Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4679 Aim high

Early summer has arrived, and the temperature has risen sharply. In the garden across the courtyard on the east side of Liang Guogong's Mansion, there are green trees and luxuriant flowers. A living water is introduced from outside the mansion and gathers in a pond in the garden. Lotus flowers are planted in the pond, and dark green flowers spread all night long. On the water surface, branches of flower buds stand tall and stand ready to bloom.

The evening wind blew, rustling all night long, and the flower buds swayed slightly. On one side of the pond, in a water pavilion, there were several lanterns hanging around, and the orange light shrouded the two people sitting opposite each other in the water pavilion.

Boil the water on the small red clay stove, hold the pot and pour the tea into the cup. The hot boiling water hits the green tea leaves, floating and sinking in the water, and the elegant tea fragrance is lingering.

Cui Dunli picked up the tea cup in front of him and took a sip. After a while, he praised: "Good tea!"

Fang Jun laughed and said: "I thought Cui Shangshu would quote the scriptures to praise it, but it turned out to be just two words 'good tea'? It's a bit perfunctory."

"The Fang family's tea is unique in the world, so why does it need to be praised by lower officials? People all over the world have already flocked to it!" Cui Dunli also laughed: "Jiuzhou is so big and has so many products, even tea varies from place to place and has its own merits, so it cannot be generalized. . You don’t need to care about the difference in aroma, the intensity of the aftertaste, or the green and yellow color of the tea leaves. As long as it tastes good, the word "good tea" is enough to cover it. In fact, most things in the world are like this. Whether you are a person or do something, you don't need to worry about it. Things vary, but as long as you uphold the public spirit and serve the king, your name will go down in history and be famous for generations to come."

Fang Jun thought about it for a while and praised: "Cui Shangshu is a broad-minded and sincere gentleman. I am lucky to be your friend!"

They raised their teacups, replaced the wine with tea, and each took a sip.

A figure walked quickly from a distance across the small bridge between lotus leaves and arrived at the waterside pavilion. One of them was a servant and bowed to report: "Qi Erlang, this person claims to be a relative of Duke Tong'an." Soldier, if there is a letter, it must be delivered to Erlang with your own hands."

Fang Jun glanced at the other person and said, "Hand it over."

Fang Jun opened the envelope and took out the letter, read it at a glance, and said, "Go back and tell me what I know."

Cui Dunli was not disappointed by this, but was in high spirits: "Don't worry, Duke of Yue, your subordinates will definitely obey your orders."

Cui Dunli said sternly: "If you are self-reflecting, you will not shrink. Even though it is brown and broad, I will not be worried. If you are self-reflecting, you will shrink, even if there are thousands of people, I will go."

"Here."

Then he poured tea for Fang Jun and expressed his feelings: "I have always admired the Duke of Yue, not because of your merits, let alone your power, but because of your broad-mindedness that does not love power and only wants to do things. I The same is true. I have always believed that official positions and power should be tools to do things better, rather than the ultimate goal."

The man bowed and took three steps back, then turned around and returned the same way under the leadership of his servant.

Fang Jun directly handed Zheng Rentai's letter to Cui Dunli.

Cui Dunli took it and read it, put the letter on the coffee table, pondered for a while, and whispered: "This may be an opportunity."

Life passes by in a hurry for decades. Even if a high-ranking official shows his rank and dominates the world, if he has no actual contribution, it is just a line in history, passing by in a daze. Who cares?

On the contrary, if you can make some real achievements, such as reforming the military system of the Tang Dynasty, making the Tang army rampant and invincible, and protecting the prosperity of the empire, then even if it is mentioned a hundred or thousand years later, people will praise it countless times.

The sage said that "making meritorious service, establishing virtue, and establishing reputation" are the "three immortals". I had a falling out with my family, which led to my lack of virtue and lack of knowledge. Only by performing meritorious service can I be respected in life and respected in death. Hou Ai Rong.

