First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 627: Lu Zushang is high-spirited

...

The leader, Li Shimin, had an ashen complexion and his hair and beard were spread out. He was criticizing Li Shou, his subordinate brother, in extremely harsh terms, and his curly beard made him look even more powerful.

All the ministers in the palace lowered their heads and lowered their eyebrows. No one dared to say anything at this time. In less than a year of taking charge of the imperial power, Li Shimin's power was even more terrifying than that of the Supreme Emperor Li Yuan, especially the curly beard on his face. Once angry, some timid people would People are really intimidated.

For example, Fang Xuanling, the prime minister of the current dynasty, had both talent and virtue, and could be called a virtuous prime minister. However, in fact, Fang Xuanling had a fatal flaw, which was timidity. This was not a fabrication, but a fact. His courage was really average. General.

There was chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and Fang Xuanling became the county captain of Xi County. However, Li Yuan marched to the east of Hedong. The Sui generals Yao Junsu, Qu Tutong and others moved into the city to resist. When war broke out in Hedong, Fang Xuanling did not dare to take office and lived in seclusion in the suburbs. , of course, it can also be said that he is a hermit who is indifferent to fame and wealth.

Jealousy stories have been passed down through the ages. Fang Xuanling was in awe of his beloved wife Lu throughout his life. Of course, it can also be said that he was a doting wife who respected her as a guest.

There are also historical records that when Li Shimin was furious, Fang Xuanling was so frightened that he lay on the ground and did not dare to speak. Of course, it can also be said that he was respecting the emperor and observing etiquette.

But taken together, this is indeed a lack of courage.

Li Shimin continued to criticize himself for a long time, but no one in the hall responded. Li Shimin became even more angry and slammed the desk, "Did anyone hear what I said?"

Li Er has never been a gentle monarch. Li Shimin, who joined the army as a young man, has a strong and resolute character, and can laugh and curse eloquently.

He didn't bother to pretend to be serious. When he was happy, he laughed loudly and could sit on the ground and drink arm-in-arm with Cheng Zhijie and others.

Looking at ancient and modern times, it is estimated that only three emperors, Liu Ji, Li Er and Zhu Chongba, had such temperaments.

Seeing Li Shimin snapping the case and scolding him angrily, Gao Junya raised his head, looked at the ministers, cupped his hands and said, "I second my opinion."

Others felt relieved when they saw this, and they all agreed, expressing their gratitude to Gao Junya in their hearts.

Li Shimin nodded silently, obviously satisfied, and then looked at Dou Dan in the front row, "What do you think of Zongzheng Temple?"

"I... second my opinion." Dou Dan trembled all over and had already cursed Li Shou a thousand times in his heart.

In ordinary times, as the chief official of Zongzheng Temple, he should protect the interests of the clan and royal family. However, the time is not right now. The emperor is planning to reduce his title, and the clan and royal family have expressed dissatisfaction. At this time, something happened to Li Shou. What happened to Zongzheng Temple? shelter.

"Okay", Li Shimin snorted coldly, "It is hereby announced that Li Shou, the former governor of Jiaozhou and Duke of Sui'an County, was corrupt, perverted the law, and was arrogant and extravagant. He is now removed from his post and demoted to a county prince. He will return to the capital immediately from the day he receives the imperial edict. , without delay”.

When everyone heard this, their hearts trembled. The emperor was really cruel. He directly removed his position and reduced his title. This punishment can be said to be quite severe.

Then Li Shimin looked at the ministers and said, "Jiaozhou is located on the border, so I don't need to elaborate on its importance. The position of governor must not be empty. Sirs, do you have any candidates?"

Although they are asking the princes, other courtiers also know what they are saying. If it is not necessary, they should not say anything at this time. The emperor is just asking a routine question.

If you, an insignificant official from the capital, are recommended at will, it is easy to cause misunderstandings.

Furthermore, can anyone be qualified to recommend the position of Governor-General?You, an eighth-grade censor, recommended a third-grade governor?This is not qualified. Only the top civil and military officials of the entire dynasty are qualified to make suggestions.

As the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Changsun Wuji was responsible for the selection and examination of officials. He was also the most familiar with the official careers of officials from all sides. Seeing no one responded, he had no choice but to speak out first.

