Funing Hall

Li Zhicheng's hometown is indeed as he said, although it is not rich, it is really spacious and clean.Here is Huainan, and there is a gentle rain at night, which is somewhat elegant.

Li Zhicheng ordered the envoys and servants who stayed at home to clean up the house. He was nervous and excited, and he didn't know what to do.

On the boat, Zhao Cong had a clear understanding of what had happened in the past few days, and he didn't rest, he went into the wing room that had been packed for him, and talked about the salt book with Zhao Shiqi, Xiao Tang and Li Zhicheng.

He didn't delay, straight to the point and said: "Zi Fan sent a letter to me. After all, this is the first time since I took over the government to change the salt system. I was worried about the salt people, so I simply came here. Just now on the boat, Shi Qi and I are gone. Explain. This time, I just want to discuss this matter with you again."

Li Zhicheng was too excited to speak with His Majesty.

But Zhao Cong didn't need him to talk at all, Xiao Tang said first: "Your Majesty, did you also talk about the account book with you, Your Majesty?"

"I have already said. I am very shocked and very disappointed."

Xiao Tang said in shame: "It's all due to the incompetence of the ministers, who didn't know that these officials had such behavior."

Zhao Cong smiled: "Although you are serving the imperial censor, you are not an official here. What does it have to do with you?"

Li Zhicheng saw His Majesty laughing like this!Look silly again.

Zhao Cong looked at him amusedly, and asked, "Master Li, what's your opinion? There are so many officials on Huainan East Road, from the sixth rank up, there are really not many officials who are not involved. You are not listed in the account book, I am very pleased."

When Li Zhicheng got excited, blood flooded his face, and he blushed immediately, and then he said honestly: "Your Majesty, when I learned that Mr. Lin and the others were greedy for the money of the salt people, I was really frightened! As officials, You should do everything for the people, you should lead by example, you should—”

Zhao Cong felt a little helpless, and interrupted his parallelism: "Master Li, have they ever given you money?"

Li Zhicheng came back to his senses, and immediately shook his head: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty has never accepted it! And no one has ever mentioned this to your Majesty!"

Zhao Cong knew why, with his ability to speak parallel sentences, who would dare to give him a gift?Li Zhicheng was timid at first glance, so he gave it away first, and then he estimated that he would be able to sue those people above.

Zhao Cong completely gave up the idea of ​​having a deep chat with him, and turned to Xiao Tang again: "Before I came here, I thought the situation here was extremely dangerous. Looking at it today, although it is a bit difficult, the two of you can do it." Solve the matter. The matter of salt registration will continue to be handled by you and Shiqi. As for the matter of officials, whether it is greed for money or the death of the salt tax department, they are all involved. manage."

As soon as Xiao Tang heard it, he knew that His Majesty did not blame them, so he was relieved.

Zhao Cong said again: "What Shi Que said in Yanchang today is very good. To be an official, you must first put the people in your heart. Only with the people can you have an official. Officials come from the people. After studying for many years, the imperial examination is an official. Who doesn’t have a big wish in their hearts? They must all look forward to Wan’an in the Great Song Dynasty. I am disappointed and contemptuous of those officials who are willing to swallow their salt capital, and the people of the world are even more so, you should learn a lesson.”

"Yes!" Xiao Tang and Li Zhicheng responded immediately.

Zhao Cong asked some more questions, looked at the sky outside, and said, "It's getting late, so come here first. Tomorrow, you can deal with the matter of the Yanji by yourself. I trust you."

"Yes!" His Majesty said "believe", after all, it was a kind of encouragement, after Xiao Tang said that, he withdrew with Li Zhicheng.

After Li Zhicheng went out, he thought, no!

That little man is still inside, and I don't know which room the little man lives in at night?He went back again, Rantao was guarding outside, seeing him coming back, he said with a smile: "Lord Li, what's the matter?"

Li Zhicheng said with a smile: "Don't dare, but I don't know what the little man of the county prince's mansion likes? I'm an official so I can ask someone to prepare."

After hearing this, Rantao laughed even deeper: "Your Majesty Li, go and rest yourself, our little man and His Majesty still have something to say, and the rest will be left to the maidservants."

"So that's it." Li Zhicheng didn't dare to ask any more questions, for he left after all.It's just that the more he went, the more he wanted to send his daughter to Zhao Shiqi.Only by seeing it with my own eyes can I know how much His Majesty loves this young gentleman!

