Fang Jie was absent-mindedly drinking and chatting with a group of big shots, because he was the protagonist of the day, so he drank more than anyone else. But fortunately, his strength and drinking capacity have gradually increased over the past few days, at least he didn't vomit on the spot in embarrassment after being besieged.
It's not too hard for Fang Xie to deal with this kind of social occasion, and he has already used the basic official skills of talking nonsense when he sees people and talking nonsense. No matter what the other party says, if you don't like to listen to it, just smile and listen to it, and you will never show any disgust, and you will not be annoying if you say a sentence that makes sense over and over dozens of times.
While coping with changing cups, Fang Xie quickly filtered the information that Zhuo Buyi had told him in his mind. Although he has been in this world for more than sixteen years and has been in the imperial capital for nearly two years, he still cannot say that he has a thorough understanding of the officialdom of the Sui Dynasty.
For example, Prince Shidu, in his impression, should be the children of princes and noble families, about the same age as the prince, who read and played with the prince in the East Palace. While drinking, it suddenly occurred to me that in the history of the previous life, there were also such attendants in the Tang Dynasty, and the candidates were also young talents with excellent knowledge and character. But the shidu in the Tang Dynasty in the previous life is far less detached than the shidu of the prince of the Sui Dynasty in this world.
If it is true as Zhuo Buyi said, then the so-called prince attendants are actually the team of important court officials who will be used by the prince after he ascends the throne in the future. When the prince performed the coming-of-age ceremony, the status of the prince's attendant became more and more honorable. Prince Shaoshi, Prince Shaofu, and Prince Shaobao are all members of the second rank. The position in the imperial court is very important.
These people, wait until the prince becomes the new emperor. They will be the backbone of the court, and because they have followed the prince from the beginning, they are also impeccable in their loyalty. But it's no wonder that Fang Xie didn't understand this kind of rule, because even in the Sui Dynasty, this kind of situation was rare.
Since the founding of the country in the Sui Dynasty, there have been only two emperors and only one son. One is Emperor Zhenzong, who has only one heir, the first emperor. Huai Qiugong was the prince's attendant when he was young.
According to the practice of the Sui emperor's selection of heirs, the crown prince would not be determined early. Before the old emperor died, he would choose the most powerful and stable person among his sons as his successor. Unless the emperor has only one son, there is basically no phenomenon of establishing a prince early.
The current emperor is currently the son of Yang Chengqian.
Moreover, the emperor had almost no fascination with female sex. The relationship between him and the empress is so strong that it is enviable. There are so many concubines in the harem, few of them can get the emperor's blessing. Especially in the past two years, the emperor has almost reached the point where he is not close to women. Except for a few concubines who found other ways to see the emperor occasionally by means of piano, chess, calligraphy, painting or massage, the other concubines stayed alone for many years.
In the past two years, because His Majesty's heirs were weak, most of the young women who entered the palace after the courtiers collectively asked the emperor to draft women into the palace did not even know what the emperor looked like.
I don't love women, and I don't travel in mountains and rivers.
Emperor Tianyou of the Sui Dynasty was like a machine dealing with state affairs, and his daily life could be described as monotonous.
In other words, perhaps His Majesty only had this one son, so he established the crown prince early. Although many courtiers objected, the emperor was extremely firm. In this way, the staff at the East Palace will be replenished. Da Sui hadn't had a crown prince attend school for decades, if someone hadn't mentioned Fang Xie, naturally he wouldn't have known about these things.
Fang Jie always felt that it was strange that the emperor established the crown prince so early and began to build his own team of courtiers for the crown prince so early. According to reason, it should not be a problem for the emperor to be the decision maker for another 20 or 30 years. There is no need to be so anxious. This is for the prince's consideration.
Perhaps it was because of drinking too much that Fang Jie's thoughts were chaotic.
Later, under the influence of strong alcohol, he could barely keep himself awake.
"The old man has written a letter, and His Majesty has already agreed."
