Li Qinzai finally understood what Song Sen had been doing these days.
From the emperor's standpoint, Li Zhi's approach was very sensible. If Li Qinzai were the emperor, he would definitely do the same.
The Crown Prince of the East Palace is the foundation of the country. If something happens in the East Palace, the government and the public will be in turmoil. At this time, many people will jump out to make trouble. After all, the position of Crown Prince is so fragrant that no one will be tempted.
At this time, Li Zhi cannot be soft-hearted. Except for the designated successor, Li Zhi must always control every move of others, so that they have no chance to cause trouble and ensure a smooth handover of the East Palace position.
As the legitimate son of the emperor, King Pei Li Xian has a reputation as a virtuous person in both the government and the public. It stands to reason that there is no controversy in appointing him as the next crown prince.
But nothing in this world can be without controversy, especially something as important as this.
The East Palace is unstable and Yi Chu is around the corner. It is too easy for interested people in the government and the public to make a name for themselves behind the scenes.
Neither Li Shimin nor Li Zhi are the heirs, but both father and son have secured the throne. This is a very obvious signal to the people of the world, that is, the position of prince does not need to consider the order of accession, and can be won by strength. arrive.
There were many princes in the Tang Dynasty. They were both direct descendants and concubines. They were granted kingships and vassals in various places. The influence of local aristocratic families was intertwined. If Li Zhi did not control it and the princes and the aristocratic families secretly colluded, it is hard to say what kind of chaos would result.
Li Qinzai looked at Song Sen carefully.
After several months of work, Song Sen lost a lot of weight. The fat he had managed to gain after his promotion was now a little deflated, the flesh on his cheeks had also sunk a lot, and his energy was a little sluggish.
It can be seen that he has been really hard during this period of time. He cannot eat well or sleep well. Of course, it is not ruled out that this guy went to a place far away from the emperor to play music every night and was ripped off by the girls in the brothel.
"Old Song, you have become somewhat handsome after losing weight. It's really gratifying. If you keep it up, your mother-in-law will be very happy."
Song Sen grinned, patted his deflated belly, and said with a smile: "Xiaguan has indeed lost a lot of weight. These days in Bingzhou are simply unbearable. I dare not close my eyes day and night for fear of missing important information."
"Local clan members and aristocratic families don't have a fuel-efficient lamp. The subordinates not only have to monitor them, but also have to fight with them. It's too much trouble for me to remove the spies installed in their houses and arrange another one. Stronger."
Li Qinzai sighed: "You are not an outsider. Old Song, you have returned to Chang'an. Today, I will take care of you. In addition to banquets, I will give you some gifts. Old Song, please don't refuse..."
Song Sen hurriedly refused, but Li Qinzai couldn't help but said: "You will definitely accept my kindness. Old Song, you also know my virtues. Don't expect to give me money. I'll give you some local specialties."
As he said this, Li Qinzai ordered his servants to carry hundreds of kilograms of dried beef and some game.
Piles of dried meat were placed in the hall. Song Sen was so moved that his eyes turned red and he choked with sobs: "There are thousands of courtiers in Chang'an City, but Duke Li is the only one who condescends to interact with his subordinates and treats them sincerely. I regard Duke Li as my best friend in life and death, and I hope Duke Li will never give up."
Li Qinzai smiled and said: "We have been close friends for a long time. This time on the battlefield of Goguryeo, your Baiqisi's intelligence was of great help to me. Thanks to Lao Song, you said hello in advance."
After the two chatted some more, Li Qinzai finally got down to business.
"Old Song, you just returned to Chang'an, and there happens to be something I need your help with."
Song Sen held out his chest and said proudly: "No matter what Duke Li orders, I will never refuse to serve as an official and go through fire and water."
Li Qinzai said slowly: "I need your Baiqisi to help me find someone. This person's name is Lu Jiajiduo. He is a priest from the Wutu Kingdom. He came to Chang'an to congratulate the emperor on behalf of the king. This person originally lived in The Guanyi of Honglu Temple moved away and disappeared, can Baiqisi help me find this person?"
