Chapter 277 The Saint and the Concubine Attend the Wedding

"I know I was wrong..."

Li Xian pulled Zhao Fengzhang's collar and told him not to say anything more.

A strong character is admirable, but one must see the current situation clearly.

Li Xuan has already hinted very directly at something that is so secretive.

Instead of thinking about advising the saint, it is better to do your own job well and assist Li Xiang in completing the new law.

After being stopped by Li Xian, Zhao Fengzhang also realized that he should do a good job in the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel.

He was promoted by Li Xuan and rose to his current high position.

In Zhao Fengzhang's heart, Li Xuan was as beautiful as Yuanzhi and Li Lan, and the only flaw was that she could not be like Wei Zheng.

Li Xuan, who was respected as "Little Husband", was able to suppress Li Linfu to the point where he could hardly raise his head. He must have his own strategies in mind.

"What's wrong with Minister Zhao? You are in my residence today to discuss new laws and help the Saint. There's no need to be so formal."

Li Xuan said to Zhao Fengzhang and the ministers.

Many things cannot be rushed, you have to take them one step at a time.

Li Xuan promoted Zhao Fengzhang to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, not to disgust Li Linfu, but because he valued Zhao Fengzhang's strong character. Such a person would not bend the law for personal gain when evaluating performance and governing officials.

"Everyone, we are implementing the new law for the prosperity of the country and the people. Today, we have so many wise and capable officials to help us. Are we still afraid that we will not succeed? Those evil spirits hiding in the dark, those wolves and tigers that block our way, will eventually be wiped out by us one by one."

"I heard that this pear tree has been growing for a hundred years and is considered a good omen. The place where the Tianshui Palace was located has been torn down and rebuilt several times, but the pear tree has remained unchanged. Look, it is still blooming and the fragrance is still there."

"It can be said that the palace was built because of a pear tree, and we, the like-minded people, are the pear tree. We remain unchanged, but we change the country's accumulated problems."

"Without a few flowers blooming and falling, the country will become stronger because of us. This is my oath!"

After Zhao Fengzhang finished speaking, Li Xuan pointed to the pear tree beside the pond and swore an oath, expressing his unwavering ambition to all the ministers.

The exquisite and magnificent Tianshui Palace was not built because of the ancient and weathered pear tree. It was just that the people who built and expanded the palace did not cut down the pear tree because it was old and did not pose a hindrance.

Li Xuan used this analogy to let the ministers know that their combined efforts were the key and that they could change everything.

The ministers all looked at the pear tree and saw the old tree full of pear blossoms, and their expressions were moved.

From now on, they will often visit Li Xiang's residence.

When you arrive at the back garden, the first thing you notice is this pear tree.

Of course, Yang Zhao didn’t think much of the pear tree. He just thought that the Tianshui Palace was so magnificent. When would he be able to live in such a mansion?

Next, Li Xuan told the ministers about some other state affairs.

After this gathering, the relocation of people began.

Yan Zhenqing recruited the last 5,000 new soldiers from the Changping Army, and then, together with the elite soldiers from Helong, he went to various counties with documents in hand.

Li Xuanhui and all the officials worked hard to sort out the amounts of grain and money in the counties.

It is expected that before June, people in need in the Jingzhao area will be able to borrow money from the Changping granaries in various counties.

Henan Prefecture can also be completed before August.

Before December, the new Changping system can be implemented in Longyou, Hexi, Hedong, Hebei, Jiannan, Shannan and other provinces.

By March of next year, it will be extended to more distant counties such as Jiangnan and Lingnan.

Reform does not happen overnight; it requires a long period of time and planning step by step, which is probably not what Li Longji wants.

……

Yishou City, Yishou County Government Office.

Chen Jiuniang drove to Yishou City quickly, carrying Li Shizhi's proposal.

Pei Fan, the magistrate of Yishou, was busy dealing with official documents in the county government office.

During these months, every county magistrate in Jingzhao was extremely busy.

Li Xuan sent the Sanyuan magistrate back to farm, which made the Jingzhao county magistrate feel terrified.

They had to resort to various means to intimidate the powerful and prevent them from acting recklessly.

Pei Fan did not feel any less afraid because of Li Xuan's relationship with Pei Lingxi and Pei Ying.

He was also very afraid of Li Xuan because judging from Li Xuan's style of doing things, he was likely to be fair and selfless.

After finally suppressing the tyrants, Li Xuan ordered the local authorities to report the grain in the granaries.

Although Yishou County is close to Chang'an, the grain storage in its granaries is actually very average, even among the lowest in the country.

