Chapter 261: The Prime Minister’s belly can punt a boat

Li Xuan's status was not in the yangban class, but the head of the military officials.

No matter who looked at him, he remained unmoved.

Yang Shenjin was panicked and wanted to get some hints from Li Xuan, but Li Xuan ignored him.

Ji Wen is a beast who won't respond to any threats or persuasion.

But he is a fifth-rank official after all, and he needs to report to the emperor at the court meeting today.

"Your Majesty has arrived..."

"Meet Your Majesty..."

Following the shouts of the chief eunuch, Li Longji was escorted to the dragon couch, and all the civil and military officials bowed to him.

"Everyone is safe!"

Li Longji signaled the ministers to stand up.

The Qianqiu Festival was so enjoyable that Li Longji actually felt like not wanting to attend the morning court.

After ten months, Li Longji thought about going to Huaqing Palace to warm up the soup.

All officials would accompany him to Huaqing Palace and attend court, but that was the most relaxing and comfortable moment for Li Longji.

In the past two years, because of war and trivial matters, and the construction of a new palace in Huaqing Palace, he did not go to Huaqing Palace.

Now that the new building of Huaqing Palace has been completed, he must go there this year.

When the court meeting began, the affairs of the Secretariat had to be dealt with first.

But Xiao Yinzhi stood up and bowed to Li Longji, saying, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to report!"

"Minister Xiao, please speak!"

Li Longji raised his hand and let Xiao Yinzhi speak frankly.

"I report that Yang Shenjin, the Chief Censor and Minister of the Imperial Household, and Shi Jingzhong, a monk who had returned to secular life, observed the celestial phenomena at night and discussed the study of divination. It seems that they were plotting to defy the will of heaven and restore the Sui Dynasty."

Xiao Yinzhi reported this to Li Longji.

He was the first person to expose Shi Jingzhong, so naturally he should be the first to submit the report.

His words were harsh and directly put the accusation of treason on Yang Shenjin's head.

For safety reasons, Li Linfu did not personally impeach Yang Shenjin.

He was worried that this kid Li Xuan might have some weird tricks up his sleeve.

One stone caused a thousand waves!

Because the Jingzhao Yin's pursuit of Shi Jingzhong was quite secretive, the civil and military officials were unaware of such a big event happening in Chang'an.

All the ministers turned their eyes to Yang Shenjin, and some turned to look at Li Xuan.

In the last Censorate case, Yang Shenjin stood with Li Xuan to remove Li Linfu's minions.

All civil and military officials naturally believed that Yang Shenjin was Li Xuan's man.

Xiao Yinzhi impeached Yang Shenjin, but his real intention was not to impeach him.

Now ministers like Xiao Yinzhi are suddenly getting involved with Li Linfu, and there is no trace of Li Linfu in this, so they don't believe it.

Xiao Yinzhi also has his direct superior Pei Kuan. If he did not have Li Linfu's support, Xiao Yinzhi would not dare to cause trouble for Yang Shenjin even if he had the guts to do so.

Everyone knows that under the influence of Li Shizhi, the relationship between Pei Kuan and Li Xuan is extraordinary.

Li Longji, who was sitting on the dragon bed, was in a very bad mood. He frowned and shouted, "Where is Yang Shenjin?"

He was mainly stimulated by the words "Tuchen" and "restoration of Sui Dynasty".

The Sui Dynasty had been destroyed for more than a hundred years, but Yang Shenjin, a descendant of Emperor Yang of Sui, was still thinking about such evil ways.

"Chen is here!"

After Yang Shenjin responded, he immediately stepped out of the class and knelt in the center of the hall.

He was furious. He trusted Xiao Yinzhi so much and treated him as a friend, but now he was betrayed.

Xiao Yinzhi was the only minister in Chang'an who knew about his relationship with Shi Jingzhong.

Because he had previously investigated the Censorate case with Xiao Yinzhi and knew that Xiao Yinzhi was not in league with Li Linfu, Yang Shenjin was not on guard against Xiao Yinzhi.

"Yang Shenjin, hasn't the Tang Dynasty treated your family well? Your brothers are all in high positions, what do you want to do?"

Li Longji questioned Yang Shenjin.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent. I am loyal to the Tang Dynasty and I work day and night to prevent the government from making even the slightest mistake. Although I know Shi Jingzhong, I absolutely dare not speak nonsense about prophecies..."

Yang Shenjin knelt down to Li Longji and said this.

His elder brother Yang Shenyu was the Shaofu Shaojian, and his younger brother Yang Shen was the Luoyang Magistrate.

From his grandfather Yang Zhengdao to his father Yang Chongli, they were all ministers of the Tang Dynasty and worked diligently for the Tang Dynasty. How could they dare to think too much?
Even though he and Shi Jingzhong studied astrology, they were only thinking about avoiding disasters rather than plotting rebellion.

