Chapter 205 Do you want to conquer the world and restore the Sui Dynasty?
Li Longji immediately ordered someone to remake the fish token, without going through the Zhongshu Menxiatang. Just like the appointment of a prime minister, the Chief Censor was appointed by the emperor himself.

After getting this position, Li Xuan no longer mentioned the matter of Wang Zhongsi to Li Longji, as too much was as bad as too little.

Shooting Artemisia with an arrow will not only make Li Longji think that this case is not critical.

It would also allow Li Longji to reduce his defenses against the border commanders who had heavy troops.

Li Longji believed that in the prosperous times, the power of the border commanders came from him.

So was Li Xuan, so was An Lushan!
Li Longji took Li Xuan aside and chatted for a long time, from the preparations for the battle of Qinghai to the daily life in Dunhuang.

Of course, Li Xuan only said good things, because Li Longji cared a lot about what the common people thought of him. So Li Xuan often said that the people loved Li Longji after he punished the wicked and eliminated the evil.

In this era, people’s demands are very low.

It’s just about having enough food and clothing!

The emperor who can do this will be the eternal sage.

At dusk, Li Xuan and Li Longji had dinner in a side hall, and Li Xuan took his leave after the meal.

The guards had been waiting in front of the Xingqing Palace for a long time.

"Xue Cuo, you don't have to follow me these days, go home!"

Li Xuan gave instructions to his personal guard Xue Cuo.

Xue Cuo was from Yunmen Township, east of Chang'an City. It was not easy for him to return to Chang'an, so of course he had to visit his home.

"I need to stay by Marshal Li's side."

Xue Cuo knew that Li Xuan had only brought twelve people with him this time, and he was afraid that there would not be enough people.

"In Chang'an City, you can call on the Jinwu Guards at any time. Besides, with my bravery, it is difficult for ordinary people to hurt me. You are no longer in prison now, but unfortunately your position is still a personal guard. Without an official position to show your status, it is not a return home in glory. But you will be rich in the future!"

Li Xuan patted Xue Cuo on the shoulder and spoke earnestly.

For example, Xue Cuo, Luo Xing, and Liao Zhengrong, Li Xuan always gave them identities and even ignored their military merits.

Although Li Sheng and Zhang Wanfu stayed with Li Xuan, Li Xuan applied for medals for them. There were also some military officials, one was a captain of the accompanying army, and the other was a deputy captain of the accompanying army. Although they were all ninth-rank officials, they were also considered to be a sign of their status.

With such an arrangement, Li Xuan naturally had a scale in his mind.

They follow Li Xuan for no reason and will rise to great heights in the future.

Because the Divine Strategy Guards will not only have two hundred people in the future.

"I will be back as soon as possible. The silk money you gave me has already made my family rich. I have nothing more to pursue."

Xue Cuo was moved. He also missed his family and wanted to go back to see them.

Li Xuan was often rewarded with silk for his military merits, and he also sent silk back to his hometown, so his family became wealthy.

He was grateful to Li Xuan for avenging him and for bringing him into the army from the punishment stage.

He and Luo Xing led the Shen Ce Guard, and Helong's subordinates and the main and deputy generals were all respectful.

Li Shuai has a lot to consider, he just needs to fight to the death.

Song Guogong Mansion.

"Meet Father!"

In front of the mansion, Li Xuan bowed.

"Qilang is already the Duke of Chu, so there is no need for such a grand ceremony in the future..."

Li Shizhi pulled Li Xuan into the Duke of Song's mansion.

"No matter what I am, you will always be my father, and that will never change."

Li Xuan said with a smile.

Li Shizhi is only in his early fifties this year. When he was not the prime minister, his energy and spirit were getting better and better.

The main thing is that there are fewer things to worry about. Every day all you have to do is recite poems, play chess, drink wine and taste tea with princes, nobles and idle officials.

Li Shizhi was not lustful.

The history of "Asking about the guests at the door, how many come today" will not be repeated, because Li Xuan, even if Li Shizhi was dismissed from his post as prime minister, was still a guest of honor among princes and nobles.

