The fourteenth day of the first lunar month is ugly.
Chang'an, Wannian County, Pingkangfang.
Since it was the first time for Pan Ming and Duke to come here, they didn't feel as deeply as Lu Li did: deserted.
The various towns along the way were crowded with people, and it was almost impossible to find a place to stay. However, Pingkangfang, which was the most prosperous in the past, was extremely quiet at this time.
"This is the most famous red light in the Tang Dynasty...the place of fireworks?" Duke shook his head and sighed: "There are too few people."
"The girls are all invited by the nobles to accompany them, and they will return one after another late at night, listening to music, drinking, and reciting poems." Qian Rui explained with a smile.
However, Huang Liu's family is an exception. Other brothels are empty, but here they are brightly lit. In addition, the atmosphere is a bit strange——
Standing outside and observing, you can see the girls walking around in the attic, but there is no sound of silk and bamboo.
"Lu Siqing, why are you back so early? Could it be that Qian Rui didn't take good care of her?"
Not long after, everyone entered the brothel, and Huang Liuniang was sitting in the main hall, doing nothing, as if she had no love left in her life.
However, when she saw that the person who came was Lu Li, she came to life again. She flicked the silk handkerchief in her hand and showed a professional expression on her face: "Hey, these two gentlemen are so tight. Is it your first time here?"
Looking at the half-aged and heavily made-up fake mother in front of him, Pan Ming suppressed the embarrassment and curiosity in his heart and asked unexpectedly: "How should I call you?"
"It seems that this is the first time for these two gentlemen. If you think highly of me, just call me Liu Niang."
Neither Pan Ming nor Duke went out wearing official uniforms, but Huang Liuniang knew Lu Li, so she naturally didn't dare to neglect them.
On the side, Lu Li looked around and saw the girls chatting idlely, and asked casually, "It's the Lantern Festival today, why don't the girls go out to enjoy the lanterns."
"Is it possible that no one invited me?"
By the time he finished speaking, Lu Li had vaguely guessed the answer.
As expected, Huang Liuniang no longer forced a smile and said helplessly: "The brothels next door also found out about Lady Mingyue's death from some unknown source and claimed that this place is haunted. No customers dared to come this morning."
"Not only that, several girls who had invitations were also sent back. If this continues, ugh..."
I really didn’t expect that the brothel in Pingkangfang would be so involved.
By now, Pan Ming and Duke had vaguely guessed the cause and effect, but they couldn't figure it out. It was just a person who died. How could it be related to ghosts and gods?
Lu Li did not explain, and said, "Dali Temple is already tracing the murderer. When the truth comes out, Liu Niang's business will naturally improve."
Somehow, the figure of Li Cake appeared in his mind. The royal cat must have found some important clues at this moment and is working hard to investigate.
"Thank you for your good advice. No matter what, you must come here often in the future. I will let the girls entertain you well."
After everyone talked in the main hall for a while, they moved to Room A, No. 6. It was a large place and it was where Miss Qianrui used to entertain guests. Instead of taking advantage of others, it would be better for her to earn some money.
Of course, Qian Rui and Huang Liuniang did not intend to accept money, but asked them to prostitute themselves for free.
"Where are Mr. He and the others?"
While the girl was decorating the room and preparing food and drinks, Lu Li asked casually.
"Supervisor He had something to do at home, so he left at noon, and we only woke up not long ago."
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of bead curtains clashing sounded, and Wang Wei walked in with a smile: "The Shangyuan Festival lasts for three days and two nights. We have wasted one day in vain. Lu Qing must compensate us well."
"Don't drink too much."
Chao Heng, who was standing next to Wang Wei, shrank back, obviously frightened, and added: "The imperial meeting will be held in a few hours, so don't delay business."
Hearing this, Lu Li and the other three looked at each other in confusion. All they could think about was playing, and they almost forgot that they had a court meeting to attend——
There are many types of court meetings, including the regular court meeting, the lunar court meeting, and the zhizheng court meeting.
As the name suggests, the former involves discussing state affairs, offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, offering sacrifices to mountains and seas, and making decisions in person... These things often happen and need to be dealt with in a timely manner without taking them too seriously.
The Zhizhengchao refers to the two days of Winter Solstice and New Year's Day, and has nothing to do with the Chaohe meeting a few hours later.
