The caisson is green and the red sandalwood is fragrant.
Cui Luo slightly cupped his hands and said, neither salty nor cool: "Senior Sister Tong, Mr. Cui has been a monk for many years and has long since given up Taoism. Now he only concentrates on studying the classics and applying them to the world. I just don't know why Senior Sister is here.
Are you talking about scriptures and Taoism? Or do you lack the resources for incense?"
Before Tong Chunxi could reply, Feng Yizi Xu Meixiang could not hold back and said: "Senior Brother Cui, once you enter the Taoist sect, you will be a Taoist for life. Even if you despise the Luoyang Taoist sect and are obsessed with fame and wealth, there is no need to act like a lieutenant.
The airs are not annoying!"
Cui Luo raised his eyes slightly and looked at Xu Meixiang with half contempt and half hatred: "Junior sister Xu, you bark at people and have a dog-like temper. No wonder you have wasted half your life without finding a Taoist companion.
Tsk, tsk! Sigh, pathetic!”
"Try saying something again?!" Xu Meixiang's eyes widened in anger. She had already pulled out half of her sword, but was pushed back by Tong Chunxi.
Tong Chunxi looked normal and said: "Junior Brother Cui, Feng Yizi is like this for a reason. Please don't expose her scars again. As for those old things, several years have passed, so why should we keep worrying about them?"
After Cui Luo sneered a few times, he actually showed a bit of sadness: "Think about eighteen years ago, Jizhou bandits attacked Luoyang, and even the officers and soldiers abandoned the city and fled. Only my master and uncle in Jinglongguan,
The brothers fought desperately and all died heroically in the city! But you Taoists, who act like heaven and earth at every turn and talk about the common people, shrink when disaster strikes, and stay silent when encountering a barbarian! Which one is willing to fight side by side with Jinglong Guan?
Who dares to wield the sword and fight off the rebels?
Pity me, nearly a hundred Taoists in Jinglongguan, all of them died of exhaustion and blood. Millions of officials and people in Luoyang City were still tortured by thieves and soldiers. Ten rooms and nine empty houses were miserable! Although Cui was obsessed with his official career, he
I wish I could have been in Luoyang at that time and die together with everyone in the temple. Otherwise, every time I think about these things in the past eighteen years, my hair will stand on end and my heart will be cut like a knife! I will also avoid seeing you people who are just following the wind and living an ignoble existence.
Disciples, anger always arises from within, and it is difficult to calm down your anger!”
Tong Chunxi and the three others were speechless after listening.
When the war was fierce and dangerous, why didn't Luoyang Taoist sect unite all the people and gather Taoist priests with high martial arts skills to fight with the traitor soldiers? However, the Taoist sect disciples are limited after all, and they are not brave people who are not afraid of death. After all, they can't defeat hundreds of thousands of thief soldiers.
The cavalry and Taoists managed to resist for less than an hour, but they suffered heavy casualties and fled each other. Later, seeing that the situation was over, some Taoists who wanted to be reincarnated watched closely and surrendered to the rebels in Anlu Mountain. They sang praises and begged for mercy every day. They really had no integrity.
It can be said...
Ding Mo Niang, son of Xueyi, saw that several people were bowing their heads in silence. She coughed lightly and whispered to Tong Chunxi about what he had done during this trip.
Only then did Tong Chunxi come to his senses and said seriously: "Junior brother Cui! I'm here today because I'm here for Wan'er's life-long event. Senior sister asked Da to say something. Junior brother must also know that Yuan Mansion is not a good place. Yuan Mansion is not a good place.
Ji Neng is not a good match either, so why do you have to send Wan'er to the den of tigers and wolves? Are you really just for the official title, so you don't care about your daughter at all?"
Cui Luo's eyebrows were raised, and he was about to get angry, but he endured it and said with an indifferent expression: "This is a family matter in my Cui Mansion, do you want Senior Sister Tong to step over the shoulders and take care of it!"
Tong Chunxi had expected that he would say this, so he said calmly: "Junior Brother Cui, please don't misunderstand me. Although I am Master Wan'er, I also know what is appropriate. I just have a few words of warning, and I want to analyze them with Junior Brother.
!”
Cui Luo originally wanted to chase away the guest, but he knew that Tong Chunxi also came from a wealthy family and had always been quite knowledgeable in his behavior. So he patiently said, "I would like to hear some high-level opinions."
Tong Chunxi was not polite, and spoke frankly: "Now Yuan Zai is dictatorial and has power over the government and the public. It can be said that he is under one person and has great power. Most of the officials in the court are wise and wise, and there are also those who follow the trend. It is not surprising. However.
From Pindao's point of view, it is enough to keep a respectful distance from powerful ministers who have gained power in one day, but there is no need to cling to them intentionally."
"Why?"
When Cui Luo saw her talking about this, he actually kept silent and deliberately gave it away. This immediately made him a little curious, so he urged her smoothly.
