"Your Majesty, I have something to ask, and I hope that your Majesty will respond to it!" As if he thought of something, Zhao Pu said solemnly.
Seeing Zhao Pu's solemn look, Emperor Liu was slightly surprised, waved his hand and said: "You say it!"
"I understand that your Majesty is on this tour to inspect disasters and show sympathy for the people. However, the epidemic crisis has not yet been resolved. For the sake of the health of the emperor, please take a break to conduct inspections in person and avoid going into danger!" Zhao Pu said. request.
Hearing this, the smile on Emperor Liu's face faded a little, but it showed anger or dissatisfaction. After all, Zhao Pu also cared about him, out of loyalty and taking the overall situation into consideration.
However, Emperor Liu obviously had his own thoughts in mind, and said in a calm and unhurried tone: "Since you also understand my thoughts, why bother to obstruct me?"
"Your Majesty, your majesty has a precious body, a noble body, and is at stake in the country. You must not be careless!" Zhao Pu still had that serious expression and said seriously: "If your majesty really cares about the people in the disaster area, I can go there on your behalf to spread heaven's grace... ..."
If it were normal times, or if it was something else, like doing something on behalf of the emperor, Zhao Pu wouldn't dare to say it directly. However, Zhao Pu still said it very calmly about risking one's life for one's own life. It's all about loyalty.
Faced with Zhao Pu's "sincere" advice, Emperor Liu frowned slightly, thought for a while, and then said calmly: "I can understand your thoughts and concerns. However, you are often here. I kept thinking in my ears, "Is there any place in the world that I cannot go to?"
The people in the affected prefectures and counties are also under the rule of the imperial court and are my subjects, no different from other prefectures. Now they are in a difficult moment, and they need to cheer up their hearts, and when they need help and support, what can be more inspiring than my personal presence and comfort?
My current tour is not to go sightseeing and have fun in Kaifeng. I want to see the situation in the Central Plains for myself. In the past few months, the officials and people along the river have first fought against water and floods, and then against epidemics and diseases. They are still working hard now. If I go to Tokyo, I will stop and stand still. I will let the people in the disaster area think about it, let the people in the world think about it, and seek fame and reputation. I won't do anything.
I want to let the devastated Zhongyuan County and the people in the disaster area who are waiting for food know that the imperial court is with them and I am with them..."
Hearing Emperor Liu speak such high-sounding words, Zhao Pu couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. For a moment, he felt speechless. The emperor talked so much about righteousness, and if he continued to say something about taking care of your body and not walking into danger, , it’s a bit unworthy of being a villain.
"Your Majesty, please think twice!" However, Zhao Pu still did not give up and said in a deep voice.
"I will consider it!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and said confidently: "In these years, I have been conquering east and west, with swords and swords, volcanoes and seas of water. What dangers have I not experienced? If we talk about epidemics, when we attack Huainan, It’s not that it hasn’t happened before, I was in it, and I didn’t get through it safely..."
Emperor Liu continued to utter arrogant words and put gold on his face. At the same time, both his tone and demeanor were full of "stubbornness".
Looking at Zhao Pu, he continued: "In recent years, the imperial court has invested so much energy in medicine and made many achievements in epidemic prevention and control. I believe in our medical officers and doctors, and I also believe in the local officials and people.
You also said that the epidemic has been brought under control. If this is the case, the affected states and counties are still like dragons and tigers' dens, and I dare not cross the thunder pool. That is because someone has not done their duty and prevention and control is not in place. Then that is not what Zhao Qing should do. Come to stop me, but go to hold people accountable and fight against the epidemic..."
Why bother? Seeing Emperor Liu talking so eloquently, Zhao Pu asked silently in his heart.
But seeing Emperor Liu's resolute expression, it was obviously very difficult to shake his will. After thinking about it, Zhao Pu Shen Rong said: "Your Majesty's love for the people is greatly admired by me. If your Majesty is determined, I would like to take a break in Tokyo first and wait for the situation in the epidemic area to improve further before going there in person." !”
It was rare for Zhao Pu to remonstrate so stubbornly. Emperor Liu could not say anything harsh yet. After all, he was thinking about himself. After thinking about it, he thought that he should give his prime minister some face, so he relented and nodded: " That’s it! I guess there will be a delay when we get to Tokyo!”
Seeing this, Zhao Pu finally breathed a sigh of relief, but secretly felt fierce in his heart. He must urge the prefectures and counties in the affected areas to strengthen elimination diagnosis and treatment and improve efficiency.
Emperor Liu can speak eloquently and powerfully, but he cannot be negligent. He is not afraid of ten thousand, but just in case. If Emperor Liu is also infected, the matter will be serious.
