Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 107 The Strange Circle
Before the application time came, Zhang Liangdi had already been sent to Qinghu, without much etiquette, she was still a concubine after all.

Li Heng's mind is obviously more on the guests.

He could have skipped the wedding banquet, but this opportunity to communicate with the courtiers is really too rare.

For example, the reason why he went to see Wei Jian during Tianbao's five-year Shangyuan night was because it was a rare opportunity, but it was a pity that someone who cared about him noticed it.

From the corner of the eye, Xue Bai had already got up.

After a while, Li Heng put down his wine glass and said, "I'll go change first."

"Your Highness, please."

Li Heng turned to the backyard, Li Jingzhong was already waiting at the side, and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, it has been arranged, there is a time for a stick of incense."

"lead the way."

He has been to the Liyuan several times, two times to arrange marriages, one time when he married the Crown Princess Webster, and one time when his eldest son Li Chu married the princess.

After many years, today he suddenly thought of Webster, and from this, he suddenly regretted not listening to Li Jingzhong's words and sending Du Shi to the Buddhist House in the Forbidden Garden to become a nun, which left a lot of trouble.

Taking two deep breaths in front of a verandah, Li Heng calmed down, and pushed the door open, with a gentle smile on his face at the same time.

"Xue Bai, today I finally found the opportunity to explain to you face to face."

Xue Bai turned his head and saw Li Heng's sincere face, but what he recalled in his mind was the conversation with Du Jin yesterday.

……

"You shouldn't go to this wedding banquet, brother slave will definitely refer to you as the prince's accomplice again."

"Actually, it's not dangerous at all, everything is no more than three."

"You talk about this with me calmly, don't you mind that I used to be Prince Liangdi... Actually you don't care about me that much, do you?"

"Because it's all over."

"You don't ask me what I think?"

"What do you think?"

"I want you to know that Xue Bai is the only thing in my mind, and I wish I could blend in with you. How about you? Even if it's just pretending, you're sometimes jealous because of me. Would you like to show that you care more about me?"

"Okay, I will kill Li Heng from now on."

"Then I will treat you as it is for me."

……

Xue Bai came back to his senses, smiled, and asked, "I don't know what your Highness wants to explain?"

"I didn't hear about Li Jingzhong making people bury you alive without authorization." Li Heng said sincerely, "Unfortunately, it's too late to know."

"Okay, His Highness's words are enough." Xue Bai said, "I will keep it in my heart."

"I'm glad you're fine, otherwise it would be a great crime." Li Heng said, "How should I compensate you? Oh, I know that no amount of compensation can make it up, so I can only express my apology."

"Is everything okay?" Xue Bai asked.

Li Heng was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, and nodded.

Xue Bai said: "It is enough to have His Highness's statement. I don't need His Highness to compensate, I can fight for what I want."

"I really appreciate you." Li Heng said, "Especially the two tax laws, which coincide with me."

Xue Bai remained silent and waited for the next article.

He knew that Li Heng didn't have much time, and he was willing to listen to Li Heng's views on the two tax laws...if he could finish.

"Since the Warring States period, the country's taxation has been mainly based on the population. Only these two tax laws have been changed to focus on land and family assets, which can alleviate the poverty of the poor and increase the country's benefits." Li Heng said: "I never thought about it, you are young. Years old, already so insightful."

"Your Highness has a good reputation. After all, it is a good law if it is implemented well. If it is not implemented well, it will be a bad law that will harm the country and the people."

Li Heng frowned slightly, showing some hesitation.

He didn't have time to play tricks with Xue Bai, and said, "Is there an expert behind you?"

"Can not remember."

Li Heng took two steps with his hands behind his back, and suddenly said: "I can vindicate Xue Ruo."

Xue Bai still didn't respond much, as if he didn't understand.

Li Hengdao: "I know that you are Xue Ru's son. I was also heartbroken when the case of the three concubines was brought up. I am about the same age as the second brother, and have a deep relationship, so I have a deep friendship with your grandfather. Not long ago, I learned that the son of the old man was still alive. I'm happy to be alive, but I dare not say anything. I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you, but will harm you..."

