Chapter 7 The Seventh Setback of the Mutiny

Let's say that at the beginning of the locust plague, Yao Chong took decisive measures to curb the spread of the locust plague. It was the autumn of the year when the harvest was barely affected by the locust plague.Li Longji was overjoyed after reading the reports from various states. He smiled and said to Yao Chong: "Xunzi said that man will conquer heaven, and there is a certain truth in it. If I had hesitated at the beginning, the plague of locusts would definitely be difficult to deal with, and the autumn ripening may be just grains." No income." Yao Chong replied: "Your Majesty is in accordance with the mandate of heaven, so there must have been some suffering at the beginning of his ascension. However, his majesty entrusts ministers and others to do things. His duty is to solve his majesty's worries and problems. The so-called unity of the monarch and his ministers is also true. Now the grain is abundant, and it is also in accordance with the destiny of the gods." .”

Li Longji listened to Yao Chong's words very well, he was very considerate in his heart, and said with a smile: "Yes, indeed, the monarch and his ministers are one. Yao Qing, it's really rare that you don't take credit for this great achievement. Well, how should I reward you?" Yao Chong waved his hands again and again, but said: "It is the duty of a subject to do the facts for His Majesty. If you do the right thing, you should. How dare you ask for rewards at will? You must never obey orders." Li Longji said: "Forget it, I will remember your benefits. Hehe, this Ni Ruoshui is quite interesting. He got reprimanded by you and went into the field to demonstrate. Bianzhou thus wiped out so many locusts. Rare and rare."

Yao Chong said with a smile: "Ni Ruoshui fell in love with Zhanjing officials, so it is natural for him to complain. This talent is outstanding, and he has a lot of vision. After I heard that he took control of the locust plague, he built a Confucius Temple in Bianzhou. And set up schools in the prefectures and counties under their jurisdiction to persuade students to study, and as an education, they will become popular. Your Majesty, it is really rare for Ni Ruoshui to practice education like this." Li Longji nodded and said: "This person is really good. If I want to emulate the story of Zhenguan, the main purpose is to educate the world. Ni Ruoshui can understand my heart, and my heart is very comforting. Yao Qing, I can order all states in the world to follow the routine, and at the same time You must praise Ni Ruoshui well, and I will reward him in addition."

Yao Chong said with a smile: "Ni Ruoshui is eager to return to Beijing, if His Majesty allows him to return to Beijing as an official, it will be the greatest reward." Li Longji shook his head and said: "It is the right way for Beijing officials to communicate with foreign officials. If I let Ni Ruoshui return to Beijing, doesn't it mean that Beijing officials are still important? Now is not the time. After staying for a while, if Beijing and China If there is a vacancy, it is also possible to let him return to Beijing." Yao Chong stopped talking about this topic, and asked instead: "Your Majesty, what is Zhang Wei's official business in Dongdu? Now, more than half a year has passed, and he only returned to Beijing several times in a hurry, and did not act as an agent for Dali Temple. A minister of Dali by name. The minister thought that if Zhang Wei couldn’t get away, he would simply appoint someone else as Minister of Dali.”

Li Longji also murmured, "Yes, what is Zhang Wei up to?" This is a trivial matter, Li Longji needn't worry about it, and then he thought of the big ripeness in autumn, so he ordered the Ministry of Rites and Taichang Temple to prepare for the auspicious autumn ceremony, which was scheduled to go to the suburb of Huanqiu on the third day of September to preside over it. Chang'an Yuanqiu is two miles southeast of Mingde Gate. The mounds are divided into four parts, each part is eight feet and one inch high, the bottom part is twenty feet wide, and then fifteen feet wide, thirty parts are ten feet wide, and four parts are five feet wide; Second Majesty, every twelve festivals, the outer diameter of the circle is three hundred steps, and the inner diameter is one hundred and fifty steps. On it is the seat of Haotian God. The founding emperor, whose ancestors were also regarded as emperors, Li Hu Temple was named Taizu of Tang Dynasty, and his posthumous title was Emperor Jing). Six hundred and eighty-seven gods including the Northern Black Emperor.Looking east from this hill, you can see a pool of still water in Qujiang Pond.

At three o'clock on the third day of September, the sky was still dark. Li Longji's car started from the gate of Chengtian, followed by all the civil and military officials. Such a long line walking southward along Zhuque Street can be described as mighty.In the car, Li Longji saw that both sides of the street were densely packed with soldiers. They all held torches, illuminating the road like daylight. Gather here? Is it necessary to be so ostentatious?" Gao Lishi replied: "General Wang has been busy recently, and he seems to be busy with some important matters. However, it is better to be strict than to neglect the guards. It should be good to be more careful."

"Well, after the sacrifice is over, you call Wang Maozhong and ask him what's the matter." The sacrificial ceremony was quite complicated. After the ceremony, it was almost noon when Li Longji drove back to the palace.Wang Maozhong didn't wait for Gao Lishi's summons, so he took the initiative to enter the Taiji Hall to see Li Longji, saying that he had something important to report. Li Longji said: "You came just in time. Let me ask you, looking at today's battle, the guards along the way are airtight, why are you facing an enemy like this?" Wang Maozhong bowed and replied: "Your Majesty entered Baochang Temple that day, and the slave took people to escort him and said something to His Majesty. The reason why it is like this today is because someone wants to harm Your Majesty."

