Outside the gate of the peony garden, there is a lot of traffic, and guests come in an stream.

There are three masters today: Yu Jingtong, Xia Houye, and Ji Houye.

Yu Jingtong was the initiator of this gathering, and Xia Houye and Ji Houye actively cooperated, responsible for providing venues, banquets, servants, etc.

In fact, Yu Jingtong didn't want to make the party so big at first, and his original intention was just to invite some friends in the circle.

As a result, he didn't expect that Xia Houye ran away for such a trip, and then Yan Gong actually went to observe Gu Ming's calligraphy in person, and sighed to himself.

This spread all over Chang'an City, causing a boiling of the government and the public, and even alarming the one in the palace.

Why Wei Zheng and Li Chunfeng came and who they came for, everyone knows in their hearts.

As a result, the gathering had to be postponed for several days, and the peony garden was finally chosen.

The peony garden was once the annex of a prince of the Great Sui Dynasty, and later after the Tang Dynasty unified the country, the first emperor rewarded the meritorious heroes and gave the peony garden to Ji Houye.

Ji Houye is an elegant person, and after taking over the peony garden, he found a master gardener to carefully trim it, which gave it a little bit of the charm of fairyland on earth.

On weekdays, there are not many people who can be invited by Ji Houye to visit the peony garden, and it is the first time that guests have a banquet in the garden like today.

As soon as Gu Ming arrived, the crowd suddenly became a little agitated.

First, he was the guest of honor at today's banquet, and everyone wanted to see for themselves what was so strange about him.

Second, Bai Suzhen followed, and her fairy-like beauty and charm suddenly attracted a stunning look and suspicion.

After being stunned for a moment, Xia Houye hurriedly stepped forward and saluted: "Sir!" ”

"I've seen Hou Ye!"

Gu Ming smiled and returned the salute.

Then he took the initiative to introduce: "Master Hou, this is the senior sister Bai Suzhen below." ”

The two appeared together, and now they live in the same courtyard again, so they have to arrange an identity for Bai Suzhen, saying that friends are too perfunctory, so they are commensurate with the same family.

"It turned out to be a white girl, disrespectful and disrespectful......"

"Master Hou is serious, the little woman is polite."

After that, Xia Houye began to introduce them one by one, and it was inevitable that it would be another cliché such as long-term admiration, politeness, disrespect and disrespect.

Among them, the most complicated expression is, of course, Yan Gong.

He never expected Gu Ming to look so young.

In fact, compared to ordinary people, Gu Ming's age is not too young, almost half a hundred.

It's just that because of cultivation, he looks almost like he is in his thirties, a little less immature than he was back then, and a little more mature and wise.

However, cultivation has no time, and age has almost no meaning to Gu Ming.

And Qingxuzi, who is known as the holy hand of Danqing, also has a complicated expression......

In fact, Qing Xuzi himself is also a cultivator, so he has already seen a little bit of dignification, whether it is Bai Suzhen or Gu Ming, they are not ordinary people.

It's just that he can't figure it out is that Gu Ming looks extraordinary and elegant, and Bai Suzhen is also light and dusty, and does not eat the fireworks of the world.

The two of them don't look like people who covet the glory of the world, so why are they so high-profile and deliberately show their superiority?

How could he guess that Gu Ming was actually planning a big game of chess?

After a polite exchange, everyone sat down.

Most of the guests had only heard of Gu Ming's deeds, but had not seen them with their own eyes, and some of them were unconvinced.

As soon as he sat down, a person named Lei Jun spoke first: "I heard that Mr. Gu is proficient in music, poetry, calligraphy, and danqing, which is rare today.

It's just that I'm a little curious, since ancient times, there have been many talents, although they are very wide-ranging, but most of them are also specialized, after all, a person's energy is limited.

As the saying goes, there are many arts but not specialization, I don't know Mr...... What do you think? ”

This is a question with some ulterior motives.

