Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

Defang and Zhenzong chatted for a long time in the back garden, excused their lunch, and hurried back to the mansion. Concubine Di and the children were in the dining hall and were about to eat when Defang walked in. Everyone got up, and Defang waved " Don't be too polite, it seems that I came back just right."

Concubine Di signaled Ke'er to serve De Fang a meal, and she served him a bowl of soup and said, "My lord is only coming back now, my concubine thought you were eating in the palace."

"Your Majesty has kept me for dinner, but I still want to go back home." Defang sat down and drank some soup first. "I was supposed to come back early, but His Majesty wanted to drink tea in the back garden and talk about things, so I came back at this time. "

"Your Majesty asked the prince to drink tea and talk about things in the back garden. It seems that it is not a state matter."

"It's not too much, it's something to be rewarded to Luo Yuan envoy Li Jihe."

"Li Jihe? Isn't he the younger brother of the Empress Dowager and General Li?"

"it's him"

"Previously, General Li Jilong asked for titles for more than [-] brothers, nephews, and subordinate generals. He also asked for Cao Bin and Pan Meien's example. His Majesty has granted permission, but didn't Li Jihe not accept it? Didn't General Li play it again? ?”

"That's not true. His Majesty thought of him again. The last time he asked for the seal, General Li and his brother were a little unhappy."

"What's there to be awkward about this? General Li is the elder brother, so there's nothing wrong with asking for a seal for his younger brother. Why is Li Jihe angry with his elder brother?"

"Speaking of it, it's General Li's stubborn temper. He has always been modest in his actions. The Empress Dowager invited him to the palace several times to meet him, but he just didn't enter the inner palace gate. He only kowtowed in front of the palace gate. For this matter, His younger brother Li Jihe was not less angry."

"General Li is the empress dowager's elder brother, what does it matter if he goes to see his sister?"

"General Li said that he is a general of the imperial court. Firstly, he must abide by the etiquette and law, secondly, he must take care of the imperial court, and thirdly, he must avoid suspicion." Defang said with vegetables in his hands, "I said that I am a foreign relative and a border general, so how can I often visit the emperor in the inner palace?" Empress Dowager, you will be gossiped like this, and if you are slandered one day, it will bring great disaster to the Li family, although the relationship between brother and sister is difficult to part with, but the lives of the Li family are more important."

"General Li's thinking is right, but...it's too serious. Besides, General Li is away all year round, and only occasionally visits the palace to see his sister. Even if someone wants to target the Li family, they will not make a fuss about it."

"Actually, it's also because of what happened back then. General Li told his sister. Forget it, let's not talk about it."

"Although the empress dowager's actions were indeed inappropriate, after all, after so many years, all the changes have passed, and your majesty has not pursued it anymore, and she is still very filial."

"That's right." De Fang shook her head, "This person is also very stubborn."

"Then since it's not Li Jilong's request for the title, why is His Majesty rewarding Li Jihe?"

"One is because he is also a relative of the Empress Dowager after all, and the other is that he said before that he could not be promoted because of his relatives. His Majesty appreciates him very much, so he is going to reward him in a few days."

"It's true, Li Jihe and Chang Cong's elder brother Li Jilong went to war outside, and they went to Beijing several times to play an important role. After General Li retired from the army and returned to Beijing, Li Jihe, the border officer, was not inferior to his brother at all. Your Majesty should reward him. "

"That's right, General Li also hand-copied the Tang Dynasty Li Ji's bequest and gave it to his younger brother, saying: You are the one who will not fall from our door."

"It seems that their brothers have a very good relationship, so why do they still have troubles from time to time?"

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