Lanting prelude

Chapter 70
Li Shimin was very puzzled, and said: "Then tell me what you want, and I will definitely satisfy you." Xiao Junmo only said one sentence: "I want to go back to Linquan, and I only hope for your majesty's permission."

In March of the 17th year of Zhenguan, Tang Taizong Li Shimin successfully implemented the plan of "leading the snake out of the cave" in Jiucheng Palace, trapping Wang Hongyi, the leader of the Mingzang Tudor of the Tianxing League, and wiped out the main party members of the Mingzang Tudor lurking in the court in one fell swoop.A few days later, the imperial court announced to the world that Mingzang helm members who had not been arrested voluntarily surrendered to the government. The imperial court could either reduce the crime as appropriate, or let the past go.With the edict, more than a hundred people surrendered one after another.Among them, there are 27 officials above the ninth rank who originally served in the central government, 36 foreign officials, and Yu Zeshi, agricultural, industrial and commercial, and all three religions and nine streams.

So far, Wang Hongyi's remnant forces have been wiped out, and the Tang court finally eliminated a serious problem.

Chu Lisang was imprisoned in the dungeon for two days.On the morning of the third day, she was awakened by the clanging of iron chains in her drowsiness, and then the dungeon door opened, and a beam of sunlight suddenly shone in, making her blindfolded.

Then, a familiar figure quickly walked down the stairs and came in front of her.

The bright sunlight outlined his well-defined, hard-lined face, and made his face seem to be coated with a layer of golden light.Chu Lisang threw herself into his arms without hesitation.

"how did you find me?"

"Look hard, you can always find it." Xiao Junmo smiled lightly. "Where are the green sleeves?"

"Don't worry, I'll send her back to Lanlingfang first."

On the same day, Xiao Junmo brought Chu Lisang to Gaoyangyuan in the western suburbs of Chang'an.Prince Yin Li Jiancheng was buried here in the second year of Zhenguan.Chu Lisang was very uneasy along the way, wondering why Xiao Junmo didn't ask about Xu Wanniang, and also didn't know what to say if he asked.Xiao Junmo saw her thoughts, so he took the initiative to tell her that Wang Hongyi had already told him everything that happened in Zhilan Tower.When he said this, there were no tears in Xiao Junmo's eyes, but Chu Lisang knew that in the past two days, he must have cried all his tears dry in a place where no one was around.

Li Jiancheng's tomb is very inconspicuous, it looks no different from the tomb of an ordinary rich man in Chang'an.Next to Li Jiancheng's tomb, there are two semi-new tombs - this is where Xu Wanniang and Dai Lisi are buried; beside them, there are two new tombs, in which Xi Yan and Hua Ling'er are buried.

Xiao Junmo lit incense in front of their graves, placed offerings, and then stood quietly for more than an hour.Chu Lisang stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

From beginning to end, neither of them spoke.Chu Lisang knew that Xiao Junmo was talking to his biological parents in his heart.In this life, the three of them have never been together, so Xiao Junmo must have endless things to say to them.

At some point, there was a funeral procession approaching in the distance. The crowd in linen and filial piety held up the funeral banners, white paper money was flying in the air, and the tragic cry came from afar, persistently tearing Xiao Junmo and Chu Li away. Sang's eardrum.Then, a light rain began to fall from the sky, covering the open field with mist.

It wasn't until the rain wet his shoulders that Xiao Junmo took Chu Lisang's hand and left silently.

The next day, Li Shimin summoned Xiao Junmo in the Hall of Liangyi, and solemnly announced that he would return to the clan, become a member of the royal family, worship General Xuanjiawei, and be granted the title of prince of the county.However, to Li Shimin's surprise, Xiao Junmo declined all these favors and awards.Li Shimin was very puzzled, and said: "Then tell me what you want, and I will definitely satisfy you."

Xiao Junmo only said one sentence: "The minister wants to return to Linquan, and I only hope for His Majesty's permission."

Li Shimin was silent for a long time before he said, "Apart from this, do you have any other wishes?"

"Yes. I implore Your Majesty to restore Li Shiji, Huan Dieyi, and Luo Biao to their original posts." At this time, Huan Dieyi and Luo Biao had been released, but they were still at home like Li Shiji.

Li Shimin thought for a while: "I'm sure. Are there any more?"

"Also, I implore Your Majesty to reinstate the Prime Minister as well."

"Fang Xuanling?" Li Shimin was surprised, "You also have a personal relationship with him?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, I have no relationship with Fang Xianggong, let alone a personal relationship. I dare to speak out, but I hope that our Tang court can make the best use of its talents; secondly, I hope that our court can further clarify the administration of officials and strengthen the government. The fairness and impartiality of the imperial examinations, so that the children of poor families all over the world can use their true talents and learning to obtain higher ranks, so that they will not be buried for life."