He was very sincere, and when he said it, he put his hands on Xue Bai's shoulders.

"Although you are a concubine, your elder brother is weak and sick. In the future, the title of Duke of Hedong may fall on your shoulders. Can you bear it?"

Xue Bai said: "I didn't understand what His Highness was talking about."

"You understand." Li Heng said: "Yang Tong, Pei Kuan and others are now joining forces to fight for power, and you are planning behind it. If it is beneficial to the society, I am happy to see it succeed, but if the timing is wrong, it will only harm you. Take it slowly, otherwise, if you offend your father, it will be too late to regret it. Let Mr. Han come to see me, and I will make the best arrangements for you, practice good methods, and be talented."

"I don't understand what His Highness is saying," Xue Bai said.

Li Heng sighed slightly, but he was quite gracious, he didn't say anything else, and said with a smile: "Then maybe I've misunderstood, in short, it's good that I can explain the past misunderstandings clearly..."

If Xue Bai was really an unworldly young man, he might have been persuaded by Li Heng; or he didn't know why until he offended Li Longji.

If Li Longji was angry, it must be because he handed over the East Palace, so Li Heng deliberately handed over Xue Bai to offend the saint and prevent Yang Tong from fighting for power.Otherwise, once Yang Li pays homage to the prime minister, he will continue to abolish the crown prince, and will cooperate with Concubine Yang, Li Yingyu and others to support King Qing.

Doing so, it seems that Li Heng will be very dangerous.But in fact, he was safe and sound in the cases of Wei Jian, Liu Ji, and Li Shi.

Because no matter who the crown prince is, there are courtiers who speculate. Only by removing these courtiers, Li Longji will neither have to face the trouble of abolishing the crown prince nor worry about the threat of the East Palace.Even if he knew that Li Heng was dishonest, would it be okay to change to another prince?The most important thing is to maintain the weak situation of Donggong, so that he can enjoy himself with peace of mind.

Li Heng dared to test again and again because he was sure of Li Longji's thoughts.

Xue Bai, who proposed to question the salt law closely, made people think that the East Palace was doing things for the country. When Li Longji got angry, it would not be difficult for Li Heng to get rid of the relationship, and just push it to Li Yingyu's party and Qing Wang Li Cong.

"Look, the seemingly honest Li Cong is even worse."

This time and time again, Li Heng seems to have been compromising his strength, and more people will think that the saint is wrong, and look forward to the East Palace instead.

If it is said that Li Linfu only used one move to eliminate dissidents with the crime of "constructing the East Palace"; Li Heng also only used one move to construct officials and accumulate strength.

For a long time, they could not completely defeat each other.He constructs one, he eliminates one, then constructs again, and then eliminates.They kept finding dishonest officials, always maintaining a strange balance.

Only saints are always on top.

But no one thought that the center would become weaker and weaker in this balance until the balance was broken.

~~
Coming out of the ceremony courtyard, Yuan Jie pulled Xue Bai over and said in a low voice, "I saw King Guangping today."

"Isn't he grounded?"

"Today the sage allowed him to come to the ceremony."

Speaking of this, Yuan Jie pondered, and said: "Guangping Wang Renxiao is gentle and respectful, elegant and respectful, and his universe is grand and profound. Is it worth serving?"

Xue Bai turned his head and glanced at him, but instead of answering, he asked, "What do you think, brother Zimei?"

Du Fu caressed his belly drunkenly, and said: "I was only focused on eating and drinking, and didn't hear what King Guangping said."

Huangfu Ran then smiled, expressing his attitude.

Xue Bai said at this time: "Brother Cishan is extremely smart, how can you not know the truth? Now is the time to meddle with the reserve position? Who are the people who have been persecuted by brother slaves these years? You said King Guangping was 'benevolent, filial, gentle and respectful', he Why did it hurt you like this?"

Yuan Jie smiled wryly, and asked, "I heard someone whisper that you and the prince disappeared at the same time for a stick of incense time."

"Someone muttering?"

Xue Bai nodded, but didn't respond much.

He has already made the layout that should be done, presumably Li Linfu and Li Heng's responses have also been completed, and the rest is nothing more than waiting.

