The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 249: Funeral
Fanchuan is one of the most famous scenic spots in the capital, with tall pines and cypresses, and peach blossoms. The literary world is full of romantic people, the gods compete with each other, and the red and purple are in full bloom.

The refreshing rain breeze blew coldly.

In the misty rain, you can vaguely see the ancient Taoist temple covered with ivy and the manor full of exotic flowers and fruits. In the misty rain, the red-beamed, white-walled and green-roofed buildings, lotus ponds, bamboo forests, paths, pavilions and flower gardens are scattered everywhere. From time to time, the sound of clocks echoes, the geese are startled by the cold, and the smoke from the tripod is faint.

"Stop." The saint stopped the carriage and jumped off his carriage, wearing a white robe and a white crown. Yes, he was here to attend the funeral.

The relationship between the emperor and his subjects in the Qing Dynasty often transcended the system.

When Fang Xuanling and Li Jing were dying, Li Shimin went to their homes to visit them, and the emperor and his subjects wept bitterly. When Wei Zheng died of illness, Li Er led all the officials to the palace to mourn. When Gao Chongwen was buried, Xianzong ordered all the officials to see him off, and he himself set up a memorial service at the palace gate.

Emperor Xuanzong mourned the death of Bai Juyi: "... the boy can sing the song of everlasting sorrow, and the Hu boy can sing the pipa song. The poems have filled the ears of passers-by, and I miss you every time and feel sad."

Suzong was critically ill and unable to see anyone. Guo Ziyi submitted a memorial: "I will die outside, and I will not be able to close my eyes if I don't see Your Majesty." Suzong called him to the bedroom and said goodbye: "I leave everything to you." Guo Ziyi sobbed and left.

There is acting, but also true feelings.

Li has not reached this level with Lao Bi Deng.

In his past and present lives, he has seen all kinds of vicissitudes of life, the warmth and coldness of the world, and the darkness and indifference of the world. He can no longer sympathize with or be touched by the suffering of the world. Even if the concubine, the privy envoy, and his children all died suddenly tomorrow, he would not shed a single sincere tear. It's not that he doesn't suffer, but that he is numb.

Li was deeply grateful to Du Rangneng.

He pursued Emperor Xizong on foot, and stayed by his side day and night with his guards, offering advice and suggestions.

Break into Tongyue Pavilion to ensure your safety.

Fight against Ximen Chongsui.

Guard the Yanzi warehouse and drive away the looting Shence Army.

He sent his youngest son Du Luyi, the only one with good martial arts skills, to be the General of the Central Army.

He frowned all day long, calculating the difficult bills.

In front of Emperor Zhaozong, he said: "How dare I avoid the matter? I am afraid that killing me will not be enough to quell the troubles of the seven kingdoms. If I dare not obey the edict, I will die!"

On the tower: "My advice is to execute the criminals, so as to avoid disaster."

……

In return, he deserves the utmost honor.

The saint climbed onto the horse's back.

The wind and rain whistled in my ears and retreated.

Amid the alluring scenery of Fanchuan, Du Men is in sight.

The funeral was handled by Jingzhao Yin Sun Weisheng.

There were already many people at the scene, most of them were officials from various units.

Then there is the Du clan, including Du Honghui, Du Yanlin, Du Mengfu, Du Ruli, Du Lun, and so on.

The second is the maternal family. Taiwei's mother, Li Chen, was from the Longxi Li family. She was the daughter of Li Ao, a representative of the ancient prose movement, and also Han Yu's niece. Li Ao's wife was Han Yu's sister. The two were close friends.

Next is his wife's family. His wife's family is from Zheng family of Xingyang.

Then there are my aunts, uncles, and all kinds of relatives.

Disciples, subordinates, friends, and family acquaintances also came. Cui, Wei, Lu, Wei, Li... Many families also sent representatives. There were also officials from the Guanzhong area. For example, Lu Pian, the governor of Shangjun. The epitaph of Li Chen was written by him when he was the Wei of Zhuozhen. There were also many imperial guards, common people, and civilians. When the Taiwei was the prime minister, he had protected many people from the Nei Shu. These people, remembering his kindness, also came to offer flowers spontaneously.

In short, it is a huge circle with a variety of people, from high to low classes.

This is the influence of a teacher.

These prime ministers of the late Tang Dynasty seemed to be suffering from humiliation and had nowhere to go, but in fact, as long as they were willing to go to the vassal states, they would be guaranteed to be honored guests. Liu Chongwang's son Liu Jun fled to Lingnan after his father's death. When they learned that he was the son of Liu Sikong, Guangdong was shocked. After the establishment of Southern Han, he was appointed as prime minister.

Wang Tuan's third son, Neng, served as prime minister of Fujian, his grandson, Wang You, served as a minister of Song and finally became a grand tutor, his great-grandson, Wang Dan, served as one of the Three Dukes of the State during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, and Cui Youlin, the son of Cui Yin, and Wei Xun, the son of Wei Zhaodu, served as nine ministers of Shu.

