Chapter 193: Rice seeds in exchange for Han Xiang's entry into Qiongzhou
"You all have black hearts."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire East Hall fell silent again.
On the other hand, Master Pang and Di Qing both had half-smiles on their faces, and seemed to be enjoying the show.
Mo Shaocong first looked back at the people around him. Seeing that they all looked serious, he turned back and said to Lu Sen, "Master Lu, you think you are the only one sober while everyone else is drunk? Isn't this too arrogant?"
Are you arrogant?
Maybe somewhat, but Lu Sen was really disappointed with these people again.
It is normal for a group of people to think about eating the fairy fruit produced in their own home and to live a healthy and long life. From another perspective, if he were an ordinary person, he would also think about it.
There's no shame in that.
But this group of people, hiding in the back, actually pushed a young man out to take the lead.
Anyway, if things fail, only Mo Shaocong will be disliked by Lu Sen. If it succeeds... then they will benefit greatly.
I can live the healthy, pain-free life I had three years ago again.
However, Lu Sen was not stupid. He could see at a glance that Mo Shaocong was a fool who was happy to be used as a gun.
It is useless to scold such a fool. It is useful to scold the people behind him directly.
"What does it matter if I'm arrogant or not?" Lu Sen's eyes fell on Mo Shaocong, and swept around the dignitaries around him. There were many very familiar faces among them, and most of them were court officials: "When fighting Xixia, you hid in the back, and then you harmed the soldiers, fearing that the warriors would make meritorious deeds, and suppressed the meritorious officials. You are all eloquent. I have been unhappy with you for a long time, so I don't want to serve in the same court with you. I thought that after two years, you should have improved a little, but now it's worse than before. I know you anyway, but you don't dare to come to me to ask for some results, and you bluff a young man to come up and test it. You are really more capable than the other. This kind of irresponsible look, let alone Xixia and Khitan, even I, a latecomer, look down on you."
Every word Lu Sen said was like a sharp sword, piercing the hearts of the dignitaries in the East Hall.
Of course, there are also a few people who are not afraid of boiling water and don’t care what Lu Sen says.
For a moment, most people turned their heads back, looking very unhappy, but they could do nothing about it.
Just as Mo Shaocong was about to continue speaking, Lu Sen interrupted and said, "Mo Siyan, as a censor, your duty is to advise the emperor. You come here to advise a commoner like me... Did you get the wrong person? Or do you think I have the talent to be an emperor?"
Speech was relatively free during the Song Dynasty, and speaking like Lu Sen did was not a serious crime. At most, it was a bit inappropriate.
His rhetorical question was very touching.
Mo Shaocong's face suddenly turned red like a monkey. He bowed slightly and retreated awkwardly.
Lu Sen was right, Mo Siyan's job was to "criticize" the government, and Lu Sen, the former Tianzhang Pavilion Direct Scholar who had already resigned, would not be persuaded by him.
Even Mo Siyan's behavior gave people the feeling that he was treating Lu Sen like an official.
Seeing Mo Shaocong retreat, everyone in the East Hall lowered their heads and dared not speak. Lu Sen sneered in his heart, then turned his head to look at the "big shots" at his table, and finally his eyes fell on Han Qi. He asked with a smile: "Prime Minister Han, do you think what I said just now makes sense?"
Han Qi had just been recalled to the capital from the local area less than half a year ago, and he had actually been hearing news about Lu Sen.
Things like supernatural powers, arrogance, etc.
But that was only heard, and now I really saw Lu Sen's rebelliousness. His words just now criticized everyone in the court, but no one dared to refute him. This was outrageous.
And now, Lu Sen actually brought the topic to himself.
Everyone's eyes shifted over.
Han Qi now felt as if thousands of ants were crawling on his body, making him feel uncomfortable all over.
What made him feel even more unhappy and puzzled was that there was a hint of provocation and sarcasm in the words Lu Sen asked him just now.
He suppressed his inner discomfort and asked with a smile: "Master Lu has a prejudice against me?"
"Yes." Lu Sen nodded without hesitation: "Prime Minister Han set a good example by causing harm to the lives of his own soldiers and causing a huge defeat, and then Wang Jiefu followed suit. He really admires you."
Han Qi frowned.
Lu Sen continued, "Wang Jiefu has gone to Qiongzhou now, but Han Xiang... has only been sent to a remote place. I really feel sorry for Wang Jiefu. Why should he go to a poor place and risk his life for such a thing, while Han Xiang can live a carefree life in a prosperous place! What do you think, Master Bao?"
Han Qi felt a surge of blood rushing to his head and he almost slammed the table and stood up.
