Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 157: No one is worthy of fighting him except our Li family

After the new Prime Minister Cui Renshi joined the partnership, Li Ming could no longer keep a low profile.

The long entourage, with luxurious guards, stopped and walked along the way.

By the time we arrived in Chang'an, it was already mid-April.

If Li Ming hadn’t urged him to be late for work, Lao Cui could have stayed on the road for a few more days to “inspect the people’s sentiments”.

According to the rules, officials who were on long business trips had to send an envoy to the court to announce "We are back from our journey" before returning to Beijing to report on their work.

Therefore, when Li Ming and his party arrived outside the city of Chang'an, the court had already received the news.

The bureaucrats had already set up a stage outside the city to perform a play and made preparations to welcome the Liaodong Jiedushi who had returned triumphantly.

"The altar, the banquet... Hey, even the chimes and the musicians were brought out, and there were three sets of chimes. These things are not easy to carry.

"Why, do you want to play a song for me?"

Li Ming held his head with one hand and spoke with little interest.

"Instead of performing their duties properly in the office, they came to eat outside the city gate. These officials should be recorded as absent from work and have points deducted from their annual assessments."

The Minister of Personnel Hou Junji said with a smile.

After staying in Liaodong for a long time, he began to get fed up with this inefficient formalism.

At the same time, he had a vague feeling that there seemed to be something wrong with this grand welcoming ceremony.

But he couldn't say anything specific, after all, he was not the Minister of Rites.

It was Cui Renshi from the old family who saw through the trick:
"According to Zhou Li, the emperor uses three chime bells, and the princes use two. And when welcoming the princes, no ritual music is used. I'm afraid this etiquette is beyond the rules, isn't it?"

After being reminded by the prime minister, Hou Junji finally realized that something was wrong in his subconscious:
"When Your Majesty was still the King of Qin, you returned to the capital victoriously from the Battle of Qianshuiyuan and the Battle of Hulaoguan, but you did not use the chime bells..."

"How come the court's rituals and music are in chaos when the Minister of Rites is not here?" Cui Renshi was very disdainful of this negligence that was not in line with the Zhou rituals.

By the way, the Minister of Rites Li Daozon has been stranded in Dingxiang City north of the Great Wall for half a year for some reason.

He mixed with the surrendered Turkic noble Ashina Simo, who was given the surname Li by His Majesty and changed his name to Li Simo.

After the Jiucheng Palace incident, Li Shimin ordered the Turks who wanted to return to the grassland to cross the Yellow River to the north, with Li Simo as their leader, and use the Dingxiang city camp to contain the Xueyantuo who were eyeing them from the north.

Li Ming was initially puzzled by this outrageous move of ceding one's own territory and allowing the Turks to restore their country.

After personally experiencing an operation with a ping value as high as more than a month in Liaodong, he understood.

Li Shimin's strategy of driving the tiger to devour the wolf was very effective.

The Tiele tribes of Xueyantuo immediately responded and started fighting with the Turks.

The Minister of Rites, who was good at convincing people with reason, followed the order of His Majesty and used physical means to explain the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty to the Tiele barbarians who did not know the etiquette of hospitality.

However, due to the absence of the Minister of Rites, etiquette has become less important in the Tang Dynasty...

?
Hou Junji did not agree with Cui Renshi's well-intentioned explanation, and reminded Li Mingdao in a low voice:

"I'm afraid someone in the court has set up a trap for Your Highness.

"If Your Highness is happy to accept it, they will have reason to report you for being disrespectful."

Even if you haven't watched "The Yongzheng Dynasty", having been in the imperial court for a long time, the Minister of Personnel Lao Hou is fully aware of the necessary political sensitivity.

Li Ming felt a headache:

Good man, you really think I’m the Fourteenth Master Yin Ming, right?

Are you trying to show me your power by digging a hole and laying a mine to blow me up before we even reach Chang'an?

Is it true, as Chang Sunyan said, that Taiji Palace is a nest of insects?

"How could such a thing happen? They could set a trap in the etiquette of welcoming guests?"

After hearing Hou Junji's warning, Cui Renshi was also frightened.

Were the court struggles encountered by His Highness Li Ming so high-end, so sharp, and so dangerous?
After traveling a long way and having a long journey, if you don't pay attention to one detail, you will be accused of "overstepping your authority".