Finally, the Shuo Wang Dynasty is held on the 1st and 15th of each month, and it also falls on the Lantern Festival. As long as the civil and military officials in Beijing can still move, they must enter the palace to congratulate the emperor and accept rewards.
"Then just drink whatever you want."
In fact, Lu Li didn't find it too troublesome. Since he didn't have to deal with official duties, he just went over to gather a few people and gain experience.
On the side, Miss Qian Rui ordered her personal maid to bring a message to Huang Liuniang, asking her to order the ranger of the hospital to go to everyone's house to get the court clothes.
After explaining various chores, Lu Li found that one person was missing and couldn't help but ask: "Where's Brother Taibai, why didn't you see him? Could it be that he went out to enjoy the lanterns with some girl he likes?"
Hearing this, Wang Wei seemed to have thought of something, and said with curiosity on his face: "If you don't tell me, I would have forgotten what he drank last night, and he hasn't recovered even now."
Dry wine and Lu wine were mixed together and drank four or five jars in succession...
Thinking of this, Lu Li smiled and said nothing.
Frankly speaking, he didn't expect that his stamina would be so great that Li Bai, who wrote hundreds of poems about drinking and fighting, could become like this.
"Why don't you wait a little longer? Have someone cook him some sobering soup. Maybe he'll be able to recover."
On the way here, Duke had already planned which poems he wanted to copy. He would make friends with Li Bai through poetry. Once they got to know each other well, he would ask him to write poems for him——
Poem title: A gift from Shangyuan to Duke.
Hmm... Li Bai's song "About to Enter the Wine" made Cen Fuzi and Dan Qiusheng famous in history, as did "Gift to Wang Lun", and Duke also wanted to experience this feeling.
"No more drinking, no more drinking."
Before I saw the person, I heard his voice first.
Li Bai walked into the room with his eyebrows pinched. He had never been so embarrassed. He had a splitting headache and was scared when he saw the wine. Especially after seeing Lu Li's smiling face, he instantly remembered the time before he drank the fragment last night. What I heard:
Brother Taibai, don't just drink Lu wine, mix some dry wine and wine into it, it will taste better.
"Duke, Zuo Qian Niu Wei Zhonglang General."
"Pan Ming, a member of the Ministry of Industry."
Since this was the first time they met, everyone told each other their names, and after some humility, they took their seats and made reservations.
Chao Heng and Li Bai sat together. They made it clear that they did not drink alcohol and only drank Sanlejiang, which was equivalent to the children's group.
Wang Wei said that he could have a drink with him, but he had to make sure not to delay the court meeting tomorrow, so as not to lose his etiquette in front of the king.
As for Lu Li, Duke, and Pan Ming, all three of them knew that each other's physique was different from ordinary people. No matter how much they drank, it would only test the capacity of the stomach, so they silently reached a consensus:
No more fancy stuff, just drink whatever you want, just enjoy it.
In addition, there were not many educated people sitting at the banquet, and it would be disappointing to have a drink, so Miss Qianrui suggested bringing up the "Analects of Confucius Jade Candle", just like last night.
After hearing the rules, Duke felt that it was still not fun enough and asked if there was an easier way to play.
Then you can only play dice games. There are no requirements for literary talent or knowledge reserves. It just depends on luck——
Except for certain three cheaters.
And the ones played were not ginkgo-shaped acanthus, but the hexahedral dice of later generations, with one and four points dyed red, and other points dyed green and black.
Lu Li asked Miss Qianrui which colors were the most powerful, that is, which colors were expensive.
Hearing this, Qian Rui guessed that he was trying to do something bad, but it didn't really matter. After all, he was using his own ability to bring out the color.
Tangyin, Biyou, Jiuxing:
The four o'clock points of the three dice are facing up at the same time, and they are all bright red, full of jubilant nobility, the same color as the big seal used by the prime ministers in the political hall, so it is called the hall seal. If it is shaken out, everyone present can be invited to have a drink.
The six points of the three dice are facing up at the same time, which is the maximum number, and six and green are homophonic to each other, so they are directly dyed green, and a piece of green is similar to the [Biyou Ban] used by Yushi Chengyu, so it is second only to "Tang Yin" allows you to invite three people to drink together.
As for the wine stars, there is not so much emphasis on them. The three points are pointing upward, like stars.