"Tattatata..." A large group of warriors approached the villa, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

The saint, in white robes and a white crown, slowly walked out of the misty rain.

Lady Qi Luo Fu and Lady Wei Nangong Chongyan walked on his left and right, holding umbrellas for him. In the drizzle, Zhao Ruxin, Yuwen Rou, Zhao Ruozhao, Cui Yuzhang, Wu Xiong and others followed behind him holding oil-paper umbrellas.

"There are so many people here, and there might be assassins. Why don't you let me lead the troops in to search first?" Wu Xiong glanced at the scene, came up to it, and said eagerly.

"The funeral is presided over by Jingzhao Prefecture, don't worry." The saint pushed Wu Xiong's head away: "Just talk, why are you standing so close? Your big mouth is about to touch my ear."

Wu Xiong withdrew his head with a black question mark on his face, turned his body away and sulked.

"Your Majesty!" Sun Weisheng, who was busy in the inner room, heard the news and led his subordinates to greet him.

"Greetings to the Saint!" All the men and women, young and old, present immediately bowed together.

"I am here to see the general off, no need to exchange formalities." The sage pressed his hands. He turned around and raised his palm to signal the guards to wait, then walked towards the main gate. Luo Fu, Zhao Ruxin, Wu Xiong and other close ministers followed him silently.

"Great Sage." At the door, Du Guangyi, Li Qun, Du Daijun, and Du Hu greeted him on the right. Their voices were hoarse, and their faces were haggard and exhausted.

"Da Lang, Fifth Sister." The saint nodded in greeting.

Du Daijun was dressed in plain clothes, with tears on her face, like a pear blossom in the spring rain: "My second brother cried so hard that he fainted. Please forgive me for not being able to welcome you."

"I understand, fifth sister." In history, after Du Rangneng was killed, Du Guangyi never served as an official and died of depression. The second brother, Du Xiao, was decadent for more than ten years and almost lost his mind. Patting Du Daijun and Du Guangyi on the shoulders, he comforted them for a few words, and waited for the siblings to stop sobbing: "Fifth sister, where is the general?"

"Hmph, hmph..." Du Daijun, who was still sobbing, wiped away her tears and snot, and staggered towards the villa where white flags were fluttering.

"...The scene of discussing politics in the backyard of Penglai Palace is still vivid in my mind..."

Du Daijun, who was out of her mind, burst into tears again: "The most painful thing is lovesickness, the farthest thing is yin and yang... Woo..." She beat her chest and stamped her feet, wishing her heart was torn apart.

The gentle elder sister Luo Fu walked forward, hugged Du Daijun and comforted her softly.

The sage held Du Guangyi's trembling hand and said, "Da Lang, don't let yourself get sick from grief. The Du family still needs you, your brother, to support it."

It took about an incense stick of time to arrive at the mourning hall.

The saint gazed at the coffin calmly.

Du Rangneng rested at home after suffering a stroke and seemed to be fine. He died in a dream, so suddenly, most likely he died in one breath. Some things sound weird, but they just exist for a long time.

In my previous life, there was an old man in my community who was over 80 years old and could still ride a bicycle to relax. One day, he just went out, abandoned his bicycle and walked back, asking his son to take him back to his old house. He was very emotional. The family had a big quarrel over this. The son couldn't get over it and promised to drive him back immediately. As a result, the old man died halfway without any signs.

Yeah.

There are not many people who can die as happily as the old man on the bicycle and Du Rangneng, most of them still die in the ravages and torture of illness. Compared with history and Zheng Ting, Du Rangneng should have died happily, comforted, relieved and at ease.

The Holy Tang Dynasty, which he had been so concerned about, had turned from danger to safety. The Yuanhe cause, which he had been thinking about, had finally seen the light of day. Thinking of the rewards for his efforts, the humiliation he had endured, and the punishment he had suffered, and the Nanjiao Grand Ceremony in Luoyang, the meeting of the princes, and the dismemberment of the thief Zhu, he should be able to smile in his grave.

It’s okay to have hardships in life, as long as your wishes are fulfilled.

"My tears are silent, and I only regret coming back late."

"I can't paint a picture of my sorrow, even though I've been through it all."

rest in peace.

After hearing this, all the Du family members burst into tears again.

Zhao Ruxin, Yuwen Rou, and Nangong Chongyan gazed at the back and profile of the saint: quite sincere and honest. If you cry and scream, it will appear hypocritical. Yes, this kind of thing also requires skills. From facial expressions, eyes, big movements to tone, wording, content, and subconscious small movements, it needs to change dynamically according to the atmosphere and the object. Some emperors show true feelings and can win people's hearts. Some people cry so hard that the audience just thinks it's fake.

At some point, Du Daijun was already standing behind him, holding a scroll of silk book in both hands: "My father left a will, and asked me to pass it on to the emperor..." Du Daijun tried hard not to cry out loud, choking with sobs: "I'm afraid that the emperor will be helpless in the future, so I let this scroll accompany the emperor..."