In addition, Li Shizhi had a generous and informal personality, and was very popular.

Li Shizhi's official position was Prince Grand Tutor.

In the early Tang Dynasty, this official must be the prince's teacher, teaching the prince.

However, in order to prevent the crown prince from forming a clique for personal gain, Li Longji made this official a sinecure and he had no contact with the crown prince on a regular basis.

Even the Prince's Secretary has nothing to do with the Prince. Now the Prince's Secretary is still living in Luoyang in retirement.

The ones who were really related to the crown prince were some minor officials who had no influence in the court. Or it was like in history when Li Longji identified Li Mi as Li Heng's teacher.

At that time, Li Mi had just become a Hanlin attendant and was a transparent person in the court.

The prince had a lot of soldiers and horses in the early Tang Dynasty, but now, apart from dozens of guards, he only has household slaves left.

Li Xuan and Li Shizhi entered the house with their brothers.

The family dinner has been prepared for a long time.

Li Xuan was already full, but it didn't matter if he ate a little more.

When eating with Li Longji, Li Xuan would not eat just a little like other ministers, but would eat until he was full.

This also made Li Longji feel that Li Xuan was honest.

Now all the brothers regard Li Xuan as the most respected. Li Xuan respects his brother and sister-in-law and cares for his sons and daughters, so the family is harmonious and happy.

After the family had dinner, Li Yuying pestered Li Xuan to talk about the scenery of the border. She really wanted to hear Li Xuan describe the magnificent scenery.

Li Xuan spoke patiently for an hour, and the family listened in silence.

Li Qian has a son who is only twelve years old this year, named Li Ding.

He admired Li Xuan very much and had been practicing archery and horse riding for several years. He declared that he would follow Li Xuan to fight against the Tibetans in the future.

Li Xuan just smiled and encouraged him.

Late at night, when everyone in the family returned to their own courtyards to sleep and the servants turned off the lights and candles, Li Shizhi came to Li Xuan's room.

"The saint summoned you back, probably for the matter of Zhongsi. That matter is very serious, and the prince is still under house arrest. Qilang must be cautious!"

Sitting on the bed, Li Shizhi said to Li Xuan.

He had originally stopped interfering in government affairs, but the father and son, as before, had nothing that they could not discuss.

This is a huge matter. Crown Prince Li Heng may be deposed at any time.

In fact, in Li Shizhi's heart, it would be best if Li Heng was deposed as the crown prince. Qilang was still young, and he was afraid that Li Heng would settle accounts with Qilang after he succeeded to the throne.

"General Wang grew up with the Crown Prince in the East Palace. Everyone thinks he is a member of the Crown Prince Party and will support the Crown Prince at a critical moment. It is inevitable that he is being plotted against. I believe that General Wang has no intention of being disloyal, but it is useless. The Saint must believe it. And the Saint's temper should be clear to my father. Even if General Wang is cleared of his grievances, he will no longer hold military power."

"General Wang has done me a favor. I will repay a drop of kindness with a spring of water. This is the great principle of our China. Through my persuasion today, the Saint has been persuaded. I am sure that I can save General Wang from death."

Li Xuan said slowly to Li Shizhi.

Wang Zhongsi was the famous general that Li Xuan admired most.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu says: When advancing, do not seek fame; when retreating, do not avoid blame; and when attacking a city, do not go unattacked.

Wang Zhongsi did not want to exhaust China's strength for the sake of fame and honor; he could not bear to exchange the lives of tens of thousands of people for one official position; he said that if he captured Shibao City, it would not be enough to defeat the enemy, but if he lost it, it would not harm the country.

If one can achieve these three points, he will be a famous general in the prosperous times.

There are too many famous generals in troubled times.

However, there are only a few famous generals in the prosperous times.

This is also one of the reasons why Li Xuan admired Wang Zhongsi.

"Qi Lang has moral integrity, but he is not as righteous as a father."

Li Xuan decided to help Wang Zhongsi, which was to help the crown prince. Li Shizhi stopped trying to persuade him.

"Now the saint has dismissed me from my post as Minister of Rites and appointed me as Imperial Censor, and asked me to try this case."

