The second day is the tenth day of the fourth month, which is the day of the rest of the dynasty, the morning fog has dispersed and the morning glow has sprinkled on the earth, and the clear blue sky is paved with neat clouds like fish scales, and it seems to be infected by the enthusiasm of the morning glow, all of which are dyed golden red.

Chang'an City is lively early, the carriage transporting goods shuttles through the streets and alleys, on it or neatly stacked firewood, or bags of rice and salt, there are vegetables that have just been pulled out of the ground and are still stained with dewdrops, the destination of the carriage is the bazaar of each square, where countless people have already gathered to buy vegetables, the cries of pigs and sheep, the sound of bargaining, and the sound of shouting carriages are mixed together, which seems to be extraordinarily lively.

The housewives of poor families held a dozen copper coins in their hands, carefully calculating the use of each one; And the rich and noble families have their own subordinates to handle all this, and they don't need to ask the price or look at the goods, but they just throw down the paper full of quantities and varieties, and their heads are held high, and they go away with envy and shame.

At this time, Li Qing, who was dressed in a white fine linen short suit, ran past the bazaar, stopping from time to time to ask about today's rice and salt prices, which is a habit developed since Tianbao five years ago, taking the opportunity of the morning run to understand the people's livelihood, after all, he is a household servant, in charge of a country's finances.

Since the beginning of this year, his morning run has not been as idle as before, dozens of cronies on horseback, following from a distance, vigilantly watching the situation on both sides, the people in the bazaar have long been accustomed to it, the officials of the Tang Dynasty have never had any fights, even the prime minister sometimes often gets off the sedan chair and enters the city to see.

"It's fine! Same as yesterday. He smiled to himself, but his expression was slightly relieved, today is his last day as a household servant, and the price is quite stable.

Li Qing's mansion is two miles away from the bazaar, and Li Qing ran back to the mansion after two bends, his stomach was already rumbling with hunger, and when he entered the door, he strode to the inner courtyard.

"Morning, sir!" From time to time, maids and subordinates bent down to salute him, and Li Qing also smiled and nodded to them.

Li Qinggang stepped into the courtyard gate. His wife, Zhao Lai, who was sitting in front of the window, saw him. smiled and instructed Xiao Yu, who was in control of Li Qing's diet, "Xiao Yu, the master is back, you can eat." ”

"Eat a little bit, I'm going to enter the palace today? The emperor wants to summon you! ”

Li Qing said as he pulled out the chair and sat down, looked left and right, but he didn't see his daughter's shadow, he frowned and said, "What about the little guy?" Did you sleep lazy again? ”

"Daddy, I'm here!"

'Bang! With a bang, a small head came out from under Li Qing's knee. The door of her head hit the edge of the table, she stared at her father blankly, but her eyes slowly turned red, and suddenly she made a 'wow' sound, and she got into Li Qing's arms and cried loudly.

Li Qing suddenly panicked, and while rubbing his daughter's head, he stood up and slashed at the table with his palm. He scolded himself in his mouth: "You damn harmful table, you dare to bully my little lady, see if I don't kill you!" ”

Seeing his father's might, Li Tingyue's crying gradually stopped. But tired of being in his arms and refusing to get up, Li Qing simply hugged her on his lap, fed her with a little porridge, and said with a smile: "In the future, when Daddy returns to the Western Regions, you must go with you." ”

"Li Lang, are you going back to the Western Regions again?"

Curtain and Li Jingyan looked at each other. With a look of extreme surprise in his eyes, Li Qing nodded, "The release has been decided, now I will either go to Suzhou for the history of assassination, or go to the Western Regions, I want to go to the Western Regions myself." ”

"Eldest sister, it's okay like this, since Yang Guozhong's momentum is inevitable. Li Lang has always been at odds with him, and he is plotting against him. It is better to go to the local area for the princes and establish their own power. ”

Li Jingyan had a little insight, and immediately expressed her approval, the curtain touched her bulging belly, but her eyes looked at Li Qing, it doesn't matter where her husband goes, but she must not be left behind.

