Crown Tang emperor

"I heard a new song from Tuwen, I feel very lucky! Warm up a glass of wine, and send it to the King of Guanghan!"

More and more people were attracted by the sound of the song and joined the farewell team. The scene of farewell, which was originally a bit sad and desolate, quickly became noisy.Standing in the tent, Li Tong couldn't laugh or cry for a while.

As for Li Guangshun, at this moment, he frequently responded to those strangers who came to see him off, and the sadness of parting was gone on his face, but he was full of strong and proud joy: "Brothers say goodbye, and the song expresses the meaning, but there is no meaning." Thinking of disturbing the gentlemen with love, wearing clothes and waiting to go out, I don’t have time to be polite, forgive me! Younger brother is full of talent and love, and it is always inevitable to surprise everyone. With beautiful songs, I will never feel lonely on the road!"

At the same time, on the south bank of Luopu, several miles away, there was also a pavilion with a tent that gathered about a hundred people. There was no lack of laughter among the seats set up by Jane. It was obviously not a farewell to friends, but a welcome to distant guests. Return to the capital.

"Floating clouds wandering in the mind, the setting sun makes people feel..."

The sound of singing from the other side came faintly, and the tall old man sitting in the middle of the pavilion raised his hand to stop the noise in the middle of the table, and after listening for a while, he laughed and said: "It's rare, it's rare. Scarf. So the tune is not bad, but newcomers always have old ideas. I don’t know who sings this song of Li, who is close to me and who is doing it wonderfully?”

Everyone at the meeting also heard the song, and there was no lack of doubts. Some people hurried out to inquire, and soon returned and clasped their fists and said: "Back to Di Gong, the king of Guanghan will envoy Yizhou, this song is Xunqing's new work for brother Huafai. "

The old man was Di Renjie, who had just returned to God's Capital from Peng Ze. Hearing the words, he was stunned: "No wonder, I have heard that Xunqing is talented and beautiful. As soon as a new song is composed, it is really extraordinary to sing and express its meaning!"

The person went out to inquire and said with a smile: "Welcome Shiliu on the north bank, most of them are attracted by new songs, and they are gathering around to talk about special greetings. I wonder if Mr. Di would like to move to see Xunqing, who is famous all over the city?"

After pondering for a while, Di Renjie waved his hands with a smile and said, "It's the joy of a visitor from afar. Xun Qing's new words are sweet and sincere, but he knows them well. We don't understand each other's sorrows and joys, and meeting each other is meaningless."

Everyone talked for a while, and the topic inevitably revolved around the deeds of Xun Qing, who is now in the limelight in the capital of the gods. Di Renjie just smiled and listened at the table. Don't worry about long gatherings. Thank you gentlemen for your affectionate welcome, and I will pay you back with a banquet in the mansion on another day!"

Hearing this, everyone got up one after another, tidied up a little, and went to the capital of God together with Di's family.

When approaching the Dingding Gate in the south of the city, another large group of pedestrians appeared on the way. It was Li Tong and his party who had sent their elder brother Li Guangshun back to the city.Originally there were not so many people, but a group of Shiliu gathered at Luopu's place, and they stayed together for a long time, and now they simply returned to Luxinfang Wang's residence together as guests.

After witnessing this scene, many people who were traveling with Di Renjie hurriedly apologized, and then quickened their pace to join the team.

Di Renjie rode on the horse, motioned his family to take shelter temporarily, and watched a crowd of people flocking Li Tong into the city gate, with a smile on his mouth and a slight flicker in his eyes.

Chapter 0357

There is one more person returning to the capital with Di Renjie today, and that is Lai Junchen who was also exiled in Jiangzhou.

However, unlike Di Renjie who moved back to the imperial court, Lai Junchen returned to the capital with a somewhat despondent meaning.Originally, he was able to leave the place of exile only after returning to the capital as a criminal to report his crimes. Although he was pardoned halfway and his old crimes were not pursued, he was only a leader of the Guizhou Province and did not receive a new ministry.

Lai Junchen also returned to the city in the evening, but he did not choose Dingding Gate, but entered the city at Houzai Gate in the west of the city.

