Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 292 A Heart of Ice

The seventh day of the first lunar month.

Imperial City, Secretary Province.

The door of a public house was pushed open. Chen Xilie and Xue Bai who were inside turned around and saw Zhang Bian.

"Where is Yang Guozhong?"

Zhang Bian frowned slightly, feeling a little unhappy when he saw someone arriving later than him.

Xue Bai said: "Shangyuan is approaching, so he must be thinking hard to prepare gifts for the saint."

"It's really a spitting pot." Zhang Bian smiled slightly, looking down on Yang Guozhong from the bottom of his heart.

Of these two people, one is a famous prime minister, a romantic and talented man, who was chosen as the consort at a young age; the other is a scum of the family, who eats, drinks, whores and gambles, and earns his promotion by flattery. They are fundamentally opposed to each other, so it's strange that they like each other.

"Let's discuss it first." Xue Bai said, "We won't wait for him."

"Okay." Zhang Yan said with a smile, "We have just obtained a few official positions, and Genu has already started to fight back."

Chen Xilie was worried and glanced at the door of the house again, thinking, the reason why Yang Guozhong didn't come was because the situation had changed? In the current situation, compared with Li Linfu, maybe it is better to spend more time to please the saint during the Lantern Festival.

The left prime minister was thinking about this, and Xue Bai had told Zhang Bian his judgment of the situation.

"Well, I have heard Chang Yuan say it." Zhang Bian said thoughtfully: "I will find an opportunity to report this to the saint, but there should be evidence."

"This is a major military matter. Instead of a few censors slowly looking for evidence, it is better for the saint to issue an order to investigate."

If Zhang Bian wants to become prime minister, he should let the saints know that he is talented in government affairs and will not miss this opportunity. However, he must think carefully about how to do it to avoid self-defeating.

In addition, predicting the alliance between Tubo and Nanzhao to the saint was equivalent to helping Yan Zhenqing, but he had not waited for Xue Bai to make a request to him.

"I heard that Miao Jinqing plans to demote Yan Zhenqing to the position of governor of Hezhou." Zhang Bian asked, "Minister Zuo, is this possible?"

With this question, he was not only putting pressure on Xue Bai, but also beating Chen Xilie.

Chen Xilie didn't expect that Zhang Bian could know the official correspondence in such detail. He was slightly panicked and said, "Yes, I... I've suppressed it for now."

"Then Prime Minister Zuo needs to be restrained." Zhang Bian looked vaguely sarcastic and looked at Xue Bai.

The meaning in his eyes was obvious. Chen Xilie was an unreliable weakling. Li Linfu had just started demoting an official, and Chen Xilie was already a little unable to handle it.

While talking, there was movement outside, and then Yang Guozhong opened the door and came in.

"I'm late due to busy business, please forgive me."

"Are you busier with official duties than the left prime minister?" Zhang Bian asked in a joking tone, laughing at the two of them at the same time.

Yang Guozhong actually didn't fight back and only smiled.

This reaction surprised Xue Bai. Yang Guozhong always flattered the superiors and bullied the subordinates. Zhang Bian's status was clear but not important enough to make him submissive.

"Where has brother gone?"

"We have made some preparations for the Lantern Festival."

"..."

That day, the four of them met like this and decided on the next plan.

They would advise the sage and raise suspicions about Nanzhao's rebellion against Tang and surrender to Tubo. Chen Xilie was responsible for stabilizing the situation between Zhongshu's subordinates and the officials.

Once Jinwu General Li Yanye is captured and the evidence is examined, Li Linfu's prestige will inevitably plummet, and as one goes, the other will go up, and their voice in the court will be even more important in the future.

To put it simply, Yan Zhenqing and Xue Bai shared a piece of credit among these three important ministers in exchange for their support and protection, and then everyone made progress together.

~~

The reason why we chose to meet in the Secretary's Department was because Xue Bai proposed to revise the book, and many important ministers were also responsible for supervising the revision.

After talking about the matter and leaving the Secretariat, Xue Bai looked at the sky and went to the newspaper office to find Wang Changling.

