Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 194 Official Robes

The fourth son of Li Zhi, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, was born to Concubine Xiao Shu. He was King Xu Li Sujie. He was hanged at the age of forty-three. Nine of Li Sujie's thirteen sons were killed. Among the remaining four, Li Guan, the eleventh son, attacked and granted the title of King Xu.

Li Guan was still not satisfied after taking the title. He helped his brother to be adopted by other descendants of Emperor Gaozong and usurped the title of his uncle's youngest son. Therefore, he was once demoted by Emperor Zhongzong.

The cycle of heaven has brought Li Guan to an old age. His death is not far away, but his two sons are still young. The saint intends to choose one of his nephews to inherit his title.

Under such circumstances, yesterday, Secretary Cheng Jiang Jiangming visited with a school clerk and gave him an idea that could highlight the saint's merits in civility. He was immediately overjoyed and agreed to write a letter.

The only problem is that he, the Secretary Superintendent, has a false claim, and he has to inform the Secretary Superintendent Chen Xilie and sign his name together.

Therefore, today Li Guan ignored his old age and went to the Secretary's Office in person, where he had never been before. He first comforted all his subordinates with kind words, and then sent someone to invite Chen Xilie to come and discuss matters.

While waiting, he couldn't say anything else. What he was talking about was the cruel story of Empress Wu's treatment of the Li family.

"Nine of my brothers were killed, and King Ze's seven sons were exiled to Xianzhou. None of them survived. Who knew King Ze had one son who survived..."

The secretaries and officials in the province did not like to hear these old stories, so they patiently listened to the meeting.

Finally, Li Guan's entourage hurried back and reported: "Supervisor Li, something is wrong!"

"Why are you panicking?" Li Guan had seen the grand scene of Wu Zhou Dynasty and was still calm and composed.

"Prime Minister Zuo... Prime Minister Zuo left the Right Prime Minister's Mansion and immediately went to Miyagi City to submit a letter!"

"He dares?!" Li Guan knocked on the floor angrily with his crutch, stood up, and said loudly: "Don't worry, I will come to the imperial court to facilitate great things!"

"it is good!"

This result was unexpected by Xue Bai. According to his original plan, he just used Li Guan to scare Chen Xilie into signing the memorial together.

Now it seems that Chen Xilie is more dedicated to meritorious service than imagined, leaving no face to Li Guan.

Never mind, let these hyenas fight.

"King Xu is gone, it's done!"

As Li Guan's back disappeared, Chao Heng immediately screamed excitedly.

"As expected of the number one scholar! He is so resourceful!"

Xue Bai did not forget his promise to the craftsmen and calligraphers. The first thing he did was to rush to Xiu Academy and said: "Everyone, please rest assured. The saint is generous and magnificent. You will use your beautiful words and deeds to highlight the saint's brilliant achievements. There will be important achievements." reward."

"Mountary salary increase?"

"rise."

"More people are coming to listen to our instructions?"

"of course."

"Hey, No. 1 Scholar, don't listen to his nonsense... We vow to revive Lantai and spread the fragrance of scholarship to the world!"

"Yes, yes, revitalize Lantai and spread the scholarly spirit to the world!"

Xue Bai smiled, knowing that forcing the officials to submit a letter was only the first step.

He turned around and left the secretarial department, heading towards the general's prison.

~~

Jiang Zuo Jian is located in the northwest of the imperial city. It occupies the first and second largest area among all the government offices in the imperial city.

In each courtyard, craftsmen are busy making different utensils. In this open Tang Dynasty, their skills were fully displayed.

"I've met my uncle."

"Is Mr. Li here?"

"Uncle, please come this way."

Wearing a purple robe and leading a group of officials behind him, Yang Wei majestically walked through the ceremonial gate, walked into the middle hall of the central hall, and sat down unceremoniously on the main seat in the middle. He had the aura of a prime minister.

After a while, Li Xiu, who was to be the young eunuch, hurried over. He frowned unnoticeably and saluted, "I've seen my uncle before me. I wonder what I'm doing here."

Before Yang Hao could speak, he couldn't help but raise his head and smile.

"I work with Zhongshu on a regular basis. He and the Right Prime Minister each perform their own duties. Memorials and general affairs are handed over to the Right Prime Minister. My talents are mediocre and I can only do crude things. Making paper and publishing books, that's all."

"Uncle Guo is too humble."

"Speaking of publishing books, I and the top scholar in Jinke presented the 'movable type printing technology' before, and the saint ordered me to supervise the engraving of the printing plate. Is it effective?"

