The next day, after the routine court meeting, the Empress Dowager Fu ordered the inner chamberlain to summon the prime minister Fan Zhen to the Yanhe Hall next to the Daqing Palace.

Daqing Palace, is the main hall in the palace, also known as Chongzheng Palace, its status is similar to the Taihe Hall in the Forbidden City in the Ming and Qing dynasties, except for the emperor's enthronement and other major inventory activities, it is not commonly used.

Yanhe Hall is located on both sides of Daqing Palace, divided into East Yanhe Hall and West Yanhe Palace, Taizu Guo Wei and the first emperor Chai Rong both like to summon important ministers of the court separately in the East Yanhe Hall to discuss national affairs.

After Empress Dowager Fu lowered the curtain and ruled the government, out of respect for Taizu and the first emperor, she deliberately chose Xiyan and the Hall as the only place.

In fact, since the death of the first emperor, this Xiyanhe Hall has basically become the special palace of the trio of Empress Dowager Fu, the little emperor Chai Zongxun and the prime minister Fan Zhen.

The rest of the prime ministers or governors are like decorations, and no one has enjoyed the honor of a unique pair so far.

"Xianggong, please be seated." Empress Dowager Fu gave a seat very politely and ordered someone to serve tea.

Fan Zhen sat on the brocade stool, exchanged a few words with the Empress Dowager Fu, and asked whether Chai Zongxun's dragon body was Kangtai, then picked up the tea cup and tasted the tea soup carefully, waiting for the Empress Dowager Fu to speak.

Empress Dowager Fu's style of questioning is very different from that of the first emperor Chai Rong. Chai Rong likes straightforward deliberations, and after talking about the major affairs of the court, he sent the prime minister away and never wasted time.

Due to Chai Rong's strict rule that concubines are not allowed to interfere in politics, Empress Dowager Fu has been in the deep palace before and has never participated in major court affairs.

When it was time for Empress Dowager Fu to be in power, she was able to go from being blackened to gradually getting on the right track in a short period of time, which made Fan Zhen feel gratified.

"Xianggong, Tianwuwei's matter, it's time to make a decision." Empress Dowager Fu trusts Fan Quality very much, and she can only choose to trust Fan Quality.

The three tigers in the court, none of them are fuel-efficient lamps, and they are all military generals with troops, and it is impossible for Empress Dowager Fu to choose to rely on them.

Although Han Tong is loyal, this person is vulgar and incivilized, and his mouth is not a doorkeeper, and it is difficult for Empress Dowager Fu, who is full of history books, to be able to get along.

Zhao Kuangyin has been rising in status since Gao Ping's first battle, until the front of the palace is commanded. However, Empress Dowager Fu always had a feeling that she couldn't see through, and felt that this person seemed to be bold, but it was difficult to make friends.

As for Li Zhongyi, although he has the least number of troops among the three tigers, he is the most prominent general in battle, and he is also the tiger that Empress Dowager Fu needs to guard against the most, because he is really slippery and too cunning.

Hantong is extremely high-profile in both life and work, and it is so high-profile that people can see through it at a glance.

The story between the first emperor Chai Rong and the Empress Dowager Fu is enough to write a book of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" hundreds of times, which can be described as untidy and messy.

Empress Dowager Fu had some complaints about Chai Rong, but she also knew that the first emperor knew that Han Tong's loyalty was indeed trustworthy.

However, Fu Jinhuan was very worried that Han Tong would not be able to fight the other two tigers, but she had no particularly good way, so she calmly replaced Han Tong and replaced her second brother Fu Zhaoxin.

Fan Zhen is so shrewd, as soon as he heard Empress Dowager Fu's tone, he knew that Empress Dowager Fu couldn't help but attack Li Zhongyi.

As we all know, the relationship between Li Qiong and Li Zhongyi can be described as too close to wearing a pair of pants. The imperial court moved Li Hu's military power, what would Li Zhongyi, who was far away in Goryeo, think, Fan Zhen couldn't think about it anymore.

"Queen Mother, the old minister thinks that the Tianwu Guard power held by Li Hu really needs to be cut." Fan Zhen did not refute Empress Dowager Fu in person, first stood firm in her supportive position, and then tactfully advised, "In the opinion of the old minister, it can be divided into three steps, first transfer Tianwuwei out of the capital. ”

"What do you mean to ......" Empress Dowager Fu looked at Fan Zhen with some doubts, Fan Zhen stood firm, but she could hear that Fan Xianggong did not agree with the immediate action against Li Zhongyi.

