People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1828: Creating a Genius, the Emperor Kills

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, in the north of Pingkangfang.

A stream flows slowly through the courtyard.

On the attic, under the bright moon, a man wearing a green robe, a black jade hat on his head, with a clear and smooth face like jade, was sitting beside the railing.

Holding a green wine jug in his hand, he poured out a glass of wine from time to time and then put it directly into his throat, his eyes full of clear thoughts.

At this moment, with a "click", the small door on the side was pushed open.

The next moment, endless noise suddenly flooded into my ears.

A drunken young man wearing a purple robe, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist and a delicate lady in light silk gauze in each arm, opened the door and shouted to the man in green, "Eighteenth brother, why are you hiding here alone? Come on, come with me to see more celebrities in Chang'an."

"Yes!" The man in green sighed slightly, stood up and said, "Thank you for your help, brother."

"No problem." A gleam of light flashed in the eyes of the purple-clothed young man, and then he said: "Today, His Majesty is taking a concubine. It is rare that Zhang Shuo, Zhang Ruoxu, Yan Chaoyin and other guys were invited by King Zheng to come here to recite poems and compose essays. Otherwise, it would be difficult for me to find an opportunity for you to suppress them."

"I'll listen to you, my dear brother." Qing Yi Shiba Lang nodded seriously and said, "I was just thinking alone and I just had some ideas."

"That's good." The purple-clothed youth raised his voice, and then pushed the two beauties in his arms directly into the arms of the green-clothed Shibalang. Then he turned around, waved the fan in his hand, turned around, looked at the endless noise behind him, and said loudly: "My Eighteenth Brother has already made a masterpiece, everyone listen carefully."

Under the lanterns, the originally bustling brothel suddenly became quiet.

Qinghua Pavilion is the most famous of the 18 pavilions in Pingkangfang.

There are even rumors that the emperor came here more than once before he ascended the throne.

Of course, those who know the situation know that this is nonsense. Before he ascended the throne, the emperor seldom visited such boring places. Even if he came occasionally, he was mostly handling cases.

Wherever he appears, there will often be a bloody storm.

The maids walking back and forth on the first floor saw the second son of the Cheng family, the most famous person in Pingkangfang, speaking on the second floor. Everyone immediately retreated under the command of the brothel owner.

On the second floor, many young scholars all poked their heads over.

There was a beautiful girl from the music troupe sitting next to each person, but when Cheng Ruoshui, the second young master of the Cheng family, spoke, everyone fell silent.

Cheng Ruoshui was the grandson of Cheng Chubi, the general of the Zuohaiwei.

His father, Cheng Boxian, is now serving as Lang Jiang of the Right Guard. There is no doubt that he will move up to the next level and become the general of the Sixteen Guards in the future, which is almost inevitable.

The Cheng family of Dongjun has been deeply trusted by successive emperors since Emperor Taizong.

There is no need to mention Duke Lu Cheng Yaojin. The dethronement of King Wu during Emperor Gaozong's reign made the Cheng family firmly established in the court. Even when the Wu family rebelled, it did not affect the Cheng family.

Before the current emperor ascended the throne, he was very friendly with the Cheng family, and even stood guard at the palace gate with Cheng Chubi, Duke of Guangping, many times.

Cheng Chubi's younger brother, Cheng Chuzheng, has always served under the emperor and is now the General of the Right Guard.

A general, a general, and countless other generals, lieutenant generals, and thousand-man guards.

The connections they have accumulated over the years are enough for them to walk all over Chang'an City.

Of course, the most important thing is the emperor's trust.

Cheng Ruoshui's elder brother, Cheng Ruobing, now serves as the commander of the Zuo Qianniu Guard. He often appears in front of the emperor and is a person that the emperor likes very much.

I'm afraid it won't be long before he becomes the captain of Qianniu Guard, the captain, or even the lieutenant general or the lieutenant general, and the glory of the Cheng family will continue.

Of course, where there are dragons, there are worms.

Cheng Ruoshui, the youngest son of the Cheng family, is a playboy. He is just waiting to have enough fun in two years, and then marry the daughter of a royal family who is not out of line, and then use this opportunity to enter the official career.

But what is somewhat strange is that this year, the Cheng family has produced a rare figure.

Cheng Ruokong, from Dong'a County, Dongjun, was a name that no one had ever heard of before. However, he suddenly became famous after the New Year.

Cheng Ruoshui took him more than once to visit various houses during the New Year to spread his reputation, hoping to become famous in the imperial examination.

……

Zhang Ruoxu leaned against the corridor column, wearing a white landscape robe, looking elegant and handsome. His eyes were looking at Zheng Wang Li Jing who was in the center.

Prince Zheng was an absurd playboy when he was young. Thanks to his extreme friendship with the emperor, he has now become the Minister of the Imperial Clan Affairs Bureau. But even so, he does not restrain himself much when he goes in and out.

It was okay on normal days, as he didn't dare to act recklessly with the emperor watching over him.

But today is different. Not only is it New Year’s Day, but the emperor is also taking a concubine today.

The daughter of Hongnong Yang was married into the palace today.

Of course, these things have nothing to do with Zhang Ruoxu.

When it comes to women's affairs, no matter how great a moral gentleman one is, he cannot blame the emperor.

An emperor only has a dozen concubines, who can say anything?

Prince Zheng seemed to be immersed in the beauty and didn't care about Cheng Ruoshui's words.

Zhang Ruoxu nodded lightly, his eyes lightly swept over Zhang Shuo, Yan Chaoyin and the others, and finally looked at Cheng Rukong who came into his sight.

The breeze blows the green willows, and the white water reflects the red peaches.

