Chapter 283 Let the heroes investigate the heroes, and let the good men investigate the good men!
Li Xiang also made the decision on the issue of setting up a censorate after careful consideration.

The inspector was like his eyes and ears, able to help Li Xiang find out a lot of information he needed to know.

However, this situation must be kept within limits. It cannot develop into the high-pressure politics of white terror such as the copper-box informing during the Wu Zhou period.

Having said that, just like Wu Zetian, many xxn are bragging about how difficult it is for a woman to become emperor under "patriarchal oppression". However, having such thoughts is the result of a lack of cultural brain stem.

In fact, Wu Zetian was a beneficiary of patriarchy. If she were a man, let alone becoming an emperor, it would be a different matter whether she could make a name for herself.

Only by upholding the principle of filial piety could she depose her son and launch a coup to take down Li Xian.

Even if she became an emperor, she was still essentially using the same male-oriented tactics, except that it was a bit too extreme.

According to the female frequency that is more feudal than that of the ancients, Ah Wu might have already left when Li Zhi and Shangguan Yi were plotting to depose the queen. She looked at Li Zhi and her sister Wu Shun in tears, hoping that Li Zhi would change his mind one day.

In fact, even the Ming Dynasty’s factory and guard system could not be considered a high-pressure secret service system.

The secret police and spy politics cannot harm the people. It’s not that they are kind-hearted and will not harm the poor, but the power of the Jinyiwei is limited, and the Ming Dynasty does not have the skills that Amei has.

To the common people, the imperial guards were tigers, and the gentry were jackals.

But the problem is that although the factory guards can eat them, they can also eat jackals.

Who among the decent people went to the imperial prison? Wasn't it because they owed rent and were locked up by the landlords in the sun for three days? Or they were forced to sell their children. They were the modern-day White-haired Girl.

Just when Li Xiang was building Wuqing, Feng Qing sent him a message.

"Old Xu." Li Xiang calmly handed the letter to Xu Jingzong and asked without comment: "Take a look and tell me what you think."

Xu Jingzong was such a cunning person that he immediately noticed Li Xiang's dissatisfaction.

His heart skipped a beat. Could something have happened in Dengzhou?
He opened the letter and glanced through it, and sure enough, it was true.

"What happened in Dengzhou? How did someone get killed?" Xu Jingzong frowned and glanced at Li Xiang. Seeing that he still had a blank expression on his face, he continued, "Your Highness, in my opinion, there must be something fishy going on here."

"Oh?" Li Xiang took the letter that Xu Jingzong handed back and put it on the table beside him. "Tell me, what's so strange about it?"

"I think this incident must have been created by the local nobles in Dengzhou to resist the imperial court's request for Dengzhou to help Wuqing build up," Xu Jingzong asserted. "I believe in Feng Changshi's ability, but if you say that he would force people to death just because of requisitioning fishing boats, I will be the first one to not believe it."

Li Xiang smiled. He was quite familiar with this method.

There is nothing new under the sun. When the Ming Dynasty wanted to increase taxes on the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River in later generations, similar incidents would certainly occur, such as forcing the people to death, causing public opinion to become heated, and then coercing the ignorant people to confront the court.

Li Xiang also knew Feng Qing's ability to do things. This guy was as spirited as Lao Zhu. For example, he would definitely take care of things like the acquisition of fishing boats personally.

If there were any cases of forced buying or selling at low prices, or even forced collection, Feng Qing would definitely not tolerate it.

"Okay." Li Xiang smiled and said, "Hasn't the inspector already been trained enough? Let them go to Dengzhou and investigate the truth of the matter."

Xu Jingzong nodded and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

"Of course, we have to be careful about the means." Li Xiang glanced at Xu Jingzong: "This is the first time that the Procurator has stepped onto the historical stage. Naturally, the bigger the incident, the better."

"Before we do anything, I have to convey my words." Li Xiang hesitated for a moment and then said again: "Dengzhou can have the current situation because of me. Since I can give them such great wealth, I can naturally take it back."

"As the saying goes, it is never too late to turn back. If you put aside your evil thoughts and follow the court's policy, I can forgive them for what they did. If you are really as determined as a turtle swallowing a weight, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Yes!" Xu Jingzong's heart trembled.

He did not dare to neglect Li Xiang's words.

As the commander-in-chief of the Inspectorate, Xu Jingzong naturally had to go to Dengzhou.

Among the people around him, only Lao Xu is flexible enough and quick-witted enough, so he is the most suitable one to deal with those powerful families in Dengzhou.

