The pavement corridors between the palaces have always been kept clean and tidy due to the hard work of the palace people. However, on the eaves of the palace walls with distinct layers, you can still see some snow that has not yet melted, dotting this stern and cold palace. , also adds a bit of paleness.
Although the winter snow was cold, fortunately the wind was light, but it was not unbearable. After walking for a long time, Zhao Pu even felt a bit of heat. When they arrived at the Chui Gong Hall to wait for the meeting, they didn't wait too long before the notice came to enter the hall for an audience, led by Yan Tuo himself.
Compared to the cold weather outside, it was quite warm inside the Chui Gong Hall. Two incense burners were placed opposite each other, and the fire with incense was burning vigorously. However, the atmosphere in the palace obviously gave people an unpleasant feeling.
Emperor Liu's bare feet were on the soft carpet, his hands were on the stove, and he was roasting carelessly. In the palace, apart from the several chambermaids who were waiting on them, there were only Wang Pu and Li Fang.
Wang Pu's expression was serious, his head slightly lowered, and his expression looked unhappy. Li Fang stood on the other side with an even more indifferent expression, like a sculpture without any emotion. What is more eye-catching is the mountain of memorials on the imperial case.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Pu's alertness increased greatly, and his heart immediately rose. He stepped forward and saluted respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have been summoned to see you!"
"No courtesy!" Emperor Liu waved his hand calmly, glanced sideways at Wang Pu, then looked at Zhao Pu, and said calmly: "Qing Zhao came just in time, I just have something to ask you!"
"Your Majesty, please speak!" Zhao Pu bowed his head as much as Wang Pu, showing great humility.
This was probably the first time that Emperor Liu refused to give Wang Pu face. He pointed at Wang Pu with his obviously calloused fingers, but looked at Zhao Pu and asked with a smile: "Wang Qing came to see me just now, sir." He wrote a memorial. According to him, the current situation in the court is in chaos and people's hearts are floating. It has reached the point where it has to change its course and bring order to the chaos. If there is no more order and stability, the court will collapse and the country will be shaken.
I'm very curious. Wasn't it a good time some time ago? What's going on here? What kind of crisis did the Han Dynasty encounter, so serious that the court was in chaos?
Zhao Qing is the prime minister, assists in the management of national affairs, and commands all ministries and bureaucracies. He is in charge of the overall situation, but it is your responsibility. I am afraid that no one knows better than you about the situation in the court.
Tell me, is the court doing what Wang Qing said right now? "
Emperor Liu's words were somewhat knowing and sarcastic, which made Wang Pu a little embarrassed and made Zhao Pu not dare to take pleasure in others' misfortune.
Glancing at Wang Pu, Zhao Pu bowed his hands and said, "I have received the honor of Your Majesty to preside over the affairs of the state. Since I have been greatly favored, I should do my best to repay the favor. If the court is in chaos and the state affairs are not smooth, it will be my dereliction of duty and my incompetence. But I beg your Majesty to punish me!
At present, although there are some rumors in the DPRK, it is also a troubled time, but the operation of the government is still stable, and everything is under the laws and regulations of the country..."
"Qi Wu, you heard me!" Emperor Liu retracted his hand, turned to stare at Wang Pu, and chuckled: "Zhao Qing and you have different opinions, why is there such chaos in the court?"
Wang Pu's stern face couldn't help but reveal a touch of rosy color, showing both shame and annoyance. Facing Emperor Liu's gaze, he took a deep breath and still maintained his courtesy, but his tone became more serious: "Your Majesty is wise and wise, and has always been respected by his ministers. Although he is in the inner court, he is not familiar with the current situation of the court. I believe that Your Majesty is also very knowledgeable and knows everything well.
All my concerns have been expressed in this chapter, and I hope that your Majesty will treat it with caution. The Huazhou case has become more involved, and the number of officials implicated has reached hundreds. The impact is so deep that it has penetrated the flesh and bones. Now there is unrest both internally and externally, and up and down, causing people to be distracted and the government to be weakened. This situation is serious and far-reaching. , must not indulge it, otherwise the disaster will be endless!
Loyalty is hard to hear, so I sincerely ask Your Majesty to accept some of your loyal advice, so as to bring peace to both the inside and outside..."
Wang Pu's sincere speech obviously did not win the approval of Emperor Liu. Instead, he looked at him slightly indifferently and said, "loyal words are offensive to the ears. You are right. You are a loyal minister and everyone in the government and the public knows that. If I don't accept your Is it true that you are a fool because of your loyal advice?"