Li Qing knew what she meant, thought about it and said to her: "Since you can go with me last time, it should be no problem this time, but you have to stay in Beijing to give birth to a child, and I will pick you up again." ”

He glanced back at Xiaoyu and said, "The wild goose can go with me first, and Xiaoyu will stay and take care of it." ”

"Daddy, what about me?" Li Tingyue grabbed Li Qing's Hu and refused to let go.

"Ouch! Lighter! ”

Li Qing easily pulled out the hu, gently patted her little hand, and said angrily: "You are so naughty, naturally stay with your mother, and go with your mother when the time comes." ”

"Li Lang, why don't I stay and take care of the eldest sister."

Li Jingyan thought for a moment and said with a smile: "I have many acquaintances in the capital, although my father is not here, but there are still my two brothers who can help, I still stay, or let Xiaoyu take care of your daily life." ”

"Forget it, the curtain was born in a few months, you all stay, I'm so relieved, it's decided."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the chief butler running in and shouting, "Master, go to the door quickly, the holy decree has arrived!" ”

.

Li Longji has been surprisingly diligent in his administration these days, and he has to spend four hours in his imperial study every day, on the one hand, to fill the power vacuum caused by the absence of the East Palace, and on the other hand, he wants to

Li Hengdi accompanied the funeral: Strike the prime minister.

In the political system of the Tang Dynasty, the emperor and the Xiangguo have a role of mutual checks and balances, and there is also a clear division of labor, one is responsible for the formulation of the country's major policies, and the other is responsible for the normal operation of the state apparatus. In terms of pragmatism, he can't compare to Pei Zunqing, who pioneered Caoyun and promoted the close integration of the Tang Dynasty's political and economic hearts, but he has been the prime minister for fifteen years, which is because he has too many ulterior stories with the Tang Emperor Li Longji.

Loyal, let's just say that, he unreservedly and uncompromisingly carried out Li Longji's express and implicit instructions, abolished the former Tai Li Ying and Li Shizhi, dismissed Zhang Qiu and Qiong, concocted the Donggong case, Wei Jian's case, Wang Zhonghei case, and all people and things that were not conducive to the expansion of the monarch's power, Li Linfu faithfully carried out Li Longji's deployment, charged ahead, and did all the wicked, he is a dog of Li Longji, and now that the cunning rabbit is exhausted, it is time to slaughter this dog to thank the world.

In terms of the successor of Xiangguo, Li Longji finally chose Yang Guozhong, who was well-behaved, obedient, had no foundation for political achievements, and was not outstanding in ability, which was enough to allow him to firmly control him. In addition, he is also the representative of the Yang family. Li Longji has carefully considered the rise of the Yang family, on the surface, it is the inevitable result of Yang Guifei's favor, but in fact, it is not necessarily the case, the government of the Tang Dynasty is controlled by the family to a large extent, especially the local government, Pei, Wei, Cui and other families, they marry each other, the relationship is intertwined, and it needs to be impacted from time to time with a fresh force. Li Longji looked at the Yang family, who was born in the market.

It seems to be a tradition of the Tang Dynasty to use foreign relatives to impact the traditional forces of the imperial court, such as the Changsun clan of Tang Taizong, the Wu clan of Tang Gaozong and the Yang clan of Tang Xuanzong, all of which are in the same line.

The direction of the major policy has been decided, and now it is necessary to choose the best time, originally Zhao Fengzhang exposed Li Linfu's indulgence of his family to forcibly occupy the land is the best opportunity, but it is a pity that Zhang Qiu and Qiong are troublesome, and the attack will be expanded. aroused public anger, so that Li Longji had to brake urgently and let Li Linfu go.

