Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 270 Return or not?

After returning from Shouyang Mountain, Xue Bai was slightly cold and his voice was buzzing when talking to the Du sisters.

"It didn't cost much to buy Luhun Villa. Song Ruosi is not stupid. Instead of sharing it with his brothers, it would be better for him to take it all. In this way, it will be easier for us to divert the conflict and let them chase them to Guozhou to cause trouble."

Du Jin said: "The people in Fan Lao have arranged to make copper coins at Luhun Villa. It's not difficult. What we need to worry about is using the copper coins and setting up the 'flying money' stall."

Xue Bai sniffed and said: "There is a simple way. On the one hand, you lend the money out to collect interest, and on the other hand, people deposit the money in, and we pay interest."

Du Jin's eyes lit up.

In the past, it was really hard for her to imagine that there was a man in the world who could inspire her endlessly. The longer they knew each other, the less she could understand him and the more she admired him.

Although she always likes to put Xue Bai down when they are together and tries to be like a sister, but in fact she knows very well that he is far stronger than her.

Behind this young man's handsome face is a profound knowledge and knowledge.

"The bank takes 'trust' as its top priority, so the name of the Yang family is very important. Apart from that, let's build the business slowly..."

Du Wei had already poured a cup of hot water and said softly: "Okay, we know how to do it. Since you are sick, you should rest well."

"There is one more thing." Xue Bai said: "Wang Zhi should have contacted us. Now he threatens Li Linfu and has become the target of the Right Prime Minister's Office. He should not have realized that I can concoct evidence to frame him. .”

"Can the saint believe you?"

"Although the saint annoys me a little, he should still think that I am honest. This is my value. The king should be aware of it, but he still hasn't sent anyone here?"

Du Jin nodded and said thoughtfully: "Maybe it's because Yang Qixuan is in Yanshi?"

"Very likely."

"My grandfather is in Luoyang, and he is the deputy land and sea transport envoy. Maybe Wang Xian will contact my grandfather?"

"I wrote a letter to my uncle. If Wang Fei sends someone to make a request, let Wu Lang go to Luoyang."

~~

"it's me again?"

Du Wulang was quite reluctant to go to see Du Youlin. He only got a monthly salary as a staff member, but he still had to go and get scolded.

"Xue Lang is sick, so I have to ask you to make a trip." Du Wei encouraged: "By the way, I didn't expect that you did a good job in persuading Song Ruosi."

"Really? I mainly captured his thoughts. I didn't want to cause trouble and offend anyone, but I also wanted to get some benefits. We fought back and forth, and the supervisory censor was also persuaded by me."

Du Wulang still felt very accomplished. He had completed the last part of the whole thing, so he agreed to go to Luoyang again.

After the beginning of spring, the number of portmen squatting on the docks waiting for work has decreased a lot, which must be related to the number of households in the field.

There are slightly more ways to survive, and Cao Fu Laxian can earn an extra thirty yuan by going to Luoyang.

Du Wulang took Wang Yi with him this time.

As a loyal servant left behind by Wang Yanxiang, who was both wise and brave, and also understood Yanshi, Wang Yi was reused by Xue Bai and trained as the chief steward in Yanshi.

As the boat sailed against the current, he looked at the farmland on both sides of the Luo River and sighed: "Yanshi is getting better."

"Of course, we do so much just to get better."

"But if the young master leaves, how long can this last?" Wang Yi pointed at the trackers in front and said, "Just saying that they get one yuan more wages for every two miles, and many officials are already watching."

"Don't worry, let's make preparations earlier." Du Wulang, who is optimistic by nature, responded.

When he arrived in Luoyang, he was indeed taught a lesson by Du Youlin again, but after the lesson was over, he still didn't know what the reason was.

"Grandpa, Xue Bai asked me to ask you if Wang Fei has sent someone to contact you."

"No, I have no friendship with those people." Du Youlin looked down on Wang Fei in his heart and said very forcefully.

