Chapter 465: Marriage is like clothes

The news of the struggle at the court meeting spread throughout Changan City half an hour after the meeting ended. The major restaurants in Changan, and the enthusiastic people were spitting and describing the wonderful stories that happened in the court today, as if they had seen it with their own eyes, and they were excited and shocked. Until today's court meeting ended, Li Qing'an's image as a martial artist was finally subverted. Many people were eager to hear it. It turned out that political struggles could be so exciting.

At noon, news came from the Daming Palace again. The Political Affairs Hall appointed the former chief envoy of the Yangzhou Grand Governor's Office with a 4-2 vote. The Prince's Young Master Wei Tao was the Minister of Works, and he was the Minister of the Central Secretariat to fill the vacancy after Cui Huan was dismissed. At this point, the political struggle triggered by the Wei Jiansu case finally fell into pieces and ended with the disastrous defeat of the Supervisor Party.

It started drizzling in Chang'an in early autumn. After washing the heat for many days, the lunch break has come. The lunch break is quite long. In nearly an hour, the court officials walked out of the Daming Palace in groups of drizzles, looking for a drink in each shop, and chatted about the political changes after today's court meeting. At this time, a carriage drove out of Danfeng Gate. More than a dozen guards waiting outside immediately rode horses to greet them and guarded the carriage left and right. The carriage slowly headed towards Zhuque Street. In the carriage, Zhang Yun closed his eyes slightly to relieve the fatigue of the court in the morning.

His brother, Taichangqing Zhang Ye, sat opposite him. Zhang Ye seemed a little worried. He had a very good relationship with the Wei family, especially with Wei Jiansu. When Wei Jiansu got the prime minister, he took his position away, which made him deeply dissatisfied. Now that Wei Jiansu was arrested, he was happy and added a little concern for Wei Tao's prime minister today.

"I thought it was very unwise for my elder brother to support Wei Taoluxiang."

Seeing that the eldest brother was still closing his eyes and silent, Zhang Ye sighed and continued: "In fact, Wei Tao's entry into the prime minister not only hurt Li Heng, but also was also very unfavorable to the eldest brother. Imagine that in the past, the power balance of the political affairs hall was balanced, and each accounted for three people. The eldest brother's vote was particularly critical and the key to the competition between the two sides. But today, the eldest brother supported Wei Tao's entry into the prime minister, which undoubtedly disrupted this balance. Loss was greater than gain. I think it was inappropriate!"

At this time, Zhang Yun opened his eyes a little and glanced at his brother. After a long time, he slowly said: "Last time I said you can't be a prime minister because you can't hold back. Today I still say this. You are too anxious and exposed your selfishness too early, so you can't become a great man."

Zhang Ye was 50 years old after all. The elder brother's tone of lesson made him feel angry. He said with a deep face: "I kindly advised you, it would be fine if you don't accept it. Why bother to mock me like this? I can't be the prime minister. That's because you are in front of you, there can't be two surnames Zhang in the Political Affairs Hall!"

Perhaps Zhang Yun also realized his brother's dissatisfaction, so he opened his eyes, smiled, and comforted him, "You stubborn cow are the same as when you were a child, okay! Let me tell you why I support Li Qing'an."

"Tell me! I'll listen." Zhang Yi still said in a hard and authentic tone.

Zhang Yun pondered for a moment and said, "When the tide suddenly comes, the most important thing is not to block the tide. How can human power shake the sky? So if you want to escape from the tide, the key is to follow the trend, just like a slaughter of a cattle. This time, the fight between the two parties is the tide running on the shore. I helped Li Qing'an to go with the trend. Do you think I really went to Anxi to be an official for the sake of knowing the morals? Of course, it is also good to leave yourself a way out. As for the balance of power you mentioned, it seems to make sense, but it really doesn't matter in the face of strength."

Zhang Ye's tone eased a little, but his doubts became deeper. "Brother is too proud of Li Qing'an! If he hadn't accidentally caught Cui Huan's handle this time, would it be so easy for him to defeat Cui Huan? This is God favoring him."

