Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 283 A place to show your skills!

Wuchuan.

Gao Yin led his ministers to the scene, but failed to see Liu Taozi.

Those who came to greet them were Lu Qubing, Tian Zili, Cui Gang and other ministers.

Tian Zili looked at the prince in front of him who was dressed in military uniform and was as gentle as jade. For some reason, he always felt something strange in his heart.

Lu Qubing was extremely happy. He had no awareness of being the most important official in General Wei's Mansion. He held Gao Yin's hand and talked endlessly, looking excited, as if he had met his idol.

That’s true. These famous officials in the temple have always been the objects of Lu Qubing’s admiration and respect.

This time, many capable and famous ministers came.

Lu Qubing chose the one he liked the most and enthusiastically pulled him into the city. "I heard that the king was coming, and I was looking forward to it. I just want to see the king as soon as possible."

"It is a blessing for the entire North that the king can come to the border!"

"Your Majesty, you don't know that the North has very good officials, but it lacks an important official like your Majesty to coordinate the overall situation."

Yang Xiuzhi followed behind them, listening to Lu Qubing's words, his expression changing constantly.

Everyone is looking for someone they know to greet.

For example, Cui Gang went to his relative, Cui Danu.

Cui Da'nu was also from the Boling Cui family, and was from the third branch.

His father was Cui Xian, a famous official of the Great Qi Dynasty. Cui Xian was known as the Iron-faced Censor. His life was not at all like that of an official of the Northern Qi Dynasty. He was a strong-willed and upright person who strictly enforced the law, was honest and self-respecting, and rectified the administration of officials. He was admired by people all over the world.

Later, he was framed by the powerful and exiled. Even though Gao Yang realized his mistake and recalled him, he was already in poor health and died of illness at home in the tenth year of Tianbao.

Cui Da-nu was taught by his father since he was young. Cui Xian was particularly fond of him and had high expectations for him.

He showed great talent when he was young. He wrote very good articles and essays, and was loved by many people.

But now, Cui Da-nu looked absent-minded and in a trance. Cui Gang said a lot of words in a row before he slowly replied.

Seeing his grandfather like this, Cui Gang sighed.

Pity.

He wasn't like this in the past.

During the reign of Emperor Wenxuan, Cui Dazhen suffered a great blow.

Seeing that he was talented, Gao Yang married Gao Cheng's daughter to him. Later, when the princess returned home, Gao Yang asked her about the situation at home. The princess said that everyone was very nice to her, except her mother-in-law who didn't like her.

Afterwards, Gao Yang summoned Cui Da'er's mother to the palace, tortured her to death and threw her body into the Zhang River.

From then on, Cui Da-nu seemed like a different person, he was in a daze all day and rarely spoke.

Cui Gang held his hand and said seriously, "I know what's on your mind, brother, but Lord Taichang had high expectations of you. How can you live like this?"

Cui Da-nu nodded slightly without saying anything.

He was originally responsible for writing imperial edicts in the Secretariat, and he had not studied other things carefully over the years. It was definitely a waste of his talent and the efforts that Lord Taichang had put into him.

Cui Gang felt sorry for him, but he couldn't scold or look down on him.

Wei Shou was the busiest, because he had the most friends among all the people who came. Some of them had followed him to revise the Qi Law, while others had followed him to implement new policies.

The atmosphere was very lively.

Lu Qubing led Gao Yu in the front and did not forget to explain to him, "My King Tao can't come back. He wanted to rush back to greet you, but Yang Zhong of the Pseudo-Zhou gathered troops and prepared to send troops to retake Yongfeng and other places. The king dared not come back easily. Several generals have already led troops to Yongfeng to assist the king. As soon as the war is over, the king will come to see you."

While Lu Qubing was chatting with Hu Changcan, Yang Xiuzhi stepped forward and whispered to Gao Yu, "Your Majesty, we have come from afar and are suspected of competing for power with the General's Mansion. Please do not underestimate them. Their words may not be nothing but a test. If they allow you to sit in a high position in the government office, please refuse several times and do not show any intention of taking power."

Yang Xiuzhi was an old minister and also one of the famous ministers.

Logically speaking, he should not be driven away, but unfortunately, he can never control his mouth.