"Your Majesty, Lu Zushang, the governor of Yingzhou, has made great achievements. He has been serving as governor for more than four years. His evaluations are all average and he can be promoted according to the system."

Yingzhou is in Hebei and belongs to Zhongzhou. The governor is ranked in the fourth rank. Jiaozhou is remote and belongs to Xiazhou. Its governor governs all states and is ranked in the third rank. Lu Zushang is indeed quite meritorious and has some virtuous names. His eldest grandson Wuji Out of public interest, his suggestions are reasonable and reasonable.

Li Shimin thought about it and carefully recalled Lu Zushang's resume. He also felt that it was very suitable. He looked at Gao Junya and asked, "What do the Zhengshi Hall think?"

As Prime Minister, Gao Junya was in charge of the Shangshu Province, and his opinions were, to a certain extent, those of the Political Affairs Hall.

Turning around, Fang Xuanling and others lowered their heads and eyebrows, obviously not having any objections. Gao Junya also nodded and said, "Zhengshitang has no objections."

"Okay", Li Shimin did not hesitate and made a decisive decision, "Then Lu Zushang will take over as the governor of Jiaozhou, and the official will pass the order immediately."

The officials and officials from the three provinces agreed one after another.

It's just that poor Yingzhou governor Lu Zushang was arranged without knowing it.

Speaking of which, Lu Zushang was also a young and handsome man. His cousin was Ji Liang, and he came from the Lu family in Guangzhou. His family had a rich fortune. When he was a boy, Lu Zushang was a well-known knight-errant in the Central Plains. He valued wealth over justice and was very prestigious.

At the end of Daye, the world was in chaos. Yu Wenhuaji had regicide and usurped the throne, leaving the world without a master. Lu Zushang, who was only 19 years old, inherited the family business, spent all his wealth to recruit villagers, defended the country, and called himself the governor.

Later, Wang Shichong supported the king of Yue Yang Dong to ascend the throne and pacify the states and counties in the Central Plains. Lu Zushang had no intention of independence and offered his land to surrender. Wang Shichong was overjoyed and made him the general manager of Guangzhou and the title of Shen Guogong. At this time, Lu Zushang was only in his twenties.

Until Wang Shichong's defeat, Lu Zushang returned to the Tang Dynasty. Li Yuan did not hesitate to reward him, and was appointed the governor of Guangzhou and the title of Yiyang County Duke.

In the sixth year of Wude, Lu Zushang led his army to attack Fu Gong'er, defeated Xuan and She prefectures in succession, and achieved great military exploits. He then served successively as the governor of Jiangzhou and the governor of Yingzhou, with a reputation for being quite capable.

The imperial edict left Tongguan and went straight to Yingzhou, Hebei. After receiving the promotion decree, Lu Zushang was so happy that he accepted the call to the court without thinking too much.

A few days later, the dusty Lu Zushang arrived in Chang'an.

In the Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin was very satisfied when he saw the heroic and majestic Lu Zushang. He twirled his beard and nodded, and praised each other: "The Tang Dynasty is full of waste and is waiting to be reborn. The country is becoming stronger and stronger. It is precisely Ji Liang who is so capable and vigorous in his youth." "Young ministers."

Lu Zushang was very pleased, and he raised his head and replied: "I will live up to your majesty's trust."

"Okay," Li Shimin twirled his beard and said with a smile, "high-spirited and energetic, this is my style of the Tang Dynasty."

After everyone sat down, Li Shimin sighed with sincerity: "Jiaozhou has a vast territory and is far from the capital. It needs capable ministers to control it. The previous governor, Li Shou, was a vegetarian and failed to live up to my expectations. But you are known to be a virtuous and capable person." The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty are full of praise for you. I hope Ji Liang will not refuse his hard work and make a career in Jiaozhou, so that he can share my worries."

Lu Zushang was in his late thirties, an energetic age and full of ambitions to make great achievements. Seeing that the emperor valued him so much and was so close to him, he suddenly felt passionate and passionate. He stood up and solemnly promised: "I will be devastated, and I will die if I don't do it." .

