The crimson rooster announces the dawn, and the green clouds and fur are revealed before the clothes are still on.
The nine heavens closed the palace, and all the nations wore clothes and bowed their heads.
The sun has just come and the fairy palms are moving, and the cigarettes are floating next to the dragons.
After the court is over, the five-color edict must be issued, and the sound of the sword must be returned to Fengchitou.
——"The Early Dynasty to Daming Palace with the Jiashe People" Wang Wei
…
With the recommendation of King Li Xi of Yue, General Zuo Qianniuwei, King Li Xu of Gaoyi and others, Bai Fu was promoted to General Zuojinwuwei, led the Anxi Jiedu Envoy from afar, and was given the title of Duke Wei.
The third-grade General Zuo Jinwu Guard was in charge of patrolling the palace and the capital day and night. During the Xuanzong and Suzong dynasties, Bai Fu was the youngest General Zuo Jinwu Guard.
The Anxi Jiedushi was even more extraordinary, he was a high-ranking official in the border areas. All the Anxi Jiedushi were famous generals like Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing.
Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Bai Fu was also the youngest Jiedu envoy.
Only the two positions of Anxi Jiedushi and Zuojin Wuwei General show Suzong's appreciation and love for Bai Fu.
The title of Duke Wei is of even greater significance.
You know, since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, only one person has been given the title of Duke Wei, and that is the founder of the Tang Dynasty, the God of War Li Jing!
Suzong's intention is self-evident. I hope that Bai Fu can become a barrier of the country like Li Jing, and make great contributions to the Tang Dynasty in suppressing rebellions, opening up territories and expanding territory!
When Bai Fu heard about the official position and title he was awarded, he was also stunned. He knew he would be promoted, but he didn't expect that he would be promoted three levels in a row. This is the so-called rapid rise and rapid rise to the top.
However, Bai Fu was not ecstatic, but fell into deep worry.
Master Zhongji repeatedly warned him that the first of the three major misfortunes in life is to achieve success at a young age.
Today, he rises to the top because of the emperor's love; tomorrow, he may fall off the altar and be shattered into pieces because of the emperor's disgust.
As a minister, no one can stay in a high position for a long time. The higher you climb, the harder you fall. This is the iron law of officialdom.
Bai Fu was so frightened that he entered the palace three times, knelt down in front of the Linde Hall, and resigned his official position and title, but Suzong refused.
…
In Suzong's eyes, Bai Fu has been his blessed general since he came to Chang'an:
The rescue of Qingluan was God's will; King Qing's last words were that the general who protects the country must be Bai Fu; especially when he learned that Bai Fu was a close disciple of Wang Zhongsi, Suzong was overjoyed...
Since Bai Fu joined the army, he has defended Suiyang City, fought fiercely at Xiangji Temple, fought bloody battles at Heyang City, annihilated the Bohai cavalry, captured the Silla navy, and destroyed the Japanese navy... He has gone through hundreds of battles with almost no defeat.
After many years of investigation of Bai Fu, Suzong no longer doubted Bai Fu's loyalty and ability.
Suzong recalled what Xuanzong said to him when he first became the prince: "For talented people, we must dare to promote them out of the ordinary.
If you give him a reward only after he has reached the seniority level, he will certainly be grateful to you, but he will also think that he got all this because of his own seniority and merit.
Only by promoting an exceptional person and granting him a position and honor that he is not yet worthy of can you make a person follow you wholeheartedly and be loyal to you throughout his life and loyal to the death.
Henry, this is the emperor's way of controlling people."
…
On the day when I was awarded the reward, my white armor was bright, my appearance was heroic, and I was not angry but proud.
The civil and military officials of the entire dynasty watched Bai Fu take over the tiger talisman, seal ribbon and purple gold fish bag from Su Zong, with envy, jealousy, hatred, various emotions, and mixed feelings.
Despite their own thoughts, every courtier's face was full of smiles. Everyone knew that Bai Fu had risen strongly and would become a new generation of powerful ministers in the empire. He would be able to turn over the rain and clouds, cover the sky with one hand, and it was just around the corner.
When the court dispersed, the courtiers came forward to congratulate him one after another. Even the most unruly prince Li Chu took the initiative to show his kindness to Bai Fu.
After retiring from the court, Suzong called Bai Fu into the inner palace and held a banquet in honor of him. This was a family banquet. Empress Zhang, Prince Li Chu and Princess Qingluan were accompanying him.
Suzong looked at Bai Fu with joy and said: "Fu'er, I have wanted to betroth Luan'er to you for a long time.
You have made great achievements this time, which makes me even more gratified. Luan'er is my most beloved daughter. I hope you will treat her well and hold her in the palm of your hand..."
Princess Qingluan's cheeks turned red with embarrassment and she found an excuse to hide in the back hall.
Suzong at this moment is not like a king, but more like a loving old father.
Looking closely at the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Su Zong's face was thin, his temples were gray, his face was full of wrinkles, and his appearance was far older than that of his peers.
Although Suzong was not as wise and powerful as Taizong and Xuanzong, and even had many character flaws, he was very loving to Bai Fu and was more like a tolerant elder.
The people at the banquet were all the closest people to Su Zong. Su Zong was particularly happy, drinking happily and raising glasses frequently.
