Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 678 The tree wants to be quiet but the wind doesn’t stop
The dark night was filled with heavy snow. This was the first snow of the new year, heralding a good harvest this year.

Probably, that's what it would be like if farmers had the time to farm.

The imperial palace in Bianzhou was decorated with lights and many craftsmen invited from outside the palace were making preparations for the Lantern Festival.

Watching lanterns during the Lantern Festival was a traditional activity in the Tang Dynasty. The court in Bianzhou was thriving. Although Emperor Li Lin was poor, the court was still very wealthy. In order to save the emperor's last bit of dignity, Li Lin had to live frugally and use the remaining money to buy lanterns. He even lowered his face and "asked" the court for some money.

In Fang Zhongyong's opinion, it was unnecessary to have lanterns in the palace. However, in Li Lin's opinion, it was just a "basic need" and he was far inferior to Ji Ge in terms of pomp and circumstance.

You are the emperor now, why can't you show off a little?
Li Lin was very angry, but he couldn't say anything because Fang Chongyong was very frugal and tried to save money on food, clothing and other expenses.

In contrast, he was embarrassed to say that he could not enjoy a luxurious life because he had no power.

"Your Majesty, it's windy outside, it's better to go back to the imperial study and be safe."

Gao Shang came forward, put a black cloak on Li Lin, and whispered a suggestion. The puppet emperor was still standing on the palace wall tower, looking at the lanterns in the palace, feeling a wave of irritation for no reason.

"I sent an assassin to kill Fang Qing. Do you think there is a good chance of success?"

Li Lin suddenly came over and asked in a low voice.

Gao Shang didn't know how to answer. The other party hadn't mentioned this matter recently, but he had asked about it many times in the past.

He really can't forget it.

"Your Majesty, I can only say that there is little hope."

Gao Shang's words revealed helplessness and fatigue, and he was too lazy to even refute.

If Fang Qing is killed, how can we take over the situation in Bianzhou?

Gao Shang knew very well that the Li family was not without smart people, but what Fang Qing wanted was that the emperor was a fool. Otherwise, it would not be enough to disappoint the people of the world.

However, if Li Lin was just stupid, then there would be no problem. But if he was so stupid as to try to assassinate Fang Qing, I am afraid there would be a day when Fang Qing would not be able to tolerate him.

Gao Shang no longer wanted to think about what would happen then. Anyway, it would definitely not be a good thing.

"Humph, I am surrounded by Fang Qing's people, so of course I can't succeed."

Li Lin muttered something, and just like that, he talked about the people around him in front of Gao Shang. I don't know what Gao Shang was thinking, anyway, it can't be seen from his face.

Just as Li Lin was complaining to Gao Shang about Fang Qing's domineering behavior, the sound of armor rubbing against each other, accompanied by the collision of weapons, came from afar.

Clank! Clank! Snap! Snap!
The sound of footsteps getting closer and closer.

Li Lin's face changed slightly. At this moment, he saw He Changqi, who was dressed in military uniform, leading the soldiers of the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army to the tower. These people were all old soldiers with "Silver Spear Filial Piety" tattooed on their faces. They were all die-hard fans of Fang Qing!

"General He, what...what is this for?"

Li Lin asked in a panic, thinking to himself, "This is not good. Looking at this situation, are they going to depose the emperor?"
"Gao Shang, take His Majesty back to the Imperial Study! There are thieves coming to assassinate the Emperor. If anything goes wrong, you will be in trouble!"

He Changqi didn't want to pay any attention to Li Lin at all and directly scolded Gao Shang.

Assassinate the emperor?

Is this person worthy?

Gao Shang was stunned. He had no idea what was so wrong with Li Lin that was worthy of being stabbed by an assassin.

But looking at He Changqi's expression, he didn't seem to be faking it, so he quickly pulled Li Lin, who was already in a daze, and the two of them, under the protection of several silver-spear filial piety soldiers, came to the imperial study and sat down. The imperial guards had been guarding the door, not moving a step.

Gao Shang wanted to ask something, but he didn't know how to approach those soldiers, and it seemed that he would not get any answer even if he asked.

"what is going on?"

Li Lin asked in a low voice.

At this moment, he actually felt that someone really wanted to assassinate him. Because if Fang Qing wanted to do something, he didn't have to go through so much trouble.

"what……"

At this moment, a scream was heard not far away, echoing in the empty palace. Li Lin, who was sitting on the dragon chair, couldn't help but shiver.

Then there was silence.

Soon, there were shouts, the clash of weapons, and the sound of chaotic footsteps everywhere.

Li Lin walked to the door of the imperial study and wanted to go out to take a look, but was stopped by several soldiers of the Filial Piety Army armed with silver spears who were guarding the door.

