Today, in order to facilitate the visit to Qujiang, the sage built a sandwich road along the east wall of Chang'an City.

The sandwich road wall is equal to the height of the outer Guo city wall, isolating the royal road from the outside world, starting from Daming Palace in the north, passing through Xingqing Palace, and reaching Furong Garden in the south.

Xue Bai and the others were not qualified to see this royal road, so they had to bypass Qixiamen from Shengpingfang and turn towards Qujiang.

The carriages and horses were slow, and the ladies were behind.

Du Wulang didn't know where he had gone, leaving Xue Bai and Du Youlin alone, listening to him say some childish remarks about power tricks along the way.

"Wang Ji is the middle of the imperial history and the head of the household, and the prince of Pei is the master of the imperial history and the secretary of the household department, all of which press him. The old man was originally a five-grade praiser, and now he is reinstated as a six-grade member of the foreign lang, presumably Pei Gong's intention, to get rid of Wang Jie, let me be promoted to the fifth grade Lang, and wear a red robe again......"

In the distance, the cicadas were singing incessantly, and it was a little noisy.

Xue Bai sighed slightly in his heart, turned his head and glanced at Du Youlin, and saw that he was personable and kind, in short, his character was trustworthy and he was not pedantic.

At present, after all, he is the one with the highest family background, qualifications, and future among Xue Bai's core friends, and the degree of binding of interests between them is far from being comparable to Yan Zhenqing and Yang Chen.

In other words, Yang Qian is only the leader of the Yang Party, and Du Youlin is the face of his Xue Party now, so he should spend more effort to support and cultivate with more patience.

"In the opinion of the little nephew, the grade is the least important thing to care about, and the saint only needs one sentence to give the red robe and the goldfish talisman, and the power is important."

"Not bad."

Du Youlin shook his head again and again, knowing that Xue could win the favor of the saint by playing cards, and his vision must be different, so he was very convinced.

Xue Bai said: "Fighting for power and power, in fact, after doing a good job of sending one's own duties, ask the power-giver to choose who to empower. Then the uncle is in charge of the household department, and he should do his own business. ”

"Isn't the old man able to assist Wang Jie?"

"Of course, the so-called 'Wai Lang' is added outside the quota and is the support of Lang Guan. The uncle's duty is to assist Wang Jie. For example, although the people of the world scold his brother and slave, in fact, he never delays the orders of the saints......"

Du Youlin listened to the teaching, and couldn't help but look at Xue Bai a few more times, but sighed.

He used to live a noble life, waiting for his son-in-law to let the Du family Tengda, but the two daughters were not successful, and he couldn't count on them at all. It is better to ask for others than for yourself, and you have to fight for yourself.

From virtual position to real power, there is a lot to learn, if there is no Xue Bai's help, I always feel empty in my heart.

But how to get closer to each other? Originally, it was a good idea to accept Yizi, but unfortunately it was ruined by her tempered daughter, and in a blink of an eye, Xue Bai was famous, and he had missed the opportunity.

"Ugh."

Du Youlin sighed in his heart, turned his head and saw a scene, and suddenly had an idea.

saw Du Wulang riding a horse and talking through the curtain by Lu Fengniang's carriage, handing a wild flower in, and it was Xue Sanniang who reached out to pick it up......

~~

The scenery of Qujiang Pond is beautiful, the east bank is the Royal Hibiscus Garden, and ordinary people play on the west bank.

In April, the sky is clear, and the willow trees by the water are blown by the wind, and the catkins are like snow.

The group got out of the carriage, Lu Fengniang and Liu Xiangjun sat down, watched a few small children chasing, and continued to mumble about the topic of Fang Cai, but saw Du Youlin beckoning to her.

"What's the matter with Lang Jun?"

"What do you think, how about letting Wulang marry the third mother of the Xue family?"

Even in the current situation, Du Youlin's first consideration was still the family, and he said slowly with a deep groan: "The great-granddaughter of the Xue family in Hedong and the prince of Pingyang County, the family is not bad. ”

Lu Fengniang was stunned for a moment and said, "Lang Jun is confused, Xue Sanniang has a marriage contract, and the concubine has said it." ”

According to the law, the man regrets the marriage and the dowry will not be returned. Let the Xue family take a step back, return the dowry, and end the matter. ”

"The Liu family was talking about this matter just now, originally the other party accused the Xue family of cheating on marriage, and they had to pay for the dowry; Now she wants to return the dowry, but the other party refuses to withdraw from the marriage. ”

Du Youlin frowned, according to the law, the woman repented of the marriage and asked for sixty rods, and continued to fulfill the marriage contract, which he had no choice.

