"Deran is good Yaxing." Liu Hong looked at his sketch and said enviously: "Is this the original tomb?" I've been there a few times, but I've never noticed such a beautiful view. ”

Liu Xiu was a little interested, so he asked him to bring the sketch he drew a few days ago to Liu Hong, sue him, and go to wash up. Liu Hong was fascinated by the paintings, and he didn't care too much, he looked at them one by one, and sighed with emotion, and when Liu Xiu came back from washing, he couldn't wait to say: "When will these paintings be completed?" I can't wait to see it. ”

"No matter how good a painting is, it's not as good as the real scene, why don't you go and see it on the spot? It's much more beautiful than a painting. ”

Liu Hong's mouth was crooked, and he said a little sourly: "How can I be so comfortable with you." ”

Liu Xiu was not in a good mood, and stabbed him: "Do you think you are the Son of Heaven, and you have all the opportunities?" It's just a waiter. ”

"What's the matter, I won Yuan Shu, and I'm still in such a bad mood?" Liu Hong laughed playfully, took a sip of the wine he had just delivered, and said with a faint smile. Liu Xiu frowned, pondered for a moment, and looked at Liu Hong very seriously: "Do you really think I won?" ”

"It's not a win, it's a loss?"

Liu Xiu didn't see any joy on his face, he waved his hand, signaling Xu Yu and Xiahou Yuan to withdraw, Liu Hong hesitated, and also signaled the sturdy entourage to withdraw. The attendant hesitated, but withdrew anyway, and led the door with him.

"I'll just tell you something, and the words won't be passed on to the six ears." Liu Xiu leaned in towards Liu Hong, sighed and said: "We are both surnamed Liu, we are the same age, and we can be regarded as half a fellow countryman, and I dare not say these words if we change others." ”

Liu Hong smiled and listened quietly.

"Looks like I won." Liu Xiu looked straight at Liu Hong, "But, if it weren't for the eldest princess Yang Zhai behind me, would I be able to win?" ”

Liu Hong raised his eyebrows and was silent.

"I have never evaded taxes in Cairo's noodle restaurant, I have done everything I should have done, and I have not done anything that I can't do. Although the business is not big, the city rent paid every month also has four hardware, which is a small and powerful one in the city. Liu Xiu sighed, obviously very bored, "But what can it be?" Yuan Shu persuaded his mouth, Henan Yin personally came out to seal my noodle restaurant, if it wasn't for the eldest princess of Yang Zhai, it was definitely not Guo Xun who was unlucky in the end, but me. Liu Xiu pointed to his nose and became a little excited: "I am law-abiding, I just want to do my job, but I can't do my wish, why do you say this?" ”

Liu Hong smiled faintly: "I have always been like this in the heavy agriculture and suppression of business, so why should you be so indignant." ”

"Yes, this dynasty has always been so heavy on agriculture and suppressed business." Liu Xiu nodded: "I know that the merchant is within the Seven Branches, I really want to enter the city, maybe it will be easier for them to deal with me, and they don't even need a reason to let me go to the border." But a person like Yuan Shu is fine, he can be his captain in Luoyang, and he will take the official and I will go desperately. But I don't understand, if you talk about honor, I am still the descendant of Emperor Gao, why is he not as good as Yuan Shu? You think I want to be a businessman? If it's not that he can't live, who wants to be a lowly businessman? But what makes me even more unhappy is that I don't think it's possible to be a businessman in my job. ”

He took a big sip of wine, wiped his mouth with his hand, was full of anger, and slapped the case hard: "The humble and lowly who keeps the peace, the noble and noble who does evil, this world has reached this point, how can you not die, how can you not die." ”

"Liu Xiu, Hugh is talking nonsense!" Liu Hong's face changed, and he shouted in a deep voice: "If you spread this, you will be killed." ”

"You're going to denounce me?" Liu Xiu was a little drunk, staring at Liu Hong with his neck stalked, the two froze for a long time, Liu Hong relaxed first, and explained: "I'm for your good, don't talk nonsense in the future." ”

"Do you know why I went to paint Luoyang City?" Liu Xiu pulled over those sketches and knocked them heavily, "I'm worried, I don't know if one day Luoyang City will be the same as Chang'an City, and I won't see it anymore." ”

"Deran, you're drunk." Liu Hong sank his face, stood up, and pushed the door out.

