Chapter 445: The Angry Bird in a Cage
Chapter 445: The Angry Bird in a Cage
In the evening, when the lights came on, the Secretariat was still working overtime.
The three highest officials of the Secretariat, Shangshu Ling, Zuo Pushe and You Pushe, were all present with serious faces, so no one dared to be lazy.
The six ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Palace, the Ministry of Five Armies, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Left Min were also there. Although they had no business in most of them, how could they leave since the big leaders had not left? They just stayed there. The Ministry of Right Min was once established during the reign of the previous emperor, but it was later abolished. The Ministry of Shangshu still only had the above six departments, which were the prototypes of the six ministries in later generations.
Rhythmic footsteps could be heard outside the government office. Soon, the Imperial Secretary Yue Zhao arrived with several provincial officials.
"Hongmao is here." Shangshu Ling Yu Min stood up, greeted him with a smile, and asked, "What do you think? Do you reject or approve?"
"Approved." Le Zhao replied, and then smiled bitterly, "Why do you have to tease me, Lord Ling? The Shangshu Province has submitted a memorial, and the Taiwei and Sikong have also taken care of it. How dare the Menxia Shizhong refute it?"
The Shizhong was the chief official of the Menxia Province, a total of six people. They were close ministers to the emperor, participated in secrets, and were in charge of advisory responses.
Duke of Chen Shao Xun asked for merit for his subordinates, which caused a lot of uproar. But after the commotion, the court officials found that the Yu and Yan gentry did not resist. As the saying goes, if the emperor is not anxious, the eunuchs will be. So what are they doing making a fuss about!
Therefore, Wang Yan hinted that the Shangshu Province, which had certain decision-making powers, should immediately draw up a list according to Shao Xun's requirements, and pretend to follow the procedures according to the official selection standards. Finally, through central elections, a total of more than 50 people were awarded official positions ranging from seventh to ninth grades.
After the list of commendations was drawn up, Shangshu Ling Yu Min personally submitted a memorial.
The emperor summoned his close ministers to discuss the matter, and finally all the ministers said "yes", and the matter was settled.
The Menxia Province had the power to "review the memorials from the Shangshu Province", that is, to review the memorials from the Shangshu Province, and if it disagreed, it would return them.
Of course, the Secretariat also had the power to "appeal" and leave the decision to the emperor.
The Ministry of Personnel had no intention of rejecting Chen Gong's list of requests for merit, and the other several ministers completely gave up the matter and handed it over to the new minister Lu Zhi to handle, and the matter was settled.
"Then it can be handed over to Your Majesty for seal." Yu Min did not wait any longer and said directly.
They were still inside the palace, and the gates were locked. But it didn't matter, the Grand Commandant was taking care of Mr. Chen's affairs, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Central Affairs were busy, and the General of the Palace was waiting outside with the key to the palace gate.
What a rare high efficiency.
Mr. Chen has been waiting for a month, and no one is betting whether he will get angry if he waits any longer.
So, Yu Min and Yue Zhao, together with several assistant officers and more than ten clerks, went directly to the Taiji Hall.
Well, although it was already night, the emperor usually did not go to Zhaoyang Palace to favor his concubines.
He either worked until late, listened to music, read books, or went fishing. In short, he was busy every day. The only thing he did was not go to the harem to have children, so the Crown Prince Sima Quan was adopted from someone else.
After they arrived at Taiji Palace, they learned that the emperor had just left for Zhaoyang Palace.
The two looked at each other. Impossible?
So he rushed to Zhaoyang Palace and learned that the emperor and empress had gone to Lingyuntai at night.
Lingyun Terrace is located to the north of Lingzhi Pond and is the tallest building in the palace.
Since it was built during the Cao Wei period, emperors of all dynasties liked to climb this platform to drink while overlooking Luoyang. It is actually a good place to appreciate the city scenery.
At this time, the emperor was sitting on the top floor of the attic, and Queen Liang Lanbi carefully served him wine and food.
"Your grandfather is also useless." Sima Chi said angrily: "It has been so long, and even Du Tao's rebellion cannot be quelled. How can I move the capital?"
Liang Lanbi didn't understand military affairs, and didn't know what was going on in Jingzhou. Perhaps her father really didn't do a good enough job, but the emperor's words still made her sad.
So he served more diligently and more carefully.
Sima Chi felt a little guilty for a moment, but it was only for a moment.
In recent years, he has become increasingly unable to control his temper.
He couldn't kill the minister.
He couldn't destroy the Huns.
He couldn't get rid of the traitor.
He couldn't even maintain the expenses of an emperor.
He didn't know who to vent to.
There is only the queen. If he scolds her or even beats her, she can only cry, and then continue to care about him after crying.
At first, I was worried that she would go to her family to cry, but later I realized that I was overthinking it. This stupid woman was actually worried that her father’s impression of the emperor would deteriorate, so I silently swallowed my grievances - at this time, a provincial governor might really not have much respect for the emperor.
The south wind blew, and the queen's hair was gently lifted, revealing her slightly red eyes. Perhaps she was afraid of being discovered by the emperor, so she quietly avoided him, forced a smile, and said, "Your Majesty, the night wind is a bit cold, it's time to go back and rest."
Sima Chi sneered disdainfully and looked up at the starry sky.
The night sky is extremely clear, and the stars and the moon are hanging low, so low that it seems that you can pick them with your hand.
It would be great if I could fly to the sky, jump out of this cage, and go to Chang'an, Xiangyang, Jianye or somewhere else. Even if there are risks, it is better than staying in Luoyang.
The court is full of treacherous ministers!
His ambitions were difficult to realize and no one understood his anxiety, leaving him alone.
Sometimes I wonder how many years the Jin Dynasty will last.
