Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 208 Groundless rumors

Mrs. Guo's Mansion.

Xue Bai finally finished his errands in Taile Department and was taking a bath.

In the jade pool, Qing Lan was rubbing his hair and chattering.

"Mrs. Guo Guo said that her Lishan villa also has a hot spring pool, which is very comfortable, even more comfortable than this one. She also said that she would let me take a dip when the time comes. She must be bluffing me, right? I'll tell you later You must remember to put away your husband’s change of clothes, and don’t forget them when you set off..."

"She asked you to call her 'Yao Niang', so you can."

"Then how presumptuous I am."

Xue Bai looked sideways and saw Qinglan's hair was wet and her eyes were bright. She was looking forward to the trip to Lishan Mountain.

This made him look forward to it.

Before she got out of the bath, Mingzhu called from outside: "Xue Lang, your servant has come in."

"Ah."

Qinglan was so frightened that she quickly folded her arms and curled up like a shrimp, even though she was still wearing obscene clothes.

Mingzhu didn't look at her, and said to Xue Bai: "Something happened. A royal official complained, saying that Xue Lang and Yao Niang... were not innocent. Yao Niang is losing her temper. Can Xue Lang go and calm her down."

"it is good."

Xue Bai immediately guessed what was going on.

He had already expected that those who were watching the newspaper office were keenly aware of the opportunity to deal with him. File a complaint today and remind him repeatedly to make the saint feel bad about the simple brother-sister relationship between him and Yang; file a complaint tomorrow to make the saint suspect that he is the king of Qing; file a complaint the next day and accuse him of being Li Ying Yu is a party member.

After walking through the corridor, I heard Yang Yuyao losing her temper in the hall.

"Which long-tongued ghost is meddling in other people's business?!"

~~

Ministry of official affairs, public housing.

Chen Xilie held up the tea soup, blew on it, took a sip, and sighed: "There are really rumors everywhere in Chang'an City, and there are all kinds of things."

Du Youni didn't know how to pretend to be confused, but he was very good at pretending to be confused. He asked doubtfully: "I wonder what the rumors are?"

"It's all love affairs."

Chen Xilie stroked his long beard and looked like a gentleman. After waiting for a while, he saw that Du Youlin looked confused and couldn't even speak, so he had to speak.

"Some say that Xu, the step-concubine of King Xu, had an affair with the consort Zhang Bian, and some said that she had an affair with King Si Qi or King Xue; some say that Zhang Bian had an affair with Princess Tang Chang and gave birth to a child. "

"What?" Du Youlin was scalded by the tea soup and quickly wiped the table.

"The world is declining." Chen Xilie smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "Some people say that Xue Bai had an affair with Mrs. Guo Guo."

"I've heard this... for a long time."

"Having said that, Xue Bai is in the spotlight now. I heard another incredible rumor today. It is said that Xue Bai had colluded with Prince Qing a long time ago and knew in advance that Prince Qing's son was going to be the secretary supervisor. Just now we have paved the way for this, guessing and making use of the holy will.”

"Ahem, cough, cough, where did you hear this, Prime Minister Zuo?"

"I heard it from the Prime Minister's Office."

After saying that, Chen Xilie's face sank. This was already a clear threat - "If Xue Bai continues to be dishonest, the right prime minister will take action."

He was the only one who heard the rumors about Xu, and he spread all the other rumors in order to frighten Xue Bai.

Du Youlin's expression suddenly changed, and he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

"Prince Qing has adopted the son of the deposed prince. Once Xue Bai gets involved in this matter, it will be very troublesome." Chen Xilie sighed, "He is my subordinate, and I really want to protect him. After much thought, I decided to leave as soon as possible. Just let it go."

"Then, Chang'an County Lieutenant..."

"Still thinking about the Chang'an County Captain? Leave the capital, leave the capital." Chen Xilie shouted, "Jiang Ning Cheng is such a good palace, Wang County County Magistrate, the prosperous place in the south of the Yangtze River, the ecstasy of the Qinhuai River, the romantic residence of Wuyi Lane , is he still picky? If he hesitates again, someone else will snatch it away."

Du Youlin was frightened into a daze, but unfortunately he still couldn't make the decision. Finally he remembered and said, "I would rather be the Chiji Lieutenant than the Wangxian Prime Minister."

Chen Xilie also knew that this was a messenger, raised his hand and pointed, and cursed: "You really don't know what is good or bad. If you really want to be the captain of Ji County, there are five counties near Beidu: Taigu, Wenshui, Yuci, Yuxian, and Jiaocheng. , choose a county and report it, I will find a way to get the right prime minister to criticize it."

Du Youlin's momentum had been completely defeated, but he was still repeating it by rote, "Only choose Chiki County, Jingzhao Prefecture."

