The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 223 Li Linfu's Counterattack
Li Linfu was not an honest official to begin with, so it was normal for him to accept gifts.

Moreover, his willingness to accept Yang Guozhong's gift today had a more important purpose, which was to use Yang Guozhong to deal with Li Heng and Li Ying.

Yang Guozhong first failed to attach himself to Li Heng, and then to Li Lin. Now that Li Lin has fallen from power, he can't wait to visit Li Linfu.

Li Linfu knew what Yang Guozhong was here for, and he also knew Yang Guozhong's character, but when it came to employing people, one had to be flexible.

Li Linfu was seen preparing to spit and looking around as if he was looking for a spittoon.

Yang Guozhong was quick to act and presented it with both hands.

Li Linfu smiled slightly, spitted on Yang Guozhong's hand, and said with a smile: "General Yang is a man who knows the current situation!"

Yang Guozhong was extremely respectful and said happily, "I am honored to be able to serve the Right Prime Minister!"

"General Yang, please go back first." Li Linfu stood up, "I will call you if there is anything later."

"Thank you, Right Prime Minister, for your kindness." Yang Guozhong nodded and bowed, then walked out holding the spit.

As soon as Yang Guozhong left, Luo Xishi came hurriedly and said, "Right Prime Minister, Wang Zhongsi has entered the capital."

Li Linfu asked, "Did he meet the prince?"

Luo Xishi said: "He didn't, but the Longyou Army Commander Wang Nan had a secret meeting with Wei Jian."

"Great!" Li Linfu stroked his beard, "The prince's luck should have come to an end."

"Do I need to submit a letter of impeachment immediately?" Luo Xishi asked.

"What are you impeaching?" Li Linfu glared at Luo Xishi. "Now everyone in the government knows that you are the prime minister's man. If you impeach us, we will become unreasonable."

Luo Xishi asked: "Who should be asked to impeach him in this case?"

Li Linfu pondered for a moment and said, "Let Yang Shenjin go, and make full preparations."

Luo Xishi suddenly realized and said, "I understand."

……

Outside the Xingqing Palace, Li Linfu, holding the petition, happened to meet Li Shizhi who had also entered the palace.

Li Linfu took the initiative to say, "The left prime minister doesn't seem to be in good spirits. You must pay more attention to rest."

"Thank you for your concern, Right Prime Minister." Li Shizhi replied politely, "The finances of the Tang Dynasty all depend on the Right Prime Minister. The Right Prime Minister needs to take care of his health. The Tang Dynasty cannot do without the Right Prime Minister."

Li Linfu smiled slightly and said, "Speaking of finance, I heard that there is a gold mine in Huashan. Mining it can enrich the country, but the saints don't know it yet."

"Oh?" Li Shizhi was a little surprised, but there was no time to say more, and the two of them walked into the Zichen Hall together.

Inside the Zichen Hall.

Li Longji glanced at Li Linfu and Li Shizhi and said, "The court suffered a defeat this year and is in a tight financial situation. Should we continue to hold the Qianqiu Festival in a grand manner?"

"That's why we have to hold a grand ceremony." Li Linfu stepped forward and replied, "Victory and defeat are common in the military. Jiannan's small defeat has no impact on the court at all. The Tang Dynasty is glorious and God has blessed all nations. The Qianqiu Festival is a good time for the saints to bless all people and show the majesty of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Longji asked, "But where does the money come from?"

Li Linfu pretended to be in deep thought.

Li Shizhi took the opportunity to step forward and said, "Your Majesty, there is a gold mine in Huashan, which can be mined to enrich the country. The Right Prime Minister also knows this."

Upon hearing this, Li Longji looked at Li Linfu.

Li Linfu replied: "I do know about this, but Huashan is the mountain of destiny for the saints and the place where the royal aura resides, so it is not suitable for excavation."

