As soon as he saw Li Hao, Qi Heng said directly: "What is the marriage between Minglan and Gu Tingye? Did you arrange this matter?"
When Li Hao heard this, he immediately knew that Qi Heng was still the same stupid young man and had not changed at all.
But he still replied: "Originally, I didn't need to explain this to you, but since you asked, I might as well tell the truth.
Of course I knew about their marriage in advance, but if I was the one who arranged it, I couldn't say.
Of course, I have no objection. "
Hearing this, Qi Heng became unbalanced and said: "You know what kind of person Gu Tingye is.
Just feel free to let Minglan marry him, he is much better than me. "
Li Hao smiled when he heard this and said, "Let's not talk about it now, otherwise I will hurt you more."
Qi Heng said: "Tell me, I really want to know."
Seeing Qi Heng's appearance, Li Hao agreed: "Okay, since you really want to know, let me tell you.
What I dislike most about you is that you are indecisive and you have an extremely strong mother.
It can be seen from the previous events that the greatest resistance you can make to Princess Pingning is to go on a hunger strike.
This kid's method doesn't mention the probability of success, so what if you succeed.
This will only cause Princess Pingning to blame you! All the anger accumulated, and then all of it was put on Minglan.
Can you really protect Minglan then? You can't even protect the boy next to you. What will you do to protect Minglan?
Gu Tingye is different from you. I believe he can risk his life for Minglan, but he also has the ability and means to protect Minglan.
Instead of being like you, when things happen, you can only watch from the side. "
After hearing Li Hao's words, Qi Heng's face turned pale, perhaps thinking of that caring person, and he didn't speak for a long time.
Seeing Qi Heng's devastated look, Li Hao did not continue to attack him, but asked: "Actually, Minglan's marriage has been scheduled for such a long time, why do you come here to ask now?"
After Qi Heng calmed down, he said: "For a while, I was studying to prepare for the imperial examination, and my mother asked everyone in the house to hide the news.
I only learned all this from my mother after the imperial examination. "
After hearing this, Li Hao finally understood the whole story. With Qi Heng's temperament, it was strange that he could bear to wait until after the imperial examination.
It seems that Princess Pingning knows her son well and has taken care of every step for him.
After finishing speaking, Qi Heng didn't want to argue with Li Hao anymore, so he turned and left.
As for whether he would go to the Sheng family or Ningyuan Hou Mansion again after this, Li Hao didn't know and couldn't control it.
After Qi Heng left, Zhang Guifen, who had listened to the entire conversation, walked out of the inner room and said, "What you said is too direct. Qi Heng has grown up in a honey pot, so you are not afraid that he will listen to you." I can’t stand it.”
Li Hao said: "I have nothing to do with his family, and I don't want to climb the high branches of the Duke of Qi's mansion.
Why should I care about his feelings? Why should I coax him? "
Zhang Guifen didn't know whether this was acceptable, but smiled and said: "You seem to have a special disdain for Qi Heng. Is there any reason?"
In contrast, Li Hao himself thought about it first, and it seemed that he did have a problem with Qi Heng from the beginning. That was the inherent impression he had when watching the TV series.
After thinking about it, Li Hao said: "If you insist on saying this, I can't tell you the specific reason. Maybe it's because you are angry and won't argue.
Everyone in Bianjing said that he was talented and valuable, but in my opinion, he was just a flower in a greenhouse and had never experienced the severe cold outside.
Therefore, when faced with a problem, he will not actively think of ways to solve it, but will deal with it in a negative way, always playing a good hand to pieces.
Such a person is always unpleasant, unless he is my enemy. "
Zhang Guifen didn't know how to answer Li Hao's words, so the discussion about Qi Heng ended.
After this matter is dealt with, Zhang Guifen will be able to better keep others out.
Then Zhao Ceying did what Li Hao thought and came to visit him soon.
Then he was stopped by Zhang Guifen, but Zhao Ceying was very determined this time, saying that as long as Li Hao didn't show up, he would come every day.
Regarding this helpless behavior, Li Hao naturally chose to tolerate him.
As long as Zhao Ceying comes, good tea will be served, good fruits will be eaten, and good wine and food will be specially prepared for meals.
Anyway, they promised to provide thoughtful hospitality, but they just didn't show up. Gradually, Zhao Ceying really stopped coming.
Of course, as for the main reason why Zhao Ceying did not come, Li Hao believed that it was because there had been no movement since Zhao Zhen proposed to establish another prince that day, making Zhao Ceying temporarily lose the urgency.
But is this really the case? That was obviously not the case. Zhao Zhen had already made up his mind to do something, but how could he give up so easily?
He just didn't immediately continue to act openly, but privately he was clearing the way for this matter.
