Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Chapter 287 Unusual appointment
In the front yard of the Li family, an eunuch stood quietly.

Li Ji and his family tidied up their clothes and came out in a hurry. The eunuch unfolded the yellow silk in his hand and solemnly announced the imperial decree.

The content of the imperial decree is very simple. Cui Jie was appointed as the wife of the fifth rank, and a hundred acres of fertile land in Ganjingzhuang was granted.

Li Qinzai, a doctor of Jin Tongyi, bestowed the honor of Duwei Qingche, the leader of Shangshu Youcheng, a goldfish bag, and a horse for the palace.

Li Qinzai couldn't help being stunned by the series of appointments.

I didn't hear any rumors at all beforehand, but in the end, I was dismissed as an official, and I was appointed as the leader of the Shangshu Youcheng, and I was awarded an honorary title. Isn't it too much to confer a reward?
Suppressing the doubts in his heart, Li Qinzai sent the eunuch away as usual, and then quickly glanced at Li Ji.

Li Ji stood in the yard, stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then went back to the backyard study alone with a blank expression.

Li Qinzai was in a hurry and hurried to follow.

Cui Jie looked at Li Cui Shi somewhat at a loss, Li Cui Shi took her hand and said with a smile: "It's okay, we women don't need to meddle in men's affairs."

Cui Jie nodded obediently.

Li Siwen frowned, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty's award to Qin Zai is too heavy, it's not unusual..."

Li Cui gave him a blank look: "Qin Zai got married yesterday, and he is already a man of family and career. His Majesty thinks highly of him, so naturally he should give him more errands."

Li Siwen shook his head: "It's not that simple."

…………

In the backyard, in Li Ji's study, Li Qinzai knelt in front of him and said in a low voice, "Grandpa, is your majesty's reward too heavy? What's your majesty's intention?"

Li Ji closed his eyes and rested his mind, and said lightly: "Isn't it good to be promoted and honored? I have to scold you to feel comfortable?"

Li Qinzai smiled bitterly and said, "Grandson didn't mean that, but he thought this was unusual and asked Grandpa for advice."

Li Ji pondered for a while, then slowly said: "Your Majesty's official position today, Tong Yi Dafu is a regular fourth-rank loose official, Qingche Duwei is a junior fourth-rank honor, and the leader of Shangshu Youcheng is also a regular fourth-rank. , in fact, none of them have real power, and the 'Shangshu Youcheng' is only awarded, with no official title..."

An idea flashed in Li Qinzai's mind: "Grandpa, why did His Majesty confer fourth-rank official titles?"

Li Ji smiled: "Finally not stupid, the question has reached the point."

"The old man reckons that today's award is just a foreshadowing for His Majesty, and the real afterthought may not be revealed yet..."

Li Qinzai pondered for a moment, and said, "Could it be that His Majesty is going to send an errand to your grandson?"

Li Ji smiled and stroked his beard: "The old man guesses the same, and this job may be a bit tricky, otherwise, with His Majesty's temperament, he would not make any preparations in advance."

If Li Qinzai realized something, he murmured: "The fourth-rank official title..."

Then Li Qinzai and Li Ji looked at each other, and there was a sense of understanding in each other's eyes.

Finally Li Qinzai stood up suddenly, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty will reward you generously, and my grandson plans to bring Jie'er into the palace to thank you."

Li Ji smiled: "You can live a clear life, go."

When Li Qinzai returned to the front yard, he saw a few palace servants coming from the mansion. Cui Jie was just taking the imperial lady's official uniform from the palace servants, as well as the death certificate issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Li Qinzai smiled at her, and said, "Madam, put on the official uniform and come with me to the palace to thank you."

Cui Jie obediently returned to the backyard, and not long after, she came out wearing a brand-new imperial lady's official uniform.

The official uniform is dark blue, wearing it on her body, inexplicably exudes a heroic spirit, with a unique style.

The husband and wife got into the carriage and went straight to Tai Chi Palace.

After waiting outside the palace gate for a long time, an eunuch finally led the two into the palace.

It is not the first time for Cui Jie to enter the imperial palace. It is said that she came with her father when she was young. She was still young that year, and it was the birthday of Emperor Taizong. elegant demeanor.

She was also meticulous in court etiquette, without showing any timidity. After entering the palace gate, Cui Jie walked slowly all the way, never looking around.

Li Qinzai, who has entered the palace many times, is far inferior to her in terms of etiquette.

Not only looked left and right all the way, admiring the scenery in the palace, but also kept chatting with the eunuch.

Cui Jie couldn't help but glanced at him, then lowered her head and pursed her lips, revealing a smile.

