Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4683 Return to Beijing to report on work

Pei Huaijie met everyone's gazes, paused, and said slowly: "As far as I know, the central committee has not decided yet, but someone has recommended Zhang Xingcheng, the former minister Zuocheng, to take over the position of Henan Prefecture Yin."

Everyone was stunned.

Zhang Xingcheng is not an unknown person. During the years when the Guanlong clan dominated the government, Zhang Xingcheng was the highest official in the central government nominally supported by the Shandong family. Although people like Fang Xuanling and Li Ji were born in Shandong, it does not mean that they are in their own line. The interests of the Shandong family.

However, the Shandong family supported the King of Jin in launching a mutiny, but Zhang Xingcheng was defeated.

Although Zhang Xingcheng himself was not accused of "rebellion", he was implicated by the Shandong family and was lucky that he was not dismissed from his post and investigated. Now he can suddenly become the governor of Henan?

None of you here are country folk, and you have enough insights into politics to immediately realize the implications.

Yu Baoning looked ugly: "Has the Shandong family completely surrendered?"

The central government must have reached some kind of agreement or tacit understanding with the Shandong aristocratic family, and then rewarded the Shandong aristocratic family with the position of Henan Fuyin. Otherwise, how could a "sinful person" like Zhang Xingcheng be able to rise to become a feudal lord second only to Jing Zhaoyin? Official?

The surrender of the Shandong family means the surrender of the entire Guandong region. The mere Henan family is like a loach in the mud, unable to make waves at all. Otherwise, if it makes the slightest move, it will be attacked from both sides...

Although no one wants to rebel, no one wants to see such a bad external environment, because then they will completely lose their qualifications to bargain with the central government. Fortunately, Pei Huaijie just asked them what they think about "paper money", even if What’s the use of having an opinion?

Of course, there is also a possibility that the Central Committee intends to win over the Shandong family and use the position of Henan Prefect to show favor to the Shandong family.

It stands to reason that he is now Liu Ji's "lackey". Without Liu Ji's care, it is difficult to get a good official position. After returning to Beijing and waiting to see his Majesty, he should pay a visit and give him a generous gift.

……

From this point of view, tomorrow’s Cheng Yi must be doubled...

Approaching the house, looking at the sparkling Qingming Channel with surging water outside the village wall, and the children playing in the shade of the willow trees on the embankment, I suddenly felt a hesitation that "I feel more timid when I'm close to my hometown"...

Reputation is the greatest political capital for civil servants. If the reputation is ruined, how can we talk about progress?

And this also means the reshaping of the central power structure. Pei Huaijie returns to Chang'an at this time to take up a post, and it is very likely that he will make great achievements.

He took a deep breath, shook his head with a wry smile, and dispelled all the emotions that only the elderly could feel before entering the mansion.

*****

A few days later, the tired Pei Huaijie returned to Chang'an. He stood under the circular hill and looked at the towering Mingde Gate in the north. He was so excited that he almost shed tears. He had been serving as the Yin of Henan for nearly ten years since the early years of Zhenguan. Yan Shang was full of ambition when he came out of this door and rushed to Henan on the ancient road. Now he is disgraced when he returns. All his lofty ideals have been exhausted in the process of games and compromises with the Henan aristocratic families. There is no more determination to forge ahead and benefit one party. , only the slick and sophisticated, the fool and the dog are left.

After taking a shower and changing clothes, I had a family reunion banquet with my family, and I felt a little embarrassed again.

The most important thing is that the person who rules the world in this city is no longer Emperor Taizong, whom he worships as a god and swears allegiance to, but the fledgling, cowardly and weak young emperor...

But if you don't take the initiative to visit Liu Ji's house, it will give Liu Ji the illusion of contempt. After all, you are asking for help. What if you misunderstand?

After thinking about it, Pei Huaijie decided to pay a visit. He believed that with Liu Jie's status and power as the head of the civil service, he could suppress the imperial censors.

But the problem is that his previous official position was already the second largest border official in the world. Visiting the Prime Minister regardless of his status will inevitably be regarded as flattery to the outside world, which will be harmful to his reputation.

The next morning, in the long pavilion ten miles west of Luoyang City, the sky was full of morning glow, the breeze was warm, the birds in the forest were flying and singing, and the weeds on the roadside were lush and green.

Pei Huaijie, a feudal official who had served as the governor of Henan for many years, finally bid farewell to the place under his jurisdiction, and embarked on the road back to Chang'an to report on his duties amid the overjoyed Cheng Yi of a group of Henan aristocratic families.

Immediately, people prepared famous assassins and a cart full of generous gifts brought back from Luoyang and sent them to Liu Ji's house, waiting for Liu Ji's reply and permission to come.

Although Henan Prefecture has temporarily lost its top official, it is not a big problem because King Wei is in charge.

After collecting his mind, Pei Huaijie entered Chang'an City from Mingde Gate in a carriage with a group of servants. After walking for a while in the busy traffic of Zhuque Street, he first had his talisman, official ribbon, and memorial sent to the Ministry of Officials to confirm The date and time for the audience with His Majesty were set, and then he returned to his home in Yi Xuan Fong by car.

Everything at home has not changed much from what it was more than ten years ago. The wife has been living at home to take care of the family. As for Pei Huaijie, he naturally has a young and beautiful concubine to serve him in Luoyang...

It is a serious disrespect to come directly to the door and is a "bad guest"...

Half an hour later, the servant returned and invited Pei Huaijie into the house to meet him.

Pei Huaijie glanced at the sky outside, feeling a little heavy in his heart. He didn't plan to save dinner... But he didn't dare to delay. He changed into a brocade robe, wore a turban, and went out to board the car and rushed to Liu Ji's mansion.

