In the court, everyone was silent for a long time; even Li Zhi was lost in thought.
Although Li Hong's lengthy speech was not like the recitation of classics by the old scholars in the Imperial College, his plain and easy-to-understand principles made everyone fall into deep thought.
In fact, some people even felt that the power of the prime minister, "Tongzhongshumenxia Pingzhangshi", had suddenly become a bit hot and irritating, and was no longer as tempting as before.
Li Hong glanced at the ministers. In fact, he also knew that the most important thing was how much a long speech could inspire people to think deeply. He was afraid that some people would reflect and think now, but within two days after leaving the court, they would still do their own thing.
Finally, Li Zhi interrupted everyone's contemplation and said, "In view of the remarks made by the Minister of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, the Honglu Temple, and the Imperial College should carefully consider the matter of the envoys' residences and the Japanese students' education after the court session."
Dai Zhide surprisingly did not object, but nodded carefully. If it was true as the prince said, then he would have to study it carefully.
But in the process of repeated thinking, everyone forgot one thing, that is, they originally came to the Ministry of Revenue to ask for money, but after a lot of hassles, they not only did not get the money, but instead found themselves something to do.
In the following court meetings, Li Hong felt no pressure. He listened to the ministers' chattering. In the three ministries of Zhongshu, Menxia and Shangshu, in short, in the discussions of the bigwigs, there were times when the Minister of Revenue could not get a word in.
As for the matter of clearing the river silt proposed by the Ministry of Works, Li Hong immediately allocated a large amount of money to the Ministry of Works to clear the silt. After all, the canal leading to Luoyang cannot afford to make mistakes. If there is a natural disaster or man-made disaster in Guanzhong, it still depends on the grain from the south for relief.
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Moreover, the Minister of Revenue was also very generous. He not only gave money, but also gave people back. When Sun Renshuai and Liu Renyuan returned to the court, there were naturally still many captives. Li Hong of course waved his hand and allocated all these people to the Ministry of Works. They did not receive any wages, but only three meals a day.
The Minister of Works was so happy about this that his mouth almost stretched to the back of his neck. He looked at Dai Zhide's old face with joy from time to time, which formed a sharp contrast.
After the court meeting came to an end, everyone began to gather around Li Hong and talk among themselves. From time to time, they touched Li Hong's court dress and made sighs of admiration.
Li Zhi, who was watching this scene, felt a little better after emergency treatment from the imperial physician. In addition, the atmosphere in the court was relaxed at the moment, and Li Zhi felt a lot more relaxed and his vision became much clearer.
But when he saw Li Hong's court robes from the gaps between the court officials, he was so angry that his eyes went black and he almost fell on his head!
After sitting firmly again, Li Zhi began to look at everyone with a sneer on his face, especially the little bastard in the middle, who had tolerated him for a long time.
Wu Mei once warned him: "Keep an eye on that little bastard. Don't think that he will be obedient to you except for being late. Although I don't know what tricks he will play, I can guarantee that the sneaky behavior of the little bastard's maids a few days ago must be a precursor to the little bastard's mischief."
I didn't take it seriously at first, but I didn't expect that the little bastard couldn't bear it. Just a few days after Wu Mei's warning, the little bastard started to act up.
After Yang Wu screamed in a ram-like voice, all the court officials saluted and began to leave the court. Li Zhi left Li Hong behind. Every official who passed by Li Hong would touch the court robe on Li Hong from time to time, especially the one on his chest... a nameplate that was shining with golden light!
On the golden nameplate, there were three lines of words that read: Tang Dynasty - Minister of Revenue - Li Hong.
After everyone left, Li Hong realized something was wrong. Especially when he saw his father's sneering expression, without knowing why, Li Hong felt like he was in danger.
So he smiled and said, "Father... hehe... are you feeling better? I just wanted to tell you something. Yesterday, I heard that the great doctor Sun Simiao had returned from Qinling Mountains to collect herbs and had already returned to Taiyi Mountain, so... so I would like to ask your father to allow me to go to Taiyi City to find the great doctor Sun and ask for a prescription for you..."
Li Zhi ignored him and said to Yang Wu, "Yang Wu, if he runs out of my sight, I will hold you accountable! Keep an eye on him!"
After saying that, Li Zhi went to the back to change his clothes without looking back, leaving Li Hong with a dry smile and Yang Wu staring at him.
"Yangwu, let me go. I can reveal your test papers to you in two days in advance." Li Hong felt guilty, and he naturally knew why.
He was just looking for trouble and asked Xia Zhi and the others to make him a purple third-rank court robe. On top of the original robe, they also added a name tag of the Minister of Revenue of the Tang Dynasty for himself.
The Emperor Father must be dissatisfied with this. Needless to say, after I come out, he will force me to see the Queen Mother again. Then the couple will team up to deal with me, and I will be in trouble... In short, I will probably be taken back to the East Palace by others.
