Tibet

Li Ye put a report and a box on the table and pushed it to his grandfather, "This is my investigation report, and the box is a gift from my grandson to my grandfather."

"Gao Xianzhi also gave me a lot of treasures this time. I distributed them all to my descendants, and you and your father also kept a share."

Li Ye smiled and shook his head, "Although the gift from my grandson is also gold, it is different from Gao Xianzhi's gift."

"What is it?"

Li Linfu opened the box curiously and found a golden scepter inside.

He read a line, and it was engraved in Sogdian script below, with Chinese characters next to it, 'Protect the country Yehu'.

"This is."

"This is the grandson's scepter in Bahanna. I am their protector of the country, Yehu. There are three major Yehus in Bahan, Prince Yehu, Master Yehu, and the protector of the country, Yehu, who is equivalent to the supervisor of the country. If the prince inherits the throne unkindly, I have the power to depose him and establish a new king, but it will be of no use to my grandson, it is just a souvenir given to my grandfather."

Li Linfu chuckled, "Okay! My grandson is actually the governor of Bukhanna, so you can simply depose the prince and establish yourself as the king. I promise to support him!"

Li Ye said with a wry smile on his face: "Grandpa is joking, I don't want to be that guy from Bukhan. My grandson is now an envoy of Broken Leaf Soldiers and Horses. King Bukhan has to be respectful when he sees me!"

Li Linfu nodded, "This battle with Dashi was very exciting. It showed the prestige of the Tang Dynasty. The emperor issued an edict a month ago to reward all the officers and soldiers of the Anxi Army and Beiting Army who participated in the war. Each officer was promoted to one level, but the reward The list of generals does not include you, do you know why?"

Li Ye shook his head, and Li Linfu smiled slightly and said: "It's okay if you don't know. Not only are there no you, but also Gao Xianzhi and Cheng Qianli. The three of you are special commendations. Gao Xianzhi has been named the Duke of Ji and will soon be appointed as the governor of Hexi Province. Cheng Qianli has been granted the title of Duke of Pengcheng and will serve as the governor of Hedong. The decree has been issued, but you are still missing. The emperor said that he will reward you in person."

"At least he's a county official!"

"I don't know either. It just depends on whether the emperor is bestowed according to the royal family or the clan."

"Is there a difference between the two?"

"Of course there is. According to the regulations of this dynasty, today's emperor is a clan within the five realms, and a clan is a clan. Simply put, the clan is counted from the emperor Gaozu, and the royal family is counted from Taizu. We can only be regarded as the royal family, and the clan can be crowned king. , the royal family cannot, but it is still possible under special circumstances.

And there are many special circumstances. The earliest Luo Yi from Youzhou was named King of Yan by Emperor Gaozu, as well as the five kings of the Shenlong Coup. Even those with different surnames can be crowned kings, not to mention the royal family, so special circumstances are decided by the emperor, but Mu Xiu Yu Lin And the wind will destroy it. I still hope you keep a low profile. Grandpa's time is running out to protect you. "

"What's going on with my grandfather now?" Li Ye asked again.

"I am still the prime minister now, but I am no longer Zhongshu Ling, but Minister Zuopushe. It is said that this was suggested by the imperial concubine. Many people say that the imperial concubine did something evil to me. In fact, I am very grateful to her. She allowed me to step forward If I can retreat unscathed, the family will be saved. What I am most afraid of is that I want to retreat, but I cannot retreat, and I fall from a high place in the end. It will be extremely tragic."

Li Ye nodded secretly, this was Concubine Yang fulfilling her promise to herself.

"Ye'er, do you think it is feasible to establish Hezhong Economic Strategy Mansion or Hezhong Dudu Mansion?" Li Linfu asked again.

Li Ye's eyes lit up and he said happily: "This is a good suggestion. In this way, Datang can effectively control the Hezhong area and consolidate our victory over Dashi. It is very necessary. Has the court decided?"

Li Linfu smiled bitterly and said: "We haven't decided yet. I don't know what other concerns the emperor may have."

Li Ye thought for a while and smiled: "This decision will be made soon. The envoy of the Caliphate of Great Eclipse is already on the way to Chang'an. Once the two parties reach an agreement, managing the Hezhong area will be put on the agenda, and the court cannot avoid it. this problem."

"What you said makes sense, we are looking forward to the arrival of the Great Eater."

