The Moon Over Tang Dynasty

 Chapter 143: Excellent Chess  Unparalleled Famous Posts

In spite of the objections of Changsun Wuji and other ministers, Emperor Gaozong insisted on letting Jiang Xiaozhang become the Fengyu of Shang Yao Bureau?

Liuli looked at Pei Xingjian in confusion, "What's the objection to this matter? Imperial Physician Chiang had great medical skills and was proficient in pharmacology. Although his temper was a bit eccentric, he was still an upright person. Not to mention that he cured Wu Zhaoyi. In the past few months, Shang Shang had been suffering from frequent headaches. Didn't he get better after some treatment? He was originally the imperial doctor, so now it's logical to promote him to the first level of imperial medicine. Besides, who is in charge of Shang Yao Bureau? Feng Yu has nothing to do with the government, so why should Captain Changsun and the others oppose it?"

Pei Xingjian shook his head and smiled, and explained, "You don't know something. According to the imperial staff, there are two Fengyu in the Shangyao Bureau. Now that the quota is full, the Holy One has promoted Jiang Xiaozhang to Fengyu, which is unreasonable. Therefore, the Holy One is He ordered the promotion of Imperial Doctor Chiang to serve as a special imperial officer. Although he was a non-commissioned officer, he was treated the same as a regular officer. Changsun Taiwei said that since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, there has never been a principle of equal treatment for foreign officials. This is a precedent. It’s really inappropriate. If the system is broken for the sake of an imperial doctor, how will the imperial court gain the trust of the world in the future?”

Liuli nodded. Yes, the civil servants of the Tang Dynasty were also organized. Promoting an imperial doctor was a small matter, but breaking the rules was a big deal. But if this was the case, "Why did the Holy Spirit promote him anyway?"

Pei Xingjian said calmly, "The Holy One said that Chiang's imperial doctor's achievements were unprecedented, so it was natural for him to enjoy unprecedented favors. However, his achievements involved internal affairs. He did not want to announce it to the world. If the Taiwei really wanted to know, he I have no choice but to speak out and show the officials and the people of the world what it means to promote him as a special official."

Liuli immediately understood that Wu Zetian's back-up plan had probably been activated. It must have been the imperial doctor Jiang who discovered the Queen's methods that were not conducive to Wu Zhaoyi and Gaozong, and thus made a great contribution, which made Gaozong determined to promote him, " What did Captain Sun say?"

Pei Xingjian's tone was slightly sarcastic, "What else can I say? Since the matter involves internal affairs, it is good for Your Majesty to make the decision, and it is inconvenient for ministers to comment."

Liuli couldn't help laughing: Gaozong was clearly threatening Changsun Wuji. If you don't let me promote Jiang Xiaozhang, I will expose the crimes of Queen Wang to the world. In this way, the act of deposing the queen will never be done again. There was no room for turning around. Changsun Wuji probably didn't know anything about the harem, so he was caught off guard and naturally didn't dare to take this gamble. This move is really good! But I heard Pei Xingjian sigh, "If we use the chess game as a metaphor, this move by the Holy Master is a wonderful one. After this incident, most of the situation in the court has been reversed."

Liuli couldn't help but be stunned. He promoted an imperial doctor. Even if he promoted an imperial doctor, it blocked Changsun Wuji's mouth. But how could it be wonderful and how could it turn around the situation in the court?

Pei Xingjian saw Liuli's look and smiled slightly, "Li Sheren's matter has been taught to the officials of the Manchu Dynasty clearly. Those who are at odds with the eldest grandson Taiwei can still be retained in the court as long as they comply with the holy will. The Taiwei has nothing to do. ; The matter of Chiang Imperial Doctor will teach the people of the world that even if the emperor wants to reuse someone, even if the Taiwei opposes it, even if he violates the regulations, he can still be promoted and enjoy favors. It should be noted that the imperial court has a limited number of staff, and outside the staff. As soon as the Tongzheng case was opened, many people had a straight path to success! As a result, people's attitudes will naturally change in the future."

