Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4985 Li Zhi Leaves the House
Liu Li naturally had no idea what Pei Huaijie was thinking. He was transferred from the "Yin of Henan" to Chang'an. It seemed that his official position was promoted by half a level, but in fact it was a demotion. The most important thing was that he lost the old nest he had run for many years. He was in a miserable state and had lost his foundation. What qualifications did he have to show off his power and form his own faction?

I have been magnanimous in giving him a chance to become my disciple. Otherwise, if he didn't have my protection and offended Fang Jun, how could he have stayed in Chang'an?

"We can't interfere with maritime trade. The sea is ruled by the navy. We are powerless and can only sigh in despair. However, the Maritime Customs Office must have some influence, especially the setting of maritime trade taxes. We can't let it be completely controlled by Fang Junzhi."

On the sea border, Fang Jun is the veritable "King of the Seven Seas". The navy under his command has strong ships and powerful guns and has strong combat power. It has already firmly grasped the maritime trade in its hands. Anyone who dares to disobey his will must be prepared to be punished.

Pirates are endless, so which merchant caravan dares to say that they won’t encounter pirates when sailing on the sea?

Besides, pirates are not divided by race. They could be Japanese, Goguryeo, Linyi, Johor, or Srivijaya... He could be whatever Fang Jun wants him to be.

But the Maritime Customs is different.

Since it was located on the territory of the Tang Dynasty and was staffed by civil servants, all maritime trade, whether in or out, had to have prices determined and taxes drawn up in advance before customs documents could be obtained, and the goods could be marketed domestically or traded overseas, so there was naturally a lot of room for maneuver.

The Huating Town Maritime Customs was under the control of the navy, but the newly established Guangzhou Maritime Customs was a blank slate...

Pei Huaijie asked: "What should I do?"

Liu Li said: "You don't have to do anything. This matter will be discussed in the Political Affairs Hall. When it comes to a vote, you just need to stand on my side."

"But if I do this, I will definitely offend Fang Jun, and I will have a hard time in the Military Reform Committee, which may harm your majesty's plan."

Pei Huaijie was unwilling.

Being an "undercover" in the committee and keeping an eye on the committee's agenda and resolutions is working for His Majesty, but if you support me in the Council of State, you are working for Liu Li. Once you stand on Liu Li's side, your position is clear, how can you continue to be an "undercover" in the committee?
Liu Li frowned, somewhat dissatisfied, and warned: "Your Majesty's intention of adding the 'Pingzhangshi' this time, I don't need to explain to you what it is, right? Your Majesty's current intention is to vigorously suppress the military at all costs! You stand on my side, which means you are responding to your Majesty's strategy, and you have only merits and no faults. Moreover, even if this causes Fang Jun's dissatisfaction, will he dare to exclude you from the committee? He dare not, and he does not have the power to do so!"

Pei Huaijie lowered his head, took a sip of tea, and said, "Well, then I will follow the orders of the Minister of the Central Secretariat."

But deep down I feel disdain.

In theory, the purpose of interfering in the Maritime Customs was to suppress the military, but setting taxes would inevitably reduce tax revenue. Where did these taxes go that should have been added to the national treasury but ultimately disappeared?

These are the cellars and storehouses of the aristocratic families.

Is it really in line with Your Majesty's strategy to suppress the military while buying off the aristocratic families?
Besides, is this to win over the aristocratic families on behalf of His Majesty or is it Liu Li himself who is winning over the aristocratic families?

Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has spared no effort to suppress and weaken the aristocratic families. Will he now revive the aristocratic families in order to check and balance the military?
A loud bang was heard faintly beside his ears. Pei Huaijie turned his head and looked out the window with a teacup in his hand. He didn't know when the sky had darkened. A firework bloomed in the night sky, gorgeous and beautiful, but fleeting.

……

As Emperor Taizong had not yet ended his mourning period, the royal family did not hold any celebrations on the Lantern Festival. However, Your Majesty has issued an order not to prohibit the people from celebrating and entertaining themselves.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, clouds gathered, it was dark and moonless, but auspicious snow fell, creating an elegant atmosphere.

Although folk entertainment was not banned, the usual lantern festival had been cancelled. I wonder if Li Chengqian really cared about the people and felt the public opinion, or if he wanted to subtly offset the people's attachment to Emperor Taizong, so he deliberately opened up the Furong Garden and allowed the people to celebrate the festival on Lantern Festival night.

As night fell and a light snow fell, countless people walked out of the neighborhood and onto the streets, some holding lanterns or riding in horse-drawn carriages, and gathered into a stream, heading towards Furong Garden in the south of the city.

In Furong Garden, vendors had already occupied the open space under the command of Chang'an County officials and yamen runners, set up stalls and lit lanterns. Stalls selling all kinds of snacks, fabrics, accessories, and toys were lined up one after another, and when the people came in, the place was suddenly crowded and bustling.

The huge Furong Garden is full of colorful lights and bustling with people, showing the prosperity of the times.

"Sizi, look at that lotus lantern, it's so beautiful!"

In the crowd, Princess Gaoyang, wearing a white fox fur coat and a veil covering her face, was walking, holding Princess Jinyang's hand. Suddenly, she saw a lotus lantern hanging in front of a stall to attract business, and she uttered a cry of surprise.

