Life is similar everywhere, it should be like a flying dragon stepping on snow and mud.
Occasionally, there are fingers and claws left on the mud, and Hongfei is counting the things.
The old monk has died and a new pagoda has been built, and the ruined walls cannot see the old inscriptions.
Do you remember the old days in Hizaki District, where people were trapped on the road and their donkeys neighed?
——"Hezi Nostalgia from Mianchi" Su Shi
…
Bai Fu originally wanted to refuse all the banquet invitations, but Yanxing, the eldest grandson, had expected this scene. He advised in a secret letter:
"When you are in an officialdom, you can't help yourself. You still have to have the social interactions you should have.
Being in harmony with its light and its dust is the law of survival for the officialdom.
If you think too highly of yourself and don't interact with each other, it won't be long before you will be regarded as an alien by the entire Chang'an officialdom. What will follow is a flood of filthy words, slander and accusations.
Of course, when it comes to banquets, you cannot refuse everyone who comes.
It is not appropriate to be too friendly to others, especially the officials under your command, without any airs or manners. If you are an official like this, you will be plotted by your colleagues, despised by important ministers, easily framed, and involved in unnecessary disputes.
Everything is different from political affairs! It refers to the dangers of officialdom.
As a general in the army, you are judged by the victory or defeat in battles. No matter where you are from, whether you have fame or not, it is not that important. Whether you have a prominent family background, noble morals, a wealth of knowledge, or talents, if you cannot win the battle, you will just talk about it on paper.
.
The officialdom is no different from the military. What matters is that still water runs deep, and listening to thunder in a silent place.
No matter whether you are an important minister or a favored minister, you cannot achieve success overnight.
Running an officialdom requires more wisdom. The way to be an official is to be observant of words and demeanor, be good at dancing, be cautious in words and deeds, and be prudent and self-protective.
The essence of officialdom lies in understanding the holy will!
This sounds simple, but in fact it is very learned.
No emperor would allow his ministers to guess his thoughts and gain insight into his emotions. Everything from food and clothing to the selection of the crown prince would be hidden behind the beaded curtain of the emperor's crown.
This is why there is a saying that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger.
The soldiers on the battlefield are certainly dangerous, but the smiles in the court hall hide swords, and the sweet words and swords are even more dangerous, and there are ambushes from all sides. In the former, you still know who the enemy is, but in the latter, murderous intentions are hidden, and it is difficult to distinguish between friends and foes..."
The words of the eldest grandson Yanxing made Bai Fu Hou feel cold and shudder. Thinking about the affairs of the ancient and modern dynasties, the words are poignant and thought-provoking.
If the Taifu is a Confucian leader, and his every move has a Confucian style, then Master Changsun is a Legalist Han Fei, of the same lineage as Li Si, who sees people and things in a cold and wise manner.
The two of them relaxed and relaxed, which represents the governing techniques of emperors in the past dynasties: Confucianism on the outside and Dharma on the inside.
…
Henan Yin Li Ruoyou happened to be in Chang'an for the past few days to get married. When he heard about Bai Fu's promotion, he quickly grabbed Wei Boyu, who had returned to the Ministry of War to report on his duties, and held a banquet to entertain Bai Fu.
During the military training in Shaanzhou, the two courtiers took good care of Bai Fu, and the three of them got along relatively well. At this time, they met in Chang'an to reminisce about the past, and they had a special friendship.
Bai returned to nostalgia, put off other banquets, and happily went to Li's house.
Li Ruoyou was a member of the Li Tang clan. When he returned to Chang'an, he felt like a fish in water. He held a banquet at his residence and invited a group of dignitaries.
To express his respect, Bai Fu arrived at Li Ruoyou's residence half an hour early. Unexpectedly, many guests had already arrived.
Li Ruoyou introduced Bai Fu one by one.
The identities of the guests were quite mixed, including hereditary lords and officials serving in the court.
To be honest, although Bai Fu's military service was outstanding, his achievements and prestige were limited to the army. Although he briefly served as an official in the Ministry of Household Affairs after regaining the two capitals, his position at that time was a sinecure and his official rank was not high. He was not the same as the main officials of the three provinces and six ministries.
There was almost no interaction between officials.
Seeing each other again, Bai Fu is already a popular person around the Holy Emperor. The officials are enthusiastic and lively, changing cups and cups, and making witty remarks.
Li Ruoyou's instigation of the entire banquet was filled with laughter and lively atmosphere.
The keen Bai Fu quickly discovered the characteristics of this banquet: although there were many guests, the lord was a has-been lord, and the officials were frustrated officials. Neither of them had real power, but they were inextricably linked in Chang'an officialdom.
connections.
Although the guests were invited by Li Ruoyou, they all came with only one purpose: to get to know Bai Fu.
Bai Fu is the lever of the whole banquet.
Li Ruoyou wanted to use this dinner to tell the guests that he had a close relationship with Bai Fu, the upstart of the day, and that he might be able to take advantage of the situation to rise to the top at any time.
Li Ruoyou also wanted to hint to Bai Fu that although he was a descendant of the declining clan, the declining royal family was also a royal family. The tree was big and had deep roots, and the roots were intertwined. After the Anshi Rebellion, only the descendants of the clan could reassure His Majesty.
Bai Fu secretly sighed, he came to this dinner because he wanted to have a small-scale reminiscing with Li Ruoyou and Wei Boyu, without so many complicated twists and turns.
