As soon as Zhang Huan's carriage left, a richly decorated carriage came from the west under the escort of hundreds of people, and slowly stopped in front of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

At this moment, Cui Yuan has already slept, and the eldest son Cui Xian has just gone out at dusk, the big housekeeper hesitated for a long time, or quietly came to Cui Yuan's room, a small lamp was lit in the room, the light was dim, the two concubines stood in the two corners of the room on the left and right, and the concubine by the door saw the housekeeper probing his brain, and hurriedly waved his hand and whispered: "The master just fell asleep, can't be disturbed." ”

"But the matter is very urgent, you see if the master is still awake, report it for me."

"No, the master will be angry!"

The two of them were arguing in a low voice at the door, but Cui Yuan woke up, and he coughed lightly, "What's the matter?" ”

Without waiting for the concubine to tell him, the chief housekeeper stepped forward directly to report, "Master, Pei Xiangguo is visiting and waiting outside the mansion, but the eldest prince has not come back yet." ”

"Where's Miss? Let her go and welcome Sangkook in for me. ”

The chief butler was very embarrassed, and said for a while: "Miss was called by a friend. ”

"Friends?" Cui Yuan was silent for a moment, sighed slightly, and said, "Then please ask Pei Xiangguo to come in directly!" Clean up the room again. ”

"Yes!" The chief butler gave the two concubines a look, and he immediately retreated, one of the concubines lit the lamp, and put a handful of sandalwood in the incense burner, while the other concubine stepped forward to pull up the curtain, helped Cui to sit up, and put a mattress behind him.

"That's it! Help me get a few copies of the recitals on the table. ”

Cui Yuan coughed twice, and picked up a book of folds, which were to be voted on at the New Year's court. One is the Ministry of Households' partial adjustments to this year's tax plan. It is mainly aimed at Shuzhong, including the temporary suspension of the salt tax in Shuzhong, and at the same time changing the current 10 taxes on the land in Shuzhong to 30 taxes.

The other was a number of major personnel changes proposed by the Ministry of Officials according to the intention of the cabinet, among them, the battle of Shuzhong was corrupted and recklessly defeated, Cui Qinggong was dismissed from the post of General Jin Wuwei, and he was deprived of the title of Duke of Yanguo and the general of the Zhenjun Army, and was demoted to the rank of commoner.

And Wei Ge was also dismissed from his position as the third secretary of the opening of the palace and the prince Shaobao for the crime of not noticing the defeat of the march, and was transferred to the envoy of the Hanzhong Festival. However, he retains his position as a military secretary and a subordinate of the same Zhongshu as a member of the Ping Zhang.

The other two books are the memoranda of the imperial court to compensate the fallen soldiers in Shuzhong, these books Cui Yuan has been pressed for two days, one is that he really has no energy to look at it carefully, and the more important reason is that Zhang Huan's official position change is not mentioned in the compromise, which is one of the three major personnel changes collectively passed by the cabinet at that time, but now there are only two.

Of course, Cui Yuan knew that this was Pei Jun's manipulation of the cabinet resolution, and Cui Yuan didn't want to add Zhang Huan's title. He didn't intend to give him important positions in the imperial court, and even wanted to hold him accountable for taking advantage of the chaos in Shu to occupy Longyou, his goal was to compress Zhang Huan's influence tightly in Longyou, but Pei Jun wanted Zhang Huan to take Longyou as the foundation, give him greater power, and let him expand his influence to Chang'an and even the whole country.

This is the core contradiction between Cui and Pei, this is not because Zhang Huan is Pei Jun's son-in-law, if this is the case, Zhang Huan will marry Cui Yuan's daughter sooner or later. No! This has nothing to do with who his son-in-law is, but because of his true identity, the deep contradictions between Cui and Pei are highlighted. The focus of their contradiction is actually whether the Tang Dynasty should take the route of monarchy or the line of the family system.

Of course, there is only one way to solve this deep-seated contradiction, that is, to see who can control the power of the DPRK and China, Cui Yuan will control it, he will carry out the family government to the end, and Pei Jun will control it, and he will slowly restore the imperial power of the Li family.

