Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 437: Fighting Without Fighting
Li Zhi was not sympathetic to Chen Qingsi, but he liked to handle things cleanly and efficiently. Chen Qingsi's way of handling many things was actually not in line with his thoughts.

Although he knew that Chen Qingsi's intentions were good and he had sufficient reasons to benefit the country and the people, he was not in harmony with him.

In other words, Chen Qingsi is too important to the imperial court. He is a man of both civil and military talents. He can support the country and intimidate the barbarians. He is a man who can turn the tide and save the collapsing empire.

Now the young master of the Tang Dynasty is young, and his health is not good. It is unknown how long he will live. He needs someone like Chen Qingsi who can control the situation both military and politically and can stand up at the critical moment.

This is also the reason why Li Zhi has always indulged Chen Qingsi.

For true talents, even a willful king like Li Zhi would change his nature and show greater tolerance.

However, facing the existence of disgusting people like the Guandong gentry, Li Zhi was not optimistic about Chen Qingsi.

Li Zhi only wanted the Guandong samurai to pay the price and did not pay attention to the process.

However, Chen Qingsi's style of being an official obviously makes it impossible to achieve this.

Chen Qingsi was also happy about this.

Li Zhi asked Chen Qingsi to leave.

When they were alone, Empress Wu's tears rolled down again, and she looked helpless.

Li Zhi looked at Empress Wu, whose eyes were slightly red, and said with a hint of excitement, "Don't worry, Empress. I will not let you suffer in vain."

The most difficult thing about dealing with the Kanto samurai is that it's hard to know where to start...

Most of them were capable officials in the court who had made great contributions to the court and the people, and presented themselves as loyal ministers and celebrities. Li Zhi had no good reason to take action against them, so this rumor incident was just the right opportunity to take advantage of them.

The rumors gradually came to an end as the Fengshan team moved eastward again.

Although the Fengshan team was a mixed bag, they were all well-known figures after all. Even if they really discussed rumors, they would not be gossiped about and would not speak about them in public.

In other words, the other party took advantage of the fact that Fengshan was resting in Huazhou and used Huazhou as a platform to spread rumors among the people who were just having fun.

After leaving the town, the movement could not be effectively guided and gradually died down.

Chen Qingsi also deliberately changed his route eastward, avoiding two cities to minimize the spread of the rumor.

"It's true that a blessing in disguise!"

Chen Qingsi rode on the horse, looking around idly.

According to the original plan, the closer we get to the destination, the easier it is to slack off, which leads to situations.

After passing Huazhou, they were halfway through the journey, and this was the time for them to be truly tested.

But after the rumor spread, the entire Fengshan team became much more honest.

After all, no one wants to become a suspect at this critical moment.

As a result, the Fengshan envoy, who was always busy, rarely had any free time.

Zhang Jianzhi even took the time to learn about the case in which Gong County Magistrate Lu Lingjia allowed his son to commit murder, and then reported the incident to Chen Qingsi.

"This matter has been settled, and everything is true. Lv Wei, the thief, relied on his father's power to commit all kinds of evil. He also sent people to dig canals, allowing the flood to submerge the people's fertile fields. The local people had nothing to harvest and no food to eat. He then sent people to buy up the fertile fields at extremely low prices, using various means to make profits for himself."

"Not many people died at his hands, but he harmed at least three to five hundred people."

Zhang Jianzhi's tone was full of anger. Gong County was located in Shangluo, not far from the Eastern Capital.

Even so, such heinous crimes still occur. One can imagine what the situation is like in those remote areas.

Chen Qingsi sighed: "The county magistrate who ruined his family and the governor who wiped out his clan are truly true!"

He looked at Zhang Jianzhi and saw that this upright student also had a look of disgust on his face. He said, "This kind of thing is not an isolated case in the world. We can't eliminate all the injustices in the world, but if we encounter them, we should show no mercy. As long as I am still here, you can do it. I will take care of everything!"

Zhang Jianzhi said solemnly, "Don't worry, sir. I will never show mercy to such incidents. This matter was not handled by me, but I deliberately revealed the victim's intention to stop the emperor and file a complaint. This matter has alarmed the higher-ups. I believe that even if the other party is bold, he will not dare to act rashly. I will also pay attention to follow up and not let such a villain have the slightest chance to turn over."

Chen Qingsi still had great confidence in Zhang Jianzhi's abilities, so he stopped talking and turned to the matter at hand.

"We have already persevered for most of the journey, and there is still a little more to go, and we can achieve complete success. Don't let all your efforts go to waste due to momentary carelessness. Go back and tell everyone to be careful of any accidents..."

Chen Qingsi’s greatest characteristic is his prudence.

In short, as long as you don't make mistakes, you will be invincible.