"It's a beautiful idea." Chen Xilie said: "I want to protect him. If he is not in a hurry, let him be."

~~

Du Youlin was so anxious that he sent Du Wulang to ask Xue Bai after he got off the Yamen. If he wanted to go out as soon as possible, he could not do it.

However, Du Jin was at home, sitting in the study and trimming his nails. He said: "My uncle is confused. Taiyuan is so far away. If he goes, Ge Nu can easily control his examination. As time goes by, the holy favor will fade. Yang's His sisters are also estranged, so what future does he have?”

It doesn't matter if Du Wulang goes then, it doesn't matter if he doesn't go.

"Go and ask." Du Youlin urged: "It's always right to ask."

Du Wulang then went there and came back and said: "Xue Bai said, don't pay attention to the old guy, wait until he comes back from Lishan and then find a way out."

"Really?" Du Youlin had just been telling Du Jin about Zuo Xiang's recent reaction. Seeing that everything was as his daughter expected, he couldn't help but wonder, "Why are you asking about this?"

"Just asking." Du Jin looked at his nails and said casually, "Let's see what the attitudes of the government and the public are."

She didn't intend to leave any loopholes, so she could only see what the Prime Minister said, and then help spread the message of the Prime Minister in advance. It was a small test...

~~

As the moon sets and the sun rises, rumors continue to spread in Chang'an City. By mid-June, the weather is getting hotter and hotter, and everything is ready for a visit to Huaqing Palace.

Li Longji rarely took some time to deal with clan affairs today. He paused the banquet and leaned in the Nanxun Hall, reading the latest literary newspaper. He also held a small pen in his hand and wrote a few comments from time to time.

This was strange. He was asked to review the memorial, but he didn't want to review it. But if it were this literary newspaper, he would happily review it.

"General Gao is looking at you. There is a master in the market. This eight-poem poem "Wang Zhaojun Bianwen" is like a story, but it is rare. It can be called the history of poetry. 'A humble concubine died in the family, and she hated her family for recruiting her soul.' , he is a good poet...Ye Ping, I seem to have read his poems last time."

"Saint." Gao Lishi whispered: "The rumor was found out and it came from the newspaper."

"newspaper?"

Li Longji was surprised and shouted: "Is it the little ghost Xue Bai who is causing trouble?"

He first flipped through the Wenxui newspaper in his hand, then flipped through the Di newspaper that he had not yet had time to read, and said, "No."

"It's this newspaper."

Gao Lishi bowed and handed another newspaper to the emperor.

Li Longji looked around and was surprised to see the four characters "Tianbao Shiwen" written on it. After taking it and taking a look, I found that there was not much content at this time, only a few articles.

The first article published was about the death of the heir-appointed king Li Guan. This event led to several romantic affairs. It was speculated that Li Guan's step-wife Xu had an affair with Zhang Bian. Later, it was said that the heir-prefect Li Zhen also had an affair with the Xu family, but she didn't know. Who is the biological father of Li Guan's son?

The second news is that Zhang Bian had an affair with Princess Tang Chang and even had a son in his early years.

The next article talks about Xue Bai, the top scholar in the new science, having an affair with Mrs. Guo Guo. It was not only a one-night affair, but also a deep-seated love that almost led to marriage.

It was the style of the Tang Dynasty that dared to discuss the affairs of these officials and nobles in public. After all, there were many more shocking scandals in the Wu Zhou Dynasty and the current dynasty.

Li Longji took the trouble to look at it, not knowing whether he was angry or laughing.

"This is not the Secretary's Provincial Journal."

“How does a saint know?”

"The difference is huge." Li Longji said: "The first thing is the paper. I used bamboo paper made in a folk workshop. It was not soaked long enough. The paper was brittle and the ink was different. In addition, General Gao discovered that this use The only thing is the engraving. There is no gap between the various messages. The fonts are large and unsightly... Also, you can see that these words are all simplified."

Gao Lishi looked around and found that the newspaper was shoddy and shoddy. Only after the death of King Xu and Li Guan did it publish "The Death of King Xu and Li Guan".

"The saint is really wise and unparalleled."

"Someone copied the Di newspaper and published some eye-catching things. If I guess correctly, this copy is not cheap."

"It costs ten cents a piece. People who are not officials and noble families will not buy it."

"Only officials and distinguished officials like to see this."

Gao Lishi said: "Actually, not many people are watching."

After that, he presented several new tabloids, some more sophisticated, some more rough, and most of them copied by hand.

There is also a copy called "Pearl Birthmark", which tells the story of Xu and Li Zhen. It is said that at the banquet where Li Guan married Xu as his step-concubine, Xu fell in love with the handsome Li Zhen. Because Li Guan could not have children, Li Zhen had a secret plan with the Xu family to give birth to a son and heir to King Xu...