After they all left, Zhao Cong was silent for a while, and asked: "Do you also think that this matter was really done by Du Yu?"

Zhao Shiqi shook his head: "No."

Without outsiders, Zhao Cong no longer put on a standard smile, and smiled a little disdainfully: "Du Yu has been the prime minister for 11 years, and the power is his life. He will see these small profits? What's more, The account book is actually placed in such an obvious place, it is clearly for people to read."

"Yang Yuan's death is also very strange."

"I've met Lin Bai before. Although he is indeed pedantic, he is willing to do practical things. He writes memorials to me several times a year, and he can say everything without fear of offending me. People, not censors, treat themselves as censors all day long. I don't believe that he will be greedy for money."

"Your Majesty, although I don't like Lin Bai, I know that he may be innocent. But at that time, we can only tie them together."

Zhao Cong looked at him and said with a relieved smile, "I don't blame you." After finishing speaking, he frowned again, "As you said, we can only be tied together. I have been in power for five years, and the court has been relatively peaceful. In the past In the court, although there were occasional disputes among the officials, there were no major conflicts. I only have one person, but there are countless officials in the world. For self-interest, it is natural to attack each other, and only by attacking can there be gains. This time, obviously Someone is determined to drag Du Yu and Lin Bai into the water."

Seeing his frowning, Zhao Shiqi was not very happy. He wished to calm him down immediately, but he couldn't. He said again: "Your Majesty, if you want to drag Du Yu into the water, this is obviously not enough. They must have other ways. It's better to push the boat along. And these slaughters have been around for quite a long time, and they will inevitably be flattered by people's flattery. It's good to scare them."

His words hit the point again.When the water is clear, there is always no fish. As an emperor, the most important thing to do is how to keep the water in the Wangchi of the court hall just right. There must be fish, but not dead fish. Too powerful to leave the fighting fish alone.Clique disputes are extremely harmful, but who can say that it is not beneficial?

Du Yu has many disciples, including Lin Bai who is willing to do good deeds, but there are also other random behaviors that he doesn't know about.

Zhao Cong said in a soft voice: "Let the criminal and prison department investigate. Whatever is found, it is what it is. Punish it as you want."

Zhao Shiqi nodded.

Zhao Cong sighed again: "Although I know that the struggle between officials is inevitable and beneficial, I feel a little tired. It is really tiring to guess people's minds. For example, I have mentioned the matter of salt notes three or two times before, but I have never mentioned it before." No matter how in-depth the discussion is, it can still be reported. At that time, the people who discussed the matter together were only the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, and the people in the six departments. Among these people, who is it that stirs up the muddy water on its own initiative? Or is that person deliberately mentioning this matter to make me suspect everyone?"

In Zhao Shiqi's previous life, when encountering such a thing, he would only kill all the suspects.With Zhao Cong's guidance and subtle influence in this life, his way of doing things has changed a little, but the root has not changed.If he were the emperor, he would have killed a group of people if he encountered such a thing.

There are so many scholars in the world, and there are more ambitious, scheming, and capable people, so what's the problem if there is one less prime minister?Fighting back and forth, the provocation was nothing more than his imperial power, whoever dared to provoke would die.

But he couldn't say this out, but he felt very distressed seeing Zhao Cong so tired.

If possible, he would rather be the emperor for Zhao Cong.It's not that he is still greedy for the throne, it's really exhausting to be an emperor, and he can't bear Zhao Cong's hard work.

After Zhao Cong sighed, he closed his eyes and thought about things. Although he was a little tired thinking about it, he was already used to it, and he couldn't pretend to be dumb after getting the benefits. Know.It's just that Xiao Shiyi is someone he trusts, so he will say a few more words like this.

Only halfway through his speech, he suddenly realized that someone had taken off his boots again, his hands trembled, and he immediately opened his eyes.

Zhao Shiqi looked up at him, and said softly, "Your Majesty, let me rub your legs."

Zhao Cong was stunned for a few moments, and immediately pulled his legs back.

Zhao Shiqi was puzzled: "Your Majesty?"

"How could you do such a thing!" Zhao Cong's voice was a little anxious.

"His Majesty……"

"What a gentleman, how can you do such a thing to me! Isn't this self-deprecation!" Zhao Cong's legs were held in Zhao Shiqi's arms, and the temperature was from his legs to the top. He was frightened, okay!But he wanted to save face, and he couldn't show fright, so he had to say these angry words.

Zhao Shiqi thought he was really angry, frowned slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, so what if I do such a thing for you?"

