Yan Zhao followed Guo Wei and built a golden platform.
When Zhao Xin arrived, Zou Yan came back together.
But Qingyunshi has abandoned me like dust.
Pearls and jade buy songs and smiles, and chaff nourishes talents.
Only then did we know that the yellow swan is lifted up and wanders alone for thousands of miles.
——"Ancient Style Fifteen" Li Bai
…
A palace maid hurriedly ran over and cleaned up the remains of tea on the floor.
Yang Guozhong said: "Leading the army to fight against the barbarians? Doesn't this push me to death?"
Yang Guozhong hurriedly waved his hand and said, "You adults don't know something. I was just a small chief clerk in the Jiannan Army back then, and I had never fought in a war..."
Another maid handed the new tea cup to Yang Guozhong's hand, secretly pinched the back of Yang Guozhong's hand, and winked at the tea cup.
Yang Guozhong quickly shut up, held a cup to moisten his throat, and pretended to choke on a sip of water, taking the opportunity to delay.
The tea is ginseng tea, nothing special.
Looking at the tea cup again, there is a story on the surface of the cup about Zi Si, Zixing, Zi Li, and Zilai from "Zhuangzi: The Great Master". They had no objections to their hearts and became friends. There are four small words next to the pattern: "Nothing goes against them." pay."
“‘Inseparable friends’, what does this mean?
‘Inseparable acquaintance’, ‘Inseparable friend’…
Yang Guozhong's mind was racing, and he suddenly understood the empress's intention.
"'No Ni', 'Mo Ni' means don't go against His Majesty's will!"
For Yang Guozhong, these two seconds seemed as long as a cup of tea.
Yang Guozhong's mouth was dry and his tongue was dry, so he drank the ginseng tea in one gulp.
Putting down the cup, he forgot about his dignity, and subconsciously wiped his mouth with his court clothes, took a breath, and then continued: "However, as long as I can share your Majesty's worries and serve the country loyally, I will be buried in horse leather and I will die without mercy!"
After Yang Guozhong finished speaking, he glanced at Xuanzong. The cold light in Xuanzong's eyes faded, he stroked his long beard and nodded with satisfaction.
Yang Guozhong was so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat. He felt the cold wind whistling on his back, making him feel cold. If he had said even half of a sentence wrong just now, the consequences would have been disastrous.
Li Linfu looked at Yang Guozhong in disbelief, his eyes quite playful.
Xuanzong finally spoke: "I have decided that Yang Zhao will be the commander-in-chief and lead the Jiannan Army to fight against Nanzhao. The Ministry of Husbandry and the Ministry of War will prepare money and food, recruit civilians, and ensure that the food, grass and baggage are delivered to the army on time. Xianyu Zhongtong, you will do it early tomorrow morning Let's set off, assemble the vanguard troops, and quickly set out on the battlefield."
Everyone bowed to accept the order.
Yang Guozhong walked out of the palace, looked at the stars in the sky, and then breathed a sigh of relief. He thought to himself: "I have escaped a disaster tonight, but after this farewell, I still don't know whether I will see the night sky of Chang'an again in the future."
…
The New Year's Eve banquet was just as Yang Guozhong expected. The Daming Palace fireworks were brilliant, the starry night was like day, and the event was unprecedented.
Return from all over the world, and come from all directions.
Li Linfu led the civil and military officials three times to propose toasts to the Holy Emperor and the imperial concubine - praying for a bumper harvest, clear seas and rivers, and peace for the country and the people.
This is the Prime Minister of the Tang Empire!
With majesty and glory, this moment of glory is enough to honor our ancestors!
Yang Guozhong was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred, with mixed emotions.
He followed Li Linfu sourly, bowing and bowing, following step by step, feeling unbearably shy.
The officials who had always been close to each other deliberately distanced themselves as if they were avoiding the plague. What's more, they hid aside and pointed at themselves, watching their own embarrassment. As if they were laughing at themselves for this trip to Nanzhao, the wind was rustling. Yi Shuihan, once gone, will never return.
Yang Guozhong gnashed his teeth with hatred and said to himself: "These bastards are idiots. A few days ago they were wagging their heads in front of my door like dogs. Today when they saw me in trouble, they didn't even say a word of sympathy, and they all added insult to injury."
If I survive this calamity and regain power one day, let’s see if I don’t kill these idiots one by one! To relieve the hatred in my heart today!”
