It was already late in the night in Chang'an City, but Chang'an City did not close the gate. It had been three consecutive nights. This was only the New Year and the Lantern Festival. It would occasionally ignore other days, but it was the first time that I had not closed for three consecutive nights like this in more than ten years.

The plain-headed little people will not understand the reason. It will be convenient for them to visit relatives and friends at night, or to drink until late at night. However, many people who know the current situation have vaguely guessed that this must be related to the recent crisis of vassal reduction.

In fact, this is a unanimous decision made by several ministers from the Political Affairs Hall. It will not be closed for five days and facilitate everyone to communicate about emergency situations.

The raindrops floated at night, fine and dense, and the rain was misty, bringing a hint of coolness to the warm spring night. On Zhuque Street, a carriage was sailing in the rain and fog. The carriage was sealed tightly, and only a hint of light was exposed at the edge of the car window.

A small oil lamp was lit in the carriage, and it seemed to be bright and dark in the running carriage. Behind a small square table, Zhang Yun was closing his eyes and thinking for a long time, as if an old monk had entered into meditation, and there was a letter written to him by the Jiannan Jiedushi Gao Xianzhi. Gao Xianzhi was undoubtedly Zhang Yun's person. Among the various Jiedushi, Zhang Yun was most concerned about the Jiannan Jiedushi. Because of the Gao Xianzhi road, many of Zhang Yun's disciples were transferred to various places of Bashu to serve as officials, and gradually controlled the political arena of Bashu. In return, Zhang

Yun also tried his best to help Gao Xianzhi, and in terms of financial and material resources, the Jiannan Army was able to develop rapidly. Especially in July of the previous year, Zhang Yun successfully persuaded Li Longji to expand the Jiannan Army, increasing the Jiannan Army's military strength from 39,000 to 91,400, which was in par with Fanyang Jiedu Prefecture. In this way, the Jiannan Army became the third largest Jiedu Prefecture of the Tang Dynasty. If it were not for Ge Shuhan as the two Jiedu Prefectures of Hexi, Gao Xianzhi would have become the veritable third Jiedu Prefecture.

However, the tide of vassal reduction since last year also gradually affected Jiannan. Li Longji appointed King Ying Li Yu as the observation envoy of Jiannan Road, the Grand Governor of Yizhou, and was in charge of Yizhou, urged Bashu Yan and Iron, but soon he was appointed as the deputy envoy of Jiannan Jiedu. Li Yu was a very capable person. In just a few months, the troops north of Chengdu Prefecture were controlled by Li Yu, with 40,000 troops, and almost divided Jiannan with Gao Xianzhi.

Among the few sons, Li Longji was the one who was most relieved by Li Longji, so he was not anxious about Jiannan's reduction of the vassal state. He believed that Li Longji would be able to fully control the Jiannan army in the end.

But not long ago, something big happened in Jiannan. Cui Yuan, the prefect of Yizhou, secretly reported to Yang Guozhong that Li Yu had no power to seize Gao Xianzhi at all. The two were colluding with each other to cheat. Li Yu was suspected of being independent. In return to protecting the governor of Jiannan, Gao Xianzhi supported him to take office.

This secret letter from Cui Yuan was sent to Yang Guozhong's mansion yesterday, but Cui Yuan's affairs were not secret and revealed the news. Just this afternoon, Zhang Yun received a secret letter from Gao Xianzhi. On the one hand, he begged him to help him protect the Jiannan Jiedushi, and on the other hand, he hoped that Zhang Yun could persuade Yang Guozhong not to tell Li Longji about Cui Yuan's complaint.

Tonight, Zhang Yun rushed to Yang Guozhong's mansion and tried to convince him to seize Cui Yuan's rumor letter.

In the light and dark light, Zhang Yun seemed a little worried. He knew that he was taking a dangerous move, but the situation was very critical. Once Yang Guozhong forwarded the letter of informing Li Longji, Gao Xianzhi's life might not be guaranteed.

Zhang Yun was known as a tumbler in the political arena of the Middle Tang Dynasty and was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue for a long time. Not only because he was the son of Zhang Shuo, the famous prime minister of the Middle Tang Dynasty, but more importantly, he was good at exchanging interests, was able to make enemies with everyone, and was unwilling to make enemies. Therefore, whether Li Linfu was in power or Yang Guozhong was appointed as prime minister, Zhang Yun could be in peace with them. This time, Zhang Yun was also preparing to exchange interests with Yang Guozhong to resolve Gao Xianzhi's crisis.

