On March 20th, more than a month had passed since Prince Yi's rebellion. Caishikou in Chang'an City would behead a group of prisoners every day. Sometimes there were thousands of prisoners, and sometimes there were hundreds. When the order to send Fang Jie to Yongzhou in the southwest came out, Fang Jie made a rough estimate. In the past month or so, the emperor had beheaded at least 30,000 people.
This time when he went to Yongzhou, Fang Jie’s identity was an imperial envoy, so there were not a few people in his entourage. In addition to the people around him, Luo Weiran also transferred a flying fish robe from the fifty inner guards to accompany him. Mu Xiaoyao Command these people as a thousand households. In addition, several officials from the Ministry of Rites accompanied him.
Fang Jie took Dagou and Qilin to leave, and went to Qingle Mountain to find the ten elite soldiers who protected Wu Yinyu. These ten people are Fang Jie's secret strength and cannot be easily exposed. So Fang Jie arranged for Big Dog and Qilin to contact them, and after finding them, they rushed directly from Qingle Mountain to Yongzhou. When you get there, don't join Fang Xie's team, but wait secretly for Fang Xie to contact them.
Ever since he was imprisoned in the prison of Ouchi's guards for half a year, Fang Xie has become more and more cautious in doing things. Although the black boy Yan Kuang, the scholar Chen Xiaoru, and the strong man Nie Xiaoju have been with him for a while, but Fang Jie doesn't completely trust these three people. Relatively speaking, Fang Jie would rather trust the ten foreign camps who are still unfamiliar.
It has already been prepared, so it will not appear flustered to start immediately. Fang Jie planned to leave Beijing early the next morning. After receiving the order, he decided to say goodbye to the people he knew well. He always had a premonition, faintly feeling that if he left Chang'an this time, he might not come back for a long time. It was precisely because of this bad premonition that he had to bring everyone around him with him.
Of course, this feeling may just be that he is too cautious to worry about gains and losses.
Before he went out, a servant in a green coat and a hat came outside the shop first. Ask for a solution and hand over an invitation. Fang Jie took a look and saw that there were a lot of names on the invitation. They are all court officials, including the newly appointed Minister of Rites Yang Shouquan and Minister of War Zong Lianghu. There are also many honorable children, and even a few princes of the county.
It stands to reason that for a person with such an identity, the invitation should be sent separately. But now that so many people of high status gather together, it is obvious that there is some deep meaning. Fang Jie thought for a while and then came to his senses, and couldn't help but smile in his heart. These big shots are going to see him off and treat him at the Mercury Tower. The reason why so many people only sent out one invitation card is still related to Prince Yi's case.
Now is the time when the government is sensitive, if these big figures send invitations to Fang Jie one by one, it will obviously attract a lot of attention. The censors at Yushitai put in all their energy to recruit some important figures. If they knew about it, they would inevitably participate in a few books.
These people had obviously discussed in private, and only then did they decide to get together to see Fang Xie off. The place where so many big figures received an invitation card was not the most luxurious place in Chang'an City, and they deliberately showed a low profile, just not wanting to be caught by others.
Although Prince Yi's treason case is almost over, its influence is getting wider and wider. Officials have been secretly hostile to each other, but now they are biting each other on the surface. Everyone hopes to take this opportunity to send their opponents to the prison of the Ministry of Justice. As long as they have a relationship with Prince Yi, they will have to peel off their skins if they don't die.
If it wasn't for the emperor Longyan being furious later, he lost his temper in the court hall and scolded several officials who were biting each other, I'm afraid this situation will intensify.
At such a sensitive time, naturally they should not be too ostentatious when they saw Fang Jie off.
Of course, many of these people are the backbone of the current imperial court. If someone targets them, they will be afraid before they know it. For example, Yang Shouquan, the newly promoted minister of rites, has some thin blood of the Sui royal family on his body. In terms of seniority, he is still the cousin of the current emperor. Zong Lianghu, the servant of the Ministry of War, is becoming more and more important in the imperial court. After all, the next major actions of the court will be centered on the Ministry of War.
