On the first day after returning to Beijing, Emperor Liu seemed a little sentimental. He wandered around the magnificence of the Imperial City of Tokyo, traced traces of the past, and was immersed in the nostalgia and emotion of the old days. His mood could not calm down for a long time.
It wasn't until the next day that things returned to normal. Although he was full of love for the people and high-sounding when he set out, after arriving in Kaifeng, Emperor Liu stopped and continued his eastward tour.
In the two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, I just visited various places, full of leisure and leisure, and symbolically inquired about the situation in the disaster area and disaster relief matters. In fact, Zhao Pu, Lu Yin and other ministers were responsible for all major and minor affairs. Emperor Liu's life was not much different from that of Luoyang.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, as usual, Emperor Liu ordered an imperial banquet to be held. Perhaps due to the lack of personnel, the banquet was not held in Chongyuan Hall, the main palace of Kaifeng Imperial City, but in Qionglin Garden.
As the only royal garden that underwent major construction during Emperor Liu's stay in Kaifeng, it once became a place for entertaining every Jinshi. After the imperial court moved westward, it fell into silence for a time. Until now, it has become full of vitality again.
Although the queen, the prince, and a large number of ministers were not present, the large number of people attending the banquet did not fade much. This was still a gathering of the upper-class elite of the Han Dynasty, full of power and wealth.
The master of ceremonies who presided over the banquet was still the uncle and prime minister Li Ye. Over the past few years, Li Ye had completely become a role member of the power center of the imperial court. After struggling for power to no avail, Li Ye gradually accepted his position. , dedicated to serving Emperor Liu.
In the past few years, Li Ye has not failed to work hard. He has seen several opportunities to pull down powerful prime ministers like Zhao Pu and Song Qi and replace them with others, and he has also used some means to do so.
However, the results are often unsatisfactory, and all actions show that it is a meaningless struggle. When it comes to political skills and administrative abilities, Li Ye is far behind his competitors in terms of rank. The only advantage he has is probably his identity.
But similarly, identity seems to be an invisible restriction. If you want to make a breakthrough, your biggest reliance is Emperor Liu, and only Emperor Liu. However, it was Emperor Liu who restricted him, as if he was in a cage of power, being held high, but still struggling with constraints all over his body.
After so many years, Li Ye has actually been somewhat shocked. He is not a person with strong willpower, and it is not his character to become more courageous with every setback.
And probably because he has become more aware of the reality, in the past year, Li Ye has been a bit messed up. When dealing with various affairs in the DPRK and China, he has gradually shown a calm attitude and seems nonchalant in the face of everything.
You must know that Li Ye has been a troublesome person since he was young. More than 20 years ago, relying on the favor of Empress Dowager Li, he even dared to interfere in Emperor Liu's affairs.
In the original Puzhou case, in order to enhance his authority, he even did not hesitate to attack Chai Rong. You must know that Chai Rong at that time had the support of Emperor Liu and Guo Wei, and there was no grudge between him and Chai Rong. But Li Ye just did it. It can be said to be bold or stupid, but it can all reflect Li Ye's enthusiasm.
Even after returning from local posts, being trained several times by Emperor Liu, and becoming prime minister, he still maintained his aggressiveness, actively participated in the affairs of the DPRK, and did not miss any opportunity, trying his best to gain a sense of presence.
Over the years, Li Ye has indeed done some things, especially in the fight against corruption. However, Li Ye's purpose is not to eliminate officials, but to enhance his authority and make others fear him. He also enjoys the feeling of holding power. , the awe-inspiring looks of others often make him happy.
However, now, whether it is because he is getting old or because he has been suppressed too much, Li Ye's enthusiasm has quietly been lost. For example, in the impeachment crisis that Zhao Pu encountered some time ago, if it were normal, even if Li Ye did not personally end the impeachment crisis, he would always secretly push it to see if there was any chance to remove Zhao Pu from power.
But, no, Li Ye did not participate at all, did not express his position, or made any comments, just pretending that it was nothing. He was relaxed and lazy, and he began to be indifferent to government affairs.
Such a contrast between before and after naturally attracted the attention of Emperor Liu. Of course, Emperor Liu did not say anything rashly, but just observed and thought silently.
Could it be that this uncle was suppressed too hard by him and was spoiled?
Even when serving as the master of ceremonies at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Li Ye seemed nonchalant. They exchanged glasses of wine, exchanged glasses of wine, and were no longer interested, nor were they active in socializing.
Looking at Li Ye who was sitting there enjoying himself and drinking, Emperor Liu finally took the initiative to ask: "Uncle, it's the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the hall is full of people gathering, and everyone is in joy. Why are you unhappy?"
Li Ye turned slightly sideways, almost leaning on the dining table, and his drunken eyes looked drowsy. When he suddenly heard Emperor Liu asking a question, he became unsteady and knocked over the wine glass, spilling the wine all over him.
After hurriedly wiping it, he stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry, I've been discourteous!"
"It's okay!" Emperor Liu looked at the somewhat embarrassed Li Ye, waved his hand, and said with a chuckle: "It seems that uncle is not unhappy, but has forgotten his feelings!"
"Your Majesty was made to laugh!" Li Ye said, no matter in his expression or posture, he looked very submissive.
This once again aroused the curiosity in Emperor Liu's heart. He looked at him with a heavy look and said: "Uncle, as the master of ceremonies, you are not doing a good job. You should go to persuade the officials to drink and let the officials and ministers have a good time." !”
"Yes!" After hearing this, Li Ye was slightly surprised and said quickly: "I am just slightly unwell and slacked off a little. Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
In just a few words, Li Ye had already apologized twice. This performance was so different from the past. Emperor Liu had never seen Li Ye so humble, or in other words, decadent.
Emperor Liu frowned slightly, but his tone was still gentle and said: "If you feel unwell, then drink less wine. Uncle, please take care of yourself!"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!" Li Ye said.
However, he still raised the full glass and toasted Emperor Liu personally before turning around and sitting down. From the beginning to the end, Emperor Liu observed Li Ye's performance. His uncle seemed to be really deteriorating. His face did not look very healthy, and he looked like he was drinking too much.
After his attention shifted from power and government affairs, Li Ye focused more on personal enjoyment. If there are those who are greedy for pleasure and have extravagant styles among the ministers, then Li Ye must be the "best" among them.
In the past year alone, Li Ye has taken in four concubines. Playing and singing every night is really a big burden for Uncle Li Guo, who is over fifty years old.
Even Emperor Liu couldn't help but be filled with doubts and surprise at such a change. From Emperor Liu's point of view, this uncle was not such a degenerate person. With his troubled character and style, this change was really too big.
At the same time, Emperor Liu couldn't help but secretly think about how to treat this uncle in the future. Li Ye is a catfish he placed in the center of power, a kind of check and balance on other ministers. Now this catfish is half-dead and does not seek political power in his position. Is it necessary to put him in the position?
I have a sinister idea. I put Li Ye in the political hall just to let him cause trouble. Now that he is no longer causing trouble, Emperor Liu is not used to it anymore...
