"Dad, do you mean that His Majesty will be forced to use Wang Jien and the Imperial City Secretary to quell the public anger at the request of the ministers?" As Zhao Kuangyi's eldest son and the most valued son, Zhao Dechong couldn't help but ask for advice when he heard his father's sigh.
Zhao Dechong returned to Beijing from Hunan last winter. On the one hand, he was reporting on his work and waiting for promotion. The other was to meet Zhao Kuangyi and talk about family ties. But he didn’t expect that the new year has just begun and spring is just blooming. To be able to eat such a big melon in Luoyang is an eye-opener for Zhao Dechong, especially because he can learn about many things that ordinary people are difficult to know. , which made him more interested.
Perhaps because of his love, Zhao Kuangyi seemed very patient with his eldest son's superficial or even mediocre views. Although he shook his head, his tone was extremely calm: "Who are you today? You are a man of extraordinary talent, and he is never burdened by fame. That's all on ordinary days. How could such an important moment or event be forced by public sentiment?
It should be noted that the emperor cannot be fought over when he is in his prime, nor can he be bullied when he is old! The greater the persecution, the stronger the resistance..."
Zhao Dechong nodded thoughtfully and continued to ask: "In this case, your Majesty must protect Wang Jien. How can Wang Jien be defeated?"
After hearing the question, Zhao Kuangyi looked at Zhao Dechong and asked softly: "Do you know why Lu Mengzheng and those people dared to state the charges and criticize Wang Jien this time?"
Zhao Dechong thought for a while and said with a slight hesitation: "Perhaps Wang Jien was too powerful and too harmful, and it was difficult for the courtiers to tolerate him, so he launched an attack?"
"Do you really think so?" Who is Zhao Kuangyi? He noticed the thought flashing in Zhao Dechong's eyes and asked leisurely: "Wang Jien has been rampant in the court for more than a day or two, and he has been rejected by the court officials for more than thirty years. In the past thirty years, many founding fathers, ministers and ministers have been unable to do anything to him. Why did juniors like Lu and Zhang dare to attack him and choose such an opportunity?"
Hearing what Zhao Kuangyi said, Zhao Dechong thought for a while and said with some surprise: "Could it be that the rumors are true and that Wang Jien has really fallen out of favor with His Majesty?"
Zhao Kuangyi did not answer this question directly, but stood by the window, looked up at the sparse moonlight under the night sky through the window lattice, and sighed: "Everything must happen for a reason, no matter what twists and turns this matter has developed so far, All we need to know is that Wang Jien has been in power for forty years and has always been as stable as a mountain, thanks to His Majesty's grace and trust. Now that the storm is rising, thousands of people are pointing out that it just shows that the foundation he relies on is unstable... ..”
"It's just..." Zhao Dechong thought for a while and said curiously: "This kind of news is related to Tianxin. How secret it is, how did it get out, and can it win the trust of Lu Fuyin and others."
"I'm afraid His Majesty is also suspicious of this matter!" Zhao Kuangyi couldn't help but smile and murmured: "You and I can't escape those close to you!"
After hearing this, Zhao Dechong put forward an opinion: "With His Majesty's attitude of sitting back and watching the situation, could it be that His Majesty took the initiative to release the news in order to get rid of Wang Jien?"
In response, Zhao Kuangyi smiled, raised his finger and said: "This is looking down on your majesty! As your majesty, if you want to kill Wang Jien, it's like killing a chicken or a dog. Why go to all this trouble and cause such trouble in the city and turmoil in the court?"
What's more, the fact that this matter has developed to this point has caused harm to His Majesty's face. Although Wang Jien is arrogant and domineering, does evil, bullies officials and harms the people, he is after all a servant who has served His Majesty for decades. The relationship between master and servant is also a fact and cannot be compared to us ministers.
If you want to kill a dog, you have to consider the owner’s feelings! Nowadays, the imperial court is in a raging mood, shouting and killing Wang Jien. How should His Majesty treat him as a hero?
Do you think that the minister who made the suggestion is trying to force the palace? Many people can see that the purpose of impeaching Zhang Jinjie is to deal with Wang Jien behind him. But now, what is the deeper goal behind criticizing Wang Jien? "
Hearing this, Zhao Deshong was completely shocked and couldn't help but said: "If Your Majesty thinks so, wouldn't Lu Fuyin, Zhang Shangshu and others be in danger? Even if they move to Wang Jien, what will it do to me?"
