Yuan Qianyao hurriedly explained: "First, the minister knows that he is not as capable as Yao Xianggong; Second, Yao Xianggong's illness has improved greatly; Three ...... Otherwise, the minister would have to inquire about Yao Xianggong every day, so it was better to let Yao Xianggong come in person, which also saved the time of the saint. ”

Hearing what Yuan Qianyao said, Li Longji felt that it was very reasonable, but because he was worried about Yao Chong's health, he still hesitated a little, so he heard Xiao Jiangyuan say: "I just came to report that Yao Xianggong's illness has indeed been cured, and there is no risk of infection at present, and it is okay to recuperate for a while." It is really feasible to be invited by the source minister. Moreover, Yao Xianggong's official book order in the middle, but in Chang'an, he can only live in the temple, which is not very good to say, and the Sifang Pavilion is owned by everyone, and it is mostly used to receive foreign envoys, which is much closer to the palace city, and there are many houses, which are enough for Yao Xianggong to live. ”

Only then did Li Longji agree, and immediately ordered. However, two days later, as soon as Yao Chong moved to the Sifang Pavilion, Li Longji took Xiao Jiangyuan to visit, which flattered Yao Chong and was quite busy for a while.

Li Longji waved his hand, freed himself from all red tape, and personally helped Yao Chong to settle on the couch, and saw Yao Chong bowing his head and said: "The old minister is ashamed, how can he live in the Sifang Pavilion, the sage's move is really not feasible, and it is very difficult for the old minister." ”

Li Longji said disapprovingly: "The establishment of the Sifang Pavilion was also for the office of some officials, and I asked Yao Gong to live here, which is also for national official business, what is not feasible?" Besides, if it weren't for the law, I would love to let Yao Gong live directly in the palace, what is a mere quadrangular pavilion? ”

That's a lot of weight. Yao Chong knew that the Son of Heaven relied on him, but he didn't expect his status in the Son of Heaven's mind to be so important, so he couldn't help but feel comforted and grateful. Throughout the ages, which courtier does not expect the gentleman to be wise and virtuous, and to be intimate? This is really the ideal state between the monarch and the minister. When the Empress Zetian was there, only Elder Di Ge had such treatment, and now it was his turn.

Moved, he couldn't help but feel a little proud, and looked forward to returning to the political hall after recovering from his illness.

But at this moment, something happened to a small official named Zhao Xu.

Yao Chong was in Zhongshu Province and often relied on two deputies, one was Qi Han, the Zhongshu Sheren, and the other was Zhao Xu, the main secretary of Zhongshu. Qi Han is an official, and he has the same interests as Yao Chong, so he can not only speak well, but also make friends; And Zhao Yu is an official, and he is mainly responsible for turning Yao Chong's decree into words and conveying it, and he is purely a subordinate at work.

But Zhao Yu is very clever and can quickly understand Yao Chong's meaning, so Yao Chong uses him very much. And it is precisely because of Yao Chong's reuse of Zhao Yu that his value as a small official has doubled. Many Hu merchants didn't know what to do, thinking that they could catch Yao Chong with Zhao Xu, and then seek benefits for themselves, and gave him a lot of jewelry and property.

The last time, he happened to be bumped into by Jing Zhong, who followed his master out of the palace.

Since Jingzhong came out of the court and returned to a normal and regular diet, his body has grown rapidly, especially in this year, he is already as tall as Xiao Jiangyuan. The clothes made of the fabrics in the palace eunuchs are far from keeping up with Jingzhong's growth, so Xiao Jiangyuan happened to be resting today, so he took Jingzhong to the West Market to buy some clothes and see the world by the way.

Xiao Jiangyuan didn't know how to be a good master, and he also heard his righteous brother Yang Siqiao say that like those who are fathers-in-law, if they don't have good palace people, they will personally make clothes for their son, with the kindness of father and son. A teacher for one day and a father for life, Xiao Jiangyuan thought that there should not be much difference between the master and the father-in-law.

In fact, there are some eunuchs in the palace who not only don't love Yizi, but also let Yizi serve him, but they all let Xiao Jiangyuan and Yang Siqiao control it.

This was the first time Jing Zhong came to Xishi, and he was blinded by this prosperity. And in the midst of that colorful chaos, he found a familiar face - wasn't that Zhao Xu, who was always by Yao Chong's side? The one in front of him seemed to be a Hu man, dressed so well, it should be the Hu Shang that the master said. The Hu man also handed Zhao Yu a package, which looked heavy......

Jing Zhong was just curious and funny, so he quietly walked to Zhao Xu's side, pretended to touch it unintentionally, and tore the package to the ground. But when he saw that after the package was opened, the glittering pearls and gems were exposed, refracting the sunlight and sparkling people's eyes, he immediately smelled a smell of something big, and immediately made a decision to call Xiao Jiangyuan over.

When Zhao Yu saw Jing Zhong, he couldn't remember where he had seen this person, and when he saw Xiao Jiangyuan, his knees couldn't help but weaken, and he almost knelt down. Jing Zhong chuckled, stretched out his hand to grab Zhao Xu, and said, "Master, what should I do with this person?" ”

Xiao Jiangyuan said lightly: "Directly delivered to Dali Temple." ”

If it was just corruption and bribery, and it had nothing to do with Yao Chong, Li Longji would not be so angry after knowing it. But six months ago, when the election was held, Li Longji received several letters of impeachment against Yao Chong's son. At that time, Yao Chong was busy exterminating locusts, and although Li Longji was dissatisfied, he was not too embarrassed to speak, and he also felt sorry for the fatigue of the old minister, so he suppressed it and did not move. The impeachment of Song Shu is nothing else, it is the party and personal interest that Wei Zhigu denounced in the past, the difference is that in the past, Yao Chong's son had a low official position and needed to cling to others, but this time they are already four-rank officials, and it is the turn of others to cling to them.

