It's early March.

Tomorrow will be the day when the first imperial examination will be held after Li Mao takes office.

Outside the city of Chang'an.

A team of hurried light horsemen rushed into the Chunming Gate when the city gate was closed.

This group of people is none other than Li Mao and the five hundred guards cavalry under his command.

Tongguan occupied a dangerous place, and Li Longji led more than 100,000 people to storm for more than half a month, and did not capture the city once.

The same is true of Hantong Pass, under the defense of Gao Shun, not even a single fly can sneak through.

There was no danger at the east gate of Guanzhong, so Li Mao wanted to take this opportunity to go back to Chang'an City to have a look.

It just so happened that this time was also the time when the imperial examination was held, and he also wanted to see with his own eyes what talents were.

"Your Majesty, the cabinet didn't arrange for anyone to come to greet you, it's really damned!"

Zhao Gaogang walked into the city gate and saw that the streets in the city were empty, and his face was full of indignation.

Li Mao also looked around suspiciously.

Not only did no one be arranged to greet him in Chang'an City, but even pedestrians were not seen on the streets.

"You go and ask what's going on?"

Li Mao looked at the soldiers patrolling the city and said to Zhao Gao.

Chang'an City, with a population of nearly one million, can't even have pedestrians, right?

Li Mao looked into the distance with a thoughtful look on her face.

At the same time, my heart began to be vigilant.

If something goes wrong, there must be a demon!

When Li Mao set off from Tongguan, he informed the cabinet and harem in advance.

Even if it is inconvenient for those women in the harem to come out, the cabinet should send someone to greet them.

Could it be that Li Linfu rebelled?

Li Mao just thought of this, but suddenly shook his head and said: "He shouldn't have the courage to rebel, not to mention that with Xiao Guan's great victory, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the attack organized by Li Longji this time is already the end of the crossbow." ”

At this time, after Zhao Gao finished asking, he also ran down with small steps.

"Tell Your Majesty, the guard general said that he didn't know what was going on in the city, and he didn't receive any orders."

That's really weird!

Li Mao looked up at the palace.

It was quiet and peaceful, and there was no ambush at all.

"Let's go! Let's go back to the palace first! ”

After saying that, Li Mao pulled the reins and headed towards Daming Palace.

Da Da Da .....

The sound of horses' hooves was soft.

A quarter of an hour later, Li Mao walked along the royal road into the Daming Palace.

There was not a single obstacle along the way, and no abnormalities were found.

Listening to the palace maid and eunuch constantly shouting "Long live", Li Mao completely relieved her heart and became less nervous.

If there is a rebellion, the two or three hundred eunuchs and palace maids encountered along the way will not be able to perform seamlessly.

"Zhao Gao, what did you say happened in the palace, and you need to find the two auxiliary ministers of the cabinet?"

Through the news told by the guards of Daming Palace, Li Mao finally knew why Li Linfu did not come to greet him.

"The old slave doesn't know, maybe Yang Niangniang has something important, otherwise it would be impossible to discuss it from noon to the present."

Zhao Gao didn't know, so he could only guess.

Although returning to Chang'an was a temporary idea, the people who came to spread the news would be at least half a day faster than Li Mao.

After all, there are close to five hundred miles of road, and a single light horse is definitely much faster than a large army.

This also shows that Yang Yuhuan, Li Linfu and Xiao Song have been discussing for at least an afternoon.

Could it be that there is a quarrel?

With such a guess, Li Mao strode into the Xuanzheng Palace.

After the eunuchs and palace maids on both sides saw that the emperor had returned, they hurriedly wanted to kneel down and kowtow.

"No need to salute!"

Li Mao commanded in a low voice.

The eunuchs and palace maids immediately understood what the emperor meant, and they wanted to carry out a surprise attack, so they all remained silent and retreated to both sides.

Li Mao came lightly to the door of the Xuanzheng Palace.

After seeing that the door of the temple was closed, he did not rush to let the people inside open it, but put his ear to the door, thinking of listening to the movement inside.

"Li Xiang, this palace thinks it's better not to tell Your Majesty about this matter! His Majesty is fighting against the thieves on the front line. Once His Majesty hears about this, it is very likely to affect his mood. ”

"Niangniang, the minister thinks that he should tell His Majesty to know, this is a happy event after all!"

"The minister also thinks that this matter should be handed over to His Majesty to decide in person!"

Li Mao was stunned when she heard it outside the door.

What the hall was talking about was actually a happy event, but why did Yang Yuhuan stop him and not want to tell him?

Li Mao thought for a while, but didn't come up with a clue.

So he didn't wait any longer, and directly pushed open the door of the Xuanzheng Palace.

"Bold! Didn't Hongu say that there was no permission ......"

Yang Yuhuan saw that the door of the palace was opened, and was about to get angry, but suddenly saw that the person who came was actually Li Mao, so he immediately changed his words and said, "Your Majesty, why are you back?" Don't give a word in advance, so the slave family can greet you in advance! ”

As she spoke, she left the main seat and floated towards Li Mao like a swallow.

Li Linfu and Xiao Song turned back at the same time.

They were all relieved when they saw that it was really Li Mao.

"The minister knocks to see Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"

"The minister knocks to see Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"

The two fell to the ground together.

Li Mao nodded and said loudly: "The two Aiqing are flat." ”

Then he turned his head to Yang Yuhuan and whispered, "You go back first, and I will come to you after talking to Li Xiang and Xiao Xiang." ”

Yang Yuhuan is such a smart person, and he immediately understood that the emperor wanted to support himself.

She hesitated for a moment before replying, "The slave family will go back and wait for Your Majesty." ”

Li Mao nodded, and then strode towards the main seat.

After waiting for Yang Yuhuan's figure to be completely far away, he asked, "I went back to Chang'an today, why didn't I see pedestrians on the street?" Where have all the people of Chang'an City gone? ”

In feudal society, population represented productive forces.

Any prosperous era must be a time period of population explosion.

Li Mao is extremely short of people now, so he is naturally very concerned about this matter.

Li Linfu bowed down and replied: "Tell Your Majesty, because there is a huge gap in the number of people needed in Tuntian, Xiao Xiang proposed, and after the cabinet passed the discussion, all the unemployed vagrants in Chang'an City were arranged to go to Tuntian." ”

"Not bad! You've finally taken the initiative to get down to business! ”

Li Mao nodded in approval.

As we all know, vagrants are a great headache for rulers in any dynasty.

Even in the 21st century, these people are a destabilizing factor in society.

Li Linfu and Xiao Song arranged these people to go to Tuntian through administrative orders and coercive means, so naturally there would be no mistake.

"That's not right!"

"I was almost deceived by you, where are there so many unemployed vagrants in the city, I was just on the street, but I didn't see a single ordinary person!"

Li Mao, who reacted, had a cold gaze, staring closely at the two people below, quietly waiting for their explanations.