If Gu Ming's answer is vague, it means that he has no real ability.

If you speak sharply and conceitedly boast that you have energy and strength to combine a variety of arts and skills, wouldn't you have stepped on all the people present?

Therefore, without waiting for Gu Ming to answer, Yu Jingtong couldn't help but say angrily: "Brother Lei, you ......"

"Mr. Yu, it's okay!"

Gu Ming had already guessed such a result, and couldn't help but smile and wave his hand.

After all, in a place like Chang'an City, which is full of talents, it is quite difficult for a person to make a little fame.

And he, it only took more than ten days to move Chang'an City, which has a sense of nouveau riche, and some people are dissatisfied that it is a reasonable thing.

"This Brother Thunder, isn't he? Excuse me, have you read the Four Books and the Five Classics? ”

Then, Gu Ming asked Lei Jun again.

As soon as he heard this, Lei Jun couldn't help but be so angry that his face turned purple: "You...... Are you humiliating? ”

The Four Books and Five Classics are the foundation of a scholar, let alone a celebrity. Gu Ming asked like this, and Lei Jun was of course very angry.

"Brother Lei doesn't have to be angry, there is naturally a reason to ask this question next.

Since Brother Lei replied so, he had naturally read it. However, according to Brother Lei, why not just read one of them, chew it repeatedly, and comprehend its essence, and why bother to read more than a few others?

If nothing else, take Zhou Yi as an example, many people can't understand one or two of them in their lives.

Dare to ask Brother Lei, just about Zhou Yi's book, has Brother Lei already understood it and drawn inferences from one another? ”

This question immediately made Lei Jun sweat profusely, and he was stunned on the spot and didn't know how to answer.

If he answered yes...... I am afraid that none of those present will be convinced, and no one will believe it. After all, Zhou Yi is too mysterious, and since ancient times, I am afraid that few people have been able to achieve the realm of understanding and drawing inferences.

If he answers no...... Isn't it a slap in the face?

According to his own single-minded theory, you don't understand a single one, and you still have the energy to read other books?

"Hahaha, Mr. Gu is really eloquent...... In fact, Brother Lei just said it in passing, and there was no malice, right? ”

Xia Houye didn't want to make the scene stiff, so he hurried out to play haha.

The muscles on Lei Jun's face shook a few times, and finally smiled wryly: "Yes, yes, yes, I hope Mr. doesn't mind." ”

Gu Ming arched his hand and said, "Hehe, it's okay, it's okay to get together, it's harmless for everyone to communicate with each other." ”

At this time, another person rolled his eyes and said to Ji Houye: "I heard that there is a singer named Linglong in Ji Houye's mansion, who is born soft, no matter what kind of music, she can improvise and dance, I wonder if Ji Houye can let everyone enjoy the wonderful dance of the exquisite girl?" ”

"This ......"

Who is Ji Houye?

It's not that he was reluctant, but he guessed that the other party wanted to take the opportunity to test Gu Ming.

So, his eyes glanced at Wei Zheng intentionally or unintentionally.

Wei Zheng bowed slightly.

To put it bluntly, when he and Li Chunfeng came, they were indeed ordered to secretly observe Gu Ming to see if there was indeed a genius.

And these, how could Gu Ming not guess it?

With the identities of Wei Zheng and Li Chunfeng, how could they easily participate in such a party?

The purpose is self-evident.

For Gu Ming, this is a good thing.

Although he never wanted to be an official in this world, if he wanted to open up the situation quickly, he couldn't do without the strong support of today.

Therefore, Gu Ming will still enter the palace sooner or later.

Even if you don't become an official, you have to convey some ideas in front of the emperor, so that you can get twice the result with half the effort.

"Hehe, since everyone is a little Yaxing, if you shouldn't, it will inevitably look a little childish.

Someone came, and passed on the exquisite girl. ”

"Yes, Waiting!"

Soon after, a woman dressed in purple gauze and with a graceful figure came.

