A thought suddenly arose in Liu Ji's mind: Could it be that Fang Jun deliberately clashed with Li Ji to show the outside world that the internal struggle for power within the "committee" was inconsistent, in order to dispel His Majesty's fear?
Li Chengqian pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Tell me, is this a deliberate deception by Fang Jun?"
Although there are shortcomings in his character that cannot be ignored, Li Chengqian is very talented and has been taught the "Emperor's Art" for many years. He is definitely an emperor above the level, so he subconsciously doubts Fang Jun's intentions.
Liu Jie couldn't make casual guesses: "I don't know about this either, but with Ying Gong's character and Fang Jun's behavior, it seems unlikely."
It's not that he can't slander Fang Jun, but he can't talk nonsense, otherwise His Majesty will come back to him later and his trust in him will be greatly reduced.
It is necessary to create an impression of "fairness, integrity, and seeking truth from facts"... Li Chengqian nodded, very satisfied that Liu Jie did not add insult to injury and slander Fang Jun behind his back. This is the behavior of a gentleman. He said to Pei Huai Jie: "Don't talk too much over there, let alone If you have a conflict with the Duke of Yue, just watch and listen.
There is a meeting every three days, just report back what was discussed at the meeting." He was afraid that when Pei Huaijie would be targeted by Fang Jun again, he would not be able to lose face and directly conflict with Fang Jun. That is to say, Fang Jun has grown older in the past few years. The growth in status is becoming more and more stable. If it were placed in the past few years, Ming Dynasty officials like Pei Huaijie would
For his obvious "undercover" behavior, if he is frightened, he will not be humiliated, but he will be pushed to the ground and beaten...
Pei Huaijie was overjoyed and said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will definitely do my best and live up to your Majesty's expectations."
Being able to enter the palace at any time to report is a ladder to the sky. He has been away from the center for too long. As long as he gains His Majesty's trust, relying on his past political achievements and his relationship with the Henan family, he can expect to be promoted to the position of Prime Minister...
*****
Li Ji returned to the mansion and learned that Zhang Liang had been waiting in the side hall for a long time...
After washing, Li Ji went to the side hall to meet Zhang Liang.
Zhang Liang saluted very respectfully. After saluting, he did not sit down. Instead, he stood in front of Li Ji and begged Li Ji for his support...
"Sit down and talk first."
Li Ji waved Zhang Liang to sit down, took a sip of tea, and asked, "How do you want me to support you?" Zhang Liang then sat down, and then with a sad face, he told in detail about the humiliation he suffered when he went to the Youjinwu Guard, especially Adding jealousy to Wang Xuance's actions, he finally pleaded: "The prestige of the British Duke is unparalleled in the army, if
Only if you can control Wang Xuance and others can the final general be able to secure his position as the general of the Right Jinwu Guard. Otherwise, even if he goes to take up the post, he will be constrained in many ways in the future and will inevitably be left empty." Li Jiqi said: "The left and right Jinwu Guards are all Fang Jun's. The team was formed and all came from the original left and right guards. They were either Fang Jun's subordinates or opponents who were convinced by him and obeyed Fang Jun's orders.
Even though you have made up your mind to go to Youjinwu Guard, are you not mentally prepared for this in advance?"
How can you be willing to accept that the troops that Fang Jun has worked so hard to build are picked by you? If you want to pick this peach, you have to be prepared to be pricked in the mouth by peach hairs. How can you ask for help and complain everywhere when you encounter setbacks? Zhang Liang blushed. , said angrily: "But who would have thought that they would be so domineering, even turning a blind eye to His Majesty's orders and the commander-in-chief appointed by the court, without any scruples? The general will suffer humiliation due to his carelessness. If he cannot re-establish his prestige,
, I'm afraid I won't be able to lead troops in the future." Back then, he and Li Ji surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, and they served under Li Ji for a long time. Their love for him was extraordinary. Although they have drifted apart over the years, after all, This kind of friendship can only be found when you are desperate.
Ask Li Ji for support.
As for Liu Jie, he only has an appearance. He seems to be the prime minister of the dynasty and has great power, but he has no influence in the army and his influence is extremely limited...
Li Ji took a sip of tea, pondered for a moment, and said calmly: "If you don't serve as a good minister of the Ministry of punishment, you have to return to the army... Times have changed, and today's army is very different from the past."
Seeing that Li Ji wanted to refuse, Zhang Liang hurriedly said: "No matter how you change your words, you are still a hero. More than half of the generals in this army have served under you. Who will not listen to what you say?"
If Li Ji hadn't helped him re-establish his prestige, it would have been difficult for him to continue his military career. Just thinking about Wang Xuance's seemingly humble and submissive face, but actually domineering and arrogant, gave him a headache.
Li Ji put down his teacup and looked at Zhang Liang strangely: "Do you think that Fang Jun and I were at odds with each other in the military office hall, so I should help you gain a foothold in Fang Jun's territory in order to retaliate?"
Zhang Liang said with a smile: "Is this what I mean? I just feel that I have been following you in battles for many years, and this love has become stronger over time. Now that I am in trouble, I think you will take care of your old friendship and support me."
The most important thing in the army is loyalty. They have been together in battle and through life and death. The trust that can be left to their comrades in the younger generations is far beyond the comparison of the comradeship in the court.
The commander relies on his subordinates to fight to the death to accumulate military exploits, while the soldiers rely on the commander to obtain better rewards. They complement each other and naturally have different friendships. Li Ji pondered briefly, sighed lightly, and said: "You still don't understand the situation in today's army. , you have been away from the army for too long...that's all. Since you came to visit today and mentioned your past feelings, how can I stand by and watch indifferently?
