Chapter 11 The Eleventh Chapter

A few days before the Spring Festival holiday, Song Jing did another thing that stunned the people in the capital. At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, due to the convenience of the mountains and rivers, the world was divided into Guannei, Henan, Hebei, Hedong, Shannan, Longyou, Huainan, Jiangnan, Jiannan, and Lingnan. In Kaiyuan, Jiangnan and Shannan were divided into east and west. , and added the middle of Guizhou, Gyeonggi, and Duji, making a total of fifteen.This division is purely for the needs of supervision. Before the performance appraisal, the imperial court temporarily assigns supervisory officials to inspect various provinces, which is not a permanent organization.After the inspection was over, the officials returned to Beijing to perform their duties, and there was only one interview envoy left to be in charge of information contact.

These interviews are not official officials of the imperial court, they are nothing more than receiving some remuneration for handling affairs of the imperial court, and they have no rank or rank.However, people found that these interview envoys had good prospects, and they were often appointed officials after a few years.The trick is that although these interview envoys are not high-ranking officials, they are in charge of contacting officials during the performance appraisal, and also preside over the official procurement of the states under their jurisdiction.It is obvious that on the eve of the Spring Festival, these interview envoys return to the capital to report on their duties as usual, and they carry a large number of earthen ritual objects behind them, and they naturally have to send gifts to the important government offices in the court.As a result, these interviews made him very popular in Beijing, and his official career was smooth.

Song Jing is currently the Secretary of the Central Committee, and these interview envoys will of course visit the house in the name of various Taoists.Song Jing's reputation has spread far and wide, and he has blocked the door early.Seeing this scene, most people had no choice but to return home with their belongings. Only a few people didn't know how powerful Song Jing was, so they threw the earthen instrument in front of the door and said to the door: "I am an interview envoy for so-and-so. This thing is dedicated to Song Jing." Master Song." Then he fled away. Song Jing moved these items into Zhongshu Province, and then sent people to summon all the interview envoys in Beijing.Song Jing pointed to the pile of things in front of him and said: "It's really hard for you all to return to Beijing. These things are only sent by four people, and they have been piled up like a hill. I think when you return to Beijing, the cart behind you will definitely make it. "

Most of the interviewers knew Song Jing's disposition and thought that today was going to be bad, so they didn't dare to say anything. Song Jing went on to say: "I checked, and the imperial court provides each of you with 20 shi grains every year, and a monthly fee of 1,000 Wen. This kind of income is only enough for your family to barely survive. It is estimated that you have no money left to buy these items. . Let me ask you, where did these so-called soil instruments come from?" The interviewers were silent.Some of them thought, what is the value of an official's salary?If you don't take advantage of your power to accept some gifts or embezzle some, how can you live a life of debauchery?If you abide by the system, it is estimated that those who want to be officials will not flock to it.Some of them disagreed: What is the energy value of these soil instruments?It's nothing more than friendship during the festival, so why does Mr. Song make such a fuss?In the past, when Mr. Yao was the chancellor, he also happily accepted these rituals with a smile.

Song Jing snorted, and said: "I know the origin of these earth ceremonies, but I just took advantage of my position to ask Zhuzhou for them. I asked, and when you returned to Beijing, everyone did not empty-handed. Hmph, you first asked the people for their anointing, and then went back to Beijing to bribe you, so you have committed two crimes. Do you know the crime?" Someone in the interviewer whispered: "The villain is convicted, so I will return the soil instrument." Song Jing narrowed his eyes and said, "Go back? It's too late! Send all the items here quickly, and the Ministry of Education will store them in the treasury."

Everyone agreed. Song Jing said coldly again: "You have dishonored the face of the Holy Majesty by doing things like this. From today onwards, you will no longer be employed as interview envoys, and the imperial court will choose new ones. Please go back." Song Jing's move immediately caused a stir in the capital.It should be known that although the positions of the interview envoys are not high, they are actually fat and have the magical effect of "shortcut to the south". Around the Spring Festival, Song Jing gave up all kinds of interviews to make the job a topic of conversation after dinner.

Some people praised this move: "Since Emperor Zhongzong, the government has become more and more chaotic. Although Master Yao has the reputation of saving the times, he cannot convince people with integrity. The emperor chose Master Song to preside over the government. It can be said that he has won people, and this will definitely inspire Zhenguan. " After all, the voices of praise were very few, and they were suddenly drowned in the boundless ocean of insults.After insulting Li Longji, these people turned their anger on Li Longji, saying: "Why is the emperor so confused? How can a person who is straightforward and inflexible handle the major affairs of the government? There are so many things in the world, such a determined person will sooner or later be defeated Tang Tianxia made all kinds of meat and eight vegetables!"

The person next to him smiled and said, "Do you think the emperor feels better? At the beginning, the emperor built the tomb only a foot longer, but Song Jing quotes extensively, saying that the emperor is like Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. Haha, look, the emperor's uncomfortable days are still there In the back." Another person beside him sighed: "Oh, the world is full of troubles, how did the heavens give birth to such a strange person? It is said that Song Jing's life was so rough, he did not change his original intention, but he managed to make it to this day and become an official. It is really an odd number."

Song Jing was a Jinshi at the beginning, first a supervisory censor, and then a Fengge Sheren, and was appreciated by Empress Zetian.But Song Jing didn't know how to turn a corner, and bluntly angered the Zhang brothers and Wu Sansi one after another. These people first looked for Song Jing's shortcomings, but they couldn't find out, so the Zhang brothers had to find someone to murder.For more than ten years, Song Jing escaped the danger of his life and the misfortune of being demoted, and now he is back as a prime minister, which is really lucky. One person sneered and said, "Do you think Song Jing really has nothing wrong?"

