Chapter 172 1 stone 2 birds
Chapter 172 Killing two birds with one stone
Early morning, Zhao family.
"Huh——" Zhao Duan stretched his limbs, opened his eyes, lay on the bed, looking at the curtains above his head, not wanting to get up.
After returning from Xiuwenguan last night, I arrived home and felt tired. I didn’t even do any meditation.
"Why is talking more tiring than fighting with others... I get it, it's the work meeting syndrome." Zhao Duan complained silently and stood up.
After a simple wash.
When I walked into the dining room, I found my beautiful stepmother fiddling with a vase and filling it with water.
The jade hand was holding a lotus stalk with an exquisite root. Above it was a large, blooming pink lotus head.
It seemed to be hesitating whether to put it in the vase.
"Where did the lotus come from?" Zhao Duan asked in surprise.
Eugene was startled, patted her chest, turned around, and saw that it was her stepson. She smiled and shared happily:
"My neighbor sent it to me early this morning. He said it was obtained from the Shenlong Temple. It can be used to pray for blessings and protect the safety of the family."
Behind Zhao Duan, Zhao Pan walked in lazily.
The girl had her hair braided today and tied into two loops at the back of her head. She puffed out her cheeks and said crisply:
"Mom, do you believe those lies? They are just a way for those monks to make money. They sell them every year before the Ghost Festival, and they have been exposed long ago."
Eugene glared at her daughter and said:
"I dare not say that about a Buddhist monk."
Zhao Pan sighed and didn’t want to explain. He felt tired.
"Zhongyuan Festival?" Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment before he remembered that the Zhongyuan Festival in Dayu was different from the one in his previous life.
It is a little later in time and is a festival for "worshiping gods".
Because there are gods in Dayu, there are activities and traditions of worshiping gods every year on the Ghost Festival, making it an exceptionally lively festival.
The monks of Shenlong Temple have a strong presence during the Ghost Festival, and it is said that there are some celebratory activities.
A wizard of high status will appear and invite some influential "celebrities" in the capital to a party.
However, Zhao Duan had only been in power for a short time, and knew little about some of the activities of the upper class, nor had he ever been invited.
My stepmother is a believer in God, but she is very practical.
No matter which god it belongs to, just believe in it a little, what if it works?
It doesn’t work, but it’s not a loss…
"Brother, you came back very late last night." The girl suddenly asked at the dinner table.
She was a little suspicious that her elder brother was out fooling around again.
Eugene Hua also remembered that her stepson was taken away by a carriage last night, and her eyes looked over tenderly: "But what's the matter?"
She was a little worried that her stepson might be at odds with some high-ranking official in the imperial court again.
Don’t you have a positive image of me in your hearts? Where has the trust gone? Zhao Duan put down his chopsticks, took on the airs of the head of the family, and threatened:
"Just do your own thing at home and don't ask questions that you shouldn't ask."
So the mother and daughter kept silent.
……
……
The residence of the current Prime Minister Li Yanfu is located in the best location in the capital, not far from the imperial palace.
It is a rather grand mansion, and the entire street around it is also the residence of important figures in the court. Ordinary people dare not approach it.
early morning.
A sedan chair arrived outside the Prime Minister's residence.
"Master, you are here." The servant on duty at the gate hurried down the steps and saluted respectfully.
The "young cabinet minister" Li Yinglong, who was nearly 40 years old, had a feminine appearance, a high nose bridge, and deep eye sockets. He said "yes", stepped out of the sedan chair, and said as he walked:
"Is father awake yet?"
At this age, the father and son had already separated, but their houses were not far from each other, so they visited each other frequently.
Li Yanfu was old and had no time to take care of many things. As his most trusted son, Li Yinglong was responsible for many affairs of the "Li Party".
If the Prime Minister is the "leader" of the Li Party, then Li Yinglong is the leader's hand.
"The master got up early and has already eaten."
The servant said.
The empress has been in seclusion recently, so the ministers do not need to attend the morning court.
But the prime minister, who was used to getting up early, still woke up before dawn.
Li Yinglong nodded, walked through the front yard, and went to the garden courtyard inside the house which was filled with rockery, ponds, pavilions and towers.
