Zhao Huan didn't stay in the capital any longer. He planned to go to Langya County again. He wanted to know how deep the water was there. He didn't know what was happening in Langya County at the moment. He didn't know if the relief grain he had ordered to be distributed had yet reached the victims.
This time, the imperial court forcibly collected another 10,000 dan of grain, which was personally escorted by Wu Ge and the imperial guards. This was an excessive amount of grain, and for a time, grain prices in the capital skyrocketed.
Fortunately, Bianjing was prosperous, and grain prices were still within the reach of the people. Zhao Huan took some measures to hoard grain and profit from the national crisis. For example, the court mobilized people before collecting grain, and private individuals who hoarded more than 1,000 dan had to report to the government, otherwise it would be considered smuggling.
"Cao Dongsheng, call Linghu Yunlong and let's ride fast to Langya County!" Zhao Huan called out in Wende Hall.
"Your Majesty, there are still a lot of things that need to be dealt with in the court. The arrangements for students, the food and wages for soldiers at the border, the memorials from officials from all over the country, and the dredging of rivers, all of these need your attention," said Cao Dongsheng.
Zhao Huan felt overwhelmed upon hearing this: "Leave all this to Li Gang and the others!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have something to advise you." Cao Dongsheng bowed his head.
Zhao Huan was startled. Cao Dongsheng had never been interested in politics. What he said must have been carefully considered. "Go ahead."
Cao Dongsheng raised his head: "Your Majesty, a wise ruler should put state affairs first. Although Lord Li Gang is skilled in government affairs, after a long time they will inevitably, inevitably..." He did not dare to continue.
Zhao Huan felt something was amiss: "Go on!"
"Your Majesty, after a regent has been in power for a long time, it's inevitable that they will cultivate some power of their own. To put it mildly, they are forming cliques. To put it more seriously, they are forming a clique for personal gain, Your Majesty."
Zhao Huan was shocked, perhaps because he had extended his power too far. "Cao Dongsheng, you are my confidant. Tell me the truth. Did you hear or see anything?"
Cao Dongsheng knelt down and said, "I deserve to die. I saw the list of officials selected for this imperial examination. Lord Li Gang and his men are all selecting and training their own people."
Zhao Huan was shocked: "They really are forming a clique for personal gain!"
Emperors have always feared the formation of factions for personal gain, and countless dynasties have been destroyed by factionalism. Although the proliferation of factions is beneficial to the emperor's rule to a certain extent, if they are not properly managed, they will bring disaster to the country and the people.
Whether it was Li Gang, He Li, or even Meng Gu Rao, they would secretly select a group of forces loyal to them. Once such forces exceeded their scope, they would become a potential threat to the monarch.
"Cao Dongsheng, you got this information very timely. If you hadn't reminded me, I'm afraid I would still be in the dark. I understand. You must remind me if something like this happens next time."
Cao Dongsheng was delighted: "Your Majesty, I thought you would scold me for getting involved in politics."
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "As long as you are doing this for the sake of the Great Song Dynasty, it is right for me to remind you appropriately. I have to thank you very much. Tell me, what reward do you need, old man?"
"Your Majesty, I have everything I need, except..."
"Say it, that's what it is. Gold, silver, jewelry, fertile land, beautiful houses, as long as you ask for it, I will give it to you."
Cao Dongsheng bowed and said, "Slave, I think the bowl of Dongpo pork that Your Majesty had yesterday was, hehe. It was so delicious."
"Huh?" Zhao Huan opened his mouth wide. "You foodie, so this is what you're after. Get out of here! I'll have the imperial chef make you a pot and send it to your doghouse shortly."
Cao Dongsheng was overjoyed: "I'll take my leave!"
On the second day, there was an early morning court session in the Purple Palace.
"I have caught a cold and need to stay in seclusion for a month. If you have any issues, please leave them to Li Gang and the other four regent ministers to handle and decide. If there are any issues, please report them. If not, please leave the court!" Zhao Huan found a ridiculous excuse.
Fortunately, the ministers had become accustomed to the unreasonable disappearance of this dog emperor. After all, this emperor had always done things crookedly, and everyone was no longer surprised when Zhao Huan threw his crown on the ground and stepped on it.
"Your Majesty, this is the list of successful candidates in this imperial examination. I have already discussed this with Lord He, Lord Meng, and Lord Duan. Here is the list of people who should be assigned to certain positions and departments," Li Gang said as he handed over a list.
Cao Dongsheng sent the list to Zhao Huan, who opened it and took a look. "Well, I am very pleased that you, my dear ministers, are loyal to the emperor and the country. However, these people should be employed according to their abilities. I think this list is inappropriate."
Li Gang was shocked: "I wonder what Your Majesty thinks is wrong?"
Zhao Huan pointed at the list and said, "What the hell is this Sima Guangji? How could he be allowed into the Ministry of Revenue? Sima Guangji, is he trying to break the jar?"
Li Gang and others looked at each other, wondering if this dog emperor was having a seizure again.
"And this Gongsun Shu? What kind of name is that? This guy entered the Military Equipment Bureau? How could he enter the Military Equipment Bureau? Gongsun loses, always loses, it's unlucky, withdraw!"
Meng Gurao listened as his words became increasingly absurd, so he stood up and said, "Your Majesty, these students are all talented people who have passed all the tests and have been selected. We have also carefully considered and reported to the Privy Council for discussion. We are talented and suitable for the job, and these candidates will all be assigned to their respective positions. How can Your Majesty say that they are unqualified!"
Zhao Huan frowned. "Master Meng, you are right. I have already reviewed the list. They are all talented and well-spoken. However, the positions assigned to you are not suitable. I have also drawn up a list. Please follow it!"
After saying that, Zhao Huan handed another list on the table to Cao Dongsheng. Cao Dongsheng bowed and took it, walked down the hall and handed it to Meng Gurao and others.
Meng Gurao, Li Gang, and the others' faces paled. Zhao Huan hadn't changed the names on the list; he'd merely swapped their respective positions. For example, Li Gang had recommended Zhang San for the Ministry of Rites, but Zhao Huan had him assigned to the Ministry of Revenue. Meng Gurao's list had Li Si assigned to the Ministry of Justice, but Zhao Huan had assigned him to the Ministry of War.
The four of them knew clearly that Zhao Huan was suspicious of them. Regardless of whether you were a loyal or treacherous official, you had to cultivate your own power in the court. This was the only way to speak with authority and have support.
Zhao Huan's sudden change of positions on the list they had recommended proved that the emperor had become suspicious of them. These officials, all seasoned officials, knelt and said, "Your Majesty is wise! We will assign the positions according to your proposed list."
Zhao Huan nodded: "Dismiss the court!"
Walking out of the Purple Palace, Meng Gurao walked in front, followed by Li Gang and He Li, and Duan Xiaorong also came up.
"Sir He, His Majesty is killing a chicken to scare the monkeys this time." Li Gang said.
He Li nodded. "We were too arrogant. We must be more careful in the future. Especially since such a big incident happened in the Secretariat. Your Majesty didn't blame me, and I submitted this list again. Sigh!"
Duan Xiaorong followed up, "If we had known earlier, we wouldn't have drawn up this list and let His Majesty make the decision. His Majesty has given us a lesson today, hasn't he? Lord Meng?"
Meng Gurao didn't care. He felt that the list he submitted was also to improve his case handling efficiency, and there was nothing wrong with it. The emperor's suspicion was his business. After the court was dismissed, Meng Gurao walked back on his own.
Duan Xiaorong pointed at Meng Gurao's back and said, "Hey, this old guy!"
Li Gang and He Li shook their heads and smiled bitterly at each other.
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