Zhao Pu, who returned to Guangzheng Hall, was not as calm and at ease as when he was in Chui Gong Hall. There was even a look of fear on his old face. Zhao Pu felt shuddering when he thought of the old emperor's evil tiger-like look at the end. Zhao Pu didn't know whether the tricks he played in front of Emperor Liu would work, and his confidence was always insufficient.
It is impossible for the old emperor to fully trust anyone now, including Wang Yucheng, who triggered the turmoil. Can the old emperor really tolerate it? Just accept everything he says?
I'm afraid that under that tolerant and affectionate surface, there is a heart that can bite people at any time. Wang Yucheng is also lucky. He has been on the edge of life and death so many times. I'm afraid he himself is not aware of the horror behind it.
This time, he was talking nonsense in front of the emperor again. In Zhao Pu's opinion, he neither knew the importance nor the death.
"Mr. Zhao!" After returning to the government hall, before he could take his seat and have a sip of tea, he saw an official walking in. He had gray hair but was in good spirits. It was Xin Zhongfu, the right prime minister of Shangshu.
Xin Zhongfu once served as Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, and later moved to Minister of the Ministry of Justice. When Zhao Pu returned to the court and became Prime Minister, he took a further step and served as You Cheng. He became Zhao Pu's most capable subordinate and one of the few real powerful figures in the center of the court.
"I wonder what the situation is?" Xin Zhongfu took a seat and asked directly without being polite.
Glancing at him, Zhao Pu sighed: "The power of heaven is shaken, and Long Yan is furious!"
"It's conceivable!" Xin Zhongfu nodded, with no surprise on his face: "Then what happened to Wang Yucheng?"
"The small turmoil in Chui Gong Hall has calmed down, but a big uproar is brewing in Helong!" Zhao Pu frowned and sighed.
Seeing Xin Zhongfu's concerned eyes, Zhao Pu succinctly told what Emperor Liu had explained. When Xin Zhongfu heard this, he was silent for a while and said, "That's good. Some officials in Helong have indeed gone above and beyond..."
"Okay!" Zhao Pu waved his hand, and then called outside: "Here comes someone!"
Soon, an officer on duty came in and bowed respectfully: "What are your orders, sir?"
"Go to the Metropolitan Procuratorate and invite the Zuodu Yushi!" Zhao Pu ordered.
"Yes!" The subordinate officer did not dare to neglect and left immediately.
Withdrawing his gaze, Zhao Pu looked at Xin Zhongfu again and continued the topic just now: "His Majesty asked us to investigate and verify what Wang Yucheng reported about Longxi. However, we are both sure of the situation in Longxi, even if it is different from what Wang Yucheng said. The place is not big after all.
From the Yulin Rebellion to the expedition to Anxi, from the Lu Duoxun case to the official purge, the northwest has not calmed down in the past ten years. So many people have been replaced, and many people have been killed. It is still stubborn and difficult to change.
Under the great government, it is understandable that the officials and the people are exhausted. However, how can your Majesty tolerate it when some people use this to cause trouble and use their hands to blame the court and pocket the profits? "
"These are all the troubles left by Lu Duoxun back then!" Xin Zhongfu said such an opinion for no reason.
Even Zhao Pu was startled. He frowned and couldn't help but look at him twice. After all, Lu Duoxun was Zhao Pu's mortal enemy. Even though he has passed away long ago, he is still fresh in his memory when he thinks about it. When the Lu case broke out, it was Xin Zhongfu who was presiding over his trial.
"Zhihan, let's not mention the past anymore. What we should consider now is how to deal with the situation in Helong." Zhao Pu said.
"I wonder what the holy will is?" Xin Zhongfu asked.
Zhao Pu said: "Your Majesty obviously intends to severely punish and admonish, but what is strange is that this time he has not used the Imperial City and the Wude Second Division, but let Yousi take care of it!"
Xin Zhongfu also thought about this for a while, and then said: "The Sacred Heart is unpredictable! However, it is a good thing for the court system to not use the second division. It can reduce a lot of injustice and better grasp the sense of proportion. But this matter , I have to put in some hard work to repay the holy bow, I wonder what Duke Zhao has planned?"
After hearing the question, Zhao Pu looked directly at Xin Zhongfu and said: "I intend to let Brother Zhihan go to Helong with Yang Jungong and Wang Yucheng. This shows that we attach great importance to it and can handle this job well! I just want Hard-working Zhihan to go there in person!"
Xin Zhongfu pondered in silence for a while, then he cupped his hands and said: "The responsibility is unavoidable, and I dare not express my sorrow! It's just that Duke Yang is reasonable, why don't you Wang Yucheng?"
