Pawn Crossing the River

Qi Xuansu and Qi Jiaozheng had initially reached a common intention. In fact, the two had already said it very openly. It was simply that Qi Xuansu supported Qi Jiaozheng as the Grand Master of the Zixiao Palace. Qi Jiaozheng reciprocated the favor and became a close ally of Qi Xuansu.

Just imagine, Qi Xuansu can influence the decision-making of the Grand Master to a certain extent, Zixiao Palace is the executive agency, and the Grand Master of the Palace is the first executor. After the two of them join forces, there are so many things they can do.

Furthermore, if Qi Xuansu becomes the chief counselor of Jinque and the master of Ziweitang, he is comparable to the foreign minister, and the master of Zixiao palace is comparable to the internal minister. If the inside and outside are united, he will really have power.

Even if you don’t think about the future, just focus on the present. Master Jiang Da took good care of Qi Xuansu and gave Qi Xuansu a lot of conveniences. However, Qi Xuansu could not take it for granted. When Master Jiang ascended and passed away, if the newly appointed master in charge of the palace, such as Su Yuanzai, did not take care of him, Qi Xuansu would be in trouble. Being constrained.

If the two are at odds, such as Yao Shu, then the Grand Master can even create discord between Qi Xuansu and the Grand Master. After all, Qi Xuansu cannot be with the Grand Master all day long. His job is to be the Master, but instead The Grand Master of Zixiao Palace can meet with the Grand Master every day, which is a huge advantage.

Therefore, Qi Xuansu must let someone close to him take the position.

Of course, the final decision was made by the Grand Master. Qi Xuansu didn't dare to vouch for it. If Master Donghua had other ideas, Qi Xuansu would naturally have no choice but to admit it. In Xiao Yin's words, loyalty!

Qi Xuansu and Qi Jiaozheng walked out one after another and did not leave Zixiao Palace together. If they walked together and fell into the eyes of others, they would inevitably infer many meanings. Because Qi Xuansu had to take Xiao Yin with him, he fell behind. As a result, he saw the Grand Master and the Emperor walking out of the Weiming Hall of Zixiao Palace.

"Wei Ming Palace" is taken from the Five Thousand Words of Taoist Patriarch: If you want to save something, you must strengthen it; if you want to weaken it, you must strengthen it; if you want to destroy it, you must strengthen it; if you want to seize it, you must strengthen it. In other words, it is called twilight. That is, the signing room of the Grand Master.

Logically speaking, the first Taoist priest and the second Taoist priest were talking alone inside, while their respective followers should wait respectfully outside.

However, after Donghua became the master, his first initiative was to avoid formality and eliminate bureaucracy. Although it is just a suggestion, who dares to violate it? It is said that there are three things a new official should do when he takes office, and he only has short-sightedness. At this time, he is going against the big leader and flattering the horse's hooves. Wouldn't it be unpleasant to have him come to his door? Therefore, there were only two people waiting outside Weiming Hall, namely Qin Lingge and Gong Jiaojun, and the others had dispersed.

Qi Xuansu was also part of the group, which was just a coincidence.

"Xuan Su, Xiao Yin." The Grand Master stopped Qi Xuan Su, "Why are you still here?"

Of course, elders can be called by their first names, and there is no such thing as swearing. You can also address your cousin by the same name, it all depends on the meaning of the elder.

Qi Xuansu first patted Xiao Yin with his hand to signal her not to talk nonsense, and then said: "Master, Master Zijiji. I just talked with Master Wanmiao about land trade routes. There are a total of ancient trade routes in the Western Regions. There are three routes, the first one is the most famous one, starting from Xijing. In addition, there are two routes from the north to the south: the south route starts from Dunhuang and goes west from Yangguan, and goes along the foothills of Kunlun Mountain and goes to Dawan in the west. ; The North Road goes west from Dunhuang, passes through Cheshiqian State, reaches Dawan, Kangju, and then goes west to join the South Road until Anxi, Tiaozhi and Daqin on the east coast of the Sea of ​​Poseidon.

"In addition, there is an ancient trade route that dates back more than 200 years. It is called the 'Shu Shendu Road'. 'Shu' is Shuzhou, and 'Shendu' is the ancient name of Posuzhou. It is a road that connects Shuzhou and Yunzhou. It is connected by Lingguan Road, Wuchitai, Qianzhongji Road and Bonan Road, with a total length of about 6,000 miles. It has always been an important hub for exchanges between the southwestern part of the Central Plains and Borneo and Borneo, and played an important role in the development of the East and the West. I have always wanted to reopen the land trade route, and Master Wan Miao coincides with me. "

The Grand Master waved his hand: "Okay, we can talk about these things later. I just talked about you with Master Ziji."

Qi Xuansu was a little surprised.

The Grand Master continued: "Ling Ge is a leader of the Confucian sect. You are considered the best among the eight generations of disciples of our Taoist sect. You two can compare notes."

The words were without beginning or end, without mentioning the cause or the process. It was just a discussion. I don’t know if the Grand Master and the Emperor made a bet or for other reasons.

However, Qi Xuansu was not surprised. Qin Lingge had mentioned it before.

From this point of view, this is well prepared.

The second Taoist priest wants to embarrass the first Taoist priest? Or is it paving the way for Li Changge in advance?

But these are not important anymore. Regardless of the overall situation, Qi Xuansu also dislikes Qin Lingge. He originally had no objection to Qin Lingge, but Qin Lingge took the initiative to provoke him at this time, which made him very unhappy.

Qi Xuansu said directly: "Master, please rest assured."