The saint took it and spread it out in his palm.

The discussion was still about military and political affairs. First, the previous ideas were affirmed, and then warnings began to be issued. The problem was not with the Jiedushi, the vassal states, and the soldiers of the government, but with the general military men, the people, and the atmosphere. The atmosphere was corrupt, the people were ignorant, cruel, and profit-seeking, and the soldiers who were born out of it were generally warlike and liked chaos. The country did not turn to a well-governed era with the partial peace of Yongliang and the victory of Luoyang.

The focus in the future is to pacify and educate the people, the four barbarians, change customs, weaken martial virtues, ensure food and financial security, and hold the red line of the two. On this basis, observe the situation and wait for opportunities. In the past, risks had to be taken, otherwise they would die. But in the future, we will not take risks that can be avoided, whether it is policy or personal expedition. All kinds of military and political affairs cannot be complacent and talk about the past. We must act flexibly with the changes of the times and the changes of people's hearts.

He did not mention the specific policy, but in his words: China is rich in talent, and ZTE does not need to entrust a handful of people to it. Selecting people with wisdom and using them correctly can solve six out of ten problems. Finally, Du Rangneng elaborated on several points about the current situation.

First, ritual and music.

Using Zhouli, Gongyang Zhuan, Zheng Xuan, He Xiu, Kaiyuanli, Yinfa... it's too chaotic. Throughout the Zhou Dynasty, the instability of rituals and music is no match for the current dynasty. The doctrines are not unified, and the culture is too open, which hinders administrative efficiency... Anyway, there are a lot of disadvantages.

Second, tax law.

Du Rangneng said that he had been in charge of various departments such as salt and iron, transportation, rent and labor, green seedlings, coinage, tea and wine for so many years, and his biggest headache was the deformed tax law, which needed to be gradually rectified to reduce the burden on farmers. In addition, he suggested picking up the official taxes, reduced material fees, and merchant fees during the Daide period.

"Order the Prime Minister to lead all officials and common people in the capital to contribute money to support the army."

"The decree reduces the official land of all officials by one third to provide military rations."

"The emperor ordered the officials to determine the tax for each household of the kings, dukes, scholars and commoners, and divided them into three levels: upper, middle and lower."

"Officials in various departments have not asked for salaries for a long time, and I have heard that they are suffering."

"All officials submitted a petition, saying that the army was in urgent need of food, and requested that official land be donated to help with the expenses. The petition was approved."

"The emperor ordered to collect taxes from all officials."

This is called the official tax and the military aid tax. The three dukes and the royal family also had to pay, and they could also withhold their salaries. When it was at its worst, people from the noble families starved to death.

"The doctors of the Imperial Household, Wei Dubin and Chen Jing, were in urgent need of military funds, so they requested to seize the rich merchants. Generally, they kept 10,000 strings of cash from each merchant, and confiscated the rest. Then they ordered the Jingzhao Yin, Chang'an Ling, and Wannian Ling to torture the rich merchants in the capital with severe punishments. The Chang'an Ling Xue Ping searched the streets and markets in a carriage, and some people were so exhausted that they even hanged themselves. The capital was in chaos, as if it had been robbed. After the search, they got 800,000 strings of cash. The Shao Yin Wei Zhen also tortured them severely, and got 2 million strings of cash."

This is the money earned by copying merchants.

It was an organized and premeditated robbery initiated by the imperial court. Civil officials led the team, and the warriors and clerks carried it out. Of course, it is inappropriate from the perspective of modern values. But this merchant is only half a person. No matter how powerful your background is, you can kill or rob as you please, and few people will pity you.

Third, the household registration system was strictly enforced under the rule to restrict the mobility of the people. This was mainly to limit the horizons of the masses. It became increasingly harsh after the Tang Dynasty and only collapsed in the millennium. Under the influence of the conscription system and the two-tax system, the population mobility was very active except in Hebei.

Fourth, reduce the control and share of some state-owned industries and pass on profits to the people.

Fifth, the system. The system, promotion and demotion of the officials, envoys, honorary officials, and noble titles are in chaos. The commander of the Imperial Guards and the Infantry Division has no rank, and the court doesn't know what official position to give him. It all depends on the orders of the sage. What is he thinking?

Sixth, land. Land is the source of all things.

Only when there is a surplus in land output can the population grow and the labor force engaged in handicrafts be released. Only when there is a surplus in land output can there be material exchange and commerce... It is important to ensure the surplus of land output and the stability and growth of the number of self-cultivating farmers.

Of the four barbarians, only Tubo and Nanzhao are doomed to fail, and the rest can be governed by the Chinese. To resist foreign aggression, we must first stabilize the internal affairs of the country, and do not start a war on the border without authorization.