Princess Jinyang looked in the direction of her finger and curled her lips: "That's it, it's not bad..."

"Heh, are you so picky? It's already very good!"

"It's fine if you say so. There's no need to make a fuss."

"Are you going to go against me?"

Princess Gaoyang was very dissatisfied.

Princess Jinyang could only perfunctorily reply, "No way. I just think it's just average, but since you think it's beautiful, I have no objection."

Princess Gaoyang narrowed her eyes and snorted, "Don't set your sights on the best things. After all, there are only a few good things in the world. To be able to say that something is 'okay' is already outstanding. Little girl, don't aim too high."

Princess Jinyang blinked her eyes, her veil fluttering slightly, pretending to be puzzled: "But 'best' and 'okay' are different after all. After seeing the 'best', how can 'okay' be appreciated? You can't wrong yourself and regard 'okay' as a treasure just because you haven't seen the 'best'. It's not advisable to deceive yourself."

"Hey! Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"

The two sisters seemed to be reversed. Princess Gaoyang, the elder sister, was lively and active, making trouble out of nothing, while Princess Jinyang, the younger sister, was calm and steady, defending and counterattacking. For a while, the two sides were in a stalemate...

Although both women were wearing veils and their true faces were not visible, their clothes were gorgeous and expensive, their bodies were graceful and slender, their hair was covered with pearls and jade, and their rings and bracelets jingled. They walked hand in hand in the snow, graceful and elegant, like a startled swan, which naturally attracted the attention of many young men.

However, the two women were secretly guarded by strong men in front and behind, and they were obviously ladies from prominent families. Therefore, the young men who wanted to approach and chat with them were afraid and did not dare to offend the beauties. They just wandered around not far away and watched, reluctant to leave.

However, when they saw the young man in brocade robe walking behind the two women, they were shocked and hurriedly covered their faces with their hands and scattered like birds and beasts. They were secretly glad that they didn't rashly approach them to chat, otherwise they would have had their legs broken and thrown into the Qujiang Pond...

Among all the young men of noble families and the wealthy and well-off people in Chang'an, who doesn't know Fang Jun?

Besides, the young people in Chang'an today all grew up listening to the legend of Fang Jun. Those "old predecessors" who were played by Fang Jun in the story have either ceased to exist and become ordinary people as their families have fallen into decline, or are guarding the frontiers with the army, climbing ice and sleeping in the snow outside the Great Wall, or the grass on their graves is already as tall as a person...

Although Fang Jun probably wouldn't argue with them now, who would dare to bet?

Even the elders in their family were respectful in front of Fang Jun, let alone these idle and trouble-making teenagers...

Li Zhi looked at those wealthy and luxurious people running around with amusement. Not only did they run fast, but they also covered their faces with their hands, fearing that Fang Jun would recognize them and cause trouble for them.

"My brother-in-law is famous and notorious. I think he can stop children from crying at night in Chang'an."

Perhaps it was because he was no longer concerned about the throne and felt relieved, or perhaps it was because he was pardoned by Li Chengqian and allowed to leave the palace, Li Zhi was in a very good mood, and the nervousness he had felt when facing Fang Jun in the past was gone, and he even dared to tease him.

Fang Jun was wearing a brocade robe and walking with his hands behind his back. He glanced at Li Zhi and said casually, "It is true that children crying at night is annoying, but that's all. The evil spirits in Chang'an City are terrified by hearing this. That's real ability."

Li Zhi smiled bitterly and spread his hands, saying, "In my brother-in-law's mind, I wouldn't classify me as one of the 'evil spirits', right?"

Fang Jun smiled and said, "Whether you are included in the category of 'evil spirits and monsters' is not determined by who puts you in or out, but depends on whether you want to be in the category. As the saying goes, if you are selfless, the world will be wide. If you are not in the category, then you will naturally have nothing to fear."

The reason why Li Chengqian granted Li Zhi a "special pardon", lifted his confinement and allowed him to leave the palace, and restored all his titles, salaries and benefits was precisely because of Li Zhi's performance during the royal family rebellion.

Li Shenfu sent people to the Jin Palace to contact Li Zhi, and even went to the Jin Palace in person. He himself could not ascend the throne, and even if the mutiny was successful, he had to support a son of Taizong to ascend the throne. Who could be more suitable than Li Zhi, who had already rebelled once and showed the world his desire for the throne?

However, Li Zhi did not even see him.

Whether it was because he was touched by Li Chengqian's magnanimity and forgiveness after the last mutiny, or because he concluded that Li Shenfu would never succeed, Li Zhi was very determined to draw a clear line between himself and Li Shenfu, and sent someone to inform Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian then made a statement after the mutiny.

It was not certain that all past grudges would be forgiven, but Li Chengqian did need Li Zhi to be his "spokesperson" and declare to the world that he was the emperor's generosity and benevolence.

Li Zhi was quite interesting. The first thing he did after leaving the palace was to visit the Duke of Liang's mansion...

Fang Jun thought that he was being treated as a "talisman", but he did not reject it. He even pulled Li Zhi to walk to a crowded place. Since he was the emperor's "spokesperson", he naturally wanted more people to see him.

But it's a bit regrettable that no one recognized Li Zhi, which is embarrassing...