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

Chapter 351: This King Wants to Meet Wu Cairen in Private (Part )
The night is hazy and the lights are scattered.

Jin Palace.

Li Zhi stood behind the desk in the study, sketching quickly with his pen, and the preface to the Lanting Collection was completely written.

Ji Jiafu carefully took the thin bamboo brush and placed it on the pen holder.

Li Zhi wiped his hands briefly, and without looking up, he asked directly, "How's the situation with Prime Minister Chu?"

"There was news from Hangzhou the day before yesterday that Prime Minister Chu's father, the Marquis of Yangdi County, is in poor health." Ji Jiafu bowed slightly with a serious expression.

Zhu Liang, Marquis of Yangdi County, was one of the eighteen scholars in the former prince's palace. He rose to the position of Tongzhi Sanqi Changshi and retired in the 16th year of Zhenguan.

"Mr. Chu is eighty-seven years old now, right?" Li Zhi felt a little emotional for a moment.

"Yes!" Ji Jiafu nodded and said, "If I can survive this year, I will be eighty-eight years old."

"Has Prime Minister Chu received the news?" Li Zhi's expression became serious.

"Probably not yet." Ji Jiafu shook his head and said, "Our people are using express delivery, and the Chu family in Hangzhou haven't decided whether to notify Chang'an!"

"Maybe they are waiting for Mr. Chu to die before notifying Chang'an." Li Zhi shook his head slightly. Some things are not something that the Chu family can decide. After all, Chu Liang is just dying, but he can still speak and make decisions. If he doesn't let his family notify Chu Suiliang, his family will have no choice.

"That means Prime Minister Chu must observe a three-year period of mourning." Ji Jiafu's expression changed slightly.

"Not necessarily." Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "Although the Tang Dynasty governs the world with filial piety, the period of mourning is not strict. Generally speaking, one can return to work after one year. The three-year mourning period is an ancient custom and is not mandatory."

"But even if it takes a year, it will not be easy for Prime Minister Chu to leave the capital given the current situation!" Ji Jiafu looked at Li Zhi cautiously.

……

Li Zhi nodded calmly and said, "How is Prime Minister Chu doing in Chang'an City now?"

"Your Highness!" Ji Jiafu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Over the past year, Prime Minister Chu has been unpopular at court. Especially after many Jiangnan officials were transferred away from Chang'an, many people in the capital have a worse impression of him... Even those from the Guanzhong faction have become more distant from him."

"He is the prime minister, so shouldn't there be people who get close to him?" Li Zhi was a little surprised.

"Yes!" Ji Jiafu nodded, then shook his head and said, "Most of them are middle and lower-level officials, and they have different thoughts. But fortunately, Situ Dui has increased his trust in them, which makes him feel more at ease."

"What about Chang'an City?" Li Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly. All his methods were in Chang'an City.

"Officials in the court kept their distance from Prime Minister Chu, and even less contact was maintained below the government. Occasionally, when family members met, they were often met with cold words." Ji Jiafu sneered softly, then added, "Someone would even say something to their face, leading to a brawl... After that, relations between other families and Prime Minister Chu's family grew even colder."

"Let's withdraw all the personnel. Once the news reaches Hangzhou, Prime Minister Chu will probably do something. Don't let us have any say in that." Li Zhi waved his hand slightly, then said, "Tell the people in Hangzhou that if Lord Chu is truly gone, prepare a generous gift for his funeral. Perhaps I should go to Hangzhou next year..."

"Your Highness!" Ji Jiafu was suddenly startled.

"You don't understand." Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "Although Jingzhou isn't part of Jiangnan, it has Jiangnan weather, with a lot of rain. Find a foggy day and quietly go to Hangzhou. No one will notice... And even if they discover I'm not here, I can just find an excuse to go into the mountains and practice."

"Yes!" Ji Jiafu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Zhi's expression became solemn. Chu Suiliang was a key part of his future.

Now in the court, his uncle Changsun Wuji is also serving as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, but it is impossible for him to hold the position forever. When the position of Minister of the Central Secretariat becomes vacant, Chu Suiliang will definitely be the successor.