It is not appropriate to give all the positions in the Central Court to female officials for a long time. Now the Ye Ting has accepted many Huangmen children, and they will be trained and used step by step, and the system will be embedded. But before that, it is advisable to kill all the former eunuchs to avoid a bad atmosphere. Don't think that these remnants will be grateful for tolerance and be obedient.

Li thought so too.

I have read a monograph titled "Eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty" by a PhD in History from the University of Oregon. Regardless of whether they are good or bad, these eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty can be called officials and eunuchs. The professional ability and self-awareness of the bureaucrats are generally in place. However, in the Guo Dynasty, from Cheng Yuanzhen, Yu Chaoen to Tian Lingzi and Yang Fugong, you can clearly feel that their cerebellums are not fully developed.

They are good at bullying the weak and fearing the strong. If they really encounter problems, they will most likely not be able to solve them and they don't have the courage to do anything.

This society has an underlying logic: fools can't take anything away from wise men. Why did the inner court gradually lose the upper hand in the struggle with scholars and warriors, and why was it taken down by Li? It was because they were stupid. In history, they made many outrageous moves that made people laugh every time. For example, they sold the country to the vassal states, so that Zhu Wen could quickly enter the pass to accept the abdication.

The IQ is not even above the passing line.

The cases of Yang Fuguang, Zhang Chengye and Ximen Sigong are deviant cases. They are personal moral characters, please do not bring them up as a collective matter.

Then again, can the eunuchs be used? Of course. But not the eunuchs. Du Rangneng's will reminded him that it was time to deal with these remnants, clean up the house and then raise slaves.

Tenth: The Jiedushi, Guancha and Inspector-General of Liangzhe, Fujian and Lingnan need to be adjusted. This is expected to lead peacefully. Please ask Xu Yanruo for details.

It is not advisable to move the capital hastily. The imperial court's roots are in Guanzhong...

In the future, when you conquer the Central Plains, you should massacre the cities if necessary. Don't learn from Duke Xiang who didn't kill any people. Leave benevolence and righteousness to the people who are willing to obey your rule.

Thirteenth: In some places, a county is established based on a township. In some places, a governor is established based on the head of a county. In some states and counties, the emperors and rulers changed their names more than a dozen times in the past three hundred years for their own hobbies, making it unclear how much land they controlled, and the people did not know which state or county they belonged to. This was purely out of vanity and making trouble out of nothing...

Hiss, that hits the nail on the head.

For example, do you know where Wuzhou is?

Wuzhou was established in the first year of Wude. It was renamed Wudu County in Tianbao, and Wuzhou was renamed again in Suzong. Xuanzong moved the capital to Fujin County. In the Jingfu year, it was renamed Jiezhou. Where is this Wuzhou? Longnan.

Shenwu County established Wuzhou, which was soon abandoned. This Wuzhou is in Shanxi.

Anzhou was renamed Wuzhou, which was soon abolished. This Wuzhou was in Zhejiang.

In the Dazhong era, Wuzhou was established, with Xiaoguan County as its capital. In the Zhonghe era, Panyuan County was established as the capital, which was called Xingwuzhou. This Wuzhou was in Gansu. In the Guangqi era, Wuzhou was established, with Wende County as its capital, and later changed to Yizhou. This Wuzhou was in Hebei...

I won’t talk about the administrative divisions of Henan, as this classic will last forever.

You are just a bunch of idiots with a brain full of blood. You have done it all to me. Even Zhang Shunfei can't figure it out.

The full text is tens of thousands of words long, with dozens of miscellaneous points, covering all aspects. It also comments on the close ministers. At the end, the old man said that the Du family has no successors, and they are all mediocre. Don't promote or appoint meritorious officials beyond their talents just because of their family background and his. Let nature take its course...

Praise: Xun Chen of the Han Dynasty, Cui Du of the Tang Dynasty. They have sons and brothers, many of whom became prime ministers. Pei family changed their principles, and Yang family lost their reputation. The rich and the spoiled changed their nature, it is true and there is evidence!
The saint closed the silk book and said: "The vast heaven has robbed me of my three dukes..."

Luo Fu supported him and said with a bitter face: "Saint, please accept my condolences."

With her leading the way, Yu Wenrou and the others also followed suit and bowed down: "Your Majesty, please cheer up."

"Keep it safe." The saint stuffed the silk book into Zhao Ruxin's chest.

He poured a glass of wine in front of the coffin, turned around and pulled Du Guangyi and his sister up: "Take good care of the funeral affairs. If you need anything, just ask Wei Sheng. What are your plans after the funeral?"

Mourning for relatives within the five degrees of mourning, but not cousins, is called mourning for three months. Mourning for great-grandfathers and maternal grandfathers is called minor mourning, which lasts five months. Mourning for cousins, aunts, nephews, etc. is called major mourning, which lasts nine months.

Qisui is more complicated. The minister is the king, the parents are the eldest son, the wife is the husband... It is a uniform mourning for three years.

Very strict.

