Chapter 94: Agarwood Night Banquet

Like ordinary people in Chang'an, the Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty also held a grand New Year's Eve banquet at Xingqing Palace. His princes and grandchildren and nearly 100 princesses from various families attended the royal family banquet. In addition, Yang Guifei's three sisters, as well as her brothers Yang Chi and Yang Qi, were also invited to the banquet.

The night banquet was held at the Agarwood Pavilion. The agarwood Pavilion was completely built with precious agarwood and was filled with fragrance. Although it was called the pavilion, it covers a vast area, like a small palace surrounded by peonies, roses, sober grasses and other rare flowers and plants. The windows in the pavilion were closed, and thirty-six huge night pearls hung in the middle, illuminating the night banquet like daytime.

The royal family banquet is different from the folk, mainly manifested in its complex etiquette and strict rules. Everyone's seats are arranged uniformly by Zongzheng Temple according to their noble status. During the banquet, no loud noises are allowed, no seats are allowed to go to toast, no whale drinks in the sea, no alcohol and lose their composure. In short, no matter what is lost, no matter what is missing.

All of them here are Li Longji's children and grandchildren. In front of the emperor's father and grandchildren, many of the princes and grandchildren were even more careful, for fear of saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing, and being looked at by the father, they were silent and did not even dare to raise their heads.

However, some people are not subject to these rules. Yang Huahua raised her glasses and toasted her toast her, laughing constantly.

"Your Majesty, today is the good day of New Year's Eve. I wish you a glass of wine. I wish you a good day every year and peace every year."

"Haha! The third sister is quick to speak, I've drunk this glass of wine."

Li Longji raised his glass and drank the wine in the glass. He looked at Yang Guifei, who was flushed beside him and smiled: "After just a few glasses of wine, is the lady drunk?"

Yang Guifei drank a few more cups tonight, which made her look pink and tender. She leaned on Li Longji and said in a sweet voice: "Sanlang, you know that I can't drink, and you also want me to drink three cups in a row. I'm drunk tonight, so you have to carry me back to the palace."

"Okay! Even if you drink, I will carry you back."

Li Longji was in a good mood, so he raised his glass and smiled at everyone: "We are all family members tonight, so everyone can drink as much as you want, don't be too restricted."

Although he frequently urged him to drink, none of his children and grandchildren dared to agree. Even Prince Li Heng was silent. Li Longji felt a little unhappy. At this time, Yang Huahua smiled and said, "Your Majesty, how can you drink but not enjoy this night banquet? It's better to have a team of music, singing and dancing to help everyone entertain themselves."

A word reminded Li Longji, and he quickly smiled and said, "I'm confused, hurry up, Xuan Lewu!"

After a moment, the melodious music sounded in the agarwood pavilion, and a group of dancers danced gracefully. The frozen and cold atmosphere in the hall finally began to ease. With the cover of the music and the dancers' long sleeves, the princes began to whisper.

As the eldest son of the emperor, King Qing Li Cong sat in the second seat of the crown prince. Although the distance between him and Li Heng was less than five feet, he did not say a word to Li Heng from beginning to end, just as if Li Heng was his enemy. However, the relationship between them was indeed a bit bad recently. The cause was not the battle for the throne. Although the battle for the throne was a major event, it would not make Li Cong look face in front of him, at least on the surface would be acceptable.

But what happened in Yangzhou broke the thin layer of paper between the two, and old hatred and new hatred, and the two of them didn't even have the minimum greetings and politeness.

While drinking, Li Longji observed his sons' situation without saying a word. The eldest son, King Qing, was talking in a low voice with the fourth son, King Yan. In the past two years, he heard that his eldest son was quite restrained and rarely heard rumors of his debauchery. His body was not as fat as before, radiant and strong.

Li Longji couldn't help but look at the prince again, but Prince Li Heng looked haggard and weak. He has been bowing his head and silent since he entered the door. He was so excited that he was the first prince.

