After making the bet, Yang Ji hurried back to the palace; the palace gate was different from the one in Daxing. Although it was more magnificent, the number of halberds changed from eighteen to twelve.
The halberd system is a way to show honor and prominence. This method has been around since the Zhou Dynasty. However, the system is unclear and the number is not strictly limited. By the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the halberd system was in the initial stage. The items listed were not only halberds, but sometimes For the spear, axe, and Ge. With the founding of the Sui Dynasty, the system of halberds was established and officially became the national system of official political rewards. It was awarded by the court to officials and military officers with military exploits. Nobles in aristocratic families could no longer arbitrarily arrange halberds as before, and the number was also strictly regulated. .
According to the Sui system, the ji ji was divided into four processes: application, review, issuance, and withdrawal. If a noble family wants to have a halberd, they need to have three grades: ministerial officials, honorary officials, and casual officials. That is to say, officials who meet the conditions first apply to the Ministry of Rites; the Rites Department of the Ministry of Rites is responsible for reviewing the applicant's qualifications for office, honors, and casual officials. After determining that the three conditions are fully met, the halberd is approved, and then the Ordnance Supervisor Create and distribute. If the recipient of this honor dies, is demoted, or commits a crime, the Ministry of Rites and the Armory Supervisor will take back the halberd.
During the reign of Emperor Kaihuang, Gao Hongde, the eldest son of Gao Jun, was granted the title of Duke of Ying due to his father's merits, so he also applied for a halberd. However, since the Qi Duke's palace already had a halberd that demonstrated Gao Jun's achievements, the then Minister of Tuntian of the Ministry of Works Liu You believed that the application was unreasonable because only one set of halberds could be listed for a mansion. In the end, Liu Yu's opinion was adopted, and the court rejected Gao Hongde's request for a halberd. So this became one of the rules. This is the case for the Yang Ji family.
Yang Shuang earned eighteen halberds during his lifetime. According to regulations, after his death, the halberds must be taken back and destroyed. However, he was raised by Yang Jian and Empress Dugu, and his achievements during his lifetime were so great that he can be called a great master. The military soul, spirit, and monument of the Sui Dynasty, so the military strongly demanded that special things be done, and Yang Jian, who didn't want to take it back, just went down the slope.
This also resulted in the Daxing City Guard Palace having no halberds to highlight Yang Ji's achievements. The Sui Dynasty now moved the capital to Luoyang, so the twelve halberds in front of the gate represent Yang Ji's achievements and glory. In the same way, the ten halberds in front of Gao Jiong's gate also belong to his eldest son, and his own "glory" is in Daxing City, as is the case with other senior ministers; while Yu Wenshu, whose son has no future, has a row of halberds in front of his house. nothing.
This change is obviously operated by Yang Guang. If it weren't for Yang Guang's strict guard, how dare the officials of the Department of Rites not praise him? Dare to offend countless princes and ministers? Therefore, just from the perspective of the column of halberds, it has a strong political meaning of "leaving the past in Guanzhong", and it also represents Yang Guang's desire to separate from the past.
"This is just the beginning! There will be big moves next." Yang Ji looked away from the rack displaying halberds and weapons and looked at a carriage parked on the side of the square.
Next to the carriage, ten servants dressed in luxurious clothes stood upright with swords on their waists, and Su Dan (dǎn) stepped out of the carriage.
"Yuan Zai, why are you here?" Yang Ji couldn't help but be startled. When he went to the Duke of Chu to issue orders in the afternoon, this guy was still maintaining order. Why did he come here?
"Your Majesty, I'm here to see you!" Su Dan saluted with a red face.
"Promoted?" Su Dan's appearance reminded Yang Ji of Li Yuan whom he met in the palace. Their expressions were almost exactly the same.
"Not yet, but it's coming soon!" Su Dan smiled cheerfully and whispered: "The next step may be the doctor of internal history."
Su Qua is now the county magistrate of Henan. Since it is Henan County and Jingxian County, the county magistrate's rank is extremely high, and he is the same as the fourth rank of the Xiazhou Governor. More than two hours ago, my grandfather Su Wei went to Quanshanfang and delivered an inside message: after the New Year, he will enter the Neishi Province (Zhongshu Province) as an internal history doctor; the internal history doctor has the right to draft imperial edicts. The official has the power to reject the decision sent by the Minister, and has great power. At the same time, his grandfather told him that after serving as an internal historian for one or two years, he would find a way to transfer him to be the local governor, and then he would be the governor for another three to five years. After returning to Beijing, he would be eligible to compete for the six ministers.
This news made Su Dan feel ecstatic. After the "handover", he happily came here to share the joy with his old boss.
When Yang Ji heard this, his expression became extremely strange: "Isn't it the position of Feng Deyi?"
Feng Deyi's fault was actually just "internal strife among the Yang Su faction" and did not rise to the official level at all. However, when Yang Ji passed by the imperial city, he heard that Feng Deyi was sentenced to be dismissed from official position and serve the people forever. If he is employed, even three generations of his descendants will not be able to engage in politics or the military.
Yang Ji naturally knew the origin of this heavy punishment.
