A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 247 Qinghe Cui's Invitation

Street drums thump, thousands of doors open.

Wei Zheng and his wife packed up early in the morning and prepared gifts to go to Xue's house to pay New Year's greetings. When they opened the door, they found that the door was full of people.

They all went to the Wu family next door to pay New Year's greetings.

"It's already the third year of junior high school. Why are there so many people queuing up to pay New Year's greetings to the Wu family? The Wu family has really good connections."

The old servant told Mrs. Pei, "Miss, the people in the queue are basically from our Yongxing Square, and some are from the surrounding areas. Most of them are small households in the workshop. They have received a lot of favors from the Wu family. They will definitely be there during the Chinese New Year." I want to come to pay New Year's greetings, because there are too many people who came to pay New Year's greetings, and I couldn't make it in the first few days, but now I'm in the queue.

Wei Zheng glanced at the long line and said nothing.

As a neighbor next door, he also knows that during the famine last year, the Wu family borrowed money and food to the neighbors in the neighborhood. For any disputes, the head of Fangzheng would come to ask the Wu family to mediate.

Not to mention, the Wu family also gave some firewood, rice, oil and salt to the widows and widows in the workshop during festivals.

Since the Wu family moved to Yongxingfang, Wu Huaiyu also built a public bathhouse in the workshop. There is hot water supply in winter, and the fee is very cheap. It is of a welfare nature.The Wu family also paid for it themselves, hired a few disabled people in the workshop, cleaned along the street, and even repaired a few public toilets.

The streets and alleys of Yongxingfang are clean now, and there is seldom the situation of urinating everywhere. This is all because of the Wu family's money. A place for people's convenience.

Just prohibition, without providing convenience, can a living person be suffocated to death by urine?
The couple got into the carriage and left.

Pei couldn't help sighing, "The Wu family knows how to behave."

Wei Zheng said bluntly, "The upstarts of the Wu family should spend some money to invite their names." Those common people who came to the Wu family to pay New Year's greetings are thankful, but in fact, when they come to the Wu family to pay New Year's greetings, no matter what they bring, the Wu family will give a red envelope for New Year greetings.

"That's how to be a man. In Yongxingfang, there must be more than a dozen families with higher official titles than the Wu family. But which family has a better reputation than the Wu family in the eyes of the neighbors?"

The Wu family has constant visitors throughout the year, and the front door is always lively, but the Wei family rarely has guests.

"Now it's not just the neighbors who often come to visit. I heard that many scholars who come to Beijing to take the exam now come here to present poems and essays."

Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the imperial examinations have been basically held once a year. There are six regular subjects: scholar, Mingjing, Jinshi, Minglu, Mingshu, and Mingshu. Occasionally, there are medical and Taoist examinations.

There were not many admissions in the imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty, and there were no grade-level exams. The local government schools and the Imperial College recommended students to take the exam, and then the local government would recommend some rural tributes, who came directly to Beijing to take the exam, and did not pass the exam.

This leads to the fact that when the examiners are admitted, the off-site scores are often very important. For example, candidates with good backgrounds and high reputations are more likely to be admitted. Therefore, before the exams, scholars will write some poems and votes for the prime ministers, princes and nobles.

Being able to make scholars compete to pay homage to poems is more indicative of Wu Huaiyu's current status than neighbors coming to pay New Year's greetings.

Anyway, Wei Zheng, as Shangshu Zuocheng, was considered a famous person, and he received very few poems. Maybe everyone knew that Wei Zheng was too upright.

"Isn't Wu Huaiyu known as the Four Masters in the workshop? Poetry, calligraphy, medicine, and painting are the four masters. He is also the owner of the Chongwen Museum, a scholar, and the prince washes horses. He is the favorite of the emperor. It is normal for scholars to write many books about him. "Wei Zheng was quite calm.

Wu Huaiyu's official rank is not high in Chang'an, but he can often see the emperor and even participate in court meetings. This is a kind of invisible power.

