Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 190 We Are All Taoists

Outside Qianqing Palace.

Li Zisheng was waiting anxiously.

He was also worried in his heart. After all, it was a matter of life and death involving the emperor. As a powerful official who rose to power with the favor of Emperor Chenghua, he naturally knew how important Zhu Jianshen's survival and trust were to him.

Even if the emperor changes, the minister will still be a minister, but it will be difficult for a powerful minister like him to maintain his current position.

After waiting for a long time, Qin Chang finally came out of the hall.

Qin Chang was so serious and his expression didn't change at all, which made Li Zisheng a little puzzled.

"Eunuch Tan?"

Li Zisheng walked over.

Qin Chang said: "Everything still depends on you, Mr. Li... With your prophecy, His Majesty is in a much better mood, and he has rested after taking the medicine... His Majesty has not rested well in the past few days, and now he can finally sleep well, it's a blessing!"

Li Zisheng heaved a long sigh of relief upon hearing this, and asked with a smile, "I wonder how the Imperial Hospital diagnosed it?"

Qin Chang shook his head, meaning that the Imperial Medical Bureau had no good solution for the emperor's illness.

"Then... I wonder when I can meet His Majesty?"

Li Zisheng was eager to see the emperor.

He always felt that his biggest advantage over other ministers was that he could see the emperor at any time and had the qualifications to communicate face to face.

It was for this reason that the ministers in the court were so flattering to him.

Qin Chang continued to shake his head, indicating that he didn't know.

Li Zisheng knew what was going on and immediately bowed and said, "Then I will come to visit you again when your Majesty is feeling better."

"Row."

Qin Chang smiled and said, "I will have someone escort Mr. Li out of the palace... I won't escort you personally."

"No, no, I can leave the palace by myself. Thank you, Eunuch Tan. I also ask Eunuch Tan to take good care of His Majesty and make sure nothing goes wrong!"

Li Zisheng acted loyal to the emperor and the country, and everything seemed so natural and smooth.

Even Qin Chang couldn't help but think that Li Banxian, who came from a Taoist background, had devoted his entire body and soul to the emperor, and could indeed be considered a loyal minister.

……

……

Li Zisheng returned home with a tired look on his face and went straight to his study. He sat down there and finally relaxed.

"Someone, please boil some water. I need to take a shower and change my clothes. Ask the people in the backyard to come and serve me well."

Li Zisheng seemed to be relieved and planned to have a good rest at home.

Pang Qing appeared at the door. After asking for instructions, he came in and asked, "Master Dao, are you done with your work?"

Li Zisheng said, "I came with you to observe the stars last night until dawn, and this morning I went to the palace to report the good news to His Majesty. I was really exhausted."

Pang Qing was a man who knew the rules. Since Li Zisheng did not bring him along in this matter, it was obvious that there were things he did not want him to be involved in, so he did not ask.

"Master, Deng Chang'en is here. He has been waiting in the hall since early morning. He has been waiting for nearly two hours now. I have tried to persuade him, but he refuses to leave no matter what."

Pang Qing asked with difficulty.

Li Zisheng frowned. "It's rare for me to be in a good mood, but this rat shit ruined it... Humph, how did he oppose me before? Now he has the nerve to come to my house? What is he doing here? Have you asked?"

Pang Qing said, "I did ask, but he just said he was here to keep you company. He also said he wanted your help with something, but he refused to say what it was and insisted on waiting for you to come back. For this kind of thing, I'm afraid only you can ask in person."

"Ah."

Li Zisheng seemed to be still hesitant about whether to meet Deng Changen.

Judging from the conflicts between the two over the past one or two years, there was really no need for him to go meet them, as the two sides were already at loggerheads.

But if one considers that as a Taoist, one needs to consolidate favor, there is no need to make the relationship so awkward.

"Tell him that I just came back from meeting the emperor and I still need to do some sorting. Let him continue to wait."

You can meet him, but you have to leave Deng Changen alone for a while.

Go take a shower, change clothes and take a short rest by yourself so your plans won’t be disrupted.

If you, Deng Changen, are unwilling to wait, then just get out. Later on, it will be your own fault for being impatient, not me.

……

……

Li Zisheng finished his lunch before he went to see Deng Changen. Deng Changen had not even had breakfast, let alone lunch. He was not treated as a distinguished guest in the Li residence. He was only served a cup of tea when he entered the house, and he had already eaten all the tea leaves.

"Master Li, I am glad to see you in person."

Deng Chang'en was so excited when he saw Li Zisheng.

I was already afraid that Li Zisheng would not grant me an audience, and I was also so hungry and thirsty that I could hardly wait any longer. How could I not be excited after finally meeting the victim?

Li Zisheng walked to the main seat in the small flower hall with an indifferent attitude and sat down. Only then did a servant come in to replace the tea.