Cui Yuan ordered the concubine to take the pen and approve a quasi-word on the plan of the household department on the adjustment of taxes in Shuzhong, and threw the excerpt of personnel transfer aside, he wanted to talk to Pei Jun about it.

Pei Jun was no longer outside the mansion at this time. Instead, he sat in the guest hall and waited, he was welcomed into the mansion by Cui Yuan's eldest grandson Cui Yao, although Cui Yao was only eight years old, he was old and steady, and he was not rude at all between advance and retreat. He is a junior. He didn't dare to sit with Pei Jun, but stood next to him to talk to Xiangguo.

Pei Jun casually placed a rectangular sandalwood box on the table. He opened the lid, and there was an old ginseng like a human shape inside, Pei Jun pointed to it and smiled slightly: "This is a 10,000-year-old ginseng from the Bohai Kingdom, your grandfather has been tired for many years and needs such a big supplement, since your father is not in the house, then you can accept it for him!" ”

Cui Yao saw that the gift was precious, his face suddenly became solemn, and he hurriedly took a step back, bowed deeply and thanked him: "Xiangguo is grateful, Xiao Cui is grateful, I am a father and ask him to come to the door to thank you another day!" ”

"It's just a little heart, not respect." Pei Jun took a sip of the teacup, and looked at Cui Yuan's precious grandson with interest, he had long heard that Xiao Cui had a big appearance, and when he saw it today, it was indeed worthy of his reputation.

"How is your grandfather doing? A little better, no? ”

"Thank you Pei Xiangguo for your concern, my grandfather's spirit is slightly better these days, but his legs and feet are not convenient, and he can't get out of bed and walk."

"Just get better!"

Pei Jun was still very immature when he heard his voice, but he spoke decently, very calmly and calmly, and admired in his heart, he groaned slightly and deliberately asked, "What about your father?" I always see him socializing outside these days, and it is rare to see him return home, does it seem that filial piety is behind him? ”

"I don't agree with what Pei Xiangguo said." Cui Yao straightened his small waist, he pushed the sandalwood box in the direction of Pei Jun, to show that Wanjin could not take away his ambition, he retorted loudly: "Filial piety is also divided into big filial piety and small filial piety, serving tea and water, serving the bed and serving behind the bed is filial piety, but I think this is just small filial piety." ”

"What about Daxiao?" Pei Jun asked again with a smile.

"Adhering to my father's ambition, my vision is higher than the nine heavens, my mind is thousands of miles away, doing great things and achieving great achievements, this is the great filial piety, although my father is a small official, but what he does is for my grandfather's reputation. I thought this was the great filial piety. Since the public is the minister of a country, he should take it as his duty to observe the world, how can he also follow those ordinary people and live with filial piety? ”

Pei Jun was shocked, he stared at Cui Yao tightly, and after a long time, he sighed: "Cui Xiang has a grandson like this, which is enough to comfort his life!" ”

At this time, the chief housekeeper came sweating profusely and hurriedly saluted: "Pei Xiangguo." My family is please! ”

Pei Jun got up, he took out a jade pendant from his arms and gave it to Cui Yao and said with a smile: "This jade pendant has been with me for many years, and I have benefited a lot from Xiao Cui's words today, so I will give it to you!" ”

"Thank you Bae Sang-kook!"

Pei Jun raised his head and laughed, he followed the big butler into Cui Yuan's inner room, the room had been cleaned up, and the light was bright. Warm as spring, a faint sandalwood fragrance permeated the room, replacing the original strong medicinal smell.

Pei Jun walked into the room, and without waiting for him to speak, Cui Yuan smiled first: "Pei Xiang is visiting at this time, is it to deceive me that I can't get up to greet him?" ”

Pei Junyi smiled and said: "Cui Xiangguo has a good grandson, what if he can't get up?" ”

"Did my grandson receive you for me?" There was no surprise in the words, and there was even a hint of pride, of course, his grandson was the proudest capital of his land. No matter how others praise him, Cui Yuan doesn't think about it.