Zhang Yun didn't say anything, and looked at his brother quietly. In fact, his father said since he was a child that his second brother was stupid. If he succeeded in the future, he would have benefited from his relatives. Now it seems that his father said something right. If he hadn't become the prince-in-law and Li Longji treated him differently, how could he become Taichangqing? Zhang Yun couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He didn't want to say anything more. God favored him? Humph! Is there such a coincidence in the world? This is clearly Li Qing'an's arrangement. Li Qing'an can actually control Li Longji. Is this kind of strength not scary? The brother's ignorance reminded Zhang Yun from the other side that he must send his son to Anxi, and he will send him away today. Zhang Yun closed his eyes again and said no more.

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In Jingshanfang, a carriage drove quickly and stopped in front of the steps of Pei Mansion. As soon as the carriage stopped, Pei Zunqing jumped off the carriage and quickly walked up the steps. A gatekeeper ran out with an umbrella to cover Pei Zunqing's raindrops.

"Have you rested?" Pei Zunqing asked.

"The master just got up and was having lunch."

Pei Zunqing nodded and walked into Pei Mansion quickly. Although half a month had passed since the birthday of Pei Mansion, many decorations and decorations had not been removed. Four big red lanterns were still hanging brightly on the big trees in the atrium. Pei Kuan was serving several maids and slowly drank porridge. Compared with the birthday, his body became a little weaker, and he was half lying on the soft mattress weakly, and he was at the mercy of the maids like a puppet.

"The second master is here!"

Someone informed him at the door, and Pei Zunqing had already hurriedly walked into the room. Although Pei Kuan was weak, his mind was very clear. He raised his head and saw Pei Zunqing being in a hurry, and smiled and said, "Why are you so anxious?"

"I have something important to discuss with my elder brother."

Pei Zunqing sat down and told Pei Kuan everything that happened in the court meeting today. Pei Kuan was still drinking porridge with difficulty, but the bright colors that kept flashing through his turbid eyes meant that he had understood Pei Zunqing's description. Pei Zunqing told Pei Kuan these things that were not trying to hear any of his strategies. Pei Kuan was old and would not have any strategies, but some things must be supported by Pei Kuan.

Pei Zunqing once turned against Pei Kuan more than ten years ago under the instigation of Li Linfu, but as he grew older, he also understood many truths, especially the interests of the family should always be put first. Pei Zunqing is not a person with open mind. Because of this, he was full of hatred for the Cui family and was determined to overwhelm the Cui family, making the Pei family the first family of the Tang Dynasty. Today, the Cui family suffered a severe downfall, and the head of the family Cui Huan was actually arrested and imprisoned. This made Pei Zunqing feel extremely happy. At the same time, he also saw Li Qing'an's move to make the clouds and rain, which made him firm in his determination to follow Li Qing'an.

"Li Qingan is very good!" Pei Kuan's walnut-like face showed a smile.

“More than just good!”

Pei Zunqing received Pei Kuan's response and immediately became energetic. He waved his hand and asked the maids to retreat. Then he approached Pei Kuan and said in a low voice: "This time he severely defeated the Cui family, the situation is clear. If our Pei family does not seize a place as soon as possible, he will regret it in the future."

Although Pei Kuan was so old that he was weak, after all, he had decades of experience and suddenly realized what Pei Zunqing meant. He narrowed his old eyes and said, "You mean he would ascend the throne?"

Pei Zunqing nodded. In fact, Li Qing'an's ambition was not news. Li Qing'an occupied Anxi and had long been unjust. After it was completed, he was ranked as the prince. Two years ago, someone impeached Li Qing'an to gain a strong army and respect his own intentions. Many discerning people can see these. However, as the leading figure of a big family, Pei Zunqing was also observing Li Qing'an. He wanted to see how Li Qing'an competed for the throne, whether he wanted to be the emperor for ten years or the emperor for a hundred years. From Li Qing'an's army to suppress Guanlong, he did not step into the throne, but supported Li Shi ascended the throne. Pei Zunqing understood that Li Qing'an wanted to be the emperor for a hundred years, so the Pei family could hold his future and destiny on Li Qing'an. Today's court struggle further strengthened his ideas.

"Brother, this is an opportunity for my Pei family. The Cui family has collapsed. It must be an opportunity for my Pei family to rise. I hope my elder brother can convince the Pei family and fully support him in ascending the throne."

Pei Kuan smiled and said, "Then what are you going to do?"

