Chang'an ancient meaning

Li Chengqi and Xue Chongjian left the house, Xue Chongjian couldn't ride a horse, and Jishanfang where they lived was just one square away from Tianjin Bridge.The two walked hand in hand.Xue Chongjian was afraid of encountering bad guys on the road, so he brought a short sword. As soon as he arrived at the gate of the square, he was stopped by guards who were watching the night. The two did not hide their identities. Your Highness, and one of the attendants didn't bring it, so the white dragon fish suit ran to the street, quite puzzled.Fortunately, this place is very close to the official office of Niu Qianwei in Luoyang Palace. Immediately, a guard flying cavalry invited General Qianwei. The general knew Li Chengqi and Xue Chongjian, and quickly opened the door to let them go.

They had never seen such a quiet city of Luoyang.

They walked westward from Jishanfang all the way. Across the Luoshui River, they could see Luoyang Palace on the opposite side. The huge and silent palace was blurred by the night. Only the crimson lanterns hanging on the palace city were very eye-catching.Just like a huge picture splashed with only cinnabar and thick ink, it is powerful and steep, and it does not lose its majesty because the carved beams and painted buildings are hidden.

This orderly ancient city fell into a deep sleep.The flowing water in the river is like someone playing a soft harp, it doesn't feel noisy, it just whispers to the ear repeatedly.Occasionally, there were a few faint sounds of horseshoes and clappers. They never saw it, but they could imagine the guards on night watch galloping through the empty market, and the old watchman knocked on the wall along the bottom of the wall. A long tone.When these voices blended together, there was a peculiar rhythm. No one listened to this music carefully, but it floated into the dreams of every family in this ancient city day by day, telling them that everything was safe and that there was no danger of fire or water. There is no fear of thieves, they turn over and sleep peacefully.

The weather has entered autumn, and although the night wind is clear, it is not cold and hard. It seems to carry the misty water vapor from the Luo River, and the face is quite moist when it blows.A round of bright moon in the sky is still missing a tooth, but fortunately, the sky is as clear as water, and the moon and stars are few. The clear light is projected on the bluestone road, and the path can be identified in the hazy light.The dark lines on the damask silk robes worn by Li Chengqi and Xue Chongjian were also shone with a little luster by this clear light, and the moonlight seemed to have also turned into substance, flowing down their sleeves and robe corners .

Li Chengqi and Xue Chongjian have lived in Dongdu for half their lives, but there are only three days in a year when there is no curfew during the Shangyuan period, and they can go to the street to watch the lights late at night, but in those few days, every family also gathers on the street. , Never seen such a quiet moonlit night.The two were shocked by the huge emptiness and silence, like prostrating before the Buddha, no one dared to make a sound, they just walked forward silently hand in hand.When they walked to the Tianjin Bridge, they saw the bright moon cast a shadow on both sides of the bridge, reflecting each other up, down, left, and right.

Leaning against the white stone railing, Xue Chongjian could see the hazy and undulating Beiman Mountain in the far distance, and suddenly remembered the song "clear light follows you even to death". He looked at Li Chengqi, listened to the gurgling water, and looked at the moon shadow under the bridge. It also raises the feeling that the years go with the water.Xue Chongjian leaned on the stone railing and said with a low smile: "It was the same year in Shangyuan, when I picked you up from the Judge's Court and watched Mang Mountain outside the city. At that time, I thought, if you die, I will Take you up to Mang Mountain, and never come down again." Li Chengqi hugged him from behind, and said in a low voice: "Nine Quays are vast and boundless, and time is hidden from flowing water. No one knows on the Tianjin Bridge, only the stars. The moon is like the old days." [1] Xue Chongjian turned around and smiled and said, "It's you who gave up this river and mountain by yourself, and why are you complaining about 'no one knows'?" Li Chengqi smiled slightly and said: "Do you think that cousin is too useless? More?" Xue Chongjian shook his head and said, "I actually don't expect you to be the crown prince. What the old man Song said when I was young makes people feel scared and distressed. If you have to follow what he said to be the crown prince, you will be the crown prince in this life. There's nothing left to do. But what I'm afraid of is that if you give up this country, you will end up leaving yourself without a place to stay."

Li Chengqi smiled lightly and said: "I salute in front of my younger brother and put his name before mine, do you feel wronged?" Xue Chongjian snorted: "I can't swallow this breath." Slave, you probably think that I have experienced many hardships in this life: I have been locked up in the palace for half my life, lost my mother, separated from my father, and suffered like this as an emperor, it is really extremely miserable, right?"

