Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 424 Self-deception
Early May, Chang'an City.

When the rebels marched sixty miles a day in Hebei, Chang'an City still looked prosperous, but it had been raining continuously for two months, and the road outside the city gate was muddy.

Li Xian, who was transferred back from Taiyuan to serve as Jing Zhaoyin, had just returned from an inspection outside the city. He was wearing a raincoat and riding a horse. It was impossible to tell that he was a member of the Tang clan or a high-ranking official of the imperial court.

Looking through the rain, I saw a crowd at the city gate. A large group of ragged farmers were crying and shouting. Jinwu guards came out of the city gate to disperse them.

"Hey." Li Xian reined in the horse and ordered, "Go and see what's going on."

Dugu Ziwu took the order and came back after a long time. Li Xian led his horse and waited patiently under the willow tree.

"It's a farmer from Hu County. His crops were damaged by the rain, and for some reason he came to Chang'an to cry."

"How can a farmer have such an opinion? I'm afraid the officials of Huxian County are not aware of this year's rent and labor service."

"Wouldn't doing this mean that one's official career would be in danger?"

"If there was any other way, how dare the county magistrate do this? This shows how ruthless Yang Guozhong is in forcing taxes."

While he was talking, the crying farmers had all been driven away by the Jinwu Guards, and their helpless figures gradually disappeared into the rain.

Li Xian had actually written many times to report that rains had damaged crops, and begged the court to reduce taxes and open warehouses to provide disaster relief. However, Yang Guozhong told the sage that "although there is a lot of rain, it will not damage the crops," and nothing happened.

The wind and rain were getting heavier, and even though I was wearing a raincoat, all the clothes inside were soaked. Li Xian looked up at the slender willow branches above and murmured: "How can a willow tree cover the rain?"

"Then why is Alang still standing here to take shelter from the rain?"

"You are hiding your ears and stealing your bell." Li Xian laughed at himself, "You are deceiving yourself and others."

After entering the city, before arriving at Jingzhao Mansion, someone was already waiting in front of the door, greeting him: "Jing Yin, the right prime minister invites you to come to the mansion to have a talk."

Li Xianzheng had many things to talk to Yang Guozhong, so he immediately went to Yang Guozhong's house in Xuanyangfang without even bothering to change his clothes. After arriving, the servant saw his appearance and quickly asked the fat maid to wait on him to wipe and change his clothes, and then led him into the comfortable hall.

Yang Guozhong was very enthusiastic and kept calling him "one of his own". Li Xian did not refute and soon mentioned the rain disaster.

"If the rain disaster is so serious, why doesn't the censor say anything? The affairs of the world are not decided by you and me. There must be regulations."

Yang Guozhong smiled and responded with one sentence, and in turn mentioned his purpose of looking for Li Xian.

"You and I are our own people, so let me tell you the truth. It doesn't matter that you convicted Yang Guanghui of some crimes in Taiyuan, but I heard that Yang Guanghui seems not to be dead, but is being detained by you privately?"

"Why does the Right Prime Minister think so?" Li Xian pretended to be surprised.

"A postman saw that you brought the prisoner back but did not hand it over to Dali Temple. Who is it if it's not Yang Guanghui?"

"It's just a rebel prisoner who has died of illness."

Yang Guozhong didn't believe it and raised his eyebrows: "You are hiding Yang Guanghui in private. Are you trying to collect evidence of my crime and plot a position?"

"There is absolutely no such thing." Li Xian looked solemn and swore that he had no intention of replacing Yang Guozhong.

Yang Guozhong himself was a man who did not respect the gods and did not keep his word. He did not believe these words at all. He secretly thought that Li Xian was indeed dishonest, so he could only use other means to deal with this matter.

But now is not the time to break up with Li Xian, because they still have a common enemy - An Lushan.

"Okay, I'm just asking a tentative question." Yang Guozhong smiled broadly, and then said: "I have reported the details of the battle at Shiling Pass to the sage, but the sage did not believe me, and even more so, Zahu."

As he spoke, the smile on his face gradually solidified. It should be noted that even the saints could listen to him about rain disasters. However, he was the only one who lost to An Lushan in this aspect. How could he not be afraid?

Li Xian thought about it and speculated: "Presumably the saint thought about the possibility of An Lushan's rebellion, but failed to make up his mind to believe it?"

"Maybe we don't have enough evidence?"

"is it?"

