In a small box in the Hongxiu Pavilion, there were gathered Liu Xinyan, whose eldest grandson lived in his body, Li Dong, who was also a member of the official department, and the master of Dali Temple named Zhou Mi.
The three of them are now at an embarrassing age where they are neither young nor able to "rely on their old age".
Of course, this statement is for Liu Xinyan and Li Dong, two Yuanwailang who are on the edge of power.
For Zhou Mi, in the eyes of outsiders, Dali SiSi is in his prime at such an age.
Liu Xinyan and Li Dong were wailang, members of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and their main responsibilities were to be the examiners of the imperial examinations. They were of the sixth rank.
Zhou Mi is the chief of the Dali Temple, responsible for hearing various cases, and is of the fifth rank.
The fact that these three people can sit down and eat together is purely a matter of pure friendship accumulated in their youth. After all, Liu Xinyan and Li Dong were branded with the names of Shangshu Ling Wei Ping, while behind Zhou Mi were the shadows of Dali Temple, Menxia Province, and Zhongshu Province.
Today, the court of the Tang Dynasty is roughly divided into three parties, namely the Wei party headed by Shangshu Ling Wei Ping; one party is the Su party, which is united by Dali Temple and some officials from Menxia Province and Zhongshu Province, and its leader is Dali Su Yuanbo, the minister of the temple; the last party is the Yushitai, who is responsible for supervising all officials. Its leader is Zhao Han, the Yushi doctor, who is called Zhao Dang.
Among the three parties, the Wei party is the most powerful. The Wei party often suppresses the other two parties, but it basically maintains a tripartite situation.
Liu Xinyan, Li Dong and Zhou Mi can become close friends. On the one hand, the three of them have been friends since they were weak. On the other hand, Liu Xinyan and Li Dong are marginal figures of the Wei Party and cannot even be called members of the Wei Party. People, this is how the three of them can sit at the same dining table and drink happily when they are in today's position.
Zhou Mi's skin is slightly darker, and the Sichuan lines on his brow add a bit of majesty to him. His originally ordinary appearance becomes outstanding because of his penetrating eyes.
Zhou Mi frowned and said, "I told you not to come to the Red Sleeve Pavilion for a gathering. After all, this is the Red Sleeve Pavilion in the Southern Region. Although the court did not explicitly prohibit officials from entering and leaving the Red Sleeve Pavilion, this is basically an unwritten rule. You Both of them can be regarded as imperial officials, so they are not even alert at all..."
Before Zhou Mi could finish speaking, Li Dong interrupted: "You can do it, Zhou Mi. Liu Xinyan is the host today, and people love to come to Hongxiu Pavilion. If you don't want to come, don't come."
"Li Dong! I am kindly reminding you for the sake of your career. Our Dali Temple has received many cases indicating that the Red Sleeve Pavilion is an intelligence agency in the Southern Territory..."
Zhou Mi said angrily, but before he could finish speaking, Li Dong interrupted.
"Official career? Don't be kidding me. Liu Xinyan and I have no power and power. The fact that we have been able to survive until now as a sixth-grade official is already smoking on our ancestral graves. If we go any further, we don't even think about it."
"As for the Red Sleeve Pavilion you mentioned about gathering information, hey, a small fish like me is probably not worth their efforts. Even if they squeeze it dry, they won't be able to get any information."
Li Dong said nonchalantly.
Zhou Mi was helpless to Li Dong, shook his head and stopped arguing.
The eldest grandson who was hiding in Liu Xinyan spoke at the right time.
"Although the Red Sleeve Pavilion is an intelligence agency in the Southern Territory, it usually only pries secretly, so it is relatively restrained. After all, intelligence can be generated wherever people gather, and it can be obtained as long as someone with ulterior motives notices it and analyzes it. There are some things that cannot be guarded against."
Zhou Mi nodded. As the master of Dali Temple, he knew what Changsun analyzed. It was for this reason that he dared to come to gather with them.
"There is another reason why we chose this place. Important officials from the imperial court do not dare to come to Red Sleeve Pavilion. If we gather here, it will not be easy for some people to listen to what we are talking about. In my opinion, guarding against our own people is better than guarding against those in the Southern Territory. It’s much more difficult for barbarians.”
Changsun's words were unanimously approved by the other two.
