Li Guang finally became serious, but it took him a long time before he looked at his friend across the bed and said solemnly: "A gentleman should not form a party. He should indeed be self-disciplined. Hu Anguo's words that day were absurd, but he said that there were factions in the court and the trend of factional struggles. Although I was the first to be accused of this, I also deeply agree with him... But brother Guozuo, have you ever thought about it? Since the old and new parties in those days, the factional struggles in the Song Dynasty have lasted for decades and have become a routine. Now that everyone in the world sees us this way, we are a party even if we are not a party!"
"That's true, but we still shouldn't have a party, or rather, we shouldn't form a party out of selfishness," Chen Gongfu said solemnly. "Let me ask you, why are we considered to be a party of Li Gongxiang (Li Gang) during the Jingkang period? Is it really because we are all connected and exclude dissidents? Or are we all like you, who have a close personal relationship with Li Gongxiang?"
Li Guang's heart moved slightly.
But before the Chief Censor could respond, Chen Gongfu had already given his conclusion on the couch:
"You and I have never formed a party. The reason why we are regarded as a party by the world is that we both advocated war at that time, and the one who advocated war was Li Gongxiang at that time, so we became Li Gongxiang's party! Even if we are friends, most of them were formed because we shared the same hatred and enemies at that time. For example, why did I help Li Gongxiang in everything when I was the Right Censor at that time? Wasn't it because only Li Gongxiang could take responsibility for the government at that time, and there were only one or two feasible solutions? If we gave in and let Zhang Bangchang and his people gain power, I'm afraid the Jingkang Incident would have come a year earlier!"
Li Guang nodded repeatedly: "Brother Guozuo is right. The party of gentlemen is formed because of justice. We have no regrets."
Hearing this, the originally serious Chen Gongfu suddenly smiled: "Then may I ask Taifa, who is the main battle flag today? As his party member, why should I embarrass him?"
Li Guang was stunned for a moment, so much so that he was dumbfounded, but he always felt that something was wrong, so after a while he still managed to answer: "Brother Guozuo, that is the emperor! As a minister, one should first pick up lost items and give advice and criticism. If you take the emperor as your ally, I am afraid you will be known as a flatterer..."
"With a powerful enemy at hand, for the sake of a mere reputation, instead of helping, are you intent on picking up the missing pieces and making sarcastic comments?" Chen Gongfu remained calm.
"If we are facing a powerful enemy, we must keep quiet and do our best to help Your Majesty eliminate the noise, but isn't the situation good now?" Li Guang still found it difficult to accept because it conflicted with his common sense. "The Yellow River is already in our hands. The main force of the Jin army has not arrived for nearly a year. Although there have been battles of varying sizes during this period, the Song Dynasty has won more than it has lost. It seems that the situation has gradually become a confrontation between the north and the south."
"It's too early!" Chen Gongfu shook his head immediately. "I think the court is far from the point of confrontation... Apart from anything else, if the situation is really good and stable, why would the emperor be in such a hurry during this period? Wouldn't it be better to hide in the palace for half a year and be a role model for the world? At that time, he would have no flaws at all, and even if he wanted to criticize, he wouldn't know what to criticize."
Under the light, Li Guang was silent for a long time before he spoke: "Brother Guozuo, are you saying that there will be a war soon?"
"I don't know." Chen Gongfu still shook his head. "How can you and I understand military affairs? But I understand that the emperor is a little nervous and timid when he is vigorous and resolute... At this time, we, as officials, must first perform our duties conscientiously. If we want to pick up the missing pieces, we should be pragmatic first. Why bother talking about morality? Not to mention undermining the emperor's authority in public."
Li Guang finally laughed: "If that's the case, wouldn't it be better not to ask about that kind of thing in the beginning?"
"Isn't it because he has been idle for a long time and rarely sees the emperor, so he can't bear it for a while?" Chen Gongfu finally laughed. "But the emperor has some quick wits... And how do you know that I haven't been convinced by the opinions of the emperor, both inside and outside?"
"You should ask Brother Guozuo yourself. Anyway, who in the north and south of Zhejiang dares to call themselves smart in front of you?" Li Guang finally lay down with his head raised.
Chen Gongfu immediately blew out the lights, and the two of them didn't speak any more that night.
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