It is very difficult to keep any secrets in the secret cell of the Ouchi guards. People stared at Fang Jie all the time, as if they wanted to record his urination and defecation. It was the first time in his life to survive in such an environment. To be honest, Fang Xie was not very sure that he would be able to get out of here.
Changchun Garden.
By the lotus pond.
The emperor listened to the report on the preparations for the war by the Minister of War, Mo Liangbi, and gave serious instructions. He breathed a sigh of relief, and did not summon other important court officials, but sat on the stone bench next to the lotus pond for a long time in a daze. The emperor seldom behaved like this, he always seemed very busy. It can be said that Tianyou Emperor Yang Yi was the most low-key emperor in the history of the Sui Dynasty, but he was also the most diligent emperor.
He was always dealing with state affairs, sitting on the earth kang in the qionglu for a long time without moving. He sleeps up to two hours a day, and will never delay getting up for a minute.
In the past, emperors rarely looked at all the memorials. You must know that the Sui Dynasty is too big, with twenty-four worlds, thousands of cities, and the memorials delivered to Changchun Garden every day can't be pulled by an ox cart. So a long time ago, the emperor of the Sui Dynasty set up the position of Bingbi eunuch, and several eunuchs most trusted by the emperor were responsible for selecting memorials. They will filter and classify all the memorials, and then pick out the important ones and present them to the emperor.
And most of the memorials without any substantive significance were often given instructions directly by the eunuch Bingbi instead of the emperor. Such rules have been formed for decades. The power of the eunuch Bingbi is so great that even the important officials of the court can't match it.
But in the generation of Tianyou Emperor Yang Yi, he abolished this rule. He is like a machine that will never get tired, and he has no sense of aversion to those trivial and complicated state affairs. Since he ascended the throne, the great authority of the eunuch Bingbi has been gradually weakened. Later, the eunuch Bingbi returned to being just a eunuch.
But even if the emperor is admirably diligent, he will still be too busy. Therefore, someone must help him share some of the burden. Therefore, the official position of Huangmen servant is becoming more and more important. Relatively speaking, Emperor Tianyou obviously trusted courtiers more than eunuchs in handling state affairs.
The official position of Huangmen Shilang was set by him, and there was no such official in the previous Sui Dynasty. The duty of the Huangmen servant is actually to share part of the work that should have been done by the eunuch Bingbi.
But in other matters, the emperor's trust in the eunuchs does not seem to be low at all. For example, the one who always follows him at the nearest position is always the honest and taciturn eunuch Su Buwei.
The emperor is always very busy, so it is a novel thing for him to sit in a daze by the lotus pond.
People are used to it, and when they think of the emperor, they can immediately guess that he is dealing with state affairs.
"Su Buwei... How long have you been in the palace?"
The emperor asked after a long silence.
Su Buwei, who was standing not far from the emperor with his head bowed, replied: "It has been twenty-six years. The slaves entered the palace at the age of fifteen. Wu Peisheng was transferred to work by his side. He worked in the Zong Neifu for more than ten years, and later Wu Peisheng was promoted to Bingbi eunuch, and I was also transferred to the Imperial Study Room. Counting, I have been in the Imperial Study Room for fourteen years."
"Your memory has always been good."
The emperor nodded.
"Wu Peisheng was promoted by the emperor. At that time, the eunuch of Bingbi even had to fawn on the second and third ranks of the court... I abolished most of the powers of the eunuch Bingbi. I think Wu Peisheng must be unwilling and angry. I have never asked, you have been with him for more than twenty years, and no one knows him better than you. I heard... Wu Peisheng looked for you alone before leaving Chang'an for the northwest?"
"yes."
Su Buwei bowed his head and said: "I have indeed seen the slaves."
"What did he say?"
asked the emperor.