On the other side, Li Dong couldn't help it anymore and asked Zhou Mi: "Let's get down to business, what's going on with the weird atmosphere at today's court meeting? Is your Dali Temple really so useless? Three days after the murder of a clan member, No progress?"
With Li Dong, a gossip-loving friend by his side, Changsun continued to act as Liu Xinyan who was not interested in "boring things" in the court.
But Li Dong
What he said was not pleasant to listen to. Zhou Mi was too lazy to pay attention to him and replied casually.
"No progress."
"Zhou Mi, don't be careless. How could there be no progress? The Dali Temple Minister is definitely hiding something during today's meeting. Even Liu Xinyan, a slow guy, can see it. Who are you fooling!"
Zhou Mi glanced at Changsun with some surprise. It seemed that Liu Xinyan was really insensitive to such things, so that both companions found it novel.
"Want to know? Call daddy."
"Zhou Mi, you shameless person, you have read the books of sages in vain...Dad..."
The eldest grandson put his hand on his forehead, a little speechless that the two of them were so immodest despite their age.
Zhou Mi was satisfied and said with a serious face: "There has been no progress in the case of the murder of the clan members. The main reason, I think you must have guessed it, Li Dong, is because the big shots are unwilling to contribute."
At this time, "Liu Xinyan", whose senses were relatively dull, asked: "Don't want to contribute? Why?"
Zhou Mi picked up the wine glass without saying anything, looked at Li Dong, and signaled to ask him.
Li Dong was naturally willing to tell everything, "What else could it be, because the murdered clan relative was the heir of King Huai and a bastard."
The eldest grandson frowned, feeling that this statement was unreasonable. Although in Liu Xinyan's mind, Prince Huai had always been the most useless among the princes and the least popular with the emperor, and the murdered clan relative Tang Huaian was still Ji Zi and had no title. But it shouldn't be taken so lightly.
After all, human life is at stake, let alone those of the royal family.
"Of course, this is not the main reason. The main reason is that King Huai is a member of King Zhennan."
"King Zhennan..."
The King of Zhennan that Li Dong mentioned was Tang Yaobang, the prince of Tang Dynasty.
"Yes, now the civil and military officials in the court are roughly divided into three parties, and the King of Zhennan is the leader promoted by the nobles of the clan. In recent years, there is a faint momentum to develop into the fourth largest party in the court. .You think as a hostile party, how can the other three parties work hard for them?"
Li Dong went on to explain.
But Li Dong's explanation still left Changsun unconvinced. In Liu Xinyan's mind, although there are constant disputes between parties in the court, party struggle is a means of controlling the court, and the current emperor uses it reasonably and does not make people angry. Everyone devoted all their energy to party struggle.
Even though this case of murder of a relative belongs to the opposing party, it is a matter within the scope of Dali Temple. The Soviet Party will not be so confused as to "disregard its true duties" for the sake of party struggle.
Zhou Mi took the words and said, "What you said is still one-sided. We in Dali Temple are not stupid enough to dig our own graves for party disputes."
Li Dong was a little dissatisfied and argued: "Then what other reasons can you think of that made the Soviet Party and the Wei Party almost openly confront the clan nobles? Well, although the Zhao Party did not add insult to injury, it is almost the same."
At this time, Changsun, who had been listening silently, suddenly opened his mouth and analyzed: "To make almost all the big shots in the court have such a consistent attitude, unless it is the instruction of the man on the dragon throne..."
At this point, even the eldest grandson was too shocked to say anything further.
After hearing what the eldest grandson said, Li Dong murmured as if he was awakening from a dream: "Yes, when have all the parties been so in step with each other, unless it was his instruction..."
Li Dong also hurriedly kept silent. After a moment, he calmed down the shock in his heart, and then looked at his eldest grandson as if he had discovered a new world again.
"Liu Xinyan, you are really weird today, your senses are so sensitive!"
The eldest grandson gave a dry laugh, while Zhou Mi on the side glanced at the eldest grandson and helped him out by saying, "Liu Xinyan is smarter than you, but he just doesn't want to spend his mind on such messy things."
Li Dong was not annoyed, and seemed to admit the fact that Liu Xinyan was smarter than him.
Not only did Zhou Mi have a higher official position than the two of them, but he also held an important official position compared to the "leisure position" of the two men, Wai Lang, so he knew more than the two of them.
"It's not an instruction. It can only be said that they have a negative attitude towards this case. These big figures in the officialdom are all old foxes, and they love to guess someone's mind. Over the years, they have figured it out. From then on. Judging from the results, you can also understand that it was the person who acquiesced in the disappearance of Dali Temple.
