Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 161 Your Mother is Still Your Mother
Your Majesty's shameless sneak attack has become the biggest topic in the court and the country in the past two days.

The ministers, who were always straightforward, said bluntly that if Your Majesty failed to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children and disrupted social order, the whole country would be in chaos.

On the other hand, Li Ming is the earliest team to prepare for the second season.

"There are still many impeachment petitions against me today?"

At Fang Xuanling's house, Li Ming was cracking dried watermelon seeds and asked with a calm face, "I don't feel itchy even if I have too many lice, and I don't worry about too many debts."

Nowadays, primary education is in name only, and students and teachers have been requisitioned by Li Ming's Chang'an Newspaper Headquarters or Liaodong Branch.

So we're just going to close the shop. You little brats can do whatever you want.

Fang Xuanling, the chief secretary of Prince Cao's palace, did not have to pretend to punch in at elementary school to earn work points.

After getting off work on time, he and the Sima of the Song Palace devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the work of assisting the Liaodong Jiedushi.

"Like snowflakes." Fang Xuanling took a sip of tea slowly, chewing the unroasted tea leaves.

“Is everyone bashing me?”

"That's not true."

"Oh, better than I thought." Li Ming commented with self-awareness.

Li Ming was not at all surprised that there was such a big backlash in the bureaucratic system.

The emperor has no family affairs. His Majesty suddenly decided to give the empress a son. Did he ask his ministers? Did he ask the whole country?
Of course, being against etiquette is only a superficial reason.

Your Majesty strengthened Li Ming and Concubine Yang De at the same time. Even a fool could understand the intention behind this.

When I thought that the little fellow who made trouble in the palace, corrupted civility, and killed landlords indiscriminately could possibly take over the world and become my immediate superior...

The possibility itself made them tremble.

"After Ma Zhou resigned from the post of Chief Clerk of the Prince of Jin's Palace and went to Qizhou to take up a post, Zhangsun Wuji took the initiative to ask for the position to assist the Prince of Jin."

Fang Xuanling looked at Li Ming and said slowly:

"Your Majesty has granted your permission."

Hiss~ Li Ming suddenly felt his scalp tingling.

Is this a forced restoration of history?

With the addition of Wu Zetian, Li Zhi will be able to collect all the magical equipment and summon the dragon!

"Lord Chang Sun is also very flexible. When he saw that the East Palace was leaking, he jumped off the boat without hesitation."

Hou Junji did not hide his sarcasm at all.

"Alas... there is nothing we can do about it. After all, Li Zhi is also his nephew.

"At least he's better than me, Li Ming."

Li Ming comforted himself.

Fang Xuanling looked at him steadily, with some reproach in his eyes:
“Your Highness showed off his brilliance and scared away many people, pushing them to the side of His Highness the Prince of Jin too early.

"Your Highness is now the focus of debate among the court officials, which has obscured the actions of His Highness the Prince of Jin, allowing him to quietly win over and build up his power."

"Oh? Brother Zhinu is so scheming?" Li Ming was a little surprised.

He knew that Li Zhi in history was a sinister person.

But Li Zhi is only thirteen years old now, isn't he a little precocious...

Well, thirteen years old was not considered too precocious in the Tang Dynasty. In two years, he would be able to get married and have children, accomplishing many great things that modern people cannot accomplish even at the age of thirty-three.

"It must be Li Shiji who is assisting and paving the way for that kid." Hou Junji said bluntly but with some fear.

Li Shiji was both talented in literature and martial arts, and his emotional intelligence was much higher than Hou Junji. He never took credit for himself, so his official career was smooth.

Hou Junji often compared himself to him, and deep down he felt inferior to him, but he was unwilling to admit it.

"Alas... on the surface, he is the Duke of England's assistant, but in fact, he is secretly helping His Majesty."

Fang Xuanling put down his tea bowl and sighed:

"Without your majesty's approval, how could His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin move around so frequently?

"In fact, although Your Highness caused a big stir in the court, the one who actually benefited the most was His Highness the Prince of Jin."

Brother Shan Ji is such a thief, he made a fortune in silence... Li Ming bared his teeth.

After all, Li Shimin only gave Li Ming the qualification to compete, but he did not directly appoint him as the next person in charge.

After adopting Li Ming to Empress Zhangsun, Li Shimin withdrew the "newbie protection" for Li Ming.

The court officials should impeach when necessary and take sides when necessary, but should not interfere.

After Your Majesty's careful planning, the situation in the palace is now very clear.