The afternoon sun shines on the melting snow, and floating sawdust powder can be faintly seen.

The smell of wood and ink was permeated in the government office courtyard, which was pleasant but a little pungent.

There was a pot of wine on the table, and Wang Changling was reading a manuscript. Every time he read an article, he had to pick up the paper and adjust the reading distance because of the different sizes of the handwriting. He couldn't see clearly if it was too close or too far.

When he looked up again and saw Xue Bai coming in, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Xue Lang rarely comes here when he has free time."

"It sounds like I'm busier than Brother Wang."

"I can't really be called busy." Wang Changling stood up, took out a cup from the Duobao shelf, and said, "You need to change your inability to drink. Your ability to drink is as good as poetry, so you should practice more."

"The ability to drink is as good as poetry. I'm afraid it shows his talent."

Xue Bai took the sentence and started talking along the topic, saying: "By the way, I recently heard a poem by Brother Wang that said, 'Repent for teaching your husband to seek the title of a marquis'. It is a wonderful twist and a famous line throughout the ages."

Wang Changling poured a glass of wine and pushed it forward, saying: "You didn't even praise me seriously. Come today, you have something that you can't agree with, an old man like me who has a bad career?"

"We just stopped by for a chat." Xue Bai said, "Brother Wang also knows that Prime Minister Zuo recently recommended a group of people to the court."

This is his ability. Although his official position is not high, he can find officials for his friends.

However, Wang Changling waved his hand and said: "I appreciate Lang Xue's kindness, but I don't care about official career and fame, so I won't get involved."

Xue Bai held the wine glass and said: "Brother's previous poems were not so depressing."

Wang Changling let out a long sigh and said: "After Guo Gong passed away, the post of Jiannan Jiedu envoy should be replaced by Xianyu Zhongtong, the deputy envoy of Jiedu, right?"

"Yes."

Xue Bai has also been paying attention to this matter. After Guo Xuji died, the candidate for Jiannan Jiedushi was basically Xianyu Zhongtong. However, because Xianyu Zhongtong had a good relationship with Yang Guozhong, Li Linfu had been blocking it, and he probably couldn't block it for long.

"You asked me why I am so depressed?" Wang Changling said: "Have you discovered? Almost all the generals in the border town are barbarians."

Xue Bai also realized that in today's Tang Dynasty, the Jiedushi of the four towns of Anxi, Gao Xianzhi, and the Jiedushi of Fan Yangpinglu were An Lushan, the Jiedushi of the two towns of Longyou, Hexi, Ge Shuhan, and the Jiedushi of Jiannan were Xianyu Zhongtong. ...Bian Town can basically be said to be full of barbarians.

But he at least preserved Wang Zhongsi, the governor of Hedong. In addition, the governor of Shuofang was appointed by Zhang Qiqiu at that time. Xue Bai did not know Zhang Qiqiu. He only knew that Guo Ziyi was serving as the military envoy of Shuofang under this man. .

"There are still two Han Jiedushi."

"It's not that I despise the Hu people, but the border towns of the Tang Dynasty nowadays..." Wang Changling was a little confused, and finally said with a bitter smile: "I regret teaching my husband to seek the title of a marquis, because the Han man who is worried about by his boudoir can no longer be granted the title of a marquis. ”

After saying that, he looked up at Xue Bai and asked, "I know what you want to advise me, but is what I said in this poem wrong?"

"Yes."

Xue Bai suddenly felt that Wang Changling's poem was a bit bitter.

When he was young, he went to the frontier and wrote such magnificent and soul-stirring poems about the frontier, but now he only has his grudges and grievances between his friends.

Today, people may still be thinking about destroying Tubo and achieving unparalleled achievements, but they did not realize that an old poet has witnessed the history of the changes of the Tang army from being invincible to gradually withering.

"In the two years since I returned to Chang'an, I have realized that the military system of the government has been destroyed, completely destroyed."

"The Tang Dynasty founded the country based on the army of the government. Until now, the land balance exists in name only. However, wars are frequent, military service is heavy, the people avoid serving, and the soldiers, horses, and weapons are exhausted. Only official positions are left in the government. They have not been promoted for many years. Scholars Ashamed."

