Tiantang

Chapter 40 The rain is coming and the wind is full (1)

Chapter 044

Overnight, the nickname of "Gold Medal Talent Xiao Langjun" spread throughout Chang'an, and Zhang Xuan's reputation reached its peak in an instant, unmatched by anyone in the limelight.

Of course, together with his name, he is talked about and widely praised, and he wrote "Taizhen Fairy Ode" for Concubine Yang.Even Zhang Xuan didn't expect that this Fu would lead to a new trend in Chang'an literary circles: writing Fu and chanting poems for beauties, or making beautiful people smile, or being promoted.

Many upper-class ladies, such as some princesses and princesses of the royal family, are proud of having someone write poems for them.

The next morning, as soon as the servants of Zhang's mansion opened the gate of the mansion, they unexpectedly discovered that a group of young scholars had gathered in the "small square" outside the gate of the mansion, most of them were scholars who had come to Beijing to take the exam.

The imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty were divided into two types: regular examinations and systematic examinations.Changju is a subject that is held according to the system all year round, and Zhiju is a subject that is held under the imperial edict temporarily by the emperor.Although the scientific examination was still early, most of the scholars came to Chang'an in advance, looking for ways to make progress while studying.

Because the scientific examination not only tests the individual's talent and academic quality, but also measures the personal connections behind each scholar.The difference between being recommended by someone and being recommended by no one is too great.Therefore, the bureaucrats and dignitaries in Chang'an City have become the objects of worship and recommendation by scholars from all over the country.Whether it is giving money as a gift or visiting the door with brazenness, scholars have to send their poems to the door, intending to win the attention and support of the nobles, and seek a chance of success and fame.

It was precisely because Wang Wei was tired of the frequent visits of scholars that he avoided going to the manor outside the city.

Zhang Xuan didn't expect that during this night, many scholars from other places would get their ideas on him when they heard his name.This early in the morning, many scholars came to ask for an interview, some recommended themselves to ask for poetry comments, and some invited Zhang Xuan to a banquet and socialize.

Zhang Xuan had just got up and was getting dressed neatly under the wait of two beautiful maidservants, Ruyan Ruyu, when he heard this suddenly, he frowned secretly.

"A lot of scholars came to see the third son outside the door... The eldest son asked the younger one to ask, did the third son see you?" Zhang Li respectfully stood aside and reported.

Zhang Xuan pondered for a while, then waved his hand, "No. Zhang Li, go and refuse for me, saying that I drank too much last night and I can't get drunk so far, so I ask them to leave. Be gentle and don't bully others."

Tension nodded in response, and immediately returned to the front yard.Zhang Huan was pacing and wandering in the front yard. Seeing Zhang Li returning, he couldn't help asking in a deep voice, "Li Zhang, what did the third brother say?"

"Responding to the Eldest Young Master, the Third Young Master said no, and asked the younger ones to refuse him." Zhang Li answered with a bow.

Zhang Huan frowned, "Not seen?... Forget it, you go down, don't close the door to thank the guests, wait for me to talk to the third brother."

Zhang Huan said, and hurried to Zhang Xuan's courtyard.

Hearing that Zhang Huan was coming, Zhang Xuan rushed out to greet him, smiled and cupped his hands and said, "Brother!"

"Third brother..." Zhang Huan came over and patted Zhang Xuan's shoulder affectionately, and said in a harmonious voice, "Third brother, there are many scholars outside the door asking to see you, so you should disappear if you don't see me. But elder brother thinks that under your fame, If the posture is too high, I am afraid it will cause some criticism. Although these scholars are not worth talking about, but their words are enough to make money, they can be beautiful as adults and can also destroy people's reputation..."

"If you don't have anything important to do today, brother thinks, you might as well meet with them, and pretending to be false will benefit your future."

Zhang Huan's eyes were very sincere.

Zhang Xuan knew that he had good intentions, and there was some truth in what he said.It's just that Zhang Xuan doesn't understand this truth, but has deeper considerations.

