Chapter 295 Father-in-law presents Yuchang Sword
"Prime Minister Li, I heard that the Crown Prince can't tolerate you..."

Under Li Xuan's "sincere" gaze, Pei Fan finally confessed to Li Xuan.

This is a very dangerous topic.

As an official below the fifth rank, Pei Fan should not have been qualified to discuss this issue.

But he is Li Xuan's father-in-law, and he can tentatively talk about some private matters.

"My father-in-law, you are overthinking. I have no grudges against the crown prince, and I have even defended him. How could the crown prince not tolerate me? Ten thousand years later, I will still be a loyal subject!

Li Xuan looked at Pei Fan deeply and said lightly.

He didn't expect that Pei Fan avoided Pei Lingxi because of this incident.

Although Crown Prince Li Heng was badly bullied by Li Linfu, many civil and military officials felt that the crown prince was filial and kind.

He is the only person who will wield the divine weapon in the future.

Only some ministers saw the prince's stinginess and ingratitude from the fact that Li Heng expelled his wife and concubine one after another.

When the crown prince inherits the throne, he will definitely take action against Li Xuan.

Because Li Xuan saved Li Longji's life.

For those who are mean and ungrateful, we will delve into the cause and effect.

Li Heng would think that he didn't have to suffer hardship and embarrassment all because of Li Xuan.

In addition, Li Xuan was somewhat disrespectful to the prince in other matters.

Even when the prince took the initiative to show his goodwill, Li Xuan ignored him.

Pei Fan was different from other civil and military ministers. He believed that the prince would not be tolerant of Li Xuan after he ascended the throne.

His beloved son-in-law will never have the chance to become a veteran of three dynasties.

"I am not making a wild guess, but a serious inference. Li Xiang is a smart man and should know the prince's character. A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. Li Xiang must have heard of the stories of Huo Guang and Yi Yin. Even if they had minor flaws, it would not affect their reputation in the future. If Li Xiang chooses the right person, the country will definitely be better in the future."

Pei Fan put it more bluntly.

Li Xuan was his son-in-law. He didn't want Li Xuan to only be powerful for a few years in Li Longji's later years. He hoped that Li Xuan would continue to be powerful in the future.

This way his daughter can also be happy.

"Knowing this, what can I do? Do you want to deceive the emperor and play political games?"

Li Xuan remained calm and prepared to see what his father-in-law was up to.

"Li Linfu advised the Saint to appoint another crown prince, and Prime Minister Li could also choose a prince who could rule the country."

Pei Fan reminded Li Xuan.

"The Saint did not agree with Li Linfu, so how could he agree with me? Li Heng's position as the crown prince is difficult to shake. Li Linfu has tried many times, but all ended in failure."

Li Xuan looked at Pei Fan with new eyes. He actually dared to say such words. Wasn't he afraid that he would kill his own relatives for the sake of justice?
Pei Fan's conspiracy to discuss the dethronement of the crown prince was not considered a rebellion.

Just like Li Linfu, he has a scheming heart and is centered on personal power.

What Yi Yin and Huo Guang had done became a source of self-consolation for many powerful officials.

Even Li Linfu once said, "I am second only to Huo Guang."

"I have something that I would like to present to Prime Minister Li."

After hearing Li Xuan's words, Pei Fan's face lit up with joy, and he was ready to take a chance and tell his plan.

He thought Li Xuan had already considered the threat that Li Heng would pose to him in the future.

Deposing the crown prince is not a serious act of treason.

After saying that, Pei Fan took out something from his arms. It was wrapped in a piece of cloth.

Under Li Xuan's gaze and Pei Fan's heavy breathing, Pei Fan slowly opened the cloth, revealing his true face.

This is a small and exquisite sword, only seven or eight inches long, with a relatively slender blade.