After the two figures disappeared deep into the lotus leaves, Cui Dunli asked: "I wonder when Zheng Rentai was so secretive?"

The establishment of an organization within the Ministry of War, whose responsibility is to evaluate the feasibility of military reform and formulate corresponding systems and regulations, requires a group of generals with rich experience in commanding troops and extremely high theoretical levels, and Zheng Rentai is fully qualified.

Fang Jun nodded, indicating that he understood what he meant.

Furthermore, this is something that is in line with his own values, so how could he refuse?

Fang Jun nodded in approval, and then said: "Don't limit your sights to one department. In the future, focus more on the discussion and implementation of military reform. As for ministry affairs, you may wish to rely more on Liu Rengui. Liu Rengui and others will follow. For many years, I have had a rough and sincere personality. I may have some shortcomings in policy, but I am very stable in practice."

"Here."

Since His Majesty hopes to grasp the trends and details of this organization through Zheng Rentai, it means that Fang Jun can also take the opportunity to perform a "counterintuitive plan" to let the other side know what he wants to know...

After taking a sip of tea, Fang Jun looked solemnly: "As the Minister of the Ministry of War, you have already come into contact with the core of the imperial army. You should understand that the biggest drawback of the current army is that it operates independently and has too much autonomy. Once the situation is unstable, warlords will form. Separate one side. Weak trunks and strong branches have always been the disaster of a country. Don’t be negligent because of the current prosperity. Since we are at this level, we can’t just pursue personal gain, but we must keep the future of the empire at heart. When he leaves office and returns home, he will look back on the past and realize that he has not betrayed His Majesty's trust, has not wasted his good years, and has not lived without a meal."

The man stepped forward respectfully and stopped outside the waterside corridor. He held the letter in his hands and raised it above his head, allowing Fang Jun to take it away.

He was born in the Bolingcui family, and was cultivated and supported by his family before joining the Ministry of War. However, now he has turned against his family members due to various interest disputes. Without the full support of his family, it was very difficult to gain a foothold in the court. Fortunately, he met Fang Jun, who was like-minded. ideal.

Such a situation is something that can only be encountered but cannot be sought. He will naturally cherish it and follow Fang Jun's footsteps closely.

Aim high and do nothing more than this.

……

After someone sent Cui Dunli out of the house, Fang Jun sat in the waterside pavilion for a while. He was thinking about Li Chengqian's reaction and carefully analyzing the relationship between the two...

It stands to reason that Fang Jun supported Li Chengqian so that he could successfully ascend the throne from prince to emperor, and he was the best in the world in terms of Conglong's merits. Li Chengqian also listened to his words and trusted him. If things continue like this, a good story about the relationship between king and minister will surely spread. Through the ages.

But under the turbulent current situation, Fang Jun did not dare to put all his wealth on Li Chengqian.

The clan is the only place where he cannot interfere, but it is also the place where the most undercurrent is flowing at the moment. It is unknowable and uncontrollable. If someone really has a rebellious heart and takes action, Fang Jun dare not ensure that Li Chengqian is safe and sound.

Once there is a problem with Li Chengqian's safety, the situation will be completely reversed.

Therefore, Fang Jun must prepare for a rainy day and build a dam that can protect himself even if the flood is raging.

He doesn’t have many complaints about Li Chengqian’s attitude, because he knows better than anyone else that Li Chengqian’s character, be it kindness or generosity, has its limits or must be placed in a certain environment. Once he lacks a sense of security, he will be suspicious, suspicious, and lenient. Disadvantages such as suspicion and narrow-mindedness will be magnified instantly.

Otherwise, historically, Li Er would not have rebelled against Li Er after he felt that his brothers were threatening his position.

Many history books commented that his behavior was "desperate", which is actually inappropriate.

