Chapter 60: Seeking a Way Across (II)

By controlling the Western Regions to facilitate silk trade and reaching beyond the northern deserts to bring peace to all nations, the Tang Dynasty’s magnanimous embrace made all ethnic groups bow in submission. Such an extraordinary spirit naturally manifested in every individual, giving rise to a sophisticated understanding of human relations.

As the old saying goes, “The moon shines in the cup, while the heart holds countless emotions.” Whether they were nobles and high officials or commoners, everyone naturally revealed their true selves at the banquet, expressing the emotions pent up within them. And Prime Minister Li Linfu’s birthday feast was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to express such feelings.

Li Kuo and his friends sat in the lower part of the hall. Though their seats were somewhat inferior, each still had his own table. In this regard, Li Linfu did uphold the dignity befitting a Tang prime minister.

Since it was a birthday feast, it naturally had to feature a lively and festive atmosphere. From the most beautiful women in Chang’an to the exotic dancers from the Western Regions who captivated all the officials, everyone did their best to win the prime minister’s favor.

As the saying goes, “One’s own joy cannot include others’ joy.” Once the atmosphere was set, it wouldn’t dissipate easily. While drinking wine and watching performances, Li Kuo quietly observed and waited.

“Brother Kuo, that old scoundrel really isn’t any good. Just the cost of hosting this banquet is enough for an ordinary family to live on for generations!”

Zhang Yanji had no interest in enjoying the dances and songs. They hadn’t come here for a feast but to seek revenge. He had previously doubted the claims that Prime Minister Li’s mansion was as luxurious as the Daming Palace, but seeing it with his own eyes finally convinced him.

Regardless of anything else, the arrogant attitude of Li’s household managers already filled him with anger. Everyone knew that a fifth-rank official could serve as a gatekeeper, but not everyone was willing to believe it. After all, no one wanted to admit they were worse off than even a gatekeeper.

“Eat and watch the dance.”

Li Kuo took a small sip of wine and shook his head. Their plan couldn’t afford any mistakes; they must not act before the time was right.

“See? Learn from him! He’s just an ordinary man.”

Zhou Wucui rolled his eyes at Zhang Yanji and cut a piece of roasted deer meat to put in his mouth. Since the food and wine were provided by that old scoundrel, it would be a waste not to eat them. Only after eating and drinking enough could they have the strength to do great things. Otherwise, how could they expect anyone to fight bravely?

“You…”

Zhang Xiaolangjun had already been teased by Brother Wucui and lost his temper. He simply ignored that annoying, round face and drank alone to drown his sorrows.

The officialdom of the Tang Dynasty was like a drinking party, and that drinking party, in turn, resembled a miniature version of the officialdom. Here, one could see the genuine, the fake, the superficial, and the real…

Songs, dances, and alcohol served as the best cover-ups, allowing those shady dealings to emerge and entangle with each other. After some maneuvering, deals that satisfied both sides would be struck.

Yang Zhao was sitting in the front row, to the left of Li Linfu, taking Wang Qian’s place as the governor of Jingzhao. This filled Lord Wang with resentment. What was Yang Zhao anyway? A scoundrel from the streets of Jiannan who had risen to power through connections, thinking he could rival the high-ranking officials and even compete with families that had thrived for hundreds of years?

He was furious at Li Linfu’s arrangement. Did he intend to support Yang Zhao? No, that was impossible. Although the Yang family had the Empress’s backing, their foundation was weak. Once the emperor’s favor waned, they would be exiled instantly, losing everything. Li Linfu wasn’t the kind of short-sighted person who wouldn’t see this.

Was it an attempt to show favor? It seemed unnecessary. Li Linfu already held over twenty positions and actually controlled the government. To speak disrespectfully, if Li Linfu wanted it, even the emperor’s edicts could be sent back from the Ministry of State! As for Yang Zhao, he only controlled half of the Censorate, surrounded by a few pedantic scholars who only knew how to stir up trouble with their words.

Li Linfu, for whom were you doing all this?

Although unwilling, he had to force a smile and raise his cup, saying, “Come, come, Minister Yang. I offer you a toast. Prime Minister Li often tells me that you are a key pillar of our Tang court, with the same grace and stature as the great Prime Minister Fang Xuanling.”

At these words, even Yang Zhao, who was usually quite unshaken, blushed to the roots of his neck. Even if he were ignorant, how could anyone not know about the legendary Prime Minister Fang Xuanling? To compare him to Fang was something only Wang Qian could think of!

“Hehe, Lord Wang, you flatter me. I truly lack the talent to be a prime minister. I merely strive to share the emperor’s burdens and do practical work for the court, unlike some in the court who only know how to talk and scheme.”

Yang Zhao wasn’t easy to provoke either. He immediately retorted with sarcasm. Who didn’t know Wang Qian was just Li Linfu’s lackey? Wasn’t he saying this to stir up tension between him and that old thief?

