Aspirations

Chapter 159

Under the leadership of a yamen servant, Xia Xiang walked through the hall with Xu Heguang and Yang Jiang to Cui Xiang's study.It was completely different from the last time when Zheng Hao greeted him, this time Cui Xiang was only greeted by a yamen servant. There was a world of difference in courtesy, which obviously made him feel left out.

Xia Xiang didn't take it seriously, now that a huge change is about to come, he and Cui Xiang belong to two camps, each doing its own thing, and it's reasonable to have a discord between face and heart.What he couldn't figure out was, as a member of Qinghe's Cui family, why did Cui Xiang insist on going against the patriarch Cui He and becoming His Royal Highness Xingwang's pawn?
Although the four aristocratic families no longer require their children to have the same political views as the head of the family in the declining situation, they also place their hopes on multiple bets to avoid all-in-one bets so as not to lose one foot.It's just that the current situation is quite different from before. Disagreement in political opinions in the past did not prevent loyalty to the emperor and serving the country, but now betting on His Royal Highness Xingwang means treason!

Although I have been to the government office several times before, I still feel unfamiliar when I come again this time.Xia Xiang walked with his head bowed, silent, tossing and turning in his mind a question that had been bothering him all the time, he was really determined to take office, was it Xingwang who wanted to put him to death, or the emperor just pushed the boat along the way and let him die and reborn?
Before the palace examination, Xia Xiang believed that the emperor was seriously ill, and Xingwang and Hou Pingpan were in charge of the government, so the emperor had almost no power to fight back.No matter whether the emperor has intentions or powerless intentions, it is not enough to change the status quo and weaken the power of Xingwang and Hou Pingpan.But after the palace examination, his thoughts changed slightly, because the emperor who presided over the palace examination was healthier than the outside legends, full of energy, and his body recovered at least six to seven points.

Moreover, the act of the emperor personally presiding over the palace examination is also an announcement to the outside world that this year's candidates are all disciples of the Son of Heaven, not disciples of Xingwang or Hou Pingpan.

And what made Xia Xiang faintly aware of the emperor's intentions was the fact that the emperor came to Xingwang's birthday.Although he didn't see it with his own eyes, but from what Lian Ruohan and Cao Shujun told him, he could still smell the aura that the emperor was trying to appease the star king but was actually beating all the officials.Of course, the above did not remind him that there was also the emperor's intention behind his coming to Zhending, but that Lian Ruohan's act of intercepting Guangjin Commercial Bank surprised him suddenly, and he quickly figured it out. Could it be that the power behind the rapid development and growth is the emperor himself?

Thinking about it this way, everything suddenly became clear.The emperor noticed that Xingwang and Hou Pingpan were already in power, and Hou Pingpan expelled all opponents from the capital by implementing the new law. Even the palace is full of eyeliner of Xingwang and Hou Pingpan, the emperor only realized after he woke up, and suddenly looked around, he was already alone, a loner.

But the emperor is the emperor after all. He has sat on the throne for many years, and the emperor's mind is very accessible.Since there is no chance of winning against Xingwang and Hou Pingpan head-on, they can only act in secret, lay out steadily, and plan slowly.If his guess is correct, Lian Ruohan and her good times are often just a part of the emperor's layout. Mr. Jin Jia, Ye Muping, Li Dingshan, and Song Chaodu are all indispensable pieces in the emperor's layout. .

Including him.

It was widely rumored that it was King Xing who came to Zhending to serve as magistrate, and even King Qing and King Yun believed it.Xia Xiang didn't deny that Xing Wang really wanted him to die in Zhending, but in such an important place, would the emperor let Xing Wang do whatever he wanted?After all, the emperor personally presided over the palace examination, and the emperor will definitely ask about the whereabouts of the top two Jinshi.

The current Zhending situation is far more complicated than Xia Xiang had imagined when he came here, especially after learning that the emperor decided to make a southern tour, Gao Jianyuan and Yan Hao came to Zhending to set up a trap secretly, intending to murder the emperor. Can't guess Star King's wolf ambition?Since he knew that there were tigers in the mountain and chose to go to the mountain, it was not only the emperor's helpless move, but also the emperor's plan to take the opportunity to wipe out Xingwang and others.

Between the emperor and him, there is neither a channel for direct correspondence, nor a chance for face-to-face instruction. How can he secretly cooperate with the emperor's plan in Zhending, as the magistrate of the seventh rank, so that the emperor can succeed in one fell swoop?Xia Xiang is now more and more convinced that the emperor must have expectations of him, and Lian Ruohan and Mr. Jin Jia are most likely to be the spokespersons of the emperor.

Mr. Jin Jia... Thinking of Mr. Jin Jia, Xia Xiang couldn't help laughing. Thinking of his acquaintance with Mr. Jin Jia and Mr. Jin Jia's cynicism, a deep feeling of longing suddenly arose in his heart.

"Xia Xianzun is here."

In the study, Cui Xiang was standing behind the desk, writing with a brush in his hand.When Xia Xiang arrived, he didn't even go out to greet him, he didn't even nod his head, he just looked up at Xia Xiang, and continued to write on paper.

