In July of the eighth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, the Han Emperor issued an edict to appoint Guo Wei, Duke of Xing, as a bachelor of Guangzheng Hall and Tongping Zhangshi, with the title of Zhongshuling, as a director of the Zhengshi Hall, and as a formal minister. At the same time, thanks to the planning of the Southern Expedition, Guo Rongjue, the Privy Council of Jin Dynasty, was appointed as the Duke of Chan, and he was granted an additional 100 households in the city.
After the imperial edict was issued, the whole court looked at him sideways. There were two princes from the same family, father and son worshiped the prime minister together, and there was also the newly-entered concubine Ning in the palace. The Guo family's momentum was unprecedented. However, the Guo family father and son couldn't eat to their liking and couldn't sleep. They clearly felt that there was a fire burning on their buttocks. It was a raging fire. It was the Emperor of Han who set the fire.
Slowly walking in the corridors of the palace, Guo Wei's expression was serious, his eyes almost unmoved, and he seemed completely unaware of the things he was passing by. In the past few days of paying homage to the prime minister, apart from going to the palace to express his gratitude, Guo Wei had always excused himself to stay at home and thanked guests behind closed doors. For this reason, Liu Chengyou was very concerned and sent people several times to urge him to enter the Political Affairs Hall to manage politics. He couldn't bear the "kind invitation" and finally entered the palace.
"Your Majesty, please greet Mr. Xing!" As soon as Guo Wei entered the political hall, a group of ministers, officials, and ministers, headed by Prime Minister Li Tao, all saluted him.
This kind of formation where the prime ministers bowed their heads and the central government greeted them respectfully made Guo Wei slightly frightened. Looking at the faces full of humility and compliments, Guo Wei hurriedly returned the greeting, cupped his hands and said, "You are so polite, Guo really doesn't dare to accept this greeting!"
"Among all the dynasties, only Mr. Taught!"
After hearing what he said, Guo Wei immediately shook his head: "Mr. Li is too polite. Mr. Guo is just a warrior. He has no knowledge of how to govern the country. Your Majesty trusts him, so he has to do it reluctantly. We still need to rely on Mr. Li to handle major national affairs." , Prime Minister Fan, Prime Minister Xue, and Prime Minister Wei are such great talents!"
"Mr.
"I don't dare to take it seriously. It's all the policies of His Majesty and the imperial court. I just followed the instructions and it's not fair!" Guo Wei waved his hand.
Seeing a group of people standing there, Guo Wei cupped his hands and said loudly: "You are all important ministers of the country and are in important positions. You should return to your respective positions. Don't neglect your official duties because of me, an old man!"
As soon as he spoke, a group of staff working in the political hall dispersed. Seeing this, Li Tao said: "Mr. Xing is so public-minded, it's really admirable!"
Glancing at Li Tao, Guo Wei's eyes gradually deepened. From the moment he entered the palace, this man tried his best to compliment him. This was inconsistent with his past behavior and reputation, and Guo Wei felt the jealousy hidden behind his smile. with malice.
The emperor's reward for Guo and his son shocked everyone in the court, including Li Tao. At this time, the emperor issued the edict directly without consulting Li Tao and others. This actually made Li Tao and others very dissatisfied. They were dissatisfied not only with the emperor's arbitrariness, but also with Guo Wei's entry into the political hall.
Today, the Han Dynasty's prime ministers, Li Tao, Fan Zhi, Wei Renpu, Xue Juzheng, and Guo Rong, have been operating smoothly for many years and have already entered a state of balance. When Guo Wei paid homage to the prime minister, this balance was immediately broken. Especially when father and son lived together, one army and one government, it was harmful to the central leadership group.
For Li Tao personally, it was not a good thing. Originally, he was the oldest and had the highest status in the Political Affairs Hall, but when Guo Wei came, he had to bow his head.
Of course, it is not easy to be the prime minister of the Han Dynasty, serve two generations of emperors, and stay in the position for so many years. After temporarily suppressing the desire for power, throwing away jealousy, and calming down to think, I slowly came to realize that there was something fishy in the middle.
The emperor's kindness to the Guo family was too generous, and his virtue was a bit abnormal. If Concubine Naning was operating normally, then it would be too much for both father and son to be in the same position and have the same title as Duke.
