The Duke's Mansion of the State of Wei.
In the lobby......
Xu Xianzong was sitting on the main seat, while Xu Yan, the eldest son of Wei Guogong, was standing aside.
Xu Xianzong is over middle-aged, but has a strong body. Unlike his father, who quarrels with Emperor Taizongwen behind his back every day, he has been staying in the military camp and has also practiced martial arts. Although the imperial court has not worshiped him so far. The general asked him to go out to fight, but he never forgot the achievements of his grandfather Xu Da.
"Dad, if we don't see each other again, it would be too rude for our Duke of Wei. After all, Xu Youzhen is also an official appointed by His Majesty." Xu You is handsome and powerful. He is in the prime of his youth. He has been smart since he was a child. I also know that the Duke of Wei stayed in Nanjing. Although he looked majestic, he was actually a tiger with its teeth pulled out.
When Xu Youzhen came a few times before, Xu Xianzong refused to meet him, and Xu Yan felt a little bad. Of course, he didn't feel that his father was holding him back, but that he was too cautious.
The Duke of Wei did not want to get involved in any major affairs because of their awkward position. Therefore, after Chen Ying arrived, Xu Xianzong immediately took over the handover, just to get the Duke of Wei out of this turmoil.
But if we continue to be so cautious, Wei Guogong's lineage will have to stay in Yingtian Mansion forever. Although it is a great honor to guard the Xiaoling Mausoleum and take charge of sacrifices on behalf of His Majesty, and to stay in Nanjing and take charge of the affairs of the Military Governor's Mansion, but in Xu It seems that he is still young. What he wants is the military life outside the Great Wall, rather than staying in this Jiangnan water town all the time, slowly smoothing away the pride left to him by his ancestors, and watching his hot blood slowly cool down. Come down.
Originally, Xu Yan had no hope. He would take over his father's title in the future. After a period of settling down, he would take over the position of the Left Governor of the Nanjing Central Army Governor's Mansion. Then he would lead tens of thousands of soldiers who had never fought in a war. I practiced in the school field until I could no longer move.
Isn’t this just raising pigs?
But now Xu Youzhen is here.
The imperial court wanted to change the tax system, and the first point it started was Yingtian Mansion. In Xu Yan's view, it was a crisis for the Duke of Wei, but it was also a great opportunity.
He wanted his father to catch him, but his father was too cautious.
The title of Duke of Wei has come to an end, and the blessings of my youth are gone. I just want to live a peaceful life so that future generations can enjoy glory and wealth.
He didn't have any different views on the new tax system, because he had no more desires. He just paid taxes. For the Duke of Wei who could enjoy a full national subsidy of five thousand shi, even if all their private land was He didn't hesitate to hand it over to the court.
Xu Xianzong was not afraid that the new tax system would continue to be promoted and cut off his own financial path, but on the contrary, he was afraid that the new tax system would be stopped halfway, and then Xu Youzhen, Yu Qian and other officials who supported the new tax system would be in trouble.
And if the Duke of Wei had been entangled with Xu Youzhen before, after the new tax system was stopped, it would also fall with the banner. Xu Xianzong knew the emperors of the old Zhu family very well.
Although it can be said that some of the blood of the Xu family flows among these emperors and they are also relatives, but at the critical moment, it is not ambiguous at all to push these relatives out to suffer the crime and punishment on their behalf.
After Zhu Jianshen ascended the throne, some of the things he did made Xu Xianzong very happy, feeling that one of his descendants finally inherited the kindness and intelligence of his aunt Zhuge Xu Miaoyun.
But when the new tax system came out, Zhu Jianshen first dismissed the Minister of Civil Affairs, and then killed six officials with a cane. The story of carrying more than a dozen officials from Fengtian Hall reached Xu Xianzong's ears, making him understand his naivety. That was Lao Zhu The son of the family, his nature is cunning and ruthless. Before, his foundation was unstable and he deceived all the officials. When he became full-fledged and took the throne for a long time, his true colors were revealed.
This frightened Xu Xianzong.
In the past, when Emperor Taizong Wen was the emperor, his father could still go to Fengyang to farm. That was because of the close relationship. Now that he is here with Zhu Jianshen, the relationship is also far away. The Duke of Wei did something wrong. Did he even go to farm? The qualifications are gone.
The fate of Ning Wang Zhu Mianpei is a good example.
So after thinking about it, Xu Xianzong still felt that he shouldn't express his attitude so quickly, so he ignored Xu Youzhen after he arrived in Yingtian. But one thing he didn't expect was that Xu Youzhen would come again and again, just like the Duke of Wei. People with eyes on their foreheads looked down upon him.
When Xu Xianzong listened to his son's words, he certainly knew what he wanted in his heart.
"You are still young, and there are many things that you don't know clearly. We, the Duke of Wei, can support His Majesty, but we cannot get too close to Xu Youzhen."
"Because supporting His Majesty has nothing to do with supporting the new tax system, but if you support Xu Youzhen, you support the new tax system."
Xu Xianzong said slowly.
