long friend

Su Yan's melancholy did not last long.

The next day at the court meeting, when Xiao Qichen saw him again, he was that general who couldn't express his emotions or anger again.He smiled cryptically at Su Yan, but the other person's expression did not change, but his eyes softened a lot, as if secretly telling him that he was fine.

Half a year after the death of the first emperor, the court has taken on a completely new look.

Xie Hui, the prime minister who had been pushed out of the market, was very conscious, and within three months he figured out the intricate historical issues among the courtiers, and immediately sent a small report to Xiao Qichen.The content includes who has accepted large amounts of bribes, who has given and received in private, who has formed a party with whom for personal gain, and who has spoken ill of the general in private... Except for the last one, which Xiao Qichen rolled his eyes at, the rest are quite successful. .

Based on this small report, the corrupt officials were uprooted, and before they could recover, their positions were taken by someone Xiao Qichen trusted—his years in the Imperial College were not wasted, on the contrary, he had a close relationship with many The children of the aristocratic family make friends, and you can see who is qualified to be an official.

Xiao Qichen's ambition has not been rewarded, and several new decrees have not been promulgated, so he used these people to make up the number first, and prepared to connect the past with the next.Wait until his New Deal, which sounds like a fantasy, is implemented, and then find another talented person.

That's why Su Yan came back after almost a year, and he didn't know many people in the court hall.But the general just needs to stand like a mascot and watch his little majesty seriously handle political affairs.

It's not at all the same as the usual smiling with a good temper, and occasionally acting like a baby, when Xiao Qichen sat in the temple, there was a very serious expression between his brows.His voice was not loud, just enough to be heard by the entire Tai Chi Hall, his tone was steady and slow, but he gave people an inexplicable pressure.

"It's really decent..." Su Yan murmured in his heart, "Why are you usually so soft?"

After experiencing the cloudy and uncertain days in the last years of Xiao Yan's reign, now a new emperor with clear rewards and punishments is ushered in, and the few old officials are trembling while almost weeping with joy.

After the court meeting, Su Yan refused to accept Xiao Qichen's intentions, and was about to apply oil on the soles of his feet, but saw him gesturing towards him, so he could only bid farewell to Xie Hui.He wandered outside the west hall amidst the sympathy on the other side's face, Xiao Qichen was standing in the corridor, with an acquaintance beside him.

Liu Wenyuan was still holding that dead face, Xiao Qichen pointed at him, and said to Su Yan: "Master Liu has found your brother's whereabouts, are you interested in hearing about it?"

Su Yan, who was drowsy after being read by Wang Di's long speech, was shocked when he heard the words: "Really?"

Since he went to Luoyang to look for Su Jin to no avail that year, neither Qi Xuan nor Yan Nandu had any news of him for the next five years.Later, he briefly heard that Su Jin had gone to the northwest, but the war was so tight that he couldn't leave him.Finally, the world was peaceful, and the other party had no news, as if he was going to disappear at any time.

Seeing the change in his face, Liu Wenyuan smiled a little: "Su Shaoxia lives in seclusion in Xiling outside the Chengdu Mansion in Yizhou, and now lives with the young master of the Tang Sect."

There was nothing unusual about it, Su Yan said "Oh", his heart immediately flew away, he turned to look at Xiao Qichen, and stood still solemnly: "Your Majesty, can you allow me to leave Beijing for a few days?"

Xiao Qichen grabbed him dumbfoundingly: "I understand your feelings, but if you want to find him, you have to finish the year first. Master Liu secretly sent someone to watch, this time you really won't run away without a trace—" ——The winter solstice is coming soon, and the New Year's Eve will not be long after that, if you run away at this time, if something happens, where can I arrest someone?"

A year ago, the Turks took advantage of the Spring Festival to invade. Su Yan reluctantly nodded his head.

Xiao Qichen nodded to Liu Wenyuan, the other party understood his meaning and immediately left.

He pulled Su Yan over and led him into the Nuan Pavilion, with a low profile that was easy to discuss, and whispered: "This winter solstice, I will hold a banquet in Hualin Garden, and everyone from Brother Ping's family will come. Why don't you come along too?" , okay?"

Su Yan hesitated and said, "Isn't it convenient for me to go to your family banquet? You are the emperor now, so you can't..."