Tong Chunxi said unhurriedly: "Yuan Zai was born in a humble background. He was also a genius who studied Taoism intensively. However, he knew the ways of the world, knew how to play both sides, and devoted himself to his official career. Even so, if not for fate, how could he be where he is today?
Power? No one in the court knew that Yuan Zai first connected with Li Fuguo's wife, the Yuan family, and then, through nepotism, he was favored by the eunuch. Later, in order to please his superiors, he conspired with others to bribe the rangers and generals.
Li Fuguo was stabbed to death, but he was killed due to human strength! This shows that this man was seeking prosperity, had a ruthless heart, and would use any means.
Unexpectedly, after the eunuch Li Fuguo was killed, another eunuch, Yu Chaoen, took advantage of the situation and became more and more domineering. Yuan Zai, as a favorite minister, sat back and watched Yu Chaoen, who was disrespectful of his superiors, took bribes and extorted money, set up private prisons, and committed all kinds of evil.
If Yu Chaoen had not wanted to put him to death, he would have continued to be conceited and flattering. Later, it was Yu Chaoen who made people angry and deserved to be executed, so Yuan Zai designed and hanged Yu Chaoen. Since then, he has monopolized power.
Satisfied with his ambition, he became the new No. 1 official who was "as honorable and favored as Li Fuguo, and more corrupt than Yu Chaoen".
However, a big tree attracts wind. How can a minister like Yuan Zai, who suppresses his colleagues and gains power by chance, win the sincerity of all the princes in the court? Today, you can naturally rely on the honor and favor of a saint; if you fall out of favor in front of a saint, you will plummet!
In the blink of an eye. If Wan'er marries into the Yuan Palace this year, Junior Brother Cui will naturally be prosperous and ride the wind. But once the Yuan Palace collapses, you and your daughter Cui will inevitably be the ones who will be blamed.
Therefore, the marriage between Yuan and Cui is just a big gamble for Junior Brother Cui. But if the bet loses, not only Wan'er's life will be lost, but also Junior Brother Cui, you have worked so hard to get a great career!"
After Cui Luo heard this, he couldn't help but sit in the hall. He felt that every sentence Sister Tong said was reasonable and enlightening! Not only did he describe Yuan Zai's path to success, he also boldly asserted that it was like Yuan Zai.
Those who gain power in a dynasty cannot escape the fate of their dynasty being overthrown. On the contrary, long-established families such as the Cui family, the Wang family, and the Lu family will not suffer the catastrophe of annihilation of their clan because of the ups and downs of the official career of some of their descendants.
Now, as the head of the Cui family, he is making a huge bet with the Yuan family on the rise and fall of his lineage. If the bet wins, everyone will be happy; but if the bet loses, how can he escape unscathed?
After thinking about it for a while, I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles.
When Cui Luo raised his head, he saw that Tong Chunxi and the others had already crossed the threshold of the main hall. They were about to leave without saying goodbye. He stood up and said hurriedly: "Sister Tong, please stay! Now that the marriage contract between the two families has been agreed, the wedding must be completed on a certain day. Cui Luo
What should someone do?"
Tong Chunxi turned around, bowed his hands and said, "This is a family matter of the Cui family. I dare not say anything about it. I will say this and hope that Junior Brother Cui will make his own decision."
After saying that, he flicked the whisk and walked away with a wave of his sleeves.
Taiwei Palace, Ginkgo Villa.
In the main hall of the house, Henan Yin Xiaojing and Taiwei Palace envoy Wang Jin were sitting as guests and hosts, slowly chatting about the recent events in the city. A plump and beautiful maid was serving tea beside her, and the fragrance was moving with the shadow.
Pleasing to the eyes.
Wang Jin was well aware of Xiao Jing's purpose. Since Xiao Jing left last time, Wang Jin had ordered his armored guards to search and arrest some big Hu merchants. Although he failed to force other Hu merchants to resume trading, he still managed to catch them.
This shocked some Han merchants who were hoarding goods and taking the opportunity to drive up prices. The prices of corn, rice, beans, millet and other grains even dropped slightly. As long as you are not in extreme poverty, you can always buy some rice and avoid starving to death.
.
Naturally, Xiao Jing was also aware of Wang Jin's actions. In order to stabilize the price of rice and grain, Xiao Jing first took out half of the grain stored in the Henan government office and sold it at a flat price in three cities every day; he also mobilized some wealthy Han merchants in the city to
Each household cooked porridge and water at noon every day to help some extremely poor people. With this two-pronged approach, the number of people who died of starvation every day in the city has been greatly reduced.
Based on this, the conversation between the two people was somewhat less tit-for-tat.
Wang Jin took a sip of the tea soup, smoothed his beard and said with a smile: "Master Xiao, recently you and I have worked together and taken many measures to defeat the evil plan of the Zoroastrian monster who incited Hu merchants to strike in order to bring disaster to Luoyang.
I don’t think it will take long before those unscrupulous Hu merchants will be unable to hold on and start fighting with the Zoroastrian monsters. If Hu merchants want to resume the market, Mr. Xiao can set up a name to fine Hu merchants and levy commercial taxes so that they can be punished.