I see! If the matter in Li Yifu was an unexpected gain, then Jiang Xiaozhang's promotion was a carefully planned move. The timing and selection were just right. He was so calm and contained murderous intent. It looked like Wu Zetian's handiwork... Liuli thought After half a day, she felt that her brain was really not enough. In this situation, she couldn't even understand chess, let alone play chess. She couldn't help but sigh, "It has nothing to do with us anyway."

Pei Xingjian glanced at Liuli in surprise and laughed, "How could it be irrelevant? If my guess is right, within a month, Li Sheren, Xu Xueshi and others will be promoted one after another, and I...maybe will join the Ministry of Personnel."

Liu Li was taken aback, and Pei Xingjian's face gradually became serious, "The Ministry of Personnel has been controlled by Prime Minister Chu and Liu Shangshu in the past few years. The most difficult thing to do is to get rid of water. When the Holy One called me into the palace, he once said In a word, I should be a Langguan so that I can make the best use of my talents."

Liuli was a little dumbfounded. Although she was not familiar with government affairs, she also knew that the most important one among the three provinces and six ministries was the Ministry of Personnel. Becoming a minister like the Ministry of Personnel and Yuanwailang was the dream of many officials in the Tang Dynasty, but for As far as Pei Xingjian was concerned, he was getting further and further away from his dream of staying away from the whirlpool... Looking at Pei Xingjian's expression, which was not pleasant at all, she wanted to say something, but she didn't know where to start, so she could only reach out and hold him. palm.

Pei Xingjian looked down at Liuli and smiled, then pulled her into his arms and patted her back comfortingly. He changed the topic when he spoke, "I heard that Aunt Zheng came here once today. When she went out, Almost cried with joy?"

Liuli burst into laughter, and finally managed to stop her smile, and said seriously, "Exactly! Thanks to her for teaching me today, she finally told me that this property was sold well, for two hundred thousand yuan. The price is also right, and they, as uncles and aunts, will never interfere. Naturally, I have to thank her for such kindness. "

Pei Xingjian couldn't help laughing, and pinched Liuli's cheek gently, "If anyone underestimates you, it will be enough for them to drink a pot!"

Liuli smiled and remained silent. Pei Xingjian paused for a moment and then asked, "Since there is nothing going on here, have you thought about how to deal with the two hundred thousand yuan?"

Liuli's heart skipped a beat and she said with a smile, "Don't worry, these 200,000 yuan will not be spent on us. Naturally, it is for the whole clan to benefit. I also told Aunt Zheng today that we I will ask them to be witnesses when I deliver the goods to the eldest princess, but I will never let anyone find fault with me.”

Pei Xingjian stared into Liuli's eyes and smiled thoughtfully for a while, "It's fine if you think it's appropriate! But when will the delivery be delivered? Has it been decided now?"

Liuli sighed softly, "It hasn't been decided yet. I think it will only last a few days."

 What she is waiting for now is just the bad news.

But in the next few days, everything was surprisingly calm. On the tenth day of the lunar month, the price quoted by the shopkeepers and village heads in Luoyang finally arrived. As expected, it was exactly 200,000 yuan. Zheng Wanniang came again the next day and finalized the deal immediately. The price is 220,000 yuan. Zheng Wanniang added that if the gold and silver items could be discounted, or some fractions could be borrowed on credit, the Hedong Duke's Mansion would be well prepared. Liuli could only smile and say that there was no rush, it would be better to deliver it clearly at once, and he also had to make some preparations on his side.

At the court, just as Pei Xingjian expected, Li Yifu was quickly promoted to be the Minister of Zhongshu in charge of the actual affairs of Zhongshu Province. However, this time, Changsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang and others showed no reaction. Pei Xingjian went to court and went to the county government office every day as a routine, and returned home in the afternoon without any signs of abnormality. It was not until two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival that he came home late, carefully holding a box in his hand. Liuli was impatient for a long time and hurriedly went up to greet him and asked, "Why are you coming back so late today?"

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "Xiang Chu called me over today."

 Chu Suiliang is looking for him? Liuli's heart suddenly became excited and she quickly asked, "Why does he want to come to you?"