Li Ruoyou was not wrong. He thought and organized this banquet based on this. This was an instinct engraved in his bones after he had been an official for many years.
In the final analysis, I am still too immature and use emotions to identify my mentors and friends, but I have forgotten the essence of building a network of official connections - interests!
Only immediate or long-term interests are the center and link of the network of people.
…
After three rounds of drinking, Wei Boyu's face turned red. He raised the wine statue high and loudly advocated: "Everyone, in the battle of Bailang Mountain, General Bai wiped out one hundred thousand cavalry of the Bohai County and relieved the siege of Yanmen Pass in the Tang Dynasty.
Those of us who have led soldiers know that this battle is far more difficult than people imagine.
However, such illustrious military exploits were mentioned in a few sentences in the military newspaper. The writing was too vague and general, and it was really unsatisfactory.
The Lord is here today, why not ask Brother Fu to tell us in detail to help us enjoy the wine!"
When everyone heard this, they all applauded. Seeing that the situation was not good, Bai Fu quickly stood up and declined.
Li Ruoyou held Bai Fu's shoulders and said with a smile: "Bo Yu's words are exactly what everyone is thinking. Brother Bai, please don't be too modest. Today is such a beautiful day, so don't dampen the joy of our brothers."
In desperation, Bai Fu could only select a few scenes that did not involve military secrets, avoid the most important ones, and briefly describe them.
The battle was thrilling, and Bai Fu was interrupted from time to time by screams and shouts of friendship. Even the maids who were waiting on the side were so engrossed in listening that they often forgot to pour the wine.
After Bai Fu finished telling his "story", he won applause from the whole room.
Li Ruoyou stood up, raised his wine cup, looked around the audience, and said loudly: "Everyone, be quiet. I suggest that we toast General Bai.
Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, General Bai is the youngest general of the Qianniu Guard, and his future is limitless. He will be granted the title of Marquis and Prime Minister just around the corner!"
Everyone agreed in unison and stood up to toast Bai Fu.
Li Ruoyou and Bai Fu clinked glasses, went first as a sign of respect, and said with a meaningful smile: "Brother Bai will be very successful in the future, so don't forget the adults at today's banquet!"
All the guests understood and laughed in agreement. They came forward to propose a toast one by one according to their title and official rank.
The atmosphere was so high that Bai Fu had to express his position. Otherwise, tomorrow morning, Bai Fu's reputation for not knowing the rules and being arrogant about taking credit would spread throughout Chang'an official circles.
He laughed at himself a few times, drank three glasses of wine, followed the official routine taught by Chang Sun Yanxing, and calmly threw out a hat that would never be a gang, and said: "You sirs have learned a lot and are rich in the world. You are your Majesty's leg and the pillar of the country."
.The general has just arrived and has little talent and little knowledge. How dare he practice his skills in front of all the adults and take credit for himself?
Bai knows very little about the government affairs of the court, so I ask you all to take care of me and give me guidance from time to time."
When everyone saw that Bai Fu responded appropriately, knew the rules well, and spoke with the official skills of the capital, they suddenly felt friendly and friendly.
The wine was drunk heartily and enthusiastically, and both the host and the guest were happy.
…
At the climax of the banquet, the housekeeper of the mansion urgently reported that someone from the palace was coming. According to His Majesty's imperial decree, General Bai was asked to come to see you immediately.
"Didn't you hear that something important happened in the palace? It's so late and you summoned Bai Fu to the palace? It's obvious that His Majesty loves Bai Fu."
Everyone is an old man who has been in the court for many years. Naturally, they know what an honor it is to be summoned by the Holy One at this moment.
Everyone could not help but feel a sense of sadness in their hearts, but it quickly calmed down and turned into greetings to Bai Fu.
"General Bai, Your Majesty has summoned you without delay. Let's meet again another day."
"I've prepared the hangover soup. Take a sip before leaving. When you get to the palace gate, the alcohol will be gone."
"General Bai, this pill must be kept in your mouth. It can refresh your mind and relieve the smell of alcohol in your mouth."
The guests, like stars over the moon, sent Bai Fu to the door of the mansion. The carriage had been prepared, and it was the carriage specially used by Li Ruoyou in the Li Mansion.
Bai Fu hurriedly excused himself and said to Li Ruoyou: "Thank you for your kindness. Your Majesty summoned me. I don't dare to delay. I can ride a horse faster."
The eunuch of Huangmen who delivered the order covered his mouth with his sleeves and said softly: "General Bai, Mr. Li, this is a good intention. The general smells of alcohol now and needs to take a shower and change clothes in the carriage. After packing properly, it is not rude to enter the palace to meet the driver."
instrument."
Bai Fu suddenly realized this and thought to himself: "No wonder the officials and officials look down on the children of the poor. Common people are common people. If I hadn't been reminded, I would have committed the crime of indecency in front of the palace."
Li Ruoyou personally put Bai Fu into the carriage. After giving some brief instructions, the carriage lowered the thick curtain and started rolling.
The eunuch who delivered the order bowed to Li Ruoyou and said goodbye. Li Ruoyou took the opportunity to hand a gold-painted cloth bag to the eunuch and said with a smile: "My envoy has worked hard and is in a hurry today. Come and have a drink with me another day."
The eunuch who delivered the order smiled knowingly and said, "Thank you, Master Li. I appreciate it."