Yan Zhenqing promised in a deep voice, and Li Mao's reproachful voice came from beside him: "Yan Zhenqing, what's the matter with you?" Your Majesty personally came to help the people, and you didn't make arrangements. Is it to embarrass Your Majesty by having these ragged people here? Have you gathered all the people in the city called Hanako? What are your intentions? ”

Yan Zhenqing was stunned for a moment, his face sank like water, and he arched his hand and said, "What does His Royal Highness King Shou mean by this?" ”

"What do you mean? These people didn't know the etiquette, and no one knelt down to greet His Majesty's chariot, and they all looked like wooden poles. Also, since you have arranged in advance, why don't you screen some people who are neatly dressed? Who are you embarrassing these people like this? Do you embarrass your father? Li Mao said coldly.

Yan Zhenqing frowned and glanced at Xuanzong. He found that Xuanzong didn't seem to have the intention of stopping Li Mao, and he knew in his heart that these words were probably what Xuanzong wanted to say, but he didn't want to say it himself.

"His Royal Highness King Shou is wrong to say this. His Majesty is worried about the suffering of the people and comes to help the people, it is a love for the people, and the mercy of God is not a formality. The lower officials were indeed told to screen the beneficial, so as not to offend Tianyan. However, the lower officials believed that since His Majesty had come to help the refugees, he should know the current situation and suffering of the people, and should not deceive him. His Royal Highness King Shou said that I, Yan Zhenqing, will gather all the flowers in the city here to embarrass Your Majesty, and the lower officials should not say so. In fact, the people here are all refugees in Jiannan, Longyou and other places. They have no food, no clothing, no place to live, and it has been almost ten months since the beginning of the chaos, and they have spent every day in famine. It's a blessing to be alive. Yan Zhenqing said in a deep voice.

"You are alarmist, how can it be as serious as you say? It was not that the king had not walked around the city, nor had he seen such a serious situation. Li Mao reprimanded.

Yan Zhenqing said in a deep voice: "Has His Royal Highness King Shou really visited the place where refugees gather? Wang Xiangguo set up refugee settlements in the four cities, and did Shouwang have been to more than ten refugee settlements where relief was concentrated? Walking on the streets is not a matter of exploring the suffering of refugees, because it is for the sake of normal order in the city, and these people are not allowed to come and go freely on the streets. How much does King Shou know about the real situation? ”

"How many days have you Yan Zhenqing been in Chengdu again? It's like I know the situation very well. Li Mao said.

Yan Zhenqing said in a deep voice: "It's only been a few days since Xia Guan took over, so naturally I haven't been able to fully understand it, but I have been patrolling various refugee gathering places in the past few days, and I still understand the situation of the refugees." I want to ask King Shou, do you know how many refugees there are in Jiannan and other places? How much food and rice do I need every day? Does King Shou know how many people do not have a place to stay in the cold? How many people don't have winter clothes? ”

Li Mao smacked her lips and said, "How do I know? I'm not the one in charge of that. ”

Yan Zhenqing said lightly: "Since King Shou doesn't know anything about it, don't jump to conclusions." The current situation of the refugees is what is happening right now, and the reason why I did not make arrangements is that I want Your Majesty and all the princes and officials to see what the people are suffering. They are all my people of the Tang Dynasty, they are suffering, do we still have to cover up their situation? ”

Li Mao opened his mouth and couldn't speak, and said unwillingly after a while: "Even so, Your Majesty is driving in person, how come they don't even have a little gratitude, not a single one who kneels down, this is a faux pas." You should have them tell them to kneel down and welcome the holy car at once. ”

Yan Zhenqing said: "His Royal Highness King Shou, Cang Liao knows etiquette, and knows honor and disgrace when he has enough food and clothing. They are caught in fire and water, how can they be required to have perfect etiquette? As long as the imperial court provides proper relief and counters the rebellion, so that they can return to their homeland with food and clothing, they will naturally be grateful to His Majesty. Otherwise, what's the use of forcing them? ”

"You ......" Li Mao was choked with anger, but he couldn't fight Yan Zhenqing, and he didn't succeed in an argument with Yan Zhenqing when they met for the first time that day, and it was the second time to fail at this moment.

"That's right, Yan Zhongshu. There is a lot of truth in that. Someone shouted from the sidelines. Li Mao was so angry that he turned his head to look and found that it was his twenty-sixth brother Feng Wang Li Heng who spoke.