Back then, he dared to point at Di Qing's face and curse with full of energy, and all the passers-by in Donghua Gate could hear it, which was enough to prove that he was a man of "blood". But when he saw Lu Sen's face, which was obviously handsome but had an arrogant air, somehow, his blood quickly cooled.
He pretended to be slightly unhappy and said, "Master Lu, are you overstepping your authority? Although you are a direct scholar of Tianzhang Pavilion, you are not an official of the Ministry of Justice or the Secretariat."
"So I'm asking Master Bao." Lu Sen said with a smile, "Did Prime Minister Han hear me convict you?"
This... is a tricky question.
Han Qi suddenly felt that he had met an unlucky star.
The other party is a cultivator, and he acts without restraint. Moreover, he has real skills. I dare not to force him or fight back.
It would be bad if you offend the other party and have your luck sucked away.
Now Master Lu is just cursing people, and I have never seen him harm anyone, so he can't be considered really angry.
Although Han Qi dared to scold Di Qing, he did not dare to scold Lu Sen.
Because a lot of the time, other people think you’re a jerk, someone with the ability to fight back and hurt others, so you’d better have some skills!
Otherwise the consequences will be unpredictable.
Di Qing lowered his head slightly and said nothing, as if he hadn't heard anything, but the slightly raised corners of his mouth were enough to prove his current mood.
In comparison, Bao Zheng's expression was very dull.
Seeing Han Qi's grim expression and not knowing how to respond, he spoke to help, saying, "Master Lu, today is Captain Zhan's big day. As his best friend, you should at least be considerate of him in your actions and words."
Lu Sen raised his eyebrows, looked at Bao Zheng quietly for a while, and finally said with some disappointment: "Since Master Bao rarely speaks like this, then I will obey your orders."
Bao Zheng was considering the overall situation. He felt that getting rid of Wang Anshi would have little impact on the court.
However, if Han Qi were really sent to Qiongzhou, the court would not be in complete chaos, but at least it would become increasingly contentious.
After all, Han Qi was once a prime minister, and his network of relationships in the court was complicated.
Lu Sen could understand Bao Zheng's thoughts, but he was still disappointed.
Because the current situation in the Northern Song Dynasty seems to be okay, it seems to be booming and prosperous, but it is all an illusion.
Land annexation became more and more serious, and the army's combat effectiveness became lower and lower under the suppression of civil officials.
If we start changing now, we can still make amends.
Bao Zheng should have seen this, but he still pursued the word "stability" and did not think of enduring the pain and cutting out the lesion and abscess.
So even though Lu Sen had done a lot before, the inertia of history still pushed the Northern Song Dynasty onto its predetermined track.
It seems that the stimulation I gave was still not enough.
Lu Sen sighed slightly in his heart, then restrained his expression and stopped talking casually.
After eating the first course of the buffet, Lu Sen took Yang Jinhua away.
His current status is too high, and it is not appropriate for him to stay and join a group of people in making trouble in Zhan Zhao's bridal chamber.
The other guests couldn't let go.
Bao Zheng caught up from behind, followed by Di Qing, Master Pang and others.
"Master Lu, let's talk about the matter of the immortal rice seeds."
Lu Sen looked back at Bao Zheng and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Since ancient times, food has always been a top priority." Bao Zheng said as he walked, "The granaries are the foundation of the country. Although Master Lu has distributed enough seeds in Hangzhou, it is still difficult to benefit most people. So it would be better to put some in the Ministry of Households and let them distribute it according to the farmers' household registration, which would be more accurate."
The Ministry of Revenue was originally in charge of money and grain, but the Northern Song Dynasty gave most of the responsibilities for money and grain to the Three Commissioners, so the Ministry of Revenue of the Northern Song Dynasty became a nominal department without any real power.
But if the giant rice seeds were given to the Ministry of Households, at least it would give the Ministry of Households some power.
As Lu Sen walked towards Yang's house, he smiled and said, "Currently, the land is either managed by officials or the local landlords occupy most of it. If they can get the rice seeds, it means that most farmers can get the rice seeds. What's the difference?"
Lu Sen was satirizing the serious annexation of local farmland, but at this time, Zhao Song did not prohibit this, so Bao Zheng had no way to control it. He could only pretend that he did not hear it: "But handing it over to the farmers is better than handing it directly to the big households."
"Then, what benefits can I get ?" Lu Sen turned his head and asked with a smile.
"Why should we involve too many interests in sharing the worries of the people?" Bao Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Master Lu needs precious medicinal materials for his practice. How about I ask the government to open the palace treasury and let Master Lu go in and select some things every year?"
