"Taoist Master, it's autumn and the leaves are turning yellow."
"Um."
"The persimmon tree you planted is about to ripen again. Why don't we go back?"
The person who asked the question was a little Taoist boy named Xianyun. While sharpening the ink for Li Bi who was writing at a fast pace, he asked questions in a very rude manner, and couldn't help but look out the window.
"When we came down from the mountain, the Taoist priest told the ancestor that he would go back after three months. Now it has been more than half a year."
"It's almost time. I can go back when the country is stable."
Li Mi stopped the pen in his hand and followed the Taoist boy's gaze. He saw that there was also a persimmon tree in the yard, and red persimmons were hanging on the tree.
Interestingly, he has lived in this house for half a year, and today is the first time he discovered a persimmon tree in the backyard that has already produced so many fruits, because he is too busy.
Just before today, he had slept in the political hall for more than half a month.
As the prime minister of a country, he not only has to organize reforms, but also has to worry about the turbulent situation in the court. You can imagine the pressure he faces.
"Taoist Priest?"
"If you want to hunt persimmons, go ahead." Li Bi said.
Xianyun was immediately happy, but then asked curiously: "Why are the persimmons grown by Daozhang hard and astringent, while the persimmons grown in Chang'an are red and sweet?"
"That's the fire crystal persimmon from Lintong. It's said that 'the red persimmon comes from Huashan, has a thin and cute skin, and a sweeter taste.' This fire crystal persimmon is for sucking. When you take a bite, all the juice and meat will go into the stomach, leaving only one layer.
Skin."
"Really?" Xianyun couldn't help but swallowed.
"Really, please hit me more gently, otherwise it will break."
"Taoist Priest, why does the trunk of the persimmon tree in this courtyard seem to be pieced together?" Xianyun asked, "The color below the trunk is different."
"That's grafted." Li Bi said, "The stump was originally a jujube tree, or a wild persimmon tree, grafted with the branches of a fire crystal persimmon."
"Wow."
Xianyun was greatly surprised by the novelty and sighed: "Can we grow such a big persimmon tree like this?"
"Yeah, it's like..."
Li Mi stopped mid-sentence and became distracted.
He thought to himself that this persimmon tree was just like today's tree. It was just a wild tree grafted with the spike branches of the fire crystal persimmon. Now it has grown into a towering tree and bears abundant fruits.
What people want is this fire crystal persimmon. Does it matter what kind of root the root is?
"Taoist Priest?"
"Go ahead." Li Mi came back to his senses and said, "Leave two persimmons for me."
"Okay!"
Xianyun cheered, turned around and ran away.
Li Bi continued to immerse himself in official duties. After handling many court affairs, Xianyun hurried over and handed an unopened letter into his hand.
"Taoist Master, a letter from Luoyang."
"Give it to me."
Li Mi opened the letter with deeper thoughts in his eyes, and then went to visit Li Yazhou in person.
~~
The next day, when Li Bi went to the palace to have an audience, he held two fire crystal persimmons and presented them to Xue Bai.
He must mention the method of grafting. He does not want to put Xue Bai at ease right away, but giving some subtle advice is always useful.
However, after Xue Bai ate the persimmon, he didn't take his rhetoric seriously, and instead asked him a very embarrassing question.
"Brother Changyuan, you must know about me and the Yang sisters."
Li Mi simply pretended to be stupid and responded calmly: "I don't know."
Xue Bai was now becoming more and more shameless, saying: "I have a deep friendship with the Yang sisters, and I want to give them a title. What does Brother Changyuan think?"
"I don't know who these Yang sisters are?" Li Mi's tone was a little stiff.
Xue Bai then calmly said: "Yang Yuyao, Yang Yuhuan."
"Your Majesty! Do you know what you are talking about?!"
"Isn't it always like this in the Tang Dynasty? Why can't I do what others can do? Is it because you still don't obey me?"
After hearing this, Li Mi's face turned solemn, and he finally lost his temper.
"What kind of emperor do you want to be?!"
"You want power, and you seize it at all costs; you want to change the law, and you insist on doing what you say, and you don't hesitate to use the butcher's knife to force all officials to obey; you are already the only one who dominates, so why do you violate justice with personal feelings?
You can't bear any restraint, you just want to do whatever you want, what are you if you're not a fool?!"
