There is a very elegant house in Guangdefang, Chang'an, which is the residence of Zheng Renji, the current household doctor.

His house covers an area of ​​ten acres, with houses accounting for about one-third of the area, water accounting for one-fifth, and bamboo accounting for one-ninth. The garden is alternated with islands, trees, bridges, and roads; there are three islands in the pool, and the middle

Build a pavilion on the island and connect it with a bridge.

Open a road around the pond, set up Xixi, Xiaotan, Shiquan, East Tower, West Tower, Library, Terrace, Qin Pavilion, Jian Pavilion, etc., and divert water to the bedroom steps of the small courtyard. Also build a small building on the west wall, outside the wall

There are stacked stones and lotus plants in the street canals, and the layout of the entire garden is dominated by water bamboos.

It stands to reason that a low-ranking official like him could live in such a house, but who made Zheng Renji admired by Cen Wenwen, the minister of Zhongshu? Cen Wenwen gave this house to him.

"... Just kneel down and do whatever you want to do to calm down and study, and what do you want to do to get up again?" Zheng Renji held a ruler in his hand and scolded his son fiercely. His words were full of resentment that iron cannot be transformed into steel.

.

But when Zheng Renji returned to the main hall in anger, he saw his daughter holding chess pieces in her hands and playing chess alone. Although Zheng Renji was not very proficient in this method, he still knew the difficulty of it.

His daughter's mental abilities sometimes put his father to shame. If his unsatisfactory son had a third of his sister's talent, he would be able to live in peace even if he died.

"Dad, tell your daughter what the emperor looks like?" Seeing her father coming back, Zheng Liwan hurried over to ask.

"Wan'er, why are you asking about this? How many times have my father told you that girls should be more peaceful, otherwise they will not be able to marry in the future." Women are good at everything, but they always have endless dreams about entering the palace.

That's an easy thing, concubine.

Besides, how much help can such a low-level official like me do to her? The emperor's harem has some famous people who are not high-ranking officials. It seems that he should arrange the marriage for her and the Lu family as early as possible.

But seeing his daughter's disappointed expression, he still couldn't help but criticize her again, and then said: "Although I have seen my father a few times, they were far away, and there were guards on both sides, so I couldn't clearly see the majesty of the emperor.

."

"It's better to spend the day peacefully, you know?" After saying that, he patted her little head.

"People just can't be too restless. Look at my eldest brother. Didn't you say before that he was your most restless student? He dared to do anything, including killing people and falling into disgrace.

But now he is the deputy commander of the army and a dignified prince. No matter where he goes, he is not looked down upon by others, so his peace of mind also depends on the individual."

Zheng Liwan does not agree with her father's statement. She has always believed that a person's destiny should be fought for by herself, instead of staying at home and taking care of the housework like her mother all her life.

"Hey, hey, who is talking bad about me?" As soon as Li Ji arrived at the gate, he heard the little guy talking about himself, and he couldn't help but joke.

"Brother, when did you come back?" She was very happy for Li Ji's sudden arrival. Her great joy made her forget the embarrassment of teasing.

"I arrived last night. In two days, the court will hold a grand ceremony for the teacher, and His Majesty will also entertain all the generals and their families. I have nothing to do these two days, so I came over after explaining it. My teacher, I haven't seen you for a few years, but your health is okay.

."

After answering the younger sister's question, Li Ji turned around and saluted Zheng Renji.

"Mao Gong, I miss you very much as my master. Since we have nothing to do today, let's have a nice drink." Then the butler went to prepare the food and wine.

Half an hour later, Zheng Renji picked up the wine glass and said sadly: "After you went to Wagang, you entrusted your whole family to me. It was me, the teacher, who failed to do my best."

"No, no, you don't have to be like this. My mentor has been as kind as a mountain to my family. My father and mother will always think of you well."

He could understand that saving one's life in troubled times was a luxury. It was already very difficult for the teacher to help him, a rebel, take care of them for so many years.

"Teacher, actually I am here this time because I have been separated for many years and I am always thinking about you. Secondly, I want to ask if there is any news in the court?"

Li Ji, who had just returned to the court, urgently needed to know the court's movements. Although the court did not hold him accountable, it did not guarantee that he would not be held accountable. He did not believe that the emperor would laugh off such a big matter.

"Even if you don't say anything about it, I still want to ask. After the news about Bai Dao came back, it caused quite a stir in the court. The emperor dismissed the memorials from the officials in order to stabilize the court. The prince not only punished dozens of censors, but even

He also banned Xiao Yu, an important official from both dynasties."

"Then what did Li Jing do after returning to the court?" Li Ji couldn't help but frowned when he heard that the matter was so serious.

"Well, he just came back not long ago, and I haven't seen him a few times. I heard that he didn't participate in anything in the Hongwen Palace, and when he returned home from duty, he would only thank guests behind closed doors. Now some people are secretly talking about the imperial court's treatment of the general.

