Chapter 929 Inside and Outside

Emperor Li has been on the throne till now, and the new dynasty at this time is full of vitality and everything is flourishing.

But even so, there are inevitable undercurrents in Luoyang City. Those in the world who want to occupy a position in the new dynasty are now sharpening their heads to get into Luoyang.

Lu Zhen is not the only one involved here.

Back then, Qiantang County Magistrate Liu Xiang was killed in battle, and the now-Empress Liu Su was almost lost in the hands of the rebels and was rescued by Li Yun.

At that time, Li Yun had inquired about Liu Su’s family. However, the world was in chaos at that time and the Liu family was scattered. In addition, Li Yun was too incapable at that time and did not find Liu Su’s family. As a result, Princess Liu lived in the home of Mr. Xue in Qingyang County for a long time.

Now, it has been just over half a year since Li Yun ascended the throne, and many members of the Liu family have come to visit him. These members of the Liu family are indeed Liu Su’s relatives.

The closest one among them is her half-brother, who now also lives in Luoyang.

In other words, there is no shortage of people like Lu Zhen in Luoyang City today.

And if these people really have some abilities, Li Yun would not refuse to use them just because of their status as relatives of the emperor in the new dynasty which is extremely short of people. For example, the brother of Princess Liu is now working in the court. Although his rank is not high, he does have a livelihood.

However, no one, after entering Luoyang, had ever privately gone to see the prime minister or important officials of the court in the name of the imperial concubine to seek official position.

Lu Zhen was the first one.

It was precisely because he was the first that Du Qian “accidentally” mentioned him to Li Yun.

Given Prime Minister Du’s shrewdness, he certainly would not really recommend the former Zhou governor to Li Yun. He just wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Li Yun about this matter.

After Emperor Li learned about this, he did not rush to deal with it. He just mentioned it calmly when he met Lu Huan.

Hence, today’s meeting took place.

At this time, Lu Bing was no longer the young boy who was manipulated by his ninth uncle Lu Zhen in Luzhou.

He has followed Emperor Li for these years. Although he has not become one of the nine ministers of the court or a provincial governor like the descendants of the Xue family, he has an innate advantage, that is, the three siblings in his family were all rescued by Li Yun.

Later, he entered the court by relying on this “nepotism”.

It is precisely because of this relationship that, as the emperor’s “brother-in-law”, he is naturally the emperor’s direct descendant and is naturally able to help the emperor and do many things both openly and secretly.

For example, he can walk outside the palace.

He can act on behalf of the emperor in the nine departments.

Up to now, it is hard to say about other departments of the Nine Departments, but in the Jingzhao Department, Lu Bing’s status is not low. Even the Director Meng Hai has to politely call him brother when he sees him.

The current Lu Bing has enough ability to face his uncle Jiu, who once dominated the three siblings.

Lu Zhen was shocked by his nephew’s words, but after swallowing, he calmed down.

“Handle.”

Lu Zhen took a deep breath and whispered, “You are still young, you don’t understand the ins and outs of the court.”

“Your Highness is now a noble in the court. In the future, our Lu family should have a place in Luoyang City. However, it is not enough for the Lu family to have only you in Luoyang.”

He looked around and whispered, “Uncle Jiu was an official in the court. He understands many things that you don’t understand.”

“Even if you don’t recommend me to be an official, you can let me stay in Luoyang City. When the time comes, I can give you some advice, right?”

As he spoke, he whispered, “Your brothers have all arrived in Luoyang. When they grow up a little, they can help you. They are our own family members and we are the closest to them.”

“Also, I heard, I heard…”

“I heard that the queen is pregnant again…”

Lu Zhen lowered his voice and said, “Whether it’s a boy or a girl, this shows that His Majesty still likes the queen. This is our Lu family’s opportunity.”

“If a prince is born in the future, he will need the help of his mother’s family, right? Can you help by yourself, Bing’er?”

When Lu Bing heard this, his face turned pale.

He strode out of the main hall and walked into the small courtyard. He looked around and looked quite nervous.

He is very familiar with Jiusi.

I also know Jiusi’s methods.

After all, this matter is reported to the emperor. If the emperor is interested in this matter, every word they say may be heard by the nine officials.

After taking several deep breaths, he returned to the main hall, grabbed Lu Zhen’s collar, tried to lower his voice, and shouted: “You don’t want to live, do you?”

“No matter what you think in your heart.”

“I’m telling you, this is Luoyang, this is the Tang Dynasty!”

Lu Bing gnashed his teeth and said, “We three siblings have received great favors from Your Majesty, and all we want is to repay Your Majesty’s kindness with all our heart. I, Lu Bing, will only be Your Majesty’s lone minister in my life!”

