The fourteenth day of the first lunar month is the day of rest.
Morning, the sky is clear.
Li Xuan carefully helped Liu Jinyu to the side hall. The dining table was already filled with breakfast food, and his mother-in-law Ouyang had just arranged it.
Li Xuan and Liu Jinyu bowed slightly to their mother, Ouyang, and said, "Mom."
"Okay, everyone, sit down." Ouyang smiled and pulled Liu Jinyu to sit aside, and asked with concern: "Sanniang, how have you been feeling these past few days?"
"Much better, grandma." Liu Jinyu lowered her head shyly.
"That's good." Mrs. Ouyang comforted her daughter-in-law, and then looked at Li Xuan: "Da Lang, you have been on duty in the past few days, how is your job?"
"Reporting to my mother, I have been a little busy recently. My son has just been appointed as the Young Master of Honglu. There are too many things that need to be familiar with. In addition, we have to discuss matters of tribute from vassals with Silla and Japan. Tubo cannot relax, and there are also the Western Regions. Countries need to pay more attention to every move they make." Li Xuan briefly stated some of his responsibilities.
Being a young minister of Honglu Temple is never an easy job.
Whether it's Li Xuan or Yang Shan, both of them have a lot of busy things to do every day.
Especially Li Xuan, those foreign missions, nobles, and businessmen, if something happened in the Tang Dynasty, no matter how big or small they were, they would always come to Honglu Temple for help.
It's as if Honglu Temple is their backer.
But how could Honglu Temple take care of them?
When foreigners in the Tang Dynasty had conflicts with the people of the Tang Dynasty, as long as it was not too obvious or too excessive, officials at all levels would favor the people of the Tang Dynasty.
Even if Honglu Temple sent someone there, they would just keep an eye on it to make sure things weren't too outrageous.
Although the official exchanges between foreign missions and the Tang Dynasty were complicated, as long as a bottom line was adhered to, this matter would never go wrong.
The real trouble is not here, but in foreign countries' spying on the political, cultural and military secrets of the Tang Dynasty.
This is true for both Silla and Japan.
Most of the foreigners in Chang'an are rich, and the city of Chang'an has no shortage of desperate desperadoes who are crazy about money.
Especially now that the war between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo is imminent. The Tang Dynasty's spying on Tubo is not under Li Xuan's jurisdiction, but it is within the scope of Li Xuan's duties to prevent Tubo from spying on the Tang Dynasty's military intelligence. He has been busy with this these days. thing.
"There was an accident a few days ago when the seventh-rank master of Honglu Temple was in trouble. Later, my son decided to transfer one from the Ministry of Rites. He was a subordinate of Li Huaiyan, the son of Duke Shi'an." Li Xuan briefly explained what happened in Honglu Temple recently. The biggest thing.
After Lu Huan, the former chief clerk of the Department of Ceremonies, committed suicide, Li Xuan decisively asked Liu Boying to transfer someone from the Ministry of Rites.
Lu Huan is suspected of colluding with the King of Donghai and the envoys of Tubo and Silla. If this matter continues to be investigated, no one knows how many people in the entire Honglu Temple will be implicated.
But if you just promote people from within Honglu Temple, it is inevitable that you will be promoted to the East China Sea King again.
Li Xuan, Liu Boying, and Yang Shan, the three of them finally separated from the King of Donghai. If they really want to be involved, it will not be so easy to escape.
After thinking for a while, Liu Boying agreed to Li Xuan's request.
"The Duke of Shi'an, is this Li Xizhi who was under house arrest in Yangzhou?" Ouyang paused for a moment and immediately thought of the Duke of Shi'an, Li Xizhi.
After all, Li Xizhi was a member of the clan, and Princess Peng Ouyang was much more familiar with the clan than Li Xuan.
After all, when Peng Wang Li Yuangui was alive, he was doing pretty well with these clan cousins.
Not to mention, Ouyang was also concerned about Li Xuan's affairs when she was in Yangzhou.