The next day, he learned that Xing Xuan, the newly appointed Minister of Household Affairs, had arrived in Luoyang, and hurriedly greeted him.

Xing Xuan was a famous Confucian at that time and the author of "Book of Changes". He was highly respected and respected. He was also Du Youlin's old boss, so Du Youlin had heard some secrets about him.

In the twenty-fifth year of Kaiyuan, they were all in Zuochunfang of the East Palace, and Xing Xuan was appointed as the official of Zanshan. At that time, the king of Silla passed away, and the sage ordered Xing Xuan to go to Silla as the young minister of Honglu Temple.

On the way back, Xing Huan anchored his ship in Tanshan and met more than a hundred overseas merchants, carrying several ships of goods, including pearls, jade, agarwood, ivory, rhinoceros horns and other valuables worth tens of millions of dollars. When they were not prepared, Xing Huan He ordered people to kill them all and throw their corpses into the sea. After returning to Chang'an, he declared that the king of Silla had given gifts to the saint, and the saint gave him a part of them.

People in Chang'an didn't believe this, thinking that it was impossible for a famous Confucian to act like this, or that someone was secretly spreading rumors.

Du Youlin knew that Xing Xuan was very greedy for money in private. It was not obvious on the surface, but there were some clues. For example, Xing Xuan's son Xing Wei was very close to Wang Zhen's son Wang Zhun.

"Mr. Xing, I haven't seen you for many years." Du Youlin was very respectful.

Xing Xuan just nodded lightly and said: "I didn't expect you to be able to serve as the deputy transfer envoy now."

"Yes."

"In the past few months, there have been a lot of troubles in Henan Mansion." Xing Xuan said, "I heard that some young officials have a fierce style."

Du Youlin lowered his head and did not dare to answer.

Xing Xuan seemed to have just remembered and said, "Oh, it's Xue Bai, the number one scholar. He has handled several major cases in succession."

"Yes."

"He has a close relationship with you and you have nothing to say about it?"

Facing his old boss, Du Youlin was very embarrassed, and finally just pushed the matter out.

"After all, he is a young man, and I don't know what he thinks about being a low-ranking official. However, Quanzi and Xue Bai are brothers and sisters. If Mr. Xing has any questions, would you like to ask him?"

……

Du Wulang was pushed in front of Xing Xuan.

When he walked into the Yamen of the Transfer Department, he looked around and saw a white-haired old man sitting at the top. He was wearing a purple robe and looked intimidating.

If it were any other eighteen-year-old boy, he would have been frightened into silence, but he had gained courage in the past two years. He scratched his head and said: "I have met Mr. Xing, but Wang Fei...oh , Doctor Wang asked Mr. Xing to come?"

He was so nervous that he accidentally called Wang Fei by his first name.

Xing Xuan's face darkened, and he was about to scold him, but he saw Du Wulang digging here and there, and finally took out a letter.

Just as he was about to hand over the letter, Du Wulang remembered that Xing Xuan hadn't answered yet, so he asked, "Really? Mr. Xing."

"Ahem, bring it."

"Okay, this is the fact that Xue Bai found out after he came to Yanshi. The reason why the refugees from Henan Prefecture were able to go to Lishan to assassinate him must have something to do with Anlushan."

When Xing Huan heard this, he nodded slightly.

Du Wulang ignored the rhythm of the conversation and threw out everything Xue Bai told him at once.

"But, Xue Bai's official position is low, and the Right Prime Minister's Office also sent people to investigate, and the results were completely different..."

This direct attack of fists was really different from the euphemistic style in the officialdom. Xing Xuan had a straight face. After much thought, he couldn't hide it and said, "Let Xue Bai come see me."

"Forgive me, Mr. Xing, but Xue Bai is ill and may not be able to come to Luoyang."

