Chapter 30 Chapter Thirty
Wu Zetian hesitated for a moment, withdrew his order, turned back to the post road halfway, and continued to march towards Songshan.The civil and military officials were all dressed in imperial uniforms to welcome the holy driver, the maids in the palace, and the local gentlemen and common people.Elderly women over 80 years old, wearing yellow cloth or yellow silk clothes, kneeling with incense sticks in their hands.On both sides of the palace gate, colorful sheds are built with silk and cloth of various colors, where singing and dancing are performed and tea is served.There is a lot of traffic, noisy and jumping, and it is a prosperous and lively scene.The servant helped Wu Zetian step down the imperial chariot, and the sound of "Long Live" came and went, just like a mountain roaring and a tsunami.
Wu Zetian was radiant, with a smile on her mouth, as if her face was full of flowers.Wan'er, Hong Xing, Gao Yanfu and Gao Lishi waited on both sides, and many servants, female officials and court ladies surrounded Wu Zetian and walked into the palace.The decree was exempted from rituals, that is, the audience was exempted, and the officials and the people gradually dispersed.
When Wu Zetian came to the palace, he saw that the dragon bed was very fragrant and soft, showing a satisfied expression.The maid waited on her to take off her make-up, and after taking a bath with orchid soup, Wu Zetian lay down on the dragon bed.After the maid and the servants retreated, Er Zhang came out from the bathroom.The slanting sun seeps through the window lattice, and the shadows of the trees dance.Against the background of the water-red gauze, the newly bathed Wu Zetian looks extraordinarily plump and strong. Her body is half naked, and her face is overflowing with sex, overflowing in the blue veins of her white and smooth skin. , overflowing in her eyes, extraordinarily charming and enchanting.There was a passion burning in her heart, as if it was on fire, and the flame was as brilliant and magnificent as a phoenix.Er Zhang was attracted by the burning phoenix, and there was a dream-like radiance on his cheeks.In the bewildered and unfathomable male hearts of the two brothers, joy and tension are intertwined, converging into an indescribable excitement.She has become noble and elegant, graceful and graceful, just like a flower showing herself, giving people a pleasant and delicate feeling. I feel that she not only represents the beauty of women, but also concentrates the essence and brilliance of human beings. Vigorous and dazzling.Er Zhang prostrated himself at her feet again, exposing himself unreservedly in front of her, showing gallantry and affection.She trembled for a while, and her body and mind were burned with intense desire.Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi hugged her tightly and kissed her very tenderly.She also responded to him and his kiss with all her strength, transmitting to them the wild and strong desire flowing in her veins.She is so mysterious and unpredictable, dominating the world and manipulating everything.They must give her the foundation of their lives, they must give her their whole beings.Their blood vessels are expanding, stirring the core of life with each other, and the blood is converging and communicating.The red sun covers the mountain, and the afterglow shines horizontally. The subtle purple glow and Fangxing's thin darkness are entangled into a blur.The woodpeckers tapped on the tree trunks, and the crows, like ink dots floating in the air, flew over the roof of the palace noisily.The little bug hid in the grass and chirped and couldn't breathe.A burst of cicadas just stopped, and a burst of cicadas started again, and the sharp squeaking sound was endless.In the evening of summer, it is like a symphony, and it is like a stream, gurgling.On May 1, there was a solar eclipse.Encountering such situations in the past, Wu Zetian usually fasted and bathed as usual, reduced food, stopped singing, dancing and entertainment, and avoided entering the main hall, keeping a cautious attitude.Today's Wu Zetian always has a feeling of guilty conscience for the inspection of her own life, and she is extremely cautious for fear that the gods of heaven and earth will punish her.Years are not forgiving and excessive indulgence, her body and mind have obviously declined.Since ancient times, most of the emperors wanted to live a long life without abstinence, and they didn't know how to maintain it. They hoped to maintain longevity with medicines, and even dreamed of immortality and rejuvenation.
Wu Zetian ordered Hu Chao, a monk from Nanchang, Jiangxi, Hongzhou, to refine the elixir of life, which took three years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.After she took it, her condition improved slightly.On May 5th, the world was amnesty, and the year name was changed to Jiushi.The honorary title of "The Great Sage of the Heavenly Book of the Golden Wheel" was cancelled.
Nine times out of ten, the medicines Wu Zetian took were nourishing and strengthening agents, which were extracted from a large number of organisms and minerals. They often stimulated the central nervous system and had the effect of refreshing or strengthening the spirit in a short period of time.As for burning alchemy and refining mercury, that's another matter.
After Wu Zetian took the medicine, she seemed to be out of the sky, her libido was high, and she couldn't do without Er Zhang.She wants to do it again, but she is afraid of people's words. People secretly say that Konghe Mansion is Xiaoyao Palace, which stinks. Wu Zetian, who believes in the magic of words, changed the name of Konghe Mansion to Fengchen Mansion, and Zhang Yizhi should serve as the order of Chen Chen.In order to cover up the bad deeds of eating, drinking, and having fun, an order was issued to order Zhang Yizhi, Zhang Changzong, and Li Qiao, a scholar of the North Gate, to compile "Three Religious Pearls" in the inner palace.Among the twenty-six people were Xu Yanbo, Zhang Shuo, Song Zhiwen, Shen Quanqi, and Yan Chaoyin.The so-called three religions refer to Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.In the past, it was generally called Confucianism, but to compete with Buddhism and Taoism, it was linked to religion and called Confucianism.However, Confucianism is only the study of ethics, and Confucius did not talk about strange powers and chaotic gods, so he has been stagnant in secular interpersonal relationships, unable to leap to the religious realm. As the name suggests, "Pearls of the Three Religions" is a book reorganized by extracting famous sentences and admonitions from the classics of the Three Religions, selecting the essence, classifying and integrating them, highlighting the main points, and explaining the teachings.It requires not only extensive knowledge, but also endurance and perseverance.Er Zhang was born in a family of officials and officials, so he had read some books, but it was absolutely beyond his capabilities to deal with such a huge project, especially since they couldn't concentrate, Wu Zetian needed their company at any time.But in any case, Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong must be identified for the supervision, hoping to change people's views, thinking that Fengchen Mansion has gathered all the talents from all over the world, and Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong must be the supervisors to compile books and do learning.Fengchen Mansion is more lively than Konghe Mansion.
Wu Zetian also selected a large number of beautiful young men to be enshrined in the Fengchen Mansion, and they obeyed the emperor's orders. Needless to say, the treatment was generous, and there was hope of promotion and fortune at any time.It has attracted many young officials, sharpen their heads and just want to drill into it, and it has caused bad effects.Rumors and rumors abound, especially the rumors of Wu Zetian's obscenity are even more unsightly.Zhu Jing, on the other hand, couldn't hold back, and said bluntly: "I heard that you can't be satisfied with your ambitions, and you can't be too happy. Although it is human nature to let your desires expand, sages can control themselves, discipline themselves and not overdo it." His Majesty's favorites in the inner palace are Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, which is enough. Recently, I heard that Shi Houxiang, the head guard of the right prison, and others publicly flaunted and sought to serve as enshrinements in the Fengchen Mansion. They are frivolous, shallow, shameless, and disregard etiquette. Baiguan."