Li Xuan nodded and said: "Actually, the person who placed Duke Shi'an under house arrest was Pei Yan, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. It was Xue Zhongzhang who used Pei Yan's secret order to place Duke Shi'an under house arrest. Later, His Majesty personally issued the order to lift it. Shi’an County Duke’s prohibition.”
Speaking of this, Li Xuan deliberately lowered his voice and said: "Although Duke Shi'an was released, his second son Li Xuansi was forced to be transferred from General Zhonglang of the Forbidden Army to General Zuo Xiaowei."
General Zhonglang of the Forbidden Army is the emperor's most trusted minister, because he guards Xuanwu Gate.
Ouyang nodded lightly, lowered his head and took a sip of porridge, then shook his head slightly and sighed: "If you can't keep the Xuanwu Gate, don't keep it."
"What my mother said is absolutely true." Li Xuan quickly nodded in agreement.
Although the three words "Xuanwumen" are no longer particularly taboo in today's Tang Dynasty, they are not something that just anyone can mention.
The descendants of the clan are even more afraid of this.
Li Xuan followed up and said: "Although Li Xuansi lost the post of General of the Forbidden Army, my son feels that General Zuo Xiaowei has finally been promoted to a higher level, and the next step will be the battle between Tang Dynasty and Tubo. The Xiaowei will definitely be transferred out to fight, and when they have made great achievements, won’t they be better than the Lieutenant General of the Forbidden Army?”
Speaking of this, Li Xuan lowered her voice and said: "What's more, they also kept Li Huaiyan's Minister of Rites. His Majesty's attitude can be seen at a glance."
Although the Ankang County Duke lineage is closely related to Prince Yin, the Ankang County Duke lineage is now almost completely extinct.
Although there are still some suspicions about Shi'an County Duke Li Xizhi's lineage, they are just suspicions after all.
As long as they are isolated from the innermost circle, they can still be used well.
Even if he can make new contributions in the court, although he will not be promoted to the position of Minister of Rites, it is still no problem to go out to serve as governor of the upper state.
Li Xuan just sent a letter to Li Huaiyan, and Li Huaiyan immediately sent his confidants over, and their thoughts were clear.
How could people from the Ministry of Rites not understand the master of ceremonies in the DPRK?
At this time, the two chief clerks of the Dian Ke Department and the Master of Ceremonies Department were under Li Xuan's control.
Although he did not control Honglu Temple, if Honglu Temple really had any major issues, it really couldn't be hidden from him.
And this is only on the bright side. In the corners invisible to ordinary people, no one knows where Li Xuan's tentacles have penetrated.
…
"I have tried my best. Lang Jun has really used it well." Liu Jinyu took the porcelain spoon and drank the jujube porridge in the bowl before getting involved in the conversation between Li Xuan and Ouyang.
Li Xuan picked up the white silk on the side, wiped the corners of Liu Jinyu's mouth, and then shook his head gently and said: "That said, things are far from easy. Life is changing all the time. If you are just obsessed with making things happen, This statement will inevitably be biased.
It is even very likely that someone will seize the opportunity and take advantage of it, so don't be superstitious about what the books say. "
Li Xuan knew very well that although he transferred the person from Li Huaiyan's staff, he was not his after all.
If someone takes advantage of him somewhere he doesn't know, Li Xuan will most likely be in a dilemma of life and death.
"Mom, look at him. If he gets a chance, he will be unforgiving." Liu Jinyu suddenly turned to look at Ouyang, pouting, with a pitiful look on his face.
Ouyang immediately glared at Li Xuan: "Da Lang, can't you always give way to Sanniang?"
"It's all my son's fault," Li Xuan immediately lowered her head to admit her mistake with helplessness on her face. Looking sideways, Liu Jinyu was already laughing.
Ouyang nodded with satisfaction, and then asked casually: "How do you plan for the next three days?"
Three days before and after the Lunar New Year's Eve, Chang'an lifted the curfew, but officials were not allowed to take a bath for only three days on the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth days of the first lunar month.
