When the scholar Lang sentenced the three divisions to come to the political affairs hall with the middle book door under the Ping Zhangshi, an old eunuch with gray sideburns and white face but no half beard spoke, Li Gu was not young when he walked the palace, but this eunuch had never seen it. When this person resigned, he asked Fan Qian: "Who is this person?" ”

"The deputy capital Zhima in charge of the inner garden of the Inner Servant Province, the righteous son of Ma Shaohong, the former Xuanhui envoy, has been on duty in the palace for more than 30 years! I called him here to ask about the old things in the Ying Shun years! Fan Zhen paced slowly and personally handed a cup of tea to Li Gudao.

"The old things of the Ying Shun years?" Li Gu was slightly surprised, but Fan Zhen ignored it, nodded and said, "Yes!" Recently, there have been some rumors about the origin of the new Yanzhou Domain, and I asked him to ask. ”

This so-called rumor, Li Gu has also heard, roughly meaning that the new Eighth Route Army Governor of Yanzhou Li Wenge was originally the son of the Later Tang Emperor Li Conghou, whose real name is Li Chongxiang, grew up in the city army since childhood, Li Congke seized the throne and sent someone to kill Li Conghou, who was placed under house arrest, but failed to cut the grass and kill his son Yin. Because Li Congke did not sit firmly in the country and Shi Jing launched a rebellion, so many things were too late to deal with the aftermath, and finally Li Chongxiang escaped under the protection of his cronies, family members and soldiers, fled to a place beyond the reach of the imperial court in Yanzhou in the northwest, took refuge in Li Bin's mansion, and grew up as a domestic slave.

In terms of age, the Later Tang Emperor himself was born in the first year of Later Liang Zhenming, and if he lived to this day, he would only be forty-eight years old, and Li Wenge was thirty-two years old this Chinese New Year's Eve. That is to say, the son born to Li Conghou when he was sixteen years old, judging from the age at which men got married in this era, this is indeed a possible thing. In addition, Li Wenge's military reformation in Yanzhou is quite powerful and tactical, which is by no means something that an ordinary slave can do, so although this rumor has only recently emerged, with Li Wenge's entry into Beijing, it has been spread at the top of the Beijing division.

However, Li Gu scoffed at this statement: "Since you know it's nonsense, why bother with it? Thirty years ago. Ling Gong was in the court at that time. The emperor has no sons. What is the whereabouts, can he still not know? If there was such a thing, I would have said it earlier! ”

Fan Zhen smiled slightly: "I'm just doing it, Wang Xiufeng has been extremely concerned about this statement for a while, and even went to the history museum to check the living records." That's when I called Ma Lai to ask, he has been in the palace for more than thirty years, these things. Including the situation of the emperor's heirs, they are naturally more familiar! ”

Li Gu shook his head, obviously still disapproving, but when he spoke again, he diverted the topic: "Tomorrow is the Shangyuan Festival, the early dynasty Ling Gong is going to present a congratulatory table to the head, the old man has not returned to the house yet, Wen Suke sent someone to urge?" If tomorrow morning is delayed, there will be a big trouble. It's serious. It's also the face of the imperial court! ”

Fan Zhen smiled: "Don't worry, let the bus drive, and I will return to the city in the afternoon at the latest." I arranged for this. You can rest assured! ”

Li Gu nodded, sat down cross-legged and said: "This Li Huairen is quite generous, a hundred party horses, strong physique, very Shenjun, Taifu Temple is extremely satisfied." The marshal of the border prefecture and county paid tribute to the imperial court. Liang Jingchu, the judge of Taifu Temple, asked for merit for Li Huairen early this morning, even if the official position can no longer be sealed, the gold and silver utensils and silk satin, or the imperial decree and commendation should always be there, and the people of the world cannot be too stingy with the imperial court! ”

Fan Zhen pondered for a moment, and said slowly: "Naturally, it can't be too light, but it's not good if it's too heavy, according to me, I'd rather give him a medal, not spend a penny on the treasury, and be able to set an example for the vassals." It's just that he has already reached the inspection school Taibao at a young age, and then he is the Taifu, and it has only been a few months, too much! ”