"I am from the mountains. I was invited by Duke Yan to come down the mountain this time. I wanted to eliminate the trouble and then come back. For this reason, I obeyed you in every possible way. You turned a deaf ear and only made the trouble worse. How selfish you are!"
Li Bi did not say these words with the attitude of a minister towards the king, but with the sincerity between friends.
Then, he realized that his tone was serious, so he lowered his posture and became more respectful.
"Is Your Majesty deliberately torturing me and the subjects of the Tang Dynasty? How long are you going to torture us?"
"yes."
Xue Bai actually answered frankly.
He was calm from beginning to end, even calmer than Li Mi, a Taoist.
"I am just a wild tree, which has survived wind, frost, rain and snow, and managed to claw its way out from between the cracks of boulders. However, you always regard me as a fire crystal persimmon cultivated by you. I will remind you all the time."
"Your Majesty, why don't you just kill me and be free like a wild tree from now on!"
After Li Mi said this, he waved his sleeves angrily and walked away without caring about the etiquette of the emperor and his ministers.
He left the Xuanzheng Hall, with an expression of anger that he had never seen before on his face.
Until I left the palace and returned to the house.
After entering the door, the angry expression on his face disappeared and he quickly regained his composure.
When he walked to the corridor, he took off his shoes and used a duster to sweep away the dust on his shoes. Then he walked through the corridor and vomited in the quiet room.
In fact, he was not overly aggressive, and the gaffe just now was all staged.
"Taoist Master."
Xianyun poked his head in and said, "I heard from the concierge that you are angry?"
"Maybe." Li Bi said.
Xianyun had never seen Li Mi angry before. He originally wanted to see something strange, but unfortunately he ran over in a hurry, but was disappointed.
Then, he walked to Li Mi and whispered: "Taoist Priest, someone is here to see you."
This incident was not unusual, but Xianyun looked mysterious. Li Mi then opened his eyes and asked, "Why are you acting like this?"
"Because the person who came is a woman, and she is a beautiful woman."
…
The person was quietly attracted from the side door and was waiting under the persimmon tree in the backyard. Although she was a woman, she was wearing an inconspicuous men's robe and had a turban on her head.
Li Mi recognized her at a glance and saluted, "Princess Princess."
Li Yuetu turned around and said, "I haven't seen you for many years, sir. I am no longer the princess."
She is no longer the carefree girl she used to be, and there is a little more sadness in her expression.
"I heard that your husband has returned to the court, and I have long wanted to come and visit you. However, I was worried that it would bring trouble to my husband, so I have postponed it until today."
Li Mi asked: "Then why did the princess come today?"
Li Yuetu said: "I happened to listen to Princess Boping discussing the current situation. I learned that your husband has angered the emperor today, and I am worried about your safety, so I came here."
Today, what happened not long ago, many important ministers may not have received the news. As Li Yuituo, he was able to rush here as soon as possible. This is a very strange thing in itself.
Li Bisui took a deep look at her and said, "The princess has changed."
"yes."
Li Yuetu admitted: "How can people remain unchanged? I am no longer the person I used to be."
Her sad eyes gradually revealed a tenacity, which was somewhat similar to her brother Li Chu.
"I often feel that it is my fault that the Tang Dynasty is in this state."
"The Princess is overthinking," Li Bi said, "The current situation in the Tang Dynasty may not be bad. Even if there is a problem, it is definitely not your fault."
"In the past, my father and brother competed with Xue Bai for power, but I did not support them." Li Yuetu said, "On the surface, it was because I didn't like fighting for power and was soft-hearted and easy to take advantage of. In fact, I was too stupid. I secretly wanted to get close to Xue Bai.
Bai...I liked him at that time, so I did too many stupid things. Looking back now, I wish I could strangle that stupid me to death."
Li Mi did not deny her reflection, but calmly explained to her: "The princess does not need to be jealous. It is human nature to admire her at a young age."
"But I can't get rid of my self-blame." Li Yuetu said: "My father and brother are dead, and they hated me until the last moment."
Li Mi sighed slightly.
He was a Taoist and should have helped her overcome her mental calamity.
But at this moment, he stood in front of her and found that he could not save her. The past experience had opened a deep crack in Li Yuetu's heart, which could not be eliminated by talking about Taoist principles.