"Wu Peisheng said... I am going to the northwest, probably because I can't return after I go. He said that after his death, it should be a servant who will take over the position of eunuch Bingbi. He warned the servant that he must not be disrespectful to His Majesty. The late emperor was here When he was in the throne, the duty of the eunuch Bingbi was to share the government affairs for the late emperor. What His Majesty wanted was not this, but an eunuch who did his duty. He told the servants to do what an eunuch should do, and not to touch something to touch."
Hearing this, the emperor was silent for a while and then sighed: "He still has resentment in his heart."
Su was not afraid to say anything.
The emperor said: "He guessed wrong."
Su Buwei was startled, not knowing what the emperor meant when he guessed wrong.
The emperor stood up, looked at the outrageously beautiful flowers in the lotus pond, and said sadly: "I sent him to the northwest, not to get rid of him. I know that Wu Peisheng will definitely be dissatisfied if the power of the eunuch Bingbi is weakened. Angry. But I knew he was loyal, so I never thought of killing him. Let him go to the Northwest, just to clear up the corruption in the army before the war. It is to prepare for the war against Meng Yuan, and check all the places in the Northwest. What is the Tao's garrison like?"
"He thought I wanted to kill him because he had complained. He was wrong."
The emperor said: "I have even prepared a home for him. I bought a big house for him on Jianghuai Road. I specially asked the Ministry of Accounts to allocate a sum of money to buy land and servants. I thought, wait for him to come from the northwest." As soon as he came back, let him go out of the palace to live up to his old age, he is already very old... He has done many things for the late emperor, and his credit is indispensable, how could I kill him?"
The emperor's tone was sad and angry.
He was angry because Wu Peisheng didn't understand him.
"Perhaps... Wu Peisheng said that he must die, but he didn't think what His Majesty wants."
Su Buwei's face kept changing, he hesitated for a moment and continued: "He thoroughly investigated the Northwest Army's corruption case of ink and ink at the order of His Majesty, which will inevitably affect the interests of many people. He said that he would never return, maybe he was worried What matters is that he will find out something that is bound to kill him."
"Su Buwei."
The emperor looked back at him and said: "It's rare for you to say such a thing today. You have never participated in state affairs. Even if I ask you, you will find a way to refuse."
"I don't want to make His Majesty unhappy, and I don't want His Majesty to misunderstand Wu Peisheng... He is greedy for money and a man of power. If the eunuch is contaminated with these two points, he will surely die. But he is loyal enough to Your Majesty, even if there are complaints." And I will not do anything against you, Your Majesty. And just because I know him well, I know that with his temperament, he will definitely investigate deeply and meticulously, and he will find many things that cannot be seen."
The emperor was slightly stunned, and then a sharp flash of light flashed in his eyes.
"Bring Hou Wenji... No, let's get Luo Weiran."
The emperor ordered: "Let him find out who killed Wu Peisheng."
…
…
Wu Peisheng was killed by Li Xiaozong.
Where is Lee Hyo-jong
Still in the Northwest, but has been dismissed. He no longer had the battle robe of the fifth-rank general of the Sui Dynasty, but he was not imprisoned. It seems that the emperor believed the truth about Fan Gu's war reported by the Ministry of War, but only made him a mistake in concealing the report. Of course, this kind of crime can be big or small. If you speak more severely, it is the crime of deceiving the emperor. Such things as the crime of deceiving the king... It depends on what His Majesty thinks.
Obviously, His Majesty does not want to kill him yet.
So although he fell from a very high position, he didn't fall completely. Originally, several ministers of the imperial court were discussing that they wanted to add a rule of never being hired to the disposal. But when it was reported to His Majesty for approval, His Majesty crossed out this sentence with a red pen. This was an obvious signal, so many people in the court guessed that this young man named Li Xiaozong must have a chance to make a comeback.
