Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 374 The scenery is infinite and priceless
The rain was getting heavier, the hunting was over, the bonfire party ended early, and the emperor had returned to the harem.

This is a corridor sandwiched between the Taiji Palace and the Yeting Palace, connecting the imperial city and the Forbidden Garden, with no end in sight.

It was gloomy and rainy at dusk.

Hundreds of officials and envoys who participated in the hunting trip in the Forbidden Garden were now walking on this narrow corridor.

Li Yifu and Zhang Jianzhi were also walking side by side in the crowd, holding umbrellas.

"Jianzhi, I heard that Yu Zhining recommended you to His Majesty to revise the new law. This is a good opportunity." Li Yifu said with emotion.

Zhang Jianzhi said, "I'd like to quit this job."

Li Yifu was surprised and asked, "Why is that? This opportunity to leave a name in history is something others can only ask for."

Zhang Jianzhi shook his head and said, "I can barely make do with compiling history, but when it comes to law, there are too many people in the court who are better than me. I really don't dare to take on this position."

Li Yifu smiled slightly and said, "That's wrong. When it comes to being familiar with the law, Li Xun and Li Youyi are the best in the court. But why is Your Majesty not satisfied with them and asked Yu Zhining to recommend someone else?"

Zhang Jianzhi bowed and said, "Please advise me, Lord Li."

Li Yifu glanced in front and behind, and seeing that no one was close by, he spoke in a low voice.

"Because the new law being formulated this time will affect the interests of many officials, to handle this matter well, what is needed is not a thorough understanding of the law, but the ability to withstand external pressure."

Zhang Jianzhi was silent for a moment, then said, "No wonder Dai Siqing came to see me last night and said something so confusing."

Li Yifu twirled his beard and smiled, "I guess he wanted to tell you so that you can know when to stop."

Zhang Jianzhi asked, "What do you mean by measure?"

Li Yifu said, "First, we must withstand the pressure from those officials and not be swayed by them. We must complete His Majesty's instructions, perfect the new laws, and put an end to the practice of bribery among the people!"

Zhang Jianzhi nodded: "Of course."

Li Yifu added, "Also, you must be careful about the timing. Don't overdo it, or you'll offend the entire court. Otherwise, everyone in the court will resent you, and you'll have no choice but to follow Liu Rengui's example and be exiled."

Zhang Jianzhi raised an eyebrow and said, "Are you asking me to make the laws concerning officials more lenient?"

Li Yifu whispered, "You just need to be a little more cautious and leave everyone a way out."

Zhang Jianzhi remained silent, understanding what Li Yifu meant.

The so-called way out is not to sentence someone to death.

No matter how serious the corruption and bribery are, as long as the death penalty is not imposed, officials can always find a way to gradually reduce the sentence and escape punishment by relying on the connections they have accumulated over the years.

In this way, the wall of law, which is as strong as a solid wall, seems to have a small hole drilled in it. What deterrent power does it still have?

Every official thinks that his crime is not punishable by death. Can they still hold to the bottom line when faced with temptation?
Zhang Jianzhi said sternly, "If Your Majesty truly entrusts this matter to me, I will certainly enforce the law impartially. Only in this way can I live up to Your Majesty's grace and be worthy of the people."

Li Yifu stared at him blankly and sighed, "Jianzhi, if you do this, I'm afraid that in the future..."

Zhang Jianzhi shook his head and said, "Mr. Li, there's no need to persuade me any further. I've made up my mind."

Li Yifu patted his shoulder and said no more.

After a while, the corridor finally came to an end. The two quickly left the Taiji Palace from Yong'an Gate, left the imperial city, and parted ways outside Hanguang Gate.

Today is the day for hunting in the Forbidden Garden, and the Jinwu Guards all know it. Even though it is curfew, they will not conduct excessive inspections.

Li Yifu took a carriage and returned to his mansion.

As he was walking, he suddenly heard someone calling his name outside.

Li Yifu lifted the curtain and saw that a carriage next to him had passed his carriage and was heading south.

Li Yifu hurriedly ordered the coachman to follow the carriage, because he had recognized that it was the carriage of the Shanggong Bureau.

The two carriages, one in front and one behind, soon arrived at Changxingfang.

Li Yifu was surprised to see the Shanggong Bureau's carriage parked outside a small courtyard, because this courtyard was where he kept his mistress.

After he was banished from Chang'an, he sold the courtyard. Could it be that it was bought back by Concubine Jiang?

I saw Jiang Shanggong get off the carriage, come to the front of the yard, knock on the door and go in.

Before entering the door, she looked back and gestured to Li Yifu.

Li Yifu understood what he meant.

He waited outside the yard for a quarter of an hour, and when he saw that no one was following him, he got off the carriage and came to the door.

The gate to the courtyard was ajar, so he pushed it and went in.

There was a light on in a room on the north side. Li Yifu walked into the room and saw Jiang Shanggong sitting in front of the dressing table, dressing herself.