"What should I do?" Lao Cui suddenly lost his backbone.

Born into a wealthy family, Cui Renshi has some ability in governing and is also a kind-hearted person.

But the disadvantage is that he is too soft and has no opinion when faced with big things.

Hou Junji said decisively:
"I will send Yuchi Xunyu over right away and have those foolish bureaucrats remove all the ceremonial guards.

"At the same time, write down the names of all the officials involved. Since such a big mistake has been made, all of them will have their marks deducted from the year-end assessment."

Li Ming thought for a while, but waved his hand lightly:
"It doesn't matter. They've put up this stage with great effort. If I don't go up and sing a few words, wouldn't it be unromantic?"

Cui Renshi wanted to say something, but when he saw Hou Junji shaking his head slightly, he could only shut up.

Hou Junji didn't know what Li Ming was planning.

But he believed that this little thing must have thought of a better way to break the deadlock.

…………

The person in charge of the welcoming banquet was Du Zhenglun, the Prince's Left Assistant and the Minister of the Secretariat.

In addition, Concubine Wei's cousin Wei Zheng, Minister of Rites Linghu Defeng, and the duo of Cen Benwen and Liu Li were all involved.

It can be said that there are many righteous people in the court, and the composition is extremely complex.

And they have only one common goal - to curb Li Ming's arrogance.

Let those young kids who hang out with Liaodong bandits and Hebei peasants all day know that the one in the capital is the real boss.

"Oh, you are so polite."

Li Ming got off the carriage carelessly and enjoyed the courtesy and music treatment peacefully.

Several people were delighted: It turned out to be a trap!

The wild kid really has no manners and deserves to be cheated.

Du Zhenglun showed joy on his face and immediately gestured to his left and right.

The deputy received the order, knocked on the door, left his seat, and ran towards Taiji Palace.

Very good, once this little report is made, Li Ming will have no way to defend himself, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can also rest assured and not have to vent his anger on us all day long...

Just as Du Zhenglun was happily calculating in his mind.

Li Ming picked up the wine glass from the welcoming banquet and ran straight towards Lao Du.

For no other reason than that he is the highest-ranking official here.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Du. Come, I'll toast you!"

Li Ming was jumping up and down on Du Zhenglun's knees.

Du Zhenglun waved his hands repeatedly:
"No, no, this is a welcome party for His Majesty, who is so talented in both literature and martial arts. I dare not..."

Just kidding, in order to make it more realistic, in addition to the chimes, the banquet table was also set up according to the emperor's specifications.

Once something has something to do with the "Emperor", its nature becomes different and you cannot touch it carelessly.

If he dared to touch the wine, those people like Cen Wenben who were from different parties and had evil intentions would impeach him and bring down both Li Ming and the prince.

Li Ming narrowed his eyes and fully carried forward the long-standing culture of persuading people to drink:
“Since this banquet was arranged for me, I have the final say.

"Why, you guys won't give me this face?
"Or is it that this banquet is not set up for me and I have no say in it?"

Du Zhenglun broke out in a cold sweat, but still refused to speak.

You can never wake up a person who is pretending to be asleep, so Li Ming didn't bother with him any more.

Some are breakthroughs.

Li Ming left Du Zhenglun behind and started to flirt with the accompanying minor officials and even the guards at the scene:

"I was able to return to the capital victoriously, thanks to the bloody battles fought by the Tang army soldiers and the dedication of officials at all levels. This credit should also be attributed to you!

"Come on! We all deserve credit, let's drink together to celebrate!"

It is obvious that the petty clerks and soldiers do not have the cultivation of Lord Du.

After being persuaded by this prince with the aura of war and a heroic spirit, they all enjoyed the welcoming wine that only the emperor could drink and listened to the three chime bells that only the Zhou emperor could hear.

Even the musicians who were playing got a sip of wine.

The nobles who planned this matter were all sweating profusely.

To make an inappropriate analogy, this hot glass of welcoming wine is shit.

Li Ming's countermeasure is to smear the shit everywhere.

As expected, he is the student of the old paralyzed Fang Xuanling...

…………

In the Taiji Palace, Wei Zheng excitedly reported to Li Shimin:

"Your Majesty, Li Ming is overstepping his authority!"

