Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 265: Invited an uncle?

Under Chen Qingsi's urging, the servants quickly heated up the wine and steamed the dried fish.

Chen Qingsi drank wild osmanthus wine from the cliffs of Qingxi County, ate dried fish that feeds on osmanthus, and chatted with Jiang Chen about what happened in Qingxi County last year.

They were all trivial things, but Chen Qingsi felt warm in her heart when she heard them.

Qingxi County is the place where he started, and it is also the place where he takes the most effort to manage, so his feelings are naturally different.

I was relieved to hear that the folks in the countryside were living well and that my policies had not changed because of my departure. It had been more than two years since I left, but I was still thinking of myself and trying my best to give myself Jiangnan specialties. I am more moved.

Until I got the news of Li Zhi's summons...

Chen Qingsi tidied up her clothes and entered the palace to meet the saint.

Upon entering the imperial city, Chen Qingsi greeted the passing officials familiarly.

Chen Qingsi has a very high reputation and is very popular with the Holy Heart. Except for Li Yifu, who has vital interests, no one will take the initiative to provoke him. In addition, he is a veteran in officialdom, good at conducting himself, and very popular.

No matter whether you are secretly jealous of him for climbing so fast, you can still say hello and maintain a friendly relationship when you meet him.

It wasn't until he arrived at the entrance of the palace that Chen Qingsi showed a little restraint, showed his identity, and arrived outside Wude Hall in a familiar way.

When Li Zhi saw Chen Qingsi walking into the hall, a smile appeared on his slightly pale face: "My dear, I have been here for many days, and I am not used to it. Sit down quickly..."

After seeing Chen Qingsi sit down, Li Zhi said with a smile: "Ai Qing did a good job in the matter in the north. He not only found out the whole story, but also uncovered the sinister intentions of the Mobei thieves. He planned to defeat the enemy in advance, and also set up a three-person surrender. City, to take precautions before they happen, and also to regulate the customs of the three states..."

In fact, Li Zhi was dissatisfied with Chen Qingsi's efficiency, but in the face of this series of achievements, he had to hold back even if he had any objections.

Besides, everything he did was within the scope of his authority. Even if he borrowed Huang Heshou's power to stabilize the situation in Xiazhou, he would not leave any clues and could not find any fault.

Chen Qingsi said seriously: "Serving your Majesty, serving the court, and serving the people is my duty."

Li Zhi nodded and said: "The wise people who love you can emulate the ancients."

He smiled and fiddled with the two memorials in front of him, and said: "I have something that's really bothering me right now. I want to hear Aiqing's opinion..."

Chen Qingsi said: "Your Majesty speaks frankly, I should share your Majesty's worries."

Li Zhi said: "Ai Qing went north this time and achieved both civil and military merits, which is rare in our dynasty. Just being awarded a title is definitely not enough. I will not wrong anyone who has made meritorious service to the country. So I will not wrong anyone who has made meritorious service to the country." , I discussed with the various ministers how to award the reward. After hearing the news, Li Sikong wrote a memorial in person, saying that Aiqing could win a thousand miles, with outstanding vision, and recommended Aiqing as a doctor in the Ministry of War..."

Chen Qingsi's eyes lit up. He was a doctor in the fifth-grade officers and soldiers department. This is great. After joining the military department, there would be no chance of making meritorious service in the future.

But he didn't show it, he just listened carefully, there must be more to it.

Li Zhi continued: "What a coincidence, almost on the same day, I received another memorial here. It was from Xianggong Xu. He said that his love for you is clear and able to cut off, straight and unyielding, and has the temperament of Sui Han. He can do it for you. Doctor in the Ministry of Officials."

Chen Qingsi was also a little moved, and the staff department was also good. The head of the six departments was in charge of the appointment and dismissal, examinations, promotions, honors, and transfers of civil servants all over the world. Who wouldn't fawn over civil servants in the world?

He was born in poverty, and although he relied on business and had good connections, he had not yet become a powerful person. He was mostly acquaintances of friends, rather than acquaintances of a group of people who were both prosperous and disadvantaged.

Now that I have this momentum, I should gather some strength to lay the foundation for the future.

The bureaucracy has an inherent advantage in this regard...

It's really hard to choose.

Chen Qingsi prefers the Ministry of War in his heart. He is capable of the affairs of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and has experience in management, but the Ministry of War is different. He has no experience in this area.

It is precisely because we don’t have it that we need to understand and learn...

His prophets are better than people like Milu Du and Alvi on the battlefield where the soldiers are like water. If they really encounter a first-class general like Luon Qinling, it will be a large mobile experience package.

We have to take advantage of this opportunity to join the military department to learn this knowledge from the still-living bosses of the party, and get to know the rising stars of the army by the way. When the time comes, we can lead them to fight together. As long as we don't compete in the peak competition, ordinary battles will be ordinary. Pushed the matter.

but……

Chen Qingsi knew that the king's heart was unpredictable, and the Li Xiaojiu in front of him was not the wimp shown on TV.