Mrs. Pei sighed, "If you want me to tell you, Wu Erlang is young and handsome, capable of writing and martial arts, and he will be the prime minister in the future."

"Don't you think he still has a younger sister? Why don't our family marry him? Doesn't Wu Erlang like our second child very much? What do you think?"

Wei Zheng was really moved when he heard that.

Although the second daughter is engaged to the Xue family of Hedong, and the eldest daughter has a ten-year agreement with Wang Yifang of the Wang family of Taiyuan, the four sons have not married yet, so it is not easy to marry a woman with five surnames.

The second child is married to the Wu family, which is indeed a good marriage.

"This matter is not urgent." Old Wei hesitated for a while, mainly because he was afraid that the Wu family would not agree and lose face.

"You're sorry, then I'll find a chance to talk to Lady Liu."

Wei Zheng pondered for a while, "The young lady of the Wu family is born of a concubine."

"I know."

······
Wu Huaiyu followed Li Jing into the palace to meet the emperor, followed by Su Dingfang in white.

The father and son recommended the memorial to the emperor's case, and the emperor summoned the three of them immediately after reading it.

Su Dingfang was one of the world's top five young and fierce generals in the Sui Dynasty, but now the top four have all passed away early, leaving only Su Lie.

"When I conquered Liu Heita in Hebei, Su Dingfang's bravery left a deep impression on me,"

The emperor couldn't help but think of Luo Shixin again. This is also an enemy of thousands of people who went to battle at the age of 14. Qin Qiong's best partner back then died in the battle against Liu Heita in Hebei. At that time, Luo Shixin led his troops into the city to replace Wang Junkuo. But buried this peerless titan.

"This Su Dingfang has refused to be recruited by the imperial court several times, but now he thinks about going out."

The emperor walked to a bookshelf and found a secret book, which was played by Zhang Liang.

Open it up and look carefully, here is the secret surveillance report of Su Dingfang living in seclusion in Hebei.

Before the secret establishment of the Six Doors, in fact, the Ministry of Punishment of the imperial court had special personnel secretly monitoring the remnants of the anti-king tyrants in the late Sui Dynasty, as well as the green forest heroes and horse thieves from all over the world, and established special files.

After Li Shimin ascended the throne, he just asked Zhang Liang to establish a special office to be responsible for these.

Su Dingfang has always been the focus of surveillance.

The Su family is also one of the most powerful in Wuyi. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, they were able to raise thousands of soldiers. This is the same power as Xu Shiji, Cheng Yaojin, Zhang Shigui, etc. Although Su Dingfang was defeated several times, when he returned to his hometown, his family still remained There are tens of thousands of mu of fertile land and thousands of servants.

He didn't have to work in the fields by himself at home, he went home and became a big landlord.

However, because he rebelled against Tang several times along with Dou Jiande and Liu Heita, his status in the village was rather embarrassing. Aristocrats like the Qinghe Cui family inevitably wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to add insult to injury and encroach on Su's land.

The dispute between the Su and Cui families was first related to a relative of Cui, and then led to the Cui family. The Cui and Su families directly confronted each other.

Li Shimin looked through the information and knew it in his heart.

Su Dingfang had no choice but to leave the mountain, otherwise the Cui family of Qinghe would unceremoniously force the Su family to ruin and swallow up all their scum.

Su Dingfang is also smart, since he can't beat the Cui family, then he will go out of the mountain directly, and with the help of his teacher Li Jing, he will return to serve as an official.

When the identity changes, the Cui family and the local yamen will not dare to persecute her like that.

A Qinghe Cui family, five surnames in Kanto, a top family, a Wuyi Su family, a local tyrant, or a tycoon who opposed the Tang Dynasty in the Sui and Ji Dynasties. Li Shimin doesn't like both of them, but if you choose one of the two to support, Li Shimin Naturally, she was happy to support Su Lie.