"What kind of people are the Zhang brothers and Wu Sansi? They are helpless to Song Jing, are you smarter than them?" "I'm no better than them, and I can't find Song Jing's fault." "So what do you say?" "Hmph, Song Jing is now the prime minister, which is his biggest problem. He had no desires and desires before, and he was not in an important position. Of course, there is nothing wrong with him. Now it is different. He has to do things for the prime minister. If he does things, he will Sometimes it's wrong." "Haha, it really is a high opinion, let's wait and see."

Wu Hui'er was sent to the Tai Chi Hall after taking a bath that day. Li Longji saw that the woman looked completely new in an instant, like a tree of budding peach blossoms bathed in the spring breeze. The faint fragrance from her hair made his heart tremble even more , can't hold back.It was night, when such a delicate girl was embraced by Li Longji, although Wu Huier's shyness, panic, and even the pain after breaking her melon were not comparable to those of those good women, Li Longji was very happy in his heart, and his sense of satisfaction seemed to overflow from his chest . According to the regulations of the palace, after a woman is first visited by the emperor, she must be welcomed into the side hall specially set up for him to rest for three days.Wu Hui'er entered the palace to recuperate, looked at the maids and eunuchs who were serving her, and recalled that she was still a servant yesterday, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart. Wu Hui'er first entered the palace to be raised, and everyone in the palace knew her identity, and was frightened by the power of Empress Zetian, so they couldn't help but be surrounded by stars and serve Wu Huier like a princess.Wu Hui'er was beautiful and extremely intelligent since she was a child.Before he was seven years old, he had memorized the books of the Five Classics by heart, and he was also very proficient in writing official script in one hand. As for Qin art and rhythm, he was also involved. As she grew older, she found that the eyes of people around her were gradually changing.When she was six years old, she suddenly felt that the people around her were less respectful and more disdainful towards her.It turned out that Empress Nian Zetian lost her power and died at the end of the year.Afterwards, her situation went from bad to worse, and with her powerful relatives in the past disappeared one by one, she seemed to be forgotten, and gradually became a palace servant who did rough work. The time in the palace is extremely difficult, there is only a fixed space within the palace walls, strict hierarchy and severe punishment, a beautiful young woman in this environment is like a prisoner.Wu Huier honed her pink color over the years, and her immature mind gradually calmed down. Her background from everyone and her wisdom told her that only by being outstanding can she get rid of such a predicament. The bitterness of carrying and cultivating the soil in the greenhouse and the stench of the fertilizer made other palace people avoid it, but Wu Huier begged for this post one after another.At that time, she had a faint feeling that if she wanted to stand out in the palace, she must have the opportunity to meet the emperor. There were exotic flowers and herbs in the greenhouse, and there were relatively rare winter peonies. If the emperor walked by, wouldn't she have a chance? Primitive exposure of human nature is most notable in prisons and inner palaces. Wu Huier is precocious and successful because of this. The lower body was still in pain, but Wu Huier's heart was overflowing with boundless happiness at this moment.She called Shangshi palace maid and said: "I heard that 'Aijia pear' is very delicious, you take one and let me taste it." The palace maid of Shangshi had a flat face, and said: "There are regulations and recipes in the palace, and the 'Aijia pear' is not in the list, so the servants dare not take it randomly." That's a lot.She knew that Wu Hui'er's mood was turbulent at this time, and she wanted to soar into the sky from then on, but, how many women were left behind after being blessed by the emperor for one night, how is their situation different from that of ordinary court ladies?Shangshi palace lady thought to herself: Hmph, actually want to eat "Aijia pear"?It seems that he is also a crazy master! Wu Hui'er definitely didn't know that Queen Wang was scolding Gao Lishi in the bedroom at this time.Queen Wang had just summoned Gao Lishi, and it happened that Concubine Zhao Li also entered the palace to have an audience.Empress Wang asked Concubine Zhao Li to sit sideways, and said: "My sister came just in time, look at the good things this slave has done, I'm really mad!" Concubine Zhao Li also learned about the emperor's favor with Wu Hui'er at this time, but she felt that it was normal for the emperor to be lucky with a court lady, so she didn't care too much. Queen Wang asked sharply: "Slave dog, I told you to imprison Wu's family in the Yeting Palace, and let them pound and wash the clothes. Why did another one appear in this greenhouse? She is just in the greenhouse. Why did you let her see the Holy Majesty when you were with the Holy Majesty?" Gao Lishi couldn't argue with his mouth at this time, so he had to bow his head to accept the crime, but he kept saying. Concubine Zhao Li smiled and said, "Why is the empress so angry? But what's the big deal for a court lady to be blessed by the sage once?" Queen Wang sternly said: "It's fine if she is an ordinary court lady, but