Eating meat and drinking wine, having sex, wearing clothes other than mourning clothes, laughing and joking... starting from three years, the highest is death penalty. In the Han Dynasty, many princes were stripped of their titles and exiled because of problems in mourning. In the Guo Dynasty, it started with a hundred sticks of killing. It was good to be beaten to death, but if not dead, they would continue to be imprisoned. The Queen Mother insisted on mourning for Zhu Wen. Every time she was touched all over, she burst into tears. She would rather die than allow entry, and it was not that she was hypocritical or pretending. Such is her value.

Of course, it is not absolute. At least Zhu Wen took care of Zhaozong's funeral and soon he was released. In return, the saint would not let the Queen Mother, Shi Yuan, Zhang Yueyi, Zhu Youzhen, and Zhu Lingya mourn for him according to the rules. For example, at that time, let the Queen Mother lie down in front of Zhu Wen's tablet in the mourning hall, and then pull her hair bun, lift her thighs and beat her.

He likes to play with other people's wives, and he will have to watch his own white moonlight being stood up and kicked in the underworld.

Tsk, you are becoming more and more perverted.

"Live in seclusion." Du Guangyi's eyes were empty, as if he was bored.

"Travel around the world and wander in the world." Du Xiao said the same thing.

"I don't know." Du Daijun's shoulders trembled slightly.

The saint pondered for a while and said, "Once the mourning is over, Dalang and Erlang can enter the government at any time. Fifth sister will marry me as my concubine. From now on, our two families will go together."

Adopting Du Daijun is the same as adopting Cui Yuzhang and Cui Xuansu. The Du family is the Du family. The Jingzhao Du family has been a large family in Guanzhong since the Han and Wei dynasties. The Taiwei branch is the lineage of Du Ruhui. In the middle Tang Dynasty, Du Zuo gave birth to Yuan Jiang. Yuan Jiang gave birth to Shenquan and Wei. When it comes to Du Shenquan, it is another separate branch. Rang Neng is Shenquan's eldest son. To be precise, the family of Du Shenquan will leave together.

Cui, Pei, Du, Wei, Zhao, Zheng, and Li, they are almost all here. No one wants the rotten-pants princesses of the Li family, but the Li family men are in great demand. My family has been the emperor for three hundred years, how can it be inferior to Cui and Lu!

"The family will make the arrangements with the officials." Du Daijun didn't want to say more on this topic.

It's not anything else. Her father has passed away, and as time goes by, the saint will inevitably lose interest in the Du family. Doing this is equivalent to keeping a lower limit. It's just that she is shrouded in grief over the loss of her father and doesn't want to discuss anything else. The saint is quite familiar, calling her the fifth sister all the time...

"That's it."

When the three-year period is up, come and marry the fifth sister!
After leaving the mourning hall, lunch was already being prepared outside, servants were running around, guests were being led to various places to eat and rest, only a small number were wandering around. When they saw him, they came up to him in twos and threes to show their friendship. After asking, I found out that they were all Du Rangneng's staff.

"Qin Taoyu?" The saint was slightly shocked when he saw the handsome man in front of him with a jade-like face and an outgoing personality.

"That's right, that's right..." Qin Taoyu bowed hurriedly, feeling both surprised and frightened.

The saint recalled a scene.

It was midnight more than a decade ago. The original owner of this body was sobbing, young and helpless, with only two eunuchs around him who would scold him at any time. He was suffering from the fear of leaving his hometown, the fear of the evildoers around him, and the sadness of the destruction of the ancestral temple.

"Your Highness!" Suddenly a young man rushed in with several soldiers.

The young prince looked at the person coming and shrank back into a corner in fear, choking with sobs, "Judge Qin, I don't want to enter Shu."

Judge Qin was from a family of the Shen Ce Army, and was both civil and military, but he failed in the imperial examinations, so he became an aide to Tian Lingzi. Qin Taoyu didn't waste any words, grabbed Prince Shou and walked out, then stuffed him into the carriage.

When they reached Xiegu, the little Shouwang's feet were worn out and he could not walk anymore, so he asked Qin Taoyu for a horse. Qin Taoyu went to Tian Lingzi to report, and Tian Lingzi was furious: "Where can we get a horse in this deep mountain!" Then he whipped the child on the head with a horse whip, causing him to crawl on the ground, his face covered with blood, and he screamed for mercy. When the child did not want the horse anymore, he used a stick to urge him to hurry up, and if he walked slowly, he would whip him.

Qin Taoyu was always by my side at that time. After arriving in Chengdu, I never saw him again.

The above are the memories of my predecessor.

"How are you in the shogunate?" The saint looked at Qin Taoyu again and again.

Qin Taoyu felt relieved and just smiled bitterly. Lingzi was too stupid. He still did what he wanted after he arrived in Shu and did many things that angered both gods and men.