"Your Majesty, it's very dangerous outside, please be patient."

The soldiers were polite in their words, but their expressions were not respectful at all. Seeing the faces of these soldiers, Li Lin returned to the dragon chair in dismay and sighed helplessly.

Days like this really have no control over one's life, it's almost like being in prison.

A faint smell of blood permeated the air, sometimes faintly. Screams could be heard from time to time, as if something bad had really happened.

Li Lin and Gao Shang looked at each other, and in the end, they said nothing.

After a long time, He Changqi walked into the imperial study in a carefree manner, holding two bloody heads in his hands!
"Your Majesty, the thieves have been killed, a total of 52 people. These two were the leaders. I will take them back to report. Your Majesty, please take care of the rest."

After saying that, he strode out of the imperial study. The head in his hand was still dripping with blood, leaving a string of crimson dots on the snow.

With He Changqi's departure, all the imperial guards were gone.

As for who these assassins were, who ordered them to do so, and when they sneaked into the palace, Li Lin knew nothing.

But one thing is certain, Fang Qing is in control of the overall situation, everything, from the overall to the details.

It was a suffocating control.

Li Lin felt that Fang Qing might even know exactly what he was wearing under his robe today.

That person just didn't say anything, but he definitely knew everything.

"What exactly... is going on?"

Li Lin asked doubtfully, as if he was asking Gao Shang, but also as if he was talking to himself.

"I don't know either."

Gao Shang said with his eyebrows lowered. He had actually already vaguely guessed something, but there was no need to tell Li Lin.

The two men walked to the square outside the Purple Palace, where they saw dozens of corpses lying on the ground in a mess. They were all wearing coarse cloth and seemed to be temporary helpers who were responsible for setting up the lights and decorations in the palace.

These people were invited by Gao Shang, so it was nothing unusual. Gao Shang didn't even know why these people were killed.

In Bianzhou, there are many canal workers who are responsible for loading and unloading goods. In Kaifeng, there are shops that can accept orders for canal transportation, as well as some miscellaneous work orders, such as helping a wealthy family move, and doing hard labor work as a bricklayer.

Gao Shang contacted such a shop, and this shop contacted the boatman. He did not take care of the specific matters, nor did he ask who was hired.

As for how these people became assassins, Gao Shang was also confused.

"You handle it here. I'm going to go back and rest."

Li Lin waved his hand tiredly, turned around and left, not even bothering to look at the body on the ground. Seeing this scene before the Lantern Festival was really damn unlucky.

……

In troubled times, those who wear shoes are often more nervous and more cautious than those who go barefoot.

Because under the cruel mechanism of survival of the fittest, those who seek pleasure usually do not have a good ending.

Those who can survive may be bad, but they are definitely not stupid.

While the lanterns were being hung in the Bianzhou Palace, the lights were also on in the study of the Bianzhou government office. Fang Zhongyong did not have much free time. It was already night, and he was still reviewing official documents, arranging the upcoming spring plowing, and agricultural reforms.

Fang Zhongyong knew very well that there was no so-called system in this world. No matter how small the task was, it had to be completed one by one by specific people.

"Your Majesty, Liu Yan requests an audience."

A conscientious voice sounded outside the door.

"Let him in." Fang Zhongyong put the pen on the pen holder and rubbed his sore eyebrows.

After Liu Yan came in, he handed a stack of drafts of memorials to the other party and said, "Look at these things. Those that can be done should be done quickly and with details. For those that cannot be done, write a receipt and tell me where it is difficult to do it."

Liu Yan didn't waste any words. He took the stack of memorials and read them page by page.

"I have heard of this three-channel system. I didn't expect that you have heard of it too."

Seeing this page, Liu Yan nodded thoughtfully, as if he understood something.

"It is necessary to dig canals for irrigation, but they cannot be opened randomly. The canals are divided into three levels. The third-level canals draw water from the second-level canals, the second-level canals draw water from the first-level canals, and the first-level canals draw water from rivers and streams.

The theory is correct, but how to implement it needs further study."

It's obvious that he knows something, but once the decree is issued, it remains to be seen how and to what extent it is implemented.

This is not a matter of just a few words.

"Without agriculture there will be no stability, and if the people cannot get enough food, they will rise up in rebellion.

The world is full of wealthy people who oppress the common people. If the government does not find a way out for them, no one will speak for them.

When that day comes, the people will take up their swords and use them to enforce justice.”

Fang Chongyong said with a sigh.

"The government is benevolent and righteous, and the people will not resort to violence against you."

Liu Yan saluted Fang Zhongyong with his hands crossed.

"Never mind, it's just some idle talk. What's the matter with you coming here so late at night?"