Let the heroes check on the heroes, and let the good men check on the good men.

Duan Zan stayed in Youzhou. Li Xiang did not let him go with him, but asked Li Jingren and Lao Xu to go together.

After all, Duan Zan also has to be in charge of this part of the Xuanjia Army, and the position of Inspector is just a title for him.

Duan Zhixuan was the leader of Li Shimin's Xuanjia Army, and could be called the head of the personal guards, while the Jianxiu was currently Li Xiang's personal army. This relationship was the reason why Li Xiang chose Duan Zan to be the Jianxiu commander.

There is no other reason, just loyalty from generation to generation.

In this kind of position, ability is secondary, loyalty is the most important.

It was Li Xiang's first battle as a censor, so he naturally hoped that the fight would be as big as possible.

On the one hand, it was to intimidate other dissatisfied people in Dengzhou, and on the other hand, it was to kill the chicken to scare the monkey, so that the Youzhou nobles could see the consequences of not cooperating.

After seeing them off, Li Xiang also welcomed a new guest.

"Your Highness! Fortunately, we two generals have fulfilled our mission!" Hegan Chengji and Zhang Sizheng, together, clasped their fists towards Li Xiang in the government office and said, "We have brought Mr. Di back safely!"

Hearing that Di Renjie had arrived in Youzhou, Li Xiang stood up with a smile and praised the two men, saying, "I knew that the two generals would be able to complete the mission successfully!"

While speaking, he asked hesitantly, "This time... it won't come out from some weird place, right?"

Hearing this, Zhang Sizheng's face froze. He remembered the time when he took Quan Wanji out of Qizhou City.

Hegan Chengji remained calm and said, "Thanks to your highness's good fortune, there were no setbacks this time."

"That's good, that's good." Li Xiang breathed a sigh of relief: "Where is Huaiying now?"

"Your Highness, Mr. Di is outside." The two replied.

"Please come in!" said Li Xiang.

The two turned and left. Not long after, a slightly chubby young man walked into Li Xiang's house.

Hmm... Judging from his figure, it should be Lord Di. "Huaiying." Li Xiang stood up with a smile: "I have heard Guanguang and Shengzhi mention your name for a long time, but I have never had the chance to meet you. I am very happy to meet you today."

"Your Highness." Di Renjie bowed respectfully and said, "How can I be so worthy of Your Highness to send two generals to protect me?"

"Hey, Huaiying, your strategy in Xueyantuo is better than ten armies." Li Xiang said with a smile: "Don't even mention sending Zhang Sizheng and Hegan Chengji. If I can't command them, I will definitely let Duke E go to protect you."

"Your Highness!" Di Renjie said with his arms folded, somewhat moved, as if he was willing to die for his friend.

"Well..." Li Xiang took Di Renjie's hand and sat beside him, smiling and saying, "Since Huaiying has returned safely from the grassland, you should not leave anymore and stay with me. There is a Sima position vacant in the Imperial Household, so I will let Huaiying be the Sima of the Imperial Household for a while, how about that?"

"This..." Di Renjie hesitated. It's not that he was unwilling. In fact, he was very willing to stay with Li Xiang.

But the problem is that the position of Sima of the Taisun Mansion is of the sixth rank, and he is a newcomer...

"Huaiying doesn't want to?" Li Xiang asked.

"No, Your Highness." Di Renjie said immediately, "But I have no virtue or ability to deserve such an important task from Your Highness..."

"Hahahahaha..." Li Xiang patted Di Renjie's broad shoulders and said, "Didn't I just say that you, Di Huaiying, were not afraid of dangers and hardships on the grasslands and helped the Tang Dynasty to unite the vertical and horizontal forces. Your role was no less than that of ten armies. How can you not be qualified for the position of Sima? You'd better not refuse it."

"Then I would like to thank Your Highness." Di Renjie bowed again.

Li Xiang really admired and liked Di Renjie.

As the saying goes, strong winds reveal strong grass, and turbulent times reveal loyal ministers. In the high-pressure political environment of Wu Zetian, Di Renjie did not hide his identity as a staunch supporter of Li Tang and advised Awu many times.

This is not an ordinary behavior. It is equivalent to pretending to be a werewolf at the end of the first night and surviving to the end.

The most classic piece of advice is that I have only heard of sons offering sacrifices to their mothers, but I have never heard of nephews offering sacrifices to their aunts.