Liu Xiu sat still, and it wasn't until Liu Hong put on his shoes and was about to leave that he sighed: "Alas, I thought you were a rare sober person, but I didn't expect you to be a fool." Forget it, if no one else is concerned, it is a gaffe, and I am wrong. Let's go, I'll leave Luoyang immediately, I'm afraid we won't see each other in the future. ”

"You're leaving?" Liu Hong turned his head, thought for a while, and said: "Don't worry, I won't spread it, but you have to keep your mouth shut in the future, don't be so arrogant anymore, otherwise something will happen sooner or later." ”

"It's not because of you." Liu Xiu shook his head, poured himself a glass of wine, and drank it all: "Even if I don't say this to you, I don't plan to stay here for too long." The son of a daughter, I can't sit down, although I don't have a daughter, but I can be regarded as a small asset. The dangerous state is not entered, the chaotic state is not lived, there is a way, there is a way, there is no way, there is no way, I understand this truth. I want to go into seclusion. ”

"Seclusion?" Liu Hong almost laughed out loud, couldn't help but walked back, and looked at Liu Xiu with his head down: "Deran, are you really drunk or are you crazy by getting drunk?" You're not yet twenty years old and want to go into seclusion? ”

"You don't care if I'm really drunk or fake, as long as I'm right, that's right." Liu Xiu laughed and said, "Why don't you leave, aren't you afraid of being affected by me?" ”

Liu Hong raised his hand and scratched the corners of his eyes, sat down again, picked up the wine jug and poured Liu Xiu a glass of wine, poured another glass for himself, picked up the cup and touched it with Liu Xiu, drank it all, and said with a smile: "Since you are about to go into seclusion, I will listen to your crazy words and see what earth-shattering high arguments can be said." ”

"There is no high theory, but it is just alarmist." Liu Xiu smiled and leaned in with Liu Hong: "You are by the side of the Son of Heaven and know more things than me, can't you see it?" ”

"I can't see it." Liu Hong glanced at him: "I think your Tai Chi Dao Hall is a place of right and wrong, you should be careful that Zhang Ming of Taiping Dao brings you trouble." He has been walking around a lot in Luoyang lately, and I'm afraid that he will get into trouble with you sooner or later. ”

"What is the gate of the powerful?" Liu Xiu was dismissive: "If you know that there are thousands of homeless people among the believers of Taiping Dao, all over the world, you don't know what to be scared of." ”

The corners of Liu Hong's eyes twitched, his face was a little ugly, and he was silent for a long time before he said in a dumb voice: "Since you know, you still dare to deal with him?" Are you really not afraid of the royal law? ”

"You'd be wrong." Liu Xiu smiled slightly, touched a glass with Liu Hong, and drank it all: "The world has been eroded, I just peeled off the last layer of still bright skin, so that His Majesty can see the rotten meat inside, realize the severity of the situation, if you can treat it in time, maybe there is still a glimmer of life." If you still deceive yourself and think that the world is peaceful, then it is dangerous. I'm thinking about the world, do you think I should be killed? If you think so, then I think there is really no cure in this world. ”

Liu Hong choked and couldn't find anything to refute Liu Xiu.

"The situation in the world, such as closing your eyes and riding a fast horse, going straight to the cliff, if you are willing to open your eyes and take a look, the cliff is reined in, maybe there is a glimmer of life, if you close your eyes and deceive yourself because you dare not see the danger, there is only one end." Liu Xiu sighed: "It's a pity, there are too few people who really dare to open their eyes to face danger, and in the face of danger, most of the living beings still choose to close their eyes and pretend not to see." Only true warriors dare to face the bleak life. ”

"You say...... Still a chance? Liu Hong ignored his emotion and grasped the most critical sentence.

"Absolutely. However, this is the same as the Battle of Kunyang back then, how many people can rush forward like Emperor Guangwu and fight a bloody way? Liu Xiu smiled and waved his hand: "I'm drunk and sleepy, and I'll meet again in the mountains." ”

Liu Hong held him back, "Deran, go to sleep slowly." Tell me, what if you had the chance? ”

"You're just a waiter, what's the use of saying this?" Liu Xiu pointed to the sky, "It depends on whether the Han still has the destiny of Zhongxing, and it depends on whether Your Majesty has the courage and ability of Zhongxing. After speaking, he broke free of Liu Hong's hand, pushed open the door, put on his shoes haphazardly, and staggered downstairs.