Just as Chen Qingsi was thinking this, someone suddenly came in panic.

"Mr. Chen, Mr. Li Ying has fallen off his horse!"

Yuan Shuji rode his horse closer, panting, and said, "For some reason, Lord Li Ying's horse got frightened and threw him off the horse."

At that moment, Chen Qingsi was about to slap himself.

Is this mouth blessed?

Chen Qingsi’s first reaction: “Let’s go!”

The second reaction: "Marry the Li family's wife as soon as possible."

Following Yuan Shuji eastward, we came to a temporary shed on the side of the road.

Li Ji was lying on the mat with great effort. In the cold December weather, he was sweating all over due to the pain.

Li Jingye had already arrived, and kept muttering, "You are already old, why are you still trying to be brave?"

Seeing that the imperial physician was giving Li Ji acupuncture and massage, Chen Qingsi did not go forward to interrupt him, but came to Li Jingye's side and asked, "Why did Lord Ying fall off his horse out of the blue?"

Li Jingye looked remorseful and annoyed, saying, "It's all my fault! I insisted on showing my whiteness and harmed my grandfather."

It turned out that Li Jingye got a Li family's ancestral war horse in Huazhou.

Li Ji's ancestral home was in Huazhou. He had a widowed sister who had always lived in the ancestral home. This time when he moved into Huazhou, Li Zhi also sent people to visit Li Ji's widowed sister, gave her clothes, and conferred her the title of Princess of Dongping.

In his early years, Li Ji fought in a bloody battle with Liu Heita. He was saved by the divine horse he rode and survived.

But the precious horse's leg was broken and it became a lame horse and was no longer suitable for fighting.

Li Ji kept it in his ancestral home and took good care of it until it died.

Li Ji didn't know that the precious colt had not been castrated and its steed was still there.

When Li Jingye saw that there was a precious horse in his ancestral home, he took it for himself.

However, the horse had never received any training from a groom at the ancestral home, and was very wild and did not like to be ridden.

Li Jingye was young and energetic, so he was not afraid and planned to tame it himself.

When Li Ji saw his old friend, he was in good health and felt deeply moved. He got on his horse and tried to regain the feeling of the past.

As a result, the horse was so wild and difficult to tame that Li Ji was thrown off its back.

After hearing the reason, Chen Qingsi knew what to say.

If he remembered correctly, Li Ji should be 68 or 69 this year, almost 70 years old, so why did he go through all this?
Could it be that he is really an old child, and the older he gets, the more childish he becomes?
Chen Qingsi secretly complained.

"Your Majesty is here!" With a shout, Li Zhi came hurriedly.

Li Zhi's attitude towards Li Ji was obviously different.

Among the regents left to him by Li Shimin, Li Ji was the most remote but the most important one.

It can be said that if there was no Li Ji, it would have been difficult for Li Zhi to get rid of the control of Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang. It was precisely because of Li Ji's cooperation that he was able to make drastic use of Empress Wu to eliminate Empress Wang and the noble faction headed by Zhangsun Wuji.

Li Ji was the stabilizing force in Li Zhi's hand.

This relationship between the monarch and his subjects is truly extraordinary.

"My dear, how is it?"

As soon as Li Zhi arrived at the scene, he immediately asked about everyone's well-being.

"He broke his hands and feet, and also sprained his waist. It's not serious, and his life is fine. But he needs to rest. After all, it takes a hundred days to heal a broken bone. Mr. Li Ying is old, so he needs to rest for more than a hundred days."

Knowing that Li Ji was fine, Li Zhi felt relieved. He comforted Li Ji and told him to rest well and follow the doctor's advice.

Li Zhi first asked about Li Ji's situation, and then asked the reason.

Upon learning the reason why Li Ji fell off his horse, Emperor Li Zhi was speechless and said, "Don't let Yinggong do anything stupid in the future!"

As he said this, he went to talk to Li Ji again and gave his precious horse to Li Ji.

Regardless of the bloodline and ability of Li Zhi's mount, one thing is certain: it must have been tamed perfectly and would not be frightened by anything.

Chen Qingsi was watching Li Zhi and Li Ji talking in low voices when he suddenly noticed a gaze. He turned around inadvertently and met Xu Jingzong's gaze which was filled with surprise and a little vigilance.

Chen Qingsi suddenly realized that Li Ji's fall was not timely.

The date for the Fengshan ceremony has been set, and such a major event cannot be changed.

Given Li Ji's current situation, how could he have the strength to undertake the heavy burden of offering sacrifices to heaven?

Substitution is inevitable, and Xu Jingzong has found another opportunity.

Chen Qingsi responded with a faint smile, thinking: "This time, you may not be able to get what you want."

How could Chen Qingsi not be tempted by the Fengshan offering ceremony, which was a major event that would go down in history and bring huge political capital?

