Looking at the mountains and rivers

The fifth year of Yong'an, August [-]th.

The highest place in the imperial city, the Wanghai Pavilion, Emperor Yong'an had a feast for his ministers in the pavilion that night. He originally wanted to take this high place to enjoy the moon, but he didn't know that the moon was covered by dark clouds and the autumn wind was rustling, so there was no moonlight at all.But this didn't disturb the emperor's interest in the slightest. Since he ascended the throne five years ago, he has been losing power, so he was naturally unwilling.In these years, it was first his uncle Yang Ye, and then his cousin Yang Dai. None of the father and son took him seriously.Now that Yang Ye is dead, Yang Dai is in prison, the emperor has finally reorganized the country, and no one in the world dares to question his authority.

The red gauze palace lanterns illuminated the entire hall. The heroes of King Mu's witchcraft case were all sitting down, except for King Yong, King Mu and other royal family members, as well as officials from the aristocratic family.In the center of the hall is a dancer spinning rapidly, musicians are playing music, and Emperor Yong'an drinks a few cups in the seat, feeling happy in his heart.

Mu Wang Yang Jue, who was seated next to him, was drunk and started to dance with the dance music. The king Yong who was seated above him had his eyes half closed, but now he slowly opened them. He looked at this nephew and chuckled softly. stand up.Emperor Yong'an saw his uncle's smile, and it was a little funny. If it was the original Mu Wang Yang Dai, it would never be so funny. That person has never ignored everything, only the smile on the corners of his lips is always unpredictable. It was very uncomfortable.

I don't know if he drank too much, but not long after, Emperor Yong'an felt drunk, he waved his hand, the servants immediately understood, and carried him to the back hall for a nap.The surrounding music hadn't quieted down yet, but a voice was heard: "The servant under the door, Xie Ao, begs to see you."

Emperor Yong'an half-closed his eyes: "Let him in."

After a while, Xie Gui walked into the apse, he leaned over and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to announce."

"What's the matter with Aiqing, I will leave it to the court tomorrow. Why talk about state affairs at this Mid-Autumn Festival banquet." Emperor Yong'an was obviously not interested.

"This matter... is somewhat inconvenient in the court." Xie Ao was obviously very hesitant.

"Forget it, tell me."

Xie Xie said respectfully: "Since I proposed to hand over the Northwestern feudal towns to Lord Tuoba that day, many colleagues have denounced me as foreign thieves. These days, the memorials to impeach my ministers must be full of His Majesty's court cases."

"It turns out that Aiqing is worried about this," Emperor Yong'an said with a meaningless smile, "The old man Tuoba is in charge of the Donghu army. If it wasn't for Aiqing's suggestion, how could he be sent away so easily? Aiqing is loyal, so it's natural in my heart clear."

"I'm not worried about the opinions of the adults in the court. What I worry about in my heart is only the safety of Dazhao and the emperor." His eyes were burning, he lifted the hem of his clothes, and knelt down suddenly. The evil wolf is really extremely dangerous, the emperor has no choice but to guard against it!"

Emperor Yong'an was a little sober, and he seemed a little panicked: "You said earlier that Yang Dai was ambitious and had bad intentions, but now he has been detained in prison, who is the fierce tiger and wolf that Xie Qing refers to? "

Xie Yao said slowly: "Since Yan Yu occupied the Northwest Capital Protectorate three years ago, our dynasty has given Yan Yu 10 taels of silver and tens of thousands of pieces of silk every year. This is called a reward, but it is actually a tribute to Yan Yu. When my Dazhao envoy saw Khan Yanyu, he even wanted to perform the ceremony of a monarch and minister, Your Majesty, isn’t this Yanyu a fierce tiger?"

Speaking of this neighboring country in the north, Emperor Yong'an's face gradually turned ugly, and he whispered: "Speak."

"Although Yanyu poses a great threat to our country, it is not a serious worry. The thing that worries me the most is the hundreds of thousands of Donghu soldiers in the northwest." Xie Ji's words were sonorous, pointing out the things that Emperor Yong'an was most afraid of. "The Tuoba family has controlled the Northwest for many years, and their military strength is strong, but they are foreigners after all, and their wolfish ambitions are inevitable. I'm afraid it will become a catastrophe in the future!"

Emperor Yong'an seemed a little confused, he stammered and said: "Didn't you say that Tuobaxin's grandson was detained in Jian'an, and he dared to rebel?"

"Your Majesty, Tuobaxin is already in his sixtieth year. If he dies, the next patriarch will not take that little hostage seriously. The most important thing for us is to quickly weaken the strength of Donghu troops so that even if they have rebellious intentions , and there is no power to rebel."

"Weaken..." Emperor Yong'an immediately asked back, "Didn't Aiqing propose to let the Tuoba family take care of the northwest by themselves, now that the court has lost control of the northwest, how can we weaken their troops?"