The best time has passed, and Li Longji withdrew to the clouds. Pushed Yang Guozhong out to fight with Li Linfu, and cheered and cheered Yang Guozhong from time to time, he has been watching, if Yang Guozhong is likely to capture Li Linfu, he will not hesitate to beat Li Linfu into the eighteenth layer of hell, but in fact Yang Guozhong disappointed him. There is no effective leader, no thunderous means, no suitable strategy.

just scratched Li Linfu a few times painlessly and took away a few books, but left Zhao Fengzhang to Li Linfu, and was decisively killed by the Criminal Department, and the evidence of the Suzhou arson case was also taken away by Li Linfu first.

And what about Yang Guozhong himself? First Yang Qi was broken by Li Qing and died, and then his son killed the official in the brothel, all of which showed that this person was cowardly in ability. Maybe he is relying on himself, but this is exactly what Li Longji is unwilling to give him too much.

Thereupon. Li Longji's eyes turned to Li Qing again, he was originally his first choice, powerful, capable, and strategic, and beat Li Linfu to the ground in the East Palace case, and it should be the best person to deal with Li Linfu, especially now that Zhang Qiu and Qiong have passed away, it is most suitable for him to take over Zhang Qiu and Qiong's class.

But Li Longji's vision sees that ten or even twenty years later, he is used to assist his heir, and he is a candidate to replace Yang Guozhong, just like today he uses Yang Guozhong to replace Li Linfu, and Li Qing's biggest weakness now is his youth, but this is also his biggest advantage.

At this time, Yu Chaoen approached lightly and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Li Qing, the household servant, is waiting for the order outside the palace gate!" ”

"Announce his audience!"

Yu Chaoen turned around and went to the palace gate to announce the decree, but Li Longji took a book from the table, this is the last batch of personnel transfer plans that Li Linfu just sent, Li Qing was listed first, and he was released as the deputy capital protector of the Anxi Metropolitan Protectorate, the deputy envoy of the Anxi Jiedu and the chief historian.

This is far from Li Longji's idea of transferring him to Suzhou as a assassin.

According to the personnel system of the Tang Dynasty, officials below the rank are generally drawn up by the Ministry of Officials according to their qualifications and vacancies, reported to the prime minister, and then after repeated verification by the prime minister, they ask the emperor to issue an order to confer officials; If the five grades are above the official department, they should be directly reported to the prime minister and considered by the prime minister; When it comes to officials above the third grade, it will be reported to the emperor by Xiangguo, and the emperor will personally draw it up, so Li Qing must be recommended by Li Linfu to realize his wish, but Li Linfu is only a recommendation, and the real decision is in the hands of Li Long's base.

Li Longji took the recital and fell into deep thought, and it was once his plan to let Li Qing return to Shazhou as the governor, but when he returned from Suzhou, he anchored in Jiangzhou for half a day, which made Li Longji change his mind and favor him as an official.

But now Li Linfu's plan has made Li Longji a little tempted, and he is a deputy

The long history of government affairs is indeed a feasible choice.

Li Longji was hesitating, his eyes squinted, and he saw Gao Lishi hanging his hands silently, so he habitually smiled and said: "General, you come to me to send a staff officer, Li Qing is sent to the west or to the east?" ”

Gao Lishi hurriedly replied in fear: "Such a big matter, how dare the old slave interject?" ”

"It's okay, you just say it, I want to hear your opinion."

"This.

Gao Lishi hesitated for a moment, and then said slowly: "The old slave has shallow knowledge, but he has been with the emperor for many years, and he has seen a lot of things, the old slave once thought, if the emperor Fu Weiming did not lead the army, how long would the emperor know that he was a person with ill intentions?" ”

Li Longji nodded secretly, and Gao Lishi said the key to it. If Li Qing will be the prime minister in the future. He is also the second emperor Fu Weiming. That's how good it is. He should be tested first.

At this time, Yu Chaoen came in again to ask for instructions, and Li Qing had been taken outside the imperial study.

"Come in!"