Li Shimin didn't even raise his eyebrows.

Just in the past few months, the desk was almost overwhelmed by the memorials reporting Li Ming's rebellion.

What's wrong with overstepping your authority?
Seeing that the emperor looked indifferent, Wei Zheng told him the whole story.

Li Shimin stood up suddenly, trembling all over.

Just when Wei Zheng finally thought that the emperor was angry, Li Shimin had an expression of excitement on his face:

"You mean, Ming'er will be back?!"

"Uh... yes." Wei Zheng stammered, feeling that there was something subtly wrong with His Majesty's point.

"That little bastard! He didn't even tell me he was home!"

Li Shimin pretended to be angry:
"I'm ready to go out of the city and welcome you in person!"

"Ah?" Wei Zheng was overwhelmed.

Isn't it reporting Li Ming's overstepping of authority?
How come after all the twists and turns, it ended up welcoming the Jiedushi's subordinates back to his loyal Chang'an? !
If his cousin Concubine Wei knew that he had messed up, he would have to stand in the last row in future clan sacrifices!

"Your Majesty, is it not... against etiquette for the emperor to personally welcome his subjects?" Wei Zheng tried to persuade him.

Li Shimin stood still, stroking his mustache:

"You have a point. How can the emperor leave the city alone?"

Just when Wei Zheng was relieved, Li Shimin's next words almost made him die on the spot:

"Call Li Chengqian and Li Zhi. Li Tai should also be back from Kaifeng, right?
"These three princes who are still in the capital, come with me out of the city to welcome Li Ming!"

Haha, really... Wei Zheng's face was peaceful, but his heart was completely at peace.

It’s over. From now on, he can only sit at the same table with the children during clan sacrifices.

…………

When Li Shimin and three princes, all smiling and with their own ulterior motives, arrived at the Mingde Gate in the south, the welcoming banquet was already in a mess.

Everyone, including the guards, looked rosy-cheeked after eating and drinking.

Wine doesn't make you drunk, but people make themselves drunk. They feel that their life is worth it if they can get a little bit of the immortal spirit of the little hero of Liaodong and the living Bodhisattva of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Shimin glanced around and found the scene quite indecent, but he did not see anything that exceeded etiquette.

Especially, there is no such thing as the three chimes that can add a new generation to a person’s life.

He glared at Wei Zheng who was spreading false information.

Wei Zheng was also confused and looked dazed.

Li Ming wipes the shit, the main point is that everyone gets a share.

Taking the grassroots officials as the breakthrough point, everyone got a share of the wine and meat that theoretically only the emperor could drink and eat.

When everyone went into the sea naked, people like Du Zhenglun who were wearing clothes and sneaking around on the beach looked particularly suspicious.

So, in the end, they were forced to go into the sea and eat and drink reluctantly.

Since everyone has been smeared with shit, then no one has shit.

Minister Linghu immediately signaled his subordinates to remove the arrangements that exceeded the regulations and changed them to the specifications of an ordinary prince's welcoming banquet.

It would be in accordance with Tang etiquette if His Royal Highness invited everyone to drink!

"Grandma!"

Li Ming had been secretly staring at the direction of Mingde Gate. When he saw the emperor finally arriving, he immediately showed excitement.

This kid’s grandfather is… Everyone at the scene thought about it for a moment, and their bodies immediately tensed up as if they had been electrocuted:
"Your Majesty! Welcome Your Majesty!"

Then, they saw three gentle and smiling princes.

My heart sank even more.

It’s over. My future leaders will be implicated…

Looking at their miserable appearance, Li Ming laughed secretly in his heart.

In the final analysis, these insects still don’t understand Li Shimin, and they understand me even less.

Over the years, I've caused trouble in the palace several times. What's wrong with me overstepping the boundaries?
Li Shimin also roughly guessed what had happened, and he also felt sarcastic about these bureaucrats who were flattering the emperor but ended up flattering the emperor.

You guys, a bunch of ugly guys, dare to fight Li Ming?
He is not an ordinary naughty child, he is the naughty child who overturned Goguryeo, he is my naughty child.

Apart from the Li Tang royal family, no one was worthy of fighting him politically.

…………

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

Li Ming, together with Hou Junji, Cui Renshi and Yuchi Xunyu, walked forward to meet the emperor.

