Chapter 282: Everyone is trying their best (Part 1)

The next evening, a carriage quietly drove into the side door of Zhang Huan Mansion. The carriage stopped, and two guards walked out of the carriage with Huang Yunqing. Huang Yunqing was quite nervous. He pressed his handprint on the letter of loyalty yesterday. Unexpectedly, Zhang Huan met him today. He could not understand why this was. He was just a small clerk in the Luo Palace. Could it be that he said in the end that Li Qiu had not organized ancestral temple sacrifices for three years?

Amidst the random thoughts, Huang Yunqing was taken to Zhang Huan's study room. The personal soldiers at the door asked him to enter the room alone. The study room was very quiet, with a faint fragrance floating. The fragrance came from a bouquet of pear blossoms on the table. The petals were crystal white, and the quaint vase was filled with brilliant vitality. It was this bouquet of pear blossoms that made Huang Yunqing, who was in awe, suddenly feel a kind of intimacy. The rumored largest local warlord also had an ordinary heart.

Behind the desk, he saw this legendary figure, lowering his head and writing something. He didn't wear iron helmets and armor, nor did he look like a warlord with a purple face, leopard eyes and lion nose. On the contrary, he was wearing a blue wide-body Zen suit, a black veil hat, and three long whiskers floated on his chest. He was actually an elegant and intellectual civil servant, which was far beyond Huang Yunqing's expectations.

At this time, Zhang Huan felt someone approaching him. He put down his pen, looked at Huang Yunqing, and smiled slightly and said, "Are you Li Qi's clerk?"

Huang Yunqing hurriedly stepped forward and gave a deep bow, "I'm here to see Huang Yunqing, see Shangshu Zhang."

"Sit down!" Zhang Huan waved his hand gently and ordered him to sit down.

"I heard that Mr. Huang was a Jinshi for the tenth year of Qingzhi?"

"Yes!" Huang Yunqing bowed.

Zhang Huan nodded and sighed slightly: "I took the Jinshi exam in the 16th year of Qingzhi, but unfortunately I missed it. I have always felt sorry for it."

"Shangshu Zhang is too humble. Although the Shangshu has not achieved fame and honor, he has fought south and north to fight against Hehuang, washed away the shame of the Zhu bandits, and made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty and was the best official. But I have been mediocre for more than ten years, so what if I have achieved fame and fortune?"

The two exchanged a few greetings, and gradually, Huang Yunqing's fear was gone, and his favor for Zhang Huan increased greatly. Seeing that the atmosphere was already harmonious, Zhang Huan changed the topic and said, "I heard from Mr. Huang that Li Qiu has not organized royal family to worship the ancestral temple for three years. What is the reason?"

Huang Yunqing suddenly woke up, but he actually forgot his identity. He was about to stand up and answer, but Zhang Huan held him down and said apologetically: "I have severely scolded them yesterday. Mr. Sit down and answered."

After saying that, he took Huang Yunqing's letter of loyalty on the table, tore it to pieces in front of him, and sighed with a sigh: "Since ancient times, great talents are hard to use, how can they be regarded as pawns and peddlers and treat them?"

Huang Yunqing was extremely moved and bowed his head and was silent. After a while, he explained: "King Luo himself often told people that he did not organize the royal family because of financial difficulties and no money to organize it. In addition, the ruin of the ancestral temple made him faceless to see his ancestors. But in fact, the real reason was caused by the contradictions within the royal family."

‘The contradictions within the royal family.’ Zhang Huan was stunned. Why didn’t he know?

Huang Yunqing seemed to understand the surprise in Zhang Huan's heart. He smiled slightly and said, "In fact, most people don't know. On the surface, there is a harmonious relationship between the royal family, and there is little exchange, and there is no conflict of interest between them. There is no conflict in reason. But in fact, there is a deep internal conflict, and I only learned by chance that this contradiction has some relationship with Zhang Shangshu."

"It has something to do with me?" Zhang Huan couldn't help laughing, "Mr. Huang, please tell me bluntly, I'm really a little confused."

Huang Yunqing smiled mysteriously and reminded him: "Shangshu Zhang thought about it again, what happened when the emperor was appointed as the crown prince by the late emperor?"