Li Xian was skeptical about this statement. He vaguely felt that the matter did not depend on the evidence, but on the saint's mental strength and the situation that affected the whole body.

"We have to search." Yang Guozhong emphasized his tone, and finally revealed the purpose of this conversation, and said slowly: "Don't forget, Zahu also has a Dongping County Prince's Palace in Chang'an City."

"According to the wishes of the Prime Minister?"

"You are Jing Zhaoyin, leading people to search Zaza Hu's mansion."

This was obviously treating Li Xian as a gunman. If he were really one of his own, Yang Guozhong would not let him go.

But Li Xian did not refuse. He also wanted to intensify the conflict and uncover the piece of cloth of "the king and his ministers get along well with each other" to see what was inside.

~~
The Ten Princes' Residence, the Prince's Villa.

A shocking face was reflected in the bronze mirror, with several long scars running directly from his forehead to his lips.

Li Cong took away the bronze mirror in disgust, turned around, and sat down outside the screen.

He timed it just right. Li Tan had just arrived, and he called out with courtesy: "Uncle."

"Sanlang is here, don't be too polite, just sit down."

One thing is a coincidence. These royal grandchildren are not ranked among cousins, but only among full brothers. Otherwise, they would be called "Li 118 Lang". Li Cong adopted Li Ying. Among his sons, there is a "sanlang" missing, and Li Tan happens to be the third person in the line. When he calls him, he seems to be like a father and son.

They are really close these days because they really need each other. This relationship is delicate and should not be discussed with others. If Li Cong succeeded to the throne and made Li Tan the crown prince, it would obviously be very inappropriate. Their current interactions would more likely lead to social turmoil in the future. But on the other hand, the saint turned a blind eye to this matter.

Li Cong didn't understand what the sage was thinking at first, but later he gradually realized that this was a kind of check and balance. Li Tan is the best person who can both help and restrict Donggong.

As a result, the courtiers tried their best not to mess with the East Palace, and the prince really had no sense of presence in the court.

"A big event happened in Chang'an today."

Li Tan started talking as soon as he sat down. The reason why he often came to visit Li Cong was because he knew that Li Cong did not have many sources of information. He could help the East Palace accumulate strength, stabilize the country, and at the same time improve his own. prestige.

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"Jing Zhaoyin searched the Dongping County Prince's Mansion." Li Tan said: "And he really found evidence that An Lushan colluded with the court officials to rebel."

Li Cong asked: "What evidence?"

"A group of important officials in the court, including Andai and Li Fanglai, revealed confidential information to An Lushan and made false claims of prophecy."

Li Cong was immediately frightened for a moment when he heard the words "falsely claiming prophecies." He subconsciously feared that "Jiao Constructing the East Palace" would follow. He quickly regained his energy and asked, "What next?"

"Now Li Xian has handed over the information and has gone to capture Andai himself." Li Tan said: "This is a big deal, not to mention it involves the Anqing Sect and Princess Rongyi. The East Palace has to come forward."

"How do I show up?"

"Support Jing Zhaoyin."

In Li Tan's view, An Lushan must be rebelling, so the marriage between Princess Rongyi and Anqing Zong will no longer be able to appease him. Li Cong no longer has to think about winning over An Lushan. Winning Li Xian's support at this time can not only win prestige, but also gain the favor and support of the clan and courtiers.

As a nephew, he could only fulfill his duty of reminding him. After explaining the truth, he stood up and left.

Li Cong was a person who listened to advice. As soon as Li Tan left, he sent someone to the palace to ask for an audience.

Not long after, An Qingzong arrived.

Li Cong knew clearly that he should not meet An Qingzong at this time, but he still loved his adopted daughter Princess Rongyi very much. Finally, he was not determined enough and agreed to meet.

"Please, husband, save me."

As soon as An Qingzong entered, he fell to the ground and cried endlessly.

If there is anyone in Chang'an City besides the saint who does not believe that Anlu Mountain will rebel, it is Anqing Zong.

When he thought about it, he was a hostage in Chang'an. If An Lushan dared to raise troops, he would be the first to die. How could he be willing to throw away his eldest son's life?

"What my grandfather longs for most in his life is to return to Chang'an to take care of his old age. He will definitely not rebel. It was perjured by Yang Guozhong..."

Such pleading alone was not enough, so An Qingzong promised to persuade An Lushan to support Li Cong.