"Some things cannot be judged based on the word "benefit" alone. Moreover, there is no fixed number of what is beneficial and what is harmful! At least, for Lu Mengzheng, this act is enough to make him famous. It's history!" Zhao Kuangyi shook his head again and sighed in a deep tone:
"Lü Mengzheng is an extraordinary person. He has the feeling of 'after three years of silence, he becomes a blockbuster.' He is also able to compete with so many distinguished disciples and talented men from a humble family. At the age of 40, he entered the Yin Jing Mansion and returned to the palace. How can he be an ordinary person if he has been sitting quietly for many years?"
Hearing his sigh, Zhao Deshong also turned his attention to Lu Mengzheng: "In my opinion, Lu Fuyin is asking for fame?"
Zhao Kuangyi still shook his head: "That's not necessarily the case! A big tree attracts the wind, and the imperial city has been powerful for thirty years. It offends many people without knowing how many people it is. There are too many places where people are jealous. What I didn't expect is that it's too early to tell the truth. ..."
"Because of Your Majesty?" At this time, Zhao Dechong answered with a clear answer. As he spoke, he looked puzzled and said, "If His Majesty is stirred up by public sentiment and instead tries to protect Wang Jien, then where is he in danger?"
Returning to the original question, Zhao Kuangyi showed a half-smile expression on his face, and said meaningfully: "Have you ever thought about why so many people have recently begun to advocate taking the overall situation into consideration and stabilizing the political agenda? And so many people have changed their tune to Wang Jien is talking? Why do those officials suddenly appear to impeach each other, and where do the details in their hands come from? "
This series of questions and what they were referring to behind the scenes can be described as straightforward. Zhao Dechong also reacted and said: "Wang Jien is manipulating these behind the scenes! How dare he?"
"A dog can jump over a wall in a hurry, let alone Wang Jien?"
"If this is the case, isn't this person destined to end?" Zhao Dechong said.
"No one can save him except Your Majesty! However, based on my understanding of Your Majesty, I have no tolerance for the current King Jien, even if I feel reluctant to give up!" Zhao Kuangyi said with certainty.
After listening to Zhao Kuangyi's analysis, Zhao Dechong pondered for a long time. He just finished digesting it. Looking at his father's tall and straight back, he couldn't help but bow deeply: "Dad has a clear understanding of the situation in the DPRK. I really admire him!"
Waving his hands calmly, Zhao Kuangyi looked out the window at the cool night, and sighed with a sense of sadness: "It's a pity that all the ambition and knowledge can only be used to delve into such scheming..."
From Zhao Kuangyi's tone, we can hear a little loss and unwillingness. Zhao Dechong felt this and couldn't help but said: "Even if I only use a little talent, I can assist the court and rule the world!"
Perhaps it was because of the father and son, but such flattery did not seem too greasy. Zhao Kuangyi felt a little better after listening to it.
In the past few years, after enduring constant temptation and suppression, Zhao Kuangyi finally came to his senses. This man is profound, has a tenacious temperament, and knows how to hide his strength and bide his time.
In the past few years, in addition to daily handling of affairs within his authority, Zhao Kuangyi spent most of his energy and thoughts on studying people's hearts. Emperor Liu is undoubtedly the focus of his research. By now, "mind reading" has become Zhao Kuangyi's daily compulsory technique.
Observe Emperor Liu's words and deeds, figure out his psychology, and summarize the rules and grasp the changes in proportion, so as to judge the changes in the court's personnel and the development of the political situation. It has to be said that Zhao Kuangyi gained a lot of experience through painstaking research, so that he can now "see things with a clear eye". In his eyes, court affairs seem to be transparent, and he can often see through them at a glance.
In the process, Zhao Kuangyi also gradually discovered that he had slowly lost the sense of awe and fear he had towards Emperor Liu in the past. In Zhao Kuangyi's view, the emperor's authority was only because he was in that position. Putting aside all this, he was nothing more than a dying old man.
Lifting the veil of mystery, we can see that the emperor, who is so aloof, also has many disadvantages. He is selfish, fragile, sensitive, suspicious, ungrateful, and shameless. He is not much better than a commoner in the market...
Of course, Zhao Kuangyi did not dare to reveal any of these treacherous knowledge and opinions to the outside world. Even Zhao Dechong, who was trained as the successor, did not dare to reveal the slightest bit.
"Such words are not worthy of comment to outsiders, otherwise where would all the sages in the court be?" Looking at Zhao Deshong, Zhao Kuangyi said with ridicule in his tone: "If others listen to it, I'm afraid they will inevitably be called Arrogant and arrogant..."
"Yes! Save it, my son!" Zhao Dechong nodded in response, thought for a while, and said with emotion: "I don't know how this storm will end."
"This matter can only be discussed between father and son. Don't talk to others, let alone discuss it outside!" Zhao Kuangyi, however, put on a straight face and solemnly told Zhao Dechong: "It's not your turn to deal with the imperial court. Come and worry about it. What you need to do now is to seriously practice in the local area, accumulate qualifications and reputation, and implement policies to govern and control the people. Do not participate in or even discuss anything else that has nothing to do with it!"