"Is there such a thing?" "A few days ago, my slave got a secret report saying that there were outsiders who contacted people in the forbidden army in private, with the intention of harming your majesty. The slave wondered how the tens of thousands of forbidden troops could be identified and eliminated in a short period of time. Keep an eye on the movements of the troops." "Well, this is the best policy." "Your Majesty wants to go out of the city to offer sacrifices today. The servant thought that if there are traitors, he would definitely not give up this opportunity, so he strengthened the guards along the way, and at the same time secretly watched the movement in the army. Last night, there was indeed movement in the left camp. Don't let Chang Yuanci lead more than ten people out of the barracks, and they don't know where to go."

"Chang Yuanci, what is the origin of this person?" Wang Maozhong immediately showed shame, and bowed to apologize: "This man is Chang Yuankai's clan brother, my slave is too careless, I didn't pay attention to this man in advance, and thus planted the trouble, please punish me, Your Majesty." Chang Yuankai was originally Zuo Yulin The general was recruited by Princess Taiping to become her henchman. At the beginning of the incident, Li Longji beheaded Chang Yuankai first, and then went after his aunt's other henchmen. Li Longji did not reprimand Wang Maozhong, but continued to ask: "What happened next?"

"Chang Yuanci disappeared in a strange way. At that time, the servant guessed that they must want to commit crimes along the way. On the one hand, the servant sent more guards along the way overnight, so that they all held torches and had secret marks on their bodies to prevent Chang Yuanci and others from mixing in; Let 30 people form a team, forming a total of more than 500 teams, and let them hide in the various workshops along the street to observe the movement. At a quarter of a century, the sky just dawned, and saw more than ten black shadows jumping out of Lanlingfang, Your Majesty Their car just came here, and they obviously want to commit a crime."

Li Longji said: "When I arrived at Lanlingfang, I didn't feel anything different." Wang Maozhong was a little proud at this time, and said: "The slaves have ambushed more than 20 teams of soldiers in Lanlingfang and the adjacent Kaimingfang before. They just showed up, and these soldiers suddenly appeared to fight with them. Mao Yan As an opponent? He was quickly captured with a single blow. This time, he did not disturb the holy driver, and it can be regarded as making up for the negligence of the servant." Li Longji nodded and said: "Well, you can destroy the enemy invisibly, and I have not lost my trust in you. Well, this Chang Yuanci has committed trouble, do you want to avenge Chang Yuankai?" Wang Maozhong smiled, and it can be seen that he was more proud of himself, and he said: "The slave was in the same mind as His Majesty at the time, and immediately interrogated Chang Yuanci. Alas, it seems that this person is really soft-boned, and he couldn't stand a few blows with a stick, so he was quickly recruited. It turned out that he wanted to avenge Chang Yuankai for a reason, and more importantly, he had someone behind him." "The person in charge? Who is this person?" "Speaking of which, this person is an old acquaintance of ours, and it is also true that Princess Taiping signed Wang Shiqian's signature." When Li Longji heard Wang Shiqian's name, he immediately understood, and said in a deep voice, "If Wang Shiqian is behind him, it's not surprising that this happened. Where is Wang Shiqian now?" Wang Maozhong smiled brightly, and replied: "Your Majesty learned that Chang Yuanci is really weak, and immediately stated that he would make amends, saying that Wang Shiqian was still in the city, and he was willing to lead the way to arrest him. At this time, it was just dawn, and the city gate was closed Well, as long as Wang Shiqian is in the city, he will definitely be unable to escape. When His Majesty went to offer sacrifices, the slaves led people to find a place, and Wang Shiqian has been arrested and brought to justice." At this moment, Li Longji's thoughts flew to other places, and he said angrily: "It seems that Zhang Wei is really an idiot. He has been looking for Wang Shiqian in Luoyang for more than half a year. He still doesn't know that Wang Shiqian is hiding in the capital. Wang Maozhong, send someone quickly." Go call Zhang Wei and tell him to return to the capital to see me!" Wang Maozhong suddenly realized, and said: "It turned out that Zhang Wei was waiting in Luoyang, but it was Wang Shiqian's business. I ordered someone to call him back immediately." "Where is Wang Shiqian now?" "I know that this person is important, so I have attached ropes to him and sent heavy soldiers to guard him. Now he is waiting outside the Chengtian Gate." Li Longji smiled at this time, and said: "Well, this matter is very well done, and I will reward you. Mao Zhong, you are in charge of the imperial army, and it is related to my safety. You must be more careful in the future." Wang Maozhong immediately knelt down, kowtowed and said: "Your majesty redeemed the body of the slave, and now he is a high-ranking official. The slave is grateful. This life is your majesty's dog, and he is determined to be the target of your majesty's encouragement. As for the reward, the slave is ten million." Dare not follow