Xue Chongjian said sadly: "We are a big family, and no one will be much better." Li Chengqi nodded: "In the past 50 years, the imperial family has changed, and each of us has lost a relative. Fortunately, our two bloodlines have been preserved, thanks to the wisdom of my aunt. , and my father’s forbearance. In fact, I was also surprised at one time, why my father refused to leave when an opportunity to restore Li Tang was in front of me. Later, when I was under house arrest, I watched some things about the Northern Wei Dynasty, and suddenly I fully understand why Dad is willing to endure all the suffering."

Xue Chongjian said: "Are you talking about the random fights in the Northern Dynasties?" Li Chengqi said: "Although they are barbarians, their temperament is the same as ours. Emperor Xiaowen moved his capital to Luoyang, but within a year, Luoyang City was destroyed. There were three times of military disasters. The cause was the dictatorship of the Empress Dowager Hu. The emperor’s uncles and nephews fought against each other, and the emperor and his ministers killed each other. After a looting at the end of the Sui Dynasty, in the early years of Zhenguan, Wei Zheng said that Luoyang is vast and vast, with no people, no chickens and dogs, and poor roads. Huanu, think about it, what do you mean by nine out of ten? It is a family of ten. In a family, only one person can survive. It is possible that the husband loses his wife and the mother loses her son overnight. It took our A Weng 20 years to rebuild the city, but those who survived I will never be able to forget the pain of bereavement in my life. That is the real suffering, the real hell, compared to them, the pain and grievances I have suffered are nothing."

Xue Chongjian didn't answer, Li Chengqi paused, and then said: "Even in today's Taiping period, there are still many people in the world who can only get food and clothing in good years, but will inevitably die in bad years. In my more than twenty years, except for a few times The ups and downs can be regarded as having no worries about food and clothing. All I can do is to correct my words and deeds and let the people believe that the father of the son of heaven is kind, the son is filial, the brothers are respectful, and they will not drive the people to fight because of their own selfish desires. It will break the tranquility of the people who live at sunrise and rest at sunset. Hua Nu, Saburo may be a little arrogant, but that is only for me, and it does not prevent him from becoming a wise king who protects the people. Nothing in this world is worse than war and tyranny. It is a terrible disaster. This kind of disaster does not fall on a certain person. It will destroy the hope of a whole generation. I have been supported by all people in the world for more than [-] years. At least I must not be the cause of this disaster. "

Xue Chongjian leaned against Li Chengqi's arms, and felt his body tremble slightly when he spoke of excitement.Xue Chongjian didn't know why, looking at the bright moon in the water that day, there were slight ripples in his eyes, he nodded and said: "I understand, I understand your wish."

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Li Chengqi and Xue Chongjian lived in Luoyang for half a year, and when the Huiling and Jingling of Empress Suming and Zhaocheng were completed, they returned to Chang'an, and it was almost the end of the year.After returning to Beijing, there will be busy New Year’s Eve and Shangyuan Festival. This year is the first Shangyuan Festival after the emperor ascended the throne. On the first day, Princess Taiping and the emperor's two concubines donated money for makeup and powder, and a three-day lantern festival was held in Chang'an City. The emperor's family sat on the Chengtian Gate to watch the lanterns and had fun with the people.It was the first time for Li Chengqi to spend such a busy festival. He was always surrounded by crowds, and there were always people talking in his ears. He was in a trance with exhaustion, and had no sense of joy at all.

On the [-]th, because they were still on their bathing leave and did not go to court, all the princes returned to the mansion to sleep.Because he didn't sleep well during the whole festival, and stayed up all night last night, Li Chengqi slept until lunch time before waking up, his mind was still a little groggy, and even his bones felt sour.He stared at the curtain in a daze, thinking of everything he heard after returning to Beijing, he felt dull again.

Although the days back were short, it was enough for him to understand many things. Cheng Yi told him that now, when his father listens to the prime minister, he always asks first: "Should I discuss with Taiping?" Then ask "Should I discuss with Saburo?" His father listened to everything, and there were countless officials who had been recommended by his aunt to high positions in the past six months.A few days ago, I heard that my aunt had invited several prime ministers from Zhongshu Province at Guangfan Gate, implying that His Majesty would relocate the East Palace. Song Jing protested: "The East Palace has great achievements and the world. The Lord of Zhenzong Temple and the country, the princess suddenly made such a suggestion." In the end, everyone broke up unhappy.A few days ago, a monk from Tiangong Temple even said that there would be urgent soldiers entering the palace within five days.All kinds of rumors shocked Li Chengqi so much that Taiping repeatedly invited him to visit the mansion, but he didn't dare to go, so he could only shirk with all kinds of complicated things. Hua Nu also complained that the two of them didn't even have the time to meet when they returned home. up.