"Back home, my uncle, the craftsmen tried it with wood carvings and clay blocks. The wood carvings are easy to deform and difficult to type, and the clay blocks are fragile. This method is not practical."

"Whether it is practical or not depends on where it is." Yang Zheng said, "If there is a set of copper plate movable type in the Secretary's Department, it will be of great use."

Li Xiu was stunned for a moment and asked tentatively: "I wonder what uncle Guo means by this?"

Yang Wei smiled and said nothing. Yuan Zai, who was standing behind him, was about to speak, but he stopped him with a wave of his hand.

After waiting for a while, a clerk came over and said, "Superintendent Li, Secretary Xue Bai, the Provincial Secretary, wants to see you."

Li Xiu smiled, shook his head and said: "Uncle Guo and Xue Bai came to force me, why not ask my grandpa if he agrees?"

"It's not too late after you heard what the champion said."

"Alright."

Li Xiu looked outside the hall and saw that Xue Bai had not yet changed into his official robe, which showed how vigorous and resolute he was in his work.

The two had a dispute over personal matters not long ago, but now they only talked about business matters when they met.

"Juro, please read this. This is a letter from the Ministry of Secretaries. There will be three measures soon."

"You are so bold, you didn't ask my grandpa..."

"The secretary, the Young Superintendent, is the left prime minister. Do you think Juro thinks he will hide it from the right prime minister?"

Li Xiu frowned slightly, looked at those actions, and understood what Xue Bai meant.

Li Linfu will not object to following the holy will, so as long as he acquiesces in the matter and everyone handles the matter directly, it will be much easier.

"Has the left prime minister submitted a letter?"

"Yes, King Xu also entered the palace at the same time."

Li Xiu frowned and said, "What do you want me to do?"

"Cooperate and share the benefits." Xue Bai said: "The first people to benefit from these measures are the right prime minister, the left prime minister, and the uncle of the country, and then the world's famous Confucians and the children of the Imperial Academy. Shiro should be able to see that it will have a great impact on all parties. All are beneficial. If you give your full support, firstly, you will win the favor of the saints, secondly, you will spread a good name to scholars, and thirdly, you can restore the reputation of the Prime Minister's office... Juro just imagine, the secretarial department is the most literate craftsman in the world. If there is a Will the world criticize or praise the Right Prime Minister if he publishes the newspaper with copperplate movable type?"

Speaking of this third point, Li Xiu frowned.

He knew what Xue Bai was doing, but these measures were indeed beneficial to him first.

"You want to use the supervisor to make copper plates with movable type?"

"Not only that, more craftsmen, more bamboo paper, more pen and ink... but also more money. It is not a small sum that the supervisor can use, but should be allocated by the right minister himself to the secretarial department. Recruit thousands of Confucian scholars, hire hundreds of officials, encourage craftsmen and calligraphers, and use the money and grain issued by the Di newspaper."

"You are wishful thinking!"

Li Xiu stood up quickly and said: "This cost is worth setting up another general as prisoner! How could I allocate so much money and food to you?"

Xue Bai said: "If the saint agrees to build a large collection, he will be willing to reduce some of the expenses in the palace. I am also willing to donate the house in Xuanyangfang."

"you……"

Li Xiu didn't know what to say and said, "Whether you donate or not, what does it have to do with me?"

"Simple, just ask Juro to convince the right minister."

"Should I convince my grandpa? Why don't you just convince me directly and ask the general and supervisor to cooperate."

Xue Bairu didn't hear it and said: "The pros and cons have been clearly stated. Please consider it, Juro."

After saying that, he looked at Yang Hao.

Yang Yang laughed loudly, stood up, and walked straight away.

What contribution did he have in this matter? In fact, after the Zhongshu Province changed the annotation and draft, Yang Hao had already expressed his advice to the sage, saying that he had some considerations in sending Xue Bai to the Secretary's Department as the school secretary.

——"I have recently popularized bamboo paper, and I can't help but think that the saint who managed such a prosperous age should compile a Dacheng-like book..."

Without a formal memorial, Yang Zheng was not considered to have exceeded his authority, but in the saint's heart, this credit was still recorded on his head; and this matter was actually Xue Bai's idea, and he had his own way to bring more talents and talents to him. prestige. In fact, before Chen Xilie wrote the letter, Yang Dang had already made up his mind about the saint.

