Neon Clothes and Iron Clothes

"Okay, then I'll leave it to Minister Liu!" Although he didn't know why Liu Peiji suddenly changed today, Wang Wenzuo was very happy that the matter was done so smoothly, and said with a smile: "The next time I meet the emperor, I will You must tell your Majesty what happened today. If all the officials in the court are as courageous as Liu Shilang, then why worry about Tibet not being destroyed?"

After hearing Wang Wenzuo's praise, Liu Peiji's round face was suddenly filled with smiles, almost overflowing with smiles. Everyone around him also stepped forward to compliment him. Only Pei Judao was left aside, almost bursting with anger, and his brain was almost broken. Only four words echoed in it: "Shameless villain!"

————————————————————

According to the practice at that time, the emperor provided lunch for the ministers who were on errands in the political affairs hall, which was also called "tangchu". Since Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty originally gave food under the verandah, it was also called "veranda food".It should be said that the lunch at the Zhengshi Hall was very sumptuous at that time. In ancient times, mutton was the best meat in China. For lunch at the Zhengshi Hall, three sheep were killed, and an additional sheep was added during the festival. There were hundreds of plates of various dishes, wine, and offerings from all directions. There are seasonal fruits, and the staple food also changes according to the season. In winter, it is warm soup noodles and millet porridge, and in summer, it is cold noodles. There is a special fund for the meal, which is very abundant. If there is any shortcoming, the emperor will take it upon himself Make up for it out of pocket.

After the meals were placed, everyone in the political hall put down their work and walked in small groups to the long table filled with various foods and drinks. They divided the food according to their own preferences and sat down to eat, talking while eating. Chatting.

"So that's what happened. No wonder I saw that Pei Shizhong's face was as black as an iron pot all day long, as if someone owed him 10,000+ yuan and he didn't pay back!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile.

"Yes!" Zhang Wenguan said with a smile: "Liu Peiji usually likes to make irresponsible remarks in front of Pei Shizhong. Pei Shizhong usually just listens and rarely says anything, at most he just smiles. I don't know why now, maybe it's I was not very angry, so I gave Liu Shilang a few words, and the voice was a little louder, so that the entire political hall could hear clearly, and it hurt Liu Shilang's face. It must be because of this that Liu Shilang deliberately embarrassed Pei Shizhong!"

"Oh? What did Shizhong Pei say?" Wang Wenzuo asked curiously.

"I didn't hear it very clearly outside. It seemed that Pei Shizhong was saying: 'Shilang Liu, you are quick and have already finished handling the official duties on hand. If you have time, come here to chat. There are still more official duties on hand! How about Shilang Liu? Why don't you go back to your place and wait until I, the old man, have finished his official duties, and then come and chat with me?'"

After listening to Zhang Wenguan's words, Wang Wenzuo couldn't help but burst into laughter. Pei Judao's words were too harsh to be honest: the person who can enter this political hall is a fourth- and fifth-grade official, so no matter how you say it, it is important for such an important official. Facely.

Liu Shilang shamelessly came to you, Pei Judao, and made irresponsible remarks. In the final analysis, it was just to show his loyalty to you and to show that he is Pei Judao's man.But you, Pei Judao, just threw his face to the ground and trampled it with your feet.You must know that people in the political affairs hall are full of pens. Most people will go back and record this matter in their own diaries. In the future, when compiling history, these official diaries will probably be used as raw materials, and a record will be left in the biographies. But it will "leave its name in history".No wonder Liu Shilang turned over and gave you a sap, while an ordinary person might just pull out a knife.

"Shizhong Pei is a member of a noble family after all. It's been a smooth journey. Although some things make sense, I still can't help it when things happen!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile.

"That's what the general said!" Zhang Wenguan took a few dried dates and chewed them while laughing: "There are some things that you won't understand no matter how many times you read them in books without personal experience!"

"By the way, Shizhong Pei's cultivation should be pretty good! What did Shilang Liu say to make him angry?"

"I don't know about that!" Zhang Wenguan shook his head: "I was too far away from there today and couldn't hear clearly!"

"This has something to do with you, General!" Dai Zhide's voice came from behind. Wang Wenzuo quickly stood up and saluted: "It has something to do with me? It can't be? I shouldn't have come at that time, right?"

"That's right, it's because you haven't come yet!" Dai Zhide took a handful of dried peaches, chewed them, and sat down next to Zhang Wenguan: "I was sitting not far away at the time and heard clearly. Then Liu Peiji ran to Shizhong Pei was told that Shizhong Pei is so much older than you and that he went to the Political Affairs Hall at Chenshi even if it rained or snowed. But you, General Wang, entered the Political Affairs Hall and did not do your job properly. You were one day early and one day late. What a shame!"

