ATPnovel Chapter 89 Let's Talk
Chapter 89 Let's Talk
The Imperial Palace in Chengdu, Liu Shan's study.
An urgent memorial from Yong'an was placed on the desk.
"Your Majesty, these are the results of this election. Please take a look."
Zhuge Liang handed over the list and said with satisfaction, "Among the generals participating in this election, there are many promising talents. Although they are not destined to lead the 'Wudang Flying Army,' with a little training, they will surely become great men."
On the surface, Zhuge Liang was praising these future generals of Shu Han, but in reality, he saw the benefits that the Imperial Academy brought to the court.
Liu Shan opened the memorial, and Wang Ping's name was prominently displayed at the top.
As expected, Wang Ping ranked first in both hard skills and overall ability.
"I have compiled the written test questions and the interview process and will publish them together, so that the entire court will be convinced."
Zhuge Liang smiled broadly.
He had never smiled so brightly since Shu Han lost Jingzhou.
"Thank you for your trouble, Your Excellency."
Zhuge Liang stared at the urgent official document on his desk, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Your Majesty, what is the situation in Yong'an?"
Liu Shan glanced down at the official documents on the desk and casually said, "Yang Hong is always meticulous and thorough in his work. I think he must have found out something, but he didn't dare to make a decision on his own, so he sent someone to deliver an urgent document for me to decide."
Zhuge Liang became even more curious.
Yang Hong was there to investigate a corruption case in Yong'an, and he held the power of a fake imperial axe, which allowed him to execute officials of all ranks in Yong'an without prior approval.
Only high-ranking officials like Li Yan would request a separate imperial decree.
What could that be, something even more serious than embezzling military rations?
Zhuge Liang dared not think any further and said, "In that case, Your Majesty should make a decision as soon as possible."
"No rush, I'm waiting for someone."
"Who is His Majesty waiting for?"
"Why don't you guess, Prime Minister?"
Zhuge Liang thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled knowingly.
"I suspect Your Majesty is waiting for Li..."
Before he could finish speaking, the eunuch Wang Gui strode into the study and landed silently.
"Your Majesty, Protector-General Li Yan requests an audience."
Liu Shan put down his pen, looked at Zhuge Liang, and the emperor and his minister smiled at each other.
"please!"
After Wang Gui left, Zhuge Liang prepared to get up and leave.
"Since it is Li Yan who has come to see Your Majesty, then I shall take my leave."
Liu Shan called out to Zhuge Liang.
"Prime Minister, don't rush off. Stay and listen to what Li Yan has to say."
After hesitating for a moment, Zhuge Liang sat down again.
"In my opinion, Li Yan's visit is definitely about the 'Wudang Flying Army'."
"Li Feng performed well in the election, and was neck and neck with Wang Ping, but he still lost in the end."
In terms of background and ability, if it were in the past, the position of commander of the "Wudang Flying Army" would most likely have belonged to Li Feng, a "second-generation official".
But things are different now.
Liu Shan demanded fairness and impartiality, and set the rules as written tests and interviews, making the answers and interview process public.
Even if the examiner intended to cover it up, he couldn't silence the gossip.
"What does the Prime Minister think of Li Feng?"
"Those fierce people in the south are unruly and difficult to tame. If Li Feng goes to train troops, I'm afraid he won't be able to subdue them."
Zhuge Liang succinctly revealed the key to this matter.
Although Li Feng joined the military early, his status naturally ensured a smooth career path within the army.
How could a general who has never encountered setbacks and hardships subdue the ethnic minorities in the south?
A short while later, Li Yan entered the study.
He was slightly taken aback when he saw Zhuge Liang there.
"Your subject Li Yan pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Prime Minister Zhuge is also here."
Liu Shan gestured with his right hand and said, "Protector Li, please sit down."
After Li Yan was seated, Liu Shan asked, "What important matter has Protector Li come to discuss today?"
Li Yan was about to speak, but subconsciously looked at Zhuge Liang beside him.
"Governor Li, there's no need to avoid suspicion. Prime Minister Zhuge is my father-in-law, so please speak freely."
Li Yan was in a dilemma at this moment.
He entered the palace alone today because he didn't want outsiders to know.
Liu Shan clearly knew Zhuge Liang's intentions, yet he did not avoid him.
This also shows that Zhuge Liang held a very high position in Liu Shan's heart.
This made him even more upset.
Seeing Li Yan's predicament, Zhuge Liang sighed and said, "Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."
"Wait a minute!"
Li Yan stopped him.
Although Zhuge Liang was his political enemy, he was not a mortal enemy.
Li Yan bowed and said, "I have come to the palace today to apologize to Your Majesty."
Zhuge Liang was somewhat surprised.
He never expected that the usually arrogant Li Yan would admit his mistake in front of him.
After a moment's thought, Zhuge Liang turned his attention to the urgent official document in front of Liu Shan.
What could be so important that it could make Li Yan bow his head?
"Since I ascended the throne more than half a year ago, it seems I have never had such a relationship with the ministers appointed by the two late emperors."
"How about we close the door today and have a heart-to-heart talk, get things done, and have a good chat?"
Zhuge Liang and Li Yan's eyes immediately turned somewhat surprised.
Want to have a heart-to-heart talk?
See-through bottom?
Sweating it out?
Ring the bell?
Liu Shan used extremely euphemistic and ordinary words to set the tone for the subsequent conversation.
The implication is that today's conversation is a private one and will not be heard from outside.
What mistakes have you made? What wrong have you done? You can all speak out today, and we can turn big problems into small ones, and small problems into nothing.
Don't wait until later, when I discover any problems, then don't blame me for being impolite.
The ambiguity in this statement is also its most damaging aspect.
The extent to which the bottom should be soaked through, and how much sweat should be produced, was entirely in Liu Shan's hands.
Zhuge Liang remained calm.
Because he did not do anything wrong.
In his view, the former Liu Shan had truly grown up completely.
But Li Yan is different.
He immediately sensed danger.
Normally, if he hadn't realized Liu Shan's true intentions, he could have stalled with other matters.
But since I came to them today, if I refuse to talk about it now, I will only put myself in a more passive situation.
Rather than passively waiting to die, it's better to take the initiative.
"Your Majesty, I understand."
"I have come here to confess my guilt to Your Majesty. I was already aware of the embezzlement of military rations in the Yong'an Army, but only a little before Your Majesty."
This is where Li Yan's brilliance lies.
By proactively admitting one's mistake but emphasizing that one did not know about it long ago but only recently, one leaves room for maneuver.
Before Li Yan could finish speaking, Liu Shan interrupted him.
"Governor Li, in fact, I have been waiting for you to come and talk to me about this matter. Even after Yang Hong investigated the matter and presented it to my desk, I did not open it, just to wait for you to come in person."
"Given Li's character, I believe he would never tolerate his subordinates embezzling military rations. But now that you know, shouldn't you report this to the Ministry of Personnel and request that he be punished according to the law?"
"Instead of suppressing the matter and trying to use their own private funds to fill the loophole."
"This isn't protecting one's own, it's covering up for someone else."
Li Yan's heart skipped a beat after hearing this.
Liu Shan even knew that he wanted to use his private treasury to replenish the funds.
This is terrifying!
Thankfully, I confessed today.
Otherwise, they won't even know how they die.