Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 130 Li Linfu, the mastermind behind the plan
If Huangfu Sengnian hadn't mentioned it, Wang Xi would have almost forgotten about the singing competition. At the beginning, he did intend to sabotage the competition, and so far, he has been quite successful. In addition, plans can't keep up with changes, so the singing competition is not that important to him now.

But when she heard that the singing competition was going to be canceled, Wang Xi was still very surprised. "Really?"

"It cannot be confirmed at this time."

Huangfu Sengnian shook his head. "These rumors haven't been confirmed yet, but I think there must be a reason behind them!"

Wang Xi pondered for a moment and said, "You mean, they're planning to retreat as a tactic to advance?"

Huangfu Sengnian nodded and said, "That's possible. After all, poetry and prose are irreplaceable in the hearts of scholars. Doing this might garner a lot of sympathy."

Wang Xi nodded and said, "If that's the case, then this move is truly brilliant."

Li Jie said dejectedly, "We finally managed to corner them, but we can't let them turn things around. If they really succeed, then we'll keep that drama and have it compete with his singing competition."

Wang Xi thought for a while and said, "If it were us, we would naturally beat a dog when it's down. But we must use Lao Tao's name. Given Lao Tao's character, the other party is already so humble, so we should definitely not be aggressive anymore."

Huangfu Sengnian nodded and said, "Moreover, if we are too aggressive, we may play right into their hands and arouse more sympathy and hostility towards us. After all, almost all officials in the court are fond of poetry and prose. In that case, we will only suffer more losses than gains."

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Seng Nian is right. We can't push him any further. It seems that Wu Xin has some tricks up his sleeve."

Wang Shuang said regretfully, "That's a real pity."

Wang Xi laughed and said, "Don't worry, the further they go, the more they will suffer. The audience for poetry and prose can never compare to that for drama."

Zichen Palace.

This is the third main hall of the Daming Palace. The emperor's daily meetings were held here, and the atmosphere was more casual than that of the Hanyuan Hall and Xuanzheng Hall.

Before the emperor arrived, the three prime ministers sat around the fire and began to talk quietly, while Yuwen Rong stood in a corner with several officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War.

Yuan Qianyao said in a low voice, "It is said that His Majesty has decided to launch a nationwide reform targeting land and taxes starting next year."

Zhang Jiazhen said, "His Majesty has been preparing for this since last year, and the time is ripe."

Zhang Shuo sighed, "Rome wasn't built in a day. This matter concerns land annexation. Even with thorough preparation, success is not guaranteed. We must not be complacent."

Yuan Qianyao nodded, then suddenly asked, "By the way, have you heard that the Imperial Academy is planning to cancel the singing competition?"

Zhang frowned. "Isn't this just a rumor?"

"No."

Yuan Qianyao shook his head and said, "Han Xiu personally asked Wu Jijiu, so this is not just a rumor."

"Why?"

Zhang said in surprise.

Yuan Qianyao sighed, "Isn't it all because of Dream of the Red Chamber?"

Zhang said with dissatisfaction, "Dream of the Red Chamber is Dream of the Red Chamber, and poetry is poetry. They are not the same thing. How can this be a reason?"

Yuan Qianyao said in a low voice, "It is said that Wu Jijiu got wind of the fact that Wuming Academy has been promoting the Dream of the Red Chamber opera recently, and is secretly planning to use this opera to compete with the singing competition of the Imperial Academy. However, Wu Jijiu knows that he can't beat the Dream of the Red Chamber opera, so he plans to cancel it to avoid no one coming to watch and the court losing face."

Zhang Jiazhen questioned, "How come I have never heard of this?"

Zhang Shuo glanced at Zhang Jiazhen, his brows furrowed. "But that won't do. This singing competition is related to the reform of the imperial examination system. How can we give up so easily? Let's have the Imperial Academy set the poetry competition for the Lantern Festival. We'll all participate. I refuse to believe we can't compete with Dream of the Red Chamber."

Just then, a series of tapping sounds were heard.

Everyone was taken aback; the footsteps sounded rather strange, with such a strong rhythm.

Just as everyone was wondering, Li Longji walked out from behind the screen, looking radiant and full of vigor, but with each step he took, his ankle would tremble.