"You can't do whatever you want." If Xiao Qichen were a rabbit, his ears would droop at this moment, he accepted his earnest post in frustration, and said aggrievedly, "But they are all acquaintances, you haven't seen Brother Ping since you came back, have you?"

He spoke very earnestly, with a flash of brilliance in his eyes, which made him a little pitiful.Su Yan couldn't stand his eyes like this, and felt extremely contradictory for a while, but he rubbed his temples with a headache, and then wavered, "...are they really acquaintances?"

Xiao Qichen knew that there was room for turning around this matter, so he hurriedly said: "In this way, I will call several important officials in the court together, so that no one will say anything about you, do you think it is okay?"

It sounded impeccable. Seeing that he said so, Su Yan should very much hope to go by himself, and said, "OK."

Xiao Qichen was much happier like this, and when he wanted to whisper something to Su Yan again, Xu Zhengde knocked lightly on the door outside, and said in a drawn-out voice: "Your Majesty, Lord Sima is asking to see you, and I have something important to report to you. "

He frowned, and muttered in a low voice, "Why didn't you say anything to the hall just now?" He still hooked Su Yan with his fingers, but took a few deep breaths, and when he spoke again, he returned to that incomprehensible posture: "Please come in."

Su Yan said: "Then I will leave first."

Xiao Qichen passed over his shoulder, heard the sound of Xu Zhengde leading Wang Di in, quickly kissed Su Yan on the face, and pushed his back with a smile.This small movement tickles people's hearts, but they have to hold back.

Su Yan turned his head and glared at Xiao Qichen, and said angrily, "I'll deal with you later."

He walked out of the Nuan Pavilion, passed by Wang Di, and the other party laughed and said, "It turns out that the general is inside."

"I kept you waiting for a long time." Su Yan replied politely, "There are some military affairs, please His Majesty to decide."

Wang Dilian dared not speak, and turned around to watch Su Yan leave.He heard Xiao Qichen's voice from inside: "Wang Qing, what do you want to do with me? Is it not convenient to talk to me at the meeting just now?"

These words implied blame, Wang Di knew that the new emperor was not easy to be fooled.Hearing that he couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat, he went in immediately, and after paying the salute, Xiao Qichen gave him a seat. Seeing that his face was calm and not unhappy, Wang Di said calmly: "It's not that I'm afraid of making jokes when I say it in public, I'm telling you the truth." , Your Majesty, the minister is here to thank the prime minister."

Xiao Qichen said in surprise: "Xie Qing, what's wrong with him?"

His good relationship with Xie Hui is not well known on the surface, so Xiao Qichen almost couldn't control his expression when he heard that Wang Di's words were to impeach Xie Hui.

Xiao Qichen thought for a while, recently Xie Hui must have offended many old nobles when he went to work.The Xie family has gradually declined, but the emaciated camel is bigger than the horse, and those people can't afford to provoke them on the surface.Now that Xie Hui is in a high position, he will inevitably become a target for others. There can only be one reason for Wang Di's reluctance to mention it in the Tai Chi Hall this time——

The interests of the royal family and even other aristocratic families were severely shaken.

Those ministers in the imperial court have been domineering for so long relying on their hereditary titles that they almost forgot that they still have imperial power on their heads.As soon as Xiao Qichen changed his dynasty and withdrew several titles, those people panicked.

"The veteran has been dealing with the three generations of Xie's family for so long, and he respects them very much. But recently, Xie Zhongguang has often been in and out of sensual places, and it is rumored that he is...Prime Minister of Fireworks. Your Majesty, tell me, this is a big deal But Xiao, what you said in the court hall, Xie Xiang's face can't hold the brilliance, right?"

After Wang Di said that, he looked at Xiao Qichen expectantly.The other party remained silent, as if he didn't seem to care about it.

Xiao Qichen put a memorial in his hand on the other side, and said: "Since I came to the throne, Wang Qing has impeached quite a few people. Let me think about it, there are Minister of Industry Han Guang, as well as Taiwei and Sikong... ... Now it is the turn of Xie Xiang. I know that Wang Qing has devoted himself to the country, but there are some things that God knows, and it is a bit subtle to tell them."

Wang Di was fooled by him, thinking that Xiao Qichen didn't take this matter to heart, and immediately added a sharp word: "But your majesty, the last emperor entrusted him with forming a party and military power second. Xie Zhongguang Relying on His Majesty's trust, secretly rectifying the courtiers, almost covering the sky with one hand, I think that the world is peaceful at this time, Your Majesty should also speak out, don't be deceived by him—"

"Do you mean I'm too narrow-minded?" Xiao Qichen interrupted him leisurely.

