So I headed straight for the Tang Dynasty, parking precisely where the pointer indicated. Upon closer inspection, it was like stepping into a promotional video; thousands of buildings lined both sides of the road, their magnificence beyond compare. The Tang Dynasty at its peak truly lived up to its reputation of subjugating the barbarians with its imperial might. Fortunately, the area where I parked wasn't crowded, unlike nowadays where everywhere is packed—but I quickly noticed something was off about the atmosphere; it had a grand yet desolate feel. Looking up, I saw a row of dismounting stones at the opposite entrance hall, with a small plaque hanging in the center: Duke Yi's Mansion.
Good heavens, we've arrived at Qin Qiong's house. Upon closer inspection, I began to understand. This area is filled with either the mansions of a duke or a prince, but judging from the entrances, they're all probably back doors—I've entered a high-end residential complex. No wonder such a luxurious place is so deserted, with tight security, and small vendors can't get in.
I quickly changed my clothes while I was at it. I bought them at a traditional Chinese clothing store in our area, just as Qin Qiong had told me to before I left. Before I met Li Shimin, dressing nicely would help me get into the palace more easily.
I had just changed my clothes and gotten off the car when I was spotted by two security guards, though they were wearing Tang army armor. Seeing me looking around suspiciously, they shouted, "Who goes there?" and placed their hands on their swords.
I quickly clasped my hands in greeting and said, "Excuse me, could you please tell me how to get to the palace?"
The two security guards exchanged a glance and asked warily, "What do you want?"
"Oh, I have a letter of introduction here—" I took out the note written by Qin Qiong to show them. Although it was genuine, I couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. The Duke of Yi's mansion was right behind me!
To my surprise, the two security guards immediately became respectful towards me, smiling obsequiously, "Hehe, the Duke has recommended talent to the Emperor again. Why didn't the Duke send someone to see you off?"
It seems Qin Qiong often does this kind of thing, and everyone is used to it. These two Tang soldiers must be patrolmen or something similar, so they immediately became much more respectful to me, a distinguished guest of the Duke's family.
I then pointed behind me and said, "I forgot to ask when I left..."
The two patrolmen said, "We'll accompany you. When you get promoted, don't forget about us."
I laughed and said, "Sure, your department...your immediate supervisor is..."
The patrolman bowed and said, "General Yuchi."
"Oh. We meet, we meet, Brother Jingde." It turns out that the guards of the capital region were under the command of Yuchi Gong.
The two patrolmen were even more respectful to me, and we strolled along until we reached the palace gates.
These two men clearly knew the guards of the Daming Palace, but they still carefully examined my introduction card. Only after confirming its authenticity were I invited into the reception room to wait. A short while later, a smiling eunuch led me to the inner courtyard. He led me into an elegantly furnished side room and said in a kind but slightly high-pitched voice, "His Majesty usually meets with the officials in this Zichen Hall. Please wait a moment; someone has already informed His Majesty."
I quickly slipped two gold bars from 2008 into the old eunuch's sleeve...
When I was alone, I looked around. This Zichen Palace was probably an emperor's reception room, with a main seat facing south and two rows of chairs facing east and west. The room's furnishings were elegant yet exuded imperial grandeur. I sat down cautiously, thinking to myself how much money this place would be worth if it were all sold. Just rubbing a finger on the small tea table would be enough to live on for two months.
We've entered the Daming Palace, but the most crucial remaining issue is how to administer the medicine to Li Shimin. This is no joke; if we fail, and Qin Qiong points the finger at me again, I'll be guilty of assassinating the king!
I held a blue pill in my hand, pondering. Although this little thing had a unique fragrance, not everyone would dare to put it in their mouth without asking where it came from, especially not an emperor who would be so greedy...
As I was racking my brains for a solution, footsteps sounded outside the door. A refined-looking minister, carrying a cup of tea, was helped in by a bowing eunuch who pushed open the door to the Zichen Palace. The man stepped inside. Judging from his attire, which didn't resemble official robes, and his age, he appeared to be over forty. I didn't know who he was or how to address him, so I could only nod and smile at him. The minister was taken aback, but could only return the smile.
Seeing that my greeting was strange, the eunuch covered his mouth and chuckled, "This is Lord Fang Xuanling. I won't go into his identity, but he's the current prime minister." Didn't he say he wouldn't tell me?
Fang Xuanling? Isn't that my predecessor? Li Shimin appointed me as prime minister after that, so naturally he was my predecessor. When Xi Jinping returned to the Qin Dynasty, didn't Wang Jian only have the title of deputy grand marshal and command thousands of troops? The saying "A ruler's word is law" has always been the exclusive domain of emperors.
