In the first year of Qianfeng (666 AD), on the 14th day of the fourth month of summer, after Lu Dunxin left.

Lu Dunxin, the right minister of the school, submitted his resignation and was approved, and was awarded the official secretary, but he still served as the left attendant. After he went down, he came directly to Xiuzhenfang and visited the Duke of Chu. Bringing bad news, Yushi Wuzhou recruited troops, and the Wu people enthusiastically joined the army.

There are more than 40,000 households in Wumin, and 32,000 have signed up, Li Zhi is unbelievable. Say something like this: It seems that General Wu Da can respond to every call in the land of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. All generals can be like this, why worry about the four seas, why trouble the foreign countries are not subservient?

Wu Kang was almost scared, and from this sentence, he felt a strong murderous intention. Thinking of Yu Zhining's death, the six-character last words left behind were the warnings given by Liu Xiangdao when Mount Tai sealed the Zen: Chu and Wei should not eat together. Combined with this killing intent, an ominous premonition swelled up, and I am afraid that in the near future, the disaster of killing will come.

After meditating for two days, I still couldn't figure it out, and I was too lazy to bother. People are dead, and they don't die for thousands of years, so why do you love it. Worry is overwhelming, don't mention it to your family, and worry about it. Even if you kill your head tomorrow, you have to hide it tonight, so that your wives and concubines and daughters will be less sad for one night.

Life has to go on, go to work as usual every day, and be more cautious. quit all entertainment, went home directly after work, and accompanied his wife and concubine. did not sit still, and sent Wu Ying guards to lurk in the taverns of the two cities to secretly inquire about the news.

During the Wu brothers, Huaiyun and Weiliang visited, and their attitudes were still respectful. Or ask him to come forward, enter the palace and say that he is with Mei Niang, and repair the rift in family affection. Wu Kang couldn't bear to refuse, and through the German officer, he had to reply helplessly. Mei Niang complained politely, but my mother disagreed, and I couldn't help it.

The Yang family, who killed a thousand knives, was like a needle nose, and went to the underworld to report. When Mei Niang complained, she complained again: Mrs. Helan of Wei is getting more and more excessive. Relying on the favor of the saint, the harem is rampant, and he is rude to his sister. Speaking with a high spirit, I am her aunt, can't I write filial piety?

Wu Kang knew that the purpose of her complaint was to let me find a way to get rid of Mrs. Wei. This is really difficult, after dealing with Wushun, Li Zhi increased his vigilance. The dormitory of the Helan clan, Li Jinxing, the general of the Left Prison Gate, was personally responsible for supervising. No one could enter without the emperor's permission.

So there's no way, Li Jinxing and I are just gods, and he won't help. Although his old friend Liu Boying is the general of the Left Prison Gate, it is impossible to help in this matter. After all, in the harem battle, the foreign ministers were rashly involved, and the consequences were unimaginable.

This matter will be put down first, and on the fifth day of the fifth month of May, the imperial examination will be released. As expected, Wang Bo of the family, the test of the secluded science and the first. also wrote an essay, on Li Chang Boqi, praising Li Anqi. At the same time, please give peace to the articles he wrote and forward them to the saints.

The receiver Li Anqi, who was appointed as the secretary of the department, was the servant of the ministry, so he was called Li Changbo. I am rich in learning, witty and vigilant, not afraid of power, and dare to speak out and advise. The article presented by An Qicheng is an ode to Chenyou Dongyue, and it is also a praise of merit.

Wang Bo was well versed in this, and when the Qianyuan Hall was completed, he wrote an ode to the Qianyuan Palace. Emperor Taishan sealed Zen, wrote the ode to Chenyou Dongyue, and patted the sycophants high. Emperor Longyan Dayue once again praised the prodigy and awarded Chao Sanlang, a loose official from the seventh grade.

As soon as he turned sixteen, he became an official of the imperial court, and his reputation soared. After being introduced by the examiner, Ren Pei's palace was revised, which won Li Xian's favor. is so out of the limelight and at the peak of life. In the literary circle of Chang'an City, Wang Bo, Yang Jiong, and Lu Zhaolin Luo Bin Wang were collectively called the Four Masters of the Early Tang Dynasty and ranked him first.

