Li Linfu has been a little anxious lately. After so many years as prime minister, I have never been so anxious as I am now.

The flooding of the Yellow River in Jizhou has flooded a large amount of farmland, leading to no harvest and famine, which is inseparable from him.

Jizhou Jiedu envoy is his cronies, and half of the officials in Jizhou, large and small, have dealings with him, and usually give him filial piety money. This is also an important force for him in the court. The matter of famine is a major matter of the state, and as long as it is raised in the court, all the officials involved must be dismissed. If it is found out that the money for the construction of the river in Jizhou was embezzled by local officials to honor him, his position will not be guaranteed.

Li Linfu originally thought that he could suppress this matter, but unfortunately, the disaster situation was stricter than he imagined, and a group of victims had already fled into the capital. That's why it's getting trickier.

Fortunately, there are not too many people who have fled, so you can cover it up. But any more will attract some people's attention. Fortunately, the news of the famine did not spread for the time being, and he still had time to deal with these people.

After years of operation, Geng Jie's officials in important positions in Beijing have been replaced with their own people. The emperor has lived in the deep palace for a long time, and the news is handed in by him; The prince was not favored again, and was beaten by him to close his door; There are few people on the side of Baiguan who dare to touch his moldy head casually. Even if there is a short-sighted person, he does not dare to impeach him by casually asking the victims, and by the time he can confirm the news, he has already handled the matter properly.

Things haven't gotten out of control yet.

It stands to reason that he can cover this matter now, but he has been unsettled lately, as if something is going to happen. I can't think of anything wrong with it.

Now the only one who can threaten him is Emperor Ming. But Emperor Ming's temperament has already been clear to him, and he has been coaxing him happily. The only one who can sue him in front of Emperor Ming is Yang Guifei. But this Yang Guifei has also investigated well, she is captivating to the country and the city, she is extremely talented, she knows how to enjoy life, but she doesn't know anything about politics, and she has no ambition, unlike Concubine Wu Hui.

He always felt that it was a good thing for Emperor Ming to favor such a concubine. Since ancient times, the gentle township is the hero's mound, and the Ming Emperor indulges in the warm fragrant nephrite, and his thoughts on the court will be lighter, and his power will be greater. Therefore, she has always been courteous and flattered many times.

Although Yang Guifei didn't express any special liking for him, she didn't express anything she didn't like. Li Linfu prides himself on being dignified and talented, although he is not as good as the great Confucians of the world, but he generally does not make people feel bad casually. Moreover, there is no conflict of interest between the two, and the concubine should not say anything bad about him. Li Linfu thought about it for a long time and decided to find out the news from Yang Guifei first.

Recently, Lingnan donated a batch of lychees, saying that this year's wind and rain were smooth, and the lychee harvest was better than in previous years, and more tribute was paid. Li Linfu has seen these lychees, all of them are fragrant in color, peel off the skin, round and full, crystal clear, and shaped like real pearls.

Lychee has the effect of nourishing the liver and spleen, quenching thirst, the woman can beautify and nourish the skin, replenish the qi and calm the nerves, according to his investigation, the immortal palace of this is very fond of eating. If you offer lychees, you will be able to please this concubine.

Li Linfu heard that Emperor Ming and Yang Guifei were playing together in Daming Lake that day, so he asked for an audience with the inner servants. Emperor Ming.

Li Linfu saw the Ming Emperor and the concubine sitting side by side, and secretly glanced at the concubine, only to see her flower and moon appearance, snowy skin and cloud clothes, full of □□, and laughing with the Ming Emperor. He respectfully stepped forward and bowed to the ground, and said loudly: "Weichen see Your Majesty, Guifei Niangniang!" May your majesty be hibazai long live long live, long live long live, mother thousand years old thousand years old! ”

"Flat! What is Aiqing here today to report? Emperor Ming asked as always, and did not see anything unusual. He himself is a scheming person, if he doesn't want to show anything, then others don't want to see any clues.