He was wearing a dusty cloth gown that could no longer see its true color, and his head without a scarf was wrapped softly on top of his head. His face was thin and weathered, and he was riding a skinny horse with mottled fur. , and the two followers can only ride donkeys.

There is also an old carriage behind it, which creaks when it is driving, and it is loaded with not much luggage.

Houzai Gate was originally a place where common people came and went, and there were some private markets for buying and selling cattle, horses and other livestock. Livestock excrement can be seen everywhere on the road. Even though it was deep winter, there was still a rancid smell in the vicinity.The soldiers guarding the gate were also extremely unfriendly to the crowd, and it was normal to shout and urge them.

When it was the turn of Junchen and his party to enter the city, they were stopped by a soldier in front of the city gate. He stepped forward to look at them carefully, knocked on the crumbling carriage board with his staff, and asked, "Are you going to participate in the election in Beijing?" An official, or a traveler?"

Naturally, Lai Junchen was too lazy to talk to these small characters, so he only asked the servant to come forward and answer, "It's a traveler who is visiting relatives in Beijing." He also casually fabricated a city square address.

"Is the riding equipment self-supporting or the market? If you can't get a guide, you are not allowed to enter the city!"

The captain snorted again and said: "Recently, there are often traitors who smuggle into the market on the pretext of visiting their relatives. If you can't get a quotation, you have to make up for it at the city gate, and you will pay fifty dollars for each pack."

When Lai's family servant heard this, he immediately stared, and said angrily: "Tieqiu Ba, do you know that the master of my family is..."

"Shut up! Give it to him!"

Lai Junchen was in a worse mood, and said angrily, unwilling to reveal his identity casually.

Cursing in a low voice, the house slave reached into his bosom, pulled out a hundred copper coins on a rope and threw them at the soldier commander, and snorted coldly, "That's only so much!"

The copper coin fell to his feet, the soldier commander looked down, his expression became more hostile, and he waved his hand: "Come on, take down these two lowly slaves, and find out if there are escaped slaves!"

While talking, two more soldiers rushed up with sticks, and the Lai family slave was also a little panicked, bent down and hugged the donkey's neck, looked back at Lai Junchen and shouted: "Lord, help!"

"stop!"

At this time, a voice sounded from the inner side of the city gate, and several people rode out, the first one being Wei Suizhong.He was dressed in the robes of an official, so the city guards naturally did not dare to act presumptuously, and retreated hurriedly.

With solidarity, Lai Junchen no longer endured it. With a stern face, he got off his horse and walked up to the soldier commander. He raised his finger and pointed at him and said viciously: "Who do you know me? Want to arrest my slave? You are dead!"

"Brother is coming back to the capital for the first time, don't wait for the story, everything needs to be planned, why bother with these subordinates!"

Seeing Lai Junchen staring at a few guards, Wei Suizhong felt ashamed and rushed forward to pull Lai Junchen.

The soldier commander was already sweating profusely, and he prostrated himself on the ground to confess his crimes. Lai Junchen spat viciously again, and asked his family to ask for his name. Then he changed to the idle horse brought by Wei Suizhong and others, and set out together into the city.

"Brother Wei led me to the throne when I was out in the old years. Now that I've lost power, it's Brother Wei who descended to welcome me. I will remember this look in my heart!"

Seeing his party members, Lai Junchen regained his vitality. Although his clothes were still shabby, his tone had become high-pitched: "In the past years, I was the head of Guizhou in the field, and I was able to stand tall in the court! Now that I have returned from grievances, I have not long recovered. Don't abandon me, I won't abandon others, you can expect prosperity!"

When Wei Suizhong and others heard this, they just smiled and complimented, but seeing Lai Junchen returning home in such a desolate way, they were still a little surprised and said: "Brother Lai is not a common custom in the world, why is the return journey so simple and cold?"

When Lai Junchen heard this, his face became even more sorrowful and angry. He turned his head to the south and cursed: "Officials from other states are mostly scum. They play tricks and fish the world! This time I return to the capital, I will use my talents to help His Majesty the Holy Emperor!" Sweep away the old malpractices and make my Dazhou clear!"