Actually, Awu was not stupid. He just wanted to enjoy the throne himself. As for the other ministers, they turned a blind eye to it because they thought the throne would be returned to Li Tang in a hundred years. If it was really passed on to his nephew, it would be a small matter for these ministers to learn from Li Jingye. But if they learned from Yi Yin and Huo Guang, that would be really ridiculous.

The main reason is that Di Renjie's words were rough but true, and Awu's reputation has always been good because she chose her son to be emperor.

Starting from Li Xian, all the emperors had her blood flowing in their veins. How could they possibly discredit her? They even had to avoid mentioning her name in some places to whitewash her.

Because he is filial.

Don't underestimate the word "filial piety". It was the political correctness in ancient my country. From the emperor to the common people, everyone had to abide by the word "filial piety".

If it weren't for this relationship, Li Longji would have had to put things right after he came to power given his bad temper.

"Huaiying has been traveling on the grassland for several months and has just arrived in Youzhou. I will not arrange any official duties for you for the time being." Li Xiang said, "The most urgent thing is to have a good rest first. After all, a good body is the capital for work. If the body collapses, then everything will be over."

"Your Highness, I am in good health and have no problems at all." Di Renjie said, "Besides, my colleagues are working day and night to contribute to the construction of Wuqing. How can I just sit back and relax?"

"I'll give you three days off," Li Xiang patted Di Renjie on the shoulder, "Be obedient and take care of your body first. I'll have an important task for you later."

Seeing that Li Xiang's attitude was unquestionable, Di Renjie could only bow to thank Li Xiang and accept his suggestion to rest for three days.

Li Xiang arranged for him to live in the government office. Di Renjie had no family now and was a bachelor; Li Xiang did not bring his family to Youzhou, so there was no need to avoid suspicion. Therefore, he arranged a position for Di Renjie that was relatively close to him.

After having someone arrange for Di Renjie, Li Xiang rubbed his eyes and returned to his room to continue writing his reply.

Not only did the letter need to be written to Pei Xueqing, but also to Li Shimin, Li Chengqian, and Princess Jinyang.

Li Xiang sighed and rubbed his Jingming acupoint, wondering what sin he had committed in his previous life to have such an old man who wrote to him more frequently than his wife Pei Xueqing.

Unfortunately, there aren't many nutritious words in the letter. Something like "I miss my grandson so much that I think of him when I eat cherries, and I think of my eldest grandson when I eat beef." "Oh, my eldest grandson, when will you come back? I can't wait to see you."

Li Xiang was helpless, but he could only reply one by one, and his attitude had to be serious.

Li Chengqian's letters were slightly better than Lao Li's, and he could occasionally discuss court affairs with Li Xiang.

After all, Li Xiang is his external brain.

As for Li Mingda, he was reporting to Li Xiang what music he had learned recently, and when Xiang came back, he would play the piano for him.

Pei Xueqing's letters were about the daily life in the Prince's Mansion. She chatted with Li Xiang about interesting things between the sisters, some words expressing her longing, and even wrote a few poems for him.

Li Xiang wanted to reply with two poems, but he didn't have the literary talent after all. If you asked him to recite a poem about the dark Mount Tai from afar, it would be fine, but if he wanted to write something elegant, he really didn't have the ability to do so.

As for copying poems, Li Xiang felt that it was not sincere.

It’s okay to fool other girls, but it’s better to be sincere to Sister Pei.

After replying to all the letters, Li Xiang also breathed a sigh of relief.

Good, there will be no new letters from home from Chang'an for at least five days...

He strolled aimlessly in the yard. There was nothing for him to deal with in Youzhou for the time being.

Li Xiang was not like Zhu Yuanzhang, who had to do everything himself. In this regard, he was relatively open-minded and liked to delegate power.

Leave professional matters to professionals, and don’t worry about what you don’t understand. This is the secret to longevity, Li Xiang thought.

Di Renjie had witnessed the daily life of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and after thinking for a long time he could not come up with a suitable adjective.

When Li Xiang was bored, he would call Di Renjie to stroll around the yard, drink tea, and talk about the current situation of the grassland. In short, he wanted to have a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

The days passed quickly, and after three days of vacation, Di Renjie returned to work.

The inspector also came to Dengzhou under the leadership of Xu Jingzong and Li Jingren.

Dengzhou certainly didn't know what the inspector did. Although he was a little wary of their arrival, it was not much.

Outside the city, Xu Jingzong and Li Jingren looked at each other and both showed bloodthirsty smiles.

(Please give me some monthly tickets. My temperature fluctuated today. I was still having a fever from morning to noon. Fortunately, I got the fever back after I had an IV drip.)
(End of this chapter)