In this matter, even if he or Xue Bai can't come forward, I'm afraid he will have to get Xue Ling back to do it.

But thinking of getting Xue Ling back, the idea of marriage suddenly faded again.

Du Youlin looked at Du Wulang again, and saw his son and Xue Shiyi Lang playing in the water by the pool, looking stupid and stupid.

He couldn't help but wonder, could it be that he guessed wrong?

How could it be that others didn't notice it, but were noticed by themselves, who didn't care about housework?

~~

Xue Bai and the Du sisters walked on the bank of the Qujiang River.

Looking sideways, the wind blew the hem of their skirts, revealing beautiful curves.

"I already have a rough idea about sacrificing weapons." Xue Bai said, "I happened to know Wang Wei of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of War, and I got acquainted with Li Hua, the director of the Ministry of Industry, through the division, so that the official article can be done." ”

"Craftsmen from the Ministry of Labor?"

"I'm afraid it's not enough, the better choice should be the group of people who built a new house for Wang Jie, I'll inquire later."

Du Yan said: "In this way, the matter can already be done, if you can really make the boulder cannon you want, you can directly present it to the saint?" ”

"There's still a reason missing." Xue Bai said, "It can't be said that we collected Longyou's intelligence in the dark room of Fengwei Building. Whoever reminded us to build a boulder cannon is also a credit. ”

"You still want to give the credit to Wang Zhonghe?"

"Well, that's how to make friends."

Du Cheng said: "But this is very dangerous, Yan Gong has reminded you not to befriend the border generals." ”

Xue Bai turned his head and looked at Du Ming.

Her eyes are like autumn water, and there is always tenderness and care in her eyes; And when he looked at her, his eyes never looked like a teenager with bundled hair.

In his eyes, she has always been a little girl in her twenties, but she has had a hard time.

Du Cheng lowered her head at the sight of his gaze.

"I'm thinking." Xue Bai said, "Is there a way to make Wang Zhongsi miss my love, but others don't know that I have this friendship with Wang Zhongsi." ”

When Du Cheng heard this, she immediately felt that his words were a pun, and refused to say more, only holding Du Yan's hand.

She was dressed very plainly, without the slightest bit of powder, and she was completely in accordance with the words and deeds of a little widow who did not interact with people.

"Got a clue?" Du Yan opened her mouth and relieved her sister.

Xue Bai said: "I heard that when your uncle was in Longyou, he had the grace of recommending Wang Zhonghei?" ”

"Yes."

Du Yan nodded and talked about the friendship between the two families.

……

When Du hoped to serve as the envoy of Hexi Jiedu, Wang Zhongsi was degraded, and Du hoped to recruit him to Hexi as the general of Zuowei Weilang and capture the city of Tubo Silla.

It is said that the Tibetan army also sent a large army to retaliate, Wang Zhongsi rode into the enemy formation alone, galloped left and right, killed hundreds of people alone, caused the enemy army to be in chaos, Du hoped to cover the flank, and the Tibetan army was defeated.

It was also this recommendation that made Wang Zhonghei make great achievements again, and then shocked the frontier......

~~

Anrenfang, the mansion of the Du family.

Du Wei heard that there was a guest, rushed to the front yard to greet him, and when he saw the visitor, he couldn't help laughing.

"Brother Gongfu, Wang Twelve Niang, it's rare to come to see me."

"I know that you are about to become the prime minister's son-in-law, and the wedding banquet is tedious, so let's take a look at what you need help with."

While speaking, Yuan Zai presented a gift, and the brocade box contained a pair of jade Ruyi, which was quite decent.

He was about thirty years old, with a magnificent physique, a fair and square face, bright eyes, a high and straight nose, two slanted and long sword eyebrows, a beautifully groomed beard, and a good look.

If people guess, they must think that this is a child of a family, and they will not guess that he is actually from a poor family.

Yuan Zai was accompanied by his wife, Wang Yunxiu.

Wang Yunxiu was twenty-two years old at the time, and she was the twelfth daughter of Wang Zhonghei, the envoy of the Four Towns Festival, and she did have the style of a tiger girl.

She is tall, not as fair and plump as a woman in Chang'an, and her skin is slightly rough due to the wind and sand in the northwest, and she has the heroic spirit of a woman.

Before leaving the cabinet, she was known for her "fierceness", but in fact, she had a strong temperament and some unruly habits.

Du Wei once followed his father in Hexi, and knew Wang Yunxiu very well, knowing that although she had a tough temperament, she had the loyalty and pride of not losing to men.

As a friend, Du Wei knew that Yuan Zai had suffered a lot of cold eyes in the Wang family, and left a poem to part, while Wang Yunxiu gave back a poem and left with her husband.

