Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 194 My Brother is Li Jing

"Listen up, everyone inside! You are surrounded. Give up resistance and come out and surrender!"

Early in the morning, just as the market opened and the government office started, Li Ming gathered a group of brothers and surrounded the Chang'an County Government.

Why choose this time period early in the morning?
Because there are few passers-by at this time.

We must never let the ordinary people who have just received relief food for a few days know that their life-saving money has been embezzled.

The court’s reputation is secondary.

The common people don’t care that the court’s original intention was good but the execution was bad, they will definitely go ahead and punish you anyway.

If another wave of looting and zero-dollar shopping breaks out, inciting again the unrest that has been suppressed with great difficulty by spending lavishly, the result will be more harm than good.

"Who is it? Who is it? Fuck!"

The county government's gatekeeper came out yawning and cursing.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw a group of ferocious-looking military marquises and burly runners from the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate, all staring at him with kind faces.

Do you want to be a coward all your life, or be a fool who tries to stop a chariot with his bare hands for just one second?
The guard, feeling the pressure that was not for him, immediately saluted with his arms crossed:
"Heroes, please wait a moment. I will go in right away and tell you all to stay calm!"

He ran into the yamen incoherently.

"Your Highness..." The Minister of Justice Liu Dequan who was traveling with him was somewhat speechless:
"There's no need to make such a scene to interrogate Li Qianyou, right?"

Li Ming stood at the front of the team with a majestic look, folded his arms and said:

"I just want to see who of you dares not to come."

Have you heard of obedience testing?

Wei Ting and Liu Dequan also smiled bitterly:
"How dare we disobey your orders?"

Li Qianyou doesn’t have any magic that makes him “unapproachable”.

It is even more impossible for him to be like Murong Yan, who treated Chang'an as the original Pingzhou and became a lawless local emperor here.

No one wants to deal with him, simply because no one knows how to be the Chang'an Order better than him.

If Li Qianyou is removed, who can take over this position which is more difficult to handle than a hot potato and become the sandwich?

Normally no one is willing to take the blame.

Especially now, at this critical moment when there is a shortage of money.

What's more, Brother Li Qianyou is very versatile and smart in his work. He flatters his superiors and benefits his subordinates, making both the superiors and the subordinates feel comfortable.

He neither took sides nor made enemies, and never got involved in party struggles. Even during the battle among four sons for the throne, he rarely created political enemies for himself.

Such a "socialite" who legally and legally "seeks benefits" for officials of all ranks in Beijing and also holds everyone's power.

Just like a Lingnan specialty double ponytail that can help you with housework——

Just pretend it doesn't exist and everything will be fine.

And when you really don't want to play along with it anymore, you should stomp it to pieces.

Although it is powerless to resist, the explosion is still quite disgusting.

Of course, it’s just “disgusting”.

So, when Li Ming said that he would "bring Li Qianyou to justice", everyone just verbally shirked the responsibility.

I don't want to be the unlucky guy who steps on a cockroach.

And when the prince Mingzhen, in the name of "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi, Canzhi Zhengshi", sent a letter of cooperation to all government offices.

Naturally, the officials did not dare to contradict and honestly sent people to cooperate with the investigation.

After all, this is Chang'an, and there is no such thing as "local tyrants".

Do you think your little finger can twist stronger than your thigh?
"Your Highness, our government has already sent people out. What do these military marquises do?" Wei Ting asked in some confusion.

Wuhou Guard, one of the Sixteen Guards of the Southern Court, was renamed to a more prestigious name - Jinwu Guard - during the reign of Emperor Li Zhi.

Mainly responsible for patrol and public security work in the palace and the capital.

From the royal guard to the neighborhood police, these professions have a high upper limit but an even lower lower limit.

"I asked my brother Shan Ji for help." Li Ming said majestically.

Prince Li Zhi of Jin "happened" to be the General of the Right Wuhou Guard.

Although this nominal leader is just a mascot and does not really command troops or manage affairs.

But when the general's lovely brother called him "Brother Pheasant" and made his hair stand on end, he really couldn't refuse the other party's request for troops:
Okay, okay, okay, I’ll give you soldiers, I’ll give you soldiers, stop shouting, stop shouting!
"If you don't follow me to arrest people, I will let the Wuhou Guards arrest you!"