Extremely slow at work. "
Both of them knew that "the one" Zhou Mi was talking about was the current emperor.
The eldest grandson is still a little confused. The murder of a clan member is not a trivial matter. At the most, it is the murder of his nephew. At the most, it is related to the face of the royal family. Why is such a negative attitude?
Zhou Mi failed to answer the question, but shrugged and said, "I just said that those old foxes can only figure out that person's thoughts, but our... city is extremely deep, and There is also a national advisor who is unparalleled in scheming and unpredictable... No one knows what he is thinking."
"National Division……"
Thinking of these two words, the first thing Zhangsun got from Liu Xinyan's mind was scary, and the second was mysterious.
In fact, Changsun also saw the man in black robe who had been standing on the left side of the emperor in the court today.
Judging from the appearance, he was tall and tall, and he should be a middle-aged man in his golden age, but Liu Xinyan had heard the imperial master speak, and his voice was calm and a bit mature.
And in Liu Xinyan's impression, the Imperial Preceptor had a wealth and resourcefulness that far exceeded his age.
This can be seen from one thing. The National Preceptor relied on his own strength to suppress the three parties in the current government, and now no one even wants to shake the status of the National Preceptor.
Changsun concluded: "In other words, this marriage case is not as simple as it seems on the surface. But you just said that the main reason why the case has not made progress is that the big shots are unwilling to do their best. Are there other reasons?"
Zhou Mi was also a little puzzled at this time. Liu Xinyan was unusually thoughtful today.
"Well, part of the reason is that this case is really difficult to investigate, and I still don't have a clue."
"What! You don't even have a clue?" Li Dong looked at Zhou Mi in surprise.
Zhou Mi is a face-saving person. How can he allow Li Dong to question him in the field he is good at?
"Well, um, the main reason is that there are too many constraints and I can't fully carry out the investigation..."
Zhou Mi felt a little guilty when he said this, but everyone knew the truth. They knew that Zhou Mi had a good reputation, so they didn't say anything.
Changsun thought for a while and said, "That means this case is really difficult to solve. Then Wang Shangshu recommended a fledgling number one scholar."
When mentioning the opposing parties, Zhou Mi sneered unceremoniously: "It's not obvious yet. Your Wang Shangshu has made it clear that he wants to kill this number one scholar."
"Um?"
The two of them were not surprised by their eldest grandson's confusion. Liu Xinyan didn't know much about these matters in the court.
Now that they have opened up the conversation, the two of them are happy to help their eldest grandson solve his doubts.
"Speaking of which, you have a share of credit for this." Li Dong said with an unclear smile.
"My credit?" Changsun was a little confused.
The credit mentioned here certainly has nothing to do with Changsun, but with Liu Xinyan.
It turned out that Liu Xinyan, as the examiner of the imperial examination, had received instructions from his immediate superior, Wang Shangshu, to take care of a certain candidate before the imperial examination.
But the reason why a person like Liu Xinyan, who was powerless and insensitive to court affairs, could reach the position of a sixth-grade Yuanwailang was because of his "uprightness."
Therefore, Liu Xinyan did not understand Wang Shangshu's instructions. But it doesn't matter. After all, when a figure like Wang Shangshu exerts his energy, he will not only radiate Liu Xinyan, but must also work hard in other aspects.
However, by some mistake, Liu Xinyan sent the article about Yun Xuezhi's imperial examination directly to the Hanlin Academy, and the bachelor of the Hanlin Academy reported this article to His Majesty.
Unexpectedly, His Majesty called him talented after reading it, which made Yun Xuezhi the number one scholar.
Wang Shangshu was furious about this, but in the face of Liu Xinyan, a stinky rock who was known to be inaccessible to oil and salt, Wang Shangshu was helpless.
Because Changsun entered Liu Xinyan's body at this time, he was in a state a bit like a guest entering the host's house. Therefore, the eldest grandson could understand the things that deeply impressed Liu Xinyan, but those things were not important in Liu Xinyan's mind. Similar to the matter of Yun Xuezhi's number one scholar, the eldest grandson could only pass it after Li Dong reminded him. Liu Xin
Yan understands.
After Li Dong's explanation, the eldest grandson understood what Liu Xinyan's contribution was.
