At the gate of Wang's residence, Yuan Zai and Wang Yunxiu were standing under the eaves to welcome guests.
"My grandpa always has a serious face, Yuan Lang, don't take it seriously."
Wang Yunxiu took advantage of the fact that the guests hadn't arrived yet and comforted her softly: "At least I understand that Yuan Lang didn't do anything wrong."
Just now they mentioned that Yang Zhui had given away an Anrenfang house. Wang Zhongsi was not very happy. He thought that if Yuan Zai was doing things out of public interest or to protect his father-in-law, how could he accept such a big gift? It was obvious that he was working for Yang's party in his heart.
"It's okay, I'm used to it."
Yuan Zai smiled softly and said, "I can understand my father-in-law's mood. Our methods in this matter are disgraceful."
"That also saved my grandpa's life." Wang Yunxiu had already heard Yuan Zai's explanation. If she didn't break with the prince, her grandpa would probably die. "
"Yes, I am the son-in-law, and I am doing this for my father-in-law. But my father-in-law inevitably feels that Yang Dang has alienated him and the prince in order to win over him. He is angry in his heart, can't he vent it on outsiders? Of course he can only vent it on me, it doesn't matter, Ping An That’s it.”
Seeing Yuan Zai's thoughtfulness, Wang Yunxiu couldn't help but said: "Then don't be angry with my grandpa. He is accustomed to fighting, rude, domineering, and unreasonable. However, it would be too expensive for my uncle to give me a house..."
"You have to accept it. I swore that I would never let you suffer along with me."
Yuan Zai's gentle gaze became firm, and he added: "Besides, the closeness between my uncle and my uncle is also a sign of submission to the saint."
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"But grandpa will dislike you even more."
"Yun Niang, as long as you understand the purpose of everything I do, that's enough."
While they were talking, the guests arrived. The couple turned around and saw that several people were coming on horseback in the wind and snow. The first two men with beards were handsome and majestic. The young people behind them were all brave and showed off their noble demeanor. .
Such a group of people driving horses across the alley attracted women and girls of all ages at the other end of the long street to look sideways and Yuan Zai hurriedly greeted them, calling for help from their servants to lead the horses.
"You two, Mr. Yan, please be polite. Mr. Xue, hurry up and take the people in. It's cold outside and you're not polite enough. You can't accuse me until you're in the hall."
It was said that he was not polite, but he arranged his words in a clear and logical manner, and he was really a very capable person.
When everyone entered, Wang Zhongsi came forward to greet them personally and said, "Others are avoiding me now as if they were avoiding disaster. It's hard for the two Yan Gongs to come and visit me today. Only when you are cold and desolate can you show your true courage."
That night when we talked about Hebei, Xue Bai said that he could introduce him to Yan Daiqing, the judge of Yingtian in Hebei, and indeed he brought someone here today.
Yan Guoqing was recommended by An Lushan and worked under his command. He came to see Wang Zhongsi to discuss his personal future.
Wang Zhongsi thought he would not come, but he came anyway, so he was very surprised.
I was quite interested in the matter and inquired about some details, which may be related to his next official position.
Everyone sat down in the hall and chatted for a while. Wang Zhongsi asked about the customs and customs of Hebei. Yan Zhenqing also waited for Long Youzhi until the end and mentioned that Wang Zhongsi's position as the Jiedushi of the four towns might not be preserved. Everyone was more or less He expressed some concern about the situation in Hebei, but that was all.
It was such a simple exchange that made Wang Zhongsi very interested.
At the end, he couldn't help but point at Xue Bai and said: "Yan Gong is a practical official, but you only care about your own life and save your life when you open your mouth. You, the younger generation, should learn more from your teacher's character."
He said this simply because he admired the character of the Yan family, and when he thought that he was involved in a conspiracy whirlpool and couldn't get out, that's all. In fact, he just hated intrigues. Otherwise, Xue Bai could have scolded him for sacrificing his life to save his life. Fortunately, he had a teacher to give him guidance, otherwise he would have been designated as a treacherous sycophant.
Xue Bai had his own set of rules of conduct and didn't care about these words. He responded: "Yes, I am restless. Yan Zhenqing shook his head after hearing Zhang Gao Yuanyuan's words, but I don't know if he felt any good in his heart."
"I'm not saying you're not."
