In the evening, the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Yang Biao sat across from Wang Lang, who had just arrived in Beijing to report on his duties. There was a brazier between the two, and a small table beside them, filled with various memorials and documents.
Yang Biao put his hands on the stove to warm himself over the fire, but looked out the door and said, "Your Majesty loves the snow. He often says that auspicious snow heralds a good year. It has been snowing for four or five days in a row. I'm afraid it's not auspicious snow anymore."
Wang Lang flipped through the documents on the small table and said, "Your Majesty suddenly left the capital. He first inspected the copper mines and then went to Hanoi. I'm afraid he may have become suspicious of the government."
Yang Biao turned around, sighed, and said: "It's normal to be suspicious, but who dares to tell the truth to His Majesty? Your Majesty is very cautious in his actions. If he knows the truth, the court will not have a good life."
Wang Lang suddenly raised his head, looked at Yang Biao and said, "Er Xun and others haven't made it clear to Your Majesty either?"
Yang Biao rubbed his hands and said: "They themselves are half-convinced. How can they tell His Majesty? Recently, the household officials and officials have been very active. They probably want to borrow the summer tax to confirm some things."
Wang Lang looked thoughtful and said: "Tell me, Your Majesty, would you have noticed it earlier? Otherwise, why would Your Majesty clear the land and register the household?"
Yang Biao was startled for a moment, then shook his head and said: "Your Majesty only came into contact with government affairs after he succeeded to the throne. How could he understand these things?"
"Was it wrong?"
Wang Lang had no way of judging. He immediately put down the document in his hand and sighed: "I didn't expect that this prince has done so many things secretly. If he is given another year or two, the capital and the outside world will be completely different."
Yang Biao's fat face turned pale and he said: "I never thought that Wang Yun would use Xingcao and Yushitai to investigate so many people and things."
Wang Lang read it from beginning to end, involving more than 400 officials, large and small. Even the smallest one, Wang Yun said, "Never hire".
He thought carefully and said, "What are you going to do?"
If you hand this thing over, the emperor or other courtiers will suspect that you have a backup. If you don't hand it over and keep it privately, the consequences will be more serious if it is discovered.
Yang Biao's fat face trembled again and again, and after a while he sighed and said, "I plan to keep it for now."
Wang Lang frowned and said, "What are you going to do?"
These 'evidences' are enough to threaten everyone on the list.
Yang Biao was unusually silent.
Wang Lang, who had known him for many years, felt something in his heart and said, "Are you going to resign?"
Yang Biao looked at his hands on the stove with a calm expression and said, "If I don't leave, I will follow in Wang Yun's footsteps."
"You didn't do anything, what are you afraid of?" Wang Lang said.
Yang Biao touched his belly with both hands and said, "It's just because I didn't do anything."
Wang Lang looked puzzled.
Since Wang Lang became an official, he no longer has the advantage of being a bystander, but now he can't see clearly.
Yang Biao kept himself warmed by the fire and said: "In officialdom, everything cannot be controlled by oneself. Who could have expected Wang Yun's fate?"
Wang Lang became more serious, looked at Yang Biao and said, "If you resign, who can bear the responsibility of the imperial court?"
There are now two or three big and small cats in the court. Besides, whose prestige can be compared to that of Yang Biao, the fourth generation and the third prince?
Yang Biao shook his head and said, "Your Majesty must have already thought about it."
Wang Lang suddenly woke up and then fell into deep thought. After a long time, he said slowly: "You mean, His Majesty is just going with the flow?"
Yang Biao looked at the red charcoal fire and said: "Wang Yun is not a peaceful person. Since he came to power, he has made too many small moves. Your Majesty has tolerated it again and again. Now that it involves the East Palace, how can your Majesty continue to tolerate it?"
Wang Lang glanced at Yang Biao and said, "So, you are also going to vacate your position? Who will be the future prime minister?"
Yang Biao was roasting on the fire, his fat face was red, and he said neither sad nor happy: "I don't know, it may be Sima Jun who will make a transition, or it may be Xun You directly."
"Sima Jun?"
Wang Yun thought thoughtfully, then shook his head and said, "Sima Jun's time in office was too short. Xun You... did he go from Huangmen Shilang to Prime Minister in just two years?"
Yang Biao naturally knew that it was unreasonable and said: "Then there are Liu Yu, Zhu Jun and others who have returned to the court. However, they are also involved in Wang Yun's case."
Both of them wrote letters to the court recommending Liu Shao as the crown prince.
This is also the fundamental reason that touched Liu Bian and Wang Yun of the Yi tribe!
After excluding two more people, names flashed through Wang Lang's mind, and he suddenly became alarmed and said, "Then, who called Liu Situ to come to Beijing? Why is there no news about him at all later?"
Yang Biao was startled and blinked, as if he suddenly remembered Liu Hong.
After carefully recalling it for a while, from Wang Yun's confession to the closing of the case, no one seemed to mention Liu Hong. This person seemed to have been forgotten by everyone.
Yang Biao and Wang Lang looked at each other and then fell silent.
