Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Li Qinzai finally understood what Song Sen was doing these days.

From the standpoint of the emperor, Li Zhi's approach is very rational. If Li Qinzai were the emperor, he would definitely do the same.

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace is the foundation of the country. If there is a change in the Eastern Palace, the government and the public will be in turmoil. At this time, many people will jump out and make trouble. After all, the position of the Crown Prince is so popular that no one will be tempted.

At this time, Li Zhi can't be soft-hearted. Except for the designated successor of the crown prince, Li Zhi must keep abreast of every move of the others, so that they have no chance to make trouble and ensure the smooth handover of the Eastern Palace.

Pei Wang Li Xian, as the imperial concubine's son, has a well-known reputation in the court and the public. It stands to reason that there is no dispute about making him the next heir.

But nothing in this world can be without controversy, especially something of this magnitude.

The East Palace is unstable, and Yi Chu is imminent. It is too easy for those with a heart in the government and the opposition to make a name for themselves behind their backs.

Li Shimin and Li Zhi are not heirs in line, but both father and son are firmly established. This is a very obvious signal to the subjects of the world, that is, there is no need to consider the order of succession for the crown prince. arrive.

There were quite a few princes in the Tang Dynasty, descendants of concubines, who were enshrined as kings and vassals in various places. The power of the local aristocratic families was deeply intertwined. If Li Zhi did not control them, the princes and the aristocratic clans would secretly collude, and it would be hard to say what kind of chaos would be caused.

Li Qinzai looked at Song Sen carefully.

After a few months of work, Song Sen lost a lot of weight. The fat he had managed to raise after he was promoted has now shrunk a little, and the flesh on his cheeks has also sunken a lot, and his spirit is a little sluggish.

It can be seen that he has been really hard these days, he can't eat well and sleep well, of course, it doesn't rule out that this guy went to a place far away from the emperor to sing and sing every night, and was hollowed out by the girls in the brothel.

"Old Song, you've become quite handsome after losing weight. It's really gratifying. If you keep it up, your mother-in-law must be very happy."

Song Sen grinned and patted his deflated belly, and said with a smile: "The lower official has indeed lost a lot of weight. These days in Bingzhou, it is simply not human life. He dare not close his eyes day and night, for fear of missing important information."

"The local clansmen and aristocratic families don't have any fuel-efficient lamps. The subordinate officials not only have to monitor them, but also fight with them. The eyeliners planted in their houses are pulled out by them and I arrange another one. It's too much work. strength."

Li Qinzai sighed: "I'm not an outsider, Lao Song, you come back to Chang'an, today I will clean up the dust for you, in addition to the banquet, I will give you some gifts, Lao Song, you must not refuse..."

Song Sen hastily refused, but Li Qinzai couldn't help but said: "You will definitely accept a little love, Lao Song, you also know my virtues, don't expect me to give you money, I will give you some souvenirs."

Speaking of which, Li Qinzai ordered his servants to carry hundreds of catties of dried beef and some wild game.

A large pile of dried meat was placed in the hall, Song Sen was so moved that his eyes turned red, he choked up and said, "There are thousands of courtiers in Chang'an City, but only Junjun Li condescends to associate with his subordinates and treats each other sincerely. I regard Duke Li as my best friend in life and death, and I hope Duke Li will not abandon me."

Li Qinzai smiled and said: "We have long been close friends. This time on the Goguryeo battlefield, the information from your Baiqisi also helped me a lot. Thanks to Lao Song, you said hello in advance."

After the two chatted some more gossip, Li Qinzai finally got down to business.

"Old Song, you just returned to Chang'an, and there is something that needs your help."

Song Sen puffed up his chest and said proudly: "Despite the orders of Jungong Li, the next official will not refuse to go through fire or water."

Li Qinzai said slowly: "I need your Baiqisi to help me find a person. This person is named Lu Jiayiduo. He is a priest from the Utu Kingdom. He came to Chang'an to congratulate the emperor on behalf of the king. The post at Honglu Temple was later moved away and disappeared, can Baiqisi help me find this person?"

