In the 751st year of the Central Plains, Emperor Li Yingping of the New Tang Dynasty took office on the day he turned eighteen.
This process can be described as uneventful. In fact, a few months ago, Yingping privately contacted some officials to ask them to petition the court for Yingping to take charge of the government in advance. However, as soon as this gust of wind came out, he was opposed by someone. That person was in the court The wording above was neither urgent nor serious, and only focused on the last orders of the late Emperor Tang. It made those officials who originally supported the idea of taking office in advance speechless.
This person is none other than Chang Zhishan, who always stands up and opposes Yingping.
That day, as soon as this 'suggestion' was put forward, voices of agreement gradually arose. Before Yin Jingting and Wang Yanqing could speak, Chang Zhishan stood up and objected. Ying Ping's original wishful thinking was that even if these life-seeking ministers did not support it, they would not dare to openly oppose it. At most, they would advise him in private situations such as when the North Pavilion was discussing politics. At that time, Ying Ping would not comment and wait for the news to be released. Go out and find some people to build momentum. If there is no resistance from the people, they will say that this is adhering to God's will and complying with the people's will. At that time, the rice will be cooked, and these ministers will agree even if they disagree.
But what I never expected was that damn Chang Zhishan would completely ignore the dignity of Yingping, the emperor of the new Tang Dynasty, and directly stand up to oppose it! This not only embarrassed Yingping who was sitting on the dragon throne, but also shocked Wang Yanqing who was standing aside. Is Chang Zhishan crazy? Are you determined to make things difficult for his Li family?
Chang Zhishan is now an old man who has retired and is also a hero of the country. Yingping, as a young man, naturally does not dare to do anything to such an old man, not to mention that Chang Zhishan has no soldiers to mobilize and there is no need to go to war for him. Therefore, Yingping was sure that Chang Zhishan relied on the fact that he was the minister who took care of the emperor's life, and he had some resentment in his heart, so he often used "chicken feathers" as arrows to educate himself.
At that time, Yingping was sitting on the dragon chair, forcing a smile and pretending to be calm, but in his heart he scolded Chang Zhishan. When the young emperor takes charge of the throne, he has three requests and three concessions. I am good, this is the first to ask for this drama. Before I even finished singing, General Chang jumped out and slapped me in the face! Are these few months so important? You just want to make things difficult for me!
There was no other way. In desperation, Yingping could only let the matter go. Later, Prime Minister Yin demoted the official who proposed to take charge of the government in advance, on the grounds that "glib words, treacherous flattery, and confusing young masters are sycophants." .
After enduring it, Yingping felt on pins and needles every day during those few months. It was not until he was about to turn eighteen that Yin Jingting proposed the matter, and Yingping nodded in agreement.
In the end, Yin Jingting personally took the lead and hundreds of officials jointly petitioned. After the empress dowager nodded and approved, the power of the government could be returned to the emperor in name. This was considered to be a good deal for Ying. After going through all the necessary cutscenes, Wen Junchen finally wrote an edict for Yingping and announced to the world that the emperor was in charge! Change the year name to Ander! Amnesty to the whole world!
After the universal celebration, Chang'an City quickly returned to its usual tranquility.
Recently, a topic has been circulating in the streets and even in upper-level gatherings, that is, the new emperor does not seem to be content with the status quo after he ascends the throne, saying that he wants to implement some "New Law".
For a time, rumors spread everywhere.
In a certain restaurant, people gathered together to drink and brag. One of them, a middle-aged man with a fair complexion, seemed to be less drunk than the others. He asked in a low voice: "Have you heard about it? The court seems to be promoting something. New law.”
"I heard about it! How could you not have heard about this matter?" Another person said with a red face: "But whether this matter can be done or not remains to be seen."
"'Three things to do when a new official takes office'. The little emperor has just taken over the power, so he can't do anything famous?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down!" Another young man in white, who was a little drunk, immediately woke up and scolded: "Discussing government affairs! I want to go to jail!"
Seeing the reminder from their companions, several people at the same table seemed to feel that something was wrong with them. They raised their glasses and raised their heads, not continuing the topic.
