Chapter 275: Pear Blossoms in March, My Young Husband
Late December.

Li Xuan learned some news that the six counties of Chenliu, Lingchang, Puyang, Dongping and Jibei suffered severe snow disasters.

Lu Sigong had already arrived in Chang'an. He recommended Lu Sigong as the ambassador of Henan Province and disaster relief envoy, and he led two thousand imperial cavalry to Luoyang first to urge Luoyang to deliver disaster relief tents, food and other supplies to the disaster area as soon as possible.

He instructed Lu Sigong to clear the official roads if there was still snow.

In whichever area, hold the county magistrate accountable.

Open up the roads as quickly as possible to transport food and winter supplies to the six counties.

He also used cavalry to deliver some supplies to the six counties to relieve the urgent needs.

At the same time, Li Xuan ordered his brother Li Qian to transport grain and relief supplies from the Chang'an treasury to the disaster area as an envoy.

It also required that all county post stations must convey news from the disaster areas every day to ensure rapid dispatch.

When officials from all over the country learned that Li Xuan was personally in charge of disaster relief and had sent his confidants as ambassadors of demotion with the power to directly hold people accountable, they did not dare to neglect their duties and dealt with the snow disaster seriously.

The year is over with the sound of firecrackers, and the spring breeze brings warmth to Tusu...

Another year has passed and a new year has arrived.

In the seventh year of Tianbao, the year of Wu Zi arrived.

However, Li Xuan did not take a vacation, but stayed in the Zhongshu Menxia Hall to handle government affairs with all his heart and soul.

In addition to the dispatch of snow disasters, there are also new laws and other implementation procedures being prepared.

With Li Longji's tacit approval, Li Xuan deprived Li Linfu of more power.

Although the executive branch was still in Li Linfu's hands, it needed to be signed according to Li Xuan's instructions.

Li Linfu could only endure Li Xuan and wait for an opportunity to turn things around.

At the same time, Li Linfu was very annoyed that Li Xuan wanted to take his beautiful niece Jiang Yueyao as a concubine.

They are not ordinary noble women!

After weighing the pros and cons, Li Linfu agreed.

In fact, Li Linfu had long believed that it would be very difficult for Jiang Yueyao to marry Li Xuan.

With Li Xuan's current status, he can refuse and choose another noble lady as his wife.

That day, Li Linfu told the news to Jiang Yueyao in Chang'an.

He didn't consider Jiang Yueyao's thoughts.

Jiang Yueyao had no right to refuse what her cousin decided.

After the banquet on the fourth day of the first lunar month ended, Li Xuan returned to the lower hall of the Zhongshu Menxia Hall, while Li Linfu left Huaqing Palace and returned to Jiayou Temple in his home in Chang'an City.

"The Saint has shown signs of entrusting government affairs to Li Qilang."

Li Linfu sat at the table and spoke to his beloved daughter Li Tengkong.

Li Tengkong is already in his prime, and he is still as aloof and otherworldly as ever.

Different from other nuns, she truly practiced Taoism, similar to Li Mi, pursuing immortality, abstaining from sex and eating a vegetarian diet.

So she and Li Mi have the same temperament.

At this time, Li Tengkong was reading a medical book.

In recent years, she has been passionate about medicine.

After Li Mi realized that he could not achieve immortality, he chose to serve his country as an official.

Li Tengkong saw through the situation earlier than Li Mi, and she even felt that her request for blessings was not worthy of being answered.

She was unable to change Li Linfu's decision, so she wanted to make up for the mistakes her father made by studying medicine and practicing medicine to help people.

"That's great. Grandpa can take a break."

Li Tengkong spoke frankly and made it clear that Li Linfu should withdraw from the position of prime minister and not compete with Li Xuan.

"I can't rest. The prince will not let me go. Only when I have power can I find an opportunity."

Li Linfu knew his daughter's temper and did not blame her.

“There was hope, but my father left no room for it, leading to the situation today.”

