Time flies so fast, and in the blink of an eye, more than ten days have passed since the Double Ninth Festival. The heavy fruits of golden autumn have been collected in the warehouse. For the common people, the busiest days of the year have passed. Next, you can relax and prepare for the winter.
This land in Xiangzhou is really blessed this year. Not only were the water ghosts eradicated, the Yangdi Mausoleum was discovered, and the corvee was light and the tax was low, but the weather was favorable and an unprecedented bumper harvest was ushered in. In addition, the imperial ceremony was held here for more than ten days, attracting countless tourists. Xiangyang, a port city, turned into a well-known tourist city, and both the government and merchants made a lot of money.
Everything went smoothly and it was all good news. Logically speaking, Qin Mubai and Li Ke should be happy. But in the past two days, the two of them have been very upset.
The reason is because of Prince Li Chengqian.
When he first came to Dao, Li Chengqian's performance was quite satisfactory, with nothing particularly outstanding and no major flaws.
But after staying there for a few days, Li Chengqian's fox tail was exposed. Maybe he suddenly felt that he would be more free after leaving the capital without anyone to control him, so he acted unscrupulously!
As a result, his "evil habits" were clearly exposed.
First of all, he is playful and has no intention of serious business. The emperor sent him here to hold sacrifices at Emperor Yang's mausoleum. Although it was just a showmanship, he came on behalf of the emperor and the court after all. It is not complicated for a monk to ring the bell every day and burn a piece of incense and say a sacrificial inscription. However, Li Chengqian found it too troublesome, and except for the first three or four days as a fresh visit, he never set foot on the island again. In desperation, Li Daozong, Li Ke and others had to do it for them.
Originally this was fine, after all it was just a trivial matter. But he didn't do any good things while he was in the camp, which really makes people laugh or cry.
It turns out that his virtue is even better than that of Li You.
He likes drinking, gambling, lust, and fun. He has all these problems. Moreover, it seems that it is no longer as simple as a "problem", it can be said to be a serious illness, almost abnormal!
Others like to go to bars, but at most they just get drunk every day. Li Chengqian is not like this. He imitated Shang Zhou and built a wine pool. Ask his subordinates to buy him thousands of kilograms of good wine and pour it into it. Whenever he feels like it, he will take a scoop and drink it. Moreover, he soaked medicinal herbs in this wine to take a bath. After bathing, he rewarded his servants with the bath water. People had to drink it in front of him with tears of gratitude, and were whipped if they were slightly displeased.
Others like to gamble, so they generally gamble for money. Li Chengqian doesn't gamble with money. Money seems to have lost its appeal to him - he gambles with people! Those who participate in gambling should each bring a wife or concubine, even those who are too ugly will not be allowed. Then everyone started betting. The loser sacrifices his woman, and then has to watch his woman being humiliated in public by the winning man. Sometimes Li Chengqian was in a good mood, or if the loser had a good relationship with him and liked him, he would assign one of his own maids and maids to take over in place of someone else's wife or concubine.
As a result, the prince's residence soon became a wasteland of wine ponds and meat forests!
However, Li Chengqian never participated in such gambling, he only liked to watch the fun. It's not that he is not lecherous. In the early years when he was just fifteen or sixteen years old, he had already gained a reputation for being lusty. Tired of playing with the maids of the East Palace and his own wives and concubines, he used this "bet" method to play with other people's wives and concubines. He also once dug through the wall of the East Palace and took a few friends to the West Market to stay there all night long. Returning to that is a common thing. After a few years, he got tired of all these things. Now, he changed to a disgusting thing - pedophilia!
When he first came to Xiangyang, no one noticed it yet. Probably Li Chengqian hid his "secret treasure" very well. Later, he was exposed. He was accompanied by both the crown prince and a "pseudo crown princess", a prostitute who was given to him by Zhang Tianci, the Marquis of Shengnan in Jiangzhou. Li Chengqian called him - Cheng Xin.
This little boy has red lips, white teeth, and skin as white as snow. He looks like a peerless little beauty when dressed up in a pretty way. If others don't know, they can mistake the truth for the truth. Li Chengqian brought several concubines from Chang'an, but they were just decorations. "Rongxin" has a dedicated room every night, but instead lets the princess and others guard the empty room alone.
When it comes to having fun, if Li You is compared with Li Chengqian, then he really pales in comparison. Li You's fight to death was just a matter of fighting cocks and chasing away eagles and horses, and hunting to make money in bets. Li Chengqian has long been tired of playing with these. He has an incredible hobby - advocating Turkic style.
