Tibet

Li Linfu retired from office and Yang Guozhong was promoted to right minister. The decree had not yet been issued, but the news spread, and some prophets immediately took action.

As soon as it got dark, cars and horses gathered in front of Yang Guozhong's mansion, and there was an endless stream of officials who came to deliver gifts, forming a long queue at the door.

Giving gifts has been a science since ancient times, especially in official circles. There is actually a meaning behind giving gifts to stand in line or to humiliate. For example, if a rich and powerful person sends someone to deliver a few baskets of agricultural products, this is rather perfunctory and even humiliating.

Another example is that an official from an average family brings expensive gifts. This is a sign of taking sides, and the subtext is that I entrust my wealth and life to you.

Of course, officials who have never interacted with each other would not be so reckless. If someone else accepts a heavy gift but doesn't take it seriously, then it will be a big deal. Generally, it is officials who are familiar with the gift who give gifts like this to show their loyalty.

There are also some details, such as the time for giving gifts. Of course, the earlier the better, the earlier the gift is given, the deeper the impression will be on the other party. Later, when there are too many gift-givers, gift-receiving fatigue will occur, which is the same thing as aesthetic fatigue. Don't take the gift giver seriously.

Furthermore, people who come to give gifts should generally not come in person, otherwise it will be awkward for the other party to receive them, and it will be awkward for them not to receive them. It is best to ask someone who is familiar with the other party, or just ask the butler to deliver the gifts directly. This is the most common practice at present. In this case, just submit a gift list.

Currently, the gate of Yang Mansion is filled with housekeepers from various mansions who come to give gifts. The eldest son, Yang Xuan, personally receives the gifts in front of the door. Of course, this is not a birthday gift and cannot be announced publicly, let alone the name of the person.

Two staff members were registering the gift list. At this time, Yang Xuan got a list of congratulatory gifts and was stunned for a moment.

He asked his third brother Yang Xiao to take over, and Yang Xuan hurried to the back house.

Although Yang Guozhong was promoted to the right minister, he was not happy because the case of his son Yang Xi was closed by the court. The real mastermind An Lushan was let off, but the accomplice Wu family was used as the main culprit. Who are you fooling? ?

In fact, the relationship between Yang Guozhong and Wu Xin was not bad. He knew that it could not be Wu Xin's fault. It was too late for Wu Xin to flatter him. How could he dare to attack the Yang family behind his back?

In the heart of the emperor, is the Yang family inferior to An Lushan?

At this time, the eldest son Yang Xuan hurried over and bowed: "Father!"

"How's the gift collection going?"

"Reporting to my father, there is still a queue outside. It is estimated that the gift will not be less than 300. There are many people outside the memorial hall who are coming to give gifts."

Yang Guozhong frowned, "Why are you coming to the memorial hall to join in the fun? I don't have many gifts. I still owe them a favor."

"Father, there is no need to consider favors. Just treat it as a normal gift. It is normal to give gifts to the memorial hall. If you don't give them, you will offend your father."

"That makes sense!"

Yang Guozhong nodded, "Then take it!"

"Father, look at this gift."

Yang Xuan handed a gift list to his father. Yang Guozhong took it and took a look at it. He couldn't help but was startled. It was actually a gift list for Li Linfu's eldest son, Li Xiu. The gifts were not light, including four pairs of white jade, a bronze incense burner with an animal head, and two silver coins. Thousand taels.

What does it mean? Did Li Linfu give him a gift in disguise, or was it Li Xiu himself?

Yang Guozhong thought about it for a while, it probably wasn't Li Linfu. In Li Linfu's words, the gift was a little too light. It should have been Li Xiu himself who gave the gift, most likely behind his father's back. Yang Zhongguo snorted coldly in his heart.

"Father, do you want to accept this gift?"

Yang Guozhong waved his hand, "Throw it out!"

"My child obeys!"

Just as Yang Xuan was about to leave, Yang Guozhong stopped him again, "Forget it, accept it first. The prime minister has enough energy to support the boat. Don't let others say that we have no courage. Accepting gifts is one thing, but dealing with Li Linfu is another."

Yang Xuan nodded and turned to go out. Suddenly, the third son Yang Xiao rushed in, "Father, Gao Lishi is coming soon!"

