The Lord who use immortals as food

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, at the end of the Xinsi year of the Suo Lin, Li Du, who had been living alone as prime minister for ten years, left the Xuanzheng Hall after the court meeting. This was the last time in his life that he came to this highest palace of the Tang Dynasty's political affairs. As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, many people in blue and purple surrounded him.

Since he entered this emperor's city at the age of more than 20, Li Du has been a famous figure in the capital. He has a good poetic pen and a beautiful appearance. He has both fame and family background. After entering the political arena, he has a smooth journey. He has done jobs that are easy to achieve political achievements. He has never had any setbacks, nor has he indulged in any hard and lowly official positions.

After traveling around the six ministries, he worked as a secretary in front of the saint's case. He was also considered a veteran of two dynasties. Later, he entered the Shangshu Province and gradually became a very important person in the Southern Court. After Xu Xiang, he was able to be appointed as the right servant, taking charge of the Shangshu Province and irrigating the three provinces. It has been ten years now.

Thanks to the solid ruling system and wise rulers in the Tang Dynasty, and the fact that the most difficult times have passed, the Tang Dynasty has become stronger over the past ten years. Li Du has been in office without any mistakes, and the court atmosphere is relaxed. He has spent ten years as prime minister steadily. Now he is about to retire. When a scholar steps up to give up his position, his career can come to a stable end.

However, although Li Du is gone, the roots of the Li family are still there. In addition to those who are really familiar with him and admire him, many of the farewells are also for goodwill.

The handover of power in various places in the Southern Court had already begun two days ago and will be completed today. Of course, it will not be handed over to Yuanzhao. Li Du can dominate the Southern Court not because of a position of Pushe, but because "Li Du" has been in this position for ten years. The huge power in his hands will be dispersed to the Southern Court. If Yuanzhao wants it, he will have to work hard to pick it up again.

There were dozens or even hundreds of people gathered around him, and the elderly Li Xiang naturally had no energy to talk to them one by one. Even in the previous ten years of being the prime minister, he always needed fame and family background to chat with the old man.

Li Xiang boarded the black Buddha-painted carriage under the silent gaze of the ministers, lifted the curtain and smiled at everyone, and drove away from the Daming Palace, gradually disappearing from the Vermillion Bird Avenue.

On the wide and flat long street of Dongbafang, 149 famous horse carriages were lined up on the side of the road, all of them were black horses and sunken wood, each of which was enough for the nine ministers to drive, but here it was just a loaded section.

Even in Dongbafang, where many nobles gathered, Li Xiang's mansion was one of the most majestic and grand ones, with scattered buildings, books, eggs, carved firewood, and countless famous treasures. To return from Shenjing to Xilong, this convoy was like a long black dragon for two thousand miles.

In fact, there have been some rumors in the capital for the past few days, saying that the prime minister seems to be changing. However, it is a secret of the court after all, and the officials are still a little unprepared, so the people can only speculate.

But at dusk today, people watched this amazing long line of carriages slowly drive out from Dongbafang, almost endless. All those who saw it were surprised and stunned, then stood still and then silent, until the whole street fell into a strange silence, with only the sound of carriages and horses.

Finally, the rumor that Li Xiangjiang would retire and return home was confirmed.

"One hundred and four, one hundred and five... one hundred and seven... God, why can't I see the end yet." Changsun Jue stood by the road, his expression under the hood was a little stunned, and a finger stretched out from his thick sleeves pointed.

Perhaps because she had been with books for many years, the girl's eyesight was actually a little poor. It was not obvious on weekdays, but it became blurry when she looked far away. She frowned and looked at the end of the street. The black carriages were so neatly arranged that they looked like replicas. Her eyes were dazed and she could not count them all.

Cui Zhaoye held her hand beside her: "Let's go, don't count. They have been running the business for ten years, and what they took away is just the tip of the iceberg - your Changsun family has been in Beijing for generations, have you also accumulated a mountain of gold and silver?"

Changsun Jue's eyes widened: "Our family doesn't have it."

Jiang Yin'er tilted her head and looked curiously: "What important position does Miss Changsun's family hold?"

Changsun Jue was led forward by Cui Zhaoye and said seriously: "My grandfather was the Minister of Taichang, my father also worked in the Taichang Temple, and my brother is in the Northwest Army... My family has been officials in poetry, books and etiquette for generations. We usually just compile books for sacrifices and only associate with old books. How can we touch gold and silver?"