"The little woman is so polite!"

Because there were so many people present, it was impossible for Linglong to salute one by one, so she could only see one salute in unison.

"Linglong girl, everyone wants to see your beautiful dancing, why don't you dance on the spot?"

"This is the glory of the little woman."

"Hahaha, okay, that ......"

"Ji Houye, it is rare to see the dancing of a girl who has heard of it in the world, and even so, it naturally has to be accompanied by a good song......

As...... Isn't Mr. Gu good at poetry and rhythm? Why not help? ”

Sure enough, someone made a suggestion on the spot.

Ji Houye waved his hand: "How can this work?" Mr. Gu is a distinguished guest today......"

Before he finished speaking, Gu Ming got up and said, "It's okay, it's a pleasure to collaborate with Linglong girl, it must be a quick thing." If the delicate girl doesn't like it, how about playing a song for the girl next? ”

Linglong turned to the side and bowed, lightly opened her lips and said: "It is the luck of the little woman to be favored by the son, but I am afraid that the little girl's dancing posture will not enter the eyes of the son......"

"Hehe, Miss Linglong is too modest."

"Hahaha, you don't have to be humble, you two are talented and beautiful women, one strokes the piano, the other dances, you will definitely achieve a good story, come and prepare the piano."

"Yes!"

Everything was ready, Gu Ming sat cross-legged, adjusted the strings, and then glanced at Linglong and said, "Okay, Linglong girl, let's start playing next." ”

"There's Lao Gongzi."

"Zheng Zheng Zheng ......"

First, there was a sound of strings like flowing water.

Then the rhythm slowed down, like a breeze blowing across the lake, gradually rippling......

Almost at the same time as the strings sounded, Linglong also began to dance.

I have to say that this is a woman who was born to dance.

She is not the kind of skinny beauty who is weak and unruly, and the people of Datang do not regard skinny as beauty.

Men are strong, women are all called, this is beauty.

The two of them did not have a prior rehearsal, but Linglong could dance to the beat as soon as they heard the strings, like a fluttering butterfly.

The cloud sleeves are flying, and the green silk is fluttering, like a fairy dancing in the clouds.

Even Bai Suzhen was a little fascinated.

It didn't take long for Gu Ming to sing aloud while stroking the strings:

"Blue clouds, yellow leaves, autumn colors, cold smoke and green on the waves.

The mountains reflect the slanting sun and the sky receives water, and the grass is ruthless, and it is outside the slanting sun.

The soul of the dark country, chasing travel thoughts, night and night, good dreams leave people to sleep.

The bright moon building is high and rests alone, and the wine enters the bowels of sorrow, turning into lovesick tears......"

Words, music, and dance, at this moment, can be said to have reached a state of unity between nature and man, all of which are indispensable.

The people present, even those who had wanted to make things difficult for Gu Ming before, lost their minds at this moment...... Immerse yourself in this distant realm.

The clouds in the sky stopped flowing.

The birds in the garden stopped chirping.

for fear of disturbing the fairy music in this world.

In this beautiful word and beautiful string rhythm, Linglong also exerts an extraordinary level, which seems to be integrated with this word and this song.

When the song ended, Qingxuzi couldn't help muttering: "I can hear this song and appreciate this dance in my life, and I can do it!" ”

"Well, Sir is really versatile and impressive!"

Wei Zheng, who was rarely praised, even stroked his palms.

Up and down in the middle of the court, who doesn't know Wei Zheng's temper? Even the emperor has to fight against him often, and there are very few people in the world who can be praised by him.

For a while, the applause was like thunder, mixed with all kinds of beautiful words.

After the banquet, Gu Ming was very enthusiastic, and at the request of Ji Houye, he made a painting on an empty wall in the Peony Garden, accompanied by a poem.

This painting once again shocked the audience.

This was done on the spot, and it was painted on the wall, so it was naturally more difficult.