There was already a curfew at night, but since it was a wedding banquet in the Eastern Palace, the Jinwu Guards would send them home with documents.

When Xue Bai returned to Changshoufang's home, he saw candles burning in the window of the guest room.

He opened the door and went in. It was indeed Du Wulang, who was sitting by the couch and sighing.

"what happened?"

"I don't know how to say it." Du Wulang looked very distressed, scratched his head, and finally said: "I was hugged by Mrs. Daxi again... This time, I failed to respect myself."

"Did you touch her?"

"No. But that's it, she touched me, and I was shocked...I..."

"Grow up?"

Du Wulang was taken aback for a moment, and asked back, "Have I grown?"

"Well, those experiences will help you grow."

Xue Bai talked nonsense, mainly because he didn't laugh at Du Wulang and made him dare to face these things.

"But I..."

"Normally, you are already amazing when you are a young man facing Daxi Yingying."

"Really? Why do you know so much?"

"This is what I want to tell you." Xue Bai pondered: "I just know a lot. "Ma Shuo" was not written by Mr. Han Yu, but it suddenly popped into my mind. I asked the teacher to write it with his left hand."

"Ah?" Du Wulang didn't respond.

Xue Bai said again: "Mr. Han Yu didn't think about the salt method. There is no Han Yu in this world."

"I can't even understand what you're saying."

"Anyway, if someone asks, you should tell the truth. You have never met Han Yu."

~~
When he woke up the next day, Xue Bai was still the same as usual, playing Ba Duan Jin under the eaves, sweating all over, and washing up with Qing Lan.

I went to Yan's mansion to hand over the text and got some pointers. When I came back, I picked up a pen and practiced calligraphy in the courtyard.

Recently, he wrote a scroll of monkey stories every day. First, he re-transcribed the volume corrected by Yan Yan, and prepared to return it to Yang Yuyao.After that, lay a new scroll and write the following.

Today I wrote that the monkey made a bet with the Tathagata Buddha on whether he could escape from the palm of the Buddha.

The brush was dipped in ink on the inkstone, and a regular script was written on the scroll, which already had a somewhat majestic appearance.

At some point, Du Wulang also came over, looking there with his head tilted, muttering something.

"My old grandson turned over to the sky in a somersault, saw five heavenly pillars, and left a mark, do you dare to follow me to see?"

"What a pissing monkey, have you ever left my palm? You might as well look down."

Xue Bai turned the tip of the pen, and wrote a few more words in an orderly manner. The last stroke of the word "see" was raised, and suddenly there was a burst of shouting from the outer courtyard.

"Where is Xue Bai?!"

Du Wulang turned his head to look, and saw a group of mighty officers and soldiers striding forward, and suddenly felt that this scene was very familiar.

If I remember correctly, this is probably the third time right now?
"You are Xue Bai?!"

"Exactly."

"take away!"

Seeing that the leading general waved his hand, he sent someone to take Xue Bai away.Du Wulang stared at the opening and closing mouth, and couldn't help saying: "Claim a prophecy, hand over the East Palace, and criticize Chengyu?"

"Haha, you understand it very well. But I might as well tell you that I am waiting for the Longwu Army. The Beiya Prison is unknown, because few people can get out of it."

Xue Bai said calmly, "Just follow the general."

Du Wulang still wanted to talk, seeing him so calm, he felt relieved.

It is not the first time he has been imprisoned, and he does feel that he has grown up time after time.

Daxi Yingying and another thin figure came to mind again, which made him very distressed.

But someone rushed over and said: "Du Yu was not found in Shengpingfang."

"Is Du Yu here?!"

"Transcript, I am Du Tran. The general will look again, it should be a transcript, transcript of transcript..."

~~
"Right Prime Minister! It's done..."

In the evening, Luo Xixi hurried across the courtyard of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, entered the Yanyue Hall, bowed down and said: "Wang Zhongcheng asked me to report to the Right Prime Minister, the saint ordered the Longwu Army to interrogate Xue Bai!"

Li Linfu did not expect this matter, he just twisted his beard and said slowly: "Speak carefully."

