Jiuxi

Chapter 655: The Last Plan

There was silence in Jinlin Hall.

The three generations of grandparents and grandchildren had different moods.

When Li Shizhi directly brought the topic to Li Gongxu, the young man couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

There are countless secrets within the powerful families. Even the most favored descendants would die quietly, which is not uncommon.

As Li Shizhi said, he was very clear about Li Daoyan's intention to personally train Li Gongxu. Even though the boy was only fifteen years old now, with Li Daoyan's teaching and his own experience, and with Lu Chen as his teacher, he would surely grow up in time.

In short, Li Daoyan was very disappointed with Li Shizhi, so he began to cultivate the third generation of the family.

From Li Shizhi's perspective, he naturally could not tolerate a young boy becoming a threat. If he wanted to use some means, even if success was difficult, he might still cause harm to Li Gongxu.

Although there was no obvious murderous intent in Li Shizhi's words, the young man still tensed up and subconsciously looked at his grandfather.

Li Daoyan smiled faintly, and his kind and gentle eyes instantly dispelled the coldness in the boy's heart.

Li Shizhi certainly would not rack his brains to prove that he was really capable of hurting Li Gongxu. He was just expressing his attitude, and then said in a deep voice: "Father, no matter what you want to ask tonight, I will tell you directly, but I want to emphasize one thing, all my actions are for the consideration of Jinlin Li family."

"Father understands."

Li Daoyan's eyes showed a little tiredness, and he said slowly: "Although I don't approve of some of your methods, but now the matter is done, there is no point in saying more. Besides, the truth that people in the officialdom are forgotten after they leave is eternal. After I resign, I will gradually lose my influence on the court. As the Minister of Rites, you are in your prime. In addition, with the preparations you have made in secret over the years, I think no one can stop you from moving forward."

Li Shizhi shook his head and said, "Even though my father is not in the court, he is still the head of the Jinlin Li family. I am sure that even His Majesty would not dare to ignore your opinion."

Li Daoyan said with a sigh: "So I plan to return to Jinlin's ancestral home, so that you won't feel constrained everywhere."

Li Shizhi was stunned when he heard this.

In the soft candlelight, the father and son looked at each other for a long time.

For ordinary officials, it is true that people forget about them when they are gone, but this cannot be applied to a veteran of three dynasties like Li Daoyan.

Just like when Han Lingfu had been away from the court for a long time, when the late emperor and Guo Congyi and others were in a stalemate, he dragged his old body into the palace, and with just a few words made Guo Congyi and Wang Yan bow their heads, thus facilitating the reform of the Beijing army.

This is the friendship he has accumulated over the past few decades. Even if people like Guo Wang, who were promoted by him, have turned bad, they still have to obey him in public, otherwise they will inevitably become the target of criticism from the world.

Compared to Han Lingfu who retired from the court early, Li Daoyan persisted until the new emperor took the throne. How many favors did he give out over the years?
As long as he is still in the capital, even if he is not the prime minister, everyone still respects him, especially at certain critical moments, when he speaks out, the effect of his words is even more effective than that of the emperor.

This is why Li Shizhi was stunned.

Li Daoyan suddenly resigned from his post this time, and he was actually quite uneasy because he didn't know why his old father did this.

After pondering secretly these days, Li Shizhi gradually realized some profound meanings and felt that his father wanted to step down from his high position and observe the events in the capital from a distance, so that he could make a clearer judgment.

However, Li Daoyan's words "Jinlin ancestral home" showed that he was indeed tired of those evil people, which made Li Shizhi at a loss.

Jinlin County is where the Li family made their fortune. It is not too far from the capital, just a hundred miles southwest of the capital, and can be reached in half a day by fast horse.

The problem is that this mere hundred miles means that Li Daoyan has taken the initiative to stay away from the center of power. Not only will he be unable to receive news from the court in a timely manner, but his influence on various forces will become weaker and weaker over time.

Does the old father really want to let go?
Li Shizhi was unsure at the moment, so he said tentatively: "Father, after all, my hometown cannot compare to the prosperity of Beijing. If you want to leave Beijing temporarily, you might as well stay in the villa over in Jianhu for a while, which will also make it convenient for your descendants to fulfill their filial piety."

Li Daoyan smiled faintly and changed the subject: "I have been thinking about a question for some time. What was Mr. Han thinking about in the days before he passed away?"

This question made Li Shizhi fall into deep thought.

Li Daoyan continued, "Back then, I went to Huzhou with Lord Han to welcome the late emperor. On the way, he told me that he would protect the country of Great Qi even if he had to die. In the following years, he was consistent in his words and deeds, and he never wavered even when he held the power of the Beijing Army. I remember one day, probably in the summer of the sixth year of Jianwu, I told him not to be too selfless and to take some of the younger generations in the family into consideration. Do you know how Lord Han responded to me at that time?"

Li Shizhi said respectfully: "Please give me your instructions, father."

Li Daoyan's vicissitudes of life were reflected in the wind and snow, and he said word by word: "Without the Central Plains, where can I go home?"

The young man Li Gongxu standing next to him was shocked.

Li Shizhi remained silent.