"Your Majesty, this case has been reported to Jingzhao Yin for handling. Shi Jingzhong was arrested yesterday, and Jingzhao Yin has now investigated the matter thoroughly."

Xiao Yinzhi took the opportunity to speak again.

He had just taken a fifteen-year-old concubine when Li Xuan announced such a decree.

Although it won't be pursued now, it's like a thorn in Xiao Yinzhi's heart.

Ministers and officials are brought together by interests rather than by common aspirations.

If interests are damaged, it only takes a moment for one to become an enemy.

"Jingzhao Yin, is what Minister Xiao said true?"

Li Longji looked at where Han Chaozong was sitting and asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, this is Shi Jingzhong's petition, please take a look..."

After Han Chaozong left the class, he took out the petition from his sleeve and presented it respectfully.

Gao Lishi immediately stepped down, took Han Chaozong's petition, and went on stage to present it to Li Longji.

Li Longji frowned and unfolded the petition.

A dozen breaths passed...

Just when Li Linfu thought Li Longji would be furious, Li Longji's expression eased a little.

Because the complaint written in black and white stated that Shi Jingzhong deliberately splashed dog blood on the straw man near Yang Chongli's tomb in order to defraud Yang Shenjin of his money, and then leaked the news to Yang Shenjin.

So Yang Shenjin felt it was an ominous sign and asked Shi Jingzhong to go to Yang Chongli's tomb to pray for blessings.

There was no such thing as prophecy from observing the stars at night, there was only a swindler who returned to secular life to cheat and deceive people.

"Minister Xiao, although Yang Zhongcheng and Shi Jingzhong know each other, how can you make up stories without any investigation? Don't you know the crime of framing a minister?"

Li Longji frowned and questioned Xiao Yinzhi.

He felt that he was being teased by Xiao Yinzhi. Such a matter was made into a big deal and even escalated to a conspiracy of rebellion.

Xiao Yinzhi was dumbfounded. He didn't understand why the saint would say that.

Shouldn't we reprimand Yang Shenjin?
"I am stupid!"

Xiao Yinzhi gritted his teeth and bowed.

"Li Shi, read the evil monk's petition to the ministers..."

Li Longji gave instructions to Gao Lishi.

"According to the decree..."

After Gao Lishi took the petition, he slowly read the contents to the civil and military officials.

A petition means that it has been signed and sealed, and the case can be closed.

As soon as this petition came out, Xiao Yinzhi's face turned pale.

He glared at Han Chaozong.

This is not what I said when I went to court.

Why did it become like this?
Xiao Yinzhi immediately realized that Han Chaozong had betrayed him.

Just like he betrayed Yang Shenjin.

The routine is too deep!
Li Linfu's face also looked ugly.

Han Chaozong, this old bastard, dares to play tricks.

However, Li Linfu believed that Yang Shenjin and Shi Jingzhong were not that simple.

After Gao Lishi finished reading the petition, Li Linfu stepped out and said, "I think this matter is strange and should be investigated in detail. We can have someone arrest the servants and concubines in Yang Zhongcheng's house and conduct a thorough investigation."

As soon as Xiao Yin stepped into the trap, Li Linfu had to speak up.

Otherwise, those ministers who were planning to rely on him to deal with Li Xuan would definitely be shaken.

Moreover, Li Linfu believed that Shi Jingzhong and Yang Shenjin studied astrology and prophecies, and the servants in their family must know about it.

As soon as this statement came out, the officials were in an uproar.

The case should have been closed, but Li Linfu refused to give in and directly demanded a "confiscation of property and thorough investigation." After all, Yang Shenjin was a third-rank minister.

When Li Longji heard Li Linfu's words, and was still bothered by the words "restoring the Sui Dynasty", he was ready to agree to ask the servants in Yang Shenjin's house.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say..."

At this moment, Li Xuan stepped out and bowed to Li Longji.

"You can say whatever you want!"

Seeing Li Xuan come out, Li Longji's expression relaxed a lot.

"I do not agree with the words of the Right Prime Minister. Since ancient times, officials have not been punished. Yang Zhongcheng and his son have managed the Imperial Household for decades, working diligently and conscientiously, which shows their loyalty. Now that the matter has been investigated, we should trust Yang Zhongcheng. This is a respect for a third-rank official. Entering the palace to seize slaves is an insult to an official. How can we gain his loyalty in this way?"

Li Xuan told Li Longji that he thought it was not the right thing for a wise ruler to capture Yang Shenjin's servants.

Of course he knew that Yang Shenjin's servants were unreliable. Historically, it was Yang Shenjin's maid Mingzhu who leaked the news.

Li Linfu's minions even tortured Yang Shenjin's concubine Han Tuanzhu, servants, and subordinates.

Under severe torture, ninety-nine out of a hundred people might be forced to confess.

