Visiting Liu Rengui was not a temporary decision, but a decision made by Li Qinzai after careful consideration.
Li Qinzai never thought about the risks because he had confidence in Li Zhi.
In terms of imperial achievements, Li Shimin and Li Zhi are indistinguishable. In terms of broad-mindedness, Li Zhi is even more tolerant than Li Shimin.
History books commented on Li Zhi and said he was cowardly. Historians wrote with pens as sharp as a knife, and most of them were slanderous remarks.
Li Zhi is not cowardly, but has a broad mind. If Li Shimin were alive and the father and son faced the same thing, Li Zhi might not be able to forgive what Li Zhi could forgive.
Liu Rengui really annoyed Li Zhi, and he only received ten strokes of the imperial stick for his exaggerated words. This shows that Li Zhi is really not a stingy person.
Therefore, Li Qinzai dared to visit Liu Rengui calmly, and he believed that Li Zhi would not mind.
The only thing that could make Li Zhi murderous was probably the threat to the imperial power. In today's Tang Dynasty, political disagreements are not considered any principled grievances.
Liu Rengui was surprised by Li Qinzai's arrival. Strictly speaking, his relationship with Li Qinzai was not good, and he even stood against him in court several times.
Unexpectedly, he received the imperial cane, and all his colleagues and friends shunned him. The first person to visit him was Li Qinzai, which really made Liu Rengui feel both surprised and wary.
What on earth does this dude want to do?
Li Qinzai came to Liu Rengui's mansion for the first time. After looking around and observing the environment, he nodded slowly.
"Liu Caomin..."
Liu Rengui's eyes widened. Although I have been dismissed from office, I am indeed a commoner, but you really dare to call me that? People who come from the Duke's Palace have been raised like dogs?
Li Qinzai ignored Liu Rengui's resentment and looked around the room and shook his head: "Did your house just be robbed by bandits?"
Liu Rengui was stunned: "What do you mean?"
"The family is so poor that there is not even a guard dog. You have failed so much as an official. Looking at the desolation, you should really call my grandfather and let him see how miserable his former political opponents were.
All vengeance has been avenged."
Li Qinzai dared to swear to God that he was not a mean person this time. Liu Rengui's family was really poor, extremely poor.
It is an old house with two floors. The only servant in the house is the housekeeper who is too old to walk. The house is neat, but there are no furnishings on the walls. The futon and low table are also in tatters.
There was a hole in a pottery bowl on the table.
When a thief enters the door, his eyes will be red and he will silently leave two pennies before leaving.
An honest official is an honest official in an absolute sense.
Although Li Qinzai has a salty personality, he lives a more exquisite life than anyone else in terms of enjoying life. Liu Rengui and him are completely different worlds.
Liu Rengui took a deep breath.
Don't be angry, don't be angry, the dude in Chang'an doesn't talk much, you should be generous...
"Aside from visiting me today, do you have anything else to do?" Liu Rengui's face turned cold.
"Oh, it's nothing, I just want to see how poor you are..." Li Qinzai said casually, and then immediately changed his words: "Ahem, no, I came here specifically to pay homage to your mansion. I have heard for a long time that Liu Shizhong is as honest as water. When I saw him today, he really deserves his reputation.
."
Li Qinzai said something against his will, but he was surprised in his heart.
Even though he was so poor, his mother-in-law didn't divorce him, which was a sign of his true love.
Seeing Li Qinzai's disapproving expression, Liu Rengui immediately knew that the nonsense he said about being "as honest as water" was unbelievable. This guy must be calling himself a poor man in his heart.
"Now that you've seen it, I'm injured, so I can't entertain you..." Liu Rengui said in a loud voice, "Come, let's see you off!"
Li Qinzai said hurriedly: "Hey, don't worry, there is no reason in the world to chase away guests. Besides, I have something else to do."
Liu Rengui said with a grim look on his face: "If you have anything to say, just tell me and leave right away."
Li Qinzai sat up straight and said: "I am deeply impressed when I heard that Liu Shizhong was not afraid of the power of heaven and went against Yan's advice."
Liu Rengui stared at him suspiciously, silently deciding whether this guy was telling the truth or not.
Li Qinzai smiled: "It's the truth. Don't be suspicious. To be honest with Liu Shizhong, I actually want to say what you said, but I don't have that much courage. I look very small in front of you."
Liu Rengui's face softened a little, and he said calmly: "Everyone has his own nature, and you can't force it. I can't do what Li Xianhou did. To be honest, I actually admire you more."
Li Qinzai shook his head and said: "Liu Shizhong, although I admire your admonishment, I don't think your method is correct. With all due respect, your approach will only make the relationship between the emperor and his ministers more tense, and it will not do you any good."
Liu Rengui said dissatisfiedly: "The world has been poor for a long time, and your Majesty still wants to enshrine Mount Tai, without caring about the life and death of the people. If I don't give advice, what else can I do? Are you silent and ignoring the suffering of the people like you?"
Li Qinzai sighed and said: "What this junior means is that we can use a more tactful method to make His Majesty realize that it is wrong to enshrine Taishan, instead of pointing it in his face and scolding him."
"To be honest, you scolded His Majesty. Apart from relieving your anger, it will not solve any problem at all. On the contrary, it will make the conflict between the monarch and his ministers more acute."
Liu Rengui sneered: "Do you have a way to be tactful?"
Li Qinzai said helplessly: "Not yet, but I know that before I think of a good way to persuade His Majesty, it is best to plan first and then act, instead of acting like a fool... Well, a certain Liu who is highly respected and whose official position is not disclosed publicly.
Just like the surnamed Shizhong, I don’t mind pointing at His Majesty’s nose and scolding him.”
Liu Rengui took a deep breath again.
Don’t be angry or angry, and be restrained in front of juniors...
"Marquis of Li County, let me sum it up. When you came to visit me today, you first laughed at me for being poor, then you said something weird about how much you admire me for admonishing Yan Yan, and then you said that I acted like a fool, and finally you accused me of exacerbating the conflict between the emperor and his ministers...
"
Li Qinzai was stunned. Listening to his summary, it seemed that... this was really the case.
Liu Rengui's face was ashen and he said: "Li Qinzai, you are not a good person here today. Are you here to provoke me?"
Li Qinzai said awkwardly: "Don't be surprised, Mr. Liu. This junior has the habit of suppressing first and then exalting. I haven't had time to praise you yet..."
Liu Rengui waved his sleeves vigorously: "No need! I don't want to hear a word that comes out of your mouth, so I won't send you away!"
Li Qinzai sighed, he and this poor guy... well, he and this upright official were totally wrong. He fell out after saying a few words. No wonder he was spanked by Li Zhi. He deserved it for his bad temper!
Li Qinzai didn't want to stay any longer, so he got up and walked out.
When he reached the door, Li Qinzai suddenly turned around and said: "Based on the current situation, His Majesty's conferment on Mount Tai is indeed a bad government. Bad government must be stopped by loyal and upright ministers."
"Liu Shizhong, you have done your best. I will shoulder the responsibility for the rest."
Liu Rengui was stunned: "You..."
Li Qinzai smiled: "Don't get me wrong, I am not a loyal minister. I have definitely done more bad things than good things. I just don't want to see the Tang Dynasty harming the country and affecting my life."