Chang'an, Ge Shuhan's residence.
A young official wearing a green official robe, white face and beardless came to the door of Ge Shuhan's house. He signed up his name and said that Yuan Zai, the judge of Dali Temple, was here to say hello.
"It turns out to be Alang of the Yuan family, please come in."
After asking the master for instructions, the disciple quickly invited Yuan Zai into the side door of the mansion.
Ge Shuhan was once Wang Zhongsi's general, and Wang Zhongsi also recommended Ge Shuhan, so he also treated Wang Zhongsi's son-in-law Yuan Zai differently.
Menzi even led Yuan Zai to the hanging flower gate of Zhi Mansion attentively.
Then Ge Shuhuang, Ge Shuhan's second son, led him into Ge Shuhan's bedroom.
"Here." Yuan Zai sang "here" to Ge Shuhan, who was lying on the sick bed with his hands crossed, and said respectfully, "Yuan Zai, the judge of Dali Temple, pays homage to Ge Shu. Gong Shu is in good health."
"You are interested in Yuan Pingshi, why didn't you go to the banquet at Huaxe Tower?"
Ge Shuhan sat up with the help of Ge Shuhuang. He looked extremely withered and shriveled. He no longer had the same energy as when he was in Longyou. He seemed to be seriously ill.
"I heard that Brother Shu is seriously ill, so Yuan Zai still has the time to go to the banquet." After saying this, Yuan Zai asked his accompanying brother Shu Huang with concern, "What did the doctor say?"
Ge Shuhuang sighed and said: "The doctor can't tell what the cause of the disease is. He only said that he will be bedridden."
"Actually, it's nothing serious. It's just an old illness." Ge Shuhan waved his hand and said, "It was an injury sustained in the early years."
"Ge Shugong still needs to take good care of himself." Yuan Zai said solemnly, "If this junior is not mistaken, An Lushan should be about to start a rebellion. By then, the 150,000 troops from Longyou Town and Hexi Town will still be there. We need Duke Shu to take command, and the splendid country of the Tang Dynasty still needs to rely on you, Duke Shu, to turn the tide."
Yuan Zai's visit was obviously well prepared.
Although Yuan Zai was the son-in-law of the Wang family, he did not receive support from the Wang family. When he lived in the Wang family in his early years, he was even ridiculed by his wife's family, and then he came to Chang'an to seek a career in Chang'an.
Yuan Zai was indeed talented and learned, and he became a high school scholar as soon as he arrived in Chang'an.
However, the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty has long been monopolized by high-ranking families.
Due to the lack of a backer, Yuan Zai was unable to get promoted even though he was capable. After twelve years, he was only able to get down from the eighth rank to the Dali Temple as a judge. If nothing else, he would only be able to work as an eighth rank judge in his lifetime. It's the end of the climb. It's almost as difficult as climbing to the sky to change the green robe on your body into a green robe.
So when he heard that Ge Shuhan was seriously ill, Yuan Zai came to visit him.
Fortunately, I actually met Ge Shuhan.
In Yuan Zai, this was a situation where Feng Changqing was the most favored person.
All the dignitaries in Chang'an were queuing up to visit Feng Changqing, but Ge Shuhan was no longer interested.
Yuan Zai's words immediately aroused Ge Shuhuang's complaint: "Nowadays, Prince Anxi is the saint's favorite. If Anlu Mountain really starts a rebellion, the saint's first thought will be Prince Anxi."
"Otherwise." Yuan Zai waved his hand, "Erlang, what you said is wrong."
"Why?" Ge Shuhuang asked, "What did I say wrong?"
Yuan Zai said: "The most important thing in the emperor's mind is the way of checks and balances. The former prince Li Ying was powerful, so the saint supported Li Linfu to check and balance. When Li Linfu became powerful, the saint supported An Lushan, Geshu Gong and other barbarians. The vassal towns should provide checks and balances, and this time Feng Changqing pacified Tubo, which has already achieved unparalleled achievements. How can the saint sleep peacefully without checks and balances?"
Hearing this, Brother Shuhan, who was still lingering on the sickbed, suddenly sat up.
Good guy, it turns out that Ge Shuhan is not sick at all, but just suffers from heart disease.
Yuan Zai's words instantly cured Ge Shuhan's heart disease, and he recovered spontaneously.
"Erlang, change my clothes quickly." Ge Shuhan turned over and jumped out of bed, spreading his hands and saying.
"Ah this?" Ge Shuhuang was still in a daze, what's going on? Grandpa is well?
Yuan Zai lost no time in getting Ge Shuhan's purple round-neck robe and put it on for him.