...
Among the neighbors in Nancheng, two old men were lying on chairs waving cattail fans and chatting, while waving away flies and mosquitoes with their hands. One of them, who had lost all his hair, said: "Old Chentou, have you heard - I heard that the Tang Dynasty is going to implement a new law!"
The bald old man's voice was so loud that he was afraid that the old man named Chen next to him was hard of hearing.
"What? Punishment? Who should be punished?" Sure enough, old man Chen couldn't hear clearly. He straightened up and put his ear up, signaling to his old friend to speak louder.
“New laws—new laws—our Datang is going to change!”
"New law?" Old man Chen finally heard it clearly. He thought for a moment, and then said dismissively: "Impossible - old man, I have lived for sixty or seventy years, and the late emperor also shouted when he was here, and every time it was thunderous Heavy raindrops, this new law - impossible!"
Old Chen leaned back on the Taishi chair and rocked leisurely.
...
There is a festive atmosphere in the Wu Mansion. Today is the seventy-fifth birthday of the old man of the Wu family. There are a lot of guests, and the people who come and go are all high-ranking officials. Wu Zhitong, the eldest son of the Wu family, stood at the door of the hall and smiled to receive the guests who came to celebrate his birthday. These people were either his father's colleagues or his father's old friends. Now that he has also entered the official position, he naturally wants these people. Look familiar.
In a rather unique elegant courtyard in the courtyard of Wu Mansion, Wang Yanqing was sitting there, with Cui Ren, Lian Xing and others sitting next to him. It was not difficult to see that these were people who were close to Wang Yanqing. Just now, Wang Yanqing made a special trip to Mr. Wu to offer him a birthday gift, and was then led to this elegant place isolated from the outer hall. Mr. Wu was also a minister in the court at that time, and he and Mr. Wang were officials in the same court for thirty years. Later, Wang Yanqing and Wu Zeyou had a close friendship as classmates. Although Wang Yanqing was the uncle of the country, he still had a deep affection for Mr. Wu. Respect Youjia.
At this time, Wu Ze had accompanied his old father to the front hall to say thank you to the guests. He probably wouldn't be able to come back for a while, so there were only five or six people left in the court.
Lian Xing looked around at this luxurious courtyard and was secretly envious in his heart. Compared with other places in the mansion, this courtyard can be said to be the difference between a fairyland and a human world. Although the front hall of Wu Mansion looks grand, it is just the decoration of an ordinary wealthy family. Once After passing the archway in front of the court, it was like entering a fairyland. People couldn't help but admire it, and even Wang Yanqing couldn't help but walk around.
Although the garden was nice, it was not his own after all. Lian Xing reluctantly looked back. Looking at Wang Yanqing sitting on a wicker chair drinking tea, he picked up the teapot and poured a new pot of tea for his boss, and then asked: "Sir, does the Holy One really want to implement the so-called 'new law'?"
Wang Yanqing put the tea cup on the table and did not answer Lian Xing directly.
An old man with gray hair standing nearby echoed: "Yes, sir, it has been rumored recently that the Holy One is really going to implement Lao Shizi's new law. This... what is the purpose of this Holy One?"
This is Sun Guoqi, the current Minister of Rites, who is nearly sixty years old. He and Wang Yanqing and Wu Ze's fathers both went to court together. He was very realistic. Seeing that Wang Yanqing was in a high position and powerful, he had already started to curry favor with him regardless of his age.
Wang Yanqing smiled softly, but still did not answer.
Seeing that Wang Yanqing was reluctant to answer directly, everyone was reluctant to continue asking questions. In fact, everyone has been a little uneasy these days, because it is rumored that this new law is aimed at the wealthy and nobles. As Wang Yanqing's party members, they will definitely be affected by the new law if it is implemented. Now, taking this opportunity to gather together, it is just towards their backbone. Ask.
