It was late at night. Due to the curfew, in addition to some luxuriously decorated and surrounded by chariots and horses in the main streets in Luoyang City, there were only soldiers patrolling the night.

The single-horse cart that Li Ling was riding in seemed particularly eye-catching at this time, but with the certificates of the Ministry of Revenue officials in hand, he had no trouble along the way.

Li Ling closed his eyes and leaned into the carriage, looking like he was resting, but in fact his mind was turning quickly at this moment, thinking about what the two of them said when they met Lu Xiang, to see if he had said something wrong, which might leave a bad impression or a handle on the other party.

It shouldn't be there. After a while, he gently exhaled a breath of turbid air. There was a little bit that he was still quite concerned about. Why did Prime Minister Lu, who was busy every day, suddenly called him to speak? Just because he had just returned from the southwest, could he learn about the first-hand information from the local area?

It's not right. As he knew, even though the court did not spend much energy on the southwest, there were still many eyeliners buried there, such as those spies from the Imperial City Department. So if you really want to grasp the movements of Dingxihou, you should be more direct than asking yourself.

Thinking of this, Li Ling felt even more moved and faintly noticed a strange thing coming - Who am I? He is just a small seventh-grade chief, but what Lu Xiang asked about was a major event related to the stability of the southwest. That is the Marquis of Dingxi. Will some of my statements affect such a big event and a big man?

No, this fact doesn't make sense!

I didn't realize anything just now, because he was completely intimidated by Lu Zhen's aura, and he was guided by him, and he couldn't think more deeply. But now, calm down and think deeply, the unreasonable things continue to appear. His own words are light, are some statements really useful? Why should Lu Prime Minister do this more?

If it is really what I think now, then what is his real purpose?

Now, Li Ling fell into a new question again, but he couldn't guess it for a while. Even though he returned home, he slept in bed and thought about it in the middle of the night, he still had no clue. In the end, Li Ling could only put these questions aside. Anyway, this matter seemed to have little to do with him. What I need to care most now is how to deal with Bian Xuedao!

Thinking of this guy, a cold light flashed in Li Ling's eyes. This person was really hateful. He was so aggressive that he really didn't give him a way out.

Isn’t it just that he refused to sacrifice himself for his and King Yong? He was so unforgivable? He had already made concessions before and went to the southwest to solve the problems he raised. As a result, he refused to let him go, and wanted to kill himself with the power in his hands.

Since this is the case, don’t blame me for using extraordinary means!

In the end, Li Ling clenched his fists, and it seemed that he had to act as soon as possible and slander the other party before the attack. He didn't believe it anymore. A speculator sitting in the position of Minister of Revenue would not make a fatal mistake!

...

It's dawn when it's all over the night.

In terms of scale, the dynasty meeting held only in the first and fifth days of the dynasty every month is the most solemn answer for the monarch and ministers in the court, because on that day, all officials of the sixth rank and above in the capital will enter the palace to participate, and the monarch and ministers will have hundreds of people together.

Then there are small court meetings that are held from time to time. Most of the participants are senior officials at the level of the ministry, and then there are special comments from some important officials.

But in fact, the impact on the affairs of the court, the larger-scale large-scale meeting cannot be compared with the small-scale meeting with a high enough participant, and the small-scale meeting is not as good as a single-level meeting. It can be said that the fewer people, the correct report of the monarch and ministers, is the key to truly determining a major event or policy.

And early this morning, without any big or small meetings, Zuo Prime Minister Lu Zhen came to the emperor and held a separate recitation between the monarch and his ministers. Now there are only two of them in the palace, plus one Wei Tang.

What Lu Zhen said at this time was not an important matter like borders or taxation, but about the dialogue between the two parties after they met with Li Ling last night. Not only did he turn such a thing around and report it to the emperor, but he also repeated every conversation between the two in detail.

Only this can be seen that although Prime Minister Lu is old, his mind is still clear and agile, far exceeding most of the most prosperous people in the world.

The emperor listened quietly until he finished speaking, and then raised his eyebrows slightly: "That's all?"

"That's right! I have asked him about the Southwest things according to Your Majesty's intentions, so Li Ling replied these words."

"Do you think his words are sincere?"

"It shouldn't be wrong."

"Is that because he had a certain friendship with the father and son of the Xiao family, he would speak for them and gain some favoritism?"

"Looking at his appearance and listening to his tone, it should not be as good as his tone. Although I dare not call him very fair, this should be his opinion. Moreover, I also think that what he said is reasonable. The Marquis of Dingxi is indeed loyal to His Majesty and to the court."