After all, it is the imperial palace, so there must be some rare herbs and medicines.
Then Lu Sen shook his head and said, "The palace may not have the herbs I want, but I do have an idea."
"Please say."
" As long as Master Bao agrees to one request of mine, I will no longer distribute all the rice seeds in Hangzhou, but will bring them all to the capital and hand them over to the court for processing. How do you do that?"
"What conditions?" Bao Zheng knew that Lu Sen's conditions might be harsh, but when he thought that rice seeds could benefit the people, he couldn't help but ask.
"Send Han Xiang to Qiongzhou as well!"
Bao Zheng stopped and a look of fear appeared on his fair and clean face.
He was not afraid of Lu Sen, but of himself, because he was really moved.
And Master Pang and others who followed behind were even more surprised, but they felt that it should be so.
As expected of a cultivator, you are so bold in saying this.
Di Qing's face even turned red with excitement.
After a while, Bao Zheng finally said, "Prime Minister Han is a pillar of the court. Without him, the court would be in chaos."
"I don't think so. He has been distributing local affairs for three years, and I haven't seen the court become too chaotic."
"Master Lu, you are lying with your eyes open." Bao Zheng sighed helplessly, "Some people are not in the court, but they are almost the same as being in the court. You should understand what I mean."
Han Qi has a lot of connections and many confidants.
Although he is not in the court, many things cannot be avoided by him, and his opinions can always be heard in the court.
Lu Sen smiled and said, "I understand. Han Xiang is in another county, but his heart is in the court. He is a man who values friendship and the overall situation. For the sake of the country, the people, and the overall situation, he will definitely write a letter to explain his mistakes and is willing to go to Qiongzhou."
Ken is weird.
Bao Zheng and several ministers behind him shook their heads.
However, they also understood that Lu Sen was mocking Han Qi. After all, when Han Qi defended himself after his defeat, he used the central argument of "putting the overall situation first".
Anyway, the defeat was described as a roundabout strategy.
Everyone in the court knew that this was a lie, but no one seriously investigated him. They just sent him to another place or transferred him to another position.
I have already punished myself by drinking three cups of wine. No matter how big the mistake is, it has to be let go.
That's roughly what I mean.
Bao Zheng followed Lu Sen for a short distance, then finally sighed, shook his head, and left first.
Then Master Pang caught up and said, "Bring Mei back more often, understand?"
Lu Sen nodded.
Then Master Pang also left. Before he left, he smiled quietly and said, "You have been hiding outside for almost three years, and your temper has improved. Not bad. You scolded me directly and beautifully at the banquet just now. I like you very much."
Then Master Pang also left happily.
Finally, Di Qing came up, said thank you quietly, and left.
After walking for a while, Lu Sen returned to Tianbo Yang Mansion. Mu Guiying was pinching a walnut in the inner hall. She didn't use much force, but the walnut shell broke.
Lu Sen was about to take a rest with Yang Jinhua when he suddenly heard the doorman Lao Qi rushing in. He bowed hastily and said breathlessly, "Son-in-law, the Prince of Runan wants to see you outside. He said it's urgent."
Um?
Lu Sen felt a little strange, but still went out.
Just as he entered the door, the Prince of Runan rushed over and pulled him towards the palace, saying, "Something bad has happened. The emperor suddenly fell to the ground an hour ago, and several imperial doctors worked together to save him, but to no avail. The queen heard that you were in the capital, and has sent someone to my house, asking me to come and find you as soon as possible."
Lu Sen was a little surprised: "As far as I know, you would privately give the fruits and honey that Bilian brought back to the palace. The emperor should be in good health. Why did you do this suddenly?"
"Oh, don't mention it. The emperor is kind and generous. He doesn't eat most of the fruits and honey. He either gives them to the crown prince, the queen, or the concubines."
This... is a bit of responsibility.
Originally, he didn't care much about this matter. Whether Zhao Jian lived or died was fate, and it had nothing to do with him. But after hearing such words, he couldn't help but admire Zhao Jian. Thinking that Zhao Jian was the only qualified emperor in the Northern Song Dynasty besides Emperor Taizu of Song, he took out honey from the system backpack and handed it to the Prince of Runan, saying, "Take this thing in and give it to him. There should be no problem."
"I also sent half a bottle of honey to the palace before." The Prince of Runan said hastily, "But I still have to take you in, it will be safer."
Okay, Lu Sen thought about it and followed the Prince of Runan to the palace.
At the palace gate, he met Bao Zheng, Master Pang and others who had hurried over.
They received the message too.
Just as they entered the palace and hadn't walked far, they suddenly heard an earth-shaking wail coming from the front.
No way!