Li Chengqi was out of his mind for a while, when he heard Princess Yuan outside tapping on the screen, he said softly, "Is Your Highness awake? An envoy has come from the palace, saying that Your Majesty will pass on your Highness." Li Chengqi hurriedly got up and changed his clothes, and the princess brought the silver in person. Basin washed him, and seeing that he was about to go out in his official uniform, he hurriedly said: "Tian Han, I have prepared some wine and food, Your Highness can take a sip before going." Li Chengqi smiled apologetically and said: "Don't dare to let Your Majesty go?" Wait for a long time, you eat, don't wait for me." Concubine Yuan sent him to the door, looked at his back in a hurry, hesitated for a while, and then slowly returned to the room, sat in front of the dressing table and shook her head up and down. Pull out the branches.A Luo was surprised and said: "My lady got up early in the morning and spent an hour combing this bun, why don't you wear it?" Concubine Yuan smiled lightly and said: "It's strange, and no one is watching at home, what are you doing wearing these. "

She tried her best to keep her tone calm, as if she was talking about something she didn't care about, but she still couldn't help breathing a little short of breath. The woman in the mirror was wearing a gold brocade and silk kimono, and the powder and flowers on her face were gorgeous, The girl's delicate face was completely covered up.She was in a daze. She didn't remember what she looked like when she was a daughter. She only knew that no matter whether it was plain makeup or colorful makeup, that person couldn't see her appearance, and she didn't like it.From the day of their wedding, all she saw was his back, and that back had never looked back for her.

Li Chengqi rode his horse all the way, and he saw that the remains of the lanterns from last night were scattered all over the ground. There were old soldiers sweeping away these wreckages on Tianjie Street. Apart from that, it was empty and silent, and only his horse's hooves crushed the frost on the ground.There was an inexplicable emptiness in his heart, he didn't envy the prosperity last night, but after the prosperity passed, it still made people feel desolate and lonely.

He came to the emperor's bedroom in the Wude Palace, thinking that the emperor hadn't gotten up for a long time, he was only wearing a round neck robe that he usually wears at home, when he saw him, he said softly: "You came back from Luoyang, we father and son don't have time to sit together and talk. I think you didn't have lunch, so you passed some light dishes, you can eat some with me." Li Chengqi thanked the emperor for his kindness, and then went forward to sit under the emperor's head, and the two chatted a few words about this year's Lantern Festival, the emperor Then he sighed and said, "Have you heard about your aunt and Sanlang?" Li Chengqi might as well let his father get straight to the point and say this, but his heart suddenly tightened, and he said vaguely: "I have heard about it, but I don't go into details. Sanlang and Sanlang Aunts are all arrogant people, or if they misunderstood for a while, I hope Your Majesty will take care of it."

Li Dan smiled sadly and sighed: "Your aunt has made great contributions to Sheji, but I have no other way to repay her except adding her fiefdom to ten thousand households. She wants to send several of her cronies to the court , I can't refuse. Saburo passed by Zetian Yichao, and it is understandable that he hates women's arbitrariness of power. I am caught in the middle, and it is very difficult." Li Chengqi got up and said: "Your Majesty will decide this matter with the prime minister. " Li Dan smiled lightly and patted his arm and said: "This is a conversation between father and son, you don't have to be so careful. Feng Nu, Daddy understands what you mean, you have been doing everything you can to avoid suspicion and protect Sanlang's reserve But you are still involved in many rumors in Beijing, and this is what Daddy is most worried about."

Li Chengqi nodded and said: "I have something to say, I have been anxious all the time, and I dare not utter it lightly. I and my younger brothers have no merits in pacifying the chaos. They are only in the status of princes, and they suddenly increase their military power. The origin of this is to hope that father will issue an edict as soon as possible to remove the military ranks we have led. In addition, the ministers have [-] households in the fiefdom, which is far beyond the limit set by Emperor Taizong at that time. San Lang is a benevolent and filial friend, and the world knows that making him the crown prince is in accordance with the will of heaven and the people, and His Majesty should not reward your minister generously because of his resignation."

Li Dan sighed: "Feng Nu, is there anyone in this world that you are willing to do everything you can to protect him and bring him peace, prosperity and happiness?" Said: "Yes. It's His Majesty, aunt, several younger brothers, and—Huanu." Li Dan looked at his son softly, and said: "Your mother is gone. To Daddy, such a person It's your aunt and your brothers. Daddy is not a good emperor. The emperor's family is all over the world, but what I see in my eyes and think in my heart are still only these few relatives. Daddy missed the time to raise you, and now he can only use these useless things Land and wealth as compensation. Your aunt is very kind to me, and I can't refuse any request she makes." He paused sadly when he said this: "Now that I think about it, your third uncle and I are actually not the same. Not much difference."

