So Yang Guang forcibly suppressed the dissatisfaction and anger in his heart, on the one hand, he praised Zhang Heng for a while, and rewarded him with a lot of money and slaves, on the other hand, he urged the driver to go north early and came to this place of Yanmen, he wanted to see the majesty and danger of Yanmen Pass with his own eyes, and did not expect to have good food, drink and good accommodation here, but he did not expect to have an unexpected joy here, this county guard in Qiu He is the place where he can recall his own prosperous Ziwei Palace in the Eastern Capital.

Yang Guang laughed, he wanted to pat Qiu He's shoulder, but he didn't realize that he was the king of a country until he stretched out his hand, this kind of hooking his shoulders was a little indecent, so he turned his hand to Qiu He's hand like lightning, grabbed Qiu He's hand with both hands, and kept shaking: "Qiu Aiqing, you have worked hard, I have passed through so many states and counties along the way, and you have done the best here, it really took you a lot of effort." ”

Su Wei on the side immediately echoed and said: "Yes, it is all His Majesty's wisdom, and he put Qiu Taishou in this place of Yanmen, which can be described as making the best use of his talents and making the best use of his materials, Qiu Taishou is loyal to the country, as the left servant of Shangshu, Weichen knows, Yanmen is doing so well, I am afraid that the money from the treasury is not enough, Qiu Taishou should have spent a lot of money himself, this is really a loyal minister to His Majesty." ”

A hint of smugness flashed on Qiu He's face: "It should be, it should be, Your Majesty's deep kindness to my Yanmen officials and people can be described as heaven's grace, and I don't know how many times I can bear the grace of heaven in my life, of course, I must grasp it well, as for Weichen's little family background, it is only available to His Majesty and the Hongfu of the Great Sui, and it is a matter of course to take it out and repay His Majesty!" ”

A spring breeze rippled in Yang Guang's heart, and he was about to speak. only to hear a cold "hum" from the crowd behind. His face sank. Turning his head, he saw Gao Xi, who was dressed in a purple robe, with a face hanging on his face, standing in the back row, looking at Qiu He coldly.

This time, Yang Guang didn't want to bring Gao Xi out, he was very annoyed by this old stubborn and ruined his own fun, but Xiao Yu, who rushed over from the Eastern Capital to meet a few days ago, said that Gao Xi was the commander of the Sui army who defeated the Turks several times back then, and He Ruobi was the only general who was alive now to destroy Nan Chen. If these two people were to take them, they would definitely be able to subdue the Qimin Khan and the leaders of the ambitious steppe tribes, so that they would not dare to be contemptuous of the Central Plains.

So Yang Guangcai reluctantly took Gao Xi, who was Tai Changqing, and He Ruobi, who was idle at home, with him, and along the way, he also secretly sent his henchmen to closely monitor. There is nothing unusual about Gao Xi on this road, probably because I saw that along the way, most of the states and counties I passed through still maintained the simplicity of the Yang Jian period, or a somewhat shabby style, but when I arrived in this Yanmen County, I saw such a face-saving project of labor and people's labor. Gao Xi has finally broken out!

Yang Guang endured the dissatisfaction in his heart, and still had a smile on his face. As an excellent actor, he knows how to behave like a wise man in front of his courtiers: "Gao Taichang, what do you think?" ”

Gao Xi solemnly saluted Yang Guang: "Qi Gong Majesty, the Great Sui has clear regulations, the reception of the Son of Heaven, the reception of ministers, the reception of the imperial history, or the reception of generals, all according to the grade has a clear standard, the emperor has repeatedly emphasized that the cost of these receptions is taken from the people, and they need to be used carefully. ”

"This time, His Majesty Xià went out on patrol all the way, and the states and counties he passed through basically maintained the reception scale stipulated by the Kaihuang Law, and the old minister was also deeply pleased, but this Yanmen County was originally a border place, the land was barren, and the property was scarce, but it had to support tens of thousands of soldiers, and it was a state and county that had to rely on national relief funds to maintain it every year, but the decoration of this county guard house was as good as Daxing Palace, and even the door nails were made of gold.

