Rui Hegui

Chapter 73

At the end of this month, Xiang Mian left Beijing and was transferred to the Jiangnan Garrison to serve as the adjutant adjutant of the Southeast Navy. Zhao Liangyue went to see him off, and he was not surprised by his decision.

After Xiang Mian and Zhao Liangyue finished their drinking, they looked at the smoked willow with a crooked neck outside the Donghua Gate, and couldn't help laughing: "This ugly tree has witnessed a lot of separation and reunion."

Zhao Liangyue followed suit with a laugh, and said, "You can be regarded as the elder among the trees."

Xiang Mian nodded, touched the bloody BMW next to him, and said: "The current governor of Jiangnan, Fu Cheng, and his uncle are old acquaintances. I just go and start working directly, and there are fewer official circles."

"That's the best way." Zhao Liangyue said as he handed a kit to Xiang Mian, and said, "This is what Tang Lao asked me to bring to you, so you can open it when you arrive."

"Old Tang? That old man is very strange, what can you give me?" Xiang Mian opened it on the spot.

Zhao Liang laughed more: "Tang Lao said, you will definitely open it on the spot."

"Indeed, the old man still understands me."

Xiang Mian took out what was in the kit, it was a special token with the words "Yun He Ling" written on it, both of them were taken aback for a moment, and immediately understood.

Zhao Liangyue said: "Senior Yunhezi has already intervened in the affairs of Ningzhou and broke the rules of Cangji Mountain, and now he can no longer stay out of it."

"But I really didn't expect that old man to have the Yunhe Token." Xiang Mian glanced at the Yunhe Token, and said, "There is a cloud in the rivers and lakes, 'Those who get the Yunhe Token can get the help of Cangji, and they will never fail. Until death." If I remember correctly, Senior Yunhezi established this regulation, and it was only within ten years that this token was minted for only three yuan."

Zhao Liangyue said: "Old Tang's intentions are obvious. He wants Senior Yunhezi to intervene in Dongyi's affairs. Moreover, Senior Yunhezi lives in the south of the Yangtze River and has great influence in the Jianghu. If he can help, it will definitely get twice the result with half the effort."

Xiang Mian thought of something when he heard the words, sighed, and said: "Although everyone is responsible for external troubles and internal troubles, in fact, if there is a choice, I hope that Senior Yun Hezi will never get involved in court affairs."

Zhao Liangyue naturally understood the meaning of Xiang Mian's words - the last disciple of Cangji Mountain, his teacher Wang Jue, went down to help the country and save the common people, but he ended up with a notorious end.

"I should go." Xiang Mian put away the token, and said to Zhao Liangyue, "Brother Zhao, when I return to Beijing at the end of the year, I will go to the Puyang Jieyuan Pavilion first. How about you pick us up in person?"

"Okay, I will definitely pick you up in person." Zhao Liangyue bowed his hands to Xiang Mian, and said earnestly, "Take care!"

"Take care of yourself!"

Xiang Mian raised his whip and galloped away.

Zhao Liangyue watched the people disappear completely before turning around and planning to return to the city.

At the gate of the city, Bandit Chu was waiting there, holding two candied haws in his hands.

"Xi Lin, try one?" When Zhao Liang got closer, Chu Bandit handed him a bunch of them showing off.

Zhao Liangyue looked at the sugar-coated red fruit suspiciously. His first reaction was that candied haws were eaten by children, and he was too old to eat candied haws. His second reaction was that he had never eaten candied haws at such a young age. For him at the time, this kind of thing that can't fill his stomach is destined not to belong to him, and later, he bought it for Youbai.

"Xilin, it's not sour, don't hesitate." Bandit Chu almost stuffed the bunch of candied haws into Zhao Liangyue's mouth as he spoke, "Brother, I've been picking for a long time, and the one I took must be the sweetest."

Zhao Liangyue turned his head back a little to prevent Chu Bandit from feeding him directly, then raised his hand to take the candied haws and took a bite.

Sweet, but also sour, it is unexpectedly delicious when mixed together, and has a special taste.