The story is that Wang Shangshu wanted to secure the title of No. 1 among the people, but Liu Xinyan ruined it.
Wang Shangshu had no choice but to use the clan case to get rid of Yun Xuezhi, "Cheng Yaojin who was killed halfway."
Changsun was a little confused again, so he asked.
"Who does Wang Shangshu want to guarantee to win the first prize? Even at the risk of being blamed by the Holy Emperor for his unfavorable recommendation, he still has to act like this?"
This is what Changsun is confused about. An old fox like Wang Shangshu usually seeks "stability" when acting in the court. In order to protect a top candidate in the imperial examination, doing this can be regarded as a risky move, and it is not in line with Wang Shangshu's style of conduct.
Even though he knew that there were only three of him in the box, Li Dong still looked around unconsciously, and then said quietly: "That's because the person Wang Shangshu wants to protect has a great background!"
"What's the origin? What's the origin?"
The secret that Li Dong said was the core information of the Wei Party. As an opponent of the party, Zhou Mi could not find out in advance, so he became interested and came over with a look of anticipation.
Unexpectedly, Li Dong started to drink wine, then looked at Zhou Mi slowly and said, "Hey, Zhou Sizheng is also interested?"
Zhou Mi had a vague feeling about it, but his curiosity made him couldn't help but nod.
Li Dong drank another glass of wine before he said leisurely: "Call daddy."
"Li Dong, you!"
Zhou Mi was furious.
"dad……"
"Hey, it sounds good."
The eldest grandson put his hand on his forehead again.
"Okay, Li Dong, tell me quickly." Changsun urged.
Satisfied, Li Dong returned to his cautious look and said, "I heard that the person Wang Shangshu wants to protect is the illegitimate son of Lord Shangshu Ling!"
"impossible!"
Zhou Mi denied it sternly.
The eldest grandson was also a little suspicious.
Li Dong spread his hands indifferently and said: "There is no airtight wall in officialdom. If you don't believe it, just wait a few more days. It won't be long before the news spreads among civil and military officials."
After Zhou Mi heard this, he was doubtful, but then he thought that he had exchanged "Dad" for news that would be known in a few days, and he suddenly felt that he had suffered a big loss.
The eldest grandson on the other side still didn't believe it.
Does Shangshu Ling's illegitimate son need to spend so much effort if he wants to win the first prize? .
Zhou Mi explained: "Liu Xinyan, you don't understand. Although our sage understands that "it is not necessary to avoid relatives to promote talents," Wei Ping already holds power in the court, and the sage will not allow him to develop his power so blatantly. . After all, the three-legged alliance is the situation that the Holy One most wants to see, and no one is allowed to develop and grow. "
"Of course, with His Majesty's methods, he must have known for a long time that the Juren was the illegitimate son of Shangshu Ling, but everyone was just pretending to be stupid. I guess that even if this Juren became the number one scholar, he would not be reused by the Majesty in the future. And Shangshu Ling is probably satisfied with this, and he can give his illegitimate son an explanation." Li Dong added.
The eldest grandson nodded. The overt and covert fighting in the court was really fierce. The court meeting in just one day contained so much information. The most terrifying thing is that some people may not know how they died until they die, such as Yun Seven Days Later. Learn knowledge.
"By the way, Liu Xinyan, what was Yun Xuezhi's article about? Did you actually get it sent to the Hanlin Academy?" Li Dong asked curiously.
When Li Dong said this, Zhou Mi's interest was immediately aroused.
Thanks to the reminders of the two, Liu Xinyan began to recall the incident again, and Changsun also took this opportunity to read the article about Yun Xuezhi's top scorer in high school.
It was just this look that shocked the eldest grandson.
"Oh, Yun Xuezhi's article has a novel argument. What's commendable is that the logic is clear."
"It's about evil thoughts. He asked whether evil thoughts might also be a kind of spiritual energy. He cited many evidences for this argument. Well, it can be said that there is.
Well-founded. From this, he also deduced whether evil thoughts can establish a cultivation system like spiritual energy, and even made predictions about how these warriors should develop and manage in the future. The ideas are bold and the details are delicate. "
Liu Xinyan gave his own evaluation.
The two people on the side were already looking at Liu Xinyan with shock on their faces.
"Crazy, you are both crazy!"
"How dare he write it, and how dare you recommend it!"
The eldest grandson was different from the two. He was shocked that Yun Xuezhi had the same suspicion as himself about evil thoughts.