"Is that so?"
"The duty of a minister is to tell you everything, and dare not fail to report to His Majesty."
"If Qing hadn't said it bluntly, I would still be in the dark."
Zhu Jing dared to offend Longyan and risked his life to remonstrate.
Although Wu Zetian was red-faced, she did not become angry from embarrassment. Instead, she rewarded him with a hundred bolts of colored silk.Her openness, generosity, and bearing are really admirable.It's a pity that if you accept it with an open mind, you won't change it.She has a wild and open personality, does not pay attention to the details of life, embodies the amazing courage and courage of a great politician, and always reveals an eclectic romantic atmosphere.The midsummer morning in Songshan Mountain is fresh and deep.One side of the already whitish light cyan sky had turned visibly eggplant purple.The seven stars of Ursa Major became dimmed and sank.That star, as bright as a crystal, shoots out its dazzling brilliance clankly and shiningly, and shines on the slowly changing Danxia.In the misty morning mist, some lonely dumb stars were extinguished unconsciously and without leaving a trace, and disappeared into the boundless sky.Layers of milky white water mist rise from the Shicong River, misty and hazy, permeating the river and the vast expanse of verdant forests of Songshan Mountain.The Shicong River converges into a pool by the side of the mountain pit, and the rocks on both sides are steep and shaped like a knife.Under the cliff, the pool is dark, foggy and unfathomable. People named it Chexiangtan after its shape.The clouds in the east turned scarlet, and the sky above was moon-white. The colorful clouds burst into the sky, and the golden light shot out one after another. The huge rocks standing in the water in the south of the pool, the band platform, rendered a touch of hot red brilliance one by one.Dozens of people standing on the flat stone top of the band stage seem to be covered with colorful brocades.At this point, the river is divided into two parts, and the race is like a green horse, hanging on both sides.The golden wind brings coolness, and the lake is full of water.The terrain in front of the pool is open, backed by Songshan Mountain, and the dense forest is shrouded in thick shade, which makes people feel like a smoky scene in spring.The sun was bright and warm, and the honey-yellow air was filled with the song of birds and the buzzing of insects.
Wu Zetian moved Longyan with joy, and praised happily: "Abbot Yingzhou, but that's all, Shi Cong is so ingenious, and the nature is really beautiful."
"In the spare time of the Holy Spirit, to have a good time with Qing and others is also a great event for thousands of years. Why not write a poem to remember it."
After listening to Li Jiao's request, Wu Zetian was so happy that she stretched her eyebrows and eyes, and happily ordered tents to be set up under the shade of the trees, and a feast of wine and banquets was held for all the officials.In a short time, the cups were scattered and the music was colorful, and the monarchs and ministers drank to their heart's content, and they didn't feel drunk.Shangguan Wan'er collected all seventeen poems, and Wu Zetian ordered her to sort them out quickly, and also ordered Zhang Yizhi to write "The Preface to Shicong at the Autumn Banquet". Both the poems and the preface were handwritten by Xue Yao.Poems are engraved on the North Cliff, and prefaces are engraved on the South Cliff.
"Shicong will drink", so it is one of the famous scenery of Songshan Mountain in Zhongyue.Shangguan Wan'er followed the holy order, returned to her residence, read seventeen poems carefully at her desk, edited and edited them, and arranged them one by one, feeling a little tired.She stretched herself, put her hands on the desk, intending to be blindfolded for a while.Zhang Changzong, who was staggering drunk, came in belching and humming a little tune.Wan'er recognized his voice, only felt that the tip of her tongue was stuck to her palate, her body was heavy, and she was so sleepy that she didn't speak to her.Zhang Changzong put a hand on Wan'er's shoulder, and said bewitchingly: "Little enemy, today you look so beautiful, extremely beautiful, with jade shoulders, graceful pear blossoms, light makeup and plain clothes, you are as handsome as Chang'e in the moon." .”
"Oh, Liulang, why did you come here? Offended, offended."
Shangguan Wan'er shrank, Zhang Changzong's hand slipped from her shoulder.Ever since Zhang Changzong came to Sanyang Palace, his expression became more and more dissolute.He often came out of Wu Zetian's bedroom and wandered around. When the flowers were under the moon, he would hug a court lady and press him down among the flowers. The woman crushed under him by a forced gust of wind and rain wailed in grief, but he took pleasure in it.Knowing Zhang Changzong's behavior and seeing his shadow, the court ladies hid here and there, and did not come out for private travels at night.Zhang Changzong was full of courage, his appetite was getting bigger and bigger, and he became more and more fascinated by stealing incense and jade.If you meet secretly by chance, you will be more relaxed and feel proud.At night, while Wu Zetian was drunk and accompanied by Zhang Yizhi, he thought of Shangguan Wan'er, so he sneaked into her bedroom.Wan'er was wearing a purple gauze dress with a bisiluan belt around her waist. Under the illumination of the palace lantern, she looked more elegant, graceful and charming.
"You are so beautiful, your skin and flesh are like honey that has not been touched by human hands. If you can't love you, who will offend you."
"Don't laugh at me."
Wan'er tried her best to avoid Zhang Changzong, "Liu Lang drank too much wine, go back and rest, the emperor is waiting for you."
"The emperor is drunk and won't be able to wake up tonight, ho ho, Wu Lang is waiting for her when she wakes up."
Zhang Changzong greeted Wan'er with a playful smile, lifted her clothes with both hands, pressed against her flesh, and hugged her into his arms.A hot breath with the smell of alcohol hit Wan'er's face, she was so sick that she was about to vomit.
"Let go of me, let go quickly," Wan'er shouted in a low voice, "otherwise I will call for help."
"Shout, beauty, you shout! I've risked everything, so what are you afraid of?"
"What do you want?"
"It's a full moon tonight, I'm here to accompany you."
"I don't want you to accompany me."
"I want to accompany you."
Zhang Changzong kissed Wan'er's face with his mouth, "If I don't get you, I will die with regret."
He suddenly picked her up and forced her head to tilt on his chest.She could hear his heart beating rapidly in one ear, and he was so frightened that he fell into a swamp, his tongue froze, and his voice was suffocated.With a shake of his arms, he put her down on the rope bed, then pressed on her body, kissed frantically, untied her belt, and took off her dress.She was tightly gripped by the nameless fear, her hair fell down, and her naked body trembled like a gossamer.Like a wild wolf in heat, his lips moved around, from her mouth to her white and slender pink neck, and then to her plump and elastic breasts.Her eyes turned black for a while, she fell into a bewilderment, her heart was at a loss, she stared at the ceiling dreamily, the shy and frightened mood in her subconscious made her want to shout, I just want to cry, I just want to struggle.However, the voice seemed to be suffocated, and the body was limp and lacked strength.He loosened a bit, allowing her to breathe, at this moment, she felt a kind of frenzy and excitement that she had never felt before, panic and pleasure controlled her like darkness.She rose like a cloud into the night sky, higher and higher, until she ascended into the black heaven, into the primordial eternity.
