"If I remember correctly, the national treasure is already nearly thirty!" After chatting for a while, Emperor Liu brought the topic to Wei Xianxin, who had been serving him respectfully, and asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty, I am here to stand upright!" Wei Xianxin was a little surprised at Emperor Liu's concern, but he did not dare to neglect, and responded calmly.
"You are not young at this age. You have a family and a career. Now you have a pair of children playing in the courtyard and streets. Why are you still unknown and staying in this palace?" Emperor Liu asked with a smile: "Why don't you let me?" Is your father looking for a job for you?"
Hearing this, Wei Renpu felt a little nervous in his heart, but he didn't speak and just looked at his son. Wei Xianxin seemed to have heard the implication of the words, and said calmly: "How can we give and receive state weapons privately? I already have two elder brothers, both talented and virtuous. They follow my father's ambition and serve in local affairs for Your Majesty." Be loyal and do your best for the court. I am immoral and incompetent, and I am embarrassed to take on important responsibilities. I can only serve my parents at home, handle some trivial matters in the house with full filial piety.
What's more, thanks to His Majesty's heavenly grace and the protection of my father, I have been worshiped as a minister of the court, eating the salary of the court, and enjoying the grace of your Majesty. I have made no contribution to the court and received the salary without any merit. I am already ashamed. I know that I am content. How can I do that? Wish for more..."
"Chaosanlang is also considered an official?" Emperor Liu smiled and said to Wei Renpu: "Daoji, they say that there are seven rank officials in front of the prime minister. You were the former prime minister, the leader of hundreds of officials, a role model for all ministers, and a Yuan Conggujiu, twenty-four ministers, why are they so stingy to their own sons?
Chao Sanlang, from the seventh grade of the official, there are not only one hundred, but also eighty in the imperial court. He is too mediocre and too humble. It can be controlled by just one word..."
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Wei Renpu had no choice but to express his position. With a touch of emotion on his face, he said earnestly: "Although I have made a small contribution, your majesty's grace to my father and son is as heavy as a mountain. I should be grateful for it. How can I Greedy?
What's more, the eldest and second sons of the veteran minister have all taken important posts in the state capital. This is all due to His Majesty's care and care. As for the younger son, his temperament is indifferent and he has no ambitions in officialdom. It is enough to be able to run and guard the family.
As for Chao Sanlang, how can we talk about being humble? There are many officials in the world who work conscientiously but are not yet in the mainstream. How many officials have worked hard for ten years before they can be recognized by the imperial court.
I am a young son who has made no significant contribution to the imperial court. He was only promoted to the post by virtue of his influence. The veteran minister feels that he has been overly favored..."
"You two, father and son, are really carved from the same mold. You are both equally humble and contented!" After listening to his statement, Emperor Liu chuckled and commented: "I can see that there are many people fighting for power, fame and favor. , Take Yin Guan as an example, there are countless meritorious officials who would like to give their children a real job and a plum job?
You two, father and son, are a breath of fresh air in the court! Listening to his words, I feel quite relaxed and happy! "
"Your Majesty, the veteran minister and his son are noble!" Seeing Emperor Liu firing the map cannon, Wei Renpu did not mean to isolate himself from others, and said slowly: "Your Majesty's reward and the official position in the imperial court, the minister and his son are all enjoying it, but I just feel that... It shouldn’t be taken for granted…”
"That's true! It feels good to me!" Emperor Liu said with a smile.
His eyes turned to Wei Xianxin again. He hadn't noticed it before, but now he noticed that this person was really plainly dressed. Although he was wearing brocade clothes in the mountains, he didn't know how long he had been wearing them, and he didn't have any gold or jade ornaments with him. His calm demeanor was afraid that I also learned 70% from Wei Renpu.
There was some approval in his eyes, and Emperor Liu smiled and said to Wei Xianxin: "National treasure, you are really different from the ordinary sons and daughters of meritorious officials. I have seen so many juniors, and they are all eager to try, full of ambition, and want to If you want to make great achievements, you are not tempted at all?"
"My talent and knowledge are shallow..."
Wei Xianxin wanted to have a private conversation with Emperor Liu, but Emperor Liu interrupted him directly and said, "I like humble people, but excessive modesty is not only conceited, but also hypocritical!"
