Chapter 306: Li Linfu was plotted against, Li Linfu was dismissed from his post, and Li Xuan led his troops to the Right Prime Minister's Mansion

"Is Yang Jian so arrogant?"

After Li Xuan added fuel to the fire, even Li Longji was a little surprised.

The capture and killing of Yang Rui was indeed done with his consent, because Yang Rui was just a distant relative whom Madam Yuhuan did not know.

Yang Jian is Yang Yuhuan's real cousin.

Moreover, Yang Yuhuan's situation was rather special. Since she lost her father at a young age, she and her sisters were both sponsored and raised by their uncles Yang Xuangui and Yang Xuanlu.

Therefore, Yang Yuhuan's cousin was able to directly obtain the third-rank throne.

Because of his love for Li Longji, he was favored by him.

If Li Longji was really determined, he could have reduced the power of the Five Yangs even if Yang Yuhuan tried to stop him.

However, Li Longji had already indulged them in his heart.

However, when Li Longji heard Li Xuan's report, even though he indulged Yang Jian, he was still a little angry.

A Guanglu Qing actually wanted to rob a criminal county magistrate. This could not be tolerated at any time.

"Prime Minister Li is talking nonsense. Brother just wanted to see Yang Rui, and he definitely didn't kidnap Yang Rui."

Mrs. Korea argued.

She only knew the purpose of Yang Jian's meeting with Yang Rui.

Besides, Yang Jian didn’t have the courage to kidnap someone directly.

"Yang Jian drove the carriage across the official road, and hundreds of pedestrians and caravans witnessed it... Yang Jian gathered dozens of slaves and brought weapons. What was he trying to do? Yang Jian beat up Censor Du, and many people also saw it. Isn't this a motive? If you ladies don't believe me, you can call everyone present to testify."

Li Xuan retorted to Mrs. Korea.

Seeing Li Xuan's confident words, the three Yang sisters also felt guilty.

They couldn't be sure whether Yang Jian had a brain cramp at that time. After all, everyone was very rampant during that period.

"Saint, my brother must have been confused for a moment. Yang Rui can judge him however he wants. It has nothing to do with my brother."

Lady Guoguo leaned forward and spoke to Li Longji, shaking Yang Yuhuan as she spoke.

She hoped Yang Yuhuan would say something quickly.

But Yang Yuhuan was in a dilemma. Her uncles all treated her very well, especially Yang Xuanlu, who took her to Luoyang, raised her and treated her as his own daughter.

She didn't understand why it turned out like this, with the person she admired on one side and her brother on the other.

She believed that what Li Xuan said was right, but she had clearly warned her sisters and brothers, so why didn't they listen to her?

What Yang Yuhuan didn't know was that her character had been completely controlled by her brothers and sisters.

But what Wu Yang did not expect was that between himself and Li Xuan, the rational Yang Yuhuan chose the latter and stood on the side of justice.

No matter how many times Yang Yuyao reminded her, Yang Yuhuan never spoke up to plead for Yang Jian.

Li Longji was also furious because of this incident. Yang Jian was too outrageous.

He must be severely punished.

However, when she turned her head and saw Yang Yuhuan's sad and delicate face, she calmed down and her anger dissipated.

After all, he is Yuhuan's brother. If he punishes Yang Jian, Yuhuan will definitely be sad.

It was natural for Yang Yuhuan to feel sad at this time, but Li Longji held Yang Yuhuan in his hands and could not bear to see anything wrong with her.

"Qilang! Fortunately, Yang Jian didn't commit a serious crime, so let him go. I will fine him his salary so that he will remember this lesson."

Li Longji's expression changed quickly, and he was ready to ask Li Xuan to release Yang Jian.

"I think Yang Rui committed the crime and had something to do with Yang Jian. Please allow me to investigate thoroughly and then make a decision."

For the first time, Li Xuan went against Li Longji's will.

This made Li Longji frown and feel very uncomfortable.

Because Li Xuan always followed his words, sometimes giving him good advice, and sometimes quoting from classics.

Over the years, I have never directly rejected him.

This made Li Longji feel that Li Xuan was out of his control.