Yang Jiong was not angry, and when he met people, he said that he was ashamed of Lu Qian and the queen. The above-mentioned bullshit, Wu Kang is not interested, and he pays more attention to the depths. On the eighth day of the fifth month, the German official sent someone to spread the word, which was indeed good news. The long-premeditated Inner Dynasty came out after a long time, and Li Zhi finally acted.

Before Mount Tai sealed the Zen, Wu Kang and Xu Jingzong started the confluence of Wuxu. That ode to the Qianyuan Palace, Wu Kang threaded the needle, and respected the sect to the heavens. touched the emperor's cool point, and planned to be promoted exceptionally, but was stirred up by the prime minister. The reason given is that he did not pass the imperial examination and was promoted to break the rules.

The imperial power is subject to the relative power, and Li Zhixin is arrogant, so he naturally can't bear it. He wanted to emulate Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and form an internal dynasty system to divide the power of the prime minister. At that time, the time was not yet ripe, so it was temporarily shelved. At this time, Wang Bo and the first strengthened his determination to build the inner dynasty.

On April 20, Li Zhi made a move. From the Lantai Division, the Left History and the Right History, select talented and learned officials. The so-called Siwen Bureau, which was originally a writing bureau, was responsible for the revision of inscriptions, congratulatory texts, and so on.

The so-called left history and right history were originally living rooms and living houses. They are mainly responsible for recording the emperor's words and deeds and accumulating materials for the revision of history. The characteristics of these people: the official positions are not too high, petty officials of six or seven grades; The background is not prominent, and they are all Shu landlords; Must be knowledgeable and able to export chapters.

Li Zhi issued an order, and in the name of revision, he allowed this batch of scholars to enter the Hanlin Academy to wait for the edict. Nominally a book, in fact it is a think tank, an advisory group to the emperor. Directly participate in the government affairs, create all kinds of public opinion, divide the power of the prime minister, and strengthen the centralized power of the emperor.

As expected, due to physical reasons, Li Zhi handed over these people to Mei Niang to manage. Mei Niang lives in the harem, and if she wants to be rock-solid, she must have a group of cronies. At the beginning, Wang Liwu was abolished, and there were few people left to support her.

Donkey Kong Xu Jingzong, and the big promoter Li Tao are already dying. The second King Kong Li Yifu was defeated by Wu Kang, and the Third King Kong Yuan Gongyu was also implicated and deposed. Wu Kang is a single force, and a new team of cronies must be formed for her.

She came from a small door, and the same kind of her was the landlord of the Shu tribe. As for the landlord of the Shi clan, for the sake of the interests of the gate valve, he will not support her. Wu Kang is very sure that those Shu landlords, for the sake of political demands, can not be disciplined.

For them, as long as I am an official, I will choose allegiance. It doesn't matter who you are, Hu or Han, man or woman, it doesn't matter. Even if you are a dog, as long as you give me an official, I will be the first to follow. The Mengyuan Manchu regime is the best proof of this, let alone women. In order to help her, Wu Kang racked his brains and tried his best. even promised to respect the sect, and the second girl married into the Xu family, gambling on the happiness of his daughter.

On 20 May, Li Deguan came to visit and brought Mei Niang's letter. The general content is as follows: all the scholars of the Inner Dynasty entered the palace from the north gate and waited for the edict in the Hanlin Academy. Books that are being compiled, biographies of women and ministers. After the compilation is completed, I will sign my name and send it to the departments of the imperial court and all the states and counties of the Tang Dynasty.

Wukang was completely confused, the north gate was Xuanwu Gate, the north gate of the palace. Could it be that these people are the famous ones in the history books, the bachelor of the North Gate? This is also too funny, the birth of the North Gate Bachelor, it turned out to be me who pushed it?

The Datang Government Office, all in the south of the palace, is called the South Ya. These scholars of the Inner Dynasty were edicted in the Hanlin Academy, and the Hanlin Academy was in the harem. They walked directly to the north gate without going through the south ya, and arrived at the office. Therefore, the history books and officialdom call it the bachelor of the North Gate, which is full of strong derogatory meanings.

These capable ministers participated in the decision-making of the imperial court and did their best to assist. Handle all kinds of government affairs, create all kinds of public opinion, and all of them are loyal until the empress goes online. It can also be said that it is these bachelors who created Wu Zetian.