“The shit you have in your mind.”

Lu Bing said angrily: “Dream on!”

After that, he walked away, saying, “You and I are uncle and nephew, I won’t fight you, but if you don’t leave Luoyang within three days, someone will fight you!”

He strode away without looking back.

Lu Zhen looked at his nephew’s receding back, his face pale and he almost collapsed on the ground. After a long while, he muttered to himself.

“Stupid boy, stupid boy…”

“Sitting on a mountain of gold and treating it as dirt…”

…………“Sister.”

In the harem, Lu Bing, who was allowed to walk around the palace during special time periods, bowed his head and said to Concubine Shu in Concubine Shu’s palace.

“I have already gone to see him.”

The system of the New Tang Dynasty was largely inherited from the Zhou system. Under the Empress there were four concubines, nine imperial concubines, twenty-seven ladies, and so on.

The four concubines are Gui, De, Shu and Xian.

After the founding of the new dynasty, Empress Xue was naturally the undisputed number one in the harem, and Concubine Liu, because of her excellent relationship with His Majesty and the Empress, also took the position of Imperial Concubine.

Lu Huan was conferred the title of Consort Shu.

Lu Yuzhen, Qin Xian and others who had given birth were all among the nine concubines.

Concubine Lu was already seven or eight months pregnant at this time, and her movements were already inconvenient. After hearing her brother’s words, she sighed slightly and said, “From the previous generation of the Lu family, only Uncle Jiu is left. Originally, what happened back then was in the past, and my sister and I did not pursue the past.”

“If he had spoken nicely…”

At this point, Concubine Lu said somewhat unhappily, “You are so old, and you have been a governor, but you are so ignorant that you even went to see Prime Minister Du.”

She looked at Lu Bing and said, “After you kick him out, take some gifts and go see Mr. Du to apologize to him.”

Lu Bing lowered his head and said “OK”.

Lu Huan looked at her brother again and said, “I have been feeling a little lonely in the palace recently. It is not convenient for you to stay in the palace for a long time, so let me come in and accompany me.”

“I’d like to have a companion, too.”

Lu Bing nodded and said yes. He hesitated for a moment and said, “Should I go and report to His Majesty about this matter?”

Concubine Lu thought about it, shook her head slightly and said, “Forget it. This is a small matter and it’s not worth making a fuss about. His Majesty should come to my place again in the next few days. I will mention it to His Majesty then.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Bing looked up at his sister, then lowered his head again.

At this moment, he seemed to understand something.

Lu Huan looked at her brother. They were of the same mind. At this moment, she seemed to know what her brother had guessed. So she said helplessly, “This was not my idea.”

“My little sister wants…”

Lu Bing thought of his sister who was only seventeen or eighteen years old. He lowered his head slightly and said, “Your Majesty is a hero of the world…”

“That’s not surprising.”

Lu Huan smiled and said, “Your Majesty may not agree.”

Lu Bing didn’t respond.

“You’re doing your job well.”

Concubine Lu looked at Lu Bing and urged him, “Also, you must get married this year and give birth to children to carry on the family line for Dad.”

Lu Bing had no choice but to lower his head.

“I understand, little brother.”

…………

Outside Tongguan, General Su Sheng, riding on a tall horse, looked at the city wall not far away through a telescope.

The telescope at this time was somewhat different from Jiangdong’s original telescope. It could see farther and more clearly.

Moreover, they used to be single-barreled, but now the one in General Su’s hand has become a double-barreled one.

After watching for a while, he called the accompanying general Qian Zhong and asked, “What is the situation in Tongguan recently?”

Qian Zhong thought for a moment, then bowed his head and replied, “General, Tongguan has been quite honest in the past year, especially since Your Majesty ascended the throne.”

“In the past, Tongguan would send out scouts from time to time to gather information.”

“From this year on, no one has come out of Tongguan.”

Su Sheng put down the telescope in his hand and smiled at Tongguan: “Qian Zhong.”

Qian Zhong bowed his head and saluted: “I am here!”

“Send someone to send a declaration of war to Tongguan and tell them.”

General Su looked at Tongguan with a calm expression: “Three days later, my royal army will attack Tongguan and recapture Guanzhong.”

“If you don’t want to die, switch on and surrender immediately.”

Qian Zhong exclaimed, “Ah!” and asked, “General, this?”

“Go if you are told to go.”

Su Sheng glared at him: “Do you want to disobey military orders?”

“The general will not dare!”

Qian Zhong bowed his head and saluted, then looked up towards Tongguan.

“I will go right away!”

(End of this chapter)