Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 663 Let’s Watch the Officials Slay the Dragon
As the Lantern Festival drew near, Bianzhou became more and more lively. The shops that provided houses for rent were busy all day long. The world was not peaceful now, and merchants who had no time to return home simply stayed in Bianzhou because the road was unsafe.

In today's Bianzhou, the literary style is open and there are no taboos. As long as you don't promote rebellion, no one cares what you say.

On the day before the Lantern Festival, the taverns outside Kaifeng City were unusually busy, as if something big was about to happen, and a restless mood was brewing.

Lu Yu, who was already working as a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue, also came to a teahouse near the canal to drink tea that day. There were people playing chess and storytelling, and it looked very lively.

"Have you heard that the emperor is going to kill the official tomorrow?"

A big bearded man spoke in a low voice at the table next to where Lu Yu was sitting.

"Son of Heaven? That puppet? Does he deserve it?"

The young man with a bun sitting opposite asked in confusion.

“That’s where it gets interesting.”

The bearded man laughed loudly and continued, "You don't know this, right? If the emperor kills the government officials, then we kill the tiger; if the government officials kill the emperor, then we kill the dragon. Anyway, the fight between dragons and tigers is fun, isn't it?"

Hearing this, Lu Yu thought to himself: I thought Marshal Fang had the support of the people, but I didn't expect that the people just wanted to watch the fun.

Of course, he also knew that many people were short-sighted. If Fang Qing was gone, there would certainly be more people who claimed to be alone. At that time, it was hard to say what would happen to Bianzhou.

But when disaster has not yet struck, people who like to have fun will maintain a fun attitude, they just want to watch the fun.

"If you two like to watch, tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. The emperor will invite the people to the palace to watch the fireworks and celebrate together. When the time comes, there will be dragons fighting tigers, and you will be able to watch to your heart's content!"

The Tea Doctor, carrying tea, passed by the table and said something with a smile.

Lu Yu calmly asked for a pot of tea and then sighed.

Although Bianzhou rarely arrests people who talk nonsense, the internal surveillance is extremely strict. They only listen but don't arrest, they only control information and speech, but don't kill people to silence them.

Such a strategy has its own profound meaning, but it is not something that can be casually discussed as most people think.

"I really can't go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow, or I might get hurt."

The young man wearing a futou said with some fear. After all, he was an educated man and knew the danger.

Is it Li Lin's decision to let the people go to the palace to watch the fireworks?
That is obviously not the case. Although Li Lin lives in the palace, his security and logistics are all managed by the government. To put it bluntly, Fang Qing is in control.

If Fang Qing says no, then it is absolutely not possible.

"Are you going or not? If you don't go, I will."

The bearded man complained dissatisfiedly.

"Go, go, go, I'll stay away, no problem."

After Lu Yu finished his tea and paid the bill, he went to another wine shop. Then, he saw a poem hanging on the wall.

"Yi Yin and Zhou Gong were once kings of Dai. Why are Taijia and Ji Song hesitating? Where are Huo Guang and Cao Cao now? The King of Qin is leading his troops to Luoyang."

The title of the poem is "Reminiscence of Xingyang".

Lu Yu immediately took a breath of cold air! This is a fucking anti-poem!

Moreover, it is written in a very obscure way, with quotations from classics. People who are only slightly versed in literature cannot understand the deep meaning of the poem.

Especially the last sentence, which almost reveals the real purpose, yet does not reveal even a hint of edge.

In ancient times, Bianzhou could barely be considered as part of Xingyang.

More than a hundred years ago, Li Shimin, the King of Qin, sent troops from Guanzhong to Luoyang, where he fought against Wang Shichong in the first battle and Dou Jiande in the second battle, winning a great victory. It was this counterattack in which the few defeated the many that laid the foundation for the Tang Dynasty.

Then, when Li Lin holds the Hongmen Banquet tomorrow, is it possible that he will... what?

He happened to be a descendant of Li Shimin.

Lu Yu saw a group of literati shaking their heads and commenting, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Because he also has to attend the banquet tomorrow.

I'm really curious about what kind of trouble Li Lin will come up with.

“Man, what’s up with this poem?”

Lu Yu grabbed the shop assistant who was holding the wine jug and questioned him seriously.

It doesn't matter if it's just something you say casually. Afterwards, you can just stick your neck out and say you didn't know. But the anti-poem written on the wall cannot be left unexplained.

"Hehe, the emperor's confidant, the work of the great poet Li Bai, just left his name untouched."

The guy lowered his voice and said.