Soon Anguo Gong and Tongben Dazongzongzong, Zhao Conggu, were transferred to Yanzhou as observation envoys, and Jingguo Gong Zhao Congchen succeeded Tongbendazongzongzong.
Because Da Zongzhengsi was originally the clan's yamen, the appointment of officials did not need to go through the political hall, so Zhao Zhen seized the opportunity and replaced him.
After replacing this key figure in charge of the clan, Zhao Zongquan lost his ability to control the clan.
So Zhao Zhen once again proposed in the court that he would select another young prince to enter the palace.
After this period of cold shelving between the officials of the DPRK and China, not surprisingly, the differences became more and more serious.
Many people began to lean towards Zhao Zhen. After all, Zhao Zhen had complained to them a lot in private these days and played a lot of emotional cards.
Especially the veterans who have been accompanying Zhao Zhen all year round. They are already close to Zhao Zhen, and they are also sympathetic to the current situation that Zhao Zhen has no one to love him. They really don't want to embarrass Zhao Zhen, so they reluctantly agreed to the matter.
Slowly, in the court hall, the voices of agreement were able to compete with the voices of opposition.
So everyone focused their attention on the two great ministers, Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu, to see what choice they would make.
But the two of them were almost separated now. Ouyang Xiu maintained the attitude that silence is golden, but by default he still favored Zhao Zhen.
In the end, Han Qi was forced to end the battle in person, but it was already a failure for the first assistant to take the lead in the charge, and there was also Zhao Zhen's side on the opposite side.
In the end, Han Qi could not break his face and defend Zhao Zongquan to the death. As a result, at the end of the court meeting, Zhao Zhen overpowered the public and finally passed the resolution to establish another prince.
Therefore, the task of selecting candidates was handed over to Da Zongzhengsi, who was Zhao Congchen.
Originally, Han Qi wanted to take this opportunity to give himself some time to find a countermeasure.
But what he never expected was that all this had been planned by Zhao Zhen.
The very next day, Zhao Congdan proposed a candidate, the four-year-old Zhao Zonghan, the great-grandson of Song Taizong Zhao Jiong, grandson of Shang Gongjing King Zhao Yuanfen, and son of Xianshu King Zhao Yunrang.
After Zhao Zhen heard the name, he directly agreed and ordered people to go directly to deliver the message without wasting any time.
But despite the seemingly random selection, this person was actually selected very special, because Zhao Zongquan is also the son of King Shu, and after all, this person is Zhao Zongquan's half-brother.
Of course, in this royal bloodline, whether someone is close or not can not be determined simply by the distance of the bloodline.
Moreover, when Zhao Zongquan left Zhao Yunrang, Zhao Zonghan was not even born yet, and the two of them had no brotherhood, otherwise Zhao Zhen would not choose him.
Just as this clear decree was issued, everyone's attention was directed to Zhao Zongquan, and everyone was watching his reaction next.
However, others can watch the excitement quietly, but Li Hao is not so leisurely. He has to go to Xiangzhou to pick him up in person.
Originally, this matter could not be attributed to Li Hao. After all, Li Hao's current job as the Salt and Iron Envoy had nothing to do with this matter.
But just because there are not many people who Zhao Zhen can completely trust, and even fewer of them are suitable to lead troops.
So under this situation, Li Hao was reminded of Zhao Zhen again.
Therefore, Li Hao was quickly summoned to the palace by Zhao Zhen, but Li Hao didn't think much about it at the time.
Until he saw Zhao Congchen in the palace, Li Hao's first instinct was to tell himself that entering the palace today would probably be bad.
Sure enough, after meeting Zhao Zhen and Queen Cao, Zhao Zhen said directly: "I summoned you to the palace today because there is an errand I want you to do.
I think you have also heard about the court's decision. I plan to call Zhao Zonghan as the prince, and now I need to send someone to take him back.
I immediately thought of you and asked you to take care of it. "
After hearing the news, Li Hao really didn't want to accept it.
Although it is true that he is keeping a distance from Zhao Zongquan now, it does not mean that he wants to lean to the other side.
The problem is that the other side could be more reliable, but Zhao Zonghan is only a four-year-old child and is really not worth entrusting.
So Li Hao began to find excuses to refuse: "I am reporting to the officials. It was originally assigned by the officials, so I should not refuse.
But now things in the Salt and Iron Division are just on the right track, and I have a lot of things to deal with, and I really can’t get away from it. "
Regarding these words, Zhao Zhen said: "I have seen the reform of the Salt and Iron Division from the report, and you have indeed done a good job.
Ordinarily, at this time, I really shouldn't interrupt your plan.
But welcoming the prince is also a matter of great importance, and it must be a civil and military match.
Just because today is different from the past, it is difficult for Grand Prime Minister Ouyang to leave Beijing now, and I am not worried about sending others.