"On May 10th last year, Ge Nu reported that he would stop folding the government's fish books and change the government soldiers to recruit soldiers. However, the applicants were all street traders and scoundrels. How had they ever learned about military affairs?"

"The Tang Dynasty was at peace for a long time, and the court had many words to sell troops, so it was forbidden for the people to carry weapons. If the children were military officers, they were despised by their fathers and brothers. The border towns all gathered the barbarians as a barrier, but the country was unarmed. This is the case. Given the situation, whose husband can be found to be a marquis?"

"Young men can't be granted the title of marquis, and I'm old, and I won't even think about moving to another official position. I've written poems about my grievances over the years, and to tell you the truth, I just have grievances against the court. Those poems I wrote when I was young... I It can’t be done anymore.”

"More than a thousand horses with gold medals and purple ribbons, and my husband-in-law returns to pay homage to the Marquis... I can't do it anymore."

Wang Changling had a good drinking capacity, but after complaining, he seemed a little drunk.

He looked at Xue Bai, smiled helplessly, and recited casually: "The former army fought in Taohebei at night and reported that Tuyuhun was captured alive. This is also a poem I wrote back then. I really can't do it."

In the past, the sage liked his poems very much, but now the sage hates his poems because he has changed and can only write about personal grievances. Today, it was rare that he was willing to recite his previous poems.

"The white horse and the golden saddle are from the Emperor Wu, and the flags are ten thousand and Yang Yang, hahaha, the white horse and the golden saddle are from the Emperor Wu!"

Xue Bai picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, saying: "Ming Dynasty ordered the star to rush to seal the sword, and Cijun took Loulan overnight."

"That's right." Wang Changling said: "The sound of the iron drums on the top of the city is still ringing, and the blood of the golden sword in the box is still wet."

"The bright moon of the Qin Dynasty passed the Han Dynasty, and the people who marched thousands of miles have not yet returned."

"But the flying generals of Dragon City are here, and I don't teach Hu Ma to cross the Yin Mountains."

Finally, Wang Changling turned the jug over completely. Seeing that there was no wine in it, he sighed and murmured.

"A piece of ice is in the jade pot."

~~

Xue Bai came today because he wanted to persuade Wang Changling to make progress. The next step was to fight for an official position.

But unexpectedly, after a long conversation, it was Wang Changling who made him understand more about how corrupt the Tang military system had been.

So, if they can see these things, can Tubo and Nanzhao see it?

It is said that the Anshi Rebellion caused the Tang Dynasty to turn from prosperity to decline. What Xue Bai saw now was that the Tang Dynasty had already turned from prosperity to decline. However, most people have not discovered it yet and are still immersed in the glory of the prosperous age.

On the contrary, those who are as sober as Wang Changling are easily dismissed as resentful women, as the saying goes, "A heart of ice is in a jade pot."

Xue Bai wanted to desperately wake up the world and speak out loudly.

"Look, Nanzhao has rebelled, Anlushan has rebelled, and Tubo has invaded Chang'an... It's no longer the prosperous age!"

~~

"Langjun, Langjun, wake up."

Xue Bai woke up suddenly, turned around and saw Qing Lan looking at him with worry.

He looked around and remembered that he was a little drunk last night and went to bed after returning home.

"Did Mr. Lang have a nightmare?" Qing Lan gently wiped the sweat on his forehead and said, "Don't be afraid, I will accompany Mr. Lang."

Xue Bai then held her in his arms.

Qinglan was stunned, put her hands around him, patted him gently, and asked, "What did Lang Jun dream about?"

"I dreamed that Chang'an City was in ruins."

"No, you just think about it every day and dream about it at night. Remember? Lang Jun and I have seen Chang'an from a distance, and the night in Chang'an is so beautiful."

Xue Bai didn't need to be comforted by Qinglan. When he held her in his arms, what he thought about was that he had to protect her and everything he wanted to protect.