Li Ming threatened the three officials who tried to pretend to obey his orders but actually disobeyed them.

The three brothers of the Sanfashi were trembling with fear.

"Then...what should we do next?" asked Sun Fuga, the Minister of Dali Temple, weakly.

He usually focuses on investigating cases and has never been to the scene to arrest anyone. This time he is at most a member of the atmosphere group.

Of course he roared and pounced on Li Qianyou... Li Ming really wanted to have such a great time.

However, the Tang Dynasty had a complete set of laws to deal with his bold ideas.

It is indeed as Fang Xuanling said, the glutinous rice balls swell when they come into contact with water, and the officials who come to Beijing swell in size.

The Chang'an Magistrate is indeed not an ordinary seventh-rank county magistrate.

Instead, he was a super county magistrate of the fifth rank, no less powerful than a provincial governor.

Although in Chang'an, where one might bump into a dozen vice ministers even when buying a bag of salt, a fifth-rank rank was not very impressive.

But it is enough to meet the level of "no punishment for a doctor", and no torture or violent arrest is allowed.

This is also a preventive mechanism to prevent high-level politicians from harming their peers and turning palace fighting films into war films.

But today's incident posed a difficult problem for Li Ming:

"Who will invite Li Qianyou out?"

The three giants of the Three Judicial Department looked at each other, all with a polite expression of "please go first" on their faces.

"No need to be polite, all of you, get in!"

Li Ming kicked the three men into the county government office one by one.

"Damn it, how did the country become like this!"

Chang Sunyan, who came with him to "supervise the battle", said indignantly:

"Is Sanfasi the nest of insects?!"

He urged Aong to report the officials of Chang'an to His Highness Li Ming by real name all night long.

As a result, after several days, he still hadn't seen the county magistrate Li Qianyou's head hanging in the market, so he felt something was wrong.

When I came over to take a look, I saw that the various government offices in the imperial court were passing the buck!
“That guy is generous with his kindness, never makes enemies, and has many connections.

"It's harder to gather officials to fight him than to fight you, my grandfather."

Li Ming put away the anger on his face and spoke very calmly.

Chang Sunyan always felt that Mingge's words were strange, but he had no evidence.

"Li Qianyou is really good at using money to bribe others. He embezzles the money of the court and the people, and then uses some of it to bribe his superiors and subordinates, to do favors for himself, and to make friends."

Li Ming said, hugging his arms.

“Officials of all ranks in the imperial court naturally like him, and his reputation is naturally good.

"But what about the people? What about the world?

"We in Liaodong should also take this as a warning and not let these cunning people take advantage of us."

Chang Sunyan nodded seriously.

The two waited for a while, but the three giants still hadn't captured the criminal.

Chang Sunyan's anger immediately rose:

"Damn it, if they were in Liaodong, would they dare to slack off like this? I'll deduct their wages!
"How can we have good politics with those insects? We must strike hard!"

He rolled up his sleeves and rushed to the county government office.

This guy has always been very active. This is my ideal bureaucrat... Li Ming was very pleased and excitedly encouraged his trusted subordinates:
"Grandson, we came out of the swords and guns of Liaodong, so we must not lose face!

"Come on! Good job!"

Being provoked by his leader, Chang Sun Yan immediately felt angry. He stepped over the threshold and went straight to the main hall of the county government.

The guards did not dare to stop him and let the porter dressed as a nobleman rush in, saying:
"Li Qianyou, fuck you!
"You are just a small county magistrate, a fifth-rank official. Why are you embezzling the imperial court's money?"

Great, you are indeed one of the best in Northeast China. You will become the governor of Goguryeo in the future...

Li Ming was calculating with great satisfaction.

Calculating.

Calculating...

Then, led by Chang Sun Yan, the Chief Justice, the Minister of Justice, the Chief Censor, four sycophants, and a strange official with a big smile on his face came out, talking and laughing.

The strange official had a round face, but the corners of his eyes were carved with deep crow's feet due to years of smiling.

He was far from being handsome, but his smile gave people a very sincere and comfortable feeling.

