Chapter 252: Chang'an Has No Future, I Want to Hang Out With You

"I came today just to remind you that, apart from the mastermind behind the Weinan County corruption scandal you were used to expose, you don't need to worry about anything else." Qin Qiong paused, then continued:

"Of course, warning you to be careful isn't to make you fear her; it's simply to remind you not to be used again."

"That person is deeply hidden; even after Li Junxian sent people to investigate for so long, there's not a single clue."

Chen Yan's expression turned odd as he said, "Is that person really that powerful?"

"Why am I so skeptical?"

Regarding this matter, Chen Yan has always maintained a skeptical attitude.

Because he doesn't believe that Li Shimin, if he earnestly searched for the mastermind, would find not a single clue.

Although the Tang Dynasty lacks high technology, one should not doubt the abilities of its elite personnel.

The ancients weren't truly foolish; they just had different priorities than later generations.

"I'm not entirely sure; probably they found nothing, otherwise His Majesty wouldn't have let it rest." Qin Qiong shook his head.

"That makes sense," Chen Yan thought, indeed that was the reasoning.

That person has disgusted both Du Ruhui and Li Shimin; if Li Shimin discovers who it is, it would be unlikely he'd let them go.

Unless the person is someone like Li Yuan, it would be understandable.

After a brief idle chat, Qin Qiong took his leave; Chen Yan couldn't persuade him to stay, and seeing his resolute attitude, he had no choice but to see Qin Qiong out the door.

When he returned, he immediately fixed his gaze on Li Chunfeng, who sat in a chair, composed, sipping tea.

Chen Yan curled his lip, walked over, and slapped Li Chunfeng's shoulder, "Old Taoist, you don't climb Sanbao Hall without cause; speak, what are you up to this time?"

Li Chunfeng wasn't annoyed, smiling, "Nothing much, just wanted to ask how your trade is going; has that grain variety you planted matured yet?"

"Oh, that," Chen Yan understood, plopped down beside Li Chunfeng, draped an arm over his shoulder, "Old Taoist, I'm not bragging to you; my business has been growing larger and larger. In a few years I'll be able to lie on piles of money every day, eat a piece of baked pancake and toss another, and only eat the very center of a watermelon."

"As for the potatoes… they slightly exceeded my expectations, hmm… perhaps also because I tended them well each day, but overall the result is good."

"I didn't have time to do much; while it wasn't too late, I specifically sourced fertile soil and planted it at my home in Weinan County."

"Unfortunately the initial number of potatoes was too small; although the harvest after successful planting exceeded my expectations a bit, I could only use them as seed potatoes, and I couldn't bring myself to eat even one."

"You actually still think about eating it?!" Li Chunfeng twirled his beard, eyes blazing, "That is a heavenly omen, a treasure of the world; if I were to receive it, I'd almost be compelled to offer it up, and you actually think of eating it?"

"Then I'm not eating it?" Chen Yan retorted, "Besides, it was meant for people to eat; even if I want to eat it, what's the problem?"

"And besides, I'm not not eating it? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"You…" Li Chunfeng choked, helplessly waving his sleeve, "Fine, I can't win against you; as long as you don't eat it, it's fine."

Then, after a pause, he showed expectation: "Mr. Chen, I also wish to ask, when will you return to Weinan County?"

"No, you old Taoist," Chen Yan said displeased, "I just got back, and you already think about me leaving; what are your motives?"

"No, no, no, I don't mean that," Li Chunfeng hurriedly said, "I just wanted to ask when you're leaving, and whether you could take me along."

"Honestly, Chang'an holds no appeal; I feel that following you offers more prospects."

"......."

?

A huge question mark appeared above Chen Yan's head as he stared at the childlike Li Chunfeng before him; he had no idea what the old Taoist was pondering day after day.

"What does it mean that Chang'an is meaningless, and following him has more prospects?"

"Please, you're the Grand Historian!"

"Whoa, Li Chunfeng, what do you mean by that?" Chen Yan snapped, "What are your intentions, old Taoist, and where do you intend to place me?"

"You, as a Grand Historian, say Chang'an is meaningless and that following me has prospects; are you trying to kill me?"

"…Huh?" Li Chunfeng was startled, instantly realizing his words were indeed inappropriate.

He is the Grand Historian, commissioned by Li Shimin, the Tang emperor; how could he say he wants to mix with others?

Moreover, he is also a capable Taoist.

Those who didn't know thought Chen Yan was rebelling, so Li Chunfeng went to join him.

"Mr. Chen, Mr. Chen, I have no such intention!" Li Chunfeng, not wanting Chen Yan to misunderstand, hurriedly explained, "My action was consulted with His Majesty; I've been studying the economic circulation you mentioned for a long time, think I grasp a few superficial points, and just wanted to see how you actually implement it."

"After all, I usually have nothing to do; if there were, Weinan County is not far from Chang'an, and I could return at any time."

"His Majesty also agreed."

"Is that so." Chen Yan felt slightly reassured, yet remained wary, "You aren't deceiving me?"

"I'll tell you, this afternoon I'll request an audience with His Majesty and Her Majesty; I will ask His Majesty, and if you dare deceive me, I'll go around saying you're a deceitful old Taoist who harms respectable women and likes married women."

Li Chunfeng: "......"

His face turned dark, "Ask away; I conduct myself properly, I fear none of that."

Seeing Li Chunfeng didn't seem to be lying, Chen Yan finally relaxed.

Ancient monks and Taoists are truly too damn weird; you have to be on guard.

"Fine, fine, if you want to go, you may; when I leave, I'll definitely send someone to inform you, okay?"

"Very well then." Li Chunfeng smiled.

Having achieved his goal, Li Chunfeng, like Qin Qiong, immediately took his leave.

It left Chen Yan speechless.

"What kind of people are they all?"

Finish business and leave, without any fuss.

"Ruthless."

But there's no choice; when they insist on leaving, it's hard to stop them, so like Qin Qiong, Chen Yan also personally escorted Li Chunfeng out the door.

However, what he didn't know was that after leaving the Weinan Bo Fu, Li Chunfeng rode nonstop to another mansion.

On the gilt plaque, five characters reading "Jiangxia Prince's Mansion" shone brilliantly.

In front of the Prince's Mansion, the war‑returning Li Daozong and the Jiangxia Prince's Consort anxiously waited at the gate; when Li Chunfeng appeared, the couple instantly rejoiced.

The Princess Consort of Jiangxia Commandery hurried forward and said, "Grand Historian, how is the situation?"

"Is that Marquis of Weinan truly the noble person destined for my daughter?"

Li Daozong also nervously looked at Li Chunfeng.

Li Chunfeng smiled and said, "The specifics, I still need to take a look, but Mr. Chen possesses the ability to change the young lady's fate—there is no doubt about that."

"Otherwise, during the Empress's birthday banquet earlier, I would not have had the princess consort specially bring the young lady to sit below; the purpose, naturally, was to let the young lady first make contact with Mr. Chen, and also let Mr. Chen take a look at the young lady."

The Princess Consort of Jiangxia Commandery suddenly realized and said, "Ah, that's how it is."

PS: Thanks for the concern, everyone, I, Hu Hanzan, am back!!

After a busy day, I finally got it sorted; fortunately I wasn't really blocked, which is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. But the original title definitely can't be used; I hope everyone can understand.

Here, I also want to say, thanks for your support all along, and please rest assured, I can hold up, I remain steadfast!