Li Linfu caused Li Heng to divorce his wife and concubine one after another. Everyone knew that after Li Heng ascended the throne, he would target Li Linfu.

It is certain that family members will be implicated.

"It's a pity that there is no elixir of regret in the world."

After going through all these things, Li Linfu finally regretted his decision.

In the past, he believed that he could kill Li Heng and Li Xuan, so he would not admit his mistakes.

When you realize how difficult it is to reverse the situation, you feel regretful.

"How is Yueyao?"

Li Linfu sighed and asked Li Tengkong again.

In the past, his uncle Jiang Jiao treated him as his own son, but now he wants to push his uncle's descendants into the clutches of the devil for his own sake.

"All the men and women in Chang'an admire Mr. Li, and so does Yueyao. But Grandpa is using Yueyao."

Li Tengkong knew that Jiang Yueyao only admired him in her heart, but she strongly disagreed with Li Linfu's behavior.

"If Li Qilang succeeds, I hope that because of Yueyao, my children will not be slaughtered by Li Xuan."

"If Li Qilang fails, Yueyao can leave Li Xuan. Everyone has their own husband. I will find a suitable husband for her."

Li Linfu was also preparing for a rainy day.

Because Li Xuan is too weird.

In fact, it is not that complicated to let Jiang Yueyao marry Li Xuan.

A woman cannot influence the game of interests.

That's all.

"I don't know if Li Xiang will fail, but Yue Yao will not leave."

Li Tengkong said affirmatively.

Li Linfu remained silent.

"Can't Master and Mr. Li work together to implement the new law? This is Master's chance!"

Li Tengkong asked Li Linfu again.

"Li Linfu! He is not the Li Linfu of the first year of Tianbao. The general trend has come, and this is not something that a father can decide."

"Li Qilang chose to stand on the opposite side of history. He wanted to be remembered in history like Shang Yang and Li Kui. Didn't he know the endings of Shang Yang and Li Kui? I just stood on the side that was more likely to win."

"Father wants to defeat Li Qilang once!"

Li Linfu's eyes were full of wrinkles as he recalled the moment a few years ago when he could turn his hand to make clouds and turn his hand to make rain.

At that time, his minions were all over the court.

He beat the minister to death because of a disagreement.

All the civil and military officials became guards on both sides of the palace road. Even people like He Zhizhang and Wang Wei had to shut up.

Anyone who dared to speak out would either be banished from Chang'an or have his blood splattered on the steps.

"If that's the case, why did Grandpa send Yueyao away? Grandpa has already lost."

Li Tengkong hoped that Li Linfu would not be so persistent.

"Father will not lose. Father has a hunch that Li Qilang's new method will not last. His only shortcoming is that he is young and cannot see through people's hearts. Even when father is at the peak of his power, he will not offend the world's powerful people."

Li Linfu said firmly that sending Jiang Yueyao away was just to be on the safe side.

"The pear blossoms are about to bloom again..."

Li Tengkong suddenly said this.

Li Linfu didn't understand at first, but when he saw snow falling from the sky again, he thought it was just snow hanging on the pear tree in the courtyard.

This is the first snow in the year of Wu Zi.

After a few hours of snow, the pear trees were covered with pear blossoms.

Li Tengkong watched the "pear blossoms" bloom, and then watched the "pear blossoms" melt after the snow stopped and the sky cleared.

It no longer exists. Perhaps Li Xuan would fail with such a "Pear Blossom" reform.

Li Tengkong was reading a medical book under the pear tree again. Time passed quickly...

Until late March, the pear trees in the Taoist temple are covered with white pear blossoms.

For a moment, Jiayou Temple was filled with fragrance.

……

During these three months, Li Linfu continued to live under the pressure of Li Xuan.

He certainly didn't know what kind of flowers the right prime minister had blossomed in Chang'an City.