Suzong regarded Bai Fu as a virtuous son-in-law, which moved Bai Fu who came from a poor family.
…
A few days after Bai Fu was canonized, the Bashu Guild Hall was bustling with people, from princes to princes, from aristocratic families to important officials in the court, and there was an endless stream of people visiting Bai Fu.
In the past few days, Bai Fu got up early and went to bed late, busy with social activities.
Except for attending night banquets at the residences of royal relatives and noble families, Bai Fu spent all his meals with a few snacks. He didn't even drink much tea, because he had to save time to go to the toilet and change clothes.
Officials below the fifth rank did not even have the opportunity to meet Bai Fu. Bai Fu felt uneasy, fearing that he had neglected the courtiers.
It's not that I'm arrogant, it's just that I didn't have time for an interview.
Li Yan, the king of Xinping County, saw Bai Fu's thoughts and said disapprovingly: "Brother Fu, don't worry, they are all people with long experience in officialdom and won't mind. If you are willing to accept their gifts and invitations, it will be enough."
It’s a huge favor for them.”
What Li Yan said was correct. These officials below the fifth rank were not upset when they learned that Bai Fu had no time to meet him. They were accustomed to it, put down their gifts, sent greetings, and left happily.
Li Cong, the king of Siqing, looked at the gift list given to Bai Fu by the officials, and said with a click of his tongue: "As the saying goes, the county magistrate is not as good as taking charge now. It is true.
Although we, two brothers, are the princes of the county, we only have salaries and titles and no real power. During the holidays, many courtiers come to pay their respects, but it is just a courtesy.
The gift list fully exposed their inner thoughts.
Brother Fu, judging from the gift list, you are much more prominent than our two princes! Haha."
Bai Fu looked embarrassed and quickly waved his hands to defend himself.
Li Yan smiled and said: "Brother Fu, don't explain, the more you explain, the more confusing it will be. Don't think too much, this is the rule of the officialdom. Otherwise, why do so many people want to be officials despite their scalps?
You used to be in the frontier army, and even though you commanded an army, you were always fighting and killing, and you relied on your record to speak for itself. If you were victorious in every battle and had great military exploits, it would be hard not to be promoted.
When you arrive in the capital and become a courtier, there are more rules. Whether your political performance is good or bad is all a matter of literary work and is not as obvious as a battle.
The standards for the imperial court to assess you are varied: irregularities in writing reports, inappropriate court etiquette, lack of harmony with colleagues and subordinates, disharmony between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law at home...
Even if you draw eyebrows for your wives and concubines, the way you grow your beard, whether you trim your nose hair, etc., it will all be the content of the censor's impeachment.
In short, the selection of talented officials in the Ministry of Civil Affairs depends more on your closeness to them. If you are told that you are good, you will be good. If you are told that you are not good, you will not be good.
How many talented people, because they are not good at business and have no background, have served as officials in the court for decades, but they are still ordinary petty officials...
On the contrary, you put down your body, work hard, surround yourself with powerful officials, rise to great heights, and control the wind and rain. It seems that everything is smooth sailing, and your ancestors are honored.
However, there was no tumbler in the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty.
How many powerful ministers died overnight and their families were wiped out, and their infamy lasted for thousands of years. This is the case for Wang Xian and Yang Guozhong.
On this day, two tigers will fight, the backer will fall, and the fish in the pond will be affected. You will be a remnant, your home will be confiscated, and you will be exiled thousands of miles away.
Brother Fu, do you know why there are so many temples and Taoist temples in Chang'an City?"
Without waiting for Bai Fu's answer, Si Qing King Li Cong gently shook his folding fan and said with a smile: "Because promotion has nothing to do with talent, ability, experience, wisdom, or even family background.
It all depends on fate and luck!
So we have to pray for blessings from gods and Buddhas! Hahaha”
Li Yan smiled and said: "Although Li Cong's words are too joking, they are not unreasonable.
Brother Fu, being an official in court is dangerous and unpredictable, no less than fighting on the battlefield.
It's easy to hide from an open gun, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. You have to be very alert, keep an eye on everything, and think twice before you act.
As the saying goes, be careful not to rush but to be patient. Slow things down and things will turn out right.
Although His Majesty thinks very highly of you today, the more you do so, the easier it will be for others to hate you.
Words of mouth speak for themselves, and you are hard to guard against. Someone's sudden words to Your Majesty can seal your throat with a sword and send you to the eighteenth level of hell.
At that time, Li Linfu's sweet words and secret swords caused many courtiers from all over the world to be expelled from the capital and trapped in the imperial palace. Even the prime minister Zhang Jiuling and the imperial tutor Xu Zhong were not spared.
Looking back, we can see that although Li Linfu was scheming and cunning, he was indeed outstanding for being the prime minister for twenty years.
Brother Fu, the dark arts of officialdom are profound and profound. You had little contact with them before, but you will have to think about them after you return to Chang'an."
The words of Li Yan and Li Cong are frightening and terrifying when you think about them carefully.
After the two left, Bai Fu fell into deep thought.
Bai Fu was filled with emotion when he recalled what Li Linfu said to him on the night of New Year's Eve in the small wine shop by the Qujiang Pool.
“Boy, how can you comment on my merits and demerits in my life?!
Only when you reach my position can you appreciate my skills and abilities!"