Chapter 433 Behind the Scenes
Chapter 433 Behind the Scenes
In the imperial study, Yang Guang was listening to the report from the chief imperial physician Qiao Yuanlang. He felt very heavy in his heart as it was hard for him to accept that his eldest son was slowly turning into a fool.
"Your Majesty, we tried every possible means and finally managed to block the poison from entering the heart. We didn't expect that good and bad would come together. We saved the prince's life but not his intelligence. The poison has already entered his brain. All we can do now is to try to slow down the spread of the poison."
"Is there no way to eliminate the toxin? I heard that there is a miraculous antidote in Qingcheng Mountain."
"I know this medicine, it's called the Scale Avoidance Pill. We've already used it, and it blocked the poison from entering the heart, saving the prince's life, but it can't remove the poison from his body. I and the doctors are still trying to find a way. First, we need to control the poison from entering the brain, suppress it in a certain part, and then find a way to slowly remove it. This is our idea, Your Majesty, it will take a long time."
Yang Guang nodded and said, "Your idea is correct. I support it and I will give you time. But remember, you must keep it strictly confidential. The prince's condition must not be leaked."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, we will never leak it!"
Qiao Yuanlang stepped down, and Yang Guang sighed. If the crown prince was really incapable, he could only train the crown prince.
At this time, an eunuch reported at the door, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Wei wants to see you!"
Yang Guang nodded, "Summon him to the emperor!"
Soon, the eunuch led Wei Chong into the imperial study.
"Your humble servant Wei Chong pays respect to Your Majesty!"
Yang Guang had received the secret report sent by Xiao Xia two days ago. The secret report explained why Wei Yue had to be expelled, and mentioned that he would reform the salt system and gradually drive the Guanlong aristocratic forces out of Jiangnan.
Yang Guang was also quite pleased that his son finally understood his real intention of sending him to govern Jiangnan, and he decided to fully support his son's reforms in Jiangnan.
As for Wei Chong coming to see him, Yang Guang also knew it well.
"Prime Minister Wei, please don't be polite, please take a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Wei Chong sat down and said, "I have something to appeal to Your Majesty. I beg for your support!"
"Don't be anxious, speak slowly."
"My humble brother, Wei Yue, the governor of Wujun, was threatened with death by the King of Jin and had to abandon his post and flee. This is really absurd. I am sure Your Majesty will make a decision for my brother and restore the integrity of the officialdom!"
Yang Guang smiled and said, "I know the character of the Prince of Jin. Although he is sometimes a little extreme, he will never do anything that really breaks the rules of the officialdom. Let Wei Yue go back to Wujun. It sounds ridiculous that a governor abandoned his post and fled after being told a few harsh words by others. I will issue an order to the Prince of Jin, forbidding him to threaten officials again. Prime Minister Wei, don't worry."
The emperor said it so lightly that Wei Chong felt even more unsure. In fact, he knew in his heart that if Wei Yue went back at this time, he would surely die. He would not even be able to reach Jiangnan and would die on the way to the Central Plains.
"Your Majesty, Wei Yue was not afraid of the threat from the King of Jin, but he put the overall situation first. He thought that his political views were inconsistent with those of the King of Jin, and the contradictions were difficult to resolve. This would be detrimental to the unity of the Jiangnan officialdom and the King of Jin's governance in Jiangnan. That's why he took the initiative to leave Wujun. I also suggest that Wei Yue be transferred away for the sake of the overall situation!"
'Putting the overall situation first' is a basket that can hold anything.
Yang Guang stopped trying to persuade her, and nodded and asked, "Where should Wei Yue be arranged to go? Does the Prime Minister have any suggestions?"
"Your Majesty, Wei Yue has been an official in Wu County for four years and has made great achievements. His annual evaluations have been excellent. I am considering sending him to Qinghe County, where the post of governor is vacant." Yang Guang did not express his opinion directly, but took out a note and handed it to him, "Let's adjust these officials together!"
Wei Chong's heart skipped a beat when he took the note. Yuan Min, the governor of Jiangdu County, was promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Dou Shan, the governor of Piling County, was transferred to be the governor of Dong County.
