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

Chapter 592 Summer Rainstorm, Hongnong Flooded (Part )
It is late spring in March and there is a late cold snap.

Yang Sina, who caught a cold, sat in his study, reviewing some unimportant case files.

Yang Zhong walked in quickly from outside and handed a piece of paper to Yang Sina with a serious expression.

Yang Sina took it calmly, took a look, and his expression suddenly changed.

Then he looked at it again uncertainly, but...

There was no name surnamed Yang on the paper.

"What's going on? Why didn't any of the children in your family pass the imperial examination this time?" Yang Sina suddenly looked up with a fierce look in his eyes.

In the third year of the Yongwei reign, no one from the Hongnong Yang family made it to the imperial examination list.

Yang Zhong bowed earnestly and said, "Sir, in this imperial examination, none of our families, including the Fanyang Lu family, the Zhaojun Li family, the Hedong Xue family, and the Hedong Liu family, passed the exam. On the contrary, the Wei family, the Du family, the Cui family, the Lu family, and the Wang family all had several successful candidates. At the same time, many people from humbler families also passed the exam, and the number of people who passed was several more than in the past."

"Wait, wait." Yang Sina shook his head and said thoughtfully, "If there are more people from humble backgrounds, then it means that His Majesty is not deliberately targeting the Yang family. Then the problem is with Zhang Xuansu... Damn it, this guy has his old habits again."

Although Zhang Xuansu was not good at speaking, he was upright and fair. Together with the Imperial Censor Sun Fujia, he was praised as having the style of a Wei prime minister.

Therefore, when preparing for their children for the imperial examination this time, many aristocratic families were moving in this direction.

However, they forgot that this old fellow Zhang Xuansu came from a humble family, was sympathetic to the people, and valued practical work.

These things don't need to be too obvious. As long as he has a slight tendency when reviewing the papers, none of the children of the Hongnong Yang family will be able to pass the exam.

No, it was not just the Hongnong Yang family, Fanyang Lu family, Zhaojun Li family, Hedong Xue family, and Hedong Liu family that had no one pass the imperial examination.

This is because the literature and teachings passed down in their family do not favor the poor. On the contrary, the literature and teachings of other families often favor the poor.

As for the poor family itself, it is easier to fit in.

"No, it's not Zhang Xuansu's fault, it's the emperor." Yang Sina suddenly gritted his teeth, his face filled with indignation as he said, "He had already calculated Zhang Xuansu's bias when the list was drawn up, so he appointed him as the chief examiner... Oh, and there's also Zhang Chengcheng, no, it's Zhangsun Wuji."

Yang Sina slapped his forehead suddenly, and he immediately understood that this was done by the emperor and Zhangsun Wuji together.

The emperor chose Zhang Xuansu, while Zhangsun Wuji had Zhang Chengxing in his hand.

With the prime minister in charge of the examination, the Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Academy and the Minister of Personnel who is in charge of the administration of the country working together, it would be strange for the children of the Yang family to pass the examination.

Not to mention that there are the emperor and Zhangsun Wuji behind him.

Even the two of them didn't have to say it explicitly; a slight hint was enough.

Moreover, it was not just the Yang family who were unlucky this time. No one from the Lu, Xue, and Li families passed the imperial examination, so it was impossible to tell the outside world that the emperor was targeting the Yang family.

Besides, even if they had resentment, they would only target Zhang Xuansu.

But does Zhang Xuansu care?
He had already been the Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Academy and the Vice-Chancellor, which was almost the limit of what a pure civil official could achieve.

A figure recorded in history.

Yang Sina gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and said, "Go ask the other families what their attitudes are. If anyone wants to impeach Zhang Chengcheng and Zhang Xuansu, my Yang family will follow suit."

If you suffer a loss, you must never keep silent.

"Yes!" Yang Zhong immediately bowed and turned to leave.

In the study, Yang Sina became inexplicably calm.

He suddenly smiled softly. It was expected that the emperor would treat Yang harshly.

Now in Hongnong, Chu Suiliang took office as the governor of Chenzhou. The first thing he did was still to check and build canals in preparation for the flood this summer.