"My husband must have noticed that I am no longer as kind and ignorant as I used to be. In recent years, I have been imitating someone and learning to become a person like her."
"Du Erniang."
"yes."
Li Yuetu actually got along with Du Jin for a period of time.
She lost her mother when she was young and was raised by Concubine Wei. When Du Jin became the crown prince Liangdi, she was much younger and more beautiful than Concubine Wei, and she was very threatening.
When Du Jin entered the Prince's Courtyard, Li Yuetu could sense that Du Jin was deeply scheming and ambitious. She didn't like her being like that, and she never thought that one day she would be like that.
"I never helped my father and brother when they were alive, but after they left, I inherited their legacy and secretly accumulated strength. I went to see Pugu Huai'en, Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi... At the same time, I had to avoid Du Jin's
Eyes and ears, I can only do it if I become a person like Du Jin."
To this day, all this is particularly difficult for Li Yuetu. She must have suffered a lot of grievances. As she talks, her nose turns slightly red.
She sniffed and added: "Actually, I have been secretly spying on you, sir, to observe whether he is really loyal to Xue Bai. Today I dared to make a judgment and come to see you."
Li Bi said: "I have never been able to discover it."
"After all, I have suffered so much, so I should be smarter." Li Yuetu said: "Xue Bai wants to make Yang his concubine, right? This matter has broken Mr.'s bottom line."
Li Bi said: "Your Majesty has indeed gone too far regarding Concubine Yang."
Li Yuetu said: "Guo Ziyi failed to win, so I have no other way to think of it. Now that Li Tang State is in danger, how about asking Sir to help me assassinate Xue Bai?"
~~
Li Mi's Taoist robes were already eye-catching, and coupled with his conspicuous action of carrying the pudding into the palace and walking away angrily today, the news quickly reached Yuan Zai's ears.
Yuan Zai suddenly became alert, unable to sit still, and kept thinking about this matter.
"The last time I offered two red pills, I was under suspicion by Your Majesty. This time I offered two red persimmons with ulterior motives."
Just when he was uncertain, the concierge came to report that Xue Yaoying was back.
Xue Yaoying was the hostage placed by Yuan Zai at Du Jin's place. When she suddenly returned, the situation must have changed greatly, so Yuan Zai couldn't wait to see her.
"Alang."
Xue Yaoying walked through the door in a hurry. She was so impatient that she tripped over the hem of her skirt when she crossed the threshold.
Yuan Zai quickly stepped forward to support him.
The warm and fragrant soft jade was in his arms, and the two hadn't seen each other for a long time. They were supposed to be a raging match, but Yuan Zai anxiously asked first: "How? How could Du Erniang let you come back?"
Xue Yaoying's heart was up and down, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief and whispered something shocking.
"Alang, big news... Li Bi is going to assassinate His Majesty."
"What?"
In fact, this is not new news at all. Before, Yuan Zai found out Li Mi's thoughts from Zhang Yong and told Du Jin.
Yuan Zai was at a disadvantage because he complained but was turned against him. Yuan Zai was not sure that Li Mi would take action, so he was suspicious.
But then he thought about it and realized that this was indeed the time for Li Mi to take action.
"Do you know his plan?"
Xue Yaoying nodded and said: "Li Mi met some people secretly, and even Er Niang didn't find out the identity of the other party. In five days, His Majesty will go to the outskirts of Beijing to inspect, and I'm afraid Li Mi will take action at that time."
"This time, it is time for Du Erniang to go and tell His Majesty."
After Yuan Zai suffered the loss last time, he did not dare to go to Xue Bai to inform him again, but then he thought about it, even if Du Erniang reported it in person, His Majesty might not believe it.
Xue Yaoying said: "Second mother-in-law, it is better to catch Zheng Xing, get rid of Li Bi directly, kill those who are foolishly loyal to Li Tang, and support your majesty in changing the name of the country to Tang Dynasty."
In this way, the interests after the completion of the matter will be completely different. Yuan Zai can also become a founding hero, and this is much higher than assisting the founding king to conquer the world immediately.
"Then you go tell her and follow what Er Niang said..."
~~
A few days later, Xue Bai went on a patrol in the suburbs of Chang'an.
He went out of the capital in the name of hunting. In addition to the imperial guards, he also had close ministers, including Li Mi, Yuan Zai and others.