"Returning to Your Majesty! This year's Lingnan lychee harvest has brought some high-quality tribute. The old slave heard that Niangniang likes to eat lychees, so he specially sent it as soon as possible to give His Majesty and Niangniang a taste. ”

Li Linfu has always regarded himself as a slave in front of the Ming Emperor. Although his identity has been compromised, he has always succeeded in narrowing the psychological distance with Emperor Ming, making Emperor Ming think that he followed him when he was young and served him for decades. The so-called "house slaves" and "foreign ministers" are clearly divided between internal and external, and although the status of "domestic slaves" is lower, they are much more reliable to the master's family than "foreign ministers." Emperor Ming has always been very useful to him in this regard.

Li Linfu waved behind him, and the four attendants came up with red lychees on a jade plate.

"Good you brother! Dare to collude with the concubine in front of me! Emperor Ming said angrily.

"Majesty xià atonement! Niangniang is the heart and soul of His Majesty, the old slave pleases Niangniang, isn't it just to make you happy! Li Linfu saw that Emperor Ming was pretending to be annoyed, but he quickly pretended to be sincerely frightened and knelt on the ground, and the sweet words seemed to come out as if he didn't want money.

If Emperor Ming treated Li Linfu as a family member in the past, Emperor Ming would have believed his words, but now that he knows that he is inconsistent, how can he believe him? It's just that it's not appropriate to startle the snake for the time being, it's better to stabilize him.

"You old! has been a prime minister for so many years, but he has become more and more sleek, not only to please me, but also to please the concubine. Tell me, what do you really want? ”

Li Linfu saw that Emperor Ming looked laughing and scolding, and suddenly became more and more discouraged, and showed weakness: "Your Majesty, this can kill the old slave!" Even if he is the prime minister, the old slave is also a slave of His Majesty! Whatever the minister needs to do, the minister will do it. There is no majesty xià there is no minister of the qiē. Where is the minister's selfishness? After that, he made a look of grievance and wanted to cry.

In the past, Li Linfu put on this style, and the Ming Emperor would find it funny and funny. Looking at him like this now, I only feel that my stomach is turning upside down, and I feel nauseous. But on the surface, you still have to make a show of trusting him.

"Okay, okay, put away your virtue, I know. There's no shame in getting old! Bring the lychee and let me and the concubine taste it. Emperor Ming pretended to be impatient and beckoned to command.

Yuhuan is the one who knows the truth best, how can he not know that these two people are playing with each other? She just cooperated to eat and laugh next to her, looking amused.

At this time, Emperor Ming asked the attendant to hold the lychee, and the personal maid beside Yuhuan wanted to peel the shell, but Yuhuan waved his hand to stop it, "I'll peel it myself." ”

The maid placed the jade plate on the jade table in front of Emperor Ming and Yuhuan. Yuhuan's slender hand picked up one of the largest lychees, saw the texture, pinched it gently, and with a "snap", the shell of the lychee cracked, revealing a round fruit with a pale pink film on the outside. Yuhuan gently picked it with a jade stick, and the film was torn open, and the crystal clear flesh inside was seen.

Yuhuan stretched out his hand and handed it to Emperor Ming, "Your Majesty, you taste it first!" ”

Emperor Ming watched Yuhuan's action of peeling lychees pleasing to the eye, even if he had to deal with Li Linfu, he couldn't help but feel good. He put the lychee in his mouth with Yuhuan's hand, and when he bit it gently, the sweet juice overflowed his mouth, and it was really sweet and delicious, and the aroma was fragrant.

"Delicious!" Emperor Ming nodded with satisfaction, "Concubine Ai also tastes it." ”

As he spoke, he picked up a cherry that had been peeled off and stuffed into the small mouth of the jade ring.

"It's delicious! Is this a new variety? The taste of lychee is even better than the lychee that Hongu used to eat in his hometown. Yuhuan tasted it, pursed his lips and smiled, his face was terrifying.

"Concubine Mingjian! This batch of lychees is a new variety cultivated this year, which is plump and delicious, but it has not yet been named. Since both Majesty and Niangniang like it, why don't you give it a name? The fruit farmers in Lingnan have been blessed by heaven and will be grateful. ”

Li Linfu was also taken by the smile of the concubine, and he was stunned for a moment, and quickly came back to his senses, and when he saw the concubine asking, he immediately hit the snake with the stick, and secretly said that this fart was really just right.