He lowered his profile and made friends with scholars, which naturally helped to consolidate his reputation; but he was worried that such a high profile would inevitably arouse the emperor's resentment.

Don't look at Li Longji giving him a gold medal and nickname, and ordering him to parade through the streets, which is a grand favor; but in fact, if Zhang Xuan is not cautious in some details, Li Longji will feel that he is overwhelmed with accomplishment, and the emperor will turn his face and surround him. Zhang Xuan's glory and halo will be scattered in an instant.

As a foresighted traveler, a former historian, and a modern official, Zhang Xuan's judgment and understanding of Li Longji are actually far superior to anyone in this era—even Li Linfu, even Li Longji's close relatives, Like his concubines and children.

Li Longji is a king with a deep desire for power and a particularly headstrong personality. He has a suspicious and changeable temperament. What he is most used to and likes is the superior "manipulation method", turning his hands into clouds and his hands into rain.For example, on the one hand, he gave the prince Li Heng enough trust, and on the other hand, he hinted that Li Linfu's party continued to frame the East Palace, using this to beat and test Li Heng, and "condition" Li Heng to be as timid as a mouse.

But Li Heng's trembling was exactly what Li Longji wanted to see. He liked to play this kind of game of cat and mouse.

Zhang Xuan sighed softly, "Brother, I understand all this. It's just that I was ordered to parade through the streets yesterday. If I gather a group of scholars today... I'm afraid it will have a bad influence."

Zhang Huan was startled, and immediately understood.After all, he has been an official for many years and is a subordinate of the Eastern Palace, so he has a little understanding of the emperor's temperament.

Seeing Zhang Xuan so calm and cautious, relaxed and far-sighted, Zhang Huan couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.He nodded to Zhang Xuan, turned his head and left without saying anything else.

……

……

The Zhang family thanked the guests behind closed doors, and Zhang Xuan refused to meet. This naturally aroused the dissatisfaction of the scholars outside the door. Many scholars even uttered foul language behind their backs, quite critical.But there was nothing to do, they waited for a while, and seeing that the gate of the Zhang family was closed, they gradually dispersed.

At this time, more than a hundred heavily armored cavalry guarding a luxury carriage entered the city from the Mingde Gate in the south, and then went straight to the imperial city along Zhuque Avenue without stopping. dust.

Outside Xingqing Palace.

Two sturdy soldiers got off their horses, lifted the curtain of the carriage respectfully, and put a brocade pier under the carriage.Immediately, a middle-aged man with a white face and two blistered eyes stepped on Jindun reservedly and got out of the carriage, then looked around, looking around, with the air of a superior.

This person was the Minister of the Ministry of War at that time, and he was called to worship Jiannan Jiedu, Zhidu, Yingtian Deputy Ambassador, Zhijiedushi, and Yang Guozhong, the envoy of Erjiaben Road and Shannan West Road.

Yang Guozhong waved his hand, and all the soldiers retreated.He swaggered into the palace, and outside the hall of Zhongchi, he cupped his hands and smiled indifferently at the two young eunuchs outside the hall, "You two young eunuchs, please tell your majesty that Yang Guozhong was summoned to return from the army to see you, and he was passed on outside the hall." .”

Yang Guozhong is not only a relative of the emperor, but also a powerful official in the court. The two young eunuchs did not dare to neglect, so they hurried in to report.

Li Longji was chatting and laughing with Concubine Yang, when he heard the report that Yang Guozhong had arrived, he couldn't help but put down the wine cup in his hand, and said with a smile, "Lady, Yang Guozhong is here. A few days ago, Li Linfu recommended Yang Guozhong to lead the army to conquer Nanzhao, and I approved it. Although this guy is loyal to me, his timidity is really ridiculous. I heard that before the expedition, he could not sleep for three days and three nights in fear...Now that I chase him back halfway, he is probably very happy. .”

(End of this chapter)