The Huaqing Palace in Fang Chongyong's impression should be a few bathing pools in a small courtyard, steaming with steam, eunuchs, maids, etc. busy in and out, and then that's it.
His level of prowess is limited to this level.
As a result, when he arrived at the gate of Huaqing Palace, he realized that he had underestimated Li Longji.
Brother Ji is rich all over the world, so he must be doing everything in a big way! If the emperor's pomp is not as good as that of civilians or local bureaucrats, what does that mean?
Huaqing Palace is built on the mountain and its scale is amazing. From the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain, there are various palaces and facilities. It makes full use of the favorable terrain to turn it into a huge palace complex with rigorous structure and grandeur.
It’s hard to say anything else. Among the palaces with hot springs, Huaqing Palace is definitely second to none at all times and in all over the world. It has never been seen before and probably will never come after.
The main building of Huaqing Palace is the "Tangchi" with hot springs as its center, which forms the core of Huaqing Palace. Of course, there is far more than just one hot spring. It can not only entertain the emperor, but can even be used by accompanying officials and clan members at the same time.
It is not difficult to entertain hundreds of people to bathe in hot springs at one time.
The entire palace complex, which is the main hot spring area, is divided into three hierarchical areas: West District, Middle District, and East District.
There are Xingchen Tang and Jiulong Tang in the West District, which are where Li Longji and his concubines bathed in hot springs; there are four bathhouses in the Central District, including Prince Tang, which is the territory of the prince and the princes’ clans; and the East District is directly divided into "Real soup sixteen institutes" are used by accompanying officials.
The levels of hot springs decrease from west to east. Without special orders, people entering the hot springs are not allowed to exceed their own class.
The palace complex is not only located halfway up the mountain, but also spreads out from the mountain and down the mountain. Taking advantage of the terrain characteristics, pavilions and pavilions of different types and uses are arranged. There are also green pines and cypresses, lychee garden, hibiscus garden, pear garden, pepper garden, east garden and other non-linear gardens. Tangchi buildings are distributed among them.
To put it simply, it is a luxury hot spring resort.
The buildings of Huaqing Palace are lined up against mountains and rivers. In addition to the palace city (Luocheng), they are also surrounded by walls. Outside the city, there are facilities such as the "big stadium", "small stadium", and "dance horse stage".
While walking, Gao Lishi introduced these palaces and soup pools to Fang Chongyong. Fang Chongyong was dumbfounded. No wonder he saw many houses and fenced fields outside the walls of Huaqing Palace, which looked like a place for playing polo.
How much manpower and material resources will this cost?
Fang Chongyong couldn't believe that such a large palace complex was built solely for the emperor's pleasure.
After all, the nature of Huaqing Palace is different from that of Daming Palace! It was just a place for the emperor to relax and have fun!
And the hot spring bath here doesn't mean that it will stop operating if Li Longji doesn't go there. In fact, Huaqing Palace has a dedicated official office to take care of it all year round and continues to operate.
What's more, Huaqing Palace is usually not open to the public, and its existence is a pure luxury and waste. In other words, Huaqing Palace was just an institution dedicated to serving the Li Tang royal family. The operation here relies entirely on the financial support of the imperial court, and there is no income of its own.
Only when Li Longji nodded could outsiders come in to soak in the hot springs, without any exception.
For example, now.
"This...how much does this cost?"
Fang Chongyong murmured to himself, he was shocked by Li Longji's luxury.
Hearing this, Gao Lishi couldn't help but laugh out loud, and said slightly proudly:
"The things of the emperor's family are not measured by money. There are some things that money cannot buy.
Just like you taking a bath today, if there is no sage's oral instructions, no matter how much money you spend, you will not be able to enter the Huaqing Palace. What do you want to do with these copper-smelling things? "
Gao Lishi said meaningfully.
Fang Chongyong crossed his hands and bowed respectfully without saying anything. He really didn't know what to say.
Many facts may seem a bit cruel, but they are not false. Whether you are used to it or not, the majesty of imperial power is there.
For example, Huaqing Palace, and another example... the former Princess Yang Yuhuan who is currently playing with Li Longji every night in Huaqing Palace.
Ordinary people faced with imperial power would either be crushed by it or temporarily submit to it.
Fang Chongyong felt that there was really no need to engage in a verbal dispute with Gao Lishi.
When the two of them came outside a small bathing beach, they heard the exclamations and gasps of young women, as well as the sound of waves crashing on the reef. It was as lively as a swimming competition being held inside.
Fang Chongyong was about to put his head to the door to take a look at the scenery inside, but Gao Lishi squeezed his arm tightly!
"Is the saint's bath bath something you can watch at will?"
Gao Lishi laughed angrily at Fang Chongyong's reckless behavior.
"Oh, it's me, Meng Lang. I'm sorry."
Fang Chongyong bowed to Gao Lishi with folded hands, nodded and bowed in a submissive manner, making Li Longji's personal eunuch dumbfounded.