Li Chengqi was both sad and frightened, and hurriedly said: "Daddy, it's not like this..."

Li Dan said: "I understand my dereliction of duty, my spirit is not good, and I am unable to deal with all these government affairs. I think about it for a few days, and I will issue an edict to let Sanlang supervise the country. How do you think?" Li Chengqi said: "This dynasty There has always been a precedent for the prince to supervise the country, so that the prince's title is established, and the hearts of Sanlang and the minister can be reassured." Li Dan pondered for a moment and said: "Song Jing entered the palace this morning and told me three things. The third thing coincides with what you said just now. He asked me to resign from your post of general and make Longfan and Longye the left and right guards of the East Palace respectively. Military power makes people suspect." Li Chengqi said: "Master Song, this is an old-fashioned view of seeking the country, which is more thoughtful than what I think. I don't know what the other two things are?" Li Dan glanced at Li Chengqi with a slightly sad expression. Slowly said: "He asked me to appoint you and Shouli as governors outside the capital, and put Taiping in the eastern capital."

Li Chengqi's mind seemed to be struck by a dull thunder, and it buzzed for a while, but he forgot to change his expression, and just stared blankly at the emperor.The emperor felt a pain in his heart, and said: "You don't have to be afraid, I didn't promise him these two things."

With just one sentence, Li Chengqi suddenly thought through all the causes and consequences. The biggest threat to Saburo was himself and Shouli, the eldest grandson of Emperor Taizong. Sending them out of the capital prevented his aunt from using them as a pretext to construct the East Palace. .This is the same method as he stayed in the East and refused to come back. Why did he never think of it?It was because he was still reluctant to part with him. Just now he was telling his father that he had nothing to ask for. That was a lie. His only request was to never leave that person.But I didn't expect that at this point, this request was finally beyond the tolerance of the situation.

Li Chengqi took a deep breath, and the cold air slowly penetrated into his lungs like a piece of ice. He was just surprised why the early spring in Chang'an Palace was colder than the midwinter in Luoyang.He stood up slowly, left his seat and knelt down at the foot of the steps, kowtowed to the emperor and said: "It is better to draw the bottom of the pot to stop the boiling of the soup. Mr. Song's three strategies are very appropriate, please allow your majesty."

The emperor was stunned and said: "Fengnu, this is not what daddy meant."

Li Chengqi smiled sadly and said: "I know that if I show a little bit of nostalgia, your majesty will definitely protect me and keep me in the capital. But in my father's heart, I must also know that there is no better way than this. Since the Han Dynasty From then on, he ordered the prince who had never established a crown prince to become a vassal to avoid the tragedy of brotherly rivalry. Emperor Taizong once kept the king of Wei by his side because of his personal love, but the result was only to fascinate him with power, and acted like a fatherless man. The gentleman's business is coming. The gentleman is on the alert, not under suspicion, and I don't want to because..." When he said this, he still couldn't help but feel tense, and said in a trembling voice: "Just because of my selfish love, Staying in the capital embarrasses my father, makes Saburo feel uneasy, makes courtiers careless, and because of your majesty's indecision, falls into factional disputes." He raised his head with tears in his eyes and forced a smile and said: "Daddy, my son doesn't need to go. For a long time, after a few years, when the situation in the court is calm, I can come back and accompany my father to burn incense and play the piano."

Li Chengqi made an appointment with his father not to disturb Princess Taiping for a few days.Four days later in the Shuori Dynasty, the internal servant announced that he moved Song Wang Chengqi to be the governor of Tongzhou, King Bin Li Shouli was the governor of Binzhou, the general of Zuo Yulin, Qi Wang Longfan, was changed to be the left guard, and the general of Yubayashi, Xue Wang Longye, was the right guard. At the rate, Princess Taiping and her husband Ding Wang Wuyou were placed in Dongdu.Before the imperial edict was finished, there were whispers in the court class.Li Chengqi was the first to go out of class to thank Ruyi, and Li Shouli hurriedly followed to go out of class to thank him. Li Longfan and Li Longye were still young, and they were a little stunned to hear such a major change in their father. After Li Chengqi finished kowtow, they came out of class and knelt down in dismay. .

