While Liu Bian was inspecting the Forbidden Army camp, the excitement in Luoyang City became more and more intense.
The whole Dongdu seemed to be alarmed. Countless people were running for office. The pressure was rising layer by layer, reaching the Yushitai.
A few days later, Liu Bian was still in the Forbidden Army camp and had not returned to the palace. However, the atmosphere at the Chancellery began to become strange.
Yang Biao, Wang Yun, and Xun You were sitting in the small conference hall, talking about the reduction of redundant officials.
Xun You looked at Wang Yun and said: "Your Majesty, I support the reduction of redundant officials. However, the 'new system' of the Shangshutai has been planned for a long time, and I still need Your Majesty's permission."
Wang Yun said expressionlessly: "I have no objection. But we must wait until the reduction of redundant officials is completed. If I cut you and you increase it, how can you convince the government and the opposition?"
Xun You glanced at Yang Biao who remained calm and said, "Then, if some of the Jiu Qing and Sangong Mansion are transferred to the Secretariat, can they be removed from the layoff list?"
Wang Yun looked at him and said, "Are you talking about those Yingchuan people?"
Xun You suddenly felt alarmed. Before, he had doubts that nearly 30% of the cuts were related to him. Now it seems that Wang Yun is purposefully cutting down the people he recommended!
Xun You sat up straight and said seriously: "Your Majesty, those people are not relatives and friends of the lower officials. They are all upright and capable people. There are absolutely no cliques in Yingchuan. I ask Your Majesty to warn you."
Wang Yun turned to raise his hand to Yang Biao and said, "Prime Minister, may I ask if there is anyone who needs to be removed?"
Yang Biao put on a majestic expression on his fat face and said, "No."
He really didn't. Although the Yang family had four generations and three princes, and there were many former members of the Yang family in the court, their relationship was not as close as that of the Yuan family.
In addition, Yang Biao deliberately distanced himself, so there was no one whom Yang Biao needed to protect.
Wang Yun put down his hand and said: "Does the Prime Minister have any objection to the reduction list of the lower official? If so, the lower official will draft it again."
Yang Biao blinked and cursed in his heart, Wang Yun kicked the ball to him.
Xun You immediately looked over, with the words "please prime minister veto" written all over his face.
Yang Biao's face moved and he said, "No objection."
You go ahead and fight, I won’t get involved!
Xun You was very disappointed with Yang Biao, and he took a deep breath in his heart. He raised his hand to Wang Yun and said resolutely, "Your Majesty, the lower official is Cao Shangshu. The reduction of large and small officials, the merger of powers and positions, the transfer and appointment of officials must all be done by lowering officials." agree."
Wang Yun's eyes flashed sharply, he looked straight at Xun You and said, "What do you want?"
Xun You was more serious than ever before and said: "If the prince insists on taking action, the subordinate officials will definitely disobey."
Wang Yun looked fierce and said: "Do you want to resist the decree?"
Xun You's expression remained unchanged as he said, "The 'New System' is also His Majesty's will."
Wang Yun was extremely angry, but found that he had no way to deal with Xun You. He glanced at Yang Biao out of the corner of his eye and felt even more hatred.
If Yang Biao supports him, he can push it forcefully, and Xun You can't help but be arrogant, but this Yang Biao is an incompetent waste, he only knows how to evade and dodge!
Suddenly, there were urgent footsteps outside, and a small yellow door appeared at the door and said directly to Wang Yun: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has invited you."
Without waiting for Wang Yun to react, Yang Biao raised his head and looked towards the rafters, the smile in his eyes unable to be concealed.
Xun You was still confused at first, but when he saw Yang Biao's expression out of the corner of his eye, his heart suddenly moved.
Wang Yun didn't notice Yang Biao's Dong Zhuo. He suppressed his anger and said, "Your Majesty, you want to see me? What's the matter?"
Xiao Huangmen said: "I don't know, but the tone of the messenger is not very good. Please be careful in your words and deeds."
Although Queen Mother He didn't like government affairs very much and had almost never interfered, she was the Queen Mother after all. If she insisted on doing something, no one in the court could stop her.
Wang Yun glanced at Xun You again, with a cold look on his face, got up and left the Chancellor's Desk, heading for Yongle Palace.
