The next morning.
Fang Zhengyi and Li Yansong walked side by side on a small mountain path. The mountains were covered with lush vegetation, and there was a small stream flowing down the side of the road.
It was still dark and the surroundings were thick with fog.
Fang Zhengyi was a little confused.
I had just finished interrogating a prisoner yesterday and had not had time to report before I was called to this unknown place in the suburbs by Li Yansong early in the morning.
When they arrived, he didn't say anything, but just led him forward.
Halfway through the journey, I took advantage of the moment when Li Yansong was out of breath and took a break.
Fang Zhengyi finally couldn't help asking, "Mr. Li, what exactly do you want to talk to me about today? Although His Majesty is not attending the morning court, we still have to be on duty, right? I personally tried the criminal yesterday and have some results to report to His Majesty."
Li Yansong looked sideways and did not answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Did you find any results from the interrogation of the prisoner yesterday?"
Fang Zheng said, "I asked about the other party's situation. The church's divine punishment weapon was made by King Wu. I escaped from his ship and blew up one of his ships with gunpowder. I didn't expect that he organized people to research gunpowder through the remains of the burning gunpowder. It's really amazing."
Li Yansong nodded: "Great, the King of Wu is indeed talented. When he was young, he was not liked by the previous emperor, and was also reprimanded by the court officials for his strange tricks. If he were alive today, he would definitely be a genius, but it's a pity that he was born in the wrong era...Did he find out any other important information?"
Fang Zheng shook his head. "Also, the King of Wu seems to be in good health. I think he can live for another twenty years. But I mainly asked about the issue of firearms. I now have a rough idea of the level of firearms of both sides. Knowing this is enough."
"How is your Majesty's health now?"
Li Yansong said: "Your Majesty is in good health. Today, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is personally taking care of you... We are here."
【Mingxi Temple】
When Fang Zheng raised his head, he saw a quiet temple that looked very dilapidated from the outside.
This place is remote and sparsely populated, so I guess there won't be many incense burners here on normal days.
Fang Zhengyi was about to ask why they had to go to the temple, but Li Yansong had already walked into the temple.
Passing through the temple gate, there is a large courtyard behind it, with stone tables and benches, flowers, plants and trees as the backdrop, and the occasional ethereal bird calls, giving it a vague otherworldly charm.
The two novice monks hurriedly bowed to Li Yansong when they saw him, and it seemed that they were regular customers.
Li Yansong waved his hand, walked to a stone bench and motioned Fang Zhengyi to sit down.
The two sat opposite each other, Fang Zhengyi admired the scenery and asked: "Why did you bring me to this temple?"
Li Yansong asked, "I heard that you don't like monks. Is that true?"
Fang Zhengyi said frankly, "These are all rumors. I did beat up monks when I was young, but I actually admire Buddhism. The teachings are gentle, and people can tolerate being beaten or scolded. The main point is forgiveness, just like an honest person. If it were any other sect, I wouldn't dare to mess with them. If I really messed with them, I'm afraid they would have brought their followers to fight and kill me. They are harder to deal with than a dog-skin plaster."
Li Yansong smiled, then looked around, as if with some emotion: "This temple is where I cultivate myself. Family and country affairs are busy, and my thoughts are in a mess, so every month I have to take a few days to be alone here."
"In fact, many people in the court are willing to take time to go to temples and Taoist temples to cultivate their minds and cultivate their character. I wonder if the Marquis has such a habit?"
"I... have been alone the whole time."
The answer was a bit unexpected, and Li Yansong was slightly stunned.
At this moment, the young monk brought tea and placed it between the two of them.
Li Yansong picked up the teacup and looked at Fang Zhengyi with a raised eyebrow: "Being alone is the instinct of the strong. The Marquis is indeed a prodigy."
Fang Zhengyi felt something was wrong, so he asked, "Mr. Li, didn't come here to flatter me today? Is it that the younger generation is going to work in the Jinyiwei, or has someone committed a crime?"
"I want to arrange someone, do I need you?" Li Yansong said with a smile: "I am not flattering you on purpose this time, I am speaking from the heart. I mentioned you to His Majesty when I went to see him yesterday."
"His Majesty once told me that you are the literary star bestowed upon him by God. In terms of talent and ingenuity, there is no one else like you in the world."
"In fact, I think so too. How smart does a person have to be to achieve such success as you?" Li Yansong leaned forward. "When it comes to poetry, no one can match you. When it comes to creativity, no one can compare to you. When it comes to being a person, you are also extremely smart."
"Sometimes when I am in this temple, I wonder... Do you have innate wisdom? If you were not born with knowledge, how could a person of your age accomplish so many world-shaking things? Your wild imagination, uninhibited conversation, and unusual behavior terrify me when I think about it."
Fang Zheng shrugged.
It's really amazing how shrewd people are when they get older. They think so much.
But Su Hui wears it from back to front, and I wear it from front to back, so it doesn’t count as Su Hui!
Fang Zhengyi calmly picked up the teacup and took a sip: "Mr. Li, you think too much. My achievements today are definitely not my own. There are too many smart people in this world, and there happened to be some who were willing to believe in me and help me, plus a little bit of luck, and it all worked out."
"Mr. Li, if you have something to say, just get straight to the point. Don't try to probe me any further."
Li Yansong twitched his lips and said, "You are as straightforward as ever. I will just say it straight."
"You should also be aware of the situation in the court, especially the cabinet. This old man, Lord Zheng, Lord Zhang and others are all old and decrepit. Logically, everyone should have retired long ago, but do you know why no one is willing to resign?"
"Maybe I'm getting old and confused."
Li Yansong almost fainted: "Can you change your bad mouth? Can you respect the elderly?"
"You said, you said..."
Li Yansong let out a long breath, tried to adjust his mood, and continued: "Everyone has seen the efforts you have made in the court over the years and the achievements you have made."
"This prosperous era has even far exceeded the imagination of our predecessors. It is a change that has not happened in a thousand years. Every ambitious official wants to see a more distant future born during his or her term. No one wants to stand aside and be a spectator."
"But nothing can defeat time." Li Yansong sighed heavily and slowly opened his arms. "Look at me, I may not be able to walk in two years. What else can an old fool do except causing trouble? If I don't retreat at the right time, I will only leave a bad name in history."
"Mr. Li, what do you mean?" Fang Zheng looked at the other party in surprise and suspicion.
Li Yansong said softly, "That's what you think. Now I am one of the Three Dukes and in charge of the cabinet. I have long been at the top of the official ladder. It is time for me to retire. Duke Zheng and Duke Zhang will not be much later than me."
"The cabinet needs a minister of extraordinary ability as its pillar, and no one is more qualified than you!"
Fang Zheng stood up suddenly: "No! Absolutely not! Don't you have a successor? Why should I take over?"
"Hey, if there's someone who's half as capable as you, it won't be your turn, so it's decided to be you!"
"No, no, this is not in line with the process or the rules at all."
"If you think something is not in line with the rules, I will ask someone to change it for you."
......
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