her surname is Wu! And she is a descendant of the Wu family! Sister, you are late in serving the emperor, and you don't know the affairs of the court. I, Tang Jiangshan, almost let that old man The whore is gone, this woman from the Wu family is the most sinister, how can she let the sage follow her steps?!" As the mother and grandmother of the later emperor, Zetian Empress, although they had thoughts in their hearts, they were still very submissive on face; The empress, Princess Anle and other female relatives, including today's empress Wang, have no respect for Empress Zetian. Concubine Zhao Li said: "The empress is so solemn, it's fine not to let the majesty see this girl again from now on." Queen Wang sighed when she heard the words, and said, "Yes, General Gao, this matter will be too much for you from now on." Queen Wang called Gao Lishi a "dog slave" just now. Now, knowing that Gao Lishi is now the emperor's number one confidant, he still needs to win over, so he changed his title. Gao Lishi Qiqi Ai Ai replied: "The slave will follow the Queen's order, and today she will move her to live in Ye Ting Palace. It's just... just... in case the Holy Majesty asks, or asks the slave to ask for someone, what should I do?" Although the empress is the lord of the harem, she has no strong reason to stop the emperor from asking for an ordinary court lady.Queen Wang thought about it, but she couldn't find a good way, so she had to change her voice: "General Gao must stop it properly. General Gao, the reason why I did this is also for the sake of the Tang Dynasty. The former Emperor Taizong got Li Chunfeng's prophecy, It is said that there is a woman surnamed Wu in the palace who will eventually dominate the world and slaughter the royal descendants. Emperor Taizong didn't notice, and found an irrelevant Li Junxian to top the vat, and finally made the old whore poison the world. General Gao , for the sake of the world, you must not slack off." What Queen Wang was talking about was an anecdote from the Zhenguan Dynasty. At that time, it was said that "after the third generation of Tang Dynasty, the heroine Wu Wang will rule the world." Li Chunfeng reported this strange omen to Li Shimin.It happened that Li Junxian, the general of Zuowuwei, was named the Duke of Wulian County, and his nickname was "Wu Niang". Li Shimin attributed these strange omens to him and found a reason to kill him.At that time, Empress Zetian was already in the palace, named Wu Meiniang, and thus escaped the catastrophe. Gao Lishi still spoke repeatedly, of course he answered the Queen's wishes. After Gao Lishi left, Queen Wang looked back at Concubine Zhao Li and said: "Sister, you should not underestimate this matter. You are the mother of the crown prince, if this female evildoer comes true, will the Holy Majesty still see us?" Concubine Zhao Li didn't take it seriously, feeling that the queen was a bit alarmist.However, the queen's move was out of good intentions after all, and of course she echoed and expressed her gratitude. Queen Wang even made a move for Concubine Zhao Li: "Sister, I have always known the temper of the Holy Majesty. If he only favors someone, he will have no other distractions. Concubine Liu and I are old and decrepit, and it is difficult to win the heart of the Holy Majesty. You are favored by the Holy Majesty." For many years, we must resort to all kinds of methods, and we must not let such a vicious person take advantage of the loopholes." When Concubine Zhao Li was favored, Queen Wang and the others felt uncomfortable, but Concubine Zhao Li was easy-going and respected the queen, and the relationship between them was fairly close.However, Concubine Zhao Li is not what she used to be at this time, she sighed and said: "The queen must not know that since last winter, the Holy Majesty has not let my concubine go to sleep. I am afraid that I am a little confused when I talk about this special favor." There was a feeling of sympathy between the two of them. Li Longji is actually the master who loves the fragrance and cherishes the jade. After he had tasted Wu Huier, he never forgot it. In the afternoon of the second day, he ignored the rule that a lucky woman must rest for three days, so he asked Gao Lishi to pick up Wu Huier. Because Gao Lishi was worried about the king and queen, he didn't pass it on immediately. He hesitated and said: "Your Majesty, this woman's surname is Wu. Now the people in the palace and court are very angry because Wu's family has poisoned the world. I think it is not easy for your majesty to be lucky. There are too many women." Li Longji was a little strange, looked up at Gao Lishi's expression, and then said: "Although her surname is Wu, she is just an ordinary woman, so what's so special about it? Well, General Gao, don't bother me, just send me quickly." Seeing Li Longji's resolute eyes, Gao Lishi was frightened by his majesty, dared not say more, so he bowed and left. A pair of watery eyes that can talk, elegant demeanor, and the inadvertent air of poetry and calligraphy in her speech, this is the strong impression Wu Huier left on Li Longji in just a short time. Li Longji has seen many people in the harem, and it is not uncommon for most of these women to be beautiful and respectful.Concubine Zhao Li was born as a kabuki. In addition to her singing and dancing skills, her lively and innocent personality formed in the grass has never been wiped out. This has attracted Li Longji for many years, and her love has not diminished for many years.Now that Wu Huier appeared, she was different from most