Once he got playful, Li Chengqian would take off his Gunmian yellow robe, put on a Turkic right-hand garment made of sheep and cowhide, and imitate the Turks by tying his hair into wisps of small whips or pulling up a bun. Then, the magicians were asked to play Hu music, and Li Chengqian personally took the lead in singing and dancing wildly, and danced the Turkic "Huzhi Dance".
The sound of drum music is flying in the beams. Acrobats who danced with swords performed all kinds of juggling; women who lost at the gambling table were stripped naked and thrown into the crowd of people singing and dancing wildly, crying and shouting in panic, or playing wildly. for fun.
Every day, this kind of carnival that annihilates morality and ethics is performed in the prince's palace. Li Chengqian's pleasure-seeking nerve gradually became more numb and fatigued under the stimulation of these sounds and colors. So he came up with a new trick - he ordered his sergeants to be divided into two groups, one group playing the role of the Tang army, and the other playing the role of Turkic warriors. The two groups of people fought with real swords and guns. The winner was rewarded with money, wine and women, while the loser was thrown into the wine pool and was fished out until he was drunk to death. Anyone who does not fight hard will be punished with "treason" and will be sentenced to death by Li Chengqian - cutting off ears, chopping off fingers, humiliating his wife and daughter, which is commonplace.
It is common for such fights to result in bloodshed and disability.
…
Qin Mubai was responsible for the prince's garrison. Although Li Chengqian deliberately concealed this from him, Qin Mubai knew that he was worried. Now he finally understands what is meant by "a hundred things heard is worth a sight", and a person cannot be judged by his appearance. Seeing that Li Chengqian usually behaves like a gentleman, he didn't expect his personal ethics to be so bad. To describe him as "outrageous" is not an exaggeration.
Such a person is really unworthy of being a prince. It is not surprising that there were many criticisms in the court that the emperor had the intention to abolish the establishment!
Li Chengqian was free and unruly in Xiangzhou, and even Li Daozong had no intention or inability to dissuade him, so he couldn't care less about Shu and almost didn't want to return to Chang'an. Every day, he only asked Li Ke to send people money and things to entertain him. The door of the prince's residence was always closed, and he never went out to play behind closed doors. However, passers-by were often frightened and trembled by the bursts of strange vocal music, screams, screams and wails coming from the prince's palace.
Gradually, the prince's bad reputation began to spread in Xiangyang. The people were shocked and dissatisfied with the prince.
Qin Mubai and Li Ke saw this and were annoyed in their hearts. Whenever the words Li Chengqian or Prince were mentioned, their faces would become livid. The good reputation and reputation they had managed to build in Xiangzhou seemed to be declining with the arrival of the prince. In the eyes of the common people, the royal family and the court were of course one. If the prince loses his virtue, the people will inevitably be disappointed with the royal family and the government.
Now, the two of them wished that the prince would get out as soon as possible and stay away from Xiangyang. As for persuading the prince to restrain himself... that's all. There are so many famous officials in Taidong, and there is also an authoritative imperial uncle like Li Daozong nearby. These people are powerless. Li Ke and Qin Mubai are so virtuous and capable. How can the prince buy their fault
In this way, Qin Mubai and Li Ke burned incense and worshiped Buddha at home to pray to Li Chengqian, the god of plague, to leave quickly. After hard work and hard work, I finally got to the end of the ceremony. Li Chengqian patiently went to Emperor Yangdi's mausoleum for the last time to participate in the ceremony, claiming that he still had unfinished ideas and wanted to stay in Xiangyang for a few more days, which scared both Li Ke and Qin Mubai into cold sweats. Fortunately, Li Daozong came out to speak and said that the day of the Empress Changsun's memorial ceremony was approaching, and the prince had better return to the court early and go to Zhaoling to sacrifice his mother.
As soon as this reason was brought out, Li Chengqian had no choice but to obey Li Daozong and promised to return to the court in three days, even though he was reluctant.
At this time, Yin Yang, who went to Chang'an to escort Princess Gaoyang, came back and reported that the journey was safe and that the princess and King Qi had been sent to the palace. Li Ke and Qin Mubai were relieved now, and in their hearts they just hoped that Li Chengqian would leave as soon as possible so that they could live a peaceful life.
In the past two days, Wu Meiniang's branch of Qinxian Pavilion has finally been sorted out and officially opened. Due to the great reputation of Qinxian Pavilion in Chang'an, it has attracted the attention and curiosity of many people. On the day of the opening, many rich and wealthy people came to enjoy the store.