The Minister of the Secretariat was in charge of assisting the emperor in handling major government affairs and was in charge of overall provincial affairs.

His duties included participating in the discussion of state affairs, enacting imperial decrees, being in charge of memorials submitted to the emperor, discussing memorials, drafting imperial edicts and decrees, and imperial seals and decrees.

Draft imperial edicts and decrees.

These are the six words that Li Zhi cares about most.

This includes the emperor's will.

After meeting the emperor today, Li Zhi was sure that even though the emperor's health had improved occasionally, his old age was already evident.

If you think about it carefully, although his father was only 47 years old, he had been displaced and fought wars for many years in the first half of his life. After becoming emperor, he worked hard again.

The most crucial thing was that after two years of the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo, his health suddenly collapsed.

The abscesses on his back looked like a relapse of an old illness, but in reality they were a sign that his body could no longer bear the strain.

The emperor doesn't have many years left.

If Chu Suiliang was by his side at that time, he would only need to write Li Zhi's name on the edict, and then he, Li Zhi, would have the opportunity to change the world.

Of course, it's just a chance.

Li Zhi was well aware of this.

If he wanted to ascend the throne, it was not enough to just have an imperial edict, he needed a lot of things.

But the most important thing is that imperial edict.

As for the rest, it is the support of the people and the killing of traitors.

Li Zhi raised his head with a cold gaze. If he wanted to ascend the throne, a thorough bloody massacre was inevitable.

Just like his father did in the past, he not only killed Prince Yin and King Qi, but also killed all of their dozen or so sons.

What Li Zhi needed to learn was this method from his father.

The meeting with Chu Suiliang next year will be crucial.

Of course, if that doesn't work, then we can only make Prime Minister Chu shut up completely.

Li Zhi spent a year in Jingzhou this year, and figuring out the future was his biggest gain.

……

Li Zhi withdrew his thoughts and looked at Ji Jiafu, asking, "How's Guo Xiaoshen doing?" "Guo Xiaoshen passed the imperial examination this year. Although his rank wasn't high, he's now a genuine Jinshi. He previously worked in the Ministry of Justice and is now the Ninth Rank Director of the Ministry." Ji Jiafu bowed and said, "Although the Director of the Ministry of Justice isn't a high-ranking official, he's been very helpful to me on some matters."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Although Guo Xiaoshen has had little contact with the palace in the past two years, he still needs to be careful of the Eastern Palace's constant surveillance."

"Yes!"

"Also, I brought back quite a few people from Jingzhou, some of whom spoke with a Yizhou accent. I've made proper arrangements for them." Li Zhi chuckled softly and said, "I'm afraid even my brother wouldn't understand why I have such additional personnel."

Li Zhi is now the governor of Jingzhou, so people around him with a distinct Jingzhou accent will naturally attract special attention.

Therefore, his real trump card lies in those people from Yizhou.

"You're in charge of contacting Luo Binwang." After a brief pause, Li Zhi said seriously, "His people are his people, and your people are your people. Don't mix them up."

"I understand." Ji Jiafu nodded. He knew that King Jin was still somewhat wary of King Luo Bin.

After all, Li Yifu's blow to Prince Jin's Mansion was too severe.

"As for Lady Yingshan, have Guo Xiaoshen find a way to invite Lady Yingshan to the palace to meet Consort Wu at the end of the year." Li Zhi smiled softly and said, "Consort Wu has replaced Consort Xu and is now the most favored concubine by my father's side. She will be very useful at a critical moment."

There is Wu Meiniang inside and Chu Suiliang outside.

If Luo Binwang can really take action against General Tian Renhui of the Right Jinwu Guard, then Li Zhi's plan will have one more link.

Not only that, the kings, the princes-in-law, and Li Zhi had to absolutely ensure that at the critical moment, there would be more than one person standing up to speak for him.

"Yes!" Ji Jiafu nodded seriously. He had already seen some of Li Zhi's plans and had more confidence in the future.

"That's it for now for this year." Li Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Next year, I'll probably need to find a time to meet with Wu Cairen privately."