After Changsun practiced in the underworld, he speculated that evil thoughts could coexist peacefully with spiritual energy. Does this mean that evil thoughts are also a kind of "spiritual energy", and the destruction and violence it exhibits are just its innate characteristics.
Moreover, what Yun Xuezhi said about cultivating evil thoughts, Changsun also used his own practice to prove that this is possible. As for how to develop a complete cultivation system, Changsun has not yet thought about it.
However, this means that this aspect is feasible, and the eldest grandson is not the only one in the world who can practice evil thoughts. Leaving aside the surviving family members who are controlled by evil thoughts, at least the eldest grandson still knows that King Li is a successful case.
Changsun then came to the conclusion that Yun Xuezhi had already had such thoughts at this time, which meant that his research on evil thoughts had already begun and would continue into the future.
In other words, maybe the secret of being an evil spirit has already been spied on by Yun Xuezhi.
"No wonder Dean Yun showed great doubts about himself when he showed the spirit space. It seems that they know much more than they let on."
The eldest grandson thought secretly in his heart, and at the same time broke into a cold sweat because of this thought. The evil spirit was the second most secret about him. The first one was of course the fact that he was a "visitor from a foreign land". .
Now it seems that Dean Yun may have known about the evil spirit in his body for a long time. No, he may also suspect that his eldest grandson has evil intentions.
During the time when Changsun was thinking secretly, Zhou Mi and Zhou Mi also digested Liu Xinyan's crazy behavior.
Evil thoughts are still a taboo topic in mainland China. After all, when it comes to evil thoughts, the first thing that comes to mind is the bereaved family, a group that is full of evil and makes people talk about it.
And Yun Xuezhi dared to write such an article on an occasion like the imperial examination. How could he not be a madman?
Liu Xinyan, as the examiner, actually recommended such an article to the Hanlin Academy. What is he other than a lunatic?
Zhou Mi and Zhou Mi calmed down and stopped talking about this topic. Instead, they looked at Liu Xinyan and said, "You have offended Wang Shangshu this time, and even Shangshu Ling. The road ahead will be difficult."
Liu Xinyan also sighed: "It didn't have much of a future."
Li Dong said from the side: "Liu Xinyan, what do you want me to say about you? I said hello to you earlier. This time Si Feng Langzhong's appointment is your opportunity to go further. You have offended Wang Shangshu at this time. "
Zhou Mi then said: "The position of Si Feng Lang is vacant, and the most favorable contenders are you and Wang Ze, another Yuan Wai Lang."
"Although Wang Ze is not as talented as you, he is a good follower of others. He has been ingratiating himself with Wang Shangshu for a long time. In addition, you have offended Wang Shangshu this time. I am afraid that you will not be able to win the position of the doctor. .”
Both companions felt sorry for Liu Xinyan, but Liu Xinyan had an indifferent attitude.
Li Dong was furious when he saw this, and said bluntly: "Liu Xinyan, you are confused. I know that you have given up on this career like me, but you and I are different. You have someone you care about. . This girl Yun Ling from Hongxiu Pavilion is your best friend, don’t you think Wang Ze doesn’t know?”
Hearing this, Liu Xinyan's hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly, but it only trembled a little, and he still didn't care too much.
"He originally planned to use this point to criticize you when you competed with him for the title of Doctor, but now it seems that there is no need for it. But have you ever thought about it, with Wang Ze's romantic nature and his character of repaying every penny spent? Will he let you go if he becomes Si Fengzhong, and will he let Miss Yun Ling go?"
Hearing this, Liu Xinyan's expression finally changed drastically. As a bystander, the eldest grandson could clearly feel that Liu Xinyan
He cares about this Yun Ling girl.
And through Liu Xinyan's memories, we learned that both of them were born in poverty. They met when they were young and can be regarded as childhood sweethearts.
It's just that in this feudal and backward world, even from a low background, men can change their destiny through the imperial examination, but women can never turn over.
However, if Yun Ling can enter the Red Sleeve Pavilion, she is considered lucky in this world.
Liu Xinyan panicked a little.
Yes, as Li Dong said, he doesn't care about his career, but he cares about Yun Ling.
When Li Dong saw Liu Xinyan's expression, he knew he was right.
"Xinyan, in this world, if you want to protect the things you care about, you can only climb higher or become stronger."
This is all Li Dongyan said.