From a distance, I saw the maid standing sideways.
Li Yanfu, the prime minister of the dynasty, who was wearing loose home clothes, was holding great power and the "party leader" with roots throughout the Dayu Dynasty, and was playing the game of tossing pots.
On the blue brick floor, there is a copper kettle with three handles and a thin neck.
About two meters away, Li Yanfu was holding an arrow with tail feathers in his hand and aiming.
Although he is old, this old man with sideburns like hedgehog skin, eyebrows like purple stone edges, and messy stubble spreading along both cheeks and intersecting with the temples still has a restrained ferocity in his eyes.
"Father."
Li Yinglong approached respectfully, stood aside, glanced at the maid holding the quiver beside him, and took the quiver from her.
The maidservant prudently left quickly, and the servants also dispersed, moving away from them so that they could not hear the conversation between the two.
Li Yanfu seemed not to notice his son's arrival and focused on aiming.
Suddenly he threw the arrow with force, it drew an arc and hit the edge of the copper pot.
"I'm old..." Li Yanfu sighed lightly, but he didn't seem disappointed.
Li Yinglong flattered:
"Father is still strong despite his old age. Even the soldiers in the army would have a hard time hitting him from this distance."
Li Yanfu ignored his flattery and reached out to draw a new quiver from his quiver. Without even looking at him, he continued to aim:
"What's the matter with you coming here so early in the morning?"
Li Yinglong said respectfully:
"Yesterday, Xiuwenguan opened for the first time. My son waited all day and went to inquire about the situation at night. Because it was too late, I was afraid that I would delay your rest, so I came early in the morning."
Li Yanfu paused, turned his head, looked down at him expressionlessly, and said coldly, "What are you trying to do?"
Li Yinglong, who secretly went to investigate without telling his father, said hurriedly:
"Father, Xiuwenguan has just opened, and the new policy will probably be put on the agenda. I am also very worried, that's why... Besides, if there are too many people who go to inquire, it's not just our family."
Li Yanfu was a little unhappy, but he didn't say anything and picked up the arrow again:
"go on."
"Hey," Li Yinglong said vividly:
"My son went to block the son of the Minister of Personnel, Wang You, and wanted to ask him questions, but Wang You was very tight-lipped and didn't want to have any contact with my son. He even retorted and left quickly."
"..." Li Yanfu put down the arrow for the third time and looked at him:
"So, I didn't find out anything."
The atmosphere was a little awkward.
Li Yinglong said hurriedly:
"Father, the less they say, the more it proves that something big is going on. And Wang You looked very bad, and he returned from Xiuwenguan late at night. On the first day of opening, he called two people to discuss. This is definitely not normal!
In my opinion, the new policy will come with great force. If it is to be implemented, the first one to be involved will definitely be the Ministry of Personnel under your command.
Over the past year, His Majesty has frequently taken action against us, especially in the past six months, when Pei Kaizhi and Zhou Cheng were both overthrown by Zhao Duan.
It is obvious that His Majesty is behind this, trying to clear the obstacles for Xiuwenguan... He dissolved the cabinet and seized our power before.
Now they have formed a new cabinet, but have completely excluded us... We can't just sit there and wait for death."
It was obvious that he had been holding back these words for a long time.
Li Yanfu listened to him quietly before saying:
"Are you done? Go back when you're done."
Li Yinglong was stunned and said anxiously:
"Father, how can you still be so calm? The situation is urgent. Before, His Majesty warned us, and you said to endure it. Later, when Pei Kaizhi fell, you still didn't say anything. Now Zhou Cheng has fallen again... People in our Li Party are uneasy.
You don't care about these things and may not know them, but I, your son, know them very well.
A few days ago, Zhao Duan was jumping around and arresting people on a large scale, which caused public outrage, but I was the one who suppressed the situation.
In the past few days since Zhou Cheng collapsed, I don't know how many people have come to me to express their dissatisfaction. Everyone is worried about themselves, and I have to bear all the pressure. I have to appease them one by one... But this is not the end."