Li Qing strode in, bowed to Li Longji and said, "Minister Li Qing knocks to see Your Majesty!" ”

"Excuse me! Bestow the seat. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

When Li Longji saw him sit down, he smiled slightly: "I let you go on a ten-day vacation, where did the squire go?" ”

Li Qing hurriedly bowed and said, "If you go back to Your Majesty, the minister will take his wife and daughter to Zhongnan Mountain to visit the spring." The day before yesterday. ”

"Wife and daughter? The county lord is also there! ”

Li Longji smiled and said: "You have given me a problem, I haven't given an explanation to the other side of Tubo yet, and people are still waiting to marry the first beauty of the clan!" ”

"Your Majesty's loving grace. Engraved in my heart! ”

"Forget it, if you want to thank you, thank you, concubine! If she hadn't persecuted me back then, I wouldn't have offended Tubo for you! Speaking of this, Li Longji couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"It's just not named. It's hard for the county lord. ”

"That's no way, you can't let the dignified county lord be a concubine!"

Li Longji smiled and waved his hand: "Wait a year or two, change her name and surname, and I will give her your second wife." Then no one notices. ”

talked about some of Li Qing's family. Li Longji's words slowly turned to the main topic. "I originally wanted to promote Shilang to be the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, but I don't have a thirty-one-year-old Shangshu in the Tang Dynasty, and I don't want to break this precedent, so I'm going to put Shilang out for a few years. After being sharpened and matured, he will enter the court as a scholar. What do you think? ”

After these days and earth deployments, it is finally time to harvest the land, whether it is a bumper harvest of rice or a thin harvest with few grains, it depends on this move, Li Qing took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Heaven has an order." Those who are ministers should obey themselves, so what is the meaning of 'what is the intention?' ’”

"You're refreshing. Then how about I let you go to Suzhou to assassinate the history? ”

"Obey the order!" Li Qing agreed without hesitation, without the slightest expression on his face. Li Longji stared at his eyes tightly, trying to find a trace of panic or disappointment in his eyes, but no, Li Qing's expression was calm as usual.

"It's not a decision, I'm just asking you if you'd like to be the assassin of Suzhou."

Li Longji smiled faintly and said, "You have been a waiter for nearly four years. has many merits, and solved the dilemma of the imperial court's overstretched. You should be rewarded well, say! Where do you want to be a magistrate, Yangzhou or Suzhou, I can consider your opinion. ”

Li Qing pondered for a moment, raised his head and said: "Your Majesty, the minister wants to be an official in a barren place and do something practical for the people, but the minister in Suzhou and Yangzhou does not want to go. ”

This is very ambiguous, he does not say where he wants to go, but just does not want to go to Suzhou or Yangzhou, if he does not know another choice, it may be to go to Lingnan, but he already knows the answer, the other option is the Western Regions.

"Actually, I know what the squire thinks."

Li Longji sighed, his body slowly leaned on the dragon chair, looking a little tired, he looked at Li Qing, his eyes became soft, and he said slowly: "I know that you have always missed the old department in Shazhou, when you raided thousands of miles, killed the thief chieftain, and seized the fortress, how arrogant and arrogant, just when you showed your talent, I transferred you back to Chang'an, and stayed for four years, all these years your fire is gone, and the sharp edges and corners are also sharpened, I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, I am already old, and my life is coming to an end, I don't want to make a young man like you the same twilight, so let's go, Li Qing Tingfeng! ”

"The minister is here!"

"I have named you the Imperial Doctor, the deputy protector of the Anxi Metropolitan Protectorate, the deputy envoy and chief of the Anxi Jiedu, and the leader of the Shazhou Thorn History and the Governor Doulu Army."

.

In April of the eighth year of Tianbao, Li Longji officially made a decision to assign Shazhou to Anxi Jiedu, and Li Qing was reappointed as the governor of Shazhou Thorn Shi and Doulu Army, and at the same time served as the deputy of Gao Xianzhi and was in charge of Anxi government affairs.