Xing Xuan's old eyes narrowed as he looked at the various evidences written in Xue Bai's letter, and more intuitively felt the influence of this young county lieutenant on the subsequent situation in the court.

Wang Xian asked him to come to Henan Mansion this time. He thought it was not worth it, but then he realized that he was old and his reaction was a little slow. Xue Bai was indeed worth winning over.

"Wu Lang, right? You go back and tell Xue Bai that I admire him very much and want to recommend him as Wannian County Lieutenant."

Unexpectedly, Du Wulang was already prepared and said in a weak tone: "Mr.

Tuqiongdagger met.

Xue Bai's restlessness was fully reflected at this moment. He should have wanted to take advantage of the dispute between Li Linfu and Wang Zhi to raise prices, and both sides wanted official positions, taking the opportunity to strengthen the Yang Party.

Damn Shuzi!

~~

Xue Bai felt cold, but it was nothing to him, but it made the women around him anxious.

Among them, Du Erniang behaved the calmest, but she still came over more often in private; Du Wei and Li Jilan even made it a big deal, which made him feel that it was really not a big deal.

As for Li Tengkong, her worries were even more complicated. After all, Xue Bai accompanied her to the top of the mountain to enjoy the breeze and even took off his clothes for her to wear when she caught a cold.

But she didn't visit him often, and she didn't even say anything about it. She just silently picked and cooked medicine for him.

"Cough cough cough..."

A small ball fan fanned the fire, and the smoke was so strong that Li Tengkong stared at the fire with a sullen face, so smoked that he almost shed tears.

Finally, seeing that the heat was getting ready, she turned around and saw that Mian'er had fallen asleep sitting on the small bench, so she went to carry the casserole with her own hands.

"hiss."

After being burned, she quickly went to get a wet cloth.

Fortunately, when she opened the casserole, she saw that the medicine had been boiled. Even though she was the daughter of the Prime Minister, she could still do these things.

Unfortunately, she didn't know how to put out the fire, so she simply poured a basin of water on it and couldn't wait to deliver the medicine to Xue Bai's house.

Carefully carrying the medicine and walking through the corridor, Du Jin was talking to Li Jilan outside the house.

"Don't worry, I have a minor problem and will be fine in two days."

"But I'm worried that it will turn into a serious illness."

"It's okay. By the way, Ji Lanzi wrote two plays for Xue Lang, right?"

"it's my honour……"

Li Jilan was simple-minded and did not realize that there was anything wrong with the relationship between Du Jin and Xue Bai. She did not hide her concern and dealt with it naturally.

Li Tengkong was a little envious of her. After passing by, he silently handed the decoction to Li Jilan's hand and asked her to help carry it in.

"Tengkong, there is dust on his face." Du Jin stretched out his hand to wipe it clean for Li Tengkong.

Li Tengkong avoided it for a moment, stretched out his hand to wipe it off, and responded: "I am a doctor, so I should do it."

"go in."

"No, please tell Captain Xue that I'm sorry."

After saying that, Li Tengkong turned and walked away, went to the yard, sat on the swing and thought about his thoughts.

After a while, Du Wei came over and coaxed her a few words in a gentle whisper, asking her to go see Xue Bai.

"Cough cough cough..."

Xue Bai was wrapped in a blanket and reading Yang Guozhong's letter in the study. He was so angry at some of the words that he choked and coughed.

As soon as he coughed, Qinglan beside him immediately became nervous and wanted to seal all the window cracks in the house immediately to prevent any wind from entering.

Just as she was tinkering with the crack in the door, she saw Li Tengkong coming over, so Qinglan called out: "Tengkongzi."

Xue Bai turned around after hearing this and smiled involuntarily.

Qinglan knew they had something to say, so she left first on the pretext of delivering the medicine bowl.

After the two people in the room were silent for a while, Xue Bai spoke first and said, "The medicine is quite bitter." "Then I'll add more sugar to you next time."

"It's not necessary."