Li Longji sighed slightly, and he also knew that he had forced the prince into such a look. One was the Wei Jian case and the other was the Du Youlin case, which forced the prince to divorce two wives one after another, especially the Crown Princess. The couple had a very deep relationship. It was these two major cases that caused serious physical and mental blows to the prince, making him haggard day by day.

In fact, which dynasty and which generation of crown princes would have no power? If he ascended the throne without anything, it would be a disadvantage to the stability of the country. Li Longji knew this very well. The key was that the crown prince should not be involved in the military power. If the crown prince had not been acquainted with Huangfu Weiming and Wang Zhongsi, Li Longji would not have forced the crown prince like this.

Although Li Longji's heart was as cold as iron, on New Year's Eve, at such a moment of reunion, his heart felt a little bit of fatherly affection, after all, he was his own son.

"Heng'er, if you are in poor health, drink less wine." Li Longji said softly.

When did Li Heng hear his father's heartfelt concern for him, his nose felt so sore and tears were so moved that he was about to shed.

He quickly said with a trembling voice: "Thank you for your concern, my sons will drink in a modest way, and I hope your father should also pay attention to your health."

Li Longji remembered Gao Lishi's advice to him again, and nodded and smiled: "My father originally wanted you to move to Xingqing Palace, but Xingqing Palace is too small, so it is not convenient for you to live there. This is how you can move to the East Palace and take good care of your health. If you have any needs, please bring it up."

Li Heng was stunned, and then he felt ecstatic. Can he move to the East Palace? He has been looking forward to this day since the 26th year of Kaiyuan. He did not expect it to be realized on the New Year's Eve of the sixth year of Tianbao. He strongly restrained his inner joy and said thankfully: "The grace of the father is engraved in his heart."

Li Longji smiled and said to King Qing Li Cong: "Cong'er, I heard that you have made great progress, which makes me feel very pleased."

Li Cong hurriedly said: "Father, I used to be a mistake in a bandit, but I was confused for a while. It took me two years to realize that I decided to change my past mistakes and never let my father down."

"I allow you to make friends, but you must make friends with knowledgeable people and make more friends with pillars and talents in the Tang Dynasty. In this way, you will not go astray. You are the eldest son, so that you must set an example in this regard. Do you understand?"

Li Cong heard what his father meant, as if he was allowing himself to recruit talents. He was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "My son remembers his father's teachings."

At this time, Gao Lishi hurried in through the side door and whispered a few words in Li Longji's ear. Li Longji was stunned and asked, "How many people were killed or injured?"

"I don't know either."

"Immediately announce that Li Linfu and Jingzhao Yin Xiao Jing enter the palace and report this to me."

"Old slave obeys the order!"

Gao Lishi hurried away, and Li Longji had no intention of continuing the banquet at this time. A sudden fire broke out on New Year's Eve. This was not a good omen in any case. He had to figure it out immediately.

He turned around and said to Yang Guifei: "Yuhuan, I have something to deal with. Should you continue or go back to the palace to rest."

"I can't bear to drink and want to go back to the palace to rest."

"Okay! You go with me."

Li Longji gave the prince a few more words, and then ordered him to return to the bedroom. He first sent Yang Guifei back to the harem, and he hurried to Datong Palace.

The fire in Dongshi was extinguished within less than an hour. The reason has been found that it was someone who privately released Kongming lanterns and caused the fire. Although the perpetrators could no longer be found, the meritorious ministers who extinguished the fire in time must not be ignored.

Overnight, Jingzhao Yin Xiao Jing wrote a memorial in detail, listing the causes of the fire in the East City and the process of extinguishing the fire, especially focusing on Yang Zhao's heroic deeds. As soon as he finished writing, eunuchs came from the palace to urge him to enter the palace.

Xiao Jing hurried to Xingqing Palace. At this time, Li Linfu's carriage also arrived. Xiao Jing quickly shouted loudly: "Stop the Prime Minister!"

When Li Linfu turned around and saw that it was Xiao Jiong, he smiled and said, "Envoy Xiao, has the emperor summoned you into the palace?"

“That’s right!”