Although Lai Junchen was in a panic when he was demoted from the capital, he was not so shabby.The journey of exile was considered calm because of the court's care.But after arriving in the place of exile, all kinds of torture came one after another. The local officials, wealthy families, and even the envoys in transit all took pleasure in beating him.

In a short period of time, all the belongings with him were extorted, and the servants dispersed in a panic. Even the two maidservants were taken away by the local strongman.It's also due to his background in the city, otherwise, under all kinds of blows, I'm afraid he will suffer from mortification.

"There is no need to talk about the past, Brother Wei, please make a plan, I will face the Holy Spirit as soon as possible, and accept a new job!"

Having tasted the beauty of power, Lai Junchen is now as anxious as a drug addict, so he pulled his horse closer and Wei Suizhong ordered.

Wei Suizhong showed embarrassment after hearing this, and only said: "Since Brother Lai left Beijing, new things have happened frequently in the capital. It is inconvenient to go into details on the way, so we should go to the dormitory first."

While speaking, Wei Suizhong led Junchen to a hotel in the nearby Datong Square, and said apologetically, "Although this place is not beautiful, it is quiet and rarely seen."

Lai Junchen dismounted his horse and looked at the environment of the guest house with his hands behind his back, and said with a smirk: "It seems that after I leave the capital, it will be difficult for you to maintain it."

After entering the house, he said again: "Well, after I leave, what will happen in the city?"

Wei Suizhong lowered his head and said in a low voice: "Those who are related to Brother Lai originally set up the eyes and ears of the residences of King Wei, King Liang and other kings, and they were killed when they vented their anger. related to this."

Lai Junchen gasped when he heard this, with cold sweat looming on his forehead, he no longer asked when he would be able to face the saint, but grabbed Wei Suizhong's wrist and said in surprise: "Do the kings know about my return to the capital?"

"How dare I leak it! But if brother Lai asks for a reply, I'm afraid it will be difficult!"

Lai Junchen also had a sad face when he heard this. He sighed for a while, and then gradually recovered: "Although it is worryable to offend a few kings, it is not a serious problem. A few people are nothing more than a puppet in the hands of His Majesty the Holy Emperor. Your Majesty forgives me." I, it's not that he and the others can violate their private wishes. Let me talk about another important matter first. I have heard that the emperor's heir was involved in the incident during my trip. This time I am returning to the capital, and I am about to dig deep into the crimes. This is an opportunity for me to use it again. It's also where the princes of the Wu family are suffering, as long as they get involved quickly, they won't harm me!"

He asked Wei Suizhong carefully, and when he heard about the criminals handling the case, he couldn't help clapping his hands and laughing: "It's very good, these idiots are timid and incompetent, and dare not go straight to the root, but this is where I come from! How many party members are still left? Recently, let them submit a letter to Tongjiao to explore the way first. Guande Square on the west side of the street, most of them live in the old and sick, and release internal officials.

Speaking of this, Lai Junchen was in high spirits again, without the cautious and shabby air he had before: "I should not come forward for these things for the time being, and I have to rely on Brother Wei and you guys to spread the word. As long as the case is heard by the heavens, I will come back." Hopefully, not only will the kings of the Wu family not stop me, but they will also try their best to support me!"

Wei Suizhong and others nodded repeatedly after hearing the words, and after a pause, Lai Junchen looked at Wei Suizhong and said: "Yes, I forgot to ask Brother Wei if you have been employed under the Hedong King's family? "

Hearing this question, Wei Suizhong felt a little nervous, and just sighed: "Xunqing is full of guests now, although I am sideways at the door, but I still don't like it. Since Brother Lai has returned to the capital, I am too lazy to fight for favor. Fortunately, I followed Brother Lai..."

"Thinking like this is a narrow plan. Although I offended him, I have to admit that this person is by no means hurtful. Up to now, I only look forward to the future, don't read stories, avoid him, let him go, and stop fighting for strength Wealth and honor can be found anywhere in the world, so why bother to get it from such a difficult person. Brother Wei is there, looking for a future for himself, and will not hinder our friendship. Brother let's go and talk."

