Chapter 30 All High - end Players

Li Wenzhong's face flushed. He stood up and said, "Your humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Princess."

"Be excused."

Empress Ma frowned slightly. "Wenzhong, what are you doing?"

"Replying to Your Majesty." Li Wenzhong said with an embarrassed smile. "I have failed to educate my son properly. Yesterday, he actually lured the Eighth Prince to a brothel and did such outrageous things as force - buying and force - selling. Fortunately, Thousand - household Li stepped in promptly, so no major disaster was caused.

After I return, I will surely punish him severely!"

Empress Ma nodded slightly. "Jinglong really went too far this time. But you... take off those thorns. Isn't it uncomfortable?"

Li Wenzhong stole a glance at Zhu Yuanzhang, and seeing that he didn't react, he quickly said, "Your humble servant has thick skin and it doesn't matter. When he gets home, I will definitely discipline him well."

"Hasn't he returned home yet?"

Li Wenzhong nodded and looked at Li Qing.

Li Qing cupped his hands and said, "Replying to Your Majesty, Young Master Li is in the Zhao Prison."

"You arrested him and sent him to the Zhao Prison?" Empress Ma looked extremely surprised.

Anqing was also greatly astonished. She didn't expect Li Qing to be so decisive.

"That unfilial son deserves it." Li Wenzhong quickly said. "Thousand - household Li handled the matter impartially and appropriately."

After a pause, he added, "I think my personal guards must have also caused trouble. When they return, I will definitely discipline them more strictly."

Empress Ma was even more surprised. "Li Qing, you arrested the personal guards of the Duke of Cao too?"

They came to me on their own initiative... Li Qing cupped his hands and said, "Replying to Your Majesty, they broke into the Zhao Prison at night."

Li Wenzhong cursed Li Qing in his heart for being unethical. He thought he had been polite enough. He never expected that the other party not only didn't appreciate it but also put such a big blame on him.

Mao Xiang had a strange expression on his face. He was quite speechless about this subordinate of his.

Li Wenzhong quickly explained, "Your Majesty, when Thousand - household Li arrested people last night, he wasn't wearing the official uniform of the Jinyiwei. I was afraid that my son would be kidnapped by villains, so I sent my personal guards to the prison to check. There was really no other intention."

"It's just that the young lad was impetuous. It's not a big deal." Zhu Yuanzhang spoke up, setting the tone for the matter.

Li Wenzhong let out a long sigh of relief and quickly showed his stance. "I have failed in my teaching. I am guilty."

Mao Xiang immediately echoed the emperor's will and took the blame on his own initiative. "Your humble servant has been lax in managing his subordinates. The Jinyiwei has made a mountain out of a molehill and should bear the main responsibility."

"Hehe..." Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled. "The Jinyiwei has a rigorous attitude. What mistake have they made?"

Mao Xiang was stunned. Li Wenzhong quickly took over the blame. "Your Majesty is wise. It's all my son's fault."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled. "After all, they are just kids. It's understandable. That rascal Zhu Zi also went."

"The Eighth Prince was lured by my son." Li Wenzhong took the blame again.

How could the emperor's son be wrong?

It was all the fault of the courtiers!

Li Qing watched the scene in front of him and thought to himself, "This high - end game is really something. None of them shirked their responsibilities."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but laugh. "All right, let's turn the page on this matter. But that place of debauchery..."

"Father, have some tea."

Anqing presented a cup of tea in a dainty manner. While Zhu Yuanzhang was taking the tea, she seemed to say casually, "Yesterday, I heard from the little eunuch in the princess's mansion who was in charge of purchasing fruits and vegetables that a poem titled 'Ode to Wanling' is circulating in Zui Xian Lou.

Its artistic conception is as high as Bai Juyi's 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow'. Congratulations, Father. It seems that our Great Ming is showing the first signs of a prosperous age."

"Prosperous age?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was attracted by these two words, but soon he shook his head and laughed. "How can a single poem be related to a prosperous age? You, girl... this isn't the way to flatter."

"I'm not flattering, Father." Anqing said sweetly. "Among all dynasties, the Tang Dynasty was the most prosperous, and the heyday of the Tang Dynasty was during the Kaiyuan period. The so - called prosperous age requires all - round development in governance, military achievements, and culture.

Father, your military prowess shakes the world. You've driven out the Tartars and restored China.

In terms of governance, you've let the people rest and recuperate, and restored production. The country is becoming stronger day by day, and the people are gradually becoming prosperous.

It's only in culture that we're a bit lacking for now. But things are different now. The emergence of a poem like 'Ode to Wanling' doesn't it indicate that the literary world of the Great Ming is also about to revive?"

Anqing smiled and said, "With all - round development in governance, military achievements, and culture, what else could it be but a prosperous age?"

"Oh? Haha..."

Although Zhu Yuanzhang knew that his daughter was flattering him, he still couldn't help but be delighted. Which emperor wouldn't want to create a prosperous age that would be admired for generations to come?

"What Her Highness the Princess said is very true. Your humble servants congratulate Your Majesty."

"All right, all right, get up." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand with a smile. "The Great Ming now is still far from the Kaiyuan prosperous age. Although Emperor Xuanzong had flaws in his later years, the prosperous age he created is truly the most remarkable in history. We can't compare."