But Chen Qingsi knew very well that he was not qualified.

People should avoid greed the most, especially when you are not qualified. If you try to get something by force just for a little greed, you will inevitably suffer backlash.

Chen Qingsi knew that if there was really a chance, it would be in his performance during this Fengshan trip.

Faced with the most thankless task, Chen Qingsi took it up without hesitation, which led to the situations along the way and won some opportunities for himself.

Xu Jingzong also smiled back, and a trace of regret flashed in the depths of his eyes, regretting why he didn't take on this burden in the first place.

After knowing that Li Zhi had chosen Li Ji, Xu Jingzong realized that he could not compete with Li Ji, and his enthusiasm for the Fengshan ceremony dropped significantly, to the point that he became a bit slacker.

Chen Qingsi was so busy that he was dizzy, but he followed Li Zhi and talked about the customs and people along the way as well as some historical anecdotes.

Along the way, Xu Jingzong demonstrated all his erudition.

Almost everywhere he went, he could tell some historical stories about what happened nearby or in this place.

"No, we can't do this. We have to fight for it."

There was a hint of determination in Xu Jingzong's eyes.

Chen Qingsi and Zhang Jianzhi returned together.

Zhang Jianzhi whispered, "Sir, Lord Li Ying will not be able to offer sacrifices to the heavens now."

Chen Qingsi nodded slightly and said, "Falling off a horse is no small matter. I probably won't be able to participate."

"Then..." Zhang Jianzhi lowered his voice again and said, "Do you have this opportunity, sir? In terms of seniority, you cannot compare with Xianggong Xu, but Xianggong Xu's contribution to the Fengshan event is far inferior to yours. You have been running around for the Fengshan event, while Xianggong Xu has been traveling with His Majesty, talking about the local customs and practices of various places. If you are not blind, who can't see your contribution?"

Facing his student, Chen Qingsi did not hide the fact: "At first, I was not qualified and did not think about him. Now the opportunity is right in front of me, so why not fight for it?"

Zhang Jianzhi said: "Don't worry, sir, go ahead and fight boldly. Most of us support you and are willing to help you."

Zhang Jianzhi had a very high level of political awareness. He knew from the beginning that unless his husband Chen Qingsi died young, the imprint of the Chen Party on him would never be erased.

Besides, Zhang Jianzhi very much agreed with Chen Qingsi's political ideals and ambitions. They were like-minded comrades, so Zhang Jianzhi had no intention of wasting time.

One glory and one glory.

Compared with Xu Jingzong, who was fawning on the powerful, Zhang Jianzhi naturally hoped that Chen Qingsi would replace Li Ji.

Chen Qingsi knew Zhang Jianzhi's thoughts and said, "In the current situation, we should not fight for victory. Don't act rashly. With the help of noble people, we have a great chance of winning. If you are too ostentatious, you will miss the opportunity."

Zhang Jianzhi was a little surprised.

Chen Qingsi pointed out: "The emperor is different from other emperors. He cannot be judged by common sense."

The selection of the person to offer the gift for Fengshan has never been something that others can influence.

This can be seen from the fact that Li Zhi asked the four Fengshan envoys to write anonymous letters of recommendation.

No matter what, Li Ji would not have been elected.

Four tickets from Li Ji, Li Yuanli, Xu Jingzong, and Chen Qingsi.

First of all, anonymous nominations exclude those made by others, so it is impossible for Li Zhi not to see the handwriting of everyone.

Therefore, no matter who Li Ji gives the ticket to, it cannot be other than himself.

Chen Qingsi was not sure who Li Yuanli's vote was for. Xu Jingzong said that he had convinced Li Yuanli that there was a 70% chance that Li Yuanli's vote was for Xu Jingzong. Even if he fooled Xu Jingzong and gave the vote to Li Ji, Li Ji would only have one vote.

Chen Qingsi didn't know who Xu Jingzong would give his vote to, but he was sure of one thing: it would not be given to Li Ji, his strongest opponent.

And Chen Qingsi's vote was indeed given to Xu Jingzong.

The result is that Xu Jingzong is likely to get two votes, or at least one vote, while Li Ji is likely to get zero votes, or a small probability of one vote.

No matter how you calculate, it is impossible for Li Ji to become the popular choice as Li Zhi said.

In other words, anonymous recommendations are just a way of misleading people. In reality, it is Emperor Li Zhi who has the final say, and the recommendations are only made to make them feel involved and to amuse them.

In other words, cramming at the last minute is completely useless, and the more obvious it is, the more likely it is to have a counterproductive effect.

Doing nothing is actually the best option!

So just wait.

Thinking about the current situation, Chen Qingsi had a feeling that Li Ji's fall was not simple and almost determined the outcome.

(End of this chapter)