The clouds are gathering and the rain is getting heavier.
Fortunately, the officials arrived at Shangshitang before the heavy rain fell.
Shangshi Tang is a soup pool specially used to reward eunuchs or important ministers for bathing. Although it has the word "Shang" in it, it is not for imperial use.
The palace is quite large, but the soup pool is not that big. It is more than ten steps long and only a few steps wide. It is made of bluestone. There is a stone beam in the middle that divides the soup pool into east and west pools.
The West Pool is slightly smaller, for those of high status to bathe alone, while the East Pool is larger, for those of lower status to bathe together.
Xue Bai glanced at the increasingly dark sky outside the palace, turned around the screen, and began to take off his clothes together with the officials.
After everyone took off their clothes, the gap was revealed. Everyone looked at Xue Bai's young and strong body with envy.
"Cough cough cough." Yang Hao was coughing again.
Yang Guozhong whispered: "Do you know what is so good about this soup pool?"
Xue Bai didn't think there was anything interesting and said, "Is it the gift and glory of a saint?"
"You have learned how to speak. It's worth my trouble to teach you." Yang Guozhong said, "Besides, the spring water in the Neiyuan is the best. It is very different from other industries. It makes people's skin delicate and delicate." .”
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Having said that, Xue Bai still prefers to work in other industries.
But what Yang Guozhong said is indeed not a lie. The hot spring water in Shangshitang is the same as the emperor's bath. It is the real Lishan hot spring water, steaming hot.
Everyone entered the soup pool and sighed comfortably. Yang Guozhong leaned on the bluestone and closed his eyes. What he enjoyed more was the satisfaction brought by the privilege. You must know that there are not many people in the world who can soak in this pool.
This means that he is a superior person.
Although Xue Bai's word "glory" is correct, it is not accurate. To be precise, it means "honor".
The next moment, he heard Yang Wei say something in the small bath to the west.
"Abai, come here too."
"Thank you, brother."
Yang Guozhong opened his eyes and watched Xue Bai's toned body walking toward the West Pond in the mist of water to talk to Yang Hao. The two of them had a small pond to themselves.
The feeling of dignity just now faded away in an instant. Although he was a fourth-grade official, he was still suppressed.
"Ahem, I heard that Abai plans to work in Yanshi County?"
Yang Wei did feel much better after entering the soup pool, and his cough was relieved a lot, but there was a lot of worry in his eyes, and he said: "If you don't plan for me in Chang'an, how will all these things happen?"
Xue Bai didn't want to tell Yang Zhen the truth and said: "Brother is close to the prime minister. If Ge Nu takes office or even passes away, the next prime minister will be my brother. So, what I think should be done now is to fight or to slow down." A reprieve?"
"Understood."
"It's true to take good care of your body." Xue Bai said: "I won't pay too much attention to brother if I'm not here. Let's save for a year or two first and then compete with him." "
"In that case, you should go to Taiyuan and worry more about salt matters and how to get to Luoyang."
"Of course he has an errand that the saint has on his mind."
Xue Baizheng was looking for an opportunity to talk to Yang Hao about the matter and mobilize some of Yang's party's resources, so he talked about the disasters in Henan Province in recent years and some situations of water transportation.
When it came to the matter of Luoyang, Yang Hao didn't have much opinion. After all, the saint had not left Guanzhong for ten years, and the courtiers had no deep impression of Dongdu.
"Tax ships and grain ships traveling from north to south have to be transported by water. If we want to get involved in this matter, Ge Nu will never allow it."
"I'm just a county captain, Ge Nu won't care." Xue Bai said, "I'm not a land and sea transport deputy from the fifth rank."
"Are you looking for this position?" Yang Wei's expression changed, and he stroking his long beard for a moment, and asked: "Did you know that Da Xixun was demoted to Xianzhou Biejia because of his son's involvement? The saint was merciful and did not give him death. .”
Xue Bai knew that Li Longji did not want to make the assassination a major case.
"Brother, were you planning to fight for the civil service?"
"It's what Guozhong said. Chen Xilie is not doing anything. If the Minister of Staff makes a move, it will be a good opportunity."
"Then Ge Nu will definitely be extremely vigilant and simply show weakness and demote Du Youni to leave the capital."
It is said to be a demotion, but there are two situations when being demoted and leaving Beijing: being squeezed out of the core of power, or gaining a layer of seniority. Du Lin's official rank has always been very high. If he can't be promoted, he lacks qualifications. "
Simply let Yang Guozhong fight for the official department to attract Li Linfu's attention, and then secretly cross to Chencang.
"You know, the hot spring water we soaked in today is not the best."
In the pond to the east, Yang Guozhong was talking.
