Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 333 Looking at the stars at the Star Gap

Standing in front of the largest Suzaku Gate directly north of Chang'an Imperial City, Fang Youde, wearing the purple official robe of a censor, stopped here.

He vaguely remembered the scene in his previous life when Zhu Wen's men rushed into the imperial city to capture the emperor. At that time, a large number of people rushed into the dilapidated imperial city, as if it was a lifetime ago.

"The saint has arrived!"

The eunuch's voice came from behind, and Fang Youde turned around. As far as the eye could see, there was a traveling team of hundreds of people, with brightly colored flags flying everywhere. The broad Suzaku Street has been cleared, and the emperor's chariot is being protected by the regiments, and is slowly moving forward surrounded by the imperial army and eunuchs.

There are more than 100 eunuchs who opened the way.

It is indeed no accident that Zhu Wen killed all the Li Tang clan.

Fang Youde sighed softly. Just looking at this scene, he knew that the downfall of the Tang Dynasty in the previous life was caused by the arrogance and extravagance of those in power. He could not blame Zhu Wen, let alone the people.

Even if there is no Zhu Wen, there will still be Liu Wen and Ma Wen.

"Censor Fang, the saint asks you to come on board and drive for the saint."

Compared with his "down and out" self, Li Linfu can be said to be successful and has no pursuits in life.

For those ministers who have no intention of fighting for power, Brother Ji will still give them face.

Brother Ji opened the curtain of the carriage and greeted him warmly: "Quan Zhong, get in the carriage and drive for me! The carriage is going to the imperial city!"

The great affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military affairs. What is politics? The current show is an integral part of politics.

Everything is an open etiquette!

Under the leadership of Ji Ge, Fang Youde, Gao Lishi and others came to the small building next to the Sanqing Hall in the southwest of Chang'an Taiji Palace. The team escorting the emperor into the imperial city was left outside the Suzaku Gate.

Even if a minister doesn't like it or finds it troublesome, he has to adapt to it.

Fang Youde suppressed his inner impatience and went straight to Yu Jia's side.

Brother Ji led the ministers into Lingyan Pavilion.

Fang Youde saw his portrait majestically appearing on the originally blank wall on the first floor. Of course, compared to one portrait, the space in Lingyan Pavilion is very large. Even if you add dozens of portraits, there will be no pressure! It won't look crowded!
Fang Youde noticed that Li Linfu, who had always kept his emotions secretive, was now beaming with joy.

Fang Youde felt that this was a bad joke played by God on him.

But in this life, entering Lingyan Pavilion is a supreme honor, which is quite ironic in comparison.

When the moon is full, it is full. It is hard to say whether this Right Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty can live to the end of his life.

The top political leaders of the Tang Dynasty gathered here. In fact, a similar situation had not been seen for many years.

In fact, this is also a trick played by Brother Ji. Letting Fang Youde drive the car for him before leaving Chang'an was a way of making himself famous in front of others, and it also showed "the emperor's grace".

Suddenly, a young eunuch came forward and greeted him politely.

Fang Youde thought secretly in his heart.

Probably, even if Li Linfu was barked by a dog on his way back today, the happy Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty would not do anything to the dog.

On the surface, everything seemed so solemn, but in Fang Youde's eyes, it seemed so absurd that he couldn't think about it in detail.

What is "Rong"?
Fighting, killing, and force are the most important, and the emperor is the biggest warlord leader. This is "there are soldiers but no sacrifices," and that's it, just like the situation in the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties.

All the portraits in the pavilion are designed with the visual center facing north, facing the Sanqing Hall, one of the spiritual pillars of the Tang Dynasty, the Taoist Master and spiritual palace.

This is not a great favor, but a procedure that has been arranged long ago. Fang Youde was waiting here at Zhuque Gate early in the morning just for this matter.

"My man, why don't you take Wu Gou and collect the fifty states in Anxi? Please go to Lingyan Pavilion for a while, just like a scholar with ten thousand households."