If you cast these three kinds of precious colors, you can persuade others to drink them. If you cast other kinds of colors, you have to drink them yourself.
In this regard, Li Bai and Chao Heng were very casual. They would let Lu Li and the others drink when they got the lucky number, and drink by themselves if they got the mixed color——
Anyway, the cup is filled with Sanle pulp, which is made from Nanyang fruits and has no alcohol content at all. Not only that, it can also relieve hangovers.
Lu Li felt both funny and guilty at the same time:
He was a poet, and the more he drank, the more poetic he became. But he teased him a little, and now he only dares to drink juice, just like a vegetarian lion.
For a time, dice were jingling in room A, and there was constant laughter and noise.
As the night grew darker, the girls who went out to view the lanterns also returned to the brothel with their patrons, preparing to fight until dawn.
"Fill it up for me."
While drinking and chatting, everyone unconsciously drank until midnight. Li Bai felt that he was good again and asked the dancing girl to pour wine for him.
But I still didn't dare to touch strong liquor, so I carefully ordered a pot of Langguanqing, but I still felt a little scared, so I simply prepared two pots of black plum syrup in advance. If I couldn't drink enough, I would rely on this to survive.
Unfortunately, Master Li met Duke.
After this guy heard about Lu Li's performance last night, he also deliberately wanted to get the Jiuxian drunk. After all, he can go out and brag about it in the future - I once got Li Bai drunk.
Inadvertently or not, Master Li got drunk again not long after he woke up.
But this time, things are a little different.
Li Bai, who was in his forties, pushed the banquet away, jumped into the center of the hall, and started dancing with all his teeth and claws.
Not to mention, he is very disciplined in his advance and retreat, and it looks like he is well-trained at first glance.
Lu Li leaned on the table, eating the frozen pears peeled by Miss Qianrui, while admiring Li Bai's dancing with relish.
On the left, Wang Wei and Chao Heng cheered from time to time.
In the world of the Three Kingdoms, everyone got together in the same way. They danced together when they had a good time. To this day, Lu Li still remembers the scene when he first met Ding Gong, who should be his father-in-law--
He twisted his body and raised his arms, waved his sleeves and robes, and waved his hands away, completely disregarding the majesty of a noble or high official.
The same is true for Lu Bu and Zhang Liao.
At this time, Li Bai danced closer and closer, heading straight towards Lu Li. This was called Da Ling, a unique name for this dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms period, it was called "Dancing to belong to each other".
However, when Li Bai jumped to his side, Lu Li didn't show any timidity and stood up directly to move around and dance with him.
This is the case in ancient culture. There is nothing shameful about singing and dancing in public at a banquet. On the contrary, it is a very normal and elegant activity.
Let's take the Tang Dynasty as an example. A hundred years ago, Li Jing returned victorious from destroying the Eastern Turks. Li Yuan and Li Shimin, father and son, held a banquet to celebrate. During the dinner, His Majesty Tian Khan stood up to dance for the first time. The Supreme Emperor played the pipa to accompany his son, and the ministers also danced with him.
The same scene happened again more than ten years later. At that time, the new prince Li Zhi had just given birth to his eldest son, and Tian Khan was already very old. After hearing the news, without saying a word, he led a group of veterans to the East Palace to lead the dance.
in short.
Dance when you feel happy. If someone invites you, don't feel embarrassed. It would be embarrassing to hold on to your posture and not move, and it will make the inviter feel like he is being slapped in the face.
Gradually, Pan Ming and Duke also joined the dancing ranks.
While everyone was singing and dancing, Li Cake, the young minister of Dali Temple, was also doing similar movements.
However, compared to the reserved dancing in Room A No. 6, the men, women, and children on the street are more casual.
There is a poem that says: Li Bai was about to travel in a boat when he suddenly heard the sound of people singing on the shore.
Men and women gathered around the lanterns, holding arms with each other, stomping the ground neatly according to the rhythm, and singing Yuan greetings while stomping. If they were interested, they could even skip to the next morning.
At this moment, Li Cake was pulled by the cuffs of two girls with exquisite makeup, and was forced to perform a talent show.
After a long time, when he finally got some rest, another girl came around and asked him to take off his hat. Li Bing guessed that if he was trying to shirk, these people would probably take action.
