Aspirations

Chapter 107 The Great Traitor Is Like Loyalty

"Soon, the emperor fell ill. Ye Zhenren prayed to heaven for the emperor, and told the emperor that the emperor's illness was suffered on behalf of the people. All kinds of changes in the Great Xia and disasters in various places are punishments from heaven. When the emperor is sick, mutations and disasters will happen. Eliminate. The emperor is the true king of the people and the son of the emperor of heaven, so the suffering of the people must be borne by the emperor alone. After hearing this, the emperor immediately recovered from his illness and refused to take medicine on the grounds that the emperor loves the people and should suffer for the people. It is also strange. After the emperor fell ill, natural disasters and man-made disasters in various places stopped one by one."

Lian Ruohan didn't want to say anything more, but when she heard this, she couldn't help but interject: "Natural disasters and man-made disasters have occurred frequently for two years, and within two years, even if you don't ask, it's time to stop. It's not the result of the emperor's suffering on behalf of the people, but the time has come."

"Miss Lian, please don't interrupt me, please?" Cao Shujun squinted his eyes in dissatisfaction, and said with a smile, "I'm just stating the facts, and I didn't add my own point of view. You don't have to get angry at me."

"Even my lady may have misunderstood Taoism. She is not angry at you, but just like me, she doesn't believe in the supernatural things of Taoism. You don't have to think too much, Sanlang, tell me quickly." Cao Shuli only knows Cao Shujun She has a good relationship with Ye Muping, but she doesn't know much about the background behind Cao Shujun's acquaintance with Ye Muping and some deeds of Ye Muping himself.It was also because she was influenced by Cao Yongguo and didn't have much affection for Taoism and Taoist priests, so she was indifferent.Listening to it now, I realize that there are so many interesting stories, and I can't help but be fascinated by it.

Even Ruohan laughed: "Ms. Cao is right, you just say it."

"Mr. Jin Jia heard that the emperor stopped taking medicine, so he immediately found Ye Zhenren and had a big fight with Ye Zhenren. Ye Zhenren just listened to Mr. Jin Jia's non-stop talking, and did not argue with him. When he finished speaking, Ye Zhenren The real person told him calmly, don't worry first, the emperor's illness is caused by excessive anger and anxiety, first let the emperor suffer on behalf of all the people can eliminate the disaster and feel at ease, once the heart is at ease, the condition will naturally improve. When the time is right, I will persuade the emperor to take the medicine, on the grounds that only by strengthening the body can we wait for the next disaster to suffer for the people, and the emperor will naturally be willing to take the medicine."

"When Mr. Jin Jia heard this, he was greatly impressed by Ye Zhenren's strategy. The so-called lower doctor heals the disease, Chinese medicine heals people, and upper doctor heals the country; the corporal nourishes the body, the middle man nourishes the spirit, and the superior man nourishes the heart... Ye Zhenren's method has arrived The realm of a sergeant’s cultivation of the heart. Ye Zhenren didn’t even dare to say that he still has a lot to learn from Mr. Jin Jia. The more they talked, the more speculative they became, and they became close friends.” Cao Shujun sincerely admired Ye Muping, “Said Come on, you may not believe it. Although I knew Mr. Jin Jia first and then Zhenren Ye, but after Zhenren Ye met Mr. Jin Jia, the relationship between Mr. Jin Jia and I became much closer. It can be said that if there is no Zhenren Ye, Mr. Jin Jia and I will not have the year-end friendship we have today."

"And what happened later?" Lian Ruohan asked incredulously, it sounds like the relationship between Cao Shujun and Ye Muping is extraordinary, maybe Ye Muping can be used by King Jing without Lu Zhiyue coming forward.

"Later, although Ye Zhenren was honored and became a national teacher, he was still considered a fellow Taoist with me. Just like before, if you don't have wealth, forget it. I also talked about Taoism with Ye Zhenren, but I asked him many times about the art of immortals. He either didn't answer, or said that I was not in the world and could not cultivate immortals, so he always evaded it. Anyway, since I met him until today, he has not taught me a little bit of Taoism, but only taught me the superficial method of building a foundation. The method of Taoism, but it is recorded in all Taoist classics, how can we use gods to teach it?" Cao Shujun shook his head greatly, with a look of regret, "I think it's not that I'm not in the world, but that I don't have enough blessings, so Ye Zhen Talented people will not teach me the Dharma. I remember that it was said in ancient books that if you meet the person who should teach it, you will not teach it. ,Ugh……"

Lian Ruohan's heart moved slightly, after Ye Muping gained power, he still treats people as usual, and this person is somewhat open-minded and generous, she asked again: "I heard that Ye Zhenren also refined a golden elixir for the emperor?"

