In the eyes of many people, Russell Luo Jieshan is a chief minister who has no personality. He is just a cool person to officials and rarely speaks harshly to his subordinates. When there is an unresolved dispute, the most common method he uses is to make peace with him. No.

Like his predecessor Xia Jie, he had sharp edges and corners. Even with the officials, he often argued and pulled the officials' sleeves to prevent them from retreating. Xia Jie often did this.

It is precisely because of this that Xia Jie was caught by the emperor for a small mistake fifteen years ago and was demoted out of the capital. He went to Daming Prefecture as the prefect, while Russell took over. At that time, Russell was fifty-five, while Xia Jie was just five.

ten.

No one expected that Russell would serve as the first assistant for fifteen years.

No one expected that Xia Jie would turn around and return to Dongfu fifteen years later to become the chief minister.

But it is undeniable that the fifteen years during which Russell served as chief minister can be regarded as the most stable fifteen years in the Song Dynasty. There was no fierce political struggle internally. Under the leadership of this husband, everyone lived a peaceful life.

They can live a life of peace and quiet. Externally, except for the minor friction with the Liao Kingdom, the rest can be regarded as foreign guests. Whenever there is a great dynasty, there is an endless stream of foreign countries coming to congratulate them.

In the past two years, the official family has become agitated, but Russell has not changed. So although he is still the chief minister, he has to step aside.

The policies of the Song Dynasty became radical.

Hence the great victory of Northwest Ma Xing.

Of course, there was also Cui Ang’s complete defeat on Hebei Road.

If both sides win, Russell might be able to stay in the position of first assistant for a year or two, because the government needs a yes-man like first assistant.

It's a pity that Hebei Road lost. And the victory of Northwest Ma Xing was not enough to make up for the defeat on Hebei Road.

Therefore, Russell had no choice but to resign.

The official family cannot shoulder this blame. As the chief assistant, Russell must bear it.

Russell resigned from the position of chief minister. In recognition of his hard work for more than ten years, the Jin Dynasty granted him the title of Duke of Zheng. In addition, his son Luo Huan recalled him to the capital, which meant that the relationship between the emperor and his ministers had a beginning and an end.

For Zhao Suo's cold temperament, this is considered rare.

Russell has been in power for many years. If you really want to say who he offended, that is, in the past two years since King Jing became the capital, he has offended King Jing many times. He also made things difficult for the Xiao family once and contributed to Xiao Cheng being sent to Qianzhou.

return.

But looking back now, if King Jing had really been resisted by Russell at those times, perhaps he wouldn't be in trouble today. The problem is that Russell's offense was the kind of offense that was only done at the last moment.

This itself is his character.

"Which is right or wrong will be judged by history!" Looking back at the majestic city of Tokyo, Russell smiled and sat back on the carriage.

"Over the years, there have been so many people who have been favored by Mr. Lao. Today, Mr. Lao left Beijing, and these are the only people who came to see him off. He really is a cruel person." Luo Huan said with some sadness and anger.

"I chose today because I didn't want to alarm others!" Russell said calmly: "And I just warned you not to be angry, but you did it in the blink of an eye. Remember, be your Minister of Etiquette, and don't worry about other matters.

ask."

"I remember, sir!" Luo Huan nodded, thinking that his old man took Xia Jie away back then. This time Xia Jie comes back, he may be in trouble. Could it be that if he hides in the house and doesn't come out, others will let him go?

Yet?

Watching Russell's carriage and horses gradually go away, Luo Huan turned his head. When he looked at the majestic city of Tokyo, some fear arose in his heart. Will he have to face these rights and wrongs alone in the future?

"Shilang Luo!" The greeting from one side made Luo Huan slightly startled. When he looked sideways, he saw a middle-aged scholar in a blue shirt and a turban holding his hands towards him as a salute from the side of the city gate.

"Mr. Zhao!" Luo Huan looked at him in surprise.

Although the other person was just a white man, Luo Huan would not look down upon him because he was the most confidant of the King of Chu. His father had a very high opinion of him. Of course, when his father was judging this person at that time,

There is another sentence, saying that this person has evil intentions and is good at doing strange things. Such a person is really a good hand when used to harm others, but if used to govern, he will definitely endanger national affairs.

Zhao Yuan walked over with a smile. Seeing that his master recognized this person, the servants of the Luo family naturally moved aside.

"Why are you here, Mr. Zhao?" Luo Huan bowed his hands and asked.

"Not only me, but the King of Chu is also here!" Zhao Yuan smiled and pointed to the second floor of a restaurant in front of him. The window was open, and half of a person's face was exposed.

"What happened to the great prince..."

"Of course I want to say goodbye to Duke Zheng!" Zhao Yuan whispered: "It's just that His Royal Highness the King of Chu has a special status and can't come forward easily, so he can only send off the hard-working Duke Zheng in this way to thank Duke Zheng for his hard work! Speaking of which,

His Highness is also very sad."

One sentence made Luo Huan almost shed tears.

"If you have nothing to do, minister, you may as well go and have a few drinks with His Highness!" Zhao Yuan said: "Today, all the civil and military officials of the court went to Dongcheng to welcome the new couple, but Your Highness just wants to have a few drinks with the old one."