"Yuhuan, you have always been wise, what do you think is a better name?" Emperor Ming raised his eyebrows and asked Yuhuan directly.

Yuhuan was still concentrating on peeling lychees. In this era, it is not easy to eat fresh Lingnan fruits in Chang'an. Hearing Emperor Ming's question, he replied casually: "It's better to take the name of His Majesty!" The concubines are busy! ”

Emperor Ming was helpless, so he had to say: "Okay! You're busy! Turning his head to look at Li Linfu, "Aiqing's gift was sent to the concubine's heart." ”

"It is the honor of the old slave to win the favor of His Majesty and the concubine!" Li Linfu saw that Yang Guifei liked lychees so much, his face was full of wrinkles with joy, and he smiled so much that he couldn't see his teeth.

Emperor Ming recalled Yuhuan's smile just now, and his heart moved, "Since this lychee can please the concubine, it is also commendable, so it is better to call it 'Concubine Smile'!" ”

Yuhuan is biting half a lychee in his mouth, the red cherry lips biting the crystal flesh is very good-looking, and he immediately stopped when he heard the words of the Ming Emperor, it turns out that the name of "Concubine Xiao" came from like this!

"Good name! Good name! Lingnan lychee no longer has to worry about sales. The old slave thanked the Lingnan fruit farmers for his majesty and the concubine! Li Linfu immediately bowed down and lost no time in slapping the sycophants loudly. This incident can be used as a good talk between the monarch and the minister, and the spread of it will definitely further strengthen his position.

"You old slave, you will please people. That's it! I'm tired, I need to rest for a while. Yuhuan was about to go back to the palace, so you should send all these lychees to her palace! Emperor Ming ate a few more lychees, and then thought of an excuse to let Li Linfu and Yuhuan leave together.

How could Emperor Ming not see that Li Linfu deliberately wanted to curry favor with Yuhuan? Just give him a chance to see what kind of medicine he sells in his gourd.

Li Linfu was overjoyed, and took a group of attendants to follow Yuhuan to the Hall of Eternal Life.

On the way, Li Linfu tried to talk to Yuhuan.

"Your Majesty really loves her mother! Niangniang is talented and beautiful, and she deserves the love of His Majesty. ”

"Hmm." Yuhuan pulled the corners of her mouth slightly, as if smiling.

"Niangniang likes to eat Lingnan lychees, Chang'an is far away from Lingnan, and it is difficult to get fresh. It is better for the old minister to let people from Lingnan from the military road every day to send lychees to the concubine on a fast ride, so that they can arrive in a few days and nights. The lychees are kept fresh with ice cubes, and they are still fresh when they are delivered, as if they were freshly picked. In this way, the mother can eat fresh lychees every day, what do you think? ”

Li Linfu opened his eyes and looked at the jade ring without blinking. If the concubine accepts this gift from him, he will be considered to have reached an alliance with the concubine. In the future, it is okay to find out the news of the Ming Emperor from her, or ask her to help the Ming Emperor say good things about him.

When Yuhuan heard this, he was stunned again and stopped. Du Fu's "Passing the Huaqing Palace" said: Chang'an looks back at the piles of embroidery, and the top of the mountain is opened by a thousand doors. As soon as the concubine laughed on the red dust, no one knew that it was a lychee. The thousand-mile rush was originally only used when there was a military crisis, and Li Linfu used it to send him a meal, and the people of the world still poked their backbones and scolded? No wonder those soldiers were so easily instigated after the outbreak of the "Anshi Rebellion" in their previous life, thinking that the national disasters were all due to their own "demon concubines"!

"Isn't this too much labor and money!" Yuhuan refused.

"Nope! Datang is now peaceful and prosperous, where is the time to use the military road? If you don't use it for a long time, those people on the military road will definitely be loose and slack, and in the long run, you may forget your errands. In the unlikely event of a crisis, we will not be able to respond in a timely manner. The use of lychees is just the right thing to sharpen them. Li Linfu explained solemnly, looking high-sounding.