Li Ji is now the Duke of England. In addition, he also has a lofty status, that is, among the many Dukes of the Tang Dynasty, the Duke of England is the first among the Dukes of the country.
Now that Li Ji has made another contribution to destroying Goguryeo and avenging the shame of the Tang Dynasty, the question is, how should Li Zhi be rewarded for such a great contribution?
If the reward continues, Li Ji should be crowned king.
The title of king by foreign ministers was a very taboo topic for both the emperor and the courtiers.
It represents the rise of powerful ministers, the fall of monarchy, the turmoil of the government, and the unrest of the people.
If Li Ji really had the ambition to replace Li Tang, being crowned king might be the position he wanted.
But Li Qinzai knew very well that Li Ji would never have such an idea, not even the slightest bit.
So for Li Ji, his military exploits to destroy Goguryeo actually caused trouble for the Li family.
The carriage arrived at the gate of Taiji Palace, and Li Qinzai was carried out of the carriage. Looking at the majestic palace that was as familiar as his own yard, Li Qinzai felt extremely heavy.
He had to admit that he was suspicious of his friend Li Zhi and felt sorry for his friend. But as an emperor in charge of an empire, who dares to believe that he values love more than Jiangshan?
Before entering the palace gate, Li Qinzai felt it was more difficult than ever before, as if he had lost a friend in the world after entering the palace gate, and gained a pair of monarchs and ministers who could only weigh the pros and cons.
After calming down, Li Qinzai handed his waist badge to the guard outside the palace gate. The guard took the waist badge, checked it, and hurried into the palace gate to report.
Li Qinzai waited outside the palace gate for half an hour. The palace door opened and a eunuch came out.
When they met, they smiled and saluted. Li Qinzai was an old acquaintance of Taiji Palace. The eunuch knew his importance in Li Zhi's heart and did not dare to be arrogant in the slightest.
Leading Li Qinzai into the palace, the eunuch said some flattering words as he walked. In the past, Li Qinzai might have joked with him a few words, making the eunuch tremble.
But today, Li Qinzai was not in a joking mood. He just reluctantly agreed and laughed. After finally arriving at Anren Hall, the eunuch indicated that there was no need to report and allowed Li Qinzai to go in by himself.
Li Qinzai adjusted his clothes outside the hall, then took off his shoes and entered the hall. He walked into the hall with his head bowed, and Li Qinzai bowed down.
"Your Majesty, Li Qinzai, pays homage to Your Majesty." Li Qinzai's salute was unprecedented.
Li Zhi's surprised voice came from the palace: "Uh, Jingchu... you took the wrong medicine? Why do you look like this?"
Li Qinzai raised his head: "The courtesy of a monarch and his ministers, did I do something wrong?"
Li Zhi sat in the hall and looked at him with a look of astonishment on his face: "In the past, when you entered the hall, your salutations were most careless. After the ceremony, you didn't sit down, and you ate and drank in front of me and even picked your feet..."
Li Qinzai looked at his nose, his nose and his heart, and said calmly: "I was too rude in the past. Disobedience before the king is also a serious crime of disrespect. I have decided to change my past mistakes and become a courteous and flawless minister from now on." "
The look of surprise on Li Zhi's face grew stronger: "Jing Chu... what's wrong with you? Is your injury aggravated, or did you eat the wrong thing? I'm scared of you like this. Can you recover?"
"Your Majesty has misunderstood. I am in good health and have not eaten the wrong food. I just woke up suddenly. Isn't it wonderful that your Majesty now has a minister who is knowledgeable and courteous?"
Li Zhi blurted out: "I'm so beautiful, you're a coward... Jingchu, there's something wrong with you. Do you want me to ask the imperial doctor to take your pulse? If you're sick, don't hide your illness and avoid medical treatment. Treat it early and you'll be better."
Li Qinzai smiled bitterly and said: "I'm really not sick... so what, I'm hungry, can your majesty give you the royal meal?"
Li Zhi cheered up and said with a smile: "You are finally normal. Let me just say that eating, drinking and picking your feet is the real you. Jingchu, you have finally returned to your place!"
God has returned...
Li Zhi immediately ordered the eunuchs to pass on the banquet, and soon the palace meals were brought into the palace by the maids.
As usual, the monarch and his minister moved the low table to the center of the hall, and sat opposite each other.
Li Zhi was even less embarrassed than Li Qinzai. He pulled off a chicken leg and stuffed it into his mouth. While chewing, he said, "Jingchu suddenly came into the palace. Do you have something to say?"
Li Qinzai had no appetite. After hearing this, he put down his chopsticks and suddenly stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty has promoted me to a noble title. I am grateful for Tian's grace. However, I thought about it over and over again at home. I am too young. I will inevitably be jealous if I am granted the title of Duke.
, laying the foundation for disaster, so I beg your Majesty to take back your order and reduce my title."
Li Zhi's chewing movements froze instantly, and he looked at him in astonishment.
After a long time, Li Zhi whispered: "What Jing Chu means is that he doesn't want to be a county official?"
Li Qinzai smiled bitterly and said: "Actually, I don't want to be a county minister. Your Majesty's nature of being a magistrate is actually like a salted fish with no ambitions. His favorite way of life is to enjoy peace and wealth in Ganjing Village."
"In my free time, I go fishing, bake sweet potatoes, take my son into the mountains to catch some game, and occasionally teach students. Of course, when I'm in a good mood, I might also come up with some original novelties. Maybe they will be useful to Datang, maybe
It’s useless.”
Li Qinzai raised his eyes and stared into Li Zhi's eyes. He smiled bitterly and said: "I am actually such a person who does not seek advancement. Being an official or a title is not important to me. I have a great grandfather who spent his whole life fighting.
In exchange, the family business prospered..."
"I just want to be a dandy under the shadow of my grandfather and wait for death. The minimum requirement is not to lose all the family property before I die and leave something for future generations..."
Li Zhi was shocked, his expression gradually became serious, and he dropped half of the chicken leg in his hand. Li Zhi stared into his eyes and said slowly: "What's wrong with you? What happened?"
Li Qinzai was silent for a while and said: "I'm fine, but I suddenly felt a little tired. Maybe after losing half my life on the Goguryeo battlefield, my temperament has also changed..."
Li Zhi also fell silent. After a long time, he suddenly said: "The news of the victory of the British Duke reached Chang'an, the government and the public were shocked, and the subjects were happy. However, I listened to Baiqisi's secret report, and there seemed to be some bad voices among the courtiers..."
"It was cold in the north, and there were some deserters in the King's division. There were even a thousand people who fled. Duke Ying already mentioned this in his report on victory. I have no intention of blaming him, but I heard that someone in the court planned to make a fuss about this matter.
, in an attempt to discredit the heroic military exploits."
Li Zhi sighed: "I didn't even take this matter to heart, so why did Jingchu take it seriously? Do you think I am the kind of fool who doesn't know right from wrong?"
"The weather is cold, and the soldiers are wearing single clothes and armor. If they can't stand the cold, of course they have to flee. This is human nature. If I were in Goguryeo, I might have escaped. I will send a memorial to the Ministry of War to request an order to severely punish those deserters.
Refuted it."
"I have forgiven you for deserting, so how can you blame your grandfather? He was able to turn the tide when the morale of the army was gradually declining, and he also conquered Pyongyang. Your Excellency is already very impressive."