Looking at the five men arm in arm, working together in collusion, Li Ming couldn't help but twitch his lips.

"Hehe." Chang Sunyan's attitude became flattering, and he clearly shouted:
"Cousin."

Li Ming seemed to shiver. There was a pathetically thick barrier between the two of them.

"Uncle, this is the Chang'an Order.

"During this cash shortage incident, it was thanks to him that he ran around."

Changsun Yan was arrogant at first but became respectful later.

Li Ming's eyebrows were twisted into the shape of a "川" character.

Chang Sunyan came over and whispered:
"Brother Ming, you have always lived in the palace, so you don't know.

“According to etiquette, the residences of officials in the capital, including my family, the Fang family, and the Yuchi family, cannot be built as large as they are now.

"It was Li Qianyou who opened a back door for everyone, allowing the expansion in the name of a fireproof patio, which made the residences of the officials so spacious today.

"If a new Chang'an Order is issued and this policy is revoked, I'm afraid..."

If we touch everyone's cake, there will be great resistance...

"Tsk." Li Ming smacked his lips, also feeling the situation was tricky.

Li Qianyou is not a good person as a human being, but he is quite capable as an official.

He tied his own safety to the interests of the vast majority of officials.

They are all closely related to the food, clothing, housing and transportation of Beijing officials. They do not have much power, but it would be very inconvenient without them.

This guy is quite good at taking shortcuts.

Although it is a flower borrowed from the imperial court, it is presented to the officials as a gift.

But as long as enough Buddhas are offered, that guy will really become a centipede and difficult to shake.

"Your Highness, the Jiedushi."

Li Qianyou bowed respectfully and showed a sincere business smile:

"I don't know which scoundrel spread rumors and instigated Your Highness to misunderstand. In the midst of his busy schedule dealing with the money shortage case, he still took the time to come to this small government office."

Li Ming glanced at the "slanderer" who was smiling, and still had a stern face:

"Come back to the yamen and talk to me first."

Li Qianyou could probably please every official in Beijing, but not him.

From the perspective of the common people, this guy is embezzling the people's money; from the perspective of the family-run dynasty, this guy is undermining the court.

No matter which hat Li Ming puts on himself, the Chang'an Order is a big villain to him.

…………

“There’s even this?!

"It must have been done by one of my blind insects.

"I have not been strict in my duties and have no way of managing my subordinates. Thank you for your correction, Your Highness."

When he arrived at the Censorate, Li Qianyou, as expected, pretended to be innocent and skillfully shifted the blame.

Li Ming dragged him to the Censorate mainly for the "atmosphere" of the interrogation.

But it is obvious that these officials have their own way of resisting censorship.

If I can be thrown into the Dali Temple Prison, I will ask Lai Junchen to teach you why the flowers are so red... Li Ming muttered to himself and asked back expressionlessly:
"The life-saving rations of half the city's residents disappeared without a trace. Is this something that a few minions could have done?"

Li Qianyou did not comment, but leaned forward slightly, smiling:

"The people don't know how much money the government has given out. As long as this matter doesn't get out of hand, they will have to thank us for the relief money."

Li Ming stood in awe.

This was another corrupt theory that impressed Hou Junji after his "Theory of Progress".

Damn it, do all of you corrupt officials have to take the postgraduate entrance examination?

"Just stay here and think about it for a few days. I have something to do first."

Li Ming didn't bother with him for the time being. After saying something in a very arrogant manner, he went back to the office of the Shangshu Province.

The layout of the Censorate is different from other prisons.

The people who can come here to "assist in the investigation" are all extraordinary, so the conditions are good. Each person has a "study room" for reflection, and their personal freedom is not completely deprived.

Li Qianyou called a clerk over with familiarity:
“Can I send a letter here?”

The clerk replied:

"It depends on what Mr. Ming wants to write."

"A letter to my cousin." Li Qianyou said with a smile:
"Can you send it to the residence of Pharmacist Li Jing, Duke of Weiguo, for me?"

…………

Li Jingfu.

Li Jing, the Duke of Wei, was one of the Ten Sages of the Temple of Martial Arts, became a folk legend in later generations, and made the barbarians in all directions tremble with fear in his present life.

