Li Po's reply to Chen Xiaoyi was sincere and he did not need anyone else to write it for him.
"The Duke and I met in Mayi, and took over the three counties of Daizhou for me. Our business was initially completed. After that, the king did not doubt his ministers, and the ministers did not doubt the king. For more than ten years, the king and his ministers have got along with each other to this day. This is a rare thing in ancient times. In the future, It will undoubtedly become a legend.
I have sent you a letter to resign. I have read your letter and thought about it over and over again. I cannot force you to force me. I will allow you to retire in old age. If your body is still able to travel, you can come to Chang'an to meet you. If not, you can live in peace in Jinyang or return to your hometown.
…
You have been my humerus, and now you have to say goodbye halfway. I feel very sorry for you. I also hope that you can take care of yourself and watch me govern the world and reward you with prosperity."
After writing this letter, Li Po felt even more uncomfortable.
The two veterans he met in Daizhou left a deep impression on him.
One of them is Wang Rengong. This man is undoubtedly a pure minister. Although he has done something stupid, his character is something that Li Po himself cannot possess. Among the former Sui Dynasty ministers, Wei Xuan, Yin Shishi, is probably the only one. Fan Zigai, Yao Junsu and others can compare with him.
These people died one after another, which also sounded the death knell of the former Sui Dynasty. Loyal ministers often appeared at the end of the dynasty, pitiful, hateful and lamentable.
What he said before his death is still fresh in Li Po's memory. Wang Yuanshi did not think about his reputation after death, nor did he miss his family, but he never forgot the people of Mayi, and his guilt was beyond words.
That's why Li Po built a monument for him as a memorial, and widely proclaimed his achievements in fighting the Turks in the three counties of Daizhou to cover up his mistakes. To this day, people still offer incense to him in the cemetery on the outskirts of Mayi.
Chen Xiaoyi was another one. Both he and Wang Yuanshi were ordered to do so in a critical situation. Their main mission in Daizhou was to contain Li Yuan. As for defending against the Turks' southward invasion, those in Luoyang probably didn't even think about it at that time.
Wang Yuan used his life to interpret the word loyalty, while Chen Xiaoyi voted for Li Po. In fact, they both had a compassionate heart that cared about the people. However, troubled times were coming, and they could not turn the tide, so they could only choose their own paths.
Chen Xiaoyi worked very hard for Li Po, and saved money for the two states for several years. Chen Xiaoyi's contribution was in it. Later, his subordinates did not dare to be presumptuous in front of Chen Xiaoyi.
One is because Chen Xiaoyi has gained Li Po's trust, and the second is because of his own talent and charisma.
Li Po is not an emotional person, but every time he thinks of Chen Xiaoyi's age, his heart will twitch, which shows the position of Chen Xiaoyi in his mind.
In the evening, he called Wen Yanbo and Su Dan to the palace of Ganlu Hall, and while drinking with them, he recalled the old events in Jinyang.
"Chen Zhongshu is going to retire?"
Su Dan asked in surprise, Wen Yanbo nodded. Chen Xiaoyi's memorial went to the Ministry of Personnel first, and was personally handed over to him by Pei Shiqing, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Pei Shiqing is not young anymore. He laments that time is cruel to make people grow old, but he still envies Chen Xiaoyi for being able to live such a long life. Now that he has achieved success and retires, this is the ending that the courtiers most hope to have.
It is truly enviable to assist the king in making achievements and become famous in the world, and finally to be able to return to his hometown and spend his old age peacefully.
The only regrettable thing is that Chen Xiaoyi was born in the Chen family in Hedong, which is his fellow villager. However, it is a pity in his life that he has not been able to sit down and talk with him and make friends with him over the years.
At this time, Wen Yanbo looked at the emperor's face. In addition to feeling sorry for Chen Xiaoyi, he also felt nostalgic for the king. As ministers, this was undoubtedly something they were thankful for.
Chen Xiaoyi resigned, and the emperor looked quite sad. When they leave in the future, they will definitely be remembered by the emperor. From this point of view, they have indeed followed the right master.
"Does Your Majesty want to persuade you to stay? I received a letter from you not long ago. Mr. Chen is in good health and has a clear mind. Your Majesty wants him to stay for two years. It should be fine... Even if you have made up your mind to leave, you should still prove it again and again to show your honor.
"
This is an official rule. If a close minister resigns, the king must repeatedly try to retain him, which is good for the reputation of both parties.
But Li Po only pondered for a moment and said: "You are all my close friends, you know what I am like as a person, and I also know what your character is like, so there is no need to show it to outsiders.
Besides, I can't bear to force Chen Xiaoyi to stay with him now that he is old. Alas, I hope he can live a leisurely life for a few years...
We people are all born in response to the times, and have gone through great hardships to get where we are today. I only hope that you can be like him and start well and end well with me. When you resign, I will not keep you, I will only be happy for you.
That shows that you have always fulfilled your duties and achieved good results in the end. As for me, I have never changed my sage, my generosity and benevolence, and I have not let the heroes' hearts grow cold."
This was undoubtedly a heartfelt statement, which moved both Wen Yanbo and Su Yu.
Su Dan said gratefully: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, we will never let Mr. Chen be more beautiful than before."
Li Po looked at him and said to himself, I still believe what Wen Dalin said. You, your tail is always raised. If I didn't knock it from time to time, you might be catching wind now.
Wen Yanbo smiled honestly and said, "It would be a great blessing for me to live as long as this, how dare you ask for anything else?"
Li Po smiled, raised his glass and said, "Then in order to live longer, let's have a drink."
