Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 156: Xuanwumen Season , preparations in progress
Youzhou, Prince Temple.

The east is white.

The wife of Cui Yi, the governor of Hebei Province, stood in front of the gate of Cui's mansion with her big belly, opening her big eyes with curiosity and admiring the scenery around her.

The Tang Dynasty had an open-minded society, and women were not so bound by Neo-Confucianism.

Therefore, as a half-common woman who had escaped from the solemn palace walls, she could go out freely for the first time in her life.

What she enjoyed was not the scenery, but the feeling of "going out".

"Lingqing, be careful to catch a cold."

Today is a day off, Cui Yi tenderly puts a fur coat on his beloved wife from behind.

"My dear, it's like the scenery outside my home. I never get tired of looking at it~"

Li Ling was like a little bird, nestling in her lover's arms.

At this time, a dusty carriage drove up the street and stopped in front of Cui's house.

Under the curious gaze of the couple, three black faces, one big and two small, jumped out of the car.

One of the little black-haired kids had a naturally dark face, while the other two, one big and one small, had dark complexions.

"You are... Ming'er? Minister Hou? The young master of Yuchi... family?"

Li Ling exclaimed in a low voice, and the two were so surprised that they even forgot to change their poses and maintained their awkward postures.

"Well, good morning, sister and brother-in-law."

Li Ming said in a muffled voice.

It wasn't the touching reunion between sister and brother as imagined. As soon as I opened the door, I was blinded by a flash bomb.

I felt like I should be under the car, not in it.

…………

“These days have really made me anxious.

"At first, the government and the people thought that you had quietly gone up the mountain to become bandits and colluded with the enemy, but then they saw you fighting alone against the 150,000-strong army of Goguryeo...

"I only regret that I am not a man, and cannot share your worries. I can only run around for you from behind...

"I'm ashamed to say that I only did some minor work. I didn't do anything else in Youzhou for half a year. I only did three things...

"First, we raised some meager military pay for the warriors from Pingzhou and Yingzhou. It's just a drop in the ocean, not a big enough tribute..."

Li Ling knelt in the main seat with her big belly and talked incessantly.

After living in Youzhou for half a year, she has adapted to the local customs, her speech has become more and more authentic, and she can speak a lot every time she opens her mouth.

He was full of energy and spoke without taking a breath, only occasionally interrupted by his beloved.

"Lingqing, come here, ah~" Cui Lang accompanied him and personally cracked open a Yanshan chestnut for Li Ling and fed it to his mouth.

"Ah~m." Li Ling felt the sweetness from his lips to his heart.

Li Ming: …

Hou Junji: ...

Yuchi Xunyu: "Brother Ming, what are your sister and brother-in-law doing? Why did you cover my eyes~"

"Children should not watch this." Hou Junji whispered.

These two in-laws are so disgusting. They are actually relatives of my boss. I am so unlucky...

"Ahem." Li Ming, who had eaten all the dog food, coughed lightly and brought the topic back to the topic:

“No matter what, Liaodong’s ability to escape this crisis is inseparable from the strong support of my sister and the Cui family.

"So I came here specially to thank you."

This is not an exaggeration.

If it weren’t for the Youzhou Governor Cui Mingan who came with gold, silver, jewelry and a secret plan.

Although Liaodong might be able to stop Goguryeo and delay it until Li Shiji's reinforcements arrive.

But it will definitely come at a more painful price.

Moreover, he would owe the imperial court a "favor", and his voice in the court and the public would certainly not be as loud as it is now.

However, human feelings are conserved.

It was simply transferred from the imperial court to the Cui family and the Hebei gentry.

As a senior member of society who has lived two lifetimes, Xiao Li naturally understands this principle.

Therefore, when he returned to Chang'an from Liaodong, he deliberately took a short detour to visit him in person to express his gratitude.

As for the second mission, I came to visit Li Ling whom I hadn't seen for a long time...

He felt he was overthinking it.

I thought that marrying into a wealthy family would be like meeting a philandering husband, a mean mother-in-law, a vicious concubine, and so on.