"The road sweeps the traces of hunger and cold, and the sky is sad and angry. Hugh zero parting tears and join hands in Xiqin. ”

It was Wang Yunxiu's courage to run at night that later inspired Du Wei to marry the fourteenth mother of the Li family.

Therefore, to this day, he is still called "Wang Twelve Niang" to show his respect for her.

The three of them sat down to talk.

"I returned to Beijing to keep the election, and I have already inquired about the ministry, and there is a member of the Great Reason." Yuan Zai said: "If you can get it, you can stay in Chang'an for a while." ”

"You have been released for two terms, and you should indeed seek a Beijing official." Du Wei groaned.

He has the heart to help his friends, but in this way, it is inevitable that he will use the relationship of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, which is really not what he wants.

Yuan Zai was not reluctant, and said: "My official body is small, and my father-in-law has returned to Chang'an, but it is very difficult." ”

Wang Yunxiu said: "Grandpa is not unwilling to attack Shibao City, he intends to slowly try it, but the sage listens to the villain's words, I don't know if Du Gong can advise?" ”

Du Wei smiled bitterly, looked at the couple, and said, "In the matter of Stone Castle City, I am afraid there is no room for maneuver. ”

When Wang Yunxiu heard this, she was really disappointed.

She really cares about this matter, and feels sorry for tens of thousands of soldiers for Grandpa.

Yuan Zai only frowned slightly.

The relationship with each other has always been good, and they can't help in major matters, Du Wei is a little reluctant to go, so he wants to make a contribution to the matter of Yuan Zai's official scheme, and muttered: "Brother Gongfu is seeking officials, can I try to ask Li Siqing?" ”

He is not familiar with Li Daodi, the secretary of Dali Temple, and this matter is difficult.

"Misunderstanding." Yuan Zai shook his head and said, "Don't dare to disturb such mundane things." ”

Du Wei's heart moved, and then he thought of Yuan Zai's eloquent talk about the Yan Salt Law before, which was very insightful, and couldn't help but say: "If you want to be a member, how can it be Dali Temple?" ”

"You mean, Salt Officer?"

"Brother Gongfu is here today, are you willing to go to Qujiang?"

……

Twelve-year-old Du You had just poked his head out from behind the screen, but the back collar was grabbed.

He looked back, but saw that it was Du Hope who had brought someone.

"Grandpa, my brother was coaxed to Qujiang by Yuan Zai."

Du hoped to hear the word "coaxing", his tightly knit brows soothed slightly, and said with a straight face: "You go to study." ”

"Why does my brother go to Qingqing, but I want to study?" Du You immediately made a bitter face.

"There's no why, let you read it, you can read it."

~~

Qujiang pondside.

The horses' hooves stepped over the grass, and Du Wei raised his eyes and suddenly said, "There they are." ”

After that, lead Yuan Zai and Wang Yunxiu to see Du Youlin.

When he got closer, Yuan Zai looked over and saw a young man about sixteen years old fluttering butterflies, with a pair of small eyes quite unenergetic. He couldn't help but wonder, this would not be Xue Bai, who was known as a beautiful boy, could it be the well-known Du Cheng?

It's really Du Goro.

After a few words of greeting, Yuan Zai unexpectedly found that Du Wulang's vision was quite good, and he was not surprised to learn that he was born in poverty and was not surprised at all when he was thirty years old.

"Brother Gongfu, you are also a motivated person, you must be able to talk to Xue Bai."

"If I can discuss the salt with Xue Lang, it will be an honor."

"Huh." Du Wulang turned his head to look, and only then did he react, "Where did Xue Bai go?" ”

“……”

Everyone then asked Qinglan and Qu Shui to find it.

The two little maidservants trotted along the Qujiang River for a while, shouting all the way, and Du Erniang came out in front.

"What's the rush?"

"The eldest man of Anrenfang brought a friend here and wanted to get to know Lang Jun."

"Which friend?"

"It seems to be Brother Gongfu."

Du Yan said: "I know, you go first, and I'll take them back together." ”

Drove away the two maidservants, she waited by the pool for Xue Bai and Du Cheng to come over after speaking, and the three of them naturally walked back.

"Du Wei is a good talker, has many friends, and treats people sincerely. In my opinion, he wanted to find a member for his friend. ”

"Now that Yang Yan has just taken power, it is the time to recruit troops, and the most important thing is to recruit people." Xue Bai said: "As long as people can use it." ”

Du Yan said: "Yuan Zai Yuan Gongfu is the son-in-law of Wang Zhonghe, don't you doze off and someone will send a pillow." ”

"yes, he's got along with me."

