Life is often full of surprises. Fang Chongyong still failed to register for the "Youth Class" the next day because the Hongwen Hall was closed!
Something big happened in the palace! Concubine Wu Hui passed away suddenly!
There was no news that he was critically ill before. It could be said that he left immediately without leaving any last words!
This sudden change frightened Fang Chongyong!
The day before, Gao Lishi was still hinting to himself that he was hesitant to suggest that Li Longji remove the ashes of Huanhuan or not.
As a result, news of Concubine Wu Hui's death came out in the palace today.
Li Longji ordered that the central government's office be closed for one day, and that the Imperial College and other affiliated schools, including Hongwen Hall, be closed for three days!
Could it be that Gao Lishi persuaded Li Longji, and then Li Longji poisoned Concubine Wu Hui?
very scary!
Fang Chongyong suddenly felt cold all over his body. Logically speaking, Li Longji should not take action so quickly. Is it really a coincidence?
For a whole day, Fang Chongyong locked himself in his study, thinking hard and reflecting on what he had done wrong.
Fang Chongyong felt that he might have underestimated Li Longji's selfishness and ruthlessness.
…
At that time, Li Longji built a building in Xingqing Palace called the "Calyx Xianghui Building", which symbolized the brotherhood and mutual radiance with his brothers.
When they were young, several of their brothers, including Emperor Li Xian and King Li Longti of the Sui Dynasty, drank and composed poems in the building all day, enjoying themselves to their heart's content. They even sewed long pillows and quilts, and slept together after drinking too much.
The relationship is so good that I can wear a pair of pants.
But Li Longji would never allow his elder brothers to get involved in politics. These were all idle princes who did not participate in any government affairs.
Now, Li Longji came to Huaxianghui Building, sitting on the bed with his arms folded and meditating, looking melancholy.
Concubine Wu Hui didn’t know what kind of stimulation she received, but she suddenly died suddenly last night, and the cause of death was unknown! All of a sudden, Li Longji was very passive!
If the rumors are allowed to ferment, sooner or later the rumor that "the saint poisoned Concubine Wu Hui" will spread. This is what Li Longji doesn't want to see.
So not long after Concubine Wu Hui died, Li Longji asked Gao Lishi to tell the foreign court: Concubine Wu Hui was frightened to death because she saw the ghosts of the former prince and other three kings!
He has already spoken out, and whether the courtiers believe it or not is up to them.
I believe that no one dares to make mistakes in this kind of matter.
"Lishi, I want to make Concubine Wu Hui queen. What do you think?"
Li Longji asked with a long sigh.
Gao Lishi understood and said: "This is very good, why not spread the word that we want to make King Shou the crown prince."
Concubine Wu Hui was granted the title of queen, and it was rumored that she wanted to establish King Shou as the crown prince. It must be said that Gao Lishi had already figured out Li Longji's inner thoughts.
"Well, let's do it."
Li Longji nodded slightly. He found that Gao Lishi had not moved, so he added: "Go to Jixian Academy and call Bachelor He here to see me."
He Xueshi is He Zhizhang. Not only does he write well, but his articles and poems are also first-class.
"Concubine Wu Hui's eulogy could not have been written better than by Bachelor He."
Gao Lishi complimented softly.
"Oh, yes."
Li Longji nodded numbly. He didn't know whether he was sad about Concubine Wu Hui's death or imagining something else. He seemed to be in a daze just now.
At this moment, his mood was a little complicated. He seemed to be sighing for the passage of time, but he also seemed to be relieved that the burden on his shoulders had been lifted.
"By the way, Rikishi, how about King Zhong?"
Li Longji asked calmly, without even looking at Gao Lishi. The topic changed without any warning. He is often like this, and sometimes Li Linfu can't fully adapt to it.
Only Gao Lishi always knew what Li Longji was thinking.
"Returning to the Saint, is this the thing that squeezes out the quota of Li Chu Hongwen Hall?"
Gao Lishi asked cautiously.
"Yes, what news has come from the Ten Kings' Residence? How did Prince Zhong react?"
Li Longji asked calmly.
The "Ten Princes' Residence" was located in Yongxingfang and Xingningfang south of the Daming Palace in Chang'an City during the Tang Dynasty. It is still called the "Ten Princes' Residence" and was later renamed the "Sixteenth Prince's Residence". It was newly built in the 13th year of Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty. , where the princes lived together.
On the surface, the "Ten Kings' Residence" is just a residence built by the royal family. However, the actual significance and influence are extraordinary, leaving a strong mark on the history books.
The power of these princes has been greatly restricted because of this mansion and the various rules set by Li Longji!
It is not an exaggeration to sum it up as "beautiful cage".
In order to prevent the royal family's heirs from participating in politics, Li Longji took very strict measures. Not only did he live in concentrated areas, he even strictly prohibited the kings from interacting with their ministers.
