Jujing Garden, located in the west of Lin'an City, was the location of the royal garden of the Southern Song Dynasty. Because it is outside the Qingbo Gate of Lin'an City, it is also called the West Garden.
The West Garden is very large. Outside Qingbo Gate is the south gate of Xiyuan, outside Yongjin Gate is the north gate, and the water entrance of Liufufang is Shuimen. There are nearly 20 palaces and pavilions in the garden, including Huifang Hall, Yingchun Hall, Lanyuan Hall, and Fanghua Pavilion. Each of the pavilions has a plaque inscribed with the imperial letter of Emperor Xiaozong of the Song Dynasty. The West Garden diverts water from the West Lake into the garden, digs an artificial river channel, and sets up two bridges, the Bachelor's Degree and the Liulang Bridge. One of the "Ten Scenic Spots of the West Lake" in later generations, "Sounding the Orioles in the Waves in the Willows" is located here. During the three dynasties of Song Xiaozong, Song Guangzong and Song Ningzong, emperors often visited this garden to enjoy the scenery.
It is late autumn, the red leaves in the garden are like fire, the arched bridges and cold water, the pavilions and pavilions are all shrouded in the misty rain from the south of the Yangtze River. On the winding path of the cloister in the garden, the armored warriors remained motionless despite the rain and wind.
In the Fanghua Pavilion, Shi Miyuan, the prime minister of the Song Dynasty, looked at the autumn water all over the lake, letting the cold wind and rain blow on his face, looking far away, motionless.
Since ancient times, autumn has been a sad and lonely time. I say that autumn is better than spring.
The autumn mood is thick and the frost and wind are tight, but it can make people sober and know what they want to do and how to do it.
"Shi Xiang, I'm back."
Shi Miyuan's aide Yu Tianci walked into the pavilion with a brocade box in his arms.
"Weizhai, thank you for your hard work. Is everything done?"
Shi Miyuan turned his head, with a hint of expectation in his eyes.
"Xiang Shi, I am fortunate to have fulfilled my mission. The 100 golden elixirs were all refined by Master Ziqing himself. They are all top grade just like last time."
Yu Tianci opened the brocade box, and the round red pills inside were fragrant and beautiful.
Shi Miyuan picked up a red pill, looked at it carefully, then put it back in the box and nodded with satisfaction.
"Okay. Wei Zhai, you did a good job, thank you for your trouble."
"Xiang Shi, this matter needs to be done with caution and a two-pronged approach is needed. The queen has to borrow some credit."
Yu Tianci carefully collected the brocade box and placed it on the stone table in the pavilion.
Although Shi Miyuan was extremely powerful, according to the ancestral system of the Song Dynasty, although the prime minister had great power, he did not have the power to change and establish new ones. Zhao Guicheng could be a replacement, but it still required the full cooperation of the two ministers in power and the imperial guards in front of the palace. Without Yang Guizhi speaking, even Xia Zhen, the commander of the front department, would hesitate to wait and see.
"Yang Guizhi, she won't object. Do you think she is alone? Behind her is the entire Yang family. On the day Zhao Hong ascended the throne, the two of them had a big quarrel, which turned into a quarrel. When Zhao Hong ascended the throne, Yang Guizhi was bound to be left out in the cold. , the interests of the Yang family will also be greatly damaged. She will make the right choice."
Having dealt with Yang Guizhi for so many years, Shi Miyuan knew her well.
The officials are cowardly and have been immersed in the palace for many years, and their ambition to gain power has long been formed. Otherwise, she would not have conspired to get rid of the powerful minister Han Xuzhou during her tenure as queen.
The bad relationship between Yang Guizhi and Zhao Hong is not important. What is important is Yang Guizhi's own power and the interests behind the Yang family.
These are what Yang Guizhi considers, and they are destined to be reluctant for Zhao Hong to take the position.
"The Prime Minister has a far-sighted vision, and I am convinced of it."
Yu Tianci praised sincerely.
Shi Miyuan's eyes were venomous, and he was indeed far behind.
None of the unscrupulous children of the Yang family could win the exam. They spent their days sleeping in flowers and willows, being arrogant and extravagant. Without Yang Guizhi's protection, the decline of the Yang family would be visible to the naked eye.
"Weizhai, it's too early to talk about this at this time. There are some things that need to be carefully considered. Those dudes from the Yang family... do you know what to do?"
Shi Miyuan hit the nail on the head and hit the point.
"Don't worry, Mr. Shi, I know what to do."
Yu Tianci nodded repeatedly, pondered slightly, and asked in a low voice:
"Historical minister, where are the officials..."
