The emperor would rather have a

Chapter 178 Night Watch School
As dusk settled, the streets and alleys of Daliang City in Tokyo were shrouded in the pitch-black night.

Li Yi rode slowly, surrounded by dozens of personal guards like stars around the moon. Torches traced flowing lines of light in the darkness, illuminating the bluestone path with intermittent brightness.

The clatter of hooves was particularly clear in the quiet streets and alleys, as if rhythmically striking the night watchman's drum.

The guards around him held their breath, not daring to make any noise. None of the dozens of men spoke, for fear of disturbing their commander's thoughts.

Even the warhorse seemed to sense its master's mood, treading with unusually slow steps.

The entire caravan was like a silhouette moving through a painting, with only the occasional sparks from the torches tracing fleeting paths in the night.

Meanwhile, Li Yi, riding his horse, frowned slightly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the brass ornaments on the reins, his mind still preoccupied with his conversation with Wang Pu.

Then he thought of the eight-character message that Empress Fu had asked the eunuch Qu Tai to convey.

During his time staying in Tokyo, Li Yi had been secretly pondering the emperor's thoughts. He vaguely felt that the emperor's decision not to take him on the expedition was not an intentional neglect or suppression, but perhaps an attempt to give him experience.

Put yourself in Chai Rong's shoes: he didn't know Li Yi was a time traveler, and he was even less aware that the "Chenqiao Mutiny" would happen in history.

Based on the current situation, the one in the Imperial Guard who poses the greatest threat to the throne is undoubtedly Li Chongjin, followed by Zhang Yongde.

One of these two men was the nephew of Emperor Taizu Guo Wei, who was also the emperor's cousin, and the other was Guo Wei's son-in-law, who was also the emperor's brother-in-law.

Moreover, Li Chongjin, Zhang Yongde, and even Chai Rong himself had all served under Emperor Taizu Guo Wei and were undoubtedly meritorious officials who followed Guo Wei in his uprising.

On the other hand, Li Yi is not yet qualified. His youth is both his advantage and his disadvantage.

Even Zhang Yongde was seven years older than him, and was closer to the royal Guo family in terms of kinship, plus he had served the Taizu Emperor in his early years.

Li Yi is indeed no match for Zhang Yongde these days.

As for Li Chongjin, there's no need to say more. Even Zhang Yongde is overshadowed by him. Before Guo Wei passed away, he made Li Chongjin kneel and pay homage to Chai Rong in public, which speaks volumes about the prestige of the position.

Historically, Zhao Kuangyin's success in "donning the yellow robe" was largely due to luck. If either Li Chongjin or Zhang Yongde had been in the central government and held military power, it would have been difficult for Zhao Kuangyin to reap the rewards.

But putting the future aside, judging from the current situation, Emperor Shizong Chai Rong's thoughts can be inferred that he wanted to maintain a balance of power within the Imperial Guards.

Within the Palace Guard and the Imperial Guard, the balance of power among Li Chongjin and Han Tong, and Zhang Yongde and Li Yi, is beginning to take shape.

Among the four, Li Yi is the weakest link, lacking both seniority and prestige.

In times of chaos, war is of utmost importance, but war cannot represent everything, especially when it comes to politics. Simply being good at fighting on the battlefield is not enough; often, sophisticated methods are needed.

Li Yi was young and inexperienced. The few battles in which he made military achievements could not be considered as being able to lead independently, because in each battle he was only responsible for exerting his strength, and did not really act as the commander-in-chief to plan the battle.

Emperor Shizong Chai Rong could not have foreseen what would happen in the future.

But he might worry that one day in the future, when the situation truly reaches a critical moment, Li Yi will not be able to make independent judgments and handle matters, and will only be forced to obey orders.

What then will be the point of such a so-called system of checks and balances?
Oh, right... Li Yi suddenly remembered.

When the emperor returned from his campaign against the Northern Han, Empress Fu personally went to Shangcai Post Station to greet him. When the couple summoned him, they jokingly mentioned that they wanted to marry Fu's daughter to him, but nothing came of it afterward.

The emperor may have just been in a good mood at the time, feeling that he had made great contributions in Gaoping and Xinkou, and that he had not yet married or had children, so he casually mentioned it.

As for the Empress's sudden decision to grant a marriage after the reorganization of the Imperial Guards... it is highly likely that the various methods used to reorganize the Imperial Guards made the Emperor realize that he was not only a fierce warrior, but also a promising talent with both courage and wisdom.

So, marrying a woman from the Fu family to bind himself to the royal family, and then entrusting her with important responsibilities to balance the power structure of the Imperial Guards... If you think about it this way, everything makes sense.