Fan Zhen stroked his long beard, looking like an ancient well, and said lightly: "Li Qiong is an old fox, and Li Hu is also a taciturn person, however, Li Hu's sister-in-law Li Anguo is a famous prodigal child in the capital. The Empress Dowager Mingjian, the minister thought that instead of cutting Li Hu's military power, it was better to use his son to fight and use the method of besieging Wei to save Zhao, so as not to cause any trouble. ”

Empress Dowager Fu pondered carefully for a while, and suddenly said with a smile: "Xianggong is worthy of being the stock of the country, and this is really the best policy for Lao Cheng to seek the country." ”

"Empress Dowager, the old minister still has an idea, I don't know if to say it?" Fan quality sold just right, showing great respect for Empress Dowager Fu.

Those who are courtiers, even if they have the ability, must not ignore the lord and the monarch.

Empress Dowager Fu glanced at Chai Zongxun, whose eyes were a little dull, and his heart couldn't help but soften, alas, it was really difficult for him.

Chai Zongxun is only ten years old this year, a little boy, it is the years of snooze, but like adults, he has to get up at four o'clock in the morning, and it is inevitable that his body will not be able to bear it.

"Sixth brother, if you are sleepy, go back to the dormitory to rest first, right?" Although Empress Dowager Fu is not Chai Zongxun's biological mother, she is also a blood-related aunt, and it is inevitable that she will feel distressed.

"The queen mother, my father once taught the child that Master Li is a lover and can't force him to be anxious." Chai Zongxun, who was originally drowsy, suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at Empress Dowager Fu intently.

Fan Zhen understood in his heart that the Master Li in the mouth of the little emperor naturally referred to Li Zhongyi, who had the title of prince and master.

Empress Dowager Fu may not know very well, but Fan Zhen, who is Chai Rong's confidant, understands in her heart that if Chai Rong did not die young, Li Zhongyi's own sister would almost be a concubine candidate for the little emperor's internal choice, and even have the possibility of being the queen.

Chai Rong is worthy of being a generation of heroes, he knows the value of Li Zhongyi very well, but he is not happy to see Li Zhongyi become a powerful minister who no one can control.

Therefore, before Chai Rong's death, the method of appointing Li Zhongyi has always been to use his strengths and not allow Li Zhongyi's power to expand too much.

Subsequently, Li Zhongyi's career has been in a state of spiraling. After he made meritorious contributions to the imperial court, Chai Rong would generously reward officials and wealth, and seal his whole family.

However, corresponding to the improvement of official positions and grades, Chai Rong would refrigerate Li Zhongyi for a period of time, especially to remove military power.

Empress Dowager Fu listened to Chai Zongxun's question, and couldn't help but sigh secretly, for orphans who lost their fathers and mothers, to be able to say such insightful words, can you imagine how much hard work has been put into weekdays?

Among the three people present, a queen mother and a prime minister, although their respective positions are not exactly the same, they are sincerely pleased and happy about the little emperor's extraordinarily rapid political progress.

Empress Dowager Fu asked Chai Zongxun with a smile: "Sixth brother, then tell me about it, how to deal with this matter?" ”

When Fan Zhen heard this question, his spirit was immediately lifted, and he looked at the little emperor with blazing eyes, wanting to see what he would answer?

"The queen mother, the father-in-law, the father and the emperor have said many times that the country has not yet restored the grand occasion of the Han and Tang Dynasties, and my Yanyun in China is still in the hands of barbarians. As soon as Chai Zongxun said this, Empress Dowager Fu was immediately stunned.

Fan Zhen, who was standing in front of the throne, said secretly in his heart, this is only nine years old, and what kind of situation will it be like when he becomes an adult in the future, he is indeed looking forward to it.

Empress Dowager Fu and Fan Zhen looked at each other in unison, the little emperor deliberately borrowed the mouth of the first emperor, the purpose is actually very clear, the court should treat Li Zhongyi well.

Fan Zhen and Empress Dowager Fu are both people who have read history books, and they can naturally see it clearly, and the little emperor's borrowing of the topic implies trust in Li Zhongyi.

The little emperor trusted Li Zhongyi, but Empress Dowager Fu and Fan Zhen actively wanted to weaken Li Zhongyi's power, and the difference was obviously an obvious fact.

"Sixth brother, if the first emperor is still alive, why should my mother and son get up early and be greedy for darkness and work hard to support the overall situation?" After all, Empress Dowager Fu is not the biological mother of the little emperor, and many words are not easy to say too straight and too heavy, but dissatisfaction is dissatisfaction, and no matter how you can't hide the past.

"Queen Mother, the child is young and ignorant, don't bother the child." Chai Zongxun is a precocious child, when he was only six years old, he already knew how to look at people's eyes, "Queen Mother, you support the overall situation alone, in fact, it is more difficult than anyone else, isn't it all for the sake of the child?" ”

"Mother, please bow to the child." Chai Zongxun climbed down from the throne and knelt in front of the Empress Dowager Fu upright, hugged her right leg, shook vigorously, and refused to let go.

