Liu Chengyou finally treated Wang Jun and Han Tong differently. If Han Tong is demoted to Xiangyang, there is still a chance for him to rise again. In the future, Jinghu will be pacified and Xiangzhou soldiers will be needed. But when Wang Jun was demoted to Shangzhou, it was not the case, and his official career basically ended here.
If in the future, Wang Jun can reflect on his mistakes, restrain his anger, and cultivate his moral character, he can still live in peace and contentment for the rest of his life. If he does not want to repent, and even worsens his mistakes, he may not end well.
In the eyes of people who are ignorant and only care about superficiality, the dignified commander-in-chief of the Guards Department only thought that he had offended the emperor and violated the imperial system, so he was reprimanded and demoted several levels in a row. This was somewhat effective in maintaining the emperor's dignity.
Of course, the reason for Wang Jun's demotion was not just the Mid-Autumn Festival Night Banquet. The conflict in the Chongzheng Palace was just the introduction after all. Liu Chengyou had been dissatisfied with Wang Jun for a long time, which can be traced back to the great victory at Jifeng Mountain in the first year of Qianyou. Wang Jun was appointed as the military governor of Fengxiang. He became arrogant and arrogant while in office.
With the intention of utilizing his talents, he was transferred to the center and entrusted with important tasks, but his temper did not change. The conflicts and disputes with the courtiers may have been expected and expected by Liu Chengyou. Exceeding the control will make Liu Chengyou even more miserable.
He captured Huainan and made him the commander-in-chief. He only loosened the reins a little, and he was like a wild horse, arrogant and arrogant. After a slight suppression, he restrained himself. After returning to the court, Liu Chengyou did not forget his mistakes and still used his merits to promote Wang Jun to the position of commander-in-chief, which was the highest military position in the Han Dynasty's Forbidden Army.
But even so, Wang Jun was still not satisfied. He felt that the rewards were not worthy of his merits and complained repeatedly. He promoted himself from the Forbidden Army to his relatives. Although many military positions were rejected by the Ministry of War, he also served in the Yazhong, suppressing and ostracizing other generals.
That's all. This year, Wang Jun actually found Zhigongju He Ning and recommended a group of "virtuous talents" to him. He Ning did not dare to offend Wang Jun face to face. After agreeing, he immediately reported it to the emperor. It is conceivable what the result was. Wang Jun did not take anything he proposed.
There is also a reason why Wang Jun made such nonsense in Chongyuan Hall and despised civil servants. Moreover, what made Liu Chengyou most angry was his sentence "The emperor valued civil servants and despised generals", which was against his will and touched Liu Chengyou's sensitive areas.
To put it more seriously, this is not just a false argument to deceive the emperor, it can be described as "disrupting the morale of the army and having evil intentions". Once the anger and dissatisfaction accumulated over the years broke out, Liu Chengyou showed restraint by not directly ordering Wang Jun's death.
Of course, there may not be a motive to protect Han Tong, because judging from the situation in the palace, Han Tong's plot was even worse in nature.
After Liu Chengyou made the decision to denounce him, the Xuanwei Department, with a clear understanding of the holy will, criticized and publicized Wang Jun's domineering and sinful behavior. Zhao Shanjiao and Tao Gu each wrote an article and sent it to the military, government, and civilians. It emphasizes the depth of Wang Jun's sins and the magnanimity of the emperor.
"Official, Wang Jun has already left for Shangzhou to take up his post!" It was Zhang Dejun who reported to Liu Chengyou.
"Did he say anything?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"Before Wang Jun boarded the carriage, he said to those who saw him off, 'The birds are not gone, but the good bow is hidden; the cunning rabbit is not dead, but the lackeys are cooked.'" Zhang Dejun glanced at the emperor carefully and replied.
"It seems like what he said!" The hand that turned over the book paused for a moment, and Liu Chengyou smiled faintly.
Zhang Dejun said with some dissatisfaction: "This Wang Jun has always been proud of himself, but this time he was punished and demoted. He did not think about his own mistakes in order to change them, but his resentment increased..."
"Who sent Wang Jun off?" Liu Chengyou interrupted Zhang Dejun and asked.
Zhang Dejun also realized that he had said too much, so he quickly stopped and replied: "The head of the Ministry of War, Shen Shihou, and several of Wang Jun's old staff!"
"I understand, please step back!" Liu Chengyou said.
"yes!"
From beginning to end, Liu Chengyou reviewed the memorial without even raising his head.
The autumn wind is bleak and the waves are rising. There are dense yellow willows on both sides of the Bianhe River. In a tent house by the river, Han Tong is sitting on a wooden post, drinking bitter wine. Not many people came to see him off, and they were all sent away by Han Tong.