Uh... Lu Yu let go of his hand and stopped talking.

"Let's go to the palace tomorrow and watch the emperor slay the dragon!"

The guy came over and gave a "reminder" with an "you know" expression on his face.

Lu Yu discovered that it seemed that the common people in Bianzhou were treating a very serious matter as a joke!
Is this a distortion of human nature or a loss of morality?

Lu Yu suddenly became alert! He seemed to understand why such a ridiculous thing happened!

If, if the imperial power of the Li family has fallen to the point where even street kids can talk about it, then doesn't this mean that it doesn't matter to them which member of the Li clan becomes emperor?

Anyway, it's just a puppet!

Fang Qing deliberately indulged public opinion, making Li Lin's family affairs, even including conspiracy to coup, become the topic of conversation before and after dinner. This is actually destroying and deconstructing the imperial power in a silent way!

God cannot be mentioned, discussed, or laughed at. It should be a taboo in itself so that it can maintain its dignity.

If things about "God" are as common as a fight between stray dogs on the roadside, then its sacredness has been completely lost.

Is such a God still a God?
"Amazing."

Lu Yu muttered to himself with emotion, and pricked up his ears to listen to how people around him talked about this matter.

Then he discovered that these people were divided into several factions.

Some people simply think life is too boring and want to have some fun. It doesn't matter who kills who.

Some people want to see powerful officials kill the king and change the dynasty.

Some people wanted to see whether the emperor's neck was the same as that of an ordinary person and whether it would bleed.

Some people just want to see how Li Lin will wail and beg for mercy.

Few people thought that Li Lin's coup could succeed. As for those who wanted to be "royalists", there was not a single one.

Li Lin usually didn't care about anything and never showed any kindness to the people.

So for the common people, if they are in a good mood, they can just call him Your Majesty. If they are in a bad mood, they can just call him Child Emperor.

The emperor looks very important and cannot be without.

However, it doesn't seem to make much difference who becomes the emperor.

"The government has seen through the people and their hearts. No matter how great the cause is, it is not as important as the rice bowl in one's hand."

Lu Yu shook his head and walked out of the tavern, looking worried.

Tomorrow, he will also be one of the audience and will witness a dragon-slaying drama.

……

There is no curfew during the Lantern Festival. People can watch lanterns, fireworks and stroll along the long streets.

Almost every household in Bianzhou was out for fun outside the city.

The palace had now become a "tourist attraction". Lanterns were hung everywhere in the palace, and the soldiers who were responsible for setting off fireworks were fully equipped and would start lighting them when the time came.

Except for the Purple Palace and the harem, other places in the palace were open to the public. At this moment, tourists with lanterns lit up everywhere on the palace walls.

Outside the Purple Palace, there were already many curious people gathered around. They were waiting for Fang Zhongyong to come out with Li Lin's head and then announce the founding of the country.

Many people were discussing what the new country's name should be. Some said Song, some said Bian, and some said Chen. Everyone was talking and laughing, and the air was filled with joy.

However, the atmosphere inside the Zichen Palace is not as relaxed as outside.

Tables and desks were arranged in the Purple Palace, and the court officials sat in rows, without anyone speaking.

The table was filled with dishes, the cold dishes were still cold, and the hot dishes had turned cold. As for the wine, no one drank it, and it was not even poured into the wine glass.

All the officials are waiting.

Wait for Fang Zhongyong to speak.

"My dear ministers, the feast has begun, so let's begin. Where are the drums, music, singing and dancing?"

Li Lin's face was tense and his voice was trembling.

When the time came, he felt a little weak.

"On this Lantern Festival, I wish Your Majesty good health and happiness."

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Fang Chongyong held up the wine glass, walked forward and toasted Li Lin.

"Thank you for your hard work, officials."

Li Lin nodded very reservedly, with a stiff smile on his face.

He waited for Fang Zhongyong to drink, but he refused.

"Sir, why don't you drink? Do you think the wine I prepared is too bad?"

Li Lin asked pretending to be ignorant.

"I dare not drink."

Fang Zhongyong replied expressionlessly.

Li Lin's heart tightened, and he forced a smile and said, "Today is the Lantern Festival, there is no need to be restrained, my dear, drink if you want."

"is it?"

Fang Zhongyong showed a playful smile on his face, handed the wine glass to Li Lin and said: "Then your majesty, please drink it quickly."

Li Lin stood up in fear, then slowly sat back down.

This wine...you can't drink it, you will die if you drink it.

"This is your wine, how can I drink it? This is inappropriate."