Thanks to Li Xuan's dispatch, although there were losses in this snow disaster and hundreds of people froze to death, the soldiers' food and relief supplies reached the six disaster-stricken counties as quickly as possible with the assistance of local governments, bringing some comfort to the people.

The large amount of food, silk and money aid warmed the hearts of the people.

Normally it would be impossible to mobilize so many resources for rescue, but Li Xuan went against the majority's opinion.

The people all knew that the officers and soldiers could arrive in the first place because of Prime Minister Li's good dispatch and because Prime Minister Li was thinking about the people.

In the battle between ice and fire, the scorching sun wins!
And Jiaoyang is Li Xuan!
People have only heard of Li Xuan's legend, and learned that Li Xuan was crowned king and appointed prime minister when he came of age, a unique person in ancient and modern times.

Prime Minister Li was carrying out reforms to seek benefits for the people.

Although they had never met, the people privately called Li Xuan "little husband".

"Xianggong" is a respectful title for the prime minister. "Xiao" not only means young, but also has a friendly meaning.

Because people felt that Li Linfu was also "Li Xiang", and they felt uncomfortable calling him Li Xiang.

The title of "Little Xianggong" spread from Chenliu, Jibei and other six counties, and soon spread to Luoyang and even to all parts of the country.

Such prestige, such popularity. From the people to the government, all of them covered the chief prime minister Li Linfu.

Based on Lu Sigong's report, Li Xuan promoted Chenliu Magistrate Zheng Yan and Weicheng Magistrate Song Cang three levels higher and sent them to Chang'an for their excellent performance in disaster relief and minimal losses.

Local officials also knew that Li Xuan was indeed a promising prime minister, but his demands on officials were too high.

There are so many officials in the world, and there are many supporters of Li Xuan among them. They do their best to help Li Xuan implement the new law, waiting for Li Xuan's appreciation.

At this time, Li Longji awarded Li Xuan ten envoys for his meritorious service in disaster relief, including the ambassador of Gyeonggi-do, the envoy of Xianshuang, the envoy of Changchun Palace, the envoy of Minting Money, the envoy of Guangyuntan Transportation, the envoy of Hanjia Cang Cashier, the envoy of Qujiang Palace Garden, the envoy of Chang'an Liangshi, the envoy of Heshi Hehuan, and the envoy of Guannei Salt Pond.

His power was at its peak and unrivaled.

Zhao Fengzhang, Zhang Hao, Wang Changling, Yan Zhenqing, Cen Shen, Du Jing and others promoted by Li Xuan have arrived in Chang'an and all have taken up their posts. Since many of those promoted by Li Xuan were of the fourth and fifth ranks, Li Xuan's voice in the court was even louder.

It seemed that everything was moving in Li Xuan's favor, and those conservatives who opposed Li Xuan were suppressed and could not raise their heads.

Due to Li Linfu's political loss of power, many decisions had to go through Li Xuan's hands, but Pei Kuan was not a combative person.

After Li Longji appointed Li Xuan to take charge of the ten envoys, he finally decided to leave the Huaqing Palace, where he had been reluctant to leave, at Li Xuan's suggestion.

The reason why Li Longji felt as happy as a god in Huaqing Palace was because he was convinced that the warm water in Huaqing Palace could eliminate disasters and diseases and prolong life.

Li Xuan knew about the Lishan Hot Springs. Due to geological reasons, the water quality is low-mineralized, weakly alkaline, and moderately radioactive spring water, also known as "silicon water", "fluoride water" or "radioactive radon water", which meets the standards for medical water.

It is certainly an exaggeration to say that it can prolong life, but it is true that it can eliminate fatigue.

Li Xuan warmed the soup several times and came out of the lower hall of Zhongshumen. After warming the soup, he did feel a little relieved from his fatigue.

The best summary of Lishan Hot Spring is "the classic prescription of nature, the original medicine of heaven and earth".

In Huaqing Palace, Li Xuan's position as prime minister was established.