Li Zisheng held the teacup and asked lazily, "Master Deng is a very busy man. He is usually not seen in the court. How come he has the time to come to my house today? Is there something in my house that you covet and you want to move it away for me?"

"Master, you misunderstood."

Deng Chang'en took the initiative to sit next to Li Zisheng and said with a smile, "There were many misunderstandings between us before, all caused by poor communication. Now I have figured it out. If there is anything in the future, I will come to your house in person to report to you, so that there will be no more communication problems."

"Haha, you come to report to me? People with different ideas cannot work together. What do you want to report to me?" Li Zisheng acted as if he was in an advantageous position and would not give in.

Deng Changen said: "We are all cultivators, and we all share the same understanding of the universe, so there are naturally things we need to report."

Li Zisheng raised his hand to interrupt Deng Changen: "The Taoism you practice is fundamentally different from my Taoism. If you consider yourself a Taoist, why don't you go to Longhu Mountain to practice in seclusion, but insist on staying in the capital and getting involved in court affairs? Besides, the Taoist affairs are supported by the people of Longhu Mountain. What does it have to do with you and me? I don't have the leisure to sit and discuss Taoism with you."

"You are really..."

Deng Chang'en was so embarrassed.

The day was just talked to death.

He could only mechanically say flattering words: "You are a busy old nobleman, and a big favorite in front of His Majesty. I admire you, I admire you!"

Li Zisheng frowned and said, "If you have something to say, just say it. If not, go back early. Don't set foot in my house casually in the future... If someone with ulterior motives knew about this, they might think that you and I were planning something illegal."

This was also clearly stated to Deng Changen.

Whether you want to be my disciple or not, it is almost impossible, at least given the current situation.

Because in the eyes of the emperor and the people in the court, you and I are two completely different groups of people. If you and I get together, even if the censors don't impeach us, the emperor will not think it is a good thing.

As an emperor, what he wants is for the people below to compete with each other and fight for favor, only then will he feel at ease. If the people below form a group, the emperor will probably consider whether it will hinder himself.

Deng Chang'en said, "I heard that His Majesty has been ill recently."

"You are quite courageous."

Li Zisheng's face changed and he shouted, "How dare you make irresponsible comments about the palace? Do you believe that I will go to the East Factory to expose you?"

"I am also concerned about your majesty's health... I have just found a few experts from outside and refined a few batches of elixirs. I have asked some people to try to take them. There is absolutely no harm, and they can make people feel euphoric after taking them..." Deng Chang'en said with a smile.

What I mean is, I'm giving you the opportunity to make a contribution, you won't refuse it, right?

Li Zisheng frowned and said, "If you have refined the elixir, why don't you go and offer it yourself? Why are you looking for me?"

"Doesn't this... rely entirely on your prestige? If you endorse this batch of pills, wouldn't it be... better?" Deng Chang'en looked aggrieved.

I'm almost saying that even if I offer the medicine to Your Majesty, he may not accept it.

But if you offer it, the situation is very different.

As he spoke, Deng Changen took out a porcelain bottle from his arms and handed it to Li Zisheng carefully: "Here are a few pills, how about you try it?"

Li Zisheng suddenly stood up, looking angry: "You want to harm me?"

"No, I have no such intention."

Deng Chang'en was also a little nervous. As he spoke, he opened the porcelain bottle with trembling hands, took out a red pill from it, slid it into his mouth, swallowed it with a move of his throat, and opened his mouth to show, "Look, this pill is non-toxic and will not harm the body. It may be a bit exaggerated to say that it can cure all diseases and strengthen the body, but it can definitely prolong life and... make you strong and vigorous."

After hearing the rest, Li Zisheng probably knew what this thing was.

Because "dragon spirit and tiger ferocity" is the core of its medicinal effect.

Li Zisheng said coldly, "Your Majesty is lying on the sickbed right now, and you actually asked me to offer this medicine. What's your intention? Take your miraculous medicine and offer it to anyone you want. I never participated in refining the medicine, so I will never endorse it. I never seek benefits through this means."

Deng Chang'en's old face was a little embarrassed, and he frowned and said, "Master Li, you have great magical powers, but His Majesty usually takes medicine. Don't you want to take credit for it? This may be a bit harsh, but if someone else offered the medicine and won the favor of His Majesty, wouldn't you feel sad?"

I go.

Li Zisheng said with concern that the sun rose from the south today.

My political enemy actually came to teach me how to stay in the emperor's good graces? And he spoke so logically and even with my best interests in mind?
I don't fucking believe you!

"Mr. Deng, I'm telling you clearly that your tricks to win my favor will not work with me. You don't need to tell me how you did it in the past or how you will do it in the future. I don't want to use your abilities to get promoted."

Li Zisheng picked up the teacup and said righteously, "I am happy to discuss court affairs with you, but if it is just these means of flattery and currying favor, you'd better save your efforts! Send the guest away!"

(End of this chapter)