Zhao Yao and Zhao Pu accompanied Liu Chengyou to review government affairs. They stayed there for the whole afternoon. The golden crow hung from the west, releasing a dark yellow light, which sprinkled on the eaves and doors of Chongzheng Hall, and poured into the hall through the gaps in the window lattice. The early autumn evening is very pleasant.
However, even Liu Chengyou felt tired, and as Zhao Yao, who was not very healthy to begin with, saw that he could not hide his fatigue, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but said: "If you are not feeling well, you don't have to stay here with me. Go down and rest!"
Hearing this, Zhao Yao showed a humble smile on his face. Under the wisps of autumn light, he looked very gentle and gave people a sense of peace. With a slight bow, Zhao Yao said: "Your Majesty is still in front of the case, how dare I say that I am tired and taking a break, my body is fine!"
"Don't hold on!" After hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou immediately scolded him and said, "I have learned a lesson about Hu Zai, so don't learn from him! So many chapters are not a short time. You can finish reading it, go and rest, this is my oral order, do you want to disobey it?"
Seeing what Liu Chengyou said, Zhao Yao had no choice but to bow in a grateful tone: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I will retire!"
Zhao Pu looked at Zhao Yao's slowly retreating figure, and his eyes couldn't help but reveal a trace of envy. He was envious from the bottom of his heart, even jealous. He really wondered why the emperor valued and cared about Zhao Yao so much.
Noticing Zhao Pu's expression, it seemed that he could hear the doubts in his heart, but Liu Chengyou had no intention of answering his doubts. The reason why he cares so closely about Zhao Yao is because Zhao Yao has always had a good impression on him, for several years, and he is a pure minister in Liu Chengyou's eyes. Among the Manchu dynasties, those who could be called pure ministers were probably Zhao Huo and Wei Renpu.
"Has the appointment of Chu and Si states been discussed?"
The emperor's questioning brought Zhao Pu back to his senses. He noticed a memorandum in his hand, and immediately calmed down and explained: "After rejecting Wang Shijun's recommendation, Prime Minister Li immediately went to the Ministry of Personnel, strictly selected, and finally came out. Candidate! However, the appointment of the state capital still needs to be approved by His Majesty!"
Liu Chengyou thought for a while and asked quietly: "What are the backgrounds of these two people?"
Sensing Liu Chengyou's tone and trying to figure out what he meant, Zhao Pu said tentatively: "They are all officials who have served in local prefectures and counties. They have very solid resumes. They are all above average in the exams every year. Moreover, they are not Prime Minister Li His disciples and old officials!"
After giving Zhao Pu a thoughtful look and thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou asked: "Zhao Pu, Prime Minister Li said that Wang Pu had exceeded his authority. As a local official, I promoted private individuals and interfered in the selection of talents for the court. What do you think?"
After hearing the question, Zhao Pu perked up a little, thought about it for a moment, and said carefully: "I still remember that in the fifth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, His Majesty issued an edict that those who were in charge of the Wenban Taoist officials in the Chao Dynasty could be promoted to Linglu, even if they were in-laws. There is no reason to suspect a close relative. On the day when an official is appointed, the name of the chief will be announced in each department. If the current official is corrupt, derelict in his duties, cowardly and indifferent, the situation will be considered and the chief will be named!"
"I have forgotten the edict from a few years ago, but you actually still remember it." Liu Chengyou chuckled and said, "But is it possible for Wang Pu, the chief envoy, to intervene in the appointment of state capital and local officials?"
Noticing Liu Chengyou's attitude, Zhao Pu was slightly shocked. His Majesty was also dissatisfied with Wang Pu? His mind was racing and his eyes were lowered. Zhao Pu decided to stick to one attitude and responded: "The king has a strong temperament and a reputation for loyalty and integrity, which is well-known both at home and abroad. He may be eager to recommend talents, but his writing may be inappropriate. But I want to come. There was no other intention.”
"Wang Pu and I have been friends for ten years. I naturally know what kind of person he is and trust him. Otherwise, I would not have handed Huaidong to him. However, you have never met Wang Pu, but you treat him very well." Such praise!" Liu Chengyou said.
Hearing this, Zhao Pu subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled: "Although I have not met him, but I heard his name, Wang Shijun is a good minister and official known to the whole court. He has the courage to do his job. He is really a role model for all ministers. I am naturally a good minister." admire!"
Smiling, Liu Chengyou wrote and approved the appointments of Chu and Si, saying: "The appointment of the two states has been empty for a long time. I'm afraid it will also delay a lot of things, so I will appoint the people as proposed by the Ministry of Personnel. , send the document back and prepare an appointment!"
