Neon Clothes and Iron Clothes

Chapter 690 Resignation
"Yes!" The official sighed: "When it comes to using troops, he may not necessarily be needed, but the current situation in Liaodong must be calmed down by the power of Hebei. If he can gain the trust of the emperor, he can be delivered with an overwhelming number of troops. Yes, who else but him? To be honest, after Wang Wenzuo put down the Liaodong Rebellion, the real trouble began!"

Zhang Wenguan nodded. His friend's last words really touched the bottom of his heart. The essence of politics in ancient and modern times, both at home and abroad, is balance. With the weight of the world, don't be biased towards one end, otherwise it will lead to overthrow!

The ideal state for a country to function well is for the general to go out of the city to lead troops, and after the war is over, he is relieved of military power, returns to the capital as an ordinary person, and re-enters political life.A person like Wang Wenzuo who holds military power, has a real title, and is famous all over the world is too much in an already formed political system. The only thing that maintains all this is the mutual trust between the emperor and him, but the civil servants of this dynasty It was unavoidable that the emperor and the great ancestor were father and son, let alone Wang Wenzuo?Thinking of this, Zhang Wenguan couldn't help but sigh.

"Actually, you don't have to sigh! People like you and me can be used by anyone in that position!" The man smiled: "Not to mention that you are already the general's confidant. If this thing can be done, He has made a great contribution, don’t you think so!”

"Although what you said is good, but -" Zhang Wenguan sighed after saying this.

"Are you still having a hard time with it?" The man smiled and said, "It's really strange. I, a person named Li, can get through it, but you, a person named Zhang, can't get through it."

"This Li is not the other Li, so you can get by!" Hearing his friend's ridicule, Zhang Wenguan complained. It turned out that this person's name was Li Chengxiu, and he was a descendant of Li Bi from the Eight Pillar Kingdom of the Western Wei Dynasty. He was a distant relative of Li Mi, and his official residence was Taichang Cheng. , and he is on good terms with Zhang Wenguan on weekdays.

Taichang is an official name in ancient China. He is one of the Nine Qings. He is in charge of the rituals of the ancestral temple. Taichang Cheng is Taichang's adjutant. It was originally a high-ranking and light-weight sinecure, but recently the Queen Taishang died, and the situation of the Emperor Taichang also changed. When it was critical, he got busy. He often waited under the political hall and was called at any time to discuss funeral matters.

"So what if they are also the Li family of Longxi?" Li Chengxiu snorted coldly: "After several generations, even if they are the same ancestors, they will be far apart. When Li Mi raised his army, my ancestors did not go to join him, but followed him. Chao Taizu! Forget it, let’s not mention these things. How are the discussions among the princes in the hall about the burial of the Supreme Queen?”

"We haven't come up with a conclusion yet!" Zhang Wenguan spread his hands, full of helplessness.

"What's so controversial about this kind of thing? Aren't there already established examples? Isn't it just a matter of copying the gourd?" Li Chengxiu asked.

"It's not a fight, it's just that no one made the decision!" Zhang Wenguan sighed.

"Servant Pei, who among the generals disagrees?" Li Chengxiu asked.

"It's not that I disagree, it's that I don't express my position! Do you understand?" Zhang Wenguan sighed: "The general's attitude is just that he has no attitude, and he is really too busy and has no time to care about these things!"

"What about Shizhong Pei? Doesn't he like to take charge of things the most?"

"That was in the past. I don't know why, but he seems to be a different person these days. Whenever I find him here, he has a dead face, as if his whole soul has disappeared. It's really like a ghost!"

"What about the others? There are more than just these two husbands in the political hall, right? Are you a husband-in-law too?"

"There is a huge difference between my husband and my husband. Only the two of them can speak in front of the emperor. That is the truth. Everyone else is fake!" Zhang Wenguan said with a bitter smile.

"Then you can continue to mess with the mud!" Li Chengxiu sneered: "Fortunately, it is still spring. If it were summer, the corpse would have stunk. I will see how you will explain to the world!"

"The body of the Empress Dowager has been -" Zhang Wenguan was surprised: "Isn't it already stored in the ice cellar?"

"After all, he is a dead person, not a living person!" Li Chengxiu said: "Anyway, I have left my words here. If you continue to delay, if the emperor smells something wrong during the burial, don't blame me for dragging you all down. Come out, I can’t bear this responsibility!”

