Zhao Gan's impeachment did not have any grand theories or flowery words. Everything he said was the truth.
A large number of Southern Border's officials fell from power because of the rebellion of the Southern Border's barbarians. The barbarians rebelled not only because of the extortion and oppression from the censorate, but also because they had long been in conflict with the local officials.
Because of this, Wu Zetian was determined to reform the Southern Border's governance and improve the relationship between the court and the local barbarians. Zhao Gan's various deeds were like a slap to Wu Zetian's face. These were the officials she had chosen? Would these people be more competent than their predecessors when they were sent to the Southern Border?
Before this, Imperial Censor Gao Wen had accused Yang Fan of forming a clique for personal gain. Wu Zetian didn't care at all. She wanted Yang Fan to form a clique for the Wu Clan's personal gain. However, she couldn't tolerate the selection of such a group of officials.
"Enough! Don't say anymore! "
Wu Zetian suddenly burst into a thunderous rage. She slammed her palm down and waved her sleeves, "The list of candidates is invalid! Yang Fan will listen in seclusion! Court dismissed! "
Wu Zetian left the golden palace with a sunken expression, leaving all of the officials and generals in the golden palace.
The sudden turmoil in the court stemmed from the sudden appearance of more opportunities and benefits.
The promotion of any Prime Minister was enough to attract the attention of the court officials.
Every time there was a vacancy for a Prime Minister, the qualified officials would spare no effort to form cliques, bribe people, build momentum, and think of ways to attract the attention of the Emperor.
Those officials who were not qualified to be selected were even busier than them. Every new Prime Minister would build up his own team. These officials had to carefully analyze and select who had the most hope of becoming Prime Minister. They had to bribe them in advance, express their support, and choose which side to stand on.
Naturally, this time was no exception, especially since Li Zhaode had monopolized the power of the Prime Minister. His strong desire for power caused him to meddle in every matter, big or small, and firmly hold the power in his own hands. The other Prime Ministers had become mere decorations, and once Li Zhaode fell, none of the other Prime Ministers had the prestige and power to monopolize the court.
In other words, anyone who could enter the Political Affairs Hall would become a Prime Minister with real power. This position was naturally coveted by everyone. Following Li Zhaode's fall, his trusted aides like Lu Qinwang were also demoted. Correspondingly, there were a number of vacancies for high ranking officials. These positions also needed to be filled.
At the same time, the list of Southern Border officials had been invalidated and a new batch of officials was needed. The positions of these high officials in the Imperial Court were coveted by those in power now. The positions of those local officials with real power in the Southern Border, they also wanted to strive hard to obtain them for their own sons and nephews, comrades and disciples.
A series of interests formed political whirlpools of various sizes, converging into a monstrous wave that could swallow everything.
When Assistant Minister Wang Lei informed Yang Fan that he was going back to his residence to await his return, he said with a fake smile, "Yang Fan, go home and rest for a few days. Don't worry, as long as you are acting in the interest of the public, the court will naturally give you justice. After the truth is revealed, you will still be a member of the Heavenly Official Mansion! "
Originally, whenever Wang Lei saw Yang Fan, he would politely address him as Yang Langzhong. At this time, Yang Langzhong was still Yang Langzhong. It was just that because he was being impeached, he had to avoid meeting him as a matter of routine. Therefore, Wang Lei impolitely addressed him directly by his name.
Yang Fan did not seem to hear the coldness in his words. His face was still very calm. "I have just been appointed, and I am not very clear about many things yet. As a result, I have made such a big mess for the Heavenly Magistrate. I am really ashamed. I still have to trouble Assistant Minister Wang to clean up this mess. You have worked hard, worked hard! "
The smile on Wang Lei's face suddenly froze. He then remembered that with Yang Fan's departure, the selection of officials in the southern border would most likely fall on his head. Usually, if there was an official vacancy, it would be a very lucrative job. Whoever arranged it would benefit. But now?
It was a game of several political giants. It was definitely not a good thing to be involved in it!
When Yang Fan returned to the detention room, Li Zhenghu was instructing a few servants to help him pack up his things. As soon as he saw Yang Fan enter, Li Zhenghu quickly came up to greet him. His waist was stiff, but before he could bend down, he bounced up again. Only his voice was still considered polite. "Yang Langzhong, you have returned. I have already asked people to help pack up your things!"
Li Zhenghu's tone, smile, demeanor, everything seemed to be no different from before. It was just that he had subtly and quietly changed the humble title to "I", and it seemed so natural. That kind of coldness was like the unknowingly arriving autumn.
Yang Fan smiled and sighed in his heart. It was not the first time he had experienced the coldness of officialdom. Seeing that the servants had tied up the things they were packing, and that the small bag was being packed, they were all twisting their waists and thumping their shoulders in exhaustion. They had no intention of helping him move it out, so he smiled and nodded, "Thank you!"
Yang Fan stepped forward, picked up the tied up package, threw it over his shoulder, and strode out.
In life, one could only fight for oneself, and there was no need to say anything to others.
A rich person could borrow a hundred taels of silver, but a poor person could not ask for half a rice.
There were few gentlemen who sent charcoal in the snow, but there were many people who added flowers to embroidery.
One should not rely on relatives and friends, and the feelings of the world were thinner than the floating clouds …
…
If one were to talk about relatives, it had to be friends and relatives. While Yang Fan was in seclusion, Chen Dong, Feng Xihui, Yuan Han, and a group of old friends from the Ministry of Justice came to visit him without avoiding suspicion. Hu Yuanli, Sun Yuxuan, and a group of friends who had gone through trials and tribulations with him also immediately came to visit.