……

Li Xiu couldn't be persuaded by Xue Bai with just a few words. He still sat there and thought to himself: "Dang Yang is a little too crazy. Even the saints may not approve, yet they dare to come and use their power to suppress others."

However, not long after we sat down, a servant hurriedly came to report.

"Juro, Alang wants you to return home immediately."

It was already evening when he returned to Youxiang's Mansion in Pingkangfang, but Li Linfu didn't see him immediately.

He asked Cang Bi what happened, and the answer he got was that Li Linfu was talking to Chen Xilie, and Chen Xilie had just come out of the palace.

Obviously, the saint was overjoyed and must have reviewed Chen Xilie's memorial.

Li Xiu couldn't help but think about how to persuade his grandfather to take advantage of the situation. He couldn't say "Xue Bai has calculated the interests of the world and things are unstoppable."

After thinking about it, it was night, and when Li Xiu saw Li Linfu, he said, "Master, I have an idea. Instead of blocking the way and making the saint unhappy, I would rather I take the credit from them..."

~~

"Under my sect, the Holy King governs the world, cultivates rituals and music, enlightens education, expounds the truth and promotes humanities. I have accepted the destiny and inherited the imperial industry. In the prosperous age of people's peace and prosperity, there will be a masterpiece that unifies the political system. Customs, a preface to the biographies of a hundred kings, and a summary of the classics of the past dynasties. The secretary is now ordered to gather the ministers of literature, compile the four books, and purchase the world's legacy books, as for astronomy, geographies, yin and yang, medical divination, monks, and skills. The words are collected from the surroundings, connected with the past and the present, and compiled into a book, without being tired of the vastness...Tianbao Seven Years, March 24th."

From the secretary's office, Li Guan stepped forward and received the imperial edict, and then handed it to Chen Xilie's hands.

"I only seek the satisfaction of the saint. Now that I am old, I cannot take on too many heavy tasks. I have to leave everything to the left prime minister."

"I will definitely live up to Supervisor Li's trust."

Chen Xilie also realized that he was too disrespectful to Li Guan when he was trying to gain power in front of the emperor. After all, he had not had the opportunity to take power for many years, so it was inevitable that he would get excited. At this time, they greeted each other with a smile and maintained a harmonious atmosphere.

From today on, the Secretariat Department will usher in new changes...

And while the two chief officials were still pretending to be hypocritical, in the west courtyard, Xiao Yingshi handed a list of names to Xue Bai.

"Look at the number one scholar, these are the scholars recommended by me."

Xue Bai took it and looked at it. The list was very long. He only knew a drop in the bucket of it, such as Wei Shu, Su Mingyuan, Li Hua, Wang Wei and others. Looking further down, he saw a few names that he didn't recognize but had heard of for a long time. characters, such as Wang Changling and Chu Guangxi.

"Brother Wang Changling is still in Jiangning now, right?"

"Yes, can you recall Chang'an?"

Xue Bai said: "I'll ask Zuo Xiang to try. If it doesn't work, I'll ask Uncle Guo to try."

Xiao Yingshi trusted him to do things, so he couldn't help but smile and said: "Your move today allowed me to take the opportunity to help a lot of friends who are in trouble."

Xue Bai couldn't help but laugh and said: "Since the secretary has taken advantage of this matter, he must work hard and never be as leisurely as before."

Xiao Yingshi avoided answering, pointing to the list and sighing: "When these people come, we can recommend more scholars. When the literary giants from all over the world gather together, it will be such a grand occasion."

"Why isn't there Li Bai?"

"I'm not familiar with Li Bai, but I wonder if Li Bai's wild temper can tolerate the rules of the Secretary's Office?"

Xue Bai didn't know whether Li Bai was suitable or not, so he was not in a hurry. He first wrote down the person he wanted, and first wrote the word "Li Mi"...

After this day, the Secretariat Department quickly became busy.

Although the specific affairs have not yet begun, officials have been transferred.

The first person to come was Wei Shu.

When Wei Shu was young, he followed Ma Huaisu to compile the "Four Parts of Qunshu". Now that he has returned to the Secretary's Department, his friends Yin Jianyou, Yu Qin, Wu Yu and others who compiled the bibliography together are no longer around. Why don't you teach him how to sigh.

After shedding tears in the west courtyard, Wei Shu quickly calmed down and pointed to the two halls in the south and said to Xue Bai: "That year, Yushitai still bullied us because we had no power and occupied our halls. At that time, The Prime Minister of Xitai is Pei Kuan."

