Lonely desert

Before I knew it, I had been in Chang'an City for a year, and it was time for the spring test again.The emperor paid special attention to selecting talents for the imperial court, and the entire Ministry of Rites was also busy with it.

At this time, it was time for rest, and the princes were all resting in the back garden of Shuxuanyuan.

Although the prince was eager to learn, he couldn't bear the loneliness of the Tai Tuo teaching alone. He dealt with the emperor several times and was able to study with the princes and royal families in his spare time.

In the idle court, Shan Pei held a book and asked me: "Ci Chen, in your opinion, if I also take the imperial examination, how many ranks can I get?"

I smiled back and asked him, "Do you mean the literary test or the military test?"

He was also very responsive, pretending to be angry and said, "Ci Chen, are you making fun of me?"

Seeing this, the prince quickly smoothed things over for me, "Ci Chen doesn't mean that. The so-called specialization in art, I think you are indeed more suitable for the martial arts test in Shan Pei, and maybe you can win the first martial arts."

Shan Pei's mind was pure, and he didn't struggle any further, "If it wasn't for me not being able to enter the examination room, I would really like to see the demeanor of the current candidates."

"I'm afraid this side is not predestined. Nowadays, students can't even meet alone. However, if you are really persistent, it's better to let Cichen tell you. Left and right Cichen also works in the Ministry of Rites. Maybe you have heard of some famous people."

"I've never heard of the man of the hour. I think it's because of his strict tone. It's inconvenient to talk about it with others, so as not to give the truth."

"That's right. Every palace exam is submitted by the chief examiner, and the emperor personally examines it. It's normal if you don't hear it."

"In my opinion, isn't it very casual to just rely on that test paper to select a good minister?" Shan Pei complained, but he regretted it as soon as he finished speaking, and quickly explained: "Ci Chen, I, I That's not the intention, I really admire Cichen's literary talent and political views..."

Seeing this situation, the prince patted Shan Pei on the shoulder and gave him a look of self-help, and walked away skillfully.

Seeing that I was silent, he really took it as my displeasure, and called cautiously, "Ci Chen?"

I watched the prince's figure go away, and then I said, "Now that you are in the palace of heaven, you should be cautious in your words and deeds. You can't say such dangerous words today. Fortunately, the prince is here today. Pei, do you still want to go back? It’s not like you don’t know the reason why walls have ears.”

Shan Pei looked at me for a long time, frowned slightly, and asked seriously: "Ci Chen, why are you thinking of me so much?"

His bright eyes stared at me a little uncomfortable, I turned my head slightly to avoid his gaze, "Didn't you say you would take me back to Lonely? If you stay in Chang'an City forever, how can I go?"

He suddenly became excited, "If you say so, you agree?" His eyes shone with joy.

I continued to reply: "Zuo Chang'an is boring, and it's not a bad idea to go to the outside of the Great Wall."

Seeing that he still wanted to say more, I reminded him: "Okay, Shao Fu is here, it's time to go back and listen to the lecture."

Later, the emperor suddenly summoned me, and when I arrived in the Zichen Palace, the emperor only handed me a test paper.

"This is the first-class volume presented by the left servant of the Ministry of Rites. Please take a look for me, how about it?"

I read the emperor's expression, and I guess it's probably because the content of the test paper does not match the grade.

I opened the test paper and looked at it, but it was not what I thought. If such a sharp and sophisticated insight was not the opinion of an official, it would be a genius.Then why does His Majesty have such a face?

"What do you think?"

"According to my opinion, this kind of political opinion is everyone's thinking. I feel ashamed and dare not discuss it."

"Look at the signature again, sir."

I moved my eyes down and saw the name of the signature, so I realized what the emperor's scruples were. "Does your majesty suspect that this answer sheet is fake?"

"I have even heard about the literary talents of this young master Li's son, but I don't believe this answer. It's not just as simple as calling Qing over to take a look. You also work in the Ministry of Rites. Why don't you help me find the person who stole the beam and changed his post?" If it's about officials protecting each other, it's just a matter of my court's ethos, but if it involves someone deliberately choleraing my court's political affairs, then I have to investigate to the end."

The emperor made his words clear, and there was no room for me to refuse, so I had no choice but to accept the order, "Your Majesty accepts the order, and I shall verify it for Your Majesty."