Are you unmoved? I will say hello to Fang Jun and let you fulfill your duties smoothly, but I can't do anything about what happens after that. Whether it will soar into the sky or sink into the sand, it depends on your own ability."
Zhang Liang's heart skipped a beat, and his expression suddenly changed.
He could hear the meaning behind Li Ji's words. I will help you this time because of the friendship in the past, but it is only this time and will not happen again...
Zhang Liang regretted it.
With this favor, I can ask Li Ji to come forward for help in the most difficult times in the future. But now I have lost this favor in order to cling to Liu Ji's lap and control Youjin Wuwei. Is it worth it?
"Young Master, this..." Li Ji waved his hand, stopped Zhang Liang's words, and said seriously: "Today is different from the past. I haven't led an army to fight for a long time. I don't even have any prestige in the army left." I know. It’s not that I don’t want to help you
You guys, really, in a few years, I won’t be able to help even if I want to. The friendship will eventually end. From now on, it’s up to you to decide how to go forward, and you still need to work hard to manage your connections.”
Since you rely on Liu Ji, you should obey his orders honestly. As for whether your career will be smooth sailing or full of setbacks, that is your own choice.
Zhang Liang understood and opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say.
When he came out of the British Palace, the sky was already dark, and his stomach growled a few times. Zhang Liang finally realized that Li Ji saw off the guests without leaving any food... He looked back at the tightly closed door of the British Palace, made of copper. The nail of the door was dimly shining under the light of the lantern, but Zhang Liang knew that he would have little chance to go in after this door. He sighed softly and sat down.
The carriage. He clung to Liu Jie in order to control the Youjinwu Guard. As a result, he now only has the title of "General of the Youjinwu Guard", but he does not have half of the power he should have. He even has to use up his previous friendship to be fair and aboveboard.
Entering the military camp to fulfill his duties...
The gain outweighs the loss.
Moreover, he had also heard about Pei Huaijie's encounter in the military office today. It was almost the same as the humiliation he suffered at the Youjinwuwei barracks two days ago. The result was a loss of face and a great loss of prestige.
It can be seen that the faction represented by Liu Jie not only has no influence in the army, but even above the court and among the ministries, there is no good way to face Fang Jun's unreasonable sniping.
The so-called "civilian leaders" are far less powerful than they seem. Compared with the past when Xiao Yu and Cen Wenwen were in power, there is a huge gap...
I thought that by joining Liu Jie, I could use his power to reach a higher level, but now it seems that it was a bit hasty.
*****
Early the next morning, as soon as Fang Jun had breakfast, a servant came in to report that it was Li Siwen, the second son of the British Duke, who was visiting, and he even presented a famous assassin in a serious manner...
"Oh, night owls come into the house and come for whatever they have to do. If this guy is so polite, he must be up to no good."
Even if you say this, you can't help but see it.
When the servant brought Li Siwen to the side hall, Fang Jun said calmly before sitting down and before taking a sip of tea: "If you have something to say, just say it, if you have something to say, let it go. I'm still waiting to go to the Minting Bureau to supervise the printing of banknotes."
Li Siwen was stunned: "Am I so unpopular?"
Fang Jun said: "Look at your night owl-like head, what good things can you do?"
Li Siwen was speechless and said helplessly: "Well, it's really not a good thing. Yesterday, Zhang Liang came to the door. With tears streaming down his face, he begged his father to remember the past and give him a hand. My father has always been nostalgic, so he had no choice but to agree."
Fang Jun asked curiously: "If you go to maintain your love for me, what does it have to do with me?"
Li Siwen smiled apologetically and said: "What Zhang Liang wants is to take up the post of Youjin Wuwei, so it naturally has something to do with you."
Fang Jun's face was cold: "You can eat whatever you want, but you can't talk nonsense. I have nothing to do with Youjin Wuwei. Whether Zhang Liang fulfills his duties is none of my business?" "Hey, are you serious about what you said? Don't take it seriously.
You know how to pretend to be confused. Who doesn’t know that all the Jinwu Guards on the left and right are yours? Today, I came here on the order of my father. Please raise your hand and give Zhang Liang a step. Ying
There will be consequences for the Duke's government."
Fang Jun was noncommittal and asked: "Since it's your father-in-law who has something to ask for, why don't you come in person?"
Li Siwen asked curiously: "Do you really think you have such a big face that your father can kiss you?"
Fang Jun took a sip of tea and said, "He is Shangshu Zuopushe, and I am Shangshu Youpushe. It's just half a level difference. How can I not be worthy of his personal visit?"
Li Siwen sneered and said: "If father comes here in person, the conversation will not be about Zhang Liang, but about my little sister's marriage."
"puff!"
Fang Jun squirted out a sip of tea and waved his hands repeatedly: "Okay, okay, my lord, open your mouth. What's the point of just talking about it? Don't talk nonsense about the rest."
Li Siwen glared at Fang Jun: "Okay, are you really jealous of my little sister? Otherwise, why would you react so loudly!"
Fang Jun spread his hands helplessly: "The sun can tell us, if I have even the slightest bit of treachery, I will die badly!"
This time it was Li Siwen's turn to sigh: "I hope you are a little bit evil..."
Thinking of his little sister's resistance to marriage after divorce, and thinking about the stick in front of him, Li Siwen felt heartbroken... The Li family is now at the top of the empire's power, and they must avoid suspicion, so today
The problem was that he came to the house instead of the eldest brother who was responsible for the family affairs. The younger sister was afraid that she would not be able to get what she wanted.