Tibet

Wan'an Temple covers an area of ​​about 30 acres. It is a medium-sized temple among the hundreds of temples in Luoyang. It was burned down by the rebels in Anlu Mountain. Since the land where Wan'an Temple is located belongs to the ancestral land of the Zhang family, it was eventually rebuilt by the Zhang family. to the temple.

Of course, the father-in-law, who was famous for being stingy, would not pay a penny, and it was Empress Zhang who paid for it.

The reason why the Dugu family chose Wan'an Temple to park their coffin was that it was close to the residence. The main reason was that Mrs. Dugu was a lay practitioner of Wan'an Temple, and her Buddhist book was hung in Wan'an Temple.

In a large Buddhist hall, a group of monks sat in front of the soul and chanted scriptures to save the deceased. Because it was winter, it was more convenient to park. This time, the old lady Dugu was buried after seven or forty-nine days of salvation.

Both sides were filled with members of the Dugu family's spiritual guardians. Dugu Xinyue sat with a group of female relatives. Everyone was wearing hemp and mourning, so it was difficult to tell them apart.

Li Ye respectfully kowtowed three times to the memorial tablet, burned three sticks of incense, and went outside the mourning hall to burn paper money.

A memorial tent was also set up in the Dugu Mansion and the memorial tablets were placed. The second eldest brother, Dugu Jun, presided over the memorial. All the court officials went there to pay their respects and offer sacrifices, while the temple only offered sacrifices to family members.

Li Ye burned the paper and was asked to rest in the back hall. Dugu Ming hurried over.

Dugu Ming has also lost a lot of weight these days. The two sat down and Dugu Ming asked, "Has His Highness occupied Hangu Pass?"

"To be precise, Hao Tingyu, the guard of Hangu Pass, turned to me, but Hangu Pass is indeed in my hands now. What? Has it caused a shock to the court?" Li Ye asked with a smile.

Dugu Ming shook his head, "On the contrary, the court didn't know about this at all. It should have been suppressed by Yu Chaoen and the others."

"Then how did the third uncle know the news?"

"It was your father who told me that Empress Zhang had agreed to let you pass the customs. This matter was left to Pei Zunqing to handle. However, the eunuchs put small shoes on Pei Zunqing and could not get the military order to pass the customs. There was no military order to release you, but you arrived in Mianchi. Here is Of course I can guess what the reason is.”

Li Ye sighed softly and said: "It seems that the emperor is ill, and the struggle between the civil servant group and the eunuch group has begun to intensify."

Dugu Ming was about to speak when Dugu Taiwei came in and served them tea. Li Ye nodded to her, and Dugu Taiwei blushed and turned away.

Dugu Ming smiled at Li Ye and said: "The betrothal gift and financial gifts have all been paid, and in the end only the welcoming part is left. After the burial, His Highness will welcome her in!"

"Is it convenient at this time?" Li Ye hesitated and asked.

Dugu Ming nodded, "This is actually the old lady's last wish. Everyone also hopes to celebrate with this marriage. In fact, there is a more important reason, so that we can stay in Chang'an righteously."

Li Ye thought it was right, so he asked again: "Where is the old grandmother buried?"

"Of course it's Chang'an. Our family's cemetery is in Chang'an. My mother will definitely be buried next to my father's grave."

"So everyone will use this opportunity to return to Chang'an?"

Dugu Ming nodded, "We have already started to clean up."

After pondering for a while, Li Ye asked again: "I heard that Queen Zhang's father is going to become a prime minister. What does it mean?"

"That's what my elder brother said!"

Li Ye nodded, "Exactly!"

Dugu Ming sighed: "It is indeed the case. The emperor trusted Empress Zhang very much and even supported her natal family because she was kicking Yuan Zai out. Empress Zhang was negotiating with Li Fuguo. Once Li Fuguo agreed, Yuan Zai would be out and Zhang Li Become Prime Minister."

"Then what is the attitude of the other three ministers of the Political Affairs Hall, and what is the attitude of my father?"