This is true. The highly respected Minister of Taichang Temple is famous for being aloof and old-fashioned, and the family style is also very strict. The Changsun family only has a small old house in Shenjing, and three generations of the family live together, which is just enough to live in.

Cui Zhaoye said, "Your family has taken advantage of your position to hide many good and ancient books, and there is even a special 'Iron Lute Building'."

"How can the books count?" Changsun Jue argued, "And my father said that no one wanted them, so he picked them up."

Changsun Jue did not argue with her, but took two steps forward and put his arm around Jiang Yin'er: "Jiang Xianchang, if you are free in a few days, I will take you home to read them. There are many Taoist rare books, and I can't read them either."

"Okay."

The three of them had just come from the Imperial College. Cui Zhaoye could not see the young man who was cultivating himself in seclusion these two days, but the Taoist girl who stood in front of Tianlin Yi at the Winter Sword Collection was also a young swordsman who was now famous. In the past few days, Cui Zhaoye took her to wander around Shenjing and talk about martial arts. The two had a deep understanding of swordsmanship and had a very pleasant conversation.

The Imperial College was completely closed today, and there was a nearly ten-day spring vacation. The two went to pick up Changsun and went to the Sword Training Academy together.

After all, several days had passed, and the boy should have recovered a lot of energy. Cui Zhaoye wanted to talk to him about the sword state and the sword in the snow, Jiang Yiner wanted to ask the boy where he spent the New Year, and Changsun Jue didn't know what to ask Pei, but she was willing to sit next to him and listen.

Going south from the Imperial Academy is the quiet single street of Xiujianyuan. The bamboo forest does not wither in winter. On weekdays, there are only figures related to the Jianyuan on the whole street. They are just swordsmen and a few Daoqi who like to go out.

However, when the three of them came to the door today, they saw a rather unfamiliar figure. He stood and raised his head to confirm the plaque. He was neither wearing sword uniforms nor did he look like Dao Qi - she was just a girl who seemed to be of the same generation.

She was dressed in simple gray clothes, with slightly messy black hair tied back on her head. When she turned her head and looked over, she saw a very beautiful face, but her expression was very light, and she had a pale color that didn't see much sunlight.

Her eyes moved and settled on Jiang Yin'er, who was wearing sword uniform: "Hello."

"...Hello." Jiang Yin'er held her sword and saluted, "What can I do for you, sir?"

"My name is Qu Xin, and I'm looking for a man named Pei Ye. It's said that he practices swordsmanship there. Can you please pass it on?" the girl said, "I have a letter from Bowangzhou for him."

"..." The three of them were startled at the same time. Qu Xin looked at them calmly, like a poplar tree in winter.

Cui Zhaoye took two steps forward, held her hand, and said with a smile: "Pei Ye is my friend, let me take you in - who gave him the letter?"

Qu Xin looked down, took out his hand, took the handkerchief and wiped it, and said calmly: "Thank you very much."

"..."

"I have to sort out the newly picked medicinal materials later. I don't know what you have touched. It's not convenient for me to shake hands with you."

Cui Zhaoye frowned: "What can I touch?"

"I have no idea."

"..."

Jiang Yin'er's bright eyes shone slightly: "So it's [Xiao Yaojun] in person? I am Shenxiao Jiang Yin'er. Nice to meet you."

Changsun Jue stood behind Cui Zhaoye and looked at the strange girl curiously. At this time, he also raised his hands and said: "Why don't we go in first - it's so cold."

The Sword Xiuyuan was not too big, and the four of them arrived outside the famous "Tang Sanjian" courtyard in a short time. However, what they saw after knocking on the door was not what they expected.

In the quiet courtyard, even in the cold winter, Yan Feiqing was still dressed in Taoist robes, holding a book and reading silently under the tree, but the recliner was missing, and there were many washed bamboo strips hanging on the shelf next to it; Yang Zhenbing had a smile on his face. Sweating lightly, he held the unsheathed sword in his arms. He looked at the four girls in front of the door silently and said for a long time: "What are you doing?"

"Let's find Pei Ye."

"Pei Ye is not here." Yang Zhenbing said, "He was not here yesterday. He said he wouldn't come back tonight."

"Ah? Brother Shi, haven't you cultivated yourself yet?"

Yang Zhenbing thought of something at this time and added: "Yes, but he told me that I have to say that he is here, and he will be here tonight."