"Your Highness!" Ji Jiafu looked up in surprise. It was very taboo to meet with the emperor's concubines in private.

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "As things stand now, I only have some connection with that talented woman. If I want to completely tie her to my ship, I need to do more. I can only make some promises when we meet in person."

"Yes!" Ji Jiafu hesitated, but still said, "There are spies everywhere in the palace, and His Majesty is always watching. Your Highness...this opportunity?"

"When I met Father today, he said that he would choose a consort for Sizi next year. Once a consort is chosen, the wedding will probably take place next year." Li Zhi raised his head slightly and whispered, "Given Father's love for Sizi, he'll definitely have a few more drinks. When the time comes, I'll find a way to get Father, my brother, and my uncle to drink a few more."

Ji Jiafu looked at Li Zhi with some concern.

Li Zhi shook his head slightly and said, "Someone in the palace will help."

Ji Jiafu's brows jumped, and he immediately understood that Prince Jin was in the palace, and there were people he didn't know about helping him.

"As long as I can meet with Wu Cairen, my future will be in my hands." Li Zhi clenched his fists tightly.

……

In the Taiji Hall, Li Zhi stood on the first step of the Danbi, with the crown prince in front of him and the crown prince's grandson behind him.

However, at this time, Li Zhi's eyes were not on the crown prince and the crown prince's grandson. He looked at the attendant censor Yang Hongli in the hall with surprise.

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, there is a grand ceremony to celebrate the full moon.

Yang Hongli stood in the hall and bowed earnestly to the emperor. Then, in front of all the officials, he said earnestly, "Your Majesty, the Goryeo envoys arrived in Dengzhou by water two weeks ago and have already traveled to Luoyang. However, after the Honglu Temple reported this matter to the Shangshu Province, there has been no response. I request that those involved be held accountable."

At the end of the 20th year of Zhenguan, foreign tribes from all directions came to pay homage to the Heavenly Khan. There were ministers from dozens of tribes and countries, and even envoys from Silla, but Goguryeo also sent people.

However, not only the emperor, but even Li Chengqian didn't know about this matter.

Your Majesty, you conquered Goguryeo last year and the year before last and returned. In two years, you will conquer Goguryeo again. I won’t report this matter directly to the emperor, but at least Li Chengqian, the regent prince, should know about it.

Of course, this is no small matter, but it's actually not a big deal either. It's enough to investigate the case with the left and right doctors of the Shangshu Province...

The emperor sat on the imperial couch, looked at Li Chengqian, and asked, "Prince, do you know about this?"

"I don't know." Li Chengqian bowed with a serious expression.

The emperor looked at Zhangsun Wuji and asked, "Wuji, do you know about this?"

"I don't know." Changsun Wuji stood up and bowed.

The emperor looked at Fang Xuanling and asked, "Duke Liang, do you know about this?"

"I don't know!" Fang Xuanling stood up and bowed.

With a loud bang, the emperor suddenly slammed his palm on the table, then looked at Fang Xuanling with a cold gaze: "Mr. Fang, I handed the entire Shangshu Province to you, and you actually made such a big mistake. I think you are really old."

Fang Xuanling looked up in surprise.

The emperor shook his head and said, "Alright, that's enough for today. Go back home and think carefully about why you made such a big mistake. If you can't figure it out, don't come to see me."

Fang Xuanling was stunned.

Li Chengqian was stunned.

All the ministers in the hall were stunned for a moment.

Is the emperor going to depose Fang Xuanling from his position as prime minister?
Just because of this little thing!
　In December of the 20th year of Zhenguan, Fang Xuanling returned home due to a minor punishment.

　　Chu Suiliang submitted a memorial, saying: "Xuanling supported the holy cause since the beginning of the Righteous Banner, risked his life to make decisions during the reign of Wude, and selected virtuous people to establish government at the beginning of Zhenguan. Among all the officials, Xuanling was the most diligent.

　　Unless one has committed an unforgivable crime, the officials and gentry are all guilty and should not be abandoned.

　　If Your Majesty considers him old, you should also persuade him to retire and give him a proper leave; you should not abandon decades of meritorious service because of a minor mistake."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)