However, Gu Ming was relaxed and completed a traditional landscape painting in only one pillar of incense.

Standing in front of the painting, one can feel a wind blowing from the valley, as if you can faintly feel the distant artistic conception, as well as the fragrance of birds and flowers.

Even Qing Xuzi stood in front of the painting and was stunned, and finally bowed heartily to Gu Ming: "Poor Dao is not as good as Mr!" ”

Before, there was a recognized book saint Yan Gong who calmly thought that he was inferior to Gu Ming in front of him, and now there is a Danqing Holy Hand Qingxuzi who is willing to bow down.

At this time, Gu Ming's prestige has climbed to a new peak.

Yu Jingtong, Yan Gong, and Qing Xuzi are not only celebrities in Chang'an City, but celebrities in the Tang Dynasty.

The three of them all think that they are not as good as Gu Ming, it can't be self-humble, right?

To reach their current status, they must cherish their own fame very much, and how can they easily be subservient to others?

The only possibility is that the three of them are really convinced.

What kind of strange person is such a person?

After this gathering, Gu Ming's name flew out of Chang'an and spread to the north and south of the river......

……

Night.

The moon is in the sky.

Gu Ming stood in the courtyard with his hands in his hands, looking up at the starry sky.

"What's on Childe's mind?"

Bai Suzhen saw Gu Ming standing for a long time, and couldn't help but step forward and ask.

"Hehe, not really, it's just ...... I'm afraid that a distinguished guest will come to the door tomorrow. ”

"Guest?" Bai Suzhen frowned slightly: "For the son, what kind of person can be regarded as a distinguished guest?" ”

"Nature is ......"

Gu Ming raised his hand and pointed to the sky.

"Huh? What does Childe mean...... Emperor? ”

"That's right!"

Bai Suzhen couldn't help but look up for a while, pinched her fingers and calculated, and couldn't help sighing: "Sure enough, there are distinguished guests, but my deduction skills are still inferior to Gongzi, and I can't be sure who it is." ”

"Haha, the white girl doesn't have to be modest, in fact, I can't be completely sure, it's because I can't be sure, so I guess it's today.

Because the fate of the Son of Heaven is not arbitrary, there is an invisible force to protect it.

Except for a few great gods in the sky, ordinary people who forcibly deduce the destiny of the Son of Heaven will only be counterattacked by the Heavenly Dao. ”

"Childe is reasonable, I didn't expect this for a while."

"For now, it's going even more smoothly than I thought it would be, and it's worth celebrating, come on, White Girl, how about a few drinks with me."

"Since Childe has this Yaxing, what's the harm in having a few drinks?"

"Hahaha, good!"

Gu Ming was very happy, sat down on the stone table with Bai Suzhen, and took out a small jar of wine.

After drinking a few glasses, Bai Suzhen couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Now that I remember the past, it's really like a dream." When she first arrived in the world where Childe was, Su Zhen was at a loss in her heart, like a rootless duckweed.

Inadvertently, it has been cultivated...... It's just, I don't know how Xiaoqing is now? ”

"Don't worry, white girl, Xiaoqing......"

"Childe, can you ...... Can you stop calling girls and girls, it always feels like a general title of meeting in Pingshui. ”

Bai Suzhen sighed with the strength of the wine.

"Uh...... This...... That...... Call Su Zhen? ”

Bai Suzhen didn't speak, just picked up the wine glass, covered her face with her sleeve and took a sip of wine.

At this time, Gu Ming's heart suddenly moved...... Over the years, he seems to have overlooked one thing, why has Bai Suzhen been following him in obscurity?

When she first came to the world of Liaozhai, she may be at a loss.

But with her ability, why should she live under someone else's roof?

Now, she has bowed to the old mother of Li Shan, and Yicheng has gone down the mountain, but she has not traveled the world, but returned to his side in time, silently supporting everything he has done.

Thinking of the past, Gu Ming's heart suddenly softened.

"Suzhen ......"

