It’s already past time to leave the yamen.
The adults in the Political Affairs Hall all looked unhurried and in no hurry to go home after get off work.
Everyone looked calm, and it was impossible to tell what they were thinking deep down.
Minister Li raised his eyelids, knowing exactly why everyone was staying here today, contrary to their usual behavior.
He packed up the paperwork and locked it in a cabinet.
He stood up and bowed to the adults, "My lords are busy, I will go first."
"Master Li, wait a minute. I will go with you."
The Minister of the Central Secretariat also stood up, caught up with Minister Li, and walked out of the Council Hall.
The Minister of the Chancellery snorted, expressing his inner dissatisfaction.
He also stood up and left the government hall, but did not rush home after get off work. Instead, he went to the Shangshu Province Yamen to discuss countermeasures with his colleagues.
The Jinwu Guards arrested everyone in the Princess's Mansion, and there will definitely be chaos for a while.
We must not panic at this time.
As long as they handle it properly, they might even be able to go a step further and suppress the Menxia Province and Zhongshu Province. Then the Shangshu Province would be the only one in power.
The Minister of the Central Secretariat and Minister Li walked towards the palace gate together.
"Lord Li seems to have a plan in mind."
Minister Li smiled, then suddenly stopped and turned to look at the Minister of the Central Secretariat. "Today, the Jinwu Guards stormed the Princess's residence to arrest someone. Furthermore, the Crown Prince used the palace guards without authorization to surround the Princess's residence, yet His Majesty didn't punish him at all, and even condoned it. What do you think of these two events?"
The Minister of the Central Secretariat narrowed his cloudy eyes slightly, "What did you think of, Lord Li?"
Minister Li smiled faintly, "Your Excellency is seventy-two this year, it's time for you to retire."
"you……"
"Don't be so angry, my lord." Minister Li interrupted the Minister of the Central Secretariat. "You and I both know that His Majesty can no longer hold back and needs to make room for a trusted advisor. Your Majesty has served three dynasties, and his students and former officials are spread all over the country. For the sake of future generations, you should also step down while you can. Otherwise, if you are driven away in disgrace, not only will you lose face, but you will also be unable to protect your descendants. Then all the incense and friendship will be gone. It's not worth it!"
The Minister of the Central Secretariat said angrily, "How do you know that it was I, and not you, who was driven away in disgrace?"
Minister Li laughed heartily, "Firstly, I am twenty years younger than you, sir. This is my greatest advantage. Secondly, sir, don't forget to refine the crossbow."
"Your Excellency should still remember the coup in the Zhao Palace three years ago. Even if the military and other major branches below the Ministry of War could not escape this disaster, you, as the head of all officials, are also to blame. You may not hold the title of Prime Minister, but you hold the position of Prime Minister in reality. With such a serious incident, the responsibility lies not with Your Majesty but with the Prime Minister. Since the responsibility lies with the Prime Minister, do you still hope to avoid it?"
The Minister of the Central Secretariat frowned, "If I retreat, who will take over?"
Minister Li pointed a finger at himself and asked, "What do you think of me, sir?"
"you?"
The Minister of the Central Secretariat sneered, "Master Li, you are too selfish!"
Minister Li looked around and saw that the surroundings were spacious and there was no one in sight, so he was not worried about anyone eavesdropping.
However, he lowered his voice and whispered, "Your Excellency has always been dissatisfied with the Minister of the Chancellery, and this is known to everyone in the court. I can promise you that before you retire, I will lend you a hand and ask the Minister of the Chancellery to step down and let someone more capable step down. How do you do that?"
The Minister of the Central Secretariat chuckled, "If I insist on not retreating, will you join forces with the Minister of the Chancellery to deal with me?"
"Your Excellency has misunderstood. I would rather join forces with the officials of the six ministries than with the Minister of the Chancellery. I can guarantee this with my integrity."
The Minister of the Central Secretariat asked again, "Aren't you afraid that I will sell you to the Minister of the Chancellery?"
Minister Li laughed. "If Your Excellency is willing to see the Minister of the Chancellery flourish, I have no objection. I can only say that Your Excellency is so magnanimous that you can put aside past grudges and help the Minister of the Chancellery ascend to the throne. I admire you so much!"
The Minister of the Central Secretariat waved his sleeves and said, "Lord Li, with his eloquence and demeanor, I'm afraid he is not worthy of the title of Prime Minister."
"I have been trying hard to learn from you, sir, but I have only learned the basics, which makes you laugh at me."
Minister Li is extremely thick-skinned.
Verbal sarcasm could not shake him at all.
The Minister of the Central Secretariat suddenly laughed, "When it comes to being thick-skinned, the Minister of the Chancellery is indeed not as good as you."
"Your Excellency is too kind. This is my only advantage."
The Minister of the Central Secretariat considered it for a moment and said, "In a couple of days, find a place. I would like to have a long talk with Lord Li."
Minister Li smiled knowingly, "I'll arrange the time and place and ensure secrecy."
"Goodbye!"
The Minister of the Central Secretariat flicked his sleeves and left.