From this perspective, leaving Li Yi in Tokyo to assist Xiang Xun and the other two is likely intended to provide both training and a test.

Empress Fu's eight-character message further confirmed this speculation.

Li Yi thought to himself: Since the emperor has such an intention, why don't I take the initiative and play a greater role during my time in Tokyo?
Thinking about this, he suddenly realized that his suggestion to Wang Pu was actually quite appropriate.

After all, Chai Rong, who took Emperor Taizong of Tang as his role model, would certainly not oppose such a good thing that benefits the country and its people, and historically, he himself allowed it.

However, implementing this policy will not be easy. Someone must take the lead and set an example. Only after seeing tangible benefits can the enthusiasm of the people be mobilized.

Li Yi felt that talking wasn't enough; he needed to find a good way to get things done.

Turn the corner.

The gate of Zhengyangfang was faintly visible in the night.

A dozen or so soldiers on night patrol were walking towards them with torches when they saw Li Yi's entourage and immediately stopped in their tracks, unable to move forward or backward.

Xu Sheng spurred his horse and leaped out from the crowd, shouting, "Which unit of soldiers are you? How dare you block the way of my commander!"

The soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment, their torches flickering nervously. They were ordered to patrol the night, so why were they being questioned instead?
The junior officer in charge was quick-witted; seeing Xu Sheng's attire and imposing manner, he knew that the other party was no ordinary person.

He immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Reporting to the general, we are from the Third Division under the Military Patrol Office of the Prefectural Government, and we are ordered to patrol the market and neighborhoods in this area."

He glanced furtively at the silent cavalry behind him, his throat involuntarily bobbing. "I wonder... I wonder which general is referring to?"

Although the junior officer was quite respectful, he didn't forget his duty and asked the other party where they came from.

Xu Sheng glared at him, about to reprimand him, when he heard Li Yi's voice behind him.

"They're just doing their job, don't make things difficult for them."

Upon hearing this, Xu Sheng stepped aside.

Li Yi spurred his horse forward, but before he could say anything, the leading junior officer suddenly changed his expression and hurriedly knelt on one knee to salute: "This humble general was blind and offended Commander Li! Please forgive me, Commander Li!"

The soldiers behind him were startled when they saw this, but seeing that their leader had knelt down, they dared not think any further and followed suit, kneeling down to pay their respects.

"You know the envoy?" Li Yi couldn't help but ask with curiosity.

He looked the junior officer up and down, but for a moment he couldn't recall where he had seen him before.

The junior officer hurriedly replied, "Last year, when I was on duty outside Chenqiao Gate, I blindly stopped Commander Li's horse..."

"Oh, I remember now, you're from the military academy outside Chenqiao Gate... By the way, what's your name?"

After this reminder, Li Yi finally remembered something. Last year, when he returned to Xiajin to pick up his uncle's family, he learned on the way back that Chai Rong had not attended court for many days, so he rushed back in a hurry. When he passed Chenqiao Gate, he was stopped and questioned by the guards, and the guards were even whipped by Ma Renyu.

Li Yi has an excellent memory, but with so many people and things he encounters in his daily life, it's really hard for him to remember someone when they meet for the first time.

Of course, a large part of the reason is that the other party's status is too low, making it difficult for them to leave a deep impression.

Conversely, although this junior officer had only met Li Yi once, he remembered him deeply.

Why? Because Li Yi's status is prominent enough!

Back when he was just the commander of the inner palace, the junior officer was just a gatekeeper; their positions were worlds apart.

Although the junior officer is still insignificant, Li Yi's status has risen to a higher level. He is a pivotal figure in the Imperial Guard and even in the entire Zhou Kingdom. The junior officer's impression of him is naturally becoming more and more profound, and he probably can't help but remember him.

This may sound cruel, but that's just how it is... The higher a person's status and position, the more significant their influence on those around them becomes.

"This humble general's name is Lu Yantong!" The junior officer stood up, barely suppressing his excitement.

He didn't expect that Li Yi would still remember him, and now he even asked for his name.

You have to understand, such an important person is someone he can't possibly befriend. Even a simple polite remark is not something just anyone is entitled to hear.

If this were in later generations, Li Yi's status would be at least equivalent to a ministerial-level official, if not a top-level central leader.

Even a simple conversation or handshake between an ordinary person and the county magistrate can become a long-standing topic of conversation... let alone in the rigidly hierarchical ancient times.

"Lu Yantong...that's a good name."

