Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 195 The insects of the Tang Dynasty are not outside, they are right here in the Lizheng Palace!

"Duke Li Wei~"

After receiving the notification from the eunuch, Li Shimin personally came out of the Lizheng Hall to welcome him, without even having time to put on his shoes.

"Your Majesty~"

Li Jing stepped forward quickly and knelt respectfully at His Majesty's feet.

"Ah, Lord Li Wei, why did you come to this? Please get up quickly~"

Li Shimin warmly held Li Jing's hands and helped his old partner up.

The affection between the monarch and his subjects was so deep that it moved anyone who saw it to tears.

The attendant Chu Suiliang wrote with divine inspiration, vowing to describe this epic meeting between the two military gods of the Tang Dynasty into a story that would be passed down through the ages, like the story of Cao Cao welcoming Xu You barefoot before the Battle of Guandu.

As for what Xu You's final fate was, don't ask.

"Please come quickly!"

Li Shimin warmly welcomed Li Jing into the imperial study in Lizheng Hall and closed the door.

There were no outsiders in the study room except for the two people, one from the south and one from the north, who had unified the country respectively.

The smiles on their faces did not fade, but for some reason, the atmosphere cooled down a little.

"Lord Li Wei seldom comes to the palace to visit me, and I have missed you for a long time." There was a hint of loneliness in Li Shimin's smile.

Li Jing also pretended to suppress his cough:

"Since my wife passed away last year, my health has been getting worse day by day.

"I cannot come to the palace to pay homage often. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Alas... it has been a year since your wife passed away in the blink of an eye." Li Shimin couldn't help but sigh:

"It was also last year that the Prince of Hejian passed away.

"Alas, the last time I met you was also at the county prince's...funeral."

They both fell silent at the same time.

"However." Li Shimin raised his voice and his tone became more relaxed.

"That ladybug lives a carefree life, enjoying wine and women, which is quite satisfying."

"Yes, free and easy." Li Jing said with some envy.

"I remember when I was in Yangzhou, I could see prostitutes covering their buttocks when I went to buy a bag of salt."

"Oh? There's this matter? Tell me in detail."

The two reminisced about the past, and the atmosphere gradually became lively and cheerful.

"Hahaha! The Prince of Hejian really deserves the name of the Seven-spotted Ladybug."

Li Shimin clapped his hands and laughed, but then became depressed again, with a sad look on his face.

It is genuine sadness.

"The Prince of Hejian is gone. Wei Zheng is gone too. Did you know that?"

Li Jing also slowly put away his smile and nodded.

"I always feel that... after Li Xiaogong passed away, time seemed to speed up all of a sudden." Li Shimin was a little sentimental:

"I can no longer understand the situation in the court, and my health is getting worse. I am afraid..."

"This minor ailment is only temporary. Your Majesty is still in good health and can continue to lead the Tang Dynasty to expand its territory."

Li Jing said hurriedly.

He felt that the topic was becoming dangerous.

The logic of the military god of the Tang Dynasty is very clear: Your Majesty is afraid → Your Majesty is aging → Send him off before Your Majesty sets out on his journey.

"Then I'll take your kind words, Sheep's Urine Bubble."

Li Shimin said with a wicked smile, his tone was a little frivolous, as if he was joking with a friend:

"From what I can see, your ailment is only temporary, and you are still in good spirits."

The atmosphere, which had just become warm, suddenly dropped to freezing point.

Li Jing's cold sweat flowed down his back, but there was only a bitter smile on his face:

"Age is not forgiving, Your Majesty. I am already seventy years old.

"As the ancients said, it is rare to live to be seventy. I am already at the end of my strength...

"No, I am not even a powerful crossbowman. I am just an old man in his twilight years."

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and looked at this old partner, saying:
"You have not held a position for a long time, and you only have the title of Duke.

“I think it’s inappropriate. Not only am I not worthy of your great military achievements, but I will also feel uneasy, and people in the world will think that I am stingy and ungrateful.

"How about appointing you as Situ?"

The positions of the Three Dukes could only be obtained while alive by a relative with outstanding achievements (such as the Grand Marshal Zhangsun Wuji).