"Yes, besides Jindan, there is medicinal wine, which is the famous Changchun Fajiu. In addition, Ye Zhenren also has some medical skills. Although he is not as proficient as Mr. Jin Jia, he can sometimes be recognized by Mr. Jin Jia." Cao Shujun thought of something, and pulled out an extremely exquisite gourd from his sleeve. The gourd was not big, only a few inches in size, and was carved from a whole piece of white jade. After opening it, a golden pill was poured out of it. , "Master Ye once gave me a golden pill, but I didn't dare to take it, I kept it with me all the time. I thought that if one day I fell off a cliff or received a heavy responsibility, taking the golden pill would save my life."

"Bah, don't talk nonsense." Cao Shuli scolded, took the golden elixir from Cao Shujun's hand, smelled it, the smell was so fragrant, and then handed the golden elixir to Lian Ruohan, "The fragrance is strong, as heavy as a stone, except In addition, there is nothing unusual about it, is it really the Golden Elixir that can prolong life and live forever?"

"Prolong life? Immortality?" Lian Ruohan smiled sweetly, with an indescribable irony in his smile, "Emperor Qin Shihuang and Emperor Taizong of Tang both took golden pills, who will live forever? Golden pills have longevity, from ancient times to the present. a joke."

"The dragon flies in Lifu, the tiger leaps in Kangong. Metal and wood blend, water and fire fight. Punishment and virtue are the guest of honor, ups and downs are clear and turbid. One hundred days of birth, two or eight medicines. White snow is nothingness, yellow buds are round. Wutu couple , the root calyx of turtles and snakes. The cinnabar does not move, and the mercury does not hold. The lead cauldron is pure and dry, and the purple sky is about." Cao Shujun shook his head and read the "Golden Elixir and Great Medicine", laughing, "You can't say that Lian Niangzi, maybe the Taoist priests who refined for Qin Shihuang and Tang Taizong back then were not masters of Taoism, not as good as Ye Zhenren, who are real gods alive, so the golden pills they refined have no medicinal power."

"If you eat golden elixir, you can live forever. Ye Zhenren refines a few pots of golden elixir and sells it for money, and he becomes rich overnight." Although Lian Ruohan doesn't believe in Buddhism, he also knows the truth that external forces cannot be borrowed, " No matter whether a mortal wants to cultivate immortality or become a Buddha, the kung fu is up to him. The so-called master leads the door, and the practice is in the individual. After the foundation is established, the first pass, the middle pass, and the Dao body can be practiced before they can become immortals. Where Is there such a thing as being able to become an immortal without practicing inwardly and just taking medicine? It’s just wishful thinking of lazy people.”

Lian Ruohan's words are not without reason, Cao Shujun nodded his head to express his approval, and put the golden pill into the jade gourd: "That's why I don't eat the golden pill to become immortal, I want to cultivate myself to become immortal. Okay, about Ye Zhenren I've finished talking about the matter, Lian Niangzi, what else do I need to help you with?"

"I have something to ask..." Lian Ruohan paused, then smiled brightly, "It's not just me asking, but also Xia Xianzun, I wonder if Mr. Cao Lang is willing to do me and Xia Xianzun a favor? "

"Don't mention Xia Xianzun, I don't care about his face, it is enough for a lady to ask, and I will do my best." Cao Shujun betrayed Xia Xiang without any hesitation, nor did he feel guilty at all.

Cao Shuli shook her head helplessly: "Mr. Xia Lang must be so sad after hearing your words."

Cao Shujun said eloquently: "He and Lian Niang made a private decision for the rest of their lives without asking for my opinion. Does he know how sad I am?"

Lian Ruohan burst into laughter: "I wonder if Mr. Cao Lang can invite Mr. Jin Jia and Daoist Ye to meet at Guanxin Pavilion tonight?"

"Well..." Cao Shujuan was stunned for a moment, realizing that Haikou had exaggerated too much just now, he scratched his head and said, "Mr. Leave the palace, otherwise I won't be able to enter the palace to find him..."

"So you can't invite the two masters?" Lian Ruohan shook his head and sighed with a look of disappointment, "It's just my fault that I don't have enough chances to meet Mr. Jin Jia and Ye Zhenren."

