The couple walked quietly from the alley into Qujiang Pool. The sunshine was good today, and the Qujiang Pool was sparkling under the clear sky.
Li Tai swept away his previous depression. Now that he had a goal in life, his eyes were bright and his heart was burning. He first glanced at the group and found that there were many people standing by the pool.
Zhang Yang and Li Yue were about to find a place to sit down when they saw Li Junxian walking towards them.
"I have met Princess Runan, and I have met the consort." Li Junxian saluted and said, "Your Majesty, please see me. I will go there later."
Li Tai said in surprise: "Father is here so early?"
Li Junxian replied: "Your Majesty arrived at Qujiang Pool early in the morning."
"That's right, who can know the whereabouts of my father?"
There are more and more people in Qujiang Pool. There are people playing music and dancing on the waterside pavilion in the pool, and some people are betting with money. There is arrogant laughter everywhere.
The luxurious life of the powerful people of the Tang Dynasty is revealed before their eyes. Nowadays, the world is peaceful and their comfortable days make them more and more arrogant.
This mental state is always bad.
The frugality that Li Shimin has always advocated seems to no longer exist here.
The couple followed Li Junxian into an attic, and Li Tai followed closely behind.
Looking out from this attic, you can see the panoramic view of Qujiang Pool.
The three people who had walked up to the attic heard the voices above.
"The old ministers are old and the administration has long been beyond their capabilities."
The voice sounded familiar. Several people walked up the stairs, their footsteps making a heart-wrenching creaking sound on the old wooden stairs.
The words on the floor came again.
"I really hope that my uncle can stay in office for a few more years. I still need to rely on my uncle for government affairs."
This time I finally heard Li Shimin’s words, the title and the conversation...
The last time I saw Gao Shilian was at the palace in Tiantai Mountain.
Following Li Junxian all the way to the top floor, they met Li Shimin and Gao Shilian.
Li Yue and Li Tai bowed first and said together: "Father, Lord Xu."
Zhang Yang followed and bowed slightly.
Li Shimin sighed: "You are all here."
Li Tai lowered his head and did not dare to raise his head at this moment after being scolded by his father yesterday.
Li Shimin and Gao Shilian sat opposite each other. He said slowly: "Zhang Yang, come forward and speak."
First, he stood there thinking about the purpose of this arrangement, then glanced at Li Yue and Li Tai, and then stepped forward.
Little did he know that Gao Shilian was here.
It turns out that the emperor also had hidden motives in his actions.
Came to their table.
Gao Shilian knelt down in front of Li Shimin, "I heard that Master Zhang has many connections with Gao Chang?"
Zhang Yang explained: "It's all business dealings."
Gao Shilian said in a low voice: "It is good to form a good relationship with others, but you have to know whether this good relationship will bring benefits to you. Master Zhang should have received a lot of benefits now."
"Returning to Mr. Xu Guogong, our prices for buying and selling goods to Gaochang are indeed lower than others."
Gao Shilian nodded when he heard this, "Whether it's the milk powder business with Turks or the cotton business in Gaochang, some people get the upper hand again and again, maybe it's luck. In my opinion, do you have too many advantages? "
Li Shimin remained silent and speechless.
Zhang Yang lowered his head and looked at Gao Shilian. How much did this old guy know? Or how many have been found by the DPRK?
"What does Xu Guogong mean by this?"
Gao Shilian added: "I heard that you taught a hermit named Qinling Old Man."
Zhang Yang nodded and said, "Is it possible that Xu Guogong knows him?"
Gao Shilian shook his head, "I have never heard of this person before. Your teacher must have taught you a lot of skills. The Tang Dynasty has many strategies in the Western Regions. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, and it is also the time to carry out grand plans. There are many strategies in Gaochang. Do you know how important it is?"
Now you can still hear people talking and laughing in Qujiang Pool outside.
It was very quiet in the attic, so quiet that you could hear your own breathing.
Li Tai felt an inexplicable pressure. His father and Xu Guogong didn't say a word of questioning, and their words were like stones weighing on his heart.
Compared with the usual petty fights, an old fox like Gao Shilian, who has become a human spirit, can understand your thoughts if you ask a few words.
And this kind of conversation is very creepy.
Li Tai usually dared not look directly at him, let alone talk to this old guy, and he was secretly worried for Zhang Yang.
My father would not arrange this meeting casually. He must have known something, or wanted to know something from his brother-in-law.
Zhang Yang smiled and said: "For the country and the country, I am a minister of the Tang Dynasty, and I am your majesty's son-in-law. Of course I should think about the country."
Gao Shilian finally opened his eyes and looked up at Zhang Yang, "Then how do you think about Sheji?"
