Visiting Liu Rengui was not a temporary decision, but a decision made by Li Qinzai after careful consideration.
Li Qinzai never thought about the risks because he had confidence in Li Zhi.
In terms of imperial achievements, Li Shimin and Li Zhi are indistinguishable. In terms of broad-mindedness, Li Zhi is even more tolerant than Li Shimin.
History books commented on Li Zhi and said that he was cowardly. Historians wrote with pens as sharp as a knife, and most of them were slanderous remarks.
Li Zhi is not cowardly, but broad-minded. If Li Shimin were alive and the father and son faced the same thing, Li Zhi might not be able to forgive what Li Zhi could forgive.
Liu Rengui really annoyed Li Zhi, and he only received ten strokes of the imperial stick for his exaggerated words. This shows that Li Zhi is really not a stingy person.
Therefore, Li Qinzai dared to visit Liu Rengui calmly, and he believed that Li Zhi would not mind.
The only thing that could make Li Zhi murderous was probably that the imperial power was threatened. In today's Tang Dynasty, political disagreements are not considered any principled grievances.
Liu Rengui was surprised by Li Qinzai's arrival. Strictly speaking, his relationship with Li Qinzai was not good, and he even stood against him in court several times.
Unexpectedly, he received the imperial cane, and all his colleagues and friends shunned him. The first person to visit him was Li Qinzai, which really surprised and alarmed Liu Rengui.
What on earth does this dude want to do?
Li Qinzai came to Liu Rengui's mansion for the first time. After looking around and observing the environment, he nodded slowly.
"Liu Caomin..."
Liu Rengui's eyes widened. Although I have been dismissed from office, I am indeed a commoner, but you really dare to call me that? Are the people who came out of the Duke’s Mansion fed to dogs?
Li Qinzai ignored Liu Rengui's resentment and looked around the room and shook his head: "Did your house just be robbed by bandits?"
Liu Rengui was stunned: "What do you mean?"
"The family is surrounded by walls and there is not even a guard dog. You have failed as an official. Looking at the desolation, you should really call my grandfather and let him see how miserable his former political opponents are. All revenge has been avenged."
Li Qinzai dared to swear to God that he was not a mean person this time. Liu Rengui's family was really poor, extremely poor.
It is an old house with two floors. The only servant in the house is the housekeeper who is too old to walk. The house is neat, but there are no furnishings on the walls. The futon and low table are also in tatters. There was a hole in a pottery bowl on the table.
When a thief enters the door, his eyes will be red and he will silently leave two cents before leaving.
An honest official is an honest official in an absolute sense.
Although Li Qinzai has a salty personality, he lives a more refined life than anyone else in terms of enjoying life. Liu Rengui and he are completely different worlds.
Liu Rengui took a deep breath.
Don't be angry, don't be angry, the dude in Chang'an doesn't talk much, you should be generous...
"Aside from visiting me today, do you have anything else to do?" Liu Rengui's face turned cold.
"Oh, it's nothing, it just depends on how poor you are..." Li Qinzai said casually, and then immediately changed his words: "Ahem, no, I came here specifically to pay homage to your mansion. I have heard for a long time that Liu Shizhong is as honest as water. When I saw him today, he really lived up to his reputation. .”
Li Qinzai was astonished in his heart even though he said something that was against his will.
Even though he was so poor, his mother-in-law didn't divorce him, which was a sign of true love.
Seeing Li Qinzai's disapproving expression, Liu Rengui immediately knew that the nonsense he said about being "as honest as water" was not credible. This guy must be calling himself a poor man in his heart.
"Now that you've seen it, I'm injured and can't entertain you..." Liu Rengui said and raised his voice, "Come here and see the guests off!"
Li Qinzai said hurriedly: "Hey, don't worry, there is no reason in the world to chase away guests. Besides, I have something else to do."
Liu Rengui looked unkind and said, "If you have anything to say, just tell me and leave right away."
Li Qinzai sat up straight and said, "This junior is deeply impressed by the news that Liu Shizhong is not afraid of the power of heaven and defies his appearance to give advice."
Liu Rengui stared at him suspiciously, silently deciding whether this guy was telling the truth or not.
Li Qinzai smiled: "It's the truth. Don't be suspicious. To be honest with Liu Shizhong, I actually want to say what you said, but I don't have that much courage. I look very small in front of you."
Liu Rengui's face softened a little, and he said calmly: "Everyone has his own nature, and you can't force it. I can't do what Li Xianhou did. To be honest, I actually admire you more."
Li Qinzai shook his head and said: "Liu Shizhong, although I admire your admonishment, I don't think your method is correct. With all due respect, your approach will only make the relationship between the emperor and his ministers more tense, and it will not do you any good."
Liu Rengui said dissatisfiedly: "The world has been poor for a long time, and your Majesty still wants to enshrine Mount Tai, without caring about the life and death of the people. If I don't give advice, what else can I do? Are you silent and ignoring the suffering of the people like you?"
Li Qinzai sighed and said: "What this junior means is that we can use a more tactful method to make His Majesty realize that it is wrong to grant Zen Taishan instead of pointing his nose in his face and scolding him."
"To be honest, you scolded His Majesty. Apart from relieving your anger, it will not solve any problem at all. On the contrary, it will make the conflict between the monarch and his ministers more acute."
Liu Rengui sneered: "Do you have a way to be tactful?"
Li Qinzai said helplessly: "Not yet, but I know that before I think of a good way to persuade His Majesty, it is best to plan first and then act, instead of acting like a fool...well, a certain Liu who is a highly respected official whose name is not disclosed publicly. Just like the surnamed Shizhong, I don’t care about pointing at His Majesty’s nose and scolding him.”
Liu Rengui took a deep breath again.
Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, and be restrained in front of juniors...
"Marquis Li County, let me sum it up. When you came to visit me today, you first laughed at me for being poor, then you said something weird about how much you admire me for admonishing Yan Yan, and then you said that I acted like a fool. Finally, you accused me of exacerbating the conflict between the emperor and his ministers... "
Li Qinzai was stunned. Listening to his summary, it seemed...that this was really the case.
Liu Rengui's face was ashen and he said: "Li Qinzai, you are not a good person here today. Are you here to provoke me?"
Li Qinzai said awkwardly: "Don't be surprised, Mr. Liu. This junior has the habit of suppressing his words first and then expressing his praises. I haven't even had time to praise you yet..."
Liu Rengui waved his robe sleeves vigorously: "No need! I don't want to hear a word that comes out of your mouth, so I won't send you away!"
Li Qinzai sighed, he and this poor guy...well, he and this upright official were totally wrong. He fell out after saying a few words. No wonder he was spanked by Li Zhi. He deserved it for his bad temper!
Li Qinzai didn't want to stay any longer, so he got up and walked out.
When he reached the door, Li Qinzai suddenly turned around and said: "Based on the current situation, His Majesty's conferment of Zen Taishan is indeed a bad government. Bad government must be stopped by loyal and upright ministers."
"Liu Shizhong, you have done your best. I will shoulder the responsibility for the next thing."
Liu Rengui was stunned: "You..."
Li Qinzai smiled: "Don't get me wrong, I am not a loyal minister. I have definitely done more bad things than good things. I just don't want the Tang Dynasty to hurt the country and affect my life."
(End of chapter)