Li Xuan did not hide anything from Li Shizhi.

"The Imperial Censor is an important position! There is only one person in history who was appointed as an Imperial Censor before he reached adulthood. From now on, scholars should call him Imperial Censor Qilang."

Li Shizhi was amazed at Li Xuan's achievements.

The Grand Censor was the chief clerk of the Censorate and was much more prestigious than the Minister of Rites.

The Hongluqing was just a ceremonial position, while the Yushi Dafu supervised all officials. In terms of power, the two were incomparable.

"My son's absence in Chang'an is just an official position that adds icing on the cake."

Li Xuan laughed. He was just the Imperial Censor. Other official positions were not even icing on the cake for Li Xuan.

"But I have thought about this case. The prince's servant is dead and his body has rotted. It is difficult to exonerate Zhongsi."

The problem now is that the saint is doubting him. Without evidence, the saint's mind cannot be shaken.

"Of course I won't use this as evidence. If someone framed me, those who were involved would have been killed long ago. It is said that someone has accused General Wang of many other crimes. I just want to overturn these minor crimes and prove that General Wang was only involved because of the prince's servants. Then let the prince weigh the pros and cons..."

Li Xuan said to Li Shizhi.

Why was Li Longji so angry?
Because Li Longji believed that the prince sent the slave to find out what had happened between him and Wang Zhongsi!
It could be a conspiracy, or it could just be a greeting between brothers, sending some insignificant gifts.

But the prince and Wang Zhongsi denied it!
Indeed, it has nothing to do with them. But this will make the case go on endlessly.

Therefore, Li Xuan would let Li Heng admit that the servants only sent some small gifts to Wang Zhongsi to show their concern and greetings, and there was no other meaning.

This will make the case easier to close.

If the delay was too long, and Li Longji became more suspicious, Wang Zhongsi would have no chance of survival.

"Qi Lang is thoughtful, as long as he has a plan."

Li Shizhi knew that Li Xuan could figure out the emperor's intentions and had his own thoughts. He could only support him silently, otherwise he would be doing more harm than good!

Li Xuan and Li Shizhi chatted about some recent events in Chang'an. When it was almost midnight, Li Shizhi returned to his house.

The next day.

At the morning court, Li Longji formally announced the changes to Li Xuan's civil service position.

After hearing that Li Xuan was appointed as the Imperial Censor, Li Linfu's face changed drastically. The thing he was most worried about had finally come.

What kind of love potion did Li Xuan give Li Longji that led to his appointment as Imperial Censor?

This is obviously aimed at the Wang Zhongsi case.

Li Longji has been acting ambiguous recently, making Li Linfu unable to guess what he is thinking. He is afraid that Li Xuan will destroy the situation he has worked so hard to build.

But things had come to this point, and Li Linfu could only watch Li Xuan perform.

Fortunately, Yang Shenjin was Li Linfu's man.

Although Yang Shenjin is currently the Chief Censor, he can take charge of the Censorate when the Grand Censor is absent.

This position was recommended by Li Linfu.

Originally, Yang Shenjin did not follow Li Linfu, but was just trying to smooth things over. When the matter was already settled, he followed Li Linfu's instructions, going against his conscience.

But since Li Xuan drove Wang Yu away, Yang Shenjin was filled with fear and resentment and had to rely on Li Linfu.

Yang Shenjin and Wang Bo's father Wang Jin were cousins, and Wang Bo was his nephew. They played in the mud together when they were young.

Wang Yu entered the officialdom through the recommendation of Yang Shenjin.

In addition, Prime Minister Pei Kuan was dissatisfied with the Censorate which almost beat Pei Huang to death, so he blamed Yang Shenjin and excluded him everywhere.

Yang Shenjin had no choice but to rely on Li Linfu.

Li Linfu asked Yang Shenjin to pay close attention to Li Xuan's movements and inform him immediately of any abnormalities so that he could find a solution.

As soon as the morning court was over, Li Xuan went to the Censorate.

Chief Censor Yang Shenjin accompanied Li Xuan.

