The lingering drunkenness in his body quickly dissipated after Lu Duoxun revealed the news. Aroused by the summer wind, Wang Yinwu was completely sober.
After waking up, he pondered. For a moment, Wang Yinwu couldn't help but wonder: "As far as I know, Zhao Kuangyi has been focusing on official duties since he returned to the court and became prime minister. His cooperation with Zhao Pu also complemented each other and there was never any dispute? How could he? Could it be that this Are there any grievances among them that I haven’t noticed?”
"Grudges?" After hearing what he said, Lu Duoxun shook his head and chuckled: "Brother Wang, in the court, don't take the word 'grievances' too seriously!"
Seeing his confusion, Lu Duoxun said leisurely: "Take Zhao Pu and I as an example. The so-called conflict between the two of us is not about personal grudges. The fundamental reason is also very simple: the dispute over official career.
Although there are many ministers in the imperial court, there is only one person who holds the seal at the head of the political affairs hall. Is there more than one person who is thinking about him? Other ministers have come and gone, with constant replacement, but Zhao Pu has always occupied that position. Who can be convinced?
Although I hate Zhao Pu and am dissatisfied with him, aside from these fights, I still have some admiration for him. Zhao Pu was not of high birth and not very knowledgeable, but he could step by step become the prime minister of the Han Dynasty. If it was just His Majesty's trust and promotion, it would be far from enough, at least it would not be possible for him to occupy the position for so long! "
After a pause, Lu Duoxun said again: "As for Zhao Kuangyi, don't you see that he is also an ambitious person? However, I can feel that this person is also coveting the position.
As you said, in the past few years since entering the dynasty, there has never been any conflict or even major disputes between the two Zhaos. From this point of view, this in itself is unusual.
I think back then, gentlemen like Song Qi and Wang Pu who were praised by everyone would inevitably quarrel with Zhao Pu on matters of governance. How could a strong and promising person like Zhao Kuangyi obey Zhao Pu in everything?
In my opinion, he is just keeping a low profile and hiding his strengths. In this regard, I am not as good as him. The depth of this man's city is probably difficult to fathom.
If I had woken up earlier, maybe..."
Lu Duoxun's explanation made Wang Yinwu feel a sense of enlightenment. For the first time, he discovered that even though he was in the court, he had still been too superficial about the game between these real upper-class dignitaries.
After thinking about it, Wang Yinwu asked: "In this case, Zhao Kuangyi should be more cautious. Why did he get involved in this matter rashly?"
Lu Duoxun smiled: "This person is shrewd and cunning. He always implements his words when talking, but he only intends to take advantage of the momentum, and this momentum needs me to stir up. This is tacitly understood!"
"Do you know how old Zhao Kuangyi is now?"
"Forty and four already!" Wang Yinwu said.
Lu Duoxun: "At this age, Zhao Pu has already officially become the prime minister!"
Probably in order to stabilize Wang Yinwu's military morale, Lu Duoxun continued: "I understand Brother Wang's concerns, but I just think that he has been around for twenty years, is deeply entrenched, and has huge power, making it difficult to deal with.
This is true, but in my opinion, this is also his biggest flaw. Brother Wang, has he ever thought that during the Qianyou years, the prime ministers of the Han Dynasty were changed one after another like a horse changing a lantern. Why was it that after entering Kaibao, Zhao Pu could control the power of the prime minister alone for twenty years?
Is it possible that Zhao Pu's talent for managing the world is unparalleled among the contemporary generation, and that no one would care about him? Could it be that during the Qianyu period, those wise ministers and prime ministers who were high up in the government were not as good as Zhao Pu? "
"Why is this, please enlighten me!" Wang Yinwu's interest was completely aroused, and he cupped his hands and said.
At this time, what Lu Duoxun seemed to see was not the river scene, but the political changes of the Han Dynasty in the past thirty years. He took a sip of wine and said leisurely: "How about Duke Yu? He is your majesty's mentor and friend, and he is called by your majesty. What was the result of Qianyou's first appearance? After opening the treasure, he resigned and released his power. He was idle for more than ten years and passed away quietly.