"I plan to marry him, marry Wan'er to him, and use marriage to tie the Pei family to him."

Pei Kuan nodded. He agreed with Pei Zunqing's idea of ​​marriage. Pei Wan'er is the best among the Pei family's granddaughters. She is very popular in terms of appearance, talent and temperament. She is undoubtedly the best candidate to win over Li Qing'an.

At this moment, a rapid run sound came from outside the door, and the doorman reported outside: "Master, the Supervisor has come down and said that he is coming to apologize to the Master for his birthday."

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Marriage is like a clothes. If the Pei family and Li Qing'an have two lapels, then Pei Wan'er is the buttons that connect these two lapels. At this time, this jade button like a water-like sunflower is not in the Pei family's mansion, but in the Dugu family's mansion. Pei Wan'er has a very good relationship with Mingzhu, the second girl from Dugu family these days. There is also Pei Yu. After Pei Kuan's birthday, the three of them gathered together every three days. Mingzhu is the oldest, three or four years older than the Pei sisters, but their psychological age is the same.

In the embroidery room, Mingzhu carefully took out a gold box and opened it. It was a diamond the size of a pigeon egg inside. He excitedly handed it to them and said, "Look at this, you have never seen it!"

This light blue diamond was a tribute offered by the Khan of the Broken Leaf Turks to Li Qing'an. It was called Rehai Crystal Tears, which is rare in the world. Li Qing'an gave it to Mingzhu for coming to Beiting for sending messages from thousands of miles away. As a reward, this is Mingzhu's most precious thing. Since she almost lost it last time, she has refused to show it to others. This time she has a close relationship with the Pei sisters, so she showed it to them.

Although the Pei sisters were both women from famous families, Mingzhu's dazzling diamond still made them scream in a low voice at the same time, and their eyes couldn't help but show envy.

"Mingzhu, is this really yours?"

"Of course, this was given to me by my brother-in-law."

Mingzhu's eyes flashed with a hint of pride when she mentioned her brother-in-law. Now her brother-in-law is recognized as the most powerful person in the Tang Dynasty, and even the emperor's ruler may not be as good as her. When she goes out, she always hears someone whispering behind her, "Look! She is the sister of Princess Zhao." This makes Mingzhu's heart full of glory. The only disadvantage is that others only say that she is Princess Zhao's sister, not that she is Li Qing'an's sister-in-law.

Mingzhu carefully packed the diamonds and said to them with great interest: "I will take you to see my sister's room again. It's not easy for people to see. Many people come to their homes and want to visit them, but my mother doesn't."

Pei Wan'er and Pei Yu were not interested in this. Pei Wan'er shook her head and smiled and said, "Let's see it another day! Let's discuss the autumn outing tomorrow first."

When talking about the long-awaited autumn outing, Mingzhu immediately smiled and said, "When it comes to autumn outings, my heart has flew to Qujiangchi. Let's take more friends and have fun. What do you think?"

"Not good!" The Pei sisters opposed in unison: "If there are too many people, we won't go."

Mingzhu hurriedly said, "It's okay if you don't want to have too many people. In fact, it's fun to travel to Qujiangchi. Everyone is racing boats, singing poems, drinking and drinking. There are only three of us, staring at each other with big eyes. What's the point?"

At this time, Mrs. Pei walked in and smiled and said, "Then let your brother-in-law go with you!"

"Mom, why did you come in secretly, and didn't say anything." Mingzhu stood up in fear and said with some resentment to her mother.

The Pei sisters stepped forward together and bowed, "See aunt!"

"I'm here to clean your sister's room. I happened to hear you chatting. Your brother-in-law just sent someone to say that he wants to go to Qujiangchi tomorrow and ask if you are interested in going with you. Wan'er and Xiaoyu are all there, so let's go together."

"Really? That's a coincidence." Mingzhu smiled and said, "We are going on an autumn outing, why did we think of going together?"

Pei Wan'er lowered her head and said, "Then I won't go."

"Why don't you go!"

Mingzhu said unhappily: "We were going to go by ourselves, so we just treated him as joining the three of us. There was one more person, it was wrong! There was more than one person, he also had a large group of guards!"

Mingzhu suddenly realized that she was willing to go out with Li Qing'an, but when she thought of a large group of guards staring at her, her interest was reduced by half.