As soon as Xun You waited for Wang Yun to leave, he immediately raised his hand to Yang Biao and said: "Prime Minister, this matter has been aroused. The people of the court are confused and it is difficult to do anything. I ask the Prime Minister to make a decision and get the result as soon as possible."
Yang Biao nodded, then suddenly stood up and left.
Xun You looked at his back, frowning again and again.
At this time, Wang Yun arrived at Yongle Palace.
"Your Majesty Wang Yun, I have met the Queen Mother." Wang Yun raised his hand in greeting.
Queen Mother He and Tang Ji were talking, and they didn't know what they were talking about. They were laughing continuously, but they didn't hear Wang Yun's words.
Wang Yun looked at Queen Mother He, his face hardened a bit, and he breathed out gently, wanting to let out the pent-up anger in his heart.
Tang Ji observed Wang Yun out of the corner of her eye, pursed her lips, said nothing, and joked with Queen Mother He.
Wang Yun didn't know who came to Queen Mother He to intercede. He was thinking of countermeasures and waited calmly.
After a long while, Queen Mother He stopped her smile, glanced at Wang Yun, picked up the teacup, and said calmly: "Wang Pushe, what are you doing here?"
Wang Yun raised his hand and said: "I came here with Yi's order to listen to the Queen Mother's instructions."
Empress Dowager He said expressionlessly: "I heard that you had a quarrel with Duke Tang, the captain of the Sili School?"
Wang Yun glanced at Tang Ji, lowered his head and said: "The Queen Mother misunderstood, it's not a quarrel, it's just some differences on government affairs."
Empress Dowager He did not drink tea. She turned sideways and squinted at him, saying: "I also heard that you not only want to lay off the people in the General's Palace, but also refuse to let go of the Chariot and Cavalry General's Palace? Look at this palace. Yongle Palace, if there is anything that needs to be cut, let’s cut it all.”
The so-called Grand General's Mansion and Chariot and Cavalry General's Mansion refer to He Jin and He Miao. These two people have become officials long ago. These two mansions do not exist at all. The fundamental reason is that the officials who used to belong to these two mansions Still there.
Wang Yun's eyes darkened slightly and he said, "I don't dare."
Queen Mother He took a sip of tea and said, "It's okay if you don't dare. I don't need to say more about what to do, right?"
Wang Yundao: "Queen Mother, this is your Majesty's will..."
"I don't need you to tell me,"
Queen Mother He snorted coldly and said: "Are you saying that I should go to your Majesty to talk to your Majesty about this little matter?"
When Wang Yun heard this, his face tightened and he stopped talking.
He knew very well in his heart that arguing with Queen Mother He would not do any good and would only be counterproductive.
But 'cutting redundant officials' is the most important thing he is currently doing. It is where he stands in the government and hopes for the world!
No one can make him back down!
Seeing that Wang Yun refused to speak, Queen Mother He's face turned ugly and said: "Speak!"
Wang Yun was silent for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, the reduction of redundant officials is a major matter of state affairs, and I cannot agree to it."
When Queen Mother He heard this, her facial features were distorted with anger. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to talk to her like this!
When Tang Ji saw it, she quickly comforted her in a low voice: "Your Majesty, please calm down."
The Queen Mother He could not rest, but Wang Yun was an important minister in the court, and she could not do anything to him. She had nowhere to vent her anger, which made her even more angry. She yelled: "Get out!"
Wang Yun's heart was heavy and he raised his hands and said: "I'm leaving!"
Before Wang Yun could turn around, Queen Mother He had already pulled Tang Ji and said, "Send someone to call Bian'er back to the palace."
Wang Yun listened to "Bian'er" and frowned secretly. Even if you are the queen mother of the current dynasty or the biological mother of the emperor, you cannot call her as casually as before.
But he didn't say anything about leaving Yongle Palace.
When he came outside the door and looked at the dim sky, Wang Yun was silent, with a trace of melancholy on his face.
In the imperial court, there are ignorant officials and mediocre officials everywhere, as well as treacherous and cunning people. After receiving the decree this time, he thought he could free his hands and do something, but he never thought that in the Chancery, everyone from Yang Biao to Liu Cao, and outside Jiu Qing, Sili Xiaowei, etc. Opposing him and hindering him at every turn made him stagger.
