"After saying so much, I'm thirsty!" After the matter was concluded, the atmosphere in the palace relaxed. Emperor Liu was like a tiger with its claws restrained, with a smile that was almost alms on his face, and his words They all felt much more relaxed and scolded Yantuo who was standing beside him: "Didn't you see me talking to Li Qing? Why don't you serve tea?"
Probably frightened by Emperor Liu's dragon power just now, after hearing the rebuke, Yantuo realized and responded quickly: "It's my negligence. Please forgive me, I will send someone to serve tea immediately!"
After saying that, Yan Tuo turned his butt outwards, bowed his body and retreated to make arrangements. Emperor Liu pointed at Yantuo and said to Li Chongju: "This eunuch is also an old man next to me. He has always been good at serving others and doing things appropriately. Even he has made some mistakes! It can be seen from this that people will make mistakes. I It’s no exception, so you don’t have to worry about some things!”
Suddenly hearing what Emperor Liu said, Li Chongju thought to himself, and then he realized that this probably refers to the mistakes that Emperor Liu reprimanded in the Wude Division last year.
He slightly cupped his hands and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty is magnanimous, and I admire you!"
After waving his hand, Emperor Liu looked at him and said: "Although your fame in the court is not obvious, I will keep it in mind for your more than 20 years of hard work. Now that you want to retire, I should honor you." If you are promoted to Duke of the County and become an official by serving as a servant, I will give you a village and a house each, a hundred catties of gold and silver each, and a dragon head and a crutch!"
"Your Majesty's grace, I am so grateful!" Hearing this, Li Chongju breathed a sigh of relief, slowly leaned forward, and bowed: "However, I dare not accept the title of Duke, please take it back, Your Majesty!"
"All the nobles of the Han Dynasty want to be promoted to a noble family, and there are many generals who have grudges because of their rank! You are different. The prince of the county and you actually refused and asked me to tell you what you are good at. !" Emperor Liu grinned.
Hearing this, Li Chongju responded frankly: "Your Majesty, people should be self-aware and think about themselves. Although I have worked hard in the past, I will not be granted a title. If I accept it, it will be difficult to convince the public and my heart will be uneasy. Your Majesty. The reward is given to the county prince, but there has been a lot of criticism, and I don’t want His Majesty to show mercy and be promoted to a high rank. I hope Your Majesty will take it back!"
After listening to his confession, Emperor Liu shook his head lightly and said solemnly: "My lord, the country's famous weapons should not be given to others lightly! I bestow honors and honors on others. I have always taught those who are famous, and those who have never been rewarded without merit! I miss your merits. Why do you think so lightly?"
After a pause, Emperor Liu continued: "You are also a person who has walked out from my side. When you fought from Hedong to Hebei, you were on the battlefield and went through life and death. How did you spare your life?
At the beginning, you were also a general who led an army. When I asked you to take over the Wude Division, I also deprived you of the opportunity to lead troops in battle and make achievements on the battlefield. Otherwise, how could I not have a place for you to use your talents in the process of flattening the world!
How can I not know these situations in my heart? "
Emperor Liu's heartfelt words made Li Chongju silent for a moment, and finally he bowed again: "Your Majesty's kindness is so great that I never dare to forget it. I just deserve it!"
"My decision has been made! It will be difficult to take back my fate. You will not have to wait for many more years. If anyone in the court is dissatisfied, let him come to me!" Emperor Liu waved his hand forcefully.
Seeing Emperor Liu's resolute attitude, Li Chongju deserved to express his gratitude. Among the two monarchs and ministers, one wanted to be given a high title, but the other repeatedly declined. This was the only case in the current dynasty.
Li Chongju was a man with no knowledge of the world, no talent in the world, and no military ability to control the world. However, he could always see some rare qualities of contemporary heroes and lofty ideals in him. He was a loyal minister, modest and prudent, and few others could match him.
Of course, there may be some forced reasons for this. After all, he is serving a monarch like Emperor Liu. As for Emperor Liu, agreeing to Li Chongju's resignation may not be because he wanted to be loyal and diligent, so that he could spend his old age peacefully. For a long time, in the eyes of Emperor Liu, Li Chongju was a rare pure and lonely minister.
Even though Emperor Liu had long since transformed into a political animal with a heart as hard as iron, he was still not a tree. He had some feelings for ministers like Li Chongju.
"Later, ask the imperial doctor to clean up his forehead!" Emperor Liu said caringly after noticing Li Chongju's bruised head.
"yes!"