"Twenty-sixth brother, it seems that you are very happy to see these people snubbing your father." Li Mao said coldly.

"Eighteen Emperor Brothers, you don't have to buckle my big hat. The situation is so erosive, do you still have to whitewash the peace and deceive? Yang Guozhong An Lushan and these people were very well-behaved in front of their fathers back then, and they coaxed their fathers with sweet words, but they were indeed rebels with honey and swords. One misleads the country and the other seeks rebellion, shouldn't we learn from it? Li Heng stepped forward and said-for-tat.

As soon as Li Heng said this, the air around him seemed to become cold, this was too reckless, who would dare to say such things in front of Xuanzong? Li Heng is too ignorant of the importance of advancing and retreating. Even Yan Zhenqing was frightened, and he didn't dare to say these words.

Xuanzong's face was gloomy like the bottom of a pot. Li Mao knew that Xuanzong must be extremely angry in his heart, and he wanted to open his mouth to add a few words of oil and vinegar, so that his twenty-sixth brother could feel the anger of his father. However, before he could speak, Xuanzong shouted in a deep voice: "Li Mao, don't step back yet, do what you have to do." ”

Li Mao hurriedly stopped his mouth, and suddenly realized that he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders and had important things to do, so he rode his horse and retreated, and quietly walked out of the north city gate with several entourages. Li Heng didn't know the severity, and thought that Xuanzong was reprimanding Li Mao because he agreed with his words, so he came forward happily.

"Li Hui, these words were taught to you by Wang Yuan, and you have grown a lot with him." Xuanzong said lightly.

"It's not all Wang Xiangguo's teachings, and the sons themselves have realized a lot." Li Heng said proudly.

Xuanzong said: "Very good, you have learned to realize the truth by yourself, it is very rare." In that case, you should not follow me to do some idle work, but should go back to study and study behind closed doors. Go back, I can't delay your learning. ”

Li Heng realized that Xuanzong's words were wrong, and said in amazement: "Father...... Erchen ......"

"Don't back down yet. Will you disobey my words? Do you want to have a heated argument with me? Xuanzong shouted.

"Erchen...... Can't. Li Heng deflated like a deflated ball, and it was only then that he realized that he had angered his father.

"Twenty-sixth brother, go back to enlightenment, and talk to a few of our brothers another day, so that we can also have a long experience." The Thirteenth Prince, Ying Wang Li Ji, gloated and sneered.

"Yes, yes, twenty-six brothers, the brothers want to listen to your teachings." The Twelfth Prince, King Li Pu, sneered and echoed beside him.

Li Heng's face was like ashes, and he retreated wordlessly.

Xuanzong turned his head to Yan Zhenqing and said gently: "Yan Zhenqing, you are very good, I need an upright courtier like you by my side." You did the right thing, and you should have kept it a secret and let me know the truth. I hate to be deceived more than anything. Don't take Li Mao's words to heart, he is also out of defense of me, and when he saw that the people were rude, he couldn't help but speak. ”

Yan Zhenqing hurriedly said: "Your Majesty Shengming, it is the fault of the ministers. The ministers arranged for them to salute and welcome them in advance, but they did not know why the people did not obey them. Then the minister went and made them kneel to greet the holy car. ”

Xuanzong waved his hand and said: "No need, the twisted melons are not sweet, I didn't protect them well, and I don't blame them for treating me like this." Let's hurry up and give relief to the people, and then I would like to hear your message about how many supplies and shelters the people are in dire need at the moment. ”

Yan Zhenqing bowed and said, "Obey." ”

……

At the beginning of the shift, the candles flickered in the front hall of Wang Yuan's mansion, and several simple dishes were placed on the table, Wang Yuan sat in the main seat, and Yan Zhenqing and Wei Jiansu sat on the left and right guest seats respectively. These two people came to the mansion to discuss matters at the invitation of Wang Yuan.

The maidservant took the last steaming dish and stepped back, and Wang Yuan reached out and grabbed the wine jug to pour wine for the two of them. Yan Zhenqing and Wei Jiansu hurriedly got up and didn't dare to say anything, Wang Yuan insisted on pouring wine for the two, raised his glass and said with a smile: "Two, everyone has been busy in the past few days since I returned to Chengdu, and I don't have time to get together." Although there are no good wines and dishes in my house, there are no delicacies, just a few ordinary wines and dishes, but they are also my thoughts, and we can be regarded as getting together to chat. Come, drink. ”

Yan Zhenqing and Wei Jiansu hurriedly picked up their wine glasses, and the three of them drank them all.

