, even Li Linfu was stunned. For a while, he couldn't guess what Li Longji was thinking.
Is it to build momentum for Fang Youde? It doesn't seem to be the case. It's not like we haven't had such a big victory before. There have been many times in the past ten years.
"This ceremony requires three people to go to the altar to offer sacrifices. I am responsible for the first offering, the second offering is for King Zhong (Li Heng), and the final offering... then it is for King Ying (Li Heng) to present the gift. Yun, renamed Li Xuan) is ready.
I will send someone to inform the two of them that they must behave solemnly and make no mistakes. "
Li Longji said lightly, Li Shizhi just nodded dumbly and didn't know why, but Li Linfu felt a storm in his heart!
"Wei Chen resigns."
After the two left, Li Longji breathed a sigh of relief.
"Lux, do you think Genu saw anything?"
Li Longji glanced at Gao Lishi and asked in a lowered voice.
"Ge Nu should have noticed."
Gao Lishi thought for a while and then said: "But even if you can see it, what can you do?"
"Yeah, even if you see it, what can you do?"
Li Longji sighed with emotion.
…
Li Linfu hurriedly returned to his home in Pingkangfang from Xingqing Palace, and sent someone to find Zheng Shuqing. The two had a secret conversation in the newly built compartment.
"There are rumors that the truth supports King Shou, what do you think?"
Li Linfu looked into Zheng Shuqing's eyes and asked in a deep voice.
Isn't this obvious?
Zheng Shuqing cursed in his heart, but asked solemnly on his face: "The right minister wants to ask...what?"
"Don't worry, I'm just asking you why you think I want to support King Shou."
Li Linfu looked a little nervous, a little less calm than before.
"My subordinates believe that the new crown prince supported by the saint is only the loyal king. If the right prime minister also supports the loyal king, wouldn't it embarrass the saint? The saint just hopes that the right prime minister can restrain the prince and make a ruling."
Zheng Shuqing brought out Fang Chongyong's "theism" when he was chatting with him. He actually couldn't believe it, but Zheng Shuqing was very confident in Fang Chongyong's brain.
"Yes, Ben Xiang originally planned it this way. But Concubine Wu Hui's favor made Ben Xiang doubt whether he was wrong.
Only today did I realize that the truth is clear to the beholder. "
Li Linfu couldn't help but sigh and told Zheng Shuqing about Li Longji's abnormality today.
What does this horse riding mean?
Zheng Shuqing didn't follow Li Linfu's train of thought at all. Fortunately, he was good at pretending and just kept nodding in agreement.
"King Ying actually had to offer sacrifices in the ceremony, which is not unceremonious. It is understandable that King Zhong would offer sacrifices. This is the saint showing his determination to establish a loyal king to the courtiers. The reason for letting King Ying participate in the sacrifices is to what?"
Li Linfu asked in confusion. He still had not guessed what Li Longji was thinking deep in his heart.
Of course, King Ying may just play the role of Yong Chi in "Pei Gong Confers Yong Chi", which is nothing more than a smoke bomb.
If any minister at this time thought that King Ying was a cold stove who could burn it and finally achieve the skill of Conglong, he would be totally wrong.
"Could it be that King Ying has a secret that a saint cannot tell others, so the saint supports him and gives him the illusion that he can covet the position of prince?"
Zheng Shuqing told him all about a guess that Fang Chongyong told him two days ago, but only concealed the most critical point.
"Prince Ying secretly reported that the prince wanted to borrow two thousand pieces of armor to rebel, but he was only leading Pinglu Jiedushi from afar. Where could he have armor that he could lend to the prince?
The truth was that King Ying had falsely accused the prince, because King Ying had always been on good terms with King Zhong. But after hearing what you said, it is more likely that the sage instructed King Ying to make false accusations. "
Li Linfu said with sadness.
He admitted that he was a very cold-hearted person, but compared to Li Longji, he seemed to be far worse.
At least when it comes to the marriage of his children, Li Linfu feels that he is very open-minded and allows his children to choose what they like. As long as they are not the children of political opponents, he usually will not go out of his way to stop them.
But what Li Longji said... This saint's heart is not as dark as usual.
This made Li Linfu feel an unprecedented pressure!
Nowadays, Li Longji seems to dote on the longevity king with everything, and he has the best food and clothing. However, who knows the truest thoughts in the heart of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty?
At the very least, the longevity king Li Lu has been excluded from the core of power.
"Are you sure about Sogdian Brocade?"
The smile returned to Li Linfu's face, and he asked Zheng Shuqing as if making a routine.
"Back to the right minister, the problem shouldn't be big. Even if there is, it may not be obvious now."
Zheng Shuqing replied cautiously, Li Linfu's attitude was relaxed, but he did not dare to relax.
"Do this with your heart. There is always a shortage of funds in the Saint's Palace. If you do things with your heart, your benefits will be indispensable."
Li Linfu said with relief.
Zheng Shuqing said goodbye with a lot of gratitude and walked out of Li Linfu's house without wondering why the other party suddenly became sentimental.
…
Three days later, in order to celebrate the victory at Youzhou Border Pass, Li Longji led hundreds of officials out of Chang'an City and set up an altar in the eastern suburbs to offer sacrifices.