"When the emperor was there, the Duke of Chu invested heavily in the construction of Renshou Palace, and the first reaction of the emperor when he saw the gorgeous palace was not to be happy, but to say that the Duke of Chu harmed him and complained to the people of the world, but please think deeply about the deep meaning of this statement, and blame Qiu He to set an example."

Qiu He was so frightened that he fell to his knees all of a sudden, and kept kowtowing: "Your Majesty, the cost of renovating Yanmen Pass is all from the silver deposits in the treasury and the personal savings of Weichen, and there is no such thing as looting the people and increasing taxes!" At most, the people of Yanmen heard that His Majesty was coming, and they were overjoyed, and they had a few more days of hard labor, and Weichen also gave subsidies according to the regulations. ”

The smile on Yang Guang's face dissipated without a trace, and he turned his head to Su Wei and said in a deep voice: "Su Servant, do you say that the decoration of this Yanmen has to be completed by Gao Taichang's search for people's fat and people's ointment?" ”

Su Wei's eyes rolled: "The conditions in Yanmen are indeed a little more difficult, and it is also true that it has always relied on the state's appropriation for relief in the past, but in recent years, since the Turkic surrender, the situation here has been much better, and the imperial court's appropriation for this place has not been reduced, and the taxes obtained by Guanshi are all owned by Yanmen County according to the old practice. ”

Gao Xi Zhengse said: "Su servant shooting, you and I are both people who have done Shangshu Zuo servant shooting, when you know that the conditions of this Yanmen are difficult, and the people's livelihood is difficult, look at the houses in other places in this city, it is still as dilapidated as when I led the army to fight back against the Turks eight years ago, and passed by here, and the houses are like this, but how magnificent this county guard is, which makes the people see it, how can it be embarrassing!" The reason why the emperor was able to unite the monarch and the people during his reign and create a prosperous era is that the emperor can work with the people, hard and simple, and live with ordinary food, clothing, and living, that is, the level of ordinary residents in Daxing City, which can go up and down. ”

Yu Shiji's face changed, and he said sharply: "Gao Taichang, you are talking too much, you keep saying how the former emperor is, do you want to use the name of the former emperor to suppress His Majesty?" ”

Gao Xi's face did not change and replied calmly: "Yu Shilang (Yu Shiji's current internal history Shilang, who took the post of Feng Lun who dismissed the official) said badly, and the old minister's concern is the Jiangshan Sheji of the Great Sui, and there is no distinction between the first emperor and His Majesty Xià in his heart, and His Majesty is still using the old order of the first emperor, and this time he also issued an edict to all counties and counties. Let them all be treated simply. It's this mound and wants to flatter. That's why they will do this thing of looting the people's fat to decorate, in a vain attempt to curry favor with His Majesty, in order to gain fame and fortune, such villains and traitors, if they do not issue an edict and punish severely, they will only make other groups of people follow suit, and when the time comes, they will abuse the people and centrifuge up and down. My Great Sui country is really going to have problems! This old minister is facing the emperor, and it is also true! ”

Yang Guang suddenly said coldly: "Gao Taichang, are you saying that if you build a county guard mansion for me, the world will be centrifuged up and down, and the country will be worried?" ”

Gao Xi's eyebrows twitched, and he replied: "What the old minister means is that if one or two counties do this, it won't be a big problem, but if hundreds of states and counties in the world do this." That's where things go wrong. ”

Yang Guang sneered: "Along the way, dozens of states and counties. There is no one like Qiu Taishou to decorate, why did Qiu Taishou do it, but Gao Taichang made such a fuss? It is true to be close to the people and love the people, but as the governor of the state and county of the Great Sui, shouldn't he show the prestige he deserves? If Su County Shou only used the legal treasury income of the county to do this, I don't think it is excessive, if he looted the people's money and increased taxes to do this, as Gao Taichang said, then naturally he should be punished according to the law, Gao Taichang, what do you think? ”

The corners of Gao Xi's mouth hooked, and his years of experience as prime minister let him know that Yang Guang was psychologically biased towards Qiu He, and if he couldn't persuade him, he would only put himself in, he bowed deeply to Yang Guang: "Obey Your Majesty's holy will." Long live my emperor, long live, long live. ”

Pei Shiju followed and shouted: "Supreme Shengming, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" A bunch of civil and military officials who followed the marriage shouted long live like a tsunami, Qiu He breathed a long sigh of relief in his heart, and looked at Gao Xi's eyes, and there was a murderous opportunity.