"So that's it!" Wang Wenzuo couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard this. He watched other people's jokes with great interest, but he didn't expect that the joke would fall on him in the end.Then Liu Peiji is also a high-ranking official of the fourth rank. He came in late and went to make a small report. How can this behavior be similar to that of white-collar clerks who play office politics in modern society?

"How can I be angry about this!" Wang Wenzuo laughed twice: "Shilang Liu is right. I should be more careful when coming late and leaving early in the political hall these days!"

"You can't blame the general!" Dai Zhide said with a smile: "You have to go to the palace for a while, take care of the Imperial Guards, and water transportation. It is already very long to be able to stay in the political hall for an hour every day. It’s amazing. To be honest, I’m very impressed by your ability to multi-task and survive until today!”

"Don't dare, don't dare!" Wang Wenzuo laughed dryly, but the food in his mouth became tasteless. Dai Zhide was telling the truth. During this period, Wang Wenzuo actually used himself as three people, taking care of each one. The army, the internal affairs of the palace, and the political hall have indeed exceeded the upper limit of a person's energy. If he continues to be consumed like this, problems will occur sooner or later.

"But this is not a long-term solution after all, General, what do you think?" Dai Zhide smiled meaningfully.

"What does Mr. Dai mean?" Wang Wenzuo frowned slightly.

"This is the political affairs hall!" Dai Zhide stood up and patted the pillar next to him: "At the beginning, Emperor Taizong Wen had three high-ranking officials (Zhongshu Ling, Shizhong, and Shangshu Zuopu She) share the office, so he With the political affairs hall, hundreds of states and counties in the Tang Dynasty, and hundreds of millions of people, all discussed it here. We are entrusted by the emperor to manage state affairs, how can we not be sincere and fearful, and do our best?"

"Dai Xianggong means that Wang has not tried his best?" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile.

"The general is of course devoted to the country, but manpower is sometimes poor. Although you have extraordinary talents, you only have a mortal body, with only one pair of eyes, one pair of hands, and one mouth." Dai Zhide smiled and said: "General, It is indeed unseemly for Liu Shilang to say what he said today, but he is actually right. People in the political hall are all smart. You can do it in one day or two days. If this happens often, everyone will have ideas as time goes by. Shizhong Pei scolded Shilang Liu, but he may not have thought so in his heart!" "Duke Dai, you can't say that. The general is late today for a reason!"

"Mr. Zhang, what Mr. Dai said is right!" Wang Wenzuo raised his right hand to stop Zhang Wenguan from explaining for him: "This time I did it because of something in the palace, not every time because of something in the palace. Even if it's because of something in the palace, Others may not be considerate. Mr. Dai, you can speak out and don’t hold back!"

"General, give in!" Dai Zhide sighed: "You are already a highly respected minister, you control the imperial guards of the north and south, and you have the trust of the emperor, so why do you need to put your hand into this political hall? Shizhong Pei didn't say anything, I must be unhappy in my heart, let alone the people. Is it inappropriate for you to hold military power and join the political affairs hall at the same time? Pei Shizhong and you are the two pillars of the imperial court. If you two are at odds, it will be a blessing to the imperial court!"

Hearing Dai Zhide clarify his words, Zhang Wenguan stopped talking. He carefully observed Wang Wenzuo's face, but he was thinking about how to interface.Wang Wenzuo's face was neither happy nor angry, and after a while he sighed: "It seems that in Dai Gong's eyes, Wang is a person who is greedy for power and does not know how to advance or retreat."

"It's natural for a general to enter the political hall. After all, people in the world are so ignorant that they may not be able to understand the difficulties of a general!" Dai Zhide said.

"How ignorant are the people in the world? Hahahaha!" Wang Wenzuo laughed: "Dai Gong is using the world to suppress Wang?"

Hearing Wang Wenzuo say this, Zhang Wenguan trembled in his heart, why did he shout loudly: "Dai Gong, be careful, the general's heart can shine like the sun and the moon, everyone knows it, how can he blame the general?"