Because the Jingzhao area had to support Chang'an and feed hundreds of thousands of princes and nobles, officials of all ranks, palace maids, eunuchs, and imperial guards who did not engage in farming.

Fortunately, Guangyuntan was dug through by Wei Jian, so that Chang'an could suck less blood from the surrounding areas, otherwise the counties would have to send more grain to Chang'an.

Pei Fan could only report the truth, but he believed that Yishou County would not affect the implementation of the new Changping law.

As a large county at the foot of Mount Zhongnan, the people there are much wealthier than those in other places.

As long as the government does not force them, not many people will borrow food.

In the documents issued by Li Xuan as prime minister, he listed the pursuit of political achievements by local officials and forcing the people to borrow money as serious crimes.

If the captains or lieutenants of the Changping New Army find out, they will be dismissed after reporting and verification.

Li Xuan and his trusted officials had already filled in all the loopholes they could think of when issuing the decree.

To prevent officials from neglecting their duties and being blinded by greed.

The most serious problem was that local officials were deducted money at every level during the implementation process, and officials at all levels enriched themselves, turning the new Changping Law into "official usury."

If such a situation is discovered, the person will be executed immediately.

In addition, matters such as adjusting marriages and training midwives are also difficult to handle.

Li Xuan ordered that a complete Salesian Church be built within five years, and he would definitely not be in Yishou by then.

However, any abandoned babies found must be adopted by the government and sent to the Salesian Church in the county first.

"Your Excellency, there is a matchmaker outside the government office asking to see you. He said he is here to be a matchmaker."

The chief clerk of the county came to the main hall to report to Pei Fan.

"not see!"

Pei Fan refused without even thinking about it.

This kind of scene has appeared more than a hundred times in the past two years.

Pei Fan has always refused.

He has only one daughter, Pei Lingxi.

Compared to his troublesome son, Pei Lingxi is the apple of his eye.

Pei Lingxi was now eighteen years old, which was the marriageable age stipulated by Li Xuan. She was a famous beauty in Yishou County and the granddaughter of the prime minister, so there was no end of matchmakers for her.

Even in Chang'an, matchmakers came from time to time because Pei Yaoqing's name was big enough.

However, Pei Fan could see that Pei Lingxi had someone in his heart, and that person was none other than the Prime Minister Li Xuan who kept him very busy.

It is a well-known fact that Li Xuan is still unmarried, and Li Xuan and Pei Lingxi have met many times, so it might be something interesting.

Pei Fan was not stupid. Even if Li Linfu came to propose marriage, he would not agree.

As the county magistrate of Chang'an, he knew that Li Linfu's documents had not been delivered to the counties for several months and that all they were were Li Xuan's documents.

This represents Li Xuan's influence.

"Your Excellency, the matchmaker said he came from Chang'an and was entrusted by the Duke of Song."

After a while, the chief clerk entered the main hall again and reported to Pei Fan.

"What? Duke Song!"

Pei Fan put down his pen and exclaimed, "Please invite the matchmaker in."

Isn’t Duke of Song Li Shizhi the father of Li Xiang?

Parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words. Matchmakers are asked by their parents. Even if a son is powerful, he cannot match himself when his parents are still alive.

Pei Fan was very excited because among Li Shizhi's sons, only Li Xuan had not married.

Now that Li Shizhi has asked for a matchmaker, Pei Fan thinks this is almost certain.

Don’t underestimate the huge difference in status between the two families.

But in this era, Pei Yaoqing's lineage and Li Shi's lineage are considered a perfect match.

The Pei family of Wenxi and the Li family of Longxi.

What's more, if we only consider Li Xuan's status, apart from his fellow Li clan members, no family can match him.

It was Pei's luck that Li Xuan married Pei Lingxi. It was also natural.

Pei Fan went to the backyard again and called Pei Lingxi out.

According to etiquette, the matchmaker also had to take a look at Pei Lingxi's appearance and then go back to tell the host family.

Although Li Xuan and Pei Lingxi had met several times, etiquette should not be abandoned.

Chen Jiuniang brought her servants in. Now she only had the proposal letter. If Pei Fan agreed, Li Shizhi could pay the betrothal gift according to the subsequent etiquette.

"It is indescribably precious! It is indescribably precious! It must be because of Prime Minister Pei's good deeds that his descendants have this blessing..."

As soon as Chen Jiuniang entered the hall, she clapped her hands and said this, expressing the suitor's nobleness while complimenting the long-deceased Pei Yaoqing for his integrity and his benevolence to future generations.