Two hours later, Yang Guang walked out of the glittering hall of the county guard's mansion, with a satisfied smile on his face, and inadvertently burped, and the important ministers behind him were all happy, except for a few people such as Gao Xi and Yu Wenbi. It is human nature to like food, and today Yang Guang finally ate a big meal in this Yanmen that is no less than what he ate in the Eastern Capital, especially the roast suckling pig that is said to be fed with human milk, and it is a delicacy that he has never eaten in his life.

Yang Guang smiled and said to Qiu He on the side: "Qiu Taishou, your cook here is really amazing, I am very satisfied, especially the roast suckling pig, I have never eaten such a delicious thing in my life, I wonder if Qiu Taishou is willing to cut his love and let this chef enter my imperial dining room?" ”

Qiu He had a flattering smile on his face: "If you go back to your majesty, the recipes and preparation methods of this imperial meal are all done by Weichen himself, and the chefs are just acting according to Weichen's orders. ”

Yang Guang was surprised: "Ah, Qiu Taishou actually has such a talent? ”

Qiu He had a humble smile on his face, but he was very proud in his heart: "This is Wei Chen heard that His Majesty is coming, looking for ancient recipes, and wants to prepare a unique imperial meal for His Majesty. For the sake of the country, His Majesty has worked tirelessly to patrol the fortress, we have nothing to return as courtiers, only to make some delicious meals to repay the monarch's father, these do not cost much, all are a little heart of the courtiers, if Your Majesty is satisfied with the food, our courtiers will be happy. ”

Yang Guang laughed: "Qiu is too conservative, how can a talent like you succumb to my imperial dining room." I think so, your recipe and preparation method, go back and copy a copy of my Guangluqing (Ouchi Chef). ”

Qiu He deeply made a ninety degree gesture: "Weichen obeys the holy decree. ”

At this time, an inner eunuch rushed over: "Supreme, the Dingxiang Taishou Zhou Fashang you recruited has arrived and is waiting outside the mansion to receive you." ”

Yang Guang nodded, this time he walked all the way along the stopper, and along the way, he also recruited those county guards who had gone out as generals to talk about military aircraft, this Zhou Fashang was born in the Southern Dynasty, and participated in almost all the battles of Yang Jian's dynasty, and he has been serving as a assassin in various places over the years, and the most recent county guard is in Dingxiang in this and state, Yang Guang is out of the patrol this time, and intends to choose some loyal and reliable generals from those generals who are not recommended by Yang Su as his own team in the future, to prepare for the conquest of the Quartet, And this Zhou Fashang. It is the one to whom he belongs.

Yang Guang said: "Okay. Zhou Taishou is here. I want to have a good chat with him, Taifu Qing Yuanshou will be with him, and he will drive the side hall, and the other Aiqing will do their own thing, you can go around this Yanmen, or you can go back to the camp outside the city. ”

After Yang Guang finished speaking, a group of guards hugged him and Yuan Shou, who was wearing a three-grade purple robe, and walked in the direction of the side hall, while the others scattered in all directions with relief. Qiu He let out a long sigh of relief, and when he turned around, he happened to face Gao Xi's gloomy face.

Qiu He involuntarily took half a step back, although now he is the Yanmen Taishou from the third grade, and he is not much worse than Tai Changqing, who is the third grade, but Gao Xi has been the prime minister of the empire for twenty years after all, Qiu He was only a small soldier in front of him back then, even if Gao Xi, who has lost power now, is still the head of Jiuqing, in charge of sacrifices and ceremonies. Coupled with the fact that many of his subordinates in the court are old, the aura of the whole person is compared with Qiu He. It's still not the same.