Cao Shujun suddenly burst into pride, slapped the table and stood up: "How do you know if you can invite me if you don't give it a try? Even the lady will wait for a while, and I will come as soon as I go." After saying that, he cupped his hands, turned and left the room, He strode away, and disappeared in a blink of an eye.

"Even the lady is good at tricks. He never listens to what I ask him to do, but he obeys you. I don't know what to say about him." Cao Shuli rolled her eyes and smiled quietly, "But it's okay, he always has something to say. Only when things are done will he not think about it. Now he no longer wants to ask immortals every day, and he is much more peaceful than before."

Lian Ruohan nodded: "When a man is born in the world, he should serve the country and the people, not just for his own safety. Just like Xia Xianzun, as soon as he took up the post of Zhending, he wholeheartedly thought about the common people, and he worked several times one after another. It is a big event. If Mr. Cao Lang is guided, he can also do something amazing."

"Mr. Xia Lang, has he changed a lot since he became the county venerable?" Cao Shuli had never seen Xia Xiang in an official uniform before, thinking of his serious case trial situation, and thinking of the first time he saw him covered in clothes. Seeing him drenched, he couldn't help but want to laugh, "The first time I saw him, he was still an examiner, and he had just rescued Saburo from the river, so he was drenched all over. Full of energy, the appearance when he smiles is three points bad and seven points free and easy."

Lian Ruohan realized that the first meeting between Cao Shuli and Xia Xiang was so interesting, which was much more interesting than the first meeting between her and Xia Xiang, and said: "Xia Xianzun is still the former Xia Langjun, open, calm, and worry-free." Concern for the country and the people, and concern for the world. It's just that he has not changed, but there seems to be a slight change that cannot be explained clearly, as if... a scholar who only knows how to read has turned into a person who cares about the people The cold and warm Zhending magistrate."

"Miss Lian, what impression do you have of Xia Langjun when you met him for the first time?" Cao Shuli wanted to talk to Lian Ruohan about some women's topics when Cao Shujun was away. Suddenly he jumped very fast, I don't know the reason, anyway, I think he is healthy, sunny, warm, and trustworthy, and he is not annoying at all, and he doesn't have the greasy hair and noodles of some nobles from aristocratic families."

Lian Ruohan could clearly feel the longing for Xia Xiang in Cao Shuli's words, as well as the exquisite girl's heart. She smiled slightly, remembering the first time she met Xia Xiang: "My first The first time I saw Xia Xianzun, I felt that this person was so young but so calm, with a demeanor and conversation, and I thought, is he a traitor or a traitor? If a person is too perfect, he is either a saint , or a traitor."

"Ah? Why do you think of Mr. Xia Lang so much?" Cao Shuli's eyes widened in surprise, "He doesn't look treacherous at all."

Lian Ruohan smiled: "Sister Shuli, the real treacherous and evil person, has always shown others with a kind face. Just like Mr. Hou, he resigned from office several times and won a reputation. I only found out later that He used retreat as a strategy to advance, and he also felt that the official position and power he was given at the beginning were too small. Later, after he took power, he wantonly eliminated dissidents and showed a hideous face. Unfortunately, it was too late, and he was more or less blinded by his hypocrisy at the beginning. Everyone regrets recommending him to the emperor, but it is useless to regret. Until now, he has won the trust of the emperor, and the emperor has not seen his true colors."

"That's true, but... Mr. Xia Lang is not Hou Pingpan, he is a good man, and he will be a good official." Cao Shuli was not happy that Lian Ruohan compared Xia Xiang and Hou Pingpan.

Lian Ruohan saw it, couldn't help but secretly smiled, and said: "Sister Shuli, don't be unhappy, even if Xia Xianzun is treacherous on the open face and secretly serves the country and the people, and endures humiliation, it is a great achievement to finally bring Hou Pingpan down. Ping Pan is a traitor and a hypocrite, Xia Xianzun might as well act as a traitor, as long as he can restore Daxia's clarity, what's the point of being wronged and not understood by the world?"

Cao Shuli couldn't understand Lian Ruohan's thoughts, and wanted to refute a few words, but felt that the verbal dispute was meaningless, so she smiled lightly: "I believe Mr. Xia Lang is not that kind of person."

"Not necessarily." Lian Ruohan believed in his own judgment of Xia Xiang, "Times make heroes, and those who understand current affairs are heroes. Xia Xianzun is a hero, and even more so."

Cao Shuli didn't know where the courage came from, and suddenly said: "Sister Lian, when will you come back? I want to go with you."