At least so far, Empress Wu is Empress Wu, Empress Wu who is obsessed with proving to Li Zhi that she is better than Empress Wang.

If you really express your thoughts, he may not listen.

Then he said: "I don't care whether I serve in the Ministry of Civil Affairs or the Ministry of War. As long as I can serve the country and express my ambitions, it doesn't matter where I am. As long as your Majesty needs it, I can go anywhere."

Li Zhi was obviously very satisfied with this answer: There is no doubt that the young man in front of him is a great talent, a talent that is rare in a century.

Li Zhi was initially very excited about the emergence of Chen Qingsi. He finally had talents that belonged to him, Li Zhi, instead of those left to him by his father.

But Chen Qingsi's abilities were somewhat beyond his expectations. At first, he thought he had talents like Ma Zhou and Cen Wenwen, and if he was well trained, he could even rival Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng.

But in Lingzhou and his party, Chen Qingsi's martial arts skills have exceeded Li Zhi's imagination. If this kind of talent is used well, it is Zhuge Liang and Wang Meng, but if it is not used well, it is probably Sima Yi.

Li Zhi was inevitably a little more cautious about his use.

"It's better that I know how to think about me! The talents of Aiqing can be found in all six departments. But I have something to worry about first. The Crown Prince is the crown prince and has great responsibilities. However, I am often worried about his current stubbornness. A few days ago The queen suddenly said that Aiqing has the ability to educate and turn decay into magic. She hopes that Aiqing can enter the East Palace and assist the crown prince. Alas, the queen has always been virtuous and rarely speaks to me. I really don’t know how to refuse. How about... "

He said with a look of embarrassment on his face.

Chen Qingsi complained in her heart, I believe you are a big-headed ghost. If Empress Wu only had this political acumen, she would have gone down to accompany Empress Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu long ago...

It was just pushing Empress Wu out to take the blame. Empress Wu was not afraid of bending her waist even if she was carrying a basket.

But he did not hesitate and said: "I will obey your Majesty's will."

Li Zhi nodded with satisfaction and said, "I will make you the Crown Prince's Instructor. I hope you can teach the Crown Prince and live up to my wishes."

A trace of confusion flashed in Chen Qingsi's eyes, and she asked: "Your Majesty, do you know what the official position of Prince Yu De is?"

Li Zhi said: "Yude is an official position specially created by me for Aiqing. From the fourth rank, he is responsible for admonishing the prince, asking questions and praising the leader. It does not belong to Zhan Shifu, nor to left and right Chunfang, nor to the three temples. , is directly under the jurisdiction of the Prince of the East Palace, and has direct authority to hear from heaven."

Chen Qingsi understood that she was a teacher of the prince's thoughts and virtues. If the prince did not listen, he had the right to complain directly.

For a moment, a trace of frustration flashed across Chen Qingsi's face, but she quickly picked up her spirits and said, "Your Majesty actually entrusted the prince to your care. I will definitely do my best to live up to your Majesty's high expectations."

Li Zhi obviously saw that little bit of frustration and didn't care.

Prince Yude was a position that he had long wanted to fill for the East Palace. However, in the plan, Prince Yude was divided into left and right Yude, subordinate to Left and Right Chunfang, and his power was not as great as it is now. The internal institutions of the East Palace of the Tang Dynasty were very complete, and there was a small court inside.

Among them, the left and right Chunfang are modeled after the central Zhongshu Province and Menxia Province.

Li Zhi had known about Chen Qingsi's return many days ago and knew that his promotion was urgent. Until a few days ago, Crown Prince Li Hong told him that he liked Chen Qingsi's poems and hoped that Chen Qingsi could take over the position of bachelor in Chongxian Hall and be able to Always listen to the teachings.

A few days later, Empress Wu also whispered this matter in his ear.

Li Zhi was so shrewd that he could see through the intentions of his queen at a glance.

Chen Qingsi has huge potential and will undoubtedly become an important member of the temple in the future.

If the crown prince could get to know him before he rose to power and then show him grace, it would also be a guarantee for his future position as crown prince.

Neither Li Hong nor Empress Wu had the guts to drag people like Chen Qingsi directly into the East Palace to compete with the emperor. Do they really think the crown prince's seat is too comfortable?

He just serves as a bachelor and gives him the right to enter the East Palace to meet.

Li Zhi simply agreed. Of course, he did not follow Empress Wu's wish, but asked Chen Qingsi to appear next to Crown Prince Li Hong in another identity.

Prince Yude was a fourth-rank official, two ranks higher than the fifth-rank doctor, but his actual power was vastly different.

If you can still remain indifferent like this, then the city is really too deep.

It's good to have regrets. Only with regrets can you be motivated.

Li Zhi was very satisfied with the result.

"My dear, you have worked hard for the country in the past year. It has been too hard. I am not in a hurry to report to the East Palace. Please spend time with your wife and children. After you have rested, it will not be too late to report to the East Palace."