Fang Zhongyong stretched and asked curiously.

"The food and fodder for the expedition to Bohai has been prepared. After the ice and snow on the river melt, it can be transported to Dengzhou and distributed to the Changping warehouses in the states along the way.

The government can lead troops to Dengzhou, and food and fodder can be transported to Dengzhou."

Liu Yan reported calmly, as if he was talking about an ordinary little thing. In fact, this was a very rare thing after the Tang Dynasty fell apart.

"Well, you've worked hard, go take a rest."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand gently and didn't care much about it.

This is like an excellent student taking an exam. He has already done enough work in his daily life and does not need to sharpen his skills before the exam.

Seeing Liu Yan hesitated to speak, Fang Zhongyong asked, "Anything else?"

"Recently, there have been rumors in the market that the emperor is planning to abdicate. I think the emperor doesn't seem to have such intentions, so I feel a little strange."

Liu Yan thought about it and decided to speak out what was on his mind.

Around the end of the year, rumors spread in Bianzhou that Fang Qing wanted to depose the emperor and establish himself as his successor.

Some people said that this did not happen because Fang Qing did not take any action. Since ancient times, no one has ever been seen so calm when deposing an emperor and establishing himself as the emperor.

But some people also say that Li Lin is a waste and is of no use. If such a worthless person is supported, he will definitely be abandoned in the future.

It is only natural for Fang Qing to become emperor, there is no need to be surprised at all.

It has to be said that both of these statements make sense. Neither one can outweigh the other, so there are many different opinions among the people.

"It's all nonsense."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand, not wanting to talk about it, and there was really nothing to say.

"In that case, I am just being overly suspicious."

Liu Yan bowed and left calmly. After he left, Fang Chongyong's face turned gloomy.

Damn, someone is trying to cause trouble!

Fang Zhongyong cursed in his heart.

Now is the time when a latent dragon should be put to rest and accumulate people's support. How can we depose the emperor and establish ourselves as the emperor?

Slowly expand the territory, manage the territory, improve people's livelihood, win over confidants, and control the army. By then, many things will come naturally and there is no need to bother.

"Go ask He Lao Hu if he's back. If he is, ask him to come to the government office to see me immediately!"

Fang Chongyong instructed Da Congming.

He stood up and paced in the study, thinking about many things about the future.

Half an hour later, He Changqi came hurriedly, without taking off his armor, which was stained with blood.

"Is the matter settled?"

As soon as they met, Fang Chongyong asked directly.

"Go back to the government, they are just petty thieves, they have been dealt with."

He Changqi reported carefully.

"No one was left alive?"

Fang Chongyong asked again.

“No, no, we killed them directly. There were fifty-two people in total, with two of them leading the group.

The shop in Kaifeng city was also taken control, and the owner said that the deposit was given by a person with a Guanzhong accent.

If they were to assassinate an official, they certainly wouldn't dare, but to assassinate the emperor... I can't say. I don't know what Li Lin's reputation is among the people, so I won't mention it."

He Changqi complained unhappily.

"Humph, this is the cleverness of the person behind the scenes."

Fang Zhongyong snorted coldly, feeling extremely unhappy.

Although his handling was not problematic, he still let the man succeed. Soon, the rumors that Fang Qing wanted to replace him would cooperate with this assassination and intensify.

This is just like throwing a toad on your feet. It doesn't bite but it makes you feel disgusted.

"Official, then..."

He Changqi was at a loss, not knowing what to say. With his limited wisdom, he still couldn't figure out what the person behind the scenes wanted to do. He just felt that it was meaningless, Li Lin was just like a scabby dog, so he could just kill him.

"Go and have a rest. The Lantern Festival hasn't arrived yet, so we're still on holiday."

Fang Zhongyong sighed and raised his hand wearily. He Changqi left the government office study room as if he had been pardoned.

"We haven't even started the battle yet, and there are already so many problems."

Fang Zhongyong couldn't help but curse inwardly.

As the saying goes, a tall tree attracts the wind. He is no longer the little transparent one he used to be. After Brother Ji fell and the Tang Dynasty collapsed, the Bianzhou court controlled by Fang Zhongyong became the biggest one.

Many people, especially Fang Zhongyong’s confidants, actually had psychological expectations of things like “abdication succession”.

Or to put it simply, we are happy to see it happen.

Since Fang Chongyong had gotten the job done, there was no need for them to step forward and advocate for Zen succession; they could just "go with the flow."

In the big picture, everyone's ultimate interests are the same, but when it comes to some specific details, everyone's interests are not exactly the same.

"I don't want to be a bullshit emperor. I don't want to be used as a mascot by you guys!"

He couldn't help but curse.

(End of this chapter)