The ministers rose and nodded slightly, but their eyes were all fixed on Li Longji's ankle.

After Li Longji took his seat, he smiled and said, "There's no need for such formalities, everyone."

After the ministers were seated, Zhang Jia-zhen cautiously asked, "Is Your Majesty in good health?"

Li Longji was puzzled by the question, "I am in good health, why does Minister Zhang ask such a question?"

Zhang Jiazhen said, "Just now, I observed Your Majesty walking, and you seemed to be feeling somewhat unwell."

Li Longji paused for a moment, then said somewhat awkwardly, "I was reviewing memorials just now and wasn't paying attention for a moment, so my legs are a little numb."

Yuan Qianyao hurriedly said, "Your Majesty must take care of your health."

Li Longji nodded.

Little did they know that Li Longji had recently become obsessed with tap dancing, and would even practice it while walking.

Of course, Li Longji dared not say it aloud, and immediately said: "Today I have summoned you all here to announce something. Since last year, the court has issued the land expansion order. Although it has achieved some results, it has also encountered great obstacles. Various departments are hindering each other, making it difficult for the government orders to be implemented. What is even more hateful is that some local officials are outwardly compliant but inwardly disobeying, which has led to repeated setbacks in the reform."

However, the issue of hidden land registration is a long-standing problem that has affected national stability. This time, I am determined to resolve this problem. I have decided to combine the expansion of land, the expansion of households, and the collection of taxes and corvée labor. I have appointed Yuwen Rong as the Land Expansion Commissioner, who will be fully responsible for this matter. All departments must also fully cooperate.

The tone is unmistakable.

His confidence wasn't entirely based on supreme imperial power; at this time, he was still relatively flexible. Rather, it was because he had been publicly discussing the appointment of Yuwen Rong for over half a year, and Zhang said that they all already knew that this task would inevitably fall to Yuwen Rong.

Therefore, Zhang Yue did not stop Yuwen Rong, but instead took the opportunity to support Wang Shouyi in order to restrain Yuwen Rong.

When Li Longji said it, the prime ministers all expressed their approval.

Yuwen Rong then stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not disappoint you."

Li Longji smiled and nodded, "I also believe that you will never let me down."

It is clear that the emperor will fully support Yuwen Rong.

After the matter was settled, Zhang Yue suddenly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report." Li Longji asked, "What is it?"

Zhang said, "When His Majesty decided to include poetry in the imperial examinations, the Imperial Academy planned to hold a singing competition in order to cooperate with His Majesty's policy."

However, due to insufficient support from the imperial court, the singing competition has attracted little attention, which will inevitably affect the reform of the imperial examination system. I urge the imperial court to provide sufficient support.”

Li Longji was taken aback and asked, "Didn't the court provide enough support?"

Zhang said, "If His Majesty is not even aware of this, how can he offer sufficient support?"

Li Longji looked slightly embarrassed. "According to your suggestion, how should the court provide support?"

Zhang said, "In fact, at the beginning, the singing competition received a lot of support, but it was only because His Majesty praised the opera of the nameless academy twice that everyone paid attention to the opera."

Li Longji immediately said, "This is not my fault. I was forced to go by you all."

I will never take the blame for this.

Zhang said, "Of course, Your Majesty is not to blame for this, but the singing competition has ended up in such a miserable state because of Your Majesty. The one who tied the knot must untie it. I suggest that the singing competition be held on the Lantern Festival, and I hope Your Majesty will go and watch it in person."

"What a wonderful thing!" Li Longji was secretly delighted, but said aloud, "Since Prime Minister Zhang has personally invited me, then I will go and see for myself."

Although he loved opera, he also loved poetry. His ministers kept a close eye on him every day, and if he was even slightly negligent, they would immediately attack him. Now that they had taken the initiative to invite him to watch the singing competition, he was of course willing to do so.

Zhang Jiazhen glanced at Zhang Shuo and thought to herself, "He's still the same as always, doing everything so decisively without ever asking for my opinion."

The three of them hadn't even reached a conclusion yet when Zhang invited the emperor directly, meaning there was no need for further discussion.

It should be noted that Zhang Jia-zhen was the Grand Chancellor.