Wang Dilian said he didn't dare: "I'm terrified, I never have such an idea."

Xiao Qichen said with a smile: "Then, Wang Qing thinks that I don't recognize traitors?"

Now that he dug a hole for himself, Wang Di broke out in a cold sweat, fidgeting like an ant on a hot pot.Xiao Qichen waited quietly for a while, but he still didn't see him talking, so he snorted coldly in his heart, secretly thinking that Wang Di couldn't even do a good job, and now he still wants to come and negotiate terms with himself?

He persuasively said: "Except for 'recovering the mountains and rivers' in the imperial father's last edict, there is no other mission for me. Last month, the army returned triumphantly, and the mountains and rivers have been settled. I boasted that I have fulfilled my father's last wish, and thought I could be able to live forever." Zhan Hongtu—but I don’t think that my father is right, the disaster of my beam is really in this Jinling city?”

Wang Di could no longer see through his thoughts, but he clearly understood that Xiao Qichen already knew his intentions this time, and he might be criticized inevitably, so he couldn't help shivering.

Xiao Qichen said: "Wang Qing is the elder of the three dynasties, and he should understand the truth that what can't be broken can't be established. The several crises during the Tongning period have already exposed the face of those moths, Wang Qing, why do you protect them with your own future? Our new policy , is to completely return Zhongliang to a clean court, some people who eat the imperial rations and do nothing, should also think about their own fate."

He leaned against the table in his spare time, and took out the memorial that Shi Yu had presented in the morning and threw it to Wang Di: "Master Sikong, please take a good look at this memorial. I'm tired, so I won't keep you."

As soon as the words fell, Xu Zhengde happened to appear at the gate of Nuan Pavilion, and said to Wang Di with a pleasant smile: "Master Sima, will this old slave escort you out of the palace?"

Wang Di suddenly thought of Chen Youyou who had resigned without reason, and when he thought about it carefully, there were strange things everywhere.He was so terrified that he didn't even dare to look at Xiao Qichen immediately, grabbed the memorial on the ground and followed Xu Zhengde away without even caring about etiquette.

Xiao Qichen asked helplessly: "Am I really that scary?"

Tianhui, who was hidden behind the curtain, lifted the curtain and said sincerely: "Your Majesty scared him."

He sighed, ignored Tianhui, spread out a piece of paper again, and said to him without raising his head: "I called Shi Yu and Xie Hui, there is something that can't be delayed any longer."

In the last month of the 37th year of Tongning, Xiao Qichen resolutely promulgated his first decree of the New Deal:

Since the first year of Tianjia, there is no food or seal outside the ninth-rank nobles, and there are food towns inside the ninth-rank nobles, but those who have to have real seals can enjoy salaries and land tax income.If there are no achievements in the three generations of the royal family, the hereditary title will be deprived.Those who are honored for meritorious service shall not be hereditary.In addition, anyone who has a title of title, who pulls sunflowers to weave to bully others, or even sells a title to an official, will be punished with a higher crime.

This decree is clearly intended to give a blow to those dandies who only owe their ancestors' shade. Once it is implemented, the people headed by the natal families of the concubines will be dissatisfied first.They wrote letters one after another, impeaching this and impeaching that, almost becoming mad dogs that only bite people.

But in fact, they all know in their hearts that this decree is beneficial to the country.

The country has kept those idle people for too long, costing money and time, and the returns are very low.Coupled with years of wars in the north, when Xiao Qichen first came to power, the treasury was almost emptied.If taxes are increased, the people will complain, and the original war-weary sentiment will increase, which is bound to be unfeasible, so it can only save the country in a curve.

It's a pity that human nature is inherently selfish, how could Xiao Qichen not understand that they were just using the opportunity to vent.But he is not a soft persimmon that is easy to pinch, without the bondage of his uncle's family, he will not be merciless when doing these things.

A few old officials were about to bump into a pillar the first day, Xiao Qichen only said: "If you want to die, go out and die, don't dirty the place where politics is discussed."

Seeing that he could not be forced to die, and the cowardly man clamored to return home, Xiao Qichen calmly criticized all the memorials he submitted: "Just one thing, the title will be confiscated after retiring from old age and returning home, and there will be no fief and food... My lords can think about it." Are you ready?"

