As Li Ji grew older, he gradually disliked interfering in family affairs, including children's affairs. He even did not bother to interfere with the government and military affairs.
He is a retired old man who takes care of the flowers and plants every day and slowly moves towards the end of his life with a leisurely and calm attitude.
With a lifetime of glory and fame all over the world, Jiangshan Sheji, under the leadership of the young emperor, stumbled occasionally, but still ran forward with great energy. The people were not harmed by the officials, and the officials were not harmed by the foolish king. Such a world can be regarded as It's peaceful.
What more can Li Jifu ask for? He is already very old, but he still points everywhere like an old man who has not cultivated himself. How annoying it is.
But Li Qinzai's matter finally attracted Li Ji's attention.
This restless grandson could never settle down. The matter of admonishing Fengchan had just been settled last time, but this time his affair with the head of Jinxiang County was revealed.
"Love" is a derogatory term, which means that the relationship between men and women is chaotic, the family tradition is not correct, and the character is defective.
Now that the incident between Li Qinzai and the head of Jinxiang County has spread throughout Chang'an City, Li Ji is certainly aware of how unpleasant the rumors are.
It is said that many censors in the court are ready to take action, and the memorial to the impeachment has probably been written and is waiting to be submitted to the Shangshu Province.
With everyone talking, there is another endless war of words. If some people fan the flames, the war of words will slowly turn into disaster.
There can never be no enemies in the court. Over the years, countless pairs of eyes have been coldly staring at the British government in the dark, just waiting to take advantage of the Li family and then completely overthrow the Li family.
Therefore, although Li Ji did not want to take care of his children and grandchildren, it was related to the family business, so Li Ji had to take some action.
"Father, Qin Zai has caused this trouble again. It seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Should we intervene?" Li Siwen asked carefully.
Li Jin snorted and said, "I heard that this matter has been brought before the emperor and the queen. Do you know what the emperor's attitude is?"
Li Siwen showed a strange look and said: "The emperor did not express his position. After all, this is not a glorious thing. However, the emperor issued a decree to Yu Yin, the only son of the Yu family, to demote him and urge him to leave the capital and take up his post. Yu Yin did not dare to delay, so he left Chang'an City in a hurry this afternoon."
"Father, what is certain is that with the emperor's decree, the Yu family should have given up any thought of getting married to Prince Teng's house."
A smile flashed in Li Ji's eyes, and he stroked his beard and said: "The emperor is partial, but Qin Zai is lucky..."
Li Siwen said in a deep voice: "However, it is inevitable to give someone a handle and provoke criticism from the courtiers. Although Qin Zai is my son,... I still feel that the emperor's move is inappropriate."
Li Ji shook his head: "There's nothing wrong with it. The world is inherently unfair. Naturally, the emperor's heart is divided between closeness and distance, and Qin Zai also strives for success. Compared with the mediocrity of his family, Qin Zai has made several contributions to the country. Privately, I get along very well with the emperor. In both public and private matters, it is human nature for the emperor to favor Qin Zai."
After stroking his beard and thinking for a while, Li Ji slowly said: "I am a military general. It is not appropriate for me to be closely associated with the vassal king. I am just recommending talents to the country and do not avoid relatives or enemies. I don't need to care so much."
Li Siwen said in confusion: "What father means..."
Li Ji stroked his beard and said with a smile: "I haven't been interested in the affairs of the court for a long time, but the sweet potato seeds that Qin Zai got are said to be of great use to the court. In two months, the sweet potatoes will be ripe. When we come down to Guanzhong, we will slowly spread the seeds and benefit the whole world."
"This is an important matter that will last forever. It is impossible for the emperor to do it himself and leave it to other courtiers. To win over the people like this, no matter which foreign minister does it, it will inevitably violate taboos and be suspected of trying to win over the people."
"Only Prince Teng is the emperor's uncle. He is a clan relative but has no hope of succeeding. He is capable but has no military power. He is the right person to serve as Qin Zai's assistant, share the emperor's worries and promote sweet potato crops."