Wu Zetian woke up from the wine, was thirsty, and wanted to drink tea. She yelled a few times, but no one agreed.She sat up by herself, leaned her back on the pillow, swallowed a little, cleared her throat, and shouted: "Liulang, Liulang!" She reached out and touched the inside of the dragon and phoenix quilt, which woke Zhang Yizhi up.
"Your Majesty, are you awake?"
"Where is Liulang? I want some tea."
"I'll come and go."
Zhang Yizhi got out of bed with his clothes on, brewed half a cup of hot tea, cooled it with cold tea, tasted it himself, and handed it to Wu Zetian.
Wu Zetian took two sips and put the teacup on the small table beside the bed: "I ask you, where is Liu Lang?"
"I have no idea."
"He didn't say anything to you?"
"No."
"En." Wu Zetian took another two sips of tea from the teacup, and was silent for a while.Suddenly, her eyelashes fluttered, and she ordered: "Go and find Liu Lang. He did a lot of affairs behind my back, thinking that I didn't know about it. Today, while I was drunk, I went outside again. .”
It was a bit chilly in the autumn night, Zhang Yizhi put on his robe, straightened his head, carried a silk lantern, and stepped out of the palace gate.Zhang Yizhi had also heard about Zhang Changzong's behavior, and was aware of it, and secretly advised him a few words, but he refused to accept it.As the saying goes, those who are content are always happy.He was dissatisfied, thought he was smart, but was misled by his cleverness, and this time he might not be able to hide it.
"We are blood brothers," he thought for a moment, "One is hurt and the other is hurt, and the other is prosperous. I have to try to save him."
Er Zhang usually gets along very well with Wan'er, she is scheming and understands the emperor's temper, it is best to ask her first for advice on how to deal with it, so that the sixth child can avoid this difficulty.Shouting open Wan'er's door and seeing the messy scene, Zhang Yizhi understood everything.When things got to this stage, it was impossible to hide them.If he committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, his head would be beheaded and he would be exiled into the army.The three of them came to Wu Zetian's sleeping hall together to plead guilty.
A wisp of sour air rushed to the top of Wu Zetian's head, and she was so angry that she couldn't speak for a long time.Something deeper than anger, stronger than pain, made her wide eyes glow red like two balls of fire.She hatedly looked down at Zhang Changzong and Shangguan Wan'er who were kneeling in front of her, and finally her eyes fell on the trembling Shangguan Wan'er.She couldn't do without Er Zhang, and had nothing to do with his brother.Now that she is seventy-seven years old, she won't live for a few more years, so it's unnecessary to replace them, and it's not easy to find people like them.The victim, Shangguan Wan'er, became the scapegoat and was punished instead.
Wu Zetian vented her anger on Wan'er, and handed her over to Gao Yanfu to take care of her and wait for her to be dealt with.
A happy event fell from the sky, erasing the shadow in Wu Zetian's heart.After Li Kaigu and Luo Wuzheng returned triumphantly from the Khitan campaign, they will hold a ceremony to present their victories and captives after paying homage to Heaven, Earth and the Ancestral Temple.She regained her spirits and concentrated her energies on government affairs.In the beginning, Li Kaigu, the general of the Khitan tribe, was brave and fierce, good at riding and shooting, and good at using lasso.When the two armies were at war, he took the lead and took the lead in charging, just like a falcon breaking into a group of crows. The enemy retreated one after another, otherwise they would be wounded and killed.In the battle of Yellow Roe Valley, Zhang Xuanyu and Ma Jieren, the generals of the army, were captured alive by him with a noose.Another Khitan general, Luo Wuzheng, repeatedly defeated the imperial court's army, brave and tenacious, and went forward indomitably.After Sun Wanrong died, both of them came to surrender.Zong Chuke blamed them for coming too late, and asked to slaughter their whole family.Di Renjie disagreed, and argued with reason: "Li Kaigu and the others are extremely brave. They can do their best for his old master as well as his new master. If you use kindness to appease him, it will definitely be of use to me."
"They were originally traitors."
Zong Chuke retorted, "It's easy to rise and retreat, and it's easy to reverse and return to a villainous heart. Such a villain is not worthy of trust."
"The mastermind of the mutiny is Sun Wanrong, and they are followers, so we can't completely blame them."
"Di Qing is right, there is no need to hold them accountable."
Wu Zetian accepted Di Renjie's request and pardoned Li Kaigu and others.Di Renjie was still not satisfied, and asked to grant them official positions.Relatives and friends dissuaded Di Renjie, saying: "Why bother asking for trouble, you have to fight against the emperor's relatives."
"As long as it is beneficial to the country, whether it is stupid or not, and whether it is beneficial to oneself or not, you don't have to think about it."
Wu Zetian was moved by Di Renjie's words and deeds, and ordered Li Kaigu to be the general of Zuo Yuqianwei and Luo Wuzheng to be the general of Youwuwei, and sent them to lead the army to attack the remnants of Khitan.Li Kaigu and Luo Wuzheng lived up to the great trust of the imperial court, and they won the victory immediately. They wiped out the remnants of the rebels and put down all the Khitan.
Wu Zetian, wearing a celestial crown and a crimson gauze robe, with a happy face, held a prisoner offering ceremony in the Hanshu Hall of the Sanyang Palace. Li Kaigu and others presented the Khitan prisoners captured alive.After the ceremony, the heroes will be feasted and rewarded for meritorious deeds.
Wu Zetian promoted Li Kaigu to be the general of Zuo Yuqianwei, made Yan Guogong, and bestowed the surname Wu.At the banquet, Wu Zetian raised his wine glass and greeted Di Renjie, saying: "Old man, drink this glass to the brim! This is your contribution, and I will give you a great reward."
"The minister can't afford it."
Di Renjie left the table and fell to his knees to thank him, "The suppression of the Khitan remnant party is due to His Majesty's prestige and the dedication of the soldiers. I can't say I have any credit for it."
He repeatedly declined and refused to accept the reward.While Wu Zetian was happy, Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong pleaded for Shangguan Wan'er while serving him attentively.Since Wansui Tongtian, most of the edicts issued were written by Wan'er.In recent years, when reviewing memorials, even less, she even wrote them on behalf of her.It's a pity to kill Wan'er, a talented woman of her generation, especially since she can't find someone to take over her affairs for a while.
Wu Zetian also knew in her heart that Wan'er was innocent, she was the victim, and it was Zhang Changzong's fault.To punish her is nothing more than to use her as a warning to Er Zhang, and he must focus his attention on me.It seems that Er Zhang has touched the soul, and the goal has been achieved.
