As Zhao Pu's son, he received elite training since childhood. As Zhao Pu's status gradually rose, he had too many influences, and he also spent some years in officialdom. Zhao Chengzong was naturally not stupid.
Whether it was the rumors he heard, or Zhao Pu's performance and arrangements for him, he felt something unusual. Zhao Pu asked him to avoid it, naturally he wanted to protect him, but as Zhao Pu's eldest son, there were some things that he couldn't avoid, and he had to be concerned.
Facing the concerned eyes of his eldest son, Zhao Pu thought for a moment and realized that he still needed some explanation. Otherwise, it might not be a good thing for him to have worries. If he went wrong, he might become the target of others' criticism.
After pondering for a while, Zhao Pu sighed softly: "Your Majesty's dissatisfaction with me is becoming more and more obvious. As the prime minister, I am becoming more and more annoying to your Majesty. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay for much longer!"
Hearing Zhao Pu reveal his heart, even if he had some guesses, he couldn't help but be shocked. He subconsciously stood up and said in surprise: "How could it be? Now that we have captured Lu Duoxun, I should rely on you more. Otherwise, how can the court be stable?" Do you have to come down?"
Zhao Pu shook his head and said with a wry smile: "But you think highly of me. I may have made some contributions and accumulated some prestige over the years, but it is far from being indispensable. As long as His Majesty is here, there will be no chaos in the Han court." If you can get up, who dares to cause chaos?
Regardless of the fact that in the past six months, there have been constant turmoils and turmoil inside and outside the court, and even Lu Duoxun died in prison, this was just His Majesty's deliberate plan. Ministers like us, no matter how frightened and uneasy we are, still have to try our best to maintain the situation. Be stable and keep a low profile. Anyone who causes trouble with this will definitely be punished by His Majesty! "
Hearing what Zhao Pu said, Zhao Chengzong frowned and pointed out: "It is not that there were no rumors of dismissal as prime minister in the past, but in the end they were just rumors. Why is it so serious this time?"
Zhao Pu shook his head and said: "Your Majesty's thoughts are not something you can guess. In fact, I can also see that in the past few turmoils, His Majesty may not have had the idea of changing sides, but he still stood on my side in the end. .
But this time, the situation is different. I had a premonition from the time of Lu Duosun's incident. When he died, this premonition became even stronger. Up to now, I have basically determined that whether to resign or not is still a matter of time. Your Majesty has issued an edict! "
"From the time I came to Beijing in the second year of Kaibao, from when Shangshu Zuopushe started, to now, I have been the prime minister for eighteen years!" Zhao Pu said with a little reminiscence in his eyes, "Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, you can see that Someone has been Prime Minister for such a long time? How can Your Majesty tolerate a Prime Minister for twenty years? Perhaps as early as eight years ago, my position was unstable.
You only saw that after Lu Duosun fell, I lost a big opponent, but in the eyes of His Majesty, I lost another chess piece to restrict me?
Your Majesty has been in power for more than thirty years. He has governed the country and controlled the people with troops. He has often been anxious and impetuous. However, that is just his appearance. He only moves according to the situation. In fact, His Majesty still maintains stability and seeks balance.
From the crude economy at the founding of the country to the complete set of laws and regulations now, we can get a glimpse of it with strict punishments and laws to control the world. Once Lu Duoxun left, I, the prime minister, became abrupt and the balance of power in the DPRK was broken.
Under such circumstances, Your Majesty may support another person like he supported Lu Duosun in the past, but looking at the current situation, Your Majesty has no such intention, so the only way to start is from me. …
Your Majesty was able to use me for eighteen years in the past, and that was when I was still useful. However, now, in His Majesty's eyes, I may be even more useless.
His Majesty advocates the reform of official administration. In the past, I was responsible for this matter, but now, perhaps I have become an obstacle to official administration."
Zhao Pu's words made Zhao Chengzong horrified. He had already felt a hint of danger from his father's tone. Xianggong Lu has already died in the court, so will Xianggong Zhao be safe now? Although the possibility is very small, who can say for sure, it is Emperor Liu after all!
"Since you have understood everything, why not retreat bravely to protect yourself?" Zhao Chengzong thought for a while and advised: "Given your hard work and merit, Your Majesty should always take care of the old relationship and give you a stable old age! Chuzhou, my son can do it too. Don’t go!”
Seeing Zhao Chengzong's nervous look, he didn't even want to be the governor of Chuzhou. Zhao Pu was relieved and smiled at the same time: "Why haven't I asked your Majesty? It's just that your Majesty didn't allow it!"
Hearing this, Zhao Chengzong's expression suddenly became tangled. Zhao Pu explained: "If I try my best to retreat at this time, I am afraid that not only will I not be able to escape, but I will arouse His Majesty's suspicion. I have already felt this!"