It would be fine if Li Xuan was a minister like Zhang Jiuling, who always gave advice and was tough, but Li Xuan was not that kind of person.

At this time, Li Longji no longer considered right or wrong.

"Sanlang, let Qilang investigate Yang Rui carefully. My Yang family has received enough favors. He cannot do anything that harms the country."

Yang Yuhuan felt that Li Longji was about to get angry, so she hurriedly shook Li Longji's arm and tried to persuade him.

"Right!"

Li Longji came to his senses when he heard Yang Yuhuan's whispering.

It turns out that Yang Jian was the wrong party.

But the grudge has already been buried in my heart.

"Qilang, investigate the Yang Rui case carefully. If you find any clues, you must report to me in the palace."

Li Longji gave Li Xuan an order to leave.

However, in order to prevent Yang Yuhuan from being caught in a dilemma, he would definitely protect Yang Jian.

At worst, I can use my power to grant amnesty!
The emperor can pardon prisoners.

However, amnesty cannot be used casually. Except for the "general amnesty" for major events, every amnesty for other controversial cases will result in a loss of prestige.

But Li Longji didn't care.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Li Xuan bowed and accepted the order.

He was ready to accept Li Longji's anger and was also ready to argue with Li Longji.

Unexpectedly, Yang Yuhuan would speak up for him.

Although he once told Yang Yuhuan that he wanted to "protect the Imperial Concubine", he was an outsider after all.

Looking at Yang Yuhuan again, she has a face as beautiful as a lotus, but there is a hint of sadness between her brows.

Seemingly hesitant, seemingly entangled...

Li Xuan's eyes could not linger, and after bowing to Li Longji, he turned and left...

And Yang Yuhuan's gaze fell on Li Xuan's back.

As tall as a mountain, every step he takes seems to be down to earth.

……

The three Yang sisters returned to their mansion very disappointed.

They have already confirmed that Yang Yuhuan favors Li Xuan.

But what can they do?

Power comes from Yang Yuhuan, so we can't question Yang Yuhuan about the reason, right?

No matter what Yang Yuhuan thought, they had to shut up.

This time, the Five Yangs gathered at Lady Guoguo's residence.

There is another person, Yang Guozhong!
Yang Rui is his cousin, but he did not become emotionally unbalanced because his cousin was arrested.

On the contrary, he is the calmest.

In Yang Guozhong's eyes, his cousin was not as close to him as Yang Jian who was far away.

He only seeks power!
"Li Qilang has started to target our Yang family. Today it's his brother, tomorrow it will be us. Yuhuan has also been bewitched by Li Qilang and is unwilling to plead for her brother. Our wealth and glory are hard-earned, are we going to just give them up and become his subjects to Li Qilang?"

Yang Yuyao spoke to Zhu Yang in the main hall, wanting to ask for a solution.

In the past, she admired the tall, handsome, and talented Li Xuan. Now that Li Xuan has grown a beard, he is more attractive, but he has become the person she hates.

As much as she loved it before, she hates it now.

Ultimately, Li Xuan blocked her from achieving wealth and glory and prevented her from exercising her power.

"Absolutely not! We must rescue my brother."

The eighth sister, Mrs. Qin, said.

"'Yes! If my brother is convicted by Li Qilang, our Yang family will not be able to hold our heads up high.'"

The eldest sister, Mrs. Korea, also said so.

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. How can they go back to the past?
When they were in Shu before, although they had some wealth, they still had to curry favor with the local county magistrate. How could it be like today!
How can ordinary people survive if they spend less than that in a year?
They can't imagine!

"Guozhong, you are the smartest and most powerful. What do you think our Yang family should do? We can't always let Li Xuan ride on our heads! He wants to kill us all!"

Yang Yuyao asked her lover Yang Guozhong.

Originally, Yang Shenjin was in charge of Taifu.

But after Yang Shenjin was promoted from Chief Censor to Grand Censor.

The Chief Censor and the Minister of the Imperial Household were taken away by Yang Guozhong, becoming the third "Purple-Robed Minister" of the Yang family's generation.

