Chapter 384 The Emperor Needs
Battles between rulers and ministers are not uncommon, and the means are different. Some directly confront each other, the emperor kills ministers, and ministers kill the monarch; some twists and turns, the emperor frequently replaces officials, and the ministers gang up to protect themselves; At that time, the emperor gave up the political affairs and hid in the deep palace to concentrate on enjoying the luxurious life of the emperor.
In short, once the battle begins, there will never be a good outcome. The emperor wins, the ministers slack from then on, the minister wins, the emperor loses his determination, and if a tie is reached, the court will continue to be in turmoil.
Knowing this, Han Ruzi couldn't give in step by step, and the minister refused to serve the emperor wholeheartedly, but it was too much to arrest and hide those who took the initiative to turn to the emperor.
Han Ruzi hoped that his threat would not become a reality. Now, a purge of the imperial court would take at least three years. For him and Da Chu, the gains outweighed the gains.
Nan Zhijin left, and the officials of Zhongshu Province and other ministers didn't say a word. The next afternoon, it was the other Zhongshusheren who came to deliver the memorial. His arms were trembling all the time. It was a short walk from the door to the desk. It was extremely difficult, and when the memorial was finally placed on the table, it was a little messy, far less tidy than usual.
But that night, Zhongshuling did not send someone to take the gold from Chao Jing's house "as promised", as if he had forgotten about it.
In the Hall of Diligence, no minister mentioned this matter again. Even the prime minister, Shen Mingzhi, who didn't seem to know the inside story before, was probably reminded and kept silent about the suggestions he had written.
The next day remained calm, but the atmosphere was a little awkward. The ministers spoke carefully and tried to keep their voices low when discussing with each other.
Shortly in the afternoon, Han Ruzi was about to go to the Marquis Mansion when word came from the palace that the Queen Mother Cining wanted to meet the emperor.
In addition to reporting the news from the East China Sea, Han Ruzi did not enter the palace for a few days to greet her, so she immediately went to see her mother.
Empress Dowager Cining said a few words, stared at her son, and suddenly sighed, "I heard that there was some conflict between Your Majesty and the minister."
"It's not a conflict." Han Ruzi smiled, "It's just that they have some ideas about each other that they didn't express clearly, which made my mother worried."
"Well, that's good. Your Majesty knows it in your own mind. However, I still want to remind Your Majesty that Emperor Huan and the Empress Dowager Cishun have had feuds with their ministers, and they ended up hastily. No one can be said to be the victor. , Looking at the emperors of the Chu Dynasty, only the founding father Taizu and His Majesty's grandfather Wudi have successfully defeated the ministers. Taizu's method was to win over one faction to attack the other faction, while Wudi used the prestige established over the decades, a paper order Your Majesty, no one dares to resist. What means does Your Majesty plan to use?"
Empress Dowager Cining is still worried. In the eyes of others, this may already be an emperor with a stable position, but in her view, she is still a son who has not grown up and needs her support and help.
Han Ruzi said sternly: "I don't have the prestige of Emperor Wu, and I don't have so many supporters around Taizu. I took a step forward in order to make a step with the minister. Mother, I understand the difficulty of running a country and understand the priorities of things. , will not easily fall out with the minister."
The Empress Dowager Cining smiled, "I'm over-hearted. Your Majesty cherishes it. Your Majesty is as smart and wise as Emperor Wu. With time, you will be able to revive Da Chu and achieve another prosperous world."
"As long as I can be worthy of my ancestors, I will be very satisfied."
"Well, since you're back, let's go see the queen. You always live outside, so it's not a good thing."
"Yes, mother."
Han Ruzi withdrew and sighed inwardly. After all, her mother kept in touch with the minister, hoping that she would stop at enough time and not go to the point of interfering in the government.
He still wondered why his mother let him go to see the queen.
The mystery is soon revealed.
Cui Xiaojun hadn't seen the emperor alone for a while, and was very happy. After a few words, she turned to the topic, "I heard that the robbers from Yunmengze have sent assassins to the capital again?"
"Well, there are such rumors."
"Then Your Majesty... Should I return to the palace to live? After all, it is safer here."
Empress Dowager Cining spoke for the minister, and the empress invited the emperor to return to the palace. The two women who were not in harmony agreed on the matter of safeguarding the emperor's interests.
Han Ruzi smiled, "The palace said it was safe, but it was breached by assassins several times. The queen experienced it herself, do you think it's safer here?"
Cui Xiaojun was silent. The more dangerous it was, the more she hoped that the emperor would be by her side.
"The end of the imperial palace cannot be too big. The more people there are, the easier it is to make mistakes. Although the Marquis Mansion is small, it is under my control. Don't worry, Yunmengze dares to send assassins.
"Your Majesty, don't be surprised by the woman's opinion."
Han Ruzi always felt a little bit of guilt towards the Empress, more so than towards her mother, so she stepped forward and hugged her waist, and said softly, "I'll stay today, and Da Chu will not be short of my day."
This afternoon, Han Ruzi didn't want to worry about internal and external troubles, and he didn't want the minister's dissent. He spent all his time staying with the queen. He stayed overnight, and the next morning, after greeting the two queen mothers, he went to the Qinzheng Palace.
The attitude of the prime minister and others seemed to be more natural, and Han Ruzi also showed his benevolent side, and seldom refuted the minister's suggestion.
In the afternoon, when he went to the Manhou Mansion, Zhao Ruosu was already waiting at the gate.