Liu Hong frowned, looked at Liu Xiu's crooked back helplessly, pondered for a moment, saw the sketch on the case at a glance, took it and rolled it up, got up and went out, and left in a hurry.

Xiahou Yuan watched Liu Hong go away, and then turned back to Liu Xiu and said, "Boss, isn't this plan too risky?" ”

"How can you be rich and wealthy if you don't take risks, do you want to be a businessman for the rest of your life?" Liu Xiu's eyes were bright, and he couldn't see a trace of drunkenness. He looked at Xiahou Yuan and smiled: "Don't worry, if there is really a disaster, I will bear it alone, and I will never drag you into the water." ”

Xiahou Yuan also smiled: "I have nothing to be afraid of." didn't die in the hands of Wang Ji, my life was picked up, rather than die poor, it is better to gamble with the owner. He glanced at Xu Yu, who was silent, "It's just that Zhong Kang is afraid that he has lost something." ”

"What do I have to lose, this life is not my own." Xu Yu snorted and dismissed: "Besides, with the skills of me and the owner, as long as all the five battalions of the Northern Army in Luoyang City are dispatched, I'm afraid few people can stop us." ”

This is called domineering. Liu Xiu secretly praised himself, Xiahou Yuan was willing to follow him crazy, that was because Xiahou Yuan was poor and white, and he was restless and adventurous, but Xu Yu was not, it seemed that he was very reckless, in fact, he had already thought of a way out to ensure that he would not have to worry about his surname, and he was extremely cautious.

Of course, Liu Xiu is not a reckless person, if he doesn't have a few sures, he will definitely not take risks impulsively, otherwise he would have died a few times earlier. Saying these words in front of Liu Hong, it seems to be drunk, but in fact it is his cautious temptation, doing business is definitely not a long-term solution, to save the fate of the Han, it is necessary to solve the economic problems of the Han, this is not something that he can solve by opening a few dojos, this must touch the basic national policy of the Han. If the Son of Heaven does not have such courage, he alone will not be able to turn the tide, and he must choose another path.

To be a celebrity and a celebrity, he has completed the due foreshadowing, and it is time to make a decision in which direction to go next. What the attitude of the Son of Heaven is is very important to his choice. If the Son of Heaven doesn't even have the idea of rising to prominence, then there is no need for him to be a loyal minister, and he will find his own way out as soon as possible. If the Son of Heaven still has some ideas, then he can take advantage of the situation and act at the opportunity.

The Son of Heaven did not disappoint him, and after waiting for two days, Liu Hong brought the edict of the Son of Heaven and worshiped Liu Xiu as a servant. Shizhong belongs to the Shaofu, it was originally an additional official, that is, an honorary official position, with the status of the servant, the officials of the outer dynasty can enter the inner court, and be by the side of the Son of Heaven at any time for inquiry, and then gradually became an actual official position, more than 2,000 stones, and the rank is quite high, especially for someone like Liu Xiu who has only been a tiger benlang for two days.

"Does the Son of Heaven have ambition and courage?" Liu Hong's eyes were a little dark, and he looked a little tired.

"Your Majesty is not only ambitious and courageous, but simply wise." Liu Xiu slapped his ass with a smile, and asked with concern: "Why, I haven't rested well in the past few days?" ”

"Don't mention it." Liu Hong waved his hand depressedly: "Strange things have happened frequently in the palace in the past two days, and none of us can live in peace." Deran, you hurry up and enter the palace to join the work, and you can also share the worries of the Son of Heaven. ”

"What's so bothering?" Liu Xiu thought of Cao Luan, who was wronged by the party, could it be that this matter has not been resolved.

Liu Hong shook his head and told Liu Xiu that it was not so simple. Compared with the current incident, Cao Luan's incident can only be regarded as a minor problem. Liu Xiu was startled by these words, and when he asked, he realized that something big had happened in the palace. There was a green snake that landed behind the throne of the Jiade Hall of Yongle Palace, which scared the Empress Dowager Yongle to the point that her soul was not possessed, and there was chaos in the palace, and rumors spread everywhere. The Son of Heaven asked Cai Yong, Yang Ci and others to ask, but Yang Ci and them also talked about the affairs of the party. They said that the party members were imprisoned, and the world was resentful, so they turned into green snakes to warn, hoping that the Son of Heaven would issue an edict to pardon the party members to relieve the demons.