Xue Bai clearly wanted to say something along with this sentence, but he couldn't say it at the end of the sentence. He just said dryly: "No need to add sugar."

Li Tengkong lowered his head, pinched his fingers and said, "I was too willful and made you sick."

"You are so weird. We won't feel sorry for this little thing."

Li Tengkong curled his lips secretly, complaining in his heart that he didn't belong to her alone and made so many young ladies anxious, so of course they would be offended.

Xue Bai asked: "Are you planning to leave tomorrow?"

"Ah."

"Since I'm sick, can I stay a few more days?" Xue Bai said, "Well, I'm afraid that the condition will relapse. After all, you have superb medical skills."

Li Tengkong was still feeling guilty a moment ago. After hearing these words, he couldn't help but smile and said, "The illness is obviously very mild and he doesn't even have a fever."

As she said that, she raised her head and accidentally met his eyes, her eyes sparkling.

This small gesture of joy was actually the answer to Xue Bai's question, but he still asked: "Can I stay a few more days?"

"Let me think about it..." Li Tengkong hesitated and replied, "Okay then."

Then she remembered to put on the posture of Xianfeng Daogu and added: "Although the wind-chill is small, it would be inappropriate if it gets worse. After all, my medical skills are pretty good."

"Thank you."

Xue Bai then smiled. Li Tengkong was a little embarrassed and pretended to adjust his sleeves. In the end, he couldn't hold it back and smiled.

Although they didn't do much more, both of them felt happy.

……

After the happy time passed, Xue Bai's face became serious again when he read Yang Guozhong's letter again.

Today, Yang Guozhong still regards Xue Bai as the think tank of the Yang Party and relies heavily on him. There is a lot in the letter.

He first mentioned that he had handed the evidence he had received to the saint, but the saint did not believe that An Lushan was related to this... This was expected by Xue Bai. After all, eye drops are not effective once, they are nothing more than giving... Li Linfu applied pressure.

The key point lies in what follows. Yang Guozhong once again mentioned that he was now in charge of the Taifu. Seeing that the Guanzhong granary had enough grain, he suggested changing the world's rent to light freight to the Taifu.

The so-called "Guanzhong has sufficient grain reserves" is based on Hebian. Hebian was originally a strategy to benefit the people, but it was used to this extent to harm the country and the people. What made Xue Bai even more angry was that Yang Guozhong also had a huge conflict of interest with Wang Fei in the process.

Yang Guozhong asked Xue Bai in the letter, if he could use An Lushan's handle to tie up Wang Fei and get rid of him together?

At first glance, this letter seems stupid.

Although it was still stupid after a closer look, Xue Bai tried to analyze some reasons.

On the one hand, it was indeed Wang Fei who blocked Yang Guozhong's future; on the other hand, it was probably Li Linfu who promised Yang Guozhong some benefits. This man was short-sighted and greedy, and he was already unworthy of his position.

After thinking for a long time, Xue Bai started to write a reply to Yang Guozhong, and his words were much more serious.

"With the current situation in the DPRK, if you help Li Linfu get rid of the king, you will lose your teeth, and if you attack Anlu Mountain, you will reap the benefits. There is absolutely no reason to hesitate..."

After that, he wrote another letter to Yang Hao.

Fortunately, he can still suppress Yang Guozhong's imminent thoughts, and Yang Hao is still there in Chang'an, so he should be able to calm the situation.

After dealing with these matters, Xue Bai wrapped himself in a thin blanket and laughed at himself slightly.

He laughed at himself for being involuntarily close to Li Tengkong, but here he was still scheming with Li Linfu.

Having said that, he can at least make a distinction between public and private affairs, and will never change his choices in doing things because of some personal matters.

~~

The next day, Xue Bai and Yin Liang went to the outskirts of the city to inspect water conservancy.

"Since the young master is ill, why don't you rest for a few more days?" Yin Liang joked: "Maybe it's because the young master is worried about my work?"

