The return of the son-in-law

Xie Bing's excerpts were sent to the Jinluan Hall, which really sparked a lot of controversy.

The conservative minister said that he did not agree to do business with the Tatars. He said that this was a conspiracy to overthrow the country. He even suspected that Xie Bing had been bought by the Tatars.

Other ministers with a broad vision quoted scriptures, exemplifying that the benefits of this move outweigh the disadvantages, and it is worth a try.

Emperor Li Chonghao couldn't help feeling bored listening to the chattering quarrels of many ministers below.His eyes fell on Li Shaojun who had been pretending to be a turtle and standing silently since the last court today, and the irritability in his heart was invisibly enlarged several times.

"Third, what do you think?"

Li Shaojun, who was named, had no choice but to stand out, and said after deliberation: "I have stayed in the northwest for a while, but I haven't had much contact with the Tatars. I heard that although the Tatars are cruel, they are very important for doing business. In fact, it is very trustworthy. If the father intends to do business with the Tatars, there is no need to worry too much about the credit. Tatars occupy a large area of ​​grassland, and their horses and ores are better than ours. At least, if we can get these two things, it will be very beneficial for us to fight against Tatar in the future. This year's cold winter is rare in a hundred years. If we seize the opportunity and expand the Northwest Army Camp, it will just make up for the military salary that Shi Guogan has been greedy for in the past five years. In the past, Emperor Wu sent troops several times to drive Tatar all the way to the west, but in less than a hundred years, Tatar came back again and killed the people on our border. The emperor loves the people like a son, and he has far-sighted plans, so he must have made a decision in his heart."

This remark was beautiful, it not only cleared up the suspicion when he was in the northwest, but also stated the benefits of doing business with Tatar, and finally raised Li Chonghao, so that Li Chonghao could not find a single fault.

What's more, Li Shaojun compared him with the former Emperor Wu in the end, which made Li Chonghao's balance in his heart biased - although he hated military officers, how could he not be moved by such a rare opportunity to be famous in history?

After pondering this point, Li Chonghao made a decision in his heart: "After retiring from the court, Yue Qing and the Ministry of War, Ministry of Households, and Ministers of the Ministry of Officials will stay."

Everyone knew in their hearts that they had no room to speak on this matter, and the veteran officials who had been strongly opposed could only lament in their hearts the turmoil of the country and society, but they had no choice but to do so.

After the court, Yue An and others came to the study where the emperor usually worked diligently. After waiting for a while, Li Chonghao, who had changed into his regular clothes, came slowly, surrounded by his servants.

After saluting, everyone stood on both sides, waiting for Li Chonghao to speak first.

"My dear ministers, what's your opinion on doing business with Tatar?"

Wu Chuhan, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, was the first to go out and said: "Your Majesty, Tatar has long coveted my vast land in the northwest border. If we do business with Tatar at this time, I am afraid that Tatar will take the opportunity to invade our northwest!"

The Minister of the Household Department also nodded and said: "The tax revenue in the Northwest is not as good as the year, and the disaster relief money sent to the Northwest is more than one year. If Tatar takes the opportunity to raise troops, a large number of people in the Northwest will be displaced. I'm afraid the money and clothes at the household department are a little bit reluctant."

However, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials has a different view: "It is written in the booklet that these Tatars who do business with the merchants of the dynasty on the border are all from those small tribes. These tribes were conquered by the big tribes and lost their land and livestock. We can only rely on barter in exchange for food and other necessities. If we increase investment in the military defense of the Northwest, and then strictly limit the qualifications for trading in Tatar, this matter is feasible.”

Wu Chuhan was the first to object: "The military salary that the Ministry of War can send to the northwest every year is not much. If more soldiers are sent, the military salary will not be enough."

The Minister of the Ministry of Officials asked: "In the past five years, Shi Guogan has embezzled a lot of military pay, and the Northwest Army Camp can survive. Now that the military pay has returned to the past, why not send more people?"

Wu Chuhan said angrily: "For the past five years, my soldiers in the northwest have been living a life of shrinking clothes and dieting! They can't even eat enough to eat, and their weapons can't be sharpened. What's the point of fighting! If you want to send more soldiers, you must increase their pay !"