Then he, the governor, descended from the sky and acted pretentiously, making the vicious male and female supporting characters kneel in horror and shed tears of regret.

however……

"I'm sorry, maybe I came at the wrong time." Li Ming said with a dark face:

"It happened to be a holiday, and the Youzhou government office was empty, so I couldn't thank Envoy Cui in person."

"No, you came at the right time." Cui Yi leaned forward and tried very hard to persuade him to stay:
"My father is going to invite Tribble to our house for a chat. They should be here soon."

Good boy, how could this happen by coincidence? You tipped off the news so quickly...

After a while, two well-mannered middle-aged scholars came hand in hand.

Both of them have round and smooth faces, and their eyebrows and eyes are somewhat similar.

One of them was Li Ming’s acquaintance, Cui Mingan, the governor of Youzhou.

The other one should be Cui Yi’s father.

"You men are talking, and if I, a woman, continue to take advantage of you, it would be a shameless act."

Li Ling stood up with a smile.

My father's face changed slightly and he glared at his son.

Cui Yi jumped up immediately and supported his beloved wife.

This is holding her in the palm of your hand, and you're afraid she'll drop it... Seeing how the Cui family took such good care of his sister, Li Ming felt relieved and carefully instructed:

"Although rest is the main thing for pregnant women, they cannot sit for long periods of time, as this can easily cause blood clots in the lower limbs. They should walk around more and exercise their hip muscles, so that the birth can go more smoothly."

"Yes, I can."

Li Ling was touched but also felt a little strange.

My little brother was not as curious about the birth of a new life as other children. Instead, he was like an old mother, nagging and worrying.

After the loving couple left, five light bulbs gathered together.

Cui Yi's father, Cui Renshi, was meeting Li Ming for the first time and was shocked.

Judging from the appearance, he is just a chubby and cute baby.

But His Highness's every move and gesture makes people inexplicably feel that they are willing to submit to him.

Cui Renshi straightened his back unconsciously, lowered his head slightly, and looked like he was "waiting for the emperor's favor."

It seemed that this made him feel at ease.

Cui Mingan was also a little surprised when he met Li Ming for the second time.

After several months of training, His Highness Li Ming's appearance has not changed much.

But her temperament is calmer than before.

This is the aura that people who have been in a superior position for a long time naturally exude, a feeling that everything is under control.

Before Li Ming could express his gratitude, Cui Mingan bowed his head first:

"Your Highness is willing to adopt my humble proposal, so that Cui can also do his best to help, I am honored.

"Liaodong is the gateway to Youyun. Your Highness can keep the enemy out of Yanshan, protect the territory and the people, and save Hebei from the ravages of war and the suffering of military service.

"On behalf of the people of Hebei, Cui would like to thank Your Highness for his kindness and generosity."

He speaks very nicely, with a humble attitude, and the principles he uses are very practical.

Liaodong is not only a springboard for the Central Plains to develop to the Northeast, but also a gateway for the Northeast to invade Hebei.

If Liaodong was lost, Goguryeo might not have the ability to move south.

However, the Tang court would inevitably take this as an opportunity to confront Goguryeo in the Yanshan area - to be precise, in the Youyan area of ​​Hebei.

Bandits pass by like combing soldiers through a grate.

When I think about the fact that the fierce and wolfish Tang army was not known for "not harming anyone", especially the fact that the main force of the government army was still Guanzhong farmers, who discriminated against Hebei people the most, it is hard to say that they were much better than the Goguryeo people...

Cui Mingan, the entire Cui family, other noble families in Hebei, and the common people in Yan and Zhao who were singing tragic songs felt as if ants were crawling all over their bodies.

As long as Liaodong is lost, no matter whether Tang or Goguryeo wins, Hebei will definitely lose.

Therefore, Li Ming's defense of Liaodong was equivalent to defending Hebei.

This is also one of the reasons why Cui was willing to donate blood to provide aid.

Helping Liaodong is helping yourself.

No matter who was in Li Ming's position at the time, Cui Mingan would definitely go to help.

What's more, this young prince Li Ming is a relative of our Cui family, so he is half one of us!

"Envoy Cui is too modest. The Cui family spent a lot of money on the Liaodong war. I should thank you on behalf of the people of Liaodong."

