Song Mingyue

Chapter 142 Meeting Tong Guan
East of the city, Cai Mansion.

The mansion was decorated with lanterns and festoons, and the house was full of joy. The servants of the Cai family in green clothes and hats, and the maids of the Cai family in flowery skirts were extremely busy.

In the middle of the study in Cai Jing's house, a middle-aged official wearing a goldfish bag, a purple official uniform, and a gauze hat with narrow wings was waiting anxiously.This high-ranking official in the purple robe is Gao Qiu, the commander in front of the palace, who controls the entire imperial guards. Although he is only a second-rank official, he is the most trusted official position by the officials.

Although he could wait in the study, Gao Qiu didn't dare to take a breath, and didn't even touch the tea and snacks on the table.

I don't know how long it took until a house slave in green clothes and a small hat said something to Gao Qi after saluting, Gao Qi didn't dare to neglect, Su Rong returned the salute, and followed him through the corridors and across the house, before arriving at Cai Jing's bedroom, Straightening his clothes, he sang his name loudly, and then walked in.Cai Jing's bedroom is magnificent, with all kinds of exquisite and luxurious furnishings. Once entering the bedroom, it is as warm as spring, but there is no heater, and the temperature is suitable to prevent sweating, and the air is circulated, so there is no feeling of stuffiness.Moreover, the bedroom is full of paintings and calligraphy, including Cai Jing's own proud works and some gifts from the emperor, showing the extraordinary style of the master's poems and books.

Passing around a purple coral screen, I saw an old man in brocade clothes sitting on the couch. Although his beard and hair were white, he had an extraordinary bearing.This old man is naturally Cai Jing.

Seeing Gao Qiu come in and salute solemnly, Cai Jing smiled faintly.He was past seventy years old, well maintained, he looked no more than sixty years old, his face was like a crown of jade, his face was childlike and his hair was as handsome as ever.

The relationship between the two was extraordinary, and after exchanging pleasantries, they stopped being polite.

Cai Jing asked in a low voice: "What is the origin of Zhao Hao, the son of the clan?"

Cai Jing was unhurried, his tone was calm, but extremely dignified, which made Gao Qiu, who was the commander in front of the second-rank hall, feel a burst of pressure.

Cai Jing was indeed depressed. This Zhao Hao seemed to have emerged from the ground, and suddenly entered the ancestor worship queue that only clans within the third service could enter, and only clans above the Duke level were eligible to enter. , which shows the favor of the government... He actually doesn't know such a favored person.

Gao Qiu hurriedly told Cai Jing all the things he had investigated.

It is the master behind "Heaven on Earth", and the most important thing is that "Heaven on Earth" is quite likely to replace Yihonglou. The government has sent people to Yanglou Street twice to meet the brand girl Xiao Cuixiang into the palace.

He is good at calligraphy, painting and Cuju, and is very popular with officials.

He seems to be involved with Liang Shicheng and Tong Guan, and also seems to have an affair with Lin Lingsu and Wang Wenqing. According to investigations, he also offended Zong Zhenghui and King Yan.

He was bestowed with a jasper whisk by the government, and he was promoted to three levels within five days.

……

Cai Jing squinted his eyes, and the more he heard the back, his brows became tighter, and then slowly relaxed.

"Young, after all, is a little tender. It seems to be menacing, and the scenery is boundless, after all, it is difficult to become a climate... Just try to avoid its edge." Cai Jing smiled faintly.

In Cai Jing's view, the identity of Zhao Hao's clan itself is a bondage, and he offended Zong Zhenghui and King Yan, leaving future troubles, and he is eager to express himself everywhere. The bridegroom is like a bridegroom who doesn't know the fun and mystery of step by step. This kind of person gains power quickly and loses power faster.

"Secondly, send people to him. The young man is impulsive and has many flaws. If there is more evidence, he can kill him with one blow... After all, he is close to Liang Shicheng and Lin Lingsu and others."