If Liu Hong returns and serves as prime minister, he can indeed transition for a period of time.
It would be logical to wait for Er Xun or someone who is relatively mature and has sufficient qualifications and prestige to take over.
"Owner."
Just as Yang Biao was about to say something, a servant came over in a hurry, handed over a memorial, and said: "An urgent memorial from the Chancellor's Desk."
Yang Biao looked solemn, stood up and went out. He shivered when the cold wind hit his face. He took it, sat back quickly, and opened it to read.
Wang Lang sat upright. He knew that if there was nothing important, Shangshutai would not send the memorial to the prime minister's house.
Yang Biao's face gradually became serious, and then a little ugly.
He put down the memorial in his hand, looked at Wang Lang, and said calmly: "Li Ru, the governor of Runan, abandoned his official position and defected to Dong Zhuo."
Wang Lang was startled, then nodded again and said, "Li Ru is recognized as a member of Wang Yun's party. It is understandable that he would do this."
Yang Biao's fat face tightened, his expression became more serious, and he said: "The Pinglu captain Lu Bu occupied half of Xuzhou, flirting with Dong Zhuo, and did not listen to Ding Yuan's orders at all."
Wang Lang's mind flashed to geographical locations such as Runan, Yuzhou, and Xuzhou. He looked slightly startled and said, "Didn't Dong Zhuo become too powerful?"
At this point, Wang Lang suddenly said again: "Does the south really ignore the policy of 'first north then south' formulated by the imperial court?"
Since Liu Bian succeeded to the throne, he has formulated a clear road map, which is "first north, then south".
The main force of the imperial court, nearly 200,000 troops, were almost all in the north and rarely went south.
Most of the various armies and forces that suppressed bandits in the south were "self-recruited" by those people and at the same time "self-raised money and food."
Yang Biao thought for a while and said: "This strategy was decided by Huangfu Song and others. Now the northern states, except for Liangzhou, are basically pacified, and there is still a Montenegrin army making trouble. Generally speaking, there is no Incorrect."
Wang Lang snorted coldly and said: "The whole south is in a mess. Not to mention Yuan Shu and Han Fu, Dong Zhuo is becoming more and more powerful, and Liu Yan, the shepherd of Yizhou with ulterior motives, is eyeing him. How can the imperial court just sit still? "
Yang Biao moved his butt unnaturally and said in a weak tone: "You also know the situation of the court. Last year, even the official salary was not paid, so how much can be done."
Wang Lang was very dissatisfied with the imperial court, but in front of the Prime Minister, he could not express his anger, so he could only say bitterly: "Is it because of the affairs of Shanyang County that Shangshutai called me to Beijing to report on my duties?"
Yang Biao nodded, shook his head, and said, "It was jointly requested by Hu Cao and Li Cao. They have doubts about the amount of autumn grain in Yanzhou."
"Why didn't you call Liu Shijun instead of calling me?" Wang Lang said.
Yang Biao looked at him, hesitated for a while, and said, "I heard rumors that the officials intend to recommend you as the Minister of War."
Wang Lang was stunned for a moment, looked at Yang Biao, and said, "Did you hear the news?"
Yang Biao looked unnatural, waved his hand and said, "Let's talk about Wang Yun."
Wang Lang really couldn't understand Yang Biao. Was he pretending to be confused, or was he really confused?
Wang Lang composed himself and said: "I have a hunch that your Majesty will have a decree in the near future, which will be judged by the Tingwei Mansion. Moreover, he will avoid conspiracy to establish an heir, and will most likely plead guilty on the grounds of corruption and illegality."
Yang Biao nodded.
As Wang Yun was imprisoned, the word "prince" gradually became a taboo for both the government and the public. It is understandable that Tingwei Mansion would avoid such sensitive words.
Immediately, he looked at Wang Lang, then glanced outside, and whispered: "Do you feel that His Majesty's reaction this time is a bit excessive?"
Wang Lang looked thoughtful and said, "Is it because Wang Yun connected with King Bohai?"
Yang Biao shook his head and said: "I always feel that there are other reasons, but I can't guess clearly."
Just as Wang Lang was about to speak, another servant came over and said, "Master, Tang Mao is here to visit."
Yang Biao was startled, then frowned, waved his hand and said, "Let him go, just say I'm not here."
Wang Lang also shook his head when he heard this. Cai Yong's conviction meant that Liu Shao's position as crown prince had been lost. Tang Mao was like a cat that smelled something fishy. He had been making frequent moves recently and wanted to promote his grandson.
"This person is also ungrateful. No wonder Sili Xiaowei was dismissed by His Majesty after only a few days in such an important position." Wang Lang said.
After the servant left, Yang Biao said: "It's the end of the year, and there are more ghosts and monsters. It's impossible to hide away."
"No wonder His Majesty left Luoyang in such a hurry." Wang Lang suddenly said with enlightenment.
Even Yang Biao couldn't be clean, and it was obvious to the palace.
"Master, Zhong Tingwei wants to see you." A servant came in a hurry and said urgently.
Wang Lang looked at Yang Biao and said, "The decree is probably coming."
