Wait, Jinshi Club? Let me go, isn’t this the stronghold of female literati like Li Qingzhao? Bai Meng left quickly without being noticed by the woman in the arch.
Just as he left, Li Qingzhao and several women who were watching the excitement came out. In fact, there were two women on the pavilion inside the arch just now. They discovered that the Taoist priest outside the door was the one they met earlier who claimed to know everything. The unknown charlatan.
Li Qingzhao came out wearing a ruqi and found that the person was gone. He gritted his teeth secretly. There was always a chance to meet him while he was still in Bianjing. Next time he met him, he must deal with him well.
Li Qingzhao was still angry. She couldn't imagine what Bai Meng was doing now.
He actually asked around where Li Qingzhao's residence was! Or should I say, he was asking where Li Gefei's residence was.
He paid a penny to let a commoner lead the way to visit Li Gefei. The Li Mansion is not as good as those wealthy families. The mansion is quite decent and the door is closed.
Bai Meng did not come to see Li Qingzhao, but to give Li Gefei a heads up and tell him to stay away from the Yuanyou Party members as soon as possible.
On the one hand, he did this to stabilize the court, but on the other hand, he really couldn't bear to see so many people being exiled and demoted. More importantly, Li Gefei couldn't just express this point, right?
Li Gefei is now a member of the Ministry of Etiquette. He is a high-ranking official. He can be rewarded with dozens of coins, right?
He removed his spiritual power and disguised himself, walked straight to Li's house, knocked on the door and asked to see Li Gefei.
Soon a servant came out, and he saw the handsome young man in front of him at a glance, but he had never seen it before.
Although Li Qingzhao was usually not at home at this time, just in case, he asked his servant: "Is Miss Li at home? I am her good friend."
Knowing that Li Qingzhao is not here, but her father is here, this is a God-given opportunity, and Bai Meng cannot miss such an opportunity.
"Then I'll tell Mr. Li that his daughter's favorite husband wants to meet him." Bai Meng said with a smile.
He worked hard, and he must not miss this kind of God-given opportunity. Being frivolous is nothing. Being able to make a sum of money so easily is much better than working tirelessly on the street to tell fortunes under the sun.
The servant came to the study and told Li Gefei something.
Li Gefei was very surprised. A young man was looking for a meeting outside. Is he the one that my daughter likes?
No wonder Li Qingzhao didn’t respond to the matter with Mr. Zhao. It turns out she had a crush outside? Then why didn't she tell her earlier? Is her father that inhumane?
Li Gefei felt that this person was here to prevent the marriage with the Zhao family? If you want to marry my daughter, you have to see if you have the ability. Or did he take the initiative to accept the test? Li Qingzhao didn't tell her father clearly about the man she liked.
Li Gefei did not expect that this man and his daughter were incompatible with each other. If there was any connection, it was Li Qingzhao who "turned off" his fortune-telling stall and wanted someone to beat him to death.
The Li Mansion was much larger than Bai Meng had imagined. There were many antiques, calligraphy and paintings in the wing. He was so impressed that he was truly worthy of a scholarly family to cultivate such a Li Qingzhao!
Li Gefei was a student of Su Shi. If the past reincarnations were to follow, the Yuanyou Party members would have been expelled from Beijing one after another. As a member of the Ministry of Rites, Li Gefei would be involved in the follow-up. After being dismissed from office, he returned to his hometown in Shandong and spent the rest of his life relatively hardship.
When Li Gefei came to the wing, his heart lit up when he saw the person in front of him. His daughter had good taste, but she was not good-looking.
"Are you the one that my daughter likes? Why did you come to see me?" Li Gefei's face was full of traces of time, with wrinkles criss-crossing like dead branches, and his skin showed a dull yellow-brown color. When he saw Bai Meng , and immediately opened his mouth to test.
Bai Mengmei smiled happily and responded: "Master Li, what are you talking about? This junior is here specifically to visit you."
Li Gefei said with a half-smile, "Don't you show courtesy when you visit the girl's father?"
Li Gefei had already discovered that this guy didn't bring anything. What does it mean to come empty-handed? Don't know any etiquette at all.