Speaking of this, Lai Junchen pretended to be tired and said: "The journey is hard, the situation is not calm, it is not easy to treat guests, and the glory will be restored in the future, and I will entertain and comfort you!"

When Wei Suizhong and others saw this, they also got up and said goodbye. Before leaving, they left some belongings for Lai Junchen's recent expenses.

After a few people left, Lai Junchen returned to the guest house, and sat silently until dark, then went into the side room and kicked the two sleeping servants up: "If you want to survive, get up quickly, and go to settle down elsewhere!"

The two were sleepy and still waiting to tidy up and pull the animals, but they were stopped by Lai Junchen. They smeared and dug out the dirt wall of the inn, walked through the winding alley with their waists bent, and waited for dawn in an abandoned house in the workshop.And all of this was seen by several eyes in the darkness.

The next day, Di Renjie, who had rested at home for a day, dressed and washed early, headed straight to the imperial city, and entered the palace to thank En to perform his duties as usual.

After retiring from the court, Wu Zetian met Di Renjie in the Hall of Renshou and invited Li Zhaode and other two prime ministers to accompany him.Usually the ministers take up their new posts and thank them. It is just a dialogue between the monarch and his ministers. Generally, there will not be too many people present.Now that the emperor and the prime minister have come forward to receive him, it is enough to show that they attach great importance to Di Renjie's return to the capital.

"Di Qing's new award this time is due to your talent. I hope you can get into the matter quickly and solve the dilemma of the livelihood of the people in Heluo as soon as possible."

After seeing the ceremony, Wu Zetian looked at Di Renjie who was sitting respectfully at the table and said with a smile.

When Di Renjie returned to the capital this time, he served as the local official servant of the household department, and was mainly responsible for the household registration of hundreds of thousands of Heluo relocated households.This matter has been going on since the Tianshou years, but the progress has not been very smooth.Di Renjie has always been a talented person in the administrative area, which is recognized by the government and the public, and it is also a way to make the best of his talents by recalling him to the court to preside over this matter.

Being so expected by the empress, Di Renjie naturally expressed his determination.Before the words fell, Wu Zetian raised his hand again and asked someone to copy a copy of the previous memorial to Di Renjie, and said: "Some courtiers have proposed new ideas and drafted a few chapters. Di Qing has a high eye and sees if there is anything to adopt place?"

Di Renjie took the memorabilia and read it carefully, and after a while, he cupped his hands and said: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, and then I will pick up the sages. The remarks here are based on the facts and are in line with human feelings, but it seems that they are not the inherent strategies of good officials in the court."

As soon as this remark came out, Wu Zetian, including Li Zhaode, and others in the palace laughed, and Li Zhaode said again: "Di Shilang has a great weapon, and he can display it in his arms for the imperial servants. , nothing can be done.”

Chapter 0358

After laughing for a while, Wu Zetian waved his hand and said, "It's rare for Di Qing to appreciate me so much!"

"This, this is..."

Hearing the words of several people in the hall, Di Renjie naturally showed suspicion on his face, and at the same time, he also had a guess in his heart: "Could this be Xunqing Chen Ce?"

"It's that kid who is conceited and incapable, boasting about state affairs, and accidentally getting into the high eyes of the princes, which actually fueled his arrogance."

Wu Zetian replied with a smile again, she looked like an ordinary old woman who boasted of her children and grandchildren's talents.

The corners of Di Renjie's mouth curled up, his smile was a little dry.This is not the first time he has experienced a similar scene, it seems to have happened once in the past year.But what he saw at that time was only a volume of poems related to talent and affection, and he still used other people's names, but now he has changed to a strategy of helping the world, and in his opinion, it is indeed remarkable.

Di Renjie has somewhat forgotten the old scene, but now he is in a similar scene, and the slightly old and rough pictures in his memory become vivid again, even including what he was thinking at that time.

He remained silent, placed the memorabilia on the desk, and subconsciously turned to look at Li Zhaode who was also in the hall, but Li Zhaode did not respond to his look, just sat in the table and looked at the utensils on the desk.They have different personalities and backgrounds, and he and Li Zhaode didn't have much intersection, but Li Zhaode avoided his sight at this time, which made him feel even more heavy.