Yang Biao sighed, stood up and put on his clothes, and said: "What is supposed to come will come. By the way, you think of a way to get Dezu out of Cao Cao."
Wang Lang was startled and said, "Cao Cao? What happened?"
Yang Biao was too fat and struggled to put on his clothes. He said, "It's not Xia Houyuan's business. Cao Cao wrote to the Grand Sima Mansion one after another, and there was quite a dispute."
"Does it have the potential to lose its tail?" Wang Lang asked quickly.
Yang Biao finished dressing, glanced at the heavy snow outside, and said, "It's hard to say, but the government and the public are quite critical of him, and His Majesty's favor for him seems to have weakened."
Wang Lang looked stern and said, "I understand."
For civil servants and generals, doing things or doing wrong things is not terrible. The key lies in the emperor's heart. Once the emperor's heart changes, it has nothing to do with wrong or right!
Yang Biao left the side courtyard and came to the front hall, waiting for Zhong Yao to come over.
Zhong Yao came in the snow, patted the snow on his body at the door, and then entered. After greeting the guests, the guests and the host took their seats.
Zhong Yao handed over a document and said solemnly: "Prime Minister, the case of Xing Cao has been closed. Is it to be written by the Chancellor, asking His Majesty to finalize the case, or is it to be decided by the Tingwei Mansion?"
Yang Biao turned it over and looked at it. The case was very simple. Empress Dowager He, Liu Xie, Fu Wan, Cai Yong and others were all thrown out. Wang Yun was also charged with 'forming a party for personal gain, corruption and lawlessness, assuming the holy will, and plotting evil intentions'. 'wait.
'Sima Jun is a good man. '
Yang Biao murmured in his heart, then looked solemn and thought about himself, saying: "Your Majesty cannot get involved in this matter. I will request an order and have it judged by the Tingwei Mansion, with the judges of Xingcao and Yushitai as judges."
Zhong Yao raised his hand and said: "I will accept your order."
Yang Biao looked at Zhong Yao, a smile suddenly appeared on his majestic face, and said: "Okay, now that the business is done, Yuan Chang doesn't have to be too restrained. Let's drink tea."
Zhong Yao was a little caught off guard, Yang Biao suddenly shouted the word "bi".
Knowing that Yang Biao had something in mind, Zhong Yao kept his expression calm and said: "Prime Minister, the Tingwei Mansion has many affairs. Wang Yun's case must be decided as soon as possible, and he will be dismissed..."
Yang Biao suddenly waved his hand and said: "It's already getting late, so don't rush now. That's it. Yuan Chang is Liu Gong's disciple. Liu Gong fought against Xianbei and Wuhuan outside Youzhou and suppressed the rebellion inside. He made great contributions. I plan to What do you think of recommending him as Zuopushe?"
Zhong Yao's usually serious face couldn't help but move, and he was even more surprised.
He hasn't even thought that far, but Yang Biao has already started making plans?
Zhong Yao hurriedly said: "Prime Minister, let's shoot left and right. This matter is of great importance, and Wang Yun's case has not yet been decided. Is it too hasty?"
Yang Biao smiled slightly and said: "I just have this idea. I want to ask Mr. Liu if he intends to return to the capital through Yuan Chang. In addition, I will find out your Majesty's intentions before making the recommendation. Don't worry about Yuan Chang."
With this short time, Zhong Yao quickly calculated and found that Liu Yu's entry into Beijing was indeed a good option.
"This matter must be reported to Your Majesty first, and then we can ask Liu Gong's will." Zhong Yao said.
He couldn't agree to Yang Biao.
Wang Yun's plan to establish a crown prince has not yet been finalized, and they are anxious to decide on Zuopushe. What will the palace think?
"It's natural,"
Yang Biao said with a smile: "I know the appropriateness, so don't worry Yuan Chang. Among the six positions, there is still a vacancy for the military position. Is Yuan Chang interested?"
Regarding himself, Zhong Yao was very calm and said: "Returning to the Prime Minister, there are many complicated things in Tingwei's house. I am just getting started. I have nothing else to focus on for the time being."
"Okay, okay." Yang Biao smiled and picked up the tea cup, without any embarrassment of being rejected.
Anyway, once the favor is sold, it can be considered as a guarantee of escape in the future.
Yang Biao treated Zhong Yao off with another polite greeting.
Watching Zhong Yao go around the garden, Wang Lang came to Yang Biao's side and said, "Judging from Zhong Yao's reaction, His Majesty probably has not discussed it with the Yingchuan Party."
Yang Biao put his hands behind his back and held out his big belly, saying: "So, it may not be Liu Yu? Is it Zhu Jun?"
Wang Lang thought for a while and said: "It should be one of them from the court."
"Isn't it Liu Hong?" Yang Biao said.
Wang Lang shook his head and said: "No. Although Mr. Liu was not involved in the case at the beginning, he and Mr. Ding were too close. It is impossible for him to return to the court in this life."
Yang Biao looked at the heavy snow and said to himself: "Auspicious snow heralds a good year. Why do I feel colder and colder?"
(End of chapter)