Li Ming smiled and said politely, without being reserved.

"It is a blessing from God that we can defend the gateway to Hebei at such a small cost!" Cui Mingan said respectfully.

In a pleasant atmosphere, the topic became more and more interesting.

Cui Renshi casually told an interesting story:
"Your Highness, do you know why this place is called the Prince's Temple?"

"Because it enshrines a prince?" Li Ming guessed:

"The fact that he was worshipped in the name of the crown prince instead of the emperor shows that he died before he ascended the throne...

"Is it Liu Ju, the crown prince of the Han Dynasty?"

Cui Renshi looked directly into Li Ming's eyes:

"It's Crown Prince Yin, Li's nickname is Jiancheng."

Li Ming stood in awe.

There are rebellious people in Hebei, but it's not just a joke.

Build a temple in a prime location in Youzhou City to openly commemorate the political enemies of the current saint.

Only you people from Hebei can do this.

We in Liaodong still know how to put on a disguise and pretend to be loyal subjects!

You know, the gifts from the aristocratic families were all clearly marked with prices.

People are being humble and are just giving you a way out to be polite.

If you take it seriously, you'd be stupid.

In the Confucian aristocracy where "the masts and oars were reduced to ashes in the midst of laughter and conversation", Hou Junji could only be regarded as a reckless man on Xue Wanche's level. He could not get a word in at all. He secretly glanced at Li Ming, his eyes seemed to say:

They are inciting us to rebel. Will you follow them?

Li Ming still had a smile on his face, as if he was still chatting about interesting things with his in-laws, and even his eyes were still gentle.

But the words are not gentle at all:
"Your Highness, please make your words more clear.

"Let me tell you in advance, my last name is Li, and I am the emperor's son."

If you let me raise an army to rebel against Li Shimin, I can only scrape together the money and leave the jewels you gave me with you for the time being.

I'll find a way to get it back later.

"what?"

Cui Renshi was stunned, and he and Cui Mingan looked at each other in confusion.

Why do I feel that His Highness's ideas are even wilder than ours?
A terrible misunderstanding?
We don't want to rebel with force!
The two Cuis immediately knelt on the ground, trembling and saying:

"No... I dare not! I am an official appointed by the imperial court. Your Highness has misunderstood me!"

"It is precisely because Your Highness is a member of the imperial family that we have a request for you!"

This was a serious matter, and they were so frightened that they became incoherent.

Under the control of Li Shimin, the military genius who was the trinity of Emperor/Khan/General of Heavenly Strategy, the people of Hebei were braver than those in other places and dared to offer sacrifices to the "Prince Temple" and "Xia King Temple" to openly disgust the court.

But that’s where it stops.

If they were allowed to go directly with swords, Dou Jiande, Liu Heita and other Hebei heroes would have told the world with their heads that why the country ended up in Li Erfeng's hands. "What are your plans, Yin Weng, the envoy and the people of Hebei?" Li Ming was still smiling, his expression did not change at all.

Cui Renshi took a deep breath and bowed his head again:

"I wish to help His Highness to rise to a higher position!"

Now it was Li Ming's turn to be stunned.

"Promotion? What can I do..."

Then he saw Hou Junji's sparkling eyes.

The greedy expression of this veteran traitor made him understand.

Cui's intention was to help him rise from "Your Highness" to...

"His Majesty"? !

Although the brother from Hebei felt that the time was not ripe for rebellion, he had to lie dormant for a few years and wait for Li Shimin to die first.

However, given Li Shimin's physical condition, they probably don't need to lie dormant for too long.

Just like the eve of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, everyone in the world has another opportunity to place their bets in advance.

The Hebei gentry don't want to make the wrong bet again this time.

But why choose me? ... Li Ming couldn't help but ask.

Hebei and the entire Li Tang royal family are not necessarily enemies.

For example, Li Jiancheng had a good relationship with Hebei.

The person that the Hebei gentry opposed the most was actually Li Shimin.

But I am not a descendant of Li Jiancheng...