"Your Majesty, even if Old Mu Wang is alive and holds military power in the Northwest, he cannot easily weaken Donghu's military strength," Xie Ao lowered his voice, and said in a strange way, "Donghu has hundreds of thousands of troops. If you want to weaken it, the best way It is to let them break down on the battlefield."

"What!" Emperor Yong'an was completely shocked, "The battlefield, where is the battlefield?"

"Northwest is adjacent to Yanyu, so it is naturally the battlefield where the Yanyu people are fighting." Xie Ao's voice was soft and deep, but what he said was very shocking. After he finished speaking, he looked up and saw a The emperor just stared at him.

"Your Majesty, as long as we are a little provocative and anger Yan Yu, when Yan Yu declares war, we must first take Anyang and Hexi. Tuobaxin now regards the northwest towns as his fief, so naturally he will not shirk, and must Lead the Donghu army to fight against Yan Yu. This battlefield is damaged, and tens of thousands of people are killed at every turn. As long as we fight a few battles, the strength of Donghu will naturally not be the same as before."

Emperor Yong'an finally came to his senses, he stared at Xie Yu, and said in a deep voice: "You mean to start a war with Yanyu, if the people from Yanyu are defeated in the northwest line, what will happen if the Yanyu people really come in and attack the city of Jian'an?" manage?"

Xie Xie smiled unhurriedly: "Your Majesty, even if Yanyu breaks through Anyang and Hexi by chance, there is still a dangerous Guanyou to resist. Let the Yanyu people really fight to Jian'an." After he finished speaking, he stopped laughing and said in a low voice, "I am only worried that the Donghu people are too brave. If they win this battle easily, I am afraid that they will be rewarded. It only increased their power."

Emperor Yong'an frowned. Why didn't he know this? From the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China to the present, the Donghu army has always lost less and won more battles. of a force.

"However, I have another plan." Xie Ao glanced carefully at the emperor's face, "This time the war begins, the emperor might as well gather another forbidden army, including more young children from aristocratic families, and go to the battlefield to help out. If this battle If it is defeated, it is the fault of the Donghu army. If it wins, the talents in this forbidden army will be greatly rewarded. This can not only ignore the military achievements of the Donghu people, but also train direct military generals for the emperor. Wouldn’t it kill two birds with one stone.”

When Emperor Yong'an heard this, he immediately praised: "This is a very clever plan." He stood up and held Xie Yao drunkenly, "Since I ascended the throne, I have been hiding my strengths and biding my time, and what I want to wait for is a virtuous official like Xie Qing. If this battle really solves my internal and external troubles as Xie Qing expected, then Xie Qing will be my Wuya Prime Minister!"

Xie Xie hurriedly knelt down again: "I dare not be a minister, I have devoted myself to serving the emperor and the country."

"Okay!" Emperor Yong'an's blood hadn't been rolling for a moment, but he was no match for the drunkenness. He hiccupped, "Tomorrow, tomorrow I will issue an edict to entitle you to the post of Taiwei."

When Xie Xie heard this, his whole body trembled with joy, he knelt down and thanked him again and again, but the emperor had already left in a hurry with the support of the inner eunuch.

After a while, a young eunuch with a bright face came over to help him up and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, the emperor has gone back to the palace to rest, and my slave will take you to the front hall?"

When Xie Xie looked up, he saw the surroundings were quiet, only a few internal eunuchs on duty left.He stood up and looked at the familiar furnishings in the palace, with mixed feelings in his heart, as if a voice shouted: I am finally back.

Ten years ago, he was a young man who had just entered the official career, and he came to the imperial capital with the wish to shine on the lintel, and entered the court as an official.At that time, Emperor Xiaozong was still in power, and the officials tried their best to please the emperor in every possible way. In order to win the emperor's favor, they almost tried their best.However, Xie Xie heard the rumors that Xiaozong was unable to handle the intercourse in his later years, so he collected a volume of intercourse and handed it in the memorial. Unexpectedly, he was thrown out in court and reprimanded by the imperial eunuch, and finally he was degraded and expelled from the capital. .All the things that happened that day were all in this apse, Xie Ao still vividly remembers the shame of that day, his teeth itch.

"Master Xie is deeply appreciated by the emperor, and the general will be from one person to more than ten thousand people. This servant is here to congratulate you." The little inner supervisor supported his arm and said affectionately.

Seeing the witty words of the little eunuch, Xie Xie couldn't help smiling: "Is the eunuch on duty in front of the imperial court?"

"Yes, the slave's ancestors have accumulated virtue, so that they can serve His Majesty in front of the imperial court." The little inner supervisor pursed his lips and smiled.

Xie Ao paid special attention to the inner eunuch in front of the imperial court, and asked, "I haven't asked your father-in-law's name yet."

The little inner eunuch laughed hurriedly: "The slave is called Huaixi, Mr. Xie, don't forget to promote the slave in the future."