Song Sen thought for a while, and said: "It's not a big problem, as long as the person is in Chang'an, Baiqisi can find him after a while. This person is an envoy of the Utu Kingdom. I wonder why Junjun Li wanted him?"

Li Qinzai said seriously: "I heard that Lu Jiayi is about to celebrate his [-]th birthday, but this person is too low-key and doesn't want to make it public. I am such a hospitable person, how can I bear to see him spend his birthday alone? So I plan to prepare a generous gift for his birthday..."

Song Sen rolled his eyes speechlessly: "Mr. Li, we are already very familiar, almost familiar, so can you stop fooling the officials with such nonsense?"

Tsk, it's not stupid, it's a bit difficult.

After thinking about it, Li Qinzai decided to tell him the truth. Anyway, he will see the result in the near future, so it is meaningless to hide it from him.

So Li Qinzai lowered his voice and said, "Okay, after paying respects to his birthday, I still want to kill him..."

Song Sen was stunned for a moment, then turned pale with shock: "You, you, you...you are too courageous. This is an envoy from a country. No matter how small the Utu country is, the envoys should treat each other with courtesy when they arrive in Chang'an. Why did Junjun Li treat him so rudely?" Killing heart?"

"I can't say the reason. In short, you Baiqisi helped me find someone. You don't have to ask about other things. It has nothing to do with you."

Song Sen's face suddenly became ugly, he hesitated for a while, and said with a wry smile: "Mr. Li, I haven't seen you in a year, and your ability to cause trouble has improved..."

Li Qinzai glanced at him sideways: "Is this a compliment to me?"

Song Sen sighed: "Forgive me, Jungong Li, I really dare not help you with this favor... The Baiqi Division is an official office directly under His Majesty. As the steward of Baiqi Division, the only thing I have to do is to be loyal to His Majesty. Datang, you must not do anything that is not conducive to His Majesty."

"If a country's envoy dies in Chang'an, Baiqisi will become an accomplice, and the subordinate officials will not be able to explain to His Majesty, nor will they be able to pass the test of their own conscience."

Li Qinzai frowned: "It's just helping to inquire about personal affairs, why do you put such a big label on it? Why are you getting less and less courageous, old Song, and you have become an official and worry about gains and losses?"

Song Sen looked helpless: "Mr. Li, please be reasonable, please? If an envoy of a country is stabbed to death in Chang'an, do you know how serious the consequences will be and how much it will damage His Majesty's prestige?"

Li Qinzai was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Let me tell you one more thing, this man is a magic stick, he is using the so-called 'elixir of life' to deceive the world, if your majesty believes in his bewitching, from then on he will be obsessed with seeking longevity, You should know what kind of chaos the court and the world will fall into."

"So, do you think this person should be removed?"

Song Sen was shocked again, and after a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Duke Li can advise His Majesty face-to-face, but the lower officials dare not participate, and Baiqisi can only follow His Majesty's orders..."

Li Qinzai frowned: "After all the good and bad words have been said, why are you still reticent? You think I have a good temper?"

Song Sen smiled bitterly: "Mr. Li's temper... Anyway, even if you beat me to death today, Baiqisi can't do it!"

Pointing at Song Sen vigorously, with a strong sense of threat, Li Qinzai suddenly said loudly: "Come on, let King Luo Bin write a memorial for me immediately, to participate in the impeachment of Song Sen, the governor of Yongzhou, who is in charge of Baiqisi, and secretly extorted bribes. Illegal bribes, extorted more than 100 catties of beef from me, enough to be exiled to Lingnan for three to five years..."

Song Sen was shocked: "Extortion... blackmail? I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!"

"I say there is!"

Song Sen's expression suddenly turned upright, his eyes filled with the light of justice.

"Mr. Li has a heart of public loyalty, and Baiqisi is willing to attach himself to the tail and eliminate traitors for the country... Come, let's discuss how to kill that bastard named Lu."