Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 213 The Golden Knife

The Furongchi Stage is outside Wangjing Gate to the west of Huaqing Palace, not far from Guoguozhuang. However, since Xue Bai started rehearsing, he gradually couldn't find the opportunity to spend the night with Yang Yuyao.

Because of the saint's grace, he was allowed to stay in the Watermelon Garden Pavilion not far from the stage. There were many people around, so in early July, Yang Yuyao had to sneak over to find him.

"Have you agreed on your promotion? No wonder you haven't come to see me for a while."

These are really two different things, Xue Bai said: "If those palace envoys hadn't been staring at me, I would have loved to come to your place every day."

"I know, Yuhuan is really annoying. Why should my people rehearse her plays? She's still so busy."

After complaining for a while, Yang Yuyao still became concerned about Xue Bai's future and asked again: "Can you really stay in Zhaoying County?"

"50% sure." Xue Bai said: "It's just a matter of seeking an official position. Let Da Xi and his son give it a try. If it doesn't work next time, it will only be a few months since I took office as the school secretary."

"Da Xixun dares to trade with you behind Ge Nu's back?"

"Not to mention that Ge Nu is afraid of me, but he at least annoys me." Xue Bai said: "Ge Nu will subconsciously avoid anything related to me. Da Xixun can feel it, so he should dare."

"So simple?"

"All the pressure and benefits have been given to the Minister of Civil Affairs. It's just a matter of letting an eighth-grade court official concurrently serve as a ninth-grade county captain."

Although the matter was minor, Yang Yuyao liked the way he was strategizing, but they had just chatted for a while when Xie Aman had already arrived and urged Xue Bai to go to the stage to wait for the imperial concubine.

Because if the imperial concubine encounters a problem with her singing technique, she will have to ask the top scholar to change the lyrics temporarily.

Yang Yuyao didn't have this kind of magnanimity, she was only angry, so she whispered in Xue Bai's ear.

"Come to me some other time. I'll ask Qinglan to help me. I'll definitely subdue this monster like you."

Xue Bai couldn't help but raise his head after hearing this. Yang Yuyao was satisfied with his reaction and then walked away.

After she left, Xue Bai really thought carefully about how to see her.

There is an outer palace wall between Furongchi Stage and Guoguozhuang, which is directly connected to the steep part of Lishan Mountain. If he wanted to go there during the day, the guards would let him go, but it would be inconvenient at night.

You can't climb over from the cliff of Lishan Mountain. The area is also heavily guarded.

~~

When we arrived at Furong Pond, the imperial concubine hadn't arrived yet, but the actors nearby had all put on makeup and were practicing their singing.

Liu Hua, who was playing the role of Fahai, was holding a bowl in his hand and was practicing opera steps alone. When he saw Xue Bai, he quickly bowed and saluted and called out: "Xue Lang is here."

Liu Hua was a very complicated person. He had a majestic figure and a majestic face. When he stood, he had the aura of a general. In this regard, he looked more like Gao Lishi. But he began to sing opera, and he could perform both evil and majestic performances.

Xue Bai felt confused every time he saw him, and couldn't help but ask: "I would like to ask, have you ever studied Buddhism?"

"Xue Lang is really wise. I have been studying Buddhism these days in order to play a good role in the ocean of Dharma."

Liu Hua fawningly stepped forward to apologize, his temperament changed, and he completely returned to the appearance of a eunuch in Jifang Dianyin.

Xue Bai was surprised that he was so different from before and after. He admired in his heart that he was really good at acting and asked: "When you audition, I will see that you have Dharma appearance."

"That was performed by the old slave."

"You are good at acting and singing, and you are willing to work hard. You should have a place in Liyuan."

Liu Hua was overjoyed when he heard this and said flatteringly: "The old slave would like to ask Xue Lang to write more roles that the old slave can sing."

On the stage, Li Guinian, Dong Tinglan and others were adjusting the music. Xue Bai didn't understand this, so he chatted with Liu Hua for a few words.

"Are you literate and have read a book?"

Liu Hua responded: "The old slave's family was in a good situation when he was young. Later, his family fell into decline and he was sold into slavery."