There are eyes and ears sent by Li Longji both inside and outside the house. Some kings know about it, while others hide it deeply. All actions in the ten kings' houses are monitored by Li Longji at all times.
Therefore, the lives of these princes are not very easy, and can even be said to be quite depressing.
"The King of Guangping (Li Chu) is not dissatisfied, but... the King of Jianning County (Li Tan) seems to be a little unconvinced and thinks that Fang Chongyong is not qualified to study in Hongwen Hall."
Gao Lishi organized his words carefully and spoke slowly.
Gao Lishi has always kept a distance from these princes and grandsons and does not judge these people easily.
"That's it."
Li Longji was thoughtful.
Li Chu, Li Tan, and even Li Xi all studied in Hongwen Hall before. Seeing that his eldest brother was replaced by an outsider, Li Tan felt unhappy, which was actually quite normal.
In their view, Fang Youde was just a loyal dog of Li Longji, and Fang Chongyong was just a pup.
It was enough for the bastard to enroll in Hongwen Hall with the princes and grandsons. They pinched their noses and pretended that this was not the case. But replacing Li Chu, the emperor's grandson, would be intolerable!
"In this way, the Prince of Nanyang County (Li family) and the Prince of Jianning County will go on strike together, and there will be no need to go to Hongwen Hall later."
Li Longji waved his hand and decided the fate of the two emperors and grandsons in one sentence.
"Will the government and the public criticize three emperors' grandsons for going on strike at once? This matter of saints..."
Gao Lishi leaned over and asked softly.
"Let them guess."
Li Longji waved his hands, as if he didn't want to say more.
Gao Lishi bowed and retreated, feeling calm in his heart.
Others thought that Li Longji was still immersed in the pain of losing his beloved concubine, but Gao Lishi understood that his master, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, the saint in Chang'an, was already laying a plan.
With the death of Concubine Wu Hui, everything will become different.
Concubine Wu Hui is a trump card to suppress the prince. Now that the prince is gone and Concubine Wu Hui is no more, the longevity king who was favored because of Concubine Wu Hui will gradually fade out of people's sight.
The situation is about to enter chaos, and the next round of layout must be started, otherwise the situation will not be balanced.
More importantly, Li Longji missed his daughter-in-law, Yang Yuhuan, the royal wife of King Shou, to the point where he could not even think about food and drinks.
If you don't take action, you feel unwilling to do so; if you do, you feel that the step is a little too big. After all, Li Longji personally presided over the wedding of King Shou!
On the one hand, he had to cover up the true intentions of his machinations, and on the other hand, he also wanted to get his daughter-in-law into his bed. Li Longji was really worried.
Even Gao Lishi was worried all day long.
If something happened to the saint, what should the Tang Dynasty do?
Gao Lishi thought with worry. As for whether Yang Yuhuan would want to die if his father-in-law stripped him of his ashes, and whether he would feel uncomfortable if his wife was taken away from him, he had never thought about it.
Maybe, this is life.
With complicated emotions, Gao Lishi called He Zhizhang, who had been waiting for a long time, to the Huaxianhui Building in Xingqing Palace.
This year He Zhizhang is in his seventies and almost eighty. He is the minister of the Ministry of Rites and a bachelor of Jixian Academy. But to be honest, his presence in the center has more symbolic significance than practical significance.
There are no government affairs that need him to handle now, so He Zhizhang's life is very leisurely and happy.
Every day I either fish at work or go drinking after get off work.
"Saint, please show your condolences."
Wearing a crimson court dress, He Zhizhang has gray hair on his temples, but he still looks energetic. A bit thin, and even smelled of alcohol.
People of his age are already blind to everything. There was no drinking or partying every day, and Li Longji was used to it and didn't mind it.
"Ji Zhen (poemed by He Zhizhang), please write a eulogy for me."
Li Longji sighed and said.
Concubine Wu Hui?
He Zhizhang was stunned and felt slightly unhappy.
Everyone in the court knew the virtues of Concubine Wu Hui. She was simply a shrunken and inferior version of Wu Meiniang. Apart from a good skin, he has nothing, and his ambition is terrifying.
After hearing that she was finally dead, everyone in the civil and military circles breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, there is no need to worry about the Wu Zhou story from decades ago repeating itself.
However, now Li Longji asked He Zhizhang to hold his nose and write a eulogy for Concubine Wu Hui. He Zhizhang felt extremely disgusted.
"Sage, what do you want to write?"
He Zhizhang asked, crossing his hands and saluting.
This question is very important!
The coffin is finalized, and a person must be evaluated after death. Specifically for concubines, it is the so-called status!
The identity in which Concubine Wu Hui was buried was very important, and even related to the inheritance of imperial power.
"I want to bury Concubine Wu Hui with the rites of a queen."
Li Longji said in a deep voice.
"No saint!"
He Zhizhang became anxious when he heard that. If he was buried with the rites of a queen, and then asked him, a bachelor of Jixian Academy, to write a eulogy... wouldn't this be nailing him to a pillar of shame and "famous for eternity" for people to "pay their respects"?