After walking for a while, the Du family sisters stopped and let Xue Bai go on a tour alone.

Looking at his back, Du Yan whispered something in Du Yan's ear.

"Don't talk nonsense."

Du Cheng turned around to leave, but Du Yan put her arms around her waist.

In this beautiful scenery of Qujiang, the sisters chased and fought like when they were children, and their skirts were flying.

~~

Xue Bai thinks that it is not a coincidence that Yuan Zai is here, but because he is an extremely smart person.

Wang Zhonghe, the prince's righteous brother and the envoy of the Four Towns, is far less majestic than it seems, and even looks like he is roasted on a fire.

Wearing the handsome seal of the four towns, controlling thousands of miles, and the important towns in the northwest are all in the hands of one person, which is something that has not been done in the more than 100 years since the founding of the Tang Dynasty.

If Li Longji dies, Wang Zhonghei will be the greatest guarantee for Li Heng to succeed to the throne and take power, and Li Heng will have to rely on him and appease him for a long time until he is fully fledged.

The problem is that Li Longji is not like a person who is going to die, and he thinks he can live for a long time.

Wise people can see that Wang Zhongsi has become a thorn in the throat of the saint.

Stone Castle City, is it really a problem of border warfare?

To fight or not to fight, to win or not to win, how to choose Wang Zhonghei?

Yuan Zai must have understood this, and may have already figured out a way out, but Yang Chen's party was born out of nowhere, but it can become a better way out for him.

"Xue Lang in person, although I have been in Chang'an for a short time, I have heard many of your deeds, and when I see it today, I know that Xue Lang's demeanor is better than the rumors."

"Brother Gongfu is too polite, and I have long admired Brother Gongfu's name."

"Oh? When have you ever heard of me? ”

"I've heard the good story of the brother and sister-in-law."

Yuan Zai then glanced at his wife and smiled slightly.

"Good things don't go out, but bad things spread thousands of miles." Wang Yunxiu glared at Yuan Zai, quite refreshed and arrogant, and smiled generously at Xue Bai: "You call me sister-in-law, but in the future, if there is anything, you can just open your mouth." ”

Xue Bai was not polite, and responded: "There must be a matter of asking for a brother and sister-in-law." ”

Everyone stroked their palms and laughed, and Yuan Zai talked with Xue Bai about salt and iron and taxes.

After he joined the office, he first served as the lieutenant of Xinping County, and then served as the judge of the Qianzhong Supervision and Election Envoy, he knew the people's livelihood practice very well, and he was really talented.

"In addition to the fixed amount of salt tax collected by the imperial court, the salt industry is really in the hands of large households, and Xue Lang may think that the people who work in the salt works are all employed? Otherwise. Furrowing, pond repair, and watering are all hard labor, and the laborers are all slaves of large households. The salt law is 'private collection, official collection, and traders', and wants to make the poor people collect salt, and the imperial court earns a part of the profits and then sells it to the merchants, but in fact, it intervenes in the large salt industry and collects taxes from the wealthy merchants. However, if it is not done properly, the price of salt will skyrocket, and in the end, it will still be the ordinary people who buy salt who will suffer......"

Yuan Zai talked eloquently, citing a few examples of the small salt field in the local area when he was out of office, while also observing Xue Bai's reaction.

When he saw Xue Bai nodding his head and agreeing deeply with him, he began to put forward his opinion.

"I think that if the key to salt is only to collect taxes on salt, although it will have great results in the short term, if it is not controlled, the price of salt will rise, and private salt will run rampant, and there will be chaos, so the key is that the imperial court can control the price of salt. In this regard, although I am not talented, I also have a humble opinion, Xue Lang might as well take a look. ”

Speaking of which, Yuan Zai actually took out a piece of paper from his sleeve.

Xue Bai took it, looked at it carefully, couldn't help nodding, and muttered, "Brother Gongfu Gaojian." ”

His face became solemn, and he glanced at Yuan Zai deeply, a little hesitant.

Yuan Jae sat cross-legged on the grass, his body straight, and his eyes were full of confidence.

He didn't know what Xue Bai was still hesitating about, but he knew that he was a talent who could help Yang Yan do a good job of Yanyan.

Long.

Xue Bai seemed to glance at Wang Yunxiu, made a decision, and said, "Brother Gongfu, can you leave this letter to me, I want to ask Uncle Guo to take a look." ”

Won Jae is overjoyed.

He was already a Jinshi, and he stepped towards the eighth-rank official in the nine-rank official, but what he did today was actually throwing a white boy into the bank.

But it's worth it, with Xue Bai's words, his future has become clear......

(End of chapter)