"Sir, there is a tall, dark man outside looking for you."
Meng Xinghe came out of Aunt Yun's room. A servant from Meng's house hurried over and informed him of the matter.
Gao Gao Hei Hei. Meng Xinghe felt a little familiar and said, "He is there."
"Waiting in front of the Meng Mansion. My wife asked him to come in, but he refused to come in." The boy led the way and explained this man's eccentricities.
Meng Xinghe had already guessed who it was. When they arrived at the door of Meng's Mansion, Xue Shiyu and Miss Lu were both there. When they saw Meng Xinghe arriving, they stared at the tall, dark old man in the distance. Apparently they didn't know where their husband-in-law was in Chang'an. I have this weird friend from time to time.
Meng Xinghe recognized the visitor. He was the wretched old man who raised horses in the Imperial Academy. There was also a tall black horse standing next to him. It was Black Wind.
When Black Wind saw Meng Xinghe approaching, Heifeng neighed with joy. He and Meng Xinghe had a good relationship. Being familiar with human nature, it had already kicked off its hooves and ran to Meng Xinghe's side. It kept rubbing Meng Xinghe's face with its horse's head. Obviously, it He looks very happy. This scene makes people feel very moved after watching it.
Unable to stand Hei Feng's fanatical flattery, Meng Xinghe pushed his horse's head away. He smiled at the wretched old man opposite and said, "What? Today I have time to take Hei Feng out for a ride. When we get to my house, we won't enter. Come and have a seat. Do you want me to invite you in in my eight-carriage sedan chair?"
The wretched old man's face tightened, and then he smiled and said: "You boy, I haven't seen you for a few days, and your face has become very red. Could it be that you kidnapped that good girl again, and tasted the sweetness of the spring night, so you are so proud of the spring breeze." "
Meng Xinghe and the wretched old man were old friends. They were used to fighting and quarreling. They were used to slandering each other when they met. The two grown men had no scruples in laughing and joking. On the contrary, the two ladies behind Meng Xinghe looked down on their faces. Yihong made a soft noise secretly, and then turned around and went back to the house. It was rare to hear Meng Xinghe talk about those obscene things with his bad friends.
"You are a nice woman. You are quite pretty. She is just right for you. She looks like a flower stuck in horse manure."
Watching Meng Xinghe's wife leave, the wretched old man said something honest and upright. Meng Xinghe was immediately dissatisfied and despised. He said, "Come on. I am just horse dung. You are worse than horse dung." "
"You and I are evenly matched. Let's stop slandering each other." The wretched old man shook his head and said: "I came to you today. I wanted to say goodbye to you as a friend. I am going back to Turks. This black wind I’ll leave it as a souvenir for you. I’ll take that shameless green horse away. That’s fine. I’ll go back to Turks. Maybe I can still remember you as a shameless person.”
Meng Xinghe's face was livid. The wretched old man was about to leave. He had no intention of staying. "If you want to leave, go quickly. You won't have to worry about it here. I will take the black wind for you first. Watch it follow you. If you don't have enough to eat, you won't be able to sleep well." .I have become so thin. Most likely, I was abused by you again recently."
Meng Xinghe opened his eyes and told lies. The wretched old man shook his head and said: "There is an old saying among you Han people: you will be separated after a thousand miles. Brother Meng, let's say goodbye today. If there is a chance in the future, we will definitely meet again. When the time comes, as long as you are Come to my Turks. Wine, women, whatever you choose."
Say the next promise with great pride. Fine wine and women. In the Turks of the wretched old man, these are all things given to your best friend.
Meng Xinghe suddenly realized that the wretched old man was not joking. He immediately said seriously: "Brother wretched, please wait first. I'll be back as soon as I go."
The wretched old man had a headache. If he was heard by other Turks, he was so respected in the eyes of the Tang people. I am afraid that his status in the hearts of the Turks would plummet.