"Your Majesty, calm down!" As soon as he said this, Wang Pu's legs went weak, his eyes turned red, his expression was excited, and his tone even sounded a little sad: "I never meant this!"
Seeing his tragic look, Emperor Liu looked away without calling him. After a moment of silence, Emperor Liu murmured in a serious tone: "You are so active and want to calm down this storm, let me To show mercy to those guilty officials and sinners, could it be that someone from the Wang family is also involved? I have received too many cases recently and haven't read them all yet. Have I ignored them?"
Hearing Emperor Liu's words, Zhao Pu was immediately moved, not because of his heart-wrenching remarks to Wang Pu, but because Emperor Liu's attitude, which originally seemed gloomy and hazy, seemed to become clear at this time.
Emperor Liu has already characterized those noble officials who committed crimes and called them "guilty ministers and sinners". So what is his attitude? Is it necessary to elaborate?
Wang Pu was obviously not as astute as Zhao Pu. Of course, at this time, he did not have the intention to figure out the meaning of Emperor Liu's words. He just looked miserable and simply kowtowed: "Your Majesty's words, I have nothing to say. , but please resign from your current and other positions and wait for your fate!"
Wang Pu's seemingly overreaction made Emperor Liu stunned for a moment. His mood during this period of time could not be described in a good way. Seeing this, there was a slight smile on the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained the same. Shockingly cold.
However, seeing Wang Pu burst into tears, I was somewhat touched in my heart. After all, he was a veteran minister for more than 20 years. Being so aggrieved made Emperor Liu seem a little cold and harsh to the veteran minister.
"Get up!" Emperor Liu sighed softly.
"Your Majesty!" Wang Pu called out with some emotion. He no longer had the demeanor of a distinguished gentleman, and his voice was very sad.
"Qi Wu, do you want to resist the decree?" Emperor Liu would not coax him, so he said sternly.
Hearing this, Wang Pu immediately trembled and stood up tremblingly. He actually shed tears. His old face had turned pale and he looked like he was deeply traumatized.
Of course, there are people who are nostalgic for the past. At least, they still believed in Emperor Wang Pu and Liu. This is a man who cherishes feathers very much. He serves his king with loyalty, his father with filial piety, and his people with courtesy. However, Wang Pu is Wang Pu, and the same cannot be said for others.
With only a slight hint in his eyes, Yantuo was like a roundworm in Emperor Liu's stomach. He suddenly understood what he meant and took out a silk scarf and gave it to Wang Pu, asking him to tidy up his appearance.
"Qi Wu, I have always believed in your character and integrity, and I have always been grateful for your devotion to me and to the great Han Dynasty!" Looking at Wang Pu, Emperor Liu finally said calmly: "Shicai's words are serious. Don’t be offended!”
Without waiting for his answer, Emperor Liu continued: "In this period of time, I have received too many memorials and seen too many terrible things. I can't believe my own eyes and ears!
I can understand your concerns. Outside of the Huazhou case, a series of cases have become more and more involved. Public opinion is raging both inside and outside the court, and the city is full of uproar. We all know this.
I also know that the secrets of these cases are also circulating in the streets of Xijing. Many people and scholars even went to Luoyang Mansion to report to the Ministry of Punishment.
This is no longer just a few cases, nor is it limited to the court. This is already the biggest and most influential scandal that has occurred in the court since the founding of the Han Dynasty! "
At this point, Emperor Liu's tone became extremely cold: "There are so many noble ministers, so many officials, but under their gorgeous cloak of power, they are so miserable, it is simply shocking!
Are the heroes and nobles on whom I rely, and the officials and workers on whom I rely, all scoundrels who know the law, break it, and commit crimes?
I know that if the situation continues to expand, I don’t know how many cases will be exposed, and I don’t know how many people will be involved. By then, the imperial court will only lose its majesty and make everyone in the world laugh! "
"But!" Emperor Liu looked around the three ministers present, and his eyes finally fell on Wang Pu: "I can tell you clearly that trying to cover up the compromise is deceiving oneself and deceiving others. If there is a problem in the court, then seek a solution. If there is a problem, After all, there is a punishment, but there is no other way.
Although your worries are of great significance to the country, they are completely unnecessary! I tell you, the sky will not fall down, and the imperial court will continue to function as usual without anyone.
I will not see a problem or a disease, but hide the disease and avoid medical treatment, allowing it to rot and fester! "
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Hearing Emperor Liu's tough and decisive words, which were like a declaration, Zhao, Wang, and Li couldn't help but feel shocked.
But in the same way, Wang Pu is also wise in respecting the Tao.
