The painted boats on the Luoyang River are still full of melodious singing and melodious music, and the people are still discussing today's rumors in low voices. The bustling places in the north and south cities have become more crowded with buyers and sellers because of the rumors. There are some topics, but the transaction price has not been affected, and the mutual benefit between businessmen is still carried out fairly.
In short, there are no other changes in the entire city of Luoyang except for some more rumors. Everything is the same as usual. The common people who are a world away from the government affairs still start to sit in the courtyard after lighting the lamps. Chatting, or sitting on the couch and dozing off, chasing away mosquitoes.
The night in Luoyang City forms a sharp contrast between the silence and the bustle. Some areas far away from the Luoyang River are already dark. Occasionally, a few late-night lights will light up on the streets.
The Fang District, which is close to the northern and southern cities and on both sides of the Luoyang River, is still a lively scene. Women singing and dancing, and talented people reciting poems and composing poems are still tirelessly active. Bright lanterns shine on every picture. The relaxed and comfortable atmosphere on the slightly smoked and blurred face tells of an ordinary Luoyang night.
In the painting boat, which is in sharp contrast to the surroundings, there are still four people: Di Renjie, Li Qiao, Yao Chong, and Wang Xiaojie. Each of the four holds a thick stack of paper in their hands, which is densely filled with the five categories classified by Yao Chong. The names of more than a hundred officials, as well as their political achievements in the places where they were appointed, as well as some conflicts or interest alliances with local people, aristocratic families, and wealthy families.
"The first two pages are information on some officials related to the Zheng family in Xingyang and the Cui family in Boling. Officials at all levels from seventh grade to fourth grade are involved in the two families. A total of 196 people are involved in various states and counties. There are 157 officials, 39 officials in Luoyang and Chang'an counties, and the rest are officials or nobles related to other wealthy families. In short, among these more than 500 people, Four hundred and forty-seven people became officials through the recommendation of Wu Xingqiwang, and the remaining 65 people entered the official position through the imperial examination. However, these sixty-five people turned out to be direct descendants of Wu Xingqiwangli. Disciple, what do you think this means?" At the end, Yao Chong couldn't help laughing while holding the paper in his hand.
Even Yao Chong, the official minister, who was always slow and unhurried, was joking and joking in a relaxed manner, which was enough to think that the four of them were quite satisfied with the effect of the violent storm that suddenly blew up in Luoyang City today.
"What does this mean?" Wang Xiaojie asked first. As the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he was born in the military. If he could understand the enemy's intention of dispatching troops and generals on the battlefield, he would have some insights and experience, but if he said Wang Xiaojie felt as if he knew nothing about the political intrigues in the officialdom, otherwise he would not have been left to be scolded at every court meeting after being forcibly appointed as the Minister of Punishment by Li Hong.
Di Renjie stroked his beard. After reading a few pages of paper in his hand, he looked at Li Qiao and Yao Chong who were silent. He ignored Wang Xiaojie's questioning eyes and said with a smile: "It seems that the five surnames and Qi Wang are not like them." They insist on adhering to the ninth-grade Zhongzheng system as much as they advertise. For their own interests and for the long-term future plans and glory of the family, they are shouting and begging His Majesty to return to the ninth-grade Zhongzheng system, while secretly ordering the direct descendants of their own families. After passing the imperial examination and entering the official career, this is obviously a backup for them. Presumably many of the officials who did not participate in this risk-taking admonishment are from the noble families headed by the five surnames and Qiwang, right? "
"Master Di is right. After reading the information of officials at all levels in the Ministry of Civil Affairs for the past few days, I found that it is indeed as Master Di said. Some officials who hold important positions in the imperial court do have their background identities from the five surnames. Qi Wang, but this time he risked his life to remonstrate, but none of them participated, and these people are all important officials and pillars of the Tang Dynasty, as well as the pillars of their respective families' high hopes." Yao Chong sighed and shook his head repeatedly. road.
It has to be said that Qiwang, the fifth surname, was shouting for the court to return to the traditional nine-level Zhongzheng system in selecting ministers. At the same time, he made great efforts to allow his direct descendants and talents who had high hopes from the family to participate in the imperial examination. And then this time Even though they risked their lives to remonstrate, they still refused to bring them in. They were treasured as if they were family heirlooms.
"Isn't this intention just to leave important candidates for the honorable family headed by Qiwang, the fifth surname, to maintain the family's future glory? Such actions and behavior are really despising." Li Qiao also shook his head helplessly. , as a royal censor, he himself had heard a little bit about these things, and now that he was confirmed by the official minister, his heart was full of disdain and contempt for the way of doing things by those five surnames and seven hopes.
"Isn't this what His Majesty often secretly scolds the five surnames and Qi Wang? You want to be a bitch and want to build a memorial arch. Anyway, the benefits must be taken, and your Majesty must share the benefits with them." Wang Xiaojie raised his hand. He drank the tea cup in one gulp and said as if making a final conclusion.