Now that the Queen Mother in the palace has personally died, what else can he do?
But in an instant, Wang Yun's expression became firm, the melancholy in his eyes disappeared, and he strode back to the Chancellor's desk.
Inside the Chancery, it was very quiet. Except for the occasional sound of walking, every room on duty was quiet.
Wang Yun walked in. Although he couldn't see anyone, he could feel countless eyes on him.
With an indifferent expression, he walked into the duty room, took out the "Redundant Officials Directory" from the table, opened it and looked at it. From top to bottom, there were nearly a thousand people.
Wang Yun looked at it for a long time, then looked at the other book in his hand.
This is outside Luoyang City, that is, the "Redundant Official Directory" of each state.
Wang Yun's eyes were solemn, and he was determined to remain unabated!
In Xun You's duty room, several ministers were discussing matters.
"Shang Shu, the filling of the vacancy in Bingzhou has been reported, but it has not been approved yet."
"There is still a part of the reward money and food."
"The by-elections planned by various Cao Cao have already been drawn up, but they were all rejected by the prince..."
Xun You listened, but couldn't help but look in the direction of Wang Yun's room.
The news about Yongle Palace spread almost throughout the Secretariat. Xun You was thinking, would the prince, who was stubborn and ignorant of flexibility, compromise?
A clerk came in and whispered in Xun You's ear: "Li Shangshu has entered the prince's duty room."
Xun You shook his head and said: "Your Majesty will return to Beijing tomorrow and give it to me. I will report it to Your Majesty."
The ministers looked at each other and said, "I will obey your orders."
A few rooms away from here is the high-value room for the petty officials. They are talking casually about Wang Yun's entry into Yongle Palace.
"You tell me, what will the prince do if there is pressure from the Queen Mother?"
"The Queen Mother has already come forward, can the prince still insist on the reduction?"
"I don't think so. The issue of cutting redundant officials is currently causing uproar in the city. If the prince backs down easily, it would be tantamount to admitting his mistake. Can he still stay at the Chancellor's desk?"
"Aren't you going to look back and wait to be dismissed?"
"In my opinion, most of the princes will bow their heads. At worst, they will cut down on the number of people. Here they are working for His Majesty, and there they have made friends with so many officials, big and small, to please both sides. Isn't this what they did in the past?"
All the minor officials nodded in agreement.
Although they are of low quality, compared to those big shots, their time in Jiuqing and Shangshutai is longer, ranging from a few years to more than ten or even decades.
In a state of silence, the Shangshutai ushered in the evening reception.
The Shangshutai now has a large number of people, and there are many people on duty in all sizes, and there are as many as 200 people.
After leaving the Chancellor's Desk and walking on the way out of the palace, they were clearly divided into several groups, gathering together and chatting enthusiastically.
Wang Yun came out of the check-in room, and his ears were filled with various sounds. He seemed unaware that the crowd was far away in front of him and behind him, and he was alone.
Yang Biao was the last to leave. As soon as he returned to Yang Mansion, he went straight to Wang Lang's courtyard.
Wang Lang was concentrating on writing a book. Yang Biao came across from him and began to make tea without saying a word.
Wang Lang ignored him and kept writing.
After a while, Yang Biao handed him the tea cup, glanced at it, and said, "You are so restless, why are you writing a book? Just become an official."
Wang Lang's recent desire to become an official is indeed somewhat strong, but he is still hesitant and uneasy.
He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said calmly: "Has something happened again?"
Yang Biao smiled, the fat on his face trembled, and said: "It's not me, it's the prince's division. He cut redundant officials and stirred up a hornet's nest. Now both the government and the public are impeaching him. Xun Shangshu, the official, directly confronted him and almost broke his face. "
Seeing Yang Biao's proud face, Wang Lang shook his head and said, "Do you think it is a good thing if Prince Master is kicked out of the Chancery?"
Yang Biao hugged the tea cup, his smile did not diminish, and said: "Of course it's a good thing, at least no one stabs me in the back."
Wang Lang stopped talking and looked down at the hundreds of words he had just written.
Yang Biao's smiling face slowly froze, and then he was shocked and said: "No! Prince Master cannot fall! If he falls, I will be the only one left in the Chancery!"
