Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 403 Ye Gong loves dragons
In Yang Guozhong's private residence, there was a "pop" sound, and a big seal was stamped on a transfer order.

Taiyuan Yin, this official position was changed from "Chief History of the Governor of Bingzhou" in the eleventh year of Kaiyuan. Theoretically, the chief official is the Governor of Bingzhou, that is, Beidu Mu, but Taiyuan is the land of Longxing in the Tang Dynasty, and Beidu Mu has long been It is a false position for the prince to concurrently hold the post, and the chief historian, Taiyuan Yin, performs the duties on his behalf.

"Take it."

Yang Guozhong looked around and saw Yang Guanghui drooling over the order, and said with a smile: "Wipe it with your saliva, don't lick it bad."

"Thank you, Prime Minister! Even if I die, I will never forget the kindness of your Prime Minister!"

"It's hard for you to write the character '翙'." Yang Guozhong said, "For Taiyuan Yin's appointment, Xue Bai persuaded me to write the character '弼' after the character '光' a while ago. Do you know what the difference is?" "

Yang Guangbi was stunned for a moment, and after reading the word "Guangbi", he realized that this meant that Li Guangbi was almost appointed as the deputy envoy of Hedong Jiedu and Taiyuan Yin.

"Bi is the instrument used to straighten the bow and crossbow so that it will not bend; "Bi" is the sound of the flapping wings of birds." Yang Guozhong seemed to be more educated than Li Linfu and knew these rare words very well, saying: "Xue Bai said that Li Guangbi can rectify the country. , Yang Guanghui will only leave forever, do you think he is right?"

"That's ridiculous, that's ridiculous." Yang Guanghui was a little flustered. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with an idea, "Guangbi's surname is Li, and Guanghui's surname is Yang. This is the biggest difference."

"Hahaha."

Yang Guozhong looked suspicious and knew that Xue Bai's purpose must not be so simple. He sighed seriously: "Why can't you talk to me first and ask to see the saint directly?"

"I've said it a long time ago that An Lushan should not be allowed to return to the court. I have said it a long time ago." Yang Guozhong instead said in a long-winded way: "We should appease him, let him return to Fan Yang, give him more rewards, and first ensure that he does not rebel. Let’s figure out the other things slowly.”

While he was busy consolidating his authority, a servant stepped forward and reported, "Alang, Xue Bai has come to Xingqing Palace to ask for an audience."

"what?"

The topic of An Lushan's rebellion has been talked about for more than a day or two. The one who made the loudest noise was Yang Guozhong, but his reaction at this time was as if he had learned about it for the first time.

When Yang Guozhong realized that An Lushan might rebel, his first reaction was to blame Xue Bai. He raised his hand and said anxiously: "You pushed him too hard! Don't think I didn't know that I summoned him back to pay homage to the prime minister in the first place. You must have spread the rumor. I've already said that this is a bad idea and shouldn't be bothered. What should I do now?"

Yang Guozhong raised his head and laughed, very satisfied with this attitude, and waved Yang Guangfei away.

Yang Guozhong was shocked and uncertain, pacing and chewing his thumb subconsciously, completely losing his prime minister's demeanor.

Yang Guozhong actually exclaimed and asked in surprise: "You mean... he is really going to rebel?"

He was still muttering in his mouth.

"Quick, I want to enter the palace too."

"Of course I will send capable ministers and generals to suppress them. I pay attention to Gao Xianzhi, Li Guangbi and others, not Xianyu Tongzhong and Yang Guanghui."

He kept saying that An Lushan was going to rebel, but it was not because the truth was true, it was purely to frame his political opponents, just like the Du Youlin case concocted by Li Linfu. When did he care whether Du Youlin was making false claims or not?

Seeing this scene, Xue Bai was speechless for a long time, only feeling that the world was more absurd than he imagined.

"Taiyuan is the land of Longxing. If he takes Taiyuan, things will go as you want. He doesn't have to go to Chang'an to worship the prime minister. He can raise troops to rebel at any time."

"Where did you get the news?"

In this way, they entered the palace together and were arranged to wait in the veranda in front of Qinzheng Building.

"what?!"

"Hahaha, Abai is here too? Why do you want to see the saint today?"

"Let me give you one more golden word to Abai." Yang Guozhong sighed: "As an official, it is not difficult for us to inquire about all kinds of news. What is difficult is to distinguish the authenticity of the news."