Minister Li stood where he was and watched the other party leave.
There was a smile on his lips that he never took back.
It was not until he left the palace and saw Qian Fu that the smile on his lips completely disappeared.
If there was one person that Minister Li hated to see the most, it would be Qian Fu.
Qian Fu's appearance meant that Liu Zhao had bad intentions.
Minister Li snorted, turned around and left without meeting Qian Fu.
…
In the following days, the Jinwu Guards were dispatched frequently.
From the Ministry of War to the Jingxi Camp, people were taken away every day.
None of the people who were taken away have been released yet.
Everyone in the royal family was also in danger.
Because ever since the Jinwu Guards went to the Princess's mansion to arrest someone, two more clan members have been implicated. An old prince and a county prince, both respectable men their entire lives, never imagined that in their old age, they would suffer such a calamity.
So much so that the harem has been very lively in recent times.
Every day someone came to the palace to plead for mercy.
They have all been respectable people their entire lives, and they are all members of the royal family, so they are connected by blood.
Even if Empress Dowager Xiao and Empress Pei were extremely annoyed, they still had to deal with it patiently. They also had to speak up when they could.
As for Emperor Wende's attitude, it was somewhat ambiguous. He didn't say what he would do to the old prince, nor did he say he would release him. He simply dragged it out.
The generals suffered.
Jingxi Camp was plowed from beginning to end again.
The civil servants were still gloating, but they did not expect that this trend would spread to the civil service group.
The Jinwu Guards were dispatched again, this time targeting civil officials in the court.
For a time, everyone inside and outside the court felt insecure.
Even the censor, who was always the most outspoken and wanted to show off the most, kept his mouth shut.
In extraordinary times, it is better to control your mouth and your pen.
Otherwise, your life will be lost in the Golden Palace.
My Lord, please submit your resignation at this moment.
He said he was too old to be of any use. He failed to immediately detect that someone in the court was disloyal, and had to trouble His Majesty to personally handle this matter. He deserved death.
Emperor Wende received the retirement letter from the Minister of the Central Secretariat and sneered.
"This old fellow is truly cunning. He actually submitted his resignation at this very moment. I thought he would cling to power and refuse to leave even at the cost of his life."
Chang En asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, will you agree to him?"
Emperor Wende smiled coldly, picked up his pen and tried to persuade him to stay.
I really can't accept this.
In fact, what Emperor Wende wanted to write most was "accurate". Playing the trick of refusing and retaining three times is really troublesome.
However, as it was related to the dignity of the court, Emperor Wende was still patient in retaining the Minister of the Central Secretariat and rejected his request to retire.
The Minister of the Central Secretariat submitted his resignation again, and it was not until the third time that Emperor Wende reluctantly allowed him to resign and return home to retire.
As usual, before the Minister of the Central Secretariat retired, Emperor Wende would ask him who was suitable to take over the position.
The Minister of the Central Secretariat played a trick and recommended three people at once, one of whom was Minister Li.
Emperor Wende did not express his opinion, but just encouraged the other party with a few words, rewarded him with some items, and sent away the retired former Secretary of the Central Secretariat.
The former Secretary of State felt chilled.
Emperor Wende is so cold-blooded and heartless!
Just send him off so simply.
My colleagues, on the other hand, were very enthusiastic and sincere.
So the former Minister of the Central Secretariat privately warned his children and grandchildren, "Your Majesty is even more ruthless than the late emperor. It's just that one is open about it, the other is secretive. Remember, never go against Your Majesty. Your Majesty holds grudges and is vindictive. It would be better for the late emperor to lash out right then and there; after that, we can move on."
Yes, the late emperor was also vindictive. But the late emperor was a man of few words: if you displease me today, I will kill your entire family tomorrow. I won't drag it out.
Therefore, people would say that the late emperor killed too many people and had a bad temper.
Emperor Wende was different. He might have held a grudge in his heart, but he remained cheerful on the outside, offering various encouragements and rewards. He waited until the right moment arrived, then struck with one swift blow, killing the person. There was no room for resistance or explanation.
Moreover, the late emperor truly trusted those he trusted unconditionally and showed all kinds of favors.
Just like the Marquis of Lu. Everyone in the world said he was rebellious, but the late emperor defied all odds and continued to use him, allowing him to lead the troops in battle. The late emperor never summoned the Marquis of Lu back to the capital to deprive him of his military power just because of impeachment and slander from court officials.
The late emperor hated someone to the core, only regretting that he didn't kill them early enough or cruelly enough. He also loved someone to the core, willing to give them anything good.
Emperor Wende was different.
He never trusts someone wholeheartedly.
He looks moderate and peaceful, but in fact he is even more cruel and ruthless than the previous emperor.
After the former Minister of the Central Secretariat retired, everything finally became clear to him.
I hope my children and grandchildren can learn from my experience and lessons and have a smoother career.
Before leaving the capital, the former Minister of the Central Secretariat met with Minister Li.
After retiring, I now dare to say things that I didn’t dare to say before.
As soon as they met, he said to Minister Li, "Don't get too close to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
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