Li Shimin was even more satisfied when he saw this, and immediately rewarded the imperial meal. The emperor and his ministers ate together, which moved Lu Zushang to a complete mess.Until late at night, Lu Zushang thanked him and left. Li Shimin thought about the remoteness of Jiaozhou and would not see each other for several years. Although Lu Zushang was not his old minister in the Qin Palace, he felt unhappy now that he saw Lu Zushang so loyal. She actually escorted Lu Zushang out of the palace in person.

The emperor lowered his rank to greet him, what a courtesy it was. As the saying goes, a scholar dies for a confidant, and Lu Zushang wished he could repay him with death.

After thanking him again, Lu Zushang strode away and returned to his mansion in Chang'an.

The dignified Duke has a mansion in the capital, and his uncle Lu Fu is also responsible for looking after the family business. Lu Zushang's father is named Lu Xi, and he is a famous person in Guangzhou. His uncle Lu Fu is not very talented, and he assisted Lu Zushang to defend the state. , and later attached himself to the Tang Dynasty. When he entered Beijing, he was granted the title of a small official who was exiled and worked as an errand in the Yongzhou Yamen.

When he heard that Lu Zushang was appointed governor of Jiaozhou, Lu Fu was not happy but worried.

"Why is uncle so worried about the promotion?" Lu Zushang asked in confusion.

Lu Fu slapped his head and said, "Hey, Dalang, do you really not know or are you pretending not to know? Do you know where Jiaozhou is?"

Lu Zushang grinned indifferently, "Of course I know, but it's just that it's located in Lingnan, which is a bit remote. When we were conquering the Jianghuai River, we even went to the Wuyue coast. It's not a big deal."

"You are too young," Lu Fu clapped his thigh and shouted, "Jiaozhou is not comparable to the land of Wu and Yue. It is adjacent to the barbarians in the southwest. The barbarians live together and do not know etiquette. They are full of smog and poisonous insects. The weather is hot and humid. I can't I heard that the life span there is only thirty or forty."

After hearing his uncle's words, Lu Zushang's expression changed, and he shook his clothes unnaturally, "No, it's not like that."

Lu Zushang lived a privileged life since he was a child. He was rich and powerful. He wore bright clothes and horses. He also had a handsome face and a handsome husband.

When he was less than 30 years old, he would be a herdsman and guard one side, and he would be given the title of Duke. As the saying goes, high-ranking officials must sit and ride horses. Every time they go in and out, they will be cheered and cheered, which is very pompous.

Although Lu Zushang is dedicated to making achievements and showing off his talents, when he thinks of that kind of living environment, where the handsome man is accompanied by poisonous savages every day, Lu Zushang gets goosebumps all over his body and can't help but shrink back.

Uncle Lu Fu saw this and continued: "What's more, it's a long way to Jiaozhou. It involves traveling through mountains and rivers, and driving and accompanying people. It will take at least three to five months to arrive. By then, as the head of the family, you may have stayed in Jiaozhou for ten years. I think that I, the Guangzhou Lu family, come from the Fanyang lineage and are a powerful family in the Central Plains. I will become a Lingnan barbarian by then."

"Ten years? It shouldn't be so. Once the term is over, he should be able to be promoted back to the Central Plains." Lu Zushang was still a little hesitant, mainly because he had already promised the emperor, and now he really didn't know what to do.

"You want good things!" Lu Fu glared and reprimanded: "As the saint's brother, Li Shou has also stayed in Jiaozhou for six or seven years. If it hadn't been revealed, he might have stayed there for how long. moon".

"Also, if you think about it carefully, the Governor of Jiaozhou is a third-grade official after all. Why is it that no one is willing to run it and you are the only one to choose it? That's because everyone else knows that it is not a good place to go. Are you going back or not?”

Seeing that Lu Zushang's face was serious, Lu Fu continued: "I, the Lu family in Guangzhou, were originally sparsely populated. Now that you are so prosperous, it is the time when you are the lintel of Guangzhou. If you go to a place thousands of miles away in Jiaozhou, it will be ten thousand miles away." If you can’t return for years, then where can you abandon your clan?”

"Dalang, you have an old mother and a young child. It's a difficult journey to Jiaozhou. Can you still take them with you?"

"The smog is dense and the climate is not pleasant. Look at the current Xianggong Gao who came back from Lingnan. He is very old and his skin is like withered tree bark."