Zhang Yun's body swayed gently with the carriage. He was considering what to use to exchange with Yang Guozhong. In fact, he knew very well that Yang Guozhong's biggest political enemy was Wang Gong, and most of Wang Gong's followers were Li Linfu's prime minister party in the past, so Yang Guozhong always wanted to attack the Li Linfu family and attack the prime minister party members in an implicit manner.

Not long ago, Yang Guozhong once hinted that he wanted to get his support in this matter, but Zhang Yun did not make any statement at that time, and today he was ready to make a statement.

The carriage broke through the vast night rain and drove into the gate of Xuanyifang. Not far ahead was Yang Guozhong's mansion.

Today is the birthday of Yang Guozhong’s wife Pei Rou, but this year’s birthday is different from the grand and lively ones before. This year’s low-key year is much more low-key, not only Yang Guozhong, but also other Yang family members. Since Yang Guifei and Li Longji had a quarrel, the Yang family has lost their past glory. They are like leaves hit by frost, and they have all become silent in Chang'an. In addition, the eldest of the three sisters of the Yang family, Mrs. Qin, died of illness last year, which casts an unknown shadow on the Yang family.

So this year Pei Rou's birthday seemed very low-key. The people who celebrated were all from the Yang family, including the Korean lady Yang Yupei, the Guoguo Lady Yang Huahua, and some of Yang Guozhong's brothers and their wives.

It is rare for the Yang family to have such a party, so the lobby is relatively lively, with everyone talking and laughing, gathering together to drink and chat, and trying not to mention unpleasant things.

Pei Rou is the protagonist today. She has her hair combed, her head full of pearls and jade, and is dazzling. She is wearing a light green six-piece wide skirt, which is cut from Shu brocade. It is extremely expensive. It rains outside and it is a little cool. She put on a short half-sleeved jacket, with her chest very low, revealing most of her snow-white breasts. Although Pei Rou has been an official lady for many years and now has a second-rank imperial edict, the kind of slim and cleverness on her body is still difficult to remove. For example, her headwear, most of the truly elegant women can only insert a delicate and delicate stunning stun, which is simple and generous, and looks graceful. Pei Rou's head is filled with dozens of precious jade hairpins and gold hairpins. It is a pearl and treasure, but it gives people a burst of feeling, as if Pei Rou is the female shopkeeper of a jewelry store.

Yang Huahua beside her was dressed gracefully and gorgeously. She was also wearing a wide long skirt, but she looked elegant and beautiful, not as heavy as Pei Rou. In addition, Yang Huahua smiled quickly, and before she knew it, she became the center of the birthday party, and the protagonist Pei Rou became a foil, which made Pei Rou feel very uncomfortable. After a glance, she pointed at Yang Huahua's face in surprise and said loudly: "Three sister, why are there wrinkles on the corners of your eyes? Is it because she slept too late every night?"

There was something in her words, and a few teenagers from the Yang family covered their mouths and laughed out loud. Yang Huahua's face suddenly sank, and she fought back with one sentence, "There is no wrinkles in the corner of my eyes, but it's because the third sister-in-law's head is too bright, which makes my face blurry."

"How could it be? Look, this is obviously a wrinkle!"

Pei Rou approached and counted: "One, two, three..."

She sighed, "Hey! Third sister, you are really a little old. I care about you, don't take it to your heart!"

Yang Huahua sneered and said, "How could I take it to my heart! I know that my third sister-in-law likes to count. For example, tonight, my third sister-in-law will definitely lock herself in the room and carefully count the birthday gifts, Yiguan, twoguan, and threeguan... Hey! No, why is this money worth only nine hundred yuan? Who gave her birthday gift, dares to tease me?"

Yang Huahua performed with passion, which made the lobby burst into laughter. Many women laughed so hard that they turned blue. Pei Rou's face turned blue and said viciously: "I am very poor, unlike some people who have an emperor's brother-in-law who secretly gave fragrant powder, and they can do whatever they want."

As soon as this sentence came out, the lobby suddenly became silent. Pei Rou suddenly felt that she had said too much and murmured: "I am a singular word, third sister, don't go to heart."

Yang Huahua didn't care. She lazily pushed her chest up and said lightly: "It's too boring in the lobby, I'll go out for a walk."

She stood up and walked out. After she left, the lobby gradually became lively again.