"I don't approve of being an official!" Li Gu shook his head and said, "The official is a national famous weapon, you can't give it so casually, otherwise there will always be a big mess one day!" ”

Fan Zhen smiled and said: "It's not a new thing that officials are worthless, and it has been the same for decades!" It's not something you and I can change! ”

Li Gu's voice fell silent, he was looking at the official document submitted by Kaifeng Mansion, and for a while, the prime minister, who had always rarely smiled at office affairs, suddenly smiled dumbly: "When did the captain of the horse also be keen on river affairs?" The Kaifeng Mansion of General Baoyi is really sitting like this! ”

Fan Zhen glanced at him and said disapprerovingly: "Although he may not understand the politics of people's livelihood, the judges and officials of Kaifeng Mansion are all experienced officials, and you originally pressed on their heads, and many things did not dare to come forward." Now that he has the backer of the horse captain, he naturally has to come to fight in the ring, and the old tricks of officialdom are also for the people in the final analysis, but Zhen doesn't have to be too serious! ”

Li Gu smiled, but he didn't speak, for the few brushes in Kaifeng Mansion, he was much more than Fan Qian.

At this moment, he didn't have the heart to fight with several subordinates of Kaifeng Mansion anymore, and he frowned again with an official document in his hand that also asked for money and food for the river fortifications.

After a long time, Li Gu walked to the door, summoned a messenger, and asked, "Has the person who delivered the official document returned?" ”

The man looked up at Li Gu and cautiously

"Xianggong is asking the official envoy of Lanzhou?"

"Exactly!"

"He was still waiting in the tea room, and the people persuaded him to go back, but he refused, and he had been waiting for more than two hours!"

Li Gu's face was gloomy, and he brushed his sleeves and said, "Please talk to him in the hall!" ”。

Not long after, a loud and crisp registration voice came from outside the door: "Cao Bin, the left wing of the lowly Zhenning Army, please see Li Xianggong!" ”

"Guohua come in! Don't be formal! ”

Li Gu waved his hand, and then, a man with a long figure and a thick face strode into the hall, and after coming in, he knelt respectfully and bowed: "See Fan Xianggong, Li Xianggong!" ”

Fan Zhen smiled and personally helped him up: "Guohua, please get up, you are a national relative, and Zhongshu can't afford your gift." The people below don't know anything, so you waited in the tea room for a long time, and you were sluggish! ”

Cao Bin said "don't dare", and then got up and stood up.

Li Gu didn't have many greetings, and went straight to the point: "Shanghu project repair." How far has it come? This year's summer and autumn floods, may it be able to withstand it? ”

Cao Bin bowed down and said: "Prime minister, the Shanghu water diversion dam has now been strengthened to four zhang three, as long as it does not rain in the upper reaches of the river this summer, the dam will not burst." For the sake of preservation, the prince was ready to take advantage of the fact that the downstream river had not broken the freeze and then increase it by two zhang, so he recruited 8,000 displaced people to work on the river before that year. Therefore, the military state does not have enough money and food. That's when I asked the three divisions for transfer! ”

Li Gu turned around and picked up the official document. said: "Guohua is not an outsider, so I said it bluntly, there were a few battles last year, and the imperial court budget was overspent severely, and it was all necessary to balance and adjust it in this year's local expenditure." In a word, the imperial court is also short of money now, and the amount of money that should be paid in my hands is only 200,000 yuan. Dial half to you first. I can send a forbidden army to Kaifeng Mansion today, and it can be shipped the day after tomorrow at the latest, but it is the middle of winter, and the grain ships in Huainan are not allowed to go north, and the grain storage in Beijing is still insufficient. ”

Cao Bin didn't have the slightest look of surprise, and immediately replied: "When the humble post comes." Junhou has opened a position to level the military rations of the Zhenning army for more than a month. The rest of the grain stock should be supported for another month, but in February, it will be stretched. Xiang Gong knows. Growing grain is absolutely untouchable. At this level, please forgive the public, the river workers work in the cold weather, and the physical consumption is quite large, and the supply cannot be reduced at this time. ”