"Eat the vegetables and eat the vegetables." Wang Yuan pointed to the hot dishes with chopsticks and said, "Although these dishes are not good dishes, these are all dishes cooked and fried by my wife herself." Hearing that the two of them were coming, my wife decided to cook the food herself. Anyway, I don't have such a good taste on weekdays to let her cook for me to eat, but today I am stained with the light of the two. ”

When Wei Jiansu and Yan Zhenqing heard this, they said in a loud voice: "How is this good?" How can Mrs. Xiangguo cook by herself? Sins, sins, sins. ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "She means thank you for helping me lightly." You and I are the leaders of the political hall, but in fact, most of the things are done by the two of you, but I am not good at governance. My wife cooks for herself to thank you for helping me do so much. How about a taste of the craft? ”

Wei Jiansu and Yan Zhenqing were humble again and again, and they sandwiched the entrance of the dish, and the dishes were generally cooked, but the two of them were still full of praise, tall and tall. The three of them drank a few glasses of wine and ate a few mouthfuls of food, and the wine flowed into the bloodstream, and suddenly the cautious and restrained heart dissipated, and the atmosphere became much more natural.

"Xiangguo, I will report to you about the relief of refugees, and the matter of Your Majesty going to help the people in the afternoon. Sangkook is busy and may not know what the afternoon will be like. Yan Zhenqing put down her chopsticks and touched the vegetable juice on her beard.

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "I'm not here to ask you to talk about relief today, but Mr. Yan wants to talk, and I also want to hear about the situation." Today, I went outside the city to investigate the defense around Chengdu, but I did not accompany me. ”

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty also said that Xiangguo is busy with affairs, and it is understandable not to accompany him." Wei Jiansu said with a smile.

Yan Zhenqing said: "Actually, Your Majesty wants to personally help this time, I don't agree, but I can't dissuade Your Majesty." ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "Oh? Why? Your Majesty's relief will not make the refugees feel the immensity of the emperor's grace? ”

Yan Zhenqing said: "Xiangguo, the time is tight right now, and Your Majesty has delayed me for two days with such a toss. The weather is getting colder and colder, and the resettlement of the people is imminent. Now is not the time to give food relief, the hundreds of thousands of stone of grain allocated by Xiangguo have basically guaranteed the food supply for the refugees, and it is the same whether it is distributed by His Majesty or by us. Now the most urgent thing is the resettlement of houses for the winter, and it would be only right if Your Majesty could really solve the resettlement of some refugees with this relief. It's just a matter of distributing food, but in my opinion, it is not necessary. ”

Wang Yuan laughed and said: "Mr. Yan still doesn't care about what he says, fortunately, we are talking in private, if Your Majesty hears it, he will not scold you angrily." ”

Wei Jiansu said with a smile: "Xiangguo doesn't know, Mr. Yan said the same thing in front of His Majesty in the afternoon." King Shou questioned that the people did not kneel to welcome the holy car, and also said that Mr. Yan would send the people in the whole city called Huazi and the people who did not know the number of etiquette to the north city to embarrass His Majesty, and Mr. Yan taught King Shou a good lesson. ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "Oh? Why did you get on the bar with King Shou again? ”

Yan Zhenqing took a sip of wine and said, "I'm angry when I say it." Datang has reached this point, and some people are still arrogant and don't know the difficulties. It's actually a good thing for Your Majesty to go to help, but you want me to screen some neatly dressed and clean-looking people in advance to pretend to be refugees, saying that I can't embarrass Your Majesty too much? What is the rationale for this? Is charity a show? Seven or eight princes hugged each other with their entourage, should they be accompanying them on a tour? I don't want to talk more about them, even Wang Xiangguo vacated the house to settle ten refugees, I asked the princes to follow Xiangguo as an example for the court, but their answer didn't make me angry, it's all at this time, and I only care about myself. Hey, Your Majesty is wise I, how come the princes are so ...... Not a machine. Nothing is the wind of the Father. ”

Yan Zhenqing drank the wine in one gulp, and reached out to take the wine jug to pour the wine, his face full of anger. Apparently he was angry with the princes about the resettlement of refugee housing.