In addition, Yang Guozhong also held more than 20 diplomatic positions.

Li Longji really liked Yang Guozhong, who was eloquent and smart, and believed that Yang Guozhong would definitely be a pillar of the country in the future.

Yang Guozhong was ambitious and unwilling to stop there.

“Excuse me for being blunt, although my Yang family may seem extremely powerful, in reality, it is extremely superficial!
Yang Guozhong said something different.

"Guozhong, you are joking. My Yang family is not even considered rich. Is there any rich family in the world?"

Prince Consort Yang Qi did not dare to agree with Yang Guozhong's words.

In their prime, the three sisters wore purple robes and were ladies of three countries.

There is also a royal concubine among them.

Who says the Yang family is not rich?
"Yes! Li Qilang's family."

"Li Qilang is from the royal family, and his father was once the prime minister. He controls the government and has enormous power. Although the Guanglu Qing and Weiwei Qing are third-rank officials, their power is very ordinary. The real decision-making is still in the six ministries. Although I am the Chief Censor, I am under the pressure of the Chief Censor Yang Shenjin. Looking at the real power in the court, most of them are Li Qilang's minions. Li Qilang's eldest brother is the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, his third brother is the Junior Yin of Jingzhao, his fourth brother is the Secretary of the Secretariat, and his fifth brother is the Recorder. Although these are not third-rank officials, they are either close ministers of the emperor or have real power..."

Yang Guozhong said so much, but he just wanted to express one point.

The Yang family did not have a prime minister, not even a minister.

Therefore, the third-rank officials seem very insignificant.

If there was a prime minister, why would it come to this?

The three Yang sisters and Yang Qi could all understand what Yang Guozhong meant.

Who can be the prime minister?

Yang Jian was embroiled in lawsuits and Yang Qi had no official position, which means that it was impossible that Li Longji did not see Yang Qi's potential.

Yang Guozhong said this as if no one else could do it but him.

"Since the Kaiyuan period, there have been only three prime ministers. Even if the saint favors you, he will never appoint you as prime minister."

Lady Guoguo said to Yang Guozhong.

Although the Tang Dynasty had a "group prime minister system" with more than five prime ministers, during the reign of Li Longji, the maximum number of prime ministers appointed was three.

Generally, the chief prime minister was the head of the Secretariat, the left prime minister was the head of the Ministry of Personnel, and the third prime minister was the Shangshu, who was the co-prime minister of the Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel.

In fact, most of the time, there were only two prime ministers.

In the early and middle period of Kaiyuan, Li Longji liked the prime ministers to check and balance each other, and he mediated and held power.

From the late Kaiyuan period to the Tianbao period, Li Longji hoped that the prime minister would not fight with each other and live in harmony, so that he could have peace and quiet and enjoy himself at any time.

"That's true! If the Saint resigns, the person with the best chance of becoming the Prime Minister will definitely be me!"

Yang Guozhong said confidently.

"That's what I said, but how easy is it? Li Linfu has been prime minister for too long, and he looks like he's going to die. Who knows how long he can live? Li Qilang is now in charge of government affairs and is the host of the reform. His reputation is at its peak, and it's even more impossible for him to leave. Pei Kuan, the old villain, has Li Qilang's full support, so it's not easy to dismiss him. The matter of dismissing a prime minister is entirely up to the saint. If you mention it in front of the saint, you will be disgusted."

Yang Yuyao analyzed to Yang Guozhong.

When she mentioned Pei Kuan, she also gritted her teeth.

Once, Pei Dunfu's subordinates broke the law, and Pei Kuan, who was also the Minister of Justice, wanted to let them off. Although Pei Kuan and Pei Dunfu were both from the Wenxi Pei family, the law was not forgiving, so he refused Pei Dunfu's request.

Pei Dunfu was resentful of this and bribed Yang Yuyao with three hundred gold coins, hoping that Yang Yuyao would slander Pei Kuan in front of the emperor.

She overestimated herself.

Although she made Pei Kuan very embarrassed, Li Longji did not dismiss Pei Kuan from his position as prime minister.

Therefore, whenever there was something wrong with the Yang family, Pei Kuan would support Li Xuan, which was considered a counterattack against Yang Yuyao.