Yang Wu was not moved by Li Hong's tempting conditions: "Your Highness, please forgive me. His Majesty asked me to watch you, and I dare not disobey. Although I got zero points on the test paper you mentioned last time, even Tie was zero, so I still have some face."
"You old thing, you want to see me get beaten up, right? All right, just wait and see how I deal with you when we get back to Chongwenguan!" Li Hong started to curse like a commoner.
So, on the way from Taiji Hall to the harem, an extremely interesting situation occurred.
A small figure was holding a skateboard in his hand and a proper court robe behind his neck, which was much smaller than those of other court officials. He was wearing a purple court robe. Although the size was much smaller, it was exactly the same as the purple court robes of officials above the third rank in the Tang Dynasty. Even the fu hat on his head was two sizes smaller.
Li Zhi followed behind, sometimes kicking Li Hong, who was reluctant to go to the harem, and sometimes taking the board at the back of Li Hong's neck and hitting the Crown Prince at any time when he took two steps and stopped for three breaths.
Following closely behind was Yang Wu, who followed behind Li Zhi, watching the scene in front of him with interest. Behind him was Hua Meng, and behind Hua Meng was Xia Zhi. The five of them formed a long line, walking and stopping, like ants moving, and walking slowly in the Taiji Palace.
"Why are you still scared, kid? Who gave you the idea to wear a third-rank court robe? Are you tired of serving the prince? Also, who gave you the idea of that badge? What do you think of my court? Do you think my court is your Chongwenguan? You are late every day, and I don't say anything to you, but you are so proud of it that you even make court robes for yourself? Why don't you go to heaven, Li Hong!" Li Zhi kicked and asked one question at a time.
"It's easier to put on a futou than a tiara. Last time, you and the Queen Mother knocked the tiara all over the place, which damaged the Crown Prince's reputation. If it gets out..."
"Do you still care about your reputation? If you care about your reputation, can't the crown be made firmer? Is it your scalp that hurts?" Li Zhi kicked again. He knew why the little thing didn't dare to go to his mother.
Because a few days ago, Wu Mei was happily holding that makeup mirror and happily drawing her eyebrows and eyes for a long time. The palace maid next to her revealed the secret: "Empress, why do I feel that this looks like it has been used?"
After Li Hong learned the news, he didn't go there once during this period of time. If his mother knew that he was deliberately fooling him, he would be in trouble today! Therefore, he didn't want to offend his mother now, as he would either die or be disabled if he went there.
"As the crown prince, I have always valued the reputation of the crown prince very much. Father, you cannot slander me..."
"Have I wronged you? You care about the reputation of the crown prince, so why don't you ever tie your hair? You care about the reputation of the crown prince, so why didn't you think of your reputation when you tricked Yan Liben? Don't think I don't know. Today in the court, Yan Liben was given money and people. Tell me, what was the stakes when you two were building the Daming Palace?"
In the court, Li Zhi felt strange at first, but when he saw Yan Liben's old face almost crying after Li Hong opened the door for him, he should be happy about this, but why did he look like he was in mourning?
Yan Liben had a sad face. He carefully and reluctantly took out a small silk package from his arms as if he was cutting meat, and handed it to Li Hong as if it was more important than his life.
Li Hong was naturally beaming with joy. He probably even forgot who his father was at that time!
"Father, you have wronged me. Today, I only had a simple academic discussion with the Minister of Works Yan Liben, and what he gave me was just a book that you are not interested in. There is no need to make a fuss." Li Hong said pitifully after being kicked in the buttocks again.
"Little bastard, do you really think your father is easy to fool? I just don't bother with you on weekdays, and I don't want to discipline you strictly because your mother is strict with you. This is the love of your father for you, don't be ungrateful."
"Don't give me that. I won't give it to you." He was hit on the head with a stick and was getting closer and closer to Wu Mei's palace.
"I'll just take a look."
"No, that is more important than my life."
"Your mother will punish you in a while, and I won't care at all, right? You're on your own. Your mother knows that you used Xia Zhi's makeup mirror to honor her. Just wait for your punishment, you little bastard."
"I did it for the good of Daming Palace."
"I am the emperor, would I care about a mere post? I will only take a look, and will never occupy it. Look, your mother's palace is right in front of you."
"Then let me show you?"
"I am the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. My words are golden. I will return them to you after I copy them."
"Okay, I'll show you."
"Oh! It really is the Huangting Sutra. That Liantie, I brought it to the Queen, you can take it away. Yangwu, go back to Liangyi Palace." Li Zhi touched his nose, lowered his head and walked quickly towards Ganlu Palace.
"...Father, you are lying..." Li Hong's miserable howl came from the gate of Wu Mei Palace, from the small tree that he and Li Zhi had planted that year.
The boat of father-son affection capsized in an instant.
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