"Why is there such a change?"

"Back to Xue Lang, it's a drought."

"Drought? Where?"

Liu Huadao: "The old slave is from Huaizhou, Hanoi County. Since the 10th year of Kaiyuan, he has been experiencing drought for many years and has been unable to make ends meet. In addition, my grandfather has been in trouble. If he dies violently, the old slave will be left alone."

Xue Bai noticed that he used a few words that were often said in official documents. A severe drought is not called a severe drought, but "the rain is not in harmony".

Huaizhou in Hanoi County is Qinyang in Henan Province. It is almost separated from Luoyang by the Yellow River and is considered to be very close to Gyeonggi.

"As far as I know, since the Kaiyuan Dynasty, the court has been very effective in providing relief in disaster years?" Xue Bai said: "Whenever there is a disaster, the sage sends disaster relief envoys to investigate and pay special visits. If local officials cannot help themselves, Then send charity warehouses to provide relief, and local charity warehouses should be very effective."

Liu Hua was slightly embarrassed and responded: "What Xue Lang said is that during the drought years in Huaizhou, the imperial government's charity warehouses had sufficient reserves and timely relief. Although there were refugees and occasional riots, they were quickly quelled."

"Are there occasional riots?"

In Xue Bai's impression, there should have been no rebellions during the prosperous period of the Tang Dynasty until the Anshi Rebellion. He was quite interested in this and asked, "Was there any?"

Liu Hua responded: "There have been several cases of ringworm and scabies in Hanoi County, but it was just dozens or hundreds of thieves who took advantage of the disaster to rob the government."

Xue Bai continued to ask: "Why the rebellion? Because it is not good for disaster relief?"

"This……"

Liu Hua did not expect him to be so persistent on this topic, but how could he know why the rebels wanted to rebel? He smiled awkwardly and replied: "I would tell you that they are all ambitious, arrogant and rebellious demon thieves. "

"Then who are these demon thieves?"

"They should all be people who were deceived by the prophecies and don't know what the heavens and the earth are."

Xue Bai asked: "What prophecy?"

Keeping talking about this topic made Liu Hua feel a little worried.

Looking up, he saw that Xue Bai's eyes were shining and he was really interested in these things, so he sighed and talked about more detailed old things.

"There was a demon thief in Lao Nu's hometown. He was a member of Lao Nu's clan in the fifth service. The demon thief Liu Dinggao was fascinated by the prophecy of 'holding a golden sword and rising from the East'. In the thirteenth year of Kaiyuan, Huaizhou suffered from continuous drought. Three years later, Liu Dinggao gathered a crowd to rebel. My grandfather refused to respond to him, so he killed my grandfather, robbed my family property, and attacked Luoyang... The 213 people who followed him were captured and executed. , and it calmed down.”

Xue Bai asked: "These people followed Liu Dinggao in rebellion, did they believe in the prophecy, or were they unable to survive because of the drought?"

"During the Kaiyuan period, how could it be that I couldn't survive?" Liu Hua said with a smile, "It's like an old slave who sold himself and still lived well."

The topic naturally moved to Liu Hua's personal experiences. He talked about how he ended up in Luoyang and Chang'an, how he learned to sing, how he purified himself and became a eunuch...

While they were chatting, Xie Aman had changed his clothes and came over.

"Xue Lang is hiding here and being lazy again. The imperial concubine is here. Please follow me to meet her quickly."

~~

The water in Hibiscus Pond is so clear that it makes people want to jump into the water and seek a cool cooling effect.

The stage is built on the water, so it is appropriately named "Water Pavilion Song Stage".

On the stage, Li Guinian was playing the flute, Xue Qiongqiong was playing the guzheng, and Dong Tinglan was accompaniment with the bamboo flute... to create a moving sound.

The sound of music floated into a separate dressing room, and Yang Yuhuan, who was sitting in front of a bronze mirror dressing up, couldn't help but start singing.

"Bai Suzhen at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain has cultivated her body in the cave for thousands of years..."

When Xie Aman went upstairs, he heard such moving singing and couldn't bear to interrupt, so he stood by the door and waited.

Or Yang Yuhuan turned around and asked, "Coming?"