Although he didn't drink much, Huai Qiugong smiled and said: "Although Your Majesty has repeatedly asked to stay, I am too old. I am so old that I have to be supported by others when I walk. It is not good to occupy the position in the court. There is a saying that To grow old and not die is to be a thief, and I don't want to be a thief... While still active, I plan to go back to my hometown in Jiangnan. Wipe the dust off the tombstone for the immortal, pull the weeds from the grave, and then take a good look at my hometown. "
He looked at Fang Jie and said with a smile: "At first, I wanted to go alone, but since we got together today, the old man will take advantage of Mr. Fang, and take advantage of Mr. Imperial Envoy's guard of honor to go south together."
"ah?"
Fang Jie was taken aback, and subconsciously let out a low cry.
"Why, Lord Xiaofang is not willing?"
Huai Qiugong asked drunkenly.
"How come, student... the student is flattered!"
Fang Jie quickly said: "I'm just a little surprised. Huai Lao is the pillar of the imperial court. It's a pity to retire like this."
"People have to obey the old."
Huai Qiugong smiled: "In the blink of an eye, I have been away from Jiangnan for decades, and I don't know if the plants and trees in my hometown are still the same. While I can barely walk around, it's time to go back. I can't wait until after death Turned into ashes, let someone hold it and send it back."
"On this journey, I still need you, Mr. Xiaofang, to worry about it."
Huai Qiugong drank the wine in the glass, and said a little apologetically: "I am too vain, and it is a good thing to go back to the countryside. But it is still the same as when I was a boy. I always feel that it is better to be more glorious when I return to my hometown." .That's why I rely on you, Master Xiaofang...Thank you very much."
Fang Jie said: "Mrs. Huai is too polite, it's a student's job."
As he answered, his mind was spinning rapidly.
Huai Qiugong What does this mean? Why did you say it now? Is it really just his own wish, or the emperor's arrangement? If it was the emperor's arrangement, why didn't it be mentioned in the decree? If it was the emperor's arrangement, what would Huai Qiugong have to say to himself after walking half the distance with him
…
…
By the time the banquet was over, the sky was already completely dark. It's a sensitive period recently, so everyone didn't dare to be too presumptuous when drinking in the closed Mercury Building. They talked and laughed moderately, and no one mentioned Prince Yi's rebellion. The people who came today were nothing more than a gesture of goodwill, and they were planning to win over Fang Jie, who was likely to become an important minister next to the prince in the future.
Since the emperor revealed this meaning, he intended to promote Fang Jie. Being someone close to the prince so early, the future is naturally limitless.
If he becomes such an important person as Prince Shaoshi and Prince Shaofu, Fang Xie's position in the future court is self-evident. The emperor's arrangement was obviously for the prince's future consideration. Promote a group of young and promising officials first, and they will become the backbone to assist the new emperor in the future.
Fang Jie stood at the door of the Mercury Building, sending the big shots to the carriage one by one and waving goodbye. The corners of the mouth almost cramp from laughing, and the neck is stiff and sore.
"Master Xiaofang..."
Yang Yanhui, the prince of Xujun, seemed hesitant to speak when he was about to leave. Taking advantage of no one's attention, he quickly stuffed something into Fang Jie's hand, then clasped his fists and said, "In the future, maybe Master Xiaofang will take care of you. Today I am very happy to be able to get together. I wish Lord Xiaofang a smooth trip to the south and return to the imperial capital as soon as possible."
Fang Jie didn't know what he was stuffing into his hands, so he had to put his fists together in return and say a few polite words. He could tell from Yang Yanhui's eyes that this young man must have something to say to him. However, due to the large number of people, I have not been able to find an opportunity. When Fang Jie sent him to the carriage, Yang Yan would cup his fists again and said, "You and I hit it off right away, and we should get closer in the future if we have a chance. I know you are a friend who can make friends with you at the first sight. I can't be cold after this farewell." friendship."
Fang Xie said: "How come, I will still be taken care of by the prince in the future."
Yang Yanhui looked at the others, and finally just shook his head before getting into the carriage.
