In the fourth year of Yonghui (653 AD), the seventh day of the lunar month, two quarters.

Yongle Fang in the east of Chang'an City, the mansion of Taiwei Changsun Wuji, Wu Kang was sent out as a gift. The three fat men led the way, and Chu Shenke and Lin Pinglang escorted them and returned to Yongxingfang Wufu. The reason why he visited the eldest grandson Wuji was entrusted by the eldest grandson Quan, and the princess of Xincheng gave birth to a baby boy, which was conveyed by the eldest grandson Wuji.

After being entrusted with the matter of loyalty, after obtaining Li Jiu's forgiveness, he immediately struck the iron while it was hot. The eldest grandson has a bad heart and wants to play with a knife to kill people, and the means are a little immature, how can the eldest grandson and the old fox not see through it? It's not his daughter-in-law, so he doesn't bother to care, not to mention that Li Jiu doesn't pursue it.

During the whole visit, the posture was kept to a minimum with great respect. Although the camps are different and there are still dirty differences with each other, they admire the old guy's talents. Just by compiling the "Tang Law Discussion", you can win respect. After some conversation, I felt that he was as stable as Mount Tai and had the confidence to lean into the government and the opposition.

After all, the patriarch of the Three Dynasties, the first picture of Lingyan Pavilion, Li Er's trusted minister, has confident capital. However, throughout history, there are very few people who can get a good death. He doesn't have the strength of Wang Mang and Sima Yi to usurp the throne, and he can't learn from Duke Zhou to return to power in time, and Li Jiu is not a wreck, and he will inevitably die sooner or later.

Thinking of Li Jiu and the morning picture, I couldn't help but feel palpitations. At that time, Li Jiu was so murderous that he almost scared him to pee, and Mei Niang's face turned pale with fright. Not because he blasphemed the princess, but because he was cheated by his nephew Li Hong, and others cheated on his uncle.

The one-and-a-half-year-old little fart child was lying in Yang's arms and giggling, and Mei Niang wanted her uncle and nephew to contact her feelings, so she handed it to Kang Lang to hug. When something happened to the hug, I was originally smiling, but when I saw my uncle's grimace, I was scared and cried, and I couldn't coax it.

Li Jiu's face was black at that time, thinking that his son was frightened and lost his soul, he immediately called his soul, and the chickens flew and the dogs jumped in an instant. Wu Kang heard something unusual from his crying, and blurted out "tuberculosis". In his previous life, the little nephew of the family did not take good care of him when he was a child, and he got tuberculosis, and his crying was the same.

Who knows that he stabbed the hornet's nest again, Li Jiu didn't understand "tuberculosis", but he could understand "disease". The doctors all say health, what are you? Dare to curse my son, don't want to live anymore? The Son of Heaven was angry, he couldn't bear it, Wu Kang trembled like chaff, and Mei Niang was in a hurry, so she moved out of the excuse of "hysteria".

The word "hysteria" saves lives, and Li Jiu also knew that Wu Kang had this problem, so he stopped pursuing it and took his son away with a black face. Originally, he was still fantasizing, but the monarch and the minister played it right, was appreciated by Li Jiu, and stepped into the pinnacle of life. The reality is too skinny, which makes Li Jiu disgusted, so let's be old.

Mei Niang led him into the wing room and asked about tuberculosis. Wu Kang was not sure, and he didn't dare to tell the truth, there was no solution to this disease in the Tang Dynasty. perfunctory and flickering a few words, comforting her that it was okay, and saying that she had it when she was a child, and she was cured when she grew up.

Unbeknownst to his aunt, Wu Kang was forced to swear, and finally fooled the past. Tuberculosis is a chronic disease, which slowly developed into pulmonary tuberculosis, and Li Hong died young, dying violently at the age of 23, and it is estimated that he died of disease. If Li Hong is in good health, he will definitely inherit the throne, and the only orthodox empress will be gone.

