Chapter 278: Fanyun disappeared

Before dawn, Pei Ying got up early and prepared her husband for the preparations for the court. When the weather began to turn gray, Zhang Huan got up, the lights lit up, and the mansion began to get busy. When the owner of the house came back, it seemed to have changed completely. Everyone was so busy that they didn't light up the ground. In fact, nothing was added, but an invisible pressure made everyone tense up, and the feminine aura that had been accumulated for several months was swept away.

The east sky just turned white, and the rumbling drum sounded over Chang'an. Except for the two monthly holidays, the drum sounds continued every day, but the officials no longer took it seriously. They had their own schedule. Before the sun rose in the east, no one would go out to court. This has become a hidden rule in the Chang'an officialdom. Everyone did this, so that the law did not blame the public.

Zhang Huan's carriage was galloping on the street, with hundreds of iron-armored guards surrounding him, and Zhuque Street was deserted, with only a few sparse carriages heading towards the imperial city. It can be seen from their family and guard that these are all low-ranking officials. Since Zhang Huan was appointed Minister of War, he ordered all officials of the Ministry of War to enter the court at the prescribed time. Those who are late for one time and who are 20 or three times will be dismissed from office. Officials of the Ministry of War are afraid of their power, and have changed their usual laziness and entered the court on time, which has become an alternative scenic spot in the Chang'an officialdom.

The street was empty, and the carriage rushed to the Suzaku Gate like lightning. The city gate was already wide open. Zhang Huan saw Li Suhe from afar through the cracks in the car curtains and was instructed to place two trunks. He couldn't help but nod. Although this person was a little slick, he was serious in doing things and could be used in the future.

The carriage entered Zhuque Gate and walked about two miles along Chengtianmen Street. When he turned to the right, the majestic and spectacular Shangshu Building Complex appeared in front of him. The six ministries were arranged in order of officials, households, soldiers, punishments, rituals, and labour. Each ministries had a grand gate, with each ministries about half a mile apart. On the high steps, the plaque with the word "Ministry of War" was hung above the main gate, with majestic and solemnity.

Carriages were parked on both sides of the steps, but Zhang Huan was late and entered the gate. It was not time for courtship. The yard was full of officials. They were gathered together to chat in groups of three or three. Suddenly, they saw Shangshu entering the gate. Everyone was shocked and bowed to Zhang Huan. Yuan Zai stepped forward and bowed to Zhang Huan and smiled: "When will Shangshu come back? We are talking about this!"

Zhang Huan returned the gift to everyone, and he smiled at Yuan Zai and said, "I arrived yesterday. Today I want to report my duties to the Queen Mother. Come here to see it."

"The Secretary of State came just in time, and I was about to report to the governor of Shuofang."

Zhang Huan nodded. From Yuan Zai's expression, it can be seen that things were probably not that simple. This was also expected by him. Shannan, Hanzhong and Shuofang belonged to him at the same time. Pei Jun and Cui Xiaofu would agree so happily.

"Let's go! Let's talk to my room."

The two walked into the room. The room was cleaned very neatly. Niu Sengru was writing something at the desk. When he looked up, he saw that Zhang Huan was coming in, and he couldn't help but stand up in surprise. Zhang Huan smiled and waved his hand, signaling him to continue to be busy. He walked into the room and asked Yuan Zai to sit down.

"Tell me! What happened?"

Yuan Zai sighed and said, "The memorial of the Shangshuo Lin to be the governor of Shuofang was stuck in the Empress Dowager, and she refused to approve it."

"Why didn't she criticize?" Zhang Huan asked coldly.

"She refused on the grounds that Ma Lin was not suitable for her, but his subordinates heard that Li Mian proposed that Duan Xiushi would be the governor of Shuofang and the governor of Lingzhou again. She criticized this plan, but now it is stuck in the Ministry of Personnel. It is estimated that Pei Xiangguo will make a decision after the Secretary of State returns."

Zhang Huan sneered, and lost tens of thousands of soldiers to expel Li Zhengji and the Uighurs. He did not directly serve as the governor of the court. He recommended Ma Lin as his role, but Cui Xiaofu was not grateful.

After pondering for a while, Zhang Huan said, "It's okay, you should hurry up and handle the matter of Xiangyang Group Training and Changsha Group Training. I will deal with the matter of Shuofang Jiedushi in person."

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After staying in the Ministry of War for about half an hour, a young eunuch came to report that the Empress Dowager had moved to Zichen Pavilion and asked Shangshu Zhang to report his duties. Zhang Huan came to Zichen Pavilion in Daming Palace, and a eunuch was waiting in front of the steps.

"Shangshu Zhang, the Empress Dowager has been waiting for a long time."

Seeing that he was about forty years old and his clothing was of high quality, but he looked very unfamiliar. He had never seen him before, so he smiled and asked, "My father-in-law, why have I never seen you?"

The eunuch quickly bowed and smiled flatteringly, "I dare not, I call him Lu Taiyi. I turned out to be a servant in the Luo Palace. I just transferred to the palace and now I am the empress dowager in charge of the seal. I will ask Mr. Zhang to take care of him in the future."