Not like the chief, but better than the chief.

Civil and military officials should not compete for victory.

Li Linfu, who was unable to be appointed to an official position, relied entirely on his status as the right prime minister for support.

When local officials learned that the power to appoint officials was in Li Xuan's hands, they would move closer to Li Xuan for whatever reason.

Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for Li Linfu to turn the tables.

"Prime Minister Li, when will you marry my cousin's daughter into your family..."

On the way back to Chang'an City, Li Linfu invited Li Xuan to get on his carriage.

Li Xuan didn’t go in before, but now he enters generously.

"Why is the Right Prime Minister so anxious? I don't have a wife yet."

Li Xuan replied indifferently.

He knew that Li Linfu would return to Chang'an during the New Year.

Li Xuan had to return to Chang'an City and propose marriage to Pei at the Tianshui Palace.

Later, he would live separately from Li Shizhi.

The Mansion of Duke Song in Chang'an seemed crowded.

Moreover, given Li Xuan's status, he must have his own residence. As the prime minister of a country, it is not appropriate for him to live in the Duke of Song's Mansion after he has established a family and a career.

"We will be a family from now on."

Li Linfu held Li Xuan's hand and spoke in a very intimate manner.

"We have been a family for a long time."

As Li Xuan spoke, he placed his other hand on Li Linfu's hand.

It means that they all have the surname Li, are members of the royal family, and should stick together.

"The new Changping Law is about to be implemented. Will the Right Prime Minister not support me? Those stubborn, stubborn, and pedantic people who are inflexible and can't adapt will definitely be vulnerable to our joint efforts."

Seeing that Li Linfu was stunned, Li Xuan spoke to Li Linfu with a hint of meaning.

But Li Linfu pulled his hand out of Li Xuan's.

"Li Xiang has gained so much, why is he asking for trouble? Isn't it good to be second to none and above ten thousand people?"

Li Linfu asked Li Xuan in return.

"I am definitely below the right prime minister." Li Xuan laughed.

He still couldn't understand Li Linfu's purpose of using Li Longji to send Jiang Yueyao to him.

Because this was too simple, Li Xuan thought too much.

He even felt that Jiang Yueyao was by his side acting as Li Linfu's eyes and ears.

But Li Linfu must have known that he could guess this, so all his precautions would be doomed to be ineffective.

"Qi Lang, I think the crown prince is unfilial, disloyal and immoral. If Qi Lang can persuade the saint to depose the crown prince, I will fully support Qi Lang in implementing the new law."

Li Linfu suddenly held Li Xuan's hand again.

This time, he was not being hypocritical, he was sincere.

He lost power. If the crown prince was deposed and any other prince took the throne, he could save his family.

In this way, he was willing to give up his position and let others take over.

"I am a filial son, I know best whether the prince is filial or not; I am a loyal minister, I know best whether the prince is loyal or not. Virtue! What is virtue? Besides, it is disloyal for ministers to talk about the prince in private. But we are relatives, so I will pretend I didn't hear this."

Li Xuan spoke to Li Linfu in a serious tone.

When you tell a lie ten times, no one will believe you will tell the truth anymore.

What's more, abolishing Li Heng was never Li Xuan's goal.

The oppressive feeling of Li Heng's "return of the king" never reached Li Xuan.

"Prime Minister Li, do you think you can become a veteran of three dynasties like Huo Guang and Li Ji?"

Li Linfu couldn't see through Li Xuan for a moment. Was he stupid or smart?

Li Xuan simply changed the subject: "The Saint wants the Right Prime Minister to assist me in completing the Changping New Law. You proposed to let Jiang's daughter marry me, which made the Saint think that you wanted to make peace with me. If you don't help me at the critical moment, you will also be to blame for the failure of the Changping New Law. We are the ones who prosper together and suffer together."

"No...you are wrong..."

Li Linfu smiled strangely.