She had already mentioned that she was coming on behalf of Li Shi, Duke of Song, and she also believed that Pei Fan had guessed who was going to marry his daughter.

"Please take a seat and serve some good tea!"

Pei Fan waved his hand and asked Chen Jiuniang knowingly, "I wonder why you are here?"

"Of course it's the minister favored by the saint, the current Tianshui Prince Li Xianggong."

Chen Jiuniang did not beat around the bush. Everyone knew that if Pei Fan became Li Xiang's father-in-law, she could not offend him.

"What virtue and ability do I have?"

Even though he already knew the answer, Pei Fan couldn't help but feel his heart beating wildly.

It was not just because his beloved daughter married a handsome man, but also because the Pei family finally had a chance to rise up. Just like Li Xuan's brothers, they were ranked fourth and fifth ranks because of the glory of their younger brother.

"It was destined that your daughter would become the Princess of Tianshui. She must be a graceful lady with both talent and virtue!"

When Chen Jiuniang arrived, she knew that Li Xiang had met Pei's daughter.

At this time, Pei Lingxi, wearing a green skirt, came into the hall.

She had her hair combed into a bun and wore a small dragonfly hairpin on her head. Her pretty face was full of confusion.

His father never asked him to go to the county government office.

"Lingxi, come and meet the lady who introduced you to me. Let her take a good look at you."

Pei Fan waved and called out to Pei Lingxi.

Pei Lingxi, not knowing the reason, suddenly turned pale. She thought she was old enough to get married and her father had no choice but to marry her off to someone else.

In this era, men could marry late, but almost no women from the gentry class were unmarried before the age of twenty.

"Your daughter is really graceful and beautiful. No wonder your husband fell in love with her."

Chen Jiuniang was not suffering from an occupational disease, but she really felt that Pei Lingxi was different from others. Not only was her appearance one in a million, but her elegant and graceful temperament was something she rarely saw.

This was the first time she had seen these two combined into one.

Pei Lingxi was frozen in place, but when she heard Chen Jiuniang call her "little husband", her heart trembled.

Because her sweetheart had only recently been given this honorific title.

Could it be that Li Xuan asked the matchmaker to come?
Pei Lingxi relaxed his mind and came before Chen Jiuniang and bowed.

"Lingxi, Duke Song asked a matchmaker to propose marriage to my father. The matchmaker is Duke Song's seventh son, the current Prime Minister Li Xianggong. What do you think?"

Pei Fan asked Pei Lingxi with a smile.

Throughout history, has there ever been a son-in-law like Li Xuan?

My daughter met Li Xuan again and again, as if it was destined.

"Lingxi is completely dependent on father!"

Pei Lingxi blushed slightly and spoke softly to Pei Fan.

"In this case, I will sign the proposal."

Pei Fan unfolded the proposal on the table, took a look at what Li Shizhi had written, and signed his name.

"Great joy! Your daughter will be the princess of a county in the future, and will enjoy endless wealth and splendor."

Chen Jiuniang clapped her hands.

Her mission is basically half completed. If she can make this marriage happen, she will also be glorious.

Pei Lingxi thought that being able to stay with the person of her dreams forever was the happiest thing in her life.

She could not forget the scene of meeting Li Xuan beside the Lingxi River in Zongsheng Temple.

She wanted to speak up for Li Xuan.

Unexpectedly, it was Li Xuan who helped her out.

Maybe this is fate!
"Duke Song means that everything needs to be done quickly. County Magistrate Pei also knows that the young master cares about the people and is busy with many things every day, so he doesn't have much free time. When I return to Chang'an, I will come to ask for your name within three days, okay?"

Chen Jiuniang said to Pei Fan.

After the man has offered his betrothal gift, he will send a matchmaker to ask the woman's name and date of birth in order to perform divination and ensure the suitability of the marriage.

According to etiquette, I can't ask now. I have to go back to Chang'an and see Li Shizhi.

Then go to Yishou County.

"That's how it should be!"

Pei Fan nodded. Li Xuan had been putting pressure on him as his future father-in-law. He knew very well that Li Xuan's new law was about to be implemented and he would be very busy.

He also hoped that his daughter could enter the Tianshui Palace as soon as possible and confirm her identity as the Princess of Tianshui.

"It is settled!"

After Chen Jiuniang finished speaking, she prepared to leave.

She declined Pei Fan's invitation to a banquet and returned to Chang'an as soon as possible to get the matter settled.

Not a few days passed.

Chen Jiuniang came to Yishou County Government Office again, asking for the name on behalf of the Li family and taking away Pei Lingxi's birth date and horoscope.