Cai Jing explained a few words, but he didn't continue to talk too much about this fledgling young man, but instead talked about the situation in the north.

Gao Qiu said: "Wang Jiangming and Tong Daofu still want to unite with Jin to destroy Liao. I don't know what my husband agrees with?"

There was a trace of anger on Cai Jing's face: "Confused, this is the crime of deceiving the emperor. You are short-sighted and want to put our Great Song Dynasty in danger. Since the Tanyuan alliance, there has been no war in the north for more than a hundred years. Now if you send your troops to the north To destroy the Liao Dynasty, attracting Jin people to the south is like luring wolves into a house, what a fool, Wang Jiangming and Tong Daofu will be punished!"

Gao Qiu sighed: "Now the imperial army in the capital is weak, and the western army is in full swing. If we go north to destroy Liao, Tong Daofu will be the supervisor of the army. Now that the people of Liao are weak, they are already powerless to compete with the Jurchens. If my master of the Song Dynasty goes north again, It must be as powerful as a broken bamboo, so if Tong Daofu wins the victory of breaking the Liao Dynasty, he will be in the limelight, and I am afraid that he will be even more arrogant and domineering, which will not be good for us."

Cai Jing said angrily: "Going to a weak Liao and attracting a strong Jin, how confused? If Liao resists the Jin, and the Liao people are blocking the north, the Jin people will not be able to go south. Why not take advantage of the fisherman's profit? When the army is strong and the horses are strong, Liao and Jin are weak, and if they are wiped out in one fell swoop, the world can be settled. This is the grand plan of hegemony, how can we be greedy for a momentary profit?"

Gao Qiu sighed: "The officials are so happy to make great achievements, it doesn't happen in a day, and now Wang Jiangming, Tong Daofu and others are often bewitching, I am afraid that the official's intention has been decided, and persuasion will not work!"

After all, Gao Qiu, Cai Jing and others were still afraid that Tong Guan's faction would gain the upper hand and overwhelm Cai Jing's faction by taking advantage of their achievements in defeating the Liao Dynasty.

However, according to the situation at the time, Cai Jing had a somewhat strategic vision.

This husband, who has been a prime minister for many years, is somewhat conceited, thinking that Zhao Ji's favor for him is unshakable, or he has some thoughts about his family and country in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "Wen dies to remonstrate, Wu dies to fight, come to court in the future, This old man will risk his life to advise and dissuade the officials, you go to contact the people and second the old man's advice."

Gao Qiu's expression seemed to be a little moved, and he said respectfully: "My husband wishes to be the first for the country, how dare we not give up our lives to follow!"

……

On the night of the winter solstice, Bianliang City opened the nightless city mode, and the whole city carnival.

Teahouses, restaurants, brothels and prostitute villages in the whole city are full of people everywhere, and the painted boats on the Bian River are lit up all night, and the big restaurants like Fanlou and Panlou, which are equivalent to the status of six-star hotels in later generations, are even more popular. Those who come are either rich or expensive, and ordinary people can't book seats even if they have money.

In the largest pavilion in Fanlou, Zhao Hao was holding a banquet.

A warm curtain was set up on the small building, and a charcoal basin was set up.The inside of the building is as warm as spring, with the sound of silk and bamboo all around, and there are several maids standing with bowed heads.

Zhao Hao was wearing a white jade hair crown, wearing a purple robe, holding a goose feather fan, sitting on a chair in the middle of the east side of the attic, quite a bit of Zhuge Kongming's demeanor.

He hosted a banquet today, and he received a distinguished guest, a high-ranking and powerful guest, the dignified Privy Envoy of the Song Dynasty, Tong Guan who is called the Privy Councilor.

It's just that he chose the most luxurious restaurant in the capital to receive Tong Guan, not because of respecting and flattering Tong Guan, but just to cover people's eyes and ears, and at the same time to show Mr. Zhao's extravagance.

After a while, Tong Guan's tall figure appeared at the door of the pavilion. He held a high position in front of outsiders, and he was not angry and arrogant, but in Zhao Hao's eyes, he was just a slave.