"Over the past year, I have observed Li Linfu's words and expressions and found that he has gradually fallen out of favor. The emperor no longer listens to him. I have a plan that will definitely bring Li Linfu down."

Yang Guozhong was ready to pick on the weak.

Li Linfu never let Yang Guozhong down. He once spoke for him and even planned to promote him.

Unexpectedly, at the critical moment, Yang Guozhong betrayed Li Linfu.

An ungrateful person will turn around and hate his benefactor, and will only feel at ease if he kills the benefactor.

This was Yang Guozhong's mentality at the time.

"What kind of plan is it? Tell me about it."

Yang Yuyao's eyes lit up and she asked.

"This is a letter from King Fengxin of the Turkic tribe south of the Yellow River in Shuofang..."

Yang Guozhong did not hide anything from Yang Yuyao.

As he spoke, he took out a letter, which had obviously been planned for a long time.

Yang Yuyao immediately snatched the letter and read it. Yang Qi, Mrs. Qin Guo, and Mrs. Han Guo also came forward.

The letter was written by Prince Abusi of Fengxin to Li Linfu, and its meaning was very vague.

But it can be seen that Li Linfu and Abusi had a friendship.

Abusi was the largest Turkic leader who defected to the Tang Dynasty and had a large number of troops under his command.

Li Linfu was too cautious to make friends with Abusi.

This is a letter forged by Yang Guozhong!

For the impatient Li Longji, forgery was enough.

Because this was the strategy proposed to him by Geshu Han, and Geshu Han was willing to testify for him.

Geshu Han, who was in charge of the Hexi military, was once a subordinate of Li Xuan.

Yang Guozhong didn't know why Geshu Han was close to him.

He suspected that Li Xuan had instructed Geshu Han to do this and was preparing to kill Li Linfu.

He didn't care about all that. As long as he could get rid of Li Linfu, he would become the prime minister.

"If Li Linfu is dismissed, wouldn't Li Qilang become the chief prime minister?"

Yang Yuyao said unwillingly.

"Li Qilang is now the chief prime minister! Even if he is promoted to the right prime minister, what does it matter? The main thing is that the prime minister's seat is vacant, and our Yang family has a chance."

Yang Guozhong said disapprovingly.

It can be said that the right prime minister is the head of all officials, but in terms of power, Li Xuan is the chief prime minister.

People may not be able to accept this idea now, but in a few years, both the government and the opposition will think so.

Because Li Xuan had formed his own system and coerced the right prime minister.

Just like the Shangshu Zuo Pushe was the chief prime minister in the early Tang Dynasty.

Now the post of Shangshu Zuo Pushe is just a sinecure, which is held concurrently by ministers.

"Will it succeed?"

Mrs. Qin asked worriedly.

Yang Guozhong and Li Linfu had a grudge against each other, but Yang did not. On the contrary, Li Linfu respected Yang very much.

"Of course I can! While Geshu Han is back in Beijing to report on his work, I will present the letter to the Saint tomorrow. I will become the Prime Minister as soon as possible and fight against Li Qilang."

Yang Guozhong said firmly.

Seeing Li Xuan being so powerful every day, he was envious and jealous.

He was servile in front of Li Xuan just to suppress Li Xuan one day.

A real man cannot eat from five tripods when he is alive, but he must be cooked from five tripods when he dies.

In order to achieve his goal, Yang Guozhong would stop at nothing.

"What about my brother? He is still in Li Xuan's hands!"

After going around in circles for a long time, they returned to this topic.

"It depends on what conclusion Li Xuan makes. Now we can only beg the Imperial Concubine and the Saint again."

Yang Guozhong did not hold great power and did not know what to do.

We need to wait for Li Xuan's action before making a decision.

However, Yang Guozhong believed that the sage would not let Li Xuan punish Yang Jian.

……

The matter was of great importance, so Li Xuan personally sat in the Censorate and interrogated Yang Rui.

Just as Li Xuan expected, Yang Rui was not a tough guy. After being whipped a few times, he immediately confessed the truth.

