Li Qinzai’s actions could not be hidden from anyone.
The officials of the Ministry of Industry were not stupid either. Seeing that he was leading his disciples everywhere to collect various data on the construction of the palace, and his behavior was so strange, he couldn't figure out Li Qinzai's motives and did not dare to stop him face to face, so of course he had to report it to the police.
Officials from the Ministry of Industry reported to the Minister, who was not sure of Li Qinzai's purpose. He didn't know whether Li Qinzai was doing some secret errand following Li Zhi's order, or whether he was planning to do something on the construction site on a whim.
The minister was uncertain and could not pretend to be deaf and dumb, so he reported the news to the palace.
As soon as Empress Wu walked out of the main hall, she learned that Li Qinzai was acting strangely at the construction site of Puzhou Palace.
"Did he take his disciples on a trip to give them a lot of experience, or did he have other purposes for the palace construction site?" Empress Wu frowned and murmured to herself.
The palace maid stood aside and did not dare to speak. With her status, she was not qualified to participate in this topic.
After thinking about it, Empress Wu still couldn't figure it out. She gritted her teeth angrily and said, "This Li Jingchu always makes people worry. What on earth is he going to do?"
I couldn't figure it out, so I just stopped thinking about it. Anyway, Li Qinzai didn't do anything that affected the construction of the palace, and Empress Wu didn't bother to guess what Li Qinzai's purpose was.
Just as she was about to go back to the harem to rest, Empress Wu took a step forward, then stopped, turned around and looked at the palace maid and said, "Did you just say that Li Qinzai asked his disciples to collect accounts of materials used to build the palace?"
The palace maid lowered her head and said, "Yes, that's what the officials from the Ministry of Industry said."
Empress Wu murmured: "Did he discover that the officials who built the palace had dirty hands and feet, or did he say..."
There is also a possibility that Li Qinzai may not want the palace to be built smoothly, so he plans to find reasons in the accounts. In other words, he opposes the emperor's enthronement of Mount Tai?
Empress Wu was shocked. It must be said that as a queen, Empress Wu's wisdom and sensitivity were top-notch. She guessed Li Qinzai's intention with just one thought.
Then Empress Wu's brows furrowed deeper and deeper.
The emperor's enthronement of Mount Tai was not only important to Li Zhi, but also important to her.
When Li Zhi was granted Zen status, Empress Wu did not do so on a whim, but after careful consideration. Because when Li Zhi was granted Zen status, as the empress of the world, she had to stand by Li Zhi's side. Empress Wu needed Li Zhi more than Li Zhi. The political significance here.
She would never allow anyone to ruin this long-planned event, not even Li Qinzai!
"Send someone out of the palace to pass on my orders and ask Li Qin to come into the palace to give a brief introduction." Empress Wu said in a cold tone.
…………
The construction site, which was noisy during the day, gradually returned to calm after the sun went down.
But there are still a small number of craftsmen holding torches and hammering on the construction site. Officials are patrolling around, thinking of ways to speed up the construction period. The bosses are pressing hard, and no one dares to delay. If it is completed in advance, it will be neither too big nor too small. It can also be considered a political achievement.
Beside the quiet construction site, there is a dark dense forest. The forest is not big, but the vegetation is lush inside, making it daunting after dark.
Li Qinzai was sitting on a chopped down wooden post outside the dense forest at this moment. The dark environment around him made him feel a little nervous, but he still managed to stay calm and remain silent.
Although he had made many contributions to the Tang Dynasty, opening up new territories and so on, Li Qinzai had already become famous throughout the world and was regarded by countless people as a hero of the Tang Dynasty.
But... heroes are also afraid of the dark, okay? Even if materialists are not afraid of ghosts, who can guarantee that there is nothing else in the dense forest? The ecological environment is ridiculously good these days, and all kinds of ferocious wild animals are running around. Who knows the dense forest?
Will a tiger suddenly pop out and snatch him away?
What about heroes? Tiger still tastes the same.
Sitting alone by the edge of the dense forest, Li Qinzai kept turning his head and looking into the dense forest anxiously, keeping his legs in a scurrying posture at all times.
After sitting there for an unknown amount of time, Liu Asi finally came quietly with an official.