Sometimes I even worry that he will become a king who loses his country.
It is said that kings who lose their country make many stupid decisions, but it is precisely because they see the final outcome and know that if they don’t make any efforts, they will die, so they might as well give it a try, just in case a miracle happens?
He looked down upon people like Emperor Xian of Han who were as honest as a quail.
He knew that Cao would eventually usurp the throne, but he could only play tricks like issuing secret edicts from the imperial edict and did not dare to confront the powerful ministers. In the end, didn't he still lose his country?
But he was a little confused.
Are there any powerful officials in Luoyang? It seems that there are none. There is not even a tyrant who controls the government from afar.
The man from Xuchang didn't care about the court at all, as if silently mocking him: "Look, I'm too lazy to clean up the court, but the court officials still don't take you seriously. What a beast!" Sima Chi slammed the table, and the wine spilled.
"Your Majesty!" Liang Lanbi looked at him worriedly.
"Shao Xun looks down on me, the court officials look down on me, do you look down on me too?" Sima Chi glared at the queen and questioned.
The queen covered her mouth and sobbed silently.
A palace maid came hurriedly, lowered her head, and dared not look any further, and only reported: "Shangshu Ling Yu Min and Jieshi Zhong Yue Zhao request to see the emperor."
Sima Chi was stunned at first, and then became furious.
It's so late, and he hasn't left the palace yet. It's obvious that he plans to work all night.
When did you become so diligent?
Are you so impatient to curry favor with your new master?
No, what kind of new master is Shao Xun? He is not worthy.
Qi Wang Jiong, Changsha Wang Yi, Chengdu Wang Ying, Donghai Wang Yue, which one is not stronger than him? Which one is not more famous than him?
Sima Chi's expression changed for a long time.
Liang Lanbi looked at him worriedly.
Sima Chi snorted coldly and said, "Let them come up."
The palace people took the order and left.
After a while, the two of them went up to the platform one after another and bowed.
Sima Chi was too lazy to stand up and return the greeting - according to the rules, the Shangshu Ling was already a high-ranking official at the prime minister level, and reporting matters to the emperor was called "sitting and discussing the truth." After performing the greeting, the emperor had to return the greeting.
Yu Min seemed not to notice the lack of etiquette in the emperor's speech, and only said: "Your Majesty, the list of newly promoted officials has been drawn up, a total of fifty-three people, named——"
"That's enough." Sima Chi waved his hand impatiently and said, "Yu Qing is Mr. Chen's elder, so he must have done his best. I have nothing to say."
The words sounded sarcastic, but Yu Min's expression did not change at all. He just sighed slightly and said, "Since Your Majesty has granted your permission, I will find someone to do it."
To be honest, seeing the emperor in this state, he felt a little sad and even pity.
After all, he is the emperor. It is understandable that anyone who ends up in this situation would feel resentful and even behave improperly.
But he was just expressing his feelings.
Can not go back!
The Yu family has already boarded Chen Gong's boat and will no longer be trusted by the emperor. There is no turning back.
Yu Min bowed again, and just as he was about to leave, he heard the emperor's voice again: "Yesterday, the general came here and advised me to consider the overall situation. Haha, am I not the overall situation?"
"I heard that those who receive the divine weapon should offer great sacrifices to the gods and bring peace to the people." Yu Min said, "Mr. Chen has cleansed the world of evil spirits. It is truly the favor of heaven. The ancestral temple has descended upon the gods, so the civil and military officials have exerted their strength, and the battle has been successful. The famous city has been protected, and your majesty is at peace. The soldiers under Mr. Chen's command are all the best of the time. When the great flag is pointed forward, the Xiongnu will be pacified. Such brave men should be rewarded for their merits to show the grace of heaven."
Sima Chi wanted to sneer again.
But after thinking about it, he felt it was meaningless, so he waved his hand in despair and said, "You should leave immediately."
Yu Min bowed again and left.
Lingyun Terrace became quiet again.
Yesterday, news came from Heyang: The Huns have gathered tens of thousands of troops and seem to be attacking the completed northern city.
Perhaps this was the main reason why the court officials were frightened and tried every means to appease Shao Xun.
Sima Chi frowned and thought, his eyes rolling around.
After a moment, he looked at Queen Liang for a long time without saying a word.
Liang Lanbi didn't understand.
She no longer felt self-indulgent and thought that His Majesty loved her. After being beaten and scolded many times, people would always wake up.
"Huns..." Sima Chi muttered to himself, undecided.
"Come here." Sima Chi waved his hand.
Queen Liang took a few steps closer.
"Come closer!" Sima Chi pulled Liang Lanbi's hand hard and said angrily.
Liang Lanbi's arm was hurt by being grabbed, but she didn't dare to cry out. She just looked at the emperor with tears in her eyes.
"I heard that you have become fascinated with Buddhism recently?" Sima Chi asked.
Liang Lanbi wanted to nod, but she didn't dare.
"Stupid woman!" Sima Chi cursed.
Why does he look so timid now when he used to be such a smart person?
But now is not the time to dwell on this. He looked around and said in a low voice, "In a few days, you will go out of the palace to worship Buddha - go far away, the Buddhist temples in Luoyang are too conspicuous. Then, find a few trusted and reliable people and go to Wancheng, Xiangyang and Jianye..."
After hearing this, Liang Lanbi's face turned pale.
She looked at the emperor and said in a pleading tone: "Your Majesty, please take back your order."
Sima Chi looked at her coldly.
Liang Lanbi didn't dare to look him in the eye and lowered her head.
"Let's do it." Sima Chi did not allow her to refuse and gave the order directly.
Shao Xun promoted more than 50 generals in one go, and his ambition was obvious. If we wait any longer, we will die.
(End of this chapter)