Seeing that the two had a dispute, Li Chonghao couldn't help frowning, and said, "I'll talk about the military pay later, Yue Qing, what's your opinion?"

Yue An, who had been silent for a long time, came out and said cautiously: "Everything that the ministers said is reasonable, Tatar is always a heart disease of my court, and I have to be on guard. In my opinion, it is better to make a compromise. The Tatars traded and sent more soldiers to increase their salaries, lest some Tatar tribes take advantage of the opportunity." Speaking of this, Yue An paused, glanced at Li Chonghao's reaction from the corner of his eye, and then continued, "Now Time is no small matter, and we need to be cautious in the selection of personnel.”

Li Chonghao laughed loudly: "Yue Qing really won my heart. You have said everything I want to say. The selection of the candidate really needs to be discussed carefully. In this way, you all think carefully when you go back, and give me back in two days. candidate."

People take orders.

Not to mention how the other three ministers discussed with their own diners after returning home, Yue An Sanya returned home and couldn't care about eating, so he asked his followers to invite his three diners to the study to discuss this matter.

He talked about today's court affairs and the emperor's attitude, and said: "This is the first case of the imperial court ordering to do business with Tatar. This is a rare opportunity. What do you think?"

The three disciples looked at each other, and one of them said: "Although it is a great political achievement if this matter is done well, if it is messed up, I'm afraid it will be infamous forever."

Yue An was a little surprised, and couldn't help asking: "How do you say?"

The doorman analyzed in detail: "Now there are only a few merchants doing business with Tatar, and there will be no troubles. But if the imperial court orders to do business with Tatar, a large number of merchants will flock to the northwest, and there will be a mixture of fish and dragons. How to define the identities of these people? What about Tatar? It’s a rare winter like this year, they have to ask for our help, but once the spring comes, will they be so peaceful?”

Another doorman went on to say: "We don't know much about Tatar, but if we increase the military defense of the Northwest, we don't have to worry that Tatar will take the opportunity to invade the Northwest border in the near future. Merchants make huge profits, shoddy goods and less money are frequent. If it happens, I'm afraid they will take this bad habit to the northwest, and finally break up with Tatar, but the old ruthlessness is still there, and they will add new enemies."

Yue An lowered his face, nodded and said: "I have overlooked this point. It seems that the third prince can't go to the northwest this time. It's better to be wise and protect yourself first."

The last doorman said: "I carefully watched the movement of the capital this month. The fourth prince is now sitting at home quietly thinking about his mistakes. On the contrary, it is Liu Wenhua. Since Liu Yuanheng was at home, he has become a fifth-rank official. Restless. A few days ago, he recruited many disciples who were disbanded by Liu Yuanheng, and many of them have real talents. Why don't we just choose him?"

Another doorman objected: "No, the emperor didn't directly let Xuzhou Zhizhou or Tongsan be in charge of this matter, but sent a special envoy from the capital. The status of this special envoy must be higher than Zhizhou or Tongsan. It doesn’t rank well in the capital at all.”

"Of course he is nothing special as a fifth-rank official, but he is the uncle of the fourth prince and the only son of Liu Yuanheng. The power behind him should not be underestimated. Instead of letting him stay in the capital and cause trouble for us, it is better to send him to the northwest."

"The matter in the northwest is no small matter, how can it be a trifle? Liu Wenhua can't make any troubles if he stays in the capital. Sending him to the northwest is actually an opportunity for Liu Yuanheng to use his hands to operate!"

The three disciples insisted on their own opinions, and no one obeyed the other.On the other hand, Yue An remained silent, thinking carefully about what the three disciples said.

In the end, he made a decision: "Liu Wenhua can't go, his rank is too low, His Majesty will not consider it. Moreover, the influence of the Liu family's ordering Shi Guogan to be greedy for Mo's military salary has not subsided, and there is no way to leave the capital in a short time. Tomorrow I will I will write to Your Majesty, suggesting that the Fourth Prince be the special envoy to handle this matter with full authority."

The doormen were all shocked, and one of them reminded: "My lord, have you figured it out? We finally drove the fourth prince out of the court, and now we are taking the initiative to bring him back? If the fourth prince went to the northwest, then No one in the Northwest can stop him! Even if Mr. Jiang and Mr. Guo have the means, with the difference in status, I'm afraid they won't be able to stop him!"