"I asked Qing to find out this time because I was afraid of the power in the court. Remember, it is done in secret, and if there are rumors, report it directly."

After I took the order, I resigned. Although the emperor explained the reason why he asked me to investigate the matter, I always felt uneasy in my heart. Is this a sign of trust or an abyss in the temple?

The emperor didn't make any noise about this matter, and the instigator wasn't too vigilant. It didn't take me much effort to learn about the person behind this.

In order to find out whether Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites committed the crime of adultery with foreigners, I secretly followed him for several days, but the days were as calm as water, except for the necessary contacts, there was no other abnormality.Just as I was planning to return to the palace to return to my command, the Minister of Rites Zuo Shilang sneaked out of the mansion that night and headed for a remote place. I felt suspicious, so I followed.

He stopped outside a mansion that had been abandoned for a long time, as if he had expected that I was following him, "Stop hiding, come out."

If it wasn't for my lack of supernatural power in the human world, I would have done the concealment method long ago, how could I be seen through one day.I stood up leisurely, and he also turned around. Although he knew that someone was following him, he was still surprised when he saw it was me.

His expression relaxed a little, and he snorted coldly: "Who am I, Si Cichen, why are you following me here at such a late hour?"

"Ci Chen doesn't know what the adults mean by following."

He waved his hand impatiently, "Okay, don't pretend, it's just you and me here, let's make it clear. It seems that you have been staring at me a lot these days. How? Could it be the prince's intention?"

"How can your lord just conclude that it's the prince? Besides, how can the prince stare at you? Could it be that your lord has done something that is not good for the prince? Is this a guilty conscience?"

He gritted his teeth angrily, "Okay, Si Cichen, you spout blood, you dare to stir up trouble here without any evidence?"

From what I can see in his reaction, could it be that besides the cheating on the test papers, he really has other plans?

"Your Excellency, you don't need to be angry, and you don't need to say anything about your actions. There is nothing perfect in this world. If you have a clear heart, you won't be afraid of someone knocking on the door in the middle of the night, right?"

"Then what do you want?"

"What your lord does should be reported to the emperor."

His face darkened, and he said in a deep voice: "So, you know everything?"

I continued to put the long line, "Oh? Which one is your excellency referring to? It depends on the situation. Ci Chen doesn't know which one of the things that your excellency has done that bothers you more."

"If you really don't know, then you don't need to know anymore." As soon as his words fell, dust rose everywhere. It turned out that he had already been aware of it, and had already been ambushed here beforehand.

In an instant, I was surrounded by layers of his people.

They hold bows/crossbows in their hands, and in the sky/dynasties, no one who is not a royal army dares to use bows/crossbows.Looking at it now, this matter of collusion and treason should probably be close to ten.

He sighed: "I thought we were on the same side, but it's a pity...the so-called different ways do not conspire with each other. Fortunately, I once appreciated you. I don't think you and I have such a shallow fate."

"Who exactly are you?"

"You don't need to know my identity, just go on the road with peace of mind." After he finished speaking, he turned his head and whispered in the ear of the leader next to him, then turned and disappeared around the corner.

They surrounded me and didn't use the bow/crossbow easily. They gradually narrowed the encirclement, and some of them replaced the bow/crossbow in their hands with the saber on their waist.I have experienced calamities in the world, lacking in spiritual power, so I had to use a little trick to escape in order not to get entangled with it.

After I escaped, I kept thinking about Zuo Shilang's words "I thought we were together". He was just the new Minister of Rites last year. Compared with colluding with officials in the court, it is more likely that he is a foreigner. man of.Putting these together, could it be that he is from Beidi?

Then Shan Pei...does he know about this?

Doubts arose in my heart, such tricks played under the eyes of the emperor put myself in danger if I didn't pay attention.

What happened that night, I did not explain to the emperor, but temporarily suppressed the matter.Thinking of finding an opportunity, maybe he could learn a thing or two from Shan Pei, but he didn't expect that the second crisis would come so quickly.

At night, I avoided my eyes and went to Shan Pei's residence. Just as I was about to open the door and enter, the knife was put on my neck.

I sighed resignedly, and I guessed it right.