If other foreign officials wanted to receive the title, they could only wait until their death to be honored posthumously.

Your Majesty, what do you want to do...

Li Jing always felt that there was a very exciting idea hidden behind His Majesty's generous offer, so he decisively declined:
"I am already very old, I just hope you can live out the rest of your life without any disaster or harm."

Li Shimin looked at his old partner kneeling on the ground, feeling very uncomfortable. He changed the subject and restored his dignity as a monarch:
"I am very pleased that Lord Li Wei can come to visit me today.

"But the eunuch reported that you seem to have other important matters?"

After some Tai Chi, we finally got to the point.

Li Jing was still lying on the ground, and said awkwardly:
"It's about my younger brother, Li Qianyou..."

"Oh, the Chang'an Order."

Li Shimin did not let Li Jing continue to beg for mercy in a low voice, but took the initiative to take over the topic with high emotional intelligence:

"There have been some unusual movements in various counties and prefectures recently. I wonder if Lord Li Wei knows about this?"

Li Jing shook his head ignorantly:

"I have been ill for many years and don't know what is happening outside.

"It's just that this month's salary was paid in 'paper', and it seems to be used like copper coins..."

"As Lord Wei has seen, there is a money shortage and the court is using paper money as a temporary substitute." Li Shimin said briefly:
"The Chang'an magistrate embezzled nearly half of the banknotes issued by the court to the hungry people, and was discovered by Li Ming."

This venomous snake actually competed with the hungry people for profit and created such a big mess for me to clean up after...

And the opponent is Li Ming!

Li Jing learned the true details of the matter from Li Shimin, and began to sweat profusely.

grandma's.

If that venomous snake didn't have the leverage, I really wouldn't want to help that guy...

"but."

Li Shimin looked at Li Jing, who was so embarrassed that he wanted to crawl into the ground, and took the initiative to help him out:
“There is no evidence that Li Qianyou is corrupt, and now is the time to recruit people.

"I will talk to Li Ming and release him early in the morning. Duke Wei can rest assured."

With just a few words, the job was done and the good-for-nothing cousin was rescued.

Li Jing was very grateful that the Emperor did not embarrass him too much and thanked him again and again.

"But." Li Shimin frowned slightly.

Li Jing's heart suddenly rose to his throat.

"Now is an extraordinary period. The fourteenth prince Ming is serving as the co-prime minister and the vice-chancellor, running around for the people and helping me solve problems."

Li Shimin said slowly and majestically:
"I hope you can discipline your brother well and keep him from standing in the way of Prince Ming."

Li Jing's legs went weak and he almost stopped breathing. He answered tremblingly:

"Duty...duty unshirkable!"

Every word the emperor says may have a deeper meaning.

Why use that long and prominent string of official titles to address Li Ming?

Isn't it just to remind Li Jing that this prince has a special status!

As for the sentence "Don't block Li Ming's way", it was almost like a warning stuck on his forehead.

How can a mere Chang'an Order block the way?

That was a veiled warning to Li Jing behind Li Qianyou!

Sure enough, even though he is very old, His Majesty has no intention of letting down his guard against me... Li Jing was worried and left Taiji Palace in a daze.

During the years of peace in the country, Li Shimin did not hide his suspicion of this partner - not an old friend.

This also made Li Jing cautious and retreat at the right time.

At the tofu rice after Li Xiaogong's death last year, he was still able to give Li Ming some advice, saying that he was not cautious enough and became a prince's party member without knowing it.

Unexpectedly, the situation has changed. Now, I have been labeled as "Anti-Fourteenth Party" by His Majesty without knowing why.

He was considered hostile to Li Ming because he rescued Li Qianyou, who was hindering Li Ming's administration.

Even though I actually have no intention of getting involved in the second season...

Li Jing returned home with a heavy heart.

His first wife, Zhang Chuchen, also known as the "Hong Fu Nu" in the Tang Dynasty fan fiction, looked at her husband's face with worry:
"My dear, what happened? Does His Majesty disagree?"

Li Jing shook his head dejectedly:
"No, he agreed. That's the problem."