Li Cong couldn't help but hesitate.

~~
At the same time, Li Xian has arrived at the Ministry of War to capture Andai, a member of the Ministry of War.

However, the decree had not yet arrived, and he did not have the authority to directly deal with the sixth-grade officials, so he waited anxiously.

Suddenly, Dugu Ziwu hurried over and reported, "Andai has escaped."

Li Xian immediately led his troops out of Chang'an and found that An Dai had joined Li Fanglai and had just left the city with a group of people. He must have planned to defect to Anlu Mountain.

"Chase!"

"Jingyin, we have no right to mobilize the Jinwu Guards."

The person who reminded him was Wei Chang, the bad commander in Chang'an County. Wei Chang had been catching bad commanders ever since Yan Zhenqing and Xue Bai were appointed captains of Chang'an County. Over the years, officials have come and gone like water, but he is still stuck in this position. .

This kind of person is the most all-rounded person, and there is no way he will take responsibility for Li Xian.

"drive!"

Seeing that the prisoner was about to escape under his nose, Li Xian actually rode his horse to catch up with him.

Others did not expect that the dignified Jing Zhaoyin could run into such a charging posture, and they were all shocked...

~~
It was already very late when Li Cong arrived at Xingqing Palace. Several important ministers were standing outside the main hall of the Qinzhengfu Building, talking in low voices with voices thinner than mosquitoes.

He still has few news channels and doesn't know what happened, but he can feel that the atmosphere is quite serious.

Compared with when Li Heng was the prince, there are still very few officials loyal to Li Cong now, and Li Cong does not dare to make friends for fear of angering the emperor. He just entered the hall silently and stood at the head position.

When the saint arrived, he indeed summoned Li Xian to inquire about the search of the Dongping County Prince's Mansion.

But Li Longji's first words surprised Li Cong.

"Hu'er's house was a reward from me. Without my permission, who would have asked you to search it?"

Yang Guozhong was startled when he heard this and quickly glanced at Li Xian.

Li Xian did not betray him, but said: "As a Jing Zhao Yin, I have the responsibility to ensure the safety of Chang Chang..."

"Enough!" Li Longji was inexplicably impatient today and shouted: "Who asked you to kill the two court officials, Andai and Li Fanglai?!"

Yang Guozhong was even more frightened, but he really did not instruct Li Xian to do this, and he did not expect Li Xian to be so decisive and ruthless.

Li Xian said: "I have searched for evidence in An Lushan Mansion. As a military envoy, he was spying on the distribution of troops in the capital. An Dai and Li Fanlai revealed secrets and coordinated the rebellion. I went to hunt them down, but they still dared to resist arrest. I had no choice but to Strangled them."

Li Cong was shocked when he heard this. He didn't expect that Li Xian would dare to kill an official at the feet of the emperor. If investigated carefully, this was almost tantamount to rebellion. No wonder the saint was angry. After listening for a while, he realized that Li Xian, with only a few personal servants, rushed into the queue with many guards and strangled Andai and Li Fanglai to death.

There has never been a shortage of such fierce men in Li Tang's family. Li Xian's biological father once swept through the Turks. However, among the princes, no one has such courage. Li Cong felt a little ashamed of himself, and for a moment he was worried that Li Xian would steal the throne.

Of course, it wasn't his turn to worry about this yet.

"His Majesty!"

Li Xian suddenly raised his voice and said with a salute: "Everything I said is true. Please ask the saint, Rong Chen, to present the evidence. You will know at a glance..."

"No need." Li Longji looked extremely cold, "I don't listen to the evidence on paper, I only believe what I see with my own eyes."

Li Xian was stunned for a moment, unable to believe that a saint could say such a thing.

What does it mean to see it with your own eyes? He, Li Xian, indeed strangled Andai and Li Fanglai to death, but is he considered to have killed an official in rebellion? If he wasn't worried about the country, why would he do such an outrageous thing? To see these clearly, only the most basic judgment is required.

Is the saint so old that he no longer has the ability to make a clear decision?
"Your Majesty!" Li Xian said earnestly: "I know that I am guilty, but I would like to ask your Majesty to take a look at the evidence that I have collected to see how weak Guanzhong is. An Lushan has been holding Fan Yang for a long time and has more than 100,000 strings under its control. When the time comes... …”

"Shut up!" Li Longji shouted and cursed: "Li Xian, what are your intentions?!"