Yang Huahua walked along the garden path and soon arrived at the quieter west yard. This was Yang Guozhong's expensive guest room. She flashed into the first room, took out a small bronze mirror from her arms, and looked at the corners of her eyes carefully at the light. Sure enough, there were a few faint wrinkles. Yang Huahua felt annoyed in her heart, and with a crisp sound, she threw the bronze mirror to the ground.

"Who is it!" A shout came from the inner room, and it was Yang Guozhong's voice.

"Brother Third, is it you?"

Yang Huahua was extremely surprised. How could Yang Guozhong be here? She suddenly realized that Yang Guozhong might be hiding here and stealing fish! She covered her mouth and smiled: "Third brother, it's okay! Please continue, I'll leave right away."

Just as she was about to slip away, Yang Guozhong walked out and smiled and said, "San Sister, where are you thinking about? I am a dignified right prime minister. Do you need to hide here if you want to find a woman?"

"What are the third brother hiding here?" Yang Huahua asked curiously.

"Oh!" Yang Guozhong sighed and said, "To be honest, An Lushan's confidant Liu Luogu sent me a few boxes of heavy gifts. I was in a dilemma. I wonder if I should accept it?"

"Where is the great gift? Let's take a look!"

It is a woman's natural hobby to like gold, silver and jewelry. Yang Huahua suddenly shone with her eyebrows and rushed into the inner room like a gust of wind. The inner room was brightly lit and there were four large boxes on the ground. The boxes themselves were carved with large pieces of agarwood, which were extremely precious. Yang Huahua is an expert in knowing goods. She saw the preciousness of the box at a glance, and squatted down and gently stroked it, unable to let go of it.

"Brother Third, can I open it and take a look?"

"Look!" Yang Guozhong sat down. He was worried and it was his nature to like bribes. Of course, he liked to accept heavy gifts. But An Lushan's sensitive gifts were not that simple. It must be related to the reduction of the vassals. He wanted to help him delay Fan Yang's reduction of the vassals. Other things were easy to say, but the reduction of the vassals was extraordinary. If he was not careful, he would offend Li Longji's rebellion. At the very least, he would lose his official position, and at the worst, he would die. This gift was not easy to accept!

At this time, Yang Huahua had already opened a large agarwood box. Her eyes were suddenly blurred, and she was dazzling by the brilliant golden light. The box was filled with a large piece of gold. She tried to pick up one, but it was heavy and she couldn't pick it up.

She couldn't help but say: "Three brothers, how much gold is there?"

"The three boxes are all gold, a total of 10,000 taels, and the other box is the land deed of 30,000 acres of land on the field. I can't afford this tribute from An Lushan!"

"If I can't bear it, give it to me! I can afford it." Yang Huahua smiled and said with a smile.

"You can't afford it either. This is the price that An Lushan used to buy him without losing his military power. The current emperor is no longer the Li Sanlang used to be. Third sister, you can't influence him."

"I'm just kidding, and An Lushan didn't give it to me."

Yang Huahua smiled, and she said to Yang Guozhong again: "Third Brother, I advise you to accept this gift. How capable are you? An Lushan knows very well that if you don't have that ability, he wouldn't give you such a heavy gift. You don't have to help him specifically, just help him find excuses. Wouldn't he just want to keep the position of governor? The excuses are found by people. As long as the third brother does something for him, success or failure is another matter. It's not too late to return the gift to him if he really doesn't succeed. Third brother, do you think this is the reason?"

Yang Guozhong thought about it and it was true that this is true. If the priest can't continue to reduce the vassal states and finally the priest gives up, wouldn't this gift be accepted with peace of mind? What's the matter now? He felt relieved and smiled and said, "Thanks to the third sister who reminded me that the person who saw it is worth it, and the third brother is not stingy. I will give you one box of these three boxes of gold."

Yang Huahua was overjoyed, "Do you really give it to me?"

"When will the third brother lie to you? I will have someone to bring you a carriage later, but don't tell your third sister-in-law."

"Of course I won't say it!"

The birthday party was full of joy. After a fight with Pei Rou, the stingy woman, she actually got a box of gold. It's worth it!

At this time, the housekeeper's report came from the yard, "Master, Shangshu Zhang has an urgent matter and is waiting outside the mansion."

Yang Guozhong was stunned. What did Zhang Yun come to him for so late? He changed his mind and suddenly realized that it was for Cui Yuan's secret letter. How did he know?

"Please!"