Li Chengqian, Li Tai, Li Zhi and Li Ming, each of them showed their magical powers and competed on the same stage.

"How is the situation in Liaodong?" Li Ming asked.

He was the weakest in the court, and Liaodong was his greatest strength.

We must grasp both the court and Liaodong with both hands and make both hands strong.

The capital and the frontier are both flourishing, and only then can it be considered healthy.

If he saw that the situation was not good, he could escape at any time and continue to live in the Northeast.

According to Li Ming's request, Chang Sunyan made work briefings every day and reported to Chang'an.

If there are important matters, they will be dealt with first and then the Liaodong Jiedushi will make the decision personally.

Let Li Ming experience the monarch offline system in advance.

And because it is not wartime now, the Feiyi Chidao cannot be used.

A single letter takes fifteen days to reach Chang'an, and the reply takes another fifteen days.

Hou Junji said:

“As of fifteen days ago, everything was business as usual over there.

"Su wheat has a good harvest, and all the fields in Yingzhou have been distributed. The wasteland in the two places is also being reclaimed. As of today, a total of more than 100,000 acres of wasteland have been reclaimed.

"The major trading companies newly established under the Economic and Development Committee, as well as private businessmen, also entered Goguryeo to do business.

“Also, with Your Majesty’s special permission, coal and iron trade with various counties in the interior has also been launched.

"Neighboring counties seem to be particularly short of coal and iron recently, and business is booming."

"Lack of coal and iron?" Li Ming was a little surprised.

Aren’t the prefectures and counties adjacent to **zhou located along the line of Yanshan Mountain and Taihang Mountain?

That place lacks coal and iron? Is that funny?
"Aren't we still transporting iron ore to the northwest desert? Why is there still a shortage?"

Li Ming asked more questions.

Hou Junji shook his head decisively:
"I don't know. Do I need to write a letter to ask?"

Li Ming thought about it and waved his hand:
"Forget it. It's too far to write a letter. I'll ask you when I have something else."

In any case, Liaodong will follow the established policy, continue to cultivate the land, continue to peacefully transform its northern neighbor, accumulate material strength, and be prepared for war at all times.

Well, although Li Shimin gave him another way to "peacefully seize power."

However, Li Ming did not slack off in developing the basic base, nor did he relax his vigilance and think of laying down the gun.

With the gun in hand, everything will be successful.

Liaodong has been renovated from top to bottom by myself, so there is no problem.

The focus of several people returned to the court.

Li Ming asked:
"During the court meetings these days, has there been anyone who has not opposed me from beginning to end?"

"Yes." Hou Junji took out a small notebook.

Judging from the reactions of the court officials to Li Ming's "promotion", this was something Li Ming had paid special attention to.

They are worth winning over and can be regarded as potential allies.

“Not many. It was expected that Sun Fujia, the Minister of the Dali Temple, and Cui Renshi, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, would engage in a debate with the scholars.

"But there are also some people who have never expressed their views. Among them, Yang Shidao, the highest-ranking one."

"Master Yang, is it?"

"The Minister of the Central Secretariat."

"Oh~?"

Li Ming was a little surprised.

The Secretariat was the highest authority for issuing government decrees, and its chief, the Minister of the Secretariat, was the chief prime minister in the administrative system.

Although he was not as respected as the veteran generals of the Qin Palace such as Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling, his high status was unquestionable.

"Are you familiar with Lao Yang?" Li Ming asked.

The implication is, why would Yang Shidao side with me?
Ning, the hands-off shopkeeper, knows nothing except farming... Fang Xuanling and Hou Junji looked at each other and said:
"Gong Ling of Yang was born into the Hongnong Yang family and was the son of Guande Prince Yang Xiong."

"So?" Li Ming raised his eyebrows.

The imperial court is full of aristocratic families who have been officials for generations. What's so strange about having a family called Yang from Hongnong?
Hou Junji's breathing suddenly became heavy, and he said in a muffled voice:

"Your Highness' biological mother is also from the Guanwang branch of the Hongnong Yang clan, and is the great-niece of Yang Xiong.

"So Yang Shidao is your mother's cousin, and your great uncle."

"oh?!"

Li Ming was shocked.

After all this time, I found out that I am a relative of the Hongnong Yang family?!
At first I thought he was a relative of Emperor Yang of Sui.

cut.

At this time, the doorman of Fang Mansion came to report:

"Sir, Lord Yang Ling is here to visit."

Said that Cao Cao Cao Cao arrived.

"please."

After a while, an old civil servant with white hair walked in.