Now he is just an ordinary fat old man nicknamed "Sheep Urine Bubble".

Well, if we ignore the tiger that he is sitting on as a cushion.

"Ugh……"

Li Jing sighed while stroking the South China Golden Tabby.

"Why do you sigh, my beloved?"

Sitting next to him was another short and plump old lady in red, also Li Jing’s first wife, Zhang Chuchen.

That is the prototype of Hong Fu Nu in the fan fiction of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Jing absentmindedly clapped the South China tiger's palm and said abruptly:

"It would be better for you and I to flee the capital and escape from the Tang Dynasty as soon as possible."

Zhang Chuchen was not surprised at all by her husband's abrupt words and actions, and smiled and comforted him:

"Your Majesty is so kind and benevolent that even Wei Zheng, who had offered to assassinate him, was eventually appointed as a minister of the imperial court, wasn't he?

"Why do you still feel that His Majesty wants to kill you?"

Li Jing also gave a brief answer as usual, getting straight to the point:

"Because Wei Zheng can't threaten the throne, but I can."

It is not difficult to understand that the founding emperor killed the founding heroes.

Li Shimin did not do so because he himself was the greatest contributor to the Tang Dynasty.

Moreover, as a meritorious official, he indeed made the emperor's nightmare come true - killing the crown prince and forcing the emperor to abdicate.

Therefore, to say that Li Shimin had no guard against the group of meritorious officials is to regard him as a fool.

It was just that Li Shimin's own merits and prestige were high enough, and he was still very young, so he thought he could outlast the older heroes.

Plus, he is indeed a passionate person.

This is why the heroes are not only alive today, but also hold high positions.

But there is one exception.

That's Li Jing.

Because Li Jing's military achievements are only slightly inferior to your Majesty's.

In the war to unify the country, Li Shimin conquered the north and Li Jing settled the south.

Later, he dealt with the Eastern Turks and Tuyuhun, turning the two biggest border threats to the Tang Dynasty into brotherly nations who were good at singing and dancing.

This is a great achievement that would make feudal monarchs extremely fearful.

No matter how amorous Li Shimin was, he was still an emperor and it was impossible for him to ignore this talented and famous number one meritorious official.

Li Jing wanted to retire, but Li Shimin forced him to stay in the capital. He did not entrust him with important tasks or military power, and did not even give him an honorary official position.

The implication of surveillance is quite strong.

Last year, his old friend Li Xiaogong, who had helped him to pacify the south, was assassinated.

Li Jing felt that something was not right and that there were major changes in the royal family, so he immediately began to plan his escape.

The first step was to arrange for his wife Zhang Chuchen to fake her death.

The second step is to claim illness and not go out.

Now, he is ready for the third step.

"My dear, are you planning to take advantage of the unrest in the capital and fake your own death to escape?" Zhang Chuchen asked curiously.

"It will be too late if we don't leave now." Li Jing's chubby face showed a worried look.

"His Majesty's health is deteriorating, and he has arranged for his four sons to compete for the throne. This shows that he is aware that his time is up and he is paving the way for the next generation of heirs.

“The first target of paving the way is me.”

Li Shimin might be able to barely suppress Li Jing.

But the little flowers grown in the next generation of greenhouses will definitely not tolerate him.

Therefore, for the long-term stability of the Li Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin would definitely become the villain for future generations and eliminate Li Jing, the unstable factor.

"The fact that they would rather use Li Shiji than me during the expedition against Xueyantuo is an example of this," Li Jing said worriedly.

As a talented general who left his name in history, he was also very sensitive to changes in the atmosphere and trends in the political arena.

And just like his fighting tactics, Li Jing always left himself a way out.

You must seize the initiative on the battlefield and never rely on the other party's kindness and generosity for your life.

"Then, let's prepare to march north, take out the armor we have hidden, and attack Goguryeo?"

Zhang Chuchen uttered the terrible words with a smile.

Taking his private soldiers and carving out a place to live in Goguryeo has always been Li Jing's escape route.

The south is too hot, the northwest is too dry, and the northeast is just right.

She doesn't care anyway, she will go wherever her lover goes.