The result of divination was naturally that Tan Lang and Xie Nu were a match made in heaven.

Next up is Najib.

The divination result was a good sign, so Li Shizhi prepared gifts and sent them to Yishou, indicating that the marriage was confirmed.

In mid-April, Li Shizhi submitted his proposal and formally sent a generous betrothal gift.

These gifts are of formal significance and are generous gifts for a wedding.

After receiving the gift, Pei Fan went to the Duke of Song's Mansion in Chang'an City in person to discuss an auspicious day with Li Shizhi.

I was quite emotional after meeting him.

Because Li Shizhi and Pei Yaoqing are of the same generation, but unfortunately Pei Yaoqing passed away just after he turned 60, and now he has to become a relative of Pei Yaoqing's son.

Pei Fan was even more impressed because he was sitting with Li Shizhi.

When it was time to ask for a date, Li Shizhi was supposed to choose a few auspicious days and discuss it with Pei Fan.

Unexpectedly, when Li Longji learned that Li Xuan's wedding date had arrived, he set June 10th as the wedding date for Li Xuan.

This was a marriage arranged by the emperor. Although the emperor would not attend the minister's wedding, he would definitely send eunuchs to deliver gifts.

This way, Li Shizhi and Pei Fan don't have to choose.

There is still more than a month left before the divorce deadline, so it is still quite rushed.

Pei Fan had a house in Changxingfang, Chang'an, and he planned to temporarily place his daughter and family there.

Because it was impossible for Li Xuan to go to Yishou to pick up the bride.

He was just an official in Yishou and was not suitable to be in Yishou.

When the wedding date was approaching, Pei Fan asked for leave and arrived in Chang'an.

At the same time, he also has to inform his brothers and sisters.

They have to come back!
This wedding banquet was also extraordinary.

In the blink of an eye, it was June 9th, and there was only one day left before Li Xuan's wedding.

Although the 10th was the ministers' holiday, Li Xuan asked for another three days off.

During this period, all the new recruits in Changping have been dispatched.

The new Changping system was implemented in the Jingzhao area.

Since it has only been a few days, there are no clues yet.

The place where the new Changping system can be best reflected should be the area outside the capital.

It will take some time to arrange those places.

Liao Zhengrong was temporarily appointed by Li Xuan as the commander of Henan Province under the Changping New Law.

Li Xuan will temporarily serve as the commander of the new Changping system.

No one realized there was anything wrong with this position, not even Li Xuan's confidants.

As Li Xuan had expected, the matter of relocating people turned out to be just as it was intended. There were indeed powerful people who prevented the people from signing up.

After Liu Dan and Cen Shen wrote to him, Li Xuan gave an order to kill an example of someone else.

This will scare the powerful people in the counties, and the people who have signed up to immigrate can be freed.

In the court, Li Xuan was more skilled in handling local affairs and more fluent in arguing with reason, while the conservatives led by Li Linfu temporarily avoided the spotlight.

They were waiting for the new Changping law to be implemented and then impeach Li Xuan if any problems arose.

"Father, the Saint told me that he and the Imperial Concubine will come to the Tianshui Palace tomorrow to attend the wedding."

When Li Xuan left court today, Gao Lishi told him the news.

This surprised Li Xuan very much, and he immediately told Li Shizhi about it after leaving the court.

"Although it is not in accordance with etiquette, the Tianshui Palace is located in Daozhengfang opposite the Xingqing Palace. Given the saint's favor towards Qilang, it is not surprising that he attended Qilang's wedding."

Li Shizhi replied to Li Xuan.

Having a saint and a concubine attend the wedding banquet together, even if they only stay for a moment, is enough to bring honor to the family.

It can be passed down as a legend in Chang'an!

"Well, in this case, the Tianshui Palace will have to be arranged differently."

Li Xuan didn't want to go through so much trouble.

"Don't worry, Qilang. Your father knows what to do!"

Li Shizhi patted Li Xuan's hand.

"Thank you father."

Li Xuan looked at Li Shizhi's face and was also slightly enlightened.

Before he knew it, he was about to complete his lifelong event.

Li Xuan was very busy during this period, and the Tianshui Palace was decorated by Li Shizhi, including inviting relatives and friends, and providing wine, food, and fruit snacks for the banquet.

There are also the carriages, horses, and ceremony required for a wedding...

He has such experience.

Li Xuan just took the time to tailor a wedding dress for her. She would dress up tomorrow and go to Changxingfang before dusk to welcome Pei's daughter to the Tianshui Palace, where relatives and friends would start the banquet.

(End of this chapter)