Mentioning this Wang Yuchen, Zhao Pu couldn't help but look like he had a headache. He thought for a while and said, "It doesn't matter, Tianjin has been pierced by him. When you get to the northwest, just follow the rules!"
Xin Zhongfu nodded slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Mr. Zhao should know where the root cause of the troubles in the northwest is. If we don't find a way to cure the root cause, no matter how many officials are dealt with, I'm afraid it will only end the boiling water!"
Zhao Pu thought of something, thought for a moment, and said softly: "Your Majesty is relieved today!"
"Seriously?" Xin Zhongfu's eyes lit up.
Zhao Pu nodded solemnly.
Hearing this, even with Xin Zhongfu's accomplishments, he couldn't help rubbing his palms, suppressing his excitement, and said: "If this is the case, the trip to the northwest will double the confidence, the officials and people of the northwest will have hope, and the whole court will be at peace."
Obviously, there has been an opposition force from top to bottom, both inside and outside the government, regarding the Western Expedition, and even different factions have reached a consensus. However, due to the persistence of the old emperor, they did not dare to be too aggressive. However, once he lets go, the suppressed "public opinion" will quickly burst out.
Not to mention the northwest, even the central court has been "conquering the west for a long time". So many military supplies to support Anxi are not all obtained from the northwest, and the drain on the national treasury is also huge.
"Yangjun Gong Zuodu Yushi" finished explaining, Zhao Pu suddenly realized something again, murmured something in his mouth, and the meaning in his old eyes changed from deep thought to sudden realization.
How could the old emperor let Wang Yucheng take charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate? With his temperament, putting him in such a high position would not be a hindrance to himself.
Taking a step back, Yang Ye's Zuodu censor was also appointed by Emperor Liu, and he only took office for one year. This was an important arrangement for the old emperor to layout the power of the court. How could it be replaced by Wang Yucheng?
In the Chui Gong Hall, the old emperor's words and expressions were revealed. Thinking of this, Zhao Pu also showed a secretive expression on his face.
In the evening, in the Hongde Hall of the East Palace, the attendants on the left and right were screened back a certain distance, and Prince Liu Liu Yang was alone, listening to the report of the chamberlain Wang Yue. The oral content is of course inseparable from the news situation in the palace.
Recently, Liu Yang has been as low-key as he told Murong Defeng, putting down all power and affairs, staying at home and quietly working as an "apartment" in the East Palace. However, there were not many things inside and outside the imperial court that could escape his eyes and ears, not to mention that today's incident in the imperial palace was not deliberately kept secret.
After Wang Yue finished his report, Liu Yang's majestic face could not help but show some complex expressions. After pondering for a long time, Fang sighed: "Wang Yucheng, Wang Yuanzhi, the scholarly spirit has really not changed at all in these years!
No matter where you stay, Beijing is really not the place for someone like him to be an official."
In fact, Liu Yang felt that Wang Yucheng was only suitable to stay in prefectures and counties. The farther away from Emperor Liu, the better. In this way, with his sincerity and true temperament, he could protect peace and do something for the people. Be realistic, otherwise, misfortunes and blessings will be unpredictable.
The current political atmosphere and structure of the imperial court is not very friendly to direct ministers like Wang Yucheng.
After sighing twice, Liu Yang raised his head and ordered Wang Yue: "Send the box of 'Thank You Cake' sent by your tenth brother to Xianggong Zhao's house."
"Do you want to bring anything?" Wang Yue asked.
"No need!" Liu Yang said lightly: "Just bring the cake to you."
Regarding Wang Yuchen's matter, Liu Yang and Zhao Pu knew each other well. At the beginning, it was Liu Yang who actually made the decision to withhold Wang Yuchen's memorial. Zhao Pu was just a witness. As for the reason, of course it was to save Wang Yuchen.
As for Zhao Pu's intention in taking the initiative, Liu Yang also understood immediately after learning about the situation. No matter what the effect was, Zhao Pu always had good intentions.
Although Liu Yang felt calm, he did not dare to be too optimistic at this time. He explained truthfully how the old emperor would react, whether he understood him as the prince like he "understood" Zhao Pu, or...
"Your Highness, word has spread inside and outside the court that your Majesty has decided to stop the Western Expedition!" Wang Yue mentioned another matter. As a personal servant, he had some idea of what his master cared about.
However, upon hearing the news, there was no obvious change on Liu Yang's face. After a brief thought, he softly responded: "I know!"
From his true heart, Liu Yang certainly did not support the continuation of the Western Expedition. His consideration was also very simple. It was a loss-making business, and it became more and more serious as the years passed.
If he must open up to the outside world, Liu Yang would rather face Nanyang, where at least he can still make money back.
(End of chapter)
