In the back garden of Dongping Palace, the cool breeze is like water, the vegetation is sparse, the leaves are withering, and the whole thing looks like a cold and desolate autumn.
In the quiet and long corridor, two figures walked slowly forward. One of them was walking very slowly, leaning on a walking stick. The sound of the collision between the end of the stick and the floor tiles could be clearly heard. It was Zhao Kuangzan, King of Dongping.
Like many veterans of Qianyou, Zhao Kuangzan has gradually become depressed over the years. He resigned from most of his positions, no longer interfered with court affairs, and returned to the palace. There are reasons for Emperor Liu, and there are also physical factors, but in the final analysis, it is still Emperor Liu.
Since the Qianyou Northern Expedition, Zhao Kuangzan accompanied him back to the court and has been enjoying lofty courtesy. Probably because his relationship with the court was too close in the past, unlike other separatist regimes, Zhao Kuangzan received very little suspicion and control. After all, although Youyan had certain independent attributes, it was still under the rule of the imperial court.
And Emperor Liu always adhered to his original promise to share weal and woe with the Zhao Kuangzan family. Not only did he receive preferential treatment in terms of title and salary, he was even allowed to participate in court affairs and given real power. He even allowed Zhao Wang Liu Fang Marrying Zhao Kuangzan's daughter, the kindness and kindness shown to her are enviable and even more surprising.
However, as his age increases and his body weakens, Zhao Kuangzan's presence in the court continues to decrease. Now, except for the title of Prince Dongping, which is often thought of, he has basically disappeared from people's mind. vision.
"Chu Bao, this is not like your style!" The old voice drawled with a little doubt in his tone. As Zhao Kuangzan walked, he looked at Song Qi who was following him.
"Both the government and the public know that the Imperial City and Wude Divisions are His Majesty's minions, working to spread His Majesty's eyes and ears. Countless people are gnashing their teeth at the detectives of the Second Division, wishing they could get rid of them quickly, but they have never succeeded. Why, They have His Majesty's blessing!
Fan Zhi and Wang Pu have higher prestige than you, and have a closer relationship with Your Majesty than you. They were also criticized and reprimanded by Your Majesty for admonishing the Second Division. Why do you need to touch His Majesty's disobedience during the national mourning...
I'm confused, what is your intention? Now that the phase has been lost, if Your Majesty uses this suspicion and commits more crimes, I'm afraid your life will be in danger. You have always been smart and wise, why are you so reckless now? " Zhao Kuangzan sighed with emotion, his tone full of care.
When Song Qi heard this, she was very calm, and even showed a smile: "Although I have lost my phase, I still have time to go to the palace to visit. Ordinarily, don't you have such an opportunity?"
Zhao Kuangzan frowned immediately, stopped and stared at Song Qi: "Are you willing to retreat?"
In response to this question, Song Qi was silent for a moment, and then said softly: "Nowadays, in the imperial court, there are countless people who are obsessed with power, fame and fortune, but those who want to retreat are probably not just me, but also the king, so why not ?」
Hearing what Song Qi said, Zhao Kuangzan shook his head and said: "You are different from me! You are a talented person, a capable minister, and the talent the court needs. His Majesty has always relied on and valued you.
You know, since Qian Youkai Bao, there have been so many prime ministers in the Han Dynasty, and your Song Chubao is the one with the weakest foundation. Even Zhao Pu, although he came from the feudal town of Muzuo, has stayed with His Majesty for several years.
Your journey from Youzhou to Shanyang, and then to Zhengshitang as prime minister, has been extremely difficult..."
Hearing this, Song Qi finally sighed: "I am getting old after all. There are many talents in the imperial court, and there are endless rising stars, such as Zhang Qixian, Lu Mengzheng, Li Hang, Zhang Yong, etc. They are all capable of managing the world and can take on big responsibilities. There is no need for an old man like me..."
"You don't mean what you said!" Zhao Kuangzan raised his finger and said.
Song Qi turned around, stood with her hands behind her back, and looked at the autumn scenery in the backyard of the palace. After a long time, she sighed: "It doesn't hurt to speak frankly to your Majesty. I am admonishing you as the sexton of the Imperial City. First, I really think that such a hawk-dog organization is like this." Power needs to be contained to avoid causing trouble and disrupting the political agenda.
Your Majesty is actually prepared for this. In the early years, he had many restrictions on the Wude Division and strictly controlled his powers. However, in recent years, he has become more and more indulgent. The power of the Second Division has become rampant and has violated the powers of the officials of the Imperial Court. If this continues, it will be detrimental to the stability of the government and the stability of people's hearts.
Secondly, as the king said, I have the intention to retreat! I have been loyal to the king for more than thirty years, although
He has no great achievements, but he has a clear conscience. Now it is time to enjoy his old age in peace.
Your Majesty is an unparalleled hero, but every hero who has great achievements must also cause great harm! To put it bluntly, His Majesty can no longer regard him as the wise, mighty and broad-minded entrepreneurial king he was in the past!
Once the Queen is gone, the world will lose a virtuous queen, and Your Majesty will also have one less restraint. In the past, His Majesty often treated senior ministers as if they were deposed and returned to support, but this may not be the case in the future. "
After Song Qi finished speaking, Zhao Kuangzan thought for a while and then sighed: "You actually have such an idea. It is indeed dangerous to continue to be the prime minister! However, even if you want to retreat, why choose such a dangerous way?"
Song Qi shook her head and said with some sadness: "This can also be regarded as a test, and the result was as expected!
In addition, your Majesty should know about the former military commander Li Jungong. He retreated several times and was unable to do so. Your Majesty is currently violent and moody. He can abandon others, but cannot tolerate others abandoning him. I have no illness or disaster. If I rashly resign, I am afraid that not only will it be difficult for His Majesty to give me permission, but I will also arouse his suspicion.
Even, I don’t dare to excuse myself and claim to be sick..."
After hearing Song Qi's words, Zhao Kuangzan was stunned for a moment, with a bitter smile on his old face: "I have been away from the court for a long time, but I didn't know that Your Majesty has become so terrifying!"
"Your Majesty is a hero! How can a hero not be suspicious? The older he gets, the more he becomes so..."
"If that's the case, then what if the prime minister doesn't do it?" Zhao Kuang praised. As he spoke, he couldn't help coughing violently.
Seeing this, Song Qi hurriedly supported Zhao Kuangzan, stretched out her hands to stroke his back to help him calm down, and advised him: "Your Majesty, do you still need to take care of yourself?"
"It doesn't matter, people get sick as they age. In their early years, they were dissolute and suffered from some diseases. Now, it's just a matter of paying off the debt!" Zhao Kuangzan coughed a few more times and waved his hands.
Speaking of old, Zhao Kuangzan is only in his early sixties, several years younger than Song Qi, but his old appearance completely overshadows Song Qi's. Half a head of silver hair, a face full of wrinkles, and a thin body always make people... A feeling of vulnerability.
"I have a lot of emotions after talking with Chu Bao today. Come with me. There is something I want to show you. Please give me an idea!" Zhao Kuangzan gestured to Song Qi.
"Your Majesty, please!"
The two entered the study and sat down. Zhao Kuangzan rummaged through the books, took out a memorial, and handed it to Song Qi: "Take a look!"
[In view of the general environment,
Song Qi took it with curiosity, and after reading it for a while, a touch of caution quickly appeared in her brows.