Xie Xie nodded, and suddenly asked: "There used to be a father-in-law surnamed Tian in front of the late emperor, but is he still in the palace?"

"But Tian Wenli, Eunuch Tian?" Huaixi was startled, just about to say that this was his former master, but kept silent again.When Mr. Xie asked the question, a cold light like a night owl suddenly appeared in his eyes. He had been immersed in the palace for many years, and he was like a human being. After the late Emperor passed away, he went out of the palace to guard the imperial mausoleum."

Xie Xie nodded, and said with a half-smile, "He is still alive."

Wangfu South Courtyard.

A banquet was set up in the west of the courtyard. At this moment, the sweet-scented osmanthus was in full bloom, and the aroma was overflowing. Mixed with the aroma of wine in the air, it was very intoxicating.

That night, everyone in the south courtyard was informed, and the fourth son invited them to the courtyard to enjoy the osmanthus.This is a common occurrence in Gongqing's palace. During festive seasons, the master will call the servants of the mansion to reward them. The usual practice in the past is two moon cakes and a pot of wine for each person. Some generous masters will also give extra rewards .

There were more than [-] people crowded in the small courtyard, all of them were servants of the mansion, several of them were ordered by King Mu to keep an eye on the prince's fourth younger brother in private.When they came, everyone felt a little disapproving, after all, they used to work in the inner courtyard, and every Mid-Autumn Festival, the rewards were worth a dime.They muttered to themselves, now that they are by the side of this powerless master, they might not even be able to share a piece of mooncake.

Soon, Fang Ming, the young steward of the South Court, came out. He carefully supported the person beside him, who was the fourth son Yang Yan, the master here.Yang Yan was wearing a brocade robe with thin jade-colored ruyi patterns today, and he looked more and more handsome. He couldn't stand the cold wind in the autumn night, and he wore a cloak woven with brocade on his shoulders.The person behind them was wearing black clothes. He has a very special status in this courtyard. The servants still don't know whether this Wei Changxuan is the master or a servant. He is only the companion of the fourth son in name, but the fourth son Treat him politely, as if treating him as a brother.

After Yang Yan entered the table, the greetings from the crowd rang out one after another. He smiled calmly at the crowd, his glazed eyes seemed to be able to see things, and he said in a low voice: "Everyone is busy these days. Taking care of the South Courtyard is very hard work, and on this festive occasion, I invite you all to come here to appreciate the osmanthus and drink."

Several large urns have been prepared in the courtyard, which are filled with sweet-scented osmanthus wine. As usual in the palace, one must first congratulate the master and then thank the master.The first one to come forward was a cook surnamed Liu. He had smelled the aroma of wine a long time ago, and the glutton in his belly could hardly hold back. He poured a full cup of wine and kneeled weakly: "Little Gong!" I wish the fourth son a happy life and a healthy life."

Yang Yan couldn't drink alcohol, so he only took a sip of tea, and then said with a smile: "Liu Rongsheng, your clear boiled white silk is very good, it's very to my taste."

The cook surnamed Liu was startled, he thought this young master was blind and ignorant of the surrounding things, so he didn't even kneel neatly, he didn't expect him to be able to say his name when he opened his mouth.Moreover, there are five cooks in this yard, and they take turns to cook dishes every day. It is amazing that he can still tell the dishes he has cooked in the past.He hastily knelt down firmly, and said nervously: "Young master likes the dishes cooked by the villain, it is the villain's blessing."

The next servant with a handsome face was the gardener in the courtyard. He was eloquent. After he stepped forward to say his congratulations, Yang Yan nodded and smiled: "Tang An, the osmanthus in this courtyard is blooming so well, thanks to You cultivated well, you should drink one more cup of this sweet-scented osmanthus wine."

Everyone was even more surprised, they had only been serving this young master for a month, even people with good ears and eyes might not be able to remember their names and responsibilities clearly, but this master obviously knew them well.

After everyone finished toasting, Yang Yan raised his hand with a smile and said to his side: "Fang Ming, thank you."

Fang Ming responded immediately, holding a red lacquer plate in his hand, walked to the front, and said with a smile: "My lord has a reward, everyone, let's be happy."

As soon as everyone looked at the lacquer plate, they knew in their hearts that this was a reward money.In the old days, during festivals, the stewards would put copper coins in red lacquer plates and sprinkle the money to the crowd. Everyone must be laughing and making noise, deliberately grabbing endlessly, so that the master can watch the excitement.

Sure enough, Fang Ming grabbed a handful from the plate and waved it to the crowd, but what was spilled was not copper coins, but small grains, cold and heavy, scattered all over the floor.Someone picked up one first, and he opened his mouth wide: "Melon... melon seeds..."

The others were very confused, and one of them laughed quickly: "Master, you are very interested, do you want us to eat melon seeds?"

But he heard that stammering and trembling voice: "Gold...gold melon seeds..."