Pei Jun sat down on the embroidery pier prepared in advance, he smiled, and said, "Ling Sun said that Cui Xiang's illness has improved, this is my blessing for the Tang Dynasty!" ”

"That silly boy, where did my condition improve?" Cui Yuan smiled bitterly and said: "It's just that my spirit has been slightly better recently, and I have to thank Pei Xiangguo for sending the recital in time, alas!" I've been busy for most of my life, and I'm really not used to it when I'm suddenly idle. ”

"Brother Cui is the right minister of a country. It is the pillar of my Datang, now that the state affairs are chaotic, the pressure on the younger brother alone is too great, I hope that Brother Cui can recover sooner. ”

The two of you have a word, and I have a word. They are all testing each other. Cui Yuan has the idea of retiring, but the premise of this retreat is that the right minister must still be in the hands of Cui Jiadi. But until the situation is still unclear, he will definitely not mention half a word.

And Pei Jun has been paying attention to Cui Yuandi's condition, he even knows Cui Yuan more thoroughly than Cui Yuan himself, he knows very well that it is difficult to stand up again, so this position of right minister, he Cui Yuan has to give it up if he doesn't let it, it's not the position of Lian Zhan, but he won't let himself be alone for a long time.

Of course, the position of the right minister involves the power structure of the entire court, which is by no means a matter that can be decided by a visit, which involves the reintegration of power, if Cui Yuan is an iron-blooded right minister, he will inevitably remove all stumbling blocks for him before Cui Yu takes over as the right minister, and remove all the officials who will threaten the interests of his Cui family, including Pei Jun, Chu Xingshui, and even Wei Ge.

It's a pity that he can't do it, a battle in Shuzhong has quietly changed the balance of power between Cui and Pei, only the comparison of forces in Guanzhong, the Pei family is far greater than the Cui family, and what is more terrible is that Pei Jun holds the Tongguan fortress, if he doesn't agree, the Shandong army of the Cui family will not be able to enter Tongguan, and Zhang Huan has occupied Longyou, and the Shandong army can not borrow the way, Pei Jun's strength in Guanzhong has been looming above Cui Yuan.

Not only the troops, but also the highest decision-making organ of the Tang Dynasty - the cabinet, since Li Mian entered the cabinet, the balance of power in the cabinet has been inclined to Pei Jun, and the pattern of the court has quietly changed, so how can Pei Jun be willing to be the second minister, and now, Cui Yuan's illness has become Pei Jun's biggest opportunity to seize the right minister.

Cui Yuan is very aware of Pei Jun's routine, his first step is to suppress the call for him to be the right minister, and proposes that everything is carried out in accordance with the old practice, but this is just a gesture he put on, so that the world believes that the court is still united and peaceful, and he Pei Jun has no ambition to seize the right minister, and the second step is to visit the condition today, in fact, to put it bluntly, it is a kind of temptation, see that he Cui Yuan is willing to take the initiative to give way, if he refuses, his third step will come out immediately.

Cui Yuan sneered in his heart, he wanted to take a look, how did Pei Jun's third move move?

Thinking of this, Cui Yuan took a few folds and handed them to Pei Jundao: "I have already approved these excerpts, the plan for adjusting the taxes in Shuzhong is very good, it can make Zhu have no way to get money, and Cui Qinggong's greed for merit led to the defeat of the army, he is the generalissimo of the expedition to the south, so he should bear the main responsibility, and it is also fair for Wei Ge to bear the secondary responsibility, but Pei Xiang seems to have forgotten one person." ”

"Xiangguo said that it was Zhang Huan!" Pei Jun smiled faintly and said: "This book is to be passed by the third reading of the Great Dynasty Middle School, Zhang Huan's official position is low, and he can't be compared with the two of them, so he didn't put it together." Instead, it's a different fold. ”

"Humble official position?" Cui Yuan sneered and said, "According to the rules of the second year of Qingzhi." The appointment and dismissal of all former officials from the third rank must be passed by the third reading in the court, Zhang Huan, whether he is the envoy of the right section of Long, or the champion general, is already the third rank, how can he not be read three times in the court? Maybe the old man has been sick for a long time, and he still doesn't know that the rules of the dynasty have changed, please Pei Xiangguo teach me! ”