Bai Meng's purpose was clear. He planned to fool Li Gefei and said, "Master Li, what you said is wrong. I have prepared the gift and will give it to Master Li later."
Bai Meng sighed, his eyes drooped, and then he said: "I wonder what Master Li thinks of the current situation in the court. With the new emperor ascending the throne, what actions does Master Li think the officials will take?"
Li Gefei did not expect that he would say such things, not talking about things with his daughter, not talking about visiting gifts, not talking about things in the court. Besides, what do you, a young boy, know about the affairs in the court? He felt more and more that this damn girl Li Qingzhao was definitely deceived by his appearance.
Li Gefei pretended to be confused and said suspiciously: "Why are you talking about this? What do you think? You'd better take out the gift quickly and don't change the subject by beating around the bush."
Bai Meng responded to the question and stated: "When new emperors ascend the throne in the past dynasties, there will always be a wave of blood changes in the court. Aren't you afraid that something like this will happen to you, Mr. Li? Empress Dowager Xiang ignored the opposition of Prime Minister Zhang Dun and allowed Prince Duan to succeed. Will the officials take action against Zhang Dun?"
Li Gefei disagreed. Zhang Dun was a veteran of three dynasties. Even if something happened to Zhang Dun, what would it have to do with him, a member of the Ministry of Rites, Wailang?
What's more, Zhang Dun is from the new sect, and Li Gefei is from the old sect. If the new sect is suppressed, won't he have an opportunity? Could it be that when this kid talks about exchanging blood, he means that he can become a high-ranking official? This is here to give me some tips on how to get promoted. I have never had the opportunity to be promoted. Has the opportunity come now?
Bai Meng cleared his throat, slowly opened his lips and said, "Master Li, it is probably difficult to get promoted. You will be demoted to a remote area or even dismissed from office."
Li Gefei was shocked. He didn't understand what it had to do with him that the officials wanted to move Zhang Dun. This could also involve him. Why didn't I believe anything you said?
Bai Meng said categorically: "Master Li, listen to my analysis first. It's up to you to decide whether you believe it or not."
"Master Li is from the old school. Empress Dowager Xiang listens to the affairs of the court. Her power in the court is complicated and powerful. Even with the support of Empress Dowager Xiang, he can successfully ascend the throne and succeed to the throne. The officials will definitely be afraid. In order to secure the throne, he It will inevitably attack and clear out Queen Mother Xiang’s wings in the court, and to do all this is to oppose conservatism and abandon all forces of Queen Mother Xiang.”
Bai Meng's calm statement made Li Gefei's heartbeat rise and fall.
Li Gefei thought about it for a while. He had never seen this person before. He was probably not the son of an official family. How could he see the government affairs so thoroughly and clearly?
If what he said is true, then he should withdraw from the party as soon as possible and not participate in the party struggle, or join the new camp in order to survive in the cracks of party struggle.
Li Gefei would not consider the latter. Li Gefei was a student of Su Dongpo. Su Dongpo had always opposed Wang Anshi's reforms when he was in power. He was the most vocal among the old school. As a student of Mr. Su Dongpo, he would not join the enemy camp.
Seeing that Li Qingzhao's father remained silent, Bai Meng talked until he was thirsty. He took the teapot and poured a cup for himself and Li Gefei.
He blew the tea cup slightly and tasted it carefully, as if he was the master, pouring tea for the guests, giving them pointers, and then said:
"Master Li, have you figured it out? After the officials attack Zhang Dun, they will probably attack the conservative faction. Master Li, you need to make plans early. Keep a distance from your colleagues and give some advice to those who can escape." , I am saving you."
"I will seriously consider what you say, but can you understand some etiquette? It's okay if you don't bring a gift. How can a guest pour tea for the host?" Li Gefei laughed dumbly and then spoke.
He felt that Bai Meng was too ungrateful, even if he didn't bring a gift, he poured himself tea, which was simply inhumane.
"It doesn't matter. Mr. Li can just wait and see what happens and see if the officials will take action. Then make a decision!"