He did bribe Yang Jian with a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry.

After receiving the notification, Li Xuan did not let Yang Rui go.

Because Yang Rui's behavior of embezzling military households' pensions and causing disability to military households was extremely bad.

He ordered Yang Rui to be flogged fifty times.

It was necessary to beat Yang Rui to pieces and make him repent for his mistakes. But it was precisely because of this punishment that Li Xuan got some information.

Yang Rui couldn't bear the flogging, and after only a dozen lashes, he kept saying "I confess".

Du Fu continued the interrogation and implicated others.

It turned out that Yang Rui also acted as a matchmaker for the former Shangluo County governor, enabling him to meet Yang Jian and give him three hundred gold.

Naturally, this gold was obtained by officials who colluded with the Longsha River Gold Mine and embezzled it.

The fact that the Shangluo governor gave Yang Jian three hundred gold coins does not mean that he only embezzled three hundred gold coins. The case has escalated again.

Du Fu asked Yang Rui to sign the certificate and promised not to flog Yang Rui again.

After seeing the contents of the petition, Li Xuan immediately ordered the arrest of the former Shangluo prefect who was awaiting investigation in Chang'an.

At the same time, Li Xuan ordered the newly appointed Shangluo prefect, Wang Changling, to arrest the officials of the Longsha River gold mine and search the mansion and estate of the former prefect to obtain conclusive evidence.

After all the charges are obtained, the case will be reported to Li Longji.

……

The next day.

Yang Guozhong and Geshu Han went together to ask for an audience with Li Longji.

They presented the forged petition to Li Longji, saying that it was a letter they had intercepted and they did not dare to be careless, so they reported it to the emperor.

At first glance, Li Longji only saw the written correspondence between Li Linfu and Abusi.

There is nothing outrageous about it.

But it was an act of usurpation for the prime minister to privately make friends with the leader of the Hu tribe.

Li Longji couldn't stand such a thing.

What's more, there is Geshu Han as circumstantial evidence.

Angry Li Longji called Li Linfu over.

"Meet the saint!"

Li Linfu walked slowly to Li Longji and bowed.

He didn't know why Li Longji suddenly summoned him. This hadn't happened for a long time.

Seeing Yang Guozhong smiling with a dagger hidden behind his face next to Li Longji, he immediately had a bad feeling.

Since Tianbao, Wei Jian, Yang Yan, Yang Shenjin, Yang Guozhong, Ji Wen and others have betrayed him one after another and stabbed him in the back.

He still hasn't figured out the reason.

Li Linfu and Li Longji were two years apart in age, but looking at their spirits, some people would believe that there was a ten-year age difference between them.

Political frustration made Li Linfu age faster.

"Take a look, what is this?"

Li Longji threw the letter from "Abusi" in Li Linfu's face and scolded: "How dare the right prime minister!"

When Li Linfu saw Li Longji getting angry, his heart skipped a beat. He knew that the problem was with this letter.

He could only pick up the letter and open it tremblingly to read it.

Only after seeing the contents of the letter would he have a chance to defend himself.

However, the information written in black and white made Li Linfu look frightened.

The letter written to him by the Turkic leader Abusi, he and Abusi had no connection at all?

This was a frame-up for him to make friends with the Hu cavalry from the border areas.

The first thing he thought of was that Abusi and Yang Guozhong had colluded to frame him.

There is no doubt about the authenticity of this letter.

All this was within Yang Guozhong's expectations.

"Your Majesty, Abusi has slandered me. Please summon Abusi back so I can confront him."

Now Li Linfu could only kneel down and beg Li Longji.

"Sage, I have already said that the Right Prime Minister will say that he is being slandered..."

Yang Guozhong fanned the flames.

"It's just a normal letter. Why is the Right Prime Minister in such a hurry? Do you think you can break through the Shuofang Army and reach the Wei River with thousands of cavalrymen under Abusi?"

Li Longji believed what Yang Guozhong said and said in a deep voice.

From the beginning to the end, he did not take Abusi, the tribal chief, seriously. He was just extremely disappointed that Li Linfu made friends with Abusi.