Boldness and timidity both appear in one person.
Soon, Fang Chongyong was taken by the accompanying eunuchs to a side hall in Yutang Jiulong Hall. Fang Chongyong sat neatly on a high cushioned stool, waiting for Li Longji's summons.
When I was born, I embroidered the solitary luan on the forehead of the tent, so that I could take the door curtain and post it with two swallows. Swallows fly around the painted beams, and the green curtains are covered with tulips.
There are a lot of these things.
There are also several flower and bird screens that are common in noble homes, but there is a striking white-fronted tiger painted on the screen!
Looking around at the furnishings in the house, Fang Chongyong sighed that Li Longji was indeed an artist and had good taste. Even if I come from modern times more than a thousand years later, I still don't have such high taste.
He suddenly remembered that he was summoned because his scumbag father was in the limelight in Youzhou again, and there was that Bohai country... where are these things?
Fang Chongyong's mind was in a state of confusion and he did not understand the cause and effect of this incident. But one thing is certain, what Daddy Zha did in Youzhou made Brother Ji feel "very comfortable".
With Li Longji's character of being very happy about his achievements, since he cannot reward the meritorious officials in time, it would be good to reward the meritorious officials' son in advance. This is in line with the emperor's daily habits and thoughts.
Thinking of this, he felt relieved and sat quietly, motionless, waiting for Li Longji to summon him after taking a bath in the hot spring.
After a long time, Fang Chongyong squinted his eyes and dozed off several times. The maids had already lit candles in the main hall, but Li Longji hadn't come yet.
Just when Fang Chongyong's legs and feet were numb from sitting and he was about to stand up quietly and stretch his limbs, Gao Lishi hurriedly walked in and said to him with a smile:
"The saint is a little tired today and it is not convenient to see you.
Well, you can stay in Huaqing Palace for one night first. "
Gao Lishi was also a little tired and wiped the fine beads of sweat on his forehead.
Fang Chongyong wanted to ask, what on earth was Li Longji doing when he was having fun in the Hot Spring Palace and didn't have to participate in government affairs?
A person is tired both at work and after get off work. Is life so miserable?
"Tomorrow, when the saint summons you, don't say anything disappointing, you know?"
Gao Lishi emphasized again.
Fang Chongyong nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.
…
For nearly a month, Fang Youde led two thousand light cavalry and attacked for more than 800 miles, starting from Liucheng in Yingzhou to Xianzhou, the capital of the Bohai Kingdom. Except for defeating a group of border troops returning to the Bohai Sea at the border, the rest of the time they were almost without blood.
When they returned to Yingzhou, Pinglu Jiedu envoy Wu Zhiyi's jaw dropped.
It was enough that all the soldiers who sent out troops had the best cloth and silk provided by Bohai State. Bohai State also "sent" Da Qinmao, who was supposed to succeed the country's leader, to Chang'an as a pledge. It can be said that this wave of face is saved, and more importantly, the plate has not been smashed.
Everyone is an envoy, why can Fang Youde be able to attack anyone he wants without leaving any mess in the end?
But he can only stay in Yingzhou and barely maintain the situation in the border town?
Wu Zhiyi was in a bad mood because he knew that Li Longji could not tolerate sand in his eyes.
He is very strict with others, but very lax with himself!
After Fang Youde reported his military exploits, he could actually guess with his toes what was waiting for Wu Zhiyi.
"Fang Jieshuai, you are so impressive this time. You have come back with a full load."
Wu Zhiyi stepped forward, took Fang Youde's hands and shook them back and forth.
He said he wasn't jealous of those fake ones, but Wu Zhiyi also knew that he had no backing. The Holy Family in him is far inferior to Fang Youde, and his abilities are also far behind.
He should have been dismissed last time, but thanks to Fang Youde's letter to the court, he escaped.
But many things cannot be done again. This time, Fang Youde taught Bohai Kingdom a lesson for playing too beautifully. The ministers of the DPRK and China praised him, saying that he showed the majesty of the Tang Dynasty without killing himself and messing up the situation in the border town.
In comparison, Wu Zhiyi is nothing. If you want to avoid being punished, you have to laugh. If you want to keep your official position, don't even think about it.
"The imperial court's transfer order should be coming soon."
Wu Zhiyi said with a wry smile.
"Commander Orchard, there is no need to panic. I have already written to the court to recommend you as the general of the left army of the Longwu Army. Although Commander Orchard is conservative in combat, the Longwu Army in Chang'an does not need to be bothered. The Saint's Longwu Army is I like people who have nothing to do with all parties.
In this way, wouldn’t it be the best of both worlds? "
Fang Youde said with a smile.
Hearing this, Wu Zhiyi understood what he said, came over and whispered in Fang Youde's ear: "An Lushan is not an honest man. I have collected all the evidence of the crime. When the transfer order comes, I will hand over these evidence to him."伱.”