Li Qinzai breathed a long sigh of relief. If this guy didn't come back, his heroic persona would probably collapse...
"Fifth Young Master, we have brought Wang Minzhi, the head of the Ministry of Industry." Liu Asi whispered in Li Qinzai's ear.
Li Qinzai hummed and asked in a low voice: "Has the money been paid?"
"Here you go, two hundred dollars, Mr. Wang agreed."
Li Qinzai nodded, stood up, dusted off his buttocks, cupped his hands towards the director of the Ministry of Industry, and said with a smile: "President Wang, I have admired you for a long time."
Wang Minzhi bowed in fear and saluted: "Your Majesty, Wang Minzhi, pays homage to the Marquis of Li County."
Li Qinzai waved his hand, pointed to the dark surroundings, and said with a smile: "It's a matter of confidentiality, so I won't light a torch to attract attention. Let's get it done quickly, and then we'll break up."
Wang Min was stunned. After all, it was his first acquaintance, and he still couldn't adapt to the way Li County Marquis spoke.
After a while, Wang Minzhi said with a smile: "Yes, the Marquis of Li County is interested in exploring the secluded areas and looking for plum blossoms. It would be unethical to light a torch. In fact, it is like burning the harp and cooking the cranes."
"Don't talk so much nonsense about exploring the seclusion and looking for plum blossoms. You and I chose to meet here, so we are obviously doing something shameful. Otherwise? Want to have a tryst with you in front of the flowers and under the moon?" Li Qinzai said very straightforwardly.
Wang Minzhi choked up and rolled his eyes at these words, but he didn't dare to get angry, so he had to try his best to laugh.
"Have you brought anything?" Li Qinzai reached out to him.
Wang Minzhi took out a thick stack of paper from his arms, held it in both hands and handed it over respectfully.
Li Qinzai took it without looking through it. He handed it over and stuffed it into Liu Asi's hand, and said, "I guarantee that this account book is true and correct? You won't make up a random account book to deal with me, right?"
Wang Minzhi pointed to the sky and swore: "I swear in the name of my ancestors that the account book is absolutely true. I am responsible for keeping the accounts. This account book was copied by me intact. If there is any false word, I am willing to accept the punishment."
"
Li Qinzai narrowed his eyes and said: "It's useless to swear by your ancestors. If I find out that you are wrong, the consequences will not be as simple as losing your official position and going to jail. With my status, it is too easy to kill a principal.
"
Wang Minzhi hurriedly said in fear: "I guarantee that the account books are true. If there is any falsehood, I am willing to kill myself to apologize."
Li Qinzai nodded with satisfaction and said: "In this way, our transaction has been successfully completed. Whatever happens from now on, it will not involve you."
Wang Minzhi was very worried and said cautiously: "Marquis Li County, please forgive me for asking, what exactly do you want these account books for?"
Li Qinzai smiled and said: "How about I write you a detailed clause before I turn around and tell you exactly what I did with this account book?"
No matter how stupid Wang Minzhi was, he understood that this sentence was definitely not a good thing, so he hurriedly said: "I don't dare, I just ask the Marquis of Li County to keep his mouth shut and not to involve me."
Li Qinzai hummed, turned his head unconsciously and looked at the dense forest behind him, and goosebumps suddenly appeared on his arms.
"It's getting late. If Mr. Wang is still interested in exploring the secluded area and looking for plum blossoms, he might as well go on his own. I won't accompany you."
Of course, Wang Minzhi was not interested in staying in this damn place, so the two said goodbye. Wang Minzhi changed directions and quietly returned to the construction site from the other side of the dense forest.
Li Qinzai looked at the account book held in Liu Asi's hand, and his expression gradually became worried.
We have almost all the things that need to be prepared, but how to advise Li Zhi next, and how to dissuade Li Zhi from Feng Chan Taishan without irritating him?
This matter was so nerve-wracking that Li Qinzai would rather fight a few more battles with the Tibetan army in Tuyuhun than get lost in this extremely dangerous battlefield without the sight of gunpowder.
"Ah Si, get ready and leave Puzhou early tomorrow morning."
Liu Asi asked: "Are we going back to Chang'an City?"
Li Qinzai stared at the dark night sky and said calmly: "No, go back to Ganjing Village."