"Open the city gate! Welcome the Holy Emperor!"

At this time, Li Linfu, the right prime minister, had been waiting here for a long time with many central court officials, such as the six ministers and the six ministers.

"My dear friends, please come with me to Lingyan Pavilion to pay homage to the sages."

In fact, Lingyan Pavilion is a three-story building with a small area: the innermost layer is painted with the ministers of the prime ministers and ministers who have the highest merit; the middle layer is painted with the ministers of the princes with high merit; the outermost layer is painted with For other heroes.

The area where Li Linfu and the others work is originally within the imperial city, so there is no need to go through this formality like Fang Youde.

If you go further, you will have to ascend the throne and proclaim yourself emperor. This should not be what Li Linfu pursues.

When the front of the team marched to the Zhuque Gate, the eunuch walking at the front shouted, and then the city gate official on duty opened the gate. At this moment, drums and horns sounded, and the "military band" of the Shence Army came out to accompany them, and Fang Youde drove slowly into the imperial city.

Who doesn’t want to be remembered forever?

Their portraits were hung majestically in Lingyan Pavilion in the late Tang Dynasty.

Today is the "big event" of adding a new portrait to Lingyan Pavilion, and the specifications are naturally extraordinary.

After seeing the central ministers, Ji Ge laughed and said.

Because if a country doesn't even have such "red tape" and everyone thinks it doesn't matter, then only "rong" will be left.

He actually entered Lingyan Pavilion!
There are such inexplicable things in the world!

Fang Youde didn't think much, got on the carriage, took the riding whip handed over by Gao Lishi, and began to drive the carriage skillfully.

In his previous life, whoever entered Lingyan Pavilion was equivalent to having the words "rebellious ministers and traitors" written on their foreheads, such as Qian Liu, the military commander of Zhenhai Zhendong Army, Zhu Quanzhong, military commander of Xuanwu Army, etc. people.

Fang Youde commented calmly in his mind, secretly observed the expressions of the ministers, and found that they were all eager to try. He also had to admit that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty's operation really scratched the itch of the ministers.

"I thank the saint."

Fang Youde saluted in the direction of the imperial commander, then followed the eunuch and walked towards the imperial commander.

Fang Youde looked at his portrait and couldn't help but say "arty".

Unexpectedly, his voice was not loud, but Brother Ji happened to hear it.

Amid the astonished looks of all the central court officials, Ji Ge laughed and walked over, patted Fang Youde on the shoulder and said with a laugh: "Quan Zhong, now Guozhong is leading an army across the Western Regions, you just expect him to win. Come back! In the future, the grand occasion of father and son entering Lingyan Pavilion together will probably never happen since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, and my face will be bright!"

"The kindness of the saint will never end in the lifetime of my father and son. I am an old minister, but I hope that my son will work tirelessly for the saint in the future."

Fang Youde said very humbly.

"Well, I can rest assured that Guozhong is capable of both civil and military affairs and has outstanding talents."

Brother Ji laughed and said, obviously the emperor was in a very good mood today.

Fang Zhongyongwen can make suggestions to help him make money, and Wu can help him kill people with strength and tenacity, which is naturally worthy of praise.

Of course, if the other party has no use value in the future, it will be another story. In short, to Brother Ji, everyone is a dog, but they have different relationships and origins.

Since it is a dog, whether it is helping to hunt, looking after the home, or just being a pet, it cannot be compared with a "human".

From this perspective, Ji Ge’s approach to employing people is essentially about the most basic fairness and justice. One dog is not more noble than another. In the eyes of Ji Ge, they are all treated equally, only whether they are of value to him.

In fact, this can be regarded as a different kind of fairness.

"Hahahaha, our Tang Dynasty has the wise leadership of saints, so it is naturally a country of heaven and earth treasures. Do you think this is the case?"

After a while, the young-looking Minister of Rites flattered Brother Wanji, looked around at the crowd and asked.