Li Shimin finally understood.

In today's civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, Fang Xuanling is one of the few people who were born as Jinshi. He entered the official position as a Jinshi as early as Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. He was only young at that time, and his family background was also very ordinary. high door.Therefore, Xiao Junmo's intention to speak for Fang Xuanling was not aimed at Fang Xuanling, but to use this as an admonition, implying that the court's officials were not clear enough, and the imperial examinations were not fair enough, so that the children of the rich and powerful blocked the progress of the poor. ascending channel.

In fact, Li Shimin has always hated these injustices, so since he came to the throne, he has attached great importance to the imperial examinations, and has repeatedly suppressed the nobles.However, historical conventions are hard to break in a short period of time. The concept of family status originating from the Northern and Southern Dynasties still occupies the hearts of the people, and thus has always influenced the customs and rules of the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty.With all these things, why does Li Shimin not want to change?
"I understand what you mean." Li Shimin said lightly, "I will consider Fang Xuanling's matter."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xiao Junmo has no official or title now, he is just a commoner, and it is enough to be able to talk about this, so there is no need to say more.

Three days later, Wang Hongyi was escorted to Xishi for questioning and execution.

At noon, the sun hung high in the sky.The execution ground was set at a cross street in West City.The gentry and common people in Chang'an had heard of Wang Hongyi's name a long time ago, and they also described him as a big devil with a blue face and fangs in word of mouth, so they surrounded the execution ground early in the morning.But many people were disappointed after seeing his true face, thinking that the big devil who shocked the government and the public and caused chaos in the world should never look so ordinary.

After obtaining Li Shimin's permission, Xiao Junmo brought Chu Lisang to the execution ground to send Wang Hongyi off for the last time.

No matter how many outrageous things Wang Hongyi has done, he is Chu Lisang's father and her last relative in this world.

Wang Hongyi, with disheveled hair, was tied to a large pillar of the execution platform, and his face was flushed red by the midday sun.Xiao Junmo pushed the executioner aside so that their father and daughter could have a few words alone.However, Chu Lisang stood in front of Wang Hongyi for a long time, but couldn't utter a single word, except for something glittering and translucent in his eyes.

Wang Hongyi looked at her with a smile, and said: "Sang'er, don't be sad, father is going to reunite with your mother soon, you should be happy for father."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not sad, it's just that the sun is too glaring today." Chu Lisang said coldly.

"Sang'er, if you can come to send daddy off for the last time, daddy will be satisfied." Wang Hongyi still said with a smile, "the only thing daddy regrets is that he can't send you off to get married. Fortunately, Xiao Lang is a nice young man. He will live a life, and father will be relieved."

"He designed to catch you, don't you hate him?"

"I hate it, of course I hate it!" Wang Hongyi laughed, "But when I think that he can help me take care of my daughter and make my daughter happy, I can't hate him anymore, and I even feel a little grateful to him."

Chu Lisang knew that he was speaking the truth, so he could no longer hold back the tears in his eyes, and turned away quickly.

"Sang'er, daddy is leaving. You have never called daddy..." Wang Hongyi showed a begging look, "I will call you just once in this life, okay?"

Chu Lisang covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling violently.

It was approaching three quarters noon, and the prison officer was already urging Xiao Junmo to leave.

Xiao Junmo walked up to Chu Lisang, stroked her shoulder, and wanted to say something, but he didn't say it after all.Suddenly, Chu Lisang turned around resolutely, walked in front of Wang Hongyi, and said in a low voice: "When you see my mother, confess your mistake to her, and then tell her, just say...just say that my daughter has forgiven you."

Hearing what she said, Wang Hongyi's eyes immediately burst into tears of surprise, and while nodding frequently, he waited for her to continue with greater expectations.

However, Chu Lisang's courage seemed to be exhausted in an instant, and the words behind were stuck at the back of his tongue, unable to speak out.

The fire of hope in Wang Hongyi's eyes gradually dimmed.

"It's three o'clock in the afternoon, verify your integrity, and ask to be executed!" The prison officer's voice resounded, and the surrounding people around the execution ground made a commotion of excitement.

The executioner strode towards Wang Hongyi.

At this moment, Chu Lisang blurted out: "Father, go all the way!" After she finished speaking, she pulled Xiao Junmo up and walked off the execution platform without looking back.

Wang Hongyi looked up to the sky and laughed loudly, and the laughter echoed over the execution ground.After a while, he roared angrily: "Come on, with a bowl-sized scar on your head, you will be a good man again in 20 years!"

There was a burst of applause from the crowd.