Qiu He swallowed a bubble of saliva, and squeezed out a smile on his face: "Gao, Gao Taichang, what advice do you have?" ”

Gao Xi said coldly: "Using human milk to feed pigs, Qiu Tai keeps his skills." ”

Qiu He hooked the corners of his mouth: "The carving insect is a small skill, it's not worth mentioning, Qiu knows that His Majesty is working hard for state affairs, so he wants to make something different and delicious to dedicate to the monarch's father, Gao Taichang, this is not very practical." ”

Gao Xi snorted heavily: "Qiu Taishou, do you think this ancient pharach of yours doesn't know?" Isn't this a famous dish of human milk roast pig made by Shi Chong when he was fighting with people in the Western Jin Dynasty? Take human milk to feed the piglets every day, your Yanmen is really a good place, the cows and sheep are all over the hillside, and the nurse is also full of hillsides, right! ”

Qiu He's Adam's apple moved, his face flushed, but he couldn't speak.

Gao Xi sneered: "Today I offer milk and roast pigs, tomorrow will you Qiu Taishou also learn from Qi Huangong's cook Yi Ya, kill the child and steam it for His Majesty to eat?" Hum! When Gao Xi said this, he brushed his sleeves away, leaving Qiu He's face as swollen as a pig's liver, standing in place, and the contempt and ridicule of the surrounding officials were imprinted on his face, making him eager to find a crack in the ground to get into.

A young smiling face appeared in front of Qiu He, this is a young man about thirty years old, white skin, long beard fluttering, elegant, he is wearing a three-grade purple robe, and arched his hand towards Qiu He: "Qiu Taishou, this time you have worked hard, Xue Yu, the servant of the history in the lower interior, wants to ask Qiu Taishou for some advice on how to be an official." ”

Gao Xi's walking speed is much faster than the usual firm and calm, a difficult anger burned in his chest, these three years to see the construction of various places, watching the abuse of civil power everywhere, so that he single-handedly built the Great Sui Empire He was heartbroken, but he was unable to point directly at Yang Guang's national policy, today I finally took advantage of Qiu He's affairs to play a little, but I didn't expect Yang Guang to openly defend Qiu He Such a villain, I am afraid that as soon as this wind opens, all states and counties in the world will compete to follow suit, and when the time comes, the Great Sui will be beaten by iron, There will also be a risk of overturning.

Gao Xi wandered aimlessly in this Yanmen City alone, there was not even an entourage around him, he walked for I don't know how long, he climbed the city wall in the north of the city, which has been in disrepair for a long time, there are cracks everywhere, and there is not a single guard on the head of the city, he sighed, slapped his palm on the battlements, and even half of the battlements were broken by hand, "snap", and fell into the deep valley under the city, after a long time, there was an echo of the stone falling to the bottom of the valley.

A rough and respectful voice sounded behind Gao Xi: "To let Gao Servant shoot lose his concentration like this, it seems that our Supreme is really angry with you today." ”

Gao Xi didn't look back, and sighed: "Wang Xingman, did you follow the old man all the way just to see the old man's jokes?" ”

Wang Shichong is dressed in red silk clothes, now he has no position, and he is nominally a civilian, but he is accompanied by Yang Guang's special order, and he can only wear silk clothes that can be worn by civilians, but his silk is very exquisite in sewing materials, compared to most silk official robes, it seems to be more than equal, mixed in a bunch of four or five red-clothed officials, but it is not visible at all.