The soul is swimming outside the world, smelling the familiar local sound, and stopping in an instant. I turned around and saw a middle-aged man, about sixty years old, lean, gray-haired, and energetic. He wears a purple robe, tied with a thirteen gold and jade belt, a silver dagger on the left, and a grinding stone (whetstone) on the right.

Those who can wear the same purple robe are only the top three grades, and this one still has a Hangzhou accent. recalled the portrait given by Lu Qian, and in a flash, I understood the identity of this person. took two steps forward and saluted with fists, speaking in Hangzhou Xiangyin: "Wuzhou stabbed Shi Wukang, see Chu Servant shooting." ”

This person is Chu Suiliang, Li Er's Tuogu Heavy Minister, Shangshu's right servant shot (from the second grade), and was knighted as the Duke of Henan County. Fifty-seven years old this year, the word Dengshan, one of the four great calligraphers of the early Tang Dynasty. A native of Qiantang County, Hangzhou (Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province), a fellow villager in this life; His ancestral home is Yangzhai County, Yuzhou (Yuzhou City, Henan Province), a fellow villager in his last life.

The fellow sees the fellow, the fellow for two lifetimes, and shoots twice in the back. The nickname "Wu Yu" was given by him; Two limerick poems were also promoted by him. Wu Kang was very depressed, but he didn't show it, pretending to be respectful and humble, and his posture was kept to the lowest.

Chu Suiliang was also stunned, it was rumored that Wu Yu would repay me, and he should be cold to me, why is he so humble? The so-called stretch out your hand and don't hit the smiling person, I don't care if you are humble, so I smiled and said: "Wu Thorn Shi doesn't need to be polite, please get up quickly." ”

Seeing the scar on his face, he remembered the rumors in the market and had a much gentler attitude. Although he hated his sloppy slapping horse, he valued his merits and had an educational addiction: "Some of the actions of the history of martial arts are beneficial to the country and the people, and some are undesirable." Wuzhou Tugong list, last year's increase in chicken fir fungus, this year's increase in sorghum wine, all because of you. ”

Wu Kang humbly confessed, and Lao Chu was even more energetic: "Every time a kind of soil tribute is added, the people share more burdens, and the saints share more luxury." The nickname 'Wu Yan' comes from this. For the official side, we must benefit the party, and do not put our own future on the people's suffering. ”

This hat is a bit big, Wu Kang is noncommittal, and pretends to be taught: "Chu Gong's words are reasonable, for the well-being of the people, it is the way to be an official." Sorghum wine has always been taken care of by the Lu family, and Xia Guan also recently learned that it is very prosperous in the capital, but what..."

The words changed sharply, and he retorted without a trace: "Chu Gong, you also know that the grain used to make sorghum wine is a coarse grain that is difficult to swallow. The people drink sorghum wine, which means drinking less rice wine, which invisibly saves corn. If the entire Tang Dynasty drinks sorghum wine, it will also be a credit, right? ”

Lao Chu was noncommittal, and said lightly: "The old man saw this, so he allowed sorghum wine to exist." Wu Assassin History, opportunism is not the right way, you should learn from the governor of Yuezhou. In May this year, the governor of Qin sent an official document, requesting the use of blue and white snakes to convert the people's land rent. The old man consulted with the courtiers, and felt that it was benevolent, so he asked the sage for approval. ”

Seeing Wu Kang's doubts, he continued to explain: "The blue and white snake is a specialty of Yuezhou, and there are the most near Mirror Lake, and this snake is blue and non-venomous. Wax is used as bait, which can treat spasms and fistulas, and remove dead muscles to kill three insects. The effect is very good, a large number of dried snakes into Chang'an, some into the hospital, the rest into the two cities, in short supply. The history of martial arts, this is to seek the well-being of the people. ”

Yonghui version of "The Snake Catcher Says", Wu Kang couldn't help but be secretly happy, and suddenly thought of something, and his face turned blue instantly. Seeing this, Chu Suiliang thought that Wu Kang was angry, muttered "Rotten wood cannot be carved", and walked away with a black face.