Does it mean that as long as he is not a direct descendant of Li Shimin, any Li will do?
Or is it because of the subtle relationship between me and Li Yuanji, and Li Yuanji has an intimate relationship with Li Jiancheng?
"The current imperial court is cruelly exploiting Hebei, with the highest taxes in the country. Your Majesty is unwilling to recruit Hebei men into the army on the grounds that the people of Hebei are 'strong and brave', and the Zhechoufu is also being abolished.

“Your Majesty also wrote the ‘Clan Records’, which went against the will of the people and wantonly suppressed the great clans in Hebei.

"Your Majesty is unfair to Hebei!"

Cui Mingan was almost in tears.

You can imagine how much psychological harm a big bidou in the clan annals would cause to an old noble in his forties.

Cui Renshi continued:
"On the other hand, Liaodong is thriving under your rule, with light taxes and levies, and the people are like tigers and wolves, making us envious.

"If Hebei, and the entire world, can finally be in the hands of Your Highness, then Hebei will be fortunate, and so will the people!"

Li Ming scratched his ears:

"I didn't hear you clearly, could you please repeat it again?"

It sounds good, I love it.

Hou Junji coughed lightly.

Li Ming noticed his hint and asked frankly:
"But do you know what my specific policy is in Liaodong?"

"What is it?"

"Would you like to divide the land?"

"I definitely don't want to."

"What if I redeem your land with part of the dividend rights of the state-run salt and iron mines, as well as the franchise rights and foreign trade rights of some controlled commodities?"

"That's fine."

For Li Ming, making as many friends as possible is the first priority of politics.

Making some adjustments within the permitted scope is a correct strategy for the struggle.

There are always a few "red-top businessmen" in every era!

But for Cui, land is just an appearance.

What they actually want to control is economic power.

With the economy, power and status will naturally come.

Now, when land has become a hot potato and an obstacle to power, the new monarch is willing to give them a new source of economy and power.

What reason is there to refuse?

The two sides have similar interests and hit it off immediately.

"Hebei Province will soon welcome a new inspector, named Zhang Liang, who has never gotten along with Your Highness."

We are all family, so there is no need for Hou Junji to hide anything:
"He came to visit Liaodong and your Hebei."

Cui Renshi replied:

"My son Cui Yi is the governor of Hebei Province. He can control Zhang Liang at the provincial level."

"In addition, Envoy Cui and the governors of Hebei Province can also work together to find something for Zhang Liang to do."

Cui Minggan added on the side.

Li Ming let out a breath smoothly.

It’s great to have the protection of a local boss!

Then, Cui Mingan changed the subject:
"Your Highness does not need to worry about the affairs of Liaodong and Hebei.

"But in Chang'an, your Highness's wings are probably still weak..."

This is true.

Don't think that Li Ming is in full swing in the north and can call the wind and rain.

When I returned to Chang'an, I was still a little kid.

Wei Daijia and Xue Wanche stayed in Liaodong. The only people he could use were Fang Xuanling, Hou Junji, Li Daozon, and Sun Fujia as half.

Three and a half "Fourteen Party Members" is already a luxurious lineup for ordinary powerful officials.

But if he wants to compete for the throne, he is still a little weak.

There was no way. On the one hand, he was restricted by his status as neither the eldest nor the legitimate son. On the other hand, he did not have enough time. His experience in the court was still too shallow.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been slandered behind his back by a group of scoundrels.

However, as the local boss of Hebei, Cui deliberately mentioned Chang'an, which obviously had a follow-up.

"Envoy Cui, Father-in-law, do you have a way to break this impasse?"

Li Ming asked calmly.

The two Cuis looked at each other.

Didn't make a wrong bet, this kid has first-rate insight.

Cui Renshi bowed respectfully:

"I beg to accompany Your Highness and escort Him back to the capital."

Li Ming raised his eyebrows:
"Is your father-in-law employed in the capital?"

The Minister of Personnel said:
"That's right. Lord Cui is the Imperial Secretary in the court."

Li Ming was a little surprised.

Cui Renshi took a special leave and rushed here from Chang'an just to see me in advance?
"Minister Hou has been away from Beijing for a long time, so some news may be delayed."

Cui Renshi said with a smile:

“I hereby inform you all.

"Thanks to your majesty's appreciation, I am promoted to the position of Zhongshu Shilang."