"Okay, okay! I understand. It's already late today. I will definitely tell the truth to those two people tomorrow!" Zhang Wenguan also felt that it was a bit too much. When the emperor's mother was buried late because the prime ministers were pushing each other, this To be passed down to future generations would simply be a legacy that lasts for eternity.

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After leaving the political hall, returning home, and lying in the bathtub prepared by his wife, Wang Wenzuo felt that his whole body relaxed. All kinds of troubles were gone, leaving only the warm water that enveloped him, as if he had returned to his mother's belly. Safe and comfortable.

"Sauro!"

His wife's voice brought Wang Wenzuo back to reality, and he hummed to indicate that he heard it.

"Lu Zhaolin came to the house today! He asked about the examination preparation!"

"I almost forgot about this!" Wang Wenzuo let out a long breath: "There is nothing we can do. The Queen has passed away, and the emperor must observe filial piety, so the examination preparation can only be postponed!"

"Lu Zhaolin also knew this, so he lamented that he was unlucky and had no luck in officialdom!" Cui Yunying sighed: "From what he said, he doesn't have much hope for the exam, and wants to get a job in your shogunate! "

"This is easy!" Wang Wenzuo responded: "I originally had this intention, but seeing that he and Wang Bo were all focused on the court, I didn't bother to force anyone to make things difficult. This kind of thing is better to be consensual."

"Yes!" Cui Yunying stretched out her hand and massaged Wang Wenzuo's shoulders while sighing: "I have heard of his reputation since I was a child. He is a famous Qilinzi in Guandong. Naturally, he has different expectations for his family, but things in the world Nothing goes as planned! Now it seems that his life is much better than Wang Bo's, at least he doesn't have to go to Annan!"

"Yeah!" Wang Wenzuo nodded: "Use more force, I can survive!"

Cui Yunying put a little more force on her hand: "There is one more thing. Princess Li Suwen sent an envoy and left a letter!"

Wang Wenzuo frowned. Li Xiayu's sudden action suddenly put her sister in a very embarrassing situation. Although Li Hong tried his best to separate Li Xiayu's death from Wu Zetian's death to avoid making people feel uncomfortable. A suitable association, destroying the dignity of the royal family, but in any case, this has caused irreparable damage to the relationship between sisters Li Xiayu and Li Hong.Wang Wenzuo himself must also re-examine his relationship with Li Suwen. If he is too close, it may arouse Li Hong's dislike.

"What's wrong? Did I do anything wrong?" Cui Yunying asked uneasily: "Should I not receive the letter?"

"No, that would show traces!" Wang Wenzuo patted his wife's arm to comfort him: "Give me the letter!"

Following a burst of footsteps, Wang Wenzuo felt the silk paper on his fingertips. He opened the envelope and looked carefully. The content of the letter was very simple. There were only a few simple greetings. The new mansion had been built and she was about to move. Go, welcome Wang Wenzuo to visit, without mentioning the shocking case that happened not long ago, Wang Wenzuo folded the letter and took a long breath again.

"What's wrong?" Cui Yunying asked. "She has moved out of the palace. Her new home is in Renshoufang. We are welcome to visit!" Wang Wenzuo sighed: "Just to keep her safe!"

"It's good to be safe, it's good to be safe!" Cui Yunying sighed: "This is actually a good thing. There is nothing good about living in the palace. It is better to live in your own mansion. It is much more relaxed and comfortable!"

Wang Wenzuo didn't speak, just closed his eyes, and seemed to have fallen asleep. Cui Yunying was afraid of being disturbed, so he carefully stopped the massage and was about to get up and leave when he heard her husband's voice.

"I should leave Chang'an!"

"Huh?" Cui Yunying asked in confusion.

"I should leave Chang'an and go to Hebei and Liaodong! But you may have to stay in Chang'an this time. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Husband, are you going to lead an army on an expedition?" Cui Yunying asked.

"Yes, the situation in Liaodong is very bad!" Wang Wenzuo stood up, stretched out his right hand to grab his wife's hand: "I'm really sorry, our husband and wife spend less time together and more time apart. You didn't gain anything by marrying me, and you suffered all kinds of hardships. But I didn’t eat less!”

"No, no!" Cui Yunying threw herself into her husband's arms, with tears in her eyes, and choked with sobs: "I, I am very happy to be Wang Wenzuo's wife!"

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Tai Chi Palace.

"Sanlang, are you going to Liaodong?" Li Hong sat in the study, Xu Xuwen stood behind him, and the emperor had a piece of plain linen wrapped around his waist, indicating that he was in mourning.

