My name is Chang An, your name is Gu Li

Chapter 132: The Court Has a Lot of Trouble

Doctor Liu returned home from court that day with a sad face. His wife brought him a cup of tea and wanted to ask him why he was so sad, but at this time a servant came over with an envelope in his hand.

"Alang."

Doctor Liu raised his eyes, saw the envelope in his hand, and said, "Madam, please go back to your room first. I will come to find you later."

Madam Liu nodded, then stood up and left. Then Doctor Liu looked at the servant and asked, "What news?"

"Sir, this is the news sent back by those eyes." The servant respectfully placed the envelope in his hand on Doctor Liu's desk, and then stepped back to make some space for him.

Doctor Liu picked up the envelope, opened it and started reading. It said: "According to the informant, Chang Yonghe once gathered with a group of senior officials at the Prime Minister's Residence on a certain day, but left the Prime Minister's Residence in less than an hour and went to Zuiyun Tower."

Doctor Liu stroked his beard, put down the envelope, and began to think. This news had indeed never been found out before, and it was hard to say whether it was true or not.

"Is there any other news?" asked Doctor Liu.

"Yes, but it's bad news," said the servant.

Doctor Liu frowned slightly. After all, there was no news worse than the news of being beheaded, so he asked, "Tell me, what is the news?"

"Several spies were taken care of." said the servant.

Doctor Liu's face froze and he asked, "It was dealt with. What happened?"

The servant replied, "We have checked and found that they are the King of Qi's men."

"King Qi!" Doctor Liu was stunned for a moment, then he sighed and said, "Why did King Qi do this? Where were the spies sent to?"

"Doctor, they were all sent to the Prime Minister's Mansion or the Xinluan Restaurant."

Doctor Liu was even more confused. The spy at Xinluan Restaurant was dealt with because Chang An went there often. But what about the one at the Prime Minister's Mansion? It couldn't be that they were protecting Song Jing, the old fox.

Song Jing and King Qi had almost no relationship. Even if they wanted to find his students at King Qi's banquet, they didn't intend to find him. What was the purpose of getting rid of the spies near the Prime Minister's Mansion?

The more Doctor Liu thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong. He then asked, "Has the spy sent to Chang Yonghe been dealt with?"

"No, doctor."

Doctor Liu nodded with relief and asked, "Did that old fox Song Jing go to look for Chang Yonghe during this period?"

"No, Chang Yong usually just reads or plays with his wife, and Prime Minister Song is either in court or at home every day. The two have never met each other." The servant replied.

"That's strange." Doctor Liu said, "If it was really Chang Yonghe's idea, it can't have succeeded. Song Jing wouldn't have gone to Chang Yonghe to report the good news, right?"

"wrong......"

He just finished speaking and denied his own idea. Subconsciously, Dr. Liu felt that Chang An must be the one who gave him advice behind Song Jing.

"doctor......"

"Forget it, forget it. Let's wait for the news about Chang Yonghe first. We can discuss the rest later. Go." Doctor Liu waved his hand and sent the servants away.

Li Longji and Li Ying were reviewing memorials in Xingqing Palace when a eunuch suddenly came in, came to Li Longji's seat and said:

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Song requests to see you."

Li Longji and Li Ying both looked up and saw Song Jing being brought in by the eunuch.

"Your Majesty, long live the emperor."

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. May your Highness live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years."

Song Jing bowed to both of them, and Li Longji said, "No need to bow."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Song Jing stood up, and then he heard Li Longji ask: "I wonder why Prime Minister Song came here today?"

"Your Majesty, now, more than half of the issues concerning the governance of evil money have been dealt with. The remaining half that has not been investigated are those that the Censor has not yet arrived." Song Jing said.

Li Longji was overjoyed and said excitedly, "Halfway through? Are you serious?"

Song Jing replied: "Your Majesty is wise and wise, and I dare not deceive you."

Li Longji nodded and asked, "But Prime Minister Song, have you thought about your next retreat?"

"I am an old minister who is about to die. If I can contribute to the welfare of the people of the Tang Dynasty, I will not hesitate even if it means my death. Why should I retreat?" Song Jing said with a smile as he bowed to Li Longji.

Li Longji said: "Prime Minister Song is wrong. Although Chang Yonghe is the real hero in secret, the person who made the most contribution in public is you, Prime Minister Song."

"Of course I know that the evil money issue will involve the interests of many vain officials, and it will inevitably affect you, Prime Minister Song. I need you, and the people of the Tang Dynasty need you too."