This farce happily played out until the winter solstice, Xiao Qichen was exhausted physically and mentally, and fell headlong into Hualin Garden.

In the end, his family banquet turned into invitations for all his relatives and friends, except for Xiao Qiping and Su Yan, Xie Hui and others naturally also joined in.Even Princess Huiyang insisted on stating her position regardless of her mother's objection.Xiao Qiming wanted to come, but was detained by the Queen Mother in Mingfu Palace, and read for a long time in a very unpleasant way.

"I've listened to Zipei read the decree." Xiao Qiping ate the food with a smile on his lips, "it coincides with me back then."

Xiao Qichen was encouraged, and immediately said: "I've said it a long time ago, why can't the law of the ancestors be changed, not to mention that Emperor Wen never thought that his edict would attract so many nobles who ate the emperor's food."

Knowing his hard work, Xiao Qiping comforted him: "There's no need to reason with them, it's time to use an iron fist. These gentle beasts are used to being domineering... Qi Chen, you have done a good job."

They talked one by one, and the discussion was in full swing, but Xie Hui, who was next to him, became impatient and said, "Your Majesty, the minister's ears are callused, can the family banquet not talk about state affairs?"

Xiao Qichen patted his head in a gesture: "I forgot, everyone, don't look outside, we are all our own people, and I don't bother to talk about those etiquettes--Sister-in-law Wang, can I trouble you to move, I will talk to Brother Ping in private."

He Shi covered his mouth and smiled, knowing that their brothers had a good relationship, so he quickly let go.

He withdrew from the throne to the bottom, and although he looked nondescript, he was closer to everyone present.Half a body away was Su Yan. When Xiao Qichen was sitting down, he tripped over his foot indiscriminately and stared at him viciously, only to find that Su Yan was drinking the soup as if nothing had happened, as if he wasn't the one who caused the trouble just now.

The banquet was harmonious and harmonious, and while drinking wine and wine, it was Princess Huiyang who was sitting at the bottom who stood up first: "Brother Emperor, my sister has something to ask."

It's rare for her to ask for something, Xiao Qichen and Xiao Qiping both said "hmm" at the same time, and then Xiao Qichen said: "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, what? Who bullied you, and you want brother to vent your anger?"

"No!" Princess Huiyang rebuffed flatly, since she was a child she loved riding and archery, and she has an upright temper, so she can say whatever she wants, "My sister will be eighteen after the Chinese New Year, and all the royal princesses have made marriage arrangements early. Back then, the royal father asked the younger sister to pick her own choice, so she didn't point out the marriage... My younger sister wanted to ask the elder brother, does what the imperial father said really count?"

"Choose it yourself? Of course it counts." Xiao Qichen seemed to have guessed what she wanted to say, and recalled Huiyang's shy look because of someone back then, and teased, "But I seem to know who it is."

Hui Yang's face flushed red, she looked very pretty in the candlelight, her eyes dodged for a moment, and she said heroically, "I want to ask, please marry me, my sister wants to marry General Shen of Xiaoqiwei!"

"Pfft...cough cough cough!" Su Yan was caught off guard, choked on the sweet soup, and his entire throat was choked.

Everyone was shocked, even though Xiao Qiping and Huiyang had less acquaintance, at this moment he couldn't help but look in the direction of her voice in shock.Even if he was blind, shock could be read in those dark pupils.

The folk customs in Nanliang haven't opened up to the point where women ask for marriage, let alone the princess.After Huiyang said that, he was so ashamed that he couldn't bear it. As soon as he sat down, his head was buried in his arms, and he was lying on the table and refused to look up.Xiao Qichen wanted to laugh, but he had to worry about the girl's self-esteem, so he didn't dare to make a sound.

He calmed down for a while, and said earnestly: "Giving a marriage is just a matter of words, but do you know General Shen? If he doesn't like you, isn't this bullying others by virtue of her status as a princess?"

Huiyang raised his head abruptly, with teary eyes, as if he couldn't accept this possibility, and Lihua was about to cry in the next moment.

Xiao Qichen didn't expect that his casual sentence would provoke such a big reaction from Huiyang, so he quickly changed his words: "Actually, it's not necessarily... You don't come here, don't try to threaten me with tears, Xiao Lu, don't cry...Brother Ping, she's Cried!"