"Yes, Xue Lang is waiting downstairs."

"Let him come up... practice hard to achieve the Tao, and be transformed into a human being, ah, ah..."

When Xue Bai climbed up the stairs, he happened to hear this song. Although it only contained the word "ah", it also had gentle ups and downs and softened people's hearts.

He stopped and saw Yang Yuhuan's peerless face reflected in the bronze mirror opposite.

"Wa Suzhen...huh? Here you go."

Yang Yuhuan turned around and said with a smile: "I got up a little late. Please wait a long time. Come over here and see how I look like."

The costumes she and Xie Aman wore were both made by Xue Bai. One was white and the other was green. They were completely different from the bright styles of the time. They were a bit plainer and fairy-like, but they also outlined Yang Yang's figure well on the waist. The lines of the jade ring.

Different from Li Tengkong's slender and fragile feeling, it has more charm.

The clothes were slightly changed the day before yesterday, so today Yang Yuhuan deliberately stood up and turned around.

"Pretty?"

"Ah."

"How about a tiara?"

The headdress was also designed by Xue Bai, referencing the style in Wu Opera. The stamen-shaped flower bud is also a rarely seen costume before, which is eye-catching.

"Let me ask you, how about the headdress? Isn't it good?"

Xue Bai was thinking about it and muttered: "The sideburns can be adjusted a little."

He raised his hand to play with Yang Yuhuan's temples, but soon realized something was wrong and stopped.

Although they are sworn siblings, this action is indeed too much.

"Cough cough."

After Xue Bai stopped moving for a few breaths, Xie Aman quickly stepped forward, stood in front of him, held her breath, and let him adjust her temples.

"Is there water?"

Then a palace maid handed over a glass of water. Xue Bai dipped his fingers into some water and curled Xie Aman's hair on his temples a little.

Yang Yuhuan's eyes lit up when he saw it, and he said in surprise: "It looks so good, with the charm of a green snake."

Xie Aman felt her face was wet, annoyed that he had ruined her makeup. Hearing such praise, she was curious and happy at the same time.

After adding this little detail, they looked at the bronze mirror and became more and more satisfied.

"I didn't accept this adopted brother in vain. It's really hard for me." Yang Yuhuan looked at the mirror again and again, reluctant to put it down. Finally, he looked at Xue Bai and said, "He is a man who understands beauty." Even calling herself "beauty" is too modest. .

……

After that, it was just a rehearsal. Xue Bai received three salaries, but every time he hid behind the curtain and took a nap quietly. Others just thought he was deep in thought.

This day, he was caught by Yang Yuhuan.

"Hey Xue Bai, am I not good at singing? You fell asleep watching."

"Go back to the imperial concubine..."

"Call me 'Sister', a white-eyed wolf who is not well-fed."

Yang Yuhuan was in a good mood and raised her hand to point at him, which was quite affectionate.

"I was thinking that the water scenery of Furong Pond is so picturesque, if we add a scene of a white snake and a green snake playing barefoot in the water..."

Before Xue Bai finished speaking, Yang Yuhuan hid her smile, stepped forward in two steps, lifted her embroidered shoes under her skirt, stepped on him lightly, and gave him a lesson.

"Who is messing around with you? Just think about it and ask for a beating."

After that, she turned around and left before the group of palace ladies had time to follow the stage. Not to be outdone, Xie Aman glared at Xue Bai and said that he would not play in the water for him.

"The imperial concubine gave you the snacks and fruits, and arranged them carefully twice, and they will soon be performed in front of the Emperor during the Chinese Valentine's Day."

~~

Speaking of fruits, this year’s lychees have also arrived.

"Boom, boom!"

The drums suddenly sounded.

A halberd-bearing man stationed on the west side of Lishan Mountain stood on a large stone and looked to the west.

His name is Liu Zhan, he is tall and has a majestic face. If it were not for his rank, others would probably think that he is a lieutenant general.

At this time, as far as the eye can see, you can see the powerful and powerful people outside the Huaqing Palace, corresponding to the Zhaoying City on the Wei River... Dust and smoke are billowing on the official road, and a team of fast horses is galloping towards them.