At the end of the day, a rare visitor came to visit.

Xue Bai got the message, put on his clothes and rushed to the front hall, only to see Li Tengkong standing there, his clothes were elegant but slim.

The two looked at each other, without any greetings or greetings, but went straight to business.

"I persuaded my grandfather. He went to check the memorials submitted by the Yunnan Governor in the past year, and also transferred the entry form of King Nanzhao to Honglu Temple."

"That's good."

If Li Linfu could react earlier, the loss of prestige would naturally be much smaller. However, if the court could be prepared in advance, this is actually the result that Xue Bai would rather see.

"One more thing. You may already know that An Lushan has arrived in Chang'an."

"Yes." Xue Bai said, "Yang Guozhong thought he didn't dare to come. Now that he is here, the saint must believe in him even more?"

"I don't know that. You have offended many people, so be careful."

Having said that, Li Tengkong said goodbye and left.

Xue Bai happened to be going to Yushitai, so he once again offered to take her back home.

The two chatted for a few words.

"I heard that you are getting married in March?"

"Ah."

"Yan Yan and I are also good friends. Don't forget to give me an invitation when the time comes."

"it is good."

Xue Bai looked sideways, and saw that Li Tengkong was indeed a Taoist, calm and peaceful, and not bothered by anything.

He felt that his response was too short, and he wanted to say something, so he asked: "On the Shangyuan Festival, will you and Princess Xianyi go to the Huaxe Tower for the royal banquet?"

"It hasn't been decided yet," Li Tengkong said, "What about you? Will you still write lyrics at the royal banquet?"

"Probably not anymore. I have exhausted my talents and can't write any good sentences."

"The peach blossom poem you wrote for Ji Lanzi is a perfect line."

Xue Bai was stunned. Li Tengkong realized that he had said the wrong thing, so he took two quick steps and boarded the carriage.

He sent her back to the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, and the Jinwu guards at the door looked sideways, obviously thinking that he had been too diligent recently.

~~

The Lantern Festival is getting closer and closer, and the Yushitai is not as busy as usual.

After Xue Bai finished the errand at hand, he went to the palace to see Yan Zhenqing.

In the past, Yan Zhenqing had a high reputation, and there was a constant stream of officials trying to get close to him in the public office. Recently, he got into trouble, and his surroundings quickly became deserted.

When Xue Bai arrived, he sat there alone, writing something.

"The teacher is writing hard, but who is he trying to impeach?"

"No." Yan Zhenqing shook his head, as if he was no longer interested in impeaching officials, and said: "I compiled the letters I exchanged with Mr. Guo in the past few years, hoping to have a better understanding of the situation in the southwest."

"I heard that Ge Nu has begun to pay attention to this matter. Zhang Bian will also remind the saint, and the saint may summon the teacher."

Yan Zhenqing said: "I impeached Li Yanye because he secretly met with Tibetans and indeed violated national law. It was not because I had insight into the collusion between Tubo and Nanzhao."

Xue Bai said: "The student does not want the teacher to take credit, but at least it will not leave military and state affairs in the hands of some mediocre people."

He has always known that Chen Xilie and Yang Guozhong are definitely unreliable. As for Zhang Bian, apart from other things, Zhang Bian is also close to An Lushan, and now An Lushan has arrived in Chang'an.

These are troubled times.

At this time, Luo Xishi came over with several censors. In terms of official position, he was the chief official of the palace. When facing Yan Zhenqing and Xue Bai, he was quite arrogant and disrespectful. He just asked the person behind him to hand an official document to Yan Zhenqing. .

"Yan Changshi, please take over the official duties and take office in Hezhou."

Xue Bai looked at the official document and saw that there were both the writing and seal of the official department on the paper, as well as the approval seal reviewed by Zhongshu's disciples.

Obviously, Chen Xilie did not hold on and did not even wait for the Lantern Festival. As soon as An Lushan arrived in Chang'an, the left prime minister became timid.

Luo Xishi observed Yan Zhenqing's expression and laughed softly: "If you don't know what is good and what is bad, this is the consequence."