Li Yifu smiled slightly, went over and hugged her, and said with a smile: "I thought you would never come to see me again."

"Why?" asked Jiang Shanggong, tilting her head.

Li Yifu sighed, "I am no longer the Prime Minister, and my future is bleak. There is no benefit for you to follow me."

Jiang Shang Gong suddenly slapped his hand away and said with a cold face, "Then be respectful."

Li Yifu was stunned for a moment, shook his head, walked to the couch and sat down, sighing: "If that's the case, why did you come to see me?"

Concubine Jiang took a deep breath and said, "It was Her Majesty the Queen who hinted that I should come to you."

Li Yifu's eyes gleamed, and he asked happily, "What are your instructions, Her Majesty?"

Jiang Shang Gong glanced at him and said, "Look at what you have accomplished."

Li Yifu smiled bitterly and said, "You seem to be getting more and more rude to me."

Jiang Shang Gong said viciously, "Who was the first to say something hurtful?"

Li Yifu was stunned: "Hurting someone?"

Jiang Shang Gong turned her head away, and after a while, she said, "Her Royal Highness the Queen just met with Du Rong. The Du brothers should have evidence of Du Zhenglun's crimes and are preparing to deal with him..."

I briefly described the situation at Ziyun Pavilion just now.

Li Yifu narrowed his eyes and said, "Du Zhenglun? Hehe, I've heard some rumors."

"What rumors?"

Li Yifu laughed and said, "In recent years, I've heard that the Huanshui Du family's assets are no longer inferior to those of the Jingzhao Du family. It seems that Du Zhenglun, the Minister of Revenue, has been abusing his power for personal gain and profit for his family."

Concubine Jiang asked, "Do you understand what Her Majesty the Queen means?"

Li Yifu smiled and said, "Of course I understand. If someone impeaches Du Zhenglun tomorrow, I will speak up in agreement. Please also tell Her Majesty the Queen that I'm grateful for still remembering Li Yifu."

Du Zhenglun was the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of the national finances, an extremely important position.

If someone reported him for corruption and it was true, it would be a great achievement and would also earn him points in the emperor's favor, which was equivalent to getting credit for free.

Jiang Shanggong said coldly: "The message has been delivered, you can leave now." Li Yifu shook his head and smiled: "Let's part ways in peace, why be so heartless?" He took big strides and left quickly.

Not long after he left, Lady Jiang lay on the dressing table, sobbing.

A hand suddenly pressed on her shoulder, and said softly, "Who made Yan'er sad?"

Palace Lady Jiang shuddered all over and turned around to see that it was Li Yifu who had returned.

"Why, why did you come back?" Jiang Yan wiped her tears hurriedly.

Li Yifu smiled and said, "I have been the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty. Can't I see that you are worried? Tell me, what happened? If what I said just now was wrong and hurt Yan'er, I apologize to you now."

As he said this, he bowed deeply.

Jiang Yan hurriedly supported him and said angrily, "You just pretend."

A quarter of an hour later, the two of them undressed and lay down on the bed.

Jiang Shang Gong lay in Li Yifu's arms and said softly, "Last year, when you were implicated in the treason case, I tried to speak up for you in front of Her Majesty the Queen, but it angered Her Majesty. Since then, Her Majesty has disliked me and started to favor He Shang Gong. You, a heartless person, do you know this?"

Li Yifu sighed, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Jiang Shang Gong said, "You had just been dismissed from your position as prime minister. Why should I have made you blame yourself? After you returned to Chang'an this time, I came to this courtyard to look for you, but I found that you had sold it."

"I used all my savings to buy this place. For the past half month, every time I had the chance to leave the palace, I would wait for you here."

"But not only did you not come once, you even said that just now. Am I such a snobbish woman in your heart?"

Li Yifu slapped himself and smiled, "Okay, it's all my fault. I misunderstood your good intentions."

After a pause, he slowly said, "Yan'er, how about you tell the Queen to let you out of the palace and I'll marry you. Although I can't give you the position of principal wife, I can at least let you be my second wife."

Jiang Shang Gong smiled and shook her head, saying, "I am old and my looks have faded, so I don't expect such things anymore. As long as you think of me in a good way, I will be satisfied."

"Alright, I have to go back to the palace to report to Her Majesty the Queen. If you want to see me in the future, you can come here and leave a message for that old servant."

……

When Li Zhi was invited to the Lizheng Hall by Wu Meiniang, it was almost midnight.

He seemed to be in a very happy mood, which made Wu Meiniang very strange.

In recent years, the Tang Dynasty has won all the royal hunting competitions without much suspense, and Li Zhi has not been so happy in previous years.

Could it be that there is another sharpshooter like Xue Rengui emerging this year?
Wu Meiniang was not in a hurry to ask. She first poured a glass of her recently brewed fruit wine and asked Li Zhi to taste it.

