Chapter 113 one one two

Shiliu Liang Road Early in the morning, there were not many official affairs in the Hongwen Palace, and a few fourth-rank and fifth-rank civil officials who came early started talking about it.The topic of their discussion is mainly the recent personnel movements in the DPRK and China.A skinny Zhongshu Sheren said, recently, the elder grandson has a lot of people, no matter how difficult things are, he burns his incense and quasi-spirit. Wonderful, after persuading this incident, the weight in the court has obviously dropped a lot.Immediately someone echoed, yes, I'm afraid he won't stay in Hongwen Hall for long.It happened that a Yuanwailang had an urgent report from the border town urging food and payment, and he wanted to submit it to the emperor.Changsun Wuji had already read this urgent report, but Cen Wenwen hadn't read it yet. He wanted to save trouble, and after hearing this, he threw it to Tong Shisheren, who was delivering the documents to Chengqing Palace.Seeing that the formalities were not complete, the Tongshi Sheren was unwilling to accept it, and said to the Yuanwailang, you still have to report this to Mr. Cen, otherwise he will make a fuss when he finds out later.The Yuanwailang said, what are you afraid of? Didn't everyone say it? Mr. Cen may not stay long.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the words were finished, Cen Wenwen happened to walk over. The Yuanwailang was so embarrassed that he smiled and greeted Cen Wenwen: "Morning, Mr. Cen!" Cen Wenwen nodded and responded with a forced smile: "Well, you too morning." At this moment, Li Shimin's voice shouted: "Has Cen Wen come?" Then, his stalwart body appeared in everyone's sight.All the officials in the Hongwen Palace knelt down in panic, and Cen Wenwen hurriedly saluted, and called out respectfully: "Your Majesty." Li Shimin stepped forward and took Cen Wenwen's hand and said, "Excuse me, get up early today, I will I remembered about next year's imperial examination, I want you to write a proclamation, I thought they would delay your time by passing you on, so I came here by myself, let's go, let's talk inside—" He said, pulling Cen Wenwen affectionately into a side room , All the officials looked at the backs of the two, and looked at each other for a while.

Li Shimin walked to a chair and sat down, pointing to the other chair: "Ben Wen, sit down." Cen Wenwen sat down a little cautiously, and Li Shimin said: "The battle must be fought, and the matter of promoting talents for the country will also be delayed." No, next year’s autumn must be done with a lot of fanfare, and the proclamation to the states and counties must be sent out earlier, so that scholars across the country can prepare early. After the chaos, there must be great governance, and there will be no shortage of talents.” Cen Wenwen answered with a low eyebrow and pleasing to the eye: "Yes." After a while, he hesitated and asked: "The emperor Long Li has just returned to the capital. Minister, it’s not just for such a thing.” Li Shimin glanced at Cen Wenwen and said: “Then what do you think I’m looking for you for?” Cen Wenwen said, “The biggest thing in the court right now is the succession of the prince. , this problem can’t be solved well, people’s hearts are not stable, and the government’s situation is not stable, the Northern Expedition can only be empty talk, the emperor must be talking about this matter.”

Li Shimin praised: "It's Cen Wenwen after all, he saw the key at a glance! How do you think this matter should be handled?" Cen Wenwen said that the prince first planned to ascend the throne, and then joined forces with Hou Jun to make trouble. It sounds like a big crime, but when you think about it carefully, there are many reasons, and they can't all be blamed.The emperor has been living hard for three years, and this time he was able to make a successful alliance with Tuli and others, all for the sake of the Northern Expedition.However, the crown prince and Hou Jun have a lot of troops in the army. No matter what the reason is, there will be unforeseen chaos in the court and the army, and it will take three to five months. , how to fight this battle?

Li Shimin looked at Cen Wenwen and said, "It seems that what you mean is not to say nothing lightly?" Cen Wenwen nodded: "Winter is coming, time is waiting for me." Li Shimin stood up and patted Cen Wenwen on the shoulder He sighed sincerely: "It's a good sentence! Time doesn't wait for me! Text, Hou Junji treats you like that, but you can tolerate him and say good things for him. I am also moved by your heart." Cen Wenwen fell to his knees with a thump: "Your majesty said that, I am really ashamed. You put such a heavy burden on the shoulders of the minister before the northern tour, but the minister did nothing while seeing the chaos in the court. I don't have the face to walk in the Hongwen Palace anymore, please the emperor remove his official position as a punishment!"

Li Shimin quickly got up and helped Cen Wenwen up: "Ben Wen, what are you doing? Didn't I say that the hundred officials were not at fault that day in front of the Tai Chi Hall?" Cen Wenwen said sincerely: "The hundred officials are not at fault, my minister But it is hard to shirk the blame. After all, I am the emperor's close minister. The emperor is a benevolent monarch. That day in front of the Tai Chi Hall, I refused my minister's pleading, and I accepted it for the sake of peace of mind. But this minister But I have been unable to let go of this matter in my heart. Now that the overall situation has been settled, I once again beg the emperor to punish me. Only when the emperor punishes me can I feel at ease." Li Shimin said loudly: "Text, you can never do it again. Don't say such things! I am not deaf, you have tried your best, you have to continue to be the servant of Zhongshu! No matter what others think, I have my own account in my heart." Li Shimin was full of anger, and his voice was as loud as a bell. He used all his strength to say those words, and the officials with pointed ears outside the door heard them clearly.

Cen Wenwen was so moved that he broke down in tears and said, "Your Majesty! How can I repay you for treating me so kindly?" The two chatted again. Li Shimin asked Cen Wenwen some historical questions about the Western Zhou Dynasty, and he left at noon Before he left, Ma Xuanliang asked Cen Wenwen to bring his fox fur cloak to Cen Wenwen. He said it was cold here, so it was necessary to wear less. After sending Li Shimin away, Cen Wenwen returned to his seat, and all the officials immediately changed their faces, showing infinite respect.Yuanwailang, who had murmured about Cen Wenwen before, immediately came over with a memorial and said, "My lord, this is the statement from the Yangzhou Inspectorate about the delivery of military pay next month. Please read it." Cen Wenwen looked at him with a pleasing expression Said: "This is a matter of water transportation, let Master Changsun handle it." Yuanwai Lang said with a flattering smile: "Master Changsun is not here, so let Master Cen have a look." That Yuanwailang finally heaved a sigh of relief, bowed and retreated.

The news that Li Shimin went to Hongwen Palace to see Cen Wenwen spread like wildfire. When he returned home at night, Li Ke was already waiting for him.Li Ke couldn't wait to ask: "Sir, I heard that my father went to Hongwen Hall to look for you early in the morning, and gave you a fox fur cloak for the imperial use. Is this true?" The entourage took a delicate box in his hand, took out a pair of satin parcels, and opened it carefully, revealing a corner of the fox fur cloak. He stroked it gently with his hands, and looked at Li Ke with a contented expression on his face.Seeing the fox fur cloak, Li Ke breathed a sigh of relief: "It turns out that's true, I finally let go of my heart! For a while, those villains in the court have been discussing whether you can keep your position as Zhongshu Shilang What!" Cen Wenwen smiled: "They don't understand the current emperor too much."

Li Ke asked again: "Sir, the emperor personally talked to you for a long time. Is it really just for the scientific examination next year? Did he ask you about the abolition of the National Reserve?" Cen Wenwen's expression changed, and Li Ke didn't say a word when he saw Li Ke.Li Ke asked anxiously: "Are you protecting the crown prince again?"