Wu Zetian dismissed the idea of executing Wan'er, pretending that Wan'er was disobedient, and sentenced her to tattoo.The so-called tattoo punishment is tattooing on the forehead as a mark of punishment.Wu Zetian also had a deep intention to use tattoo punishment to damage Wan'er's beauty. Wan'er became ugly, so as to avoid comparing her age and beauty, and to eliminate Zhang Changzong's evil thoughts.Wan'er also thought of death, so that her mother would be even more lonely and helpless, and she survived tenaciously.She was obsessed with the shame of tattooing, but she had nowhere to appeal, so she could only swallow her anger and keep silent.Heart of beauty in everyone.The clever Wan'er used the method of pasting flowers to make up, which not only covered up the tattoo marks, but also added beauty.The materials used to make flower tints mainly include emerald feathers, gold foil sheets, mica sheets, shad scales, fish cheekbones, mother-of-pearl shells, black glossy paper, and camellia flower cakes.Paste the glue that is generally made of fish maw.When pasting, just breathe on it and soak a small amount of saliva to dissolve the paste.When removing makeup, apply hot water and it can be lifted off.Wan'er was ingenious and transformed the tattoo punishment into flower tin, which amazed Wu Zetian.The decoration of huatian, that is, women pasting huatian on their foreheads, quickly spread in the palace and formed a trend.The styles and colors of flower tins have developed into a variety of styles, the most unique of which is "cui tin", which is made of various kingfisher feathers, and the ornaments are emerald green.In Tang Dynasty Zhang Mi's "Huanxisha" ci: "Cui Tin and Golden Thread Town Eyebrows."
Wen Tingyun's "Nangezi" lyrics: "The face is thin with gold, and the eyebrows are deep with emerald tin."
It is this ornament that is chanting.
When Wu Zetian returned to Luoyang Palace from Sanyang Palace, he suddenly had a whim to build a big Buddha statue and asked monks and nuns all over the country to donate a penny a day to facilitate this.Di Renjie, who has traditional Confucian ideas, has always held a repellent attitude towards Buddhism. At the same time, he is afraid of harming the power of the people and draining the state treasury.The more he thought about it, the more he felt uncomfortable. He pulled up his robe and went to the hall, admonishing him: "Buddhist temples today are magnificent in scale, surpassing imperial palaces. Ghosts and gods did not contribute a little bit to the huge project, and it was all people who contributed. Materials don't fall from the sky, they come from the ground after all. , if you don’t squeeze the people, how can you get it?”
Wu Zetian pondered for a while, but stopped talking.She stood up from the imperial couch, paced back and forth, and asked Di Renjie to continue talking.
"The wandering monks pretended to be Buddhists and harmed the world. They built sutra workshops in the lanes at every turn. There were also incense-burning Buddhist halls called Jingshe in the downtown area of the square. Monks and nuns made donations for the items needed for their ceremonies. Donations are more urgent than the government's collection of taxes, and even more urgent than the emperor's collection of taxes. The edict is still strict."
"Devotion to the Dharma will eventually pay off."
Wu Zetian stopped pacing and stopped in front of Di Renjie.
"Liang Wu Emperor Xiao Yan, who claimed to be a slave of the Three Treasures, and Liang Jian Emperor Xiao Gang, were addicted to Buddhism and had unlimited deeds. When Sanhuai set off a huge boiling wave and Wuling raised smoke, the temples and pagodas lined up on the streets could not To save the disaster of endangering the country and destroying the country, yellow cassocks are all over the road, and the teacher of the king is absent."
"There are good examples, don't think about the worst. Besides, I asked monks and nuns to donate."
"It's a drop in the bucket to collect donations from monks and nuns. One hundred days' income is not enough for one day's expenses. The Buddha statues are so tall that they cannot be placed in the open air. Even if a hundred-story hall is built, it may not be able to cover it. Matching corridor pavilions."
"If you don't make it, you have to, and you have to use high standards."
"Buddhist Tathagata founded Buddhism with the purpose of great mercy and great compassion. Why should he waste people's money and make some flashy and useless decorations?"
"When you say that, I feel a little bit heartbroken."
"In recent years, floods and droughts have occurred from time to time, and the borders are not peaceful. If the national treasury is wasted and the people's power is drained to build the big Buddha statue, what will your Majesty use to rescue if there is a local alarm?"
"The Duke persuades me to do good, and I have to listen."
Wu Zetian was once again persuaded by Di Renjie.Instead of using the word "persuasion" to express it, it is better to say submission.
Wu Zetian has always been defiant and unyielding, so why does she always yield, submit, and obey this fellow countryman?The reason is simple, she knows Di Renjie deeply.Di Renjie is high-minded, honest, hard-working in state affairs, and has won the hearts of the people. With his assistance, Wu Zetian can sleep peacefully and boldly.Such a virtuous person belongs to her family, and I really have to thank God for the gift.The monarch and his ministers are congenial and daring, and even get rid of the relationship between master and servant and the gap between men and women, and transform into a new attitude of mutual respect.Di Renjie has always put state affairs first, and devoted himself to maintaining Wu Zetian's imperial power.In front of Di Renjie, the wild Wu Zetian looked like a gentle and elegant lady, so well-educated and reasonable, she often called him "the old man of the country" without mentioning his name.Since Wu Zetian came to power, he was the first and the last person to have such a special experience.Di Renjie fought against Wu Zetian face-to-face with Di Renjie in the Golden Palace. What is incredible is that Wu Zetian never gets angry, always restrains himself and accepts his opinions.Once, when Di Renjie was traveling with Wu Zetian, suddenly a gust of wind blew off Di Renjie's head, and the horse was frightened and couldn't control it, screaming and running around.
Wu Zetian immediately ordered the prince Wu Xian to catch up, took the reins of the horse, and calmed the horse down slowly.
Wu Zetian has many eyes and ears, but she never inquired about Di Renjie's personal affairs, respected and trusted him, and obeyed him.Di Renjie is an old man with great ambitions, lives up to his trust and expectations, speaks everything he knows, and talks endlessly.
Wu Zetian paid attention to talents. She once asked Di Renjie: "I hope to find an outstanding talent and entrust him with important tasks. Who do you think is suitable?"
"I don't know what position His Majesty wants him to take?"
"As the general, the prime minister."
"The literary quality is profound," Di Renjie recommended, "Su Weiwei and Li Jiao are the top candidates. If Your Majesty wants to find talents from all over the world," the conversation changed, "the only one is Zhang Jianzhi, the governor of Jingzhou. Although he is old Some, but have the utensils of a prime minister."
Wu Zetian always regarded Zhang Jianzhi as an ungrateful villain and refused to reuse him.In the first year of Yongchang, Zhang Jianzhi won the first prize in the hands of Wu Zetian. He is now in his sixties, and he was awarded the title of supervisory censor and Fenggesheren.He didn't think of virtue, but assisted the original Wang Sujie to present "On Loyalty and Filial Piety" to his father, Emperor Li Zhi.Two years ago, Wu Yanxiu was advised against marrying the daughter of the Turkic Khan Mochuu as the princess, and moved to Hezhou as the governor.Soon he was transferred to the governor of Shuzhou [Chongqing County, Sichuan].At that time, Shu Prefecture had to send 500 soldiers to garrison Yaozhou (Yao'an County, Yunnan Province) every year. Set up checkpoints north of Lushui.