Xiao Junmo and Chu Lisang left the intersection amidst the cheers, and disappeared into the vast crowd in a blink of an eye.

In the afternoon of that day, Xiao Junmo and Chu Lisang first went to Xuanjiawei to bid farewell to Luo Biao and other brothers, and then rode their horses to Li Shiji's mansion.

They decided to leave Chang'an today.

This is Xiao Junmo's final farewell to Li Shiji and Huan Dieyi.However, what Xiao Junmo didn't expect was that Huan Dieyi always avoided seeing him.Xiao Junmo was helpless, and after cherishing each other with Li Shiji, he left sadly.Li Shiji personally sent him to the gate of the mansion, and finally said: "No matter where you hide in the world, you must write a letter to your teacher, do you hear me?"

Xiao Junmo nodded, got on his horse, walked side by side with Chu Lisang, and soon passed away on the long street.

Huan Dieyi chased after him at this time, but Xiao Junmo was no longer on the street.

She stared fixedly at the end of the long street, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Look at you kid! You don't see people when they come, and you chase after them when they leave. You say you..." Li Shiji couldn't help shaking his head and sighing.

Huan Dieyi turned a deaf ear and just let the tears flow wantonly on his face.

"Go back." Li Shiji said softly, "The kid has already promised me that he will write to me when he settles down. At that time, let's go see him together, okay?"

Huan Dieyi suddenly lay on Li Shiji's shoulder, and cried out loudly.

"Cry, cry, you will be happy when you cry..." Li Shiji smiled wryly, "Uncle will also cry on your aunt's shoulder later."

Huan Dieyi held back for a while, and finally couldn't help laughing through tears.

Xiao Junmo and Chu Lisang came to Wu Wangfu in Qinrenfang, but Li Ke was no longer here.The servants told them that King Wu had returned to Anzhou by order and continued to be his governor.

Xiao Junmo couldn't help laughing when he heard the words.

The servant gave him a letter, saying that it was left by King Wu.Xiao Junmo quickly opened it, and Li Ke's half-smile expression immediately appeared in front of his eyes.He said in the letter: "Brother, what I hate most in my life is saying goodbye to people, so after thinking about it, it's better to take a step first. When you read the letter, I probably already went hunting in Anzhou. Don't blame me." , anyway, you kid did leave without saying goodbye, I learned from you. Whenever you miss me, come to Anzhou, let's practice again. "

In the end, Xiao Junmo and Chu Lisang returned to their home in Lanlingfang, said goodbye to He Chongjiu and other old family members, then burned the seal of the Heavenly Punishment Alliance, and finally put on the green sleeves, and left Chang'an through the Mingde Gate in the south .

As the sun sets, a group of crested ibis with red foreheads and white feathers slowly circles in the sky.

On the endless field, summer wildflowers are blooming.

Xiao Junmo, Chu Lisang and Luxiu each rode a horse and headed for the distant horizon.

Behind them is a round and blood-red sunset...

Few people know where Xiao Junmo and Chu Lisang finally lived in seclusion.However, there are rumors in the rivers and lakes that they have found a paradise far away from the hustle and bustle, where men farm and women weave, have children and live a life like a couple of gods and immortals.It is said that someone once saw an old monk with white beard and eyebrows visit their husband and wife more than once.Regarding the identity of the old monk, some people say that he is the abbot of a nearby mountain temple, and some say that he is the debater who disappeared in Tianmu Mountain, but no one knows the truth.In addition, Li Shiji, Huan Dieyi, and Wu Wang Li Ke all kept correspondence with Xiao Junmo in private.Therefore, through their letters, Xiao Junmo has always maintained his understanding and attention to Chang'an and the world.

The first news that surprised and shocked Xiao Junmo was that not long after they left, the emperor personally smashed Wei Zheng's tombstone, which was engraved with the inscription written by the emperor himself a few months ago; The marriage contract between Wei Shuyu, the eldest son of Wei Zheng, and Princess Hengshan was confirmed.

No one knew why the emperor did these things suddenly, but Xiao Junmo guessed it right away. The most likely reason was that Wang Hongyi told the emperor the truth that Wei Zheng was the helmsman of Linchuan of the Tianxing League before his death.If this is the case, then the emperor is obviously showing mercy.Because according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, it would not be too much for him to kill Wei Zheng's family.Thinking of this, Xiao Junmo couldn't help but feel a little luck and comfort in his heart.

Over the years since then, Xiao Junmo has always been stunned by the various news that came one after another...

In the 19th year of Zhenguan, the deposed prince Li Chengqian died of depression in Qianzhou, where he was exiled, at the age of 27.