"no!"

"Your Majesty, I am your nephew, how can I not do such a thing for you?!" Zhao Shiqi was also wronged, he hadn't seen him for so many days, and finally saw him, Zhao Cong was still so tired, so what if he rubbed his legs up!It's not like he never took off his shoes for Zhao Cong in the palace.

When Zhao Cong heard this, he felt even more uncomfortable.

Yes, Zhao Shiqi is his nephew, and both of them have the same blood in their bodies.

He simply crossed his legs, avoided looking at Zhao Shiqi, and said sullenly, "Go out."

"His Majesty……"

"go out!"

Except when they first met again, Zhao Cong had never talked to him like this, just now the two of them had a good discussion, and suddenly they wanted to drive him away.I haven't seen him for a few days, and finally saw each other. He talked about political affairs on the boat, and he kept talking about political affairs here. He hasn't been able to talk about family affairs with Zhao Cong yet.

Zhao Shiqi felt very uncomfortable, but Zhao Cong didn't look at him, so he finally got up and went out.

Seeing him coming out suddenly, Rantao was startled: "Xiao Lang--"

Zhao Shiqi has buried his head and walked away.

Ran Tao hurried in, and His Majesty sat cross-legged on the couch and did not speak.Her heart trembled. Is this a dispute between the two?It was just fine!

She approached softly and whispered, "Your Majesty?"

Zhao Cong looked back at her, the circles of his eyes were reddish: "I want to rest."

"Okay, okay." Rantao hurriedly responded, she had never seen such a majesty for many years.Since childhood, even if His Majesty was wronged, he rarely showed a genuinely wronged expression.Only when His Majesty was six years old when he was young, he was so sick that he hugged himself and cried aloud.Rantao felt a little uncomfortable when he thought about it, so he asked someone to bring in water to bathe him when he went out.

Zhao Cong took a bath, changed into clean clothes, and lay down on the bed.

When he went out, be it bedding or curtains, they were all brought from the palace.When he was taking a bath, Rantao brought someone to change him.So when he was lying on the bed, the tip of his nose still smelled of the palace, which was not unfamiliar to him, but he couldn't fall asleep.

He couldn't help thinking of Zhao Shiqi holding his legs and feet with both hands, and looking up at him.

Thinking of this, his body trembled a little.

He is not a real boy, because he is weak in this life, he has no desire for those things, and it is difficult to make up his mind.What's more, being an emperor is very busy. He goes to court every day and deals with political affairs. When the time comes, he has already fallen into a deep sleep.

But just now, the temperature in Zhao Shiqi's hands was really terrifying.

He clearly noticed the little moving object under his body, and finally reacted.

This embarrassed him.

The feeling he hadn't seen for a long time also made him yearn for it.

His hand trembled slightly, almost touching it.He withdrew his hand again, closed his eyes and kept taking deep breaths, telling himself that Xiao Shishi was his nephew, even if it was all dirty, it would tarnish Xiao Shi's admiration for him.He repeatedly chanted to himself, finally cooling down his body.

He let out a sigh of relief, turned around to sleep, but heard the door creak.

He couldn't help reaching out and grabbing the mattress again.

The one who can come in at this time is either Rantao or... Rantao will never come at this time, and the only person who can be let in by Rantao is Zhao Shiqi.

The person who came was indeed Zhao Shiqi, he quietly walked outside the curtain, and after a while, asked softly: "Your Majesty, have you rested yet?"

Zhao Cong didn't even dare to breathe, for fear of making a sound.The room was very quiet, but he heard the sound of kneeling.

It was Zhao Shiqi who knelt down. After he knelt down, he said, "Your Majesty, if you are angry with me today, you will definitely not be able to sleep. I will apologize to you."

"..."

"Your Majesty is afraid that I will lose my status by doing that? But I only did that to Your Majesty!" Zhao Shiqi said he was here to make amends, but he was still wronged. When I stabbed someone, all the salt people were frightened by me, and Li Zhicheng trembled when he saw my legs. I only act like this in front of His Majesty, and others do not look down on me. I am very majestic outside, and I only act like this in front of Your Majesty."

Zhao Cong blinked, but still did not speak.

"So Your Majesty doesn't have to worry about me. It's just that Doctor Bai said last time that Your Majesty should be less tired. You came here all the way, and you only arrived here in five days. I know you are very tired, I just want to rub your legs for you That's all. Last time, I learned from Doctor Bai."

Zhao Cong didn't know what to do.

