At this time, the person who walked into the room was a middle-aged man in a brocade robe.

He looked to be in his early forties, of medium height, fair-skinned, and particularly impressive was that he had a pair of long, narrow and agile eyes—which tended to give people a sense of wit—but unlike Song Sheng's father and daughter, his wit, which gave people a deeper feeling, was something else, bordering on cunning.

Song Jing is a typical northerner, although he is old, but it can still be seen that although he was not tall when he was young, he was very strong, which will give people a sense of majestic posture and spirit.

As the eldest son, Song Sheng has five or six points of resemblance to him, both in appearance and size, but perhaps Song Sheng has been rich and noble since he was born, and he is the eldest son of a family, so compared to his father, he has a little more generosity and a little less sharpness, and he looks like a bearded elder, and he is very graceful and beautiful.

And the person who came in could be guessed at a glance that he must also be Song Jing's son.

At this time, seeing him come in, Song Guonu really stood up and saluted, "I've seen the third uncle", so Li Xi knew that he was Song Jing's third son, Song Hun.

He also stood up after Song Guonu and saluted respectfully, "Li Xi has seen Doctor Song. ”

Song Hun, who is now an official in the province of Menxia, is the official of the five grades, and is the second official position among Song Jing's six sons second only to the eldest son Song Sheng. In the matter, the palm is left and right, the judgment is provincial, and the Hongwen Museum is inspected. Where the court in the hundred divisions of the copy, must pass the door of the province, the door of the province to the head of the waiter, under the left scattered cavalry standing two people, the left counsel doctor four, to the matter of four people.

To a certain extent, giving the matter is the deputy position of the doctor, and at this time, Li Xi called him Doctor Song, which is a kind of respect, and it is also an officialdom custom, and it is customary to call the other party a higher level.

But apparently, Song Hun didn't take him seriously.

Hearing the name Li Xi, he turned his head to look at it, and then just arched his hand perfunctorily, looked up and down with a very disdainful gaze, and said, "Oh, you are Li Xi, you are really young." ”

To a certain extent, in fact, his style is more in line with the identity of a son of the Song family - arrogant, arrogant, and unscrupulous, thinking that I am the son of who and who, so I am very awesome, you are all scum - like Song Sheng, who is old and cautious, but there are some outliers, which is why his younger brothers don't look down on him very much, saying that he is a "sound worm".

After glancing at Li Xi a few times, Song Hun didn't even look at Song Guonu, so he took two steps forward and saluted his father, and then turned to Zhang Guolao, bowing to the end, with a rare respectful attitude, "Hun has seen the old fairy, and the old fairy demeanor is still the same!" ”

He also said: "I didn't hear my father mention it yesterday, otherwise the old fairy came to the banquet, why would the little nephew come over and serve you tea and wine." ”

Hearing this, Zhang Guolao smiled and nodded, "I don't dare to be so polite as the third prince." ”

At this time, Song Jing frowned slightly, and he didn't know if he didn't like this son in the first place, or if he was a little disgusted by Song Hun's approach of the former and the latter's flattery.

But at this time, in front of the guests, he didn't say anything, just waved his hand, "Have you eaten?" If you don't eat, ask someone to set up another table, and if you eat, you can bring a pot for me. ”

Song Hun wanted to say that he hadn't eaten yet, but after thinking about it, he turned his head and saw Li Xi sitting under Zhang Guolao, and his father Song Jing's head was already sitting on the eldest brother, if he sat down, he would actually condescend to Li Xi, but this was absolutely unbearable for him, so it was just a matter of thinking about it, and he had already spoken: "Back to my father, my son didn't know that Mr. Tongxuan was here, so he had already eaten." ”

Song Jing nodded, and solemnly pointed to Li Xi to introduce him, "This is Li Xi, who is known as Li Jinse, the word says, now living in Jianghuai as the deputy envoy of transport, supervising the grain and Taoist affairs of Gyeonggi, not only is the poetry talented, but also has the means to govern the government, and the future is unlimited, you should make good friends." ”

Song Hun raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and when he came in, he saw that Li Xi, an unknown junior, was actually accompanying Zhang Guolao at the table, he was already quite unhappy in his heart, and when he saw his father praising and introducing Li Xi so solemnly, his heart became more and more unhappy, so after hearing the words, he turned around, glanced at Li Xi with a smile, and arched his hand again with a perfunctory gesture that even a fool can see, and said "long admiration" very reluctantly.