In the Huaqing Palace, the palace doors were opened one after another, and the palace people were busy rushing to the inner hall, extremely busy.

Liu Zhan knew that the emperor sent someone to deliver fresh lychees from five thousand miles away in order to please his concubine.

He then sneered slightly and cursed in his mind.

"Hunjun."

Liu Zhan knew that on July 7th, Hunjun would go to the Furong Pond Stage outside the inner palace wall to watch a play after dark...

~~

On July 7th, the five elements are in the wood, which is opposite to the south of the horse. If Ren doesn't draw water, it's even more difficult to guard against it; if Zi doesn't ask for divination, he'll get into trouble.

Staying in the Huaqing Palace, Li Longji didn't have to worry about the intrigues in the court, he was happy and at ease, singing and singing every night, and he couldn't afford to be high every day. Today I got up after noon again.

The smell of sweat lingered on the couch, which was a bit strange. The beauty who slept with him last night had already left.

He sat for a while and ate the lychees peeled by Gong E with bare hands. He regained consciousness. Then he stood up and let Gong E change his clothes.

"Have a banquet."

"Sage system, let's have a banquet."

A eunuch quickly left the main hall with small steps, delivered the sage's instructions, and the outer palace door slowly opened. The nobles and nobles accompanying the Huaqing Palace walked to the Furongchi stage one by one to wait for the Holy Spirit.

Li Longji calmly boarded the royal chariot, left the imperial palace, left the forbidden area through Yuehua Gate, and then left the inner palace through Wangjing Gate. He went to the Furongchi stage, climbed up to the flower stand, and accepted the obeisances of the officials.

Today, Yang Yuhuan did not accompany him, but was preparing to go on stage to sing. However, the seat of the imperial concubine was still reserved for her, and the concubine next to her was not allowed to sit.

This is the deep affection of a saint.

It was almost dusk, but the opera had to be sung after dark so that the lights would create the atmosphere. At this time, the first performance was the cockfighting. Li Longji watched it for a while, and in order to have fun with the ministers, he took Jia Changsheng into custody.

Yang Zhao, who was in charge of the Taifu's treasury, had already prepared and asked someone to bring out a Yangzhou water-centered mirror. The atmosphere became lively, and officials gathered around the cockfighting ring.

Yang Zhao looked at the fighting cocks on the field and was shouting and cheering when he suddenly felt someone behind him calling him twice.

"Yang Zhongcheng."

Yang Zhao turned around and saw Ye Fashan, the Taoist priest presiding over the Haotian Temple next to Huaqing Palace, and asked with a smile: "A real person also wants to bet?"

"Returning to Yang Zhongcheng, there is a severe drought in Qinzhong, Hanoi and other places. There is no rain from March to June..."

"Real person." Yang Zhao quickly interrupted and said with a smile: "It's okay for me to disappoint you, but don't disappoint the saint's elegance."

This matter cannot be mentioned, because when the saint was in Chang'an, he had prayed for rain in the Dragon Hall of Xingqing Palace, but there was no response, and now he can only wait.

Ye Fashan said: "The old Taoist saw that the Yangzhou water-centered mirror that the saint just escorted out had a dragon coiled on the back. It was green and shining brightly, as if it were vivid. If the saint uses it to pray for rain again, he will be able to move God sincerely."

"The real person is joking..." Yang Zhao was about to retort, but suddenly he had a thought in his mind. He followed Ye Fashan's gaze to the sky and asked softly: "The real person can observe the sky? Can it really rain?"

Ye Fashan stroked his beard and smiled and nodded.

Yang Zhao's eyes lit up and he couldn't help but ask: "Can Taoist Master help me figure out my future?"

"Naturally." Ye Fashan asked Yang Zhao's horoscope, counted it with his fingers, thought for a long time, and murmured: "Yang Zhongcheng...should change his name."

"Why?"

"If Zhongcheng's name is 'Golden Sword', he will be in great trouble sooner or later." Ye Fashan said calmly, twirling his beard.

Yang Zhao was immediately amazed and secretly thought that he had never thought of this. He could not help but regard this old Taoist as a god and planned to write a letter to the saint tomorrow to change his name.

