Li Ji is now the Duke of England. In addition, he also has a lofty status, that is, among the many Dukes of the Tang Dynasty, the Duke of England is the first among the Dukes of the country.
Now that Li Ji has made another effort to destroy Goguryeo and avenge the shame of the Tang Dynasty, the question arises, how should Li Zhi be rewarded for such a great contribution?
If the reward continues, Li Ji should be crowned king.
The title of king by foreign ministers was a very taboo topic for both the emperor and the courtiers.
It represents the rise of powerful ministers, the fall of monarchy, the turmoil of the government, and the unrest of the people.
If Li Ji really had the ambition to replace Li Tang, being crowned king might be the position he wanted.
But Li Qinzai knew very well that Li Ji would never have such an idea, not at all.
So for Li Ji, his military exploits to destroy Goguryeo actually caused trouble for the Li family.
The carriage arrived at the gate of Taiji Palace, and Li Qinzai was carried out of the carriage. Looking at the majestic palace that was as familiar as his own yard, Li Qinzai felt extremely heavy.
He had to admit that he was suspicious of his friend Li Zhi and felt very sorry for his friend. But as an emperor in charge of an empire, who dares to believe that he values love more than Jiangshan?
Before entering the palace gate, Li Qinzai felt it was more difficult than ever before. It was as if when he walked through the palace gate, he lost a friend in the world and gained a pair of monarchs and ministers who only weighed the pros and cons.
After calming down, Li Qinzai handed his waist badge to the guard outside the palace gate. After the guard took the waist badge and checked it, he hurried into the palace gate to report.
Li Qinzai waited outside the palace gate for half an hour. The palace door opened and a eunuch came out.
When they met, they put on smiles and saluted. Li Qinzai was an old acquaintance of Taiji Palace. The eunuch knew his importance in Li Zhi's heart and did not dare to be arrogant in the slightest.
Leading Li Qinzai into the palace, the eunuch said some flattering words as he walked. In the past, Li Qinzai might have joked with him, making the eunuch tremble.
But today, Li Qinzai was not in a joking mood. He just reluctantly agreed and laughed. After finally arriving at Anren Hall, the eunuch indicated that there was no need to report and allowed Li Qinzai to go in by himself.
Li Qinzai adjusted his clothes outside the hall, then took off his shoes and entered the hall. He walked into the hall with his head bowed, and Li Qinzai bowed down.
"Your Majesty, Li Qinzai, pays homage to Your Majesty." Li Qinzai's salute was unprecedented.
Li Zhi's surprised voice came from the palace: "Uh, Jingchu...you took the wrong medicine? Why do you look like this?"
Li Qinzai raised his head: "The courtesy of a monarch and his minister, did I do something wrong?"
Li Zhi sat in the hall and looked at him with a look of astonishment on his face: "In the past, when you entered the hall, your salute was most careless. After the ceremony, you didn't sit down, and you ate and drank in front of me and picked your feet..."
Li Qinzai looked at his nose with his eyes, his nose at his heart, and said calmly: "I was too rude in the past. Disobedience before the king is also a serious crime of disrespect. I have decided to change my past mistakes and become a courteous and flawless minister from now on. "
The look of astonishment on Li Zhi's face grew thicker: "Jingchu... what's wrong with you? Is your injury aggravated, or did you eat the wrong thing? I'm scared of you like this. Can you recover?"
"Your Majesty has misunderstood. I am in good health and have not eaten the wrong food. I just woke up. Your Majesty now has a minister who is knowledgeable and courteous. Isn't it wonderful?"
Li Zhi blurted out: "I am beautiful, you are a coward... Jingchu, something is wrong with you. Do you want me to help you ask the imperial doctor to take your pulse? If you are sick, you should not hide your illness and avoid medical treatment. If you treat it early, you will be better."
Li Qinzai smiled bitterly and said, "I'm really not sick... so what? I'm hungry. Can your majesty give you the royal meal?"
Li Zhi cheered up and said with a smile: "You are finally normal. Let me just say that eating, drinking, and picking your feet is the real you. Jingchu, you have finally returned to your place!"
God has returned...
Li Zhi immediately ordered the eunuchs to pass on the banquet, and soon the palace meals were brought into the palace by the maids.
As usual, the monarch and his minister moved the low table to the center of the hall, and sat opposite each other.
Li Zhi was even less embarrassed than Li Qinzai. He pulled off a chicken leg and stuffed it into his mouth. While chewing, he said, "Jing Chu suddenly came into the palace. Do you have something to say?"
Li Qinzai had no appetite. After hearing this, he put down his chopsticks and suddenly stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty has promoted me to a noble title. I am grateful for Tian's grace. However, I thought about it at home. I am too young. If I am suddenly granted the title of Duke, I will inevitably be jealous of others. , laying the foundation for disaster, so I beg your Majesty to take back your order and reduce my title."
Li Zhi's chewing movements froze for an instant, and he looked at him in astonishment.
After a long time, Li Zhi whispered: "What Jing Chu means is that he doesn't want to be a county official?"
Li Qinzai smiled bitterly and said: "Actually, I don't want to be a county minister. Your Majesty's nature of being a minister is actually like a salted fish without any ambition. His favorite way of life is to enjoy peace and wealth in Ganjing Village."
"In my spare time, I go fishing, bake sweet potatoes, take my son into the mountains to hunt game, and occasionally teach students. Of course, when I'm in a good mood, I might also come up with some original novelties. Maybe they will be useful to Datang, maybe It’s useless.”
Looking up at Li Zhi's eyes, Li Qinzai smiled bitterly and said: "I am actually such a person who does not seek advancement. Being an official or a title is not important to me. I have a great grandfather who spent his whole life fighting. In exchange for a prosperous family business..."
"I just want to be a dandy under the shadow of my grandfather and wait for death. The minimum requirement is not to lose all the family property before I die, and to leave something for future generations..."
Li Zhi was shocked, and his expression gradually became serious. He dropped the half chicken leg in his hand. Li Zhi stared into his eyes and said slowly: "What's wrong with you? What happened?"
Li Qinzai was silent for a while and said: "I'm fine, but I suddenly felt a little tired. Maybe after losing half my life on the Goguryeo battlefield, my temperament has also changed..."
Li Zhi also fell silent, and after a long time, he suddenly said: "The news of the good news of the British Duke reached Chang'an, the government and the public were shocked, and the subjects were happy. However, I listened to Baiqisi's secret report, and there seemed to be some bad voices among the courtiers..."
"It's cold in the north, and there are some deserters in the king's division. There are even a thousand people who fled. The British Duke has already said it in his report on the victory. I have no intention of blaming him, but I heard that someone in the court plans to make a fuss about this matter. , in an attempt to discredit the heroic achievements."
Li Zhi sighed: "I didn't take this matter to heart, so why did Jingchu take it seriously? Do you think I am the kind of fool who doesn't know right from wrong?"
"The weather is cold, and the soldiers are wearing single clothes and armor. If they can't bear the cold, of course they have to flee. This is human nature. If I were in Goguryeo, I might have escaped. I will send a memorial to the Ministry of War to request an order to severely punish those deserters. Refuted it."
"I have forgiven you for deserting. How can you blame your grandfather? He was able to turn the tide when the morale of the army was gradually declining, and he also conquered Pyongyang. Your Excellency is already amazing."
(End of chapter)