"Huh?"

"Thank you."

Bai Suzhen was stunned: "What's wrong with the son?" Why did you suddenly remember to say thank you? ”

"I ......"

Gu Ming didn't know how to respond for a while, but the ghost sent a god to reach out and take Bai Suzhen's soft little hand.

At this moment, Bai Suzhen's whole body stiffened like a lightning strike.

Then he blushed, quickly withdrew his hand and ran away: "Childe, you ...... You've drunk too much......"

Gu Ming didn't catch up, and some things couldn't be rushed.

He knew that Bai Suzhen was not refusing, but his actions were too sudden, and she was not mentally prepared.

……

The next morning.

Sure enough, a team of guards came to the alley where Gu Ming lived in advance and began to clean up the idle people and others, and dispersed them on duty.

Subsequently, Wei Zheng, Li Chunfeng, and a middle-aged man in a Confucian shirt came to the gate of the small courtyard with a few entourages.

"Lord Wei, Lord Li, Childe, please come inside!"

It was not Gu Ming who went out to greet him, but Bai Suzhen.

"Miss Bai, this is Mu Gongzi, Mu Gongzi did not arrive at the scene at the party yesterday, and I feel sorry in my heart, so I came to visit today and wanted to communicate with Mr. Gu."

"It turned out to be Mu Gongzi, and the little girl was polite."

"You're welcome, white girl!"

Mu Gongzi smiled and arched his hand.

Then, he seemed to ask casually: "Miss Bai and Mr. Gu are from the same school?" ”

"Well, it's a like-minded person, and if you are like-minded, you will be commensurate with the same door."

"That's ...... so"

As soon as he entered the backyard, Gu Ming greeted him: "The two adults came to the cold house, don't blame you for being unwelcome." ”

"Sir, don't be polite, by the way, this is Mu Gongzi. Mu Gongzi heard that Mr. was talented, so he specially came to visit ......"

After some politeness, the group sat down.

Wei Zheng mentioned yesterday's events first, and then, Mu Gongzi couldn't help laughing and said: "There is no such elegance as Mr. in the next place, I like to read some books on soldiers, strategies, governance and so on, I wonder if Mr. is also interested in these?" ”

"Confucianism pays attention to self-cultivation, family harmony, governing the country, and leveling the world, so these aspects are also slightly involved below."

Mu Gongzi raised his eyebrows: "Oh? It seems that the gentleman is really different. Today's scholars may have forgotten these Confucian traditions. ”

"Perhaps, it's not called forgetting, after all, the general trend is that the imperial examination of the imperial court only emphasizes literature and not martial arts, so that many scholars have long forgotten the six arts of the gentleman......"

"Listen to what Mr. means, is there an objection to the imperial examination of the imperial court?"

Gu Ming smiled: "It's hard to say this, there are two important ministers here, the prince might as well ask their opinions." ”

"Haha, it seems that Mr. still has some scruples...... Also, it is indeed inappropriate to discuss the government in front of two important ministers.

It's just that although he has not been an official in the court, he has always been interested in the affairs of the world, and Mr. has this genius, and he is willing to communicate with Mr. on the affairs of the world......"

As a result, there is a tendency for this conversation to stop.

This Mu Gongzi is also talkative, and he also has some unique insights into major events in the world.

However, in front of Gu Ming...... It's still a little weaker.

After all, how much experience has Gu Ming accumulated? The world of Liaozhai is already a king with a different surname, and the world of Great Qin Mingyue is a national teacher, coupled with the experience of the previous life, it is simply gushing, like the water of the Yangtze River.

We chatted until noon, when Yahuan came over to inform that lunch had been prepared, and Gu Ming got up and invited: "The three of you are visiting for the first time, so let's prepare a little wine below, why don't you chat while drinking?" ”

"This ......"

Wei Zheng glanced at Mu Gongzi with some embarrassment.

"Hahaha, when I fell in love with Mr. Gu at first sight, it would be disrespectful."

