Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 210 You Will Never Have the Chance to Become Prime Minister in This Life (Part )
East Palace, Guangtian Hall.

When Li Anyan walked back, the red light had already been put on.

The red light spread across the snow, attracting attention.

Li Chengqian in Guangtian Hall was drinking sobering soup.

Li Anyan stepped forward and bowed: "Your Highness, the person has left."

Li Chengqian nodded, put down the hangover soup, then looked at Li Anyan and asked, "An Yan, do you think Duke Chen understood what I said?"

Li Anyan bowed and said calmly, "Even if he doesn't understand what you say in person, Duke Chen will carefully consider every word you say after returning. This is the responsibility of a minister. Therefore, he will be able to understand what you say."

Li Chengqian laughed, then waved his hand, his expression calm. "I really hope he can understand and resolutely deal with those two hidden dangers, but to be honest, I don't have much confidence."

"He will, especially when he realizes that this matter has profoundly affected his career. I believe he will make the right choice." Li Anyan bowed calmly.

Li Chengqian sighed lightly and said nothing.

He knew that other people might be able to change such things, but Hou Junji had been possessed by a demon and would rather rebel than change.

It was like this in the previous life, but it was him at that time. This time, Li Tai will climb up.

After thinking for a moment, Li Chengqian spoke up, "I've said everything I need to say. It's up to Duke Chen to figure things out. What I'm really interested in is Hou Zhiyi. Today, he listened very attentively to what I was saying."

"Your Highness!" Li Anyan didn't quite understand what Li Chengqian meant.

"Go get some paper and pen. I need to submit a memorial to my father." Li Chengqian looked at the falling snow outside the palace and said softly, "I want to recommend Hou Zhiyi for the position of Chief Justice of the Dali Temple."

"The Chief Justice of the Dali Temple?" Li Anyan bowed, puzzled and asked, "Your Highness, Hou Zhiyi is now the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War. Duke Chen is obviously trying to push him towards the position of Doctor of the Ministry of War. Why would he agree to let Hou Zhiyi be the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple?"

"The Dali Temple is a lower fifth rank official, and the military minister is an upper fifth rank official. There's not much difference." Li Chengqian waved his hand nonchalantly, then looked at Li Anyan with a half-smile and said, "Believe it or not, my father wouldn't even ask Duke Chen's opinion on my recommendation. He would directly issue an order."

"Your Highness, I don't quite understand." Li Anyan bowed in confusion.

Li Chengqian hadn't wanted to say it, but Li Anyan asked. He sighed and said, "Duke Chen was one of the first to join the Qin Palace. His mother and grandmother were even relatives. Over the years, he followed our father on many campaigns, making countless contributions. But now, because of that one incident, he can't become prime minister."

Li Chengqian paused for a moment, shook his head, and said, "Even Liu Li, the Imperial Court Minister, has surpassed him. Even now, Liu Li's chances of becoming a Palace Attendant are higher than his. Therefore, it is very difficult for him to change."

Li Anyan wanted to refute, but didn't know what to say.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Anyan calmly, then continued, "So from my perspective, this matter is irreversible. Father will deal with it in the future. However, if there is someone who can replace Duke Chen and give Father a little comfort..."

"So it's Hou Zhiyi." Li Anyan understood everything completely.

"It's him." Li Chengqian nodded, then said, "After Hou Zhiyi is transferred to the Dali Temple, tell Dai Zhide and Zhang Wenguan to get closer to him... I hope he can make the right decision at the critical moment."

"Yes!" Li Anyan understood a little, but his expression seemed a little uncomfortable.

Li Chengqian stood up, waved his hand, and walked towards Cheng'en Hall.

The snow fell silently.

Li Chengqian couldn't help but look towards the direction of Ganlu Palace.

The emperor is ruthless.

All he needed was to make people think he was affectionate, and Hou Zhiyi was enough.

……

At the Yongzhou official residence, light snow covered the backyard.

The sky in the east was dark, and it was still some time before dawn.

In winter, the white snow fell on the ground, making the entire courtyard transparent.

Hou Junji was sitting alone on a stone bench in the backyard, holding a sharp sword in his hand.

The bright and sharp blade was aimed at Hou Junji's forehead, nose bridge, and jaw in a straight line.

Hou Junji's eyes were always fixed on his blade.

This sword was given to him by the emperor. It was made by the prince and presented to the emperor.

Hou Junji didn't sleep well the whole night last night, so there are still bloodshot eyes.

Last night, although Hou Junji had already arrived at the Duke of Chen's mansion, he suddenly changed his mind and came to the Yongzhou official residence again.

Just like he had spent more than half of his time here in the previous two years.

But last night was one of the rare times he did not sleep at all.

Hou Junji looked at the sharp blade in front of him and inexplicably had the urge to stab his eyebrows with the blade, but his hand tightly gripped the handle.

It was unknown how long it had been before Hou Junji suddenly looked up.

Heavy breaths left his mouth and his fists clenched at the same time.

"No, no one knows. The prince is just guessing." Hou Junji looked forward with certainty.

Overnight, Hou Junji became extremely frightened.

What he was most worried about was that the emperor would find out about this matter.

Once the emperor knew about it, would someone break down the door the next moment, arrest him, and then throw him outside Anfu Gate and behead him?

But after one night, nothing happened.

