Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

Even though Liu Qi was 'unrecognizable' with jealousy for a moment, when Lu Ci asked him for the second time, he happily packed his bags and followed Lu Ci to move into the government office.

According to his words: If he relies on his personal abilities, he may not be able to live in it in his lifetime.Now that I can get the honor of my best friend, it is natural not to miss it. Anyway, it is enough to be addicted and eye-opening, so that it can be used to reflect carefully in the future.

As the deputy prime minister's residence, the neighbors here are all the residences of important ministers in the court, so it is naturally much more spacious and grand than the residence purchased by Lu Ci when he first entered Beijing.

The ex-participant king who took office and lived here was promoted and left very happily, so that the servants in the mansion had plenty of time to clean up and add things.

But even though they were prepared in their hearts, when they saw with their own eyes that this very popular nobleman brought only his friend Liu Qi and a dozen servants to stay, they were still surprised by the simplicity of his family.

I heard that the former emperor and today's sages valued their possessions very much, and the rewards were endless, and what they received was even the rich salary of the envoy... How could the pomp be so simple, even inferior to some small wealthy merchants in Beijing?

Could it be that the rumors some time ago were true, that Lu Ci donated all his family assets to build the Lu Family Manor?

Lu Ci didn't care about their curious or probing gazes. After arranging these old servants who had followed him for nearly ten years and were about to return to his hometown, he walked to the courtyard where his master lived under the leadership of the housekeeper. up.

While looking around curiously, Liu Qi was full of praise, while staggering to follow Lu Ci, almost bumping into the doorpost several times.

When Lu Ci was forced to stretch out his hand for the third time to support Liu Qi, who was about to stumble, he couldn't help it anymore: "It stands to reason that brother Liu has been to countless elegant fairs and exposure books, and even more Yu Chunri and his friends traveled to Yujin Garden, Jinming Pond and other places, why should you be so surprised?"

"Qi Yu's words are wrong." Liu Qi didn't notice the embarrassment of seeing the idiotic gesture just now. After standing upright, he said plausibly: "Can being the host and being a guest be the same?"

The corner of Lu Ci's mouth twitched.

"Then I won't disturb Brother Liu's pleasure." He didn't bother to talk to his friend who was too excited, and directly told the housekeeper: "Move my wife's luggage to the backyard."

The housekeeper had obviously read the storybook of "The Legend of Yuanyuan" that was circulated in the market, and he couldn't help laughing when he heard the words, but he still ordered the servants to move Liu Qi's luggage to the courtyard where Lu Ci's family lived. go.

"Why, you usually dislike me in every possible way, but now you really treat me like a lady?"

As soon as Liu Qi wanted to protest, she learned that there was also a study in the backyard, because she knew that to avoid suspicion, it would be difficult to share a study with Lu Ci in the future, so she immediately changed her mind and agreed readily.

What Lu Ci didn't know was that after he left, Liu Qi's strong interest hadn't diminished at all.

After spending more than half an hour visiting the government office inside and out except for the bedroom and study where Lu Ci lived, he came to the study happily humming a little song, and drove It is an eloquent article "Housewarming with Lu Yuyu" written in a chic and unrestrained manner.

Lu Ci, who was also in the study, was not busy looking around, but directed people to adjust the table and chair to the position and angle he liked, and then spread the soft and thick cushions before sitting on it slowly.

The wooden table has been carefully wiped every day, and the fingertips are brushed so that it is not contaminated by dust. However, no one dares to touch the books left by the former political king who lived in this apartment, and they are placed in the original place. There.

Lu Cixin picked up the volume that was placed on the top. It was a well-behaved classic, the only difference was that the top volume was left blank, and it was densely filled with annotations and thoughts.

The handwriting is different. After a rough reading, there are four or five kinds.

It is obvious that the former political leaders deliberately stayed behind, and there is a hint of a secret rivalry.

Lu Ci, who hadn't touched the classics and history collection after the Zigong exam, had no interest in getting involved in it, but put it down without hesitation.

...It's far less interesting than the scriptures in Tibetan that he left in his residence in Qinzhou.