Seeing the Empress Dowager Fu's attitude gradually softening, Fan Zhen couldn't help but smile a little, he already knew the little emperor's cleverness. It's just that Fan Zhen didn't expect that the little emperor would be so smart.

"Sir, the important ministers of the past dynasties were either wiped out by the little emperor after the pro-government, or they could learn from Emperor Wen of Sui Yang Jian in order to save the life and power of the entire family."

Yang Jiong's words irrepressibly floated into Fan Zhen's heart, the little emperor in front of him was really shrewd and scary, and it was impossible for him to have no foresight.

Although Empress Dowager Fu is not Chai Zongxun's biological mother, she is also a sister-in-law aunt who broke bones and tendons.

"Sixth brother, I know that Li Zhongyi is a talent, and the first emperor has praised him more than once in Japan." Empress Dowager Fu stretched out her hand and pulled Chai Zongxun up, hugged him into her arms, and explained earnestly, "However, Li Zhongyi's threat to the imperial court is also the greatest. ”

"The two expeditions to Goryeo, the capture of Yuguan, and the three defeats of the Khitan elite iron cavalry, the military exploits are too prominent." Empress Dowager Fu sighed, "If you don't suppress him now, when you are in charge of the government in the future, can you control it?" ”

"Your Majesty, the collection of military power in the imperial court is an established national policy since Emperor Taizu Gao. People's hearts change. "Standing on Fan Qian's standpoint, I must help Empress Dowager Fu speak.

Unexpectedly, Chai Zongxun actually raised his face and asked Fan Qian: "Xianggong, Han Tong or Zhao Kuangyin, can you restore the foundation of the Han and Tang Dynasties for me?" ”

"This ......" Fan Zhen was asked, this question is too tricky, no matter how he answers, there will be loopholes.

"Sixth brother, let Master Li come into the palace, teach you to read for a few years, and when the country is in trouble, then send to lead the troops to the north and the south, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds?" Empress Dowager Fu said things against her will, wanting to perfunctory the curious baby.

However, after Chai Zongxun's sudden sharp cough, there was blood at the corner of his mouth, which instantly broke the peace in the hall.

After the palace maids and the chamberlains were busy for a while, Chai Zongxun drank the medicine and lay down on the couch and fell asleep.

After they were free, Empress Dowager Fu and Fan Zhen looked at each other worriedly, the little emperor's old problem flared up again, however, only Li Wuyi could be diagnosed and treated.

"Queen Mother, is the previous discussion temporarily suspended?" For the safety of the little emperor's life, Fan Zhen, a trusted minister, must rush in front of the Empress Dowager Fu and pave the steps.

Empress Dowager Fu shook her head and said coldly: "The safety of the sixth brother is the safety of the world, so Li Zhongyi should be left in Kaifeng." Justice, I have made up my mind, and there is no need to discuss it again. ”

Regarding Empress Dowager Fu's categorical attitude, Fan Zhen nodded secretly, don't look at Empress Dowager Fu is a woman, and her decisiveness can be described as a woman who does not let her eyebrows.

As far as the current situation is concerned, as long as Empress Dowager Fu and Fan Zhen reach an agreement, the plan will be decided.

After Fan Zhen returned to the political affairs hall, he found Yang Jiong and ordered him to draft two edicts, one of which was to remove Li Hu's Tianwu Guard as the commander and promote him to the position of the former secretary of the palace; The second is to appoint Fu Zhaoxin as the commander of the Tianwu Guard.

Yang Jiong's writing is extremely good, he quickly drafted two copies of the edict, held it in front of Fan Zhen, and said with some puzzlement: "Xianggong, what happened?" ”

Fan Zhen looked at Yang Jiong deeply, and then explained: "The Queen Mother is a little anxious. "Deliberately concealed the secret of the little emperor's coughing up blood.

Yang Jiong, who didn't know what was going on, shook his head and said: "Tong Shizi once said that he can't eat hot tofu in a hurry, why should the Queen Mother be so anxious?" ”

The secrets of the royal family, especially the health of the little emperor, are top secrets that must not be leaked to anyone.

Fan Zhen didn't say much, but just told Yang Jiong: "It's a big deal, you can do it yourself." Li Gu and I have never dealt with each other, but the old man wants to see how he will behave? ”

Yang Jiong has been walking in political affairs for a long time, and he naturally knows very well that when Chai Rong is alive, the transfer or appointment and dismissal of military generals belongs to the Privy Council.

However, since the new monarch ascended the throne, due to the favoritism of the Empress Dowager Fu, the power of the political hall has been expanding day by day.