Yang Guozhong jumped up in fright and said quickly: "Send the gift givers away quickly and ask them to come back tomorrow. Open the door and I will greet you personally!"

A large carriage slowly stopped in front of the Yang Mansion. There were still many gift-givers in the distance. They all stretched their necks to see who was visiting, and Yang Xiangguo was actually greeted at the gate in person.

"It's Eunuch Gao!"

Someone with sharp eyes recognized Gao Lishi at a glance, blurted out, and was immediately punched by several punches.

"You're tired of living. If you dare to call Eunuch Gao, get out of here! Don't hurt us."

A group of officials who entered the memorial hall angrily scolded their colleagues who had just screamed recklessly. Everyone knew that no more gifts would be given today, so they all left with their gifts.

Yang Guozhong respectfully invited Gao Lishi to the guest room, and Gao Lishi naturally came to appease Yang Guozhong.

Although the assassination case was solved and the Wu family took the blame, Li Longji also knew that this could only fool ordinary officials, but not high-ranking officials, let alone the Yang family, so Gao Lishi was needed to come forward to appease Yang Guozhong for him.

The two of them sat down in the VIP room, and a maid served tea. Gao Lishi picked up the tea cup and said quietly: "Your Majesty asked me to come, in fact, it means two things. One is to look forward. Li Linfu's side, The emperor has reached an agreement with him to retire, so you should stop staring at him. The imperial doctor said he won't live for two years, so let him be!"

Yang Guozhong smiled and said: "Li Xiangguo is my old boss. I have always respected him. Since he has retired from office and retired, I will naturally not disturb him anymore, but the rules of the court will not change!"

"What's the meaning?"

"The people he promoted occupied so many pitfalls and blocked the way for others to make progress."

What Yang Guozhong meant was that he could not move Li Linfu, but he would liquidate the people promoted by Li Linfu.

There is one emperor and one minister, one prime minister and one court. This is the rule.

Gao Lishi said calmly: "The direct descendants will not move. Those who are above the fifth rank must report to the emperor for approval, and the rest are enough!"

In fact, the emperor basically only cares about those above the third rank, and those below the third rank and above the fifth rank. That is the scope of power of Gao Lishi, and Gao Lishi does not allow Yang Guozhong to get involved.

Yang Zhongguo also knew it well and said quickly: "Just follow what Gao Weng said!"

Gao Lishi nodded and said: "The second thing is to look forward. The case of Yang Xi and Yang Xuangui has been closed. The Holy Lord hopes that this matter will not be mentioned again, let go of hatred and unite sincerely."

Yang Guozhong bowed his head and remained silent. He couldn't even let go of his hatred, let alone sincere unity.

Gao Lishi looked at him and said: "It is indeed difficult to let go of the hatred of killing a son. Your Majesty also understands it, but at least it must be okay on the surface and pretend to be harmonious."

Yang Guozhong sighed and said: "I know that he is the military governor of Fan Yang. Youzhou and Liaodong need him to control the situation. The emperor doesn't want to touch him for the time being, so that's fine. I will put the overall situation first, at least on the surface."

"Taking care of the overall situation, the emperor wants to hear these four words."

Gao Lishi nodded happily, and then said slowly: "As a reward for taking care of the overall situation, your three sons will receive high-ranking officials and generous salaries, and your wife Pei will also be granted the title of first-class wife. In a word, the emperor will not I’ve treated you badly.”

Yang Guozhong gave a wry smile and asked again: "How to deal with the other criminals involved in the case?"

"The emperor has ordered Quan Furong, the main culprit, to be sentenced to death and beheaded in prison. Wu Xin is actually quite innocent. He didn't know about it, but the emperor still ordered him to be dismissed from his official title and exiled to Lingnan. His eldest son Wu Ying also Likewise, the chief culprit was his second son Wu Gui, who was the mastermind. The emperor designated him as the main culprit and had him imprisoned and exposed his body in the wilderness for wild dogs to eat."

"Then the other father and son didn't suffer any loss at all?"

"Yes! The emperor originally considered making him the king of Dongping County, but now he has canceled it. His son will be demoted and demoted to a commoner. If he dares to act daringly again, he will be executed together!"

This punishment was so light that Yang Guozhong had no choice but to hold his nose and admit it.