The emperor summoned Li Jing and the others in the Chongwen Hall, and specially brought the crown prince with them.

Li Shimin wears a winged crown and a bright yellow dragon robe.

Li Jing's purple robe, Huaiyu's scarlet robe, and Su Lie's white robe.

"Give Su Lie a whitebait bag in her crimson robe, and a jade belt."

Su Lie entered the palace and bowed down to the emperor with a respectful attitude. The emperor was very happy and stepped forward to help him up, and then bestowed Feiyu on him.

The monarchs and ministers talked freely, and Li Shimin made an order.

"Give Su Dingfang the rank of guerrilla general, and the crown prince will lead the army in the suburban city of Ben army,"

Su Wei goodbye.

Li Shimin stepped forward again to help him up, "I wanted to use you a long time ago, but unfortunately I never had the chance, now I finally got this hero, I am very happy.

Both you and Huaiyu are the disciples of the pharmacist, now that Huaiyu is going to be the governor of Yanzhou, are you willing to go with him? "

"I am willing to go through fire and water for His Majesty, even if I die." Su Lie was also very straightforward without any hesitation.

Although they used to be rivals, times have changed.

"Very well, then I will grant you Sima of Yanzhou. In Yanzhou, there will be [-] town garrison soldiers, [-] prefectural soldiers, and [-] united soldiers. You will unify the thousand town soldiers plus [-] united soldiers, and Huaiyu will unify the thousand prefectural soldiers." Add a thousand unity."

In addition to the [-] native soldiers to be recruited locally in Yanzhou, the other [-] town soldiers and state soldiers were to be selected from the inland government soldiers to defend Yanzhou.

Li Shimin directly asked the two to go to the Ministry of War to ask Du Ruhui for a soldier talisman, and then go to order their respective thousand soldiers.

"Officer, I will pick some from the Eighth Battalion of the North Gate for you."

"If you have something you want to bring, you can also recommend it."

The two thousand soldiers in Yanzhou were ordered directly from the Zhechong Mansion in Gyeonggi, and the officers were selected directly from the Forbidden Army in the camp.

"The necessary equipment will be allocated by the Ministry of War, Military Weapons Supervisor, Shenjifang, and Weiwei Temple."

"The war horse is looking for the Taipu Temple."

Two thousand Yanzhou soldiers, with six steps and four rides.

The emperor also specially kept them for dinner in the palace, and finally rewarded Huaiyu and Su Lie with a set of imperial Mingguang armor, plus two imperial horses.

When leaving the palace, Su Lie, who was wearing the crimson robe, felt refreshed.

"General Su!"

A long, short, stooped purple-robed official stepped forward.

"Li Dudu, military governor."

Huaiyu looked at this short and ugly man and didn't recognize him for a while, but Li Jing smiled and crossed his hands, "Cui Gong."

"Erlang, this is Cui Gong, Duke of Qinghe County, who is currently the Minister of Dali Temple."

Cui Shanwei said: "Just after receiving the imperial decree, His Majesty appointed me as the governor of Shanzhou, and I am about to enter the palace to face the saint."

The minister of Dali Temple is from the third rank, and the governor of Shanzhou is the governor of Shangzhou from the third rank.

Cui Shanwei's title can tell that this is the Cui family of Qinghe. This person is proficient in calendar calculation. He became an official when Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was in charge. After the Taiyuan uprising, he became the secretary of General Li Yuan's mansion, and after the founding of the country, he was canonized as the Duke of Qinghe County.

Before the June Palace Change, he was the Minister Zuo Cheng. Although he was ugly, he had a good background and good skills. He had won Li Yuan's trust and was also a confidant of the old emperor Yuan.

Cui Shanfu, the treasury master of Prince Qin who died early, was his cousin.

One of the representatives of the Qinghe Cui family in Beijing.

Of course, Cui Shanwei knew about the disputes between Cui and Su's family in Hebei, and he also knew about Su Lie's going to Beijing.