That night, the team stayed north of Bianqiao. Yuan Zai was extremely cautious and repeatedly told Diao Bing to be careful about guarding His Majesty. He privately went to investigate several locations where Li Mi might set up ambushes.
But the strange thing is that Yuan Zai didn't find anything abnormal.
He felt uneasy about this and wandered near the Emperor several times at night, his eyes becoming more and more thoughtful.
"That's not right. How could Du Erniang's news be false?"
suddenly.
"Who's there?!"
Yuan Zai turned around and saw a group of Forbidden Army generals coming quickly, but they were coming towards him.
Soon, he was brought to Xue Bai.
Xue Bai was still awake. When he saw Yuan Zai, he didn't show any surprise. He just asked lightly: "What's wrong?"
When things got to this point, Yuan Zai responded: "I am worried that someone is going to assassinate Your Majesty."
"This time, is Li Mi going to poison me with two persimmons?"
"I have never been able to eliminate my wariness towards Li Mi, and I discovered that he was acting strangely."
Yuan Zai did not dare to say that he had obtained the news about Du Jin, lest Xue Bai knew that they were unanimously dealing with Li Mi, so he had to claim that he had discovered it himself.
At this time, someone outside made a report.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Li has asked to see you, saying that he has an urgent matter."
Yuan Zai immediately felt something bad and worried that he had been tricked by Li Mi again, using the same method.
After a while, the figure in Taoist robes entered, looking much more calm than Yuan Zai.
"Your Majesty, be safe." Li Mi saluted, but did not say anything serious. Instead, he glanced at Yuan Zai, as if he did not want to say it in front of him.
Xue Bai said: "It's late at night. If you have anything to do, I'll report it. It just so happens that you two are here, so we can also 'discuss' with each other."
"Yes, I got clues about the Luoshui assassination case..."
"His Majesty!"
Before he finished speaking, with the rapid sound of horse hooves in the distance, someone broke in and fell to the ground.
"Your Majesty! Madam Yang has been assassinated!"
"What did you say?"
Xue Bai rarely lost his composure in front of his ministers, but now he stood up with a look of disbelief.
The person who came immediately kowtowed heavily on the ground, and there was a muffled sound.
"The villain is guilty! The villain failed to protect Madam Yang. Your Majesty, please give me death!"
"Say!" Xue Bai scolded: "What's going on?!"
"Today, Mrs. Yang heard that someone was performing "White Snake" in Dongshi, and she was a famous actor from Hangzhou, so she decided to go and watch it. She booked a private room and sat down. She happened to see an old woman selling persimmons walking downstairs.
However, looking very pitiful, Mrs. Yang said, "Xue Lang just said a few days ago that the fire crystal persimmons in season are delicious" and ordered the villain to buy them. After the villain walked away, several people armed with crossbows came to the private room...
The villain is guilty!"
Yuan Zai raised his eyes and saw Xue Bai standing there, his expression unclear.
But he could completely feel the terrifying anger and murderous intent.
The next moment, Yuan Zai immediately looked at Li Mi.
Li Mi looked as usual, not surprised by this incident.
"Your Majesty, I think this must have been done by Li Mi!" Yuan Zai spoke decisively.
He knew without thinking that the so-called "Ms. Yang" must refer to Yang Yuhuan, and the person behind this matter could only be Li Bi.
Not long ago, Li Mi was discourteous in front of the emperor because the emperor wanted to canonize Yang Yuhuan. Later, in order to prevent the incident, he simply killed Yang Yuhuan. Unfortunately, although Du Jin got the clue, he mistakenly thought that it was Li Mi who wanted to assassinate.
Son of Heaven.
All this is logical and there is nothing to doubt... Even if there was, it was Li Mi who wanted Yuan Zai to kill him.
When Xue Bai heard this, he looked at Li Mi with a very threatening look.
"Li Changyuan, tell me."
Li Bi said: "I would like to ask your Majesty to express my condolences."
The tent became quiet.
Xue Bai stared at Li Mi, giving him the last chance to explain. If he didn't hear a reasonable explanation, he would kill Li Mi.
Gradually, even Yuan Zai who was standing by could no longer bear the silence and pressure.
"His Majesty."
Du Jin's voice sounded outside the tent, and then, before Xue Bai could speak, she went straight inside.