people in the harem, and also had more freshness and connotations than Concubine Zhao Li, which made Li Longji feel fresh. A burst of light footsteps stopped in front of the door, and Gao Lishi lifted the curtain, and a slender woman stepped across the threshold with her waist slightly twisted.Li Longji's heart suddenly relaxed, and he fixed his eyes on Wu Huier's style. Under it was a red and yellow long skirt, covered with a unadorned shirt and narrow sleeves. The exposed collar is brownish-yellow, which sets off his pink and tender face, which is even more rosy.When Li Longji met Wu Huier for the first time, the bun on her head was the single bun that court ladies often wear. Today, it has been changed into a relatively tall bun. There is no hairpin on the bun, only a red flower in the upper right corner. The plum blossoms, the color of which matches her clothes, are simple and quite coordinated. Wu Huier bowed down in front of Li Longji, Li Longji smiled softly and said, "Forget it, let's get flat. Huier, you change this clothes, it adds a bit of feminine charm. Well, come here." Wu Hui'er got up and bowed her head around the dragon case, and stood timidly beside Li Longji.Li Longji took his hand and rubbed it lightly, and said softly: "Hui'er, how have you been these two days?" Two red clouds appeared on Wu Hui'er's face, she lightly opened her lips and said, "The quality of my concubine's pu willow must be enshrined in the sage. It can be described as 'the osmanthus and orchids go down to Changpu, and the skirt and jade wrists lightly shake the scull'. The concubine has not seen your majesty for two days. , I feel that the days have passed extremely long." Li Longji knew that Wu Huier had quoted two lines from Wang Bo's "Tiao Lian Qu", and he knew that there were two more lines, namely, "Lovesickness is bitter, and good times cannot stay."He pulled Wu Hui'er into his arms, and whispered into his ear: "Hui'er, I miss you a little bit too. You see, within three days, I called you here." Wu Huier smiled in her arms, and her long eyelashes flickered, which made Li Longji's heart flutter.He obviously felt that Hui'er's body was gradually warming up, and he couldn't help feeling a little fascinated. Gao Lishi saw the emperor embracing the jade body from the side, and his affection was definitely not ordinary liking.He really didn't understand that the emperor happened to visit court ladies before, but the picture was fresh for a while, and he often threw it away after the first visit.However, the expressions of the two people in front of them clearly look like enemies, could it be that the emperor has sex this time?Thinking of Queen Wang's admonition, Gao Lishi felt that he had to do his duty, so he said softly, "Your Majesty, it's time to set off." Li Longji came back to his senses from this, gently pushed Wu Huier away, and said, "Huier, you stay in this hall and sort out the memorials on the case for me. I want to go out of the palace, and I will return to the palace when I hold the lanterns." , you just wait here for me." Li Longji left the palace at this time and went straight to Yao Chong's house. After the Spring Festival, Li Longji intends to tour the east, so he asks Yousi to prepare for his driving.Just at this moment, the main hall of Taimiao collapsed suddenly. The Taimiao enshrines the ancestors of Li and Tang, and the collapse of the main hall is of course no small matter.Song Jing and Zhang Jiazhen first discussed with the relevant ministers, and then reported to Li Longji: "Your Majesty, the ministers think that the Taimiao collapsed, but it is actually a warning from heaven." Li Longji was a little disapproving, and asked: "Nowadays the world is in peace, and the people live and work in peace and contentment, what warning can we give?" "I think that your majesty's three-year mourning is not over, and you can't be lucky as usual. The damage to the Taimiao is a warning from the heavens. Your majesty should stop the east tour and live in Beijing to cultivate virtue in order to reply to the condemnation." Li Longji saw that these two people connected their east tour with the collapse of the Taimiao, and he was a little bit dumbfounded, but he had no reason to refute, so he had to be silent. After the two left, the more Li Longji thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. He already had the interest of visiting the East, how could he let it go easily?He remembered Yao Chong's resistance when he was exterminating the locusts, so he wanted to ask Yao Chong for clarification.Moreover, Yao Chong lived at home, and he went to his house to express his condolences, which can declare that the emperor did not forget his veterans. Yao Chong later built a new house in Xuanhuafang. It used Wenbai as beams, red powder as mud walls, and ground aragonite as steps and ground. Sophisticated and grand.Li Longji had entered his house before, and praised: "Well, such a tall house is the house of my prime minister." Li Longji walked in front of Yao Chong's gate, and saw Yao Chong leading his family kneeling outside the gate to welcome him.Li Longji said with a smile on his shoulders: "Mr. Yao, let everyone be at peace. Well, when I came here last time, the number of halberds was too few, this time it looks pretty good." Yao Chong kowtowed and said: "The whole family thank you for your kindness." The halberd that Li Longji called means that according to the regulations of the imperial court, officials above the third rank can display halberds outside the gate.This halberd is supplied by the imperial court. The first