Li Yanfu seemed to ignore it and continued to concentrate on playing pot tossing.
Seeing this, Li Yinglong took a deep breath and said earnestly:
"Father, don't you think about your son and yourself? If the new policy is to be implemented, there will definitely be an investigation into the administration of officials. Will His Majesty hold you accountable at that time? Don't you feel wronged?
Yes! The administration of the nine prefectures and eighteen cities in Dayu is rotten, but you shouldn't be blamed for it.
Isn't it because the previous emperor didn't care about things and was worried that his subordinates would become powerful, so he split one official position into two? This led to redundant officials?
The late emperor needed money to build palaces, refine elixirs, and create ostentation. Even a single sacrifice to heaven would cost countless silver. What should we do?
Didn't you find a way to get the money? In the end, we took the blame, and now Xin Jun is holding a grudge against us. What do you think..."
"clang!"
Suddenly, Li Yanfu threw the arrow in his hand, which hit the copper pot accurately, making a crisp metal collision sound.
Immediately, the prime minister who had served in two dynasties looked over coldly.
Li Yinglong suddenly shut up and dared not say another word.
Li Yanfu seemed to sigh softly, as if he was angry at the boy's lack of resistance, and said slowly:
"Now that you know this, you should understand that the reason why your father has been able to hold the position of Prime Minister for all these years instead of someone else is because I can help the late emperor with his work and also take the blame.
Now, the new king has ascended the throne and is wary of his father, so he will naturally be both defensive and aggressive. If His Majesty gets angry, she will beat him.
If we fight more, the anger will subside. In this way, our damage will be minimal. You have been with me for so long, how come you don't understand this principle? "
Li Yinglong said:
"Father, I understand the truth. But when will this end?
Besides, the people below are restless, and many high-ranking officials have been troubled by a mere concubine and lackey, a small military officer of the sixth rank. We will not fight against Your Majesty, but we cannot let a gigolo ride on our heads. "
Li Yanfu snorted coldly:
"Your vision is limited to arguing with a sixth-rank official all day long? He is just a small soldier. If there is no Zhao, there are still Wang and Li. Your Majesty is the key to issuing orders."
His voice was clearly unhappy.
In the eyes of the prime minister of the current dynasty, even though Zhao Duan had recently defeated two of his own generals and was in the limelight, Li Yanfu never looked at him in the eye.
Because he knew very well that Zhao Duan was not the key, the empress was the master behind the dog.
There is no point in fighting with a dog without dealing with the empress.
"Father……"
"get out."
"……well!"
Russian qing.
Li Yinglong walked out of the Xiangguo Mansion angrily and returned to the sedan chair, still feeling angry.
"Master, what the master means is..." the trusted follower asked carefully.
Li Yinglong shook his head irritably, thought for a moment, and said coldly:
"My father is confused and has lost his fighting spirit. He just thinks he can get by by hiding and letting others beat him up... We can't just sit there and wait for death. We have to do something, otherwise the people below will lose their morale."
"Master, are you planning to..."
Li Yinglong's eyes flickered, his face was soft:
"Zhao Duan has been causing trouble repeatedly. Now that Your Majesty is in seclusion and unable to look after him, this is the best time.
I heard that Grand Tutor Dong hated this man very much, and so did the scholars in the capital...
It could be a good idea to make some fuss. If I could use some tricks to drive the tiger to devour the wolf, I could provoke the scholars in Xiuwen Hall to have a conflict with Zhao Duan...
In this way, we can calm the anger of our subordinates and let them know that we are not just going to sit there and wait for death.
It can also create dissension and distrust between Your Majesty and the scholars in Xiuwenguan... hindering the implementation of the new policy is a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy."
As he spoke, the "young cabinet minister" seemed to have already seen the scene after the success.
And Li Yanfu would not know the reason why Li Yinglong mentioned Zhao Duan frequently today.
It was last night that Wang You was annoyed by his questions and had retorted, mocking the Li family for being cowardly, but was taken advantage of by a pretty boy named Zhao Duan and dared not say a word.
……
Kawen, the update is late
Thanks to Huang Er for the 500 points reward~
(End of this chapter)