Pei Xingjian glanced at Liuli in surprise and handed the box in his hand to her, "That's what it's for."

Liuli was puzzled and opened the sandalwood box, which was more than a foot long. Inside was a small scroll framed with purple silk. She hurriedly wiped her hands with a handkerchief, then carefully took it out and unfolded it. It was just a piece of white linen paper of ordinary size. The surface of the paper was slightly yellow. On it were a few lines of elegant modern grass. The charm flowed coherently. , the handwriting is strong and free and easy. Liuli only glanced at it and then praised it, "Great post!"

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "Although your handwriting is a bit childish, your vision is very sophisticated."

Liuli looked at it for a while, then shook her head, "I can't recognize whose calligraphy it is. It doesn't seem to be Wang Youjun's?"

There was a rare hint of pride in Pei Xingjian’s smile, “It’s Zhang Boying’s authentic work!”

 The authentic work of Zhang Zhi, the sage of grass? Liuli couldn't help but be surprised. Although this calligrapher of the Eastern Han Dynasty had a prestigious reputation as a grass sage, not many authentic works had been handed down. She had been in the palace for two years, and because both Wu Zetian and Gaozong loved calligraphy, she had seen many of them. Young Wang Xizhi’s posts, but Zhang Zhi’s have only seen two, and now this is the third one. She looked at it hurriedly and carefully twice and nodded silently.

Pei Xingjian also cleaned his hands and dried them carefully with a Ge towel before taking the calligraphy from Liuli's hand. "Zhang Boying's original handwriting is the most rare. I tried my best back then, but I could only borrow four or five of them." I only copied three of them, which is extremely lucky, so Prime Minister Chu came to me today and asked me to help him identify them. Look, how could this kind of paper and handwriting be fake? Among all the authentic works, it must be of the highest quality.”

Liuli asked, "Since it is an authentic work, why did Prime Minister Chu ask you to bring it back?"

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "Of course he asked me to prepare a few for him."

Liuli nodded silently. When it comes to calligraphy, Chu Suiliang is recognized as the best in the world, but he is better at regular script, while Pei Xingjian is good at cursive calligraphy, and is even better at cursive calligraphy. At that time, Emperor Gaozong had collected the calligraphy in the palace. I found all the famous calligraphy in cursive script and asked Pei Xingjian to read it. Now that Chu Suiliang had Zhang Zhi's authentic calligraphy, it was logical to ask him to help copy a few of them. Just thinking of the name Chu Suiliang made her feel a little uneasy. After thinking about it, she could only ask, "Have you agreed on when to return the copybook to him?"

Pei Xingjian said, "That's not to say. It's a matter of chance that a good post comes out. I have to send it several times in the past few days. Zhang Boying's post is really rare."

Liuli glanced at the copybook, which was probably worth a thousand dollars, and then at Pei Xingjian, who was quite happy. She felt that the uneasy feeling in her heart was getting stronger. However, Pei Xingjian lowered his head and looked at the copybook intently. For a long time, Then he looked up and saw Liuli's face. He was startled for a moment and then laughed, "Don't worry, I have my own sense of discretion."

Just as he loses his mind when he sees good paintings, Pei Xingjian's reaction when he sees good calligraphy seems to be similar... Liuli lowered her eyes and sighed silently.

However, the Mid-Autumn Festival in the sixth year of Yonghui passed smoothly. The only surprise was that the mooncake soup that Liuli asked the cook to cook with lotus root starch, lotus seeds, and longan was overcooked because the cook had left it for a long time. A little of the transparent lotus root powder turned into water, so I had to make it again.

On the second day, Liuli had just had breakfast when Ani reported back that Xue Nu wanted to see him for something.

p.s. "Zi Zhi Tong Jian": In August of the sixth year of Yonghui, "Shang Yao served as an imperial minister to Jiang Xiaozhang, who was appointed as a member of the imperial family, but he was still an official." This was the first time for officials in the Tang Dynasty to have "the same official position as an official"...

 (End of this chapter)