"Since inheriting the great cause, I feel like I have shouldered a huge burden. I have thought about the collapse of the world, the country is poor and the people are weak, and I have been worried day and night, focusing on enriching the country and strengthening the army. I have been in charge of the country for five years, and I am not self-effacing to say that I have barely benefited and achieved some achievements. !" Liu Chengyou sighed with emotion in his voice as he walked between the palace rooms with his hands behind his back.
Stopping and standing in the wind, leaving Li Shaoyou with a lonely back, Liu Chengyou said: "However, unconsciously, I discovered that the more capable ministers and loyal and brave generals in the court, but the number of people around me who can confide in others is getting smaller and larger. not enough!"
"Your Majesty reigns over the world, like the rising sun, shining brightly. As a minister, you can only bow down to Danqi and dare not look up..." From behind, listening to the emperor's eyes revealing his heart, he responded respectfully.
"Look!" Liu Chengyou laughed out loud, turned around and looked at Li Shaoyou: "You are getting better and better at talking! Everyone likes to hear good things, and I am no exception. I am really afraid that one day, I will Get lost in the reputation of your humble servants."
Li Shaoyou smiled softly: "I speak from the bottom of my heart, tell the truth!"
"Okay!" Liu Chengyou glanced sideways at Li Shaoyou and asked: "The Wude Department has a great responsibility. If you resign, who can succeed you?"
He was overjoyed when he heard this. The emperor said this, obviously agreeing to his request. Li Shaoyou asked: "A person who can hold this position must be alert, capable, and loyal. Do you have anyone in your mind?"
"I'm asking for your thoughts!" Liu Chengyou turned around and stared at Li Shaoyou.
Facing the emperor's gaze and feeling his serious tone, Li Shaoyou didn't dare to do Tai Chi anymore. He thought about it seriously and said, "How about Wang Jingchong, the deputy envoy?"
Liu Chengyou said: "Aren't you and him always at odds and having frequent disputes?"
"How can personal grudges be greater than justice!" Li Shaoyou said calmly: "Wang Jing is good at managing affairs and has outstanding courage. He always works for His Majesty wholeheartedly. Although I don't like his style of doing things, I can't deny his merits.
In terms of qualifications and abilities, he can occupy his position, and he is familiar with the department. If he succeeds, he can ensure that the Wude Department can run up and down without being affected! "
"That's what you said!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand and said, "Then let Wang Jingchong Dian Wu Desi!"
"However, I will not let you go so easily!" After saying that, Liu Chengyou raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said: "I will elevate you to the title of Duke of Shou, increase the residence by 300 households, and add servants, Prince Young Master. In addition, I will give you a month's leave, and then go to Hengzhou to become the real governor!"
In today's Han Dynasty, there are still a lot of famous nobles, but the number of princes is not too many.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Shaoyou immediately bowed down and thanked him: "But, isn't the Chengde Jiedushi envoy Zhang Shijun sitting in Hengzhou?"
"Zhang Yanwei has already signed up, resigned from his post, and returned to Tokyo to recuperate!" Liu Chengyou said calmly.
Zhang Yanwei, the envoy of Chengde Jiedu, was of average or low talent, with no ability to manage affairs and little ability to lead an army. He was such a mediocre person, but Liu Chengyou handed over the important town of Chengde to him and stayed there for more than five years. Why, he was just obedient.
In Fangzhen, there was no bad behavior, harsh rule, or out of bounds behavior. Moreover, he knew how to delegate power and not take over everything. The commander of the border guard army obeyed the orders of the Privy Council, and all civil and criminal affairs were entrusted to Li Gu.
But even so, it is impossible to let it stay in the north. Of course, Zhang Yanwei did not come forward on his own initiative. He received a hint from the emperor, which was a test of whether his attitude towards the emperor and the court was still the same after many years. As a result, Liu Chengyou was not disappointed.
As for Li Gu, while he was in charge of the political affairs of Heng, Hebei, Shenzhen and Zhaozhou, he was also responsible for the logistics supply of the entire Jizhong border army, and he had great power.
The duke had the talent of a prime minister, but he did not transfer him to the central government, but he hoped to use his political talents in the local area. Liu Chengyou also intended to increase the burden on him and make him governor of Hebei. As soon as the Hedong incident is completed, the rectification of Hebei's military and political affairs will also begin.
"I have no experience in serving the government and keeping the people alive." Li Shaoyou asked another question.
"Why are you so lazy?" Liu Chengyou said immediately: "After taking office, you only need to conduct political affairs according to the rules, encourage farmers to teach, educate the people, and do no harm!"