Without waiting for others to react, he sighed and said: "It's a pity that Yan Changshi has just arrived at the Yushitai not long ago. We were looking forward to working with you on state affairs, but we didn't expect... Now I only want Yan Changshi to go all the way." Fair wind, let’s show off our great potential.”

"By Luo Yushi's auspicious words." Yan Zhenqing was not surprised by the honor or disgrace.

Luo Xishi sneered, shook his head, and walked away with the people.

Xue Bai stared at his back, a faint light flashing in his eyes.

Yan Zhenqing casually put aside the official document of transferring him, tugged on his beard, and looked thoughtful.

He didn't care much about his personal official career, but through this incident, he saw the court's attitude towards Nanzhao, and he couldn't help but feel worried.

"It seems that the saint does not believe in the Nanzhao rebellion."

"Don't believe it?" Xue Bai said, "If the saint doesn't believe it, won't Nanzhao rebel?"

~~

Right Prime Minister's Mansion.

Li Tengkong returned to the courtyard and sat down in the boudoir. The calm and peaceful expression on his face faded, and a look of melancholy appeared in his eyes.

She claims to be a cultivator and requires herself to be transcendent, but there is no young girl in the world who can truly be as calm as water and see through the world of mortals.

Xue Bai is a stone, but she is not.

In private, she would cover her head under the quilt and think about things that she was ashamed to say.

"Seventeenth Mother."

"What's the matter?" Li Tengkong lifted the quilt and came out, regaining his indifferent temperament.

"Alang calls you over...there's something good going on."

The father and daughter met today, but it was in the flower hall in the backyard.

Li Linfu's face looked much better than the previous few days, and when he saw his daughter coming, a smile appeared on his face.

"Grandpa," Li Tengkong saluted, "My daughter would like to say a few more words about Nanzhao."

"Needless to say, you, a little girl, do you care about national affairs?"

"Can……"

"My father has checked it out. Ge Luofeng was loyal to the Tang Dynasty and respected the saints like gods. This matter can be confirmed from his personal records and the documents sent back by the southwest officials." Li Linfu waved his hand. , said: "What Xue Bai said is just a lie made up to help Yan Zhenqing."

Li Tengkong said: "Although he is full of tricks, he will not lie about national affairs."

"Yes, yes, in your eyes, he is so good?" Li Linfu was not angry, but said: "My father has demoted Yan Zhenqing and sent him away, so the marriage between Yan's daughter and Xue Bai will not be possible. You just know what’s going on.”

Li Tengkong was taken aback and said, "How can Master do this?!"

"Because the Tang Dynasty has its own laws. Yan Zhenqing falsely accused Zheng Yanzuo, which frightened officials who were loyal to the country and willing to do good things. He falsely accused Li Yanye, leaking secrets and policies, and misdirecting major events. He did not want to repent, but acted to cover up the situation. He brought the blame on himself."

"My grandpa used such overbearing methods to ruin marriages. My daughter will never..."

"That's enough. Jiao Nu, take Seventeenth Mother down, change out of her Taoist robe, and wear normal clothes from now on!"

Li Linfu now regained the power of the prime minister and had no patience to talk to Li Tengkong anymore, so he ordered the female envoy to take her down.

He was still very busy, so he got up and went to the meeting hall in the front yard.

Since Wang Fei's death, Li Linfu has not been able to stabilize the situation until now, because An Lushan has arrived in Chang'an.

The arrival of An Lushan has made some people realize that almost all the Hu generals in the border towns of Tang Dynasty are supported by the right prime minister's wisdom and knowledge, and the right prime minister's strength is still there. Therefore, people like Chen Xilie were immediately afraid.

The loose alliance that Xue Bai had worked so hard to pull together began to disintegrate immediately.

Want to take away his position? The bamboo shoots are still too tender.

With a cold face, Li Linfu slowly sat down in the meeting hall and looked at Yang Guozhong, who had prostrated himself there.

In fact, Yang Guozhong had already visited him on the seventh day of the first lunar month. He didn't even remember it. This was the first time Yang Guozhong had begged for mercy after betraying him, but it was always like this in officialdom.