Wang Zhongsi sighed: "You helped my uncle to experiment with salt, popularize bamboo paper, and prevent troubles in border towns. It can be seen that you have the ambition to serve the country. It is for this reason that I remind you not to be too greedy."
When Yuan Zai saw that Wang Zhongsi could finally see Yang Dang's good governance, he was quite moved, and subconsciously assumed a sincere attitude for the country and the people.
Xue Bai just responded politely: "I did go too far."
He also saw Yuan Zai's reaction to Yourong's, and felt that it was unnecessary. Yang Dang had no ambition to serve the country, only the ambition to make progress.
Although Wang Zhongsi speaks outright and likes to put on a showy face, he also sees the reactions of these two young people.
One has interests at stake, but he acts like a gentleman; the other has nothing to do with himself and helps, but he doesn't hesitate to admit that he is impetuous and calls himself a treacherous sycophant.
If he didn't look at people like this, how could he listen to Xue Bai's advice?
After seeing Xue Bai and the Yan family out, Wang Zhongsi suddenly pulled Xue Bai's horse to look at it and said, "It's too thin, so the feed must be dry."
"Thank you, General Wang, for the tip."
"Come today, don't you have anything to say?"
Both of them were calm, and they had been chatting until now without mentioning the issue of Hedong Jiedushi.
It wasn't until the last moment that Wang Zhongsi asked. After all, this matter was more important to him.
"General, don't be anxious." Xue Bai got on his horse and whispered: "What we want to do now is romance, wine, sex and wealth.
"I can't."
"If you don't know how to do it, you have to learn it slowly."
Xue Bai looked like a general giving orders to his soldiers. He kicked the horse's belly and followed Yan Daiqing in front.
------
Yanzhai.
"I'm going back to Hebei soon. I really can't let you go, especially Sanniang."
Yan Gaoqing's wife was born in the Cui family of Qinghe, but her temperament was very gentle. Today, the Yan brothers went out, while she stayed at Yan's house in Changshoufang to talk to Wei Yun, as if she had something to ask.
"Sanniang has reached the age of getting married, what are your plans?"
"Although she is not young, she is weak and weak. How could she get married so early?"
Wei Yun sighed, "We plan to stay at home for a few more years, so there's no rush."
"Although I'm not in a hurry, it's hard to find a suitable husband." Ms. Cui said, "If you miss it, someone else will snatch it up."
Wei Yun was stunned for a moment, looked into the eyes of her brother and sister-in-law, and suddenly understood.
"Sister-in-law is saying?
"By the way, I heard that Xue Bai wanted to take a concubine." Cui didn't answer, but asked: "What's going on?"
There is nothing wrong with a man taking a concubine, but after Wei Yun pondered for a while, he actually answered the question.
"Qinglan's original name was Huangfu'e, and she was also a poor person. Her family committed treason and became a slave. She and Xue Bai still shared hardships. Didn't Alang say yesterday that Li Jingzhong, the servant of the East Palace, had committed a serious crime?
It was this evil eunuch who buried them at that time. After all, the Cui family was from a noble family. After listening to this story, he couldn't help but think a little more and said in surprise: "So it seems that Xue Xiaolang's ability is greater than I thought?"
"This child is indeed smart and capable, but to be honest, Sanniang has a bad temper and is always in front of her brother."
Wei Yun said this, Yan Yan can suppress Xue Bai.
Ms. Cui's eyes fell on the corners of her smiling mouth, and she couldn't help but ask, "What do you think?"
"My sister-in-law mentioned it today. I never thought of them as brother and sister before."
"You guys are too careless. From now on, you will be a big girl."
Mrs. Cui complained a little and felt worried. She was about to go to Hebei with her husband. The only person who couldn't worry was Yan Yan.
On this day, Yan Yan hid in the boudoir and sorted out the story draft. When she came to the hall, she was held in Cui's arms.
"It makes my eldest mother sad to see such an ignorant father and mother in our third mother's stall."
Yan Yan saw that she was really sad and quickly comforted her: "Auntie is also my mother."
"Good boy."
Ms. Cui was deeply moved and thought that Yan Zhenqing and his wife were unreliable, but she had to make preparations in advance to avoid missing this good daughter.
In the evening, Yan Daiqing and others came back. Cui immediately called her two sons and asked, "What do you think of Xue Lang?"
"He really has weird thoughts." Yan Quanming sighed immediately.