Wu Zetian was a person who refused to give up every inch of power and fought for every inch of land.Zhang Jianzhi just went against her will, angered Wu Zetian, and was demoted to Jingzhou as a long history.However, because of Di Renjie's face, Zhang Jianzhi was ordered to be a Sima in Luozhou. In fact, his position was not promoted, but he was transferred to Gyeonggi.In a few days, Wu Zetian asked Di Renjie to recommend talents again.Di Renjie was dissatisfied, and frowning for a long time, he replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty has not used Zhang Jianzhi, whom I recommended earlier."
"It's been used."
Wu Zetian was unwilling to mention Zhang Jianzhi again.
"I recommend him to be prime minister, not Sima."
Wu Zetian seemed to be unable to hold back Di Renjie, so he promoted Zhang Jianzhi to be the servant of the autumn official.If Di Renjie made another request, she thought of a reason to shirk: "I am most willing to be a young and talented person, such as a young and powerful person like Di Guangsi. Zhang Jianzhi is five years older than you. There is more than enough heart, but not enough strength.”
Di Guangsi is the son of Di Renjie.In the first year of the holy calendar, Wu Zetian asked all the ministers to recommend a Shang Shulang, so Di Renjie reported to Di Guangsi, who was serving as the minister of the government, and Wu Zetian did not hesitate to let him be the local official wailang.Di Guangsi was competent for his duties and responded well.
Wu Zetian's eyes were bent into crescents, with a smile on his mouth, and he said to Di Renjie enthusiastically: "You can inherit Qi Xi's reputation!" , asked to resign, the monarch Ji Zhou asked him to recommend a successor, Qi Xi said that Xie Hu could, Xie Hu was his enemy.When Ji Zhou was about to issue the letter of appointment, Xie Hu died.Ji Zhou asked Qi Xi to recommend him again, and Qi Xi said, "My son Qi Wu can do it."
Qi Wu then became a lieutenant in the army.Qi Xi recommends talents for the country, and does not avoid relatives and enemies, which is a good story.In the history of China, there are so many people who dare to recommend talents and talents, few people can compare with Di Renjie.The important people he recommended to Wu Zetian successively included Yao Yuanchong, Xia Guanshilang, Yan Yanfan, the supervisory censor, Jinghui Shi Jinghui, the governor of Taigu County, Shanxi, Taizhou, and dozens of others, all of whom were well-known politicians.I don't know if it's envy or jealousy.Someone said to Di Renjie face to face: "All the princes in the world are under your sect."
"I recommend talents for the country, not for myself."
Di Renjie replied confidently.Yuan Xingchong, a generalist, erudite, quarrelsome, loves to talk about negative opinions, which has already attracted Di Renjie's attention.He still didn't know it, and recommended himself in a witty and reserved tone: "Anyone who manages the family must store dried meat and meat sauce to suit the taste, but also prepare ginseng and Atractylodes macrocephala for treatment. I observed it privately. You have a lot of delicacies in your family, I hope I can play the role of medicine."
"Haha," Di Renjie looked up and smiled, "I can't live without you for a day in my medicine cage."
He recommended talents, not for personal gain, but for public benefit, which won Wu Zetian's trust and people's respect.At this time, the so-called "Di Renjie's sect" formed a powerful force centered on Di Renjie.As the saying goes, the evil does not overpower the good, and the good overwhelms the evil.Di Renjie is upright, with a breeze in his sleeves, even afraid of ghosts.In the Tang Dynasty, it was popular to keep entertaining prostitutes in private homes. Whenever there were banquets or entertainment and social occasions, there must be performances by singing and dancing prostitutes.Drinking and having fun, as well as drinking orders, are always accompanied by happy prostitutes.These domestic prostitutes are not only important participants in the banquet, but also the "face" of the host's house, a beautiful landscape.
Wu Sansi has a proud domestic prostitute named Su'e, who is full of color and art, and is good at five strings.Su'e and Qiao Zhizhi's concubine, Biyu, was known as the "Shuangbi" among the prostitutes, and was well-known inside and outside the capital.The treacherous and treacherous Wu Sansi is good at adapting to situations. With a low profile of "drunk in front of the enemy", he wants to make friends with Di Renjie, at least maintain a peaceful coexistence, and invites Di Renjie to the "My House" night banquet many times.Di Renjie agreed to meet Su'e, who caused a sensation in Luoyang, and see what she was like.
Wu Sansi stepped down to greet him, and invited Di Renjie into the Xihua Hall, where the family banquet was held.Drinking and having fun was carried out in a cheerful atmosphere, but Su'e was never seen in the singing, dancing and bomb playing.
Wu Sansi was in a hurry, and sent people to the back room to look for it.Cangtou replied: "Miss Su'e is missing!" Wu Sansi came to the back room in person, and suddenly there was a fishy smell, and the cold air hit people. Wu Sansi felt dizzy as if he had smelled ecstasy. , blurred vision, dizzy, but heard someone calling "Liang Wang" in a high-pitched voice.He shuddered, his hairs stood on end, and he boldly asked: "Who is calling me, why didn't you come out?"
"It's me. King Liang, I'm Su'e, don't be afraid, put your ear to the wall, I have something to tell.
Wu Sansi put his ear close to the west wall, and sure enough, he heard Su'e's voice: "Duke Di is sitting in the hall, with a dignified spirit, slaves and maidservants are not allowed to enter."
"Are you a ghost?"
"The servant is not a ghost, but a carp spirit in the pool in your back garden."
"Why did you change into a human being? Do you want to hurt the king?"
"good."
Su'e admitted, "This servant came here under the order of the third prince of the Dragon King. He wants to ask for your vitality and then take your life. Because you are too kind to me, I can't do it. Now I am suppressed by Di Gong's righteousness. , I can’t get out. I hope that the king will not think of slaves and maidservants, so that he can do it for himself. Good deeds will be rewarded, and many unrighteous deeds will kill themselves.”
"Young demon speaks to deceive people, this king will not spare you."
The next day, Wu Sansi ordered people to drain the pool, and when he saw the carp, he threw it into the raging fire and burned it to ashes.But the pool was so deep that it couldn't be drained.With a long sigh, he had no choice but to give up for now.Di Renjie served as the pacification ambassador of Hebei Road, and the local area was looted by Mo Chuao.He appealed to the imperial court to transfer grain to relieve the common people.
Wu Sansi's son-in-law, Tian Liangju, took the opportunity to make a fortune for the country, and trafficked smuggled salt to Hebei, exchanging a spoonful of salt for a bucket of rice, making huge profits.Then the rice was transported to Liaodong for sale, and the profit was doubled.Di Renjie cracked the case like a god, and soon arrested Tian Liangju and brought him to justice.
Wu Yizong was appointed by Wu Sansi to ask for protection in person.The subordinates were also worried that they would not be able to fight against Wu Sansi, so they persuaded Di Renjie to let Tian Liangju go secretly.Defiant of power, Di Renjie beat the drums to ascend the hall, invited out Shangfang's sword, and beheaded Tian Liangju.
"Beating a dog to bully the master, not to mention killing my son-in-law, is it tolerable or unbearable?"
Wu Sansi was so angry that he stomped his feet and beat his chest, and stretched out his sleeves, wanting to have an endless relationship with Di Renjie.He knelt in front of Wu Zetian and sued the imperial court, saying that Di Renjie was too deceitful.