Meng Xinghe quickly ran into the house, not to get the money, but to give the money to the wretched old man. That was too vulgar. With the wretched old man's nature, he would crawl back to the Turks even if he crawled. Meng Xinghe knew before that the wretched old man came to Chang'an. It's been almost ten years. It's time to go back to his hometown to have a look. Besides, for an old man like him, the most urgent thing is to return to his roots after fallen leaves.
Knowing that the wretched old man likes to drink. Although the Turkic wine is stronger than the wine in Chang'an, Meng Xinghe still asked someone to take out two jars from the cellar of the Meng Mansion. When he came to the door of the Meng Mansion again, Meng Xinghe had already put the two jars out. The jar of wine was handed over to the wretched old man. He said: "The Turks have a long way to go. I took two jars of wine to warm my body on the way. In the past, I often went to Brother wretched's place to drink wine and eat. Today, I also got some blood."
Old Man Wei continued politely. "You have some sense of loyalty. I'll leave first. The green mountains remain unchanged and the green waters will always be there. In the Tang Dynasty, I, Tie Mu, Wei Suo, there is no one else except you." A true friend. Farewell. Do not send him off."
Holding two wine jars, the wretched old man walked firmly and calmly towards the distance.
"Who said I was going to send you off?" There is no sadness like parting. It is only natural for the wretched old man to return to his Turks. Meng Xinghe smiled and exclaimed, but couldn't help but said to the wretched old man's leaving figure, "wretched old man." Brother, I still don’t know that your home is in the Turks. If I have a chance in the future, I, Meng Xinghe, will definitely ride on the black wind to visit you. Remember to leave me the best wine and find the most beautiful woman."
"The Turkic Royal Court." After enduring it for a long time, the wretched old man gradually walked away before he was willing to tell the truth to Meng Xinghe.
Meng Xinghe scratched his head and couldn't figure out where the Turkic Royal Court was. However, these four words seemed familiar. It seemed that he had heard it somewhere before.
He didn't think too much about it. He wrote down the address mentioned by the wretched old man. When he has nothing to do in the future, he will take the ladies to the northwest for sightseeing. It would also be good to go to Turks to see Old Wei. He has no other intentions. He just wants to do it. Eat two meals at his place.
The departure of Old Man Wei did not cast a heavy shadow on Meng Xinghe. Throughout the afternoon, the whole Meng family was in a relatively busy scene. Except for the maids and servants, everyone in the family was nervously packing their bags and preparing to go with them. Meng Xinghe went down to the south of the Yangtze River. Even at midnight, the house was still brightly lit. This bothered Meng Xinghe, who had always wanted to go to bed. He lay in bed and couldn't sleep.
Isn't it just to go to Jiangnan? When I have time in the future, I will take you to Jiangnan every day. After all, I am the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. Every spring and autumn, you can take advantage of official business to go to Jiangnan or Liaodong, or even to southern Xinjiang or Northwest. As long as Meng Xinghe is willing, he will have an excuse to go out and play.
He vaguely listened to the sounds of laughter coming from the ladies outside from time to time. Meng Xinghe smiled in relief and fell asleep peacefully.
The next morning, Meng Xinghe arrived at Tai Chi Hall very early.
The content mentioned in the early court was nothing more than the issues of people's livelihood and the country. After talking about these topics day after day, I felt a little tired after a long time. All the ministers in the court were mechanically making the same proposal, solving it, and then by The Holy Lord took action. Finally, the imperial edict was drafted by Shangshu Province. Officials from Zhongshu and Menxia Province formally promulgated the imperial edict. All matters were handled according to the rules. What could be solved was solved by the court. What could not be solved was suppressed by Li Shimin. It will be resolved soon.
Going to court in ancient times was just like going to work now. There was always a time limit. After a busy morning, the morning meeting was quickly over.
At the end of the dynasty, after discussing the affairs of the dynasty, Li Shimin asked the ministers to stay. Later, they would go with him to the military academy to watch the horse racing between the Turks and the Tang Dynasty. Originally, the horse racing was boring. However, It was an order from the Holy One. No one dared to say anything. Most of them nodded in agreement. In fact, they meant something different.