Xiao Jing quickly took out the note and handed it to Li Linfu and said, "This is the details of the fire in East City tonight. Please check it out."

Li Linfu took the memorial, flipped it out, and said to Xiao Jiong: "Tonight we will only answer the emperor's inquiry verbally. I already know the real reason. It is not as simple as you wrote. Moreover, your memorial must be approved step by step before it can be submitted to the emperor. Don't take it out tonight."

"Subordinate to obey the order!"

Xiao Jing put away the memorial. The two of them arrived at Datong Hall one by one. After a while, an eunuch came out and said, "Prime Minister, Your Majesty, you can go in."

The two entered the imperial study room and saw Li Longji standing in front of the window with his hands behind his back, looking into the direction of the east city. The fire was gone, and only black smoke rose faintly.

"My minister Li Linfu will meet your Majesty!"

"My minister Xiao Jing will meet your Majesty!"

Li Longji slowly turned around and asked, "Has the fire in Dongshi been extinguished?"

"Report to Your Majesty, the fire has been put out!" Li Linfu said.

"Oh! What's the loss? How many casualties?"

Li Linfu gave Xiao Jing a wink, and Xiao Jing immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the fire was caused by someone lanterns, which burned the city office. However, the Yang County Magistrate of Wannian County led the yamen runners to arrive in time. After they bravely tried to extinguish the rescue, the city office only burned a corner, and the thirteen houses were overburned, and the shops were not burned, and no casualties were found, but some books were burned."

"Yang Zhao?"

A smile appeared on the corner of Li Longji's mouth. At this time, Li Linfu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, on New Year's Eve, officials and citizens rest, but County Magistrate Yang still went to the streets to inspect, working diligently, which is admirable. His subordinates thought that the fire in the East City was actually a mirror, which allowed us to see the conscientiousness of County Magistrate Yang's duty. It was he who arrived in time and commanded properly, and the yamen runners and soldiers tried their best to fight the fire, which made a fire that could burn the East City be eliminated in the bud, and no one was injured or killed. This was simply incredible. It also shows that County Magistrate Yang's eagerness to put out the fire and save people. I suggest rewarding Wannian County and rewarding Yang County Magistrate Yang."

Li Longji nodded, "I understand. After the New Year, I will give you an official copy and I will give you instructions."

"I obey the order!"

Li Longji glanced at Li Linfu and saw that he had something to say, so he smiled and said, "Prime Minister, please say it!"

"Your Majesty, there is no need to be commended in the East City fire, but there must be punishment. I have found out that Kongming lantern was set up by a group of children. The perpetrator cannot be found. However, the patrol camp was next to it, but it was not stopped. Moreover, the patrol camp also found a fire in the East City, but did not take the initiative to extinguish the fire, which led to the spread of the fire. He was guilty of dereliction of duty. I suggest that the position of patrol Li Qing'an be removed immediately!"

At this time, Gao Lishi next to him was shocked. Why was Li Qing'an who was finally punished? Could it be that Li Qing'an offended Li Linfu?

He was suspicious, and Li Longji was stunned for a long time and said, "Even if the inspection camp was dereliction of duty, it had nothing to do with Li Qing'an. After all, this army is my ten thousand cavalry, and he took over it soon. Isn't it unfair to let him take responsibility in this way?"

"Your Majesty, the inspection camp has committed a dereliction of duty, so of course it cannot be punished by the soldiers. Li Qing'an is the inspection envoy. Regardless of whether he knows it or not, he will take responsibility for his position. If he does not take responsibility, how can he praise Yang Zhao?"

Li Longji was silent for a moment, and then said, "Since the prime minister insists, that's fine. His inspector is also temporary, so he will be exempted. Apart from that, his other positions will not affect him."

"Your Majesty's wise!"

Li Longji smiled faintly and said to Xiao Jiong again: "Xiao Aiqing, please step down first! I have something to say to the prime minister."