Zhang Huan smiled and went to the hall to pick up the steps. But when he walked, he suddenly came back and felt enlightened, "Palm Seal?" Cui Xiaofu's seal has always been under the jurisdiction of Li Fanyun. What's going on?

He stopped and turned around and asked, "Where is Li Fanyun? Where is she now?"

Lu Taiyi stepped forward and said respectfully: "I have heard of the name of Li Shiguan, but I have never seen her for more than a month after entering the palace."

"Is that true?" Zhang Huan was shocked and suspicious. If Li Fanyun left the palace, she would at least leave a letter to herself, but now there is no news. What's going on?

"Empress Dowager Xuan Zhang Huan's meeting!" An empty shout came from the hall.

Zhang Huan pressed his doubts and quickly walked into the hall. Lu Taiyi was obese and moved quickly in front of him like a groundhog. In a moment, he led Zhang Huan to Cui Xiaofu's imperial study room.

Compared with the past, there are a little different things here. Not only are there many eunuchs and palace maids, but there are also five or six rooms added, mainly for increasing collections of books. Two doctors from Hongwenguan write hard in the same room. They take turns to Zichen Pavilion to answer questions for the Empress Dowager every day, which is equivalent to the former Hanlin Bachelor.

There was a historian sitting in another room. When he saw Zhang Huan coming, he smiled and wrote a note: On the fourth day of the March 19th, Zhang Huan, the governor of Longyou, reported his duties.

Zhang Huan walked into Cui Xiaofu's court room, and the decorations in the room changed a lot. On the wall opposite was a map of the mountains and rivers of the Tang Dynasty, and on the other side was a map of the county and county in the country. It was very detailed and the furniture was added a lot, mainly rows of shelves, with various memorials neatly placed on them. The reviewed memorials were placed on the shelf at the door, and eunuchs could send them out at any time. Zhang Huan noticed that the only frame marked Longyou was empty. It should be a memorial to ask Ma Lin to be the governor of Shuofang.

"Zhang Aiqing came back only yesterday afternoon!" Cui Xiaofu asked with a kind smile.

Cui Xiaofu is 42 years old this year, which is the end of the milfs. Although she wears thick makeup, the traces of time are inevitably reflected on her body, and her face is reflected. Her cheekbones on her face have become higher, her lips have become thinner, her skin has begun to loosen, and silver threads can be vaguely seen in her shiny hair. Not only that, her body has also begun to gain weight. She specially wore a wide apricot yellow robe to cover it up.

At this time, the woman was at the most sexual desire, and Cui Xiaofu was no exception. However, she was different from Wu Zetian, who was in power. She was more cautious and cautious. In order not to let her reputation hinder her gain of power, she even killed Yang Qingyi, who was very likely to fall in love with. When the desires in her body were not satisfied, her desire turned to power, and she almost pervertedly pursued power, and she didn't want to let go of even a slightest.

Perhaps this is a big reason why among so many women who have gained power in history, there are very few women who can be called politicians like Lu Zhi and Wu Zetian.

Zhang Huan walked forward and gave a deep courteous ceremony, "I will meet with the Queen Mother."

"Your dear is exempted from the courtesy and will be given a seat!"

A palace maid stepped forward to lay a soft cushion on Zhang Huan. Zhang Huan thanked her for her and sat down. Cui Xiaofu kept smiling and looked at Zhang Huan sitting down. She said again: "I heard from the emperor that I met my dear minister in Qujiangchi yesterday?"

"Yes! I happened to return to Beijing yesterday and met the Holy Lord on the road. The emperor's majestic face really made me feel relieved."

Cui Xiaofu smiled, she changed the topic and went straight to today's topic and said: "I heard that Zhu Li was destroyed by my beloved, and my years of heart disease was eliminated. I finally could sleep on my pillow. My beloved can tell the story of the Ai family."

"I obey the order."

Zhang Huan briefly told some of the scenes of the Battle of Shannan, and finally said: "This time Zhu Li poisoned Shannan, and his family was destroyed and his people were killed. The originally rich land was destroyed by the war. In order to restore his vitality as soon as possible, I pleaded with the Queen Mother to issue an order to exempt Shannan from taxes for three years and look forward to the Queen Mother's approval."

Cui Xiaofu was silent for a moment and said, "The Ai family will discuss this with the Prime Minister and then ask the cabinet to vote. However, Zhang Shangshu has a loving heart to the people, and the Ai family is very pleased."

When it comes to the cabinet, the two no longer talked deeply. In recent years, the power of the cabinet has fallen step by step. When Cui Yuan was the prime minister for the second time, he was the peak of the cabinet's power. After Pei Jun became prime minister, he used the minister to overturn the cabinet, and the power of the cabinet also fell to the peak. As the cabinet expanded, most of the members were not in Chang'an. In addition, Zhu Li and Cui Qinggong's notoriety, the cabinet fell to the lowest point in both prestige and power. Everyone understands that the cabinet established to balance the interests of the seven major families, with the decline of the seven major families, has ended its historical mission and has died in name only.

