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

Chapter 544: Are They Loyal to Me or to the Hongnong Yang Family? (Part )
It was February and the spring rain was hazy.

Li Chengqian stood on the steps outside the Liangyi Hall, with a table in front of him filled with memorials.

Countless guards stood beside the pillars, holding swords and spears, looking straight ahead with solemn expressions.

"I enjoy the feeling of handling government affairs in the rain. It allows me to constantly view the issues in the memorial from the perspective of the world." Li Chengqian raised his head and looked at the entire Chang'an City in the rain. He sighed softly, then looked at Li Yifu and said, "Tell me, what exactly is going on?"

Li Yifu knelt on the ground and raised his head carefully, saying, "Lu Zhaolin came to me and reported that someone was cheating in the imperial examinations and manipulating the results. After asking carefully, I learned that it was a young man from the prominent Qi family in Taiyuan. He was introduced to the Duke of Ande at a banquet and then paid 500 strings of cash to the Hongnong Yang family. The Yang family guaranteed his success in the imperial examinations."

Li Chengqian put down the thin bamboo gold pen in his hand, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Did you investigate this matter, or did the Fanyang Lu family investigate it?"

"All of them!" Li Yifu kowtowed, then explained everything in detail. "The issues Lu Zhaolin discovered were investigated by the Fanyang Lu family, and I've also checked, and it's indeed true... They were very cautious, selecting capable sons of prominent local families with considerable academic attainments. Even without the Hongnong Yang family, they still had a chance of passing the imperial examination."

Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes slightly, leaned back, and said, "Go on."

"Yes!" Li Yifu bowed and said, "They spent most of the winter selecting five people, then gathered them together ten days before the imperial examination. They said they had a way to guarantee that they would pass, but they required a payment of 500 strings of cash."

"This money is not for buying questions, but for buying background and reputation." Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

The imperial examinations of the Tang Dynasty are no longer unknown.

When admitting students, examiners not only look at the test papers, but also the person's family background and personal reputation.

Instead of focusing on the test questions, you can also focus on the individual's family background and reputation.

As long as someone uses the name of Yang Shidao and the name of the Hongnong Yang family, the background and reputation of these people can naturally be elevated.

"And even if someone makes random comments afterwards, the bribed individuals can claim their answers already qualify them for the imperial examination, thus avoiding being implicated." Li Chengqian sneered softly and said, "On the other hand, if these people become officials, the Hongnong Yang family can use the excuse of cheating in the imperial examination to blackmail them and their families."

"Yes!" Li Yifu bowed his head. The mystery here had been explained by the emperor.

Li Chengqian asked calmly, "Who is responsible for the Hongnong Yang family?"

"It's Yang Sijing, the youngest son of Ande County Duke's fourth brother, Yang Yan." Li Yifu looked up and said, "Yang Yan hasn't held an official position for many years, instead staying home to care for the ancestral property. However, because of this, even if Yang Yan is implicated, since he doesn't hold an official position, even if he is punished, it will be difficult to truly harm the Hongnong Yang family."

"That's fine." Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "The children of the Hongnong Yang family cheated in the imperial examinations, and the Duke of Ande is the Minister of Personnel. Who would believe that there is no connection between them?"

"Yes!" Li Yifu kowtowed.

The emperor has determined that there is something wrong with you, so even if you speak in a slightly harsh tone, it is a crime.

Especially if everyone in the court thinks that there is something wrong with you, then even if the emperor tortures you to death, no one will say a word for you.

"But we still have to find evidence." Li Chengqian raised his head and looked to the side and said, "Yin Yuan."

Yin Yuan, the Zhonglang General of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard, stepped out from behind a pillar a little further away and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"Did you hear clearly what I was thinking just now?" Li Chengqian asked calmly.

"I heard it clearly." Yin Yuan bowed seriously. Yin Yuan was the adopted son of the late Duke of Chen, Yin Kaishan, and the core second generation of the Qin Palace.

"Send someone to check." Li Chengqian tapped the table lightly and said, "There must be a list in here. Find it, and on the day of the imperial examination, prevent anyone who has seen it from appearing in the examination hall."