The pattern on the sword is like fish intestines. This kind of fish intestines does not refer to the internal organs of raw fish, but a fish is roasted, the two flanks are peeled off, and then the fish intestines are looked at. They are a bit like the patterns on the sword body of an ancient sword, tortuous and uneven.

Although it looked like a toy, Li Xuan could see that this small sword was quite sharp.

It can definitely kill someone!

"I asked a skilled craftsman to forge this sword based on the records of the Yuchang Sword in ancient books. After being tempered for hundreds of times, it can cut hair with a single blow and kill people..."

"Li Xiang can use some means to put the Yuchang sword into the prince's mansion, and then report that the prince has the motive of killing his father and usurping the throne. Search his mansion, find the Yuchang sword and hand it over to the saint..."

"If the Saint does not recognize the Yuchang Sword, Prime Minister Li can tell the Saint: Zhuan Zhu had this sword in his hand when he stabbed King Liao of Wu..."

Pei Fan was calm at this time and spoke to Li Xuan solemnly.

Although it was a replica of the Yuchang sword, it sparkled as it turned in Pei Fan's hand.

"My father-in-law shocked me!"

Li Xuan's heart moved, and he spoke word by word.

He rarely gets startled, which means things happen that are beyond his control.

His father-in-law Pei Fan appeared to be a righteous man who looked harmless, but he actually had such a cruel and vicious plan.

Compared with this "Fish Intestine Sword Strategy", the strategy that Li Linfu Yuetang devised to deal with the prince seemed like a trivial trick.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, King Helü of Wu, in order to usurp the throne, sent his assassin Zhuan Zhu to kill King Liao of Wu with a Yuchang sword hidden in a fish, and successfully ascended the throne.

Therefore, people in the world believe that the Yuchang Sword is an ominous object, specially created to kill the king and the father, and to assassinate the king and seize the world.

If Li Longji knew that Crown Prince Li Heng had hidden the Yuchang sword in his mansion, he would never be able to clear himself even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

Once someone threatens his throne, Li Longji will become paranoid and his brain will not work well.

Not to mention that the prince threatened his life, he might lose his temper and drag Li Heng to the post station outside the city and kill him.

Even if Li Longji did not want to kill his son again, Li Heng would be deposed as the crown prince, imprisoned for life, or exiled.

Li Xuan had never thought of such a vicious frame-up plan before.

"As long as Prime Minister Li thinks about it seriously and completes this plan, you can continue to reform in the future. After all, reform is not something that can be achieved overnight."

Seeing that Li Xuan remained calm, Pei Fan continued to persuade him.

From the moment he took out the Yuchang sword, he had already given it his all.

If Li Xuan wanted to, he could report it to the Saint at any time and have Pei Fan executed.

Li Xuan did not answer Pei Fan's words. He drew out Zhuge Liang's sword from his waist and slashed at the Yuchang sword.

As fast as the wind and as quick as lightning, Pei Fan had no time to dodge.

There was a sound of metal, and the Yuchang sword that had just been forged broke.

His sword was the best response to Pei Fan.

What would happen if I killed Li Heng?

Li Xuan was well aware of the context of history. As long as he could complete his plan, Li Heng would not pose any threat to him.

It's a good thing that he is familiar with Li Heng.

Although Yuchang's plan was brilliant, it was a thankless task for Li Xuan.

If he participated in the whole process, some ministers would be suspicious and his reputation would be damaged.

However, Yuchang's matter was not completely useless. He discovered that his father-in-law, who had historically served as the governor of Liangzhou, was a talented person.

He is also meticulous, decisive and vicious.

Maybe some things can be left to my father-in-law.

It is obvious that this vicious strategy was used to protect Li Xuan.

Even if it is to protect one's own children, this kind of person will become rebellious after a little training and can be of great use.

"Zhuge Liang's sword. How easy is it to become a prime minister like Zhuge Liang?"

Pei Fan was stunned when he saw Li Xuan cut off the Yuchang sword.