He looked at them and said, "Don't spread the word."

"..."

…

…

The stars are setting at night, and the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month has come to an end.

Not every winter night is so cold and clear. There are also stars that disappear and the moonlight dims. Especially when it has been several days since the heavy snowfall, a new round of thick clouds seems to be brewing in the clear sky.

The stall selling sugar skewers on the street also packed up and left. Pei Ye bought his last skewer and stood under the wall to taste it with the kitten. In fact, they could make two skewers, so Pei Ye and the kitten said they would eat it. Too much sugar will damage your teeth, so I just want this bunch.

He was wearing a newly purchased dark-colored warm cloak, and his clothes were ordinary and simple. He was clean and tidy, and he didn't wear anything conspicuous. Indeed, as Jiang Yin'er said, he has not fully recovered yet, and his face is still a little pale.

This is the first long street after coming out of Dongbafang. It is hard to say that it is on the side of Dongbafang, and it is not in Shengqianfang. There is a very old locust tree planted on the street, and there are some private households on both sides. , for decades, you have to take this road to go to the old street in the morning from Dongfang, or if you want to leave Chang'an from Xicheng Gate.

The Li family's long line of carriages and horses had completely left the street. Pei Ye looked over there and said, "Does this mean 'food and grass go first'? I heard that Prime Minister Li will leave Beijing early tomorrow morning. Why did the convoy leave the city today?" "

"It's said to be tonight or tomorrow morning, how many hours will it be?" The dim-colored Qingyi next to him sighed softly, with ink stains from the yamen still on his body. "The procession is so big, so naturally we should leave the city first and wait. As soon as Li Xiang... Li Guxiang leaves tomorrow, the team can take action. "

Pei Ye nodded: "That's it."

He looked at the man in Qingyi who stood up again. His legs were obviously numb from squatting and his body was cold. This was an unknown junior official who was chased out by carriages and horses from behind. The so-called unknown junior official was Pei Ye asked about his official title but didn't understand what the words were - he planned to try his luck here to see if he could catch Li Guxiang driving away on business, leave his name and say goodbye.

There was obviously no chance now. The man sighed and hung his head and left.

Seeing that he was about to leave, Pei Ye asked: "This...Brother Zhao, you said that you are a scholar from a poor family, why do you want to get close to Li Guxiang? I heard that the current emperor is not the prime minister of the Yuan Dynasty." Is it powerful? I heard that he is a good official who fights against the poor people."

The man glanced at him: "You are all nonsense from the people in the market. The nobility of the five surnames has lasted for ten dynasties and several generations. There are so many elegant, capable and famous people. This is the backbone of my Tang Dynasty - have you read Li Xiang’s article?”

"...I don't read much."

"Yes, you will know after reading it. Some things can only be cultivated by living for hundreds of years. Yuan Youjing was born in the mud, a deer-headed and rat-eyed person, like a nouveau riche, also came to be the prime minister. It is really detrimental to the Tang Dynasty. face."

Pei Ye couldn't help but said: "You actually admire the five surnames, but they look down on you the most."

"That's true, there's nothing you can do about it, and there are always superiors and inferiors in the world. Those who deserve to be higher are higher, and those who deserve to be lower are lower. Isn't this the way to govern the world?" Qing Yi sighed and looked at him, "You don't do it. Officials naturally don't understand that although the five surnames are high and despised, relying on the past will always make a difference. As long as you don't offend, disturb less, and obey orders, Naturally, my life is stable, so I have these ambitions; now that the Prime Minister has come to power, it is said that those who are capable will be promoted, and those who are incompetent will be demoted. But who has the final say about what is capable and promising? What if I accidentally do something wrong? What? With the absence of the five surnames, there will inevitably be factional criticism among the scholars. From now on, everyone in the court will be worried, which is really scary. "

Pei Ye was slightly startled: "...I see, then it makes sense for you to chase after me."

"Even among the poor family members, many people are reluctant to let Li Xiang leave." Qing Yi sighed, "I won't tell you anymore and go back to sleep - won't you go back? It's so late, why are you standing here freezing your stick? ?”

Pei Ye sucked the candy string and said, "I'm waiting for someone too, so don't pass."

"...Okay, let's go." Qing Yi wrapped his clothes and walked away.

The night breeze was blowing, and the young man was indeed the only figure on the long street. He was wrapped in clothes and leaning under the eaves, and he was indeed too inconspicuous.