Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 360 With the state of mind of a beast
September is Brother Ji's birthday. According to past rules, even if the whole world doesn't celebrate, at least there will be a big banquet in Chang'an to decorate the appearance.

For an old man over sixty years old, especially a rich and well-informed old man, things like money and silk have become meaningless.

Today, Brother Ji no longer cares about the satisfaction of desires brought by wealth and jewelry, no longer cares about the stimulation of beauty to the physical senses, and no longer deliberately pursues luxury and ostentation.

Brother Ji doesn't care if everyone in the world celebrates with him!
In early September, the imperial court ordered that the saint's birthday this year would not be held in Chang'an, but the banquet would be moved to Huaqing Palace.

Then Li Linfu, the right prime minister, supervised the country in Chang'an and handled general government affairs.

At the same moment when the imperial edict was issued, a part of the Shence Army escorted Brother Ji to Huaqing Palace for training. Accompanying him were Zheng Shuqing, the minister of Dali Temple, and the nine surnames of Zhaowu. He became famous for practicing medicine in the Western Regions and entered the Taipei Palace. Cao Yong, the imperial physician of the hospital, and a few other ministers.

In September in Huaqing Palace, the temperature is already quite cool, which can be described as comfortable and pleasant.

That evening, after the royal team arrived at Huaqing Palace, Brother Ji couldn't wait to enter the hot spring pool and leaned comfortably on the edge of the hot spring pool with a contented expression on his face. Zheng Shuqing and Dr. Cao, who were serving on the side, were both sweating profusely from the heat, with vague anxiety on their faces.

"Cao Qing's family, can my strange disease really be cured by taking a bath?"

Brother Ji asked lazily. He felt quite comfortable now. The hot springs should have a suppressive effect on the condition. But whether it can be completely cured is not what Brother Ji expected.

Wei Chen also found out that Princess Du Shi seemed to be infected with the disease, possibly from her face.

However, the prince must have never had sex with Du. News from the East Palace said that the prince did not suffer from this strange disease. "

Imperial Physician Cao did not speak big words, but gave a very unoptimistic conclusion.

Zheng Shuqing knelt on the ground and said shiveringly, not daring to raise his head and even glance at Brother Ji who seemed to have everything under control in the hot spring pool.

Zheng Shuqing replied with some hesitation.

"No, no, absolutely not! Wei Chen swears by the head on his neck, and now he even sleeps with his mouth sealed."

According to the Western Han Dynasty's "Dadai Liji": "There are three clans: the father's clan, the mother's clan, and the wife's clan."

The answer is obvious.

"Okay, okay, I get it!"

The policy of the Yi Tribe can only be talked about, especially in the Tang Dynasty, an era where the bureaucratic class was married to each other. The network of interpersonal relationships was quite complex, and it could be said that one hair could affect the whole body.

"Hmph, you're taking advantage of that bastard!"

Zheng Shuqing knelt on the ground and begged helplessly.

Brother Ji snorted, not surprised at all.

"Back to the saint, we already have quite a clue. There are indeed many court officials who have affairs with the Yang sisters, and there are even wealthy businessmen among them.

Brother Ji hesitated for a long time, and finally said with a sigh. At this moment, he also felt that the imperial power was not omnipotent and was also subject to great constraints.

In my humble opinion, it would be better to just execute myself, my wife and my children. If the Yi tribe is wanted, then there will be few officials in Chang'an still in office. "

"Ai Qing didn't reveal my condition to anyone, right?"

"The three Buyi tribes cannot express the hatred in my heart!"

Hearing this, Brother Ji frowned slightly and waved his hand gently, signaling the imperial doctor to step back. This conclusion was not surprising, but it still filled him with disappointment.

To put it simply, Wei Sanniang is no longer a deceased woman, but Li Han's spiritual support.

Sure enough, Dr. Cao carefully crossed his hands and saluted, and replied slowly: "Sage, bathing in hot water can indeed suppress the disease. However, this disease is very fierce, and bathing in hot water alone may not be able to cure it."

Zheng Shuqing knelt on the ground and kowtowed to several people, pleading while kowtowing.

Brother Ji asked softly, and an invisible murderous intention suddenly enveloped Zheng Shuqing.

Doctor Cao didn't dare to look directly at Brother Ji's calm face with suppressed anger. After he left, Brother Ji looked at Zheng Shuqing and asked in a cold tone: "How is the investigation of the case?"

Brother Ji clenched his hands into fists in the hot spring water and said with a ferocious look on his face!

The prince's mood can now be summed up in three words: It's hard to calm down!
"Saint, some of these sick ministers are descendants of the clan, and some are closely involved with nobles of the aristocratic families. If these people and the Yi tribe are to be treated, the movement will be too great. It is also easy for people to doubt whether it is the saint's side. Something happened.

Prince Li Chen only has Wei Sanniang in his heart now. Except for the two heirs he had earlier, no children will be born at all.

Or ask someone else to do it. "

How can we carry out the orders of the "Three Yi Tribes"?