Now, the right to appoint and dismiss military generals above the fourth rank has gradually been encroached upon by the political affairs hall, that is, it has fallen into the hands of Prime Minister Fan Qian.

This means that Fan Zhen can completely bypass the privy envoy Li Gu and directly draft the appointment and dismissal documents of senior generals, and after being approved by the Empress Dowager Fu and stamped with the seal, it is a formal and legal imperial decree.

However, Fan Zhen did not do that, but appointed his henchman Yang Jiong to personally deliver the piece to Li Gu. Yang Jiong is a person who understands, and according to his conjecture, Fan Zhen's purpose should be to test Li Gu's true attitude towards Li Zhongyi.

After a long period of ups and downs in officialdom, I know very well in my heart that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, this incomparably correct political logic!

In other words, the political affairs hall wanted to take away Li Hu's military power, which was tantamount to issuing a serious warning to Li Zhongyi.

As Fan Qian's political enemy, Li Gu, if he sings against Fan Zhen as usual and deliberately makes it difficult for Li Hu's appointment, hehe, he is likely to fall into the trap designed by Fan Zhen for him.

To be honest, the political alliance between Li Gu and Wang Pu, Yang Jiong has been unhappy for a long time. Of course, Yang Jiong also knew in his heart that even if Empress Dowager Fu relied on Fan Qian, it would be impossible to put all the military and political power in the hands of Prime Minister Fan.

There is no father and son in the heavenly family, for the supreme throne, the historical materials of cannibalism are simply innumerable, not to mention, Fan Zhen is just a courtier?

"Sir, I hope Li Weizhen will not disappoint you this time." Yang Jiong looked at Fan Zhen with a smile, which meant waiting to see Li Gu's jokes.

Fan Zhen frowned slightly, every time there is a major event, there is the basic skill of calming qi, and Yang Jiong is far from cultivating at home.

Since ancient times, although the emperor is most taboo for his courtiers to see through his mind, in fact, all courtiers must carefully figure out their intentions.

Figuring out the true intentions of the supreme ruler and then prescribing the right medicine is the supreme secret of evergreen.

There are three magic weapons for reading the quality of history books and climbing from a small official to today's high position step by step: the most important thing is loyalty, followed by the true ability to govern the country, and then the ability to always grasp the big thoughts of the higher-ups.

In the past, Fan Zhen could tolerate Li Gu and Wang Pu's constant obstruction, the reason is actually very simple, he is already the prime minister of a very popular minister, even if Li and Wang are killed, Empress Dowager Fu will arrange for trusted ministers to succeed them, so as to restrain Fan Zhen's growing power and prestige.

The method of mixing different opinions in the prime minister's pile has always been the logic of Chai Rong's observance, and in the period of the Empress Dowager Fu's curtain, there is a tendency to solidify more and more.

Unlike Chai Rong, Empress Dowager Fu and the little emperor are orphans and widows after all, and the slightest change in the court situation will make them frightened, and their sense of security is obviously much worse than that of Chai Rong, who succeeded to the throne as an adult.

It's just that this time, since Empress Dowager Fu is determined to attack Li Zhongyi, if Li Gu and Wang Pu continue to stir up, it will inevitably affect the overall situation.

Of course, the time when Fan Zhen and Li and Wang were against each other was too long. The consequence of the repeated-for-tat confrontation between them is that even if Fan Quality is tolerant, it will inevitably give rise to extreme displeasure.

What's more, Fan Zhen also has his own careful thoughts. Li Gu and Wang Pu are both old ministers of the three dynasties, and their qualifications are roughly similar to those of Fan Qian, and they are much more harmful than others.

If Wei Renpu or Wu Tingzuo jump out as opponents, the pressure on Fan Zhen will be much less.

In a word, people in the temple are like sailing against the current, not just as simple as not advancing or retreating. Take half a step back, that is, the family is ruined, and there is no sense of security at all.

Standing on the height of Fan Zhen, he had no way out at all. Not to mention taking half a step back, even if there is a slight loss of prestige, many pink eye patients will pounce on him like a wolf, eager to tear him to pieces.

Yang Jiong took the drafted edict, left the door of the government hall, boarded the carriage, and went straight to the Privy Council to find Li Gu.

As the saying goes, the building near the water gets the moon first. The most important meaning of the so-called confidants and close ministers of the Son of Heaven is to be able to know the true intentions of the Son of Heaven one step or even several steps in advance.

As far as Yang Jiong is concerned, although he personally drafted two edicts, he will inevitably only take out the one that transferred Li Hu first, and temporarily hide the one that appointed Fu Zhaoxin.

Li Gu didn't know the inside story of Empress Dowager Fu's determination, and after being calculated by Yang Jiong, the possibility of being tricked would be amazing!