Although the courtiers stood with their heads bowed, they couldn't help but glance at Princess Taiping next to the throne from the corners of their eyes.Unexpectedly, it was Xue Chongjian who spoke first. He was surprised and angry and said loudly: "Your Majesty, it has not been a month since my cousin came back from the Eastern Capital, and you are going to move him out again. Could it be that this capital is not as good as him?" Is there a place to stand?" Li Chengqi felt severe pain in his heart, knelt on the ground, turned his head and said in a low voice: "It is a rule in this dynasty that the prince is a domain. Love, the King of Lijie, don't speak in vain."

Xue Chongjian's blood boiled violently in his chest. Looking at Li Chengqi's prostration posture on the ground, he felt extremely painful and humiliated in his heart. He had already retreated to the point where he could no longer retreat, and there were still people who could not tolerate him.He handed over the crown prince, bowed his knees again and again, just to build a small city wall, guarding the two of them inseparable, and this city wall cannot be leaned on.My attachment to him, compared to the righteousness of the ruler, minister and father in his heart, is really as light as flying smoke, just wait for others to breathe, and then it will be scattered into the vast world.Xue Chongjian said coldly: "There is no place in the world that cherishes the expulsion of parents and children! Your Majesty, please don't listen to people separating flesh and blood!"

Seeing the sorrowful expression on the emperor's face, Song Jing was afraid that he would be indecisive for a while and would regret it, so he hurriedly took a step forward and said: "The poem says, the great state is the screen, and the great sect is the king. If the prince is the governor, he can defend the capital and restore the capital." The East Palace can be stabilized. In the past, Emperor Wu of Wei favored King Chen Si and favored Emperor Wen a few times. After Wei Wu, Chen Si suffered misfortune, which was caused by love. Your Majesty put the clan society as the top priority, and forbade the king of Song to follow Chen Si's mistakes. A heart of great compassion."

Xue Chongjian was already in a rage when someone jumped out to speak, and immediately retorted: "You compare Wei Wu with your majesty, are you mocking the usurper in the Eastern Palace?" Song Jing slandered the East Palace, please be strict with your Majesty!" Song Jing wanted to show affection to the emperor in a hurry, but Xue Chongjian caught this subtlety and made trouble, so he had to follow the practice of officials being impeached, bowed and knelt down, saying : "I'm going to die!"

Princess Taiping stood up slowly at this time and said: "Your Majesty, I want to know who drafted the edict for you." Seeing the tears in Taiping's eyes, the emperor couldn't help but look embarrassed, and said in a low voice: "Taiping, it's me. Let’s talk about this matter in a long-term way..." Taiping suddenly raised his voice and said, "My sister just asks, who wrote this edict!"

Yao Chong couldn't stand it anymore, and raised his voice: "The princess persecutes the Supreme, what is the etiquette!" Taiping sneered, and the shining phoenix eyes slowly swept across the court, saying: "Whoever persecutes the Supreme, who knows in his heart." She Looking at the emperor, two lines of tears flowed down, and he said in a low voice: "Fourth brother, I remember that back then, the second brother was sent to Bazhou by his mother, and the third brother was sent to Fangzhou. It was you and me who saw him off..." The emperor listened At this point, his body trembled slightly, and his voice contained pleading, and said: "Taiping, you misunderstood, the fourth brother didn't mean to reprimand you..." Taiping looked at the emperor calmly, and continued: "Now there are only you and me left. Will fourth brother see me off?" The emperor said with difficulty: "Taiping, if you don't want to, fourth brother will not force you." Taiping said sharply: "But someone will force fourth brother!" She pointed at Yao Chongsong and said: "Is it these two people!" The emperor was forced by his sister's aura, and was speechless for a moment.

Taiping looked at Li Longji and said with a sneer: "Sanlang, you have read this edict beforehand, right?"

Li Longji's face was pale, he looked at his father's face that was about to cry, and caught a glimpse of the indignant faces of his two younger brothers, knowing that the whole army had been wiped out this time.He bit his lower lip hard, stepped out of the head of the squad slowly, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Yao Chong, Song Jing's aunt, please follow the extreme method."

The author has something to say: [1] After I ruined Hua Nu's ability to write poems, I ruined this prince who is "both literary and quality".Fortunately, in the early Tang Dynasty, rhythm poetry had not yet emerged, and meter was not so popular. I sang four sentences that were broken like a hornet's nest, which barely counted as poetry (right? Right...).I have always liked two poems about looking at the moon on the bridge. One is Yuan Zhen's "No one knows on the Tianjin Bridge, and I lean on the railing to look at the sunset." , One star is like the moon and you can see it for a long time", there is a kind of loneliness and worry about the whole era.If this is the case, I will use it shamelessly. The result of using it is like the glaze color of Ru kiln imitated by Qianlong.