The maid brought some exquisite pastries and put them on the coffee table on a plate. Sister Huai waved them away, picked up a piece of pastry and put it into her mouth to chew. At the same time, her mind was spinning rapidly, she brought the pastry to swallow, and took a sip of tea.
, then asked: "What do the old guys say?"
Whether it is Hedong or Nanyang, the clans here have had a tacit understanding of "working behind closed doors" since the Southern and Northern Dynasties. They rarely participated in the struggle for imperial power and the competition for the world. They seemed to be self-contained, but in fact they kept a low profile.
This has both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that no matter which party comes to power, they have to win their support. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to obtain more benefits in the troubled times of power fluctuations. Even in response to the King of Jin's mutiny this time, everyone only elected a few "representatives" to send troops to help the King of Jin.
For example, most of the Zheng family in Xingyang are still huddled in their respective territories and watching.
Such an attitude towards life has resulted in the fact that the young people in the family cannot be trained, have no ability to take charge of their own affairs, and cannot stand out. Those who control the power of the family are still those old guys with decadent ideas and conservative styles.
Duan Baoyuan shook his head and sighed: "What else can I say? Don't worry about what King Wei is doing in Luoyang, we are determined not to get rid of anything."
The old guys are very stable, but they are also difficult to talk to, especially they are greedy for money. It is difficult to get them to give money and materials to help Li Taiying build the Eastern Capital.
As for Pei Huaijie, who was supported by everyone and elected to be the "Henan Yin", he had to respond to the wishes of the old guys and ensure the interests of the local clan in Nanyang, Henan.
Pei Huaijie was helpless: "The King of Wei was ordered to stay in Luoyang and be responsible for the construction of the Eastern Capital. In fact, he did not intend to disturb the local area. Your Majesty has sufficient internal funds and the navy transports building materials from overseas. Why do you need everyone to contribute money? It's just that.
It’s just helping the land, craftsmen, civilians, etc. If I don’t even do this, how can I explain to His Majesty?”
Although he has risen from a second-grade official to the pinnacle of real-power officials, he still feels powerless when facing those old guys. They are a group of misers. Asking them for a penny is like touching their coffin books. It is simply impossible.
Reason...
Duan Baoyuan said: "How should we deal with it now?"
Pei Huaijie sighed and said: "Let's just wait and see what happens. This time King Wei came with the order, and Fang Jun came to help him. He was so powerful that it was difficult to stop him. As long as he doesn't go too far, let him go. If
It has really touched everyone’s interests, so it’s not too late to say it again.”
The vested interests cannot be violated, but it is not wise to confront the imperial power. Let Li Tai build the Eastern Capital and let him go. If it slightly harms everyone's interests, he will tolerate it for the time being. Now there is a turmoil in Chang'an and the undercurrent is surging. I am afraid that something will change.
It's not too late to make any calculations until the truth comes out.
This is the safest method.
But Duan Baoyuan expressed pessimism about this: "I'm afraid the tree wants to be quiet but the wind won't stop."
They want to wait for the situation to be settled, but Chang'an may not be willing to let them sit on the mountain and watch the fight between tigers. After all, in the two mutinies of Changsun Wuji and King Jin, Hedong and Nanyang were involved.
It’s very difficult to be alone at this time...
Pei Huaijie put down his teacup, with a firm face and a low tone: "Tolerance is not fear. If the imperial court really wants to touch everyone's interests, how can we sit back and wait for death? It is absolutely impossible to follow the example of Changsun Wuji and the King of Jin in raising troops to cause chaos.
But it’s not without countermeasures.”
No matter how hostile your majesty is to the clans, at least in the next hundred years, the world will still be dominated by clans. The Guanlong clan has been able to continuously lift the Sui and Tang dynasties for nearly a hundred years. Can't the clans in Hedong and Nanyang apply what they have learned and repeat the tricks?
At least one can choose a "Ming Lord" within the clan to assist and restore Guanlong's former glory...
Duan Baoyuan frowned and suggested, "Why don't we also do something secretly to scare King Wei?"
Now that the strength of all parties is turbulent, King Wei has become the target of public criticism. If he is lucky enough to succeed, as long as there is no irrefutable evidence, no one will guess that they are the murderers...
Pei Huaijie immediately rejected this suggestion: "The King of Wei is now cautious and cautious. How difficult is it to make a move? There are some things that cannot be shied away from as long as they are done. It does not mean that you think there is no evidence. You must not do it unless it is a last resort.
"
There are many people with the motive to assassinate the King of Wei, so if there is something wrong with the King of Wei, many people will be suspicious, but sometimes no one cares about the evidence, let alone who is the real murderer, they only care about the interests.
If someone thinks that the Hedong and Nanyang clan is a "suitable murderer", then even if it is done by the Hedong and Nanyang clan, it is very likely that he will be charged as a murderer...
Therefore, not only can we not attack King Wei at this moment, but we must ensure King Wei's safety as much as possible to avoid being framed by others.
Duan Baoyuan nodded, feeling that the current situation was really confusing, and then he asked a question that went straight to the core: "The first step of your Majesty's new policy is to measure the acres. The reason given is to compile and draw an unprecedented empire.