"Yes!" Yin Yuan bowed solemnly, then turned and left.

"Lu Zhaolin was right. This is the first imperial examination I've prepared since my father's passing. I can't let it be ruined by a cheating scandal." Li Chengqian picked up a thin bamboo gold pen and said calmly, "I can only gloss over it for now."

"Your Majesty, what about Yang Sijing?" Li Yifu looked up carefully.

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "You want to ask everything."

"I am guilty!" Li Yifu kowtowed immediately.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "This isn't the first time that Duke Ande has been appointed Minister of Personnel. He's done this before. Perhaps Yang Sijing is behind this. Let's keep it. Once this is over, we can find someone to take the position, just like Yang Sijing manipulated the imperial examinations a few years ago."

"Yes!" Li Yifu was suddenly awed. The emperor wanted to investigate not only Yang Shidao, but the entire Hongnong Yang family.

"Regarding the imperial examinations, Li Qing, tell me how many private individuals the Hongnong Yang family has planted and controlled over the years that the Tang Dynasty has been operating them. How many of these individuals are now serving as provincial governors or county magistrates?" Li Chengqian raised his head slightly, his eyes extremely indifferent as he spoke, "If something were to happen, would they be loyal to me, to the Tang Dynasty, or to the Hongnong Yang family?"

Disloyalty, a disloyal heart.

Threatening them with sinister intentions will inevitably lead to sinister deeds in the end.

It's probably treason.

"I understand." Li Yifu kowtowed solemnly.

"Since you're involved in this matter, then continue with it. You'll also be the one impeaching Yang Qing in the future." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said with some concern, "Also, be careful. If the private lives of aristocratic families like the Hongnong Yang family are exposed, they will do anything to get what they want. I'll dispatch a team of Qianniu Guards to secretly protect you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Yifu's expression suddenly became stern.

If the people of the Hongnong Yang family were to discover the emperor's intentions, their backlash would probably be extremely fierce, and the most dangerous person among them would most likely be Li Yifu himself.

Li Chengqian glanced at Li Yifu and nodded secretly.

The Hongnong Yang family has no shortage of upright people, nor does it lack people like Yang Yan and Yang Sijing who do private things. Similarly, they have no shortage of vicious people who will do anything to achieve their goals.

Li Yifu is now relatively submissive in front of Li Chengqian, but in private, he definitely has no shortage of similar tactics.

Li Chengqian wanted to deal with the people of Hongnong Yang family, and Li Yifu was the best candidate.

"Let's talk about Lu Zhaolin." Li Chengqian looked at Li Yifu and asked, "How do you think we should treat him after this incident?"

Li Yifu quickly pondered every word the emperor said, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it was Lu Zhaolin who discovered this matter after all. Although he cannot be rewarded for this, his contribution should still be remembered."

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Then we'll see how his essay for the imperial examination goes."

"Yes!" Li Yifu bowed and then quietly retreated.

Li Chengqian lowered his head, looking at the memorial in his hand. After flipping through two pages, he raised his head slightly and said, "Come here, Huang Rensu, the Junior Supervisor of the Xuandu Waterworks!"

Xu An stood to one side and said, "Yes!"

……

Huang Rensu, a thin man with a stern face and dressed in a dark green official robe, stood under the eaves of the corridor and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Last winter was snowy, and this spring has already seen continuous rain. I am somewhat worried that there will be heavy downpours this summer. Shanzhou is located at the strategic point of the Yellow River and has low terrain. Every year when there are floods, Shanzhou is prone to disasters. You will leave for Shanzhou in three days and work with the Shanzhou Governor to prepare for the heavy rain."

"Yes!" Huang Rensu bowed solemnly.

"Within Shanzhou, all military and civilians can be mobilized when necessary." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian looked up and said, "This also includes the Hongnong Yang family."

Li Yifu on the side suddenly looked up, and then he quickly lowered his head.

Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly, and Huang Rensu immediately bowed and said, "I'll take my leave."

Li Chengqian's expression calmed down and he began to deal with the memorial in his hand.

Soon, one memorial after another had been processed.

