Chapter 611: Yuan, Li: Have We Been Duped Again?

Chen Yan grinned and laughed: "National Teacher, look, even the hexagram shows this, enough to prove I didn't fool you; you really are cut out for this, aren't you?"

Yuan Tiangang was momentarily at a loss, but didn't refute further.

Li Chunfeng, seeing matters had reached this point, stopped making excuses and asked seriously: "Then, Mr. Chen, could you tell us specifically about this bad person and what exactly happened in Luoyang?"

"Bad person, huh…" Chen Yan nodded, and explained to the two how the bad person had evolved from an initially ignored minor official to the current form, and what the bad person intends to do and plans for the future.

At the end, Chen Yan paused, "As for Luoyang… I really don't know much, because the information I received also came from the mouths of refugees."

"We were also counting on you to investigate."

Yuan Tiangang thought and said: "Is it to investigate the Luoyang government situation, why the flood wasn't reported, and the two granaries in Luoyang?"

"Granaries aren't important," Chen Yan shook his head, "Even in the worst case, I think no one in the world would have the nerve to touch the granaries."

"Also, I personally think Luoyang's government may not be the most severe situation; you should focus on grain prices."

"In short, investigate Luoyang's government, but more importantly why civilian grain prices have surged; I believe there's something behind it, so pay extra attention."

"Alright, Mr. Chen, we understand," Li Chunfeng slightly furrowed his brows, then relaxed and nodded in agreement.

At that moment, Li Daozong passed by them, saw the three together, opened his mouth as if to speak, but thought Li Shimin's side was more important, so he simply clasped his hands and entered the hall.

Chen Yan scratched his head, "Grand Historian, would you say I've taken Li Daozong's livelihood? If he learns the news later and bears a grudge against me, what should I do?"

Li Chunfeng, hearing this, looked slightly odd, "Mr. Chen, I think you're overthinking it. Not to mention Li Daozong doesn't even earn a living from this, and he may not be willing to control this bad person; moreover, he will still rely on you in the future, he won't even have time to flatter you, so why would he resent you?"

"Rely on me…?" Chen Yan was startled, blank for a moment, then understood Li Chunfeng's meaning.

Recalling the little girl he saw at Empress Changsun's birthday banquet in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, Chen Yan's eyes darkened briefly, then he laughed, "What you say is just speculation; the specifics depend on what Li Daozong himself thinks."

"Mr. Chen, are you scared?" Li Chunfeng retorted.

Before Chen Yan could speak, Yuan Tiangang said softly, "Brother Li, do you think Mr. Chen would be scared?"

"Or rather, is there anything in this world that Mr. Chen fears?"

Li Chunfeng recalled Chen Yan's deeds over the past two years and his daily flowery speech in the Court, and the corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.

"Indeed…"

"Yes!" Unexpectedly, Chen Yan nodded seriously, "Just now His Majesty said inside that he would lock me in Dali Temple Prison, even had someone fetch a sword to cut off my head; I was terrified of dying."

Both: "......"

Hehe, as long as you're happy.

While the three were talking, Li Daozong entered, stayed briefly, and soon came out again.

To Chen Yan's surprise, when Li Daozong emerged, his grin was harder to keep in than an AK.

And upon seeing the three, he rushed over impatiently, first saying to Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng: "Two Daoist masters, the bad person is now in your hands; I will not interfere, hope you won't disappoint His Majesty's expectations."

"I'll go back now to make some preparations, and wait for you to come to the Peng family tavern in West Market to find the manager, have him bring you straight to me; rest assured, it won't take long and will certainly not delay your trip to Luoyang to investigate."

"And we have enough manpower, all handpicked good people; be sure to come find me quickly, so I can hand the people over to you!"

Both: "......"

"And also… Minister Chen!" Li Daozong grabbed Chen Yan's arm, his gratitude practically overflowing.

Heavenly Bodhisattva!

Finally got rid of this hot potato!

Damn bad person, go haunt the ghosts from now on!

Day after day doing dirty, exhausting work, never asking for any reward, yet still getting scolded every day.

If anyone wants to take this bad person, be my guest.

"Minister Chen, I truly don't know how to thank you… So, you come with me; I know you love beef, and coincidentally my household today has a cow that's quite despondent; I think it doesn't want to live."

"Let's give it a proper end, so it won't suffer."

Chen Yan: "......"

His eye twitched, he looked down at Li Daozong's hand gripping his, and at Li Daozong's seemingly sincere gratitude, and was speechless:

"Prince… I don't eat beef."

Chen Yan helplessly pushed away Li Daozong's hand and said slowly, "At first I was worried you'd think I stole your livelihood, but seeing you now… I'm relieved."

"No! You didn't take my livelihood; you saved me!"

He originally wanted to say more, but instantly realized they were in Ganlu Hall, and speaking like that was inappropriate, so he lowered his voice and whispered into Chen Yan's ear:

"…Forget it, it's not a place to talk; earlier I was a bit impatient. You must be busy lately; whenever you have time, come to my residence. If you come early, my cow can be freed sooner."

"…Alright." Chen Yan replied with a helpless laugh, then watched Li Daozong sincerely thank them again, and remind Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng to come later for the handover, and left in good spirits.

Yuan Tiangang frowned: "Mr. Chen, why do I feel something's off? Looking at Li Daozong's expression, the bad person doesn't seem that easy to handle."

"He's hard to handle. But you two are different; in this regard, Li Daozong can't compare to you…" Chen Yan coughed dryly.

"Ah, never mind, I have to return to the Ministry of Revenue to have people prepare disaster relief supplies in advance, so I won't keep you any longer, ha."

After saying that, Chen Yan gave them no chance to speak, and bolted away.

Watching his departing back, the two remained silent for a long time.

"Brother Yuan… do you think we've been duped again?"

"I don't know… the hexagram originally showed we were indeed suited for this; I think Mr. Chen didn't trap us."

"Then now?"

"Now it's hard to say."

Both: "......"