Song Sen thought for a while and said: "The problem is not big. As long as the person is in Chang'an, Baiqisi can find him in a short time. This person is an envoy of Wu Tu Kingdom. I wonder what Duke Li wants to find him?"
Li Qinzai said seriously: "I heard that Lu Jiajiduo is about to celebrate his fortieth birthday, and this person is too low-key and doesn't want to be public. How can I, a warm and hospitable person like me, bear to see him spend his birthday alone? So? I plan to prepare generous gifts to celebrate his birthday..."
Song Sen rolled his eyes speechlessly: "Mr. Li, we are already very familiar with each other. We are almost familiar with each other, so can we not fool this official with such nonsense?"
Tsk, I’m not stupid, it’s a bit difficult to handle.
After thinking about it, Li Qinzai decided to simply tell him the truth. Anyway, he would see the results in the near future, and there was no point in hiding it from him.
So Li Qinzai lowered his voice and said: "Okay, after wishing him a happy birthday, I still want to kill him..."
Song Sen was stunned for a moment, then turned pale with shock: "You, you, you... are too courageous. This is an envoy from a country. No matter how small the Wutu Kingdom is, envoys should be treated with courtesy when they arrive in Chang'an. Why did Duke Li treat him so harshly?" A murderous intention?"
"I can't say the reason. In short, you Baiqisi help me find the person, and you don't have to worry about other things. It has nothing to do with you."
Song Sen's face suddenly turned ugly. He hesitated for a while and said with a wry smile: "Mr. Li, I haven't seen you for a year. Your ability to cause trouble has improved again..."
Li Qinzai glanced sideways at him: "Is this a compliment to me?"
Song Sen sighed: "Forgive me, Lord Li, I really don't dare to help you with this task... Baiqisi is an official office directly under His Majesty. As the manager of Baiqisi, the only thing I have to do is to be loyal to Your Majesty. It is not conducive to Datang, we must never do anything that is not conducive to His Majesty."
"If a country's envoy dies in Chang'an, and Baiqisi becomes an accomplice, the subordinate will not be able to explain to His Majesty, nor will he be able to overcome his own conscience."
Li Qinzai frowned: "You are just helping to inquire about personal matters, why do you put such a big label on me? Old Song, why are you becoming less and less courageous? As an official, you worry about gains and losses?"
Song Sen looked helpless: "Mr. Li, please speak some truth, please? If a country's envoy is stabbed to death in Chang'an, do you know how serious the consequences will be and how much of a blow it will have to His Majesty's prestige?"
Li Qinzai was silent for a moment and said slowly: "Let me tell you one more thing. This person is a magician who uses the so-called 'elixir of life' to deceive the world. If your Majesty believes his deception and becomes obsessed with seeking immortality, You should know what kind of chaos the court and the world will fall into."
"So, do you think this person should be eliminated?"
Song Sen was shocked again. After a while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Young Master Li can advise your Majesty in person about this matter. The subordinates dare not participate. Baiqisi can only obey your Majesty's orders..."
Li Qinzai frowned: "After all the good and bad words, why are you still so stubborn? You think I have a good temper, right?"
Song Sen smiled bitterly: "Grandmaster Li's temper...anyway, even if you beat me to death today, Baiqisi can't do this!"
Pointing hard at Song Sen, with a strong sense of threat, Li Qinzai suddenly said loudly: "Come here, please ask King Luo Bin to write me a memorial immediately, impeaching Baiqi Si Yongzhou steward Song Sen for extorting bribes in private, and... The prohibited bribes extorted more than a hundred kilograms of beef from me, which is enough to be exiled to Lingnan for three to five years..."
Song Sen was shocked: "Blackmail? I didn't! Stop talking nonsense!"
"I said yes!"
Song Sen's expression suddenly straightened up, his eyes filled with the light of justice.
"Jun Li is very loyal to the public, and Baiqisi is willing to join Jiwei and eliminate traitors for the country... Come, let's discuss how to kill that bastard named Lu."