Xue Bai had long realized that they had differences, so he came to Xingqing Palace alone with no intention of persuading Yang Guozhong.

"I wrote a play and wanted to dedicate it to the saint."

Since they knew each other well, Xue Bai also said frankly, "I recommend Li Guangbi to Hedong. Isn't it too late for me and my brother to communicate with each other?"

He then went on to deal with other national affairs, the first of which was to strengthen the atmosphere in the court. Since the sage's neglect of government, most important ministers like to serve in private houses. This is the case for Li Linfu and the same for Wang Zhi, which is not proper. Yang Guozhong did not allow any other officials to enjoy the same privileges as him. From now on, only he, the right minister, could do business at home, and others such as Wei Jiansu were not allowed to overstep his authority. This was authority.

"Eating dog intestines, everyone said this bastard was going to rebel. I just thought it was you who had a grudge against him and found a reason to get rid of him. It turns out that he actually dared to eat dog intestines..."

He considered himself to be much bolder than Chen Xilie, the submissive coward, but when a big challenge was placed in front of him, he also chose to retreat first.

After a while, a eunuch from Xingqing Palace came over and said, "The saint has summoned you to enter the palace and wait in the Qinzheng Tower."

Xue Bai nodded and didn't say much about it. After all, even Ge Shuhan could only guess whether Li Guangbi was really sick or fake in Shuofang. If he was pretending to be sick, it would be inappropriate to tell Yang Guozhong.

Xue Bai was too lazy to say anything before Yang Guozhong could react from the shock. He just stood there with his eyes closed, letting him blame him.

"Didn't An Sishun step in and transfer Li Guangbi to Shuofang?"

Yang Guozhong was more familiar with this eunuch. He quickly stepped forward, took out a gold leaf from his sleeve and handed it over with smooth movements. Afterwards, he whispered a few words to the eunuch.

~~
Xue Bai waited outside Xingqing Palace for a while. Hearing the movement behind him, he looked back and saw that Yang Guozhong had arrived in front of him.

The reason why there is such a talent is naturally not because everyone lives in Xuanyangfang and happened to see it. In fact, it was because Yang Guozhong was wary of Xue Bai, especially because he was afraid that he would gain the Sacred Heart and thus threaten his status.

Seeing that he was still unalert, Xue Bai asked, "Do you know what it means for An Lushan to pass through Taiyuan on purpose?"

"You don't understand at all!" Yang Guozhong was very annoyed and said: "I am the prime minister. Officials appoint me with their own discretion. You don't need to dictate from the side."

Like a frightened mouse running around in a cage.

"I got the news that An Lushan will go to Beijing via Taiyuan this time. At this time, it would be too inappropriate to send a waste like Yang Guanghui to Taiyuan."

Xue Bai didn't expect his reaction and asked, "Why are you so surprised?"

"I have my own channels."

"Of course I'm surprised! How dare he rebel? How dare he?"

"You!"

But the strange thing is that it was clearly Xue Bai who came first, but it was Yang Guozhong who was summoned into the palace first.

~~
Ever since he demoted Zhang Bian, Li Longji has been worried about something.

He used to trust An Lushan very much, but now he became suspicious because Zhang Bian tipped An Lushan off.

From this, he was finally willing to listen to the opinions of people like Xue Bai and Yang Guozhong. So today he heard Xue Bai's request for an audience, so he summoned him. However, the eunuch said that Yang Guozhong had more important urgent matters, so he decided to see Yang Guozhong first.

Li Longji had great trust in this minister who took care of his tedious affairs, especially since Yang Guozhong was a bit rogue and vulgar, which gave him a sense of security.

After the emperor and his ministers met with each other, Li Longji asked: "You have always told me that An Lushan has a rebellion. What is the reason?"

Yang Guozhong did not expect to encounter such a problem when he came up. After thinking about it, he replied: "Hu'er is ignorant and said clearly that he 'doesn't know what the prince is'. Isn't it counter-intentional?"

"Is it that simple?"

"I've been thinking recently that I might have been tricked by someone." Yang Guozhong thought about it and suddenly said this.

Li Longji was surprised and said, "Tell me more."

"At that time, I heard that the saint was going to call An Lushan back to the court to serve as prime minister. I didn't have time to verify it, so I went to the palace to oppose the matter." Yang Guozhong said, "But for some reason, the matter still became true. I thought about it, Or is there someone who wants to force An Lushan to rebel?"