While Yang Guozhong was in a state of lust, Li Linfu came over with a wine glass to toast the officials.
Yang Guozhong quickly stood up and saluted, doing it first and respecting him.
Li Linfu stopped in front of Yang Guozhong and drank the wine in his glass. He rubbed the glass with playful eyes and contempt in his heart: "What, did you see through me, or did I knock you down?
"
Of course, Li Linfu said something else: "Master Yang, Your Majesty still relies on you very much. So many famous generals in the court are eagerly waiting for this opportunity to fight on the battlefield and make achievements. Your Majesty has given this great military merit to you.
You show your appreciation and regard for adults.
When Mr. Yang returns in triumph, he will really become a general! When the time comes, please take care of Mr. Yang..."
Li Linfu's words were impeccable and touching. If you didn't know the subtle relationship between the two, you would have thought that they were good friends for many years and were sworn friends.
Yang Guozhong looked at Li Linfu's sincere eyes, cold and frightened, and said in his heart: "Yang is convinced! With you as an old fox, I, Yang Zhao, will never be able to defeat you."
…
The prince and the officials had finished toasting, and it was the turn of the emperor and his grandchildren to toast.
Among these emperors and grandsons, some are well-read in poetry and books, and are rich in economics. Some are literary, military, and skilled in bow and horse. Some are shrewd in financial planning and capable.
Xuanzong looked at his children and grandchildren, his heart was full of joy and his face was full of smiles. At this moment, he was not the emperor of the Tang Dynasty who had all the power in the world, but was more like the kind old man next door who loved his grandchildren.
He smiled and said to Concubine Yang: "My grandchildren are so outstanding, which bothers me."
Concubine Yang was smart as ice and snow, smiling but saying nothing. She opened the shells of a few nuts from the Western Regions and put the nuts into the plate in front of Xuanzong, showing her thoughtfulness and warmth.
Xuanzong turned his eyes and looked at Gao Lishi. Gao Lishi had an idea and said, "Your Majesty, you haven't played polo for a long time, haven't you?"
Xuanzong smiled and said: "You old guy is the most cunning. Just say whatever you want? Haha."
Gao Lishi smiled and said: "Your Majesty, in half a month, it will be the Lantern Festival. In addition to viewing lanterns, will the capital hold a polo competition this year to make the people of Chang'an lively?"
As soon as Gao Lishi came up with this idea, Xuanzong and the imperial concubines clapped their hands and applauded. Even the maids and eunuchs were delighted.
You know, polo was a popular sport in the Tang Dynasty and everyone loved it. If it could be run by the royal family, it would be an unprecedented event. The ladies in court would have the opportunity to see Chang'an's handsome young man. The eunuchs would earn a lot of extra money.
Opportunity. After a few games, the silver reward alone can cover a year's expenses.
Everyone is happy!
Gao Lishi smiled and said: "His Majesty was the number one polo player in the Tang Dynasty, and he defeated the number one team on the snowy plateau led by the Prince of Tubo!
Why not let the royal grandchildren form teams freely this time and see who has the same demeanor as His Majesty did back then?"
As soon as Xuanzong thought about it, he immediately understood what Gao Lishi meant. The stubborn stone in his heart seemed to have landed safely, and he suddenly felt enlightened, and the worries he had felt for several days were gone.
Xuanzong patted the Long case and said with a smile: "It's settled. If we want to do it, we'll do it with great fanfare! Come and convey my will."
…
One stone stirs up thousands of waves.
After Gao Lishi read out the imperial edict, a pot exploded in the main hall of the night banquet. Some of the emperors and grandchildren were happy and some were sad.
King Li Tan of Jianning, King Li Chu of Guangping and others were all smiling and high-fiving each other, as if the jackpot was coming.
The three brothers, Li Qiu and Li Yan, sons of King Qing, were unwilling to give in. Li Qiu was smart and capable, and Li Yan was gentle and talented. They also played polo well, but compared to Li Chu and Li Tan, they were obviously still one level behind.
Li Qiu said angrily: "Grandpa Huang is not good at comparing anything but polo. If it's poetry and prose, let alone Li Chu, Li Chu will be afraid of you. Isn't this obvious favoritism?"
Li Yan pondered for a moment and said with a smile: "That's not necessarily the case. Although we are not as good as Li Chu and Li Tan, we are still slightly better than other emperors and grandsons. As long as we can prepare seriously for the battle and break into the top three, it will be a success!"