Pei Jun smiled and hurriedly explained: "Cui Xiang doesn't have to be angry, I mean that Cui Qinggong and Wei Ge were dismissed, but Zhang Huan was promoted, and it seems inappropriate to put them together." It's not that he doesn't read it three times in the Great Pilgrimage. ”

Cui Yuan did not stop, he still chased after him and said: "Since it comes to promotion, I can't help but say something, the war in Shuzhong is urgent, but Zhang Huan took the opportunity to occupy Longyou, it is true that he leads the shore of the land." Could it be Wang Tu, I won't say what he seized from the Wei family here, but his move did affect the morale of the soldiers in Shu, and he was also responsible for the defeat in Shu, I hope Pei Xiangguo can understand this. ”

Pei Jun's smile was gone, and he also competed with each other: "It may be possible to affect the morale of the generals who conquered Shu, but he sent troops from Longyou to Shuzhong when the Zhu bandits attacked Hanzhong and Chang'an was in danger, and forced the Zhu bandits back, which was a great credit to Sheji." The merits are worth it, but I thought that he defeated the Tubo general Ma Chongying in Hexi, and he had meritorious service in defending the land and should be rewarded. Pei Jundi's carriage was speeding on the streets of Chang'an, the light in the carriage was dim, Pei Jun's half-lying on the soft couch sneered again and again, he made a gesture of not asking the right minister during this time, just to get his Cui Yuan's response, seeing that the New Year's dynasty was imminent, he did not say anything.

Today's temptation finally made Pei Jun see Cui Yuandi's bottom line. Cui Yuan did not mention the intention of giving up the right phase, which shows that his right phase position will never be ceded to himself, but let the Cui family continue to control it.

Pei Jun snorted coldly, the level of strength determines the size of power, and now the comparison of strength between the two sides has changed. He Cui Yuan didn't know how to advance or retreat. Does he want to repeat Zhang Potian's path again?

"Turn around and go to Yongjiafang!" Pei Jun ordered in a low voice. At this time, he needs strong support from Zhang Huan.

On the night of the first day of the first month of Chang'an, the cold air hits people, the street is deserted, it is extremely difficult to see the passers-by, occasionally only through the streets and alleys to eat, carrying the burden in the cold wind and shouting, in order to support the family and run around in the cold night.

At this moment, the night is not yet deep, and there is still an hour before the door is closed, and Chang'an people either accompany their wives at home, or gather with relatives and friends in the restaurant to talk about the New Year's aspirations.

In a sheltered corner near the gate of the East Market, there was a small food stall, and the owner was a man of about forty years old, short and stocky, with a pleasant smile, like a marmot, who was quickly boiling water and boiling noodles with his hands and feet.

He wasn't born happy, and an hour ago, he was still crying around with his burden on his face, hoping that someone would eat his bowl of hot minced meat noodles and earn a few copper coins to buy a handkerchief for his daughter, but he walked for more than an hour in the cold night before he sold two bowls of noodles.

His smile came from the two dozen or so noodle eaters, to be precise, there were only two people sitting at the stall, a man and a woman, a pair of young lovers, and the others seemed to be the man's men, who were squatting far away, each holding a bowl of noodles in their hands and gobbling up, most of them were already eating a second bowl, which made the stall owner particularly happy.

This pair of young lovers is naturally Cui Ning and Zhang Huan, they have just finished shopping in the East Market, Zhang Huan then remembered that he has not eaten dinner, although the beauty is delicious, but the brothers are hungry one by one chest against the back, but no one dares to say anything, walk to the door of the East Market just saw this small noodle stall, Zhang Huan beckoned the brothers to eat.

Although Cui Ning didn't eat dinner, she didn't like to show her head outside to eat, she didn't ask for it, but held her cheeks with her palms and watched Zhang Huan eat noodles with interest.

