I will not be king in the Spring and Autumn Period

Chapter 46 The Light in the Darkness

In the first year of Zhaogong, the Shusun family and the Meng family jointly suppressed the Ji family, and the Ji family's strength in Lu State was no longer as good as before.After decades of struggle, the power of the State of Lu finally tilted to the monarch again.

This is the inevitable result of the power struggle.

And Li Ran's plan from the death of Prince Ji Ye was for this.

In December, Ji Sunsu ended his life in detention in the state of Jin and was finally released.Returned to the State of Lu with Yang Hu.

It's just that after experiencing this turmoil, Ji Sunsu no longer has the ambition of the original regent.When he returned to Qufu, he was bedridden all the time, showing his old age, and the position of suzerain of the Ji family was about to be passed on to Ji Sun Yiru.

Ji Sunsu could never have imagined, or no one could have imagined, that from the moment Li Ran came to Qufu, an insignificant history of the former Luoyi storage room had such magical energy, abruptly stirring up the entire The structure of Lu State.

Lu Hou, who regained power, re-implemented the abolished initial tax mu system, and the resources of the office gradually increased.

And the office, which was getting better and better, didn't just enjoy it and spend too much.Instead, it feeds back to the people, promotes water conservancy, and benefits the people's livelihood. Therefore, the prestige of Marquis Lu among the people surpassed Sanhuan for a while, and he seemed to be revived.

Li Ran received feedback from his uncle Sun Bao on the recent government affairs, saw the thriving people's livelihood in Qufu City, looked at the sky for a moment, and murmured:

"Prince, Li Ran finally lived up to your expectations..."

Facing the current state of Lu whose overall situation has been settled, he finally decided to resign from the position of Guest Minister of the State of Lu, despite the Marquis of Lu's repeated requests to keep him, and even the imperial edict had already been drawn up.

……

Chu Palace.

The palace built by Duke Xiang of Lu with the funds of the public office.

This palace, which bears the last wish of Lu Xianggong, has now become the new court hall of Lu State, where Lu Hou's daily life and government discussions are all carried out.

And this is exactly what is necessary for a monarch who must do everything himself.

Faced with Li Ran who refused the status he wanted to confer as Doctor Qing, Marquis Lu was very puzzled and asked:
"Why doesn't your husband want to stay in the country of Lu to assist the widow? Could it be that the widow did something wrong?"

Lu Hou was still introspecting himself. He thought that his recent administration was inappropriate, which was why Li Ran refused to stay in Lu State.

But who would have thought that Li Ran was looking up at the flowing clouds in the sky, letting the sun shine on his face, feeling comfortable and enjoying himself.

"Your Majesty, you know, who is the most sinister and shameful person in this world?"

After a while, Li Ran spoke.Coming up is a big problem.

Hearing the sound, Marquis Lu thought for a moment and then said:
"It's those people who have power!"

He was referring to Ji Sunsu, of course, because this family has become a pain he will never forget.But Li Ran actually shook his head.

"Is not it?"

Facing Li Ran's reaction, Lu Hou looked very surprised.

He thought that only people like Ji Sunsu could be called "sinister and shameful".After all, the state of Lu was in the hands of Ji Sunsu, and the power of the public office was completely taken over by the Ji family. The world only knew the three Huan but did not know that there was a king, and they took power from the people without authorization, so that the hearts of the people collapsed and the state system disappeared.

If such a person can't be called "insidious and shameful", who else can be called?
"If you want to say that the most insidious and shameful person in this world is someone like Li Ran who is good at strategy."

Li Ran looked into his eyes and said very seriously.

"gentlemen."

Lu Hou heard the sound, his face changed drastically, and he was about to speak, but Li Ran waved his hand to stop him.

"Your Majesty, listen to me and finish speaking."

"The so-called strategy is to harm the opponent by extraordinary means to achieve one's own intention. Such a person plays with the rules and plays with human nature. This is definitely not the way of a gentleman, so he cannot stand above the court in an upright manner. Nor can it be supported by the people, let alone be recorded in the annals of history."

"However, since entering Lu, the conspirator, although he had a reason of necessity, can't hide the suspicion of vicious conspiracy. He pretended to be the prince, talked about the state of Jin, imprisoned Ji Sunsu, and wooed the Meng family. "

"Gentlemen, you should have great ambitions, have good strategies, and have justice in your heart. A prince should become such a hero, and the great cause of Lu in the future will definitely be expected. However, if you stand on the court and accompany you, this is Granted to you, but what should the scholars of the world think? Tie, but how can you ruin the reputation of a prince and marquis for your own selfishness?"

Li Ran has also watched many TV dramas, and also fantasized about being able to plan strategies, win a decisive victory thousands of miles away, and act as a character who can influence the world with just a chat and a laugh.

But when he is really in such an era, in it, immersed in intrigue and intrigue.Only then did he suddenly understand that this kind of activity hidden in the shadows can only be called insidious and shameful.

Although there is no shortage of well-known counselors and strategists in history, there is no shortage of Wang Zuozhi's talents that have been passed down through the ages.But for Li Ran, who has gone through all this, after planning this strategy and using such extraordinary means, it finally made him feel so shameful.

After all, he is a person who has received the education of the new era!