Fang Youde nodded, saying nothing. Official help always comes at a price.
To move Wu Zhiyi to Longwu Army and transfer it away from the hot potato of Pinglu Jiedushi would certainly require the expenditure of political resources. How could you help people do such a thing for nothing!
An Lushan and Cui Qianyou are different.
Cui Qianyou was just a small officer in the Mo Dou Army before, so he could just do it. No one would say anything about Fang Youde, just that he was a new official who established his authority after taking office.
But now Anlushan is already an envoy of the Pinglu Army under the command of Pinglu Jiedushi! This position can be said to be very critical, and one move can affect the whole body.
Pinglu Jiedushi had two armies under his command, plus the Andong Protectorate and Yuguan Guards:
The Pinglu Army is stationed in Yingzhou City, with a total of 16,000 soldiers and 4,200 horses!
The Lulong Army was stationed in Pingzhou City, which had only 10,000 soldiers and 300 horses.
Yuguan guarded the capture, four hundred and eighty miles west of Yingzhou City, with 300 soldiers and 100 horses.
The Andong Protectorate is located 270 miles east of Yingzhou. It has 8,500 soldiers and 700 horses under its command.
Obviously, the Pinglu Army is the main force under Pinglu Jiedushi, and most of the war horses are concentrated as mobile forces to ensure the safety of Pingzhou Yingzhou.
An Lushan occupies such a crucial position, which cannot be taken away by Fang Youde at will.
Wu Zhiyi was asked by Zhang Shougui to place cronies in his jurisdiction. In fact, it was because he was a "weak Jiedushi" who had no backing and no direct cronies of his own. For many unspoken things, there is no way to say no.
In fact, since the imperial court established Jiedushi envoys, most of them have been weak Jiedushi envoys. Those who have worked conscientiously in their posts have not been able to make any mistakes.
"This time Orchard Commander has done a great job in supporting us in our attack on the Bohai Kingdom. I asked my sons to leave a thousand pieces of silk for Commander Orchard to reward the soldiers.
We are busy with military affairs, so I apologize for my excuses, but I am about to return to Youzhou. "
Fang Youde bowed his hands in salute, bowed to Wu Zhiyi, then turned around and walked away, leaving only the big cloak behind him whistling in the cold wind.
Watching his leaving figure, Wu Zhiyi sighed helplessly and said to himself: "Finally we have to leave this hellish place."
He finally figured out that anyone who had Fang Youde as a neighbor or a governor would be unlucky.
…
In the Yutang Jiulong Hall of Huaqing Pool, Fang Chongyong pretended not to recognize Li Bai next to Li Longji, sitting on a high stool with his head lowered and silent.
"Don't be so formal."
Li Longji waved his hand, pointed at Li Bai and Fang Chongyong said: "I heard that you are a child prodigy and are quite good at composing poems. The person next to me is Li Taibai, who is famous all over the world. You can compose a poem for him. Let’s evaluate it.”
Li Longji smiled gently, not pretending to be an emperor. Maybe it's because he's in a better mood now.
"The saint is in front of me, but I am so frightened that I can't do it."
Fang Chongyong said with a wry smile.
This really dampened Li Longji's interest, but the other party didn't seem to care. He waved his hand gently, and Li Bai bowed and left before leaving. Only Fang Chongyong and Li Longji were left here.
"Your father has made great contributions this time. It is enough to be awarded a title. But he is not in Chang'an now, so the title is of little significance. So I want to transfer part of the reward to your father to you. .”
Li Longji got straight to the point and stated his intention of calling Fang Chongyong to Huaqing Palace this time.
"So, tell me, what do you want?"
Li Longji looked at Fang Chongyong and asked.
This kind of question is difficult to answer.
Because what Li Longji gave him was not necessarily what he needed.
On the other hand, Li Longji may not be willing to give Fang Chongyong what he wants.
"Okay, I'll send you to Chongwen Hall to study."
Li Longji said nonchalantly.
Again? I have already dropped out of Hongwen Hall once!
Fang Chongyong quickly refused and said: "Sage, I want to go to Liangzhou to gain some experience. It would be best to have an idle official position in the state capital to join the army."
"Going to Liangzhou? Why?"
Li Longji looked at him with a strange look and asked. He really didn't understand what Fang Chongyong wanted to do.
"As the saying goes, traveling thousands of miles is like reading thousands of books. I just want to go to the frontier of Liangzhou to gain experience. After returning to Chang'an, I will come to study in the academy. I ask the saint to help me."
Fang Chongyong saluted Li Longji with folded hands, bowed deeply and said.
"Let me think about it."
Li Longji pressed his temple with one hand and kept kneading it, as if he was distressed by Fang Chongyong's request.
This requirement is not too high, but too low, so low that it is a bit humble!
If you treat the son of a hero like this, how will the world view him as a saint?
Li Longji also fell into deep thought for a while, not knowing how to make a decision.