Li Longji raised his eyebrows, feeling very novel about this idea, and the worries that were originally in his heart began to waver.

Although Yang Guozhong did not raise his head, he sensitively felt that the saint had relaxed a little, and said: "Although I said that Anlu Mountain will rebel, it is because of my old words to seek the country. I think his power is too heavy and should be restricted. But I don't I do not agree with the measure of recalling him to the DPRK to test his mind. It is said that people should be employed without suspicion and those with suspicion should not be used."

"You have made some progress in your speech. Have you studied recently?"

"I shoulder heavy responsibilities and dare not slack off."

Yang Guozhong heard the sage change the topic and chatted with him for a few words. He knew that the sage agreed with him, so he boldly put forward his suggestion.

"I think that since An Lushan expressed his willingness to return to the court, he has expressed his loyalty. It is enough for him to return to Fanyang and reward him to make him grateful."

"Why are you so uncharacteristic of yourself today?"

Yang Guozhong used to think An Lushan was a dog and wanted to beat the dog with a stick, but he found that the dog turned into a tiger and wolf. Of course I had to go against the norm.

He thought for a while and said: "I always think about the saint. I reminded the saint before because I was on guard against others. Guarding against others is indispensable. Now some people are tempting and persecuting An Lushan too much, but they are harming others." Don’t have the intention to harm others.”

"I plan to increase the title of Zuopushe of Anlu Mountain and order him to stay in Fanyang. How about that?"

"The saint is wise." Yang Guozhong responded and said: "By the way, Xue Bai came here today for this matter. I had a few words with him in front of Xingqing Palace."

"This guy."

Li Longji smiled and said, "You still have that nosy temperament, so don't pay attention to him."

~~
In the veranda, Xue Bai waited quietly for a while, and someone opened the door and came in.

He looked around and saw it was Gao Lishi.

"The saint is still meeting with Yang Guozhong and is talking about this year's Lantern Festival. I'm afraid he won't summon you again."

Seeing that there was no one else behind him, Xue Bai said: "It doesn't matter, I'm not here to meet the saint."

"Why don't you come to see me, an old eunuch?"

"General Gao, there is no need to belittle yourself."

Xue Bai really came to see Gao Lishi. As for asking to see Li Longji, it was just a pretense.

In front of Gao Lishi, he did not hide his emotions and rubbed his face tiredly to show his disappointment with those in power such as Li Longji and Yang Guozhong who only focused on pleasure and had become rigid and decadent.

He was tired and no longer wanted to deal with it, trying to influence them to change the situation.

"According to reports, An Lushan is preparing to go to Taiyuan."

"The news is reliable?" "It should be reliable." Xue Bai was not sure. He took a few steps and said, "But this matter is of great importance and cannot be ignored."

Without too many words, Gao Lishi understood the situation in front of him and mused: "The saint does not want to mobilize troops, so he must still be gentle and comforting. After this time, I can see clearly that Anlu Mountain has a strong tail that cannot be lost. It’s difficult for a saint to make up his mind to cut off his tail.”

"Being gentle and appeasing is not a long-term solution. The reason why An Lushan must rebel is not only his personal ambition, but also the situation."

Gao Lishi sighed: "You and I have done everything we can do, so what can we do?"

Xue Bai thought for a while and wanted to make more efforts to arrange Li Guangbi to Hedong, so he asked about the matter again.

Gao Lishi shook his head and said: "Yang Guozhong has just announced Yang Guanghui's appointment in front of the emperor, saying that Yang Guanghui is a suitable candidate for Huairou Anlu Mountain."

"It's such an important task to put a piece of trash in it."

Xue Bai's tone was not polite.

He was already very impatient. It felt like he saw a house on fire and pointed at the flames to tell the owner of the house, but the other party was indifferent and just closed his eyes and indulged in fine wine and food... No, this is not someone else's. The house, this was the house of everyone in the world, including him. The so-called master who indulged in sensuality only cared about himself.

Before coming today, Xue Bai had an idea in his mind. He was still unsure at the time, but now it gradually became clear.

He no longer wanted to play this game of chess through the hands of Yang Guozhong or even Li Longji. He despised these manipulators and would rather turn himself into a chess piece and go to the chessboard. The world is vast, and how much can you see from the height of the temple.

"I have to go to Taiyuan." Xue Bai said, "Hedong cannot fall into the hands of An Lushan. I will stop this."