Wang Jun was dissatisfied with being demoted, while Han Tong felt aggrieved, but he couldn't get the answer. After all, he made a mistake. He only regretted that he was not clear-headed and failed to distinguish the situation.
"You're not on duty at the Ministry of War, why are you here? I told you that you don't need to send me off!" Han Tong looked at his son Han Hui, who was coming on horseback.
Han Hui is the only son of Han Tong and has always been loved by his father. He is a young man in his twenties. Although he looks ordinary, he has a good temperament. When he entered the dormitory, he bowed and said: "My father is traveling far away. How can a son not give me a gift?"
"Besides, I am here on your Majesty's order to see my father off!" Han Hui said, weighing the small jar of wine in his hand: "This is the royal wine given by His Majesty!"
Hearing this, Han Tong's eyes flashed with excitement, and he bowed towards the imperial city: "It seems that Your Majesty is still thinking of me!"
"Quickly, open the package and serve it to your father!" Han Tong poured out the wine in his glass and said to his son.
Han Hui seemed extremely calm and orderly. He poured Han Tong's wine, filled it up for himself, and raised his glass: "Father is going to Xiangzhou, so don't take it seriously. My son is in Tokyo. He prayed day and night and is in good health!"
After drinking a glass and filling it up, Han Tong looked at his beloved son. He was more and more satisfied with his calm and generous attitude, and said: "You work well in the Ministry of War. Wei Renpu is the prime minister. His talents are praised by the whole court, and he is deeply loved by His Majesty." Trust me, it’s a rare opportunity to work and gain experience by his side!”
"As for me, you don't have to worry. If you make a mistake, you will be demoted. Xiangzhou is a good place, and Xing Guogong is also a good boss. My life will be much easier than that of Wang Jun!" Han Tong laughed.
The emperor's wine seemed to have the effect of dispelling his depression, and Han Tong looked cheerful at this time.
"Your Majesty, if you have something to say, please bring it to me?" Han Tong asked expectantly as he drank another glass of wine.
Han Hui shook his head and responded: "Only the chamberlain and provincial palace chamberlain will bring His Majesty's oral instructions and a jar of royal wine. Other than that, there is nothing else to say!"
Hearing the answer, Han Tong couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
When Han Hui saw this, he chuckled and said, "However, although His Majesty did not speak directly, what he said was already lost in the wine!"
With a frown, Han Tong immediately said: "Speak directly if you have something to say, don't imitate those rotten Confucians, hiding it and pretending to be profound!"
Facing his father's lesson, Han Hui felt helpless and said: "My father is your Majesty's former general, a minister of the dragon, and I also know my father's temperament. Although he made a big mistake this time, your Majesty still means to protect me. From my point of view, His Majesty demoted you to Xiangzhou this time. One of the reasons is to punish your sins and punish your mistakes, to uphold the ceremonial system, to police, civil and military affairs, and to avoid latecomers. The other is to allow your father to reflect in Xiangzhou. Thirdly, in the future, the imperial court must take Jinghu, and my father is in Xiangzhou. The imperial court will not use this principle. As long as he fights hard and performs meritorious service, he will be able to return to the capital."
Hearing what Aizi said, Han Tong's eyes became brighter and brighter, and his sadness completely disappeared. After thinking about it for a while, he suddenly felt that it made sense. Glancing at Han Hui, Han Tong couldn't help but said: "My son is so smart and agile, why didn't he get the top prize in the exam?"
"How can it be so easy to be number one?" Han Hui looked very surprised and said: "Look at Hanoi Lu Lang, who was praised by all the scholars from the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy, but the winner is still Dong Lang. He is not good at poetry, but only Dong Lang. Some clever people may be able to win Jinshi because of their father's grace!"
"It doesn't matter! As long as you can do things!" Han Tong seemed to be more open-minded and said: "You and your Majesty, what your Majesty likes is also a man of practical ability. He only knows how to recite poems and compose poems, but does not know how to govern, control the people, or lead the army. If you want to come, What’s the use!”
"Father is right!" Han Hui agreed lightly.
"Come, drink this jar of wine with me, and I'll be on my way!"
"Father, please!" Han Hui continued to pour wine for Han Tong.
Before long, Han Tong got on the car with a drunken look on his face, looked back at Kaifeng City, warned Han Hui again, turned around and got into the car.
Han Tong went to Xiangzhou with three carriages, carrying his concubine and Xiruan, five men and several servants, and went southward.
On the left side of the road, Han Hui bowed and bowed. When he was far away, he straightened up, mounted his horse and returned to the city, always calmly.
Han Tong's son was known as "Tutu'er" because of his wisdom and strategy.