Now He Zhizhang can say that he doesn't care much about life and death anymore, but he can't bear the issue of posthumous affairs.
There is no guarantee for late festivals, that’s what they say.
"What's wrong? Do you just ignore my words?"
Li Longji scolded in displeasure, with dark clouds on his face.
"Weak ministers cannot obey orders."
He Zhizhang bowed down and bowed, unable to bow.
Looking at the other party's slightly stooped figure and graying temples, Li Longji also softened his heart.
Since there are so many people, why bother an old man who is half in the dirt?
"That's it, step back."
Li Longji sighed, shook his head helplessly and said.
It's not that others can't write eulogies, it's just that they don't have He Zhizhang's skills.
The ministers want face, but he, the emperor, doesn’t want face?
After He Zhizhang left, Gao Lishi couldn't help but asked in a low voice: "There are two more places in Hongwen Hall now. What is the arrangement of the saint..."
"Let Genu send the two children to study. They are just messing around anyway."
Li Longji waved his hand impatiently.
…
The history of Hongwenkan is quite glorious!
In the second month after Li Erfeng came to the throne, he ordered the collection of 200,000 volumes of books in the Hongwen Hall and established the "Hongwen Hall", which was both a national book collection and a place for the emperor to recruit literary scholars.
For a time, Chu Liang, Yao Silian, Cai Yungong, Xiao Deyan and other talents gathered. Every time he went on an expedition, Erfeng would discuss major military matters with the counselors of Hongwen Hall. This is the fast track to participate in political affairs. As long as you are appreciated by the emperor, you can immediately ascend to the throne.
However, those are already yesterday's flowers.
During the Kaiyuan period, the signs of decline of Hongwen Hall were very obvious. Its function of participating in and discussing political affairs had been taken away by Jixian Academy, leaving only the two functions of collecting books and teaching students.
The three-day period had passed, and Fang Chongyong came alone outside the city wall of Taiji Palace. After showing his "certificate of enrollment", he was taken to the territory of Menxia Province by the Jinwu Guard officials on duty.
Hongwen Pavilion is located in the imperial city, but the specific situation is difficult to describe.
There are two places of Hongwen Hall in Chang'an: the first one is located next to Hongwen Hall in Taiji Palace, which was later located in the south of Menxia Province, and the second one is located in the east of Menxia Province outside Rihua Gate of Daming Palace.
There is another one in Luoyang.
Fang Chongyong learned this from Li Kui. As for the Hongwen Museum in Luoyang and its use, he didn't know and didn't care.
The Menxia Province was the deliberation and review organ of the central government in the Tang Dynasty. It held the same authority as the Zhongshu Province, participated in national affairs, and was responsible for reviewing government decrees and signing memorials.
Decree documents drafted by the Zhongshu Province must be reviewed by the subordinate provinces, and those that pass the review will be delivered to the Shangshu Province for execution.
Theoretically speaking, if there is any violation of laws, regulations, etiquette, etc., the province has the right to refute it and require it to be re-drafted. All memorials written by ministers must also be reviewed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and then delivered to the Zhongshu Province for submission to the emperor. If there are any inappropriate ones, they will be sent back for rewriting.
Just in theory.
In short, Hongwen Hall is located in Menxia Province, which shows that he is close to the core of the decision-making center of the Tang Dynasty!
An elegant scribe who looked to be in his thirties received Fang Chongyong, then led him in a zigzag manner to the library in Taiji Palace, and handed him a small paper scroll on the desk. Fang Chongyong.
"I am Wang Jin, the great scholar, and this is the textbook for your study."
Wang Jin said with a smile, very friendly and warm, without any airs. To be honest, students like Fang Chongyong who entered Hongwen Hall at such a young age would not have a very simple background.
"It doesn't seem like there's a lot of content."
Fang Chongyong picked up the so-called scroll book, gestured in his hand, and said disapprovingly.
How much content can there be in such a scroll book?
It doesn't take him ten days to learn it by heart! The teaching in Hongwen Hall is so lax that it’s crazy.
Fang Chongyong couldn't help but look down upon him.
"Well, you don't seem to understand. This one is just the table of contents of the textbook. The real textbook is "Beginner's Notes", which is all on the series of bookshelves over there. Just take the volume you need. Look Put it back when you’re done.”
Wang Jin pointed to the several rows of bookshelves on the left side of the library entrance. Some books were placed high on the bookshelves, and Fang Chongyong couldn't reach them at all. The scrolls were so densely packed that it was impossible to see them all at a glance.
Didn't it say that it is easy to get qualifications in Hongwen Hall?
Fang Chongyong looked at Wang Jin with a puzzled look and asked, "That's all the textbooks have, right?"
"Well, that one too."
Wang Jin held back his laughter and pointed to the bookshelf on his right.