"It should be noted that the hot spring water of Shangshi Tang is drained from Xingchen Tang. It would be the highest honor for a saint to bathe in Xingchen Tang first and then bathe in the hot spring water contaminated by the emperor's blessing."
With that said, Yang Guozhong swam to the stone beam and said to Yang Sui who was in the West Pond: "Brother is suffering from a lingering illness. If you can ask the saint to give you this soup, maybe all your illnesses can be eliminated?"
Yang Zhen and Xue Bai stopped talking.
"No, no." Yang Zheng said: "As a minister, you must not cause trouble to the saint."
"Brother is so loyal."
Yang Guozhong just found an excuse to take a dip in the West Pond, so he just lay there and chatted. Then, he saw an opportunity and took the initiative to enter the West Pond.
After all, they are brothers, and Yang Zheng will not blame him.
After soaking until the skin of the palms was a little wrinkled, Feng Shenwei came over and said with a smile: "Everyone feels comfortable after soaking. The saint has given you a banquet in the Bamboo Shoots Hall, please."
Xue Bai felt that the hot spring water was really good. The soaking in it made people feel that their muscles and bones were strong. Unlike Yang Yuyao's pool, it made him tired after soaking in it.
They put on their robes and went out of Shangshitang. The rain outside had stopped. When the wind blew, Yang Hao started coughing again.
After passing through the road full of flowers and trees, Feng Shenwei stopped at the door and invited the ministers to come in. When it was Xue Bai's turn, he whispered a few words to Xue Bai.
At this time, the Holy Emperor has not arrived yet, so the ministers can still chat with each other.
"I haven't thanked Zhuangyuan Lang for recommending me a part-time job."
"General Feng, as long as you don't feel tired." Xue Bai responded.
Because Feng Shenwei was appointed Zhongguan General, he was also called General Feng.
"I'm just a little tired." Feng Shenwei also laughed and said, "But who thinks the salary is too much?"
"The general is funny."
As long as Xue Bai has a good relationship with this internal official, it will be more useful than arranging his own people in the newspaper office.
Feng Shenwei liked Xue Bai's sensibleness very much, and planned to reciprocate the favor, so he said: "I will introduce someone to you, let's see who...Wu Huaishi, the general of the guard of the right prison, and also knows that the internal servant saves troubles. He is with me under General Gao."
Xue Bai looked around and saw that Wu Huaishi was much younger than Feng Shenwei. He should not be an old minister when Li Longji was hiding in his residence.
"Wu Huaishi's father-in-law is named Lu Linghao, and he is the magistrate of Yanshi County."
Xue Bai was surprised: "So, my official position has been decided?"
"I don't know." Feng Shenwei smiled, "Are you surprised why eunuchs also have husbands? Well, Wu Huaishi cheated on a palace maid and asked General Gao to support her grandpa."
The laws of the Tang Dynasty clearly stipulate that eunuchs who reach a certain level can have sex with palace ladies. For example, there are several palace ladies who have sex with Gao Lishi.
After Feng Shenwei said this, he waved and asked Wu Huaishi to come forward.
"Ashi, come and make friends with the number one scholar."
Wu Huaishi also had a smiling face, which made people feel like spring breeze. After a little greeting, he helped Xue Bai very considerately.
"If the number one scholar wants to go to Luoyang, could you please bring me some letters?"
"General Wu, just say it's okay."
"Thank you very much. Then I will bring one letter to Luoyang County Magistrate Zhou Xian, one letter to Yanshi County Magistrate Lu, and one letter to Yanshi County Prime Minister Gao Chong."
Xue Bai said: "It turns out that General Wu actually knows several of my officers. I should be grateful to General Wu for his help."
"The number one scholar is too polite. Apart from Lu Gong, Zhou Xian, Gao Chong and I are just acquaintances."
"I wonder what's the reason for this?"
"It's a long story. Gao Chong, the Prime Minister of Yanshi County, once served as an official in Huaizhou. At that time, the governor of Huaizhou admired a runaway slave and wanted to recruit him into the shogunate. Gao Chong then made a sworn sworn relationship with the young man and accepted him into his army. The registered household was named "Gao Shang". Later, Li Cishi and Luoyang County Magistrate Zhou Xian helped my father-in-law to be appointed as the county magistrate in Yanshi. They also recommended Gao Shang to Beijing and asked me to arrange an official position for him... In short, that's it. Met Zhou Xian and Gao Chong."
Xue Bai said: "So, just because of his noble character, a governor, two county magistrates, a county magistrate and a right prison guard general were involved in seeking an official position for him?"
"More than that." Wu Huaishi smiled and said, "I took this escaped slave to meet General Gao. General Gao also admired him very much and found a position for him to join the army with Cao Cao, the left leader of the Wei Cang Army."
"What a talent." Xue Bai asked: "I wonder where Gao Shang is now? I should also get to know him."