"Right Prime Minister, I have convinced Chen Xilie. I believe that the Right Prime Minister has also seen his memorial to demote Yan Zhenqing."

The reason why Yang Guozhong betrayed Xue Bai and chose Li Linfu again is very simple. In other words, he didn't think he was betraying because he always only chooses the winning side.

He received a letter from Xianyu Zhongtong, confirming that Ge Luofeng had no intention of rebelling against the Tang Dynasty. Last year, Zuo Wuwei General He Luguang went to Nanzhao to take Anning City and the five salt wells in the city, which shocked Nanzhao.

However, Xue Bai put all his bets on this matter, so he had no choice but to choose Li Linfu.

"The truth has been seen." Li Linfu said calmly: "The person for Jiannan Jiedushi has been selected, Xianyu Zhongtong."

"The right Prime Minister is wise."

This was a small exchange of interests. Li Linfu wanted to demote Yan Zhenqing, and Yang Guozhong accepted Xian Yu Zhongtong's gift to help him find an official position, but Yang Guozhong was obviously not satisfied.

"Then, Jing Zhaoyin's candidate?"

"You want to be?"

"I would like to have the right prime minister follow suit!"

Li Linfu's eyes filled with sarcasm, and he looked down upon Yang Guozhong more and more. If Xue Bai hadn't returned to Chang'an and posed a huge threat to the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, he would never have kept this spit pot. Now in order to deal with Xue Bai, he had to continue Use this waste.

"Jing Zhaoyin is an important position, let the prime minister consider it. By the way, Zhang Bian wants to be appointed as a subordinate of Tong Zhongshu?"

"Yes, it was Xue Bai who instigated Zhang Bian." Yang Guozhong said: "I strongly oppose this matter, but Xue Bai and Li Mi seem to be bent on helping Zhang Bian enter the center because they are close to the East Palace."

"The framing of Hu'er was also done under the instruction of the East Palace?"

Yang Guozhong was a little dazed at first, lowered his head, rolled his eyes, and said: "It was Donggong who instructed Zhang Bian. Zhang Bian has always been on good terms with An Lushan, so he was able to forge a lot of false evidence and then use Li Mi and Xue Bai. He wrongly accused An Lushan in the case of Wang Welding's rebellion."

This answer finally satisfied Li Linfu. He nodded and said, "When this case is settled, you will be Jing Zhaoyin."

~~

Yang Guozhong left the Youxiang Mansion, still longing to win the post of Jing Zhaoyin.

He believed that he was the fastest person to be promoted in the Tang Dynasty.

The reason why he rose to prominence was because he judged the situation carefully. Compared with others, he was inferior to him. Chen Xilie was weak, Zhang Bian was embarrassed, and Xue Bai was sometimes too stubborn. Why did he insist on Li Yanye's case?

"I'm the only one thinking about promotion."

Yang Guozhong smiled and shook his head, climbed on his horse, and headed towards Nanqu.

He didn't notice that several pedestrians on the street were staring at him.

……

It was evening, Fengwei Building.

"The spitting pot has fallen on Brother Nu again."

"Not surprisingly."

Du Jin looked contemptuous and said, "Although it's not unexpected, his spine is still too soft."

"So what?" Xue Bai said, "Look, they demoted my teacher today. Do they really win? When Nanzhao rebels, who will win?"

"Sometimes I really wish that Nanzhao had rebelled. I would give these drowsy old men in the court a loud slap in the face and make them understand one thing. If they don't care about politics, they should get out earlier and don't sit there anymore. Harmful to all peoples."

After hearing such rebellious words, Xue Bai just stroked Du Jin's back and said, "Calm down."

"I'm very calm. We are destined to win this game, aren't we?"

So far, Xue Bai has not produced any evidence that Nanzhao wants to rebel, but Du Jin believes in him unconditionally, so he is destined to win.

But Xue Bai wanted more than just to defeat Li Linfu. It was of little significance to simply prove that he was more far-sighted than Li Linfu.