The reason is that the officials in charge of the Blade of Judgment also have their own factions and factional interests, and they are also afraid that their "subordinates" will betray them one day; Feng Deyi's double-dealing and betraying his "master" for glory broke the rules of officialdom and caused controversy. This caused public outrage; so everyone took advantage of him to let their "subordinates" take a lesson.
"Exactly this position!" Su Dan chuckled and said, "Originally, Yu Shiji might be in the position far more than me..."
"Wait!" Yang Ji interrupted Su Dan and asked, "Yu Shiji is back again?"
"He's back. He is now the general secretary of the Ministry of Internal History." Su Dan solved Yang Ji's confusion and then said: "When the king scolded Feng Deyi, he mentioned him, and he lost the qualification to compete. . Otherwise, where will it be my turn!"
Yang Ji nodded and pointed to the door: "Let's talk after we enter the house!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty. But no, I have to go to the Quanshanfang Office to take charge later." Su Dan shook his head and said with a smile: "I heard that Yin Sima and the others have returned to Beijing, and I plan to take some time to talk to you. Let’s all gather together, the king will definitely appreciate it!”
Yang Ji was confident and said, "You can arrange it! As long as everyone is in Beijing, we will definitely be there."
"That's it!" Su Dan cupped his hands and said, "I'm sorry to say goodbye!"
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At dusk, the lanterns of the Yu Mansion located in Anyefang are starting to go up. Vermilion lanterns are lit from the gate to the backyard, shining like fire dragons in the front hall and backyard. The entire mansion is as bright as day and brilliant.
In the backyard pavilion, the sound of silk and bamboo orchestra drifted in the cool rainy breeze. Several girls with gorgeous dresses and graceful figures were dancing to the music of Jiangnan on the second floor. Yu Shiji sat at a round table to eat, with two new maids waiting on him.
Yu Shiji was not like this before. When he first became an official, he always maintained his moral integrity. Not only was he an honest official, but he was also as simple as his younger brother in life. But after marrying his second wife, Sun, an earth-shaking change took place.
Mrs. Sun was beautiful, beautiful, charming, lustful, ambitious and had no sense of chastity. Less than a month after her ex-husband's death, she seduced Yu Shiji before his death. Since she remarried Yu Shiji with her ex-husband Xia Houyan, she has lived a luxurious life. Affected by this, Yu Shiji lost his former scholar style.
In order to maintain this huge expenditure, he took advantage of his position and began to accept bribes and sell his official positions. When Yu Shinan saw that his brother was willing to degenerate and refused to change despite repeated persuasion, Yu Shinan slowly broke off all contact with him.
Although he had been away from the center for several years and was fined a huge sum of money, when Yu Shiji was the Minister of Internal Affairs, he engaged in unscrupulous corruption and bribery, accumulated countless wealth, and still has countless wealth; he served as a county magistrate in Kaiyang County, Yunzhou In order to strive for an early return to the court, Lingshi not only did not dare to take bribes, but instead used a large amount of wealth to achieve political achievements. This is why he managed the barren Kaiyang County to the fullest satisfaction of the people.
Ordinarily, Yu Shiji should pretend to be a grandson now, but he is used to living a luxurious life and has a lot of wealth in his hands. How can he be willing to be poor and lowly like his younger brother?
"Rebirth of the Great Era of Fighting Waves"
"Master, Da Lang is back!" At this time, a servant entered the room and reported in a low voice.
"Let him in!" Yu Shiji spat the chicken bones on the porcelain bowl nearby. The maid took a handkerchief to help him wipe his beard and grease on his mouth. Another maid quickly handed him a teacup.
After a while, his stepson Xia Houyan walked into the pavilion, bowed and whispered: "Aye!"
Yu Shiji ordered the maid and singer to retreat, took a sip of tea leisurely, and asked Xia Houyan, "Have you seen him?"
Xia Houyan's face was gloomy, and he said with humiliation: "Aye, Prince Wei's palace is really bullying people!"
Today, Yu Shiji witnessed Yang Ji using his name to prove that Feng Deyi was unworthy in front of the Duke of Chu. The anger in his heart can be imagined. However, Yang Ji was really beyond his control, so Yu Shiji did not want to acknowledge this mute person. After admitting it, he was worried that Yang Ji would continue to embarrass him in the future, so he sent his stepson to deliver gifts; the name was to thank Yang Ji for taking care of Yu Shinan. As the elder brother, he expressed his gratitude on behalf of his younger brother. However, Xia Houyan was ordered to deliver gifts, but he refused to go to the palace gate and was kicked back by the palace concierge.
In fact, this was not the first time. After Yang Ji's second son was born, he was ordered to go there several times, but the palace refused to accept them.
"What did you say this time?" Yu Shiji asked with a frown.
"They went too far this time. They didn't say anything and just expelled them. Aye, everyone in the palace is domineering and arrogant. If they hadn't been instructed by Yang Ji, they wouldn't be like this." Xia Houyan said with a gloomy face. He said angrily: "By the way, not long after I walked out of the square in front of the palace, Yang Ji came back..."
Yu Shiji's eyes flickered and he asked, "Have you seen anyone?"