rank can be listed as sixteen halberds, the second rank can be listed as twelve halberds, and the third rank can be listed as ten halberds.When Li Longji entered Yao Chong's residence last time, he was only ranked ten halberds for the rank of third rank, but now that he has reached the first rank, of course he can rank sixteen halberds. Li Longji was seated in the middle hall, Gao Lishi stood behind him, Yao Chong and his youngest son Yao Yi stood aside. Li Longji said: "Since Mr. Yao resigned, I feel a little empty in my heart because I seldom see you. You suddenly appeared in the palace today, so I just want to see what Mr. Yao is up to?" Yao Chong bowed and said: "When I attend the court, I either go to the East Palace to teach the crown prince, or go back to the house to entertain my grandchildren. Such a beautiful life and a good mood are all bestowed by Your Majesty, and your Majesty misses this old minister. I really can't do it." To be honest, I can only be grateful." Li Longji looked at Yao Yi and said, "Mr. Yao, after this exam, it's time for this boy to go out and practice." Yao Yi became an official after he became an adult. He first entered the East Palace as Zuo Nei and led Qianniu, and then became Prince Sheren of Youchunfang in the East Palace.Li Longji had said to Yao Chong many times before that Yao Chong would choose Yao Yi as a fifth-rank official, a Beijing official or a foreign post.Yao Chong believed that his son was still young and needed experience, so he should not be promoted too quickly, so he declined Li Longji's kindness. Yao Chong replied: "This son has not been the crown prince for half a year, so it should not be changed. I thank your majesty for your kindness." Li Longji said with a smile: "I think Mr. Yao didn't discipline the first two sons too much, so he is strict with the youngest son. Mr. Yao, you can't overcorrect." "I think that if you want to learn about official affairs, it is best not to go beyond the official ranks. They are born in the family of officials, and they have less life and poverty. Don't let them be promoted too quickly. In fact, it is best for them. There are benefits." "Well, since Mr. Yao has this intention, I will accept your invitation. Mr. Yao, recently Song Jing repelled all the interview envoys, and people in the capital are talking about it. What do you think about this matter?" Although Yao Chong is not the prime minister now, Li Longji would ask him about every major event. Yao Chong smiled slightly, and said, "Song Jing's actions are just in line with His Majesty's wishes?" "Hmph, before he dismissed the interview envoy, he didn't say a word to me at all, so how could it suit me?" "Your Majesty, it has become a common practice for these interview envoys to send a large number of soil rituals when they return to Beijing in previous years. I dare not lie to Your Majesty. In previous years, I thought these items were nothing more than local soil rituals, so I did not refuse them and accepted them calmly. Song Jing's move started from a small point, aiming to completely eradicate the malpractice of giving gifts, which can be said to shake the capital, and even the whole country. If this trend is eliminated, the policy of enlightenment advocated by His Majesty will be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. It's a good thing." Li Longji thought that Yao Chong did not hide his acceptance of the gift, which showed his frank confession, so he nodded in agreement.He then said: "Yes, Song Jing is upright, and he can be said to be a winner if he strictly implements the policy of enlightenment. However, compared with Yao Gong, Song Jing is not rigid. He and Zhang Jiazhen came to persuade again before noon, saying The Taimiao collapsed, and I was advised not to tour the east, but to live in Beijing to practice virtue. Yao Gong, what do you think of this matter?" Yao Chongdao: "Your Majesty is right. Song Jing and others think so, and they are indeed out of their minds. I heard that when the Sui Dynasty built the Taimiao hall, I took the wood from the former Qin Fujian's old hall to build it. As of today, this hall is no longer There are hundreds of years. If the mountains and rocks have been exposed to the wind and sun for a long time, they will sometimes collapse, and the wood has been accumulated for a long time and there are insects, can it be compared with the mountains and rocks?" Li Longji felt the same way, and praised: "Yao Gong's words are very close to my heart. Everything in the world has a longevity, how can it be connected with the destiny? I remembered the argument of Ni Ruoshui, the governor of Bianzhou, when he was controlling locusts. It is similar to the remonstrances of Song Jing and others today." Yao Chong went on to say: "Last year, the harvest in Henan was bumper, but the harvest in Guanzhong was a little poor. Your Majesty's visit to the east can not only observe the world's peace, but also let hundreds of officials accompany you, reducing the amount of grain used in Guanzhong. This is a multi-purpose move. matter, I ask Your Majesty to continue the east tour." "Okay, what Mr. Yao said is very much in line with my wishes." Yao Chong laughed again: "Your Majesty will definitely meet Ni Ruoshui during this east tour. This person has been in Bianzhou for many years. Beijing, if His Majesty approves, it can be changed." "Well, Song Jing also mentioned that this person should be admitted to the Ministry of Shangshu, and I have agreed to grant him the right minister of Shangshu." Li Long basically wanted to stay in Yao's