roccoschili Chapter 5471 Loyal Ministers and Righteous Men
Chapter 5471 Loyal Ministers and Righteous Men
Chapter 5471 Loyal Ministers and Righteous Men
Wu Meiniang had a peculiar habit of discussing matters under the bed. At this moment, she was embracing her husband in the bathtub, listening to the schemes of Zhou Daowu and his wife. She thought that if her husband was willing, he would definitely be able to taste the beauty of Princess Linchuan, and she was actually quite excited...
Fang Jun felt helpless about this, but what could he do?
Harmony in a marriage is essential, so one can only pamper her and let her do as she pleases, serving her like a dog or horse...
Riding with the whip was still a bit tiring. Wu Meiniang, her face flushed and panting, changed her posture: "Chang'an City has been rather unsettled lately. Those remnants of the Guanzhong region and members of the imperial clan are starting to stir again."
Fang Jun went all out: "What do you think?"
The "Eastern Tang Dynasty Trading Company" was not simply a company that controlled the overseas trade of the Tang Dynasty. Due to its complex structure, its access to the highest power levels of the empire, and its convenient and rapid access to various sources of information, it was essentially a huge intelligence agency, far surpassing the "Hundred Cavalry Division".
Wu Meiniang couldn't help herself, biting a lock of her hair and frowning: "I don't know the specifics yet, but I've heard that some people have close ties with the Taiji Palace... um."
After the maids entered to help the two change into new clothes, they lay down on the bed in each other's arms. Wu Meiniang's face was still flushed and she was breathing softly.
Fang Jun teased, "So useless?"
Wu Meiniang lightly punched her husband with her fist, saying unconvinced, "It's been too long since we've been intimate, I couldn't resist... Let me rest a bit before we continue, but I'm afraid you're all talk and no action."
Fang Jun was speechless: "Isn't this cheating?"
There are only oxen that die from exhaustion, not fields that are ruined by plowing. No matter how brave a man is, he can't withstand this kind of relentless work.
The health regeneration speed is too slow...
"hey-hey!"
Wu Meiniang chuckled mischievously, snuggled forward a couple of times, rested her head on her arm, and let out a contented sigh.
Fang Jun put his arm around her shoulder, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, and asked, "You said the remnants of the Guanzhong Plain and members of the imperial clan are stirring up trouble?"
"The details are unknown, but according to the information sent back by our spies in Chang'an, the amount of money and silk entering and leaving Taiji Palace is huge, but it is very secretive, which seems to indicate that they have ulterior motives."
Fang Jun hummed in agreement and fell into thought.
Generally speaking, there are only two reasons for large sums of money exchanged: either to purchase large quantities of goods or to win people's hearts.
The first reason can be ruled out, so it must be the second reason.
If Your Majesty wants to win people's hearts, you can simply use funds from the Imperial Treasury. There should not be a situation where "large amounts of money and silk are flowing in and out of the Taiji Palace," since the money and silk stored in the Imperial Treasury are not in the Taiji Palace.
The fact that the Empress has been staying in the Eastern Palace and refusing to return to the palace can also be ruled out.
In that case, who in the palace would still use money and silk to win people's hearts?
"Both Chang Le and Jin Yang are in the palace?"
“They’ve always been here, but I’ve already sent someone over to deliver a message. Prince Chang Le has moved into our house with Lu’er, while Prince Jin Yang has gone to Xuanqing Temple in Leyouyuan. In addition to the Imperial Guards, our family’s retainers and troops are also on guard.”
Wu Zetian was extremely meticulous. Since she was aware of the danger, how could she not take precautions?
Fang Jun patted her back gently and said softly, "Thank you for your trouble."
Wu Meiniang chuckled lightly: "Those are all the apples of my husband's eye, so of course I must protect them. Otherwise, even the slightest damage would break my husband's heart... Ouch!"
But a large hand reached into her clothes and grasped a soft, smooth mass.
"This young lady is incredibly arrogant, daring to even flirt with her husband! She should be punished!"
"Hehe, how will you punish me, my lord?"
A bare hand reached down.
"Hiss, this young lady is too shameless! This is punishment? It's clearly a reward!"
"Hmph, punishment or reward, this is what I want!"
Her face was as beautiful as a painting, her eyes were sparkling, and she looked like she was about to burst with tears.
Fang Jun couldn't resist any longer and rolled over onto her.
About half an hour later, the maids boiled another bucket of hot water to help the couple bathe and clean themselves...
This time, after changing their clothes, the two did not lie back on the couch, but instead sat by the window drinking tea.
Wu Meiniang took a sip of tea and asked, "When will my husband return to the capital?"
Fang Jun put down his teacup and glanced at her. After all that, this woman showed no signs of fatigue; on the contrary, she was radiant and had eyes as clear as water. She was indeed a peerless beauty, naturally alluring.
"Let's go back together before the New Year."
"really?"
Wu Zetian's beautiful eyes sparkled with delight.
There are still two months until the Chinese New Year, which means that even if we don't travel, we can spend about a month together...
Fang Jun smiled broadly: "Don't be too excited yet. Who knows, maybe in a few days someone will be begging for mercy and kick me out."
"what?"
Wu Meiniang chuckled in surprise, then her expression turned serious. She first spread her slender fingers in front of her, then suddenly clenched them, as if grasping something in the air, and said coldly, "Who will emerge victorious is still unknown!"
Seeing her husband suddenly cover his groin with a look of horror on his face, she couldn't help but giggle.