"What's the point of going?"

"I'm sure."

Gao Lishi considered it carefully and said: "Although I don't know what you are going to do, but since you said so, I believe you can prevent An Lushan from stealing the east of the river. I am afraid that he will find an excuse to criticize you once you go."

"I don't have to worry about so much anymore. I only have a few things to ask General Gao." Xue Bai said, "For one thing, Li Guangbi fell ill in Shuofang and has resigned from his post as Deputy Envoy of Shuofang. General Gao can try to recall him back to the court to recuperate. Leave the town of Hedong."

"I'll just write this down."

"Secondly, when Gao Xianzhi returns to the court and there is a change in the selection of Fan Yang Jiedu envoy, he can be appointed to go out to control Fan Yang immediately."

After hearing this, Gao Lishi thought that Xue Bai was planning to kill An Lushan in Taiyuan, and he couldn't help but be surprised.

Xue Bai worked vigorously and resolutely. After making a decision, he said: "This matter must be done quickly. I would like General Gao to pay attention to where there are obstacles in the east of the river. It doesn't matter if he is demoted. I will set off before the New Year."

"The saint is still talking about the Lantern Festival and asking you, You Ye, to do some new tricks."

"If we don't handle it well this time, I'm afraid there will be too many new tricks in the future."

It is difficult for local officials to be transferred to Beijing officials, but it is easy for Beijing officials to be transferred to other places.

"Wait."

Gao Lishi dropped these two words, turned around and went back to Xingqing Hall to face the saint.

Li Longji was still discussing matters with Yang Guozhong, but the topic had shifted from the major events in Bian Town to Shangyuan lanterns.

After all, it is an annual event in Chang'an City, and even the saints are looking forward to it.

Gao Lishi did not dare to disturb them, so he stood carefully next to the saint, picked up the wine flask, and poured wine into the cup. I didn't want to, but I still made a noise.

Li Longji turned his head and asked, "How is it? Why does Shuzi want to see you?"

"Back to the saint, the old slave asked." Gao Lishi said: "Xue Bai came today to share the saint's worries."

This was said very tactfully, and Li Longji asked: "How can I share my worries?"

"He wants to move to the east of Hedong to work hard, hoping to guard one side like An Lushan."

Li Longji chuckled lightly and said: "He is self-aware and has an impetuous temperament. He should work hard and settle down."

He had long believed that Xue Bai was not qualified for the post of Zhongshu Sheren, and told Yang Guozhong that he would be demoted. At that time, Yang Guozhong also wanted to use Xue Bai to deal with political opponents, but he kept delaying, but now they have differences.

After thinking for a while, Yang Guozhong came to his senses and heard Li Longji ask him where the forehead was.

Although he was selecting officials now, he did not know much about the situation in various places in Hedong and could not give an answer. When he was in a dilemma, he thought of a message he had received a few days ago and said: "Report to the sage, Pei Yushu, the governor of Changshan County. I’m sick.”

~~
In the blink of an eye, it is the twelfth year of Tianbao.

Guisi, the Year of the Snake.

This is the forty-first year of the present emperor's reign, and the world is at peace.

~~
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, Xie County, Salt Lake.

The salt lake is so white that it’s hard to tell whether it’s salt or snow.

In a small house by the lake, Yuan Jie was sitting by the fire, holding a book in his hand and recording something.

He has been in Jie County for some years. He started as a county lieutenant in Jie County and moved to the county magistrate. He has always been around the salt lake. Helplessly, the food and clothing of the people in the county are all tied to these salts.

Before taking office that year, Yuan Jie and Xue Bai discussed the reform of the Tang tax system and the trial implementation of the salt method. Over the years, he had settled down in obscurity, but in the place closest to the people, he had more feelings.

Suddenly, the wind blew open the window, and there was a "pop" sound, and then wind and snow poured in.

Yuan Jie didn't get up to close the window, because he happened to see a group of people coming from a distance outside the window.

"County Lord, someone is here to see you! Guess who it is!"

The speaker was a young man from Jie County. His name was Agui. He had no surname and was just making a living on the salt lake. He was illiterate but liked poetry. With his enthusiasm for poetry, he often chatted with people like Yuan Jie, Du Fu, and Huangfu Ran a few years ago. They did not exclude Agui, so they talked about poetry and poetry with such an illiterate commoner.

Yuan Jie stood up, pushed the door open and asked, "Is Du Zimei back?!"