Staring at Lao Chu's back, his eyes gradually blurred, and when he thought of the terrible consequences, his brows twisted into pimples. stayed for nearly two quarters of an hour, until the three fat men reminded him, and he was able to come back to his senses. Looking at Chu Suiliang to leave the direction, he also said "rotten wood cannot be carved", and also brushed his sleeves away with a black face.

When I returned to Wufu at noon, all the guests were seated, all of whom were petty officials of the seventh or eighth grade. They are all friends of the Wu brothers, and they are all opportunists who climb the dragon and attach the phoenix, and they want to rely on the relationship between Mei Niang and get a fortune by being slightly promoted. Ran Meiniang has not become a queen yet, and the Wu brothers are all petty officials, how can they take care of them?

Go back to the living room to say hello, sit in front of the low couch, next to Mei Niang and Wu Shun. The Tang Dynasty was honored on the left, the Yang family sat on the main seat, and the east was Wushun, Wu Meiniang and Wu Kang; To the west are the Wu brothers, their faces are not good-looking, and their eyes are resentful.

I'm too lazy to take care of them, and it won't end well anyway. After eating quietly, he accompanied Yang's greetings, and after half an hour, Yang was sleepy and was sent back to the backyard by Wushun to rest. The Wu brothers went out to see off the guests, Mei Niang pulled him out of the living room, followed by the two intimate eunuchs, and walked to the secret room.

With a bad taste, he suddenly opened his arms and hugged the shoulders of the old lady, like a good buddy in later generations. Mei Niang's body trembled, and she gave him a roll of her eyes, but she didn't bother to pay attention to it. The two eunuchs behind him were all in place, and it was not until the two of them entered the house that they hurried over to guard the door.

Turn on the dog licking mode, circle around her twice, pinch the fragrant shoulder massage behind her, and smile strangely: "Before I met the old lady, I once thought that Xiaoqing was the most beautiful woman in the world." ”

Wu Meiniang rolled her eyes, her eyes full of disdain. Wu Kang came to the front and took care of it: "The old lady has a good appearance and a better face." Danfeng eyes, wide forehead, and the air of a dragon and tiger. Rich and noble, the instrument is magnificent, and there will always be nobles to help, and it will be able to be the mother of the world. ”

These words scratched the itch, Mei Niang rolled her eyes again, pushed away the devil's claws and hummed: "Sit honestly, don't move your hands and feet, how old are you?" But Kang Lang, my sister's biggest wish is to be a queen. Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu, the two sluts, fell out of favor and were deposed sooner or later. ”

Speaking of this, he sighed: "Last time, Concubine Yipinchen was stirred up by Han Ying and Laiji, and the eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang didn't make a move. If the saint makes me the queen, the court will definitely quarrel, and the eldest grandson Wuji will also take action. The success is minimal, and Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu will not support me. ”56

Wu Kang pondered for a moment, lowered his voice and said, "Those two old foxes don't have to worry, they are both opportunists, and they will definitely spare no effort to support them." If you compare the right to a cooking cake and eat too much of the Longmen valve, others will definitely be dissatisfied. I estimate that not only Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong, but also Cui Yixuan will support it! ”

Mei Niang's eyes lit up, and she smiled: "Sister is very happy to see this." It's too early to discuss this topic when we have gathered enough support. Kang Lang, I'll go back to the palace later, don't stay here. As long as I leave, Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang will definitely be dead and beg for sorghum wine. ”

"Daydreaming, wine can only be the old lady's", Wu Kang scoffed and moved a stool to sit in front of her. took out the brocade bag in his arms, stuffed her hand and said: "The wine stocks are ten percent, one percent is given to the Lu family in Wuzhou, and the rest are all here." ”

The two of them touched their knees on their knees, their postures were very intimate, Mei Niang was not adaptable, and her face was red. Bow your head and open the brocade bag, take out a small brocade bag, and a document. The document is a contract, red sorghum Sancheng shares, with Wukang's palm prints, handprints, and winery seals.

Mei Niang was a little moved, and the red sorghum was listed as an offering in Wuzhou. Coveted by countless people, if it weren't for his own pressure, he would have been robbed openly and secretly. After being moved, he put away the paperwork and reached out to untie the bag, but was stopped by a big hand.