Zhao Liangyue couldn't help eating another one, and a small lump protruded from the cheek on the right. Chu Bandit thought it was cute, and wanted to poke it with his finger, but in order to ensure the peaceful coexistence of the next section of the road, he held back.

Zhao Liangyue said as he ate, "Brother Xiang said that the Yunhe Order has three yuan in total, senior brother got one piece and used it for the Ningzhou matter, Tang Lao got one piece and used it for the Dongyi matter, I don't know the rest Where would a piece be?"

Chu Bie smiled: "Cangji Mountain is not involved in government affairs, but the first two are in the capital, and the remaining one may also be there."

"But it can only be a guess, it can't be deduced." Zhao Liangyue thought for a while and asked, "Today the emperor summoned you to the Nuan Pavilion alone, but it was because of the matter of the two provinces under the sect?"

"Yeah, I still don't give up." Chu Bandit said, "When Senior Wang was there before, both Menxia Province and Zhongshu Province still had real power, but at that time, he saw hidden dangers, so it took a lot of effort to give The two provinces of Menxia and Zhongshu have formulated complete and detailed regulations, even if one day, as today, the real power is emptied by the prime minister, the basic functional framework of the two provinces can be retained, and it will not be too troublesome to use it again."

"But the key point is that it is difficult to return the real power to the two provinces now, and it is not the right time."

"Speaking of which, the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty are the most comfortable now, that is, Sima He, the commander of Zhongshu, and Shen Wenbin, the servant. They still get their salaries, and they don't have to go to the court. Just walk the birds and listen to the opera every day." Bandit Chu said that he was true to himself. The envy of the same.

Zhao Liangyue sighed lightly: "Senior brother, this is a joke. Zhongshu and his subordinates are still under the control of the Sima family and the Shen family, so they must be waiting for an opportunity."

While talking, the two had already walked from Donghua Gate to the long street at the junction of the east and the south of the city. Zhao Liangyue had finished eating the candied haws in his hand, so he couldn't help licking the corner of his mouth. Bandit Chu.

In fact, Zhao Liangyue himself also forgot when he had this habit, anyway, Chu Bandit was like a cat teasing a cat without giving him something, so he just stared at him.

Chu Bie smiled: "Why do you do this every time?" He said and handed the candied haws in his hand to Zhao Liangyue.

Zhao Liangyue took and bit one, and asked, "Brother, don't you want to eat?"

Bandit Chu rolled his eyes, and said, "Seeing that Xilin likes it, I will naturally leave it to Xilin."

Zhao Liangyue choked and ignored it.

This year was near Xiaoxue, and Emperor Ping Chong's insistence on restoring the functions of the Zhongshu and Menxia provinces failed because of Han Wenyun's obstruction in every possible way, but fortunately, the Yantie New Deal was successfully implemented in most areas. Taking back the power of salt and iron, even the prince can't intervene.

At the beginning of November, the evidence that the five generals of the Zhennan Army oppressed the people to occupy the farmland was sent to the Royal Case of the Nuange. At the same time, the news that the iron ore in Tang County had flowed into the border black market was also spread to the court by Zheng Xiu. Taking the opportunity to take the lead, he proposed to set up the Southwest Protectorate to manage the military and political affairs of the three southwestern states and border towns.

Throughout November, it was snowing all the time in Kyoto, the Nuan Pavilion and the Six Departments stayed up all night, Zhao Liangyue and Wei Xinglin even packed up a room in the government office to live in.

In fact, Wei Xinglin's physical condition has always been very poor. Mrs. Wei has long advised him to take a rest and live a few years of leisure, but he always smiled and agreed, and put on his official robes to go to court the next day, forgetting about his retirement.

The preparations for the Southwest Protectorate were complex and complicated. In fact, many places were very similar to the reforms launched by Wang Taboo back then. Although the officials didn't say it clearly, they all knew that among the veterans who participated in the reforms, those who died and walked away, Wei Xinglin He was considered one of the few senior officials still serving in the court, so naturally his participation in this matter was indispensable. Emperor Ping Chong granted three imperial physicians to take care of him.