"What do you mean, father? If you support your majesty, shouldn't you support the new tax system and help Mr. Xu to complete the land survey and reform earlier?" Xu Renduo was puzzled. He felt that what he heard from his father was more important than a single word. After saying so much, it’s as if nothing was said at all. Rolling up your sleeves and just doing it. Thinking about so much and having nothing to do. What’s the use?
Xu Xianzong glanced at his eldest son, who was a little anxious, and smiled bitterly: "After so many years, my father has also figured out a truth. Heaven will always be heaven, and your Majesty will always be your Majesty. But Xu Youzhen, Yu Qian, and the new tax system are hard to say. , In the Ming Dynasty, everything can be overthrown and started over, only His Majesty cannot, so premature intervention in this matter will only bring risks and no benefits to us."
"Father, after saying so much, Xu Youzhen is here again today. Whether you will see her or not, there is no definite answer."
"From my son's point of view, if not, His Majesty will inevitably think too much. No matter what, you are still staying in Tianfu, which represents His Majesty's power. Now Xu Youzhen is His Majesty's close minister, and this is the time for the main reform. Minister, you should see both emotion and reason, and listen carefully to what Xu Youzhen says before you can make a judgment."
"That day, when you were drinking with Hou Taining, you two didn't say a word about the new tax system. My son also knows that you two have difficulties in your hearts. Hou Taining is afraid of dragging down our Duke of Wei, and you don't want to wade too far. deep."
"But father, you are the heir to the Duke of Wei, the head of the Duke of Wei, who was conferred by Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. How is it possible that you want to stay out of the matter? In this matter, you have only two choices. The first is to oppose the new tax system. , the second one supports the new tax system. If the attitude is ambiguous and swings between left and right, I am afraid that the results for the Duke of Wei will be even more miserable..."
After listening to his son's words, Xu Xianzong just smiled. He didn't think his son was reckless, because he came from his age. If he wasn't arrogant, how could he be called a young man?
"This is already the fourth day, and he comes all the time. As a father, I really want to see Xu Youzhen once, otherwise it will be really hard to explain. Please listen nearby and don't interrupt..."
Xu Xianzong said slowly.
When Xu Er heard his father's agreement, he immediately cupped his hands and walked outside.
Xu Xianzong looked at Xu Yan's back and sighed. It had become a nightmare for his eldest son to leave Yingtian Mansion.
In fact, the Duke of Wei who guards Yingtian is no different from the vassal kings everywhere. They cannot leave Yingtian without the imperial decree.
The most I can do is go to the capital, and I can't go anywhere else.
Xu Xian was young and had possibilities that Xu Xianzong never had. If his son could really come back into His Majesty's sight and restore his grandfather's glory as a general, this was what Xu Xianzong had always wanted. Therefore, when Xu Xian was very young, Xu Xianzong made arrangements. He practiced martial arts, taught military tactics, and was trained early in the military camp.
But when the opportunity came, Xu Xianzong was not ecstatic. Instead, he hesitated and was a little scared.
Of course, this idea is inseparable from his own childhood experience...
The old Zhu family is too fickle...
Outside Duke Cheng's mansion, Xu Youzhen's face was indifferent, standing there as still as Mount Tai.
The soldiers who had just reported had returned, but the people who came to politely thank them did not come.
At this time, Xu Youzhen was determined. Usually, the young Duke came out with the soldiers. Now that the young Duke has not come out yet, it proves that Wei Guogong is in trouble. There is a high possibility that he will see Wei Guogong today.
Thinking about the reasons for Wei Guogong's use for these three days, Xu Youzhen just couldn't laugh or cry.
On the first day, the policy was that foreign generals should not have close personal relationships with courtiers, which was considered appropriate.
The next day, he refused to visit me on the grounds that Wei Guogong and Tai Ning Hou were too drunk and had not yet recovered, which was already a bit nonsense.
On the third day, Wei Guogong had a corn on his foot. He refused to visit him because it was inconvenient to see guests. The last fig leaf was gone, but he just didn't want to see him...
After a while, the figure of the little Duke Xu Yan appeared.
"Xiao Guogong, Xu Youzhen came to visit Duke Wei. I wonder if the corns on Wei Guogong's feet will be okay after he sobers up?"
Xu Yan looked embarrassed and laughed softly: "That's all. Xu Du Censor, my father has invited me."
Xu Youzhen raised her eyebrows and walked forward, followed closely by Zhao Cong and a group of royal guards...
Xu Youzhen took two steps and felt something was wrong with Xu Yan's expression. She immediately realized that so many armed guards entered the Duke of Wei's mansion all at once. It was still late at night. It did have a bad meaning...
"Zhao Baihu, you bring two people in with me, and the others are waiting outside."
"Yes, sir."
After hearing Xu Youzhen's arrangement, Xu You sighed softly, a smile appeared on his face instantly, and then he quickly stood up and made a gesture of invitation...
"Please, Mr. Xiaoguo."
"Censor of Xudu, please..."
Biquge