But Anqing said, "Emperor Xuanzong's military achievements are far from comparable to Father's. In terms of governance... it's only been fifteen years since the founding of the Great Ming. In another ten years, we may not be inferior to him.

The only thing he surpassed Father in is that during his reign, culture was extremely glorious. People like Li Bai, Du Fu, and Bai Juyi... all emerged in that era.

But hasn't our Great Ming produced a Mr. Li?

Let's say it's a draw for now!"

As Anqing spoke, she casually glanced at Li Qing. At the same time, Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, Zhu Biao, and Mao Xiang all looked towards Li Qing.

Only Li Wenzhong, who was there to plead guilty with thorns on his back, was at a loss, looking a bit out of place.

Li Qing smiled with reserve. He knew that the princess probably knew about his affairs. However, the two had no prior interactions, and they had only met once before. He didn't know why Princess Anqing was speaking up for him like this.

But in the next moment, he understood.

He heard Anqing continue, "Perhaps Jinglong was also inspired by that Mr. Li and wanted to go to the brothel to find some inspiration and compose a wonderful poem.

After all, even Li Bai, the celestial poet, was a frequent visitor to places of entertainment. It's natural for talented scholars to be romantic. Why suppress it?

It's quite reasonable for Jinglong to have such an idea."

Goodness, after going around in such a big circle, this was what she was aiming at.

Anqing's move was truly clever. She not only flattered the emperor but also did Li Qing a favor and helped the Duke of Cao out of the awkward situation. And how many people could figure out her true intentions?

Li Qing thought to himself with a sigh, "I underestimated this princess last time. This woman is also a high - level player."

Sure enough, Zhu Yuanzhang no longer mentioned dealing with Zui Xian Lou. He took a sip of tea and said to Anqing, "Father and your imperial brother still have official business to attend to. Go take a walk with your mother."

Anqing smiled and said, "Your daughter obeys the order."

Li Qing and the other two quickly bowed and said, "Your humble servants take their leave."

...

In the Zhao Prison.

Li Jinglong was lying on his side. His eyes were bloodshot. The cell smelled terrible, and he was bitten by mosquitoes. He had suffered a lot during this night.

Suddenly, he saw a row of legs approaching the prison door and immediately looked up.

"Father?"

Li Jinglong almost cried with joy and struggled to stand up quickly. "Father, you've finally come. Son has had a hard time!"

Li Wenzhong clenched his fists, his face dark, and remained silent.

As soon as the prison door opened, he immediately rushed forward in a flash.

"Slap!"

"Bang!"

First, there was a loud slap, and then a punch right to the chest.

Fatherly love was too overwhelming for Li Jinglong to bear. He hunched over and lay on the ground, retching.

Li Wenzhong was still not satisfied. He kicked Li Jinglong's butt several times, making him howl in pain.

"I'll never dare again!"

Mao Xiang motioned to Li Qing with his chin. The two entered the cell and held back the Duke of Cao, who seemed ready to punish his own son severely, trying to persuade him with kind words and rescue Li Jinglong from his misery.

Shortly after, those personal guards were also released.

Li Wenzhong cupped his hands to apologize, saying that he had been lax in managing his subordinates. Mao Xiang quickly expressed that the Jinyiwei also had some inappropriate actions. The two sides exchanged a lot of polite remarks.

After they left, Mao Xiang said, "Follow me to the back hall of the yamen."

"Alright."

...

"Li Qing, you bet right this time. The emperor is very satisfied with what you did." Mao Xiang regained his relaxed expression, a smile on his lips.

I didn't bet. I just simply didn't like that brat... Li Qing said with reserve, "It's all thanks to the cultivation of the Commander - in - Chief."

"Cut it out." Mao Xiang glared at him impatiently. Then, he said meaningfully, "It seems that the emperor wants to make the Jinyiwei, this blade, sharper. You can go ahead and do things without hesitation."

"Go ahead and do things?" Li Qing's eyes lit up. "Boss, do you mean... I can openly deal with the imperial son - in - law..."

"Cough, cough, cough... I ate some leftover pickles this morning, and my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable." Mao Xiang got up and left. After walking a few steps, he turned back and said, "Just go for it."

Li Qing watched Mao Xiang walk away, smiling helplessly.

Mao Xiang's meaning was clear. You can do whatever you want. If there are any achievements, I'll take the lion's share, and at the same time, I'll cover for you.

But if things go wrong and I can't cover it, you're on your own.

Li Qing didn't think Mao Xiang was shameless. Today, he had witnessed the high - level game and also got a taste of the ways of the officialdom.

- As a subordinate, one should have the spirit of taking the blame!

Superiors won't give clear instructions because if the opinions are clear and something goes wrong, it will be their responsibility.

In short, if you do well, you'll get a share of the benefits; if you do badly, you'll bear the blame.

In fact, even Mao Xiang had come to the conclusion that "the emperor wants to make the Jinyiwei sharper" by guessing the emperor's intentions.

Since that's the case, then just do it!

At least it won't be a waste of the power in hand. If it really doesn't work out, he could find a remote mountain forest to hide in and come out after Zhu Yuanzhang passed away.

Li Qing took a deep breath and grinned wickedly. "Then I'll really go all out!"