Due to experience and the fact that it is more convenient to do business in Xiangzhou, the real estate in Qinxian Pavilion in Xiangyang is also larger, so this branch is even more magnificent and magnificent than the one in Chang'an. The wine is first-rate Qinxian imperial wine, and the dishes are all distinctive palace dishes full of royal and aristocratic atmosphere or famous Chang'an snacks. For people far away from the capital, these are full of mystery and have great gimmicks and attractions.
As a result, as soon as Xiangyang Qinxian Pavilion opened, business was extremely booming and received rave reviews. The Qinxiange Wine Restaurant stands out among the crowd in Beigang City, Xiangyang. The consumption is several times higher than that of ordinary wine restaurants, but it still cannot stop the rich businessmen and tourists who are striving for fame and profit and who like luxury to come in to enjoy and splurge.
After a few days passed, Wu Meiniang saw that everything was on track, but she invited Qin Mubai and asked him to invite the prince, Li Daozong, the King of Wu, and officials from Xiangyang to come to the banquet. The name used, of course, cannot be to celebrate the opening of Qinxian Pavilion, but in the name of Xiangzhou Governor's Mansion and Military Mansion, euphemistically calling it a farewell party for the prince.
Qin Mubai was naturally willing to help Wu Meiniang, as it seemed like he was helping himself. Just the mention of going to the crown prince's palace made him feel troubled. I had no choice but to bite the bullet and go there. Anyway, this guy will be gone in two days, and he will be out of sight and out of mind from now on!
Maybe Qin Mubai was lucky, or maybe Li Chengqian was tired from playing, but when Qin Mubai came to the prince's residence today, it was quiet here. People up and down were packing their luggage, counting their carriages and horses, and preparing for the prince's departure. Li Chengqian was lying on the couch in the hall, drinking tea and leaning on his shoulders, listening to music, while several beauties were dancing in the hall.
Upon hearing Qin Mubai's arrival, Li Chengqian sat up and ordered someone to straighten his clothes before letting him in.
"Haha, General Qin is here, sit down, no need to be polite." Li Chengqian smiled and asked Qin Mubai to sit down, and ordered someone to serve him tea.
"The prince is very cheerful today." Qin Mubai said casually, and then got ready to get to the point.
At this time, Li Chengqian interrupted him and said: "General Qin, does he mean singing and dancing? - What do you think of the beautiful lady dancing in this hall?"
Qin Mubai took a casual glance and saw that the dancing beauties were all charming, graceful and graceful. One of the lead dancers, a girl of fifteen or sixteen years old, was exceptionally outstanding in leading the dance. Her face is like the full moon, her eyes are like cold stars, her teeth are like jade, her teeth are pink, her cheeks are peach, and she is extremely beautiful. The dancing posture is also quite outstanding, with wide sleeves, long and comfortable lotus steps, and light and graceful steps, just like flowing clouds and flowing water.
"It's wonderful. Your Highness the Crown Prince is really discerning." Qin Mubai complimented casually and was about to say something.
"Haha! General Qin is also very discerning!" Li Chengqian interrupted Qin Mubai again, stretched out his hand to call the beautiful girl over and asked her to sit next to her, caressing her waist and said, "Satisfactory, General Qin praises you. Well, do you hear me? Go and toast to General Qin."
"Satisfactory?"
Qin Mubai suddenly felt a chill in his heart - it turned out that this "beautiful concubine" was Li Chengqian's imperial prostitute!
Instantly, Qin Mubai felt goosebumps on his body!
The "Mei Ji" responded with a sweet voice, held up a glass of wine, walked to Qin Mubai, knelt down, and said charmingly: "General Qin is a great hero, and a hero should drink a lot of dendrobium."
Qin Mubai really wanted to strangle the demon in front of him to death before he would be willing to do so. He raised his hand, feeling that his hand was shaking a little, not daring to touch the shemale's skin. He carefully took the wine cup, and drank the glass of wine as if he was dead.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for the wine! Your Highness, I have something to ask of you. Is it convenient for Your Highness to listen now?"
"Oh, you all should leave first!" Li Chengqian then called the dancers out. Before leaving, Cheng Xin ignored the presence of others and pouted at Li Chengqian, almost making Qin Mubai spit out the overnight meal.
"General, please tell me what you want?" Li Chengqian finally looked Qin Mubai in the face and asked.
Qin Mubai forced out a dry smile, cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness will go to Beijing soon. Under the orders of His Highness King Wu, I specially come to invite His Highness to the Qinxian Pavilion for a banquet. The Governor's Office and the Military Office work together to serve as the Prince's banquet." Your Highness sends you off."
"Oh, I really thank you for taking the trouble. I'll be here soon." Li Chengqian smiled and nodded, and said with a little more curiosity, "Wu Meiniang is really capable, building the Qinxian Pavilion's branch so quickly? "
"Yes, it has been open for three days." Qin Mubai replied.