For example, Emperor Xizong was not allowed to meet with foreign ministers. The censor Meng Zhaotu wrote in a letter: "Your Majesty traveled west without informing the court, so that the prime minister and below were all harmed by the thieves. Only the Northern Department was peaceful and good. Now the ministers who followed him have all risked their lives to serve the emperor from afar... You did not summon the ministers, nor did you see the prime minister... I don't know if your Majesty is safe! If the ministers have no king, they should be punished. If Your Majesty does not care about the ministers, where is the righteousness? The world belongs to Taizong, not the world of the Northern Department. The emperor is the emperor of the nine provinces, not the emperor of the Northern Department. The Northern Department may not be completely trustworthy, and the Southern Department may not be completely useless. Is it possible that the prime minister does not ask, and the ministers are all passers-by?!"

Tian Lingzi tied Meng Zhaotu to a rock and drowned him at the dock.

The news came out - "Everyone who heard it was so angry that they dared not say anything!"

For example, his brother Chen Jingxuan's misdeeds provoked a popular uprising, and his subordinates were unable to suppress it - "many civilians were arrested and sent to be executed, dozens and hundreds of people a day." The supervising officials and onlookers saw that they were farmers and women, so they asked what happened. They all answered: "We were working in the fields and weaving cloth, and the government troops suddenly entered the village and captured us. We don't know what crime we have committed."

But Chen Jingxuan and his army - "no questions asked, all of them were killed."

Everyone who heard about it was furious and started a rebellion to seek justice for those who had died unjustly.

The list goes on and on.

The inner followers gradually made themselves the target of public criticism. After Tian Lingzi was expelled, the inner followers and their followers did not have a leader with enough prestige, and they were dissatisfied with each other and attacked each other all day long. It was also at this time that Qin Taoyu switched to Du Rangneng.

"You are quite clever. I haven't seen you for more than ten years. I thought you... you would be safe only with a kind-hearted person like the commander..."

Qin Taoyu pursed his lips and said: "Fortunately, the great sage has the demeanor of a celestial being and does not allow us to wander."

"The Grand Commandant can tolerate you, but I can't?" There was a flattery hidden in his words, and the sage understood: "Although I work for the Grand Commandant, I have also contributed a lot to the country in disguise. Some of the past events are gone with the wind."

Although this person is somewhat profit-seeking, he still has a conscience and can be used.

In addition, I have heard about his deeds in my previous life - he was an excellent poet.

A pair of jade-like fingers, not only do they touch the wind and the wind. The phoenix mirror skillfully combs the green eyebrows, and the painted building leisurely looks at the pearl curtain...

"The immortal on the gold list presides over a banquet, and the young man with a silver saddle gets drunk on flowers." Let's go to the Zhide Temple to woo the female Taoist priest.

At this time, I met a fairy couple under the flowers. The crescent moon overshadowed the autumn eyes, and two golden lines emitted yellow mist...

“If I were reborn in a peaceful day, I would still look back and cry about my poor road.”

Never heard of it?
You must know this one, right? -- I hate the fact that I have to weave gold thread every year to make wedding clothes for others!

Qin Taoyu was surprised and moved when he heard this: "Your Majesty, I will follow your lead from now on."

"Okay, stop talking nonsense." The saint touched his chin and said, "You are both civil and military, and you are good at financial management. Where is the right place to put you... ? Let me appoint you as the Imperial Censor in the Palace." After you understand more, we can see what specific job you are suitable for.

Asked again.

There was a young man wearing the same Taoist robe as him, named Cui Daorong. I thought he was from Wei Bo, but when I asked, I found out that he was from Jiangling.

Qi Ji, a native of Changsha, was born as a tenant farmer and made a living by herding cattle for the temple since he was a child. He studied while herding cattle, borrowed and copied books from the temple, and practiced calligraphy and memorizing books on the back of an ox with a bamboo stick, which was quite similar to Song Lian.

Wu Rong was from Kuaiji.

He was a staff member of Wei Zhaodu. After the failure of the expedition against Shu, Wei Zhaodu was dismissed and Wu Rong lived in Jingnan. After Cheng Li entered the court, he followed him back to Chang'an. Later, he also served as a Hanlin - "Zhaozong restored the throne and went to the palace. Rong was the first to arrive and ordered him to draft dozens of edicts. They were concise and precise, and it took no time. The emperor went to Fengxiang, and Rong was unable to follow him and died soon after."

He had a strong professional ethics. His motto of "honesty is more important than personal safety" kept him from fleeing, and he still had some feelings for the court.

Gong Chengyi was from Weizhou. He was the Tang Dynasty version of Fan Jin and the late Tang Dynasty version of Du Fu. He traveled to take the imperial examinations nearly thirty times and wasted more than ten years in Chang'an.

Nie Yizhong was from Henan.

Cui Tu was from Hangzhou.

Wen Xian, son of Wen Tingjun, was a Jinshi selected by Zheng Yanchang, but he did not hold an official position.

Ren Tao is from Jiangxi Province.

Zhao Guanwen was from Guizhou.