Yue An said calmly: "Think about it, what kind of person is Xie Bing, if no one reminds him and convinces him, would he send a brochure to the capital to propose business with Tatar?"

The disciples realized something: "Your Excellency, you mean that Master Guo instructed you?"

Yue An nodded and said, "Xu Zhou is the only one who can persuade Xie Bing."

"Could it be that Mr. Guo specially found an opportunity for the third prince to perform meritorious service?"

Yue An shook his head and said, "Maybe Guo Zhan'an doesn't know what's going on in the capital because of his inconvenient status, but Jiang Yannian will definitely tell him. Now that the third prince can't take the initiative to ask for credit, he can't let the third prince handle this matter. Don't worry, even if you can't There is a confrontation with Li Shaojin head-on, just because of their quarrel in the imperial study, are you afraid that the two of them will not be able to restrain Li Shaojin?"

The few disciples also understood that there is no reason why being an official is always smooth, let alone a prince?Now that Li Shaojin has been reprimanded, there is only one third prince, Li Shaojun, left in the court. He seems to be proud of himself, but he is actually walking on thin ice.If Li Shaojin can really be made a special envoy this time, no matter what the result is, at least the emperor can divert half of the scrutiny he put on Li Shaojun to Li Shaojin.

Several people discussed the reasons and wording for a while, before Yue An let the three retainers go down to rest, while he ate hastily and continued to deal with government affairs.

On the other side, Liu Wenhua got the news, and as expected, he excitedly ran to his father to discuss how to clear up the relationship so that he could grab this piece of fat.

Liu Yuanheng has been watching for many years, and he has a much longer view than Liu Wenhua.He listened to Liu Wenhua's thoughts, pondered for a moment, and then said: "You should stay away from this matter, and then go and say hello to Shao Jin, and let him come closer, so as not to cause trouble."

Liu Wenhua was puzzled and said: "Father, this is a good opportunity to make meritorious service! Those Tatar people have asked us, and we have the final say on business matters! You must seize this opportunity!"

Liu Yuanheng really hated iron and steel, and said: "Do you think this matter is as simple as it seems? Tatar's heart is arrogant, and now he has to bow to us because of his livelihood. These barbarians love to hold grudges. When they slow down Come here, when the time comes to raise our troops to the south, we will be the ones who suffer!"

Liu Wenhua said dissatisfiedly: "Father, I think you are old-fashioned. The magistrate of Xuzhou said in the book that the advantages of this matter outweigh the disadvantages. Besides, even if Tatar sent troops south, it would be far away to reach the capital." We might be beaten back halfway! There is a lot of money here, how much money we have given my nephew over the years, made some connections for him, and recruited private soldiers for him, and now it is all in vain! I If you don’t take the opportunity to make a fortune, how can you make a comeback in the future?”

Liu Yuanheng was furious: "I'm old? When I'm old, you can do whatever you want, right? Don't think I don't know what you've done behind my back! You're just a mere fifth-rank official, walking anywhere in the capital On the way, a pot of water was poured down, and you are the smallest official! How dare you mention this to me? Let me tell you, if you go to the Northwest, Guo Zhanan and Jiang Yannian will be able to gnaw you down to the bone!"

Liu Wenhua shrank his neck subconsciously, and then, remembering that he was the biggest official in the family now, he boldly retorted: "Father, it's because I listened to you, let's see what our Liu family has become? My sister in the palace has changed from a noble concubine to a concubine, and she has no title yet. My nephew went all the way from the official department, and now he is at home thinking about his mistakes behind closed doors. As for you, as a son, I can’t say anything.”

"Presumptuous!" Liu Yuanheng raised his hand and wanted to slap his son, but he thought that his son would go to the Yamen tomorrow to have a job, and his face would not be good, so he slapped the table with his backhand and reprimanded: "I Let me tell you, at least a third-rank or higher envoy should be sent for this matter, so you should stop thinking about it!"

He originally thought that if he used this as an excuse, his incompetent son would die.Unexpectedly, what Liu Yuanheng said gave Liu Wenhua a bigger idea.

"What does uncle mean is that you want me to be the special envoy?" Li Shaojin was very surprised when he received the news, and asked, "Is this also what my grandfather meant?"