Li Daoyan sighed softly, and then said: "Mr. Han has a noble character, far superior to me. After all, I can't do his level. After all, I can't give up the hundreds of years of foundation of the Li family, and I can't sit idly by and ignore you young people. Over the past ten years, he and I have gone further and further on opposite paths. The children of the Han family live in poverty, while the children of the Li family are very successful, but in the end, we two old men have ended up in the same place."

Li Shizhi was no stranger to Han Lingfu's story. He nodded and said, "Old Prince Han can be called a perfect man."

"Perfect man..."

Li Daoyan had a complicated expression and said slowly, "Han Zhongjie knows how to be patient better than you. He waited until Lord Han was completely unable to manage things before showing his claws. Previously, he was just secretly connected with the emperor. He played the same role as you in the rebellion in the capital, but he hid it deeper than you, and his methods were more sophisticated."

Li Shizhi was so perceptive that he understood the origin of this passage after just a little thought.

He looked into the old man's wise eyes and said softly, "I am different from him." "There is no difference."

Li Daoyan shook his head and said earnestly: "Mr. Han and I are looking at the country, and you and Han Zhongjie are looking at the family and country."

Li Shizhi wanted to refute, but felt that words became powerless at this moment.

Li Daoyan continued the previous topic, with a little more self-mockery in his tone: "So I can understand Mr. Han's feelings at the last moment. Although I didn't go to see him or talk to him for a few more words, I can understand. Every generation has its own ideas. You haven't experienced the era of silence, haven't faced the imminent worry of overthrow, haven't experienced what true despair is, so naturally you can't empathize."

Li Shizhi listened quietly.

From his expression, we can tell that he does not completely oppose what his old father said, and he also has his own thoughts, but it is difficult to determine how deeply he thinks.

After a moment, Li Daoyan suddenly asked, "You were strongly opposed to the Northern Expedition at the beginning. Now as the Minister of Rites, although you cannot interfere in military affairs, you can influence His Majesty's thinking. Let me ask you, if His Majesty insists on pushing for the Northern Expedition, how will you respond?"

Li Shizhi said calmly: "If this is the general trend, naturally no one can stop it."

Compared to his previous firm opposition, this sentence seems to be a change.

Li Daoyan said softly: "That is to say, if the resistance is great, you don't mind standing on the side of those people."

After going around in circles, it seems that we have returned to the key point of the previous argument between father and son.

Even though his father had decided to resign and was no longer the prime minister, Li Shizhi still did not dare to be careless. He said calmly: "Father, since ancient times, no one has been able to achieve great things from the south to the north. For the Great Qi, the first priority is to preserve the current foundation, and only on this basis can we plan for other things."

Li Daoyan looked at his sincere expression and asked calmly, "When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact?"

Li Shizhi quickly responded: "Father, the times are different now, we cannot generalize."

This time the old man was silent for a long time, and Li Shizhi stood upright.

At that time, the Great Qi was in imminent danger, and the Jing cavalry could cross the river and head south at any time, so the late emperor could do his best to support the border troops without too many obstacles. But now, with several major victories, the situation between Qi and Jing has quietly changed.

The meaning of Li Shizhi's words is very clear. Da Qi now at least has the ability to protect itself.

"That's all."

Li Daoyan waved his hand and said calmly: "I think you have already made up your mind about how to go in the future. No one can change your mind, including your father. In this case, you can go, and the foundation of the Jinlin Li family will be handed over to you. Your father has been very tired these years. In the remaining years, he just wants to take Zhiyuer back to the Jinlin ancestral home to enjoy the happiness of family."

Li Shizhi didn't know how long he had waited for this day. He had thought about this scene for countless days and nights. When it finally came, he found that he could not suppress his excitement. So he bowed his head and said, "Please rest assured, father. I will do my best to live up to the reputation of the Jinlin Li family for hundreds of years."

Li Daoyan looked at him steadily, and finally said only four words: "I hope so."

Li Shizhi bowed again and then took his leave.

Li Gongxu stood beside the couch, looking at the old man's thin face, and suddenly a strong sense of sadness surged in his heart.

Li Daoyan reached out and patted his shoulder gently.

After a moment, the old man said softly, "Yuliang."

A figure emerged from the curtain, came forward and saluted, saying, "Master."

This man is nearly forty years old. He is the old man's most trusted confidant and the one who controls the huge power of the Jinlin Li family under the surface, Li Yuliang.

Li Daoyan hesitated for a moment, and finally, under the boy's concerned gaze, he said to Li Yuliang: "Let's start preparing according to the strategy we agreed on before."

Li Yuliang bowed his head and said, "Yes, Master."

Li Daoyan added: "Send the secret letter to Dingzhou and make sure it is delivered to Lu Chen."

"Yes, sir."

"That's it."

"Yes, sir."

Li Yuliang said nothing more, bowed, and then disappeared into the darkness again.

Li Daoyan looked at the young man next to him and did not explain too much. He just said in a dull tone: "Some people in this world will never turn back until they hit the wall. Your uncle is used to treating everyone in the world as a toy in his hands. You must not learn from him. Remember?"

Li Gongxu looked at the old man's expectant eyes, knelt down beside the couch, and said solemnly: "Grandson will remember grandfather's teachings."

"Yes, my dear grandson."

Li Daoyan smiled gently, slowly leaned back on the soft pillow, and closed his tired eyes.

(End of this chapter)