Lu Ci put down these boring classics in a dispirited manner, turned around, glanced at the books displayed on the wooden shelf one by one, and finally stopped at some books that were hidden inconspicuously at the bottom , Whether it is the cover or the thickness, it is familiar to all books.

He bent down half-believingly, and tentatively pulled out one of the volumes.

The pages of the book are fluffy, and it has obviously been read more than once. The title of the book is... the ninth volume of "The Legend of Yuanyuan" by Liu Yuanyuan.

His eyelids twitched, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly as he opened the book of lingering words. Although it was not as dense as other books, there were actually two people who left their experiences after reading it.

He didn't recognize the other person's handwriting, but Wang Zeng's handwriting was familiar to him, and it was right on the list.

Wang Zeng carefully analyzed the bloodiest part of the plot in this volume, and wrote a short poem full of teasing meaning "Butterfly Love Flower-Liu Niang Xiao" vinegar".

Lu Ci accidentally discovered a little secret: "..."

He silently refreshed his impression of Wang Zeng, a serious and distant Mofu who was not easy to establish personal relationships with.

The inertia of history is really strong—even if there is no prodigal son Liu Yong who hangs out in the flower streets and willow alleys, and whose lyrics and music resound in the wells, there are still Liu Yuanyuan who can make a fortune with "The Story of Yuanyuan" and have countless hidden book fans.

The next day, Lu Ci changed into a brand new purple official uniform, and when he was about to go out to court, he accidentally saw the sleepy Liu Qi by the door.

Lu Ci asked curiously, "Brother Liu, why don't you rest for a while?"

Liu Qi muttered something in a low voice, and said sourly: "This man looks energetic, and he really looks good in any clothes he wears."

Lu Ci raised his eyebrows: "Brother Liu is so rare to be early, just to make fun of me?"

"It just happened to wake up." Liu Qi curled her lips, and passed the scroll in her hand: "When you have time, please trouble Yu Yu to hand this to Wang Xiang."

Lu Ci was surprised again.

Unless necessary, Wang Zeng has always lived in a simple place, and it is inconceivable that he would read Liu Qi's words for entertainment in private, how could he establish a friendship with Liu Qi?

Seeing Lu Ci's confused face, Liu Qi smiled slyly, but without explaining a word, went back to the room to catch up on sleep.

Lu Ci knew that he was trying to show off on purpose, so he shook his head helplessly, put away the scroll, and went out to court.

There were no more than five members in the political affairs hall under Zhongshu Sheng's sect. When Wang Zeng was promoted to the third assistant and vacated the position of counselor and political affairs, I don't know how many people were staring at him.

Now that Lu Ci is taking office, even if they expected it, it is hard to hide the regret that the hope has been lost.

As far as Zhao Zhen was concerned, the young master had not appeared in the court for a long time, and he was still in the forefront, a good position that he could easily see at a glance. This alone really made him happy.

Today, there is no important military affairs in the court that need to be discussed and decided by the court. Lu Ci stood in front of him, calmly bathed in a haze of scrutiny.

He really didn't have the slightest bit of guilt or uneasiness——Lian Zongke was in a foreign country, and he was able to take it calmly in the face of the hidden anger, let alone just some jealous eyes?

Even when he noticed that the little emperor was pretending to be serious, but cast his gaze in his direction over and over again, Lu Ci raised the corners of his lips slightly, and smiled back with crooked eyebrows.

After a peaceful court event, the court dissipated peacefully, and Lu Ci followed a group of ministers and colleagues to the meeting hall on the west side of the main hall without haste.

When the group of them walked out of the palace gate, the other promoted officials had already retreated completely. Kou Zhun, who had always maintained a dignified and majestic appearance, couldn't hold back anymore, and strode towards him, aiming at his shoulder Just slapped it hard, and said in a loud voice: "Good job Lu Qiaotong, although I knew you would have this day, I didn't want to come so soon!"

Although Kou Zhun is past the age of hearing, his hands are strong enough. If Lu Ci hadn't been prepared for this fierce slap, he might have been staggered.