You will reap the consequences.”
Xiao Jing also smiled and said: "This is natural! These Hu merchants usually do not obey the control of the City's Civil Affairs Bureau. This time they colluded with Zoroastrianism to cause trouble. They took risks because they had no money to buy rice collars and committed crimes.
, a lot of them have been arrested in the past few days, and they almost led to a civil uprising. If they are not punished, how will the Henan government establish its authority in the future?"
After Wang Jin heard this, he put down his tea bowl and said sternly: "Master Xiao not only loves the people like a son, but also has such great power and tactics. He is really a blessing to the officials and people of Luoyang!"
When Xiao Jing saw that the two of them had finished chatting, she took out a letter bag from her sleeve, gently pushed it to Wang Jin, and smiled without saying a word.
Wang Jin's heart was slightly shaken, but his face remained calm. He calmly picked up the letter bag, and saw a few seal characters "Lu Yong Zhenren" printed on the seal, and then his face was shocked:
No one in the court knew that "Zhenren Lu Yong" was the self-proclaimed Taoist title of the current prince Li Shi, and the brass seal he carried with him was almost equivalent to the prince's talisman. When he was in Chang'an, he was fortunate enough to see two princes.
Now that I see the inscription on that seal, how can I not tell the authenticity?
Seeing Wang Jin's hands shaking slightly, Xiao Jing seemed to have taken a deep breath, carefully opened the envelope and took out a piece of neatly folded yellow vine paper. She opened it again slowly and read it carefully.
After a long time, Wang Jin raised his head and said in disbelief: "Mr. Xiao, although this prince's order is unsigned, it is undoubtedly authentic! However, if you want Taiwei Palace to negotiate peace with Zoroastrianism, you only need to pass a password. Why does your highness need it?
It takes a lot of effort to write such a warrant in handwriting and ask you to bring it to you? It seems that Mr. Wang is being rude and disrespectful, which is really a sin..."
Xiao Jing smiled and waved her hand: "The Duke of Qi is too humble! During the Jizhou Rebellion, you followed Emperor Suzong and General Li Guangbi, and you had great military exploits. You deserve this honor! It's just a meeting.
The matter of peace talks should be done sooner rather than later. I came here this time to ask the Duke of Qi when he has free time on behalf of His Highness the Crown Prince. Then we can set a time to settle this case. Don't let the common people in the city suffer from the skyrocketing prices of goods.
The suffering.”
Wang Jin looked frightened and hurriedly placed the crown prince's order on the case, bowed his hands and bowed again and again, and then said to Xiao Jing: "Master Xiao, these words are very disturbing to me! I will respond to everything and listen to His Highness's arrangements."
That’s it. I would also like to ask Mr. Xiao to say a few kind words for me when he returns to his hometown!"
Seeing that Wang Jin finally gave in, Xiao Jing returned the favor and said, "According to the suggestion of His Royal Highness, it will be scheduled before the first day of April in the main hall of Mingde Palace in Shendu Garden. We will invite the Duke of Qi and the Taiwei Palace staff, and the Zoroastrian Church
All the leaders will discuss the case with each other and make a charter so that you can stop fighting as soon as possible. As for the defense, invitations and other chores, I, the Henan government office, will handle them."
Wang Jin didn't have anything to say, he just handed over and thanked him.
Xiao Jing added: "As for the Zoroastrian believers captured by Duke Qi, the family members of Qin Mansion and others, please stop the torture for the past two days. Don't teach us that there will be too many casualties. Peace talks will always be troublesome."
Wang Jin hurriedly gave instructions to the maid, and after a while he invited the general from last time. Xiao Jing naturally recognized him. His surname was Wang Zhe, his courtesy name was Boshan, and he was Wang Jin's adopted son.
Wang Jin looked anxious and said, "Boshan, yesterday you said you planned to kill the people in the dungeon in batches and then send the bodies to three Zoroastrian temples. You thought you were going to be a deterrent, so have you already taken action?"
Wang Che observed Wang Jin's words and immediately understood Wang Jin's intention. He hurriedly clasped his fists and replied: "I don't dare to kill without permission before I get the decree from my foster father! It's just that... the dungeon is damp and cold, and several people have died of sudden illness recently. I have taken care of it with my brothers."
Buried."
Wang Jin then breathed a sigh of relief: "Let's let this matter go! Go down and light more charcoal fires in the dungeon, provide enough food, and don't cause any more casualties. The adoptive father will meet with the Zoroastrian leader in the future. This matter
Don’t be careless.”
Wang Che agreed, clasped his fists briefly, and left quickly. Apparently he was afraid that if he left too late, the armored guards in the dungeon would start to torture him again...
Seeing this, Xiao Jing no longer had any doubts. After saying goodbye to Wang Jin, she was satisfied and left Taiwei Palace.
Little did he know that Wang Jin was standing in the courtyard with a sinister smile on his lips.