Zhang Yang stood up straight again and said with a smile: "Cotton can make clothes for people, and printing can increase books for the world. These are all things that I can do. I can't let Adalan give up Gaochang and hand over Gaochang for the sake of the country. Tang Dynasty."
Li Shimin laughed when he heard this.
Gao Shilian said again: "If you can do it, why not?"
Zhang Yang said melancholy: "It depends on whether the person is willing or not."
A gust of cold wind blew into the attic, and laughter and laughter came from outside, including women's laughter and men's laughter.
Li Shimin looked out the window with an unhappy expression.
"I heard that since you entered the East Palace, some people have spoken a lot to you. Recently, Your Majesty has also received many impeachment memorials, all of which are to impeach you."
Zhang Yang smiled and said, "Really? Maybe I didn't do something well when I was doing something. I will correct it."
After saying this, Zhang Yang saluted Li Shimin and said, "If I do anything wrong, please be punished by your majesty."
Li Shimin said in a low voice: "I am not a person who cannot distinguish right from wrong. I know the cause of the matter. I just need to do my best in the East Palace."
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."
Gao Shilian whispered: "Your Majesty, I have finished asking questions."
Li Shimin nodded, "You all should step aside."
Everyone bowed again and walked out of the attic.
When leaving, Li Tai asked in confusion: "Why did my father arrange this?"
Zhang Yang put his hands in his hands and said, "Hahaha, how do I know? I didn't do anything bad."
Li Yue pointed to an empty waterside pavilion in the distance, "Let's go there and sit there for a while. Maybe we can watch the maids dancing later."
In the attic, Gao Shilian said: "Compared to the last time I saw Zhang Yang, as Your Majesty said, he is much more restrained. This is a good thing."
Li Shimin nodded, "Let Zhang Gongjin teach him, and also let him read more books, go to the Imperial College, and then go to Chongwen Hall."
Gao Shilian whispered, "A arrogant and arrogant minister is not scary. Your Majesty can control him. But if there is a minister who has something hidden in his heart, and this minister is still capable, your Majesty must be on guard."
Li Shimin took a sip of tea and thought about it.
"Back then, I thought he was an unscrupulous person. Now it seems that he has changed a lot. He has many things hidden in his heart."
"This change is not a good thing. Let's keep him in the East Palace for now. If you don't know how to place him, your Majesty can also ask Changsun Wuji."
After speaking, Gao Shilian closed his eyes and sat quietly.
For a while, I didn't see Gao Shilian speak again. If I hadn't seen the ups and downs of his breathing, I would have thought he had...
Gao Shilian was old, and even his eyes had a dead look. It wouldn't be surprising if he died peacefully in his sleep at this time.
"Uncle." Li Shimin called softly.
Li Junxian observed: "Your Majesty, it seems that he is asleep."
Li Shimin stood up, took off his coat and covered Gao Shilian, "Let my uncle's family come to pick him up. As for the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, let Yang Shidao take care of it for the time being, and let my uncle take good care of himself."
Li Junxian saluted and said, "Here."
Gao Shilian has been a learned man since the Sui Dynasty. He raised Sun Wuji in the fifth year of Daye, governed various places in the fifth year of Wude, and came to the court to help me plan the Xuanwu Gate.
Li Shimin walked to the back of the attic, where Changsun Wuji was standing.
"What do you think of uncle?"
Upon hearing Li Shimin's question, Changsun Wuji whispered: "My uncle is the person I respect the most."
Li Shimin nodded, "He is indeed the person you respect the most. He was raised by his uncle when he was young. You should treat him like a father."
Changsun Wuji lowered his head.
Li Shimin added: "I know that you have conflicts with your uncle on some matters. I hope that the court will be pacified, and I also hope that you can take on the important responsibilities."
Changsun Wuji bowed and saluted, "I will live up to your majesty's trust."
"Xu Guogong is old and is no longer able to hold the post of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. What do you think about letting Yang Shidao temporarily take over the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"
Changsun Wuji replied: "I will let Zhongshu Sheng make arrangements."
Li Shimin patted Changsun Wuji on the shoulder.
This made him even more frightened, "Your Majesty, is Xu Guogong getting old now?"
"Xu Guogong will be responsible for the dedication of the mausoleum from today on, participate in the compilation of "Clan Chronicles", and be awarded the third rank of Tong Zhongshu."
Hearing these words, Changsun Wuji felt excited and anxious. He said goodbye to His Majesty and still stood there.
The dedication of the mausoleum is the greatest affirmation of Gao Shilian and an extremely high honor. His Majesty regards Gao Shilian as a member of the royal family and conferred the title of Tong Zhongshu to the third rank, and his status is the prime minister.
From then on, Gao Shilian was a prime minister with no real power. According to His Majesty's wishes, he only had to watch the compilation of "Chronicles of the Clan".