"I think Mr. Gao is very dignified and majestic, right?"

"I'm talking about my disciple Gao Xianggong! Gao Shilian! He is two years younger than Shangshu Gao Xianggong. Look at their current status."

Thinking of Gao Shilian's old age, and comparing it with Gao Junya's demeanor, Lu Zushang shuddered, and unconsciously stretched out his hand to touch his smooth cheeks. With such white and tender skin, and the handsome man, if he were in Lingnan... he suddenly felt fear. meaning.

"Uncle, let me think about it, think about it," Lu Zushang waved his hands in confusion.

Lu Fu clasped his hands behind his back and walked out, sighing: "It's all over if I go to Lingnan. I won't see my old mother, wife and children, my old friends from the Central Plains, surrounded by savages, and poisonous insects...".

Lu Zushang's mouth twitched when he heard this.

The next day, Lu Zushang, who was suffering from dark circles under his eyes, finally plucked up the courage to write to Li Shimin, claiming that he lacked talent and virtue and was afraid that he would not be qualified for the job, and asked the emperor to choose another wise man...

It was a crisp autumn day. Li Shimin finally took a day off and was enjoying flowers and birds in the inner garden. He was in a happy mood. After receiving Lu Zushang's letter, he was stunned on the spot.

"Are you regretting it?" Li Shimin couldn't believe that he was actually doing this.

Then he shook his head and sighed: "At a young age, it is inevitable that one's mind will waver." Then after thinking for a moment, he summoned Du Ruhui.

"Ke Ming, Lu Jiliang is indeed a capable minister, but he was successful at a young age and did not suffer setbacks. It was inevitable that he would be afraid of the hardships of the journey for a while. I will reward him with a good horse from the Western Regions. You can go there for me and give me some advice. He, let him set off early, Jiaozhou cannot be delayed, otherwise Gao Youzhi's fellow will come to rush me again."

Du Ruhui was also grateful for Li Shimin's generosity and bowed to accept the promise. He also thought the same way. It is normal for young people to have unstable minds. He just needs to be comforted.

Just in the afternoon, Du Ruhui came back with a depressed look.

"Your Majesty, Lu Jiliang refused to accept the offer. He only said that his talents and virtues are insufficient, and his mother is old and it is inconvenient to travel far." Du Ruhui felt that Lu Zushang was going too far.

Li Shimin's face also darkened and he snorted coldly, "That's not what he said yesterday. I remember that he is not an only son. His family is very rich and he has no one to support him."

Du Ruhui coughed. After all, he was kind-hearted and wanted to say good things to Lu Zushang. "Lu Jiliang is young after all. Your Majesty, please calm down. I remember that Zhou Xiaofan is Lu Jiliang's brother-in-law. Xiaofan is an old member of the Qin Palace. He understands righteousness and has also served in the palace." Having been in Jiaozhi for many years, Your Majesty may ask Xiaofan to persuade Lu Jiliang."

"Oh?" Li Shimin was a little surprised, then nodded and said: "Xiaofan still has such a relationship with him, then Keming, go and send a message and let Xiaofan explain to him clearly that the imperial edict is not a child's play."

Xiaofan is Zhou Shaofan, also known as Xiaofan. He is the son of Zhou Fashang, the former Sui Dynasty general Wuwei. In the last years of Daye, he served as the judicial clerk of Jiaozhi County, assisting Qiu He.

In the fourth year of Wude, Zhou Shaofan followed Qiu He to Beijing and was granted the title. He had a good talk with Li Shimin and was appointed Youkuzhi of the Qin Palace.

After Li Shimin ascended the throne, Zhou Shaofan was promoted to General Youtunwei and was given the title of Duke of Yichun County.

Zhou Shaofan was on duty in the imperial city and was stunned after hearing Du Ruhui's words, "Why is Ji Liang so unwise?"

Then he reacted and said hurriedly: "Don't worry Keming, I will go find him right away and make sure to wake him up. Even a young man knows how to be stupid."

Du Ruhui also smiled and nodded. They were all very optimistic about Lu Zushang and wanted to protect him. They only thought that Lu Zushang was young and impulsive, but they didn't know whether Lu Zushang was on the road.

(End of this chapter)