Between the lines of the letter, joy jumped on the paper, and she coquettishly said in the letter: Kang Lang did a beautiful job, my sister loves you to death, come on and have a son. If within ten years, Kang Lang has an heir, no matter whether he is a concubine, my sister will let Ling Yue be your daughter-in-law.

Wu Kang couldn't cry or laugh, pull it down, big girl, don't pit me anymore. Princess Taiping of the Li family, my family can't afford it, so let's keep it for others. After complaining, I was very depressed, my daughter-in-law suffered internal injuries, lost her fertility, and could no longer have a son-in-law.

The concubines are also very difficult, and the concubines in the family have two rooms, and they never neglect them. Three days of hard work, three years and five years have passed, and there is no news. When did my fertility slip away? Has Li Chunfeng's criticism really come true?

It is said that my heir is difficult, and I have only one son in my life, and having a son is equal to having no child. The explanation given is: the only son of the martial family, conceived by chance. You don't know who the is or what the child looks like. Father and son will never meet, having a son is equal to having no children, what is said is really evil.

The last part of the letter, which was not written in human words, almost made him angry. Mei Niang half-truthed, wrote the final conclusion: If you have no children in ten years, you will be my son-in-law and marry your niece. Anyway, your uncle was recognized halfway through, and there is no blood relationship.

This is a crazy woman, her thoughts are shocking, so let's die as soon as possible. Resolutely wrote back: My Wukang's wife can only be Cui Lingqing, and there will be no more two families. If she dies in front of me, I will not continue the strings for the rest of my life, don't beat my mind. As for Xiao Lingyue, she will always be a nephew, and I want to be faced.

Time entered June, and two major events occurred. First of all, on the first day of June, the new money was officially issued. Li Zhi issued an edict that the new money should be ten at a time, forcing the people of the Tang Dynasty to use the new money for trading. At the same time, a time limit is set to seal it in June of the second year, and the old money will be invalidated in accordance with the law.

Wu Kang was excited, and the evil plan to accumulate wealth had long been in full swing. The three prime ministers of the imperial court, Xu Jingzong, Li Tao and Dou Dexuan, won over their cronies and collected grain everywhere. Led by Dou Dexuan, Qian Shun took the caravan to Wuzhou to buy rice. According to the time estimate, it will take another five days at most for the grain ship to arrive in the eastern capital.

Shangjia is also very powerful, three days after the edict was issued, the price of grain in Beijing has tripled. The rest of daily necessities, including vegetables and fruits, are also rising significantly. Now you can rest assured that inflation has become a possibility, and no one can stop it.

On the fourth day of the first month of June, Penglai Palace contains Yuan Palace, and Li Zhi held a court meeting. Officials of the fifth grade and above must all participate in the discussion of the Liaodong issue. At the beginning of the Goguryeo Civil War, Quangai Suwen died, and his three sons, rats, turned against each other in the nest.

The second son, Quan Male Health, gave birth to Ziquan Boy, and took advantage of Quan Boy's patrol to launch a military coup. Kill his nephew Quan to offer loyalty, use his head to sacrifice the flag, and the soldiers will crusade against the eldest brother. The boy was defeated and retreated, and in order to save his life, he sent two envoys to the Tang government for help.

The imperial court pretended to refuse, and at the same time detained the envoy and waited for greater benefits. Just half a month ago, the boy sent his only son, Quan Xiancheng, to Chang'an, and then begged the Tang Dynasty to send troops. Or apply for attachment, accept the rule of the Tang Dynasty, and implore troops to quell the rebellion.

The time was ripe, and at the seventh meeting in early June, the imperial court decided to send troops. The right general of Xiaowei, He Li, the Duke of Yuguo, served as the ambassador of Liaodong to pacify and led the troops to rescue the boy in Quan. The so-called pacification ambassadors, similar to the marching chiefs, are generalissimos leading the troops.

Because the boy is attached, then Goguryeo is the territory of the Tang Dynasty. The imperial court's dispatch of troops this time was not a malicious invasion, but to quell the rebellion, so it was called a pacification envoy. The ambassador controls the roads, and the military generals of the roads are the commanders of the march.

