"However, I finally have some clues and hope!" With a deep sigh, Emperor Liu cast his eyes on Li Chongju again. Although it was just a vague feeling, the haze on Emperor Liu's body seemed to have dissipated a lot, and his eyes became calmer. .
At this time, Li Chongju felt relieved that he had been relieved from the heavy pressure, but the fatigue in his expression was as solid as ice and difficult to melt away. His whole person also looked a bit older. It can be seen that in the past period of time, Li Chongju There was also a lot of pressure.
"I have been busy with this matter these days. You have worked hard. Please relax and take a rest. You are not young anymore. Take care of your health!" Emperor Liu seemed to have recovered as before and expressed concern to Li Chongju in a kind tone.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Chongju responded respectfully without slackening his attitude: "If we don't find the expeditionary force, I'm not sure about the safety of the two princes, so I don't dare to slack off!"
"Okay! Just do your best and go do it!" Emperor Liu smiled softly.
"I resign!"
Resigning meticulously, Li Chongju did not dare to show negligence in his every move. Since the Northern Expedition, he and Wude Si Ke had been in trouble, and had repeatedly been dissatisfied by Emperor Liu. The attitude shown by Emperor Liu also frightened him.
Who is Li Chongju? The military commander, the Duke of the Han Dynasty, the loyal minister of the imperial court, the first guard officer of Emperor Liu, and the Yuanchen of Qianyou who followed Emperor Liu all the way from Hedong. He has experienced the test of life and death, and has experienced ups and downs for more than 20 years. Until now.
No one would believe it if he told it. As the minister in charge of the Wude Department and Emperor Liu's confidant, Li Chongju's status in Emperor Liu's heart would actually be shaken. But it did happen, and Li Chongju had clearly felt it before.
Most of the civil and military officials around Emperor Liu learned a word called caution. Even those with a flamboyant personality learned under Emperor Liu's long rule how to be cautious and how to be humble in front of him. Of course, most of those who are arrogant and unruly have to suffer and learn a lesson. Whether they are important ministers such as Yang Bin and Wang Zhang in the early years, or brave generals like Wang Yansheng, they all have a say. Even close associates such as Wang Zhu and Han Tong have similar experiences. experience of dismissal.
Li Chongju was relatively low-key among the civil and military officials of Qianyou. His talent may not be noticeable, but he was loyal, diligent, devoted to his duties, and knew what prudence meant.
You must know that the former Wude Envoy Wang Jingchong died in prison and was appointed to take charge of the Wude Division. After learning the inside story of the Wude Division, he fearfully stated at that time that this organization was beyond the control of human ministers, so he was cautious and humble in his remarks.
After these twists and turns, Li Chongju began to feel uneasy. Firstly, it was due to his personality, and secondly, it was due to the nature of the Secret Service agency. Li Chongju had been in the position of the Secret Service for more than 18 years. Nearly twenty years is too long.
Even though Li Chongju had always acted his duty and never exceeded it, his imprint on Wu Desi was extremely deep. As time goes by, the influence grows with the growth of Wudesi, but the risks brought by this prominent authority are also constantly accumulating.
There were three envoys before and after the Wude Division. The founder was Shou Guogong Li Shaoyou. He was Emperor Liu's childhood friend and a relative of the emperor. He escaped early and needed the deterrence of the Wude Division. However, he was still an important official in the imperial court with great fame. Qianyou Twenty-four ministers.
The second Wang Jingchong carried out an almost barbaric expansion and expansion of Wudesi, but unfortunately died at the hands of the jailer. Li Chongju assumed a stable and developing role in Wu Desi. After eighteen years, his influence has almost penetrated into it.
However, in the imperial era, especially in the era of Emperor Liu with strong imperial power, Li Chongju's authority in Wudesi had an ultimate foundation, and that was Emperor Liu's trust.
In the past nearly twenty years, there has been no deterioration and almost no wavering. However, now it seems that the situation is beginning to change.