residence for a while, but he was a little restless after asking about important matters.The reason was that Li Longji had Wu Hui'er in his heart, so he only stayed in Yao's house for half an hour before returning to the palace. At this time, Wu Hui'er had finished packing up the memorials on the case. She put the memorials that Li Longji had reviewed on one side, and spread the unreviewed memorials in front of her seat.In fact, the maids in the palace would also clean up when Li Longji left the palace, but Li Longji felt that the few cases that Wu Huier had cleaned up were more warm. Li Longji returned to his seat, cast a warm glance at Wu Huier who was standing beside him, then turned to Gao Lishi and said, "Why is the Zhang family acting so slowly? I ordered him to invite his party to enter the palace. After several years, why has there been no news?" Gao Lishi replied: "The minister asked many times, but the Zhang family said that they traveled all over the world and lived in no fixed place. It is really hard to find." "Tell the Zhang family tomorrow that if they don't come to see me for a year, they don't need to stay in the capital. Hmph, procrastination, and the destiny is often involved. If there is no one who understands by my side, I'm afraid that the day will come. It's going to be too bad." Wu Hui'er said softly from the side: "Your Majesty, I have a way to let the group reach the capital quickly." Li Longji turned his head and said: "I have ordered his family to visit his family for many years, but he seems to have disappeared, and it is difficult to see him. Such a person, if you pursue him forcefully, you will be forced to come. What magic trick do you have? " "My concubine has heard about the deeds of a group of monks. If you can't force it, why doesn't your majesty follow the story of King Yan Zhao?" Li Longji laughed and said: "King Yanzhao went to see Guo Wei in order to seek talents. Guo Kui took the Chollima as an example and asked King Yanzhao to build a house for himself and worship himself as a teacher. Such a talented person really came. Hui Hui Son, who do you want me to build a house for?" "Your Majesty is of course building a house for the party. I heard that the party loves to observe the stars and the sky. If Your Majesty prepares the armillary sphere and the seismograph made by Zhang Heng during the Qi and Han Dynasties in this house, the party will come without delay knowing His Majesty's sincerity. " Li Longji was overjoyed when he heard the words, and said, "Okay, it's really a good idea. General Gao, let the general be the supervisor to build a sample house." He stretched out his hand to embrace Wu Hui'er again, his eyes blurred, and said softly, "Good Huier, For me to come up with such a good idea, I will reward you well." After dinner, Li Longji and Wu Huier took a bath together. It was a happy night, and the details of their feelings were not listed one by one. After the first year of Kaiyuan, Li Longji seldom went out of Beijing, so this east tour was his first grand tour.Zhang Jiazhen was appointed as the left-behind in Xijing, and most of the other officials traveled with the imperial chariot.On the third day of March, when I drove away from Chang'an, I saw all kinds of flags hunting, guns and halberds on the left and right like forests, holding flags and fighting, driving chariots and horses, police officers and soldiers, officials at all levels, and attendants, no less than 4,000 people.Of course such a long procession would not go fast. Fortunately, the emperor's parade had no time limit, so he could walk slowly. This time Li Longji started the grand ceremony of honor. The jade chariot he was riding in was drawn by six horses. There were forty drivers in front of him, and General Qianniuwei accompanied him.In addition, there are one guard on the left and right, one general on the left and right guards, one general Qianniu, one general Zhonglang, twelve school lieutenants on the left and right Jianmen, three teams on the left and right guards, three teams on the left and three guards on the left, and six teams on the left and right guards. There are also twenty royal horses.It would be boring to let Li Longji walk in a car under heavy guards.Unexpectedly, Li Longji was well prepared. He not only let Wu Huier accompany him, but also let Wu Huier accompany him. The two of them talked about Go, or snuggled together to look at the scenery along the way. Li Longji felt that this trip was very comfortable. After a few days like this, the car passed Tongguan without realizing it, and began to enter the Hangu Valley, and arrived at Hangu Pass in the afternoon.It is said that Lao Tzu passed by here riding a green bull, and wrote five thousand characters here.At that time, Li Tang regarded Lao Tzu as his ancestor, and Li Longji certainly did not dare to neglect him when he arrived here, so he had to pay tribute to him. From Tongguan to Mianchi County in the east, the distance is 480 miles, with the turbulent Yellow River to the north and Xiaoshan Mountain to the south, forming a very narrow Han Valley.The ancients once remembered this danger: "The lofty peaks on the wing bank plunge into the sky, and the valley is deep. Walking in the middle of the day, there is no place to ride on the square track." Due to the dangerous situation here, since the Spring and Autumn Period, it has become an ancient place for many major battles. battlefield. But when Li Longji arrived at Hangu Pass, he took a look at the terrain after getting off the car, turned to Song Jing beside him and sighed: "Song