The revitalization of the Tang Dynasty began with the Ganlu Incident.

Chapter 88: Impeachment and Counterattack

Inside the public housing, Yang Qinyi was speechless as he looked at Liu Hongyi, who seemed completely indifferent.

He shook his head and said solemnly.

"Governor Liu, this is not the time for jokes. The scene just now clearly showed that someone was targeting us. By doing this, aren't you giving them a handle to use against you?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hongyi also stopped smiling.

He glanced outside the door, calculated the time, and said.

"The officials from the Council of State Affairs will be here in a while, so it's good to say something now."

"Governor Yang is a shrewd man. You should know why His Majesty wants to implement the new system, shouldn't you?"

Yang Qinyi frowned but remained silent.

Knowing something is one thing, but saying it out loud changes everything.

However, Liu Hongyi hadn't expected him to answer anyway, so he paused briefly before continuing.

"For many years, the Shence Army has been controlled by the lieutenant, who has the power of life and death over it. The outer court cannot interfere. There are even audacious individuals who dare to test the divine weapon."

"Given His Majesty's character, he would not tolerate this situation continuing, hence the establishment of the Shence Military Governor's Office."

These words were so blunt that Yang Qinyi couldn't help but interrupt them, saying...

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"His Majesty established the Shence Military Command to consolidate power, not to relinquish it."

Without blinking, Liu Hongyi stated a fact that both of them knew perfectly well.

"So, if we were to become very close to these ministers in the court, do you think it would be a good thing or a bad thing?"

Yang Qinyi fell silent immediately, his expression shifting several times.

It should be noted that between the two of them, if we were to discuss who was closer to the minister, there is no doubt that it was him.

Therefore, Liu Hongyi's words not only answered the question just asked, but also indirectly reminded him that he should keep his distance from Li Deyu and others.

"you……"

Yang Qinyi was about to say something.

Suddenly, the sound of bowing came from outside. The two looked out and saw Wang Ya and the others entering the waiting courtyard one after the other.

So Yang Qinyi had no choice but to swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue, slowly stand up, and prepare to go forward and greet them.

When Li Ang received the news, he was changing clothes in the inner palace in preparation for going to court.

In the original owner's harem, there were only two concubines. One was surnamed Wang, from the Wang clan of Taiyuan, and was given the title of Virtuous Consort. She was the birth mother of Crown Prince Li Yong. The other was surnamed Yang, from the Yang clan of Hongnong, and was given the title of Virtuous Consort. She had a princess.

To avoid suspicion from outsiders, after the initial turbulent period, Li Ang resumed his usual peaceful life in the inner palace.

Today, Li Ang happened to be at Consort Yang's place. After hearing Qi Baozhen's description, he frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure appearing on his face.

"Such a thing happened? Liu Hongyi really beat up that censor?"

Qi Baozhen replied, "Yes, it is said that he personally took action. This matter has caused quite a stir. Many officials, as well as the military governor who had just returned to the capital to report on his duties, all expressed their intention to impeach the two governors during the court session."

This matter is not simple.

After figuring out the ins and outs of the matter, Li Ang made a judgment immediately.

It should be understood that given Liu Hongyi and Yang Qinyi's status, no censor would provoke them without a reason.

The censors may be reckless, but they are definitely not stupid.

After all, regardless of Liu Hongyi's current official position, they were both eunuchs by origin, and their behavior naturally carried the domineering style of eunuchs.

From this perspective, Liu Hongyi's temper is actually quite good.

Looking back at the past, which of the Shence Lieutenants dared to act so arrogantly in front of an Imperial Censor? It wouldn't have been something that could be resolved with just one punch.

"You said that several military governors who have returned to the capital are planning to impeach you. Who are they specifically?"

Qi Baozhen then replied again: "Niu Sengru, the military governor of Shannan East Circuit; Du Cong, the military governor of Zhongwu Army; and... Yang Sifu, the military governor of Jiannan East Circuit."

When he spoke of the last name, his tone became slightly hesitant.

Unsurprisingly, Consort Yang, who was helping Li Ang adjust his court robes, paused upon hearing this name.

The next moment, Li Ang's voice rang out calmly.

"If I remember correctly, this Yang Sifu is your cousin, Consort Xian, isn't he?"

Like Li Ang, Consort Yang was only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a beautiful appearance and fair skin.

Upon hearing this, her expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and said.

"Your Majesty, yes, according to seniority, he should address me as aunt. Although we are distant relatives, he still writes to the palace to inquire after us during festivals in recent years."

"However, since I was transferred out of the capital a few years ago, these letters have become less frequent..."

She didn't seem to realize the sensitivity of her words, simply saying it casually, as if it were nothing more than a trivial matter.

Li Ang stared at her for a moment, then said nothing more, simply flicked his sleeves and gave the order.

"Let's go to court..."

Not long after, in the Zichen Palace.

After the courtiers finished shouting "Long live the Emperor!", someone soon brought up the matter of the Waiting-for-Leaks Courtyard.

The first to step forward were several censors, whose words were very sharp, and they immediately wanted to question Liu Hongyi and others.

"...Your Majesty, the court has its own system. The two commanders openly beat officials in the waiting room, which is a blatant disregard for the law. We beg Your Majesty to punish them severely to uphold the law."

"...Your Majesty, I second that it is not the case. If such matters are not severely punished, the court will lose face. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

Incited by them, many officials below also began to discuss the matter, and many showed indignation on their faces.

Seeing this, Li Ang looked at Liu Hongyi and the others who were lined up in the court and said.

"Minister Liu, Minister Yang, what explanation do you two have for this matter?"

Upon hearing this, the two, who had already discussed it privately, naturally stepped forward.

Then, Liu Hongyi said, "Your Majesty, I wish to impeach the censor on duty at the Waiting Room. Oh, and I also wish to impeach the censors who just impeached me."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into an even louder discussion, with countless surprised gazes turning toward Liu Hongyi, who stood in the hall.

The censors, in particular, blushed and spoke up one after another.

"We spoke the truth and were justified, yet you, as a minister, turned around and falsely accused us. How arrogant and unreasonable you are! Do you even respect His Majesty?"

Faced with the group's angry rebukes, Liu Hongyi merely glanced at them, and the cold aura emanating from his body caused the group to involuntarily calm down and shut up.

He then sneered and said, "So you all know that I am a court official. Then let me ask you, what is wrong with me, as a court official, attending court and lining up for the ceremony? And why is this person, as a censor of the Waiting Room, preventing me from entering the Waiting Room?"

"Doesn't his action constitute dereliction of duty and insubordination? If I don't reprimand such an arrogant and unruly person, how can the court maintain its dignity?"

In the past, Liu Hongyi, as an eunuch, always served the emperor and had never directly confronted court officials like this.

But that doesn’t mean he lacks political acumen.

Conversely, eunuchs in the Tang Dynasty wielded great power, and the selection process was extremely rigorous. Without genuine ability, it was virtually impossible to rise to a position.

His words were powerful, reasonable, and well-founded, in no way inferior to those of proper ministers who had passed the imperial examinations.

The censors were speechless for a moment, but they still had to force themselves to continue.

"Even if he has made a mistake, he should be impeached through a memorial to the emperor. How can we resort to vigilante justice?"