"I have served the Saint for twenty years, and I have always been conscientious and dedicated. I only have the Saint in my heart. I dare not have any other thoughts. I hope the Saint will understand!"

Li Linfu continued to kowtow to Li Longji, "bang bang" loudly!
He had to face the reality that he had lost the favor of the saint.

He knew Li Longji. If it were in the past, Li Longji would never believe such news.

Could Yang Guozhong use Abusi to frame Li Xuan and An Lushan? He would only bring shame upon himself!

Li Linfu could only use the trick of inflicting pain on Li Longji to make him sympathize with him.

"Forget it! Go back first and don't have any contact with Albus anymore."

Li Longji recalled the twenty years with Li Linfu and how much fun they had together.

Li Linfu was handsome and full of vigor at that time, but now he has a head full of white hair.

Then Li Linfu was seen banging his head against the bluestone bricks, begging bitterly.

He couldn't bear it!
Decided to let Li Linfu go.

"Thank you, Saint! Thank you, Saint!"

Li Linfu did not argue any further and decided to withdraw from Xingqing Palace first, wait for the saint to calm down, and then investigate the matter of Abusi.

This scene made Yang Zhao so angry that his teeth itched.

He didn't expect that the old man would use a self-torture trick to make the saint stop pursuing the matter.

Yang Guozhong could only watch Li Linfu stagger away.

……

Li Linfu returned to the Right Prime Minister's Mansion in a daze.

At this time, his forehead was bruised.

As soon as he got off the carriage, he stumbled, but fortunately a servant supported him and prevented him from falling to the ground.

Li Linfu had been in poor health to begin with, and the physical and mental blows made him dizzy and he didn't know which side of the world he was in.

He is a man of sweet words but a sharp tongue, and playing political games is his job!
Now he is being teased and framed by this little scoundrel Yang Guozhong.

What’s even more tragic is that the saint actually believed it.

The more Li Linfu thought about it, the angrier he became, and finally he fell ill.

Li Qian, Li Yu and other sons returned from the government office immediately.

Li Tengkong, who was studying medicine at Jishengtang, also returned to Li Linfu's lap.

She diagnosed Li Linfu and found out that her father was not only angry but also physically ill due to overwork.

Her medical skills were not yet at the level of saving the world, but even though she admired Christianity and knew that her father was guilty of many sins, she still asked Chen Cangqi, the most famous doctor in the Tang Dynasty and the chief priest of Jishengtang, to treat Li Linfu.

Although Chen Zangqi was promoted by Li Xuan, he still helped Li Linfu based on principle.

I think if I take some medicine and have a good rest for a while, I will feel better.

But after Chen Cangqi left the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, he asked the medicine boy to tell Li Xuan the news that Li Linfu was seriously ill.

After Li Xuan returned home, he thought about this information and went to bed in the middle of the night.

It's time for him to take action against Li Linfu.

Even though Li Linfu didn't have much time left, he was still the prime minister, and Li Xuan was worried.

The next day, morning.

Li Linfu asked for leave and could not attend the court.

Li Longji finally came to a court meeting, and was displeased to see that Li Linfu was not there.

He was still brooding over what happened yesterday.

After the court session, Li Longji summoned Li Xuan.

"How is Yang Jian's matter?"

Li Longji was most concerned about this matter and asked Li Xuan directly.

"I am still conducting the interrogation. Once it is all completed, I will present the evidence and the complaint to the Saint."

Li Xuan did not want to reveal the Yang Rui case at this time. He would wait for Wang Changling to settle the matter in Shangluo County before reporting to Li Longji.

"Stop it! Don't make the imperial concubine sad." Li Longji did not forget to warn Li Xuan.

He really wanted Li Xuan to let go, but he didn't know how to say it out loud.

In his opinion, releasing Yang Jian would not have any impact on the court.

Li Xuan is really nosy this time!
"The minister obeys the order!"

Li Xuan could only perfunctorily respond by saying he obeyed the order.

"The Right Prime Minister is on sick leave. During this period, Qilang will be in charge of the official pens and the seals of the Secretariat."

Li Longji told Li Xuan the main things.