Qing, this pass is located on the plateau in the west, Juejian in the east, Xiaoshan in the south, and the Yellow River in the north. The first gate of the capital. If this pass is lost, the Tongguan pass behind will be in danger." Song Jing replied: "This terrain is indeed dangerous, and it can be called a majestic pass. However, I think that if the monarch does not cultivate morality and government, it is vain to try to keep the enemy out of the country with one or two dangerous passes. The reason why Emperor Taizong did not build the Great Wall was because this." Li Longji saw that Song Jing's words were ultimately related to morality. He thought that before this dangerous and magnificent mountain and river, he could not express his feelings at will. The holy place of moral words, it is really appropriate for Song Qing to mention moral words again. Let's go, let's pay our respects." Lao Tzu is regarded as the ancestor of the Li and Tang royal families, so the relics of Lao Tzu are all beautifully repaired.Since Li Yuan, Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty, all dynasties allocated a lot of money to repair this place.The Taichu Palace was built according to the pass. On the plaque on the gate of the palace, there are four large golden characters, which are impressively called "Purple Qi Comes from the East". body. Not far from the Taichu Palace, there is a small house with a long history. It is said that this was the residence of Yinxi, the Lingling of Hangu Pass.One morning, Yin Xi walked not far from his apartment, and when he arrived at an earthen platform, he suddenly saw the purple air in the east and the rays of the sun.He was ecstatic, and shouted "when the purple air comes from the east, there must be strangers passing through", and hurriedly ordered the customs officials to sweep the road to welcome strangers.Not long after that, I saw an old man with flowing silver hair riding a green bull into the pass.Yin Xizhili went to inquire, and invited the old man to rest in his apartment.Feeling Yin Xi's kindness, the old man stayed here for several days and wrote a 5,000-character article, which is the Taoist treasure handed down to this day. The emperor was going to pay homage to the ancestors, and Yousi had prepared a set of sacrificial items for him, and there was a rather cumbersome ritual procedure.After the sacrificial ceremony, Li Longji was a little tired, so Gao Lishi entrusted him to rest in the clean room he had prepared earlier.Although Li Longji was a bit busy and tired, he was in high spirits, so Song Jing drank tea and talked with him. Li Longji asked: "Song Qing, I was a little puzzled just now. Is this Yin Xi really someone? From my point of view, his words are not many, but the ocean is unrestrained, and it can be said to be inclusive of everything. Could it be said that it would be difficult to come out without Yin Xi?" ?" Seeing the emperor's relaxed expression, Song Jing knew that the emperor wanted to say something light-hearted at the moment, so he jokingly said, "Your Majesty has this thought, and I also had this reverie just now. It is rumored in later generations that I am going to the west to transform Hu, so where is I now?" where?" Li Longji smiled and said: "Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, regardless of Hua Yi, they are all people. The ancestor's theory of transforming Hu has already been foreshadowed. In this way, whether the ancestors lived in seclusion in the country or went to the countries of the Western Regions is actually irrelevant." critical." Song Jing also laughed and said: "Your Majesty said so, and I can interpret Yin Xi as a person. I thought that the purple air was soaring into the sky and the sun was shining, but it may not be true. I think Yin Xi saw that Lao Tzu was very beautiful, so he invited me to talk. A few sentences, unexpectedly we talked very well, so I entertained him warmly. I got this leisure, so I wrote down what I thought in my heart, and passed it down to future generations." Song Jing's daily speech is rigorous, and it is rare to speak so casually.When Li Longji got along with him, he couldn't help being cautious in his words and deeds, for fear that he would be reprimanded by him if he disagreed with him. He laughed and said, "If it's like what you said, my respected and beloved ancestors have become a person who is greedy for the blessings of words. Well, it's a bit blasphemy. It's an ancestor. But it's rare for you to speak so easily. In fact, it's no fun to be dignified and cautious day and night. You can speak so casually, as long as it's harmless, it's fine." Li Longji took a rest for a while and left for the Kanto trip. According to the schedule, he will rest at the Shanzhou Government Office tonight.Li Longji smiled and said to Wu Huier: "The hot springs in Shanzhou are overflowing, let's go take a bath, just to wash away the fatigue of the journey." Wu Hui'er has recently learned the beauty of intercourse between men and women, thinking that the temperature of hot spring water can help sexual interest, her eyes can't help rolling, she yearns for the pleasure of bathing, and asks: "So there are hot springs in Shanzhou? Your Majesty, is the water similar to Lishan Hot Spring? "After driving out of Beijing this time, the first stop was to rest in Lishan Palace. Wu Huier went to the hot spring to bathe with Li Longji for the first time. "Well, the palaces there are a bit shabby, but the hot spring water is more abundant than Lishan Mountain. The Wentang Village is surrounded by tens of miles, and there are