nycdaug Chapter 24: Public Opinion Sparks Intensity Against Li Longji
Chapter 24: Public Opinion Sparks Intensity Against Li Longji
"If we create some public opinion and add some pressure from the censors, the emperor will definitely drag this out. At that time, no matter how much the emperor desires Yang Guifei, he will not dare to openly and forcefully take her away."
Li Mao was right; Li Longji simply couldn't wait any longer.
But I don't want to do it openly either.
So I thought of using some underhanded tactics.
But Li Mao had only just begun to see through this tactic.
Upon hearing this, Yang Xuangui suddenly understood, but at the same time, he was unsure about Li Linfu's attitude.
He then hurriedly asked, "But the Grand Chancellor might not necessarily help you, Your Highness!"
Li Mao smiled upon hearing this: "That depends on how we negotiate! I will personally pay a visit to this Imperial Censor. Father-in-law, you can go back with peace of mind. Yu Huan is your precious daughter and also my beloved wife. How could I let her serve my Emperor and disrupt the ancestral rules?"
A fleeting look of ruthlessness crossed Li Mao's face.
Yes, the historical Prince Shou was willing, but Li Mao was not.
What words!
Am I that kind of person?
I don't have that fetish!
After comforting his father-in-law for a while, Li Mao ordered someone to personally escort Yang Xuangui back.
At the same time, Li Mao also began preparations to visit Li Linfu.
In his early years, Li Linfu was merely a Qianniu Zhizhang (a minor official in charge of military affairs). Without Yu Wenrong's recommendation, he would not have been able to hold various positions in the imperial court.
Moreover, if it weren't for Consort Wu Hui's favor and care for Li Linfu back then, Li Linfu wouldn't have risen to his current position as Vice Censor-in-Chief.
Historically, this person would later serve in the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Personnel, or even the Ministry of Rites, eventually becoming prime minister with the title of Minister of Rites and being granted the rank of Third Grade.
Moreover, Li Linfu was originally part of the faction that flattered Consort Wu Hui and firmly stood on Prince Shou's side.
However, Consort Wu Hui is no longer with us.
Everything vanished into thin air.
It's hard to say who Li Linfu supports now, but Li Mao is certain of one thing: since this man is a treacherous minister, he must have great ambitions!
And this ambition can be used to his advantage!
Li Mao returned to his desk and continued drawing the relevant design blueprints.
These are all drafts needed for forging weapons.
The struggles in the imperial court require careful planning, but the strength accumulated in secret, whether it be troops or armor, must be put on the agenda as soon as possible.
……
Early the next morning.
Li Linfu then received a visiting card.
After opening it, his expression wasn't too good.
Aside from some slight doubts.
However, he also took the post into his possession.
At the same time, he quickly whispered to the butler behind him, "Tell the servants that I'm going to the racetrack this afternoon."
"Is the one you're referring to, sir, Prince Shou?"
"Ah."
"Yes, sir."
As for Li Mao, he was already waiting in the VIP room of the racecourse.
While he was there, he resolved some issues at the racetrack and also secretly inspected the forging of the first batch of weapons.
He handed some blueprints to the craftsmen and carefully instructed them: "By using this furnace and forging method to cast weapons, you will obtain better wrought iron than pig iron—I call it refined iron!"
Before dusk.
Li Linfu arrived at the racetrack dressed simply.
He did not go directly to where Li Mao was waiting.
Instead, he ordered someone to send the visiting card back the way it came.
The meaning is quite clear: she doesn't intend to see Li Mao.
Li Mao, who received the reply in the VIP room, gave a cold smile.
"He really is a cunning old fox!"
Although Li Linfu did not get into any trouble with him, this was something Li Mao had expected.
However, Li Linfu's extremely arrogant behavior still made Li Mao feel very embarrassed.
However, what followed was the real show that Li Mao put on for Li Linfu.
Li Linfu arrived at the horse farm but did not go straight back.
He naturally ran into several acquaintances and friends at the most popular entertainment venue in the capital.
Li Linfu was a man who loved money and loved to put on a show.
There happen to be several horse races today.
Li Linfu naturally had plans to join the group and have fun together.
Just as Li Linfu was sitting in the stands, watching an upcoming horse race.
From a high vantage point, secretly observing this future treacherous minister, Li Mao whispered something to his subordinates beside him.
……
"Your Excellency, you actually spent a thousand taels of silver to buy this number three horse?"
"Hehe, Lord Zhao, this old man is indeed skilled in judging horses!"
"If we win, sir, you'll have to treat us to a drink!"
"Don't worry, gentlemen, haha."
If Li Linfu wins this match, he will receive a prize of no less than ten thousand taels of silver.
Li Linfu and the two officials beside him chatted and laughed, appearing completely calm and composed.
But just as the horse race was about to begin!
Suddenly, an angry voice rang out behind Li Linfu!
"Which one of you is Lord Li Linfu?"
Li Linfu was taken aback upon hearing this and turned to look.
He then saw five or six burly men, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, walking towards him.
"I am indeed the official. Who are you?"
Li Linfu stood up, put his hands behind his back, and asked arrogantly.
After all, he was the Vice Censor-in-Chief.
Although the Vice Censor-in-Chief is not as high as the Grand Censor, he is still one of the deputies and is a fifth-rank official in the imperial court.
Although in a place like Chang'an, a fifth-rank official is not enough.
After all, the streets were full of royal relatives and nobles, at the very least princes, dukes, and ministers.
However, the Imperial Censor had a heart that loved to impeach and submit memorials.
Therefore, people in Chang'an would choose to give them some face.
He could tell that the man was coming for him.
Li Linfu remained calm and unhurried.
"Sir, please come with us. We've discovered that there's something wrong with your bet."
Betting on horses.
After hearing the whole story, Li Linfu didn't make things difficult for the other party and took a big step to walk out with the man.
Upon arriving at the small room, the manager there told Li Linfu something unbelievable.
—His money is fake!
"How can this be?"
"Please take a look for yourself, sir. Is this the silver note you placed earlier?"
Li Linfu took it and saw that it really was his one thousand taels of silver note.
The stable manager smiled slightly, then took the silver note and placed it over the fire for a short while. The ink on the back of the note began to peel off.
Instead of normal oil dripping!
—Fake banknotes!
"How is this possible?"
At this moment, Li Linfu was unaware that the silver notes he carried had been switched while he was placing his bets.
It was a very serious matter for a government official to use counterfeit money!
"How could I possibly do such a thing? It must be your fault!"
Li Linfu would naturally deny it, since he was using real money.
Unless the money he received from the bank was fake!
At this critical juncture, the men arranged by Li Mao, who were originally there to help Li Linfu out of his predicament, were preparing to make their move.
Unexpectedly, Li Linfu suddenly took off his boots on the spot!
"Wait a minute, there's definitely something wrong with this money. Although it's the same thousand-tael banknote as mine, it's definitely not mine. If you don't believe me, look at the folded corner... The banknotes I carry are always deliberately folded at a small corner! There's even red ink on that corner!"
As he spoke, Li Linfu slapped a thousand-yuan silver note from his shoe onto the table.
It really was folded into a tiny, almost imperceptible corner.
And it even had a touch of vermilion ink!