Before I knew it, it was getting dark.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief, looked at the empty table, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "It's almost time, everyone should go back."

"Yes!" Li Yifu, Xu Jingzong, Dou Xuande and others stood up from behind the pillars on both sides, then bowed and took their leave.

Li Chengqian stretched and then stood up.

After walking back and forth a few steps outside the Liangyi Palace and watching the lights gradually light up in the distant Chang'an City, he finally relaxed.

Turning around, Li Chengqian walked towards Liangyi Palace.

The canopy had silently returned to his head.

Li Chengqian did not go to Wanchun Hall and Lizheng Hall, but turned around and went to Ganlu Hall.

Ganlu Hall, Liangyi Hall, and Taiji Hall are the core of the three halls of the entire imperial palace.

Imperial Guard General Li Xuansi was on duty at Ganlu Gate.

Standing on the Ganlu Gate, Li Xuansi bowed to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian nodded calmly, then stepped into Ganlu Gate.

As soon as he entered Ganlu Gate, Li Chengqian felt suddenly different.

It was as if all the heavy political affairs were blocked outside the Ganlu Gate at once.

Outside Ganlu Gate, the curfew has begun.

No matter what the matter is, it will be dealt with tomorrow.

Chang'an City is the heart of the world.

If Chang'an City is stable, then there will be no problems in the world.

Li Chengqian stepped onto the steps of Ganlu Hall. A young female official in a light blue skirt led all the palace maids in the hall and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"Mingyue!" Li Chengqian nodded, glanced at Lu Mingyue, and asked, "Are you used to it here?"

Lu Mingyue said cautiously: "This servant is doing quite well."

Li Chengqian raised his hand and said, "Please move a short couch and a long table outside the hall. I want to sit here and watch the rain."

"Yes!" Lu Mingyue bowed, then turned around and arranged for people to place the short couch and long table on the steps at the entrance of Ganlu Hall.

Li Chengqian sat down on the short couch and raised his eyes.

The city of Chang'an under the spring rain appeared in Li Chengqian's eyes with a hazy mist.

He was very proud of this poetic feeling.

Under the night sky, there are thousands of lights.

Lu Mingyue stood aside, looking at the emperor with some curiosity.

She was still young when she entered the palace with her mother Zheng Chu, but in the blink of an eye, almost ten years have passed and she has reached the age to get married, but she knows that it is impossible for her to get married.

Starting a family means leaving the palace.

Leaving the palace made her inexplicably afraid.

……

"Has anyone from the Lu family asked you to leave the palace again recently?" Li Chengqian noticed Lu Mingyue's gaze and asked calmly.

"No." Lu Mingyue lowered her head and said, "My clan told me to serve His Majesty well in the palace. After all, I am now an eighth-rank palace attendant. Even in my clan, there are not many officials above the eighth rank."

"The Lu family of Fanyang has at least dozens of officials above the eighth rank." Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly, looked at Lu Mingyue with a smile, and said, "Your important position is to be by my side, looking after Ganlu Palace. If there is anything, the Lu family can pass on the message through you."

"Yes!" Lu Mingyue nodded, then she looked up and said, "I don't care about things outside the palace."

"Haha!" Li Chengqian reached out and gently lifted Lu Mingyue's chin, saying, "Your mother taught you very well, but if there's really something wrong with the Lu family, you can just tell me directly, and I'll have someone investigate."

"Yes!" Lu Mingyue couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Li Chengqian sighed softly, turned around, and looked at the countless lights throughout Chang'an City. He said softly, "The Tang Dynasty is prosperous. During the day, you can see people coming and going. But at night, all you can see is the lights of Chang'an. Just ensuring the supply of countless lamp oil every day is a huge task, not to mention the entire world."

Lu Mingyue blinked gently.

Li Chengqian calmed down and said calmly, "I need eyes in every corner of the world, so that I can ensure that the world runs smoothly and the prosperity of the entire Tang Dynasty can continue for a long time.

Tang Dynasty, Tang Dynasty."

Lu Mingyue listened and looked at Li Chengqian's profile, inexplicably fascinated.

(End of this chapter)