Even when Chu Suiliang stepped forward, Yang couldn't stop him.

Especially since this is for the sake of the people and the Yang family. If the Yang family continues to refuse, people will inevitably think that they have something that is not allowed to be seen in Hongnong.

In the end, Yang had no choice but to agree.

Afterwards, a large number of officials entered and began to measure the land of Hongnong while checking the canals.

The Hongnong Yang family saw clearly what was inside.

Especially Yang Sina, who just watched coldly.

Let the emperor do whatever he wants, and Yang will stop him when necessary.

But they will never go out of line.

This is their purpose in itself...

The sound of hurried footsteps interrupted Yang Sina's thoughts. He looked up and saw Yang Zhong suddenly returning in a hurry. He couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

"My dear!" Yang Zhong stopped and said solemnly, "My dear, the palace just sent a message asking Jiulang to prepare some candidates for Prince Chen to open a government office at the end of the year?"

"Huh?" Yang Sina looked up, frowned, and looked confused.

King Chen?

King Chen hasn't been born yet?

No, no one even knew whether Concubine Yang was carrying a boy or a girl.

What if it’s a girl?

Wait, the princess’s mansion also needs people.

The emperor asked Yang Sizhi to prepare candidates in advance, was it... for now?
Yang Sina immediately understood that the emperor had come up with a compromise because no one from the Yang family passed the imperial examination, so he could make up for the resentment in the Yang family's heart.

At the same time, he could also establish Yang Sizhi's reputation and establish a new faction within the Hongnong Yang family.

Yang Sina saw this matter clearly after the emperor's banquet two months ago, and Yang Sizhi had been developing in that direction intentionally or unintentionally.

and also!

Yang Sina's expression became serious. The problem that no one from the Yang family passed the imperial examination was resolved, but this was not the case for other families!
In this case, their resentment would not be directed at the emperor or Zhang Xuansu, but only at the Hongnong Yang family.

The emperor is tearing apart the relationship between the Yang family and several other families.

"The emperor is very clever!" Yang Sina couldn't help but grit his teeth.

"My dear!" Yang Zhong couldn't help but remind him. Yang Sina waved his hand and said, "Go ahead and do your work. I'll think about what to do next. The Emperor's tactics, from Wu Yuanqing to Chu Suiliang, to Li Xiyu, to my ninth brother, to Zhang Xuansu, and even to Prince Chen, seem to never stop. I need to think about what we should do next."

"Yes!" Yang Zhong looked at Yang Sina with concern, who had a serious expression, then bowed and took his leave.

……

In the Taiji Hall, Xu An hurried out of the hall, then walked directly onto the steps, and finally placed a piece of paper on the table.

Li Chengqian, who was reviewing the memorial, looked up.

Then a sneer appeared on his face.

Li Chengqian raised his head and asked, "Have the examination papers of the successful candidates of this imperial examination been posted?"

"It has been posted." Behind the pillars in the hall, Li Yifu stood up and bowed seriously.

Li Chengqian nodded gently and said, "Pass the decree. Mr. Zhang, this time the imperial examination is fair. I will give you 100 pieces of silk."

"Yes!" Li Yifu immediately bowed and accepted the order.

"Also, ask the navy commander Liu Demin to meet you in the afternoon." Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly.

"Yes!" Li Yifu bowed again.

"Alright, that's it for this morning." Li Chengqian looked to both sides and said, "Everyone, go have your meal and rest."

"Yes!" Xu Jingzong, Liu Rengui and others also stood up from behind the pillars and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, we will take your leave."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian looked at the ministers in the hall and nodded calmly.

After everyone left, Li Chengqian turned to look at Xu An and asked, "How's things going with the King of Jing?"

"Your Majesty!" Xu An bowed and said, "Last year, an auspicious sign appeared in the territory of King Jing, but King Jing suppressed the news."

"Prince Jing!" Li Chengqian sighed softly, then raised his head and said, "Pass the order down. Let another auspicious sign appear in Prince Jing's fiefdom this year. I want to see if he will suppress it again."

"Yes!" Xu An bowed again.