Zhang Huan was concentrating, and he suddenly realized that when the Li Shi was trapped in the west and surrendered the city, the voice of a new crown prince suddenly arose. Cui Yuan's sect advocated the appointment of Li Miao, the youngest son of Li Miao, as the crown prince, while Pei Jun's sect firmly made Li Yao, the son of Li Wei, the king of Sishou, the two factions could not be established. Later, after Li Shi was saved and returned to Chang'an, he agreed to make Li Miao the crown prince in order to reach the conclusion of Zhang Potian's replacement of Zhang Ruohao as the Minister of Rites with Cui Yuan. Later, Li Wei had no voice.

Zhang Huan thought about it for a while and asked, "Mr. Huang means that it refers to the conflict between Li Qiu and Li Wei?"

Huang Yunqing nodded slowly, "Shangshu said it well. Li Qi and Li Wei have made great enemies for the establishment of the crown prince back then. It is said that Li Wei even sent someone to pretend to be the crown prince's wet nurse into the palace to be detrimental to Li Miao. Li Qi sent someone to throw a knife to Li Yao's residence to demonstrate threats."

Zhang Huan had already fully understood that some time ago, when she proposed that Yuan Zai be the Minister of the Ministry of War, Cui Xiaofu also proposed that Jiyang County Prince Li Huailai be the Minister of War. Li Huailai was Li Wei's brother. At that time, she thought she was fighting for the Ministry of War with her. Now it seems that Cui Xiaofu actually has a deeper meaning. She wanted to create a situation where both sides share the same hatred with her, so that Li Wei and Li Qiu can reconcile.

"So that's the case!" Zhang Huan was secretly surprised. It seemed that he had thought Cui Xiaofu a little too simple. At this time, he seemed to have thought something vaguely, as if he was about to guess a riddle, but he couldn't see it clearly for a moment, so he temporarily put aside this idea and asked Huang Yunqing again: "How could Mr. Huang know about this?"

“It’s really interesting to talk about.”

Huang Yunqing couldn't help laughing and said, "When the palace was enjoying lanterns on the day of the Yuan Dynasty, it is said that Empress Dowager Cui specially arranged the two of them together, but Li Qi disdained and ran to sit behind the emperor. Afterwards, Li Wei wrote a letter, scolding Li Qi for being stupid and ignorant. Li Qi also replied, but asked me to write for him. There were only two words. Shangshu might as well guess what he wrote?"

"Is it an 'idiot'?" Zhang Huan guessed with a smile.

Huang Yunqing shook his head. When he thought of those two words, he couldn't help but look contemptuous of Li Qiu on his face, "Forget it, Shangshu doesn't need to guess, and he can't guess it, he can say it out."

"You might as well tell me!" Zhang Huan's interest became even stronger.

After hesitating for a long time, Huang Yunqing barely squeezed out two words from his teeth: ‘Dog shit!’

Zhang Huan was stunned and then burst into laughter. He stood up and bowed to Huang Yunqing and thanked him: "Thank you Mr. Huang today, I will ask you for advice from you another day!"

"I dare not! I dare not!" Huang Yunqing hurriedly stood up and returned the greeting, "Shangshu is a virtuous and honest man, treating others with sincerity, and Huang will never forget it!"

Zhang Huan nodded with a smile, and then ordered his personal soldiers to say, "Tele Mr. Huang back well, don't neglect it, don't hear it!"

"Abide by the order!" The personal soldiers immediately asked Huang Yunqing out of the room respectfully. Huang Yunqing bowed to Zhang Huan solemnly and turned around. Zhang Huan held his hands behind his back, his smile was kind and friendly. He waited for him to walk away. The smile on his face gradually faded. He asked without looking back: "Sister, I think Li Wei might use it?"

Li Fanyun walked out of the inner room, and she nodded and said, "I think this matter is feasible, but you have to think more carefully. Just tell me and I will do it."

"You're right, let me think about this matter again."

