On the Qingming Festival, there was no drizzle falling in Tokyo, but a strong wind blew at dusk. The wind was howling, and although sand and stones were not flying, the streets were still deserted with shops and few pedestrians. Most of the few passers-by covered their mouths and noses with their sleeves and hurried past with their heads buried.
At this time, Tokyo was far from developing all kinds of leisure, and everyone from the palace to the common people were busy with their own affairs.
Li Tao, the Vice Minister of Zhongshu and the Minister of Hubu, Pingzhangshi, is also on the way at this moment. Although he was in the sedan chair and was not in a hurry like a pedestrian on the street, he was experiencing a storm in his heart that was far more violent than outside the sedan chair.
When Li Tao was on duty at the Political Hall this morning, he suddenly received an urgent message from the Kansai Army. Zhao Kuangzan, the former Jiedushi envoy of Jinchang (Chang'an), Zhao Siwan, a subordinate general of Yabing, expelled the deputy envoy and patrol inspector of Jinchang (Chang'an) and occupied Chang'an without knowing his plans. Li Tao first sent someone to brief the palace, and then immediately went to the two prime ministers Su Fengji and Su Yugui, who were also in Zhongshu, to discuss countermeasures. After a secret discussion, the three of them all believed that this matter could be of great use in suppressing Yang Fu's faction, so they decided not to discuss it with the Privy Council, and immediately sent Li Tao to the palace to face the emperor, and hurriedly presented the strategy to the officials before the Privy Council knew about it.
"Ms. sir, the imperial gate has arrived."
After hearing the servant's report, Li Tao, who had been closing his eyes and trying to calm his mind, finally opened his eyes, lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and stepped out.
As soon as he landed, the strong wind blew Li Tao's robe close to his body, and even his head was blown to one side. Li Tao frowned and straightened his clothes. Entering the palace against the wind was obviously not a good sign, but he still held the prepared book - the cause of another storm that was destined to set off another storm in the palace and Tokyo - close to his chest.
Li Tao did not enter the palace by invitation. After entering the imperial gate, he waited at the pavilion gate for a while. Soon, the palace eunuch came with an official order and summoned him directly to Nuange to see his Majesty.
In front of the Nuan Pavilion, the eunuch was about to open the door for him, but Li Tao stopped him in a low voice: "Wait a minute." After saying this, he carefully smoothed his wind-blown temples with his hands, and then motioned the eunuch to open the door.
When Li Tao met with the young official Liu Chengyou in the Nuan Pavilion, Liu Chengyou was putting down the documents on his case with a frown, obviously worried about the urgent delivery this morning.
After instructing the waiter to give Li Tao a seat, Liu Chengyou deliberately emphasized: "Why does Mr. Li want to see you?"
Li Tao raised his hand to the superior: "I am here to share your Majesty's worries."
Liu Chengyou chuckled lightly: "Share the worries? I have the two prime ministers Yang Guo in charge of the military aircraft, Er Su, Dou, and Li Xianggong in charge of important affairs. There are all the prime ministers everywhere in the court to share the worries for me. I just need to sit in this small warm pavilion. , what else is there to worry about?”
Li Tao thought to himself: The official is young and not familiar with the city government, but this attitude is exactly what he wanted for this trip. So he pretended not to hear Liu Chengyou's dissatisfaction, and said in his mouth: "Remembering the entrustment of the late emperor, all the ministers and ministers worry about it day and night, all for the sake of your Majesty's country."
"I know the loyalty of all your prime ministers well." Liu Chengyou snorted softly and stretched out from above, "Now that Mr. Li has said it, why did Zhao Siwan rebel?"
Li Tao had sorted it out before coming here, and immediately spoke generously: "Your Majesty, Zhao Siwan belongs to Zhao Kuangzan's Ya Bing. Zhao Kuangzan came to the court alone in the first month of the year and left the Ya Bing in Chang'an. At that time, the Shu army was advancing rapidly, so Wang Jingchong recruited him. His troops went to attack the enemy invaded by Qin Feng. Later, the Shu army was defeated. This month, according to the orders of the two prime ministers of the Privy Council, his troops were ordered to enter the court to strengthen the imperial army. It is thought that Zhao Siwan was afraid of the imperial court, coupled with the ambition of the thieves, so he occupied Chang'an Resistance becomes destiny.”