These words were a bit serious, and Wei Xianxin was startled. The honest man was so shocked that his face turned red, and he looked anxious. He wanted to defend himself, but Emperor Liu waved his hand: "Being complacent does not mean that you have no ambition. Since you were born into a noble family and are fed by the imperial court, you have responsibilities and obligations to the imperial court.
If you want to be alone and detached from the outside world, it is not that simple! Besides, how can a man stay trapped in the palace and take care of trivial matters? I think you should get out of the palace and see the outside world! "
In Emperor Liu's words, the meaning of conferring officials and commissions was very obvious, but Wei Xianxin was a little at a loss. Did he listen to the holy teachings respectfully, or express gratitude? Or refuse? He couldn't help but look at his father for help.
Seeing this, Wei Renpu also took the initiative to speak, but his attitude was still so calm and candid: "It is an honor for His Majesty to encourage Quan Zi so much. If there is a gift, I should thank you for your kindness. However, I hope that he will be treated as a substitute for this old man." After the farewell, your Majesty will try to serve the country again. If your Majesty does not change your original intention, you should do your best to be loyal and diligent in your royal affairs!"
"Daoji, you have said so, can I still take this favor by force?" Emperor Liu looked at Wei Renpu quietly for a while, then suddenly smiled and said: "I noticed that the Ministry of Revenue needs to add a few more foreign ministers to see the national treasure. He manages the household well and feels he is worthy of his responsibilities. However, for this reason, let’s keep the position of household minister and foreign minister for him for the time being!”
"Your Majesty, you must not neglect state affairs because of this situation!" Wei Renpu said.
Emperor Liu waved his hand: "Although state affairs are complicated and eventful, they will not be neglected just because there is one more person or one person less. If this is the case, either the system is imperfect or the ministers are not trying their best!"
"What your Majesty said is true, but the old minister is too ignorant!"
Looking at the father and son, Emperor Liu smiled again and said in a teasing tone: "So many people want to be promoted and entrusted with important responsibilities. They look for opportunities, overtly or covertly, to insinuate themselves, and use all their means. Asking for an official position from the imperial court. Nowadays, it is rare for me to take the initiative to ask for an official position, but I was declined. This is really rare..."
Emperor Liu looked like he had a novel experience, but Wei Renpu did not dare to treat it as a joke at all, and responded cautiously: "Your Majesty's words make the old minister and his son even more frightened!"
Emperor Liu hesitated and shook his head slightly: "This is not my intention, I just wanted to express my feelings!"
With a slight sigh, Emperor Liu calmed down his inexplicable emotions, looked directly at Wei Renpu, and said calmly: "In addition to visiting Daoji's condition during my visit this time, I also want to inquire about something. I hope I can clear up my confusion!"
Hearing this, Wei Renpu said respectfully: "Your Majesty has inquired, I should tell you everything I know, and I will tell you everything!"
Emperor Liu smiled slightly: "I heard that Dao Ji was so sick that he even prepared a posthumous memorial. I am a little curious. If you have anything to say, will you tell me face to face when you are no longer alive? Do you want to imitate Wang Pu? Or do you want to learn from Wang Pu? , how dare you speak after you die and leave behind your legacy?"
Emperor Liu's light words made Wei Renpu's face change drastically. No matter how decayed and weak his body was, he had to hold on to his sick body and knelt at the feet of Emperor Liu with difficulty. He spoke every word solemnly, with a trembling voice. He was a little angry: "Your Majesty, I know it clearly, I have no other intentions, but, just..."
Even Wei Renpu, who was known for his intelligence, didn't know how to answer this kind of question. This kind of heart-wrenching question could not be explained and answered in just a few words.
...
After all, Emperor Liu did not really ask for an explanation from Wei Renpu, and despite the cautious response of the father and son, they had a boring awkward chat for a while. Emperor Liu drove back to the palace without even staying for a meal.
However, his goal was achieved, which at least confirmed his suspicion. Wei Renpu did have something to say to him, and there were too many things buried in his heart. He was just unwilling or afraid to speak directly due to some reasons.
At this point, I have to say that Emperor Liu was troubled. After so many years of friendship between emperor and minister, why should he be so secretive and unwilling to speak out if he had anything to say, but he had already prepared a suicide note!