Ms. Cui had no choice but to look at her youngest son and asked, "What do you think?"
"Xue Lang is free and easy, with the style of the Wei and Jin Dynasties." Yan Jiming was very interested and said: "I have never seen a person who seems to have rules but is actually unruly."
"I didn't ask you these questions, I asked you about Sanniang."
"Hasn't Grandma already thought about it? Why do you still need to ask the child?"
Said: "But these days in Chang'an, I also heard about how romantic he was, with Mrs. Guo Guo... and recently he even took concubines."
"Before, I only heard that your Thirteenth Uncle accepted an apprentice, how charming he was, and how good he was to Sanniang." Mrs. Cui sighed.
"Are you worried about this?"
Mrs. Cui then warned: "Before leaving the capital, you should pay more attention to him and see what kind of person he is."
"Xue Lang, what are your plans for tomorrow? How about reading and practicing calligraphy together?"
I'm afraid there will be inconvenience tomorrow. "
"Where to go?"
When Xue Bai saw the Yan brothers coming back from the backyard, he kept asking questions about him. He was a little confused, but fortunately he didn't see them either.
The unpopular person replied: "Go to Yuzhen Temple."
"Yu Zhen Guan? Xue Lang originally had a relationship with a female crown, but he was just taking time off to treat Sanniang?"
"That's not true. There is also a friend who helped polish some manuscripts."
Yan Quanming and Yan Jiming looked at each other. Because they were inexperienced, they didn't know whether this was romantic or not.
"That's it."
Yan Quanming thought about it for a while, then he came up with a plan and asked, "If Xue Bai has free time in the future, how about we go to Pingkangfang and stay there together?"
Xue Bai was not too surprised when he heard people say that prostitution is as easy as eating. He shook his head and said: "It will be inconvenient to ask Mrs. Guo Guo to bring me to see her in the future."
"It doesn't matter, I'll go with you when you're free."
"Unfortunately, I have to take a concubine later." Xue Bai refused seriously, "I really have no time, so the two brothers can go and stay with me."
Yan Jiming turned his eyes and felt that Yan Quanming, who wanted to go whore, was more romantic and lustful, while Xue Bai looked much nobler, but it was strange to have such a look.
Xue Bai was more willing to chat with them about official affairs. After staying at Yan's house for a while, he found an opportunity to talk to Yan Daiqing: "If An Lushan asks uncle what happened when he met Wang Zhongsi today, all he has to say is that he found out Wang Zhongsi only needs to keep the post of Hedong Jiedushi if he wishes."
"You are calculating people's hearts."
"Aren't the several companies that are so busy plotting against this one Hedong?"
Xue Bai knew that Hedong was important in the past. After chatting at Wang Zhongsi's house today, he understood why Hedong was important.
The so-called Hedong refers to the land east of the Yellow River and west of the Taihang Mountains, including most of Shanxi, parts of Shaanxi, Ningxia, and Inner Mongolia in later generations. It is the land of Longxing in Li Tang.
This place has mountains and rivers inside and outside, and the terrain is steep. There is the Great Wall in the north, the Yellow River in the south, Taihang in the east, and the Gobi Desert in addition to the Yellow River in the west.
Moreover, due to long-term wars with foreign tribes, the people in Hedong are fierce and fierce. Women and young people, regardless of Hu or Han, can ride and shoot. There are nine Zhaowu surnames and Shatuo tribes who are skilled in bows and horses in the territory, which is a good source of soldiers.
Therefore, even if Wang Zhongsi was only slightly aware of An Lushan's restlessness, he did not dare to let the Hedong Jiedu envoy out easily.
It is difficult to hold on to an official position. Although Li Longji's suspicion of Wang Zhongsi has been eliminated for the most part, he is still worried about Wang Zhongsi's military power.
An Lushan only needs to let Wang Zhongsi leave office to win, and there will always be a way to get Hedong bit by bit in the future.
Xue Bai has been living a good life recently and could have ignored this matter. Unfortunately, he knew too much. If he ignored it, he would not be able to sleep peacefully.
Li Longji was in a good mood these past two days and listened to An Lushan's work report every day.
In fact, he had heard almost everything about the Khitan and the Xi people, but An Lushan could always flatter him to make him happy and make him willing to summon him.
But on the other hand, Yang Zhao's reminder also had a slight impact.