Wang Shichong sighed: "Gao Servant, you are in this state now, why bother to worry about state affairs as before, this world is surnamed Yang and not surnamed you, the Supreme himself does not cherish it, why should you commit his taboo?" ”

Gao Xi turned around, and his white beard fluttered without wind: "In this world, not only the surname Yang, but also my Gao Xi supported and established with one hand, Wang Xingman, do you think I am the same as you, a wolf with ambition, and I want to see this great country to the end?" ”

Wang Shichong smiled slightly: "Gao Servant Shooting, until now, what is the point of you telling me this?" The rivers and mountains of the Great Sui, just like this Yanmen County, look bright, but in fact they are stormy, on one side is magnificent, comparable to the county guard of the imperial palace, and on the other side is the dilapidated and dilapidated city wall, you can slap off half of the battlements with a slap to this old man. ”

Gao Xi said sharply: "It is precisely because of this that those who are ministers should be loyal to the country, loyal to the society, and loyal to the king, Wang Shichong, I advise you to still restrain yourself from the precipice, with me Gao Xi, what you are trying to do will not succeed!" ”

Wang Shichong's eyes flashed: "Oh, Gao Servant, what do you think I'm trying to do?" If you have solid evidence in your hands, why don't you expose me to the Supreme? ”

Gao Xi calmed down for a while, became calm again, and said coldly: "Over the years, you have rarely stayed in your official position, you have been traveling everywhere, Wang Xingman, you are not a teenager to study, there is only one explanation for doing these things, that is, to make friends with the conspiracies of various places and the lawless and powerful, in order to do wrongdoing, when the emperor died three years ago, don't think that the old man who did what you did outside Daxing City didn't know." ”

Wang Shichong smiled slightly: "But you didn't report me as a chaotic minister and thief when you knew, Gao Servant Shot, you won't say that you and I are thinking of the old relationship between you and my former master." ”

The corners of Gao Xi's mouth hooked, and he snorted coldly, without saying a word.

Wang Shichong's eyebrows raised: "Forget it, Gao Servant Shot, we have been dealing with each other for more than ten years, and we are all so familiar with the old subordinate relationship, so there is no need to beat around the bush, what I did that year, isn't it what you want to do?" Otherwise, He Ruobi did that thing with me back then, you knew and didn't object, and afterwards He Ruobi directly managed those unsightly things in Jingzhou, and you didn't report him, aren't you afraid of implicating yourself? ”

Gao Xi sighed: "Wang Xingman, today's supreme is not the unscrupulous monarch you think, he is talented and intelligent, he just likes to enjoy and pursue merit, for such a monarch, we as courtiers should give more advice, let him walk on the right path, instead of doing the way of rebellion." Even if you take a step back, he can't support the country of the Great Sui, but after all, the national strength of the Great Sui is here, with millions of soldiers, and enough soldiers and food, and the things you plan are almost impossible to succeed, and now you are the richest man in the world, and you don't have to worry about having no official to do in the new dynasty, so why bother to do this rebellious thing and give away your life in vain? ”

Wang Shichong smiled slightly: "Then why don't you ask He Ruobi this question?" ”

Gao Xi was so choked that he couldn't speak, and after a long time, he could only sigh: "If He doesn't listen to me, he will have too much power, and sooner or later he will suffer, but I see that you Wang Xingman is not a person who is very keen on power, and you are much smarter than him, why are you not willing to stop?" ”

Wang Shichong laughed and said: "Gao Servant Shooting, I think the one who is really stuck in the fog and can't extricate himself is Gao Servant Shooting you, you should open your eyes and see, now is not the period of the first emperor, Yang Guang, the villain who killed the monarch and usurped the throne, is not at all able to be taught by guò loyal ministers, isn't today the best proof?" The more you mention the emperor, the more you mention the imperial law, the more it will only make him angry, and things like opening canals, building palaces, and parading in all directions are the real loss of people's power, and the next conquest of the Quartet will be a move to disrupt the Great Sui River, no one can stop Yang Guang's ambitions, it will only displace the people of the world, causing a large-scale civil uprising, and shoot high, do you want to stand on Yang Sui's side to be a loyal minister, or do you want to think about the people? ”

The corners of Gao Xi's mouth twitched a few times, and he wanted to refute, but he couldn't deal with it with anything, so he could only sigh, and the grievances in his heart were all in his words.

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This book is first published on the starting point Chinese network, welcome all book friends to subscribe to the starting point support. In addition, everyone is welcome to come to my book friend group to discuss the history of the Sui and Tang dynasties, and there will be lectures on history from time to time. Group number 219263410. (To be continued......)