Since April, the peach blossoms have gradually fallen.
In the early morning, Yanzhai was still peaceful.
Yan Yan woke up early and took Yong'er's hand to the lobby. She heard that her brother had been released from prison again and would bring over all the stories he had written in the past few days.
Unexpectedly, Yan Zhenqing is already sitting there today.
"Grandpa."
"Your painting." Yan Zhenqing raised her finger and pointed at a scroll on the table.
Yan Yan stepped forward to take it, unfolded it and took a look. The picture on the scroll was Xue Bai.
Because the characters in the "Dominos Picture" last time were actually painted by her, Beiya also sent someone to verify this time and asked her to draw another painting as proof.
Yan Zhenqing said that her daughter was weak and did not involve her. Only the palace knew that the young lady of the Yan family was also involved. Of course, such details are not important.
"Don't mess around anymore."
"good."
Yan Yan agreed, and when she heard the noise, she turned around and saw Xue Bai coming.
She turned her back to Grandpa and made a face at Xue Bai, meaning "you are in trouble again."
Xue Bai just pretended not to see it, walked to the hall and saluted Yan Zhenqing.
"Sanniang, please read the post. My father has something to say to Brother Qi."
"Yes, grandpa."
Yan Yan was overjoyed, took a few scrolls from Xue Bai's hand and left, snorting, dissatisfied that he ignored her just now.
"Did you play dominoes with the saint all night again the night before?"
"Yes, the student returned home at dawn yesterday and had rested all day."
"There's a post there, take a look."
Xue Bai went over and picked it up and saw that it was from Yang Zhen. He wanted to hold a banquet in honor of Yan Zhenqing.
Since Yan Zhenqing wrote wildly at the banquet that "Wang Mang has not usurped the throne", Yan Zhenqing's position in the court was somewhat helpless.
"It's the students who have brought trouble to the teacher." Xue Bai said, "The students are ashamed."
"I don't blame you." Yan Zhenqing sighed: "I am narrow-minded and signed the name 'Han Yu' because I asked for it. Yesterday, the sage issued an edict."
This was a big deal, and Xue Bai had already heard about it, but he still listened quietly.
"The sage appointed Yang Kuan as the official of Yinqing Guanglu, the minister of the sect, and the envoy of salt and iron; he appointed Pei Kuan as the minister of the household department, the interview envoy of Hebei, and the Du branch; he appointed Zhangqiu and Qiong as the minister of the official department... You have done it, and today Yang The whole system is so powerful."
"The students are just threading the needle. It's hard to say how powerful Guo Jiu is. It's just that someone can control Ge Nu."
"I have no objection to you. I just want to remind you that if you suddenly reach a high position, you must have the talent and character that matches it."
"The teacher's good words will be remembered by the students and they will also use them to persuade the uncle."
Yan Zhenqing nodded and said, "Please reject this post on my behalf."
"Okay." Xue Bai asked, "Is the teacher going to be promoted?"
"Shu Zi." Yan Zhenqing didn't expect him to have such a keen intuition. He shook his head and said, "There is still some time."
~~
Although I don't know why Yan Zhenqing's promotion has to wait for a while, it does not delay Xue Bai's job search for his cronies.
Qujiang, Yang Zheng's other house.
The carriage slowly drove into the house, and Du Youlin and his five sons, Chunwei, lifted the curtain and came out.
Pei Kuan had just arrived and was being helped out of the car and boarded by Pei Chen. When he saw Xue Bai, a smile appeared on his face.
After exchanging pleasantries, they repeatedly told Pei Chen, "Who in Chang'an City doesn't know Xue Lang's name now? You should ask him for advice more often."
Yang Hao personally rushed to the front yard to pick him up and invited everyone into the hall with a big smile.
Nowadays, there are many people who want to cling to him, but only these few people can truly be trusted.
When everyone entered the house, Xue Bai spoke directly.