At the same time, the imperial court appointed: Gao Kan, the governor of Yingzhou, the head of the march of Liaodong Road; Zuo Jinwu General Pang Tongshan, the former army commander of Liaodong Province; Xue Rengui, the general of the left Wuwei, and Li Jinxing, the general of the left prison gate, recruited the government soldiers as backups. At the same time, the envoys were released, and Quan Xiancheng was appointed as the general of the Right Guard, serving as the guide of the Eastern Expedition.

There are twelve volumes of military books, and there is no name for the scrolls, and Wu Kang is not in a hurry. Li Zhixiong is strategic, and naturally knows that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pacify Liaodong. He was testing the tide of battle, if the march went well, if the first battle was won. We will pour the strength of the whole country, recruit the whole country's army, and sail to Liaodong in large numbers.

Wukang is also waiting, the 6,000 militia in Wuzhou have long left Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Zhao Sheng went to meet him, and yesterday came news that the troops had arrived in Yangzhou. At most, it will take a month and a half to arrive in Luoyang, the eastern capital, and wait for the handover of the general.

After the court meeting, he first went to Zuo Yu Linwei to guide the training work. At about three o'clock in the afternoon, I went to the Nanya of the West Da Nei, and left the Fengchen Health Office to deal with the affairs of the health office. As soon as I came to Chengtianmen, I saw two subordinates standing outside the gate of the official office.

Zuo Feng Yu Du Huaigong, Zuo Feng Yu Qiu Shen, the two of them looked forward to it. He joined the company a month ago, and his father died last year, and Li Zhi gave special permission. There is no need to keep a vigil for the father, and on the day of the New Moon, give him a holiday to cry and mourn, and the rest of the work is normal. The two found the big guy and hurriedly trotted to greet him, and Huai Gong reported first: "Li Deguan, the inner chamberlain, has been here three times and is waiting in the public house." seems to be a little anxious, the attitude is quite bad, and the speech is yin and yang. If there is no ball, will the person float, does he want to go to the sky? ”

Wu Kang couldn't help but say, this little rabbit cub can't talk well. Shen Qi blinked, and said with a sense of concern: "Huaigong's words are wrong, women have no balls, and they haven't seen anyone go to heaven." Li Neishou was still waiting, Duke Chu went over to see him, or did he call him over? ”

Before the main owner could answer, Huai Gong shook his head and shook his head, with a cheap smile on his face. Clenched his hands into fists, pressed against his chests on both sides, and said solemnly: "These two balls are heavier than eggs, and they fall on women, so they can't float." Please Chu Gong for advice, is this the reason? ”

Shen Qian forced a smile, Wu Kang rolled his eyes, you old driver. raised his foot and kicked over, and said with a chiseled words: "The eunuchs are small-minded and ruthless, don't offend them." He is the queen's person, don't look at the face of the monk and look at the face of the Buddha, don't worry about him. Shen Gong go and please, Huai Gong tell me, what's the matter with him? ”

Huai Gong shook his head: "He came to the official office, and he didn't say anything." I also assigned my brother to go to the inner palace to find you, but I refused. The confrontation lasted for half an hour, saying that the queen summoned him and had a big matter. Alarmist, when the queen sees the general, there will only be good things, not big things. ”

There were no outsiders around, he was hanging, Wu Kang was very helpless, and reminded again: "Listen to me, don't despise the eunuchs, don't offend them." And your witty, be sure to pay attention to the occasion, and remember that trouble comes from the mouth. ”

Huai Gong nodded solemnly, but he was serious for only three seconds, and he was full of cheap smiles. Wu Kang didn't bother to pay attention to him, saw a familiar figure, and strode forward to meet him. Before he could say hello, his wrist was pulled, and the German officer screamed: "Ouch Chu Gong, go with the old slave." The queen is in a hurry, and the banquet full of tables is waiting for you to start the banquet. ”

Wu Kang pouted, it turned out to be a banquet, what was the monkey anxious about. Walking side by side with him, he casually greeted: "It's not a big deal, the German officer doesn't have to be there in person, just send someone to pass the word." What day is today, the princess's birthday has not yet arrived, why is there a banquet? ”

The German officer hurriedly humbled himself, and the old face smiled chrysanthemum: "It is an honor for the old slave to be able to run errands for Duke Chu." That's the case, your father and brother, come to the palace today to pay a visit. The queen held a banquet to entertain, so she ordered the old slave to come over and invite the Duke of Chu. ”

Wu Kang couldn't help but wonder that the Yang family was narrow-minded and hated the Wu brothers. Mei Niang treats her mother to filial piety, as long as the Yang family is alive, it is impossible to do this. What's more, it's still in the inner palace, what kind of family banquet to put up, it feels unreasonable.