Fang Jie went back again and personally helped Huai Qiugong into the carriage. The two made an appointment to leave the city tomorrow, and Huai Qiugong left immediately. At this moment, only Luo Weiran and Zhuo Buyi were left.
"You send Fang back, and I have to hurry back to the palace."
Luo Weiran said something to Zhuo Buyi, then went to Fang Jie's side and patted him on the shoulder with a smile, "Your future is getting brighter, I'm very happy. As long as this trip to the Southwest goes smoothly, the court will return after returning." There is naturally a place for you here. Very good, very good!"
He said two good words in a row, obviously in a really good mood.
After a few more instructions, Luo Weiran took his leave and left. Zhuo Buyi walked back with Fang Jie, because the Shuixing Building was not far from Dongershisantiao Street, so he didn't take a car.
"It is His Majesty's arrangement for Huai Lao to walk with you."
Zhuo Buyi said while walking.
Fang Jie nodded: "I can guess...but I don't understand for a while, what is the meaning of His Majesty's move."
"It's nothing more than giving you some experience as an official in the imperial court. Of course, you now know that Huai Lao was the prince's attendant, and later became one of the few important officials in the late emperor's court. The late emperor also relied heavily on Huai Lao. Huai Qiugong and Wu You Zhou Banchuan were the two most important people during the late emperor's time. Since His Majesty intends to let you be the prince's attendant, and arranged for Huai Lao to accompany you all the way, it is natural to teach you something you must know."
"Why did Huai Lao suddenly die?"
Fang Jie asked with some doubts.
"Prince Yi's rebellion...the officials of the Ministry of Rites are involved too much. Although Huai Lao is not involved, it is hard to escape the blame, after all, he is still the Minister of the Ministry of Rites. There are so many rebellious ministers in the Ministry of Rites, so he naturally has no face anymore. Stay in the court. His Majesty didn’t blame him because he was loyal, but he must be self-aware. It’s time for the Ministry of Rites to hand it over, and he can save some face when he resigns from his old age and returns home.”
Fang Jie suddenly realized.
The court's waters are too deep, and nothing is unfounded.
"Fang Jie, now that you have emerged, you should be more careful."
Zhuo Buyi said as he walked, "Although Prince Yi and his henchmen were eradicated, the imperial court was also seriously injured. This is an opportunity for you, but you have to think carefully about every step you take. Sometimes encounters and traps are In the same place, it depends on whether you have the ability to step on the trap."
"Thank you!"
Fang Jie solemnly clasped his fists in salute.
"Don't thank me, I'll help you for the sake of the Ouchi Guard Office. The current Ouchi Guard Office is not what it used to be. Your Majesty asked Su Buwei to take over the affairs of the Qing Ya directly, which is tantamount to slapping the Ouchi A resounding slap to everyone in the bodyguard office. In the future, you will become a servant of the prince, and you will be an important person in the court in the future. Help you now, and in the future you will help the Ouchi bodyguard office."
Fang Jie smiled and said, "What you said is too direct."
Zhuo Buyi shrugged his shoulders: "So I don't want to be an official..."
Fang Jie suddenly thought of Prince Xujun, he hesitated and said: "I always feel that Prince Xujun seems to have something to say to me, but he didn't say anything in the end."
"It's not because of his father!"
Zhuo Buyi sighed: "Even if King Xujun is right, but he was defeated in the Northwest War, even if he comes back alive, it is impossible for him to get up again. Even if his title is not deprived, who in Xujun's mansion can hold his head up?" ? The son is looking for you at this time, just to make more friends in the future."
Fang Jie also sighed when he heard this sentence: "If Li Yuanshan hadn't conspired against him, King Xujun would have been the greatest hero in the past 20 years of the Sui Dynasty! He has expanded the land for two thousand miles, and he fought against Meng Yuan... What a pity the result of this battle ! Under Li Yuanshan and the others trying to rebel, Duke Xu was able to take down the entire Mandu Banner, his use of troops is actually admirable."
"Time is fate."
Zhuo Buyi shook his head: "In the future, the people in Xujun's mansion will be inferior. It's his bad luck, there's no way around it."