The emperor said so, and Li Shaoyou could only respond honestly: "I obey the imperial edict!"
"It's been a hard journey, go back home and rest!"
"Yes, I resign!"
Li Shaoyou retreated slowly, his steps seemed a little cautious. Liu Chengyou stood still, looking at his back. He has always had the habit of examining his ministers from behind. Some people may not see any flaws from the front, but you may be able to detect some clues from the back.
Thinking of his sincere look at Li Shaoyou just now, Liu Chengyou smiled slightly. He is the emperor, holding the sun and moon in his hands, stepping on the universe with his feet, and he has the power of life and death in the world in his hands. Although he often spoke sincerely and openly, he never needed to be honest with others, especially foreign ministers.
Regarding Li Shaoyou's invitation, Liu Chengyou was both emotional and surprised. This was a very obvious strategy to retreat bravely and protect himself. However, the caliber shown by this cousin still made Liu Chengyou look at him with admiration. Such people are often difficult to distinguish between loyal and treacherous. The first person who gave Liu Chengyou this feeling was Guo Wei. However, whether he is loyal or traitorous has to be tested by time.
"I hope you and I, the emperor and our ministers, can start well and end well!" Liu Chengyou sighed with emotion.
"Guan family, if the wind is strong, you should go back to the palace!" Zhang Dejun suggested in a low voice while thinking.
When returning to the palace, Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Zhang Dejun: "Zhang Dejun, has Li Shaoyou given you any gifts?"
Upon hearing this question, Zhang Dejun couldn't help but trembled. He lowered his eyebrows and cupped his hands and said, "I don't dare to deceive Your Majesty. I only received a little gift money from my adoptive father on his birthday. However, it was just a favor and there was no other intention!"
"Speaking of which, you have been with me for a long time!" Liu Chengyou nodded: "There has been no reward so far. I heard that your father still lives in an old house in Nancheng. In this way, I will give you a house to use. Serve your father!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Dejun was a little excited and bowed to the ground, his voice choked with sobs.
"Why are you crying?" Liu Chengyou looked down at him.
Zhang Dejun really squeezed out a lot of tears and said: "Serving Your Majesty, I have accumulated good fortune and virtue in my previous life, so I am so lucky. Your Majesty is so caring, I am so grateful that I can't express it in words!"
"Get up!" Liu Chengyou brushed his sleeves and walked forward first.
Afterwards, Zhang Dejun stood up, wiped a few tears, and quickly followed.
On Li Shaoyou's side, he walked out of the palace slowly, sweating coldly on his back and feeling frightened. Judging from the situation that the emperor had just dealt with, he felt more and more that his resignation was right. The emperor's cousin was becoming increasingly difficult to serve. The emperor's heart was unpredictable. If this continued for a long time, he might not end well.
Back at his mansion, the night was getting late. Before he could rest, Li Shaoyou ordered to go down and gather all the concubines in his Duke's mansion together. There are more than thirty people in the group, and those who can catch his fancy always have something to offer in terms of their beauty, figure, and talent.
Seeing these beauties, all gorgeously dressed in gold and silver, they all looked at him with a little bit of heat in their eyes. To be honest, the competitive pressure in the back house of the county government is much greater than that in the Han palace.
Staring at these beautiful concubines, Li Shaoyou sighed and said, "Those who have children should go back to their rooms first!"
Hearing this, the nine people immediately withdrew. Li Shaoyou stood up, looked at the remaining twenty people, and picked four more women he usually liked.
His behavior was already very unusual, and many of the remaining women showed nervousness on their faces.
Finally, Li Shaoyou said: "Although I don't want to leave, let's get together and part ways. I am only one person, and after all, I am not able to take care of you. If I keep you by my side, I will not be able to take care of you. It will waste your golden years."
From now on, you are all free. Everyone, withdraw a hundred taels of silver from the accountant, leave the house and go home, find a good man to marry, and live a good life from now on, and this relationship with me will not be in vain. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties, you can also come to the government, and I will not hesitate to help wherever I can! "
After Li Shaoyou said this, the twenty or so women present looked at each other in astonishment. Who would have thought that Li Shaoyou would have such thoughts.
Immediately, a concubine cried and cried: "Does the husband not want us?"
A cry seemed to be contagious, and soon half of the women had tears in their eyes. The look of them being about to cry was arousing sympathy. Of course, there are also people with happy faces, and among high-ranking families, there are always prisoners who long for freedom.
"It's not me who doesn't want you. It's just that our fate has ended. Don't force it!" Li Shaoyou hardened his heart and waved his hand: "That's it!"