Wu Kang was mysterious: "During the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang gave Zhao Yun three tips and three clever plans to help Liu Bei escape from Eastern Wu. Zhou Yu lost his wife and broke his soldiers, was burst by the golden sores of anger, fell unconscious, and finally died. Here's my trick to open when you need it most, or it won't work. ”

Mei Niang glared at him, put it back into the brocade bag, and slapped it gently. The eunuch came in, respectfully put away the brocade bag, and left the house to bring the door. glanced at him twice, and continued to disdain: "I am also familiar with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and I don't have a trick. Also, isn't it all the shares, where did the remaining sixty percent go? Sure enough, the man's words are not credible. ”

A little wronged, Wu Kang swore an oath: "In the whole world, I am only honest to two people, one is Jiuniang and the other is Mei Niang." The remaining sixty percent of the wine stocks are in the tricks.. Let's change the topic, I left the Taiwei Mansion today and met Chu Suiliang, he gave me a handle, do you want it? ”

Mei Niang was even more disdainful, and said angrily: "Come on, Chu Suiliang is cunning and cunning, can you take advantage of him?" ”

Wu Kang was unhappy: "What kind of expression?" Even the wise can make mistakes! Listen to me slowly... In the grasslands of the north, there are countless vicious wolves, which bite cattle, sheep and horses. Herdsmen often hunt and kill, but they will not kill them all, and they still use wolves as totems, do you know the reason? ”

Mei Niang's willow eyebrows frowned slightly, and gradually fell into contemplation, and after half a moment, her lips opened lightly: "The steppe cavalry is strong, if the Khan gives a wolf hunting order, it will not be difficult to kill them all." Throughout the history of the steppe, no one has given such orders, can wolves protect them? ”

Although it is not far away, this is really smart, Wu Kang praised: "The biggest scourge of the grassland is not that the wolf is a hare, the hare is a scourge of the pasture, and the wolf is the natural enemy of the hare." If there are no wolves, the hare will have no natural predators and will be flooded. Soon, the meadows will run out of grass, the livestock will starve to death, and the nomads will perish. ”

Satisfied with her shock, she flickered: "The wolf eats the hare, and the hare eats the grass, this is the simplest food chain." If the food chain is destroyed, the ecology will be unbalanced, which will cause disaster. Today, Chu Suiliang said that Yuezhou is rich in blue and white snakes, and the imperial court agreed to the people to catch snakes to fill the land rent. ”

When he said this, he stopped, and when he saw her meditating, he sat quietly beside her. Time passed, and soon she felt bored, quietly stood up, and studied her hair bun. It seems to be a half-turned bun, Cui Xiaoqing's favorite hairstyle, combing all the hair on the top of the head, turning forward to form a high bun, and inserting gold flowers and beads.

Soon full of interest, at the beginning of the second year of Yonghui, Queen Wang went to the Thanksgiving Temple to let Mei Niang grow her hair. It's only been three years, and I've grown from a cute bald nun to a waist-length hair? It's not scientific! I couldn't hold back my curiosity, so I leaned close to my head to study it, and reached out to touch it gently.

I gradually found out that there were a lot of wigs, which was really interesting. It turned out that the stinky and beautiful wigs were popular in the Tang Dynasty. was full of interest, suddenly his chin was beaten, his teeth were biting his tongue, he was in pain, and he jumped his feet and gasped.

Mei Niang also sighed, touched her head and got up. Seeing him grinning with teeth and blood foaming at the corners of his mouth, he hurriedly went over to help, and shouted anxiously outside the door: "Go get the medicine quickly for three or two, and prepare hot water for four yuan, why did you bite your tongue?" ”

Outside the door, Wu Kang wiped his tears and stopped with a bitter face: "Don't be busy, bite the tip of your tongue, you can't take medicine." I said, sister, you and Xiaoqing have the same virtue, what are you doing in a hurry? I'm studying my hair, and all of a sudden, I want to hurt me, oops..."