Liu Chengyou said displeasedly: "Then Zhao Siwan has taken control of Chang'an, and Shi Hongzhao and the others are saying that Wang Jingchong has evil intentions in Fengxiang Mansion. If Fengxiang and Chang'an Mansion rebel against the imperial court, won't there be chaos in Guanxi again?"
"Your Majesty is wise." Li Tao was silent for a moment, "I think based on the consistent wishes of the two ministers of the Privy Council, your Majesty will definitely report tomorrow to dispatch the imperial army to Chang'an and Fengxiang towns to conquer the rebels and root out the rebels."
"Do we have to fight for peace with a large army? The warriors of the Forbidden Army have always been spoiled and domineering. If the leading general does not listen to orders like Wang Jingchong, won't the court's petitions be endless?" Liu Chengyou stood up and flicked his sleeves impatiently, " Why don't we just let them make trouble! Wait until all the princes from all over the world raise their flags to rebel against my family, and then let's see what Yang Guoshi's three ministers are capable of!"
When Li Tao heard this, his heart moved: The time has come! He immediately bowed down from his seat and said: "The affairs of the military and state are related to the country, the country, and the country. Your Majesty must not ignore it!"
Liu Chengyou sat down dullly: "Then what are Mr. Li's countermeasures?"
"I am here just to offer advice to Your Majesty." Li Tao looked serious and took out the book from his arms. "I have a message from Li Tao: There are turmoils in Guanxi today, and the foreign imperialists are in urgent need. The privy envoys Yang Yi and Guo Wei are both ministers of merit. , although the current officials are prominent but their families are not rich, according to the old rules of the previous dynasty, they should be given the task of harming the big town. Therefore, your majesty please transfer the privy envoys Yang Bin and Guo Wei to the towns of Yongxing and Fengxiang. The two ministers are loyal to If the imperial court has the ability to quell chaos, it will certainly be able to quell the chaos and save the imperial court from the suffering of successive rebellions in Kansai, killing two birds with one stone."
The eunuch took it from Shangshu and presented it to Liu Chengyou. Liu Chengyou looked at it for a moment and said hesitantly: "How can this method proposed by Mr. Li be feasible? Even if Mr. Yang and Mr. Guo are willing to leave Beijing and go to town, won't there be no one in the Privy Council?"
Li Tao, Su Fengji, and Su Yugui had long expected Liu Chengyou's considerations and wishes, and at this time they responded in a timely manner: "Your Majesty is talented and broad-minded. It is not difficult for your Majesty to decide on the cardinal affairs at present. After all, the Privy Council is your Majesty's Privy Council, not two envoys." The Privy Council of the Prime Minister. Besides, there are two Prime Ministers, Su Fengji and Su Yugui, assisting you. If your Majesty has any difficulties, you can deputize them."
Liu Chengyou's eyes suddenly flashed with excitement: "Is this really true? Do Mr. Er Su know what Ai Qing said?"
Hearing the joy and urgency in Liu Chengyou's tone, the storm in Li Tao's heart finally calmed down. With the support of the emperor and the joint efforts of the three prime ministers Zhongshu, in his opinion, it was enough to squeeze the two privy councilors out of Tokyo. There is 80% hope.
After receiving the affirmative reply, Liu Chengyou was already beaming with joy: "In this case, we should inform all the officials as soon as possible in the morning meeting the day after tomorrow. The military situation in Kansai is urgent, and the two privy envoys should also make preparations early."
The monarch and his ministers said a few more words, and Liu Chengyou immediately ordered the eunuchs below to send Li Tao out of the palace with gifts.
After leaving the Nuan Pavilion, the strong wind outside has stopped.
Li Tao walked between the red walls, recalling the conversation he had with Liu Chengyou in Nuan Pavilion just now. In Li Tao's view, although he was only seventeen years old, this little official was not stupid. On the contrary, he was sometimes quite clever. However, the biggest difference between him and the late emperor was that he lacked patience and was often impatient and aggressive when things happened. But even so, a young man who was pampered by Taiyuan Mansion last year is now sitting on the throne of the emperor. How can he be so mature?
Just when Li Tao was lost in his own thoughts, he did not notice that the eunuch beside him did not turn back to the Nuan Pavilion after seeing him out of the imperial gate, but hurriedly walked towards Donghua Gate.