Li Longji nodded, glared at Li Shizhi, and said: "In the future, when the Left Prime Minister reports something, he must first discuss it with the Right Prime Minister. Don't make such inappropriate remarks again."

"Yes." Li Shizhi quickly stepped aside, not daring to say anything more. Since Li Shizhi became the left prime minister, he had often been tricked by Li Linfu. Now Li Shizhi was used to it. At the same time, Li Shizhi also understood why Niu Xianke obeyed Li Linfu's orders.

Li Linfu continued, "Your Majesty, do not need to worry about financial matters. Although Jiannan was defeated this year, Prince Shou conquered the Western Regions before. The tributes from the Western Regions increased, the Silk Road became more prosperous, and the commercial taxes collected increased. The development of military farms and agricultural commerce in Qixi also improved a lot, saving a lot of military expenses. In addition, the harvest in the Jiangnan area was good..."

Li Longji didn't pay much attention to the second half of the conversation, his mind was on the first half.

He gave Li Heng such great power in the northwest not only because Li Heng was a good fighter, but also because Li Heng was a good administrator.

If Li Heng only knew how to spend money in the northwest and could not bring any benefits to the court, he would not agree to Li Heng's reinforcement of troops in Suiye City.

These days he has been considering whether to transfer Li Heng to another position, but now it seems that Li Heng has to stay in the northwest for a while longer.

Li Linfu described the general situation and then submitted a memorial with the specific details.

Li Longji took it and glanced at it, and was very satisfied. He said, "The matters concerning the Qianqiu Festival will be prepared by the Right Prime Minister."

"Yes." Li Linfu accepted the order and handed over Liu Ji's petition, saying, "Your Majesty, there is a matter of great importance. I dare not make a decision on my own. Please make a decision."

"Oh?"

Li Longji took the petition and opened it. As usual, he just glanced at it, found something wrong, and read it carefully again.

"How ridiculous!" Li Longji slammed the petition on the table.

Li Shizhi, who was standing below, was startled. He was wondering what could have made Li Longji so angry. While he was wondering, Shen Zhongjian walked in with his head lowered and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Yang Shenjin requests to see you."

Li Longji said, "Let him in."

"Here."

Shen Zhongjian left. Not long after, Yang Shenjin came quickly with a memorial in his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Gao Lishi skillfully took the memorial from Yang Shenjin's hand and presented it to Li Longji.

When Li Longji opened it, the anger on his face grew more and more intense.

The content of Yang Shenjin's memorial said that Wei Jian and Wang Nandi had a secret meeting with evil intentions.

Li Longji asked Gao Lishi to take the memorial to Li Linfu.

Li Linfu knew the truth, but he still pretended to read it carefully. After a long while, he said, "The secret meeting between the court ministers and the border generals violated the rules, but this is just a small matter. I am more worried because they are all supporters of the prince."

When Li Longji heard Li Linfu's words, his expression changed drastically.

After Du Youlin died, he claimed that he had read the prophecy and had colluded with the Eastern Palace, accusing the emperor. Wei Jian was an important official in the court, Wang Nandai was the second-in-command of the Longyou army, and Wang Zhongsi had just taken over Longyou.

If these three people act together under Li Heng's authorization, then it is self-evident what Li Heng wants to do.

Li Longji stood up suddenly and said angrily: "Arrest them all, and let the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate handle it together, and the Jingzhao Prefecture will cooperate in handling it."

"Yes." Li Linfu took the order and went out immediately.

Halfway through the walk, Li Longji suddenly said, "Wait!"

Li Longji was so angry just now that he didn't have time to sort out his thoughts.

But in a flash, he came to his senses a little.

If the matter is finally investigated and it is found that Li Heng really authorized it, then deposing the crown prince again is inevitable.

Of course, if Li Heng really did this, he would not be merciful.

But what if Li Heng was wronged?
Although he wanted to clip Li Heng's wings, he did not want to depose the prince without reason now.

(End of this chapter)