If that's the case, as the highest-ranking prime minister, he is the first to bear the responsibility, and he can be criticized just for failing to give advice, even if he has tried his best to persuade.
In fact, Zhao Pu's life was not easy during this period. There are so many things happening in the country, including turmoil, floods, and epidemics, and the scale is quite large. It's like being punished by heaven or being cursed. There are a lot of discussions between the government and the public.
Even from the beginning to the end, Emperor Liu always showed his determination and policy guidance of "man can conquer nature", unreservedly supported the ruling group headed by Zhao Pu in fighting disasters and rescuing people, and even severely cracked down on those passive factions who expected to pray to gods and Buddhas. .
But facts have proven that people's hearts are always unpredictable. Emperor Liu's strength can silence the court, but he cannot control what others think. But in such great disasters and chaos, there are always those who fish in troubled waters. Demons and monsters also appear one after another, using various opportunities and methods to show their presence.
First there were floods, then epidemics, natural disasters, and man-made disasters. There is always a reason for such turmoil in the country, and someone must be responsible.
The gods felt that it was not easy to talk about this nonsense, and it was not easy to blame it on the emperor, nor on the prince, so many smart people pointed at Zhao Pu.
Since it is not the person who is unethical for the emperor, it must be the person who is unethical for the government, and within the Han Dynasty, the person in power was Zhao Pu. When Zhao Pu was in power, his authority was established. Many people were afraid of him and looked up to him. He had many followers, but there were also many opponents, especially nobles.
When fighting the flood, Emperor Liu was protecting him, so the attack was difficult to achieve. When the flood receded and the disease started again, the rumors against Zhao Pu became rampant again. Although Emperor Liu still chose to believe in and support Zhao Pu, after all, he no longer took too rough and radical measures, and some words and deeds could never be repeated.
As a result, the pressure will naturally come to Zhao Pu. As the current prime minister, he is always in power, not to mention that he is under one person. How can he feel happy when he is subject to those unnecessary accusations and criticisms.
However, even so, retaliation cannot be carried out, at least on the surface. It cannot intensify conflicts and affect the harmony within the court, but it must also be in line with Emperor Liu's purpose of "opening up the world".
After all, it was the power of the courtiers and censors to submit memorials, and they acted in accordance with the court's system. There was no overstep. It was just him, the prime minister, who was being impeached. Talking about harmony amid disharmony seems absurd in many cases.
At the same time, in order to show the magnanimity of one's prime minister, one has to smile, not only to speak in front of others, but also to keep one's heart calm. Perhaps what made him feel most upset was that some people simply handed him the articles of impeachment on Mr. Zhao's desk. That was really worse than eating a fly.
The monarch and his ministers chatted and talked about this matter. Emperor Liu even casually seemed to regard this situation as a joke. Zhao Pu hesitated several times and wanted to say something more. He hoped that Emperor Liu could restrict the impeachment of ministers and officials, and there should be limits on how to speak freely. At least in Zhao Pu's view, it should not be allowed to happen casually. , it is not allowed to hear rumors.
However, when the words came to his mouth, he was a little unable to say them out. After all, it was Zhao Pu who was deeply troubled by it now. It is easy to make a suggestion, but you have to consider the consequences and impact, and it is also easy to put it into practice. After weighing it, you still decide not to say anything and make other plans.
Although it was difficult for Emperor Liu to see through Zhao Pu's inner struggle, his expression of hesitation to speak was still very obvious, and he also felt the anxiety that was rarely seen on weekdays.
After thinking for a while, he showed a smile as warm as the spring breeze and said comfortingly: "Zhao Qing has been wronged during this period. In the court, I know who is rhetorical and who is diligent and hardworking.
I have not even looked at the recent impeachments in the DPRK. Of course, I have also received many memorials praising you.
There is a saying that those who are famous all over the world will be ruined all over the world. The current situation can only show that you, Mr. Zhao, are a promising minister of the Han Dynasty. As the prime minister, you have done a good job. You should keep it up and don't do it for others. Shaken by the turmoil between the government and the public.
Of course, some people do go too far. They gossip, make fuss out of molehills, waste paper, and affect the atmosphere of the court. It’s time to show some restraint..."
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, even Zhao Pu couldn't help but feel reassured, as if a warm current was flowing through him. Your Majesty is still wise. Even at this moment, he felt that he and the emperor had reached a tacit understanding of each other.
Of course, it was just a momentary feeling. Zhao Pu quickly calmed down and said respectfully: "Your Majesty is wise! I am very grateful! I can't repay you except for my loyalty and my best efforts!"