At the same time, Cui Fengxian, the governor of Mianyang Prefecture, was transferred to be the governor of Jiangdu Prefecture, Xiao Lin, the former Sima of Danyang Prefecture, was appointed as the governor of Wu Prefecture, Pei Renji was appointed as the governor of Piling Prefecture, Gu Changqing, the chief historian of Wu Prefecture, was transferred to be the governor of Xin'an Prefecture, and Zhao Qiliang, the Sima of Wu Prefecture, was promoted to the chief historian of Wu Prefecture.
Wei Chong was about to speak, but seeing the emperor's sharp gaze, he dared not say a word, and bowed his head and said, "I obey your order!"
Yang Guang then said: "Wujun Governor Wei Yue has been transferred to Qinghejun Governor, you can add him to the back!"
Wei Chong then realized that the emperor must have received the express letter from Prince Jin, which was clearly a comprehensive purge of the Jiangnan officialdom in accordance with Prince Jin's request.
At night, Yuanshou hurried to the Dugu Mansion and found Dugu Tuo, the head of the Dugu family.
"Brother Dugu has received the news. The emperor has ordered Yuan Min and Dou Shan to be transferred away from Jiangnan."
Dugu Tuo smiled faintly and said, "I already know that Xiao Xia wants to place his own people in Jiangnan Road. A new emperor chooses new ministers! It's normal. In fact, it doesn't matter. Isn't it better for Yuan Min to be the Minister of the Ministry of Justice? I feel that Dou Shan going to Dongjun is better than Piling County. Dongjun is a military stronghold."
"But how can we protect our interests in Jiangnan?"
Dugu Tuo was silent for a long time and said, "Our expansion period is over. We had reached a tacit understanding with the late emperor before, and we kept to ourselves. Now that Yang Guang has ascended the throne, he has begun to attack us. Our focus must shift from financial interests to military and political interests. We must make plans and cultivate strength as soon as possible. The small things in Jiangnan are really not important. What is important is the Central Plains, Hedong, and Hebei.
"Xiao Xia is causing trouble in Jiangnan, so we can take advantage of this and transfer our people from Jiangnan to Zhongyuan and Hebei. I don't think it's a bad thing. What do you think, Brother Yuan?"
Yuanshou sighed, "Brother, Jiangnan is not just a small matter. We have worked hard for so many years to build this business, and it has become our most important source of profit. The salt profit alone is as high as one million guan per year. It is hard to convince everyone to give it up like this!"
Dugu nodded, "I know, I'm just preparing for the worst. In fact, I know that Xiao Xia attacked Wei Yue instead of Yuan Min and Dou Shan, which means that he doesn't want to fall out with us for the time being. We are doing business normally, what can he do to us?
Besides, even if he did, what would happen? Would we lose it forever? As long as we take back the world, all the benefits will come back, and more than before. "
Yuanshou lowered his head and said nothing.
Dugu Tuo further advised: "My dear brother, Jiangnan is just an insignificant bystander in the political landscape. Moreover, the Jiangnan family and the Sui Dynasty are alienated. Xiao Xia's focus should be on dealing with the Jiangnan family, not us! We should focus on Hebei, Hedong and the Central Plains. This is the key to fighting for the world."
Yuanshou was finally convinced. He bowed and said, "Brother, your opinion is great. I understand!"
Dugu Tuo continued slowly, "We must find a way to send Li Yuan to Taiyuan as soon as possible. We can exchange benefits with Yu Shiji. I have received accurate information that the emperor wants Yu Shiji to be in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, and Wei Chong will be appointed as the Minister of Rites. Wei Chong is too selfish and pretends to be righteous. He thinks others can't understand him. I guess the emperor can't stand him anymore."
After a pause, Dugutuo continued, "We also need to make good use of Yang Ling. He is ambitious but incompetent, simple-minded, greedy for money and lustful. We need to make good use of his weaknesses to control him, and at the same time place the people we have trained in Hebei."
"What are you going to do, brother?"
"I'm considering keeping it a secret and not contacting him directly. Instead, I'm trying to influence him through his confidant Wang Long. Our cooperation on the Crown Prince's matter went smoothly last time, and now we can continue to deepen our cooperation."
(End of this chapter)