Beautiful step by step

Chapter 176

Emperor Qinglong summoned so many princes and ministers here, of course not just to teach his two sons a lesson.In fact, sending King Duan and King Pingping to the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Households respectively was his impromptu idea. Such a big prince can't concentrate on eating all day long, or lock himself in the backyard to read scriptures.

Such a son who is not doing his job properly, as a father, he really can't do anything.

Their skin must be tightened!
Appreciating Duan Wang's collapsed expression, the old emperor felt a strange sense of refreshment in his heart.He is a loving father and a wise king, such emotions must not be seen by others.With a shudder, his expression was more serious than before.

"I called everyone here today because of the leakage of the Northwest military situation that has been disputed in the court. These days you have been arguing about this matter, and you must have known it after many investigations. Now it is the first month, and the war is over. It’s been nearly a season, and it’s time to discuss and come to a result. All you gentlemen, let’s talk about your views first.”

As soon as this remark came out, everyone who was originally focusing on the two princes will all restrain their minds.Standing at the bottom and looking at each other, everyone has worked together for so long, is it finally going to succeed?
But the more important it is, the more no one dares to speak easily.There is no absolute right or wrong in the affairs of the government and the opposition, and the final result is often the one who has the upper hand in the game between the opposing sides.All the officials standing here now understand that the key to leaking the military plane is not whether Yan Heng really did it, but whether the emperor believes his innocence.

And the emperor didn't do whatever he wanted, he had to consult the civil and military opinions of the Manchu court when he made a decision.So thinking about it further, it all depends on their wishes.

As long as they decide that Yan Heng is leaking the secret, no matter how innocent he is, he won't be able to clear it up by jumping into the Yellow River.As for the evidence?They are the ones who review the evidence, and if they hand over the real evidence, they will seize it. What can the emperor do?Not only was there no way, but all the evidence he saw was carefully selected and submitted by them. Of course, the situation would be in their favor.

The referee and the players are the same person, and the outcome is all directed by them. This is the lack of the right to supervise.

Of course, doing so is not without risk, the emperor is very likely to find out the truth.At that time, the emperor will be furious, and the consequences will definitely not be able to bear by ordinary people.So at the last moment, most people dare not speak casually.Those who really dare to muster up the courage to speak must be those who have benefited greatly from this matter.

For example, Wu Liangyong, standing among the ministers, took a step forward, arched his body and said respectfully:
"The minister is the minister of the Ministry of War, and he once led the army in the northwest. After the Oala siege, he directly investigated the matter. It is relatively clear. Liangzhou is located in the Gobi, without any natural dangers. It has always been easy to attack and difficult to defend. The Oirat army has many cavalry. It is reasonable to travel thousands of miles a day with high combat mobility. However, there are Northwest Army stationed along the way in Liangzhou, and it stands to reason that the Oirat cavalry will be ambushed, and the marching speed must be so fast."

Regarding the leakage of the underground secret passage of the Youzhou Palace, it had been thoroughly discussed several times in the early courts. Wu Liangyong did not repeat it here, but found another way, directly starting from the Liangzhou city defense.

"It is reasonable to say that the minister is also suspicious. After all, the minister has led the army in the northwest and is familiar with the defense of the northwest city."

How could Wu Liangyong accuse himself of crimes?As soon as this remark came out, the side hall fell silent.Even Emperor Qinglong, who had made up his mind before, put down his teacup unconsciously and looked at him with burning eyes.

"Go on."

If he wants to exalt, he will suppress first, but he wants to see how this person can absolve himself of the crime.

"What I'm familiar with is the Northwest City Defense two years ago."

Wu Liangyong slammed the ground loudly, and Emperor Qinglong said suspiciously: "Our military defense in the Da Viet border area is mainly based on the guard post, and the guard post has not changed much in the past two years."

What he meant was very clear. Where the city wall was erected and the houses were built there, the monks could not escape the temple if they could run away.So what if the people inside changed?The place is still that place, and the Oirats' attack is just to bypass these places.

The emperor really suspected him!Wu Liangyong was taken aback, seeing the ministers around him showing deep thought, he was flustered for a while.This group of people who have no profit and can't afford it early will try their best to hide it from the emperor when they can, but once they can't hide it, they will turn around faster than anyone else.Now a little doubt is enough to destroy an alliance that is not very strong.

These people can't count on them now, thinking that in the end he will set his sights on the opposite King Wu.When King Wu led the army in the northwest, he was the general who was stationed at that time, so he was an old friend.It was really because of this friendship that among the three princes, he did not choose the orthodox prince, nor the king of Wei, who was a corporal, but supported the weakest king of Wu.

Standing in the queue of princes, King Wu and Wu Liangyong exchanged glances, the simple gestures contained the entanglement of interests that only the two could understand.

Taking a step forward and standing beside Wu Liangyong, King Wu said: "Father Meng holds high esteem. My minister once led troops in the northwest and then stationed in the southwest. By comparison, I can see the difference between the two very clearly. Forgive me for my words, It is reasonable for Wu Shangshu to leave the Northwest for two years, not knowing that the city defense of Liangzhou is also reasonable."

"Oh? How is it reasonable?"

