Li Wenzhong was silent. There were pure warriors among the nobles, but there were also many who were greedy for money and power. If they wanted to achieve their goals, they would naturally have to make friends with civil servants.
It seems that the Holy Emperor intentionally elevated Duke Ying to a higher position in order to guard Xu Shuai and his governor-general's office in the capital. Only after they, the two leaders of the largest factions in the army, were transferred out of the capital, could they use a more stable method.
Defeat a group of noble generals.
After all, the two of them could not help themselves in the temple. As the leader of martial arts, he had to protect his generals. This was definitely contrary to the laws of the court, but if he did not protect them, how could he make the other generals feel at ease.
There are not many people under the command of Duke Ying, and those few who do have been fighting abroad all year round, and there are no stains on their bodies, so Duke Ying is the most suitable candidate for the position.
Li Wenzhong glanced at Zhu Biao. The emperor is the emperor of the world, and the prince is also the prince of the world. Knowing that the East Palace family is about to suffer heavy losses, he still shows no mercy? As expected of the prince, his mind is far beyond ordinary people.
Zhu Biao thought for a while and finally said: "It's time for you to be crowned king."
Li Wenzhong, who was still thinking about keeping those direct descendants, responded casually, then reacted suddenly, stood up hastily and said: "I am frightened. I have received heaven's grace and been granted the title of Duke. It is already unworthy of my virtue. How dare you?"
Think about it again."
Zhu Biao waved his hand and asked him to sit down: "My cousin is a relative of the emperor and has been granted the title of Duke. Not to mention his great military exploits. Now that Changsha King Li Shanchang has retired, there are only two kings left in the court, and my cousin should take over."
"
Li Wenzhong calmed down and sat down. He really didn't want to be crowned king. The title of Duke was already prominent, and he was a relative of the emperor. From now on, the Li family would have the same contract with the country, which would be enough to pass on wealth and honor. The title of Prince would be
Misfortunes are not blessings.
Li Wenzhong took a big sip of tea and said: "Your Highness, don't scare me. It's enough for me to be posthumously crowned king after my death. I don't dare to hope for it while I'm alive."
Zhu Biao nodded with satisfaction: "Cousin, there is no need to think too much, as long as the original intention remains unchanged, the rest of the father and the palace will make their own arrangements. There is a lot of restlessness over there in Wala, and the military supplies and grain have been transported there. Cousin is ready
Get ready, King Kaiping has the task of guarding the border and going deep into the grasslands to balance the ministries."
As soon as Li Wenzhong heard this, he knew that the matter had been settled, and he had to wait for him to make the achievement. Then he was granted the title of king based on his status and merit. He thought about it and said in a deep voice: "I hope that my child will be foolish and reckless, and there will be no disasters."
I hope your highness will fulfill your wishes."
Zhu Biao nodded: "The king's title is not hereditary. It is natural for Cao Guogong to retire with the country. Cousin, you don't have to think too much."
After saying that, the two talked for a few more words, and Zhu Biao was about to leave for the palace. Everyone in the Li family respectfully sent him out. Li Wenzhong also ordered the guards of the Duke's Mansion to escort him all the way. Seeing the prince driving away slowly, everyone stood up.
Raise your waist.
Mrs. Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Your Highness is really gentle and polite, and I am worried that I will not treat you well."
Li Wenzhong patted Li Jinglong's little head next to him and told them to go back to study. Mrs. Zhao saw that her husband's expression was a little serious and asked: "But what difficult task has His Highness ordered?"
Li Wenzhong shook his head and said: "The palace intends to make me the king to check and balance the nobles in the army, and there may be a more far-reaching plan."
Mrs. Zhao was quite surprised when she heard this. As a harem woman, the only thing she could boast about was her husband's status. Who in the capital didn't envy her, the wife of Duke Cao Guo.
But when she heard the story later, Zhao suddenly remembered the stories she had heard before and said with a pale face: "Isn't it because I want to kill chickens to scare the monkeys? Legend has it that Tang Shuai, the king of Dongou, was like this a few years ago. He was made king first and then was punished.
I am a relative of the emperor, so the effect is probably better than Tang Shuai..."
Li Wenzhong covered his head and sighed, preparing to go back to the house and think about it. Mrs. Zhao was almost crying, and followed Li Wenzhong asking questions again and again.
Zhu Biao sat in the carriage and looked at the dragon pattern wandering on the top. As the carriage rocked, it seemed to come alive. Zhu Biao would have another experience every time he looked at it. Chinese painting emphasizes meaning rather than form. At first glance, the dragons are all different.
They're all very dull and silly, but they become uninteresting after watching them for a long time.
Li Wenzhong's title of king was actually a trivial matter. After all, he would become a duke again in the next generation, and the most important thing was that they had no actual fiefdom. In reality, they were just large-scale dukes, which were far from comparable to the previous kings.
Zhu Biao only cares about honors now. Li Wenzhong and Xu Da have left the capital. The biggest military boss in the capital is only Fu Youde. This person has no interest in forming a clique for personal gain and does not have the talent. Facing the purge
Corruption is the butcher's knife. Honorable nobles must either bury the hatchet or find another thick thigh.
Presumably Hu Weiyong would not miss this opportunity. He was a student of Li Shanchang. He watched Li Shanchang move towards a glorious and stable return. He must have understood that Li Shanchang relied on his status among civil servants and the support of many Huaixi nobles behind him.
Zhu Biao's eyes moved away from the swimming dragon pattern. There was another reason why Li Shanchang could retire safely, and that was the deep friendship between him and Zhu Yuanzhang. In addition, Li Shanchang took the initiative to retire at the right time.
It's the key. No one else, not even Liu Bowen, let alone Hu Weiyong.
Zhu Biao silently calculated that even if Hu Weiyong took action, some of the most heinous nobles would not be able to escape death, especially those who guarded the local area and oppressed the good. The entire noble group should be reduced by 20 to 30%. This is terrible.
It's a major blow.
After this incident, Hu Weiyong really gained momentum, Wang Guangyang was about to be demoted from Beijing, and Fu Youde had no appeal. Coupled with this excessive praise, he was bound to be ostracized by Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and other nobles.
The remaining Hu Weiyong was still from Huaixi. The era of Hu Xiangguo had begun, and the father and son could finally take a break.
Last night, the west wind withered the green trees. I climbed up to the tall building alone and looked across the road to the end of the world.
Zhu Biao did not go to see his father after driving back. After returning to the East Palace, he sent Liu Jin to see how Guiyihou Mingsheng's family was settling in. If he was bullied as soon as he arrived, Zhu Biao's face would not look good. After all,
It was he who personally received the title of Marquis.
Liu Jin accepted the promise and left, while Nuan Yu and others waited for Zhu Biao to take off his heavy court clothes. It was really hot, and the ice mirror in the room was constantly giving off a coolness, which could not withstand the increasingly hot weather outside.
I have to say that this era is really hot in summer and really cold in winter. The characteristics of the two seasons are very obvious. He ordered the eunuch to place some more ice mirrors, and then walked to the soft couch and lay down. Nuan Yu sat next to him obediently and relaxed.
Slowly fan the fragrant little palace fan.
——————
Zhu Biao lay quietly with his eyes closed for a long time. The entire East Palace suddenly stopped. Even the cicadas and frogs outside suddenly disappeared after a few sounds. The prince wanted to rest and no one could disturb him.