With this thought, it jumped up high and escaped smoothly with its flexible skills.
"Well... Mr. Cat is not playing. He is searching for the scent of Si Qing." Li Cake was moving back and forth on the roof.
Planting flowers intentionally but not blooming, unintentionally planting willows to create shade, as he walked along the avenue in front of the imperial city, the aura around Lu Li became stronger and stronger.
Not long after, Li Cake directly targeted Pingkangfang and speculated that Lu Siqing went to a brothel again.
Thinking of this, it couldn't help but speed up. Many guests returning with their female companions felt their eyes blurred, and an afterimage passed by them.
Gotta find something for this guy to do!
Drinking a lot of wine, listening to small songs, surrounded by the top girls of the brothel, just like an uncle...
It had to be said that Li Cake had already imagined Lu Li's dissolute appearance.
Well...that's also true.
After dancing continuously for more than half an hour, Lu Li and others felt that they could continue. Li Bai, Wang Wei and others felt that they could not bear it anymore, so they drank some refreshing black plum juice while they were sober.
"Play a round of the Analects of Confucius and then take a bath and rest. It won't be long before you go to court." International friend Chao Heng still remained sober and reminded: "If the imperial censor smells alcohol all over his body, he will inevitably be impeached. "
When she heard the word "rest", Qian Rui smiled unreservedly. She no longer believed Lu Li's lies about back pain.
Can I perform bowing if I have back pain?
Still playing so well.
With the cyan Sirius always protecting me, I am afraid that I will no longer be a mortal body.
All in all, she must take Lu Li away tonight!
"Okay." Duke nodded expectantly, the original sadness long gone.
The few discerning maidservants bowed and turned around to get the silver and wine chips.
"I will perform a dance to help you enjoy your time." Qian Rui said in a soft voice.
All the courtesans in Chang'an were proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, not to mention dancing. After Lady Mingyue's death, Huang Liuniang relied on her to support the scene, and her dancing skills were naturally good.
However, those beautiful eyes were always staring at Lu Li, and everyone knew what he was thinking.
Duke smiled teasingly.
Pan Ming had seen Mrs. Guo Guo's attitude of recommending herself as a pillow, so she didn't find it strange.
Just as Miss Qian Rui was about to show off her dancing skills, a white shadow jumped in along the open window sill, followed by questions:
"Has the temple minister ever enjoyed himself so much?"
"Didn't you say you only wander around the East and West cities?"
The two people who reacted first stared at Lu Li in unison, questioning with their eyes:
This cat has become a spirit and can speak human words. Isn’t this a world of leisure?
Why didn't you tell me earlier?
How did you meet?
"This is the young minister of our temple, the humerus minister of the saint."
Sensing that Li Cake's tone was full of sorrow, Lu Li directly gave it a high hat without asking about fate, and praised: "It is like a god to solve cases. With its assistance, I can sit back and relax."
"It's been a hard journey all the way. Come on, have a glass of juice and take a rest."
After saying that, he poured a glass of ice-cold Sanle juice himself and handed it over.
Behind the curtain hat, a faint blush appeared on Li Cake's face. It was really anxious about business at first, but it didn't take long for it to go to eat, drink and have fun.
Fried pink fruits, dried fish, singing songs, and even took the time to watch lanterns for a while...
Poor Yuanzai, he is currently visiting Qianfu Temple alone at night.
Thinking of this, Li Cake immediately put away all distracting thoughts and said in a deep voice: "Sir, important clues have been found in the two murder cases that occurred in Pingkangfang."
"Related to Qianfu Temple in Andingfang."
Upon hearing the word "murder", Miss Qian Rui's face instantly turned pale, and she no longer had any thoughts in her heart.
Wang Wei and others had witnessed the whole process of the murder, and they also had no intention of drinking. They looked up at Li Cake, who was covered in black robes, and silently waited for the next chapter.
"There are many believers in Qianfu Temple. The temple minister must go there personally to ensure everything is safe."
Are there many believers?
Nestorianism and Zoroastrianism are both mysterious and extraordinary, not to mention Buddhism, which can compete with Taoism——
The Tang Dynasty respected Lao Tzu as its ancestor and regarded Taoism as the state religion. Except for the empress, successive emperors continued to improve the status of Taoist priests. Emperor Gaozu stipulated that "the Taoism is great and the Buddha is small, first the old and then the interpretation". Taizong reiterated that "my lineage starts from the foot of the pillar." , Gaozong even respected Laozi as "Emperor Taishang Xuanyuan".