"May I ask, Right Prime Minister, now that the Censorate has sent soldiers to arrest the servants in your house for interrogation, do you think you are guilty or innocent?"

Li Xuan made a very inappropriate analogy in front of all the civil and military officials.

It is obvious that if troops were sent to capture Li Linfu's servants.

I'm afraid Li Linfu can't escape the blame either!
This also applies to most ministers.

Everyone has his or her own filth in his or her heart, whether it is obvious or hidden.

"Isn't it inappropriate for Tianshui King to say that?"

Li Linfu's facial muscles twitched slightly, and he was very angry at Li Xuan's "personal attack".

He had already believed in the Faith, but the dust in his heart could not sweep away the unrest in his heart. This was a provocation to him, the chief prime minister, in front of the civil and military ministers.

"The Prime Minister is very magnanimous! I am just using this as an analogy. The Right Prime Minister wouldn't even have this much magnanimity, right?"

Li Xuan responded indifferently.

Li Linfu blew his beard and glared, clenching his fists. This little thief was going too far. If it weren't for the court, he would definitely fight with Li Xuan. He was also a guard and knew how to ride and shoot.

"Haha... the prime minister is very tolerant, what a good prime minister! Right Prime Minister, please go back to work, and let's put this matter behind us."

"Exile that evil monk to Lingnan. Minister Xiao impeached the minister without any investigation and fined him one year's salary."

"Central Minister Yang, all third-rank officials should be wise men. This will not happen again!"

When Li Longji heard Li Xuan's explanation and that the prime minister was very tolerant, his anger subsided immediately.

Obviously, this is a phrase describing the prime minister's broad-mindedness.

Li Longji knew that Li Linfu did not have such magnanimity.

But Li Xuan does!

The phrase "good prime minister" refers to Li Xuan.

As Li Xuan said, only by respecting a minister can you gain his unswerving loyalty.

Li Longji also thought about the affairs of Yang Chongli and Yang Shenjin who had been in charge of the Taifu for him for decades.

Taifu was in charge of the national treasury, warehouses, and the municipal offices of the two capitals.

How could one rebel in such a position?
"I thank you, Your Majesty. From now on, I will serve you and the country with all my heart and soul to repay your trust."

Yang Shenjin was excited and bowed again.

Just now, Li Linfu proposed to ask for the servants in his house, and his heart was in his throat.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, Li Xuan came out to speak for him.

At this moment, Yang Shenjin was extremely grateful to Li Xuan and vowed to support Li Xuan's next policy with all his Yang family's efforts.

Yang Shenjin also belonged to the Hongnong Yang clan, the most prominent branch of the Yang clan since ancient times, because his great-great-grandfather was Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian.

Unfortunately, the Yang family also lived their own lives and were almost strangers.

The Five Yangs only cared about themselves and ignored other people with the same surname.

In addition, Yang Yan's branch, Yang Yi's branch, Yang Wan's branch, etc., have no intersection at all.

They are very distantly related, as far as more than ten generations apart.

In contrast, Li Linfu returned to his seat unwillingly.

Li Longji's words not only showed that he trusted Li Xuan more, but also contained important information.

But he could do nothing!

Just like Gao Lishi, as long as the saint favors him, there is no need for party affiliation, one person can be a faction.

Li Xuan has this tendency.

Apart from anger, no words could express Li Linfu's mood at the moment.

He believed that Li Xuan's "a prime minister with a big heart" was a veiled criticism of his narrow-mindedness.

All civil and military officials believed so.

Just like Li Xuan’s “Ode to Willow”, he cursed people without using any dirty words.

"Your Majesty, I have something else to say!"

After Yang Shenjin returned to class, he stepped out again without waiting for the court meeting to continue.

"speak!"

Li Longji was surprised by Yang Shenjin's behavior.

"Yesterday, Yang Duzhi reported that when the Bibu Langzhong Ji Wen was trying Du Youlin's case, he deliberately let Liu Ji frame Du Youlin in order to implicate the crown prince. This caused the Du family to be destroyed."

Yang Shenjin reported to Li Longji: "I have detained Ji Wen in the Imperial Censorate and am currently interrogating him..."

When all the ministers heard Yang Shenjin's remarks, they were all shocked.

This news is even more explosive than the evil monk Shi Jingzhong.

What happened to being able to attend court today?
Just now, Li Linfu was attacking Li Xuan by targeting Yang Shenjin.

Now they are targeting Ji Wen and Li Linfu.

The emperor handed the case of Du Youlin over to Li Linfu for trial, and Li Linfu asked his top henchman Ji Wen to handle it.

Li Linfu knew that he would have to face this matter today.

He thought he was winning a great victory, but Han Chaozong, the old villain, turned against him and his prestige was hit again.

"Right Prime Minister, is Ji Wen your job? He is a bad guy, how dare you use him?"