Zhang Huan temporarily put this matter down, and he walked a few steps behind his back and said, "There are two more things you have to do. First, send someone to Longyou to invite Li Qiao to the capital for me; second, send more people to protect the safety of Yuanzai, Zhang Yanshang and others. He Lou Wuji killed Li Chengye. How could Cui Xiaofu break her teeth and swallow it into her stomach? Beware of her revenge."

"I'll do these two things right away!" Li Fanyun was about to leave, but Zhang Huan called her again and said coldly: "There is also the Huang Yunqing just now who wants to send someone to stare at him. If he is two-faced, for example, if Li Qiu sends someone to protect his wife and children, I will kill him immediately!"

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Since Li Chengye went to Longyou, there has been no news. None of his servants came back. After waiting for five days, there was no movement, Li Qiu was a little impatient. He sent someone to Longyou to find Li Chengye and his party, but after waiting for ten days, the people sent to find them also came back. He only said there was no news. Li Qiu had an ominous premonition in his heart. He began to be anxious. After two days, he could no longer help and went into the palace overnight to ask for Cui Xiaofu.

Cui Xiaofu was about to rest at this time. When she heard Li Qiu urgently asked to see him, she also vaguely guessed that it might be related to Li Chengye's affairs. She immediately stood up and rushed to Linde Hall.

She attached great importance to this matter. If she could instigate He Lou Wuji, it would not only be as simple as breaking Zhang Huan's arm, but also Longyou is the node of the five places in Hexi, Shuofang, Hehuang, Guanzhong and Shuzhong. If she could get it, Zhang Huan might collapse all over the board.

During this period, she also sent people to urge Li Qi, but Li Qi always told him that things needed opportunities and asked her to be calm. Now that he is here, whether it is successful or not, Cui Xiaofu wants to know what He Lou Wuji's attitude is.

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"What! Li Chengye is missing?" Cui Xiaofu stood up in a panic. She couldn't believe her ears. She confirmed in disbelief: "What do you mean is that Li Chengye has no news?"

Li Qiu lowered his head. He didn't dare to look into Cui Xiaofu's eyes and said timidly: "It's not that he's missing, nor that there's no news. I suspect he was killed by He Lou Wuji."

Cui Xiaofu sat down dejectedly. Indeed, he brought more than a dozen followers, and even if something happened, someone would come back to report the news. Now it seems like a muddy bull is in the sea, which can only be a result. He failed to persuade him to surrender and was killed.

"Empress Dowager!" Li Qi suddenly became furious. He stared at his blood-red eyes and said viciously: "He Lou Wuji is bold and he dares to kill the royal family without hesitation. Li Chengye is a second-rank county duke and the great-grandson of Emperor Gaozong. He dares to take action, and he must not forgive him easily!"

"What can you do if he killed it?"

Cui Xiaofu glanced at him coldly. She didn't like Li Qiu's pretentious attitude, and was even more disgusted with him saying such childish words. "You can't forgive him easily. Then what evidence do you have to say that it was killed by someone? Did I let me, Cui Xiaofu, announce to the world that I sent Li Chengye to win over Helou Wuji, but was killed in the end? Humph! You have to use your brain to speak and give me some useful suggestions."

Li Qiu's face was swollen and red. He stood with his hands down, but he didn't dare to say another word.

Cui Xiaofu walked around the room with her hands behind her back. After the bribery failed, Zhang Huan must have known it. He didn't know how he would play chess. It was already mid-March, not far from the Great Dynasty on April 1st. He wanted to seize the position of Shuofang Jiedushi, and there was not much time left. He could not get the same position as the Ministry of War and Shuofang Jiedushi.

Thinking of this, Cui Xiaofu suddenly turned around and said, "Since he can kill Li Chengye, we might as well kill Yuan Zai, and repay each reward!"

Li Qiu was overjoyed. Yuanzai's mansion was in Xinchangfang, where there were few people and wastelands. Just as he was about to take action, he hurriedly said: "I have hundreds of martial arts people in the farm, so they can do it."

"No! You don't need to do it. You have to learn to preserve your strength, do you know?" Cui Xiaofu smiled sinisterly and said, "Let Li Chengye's brother Li Chenghong do this. I think he must be very happy."

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To be continued...