"If you don't look at the monk's face and look at the Buddha's face, he doesn't show any affection. Isn't it too much?"
"Di Renjie is stern and selfless, your son-in-law deserves it for pulling his teeth out of the tiger's mouth!" Wu Zetian was not partial to Wu Sansi, and there was a sense of reproach in his tone.
Wu Sansi's plan failed, so he came up with a plan and played around in circles: "He formed a party for personal gain, with evil intentions, and plotted to restore the Tang Dynasty."
"I know it in my heart, he has no evil schemes."
Wu Zetian knew Di Renjie well.Di Renjie is a Confucian official, full of traditional Confucian ideas in his bones, but he is worthy of great responsibility, upright, upright, upright, full of feelings of serving the country, full of strong appeal and cohesion, as if he has the ability to call the wind and rain , can mobilize everything, command well, and take care of every matter well.He is indispensable inside and out, and he has already become the pillar of the imperial court.Among the courtiers, Di Renjie was the one who knew Wu Zetian best.
As a female emperor, Wu Zetian's courage, courage, literary talent, demeanor, domineering, success or failure are comparable to those of male emperors who have made achievements in history, and they are not inferior.However, in China, a country dominated by Confucianism, Wu Zetian rushed left and right, broke through layers of resistance, and became the queen. I am afraid that even she herself knows that there is no one before, no one after, and there is only one person.习惯势力太可怕了，信仰和理念可以驱使人们不要命地对着干，杀不绝，拖不垮，软硬兼施都无济于事，直到你被迫缴械投降，思想观念融入到华夏文化之中，才会停止反抗，安静下来。太平公主明显比两个哥哥都强得多，玩弄权术似乎也得心应手，谋划算计也自有一套，又是她的爱女，武则天不立她当皇嗣，细究其原因固然不少，最主要的一条还在于一女皇不好当！一一她不想让这一沉重的负担移到女儿的肩上，那样反而会害了她。既然储君巳经确立，显当上了皇太子，至于姓武姓李，那不过徒具形式，一种遮眼法，暂时稳定周朝的局面而已。等到她的生命走到尽头，大周帝国也就烟消云散了，融入到了唐朝这一片蓝天里面。她有些伤感，有些悲酸，还有几分不情愿。然而又感到欣慰一一显是她亲生的儿子，子承父业也好，子承母业也罢，其中都含有她的血统，并且由此代代相传。狄仁杰从武则天的言行中分析出了她的心理状态，因此根本用不着掀起一次流血革命，迫使武则天退位，推翻武周政权。就狄仁杰的个性而言，他并不热衷暴力冲突，相反，一心向往和平宁静，相安无事，共同创造美好的明天。人为万物之灵，或许当真存在什么第六感官，第九感官，灵魂感应，心息相通。
武则天和狄仁杰这两位性情、性别和主张显然不同的人，却能如此和睦共处，求同存异，相互尊敬，相互谦让，长久保持融洽，互不戒备，而且配合得那么完美，密不可分。
武则天明知狄仁杰在为复兴唐室作准备，孜孜以求，不遗余力地奋斗，却不制止，也不干涉，好像和他达成了默契，遥相呼应，批准他的奏请，重用他所推荐的人才。现在的宰相班子中，姚元崇、李峤、魏元忠等，都是狄仁杰所看中的人选。明眼人一看便知，这是狄仁杰在为太子显即位准备的良臣。有他们在朝当政，强化了显的太子地位。等到显做了皇帝，他们又都成了忠心辅主的重臣。事在人为，大唐王朝在新的起点上，有望走上繁荣昌盛的康庄大道，迈向辉煌。狄仁杰太累了，呕心沥血，心力交瘁，身体每况愈下。长年的劳累消磨着他的心血、精力和智慧，疾病缠身，病体恢恹，尤其称为“膈食痨”的肠胃病症，把他给彻底拖垮了。一天瘦削一天，眼窝塌下去了，腮帮子陷进去了，脸上的皱纹恍若加过工似的，一条一条地交织着，格外深刻。胡子白得如葱须一般，稀稀拉拉的。去年还很合身的朝服，如今显得又宽又松，好像披风一样空空荡荡的。狄仁杰自知力不从心，屡次请求辞官退职，武则天都不允许。他的两腿愈来愈沉重，俨然灌满了铅似的，费力地移动着步子。每次进宫朝见，武则天总是先举起一只手：“免礼！”阻止他磕头下跪。要是狄仁杰不肯马虎，武则天就像受了打击似的一下从御榻上站立起来，挚诚地申明说：“看见你下跪行礼，朕浑身都感觉痛苦。”
“臣礼不可省，皇上不必迁就。”
“朕不准你行跪拜礼，难道你要抗旨不成？”武则天只得用圣旨来压他，当然她是出于好意。她对狄仁杰的关怀可以说无微不至，尽量减轻他的负担，免除其夜晚在宫中轮流值宿，并且告诫他的同僚说：“如果没有十分重要的军国大事，不可以麻烦国老。”
“臣等明白。”
朝臣们异口同声地应道。狄仁杰为了报答武则天的信任和恩宠，竭力支撑着。可是天不假年，他终于病倒了，再也起不来了，久视元年门九月二十六日，溘然长逝。终年七十一岁。他带着一生的辛劳和欣慰走了，把未竟之志留给了后来者，相信他们会圆满完成，达到预期的目的，拥护中宗复位，振兴唐室。
“呜呼，朝堂空矣！”武则天百感交集地失声恸哭，眼泪扑簌簌地成串滚下。她心里笼上了一层愁云，又像是被掏空了似的。夕阳西下，天空渐渐阴暗，孤鹜从眼前翔过，向南飞驶。这时候，武则天的情绪更加低落，顿生空虚和寂寞的感觉。昏花的眼睛直愣愣地，像是茫然地在追寻着什么。此后朝廷每遇到大事，如果相臣们争论不休，无法决断时，武则天总是仰面慨然长叹道：“老天呀老天，为什么要这么早地夺走我的囯老？”