The Censorate was the highest supervisory department, which consisted of the Taiyuan, Dianyuan, and Chayuan. In case of particularly serious cases, the Dali Temple, the Minister of Punishment, and the Chief Censor could jointly hear the case, which was called the Three-Department Trial.

Taiyuan: There were six assistant censors, who were of the sixth rank and below, in charge of supervising the officials and impeaching lawless people; they tried cases specially ordered by the emperor, and together with the Jieshizhong of the Menxia Province and the Zhongshu Sheren of the Zhongshu Province, they were in charge of the court and accepted unjust lawsuits, and were known as the "Small Three Departments".

The Palace Court: There are nine Attending Censors, who are of the seventh rank or lower, in charge of the rituals of offerings in the palace, investigating irregularities in court ceremonies, and reporting violations while accompanying the emperor.

Chayuan: Fifteen censors, eighth rank, in charge of supervising the local officials in the counties and prefectures of the Tang Dynasty and the six ministries of the Secretariat.

In addition to these main official positions, there are also numerous official positions such as chief clerk, scribe, guard, head of the pavilion, director, recorder, accountant, and clerk, totaling no less than a hundred.

The Censorate was tightly controlled by Li Linfu. Even though Luo Xishi had been executed, the Censorate, the Palace Court, and seven assistant censors were Li Linfu's minions.

Wang Zhongsi's life will definitely not be easy being imprisoned in the Taiwan Court.

Li Linfu also recommended many officials for positions such as Censor-in-Chief, and specified which province they should be assigned to.

"Doctor, Wang Zhongsi is being held in the prison cell of the Taiyuan. Please follow me!"

After entering the Censorate, Yang Shenjin asked Li Xuan for advice.

He thought Li Xuan would go to see Wang Zhongsi first.

The Palace Attendant Censor Lu Xuan had already been asked to tidy up Wang Zhongsi's appearance in advance.

Although they could not use severe torture on Wang Zhongsi before, they still used many subtle means to torture him.

Everyone knew that Li Xuan was Wang Zhongsi's subordinate when he joined the army, and they were afraid that Li Xuan would vent his anger on them.

"No hurry! Let's go to the main hall first. I have something to say to Yang Zhongcheng."

Li Xuan raised his hand and said to Yang Shenjin.

"Yes……"

Yang Shenjin nodded and took Li Xuan to the main hall. He didn't know what Li Xuan was up to, but seeing Li Xuan's stern face, he couldn't help feeling guilty.

After many incidents, the ministers in the court no longer dared to underestimate Li Xuan's calculations.

He was the only minister who could compete with Li Linfu, and he always won.

The most crucial thing is that Li Xuan has been commanding the army outside and is also thinking about making trouble for Li Linfu.

"Central Minister Yang, where is Wang Yu now?"

After Li Xuan entered the main hall, he suddenly asked Yang Shenjin.

"Wang Yu is currently serving as the county magistrate in Duotian, Qianzhong."

Yang Shenjin smiled awkwardly and replied.

But he was very angry in his heart. Wang Yu was demoted by Li Xuan, but now he came to ask him. Wasn't this asking questions knowing the answer and trying to intimidate him?
But due to Li Xuan's power and the fact that he was his superior, Yang Shenjin did not dare to get angry.

"Yes! I believe Wang Yu will have a chance to make a comeback."

Li Xuan said nothing for no reason.

In history, Yang Shenjin's family was destroyed because of Wang Yu.

Yang Shenjin regarded himself as an elder and always addressed Wang Yu by his name no matter what the occasion.

Even in front of the ministers.

Even though Wang Yu was at the same rank as Yang Shenjin last year.

It is conceivable that Wang Yu felt embarrassed, so he cooperated with Li Linfu to plot against Yang Shenjin.

But in this life, Wang Yu did not break with Yang Shenjin. Instead, he made Li Linfu, whose power was greatly reduced, continue to win over Yang Shenjin, whose interests conflicted with Li Xuan's, and made Yang Shenjin become Li Linfu's disciple.

Li Xuan couldn't tolerate such a thing.