……

There were more than 50 people, young and old. The sage talked with them one by one for a long time and found that they were all good talents. Then he felt speechless and angry. What has the court been doing in the past few years? A bunch of good-for-nothings! The imperial examination must be rectified. Taking exams on behalf of others, opening the exam book, posting, saying hello, and cutting in line... What a crazy atmosphere. As for the appointment of middle and lower-level officials, it seems that I have to personally investigate it.

"I have learned all your talents and experiences, so you can all rest assured." The sage made a self-proclaimed joke: "Everyone has an official position, and everyone is striving for fame and fortune!"

Everyone wanted to laugh but didn't dare to, but they were relieved. What they saw and heard today at least proved that he didn't treat his meritorious officials harshly.

"Let's go." The saint declined the reception.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell."

After leaving Fanchuan, the Saint said goodbye to A Fu, Chong Yan, and A Zhao: "You go back first, and remember to take care of Zhao Yanran, Zhao Meng, and Zhao Zi."

Chongyan grabbed his hand and looked at him tearfully with an accusing look: "No... let's go back together... If the saint doesn't go back, what will he do..." Chongyan said foolishly, her eyes moving around, full of affection and aggrieved.

This softened the saint's heart, but after looking at Zhang Hui beside him, he quickly hardened up again: "I still have things to do... You go back and wait for me... Be good and listen."

Nangong Chongyan looked fiercely at Zhang Hui, who was standing alone like an iceberg, then lowered his head, pretended to be about to cry, and let go of her hand pitifully.

The saint took her hand and whispered something in her ear. Chongyan nodded with resentment, smiled again, and walked away obediently.

After walking a few steps out, he turned around and gave the saint a faint smile, unable to conceal the burning joy in his heart.

The saint also smiled: "Nangong?"

Nangong Chongyan tiptoed on one foot, paused, turned sideways and tilted her head to look at him.

“………………What a small beaker…”

Nangong didn't understand, but that didn't stop her from being happy. She blinked her big eyes, smiled sweetly, and walked away quietly.

Ah Zhao held his forehead and took a deep breath, feeling somewhat disappointed. Compared to the ability to seduce men, even if he practiced for another ten years, he would still not be a match for these women. His round eyes swept across the saint's face, and his low, melancholy tone concealed sadness: "Go home early... Concubine Shu, Da Wu and I will make dinner for you."

The saint was overcome with a feeling of guilt and moral deviance.

God, please kill me!
The Saint and the Queen of Heaven rode their horses side by side towards Chang'an City.

Wearing white silk crane fur coat.

The diva’s outfit has changed again.

She was dressed in a holy white robe with a smooth shawl on the outside, the color of which was almost the same as Apple Fourteen's dark purple, but much lighter and brighter.

She wore a white silk scarf on her hair, dotted with star-sized gold leaves, which was almost transparent and hung down to her waist.

Her cheeks were decorated with pink rosy clouds, and there was a perfectly placed red mole between her eyebrows.

Sitting on the horse quietly.

Viewed from the side, she looks like a fairy.

This was the result of her deliberately avoiding it and thinking that she didn't dress up enough.

Any gesture is so tempting to commit a crime. The Tongzhou Army seems to be excusable... Such a woman is coveted and fought over wherever she goes... There is no greater suffering than this for a beautiful woman.

"Zhenniang, what do you think of the governance of our country?" The sage was suffering from high-quality male syndrome again, and pretended to be cool in front of her in a tone similar to Liu Yao asking Yang Xianrong: "How do I compare to Zhu Laosan?"

It was the late autumn of the Double Ninth Festival, and the sky was cloudy and rainy. Under the dark clouds, several ditches on the verge of drying up crisscrossed the green fields. Rotten leaves and grass were deposited in the ditches, and sometimes wild foxes would jump across the ditches.

A broken bridge that shows its age is hidden among the old willows. It looks quite deserted and few people walk on it.

Under the bridge, three naked children were bending over and searching in the stream. They were all skinny and bony, with messy hair, and it was hard to tell whether they were boys or girls. They just stuck out their dirty buttocks, wiped their noses, and dug in the stone cave.

"It's really a lack of moral integrity, and it's unbearable to look at." Wu Xiong shrugged: "The Jingzhao Yin should be hanged."

"It's not a prosperous age, it can be called a moderately prosperous age." The Queen of Heaven said softly.

The saint frowned.

Wu Xiong looked at Zhang Hui, then at the Saint, and saw that he looked unhappy, his forehead flushed, and his face was burning: "Did I chase away a few scoundrels? I'll avoid offending the Saint."

"They are breaking the law there?" Unexpectedly, he became furious and glared at Wu Xiong.

This frightened Wu Xiong enough, and he quickly shook his head: "That's not what I meant, please forgive me!"

"Go and call Shao Yin and Sicang Canjun!"

"Yes!" Wu Xiong responded hurriedly.

"Wait." The saint called him again, "There are also the assistant general of the Ministry of Agriculture and the junior minister of agriculture. Let the five of them come on foot! Stand on the Broken Bridge to collect folk songs until dark, and write a 30,000-word review of the film and read it aloud in the Shangshu Province tomorrow morning."