This made Hou Junji gradually feel at ease. Although he was still panicked and uneasy deep in his heart, at least he appeared calm on the surface.

What soothes the soul the most is his confidence in himself.

The Duke of Chen's Mansion was his home, and all the people inside and outside were brought up by him, especially the backyard. Even the emperor could not penetrate the people who were in charge of the backyard.

Therefore, no one dared to be sure of anything, especially the Crown Prince.

Hou Junji gradually figured it out.

The prince stays in the Eastern Palace all year round. What does he know? And what news can that reckless man Li Anyan get?

Everyone is guessing.

No, no one was guessing at all, the prince just mentioned it casually.

What he said should still be the prime minister's business.

The emperor appointed the prime minister. Judging from the current situation, as long as the emperor does not appoint Hou Junji as prime minister, no one else will have this opportunity.

No one else's achievements and qualifications could surpass Hou Junji.

Therefore, the emperor used this to test people. Whoever performed the best during the year would have the opportunity to become the prime minister.

The prince was telling Hou Junji that he should be patient and not be anxious.

The morning light gradually rose from the ground, gradually suppressing Hou Junji's uneasiness.

The Yongzhou government office also began a busy new day.

……

Pingkangfang, Cuiyun Garden.

Hou Junji walked out of the inner room, his steps were a little unsteady, and the smell of alcohol was strong.

He went to relieve himself.

Today I got together with some old friends in the army. Although most of them are now local commanders, we all fought together on the battlefield.

They would carry out Hou Junji's words without any hesitation.

This made Hou Junji feel more at peace.

He has something of his own to fall back on.

However, just after taking two steps, a figure suddenly appeared in front of Hou Junji, blocking his way.

Hou Junji looked up and saw a familiar face. He couldn't help but call out, "Prince Consort?"

"Duke Chen." Chai Lingwu's voice was somewhat different from his father's, which brought Hou Junji back to his senses. He was about to say something when Chai Lingwu suddenly said, "Duke, the King of Wei invites you!"

Hou Junji was stunned.

With a creaky sound, Chai Lingwu pushed open the door next to him.

In the room, King Li Tai of Wei, who was wearing a black robe and a black hat and sitting there drinking calmly alone, suddenly appeared in front of Hou Junji.

Hou Junji walked in subconsciously and then knelt down opposite Li Tai.

"King Wei."

"Chen Guogong."

Li Tai looked at Hou Junji and said calmly, "I heard that Duke Chen was drinking in the East Palace last night and returned home very late?"

Hou Junji frowned slightly. What annoyed him most now was that someone mentioned what happened last night.

But the person in front of him was the King of Wei.

Even if the person in front of him is the King of Wei.

Hou Junji leaned back slightly and said calmly, "So the King of Wei has spies in the Eastern Palace."

"Everyone has it, right?" Li Tai replied calmly. He looked at Hou Junji and asked directly, "Duke Chen, my royal brother isn't talking to you about the chancellor position, is he? So, is my royal brother talking about you being the Minister of the Court or the Minister of the Secretariat?"

Hou Junji's mind suddenly calmed down. He nodded to Li Tai and said, "The Crown Prince didn't say whether it was the Minister of the Court or the Minister of the Central Secretariat. He just said that I should select talents for the country and supervise the administration during this year. As for other matters, His Highness didn't mention a single word."

"So that's how it is. My royal brother wants to make Chen Guogong work hard for a year without any reason." Li Tai's words were like a sharp thread, piercing Hou Junji's heart.

"King of Wei." Hou Junji placed his hands on his legs, his eyes flashing with danger, and said softly, "King of Wei should not slander His Royal Highness the Crown Prince like this."

"Slander?" Li Tai suddenly laughed. He looked at Hou Junji with a pitiful expression and said, "Duke Chen, you don't really think you have a chance to become prime minister, do you?"

Hou Junji clenched his hands suddenly. He stared at Li Tai intently, breathing heavily, "What does the King of Wei mean by this?"

Li Tai looked at Hou Junji calmly and said word by word, "It doesn't mean anything. Qingque just wants to tell Duke Chen that you will never have the chance to become prime minister in this lifetime..."

With a "clang", the sharp soft sword rushed out from Hou Junji's waist in an instant, and the straight tip of the sword was aimed directly at Li Tai's throat.

"What did the King of Wei just say? Can you say it again?" Hou Junji's mind was blank, only his eyes were still staring at Li Tai's eyes.

"The Duke heard it right. You will never have the chance to become prime minister in this life because of the two people hidden in your family." Li Tai sneered with disdain.

However, at this moment, Li Tai's face changed instantly.

Hou Junji gripped the hilt of the sword, tightened his grip, and then, with an expressionless expression, he thrust the sword forward suddenly...

With a "swish", the sharp sword brushed past Li Tai's cheek and pierced into the wall behind him.

Li Tai looked at Hou Junji calmly and said calmly, "If you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself. Duke Chen, do you really think that no one knows what you did? No, everyone knows. Although they didn't tell you, your path to becoming prime minister has been completely blocked by them."

Hou Junji shook his right hand, and the soft sword jumped out from the wall, then directly placed it on Li Tai's neck, drawing a line of blood.

Hou Junji said indifferently, "Your Highness, the Prince of Wei, please explain the matter in detail to me."

Li Tai immediately bit his lower lip.

(End of this chapter)