A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

From Li Shande, Du Fu learned the detailed story.

I never expected the truth to be like this.

Over the years, Li Longji has become increasingly incompetent, favoring the treacherous minister Yang Guozhong and infatuated with Yang Guifei, neglecting state affairs.

Moreover, he became ambitious and eager for quick success, feeling that he had accomplished what his ancestors and previous emperors had not, by eliminating so many powerful families at once, thus surpassing Emperor Taizong and exceeding his ancestors.

"The sage's word is law; who dares to object to what he arranges?"

"In the imperial court, Doctor Li led a large number of censors in strongly advising against this matter, and nearly a third of the officials in the court opposed it."

"But unfortunately, the treacherous minister Yang Guozhong also wields considerable power in the court. June 1st is Yang Guifei's birthday, and these fresh lychees are one of the gifts His Majesty sent to Yang Guifei."

"As Yang Guifei's cousin, Yang Guozhong naturally gave his full support."

"Those officials from aristocratic families knew that this was a good opportunity to undermine His Majesty's prestige, so naturally they would not let it go and all agreed with the matter."

"That's why even Doctor Li didn't stop it."

"Since His Majesty appointed the military governors, chaos has emerged throughout the land. The military governors on the borders have become powerful and influential, holding both military and political power, and their power has become too great to control."

"The court is filled with corrupt officials who abuse their power and powerful families who cause trouble. It's a complete mess. It doesn't look like the center of the country at all. It's no different from a vegetable market."

"If it weren't for Doctor Li leading many upright officials in the court and talented people from humble backgrounds struggling to hold things together, the world would have been in chaos long ago."

Du Fu did not continue speaking, because if he did, it would involve their schemes. So many years had passed, and they had long since become powerful and ready for anything except the final push.

Clearly, this lychee incident is the opportune moment they've been waiting for.

Du Fu turned around and continued talking about the matter.

"His Majesty desires fresh lychees. However, Lingnan is 7,600 li away from Luoyang; how can fresh lychees be delivered here?"

"What can we do? The best way is to find a scapegoat and take the job."

"If you can't do it, kill them!"

"So I'm the scapegoat."

Li Shande gave a bitter laugh. "I plan to divorce Yuting after I go back. Then, I'll let Xiaoputao stay with Yuting so that they won't be implicated by me."

"Don't rush, you've never been to Lingnan, have you? You've never seen fresh lychees either."

"Why not go to Lingnan first and see what happens?"

"The imperial pardon is dated June 1st. If we can find a solution, that would be ideal. If not, we can still enjoy ourselves before then, thanks to the pardon. His Majesty's pardon is here; who dares disobey?"

"Before June 1st, you can act with impunity by virtue of your identity as the Lychee Envoy."

Du Fu offered some words of advice.

Li Shande nodded, then turned and asked, "What about June 2nd?"

Du Fu was speechless. "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

They were prepared. On June 2nd, who would care about Li Shande?

Li Shande assumed Du Fu was just trying to comfort him and remained silent.

After bidding farewell to Du Fu, he got up and returned home, preparing to confront his wife.

Du Fu watched Li Shande's departing figure and sighed.

They were powerless to stop it, and could only make arrangements in secret to try to minimize the losses for the local people.

After leaving the Shanglin Office, a sharp glint flashed in Du Fu's eyes.

Over the years, the people's anger has accumulated to an overwhelming degree, just waiting for a spark to ignite it and destroy the entire court.

However, man proposes, God disposes, and things rarely go as planned.

However, without destruction, there can be no construction; only after great chaos could the Tang Dynasty be reborn from the ashes.

When Li Shande returned home, he was slapped twice by his wife, leaving two bright red handprints on his left and right sides, which fully demonstrated his wife's love for him.

Looking at his wife and daughter at home, Li Shande finally mustered up his courage again. Just as Du Fu said, he had never been to Lingnan and had never seen fresh lychees. He could not give up just because the book said that they could not be delivered.

He wanted to fight for his family.

Li Shande told his wife that he was going to Lingnan to transport lychee cakes. Before leaving, his wife asked him to bring back some kapok flowers.

Du Fu and Zheng Yuting saw Li Shande off. Watching Li Shande's departing figure, Zheng Yuting said slowly.

He's not good at lying.

"You knew all along?"

Du Fu asked in surprise.

"You're not good at being scammed."

Zheng Yuting watched her husband's departing figure and said without turning her head.

Du Fu smiled wryly and, instead of returning home, went back to the Li residence.

"Brother Taibai, Brother Shande has already set off."

Du Fu found Li Bai and began to speak.

Li Bai paused in his writing and continued reviewing official documents.

"I see."

After finishing reviewing the official documents, Li Bai put down his pen and left the room.

"Pass the word, prepare for action."

"I'd like to see if these countless common people can disturb His Majesty, who is high above me!"

Upon hearing this, Du Fu's eyes revealed a hint of expectation, and he nodded emphatically.

The next day, dozens of fast horses galloped out from the four gates of Luoyang and headed off to various places.

As the imperial capital, Luoyang saw countless people and horses leaving the city every day, so a mere few dozen fast horses went unnoticed by anyone.

Li Shande from Lingnan tried many times, but all his attempts ended in failure.

An unexpected event finally gave him a way to transport lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an.

That means they'll take it away along with the branches.

Lychees can survive on tree branches for a while longer. Once the branches are no longer useful, the lychees can be taken down without peeling them, placed in a double-layered jar, and chilled with water. This allows them to be safely transported to Luoyang.

"I didn't expect your friend to be such a capable person, skilled in divination and meticulous in his thinking. The Ministry of Personnel needs someone like him."

When Li Bai heard about this from Du Fu, he nodded repeatedly and sent someone to investigate Li Shande's information. He was extremely satisfied with Li Shande's character.

After the court is purged, there will be a large number of vacancies in the government. This will be a good opportunity to promote Li Shande to a position in the Ministry of Revenue. Given his character, corruption in the Ministry of Revenue will surely be greatly reduced.

"After Brother Shande arrived in the capital, in order to ensure a smooth journey for the last leg of the journey, he first went to the Ministry of Revenue to ask for assistance. The Ministry of Revenue passed the buck to the Secretariat-Chancellery, which then passed it to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, which then passed it to the Ministry of Personnel, which then passed it to the Ministry of Rites, which then passed it to the Ministry of Revenue."

"It's absurd that this task is being passed around like a football, with not a single department head willing to take responsibility."

"It's a pity we lack the qualifications to be in charge of various departments, otherwise, things wouldn't be like this."

Du Fu complained to Li Bai.

"A bunch of good-for-nothings, we must take this opportunity to clean them up."

Li Bai sneered.

"Give him a hand, it's just a mere 1,000 strings of cash. Let our people in the Ministry of Revenue approve it for him."

Li Bai said calmly.

Du Fu hesitated for a moment, but eventually spoke.

"To avoid being held accountable for his incompetence, Yu Chaoen planned to seize Li Shande's method of transporting lychees for himself. Yang Guozhong, upon learning this, approached Brother Shande, hoping to use this opportunity to engage in corruption and bribery during the transport of lychees, while simultaneously striking at the power of the eunuchs."

"We'll cover the money for the people, but if we add it all up, each family will have to pay close to 10 strings of cash. This is driving people to their deaths."

"Although we also took advantage of this situation, we cannot disregard the lives of the people; otherwise, how are we any different from them?"

Li Bai said without hesitation.