Song Jing frowned when he saw this.

Li Xi still looked light, stood up and said politely: "Don't dare, don't dare." ”

Seeing that the third uncle despised Li Xi so much, Song Guonu couldn't help but pursed his lips slightly, but he didn't have her part to speak at this time, so naturally he couldn't say anything. Moreover, she also knows that among her five uncles, if you are mean and unkind, it is the third uncle Song Hun who is the first, that is, these nephews and nieces like herself in the mansion have never looked down on her, and what about Li Xihu?

So after Li Xi sat down, she couldn't help but give her a slightly apologetic look when she was sitting next to Li Xi.

Li Xi smiled and didn't care.

He is not a fool, as soon as Song Hun entered the room, he had already seen that the other party was disdainful of him, but what did it matter, he still decided to respect him as always.

Perhaps among the people present, except for Song Hun, who thought he was smart, there were no fools.

Song Jing and Zhang Guolao's wisdom does not need to be repeated, Song Sheng and Song Guonu, the father and daughter, may not be as wise as Song Jing, but after dating them for a long time, Li Xi can be sure that this father and daughter are not stupid.

Therefore, perhaps the more Song Hun disdains himself, the more he has to respect him.

Otherwise, it is not enough to show the stupidity of this person.

It's a gentle-looking retribution.

I have to say that anyone and everything needs to be compared.

The more arrogant and disdainful Song Hun is, the more he can highlight Li Xi's humility and politeness.

And Song Hun still doesn't know anything, or perhaps, he also understands this comparison, but he either dismisses it, or simply thinks that Li Xi's humility actually sets off his outstandingness.

It seems to be very weird, but in the second generation of officials like Song Hun, who thinks he is of noble birth and superior status, this is a very normal situation.

Of course, there are some things that Li Xi, a historical idiot, does not know.

In the upcoming history, Song Hun, the third son of the virtuous minister Song Jing, will be friendly with the future prime minister Li Linfu, and then, his elder brother was demoted and dismissed because he refused to be attached, and was even finally forced to leave Chang'an to return to his hometown.

It's just that his resume is definitely not glorious.

In the plains, he demanded progress violently, and took the people's rent for a year, and complained for a while. Later, he served as an interview envoy in Tokyo, stationed in Luoyang, and found that the niece of the late famous calligrapher Xue Ji was very beautiful, although the woman whose husband's surname was Zheng was widowed, he still couldn't wait, and simply instructed his subordinate Yang Chaozong, the captain of Henan, to coerce and lure, and finally took it by force. and afterwards recommended Yang Chaozong to Li Linfu for the post of Red Lieutenant.

And this Yang Chaozong is the Yang Chaozong who later followed An Lushan's rebellion.

As for his younger brother Song Shu, he was transferred to Jiannan as an interview judge in the middle of the Duguan Lang, during which he was greedy and lawless, and raised assassins.

Later, in the fourth year of Tianbao, Song Hun, Song Shu, and Song Shang brothers finally had an accident together.

Song Hun is high, Song Shu is high and Haikang, and Song Shang is degraded to the long history of the sea.

Song Hua and Song Heng, the two little brothers, were also greedy and offended.

Although in the Guangde period, Emperor Daizong once wanted to use Song Hun as the crown prince, but the historical records record that he was "discussed and disregarded" and opposed by the court, so he did not do it, and he finally died in Jiangling.

The six sons of the Song family, except for Song Sheng's lineage, which was preserved, the other five brothers eventually lived in other places and died in a foreign land.

Of course, at least at this time, Song Jing is still alive, although he has long been a minister, and even the virtual position of Shangshu Zuo Prime Minister is no longer held, and he is completely retired, but Emperor Xuanzong still trusts him very much, and the court has to make some big decisions, such as the new prime minister, such as the use of foreign troops, etc., as usual, he still has to send someone to listen to his opinion.