Previously, Yang Yin was killed and Zhao Yanshen took his place. Yang Xiuzhi actually said publicly to others: "It is so sad that I am about to travel a thousand miles, but I have to kill a steed horse and drive a lame donkey."

Later, Hu Changren came to power and governed the country together with Zhao Yanshen. Yang Xiuzhi commented again: The braying of donkeys and barking of dogs are just annoying.

And then nothing happened. He came to the border.

Hearing his words, Gao Yin neither agreed nor disagreed.

Yang Xiuzhi has experienced a lot and will not trust others easily, for fear of being cheated by these people.

Others don't say anything, but he knows Zu Ting, who is not a good person. He is a poisonous creature.

Wuchuan has undergone several expansions, but it cannot be compared with Yecheng.

The government office is pretty good.

The crowd came to the hall where the court meetings were usually held. Lu Qubing took Gao Yin's hand, pointed to the distance and said, "The upper seat is the seat of my king. You can sit beside it."

Yang Xiu, who was following behind him, was so direct? ?
"it is good."

Gao Yin nodded.

Yang Xiuzhi was even more confused, you too? ?
The Northern Road Grand Secretariat appeared at the frontier, and there was a question of who was the leader and who was the follower. Of course, everyone knew that this was Liu Taozi's territory. Not to mention Gao Yun leading them here, even if the emperor moved here as the capital, it would probably not be possible, and Liu Taozi would definitely be the leader.

But King Pengcheng was not an ordinary minister after all. He was a strong-willed person, and the ministers of the three courts didn't know what he was thinking.

What they feared most was that King Pengcheng was determined to compete with Liu Taozi. If that happened, their situation would become very bad.

But looking at the current situation, it seems that King Pengcheng has changed his usual behavior and does not sit in the main seat, which shows his attitude that he is willing to bow to Liu Taozi.

Or maybe, it’s just because this is the General Wei’s Mansion instead of the Grand Secretariat?

Lu Qubing is a relatively direct person. Although he talks a lot, he doesn't like to beat around the bush. Gao Yin is the same. There is nothing to argue about.

After Gao Yun sat down, everyone looked at each other but no one dared to take a seat.

It looks like a seat, but it represents many things.

Who is in front, who is behind, who is on the left, who is on the right?
Zu Ting walked out with a smile, "You all came from far away, why are you all standing?"

"Come, Lord Wei, you and Lord Yang take a seat first."

Zu Ting pulled Wei Shou and Yang Xiuzhi and asked them to sit next to each other on the left. He then looked at Yuan Xiubo and Feng Shu and said, "You two come and sit here."

Next came Tang Yong and Hu Changcan.

Zu Ting began to arrange seats one by one, calling two people at a time, and arranged them according to the specifications of one local and one outsider, according to age and seniority, and then they sat down one by one.

There is no difference between the left and right sides. They are not seated according to the general's mansion and the office. Everyone is part of me and part of me.

Just by sitting there, everyone had a rough idea in mind.

After arranging the old minister Zu Ting, he began to arrange the young ministers to take their seats. Lu Qubing was arranged by him to sit next to Gao Yun.

As for him, he was sitting very far back.

With this arrangement, even if there were a few people who felt that they were sitting too far back, they did not dare to express their dissatisfaction. Since Ren Zu Ting was sitting at the back, what else was there to say?

The entire office was packed with people taking their seats. These more than a hundred people finally filled the general's mansion.

Lu Qubing smiled and said, "Since the government office was expanded, this place has never been so full."

At this moment, Tian Zili also made full use of his communication skills that he has always been good at. He did not sit in his seat, but stood up on his own initiative and arranged for the clerks to prepare tea for everyone. For those who were too old, he prepared softer pillows.

Gao Yu looked at everyone and said, "Now that everyone is here, let's discuss a few important matters first."

"The establishment of the Northern Circuit Office by the imperial court was extremely hasty. I feel that both the appointment of the location and the appointment of officials are inappropriate."

"First of all, the location. The office should not be located in Wuchuan."

When these words were spoken, all the ministers were shocked.

The officials of the Wuchuan faction all frowned at this moment.

What do you mean?
Want to separate?
Lu Qubing was the first to ask, "What's wrong?"