In December of the same year, Liu Ji, the attendant, was bestowed dead by the emperor. It is said that Chu Suiliang falsely accused him of treason and injustice.The government and the opposition generally believed that the real reason for Liu Ji's conviction was that he was once a "Wei royal party", and Changsun Wuji had always hated him, so he ordered his confidant Chu Suiliang to eradicate him.But in Xiao Junmo's view, there may be another explanation for Liu Ji's death, that is, the emperor finally knew that his true identity was Xuanquan, the number one undercover agent of the Tianxing League, so he killed him with the help of Chu Suiliang.But no matter what the reason is, Xiao Junmo has no way to verify it, and can only silently pray that Liu Ji's soul can rest in peace.

In May of the 23rd year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin, the hero of a generation, passed away in Cuiwei Palace in Zhongnan Mountain. Before he died, he told Prince Li Zhi that he must put his favorite post—Wang Xizhi's "Lanting Preface" as a funeral object in Zhaoling.After Xiao Junmo heard the news, he smiled wryly.He didn't know whether the emperor did this out of his true love for Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, or whether he wanted to bring all the secrets related to "Lanting Preface" underground, so as to restore peace to the world.In short, no matter what the emperor's motivation was, with his coffin buried in Zhaoling, there will be no more "Lanting Preface" in the world.Since then, only some exquisite copies have been handed down to future generations.

In Yonghui three years after Li Zhi ascended the throne, Pu Wang Li Tai died in Yunxiang, the demoted place, at the age of 33.

In the fourth year of Yonghui, the eldest grandson Wuji, who single-handedly controlled the government, created the so-called "Fang Yiai's Rebellion Case", and then went on a rampage to get involved and eradicate all the former "Wei Wangdang" and "Wu Wangdang": Fang Yiai, Li Daozong , Chai Lingwu and others all died by accident, and Wu Wang Li Ke was also given to die in Anzhou.It is said that before Li Ke died, he turned his face to the sky and uttered a terrible curse: "Changsun Wuji steals authority and harms goodness. The clan has spirits, and the clan will soon be extinct!"

This year, Li Ke was 35 years old.

When he heard the news of Li Ke's death, Xiao Junmo was stunned for a long time, then avoided Chu Lisang and his children, and locked himself in the study for a day.He didn't come out until late at night, when the children were already asleep, and said to Chu Lisang, "I said something to King Wu back then, but unfortunately he couldn't listen to it." Chu Lisang asked him what he said, and Xiao Junmo said: "All power in the world is a double-edged sword that hurts others and yourself. Only letting go is the ultimate salvation." After hearing this, Chu Lisang smiled sadly: "There is no one in this world who is not keen on power." ? How many people can really let go like you?"

Only six years later, that is, the fourth year of Xianqing, the curse that Li Ke uttered before his death became a prophecy.Because Li Zhi had long been dissatisfied with Changsun Wuji, who overshadowed the sky with one hand and dominated the court, and the two sides had had fierce conflicts about Wu Zetian's succession, Li Zhi joined forces with Wu Zetian to kill Changsun Wuji—first He was exiled to Qianzhou, and then died. At the same time, he also eradicated his party members Chu Suiliang and others.

Among Li Tang's veteran ministers, only Li Shiji (later renamed Li Ji to avoid Taizong's taboo) seems to be the luckiest. Not only has he always concealed the true identity of the leader of the Tianxing League, Subo, but he has also escaped cruel and bloody incidents time and time again. The power struggle did not come to an end until the second year of Zongzhang at the age of 77.

This year, both Xiao Junmo and Chu Lisang were nearly half a hundred years old, and their children had grown up, and their eldest son even got married and started a business.It is said that he married a gentle and virtuous woman from Chang'an whose mother was Huan Dieyi.

Even as adults, Xiao Junmo's children still clearly remember that when they were young, their father often taught them Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, and often told them a story about "Lanting Preface".However, the version they heard was passed down from the court of Chang'an.This version says: During the Zhenguan period, Emperor Taizong loved Wang Xizhi's calligraphy very much, so he ordered all states and counties in the world to collect his scriptures widely. Later, he heard that the original "Lanting Preface" was hidden in the hands of an old monk named Biancai, so he ordered a surname Xiao's censor, pretending to be a scholar, approached the debate, and cheated the "Lanting Preface".

It is said that after the emperor got the "Lanting Preface", he couldn't put it down and pondered day and night, but he never found out the true meaning of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy.

The sons and daughters asked their father: "Is there really such a deep mystery in "Lanting Preface" that even the emperor can't crack it?" Xiao Junmo smiled lightly and replied: "There are many things in this world, even if you are an emperor, you may not be able to crack it. Maybe Some mysteries can only be left to future generations to decipher.”

(End of this chapter)