A figure bowed deeply before Li Shimin.
“Father, your son takes his leave!”
“Hmm, go, learn from Wei Zheng how to handle matters, but don't learn his temper.
Pay attention to Chen Fan's safety. Once you leave, he will surely be the center of attention!”
Li Shimin nodded, his face serious as he instructed.
Li Chengqian bowed again, then stood up, revealing his tall and upright figure.
“Your son will remember this and follow your father's teachings!”
“Good, go then!”
Li Shimin rubbed his forehead, seeming a little impatient.
Seeing this, Li Chengqian's eyes dimmed slightly. He bowed again and left.
As Li Chengqian's back disappeared, a hidden gentleness appeared on Li Shimin's face.
“He still lacks tempering. With such a heart, how can he hold the throne!”
Li Shimin's murmured words were not heard by Li Chengqian.
The few eunuchs present lowered their heads, wishing they had heard nothing.
Suddenly, an eunuch hurried in and respectfully said to Li Shimin.
“Your Majesty, Minister Xue from the Ministry of War, Minister Feng from the Ministry of Rites, and Minister Zhang and two others seek an audience!”
“Is it Xue Chengfeng, Feng Wancheng and the others?”
Li Shimin thought for a moment and then understood who it was.
Although he heavily used Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's old subordinates, it was mainly to counterbalance Li Yuan's legacy.
To say he had no reservations about them would be a complete lie.
But before they made any clear moves, Li Shimin had no intention of taking action against them.
These people were diligently doing their jobs.
They didn't do more than they should, nor did they do less.
The two sides were slowly building trust through mutual probing.
Now they had all come together, could it be that they had finally come to trust him and were ready to open their hearts?
This was good news!
Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand, saying.
“Let them wait in the Two Instruments Hall, I'll be there soon!”
“Yes!”
...
“This minister Xue Chengfeng / Feng Wancheng... pays respects to Your Majesty!”
“Rise, my loyal ministers. What brings you all here?”
Li Shimin asked cheerfully, his eyes scanning over the faces of the crowd, nodding silently.
Most of the core members of Li Jiancheng's old subordinates were present.
The remaining two or three were insignificant.
With a firm control over Li Jiancheng's old subordinates, he could then leverage some of the old ministers left by his father.
He could send a few to enjoy their retirement in some leisurely positions, without worrying about any turmoil in the court.
“This...”
The group looked at each other, surprised that they had all come together.
This was a bit awkward!
Xue Chengfeng gritted his teeth, as most of them were already here, it didn't matter anymore.
“Your Majesty, this minister has something important to report, please dismiss your entourage.”
The smile on Li Shimin's face faded, he scanned Xue Chengfeng's face several times.
Then, he waved his hand, leaving only Gu Zhong.
Meanwhile, outside the imperial palace, in a certain temple.
A nun with a compassionate face, radiating a peaceful and tranquil aura, sat quietly in meditation.
Before her, stood the brothers Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, both exuding a chilling aura.
Suddenly, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji simultaneously trembled, a glimmer of joy flashing in their eyes.
“Bodhisattva, my younger brother has learned of our return from the underworld!”
Sensing a connection from somewhere beyond, Li Jiancheng hurriedly spoke to the nun before him.
The nun slowly opened her eyes, her pure gaze sweeping over Li Jiancheng.
Instantly, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji felt as if they had been cleansed by pure water, all their emotions dissolving.
“Amitabha, good, good!
Karma is fixed, the grand scheme is complete, this nun thanks you both for your assistance!”
Li Jiancheng's eyes flashed with fear as he bowed before the nun.
He quickly pulled his brother back and forced a smile, reminding her.
“We aided Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva in avoiding the Heavenly Son's dragon energy, and the Bodhisattva helped us establish the Netherworld Ghost Nation.
It was merely a transaction, not deserving such a great courtesy from the Bodhisattva!”
“Free or bound, I see myself as free, you have great wisdom, master!”
Avalokiteshvara held a mudra, her jade bottle rose, sealing this karma.
Seeing Avalokiteshvara complete the arrangement, Li Jiancheng clasped his hands and said.
“This matter is settled, we await the Bodhisattva's good news as karma brews, Yuanji and I shall wait.”
He spoke, a face full of fear, Li Jiancheng grabbed Li Yuanji and ran.
Dark mist of Yin energy rose, their figures vanished instantly.
Seeing the two leave, the compassionate and peaceful aura on Avalokiteshvara instantly vanished.
She stretched out her white jade hand and wiped the sweat that wasn't there from her forehead, muttering.
“Ugh, damn, this damn Chang'an city has too much human suppression.
The rest is up to Yuan Shou Cheng, I'm exhausted, time to rest, time to rest!”
Inside the Two Instruments Hall of the imperial court, Li Shimin reprimanded with a blue face.
“Nonsense, you...”
Looking at Xue Chengfeng and the others who were dead serious, Li Shimin pursed his lips, but he didn't say anything harsh.
Although he didn't want to admit it, the return of those two.
But there was no reason for Xue Chengfeng and the others to joke about this.
However, since they even dared to report this matter to him.
Then these people were at least loyal, which was good news!
“I lost my composure, do not mind me, my loyal ministers. Go, get someone.
Reward Minister Xue, Minister Feng, and the other five, one hundred taels of gold and ten bolts of silk!”
“We, thank Your Majesty for your benevolence!”
...
Ten miles south of Zhaojia Village, Chen Fan looked at the vast wasteland before him, full of vigor.
“From here to there, I want it all, how much?”
The county magistrate of Qing Shui County held a map, his eyes shining with excitement as he looked at Chen Fan's directions.
He called on the clerks of the household department, one by one picking up their abacus, a clattering sound filling the air.
“Young Master Chen has good eyesight, such a connected piece of land, with mountains and rivers, is rare!”