"You and I, father and son, may wish to jointly submit a memorial to the emperor, recommending Prince Teng as the agricultural minister, dedicated to promoting sweet potato seeds, and working with Qin Zai to popularize sweet potatoes throughout the world."
Li Siwen was shocked: "Father, is he planning to let Qin Zai and Prince Teng work together?"
Li Ji said leisurely: "I heard from Qin Zai that King Teng supervised the road administration of Bingzhou. After returning to the capital after his success, he had been idle at home. Qin Zai said that although King Teng was the respected vassal king, he was also afraid of being hated by the emperor, and even more afraid of the emperor's treatment. He ignored him and pushed him out of the court."
Li Siwen understood and said with a smile: "My father and his son jointly recommended King Teng. This is a sign of our Li family's kindness to him. It not only relieves King Teng's worries, but also shows the Li family's broadmindedness and sincerity."
Li Ji stroked his beard and smiled and said: "With Qin Zai's talk, if he works with Prince Teng for a long time, it will shake Prince Teng's mind somewhat. Don't ask him to betroth the head of Jinxiang County to Qin Zai, at least for both of them. I turned a blind eye to the matter, and I believe that Qin Zai will solve the next matter perfectly."
Li Siwen smiled and said: "My father is smart and resourceful, and the child admires him."
Li Ji's smile suddenly faded, he glanced at him and said: "From now on, you are not allowed to discuss court affairs at home, let alone the rights and wrongs of the royal family."
Li Siwen was stunned: "Why?"
"No reason, because this is what your father said."
…………
Li Ji, who had not been involved in political affairs for a long time, and Li Siwen, who was serving as a minister in the Ministry of Civil Affairs. For the first time, father and son jointly submitted a letter recommending King Teng to be the minister of agriculture.
After receiving the memorial from Li Ji and his son, the Minister of Secretariat did not dare to neglect it. His right minister Xu Jingzong immediately read the memorial several times carefully, smacking every word in it carefully for a long time, and then handed the memorial into the Taiji Palace.
In the Tai Chi Palace, after Li Zhi saw Li Ji's memorial, he, like Xu Jingzong, read it carefully several times, and finally burst into laughter.
Recommending King Teng to be the agriculture minister, Jiang is indeed an old man, but Li Ji can think of it.
Official positions are very delicate, and Li Ji just grasped this subtle point.
Of course, it is not appropriate for a vassal king to participate in the military, let alone to win over the people. These are very taboo things.
However, the position of Si Nong was dedicated to agricultural matters, and in terms of promoting sweet potato grains, King Teng was not the chief official, Li Qinzai was, so there was no chance for the vassal king to win over the people.
I have to say that this recommendation memorial is both appropriate and timely.
Of course, Li Zhi knew very well why Li Ji and his son wanted to write this memorial to promote sweet potatoes. The government had already made arrangements. The position of agriculture minister was actually dispensable, but letting King Teng hold this dispensable official position, It's so suitable.
Why did Li Ji write this memorial?
What else could it be for? Of course it was for the matter between Li Qinzai and Jin Xiang. This memorial was to break the ice between the two families, appease King Teng's heart, and create an opportunity for communication between the two people whose hatred was getting deeper and deeper.
Regarding the matter between Li Qinzai and Jinxiang, Li Zhi had always been partial, but now that Li Ji had taken the initiative to offer him the opportunity, how could Li Zhi not agree?
So Li Zhi waved his hand and played accurately.
Prince Teng's Mansion.
As soon as King Teng got up early in the morning, an angel announcing the decree was welcomed into the palace.
After reciting a lot of unintelligible nonsense in a cadence, the angel changed the subject and announced Li Zhi's appointment.
After King Teng was appointed as the Secretary of Agriculture, he was responsible for the popularization of sweet potatoes. He assisted Li Qinzai, the Marquis of Weinan County, to popularize sweet potatoes throughout Guanzhong within three years.