In Zhang Shuo's view, the reform of the imperial examination system was his achievement, and Wu Xin was just a doer. If he didn't carry it out, wouldn't that be a slap in his face?

Not only should it be held, but it should be held in a very successful and prosperous manner.

I'll make you look down on people.

Soon, the news spread, and the morale of the Imperial Academy was greatly boosted.

It must be said that the Imperial College has been somewhat decadent lately, suffocating under the weight of "Dream of the Red Chamber," because discussions of "Dream of the Red Chamber" inevitably involve that nameless academy.

That's not a big deal. The key issue is that the Imperial Academy used to target the nameless academy, which made the Imperial Academy feel frustrated. No one really compared the two academies.

"What Minister Zhang said is absolutely right. His Majesty has truly been a great help to Wuming Academy in achieving its current glory," Xu Daoxuan said with a hint of complaint.

Wu Chongwen laughed and said, "Let's not talk about these things anymore. Now that His Majesty has decided to personally participate in this singing competition, it will surely attract the attention of scholars all over the world. If we perform well, we may win His Majesty's favor!"

Yang Zhan suddenly said, "How about we suggest that Dr. Jiang invite the Nameless Academy to participate?"

Cen Wenzhi asked in surprise, "Why are you doing this?"

Xu Daoxuan said, "We finally managed to invite His Majesty, why are we having them come to participate?"

Yang Zhan said, "What are you afraid of? We can't beat them in those unorthodox methods, but are we afraid of poetry too? Let Wang Xiaoque and the others participate in this poetry competition so that people will know what kind of nameless academy they really are."

Wu Chongwen nodded and said, "That's feasible. Poetry and prose require genuine talent and learning."

Li Linfu immediately went to Wu Xin to claim credit.

He was the one who came up with the idea.

However, to Li Linfu's surprise, Wu Xin looked worried when he saw him. Curious, Li Linfu asked, "His Majesty has decided to personally attend the singing competition, so why is Grand Master Wu still so troubled?"

"Alas, Li Zhongyun is unaware of this."

Wu Xin sighed, "Yesterday, my younger sister sent someone to tell me that she met with Wang Xiaoque a few days ago."

Li Linfu asked, "Wang Xiaoque?"

Wu Xin nodded and said, "Furthermore, they also study opera and music with His Majesty. In my opinion, Wang Xiaoque has extremely high talent in opera and dance, which makes His Majesty like him very much, and also makes me feel threatened."

Li Linfu asked doubtfully, "I've met Wang Xiaoque once. That kid is likable, but he's not enough to make Wu Jieyu feel threatened."

Wu Xin said, "There must be a reason why my sister says this. The key is still in opera, and my sister hopes to get the support of talents in this field."

Li Linfu suddenly realized, and was secretly delighted. He immediately said, "In terms of literary talent and poetry, I may not be as good as Zhang Xiangong and the others, but when it comes to drama and music, I am still quite confident."

"Now I have a plan to win the trust of the Nameless Academy and get involved in the arrangement of their play."

Wu Xinxi said with delight, "Really?"

Li Linfu nodded and said, "This year, many foreign envoys have come to Chang'an. I plan to suggest that Prince Sipu hold a banquet at the New Year's Day court assembly to promote this opera."

When the Prince of Sipu first promoted opera, he did so under the pretext of promoting the culture of the Central Plains. This is an extremely rare opportunity, and since Your Majesty loves opera so much, you will surely agree.

In this way, King Sipu will surely entrust this matter to me, which will allow me to gain the trust of the Nameless Academy and understand how they are preparing for this opera.”

Wu Xin asked with concern, "Won't this make Wuming Academy stand out?"

Li Linfu said, "It's already unstoppable. When the Dream of the Red Chamber opera is performed, it will surely be a huge success. Even Consort Wu knows that she should not oppose the opera, but should learn from and utilize it. Opposing the opera is tantamount to going against His Majesty. Why should Grand Master Wu think of going against the opera?"

Wu Xin nodded: "That makes sense, that makes sense. That's why I've suffered so many setbacks before."

After saying that, he cupped his hands to Li Linfu and said, "I entrust everything to Li Zhongyun."

Li Linfu cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trust, Grand Master Wu. I will certainly not disappoint you and Consort Wu."

(End of this chapter)