Li Gu nodded, picked up the pen and didn't add any points, and in an instant he had already prepared an official document, handed it to Fan Zhen, but said in his mouth: "Zhujunzhou has been closed and abandoned for a hundred years, and the state capital does not have much grain in stock, and the three counties of Puzhou, Huazhou, and Caozhou also have to spend the winter, and the local government will not be able to take out surplus grain to support Yingzhou." However, every household in various places has to save hundreds of stones to thousands of stones every year to store grain, with this edict, the Marquis of Taiyuan can use official money to use private grain storage, and the state and county officials must not obstruct the delay! ”

Cao Bin was overjoyed, and immediately bowed down and said: "Thank you for your understanding, thank you for your humble position!" ”

Li Gu hurriedly stepped forward to help him up: "Guohua, please get up, ashamed, the water conservancy and river defense of the big river is originally a matter of the state, and the country is unable to repair it, but it wants the Taiyuan Hou to support the local forces, which is already putting the cart before the horse, and now thousands of river workers are working the river embankment, and the imperial court can't even take out the surplus grain from sweeping the reservoir and seams......

As he spoke, he gently patted Cao Bin on the shoulder and said, "Guohua will go back after the Shangyuan Festival banquet tomorrow, so I can spend a festival in Beijing!" ”

Cao Bin shook his head calmly: "I will rush back overnight to resume my life today, and the prince is still waiting for news!" ”

Li Gu pondered for a moment, but didn't say anything more, Fan Zhen walked up and asked gently, "Have you seen the saint?" ”

Cao Bin shook his head honestly and said, "This official exchange is very urgent!" Besides, the humble position score is too low, so it's not good to rush to see it! ”

Fan Zhen laughed: "Who are you coaxing to come, who doesn't know that you Cao Guohua is the most favored disciple of His Majesty, not to mention that you have been ordered by the Marquis of Taiyuan, that is, you yourself have the right to directly entertain the audience!" ”

Cao Bin also smiled: "Xianggong, Your Majesty loves and trusts, and it is even more difficult to live up to the expectations of the Lord!" ”

Fan Zhen was slightly stunned, at this time, Li Gu ordered a few words of subordinate officials outside the door, and he had already walked back, and said very sincerely: "Since Guohua insists, we will not keep you, I have already ordered the small dining room to prepare some hot soup and rice, Guohua will use it and leave, and there are a few taels of wine, it is also good to warm up your body." Guohua is a serious person who has used the imperial food, so today you might as well taste the taste of 'Langxia Food' under the door of Zhongshu......"

Cao Bin also wants to excuse himself: "The Chinese study dining room is a special grace set up by His Majesty for the ministers, and he is ...... humble position."

Fan Zhen interrupted him with a smile: "That's it, just a few sips of hot rice and a few sips of wine, if Guohua has the idea to go out of the royal street to the Panlou market to have a good meal, we won't force you to stay, if you are in a hurry to leave, you will talk less nonsense, and go to eat seriously!" ”

At this point, Cao Bin naturally didn't want to quit again, and went out with thanks.

Seeing the two prime ministers personally send Cao Bin to the door of the political affairs hall, the deacon's general was stunned, and said to an old eunuch after coming down: "This foreign official."

Son, I have been on duty for more than two years, when have I seen two fathers-in-law send them, that is, they worship outside, and no one has ever been so decent......"

The old eunuch glanced at him contemptuously: "Blind to your eyes, that is Cao Juntou, the sister of his own mother, who was originally the most favored aunt by His Majesty's side today, and stayed in Beijing during the Qianyou period and was martyred." After His Majesty was reunified, he was posthumously crowned as a concubine, and her rank was only one block lower than that of Empress Shengmu......"

Back in the hall. The two prime ministers both looked solemn, and Li Gu shook his head and said: "How many times have Ling Gong and I discussed the matter of repairing the river in private, and it is not a way to hold on like this year after year." One year without incident, two years without nothing does not mean that there is nothing every year, counting from the Zhenming period to the present, there are nearly 40 years without dredging through the river to strengthen the embankment. Only the Taiyuan Hou grabbed Shang Hu a little bit, no matter how strong the repair was, at most it would ensure that the river would not be diverted. The middle section is in the rainy season. The dam is still going to fail! ”

Fan Zhen sighed: "There is no money in the treasury. The center is constrained everywhere, building a big river, which is filled with a large amount of copper coins and grain, where is the financial resources of today's country? ”