Just as the four of them were sitting in the painting boat, fighting against the five surnames and Qi Wang's ways of doing things, and making detailed plans to release rumors about other nobles tomorrow, Li Hong took Hua Meng and Cheetah, Along the Luoyang River Embankment where people come and go, I walked slowly towards this side with four steps.
But before the three of them could approach the boat belonging to Di Renjie and the others from the embankment of the Luoyang River, they were blocked by military guards hiding behind the willow trees on the embankment.
The military guards who had serious faces and written "Don't let strangers enter" were naturally unable to recognize His Majesty. However, considering that Li Hong was rich and noble, and the majestic temperament faintly revealed on his body, he still asked him very politely. They boarded the boat from other river banks.
Finally, after Hua Meng took out a waist card, the military guards respectfully escorted them from here to the river bank, and a leader of the city military guards who was obviously responsible for protecting Di Renjie and the four people asked Li Hong After saluting respectfully, he immediately ran smartly to the boat where Di Renjie and the others were.
There are not many guests on the small boat, but there are three cabins on the second floor, which are used for the guests to chat, laugh, play the piano and sing with the women on the Luoyang River.
As for the first floor of Huafang, it is decorated according to the general flower shop. In a small hall, there are a few empty tables at the moment, and the rest of the place is occupied by guests, either chatting and laughing, or The woman who was looking at the bow of the boat was facing the night wind, her slender fingers were flying on the strings of the piano, and she was singing some operas that were later spread from the palace, and then she was shaking her head and head, immersed in the music or the sound of the piano. Make it a state of enjoyment.
As soon as Li Hong boarded the second floor, he heard the creaking sound of a cabin door being opened, and then saw that in the innermost cabin on the second floor, Di Renjie, led by the military guard, was preparing to leave. came out to greet him from the cabin.
After sending away the military guard, Di Renjie, Li Qiao and others welcomed Li Hong into the room in fear. The four of them hurriedly packed away the scattered papers on the Eight Immortals' table, as well as the pot of tea and four that they had requested from this painting house. cup.
"I really didn't know that Your Majesty was coming, so I was unable to go..." Di Renjie and Li Qiao saluted Li Hong and said.
"Okay, there is no need for so many etiquettes at this time." Li Hong waved his hand, and then Hua Meng and Cheetah sat down at the door. Wang Xiaojie hurriedly wiped the chair he was sitting on several times and pulled it open for Li Hong to sit down.
"You four dignified imperial ministers, wouldn't you want such a pot of tea when you come to this boat?" Li Hong pulled the teapot in the center of the table, opened the lid and smelled the tea inside, and then looked at the four teacups. , asked calmly: "You are such stingy guests, the owner of Huafang actually let you board the ship? And he also left you this most secluded cabin for several days in a row."
"Although I asked for less things, I gave you a lot of tea money, so... So the owner of this painting boat didn't say anything more. But every time we don't want a girl, we always get a blank stare and contempt from the old madam. , It seems that we came here to mess with her daughter's business." Wang Xiaojie smiled naively, looked at the smiles on the faces of Li Qiao and the others, and replied immediately.
"Nonsense, the daughter in the hands of the old madam earns money by accompanying guests, singing, and chatting to relieve boredom. But when you get here, you don't want any of them, not even one who can play the piano to enhance the atmosphere. If I were the old madam, I would take advantage of you to leave. , I will kick you one by one into the Luoyang River, so that you will not delay her daughters' business." Li Hong pointed at Hua Meng at the door again, and Hua Meng immediately stood up, gently opened the hatch and left. go out.
After a while, after the people in the room sat down again, Hua Meng walked in with a woman holding a piano, followed by several guys, naturally holding some food boxes filled with food in their hands. Served various snacks and fruits.
"Just play your piano. Just forget your ears and mouth downstairs. I won't give you less money." Hua Meng whispered in the ear of the woman holding the piano, and then He held the piano for the woman and walked to the place near the window, where the woman on the boat was playing. He put the piano down and warned her again with his eyes before walking to the door and sitting down.
Li Hong and others sitting at the Eight Immortals table did not even look at the woman after she came in. Li Hong, who had his back to the woman, looked at the crystal clear grapes, which looked like green grapes. Like gems, he quickly picked one off with his index finger and put it into his mouth.
"Don't worry, there are many people who want to harm me, but it's definitely not someone here who wants to harm me. Besides, Hua Meng has been with me for so many years, is he a vegetarian?" Li Hong tasted the sweetness of the grapes and looked at the expressions of Di Renjie and the others. , after he finished speaking, his nervous expression gradually softened into a relaxed one.
After Li Hong finished speaking, the sound of the piano seemed to have received an order, and the clang began to echo gently in the room. Because of Hua Meng's instructions just now, this woman who had seen all the quirks of countless guests, so He just played the music without opening his voice, and just plucked the strings with his gentle jade fingers, adding a touch of elegance to the room.
(End of chapter)