"Zhong Cheng heard that the sage seemed to have deliberately approved the proposal of Yang Yu and others, making him concurrently serve as the envoy of salt and iron. Fortunately, Princess Xianyi asked to enter the palace today. After the sage met Princess Xianyi, he immediately ordered the Longwu Army to take it. Xue Bai."

"Is it taken? Isn't it an imperial edict to enter the palace?"

"Yes!"

"Where's the East Palace?"

"There is still no movement in the East Palace, so I must be pretending to be confused before the matter is investigated."

Li Linfu pondered, deducing various possibilities.

If the sage personally investigates, he will know that the questioning of salt law is a conspiracy. From Xue Pingzhao to Han Yu, to Li Yingyu's party.

In this way, preventing Yang Li from fighting for power is the first step; getting rid of Pei Kuan is the second step; the key is, can the crown prince be abolished?
There is no other evidence, the only thing Donggong has to do with this matter is the secret meeting with Xue Bai at the wedding banquet, which is very similar to the secret meeting with Wei Jian on the Lantern Festival in the fifth year of Tianbao...

Thinking of this, Li Linfu suddenly froze for a moment, and a possibility floated in his mind.

Did Li Heng do it on purpose?

This wedding banquet is just like that Shangyuan Festival. This time Li Heng didn't support Yang Ting's worship of prime minister, so did he really support Wei Jian's worship of prime minister?

It seems that they can only get rid of Pei Kuan, Xue Bai and others, as if they can't break this vicious circle.

~~
Li Heng heard Li Jingzhong whispering in his ear, and nodded.

"A lot of people are going to die again." He sighed.

There is no way.

He had already told Pei Kuan not to act rashly, but he still listened to Xue Bai's instigation for the sake of phase.

Let the sage and Suo Fighting Chicken cut off some more people, so that they can feel at ease, and that's all they can do for the time being.

~~
Beiya Prison.

This sounds terrible place, but the environment is much better than Dali Prison.

Xue Bai even had a cup of tea to drink.

Sitting opposite him was Longwu General Chen Xuanli.

Chen Xuanli was tall, strong, majestic and majestic. Looking at it made people feel chilled, but at this time there was a playful smile on his face.

"The sage asked me to ask first, lest I have to listen to your sophistry."

Xue Bai said: "I also tell the truth to General Chen, and I guarantee that it is all true. I have never handed over the East Palace, the crown prince accepted Zhang Liangdi, and I don't know why I was invited, but since I accepted the invitation, I had no choice but to go."

Chen Xuanli sat there like a wall, not speaking.

Only the little official was waving his pen to record Xue Bai's confession.

"In the middle of the banquet, I went to use the toilet, and was taken to a side room. The prince said that he apologized for burying me alive..."

"Hold on."

Chen Xuanli raised his hand suddenly, and asked: "The prince buried you alive?"

"Yes."

"The sage asked before, why didn't you say this?"

"I was worried that the prince would be disliked by the sage, and the society would be in turmoil. At that time, I said, 'The East Palace refuses to help me, and I have nowhere to go'. I was thinking that one more thing is worse than one less thing. I didn't expect to cause trouble again today..."

Xue Bai has always told the truth to Li Longji, but the scoring timing.

Because speaking the truth requires more power.

When he had no power, he would die if he dared to let people know that he was Xue Pingzhao; if he had power, he could not only be Xue Pingzhao, but also inherit the title of Duke of Hedong County.

And Li Longji was an emperor who acted according to his personal preferences. What Xue Bai had done recently had made him dare to speak more truths.

Chen Xuanli asked again: "Tell me about Han Yu?"

"Han Yu? The general knows Han Yu?"

"Who is he?"

"It's not who he is, but the pen name." Xue Bai asked back, "Does the general know what a pen name is? The pen name that I wrote articles, calligraphy and paintings with my teacher and signed."

"There is no such person as Han Yu?"

"As long as the teacher holds the pen in his left hand, it is easy to know whether this is true or not." Xue Bai asked again: "But why does the general attach importance to Han Yu? We only signed two calligraphy and paintings and hung them in our restaurant."

Chen Xuanli was stunned for a moment when he heard the words, and had a premonition that the case might be very simple.

(End of this chapter)