"Your Majesty—" Zhao Shiqi called him again, and Zhao Shiqi knew that he was angry, so he screamed more and more aggrieved.Zhao Shiqi didn't know it himself, but he had vaguely discovered the trick to curry favor with Zhao Cong.

Zhao Cong couldn't hold back, and said through the curtain, "I'm not angry."

Zhao Shiqi immediately opened the curtain and said happily, "Really?"

Zhao Cong was taken aback for a moment, but he didn't expect him to lift the curtain directly. Feeling uncomfortable, he wanted to sit up, but Zhao Shiqi pushed him back: "Your Majesty, just lie down!"

When Zhao Cong was touched by him, his shoulders were like burning.

"Your Majesty, are you really mad at me?"

"I'm not angry, it's just that I was a little annoyed by Du Yu's matter at that time." Zhao Cong said nonsense.

Zhao Shiqi was also willing to believe it, and immediately said: "Your Majesty, if you feel bored, just leave it to me to handle it, and you will praise me for my good work."

Zhao Cong was a little annoyed: "Leave it to you, before the prison judge, I'm afraid you will kill everyone."

Zhao Shiqi was happy when he heard this, he sat on the side of the bed while supporting the bed, and said flatteringly, "Your Majesty, may I rub your legs? I washed my body and changed my clothes, and there is no dust on my body."

"I didn't think you were dirty at first."

What else can Zhao Cong do?

Neither is anger, nor is happiness, nor is boredom.

He is really at a loss what to do with Zhao Shiqi, if he is far away, he has to miss him.It's not even close, it's crazy.

But no matter what, it was night, quiet and peaceful, and he couldn't ignore Zhao Shiqi again.He secretly reflected, and said that he would spend his whole life silently looking at Xiao Shiyi, how long has it been?He secretly took a deep breath, lay down and said to Zhao Shiqi: "On the boat, Rantao massages my acupuncture points every day, I really don't need you."

Zhao Shiqi was a little displeased: "She can, why can't I? Rantao is also the one who is going to marry, even though she is your female official, there is a difference between a man and a woman. On the contrary, I am a man, so it doesn't matter at all."

Zhao Cong is at a loss for words, just because you are a man is in the way, okay?He is gay, he can only like men!A woman is safe when she is in front of him!

Zhao Cong was speechless, so he could only say: "Go and rest, what time is it?"

"Your Majesty, can I sleep with you?"

When Zhao Cong heard this, he almost fainted.It would take me a long time to burn if I was touched, and I still need to sleep in a bed? !He immediately refused: "No."

"His Majesty--"

"You are 16 years old, how can you sleep in the same bed with me. If your wife finds out about this in the future, she will definitely laugh at you."

"Your Majesty, I won't get married, and I won't have a wife or children."

"This is all a joke. When you meet someone you like, I'm afraid you will come to ask me to give you a marriage." Zhao Cong said a little lonely.

Zhao Shiqi continued: "Let's talk about it when that day comes."

"..."

"Let's talk about that day"?Did he really look forward to that day?

Zhao Cong was very angry immediately, and he felt that he was looking for anger for nothing!He lifted the quilt: "Go and rest, tomorrow I have to deal with the affairs of the Yan people. If officials from other places know that I am here, I am afraid they will also come to see me, they are very busy."

Zhao Shiqi thought for a while, this was the reason, so he got up reluctantly, but still looked down at Zhao Cong: "Your Majesty, you really can't sleep together? There are many interesting things along the way, so I don't have time to write to you, and I don't have time to draw pictures. Here it is, I want to tell you. You and I will be busy in the next few days, so I'm afraid I won't have time to talk about it."

Zhao Cong's heart softened, and he almost agreed.

But his body was trembling violently, he finally said: "After a few days of busy work, you can talk to me slowly."

Zhao Shiqi was a little disappointed, he did have a lot to say to Zhao Cong, but he didn't want to disturb Zhao Cong's rest, so he finally helped him cover the curtain and left.

As soon as Zhao Shiqi left, Zhao Cong tore off the quilt, closed his eyes, and took a long time to breathe out.

It took two lifetimes to realize that sweetness and torture can really exist at the same time.

When Zhao Shiqi talked to him, even a single word was sweet, and when Zhao Shiqi smiled at him, it was even sweeter.

It's just that once I think of the relationship between him and Zhao Shiqi, everything becomes dirty.

What a torture.

Zhao Cong sighed leisurely, after all he fell asleep.