"yes!"
Chuzhou and Sizhou are important states on the Huaihe River. The transfer of duties should have been efficient and appropriate, but it was delayed for so long because of the feud between Li Tao and Wang Pu. Liu Chengyou was naturally dissatisfied with this matter.
"What happened to those officials dealt with by the Ministry of Personnel?" Liu Chengyou took out another memorial and asked slightly confused.
Zhao Pu obviously knew what he was doing and said directly: "Your Majesty, after the pacification of Jinghu last year, the imperial court sent envoys south to assess and appoint the old officials who were retained in Jinghu. Among the officials who went south, there were those who behaved unscrupulously and were incompatible with the old officials in Jinghu. Interested exchanges between officials..."
"Ha! In times of chaos, people who fish in troubled waters are indispensable! This is no small matter!" Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a smile: "Why did it take so long for it to be exposed?"
Mentioning this, Zhao Pu elaborated on the matter: "This is an official from the southern faction. I accidentally said it. I heard it before and felt that it was doing great harm, so I asked about it. However, later, Prime Minister Li also heard about it and immediately sent people to investigate. ....."
"Only so many people were involved?" Liu Chengyou said coldly: "The officials involved in Jinghu were not dealt with?"
Zhao Pu responded: "What Prime Minister Li means is that after a year of recovery, the situation in Jingnan has stabilized. Especially since Hunan is exhausted, it is not suitable to make a big move. We should take it slow and slowly eliminate it while ensuring the stability of Hunan." . In addition, Jinghu is a newly occupied territory. If there is a big fight over this matter, it will definitely affect the prestige of the court, and it will also easily cause political turmoil in Jinghu and make the surrender uneasy..."
"Bullshit!" Liu Chengyou said a rare expletive, which shocked Zhao Pu.
Probably feeling that he had lost his composure, Liu Chengyou quickly calmed down and scolded: "Since you know you have made a mistake, but you don't know how to correct it, you just clean it up. Hmm, if you cover it up, can you guarantee the prestige of the court?"
"Your Majesty, calm down!" Zhao Pu said.
"Calm down? It's not worth it to be angry at these traitors who violate the law and neglect their duties!" Liu Chengyou said calmly. He stared at the names on the disposal document again, frowned and said, "Li Guan, Hou Can, these two He seems to be a Jinshi who was admitted in the early years of Qianyou!"
Seeing that Liu Chengyou noticed this, Zhao Pu said in a calm voice, hesitantly: "Your Majesty, I have something to say, I don't know whether I should say it or not?"
Hearing this familiar tone and seeing his hesitation, Liu Chengyou immediately waved his hand: "Now that you've opened your mouth, what's there to worry about? If you have anything to say, just say it!"
"Yes!" After a brief hesitation, Zhao Pu said softly: "Li and Hou are disciples of Duke Zhao of the Xuanwei Division (Zhao turned over). When they were recorded, there were some criticisms. Last year, we sent people south. Jinghu was also recommended by Duke Zhao, so he has his job. Now the case of the two has happened..."
Before Zhao Pu could finish his words, a sharp gaze was cast on him, causing him to shut up subconsciously. After Zhao Pu mentioned Zhao Shanjiao, Liu Chengyou suddenly thought of a lot. If what he said was true, then the matter must involve Zhao Shanjiao, and Zhao Yuanjiao was the father of Zhao Yao. In this way, Liu Chengyou had to consider Zhao Pu's involvement. This statement is very thoughtful.
After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou ordered: "Inform Prime Minister Fan and leave this matter to him for thorough investigation. All persons involved in the case, whether internal or external, will be punished according to the facts and will not be tolerated!"
"Yes!" Zhao Pu was inexplicably relieved after noticing Liu Chengyou's attitude.
Leave this matter to Fan Zhi. With his usual style, there is no need to worry about him appeasing the traitor.
"It's getting late, please step back!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand after paying attention to the sky.
"Your Majesty, please leave!" Seeing that the emperor was in a bad mood, Zhao Pu wisely left with a few letters approving urgent matters.
The autumn night was slightly cold, the candlelight in the hall was swaying slightly, and it was a little dim. He was wearing a robe, leaning on the imperial case, Liu Chengyou was still reading the memorial, half of it had been wiped out by him.
"Your Majesty, Li Chongju, the military envoy, has been summoned to see you!" Zhang Dejun reported.
"Xuan!" Without even raising his eyelids, Liu Chengyou's voice seemed a bit ethereal and cold.