There are only three important people in the Chancery, the Prime Minister Yang Biao, the left servant Wang Yun, and the right servant Dong Zhuo who is also the Taiwei.
Dong Zhuo can be said to be despised by others, and everyone is wary of and alienated from him. In the Chancery, the default is to ignore him.
The only ones left are Yang Biao and Wang Yun. If Wang Yun falls, Yang Biao will take the lead alone.
He became the only one, and he had to choose even if he didn’t have to choose!
Wang Lang read it carefully, took another sip of tea, and said, "What are you going to do?"
Yang Biao frowned, blinked his little eyes, and felt tangled in his heart.
'Abolition of redundant officials' is a thankless task. Wang Yun is now being attacked by both the government and the public. He is even more isolated in the Shangshutai and is on the verge of collapse.
In this situation, if someone is not good enough, instead of resigning or dismissing their official duties, it is almost foreseeable that countless people will settle old scores and insist on fighting over them, and their reputation will be ruined, and they will be jailed for questioning.
Yang Biao has always put caution and self-protection first, so how could he get involved so easily.
Wang Lang kept his eyes on his words and said, "You should write a memorial to His Majesty, explaining the need to cut redundant officials and intercede for Wang Yun."
"Okay!" Yang Biao didn't hesitate at all.
In this way, he could not only express his attitude to the emperor, but also earn Wang Yun's favor. Most importantly, he could stay out of the matter and let Wang Yun continue to fight against thunder!
Kill three birds with one stone!
Wang Lang raised his head and said: "I heard rumors that the imperial court is going to set up a military officer, who will be mainly responsible for recruiting soldiers, money, food, military preparation, etc.?"
Yang Biao opened his eyes and said, "Are you interested?"
Wang Lang looked hesitant and struggled in his heart.
Seeing that the situation in the court was getting better and better, he was worried that if he missed the present, he would not be in a good position if he wanted to join the court in the future.
But he still has concerns, and the lessons from his past are not far away.
"Let me think about it," Wang Lang said.
Seeing that Wang Lang was obviously interested, Yang Biao said: "With your reputation and my recommendation, you are a sure shot!"
Wang Lang still didn't let go, and wanted to wait and see again.
Yang Biao did not force himself, but there was a smile in his eyes. He knew that Wang Lang was not far away from becoming an official!
At this moment, Wang Yun had returned to the mansion.
He didn't eat or talk to anyone. He just walked around the backyard with a gloomy look on his face, sighing at the moon from time to time.
The night is exceptionally bright tonight, with dark clouds surrounding it.
Wang Yun stood at the end of a small bridge with his hands behind his back, looking at the moonlight quietly. The irritability in his heart only increased, making him frown and sigh.
Suddenly, there was a sound of frolicking not far away.
Wang Yun turned around and saw three singers burning incense and praying, and then left playfully, leaving behind a few remaining incense candles filled with green smoke.
Wang Yun looked at their youthful and energetic backs and sighed softly again, saying: "My master Wang Zi was not afraid of life and death, and was not afraid of power. How did he end up in today's situation?"
When he was young, Wang Yun, no matter whether he was an eunuch, a relative or a powerful official, he would boldly impeach anyone he could not see, he was outspoken and did not avoid the powerful. Even if he was banned by the party and was not allowed to enter the official position, he still did not change his ambition.
"What's going on, Mr. Wang?" A refreshing laughter suddenly sounded behind Wang Yun.
Wang Yun turned around and saw that it was his wife, Mrs. Liu, and shook her head slightly, unwilling to say more.
Seeing that he looked lonely and full of melancholy, Mrs. Liu's teasing expression slightly faded and she said, "Husband, are you still worried about cutting redundant officials?"
Because of this incident, the threshold of the Wang family was almost broken, and Mrs. Liu couldn't even think about it.
Wang Yun put his hands behind his back, looked at her, and said, "Madam, I'm afraid I'm going to hurt you."
He was very pessimistic. If things got to this point, they would probably not end well.
Mrs. Liu didn't panic at all and said, "Husband, do you think something is wrong?"
Wang Yun was startled and said: "Madam, where do you start talking about this?"
Mrs. Liu said: "Since my husband feels that he is not at fault and it is a state matter, he can just move forward bravely. Why bother to look at it and why bother yourself?"