As soon as Tong Guan entered the pavilion, Zhao Hao signaled everyone in the room to wait outside.

Tong Guan became the duke of the state and worshiped him as the prime minister. He had been awe-inspiring for a long time. When he saw Zhao Hao sitting still, it meant that he was clearly asking him to come forward to meet him. His face was a little embarrassed, and he hurriedly bowed forward and said: "The old slave pays homage to the young master."

Zhao Hao pointed to the seat next to him, and said lightly, "Sit."

Tong Guan had no choice but to sit down beside Zhao Hao respectfully.

Zhao Hao said to Tong Guan with a smile that was not a smile: "Tong Shu is very happy recently, and the cooperation is also good. I am very pleased."

Tong Guan sighed slightly and said: "It's just that the young master offended Zongzhenghui, after all, it's not good, that Zongzhenghui has something to do with the crown prince, and the young master, as a clan body, is so flamboyant, in the long run, it's not a good strategy after all. ...Although the young master is a holy family, you must know that the crown prince is about the same age as the young master, if the crown prince ascends the throne in the future, it will definitely be disadvantageous to the young master."

Zhao Hao smiled, with a strange smile on his face and said: "Before I was afraid of wolves and later I was afraid of tigers, so I will not come to Bianliang... A sparrow knows the ambition of a great swan."

Tong Guan's heart skipped a beat, and he lost his voice and said, "My lord, don't let your imagination run wild...Since Emperor Taizong, the clan has seldom held positions, let alone military power, how can you do it... I hope you think twice, and don't think wildly."

Zhao Hao jokingly said with a smile: "What are you afraid of, Daofu doesn't have a heavy hand?"

Tong Guan's complexion changed instantly, and he said anxiously: "Young master, don't play tricks on this old slave. Although this old slave has been caressing me for 20 years, the Western Army's gang of Qiu Ba only listened to this old man for the sake of the officials. If you want to imitate the old slave For the matter of the ancestors, the old man will die without a place to bury him!"

What Tong Guan said is actually correct. Don’t look at Tong Guan who has five people and six people in front of the Western Army. A middle-level person can cut him into pieces on the spot.

Zhao Hao laughed: "Why do you need to be nervous, I have my own clever plan, you just need to cooperate secretly, how can I let you do such an unwise move?"

Tong Guan wiped off his sweat, and asked cautiously: "Now that the son's family is in prosperity, I don't know how to deal with this old slave?"

Zhao Hao said in a cold voice: "Listen to my fairy art voice transmission, and I don't have my orders on weekdays, and I can't help each other. You can even ostracize me in an explicit way, to show that you and I have a clear boundary, and we are definitely not a party!"

Zhao Hao thought about this sentence carefully. If he is classified as a party headed by two eunuchs Tong Guan and Liang Shicheng, it will not only damage his reputation, but also easily arouse Zhao Ji's suspicion. ", basically do not need the help of Liang Shicheng, Tong Guan and others.

Tong Guan breathed a sigh of relief, and said anxiously: "This old slave will save it."

Zhao Hao approached Tong Guan, with a strange expression on his face, and said with a smile: "Now the officials know that my fairy art can drive away diseases and prolong life. Since ancient times, all emperors have feared death and sought longevity. With the gold medal for avoiding death...if Daofu dares to betray me...Don't blame me for being ruthless and making you unable to survive or die!"

Tong Guan was shocked, he fell to his knees hastily, and said anxiously: "I don't dare, I don't dare..."

Zhao Hao nodded, and said with a faint smile: "In that case, please come back, Taoist. Tonight, I will send some good girls to your house to help you celebrate the winter solstice."

Tong Guan touched the sweat on his forehead again, thanked him hastily, and then left.

Zhao Hao looked at Tong Guan's leaving back with a thoughtful look on his face.

The road to usurping the throne is long, and now it is only the first step in the long march, with heavy responsibilities and a long way to go...

(End of this chapter)