The sky was getting dark, and night finally fell completely.

The lights inside and outside Huaqing Palace were brightly lit, and even the Lotus Pond was lit with lanterns.

The music starts, and "The Legend of White Snake" is about to begin...

Behind the stage, Yang Yuhuan danced her sleeves happily. Taking advantage of the last moment before going on stage, she asked Xue Bai: "How do I look like this?"

Xue Bai didn't want to answer her. He always said "good-looking" to evaluate her beauty, which was not very interesting.

But the backer still has to be coaxed.

It happened that the song "Cultivation of this body in the cave for thousands of years" had begun on the stage, so he answered along with the lyrics.

"It takes a thousand years for beautiful women to meet each other."

Yang Yuhuan was stunned, and finally felt a little embarrassed when he said it. Maybe it was because he was a little nervous about going on stage.

Immediately afterwards, the stage sang: "Leave Qingcheng and go to Jiangnan!"

Following this sentence, Yang Yuhuan and Xie Aman appeared on the stage hand in hand, with two graceful figures, one white and one green.

Backstage, Xu Hezi, dressed as a young student, was standing next to Xue Bai. She has the least contact with Xue Bai, but she is really capable, and she is still reciting the lyrics silently at this time.

In terms of singing skills, Xue Bai could only help her with a paper umbrella.

"Thank you, I forgot again."

Xu Hezi muttered something in a very low voice, took the umbrella, opened it, and stepped onto the stage. Soon, her lyrics were heard on the stage. It was completely different from the high-pitched and melodious lyrics of the past, but gentle and elegant.

"Just now, Lingyin passed away and died. When I returned, I was suddenly confused by the wind and rain. How can I have leisure time in such a busy schedule?"

Xue Bai watched carefully. It was not until the first part of the play was over that he glanced behind him and realized that Liu Hua, who was playing the role of Fa Hai, was not there, so he asked someone to ask a few questions.

"Fahai was still here just now. It's time to change his clothes. There's still a whole opera to be sung before it's his turn to take the stage."

"It's still too late."

Xue Bai glanced far away and saw that there were still guards surrounding Furong Pond, and it was impossible for Liu Hua to run around.

Sure enough, Fahai came back not long after.

The opera was still going on on the stage, but it could already be seen that the response was excellent. After all, three beauties with the best appearance, figure, singing and dancing skills were performing, and everyone was mesmerized.

Li Longji didn't mind his concubine's performance on stage, but was proud of her.

He really admired Yang Yuhuan's singing voice, dancing skills, beauty, figure, and temperament. He knew that she was not performing for the courtiers to please anyone, but that she liked it.

He understood all this and could tolerate it, so he never regretted snatching her from his son.

The world will never be able to understand that his feelings for her transcend the limitations of the world, and even transcend the love between men and women, because they have seen the farther world, and because the music is so elegant, ordinary people will not understand it.

Just watching it like this, the third part of the play started.

The surrounding eunuchs began to change the candles in the lanterns. On the stage, Fahai, the solemn treasure prime minister, took the stage with a Zen staff and opened his voice with great momentum.

"Mr. Xu! I see that you are deeply entranced. I can help you with good words to persuade you not to wake up. You will know clearly when misfortune comes!"

……

At the same time, on the Lishan Ridge to the west, the fire suddenly dimmed.

The imperial guard who was looking at the waterside pavilion from a distance on the wall of the outer palace turned to look at Lishan, narrowed his eyes, and suddenly started to drink loudly.

"Who is that?!"

　Chapter 2 It's very late, don't wait~~ I recommend a book to everyone, called "Zhizi Jiangshan"~~ Introduction: Pei Lin never expected that because of his appearance, he would go from being an idle man playing chess on the street to making a living. , became the dragon-slaying son of King Pingnan who sought to seize the country. How can you win if you enter the game with all your might? Only by holding on to your son can you conquer the world. Since ancient times, autumn has been a sad and lonely time. I say that autumn is better than spring. Take mountains and rivers as your plate, and all living beings as your sons. Start with Tianyuan, and you will have no regrets when you make a move.

(End of this chapter)