The Bad Guys: Playing the Fake Li Xingyun at the Beginning

Su Ming would not force Zhang Zifan to let Li Siyuan go, nor would he help him to avenge and kill Li Siyuan. It would be better for him to avenge his father's death with his own hands. He could not interfere. Even if he wanted to take action, Zhang Zifan might not accept it.

The only thing he could do was to provide a fair environment for the two of them. When Zhang Zifan felt that he had enough strength, he would go find Li Siyuan.

"I'll talk to Zhang Zifan. You don't have to interfere."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Okay, you go back first."

"Wei Chen retire."

After leaving the palace, a gust of wind blew and Li Cunli felt a slight chill. At this time, he realized that his back was wet.

Although Su Ming did nothing, Li Cunli felt tremendous pressure.

Your Majesty's power is becoming more and more majestic day by day, and it is intimidating. It seems that what Li Siyuan said is true, Li Cunli thought to himself.

Li Siyuan, now your life's foundation will be at my mercy. I remember the pit I just dug.

If you want to compete with me for favor, no way. I am the most loyal to His Majesty!

Chapter 253: Imperial Court Reform

For a moment, Li Cunli showed a cheerful smile on his face, and he felt that everything around him became so beautiful.

The guards standing outside the palace were doing their duty faithfully when they suddenly saw something cold falling into their hands. Upon closer inspection, they found that it was a golden bean.

"Take this gift from the king and spend it." Li Cunli's voice came from the carriage.

The two guards were delighted and said in unison, "Thank you, King Xue, for the reward."

I have heard that King Xue is generous. Today I see that it is true. One gold bean is worth their salary for a long time.

……

"It turns out that Brother Li got the Longquan treasure."

In the border town, Zhang Zifan was sitting in the tent. When he saw the news in the newspaper, his eyes were filled with excitement.

That was the Longquan treasure, something that had been in his ears since he was born, and now it was obtained by his good brother.

If he didn't have a lot of things to do here, he would have wanted to go back to Luoyang immediately to see what the legendary Longquan treasure looked like.

However, when I think about the fact that I had no involvement in such a major event as the Longquan Treasure, I feel regretful because such a grand event does not happen at any time.

"It would have been better if I had come out a few months later." Zhang Zifan was both happy and regretful.

But he didn't know that all this had been arranged by Su Ming long ago, and he would never let him know the truth. If he knew that Su Ming was fake and had killed the real Li Xingyun.

Not to mention avenging him on the spot, but he would definitely interrupt the cooperation with the Tianshi Mansion, return home and never go out.

By then, it would take Su Ming a lot of time to unify the south. Not only would he not let Zhang Zifan know, even the people from the Tianshi Mansion would hide the news from him.

Zhang Zifan is Zhang Zifan and Tianshi Mansion is Tianshi Mansion, they cannot be generalized. However, Su Ming does not want to fall out with him, after all, these are all Li Xingyun's "legacy".

In a way, although he is dead, he is also still alive.

……

Mobei Royal Court.

The Khitan ruler Yelu Abaoji sat on the throne, with the graceful and mature Queen Yingtian, Shulido, beside him.

"Our son-in-law is really good at this. He managed to get the Longquan treasure from Li Siyuan's territory. Why didn't I realize that he was so capable back then?"

Shuliduo's beautiful eyes flashed with a smile, and she opened her red lips slightly, "Chuilizhi, people in the Central Plains say that when a man is away for three days, he should be looked at with new eyes. It's been such a long time since you last met, how can you be the same?"

Yelu Abaoji touched the wolf tooth necklace on his neck and said with regret, "It's a pity that Bohai State is not stable yet, otherwise I would really like to get a piece of the pie."

Shuliduo's beautiful face was full of worry. "Qiu Lizhi, Aogu just got married. Let's wait a little longer. She is alone in a foreign country. I am really worried about her."

Speaking of Aogu, Yelu Abaoji was stunned for a moment, and then fell silent. After all, she was his most beloved youngest daughter, and she was married in a foreign country, so he didn't know how she was doing.

He embraced Queen Yingtian in his arms and comforted her, "Yueliduo, don't worry. Aogu is extremely smart and is the pearl of the grassland. As long as we are still alive, Li Xingyun will never dare to offend her."

"Otherwise, tens of thousands of Khitan troops will be able to march south within a few months."

Shuliduo leaned in Yelu Abaoji's arms, hearing his strong heartbeat in his ears. He closed his eyes and helped him analyze the situation: "Qielizhi, the emperor of the Central Plains must have had a fight with Li Siyuan after getting the Longquan treasure, but this matter will not end here. Li Siyuan is not an ordinary person. He will not watch the emperor grow his power and then swallow him up."

"If for no other reason, he will have to confront the emperor just to protect himself. Then there will be a battle between the two sides. By then, wouldn't it be better for us Khitan to sit back and reap the benefits?"

"If you intervene now, it will only alert both sides and make them temporarily put aside their hostility and unite against the enemy."

After hearing these words, Yelu Abaoji looked solemn and began to think carefully. Before, he just wanted to get some benefits and didn't think too much about it.

Although he had always supported Su Ming and provided him with backing, hoping that he would fight against Li Siyuan, he did not expect the situation to change so quickly.

"Does the current Central Plains court have the strength to challenge Li Siyuan?" Yelu Abaoji was very confused.