This story is quite beautifully written, and after reading it, Li Longji felt a little aftertasteful.

He thought about it and found that some details were consistent with Li Guan's experience, and he couldn't help but frown.

"Is this also selling money?"

"Yes, this one has the highest price, 20 yuan a piece, but many people buy it."

"This is treating public opinion as a business. Presumably, apart from sales, what newspaper vendors make more is the money given by caring people."

"The saint means that someone has bribed private booksellers?"

"Not bad." Li Longji snorted coldly, then looked at the next civilian newspaper, and his face suddenly darkened.

Because one of the messages stated that "writing books, opening libraries, and publishing newspapers to benefit the country all came from King Qing," it seemed very abrupt and disharmonious among the romantic affairs.

Feeling dissatisfied, he turned his eyes and thought that if Xue Bai really wanted to help King Qing, why not submit the letter after Li Qiu took over?

He then picked up the copy of "Tianbao Shiwen" and said: "Yesterday, the imperial censor impeached Xue Bai. Juro deliberately handed the paper to me. Is it because of these folk reports?"

"I don't know. Come to think of it, maybe the miscellaneous reports and impeachment are caused by the truth, right?"

"Are these also true?"

Gao Lishi responded awkwardly: "Probably not. At least the characters of King Si Qi and Prince Consort Zhang are trustworthy."

"Find out who is spreading rumors."

"According to the order."

"Call Zhang Bian, Li Zhen, Xue Bai and others to see you."

~~

"Your Majesty, I don't have one." Li Zhen read the miscellaneous newspaper, immediately looked solemn, and said with a bow: "The relationship between the minister and the Xu family is pure and innocent."

Zhang Bian did the same and responded: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not the case. I am innocent."

When Xue Bai saw it, he imitated him and said, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely nothing to do with this."

Gao Lishi scolded: "If you are innocent, why are there such rumors?"

Li Zhen originally didn't want to cause these things, but she didn't expect that things would get entangled instead. She felt it was bad luck and responded: "If I were to guess, it was Li Qiu who sent people to spread rumors and slander the Xu family's innocence in order to usurp the throne of King Xu."

"King Qi really wants to testify against King Baoxin?"

"Yes."

"Why is Li Qiu like this?" Li Longji asked calmly: "I have promised him to adopt a son in my brother's name."

Xue Bai helped: "Your Majesty, during the chat, I said that I wanted to stop Li Qiu from doing anything. Maybe he heard it."

"Nonsense."

Li Longji scolded and looked at Xue Bai again, knowing that Xue Bai had also offended Li Qiu.

Gao Lishi looked at Zhang Bian and Xue Bai again and asked, "Where did your rumors come from?"

Zhang Bian said: "It must be that King Baoxin wanted to confuse the public. Moreover, I expressed sympathy for the Xu family during the funeral, which made him feel jealous."

Xue Bai said: "The same is true for me."

"Xue Bai, you know the best about newspapers, do you think it was Li Qiu who did it?"

"I don't know." Xue Bai said: "I think these public reports are too crude, and it is not appropriate to taint a woman's innocence so plainly. I ask your majesty to allow me to issue another report from the residence, so that we can listen to it."

Li Longji planned to arrest those who publish newspapers among the people and punish them severely. After hearing what Xue Bai said, he muttered: "You go and do it first."

"According to the order."

Li Longji said: "You can take these miscellaneous reports back later and let me reflect on them!"

"I know my mistake, I will obey the order."

After the three courtiers retreated, Chen Xuanli hurried over and whispered a few words to Li Longji.

"The source of the private newspaper is still being traced, but I have found out some other things. There are some unsightly things in Prince Xu's palace..."

After hearing this, Li Longji looked grim and said, "Call Xu and his two sons to see him, and then call Li Qiu to see him."

~~

With a "pop" sound, Li Linfu threw a stack of people's newspapers in front of Chen Xilie.

"Even ordinary people can publish newspapers. Are you telling me that you can't control the newspapers?"

"Right Prime Minister, these are two different things. Look at how shoddy this publication is. It's just some booksellers who want to make a profit and publish whatever they want."

With a bitter look on his face, Chen Xilie picked up a copy of "Tianbao News" and read it. His eyes narrowed and he cursed: "This bastard is copying the rumors I spread."

Li Linfu became more and more angry and ordered: "Check, find out who is publishing these things for the benefit of others."

This was not said to Chen Xilie.