Administrative maps... one can imagine the huge deployment of manpower, the consumption of countless money and food, the disruption and delay of government affairs in various places... Is it just to draw a map? "
This is almost a question that is common to both the government and the public. Logically speaking, Li Chengqian is not that kind of king who loves great achievements. He should not spend countless manpower and material resources just to compile a map, although there has never been such a detailed map since ancient times.
came out; but he just did it, so there must be a hidden intention behind it. However, no one can guess what this intention is.
Pei Huaijie rubbed his temples and waved his hands as if he wanted to wave away all the worries: "Put these things aside for the time being. Today is the Lantern Festival, the curfew is lifted, and the lantern festival will inevitably be crowded with people. We must strictly guard against disasters, bandits, fights, and trafficking... At this time,
We must not make any big mistakes, otherwise the censors and officials will inevitably act based on the wind."
Although he, a second-grade Henan Yin, has become a top-ranking official, and has the support of the nobles in Hedong and Nanyang, the imperial court may not have any intention of replacing him. Even the local nobles in Hedong and Nanyang are not monolithic.
Once someone instigates rebellion, it may not bring disaster to Xiao Qiang.
When the time comes, he may not be able to withstand the blows from both internal and external aspects...
Duan Baoyuan cheered up and straightened his back: "Don't worry, Governor, most of the officials have canceled their vacations today, and they are all divided into areas to maintain order in the streets and alleys to ensure nothing goes wrong."
*****
"Yuan" means "beginning" and "beginning". "Shangyuan" is the day of the first full moon of the new year. Together with "Zhongyuan" and "Xiayuan", they are collectively called "Sanyuan". The so-called "Tianguan Shangyuan"
It has been the most important festival since ancient times.
When the lanterns come on, the city of Luoyang is filled with brilliance.
Although the city of Chang'an, which is far away in Guanzhong, has "nine gates open to the city all night long, the emperor and the concubine leave the Han Palace, thousands of lotus beads are rolled on foil, and ten thousand silver candles and green sarongs", Luoyang City is not inferior at all, "nine roads are connected with the shadow of lamps"
, A thousand gates pass the moonlight. A treasure ride comes out of a beautiful city, and a fragrant carriage turns around the road..."
In contrast, because Chang'an is at the foot of the emperor and the capital of the country, it has stronger political meaning and more complete security measures, resulting in a slightly depressing overall atmosphere. However, Luoyang City is no longer the capital of the Sui Dynasty, but it remains prosperous and pays more attention to festivals.
The atmosphere is becoming more and more unrestrained and enthusiastic.
At three o'clock in the hour, a group of cavalry followed the ancient Shang Road along the Luoshui River and arrived at the west city of Luoyang. They met up with Xi Junmai who had been waiting here. After showing the seal document in front of the city gate, the city guards hurriedly opened the city gate to let them go.
At the same time, he sent someone to the Henan government office to report that the second housekeeper was here...
…
Dozens of cavalry troops galloped along the long street on the south bank of Luoshui. When they passed by the Tianjin Bridge, Fang Jun turned his head and looked north. The majestic and brightly lit Imperial City was on the north bank of Luoshui. Along the Imperial City
The long street outside was full of people, rubbing shoulders with each other from east to west. Countless people came out of their homes and gathered on this street. Various lanterns made by various aristocratic families and wealthy families shone brightly under the night.
Colorful, splendid, extravagant and prosperous, it is even worse than Chang'an.
At the gate of Shangshanfang, residents coming and going were blocked here and subjected to strict interrogation. Although everyone knew that the security level was improved due to the arrival of His Royal Highness the King of Wei, complaints were inevitable because it delayed everyone's entry and exit.
The rapid sound of horseshoes sounded, and the cavalry with helmets and armors swept past the intersection of Dingdingmen Street from far to near and arrived at Shangshanfang in an instant. Just as the people were wondering why such a cavalry could violate the prohibition of Luoyang City on the long street.
As they galloped along, they saw the soldiers who were originally arrogant with their nostrils pointing in the sky kneeling down on one knee and performing military salutes. Dozens of people shouted in unison: "See you, Marshal!"
The people who had been complaining just now quickly shut up and stared curiously at the galloping heroic cavalry who stopped in front of the square gate and reined in their horses in a uniform and majestic manner.
I could only hear the leader saying in a deep voice on horseback: "No courtesy! Thank you for your hard work, brothers."
"Good luck to you, handsome man!"
"Open the door, I want to see His Highness the King of Wei."
"Here!"
The soldiers quickly stood up, separated the common people in front of the door, opened the door of the square, and watched Fang Jun leading his soldiers rush into Shangshan Square like a gust of wind.
The people were talking divergently.
"Is this the second room?"
"It must be so. Haven't you heard these soldiers call them 'marshal'?"
"By the way, Fang Er does not hold an official position in the Navy, so why do you still call him 'Commander'?"
"What I'm saying is that the Navy was founded by Fang Jun, and everyone from top to bottom is his confidant. What would you call him if you don't call him Commander-in-Chief?"
"First, His Royal Highness the King of Wei came to serve as some sort of 'left-behind guard in the Eastern Capital', and now a big shot like Fang Er has come in a hurry. Why do I feel like something is going to happen?"
"You also know that they are all big shots. What does the big shot's affairs have to do with us?"
"You can't say that. The navy beat Zheng Rentai to a pulp before, and almost brought the entire city of Luoyang into the flames of war. Won't everyone be unlucky then?"
"Be careful what you say! You can't say anything without seeing the soldiers staring at you. If you say anything nonsense, I'll arrest you..."