orders." Since the Xuanwumen coup during Tang Taizong's time, many coups since then have been initiated by Xuanwumen, because the status of the imperial army is too important.Li Longji presided over the Xuanwumen Change twice, knowing that mastering the forbidden army means controlling the palace, that is, mastering the power to order the world, so the power of the forbidden army must be in the hands of his cronies.Wang Maozhong was redeemed by himself as a slave, and since he followed him, although he has escaped cunningly on the eve of the incident, he is generally loyal to himself, and this person is quick-witted, and he handles things more properly than Li Yide and others, so he has become a master The best candidate for the Forbidden Army. Seeing this, Li Longji smiled and said: "Get up, my reward is my heart, so don't refuse it. Go and bring Wang Shiqian in quickly. What kind of intentions does this person have in plotting against me?" Wang Shiqian was bound by Wuhuada and brought into the palace, his mouth was probably stuffed with numbness and he was unable to speak.Seeing this, Li Longji ordered Wang Maozhong to untie him and take out the hemp nucleus. Wang Shiqian showed no signs of panic, he moved his body, then smiled and said: "Yes, this is the way to treat guests. Man, you are the emperor, if you don't untie me in this hall, you are indeed a bit stingy. " Wang Maozhong stepped forward and kicked Wang Shiqian, and shouted: "You still don't bow down after seeing the Holy Majesty? Are you courting death?" Li Longji stopped Wang Maozhong, stood up and smiled and said, "Okay, today we are only talking about the friendship between old friends, so we don't want to come to these vain gifts. Wang Maozhong, move a seat for Mr. Wang, let's sit down and talk. Mr. Wang probably has a little You are thirsty, come here and serve fragrant tea to Mr. Wang." Gao Lishi, Wang Maozhong and others in the palace were puzzled when they saw the emperor treating Wang Shiqian like this.Wang Maozhong even thought that if the two were sitting opposite each other, what would happen if Wang Shiqian stood up and attacked the emperor?He also thought that Wang Shiqian was unarmed, and he was no match for the emperor in terms of skill, so he returned to relief. Wang Shiqian was not polite, he sat down, he was a little thirsty after all, he drank the tea that was brought to him, even though the tea was a bit scalding. Li Longji asked with a smile: "Since I became the emperor, Mr. Wang has been very busy. You first asked Princess Taiping to contact the people in the palace with the intention of poisoning me; now you have recruited more than ten people to follow suit. The blow of the waves. Let me ask you, what is the deep hatred that wants to put me to death?" Wang Shiqian said: "The princess is kind to me. As her subordinate, I will of course follow her orders. Man, if you didn't have the princess to help you in the past, would you have been able to ascend the throne? I really don't like your face: When the power is declining, you will be flattered and ready for power, and once you gain power, you will kill them all immediately, the princess is your real aunt, and you can do it?" Li Longji said sternly: "I am the prince, and later the emperor. I am the real Tang Zhengshuo. You pushed the princess to preside over the unreasonable thoughts, but I still tolerated them again and again. After that, you acted recklessly and even murdered the villain. That's true." You can't blame me!" Wang Shiqian smiled again, and said: "Yes, how can the princess's scheming and methods compare to yours? I have nothing to say about the so-called winners and losers. Man, I just want to ask you, you use conspiracy to kill After killing and seizing the position, are you really at ease now?" Li Longji was furious when he heard the words, but when he saw Wang Shiqian's calm expression, he knew that this person had put life and death aside. Several women have been tossing about all kinds of meat and vegetables, and there are also princesses in it. They don't follow the righteous way and love evil and sycophantic things. If I treat them as a humble gentleman, won't I go the same way as the "five kings"? So I deal with them , I still need to use some conspiracies and tricks. I am very calm now. After all, the family fortune passed down by the ancestors has not been lost, and the Tang Dynasty has gradually embarked on the right path. Mr. Wang, over the past year, you have not had a trace Do you feel it?" Wang Shiqian laughed loudly and said: "You are very suspicious, and it is difficult to be good. The heroes who followed you in the uprising in the past were expelled from Beijing one by one. This is an example; you love sex and play, and it is difficult for you to restrain yourself like Emperor Taizong. Selfish desires, leading others to remonstrate, the country's power will not last long. Haha, this is the biggest feeling I have had for more than a year." The more Li Longji listened, the more annoyed he became. Huo Di stood up, his face became ugly. Wang Maozhong took a step forward and reprimanded: "Wang Shiqian, the Holy Majesty treats you with courtesy, you must not be too rude." Wang Shiqian smiled and said: "Wang Maozhong, you former slave, you have become a great general, 'One person attains the Tao, and the chicken and dog ascend to heaven'. You don't need to say such threatening words, I have already put life and death aside, there