All the officials in the palace were shocked.

They heard it right, the saint just lost his temper. The dignified emperor openly speculated in front of everyone about a clan that had contributed to the country. This was an extremely dishonorable and unwise act. They had never seen a saint act like this.

"I don't dare."

Li Xian quickly fell to the ground, not daring to continue persuading him.

He looked at Yang Guozhong, after all, it was Yang Guozhong's instruction in the first place. He hoped that Yang Guozhong could say a few words, but Yang Guozhong actually avoided his gaze.

Li Xian then looked at Li Cong, hoping that Li Cong could assume the responsibilities that a prince should have. Doing so would anger the saint, but the rewards would not be small.

Catching his gaze, Li Cong stood up and said with a salute: "Father, please calm down. Li Xian is also loyal to his duties. I dare to vouch for him. He has no selfish motives."

In one sentence, Li Xian felt a lot relieved and thought that the prince was still wise. The next step was to reveal the evidence of An Lushan's crime. Even if it could not convince the saint, it could also clarify the position of the East Palace.

However, Li Cong only continued to plead for Li Xian and never mentioned An Lushan.

"Pass the message." Li Longji waved his hand impatiently and said, "Let Li Xian go out of the capital and calm down."

"I obey the order." Yang Guozhong quickly responded with a salute.

Li Xian knew that he was going to be demoted. He didn't care about his official position, but looking at the saint's frown, he became more and more convinced of one thing.

The saint does not trust An Lushan, but the saint has no other choice but to trust An Lushan.

"I'm just deceiving myself..."

~~
Yang Guozhong originally wanted to borrow Li Xian's knife to chop down Anlu Mountain, but he didn't expect that the knife had broken as soon as he swung it.

He was a little annoyed, but after leaving Xingqing Palace, he changed his mind and thought that this was not a bad thing. After all, Li Xian will become his political enemy sooner or later, so it would be the same to get rid of him first.

This is an optimistic attitude.

So, he immediately summoned the Jinwu Guard generals and ordered: "Go and search Li Xian's mansion and find Yang Guanghui for me."

"Here."

The whole thing seemed a little ridiculous.

Not long ago, Li Xian got Yang Guozhong's instruction to search An Lushan's house. In the blink of an eye, Yang Guozhong searched his house again.

"found it!"

The stone slab above a cellar was pushed open, revealing the steps leading to the dark place. A haggard middle-aged man was sitting in front of the couch, munching biscuits, looking extremely pitiful.

"It's him, Yang Guanghui..."

Yang Guanghui didn't expect that he would see the light of day again so soon. He had been locked up for so long that his whole body seemed to have deteriorated. He didn't know how to speak, and he couldn't even walk well.

But when he was brought to Yang Guozhong, he quickly regained his previous sensitivity.

"Right Prime Minister! I thought I would never see you again!"

Yang Guanghui rushed forward excitedly and wanted to hold Yang Guozhong's legs and cry bitterly, but Yang Guozhong kicked him away.

"Trash, have you betrayed me? How much evidence did you give Li Xian of my crime?"

"No, not at all." Yang Guanghui turned over on the ground, climbed up again, and said, "Li Xian has never asked the officials about the right prime minister."

"Huh?" Yang Guozhong sneered, not believing this sentence at all, and said: "If he doesn't ask me, why is he secretly keeping your life?"

Yang Guanghui's tone became mysterious and he whispered: "Right Prime Minister, I have inquired about a secret matter."

"explain."

In fact, although Li Xian kept Yang Guanghui, he did not fully believe what he said. He was also secretly investigating the case of the empress Li Qian in the three commoners case, and gradually believed that Yang Guanghui's confession was not that important.

At this time, Yang Guanghui rolled his eyes twice, but he thought that he could not be vague and must show his value.

"Right Prime Minister, the lower official discovered at Shiling Pass...Xue Bai is the son of the deposed prince, the grandson of the emperor Li Qian."

"What did you say?" Yang Guozhong felt that it was too outrageous, and his whole face wrinkled up.

Yang Guanghui then told the story with added detail.

"The reason why Xue Bai has been successful in everything he does these years is precisely because the forces behind him, the deposed Prince Ying, have been secretly helping him. Not only Wang Zhongsi, but also Li Xian is one of them..."

Yang Guozhong didn't believe it at first, but Yang Guanghui's words were correct, and he was indeed detained by Li Xian, so he still became suspicious after all.