As for the prime ministers Yang, Feng, Li, and Fan, which one is not as talented as a prime minister, but which one can stay in the position for a long time? I have carefully studied His Majesty's employment during the Qianyu period, and finally came to the conclusion that the Qianyu period was an era of pioneering, a time of great progress and great achievements. Your Majesty was determined to forge ahead and move forward inexorably. Everyone can only obey and obey.
The fundamental reason why those names and figures were deposed one after another was that they were contrary to His Majesty's will. I am not too clear about the situation of Yang Bin and Feng Dao, but Li Tao and Fan Zhi obviously have conflicts with His Majesty in the governance strategy. As for Mr. Yu’s loneliness, although it is a bit intriguing, it is not without its origin.
As for Zhao Pu, I can only say that he is lucky! The Kaibao Year is an era of consolidation and success. Compared with the aggressiveness of the Qianyou period, there are two completely different situations.
Although in the Kaibao Year, the Han Dynasty conquered the north and south and opened up a large territory, from top to bottom, the main focus was to maintain stability. And His Majesty, has gradually transformed from a pioneering lord to a defensive lord, and is more inclined to stability, whether it is the government or the world.
Zhao Pu was chosen by His Majesty, and he was accustomed to flattering, so he was able to stay in power for a long time. Without His Majesty's support, he would have been attacked by everyone and resigned in despair. "
Wang Yinwu frowned as he listened to Lu Duoxun's ramblings, and the confusion in his eyes became even more serious.
Noticing his expression, Lu Duoxun still said calmly: "However, twenty years is really too long. His majesty is so majestic that he can tolerate his ministers staying in the prime minister for such a long time. I have to say that it is really rare.
Precisely because of this, the longer time goes by, the more unstable Zhao Pu's phase becomes. You just said that Zhao Puchang has the trust of His Majesty, which is untrue in itself. Do you think His Majesty would trust a minister so unreservedly?
No, absolutely not! The only person a hero like your Majesty truly trusts is himself. Zhao Pu, including you, me, and even His Royal Highness, may not be completely trusted. This is the emperor's intention and the vigilance of the master!
Zhao Pu has been Prime Minister for twenty years. How many party members has he cultivated, how many cronies has he recruited, how many officials in the world only obey Zhao Pu's power, and are indifferent to His Majesty's majesty?
As a bystander, I can clearly see these situations. Hasn't His Majesty thought about it all these years? And every time he thinks about it, it becomes more dangerous for Zhao Pu.
I don’t know what Zhao Pu is thinking, but I can’t help but shudder if I try it myself! "
"And!" Lu Duoxun was getting more and more excited as he spoke. His eyes were particularly pregnant and he waved his hands involuntarily: "Although Zhao Pu has gained a certain amount of trust from His Majesty, he has also offended two other powerful forces. power.
Whether they are relatives or nobles, both central and local, they have been suppressed severely by Zhao Pu in recent years. How can they not have resentment in their hearts, especially those nobles from Yuan Cong. Although most of them were affected by the storm of reducing their titles and salaries. Everyone knew what His Majesty meant at that time, but whoever dared to complain about His Majesty would be targeted besides Zhao Pu who was the one who specifically promoted it.
Zhao Kuangmei was also affected by the turmoil that year. He is still serving his sentence in the northwest and has not been able to return to Beijing. Zhao Kuangyi was also released to Hunan.
You know, Zhao Kuangyi represents the nobles of the Han Dynasty. If I hadn't taken a fancy to this, how could I have made such a rash decision..."
Wang Yinwu fell silent again. He also claimed to be a shrewd person, but he never expected that there were so many twists and turns behind Zhao's defeat.
After a long time, Wang Yinwu asked: "According to what Brother Lu said, is Zhao Pu's loss of power a general trend and inevitable?"
Lu Duoxun did not answer directly, but said softly: "Zhao Pu is indeed a big tree with luxuriant branches and leaves. All we need to do is to pick up the scissors and cut off his branches and leaves. If there is a beginning, then people will naturally understand. Raise your ax and go ahead and cut off its branches!
Zhao Pu's phase has not always been reliable in the past twenty years. Do you still remember the flood in the Central Plains? Where do all these rumors come from?
Do you still remember that when Taishan returned from Zen, His Majesty personally took charge of the government? His Majesty’s thoughts have been shaken, His Majesty’s trust has weakened, that is, its foundation has been shaken...”