is nothing to be afraid of ? Wang Maozhong, do you think you took the initiative to capture me? Hmph, if I didn't have the will to die, I would have disappeared long ago, how could I have fallen into your hands?" Li Longji walked a few steps in the hall, calmed down, turned his head and said, "Do you have the will to die? Who made you die again?" "I sent people to poison me, and I came here to instigate chaos, how can I not die? Man, I didn't return to Beijing with the princess a year ago, so I should have died then." Li Longji shook his head and said, "You can't die! If you die, the country will recover after a few years and you won't be able to see it. Wouldn't it be a pity?" "Joke, if I want to die, can you stop me?" Li Longji came to Wang Shiqian's side, stretched out his hand to touch his shoulder and said, "Mr. Wang, I want to make an agreement with you, and let's limit it to ten years. The former Emperor Taizong ruled the world in three years. I can't compare with Emperor Taizong. Just work hard for ten years to bring order to the world. I will send you to Xue Chongjian, and you will be my companions day and night to see how I govern the world. After ten years, if you still want to die, I will not stop you." The people in the palace were shocked when they heard the words, including Wang Shiqian himself, who could not have imagined that Li Longji would make such a decision.Death is the greatest fear of human beings. Although Wang Shiqian came here with the determination to die, now that he heard that he could not die, of course he had the desire to survive again, so he remained silent. Li Longji turned to Wang Maozhong and said, "Send Mr. Wang to Xue Chongjian's house in the eastern capital quickly. He will take good care of him in the future. He will need daily necessities." Wang Maozhong agreed, thinking to himself, how could such a person who offended the emperor live for a long time?After a period of time, his thoughts came to fruition, maybe it just fulfilled the emperor's wish. Li Longji seemed to see what Wang Maozhong was thinking, and added: "Wang Maozhong, from now on, the lives of Mr. Wang and Xue Chongjian will be linked with you. If they die when they encounter flying stones or drown, I will regard it as your intention." Murder. General Gao, this matter is under your supervision. If these things really happen, immediately take off Wang Maozhong's head and question him." When Li Longji said this, everyone believed that it was true that Wang Shiqian's life was spared, so they agreed with a loud bang. Li Longji turned to Wang Shiqian and said: "Sir, you will save your life, but it's a pity that Chang Yuanci's decapitation will inevitably be separated. Sigh, if you can come to see me earlier, let's talk about it, wouldn't there be ten less people in the world?" More innocent souls? Their souls returned to the underworld, and they will definitely blame you for inciting them to engage in this senseless dispute. Mister will definitely remember this matter in the future, I am afraid that there will be hard times in my heart at that time." Hearing this teasing words, Wang Shiqian lost the pride he had just now, and still didn't answer.Wang Maozhong winked, several soldiers came up to lift Wang Shiqian up, and then flocked outside the hall. Zhang Wei was called back to Beijing. On the way, he already heard the details of Wang Shiqian's coup in the capital, and he felt a lot of annoyance and loneliness in his heart. The thought of meeting Li Longji soon turned into deep panic. Most of the leaves on the roadside have faded, leaving only a few yellow leaves trembling in late autumn.Zhang Wei had no poetic talent, and was unable to appreciate the scenery and hurt the autumn. He was only in an extremely bad mood, and he had no intention of drinking and eating meat on the road. Li Longji was really furious when he saw Zhang Wei, and reprimanded: "Wang Shiqian is plotting chaos in the capital, and you are eating meat and drinking all you have to do, I see you, you are indeed a food bag for wine and food!" Zhang Wei kowtowed in apology: "This minister deserves to die. This minister once received a report that Wang Shiqian appeared in the capital, but after searching for him several times, he didn't find him, so he didn't pay attention to the search again. Unexpectedly, such a disaster happened. Your Majesty, this is my negligence. Please forgive me." "Well, people call you 'Zhang Yuanwai', I think it's suitable for you to be a Yuanwai. How about this, Dali Qing will not do it, you go home and be your Duke!" Seeing that the emperor only seized his position as Minister of Dali and did not commit any other crimes, Zhang Wei couldn't help but chuckle in his heart, and hastily kowtowed again: "Thank you, my lord, for your kindness." "Well, let's get up and talk." After all, Zhang Wei is Li Longji's old friend, and Li Longji didn't want to take too much responsibility, so he calmed down and stood up. Zhang Wei got up and sighed: "I really want to help His Majesty, but when my luck is not good, I often mess things up. Alas, I feel really guilty in my heart." Li Longji smiled and said: "I know you are loyal, so I let you do what you are comfortable with. People's talents are uneven. You are the most suitable to be a rich man, so don't embarrass yourself in the future." Zhang Wei bowed to thank him, suddenly remembered something, and reported: "Your Majesty, I recently visited Wang Shiqian's