"I saw someone in the distance!" Xia Houyan's face turned darker and he said, "But he saw the visiting Su Dan, not me."
After all, he was afraid that Yang Ji would find an excuse to deal with him, so he didn't dare to go up and say hello; but at the same time, he didn't complete Yu Shiji's explanation and didn't even dare to see anyone. At this time, he was afraid that Yu Shiji would deal with him, so he had no choice but to say so.
"Peng!" Yu Shiji's face was full of anger, and he slammed the table and said: "What an arrogant and domineering Xingjin, sooner or later I will avenge this hatred!"
The reason why he sent his stepson to deliver gifts again and again was not because he was being mean, but because he had to do it. Because Yang Ji is not really a noble person, he will accept the congratulatory gifts from others, but he will not accept the congratulatory gifts from Yu Shiji.
If it's just "favoring one over the other", looking down on others, and holding grudges but not accepting them, then that's it. However, there is still an extremely strong political trend hidden here, and it also implies that "Yu Shiji is my enemy, Yang Ji, you can decide what to do."
The princes, ministers, civil and military officials were frightened by Yang Ji's lust/power. Under this very obvious hint, they all drew clear boundaries with him and did not dare to have any contact with him. And Yu Shiji not only has a low position, but also has major stains. Promotion itself is a very difficult thing. Now he is isolated and coldly treated by the mainstream of the officialdom. How can he be promoted? If you can't get promoted, how can you be brilliant again in the future?
He tirelessly sent his stepson to deliver gifts, with the purpose of seeking the source of Shuo Ben, hoping to break this "blatant" isolation from Yang Ji and win recognition from the mainstream of officialdom. If this "cold violence" is broken, he may have a chance to make a comeback. But judging from the attitude of the palace, they all failed.
What hurt him even more was that the words Yang Ji said in front of the Duke's Mansion of Chu today reminded the officials of his domineering and domineering style of attacking the enemy. His colleagues in the office became alienated this afternoon. He did.
Tomorrow, the situation will definitely be even worse!
He firmly believed in this!
Xia Houyan looked at his furious stepfather and said in a low voice: "Ah, Yang Ji is at the height of his power and the emperor is doting on him. It's not the time for a battle of wills yet. If we fight against him, we will be the ones who suffer. But Yue There are ups and downs, official ups and downs, and Yang Ji will not end up well one day. In my opinion, since this road is blocked, let's forget it!"
Yu Shiji had a gloomy face and remained silent, thinking hard about how to break the situation.
He also didn't believe that Yang Ji could always obtain the Holy Scroll. Not to mention other things, Yang Ji's military achievements alone were suspected of shocking the emperor. Yang Su had blocked it before, so the emperor's vigilant eyes could not see it. When it comes to Yang Ji, Yang Ji is even used to balance Yang Su. But Yang Su is gone, how can the emperor value and trust him as before?
In addition, Yang Ji made too many enemies. He was the sharp sword used by the emperor to deal with the Guanlong nobles, which made the Guanlong nobles hate him to the bone. His firm support for paper books and movable type printing also made the nobles in the world gnash their teeth; once He has lost the emperor's heart, or made a mistake. No matter how high he is praised today, it will be painful when he falls tomorrow!
But he can't wait even a moment!
How could he be so unlucky after making such an enemy?
If I had known this, I would not have accepted Yu Wenshu's gift.
Seeing that his stepfather was at his wits' end, Xia Houyan suddenly thought of someone and quickly suggested: "Aye, Feng Deyi is very resourceful, but he ended up being disgusted by others. If Aye accepted him as his staff at this time, he would not be able to shed tears of gratitude and do his best." ?”
Yu Shiji's heart moved slightly and he asked: "Feng Deyi is only interested in profit and has no loyalty. He first betrayed Yang Su and showed favor to me; but soon after I lost power, he immediately betrayed me again. I'm afraid that he will betray me again!" "
Xia Houyan smiled and said: "Today is different from the past. Feng Deyi is now notorious. No one will dare to use him in the future. Since he has no way out, how can he dare to betray Aye again?"
"That's right!" Yu Shiji agreed with his stepson's statement and ordered: "Go and see him. As long as he is willing to serve me, I will not forget the past grudges."
"Here! Boy, please leave." Xia Houyan bowed and left.
"Wait a minute!" Yu Shiji also thought of someone, so he called his stepson, stood up and said, "Yuan Min's wife, Yuan Wei, has an affair with the King of Qi. It would be of great benefit to me if she comes forward to talk about it." . Go find your grandma and ask her to pick out some antiques, calligraphy, paintings, gold, silver, and jade articles, and send them to Yuan Weishi tomorrow."
As Yang Jian's former teacher and counselor, Yu Shiji knew very well about Yang Jian's hobbies and the relationship between Yang Jian and his aunt.
As for the unruly Yuan Weishi, since she willingly handed over her body to Yang Jian, how could she be a chaste and martyr woman? However, neither the Yuan family nor Prince Qi's palace is short of money, so "worldly things" such as money may not be able to impress her.
"Here!" Upon hearing this, Xia Houyan raised his hands and said yes with a solemn expression.