However, among the ministers who obey orders, Meng Xinghe is different. Firstly, he feels that horse racing is inherently boring. There is no need to obey the king's order and suffer the punishment together with Li Shimin. Secondly, he has to prepare to go to the Zhujiang River in the south of the Yangtze River. The fact is that he can't get away. Therefore, Meng Xinghe doesn't care whether he rebels against Long Yan or not. He stands up from his position and says: "Your Majesty, I have to make full preparations for Jiangnan and his party. I'm afraid I can't follow your Majesty for the horse racing." Let’s go and watch together. Please give me the Holy Spirit’s permission.”
Li Shimin remained silent for a long time, his expression a little uncertain.
"Go." Li Shimin waved his dragon robe. "This trip to the south of the Yangtze River. All personnel are mobilized and you can do it yourself. I won't worry about you."
Meng Xinghe was secretly happy. He made all the personnel transfers himself. Such a good right was better than the comfort of Li Shimin, an old scholar who arranged for two supervisors for himself. Then he could go all the way down the river and survey several states and counties at will. tax accounts. The remaining time is full of opportunities for sightseeing. Why not.
"I'm resigning." Meng Xinghe couldn't wait to leave the Tai Chi Hall immediately. He went to the Ministry of Household Affairs to make arrangements, and then immediately set off for Jiangdu.
Li Shimin approved his resignation. After Meng Xinghe walked out of the Tai Chi Hall, he said again: "There is still important things to do in the Qing family. I have approved that he will not go to the horse racing."
"Wei Chenshang Shusheng has several important matters that need to be dealt with urgently. I won't go with the Holy One." Du Ruhui walked out and excused himself.
Li Shimin did not dare to delay matters related to the Ministry of Finance. He said on the spot: "Du Aiqing will go down first. You don't need to go with me for the horse racing. State affairs are important."
He said that state affairs were important, and Du Ruhui also withdrew from the Taiji Hall, leaving the group of ministers behind. Either they really had nothing to do, or Meng Xinghe and Du Ruhui were not favored in front of the Holy One. Naturally, they did not dare to resign as arrogantly as them. Most of them They stood silently. No one knew whether they were in trouble or not.
Li Shimin glanced at a few people. He looked even uglier than before. He said, "Since all the Qing family members left behind are fine, I'll go to the school grounds now."
The ministers took the order and followed Li Shimin to the school grounds.
Du Ruhui hurried out of the Taiji Hall and rushed to the Hubu. At this moment, Meng Xinghe was discussing matters with the three doctors of the Hubu. He had basically explained the whole Hubu. He only left the doctor Wang of Duzhi and the doctor He of Jinbu. Your Excellency is on guard in Chang'an, and you are bringing along Mr. Li, a warehouse doctor in the south of the Yangtze River with your predecessor, Shangshu. Then the work along the way will be carried out much more smoothly.
Master Li was of course willing to go to Jiangnan with Meng Xinghe. He agreed on the spot.
After finishing these things, Du Ruhui happened to come in from outside. Meng Xinghe asked the three doctors to leave first and said: "Master Du is here in a hurry. What's important?"
He and Meng Xinghe were the only two people in the room. Du Ruhui said without hesitation: "Brother Meng, are you aware that there is something fishy about this horse racing with the Turks?"
Meng Xinghe didn't think much about it: "What's weird? Old Du, are you too worried? I think it's quite normal."
Du Ruhui had a wry smile on his face. You were busy going to the south of the Yangtze River. All you had to do was live and die happily. How could you care about anything else? He expressed the doubts in his heart and said, "Don't you think that the Turks are looking for us?" Tang Ximai didn't have any ulterior motives. For example, he took advantage of the horse racing to do something unknown. With Bi Xiao's character, he is not the kind of indifferent person."
Mentioning Bi Xiao and Meng Xinghe, I thought of his unfathomable depth. "You are saying that the Turks and our Tang Dynasty horse racers built a plank road to cross Chencang secretly."