Leaving the Nanya of Xinei and entering the south of Penglai Palace, the German official lowered his voice: "The Duke of Chu is at the banquet, he wants to help the queen, and the Wei State is too arrogant." Recently, he has been showing off his martial arts all day long, and in front of the queen, he scolded the old slave for being a gelding. Even if the old slave is a dog, it is also the queen's dog, and it depends on the owner to beat the dog. ”

This face is full of grievances, Wu Kang is secretly happy in his heart, sowing discord between you. didn't feel at ease, Mei Niang held a family banquet, and Helan also participated. Just let the Wu family persuade the niece not to be whimsical. Delusion takes its place, you don't have that ability, you will reap the consequences.

Suddenly stopped, brows condensed into pimples, if I go to the banquet, I will eat with Helan. She is the lady of Wei, and I am the Duke of Chu, and the lord has the word Chu Wei. Yu Zhining's suicide note, Liu Xiangdao's warning, Chu Wei should not eat together. Is it a reminder that I can't attend the same banquet as Helan Clan?

So he fell into deep thought, his head was a mess, and his eyes began to wander. Make up your mind that you would rather believe what you have than what you don't. Mu Ne lowered his head, saw the German official jumping to his feet, and said with a pleasant face: "Don't worry, don't worry, tell me the truth, is Mei Niang holding a banquet, or is the saint proposing?" ”

The German official breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "Fortunately, I didn't suffer from hysteria, but I scared the old slave to death." If you go back to the Duke of Chu, the Penglai Hall holds a family banquet, which is the meaning of the saint. The queen is waiting, and she can't delay any longer, the old slave said as he walked. ”

Listening to his story, Wu Kang felt heavy and gradually trembled. Wu Huaiyun and Wu Weiliang handed over the post yesterday and offered local specialties. Li Zhi received them, and then found Mei Niang to discuss a banquet and hospitality. The reason is high-sounding, you are a family, and you have to abandon your past suspicions.

The emperor personally said that he must give him face, but Mei Niang reluctantly agreed. Li Zhi was very excited, since the queen agreed, it was better to set up a family banquet. Invite everyone in the martial family, including Wu Kang and Helan, to drink together. At the same time, he also said that after today's court meeting, if there is enough time, he will also go to the banquet.

Wu Kang's face sank like water, and he had already smelled the conspiracy, and even smelled the murderous machine. That person is very abnormal, and he has always spared no effort to suppress his relatives. How is it possible to act as a peacemaker and settle the grievances of the martial arts?

Wuji is also a relative, or his uncle, who was also forced to die. The lesson from the past is still there, and he does not allow the martial arts family to interfere in the government affairs of the court. I can't wait to expel all the Wu family members from Beijing. Because I am good at military affairs, I am still useful to him, so I can stay in the capital temporarily.

At this moment, it has been determined that Chu Wei cannot eat together, and he is talking about today. He stopped again, restrained all his emotions, and said in a calm tone: "Where is the saint now, have you gone to the banquet, please tell the truth." ”

The German officer felt that something was wrong, looked at no one around, and replied in a low voice: "The saint is in the Zichen Palace, and he met with Sikong Li Tao to discuss the war in Liaodong. Just now he sent someone to spread the word that he would not go to Penglai Palace, and specially explained that he would let Duke Chu go to the banquet. ”

The sinister intentions have been revealed, and there will be deception in them. Although he didn't know why, he stared at the German official without any danger, and said undoubtedly: "I have a major military matter, go to Zichen Hall to face the saint." You go and inform the queen that I don't have time for the banquet, so let them not wait for me. ”

The German officer shook his head, opened his mouth to persuade him, put away his murderous intent, and closed his mouth in fright. quickly came back to his senses, and said tremblingly: I'll go back to pass the word, don't dare to delay the Duke of Chu, the old slave will leave first...