When Song Jing heard this, he knelt down to Li Longji with a plop. Li Longji was so frightened that he quickly stepped forward, helped Song Jing up, and said, "Prime Minister Song, there is no need to do this."

"Your Majesty is busy with government affairs every day, but you still worry about the future of a subject like me. I am deeply grateful." Song Jing bowed and said.

Li Longji said: "These are all trivial matters. I have a way to protect you, Prime Minister Song, and not only protect Chang Yonghe, but also yourself."

"I am all ears."

Li Longji said: "Prime Minister Song, do you remember that I said at the time that you, Prime Minister Song, are fully responsible for the evil money issue."

"Of course I remember it." Song Jing replied.

Li Longji smiled at this time and said, "If that's the case, then that means those corrupt officials who embezzled the evil money also passed through you, Prime Minister Song."

Song Jing was stunned for a moment, then raised his head and said tentatively: "Your Majesty means..."

Li Longji turned around, walked back to the dragon throne and sat down, smiling and said: "Don't worry, this is just a slight punishment. The merits of dealing with evil money outweigh the faults. No matter what, I will protect you, Prime Minister Song."

"No matter what happens, I will only dismiss you and Prime Minister Su from their positions as prime ministers and appoint Zhang Chongzhen as prime minister. What do you think, Prime Minister Song?"

Song Jing smiled. As expected, everything Chang An said at that time had come true one by one. The danger to himself and the dismissal from the position of prime minister had all come true one by one from his mouth, word for word.

"Thank you Lord for your grace."

Li Longji said at this time: "By the way, I also have something to tell you, Prime Minister Song."

"Your Majesty, please speak." Song Jing also bent down.

"In mid-January, I secretly conferred upon your student Chang Yonghe the title of Founding County Earl, with the title Jikang Earl," Li Longji said. "This is only a secret title. When the matter of evil money is settled, I will tell you about the rest of the titles and rewards."

Song Jing was a little surprised and asked, "Excuse me, I don't know why Your Majesty wants to do this."

"Of course it's to protect him." Li Longji said with a smile.

Song Jing was stunned for a moment. Save him? Why? Then Li Longji continued, "I have also sent people to inquire. Prime Minister Song's student is the most talented person in Chang'an City today. He may become the new prime minister of our Tang Dynasty in the future."

"In the words of those businessmen, I am investing. I am using the title of nobility to retain him and protect him, so that he can take over your position as Prime Minister Song in the future."

Song Jing couldn't help but be stunned and didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Don't worry, Prime Minister Song. It was me and a servant who served me who issued the imperial edict. There was no one else. This matter is very secretive. No more than two people in Chang'an City know about it."

Song Jing was finally relieved, and then he knelt down again, kowtowed to Li Longji and Li Ying, and said: "Thank you for your grace, this old minister thanks you again on behalf of your disciple."

Li Longji smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Prime Minister Song, you can go back to your residence and rest first, but you must remember that Chang Yonghe's title cannot be told to others."

"I obey your order! I'll take my leave now." Song Jing stood up and was taken out by a eunuch.

After Song Jing left, Li Ying asked Li Longji again: "Father, from what you just said, will Chang Yonghe be rewarded in the future?"

Li Longji nodded, then picked up a memorial and said as he reviewed it: "Talents must be preserved. Do you really think I don't know your little tricks?"

Li Ying was stunned for a moment, then hesitantly said, "Son... I don't have any other thoughts..."

"Then after the spring examination next year, how about I let Chang Yonghe be your teacher?" Li Longji said at this time.

Li Ying's eyes lit up and he said, "Really?"

His excitement was suppressed by Li Longji's look. He then saw the current emperor looking at him and said with a smile: "I just lied to you and you were exposed. How can you become a good crown prince like this?"

Li Ying immediately lowered her head and admitted her mistake, saying, "It's my fault."

"Nothing," Li Longji turned back and continued to read the memorial, then continued: "I know you admire him. After he passes the Spring Examination, I will give him a position, and then you can pretend to submit a memorial to me that day, and that will be it, right?"

Li Ying was a little excited again, but thinking of her embarrassing moment just now, she held back and said, "Thank you, father."

Meanwhile, at Prince Qi's mansion, Prince Qi Li Fan was still listening to music and enjoying dancing at home, when he saw a servant running towards him.

"Your Majesty."

"What's the matter?" Li Fan looked at the servant and asked.

The servant leaned close to Li Fan's ear and whispered, "Your Majesty, the eyes at Xinluan Restaurant and the Prime Minister's Mansion have all been dealt with."

"Does the guy surnamed Liu know?"

"Replying to the prince, he is confused."

"That's good." Li Fan nodded.