After thinking about it for a while, he said again: "Yesterday, when I returned to the capital, my old friends greeted me in Luopu. It happened that Xunqing bid farewell to the King of Guanghan and wrote a new lyric..."

While speaking, he recounted what happened yesterday, including Li Tong's new poems.

Wu Zetian also listened carefully, and chanted this new poem, sighing: "Shen Zhi has a rich and beautiful taste, not only one or two deeds. He is only young, but he has already enjoyed a great reputation that is hard to match in his lifetime. As a parent, I am really both happy and worried, hoping that he can show off his peers, but also want to teach him to be wise and follow the mediocre, so as not to be out of the crowd and cause slander, so it is somewhat difficult to choose."

After hearing the words, Di Renjie laughed and said: "Your Majesty is benevolent and loves the beautiful and the young. He has a heart to observe himself. Compared with the common people in the world, who doesn't love the magnificent and magnificent talents? Restraining and being mediocre, this is not a problem that ordinary people can have. Xun Qing It is not from an ordinary family background, asking him to seek perfection from mediocrity will actually damage his strength."

"Di Gongcheng is a good word. I worry about gains and losses. I am disturbed by common plans. Needless to say about trivial matters, today is to congratulate Di Qing on his return to the court."

Wu Zetian nodded after hearing the words, not going to continue this topic.

However, Di Renjie continued: "Your Majesty loves deeply, and I have feelings for my ministers. It is natural for people to see beautiful objects, even if they are slightly flawed. Fortunately, it can be repaired manually, and the dust is lightly dusted, which is not wrong. All hope."

Hearing this, Wu Zetian's eyes revealed deep thought, while the other two prime ministers present all raised their heads and frowned at Di Renjie.

Although it is said that the first month and the twelfth lunar month are combined in the weekly calendar, the folk custom of offering sacrifices to the twelfth lunar month cannot be changed overnight.

However, this is not a difficult matter for the imperial court. After all, the queen conferred countless gods along the way. There are many, and the four suburbs worship the five heavenly emperors and hundreds of gods, and the five mountains and four mountains, especially Luoshui and Zhongyue.

In addition to ghosts and gods, there are also all the sages who are also included, such as Zhou Wenwang, Kong Xuanfu, Jiang Taigong and the like.Although the rituals are not concentrated at one time, most of them also get together in the twelfth lunar month.

Although the envoy of Li Tong's Yunshao Mansion is not a formal ceremony official, there must be joy if there is courtesy, so the whole twelfth lunar month is also very fulfilling.

Especially when I saw the dense array of rituals and music sent by the officials of the Yuefu, I can only feel that his grandma's etiquette is really good. The ghosts and gods all over the world, especially those unpopular gods, survived to Wuzhou, and they can live a full life. Year.

Of course, in addition to assigning musicians to these large and small ceremonies, Li Tong has also been paying attention to whether there are any added etiquette.If there is, then it should be him.

Although his grandma didn't see him often these days, every time they met, the atmosphere was very warm and harmonious, so warm that he almost gave up his dream and became a loyal minister of the Great Zhou.

If you want to add a burden to him, the greatest chance is that it will be around the year before and after this year. When the king is restored, and it will be the Lantern Festival in January, he can go out and blow up the streets to show off.He even planned to be a guest at his aunt's house in Shangshanfang, and specially set up a colorful stage outside Wu Sansi's house to sing a big show, so that this old boy will have to show you a face!

But it was a pity that he hadn't heard any discussion about the title of seal in the court until the time of the annual holiday in the twelfth lunar month.

In the last ten days of the twelfth lunar month, when the sun rises, all the officials in the court enter the court to celebrate the spring, and then they have to lock up the government and seal the storehouse. Except for those who are on duty, the rest go back to their homes, and they will not resume normal work until January.

At dawn, the courtiers gathered outside Duanmen, Li Tong still could only stand in the line of offerings in a scarlet robe, watching his second brother Li Shouli, wearing a Zongwang uniform, standing with his face up and standing among the warriors. Among the goods, the mood is very sour.