Dugu Ming smiled and said: "Your Highness may not have thought that the other three prime ministers would unanimously support Zhang Li's becoming prime minister, including your father of course!"

"Why?"

"Because Zhang Li is not from Li Fuguo, but a representative of Empress Zhang. Although Empress Zhang is currently insufficient in ability, it can be seen that she is not attached to the eunuch party and has her own political opinions. Although there are differences in details, the general direction and the emperor's Remain consistent, this is recognized by the prime ministers. As long as Zhang Li remains neutral most of the time, Li Fuguo will be isolated, which is of course much better than Yuan Zai."

When Dugu Ming said this, Li Ye could understand. This was the tallest among the shortest. Although Zhang Li was not satisfactory, it was still better than Yuan Zai's reliance on Li Fuguo.

"How is Zhang Li? It is said that he is very stingy?"

Dugu Ming smiled and said: "Stinginess is just an appearance. Zhang Li seems mediocre, but in fact he is cunning. In order to make the emperor trust the Zhang family, he shaped himself into the image of a miser. I heard from someone who knows him well. After asking about what he had done in the past, he was not stingy, and he donated the five acres of land in his ancestral home to Wan'an Temple."

Li Ye suddenly understood, "That's how I understand it. That's right! He's a well-mannered person and took the initiative to provide an empty house to the Dugu family. He doesn't have the mentality of a stingy man at all. He's learning from Yang Guozhong and making himself a mediocre person. The emperor will use him as an incompetent relative."

"Your Highness, this Zhang Li is a very important chess piece."

Li Ye naturally knew it well. He nodded and asked, "How is his son doing?"

"He has two sons. The eldest son Zhang Shangyuan is very honest and has not joined the officialdom. He is responsible for running the Zhang family's industry. He is about thirty years old and married to Mrs. Liu. The second son Zhang Qingming is as smart as his father and is also about thirty years old. , served as the magistrate of the Taicang Department of Taifu Temple, and after his father becomes prime minister, he is expected to join the Ministry of Punishment."

It is understandable that the Ministry of Punishment was originally the territory of Yuan Zai. When Zhang Li took over the position of Yuan Zai, he would naturally take over the Ministry of Punishment and place his son in the Ministry of Punishment to facilitate his control over the Ministry of Punishment.

Li Ye took a few steps with his hands behind his back and asked again, "Does Third Uncle have any contact with Zhang Shangyuan?"

"I know him, but don't have much contact with him. However, a steward of mine is very familiar with them. He has been a neighbor for decades. It was this steward who told me about Zhang Li's situation."

Li Ye smiled and said, "I want Zhang Shangyuan to have dinner at noon tomorrow. Can Third Uncle arrange it?"

Dugu Ming thought for a while and said, "His Highness has a special status. It's best not to see him for the time being. Why don't I come and invite him."

"Third uncle is paying filial piety, is that okay?"

"It doesn't matter if I invite him to tea."

It would be best for Dugu Ming to step in for him, and it would be inappropriate to ask Zhang Shangyuan in his capacity.

Dugu Ming smiled and said: "If Your Highness wants to see me during this period, please tell me and I will make arrangements."

Li Ye nodded, "I'll think about it and tell my third uncle later!"

At this time, Dugu Xinyue, who was wearing mourning clothes, came to see her husband, and Dugu Ming left first.

Lonely Xinyue's eyes were red and she looked like she was crying a lot. Li Ye held his wife in his arms and comforted her with a few words.

"Will you stay here tonight, or will you go back to the military camp with me?" Li Ye asked softly.

"My sisters and I will keep a vigil for my grandmother tonight, and I won't go back."

Li Ye nodded. Since Aunt Gongsun was secretly protecting his wife, he wasn't worried.

"Husband, you should be careful when you go back. I heard from my sisters that Chang'an has been in turmoil recently and is especially unsafe at night."

Li Ye smiled slightly and said: "I am guarded by five hundred soldiers. I should not be the one who is afraid."