The messenger shook his head. He didn't know that the Liu family and his son had a disagreement on this matter, so he could only answer truthfully: "Liu Wenhua, Mr. Liu asked me to deliver the letter. As for what Mr. Liu said, I don't know."

Li Shaojin waved his hand and said, "I see, you should go quickly, it would be bad for others to see."

The person delivering the letter nodded, bowed, and then retreated respectfully.

Because Li Shaojin has not yet been crowned king, he has not left the palace to build a mansion, so Liu Wenhua and others can only send news in through these clever servants on weekdays.It was also because he did not leave the palace to build a mansion, so Li Shaojin did not dare to recruit diners in the palace, so he could only invite a few gentlemen in the name of preaching and dispelling doubts.

Of course, these gentlemen are not just teaching Li Shaojin's Four Books and Five Classics.

For example, at this time, Li Shaojin invited these gentlemen. He deliberately omitted how he learned the news, but only asked them: "What do you gentlemen think about this matter? Do I want to fight for this opportunity?"

Several people discussed for a while, and someone came out and said on behalf of everyone: "Now the third prince's family dominates the court, but you suffer from no chance to regain His Majesty's trust. This is indeed a golden opportunity, and the fourth prince must not miss it."

Li Shaojin has another concern: "Those gentlemen can win this opportunity for me? I have broken the heart of my father, I'm afraid he won't want to see me yet. If my uncle comes forward, it will easily cause my father However, many people in the court who could speak for me were dismissed. And Huang Mingli, I mistrusted him and caused trouble to my father. Now I really don't have the face to go to my father. Emperor!"

In fact, these few people all knew that if it wasn't for Li Shaojin's instruction, how could Huang Mingli have the guts to bribe the jailer to hurt the magistrate of Yizhou, and then framed the judge of Yizhou.But they also know that what Li Shaojin loves most is this superficial skill, which looks bright and aboveboard, but is actually ruthless.However, this Li Shaojin also got a good skin from his mother. If outsiders see this remorse, most of them will choose to believe him.

But no matter what kind of person Li Shaojin is, since they choose to follow Li Shaojin, they have only one way to die.Just like now, they must quickly find a way to win this opportunity for Li Shaojin.

After discussing with the door behind closed doors for a while, several people finally came up with a bad idea, which was to ask Concubine Liu to blow the pillow breeze, maybe the emperor's heart would turn to Li Shaojin again.

Concubine Liu from the side hall of Linzhi Palace got the news, and said with a wry smile: "What kind of bedside talk, now I can't even see His Majesty, and the favor is gone, so why talk about bedside talk."

Xia He, who was standing by the side, said with relief: "My lady, don't worry, the love between you and your majesty for so many years, how could it disappear overnight? Before your majesty was angry, there was a villain who was making fun of him, so your majesty was fascinated for a while. If you lose your mind, you will scold the empress."

These words touched the heart of Concubine Liu, when she thought of the arrogant provocations of Concubine Yu and Concubine Cai in the past few months, she was so angry that she threw the teacup on the table to the ground: "Huh! The villain just got his way! Even if Back then when Empress Jiang was alive, it wasn’t because I was cornered by this palace! Even if you were the empress dowager, when I was in charge of the harem, I didn’t obediently stay in the Buddhist hall and recite her Buddha! Oh, it’s just Concubine Yu and Concubine Cai They are just two brats, do you really think they can bring me down!"

Concubine Liu got angry, and her anger subsided a lot. She turned her head and told Xia He, "Let the small kitchen boil the old hen soup, and I'll send it to the empress dowager later."

Xia He was puzzled: "Wouldn't it be better if this soup was sent to His Majesty and said that the empress made it herself?"

Liu Pin smiled and said: "I sent it over at this juncture, didn't I tell His Majesty that I came to seek benefits for my son? It's winter now, and the old man's body and bones are the most unbearable. But the high-ranking jade Concubine Cai and Concubine Cai are fighting endlessly for the rights of the harem. How can they have time to care about the body of the Empress Dowager? The low-ranking ones are not qualified to perform filial piety in front of the Queen Mother. Forget it, let me take care of your majesty The empress dowager's body."

Only then did Xia He understand, and praised again, and then called for someone to clean up the pieces of teacups on the floor, and went to the small kitchen to instruct the cook himself.