"Is he really the grandson of the emperor?"

"Right Prime Minister, what Xue Bai has done is not trivial." Yang Guanghui continued to fan the fire.

Yang Guozhong rarely seemed a little hesitant and asked, "What do you think he wants?"

"In the past, I thought he wanted to support Prince Qing as the crown prince, but now it seems that he is just..."

"So progressive?!"

Yang Guozhong exclaimed softly, and then recalled that ever since he met Xue Bai, he had a sudden realization when he saw the look in his eyes that said, "A sparrow knows the ambition of a swan at a safe place."

So, the first question to consider is what to do?
Will Xue Bai be exposed now? No, originally everyone was working together to deal with An Lushan, but then there would be one less friend and one more enemy, so it would be better to discuss it with the imperial concubine first.

……

As a result, Yang Guanghui was temporarily staying in the Youxiang Mansion.

Li Xian was demoted to the position of prefect of Lingling.

~~
A few days later, no official dared to mention the news that the crops were damaged by the continuous rain.

Because Li Xian, Jingzhao Yin who successively reported on this matter, has been demoted by the saint.

However, Yang Guozhong could stop the public in the court, but he could not stop the news among the people. The merchants had the best ears and eyes, and they were sure that Guanzhong would be short of food next year, so they began to collect food. As a result, food prices in Chang'an suddenly skyrocketed.

Long queues formed in the east and west markets, and the people spent their hard-earned money to buy grain with bitter faces. More people could not buy grain, and they soon began to miss Li Xian. Although Jing Zhaoyin took office for a short period of time, he took many measures to benefit the people, and he also had the courage to speak out for justice.

"If you want to make Mi Su cheap, there is no better way than chasing Li Xian."

Such songs can be heard everywhere in Chang'an City. Yang Guozhong heard this when he was riding to Xingqing Palace. He was very unhappy and cursed secretly. He had worked hard for state affairs, but these people did not appreciate it.

Of course he couldn't tell the saint these things, lest he ruin the saint's interest.

It is already mid-May, and Concubine Yang's birthday is coming soon. Yang Guozhong is here to prepare for the banquet.

Song and dance rehearsals were taking place in the palace, and Li Longji specially re-arranged "The Dance of Colorful Clothes" for a hundred dancers to perform.

When Yang Guozhong arrived, Li Longji was on stage, and he happened to meet Yang Yuhuan first.

"Your Majesty, the procedures for the birthday banquet have been arranged. Please take a look at them."

"If you don't look at it, you are one year older. What's the point?" Yang Yuhuan said lazily, "If it weren't for the saint's high interest, I wouldn't bother to hold another banquet."

There were not many opportunities to speak alone, so Yang Guozhong said directly: "I recently got a piece of news about Xue Bai."

"Oh?"

Yang Yuhuan became interested, tilted his head, turned his bright eyes, and motioned for Yang Guozhong to continue.

When Yang Guanghui was brought out, the secret was destined to spread. Yang Guozhong just let Yang Yuhuan know earlier.

"Xue Bai is actually..."

"Boom!"

The sound of drums came from the other side of the palace wall, interrupting Yang Guozhong's whisper.

Yang Yuhuan turned around and looked, not understanding what happened. Since she has been in the palace for so long, she has never heard drums beating on the top of the palace city during the day, and even Dengwen drums cannot be beaten here.

"Boom!"

The drum beat was loud and urgent, interrupting the dance being arranged on the stage.

"What happened?!"

Accompanied by this rich and somewhat displeased voice, Li Longji calmly stepped down from the stage and looked at the eunuch who was rushing towards this side.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty..."

The eunuch was sweating profusely from running, and his voice was frightened. Combined with the sound of the drum, it gave people a feeling of panic. With great difficulty, he lay down in front of Li Longji and knelt down, his whole body trembling.

"Your Majesty! You've rebelled, you've rebelled... Fan Yang Jiedushi sent An Lushan to spread the word to the world, and he was ordered to Qingjun's side... He has already reached Mengjin Ferry, and his troops are approaching the Eastern Capital!"

The palace drums have stopped, but there is silence up and down the stage.

Li Longji, who had great trust in An Lushan, did not look surprised. He just stood in the sunset and tried to straighten his body, but he still stooped helplessly.

Yuyang cockroaches came to the ground with agitation, and the neon clothes and feathers were frightened.

(End of this chapter)