Kou Zhun didn't know, but seeing him easily stabilized, he immediately appreciated him even more in his heart.

Li Di, who was a few steps behind, walked forward slowly, and said with a smile, "Didn't Kou Xier have been talking about this day for a long time? Why are you so surprised?"

Kou Zhun's old face turned black, and he turned into anger from embarrassment: "You are a narrow-minded ghost, so you can tell some nonsense!" Instead of continuing to "trick and kick" at Lu Ci, he took the lead in striding forward, throwing Li Di, who had just caught up, to the ground. behind.

Before walking away a few steps, Kou Zhun turned his head again, and urged in puzzlement: "Why are you still standing there? Why don't you go!"

"It's still this violent and anxious temper."

Li Di sighed for a long time, still looking calm, deliberately stood shoulder to shoulder with Lu Ci, and the two followed Kou Zhun not too far or too close.

Wang Zengyi, who was pulled down and had no time to speak in the future, was calm, and nodded lightly to Zhang Shixun, another political counselor who was embarrassed, and followed.

Lu Ci was led to the Political Affairs Hall by Kou Xier, who seemed to be trying to 'cover' him with pride. Even though he had been here many times, he still patiently listened to Kou Zhun's "condescension" to him. He explained everything.

After Kou Zhun had had enough of introducing his territory to the juniors he liked, he led him to a desk that had just been cleaned up, and ordered the officials to put a brand-new set of the Four Treasures of the Study on it.

As soon as Kou Zhun turned around, Wang Zeng approached him with a smile on his left, and teased in a low voice, "Kou Quite really has no intention of recruiting you as your grandson-in-law?"

Lu Ci couldn't laugh or cry and said, "President Wang!"

At this time, Wang Zeng's appearance of being optimistic about the drama gradually overlapped with the impression of being able to read Liu Qi's scripts in private.

Wang Zeng didn't know that he had hidden a book and forgot to take it away. Lu Ci found out, and was about to say something more, Lu Ci recalled Liu Qi's instructions, took out the scroll, and handed it over: "Brother Liu Please entrust this painting to Wang Xiang."

"Oh?"

Wang Zeng was also quite surprised. After holding it in his hand, he was stunned for a moment, then recalled the reason, and said with a smile: "The rumors in the market are not made up at all. Mrs. Liu is really infatuated with Lu Sanyuan."

Lu Ci raised his eyebrows: "Why did Prime Minister Wang say that?"

"I have admired Liu Jingzhuang calligraphy for a long time, but because he writes casually, it is hard to find a painting. I have been looking for it everywhere, but I have not met anyone who is willing to sell it." Wang Zeng was not in a hurry to open the scroll, but he seemed very fond of it. Rubbing constantly: "But I don't want to break through the iron shoes and find nowhere to find it. It doesn't take much effort to get it."

Liu Jingzhuang's paintings, which can't be found all over the place, will be delivered to him on his own initiative at this moment. What else could be the reason?

Apparently Liu Qi wanted him to take more care of his best friend, Lu Xiaotaotie.

The author has something to say: Notes:

Under Zhongshu's door is the Prime Minister's Office, referred to as Zhongshu, which is in charge of civil affairs and major military and political affairs across the country.Zhongshu's office and meeting place is Zhengshitang, which is the Prime Minister's Mansion. "Zhongshu is in the west of Chaotang, which is for Zhengshitang"

Zhongshu issued an imperial edict, which was rejected by the disciples, and there were daily disputes, which were not resolved.The political affairs hall agreed, and then heard about it.

Under Zhongshu's door is the Zhengshitang, which is the customary name, but under Zhongshu's door is the central government of the Song Dynasty, which is mainly in charge of civil affairs, and forms a second government with the Privy Council in charge of military administration.Therefore, Zhongshumenxia is a physical institution with both government decision-making and execution, while Zhengshitang is only a meeting place for the central government, that is, Zhongshumenxia. It is just that the Song people used to refer to the prime minister’s meeting place as the prime minister’s institution. ("The Prime Minister's Mansion in the Early Northern Song Dynasty")