"Uncle, there is no need for you and me to hide each other. Hebei Yanshou looks at Jiechi, and Puzhou is the key. I want Yuan Jie to be appointed as the county captain of Jie County, Huangfu Ran to be appointed to the county captain of Yuxiang, and Du Fu to be appointed to Puzhou. Salt and iron envoys secretary affairs."
Yang Wei actually didn't understand these mundane matters, so he turned to look at Pei Kuan.
Pei Kuan twisted his beard and pondered, nodded and said: "Yes."
"Zhangchou Jianqiong, the Minister of Civil Affairs, is one of ours." Yang said, "I'll tell him."
Pei Kuan said: "You go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to be selected. After passing the examination, you will be appointed as officials."
Yuan Jie, Du Fu, and Huangfu Ran looked at each other. They didn't expect that they could get an official position that was unavailable to others for many years and they quickly thanked them.
Yang Wei stroked his beard and smiled, and praised them a few words, thinking that these talents would be his team to serve as prime minister in the future.
But in fact, he still didn't quite understand how to discuss salt.
Most of the time, Pei Chen and Xue Bai were discussing. The meaning was simple. Salt officials were set up in various salt-producing areas in Hebei to purchase salt from salt households and sell it to merchants.
The Pei family knew these things very well, which gave Yang Hao a lot of confidence.
After a long time, we finally finished talking about these chores, and then talked about how to fight for power next.
"In order for Genu to be dismissed from the prime minister, the saints must know that we are far better at running the country than Genu. I am sure that Genu will embezzle taxes..."
Pei Kuan's meaning is very simple. Since it depends on who collects taxes to make the saint more satisfied, he can't beat Li Linfu just by collecting taxes honestly. He should be a stumbling block for Li Linfu.
Yang Hao understood as soon as he heard this and said: "Zha Genu! I have people in Yushitai."
"If you want to investigate Ge Nu, you should investigate Wang Fei."
Having said this, Pei Kuan looked at Du Youlin and said, "I want to make some plans for you. Is it okay if you first reinstate your official position as a member of the household department, and then ask for a higher rank?"
"Thank you, Mr. Pei."
Pei Kuanlang smiled, patted Du Youlin's shoulder, and sighed: "It's a pity that you and I have not become in-laws. I am old and can't take care of the little girl..."
Originally, it was just the Lu family's connection to make the two families look after each other. Du Youlin felt that he was a high-ranking person and didn't care about it.
Du Wulang was even more happy. He couldn't help but look at Xue Bai, as if he had something to say.
Pei Kuan rejected the Du family lightly, his eyes fell on Xue Bai intentionally or unintentionally, and his tone became more cordial.
"I heard that your grandpa went out to hide from debts? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Xue Bai said: "I don't know where I went. I have been searching for it for many days, but I still can't find it."
"I'll ask someone to help me find him so that you and your son can be reunited as soon as possible."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Pei."
Yang Hao could see Pei Kuan's thoughts at a glance, and secretly wondered if his sister, who was in love with her, wanted to be Pei Kuan's grandson-in-law?
Although Xue Bai has not yet entered an official position, his talent is already outstanding in the eyes of everyone.
Now that we have a backer, our future is clearly visible.
~~
On the way back, they turned into Zhuque Street. Xue Bai got off the car and rode on horseback. Du Wulang insisted on going to his house as a guest.
The two of them walked side by side and chatted casually, quite relaxedly.
"When Mr. Pei talked about marriage today, I remembered something."
"Um?"
"My uncle's sister wants to marry you, so she made a big fuss at home and broke many things."
"She can also break things?"
"Hey." Du Wulang said, "I also want to marry my sister to you...what about you?"
The last two words were spoken extremely quietly, as if they were swallowed by himself.
And just as a large group of people entered Zhuque Street, people raised their heads and neighed, Xue Bai turned his head to look, but did not hear Du Wulang's voice like a mosquito.
"Has the Jiedu envoy returned to Beijing to report on his duties?"
"What?"
Xue Bai looked at each other on horseback and murmured: "General Longyou?"