Zhang Chuchen looked at her husband quietly and puzzledly.

Li Jing said gloomily:

"It seems that I may not be able to join the Liaodong Jiedushi.

"His Majesty interpreted the fact that I had rescued Li Qianyou as a sign that there was a rift between me and Li Ming.

"In a few days, rumors of 'Li Jing and Li Ming are not on good terms' will probably spread throughout the government and the public."

Zhang Chuchen felt that her husband was worrying too much:
"Only you, me, Li Qianyou, and His Majesty know about this matter. The four of us shouldn't spread the forbidden words everywhere, right?"

Li Jing shook his head:
“But I went to the palace to pay homage to the emperor today, and Li Qianyou was released the next day.

"His Highness the Jiedushi seems to be careless, but he is actually very careful. Wouldn't he be able to figure out that I rescued Li Qianyou? Wouldn't he think that I was deliberately making things difficult for him?"

It was really a pity for the tiger. He did nothing wrong, but was misunderstood and suspected by the most powerful father and son in the world.

Zhang Chuchen understood her husband's troubles and stopped talking. A shadow also covered her fair, round face.

Unlike the naive people they pretend to be, Li Jing and his wife have been paying close attention to the situation in the government and the country.

Others pay attention to you in order to fight for power and profit.

They were concerned about saving their lives.

The desire to survive is much more powerful than the desire for power, so their insights into state affairs are deeper.

They could see at a glance that in this "bloodless Xuanwu Gate" organized by His Majesty, Li Ming had already entered the final round.

This unprecedented cash shortage is the final test for him.

As long as he passes the test successfully, the position of crown prince will almost certainly belong to him.

in other words.

To offend Li Ming is equivalent to offending the future emperor.

As we all know, His Highness Li Ming is a bit vindictive...

"We are in such a passive position because of this poisonous snake Li Qianyou!"

Li Jing sighed helplessly and picked up the letter for help that Li Qianyou had just sent him.

The content of the letter cannot be described as straightforward.

It is a naked threat:

"Cousin, you don't want your secret to be discovered, right?
"If I were arrested and put in jail, do you think I would use this secret to make up for my crime?"

"How did I end up with such a cousin!"

Li Jing was so angry that he tore the letter into pieces.

Yes, he rescued Li Qianyou, not because he had any good feelings towards this "venomous" cousin.

It was simply because that guy had the evidence against him.

His big handle.

Even killing Li Qianyou to silence him would be useless.

The poisonous snake had already made preparations for its backup plan. It wrote down the secrets and evidence of its cousin Li Jing on a piece of paper, stuffed it into a brocade bag, and hid it in a secret compartment in a secret room.

If he died an unnatural death, his family and subordinates would search the place according to his will and make Li Jing's secret public.

"My dear, why are you so anxious?" Zhang Chuchen calmed down and said:
"We are already feared by His Majesty, so what if there is one more person?" Just pretend that there is no option of 'joining Li Ming'.

"We can still go to Baekje as planned."

Leave the core of China and flee to the wild land.

This is not an easy decision to make.

Not everyone has the courage like Li Ming.

"It's the only way..." Li Jing sighed and said weakly:
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to wait until your Majesty passes away.

“Once His Royal Highness Li Ming officially becomes the Crown Prince, Li Qianyou will be liquidated.

"And you and I can't escape being affected."

Zhang Chuchen nodded slightly:
“We have to plan ahead.

“I wonder how well Xiao Daoguang trained his soldiers, and how well they maintained their armor and weapons.

"If we want to escape from Chang'an and make a name for ourselves in Baekje, that army is the key..."

…………

"That kid actually got into trouble with Li Qianyou."

After Li Jing left, Li Shimin personally wrote a letter to Li Ming, asking his son to release the person.

While writing the letter, Lao Li complained:
"My foolish son, don't you know that Li Qianyou is a hammer to beat his cousin Li Jing?"

If Li Qianyou had not done this, would Li Jing have been forced to go to the palace in disgrace and beg him as the emperor?
As the most powerful person, the emperor is not afraid of being asked for favors.

But I’m afraid that no one will ask for help.