时隔不久，颁布制书，把周历岁首的正月夏历十一月恢复为去年的十一月，腊月相应恢复为去年十二月，把一月恢复为本年的岁首正月。简要地说，恢复载初元年卯以前的原状，即恢复夏历。赦免天下。长达八年有余的禁止屠宰捕捞令，至今还没有正式解除。人们似乎早已忘却了，或者说习惯了，自然它又成了历史上最长的一次禁屠令。凤阁舍人崔融上疏说：“宰割烹调牲畜，猎捕飞禽走兽，圣人允许，而且载入典章礼制，不可废弃或缺少。鱼是江南人、肉是河西人必备的食品，一天不可没有。禁屠之后，富贵人家照样鱼肉不断，受苦的只是贫民百姓。依靠捕鱼杀牲的贫贱的渔民或屠户，即令每天处死一个，也无法使屠宰绝迹。完全采取高压手段，只不过助长奸诈风气而已。治理国家只要能依照季节顺序，施政合乎常理，百姓自会各得其所。”
年底，下敕废除有关屠宰猎捕的禁令，祭祀恢复用牲畜，一如从前。狄仁杰逝世，给武则天的精神打击相当严重，思绪情感没有借鉴和依托，身躯也好像无处着落，优悒在她脸上刻下了衰老的线条。曾经那么清脆圆润如同黄莺一般的声音，骤然苍老迟顿了，意志消沉，心态平缓下来。说来也怪，朝廷内外也随着她心态的转变清静悠闲了，边境相对安宁，也没有发生造反或谋逆事件。—派祥和协调的宁静气象，内外松弛，君臣都沉浸于“歌舞升平”的慵懒安逸的氛围里。张易之、张宗昌兄弟变换着法子给武则天取乐，就在瑶光殿内宫举行宴会。殿内结起灯彩，歌管细细，舞袖翩翩。他俩陪侍在武则天左右，观赏内妓演奏乐曲，舞妓在乐器伴奏下，扭动软腰，挥洒长袖，赛若春燕展翅似的回旋起舞。内妓是常伴随在皇帝身边的宫妓，在容貌、技艺上远胜于教坊的一般乐妓。内妓表演的乐舞，有“软舞”和“健舞”两种。软舞如《垂手罗》《回波乐》《春莺啭》，健舞有《达摩》《柘枝》《大渭州》等。这些舞大多是外族外域传入的，当然也有创作的乐舞，如《春莺啭》。舞妓头戴花冠，身穿黄绡衫，腰束红绣带，脚着飞头履，在一块地毡上进退旋转，婀娜多姿而典雅。二张和文士们爱看软舞，武则天却喜欢健舞和大型演唱。奉宸府中最有名气的文士，除了苏味道，还有沈佺期、宋之问、杜审言、阎朝隐。二张也附庸风雅，跟他们一起诗歌唱和，或制作新歌，或翻新旧曲。歌潮乐浪，饮酒助兴。
武则天对红葡萄酒情有独衷，其次便是常州的兰陵美酒。而文人雅士在讴歌“兰陵美酒夜光杯”时，大都愿意品尝兰陵美酒。当斟满兰陵美酒的夜光杯，在亮如白昼的烛光照耀下，呈现出黄灿灿的琥珀般的色彩时，大家都为这评然心动，乐得抓耳挠腮，一阵醉人的快意浸透了心田。
武则天内心一种愉快的情绪跟着汹涌起来，满脸都漾开了笑纹。君臣一齐举杯干了手中的酒，又换上西域进贡的红葡萄酒，那红洇洇的颜色如火如荼，更增添了宴会的兴奋情调。
武三思灵光一闪，趁着酒兴，讨好武则天说：“姑皇，请看六郎的样子，简直和升仙太子王子乔一模一样。
“不错，不错，愈看愈像，六郎就是升仙太子转世。”
宋之问等人边附合边深化。众人的说法正合武则天的心意，很快把它转变成现实。她命张昌宗穿上用羽毛编成的衣裳，骑在装有滚轮的木制仙鹤的背上，吹着笙，由内侍弯腰伏下身子牵引，在内宫廷院中转着，扮演王子乔骑鹤升仙的情景。围观者拼命拍掌，欢呼雀跃，有的发出啧啧声，还有的打唿哨。
武则天笑得眼泪都流出来了，吩咐沈、宋、杜、阎等人即兴赋诗。沈佺期和宋之问，在当时诗名甚大，号称“沈宋”。沈佺期字云卿，相州内黄河南内黄县人。宋之问，字延青，汾州山西汾阳附近人。二者都在上元年间考取进士，又都成为宫廷诗人。宋之问因为应制诗写得好，受到武则天“夺袍以赐”的殊荣。沈宋的诗，“应制”之作占了很大部分，内容空洞，形式华丽，无非是点缀升平，讨好皇帝，自是很少价值。倒是在离开宫廷和流放之后的诗，如沈佺期的《杂诗》、宋之问的《题大庾岭北驿》，不失为佳作。沈宋都工于律诗，讲究声韵和对仗，形式力求工致，在所谓“回忌声病，约句准篇”等方面都狠下了功夫，对唐代律诗的形成和发展具有较多的贡献。但因思想品质不高，甘充宫廷的弄臣，没有取得更多的成就，没有给人留下良好的印象。宋之问派家奴暗杀女婿刘希夷的卑鄙行径，恶名流传很广。刘希夷又名庭芝，善写长篇行歌，特别是哀怨的闺情诗。此人长于诗与琵琶，又是一位风流倜傥的美男子，由于艺术家的个性过于强烈，不合潮流，终生落魄。他比宋之问大那么两三岁，二人友好，宋之问便把长女嫁给他为妻。谁知他更加沉溺酒色，生活糜烂，却偏偏作出了一首为人称道的感伤诗《白头翁》。诗以“洛阳城东桃李花，飞来飞去落谁家”开头。其中的“年年岁岁花相似，岁岁年年人不同”对句绝妙，宋之问要刘希夷把这两句诗让给他，刘希夷也是视诗如命的人，不肯相让。宋之问火上加火，气上加气，眼睛瞪得滚圆，愤怒的光利剑般地射出来，暗中派家奴杀死了刘希夷。也有人说刘希夷在妓院感染了毒疮，病死的。也有人说他是酒后醉死的。他的死，便成了一大悬案。阎朝隐，是不值得一提的小人，吹牛拍马，趋炎附势，也无艺术才华可言。杜审言倒是个了不起的诗人，他是诗圣杜甫的祖父。在初唐诗坛上，他与苏味道、李桥、崔融合称“文章四友”，而且是其中的佼佼者。他在咸亨年间中进士，诗文和书法都有造诣。官做得不大，在五言律诗的创作艺术上，对唐代“近体诗”的形成和发展，贡献却不小。后人评价说：“近体，梁陈已有，至杜审言而始叶于度。”
当时赞美张昌宗表演升仙太子王子乔的应制诗，纷纷飞到武则天的手上。Don't be afraid of not knowing the goods, but be afraid of comparing goods.逐一品评，还是宋之问的诗《王子乔》略高一筹：王子乔，爱神仙，七月七日上宾天。白虎摇瑟凤吹笙，乘骑云气吸日精。吸日精，长不归，遗庙今在而人非。空望山头草，草露温人衣。
武则天变换着法子用来取乐，以此逃避老来的忧愁。然而她是女皇帝，所作所为都成了“丑闻”，文武百官不原谅，连市井坊间的平民百姓也不理解，甚至加油添醋杜撰成故事，讽刺挖苦。要是男皇帝，譬如她的嫡孙唐明皇李隆基，宫女达四万人之多，还夺取儿媳妇寿王李瑁妃杨玉环做自己的贵妃，醉生梦死，造成安史之乱，唐朝由盛转衰，从此一蹶不振。人们反而把他看作“风流天子”，在他死后十年出生的大诗人白居易，以杰出的才华和丰富的想象力，谱写的叙事长诗，更使此举成了千古不朽的爱情悲剧，赢得了世人的同情。
武则天生活不检点，奢纵过头，朝臣中冒死直谏者有之。而另一些人却屈服于淫威的压力，随波逐流，胁肩谄笑。杨再思做宰相，专门靠阿谀奉承来取悦于人。司礼少卿张同休是张易之的哥哥，有一次他宴请朝中公卿大臣，在酒喝到最畅快的时候，打趣杨再思说：“诸位请看，杨内史的相貌长得好像高丽人。”
“嘿，这倒是个新发现，”杨再思眉毛动了动，嘴巴咧了咧，接着放声笑起来：“我自己也觉得奇怪，怎么老喜欢高丽歌舞。”
“不妨跳一个看看，让我们也长长见识。”
张同休一开口，扬再思便高兴地放下酒盅，剪些纸贴到幞头上，反披紫袍，手舞足蹈地跳起了高丽舞，不时还加点滑稽动作，逗得在场的人拊掌大笑起来，一下化解了尴尬的局面。在欢快的饮宴中有人向张昌宗献殷勤，称颂他长得俊美：“六郎真漂亮，面容如同荷花一样。”
"Wrong."