whereabouts, and also investigated his relationship with Li Chongmao. Now it seems that Li Chongmao did not participate in this matter. Ran Chen has been thinking recently that if Li Chongmao lives in the capital, he will be easily exploited by villains and cause chaos." "Well, your intention is to let Chong Mao move out of the capital?" "That's right. It's best to let him move out of the capital, or cut the mess quickly and let him disappear completely. Your Majesty, if a Wang Shiqian who escaped made such a mess, Li Chongmao was the emperor after all, and it was Princess Taiping who tore him off the throne." Let the Supreme Emperor take the throne again, people will be unpredictable, so we have to guard against it." Li Longji remained silent. Zhang Wei eagerly said: "Your Majesty, as long as you nod your head in approval, I will settle this matter with Wang Maozhong." Li Longji obviously lost confidence in Zhang Wei, and reprimanded: "I just said that you are enough to be a rich man in the future, so don't think about it anymore! Go away, and don't mention such things again!" A few days later, Li Longji really issued an edict, changing Li Chongmao to be the king of Xiang, conferring the title of governor of Xiangzhou, and ordering him to go out of Beijing to live in Xiangyang.On the way to his post, Li Chongmao accidentally overturned his car and fell into a deep ditch, falling to his death.Whether Li Chongmao died by accident, or whether Li Longji sent people to plot against him, is really ambiguous and inconclusive. Li Chongmao's body was transported back to the capital, and Li Longji canonized him as emperor and buried him with the emperor's rites.Li Chongmao was twenty years old at the time. He was born in the emperor's family. He was fortunate to be the nominal emperor for eighteen days. He was soon kicked out by his aunt and uncle, and died inexplicably because of the name of emperor. It ended early. own young life.Later generations sympathized with him and called him "Emperor Shang".From this point of view, if an individual in the power field has no real ability, it is better to retreat as soon as possible. However, Li Chongmao became the emperor and was kicked out of power. Li Longji didn't believe the reports from various prefectures. He was afraid that the governors would pretend to be an act of deception, so he ordered Menxia Province and Yushitai to send people to Beijing to make unannounced visits. Zhang Jiuling was sent to Hebei to visit. check. Zhang Jiuling traveled eastward from Beijing, crossed the river from Mengjin Ferry and entered the ground of Hebei, and then began to conduct detailed investigations. Not far from here to the north is the famous Taihang Mountain (also known as Wuxing Mountain in ancient times), which is steep in the east and gentle in the west, becoming the dividing line between the Hebei Plain and the Shanxi Plateau.Looking from the east, you can see the majestic fault rock wall on the ridge. Although it is late autumn at this time, you can still see the verdant pine trees in the mountain stream.From south to north, Taihang Mountain forms grand canyons such as Wuzhi Gorge, Longquan Gorge, and Wangmang Gorge. In the canyons, there are forest seas with green waves, cliffs cut by knives and axes, rocks in various poses, waterfalls like silver, and rippling blue waves. In fact, the deep pool in the lake is actually alternated between virtual and white, bright and dark, light and color, and extremely dangerous, which can be described as a wonderful workmanship.Many small streams gradually converged and flowed eastward, forming rivers such as Hutuo River, Zhang River, Qin River and Ji River. After more than 20 days, Zhang Jiuling visited all the way in the northeast direction. From what he observed and asked, he felt that the autumn ripening conditions reported by the various states were generally true.On this day, when he reached the ground of Xiangzhou, the city of Xiangzhou was already within sight. Zhang Jiuling took out his official uniform from the package and put it on, then entered the city and went straight to the Xiangzhou mansion.Zhang Shuo, the governor of Xiangzhou, had a teacher-student friendship with Zhang Jiuling, and Zhang Jiuling of course went to see him as a respect for his teacher. Zhang Shuo was relegated to be the governor of Xiangzhou. Of course, his mind suffered a lot, and his appearance also looked a little thin.Seeing Zhang Jiuling's visit, he was of course very happy. After hearing Zhang Jiuling's intention, he felt a little worried, and said: "You are the imperial court's envoy, so you should visit secretly to verify the situation. Isn't it against the imperial court if you enter the house like this?" system?" Zhang Jiuling said: "After the student entered Xiangzhou, he had investigated everything clearly and dared not lie to the court. Now that everything is over, the student dares to calmly come to pay homage to his teacher." Zhang Shuo nodded and said, "It's not bad. Xiangzhou only had locusts rising and falling on the ground in the southeast this year. At that time, the hunting and killing was very timely and did not cause too much damage to the harvest. Xiangzhou's report to the imperial court was indeed based on the facts." Zhang Jiuling asked with concern: "Master is thin and thin, so don't overwork in the future." Zhang said with a smile: "It's good to be busy, at least you don't have to think about it, and