"Desperate" means that there is still a glimmer of hope, but at that time, Li Chengqian gathered a group of sycophants who dreamed of following the dragon's success to rebel against his father, who was at the height of his power and whose prestige was unparalleled. How could he have half a chance of winning?

It is simply the way to death.

He also said that even though this move is stupid, it still has great courage... But where is the courage? It's just a last resort method adopted by psychological collapse under heavy pressure. Otherwise, when defeated, he should kill himself to show his ambition, instead of choosing to linger after all the people who followed him in rebellion were slaughtered.

This is a man without courage. He seems violent and rebellious, but in fact he is weak and cowardly.

And this was one of the reasons why Fang Jun chose to support Li Chengqian's ascension to the throne.

On the one hand, Li Chengqian is the eldest son, and his ascension to the throne can reduce internal losses as much as possible. On the other hand, people with weak personalities are easy to control, which allows Fang Jun to have more time to do things that are beneficial to the country and the people but are harmful to the emperor. Something that must be damaging.

But Li Chengqian's current performance makes Fang Jun a little disappointed. Wouldn't it be nice to sit on the throne and rule the world, watch the prosperous times and wait for his name to go down in history?

Why must we covet power that is simply beyond our control?

*****

Hejian County Prince's Mansion.

At the main entrance, Li Xiaogong looked at the dark sky outside, and then at the uninvited Li Shenfu, and said helplessly: "If there is anything you need, Uncle Wang can send someone to let me know. My nephew will come to listen to the teachings tomorrow." , why bother to come to the door in person?"

Nowadays, there are undercurrents surging within the clan, and the core of the whirlpool is Uncle Wang who is secretly stirring up trouble. However, since this man has high seniority, high prestige, and outstanding achievements, Li Xiaogong really has nothing to do with him, so he can only stay away from him.

Now he can't even hide. I don't know how His Majesty will feel when he knows that Li Shenfu has entered the gate of Hejian County Prince's Mansion...

Li Shenfu was dressed in regular clothes, with a thin figure and a loose brocade robe. He walked into the door with his hands behind his hands with a smile: "Why, your palace is like a dragon's pond and a tiger's den, why can't I come?"

Li Xiaogong couldn't chase him away, so he had to follow him, but he was dissatisfied and his tone was a little harsh: "It's not like the dragon's pond and the tiger's den, but tomorrow morning, the news of Uncle Wang's visit will spread throughout Chang'an. To be honest, what are you planning? I have no interest at all, and I won’t get involved.”

This was said in front of all the servants, soldiers, and nephews of the royal palace. It would definitely reach His Majesty's ears and let His Majesty know that not only did Li Shenfu come uninvited, but he also did not treat him because of courtesy. Driving him out would have a better effect than going to explain to His Majesty afterwards...

"Haha, you have been cunning since you were a child. Now that you are older, you are not only more cunning, but also less courageous. This is not good."

"In the past, when I followed Emperor Taizong to conquer the world, I naturally had to be bolder when facing all the princes. But now the times are different. We don't pay attention to shouting and killing. Being timid is not a bad thing. Just be careful and sail the ship for ten thousand years. Otherwise, if If you accidentally take the wrong path, you may not even have a chance to turn back."

While Li Shenfu looked at the scenery and buildings in the mansion, he smiled and said: "You have become more capable. Are you the same as me who is so yin and yang in front of me?"

Li Xiaogong's face was indifferent: "I have been timid all my life. I have finally come up with these opinions. Naturally, I dare not ask you, uncle, for it. It is just a temporary emotion. You are too worried."

After talking, he came to the main hall and invited Li Shenfu to enter and take his seat.

Li Shenfu did not hesitate and asked straight to the point: "There are rumors in the city that Fang Jun wants to establish an additional Privy Council to take charge of the country's military power. Is this true?"

Li Xiaogong shook his head: "It's just a suggestion and it has not been approved."

Li Shenfu looked stern and scolded: "Confused!"

(End of this chapter)