Huai Qiugong is already too old. It is said that after Prince Yi conspired against him, he became ill and never went out. But Mou Liangbi's life and death are unknown now, and there is no news at all. So these two people are very likely to go further in a very short period of time.
Naturally, Fang Jie couldn't refuse the invitations of these big shots.
He confessed a few words to everyone, changed his clothes and walked out of the shop. Following the servant in the green coat and hat, he found the Mercury Building not far from East Ershisanjie Street.
The list on the invitation was already shocking enough, but after Fang Xie arrived at the Mercury Building, he realized that the list was only part of it.
Today, the important figures in the Mercury Building include Luo Weiran, the commander of the Ouchi Bodyguard Office, Zhuo Buyi who is second only to Luo Wei in the Ouchi Bodyguard Office, and even the old Shangshu Huaiqiu Gong from the Ministry of Rites who has not recovered from his illness. . Among them, several young masters are also eye-catching.
The young man with a white face and no need to be of medium stature is Yang Yansi, the prince of Guojun, the tall and thin man with eagle nose and scalloped eyes is Yang Yanlei, the prince of Pingjun, and the handsome young man standing behind them is the eldest son of Yang Kai, the prince of Xujun. Yang Yanhui. Because the news of the defeat in the Northwest War has not been announced, His Majesty has no order to deal with it. But even so, Fang Jie still saw uneasiness and apprehension on the face of Yang Yanhui, the prince of Xujun, and he must have known the news.
With so many celebrities, Fang Jie felt a little uneasy.
…
…
After exchanging pleasantries, everyone sat down. Because there were a lot of people, and they were all famous people, so the flattered owner of the Mercury Building cleverly put up a closed sign outside, and then asked the staff to rearrange the hall, and then he went to the back kitchen to watch for fear of the dishes. A little blemish appears.
There were indeed a lot of people here, and four tables were seated.
As the person with the highest seniority and prestige, Huai Qiugong, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was supported by everyone to sit at the head of the table in the middle, and since Fang Jie was the guest of the banquet today, he sat next to Huai Qiugong. On the other side of Huai Qiugong is Luo Weiran, the commander of the Ouchi Guard Office, and the others are Yang Shouquan, Minister of Rites, Zong Lianghu, Minister of Military Affairs, and several princes' princes.
The other officials, Xungui, sat down at other tables, talking and laughing, and the scene was very lively and harmonious.
Fang Jie bowed to everyone, the corner of his mouth was a little stiff when he smiled.
"Fang Jie."
Huai Qiugong, whose complexion was obviously not very good, smiled at him and said: "Looking at the scene today, the old man is a little jealous of you. So many people saw you off, saying that you are now the hottest young man in Chang'an City Not too talented."
Fang Jie hurriedly said a few words humbly, saying that you people are not willing to disclose any information beforehand, so I was taken aback when I got here.
"Youth is successful, and the spring breeze is proud."
Huai Qiugong said with a smile: "It reminds me of when I was young, the first time I traveled as an imperial envoy, it didn't seem like today."
Luo Weiran said, "Old Huai, if you say that again, you will scare Fang Jie into peeing his pants."
Huai Qiugong laughed loudly, although his complexion was bad, he seemed to be in a good mood. He patted Fang Jie's shoulder and said gently: "What are you afraid of? What the old man said is not a lie. Besides, I need to flatter him, a little guy? If I have status, I can't be proud of being a man with my tail between my legs all day long. Then what's the use of status?"
"Young people are proud, so don't be too depressed."
Fang Jie just laughed along, not understanding what these people meant today. But Luo Weiran and Zhuo Buyi were there, obviously these people would not have any malicious intentions. Coupled with the fact that Huai Qiugong's high status kept showing favor, Fang Jie suddenly found out that he really had such a status in Chang'an City.
It's just that I haven't noticed it all the time, and I don't feel that I have really succeeded in doing something.
"Master Xiao Fang is young and promising, he should be a role model for my generation. At such an age, he is the first one to travel on behalf of the emperor since the founding of the Sui Dynasty."
Yang Yansi, the son of Guojun Prince, is a gentle and elegant person, and he speaks in a soft voice: "If I remember correctly, Master Xiaofang is not yet seventeen this year, right?"