Recalling that in the fifth year of Qianyou's reign, Guo Rong was only promoted to deputy privy envoy, Liu Chengyou asked Guo Wei to be sent to Xiangzhou for the festival, but the situation is now. The Guo family's strength in the military and political circles was both envied and feared by their ministers. What's more, how could the emperor continue to expand his power and influence like this?
After thinking about this, Li Tao came to his senses. There must be changes, either Guo Wei or Guo Rong. And he guessed, or hoped, that it would be Guo Wei.
Li Tao believed that other people could also see something, so this time, the prime ministers did not go to the emperor to argue with each other, objected to the matter, and fully explained the hidden dangers and risks involved. Even though Fan Zhi was dissatisfied, But it doesn't express an opinion. Fan Zhisu is known for being upright and outspoken, but this also depends on the situation.
After careful consideration, Li Tao chose to warmly welcome Guo Wei as prime minister. At the same time, he had a calm and expectant mood, sitting back and watching the emperor turn his hands to make clouds and rain.
Although Guo Wei worshiped the prime minister and was driven into the political affairs hall, Liu Chengyou did not entrust him with specific duties and responsibilities. Therefore, although he was involved in it, he had no affairs to deal with.
Of course, there is no specific thing in charge of affairs. From another interpretation, it means that he can take charge of everything, but with Guo Wei's intelligence, how can he take the initiative to intervene. Li Tao came to ask Guo Wei for his opinion on some matters, but he refused and asked Li Tao to take care of himself.
Sitting behind a desk, Guo Wei noticed the busy scene around him and felt out of place. Of course, given the city's palace, he could still sit here safely. While drinking tea, he read "The Spring and Autumn Period". He has been reading this book for decades and has never tired of it. Moreover, I took it with me before leaving the house, and it seems that I was already prepared to read in the political hall.
In the afternoon, when I woke up from my nap and walked out of the lounge, the political hall was still immersed in a solemn atmosphere. A chamberlain from Chongzheng Palace came in and went straight to Guo Wei to salute.
"What's the matter?" Guo Wei looked at the little eunuch.
With a humble smile on his lips, the waiter presented the food box in his hand and said respectfully: "The official wanted to taste the Jiaojiao Cake, and specially gave Mr.
Upon hearing this, Guo Wei frowned immediately, but his behavior was natural and Xie En took it. Opening the lid of the box and looking at the plate of crispy and appetizing pancakes, I couldn't help but sigh. I took out a piece and tasted it. It tasted really good.
After looking around, he found that he had indeed attracted the attention of all the officials, and the bitterness on his lips became stronger.
"Your Majesty is so considerate of Mr. Xing, which is enviable!" Li Tao walked up to Guo Wei and said with emotion.
"Guo really misunderstood His Majesty's kindness!" Guo Wei also cupped his hands and looked at Li Tao: "Li Xiang, come and try it too? This cake is crispy and very delicious!"
Li Tao shook his head and said with a smile: "This is a reward from your majesty to Mr. Xing. I don't dare to be greedy!"
"It doesn't matter..." Guo Wei also smiled.
That night, before returning home, Guo Wei personally drafted a letter of speech and submitted it to the Chongzheng Hall. His words were simple and sincere, saying that his virtues were shallow and his abilities were low, and he was really unfit to be the prime minister. In order to avoid harming the country and the people, he asked the emperor to take it away. According to its aspect, another virtuous person is promoted.
In fact, when Liu Chengyou first issued the imperial edict, the Guo family and his son resigned together, saying that they did not dare to accept it. However, Liu Chengyou refused because the edict could not be changed.
On Liu Chengyou's side, he frowned slightly after receiving Guo Wei's speech, but the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. This is just the first day of entering the Political Hall, and you can’t stand it anymore?
"I'm still too worried!" After sighing, Liu Chengyou asked Zhang Dejun: "Where is Mr. Xing Guo?"
"I have left the palace and returned home!" Zhang Dejun replied.
"What matters were handled in the political hall today?" Liu Chengyou asked again.
Zhang Dejun reported: "Mr.
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows, but other than that, there were no other obvious fluctuations on his face.
After much deliberation, Liu Chengyou approved and disapproved Guo Wei's speech.
However, Liu Chengyou refused to return and Guo Wei asked for leave the next day. For Guo Wei, this feeling of being unable to retreat is the most uncomfortable.
