Due to the exhaustion and hard work of the voyage, the banquet at Donghai Pavilion did not last long. In less than half an hour, after expressing some gratitude, Liu Chengxun and his party left the banquet.
Of course, the bureaucrats and celebrities who attended the banquet were not dissatisfied with this. On the contrary, they understood it very well. After all, for most people, being able to participate in such a gathering and have dinner and drinks with so many noble people from Tianhuang is already enough. It is a blessing. How can you expect more? Even if you want to be flattered, you have to see if you are qualified.
For princes like Liu Chengxun, truly effective communication is still in private. After spending some time settling in, I slept in Donghai Pavilion for a full afternoon. In the evening, I regained some energy.
Autumn is already here and the weather is cold. In this coastal area, it is even colder. Wearing a leather robe and standing on the attic, Liu Chengxun looked out at the scene in Jiaozhou Port. Under dusk, the lights are densely dotted in the harbor, which is gorgeous and colorful, harmonious and peaceful.
Seeing this scene, Liu Chengxun couldn't help but feel a little more peaceful. The country must be more beautiful. The familiar people and scenes, the familiar buildings and pavilions, and the bright lights of thousands of houses make people feel more friendly.
No matter how special the location of Liangping Island is, no matter how impressive it is, it still looks stingy. It has to be the port of the Han Dynasty to have the majesty of a big country. Of course, comparing Liangping Island with Jiaozhou Port is indeed a bit unfair to the former, especially in this era.
"Go and see how Liu Yun, Wen Hai and Uncle Zhiyuan are resting. If they have rested well, ask them to come and have dinner with me!" After paying attention for a long time, Liu Chengxun ordered the waiter waiting outside the curtain: "Also, bring Liu Hui and Duke Xing also came together."
It has been more than two years since I went to sea. Now that I am back, I really feel like I am in another world. It has been more than two years. Of course, what Liu Chengxun is more concerned about is what happened. When he was in Nanyang, the news was blocked, so it was fine not to know. Since he came back, he naturally had to make some preparations in advance to avoid returning. Jing Mian Sheng was caught off guard.
The small room was lit with spices brought back from Nanyang. The aroma was fragrant and refreshing. In the warm and elegant atmosphere, the princes and nobles were communicating harmoniously, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.
Liu Chengxun briefly talked about the process of going to Nanyang and what he had seen overseas. Of course, both Shi Dejun and Liu Hui had heard of many things before, but when Liu Chengxun talked about it, they still listened with interest.
But the focus is still on Liu Hui and Shi Dejun’s explanation, from the follow-up to the Western Expedition, to the beginning and end of the Yulin Rebellion, to the death of Queen Fu...
As the explanation progressed, the expressions of the few people listening gradually became serious and no longer relaxed. When it came to Empress Fu's death from illness, Liu Chengxun couldn't help but interrupt him, sighing with some sadness: "God never misses the New Year! The death of my sister-in-law is really sad!"
There is no doubt that Liu Chengxun has always respected Empress Fu. The people present were either princes, grandsons, or ministers, all of whom had enjoyed the queen's favor. Therefore, the atmosphere of the conversation could not help but become more serious and sad.
Shi Dejun bowed in the direction of Luoyang and said with emotion: "Queen Xiaoxianren, gentle and virtuous, with noble character, profound understanding of righteousness, and always caring for her ministers. Everyone in the world is saddened by the death of the empress." sigh"
"Your Majesty and his sister-in-law have a deep love as husband and wife. You can imagine what a blow it was to your Majesty when your sister-in-law passed away. How did he suffer it? How is your Majesty doing now? Is he still in good health?" Liu Chengxun calmed down and spoke in a serious tone. asked, staring at Liu Hui.
As soon as this question came up, both Liu Hui and Shi Dejun looked strange. This question seems to get to the key point. In fact, many people can clearly feel the changes in Emperor Liu after Fuhou's death, and the anti-corruption and evil movement launched in the country is the most significant change in Emperor Liu. concrete embodiment. Too direct, too harsh, too ruthless, and too merciless.
"Your Majesty is not seriously ill, he is just getting older and in a bad mood!" Liu Hui thought about it and replied.
"It seems that a lot of things have happened in the country!" Liu Chengxun said.
After hearing this, Liu Hui and Shi Dejun cooperated and told Liu Chengxun and others about the situation of anti-corruption and evil, as well as the current situation in the DPRK.
Although Liu Hui and Shi Dejun behaved reservedly when talking about the "official affairs" throughout the country and outside the capital during this period, their emotion was particularly obvious. The few people who heard about it all became serious subconsciously. Although they had not experienced it personally, they could feel the terrifying atmosphere and extreme pressure just from the description.