"Yes!" Wu Xiong rushed out in confusion. How did he offend this ancestor again? Maybe he was angry because he failed to show off. He was the governor of Shuofang Army, but he was sent to pass on the order...

Zhao Jia gave the steps and said, "The reason for the long-term use of the military is this. It is not the fault of your Majesty and the court. Now that the disaster has been resolved, let's slowly give the people a rest--"

"It's so annoying!" The saint flicked his whip, ignored him, and walked away.

"You, go and give them to those three children." Zhao Jia took out some valuables and handed them to an official.

"Yes."

The Queen of Heaven stared at the saint's back, her depressed face unable to hold back, she lowered her head and smiled unkindly.

She urged her mount slowly. Deep in her pupils, she could see that the three children had already hidden in the dense grass under the broken bridge. They were staring at the group of people in bright clothes and riding horses, pointing and poking, and making expressions of admiration with their lips from time to time.

In this world, some people get everything before they are born, while others are born as oxen, horses, and leeks. When some people die, there will be a huge crowd of people, all kinds of people will come to mourn and offer condolences. Some people are also animals that deserve to be killed while they are still alive. Living foolishly, clearly, simply, dully, and namelessly...

Wu Xiong's words "his moral character is weak and unbearable to look at" echoed repeatedly in the Queen's mind.

She had an indescribable feeling.

Just eight short words, both cold and desperate.

What Zhu Wen couldn't do, it seemed that Saint Li couldn't do either for the time being... either.

But then she thought of herself again.

My situation may not be better than that of the three children, and may even be worse.

Saint Li never hit her or scolded her, and never spoke loudly. He always doted on her to the extreme, like a lover. But the Queen Mother clearly felt that she was always afraid and frightened by him, and treated terribly by him, as if she would be killed in a cruel bloodbath at any time, implicated her children and Wang Yanzhang. The murderous emperor, once he got angry, his behavior was inhumane. The Queen Mother had seen him "deal with" others before. Skinning, chopping off hands, cutting out hearts, pulling out tongues, burning...

The queen's heart was bleeding: My life is so tiring and painful.

Then, she felt childish again.

The emperor is not a good person, I have known this for a long time, but why do I have illusions about him, thinking that he will be the exception, the one and only, the one who is different from others, the only one chosen by heaven………………

The queen thought about their current relationship again.

The king and the eunuchs?

Master and maid?

He is still just a tool, a trophy that can be thrown away at any time...

With her experience, level, and intelligence, she could certainly see through Emperor Li's thoughts. Every time he looked at her, his eyes were filled with admiration, care, love, stinginess, obsession, and admiration. Every time he moved, it was like caressing a unique work of art. Occasionally, he acted pitiful and pleasing. Occasionally, he was impatient, barbaric, and overbearing... Although he was hiding his desire to humiliate her...

The queen knows all of this.

But...she was so confused and her emotions were so complicated that they were hard to describe.

She also discovered a problem.

Wang Yanzhang and his old-timers hardly dared to look her in the eye, and she had no interest in understanding them.

Zhu Wen showed his love to her, and she felt physically uncomfortable, nauseous, and queasy.

But when the Emperor Li held her face to face and mouth to mouth, the Queen's body would turn red, hot, and wet, and her heart would beat faster, like a doe. She had no rejection of the man under her...

The queen began to question her own morality unprecedentedly, and was extremely disgusted and hated herself.

These things, those subconscious physical reactions, made her feel ashamed and humiliated.

Is my character so bad?

She thought she had degenerated into a wicked and vicious woman.

The fact that a person like her who was detached from the world and arrogant developed a dislike for herself was more painful than Zhu Wen holding her hand and saying sweet words to her.

No, I am not that kind of person, I will not become a fallen woman.

But now, is there any way back?

As soon as her husband was dismembered, she lay on the murderer who dismembered him, gasping for breath, twitching and leaking water from his neck... Perhaps I am indeed a fickle slut, a whore whose body and mind have been torn apart, who appears to be a reserved, dignified and strong-willed lady, but is actually a lewd, evil and ugly slut... - This was the conclusion she came to after thinking about it.

Should I just die?

"Queen of Heaven, we have arrived at the city gate and are entering Chang'an." The voice of the saint came from the front.

"Here it comes." The Queen closed her eyes, gathered her thoughts, and urged her horse to catch up.

You can't die yet.

She also had to go back to Xuanyangli to see the family home where she grew up. She also had to lead everyone to buy a house, prepare the murder weapon, hire monks and Taoists to play music, and set up a mourning hall... to mourn for Zhu Wen. Zhu San, will you hate me a little less in this way?

"Diva, why are you crying?"

The diva wiped her tears, looking troubled, and murmured as if in her sleep, "Nothing."

The saint looked at her.

I inexplicably thought of two people: Pei Yuhan and Xia Qianzhen.

(End of this chapter)