Xiao Jiong retreated, and Gao Lishi also went down to prepare for the night time. Only Li Longji and Li Linfu were left in the imperial study. Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere seemed a little awkward. Soon Gao Lishi brought a bowl of bird's nest soup and placed it on the imperial desk. "Your Majesty, let's have something first!"

"Okay! Give me a bowl to the prime minister."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After a moment, a eunuch brought another bowl of bird's nest soup. Li Longji smiled and said, "Tonight is New Year's Eve, but he asked the Prime Minister to ask for advice. He could only ask the Prime Minister to drink a bowl of bird's nest and apologize."

Li Linfu also smiled and said, "The old minister is not polite."

The two sat down and tasted the bird's nest slowly. After drinking, Li Longji took the wet towel and wiped the corner of his mouth, rinsed his mouth in the golden bowl, and then said with a smile: "I have been considering the new candidates for the Minister of Works and the Minister of Rites these days. I have considered a plan and I want to ask the Prime Minister to consider it together."

Li Linfu's heart suddenly became hanged. Has Li Longji decided on the plan in just a few days? He understood that Li Longji had already thought about it, and he had already considered the plan before Xi Yu and Lu Jingrong retired. However, Li Linfu did not expect that the answer would be revealed at the last moment of the sixth year of Tianbao.

What kind of plan would it be? Li Linfu's mind seemed like lightning, and he calculated all kinds of possibilities. The Minister of Works must be Yang Shenjin. This is unquestionable. Wang Gong's impeachment had already foreshadowed the fate of Yang Shenjin's entry into prime minister. The key is the candidate for the Minister of Works. Who would it be?

Li Linfu knew in his heart that this person would definitely not be his own person. He had already decided this when he recommended Chen Xilie as the left prime minister. Li Longji's imperial skills would not allow him to monopolize the power of the court. Will it be a centrist? This is the only result that Li Linfu hoped for. Yang Shenjin was the Minister of Works and had already set an opponent for himself. Will the emperor make two opponents for himself? The possibility should not be great.

"Your Majesty's decision is firmly supported." At this time, Li Linfu had no choice.

Li Longji smiled and said, "I just knew that the prime minister has always supported my ideas."

He pondered for a moment and said, "I plan to let Yang Shenjin, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, be the Minister of Works. Do the Prime Minister have any opinions?"

"Yang Shilang is a famous family, with a famous reputation and a perfect match. I have no objection. At the same time, I would like to recommend Yang County Magistrate Wannian County to take over as the Minister of Revenue."

"Yang Zhao?" Li Longji shook his head, "How important is the position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He has been an official for too short and cannot be competent for this position. Moreover, Wei Jiansu has not been a member of the Left Minister of the Ministry of Revenue for a long time and has a little lack of experience. Therefore, I am considering transferring the Right Chief of the Shangshu Cui Qiao to the Right Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. With his rich experience, he will take on the heavy responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue. What do the Prime Minister think?"

This was beyond Li Linfu's expectations. He thought that Li Longji would take the opportunity to promote Yang Zhao to the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, but unexpectedly, Cui Qiao was transferred. Cui Qiao was the son-in-law of King Ning and belonged to the Dragon Sect. This is probably Li Longji's balance plan.

However, Li Linfu was concerned about the Minister of Rites, which was the core of tonight.

"Cui Qiao has been in politics for a long time, and his qualifications are enough to be the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, so I have no objection."

Li Linfu intentionally or unintentionally pointed out the qualifications issue, which is to tell Li Longji that the qualifications of the Minister of Rites are the most important.

Li Longji smiled slightly and said, "I agree with the Prime Minister when it comes to qualifications. Therefore, when I consider the candidate for the Minister of Rites, the first thing I have considered was the qualifications. I have repeatedly considered it and decided to use the former Minister of Personnel Pei Kuan as the Minister of Rites."

Li Linfu seemed to have thunder thunder on his head. He was shocked. He wondered if he had heard it wrong. Pei Kuan, his number one rival, the only survivor of the Wei Jian case, had been to death by him. Pei Kuan, who knelt down and begged for mercy to the cruel official Luo Xishi, actually made a comeback.
To be continued...