Two more days passed, and the Wang family's alcohol prohibition case suddenly fell silent again, as if it had been frozen. No one was arrested anymore, and the three arrested people were not interrogated, and there was no explanation.
However, Yipinju Restaurant and Jinshi Restaurant were still sealed, and the three farms and more than a dozen shops of the Wang family were also sealed and controlled by the military, and no one was allowed to approach them.
More importantly, everyone was talking about this matter in public places. After making a fuss on the first day, it became more like adding a pot of kerosene on the second day. Everyone was in wine shops, brothels, and inns.
Talk about it.
The whole incident seemed to be restrained by an invisible force, making people feel an abnormal silence and a kind of depression before a volcano is about to erupt.
At noon, Xue Shou, the young minister of Taichang Temple, rode to the gate of the Wang Family Mansion. Since the court meeting on the diligent and thrifty founding of the country was held, many measures began to be implemented one by one.
This includes officials' new court uniforms no longer being made of silk but fine linen, and officials under the age of sixty no longer allowed to ride in horse-drawn carriages but instead ride on horseback.
Xue Shou rode a horse to the gate of the palace. He was a little worried. He had also heard about the alcohol prohibition case that happened in the Wang family, but he didn't understand how the Wang family could make such a stupid mistake.
It would be understandable if it was done by a member of the Wang family without authorization, but if it was arranged by Wang Xu, it would be a kind of political stupidity.
Xue Shou is an important figure in the Xue family in Hedong. The Fenyin Xue family is also one of the famous families in Hedong, second only to the Wenxi Pei family and the Taiyuan Wang family.
The most famous figures of his family in the Sui Dynasty were Wu and Wen, Wu was Xue Shixiong, Wen was Xue Daoheng, and Xue Shou was Xue Daoheng's son.
Xue Shou is in his early thirties this year. He has a handsome appearance, tall and thin body, and speaks elegantly and calmly. He has never forgotten what he read since he was a child. He can write poems and poems at the age of five. He is known as a child prodigy. He is deeply loved by his father Xue Daoheng.
When he was sixteen years old, Xue Daoheng sent him to Wang Xue. The Confucian king Tong of Hedong accepted him as his apprentice and carefully educated and trained Xue Shou, so that Xue Shou gradually became an outstanding talent with outstanding talents and learning.
When Yang Yuanqing led his army to occupy Hedong and established the new Sui Dynasty, Wang Xu recommended him to Yang Yuanqing and named him Taichang Shaoqing.
Xue Shou's worry was not just about the Wang family's illegal brewing. It was about the dangerous confrontation between the Wang family and the imperial court. This time Wang Xu mobilized his party members to oppose the Sui army's attack on the Central Plains. It was nominally because of the escape of the farm tenants, but Xue Shou felt that
There are deeper reasons.
As a member of the royal party, he has gradually been involved in the vortex of this struggle, which makes Xue Shou feel worried and even scared. He is not ready. He is even more worried that he will become a victim of the political struggle.
Xue Shuang came to the side door of the Wang's Mansion and got off his horse. He never walked in front of the Wang's house. He always entered the palace through the side door. As soon as he reached the steps, the door opened and a young man, about twenty-seven or eight, came out.
, none other than Wang Ling, Wang Xu’s son.
Xue Shou was startled. Isn't Wang Ling in Chang'an? It is said that he is still serving as an aide to Prince Li Jiancheng. Of course, this is just a means for the Tang Dynasty to win over Wang Xu.
Xue Shou had been classmates with him for five years, and he knew very well that Wang Ling's talents and learning were very ordinary, not outstanding at all, and he also liked to have sex with prostitutes, drink wine, and be debauched.
Wang Ling saw Xue Shou at a glance and was immediately overjoyed, "Brother Bo Bao, what a coincidence!"
Xue Shou didn't like this Wang Ling, so he smiled faintly. "Yes! We haven't seen each other for several years. Are you okay, dear brother?"
"I'm very good. I heard that Brother Bobao was appointed as Taichang Shaoqing, which is enviable, but I'm also good. I was appointed as a worshiper in the Donggong Literature Museum. Do you know about this?"
Wang Ling took off a gold medal from his waist and waved it in front of Xue Shou proudly, "There are only twelve people in the East Palace Literature Hall who can enjoy the treatment of the fourth grade."
Xue Shou smiled slightly and said, "Congratulations to my virtuous brother on your advancement. We will talk some other time. Is your father here?"
Seeing that he was not interested in his gold medal, Wang Ling had no choice but to accept it and asked, "Has Brother Bo Bao made an appointment with my father?"
"Your Majesty asked me to come and talk when I have time in the past two days, and I happen to be free this morning."
Xue Shou seemed to feel something, and he hesitated and asked: "Isn't he... not here?"
A look of embarrassment appeared on Wang Ling's face, "How about Brother Bo Bao come back in the afternoon! My father happens to have guests in the morning, so I'm afraid it won't be inconvenient to meet him."
Xue Shou saw Wang Ling's eyes flickering, and his mind suddenly moved, 'Could it be that... someone from the Tang Dynasty has arrived?
Xue Shou smiled quietly and said, "Your Majesty, you have something important to ask me. How could I not see you? It doesn't matter if I wait."
After saying that, he walked quickly towards the side door. Wang Ling quickly stopped him and said, "Brother Bobao, my father does have important guests. In your capacity, I won't meet him in person. Come back in the afternoon or evening!"
"I see!"
Xue Shou pointed to him with a smile, "So you came to Taiyuan for official business, why didn't you tell me?"
Wang Ling smiled a little awkwardly, "Well... Brother Wang Bobao understands my little brother's difficulties, so don't tell anyone about it."
Xue Shou chuckled, "I understand, okay! I'll come back another day. I happen to have something to do, so I'll take the first step."