Since we are of equal rank, there's no need to stand on ceremony. I casually cupped my hands and said, "Lord Fang."
Fang Xuanling was taken aback again, even more bewildered, probably wondering why a commoner who had been introduced was putting on such airs. But as the saying goes, a prime minister's belly can hold a boat, so he wasn't angry. He placed the tea steadily on the tea table next to the main seat, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to me, and smiled, "Since you are a guest of the Duke of Qin, how come I haven't seen you before?"
I paused for a moment and said, "Uh, the Duke and I are old friends, but this is my first time in Chang'an."
Fang Xuanling nodded and said, "No wonder. Qin Guogong travels all over the world and knows many pillars of society. His recommendations usually lead to important appointments by the emperor."
Hehe, it is quite heavy.
After walking and talking for so long, my throat was parched. When Fang Xuanling brought a cup of tea, I stepped forward and picked it up to drink. It wasn't that I was being presumptuous; after all, this tea was probably meant for me. Surely a prime minister couldn't just wander around the palace sipping tea, could he?
Fang Xuanling said awkwardly, "Um... you can't drink this tea."
"how?"
Fang Xuanling said awkwardly, "That was prepared for the Emperor. The Emperor drinks a cup of tea at this time every day to brighten his eyes (a habit he shares with Wu Yong). Hearing that the Duke recommended virtuous scholars to court, he moved it to the Zichen Palace. I arrived first, so I brought it with me."
I quickly put it down and said, "I apologize for my intrusion." It turned out that Fang Xuanling was sent by Li Shimin to probe my background. These two were probably discussing state affairs and chatting casually when they heard that a new ID had been registered. So, Li Shimin sent Fang Xuanling to check things out first and see what kind of person I was—well, that's probably it.
Before Fang Xuanling could say anything, someone announced loudly, "The Emperor has arrived!"
Fang Xuanling hurriedly knelt down to receive the medicine. Taking advantage of this opportune moment, I turned around and quickly tossed the medicine in my hand into the teacup. I watched as it turned into a wisp of blue mist and disappeared in an instant...
Chapter 149 I'll Test You
Footsteps sounded outside the door, and a large group of eunuchs and palace maids knelt down. Fang Xuanling also knelt facing the door. I had no choice but to kneel down as well, straightening my upper body as if eating Japanese food, and staring longingly at the doorway.
Li Shimin, dressed in a dragon robe but without a crown, casually walked in with a smile on his face. Seeing my strange posture, he couldn't help but glance at me again and said, "Is this the person that Uncle Bao recommended?"
I cupped my hands in greeting and said, "It's me."
Fang Xuanling pulled me aside and whispered, "Don't look up."
Why don't you look up? Are you filming "Enemy of the State"?
Li Shimin smiled slightly and said, "You haven't performed the rites at the Ministry of Rites yet, have you? Alright, everyone, rise."
Fang Xuanling gave me a reproachful look before getting up. Actually, I understood. When meeting the emperor, you couldn't look up unless he allowed you to, otherwise he might interpret it as an attempt to assassinate him. Even high-ranking officials in the imperial court had their ceremonial tablets to block their view, let alone ordinary people. Clearly, you couldn't just look at the emperor casually. It's like when we were in elementary school reading aloud; if you wanted to see where the teacher was, he'd slam his hand on the table and say, "Read your book! What are you looking at me for?" Because he knew that if you looked at him, you probably didn't have good intentions—you were probably just trying to sneak a chewing gum or something.
I stood up, secretly brushed the dirt off my knees, and waited to lure him into the trap. Li Shimin probably hadn't seen such a lovable commoner like me in a long time, and asked with a smile, "Where are you from?" As he spoke, he sat down and picked up his teacup.
I blurted out, "I am from the Eastern Land of the Great Tang Dynasty."
Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling exchanged a smile, both barely able to suppress a laugh. He slowly used the lid of his teacup to stir the tea leaves, took a sip, and asked, "How did you meet the Duke of Yi?"
I stared intently at the tea in his hand and casually said, "The Duke of Yi is currently at our house."
"Oh?" Li Shimin suddenly scratched his head and said, "Why do you look so familiar?" As he spoke, he subconsciously took a big gulp of water.
I plopped down in the chair, feeling relaxed. "You look familiar, don't you? You just came from our house too."
Fang Xuanling exclaimed in surprise, "You must not be so presumptuous!"