"You have done a great job in Liaodong. You have done an excellent job!"

Li Shimin could not bear the joy and love in his heart:
"No need to be polite, just look up and let me see you!"

Li Ming raised his head calmly and glanced at the scene.

Li Shimin was still in good spirits, but his complexion was obviously much worse than half a year ago, and his hair was full of white hair.

Li Zhi is more rational than before, and Li Tai is more prosperous than before.

Big brother Li Chengqian... well, he's more like a big sister than before.

The three royal brothers nodded to him politely, but after seeing Li Ming's face clearly, they were all surprised.

Li Shimin was also observing his youngest son carefully and could not help but narrow his eyes.

After not seeing him for half a year, this guy's appearance has hardly changed.

It is still the same white and plump one, just slightly elongated. You can't tell the difference unless you look closely.

Unlike Chang Sun Yan, who became unrecognizable even to his grandfather after his trip to Liaodong.

However, this boy's inner qualities have undergone a drastic change.

Through his calm smile, Li Shimin could sense a leadership temperament that looked down upon the world and was self-centered.

This is the incomparable self-confidence that naturally emanates after passing the hellish trial in Liaodong.

It seemed as if everything could be used by him and everything was as he wished.

Even when looking directly at his father, this boy still had this confidence that looked down on everything.

Li Ming has the confidence to do so.

Because it was much more difficult for him to start his career in Liaodong than for his father, who came from a family of officials and made his debut by protecting Emperor Yang of Sui.

This boy is simply a high-end replica of Wagangzhai...

"You..." Li Shimin was a little dazed. In front of his son who had made his own fortune from scratch, he even lost some of his temper.

"You will return to the palace with me first to report on your duties."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Not long after walking, he stopped again and said to Li Ming angrily:

"What are you standing there for? Come ride with me!"

Li Ming then revealed that familiar smirk:
"Hey, come on!"

Amid the deep smiles of his three legitimate brothers, Li Ming said goodbye to them one by one, and also said goodbye to Du Zhenglun and others who had caused trouble and were in a daze, and then he excitedly followed his father's steps.

A pair of enemies, father and son, rode on the same horse, with no outsiders involved.

Li Shimin lowered his throat and said in a muffled voice:
"Can't you see that someone is setting a trap for you? If you're not careful, you'll be accused of being presumptuous and disrespectful.

"If the court officials bring up the past again, combined with your previous acts that bordered on treason, you won't be able to wash yourself clean even if you jump into the Wei River."

In the past, Li Ming would confidently say, "Everything is under control."

But now, Li Ming immediately went to the scene to make a scene and started to cry:
"I fought bravely for my country, but was repeatedly framed by treacherous officials.

“And I don’t have many capable helpers around me, so when I was framed, no one in the court spoke up for me, and when I stepped into the trap, no one warned me.

"I am alone and powerless. The Liaodong area I lead is poor and miserable. I can only lead the people to queue up and drink the Southeast Wind to survive..."

Oh, you are so poor, but you are still keeping up with the times. The northwest wind has changed to the southeast wind... Li Shimin was too lazy to complain and interrupted directly:

"I didn't punish those who spread false news and rumors that you were rebelling. Do you know why?"

Li Ming said without hesitation:
"Because you want to cultivate the power of the princes behind those insects to compete with me?"

Phew... Li Shimin almost spit out his food.

Damn it, does this kid have to be so sensitive... No, does he have to be so disrespectful to his king and his father?

"Ahem." Li Shimin forced himself back to his thoughts:

"Because of me, I once suspected you of treason."

Li Ming was not surprised at all and listened quietly.

"Your actions in Liaodong were so suspicious that even your biological father couldn't help but be suspicious. How can you blame those foreign officials?"

Li Shimin continued speaking, his voice almost inaudible, leaning forward and asking word by word:
"Ming'er, I know that you have suffered all kinds of injustice since you were a child because of your birth mother's identity. I also know that you have been suppressed in the palace, and I know that your life has been on the line many times because of this.

"Tell the truth, Grandpa.

"Do you hold a grudge against Grandpa?"

Li Ming showed an innocent and brilliant smile without any hesitation:
"How could that be? I would never blame you, no one else.
"I am the most filial son in the world and the most loyal minister of the Tang Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)