Xia Xiang took a step forward, and when he came close, he saw Cui Xiang writing a poem: Now I recall Jiangnan music, when I was young and my clothes were thin.Riding on a leaning bridge, the building is full of red sleeves.Cui Ping Jin bends, drunk into the flowers.Seeing the flowering branches this time, the white head vowed not to return.

It is one of Wei Zhuang's "Five Poems of Bodhisattva Man".

"At that time, he was young and thin in green clothes..." Xia Xiang smiled thoughtfully, "Now the Cui Mansion is in power and wearing brocade clothes, but the lower officials are still young and thin in green clothes."

"You are not afraid of thin clothes when you are young. As long as you work hard, you will return home one day." Cui Xiang put down the brush and admired his calligraphy with satisfaction. Short."

Xia Xiang knew that it was time to get down to business, so he quickly stood up with his hands tied: "Your Majesty, listen carefully to Cui Fuzun's teachings."

"How dare I teach you? Your husband is the famous Li Dingshan. I am less than one percent of Mr. Li in terms of knowledge and fame." Cui Xiang came to Xia Xiang, looked Xia Xiang up and down, and smiled meaningfully. He smiled, "Xia County's respected teacher is Mr. Li, but he is more tactful and sophisticated than Mr. Li at a young age. His future prospects are limitless, comparable to Feng Daozhi's talent."

Xia Xiang pretended not to understand the sarcasm in Cui Xiang's words, and said in surprise: "How could Cui Fuzun know that the ambition of the next official is Feng Dao?"

Xu Heguang and Yang Jiang suddenly looked contemptuous, and they looked at each other with a smile full of sarcasm.

Feng Dao was originally a legendary figure in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Before the Great Xia, he was praised a lot, but after the Great Xia, he was often belittled.When Sima Zhu, the leader of the court, scolded him for being shameless, Ouyang Ming said he was the most shameless, Lian Che said he was a slave among slaves, and even Su Que regarded him as a villain who lacked a sense of shame.

Therefore, looking at Da Xia, and mentioning Feng Dao's name, everyone would gnash their teeth and scold him as a treacherous minister and rebellious son.

However, Xia Xiang played successively for the ten emperors Zhuangzong of the Later Tang Dynasty, Mingzong of the Later Tang Dynasty, Emperor Min of the Later Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu of the Later Tang Dynasty, Emperor Chu of the Later Jin Dynasty, Gaozu of the Later Han Dynasty, Emperor Yin of the Later Han Dynasty, Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty, and Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty. Emperor Taizong of the Liao Dynasty proclaimed himself a minister, Feng Dao, an official tumbler who has always held the positions of general, three lords, and three divisions, highly respected him and regarded him as the highest state of the way of being an official.

In fact, Xia Xiang's perception of Feng Dao did not agree with Feng Dao's way of doing things from the beginning.When he was in Zhongshan Village, he was deeply influenced by Li Dingshan, and he also felt that Feng Dao was a shameless and shameless person.Later, when he went to Beijing to take the exam, he saw the difficulties of the people's livelihood along the way, and experienced the battles in court, and then he was suppressed by Xingwang, and when he arrived in Zhending, he went through many things, step by step and crisis step by step. Making things difficult everywhere, and Xing Wang wanted to harm the emperor, and pushed all the consequences on him, only then did he truly understand how difficult and great Feng Dao's actions were.

"Hehe, haha, I never thought that the aspiration of Xia Xianzun would be Feng Dao. It's really surprising." Cui Xiang couldn't help laughing. Both supporters and opponents of Feng Dao regard Feng Dao as a shameless person, "Xia Xianzun is really ingenious, and he is proud of Feng Dao, which is admirable."

"The lower officials also really admire Xia Xianzun's unique taste." Xu Heguang pursed his lips, looking like he wanted to laugh but didn't dare to laugh, but there was a clear hint of ridicule in his eyes.

Yang Jiang even turned his head to the side directly, and couldn't stop laughing. In addition to teasing and ridicule, there was also contempt in the smile.

Xia Xiang had a panoramic view of the reactions of several people, without being annoyed, he said lightly: "Master Cui, I know that many people in Daxia don't think highly of Feng Dao, but other people's opinions don't affect my opinion of Feng Dao. praise."

"Oh..." Cui Xiang became more interested, "Xia Xianzun admired Feng Dao's tact or did he forget his ancestors through the five dynasties and twelve emperors in his life, and he has no sense of shame?"

Under the influence of Confucianism, Xia Xiang naturally knew that the reason why Feng Dao was disgraced was that Feng Dao violated the Confucian saying that "loyal ministers should not be treated as second rulers, and virgins should not be treated as second husbands." Dao's life has always reflected his compassion and compassion. He only cared for the common people, and took care of his life, regardless of his posthumous name. Although he was a Confucian scholar, he also dabbled in Buddhism and Taoism. He was used to seeing wars in cities and wandering in troubled times since he was a child. He is related to the impermanence of life and death, and has been deeply influenced by the concept of Buddhism and Taoism. He acts in the world with the heart of the world, so his realm is so high that ordinary people like us can't compare it."