He was surprised to see Li Ming and Hou Junji there too.

"Uncle!" Li Ming called out crisply. Yang Shidao's expression immediately relaxed and he walked in.

"What business has Lord Yang Ling had in visiting my thatched cottage?"

Fang Xuanling was polite and poured tea with an expressionless face.

Yang Shidao looked at Li Ming with some hesitation, did some ideological work, and then said:

"I'm here for the matter of my former subordinate, Ma Zhou."

Ma Zhou... When mentioning this name, Li Ming couldn't help but grin.

Maybe Fang Xuanling was right, I was indeed too aggressive.

As a result, Ma Zhou was driven away, and the position of Chief Clerk of the Prince of Jin's Palace was vacated and taken by Zhangsun Wuji.

He remembered the joke again: When the enemy is weak, never kill him.

Otherwise, if a Tongtiandai comes in, I will have a headache.

"Your Majesty has already issued an edict, and Ma Mingfu has already gone to Zhangqiu County to take up his post. If we try to clear the way now, I'm afraid..."

Fang Xuanling let his tone show a hint of embarrassment.

"No, no, you misunderstood, sir!"

Yang Shidao waved his hands anxiously:

"I came here mainly to find out..."

He looked at Li Ming with fear again.

Li Ming responded with an understanding smile:
"I'm going home to have dinner. Uncle and father-in-law, please continue chatting."

After driving away the recently popular Prince-to-be, Yang Shidao felt even more uncomfortable, saying repeatedly:
"No, no! Your Highness, please take a seat. Your Highness, please take a seat!"

Old Yang's skills are obviously much less than Fang Xuanling's, and his character is also weaker.

Fang Xuanling stroked his goatee and waited for the other party to speak.

Yang Shidao took a deep breath, and seemed to have made up his mind before he said:
"Ma Zhou was originally an official of the Secretariat, and the Secretariat is the prefecture I preside over.

“I heard that Ma Zhou was impeached by Li Jiedu.

"I don't know how the Secretariat offended Li Jiedu, so I came to ask for advice from Mr. Fang."

Li Ming understood.

Old Yang had the intention of joining the Fourteenth Party, but after his subordinates were suddenly demoted, he could not understand the attitude of his young nephew Li Ming, so he came to the old house to test the waters.

Fang Xuanling smiled:
"His Highness is in my house, why don't you ask him in person?"

Just when Yang Shidao was extremely embarrassed, Li Ming responded with a sincere smile and took the initiative to explain:
“I am not targeting Ma Zhou, much less the Secretariat or you, uncle.

“I only target stupid politics.

"Ma Zhou proposed a stupid policy, and I refuted him in front of your Majesty, that's all."

Inadvertently, the fact that he was "personally brought by His Majesty to make comments to the court officials" was revealed.

His Highness Li Ming is so favored, this is the treatment only the crown prince can have... A look of surprise flashed across Yang Shidao's face.

"May I ask, what stupid policy is the Jiedushi referring to..."

"The Two-Tax Law was the stupid policy that caused a civil uprising in Qizhou," said Li Ming.

Yang Shidao was startled:
"I was wondering why the new tax law was only being tried in one place. It turns out that Li Jiedu was trying to stop it..."

If Li Ming hadn't stopped this, if this stupid policy had been implemented nationwide...

The consequences are disastrous!
After knowing that Li Ming was not targeting anyone but the matter, Yang Shidao was obviously relieved.

"I understand! Thank you, Jiedushi, for clearing up my confusion!"

Yang Shidao bowed deeply and said goodbye to Fang Mansion with a relaxed mood.

“Huh~” Li Ming rubbed his cheeks that were sore from his fake smile.

Old Yang is too easily frightened. He is afraid of scaring people away and losing a potential ally.

Although Yang Shidao is not very cunning and is a weak person, he is comparable to Cui Renshi.

However, as he was in a high position of power and could not figure out Li Ming's attitude, he did not add insult to injury and did not join the court officials in attacking him.

Loyalty can be learned and developed.

Fang Xuanling glanced at the student who was obviously plotting something bad, stroked his beard with satisfaction and said:
“First he showed the emperor’s favor, then he showed his talent, in order to lure the naturally timid Yang Shidao into the game.

"Your Highness's skill in winning over others is perfect."

Li Ming scratched his head embarrassedly:

"No, no, I'm always sincere to others."

"Yang Shidao is an old minister of Emperor Gaozu of Tang. Through him, we can contact more old ministers of the previous dynasty. He is worth winning over." Hou Junji commented.