"Ge Nu and Shi Hu understand Li Longji's intentions best. They joined forces to demote my teacher, which shows that Li Longji does not believe that Nanzhao will rebel at all. At this time, he must only think about the banquet given by the Yuan Dynasty and the universal celebration."

"What a great celebration."

"Yes."

Du Jin understood Xue Bai best. Seeing the light shining in his eyes, she bit his ear and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"I was thinking about how to inform the world and let everyone know about the Nanzhao rebellion."

"It's not difficult. We have a sharp weapon specially used for this." Du Jin said, "The difficult thing is how to inform the world, and you can still stay out of it."

"I can't stay out of it. No matter how secretive it is, as long as I do it, everyone will know that I did it."

"Then just be patient and we wait?"

Xue Bai was still meditating, wondering whether he could withstand the stormy waves he would face if he really went against Li Longji's wishes.

And he was fed up with everything being under the control of Li Longji and Li Linfu, the stupid monarchs. Even if it was just once, he wanted to give them a slap in the face.

For a long time, he looked in the direction of Xingqing Palace and murmured: "The Lantern Festival is here."

~~

In the blink of an eye, it’s the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, and the Great Yuan Dynasty is approaching.

Chang'an City is already immersed in the upcoming carnival, and the streets and alleys are talking about the treasures and birds and beasts brought by Fan Yang Jiedushi from the north.

Zhuque Street has been decorated with lanterns.

Xue Bai rode his horse through the long street decorated with lanterns, with a solemn look on his face, which seemed a little out of tune with the entire Tang Dynasty.

He entered the imperial city and once again entered the Secretariat Department and the Publishing House.

Faintly, there was the sound of silk and bamboo, and someone was singing, and the singing was resentful.

"The hibiscus is not as beautiful as the makeup, but the wind in the water palace brings the fragrance of pearls and green flowers."

"Who will cry and cover the autumn fan, and hang the bright moon in the sky to wait for the king."

Xue Bai entered and saw Wang Changling leaning in the hall, holding a manuscript in one hand and wine in the other, listening to the musicians singing.

"Please go down first."

"Yes."

"Last time, I asked Brother Wang if he wanted to be promoted, and he said no, but now he's 'waiting for the king'?"

Wang Changling laughed and laughed at himself: "I have a bad mouth. I like to talk and complain, but I can't do practical things."

Xue Bai sat down, poured himself a glass of wine, and said, "My teacher was demoted."

"Yan Qingchen's reputation is very high in the world, and he will be promoted. The officialdom is ups and downs, ups and downs... In fact, it is an extremely rare thing. What is more common is that it falls down and plummets."

"Back then, Prime Minister Zhang Jiuling was demoted. If Brother Wang took refuge with Ge Nu, might his career be smooth sailing?"

"An Neng is able to bend his eyebrows and bend his waist to serve the powerful, which makes me unhappy." Wang Changling was too lazy to answer such words. He drank wine and read a poem by Li Bai.

Xue Bai had something to say, but didn't speak immediately.

Wang Changling then asked: "Is there something wrong with Mr. Xue?"

"If I open my mouth, I might harm Brother Wang."

"Ha, how far can it hurt me?"

"Probably... demoted?"

Wang Changling laughed again and said, "Did you know that when I was recommended to the newspaper publishing house by you, Li Taibai gave me a poem?"

"Have heard a little bit."

"The poem is called "I heard that Wang Changling moved to his left and Longbiao was far away and sent this message." He thought that I was demoted to Yelang. I ask you, is there a worse ending than this in the officialdom? But even so, I still accept it Come to Li Taibai’s poems.”

Xue Bai was stunned for a moment, looked at Wang Changling's open-minded face, and suddenly figured out a lot of things.

"When the poplar flowers have fallen, the child cries, and I hear the dragon marking the way across the five streams."

"I send my sorrowful heart to the bright moon and follow you until the end of the night."

Wang Changling chanted loudly, raised his wine to the sky, and offered a toast to Li Bai who was far away in the horizon.

The freedom and ease of the Tang people are all in this cup.

(End of this chapter)