"Or we'd better go there in two days and say we're sick tomorrow, forget it."

"Stop talking nonsense, mom has agreed. You guys clean up today. He will send a carriage to pick you up tomorrow morning."

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Mount Li, on a dirt mountain about five miles away from Huaqing Palace, there are lush trees. A small land temple is hidden among the trees. The temple is dedicated to the land god and the land grandma who have been sculpted for some time. The small temple is quite dilapidated, with no doors and windows left, empty, and the mud god is missing a few legs. There is only one three-legged broken wood case, and the corner roof is covered with spider webs. The place is remote, and even beggars will not spend the night here.

At night, the land that had been deserted suddenly became lively. Dozens of men in black gathered in the small temple. They were flexible and ran like flying. They were obviously all skilled in martial arts.

The men in black did not say a word, and they all sat aside to eat dry food and drink water. There was a man sitting on the altar of the God of Land, also wearing black clothes. This man had a heavy eyebrows and a horse-like face and looked very ugly.

He is Liu Luogu, the intelligence leader deployed by An Lushan in Chang'an. Since An Lushan was defeated in Guannei Road, Liu Luogu, who has been active in the Chang'an social scene, has disappeared. Of course, he did not withdraw back to Fan Yang, but moved from the front of the stage to the behind-the-scenes, and was in secret. The stronghold also moved from Chang'an City to Gaoling County. During this period, he had no activity, but just wrote letters of old pigeons that happened in Chang'an to Youzhou.

Five days ago, Liu Luogu finally received an order from An Lushan. Given that Yang Yuhuan had gradually been forgotten, An Lushan ordered him to kidnap Yang Yuhuan to Youzhou. If he could complete this task, he would be promoted to two levels and rewarded 50,000 yuan.

An Lushan's order made Liu Luogu dare not be negligent at all, and he immediately re-summoned all the lurking subordinates.

Liu Luogu has been in Chang'an for many years. An Lushan gave him sufficient funds, so he had the capital to recruit soldiers and recruit talented people. He had 500 elite soldiers in a manor in Chang'an, and also collected nearly a hundred talented people. These so-called talented people were actually thieves, or murderers who were full of crimes. When they turned around, they became An Lushan's special talents.

This time, Liu Luogu re-summoned these people and carried out a new task issued by An Lushan. At this moment, Liu Luogu was standing at the altar with two leaders, discussing how to kidnap Yang Yuhuan. In fact, they had already taken action once three days ago, but they simply thought it was simple, thinking that there were only three hundred soldiers guarding the Huaqing Palace, but unexpectedly, there were other people inside and outside the Huaqing Palace, which failed and killed three people, which somewhat exposed their intentions.

Although he was worried that Yang Yuhuan had been transferred, Liu Luogu had to grit his teeth and take another second action with only two days left before An Lushan gave them the seven-day deadline.

There is a simple map on the altar, and the faint lights illuminate the handwriting on the map. This map was sold to them by a guard who once served in the Huaqing Palace. The map shows Yang Yuhuan's Taoist temple and the shortcuts to enter the Huaqing Palace.

The shortcut is the northwest corner and southeast corner of Huaqing Palace. Both places are dense and easy to hide, and you can use trees to climb into the palace. The last time they were discovered in the northwest corner, and now there must be heavy troops there, so this time they attacked the southeast corner.

Liu Luogu knocked on the altar with his fingers and said without any doubt: "Enter from the southeast corner tonight!"

At this time, a spy rushed into the outside and said, "General, the time is here."

Liu Luogu looked up and looked outside. It was still drizzling in the sky, covered with dark clouds, and the wind was high and the night was dark. It was a good time to take action. He immediately said to nearly a hundred subordinates sitting on the ground: "I still say the same thing. Don't scare the concubine. Put the person in a sack and leave. Who can succeed? I will give you ten thousand yuan."

The 10,000-yuan bonus stimulated the eyes of every man in black. They stood up one after another and were ready to rub their hands. At this time, a leader suggested: "General, it is better to attack the east and west, and feint the northwest corner, and attract the defenders."

"Okay! Just do it. The first team attacks the northwest corner, and the second team follows me to the southeast corner."

He blew out the light with a shout, "Go!"
Chapter completed!