Today's Asahi is similar to the end of the year, so the atmosphere is also very relaxed. At least on the surface, there is not much competition in the court, which is already extremely severe. Everyone is beaming, especially after attending the Ming Tang Daxiang last month. Wei Wang Wu Chengsi, who was so showy, even came to Duanmen early, and he was quite flamboyantly powdered, his cheeks were white and rosy, and he looked beaming.

Standing next to Wu Chengsi, Liang Wang Wu Sansi did not give in. In addition to the court clothes, he also wore a finely woven fur coat with a collar of gold thread. dazzling.

Sensing Li Tong's scrutinizing gaze, Wu Sansi glanced back at him, his eyes full of gimmicks.Today, he is no longer Secretary of State, but has returned to the Southern Province and served as Minister of the Ministry of Criminal Justice. Li Tong.

Li Tong was already in a bad mood, and when he saw Wu Sansi's eyes, he became even more angry, "Damn it, if you look at me like that again, I will pull out your eyeballs!"

The more frustrated a person is, the more irritable he becomes. Before Li Tong could finish his thoughts here, Dr. Taichang of Si Lisi hurried into the class and whispered in his ear.After Li Tong finished listening, he made no secret of his joy, clenched his fist and waved it in the air, and when he saw Wu Sansi looked over again, he raised his middle fingers for a gesture, and then hurried out of work.

"Brother, look."

Looking at Li Tong's leaving back, Wu Sansi was thoughtful, raised his hand and tapped Wu Chengsi's shoulder and whispered: "Bao Yu has been making a lot of noise recently, and now he leaves the class first, for fear of something strange!"

Wu Chengsi raised his eyes and looked over, his small face sank slightly, he nodded and said: "Leave him for a while, if he still doesn't know how to restrain himself after the beginning of spring, then he will be attracted and try his sword!"

"Spring?"

Wu Sansi was slightly puzzled after hearing the words, but Wu Chengsi didn't answer him, his eyes fell on the direction of the East Palace, and there was joy in his brows and eyes.

The reason why Li Tong left work in a hurry was because Sili Temple was newly ordered by Shang Shuchun to set up a book ceremony in Asahi, and then asked Yunshao Mansion to quickly prepare rites and music and send them to the shrine.

It was exactly what he had been thinking about during this time, and now he was walking and talking in his heart that his grandma is such a naughty old man, and he must hold people's appetite to the end!

It's about himself, of course Li Tong has to be more decent, plus he has been prepared to let the musicians rehearse his famous work "Vientiane". ah!

Of course, the form of "Vientiane" is too big, and the intention is very high, it is not suitable for use in the etiquette of the canonized king, so he also cut it early, kept the essence, and made the new name "Hua Nian", which happened to be in his fourth year. After the five kings of the uncle's family cut their titles, they were included in the music of the Ministry of Rites in the official book of spring.Fresh and piping hot, just waiting to be opened by yourself.

After returning to Yunshao Mansion, Li Tong immediately ordered: "All the tricksters, gather here quickly, and come to the hall with me to have fun!"

At the end of the new year, it is the time when rites and music are of great use, so all the performers and musicians in Yunshao Mansion are also on standby at any time. Although there is still some time before dawn, following Li Tong's order, all the musicians are still fast. They gathered together and packed up all the instruments, and then went straight to the shrine under the guidance of the middle official.

When Li Tong led all the musicians to the vicinity of the Ming Hall, all the officials had already passed through the Zetian Gate and were slowly walking towards the Vientiane Shrine.He ordered the middle officials to lead the musicians to the Xuan Pavilion on the side of the Ming Hall, which was dedicated to the gift of the book, and waited for orders, while he hid outside the road and waited for the class with peace of mind.

The ceremonial officials roll their names, hundreds of officials ascend the palace, and the mountain calls for blessings, and then they are lined up in the grand shrine.The holy emperor Wu Zetian also had a solemn crown on this day, sitting upright on the royal bed in the hall, with two large candles burning on the left and right, and the light crossed. Although it was not yet dawn, the holy emperor's face was still shining infinitely.

There was no final decision in today's court gathering, and Li Tong was really not in the mood to pay attention to the many red tapes.