"Today and tomorrow I will accompany my mother and Sanniang. Tomorrow night my son will host a New Year's Eve banquet to entertain envoys from various countries. After all, this year is the first time for my son to be the young minister of Honglu Temple. There must be explanations inside and outside." Li Xuan said briefly. He paused and then said: "Besides, with your Sanniang's appearance this year, I'm afraid you won't be able to go out on the streets, so my son arranged a boat while we were in Qujiang. I just want to take Sanniang around Qujiang tonight to relax."
Ouyang turned to look at Liu Jinyu and asked softly: "Sanniang, what do you think? If there is anything wrong, just tell me."
Liu Jinyu turned her head to look at Li Xuan and said softly: "My husband has arranged everything very well. It doesn't matter where Sanniang goes, as long as she can be with my husband."
"Okay, it's up to you. It seems that this old man like me is really getting in the way."
…
Under the night, the lamps are shining brightly.
A awning boat was sailing in Qujiang Pool, and Li Xuan was sitting slightly behind, with the small stove burning brightly.
A pot of sake was warming on the stove, and four wine glasses fell casually on both sides.
Li Xuan hugged Liu Jinyu and huddled in the warm sheepskin coat. She looked with a red face at the two little ones lying on the bow of the ship looking at the countless lanterns outside.
The fourth mother Liu Shubi and the fifth mother Liu Qiongyu.
These two children were sent over by Liu Mansion in the afternoon, and Li Xuan was asked to take care of them and show them the lights tonight.
Li Xuan looked over at a glance. The elders of the Liu family wanted to take advantage of the festival to have fun, but they were afraid that something would happen to their children, so they left everything in Li Xuan's hands.
Li Xuan doesn't have much to worry about, they just have two children.
Li Xuan looked up at the night sky. In the gorgeous night sky, the bright moon hung high in the sky.
Countless stars dotted the night sky all around, creating a gorgeous scene.
On the banks on both sides, young pedestrians held bright lanterns in their hands. The figures could not be seen clearly, only the lights.
There are also countless boats on Qujiang Pond, with lights lit as they walk.
Liu Jinyu leaned against Li Xuan, her eyes retracted from the playful Liu Shubi and Liu Qiongyu, and finally fell on her belly. With a soft light on her face, she looked sideways at Li Xuan: "Lang Jun, what do you think of this child? Is it a boy or a girl?”
Li Xuan lowered her head, looked at Liu Jinyu in surprise, and whispered: "What, did someone tell you something?"
"No." Liu Jinyu leaned into Li Xuan's arms and whispered: "If I can give birth to a boy, I can inherit the incense of the palace. If I give birth to a girl..."
"The same goes for giving birth to a girl, silly girl." Li Xuanshen said, pinching Liu Jinyu's beautiful nose, then hugged her into his arms, and said softly: "You and I are still young now. It takes two years to give birth to one, and by three Ten, at least six children..."
"What nonsense are you talking about? What do you think of me?" Liu Jinyu rolled her eyes at Li Xuan angrily. There was no longer the worry in her expression. Instead, Li Xuan's waist was pinched and turned purple.
Li Xuan smiled bitterly. This kind of topic is quite boring, but there are too many people who hope to make an issue on this topic.
With a little voice, Liu Jinyu leaned into Li Xuan's arms and whispered: "Mr. Lang, write a poem. I want to hear it."
Hearing this sentence made half of Li Xuan's body bones break.
"Okay." Li Xuan raised her head and looked at the vast Qujiang Pool in front of her. The lights on the water were dotted with sparks, and it was hard to distinguish the edges in the darkness. Suddenly, her heart moved, and she whispered softly: "The west wind wrinkled Qujiang Pool, and the dragon girl's hair turned white overnight. Many. When you are drunk, you don’t know that the sky is in the water, and the boat is full of clear dreams that overwhelm the stars."
"When you are drunk, you don't know that the sky is in the water, and the boat is full of clear dreams that overwhelm the stars." In the faint voice, Liu Jinyu was a little crazy.
The Dragon Girl of Qujiang Pond, a remote myth
(End of chapter)