your mood will be very comfortable. Jiu Ling, how are those old people in Beijing?" Zhang Jiuling narrated the Wang Shiqian incident that just happened in Beijing. Zhang said that after listening carefully, he was silent for a moment, and then said: "Oh, Wang Shiqian is so overconfident that he is obviously suspected of throwing himself into a trap. What exactly is he planning? It really makes people wonder." It's hard to understand. The Holy Majesty finally spared his life and ordered him to live in Luoyang, which is also unimaginable. This incident happened strangely, and the result was unexpected. Jiuling, according to our intelligence, we really can't guess this matter The ins and outs of it are puzzling." Zhang Jiuling nodded in agreement. Zhang Shuo continued: "As for Zhang Wei being dismissed as Dali Minister, it should be. This man is just a local rich man, and he will only accomplish more than fail. It happened that he had the title of Deng Guogong, probably because his ancestors had Yinde Because of this." Zhang Shuo and Zhang Jiuling were both Jinshi, this group of people considered themselves noble, and relied on their talents, and always looked down on other people who entered the government through channels. Zhang Shuo pondered again: "This Wang Maozhong can be said to be the most trusted person around the sage. Jiuling, how has the sage treated Gao Lishi recently?" Zuo Suyi is an official of the eighth rank, and his rank is low. It is really difficult for Zhang Jiuling to understand the inside story of these palaces, so he has no choice but to honestly say that he does not know. Zhang Shuo said to himself: "If Wang Maozhong is compared with Gao Lishi, Gao Lishi is only a close servant of the Holy One, and it is difficult to compete with Wang Maozhong who holds the power of the Imperial Army. Well, it seems that within a certain period of time, Wang Maozhong spoke in front of the Holy One It still works. Jiuling, do you know the latest news about those who have been expelled from Beijing?" Zhang said that he was in a secluded Xiangzhou, and he was relatively close to the dynamics of the court and China, so he asked this question. Zhang Jiuling replied: "The students don't know much about it, but they heard that Liu Youqiu was newly appointed as the governor of Chenzhou a few days ago, and he died of exhaustion on the way to his post." "Is Liu You begging to die?" Zhang Shuo asked in surprise. "Yes. There are rumors in Beijing that Liu Youqiu was so sad and angry that he sat alone all day long and finally became ill. This time he was changed to the governor of Chenzhou, which is adjacent to Lingnan, and it is really wild. I think it made the disease worse, but I died on the way.” Zhang Shuo shook his head, thinking that he was in a similar situation to Liu Youqiu, and this also aroused his infinite thoughts.Seeing the teacher's heavy heart, Zhang Jiuling didn't dare to speak again. After a while, Zhang Shuo suddenly changed his face and smiled, and said, "Jiu Ling, do you think Liu You's death is worth it?" "It is a pity that he was narrow-minded and failed to overcome this difficulty." "It's not only a pity for him, it's really worthless! Now we can see clearly that the reason why the Holy Majesty relegated us out of the capital is because the Holy Majesty thought that our group of heroes would hinder his way of governing, that is, to make room for us, not to kill them all. I heard that it was good for Wang Ju to be exiled from Beijing. He was busy hunting for sex and drinking, and lived his life in a colorful way. You Liu You begged to die, what's the use of it?" Zhang Jiuling smiled and said: "Yes, the students heard that not only Master Wang Ju enjoys pleasure, but also King Ning Li Xian and other vassal princes also sing and sing every night, and their lives are extremely leisurely." "That's right, life can't be smooth sailing. When the power is far away from you, you might as well enjoy it as compensation, and you can be considered worthy of yourself. Jiuling, the world is full of changes, and things are not static. Only by being kind to yourself can you have the capital to adapt .Liu You begged to degrade his body, that is to say, he lost his capital, what a pity, a pity." Zhang Jiuling bowed and said: "Students only hope that their teacher will treat them well and keep a happy mood forever." Zhang said he laughed and said, "I won't do idiotic things like Liu Youqiu, Jiu Ling, it seems that people who come from petty official backgrounds are not open-minded, so you will miss yourself. Don't worry, I am very happy Well, how can a person be trapped for a long time when he is in distress for a while?" Zhang said his eyebrows were beaming when he said this, which shows that he is not fake. Zhang Jiuling stayed in Xiangzhou for one night. Zhang said that he was the leader of Shi Wenzong. Because Xiangzhou was isolated from the news, he had to talk about poetry and papers with Zhang Jiuling. In the early morning of the next day, Zhang Jiuling said goodbye to Zhang, intending to go back to Beijing on the road.Zhang Yue took out a tightly sealed brocade box, handed it to Zhang Jiuling, and said: "After you return to Beijing, you can enter Wang Maozhong's residence and give this box to Wang Maozhong." "Is what's in this box important?" "This thing is not important, it's just some earthen rituals in Xiangzhou. You tell Wang Maozhong that I don't have time to return to