"A little wind and cold will not affect it." Xue Bai said: "It's not that I'm worried about Mr. Yin, but it hasn't rained a few times since the beginning of spring. There may be some drought this year. We must keep an eye on these water canals."

"Yes." Yin Liang said, "Fortunately, the young master cares about farming and has been prepared in advance."

They have been doing things all the time and never let up. Although the two of them were worried, they were still relatively confident.

After chatting for a while, Yin Liang asked another question.

"The young master is about to be promoted?"

"How did Mr. Yin find out?"

"There is nothing going on in Yanshi today, but the exchange of letters between the Shaofu and Chang'an and Luoyang has become more frequent." Yin Liang said: "What's more, the previous cases have resulted in results, the Shaofu has made great contributions, and with his extensive connections, promotions It’s not hard to guess.”

Xue Bai was not happy, but slightly worried.

He had achieved some results only after arriving in Yanshi, and he hoped to stay and continue to consolidate for about a year and make arrangements for his successor.

Yin Liang twirled his long beard and waited for a while, but when he saw no answer, he continued: "Is the young master considering the candidate for the county magistrate?"

Xue Bai himself was only a county lieutenant, but this question seemed like he could decide the candidate for the county magistrate. However, he did not deny it and nodded.

"I have recommended Mr. Yin to the imperial court as an official, but he will definitely not be a county magistrate, and he will not be appointed so soon."

Although he didn't say it clearly, Xue Bai wanted to train Yin Liang to take over his position as county captain.

Yin Liang also came from a famous family, a typical scholarly family and a family of officials. His ancestor Yin Zhongrong was a famous calligrapher during the Wu and Zhou Dynasties, and he rose to the rank of governor. Yin Liang has the qualifications to be awarded an official. He does not need to take the imperial examination like Xue Bai, but he has been unable to get an official position. If he gets Xue Bai's recommendation, this matter will not be a problem.

"The young master has misunderstood. I never want to find a county magistrate for myself."

Xue Bai said: "Is there someone suitable?"

Yin Liang nodded and named a candidate for Xue Bai to consider.

This man's name is Yan Chunqing, and he is Yan Zhenqing's cousin. Because the Yin and Yan families had been close friends for generations, Yan Zhenqing's mother came from the Yin family, so Yin Liang was very familiar with this person.

Yan Chunqing is already very old, but his official career is not very smooth. When he was fifteen years old, he became an official and became the chief registrar of a county. He lost the list when he was escorting prisoners into exile, but his memory was very good. There is something arrogant and arrogant about his character. You can also imagine his subsequent experiences. He offended many people and is still a county captain, but he has the qualifications to be moved to the county magistrate.

If Yan Chunqing is used, and based on the relationship between the Yan family and Yin Liang, even if Xue Bai is transferred in the future, they will be able to control Yanshi if they join forces.

The only concern is whether Yan Chunqing can understand and tolerate some of his things? Although we can use the excuse "An Lushan is going to rebel, we must prepare early", we have to see that this person does not tolerate sand in his eyes.

Xue Bai's original candidate was Yuan Jie, but Yuan Jie would not support his inner ambition... At the moment, except Du Jin, a lunatic, there was no one to accompany Xue Bai in his madness.

In other words, there were no officials in the Xue Party who had the qualifications to serve as county magistrates, so instead of using Yang Party candidates, it would be better to win over a frustrated official.

"Mr. Yin also knows that in order to organize the households, I have some tough methods that are not allowed by Tang law."

"When doing things, you should have some means."

"Can Mr. Yan understand?"

"Don't worry, young master. Since I dare to recommend it, I am confident..."

As they talked about this, they arrived at the edge of the farmland and began to ask the farmers about the conditions of their fields. They carried a few buckets of water to irrigate the fields and looked at the location of the canals.