"Hui Shizi, that's right."
Fang Jie replied humbly.
Yang Yanlei, Prince Pingjun's son, said with a smile: "A man of sixteen or seventeen has just come of age, and he acts and talks a lot with a childish air. I wait, and I can only feel ashamed."
The others also agreed one after another, and they were all flattering words that made people happy and uneasy. Fang Jie stayed with him for a while, then excused himself to go to the toilet and got up to leave the table. When he left, he glanced at Zhuo Buyi, Zhuo Buyi understood, and walked out of the hall with him.
"What's the matter?"
Fang Jie took Zhuo Buyi's hand and asked, "The scene is too big for people to get used to."
Zhuo Buyi smiled and said, "As far as you don't know, when His Majesty and many adults were discussing matters in Dongnuan Pavilion a few days ago, he mentioned to a few senior scholars that he intends to let you be the prince's attendant after returning from the southwest. University Scholar Niu Huilun said that you are talented, educated and good-natured, and he took the lead in agreeing. Many people know about this, why don’t you know?”
Only then did Fang Xie suddenly realize that Mu San was sent by the emperor to deliver an edict to Eastern Xinjiang, and the news in the palace was cut off. He didn't know about it at all... The prince's attendant, doesn't seem like a high-ranking official, does he? In Fang Jie's impression, aren't the servants and the like all children who are about the same age as the prince
Seeing the doubts in Fang Jie's eyes, Zhuo Buyi rolled his eyes at him and said: "During Emperor Zhenzong's reign, after Mr. Huai won the number one prize, he was first appointed as the Prince's attendant and walked in the East Palace. Later... it was the Prince Shao Fu, and then the Prince Grand Tutor! Why does Huai Lao have such a high status? Because he is the emperor's teacher!"
Zhuo Buyi sighed, "You don't even know that you have become a popular celebrity, you are too closed to the news."
"Shidu... Isn't Shidu the one who chooses children of the same age as the prince from among the children of princes and ministers, and plays and reads with the prince?"
Fang Jie asked in surprise.
"Why do you think so?"
Zhuo Buyi was surprised: "Who told you this?"
Fang Jie wanted to say, would you believe what he knew from watching TV dramas in his previous life, but he naturally couldn’t say so, he just shook his head: “I’m just a frontier soldier, so I don’t know so many things. Just ignorant."
"The prince reads..."
Zhuo Buyi sighed: "This is a great status. Although the position of a servant is not high, but the status is supernatural. When the prince was young, the emperor would choose young, talented and knowledgeable people from Wenyuan Pavilion and Shuhua Pavilion. People serve as the prince's attendant, in fact, they supervise the prince's study. After the prince's coming-of-age ceremony, the status of attendant will jump up. There are usually three people who teach the prince's studies. One teaches literature, one teaches martial arts, and the other is Responsible for the safety of the prince. These three people are attendants, and when the prince becomes an adult, he will be promoted to be the prince's young teacher, the prince's young teacher, and the prince's young protector."
"It sounds... very awesome!"
Fang Jie sighed.
"nonsense!"
Zhuo Buyi said: "Although the rank of the prince's servants is not high, but the prince's young master, the prince's young teacher, and the prince's young guard are all second-rank senior officials!"
"But I'm not from Wenyuan Pavilion or Shuhua Pavilion."
Fang Jie asked a little puzzled.
"Just wait until you come back from the southwest."
Zhuo Buyi said: "Several Grand Scholars are fighting over you, whether it is Shuhua Pavilion or Wenyuan Pavilion, they all want you."
"No wonder!"
Fang Jie suddenly realized what Huai Qiugong said before: "Young and proud, it's better to show off. If you have status and status, you still have to be a man with your tail between your legs, so what do you need status?"
"Your Majesty is deliberately making a statement to give you a bargaining chip."
Zhuo Buyi smiled: "I'm afraid Luo Yao won't dare to underestimate you... I don't understand why His Majesty changed his mind. At first I thought it was because of your low status and low qualifications that Luo Yao was wary of you." It's going to be low...but it's a good thing for you, isn't it?"