"Then why not report it to Yu Gu earlier, so that he can come and support him!" Li Chengqian said with a smile, "Qinxian Pavilion is in Chang'an. It is a famous place. I have visited it before, but I haven't been there for a while. It’s over. It’s okay to visit Xiangyang. By the way, how is your marriage with Gao Yang going?”
Qin Mubai did not expect that Li Chengqian would suddenly talk about this. He thought for a while and said, "It's still too early. Everything is decided by His Majesty the Emperor."
"Why don't you get married yourself, and you only count on your father?" Li Chengqian said with a smile, "I think you two are in love with each other, so you should get married as soon as possible. Don't take the opinions of others to heart. If you are willing, I will be the father of Ming Dynasty after I return to the court, and I will arrange the marriage for you as soon as possible. What do you think?"
"This... thank you, His Royal Highness, for your kindness." Qin Mubai knew that Li Chengqian had always wanted to win over him, but now it was just a little ploy by him, so he pushed back, "Right now, Wei Chen and the princess live in separate places, Wei Chen At the beginning of taking office in the Xiangzhou Military Mansion, Gao Yang was still very young, so there was no harm in waiting for a while. Originally, His Majesty the Emperor had arranged to transfer the minister back to Chang'an when the time came. schedule."
"Oh, it turns out that my father has already made arrangements, so there is no need to worry about Gu." Li Chengqian seemed a little disappointed, nodded thoughtfully, and said: "General Qin, although I have never had a close relationship with you, I have never had a close relationship with you. Your virtue and talent have always been highly valued. Don't tell lies in front of the real person. If someone had not secretly helped in the Jiangzhou case, I am afraid that I would not have appeared at the ceremony in Xiangzhou now. I have been thinking of repaying my kindness to you. General Qin, tell me, do you have what you want or the official position you want?"
"This... Weichen was just doing things in a fair and impartial manner. As for whether he helped the prince, even Weichen himself didn't know. When it comes to this reward, His Highness really has nothing to say." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "As for gold and silver, Wealth, silk, official position, beauty, I think... are not very scarce. Thank you for your kindness. If I ask for anything in the future, how about I come to pay my respects to the prince? "
"Haha, General Qin is pure-hearted and abide by his moral character. Not bad, not bad. He is as noble and upright as your Majesty Duke Yi, General Qin Shubao." Li Chengqian said with a smile, "Actually, with the general's background and talents, he ranks second to a small fourth The captain of Pinxiangzhou is really too talented. In my opinion, many of the generals in the dynasty are not as good as the generals. It would be better for me to promote you and make you a Jinwu Guard or a Qian. How about the general of Niu Wei? Otherwise, it is not too much to come to my East Palace to be the governor of the Sixth Army of the East Palace, or to be the general of Zuowei. The former Duke Huo and the general of Zuowei, Chai Shao, passed away due to illness not long ago. . The position of General Zuowei has been vacant. Not long ago, my father asked me to recommend a candidate. General Qin, isn't it suitable? If you are willing, I will inform my father and let him take you. This young talent is promoted.”
Qin Mubai couldn't help but secretly took a breath: General Zuowei? Li Chengqian really talks like child's play. The left and right guards have always been the leaders of the Twelve Guards of the Tang Dynasty. The generals of the left and right guards are also the leaders of the twelve generals. The Twelve Guards of the Zhenguan Tang Dynasty had more than 600,000 soldiers, and there was a record of taking over 800,000 during the war. Among them, 60% of the military mansions are concentrated in the pass, especially between Chang'an and Luoyang. The two guards on the left and right were responsible for commanding these soldiers and horses, and were responsible for defending the capital and suppressing the Tang Dynasty!
In other words, the left and right guards accounted for 60% of the total troops of the Tang Dynasty, nearly 300,000 to 400,000 people. The generals on the left and right are the two pillars of the Tang Dynasty. They are the barriers and guarantees for the imperial power and the court of the Tang Dynasty.
"I'm just kidding. How can I, a young man who has just entered the official career less than two years ago and has never been on a march or fight, become a general of the left guard? You, Li Chengqian, take military and national affairs as a trivial matter. Do you think Li Shimin and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty will do the same?" Qin Mubai really wanted to curse out the call, but fortunately, he was patient enough and held it back.