A woman is a sensual animal, if she falls in love with a man, as long as the man is good to her, even if he has nothing, she will still follow him affectionately, Cui Ning is the same, although she knows that Zhang Huan and her father are opponents of the court, but she still has no hesitation in love with Zhang Huan.

They have known each other for two years, and their love has gone through the budding, through the brilliant flowering period, through the green and dull fruit period, and now it is finally the ripe season.

"What are you thinking?" Zhang Huan finished drinking the noodle soup, and he suddenly found Cui Ning looking at him with a smile, quickly wiped his mouth, and asked with an embarrassed smile.

Cui Ning shook her head with a smile and didn't speak, she suddenly beckoned to the stall owner, pointed at Zhang Huan and said, "Give him another bowl!" ”

"Great!" The stall owner had already prepared, and brought another bowl of noodles with a smile, Zhang Huan waved his hand again and again, "No, I'm already full!" ”

"Let's eat!" Cui Ning pursed his lips and smiled, and stuffed the chopsticks into him, "How can you eat one bowl with such a strong body, you have to eat two big bowls every meal when you are in Hexi." ”

Zhang Huan smiled and picked up the bowl again, this time, he no longer gobbled up, but slowly and logically, talking to Cui Ning while eating, "Actually, I like to eat at this kind of stall very much, it will make me find the feeling of my youth, we have a stall selling sugar porridge at the South City Gate of Taiyuan, I often went there when I was a child, and when I have the opportunity in the future, I will also take you to see it." ”

"I'll accompany you if you want to go to the snack stall in the future." Cui Ning smiled lightly and said gently.

Although the winter night was cold, Zhang Huan's heart felt unusually warm, he didn't say much, lowered his head and ate noodles silently, Cui Ning didn't say anything, she looked at her lover affectionately, in this humble food stall, power, wealth, and identity are all gone, only the two of them love each other deeply, at this moment, Cui Ning finally found the unforgettable feeling that Zhang Huan had given her.

She suddenly felt that she had something to rely on all her life, and at this moment, she never wanted to leave Zhang Huan again.

"Huanlang!" Cui Ning whispered emotionally, Zhang Huan felt something, he slowly raised his head, and saw Cui Ningdi's eyes full of endless love and expectation.

"Marry me!" Zhang Huan held her hand without hesitation, staring deeply at her beautiful eyes, Cui Ning's face suddenly flushed with shyness, and she nodded lightly.

"Then come back with me tonight, okay?"

Zhang Huan's white hand in the palm of his hand did not withdraw back, he suddenly felt Cui Ning gently pinch him with his nails, Zhang Huan was overjoyed, he immediately stood up and ordered his soldiers: "Everyone prepare to go back!" ”

At this time, the stall owner who sold noodles next to him was grinning at the two of them, he also remembered that he had said the same thing with his daughter-in-law under the willow tree, and his heart couldn't help but feel hot, so he couldn't help but rush home, he saw that Zhang Huan had already stood up to leave, and his subordinates all turned over and got on the horse, and suddenly remembered that the account had not yet been settled, and he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat on his back, and hurriedly stepped forward and nodded and said with a smile: "Guest, a total of 1,100 Wen, you just give me the same money." ”

"Huanlang, give him a little more!" Cui Ning was full of sympathy for this poor and honest stall owner, and whispered to Zhang Huan.

Zhang Huan smiled and gave a look to the pro-soldier beside him, and the pro-soldier understood, took out a gold ingot from his skin bag and put it on the table, "This is the reward of my family." ”

The stall owner looked at the yellow and clear ingot of gold on the small table, he was stunned, he shook his hands violently and held the gold, his heart almost stopped beating, his daughter-in-law also had a pair of pitifully small gold earrings, always said to leave it as a family heirloom to his daughter, but this ingot of gold is thirty taels at least, what does it mean? At least it means that he no longer has to carry his burden on the streets and alleys to sell noodles on the cold night of the New Year.

The stall owner suddenly remembered something, he raised his head suddenly, and a group of people had already escorted the carriage away, his lips trembled a few times, and he slowly knelt down, and kowtowed three times to the back of the carriage.