Chapter 64: The Prime Minister’s Far-Reaching Plans

With a loud “bang!”, Li Linfu smashed an inkstone on the ground, shattering it into three pieces. His huge nose was twisted from extreme anger.
“Damnous Yang Zhao! How dare he scheme against me behind my back? He’s really growing impatient!”
Li Linfu growled to himself through gritted teeth. He had just received confirmed news from the palace—right after he left, Yang Zhao rushed to see the emperor and vigorously defended Yang Shenjin, causing the emperor to put off Wang Gong’s accusation. As a result, his plan to bring down Yang Shenjin might well go awry, dealing a severe blow to his prestige.
At that moment, Li Linfu’s eldest son, Li Xiu, whispered beside him, “Father, Yang Zhao is ignorant and lustful. He’s always been despised by the court officials. Just because he’s the brother of the imperial concubine, he was promoted to Chief Censor within a year. Today, he angered the emperor again and was punished with flogging and demotion—this is his punishment. Besides, the emperor hasn’t rejected Chief Censor Wang’s accusation!”
“You know nothing!” Li Linfu snapped angrily.
He paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. He knew Li Longji all too well. Punishing Yang Zhao was indeed to punish his overconfidence, but more importantly, it was a warning to him, Li Linfu, not to retaliate. It also gave Yang Zhao experience as a county official, laying the foundation for future promotions. Moreover, by making his crimes public—what were Yang Zhao’s crimes? Framing Wang Gong? No! Everyone knew Wang Gong’s methods. This was Li Longji trying to win over the noble families for Yang Zhao, signaling to all officials that Yang Zhao was punished for defending Yang Shenjin. After thirty blows at Danfeng Gate, the image of a loyal and unyielding minister emerged. Lastly, by delaying a decision on Yang Shenjin’s case, perhaps the emperor would give his reply in three days—but what more could he discover by then?
Killing several birds with one stone—Li Longji’s skillful tactics sent chills down Li Linfu’s spine. He began to realize that the emperor was already creating an enemy for him. If things went as expected, Yang Shenjin would surely be promoted after the investigation yielded nothing.
Li Linfu slowly calmed down. He sat at the table and pondered for a while before sighing slightly. He couldn’t rush things. He picked up the secret report sent by Wang Gong, glanced at it for a while, then suddenly remembered something and said to a servant, “Go! Call Li Qingan here.”
…
Soon, Li Qingan hurried over. Upon entering, he bowed to Li Linfu. “Your humble servant greets the Prime Minister!”
Li Linfu glanced at him and smiled faintly. “General Li, how have you been these past few days?”

“Reporting to the Prime Minister, these past days I have spent practicing ball games.”
“Is that so? I heard that on the night of the last day of the lunar year, you were seen listening to music in the garden courtyard.”
Li Qing’an nodded and smiled, “I just happened to be there by chance.”
“And where did you go after listening to the music?” Li Linfu asked calmly.
“After listening to the music, I returned, but the gate was closed. I had no choice but to spend the night outside the city, where I happened to meet Vice Minister Yang and his wife, who also went there to listen to the music.”
“Where exactly did you spend the night outside the city? Did you have any friends?”
“I have no friends in Chang’an; I stayed at an inn.”
“Oh? Then why not stay at Vice Minister Yang’s residence? Did he not offer it?”
“No! Vice Minister Yang invited me to stay at his place, but I refused.”
“Why?” Li Linfu’s gaze sharpened as he stared at Li Qing’an intently.
Li Qing’an smiled and said, “If even the Prime Minister refuses his perch, how could I possibly stay at his house?”
Li Linfu stared at Li Qing’an for a while before a faint smile appeared on his lips. He tossed Wang Gong’s secret letter to Li Qing’an and said, “Take a look for yourself!”
Li Qing’an flipped through it, his heart tightening. It detailed everything that had happened that night—Yang Shenjin’s journey from listening to the music back to his residence, including their conversation and its contents, down to the smallest detail.
Li Linfu smiled slightly. “What do you know now?”
“I now realize that the coach who drove Lady Yang’s carriage was actually the Prime Minister’s man.”
Li Linfu was taken aback, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. “What a quick-witted young man.”
He took back the secret report and said slowly, “Yang Shenjin was promoted by me. After his father passed away, he resigned and stayed at home. I personally persuaded him to take up a government position and entrusted him with important duties. In just two years, he was promoted from an imperial censor to an acting chief censor. I then appointed him as a transport commissioner. Less than a year after becoming acting chief censor, I promoted him to vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue. I’ve been generous to him. Now that he’s grown too powerful, he no longer respects me…”
The study was very quiet. Li Linfu tried to create a relaxed atmosphere. He glanced at Li Qing’an and said with a smile, “Seventh Young Master, have you been playing ball at Master Gao’s residence recently?”
“Reporting to the Prime Minister, Master Gao sent an invitation early this morning. I’m about to go to his residence shortly.”
“Oh! That’s good.”
Li Linfu pondered for a moment before smiling again. “If I were you, I would play ball specifically for Master Gao. As long as you finish this game, I guarantee you’ll be promoted again.”

Li Qing’an fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, “I would rather play ball for the Prime Minister!”
These words were like a sudden shift in the wind and clouds, breaking through the awkwardness between them. Li Linfu burst into laughter. “Good! Very good! Truly worthy of being someone I’ve taken a fancy to!”
He stepped forward and patted Li Qing’an’s shoulder firmly, saying, “Since you understand, I’ll be honest with you. I have an important task to assign to you. If you complete it for me, I’ll give you promotions, wealth, and even the woman you desire.”
Without hesitation, Li Qing’an bowed and said, “Please give your orders, Prime Minister!”
“No! Not now. The time isn’t right yet. I’ll arrange it when the time comes.”
Li Linfu looked at him and added, “For now, you just need to do one thing.”
Li Qing’an smiled faintly and said, “Go play ball for Master Gao.”
Li Linfu smiled dreamily. “This young man is teachable!”
……
“General Li, this way, please.”
Li Linfu’s housekeeper led Li Qing’an toward a side door. Li Linfu’s mansion was vast and complex, especially with its numerous inner courtyards, where dozens of his children and nearly a hundred wives and concubines lived.
It was already late, and the time agreed with Gao Lishi was approaching. Li Qing’an hurried along. The side door was behind a small garden, not far from the guest room he had stayed in last time. In the garden, a clear spring flowed, and although it was winter, the water hadn’t frozen. A few yellow wintersweet flowers bloomed brightly, emitting a gentle fragrance.
Suddenly, Li Qing’an slowed down. He seemed to hear the sound of a zither. Yes, he heard it clearly—it was the music played by the zither fairy, like the gurgling of a spring or a waterfall from an iceberg, instantly calming his somewhat restless heart. He stood under the wintersweet tree and listened quietly.
The music was as melodious as before, but now Li Qing’an could hear the loneliness hidden within it—a helpless girl named Wu Yi.
“Everyone only sees her stunning beauty and superb zither skills, but who knows she’s actually a girl with a very pitiful background?”
Madam Yang’s sigh still lingered in his memory, making Li Qing’an feel even more the desolation in the music and filling his heart with compassion.
“General Li, the door is open. Please go in!” the housekeeper urged him.
Li Qing’an sighed softly and quickly left the Prime Minister’s mansion.