Roar? ... Li Ming couldn't help but sigh.

The Minister of the Secretariat, at the same level as the "traitorous minister" Cen Wenben who criticized him behind his back.

The same position as prime minister.

Lao Li... is he really strengthening me in all aspects?

Is he really planning to...

Li Ming fell into deep thought, and the atmosphere inevitably became cold.

The warm-up genius Hou Junji asked casually:
“By the way, when we passed through the border of Youzhou, we saw a large group of laborers transporting copper, iron and other materials to the northwest.

"Do you have any idea?"

The two Cuis looked at each other and shook their heads.

Youzhou also relies on Yanshan Mountain, and illegal mining is rampant and can be stopped despite repeated bans, but they don't take it seriously.

…………

Chang'an, the residence of Duke Lu Cheng Zhijie.

This famous general of the early Tang Dynasty, whose original name was Cheng Yaojin and who was the prototype of the "Three Axes" and widely known among the people, was ordering his servants to prepare his luggage for departure.

Two distinguished guests came to the mansion.

"Maogong?" Cheng Zhijie called Li Shiji by his courtesy name.

Both of them had made a living in Wagangzhai and were familiar with each other.

"This young man is..." He recognized the young boy beside Li Shiji and immediately knelt on one knee and clasped his fists and said:
"See His Highness King Jin."

Jin Wang Li Zhi said gently:

"The Duke of England is my teacher, and the Duke of England's friend is also my teacher. Please accept my student's greetings."

As he said this, he bowed respectfully to Cheng Zhijie.

The first impression is very good.

Li Shiji asked:
"Lord Yizhen, are you going out for something?"

Cheng Zhijie nodded:

"The Cold Food Festival is coming soon. Li Tai, the Prince of Wei, is hosting a banquet in Kaifeng, the capital of the Eastern Capital, to entertain scholars and literati. I wanted to join in the fun and show off my elegance."

Li Shiji: "What about now?"

Cheng Zhijie: "I don't want to go now. The scholars are just entertaining themselves. What does it have to do with us mountain bandits and warriors?"

He ordered his servants to stop what they were doing and not to prepare their luggage.

Old Cheng is not going to Kaifeng.

He is in Chang'an.

…………

Kaifeng, Prince Wei's Palace.

This place was originally the fief of Li Tai, the Prince of Wei, but Li Tai was granted permission by Your Majesty to stay in the palace, so he seldom comes here often.

Today, the house is full of guests.

Li Tai, with his big belly, entertained the distinguished guests who came to visit with a smile on his face.

Although a few people were absent for some reason, it was not a big deal and both the host and the guests had a great time.

Although no fire is lit during the Cold Food Festival, there is still a wide variety of cold foods.

Noodles, date cakes, snacks and drinks flowed into the luxurious Prince Wei's Palace like water.

Among the crowd, a team of "porters" carrying sealed boxes also sneaked into the palace.

Because there were so many guests today and there were even more porters coming in and out, these people did not attract anyone's attention.

Li Tai personally directed them to place the box in front of the basement. He then looked at these muscular, dark-skinned porters one by one and said to the leader in Turkic:
"He, he, and he, they don't look like people from the Central Plains, so let's change them. The others can stay."

…………

Ganye Temple.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince once again visited the quiet Buddhist place, listened to lectures, ate vegetarian meals, faced the wall in a small, closed dark room, and had an epiphany.

"Hey, you're pressing my hair."

"Feel sorry."

"You know what? Yang's sudden promotion to Consort De made the concubines in the harem more and more dissatisfied with 'that' prince. Consort Wei and Consort Yin De were particularly dissatisfied."

"Noble Concubine Wei? But isn't Wei Daijia of the Wei family a follower of 'that' emperor's brother?"

"The Wei family in Guanzhong is a large family. The relationship between Wei Gui and Wei Daijia is particularly distant. What does his master, Wei Daijia, have to do with Wei Gui?"

"Um……"

"If you use 'that' prince as an opportunity, Mei Niang will set you up with Wei Gui and let her whisper something in His Majesty's ear..."

"...Well, if the head of the harem can stand on my side..."

(End of this chapter)