After returning from the Tang Dynasty, Wang Pu used his merits as an envoy and his previous admonitions for river construction. Wang Pu was worshiped as a bachelor of Chongzheng Palace and was given the title of Shizhong.
Although it is actually not much different from what he was with Liu Chengyou before, he finally has a formal official position. He is freed from the status of "Guanzheng Jinshi" and has passed the examination. And in the back hall of Chongzheng, there is a small area for office work.
As for Tao Gu, he was a bachelor of Chongzhengdian Palace and was still a member of Zhongshushe. He knew how to make imperial edicts, and was also rewarded with money and silk. He was still a close official of the emperor. Although Tao Gu had some misconduct during his mission to the Southern Tang Dynasty, Liu Chengyou didn't care too much.
At least he completed his mission very well. No matter how many problems Tao Gu had with his personal conduct, Liu Chengyou had always felt that this person was very easy to use. He did not expect him to be loyal to him, as long as he was useful and could create value. That's enough.
In fact, Liu Chengyou was really considering whether to promote Tao Gu as prime minister, but he was hesitant, not for anything else but who to replace him with.
Since Liu Chengyou succeeded to the throne, due to Liu Chengyou's inadvertent adjustments, the Han Dynasty has formed a situation of seven ministers co-existing, in charge of the affairs of the six departments, temples and supervisors. Although the power varies, the status varies, and the relationship varies, but between the two After years of running in, it has become a default political pattern and gradually become customized.
In terms of dividing military power and controlling the army, Liu Chengyou was as careful as peeling off the cocoon. In just two years, he suppressed rebellions to establish his authority as a king and showed kindness to win people's hearts, but he made some achievements. As for the division of power, he didn't put much thought into it. At first, he only wanted to reduce Yang Bin's power, but in the end, he focused on the checks and balances of power and got on the right track.
The seven prime ministers of the current political affairs hall, Yang Bin, Wang Zhang, Su Yugui, Feng Dao, Li Tao, Zhao Ying, and Fan Zhi, were formed after Liu Chengyou continued to adjust according to the times and circumstances.
At first, the ministers of the Yuan Dynasty held great power and were responsible for the affairs of the country. Liu Chengyou was deeply worried about the affairs of the state. First, the power of Yang Bin was divided, and then Su Fengji, who acted recklessly, was taken down, and Zhao Ying, the former prime minister, was replaced, and Feng Dao and others were used to check and balance Yang, Wang, and Su.
Later, it was discovered that Dou Zhengu, Li Tao, and Zhao Ying showed signs of joining the party. When they dealt with the emperor's uncle Liu Xin in Xuzhou this year, they left him in Xuzhou to handle the follow-up affairs. After the incident, they took advantage of the situation and learned about Xuzhou. With Fan Zhi as his confidant, he paid homage to the prime minister.
As a result, the political power of the political hall has become more blurred from the originally clear "two parties". Among the old ministers, although the old fox has high prestige and has a soothing effect, he always thinks of himself in everything. Although he is easy to use, it is always not enough for the enterprising Liu Chengyou. However, in the court, this kind of person is indispensable. "Lubricant".
Li Tao has quite a lot of political experience, and he also has some ability to do things, and he also has some knowledge, but his structure is not high, his ambition is not big, and he is a little selfish, so he can barely use it.
Zhao Ying, the prime minister of the previous dynasty, was a man of great talent and virtue, mature and prudent, and kept her appearance low. She was just an official, and she usually seemed more reserved. He did not gain Liu Chengyou's trust and was more like a mascot displayed to the former courtiers. After all, the inheritance received from the Later Jin Dynasty is quite rich, with a lot of talents, and it needs to be managed carefully.