Liu Chengxun was silent for a while, and then thought seriously for a while. He sighed softly, looked at Shi Dejuan and said, "Mr. Xing, your life in Henan Province has not been easy recently!"
Hearing this, Shi Dejun smiled bitterly and said: "To be honest with you, Your Majesty, 30% of the officials in Henan Province have been replaced. Half of the prefects and prefects in each state have been replaced, and half of them have been killed. As for the people, the blow was particularly severe. Throughout Henan Province, tens of thousands of people were arrested. Due to various unrest, there were also more than 10,000 casualties.
However, even so, the special investigation envoys sent by His Majesty and the minions from the Imperial City and Wude Division are still not giving up, and are still collecting evidence, arresting people, interrogating, and passing sentences."
Hearing this description, even Liu Chengxun couldn't help but take a deep breath of the cool air of late autumn. After thinking for a moment, he frowned and asked, "From what I see, the scene in Jiaozhou Port is quite harmonious and stable. The businessmen and people are relaxed, but the situation is not as severe as you said."
Shi Dejun shook his head and said: "This is the result that the officials and Taoist colleagues have tried their best to maintain. Moreover, the local area of Mizhou has just gone through a thorough investigation not long ago. , was almost wiped out, a major riot broke out, and thousands of people died.
The lower official also tried his best to restore it to normal, but the weather was still much worse than before. As for the situation in other prefectures and counties, with all due respect, I cannot be optimistic! "
"Does Your Majesty know about these situations? If the situation is as serious as you said, and even affects the political security and people's livelihood, why don't you advise Your Majesty?" Liu Chengxun asked.
"Your Majesty's eyes are as bright as lightning, and he has a clear understanding of the world's situation. However, he has never witnessed it with his own eyes. From the memorials alone, it is always less convincing. What's more, it is not that no one has come forward to persuade him, but your Majesty is determined" Shi Dejun responded road.
Although the words were not finished, the meaning was expressed clearly. Liu Chengxun knew in his heart that among the people who knew Emperor Liu best in the world, Liu Chengxun was definitely one of them. After all, they had been brothers for decades, and Liu Chengxun had also lived in the shadow of Emperor Liu for decades and still respected the nobles. Prince.
At this point, Liu Chengxun noticed the respectful Shi Dejuan and came back to his senses. He picked up the wine glass and took a sip. He said softly: "Xing Gong has said so much tonight, and he is secretly complaining to me. He will definitely come back again." Be intentional!”
After hearing the question, Shi Dejun looked calm. He pondered for a moment, stood up and paid homage: "I have a merciless request. For the sake of the peace of all officials and people in Henan Province, I have drafted a memorial. I hope that His Highness will return to Beijing." After that, I can report it to His Majesty on my behalf!"
However, as soon as he expressed his intention, Liu Chengxun simply refused, very decisively, with almost no hesitation.
"Mr. It was a bit blunt, without any politeness or embarrassment.
Seeing this, Shi Dejun was stunned for a moment and hurriedly said: "Your Highness!"
"No need to say more, Mr. Xing!" Liu Chengxun interrupted him directly and looked at him calmly: "I first came back and I don't know enough about the situation in the country, so I can't comment at will. If you have anything to say, please feel free to tell your majesty. . And the only advice I can give Mr. Xing is to live a good life and ensure the stability of the officials and people of Henan. If you do this well, there is no need to worry about anything."
That has to be done, Shi Dejun lamented in his heart. However, seeing Liu Chengxun's resolute attitude, it was not easy to force it. The night party finally ended in a slightly awkward atmosphere.
Liu Chengxun has always been known as a "good king", but in the shadow of an emperor like Emperor Liu, it is difficult to be a good king, at least the political ability must be sufficient. As for Shi Dejun's request, Liu Chengxun made a judgment almost without thinking that he could not wade in this muddy water.
At the same time, he could not help but feel some worries in his heart. Liu Chengxun would not believe everything Shi Dejun said, nor would he not believe it. The situation in Henan and even in Daozhou across the country is definitely not optimistic.
And Shi Dejun is also a very shrewd veteran. Even he risked violating taboos and begged him. If there was no other way, he probably wouldn't have made such a move.
Liu Chengxun had a hunch that with the atmosphere in the court, he might not be able to relax this time when he returns to Beijing. Before returning to the country, I had been thinking about it, wishing I could fly back with my wings. Now that I have just set foot on my hometown, I feel like I might as well delay it for a while to avoid this storm.
However, now that the matter is here, the news may have already spread to the capital. After only staying one night in Jiaozhou Port, Liu Chengxun and his party set out on their way back to Beijing the next day.
(End of chapter)