"That's not all. Last year, didn't Fan Yang'an also come to Beijing? He saw Gao Shang and admired him very much. He asked the court to appoint him as Pinglu Secretary, and he has been brought to Fan Yang."
Xue Bai said calmly when he heard this, "Everyone who sees him can appreciate him. I think Gao Shang may be able to do something earth-shattering."
"Isn't the number one scholar loved by everyone?" Wu Huaishi smiled affectionately.
After joking for a while and agreeing to carry a message for Wu Huaishi, Xue Bai entered the Bamboo Shooting Hall for the banquet.
Before he reached Henan Mansion, a net seemed to come down and pull him into the net.
And it was impossible for him to tell Li Longji about these intricate relationships. Let's not talk about whether Li Longji cared about it. If he offended a servant of the emperor like Wu Huaishi, it would be more troublesome than offending Li Linfu.
In the Bamboo Shoots Hall, the palace maid lit up the lights, making it look very luxurious and warm.
With the arrival of the Holy Emperor, the imperial case began.
I have seen the saint and wish him peace. "
"Haha, have you taken a bath in the hot spring bath? Sure enough, all the ministers seem to be much more energetic."
"Thank you, Saint, for your kindness."
"We are all members of our own family, no need to be restrained, just sit down."
The purpose of tonight's imperial banquet is to appease the Yang family, so Li Longji brought Yang Yuhuan.
Xue Bai's position was slightly behind him. When he saluted, he wanted to look at Yang Yuhuan, but he resisted.
There was nothing between them, but they were vaguely jealous. There was no need to cause trouble, but it was unnatural after all.
The assassination case hadn't been long ago, and the recent royal banquets were quite normal, with no big tricks. They were just eating good wine and delicious food, watching beautiful singing and dancing, and a new play arranged by Li Longji.
The play is called "Spring in the Moon Garden" and tells the story of Li Sheng's dream of landing on the moon and meeting a fairy.
"Don't dream about looking at the moon alone. I don't have the chance to see Fangqing again, and I feel empty and melancholy..."
The wind music kept playing, and Xue Bai knew that when he finished singing, Li Longji would definitely ask him to comment, so he had to think hard for his speech.
really.
"What do you think, Xue Qing?"
"Tender and lingering, suddenly like a dream." Xue Bai stood up and said, inexplicably feeling Yang Yuhuan's eyes falling on him, and continued: "The artistic conception is elegant and worthy of the ages."
"How does it compare to the "White Snake" you arranged?" Li Longji said: "You are a pure minister, tell me the truth."
Xue Bai already had something to say, but when he heard the next sentence, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
It is very boring to give a banquet and have fun with your ministers. Li Longji has never been like this before. Recently, he has been really targeted at Xue ""Moon Ting Chun" is better than the artistic conception, elegant singing, and better in arrangement... But "The Legend of White Snake" drama character pour
I think it took a lot of time to fill in the words and sentences. Although they are a little more ingenious, they are better than the poems. "
Li Longji asked again: "How is the singer singing?"
Xue Bai looked back at Xu Hezi, thinking rapidly in his mind, and finally responded: "I don't know the music, but I feel that in terms of singing, Xu Yongxin... is slightly better than the imperial concubine."
"Humph." Yang Yuhuan reacted quickly and asked immediately: "What do Sanlang think?"
When Li Longji was asked this question, he smiled and stopped embarrassing Xue Bai. Instead, he pondered for a moment and said with a smile: "Xue Bai's voice can understand anything. Of course, Taizhen sings well."
"I also want to sing the plays written by Saburo."
Yang Yuhuan couldn't help but ran down the steps and climbed onto the small stage.
She didn't change her makeup and signaled Xue Qiongqiong to play the guzheng, then danced around and started singing.
Xue Bai lowered his head to sip his wine and looked at Wu Huaishi, thinking about his official career and not looking at Yang Yuhuan.
In Henan Prefecture, did Wu Huaishi only know two county magistrates and one county magistrate? It happens to be in Yanshi County and neighboring Luoyang County. It can't be such a coincidence, it can only mean that many officials in Henan Prefecture are paying filial piety to this eunuch.
The emperor ignores government affairs, and Hanjiacang accounts for half of the world's food supply. How can we ensure that the officials do not reach out?
"Although Shuangxiao seems to be in the same state at that time, Zhengnai Jiaobo ignores others..."
Yang Yuhuan sang Li Sheng sighing at the moon and suddenly changed the lyrics.
Because she knew her voice was not as high-pitched as Xu Hezi's, she changed her singing method.
"The thin clouds make tricks, the flying stars spread hatred, and the silver man is far away in darkness."
Xue Bai was stunned when he heard this, and his thoughts were finally led back to the stage by Yang Yuhuan.