She likes him, just like this, neither in a hurry nor overbearing, calm and somewhat restless, this kind of personality can make a woman feel relieved and happy.

Li Zhi and Empress Wu were waiting for them in Anren Hall.

Walking into the hall, Li Qinzai couldn't help being taken aback.

The banquet had already been set up in the hall, and a low table was reserved for him and Cui Jie, as if they had already guessed that they would enter the palace.

Yichen paid homage to Li Zhi and Empress Wu, Li Qinzai and Cui Jie sat down at the side table in the hall.

Li Zhi smiled and said: "The wine is still warm, you came just in time, Jing Chu had a drink with me first, from today on, Jing Chu has become a man of the family, it should be a waste of time."

Li Qinzai hastily took a cup and drank it down.

The groom had a good night, and in terms of friendship between men, he would more or less make fun of a few nasty words, but Li Zhi didn't mention a word, and he didn't even look at Cui Jie who was beside Li Qinzai from the beginning to the end.

The king of monarchs and ministers is first a gentleman, and then a king.

It would be frivolous to make fun of the private affairs of the courtiers, and it would be too disrespectful to his newly appointed wife.

Empress Wu also raised her cup to Cui Jie and said with a smile, "Men talk about men's affairs, Mrs. Li, and drink with me."

Cui Jie stood up and thanked her with family etiquette, then held her cup up to her forehead in a respectful manner, said a few words of congratulations, and then calmly covered her face with her sleeves, and stopped sipping.

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Did Jing Chu come to thank you?"

Li Qinzai said: "Yes, I and my wife would like to thank Your Majesty and Queen Long En."

Li Zhi smiled and said: "It's just a few false titles, there's no need to thank me, Jingchu's talent is of great use to the society, I can't let you teach and educate people in the countryside for the rest of your life, that would be a waste of talents Now, when Jingchu is old in the future, wouldn't I be ashamed if I express a few words of regret that my talents are not appreciated?"

Li Qinzai hurriedly said: "I will never express this emotion, my lifelong ambition is to be a salty... well, hidden in the countryside, indifferent to the world, if there are a few disciples who can pass on my knowledge, it would be a surprise happiness."

Li Zhi sighed: "Others have sharpened their heads and only want to be promoted, but Jing Chu avoids it for fear of not being able to. It is true that he has a lofty temperament all his life, but won't Jing Chu feel regretful? Such a life must be boring."

Li Qinzai said again: "What I am indifferent to is the court and officialdom. As for other things, I still have something to ask for. Ordinary people, wine, sex and wealth, I am not an eminent monk from outside the world, so naturally I cannot escape the vulgarity."

With a flash in his eyes, Li Qinzai suddenly said: "Speaking of wine, sex and wealth, I think of one thing. I wonder if His Majesty and the Empress are interested..."

Li Zhi raised his eyebrows: "Tell me."

Li Qinzai hesitated for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty...should be short of money, right? Is the palace treasury not enough? I heard that when His Majesty wanted to repair the Taiji Palace, he was advised by the courtiers because he had no money. If His Majesty wants to build a palace, he still has to look at the faces of his courtiers..."

A man, even if he is an emperor, has a sad face when talking about money.

Li Zhi suddenly showed a slumped expression, he couldn't even drink the wine anymore, he put down the wine cup and sighed quietly, "Jing Chu understands me!"

Li Qinzai twitched the corner of his mouth, I don't understand you, I understand men.

Looking around the world, which man is not short of money?

The greater the desire, the more you feel that the money is not enough to spend, and the same is true for billionaires.The emperor's family has a big business, so it is impossible not to be short of money.

Empress Wu also became less interested, apparently in charge of the inner treasury of the harem all these years, it was quite difficult for Empress Wu to cook without rice.

Li Qinzai took a sip of his wine, and said slowly: "I have a business, and the annual income is one hundred thousand. I wonder if your majesty and the empress have any intentions?"

Li Zhi and Empress Wu's eyes lit up at the same time, and they sat up straight unconsciously.

"I would like to hear the details. Jing Chu will tell you carefully."

Li Qinzai said softly: "Do you remember, Your Majesty, the experiment that I did in Ganjing Village a few days ago, the one that turned water into ice?"

Li Zhi nodded: "I remember, I am still surprised, this move is simply called a miracle."

"It's not a miracle, it's just a little bit of learning, but since I got it out, it's impossible to just do an experiment and forget it. Knowledge must be applied to the world, and this kind of knowledge is meaningful... "

"So, I plan to sell ice cubes. Ice can be produced in any season and any place, as long as there are raw materials. If it is sold to arid and barren lands outside the region that lacks water but rains all year round, the profit must be not small."

Li Zhi and Empress Wu's breathing suddenly became short of breath.

(End of this chapter)