Hmph, they really underestimated him!

“That’s true, that’s true.”

Though furious, Wang Qian had to force a smile. Such humiliation was beyond what most people could endure.

“Does Lord Yang know who that young woman by Prime Minister Li’s side is?”

Wishing to change the subject, Wang Chao pointed at Li Linfu’s seat and whispered in a low voice.
“Oh?”
Yang Zhao put a cowpea in his mouth, chewed it, and said, “I’m not aware of this. How about Lord Wang tells us?”
Wang Chao didn’t hesitate and said in a low voice, “This young lady is truly extraordinary. I heard she was brought back by Prime Minister Li from Ci’en Temple. According to his personal servant, Prime Minister Li took her as his concubine despite the risk of being scolded by his wife. Because of this, the Prime Minister’s wife fell seriously ill! I’ve been wondering—what kind of woman could make Prime Minister Li so obsessed?”
Wang Chao left things hanging and glanced around. “Although this young lady is beautiful, it seems unlikely that her looks alone could win the Prime Minister’s favor. It must be her memory. I heard she looks exactly like Prime Minister Li’s old lover from his youth. That’s why he took her as his concubine!”
“Such an extraordinary thing?”
Yang Zhao exclaimed, “Could there really be two people who look exactly the same? I’ve truly learned a lot today.”
“Sigh.”
Wang Chao pushed his sleeves back and said, “The world is full of wonders. But this woman’s background remains a mystery. Prime Minister Li is too deeply involved to send anyone to investigate.”
Yang Zhao’s heart sank. Was Wang Chao telling him this to test him? Had that old scoundrel already seen through their plan and recognized Shen Er’s true identity?
No, that’s impossible! He had planned everything meticulously. Shen Er’s household registration was in Chang’an, and their encounter at Ci’en Temple seemed entirely coincidental. The whole plan was flawless—there was no way that old scoundrel could discover anything. Most importantly, that old scoundrel didn’t want to ruin such a beautiful dream. He was already in his twilight years—how many more years did he have left? If he met an old lover like her, he would cherish her instead of rejecting her.
Realizing this, Yang Zhao smiled and said, “Prime Minister Li’s deep affection is truly admirable. Come, Lord Wang, let me toast to you!”
The sound of silver combs striking against each other filled the air, as blood-red silk skirts were stained with wine. After several rounds of drinks and various dishes, the guests and host were in high spirits.
Li Linfu sat at the head, looking at the court officials around him, feeling a surge of pride. These people, all those beneath him, had to obey him, follow his orders! Because he was the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty, the supreme ruler above all others in the imperial court!
Zhang Jiuling, Li Shizhi—these former ministers had been defeated and trampled by him, gradually forgotten by everyone. In the end, only he stood at the top of the civil official hierarchy!

As for His Majesty the Emperor, to speak disrespectfully, aside from approving some important petitions over the years, what else has he done? Ever since he married the Imperial Concubine, he has long forgotten about state affairs. The daily court meetings have long become a mere formality; unless it was a major matter like rewarding the regions of Longyou, he would avoid attending the grand court meetings in Hanyuan Hall as much as possible. Immersed in wine and women, where does he find the energy to strive for governance as he did at the beginning of his reign? If it weren’t for me working tirelessly to handle state affairs on his behalf, who knows what chaos the Tang court might have fallen into!

They say Li Linfu holds excessive power. If he didn’t, who would control the court and make decisions? Could they rely on that so-called wise emperor? From arranging military provisions for Longyou and providing relief for droughts in Hedong to evaluating officials, promoting them, and approving ordinary petitions—everything is handled with great care by Li Linfu. Which court official dares to claim they can exercise such control and take charge of everything personally?

They accuse Li Linfu of using public office for personal gain. But in this Tang court, which high official hasn’t done the same? Officials serve from afar just for sustenance; who doesn’t want to take opportunities to bring more benefits to their families and ensure their descendants enjoy advantages, avoiding the neglect and discrimination they faced in their youth? Those who mock him for using public office for personal gain are clearly jealous, resentful that they cannot do the same and bring benefits to their families!

I, Li Linfu, have no regrets in my life regarding the court or His Majesty. If there is anything I truly feel guilty about, it is only Su Zhen. What’s done cannot be undone; the dead cannot be revived, and no sighs can bring her back. But don’t I still have Shen’er? Could it be that Heaven, seeing my deep and enduring love for Su Zhen, sent Shen’er to accompany me as compensation? Otherwise, why does she resemble Su Zhen so closely? Why do her expressions and gestures share such a similar charm?

This isn’t a dream. This isn’t a dream. Holding Shen’er in my arms, I feel an extraordinary sense of peace. This time, I will never let go until my death.