Li Gu said with a straight face: "No matter what, we can't fight anymore this year, Huainan Zhudao and Shannan Dongdao must rest their troops." Southern Tang, Wuyue, Jingchu, Nanping, Xishu, Changhe. As long as we don't use our troops, few of these princes dare to take the initiative to provoke. The strongest Southern Tang is just a straw belly, and now the country is too poor, and if it continues, not to mention governing the river, it will be a problem to supply the army with food! ”

If the mechanism of feeding the army goes wrong, then what will happen next is that the two prime ministers, who have been officials for many years in this era, know very well.

Consciously avoided the topic. Fan Zhen sighed: "Even if these princes don't move. Can we still stop the Khitan from coming down to fight the grass valley this year? Can you still stop the Dingyan army from being honest and not tossing? ”

Li Guhei was speechless for a long time with a calm face, and only after a long time did he say slowly: "There is a long time to be with Li Huairen, and the Dingyan Army will not have a few years to toss......"

While talking. A tall and thin eunuch strode in, followed by Dou Yi, a scholar of Hanlin, who was holding a silk silk in his hand. Fan Li Erxiang suddenly understood that the emperor had a great removal to send a decree, and the Shangyuan Festival was approaching, and it was customary for some veteran ministers or meritorious generals to be promoted to the rank of lord, but I don't know who won this prize today.

When Dou Yi unfolded the holy decree, the two prime ministers were shocked when they read the words on it.

Under the door: the privy envoy Shangshu left servant shot the door under the servant Lang and the middle book under the door of the Pingzhang Shi Wang Jun has outstanding achievements, can be Pinglu, Fanyang two towns, give the festival, drum music, door halberd, Yu Guan is the same, edict!

As the number one hero of the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Wang Jun finally paid homage to the Jiedu envoy, and one is the two towns, which are still the two towns with the heaviest name and the strongest territory since the establishment of the official title of the Jiedu envoy in the Tang Dynasty. Fan Yang Jie Envoy and Pinglu Jie Envoy, that was the position and status that An Lushan had back then......

What's more, Yu Guan is the same, that is to say, after worshipping the envoy of the two towns, Wang Jun's current position as the privy envoy Shangshu Zuo Servant shoots the door under the Shilang Tongping Zhangshi, he is still the prime minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty above the tens of thousands of people under one person, and he is the only prime minister who is also the prime minister of the two governments, and the only prime minister with the title of the envoy of the two towns......

Ministers, ministers who deserve their names!

A person has the positions and status of Li Linfu and An Lushan at the same time, such a person is not a minister, who else is a minister? What's more, this person is more authoritarian than Li Linfu and more domineering than An Lushan.

The emperor is crazy?

Fan Zhen silently stared at the edict that had not yet dried the ink, slowly raised his head, and stared at Dou Yi with an indifferent look in anger.

Such a simple edict does not need the rhetoric of the Hanlin scholars at all. The emperor's intention of sending Dou Yi to the place is quite obvious, this edict was sent to the Zhongshu Gate for archiving, and the emperor asked the Hanlin scholars and the prime minister of Zhongshu to redraft a book that conformed to the rules and regulations of the imperial court system, and then issued it with a seal. In other words, the emperor simply made such a decision, and he didn't even bother to spend more time dictating the Hanlin scholars to draft a decent edict, and directly ordered the prime ministers to carry it out.

Without discussion in advance and without explanation in the matter, what has become of the prime minister of the imperial court in the eyes of the emperor?

Refusal of visa - Fan Zhen made a decision at the first time, he would never sign and seal such a book that defied the authority of the prime minister of Zhongshu. The edict was sealed and returned as it was, and the seriousness of the system was maintained.

This is the power of the Prime Minister! It's like sending such an edict to the emperor is the power of the emperor!

"Minister-can't be edicted!"

Fan Zhen had a gloomy face and spit out these five words clearly.

"Wen Su—"

Dou Yi smiled and didn't open his mouth, Li Gu had already called out first, he glanced at Fan Zhen deeply, turned his head to Dou Yi and said, "Please Dou Bachelor prepare, we will use the seal to countersign......"