Zhao Kuo, an official of the Song Dynasty, was seriously ill and had not been in court for more than a month. There was an uproar in the court, saying that Zhao Kuo would not live long, but he did not know whether it was true or not.
"It's official, maybe a month or two at most...let's not talk about that for now."
Sure enough, Shi Miyuan hesitated, and the topic returned to Zhao Hong.
"Weizhai, is there any movement among Zhao Hong's group?"
"Back to the prime minister, there is nothing unusual. Zhao Hong's uncle Zhou Ping sleeps in flowers and willows all day long, while Tian Yi and Xu Liang criticize each other, while the other takes care of the newborn child. There is nothing unusual."
Shi Miyuan sneered. What kind of trouble can some powerless common people make?
"Where is Zhao Hong? What has he been doing all day?"
Although Zhao Hong no longer has his "undercover" around him, Zhao Hong now lives in the palace, which makes it easier for him to arrange for people to spy on him.
"Returning to the Prime Minister, Zhao Hong studies classics and history every day, and reads according to Zhendexiu. He looks at the food and greets him every day, and he is very busy."
Yu Tianci smiled slightly, looking relaxed.
As long as Zhao Hong doesn't cause trouble, both he and Shi Miyuan feel peaceful.
"How can he bear it when I say hello to the meal? How difficult it is for him. Studying the classics and history and studying Neo-Confucianism in detail will temper his donkey temper!"
Shi Miyuan also had a smile on his face. He thought for a moment and continued to ask:
"Weizhai, there is a fire in the Jinguo Posthouse. What do you think? Is there any news over there?"
"Returning to the Prime Minister, I received a note from the Kingdom of Jin. They just said that there was a fire in the post house and Zhao Hong was missing. There is no other explanation. In my opinion, Zhao Hong is too sharp. Some of the ministers of the Kingdom of Jin want to put Zhao Hong to death. , but for some unknown reason, Zhao Hong escaped."
Yu Tianci thought about it and said it.
With Zhao Hong's donkey temper and unrestrained speech, it is not surprising that he offended the Jin people. It is a pity that Zhao Hong was not burned to death.
"There are infinite painters in the world, and it is impossible to paint a picture of sadness. What happened to Zhao Hong in Tokyo City, so that he broke up with the Jin people and let the Jin people kill him? How did he escape from the Jin country?"
Shi Miyuan sighed, as if he didn't understand how Zhao Hong could escape from danger.
"Xiang Shi, Zhao Hong escaped, but we are in trouble."
Yu Tianci couldn't help but remind him.
Shi Miyuan nodded, turned his eyes to the misty rain in the lake outside the court, and continued to ask after a long while:
"Weizhai, do you think Wusun is worthy of such a big job?"
"Xiang Shi, Wusun is at least the Lord of Shoucheng. Besides, now that the matter has come to this, I'm afraid there is no choice."
The King of Shou Cheng!
Shi Miyuan nodded silently and hesitated for a moment.
"Weizhai, what you said is absolutely true. There is no reason why an arrow should not be fired when it is on the string. It is most taboo to do things at both ends."
Looking at the brocade box on the stone table, Shi Miyuan's eyes gradually became cold and stern.
"Weizhai, is there anything else?"
Yu Tianci stood aside and kept his promise. Shi Miyuan's heart moved and he asked softly.
Yu Tianci didn't leave, so there must be something important.
As expected, Yu Tianci finally spoke.
"Shi Xiang, I wonder if Shi Xiang has read "Jianghu Poems", which has become famous in the capital recently?"
"I've heard of it. However, I am busy with political affairs and have no time to spare or read it."
Shi Miyuan looked at Yu Tianci doubtfully.
"What's wrong, Wei Zhai? Is there something hidden in "Jianghu Poetry Collection"?"
"Xiang Xiang, please take a look."
Yu Tianci took out the book he had prepared and opened it for Shi Miyuan to read.
"There are few sunny days in spring in ninety days, but there are many troubled times in a thousand years... It may not be that Zhu Shan can be domineering, just because King Zheng lacks economics. There are also here: the prince's house with Wutong in autumn rain, Xianggong Bridge with willows in spring breeze. This is a clear irony of history. Prime Minister, the rumors are really out of control and have ulterior motives."
Yu Tianci kept turning to the folded position of the book and pointed carefully.
As he watched, Shi Miyuan's face gradually became ugly, and a trace of blush appeared on his cheeks.
"Bold! Alluding to the imperial court, confusing right and wrong, everyone is worthy of death! They all deserve to be beheaded! Lingchi execution!"
Shi Miyuan roared angrily, trembling with anger. Yu Tianci was frightened and quickly whispered comfort.