After drinking a few cups of tea to replenish her fluids and chatting for a while, Wu Meiniang couldn't help but ask, "My lord, are you really not worried about Chang'an?"
Fang Jun said, "There's nothing to worry about. Do you really think His Majesty lacks shrewdness and strategy just because he grew up in the inner palace? Even if someone really has ulterior motives, His Majesty will surely find out."
Wu Meiniang shook her head: "Your Majesty is certainly a wise ruler, but his personality is both self-deprecating and arrogant. Such a contradictory nature may cause him to hesitate and be torn between choices at times, thus missing opportunities."
Fang Jun took a sip of tea and fell into deep thought.
Without a doubt, when it comes to controlling people's hearts, no one he has ever met has surpassed Wu Zetian. Since Wu Zetian believes that His Majesty may cause the situation to exceed expectations due to certain psychological activities, it must be taken seriously.
After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Who does Meiniang think is a suspect?"
Wu Meiniang chuckled and said, "Since His Majesty cannot possibly be unaware of the large sums of money flowing in and out of Taiji Palace, yet he turns a blind eye and lets it go, who else could it be but Consort Shen?"
His Majesty is preoccupied with the matter of changing the heir apparent and is very persistent, but his attempts to test the waters have been blocked by the Crown Prince. Not only has he seen no hope, but he has almost suffered a backlash. Now he dares not make any rash moves.
But if someone rushes ahead and crashes into this barrier, His Majesty will naturally let them do as they please, so as to watch the fire from the sidelines.
If he were to actually break through this barrier, he would naturally seize the opportunity to go all out and use it as a breakthrough point.
Conversely, there's nothing to be reluctant to sacrifice about a mere Consort Shen...
It can be used for both offense and defense.
Fang Jun agreed, adding, "Although Consort Shen has given birth to a prince, her maternal family is in decline, and there are no capable people in the court or among the people. Who will receive all that money and silk?"
Everyone loves money, but few people would recklessly get involved in the struggle for the throne simply for money.
Only by having a stance and a preference can one bestow rewards and win people's hearts.
Wu Meiniang suddenly blinked: "Perhaps, His Majesty is unaware?"
"Ok?"
Fang Jun was taken aback, then suddenly realized: "It's very likely."
Inside and outside the palace, and throughout the court, His Majesty's eyes and ears are now the "Hundred Cavalry Division." If the "Hundred Cavalry Division" intervenes in this matter and blocks the news, His Majesty may indeed be completely unaware.
Wu Meiniang nodded, but then asked with some confusion, "If His Majesty is unaware of this, wouldn't it be that some treacherous officials are acting under His Majesty's name?"
Fang Jun sighed: "They are not necessarily traitors; loyal ministers and righteous men can also do foolish things. If the matter of changing the heir apparent is truly being orchestrated and fails, the mastermind behind it will inevitably suffer the consequences, and even His Majesty will have to bear the repercussions. But if His Majesty is completely unaware, who can pin the blame on His Majesty?"
If this is accomplished, His Majesty will benefit and fulfill his obsession with changing the heir apparent.
If the plot fails, the mastermind will suffer the consequences, and it will have nothing to do with Your Majesty.
Wu Zetian quickly understood this point and sighed softly: "In the end, it is the greater good and the cause that has led so many loyal ministers and righteous men to willingly go through fire and water and die without hesitation."
Intervening in the battle for the reserve position will only lead to certain death if it fails.
Knowing that death was inevitable, he still managed to keep His Majesty out of the matter. What loyalty and courage this shows!
It makes it seem like the Eastern Palace side has become the villains...
Fang Jun remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Since they seek benevolence, then let them obtain it."
Reform always comes at a price, and often even bloodshed.
Fang Jun was unwilling to bleed himself, so let those who were loyal to the emperor bleed instead.
……
Although the Jiangnan region in winter is not as snowy and windy as Guanzhong and Liaodong, it is still damp and cold. The cold air mixed with moisture penetrates the clothes and seeps into the bones, as if even the internal organs are enveloped, a kind of bone-chilling cold from the inside out.
The worst part is that this cold is like a bone-deep infection, with nowhere to hide. It's even colder inside than outside, and even with several layers of blankets, you'll still shiver from the cold...
Fang Jun was in excellent physical condition and didn't care about this. He often walked around the dock wearing a brocade robe and a turban.
Sometimes I would go to the town hall to join the fun. The "futures trading" here had already taken shape. Signs indicating the types of goods and their prices were hung high. If someone was willing to trade at that price, they would take down the sign, pay the margin, record it, or keep it in their hands to wait for the price to rise, or trade it elsewhere if the price was right.
The hall was in complete chaos, but Fang Jun watched with great interest.
Given the current level of transportation and information, there is ample room for manipulation, and it is very difficult to detect and stop such activities. Therefore, this so-called "futures trading" is nothing more than a clumsy game. Ordinary people have neither the capital nor the ability to operate, so they rarely get involved. The vast majority of those who do trade are aristocratic families, high-ranking officials, and nobles.
Why should we care whether such a person gains or loses?
As long as the town government can provide a steady stream of processing fees and taxes...
The docks were still bustling with ships, with vessels from all over the world bringing all kinds of supplies needed for the development of Liaodong to be stored in warehouses, ready to provide sufficient supplies when Liaodong began its development next spring.
After inspecting the territory of Huating Town for more than a month, he returned to Chang'an by boat with Wu Meiniang.