Fang Youde glanced at the somewhat unfamiliar Minister of Rites, and for a moment he didn't recognize who this person was. He must have been in this official position for a short time. And it is certain that this must be Li Linfu's person.

If he were not a member of Li Linfu, he would not have been promoted to the position of Minister of Rites.

Sure enough, seeing Fang Youde stunned, Li Linfu quickly introduced him:

"Let me introduce the real person. This is Chen Xilie, courtesy name Ziming, the Minister of Rites. He is proficient in Taoism and is valued by saints. He has successively served as Secretary and Young Supervisor, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Bachelor of Jixian Academy, Bachelor of Chongxuan Academy, and was also granted the title of Lin. Yinghou.

His articles are well written. Quanzhong, you often lead troops abroad, so it's not surprising that you are not familiar with him. "

"Hey, Ge Nu is right! Chen Ziming's article is really well written!
Chen Shangshu, today I am taking my ministers to visit Lingyan Pavilion. After I go back, you must write a good poem.

Don't bother me! "

Brother Ji pointed at Chen Xilie with a playful look on his face and said.

"I will obey the orders of the saint."

Chen Xilie saluted as if he was flattered.

Fang Youde squinted his eyes. He had already guessed that his predecessor, He Zhizhang, had retired and returned to his hometown. It was hard to say whether he was still alive or not. The successor of Jixianyuan should be this Chen Xilie, and he has been promoted all the way.

Fang Youde was "deeply impressed" by Chen Xilie. I just don’t know what kind of tricks Chen Xilie can do without An Lushan and Yang Guozhong.

Forget it, these have nothing to do with him, a "has-been" who plans to stay away from the center.

He saluted Chen Xilie with a calm expression. There was no emotion or anger on his face, but he was just vaguely unkind. However, Fang Youde was known for his bad temper, so Chen Xilie didn't pay attention, but came over to tell Brother Ji some interesting stories about Lingyan Pavilion.

To be fair, if you just look at Chen Xilie at this moment, Fang Youde has to admit that the other person is a very knowledgeable and well-spoken person, and a knowledgeable person.

At least when it comes to flattery, his skills are already perfect.

Brother Ji nodded while listening, obviously interested.

Although he was born in the royal family, he did not know the deeds of Lingyan Pavilion ministers so well. Many of them had only heard about them in general.

And Chen Xilie is obviously a "professional" and knows the deeds of the courtiers during the Zhenguan period at his fingertips.

This is not a level that can be achieved by just holding on to the Buddha's feet temporarily and making a little preparation and reading some books.

Fang Youde felt a little emotional for a while, if he didn't know the "answer", he would be surrounded by such a group of people again. Even if he were the emperor, he probably wouldn't think Chen Xilie was a bad person, right? Who would have thought that he would later become prime minister for An Lushan?

With such a "harmless" figure in front of him, who would have known that after Li Linfu's death, he would dare to be the first to come out and push everyone away?
"Quan Zhong is not feeling well? I think you seem to be in a trance."

Brother Ji saw Fang Youde in a daze, looked at him with some concern and asked.

"Back to the saint, I am fine. I was just fascinated by the deeds of the sages."

Fang Youde said insincerely that he no longer wanted to stay in Lingyan Pavilion.

"Forget it, let's go back to Xingqing Palace to attend the banquet. I won't go home until I'm drunk today. I've arranged good wine and delicious food for all my dear friends!"

Brother Ji laughed.

Today, Brother Ji is very proud. No matter which minister makes a mistake, he will not be angry.

……

Except for sand, it is still stone; except for stone, it is still sand!
Fang Chongyong led the Anxi Expeditionary Force out of Yumen Pass in the Tang Dynasty and headed for Yiwu City in Yizhou, which was the state capital of Beiting Protectorate in Yizhou and where the largest oasis in the area was located.

However, although the oasis is good, for them it is no less than "looking at the plum blossoms to quench their thirst".