Li Longji looked angry and said to Li Linfu.

He had long disliked Ji Wen. This fellow had a sly look and shifty brows, and it was obvious at first glance that he was not an official appointed by the imperial court.

"Your Majesty, Ji Wen has some talent. He has done nothing wrong in his position as an official in the Ministry of Justice. I think Yang Duzhi's statement is one-sided. The case of Du Youlin has been closed for more than half a year. Yang Duzhi chose to talk about such a serious matter at this time. What does he want to do?"

Li Linfu stepped out and said half of his words before turning to Yang Zhao at the back.

Finally, Li Linfu bowed to Li Longji again and said: "I think Yang Duzhi just got the news from hearsay and complained to the Censorate."

Li Linfu always looked down on Yang Zhao.

Sure enough, this guy threw himself into Li Xuan's arms.

He turned the tables.

If Yang Zhao had received this information several months ago, he must have concealed it for ulterior motives.

If this news was received recently and there is no other witnesses or evidence, it is just rumors.

"Yang Duzhi, how did you get this news?"

Li Longji called Yang Zhao out from the back row.

Since it concerns the crown prince, if one knows about it early and does not report it, it would be a crime of deceiving the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I heard about it recently in the market."

Yang Zhao feels so miserable!

He never thought that Li Linfu had this ability.

In fact, he learned the news from the drunk Ji Wen when he was drinking with him before the Chinese New Year.

Although it was said after drinking, it was definitely enough to make Ji Wen drink a pot of wine.

But the crime of deceiving the emperor was confirmed.

In order to shirk such a crime, he could only say that he had only recently learned about it.

No matter what time it was, Yang Zhao's first thought was to protect himself.

I'll explain it to Li Xuan when the time comes.

"Central Minister Yang, did Ji Wen say anything?"

Li Longji's face turned unhappy again and he asked Yang Shenjin.

"Your Majesty, Ji Wen refuses to acknowledge it."

Yang Shenjin replied.

He cursed Yang Zhao in his heart, because that was not what Yang Zhao said yesterday.

Who can blame Yang Zhao for having such a powerful background? He relied on his relationship with Lady Guoguo to jump back and forth.

Yang Shenjin could not confront Yang Zhao at this time.

"Yang Duzhi, how can you be like Minister Xiao and jump to conclusions based on hearsay?"

Li Longji looked at Yang Zhao.

He liked Yang Zhao's shrewdness and cleverness. If it were anyone else, he would definitely scold him.

"I heard that someone was deceiving the emperor. I was furious and reported it to the Censorate without thinking about the consequences. I deserve to die. Your Majesty, please punish me!"

Yang Zhao sincerely admitted his mistake.

"Get back!"

Unlike Xiao Yinzhi, Li Longji did not punish Yang Zhao.

"Central Minister Yang, if Ji Wen is not guilty, release him!"

Li Longji decided to give Li Linfu some face and did not want to investigate the Du Youlin case further.

It was he who ordered the execution of Du Youlin. If something really went wrong, it would have had a bad impact on him.

"According to the order!"

Yang Shenjin bowed and left.

"My Lords, if something similar happens in the future, please bring solid evidence and report to me. I don't want to hear such groundless rumors again!"

"The court wants to implement new laws to make Tianbao even better than Kaiyuan. All the ministers are role models for the world. We should unite sincerely and work together to promote the new laws to all counties, so that the people can get rid of poverty and make the country richer."

"This is what I want to see..."

Li Longji was very annoyed by such fighting. Although he wanted to enjoy himself in peace, he also hoped that the country under his control would become more prosperous.

It’s like entering a dream and seeing the beautiful city and picturesque mountains and rivers.

"Your Majesty is wise! The country has surpassed the era of Yao and Shun, which is also the wish of us ministers! Once the new law is completed, Your Majesty will be the only emperor in the history. The Qin Emperor, Han Wudi, Emperor Wen, and Emperor Taizong cannot compare to you!"

Seeing that the civil and military officials in the court were stunned for a moment, Li Xuan immediately stood up and bowed to Li Longji.

The speculations of the court and the public were confirmed, and Li Xuan was indeed going to carry out reforms.

Since ancient times, every time there was a change, the interests of the nobles and ministers were first impacted.

And what is the content of the reform?
Now it is certain that only Li Xuan and Li Longji know about it, even the chief prime minister Li Linfu is not clear.

All the civil and military officials, even those who were close to Li Xuan, found it difficult to calm down for a while.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

The civil and military officials could not object because they did not even know what was changing.

We can only wait for the day when Li Longji promulgates the new law before making a decision.

The person who felt the most uncomfortable was Li Linfu.

Li Longji didn't even tell him about such an important event. Is he still the chief prime minister?

Did it mean that the moment he lost Zhuge Liang's sword, his majesty was no longer with him?
(End of this chapter)