The door of the brain was knocked, and Mei Niang said disdainfully: "What kind of hair to study, go to study Xiaoqing, such a big person, don't be careless... Kang Lang, you just said, is Chu Suiliang's handle related to snakes? Fewer snakes and more rats? Could it be that there will be a rat plague in Yuezhou? ”

Wu Kang was dumbfounded, this can be thought of, worthy of being a female president! coughed dryly twice, and gave a thumbs up: "The old sister is so smart, the little brother is on the ground." Everything in this world, all living beings, have the ability to settle down and make a living, and the ability to be mice..."

She spoke in a strange voice, causing her to cover her mouth and chuckle and push him onto a chair. There was a knock on the door, and the eunuch came in just now, and Mei Niang took the teacup. Wu Kang hugged his arms, lay back, and opened his mouth twice.

Take two sips comfortably, and continue to talk about science: "Snakes can live in peace, and they hunt rats; Rats continue the race and rely on their superior reproductive ability. The offspring of a pair of rats that reproduce each year, if all survive, are close to five thousand. At this efficiency, the world is a mouse, and it can eat everything. ”

Satisfied with her curiosity, she pretended to be forced: "This is not the case, rats have many natural predators, such as cats, snakes, weasels, owls... It's what we call a night owl. They are responsible for eating rats and maintaining ecological balance. ”

Mei Niang completely understood, took over and said: "Cats are domestic, not climate-changing." Weasels steal chickens, night owls are ominous, and when the people see them, they will kill them, and the number is very small. Snakes are the main force of rat catching, Yuezhou catches snakes on a large scale, and rats must be overflowing, isn't that so? ”

Wu Kang praised, Mei Niang rolled her eyes, sat beside him and sighed: "Rat plagues have been there since ancient times, all of them are small-scale, at most two counties. Small disasters and small scapegoats, the governor of Yuezhou is enough, and Chu Suiliang is not involved. Kang Lang, sister, thank you for your hard work, but the handle is not big enough. ”

The dejected look is a bit cute. Wu Kang snapped his fingers and exposed the news again: "Yuezhou is different, there are 800 miles of mirror lake." This year, the country is dry, but the wind and rain in Yuezhou are smooth, and the rain is more abundant than in previous years, resulting in a sharp rise in the lake level. ”

Sighing lightly, he continued: "My subordinate Chu Shenke said that every year in March, the water of Mirror Lake rises sharply. The rat nest on the embankment was flooded, and millions of rats were homeless, with the mirror lake as the center, howling and radiating around. Coupled with the snake catching in Yuezhou, the rats have no natural enemies, the rat plague is inevitable, and the scale is absolutely shocking to the imperial court. ”

After explaining the principle, give an example to prove it: "Chen Shuozhen rebelled and sent people to Yuezhou to purchase medicinal materials, but there has been a rat plague, and the scale is not large. In March next year, Jinghu Lake will rise, and the rat plague will completely break out, which is likely to endanger Wuzhou... Oh, full of melancholy! ”

After about ten minutes, Mei Niang finally spoke: "Someone must be responsible for the disaster that can shake the imperial court." The two culprits, those who propose the snake to resist, and those who contribute to the snake resist. Kang Lang is right, this is Chu Suiliang's handle, as long as he speaks... The food chain, no one can refute it. It's great that it's so big that I don't believe it's useful! ”

Seeing her excited appearance, Wu Kang didn't want to pour cold water. In the year after tomorrow, Li Jiu made you the queen, and Lao Chu was a staunch opposition, so don't have too much hope. After pondering for a moment, he said gloomily: "Sister go back to the palace, I will also go back to Wuzhou, without you by your side, it's boring to stay." ”

"Phew! Your sweet words, talk to Cui Xiaoqing", Mei Niang glared at him, and said earnestly: "It's better to go back early, and control the situation as soon as possible." If you are busy in March next year, don't come to Chang'an, and the sealing of Zhaoyi is just a formality. ”

Wu Kang is happy, and he promises to come. Because in April next year, something big will happen, and if it is handled well, you will have no worries about your life in this life.