Yantuo led the people inside to serve tea, and the monarch and his ministers drank together. Emperor Liu breathed a sigh of relief, with a look of seriousness on his face, and asked: "Since the fifth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, you have been in charge of the Wude Department for nearly 20 years. Who should I entrust with your sudden resignation and the general affairs? How can I find someone who can take on this responsibility? You have posed a difficult problem for me!"
Li Chongju obviously had some considerations and replied: "Since the establishment of Wude Division, there has been a system in place. All bureaucrats can act according to the system. Even if they have no ministers, they can still operate normally!"
"What you say makes sense, but there is no one who is more familiar with and understands the affairs of Wude than you!" Emperor Liu said.
At this time, what Li Chongju probably didn't want to hear and was most afraid of hearing was that Wude Si couldn't live without him. This was also the key reason why he made up his mind to resign.
"There are so many talented people in the Han Dynasty, why can't Li Chongju be the only one to take charge of them?" Li Chongju said.
"I can't think of any good candidates for the moment. Who do you think will succeed you after resigning?" Emperor Liu asked directly.
Li Chongju fell silent. Under Emperor Liu's aggressive gaze, he still did not answer directly. He just cupped his hands and said, "Please ask for your Majesty's Holy Judgment!"
Emperor Liu may also understand that with Li Chongju's current mentality, it would be very difficult for him to take the initiative to recommend talents. Therefore, he thought about it for a while, raised his finger and said: "What about Wang Yinwu, who is known to all in Hexi?"
Li Chongju then spoke up and agreed: "Wang Yinwu is a capable general under the Wude Department. For more than ten years, he has been experienced in dealing with things, acted decisively, and has a tough style. He has made a lot of achievements. This time, he has gained new achievements and personally brought back the King of Wei and If your Majesty wishes to promote your two highnesses, Mr. Zhao, it is his blessing and there is no doubt about it!"
As for Li Chongju, he had already made up his mind. No matter whose name Emperor Liu mentioned, he would agree with it, so he answered without any hesitation. In fact, if Li Chongju resigned, there would be no more than two sources for his successor. One was Emperor Liu's choice of confidant generals, and the other was the selection from the magistrates under Wude Division.
The Wude Division has become a system, so it is not impossible to find a layman, but in order to make the transition smooth, Emperor Liu obviously prefers the latter. Under normal circumstances, the deputy envoy or the governor would be a more suitable candidate. However, they have a closer relationship with Li Chongju and are more influenced by him. This was one of the necessary conditions for him to steadily control the Wude Division in the past. one.
In comparison, transferring people from Daozhou outside Beijing seemed more suitable at this time, and Wang Yinwu happened to be able to go up to Tianting this time due to his contribution to retrieving the expeditionary soldiers, which left an impression on Emperor Liu. It has to be said that sometimes people's fate is just such a coincidence. Of course, you have to be brave enough to gamble. If you didn't go to a dangerous place to find someone, this result might not be the same.
As for Emperor Liu's psychology, even though it was difficult for Li Chongju to know everything, he could still get a glimpse of it. He couldn't help but sigh for his subordinates who had followed him for many years. He was delaying their promotion.
However, there was one thing that Li Chongju did not say out loud about Wang Yinwu's promotion. That is, Wang Yinwu has been in the Northwest for many years and has been too deeply involved with the military and politics of the Northwest.
Of course, it depends on how you look at it! Li Chongju wanted to remind him, but he was worried about Emperor Liu and did not speak.
"Then it's decided!" Emperor Liu also made a decision directly.
From Emperor Liu's perspective, whoever becomes a military envoy has smaller concerns. No one else is as good as Li Chongju. Without his qualifications, not as trusted as him, it is impossible to have the authority that Li Chongju has in office! This may also be the most important reason why Li Chongju, a military envoy, cannot continue to be a military envoy.
"You must have a pair of children at your knees!" After discussing the matter, Emperor Liu began to talk about family matters with Li Chongju.
"Exactly!" Li Chongju responded.
"Have you ever been married?" Emperor Liu asked.
As soon as the emperor opened his mouth, Li Chongju understood something and replied respectfully: "The eldest son Jichang got married two years ago and is now serving in the Ministry of War. The younger daughter Jiyun will be married this spring!"
"Oh!" Emperor Liu raised his eyebrows and said, "Which family are you marrying to?"
"They are all ordinary innocent and good families, and they have no money!" Li Chongju said.
"Your children are also my nephews. It seems that I have to make up for two congratulatory gifts!" Emperor Liu said with a meaningful look at Li Chongju, with a hint of pity in his words.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!" Li Chongju responded.
"Stay later and have dinner with me. I also want to have a chat with you. In recent years, I have missed the time when I worked hard in the world more and more. The years have been so long and it is so nostalgic... ." Emperor Liu said again.
"Yes!" Li Chongju remained respectful.