Now Su Lie bestows Feiyin, but he wants to release it.

They could meet in front of the palace gate, Cui Shanwei didn't know what the emperor wanted to convey.

"General Su, the old family members were ignorant before, and had some conflicts with the general. It really shouldn't be."

"Tomorrow, I will hold a banquet to accompany the crime, and invite General Su and Li Dudu, the military governor, to honor him together."

Cui Shan took the initiative to show his favor and deliberately resolved the conflict.

Li Jing accepted the invitation on behalf of Su Lie, "Okay, we will definitely visit Cui Gong's house tomorrow."

Su Lie also agreed, although Cui's position in the Chang'an court is not high now, but the influence in the Kanto area is too great, facing their initiative to reconcile, he still chose to accept it.

"Okay, then I will enter the palace first."

The three of Huaiyu got into the carriage, and Li Jing reminded Su Lie, "Enemies should be resolved rather than knotted. Since Mrs. Cui intends to reconcile, let's reconcile."

"Disciple understands." Su Lie was also very happy, he couldn't fight if he wanted to, otherwise he wouldn't have come to Beijing.

Li Jing tapped his thigh with his fingers, "It's interesting. I remember that the governor of Shanzhou was Cui Shishu before, and now Cui Shan is appointed to take over."

"Cui Shishu also belongs to Qinghe Cui family?" Huaiyu asked.

"Well, it's the same Qinghe Cui family, but it's not the same house. Cui Shishu belongs to the Yanling house and is also one of the Cui family's fixed houses. This Cui Shishu and Cui Yixuan defected to Zhai Rang back then, but Zhai Rang tortured and extorted money. It was Li Mi who protected him.

After Li Mi's defeat, Cui Shishu and Cui Yixuan went to Chang'an with Li Mi to join the Tang Dynasty. The Supreme Emperor treated him well and named him the founding father of Qinghe County. middle. "

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, some people voted for Li Yuan, some voted for Li Mi, and others voted for Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande, etc., and they also bet from all directions. Nowadays, there are many officials in the court, but there is no one who is able to be a prime minister, but their power is still there. Not to be underestimated.

Huaiyu asked with a smile, "Which house and family is the widow Cui who hooked up with Lu Guogong Cheng Yaojin?"

"The daughter of Cui Junchuo, Duke of Dongjun, belongs to Zhengzhou Fang, one of the six households of the Cui family in Qinghe. Cui Junchuo is the cousin of Empress Dugu in the Sui Dynasty."

Huaiyu knew that Queen Dugu of Sui Yangjian was sister to Li Yuan's mother, so Cui Junchuo could be regarded as Li Shimin's cousin.

Li Jing told them that Cui Junchuo had a daughter who was once Yang Guang's favorite concubine. Cui Junchuo was exiled because of his involvement in Yang Yong's abolition of the crown prince.

Cui Junchuo has a younger brother, Cui Junsu, who had a good official career in Tang Dynasty and became the servant of Huangmen, but he was implicated by Jiancheng last year.At that time, Cui Junsu first served as the prime minister under the command of Dou Jiande, and later, after the defeat of the army and surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, he also achieved the position of the servant of the Huangmen. Same, boarded the built ship together.

Cui's Zhengzhou house was very prosperous in the Sui Dynasty, but now it is not as good as the Yanling house.

The widow Cui who got together with Lao Cheng was the daughter of Cui Junchuo, the landlady of Zhengzhou. She was the cousin of Emperor Li Shimin and the younger sister of Yang Guang's favorite wife.

The brothers Cui Junchuo and Cui Junsu are now false titles of county dukes, and they are serving as Shaoqing's spare time. It can be said that it is a wrong step.

Huaiyu's mind was confused when he heard it. These elites and nobles are too intricate and complicated, but it also reminded him that a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. These old nobles should not be underestimated. Seven or eight.

(End of this chapter)