After a pause, Li Linfu said slowly: "Something happened in Chang'an recently. It's very strange!"

"Grandpa, what happened in Chang'an?"

"About a month ago, Yang Guozhong's son Yang Xi was killed in the Jiaofang annex. This incident made a big fuss. The Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple, and Jingzhao Mansion were all investigating the case. But a month later, there are no clues. None, the woman who was assassinated never showed up again, which is very strange."

"The assassin is a woman?"

Li Linfu nodded, "She is a young woman. It is said that she is only sixteen years old. She is extremely beautiful, but no one knows her origins. Her resume in Luoyang is also false. There is no such person in the Luoyang Song and Dance Studio."

Li Ye pondered for a moment and said, "Yang Guozhong's son was killed. Will he think it was his grandfather who did it?"

Li Linfu sighed: "That's what the Yang family thinks. Yang Guozhong insists that it was a political enemy who did it. Doesn't that mean it's me?"

"Maybe there's also the prince!"

"Yes! They also doubt the prince."

"What's your attitude that day?" Li Ye asked again.

"The Emperor has been silent. Of course, Yang Guozhong can doubt me, but he doesn't have any evidence. How can he kill my descendants without any evidence?"

Li Ye pondered for a moment and said: "Grandpa, actually this is an opportunity. If it is handled well, the emperor will have no choice but to let my grandfather resign from the position of prime minister in order to appease the Yang family. Grandpa will take this opportunity to escape."

Li Linfu said displeased: "Wouldn't that make me take the blame?"

"Grandpa, the premise of grandson is to handle it well. If this case is not found out in the end, the emperor will have to give the Yang family an explanation."

"I understand what you mean!"

Li Linfu interrupted his grandson, "You just came back and don't understand the situation. Don't worry too much about this matter. Have a good rest for a few days. Your parents will be back soon."

Li Ye nodded silently, but he was still a little reluctant and said: "Grandpa, does he have any information on this case? My grandson is fine and I want to take a look."

Li Linfu took out a large file from the cabinet and handed it to Li Ye, "This is a copy of the investigation file of Dali Temple. You can take it and read it! Remember not to cause trouble with the Yang family."

"My grandson obeys!"

Li Ye took the file, stood up and said goodbye.

Li Linfu looked at his grandson's back and his mind began to spin rapidly. He had previously suggested establishing a Hezhong Economic and Strategic Office to manage the Hezhong area. However, Yang Guozhong firmly opposed it and was not adopted by the emperor.

Gao Xianzhi also proposed the establishment of the Hezhong Governor's Office and recommended Li Ye to be the first Hezhong Governor. He received the full support of the prince's clan. Unsurprisingly, Yang Guozhong once again firmly opposed it, but the emperor did not adopt his objections.

It is estimated that the emperor will have to meet Ye'er before he can make the final decision, perhaps after negotiating with Dashi.

But this step is crucial to Li Linfu's family. Li Linfu does not regard his eldest son Li Xiu as his heir at all. He regards Li Ye as his heir. Twenty years later, the key to whether his family can rise again lies in Li It's on Ye.

Therefore, Li Linfu must make the emperor agree to let Li Ye serve as the governor of Hezhong no matter what. This can be regarded as the last ditch effort of his official career.

Li Linfu picked up his grandson's investigation report on the table and read it with interest.

At the same moment when Li Linfu was reading Li Ye's report, Li Ye was sitting in his father's former study room and carefully reviewing the files of Dali Temple.

The investigation was comprehensive and there were countless clues, but Li Ye looked at the essence through the phenomenon. He only looked at one thing. Was Yang Xi's murder a deliberate attempt or a coincidence?

This is the key to the whole case. Of course, the possibility of premeditation is greater. The dancer could not have killed someone to keep her chastity, nor could she kill a random man. Otherwise, what is the point of hiding in the Jiaofang Annex? ?

Since she used a false identity to hide in the Jiaofang annex, her murder must also have been planned.

This Qiao Furong wanted to kill Yang Guozhong's son.

But in this case, Wu Gui, who temporarily arranged the venue and Qiao Furong to dance, would have a big problem.

Others may not know it, but Li Ye knows that Wu Gui's brother Wu Ying secretly got on Anlu Mountain's carriage in Guangzhaifang.

So, does the murder of Yang Guozhong's son have anything to do with An Lushan?