"No, Goguryeo is now the exclusive domain of the Liaodong Jiedushi.

“He would never tolerate my insolence.

"Let's take the sea route and destroy South Buyeo."

South Buyeo is Baekje, which is located in the southern part of the peninsula and is based in Seoul.

Although Li Jing had never been to New Liaodong, he did not know about the infiltration operations that Li Ming had carried out in Goguryeo in the past few months.

But after the Jiucheng Palace Incident last year, Li Ming unexpectedly chose the two states of Liaodong as his fiefdom.

Li Jing immediately guessed Li Ming's strategic intention - to occupy the northeast corner, swallow up Goguryeo, and finally wait for an opportunity to move south.

A bystander sees things more clearly. He saw this plan earlier than Li Ming's biological father, Li Shimin.

The fourteenth prince, who had immersed himself in the Li Xiaogong case and was mistakenly regarded as a "prince's party" by the civil and military officials in the court and other princes.

He has grown into a young hero who can make such a profound strategic plan...

Li Jing adopted the attitude of "If you can't afford to offend me, why not hide away from me?" and decided to take a detour for Li Ming and bypass Goguryeo.

He changed his retirement destination to the more remote and wild Baekje.

"Why don't you surrender to the governor?"

Zhang Chuchen said suddenly.

"Vote for him?!"

Li Jing was shocked, as if he had heard a fairy tale.

But after thinking for a while, he muttered thoughtfully:

"Vote for him..."

The idea of joining Li Ming, his first wife, was not a sudden impulse.

Because the fundamental contradiction between Li Jing and the royal family lies in the fact that the emperor of the next generation cannot control the number one meritorious official of the previous generation.

Generally speaking, the task of founding a country has been completed, and when the new emperor first ascends the throne, he certainly cannot compare with the founding emperor in terms of prestige or ability.

This was the most vulnerable period of the entire dynasty.

If the founding heroes had suddenly rebelled at this time, the Tang Dynasty would most likely have perished in the third generation.

But Li Ming is different.

This fellow, despite being a prince, went alone to cause chaos in Liaodong. He formed an army with his bare hands and took the place back from the invaders inch by inch.

It was equivalent to starting from scratch and establishing a "Liaodong Kingdom".

If the size of Ping and Ying states is too small and their contributions are not worth mentioning.

Once Li Ming swallows up Goguryeo, its value will be sufficient.

His contribution to the expansion of the Tang Dynasty's territory was no less than founding a new country.

"The Jiedushi also rose from humble beginnings, worked hard, and gained great reputation. He also had an army he could trust."

Zhang Chuchen advised:

"If the Jiedushi inherits the throne, with his civil and military achievements, neither the current emperor nor the future emperor will be afraid of you, my dear.

"You don't need to flee to the wilderness. We may even be able to re-employ you and continue your conquests."

"Oh, I'd better beg for my bones peacefully and spend the rest of my life like this..."

Li Jing said to lie down, but his eyes drifted to the distance, and the sound of war cavalry rang in his ears...

"Mr. Wei, your letter."

At this time, the servant came to report.

Li Jing still stroked the tiger's ears thoughtfully:

"Oh? Someone is still writing to me, an old man who is almost getting moldy in the corner?"

The servant seemed to be very afraid of the tiger under his master's seat. He stretched out his hand to present the letter and immediately retreated quickly.

"This tiger won't hurt anyone, why are you so scared?"

Li Jing looked at the good-for-nothing servant, smiled and shook his head.

Zhang Chuchen said:
"As long as you have the ability to hurt people, you will always be feared. You don't have to actually hurt anyone."

"Is it……"

His wife's unintentional words made Li Jing fall into deep thought again.

He said this as if it were him.

Whether it is Li Jing or this South China tiger.

Even if you do nothing, your existence itself seems to be a sin.

If, if I could seek refuge with a wise leader who is not afraid of tigers...

He shook his head and focused his eyes on the letter in his hand.

As soon as he saw the name, his brows furrowed subconsciously:
"Li Qianyou? What does that poisonous snake want to do?"

"My dear, why should you be so harsh on your cousin?" Zhang Chuchen advised.