In addition, he has been an official for decades, and he has served as prime minister for more than ten years, and his protégés and former officials are all over the world, and his position in the court can be called pivotal.

Therefore, as the son of Song Jing's old minister, the ministers in the court are still very willing to look up to him Song Hun, and at this time, I don't know if it is because of his father's suppression, or he has not fully shown his wings, so his reputation in the government and the opposition is quite good. And he himself has always regarded himself as the future prime minister.

At this time, he picked up the wine jug and sifted a pot of wine, he filled the wine glasses for Song Jing and Zhang Guolao, and after persuading him to drink as a nephew, he turned his head and caught a glimpse of Li Xi sitting under Zhang Guolao. ”

He naturally didn't know that Li Xi actually came after accepting Song Jing's invitation, at that time, Li Xi had not yet worshiped Zhang Guolao's door, and the reason why he invited Zhang Guolao and Li Xi at the same time was actually the great monk Mo Yan who had gone away, and Song Jing wanted to introduce Zhang Guolao and Li Xi, two related people.

And after the invitation was issued, he learned from his granddaughter Song Guonu that Li Xi had entered Zhang Guolao's door and became his first disciple, so Song Jing saved trouble, and today's small banquet evolved into pure chat.

However, Li Xi was already Zhang Guo's disciple after all, so it was not inappropriate for Song Hun to say that he came with Zhang Guo.

So Li Xi heard the words and said, "Exactly." ”

Song Hun frowned when he heard this, he was a little puzzled, how could such a kid as Li Xi have a relationship with Zhang Guo, and even let Zhang Guo take him to his house to attend such an important banquet, and he was also qualified to occupy a table.

But soon, Zhang Guolao's words made him suddenly surprised.

"Zi said that he had already worshiped under the old man's sect and was the only disciple of the old man." Zhang Guolao said with a smile.

I don't know why, seeing the surprise on Song Hun's face after hearing this, Li Xi suddenly felt a little relieved.

Song Hun is such an arrogant person, but as soon as he entered the door, he showed absolute respect for Zhang Guolao, naturally it will not be without reason, and in fact, this reason is not difficult to guess - Zhang Guolao is extremely favored in front of His Majesty, Song Hun is the prime minister, and he is naturally respectful to Zhang Guo, an old immortal who can speak in front of Emperor Xuanzong.

Therefore, when he heard that Zhang Guo actually included Li Xi as the only disciple under his seat, he couldn't help but be surprised and surprised, and the expression on his face was extremely exciting.

While smiling on his face, Li Xi caught a glimpse of Song Guonu lowering his head, as if he was covering his mouth with a smile.

Obviously, his third uncle's suddenly deflated appearance made her very happy to see it.

But soon, after Song Hun came back to his senses, he stared at Li Xi with blazing eyes, and the corners of his eyes were raised, and he made another difficulty: "It is reported that Your Majesty has approved Deputy Envoy Li to rebuild the Guangtong Canal, but there are many discussions between the government and the opposition." ”

Li Xi smiled, "Xia Guanxi is the deputy envoy of Jianghuai transfer, and his post is also from the office, so he proposed to rebuild the Guangtong Canal, in order to send the wealth of the Jianghuai River in the east of the river to fill Chang'an, as for how the ministers of the political hall think, and why did Your Majesty approve it, then you have a good way to plan it, Your Majesty's sacred heart is unique, Xi just has to do things seriously, as for whether it is right or wrong, I dare not comment." ”

These words were steady and watertight, and the topic of Song Hun was immediately extinguished, but Song Hun was surprised again, only then did he know, but it turned out that this young man who had not yet grown his hair was underestimated.