When the wheel of fate crushed him, he was forced to choose this kind of behavior, but he couldn't help himself and the limitations of the times. All he could do was try to protect himself, and he didn't dare to hope for greater glory.

At least for now, he has such an idea.

Lu Hou heard the sound, and fell silent for a while.

Of course he understood the meaning of Li Ran's words, and also understood Li Ran's kindness towards him.He is a monarch, the king of a nation.Its image cannot tolerate any dirt.To be upright and aboveboard is the right move.

And Li Ran, as a conspirator, eats the king's salary all day long, and stands in the temple, so what is the reputation of the public office?What is the face of Lu State?

"Oh, this is the man who has an affair with the king of Lu."

"Oh, it's this person who will do whatever it takes to help your majesty regain control of the monarchy?"

Such words were definitely not what he wanted to hear.This kind of monarchy will eventually overturn sooner or later.

Jin Wengong was like this back then, although he won the overlord position for the Jin country, the world's evaluation is by no means only praise.

History is like a note, and no one can turn a blind eye.

"Mister kindness, I understand."

Lu Hou let out a long sigh, his face full of Xiao Suo's helplessness.

In life, there will always be moments of powerlessness, but when he tries his best to win the supreme power, he still cannot change what he wants to change.

"Mr.'s foresight and the ability to argue right from wrong are hard to come by in the world. It is really my luck to have Mr. help."

"I also ask you to be respected by the widow!"

After the words fell, Marquis Lu saluted with a long salute, with a respectful and upright face.

Li Ran hurriedly supported him, and sighed:

"Why does the prince need such a big gift, but he is ashamed to accept it?"

"However, although I can't always be with Junhou, I can still give Junhou some advice now."

After helping Luhou up, at the end of the conversation, there was no one around, so the two sat side by side on the steps of the palace.

Just like the scene in the Jishi Bieyuan at that time.

"Please sir, don't hesitate to enlighten me."

Lu Hou hurriedly cupped his hands and motioned for advice.

Just listen to Li Ran's eloquence:
"Nowadays, the princes are in power for the first time, and all the government they do is for the people, so they will definitely attract the dissatisfaction of the nobles. Although there are uncles and grand officials to assist you, you must not underestimate the abilities of the world's scholars and these nobles. Once these people are dissatisfied and form cronies, it will be a huge force, even Sanhuan may not be able to compare with it."

"Therefore, the princes and princes must divide and rule. But you can relax in matters that do not involve principles. You must distinguish between priorities. Grasp the big and let go of the small, and the small things will be resolved. You must not be self-willed and aggressive. And if someone deliberately instigates and commits crimes , you must do the thunderous method, and you must not be soft!"

"And once the monarch governs differently from person to person, the alliance among these dignitaries will have their own differences because of unfair treatment. The alliance can also be broken without attack, and it will be much easier for the monarch to govern again."

Marquis Lu's state policy is beneficial to the common people, but it is not conducive to the gentry and nobles. Even if their voices of opposition are separated by hundreds of thousands of miles, Marquis Lu must be able to hear them.

Li Ran taught him to do this, in order not to let him lose the hearts of scholars and high officials, but also to perform state affairs and win the hearts of the common people, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

"Mr.'s plan is indeed subtle! I have been educated."

Who knew that Li Ran hadn't finished speaking yet.Just listen to him continue:
"There is no need to say more about the words of being diligent in government and loving the people. Presumably, your lord has already understood how to be a virtuous and wise ruler. But what you are worried about is still Sanhuan."

"Sanhuan? Sir, what do you mean?"

Marquis Lu was a little puzzled, after all, now that the three emperors are in power, the power of the public office has finally returned to orthodoxy.

Compared with the past, the current state of Lu has undergone tremendous changes.Although Sanhuan still holds a certain amount of power, it is true that he is no longer able to command the wind and rain in the State of Lu.

What he didn't understand was why Li Ran was still worried. Could it be that he was worried about Uncle Sun Bao and Meng Sun Jie?
"The three Shangqings, in name, only represent the level of Qing and Dafu, but that is just an appearance. Although the monarchs have real power now, the people who carry out the actual affairs still have to rely on them. And they act according to their decisions The interests of the clan are the priority, and the interests of the country are second. It’s okay now, Dr. Uncle Sun and Doctor Meng Sun have both supported the monarch in name, but if one day they go against each other, what should the monarch do?”

"Therefore, the court of Lu needs fresh blood and new talents. However, the suggestion is that the princes and princes should open up their opinions, formulate strategies for promoting talents, recruit talents and recruit new ones, set up rural schools, educate rituals and music, and serve the world's scholars and talented people. It provides a way for the scholars to be promoted, and also adds a different atmosphere to the court, so that it can take on a new look."

In the new era and new atmosphere, what Lu Hou needs is not only power, but also his own team, so that he can flex his muscles.

This has been the case in all dynasties and lords of all countries.

Li Ran can't and doesn't want to be an official in the court of Lu State, but it doesn't mean that he can't provide a way for Lu State's students and talented people. What Lu State needs in the future is the joint efforts of more ambitious people. Li Ran is not the only one.

Hearing this, Lu Hou was overwhelmed for a moment, and was even more grateful for Li Ran's suggestion. He didn't say anything more, and only saluted Li Ran again.

The so-called friendship between monarch and minister is probably nothing more than that.

(End of this chapter)