"Mr. Zhang, that's it!" Wang Wenzuo waved his hand to stop Zhang Wenguan's scolding: "Mr. Dai, I entered the political hall not for greed for power, but for the convenience of doing things. Previously, the Tang Dynasty was defeated by Dafeichuan, the Turks rebelled, and the East The remnants of Goguryeo are rising again. It is indeed a troubled time. Therefore, after I supported the saint and ascended the throne, I planned to promote the advantages and eliminate the disadvantages. Starting from the reform of water transportation, I strive to solve the current situation of Chang'an being short of food every year and the treasury is empty, and then rectify the Longshang soldiers. We should try to use three to five years to reorganize a new situation. At that time, without having to speak publicly, Wang will resign his official position and return to his hometown to live under the forest and spring, not to mention a political affairs hall. I also know you Those things mentioned, but Wang has received great favor from His Majesty and can only put state affairs first, how can he stop moving forward without caring about his own reputation?"

After hearing Wang Wenzuo's words, Dai Zhide showed a trace of dejection on his face: "It is good for a general to dare to do his job. But have you ever thought that the world may not understand your painstaking efforts? Accumulation will destroy bones, so we must guard against it!"

"If you only care about the country's life and death, how can you avoid it because of good fortune and misfortune?" Wang Wenzuo said proudly: "Dai Gong also said just now that the world is so stupid. As time goes by, future generations will become natural. Understand my painstaking efforts!"

Seeing Wang Wenzuo's resolute attitude, Dai Zhide could only shake his head: "Since the general has decided, I have nothing to say. However, the discord between civil and military affairs is not a blessing to the country. I have a way to reconcile the general. Does the general want to hear about the relationship with Shizhong Pei?"

"Want to hear the details!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile.

"General. Since we don't have that much time to come to the Political Hall, and we don't want to leave the Political Hall, why not follow the old practice of Li Weigong of the previous dynasty and come here every three to five days to understand the major events. This way, others will naturally not have the same problem. Just gossip, Shizhong Pei will also feel better, General, what do you think?"

"Li Weigong's old rules?" Wang Wenzuo frowned, and Zhang Wenguan on the side quickly explained that it turned out that during the Taizong period, Li Weigong resigned from the post of prime minister (that is, he joined the political affairs hall) on the grounds of foot illness. Emperor Taizong favored him and allowed him, but gave him As a special courtesy, when his condition improves, he can go to the political hall to attend the prime minister's meeting every two or three days.Later, this became an unwritten practice in the Tang Dynasty. It was a very heavy burden for those old ministers who were old and sick but had outstanding achievements. After all, they had to deal with government affairs for five or six hours in the political hall every day, rain or shine.Dai Zhide's suggestion was nothing more than a decent way to get Wang Wenzuo to make some concessions.

"What Duke Dai said is a compliment. How can Wang and others dare to compare with Duke Li Wei?" Wang Wenzuo smiled and said, "Forget it, that's it! As long as it is beneficial to state affairs, it's okay for Wang to give in!"

Seeing Wang Wenzuo nod, Dai Zhide breathed a sigh of relief, why did he smile and said: "If the general is willing to give in, Shizhong Pei will definitely appreciate it, which is really a blessing to the country!"

"Easy to say, easy to say!" Wang Wenzuo said haha: "It's almost time, let's go back to class!"

After sending Wang Wenzuo away, Dai Zhide wiped the sweat from his forehead and felt that his muscles were all sore and his energy was exhausted. He thought to himself that Wang Wenzuo was really a difficult character. It was a blessing to be able to take him back even half a step today.I will find an opportunity to tell Pei Judao about this later. I just hope that he can express his gratitude and work together to get things done.

"Mr. Dai!"

"Ms. Zhang!" Dai Zhide turned around and saw Zhang Wenguan standing in front of him with a somewhat ashamed look on his face: "I just said that because it happened for a reason, not -"

"I understand!" Dai Zhide said with a smile: "If you had not scolded me just now, you would not be able to stay under Wang Wenzuoyu anymore. It's good to scold me, but it would be better if you could scold me more harshly!"

"Ms. Dai!" Seeing Dai Zhide being so reasonable, Zhang Wenguan felt even more ashamed. He wanted to say a few words to express his apology, but he didn't know.What should I say? Instead, Dai Zhide smiled nonchalantly and said: "Mr. Zhang, I understand your difficulties. On the surface, you and I are prime ministers. Wang Wenzuo and Pei Judao are also prime ministers, but prime ministers and prime ministers are very different. You I just do errands in this political hall. I am nothing after leaving the political hall. One Wang Wenzuo and Pei Judao helped the emperor ascend the throne, and the other is the emperor's father-in-law. They are also prime ministers when they are not in the political hall. People like you and me, If you want to do something, you have to be attached to someone, and naturally you have to say a lot of things you don’t mean, and you don’t have to be embarrassed, everyone does it!”

"Dai Gong!"

It’s the end of the month, so I’m asking for votes, rewards, and subscriptions as usual!