The broken Yuchang sword means that Li Xuan does not want to use this strategy against Li Heng.

At the same time, it also means that Li Xuan will not pursue the matter of Pei Fan offering the Yuchang Sword.

Only Pei Fan and Li Xuan knew about this matter, and no one else would reveal it.

Pei Fan made another wrong judgment. He thought that Li Xuan drew Zhuge Liang's sword because he wanted to "devote himself to the cause until his death."

"Father-in-law has too many ideas. As the prime minister, I have my own judgment. Have I ever cut off my own way out step by step? In the past, Fan Li and Zhang Liang retired after their success, but they were not necessarily wise. Xiao He was. Let's wait and see!"

Li Xuan spoke to Pei Fan in a deep voice, telling Pei Fan to do his own thing first.

Obviously, he was implying that Pei Fan had not failed to anticipate Crown Prince Li Heng's hostility towards him.

Li Xuan will solve these problems himself, Pei Fan just needs to wait carefully.

There are no things much ado about.

"You are the Prime Minister, Li Xiang. You have made every possible effort. I was just being too clever. Thank you for your forgiveness."

Pei Fan stood up and bowed to Li Xuan, full of shame.

Li Xuan is a smart man, how could he not have thought that there was a sharp blade hanging over his head?
Maybe he was overthinking!

Thinking about what he had just done, Pei Fan felt a little guilty.

He felt that he had lost his mind during this period of time and actually dared to deal with the crown prince.

Although Li Linfu always treated Li Heng like a broken gong and drum, Li Xuan's behavior was obviously different from Li Linfu's.

"We are family. No one is perfect. Father-in-law, don't think too much. I believe the bottom line for officials is not to oppress the people."

Li Xuan said to Pei Fan.

His way of evaluating an official is very simple. As long as he treats the people well, plays some tricks, and uses some political tactics, there is nothing wrong with it.

Pei Fan was even more touched and felt that Li Xuan was very affectionate.

Li Xuan was both his son-in-law and prime minister.

In his heart, he always regarded Li Xuan as prime minister and followed Li Xuan's lead.

The news that Li Xuan killed his cousin Li Yu was widely spread. Pei Fan thought that when Li Xuan cut off the Yuchang sword, he would point the sword at him the next second.

This kind of forgiveness made Pei Fan feel mixed emotions.

He believed that with Li Xuan's strategy, he would be able to overcome future difficulties.

"Husband, father, what are you doing?"

When Pei Lingxi entered the hall again and saw the broken sword on the table, he thought the two had some conflict.

"Lingxi, don't panic. My father-in-law thought he bought a good sword and asked me to look at it. I knew it was of poor quality at first glance. Don't waste your money in the future."

Li Xuan said this with a double meaning.

"Yes! I am confused..."

Pei Fan understood and pretended to sigh.

Pei Lingxi was relieved after hearing this, and she replaced the tea for Li Xuan and Pei Fan.

After staying one night, Pei Fan left the Tianshui Palace at the foot of the mountain.

He is now serving as the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple and lives in the courtyard of the Dali Temple. It would be a better place for him to live after taking office.

Civil and military officials felt more relaxed when they were in Huaqing Palace.

Especially those idle officials.

Because Li Longji only attended the morning court once every five or even seven days.

He entrusted state affairs to the prime minister.

Officials went to the lower hall of Zhongshumen to work.

In fact, all civil and military officials knew that government affairs were handled by Li Xuan, who concurrently served as Shangshu Zuo Pushe, Minister of Personnel, Editor of National History, and Grand Scholar of Jixian Hall.

Li Xuan would force Li Linfu to sign with the ruling pen.

Even if the matter was brought to Li Longji, Li Linfu would hardly gain any benefits.

Sometimes, Li Longji preferred to go hunting at the foot of Mount Li, calling Li Xuan along, and in the wilderness and woods, the imperial guards would surround the prey, showing joy and grace...

(End of this chapter)