Lian Ruohan's gaze rested on Cao Shuli's beautiful face like a morning glow for a moment, and she smiled subtly: "After finishing the business in the capital, I will go back immediately. It may take half a month at most, or seven days at least."

"Okay, remember to call me when the time comes, I'm going to Zhending to visit Mr. Xia Lang." Cao Shuli's face was filled with an unprecedented look, and in the look, there was a touch of firmness that made people's heart beat.

"Okay, sure." Lian Ruohan's heart moved. Although she is a woman, she also likes Cao Shuli's beautiful demeanor, and thinking of Cao Shujun, she can't help but worry a little, "I don't know if Cao Langjun can invite Jinjia Sir and Daoist Ye."

Cao Shujun left Guanxin Pavilion and headed straight for the palace.Not long after passing by a mansion, several tall horses were tied in front of the door, and several carriages decorated with luxurious ornaments such as gold, silver, iron, gold, silver, copper, tin, and beads were parked.He reined in the horse and took a closer look. Three large characters were inscribed on the mansion: Xingwang Mansion.

No wonder there is such a great momentum. It turned out to be the Palace of the Third Prince. Cao Shujuan was stunned for a moment, smiled lightly, and was about to ride away when someone behind him shouted coldly: "Who is sneaking around at the gate of Xingwang Palace? Why don't you hurry up?" Get off your horse and accept interrogation!"

Cao Shujun became angry when he heard it, he just passed by Xingwang Mansion, stopped for a moment to take a look, why did he look around furtively?Not to mention the palace, there are not so many rules at the gate of the palace.He turned around and saw two people came behind him, one fat and one thin, they were Gao Jianyuan and Yan Hao.

Today the third prince entertained distinguished guests, Gao Jianyuan and Yan Hao did not dare to be negligent, they personally inspected the gate of the palace, went around and everything was in order, when they were about to return to the mansion, they unexpectedly ran into Cao Shujun.Gao Jianyuan knew that Cao Shujun and Xia Xiang had a good relationship, so he immediately called Cao Shujun to stop.

Cao Shujun didn't get off his horse either, and sneered at Gao Jianyuan and Yan Hao: "The voice just now startled me, it was shrill and cold, and I thought it was Fang Shi, the soul chasing voice who ranked sixth among the top ten masters in Daxia. Mother, it turned out to be Taiwei Gao. When Taiwei Gao also practiced the kung fu of chasing the soul, it is really admirable."

I don’t know who made the list of the top ten masters of the Great Xia. It must be counted as ten, presumably for the sake of sounding good. In fact, the so-called top ten masters of the Great Xia, only Yan Hao, Fang Shiniang and Feng If it is dark, the names of the other seven people are unclear.Among the three, only Yan Hao is known to the world, and Fang Shiniang and Feng Ruhui have never heard of anyone seeing a real person.

Gao Jianyuan laughed, halfway through the laugh, the laughter stopped abruptly, and his face turned cold: "Cao Shujun, don't think that you are the son of a little servant, and you are really a yamen. The king arrested you for the crime of conspiracy and sent you to the big prison in Shangjing Prefecture, where you will be imprisoned for several months."

A contemptuous smile flashed across the corner of Yan Hao's mouth, and he stared at Cao Shujun coldly, as if he would take him down if Cao Shujun made any movement.It's just that even he himself didn't realize that his posture of holding the scabbard in his left hand and preparing to draw the knife with his right hand is still vigorous, but his left shoulder is slightly lower than before by half a point--half a point of difference is nothing in the eyes of ordinary people, but it is in the eyes of experts. In his eyes, it was a mistake that was close to a thousand miles away, and it could be accurately judged that his left shoulder had been injured.

That's right, when Xia Xiang was attacked in the past, there was a fierce battle in Xia Xiang's room. Under Xiao Wu's attack, Yan Hao accidentally hit a throwing knife on Mantuo's left shoulder.Later, Yan Hao spent a lot of money to buy the best healing medicine for treatment, and it took him a long time to finally recover, but every time it was cloudy and rainy or the weather was about to change, the wound was still painful.

Cao Shujun chuckled, and grinned disapprovingly: "Gao Taiwei, I am not a powerful family, nor the son of many generations, and I have not served as the commander of the yamen, so I am not a yamen. I am a small As soon as the servant said it, and it got out, maybe more than a dozen servants from the six departments would ask Taiwei Gao for an explanation, haha."

(End of this chapter)