"Yan Zhongshu, don't be unscrupulous. It's amazing to get it out. Wei Jiansu hurriedly dissuaded.

"Spread it? There are three of us here, who will spread the word? What did the Prime Minister say? Unless you go to report it. Besides, I, Yan Zhenqing, am not afraid of being known by His Majesty, and I am not afraid of you when it reaches His Majesty's ears, and I dare to say it in front of His Majesty. Yan Zhenqing shouted.

Wei Jiansu was stunned and said, "What are these words?" How could I tell Your Majesty? I mean, it's useless to say this, the princes are all soaked in a honey pot, they don't understand a lot of things, and it's useless for you to be in a hurry. ”

Yan Zhenqing snorted silently, Wei Jiansu looked at Wang Yuan and said: "Xiangguo persuaded and persuaded him, he has been under a lot of pressure in the past few days, and he has suffered a lot of anger, and he is afraid that he will be unpeaceful in his heart." ”

Wang Yuan nodded with a smile and said to Yan Zhenqing: "Mr. Yan, don't be angry, if things are easy to do, how can it be your turn to get Yan Zhenqing to do it?" Wouldn't it be enough to find someone at random? It's because it's so difficult that I recommended you to do it. Wei Zuoxiang said very reasonably, complain less and do more, but just ask for a clear conscience. Is it okay if the princes are unwilling to take the lead in accepting and resettled refugees for the winter? There are still a large number of people who are willing, so why be angry with them? ”

Yan Zhenqing sighed: "I'm not angry that they don't want to accept and resettle refugees, I'm worried...... Worried about the Tang Dynasty and who can become a qualified successor in the future. The princes are so unsuccessful, they don't even understand the simple truth of calming the people and quelling the chaos, is there any hope for the future of Datang? Once Your Majesty is a guest, who can continue? ”

Wang Yuan was stunned for a moment, and then smiled and said: "It turns out that Mr. Yan is worried about this, is Mr. Yan already thinking about the matter of the country?" ”

Yan Zhenqing looked at Wang Yuan and said: "It's not Yan who refers to Xiangguo, this matter should have been discussed by Xiangguo." The position of the crown prince is vacant, His Majesty is also old, the matter of the country's capital is unresolved, and it is difficult for the army and the people to be stable. This is the first priority, and Xiangguo, you have not been able to play the first game, and leading the ministers to discuss this matter is a loss for Xiangguo. ”

Wang Yuan was stunned and smiled bitterly: "Blame me again?" ”

Wei Jiansu also smiled bitterly: "Did Yan Zhongshu drink too much, how can Xiangguo be blamed for this?" Xiangguo led the troops to be born and died outside, and there was almost no spare time in the past year, and he stayed in Chengdu for less than a month, how could he have time to discuss this matter? Don't forget, you were rescued by Xiangguo at the risk of death, and now let's talk about such things. ”

Yan Zhenqing shouted: "I'd rather Xiangguo first set the country and then save me, even if I die, it's nothing." ”

Wei Jiansu reprimanded: "Yan Zhongshu, you are really drunk. ”

Wang Yuan hurriedly waved his hand and smiled: "I understand Mr. Yan's mood, in Mr. Yan's heart, the community comes first, and personal life and death honor and disgrace come second." This is the loyal minister of the high wind and bright festival. So since Yan Zhongshu mentioned this matter, it can be seen that this matter is not what Yan Zhongshu thinks. Let's just get together today, why don't we talk about the prince's position, discuss the right person, and solve the country's worries as soon as possible, what do you think? ”

Wang Yuan called these two people to come over, originally to discuss the matter of the establishment of the crown prince, but he didn't expect that before he could speak, Yan Zhenqing, who had drunk a few glasses of wine, spoke out first, which saved Wang Yuan's words. I don't know if Yan Zhenqing really thinks that the establishment of the crown prince is an imminent matter, or if he saw his intention to invite them to come today and said it in advance, if it is the latter, Wang Yuan is impressed by Yan Zhenqing. This shows that this Yan Zhenqing is not pedantic and stubborn, but has been careful and has figured out his own thoughts. If this move is not a deliberate temptation, it is intended to meet yourself.

Yan Zhenqing applauded, and Wei Jiansu also smiled and said: "Since Xiangguo has this discussion, it doesn't hurt for us to talk about this matter." In fact, there is nothing to discuss, Xiangguo said that whoever is the right person among the princes, let's go together