Li Daosui, the judge of the Three Departments and the Minister of the Dali Temple, had always had a good relationship with Li Shizhi and often opposed Li Linfu; Yang Yan, the Junior Minister of the Dali Temple, was instigated by Li Xuan to rebel.

Pei Kuan was the concurrent Minister of Justice, and the case was also handled by the Vice Minister of Justice, Zhang Jun, the son of Zhang Shuo.

The two brothers Zhang Jun and Zhang Yi were both sworn enemies of Li Linfu. As early as the era of Zhang Jiuling, they had been against Li Linfu.

The brothers, influenced by their father, have always been strong in the political arena.

In Li Longji's heart, Zhang Shuo has always been the prime minister with the highest status.

Zhang Shuo was the leader of the literary world before Zhang Jiuling. When Li Longji was still the crown prince, he sent someone to deliver a saber to hint that Li Longji should decisively eliminate Princess Taiping.

After being appointed as prime minister again, he helped Li Longji complete the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai and the conscription system, pushing the national strength to a new height.

Therefore, Li Longji took good care of Zhang Shuo's descendants. Some of the descendants of Yao Chong, who was also a famous prime minister in the Kaiyuan period, had been killed or demoted.

So Li Xuan felt that the Ministry of Justice would not harm his plans.

Only Yang Shenjin and a group of officials from the Censorate would make things difficult for him, so Li Xuan wanted to plot against Yang Shenjin.

"Central Minister Yang, I heard that you have contact with a monk named Shi Jingzhong? Does Shi Jingzhong have any magic skills?"

It was just an appetizer. Li Xuan suddenly stared at Yang Shenjin and asked him.

Historically, Yang Shenjin was very close to a monk named Shi Jingzhong, and the two often discussed prophecies.

Yang Shenjin has always believed in mysterious and strange things.

He believed that Shi Jingzhong was a master with magical powers.

I also know that saints are wary of such masters, so I have kept it a secret.

But some things are destined to be difficult to conceal.

Yang Shenjin had a beautiful concubine named Mingzhu, and Shi Jingzhong often expressed his affection to her with his eyes.

Shi Jingzhong is a master, and since the master likes her, Yang Shenjin will of course give this concubine to him.

Once, when Shi Jingzhong passed by Lady Guoguo's house, Lady Guoguo saw Mingzhu's beauty and wanted to keep her. Shi Jingzhong did not dare to refuse.

Not long after, Lady Guo entered the palace and brought the pearl with her.

Since Li Longji met Mingzhu, the fact that Yang Shenjin and Shi Jingzhong exchanged prophecies was no secret.

This incident also became the fuse for Yang Shenjin's defeat.

Li Xuan planned to seize this opportunity to force Yang Shenjin to work for him and to plot against Li Linfu.

"Doctor, Shi Jingzhong is just an ordinary friend of mine. How can he have any magic?"

Yang Shenjin quickly denied it. At this moment, he felt like a thorn in his back.

He hid it very well and didn't understand why Li Xuan knew it?

It would be fine if Li Linfu knew, but Li Xuan has been at the border all the time!
"Snapped!"

"How dare you! I've heard that Shi Jingzhong visited you at night. You sat in the courtyard and deduced the changes in the stars until late at night. Shi Jingzhong was still in your house to exorcise evil spirits! Shi Jingzhong has been spreading rumors that the world is in chaos. You are the great-great-grandson of Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty. Do you want to seize the world and restore the Sui Dynasty?"

Li Xuan suddenly slammed the case, his expression changed, and he questioned Yang Shenjin.

Not only did they call Yang Shenjin and Shi Jingzhong mysterious and supernatural, but they also put a big hat on Yang Shenjin's head.

Li Longji believed in Taoism, but witchcraft, prophecies and Taoism are two different things.

Li Longji always believed that this was an evil practice. Li Longji's original wife, Queen Wang, was deposed because of the "Fu Yan Incident".

Faced with Li Xuan's questioning, Yang Shenjin's head suddenly buzzed.

how could be?

Li Xuan actually knew everything about him and Shi Jingzhong.

For a moment, the atmosphere was frozen. Yang Shenjin's breathing became rapid, and he was unable to speak...

(End of this chapter)