Bai Meng said with a dry smile: "As for this tea, I am actually thirsty. It would be inappropriate not to give it to you, old man."
Li Gefei's face turned dark, and he cursed in his heart: This guy is simply inhuman. You didn't even want to pour me tea in the first place, right? It's so shameless. I have never seen such a junior. He drinks my tea with confidence and the teacups are not arranged neatly.
If it was true as he said, then the rest of his life would be over. Li Gefei was very grateful to him in his heart, but he was not ready to marry his daughter to him. Immediately, Li Gefei turned the topic to Li Qingzhao and him.
"Which family are you from? What kind of business does your family do?" In Li Gefei's opinion, it is acceptable to be a businessman even though he is not a son of an official family. After all, he can be guaranteed to have good food and clothing and a worry-free life.
Seeing the opportunity coming, Bai Meng began to trick him. He told Li Gefei that he was in the antique business and had something good to show him.
He talked and laughed freely and said: "Master Li, I have a jade pendant for Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, as well as authentic calligraphy works of Wang Xizhi, and various cultural relics and ancient treasures. Would you like to buy some and present them to the emperor?"
As an official, you will be careful about things dedicated to the emperor, otherwise it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor. Li Gefei said angrily:
"Don't fool me with these fakes. If they are fake, it will be a crime of deceiving the king, and you can't afford it. Also, why did you buy it? Shouldn't you be the one who respects me?"
Bai Meng showed a confident look and said: "Master Li, what are you talking about? I dare you to give it to the emperor. How can it be false? Do I not want my life? Besides, Master Li, you can buy it yourself. It can better show sincerity and loyalty to the emperor. Maybe Mr. Li will not be attacked in the future. This transaction is worth it."
He didn't panic at all when he lied and boasted, as if he did it often. Just like this, his reason for getting money from Li Gefei was already established.
In fact, what Bai Meng said makes sense. Many people in Bianjing know that when the emperor was still King Duan, he loved calligraphy and painting and created the unique Thin Gold Style.
But what they didn't know was the reason why the emperor neglected his government and was incompetent. On the one hand, the monarch did not pay enough attention to the military. On the other hand, the emergence of the Dragon-Slaying Sword caused the lack of dragon energy in the Northern Song Dynasty and the prosperity of the dragon energy in the north. , they easily defeated the Song army, creating a situation where the Northern Song Dynasty was weak and the Jin people were strong.
"Where are the things? How much do you plan to price for the authentic Huilong Jade Pendant of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty and the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi?" Li Gefei began to ask curiously.
Seeing that he had been fooled, Bai Meng explained calmly: "I gave Qingzhao both the Huilong jade pendant and the authentic calligraphy of Wang Xizhi. She is probably studying at the Jinshi Society now. That is the personal Huilong jade pendant of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. I gave it to him Isn’t the emperor just praising the emperor in disguise for being a wise king? Mr. Li will naturally see her when she comes back."
Li Gefei couldn't even imagine that his daughter Li Qingzhao didn't know the person in front of her at all.
Bai Meng felt very guilty. He felt guilty for deceiving such an honest man, but he had no choice but to return it to him later, treating it as an investment or loan from him.
"I have treasured this thing for many years. Based on my relationship with Qingzhao, I only need thirty guan from Mr. Li." Bai Meng started to act, showing a sad look.
Bai Meng wonders if thirty guans is a lot of pressure for these court officials? He only had enough money to come to Tokyo from Yangzhou, and he could still spend so long here. In his opinion, the money was already a lot.
The officials here have generous salaries. Li Gefei, a member of the Ministry of Rites, has an income of nearly 50 guan per month. He has been an official for some years and has saved a lot of savings. It is worth buying a Huilong jade pendant from Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty for 30 guan. , not to mention the authentic calligraphy of Wang Xizhi that can be given to the Zhao Guan family who loves calligraphy.
As for the dragon jade pendant that time, he planned to keep it for now. After all, it was Tang Taizong's personal jade pendant, and his surname was also Li, so it could be said that it was inherited from Tang Taizong's ancestors.
Li Gefei asked the accountant to get the money. After Bai Meng got the money, he left Li's house.