He has stayed in Salt Lake for too long and has considered this place as his home, so he has the word "come back".

Agui ran in the snow, very excited, and shouted: "It's not Du Gong, it's another poet. I also like to read his poems!"

The shout reached Xue Bai's ears from behind.

Xue Bai has been focusing on officialdom these years, but he did not expect that he was first of all a "poet" among the people, which may show the Tang people's love for poetry.

He turned to look at the snow on the lake, feeling that everything was very clean and pure.

Ahead, Yuan Jie had come out of the house to welcome him, and strode to Xue Bai. He stretched his neck and looked at it for a while, rubbed his eyes, and burst into laughter.

"It's really Xue Lang, I haven't seen him for many years!"

"After the sixth year of Tianbao's examination and appointment, I never saw Brother Yuan again."

"It's taller." Yuan Jie stretched out his hand and gestured, and said: "It's so much taller than me."

He had a gentle smile like a brother's on his face. As he spoke, he pulled Xue Bai into the room to talk.

"The New Year's Day has not passed yet, so I took a break from bathing for the past few days, so I came here. There are many things going on in the Salt Lake, and I am here so that it is more convenient for the people to find me."

Xue Bai looked around and saw that the skin on his face was darker and redder. It must have been blown by the wind.

After the two of them entered the house, Yuan Jie began to arrange food, and asked Agui to add more firewood. He also scooped up some snow from outside the house, put it in the stove to cook, and poured out the prison pills.

After a while, the water in the furnace boiled and all the prison pills floated.

"I'll give you something good to try." Yuan Jie smiled and took a porcelain bottle from the table, unsealed it, and a sour smell filled the air.

Xue Bai couldn't help but laugh and said: "You have just crossed the Yellow River and you can taste the vinegar of Shanxi."

"I was put in jail just because of this jealousy." Yuan Jie said, "In six years, I have completely become a member of Hezhong Mansion."

Xue Bai asked: "After six years of discussing salt, what does Brother Yuan think?"

"Salt tax is a sharp tool, but you have to be cautious and careful. How to put it? Simply put, it can collect more salt tax in a shorter period of time than renting mediocre taxes. After all, everyone has to eat it. Salt, but mediocrity is fixed, but you think, if you don't grasp it well, the harm will be great..."

Yuan Jie still had a lot to say about the salt, but he noticed the scars on Xue Bai's neck as he spoke, and said, "By the way, I heard that you went to Nanzhao."

"Yes, traveling around."

"Why did you rush to the north this time?" Yuan Jie turned around and looked outside, and saw more than 20 guards brought by Xue Bai, standing outside the house, standing still despite the wind and snow.

In his opinion, this was a scale of protection that only important officials of the imperial court could have. But he didn't know that Xue Bai had brought his family members with him this time and temporarily settled them in Jie County. Today, Xue Bai left the team and came to see him.

"An official position was released, that of Changshan Grand Administrator." Xue Bai said, "I went with the newly appointed deputy envoy of Hedong Jiedu and Taiyuan Yin Yang Guanghui, and passed through Changshan in Taiyuan to take office."

"Fourth grade official?"

"Ah."

Even with a lucky minister like Yang Guozhong as an example, Xue Bai's promotion speed made Yuan Jie feel exaggerated.

But Yuan Jie was not someone who only focused on fame. He thought for a moment, leaned forward and said, "I heard that Wang Jieshuai died of illness. What's going on?"

"Brother Yuan is quite well informed."

"This is Hedong, and we care about this the most."

Xue Bai put down the Lao Wan Tang in his hand and said, "I came to see Brother Yuan today just to ask about the attitude of the Hedong officialdom towards Wang Zhongsi and An Lushan."

"I don't know much about this matter, but traders who transport salt often tell news about the north. When Wang Jieshuai was transferred, he appointed Han Xiulin as his post, and Han Xiulin did everything smoothly, but lacked some courage. I can’t suppress those arrogant and powerful generals.”

As Yuan Jie spoke, he picked up some fruits and spread them out on the table. As he was doing so, he said: "An Lushan has been wooing the generals of Hebei for more than a day or two. This is Yanmen Pass, which is outside the pass and is attached to the Tang Dynasty." All tribes have been won over, and even I, the county magistrate in the southernmost part of Hedong Road, know that Anlu Mountain north of Yanmen Pass is the de facto governor of Hedong..."

(End of this chapter)