"I will definitely not be negligent or slack off." This was what Li Xuan had expected.

"Yesterday, Yang Zhongcheng and General Geshu reported to me that Abusi..."

Li Longji suddenly told Li Xuan about what happened yesterday regarding Li Linfu, and then asked, "What do you think, Qilang?"

"Although I am related to the Right Prime Minister by marriage, I think there is something fishy about this." Li Xuan said to Li Longji with a serious expression.

"The Right Prime Minister is already ill, what could be wrong?"

Li Longji believed that Li Linfu was a dying man and posed no threat to him.

"Back then, Sima Yi claimed to be ill and did not attend court, so he took over the world..."

Li Xuan hinted to Li Longji that some people were cunning and treacherous and must be guarded against.

Hearing Li Xuan's words, Li Longji suddenly put down the teacup he had just picked up, and the tea splashed everywhere.

Li Xuan's words successfully aroused Li Longji's suspicion, and he thought of the collusion between Li Linfu and Abusi.

"Of course, this may be my overthinking. However, we, as ministers of the prime minister, have only dozens of guards and servants in our homes. The right prime minister has hundreds of servants, many of whom are brave and strong. His travel etiquette is greater than that of the crown prince. These people should be able to accomplish great things if they put on armor."

Li Xuan told Li Longji that Li Linfu had violated etiquette and had evil intentions.

It is no secret that Li Linfu has a large family and a great wealth, and he maintains hundreds of slaves.

Sima Yi completed his rebellion with only 3,000 soldiers from his family; it is also a fact that our ancestor entered the Xuanwu Gate with 800 private soldiers.

"Since you are ill, you should resign and retire! Remove Li Linfu from his position as Right Prime Minister."

"Qilang, take the Jinwu Guards and exile all of Li Linfu's servants."

The suspicious Li Longji issued two orders in succession.

Sometimes Li Longji would believe in alarmist words.

Any person or thing that poses a threat to him should be nipped in the bud.

Of course, unless Li Longji particularly favors someone and believes that this person is a loyal minister and a good general, then all unfavorable words spoken about him would be considered slander.

The idea that Li Linfu was old and useless had already formed in Li Longji's mind. Regardless of whether Li Linfu had such thoughts or not, Li Longji did not intend to use Li Linfu anymore.

The position of Right Prime Minister should be given to someone more talented.

"According to the order!"

Li Xuan took the order.

He was very excited that Li Linfu was finally going to exit the stage of history.

Although Li Longji did not deprive Li Linfu of his title of "Kaifu Yitong Sansi" and the title of Duke of Jin.

But after this incident, Li Linfu's downfall was inevitable.

There is no chance of turning around!
It depends on whether Yang Guozhong will punish Li Linfu when he is down and implicate Li Linfu's family in the future.

Li Xuan believed that Yang Guozhong would definitely do so, because Yang Guozhong was a villain.

In history, Yang Guozhong framed Li Linfu and dug up his grave after his death.

During this era, Li Linfu's family enjoyed the privileges and all the wealth and glory brought by Li Linfu.

Li Linfu could not bear the responsibility for the crimes he committed, and these could only be compensated by his descendants.

When he first came into this world, Li Xuan wanted to kill Li Linfu with his own hands and destroy his family.

After serving as prime minister for several years, Li Xuan no longer had such thoughts.

He has only one goal, and the belief in his heart remains consistent.

His cousin deserved to be killed. Even if Li Linfu hadn't been there, Li Xuan would have killed his cousin.

There was no need to kill the dying Li Linfu and bring disaster to his family.

Moreover, Li Linfu married Jiang Yueyao to him, and she gave birth to Li Song.

Beating Li Linfu back to his original form was also a way of avenging the hatred that had harmed him in the Shuofang Army.

As for the grudges in "another time and space", Li Xuan did not take them into account. He was more rational.

After drafting the edict, Li Longji used the imperial seal and stamped it with the words "Received the Mandate from Heaven, May you live long and prosper"

Once this imperial edict arrived, Li Linfu was no longer the prime minister.

After leaving Xingqing Palace, Li Xuan took the imperial edict and the Jinwu Guards and went straight to Li Linfu's mansion.