hot springs overflowing, and the locals have no cold water to use." "Oh, there is such a wonderful thing in the world." Li Longji caressed Wu Huier's face, and said with a smile: "No matter how beautiful the mountains and rivers are, if there is no beauty in his arms, it will be meaningless." It is time for the beautiful scenery and infinite tenderness in the car. Li Longji's good mood did not last long, and the congestion ahead made him feel bad. When the car drove into the bottom of the valley, we saw that the terrain on both sides of Hangu was steep, but the bottom of the valley was flat and became a passage through the east and west.The bottom of the valley is wide and narrow, and the narrowest point can only accommodate a carriage. There has always been a saying that "cars do not have square rails, and horses do not tie their bridles".Driving through this place, the speed was greatly slowed down, and in the end, the brigade of people stopped moving. Li Longji waited in the car more and more anxiously, seeing that it was getting late, wouldn't it be bad if he didn't go ahead and spend the night in this valley?He stayed in the car for half an hour, seeing that the team hadn't moved, he pointed his head to Wang Maozhong, who had been accompanying him all the time, and said, "Wang Maozhong, why can't we go ahead?" Wang Maozhong reported: "The car went to a narrow place, where only one car could pass. Unexpectedly, the two cars were chasing together, and they got stuck there, which delayed the time." Li Longji said angrily: "The car is dead, but the people are alive. Since you know that this place is narrow, why don't you pass through it in order? Go ahead and clear it as soon as possible." Wang Maozhong drove his horse to go, but the valley was already crowded.It took a lot of time for him to rush to the narrow place with all his strength, and then command people to lift the car away.In this way, when the chariot traveled to the Shanzhou government office, the moon and stars were thin in the sky, and it was late at night. The car driving on the east tour was handled by Taipusi. Li Longji summoned Taipuqing to the front of the car to reprimand him and wanted to dismiss him. 太仆卿眼见大祸将至，模样虽恭顺惶恐万端，心里却有主意，禀道：“臣处置不当使车驾延误，实属大罪。然臣久处京中不明沿途地势，出发前已知会诸州府，由其领引路之责。此谷由陕州所辖，其无人领路，又事先不言明，臣虽难辞其咎，陕州府也脱不了干系。” 李隆基想想也有道理，遂下旨罢去陕州刺史李朝隐与知顿使王怡等人的官职，太仆卿仅被罚俸三月。 宋璟闻此消息，心中大急，待车驾入陕州停稳，李隆基刚刚进入为之准备好的行所中，即来请求觐见。 李隆基此时又困又饿，本不想传见，又怕宋璟有要紧话儿说，只好勉强接见。宋璟见礼后直接说道：“陛下，臣以为若罢李朝隐与王怡之职，实为不妥。” 李隆基知道宋璟此来是为了这件事儿，心中的无名火又起，没好气地说道：“宋卿，你没见现在是何时辰了？朕又没将他们杀头，不用刀下留人，我们明日再说好吗？” 宋璟见皇帝确实为极度疲乏的模样，也觉得自己有些性急，遂说道：“臣不恤陛下，此为臣之罪。如此，就请陛下先去用膳，臣先候在这里。” 李隆基叹道：“唉，你年长于我，又一样鞍马劳顿。朕去用膳，你却空着肚子候在这里，莫非想陷朕于不义吗？也罢，你就与朕一同用膳吧，我们坐下来说。” 宋璟也老实不客气，躬身谢道：“如此，臣谢陛下赐膳之恩。” 李隆基归于座上，武惠儿先是递来一方热巾，李隆基用之擦面抹手，再仰身舒展一下腰身，顿时感觉释去了一些劳乏。武惠儿继而又递来一盏热茶，李隆基轻抿一口，说道：“嗯，此为蕲州之团黄，此时饮之，既能润喉，又兼舒骨。宋卿，待饮尽此盏后，你可说话。” 宋璟此时也是喉咙冒烟，接过茶水，一饮而尽。李隆基见其饮尽，问道：“宋卿，到底有何不妥呀？” 宋璟回答道：“此次东巡实为陛下登基以来之首次巡守，如今国家渐至安澜，庶民渐至富足，则国人无比注目此次巡守。函谷本来狭窄，拥塞实属正常，此次不过延迟车驾一个多时辰而已。那李朝隐与王怡引路不当，确有过失，然陛下雷霆一怒，竟夺其职！天下人若知陛下出巡的第一遭事儿，即是让人以小过而获大罪，恐怕于陛下不利呀。” 李隆基道：“他们侵凌天子威严，能为小过吗？” “臣刚才将官吏考课之内容细细回忆了一遍，其中似无如此内容。陛下，国家法度虽由臣民遵守，然国君也不可动辄毁之。前朝'斜封官'流毒天下，正是中宗皇帝肆意为之，可为佐证。” 人在愤怒之时，往往会有出格的举动。李隆基盛怒之时罢黜二人之职，待其后来平复下来，也觉得自己有些过火。现在宋璟郑重其事前来劝谏，他也就想顺水推舟再复二人之职，遂爽快说道：“也罢，朕就依卿所奏，可废前敕复其官职。” 宋璟本想皇帝为保自己颜面不肯认错，他此前早就备好了诸般说辞，欲持久劝谏。他没有料到李隆基今日如此痛快，竟然早早地答应了自己的请求，如此就迟疑了一下。 李隆基笑道：“宋卿就为此事吗？朕答应了，我们就速速用膳吧，明日还要行路。” 宋璟先闭目想了一下，继而坚决说道：“陛下，一日之内黜其职再复其职，也似不妥！” 李隆基有些不耐烦，叹道：“宋卿呀，你今日来莫非专为折腾朕吗？黜又不是，复又不行，你到底意欲何为？” “陛下想呀，今日陛下雷霆一怒黜其官职，臣来此轻轻一说又复其官职。事后外人定会说，皇帝行事简单且粗糙，还是宋璟守法持正待人以恩。如此咎归陛下，恩归微臣，天下哪儿有这样的道理？” 李隆基马上明白了宋璟的心意，笑道：“人言宋卿心直如杆，若以此事而论，你的心思也很细腻嘛。也罢，你不用再说道理，仅说办法即可。此事既结，我们须即刻用膳。” “微臣以为，不用马上复其职，可使他们以待罪之身行往日职责。稍待一些时日，再敕还其职即可，如此可谓进退得宜。” “就按卿所言来办，好吗？来，我们速速用膳。” 宋璟走后，武惠儿关切地说道：“陛下今日劳乏，可稍微清洗一番入寝。” “朕确实有些劳乏，你也一样啊。” “妾毕竟年幼，又不用思虑过多，并不觉得劳乏。” “如此说来，朕有些老了？” 武惠儿微微一笑，说道：“陛下壮健如斯，可谓龙马精神，哪里能说'老'字？” 此后数日，车驾向洛阳缓缓而去。是时初春时分，原野上的枯黄已蒙上了一层新绿，愈往东行，感觉风儿愈暖。田间的禾苗已开始返青，李隆基有时令车驾停下，然后信步入田间观看禾苗长势，甚至与农夫攀谈数句。得知去冬数场大雪，初春后又遭遇两场春雨，则土壤墒情甚好，眼前无春旱之虞，于是龙心大悦。 车驾抵近洛阳城门，李隆基眺望那黛色的城墙，心里忽然想起薛崇简和王师虔居住在这里，他们现在如何呢？ 第二日近晚时分，李隆基唤来王毛仲，说道：“这里有两位故人，他们的日子过得如何呀？” 王毛仲被皇帝猛然问起，一时想不起其说的故人为谁。如此停顿片刻，方才恍然大悟。王师虔当初被执，李隆基令王毛仲将其押至薛崇简宅中好生看管。王毛仲起初还问问王师虔的状况，时间一长，便有些懈怠，遂让河南府尹代为看管，他也渐渐不问。现在皇帝问起，他不敢实话实说，含糊其辞道：“禀陛下，此二人这些年还算乖觉本分，他们日日待在宅中如寓公一般，倒是没有惹出是非。” “嗯，朕有些念起他们了。你去将他们召入宫来，与朕一同进晚膳。” 王毛仲躬身答应，心里其实有些忐忑：这二人到底是死是活呀？万一少了一个，如何向圣上交待呢？ 王毛仲这些年官运亨通，职掌禁军大权，实为李隆基宠信之人。他这些年威权日盛，对其他人视若无物，然见了李隆基，还是潞州时初为护卫时的恭顺模样。 王毛仲在河南府尹的带领下寻到薛崇简宅第，薛崇简与王师虔当然小心迎接。王毛仲见到此二人的模样和神情，心中不禁唏嘘万端：这二人怎么如此谦卑万分？还是他们本人吗？ 短短数年之间，二人似乎老了许多，他们见了官方之人，皆佝偻着腰，模样恭顺之极。王毛仲不禁想到，薛崇简性子一直平和也就罢了，那王师虔昔日的精神劲儿为何就无影无踪了呢？ 二人随同王毛仲入宫，见了李隆基也是三跪九叩，口呼万岁。待他们与皇帝同席进膳时，依旧小心翼翼低眉顺眼。 李隆基脸色平和，进膳时言笑晏晏：“朕这些年忙于国事，无暇召见你们。唉，人年龄愈大，这念旧的心思愈长，此次来东都就念起你们了。王先生，这些年过得还好吗？” 王师虔小心答道：“草民蒙陛下不杀，这些年在东都活得也相当优裕，草民日日感激陛下的圣恩。” 薛崇简说道：“陛下，王先生入敝府之后，臣从府中选一有颜色之婢女相配，如今已生有一子一女。” “哦？王先生有家室了，此为好事呀。王先生添丁加口，日常用度足用吗？” “草民得立节王好生看顾，日常用度倒是不缺。草民有时环视妻子，甚感如此好日子终归由陛下所赐，不由得感激涕零。” “好呀，王先生如今有家有口，如此就体会了好生生活的滋味。嗯，你的日子也不能过得太紧巴，这样吧，朕再加立节王二百户实封，此专为王先生生活之用。” 王师虔闻言，当即离席下拜：“草民叩谢陛下圣恩。” 顷刻席散，王毛仲派人将二人送回宅中。王毛仲感到今日实在有趣，说道：“陛下，这王师虔怎么像完全换了一个人儿一样，他当时谋刺陛下，被执后见了陛下也是一副不屑神情。臣今日观此景，心甚诧异，王师虔似未作伪啊。” 李隆基笑道：“普天之下，莫非王土。蝼蚁尚且惜命，王师虔能够存留于世，他能不感恩吗？再说了，他娶妻生子，由此在世上就多了许多牵挂。唉，他怎能作伪呢？” “哼，王师虔所犯之罪，杀他十回头也够了。陛下心胸如海，饶其性命，若换作是臣，说什么也不会如此好心。” 高力士是时也在一侧，闻言悄声向王毛仲提醒道：“王将军怎能如此说话？还不向陛下谢罪！” 王毛仲方悟自己说错了话，自己本为奴才之身，怎敢和皇帝相提并论呢？他急忙跪倒，叩首道：“奴才不会说话，请陛下责罚。” 李隆基倒是不以为然，叹道：“罢了，你起来吧。唉，王师虔死与不死，对朕有何干系呢？他留在世上，让朕还能念起故人之情，倒是还有一点用处。” 王毛仲退出后，心中对高力士有些恼火：皇帝对自己的越位之言根本未放在心上，你这个老阉奴为何如此多嘴？ 薛崇简与王师虔回府后，也在那里大发感叹。薛崇简道：“王先生多次说过，圣上留你性命，实让你双眼观看他施政的效果。如今天下安澜，庶民百姓的日子越过越好，人口也增加不少，国势确实大有起色。他今日见了先生，仅问起居生活，为何不言及此事呢？” 王师虔道：“他若果然来问，日后传扬出去，岂不是有碍其圣君的名声？他对我愈加彬彬有礼，愈能增添其皇恩浩荡的模样。唉，我自从有了苟活于世上的念头，这些口舌之争皆变为虚妄了。” 薛崇简闻言顿时大有同感，遂默然相对良久。