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

Chapter 91: What is the intention?

This hastily concluded farce in the imperial court finally came to an end with Li Ang's decisive decision.

Back in the inner palace, Li Ang pondered everything that had just happened. For some reason, he felt that something was not quite right.

After sitting on the couch for a long time, Li Ang finally found the source of this strange feeling...

"Qi Baozhen, don't you think things have gone a little too smoothly today?"

"Smoothly?"

Qi Baozhen stood to the side, offering a cup of tea, his tone somewhat puzzled.

So Li Ang continued, frowning.

"Before the morning court session, the Imperial Censor of the Waiting Room blocked Liu Hongyi and his companion from entering the room. Subsequently, Niu Sengru and others came forward, accusing Liu Hongyi and his companion of assaulting court officials without cause, and declared that they would impeach them in public."

"Afterwards, during the court audience, a group of censors jumped out to defend the censor of the Waiting-for-the-Leaks Court. Du Cong and Niu Sengru came forward to defend them, but before they could say two words, they were suppressed by Li Deyu."

"After that, he shifted the blame eastward, abandoning these censors. All of this happened too naturally..."

It wasn't that Li Ang was overly suspicious; rather, the matter was indeed too strange.

On the surface, all of this seems to make sense.

However, upon closer reflection, one will find that there are many unreasonable aspects to it.

The most pressing issue is that, to this day, Niu Sengru and his associates have not revealed their true intentions.

Was it simply to prevent Liu Hongyi and his companion from attending court? Or was it an opportunity to make things difficult for Li Deyu?

It seems to be both, but it also seems to be neither!

Currently, it seems they want to achieve these goals, but they don't seem to be putting in their best efforts for them.

It is highly likely that Niu Sengru and others instigated this incident.

But the question is, what are they after?

Based on previous recollections, even Yang Qinyi, who had always been on good terms with Li Deyu, had never had any conflicts with the Niu faction before.

The establishment of the Shence Military Governor's Office had no vested interest in Niu Sengru and others.

Moreover, judging from Niu Sengru's consistent style of conduct, his attitude towards eunuchs has always been to avoid provoking them if possible.

If possible, or even if it's possible to become good friends with them, then so be it.

It's not entirely reasonable to say that he was simply trying to oppose Li Deyu.

It should be noted that Li Deyu is now the prime minister, while Niu Sengru is just an ordinary military governor.

It would be fine under any other circumstances, but right now there are still vacancies in the Secretariat and Chancellery.

For Niu Sengru, no matter how much he and Li Deyu disagreed on political views, he should not have provoked them at this time.

His primary objective right now should be to regain the position of prime minister, so why would he create trouble at this time?

Qi Baozhen stood aside, also lost in thought. After a moment, he hesitated and said...

"Perhaps Niu Sengru, having been away from court for many years, wants to use this opportunity to establish an image of being unafraid of powerful eunuchs in front of the court officials?"

Li Ang frowned, still feeling that something was amiss.

"If that's the case, then he should at least have fought to the end. The matter escalated, and he failed to protect these censors; wouldn't that only invite more criticism?"

Now, Qi Baozhen had nothing to say.

Just then, a palace attendant came to the outer room, seemingly to report something.

Qi Baozhen cupped his hands in greeting and hurriedly went there. When he returned, his expression was quite strange.

"I am reporting to Your Excellency, Niu Sengru, the Military Governor of Shannan East Circuit, who requests an audience."

It's true what they say, speak of the devil and he appears.

Li Ang couldn't help but mutter a complaint in his heart, then quickly stood up and said.

"Now that the main character has arrived, let's meet him. I also want to know what he's really up to!"

A moment later, in the side hall, Li Ang sat on the throne, and Niu Sengru, dressed in an official robe, strode in from the hall door.

"Niu Sengru, the Military Governor, Inspector, and Administrator of Shannan East Circuit, and concurrently the Prefect of Xiangzhou, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise."

Li Ang waved his hand, had someone bring over a chair, and said with a very warm expression.

"After many years apart, Minister Niu's demeanor is just as I remember him, still as refined and simple as ever."

The Tang Dynasty's official selection system emphasized physical appearance, speech, writing, and judgment, with the most important criterion being a robust and upright physique.

Therefore, those who were able to pass the Ministry of Personnel's examination and actually obtain an official position were basically not ugly.

Niu Sengru, as a minister who emerged from the imperial examinations, was naturally one of the best.

He was eight feet tall and handsome. In his youth, he was a dashing and romantic figure. Now, having experienced the ups and downs of officialdom, he has gained a more composed and dignified demeanor.

Just sitting there like that, he makes you feel like a refined scholar who has stepped out of an ancient painting.

"Your Majesty flatters me."

Niu Sengru himself was very polite, and his every move exuded the air of a scholar. However, at this moment, a sense of melancholy lingered between his brows.

After bowing slightly to express his gratitude for the praise, Niu Sengru quickly revealed the purpose of his visit. He stood up, bowed once, and then spoke.

"Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. I have come to ask for an audience to apologize."

"To apologize?"

Li Ang's eyes flashed, and he quickly thought of what had happened at the morning court session.

However, he did not show it; instead, he revealed a hint of surprise and said...

"Minister Niu, what makes you say that?"

So Niu Sengru bowed again, and what he said had a rather earth-shattering quality.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. In fact, I already knew before going to court today that the censor outside the waiting room was deliberately trying to provoke the two commanders."

Niu Sengru used the phrase "deliberate provocation," which made Li Ang narrow his eyes.

It seems there are many hidden details he is unaware of...

The smile on his face slowly faded, and Li Ang's tone turned somewhat cold as he spoke.

"Explain in detail."

Seeing this, Niu Sengru became noticeably more cautious. After a moment's thought, he spoke.

"Your Majesty, I only learned of this matter before going to court. At that time, Du Cong, the military governor of Zhongwu Army, came to ask me to go to court together, and he mentioned this matter on the way."

Du Cong?

Li Ang frowned slightly, feeling that the matter was becoming increasingly perplexing.

Niu Sengru continued, "At that time, he told me that the court should not allow eunuchs to interfere in the affairs of the outer court. He said that Liu Hongyi and others originally held the power of the Shence Army, and now they are in the court. If they do this, they will surely become powerful and influential."

"Later, he said that a mere eunuch had usurped the position of a high-ranking official, which disrupted the order of the court. He also said that there were already many censors in the Censorate who planned to stop Liu Hongyi and others outside the Waiting Room today and impeach them in the court, so that they would leave the outer court and return to the inner court to serve."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Li Ang didn't speak, but just sat there with a frown, scrutinizing Niu Sengru from head to toe.

Clearly, Niu Sengru's words shifted all the blame onto Du Cong.

But besides that, what interested Li Ang even more was...

"Then what is your purpose in coming here now to tell me all this?"