This road is filled with crazy sand and gravel, and the weather is so bad that it can explode. The strong wind blew the fine sand into his face, just like when Fang Chongyong was doing metalworking internship in his previous life, he rubbed the grinder against the iron block.

The sour feeling makes people have to cover themselves tightly.

Fortunately, on the way to Mohe Yanqi, there is a small oasis formed by a small ground spring every less than a hundred miles. In every small oasis, there is a Tang Army garrison with less than ten people. These people are there to prevent bandits from occupying water sources and causing trouble. They are also responsible for conveying military information, and occasionally undertake some rescue tasks.

In the military, they only serve as eyes.

Each of these five ground springs cannot replenish much water. As the water level drops, we have to wait for new spring water to come up. When the scouts of the Signal Flag Battalion arrive somewhere a day early, they will spend some time using water bladders to store some water for the army behind them. Then he didn't dare to rest and kept exploring the way forward.

Along the way, Chongyong marched with one heart in mind, for fear that there would be insufficient water and the army of more than 10,000 people would die of thirst in the desert.

Fortunately, Yuanmen Erlong and others have been to the Western Regions before and are very familiar with the ecological environment here.

When formulating the marching strategy, we were well prepared. When Fang Chongyong led his troops into Mohe Yanqi, he realized that he had thought too much.

Everything along the way was smooth and orderly, with no surprises or dangers. All soldiers have clear military orders on when they can eat, when they can drink, how much water they drink at one time, how they drink it, where to camp, and how long they should take each rest, and they will not mess around.

This is the strength of the elite soldiers of the Tang Army in Hexi. They follow orders and prohibitions, and work together from top to bottom. Fang Chongyong issued a large number of "military tickets" to the soldiers, which could only be cashed out when they went to the Western Regions. So along the way, his orders were much more effective than the imperial decree.

They camped and rested for most of the day during the hottest part of the day. At night, the Anxi Expeditionary Force set out from the last spring oasis and arrived at a canyon on the only way to the Moheyan Moraine in the middle of the night.

From here to Yiwu City, there will no longer be any water supply.

"This is where?"

Fang Chongyong saw a large number of mysterious objects shining in the moonlight on the hills next to the canyon, twinkling and shining from a distance.

He pointed his riding whip into the distance and asked Wu Chengen, one of the two dragons of Yuanmen beside him.

The sky is full of stars.

The ground is filled with splendor.

It can be said to be a wonder of nature’s uncanny craftsmanship.

"Huifangjieshuai, there is ore on the mountain at the mouth of the canyon, it is transparent and reflects light under the moonlight, so it looks like this.

The scenery here is quite unique and it can be regarded as a landmark along the way. "

Wu Chengen explained with a smile.

"The stars in the sky are white. The stars on the ground are dark.

Fifteen nights in the Xingxing Gorge, the stars in the sky and the earth are shining.

There is a star in every house, and the sky becomes dark and the earth suddenly becomes bright.

The stars on the earth are greener than those in the sky, and the Big Dipper is dim and the rooster crows for the first time.

No. 3 was sounded, and Mianhu blinked. Yanyanhuo, Xingxingxia.

This section commander thought that it would be better to call this place Xingxingxia. "

Fang Chongyong pointed to the hills not far away with his riding crop and continued: "Let's go and have a look."

He took several military generals to the hill he had overlooked before, and saw crystals exposed everywhere on the ground, shining with an inexplicable brilliance under the moonlight.

I felt a little dazed for a moment. This two-dimensional scene actually existed in reality. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it.

Fang Chongyong felt a little regretful. He thought to himself: If in the industrial age, crystals were of great use in electronics, medical, optical and other industries, it would be good to open a crystal mining mine here in Xingxingxia. It would be a pity.

He asked He Qichang for a hammer, then he found a piece of exposed crystal ore, hammered off a large piece of crystal and threw it into his bag, planning to play with the telescope after he went to the Western Regions.

(End of this chapter)