The reason was strange enough, but he still had to drink wine. Wen Yanbo and the two drank a glass, and Wen Yanbo asked again: "How should I grant the gift after that?"
Li Po thought for a while and thought that instead of being honored after his death, it would be better to reach the position at once, so he said: "The Duke of Qi, Shangzhu State, plus Dr. Guanglu, can live in the city for three thousand households."
Wen Yanbo and Su Dan were both shocked when they heard this. Is it so serious? Those who didn't know would have thought that Chen Xiaoyi was dead, right?
Such a reward cannot be obtained by anyone but an extremely powerful minister, and it is usually obtained after death.
Wen Yanbo regretted asking this question at this time. It would be better to go back and discuss it with Pei Shiqing and others. That way, if the officials come to write a letter, the emperor will not be so outrageous even if he wants to show favor.
Su Dan shrank his neck, filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred. He really wanted to get old soon and enjoy such treatment.
Wen Yanbo had something to say, and after thinking about his words, he said: "I feel that the grant is too heavy, how can I add more favors in the future? It is better to surrender, the Duke of the founding of the county, the pillar of the country, the golden and purple Guanglu, the doctor, and the food of a thousand cities."
Five hundred households, what does Your Majesty think?"
Su Dan came back to his senses and felt that something was wrong, so he advised: "The Supreme Being should know what kind of person Chen Zhongshu is. Presumably, he won't care about this. If he refuses to make trouble, wouldn't it be beautiful?"
Li Po thought for a while and realized that this was also the case, so he nodded and said, "Then I'll follow you. Why don't Yuan Zai go back to Jinyang himself and visit Chen Lun on my behalf?"
Looking at Su Dan's face that turned bitter in an instant, Li Po couldn't help but laugh and said: "Forget it, a person like you who knows how to calculate everything is indispensable in the court."
Su Dan's heart suddenly rose and fell, and then he realized that he had been teased by the emperor, but he still wiped his cold sweat secretly. Going outside was nothing, but after leaving the court for a few months, he would not
Will his seat be taken over by Dou Dan?
He is now quite wary of Duan Lun and Dou Dan. Not only are they Li Yuan's sons-in-law, but they also have an irreversible friendship. It is also strange for the Supreme Employer to employ such people. Not only do they employ such people, but they also get a lot of them to the Ministry of Household Affairs. It seems like
You are deliberately giving him problems, often making him feel on pins and needles.
Fortunately, these days I heard that Duan Lun was seeking another job, which made Su Dan feel relieved a little and prepared to help Duan Lun secretly. The official department still lacked a minister, so Duan Lun should be satisfied, right?
If that doesn't work, just go to Zhongshu. That's considered a promotion, right?
Although Su Qua was amusing him, Li Po still wasn't very happy. He couldn't help but drink a little hastily, and soon he was tipsy. "Do you still remember the old tree outside the wall of Wang's family in Jinyang?"
Wen Yanbo and Su Dan looked at each other with smiles on their faces. How could they not remember that at that time, the Supreme Leader was still the general manager of Daizhou and had just arrived in Jinyang?
I heard it in the corner outside the wall of the Wang family... Well, no, I was talking to someone, and it was heard by Wang Qi, a talented person from the Wang family in Jinyang, and thus the current Wang Zhaoyi was born.
Such pink anecdotes are widely circulated in Jinyang, and the people are even more fond of hearing about them. That is to say, the emperor is still on the throne, otherwise, people might make up a story and sing it.
Su Dan laughed and said, "Why don't you remember? I went to pay my respects... Later, I seemed to have heard that the Supreme One was going to move the old tree to Chang'an. I don't know if it was true or not. If the Supreme One intended this, I would send him a
When people come to Jinyang, can I invite the old tree to come over?"
Li Po shook his head and laughed, "That old tree helped me solve the puzzle a little bit, please forgive it... They say that if you move a tree to death, you will move people to life. Jinyang's Wang family, Wen family, Zhang family, etc. all come with me.
After leaving Chang'an, the tree stayed in Jinyang. This is in harmony with nature.
I see that the Kansai clan is becoming increasingly conservative, and it’s time for them to move away. There are many job vacancies in Shandong, Hebei, Henan and other places, but many people are unwilling to go there to serve as officials. Go back and think about it.
Do you have a good solution?"
This is a serious matter. The Kansai people have been ruling the roost for a long time. Emperors of several dynasties have been thinking about how to weaken them, and today is no exception. Both of them are serious about their promises.
Then Li Po said again: "The post of Bingzhou Governor is going to be vacant. Do you have any candidates?"
Wen Yanbo thought for a while and then said: "It is better to send Pharmacist Li there. He was once the magistrate of Mayi County and has been in charge of Mayi for many years. He is very familiar with the Turks and the two states, so he will not let down the supreme trust.
"
Li Po shook his head and rejected it directly, "He has only been in charge of Jingxiang for a short time, so he cannot leave lightly."
Su Quan tentatively asked, "Has the Supreme Being already chosen someone?"
Li Po pondered for a moment and said: "Then let Wang Lu, the governor of Taiyuan County, temporarily take charge of the general manager. In addition, Qu Tutong will be in charge of Yanmen. There should be no serious problems for both parties. Let's talk about it later."
As soon as the two of them heard this, they knew that the emperor had already made up his mind. If they spoke to them first, there would be no need to recommend anyone.
They thought about it inside and outside the government and found that there were actually many people who could be worthy of big posts, but the issue of trust could not be solved. After much deliberation, Li Jing was actually the most suitable person.