Li Yi smiled and nodded, then instructed, "Recently, there has been a lot of construction going on inside and outside Daliang City. If a fire breaks out, the consequences will be unimaginable. Be extra careful when patrolling at night."

"Your subordinate obeys!" Lu Yantong replied.

Seeing that Li Yi would not say anything more, he wisely told his soldiers to step aside and bow to see him off.

The cavalry slowly passed in front of them, the banners and ceremonial guards held by the guards flickering in the firelight. The soldiers on the roadside dared not look up for long, and waited respectfully for the procession to pass.

Only after Li Yi and his group entered the gate did Lu Yantong turn his gaze away.

The lieutenant leaned in, his voice full of envy, and said, "Boss, you've kept this a secret! Why didn't you say you knew such an important person sooner!"

"That's right!" the soldiers chimed in. "No wonder our leader was transferred to the Military Patrol Institute. With that Commander Li looking after him, who knows how much higher he'll rise in the future!"

"When you achieve great success in the future, don't forget to help your brothers!"

"From now on, we'll be relying on you, boss, to make a living..."

Lu Yantong immediately laughed and cursed, "What the hell do you know! I was transferred from the city gate to the government office, which is at most a lateral transfer, and it's just one of the ten generals!"

To everyone's surprise, the lieutenant shook his head and said, "That's not how it works. Although your military rank hasn't been promoted, how can guarding the city gate compare to the pleasures of working in the government office? Besides, once you've climbed onto this big tree, even a little bit of shade will be a great benefit to you!"

Lu Yantong gave a wry smile: "They probably don't even remember who I am... Where can I find any shade to shelter me?"

However, despite saying that, he unconsciously stroked his beard, recalling how Li Dushi had specifically asked him his name earlier.

Does this mean that you've left a fairly good impression on the other person?
Just as Lu Yantong was in a daze, the deputy general cupped his hands to him and said, "Boss, you're about to hit the jackpot! Since that person asked for your name... hehe, it seems he's remembered you."

Lu Yantong snapped out of his reverie and shook his head slightly: "Stop talking nonsense! We still need to continue our night patrol!"

Having said that, he immediately took a step forward, and the soldiers quickly followed.

A chilly night wind swept by, and the group of more than a dozen people quickly disappeared around the street corner.

……

At the main gate of the mansion, the gatekeeper Zheng Ada was already waiting on the steps. Upon seeing his master return, he hurriedly ran forward to greet him.

“Ah Lang.” Zheng Ada bowed respectfully, carrying a lantern.

He skillfully took the riding whip from Li Yi and whispered, "Madam has instructed the kitchen to prepare hot soup, and told Ah Lang to have some to ward off the cold when he returns."

Li Yi nodded slightly, then dismounted.

However, at that moment, a rapid sound of hooves came from behind.

Li Yi looked back and saw two riders galloping towards him through the night. When they got close, the two guards quickly dismounted and saluted, saying, "Reporting to the commander, we have treated Luo Yanhuan and safely escorted him home."

Li Yi nodded, then turned to Xu Sheng and said, "Tomorrow, take some medicinal herbs from the manor, as well as some alcohol, and send them to Luo Yanhuan's family."

"Your subordinate obeys." Xu Sheng clasped his hands in agreement.

Li Yi said no more, and walked towards the lacquered bronze gate. As he stepped over the threshold, the lamps under the eaves lit up one by one, and the dim yellow light paved a warm path in the courtyard.

The once quiet mansion suddenly became bustling with activity because of the male master's return home—some people carried copper basins to the kitchen to boil water, while others busied themselves adding new charcoal to the charcoal brazier, all tacitly keeping their voices down.

However, the windows in the back courtyard remained dark, as Fu Erniang's sleep had become increasingly light lately, and Li Yi did not want to disturb his wife.

If he comes back late, he will wash up in the front yard before going to his bedroom in the back house to sleep.

Inside the main hall, the charcoal brazier was burning brightly.

Li Yi took off his cloak and handed it to a maid, then walked to the table and sat down. The maids immediately came forward with hot towels.

He took the handkerchief handed to him by the maid, and the warm breath made his eyebrows and eyes relax.

Realizing it had been a long time since he'd taken a bath, Li Yi immediately ordered, "Have someone fill the tub in the back courtyard with hot water..."

The maidservant quickly responded and hurried outside. At this moment, Li Yi called her back and added, "Go in through the east gate, and make sure you move quietly so as not to disturb the lady's rest."

The washroom is located in the east wing of the rear residence, about one or two hundred meters away from the main bedroom. With a little care, it won't disturb Fu Erniang's sleep.

The maid immediately obeyed and left...

(End of this chapter)