Zhang Yun was invited to Yang Guozhong's study room. As soon as he entered the door, he bowed and smiled: "I don't know that today is the birthday of the Prime Minister's wife. I have not prepared a birthday gift. I am ashamed! Please allow me to make up for it tomorrow."

Yang Guozhong also replied with a smile: "Shangshu Zhang is out of here, and Shangshu Zhang is not here to attend the birthday. What does it matter whether they give gifts or not? They are here to celebrate the birthday, so let's talk about the main business!"

Zhang Yun heard that Yang Guozhong seemed to guess what he wanted in his tone, so he smiled and said, "Then I will disturb the prime minister."

The two of them took a seat separately. A maid brought two cups of tea. Yang Guozhong smiled and said, "I think it's more convenient to not close the door at night. What do you think Zhang Shangshu think?"

"Yes! Otherwise I will not be able to visit the prime minister tonight. When I was on the way, I wanted to call everyone to join forces to report to the emperor and officially abolish the night gate system."

Yang Guozhong laughed, "The heroes have the same views, and I have the same intention. How about we report together?"

When Zhang Yun heard his random words, what does it mean to be 'heroes' similar to each other', he couldn't help but shake his head in his heart. The dignified Right Prime Minister actually had a disagreement, which was also a strange story in the Tang Dynasty. He despised him, but he said sincerely: "Then we will make a decision, and Yang Shangshu will lead me, and I will be the second one."

The two of them took another sip of tea and gradually brought the topic to the main business.

"A few days ago, I thought about the matter proposed by Yang Xiangguo for a long time when I returned home and thought we might be able to discuss it."

"What is Zhang Shangshu referring to?" Yang Guozhong asked pretending to be confused.

Zhang Yun didn't say anything, lowered his head and savored the tea slowly. After a while, Yang Guozhong suddenly realized something and slapped his forehead and smiled: "I remembered it, it turned out to be that thing."

"Have Yang Xiangguo remembered it?" Zhang Yun looked at him with a smile.

"Well! I remembered it, what do you say about that?"

Zhang Yun stopped talking. He changed his voice and turned to the reduction of the vassal states. He sighed softly and said, "I think the emperor is really irrational in the matter of collecting military power of the governor. If he doesn't make it happen, there will be chaos in the Tang Dynasty."

"Did Zhang Shangshu refer to An Sishun's refusal to give up the incident of Shuofang Jiedu?"

An Sishun's reply that he refused to give up Shuofang's military power was sent to Chang'an three days ago. It is said that Li Longji was furious and almost relapsed after a chronic illness. For three consecutive days, he locked himself in the palace and no one was seen. Therefore, Yang Guozhong could not send Cui Yuan's letter of complaint into the palace. Otherwise, according to Yang Guozhong's eagerness to take back Jiannan's power, he would have reported it long ago.

Zhang Yun nodded and said, "Although An Sishun spoke implicitly and had excuses, he actually refused to obey the order. A military governor who held military power did not obey the order. From Li Qing'an to An Sishun, isn't this the crisis of my Tang Dynasty? I guess Ge Shuhan would not obey the order either."

Yang Guozhong also sighed and said, "But this is not something that we ministers can change. Didn't Zhang Shangshu realize that the emperor's temperament has changed drastically in the past few months? Not only has his body collapsed, but his actions seem to be wishful thinking and an unrealistic fantasy. It seems something is wrong with him."

Yang Guozhong pointed and whispered: "It's something wrong here."

From the current point of view, Li Longji seems to have developed geriatric fantasy, but the degree is not serious, but Yang Guozhong and Zhang Yun do not understand. They just feel that something is wrong with Li Longji.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Yun said, "So we can't add fuel to the fire, we can no longer stimulate him with the matter of reducing the vassal states. We must remain silent in some things."

"What is Zhang Shangshu talking about? Give an example!"

Although Yang Guozhong was not very politically talented and often did stupid things, he was also an extremely smart person. After gradually understanding what Zhang Yun meant, he told Zhang Yun that he might as well provoke it.

Zhang Yun smiled and said, "For example, can we keep silent in the letter sent by Prefect Cui?"

As expected, this was the case. Seeing that he had guessed, Yang Guozhong couldn't help but feel proud, and he smiled and said, "It's not impossible to keep silent, but I take too much risk. If someone impeaches me, I can't explain it. So... Zhang Shangshu, do you understand what I mean?"

"Oh well!"

Having said this, there was no need for Zhang Yun to go around again. He coughed and showed his sincerity.
Chapter completed!