Li Lin's forehead was covered with cold sweat. He grasped the armrests of the dragon throne tightly with both hands, and the veins on the back of his hands were bulging.

"Your Majesty, I offer you a toast, but you won't drink it. Could it be that... you want me to feed you?"

Fang Chongyong took a step forward, and Gao Shang wanted to stop him, but Fang Chongyong pushed Gao Shang lightly and made him fall to the ground and sit down.

"I won't drink, I absolutely won't drink!"

Li Lin screamed and tried to get up from the dragon throne, but was held down by the shoulders by two imperial guards behind him.

Fang Chongyong pinched Li Lin's chin and poured the wine in the glass in his hand directly into Li Lin's mouth.

The spicy taste went straight through his throat, causing the puppet emperor to cough violently.

“Ahhhhhhhh! I’m going to die! I’m going to die!”

Li Lin suddenly jumped up from the dragon throne and was about to rush over to strangle Fang Zhongyong's neck, but was pressed down on the dragon throne by the imperial guards behind him.

There was a hint of mockery in Fang Chongyong's eyes. He stood there, watching Li Lin struggling frantically as if he was watching a monkey, and bursts of meaningless whimpers came out of his mouth.

"Everyone, you have worked hard this year. Just now, the emperor wanted to entertain you and acted with me.

The feast has begun. I won’t leave until I’m drunk!”

Fang Chongyong shouted to the ministers in the hall.

These words were like turning on a TV switch. The people who had been almost motionless immediately came to life. Not only did they start drinking and eating meat, but they also whispered to their colleagues next to them.

The sound of stringed and wind music rang out in the hall, and dancers in gauze skirts came in one after another and began to dance gracefully.

Li Lin sat on the dragon throne in shock. The two imperial guards behind him had retreated to the back hall. He looked around and felt like he had returned to the world from the underworld.

Li Lin touched his belly and found that there was nothing serious and there was no sign of the poison in his body. He breathed a sigh of relief as if he had survived a disaster.

Why is this wine not poisonous?
Why weren't these confidants of Fang Qing in the hall poisoned to death?

Li Lin was puzzled. He had clearly poisoned the wine himself, so why did this happen?

After thinking it over again, Li Lin angrily smashed the white porcelain wine glass in his hand to the ground.

The drums and music stopped, the dancers also stopped, and the eyes of all the ministers were focused on Li Lin.

At this moment, Li Lin seemed to see one evil ghost after another from hell, looking at him with malicious eyes.

"Your Majesty, did you just slip?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Ah? Hahahaha, yes, yes."

Li Lin forced a smile, his face livid!

We agreed to break the cup as a signal, but why is no one coming in? Why?

Li Lin was puzzled.

He glanced at Gao Shang, who also looked confused.

"Everyone, the banquet continues."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand and ignored Li Lin.

The sound of drums and music sounded again, and the dancers continued dancing. The scene just now seemed like just a drop of water dropped into the pool, and soon the surface of the pool became calm as before.

Continue playing music and dancing, as if nothing has happened!
Li Lin was dumbfounded sitting on the dragon throne.

He had intended to use three blows with the axe, but after two blows he failed to chop off even a hair on Fang Qing's body.

Not even one!

Li Lin quietly reached under the table, where a delicate crossbow was hidden, and the arrows were poisoned. Fang Qing's seat was very close to him, and at such a close distance, it would be difficult for the other party to dodge.

Eh?
Li Lin took out the "hand crossbow" and found that it was not a delicate hand crossbow, but a toy snake made of bamboo! There is a shop in Bianzhou that specializes in selling this. The snake's body is made of bamboo joints, and each section can twist. From a distance, it looks like a real thing.

What the hell is this?

Li Lin was so frightened that he threw the bamboo snake onto the table, which attracted the attention of some of his ministers. But when they saw the snake toy on Li Lin's table, they all pretended not to see it and continued to drink and eat meat.

Seeing this, Fang Chongyong grinned at Li Lin, then raised his hand and made a shooting gesture.

He pretended his finger was a smoking gun muzzle and blew on it. Then he raised his wine glass and said to Li Lin: "May Your Majesty live forever."

"May Your Majesty live forever!"

As if they had received some signal, the ministers raised their glasses and spoke at the same time.

Li Lin's hands began to tremble, and his body began to tremble as well.

His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

At this moment, a strange thought came to the minds of all the officials in the hall:

The dragon-slaying boy did not turn into a dragon, but seemed to have turned into a monkey trainer.

(End of this chapter)