As soon as these words came out, Cui Xiang showed a slight dissatisfaction on his face, and Xu Heguang's expression changed drastically. He smiled coldly: "It's okay for Xia Xianzun to speak for Feng Dao, but you don't have to belittle the present and praise the ancients. It's embarrassing."

Xia Xiang nodded, seeming to agree with Xu Heguang's words: "Xu Xiancheng's words are reasonable. You can only climb to a high position by stepping on others. This has been the case throughout the ages. Why is it that people belittle Feng Dao today because Feng Dao is in the position? Feng Dao This man was born in a farming and studying family and grew up in troubled times. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, Zhu Wen usurped the Tang Dynasty. In the same year, Liu Shouguang, the son of Liu Gongren, the former governor of Youzhou, launched a rebellion, imprisoned Liu Gongren, and recruited the already well-known Feng Dao as his vassal. I am 25 years old. Xu Xiancheng, I am asking you, if you were recruited by Liu Shouguang, would you go there?"

Xu Heguang snorted: "Even if you starve to death, the lower officials will not be used by rebellious officials and thieves."

"Well said, well said!" Xia Xiang repeatedly applauded, "Xu County Prime Minister is upright and aboveboard, I admire him. If one day Daxia really has rebellious ministers and thieves, I believe Xu County Prime Minister will sacrifice his life and serve the country loyally. "

Xu Heguang showed a slight embarrassment, and he naturally heard Xia Xiang's implication.

Xia Xiang ignored Xu Heguang's embarrassment, and continued: "If I change my official, I would not dare to apply for it, because Liu Shouguang is capricious and bloodthirsty. Feng Dao went there calmly. He enlisted a small subordinate for fame and fortune? Even if it is a mountain of gold and silver, being an official under Liu Shouguang is at stake, and his life is still at stake. Then Xu Xiancheng, do you know why Feng Dao is wrong? Going to serve under Liu Shouguang as a small official similar to the Yasi?"

Yang Jiang's face brightened.

Xu Heguang shook his head: "I don't know, maybe Feng Dao took chances and thought he could fool Liu Shouguang..."

"Okay, just as you said, Feng Dao took chances and thought he could deceive Liu Shouguang..." Xia Xiang took over Xu Heguang's words, "Not long after, Liu Shouguang established himself as emperor and established the Dayan regime. He was the first emperor Feng Dao served."

Cui Xiang remained silent, listening to Xia Xiang's eloquent talk.He called Xia Xiang here today, intending to reprimand Xia Xiang, but unexpectedly, Xia Xiang brought the topic to Feng Dao.Anyway, it was still early, and he was not in a hurry, so he first listened to how Xia Xiang reversed Feng Dao's case.

"After Liu Shouguang proclaimed himself emperor, his ambitions became bigger and bigger. He thought he could compete with Li Cunxu, the king of Jin. Feng Dao advised Liu Shouguang not to be an enemy of Li Cunxu head-on, because even Zhu Wen was not Li Cunxu's opponent. Liu Shouguang not only refused to listen to the advice , and was furious, and wanted to kill Feng Dao. Fortunately, someone rescued Feng Dao and saved his life." Xia Xiang squinted at Xu Heguang, "Does Xu Xiancheng know why Feng Dao persuaded Liu Shouguang not to attack Li Cunxu?"

Xu Heguang thought for a while: "It's just because I'm afraid that Liu Shouguang won't be able to keep his official position after the defeat..."

Cui Xiang shook his head secretly. Xu Heguang was far from Xia Xiang in terms of knowledge and eloquence. Moreover, he didn't read much and didn't know much about the lives of historical figures, so his judgments were often biased.

Xia Xiang smiled: "Feng Dao didn't let Liu Shouguang attack Li Cunxu. First, he knew very well that Liu Shouguang was far from Li Cunxu's opponent. He deserved the reward of the emperor and was loyal to the emperor. Since he was an official under Liu Shouguang, he had to think about Liu Shouguang. Don't let Liu Shouguang bring his own death. The second is that he doesn't want to waste the people and waste money, and let the people suffer unreasonable disasters. Liu Shouguang refused to listen to Feng Dao's words, and brazenly sent troops to Li Cunxu, and was eventually defeated."

"After Liu Shouguang's defeat, Feng Dao went to Taiyuan to join Li Cunxu. He stooped to serve the enemy without shame. With the promotion of Li Cunxu's eunuch Zhang Chengye, Feng Dao rose to the top and soon became the secretary in charge, equivalent to the deputy prime minister." Cui Xiang couldn't bear it. Seeing that Xia Xiang asked Xu Heguang again, which made Xu Heguang embarrassed, he continued, "Later Li Cunxu destroyed Hou Liang, ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, known in history as Later Tang, and he was the second emperor served by Feng Dao. Xia Xianzun, Feng Dao, who stoops to serve the enemy, is ungrateful and ungrateful, is a typical fool, what is there to praise him for?"

(End of this chapter)