杨再思高高地举起一只手，表示反对。张昌宗微微一怔：“错在哪儿？”
“不是六郎像荷花，”杨再思纠正道，“而是荷花像六郎。”
他的应变能力之巧和谄媚功夫之妙，不由人不佩服。古代的上流社会，很注重这样的机变技巧，杨再思可以说达到了炉火纯青的地步。然而他在年轻时却是一个潇洒坦荡的血性男儿，明经科及第，少年得志，满怀报国之情。在赴京途中，行李丢了，窃贼很快被抓获，跪地磕头向他求饶。杨再思见公文无损，松了口气。
“你为什么要偷东西，是不是家里太穷？”
“小人上有八十岁的老母，下有吃奶的婴儿，没有米下锅，逼出来的。老爷，我知道错了，再不干这种勾当了。”
“既然知错愿改，那就不追究你了。”
杨再思给了窃贼—些银钱，一挥手：“走吧，快回家！”他官运亨通，累历天官员外郎、御史中丞。延载元年提拔当鸾台侍郎、同平章事。狄仁杰死后升内史，成为首席宰相，封郑国公。为相十多年，很少建言，也不荐人，只看武则天的眼色和爱恶喜怒行事，随风倒舵，唯唯诺诺，讨她的欢心。他学养深厚，才思敏捷，本来可以干出一番业绩，然而就是不发挥出来。酷吏黑风过去，劫后获得余生，他从反面总结了经验，既不苛求人，也不信任人，更不结怨人，好歹都埋藏在心里，从不表露出来。有人感到不可理解，用一种试探的语气问道：“相公名高位重，何必如此低姿态，屈折于人？”
“世路艰难，崎岖坎坷，”杨再思无可奈何似的摊开双手，耸了耸肩膀，“骄者易折，直者受祸，多少人惨死于酷吏的屠刀之下。我把自己看矮一点，虚心一点，既不伤人，也不伤己。要不是如此，就很难长久相安无事，保全身家性命。”
他的棱角磨掉了，似乎没有什么个性了，表面上看起来窝窝囊囊，实际上获益匪浅，与世无争，却位极人臣。张氏弟兄得意忘形，横行霸道，作威作福。他的对策是：但将冷眼观螃蟹，看你横行到几时。陶醉在眼前荣华富贵中的张昌宗和张易之几兄弟，眼睛都长到额头上去了，目中无人，不仅对于宰相及大臣，就是见到太子显和相王旦，也是高视阔步，摆出一副盛气凌人的架式。谁得罪了他们谁倒霉。司府少卿杨元亨和尚食奉御杨元禧，都是杨弘武的儿子。杨弘武是隋朝开国功臣杨素的侄儿。麟德年间，杨弘武任司戎太常伯，李治责备他授官多非其人，他对答说：“皇上莫怪我，乃悍妻所嘱，不敢违背。”
讥讽李治采用武后之言。李治笑而不罪。杨弘武没有多少才干，但谦慎自守，居职清简。乾封二年，擢升西台侍郎、同东西台三品。杨元禧出身门第髙贵，瞧不起二张，并故意违拗张易之。张易之向武则天吹枕头风：“杨元禧是杨素的后裔，杨素和杨玄感是隋朝的逆臣，子孙不应留在宫里当差。”
“我母亲也是观王杨雄的侄女哩。”
武则天故意逗弄张易之取趣。
“观王是大隋的忠臣。亲疏忠奸不能以姓氏论。”
“算你说出了道理，就依你的好啦。”
武则天颁下制书：“杨素及其兄弟的子孙，都不可担任京官。”
左迁杨元亨当睦州浙江建德县刺史，杨元禧当贝州河北清河县刺史。张氏兄弟好比假虎威的狐狸，骄纵专横，飞扬跋扈，贪赃枉法，无所不为。张昌宗的弟弟张昌仪，不过二十出头，未谙世事，便当上了洛阳县令。他理政浑如木棒吹火--窍不通，收受贿赂却是来者不拒。只要有钱，有求必应，没有办不成的事。有一次，张昌仪早上进宫朝贺，一位姓薛的候补官拦住马头，给他五十两黄金和一张要求任职的申请书，张昌仪掂了掂金子，觉得够分量，即收下了。到朝堂后，他把申请书交给了天官侍郎张锡。几天后，张锡弄丢了申请书，连忙去问张昌仪。张昌仪两眼一瞪，抓起几上的茶杯摔得粉碎：“糊涂虫！我怎么记得他的名字，那么多人求我，我能记住谁？”
"How can this be done?"
张锡急得一筹莫展：“我只记得他姓薛。”
“有补救法子嘛，你就缺心眼。把姓薛的后补官，统统安排，不就得啦。”
“嘿，亏你想得出来！”
“心长在人身上，不想事，要它干吗？”张锡无奈，退回衙门，找出姓薛的后补官六十多人，全部注授官职。二张见张锡敢于为他们兄弟卖命，在武则天面前夸奖张锡才德兼备，办事公道，一次就把姓薛的后补官员安排妥当了。
武则天信以为真，提升张锡当凤阁侍郎、同平章事。鸾台侍郎、同平章事李娇，是张锡的外甥，被免去宰相职务，改任成均祭酒。
武则天年纪虽老却并不昏慵，她发现偏听二张的话，上了当，但是没有吭气，暗藏在心里等待时机。正月初三日，成州甘肃成县上表奏称看到了佛祖的足迹，武则天改年号为大足。三月，张锡主持铨选时泄漏了皇宫的话，再加上非法获取财物，赃款达数万钱之多。
武则天毫不姑息迁就，批示处以死刑。二张反复说情，同时又考虑他是李峤的舅父，一直到临刑前，才下令特赦，流放循州广东惠州市。同一时间，跟张锡同职同位的苏味道，也因案同张锡一起收捕，关进司刑司监狱。在去监狱的路上，张锡骑着马，神态自若，大模大样地直接进入三品院中。由于政治犯人数不断增加，监狱容纳不下，便另设三品院，专囚三品以上的高官。床铺帷帐等寝房用具，以及饮食的排场，跟平常没有两样。苏味道财势不行，一副穷酸相，