……

The back house of Liu Mansion, in the flower hall.

Liu Ji took a sip of tea and looked at Pei Huaijie with a smile: "My dear brother, it has been more than ten years since I took office in Henan, right?"

Pei Huaijie put down the teacup, shook his head and sighed, with a look of regret on his face: "Who says it's not the case? When I left, my hair was full of flowers and I was high-spirited, but when I came back, my temples were stained with frost and my body was in ruins. What a pity and regret. One misstep will lead to eternal hatred!"

This naturally refers to the fact that he was slandered by Li Tai. He served as the Yin of Henan for more than ten years with both hard work and merit. He made outstanding contributions to Emperor Taizong's stabilization of Henan. However, he was framed and framed by Li Tai, so that he returned to Beijing in embarrassment and was shameless. people.

Liu Ji comforted him: "Why should we care about the past? We should look forward and serve our country."

When the topic came to the main topic, Pei Huaijie stopped being "miserable" and took the initiative to ask: "Sidao is a close minister of His Majesty, and Jane is in the heart of the Emperor, but I wonder if I can hear His Majesty mentioning how to arrange for me?"

"Si Dao" is Liu Ji's name. After all, Pei Huaijie is a powerful official in the border area. Calling him this way not only shows that he is close to him, but also shows that he is equal to the other party, not so groveling and dwarf...

Liu Ji didn't seem to understand the meaning of the title, or maybe he didn't care about it. He said bluntly: "There is no vacancy in the center at the moment. How to place the worthy brother is indeed a lot of thought. Your Majesty racked his brains for this but couldn't do it properly." Fa, I am very irritable these days. I wonder if I have heard that the Ministry of War will set up an additional agency to discuss the rules and regulations of the military reform?"

Pei Huaijie was stunned and said in confusion: "I have heard about it, but I don't know the details... But I am a civil servant, what does this matter have to do with me?"

Liu Ji explained: "This organization was established at Fang Jun's suggestion. If nothing unexpected happens, it will lead the reform of the military system in the future. It is related to military power, which is really critical. However, all the top and bottom of the Ministry of War are Fang Jun's followers. If there is no credibility, When a person is in it, is it possible to let him control the military affairs? It just so happens that there is no suitable place for the center to be placed for the time being. My dear brother might as well participate in it to prevent Fang Jun from covering up the sky with one hand and insisting on doing rash things."

Pei Huaijie was extremely disappointed: "But I have been in power for many years. If I do have some interest in government affairs, and I think I am very capable, but I have never led an army in my life, how can I participate in such a major event as the reform of the military system?"

Are you planning to kick yourself into Fang Jun's lair and treat you as a spy?

It’s really too much!

Liu Ji hurriedly held the pot to pour him tea and said with a smile: "My dear brother, have you misunderstood? The original intention of the military reform was to prevent the army from colluding with the local government and forming a warlord who ruled on one side. My dear brother ruled Henan and had outstanding political achievements." , should understand the relationship between the military and the government best and be able to give pertinent opinions."

After a pause, he slowly said: "You have to know that this military reform was pushed hard by Fang Jun. Even if His Majesty opposes it, it may not be effective. It will definitely be the top priority of national policy in the future. If you can participate in it, It is a manifestation of status and honor in itself, and not just anyone can go if they want to.”

Pei Huaijie finally saw how powerful Fang Jun was. "Even your Majesty's objections may not be effective"?

Isn’t this a proper powerful minister...

As for what Liu Jie said, he quite agreed. He only hesitated for a moment and then made up his mind: "Then I will listen to what you said, Si Dao. When your Majesty summons me, I will definitely recommend myself."

Breaking into Fang Jun's gang alone is a hard job anyway. Being forced to do this kind of job is completely different from being voluntary. Naturally, you have to actively recommend yourself instead of waiting for His Majesty to issue an order.

The benefits afterwards are simply worlds apart...

Liu Ji said happily: "Wise move!"

First there is Zheng Rentai, and then there is Pei Huaijie. As long as these two people enter the so-called military reform preparatory agency, Fang Jun's every move, word and deed will be revealed without hiding anything. Moreover, with the qualifications and status of these two people, At critical moments, he can even defeat Fang Jun.

The two stopped talking about this matter, and then Liu Jielai made some descriptions of the current central situation to prepare Pei Huaijie, and then talked about the upcoming "paper money".

Pei Huaijie was puzzled: "This kind of 'paper money' is the first of its kind in history. Each one will be marked and numbered. But I heard that Fang Jun is researching some anti-counterfeiting methods in the minting bureau. Is this necessary?"

The "paper money" was issued in the hands of aristocratic families. No matter whether the aristocratic families later put it in their hands or used it to pay taxes, there must be no evidence for any of them. In this case, what is the need for counterfeiting?

That's the emperor's money. Who dares to forge it and risk his life?

Speaking of this, Liu Ji couldn't help complaining: "You don't know it when you are in Henan. Nowadays, the Laoshizi Foundry Bureau can hardly be looked at directly. Fang Jun doesn't know where he comes from so many wonderful ideas. Every time Whenever there is a new idea, some experiments must be done in the foundry. For example, the iron lump he created that emits black smoke and boils water needs to be exploded almost every day. The materials are constantly improved, the technology is constantly updated, and the money spent is flowing. Generally speaking... that thing is indeed extremely powerful, much stronger than mules and horses, but it explodes every day, who dares to use it? I heard that the craftsmen who developed this thing were killed by explosions every now and then, and the pensions were endless. ... Needless to say, firearms, scrapped gun barrels and cannon barrels are piled up all over the mountains and valleys every day, and that’s all money! This prodigal!"

(End of this chapter)