Under such circumstances, Buddhism is still strong, and there must be something fishy in it.
"What's the basis?"
Lu Li put down his wine bottle and sat upright.
Next, Li Cake revealed all the findings and inferences made during the day.
Nothing wrong with it.
If he had put himself in his shoes, Lu Li would have done the same thing. Qianfu Temple must not be entered, and it was not just about sneaking in. He had to find the host and ask him to fully cooperate with the investigation.
"In that case, let's go. It's the fourth watch and we have to go to court on the fifth watch."
"Everyone, I have some official business to deal with, so I'll go ahead and see you in the hall."
After thinking for a while, Lu Li decided to go to Qianfu Temple.
First of all, he has confidence in his own strength. Secondly, the world is indeed deep-water, but the fact that the imperial court can gain a foothold here shows that the dragon and tiger energy has unimaginable effects.
Finally, if something really happened, wouldn't there be Aloha Tianzun?
Maybe he can test out how tough his backstage is, but he won't leave it alone.
"Mr. Lang..."
Miss Qian Rui hesitated to speak. The experience during the day made her feel that the world had become particularly strange and she didn't know what to say.
"Don't worry about me."
"Remember to carry the lotus cross given by Milis with you, and don't leave behind his robe."
Lu Li paused on the window sill and then said to Li Bai and others: "Everyone has an official position and is blessed by the luck of the court. Everything is invulnerable, so there is no need to worry."
As soon as he finished speaking, he jumped out and quickly merged with the darkness.
Pan Ming and Duke followed immediately, leaving only Li Bai, Wang Wei, and Chao Heng, who looked at each other awkwardly.
Well, everyone is an imperial official, why don’t I have this kind of high-handedness?
I'm afraid I'm not a fake official.
In the darkness, four figures were galloping at the top of the house. The black-maned horse noticed that its owner was walking in a hurry and wanted to follow, but the terrain did not allow it and had no choice but to give up.
Lu Li jumped out in one step, crossing six or seven houses, and warned the two people around him: "This world is not simple, be cautious, and of course there is no need to be too shy."
"So, you can make a big fuss?" Duke's focus is always different from others.
"It's best not to. There are traces of gods and Buddhas in this world, but the imperial power is still respected..."
Lu Li thought of the map of the Five Emperors enshrined in Jing Temple, and added in a deep voice: "Be respectful to Li Longji and don't be too arrogant."
Pan Ming frowned slightly. He had thought before that if he was in a bad mood one day, he would kill the emperor to cheer him up...
Behind the three of them, Li Bing tried his best to hurry up, but was still far away from them.
"Can this...this speed still be considered human?"
At this moment, Li Cake wondered if he had embarrassed the Maomao clan. Especially when he saw the three of them talking continuously and looking at ease, his frustration became more intense.
"That little kitten in the back seems to be having a hard time, who's going to carry it on its back?" Duke glanced out of the corner of his eye, eager to give it a try.
Lu Li immediately stopped and volunteered, "I'll do it."
A day later, he still couldn't forget the fuzzy, soft feel.
Chang'an is called the northwest corner, Andingfang.
Since the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Taoism has begun to worship the three gods of Tianguan, Diguan and Shuiguan, and combined them with Wangri in the first month, seventh month and October to form the Sanyuan Festival.
On the Shangyuan Festival, heavenly officials give blessings.
In order to spread the teachings, Buddhism is not willing to be outdone by opening secular lectures, which are held at least three times a year, once in spring, summer and autumn.
Especially for the Hungry Ghost Festival, monks who were latecomers specially created the Bon Festival. The two festivals were placed on the same day, and the connotations were all copied from Taoism. They prayed for the blessings and forgiveness of sins for the deceased relatives, and prepared tributes to feed the evil spirits. ghost.
It is precisely because of knowing this that Yuan Zai respects Taoism even more and does not like the monks in Qianfu Temple.
Today is clearly a day of blessing from the heavenly officials, but the Buddhist temple opens its gates to accept offerings from the people.
"Ascend the seat!"
The bells and chimes chime.
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