Among the ministers of Long Kaiguo, Su Yugui, although he was a scholar, his talents were limited and his moral integrity was not enough. He was able to get into the position just because he was with the right person and was lucky. But the smart thing about this person is that he knows the current affairs, and he seems to have a sense of seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages. Nowadays, his role in the Han Dynasty is, well, actually not that big. Basically, he just leads the scribes raised by Liu Chengyou in the two academies, three halls and other halls of the Hanlin Academy to compile history and knowledge.
Needless to say more about Yang Bin and Wang Zhang.
Yang Fan was always wary of Liu Chengyou, and so was Liu Chengyou. He was always malicious, but he restrained it. Yang Fan was still very effective in managing politics, suppressing the court, fighting crime, and identifying corrupt officials. But no matter how great the role is, failing to serve the monarch wholeheartedly is always a recipe for disaster. Although Liu Chengyou has enough patience, how long can he endure it?
Wang Zhang has mentioned many times before that this person's ability is not top-notch, he is only a talent from the state and county, but he is decisive, tough in style, resolute and public-spirited. In the critical period when the world is in chaos, such a person can control the big man. finance and doing pretty well.
Although some methods are too harsh, the results are very effective after hard work.
With the Han Dynasty's tight financial situation, it is not easy to keep it running. It was precisely because of seeing this and comparing his feelings with others that Liu Chengyou slowly let go of his suspicion.
At least in the early days, Liu Chengyou was extremely vigilant because he had a close friendship with Yang Ping from the same hometown and had a close relationship with him. However, later on, due to changes in the court situation and Liu Chengyou's actions, the relationship between Wang Zhang and Yang Bin gradually became estranged, and they gradually drifted apart over their political opinions. Therefore, although Yang Bin is still the chief assistant at the moment, in Liu Chengyou's heart, Wang Zhang's role is the most important.
The last one is Fan Zhi. Needless to say, he is talented and knowledgeable. He is old enough, has enough experience, and has meritorious service. The most important thing is that he is regarded as the real "imperialist" in the political hall and serves as the emperor Liu Cheng. Yu discovered it with his own hands.
Liu Chengyou was clearly not satisfied with the leaders in the political hall. Not to mention other things, at least there must be an imperial party, so that the Zaitang can be considered "normal".
Therefore, Liu Chengyou thought of Tao Gu. Personal conduct is really not a flaw in politics. Although it can be used as an excuse for criticism by political opponents, it must be effective. Regarding the situation in the political hall, Liu Chengyou has been thinking about it from time to time recently. Seven names were written on the paper, and they were deleted and subtracted. No matter how they were reduced, there were only three names left, Su Yugui, Zhao Ying, and Yang Bin!
...
Having some free time in his busy schedule, Liu Chengyou paid attention to the situation in the south. A report from Ma Xiguang, King of Chu in Hunan, stated that on the 18th of last month, his brother Ma Xi'e's Langzhou rebels had been defeated.
After finishing reading with confidence, Liu Chengyou expressed emotion in a sober tone of an outsider: "These two horses are fighting for the slot, it is really endless!"
Wang Pu waited below, listened to his emotion, and corrected him softly: "Your Majesty, there should be three horses competing for the slot now. If you include Ma Xisheng and Ma Xifan, it will be five horses!"
"Oh? Qi Wu also knows something about the situation in Hunan?" Liu Chengyou became interested and looked at Wang Pu.
"The envoy of King Chu Ma Xiguang, I talked with him and combined the anecdotes, so I gained something!" Wang Pu replied.
Liu Chengyou said "hmm", his posture became more stable, and he glanced at him.
The hidden meaning in Liu Chengyou's eyes was obvious, which was to signal Wang Pu to elaborate on his views.
Wang Pu did not show any pretense. He gave a slight salute and calmly recounted: "The king of Chu, Ma Yin, had more than thirty sons in total. In his later years, the second son Ma Xisheng came to power, and the eldest son was cowardly. After his death, his brothers would fight in the same house, and all his sons would kill each other. , fighting for the throne, so he left a legacy, Ma Chu’s power was passed down, brothers succeeded each other, and the brothers ended up..."