And at this time, Song Jing, who had been frowning and not very happy, also suddenly spoke: "Zi said, a few years ago, Xiao Song and Han Xiu Zhishi, the government and the opposition are quite turbulent, people inside and outside the yamen are moved, and some people are jumping up and down and refusing to be honest, and you can still concentrate on doing things at this time, and personally lead people down to formulate a plan to rebuild the Guangtong Canal, this is very good, not only the old man, but also Your Majesty, and the princes of the court, are also in the eyes, and in the future, you should be like this, you should not mix things yourself, don't mix, It's enough to just do what you have to do. ”

Li Xi sat awe-inspiring when he heard this, and said respectfully: "Li Xi is respectfully taught. ”

When Song Hun heard this, his face turned purple in an instant, and after a while, he turned his head and said: "Father, father's words, the son does not dare to agree, we are all ministers of the Son of Heaven, the prime minister is also the minister of the Son of Heaven, the prime minister is also the minister of the Son of Heaven, the prime minister is related to the national fortune and society, since we are the ministers of the Son of Heaven, how can we not seek for the Son of Heaven, how can we not seek for the society?" ”

Song Jing frowned slightly when he heard this, turned his head and refused to answer him, only sighed secretly.

So Song Hun thought that he had refuted his father with a word, and immediately turned to look at Zhang Guolao in high spirits, and asked: "Since you are talking about the candidate for prime minister, Hun dares to ask Mr. Tongxuan, recently summoned by His Majesty, have you ever asked Mr. about this?" ”

"Uh......" Zhang Guolao was slightly stunned when he heard this, he never expected this person to act and speak so sharply, and he was a little paranoid regardless of it, and on such an occasion, he actually asked such a question.

After a slight hesitation, he smiled and said: "The old man only knows a little about burning lead and smelting mercury, but where do you know anything about these national affairs, Your Majesty will not ask me." ”

Song Hun nodded when he heard this, pondered for a while, and then said: "Hun has one thing to entrust to Mr., and I hope it will be fulfilled." ”

Zhang Guolao's eyes narrowed when he heard this, in fact, he didn't need Song Hun to say that he could guess what the other party meant, but at this time, he still had a warm smile on his face and asked: "What's the matter with the third son, and if there is something that can be effective, the old man will not refuse." ”

Song Hun heard this, and said: "Taichangqing Wei Xuan, who is generous and groomed, fair and respectful, is from a famous family, and thinks that the prime minister's talent is also, but unfortunately there is no reason to speak with Your Majesty." If His Majesty asks about the Prime Minister, when there is a gap between him, can Mr. be willing to say a word for Mrs. Wei? ”

"Uh...... What ...... this?" Zhang Guolao was a little embarrassed when he heard this.

Taichangqing Wei Xuan, a famous family, needless to say, far away, just in his generation, Wei Bin, Wei Zhi, Wei You, Wei Zhu four brothers have been on the top three grades, so the four at the same time halberds to show glory, is considered to be "the glory of the crown, rare comparison".

Because the brothers are officials in the same dynasty, and they are all high-ranking officials, and the Wei brothers are good at personnel, so they have always had a good reputation in the court, and even because Taichangqing Wei Zhu and the crown prince Li Hong are very close, they can be called the backbone of the prince Li Hong's faction, so some people in private already think that Wei Xuan is the head of the dragon who will ascend to the phase in the future. It was this time, after Xiao Song and Han Xiu resigned at the same time, and the position of prime minister was vacant, he was also one of the most powerful candidates.

Don't think that Tai Chang Qing seems to be just in charge of the temple, etiquette and other things, in Ping, he may not have much governing power, but first, he is responsible for things related to the nobles of the imperial court, and it is easy to accumulate extremely powerful contacts, and secondly, Taichang Temple is the first temple among the six temples and nine temples, and Taichang Qing's position is only second only to the six Shangshu. Therefore, in the position of Tai Changqing, it is the easiest to become the prime minister.

But at this time, Emperor Xuanzong has not yet made up his mind to choose a good person, if Zhang Guo is willing to speak, Emperor Xuanzong may refer to it, but you must know that Emperor Xuanzong is a very assertive person, Zhang Guo is a Taoist priest, no matter how favored he is, if he suddenly mentions state affairs, I am afraid that Emperor Xuanzong will still be unable to help but feel displeased.

If it was for an important person, Zhang Guo might be willing to take a risk and do his part, but there is no doubt that Song Hun does not have this qualification. Therefore, Zhang Guo was a little difficult to answer.

At this time, Song Jing couldn't bear it anymore, and suddenly took the case, "Enough!" ”

(To be continued)