Seeing his father's harsh words, Zhao Dechong did not dare to ignore it and said respectfully: "Yes!"
"It's just..." Following the topic, Zhao Dechong frowned and asked, "It's been more than two months since I returned to Beijing, and my next step is still undecided."
"Why, are you in a hurry to leave?" Zhao Kuangyi chuckled.
Zhao Dechong then showed a slightly ashamed smile and said: "My son is just eager to make contributions and become more and more anxious. If I decide where to go early, I can alleviate my worries about gains and losses and serve my parents at home with peace of mind..."
Feeling the eagerness in his words, Zhao Kuangyi's expression condensed, and he gave a stern lesson: "You must restrain your eagerness. You must know that you are different from those poor people. There is no need to compete for the first place. You only need to follow the steps. So. Your qualifications are as high as those of a prime minister. They can always be predicted by ministers and officials. All you need to do is to be methodical and avoid making mistakes!"
Zhao Kuangyi's words were full of care and advice. Zhao Dechong was also very moved. Thinking about Zhao Kuangyi's positive evaluation of his future, he felt even more eagerness in his heart, as if there was a hot force swimming in his body. , extremely comfortable.
With a heavy breath, Zhao Dechong said respectfully: "My father's teachings will definitely be remembered in my heart, and I dare not neglect them and forget them!"
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyi nodded slightly, showed a gentle smile, and said: "Your destination has basically been decided, go to Longyou, Zhihuangshui County!"
"Huangshui County..." Zhao Dezhao murmured. After receiving the exact news, there was no joy on his young face, but rather solemnity.
Huangshui County is the administrative seat of Huangzhou, far west of Longxi and adjacent to Shanzhou. It is a strategic location for the imperial court to control Qiangtang. It is also the area hardest hit by Wang Yucheng's report on Helong's bad government.
As for the turmoil in Helong, it was impossible for Zhao Dechong not to have heard about it. Seeing the doubt on his face, Zhao Kuangyi said earnestly: "Helong is not a good place, with a lot of right and wrong. This time Wang Yucheng exposed the shortcomings of the Western Expedition and exposed the bottom of Helong's officialdom. A storm is inevitable.
However, if you can successfully break out from there, it means that you have gained experience and can become something great. Thirty years of turmoil in the northwest has been spectacular, far better than other Daozhou states in the Han Dynasty. In the land of tigers and wolves, there are also famous figures!
Helong Road is about to undergo a rectification. Under the great turmoil in the officialdom, it is your opportunity to make a difference. How to govern and stabilize the people and stabilize people's hearts will test your methods.
At the same time, Your Majesty has the intention to stop the Western Expedition. Without the heavy burden of the Western Expedition, the policies for governing Helong should also be changed accordingly. In this regard, we need to think carefully about it.
From now on, you will officially become the Marquis of Baili who is in charge of the people of a country. Your authority is by no means comparable to that of a county prime minister. You still need to understand it after you take office..."
Zhao Kuangyi's teachings and exhortations were so heartfelt and heartfelt that Zhao Dechong was deeply moved.
The night got deeper, and the wind that penetrated into the room through the window became colder. The father and son stood there for a long time, and Zhao Dechong even shivered when the cold wind picked up. Looking at Zhao Kuangyi who was still standing like a pine tree, Zhao Dechong admired his father's leg strength. He hesitated for a moment and asked softly: "Dad, are you still thinking about the political dispute between the DPRK and China?"
Zhao Kuangyi neither admitted nor denied, but slowly walked aside, picked up a pair of scissors, and silently cut the dimly burning candle. Under his operation, the flames grew stronger again, and the room became brighter.
The bright firelight almost reflected in Zhao Kuangyi's eyes, and he could only hear him saying quietly: "I don't know where this will end? I don't know how big the appetite of people like Lu Mengzheng is, and whether they know when enough is enough... "
Unlike many courtiers, Zhao Kuangyi was not interested in whether he could overthrow Wang Jien. There was no conflict between the two, and they even had a good relationship on weekdays.
However, Zhao Kuangyi was happy to see Lu Mengzheng and others' attacks, and always had an attitude of watching from a distance. For Zhao Kuangyi, he does not want the situation in the court to remain stagnant. He wants to see changes, which is more beneficial to him. There are always some people who are afraid of chaos in the world. Today, Zhao Kuangyi has such a tendency.
In his prediction, this incident is most likely to end with Wang Jien. However, those ministers who are agitated may not be able to remain calm. It is difficult to guarantee that some changes will not occur...