"Well, just stay in Huaqing Palace. I will summon you at any time."

"Please rest assured, saint! Wei Chen knows what he is doing, and there will be no accidents!"

The emperor's orders need to be carried out by the people below. If the people below do not want to carry out the emperor's orders, then the so-called "imperial power" is nothing more than a castle on the beach. If a big wave hits, it is likely to overturn.

Even Zheng Shuqing, who handled this case, couldn't protect himself under the policy of the Yi tribe, let alone others?
"That's all, just do as you say."

"Sage, if you want to carry out this order, even the humble ministers will be beheaded, so I ask the saint to be accommodating.

Brother Ji waved his hand impatiently and sighed helplessly.

The officialdom of the Tang Dynasty was intricately intertwined. For example, the famous "Xue × Tong" family had several brothers who were governors, and their wives were children of other official families. If he really wanted to kill according to this standard, even Zheng Shuqing himself would be beheaded!

Brother Ji was very satisfied with Lao Zheng's humble attitude. He nodded slightly and said: "This matter is related to the safety of our Tang Dynasty, and must not be spread to outsiders. If you let me know that some rumors are spread, Aiqing should understand the consequences. Brother. I'm old now. Once this matter is settled, you will be the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty. I will never break my promise."

And uncontrollable anger!
"Wei Chen retire."

Li Linfu had so many sons-in-law, if he ever prostituted Yang Yuyao, would he also kill the right prime minister of the Tang Dynasty?

Many times, what you think in your mind is one thing, but when it comes to execution, it's another thing.

Zheng Shuqing stood up quickly, patted his chest and promised, then bowed and left the greenhouse. After waiting outside, the cold wind of the early autumn night blew through him, and he felt as if he was wandering around in front of the gate of hell.

Accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. The ancients were sincere and would not be deceived by me.

"The saint is moody, mean and ungrateful, and disaster in the Tang Dynasty is not far away!"

Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but murmured in a low voice.

He had already asked his nephew to run away quietly with Xinruan from his residence in Chang'an City. Those words just now were just to comfort Brother Ji. It is impossible to keep this matter secret at all, at least it cannot be hidden from Li Linfu.

However, it is best to delay it for one day.

Dragging is sometimes a high-end tactic. Brother Ji is still angry. If this news spreads, Zheng Shuqing's life will definitely be in danger.

But if we can delay it a little longer, until it can no longer be concealed, then it won’t matter if it leaks out.

Zheng Shuqing concluded that Brother Ji still needed him to do the dirty work, and he couldn't get rid of him so quickly.

Being able to survive one day at a time is also a kind of wisdom for survival... right?

……

"Your Highness, please save me, I am dying..."

Du's face was covered with sores, and her whole body was running a high fever. She shed tears of regret, looked at Li Chen and begged. "It's time for someone who loves himself to be loved by others. What's the use of saving his life? It's obviously an incurable disease."

Li Chen sighed and shook his head.

In the past days, Crown Princess Du Shi had been indulging in the physical pleasure brought to her by various roads to dilute the sorrow of her family's death. Then, as expected, she had an accident and contracted the same strange disease as Yang Yuyao and others.

"Your Highness, one of Du's faces is also the face of Yang Yuyao, and he died of illness before."

Cheng Yuanzhen whispered in Li Chen's ear.

Hearing this, Li Chan nodded quietly and waved his hand gently, signaling for him to retreat.

After Cheng Yuanzhen left, Li Wei walked to Du Shi, shook his head and sighed: "Don't worry, I will say that you died of illness due to the cold, and I won't let you leave the world with a bad reputation. Although you are very dissolute and make Gu feel ashamed, But I still forgive you.

There is no cure for your illness. That is not Gu's fault, nor is it Gu's fault, right? "

Li Chen said softly, with a calm face, no anger, no sorrow, and no gloating.

At this moment, Du Shi's eyes suddenly burst into light. She stretched out her hand to touch Li Xuan, but before she could touch Li Xuan, she was dodged dexterously. Du Shi's exposed hand instantly dropped and fell on the bed, and her whole body instantly lost its breath.

I don’t know if she ever regretted her extreme behavior when she was dying.

"Come here, the Crown Princess died due to the cold. Let's mourn her now!"

Li Xuan crossed his hands and saluted, bowed three times to Du's body, and then shouted.

"Your Highness, we can wait until the saint's birthday to discuss the funeral."

Cheng Yuanzhen walked in and said with some confusion. He didn't understand why Li Chen was so "considerate" to this bitch, Mrs. Du.

The funeral now happens to be the emperor's birthday. On one side, the emperor is holding a birthday banquet, and on the other side, the prince is holding a funeral. It doesn't matter what effect the news will have and what kind of speculation it will cause from the outside world.

Death is destined and cannot be postponed; but the time of mourning can be "adjusted." For example, after the death of Gao Cheng, the prime minister of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, his brother Gao Yang kept the mourning secret until all the mountains in the country were settled, and then the news of Gao Cheng's death was announced.