Xue Bai said: "Does Mr. Wei know? Now our secretary province will soon run out of space."

Wei Shu was stunned, then laughed and said: "In that case, we have to ask Yushitai to 'help our colleagues'."

After talking about gossip, my mind turned back to the serious business. To compile a comprehensive book, it is not just to compile all the books in the category of "Qunshu Si Bu Lu", but to organize and revise them on this basis. , is a very complicated matter.

Xue Bai originally expected there to be thousands of scholars, but Wei Shu waved his hand and said: "There need to be at least two thousand scholars. I don't have to worry about the people next to me, I only worry about the household department."

"Don't worry, Mr. Wei, this matter is ultimately due to the right minister, and he will not hold back."

"Speaking of this, how much credit do you have in it?"

Xue Bai said: "I have just been appointed as a ninth-grade official, and I have not yet put on my official robe. As long as I can get a little credit after the things are done, that's all."

With his official position and qualifications, he was not the one in charge of such a big thing as compiling a book. In fact, it was actually the responsibility of several prime ministers and great scholars.

But it doesn't matter, as long as he has a little merit, he can move to an official position. More importantly, it can slightly reverse the outflow of some Tang Dynasty talents from the central government and buy time for him to accumulate strength.

Wei Shu spent his whole life writing books and compiling history, and he was very confident about this. He said with a smile: "It's hard for you to be so restrained when you become an official. First, take me to see the banquet. I have been famous for the banquet prepared by the secretary for a long time. In the future, I can Two meals have to be arranged.”

"Wei Gong can't even get on the horse, so it's better to be more restrained in eating..."

~~

After the secretary's dinner in the provincial capital, Xue Bai returned to Du's house in Shengpingfang with the last sound of the evening drum.

The purpose of staying here these days is to go to Dunhuafang to pick up official robes. After all, if you have to sew clothes, you will inevitably have to take measurements occasionally.

"Xue Lang is back." Quan Fu greeted him at the side door, even using the word "come back."

Du Wulang was arranging for people to lay out red silk in the front yard. When he saw Xue Bai, he said, "My grandfather is in the Ministry of Personnel. He comes back before the feeding time every day. Why do you play the drum every day and at dusk?"

"Because when it gets dark, it's hard to work in the secretary's office, otherwise it's easy to catch fire."

"Is this what a living person should say?"

Xue Bai smiled and said: "You just want to be a secretary and the Ministry will be busier than the staff department."

He was not in a hurry to go to bed, and stood there watching Du Wulang prepare for the wedding.

"Look, are you envious?"

"Not really."

"Then what are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking, if my light cyan official robe hasn't been sewn yet, I'm afraid I'll have to change to a dark cyan one." Xue Bai really had this worry.

"I shouldn't ask you." Du Wulang sighed helplessly, "Then you have to go over and tell your wife, don't sew your autumn and winter robes, lest you get promoted or grow taller."

"That makes sense, I'll go there tomorrow morning."

~~

Early the next morning, at Yanzhai in Dunhuafang, Xue Bai finally put on his official robe.

He put on the stone belt, straightened his sleeves, walked out of the verandah, and reached the lobby, where there was a burst of praise.

"So handsome."

Several elders of the Yan family liked Xue Bai very much and praised him one after another.

"He is the number one scholar, he is the school's scholar, and he is still so young and handsome. I really don't know whose daughter will be lucky enough to marry you."

Xue Bai said: "I lost my father when I was young, and my teacher is my elder. My marriage should be decided by my teacher."

"This child." Wei Yun nodded repeatedly.

In this peaceful scene, Xue Bai also glanced at Yan Yan, who happened to turn her head and curled her lips in displeasure.

After saying goodbye, Xue Bai lowered his head and looked at the fine stitches on the official robe, and realized that this was not the level of needlework that Yan Yan could have... Maybe he had misunderstood.

It was rare for him to be so confused, so he shook his head to dispel these emotions, thinking that it was serious to seek a future seriously.

It wasn't until he arrived at the secretary's office and took out the talisman that Xue Bai suddenly discovered a strange pattern embroidered on the lapel.

He walked to a deserted place and took a closer look. The pattern was ugly and the stitching was a mess.

After looking at it for a long time, he realized that the embroidery was probably a monkey... so he couldn't help but laugh.

~~

On this day, after returning home from work until the evening, Xue Bai accidentally glanced at himself in the bronze mirror, and was suddenly surprised that he still had a smile on his face.

And it turned out to be the silly smile of a young man...

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(End of this chapter)