At this moment, Xiao Qiping moved aside in a very irrelevant manner, just to avoid Xiao Qichen's pretended accusation, and said with a smile: "I can't see anything, Your Majesty, you can coax yourself."

Xie Hui and Shi Yu looked at each other silently, they both felt that the meal was worth it.

Su Yan, who was so dizzy from coughing just now, interjected quietly: "Princess, actually... General Shen once had a marriage partner, but unfortunately died of illness before he got married."

Huiyang's tears stopped immediately, turned to Su Yan, and said confidently: "It happened so many years ago. If General Shen never forgets her, then I will consider myself unlucky and never mention him again. But General Shen is not married after all. I'm not married either, but if I make him nod, Brother Huang, you can't go back on your word."

Xiao Qichen was suddenly named, and he uttered a fragmented syllable in confusion: "Huh?"

Hui Yang wiped the corners of his eyes, and said firmly: "There is no reason for a woman to propose marriage to a man. Today, my younger sister will be the first one. From now on, my younger sister will follow General Shen wherever he goes. Brother Huang, you are not allowed to stop me."

Although he didn't know where Shen Chengjun got Huiyang's favor, and he refused to see anyone else for more than two years, Xiao Qichen had no choice but to surrender and said: "It's up to you, if you two are in love, then I will personally carry you into the sedan chair, okay? "

Hearing this remark, Huiyang finally burst into tears.

Su Yan, who witnessed everything beside him, silently covered his face with one hand, with complicated emotions, he couldn't tell whether he was happy for Shen Chengjun or what.Xie Hui approached him, and asked in a low voice: "Look at this posture... Could it be that General Shen is the most beautiful man among your cavalry guards? You can't do it, Mingyu."

Staring at him strangely, Su Yan wanted to say something, but was unable to refute.Because I really don't understand why they still have to judge who is the most beautiful among a bunch of rough old men, so I can only see Xie Hui smiling very happily there.

Later Shen Chengjun inexplicably fell into a fascinating story.

He first trained in Nanyuan, and then went to Xuzhou. Princess Huiyang followed him all day long, rain or shine, for more than half a year.Xu Shi really fell in love with each other for a long time, but in the end, the famous bachelor willingly abandoned his great ideal of being a bachelor for a lifetime, and happily ran to become a concubine.

But that's all for later.

Although the winter solstice family banquet was happy, Xiao Qichen had to face the earth-shattering crowd of officials in the Tai Chi Hall when he went to court the next day. He was so annoyed that he couldn't live his life.

The New Deal was being implemented with difficulty, and Xiao Qichen's two follow-up decrees encountered unprecedented obstacles before they were issued.

The first is Xie Hui’s Memorial, requesting that government schools be opened in various places, and that students of government schools participate in the selection examination. The examination questions are the combination of the Four Books and Five Classics and current affairs.

This link of the past and the future blocked the mouths of those courtiers who shouted "if the family falls, who can use it", but it was not over yet.

Before New Year's Eve, Su Yan wrote a memorial to reform the military system.He suggested expanding the establishment of Xiaoqiwei, integrating them into a unified army with stronger combat effectiveness, and stationing in seven states and counties north of the Yellow River for a long time to resist the invasion of northern nomads.

This one sounds nothing, but the chain of interests involved is wider than the previous two.

The foreign army has been defeated by the Turks in recent years, and several local armies fell apart when they were beaten by the Turks.The county guards and governors took advantage of the opportunity to cry and make money, and there were not a few of them, and the officials and officials protected each other, and naturally more people in Jinling City benefited.Su Yan's request will come true, and a bunch of corpses will be forced to step down as a warlord, so how can they fish in troubled waters with their military pay?

Now the imperial court was completely blown away, the pillars of the country no longer cared about face, and wanted to keep themselves in front of Xiao Qichen earnestly, and their words were almost exhausted.

In such a frenzy, Shi Shiran, the first year of Tianjia, came.

The author has something to say: I'm afraid I was bewitched so much today ==

The "ninth-class nobility" mentioned in the family titles is the system from the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Jin and Jin Dynasties, but the content of the so-called reform is nonsense; The reform of the military system can be understood as alleviating the situation where foreign troops are separated from each other.

All in all, it is basically nonsense, not enough to win people's trust... This is just a superficial dynasty.