Suddenly, Wu Ze's figure appeared at the door of the courtyard. Although he came in a hurry, his face was full of smiles and he seemed to be in a good mood. He said loudly: "Everyone has been waiting for a long time——"
Wu Ze held a high position and was a close friend of Wang Yanqing, so everyone naturally responded to his polite words. So Lian Xing and others stood up and said with smiles: "Master Wu, what are you talking about - what are you talking about -"
"Bo Zhong——" After Wu Ze exchanged greetings with the others, he sat directly next to Wang Yanqing, hurriedly took out a piece of writing from his arms and unfolded it in front of him, and said: "Look at what this is? "
Wang Yanqing was about to pick up the teacup and take another sip of tea, but his eyes widened when he saw the words in front of him. Putting the teacup back on the table, he wiped his hands on his clothes a few times, then carefully took the calligraphy, read it carefully several times, then looked up at Wu Ze in disbelief, and asked: "The original work of Taibai?"
"What do you think?"
Wang Yanqing looked back and forth a few more times, nodded slightly and said, "It should be true."
Then, he carefully rolled up the calligraphy and handed it back to Wu Ze. But Wu Ze reached out to block it and pushed the words back to him.
Wang Yanqing looked at Wu Ze in puzzlement, but Wu Ze said with a smile: "Who in the world doesn't know that your Bo Zhong likes calligraphy and is obsessed with Taibai? If this Taibai original is left here with me, it will really be a 'pearl in the dark'!"
"Yes! Master Wu makes sense!"
"That's right - swords are given to heroes, red powder is given to beauties! Taibai's authentic work will naturally be treasured by Mr. Wang!"
Voices of agreement arose for a while. Wang Yanqing smiled and shook his head, putting the words aside as if he couldn't give in.
Seeing Wang Yanqing accept the calligraphy, Wu Ze also laughed. He walked to the other side of the tea table and sat side by side with Wang Yanqing, then picked up the tea cup on the table and sipped it carefully. The tea is good tea, the cup is good, and even the water for making tea is specially ordered to be fetched from the spring on Qianniu Mountain early in the morning.
After Wu Ze put the tea cup on the table, he turned to look at Wang Yanqing and said, "Bo Zhong, what do you think of the 'new law'?"
Seeing Wu Ze also mentioning the new law, everyone pricked up their ears.
Wang Yanqing looked at Wu Ze, stood up, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Brother, it's going to rain and the mother is going to get married. If the Holy One really wants to push the new law, there's nothing we can do."
"But I heard that this new law seems to be... bad for us." Wu Ze looked worried.
"Hmph, why are you in a hurry? The soldiers will come to block the water and cover the ground with the earth. Let's take it one step at a time."
"But..." Wu Ze wanted to say something else, but Wang Yanqing left the shore with his hands behind his hands and walked to the pool to look at the carps swimming in the pool.
Wang Yanqing sneered in his heart. This little emperor seemed to be very ambitious. On the surface, he was doing it in the name of the new law, but in fact, he was here for his uncle! Don't think that you can't see that once the new law is implemented, your absolute authority in the court will be greatly reduced, your subordinates will also be bound by this, and your own interests will be greatly damaged. I guess this was Nawen Junchen’s idea, right? Humph, he is quite capable, and he is worthy of being the "first author" in the Central Plains. But if you two masters and disciples want to touch me, are you really not afraid of "throwing a rat to avoid the enemy"? If this new law is implemented, I will not be the only one who will be restrained? The older generation of princes and nobles, as well as the retired heroes, and even my old rival Chang Zhishan will be greatly affected. By then, there will be no need for me to stand up, and people will naturally come out to oppose it. ,snort--!
Wang Yanqing was carefully planning all the things that might happen in the future. In fact, he had already heard about the new law. He was already aware of the hidden worries in the hearts of everyone, including Wu Ze, but it was really hard for him to find reasons to oppose the new law. Written by Wen Junchen This new law is indeed of a high standard, so much so that there are almost no "open spears" in sight, but the "hidden arrows" in it are arrows that hurt people! When these 'wounds' caused by 'hidden arrows' accumulate, it will be a fatal blow! But after all, Wang Yanqing was a veteran of two dynasties. How could his position be so easily messed up? Staying unchanged in the face of ever-changing situations is his current strategy.