"Yes, we can't delay any longer!" Wang Wenzuo sighed: "I originally thought that Manager Xue could finally calm down the chaos over there, but now it seems that this is no longer what he can do. The situation is getting worse. If If you continue to delay, it will become uncontrollable!”

"Pour a cup for the general!" Li Hong pointed to the cup in front of Wang Wenzuo. He then discovered that there was a curved-necked black pottery bottle on the table beside him. It probably didn't contain tea. Xu Xuwen filled Wang Wenzuo's cup. , is wine, which is not something the emperor should drink when he is in mourning.

The emperor noticed Wang Wenzuo's gaze, and he smiled: "Drink a drink before going to bed, so that I can sleep more soundly!"

"Well, insomnia is indeed an occupational disease of the emperor!" Wang Wenzuo thought to himself, but said: "It's okay to drink in moderation! Your Majesty, what I just said-"

"You want to go to Liaodong?" Li Hong sighed: "What about Chang'an?"

"You can ask General Xue to take my place temporarily, and I will also stay with Cui Hongdu and Murong Mu!"

"Xue Rengui?" Li Hong smiled: "What can he do as a defeated general? Let's forget it! It is better for him and Datang to let him go home early to retire!"

Wang Wenzuo wanted to open his mouth to defend Xue Rengui. After all, the role of a general's personal strategy in the war was actually very limited, but he swallowed it back when the words reached his lips. Opposite him was the emperor, who had unlimited power, and he had just Having lost his mother and soon his father, there was no need for him to risk offending the other party by saying words that had little practical significance.

"What do you think of Zhang Wenguan?" Li Hong asked.

"Yes, Mr. Zhang is a capable official. If you leave political affairs to him, he will not let you down!" Wang Wenzuo said this and added: "Actually, Liu Peiji and Liu Shilang of the Ministry of Revenue are also good. At least he is good at financial planning. I know a lot about it!”

"Zhang Wenguan, Liu Peiji!" Li Hong picked up the brush and quickly wrote down these two names on the screen behind him: "Are there any more?"

Wang Wenzuo read out four or five more names, all of which were officials who had left a very good impression on him before. Li Hong wrote them down one by one.Finally, he said: "Sanlang, you can go with peace of mind, I can handle the affairs of the court!"

"Yes!" Wang Wenzuo took a deep breath and spit out the key condition: "Your Majesty, I have another request, that is to go to Liaodong this time. I hope that King Pei can go with him. He is the Marshal of the Army and Horses. As a deputy!"

"Will King Pei go with you?" Li Hong cast his eyes on Wang Wenzuo: "Tell me! What is your reason?"

"This is to protect His Majesty!" Wang Wenzuo said.

"Protect the widow?" Li Hong thought very quickly and immediately understood what Wang Wenzuo meant: "Are you worried that someone might want to follow your example and support King Pei to succeed you, so you take him away first and keep him by your side?"

"Well, that's the reason!" Wang Wenzuo nodded: "Although Your Majesty, you still have several younger brothers, firstly, they are still young, and secondly, with King Pei in their hands, even if they succeed in Chang'an, they still have to face The minister’s army to fight against rebellion. Taking this into account, the difficulty of the rebels’ rebellion has been greatly increased!”

"Of course, the number of people who dare to act has been greatly reduced, right?" Li Hong said with a smile: "Sanlang, you are really thoughtful. Okay, I promise you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Wenzuo couldn't help but feel relieved when he saw Li Hong agreeing. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel moved.Li Hong agreed to take King Pei to Hebei. In addition to understanding his strategy, the most important thing was his trust in himself.King Pei is the first heir to the throne. Going out of Hebei with a general like himself also means a huge potential threat to Chang'an. It can threaten potential rebels and also threaten Li Hong himself.Without true trust, it would be impossible for him to say yes.

"No need to thank you! I hope you can go and come back early!" Li Hong said with a smile: "It's the beginning of spring, I hope you can eat the new wheat from Chang'an next year!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

After leaving the Taiji Palace, Wang Wenzuo returned to his office. Since he had decided to go to Liaodong, he had to rebuild his shogunate. After all, swords and guns were weak on the battlefield. Once defeated, there would be no chance of coming back again.

"Master, do you want to send someone to recruit Ijilianbode? You are going to Liaodong." Sancho asked. He already knew from Wang Wenzuo that he was about to go to Liaodong.

(End of this chapter)