Gao Yu said seriously: "The Northern Dao Daxingtai is responsible for governing the entire north. Wuchuan is too remote. If we want to govern Ding, Ji and other places through Wuchuan, it may delay important matters."

"I think Pingcheng is the most appropriate place at the moment."

"At present, General Wei is forcing the Pseudo-Zhou to expand its territory. If it is in Si, Ding and other areas, it is too far away from the Pseudo-Zhou. If it gets Zhou's land in the future, it will be difficult to govern. If it is in Yan, You, the same is true."

"Whether Pingcheng goes to Zhou, Yan, You, Xiading, or Ji, I think it is the most appropriate."

Lu Qubing nodded slightly. In fact, it was mentioned as early as when the General Wei’s Mansion was first established that it should be set up in Pingcheng.

Wuchuan is still too remote. Although it is the place where General Wei made his fortune, it is not suitable to be the political core city of a separatist regime. Gao Yu's words do make some sense.

Gao Yu continued, "The second is that there is some conflict between the powers of the current office and the General Wei's Mansion."

Yang Xiuzhi's face turned dark and he lowered his head slightly.

Sure enough, this was the King of Pengcheng that he was familiar with.

He knew this would happen.

There were no smiles on the elders' faces anymore. They all looked in Gao Yun's direction and remained silent.

Even Lu Qubing was a little stunned at this moment. Wasn't it inappropriate to talk about this just after coming in?

Gao Yu seemed to have not noticed the change in everyone's expression. He continued, "I heard that there are four offices under the General Wei's Office, and their duties are almost the same as those of the Xingtai. If this is the case, there will definitely be deviations and discords in the future governance. Therefore, I think that the General Wei's Office can be abolished and merged into the Xingtai, and the Xingtai will be in charge of the governance in the future."

"Hehehe"

Tian Zilie laughed, he slowly sat back in his seat and looked at King Pengcheng.

"The king is very thoughtful. He just arrived and he is planning to dismiss all of us."

"I think we should abolish the Hengshuo governor, the Pingcheng palace, the border troops, and the new army at the same time."

The lobby was quiet. Zu Ting stroked his beard with a slight smile on his face, not caring at all about the tense situation at the moment.

Gao Yu looked at Tian Zili and said, "That's not necessary."

He looked at everyone again, "The third point is what I said, the appointment is unreasonable."

"It is inappropriate, extremely inappropriate, for the court to appoint someone as unworthy as me to serve as the Minister of the Northern Circuit."

"What talents do I have to take on such a heavy responsibility?"

"I think that Liu Taozi, the Prince of Pingcheng, should be appointed as the Minister of the Northern Circuit, and he will be in charge of appointing officials."

"what??"

Lu Qubing looked confused.

Even Tian Zili, who was prepared to confront the other party, was a little confused at this moment.

On the local faction side, Tian Zili was determined to have his own people control the office. When Gao Yun was still on the road, he contacted his friends many times. Everyone thought that if Gao Yun insisted on making things difficult for them, they would use their usual style to sideline him and arrange their own people to take over the office.

What is the current situation?

Looking at the hall that had become quiet again, Gao Yu nodded, "As long as everyone has no objection."

Hu Changcan suddenly refuted: "Your Majesty, your position was conferred by the imperial court, and there is absolutely no reason to give it to others."

Gao Yu said slowly: "My appointment was not an imperial decree from His Majesty, but an imperial decree issued by Hu Changren."

"Hu Changren issued orders as the Shangshu Ling, so I can also issue orders as the Shangshu Ling. What's wrong with that?"

Hu Changcan thought about it, but he was speechless! !
Gao Yu continued, "After the two prefectures are merged, it would be best if they could go to Pingcheng together, with Pingcheng as the core. I have talked a lot with my grandfather about the specific appointment of officials in the past few days. I plan to send it to the King of Pingcheng first, and then implement it after he agrees."

Gao Yu cleared his throat and said, "That's all I have to say about the Xingtai and the General's Mansion. Next, let's discuss some important matters."

"The north has been short of food since the sixth year of Tianbao, and has been in a food shortage situation until now, and we have to feed the troops, so food is the top priority."