Su Ming has been on the throne for less than two years, and it is good enough that he has an army under his command. How can he fight against Li Siyuan?

Shuliduo looked up and saw the confusion on her husband's face. She smiled and explained, "Don't forget that Li Siyuan is not the only vassal in the Central Plains. There is also Qi Wang Li Maozhen. Although his strength is not as strong as before, he is still an opponent that should not be underestimated."

"You have also read the news from Luoyang. In the Central Plains court, Li Maozhen and Li Siyuan are incompatible. If Li Siyuan attacks the emperor, Li Maozhen will never sit idly by."

After hearing her words, Yelu Abaoji suddenly understood, "Yuelido, you are really my good military advisor." After saying that, he lowered his head and held the bright red in his eyes.

……

Luoyang.

Su Ming returned to the imperial city and rested for three days. After reviewing the piled up memorials, he convened the court meeting again.

"Boom!"

The heavy and ancient bell rang, and officials walked into the Taiji Hall one after another.

As soon as they entered the room, they saw Su Ming sitting on the dragon throne out of the corner of their eyes. Suddenly, an invisible pressure enveloped their hearts, causing everyone to stop being careless.

There had been no court meetings for three months, and the court officials had become somewhat accustomed to it, and an air of idleness was inevitable about them.

"Long live the emperor!"

"Everyone loves you."

After the process was completed, a Huangmen assistant minister came out and read the imperial edict: "Thanks to the blessing of our ancestors, the Longquan treasure has been obtained by the Tang Dynasty, and the imperial seal has also been recovered. The will of heaven is clear, and it all belongs to the Tang Dynasty. I decree this."

The steady voice sounded like thunder in the ears of the court officials. The significance of the Longquan treasure was self-evident, but the return of the imperial seal to the emperor had great political significance.

Li Cunli was the first to step out from among the ministers, bowed and saluted, "I congratulate Your Majesty and the Tang Dynasty!"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the ministers echoed them.

"Be flat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Su Ming sat on the dragon throne and glanced at the ministers through the crown. "The Longquan treasure has returned to the Tang Dynasty, and the imperial seal has been recovered. It is a double happiness. From now on, Luoyang will be exempted from taxes for one year."

"Wei Chen takes orders!"

With the blessing of the imperial seal, Su Ming was more confident in what he said, and no one refuted him at this time.

However, his next words caused a complete uproar in the court.

Because Su Ming proposed to abolish the Political Affairs Hall and form a cabinet.

The main purpose of the Political Affairs Hall of the Tang Dynasty was to limit the power of the prime minister, so that they could check and balance each other and prevent one from dominating. However, Su Ming's cabinet imprisoned all the prime ministers in the cabinet, limiting the prime minister's power to the greatest extent.

This move is unprecedented.

For a moment, the court officials looked at each other and discussed in low voices.

Chapter 254: Opening the Enke Again

Su Ming sat on the seat and glanced at everyone coldly. If they did not complete the reform while the court system was still small, it would be extremely difficult to make changes later when the whole system was affected.

The biggest beneficiary of the cabinet reorganization was the emperor, as the prime minister's power was castrated and he was turned into a cabinet minister.

Before the ministers could react, Su Ming dropped another bombshell piece of news.

He wants to open Enke again!

After half a year of adjustment, the new juren and jinshi entered the government to take up positions, making the court's government operations run much faster.

Of course, corruption and bribery are inevitable.

From ancient times to the present, even in the so-called clean and prosperous times recorded in history books, corruption and bribery among officials were common and could not be eradicated at all.

However, Su Ming could not do anything about it for the time being. The court's supervisory system had long been in name only, and it was already very good that it could barely maintain its operation.

The two pieces of news combined brought a huge shock to the court officials.

The imperial examination was just held at the beginning of the year, and now it’s happening again?

Seeing the shocked expressions of the court officials, Su Ming was very satisfied. What he wanted was to catch them by surprise. Li Siyuan had already surrendered and the court was no longer constrained. He could finally do things according to his own ideas.

After the discussions among the court officials gradually died down, Su Ming continued, "You should speed up the matter of the special examination and make sure to come up with a set of rules in a short time. As for the cabinet, I will discuss this matter with the prime ministers."

"The minister obeys the order!"

The court officials had no choice but to bow their heads and obey the order.

After the court meeting was over, before leaving the palace, I saw them gathered in groups of three or four on the official road, discussing things.

Today, the emperor has returned, and the shock he has brought to them is truly too great.

First it was the heirloom seal, then the abolition of the Council of State and the formation of a cabinet, and then the swordsman. Each one was a big deal, but Su Ming revealed them all at once.

Li Cunli was about to leave the palace when he was stopped by the eunuch, "Your Highness Prince Xue, His Majesty has summoned you."

……

Qianqiu Palace.

Su Ming changed out of his court robes and sat at the imperial desk to review memorials, with the empress assisting him.

Li Cunli had come here countless times and was already familiar with the place.

"I am here to see you, Your Majesty."

Su Ming put down the imperial brush in his hand, looked up at him, and said, "No need to be polite. Please stand up."

Then, he continued, "What does King Xue think about today's court meeting?"

"I don't know what your majesty is referring to?" Li Cunli asked cautiously.

"The Cabinet and Enko."