Because that would make the emperor seem like an unwanted puppet.

"How could Li Qianyou's handy mallet be broken so easily?

"We need to teach that brat a lesson and open his mind."

Li Shimin's mouth became more and more curved, and he wrote in his imperial handwriting:
Let him go!

…………

The Secretariat.

"Look at how you all are unwilling to dirty your hands.

"As soon as I took action, didn't Li Qianyou end up in jail?

"Nothing is difficult in this world if one sets his mind to it, Mr. Fang."

Li Ming was spitting heavily as he boasted to Fang Xuanling about his glorious achievements.

Basically, he took a group of brothers including Wuhouwei, dragged the Chang'an County Magistrate out of his office, and threw him into the interrogation room of the Censorate.

Fang Xuanling listened while doing his work, and seemed to want to say something but stopped himself several times.

"Minister Fang, if you have something to say, just say it."

Li Ming said in a good mood.

"I have no intention of spoiling your highness's mood, but..." Fang Xuanling said hesitantly.

"If you want to corrupt me, just say so." Li Ming said.

Lao Fang carefully chose his words:

“Your Highness is not the first person who wants to arrest Li Qianyou, and this is not the first time that Li Qianyou has entered the Censorate.

“He was even imprisoned several times, but escaped unscathed each time.

"This is the real reason why the three judges don't want to touch him. It's futile to touch him."

Li Ming laughed:
"With this Jiedushi keeping an eye on him, I don't believe he can have three heads and six arms and slip away again!

"Could he get the Emperor to personally intercede for him?"

Who would hate Li Qianyou the most if he were an official who was good at dealing with people and was good at making friends?

Apart from Li Ming, there was only His Majesty Li Shimin.

Because that corrupt official was undermining the imperial court and the Tang Dynasty as a whole.

From the perspective of a family dynasty.

What Li Qianyou was greedy for was my money!
"Hmm...Your Highness is wise and right."

Fang Xuanling said with some sarcasm.

Li Ming frowned:
"What do you mean? I'm not wrong?"

At this time, the clerk came to report:
"Your Highness, the eunuchs in the palace have delivered His Majesty's decree."

An imperial decree?

Li Ming's mouth twitched, he took the scroll from the eunuch and unfolded it.

There were only two words densely written in the imperial red ink of Ao Ya:
Let him go!

Li Ming's face fell on the spot and he looked towards the old house.

The old fox lowered his head and went back to work, pretending not to hear.

…………

Li Shimin went straight to the point and issued the imperial edict.

That is a formal executive order.

Rather than a "secret letter" or "secret edict" that has no binding force.

Li Shimin also predicted his son Li Ming's prediction and did not give him any chance to fool around. He simply forced Li Ming to release the prisoners.

It was exactly the same as what Li Ming did this morning, when he used force and gave the order to arrest someone.

As expected of a father and son.

"Then I will draft a document and ask Censor Wei to release the person?"

Fang Xuanling asked carefully.

Li Ming tapped the table with his fingers, which looked like an inflated sheep's bladder that would burst if poked.

Good god, he finally understood why the court officials were so unwilling to touch Li Qianyou as if he were a cockroach.

It’s not that the officials have problems.

The enemy is in Tai Chi Hall!
The one with the problem turned out to be His Majesty Li Shimin!

It turns out that the corrupt official in Chang'an has the emperor as his father!

No wonder neither Wei Ting, Sun Fujia nor Liu Dequan were willing to arrest him.

It's really a thankless job!

After finally catching him, the emperor released him with a stroke of his pen!
If this happens a few more times, anyone's spirit will be discouraged.

Damn it, it turns out the bugs are in the Lizheng Hall!
Lao Li and Li Qianyou, what kind of deal do those two have?

Could it be that His Majesty Li Shimin was on a secret visit and was caught by Li Qianyou at the prostitute Nvchang in Pingkangfang?
"Your Highness?"

Looking at the young master's ugly face, Fang Xuanling asked worriedly.

“No need to find anyone.”

Li Ming squeezed out a word from between his teeth, then his expression relaxed and the corners of his mouth curled up:

"I released him myself as a surprise."