Chen Qingsi bowed and said, "Thank you for your grace."

Chen Qingsi walked out of Wude Hall and left the palace under the leadership of the chamberlain. As always, she greeted the officials passing back and forth in the imperial city.

Suddenly he saw a piece of gravel beside the street and lightly kicked it against the wall.

The back garden of the palace!

The crisp sound of reciting spread far away.

"Sigh! It's been a long time since the teachings of teachers were passed on! It's hard to keep people from confusion! The saints of ancient times were far away from others, and they still asked if they were followers. Today's people are also far away from the saints. Yes, it is shameful to learn from a teacher. Therefore, the saint is better than the saint, and the fool is better than the fool. The reason why the saint is a saint, and the reason why the fool is a fool, are they all due to this?..."

It is the most classic exhortation to study, "The Teacher's Theory".

The reciter is a short, fat little boy wearing a yellow robe. He is none other than Li Hong, the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.

Empress Wu held a book in her hand, listening to Li Hong's recitation, and her eyes swept across the book following the words her son recited.

Empress Wu was already familiar with articles like "The Master's Statement", but she had high hopes for herself, the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, and was meticulous about his studies, confirming every word.

Li Hong recited an article called "The Master's Statement", word for word, word for word, with more than 500 words.

A smile appeared on Empress Wu's serious face, and she nodded and said: "Very good, the prince recited it well, and the article he wrote is also good. The person who wrote... this article is even better."

Li Hong was only seven years old this year. He was very excited when he was praised by his mother. He rushed to answer: "Your Majesty knows, Your Majesty knows. The person who wrote this article is called Mr. Chen Qingsi. He is the most talented person and the most important Confucian in the Tang Dynasty." , in addition to this "Shi Shuo", Mr. Chen also has other excellent works such as "Yellow Crane Tower" and "Compassion for the Farmers"."

Empress Wu frowned and scolded: "Who told you this?"

The most talented person in the Tang Dynasty, Empress Wu also felt that Chen Qingsi deserved to be named the most important Confucian, so that would be enough.

Moreover, as the crown prince, Li Hong is young, but his words still carry a certain weight, and if they are spread out, they will offend others.

Not to mention the greatest Confucian, even the most gifted scholar would be afraid of displeasing people like Shangguan Yi.

Li Hong was shocked by the scolding, flattened his mouth, and said aggrievedly: "It's Brother Minzhi."

Queen Wu's expression was slightly condensed, but her anger also dissipated a lot.

She had a special affection for Helan Minzhi, and she valued him no less than Li Hong.

Empress Wu was abused by Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang when she was young, and she hated her two brothers deeply. However, as a member of the Wu family, she was unwilling to be alone and wanted to promote some Wu family members to become the assistants of the crown prince Li Hong. .

However, the talent of the Wu family was withering, and there was no suitable candidate. The only outstanding one, Wu Siyuan, did not know who he offended. He was demoted again and again. He was obviously promoted to the Ming Dynasty and participated in the battle of Kucha and had military merit, but he was demoted to Bozhou. Be the county magistrate in a place where dogs don't poop and birds don't lay eggs.

After Empress Wu thought about it, she simply didn't count on the Wu family. Helan Minzhi was very good.

His elegance, talent and talents are the best choices. He is only seventeen years old and can already write poems and essays. When the time comes, he will be adopted by his father and given the surname Wu. If he is carefully cultivated, it will be no better than choosing from the crooked melons and cracked jujubes of the Wu family. .

Empress Wu said: "Your brother Min has always admired Mr. Chen. He said this. As the crown prince, you can't say it. Do you understand?"

Li Hong said aggrievedly: "I understand, kid, and I won't say it again in the future."

Empress Wu nodded and said with a smile: "Your father has agreed to let Mr. Chen serve as a bachelor in Chongxian Hall. When the time comes, he will come to the East Palace to give lectures. Mr. Chen is different from other bachelors. He has great ability and talent. My son must take this seriously and not neglect him..."

Li Hong said: "Children listen to their mother!"

Empress Wu continued to give lectures to Li Hong.

Li Hong listened carefully and was very obedient.

Until Li Zhi's arrival.

"I have met His Majesty!"

"Meet my father!"

Li Zhi reached out and touched Li Hong's head, making the two of them level. Then he half-crouched and looked at his son, and said, "Didn't the prince say that he likes Mr. Chen's poems? My father fulfilled the prince's wish and promoted Chen today." Sir, let him be your Yude, responsible for teaching the prince's moral conduct. Remember, although the prince Yude is an official in the East Palace, he has direct power to heaven. If you are naughty and do not listen to Mr. Chen's teachings, or If you have made a big mistake, Mr. Chen has the right to complain directly to your father."

Li Hong was overjoyed and said: "Thank you, Father, Father is so kind."

Empress Wu looked happy, but secretly complained in her heart: "Have you invited an uncle?"

(End of this chapter)