He waited for Li Xuan to fail and be dismissed from his position as prime minister. Even if Li Longji blamed him, it was impossible for him to be dismissed, because Pei Kuan was also dismissed.

Because in the entire Tang Dynasty, only he could clean up the mess and control certain people.

He would let Li Longji know that the reform failed not because of his obstruction.

Because from the beginning, Li Xuan was wrong.

So failure is inevitable.

"Then let's wait and see!"

Li Xuan originally wanted to provoke Li Linfu to cancel the marriage of Jiang Yueyao to him.

Not necessary now!
Li Xuan will definitely kill this old thief.

After saying that, Li Xuan stopped the carriage and got off to his own carriage.

"You stupid fool, I really want to see your ending!"

Li Linfu said bitterly in the carriage.

When saying this, Li Linfu thought of Li Xuan's handsome face and his eyes changed.

He took off his hat and stroked his white hair.

"It's already come to this, what am I still fighting for?"

Li Linfu exerted a little force and a strand of his white hair was pulled out.

He held onto the car window and cried bitterly.

He just shed tears but said nothing.

In one day, the team stretching for more than ten miles returned to Chang'an City.

And in the city of Chang'an, there were bursts of cheers.

Only when the emperor is in Chang'an does there feel an air of majesty.

Otherwise, no matter how prosperous it is, people in Chang'an, from the king to the common people, will always feel that something is not right.

After returning to Chang'an, he rested for three days as per the usual practice before holding a court meeting.

"Father, I am planning to move to the Tianshui Palace in Daozhengfang."

Li Xuan told Li Shizhi about this matter.

"This is what I, your father, am going to tell Qilang. Qilang's title is the Prince of Tianshui, and his position is that of a prime minister. It is not appropriate for him to live in the Duke of Song's mansion. It's ok to live in Huaqing Palace, but when he returns to Chang'an City, he must go to the Prince of Tianshui's mansion, so that he appears dignified."

Li Shizhi replied to Li Xuan.

"Why don't father and brother live with me in the Tianshui Palace?" Li Xuan suggested to Li Shizhi.

"How can an elder brother live in his younger brother's house? Your elder brothers have already received your favor and have been promoted to high positions. They would not go even if you asked them to. I am used to living in the Duke of Song's Mansion. It is only a few steps away, so it is very convenient for me to go to the Tianshui Palace."

Li Shizhi waved his hand.

It's not proper for a brother to live in his younger brother's house.

Unless Li Xuan and Li Qian are of the same level.

In fact, the status is very different.

"The child will come back to visit his father often."

Li Xuan nodded and stopped forcing himself. For him, this was not a problem.

"As we all know, Shichiro is preparing to activate the new law. How about this lifelong event?"

Li Shizhi was very worried about this.

He asked his wife to hint to Shuang'er to sleep with Li Xuan. After all, Shuang'er was Li Xuan's maid and would not be able to marry in the future.

It's nice to have a baby.

In the Tang Dynasty, even children born to concubines were treated equally.

It will not affect your career.

But Li Xuan did not want Shuang'er, which made Li Shizhi feel that Li Xuan had something to hide, after all, Shuang'er was also as beautiful as a flower.

He heard from Luo Xing that when Li Xuan was in Huangshui, the sage rewarded Li Xuan with a peerless beauty who was more beautiful than Pei Lingxi, but Li Xuan did not let her sleep with him.

Li Shizhi was very anxious.

"I have decided to fall in love with Pei Lingxi, the granddaughter of Pei Pushe. Father, please prepare a generous gift and go to Yishou to propose marriage! If you agree, please set an auspicious date as soon as possible."

Li Xuan thought about it and said to Li Shizhi.

Although handling state affairs is tiring, things will get even busier in the future.

He must marry Pei Lingxi now.

"That's what I've been waiting for!"

Li Shizhi smiled instantly. Qilang finally made up his mind to get married, which meant that there was nothing wrong with Qilang.

(End of this chapter)