By April, the midday sun was already a little bit scorching, and Xue Bai was still suffering from typhoid fever and was feeling uncomfortable from being stuffed.

Although he hoped to stay in Yanshi for another year, he had a vague feeling that he might leave. He would do as much as he could in the fields.

~~

Three days later, Xue Bai's typhoid was finally cured.

Even if he pretends to sniff, it can be seen that he is in good spirits... He finally ran out of excuses.

Li Shiniang couldn't wait to go to Wangwushan as soon as possible, so no matter how reluctant Li Tengkong and Li Jilan were to leave, they had no choice but to leave.

"When will you return to Chang'an?"

"Dongyue." Li Tengkong responded and asked, "What about you?"

After experiencing this incident, her feelings when talking to Xue Bai were clearly different, and they no longer seemed to be the pure friends they were before.

"I can't tell, I'm probably a little later than you." Xue Bai said.

"There are still more than half a year, well, don't catch the cold again, don't give your clothes to others easily..."

The time that can be used to say goodbye is actually very short, and the last words left behind are very confusing. I think Li Tengkong will be upset for a long time.

The next time we meet, we'll probably be in Chang'an.

Xue Bai watched the ship go away from the dock, and then thought about it for a long time...until he heard Du Wulang's voice.

"Hey, are you here to pick me up?"

Du Wulang and Wang Yi got off a boat and were quite surprised to see Xue Bai, so they couldn't wait to chatter about it.

"It's not worth my hard work to be a lobbyist for you. By the way, I found that I am very talented as a lobbyist..."

Xue Bai said: "Let's talk about it back to the county office."

Du Wulang was a little excited and was about to talk about the results of his trip. He didn't expect him to be so calm, so he had to hold back and follow him back to the county office.

"Xing Xuan agreed?"

"Agreed." Du Wulang said: "You will nominate the candidates for the county magistrate of Yanshi County and the county captain after you leave office. Wang Xing promises to do it."

"What conditions do they have?"

"It is said that we are helping him deal with Li Linfu, but I think as long as we tell the truth about noble and noble things and bite An Lushan, they can accept it."

"What's the basis?"

"I feel like it."

Du Wulang is still trying to figure it out on his own now.

Of course, he is not baseless.

"Also, Wannian County Lieutenant has been released. Wang Xian and Xing Xuan plan to recommend you. They said that most of the Yang Party members are dim-witted people. Only you can definitely see the situation clearly. If you have a weak lips and cold teeth, you don't need to. I've repeated it more, but I want you to go back to Chang'an..."

Autumn is known when a leaf falls. Judging from this reply, the struggle in the court has become increasingly fierce, and Wang Xuan and Xing Xuan are also eagerly seeking Yang Dang's help.

Taking this opportunity, Xue Bai could easily arrange candidates to take over Yanshi's position, and he was promoted back to Chang'an.

If he wants greater power, he must take this path of promotion.

But I didn't expect it to be so fast.

From September of Tianbao's seventh year to April of Tianbao's eighth year, for most of half a year, he got rid of some enemies and fought for power in the county.

If you are just here to gain qualifications, you have actually stayed long enough and done enough.

But in terms of how much he has done for the people of a county, he has not even waited for a harvest.

There will be little rain at the beginning of spring this year. How will we survive the dry summer? Will the tax reductions and exemptions promised during the household registration process be realized?

The power struggle in Chang'an intensified, and the post of Wannian County Captain was there waiting for him to return; while the people of Yanshi were silent, with their faces facing the loess and their backs to the sky.

It's time to make a choice again...

　Let me talk about it again, updating more than 6 words a day is the normal upper limit of my ability. As I said before, it is impossible to be overdrawn like I was in the past two months. Under this premise, there will also be busy times, such as recently. I study at Lu Xun Institute of Literature and I have classes during the day. I will try my best to keep updated. There are still about three days left. I may not be so punctual in these three days~~

　　

　

(End of this chapter)