After his uncle left the court, the huge pressure on Changsun Wuji disappeared. So far, there was no one in the court who could suppress him.
Seeing Gao Xingyi and his family helping Gao Shilian out of the attic, Changsun Wuji stood in the dark, looked at the back of the old man in front of him, and bowed deeply.
At noon during the garden tour, as drum music sounded, a group of palace ladies danced on the waterside pavilion in the center of Qujiang Pool.
Look at the people around you applauding.
Li Tai, Li Yue, and Zhang Yang were sitting in the waterside pavilion in the corner.
There are two stoves, one for steaming buns and the other for grilling meat.
"These palace maids dance so beautifully." Li Yue smiled and glanced at her husband again. He was concentrating on the barbecue without even looking at it.
Whether the husband is in the East Palace or at home, he seems to be incapable of appreciating such elegant things. There is no such thing as silk, bamboo and drum music at home.
"It's not good-looking at all. The dance of King Lanling's entrance song was good-looking back then, and the drum music was also good-sounding." Li Tai said unconvinced.
"I heard that the song of King Lanling entering the battle can only be seen at special celebrations."
Li Tai nodded, "The last time was when General Li Jing returned with a great victory. My father hosted a banquet for many generals."
Zhang Yang opened the steamer, "The buns are ready."
While enjoying the dance, I heard my husband suddenly say that the buns were ready, which made me feel a little embarrassed for some reason.
In other waterside pavilions, guests are coming and going, drinking and drinking.
Only the steamed buns and grilled meat here look particularly deserted.
Li Tai held the skewers in one hand and gnawed on the buns in the other, "The buns are still fragrant."
After a while, Li Chengqian also came.
"I finally found you, but is there still food?"
When he heard that Li Chengqian was coming, Li Tai's little face was serious and he didn't speak.
Li Yue took a drawer and handed it to Li Chengqian, "Brother, please use it slowly."
Three large meat buns in a drawer are just enough.
Li Chengqian took it with a smile. The bun was hot in his hand. He alternated his hands for a while before he could hold it. It was a bit hot when he ate it in his mouth.
Facing Li Tai's stinking face, Li Chengqian simply ignored him, "I heard that my father met you first?"
Li Yue nodded and smiled, "Well, my father cares about my husband very much."
Li Tai looked at the emperor's sister's smile and shuddered for some reason. Is his father caring? He just put a knife on Zhang Yang's neck and forced him to swear allegiance to the Tang Dynasty.
First he coughed his throat, and then Li Tai asked: "Brother-in-law, I have a bad throat recently. Is there any medicine that can cure it?"
Zhang Yang held his hands and said, "That's not a disease of yours. This is a normal phenomenon during the voice change period. Once your Adam's apple grows out and your voice becomes thicker, you will naturally get better."
The maid's dance in the distance has just ended.
Li Chengqian added: "It's already halfway through the garden tour. My father hasn't shown up yet. I think he has returned to the palace. I'm afraid these people won't be able to see my father today."
Zhang Yang nodded helplessly.
Li Tai added: "It can't always be like this, it's really uncomfortable."
Li Chengqian smiled and said: "When I came alone, I heard the officials from Zhongshu Province discussing that Gao Shilian was conferred the third rank of Tongzhongshu by his father."
"I heard that Platycodon and Bupleurum are particularly useful in treating throat problems. Can I try it?"
…
Zhang Yang was speechless for a while, looking at the water of Qujiang Pond with troubled eyes, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the King of Wei, can you two tell me one thing? One is talking about government affairs, and the other is treating his throat. I'm so tired."
After the words fell, the two brothers stopped talking. They ate in silence with each other and looked at their own scenery.
The prince is his immediate boss, and Li Tai is his business partner.
Well, there are more things to worry about.
A simple meal of steamed buns and barbecue.
Seeing his wife's eyes, Zhang Yang stood up and said, "It's getting late, and there are a lot of things to do at home, so I'll leave first."
Li Chengqian stood up and said, "Are you leaving now?"
Li Yue also said: "Xiao Wu is still at home, and we are worried."
"But there will be a lot of singing and dancing during this garden tour. Maybe my father will come in the afternoon."
Zhang Yang looked up at the sky, "I still have my clothes on at home, I'm afraid it's going to rain."
Li Chengqian also looked up at the sky: "The sky is clearly clear."
Li Tai helped clean up, "I'll send the emperor's sister and brother-in-law off."
Li Chengqian also nodded and said, "I'll see you off too."
These two princes were so enthusiastic that Zhang Yang shook his head speechlessly.
I'm so sorry. There are a lot of things going on at home today, so I’m taking half the night off to update one chapter, and I’ll make up for it in the third update tomorrow.
