"In the past, there was an emperor in the Jin Dynasty. He was old and had no heirs. He was anxious. Later, he was happy to have a son. He was very happy and feasted all the ministers with soup and cakes. During the banquet, an official who was good at flattering stood up and thanked the sun. The ministers congratulated the Holy Majesty.
We are ashamed to have received a son for no merit! The emperor responded with consternation, "What are you saying! How can this matter make you meritorious? Isn't it fun for flatterers like this, who don't understand the situation and flatter you indiscriminately? Hahaha."
…”
Perhaps it was because Luoyang was approaching, or perhaps it was because he and Li Xian were getting along well. Li Xian was in a really good mood. He actually changed his usual steady temperament and started telling jokes without any inhibitions - from Hanguguan
After a while, the two young brothers Li Xian and Li Xian were walking in the same car and eating in the same seat. They talked about everything. They had similar political views and their relationship was very close. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they were in harmony with each other.
"Haha. Does Sixth Brother also have the desire to make meritorious deeds? Hahaha..."
Li Xian was very experienced. As soon as he heard the beginning of Li Xian's joke, he knew that Li Xian was talking about an interesting story about Emperor Jin Yuan and his minister Yin Xian. He certainly didn't think the joke was funny. Originally, he would be involved in officialdom in later generations.
At that time, Li Xian had never heard any stupid jokes. If he really wanted to tell such jokes, he would tell them in three days and three nights, and he would keep every one of them better than what Li Xian said.
It was a hundred times more exciting, but in order to get along with Li Xian, even though he didn't smile much, Li Xian still smiled. Not only did he laugh, but he also had to make fun of Li Xian.
"If it's convenient, it doesn't matter if you make a great contribution. Hey, seventh brother, don't you want to?" Li Xian laughed and made a face, then asked Li Xian.
"Little brother..."
Li Xian wanted to have a good relationship with Li Xian, so he was happy to talk and laugh with him. When he heard Li Xian making fun of him in turn, he couldn't help but laugh along with him. He was just about to join in the fun again.
At this moment, I suddenly felt that the carriage had stopped, and I couldn't help but stop.
"Li Shi, Bachelor of the North Gate, and Yan Chaoyin respectfully welcome His Highness King Lu and King Zhou!"
As soon as Li Xian's words stopped, a high-pitched voice rang out not far away. Brother Li Xian was immediately dumbfounded. They didn't know what this North Gate bachelor was, nor did they understand these two words.
How come this so-called bachelor has no knowledge of etiquette at all, and has not even seen the two brothers in person, so he hastily reported to his family. This kind of behavior is disrespectful at best, but it is over the limit at worst.
Understand.
"Seventh brother, this North Gate bachelor is..."
Li Xian frowned and thought for a long time, but he still couldn't figure out when such an institution was established in the court. In desperation, he had no choice but to turn his inquiring eyes to Li Xian.
"I don't know, little brother. Sixth brother, I won't know until I go see him."
Li Xian didn't know the background of the Beimen Scholar, but Li Xian knew it well. Not only did he know it, but he also hated it deeply, because this Beimen Scholar was a murderous knife in the hands of Empress Wu. In the previous life, Empress Wu was the murderer.
He recruited a large number of shameless civil servants, known as North Gate Scholars, to bring chaos to the court. Until the time when Empress Wu ascended the throne, countless ministers were framed by this group of shameless men. Li Xian also suffered from these rogue scholars.
Thinking about it now, I still feel angry in my heart. Of course, it was impossible for Li Xianzi to tell Li Xian about such secrets. He could only pretend to be ignorant and shrug his shoulders, and replied nonchalantly.
"Okay, let's go take a look."
Li Xian thought about it and didn't think it was a big deal, so he stopped talking and nodded in agreement. Li Xian lifted the curtain of the carriage, bowed and got out of the carriage. Li Xian saw this and remained silent. Di followed behind, and as soon as he landed, he saw a large group of low-level officials surrounded by two middle-aged officials. The middle-aged man standing in front of the Wuli Pavilion beside the road was standing in front of the Wuli Pavilion on the side of the road. His long beard flutters in the wind, giving him an air of an outstanding gentleman. The man on the right is of medium build, has a white face and short beard, and looks round and round like a wealthy man.
Sure enough, it was these two vicious dogs! Li Xian recognized the two middle-aged officials with just one glance. The tall one on the left was Li Shi, and the fat one on the right was Yan Chaoyin. Both of them were He was a Jinshi from a poor family. He had just won the imperial examination three years ago. They were originally low-ranking people in the court. Just before Emperor Gaozong came to Luoyang this year, they were only ninth-rank officials. But now they are all wearing the sixth-rank official. In terms of official attire, this promotion speed is probably the fastest since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, but this is not the reason why Li Xian hates these two people. What really makes Li Xian disgusted is the meaning of these two people appearing here!
Is it a demonstration or a deterrent? I'm afraid it's both. This Empress Wu is really careless! As soon as Li Xian saw Li and Yan, the two most shameless scholars from the North Gate, appearing in Wuliting, he already vaguely guessed When it came to Empress Wu's intention in sending them to greet him, she did not intend to remind Li Xian, but watched silently and coldly.