The group of brothers he had met in the army, such as Huang Xuchang, Zhang Xitong, Wei Yong, Li Dayin, and the others, were all there. Speaking of which, military officers did not consider as much as civil officials, and did not have many scruples. If they treated you as a friend, they would support you unreservedly.
Maqiao and Chu Kuangge were Yang Fan's best friends. When Yang Fan had been labeled as a traitor by Lai Junchen, they still had no scruples in associating with him. Of course, they could not be left out at this time. A true friend might not see you every day, but when you were in trouble, he would definitely be by your side.
For a moment, Yang Fan's residence was livelier than usual.
The group of military officers really did not have much to say. They did not know how to comfort people. Weren't the brothers feeling suffocated? Come! Let's drink! It'll be great when we're drunk!
They seemed to be afraid that the Yang family would not be able to afford wine, so they brought over a cart of wine themselves. They had the Yang family's chef prepare a few dishes, and then dragged Yang Fan to his seat. They began to drink in large bowls, as if all of Yang Fan's worries and worries would vanish like smoke in thin air after getting drunk.
The civil officials were much more meticulous. Sun Yuxuan took a few sips and began to persuade him. "Why does Erlang have to sit at home all day? Our positions are lowly, and our words do not carry much weight. We cannot help Erlang much, but Erlang has a wide network, and there are many people who can help. If they are willing to speak up for Erlang … "
Yang Fan shook his head and said with a smile, "This little brother understands Brother Sun's good intentions! It's just that this case involves a lot of people, all the people in the court are staring at it with their eyes wide open. Even the slightest movement of grass in the wind can't be hidden from people. If I go to their door to ask for help, it will give others a reason to say something, and they won't be able to speak up for me. "
Hu Yuanli said, "Erlang still has King Liang behind him. It's easy to mess with Erlang, but what should we do next? Say that Erlang has formed a faction? Who has Erlang formed a faction with? Hey! If this case is treated as a collusion case, the one who will lose the most face is His Majesty. Therefore, this matter, at most, is just a crime of 'carelessness'. How serious can the consequences be?
Erlang's family is wealthy, and he does not need to worry about this laborious official position. Besides, a day as an official, a lifetime as an official. Even if Erlang loses his official position, he still has an official status. Official positions can be transferred, demoted, and dismissed, but an official's status is different. As long as they are not exiled, an official who has lost his official position can still preside over associations and undertake litigation. The yamen runners and bailiffs have to be respectful when they see them, and the prefectural and county magistrates have to visit them to ask for advice. "
Yang Fan knew that he had good intentions, and was afraid that he would take things too hard, so he smiled and nodded in agreement.
Chen Dong coughed and said while stroking his beard, "As an official, as long as it is not a big mistake, even if he is removed from his official position, it won't be long before he can get another official position, such as managing the temple, supervising the official projects, participating in the education of the officials, and so on. Erlang's case involves the Wu family, and it involves His Majesty's face, so it won't be too severe. "
Feng Xihui's eyes brightened, and he said cheerfully, "Yes! There are three types of removal from office in our court: removal from office, removal from office, and removal from office forever. Let's just say that he would never be able to use it again. That was the most severe punishment, but so what? He can still be reinstated! The future is long, and Erlang is still so young. As long as he works hard, there will be a chance for him to come back. "
Yang Fan did not know whether to laugh or cry as he raised his cup and said, "Alright, alright, everyone, don't worry about this matter. I am wholeheartedly serving the public, and I have a clear conscience. As for the court's decision, we can just quietly wait for the news. As for the plans that everyone has mentioned, it is still too early to plan them! Come, come, come, let's drink. Let those nobles worry about those dirty things! "
Sun Yuxuan shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Erlang is open-minded, I really cannot compare!"
Chu Kuangge, Maqiao, Zhang Xitong, Li Dayin, and the other generals immediately picked up their wine bowls and shouted, "Erlang is right, come, come, let's drink, let's drink!"
…
At the same time, the Assistant Minister of War, Yao Chong, was also holding a banquet in Yao Yuanzhi's residence.
The banquet was held in the study. There was a pot of wine, two kinds of dried fruits, and two people sitting opposite each other behind the table.
Yao Chong was wearing a brown robe, his tall and sturdy body stretched out with strong lines, and his rough face was sharp and angular. Over fifty years old, he still looked as healthy as a man in the prime of his life. After all, he was from a family of generals. As long as he did not neglect his martial arts, he would still be full of blood and vitality in his fifties, and his body would be strong and vigorous.
Opposite him was a white-haired, thin, and scholarly old man. The old man sipped the wine and ate a big jujube, enjoying himself.
Yao Chong smiled and said, "Duke Wen, is Duke Zhang doing well in Jingzhou?"
The person called Duke Wen called Zhang Jianzhi's name and said with a smile, "Although General Meng is old, his hearing and eyes are still sharp, and his body is healthy. One meal of his is worth two meals of mine."
With that, the two laughed at each other. After the laughter stopped, Duke Wen leaned forward slightly and said in a low voice, "Li Zhaode has left his post, and Yuanzhi, you are one of the most promising candidates to become the Prime Minister. However, Duke Zhang thinks that Yuanzhi will be more useful in the Ministry of War than in the Political Affairs Hall. I have come to the capital for this matter! "
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