Forming a party for personal gain has always been intolerable to the emperor, and Li Longji has learned many lessons from the past, and he is well aware of the harm, so he cannot be an exception. Yao Chong's godson is not good, his son has a bad reputation, his reputation is not much better, and now it is even better, even the little officials under him dare to take bribes, and the amount of money is still a lot, is it not because of Yao Chong's value that he dares to do this? It is unknown whether the money that Zhao Zhi took bribes had ever entered Yao Chong's pocket, so it was not just as simple as embezzlement and bribery.

Once he gets close to the party, Li Longji can no longer cover up. Yao Chong's son, Li Longji can not deal with it first, but Zhao Xu, Li Longji will never let it go: "Just take it as a blow to Yao Gong, as the prime minister, you can't go too far." ”

Those notes that impeached Yao Chong's son were sorted out by Xiao Jiangyuan in one place, and they could be piled up into a small mountain. Xiao Jiangyuan couldn't help but sigh: "Are you worried that Xiangquan will cross the imperial power? ”

"I believe in Yao Gong, but I don't believe in power, so I can't do it without worrying." Li Longji shook his head helplessly, "Because I'm the emperor." If Yao Gong can understand what I mean this time, then everyone will be happy, if he can't ......"

Listening to Li Longji's voice gradually lowered, he finally simply kept silent, and the meaning was so profound that Xiao Jiangyuan couldn't believe it: "Is it difficult...... Can you still quit the prime minister? ”

Seeing that Li Longji slowly looked at himself when he heard this, his eyes were full of meaning, as if he was asking rhetorically, and as if he was reproaching, Xiao Jiangyuan couldn't help but feel a pang - no, could it be that it became a matter of time, and her family Ah Lang really moved the idea of quitting the prime minister? The prime minister is not someone else, but Yao Chong, who means a lot to him and the Tang Dynasty, and he respects him?

Xiao Jiangyuan is not worried about Yao Chong, the old man is so well versed in politics, he will not go against her family's Ah Lang.

This time, however, she was wrong.

After the investigation of Dali Temple was completed and the evidence was conclusive, when Li Longji categorically ordered the execution of Zhao Xu, all the ministers were happy, but Yao Chong wrote a letter, saying that Zhao Xu's crime would not lead to death, and asked Li Longji to give him a lighter punishment.

After Li Longji finished reading the recital, his face was as cold as ice. Xiao Jiangyuan was also unexpected, and he was even more puzzled.

Li Longji saw the question in her heart from Xiao Jiangyuan's face, and said, "What is party strife?" ”

Xiao Jiangyuan thought for a while and said, "There is a partisan dispute between the DPRK and China. ”

"So what is a partisanship?"

Xiao Jiangyuan immediately understood: "The so-called party is composed of several people. The head of his party must have the ability to protect his friends, so that those friends can fight with other parties with peace of mind. Yao Xianggong is exercising such an ability this time, but ...... He can do this, does he really not understand everyone's thoughts? ”

"No, he understands." In order to let Yao Chong understand, Li Longji also deliberately released the news that someone had impeached Yao Chong's son for forming a party.

"He understands, why do he do it?"

"Because compared to forming a party, corruption and bribery are not a great thing. I didn't even touch his son, and he felt that his place in my heart was unshakable, and he was now convinced that I would obey him. Li Longji was a little crying and laughing, "Even so, I still respect him and love him." He is irreplaceable and unsurpassed for Datang and me. It's a pity that it's already a struggle between the imperial power and the relative power, I can't give in, the imperial power must be supreme and unique, and no other power can control it! ”

Xiao Jiangyuan already knew Yao Chong's ending, but he still couldn't help but ask: "Then what are you going to do?" ”

Li Longji thought about it, and finally relieved the displeasure brought to him by Yao Chong this time, and said with a smile: "Yao Gong is always Yao Gong, and he did not commit this mistake. When I have a fight with his monarch and minister, I naturally want to save some face for each other, just like husband and wife, so that we can get together and disperse. And Yao Gong's wisdom is far more than that, if there is anything difficult to deal with in the future, I will continue to consult him. ”

Xiao Jiangyuan was still puzzled and unbearable: "...... Is that all there is to it? ”

"You think I'm too impulsive?" Li Longji chuckled, "As an emperor, every decision I make is well thought out. The prime minister is the head of a hundred officials, and it is not easy to worship and dismiss the prime minister, how can I make such a determination based on this matter alone? ”

"What other reasons?"

"Of course." Li Longji was just about to say, when his eyes rolled and the tone of his words changed, "You want to know?" ”

"......" Xiao Jiangyuan couldn't help but roll his eyes secretly.

Li Longji pointed to the teacup on the imperial case: "It's empty." ”

Xiao Jiangyuan smiled standardly, slowly refilled a full cup of hot tea for Li Longji, offered it with both hands, and raised his eyebrows: "Please use tea." ”

Li Longji took the teacup with satisfaction, bowed his head and said, "The general's attitude is so sincere, I will answer the general's questions and solve his doubts - please take a seat." ”

After speaking, Li Longji stretched out his hand and asked for the position next to him.