Asked calmly, Emperor Qinglong didn't have the calmness shown on his face.Sitting at the top of the table, he was condescending, and he could see all the small movements of the two of them.What does Wu Liangyong mean, wanting to further use the power of the Wu family to support King Wu?She was so blatant under his nose, did she still take him seriously?

I really regret being a wise ruler. If he is a foolish ruler, those who don't like him can be dragged out and killed immediately.

He didn't notice his father's mood swings at all. Hearing what his father asked, King Wu hurriedly explained: "My father, Wu Shangshu said earlier that there are many Gobi deserts in Liangzhou, and it is not easy to build fortifications on the Gobi desert. It is different from the southwest terrain. It is different to open mountains and quarry rocks directly in dangerous places, and build camps. Except for a few cities in the northwest city defense, the rest are mostly tents, so it is very easy to change the layout."

It turned out that this was the case. Most of the people present were civil servants who had stayed in Beijing for a long time. What they saw and heard every day made them habitually think that the house was rooted on the foundation, and once it was completed, it could not be easily moved.Now that King Wu said so, several important ministers who visited the northwest with Emperor Qinglong two years ago instantly remembered those hard days outside Youzhou City, when they lived in felt tents every day.This kind of felt tent is slightly fixed by inserting wedges into the ground, and it is indeed very convenient to move.

Emperor Qinglong also just thought of this, although he has definite evidence in his hand, proving that the military plane was indeed leaked by Wu Liangyong, at this moment he can be thrown out to convict him.But if it is so simple and rude, it may leave some troubles.Almost instantly, he decided to stand still for the time being, and wait until he found out who had the heart to control the information on the change of the northwest city defense, and then wiped them all out.

It seems that today's discussion is destined to be fruitless. Looking at the ministers below who have a thousand words to say, Emperor Qinglong, who is eager to try, has finally become a faint king for the first time.

"It turns out that the defense of the northwest city is like this, and none of you mentioned it before. You don't even know about it. How can you trust what you have investigated and grasped? How can you live up to the holy will like this if I care so much?"

Such a backlash directly stunned the officials who were planning to convict Yan Heng.Things are not so simple now, the Northwest city defense is easy to change, and the only person who can fully control it is the top general in the army at that time, the acting commander of Liangzhou Wei.But now what does the emperor mean?
"Why, are you questioning me?"

How dare they question the emperor, especially when the dragon chair is still an old emperor who has been on the throne for 40 years and has a strong ability to control the court!
"I dare not wait."

There was a large area of ​​hula la kneeling below, and the ministers retreated like quails one by one.Emperor Qinglong was so happy in his heart, it feels so good to be a faint king.

"My lord doesn't remember the faults of villains, so let's not worry about it this time. It's about Da Yue Guozuo, you must check with me to find out. If there is such a big mistake again, you can't even get a little basic common sense. Next time I will Punishment for both crimes.”

After threatening loudly and completely putting the blame on all the ministers, Emperor Qinglong said relaxedly: "Kneel down."

Walking out of the back hall of Qianqing Palace in a daze, all the ministers were still a little foggy.What happened to the emperor today?Usually, he has a clear mind and is decisive in dealing with things. Every word he says has a reason to follow. He has been in the court for many years and has already figured out the way.But today I just came out like this, the front is going well, and the purpose of everyone's coming is very clear: after summoning Yan Heng, to make a conclusion about the leak of the military plane.Then various evidences were presented, and the logical deduction went to the last step. Seeing that it was going to be a matter of course, it was all overthrown by the emperor.

What kind of result does the emperor want?For a while, everyone was dumbfounded.

Among a group of people wearing official robes, only a pair of brothers and sisters remained awake.Originally the days of the rich and the idle were leisurely and leisurely, but suddenly there was a thunder on the sunny day, and the emperor sent them an errand, King Duan and King Heping were somewhat incapable of accepting it.Full of mourning for the leisurely and nourishing days they passed away, the two of them didn't have the heart to think about anything else.

This time, brothers and sisters in trouble met each other's eyes, and quickly made a decision: each of them went back to their respective homes, and stopped by the Liubu Yamen to order a job.

Anyway, the father said "go to the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Rites", and he didn't say why he went there at all.They are also happy to play word games, click a dick to prove that they have been there, and then continue to play and eat together.

Hearing the servant's report and the reaction of the two of them, Emperor Qinglong sneered as he made a fool of himself.The Tao is one foot tall and the devil is ten feet high. Do the two bastards think they can handle this?After casually instructing the servant, he leisurely walked towards Yikun Palace.

When the two kings arrived at the yamen, they were politely invited in by the officials who had been waiting for a long time, and handed them a bunch of complicated political affairs.When one person couldn't believe it, and the other directly protested, he was told that the servant had just come to deliver the decree, and they had to sharpen the two Highnesses well.

Father!Is this still your own son?

Wanting to cry but without tears, King Duan could only go about his business with peace of mind.He is talented and intelligent, and he has all the six arts of a gentleman. Once he pays attention to these government affairs, it is easy to get started.Even so, he still said he felt aggrieved, and it took him a few days to find a chance to get revenge.

The Ministry of Rituals is in charge of good and bad luck, ceremonies and other matters. The biggest task on weekdays is to organize weddings for clan relatives. The most recent one is the ceremony that has not been done since the promotion of the crown prince's side concubine Wu.

(End of this chapter)