Ge Shuhan took the futou and put it on again, then took Yuan Zai's hand and said: "Follow me to the Huacalyx Tower for the saint's banquet. Also, don't do it in Dali Temple. A lowly official from the eighth grade is very important to me." For you, you are really showing off your talents. Come and work under me. After serving as secretary for three years, I will directly recommend you to be the judge."
"Here." Yuan Zai was already overjoyed.
However, his face didn't show it at all.
…
Xingqing Palace, Calyx Xianghui Building, the main hall on the third floor.
Before the saint arrived, Feng Changqing had become the absolute core of the civil servants and military officers present.
Also, in Chang'an right now, apart from the sage and the unseen Master Lu Tianshi, Feng Changqing is the most powerful, and the threshold of his mansion is about to be breached.
Because Master Lu Tianshi is not something that ordinary people can see if they want to.
Therefore, the dignitaries in Chang'an could only ask to see Feng Changqing.
As a result, traffic jams occur every day on the cross streets of Chongrenfang, where the Prince's Mansion of Anxi County is located, because there are too many dignitaries or distant relatives who come to visit Feng Changqing.
This feast tonight is the birthday feast of the saint.
But before the saint arrived, Feng Changqing became the center of attention.
A large group of officials surrounded Feng Changqing and flattered him.
However, Feng Changqing's mind is very clear, and he still understands the principle of great power that shakes the master.
So when the Jinwu Guards announced that Ge Shuhan had arrived, Feng Changqing took the initiative to get up and lower his rank to greet him.
"Ge Shu Gong, I heard that you were seriously ill, and I still wanted to visit you, but I have so many worldly affairs that I can't get away from it. Unexpectedly, Gong Shu actually recovered. This is really a blessing from heaven."
"It's all thanks to Prince Anxi that the official's illness has been cured."
After Ge Shuhan was enlightened by Yuan Zai, the depression in his chest was gone. He became radiant again and no longer felt jealous of Feng Changqing. The two of them walked aside and talked and laughed happily.
Not long after, with the sound of a saint arriving, Li Longji came with Yang Taizhen.
In an instant, the sound of drums, strings and bamboos started to play, and all the candles on the Calyx Tower were lit. Countless candlelights and red lanterns decorated the entire Calyx Xianghui Tower like a beautiful palace.
However, before the birthday banquet started, a young eunuch hurriedly climbed up to the calyx tower.
Gao Lishi's face suddenly darkened as he approached, and then he walked up to the saint and whispered a few words.
The ivory chopsticks that Li Longji stretched out immediately stopped in the air, and an indescribable evil spirit emanated from Li Longji like a substance. The drummers in the two groups on the left and right felt something abnormal and stopped playing instantly.
The dignitaries who were chatting about enjoying the fine wine and food also stopped to drink their glasses.
After a long while, Li Longji sneered and said, "Humph, An Lushan really rebelled!"
These words were like a stone thrown into a calm pool, causing ripples in an instant.
However, Ge Shuhan in the military generals class perked up. According to Yuan Zai's speculation, it was impossible for the saint to give Feng Changqing the credit for pacifying the Anlushan rebellion. Then apart from Feng Changqing, he was the only military general in the Manchu Dynasty. Only Ge Shuhan and Gao Xianzhi were able to put down the rebellion in Anlu Mountain. However, Gao Xianzhi was not only a bad character, but also had an excellent relationship with Feng Changqing. Therefore, the saint would most likely use his brother Shu Han to put down the rebellion.
"Here!" Li Longji said "here" with his hands crossed in front of him, and then said, "Is Master Lu Tian here?"
"What's the matter?" Lu Tianshi's voice immediately came from the void. The civil and military officials and dignitaries in the hall were not surprised by this. The immortals had seen it more and would not make a fuss anymore.
Li Longji then asked: "I want to take Ge Shuhan as the commander-in-chief, gather elite troops from Longyou and Hexi towns, and then recruit 100,000 strong soldiers from Chang'an and Luoyang to suppress the rebellion. In addition, I will order Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi to lead Shuofang Town." I wonder if it is feasible for elite soldiers to sneak out of Hedong and flank the rebels?"
The hall fell silent instantly.
Everyone is waiting for Master Lu Tian's answer.
As a client, Ge Shuhan was extremely nervous.
On the contrary, Feng Changqing looked calm, like an outsider.
After a while, Master Lu Tian said: "There are still capable people in the Tang Dynasty. Feng Changqing, Gao Xianzhi, Ge Shuhan, Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi are all famous generals. No matter who is qualified to be the chief general in counterinsurgency, my advice to you is only One is not to restrict the generals on the front line, but to give them sufficient autonomy. Whether it is fighting or defending, they have the final say. You, Li Longji, remember not to command remotely, let alone send eunuchs to the front line to supervise the army."
"Here." Li Longji agreed.