When it became clear that the empire was going to conquer the northwest, everyone understood why the emperor did not execute Li Xiaozong. Li Xiaozong worked as a dental general in Fan Gu for several years, and no one knew the situation in Fan Gu area better than him. And he is a very scheming person. While sending troops to eliminate bandits and horse thieves around Fan Gu, he also explored the terrain of Langru Mountain several times. He knows that if a person wants to succeed, he must prepare a lot of things in advance.
He wasn't sure that the empire would go to war with Meng Yuan, but he knew from the beginning that he had to be prepared for it.
How could His Majesty abandon such a person? Once the war starts, he will be recovered soon. And after going through a big battle, it's hard to say that this young man will soar into the sky and rise to the top. Thinking about it further, His Majesty referred to him as Fan Gu's defender back then, did he have the intention to use him in the war
This is not impossible. You must know that although Li Xiaozong was not able to squeeze into the top three when he was in the Yanwu Academy, he was always ranked fourth. The first three were all assigned to the Great Sui Warriors, and he was transferred to Fan Gu. Not a kind of attention? The three people who are better than him are going to familiarize themselves with the army, in order to bring out an elite army as soon as possible. Li Xiaozong went to get acquainted with the Northwest, so his role should not be underestimated.
At the same time as Li Xiaozong was punished by His Majesty, General You Xiaowei Li Yuanshan was also punished by His Majesty. This person, who had been sitting in the position of general for more than ten years, was demoted three ranks in a row, from a general of the third rank to a general of the fifth rank. However, it is very unruly that he still commands You Xiaowei.
There are dozens of generals above the fifth rank of You Xiaowei Zheng.
So Li Yuanshan is a very embarrassing person. As the commander of You Xiaowei, according to the rules, when he raises his account every day, he must first make a military salute to dozens of his subordinates. And the most surprising thing is that he actually abides by this rule without any slack. From the moment the decree came to the army, he acted in full accordance with the rules. He will not procrastinate when he should give orders, and he will never shirk his will when he should salute his subordinates.
Of course, such things will naturally be told to His Majesty the Emperor who is far away in the imperial capital.
Li Yuanshan is used to living in a large tent and in a military camp. But since he was demoted, whenever the affairs in the army were dealt with, he would ride back to his mansion in the city and live with his wife and children. He no longer enjoyed the special treatment of the general, and even cut off the wine from the Western Regions that was specially provided to the general.
Of course, such things were naturally told to His Majesty the Emperor who was far away in the imperial capital.
Li Yuanshan, who was sitting in the study, wore a cotton dress instead of brocade clothes. He always thought that soft cotton was more comfortable to wear. After casually flipping through the imperial palace newspaper, he turned his attention to the young man who had been standing quietly by the side.
"How long has King Xu been here?"
he asks.
The young man who stood upright was none other than Li Xiaozong. He had no official position, but was appointed by Li Yuanshan as an aide. This did not contradict the court's will. Aides are his personal advisers, not court officials. Of course, this is also a clue, but who would offend a general who will soon be reinstated because of such a trivial matter
"Ten days."
Li Xiaozong replied.
"Any unusual behavior?"
Li Xiaozong thought for a while and replied: "The day before yesterday, he seemed to have inadvertently asked about Wu Peisheng's death."
"Just ask."
Li Yuanshan shook his head slightly and said: "Now who can prove that you killed Wu Peisheng? That old eunuch... knows that there are many things he can't touch, but he still sneaks in. In the northwest, he was just a passerby. , but because of his curiosity, he even left the grave here. King Xujun is smarter than Wu Peisheng, he knows what is the most important thing at this moment."
"Your Majesty wants to fight Meng Yuan. Whoever destroys His Majesty's grand plan, His Majesty will not spare anyone."
He looked at Li Xiaozong and said: "Get ready, maybe it won't be long before your will will come again."
"Thank you uncle!"
Li Xiaozong saluted deeply, with a sincere tone.
"What you should be grateful for is your fate. If you weren't born in the Li family...you would have died already. People in our Li family can't move if they want to."
Li Yuanshan smiled faintly, looking so proud.