That night, the room was still filled with the strong smell of herbs and coughing. Zhao Liangyue poured Wei Xinglin a bowl of chicken soup sent by Mrs. Wei in the afternoon.

Wei Xinglin looked up from a pile of accounts, and just about to say something, he coughed violently again, covered his mouth with a handkerchief, bowed his back deeply, and his shoulders trembled.

Zhao Liangyue put down the bowl, patted Wei Xinglin on the back lightly, and said, "Master Wei, rest first, the rest of the juniors will take care of it."

Wei Xinglin waved his hand and coughed for a while, when he took off the veil, the blood he coughed up was already black, Zhao Liangyue wanted to call the imperial physician in, but Wei Xinglin raised his hand to hold him back.

"You don't need to call." Wei Xinglin slowed down, took a sip of chicken soup with trembling hands, and smiled, "I'm already very old, so there's nothing I can't see. The only regret I have is that I can't help it." I saw the old case brought to light with my own eyes.”

Looking at Wei Xinglinqing's haggard face, Zhao Liangyue had mixed feelings for a moment.

Wei Xinglin raised his hand, Zhao Liangyue understood, and stepped forward to grind ink for him.

Wei Xinglin coughed a few more times, wanted to straighten his back but failed in the end, sighed, took a pen and dipped it in ink, and said to Zhao Liangyue: "Before the court, I have explained to you recently, now I want to keep it, It's two letters from home, ahem..."

Zhao Liangyue: "Master Wei, let's talk about it tomorrow."

"No need." Wei Xinglin signaled Zhao Liangyue to turn on the lights, and said, "Leave one for my wife and one for my eldest daughter."

The eldest daughter of Wei Xinglin is the current crown princess, with a fairy appearance, a beautiful appearance, and a bright intelligence. This is also one of the reasons why the Wei family can survive today.

Since it was a family letter, it was inconvenient for Zhao Liangyue to stay aside, so he got up and left after studying the ink.

"Xi Lin." Wei Xinglin called Zhao Liangyue hoarsely.

Zhao Liangyue turned his head, Wei Xinglin said: "It's cold outside, bring a cloak."

"Yes." Zhao Liangyue took his cloak and pushed the door out.

Outside the hall, the winter night was cold and bitter, Zhao Liangyue originally wanted to go to the duty room next to him, but as if he had a feeling in his heart, he stopped outside the door and did not move.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Liangyue raised his head inadvertently, and saw a black spot on a stone lamp in the courtyard.

Zhao Liangyue stepped on the snow and walked over, only to find that it was a flying insect. The flying insect was lying on the inner wall of the stone lamp, as if it wanted to gain some warmth from the light in this cold night.

In such a cold day, is there such a fragile little creature?

Zhao Liangyue lowered his head for a closer look, only to find that the flying insect was frozen here and died long ago.

Zhao Liangyue sighed lightly, raised his hand to check the light in the stone lamp, there was not much warmth to speak of.

The snow suddenly began to fall in the sky, rustling and falling, wiping the eyebrows and eyelashes, and melting on the tip of the nose.

Zhao Liangyue seemed to have returned to the day when the teacher left, and it was also such a heavy snow and such a silence.

At this time, there was a young boy coming in the snow at the gate of the hall, Zhao Liangyue recognized him, he was from the Wei residence, and he often sent some things over on Madam Wei's order.

The servant saluted Zhao Liangyue first, and then asked in a low voice: "Master Zhao, Mrs. Wei sent a young man to ask, will Master Wei go back tonight?"

Although Wei Xinglin lives in the government office all the time, he will go back every few days. Although it is inevitable that Mrs. Wei will chatter for a long time, Wei Xinglin always has a smile on his face when he comes back every other day.

Zhao Liangyue glanced at the boy, fell silent, and pushed open the door.

Suddenly, a strong wind blew in the snow all over the courtyard, and paper scrolls flew in the room.

And Wei Xinglin was in the middle, leaning against the back of the chair, closing his eyes at some point, with his head tilted on his shoulders, his face as calm as water.