"Hey, you should mind your own business." Du Wulang hurriedly pulled his reins, "I told you not to cause any more trouble, so that we can prepare for the exam in peace and become Jinshi next year."
Xue Bai already understood who was returning to the capital, and followed him to pull the horse back to Changshoufang.
Liu Xiangjun was sitting in the front yard with his daughters embroidering. When he looked up and saw them coming back, he hurriedly greeted them with concern. Xue Bai still responded with a smile, a little rusty in her politeness, but Du Wulang was very enthusiastic, helped her sit down, and started chatting with her.
"Auntie is relieved. Xue Bai and I have fallen into the eyes of the saint. Who can touch us easily?"
"That's good. Every time I hear that you are in jail, I always feel uneasy."
Du Wulang patiently comforted him.
Occasionally, his eyes fell on Xue Sanniang, who was sitting quietly embroidering. What she was embroidering was a picture of a funny cat. He wondered if it was because he took her to Du's house to see cats.
This kind of little thought between each other makes him always worried... Da Xi Yingying is really too exciting for him.
"Today, Xue Bai and I went to see Mr. Pei." Du Wulang hesitated, "Oh. One more thing, the little lady of the Pei family doesn't like me."
"It's a pity."
"It's a pity, I had a hard time not letting her fall in love with me."
Speaking of this, Xue Sanniang was indeed amused.
Du Wulang was about to say something more when Liu Xiangjun looked up at the door. When he turned his head, he was startled.
"Sha... why is the girl here?"
~~
The west backyard of Xue's house is a single-family house, quite quiet.
Qing Lan is very good at housekeeping. Not only does she keep the courtyard neat and tidy, but she also diligently changes Xue Bai's clothes every time he comes.
"Mr. Lang seems to have grown taller."
The girl stood on tiptoe and gestured, and she happened to look into Xue Bai's eyes, and she was immediately shy.
Then what did you think was so embarrassing? They all spent time in the tank together.
"Uncle Du is going to resume his official duties, and there will be a family banquet then. We will go to the banquet together, stay one night at Du's house, and go for an outing the next day."
"Really?" Qing Lan's eyes lit up, "Then shall I prepare a gift?"
"good."
She is in charge of Xue Bai's expenses. It can be said to be the responsibility of the maid, but also the housekeeper's right of the mistress. She has always been very dedicated.
"I have thought of a method that may allow you to achieve great success and transform yourself into a good person. I need your cooperation."
"What?" Qinglan was stunned for a moment.
It had been more than ten years, and she had not thought about getting out of poverty and becoming a good person for a long time. Instead, she became a little panicked.
"Yes, but now many people are running away from home and selling themselves, so slaves don't have to be convicts."
"That's Ding Nan's tax evasion. You are different. No one likes to be a lowly citizen. From now on, even his descendants will be lowborn."
"But I'm afraid, I am involved in a major case, and if my identity is spread, I will cause trouble for Mr. Lang."
"Don't be afraid, you will have to face it."
Qinglan's face turned red and redder and redder. She lowered her eyes and whispered, "Mr. Lang, do you want Qinglan to be your concubine?"
"When you become a good person, you can have your own..."
"Lang Jun." Qing Lan raised her head, her eyes bright, "Can you kiss..."
"Bang!"
Someone kicked the door open, and the two of them turned around and saw Jiao Nu standing by the door, followed by the Xue family chasing after them.
"What a thief. He hides in the house during the day and plays with his maid."
"What does it have to do with you?" Qing Lan was shy in front of Xue Bai, but she was not afraid of Jiao Nu. She put her hands on her hips and said, "I am Lang Jun's maid, who are you? Why do you come to our house to meddle in other people's business?"
Jiaonu glanced around and saw that Qinglan's face was bright red and much fairer. She was dressed in brocade and had a silver bracelet in her hand... She couldn't help but feel angry.
She was living an ordinary life in a Taoist temple, but a maid from a small family became a young lady?