Now is the era of the three powers and the power structure of the Tang Dynasty is facing a new reshuffle. Before the pattern is clear, many people are self-protection and maintain a wait-and-see attitude.

Therefore, in Zhang Huan's so-called report on his work, whether it was Cui Xiaofu's question, Zhang Huan's answer, Zhang Huan's tax exemption request and Cui Xiaofu's perfunctory, it did not involve any substantive content, such as the appointment of officials in Shannan, the issue of the belonging of Shuofang's military governor, etc., it was not involved at all. Both of them knew that these things were achieved through struggle or exchange of interests, and they could not be solved by just one report on their work. Before clarifying the other party's bottom line, both sides were careful and did not easily touch them.

Zhang Huan briefly said a few more words about what he saw on the road, and this formal report was over.

"I'm talking nonsense and disturbing the Queen Mother for a long time, so I'm going to say goodbye."

Cui Xiaofu didn't keep him, and nodded with a smile and said, "I heard that Cui Ning is pregnant. The Ai family will send someone to send some tonics. Her health has always been bad. Please ask Shangshu to take good care of her."

"Please rest assured to the Queen Mother, I will definitely take good care of her."

Zhang Huan bowed and bowed, and was about to leave, he suddenly asked again: "I am here to report my duties today, why didn't I see Li Fanyun? She is sick?"

Cui Xiaofu's face changed drastically. She turned her back and said nothing. Zhang Huan saw it and was confused in his heart. He quickly apologized: "I just ask casually, please don't take it to my heart. I will say goodbye!"

He slowly retreated out. When he walked to the door, Cui Xiaofu said coldly: "She left the palace without authorization, and the Ai family didn't know where she went?"

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After Zhang Huan left, Cui Xiaofu stood in front of the window for a long time, staring at a lush tree in a daze. Her expression was a little sad. At this time, no one dared to go up and disturb her.

I don’t know how long it took, but the long cry of the eunuch on duty came from afar: “King Luo meets you!”

Cui Xiaofu suddenly woke up from her thoughts. She immediately sat back to the imperial case and ordered: "Please come in."

Soon, Li Qiu walked in under the guidance of Lu Taiyi, and he bowed, "I will meet the Queen Mother."

Unlike Zhang Huan's report just now, Cui Xiaofu winked at the eunuch Feng Endao on the side. He immediately understood and turned around and called out all the eunuchs and palace maids who were serving beside him, waiting far away from the room for summoning, but the door was open, in order to prevent the historian from ambiguously recording: On a certain month and a certain day of a certain year, the queen mother met the prince and sent the servants away, and the two closed the door and were alone.

"I asked you to come here to tell you that you should restrain the royal family and never indulge them in a mess. Zhang Huan was caught by the handle. I can't save you at that time." Cui Xiaofu's voice was very low, and only Li Qi could hear it, but his tone was very serious, without any joke.

Li Qiu was shocked and asked hurriedly: "Is it Zhang Huan who came to Beijing?"

Cui Xiaofu nodded, "That's why I specifically told you that he suddenly asked about Li Fanyun just now. Maybe he heard some news. I was worried that he would take action."

Li Qiu sighed and said, "Empress Dowager, I have advised you many times. Since you don't want to use Li Fanyun, you can kill her. If you die, it will be a disaster. Don't forget that she is the eldest princess of Prince Yu, and Cui Yuan knows the truth."

Cui Xiaofu was silent. Li Fanyun told her true identity back then and revealed that she was raised by her elder brother. She didn't take it too seriously at that time, but she didn't expect that she would become a future today.

After a long time, she slowly said: "I will handle this matter myself. I have another important task to hand over to you today."

"Please give orders to the Queen Mother!"

"Now that Zhang Huan is divided into various places, he has no way to take care of everything, so I thought of a plan to remove the firewood from the bottom of the pot."

Li Qiu didn't understand for a moment, and he wondered: "The Queen Mother's meaning is..."

Cui Xiaofu smiled gloomyly and said, "He Lou Wuji from Longyou, Siyu from Hexi, Chenglie from Shuofang, the famous country in Shu, Li Shuangyu from Shannan, Lin Jiuhan from Changsha, and Li Guozhen from Hanzhong. These generals each lead tens of thousands of soldiers. As long as we buy one person, we can severely damage Zhang Huan. Do you understand?"

Li Qiu suddenly realized, and he sincerely exclaimed: "The Empress Dowager is such a plan to remove the firewood from the bottom of the pot. It is indeed wonderful. I am willing to share the worries of the Empress Dowager."

After hesitating, he asked again, "But I don't know who to start?"

Cui Xiaofu pondered for a moment and said, "It's time to hit a snake. I have been thinking about it for a long time. He Lou Wuji is a famous general He Lou Yurun of Anxi. He has a certain loyal minister to the court. You might as well start with him."

"But what if Zhang Huan returns to Longyou?"
To be continued...