Xue Shougong handed over his hands, mounted his horse and rode away.
Wang Ling originally wanted to invite him to have a drink with him, but after thinking about it, he held back. His father was talking about a critical moment and the matter was so important that he had to hold back.
Wang Ling turned around and went back to his house...".".
In the study room of the palace, Wang Xu was indeed secretly receiving an important envoy from the Tang Dynasty, Wen Daya, the minister of the Ministry of Industry of the Tang Dynasty.
Wen Daya was also from Taiyuan. The Wen and Wang families were family friends and were married to each other. Wang Xu's wife was the daughter of the Wen family, so Li Yuan had good intentions when he sent Wen Daya.
"In this battle of the Central Plains, although Yang Yuanqing did not withdraw his troops due to internal pressure, the Holy One does not deny the efforts made by Brother Haoning. The Holy One asked me to tell you that he said that Wang Shijun did a good job this time and made the Sui Dynasty
There has been internal division and it should be rewarded."
As Wen Daya spoke, he carefully placed a jade unicorn on the table and said with a smile: "This is the jade unicorn given to Brother Haoning by the Holy One. In addition, he was named the Duke of Jinyang County. The Holy One hopes that you can continue to serve as a great figure for the Tang Dynasty."
Effectiveness.”
Wang Xu took the jade unicorn and looked at it carefully. The unicorn was carved from the most precious Hetian jade. It was green and round, without any flaws. It was the best jade. There was a line of gold characters engraved on the base: Imperial gift to the prince of Jinyang County.
thread.
Wang Xu was moved in his heart. It was Tang Dynasty Emperor Li Yuan who treated him kindly. In contrast, Yang Yuanqing treated him so coldly and coldly. He had forgotten that it was his son who first served as an enshrinement in the Donggong Literature Museum.
Wang Xu was dismissed from the prime minister a few months ago. He could not accept his fate and accept his demotion calmly, because the Tang Dynasty offered him the title of Minister of Rites, while the price offered to his brother Wang Su was the title of Right Minister of the Ministry of Hubu.
How could he still be loyal to the Sui Dynasty when he was deposed on one hand and tempted by huge profits on the other. He had secretly pledged allegiance to Li Yuan and surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. He refused to go to Zhao County to serve as the governor and stayed in Taiyuan claiming to be ill just to control him.
Party members in the DPRK.
After the war in the Central Plains began, Wang Xu received a secret letter from the Tang Dynasty, asking him to find a way to hold back the Sui army. At this time, many ministers complained that if the Sui army captured the Central Plains, all the tenants of the manor would be lost.
Many people are resistant.
Wang Xu took advantage of this emotion, using the excuse that the court was in financial crisis and that the Sui Dynasty could not support the big ship of the Central Plains, and secretly ordered his party members to launch a massive "Signature of the War Against the Central Plains..." Even the two prime ministers of Ziwei Pavilion
He also signed signatures in support and exerted strong pressure on the court.
The only regret for Wang Xu was that the imperial court was unable to control the army, and the army was directly in the hands of Yang Yuanqing. Yang Yuanqing withstood the pressure and completed the Central Plains Campaign. This result made Wang Xu ashamed of Li Yuan's expectations for him.
Wang Xu sighed, "I have been favored by the Holy One, but Wang is unable to repay the Holy One. I feel extremely ashamed. If I had known about this, I should have gone to Chang'an with the army, and I would not have suffered the humiliation today."
Wen Daya smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty, please don't blame yourself. You have done a good job. I hope you can continue your efforts next time and make full use of the Wang family's connections in Hedong to achieve results."
Wang Xu pondered for a moment and said: "I have an idea now. After the Sui army took over the Central Plains, they had to resettle the victims and revive the people's livelihood. This would require a large amount of food. It is obvious that the court is short of food. Just relying on diligence and frugality is not enough. Finally,
, they will definitely take advantage of the surplus grain in the hands of farmers in Hedong. I heard that the Sui Dynasty has begun to purchase the surplus grain in the hands of farmers. I can use the influence of the Wang family to call on farmers to boycott the purchase of surplus grain. Once there is a conflict with the government, it will seriously affect the country.
In fact, many people in Hedong are dissatisfied with the subsidies to Hebei due to the reputation of the Sui Dynasty. As long as we continue to mislead and publicize, conflicts will easily arise."
Wen Daya stroked his beard and nodded, "The method of shaking the foundation of the Sui Dynasty is indeed good, but the emperor wants safety first and learns to protect himself. Yang Yuanqing is extremely shrewd. Once he discovers any clues, he will
I will never let you go, Your Majesty does not want anything to happen to the Wang family."
Wang Xu thought of the alcohol prohibition case. This was indeed a big headache for him. There had been no progress in the past three days. He even asked the princess to intercede, but there was no news. It was like a hammer hanging in his heart. He didn't know.
When will it fall?
"Brother Haoning, what happened?"
Wen Daya noticed that Wang Xu was a little unnatural and seemed to have something on his mind. Wang Xu forced a smile and said, "It's nothing. It's just that my two nephews violated the ban by selling alcohol and were exposed. It's a little troublesome. I'm trying to find a way to calm it down now."
This matter."
"Is the problem serious?" Wen Daya asked worriedly.
"It shouldn't be serious. I have asked the princess to intercede. The government has frozen the matter for the past two days and has not investigated it further. It is estimated that after the major issue is reduced to a minor issue and the public opinion subsides, there should be nothing wrong."
"Despite this, you still can't be careless. Try to intercede with the powerful. You have to accept the punishment you deserve. In short, keep peace first."
Wang Xu nodded. He had already prepared for the worst. If he really couldn't save his son, there was nothing he could do.