Therefore, I intend to let you lead the team and cooperate with Duke Jing to bring the prince back and ensure safety along the way.
The main reason is that there are not many people I can trust, otherwise I wouldn't let you make this trip for me just after you got married. "
Li Hao could understand Zhao Zhen's words.
Now it is obvious that Han Qi has other thoughts, so Ouyang Xiu, who can be used to check and balance Han Qi at this time, is naturally not suitable to leave.
Without the prime minister and ministers to hold the battle, we must find someone who can lead the team with authority and is trustworthy. Then Li Hao will stand out.
And facing Zhao Zhen's request, Li Hao really couldn't refuse. After all, the reason why Li Hao is so successful now is because of Zhao Zhen's trust, so he had no choice but to agree.
After hearing this, Zhao Congchen came out from behind and said: "Master Li, what comes down is our cooperation.
However, I really don’t have much experience in this area, and I still need more guidance from Mr. Li. "
Li Hao naturally believed Zhao Congchen's words. After all, Li Hao had also inquired about Zhao Congchen's resume.
This person has never done any actual work from beginning to end, and has always relied on his title and salary to make a living.
It was precisely because this guy didn't have much ability that Zhao Zhen chose him with confidence, so that he could be used as a tool with peace of mind.
And Li Hao naturally understood the principle of not hitting the smiling person, so he said: "Duke Jing is too polite. If this trip is to go smoothly, we must work together."
Seeing that the two people had roughly reached an agreement, Zhao Zhencai said to Li Hao: "You decide who you want to take with you on this trip.
As for the entourage you need to bring, you can go to the front office to select it. In addition, to facilitate your deployment of troops, you will be given the title of Minister of War.
As for the Salt and Iron Department matter, you should hand it over as soon as possible. Once the handover is completed, set off to pick them up immediately. Don't waste time. "
Naturally, Li Hao could only nod in agreement, and then left the palace at Zhao Zhen's urging.
However, it is said that the arrangements are cumbersome and troublesome, but in fact there are really not many things to arrange.
After all, although Li Hao talked about the salt tax reform in a high-profile manner, progress has actually been stagnant for a long time.
Of course, it's not just Li Hao, but the entire new coup law has basically stalled.
Compared with others, Li Hao can at least ensure that he is moving forward, which is already very good.
The reason that led to this was that the changes in government affairs were implemented by the officials and the princes together.
Only in this way can reforms and new policies be carried out under the opposition of many officials. But now the officials and the Grand Prime Minister are at odds, and even the two Grand Prime Ministers themselves have differences.
Under such circumstances, how can anyone dare to continue to implement reforms without fear of being sold out if they turn around?
Therefore, there was no rush to hand over the matter. Li Hao simply went home first to arrange things at home.
Just when Li Hao said he was going to Xiangzhou to pick up someone, Mrs. Wei suddenly became anxious and said, "If you want to go to Xiangzhou at this time, you won't be able to catch up with Minglan's wedding."
After hearing this, Li Hao said: "It's a long way to Xiangzhou for this trip, and it's not easy to travel quickly with people.
It is estimated that the round trip will take three months anyway, and my cousin's marriage will probably not be able to be made in time.
But it doesn't matter if I can't catch up, I have no intention of taking Gu Tingye away. "
After hearing this, Mrs. Wei said angrily: "You said you didn't know what you were busy with. You were sent to Bianjing for several months before you got married.
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This time your cousin is getting married. You should be there to support her, but you have to go out again. Are you deliberately trying to make me angry? "
After hearing this, Li Hao felt really wronged and said: "How wronged I am, the official sent me out of the capital for some reason.
It’s not like I had to go there myself. Mother, you can’t blame me for this. "
Although when it came to inspecting the salt tax, it seemed that he went there on his own initiative through petition.
But as long as she doesn't say anything, Wei doesn't know. Anyway, she can't let her put the blame on her, otherwise if she becomes unhappy at any time, she can bring it out and cause trouble for her.
And Li Hao's trick was indeed effective. At least the Wei family still respected Zhao Zhen very much, and it was hard to say that Zhao Zhen's order was wrong.
At this time, Zhang Guifen came to the rescue: "Mother-in-law, when officials appoint husbands to do things, they also trust them. This is a good thing.
As for cousin Minglan's wedding, our whole family will go there. In addition, I will invite my mother to attend the wedding banquet together and have a lively time. What do you think? "
After hearing this, Mrs. Wei's face became a little better and said: "You are still thoughtful, so I will do as you say."
After settling the family matter, Li Hao went to the Third Division to solve the problem the next day. He basically handed over the matter to Sheng Hong temporarily and asked him to take care of the matter while he was gone.
Then they went to the palace to select people. After preparing everything, Li Hao and Zhao Congchen took the people on the way to Xiangzhou.