"Li Shi (Yan Chaoyin), a bachelor of the Northern Gate of Xianguan, is here to welcome your two highnesses according to the decree of the empress." Li and Yan waited for a while, but did not see any reaction from brother Li Xian, so they had to step forward and ask themselves again. Report your family’s doorstep.
"Thank you. I wonder why no one from the Ministry of Rites came?" Although Li Xian once supported Empress Wu on the issue of Feng Chan Taishan, he still had objections to Empress Wu in his heart. After hearing this, these two bachelors who didn't know the so-called It was sent by Empress Wu, and the displeasure in his heart immediately surged up, but it was not easy to break out on the spot, so he frowned slightly and said something.
It is a matter of the Ministry of Etiquette to welcome people and send them off. It is normal for Li Xian to ask this question. However, asking such questions in front of two Beimen scholars is like scolding a bald donkey in front of the monks. As expected, Li Xian As soon as the words fell, Li and Yan's expressions changed a little. They looked at each other quickly, and both saw resentment in each other's eyes. However, in front of the two princes, they could not tolerate them. The two of them acted recklessly, and no matter how much anger they had, they could only hold it back in their hearts.
"Your Highnesses, it's getting late. The Queen is still waiting in the palace. I wonder if your Highnesses have any other instructions?" Yan Chaoyin's temperament is obviously more diplomatic than Li Shi's. Although he is also angry at Li Xian's arrogance, But a smile quickly appeared on his face, and he smiled and asked humbly.
"Hmph!" Li Xian has always been very high-spirited. Although his demeanor has been much calmer than usual these days, after all, it is easy to change a country, and it is hard to change one's nature. Seeing that Yan Chaoyin's words were so obviously referring to the post-war pressure, He immediately became angry, snorted coldly, and was about to have an attack.
"Sixth brother, it's really not appropriate to keep my mother waiting for so long. You and I may as well start our journey now." Li Xian didn't want to see Li Xian lose his position by arguing with such a little person, so he interrupted him in time. road.
"Well, that's fine." Li Xian didn't pay attention to the so-called Beimen bachelors on Li and Yan's heads at all, but he had to give Li Xian face. When Li Xian reminded him, It was not easy for him to get angry again, but he didn't give Li and Yan a good look. He snorted indifferently, flicked his sleeves, turned around and got into the carriage, not to mention saying hello to Li and Yan. He didn't even look at the two of them.
"Thank you for your help, the two adults have come to greet you. Brother Xiao Wang is very grateful. I also ask you to lead the way. Thank you very much, Xiao Wang." As the saying goes, it is better to offend a gentleman than to offend a villain. These two people in front of me They are all villains. Although Li Xian is not afraid, he does not want to offend them. Since Li Xian plays the bad role, Li Xian naturally has no choice but to play the red face.
"Don't dare, don't dare, please, Your Highness!"
Although Li and Yan are now among the ranks of mid-level officials, they are actually newcomers in the court. Except for the backer of Empress Wu, they really have no foundation. What they need most at this time is others. Seeing Li Xian being so polite, he suddenly felt good in his heart. They quickly took a small step back and bowed back with great respect.
"Thank you, my lords."
Li Xian politely handed over his hand in return, nodded with a smile, and then turned around and got into the carriage. After a moment, after a slight adjustment, the large group of people set off again towards Luoyang in the distance. Rush to the city.
"Seventh brother, what kind of thing is this North Gate bachelor? How can he be so ridiculous, huh!" Li Xian was really dissatisfied with Yan Chaoyin's oppressive words after taking Wu, and he sat in the car with a dark face. There was silence for a while, until the carriage started, and then he couldn't help but say something.
"Sixth brother, I don't know what's going on. I guess it's just a new institution established by my mother. As for the rest, I don't dare to make random guesses." Although Li Xian knew Empress Wu's intention of establishing the North Gate Bachelor's degree, he also He knew what the purpose of such an organization was, but he had no intention of exposing the truth so early. When Li Xian asked, he just gave a perfunctory reply.
"Nonsense, the imperial court is an important weapon of the country. How can you do it as a child's play? I really don't know my father..." Li Xian has already regarded Li Xian as a reliable confidant, so he naturally has no scruples when speaking, and his words are not just criticism. Even Emperor Gaozong got involved in Empress Wu's nonsense.
"Sixth brother, my father is a wise man, he will have his own opinions!" Li Xian did not want Li Xian to criticize Gaozong too casually, so he interrupted Li Xian with a solemn expression.
"Hmph!" Being interrupted by Li Xian, Li Xian also realized that his words were probably extremely inappropriate, but he was unwilling to admit his mistake in person, so he snorted angrily and remained silent with a cold face.
Tsk, my boy, my temper hasn’t changed much after all! When Li Xian saw Li Xian’s angry look, he couldn’t help but feel funny in his heart, but he didn’t want Li Xian to get jealous, so he nodded with a smile Said: "Sixth Brother, a bastard like the North Gate Bachelor is really not lovable, but I'm afraid there are people who are even more disliked than you and my brother. If Sixth Brother really wants to deal with him, he doesn't have to go out personally, so why bother to be dirty?" It's better to take your own hands and let others plan. You and I can just play the drums."
"Is this a sideshow? Ha, seventh brother can really think about it, that's all!" Li Xian was not stupid at all. He understood the meaning of Li Xian's words as soon as he heard it. He couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth and smiled slightly.