Li Han has no control over the date of Du's death, but he can completely announce the funeral after Brother Ji's birthday party, which will not affect the overall situation at all!

"Let's mourn. Death is the most important thing. Go and inform all the brothers of the orphan to come to the Prince's East Palace to mourn.

As for the saint, ignore it. It is normal not to invite a saint, but if you do, it will arouse suspicion. "

Li Chen shook his head, not wanting to hear what Cheng Yuanzhen said about the yes and no.

He is like this, does he still need to care about what Brother Ji thinks?

What's more, Li Long wants to take advantage of this mourning opportunity to convey something to all the ambitious princes!
Time passed quickly, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Du's body was put on a shroud and laid out in the mourning hall for three days, and then buried in the aristocratic cemetery in the south of Chang'an City. Prince Li Ling accompanied him throughout the whole process and performed every required etiquette.

There were hundreds of people in the funeral procession, and countless artifacts were buried with them. The funeral was personally presided over by the Minister of Rites. It must be said that it was quite a grand occasion.

Du did not enjoy much happiness after her marriage, but she was extremely sad and glorious after her death, just like the dignitaries in Chang'an City.

Living a life of drunkenness and spiritual emptiness, he was taken away by a glorious funeral, leaving chicken feathers everywhere.

However, the death of Crown Princess Du did not surprise outsiders, because she was a person who deserved to die and should have been killed along with her father and brother. The reason why Du is alive is because Brother Ji wanted to deliberately disgust Li Fan and kept him by Li Fan's side.

Almost everyone knows about this, so many people are speculating when Li Chan will be deposed.

But the major event that some people paid attention to during Du's funeral was the mourning part of the funeral.

The Crown Princess was not just a woman, she was also part of the Tang Dynasty's state machine, or "the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty".

When a princess dies, the princes of the clan usually come to express their condolences.

Come in person, or send someone to come. Death is a big deal, and it’s not easy for Brother Ji to stop this kind of thing. Anyway, he had already gone to Huaqing Palace, and had no other intention except asking Gao Lishi to lead the Shence Army to closely monitor the Prince's East Palace.

He didn't even send anyone to pretend to "comfort" Li Chen. He mainly focused on being cold and ruthless, and didn't even bother to pretend.

Now everyone in Chang'an City knew that the prince Li Chan was at odds with the emperor, and the emperor also hoped that Li Chan would die soon. The reason why Li Xuan is still in the position of crown prince is because he is a living target for attracting courtiers and other princes.

With Li Chan here to share the pressure, Brother Ji doesn't have to worry about things like "who is the prince and who will succeed."

At this moment, the entire Prince's East Palace was hung with white sails, creating a solemn scene. The eunuchs and maids were busy in and out, performing errands for the dead and performing plays for the living.

Li Chen looked at the many guests who came to express condolences with dull eyes, feeling extremely sad in his heart.

Feeling sorry for Du Shi?

No, no, no, Li Chen feels sorry for Wei Sanniang!

When Wei Sanniang died unjustly, he wanted to give her a beautiful funeral. But Brother Ji doesn’t allow it. This is a scandal. The fewer people who know about it, the better. How can it be publicized?

Wei Sanniang was hastily buried without even being allowed to mourn. Even the grave was dug out by Li Han and others with his own hands!

Except for Wei Sanniang's family and Li Xuan, no one else in Chang'an City knew that this beautiful woman had passed away like this.

People who deserve to be buried well are treated so harshly; but Du, who cuckolded herself crazily, can be so miserable and honorable after death.

Li Chan suddenly felt that the world was ridiculous. Those who deserved to die were not dead, justice in the world could not be upheld, and those who died in vain would not die in peace.

He felt that there was something wrong not with his own ideas, but with the Tang Dynasty.

Something went wrong.

"Prince, please forgive me. There are people like Du in Chang'an. Without her, there will be better ones."

When Li Lin was in a daze, a frivolous voice came from behind, it was Yong Wang Li Lin!
His non-confrontation with Li Chen is public and known to everyone, and the same is true politically.

Therefore, although what Li Lin said at this moment was off the mark, it was appropriate.

"Death is a big deal, but King Yong still has some moral integrity."

Li Chen scolded Li Lin in a deep voice.

"Humph!"

Li Lin snorted without saying anything. He was a little disappointed that Li Chen didn't break the defense.

Suddenly, Li Chen passed by him, apparently going to greet the guests who came to express condolences. But when the two of them passed each other, Li Lin felt that there was an extra piece of paper in her hand.

He suppressed the surprise in his heart and looked at Li Chen, but saw that the other party left without looking back. If it weren't for the real note in his hand, Li Lin really suspected that he was hallucinating.

Li Lin quietly found a secluded and uninhabited place and opened the note in her hand.

I saw sixteen words written on it:

The saint's hidden illness has no cure; time is short, so you can do as you please.

(End of this chapter)