I feel a little worried."

After Zheng Renji finished speaking, Li Ji felt even more depressed. Although the court did not explicitly say that he would be held accountable, it could be seen from Li Jing's attitude that this matter was not as simple as it seemed.

"Then have you heard what His Majesty thinks of me?" The emperor can do anything. He can hang Li Jing up high today, but what about himself tomorrow?

"I haven't heard of this, but I think the more this happens, the more careful you must be. You are both guilty of lying about military information, especially since you are the first to know the truth. But His Majesty still allows you to continue to command the army and deprives Li Jing of his military power.

,What does this show?"

During this period of time, he never understood why the emperor would let him go so easily. He knew that Qin Qiong could capture him at any time after taking over the military power.

But surprisingly, nothing happened, and after returning to Beijing, he gave himself full authority to command the armies, as if the Bai Dao incident had never happened.

"It's like when a master plays chess, he usually chooses the easier piece to attack first, leaving the more difficult piece to deal with when he has the opportunity." Zheng Liwan's words broke Li Ji's thoughts.

"There is some truth in what Liwan said. Li Jing is a loyal man. People like him would not do anything rebellious. When Emperor Wu De occupied Chang'an, he was unwilling to rebel against the Sui Dynasty. His Majesty liked his talent in Wu De.

He was protected in front of the German Emperor.

During the Xuanwumen Incident, he neither supported Jiancheng, nor did he fight against the emperor, so he was considered a good man. Moreover, your majesty also showed great kindness to him. Your majesty still knew whether he was loyal to the Tang Dynasty or not.

."

Although Zheng Renji's official position was not high, he still saw the problem very accurately. If it was certain that Li Jing would rebel, then it would not be Changsun Wuji who would go to Dingxiang, but the army to suppress the rebellion.

"Teacher, what you mean is that the one your Majesty is really worried about is me." Li Ji didn't understand how he had attracted the emperor's jealousy. Besides, he was the first to confess this matter to Changsun Wuji.

"That's right, you were born in Wagang, and you are not an old general in Prince Qin's palace, so in the eyes of His Majesty, you will never be able to get rid of the unruly spirit in you.

Has His Majesty ever done you any favors? Just look at Qin Qiong and Luo Cheng. What’s more important is that among the many generals in the court, you are the youngest, and there are few who are stronger than you.

Who do you think your Majesty fears more than Li Jing, who is over fifty years old? Your Majesty dared to seize Li Jing's military power because he knew that Li Jing could control you. As for you, your Majesty did not let Qin Qiong touch you in Dingxiang, which shows that he

I don’t have any confidence in you yet.”

Zheng Renji's words had an enlightening effect on Li Ji, making him understand how dangerous his situation was.

"Teacher, you really woke me up."

Seeing Li Ji worrying there, Zheng Liwan on the side couldn't help but said: "Brother, as long as you act carefully and don't let others take advantage of the situation, you don't have to worry about it."

After hearing what Zheng Liwan said was true, Li Ji, who was in a hurry and went to the doctor, asked why.

"Since the emperor asked the prince to deal with the impeached ministers, it means that he does not want to make this matter a big deal. After all, Xiao Yu and the others are not targeting you alone."

"And this is also related to his own face. Did the imperial court fight such a big victory in response to a bunch of rebels? Besides, if the generals of the army are not greedy for merit, then he will not be able to sleep."

Li Ji never thought that the little slug a few years ago would have such wisdom now.

She was right. The emperor continued to use this victory to prove to the Supreme Emperor and the people of the world how wise and powerful the emperor was in suppressing the rumors that were unfavorable to him.

After all, his throne was stolen. If he couldn't achieve results, then wouldn't anyone be able to do it? Wouldn't he be worse than him if he was successful?

"Then what should I do?" In his opinion, since his little sister can see this, there will definitely be a solution.

Zheng Liwan rubbed her chin and thought for a while, and then said: "Don't you have a good relationship with Changsun Wuji? Get to know him more. He is a powerful figure in the court. If he has a few words for you with your majesty, it will be better than yours."

It's useful even if you break your legs."

"Zhao Guogong doesn't have any airs. He has helped me a few times. It's not a big problem to ask him for help and say a few words."

Li Ji had a very good impression of Changsun Wuji. He didn't have the sarcastic attitude of those humanistic people, and he was vigorous and resolute in doing things, which was quite in line with his rough temper.

"Also, don't make any mistakes before the army returns home. Otherwise, some people will say that nothing happened in Qin Qiong's hands, but you."

Zheng Liwan did not continue what she said, but Li Ji also knew what she meant. He and Qin Qiong were incomparable. She was an old general in Prince Qin's palace and the prince's teacher, so he could have an excuse to avoid danger.
Chapter completed!