"Also, pass on the message that this year, I will be traveling east to Luoyang, and I will have Wang Xiuyi, Concubine Pei, Concubine Xue, and Concubine Liu accompany me." Li Chengqian paused briefly and said, "Remember to pass on the message again in a few days."

"Yes!" Xu An bowed seriously.

"Concubine Yang is pregnant, but the other concubines aren't. What a pity! I wonder when they'll get pregnant!" Li Chengqian looked ahead and said softly, "When doing things, you need to be patient. It's like peeling garlic, layer by layer. Only when you peel away all the outer skin can you see the core inside and grab it."

"Yes!"

……

In the Liangyi Hall, Li Chengqian put down the thin bamboo gold pen in his hand and looked across at Liu Demin, the commander of the An Dong navy, who looked in good spirits. He said, "It's been three months since you returned. How's your rest been?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I have had a good rest." Liu Demin bowed gratefully.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Although it will be several months before you go to Liaodong again, I'm afraid you won't be idle here."

"I'm just too bored to death." Liu Demin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Serving Your Majesty is my duty."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "You should go to the south and serve as the Jiangnan Road Collecting Folk Customs Envoy. Take a look at the waterways and the people on both sides of the river in the Jiangnan prefectures. At the same time, recruit sailors and take a look at the newly built ships in Hongzhou... Also, take your family with you. It's a good way to relax."

"No need. I can go faster on my own and get more done." Liu Demin bowed and said, "Besides, it's not a bad thing to go early and come back early."

"Alright." Li Chengqian nodded and said, "If you need any help, go find the emperor's father-in-law and Hangzhou Governor Du Gou. They will do their best to assist you."

"Yes!" Liu Demin cupped his hands, then bowed and said, "I'll take my leave."

Li Chengqian nodded and watched Liu Demin leave. He then looked at the attendant Cen Changqian and said, "Go and call all the ministers and chancellors. It's time to discuss the detailed arrangements for the eastern tour to Luoyang."

"Yes!" Cen Changqian bowed, then quickly left to convey the order.

Not long after, Changsun Wuji, Tang Jian, Yu Zhining, Zhang Xingcheng, Yan Lide, Liu Dewei and others had all gathered in the Liangyi Hall.

Li Chengqian looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Uncle, I am on this eastern tour. The Crown Prince is the regent and you will assist me in governing the country."

"I obey your order!" Changsun Wuji bowed solemnly.

Li Chengqian looked to the other side and said, "Prime Minister Tang, Prime Minister Yu, you guys should follow me this time."

Tang Jian and Yu Zhining both bowed and said, "Yes!"

"Of the six ministers, except for the Ministers of Personnel and Rites who will remain behind, the other four will accompany me to Luoyang." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian added, "The Duke of E will also go, and the deputies from the other ministries will remain in Chang'an."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

Li Chengqian looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Uncle, you can take care of the rest."

"I obey your command." Changsun Wuji bowed seriously.

"By the way!" Li Chengqian looked up and said, "This year I am making an early eastern tour. I'm afraid I won't be around when my father offers sacrifices. Also, the princes don't need to return to the capital. Arrange for the crown prince to come to the capital and offer sacrifices remotely. As for me, I'll have the crown prince go to Zhaoling to offer sacrifices on my behalf."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed and accepted the order.

……

It was mid-May and it was raining heavily.

Yang Sina stood in the study, watching the thunder flashing across the night sky, his expression becoming more and more solemn.

He was the Minister of Justice. When the Minister of Justice Liu Dewei went to Luoyang, he was arranged to stay in Chang'an.

All of a sudden, he felt like he was out of control of Luoyang's affairs.

A burst of hurried footsteps came from the pavilion corridor. Yang Sina subconsciously looked up and saw Yang Zhong walking towards him quickly.

Yang Zhong handed a letter to Yang Sina and said solemnly, "My dear, something happened. Hongnong was flooded."

Yang Sina's face turned pale, and he immediately snatched the letter.

After reading it carefully, Yang Sina crumpled the letter into a ball and gritted his teeth, "Damn the Emperor."

(End of this chapter)