Wang Yun's eyes opened slightly, his heart was cheered up, his face was solemn, he raised his hand and said, "Thank you, madam."
Mrs. Liu smiled slightly, bowed and said, "Husband, let's have a meal."
The depression in Wang Yun's heart was swept away, and he said with a smile: "Okay, let's have dinner and ask them all to come over. It's been a long time since I've tested their homework."
Ms. Liu frowned and said, "Then you should go back and sigh at the moon."
Wang Yun was smiling and stroking his beard, feeling quite proud.
…
Early the next morning, when the palace door just opened, Wang Yun entered the palace.
He was always the first person to come to the chancery, and usually the last to leave.
When he arrived at his duty room, he cleaned it slowly before sitting down and taking the two layoff lists in front of him.
"Not one less." Wang Yun said, with a calm expression and a calm tone, and his heart was as firm as iron.
He put it aside and dealt with official duties quietly.
The Chancellor's Office had almost all-powerful authority, so the affairs were heavy, and Yang Biao always shied away from them. Dong Zhuo was invisible-ostracized - Wang Yun resisted the Chancellor's Office alone.
Unknowingly, the Chancellor's Desk became lively, officials of all sizes arrived one after another, and the noise was endless.
Wang Yun's clerk on duty had long been used to it. He came in with a teapot and refilled Wang Yun's water. He glanced outside and whispered: "I heard that there are more than twenty people at the Yushitai." The memorial to impeach the prince has just been sent to the officials."
Wang Yun remained calm and focused on reviewing and approving the official documents, saying: "Please tell me, anyone who pleads, lobbies, or even offers or accepts bribes for redundant officials will be dismissed without mercy."
The hand that the clerk was pouring tea shook. The tea spilled onto the table and was about to soak the official documents and memorials on the table.
He was startled, quickly wiped it with his sleeves, and said urgently: "The villain deserves to die, the villain deserves to die..."
Wang Yun picked it up casually, watched him wipe it, and said, "Okay, let's go and send the message."
The clerk felt relieved when he saw that Wang Yun did not blame him. He seemed to feel uneasy. He looked back and whispered more and more: "Prince, do you really want to spread the news like this?"
Once this word gets out, the outside world will definitely explode, it will be like a declaration of war!
The people who were laid off and the people behind them were trying every possible means to impeach Wang Yun, just waiting for Wang Yun to give in. Now instead of giving in, Wang Yun is getting tougher. How can he not blow up the situation?
Wang Yun's face was calm, he held the official document and looked at it up and down.
When the clerk saw this, he didn't say much, turned around and went out to spread the message.
As soon as Wang Yun's words came out, the Chancellor's desk was silent at first, and then shook violently, and all kinds of discussions came and went, becoming very noisy.
Xun You heard the news as soon as he arrived on duty. His brows furrowed again and again, and he felt a sense of admiration for Wang Yun's willfulness.
After all, there are only a handful of people in the court who can still risk their lives and take action in such critical moments.
He thought he couldn't do it.
"It would be great if the Prime Minister was like this."
Xun You couldn't help but talk to himself.
Yang Biao can be as decisive as Wang Yun, even if he does something wrong, he will be admirable.
In the bottom of Xun You's heart, he very much hoped that Yang Biao could stand up and mediate. As the prime minister, he would mediate and all parties would take a step back. Then the matter of 'cutting down redundant officials' would be much easier!
If Yang Biao refuses to take action, then he has to push it up and leave it to His Majesty the Palace to make a decision.
'Your Majesty is returning to Beijing today, right? Xun You subconsciously looked out the door.
Liu Bian is indeed returning to Beijing today and is already on his way.
His carriage was at the front, followed by Huangfu Song, Dong Zhuo and a large group of others. Dian Wei and Zhao Yun were guarding on the left and right. Zhang Liao, Cao Cao and others stayed in the Forbidden Army camp to train.
Liu Bian's hand was full of official documents and memorials from Beijing. He read them for half an hour. He put them aside tiredly, closed his eyes, pressed his temples with his thumbs, and said to himself: "That's almost it."
He's almost done dancing, and it's time for him to take action.
It’s the end of the month, please give me some monthly passes~~
(End of chapter)