Li Zhi praised him twice.

Wu Meiniang ordered hot water to be brought and had two maids help Li Zhi wash his feet. She sat beside him and asked, "Your Majesty, who won the first prize in this hunting event?"

Li Zhi sat on the couch, drinking fruit wine and said with a smile: "It's Jiang Ke again. He has made great progress this time, and he has even surpassed 60 prey."

Since Li Zhi started hunting in the Forbidden Garden, the only people who could bring in sixty prey were Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui.

Jiang Ke has now surpassed veteran generals such as Li Ji and Yuchi Gong, and can be regarded as the third best archer in the military.

Wu Meiniang said, "This man is younger than Xue Rengui, no wonder His Majesty is so happy today."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Mei Niang, I am indeed very happy today, but it's not just because of Jiang Ke."

Wu Meiniang asked curiously, "Is there any other reason?"

Li Zhi said slowly, "Today, at the hunting grounds, our Great Tang also sent out two young generals. Both of them participated for the first time, but they achieved good results."

"Oh, who is it?"

Li Zhi said, "One is called Zhao Chiman, and the other is Wei Daijia. Zhao Chiman, despite his refined appearance, actually hunted over forty prey, placing him third. Wei Daijia also hunted over thirty, placing him fifth."

Wu Meiniang's eyes flickered slightly as she asked, "But Zhao Zhiman is Changsun Quan's nephew?"

Li Zhi said: "Oh, you also know this person?"

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "I have heard people mention that this person is both civil and martial, good at calligraphy, and can fight tigers. He is a rare talent."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "He is indeed a talent. I have appointed him as the military officer of Yongzhou Judicial Department. After a few years of training, he should be able to become a pillar of the country in the future."

Wu Meiniang's expression straightened and she said, "Your Majesty, I have something to tell you."

Li Zhi said: "I knew you asked me to come here. You have something to say. Go ahead."

Wu Meiniang then told him the results of her investigation into Xiaoxiang and her previous test of Du Rong.

Li Zhi frowned slightly and said, "So, it's the Du brothers and sisters who are planning to deal with the White Horse Trading Company?"

Wu Meiniang sighed, "It is said that when the Jingzhao Du family was punished, the Huanshui Du family was the most ruthless in taking advantage of the situation. And the White Horse Trading Company is indeed problematic."

Li Zhi remained silent.

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said softly, "Your Majesty, are you worried about Du Zhenglun?"

Li Zhi sighed, "Back then, the Ministry of Revenue was thrown into chaos by Chang Sunyang, so I appointed Lu Chengqing and Du Zhenglun."

"Over the years, he and Lu Chengqing have managed the Ministry of Revenue, allowing the country to accumulate wealth and the people to prosper. They have also been helping me complete the plan of restoring the Qinling Mountains. Their hard work and contributions are truly remarkable."

Wu Mei Niang said, "I know Your Majesty is mindful of his contributions and I feel bad for him. But in my opinion, there is no need to worry."

Li Zhi said: "Oh, how do you mean?"

Wu Meiniang said, "Over the years, Du Zhenglun has indeed performed his duties diligently. However, His Majesty has also given him sufficient rewards by entrusting him with the most important financial affairs of the country, entrusting him with important tasks and showing full trust."

"In just a few years, the Du family has become one of Chang'an's most powerful families, enjoying immense prosperity and wealth. Wasn't this all bestowed upon him by His Majesty? Yet he remains unsatisfied, betraying His Majesty's trust. I believe that such people should be severely punished!"

Li Zhi was silent for a moment, then said, "There's no need to persuade the Queen. I understand all of this, but I'm just a little emotional."

Du Zhenglun is actually a typical example and can be said to have been promoted by Li Zhi.

Li Zhi knew very well that if he condoned his crimes out of nostalgia, the officials he had promoted would become delusional.

They would think that the emperor was nostalgic and would not punish them even if they committed a minor crime.
With this fantasy, it will be even more difficult to control oneself when faced with the temptation of power and sex, and there will be more Du Zhenglun in the future.

Wu Meiniang reminded: "Your Majesty, Wei Daijia, whom you just mentioned, seems to be involved in this matter."

Li Zhi shook his head and said, "Although he is suspected of taking bribes, he did not accept them after all. We cannot convict him for this reason. I hope this incident will serve as a warning to him."

Wu Meiniang knew that it was Wei Daijia's performance in hunting in the Forbidden Garden that won Li Zhi's favor, so she gave him a chance and said no more.

Li Zhi immediately sent Wang Fusheng to the Ministry of Personnel to get the transfer edict to be read out the next day, and crossed out the part about promoting Du Zhenglun and Lu Chengqing.

Then let Wang Fusheng deliver the imperial edict to the Menxia Province.

The next day, Li Zhi changed into court robes and went to Liangyi Hall to attend the first formal court meeting of the day.

(End of this chapter)