"Xiang Xiang, calm down! These men of letters from the Jianghu sect always express their admiration for seclusion and despise official careers. They also often criticize the ills of the times and ridicule the government. It is not surprising. However, it is not surprising that they are so bold this time. Could there be someone behind the scenes? ?”
Since Zhao Hongjin became the crown prince, Shi Miyuan's temper has become increasingly violent. The nonsense written by Liu Kezhuang and others in "Anthology of Jianghu Poems" made Shi Miyuan immediately go berserk. One can imagine the pressure on Shi Miyuan.
"Weizhai, you mean...someone...is instigating this behind your back?"
Shi Miyuan was shocked and became much calmer. He looked at Yu Tianci and understood something instantly.
Yu Tianci would not report it to himself just because of this little thing.
"Historian Prime Minister, according to my report, before the publication of "Jianghu Poetry Collection", Zhao Hong went to Chen Qi's bookstore. The two parties had a pleasant conversation, and Zhao Hong even wrote an inscription for the title page of the poetry collection. Please read it, Mr. Shi!"
Yu Tianci turned to the title page and showed Zhao Hong's "works" to Shi Miyuan.
"It's indeed him!"
After Shi Miyuan finished reading, his face turned pale and he scolded coldly.
"There are talented people from generation to generation, and each has led the way for hundreds of years. Humph! It turns out that it was this thief who slandered me. He has a heart like a snake and a scorpion, and his heart can be killed!"
Compared with the rage just now, Shi Miyuan's demeanor has recovered a lot and seems to be much calmer.
"Prime Minister, Zhang Hui, the commander-in-chief of the Xuyi Army, came to report that Zhao Hong had a private meeting with Yang Miaozhen, the commander of the Zhongyi Army, in Huai River. He was so sneaky that I don't know what they talked about."
Yu Tianci continued to report to Shi Miyuan, looking slightly excited.
He is just a retainer and has no official position. If the current prince is overthrown and a new king is established, his bright future and the prosperity of the Yu family will be just around the corner.
This is his ambition.
"Yang Miaozhen? What does Zhao Hong want to do?"
Shi Miyuan immediately became nervous.
He is not afraid of the emperor or the ministers, but what he fears most is side affairs. He always treated arrogant and powerful generals such as Li Quan and Yang Miaozhen with kindness and comfort. Even if these people killed officials and caused trouble, he tolerated and supported traitors.
"Prime Minister, Zhao Hong has a private meeting with Yang Miaozhen, and he has ulterior motives. We have to be on guard!"
Yu Tianci's words made Shi Miyuan nodded.
Zhao Hong's various actions seemed to be directed at him. It seems that I have to act according to my own heart.
"There's no way of knowing what Zhao Hong and Yang Miaozhen said. Besides, there's no physical evidence... and we're not going to court, so what's the point of interfering with him? If he gets bitten by that mad dog like crazy, he'll be in trouble."
Shi Miyuan hesitated for a moment, thinking of Zhao Hong's madness, and frowned unconsciously.
"Weizhai, is Li Zhixiao back?"
"Back to the Prime Minister, these were found out by Li Zhixiao. He is waiting for the Prime Minister's summons at his residence."
Sure enough, Shi Miyuan was already angry. Getting angry with Jianghu Poets was the first step, and the next step was...
"good!"
Shi Miyuan nodded appreciatively and warned carefully.
"Let Zhao Rushu and Li Zhixiao handle this matter. All those involved in the case will be taken to the prison of the Ministry of Justice and interrogated strictly. Tell them that after the matter is over, I will let Li Zhixiao work in Dali Temple and Zhao Rushu will resume his original position."
"Yes, Mr. Shi. I'll do it right away."
Yu Tianci no longer stayed, he looked at the brocade box on the stone table, said goodbye to Shi Miyuan and left.
"I also want to go to the palace. The officials are urging me."
Shi Miyuan went over, picked up the brocade box, glanced into the distance, and murmured to himself.
"Zhao Hong, I want to see what other tricks you can do?"
He has been running the court for nearly 20 years, and everyone in the court is his party. He didn't believe it, and he couldn't deal with a powerless prince!
Outside Qingbo Gate, I saw Yu Tianci coming out of Jujing Garden. Du Er at the tea stall patted the shoulder of the man next to him. The man blended into the bustling crowd and followed Yu Tianci's sedan.
Du Er waited for a while and then saw Shi Miyuan's sedan coming out, sounding gongs to clear the way, and being escorted by the imperial guards, which looked so majestic.
Du Er stood up, paid the difference, and slowly and leisurely put it on from a distance.