He used the last two sentences of "Magpie Bridge Immortal" in the script of "The Legend of White Snake", but the first words and sentences were only spoken to Yang Yuhuan in the Palace of Eternal Life.
She suddenly used it at this time, probably for no other reason, but it was really inconvenient, so she took this opportunity to remind him "I have not forgotten your contribution"... maybe.
Or maybe he was being sentimental, and it wasn't a big deal if she just borrowed the words he read.
Xue Bai turned his head and glanced at the stage, and a graceful dance came into view.
He couldn't help but think that Luoyang would not have such a beautiful lady, but Luoyang had his ambition.
After Yang Yuhuan danced, the royal banquet was still going on.
She was in a good mood. After drinking two more glasses, a reddish wine halo appeared on her cheeks. She smiled and said: "Good times are beautiful and good times are like dreams. Let's have a different drinking experience."
"Haha, how do you want to play too?"
"Give me a poem. My brother has no poetic talent. Let's embarrass him. If you receive a poem from someone else at the banquet, you must give one in return. Otherwise, you will be punished by drinking three glasses of wine."
"Okay, this is quite novel. Let me come first." Li Longji said, looking around at the ministers, and said with a smile: "Since I have given you the hot spring water, I will use it to give you another poem. Everyone has to give something in return. a."
He is also talented and can speak freely.
"The Guidian is connected with the mountain, and the orchid soup flows naturally."
"The cliffs are beautiful and the valleys are warm and gurgling."
"Achievements are evil, merits are righteous."
"I wish that the billions of trillions of things will prosper together."
After reading a poem, everyone cheered. After that, everyone racked their brains to compose poems.
Xue Bai felt deeply when he heard the last line of Li Longji's poem, and then thought of Tang Taizong's "Hot Spring Inscription". He picked up the wine glass and was about to punish himself with three glasses of wine when he immediately realized that he had to write a poem back to the saint.
Fortunately, Wang Wei gave him several poems praising virtue, and he could just recite one.
The atmosphere in the hall was high.
Yang Yuhuan pulled Zhang Yunrong over and said with a smile: "You go and dance, and I will give you a poem."
"The noble concubine wrote a poem for me? Really?"
"You go dance."
"Here."
Zhang Yunrong was overjoyed and ran into the palace after her blessing. Because she was so excited, she almost kicked Xue Bai's desk when she walked around the palace attendants who were presenting their pens.
After she finished dancing, Yang Yuhuan pondered slightly and really gave her a poem.
"The fragrance lingers when the sleeves are moved, and the red lotus curls up in the autumn smoke."
"The wind is blowing on the Xixiu Ridge, and the water is blowing by the lotus pond."
Everyone did not expect that Yang Yuhuan could really compose poetry, so they couldn't help but admire him and praised him one after another.
Zhang Yunrong was even more delighted.
But then, Yang Yuhuan said: "Okay, it's your turn to reply with a poem."
"Me? This slave can't compose poetry."
"No matter, according to the rules at the banquet, if you can't reciprocate the poem, you can punish yourself with three drinks... Saint, look at it, she will go crazy when she is drunk."
"Ha ha."
Li Longji was already drunk, because he had just received too many praises and had to get drunk.
Zhang Yunrong was so embarrassed that he looked around pitifully and saluted, "Slave, can you please ask someone to write for you?"
"But, you have to be willing to help you. Who do you want to find? Yongxin, come here."
"I won't help her."
Zhang Yunrong was helpless. He turned his eyes and fell on Xue Bai. He bowed Yingying and put on a pitiful posture.
"Master Zhuangyuan, can you help me?
Xue Bai quickly waved his hand and refused, thinking that there was no need to get into such trouble.
He already knew Yang Yuhuan's attitude. It was nothing more than a reminder to him and he would need an answer from him later.
There is no need to write a poem about nodding, it will only increase suspicion... But then, Xue Bai thought of a way to avoid suspicion.
As if he couldn't stand Zhang Yunrong's constant pressure, Xue Bai finally wrote a poem titled "Dance to Zhang Yunrong".
"The small talisman hangs obliquely on the green cloud servant girl, and the light sweat slightly penetrates the blue sky."
He seemed to be drunk, and he didn't care about the rules and acted randomly.
"Colored threads gently wrap around the ruby arms, and the beautiful lady...the beautiful lady meets..."
At this point, Xue Bai couldn't form the last sentence. He shook his head and said with a bitter smile: "It doesn't fit the rhyme. There's still one sentence missing. I'll give you a drink as a penalty."
He picked up the wine glass and drank it down in one gulp, feeling very happy.
Yang Yuhuan also smiled, having received Xue Bai's last poem in her heart. He had praised her on the stage.
"It takes a thousand years for beautiful women to meet each other."
She then picked up the wine and drank a glass.
This is goodbye.