"In the days ahead, everything else is secondary, only agriculture is the top priority. The climate has improved in the past two years, and many places on the border have become conducive to agriculture. When I came here, I checked the situation in various places and found that the grain prices on the border are very unbalanced. Grain prices are of great importance."

This madman Gao Yun didn't even give everyone a chance to get acquainted with each other and rest, and he started talking about important things directly.

Everyone had no choice but to put other thoughts aside and follow his line of thought.

Gao Xun once had countless ideas, but unfortunately, in the quagmire, his ideas could only be ideas.

When Gao Yun just finished his local term and returned to the government, he proposed to equalize the price of grain, because he found that there were unscrupulous people in various places who were speculating on grain prices, accumulating huge assets through monopoly and hoarding, controlling the market and merchants, and at the same time bankrupting countless farmers.

Now, he has finally found a place where he can speak out his ideas with confidence and without fear of not being able to carry them out.

Cui Gang and Tian Zili walked out of the office together. The office was extremely noisy, and officials gathered in groups of three or four to talk.

Lu Qubing and Zu Ting talked endlessly with several ministers.

It was very lively inside and outside the government office.

Cui Gang looked at the lively scene inside and suddenly laughed.

"I didn't expect that someone like King Pengcheng would do something so bold as to voluntarily give up his throne. This is totally unlike him."

Tian Zili nodded slightly.

"Maybe he's tired. He doesn't want to fight for power anymore. He just wants to do something in peace."

"If you make your brother the Minister of Chancellery, then we will all be willing to submit to the Executive Yuan."

"What do you think, Brother Tian? I heard that you will be appointed as the Chief Censor. Then you will be on the same level as me, a third-rank minister!"

"Oh, listen to what Lord Lu said, he really dares to say anything. If I can be the Chief Censor, then does he have to be the Minister of Justice?"

Cui Gang laughed out loud.

"It doesn't matter what I do, as long as I can clear the obstacles for my brother."

Tian Zili said faintly.

Cui Gang quickly pushed him and said, "There is no obstacle for my brother here. The obstacles for my brother are all in the south!"

"I know."

"However, those people in the south probably won't be an obstacle."

"Oh?"

"Yang Zhong has started to move out, so the next one is Yuwen Hu. This time, Yuwen Hu leads an army of more than 200,000 and has countless famous generals under his command. With the current level of the court, I think they may really be unstoppable."

"Can't stop it?"

"Duan Shao is a very capable fighter, but there are generals in Zhou who can rival him. Besides, there are people like Hu Changren in the court."

Cui Gang frowned, "If Yecheng is lost and the Zhou people succeed, it will definitely not be a good thing for us."

"So be prepared."

When the two talked about the upcoming war, they were both worried.

"Hahaha~~"

With a hearty laugh, Chu Jiande appeared in front of them, holding a document in his hand, which he rolled up and hid in his sleeve.

"Mr. Chu, when did you start imitating your ancestors' behavior?"

Tian Zili asked, and Chu Jiande glared at him, "What nonsense! This is mine. I just asked King Pengcheng, Yang Xiuzhi and a few others to nominate it for me."

"When the world is at peace in the future, I will open a clinic and hang up the inscriptions of these people. That will be a great business."

"Why don't you just ask the Lord to write the name? It should be the most effective if you hang it up with his calligraphy, right?"

"We'll talk about it later!"

Chu Jiande pulled them both out a few steps and said, "There is something I want to talk to you two about."

He pulled the two of them a little further away, then looked around mysteriously.

"You two, shouldn't we also consider the lord's family affairs?"

"Oh?"

"My lord, isn't he engaged to General Hulu's daughter?"

"That's what I'm talking about. My lord, at this age, you still don't have an heir. This is inappropriate. This is inappropriate. If my lord has an heir, these outsiders won't have any ulterior motives."

Tian Zili was a little surprised, "My lord is still very young, why are you thinking about these things now?"

"Hey, the Lord has this kind of personality. If no one tells him otherwise, he will never consider family matters. We have followed the Lord the longest. Others dare not consider such matters, so we have to find a way."

"How can we find a solution to this? Can we still force the Lord?"

“I think we should just let nature take its course.”

"A bunch of useless things, I still have to find a way out for them"

Chu Jiande let go of their hands, muttered something, and left quickly.

(End of this chapter)