The boat is sailing on the blue waves, and people are swimming in a painting. The phrase "people are swimming in a painting" made Cheng Rukong famous.

Considering the background of the Cheng family, even Zhang Ruoxu was somewhat worried that he would get the title of top scholar.

You know, some time ago, a message was sent to the Zuo Xiang's family, asking him if he was willing to give up this year's imperial examination. If he was willing, then they would try their best to get him the top spot in the next one.

Zhang Ruoxu was still considering this matter.

Back then, He Zhizhang and Lu Xiangxian both waited for a year before they became the top scorer in the imperial examinations. However, it was not easy for him to become the top scorer.

Yan Chaoyin from Hebei and Zhang Shuo from Hedong were both strong rivals.

The only advantage is that they all come from humble backgrounds.

Zhang Ruoxu came from one of the four families in Jiangnan, Gu, Lu, Zhu and Zhang, and his family background was better than theirs. He also considered himself to be the best in literary talent. If he was asked to give up this subject, he really couldn't bear to do it.

In particular, he knew the situations of He Zhizhang and Lu Xiangxian very well. The reason why these two were able to win the top spot in the imperial examination was because they had been on good terms with the emperor in their early years. Rather than saying that these two were able to win the imperial examination because of the support of the Jiangnan families, it would be better to say that it was the emperor's will.

He, Zhang Ruoxu, has nothing to do with the emperor.

If he doesn't take a chance while there are few talented people in this subject, he may not have a chance next year.

However, Zhang Ruoxu was a little hesitant as to what happened with the Left Prime Minister. The relationship between the Lu family and their Zhang family was not that friendly.

Just at this moment, a voice came from the front.

"The crescent moon shines over the nine provinces, some are happy and some are sad; some couples live together in the same bedchamber and some are drifting away from home?"

Cheng Rukong, dressed in green, came out, bowed gently to everyone, and said, "I am far away in Chang'an, and it is difficult to hide my homesickness. I hope you will forgive me."

"The moon is shining on the nine provinces, how many families are drifting outside?" Zheng Wang Li Jing walked out of the middle room, bowed to Cheng Rukong and said: "Cheng Shibalang's poems are sincere, and I am moved. I will not accompany you. I will go home, go home, it is the best time to go home in my youth."

After saying that, Li Jing walked down the stairs and walked out of the Qinghua Pavilion in the shocked gazes of countless people.

Zhang Ruoxu, Zhang Shuo, Yan Chaoyin and many other scholars in the pavilion were all shocked and unable to believe what was happening when they saw this scene.

In the crowd, a middle-aged man with an ugly face but wearing a blue silk mink coat suddenly looked at Cheng Rukong with eyes full of hatred.

……

In Ganlu Palace, Li Xuan stood in front of the bed, looking at the stubborn and beautiful woman with tears in her eyes, with a hint of indifference in his eyes.

"You don't want to?" Li Xuan asked in a cold voice.

"I dare not." Yang Xiuyan lowered her head slightly, the gold ornaments on her head swaying slightly, but she bit her lips lightly.

"If I remember correctly, you should not be engaged at home." Li Xuan frowned tightly.

This Yang Xiuyan was the concubine chosen by Liu Jinyu for him. She was one of the nine concubines and the daughter of Yang Zhiliang, the former magistrate of Shi'an County.

Of course, Yang Zhiliang is now the Beijia of Jizhou.

But now, Yang Xiuyan, who has entered the palace, looks like this.

This kind of thing has never happened to Li Xuan.

Not to mention, he is the emperor now.

Light footsteps sounded behind him, and Shangguan Wan'er's voice came: "Your Majesty!"

"How's the investigation going?" Li Xuan didn't turn around, still looking at Yang Xiuyan in front of him, his expression was terrifyingly indifferent.

"Half a month ago, Yang Chongyi's cousin Wei Qing escaped from the Western Regions and sneaked into Hongnong." When Shangguan Wan'er mentioned the Western Regions, Li Xuan understood what was going on.

Li Xuan frowned: "Are they engaged?"

"No." Shangguan Wan'er leaned over and said, "The Queen checked it herself, and there has never been any."

"That means they have decided to get married secretly." Li Xuan looked at Yang Xiuyan, who lowered her head very low, and asked, "Is she a virgin?"

With the word "broken virginity", the whole hall fell into dead silence.

If Yang Xiuyan lost her virginity, it would mean that the entire Hongnong Yang family would be guilty of deceiving the emperor.

"Your Majesty, no." Shangguan Wan'er bowed and said, "The palace sent someone to check the body yesterday, and the palace guarded Yang's mansion yesterday."

Li Xuan nodded slightly and said, "Order the secret guards to secretly arrest Wei Qing."

"Your Majesty!" Yang Xiuyan immediately knelt down.

Li Xuan stretched out his hand and pinched Yang Xiuyan's chin, and said calmly: "I think that if I order the people of Yongzhou and Luozhou to arrest him according to the law, then it is inevitable that someone will slander the reputation of me and the Hongnong Yang family. But if I let him go, he will definitely run to Chang'an. What do you think I should do?"

Yang Xiuyan's fair chin was pinched so hard that it hurt. She wanted to say something, but she couldn't say anything.

"Send him into exile." Li Xuan looked into Yang Xiuyan's eyes and said softly, "Send him to Andong and let Duke Ping deal with him. The Tang and Silla are going to go to war. If he can survive, it will be his luck."

Yang Xiuyan suddenly collapsed to the ground and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Shangguan Wan'er, however, looked cold, because she had seen Li Xuan making a light slash behind her.

Wei Qing is dead.

(End of this chapter)