"His Royal Highness, General Zuowei, I am afraid that even my father is not qualified for the job. I think to myself, I do still lack qualifications and abilities." Qin Mubai said modestly and cautiously, "His Royal Highness the prince's kind words are really impressive. Wei Chen was so frightened that he was so grateful. But Wei Chen... for the time being, it is better to be the captain of Xiangzhou with peace of mind. After all, this is the official position specially selected for Wei Chen by His Majesty the Emperor. Wei Chen also feels that this position is more suitable for my current position. Situation. As for the future, Wei Chen certainly hopes that His Majesty will give him more support. Wei Chen is loyal to His Majesty and serves the court, and he is also loyal to the Crown Prince and serves the Crown Prince, right? "
Qin Mubai's words were clever, and he deliberately put the prince's and the emperor's positions together. The implication is - you don't have to try so hard to win over me. I, Qin Mubai, am a member of the emperor and an official of the imperial court. I have always stood with you, so why bother
Of course Li Chengqian was not stupid, and he immediately understood the meaning of Qin Mubai's words. However, I heard that every word of his sentence was coherent and reasonable, and I really couldn't fault him. However, Li Chengqian felt a little unwilling, but he just didn't know how to continue lobbying. Li Chengqian himself felt that as the prince, he was better than the King of Wu, right? If you follow me, isn't it a hundred times better than following him? But Qin Mubai only brought the emperor out to explain his position and reason, and never mentioned Li Ke. This made him feel very troubled, and he was at a loss for words for a while.
Qin Mubai thought to himself, even if I quit my job and become a small trader, I won't hang out with you. It is only a matter of time that you will be deposed in the future, and it is certain that I will be unlucky. Furthermore, seeing your heinous and perverted behaviors every day will sooner or later disgust me to death!
Seeing that Qin Mubai was so tight-lipped, Li Chengqian had no other way to win over him, so he had to stop for the time being. The two chatted some more, and Qin Mubai claimed that he still had military affairs and left early.
After leaving the prince's residence, Qin Mubai felt a lightness on his body and let out a long breath. But when he thought about the ladyboy, he felt like his body was stained with dirt when he walked to this place. He suddenly got goosebumps and wanted to take a shower.
Three days later, Li Ke and Qin Mubai led the officials from Xiangzhou to the Qinxian Pavilion for a farewell party for the prince and the king of Jiangxia.
Of course, the banquet was extremely lively and beautiful. The huge wine shop was filled with lights and fragrant aromas. The waiters and waiters in men's robes and Hu robes formed a bright scene. Like these delicacies, it opened the eyes of Xiangzhou officials who had never seen Qinxian Pavilion.
From today on, Qinxian Pavilion will also be destined to become a bright spot in Xiangyang and the focus of people's word-of-mouth. It will be easier to do business in the future.
After eating and drinking, the prince and the king of Jiangxia set off together, leaving Xiangyang and heading to Chang'an.
Qin Mubai and Li Ke suddenly felt relaxed, clapped their hands and congratulated each other with a tacit understanding - "The God of Plague is finally gone!"
It's a pity that the kind and funny elder Li Daozong of Jiangxia was infected with the "plague" along with the prince. During the more than ten days he stayed in Xiangyang, apart from sightseeing and sightseeing, he only enjoyed fishing. Qin Mubai and Li Ke both felt that they did not entertain him well. I have no choice but to make amends when I have the opportunity in the future.
Less than two days after the prince left, a big news that shocked the world came from Dengzhou, which is close to Xiangzhou. It scared Qin Mubai and Li Ke so much that their hearts jumped out of their chests!
—Li You, the governor of Dengzhou and King of Qi, recruited troops and raised the flag to rebel in Dengzhou!
Moreover, he also claimed that King Wu of Xiangzhou and Captain Qin Mubai were complicit with him!
When they received the news, Qin Mubai and Li Ke were drinking and listening to music leisurely in the Qinxian Pavilion, enjoying the rare relaxation. Kuai Ma directly delivered this "heavy bomb" to the wine shop, instantly detonating the panic and anger of Qin Mubai and Li Ke, and almost leveled the entire Qinxian Pavilion!
"Bastard! How is this possible! Call that loser Yin Yang to see me!" Li Ke yelled angrily, scaring the cups on the table to jump.
Qin Mubai also wanted to yell like him to vent his emotions, but at this moment he calmed down and said: "Your Highness, shouldn't we go back to the Governor's Mansion now?"
"What are you waiting for!"
Li Ke came back to his senses. Qinxian Pavilion did not seem to be a particularly suitable place for official business. With a flick of his sleeves, he walked away angrily and furiously.
Qin Mubai followed closely behind, frowning and taking a long breath: The biggest trouble in history has arrived... He had just sent away the God of Plague and had not been able to relax for a moment; but now, there comes a thing that will make countless heads turn. Falling to the ground, Death!