"Well, I'm actually not too suspicious of him. The situation in the southwest is far more complicated than you and I think. He has been conservative over the years, and it's just for the overall situation."

"Your Majesty's wiseness."

"Then let's talk about Li Ling. What do you think of him when you have had face-to-face contact with him this time?"

The emperor suddenly changed the topic, but Lu Zhen didn't expect it and said, "This is indeed a rare talent among the younger generation. Only from what he did in the southwest can we see the clues. If anyone encounters the same thing as him, let alone helping the court to quell the rebellion, it would be rare to protect himself. I'm afraid that more than half of the people would choose to escape back to the Central Plains after the chaos in Xunyang begins, and the rest may also die in one accident after another."

This is really a very high evaluation, but the emperor nodded deeply: "This Li Ling is indeed a little capable. He is far above ordinary officials in the court, regardless of his spirit, courage or means. This time it seems that his loyalty to the court should not be too big a problem."

"Your Majesty said, I think so too." Lu Zhen agreed and said, "So, your Majesty's errand..."

"It's not a busy thing, this matter is very important. It's related to the stability of our future money and food. I must make me fully believe in his ability and take the exam again." But the emperor waved his hand and still had his own persistence.

Lu Zhen was slightly stunned: "Your Majesty still wants to take him? What is the test this time?"

"Isn't someone going to deal with him recently? Let me see what he will do. If he can win beautifully in this battle, it is worth my entrusting burden. Otherwise, he still needs to do more training in the court and experience more storms."

When Lu Zhen heard this, he couldn't help but grin. He knew that Li Ling was currently facing the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Bian Xuedao. A good guy actually used a Minister as a touchstone for Li Ling, which was the emperor who had such a luxurious means. And once Li Ling really got to accomplish anything, the Minister would be finished.

But in a second thought, he understood again. This was obviously what the emperor wanted to see. Bian Xuedao, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was the one of King Yong. In the past two years, King Yong's power has emerged too quickly. Obviously, the emperor is planning to suppress this son.

So after all, Li Ling is still just a chess piece or a useful knife in the hands of the emperor. This is the case now, and when he is entrusted with important tasks in the future, it will be similar.

This is the real emperor's method!

Even though Lu Zhen was very familiar with some of the emperor's thoughts, he still felt a chill coming. However, he covered it up well, quickly nodded and then retreated.

It was not until after he left that the emperor's expression changed slightly: "Wei Tang, do you also feel that my plan and arrangements are a bit disappointing to the hearts of the ministers?"

"The saint did all this for my great victory. As long as my subordinates understand this, they will only praise Your Majesty for his wisdom." Wei Tang replied softly.

"What if they can't understand?"

"That's what they're wrong as ministers."

"Haha, you are the ones who are the ones who are the best at making me happy." The emperor smiled, then stood up, walked slowly in the hall, relaxing his body, who was a little stiff, "By the way, if Li Ling wants to deal with Taoism there, he should think of borrowing the power of the Imperial City Department, right?"

"That's right, he has asked Lu Zhen for help. I wonder if Your Majesty has any order? If Your Majesty doesn't want him to borrow the power of the Imperial City Department, this matter will be suppressed."

"That's not bad. He has helped you at least some time. He also specifically mentioned the two lieutenants of the Imperial City Division in the southwest to Lu Zhen. You should have made some statements." At this point, the emperor stopped and smiled, "I have found anything and left it to him. I want to see how he will act with these handles in hand.

"Hey, a seventh-rank chief and a third-rank minister, the difference between the two sides is really huge. Do you think who can win in the end?"

"Whoever the saint lets win will win."

"You old guy... are really slippery and tight. Li Ling, it's a bit interesting." The emperor smiled again, looking at him, feeling really good today.

Seeing this, Wei Tang felt aroused his courage and whispered: "Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince came to the palace gate again yesterday to ask for a meeting. I wonder if you..."

As soon as he said this, the smile on the emperor's face suddenly subsided. He glanced back and made the eunuch, the old face of the eunuch, pale and almost knelt down.

But soon, the emperor's face calmed down: "You said he just wanted to be filial to his mother's grave?"

"That's what the Seventh Prince said."

"Since he is filial, I will fulfill his wish. There is a practice of keeping filial piety in front of the spirit for three years after his parents die. As a prince, he should set an example. If you make arrangements, let him guard the spirit today and stay for three years!"
Chapter completed!