Li Qianyou probably didn't know that Li Ming had already reserved a big surprise for corrupt officials like him when he designed the banknotes.

Who doesn’t know how to dig a hole?

…………

Yushitai.

"Your Highness..."

Wei Ting personally went out of the yamen to welcome His Highness Li Ming, with an expression that said "See what I said" on his face.

But seeing Li Ming's happy face, he subconsciously felt his hair stand on end and didn't dare to say anything more.

With his head lowered, he led Li Ming to the study where Chang'an Ling was "resting".

"Oh, the detention conditions are pretty good."

Li Ming said sarcastically.

Wei Ting forced a smile:
"We are all respectable people..."

"Back off." Li Ming waved his hand.

Wei Ting was as if he had been pardoned, and he hurriedly withdrew from the yamen with everyone in the government office.

In the study, only His Highness Li Ming and Mr. Li Qianyou were left alone.

As soon as he saw this, Li Qianyou knew that Brother Li Jing had successfully rescued him again.

Oh, you brat, you’re not good enough to fight with me... Li Qianyou was very proud.

However, as a veteran who has stood firm in the officialdom, he did not show his arrogance at all, nor did he have any intention of committing suicide. On the surface, he still smiled very humbly and said:
"I wonder what your Highness wants me to do?"

"His Majesty has ordered that if you return the stolen money, you will be forgiven." Li Ming lied calmly.

Li Qianyou was stunned.

He couldn't tell whether the little prince was yelling at him or it was true.

He has never had the experience of spitting out the benefits he has earned.

After all, my brother is Li Jing.

Even His Majesty the Emperor has to give him some face.

However, if you say that the little prince is just making a fuss, then he is too bold.

To put it seriously, this is a false imperial decree!
After thinking it over again and again, he still followed his heart and shook his head innocently:

“I don’t know what your Highness is talking about.

"Perhaps some of my subordinates were ignorant enough to have taken some of the relief funds.

"But I swear to Weishui that I have not embezzled any money and the money is not in my hands."

Damn it, what on earth did Weishui do wrong? After Luoshui, do you really want to destroy Weishui's credibility as well...

Li Ming complained in his heart, crossed his arms and threatened:

"Be honest! If you don't hand over the money, don't blame me for being rude!"

It is full of the banditry of Liaodong.

This threat made Li Qianyou's mind active:

Although this brat's reputation for being reckless was known to everyone from the Wei River to the Liao River, everyone knew about it.

But this time, his threats to me remained just verbal.

Not only did they not actually torture me, they didn't even specify how they were being "rude" to me.

This doesn't fit his character.

This means...he is really at his wit's end and can't do anything to me!
As soon as he thought of this, Li Qianyou's self-confidence soared.

As long as I deny it flatly and refuse to cooperate, what can I do even if His Highness Li Ming takes control of the power!
"I really don't know what your Highness is talking about. I didn't take the money. I never embezzle money."

Li Qianyou denied three consecutive
“Although I would like to make up for the shortfall for Your Highness, I have lived a simple life and cannot afford to pay so much money.

"How about Your Highness release me back to the yamen and conduct a thorough self-examination?"

Seeing that Li Ming had no reaction, Li Qianyou became more and more proud and his attitude became tougher.
“Your Highness can also take this opportunity to collect more evidence.

"Perhaps we can find out that the money is not in Chang'an County, but leaked out in other links."

Looking at Li Qianyou's increasingly annoying smiling face, Li Ming smiled back:
"Okay, don't say I didn't give you a chance."

In response to this bluff, Li Qianyou shrugged his shoulders like a dead pig not afraid of boiling water:

"Thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all grace from the Lord."

The emperor has already pardoned me. As long as I refuse to admit it and refuse to pay the money, I'll see what tricks you have up your sleeve.

Li Ming looked at him for a long time and said suddenly:

"I heard that you are very popular in the court?"

Li Qianyou didn't know why the kid brought this up, so he just nodded and answered:

“It’s just being sincere to others.”

Li Ming nodded, his mouth corners becoming more and more profound:

"In a couple of days, they might be more dissatisfied with you."

(End of this chapter)