Li Longji's first contribution was expected by everyone.
Yaxian is King Zhong, which is not too outrageous. After all, King Zhong has extraordinary strength behind the scenes.
But in the end, it was actually King Ying instead of King Shou, which shocked all the ministers in the central government of Chang'an.
It is said that after the heaven-sacrifice activities ended that day, Concubine Wu Hui came to Xingqing Palace to cry to Li Longji, and the two had a big quarrel in the Qinzongwu Building. As for what the quarrel was about, no one knew. Anyway, Concubine Wu Hui fell ill the next day.
The day after the sacrifice in the eastern suburbs, Li Longji ordered Li Linfu to draft an edict.
Fang Youde, who had previously fought against the Khitan, was appointed as the governor of Youzhou. Zhang Shougui, the former governor of Youzhou, worshiped the prime minister and served as a minister. From now on, he will enter the court as an official from Youzhou.
Niu Xianke was officially appointed as Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and Huangfu Weiming was appointed as the governor of Longyou.
At the same time, there was a major change of blood inside and outside the central court, including but not limited to Zheng Shuqing and his like serving as Minister of Household Affairs, Wei Jian and others serving as Jing Zhaoyin, Yan Ting and his like being demoted as governor and released to the outside world, and Li Shizhi serving as Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment.
As for the civil servants who came from the imperial examination background, as Zhang Jiuling lost power, most of them ended up similar to Yan Tingzhi, being widely reprimanded and expelled by Li Longji. The composition of the central leadership has also undergone fundamental changes.
It is not only the imperial center in Chang'an City that is undergoing a major change of blood. Top-down personnel changes are also taking place in the Youzhou vassal town in the north.
On this day, Zhang Shougui was ordered to leave Youzhou for Chang'an to become prime minister. Before leaving, Fang Youde, as the newly promoted governor of Youzhou, held a banquet to see Zhang Shougui off. The two of them exchanged glasses during the banquet, and it was very warm. .
"Brother Fang Xian, I am able to enter Chang'an this time as prime minister, thanks to this superb battle, brother Xian. Come on, let me toast you."
Zhang Shougui, who was blushing from drinking, picked up his wine glass and toasted Fang Youde.
"There are treacherous people like Li Linfu in the court, so brother, it's better to be careful. As long as I'm here in Youzhou, nothing will happen."
Fang Youde patted his chest and said confidently.
"Well, as a brother, I understand the abilities of my virtuous brother, but...my adopted sons An Lushan and Shi Siming. Both of them are talented people. It's okay if my virtuous brother doesn't want to see them. My brother has transferred their military status to In Pinglu Fan Town, my wise brothers are out of sight and out of mind, so there is no need to look for trouble with them."
Zhang Shougui said with sincerity.
After all the words were said, Fang Youde could only nod slightly and said: "Then just follow what brother said."
"Well, the two towns of Youzhou and Pinglu are actually one town. Only by exchanging news and troops can the situation in Youzhou be stabilized. Brother Xian's previous battle was just to ensure the stability of Youzhou for three years. Stabilize it. In Youzhou, the focus is on the defense zone, and we must not go deep into the north."
Zhang Shougui persuaded patiently.
"Brother, please don't worry. The Jiedushi will only serve for four years. By then I will no longer be the Jiedushi. Where can there be such trouble?"
Fang Youde laughed loudly.
"That's not bad, but I worry too much."
Zhang Shougui also laughed loudly and clinked glasses with Fang Youde. After the two had finished drinking, Fang Youde put the other party on the carriage and watched the carriage speeding along the official road. No shadow could be seen, and then returned to Youzhou City to the Jiedu Shogunate.
Arriving at the study room dedicated to Jiedushi, he knelt down with a contented look on his face and took out the "kill list" from his arms.
"Now that I am the governor of Youzhou, I have to kill a few brats to establish my authority.
Should I go to Pinglu to find trouble and kill Anlushan, or should I kill a few fish and shrimps in this town first?
It’s really distressing. "
Fang Youde had a sneer on his face, and he decided not to move An Lushan and Shi Siming. Let’s wait until we find an opportunity later.
"After I become the governor of Youzhou and Pinglu towns, none of you will be able to escape."
After that, he checked a few names on the "kill list" with a red pen.
"First kill two sacrificial flags to establish military power.
After I kill you all, I want to see who can launch the Anshi Rebellion and destroy our prosperous Tang Dynasty. "
Fang Youde didn't know why the Anshi Rebellion happened, but he knew very well that if the problem couldn't be solved, then the person who caused the problem would be solved, and the effect would be the same.
…
This morning, Fang Chongyong had just gotten up and was about to go to the West Market to check the prices in Chang'an. Then he was surprised to find that the door of his home was blocked. Outside the door, he could see endless bullock carts piled with various parcels. wooden box carton.
"Come on, let's ask what happened."
Fang Chongyong whispered in Fang Laique's ear.
After a while, Fang Laique came back again, proudly showing off to Fang Chongyong: "Alang is now the governor of Youzhou, and those people are here to give gifts."
"What did you say?"
Fang Chongyong was stunned, thinking that he heard wrongly.