Zhao Ruosu did not have a waist badge, so he could not enter the mansion at will. The emperor nodded to Cai Xinghai in the sedan chair, saying yes, Zhao Ruosu was allowed to go to the mansion next door to receive the corresponding items. When he entered the mansion, the emperor was discussing with everyone. Military intelligence, he was invited into the hall by the eunuch and stood aside to listen.
Di Kai, Yan Pengshi, and Lai Bingwen are not present today, and everyone can talk about their shortcomings.
Mr. Yan Peng received the most support. He was young and came from an aristocratic family. In his early years, he served as a noble attendant in the palace. He had a wide range of contacts, and he dared to go deep alone. The young general.
Cui Teng came back late, eager to catch up with the progress, and praised Master Yan Peng with all his might, "Yan Xiaoshi, I know him, he used to be a good friend with my brother, we ate and drank together...what, but he is indeed a talent, I listen It is said that the late emperor admired him very much, and sent him back to the East China Sea for experience. This kid was very good at talking back then. When a group of people gathered, they listened to him talking freely, and others could hardly get in..."
"It's the same as you are now?" The King of East China Sea laughed. Master Yan Peng was from the East China Sea, but he had nothing to say, because he had never been in the country and knew very little about his subjects who were nominally his own, and he knew the need to avoid suspicion. , try not to speak, except when mocking Cui Teng.
Cui Teng's tanned face hadn't recovered yet, and his face showed contempt, "What do you know? Master Yan Peng has the talent of a general, can they say the same thing as me?" After a pause, he added: "Neither to you nor to you. Same."
Master Yan Peng received most of the praise, and only a scholar from the Hanlin Academy carefully put forward: "A soldier is a dangerous thing, and Master Yan Peng regards it as something he can capture, I'm afraid..."
Several people objected at the same time.
"What are you afraid of? Wasn't he the one who entered the sea alone and broke up the thieves?"
"It is said that Deng Cui, the general of the chariots and cavalry, handed it over to others when he was arranging troops.
"Master Yan Peng is not called underestimating the enemy, it is called self-confidence."
No one said that Yan Pengshi was not.
Regarding the veteran general of Nanyue County, Di Kai, everyone's opinion is also very consistent. The first is old, and he may not be able to withstand the turbulence of the sea.
There is a lot of controversy about Lai Bingwen. Although more than ten years later, these young people around the emperor never saw it with their own eyes, but there is no shortage of rumors among the honorable servants. As soon as Lai Bingwen returned to Beijing, those rumors from many years ago were all over again. Scum rises.
It turns out that Mr. Lai had some problems with his conduct when he was young, and colluded with married women. Originally, this kind of thing was not uncommon, but it is rare to see it in public. Township, and almost cut off contact with former friends.
As for who is being seduced, it's a matter of popularity. Whose family is unfamiliar, whose wife will suffer. As for age and appearance, it doesn't matter.
There is no consensus on Lai Bingwen's ability to manage the army. Some people think that he can guard the lonely town for several months. Although it is not as dangerous as Jincheng, it shows his ability. Others think it is luck. The Great General Cui Hong surrounded Linzi. The so-called lonely town was actually not that "lonely".
Han Ruzi just listens, rarely speaks, he is the emperor, once he shows a clear tendency towards someone, the argument is over, he needs to get as much information as possible now, so be careful to stay neutral.
Cui Teng was more impatient, stood up and said: "The matter of choosing a general is difficult or easy. Let the three of them each lead an army to the sea. Whoever has the greatest military exploits will be the general."
It would be nice if things were really that simple. Han Ruzi didn't make a decision. He found that everyone couldn't come up with an updated point of view, and announced the meeting. No one knew which general the emperor was looking for, but they all felt that Yan Pengshi had the greatest hope.
Donghai Wang dawdled and deliberately waited until the end. Seeing that there were not many people in the hall, he stepped forward and whispered: "Yunmengze sent assassins, but it is not enough to strengthen the defense. I don't know what your majesty has arranged. The Tan family is willing to contribute a small amount."
"Have the Tan family returned to Beijing?"
"No, no, they are all honestly staying in the East China Sea, but the Tan family has made a lot of friends in the arena, and they can always get some help by writing a letter or opening a conversation."
"Okay, but there is no edict."
"Your Majesty's word is enough." The King of the East Sea stepped back with a smile, knowing in his heart that he could only investigate privately without the assistance of the court. The emperor still did not trust the Tan family and could not give full authority.
The eunuchs began to clean up the hall, and Zhao Ruosu stepped aside a few more steps.
The emperor walked out of the hall. After the discussion, he usually went to the back study to read the memorial, and then he would read the book when he had spare time.
The eunuch waved to Zhao Ruosu, and Zhao Ruosu hurriedly followed.
When he arrived at the study, Han Ruzi sat firmly without asking Zhao Ruosu where he was going these days, nor how he got back, but said directly, "What do you think of those three generals?"
Zhao Ruosu stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Master Yan Peng is the son of Yan Kang, the prime minister of the East China Sea, what he wants. He is also the commander of the infantry, so how can he command a lonely ship to go to sea? There are fakes, or the meritorious people are others."
Han Ruzi nodded, "Can you find out the truth?"
Zhao Ruosu thought for a while, "If I can read the memorials of Donghai Kingdom in the past six months, maybe I can find out something."
This is exactly what Han Ruzi needs.