Beijing. Seeing that the end of the year is approaching, I use this thing as a gift." When Zhang Jiuling heard Zhang said that he was giving gifts to Wang Maozhong, he felt very uncomfortable, and his face was a little hesitant. He said, "Wang Maozhong is nothing more than a slave official. Does the teacher give gifts to him regardless of his status?" Although people dare not speak out because he is the emperor's confidant, they despise him in their hearts. Zhang said: "The so-called etiquette is not surprising. This thing is very small. It's just a greeting. What's the point?! Besides, Wang Maozhong is one of the few old friends left in the capital, so we need to make more contacts in the future." .” Although Zhang Jiuling was a little reluctant, but because of the kindness of Zhang Shuo's mentor, he had no choice but to hide the brocade box in his luggage. In fact, Zhang Jiuling didn't know that what was hidden in the brocade box was not Xiangzhou's earthenware, but dozens of gold horseshoes, gold hairpins, gold bracelets and other accessories. Perhaps it was because the locust plague could not afford the world to ripen, Li Longji's mood eased a lot.In the afternoon of this day, he ordered Concubine Zhao Li to come to accompany her, and took her out of the Xuanwu Gate to enter the Forbidden Garden, and then walked down to the first elegant courtyard in the west of the Forbidden Garden.At that time, most of the leaves in the garden had already fallen, and looking south through the sparse branches and leaves, one could see the bright red wall. Seeing this, Li Longji suddenly remembered that Zhong Shaojing's residence should be at that location in the past.Thinking back to the day when the door could not be opened, Li Longji was anxious, angry, and fearful at the time. Now that people are moving, Li Longji can't help but sigh in his heart. A group of people knelt in the courtyard to welcome Li Longji, headed by Zhang Tinggui, Minister of Taichang Temple.At that time, the court music of the Tang Dynasty was mainly divided into two types: Yayue and Yanyue. Nine parts of music named after Xiliang, Qiuci, Tianzhu, etc., are played at court banquets for example.Li Longji is proficient in rhythm, although he still uses Gagaku and Yanle in formal occasions, he actually doesn't like the rigidity of these pieces of music.According to regulations, court gala music, Yan music and folk music are all under the agency of Taichang Temple. This courtyard is a place specially set up by Taichang Temple for Li Longji to play folk music.People who knelt behind Taichangqing Zhang Tinggui were not only musicians, but also singers and dancers. At this time, the weather is getting cooler, and charcoal fires have been lit at the four corners of the central hall, making the room as warm as spring.After Li Longji entered the room, he took off his outer thick coat, then sat on the seat in his short coat, and asked Zhang Tinggui, "Zhang Qing, what song do you want to perform today?" Zhang Tinggui replied: "I have discussed this matter with Concubine Li several times before, and I feel that the "Gan Ting Qiu" written by Your Majesty in the past is very good, and it is most suitable to play at present. Concubine Li is willing to lead the dance, and asked the minister to perform Zhang Ruoxu's "Moonlight Night on the Spring River" "Enjoy the music." Li Longji smiled and said: "Concubine Li has a thick waist, can she still dance? Besides, my old songs are mainly composed for autumn, how can this pleasure match the emptiness of "Chun Jiang Hua Yue Ye"?" "That's okay. I'm visiting two people today. One is He Huaizhi, a pipa player. He will play His Majesty's music first with the pipa. Finally, Concubine Li will lead the dance, and the new prostitute Yongxin will sing poems." Li Longji sneered: "It's really nondescript that you match up like this. Anyway, I think you have worked so hard, so let's play it and see." He Huaizhi is thirty-seven years old, and he is proficient in playing the pipa, which is actually the best in the world.After he and other musicians saluted the emperor first, they gathered in the southwest corner of the hall to play instruments. The pipa appeared around the time of the Qin Dynasty. At first it was an instrument used by the Hu people in the Western Regions when they were riding horses.In the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Quxiang pipa from Tianzhu was introduced to China from Qiuci. At that time, people changed the straight pipa into Quxiang, and then the pipa became the future Quxiang, pear-shaped speaker, and the fixed shape of four pillars and four strings. Very common instrument.At that time, the pipa was indispensable to the court band and folk singing.Because of the variety of playing techniques on the pipa, it can not only play martial arts such as "Ambush from Ten Sides" and "The Overlord Disarms His Armor", but also literary pieces such as "The Moon Is High" and "The Complaint of Zhao Jun". Of course, He Huaizhi will play Li Longji's "Gan Ting Qiu" today with Wenqu techniques. I saw him holding the pipa vertically, waving his fingers with his right hand and gently twirling, a burst of rustling autumn came leisurely. The sound it sends out is like whispering, making people think of the empty and quiet autumn night. Li Longji closed his eyes and listened, his thoughts suddenly flew back to the days and nights of Luzhou.At that time, he was demoted and left Beijing, and