Since I was recommended to the palace by Duke Liu, I have been serving His Majesty for almost thirty years. Thirty years have been enough time to see some things clearly.
Your Majesty is a heroic lord who is rare to meet in a century, but he cannot escape from some of the problems of a heroic lord. He has a cold nature and is stubborn and avoids guessing. And our Majesty is even worse. He has always been the only one to abandon his ministers, but he has never allowed his ministers to abandon him on their own initiative.
Your Majesty is getting older, and his jealousy is becoming more and more serious, which makes people feel frightened!
The day before yesterday, His Majesty called me to talk, and he mentioned one thing. When he was young, Shihu traveled across the nine states and was feared by no one in the world. In his later years, he became seriously ill and was still taken advantage of by treacherous ministers and demon empresses. He was cut off from the outside world and died in desolation. The sons fight for the country, and the world falls apart.
Zhu Wen was also mentioned. He was a hero, but his later life was miserable. He killed his traitor for his son.
What a wise master your majesty is, and what a tyrant the two are. They actually compared stone and vermillion. It is conceivable that your majesty is very jealous now.
Just imagine, what do I think when I hear these words, and how can I respond? "
After Zhao Pu finished speaking, although he was full of emotion, his expression was still calm. Zhao Chengzong couldn't bear it anymore, and a little cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he exclaimed: "If this is the case, wouldn't my father be in danger?"
Zhao Pu sighed: "Now, I can neither advance nor retreat!"
Seeing Zhao Pu describing the situation so seriously, Zhao Chengzong was affected by it and felt like he was sitting on a stove baking. He couldn't help but wander back. However, when he looked up and saw Zhao Pu's unmoving demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a little relieved. Nervously asked: "Father, there must be a way to break the situation!"
Zhao Pu did not answer directly, but changed the topic and said: "I am afraid that I will make His Majesty unhappy again today!"
Without waiting for questions, Zhao Pu said to himself: "Your Majesty has given an order, with King Wei as the commander-in-chief, to lead the army in Hexi and Anxi to conquer the Black Khanate in the west! His intention is very strong. Although I have not directly opposed it, there is also something in the proposal. To dissuade!”
This made Zhao Chengzong shocked and confused.
Noticing his confusion, Zhao Pu explained calmly: "In recent years, as the government and people have communicated with the Western Regions, they have somewhat studied and understood the Black Khanate occupying the western region. ...
Although this country is small, it still has millions of people. The people are fierce and barbaric, and the whole country is willing to fight in order to seek military glory for the nobles. Moreover, it has excellent weapons and a standing elite army, and its intelligence can recruit a large number of brave pagans from the far western region who are not afraid of death.
This is not an easy enemy to deal with. Although it is only a small country compared with the Han Dynasty, although the Han Dynasty is big, it may not be able to achieve complete victory in the Western Regions thousands of miles away. If we use the strength of the whole country, we are afraid that it will end in a militancy. "
"Are you not optimistic about this Western Expedition?" Zhao Chengzong asked.
Zhao Pu shook his head and said: "In military matters, the outcome is unpredictable. I just have a conservative view!"
Zhao Chengzong frowned and thought for a while: "What does this have to do with your current predicament?"
Zhao Pu sighed leisurely: "Your Majesty, of course, values talents when employing people, but more importantly, it depends on whether the person has his or her will. Since Your Majesty is unwilling to directly allow me to resign, I can only let Your Majesty understand step by step that I have already Out of phase.
If the Western Expedition is victorious, then my disobedience to the paradox today will naturally come true. If the Western Expedition is frustrated, as the prime minister, I will be the first to bear the responsibility, which is what I should do! "
Having said this, Zhao Pu looked at Zhao Chengzong and said relaxedly: "You don't have to worry too much. Even if I am abandoned by your majesty for eighteen years, I will leave my name in history and this life will be enough. Although your majesty is very suspicious, you can protect yourself. I still have confidence. Chuzhou knows the state, so you can take office with confidence.
After all, I am not Lu Duosun, I am not so greedy for power, and I dare to do anything."
Although Zhao Pu was so comforting, Zhao Chengzong always had a huge stone hanging in his heart. Seeing Zhao Pu waving his hands to drive people away, he could only give up and retreat.
After Zhao Chengzong retired, Zhao Pu was alone and fell into deep thought again. His words to comfort Zhao Chengzong were not meant to comfort himself.
On the other hand, although he felt the danger and wanted to retreat, he still inevitably retained a trace of extravagant hope in his heart. If something unexpected happened, he might not be able to serve as prime minister for twenty years.
The throne of Prime Minister is really nostalgic.
