Living leisurely in Tang Dynasty

Chapter 144

After appreciating the painting, Yuanying followed Chu Suiliang to collect some manuscripts. Chu Suiliang couldn’t handle the boy and had to do give him some good quality work.

“I remember you practicing Ouyang’s calligraphy style earlier.”

“Initially yes, but when I heard that the Ouyang family wanted back their late father’s manuscripts and was willing to pay for it, I collected all I have and gave it back to them.”

Chu Suiliang remembered that when Ouyang Xun’s wife wanted the manuscripts back, Li Yuanying not only sent his, he also ran around looking for others with a box to collect more.  This kind of shameless behavior, no one else can replicate for a hundred year!

Unexpectedly Yuanying didn’t ask for any reward but gave away everything, leaving nothing behind.

Chu Suiliang gave him a pile of manuscripts he had sorted out.

The boy happily carried them back to the palace, ready to share today’s harvest with Wei Shu tomorrow. After running a short distance, he saw Hou Junji being supported out. He was obviously drunk and his steps were unsteady and he had to lean entirely on others while walking. The person supporting him wore the uniform of the imperial guards and looked a little familiar.

He remembered the guard being someone from the East Palace serving his eldest nephew, named Helan Chushi. Li Dejian mentioned before that he was Hou Junji’s son-in-law.

Yuanying is not acquaintance with Helan Chushi and he was holding a pile of manuscripts. He decided not to greet them but stepped aside pretending not to see him.

Hou Junji walked crookedly, muttering to Helan Chushi: “I have made many contributions to the country, but now I am not even comparable to Cheng Yaojin, who is a fool. I see it. When the rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked! When the birds are gone, the good bow is hidden! Look at Zhang Liang who also made contributions, sent away to Luoyang…”

Helan Chushi nervously covered Hou Junji’s mouth. After ensuring no one heard them, he sped up his steps. Yuanying leaned against a tree, thinking about what Hou Junji had just said. On the surface, the king and his minister seemed to have reconciled, but in fact, Hou Junji is still full of dissatisfaction.

People are greedy! After the battle of Gaochang, brother didn’t give Hou Junji any good opportunities because these are peaceful times. There were not many wars to fight after all. Yuanying criticized Hou Junji but didn’t take it to heart.

Who doesn’t complain when drunk? Maybe Hou Junji will forget what he said when he wakes up!

A few days after Li Yuanying happily shared Chu Suiliang’s poems with Wei Shu, Dai Ting sent a letter to the Imperial College saying that he had an important matter to discuss with him.

Yuanying borrowed Kong Yingda’s room to meet Dai Ting, and asked curiously: “Why did you come back suddenly? What can’t be written in letter?”

Dai Ting didn’t stay in Hu County for long but went to Luoyang instead for work and to prepare for the next trip to the west.

Dai Ting was the best at getting information; especially skilled seeing the big picture from the small evidences. During this period, he discovered unusual movements in Luoyang that were related to Zhang Liang, the new governor of Luoyang.

When things are involving the military commander, it cannot be a small matter.

Dai Ting told Li Yuanying  his discovery: Zhang Liang looks honest and well-behaved but is in fact quite suspicious. There were many around him who were proficient in witchcraft and sorcery.

Zhang Liang is also one of the 24 heroes and his ranks higher than Hou Junji. Both of them stood at the side of Li Er during the Xuanwu Gate Incident!

Dai Ting noticed this when he accidentally discovered someone buying things that were often used to “perform magic”. He asked people to follow up quietly and found that the governor of Luoyang purchasing these things almost every month. But he acted with caution and had not attracted any attention yet.

Another suspicious thing is that many calls Zhang Liang  “father”. Not sure why he has such a weird habit of collecting adopted sons. Anyway, Dai Ting asked people to pay attention and there were at least a hundred and eighty of them.

Although Dai Ting couldn’t figure out his scheme but he is sure Zhang Liang is not  praying for the prosperity of the country! He felt that it’s a serious matter so he took all the evidences and reported back to Li Yuanying.

After listening, Yuanying remembered Hou Junji  mention Zhang Liang when he was drunk.

Looking through the evidences, Yuanying can’t figure out what Zhang Liang wanted to do.

“I’ll ask for leave of absence. Come with me to the palace and talk to brother about this.”

Things are simple for Li Yuanying. As long as brother is informed, the rest is no longer his problem.

Dai Ting nodded.

Yuanying ran to Kong Yingda to ask for leave and took Dai Ting to the palace saying that there was an important matter to report.

When His Majesty heard that Li Yuanying had a legitimate reason to visit, he raised his eyebrows and asked that he be let in.

Yuanying ran into the meeting hall and look left and right. When he saw no one else he sat next to His Majesty and told him about Dai Ting’s discovery.

Li Er originally listened carelessly but when Yuanying talked about sorcery, his face became serious. Since ancient times, no good thing has ever happened to those involved in the evil magic of wizards! He listened to the story, glanced at Dai Ting and asked: “Do you have any evidence?”

Dai Ting then presented the evidences.

After reading Dai Ting’s records and evidences, Li Er closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

“It’s none of your business, go back to the Imperial College and study hard.”

Yuanying was cool about Li Er telling him it’s none of his business. When he heard Li Er’s order, he immediately took Dai Ting and run away quickly!

This is no joke. This meritorious official doesn’t look like he’s doing good things, it’s better to no get involved!

Li Er watched Li Yuanying run away and closed his eyes again.

Zhang Liang and his people had followed the Emperor since the Qin Palace. Before the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Zhang Liang was accused by Li Yuanji of plotting something but he withstood the torture and did not reveal the plot.

Before Zhang Liang left for Luoyang, he told the Emperor that Hou Junji felt that he was being sidelined and asked if he wanted to rebel together.

When Li Er heard this, he brushed it off as a private conversation with no solid evidence. Now looking at the evidences in front of him, Li Er leaned on the table with fatigue and gently rubbed his eyebrows.

Li Yuanying didn’t understand Zhang Liang’s action but the Emperor understood.

He adopted many sons to accumulate power. He believed in evil magic and is raising sorcerers. Soon he will want to write about articles relating to destiny or prophecy.

Zhang Liang is planning to rebel!  

Both Zhang Liang and Hou Junji are people who have followed the Emperor since his twenties. As people grow older, will their ambitions grow too? Or do they think that the Emperor is in poor health and is time for them to be the new King?

Li Er opened his eyes, slam his armrest and ordered someone to call his confidants. Investigate this matter in secret.

After giving the order, Li Er picked up the evidence again and read them. This Dai Ting is meticulous and quick-witted. I’m afraid he won’t be content with his duty. Is such a person suitable to stay by Li Yuanying?

Li Er spent more time caring for his younger brother than for his own sons. Even if it’s just a pet people develop bonds with them, what more a human.

He don’t want Li Yuanying to be too involve in these troubles.

Li Yuanying looks heartless but is in fact the most protective. If he were to make someone who has followed him for so long dissapear, the boy will kick up a big fuss to topple heavens.

Li Er thought for a moment and gave up the fleeting thought.

This annoying brother thinks too little, so it would be good to have someone with him who thinks more. I believe, a eunuch, can’t cause much trouble.

Notes from the author:

Little Prince: That was a close call ! ! !

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