"Wild maid, if you are so arrogant, I will tear your mouth to pieces." Jiao Nuqing scolded and said, "And you, Seventeenth Mother asked me to tell you that Master Qi Xuan is back from wandering around."
Qing Lan immediately stopped talking and hid behind Xue Bai, not being in the same position as Jiao Nu.
Xue Bai said: "I don't know Master Qixuan..."
"have no idea."
Jiaonu was very arrogant, folded his arms, raised his head, turned around and left.
After taking two steps away, she was still angry. She turned around and pointed, cursing: "Thief, it's a shame that Qi Niang went home to intercede for you and was ridiculed. It's better for you. You haven't even said a word of thanks after being out for a few days. You hide in Playing with the maid at home."
…
Du Wulang looked on, quite shocked, but then he realized something.
"No wonder Xue Bai said that men should respect themselves, otherwise they will get into trouble of this kind."
~~
The next day.
In the alleyway at the southwest corner of Fuxingfang, a young man led his horse and looked towards the Yuzhen Temple in front of him, when he saw the side door being opened.
A handsome middle-aged man with a clear temperament led the horse out.
"Mr. Mojie?"
"Xue Bai?"
The two people who met by chance looked at each other. Wang Wei raised his hand and asked: "Drink together?"
"It's what you wish for."
As they walked through the alley, neither of them spoke. It wasn't until they sat down in the elegant room of the restaurant that Wang Wei said, "I've heard a lot about you recently."
"Mr. Mojie laughed."
"Wu Kangcheng is dead."
Xue Bai was silent.
He promised Wu Kangcheng that he would be released from prison... At that time, they planned to frame Ji Wen. Xue Bai and Li Linfu agreed to bribe Wu Kangcheng and use him as an informant. But what I didn't expect was that it was Dong Gong who went to kill him.
The dead soldiers of Longyou and the Jiedu envoys of the four towns are what the East Palace cares about most.
"When Xiao Guan meets the waiting knight, the guard is in Yanran." Wang Wei murmured: "The guard is long gone, and the guard is gone too."
"The detailed reason for this..."
"I don't blame you." Wang Wei waved his hand, "With or without you, people will always die in conflicts between the government and the government. I still want to persuade you when we have a drink together today."
"All ears."
Wang Wei was about to speak, but then he thought about how he could persuade others not to cling to power.
Looking at each other, Xue Bai already understood what Wang Wei meant.
He picked up the wine glass and toasted Wang Wei.
"I understand what Mr. Mojie means. But we are different. Mr. was born in the Wang family of Taiyuan. He has a prominent family, great talents, and unparalleled talents. Your Majesty is an official of the fourth rank. If you want to establish a career, you have to go through family connections, recommendation, and imperial examinations. You can all choose. The reason why you compete for the top prize is because you should be the top pick because of your talent. From the very beginning, you have reached a height that countless people in the world cannot reach in their entire lives."
Wang Wei smiled bitterly and drank the entire glass of wine.
Xue Bai said: "I'm different. I escaped from death several times, clinging to powerful people, wallowing in the quagmire, doing all the dirty things that my husband can't see, just for the sake of getting what you were born to do. There is a chance.”
"I have learned a lesson." Wang Wei said, "I have always known that my life has been very smooth."
He knew that Xue Bai was not defending, but motivating him, so he couldn't help but smile and shake his head again, drinking.
The two of them had a tacit understanding not to talk about this anymore.
Anyway, they are here to find the female crown today.
"Sir, he was appointed to the Treasury Department." Xue Bai asked: "But the Treasury Department of the Ministry of War? Manages the arsenal?"
"Sending a salary to an official has no real power. You don't have to blame it on me."
"Sir, don't you want to make progress?"
Wang Wei was surprised when he heard this. After that, his expression became more peaceful and indifferent, and even the confusion just now dissipated, and he asked: "Do you know how other people call me?"
Xue Bai paused for a moment and responded: "Poetry Buddha?"
Only then did he realize that today was ridiculous. He usually just led others to seek advancement, but he actually came to persuade the Poetry Buddha...
(End of chapter)