The steward of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion had no idea what was going on and stood in front of the door, stopping the Jinwu Guards from breaking in.

Before, the Jinwu Guards were clearing the way for the Right Prime Minister. Why do they want to break in today?
"Go in, capture all male slaves, and kill anyone who resists!"

Only then did Li Xuan get off the carriage and give orders to the General of the Jinwu Guard.

"As ordered!"

The Jinwu Guard general received the order and gave the order: "Charge! Anyone who blocks us will be killed without mercy!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Jinwu Guard soldiers in front of him, wearing bright armor, rushed forward with their spears pointed, looking very aggressive.

Seeing that the Jinwu Guards were serious, the servants of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion did not dare to resist, and the housekeeper hurried to report to Li Linfu.

The Right Prime Minister's Mansion was the largest mansion in Chang'an. Pingkangfang was also considered a large district, and the Right Prime Minister's Mansion actually occupied a quarter of the entire Pingkangfang.

Li Linfu's many descendants and unmarried daughters all lived in the Right Prime Minister's Mansion.

He has more than twenty daughters and more than twenty sons.

In addition, one has to guard against assassins, guard the house, and maintain three to five hundred slaves, which is normal.

The bad thing was that as time went on, Li Xuan's influence in the court faded and he lost Li Longji's trust.

"Li Xiang, what is this for?"

The Chief of Works Li Xiu was at home serving his father. When he learned that Li Xuan had broken into their home with the Jinwu Guards, he hurried over to question Li Xuan.

"The Saint's edict, let the Right Prime Minister come out to receive it!"

Li Xuan straightened his body and said something to Li Xiu with an expressionless face.

"My father is seriously ill and cannot stay in bed. Please ask Li Xianghe, the eunuch, to move into the hall."

When Li Xiu saw Zhang Taoguang next to Li Xuan, he could only hold back and make a request.

He saw that more and more Jinwu Guards were pouring into the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, and there were a total of a thousand people.

Why do we need so many Jinwu Guards to convey the imperial edict?
Li Xiu clenched his fists.

There might be a disaster in their family!
"Ok!"

Li Xuan nodded to Zhang Taoguang.

Together they arrived at the main hall where Li Linfu lived.

Upon learning that the emperor's edict had arrived, Li Linfu was helped out of bed by his two concubines. He put on his slippers and walked to the main hall, where his children were waiting for him.

There was also a little kid sobbing beside him.

Li Linfu, with a pale face, seemed to understand something when he saw that it was Li Xuan who came in person.

Li Xuan is not Yang Guozhong!
Li Xuan saw that Li Linfu had no energy, was extremely weak, his lips were blue, and he seemed to have no strength to speak.

He glanced around the room again. Li Linfu also had many children and grandchildren!

So he signaled Zhang Taoguang to announce the decree.

Zhang Taoguang quickly stepped forward and unfolded the imperial edict.

Li Linfu, Li Xiu and others bowed first to show their respect.

"I have inherited the will of heaven and rule over the four seas. I work hard day and night to protect the country. As the country's most important asset, I need talented people to assist me. However, Li Linfu is in a high position but neglects his duties, behaves improperly and loses his virtue.

He has made many mistakes in government affairs and made unclear decisions, which has led to many hardships for the people and a gradual disorder in the government. He has made inappropriate use of people and suppressed the virtuous and good; he has been eccentric in his handling of affairs and made it difficult to implement his orders. I have repeatedly exhorted him to correct his mistakes, but to no avail.

In order to stabilize the country and rectify the government, Li Linfu is dismissed from his post as the right prime minister and his seal is taken back. He is ordered to reflect on his mistakes at home and not to interfere in government affairs..."

Zhang Taoguang read the prime minister's letter word by word.

Li Longji was very rude. He did not dismiss Li Linfu from his position because of his old age and illness, but instead dismissed him for listing Li Linfu's faults.

The purpose is not to let them recuperate, but to let them reflect on their mistakes.

He also warned Li Linfu not to interfere in state affairs.

This represents an attitude!

(End of this chapter)