In fact, Zhao Jiu himself actually sensed a possible political risk in this general report, and he was mentally prepared, but he still chose to ignore it, or even indulged himself... After all, he always thought it was just a matter of getting a red silk robe, but he never expected that there was an ancient seal that really touched his emotions.
"How does this matter have anything to do with the government?"
Yang Yizhong felt something was wrong and quickly reiterated his responsibility. "It was my failure to see the details clearly, which led to such an omission. In fact, it was very obvious that Madam Cai Mao, Feng Jing's daughter and the imperial concubine had met at the imperial concubine's house. As for the emperor, he has been busy with the flying lamp these days..."
"Is that what they call outside?" Zhao Jiu interrupted.
"yes."
"Nothing new at all." Zhao Jiu sneered, but then became sad. "You don't need to say more about this matter. It is indeed my responsibility... Zhengfu, there are some things I can't tell outsiders, because if I tell them, even they themselves may not understand."
Yang Yizhong stood there in a daze. The words that were about to continue his report came to his throat but he swallowed them back. He relaxed because he suddenly realized that the government was not discussing how to deal with the matter, but wanted to find someone to talk to.
"I know what's going on now. It's because I indulged her time and time again. If I had been more severe before, or publicly warned those people, how could we have the current situation?"
Zhao Jiu turned around with his hands behind his back and paced slowly back and forth under the apricot tree next to the thatched pavilion.
"But this kind of thing may seem like pampering and indulgence, but in fact it is more of a cold attitude. Someone with a keen eye may be able to sense the meaning behind it, and may even think that I am trying to 'defeat Duan Yuyan'!"
Yang Yizhong didn't say anything, but nodded slightly... because that's what he thought.
"However..." Zhao Jiu did not look at Yang Yizhong, nor did he notice the other party's nod, but continued to sigh. "They only think that I am cold and indifferent, but they don't know that I do this because I really think it is good for Concubine Pan... Zhengfu, do you know that compared to the current situation, what I fear more from the bottom of my heart is that Concubine Pan and Concubine Wu will become the kind of virtuous concubines and queens like Empress Cao, Empress Gao, and Empress Xiang! This fear is both political and personal."
Yang Yizhong felt a little stunned for a moment, but this surprise disappeared immediately, and was replaced by an emotion that was absurd but natural.
This official has a fundamentally different view on some things from the general public.
"In fact, I have thought about pulling them over to the other side, but the problem is that they all think that the puppet-like result is the right one. Even if it conflicts with their nature, they still vaguely regard those puppets as their role models and goals... because everyone has told them so since they were young."
"And I happen to be a so-called official. Even if I just stand there, I will be a whirlpool. Every time I move, I will involve thousands of people, and I will end up making things worse..."
"So, later on, I found that the more I tried to pull them out, the easier it was to push them over, to the position of 'virtuous concubine and wise queen'... The most obvious example was Concubine Wu. I actually liked her liveliness in Nanyang, but once she returned to Tokyo, her father, who was a smart man, brought his family to her, and she immediately became a puppet. The more opportunities she was given, the faster she became 'virtuous'." At this point, Zhao Jiu shook his head and smiled bitterly. "In Nanyang, when she was tired from work, she would secretly complain, and even wiped tears at night. After arriving in Tokyo, she never complained to me... Learning from the past, I was somewhat in a dilemma when it came to Concubine Pan... It was also my selfish desire."
Yang Yizhong had no idea how to respond.
"Of course." At this point, Zhao Jiu finally stopped and stood still with his back to Yang Yi, but his tone became increasingly gloomy. "No matter how much I say, my mind is not in the harem at all... Throughout the year, I spend half of my time in the military camp. When I return to the capital, my mind is also on court personnel and fundraising for the Northern Expedition. When I have free time, I write half a chapter of "Water Margin" and make a flying magic lamp... When and where have I really invested energy and feelings in the two of them? Xiao Wu has gradually become a virtuous concubine, and Concubine Pan has become what she is today. In fact, it is because I have not been responsible for them and regarded them as tools."
"The government is busy with state affairs...some things cannot be helped for the sake of the overall situation." Yang Yizhong finally found a way to interrupt.
However, he himself realized that he should not have interrupted this topic, even if there was room for it, and it would be a mistake to interrupt.
However, it was the first time that Yang Zhengfu saw Emperor Zhao in such a low mood, and he really couldn't allow himself not to react.
Emperor Zhao still turned his back and shook his head, "In fact, I should have realized it earlier... I am not the only one who has encountered such a thing. For example, recently, Emperor Renzong and his concubines were similar. The result of becoming a clay figurine like Empress Cao and the relationship between husband and wife being like a play is certainly tragic, but Concubine Zhang died so early, is it a good result?"
“Not to the point of…” Yang Yizhong was startled and responded hastily, but soon he realized that he really shouldn’t speak again this time.
Just like that, the king and his minister were silent at the same time. The thatched pavilion was quiet for a long time. For a while, only the spring breeze swayed the branches of the apricot tree that had just turned green, bringing a slight movement.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Jiu finally calmed down and looked back: "At this point, there is no point in saying more. Since some things have come out, we have to deal with them... Please, Zhengfu, go and muddy the waters and catch all these people in one fell swoop!" At this point, Zhao Jiu suddenly became serious, and his voice returned to its usual high and bright tone. "The country will get a windfall, villains like Cai Mao will be punished, and Concubine Pan will also get a formal and serious warning! Do you understand what I mean?"
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