"It's my fault." Du Jin whispered to Xue Bai, "I noticed something was wrong, but I only cared about protecting His Majesty's safety and reminded Yuan Zai to deal with Li Mi, but I didn't expect that he would kill Yang Yuhuan."
"Is there any evidence?"
"The murderer was caught and the evidence was found."
Du Jin waved and immediately had an old woman and several men in black escorted over.
Xue Bai looked at the old woman and said, "You look familiar, have I seen you before?"
The old woman lowered her head and said nothing.
Xue Bai picked up the candle, took a closer look, and soon remembered that this was the person next to Li Yuetu. Li Yuetu and Xue Bai were neighbors in Xuanyangfang back then. He also met this old woman several times, and she often laughed at that time.
Call him "Xue Langjun".
Du Jin said: "This is Princess Hezheng's wet nurse, a remnant of loyalty to the king."
"Pooh."
The old woman finally spoke and said: "I have been serving the prince for more than thirty years. Don't you know who is the usurper? You two adulterers and adulterers are the remnant of evil!"
Du Jin was not angry even after being scolded by her, and pointed at the men in black.
"Tell me! Who ordered you to assassinate?"
Those men in black knew they were going to die, but they all kept silent.
Du Jin was about to be tortured again, but Xue Bai had already ordered: "Take them all and kill them."
"Here!"
Immediately, the Imperial Guards swarmed up and took all these people down. After a while, several screams could be heard outside.
Du Jin didn't need them to find out who was behind the scenes. He looked at Li Mi and said, "Li Mi, you secretly met with Li Yuetu seven days ago, right?"
"yes."
"Admitted it?" Du Jin said, "Don't worry, she can't escape. I have ordered people to capture her."
Li Bi did not answer, but turned to Xue Bai and said, "Your Majesty, I haven't finished what I just reported."
At this moment, he actually thought that Xue Bai was still in the mood to listen to him.
"explain."
Xue Bai really allowed him to say it.
Li Bi said: "I ask you to step aside."
Xue Bai sat down and waved his hand. Soon, they were the only ones left in the tent.
Li Mi just said: "I have found out the person behind the assassination of Du Erniang at Tianjin Bridge in Luoyang."
When Du Niang heard this, she became curious and asked, "Who?"
"It's you, Du Erniang."
"I?"
Du Jin didn't feel any panic, but as if he had heard the funniest joke, he sneered and asked, "You mean, I assassinate myself?"
"No, you are trying to create the illusion that someone has assassinated His Majesty." Li Bi said.
"Why should I do this?"
"To force Mr. Yan away."
"Li Changyuan, I know you are very clever, but you can't even think of driving a wedge between Your Majesty and me with just a few gossipy words." Du Jin finally got angry, "Although I am a woman, I will never treat myself in a crisis.
People take action."
Li Bi said: "But in your eyes, Yan Gong is not one of your own. You want His Majesty to change his surname to Tang Dynasty, but Yan Gong is loyal to Li Tang Sheji. You think that His Majesty's power comes from your planning, but in fact, His Majesty is born with
As destiny has dictated, you have no choice but to get rid of all those around His Majesty who uphold his orthodoxy, such as Duke Yan and me."
"Oh."
"You wanted to be the queen from the beginning, and you never gave up this ambition." Li Bi said, "For this reason, you assassinated yourself and got rid of Duke Yan to attack the power of the descendants. This time, you planned to kill Yang
Concubine, the purpose is to anger Your Majesty and force Your Majesty to kill me, and then overthrow the Tang Dynasty."
"You claim to be a gentleman, but you only rely on conjectures to speculate on my thoughts with a villain's heart. It is extremely ridiculous." Du Jin said: "Your Majesty cannot believe a word you say."
"Your Majesty knows."
Li Mi suddenly uttered these four words, which finally made Du Jin stunned for a moment.
"Your Majesty must have known these truths all along." Li Bi turned to Xue Bai and said, "Du Erniang is your Majesty's sword. Your Majesty wants to use her to intimidate us and other officials, so you always indulge her. But has your Majesty ever thought about it?
You are Li Tang's destiny, there is no need to rely on Du Erniang, she is His Majesty's inner demon."
After Yuan Zai heard this, he suddenly felt a sense of fear in his heart.
He looked up and saw that Xue Bai was completely hidden in the darkness, his thoughts unfathomable...