That day, when he was drunk, Li Longji said in a joking tone: "Why are Hu'er still looking for excuses to stay in Chang'an? Do you really want to see me depose my adopted son and fail to get the post of governor of Hedong?"
An Lushan was talking vividly about the border situation in the palace, and his eyes widened innocently when he heard this.
"Also serving as the governor of a town? Hu'er can't do it. The sage knows clearly that Hu'er stayed in Chang'an for a while because he was ill."
"Oh? What disease do you have?"
"Hu'er's belly is getting bigger and bigger, and the skin on his legs is rotten. The doctor said he had sores and that he had severe diabetes, so he stayed in Chang'an for treatment."
Speaking of this, An Lushan rarely became sad, and suddenly he became more solemn and said: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid I can only guard the border town for you for another ten years. I won't see your Majesty live as long as heaven. Therefore, every time I return to Chang'an, I all want to see your Majesty more."
These words were so sincere that Li Longji couldn't help but stand up and said: "Call the imperial doctor. Hu'er is still young, how can he say such depressing words?"
Soon, the imperial doctor rushed to the palace and examined An Lushan carefully. He also checked the sores on his legs.
"Hui Sage, it is indeed a diabetes disease. It is said that 'fat people make people internally hot, and sweet things make people feel full, so the qi overflows and turns into diabetes'. Diabetes disease lasts for a long time, causing phlegm, turbidity, blood stasis, and obstruction. The circulation of qi and blood causes the body to lose nourishment, and Gu Er'an's belly becomes bigger and his skin becomes sore."
Li Longji paced and said: "I am over sixty years old and have no symptoms. Why is it that Hu'er is so old?"
"Ordinary people cannot compare to the dragon body of a saint."
"We must carefully diagnose and treat Hu'er and use the best medicine in the world. I still want to use him. How can I ignore the hero's serious illness?"
"According to the order."
On this day, after Anlu Mountain had retreated, Li Longji was still sighing and said to Gao Lishi: "General, look at Hu'er, then look at me, the difference is too far."
"The saint learned health-preserving techniques from Master Xuanjing and lived as long as heaven. He looks younger every day. The old slave now teaches a few younger ones. When the old slave is gone, he can serve the saint."
"How come General Gao is also sad?" Li Longji patted Gao Lishi on the shoulder to comfort him, but he was in a good mood.
He has rarely been diligent in his duties recently, so he summoned Li Linfu again today.
This time, Li Longji took a closer look and found that Li Linfu's eyes were swollen and his face had an air of aging, which was far inferior to him.
Thinking of Yang Zhao's words at this time, he became more and more disapproving.
The Tang Dynasty had such a long-lived and wise king, how could it still worry about whether a Hu'er could also hold the title of Jiedu?
In addition, Li Linfu knew that whether the prince was abolished or not had little to do with him.
"I called Juro here today. I have read the latest battle report from Longyou. Ge Shuhan handled the follow-up in Shibao City very well. There were no mistakes due to Wang Zhongsi's absence, and it was even better than before."
"Yes, Wang Zhongsi is the adopted son of a saint, so he is inevitably a little stubborn in his actions and has a lot of worries. Ge Shuhan is from a foreigner and has a brave nature. He only knows how to be loyal to the saint, so he will hit wherever the saint points his finger."
Li Linfu didn't just say good things about Ge Shuhan. He changed the subject and added: "Of course, the Hu people don't know etiquette. Whenever Ge Shuhan wins a battle, he likes to massacre all the Tibetan people as a demonstration, which hurts the peace of the world, so the battle report is The number of enemies killed was more than General Wang killed in several months of siege..."
Li Longji waved his hand and didn't think it was a bad habit. Instead, he liked this general even more.
This comparison reminded him of Wang Zhongsi's adopted son's arrogance in not obeying the imperial edict and not attacking or delaying the attack on Shibao City.
"Now that the war is over, I summoned my brother Shu Han, An Sishun and others to report their merits and offer prisoners, so that I can meet the fierce generals of Helong."
"According to the decree." Seeing that the time was almost up, Li Linfu said again: "Wang Zhongsi's prestige is enough to serve as Minister of War. A saint only needs to ask his generals to know who does not respect him?"
He said this precisely because he knew that all the generals in the four towns admired Wang Zhongsi.
Sure enough, Li Longji's eyes flashed, and he became more determined to remove Wang Zhongsi from his post as Jiedushi of the Fourth Town.