As a jealous spy chief, one can imagine what his situation would be like when the emperor's suspicion grew. In addition, in addition to the Wude Department, there is also the Military Intelligence Department, and the Imperial City Department, which has repeatedly emerged and secretly targeted competition, all of which put tremendous pressure on Li Chongju.
Of course, it is also fortunate that there is an Imperial City Secretary who is not afraid of criticism to share a lot of hatred, otherwise Wude Secretary and Li Chongju will bear even greater pressure.
When leaving the palace, Li Chongju couldn't help but look back at where Emperor Liu was. Although the palaces and pavilions were not as majestic as those in the two capitals, the majesty that symbolized the imperial power was the same, which was heart-stopping and chilling.
"Alas..." With a heavy sigh, the worry lingering in Li Chongju's brows did not dissipate, but instead became even more depressed. Walking slowly inside the palace wall, each step became heavier and heavier. Walking in the cold wind, Li Chongju's somewhat old back became more and more desolate.
During these days, while he was busy with the exploration work of the expeditionary force, Li Chongju was also thinking about the source of Emperor Liu's dissatisfaction. He was not a very smart person, but after all he had his own wisdom in dealing with people. After thinking and summarizing, he realized that it might not be due to Wude Si's laziness and omissions.
In a huge empire, with complex ministries and agencies, and thousands of bureaucrats and generals, which yamen and how many civil and military officials are completely free from mistakes?
After all, it was still the Wu Deshi, a sensitive institution with a huge influence and a power as powerful as a castle in the sky. He had stayed in the post of Wu Deshi for too long, so long that people became numb and Emperor Liu got used to it.
However, Emperor Liu seemed to be unaccustomed to it now, and began to look at him with a strange look that was difficult to predict. When it fell on Li Chongju, it seemed dangerous.
"It's almost the year when I know my destiny. After finishing this last errand, maybe it's time to retire!" After stepping out of the palace, Li Chongju looked back again, looking at the Youzhou Palace under the dim winter light, silently muttering to himself. .
It must be said that Emperor Liu's performance this year and the emotions he showed made Li Chongju scared and panicked. Uneasy, he began to seek self-protection and wanted to escape and be safe.
Of course, Li Chongju didn't dare to go overboard or have any wild and bold ideas. Even if he had the conditions, he didn't have the courage, and he didn't even dare to feel resentful.
Although he has been in charge of the Wude Division for nearly twenty years, does he really have complete control over the entire division? He himself didn't have confidence in this. How much reservation did Emperor Liu have in his trust? Li Chongju had never thought about this before, but now, he dare not think about it.
Speaking of which, Li Chongju is more suitable to be a pure minister, a bureaucrat, and a general. He can be diligent, conscientious, devoted to the king's affairs, and become a famous minister and general of his generation.
However, given the circumstances in his life, he was forced to go to Wude by Emperor Liu, and became a hawk's minion with mixed reputations and troubles. In the end, his safety was uncertain. However, the reason why Li Chongju was appointed back then was not because of his trust and respect for him. This was not something that could reassure Emperor Liu just by replacing him casually.
In fact, Emperor Liu did not have much prejudice or anger towards Li Chongju, and he still trusted him. Perhaps in Emperor Liu's view, the anger he had had was just a matter of fact.
However, the emotions and opinions he expressed often meant changes in his mind. Sometimes, even he himself was not aware of it.
And Li Chongju, who was cautious and sensitive, realized it and had the consciousness to escape from the disaster. Even with Emperor Liu, it was not that serious.
Of course, Li Chongju's idea of retreating to protect himself ultimately still depends on Emperor Liu. In this matter, Li Chongju still does not have much say. All he can do is to complete the current errand, and then beg the emperor to be merciful and let him go free to relieve his uneasiness.
As for the rest, I really can't do too much, or I dare not do too much or say too much. Otherwise, it will really arouse Emperor Liu's suspicion, and self-protection will directly become suicide.
He, Li Chongju, was a guard of the emperor and had a close relationship with him. As for the Duke of Ding, Zhang Yanwei, he committed suicide inexplicably. Li Chongju didn't think he was any better than Zhang Yanwei...