Li Ming raised his mouth corners confidently:
"I will handle it!"

"There is one more thing." Hou Junji added:
"Xue Wanche wrote to say that he was transferred back to Chang'an by imperial decree and reinstated as the General of the Right Guard."

"Oh? This is good." Li Ming rubbed his hands excitedly:

"If he can infiltrate the imperial army and develop a large number of Red Turban troops within the army..."

The scene was so beautiful that Li Ming couldn't even imagine it.

If everything goes well, the game will end immediately!
"This matter is extremely important. I must strongly encourage Old Xue!"

Li Ming asked Hou Junji seriously:
"What does Xue Wanche lack?"

Hou Junji answered seriously:

"Need a wife!"

Phew...even Fang Xuanling couldn't hold it in and almost spit out a mouthful of tea.

Stop talking nonsense... Li Ming was about to criticize Hou Junji for not being serious enough when he suddenly remembered that his mother seemed to have mentioned Xue Wanche as well.

Before he left Liaodong, Yang seemed to have said that Xue Wanche hated Li Yuanji and wanted to find a marriage partner...

Li Ming immediately showed a confident smile:
"Old Xue's lifelong affairs are also in my hands."

It is really against the will of heaven for a child to act as a matchmaker for an adult.

But considering that the person who made such big talk was His Highness Li Ming, who was capable of great things, the two of them felt relieved.

"Wait for good news from His Highness."

…………

"Mother, please help me and introduce a girlfriend to the old bachelor Xue Wanche! He is so pitiful!"

That evening, while having dinner in Lide Hall, Li Ming hugged Yang's thigh and started yelling.

"Your Highness, shouldn't you call me aunt?" Yang teased.

"Oh, mom, please stop slandering me." Li Ming pouted and said:

"Old Xue was so horny that he flirted with decent women, and was kicked out to Yingzhou.

"If you don't help him find a matchmaker, and he makes another unforgivable mistake, I will lose a great general."

Yang gently stroked her baby son's hair.

Although he was a good ruler and fought against the barbarians, he was still his mother's darling.

"Okay, leave this to my mother. I will definitely arrange a respectable marriage for your beloved."

"Aniang is the best!" Li Ming flattered her and continued to push his luck:
"There is another person. I want to win over my uncle Yang Shidao. Can you help me think of a way?"

"Okay, okay, I'll write him a letter right away."

"Ah Niang is mighty!"

After returning from Liaodong, Li Ming was like a dog-skin plaster, sticking to Yang for no reason, the kind that couldn't be torn off.

"The mother-son relationship between the two of you is truly the envy of others." It was still the loyal old eunuch who brought a plate of boiled sunflower vegetables and chatted affectionately with the two nobles.

Although Yang was promoted to Consort De, everything in Lide Hall remained the same.

Household chores were still shared by Yang and other concubines, with only the enthusiastic old eunuch coming to help occasionally.

Aunt Wang was very dissatisfied with this and had several quarrels with Yang. She was treated like a dog and walked around.

When the night watchman struck the hour of Xu, Li Mingda appeared on time.

"Xiao Ming, it's time to go home and go to bed!"

She skillfully tore off the dog-skin plaster of Li Ming from Yang's body, carried it on her shoulders, politely said goodbye to all the concubines, and carried him back to Lizheng Hall.

"This is my home too." Li Ming just retorted when a date was stuffed into his mouth.

"You are already my biological brother, and my home is also your home." Li Mingda said as a matter of course.

When I returned to the entrance of Lizheng Hall, I ran into Li Zhi.

A flash of vigilance passed across his face, but soon softened, and he said with a gentle smile:

"Ah Sizi, Xiao Ming, you are back?"

"We are back~"

Li Ming greeted his competitor who was making a fortune in silence and building a big ship as if nothing had happened, and was carried into the house step by step by A Sizi.

Li Zhi looked at their backs, his eyes suddenly becoming deep.

"After speaking to the emperor and Li Ming, Mr. Ma was demoted.

"After Mr. Ma was demoted, Li Ming was rapidly promoted, repeatedly breaking etiquette and being adopted into the royal family...

"That is to say, this exile is related to Li Ming...

"Li Ming got to the top by stepping on Mr. Ma..."

Li Zhi's breathing gradually became heavy, and he involuntarily took out a letter from his arms and placed it under the dim light in the entrance.

He read the letter again and again, and the edge of the letter paper was already torn.

The letter was signed by Li Tai, King of Wei.

"Do it...Do you want to do it?"

(End of this chapter)