arrived in Luzhou miserably. How did he ever have the idea of ​​becoming an emperor?I don't want to meet Zhao Min who is good at singing and dancing in Luzhou, so that the gloomy days have a lot of vitality. He Huaizhi's performance gradually deepened, he turned his wrist to draw the strings, waved or rubbed them, and the sound came from the sky like flowers turning over and phoenix whistling, and then the sound lingered in the hall like golden bells and jade pendants exchanging each other, and it was suspected that the music descended from the clouds.At the end, He Huaizhi strummed the string, his fingers suddenly froze, and the lingering sound gradually faded away, and then there was no sound. Concubine Zhao Li, wearing a green thin cicada dress, led twelve maids to appear on the stage. They lightly stretched their pink waists in the middle, and danced softly;Where they sing and dance is exactly the artistic conception of Zhang Ruoxu's "Moonlight Night on the Spring River". Li Longji watched for a moment and couldn't help shaking his head slightly.My "Gan Ting Qiu" and "Chun Jiang Hua Yue Ye" were originally very different in artistic conception, but now they are blended together, which is indeed neither fish nor fowl.However, the singing and dancing in front of me is also very wonderful, and it is not lost in its charm when viewed separately from the previous pipa music.Li Longji cheered up and watched intently, and saw that Concubine Zhao Li's waist was indeed a bit clumsy, mixed with the graceful swaying postures of the group of women, and her dancing posture could not be integrated, so Li Longji secretly laughed again. After the singing and dancing, Li Longji said to Concubine Zhao Li and Zhang Tinggui: "The pipa and singing and dancing are both good, but they are a bit nondescript. The so-called innovation must be well integrated, and it cannot be separated like this." Zhang Tinggui saw that the emperor was dissatisfied, but his face was not angry, so he bowed and thanked: "It is a great crime for me to desecrate your majesty's holy song because of my lack of talent and wisdom." "I am satisfied with what I heard and watched today, so don't feel uneasy. Zhang Qing, when I was watching the dance just now, I had a calculation in my heart. The happiness of the lay people can no longer be represented by the Taichang Temple." "I respectfully listen to His Majesty's order." "Just like the lyrics and music just now can't be mixed together, vulgar music can no longer be mixed with elegant music and Yan music in the future. Taichang Temple is the division of rites and music, so it should not act as an agent to promote excellent jugglers. From now on, it will exclusively set up elegant music and Yan music. I have made up my mind, we can set up the left and right teaching workshops to teach folk music, and the Yichun courtyard under it to raise prostitutes. This He Huaizhi plays the pipa well, so let him be the teaching workshop envoy to take charge of this matter. " Zhang Tinggui immediately bowed and agreed. Li Longji said again: "Zuojiaofang is still under the control of Taichang Temple, so don't ask too much about its details. Well, this garden belongs to Zuojiaofang, why not give it a name? Let's call it hereafter 'Pear Garden'." Later generations of opera are known as "the skill of Liyuan", which is the reason.Li Longji was called "the originator of Liyuan" by later generations, and it is a good story that he became the founder of Liyuan in this way. It was night, Li Longji ordered Concubine Zhao Li to go to bed.事毕后，李隆基抚摸着赵丽妃那似凝脂般的皮肤，说道：“敏儿，今后就不要再起舞了。你已为几个孩子的亲娘，哪儿还能如小儿女那样轻歌曼舞？” 赵敏笑道：“陛下最喜妾之歌舞，妾只要能为陛下带来一丝快乐，决然不敢停舞。” 李隆基笑道：“罢了，你入朕怀中，可以体会你丰腴之美，令朕倍生情趣。然你入了舞场，腰间不免露出赘肉，哈哈，你今后不许再舞。” 这句话说得赵敏心里很难受，一时默默不语。 李隆基知道自己的话刺疼了她，遂正色道：“朕明日要册立瑛儿为太子，今后你就成了太子之母。今后后宫之中除了皇后之外，数你为尊，你若继续与伎人为舞，岂不是有失身份？” 赵敏闻听儿子李瑛竟然成为太子，一时间竟然惊呆了。 次日早朝时，李隆基向群臣宣布立次子李瑛为太子。高力士手持册书，当殿将立李瑛为太子的册文读了一遍。李隆基此前已与重臣勋戚商议过此事，皇长子因腿有残疾不宜立为储君，众人又知道皇帝极度宠爱赵丽妃，那么顺序推长而立，这太子之位当然落在皇次子李瑛的身上。此后，年仅五岁的李瑛被引到李隆基的面前，并接受群臣的叩拜，由此成为新太子。 群臣拜毕，李隆基开言说道：“朕即位之后，许多大臣纷纷奏言，劝朕早立太子，以使祚业平稳。朕今日立瑛儿为太子，就遂了群臣之意，其年龄尚小，也就不必行重典了。待其冠礼加元服之时，那时行礼不迟。” 群臣纷纷躬身答应。 李隆基又道：“太子毕竟年幼，今后他是否成为一位称职的储君，还要看他本身的造化。为今之计，须为其选择良师，让其识礼知书为好。姚爱卿，卢爱卿。” 姚崇和卢怀慎闻召步出班外。 李隆基道：“朕授姚卿为太子少师、卢卿为太子少傅，则今后培育太子的大任，就落在二卿的肩上。你们可选择良日，让太子行拜师之礼，至于其他东宫属官与教授，也要着落在二卿身上妥为选授。” 姚卢二人知道皇帝此授既为恩典，肩上又有莫大的责任，遂伏地叩首，拜谢皇恩。 历来设立太子为国家大事，李隆基此次使李瑛为储君，固然有宠爱其母赵丽妃的缘故，毕竟坚持了立长为储的惯例，大臣们也就无话可说。 李瑛被立为皇太子，宫中之人心中滋味最不好者当属王皇后。按说李琮为皇长子未立为太子，其母刘华妃心中更应郁闷，然李琮毕竟腿有残疾，刘华妃心中当然有想法，然实在无话可说。 李瑛被立为太子后的第三日，恰为王皇后父亲王仁皎的七十寿诞。国丈寿诞自要大肆庆贺一番，李隆基除了令内府具礼相送外，更准王皇后亲身去祝寿。 若追溯李隆基与王皇后的婚姻，那还是有相当来头的。长寿二年，李旦一家再次“入阁”，即是在宫内幽禁，一家人的日子过得非常小心谨慎。然此年忽然来了一件喜事，大约则天皇后非常喜爱李隆基这位小孙子，她亲自做主将王家小姑娘配给李隆基，是年李隆基刚刚九岁，二人成亲之时可谓“娃娃亲”。 “太原王氏”号称当时五大姓之一，王皇后祖上为初唐名臣王珪，则其婚姻实为门当户对。且此婚姻由则天皇后主之，则为女皇示爱，对当时凄凄惨惨的李旦一家可谓莫大的安慰。此后幼小的王氏伴着李隆基逐渐长大，其时正是李隆基人生中最为灰暗的时候，两人可谓“患难夫妻”。待李隆基萌生夺位的思想之后，王氏其父王仁皎、其双胞胎之兄王守一成为最为支持李隆基之人，且立功不少。待李隆基成为皇帝，王氏被封为皇后，王仁皎被授为将作大匠，继而被授为开府仪同三司，王守一也被封为晋国公。 按说王皇后此时诸事皆顺，唯有自己的肚子始终不争气，眼见其他后妃已生出十余个皇子，自己的肚子一直没有动静。 这日祝寿之礼可谓盛大，京中王公大臣皆具礼来送，王宅门前顿现车水马龙。王皇后入宅之后不耐如此热闹，遂唤哥哥王守一到后院静室内叙话。 王守一见妹妹眉宇间总有难以舒展处，明白妹妹的心事，遂劝道：“圣上虽立太子，毕竟不动妹妹皇后之位，请妹妹勿虑。” 王皇后道：“丽妃不过倡伎出身，难道能成为皇后吗？” 王守一点头称是，并说道：“丽妃也为明白之人，其日常对妹子恭谨非常，想是不会有别样心思。” 王皇后摇摇头，叹道：“唉，我这肚子到底怎么了？圣上又非不来临幸，它为何没有一点动静？我现在还是皇后，然太子非为亲生，若时间久了，这皇后之位是否有些勉强？” 王守一沉思片刻，小心说道：“算来妹子随圣上已二十年有余，圣上又非疏离妹子，然妹子肚中毫无动静，此症结还是在妹子身上。愚兄以为，妹子不可一味等待，须想法求子。” 王皇后哂道：“我已试过多少法儿，你又非不知道，至今殊无起色，奈何？” 王守一道：“妹子莫慌。愚兄此后日子什么事儿都不管了，专替妹子寻求求子良方，妹子说什么也要诞下龙种。” 无子的惶惑在王皇后的心中萦绕十余年，她想尽了许多法儿，然殊无良方，弄得她心灰意懒，对王守一眼前的说辞并无激动之处，仅淡淡说道：“也只好如此了。”