Liu Xiu scratched his head when he heard this, he was really afraid of something, this was obviously taking the opportunity to put pressure on the Son of Heaven. I am afraid that not only will the party members not be pardoned, but will also be dealt with more severely.

"What do you think about this?"

Liu Xiu thought for a while and raised his eyebrows: "I don't think this is right, a snake, what can it have to do with the party?" ”

"So what do you say has to do with it?" Liu Hong's spirits perked up.

Liu Xiu pursed his mouth and said his conjecture. After a few months of drought, Luoyang was surrounded by fire, most of the trees were withered, and the small river was also bottomed, and the snakes that like the shade had nowhere to go, and the possibility of getting into the palace was of course very large. Luoyang is short of water, it is impossible to lack the water in the palace, the queen mother is a northerner who is afraid of heat, every day to water the ground, the Jiade Hall is the coolest place, and the Jiade Hall is large-scale, built for a long time, the roof beams have not been thoroughly cleaned for some years, there are many mice or something, if there is a snake into the palace, then the Jiade Hall is the first choice. Accidentally dropped one from above, what's so strange.

Liu Hong was skeptical, he felt that Liu Xiu's explanation was less reliable than Yang Ci's explanation, and the reason why such an important matter would be so simple? That's too sloppy, isn't it?

"Don't believe it, you go back and tell the Son of Heaven that let people clean up the palace thoroughly, I guess it won't be a problem to find a few more snakes to come out." Liu Xiu said with confidence, and explained: "Even according to their theoretical explanation of the five elements, it is not right, the green wood is also, the Han belongs to fire, and wood makes fire, this is clearly the appearance of Zhongxing, how can it be associated with the party." ”

Liu Hong couldn't help laughing, shook his head and said: "You are really clever and eloquent, if you are heard by Cai Yong and Yang Ci, I am afraid that you will say that you are a courtier." ”

"I'm just telling the truth." Liu Xiu smiled and frowned again: "Actually, if you want to talk about yin qi, I think the yin qi in the palace is indeed quite heavy." There are so many women and people who are neither men nor women, and there are few real men, and yin and yang are indeed not balanced. These women are idle, and the slightest thing will turn into a rumor, and people will be panicked. Moreover, so many women have to pay hundreds of gold a day, which is indeed too expensive, so it is not a good thing to take the opportunity to clean up and streamline some people. ”

Liu Hong smacked his lips and didn't say anything.

Liu Xiu said again: "Your Majesty wants so many women, just to have more children and more blessings, in fact, this is a misunderstanding. ”

"What misunderstanding?"

"There are too many women, not only will they not have more children, but they will affect their heirs."

"And that kind of statement?"

"Don't believe it." Liu Xiu said seriously: "Don't you know the truth of extensive planting and thin harvesting? Women are like a piece of land, if you plow it once in a while, throw two seeds at will, and still expect a good harvest in autumn? Of course, it is intensive cultivation, sufficient seeds, and no shortage of fertility that can lead to a bumper harvest. ”

Liu Hong sneered and laughed, and even said that Liu Xiu was, and Liu Xiu didn't fight with him, if you didn't believe it, you went to ask the imperial doctor, and you listened to what the professionals said, and you would know if I was talking nonsense. The two laughed for a while, and Liu Hongcai smiled and asked, "When are you going to report to the palace?" ”

Liu Xiu shook his head unexpectedly: "I don't plan to report to the palace for the time being." ”

"Why?" Liu Hong said a little unhappily: "This is Your Majesty's grace, don't be too angry." ”

Liu Xiu hurriedly shook his head: "I am grateful for Your Majesty's grace, so I don't want to rush into the palace." I'm outside the palace, maybe I can share your majesty's worries better. ”

Liu Hong was very puzzled. Liu Xiu then explained, if I go to His Majesty's side as an official, then whatever I say in the future, others will think that I am speaking for Your Majesty, and from time to time they will think about Your Majesty, even if it is right, they will find reasons to oppose it, and once there is anything wrong, it will inevitably involve Your Majesty. If I were just an ordinary person, then I would have enough freedom to say anything that was my right, but it would not only cause others to resent it, but also make it easier for me to gain their approval.

Liu Hong thought about it, and felt that what he said made some sense, and his face softened: "Then what do you want to say?" ”

(To be continued)