"Dare you disobey me?" Luo Huan glanced at the second floor of the restaurant gratefully: "Please ask Mr. Zhao to lead the way."

Does Chu King Zhao Jing really value Russell so much, and does he really treat Luo Huan as a friend?

Of course not.

If it weren't for Zhao Yuan, Zhao Jing would not even take a serious look at Luo Huan.

Over the years, he has made great efforts to win over Russell Luo Jieshan, but he has never received a positive response. The cunning Luo Jieshan is always at a distance, slippery or not, and has never really supported Zhao Jing once.

Zhao Jing only felt happy that this slippery man resigned. No one would feel happy working with Russell.

But Zhao Yuan's persuasion made Zhao Jing change his mind.

"If Luo Huan has the ability of Luo Jieshan, then I will never advise Your Highness to make friends with this person, because there is bound to be no reward. But precisely because this person is just a middle-aged man, we will vigorously win over him."

"Once Luo Jieshan is gone, what's the use of wooing Luo Huan?" Zhao Jing wondered. Although Luo Huan was the minister of the Ministry of Rites, the political affairs of the Song Dynasty were all run under the structure of two governments and three departments, and the six departments were just

It's just an honorary title, no one cares about it.

"Your Highness, Luo Huan is the son of Luo Jieshan. Once Luo Jieshan leaves, a large part of what he leaves behind will fall on Luo Huan."

Zhao Jing was a little puzzled: "Over the years, Luo Jieshan has not done much to embed his confidants and promote private individuals? And this is the reason why this person can be the chief assistant for fifteen years."

"Your Highness, this is wrong. It's not that Luo Jieshan didn't promote, it's that the people he promoted and placed are no longer prominent." Zhao Yuan said with a smile: "This man has been in the Political Affairs Hall for more than 20 years, and he has served as the chief among them.

It has been fifteen years since I was appointed assistant, and it is true that he has not placed any close associates in important positions in the court, but Your Highness, this person has held power for so many years, does he really have no manpower of his own?"

"Then where are his manpower?" Zhao Jing was puzzled.

Zhao Yuan pointed down.

"Above the local area. Luo Jieshan is really a smart man. He knows that placing people in the court will inevitably attract attention, especially as he is the chief minister, so his people are placed in the local area. When he is in office

No matter whether they are qualified or meritorious, these people are not enough to take on big responsibilities, but as time goes by, some of them will definitely stand out. Even if they stay at the local level, they will become the backbone of the local area.

"

Having said this, Zhao Jing suddenly realized.

"This is the cleverness of Luo Jieshan. Even if he is gone in the future, these people will benefit from him, accept his love, and receive his grace, and they will still protect the Luo family." Zhao Yuan said with a smile: "So

, Your Highness has made friends with Luo Huan, which means he has made friends with these people. Luo Jieshan will not hold back, but Luo Huan is sure to catch it. At a certain point, when Luo Huan is trapped in it and cannot extricate himself, Luo Jieshan can just sit back and watch.

?"

Zhao Jingxi said earnestly: "At that time, these people will become lonely people!"

It was precisely because of this conversation that Zhao Jing appeared in Xicheng today. Just as Zhao Yuan expected, Luo Huan, who was feeling anxious and anxious, was suddenly moved to the point of bursting into laughter. What he had just said

Dingzhu immediately threw the clawed frog abroad and climbed to the second floor of the restaurant with gratitude.

Xia Jie returned to Bianliang.

His aide Xu Hong and Xu Changsheng were appointed to Shizhong on his recommendation. This was a position of great power, and it was the emperor's will. If Gai Shizhong felt it was inappropriate, he could be dismissed.

Xia Jie strongly recommended Xu Hong for this post, and his intention to do a great job in Bianliang was clearly expressed.

As for Xu Hong, the first thing he received from the new chief minister Xia Jie was the inspection of the capital.

An assessment that scares all the officials in the capital.

Of course, it is also an absolute good opportunity to attack dissidents and install confidants.

There is a small inspection every year and a major inspection every three years. This year is exactly the big inspection.

In the past, when Russell served as the chief assistant, no matter whether he was a minor inspector or a major inspector, he would go through the ceremony symbolically and pick out a few really outrageous ones to send out, so that everyone felt at ease. But this year, officials below the fifth rank,

They were all trembling, and no one knew whether Jingcha's big stick would hit them.

Even officials of third rank and above were anxious this time.

That’s where Cui Ang’s attitude of wanting to create a great prison lies!

Xia Jie’s intention to replace someone was also clearly expressed!

Who will be the unlucky one this time?

I hope it's not me.

Officials are waiting tremblingly for the sword to judge the rebellion, but for the lowest level officials and soldiers, this is a very distant thing. For them, the more important thing is to survive.

This is especially true for those who come to Beijing from other places.

For example, the Dingwu Army was ordered to enter Beijing.

In the end, only one army from the Dingwu Army arrived in Bianliang. The remaining planned border troops to enter Beijing were all killed in the battle with the Liao Kingdom last year.

After being defeated, the remaining mid-level and high-level generals in the army were captured by Cui Ang. Some of them were killed by Cui Ang, while others died in mysterious circumstances on the way to Beijing.

The matter of rotation was thus aborted.

This made the Dingwu Army who had already entered Beijing particularly embarrassed.
To be continued...