Chen Xilie responded: "Right Prime Minister, how to investigate this matter? If the sixteen guards of Nan Ya are allowed to disturb the people, have you ever thought that the saint has ordered Bei Ya to secretly investigate this matter?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's hard to get back the original price of a private newspaper for only ten yuan. How many people are willing to spend money to buy it? This matter is unprofitable and naturally cannot last long. What's more, this matter has nothing to do with the right prime minister, why should the right prime minister get involved? "

Chen Xilie had a reason for his words of persuasion. At the end, he added in a low voice: "The right Prime Minister clearly knows who the booksellers have received benefits from, so why bother to mobilize troops?"

Li Linfu asked: "Li Qiu wants his son to succeed King Xu, and the saint has already agreed. Why is he superfluous?"

"I must have been frightened by the boastful words of Li Zhen and others."

Chen Xilie said: "Since the funeral, I think the Xu family is very dignified. Li Qiu probably also knows that if the Xu family cannot be proven guilty of stealing people, sooner or later he will not be able to hold the position of King Xu. What if the two children grow up? , I feel like a saint again.”

"It's stupid. Li Qiu falsely accused Li Zhen of having an affair. Instead, the saint wanted to summon those two children into the palace to watch." Li Linfu said, "It was self-defeating."

Chen Xilie smiled and said: "Why should the Right Prime Minister pay attention to him? This matter has nothing to do with us, just let him go."

Li Linfu frowned and said, "The truth does not allow anyone to manipulate public opinion."

"There is no difference between the rumor and the civilian newspaper itself. It is nothing more than word of mouth or paper and pen. Once the official newspaper comes out, the coffin is sealed."

With that said, Chen Xilie handed over the copy of "Tianbao Shiwen" and said: "The important thing is that these rumors should make Xue Bai feel dangerous. If the right minister can let him serve as Jiangning Cheng or Taiyuan Ji County Lieutenant, then He can be transferred out of the newspaper academy."

"There's no rush." ​​Li Linfu said calmly.

"Yes." Chen Xilie smiled and responded, "Let this guy worry."

The two prime ministers stopped discussing this matter and turned to the candidate for the new secretary supervisor. This was what Li Linfu really cared about.

After a long time, Cang Bi hurried over and said, "Alang, the saint personally issued the decree."

"Go and greet him quickly."

……

Li Linfu whispered to the people in the palace for a long time before reading the imperial edict.

Chen Xilie took a sneak peek and saw that the stern face was getting more and more solemn.

"Right Prime Minister?"

"The Secretariat Department has been divided into three." Li Linfu sighed and said: "The sage decreed that a separate Hongwen Hall be set up for students to borrow books; the Journaling Institute was also separated from the Secretariat Department, and for the time being it is still published by Xue Bai Report."

"What?" Chen Xilie felt as if he had lost his heir, and felt extremely heartbroken, and asked, "But... why is this so?"

"Li Qiu is stupid. He wanted to use the people's newspaper to control public opinion, but he was counterattacked." Li Linfu said, "The saint has made Li Jie, Li Guan's son, the heir and king."

"Why so sudden?"

"Li Qiu actually sent people to Prince Xu's Mansion to create false evidence, which was verified by Beiya."

"He's so confused!"

Li Linfu said: "Everyone thought that the sage said that the two children did not look alike because they had met them. In fact, it was Li Qiu who deceived the emperor and used the sage to say that 'the age difference between father and son is too big' to build momentum, so that no one dared to come forward. The result , this newspaper aroused public outrage, and Li Qiu is a habitual offender, no one believes him anymore."

As he said that, he suddenly frowned and thought of a possibility.

Li Qiu was so stupid that he could even think of buying booksellers? It would be better to just spread the rumors, and the saint would not be so angry.

Looking at this result, this matter is very confusing.

After that, Li Linfu shook his head again, thinking that Xue Bai did not gain from this, but lost some holy relatives, and so did others... Then it can only be attributed to Li Qiu being too stupid.

"The saint was furious and demoted Li Qiu to the rank of Duke of Ying, and dismissed him from the positions of Shangzhuguo, Zongzhengqing, and Palace Supervisor."

Chen Xilie was stunned for a moment and murmured: "In this case, two more positions of minister will be vacant?"

"Yes, this is the result of the joint efforts of all the kings. There is nothing we can do."

Li Linfu rolled up the newspaper in his hand and patted his palms gently, the more he patted, the more urgent he became.

"Ignore the rest, we must take down the newspaper court first!"

As he spoke, he took a few steps anxiously and said, "Ask Xue Bai again, what position does Fangwai want? If it's not too much, I will consider it."

Chen Xilie hadn't figured it out yet, so he couldn't help but wonder: "Right Minister, there is something else about this whole thing..."

"Why don't you go quickly?!" Li Linfu shouted urgently, "Can you afford the delay?!"

　There are still some foreshadowings that have not been finished. It will be clearer after the next chapter is written. I have written almost 1 words today~~ Please give me a monthly vote, please give me a monthly vote~~

　　

　

(End of this chapter)