This is probably the most common thing Qi Xuansu said when facing Master Donghua, but he has never disappointed Master Donghua. Qi Xuansu's high value in front of Master Donghua was all created by himself. If he didn't say "Master, don't worry." "Why should you ask Master for advice on everything?"

The Great Master said: "Don't underestimate the enemy. Ling Ge is quite unique. After all, there are countless capable people in the world, and you are not the only one, Qi Xuansu."

Qi Xuansu said seriously: "Yes."

Master Ziji suddenly said: "Brother Pei Dao has accepted a good disciple."

The Grand Master smiled slightly: "Brother Qin's descendants are full of talents. Unlike me, I only have two disciples."

Master Ziji didn't seem to like joking: "Then I'll take my leave first."

The Grand Master also had no intention of sending him off: "Xuan Su, send Master Zi Daji to you for me."

Qi Xuansu accepted the order and accompanied the emperor to the outside world.

When they reached the entrance of Zixiao Palace, the emperor finally said: "Master Qi, please stop."

Qi Xuansu stopped and said, "Master Ziji, walk slowly."

Ning Lingge, who was following the emperor, paused deliberately and said with a smile: "Master Qi, I am looking forward to this discussion."

Qi Xuansu said lightly: "On the contrary to Mr. Qin, I don't look forward to these nonsense, and I even find it boring."

Xiao Yin imitated Qi Xuansu and said, "It's very boring."

Qin Lingge did not get angry and kept smiling: "I wonder what Mr. Qi is interested in?"

Qi Xuansu said: "If Mr. Qin can help me open up four ancient trade routes and boost the inland economy, then I will be very interested."

Xiao Yin followed suit again: "Interested."

Qin Lingge said: "So it turns out that Master Qi is a practical person, pragmatic and not unrealistic. But please rest assured, Master Qi, this time it is definitely not as simple as talking."

"Oh?" Qi Xuansu said without any sincerity, "That's really great."

Xiao Yinxue was addicted: "It's great."

Qi Xuansu patted Xiao Yin's head.

Xiao Yin held her head in her hands and finally stopped learning.

However, after being disturbed by Xiao Yin, the atmosphere was in a mess. Not to mention the smell of gunpowder, it was even a bit funny. Qin Lingge had no intention of continuing to provoke Qi Xuansu: "We will compete at Jinque tomorrow morning. I will wait for Master Qi to give me advice. I will take my leave."

Before Qi Xuansu opened his mouth, Xiao Yin had already said loudly: "I won't send it away!"

Qin Lingge's expression was very strange, probably because he had never encountered such a strange person like Xiao Yin. Whether it was the royal family or the Confucian sect, they were all well-behaved and did not dare to step outside the thunder pool. The king and father are above him, and the dignity of the teacher. Is ethics child's play? But I can't raise such a small child.

But looking at Qi Xuansu's appearance, he doesn't care about these things. He doesn't look like a father.

As the old saying goes, it takes three generations to dress and eat. Qi Xuansu became prosperous too quickly, but at heart he was still a fool. He didn't know how to pass down poems and books, and he didn't know how to educate his children. He was afraid that he would die in three generations.

Qi Xuansu didn't think much, turned around and entered Zixiao Palace, heading straight to Weiming Palace.

Naturally, Gong Jiaojun would not stop him and Qi Xuansu pushed the door open directly.

Compared with Ziweitang's signature room, the Grand Master's signature room is different. First of all, it is big. Qi Xuansu's signature room in the Western Region Taoist Mansion is already very large, but Weiming Hall is three times the size of Qi Xuansu's signature room. Almost ready to go to court.

An entire wall of the pledge room is covered with a majestic rosewood bookcase, which is filled with various files and precious books, including many of the notes and writings of the great masters of the past dynasties.

Since the Sixth Generation Grand Master ascended to the throne, this place has been closed. No one is allowed in except Zhenren Jiang Dazhen, so many files are out of date and need to be updated slowly.

At this time, the new Grand Master was standing in front of the bookcase, pulling out a stack of files from the bookcase labeled "Ziweitang" and slowly flipping through it.

Qi Xuansu came to a stop not far away and shouted softly: "Master."

"Back." The Grand Master responded, but did not raise his head, still browsing the file in his hand, "What do you think of this so-called competition?"

Qi Xuansu pondered for a moment: "In the past, Master Ziji hid behind the scenes and let Master Qingwei compete with us. This time, Master Qingwei understood the righteousness deeply, put the interests of the Taoist sect first, recognized the election results, and Master was successfully elected to the seventh place. Master Dai Da, Master Ziji finally had no choice but to come to the stage in person."

The Grand Master closed the file in his hand and looked at Qi Xuansu: "Go on."

Qi Xuansu said: "I have always heard that Master Zi Jiji has a heart as high as the sky. He has said several times that he is only an emperor, not a son of heaven, and a father, not a saint. The meaning behind his words is nothing more than that. It was the Grand Master who took away the identity of the Emperor, and the Grand Master is the saint. It is said that Master Ziji also said that one day he will regain the identity of the Emperor. So in my opinion, this so-called competition is a test. If we give in, he will push forward."

The Grand Master sighed: "I think so too. After all, the Imperial Master is getting old, and Master Qingwei knows the importance. Only the Emperor is in his prime and ambitious, but he is a serious concern."

Without outsiders, the conversation between the master and the apprentice was very straightforward without much scruples.

Qi Xuansu hesitated for a moment and said softly: "And the Earth Master..."

The Grand Master was silent for a moment: "Let's not talk about the earth master's matter. After all, this is our internal conflict."

Qi Xuansu couldn't say anything else, so he could only say: "Yes."