As soon as Mu Gongzi responded, Wei Zheng and the others also responded.

The wine was drunk for nearly an hour before the three of them said goodbye.

After sending off the guests, Gu Ming couldn't help but smile: "I didn't expect that Emperor Taizong's eloquence was also quite good, and it was over as soon as he chatted." ”

Bai Suzhen also smiled and said: "Actually, he knows it in his heart, and we have already seen his identity."

First a large group of guards, and then two important ministers followed, and I saw him chatting until he opened his mouth, and the two important ministers were almost silent.

He even had to nod his head for lunch, who else could he be today? ”

"There are some things that I know in my heart, but I don't necessarily have to break them. If it's broken like this, it's not easy to talk openly. ”

"Well, Childe is talking about ......"

"Suzhen ......"

"Hmm~"

"Last Night......

"Ah, I suddenly forgot one thing."

Bai Suzhen hurriedly walked to the backyard.

It seems that there is only another opportunity...... Gu Ming shook his head.

The other side.

On the way back to the palace, Emperor Taizong, who was pretending to be Mu Gongzi, said to Wei Zheng and Li Chunfeng: "The two Aiqing have a good eye, that Mr. Gu is indeed a genius, and after chatting with him for such a short time, I actually have a sense of epiphany. ”

Wei Zheng couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Your Majesty, you can talk for more than a little while......

"You...... Why do you always like to raise the bar with me? ”

"Your Majesty, Wechen is just telling the truth......"

"That's it, I'm too lazy to argue with you about such a trivial matter, in short, this person must be recruited, what position do you think it is better for the two Aiqing to give him?"

"This ...... Didn't Mr. Gu say that he didn't want to be an official in the court? ”

"Then find a way, it's a pity that such a wizard doesn't serve the imperial court."

"What Your Majesty said is that in this way, go back and find out...... But Your Majesty, you have to let the ministers have a bottom in their hearts.

After all, a minister can't draw a big pie, right? You have to show a little bit of real sincerity. ”

Emperor Taizong thought for a while and said, "I think that a genius like Gu Shengsheng has to start at least with three grades, right?" ”

"Three products to start? This...... Will a group of old ministers in the DPRK and China have opinions? ”

Emperor Taizong smiled: "Of course it will, as long as it is not through the imperial examination, even if I am awarded the seventh grade, they will have opinions...... If there are opinions on the left and right, why should I care what they say? ”

"Holy Wisdom!"

"Huh? Wei Aiqing actually learned from those ministers to make sycophants? ”

Emperor Taizong couldn't help but wonder.

Wei Zheng said seriously: "Your Majesty, the minister is by no means a sycophant, but thinks that His Majesty's decision is really wise. ”

"Hahaha, Wei Aiqing Wei Aiqing, I like you for this, obviously I just filmed, and I pretended to be righteous."

"Chen Zhen has no ......"

"Wei Aiqing, you admit it, can't you follow me once?"

"How dare the minister admit that there is no such thing?"

Li Chunfeng shook his head secretly.

The two monarchs and ministers often quarrel when they have nothing to do, and sometimes they even fight red-faced, looking like they want to fight in court.

The Manchu Dynasty was civil and military, and I am afraid that only Wei Zheng dared to do this.

Of course, only Wei Zheng, Emperor Taizong will tolerate it, who would dare to fight the emperor with one nail and one eye as other ministers?

This is not to say that Wei Zheng is pampered and arrogant, but that he is straightforward and dares to admonish directly.

Emperor Taizong needs ministers around him, and he also needs upright courtiers like Wei Zheng as a mirror to remind himself not to get lost and become a faint monarch unconsciously.

"The husband uses copper as a mirror, and he can be dressed properly; With history as a mirror, we can know the rise and fall; With people as a mirror, you can see the gains and losses. ”

This sentence is exactly what Emperor Taizong said, and it has become a famous sentence through the ages......