His Majesty Li Er is a very courageous person. Since he has realized that he has made many mistakes over the years, and has neglected the arrangements of the people around him, he has made up his mind to wait until after the Eastern Expedition, no matter what obstacles he faces, They must be resolved one by one.
Although his physical strength has been somewhat weakened in the past two years, his energy has not been unsustainable. He took advantage of the power after the Eastern Expedition to solve many problems around him to avoid causing hidden dangers to those around him and causing trouble to his successors.
It's just that time waits for no time with all these threads...
Holding hands with Concubine Xu, he sat in front of the window and looked up at the stars in the sky. The anxiety in His Majesty Li Er's heart gradually calmed down. He looked sideways and saw the beautiful woman beside him with a picturesque face and charming face. He couldn't help but lean down gently and look at her. A gentle kiss on her smooth forehead.
"ah!"
Concubine Xu was startled, her pretty face turned pale, and she said in panic: "Your Majesty, you can't!"
His Majesty Li Er was depressed: "It's just a kiss, what's the big deal?"
Concubine Xu straightened her clothes, stepped back a little distance, bit her lip and said: "Your Majesty will pay homage to God Haotian the day after tomorrow and swear an oath to fight. It is time for you to fast and bathe for three days to show your sincerity. How could you do such an obscene thing?" Do you want to defile God? Even if I die, I will not let Your Majesty bear such a sin!"
Although the person is delicate and beautiful, her eyes are clear, her expression is solemn, and she is extremely determined.
His Majesty Li Er couldn't help but cover his forehead and said with a bitter smile: "Don't worry, my dear, I don't have any lustful thoughts. I just saw your picturesque appearance and calm temperament, which complemented the quiet night, so I felt love and pity for you. I couldn't help but kiss her, I had no regrets."
I feel a little irritated at the bottom of my heart. Once upon a time, I was a very beautiful person, and I was still very energetic in courting several women every night.
Now in front of the beautiful woman, my heart is so pure that there is no distracting thought...
Is it because a man’s virility has diminished as he gets older, or has he really reached a state where he is freed from carnal desires and needs more spiritual satisfaction?
Vaguely, he felt that perhaps the pills he often took had overstretched his physical strength. Although he felt more energetic and full of energy after taking it, after a while, he felt as if he had been drained of energy...
It’s just that it’s the critical moment of the Eastern Expedition right now. It takes an incredible amount of energy to command millions of soldiers and horses, so it’s better to take it for a while. Once you get through the Eastern Expedition, you can stop taking it. .
Concubine Xu's face turned red, her head lowered, not daring to meet His Majesty Li Er's eyes, and muttered: "I have made a mistake, I deserve death..."
Someone just kissed me to show my love, but I thought I was attracted to him... Maybe I would be misunderstood as a very emotional person.
How embarrassing is this?
Concubine Xu felt that her cheeks were on fire, her head was hanging tightly, her chin was almost buried in her chest, and she did not dare to raise her head.
When His Majesty Li Er saw her looking so ashamed, he smiled unconsciously, and the traces of depression in his heart relaxed.
It is a novel experience to hug the woman you love and say some intimate words in the middle of the night, with the stars in the sky, and enjoy this pure love.
After all, in the past, His Majesty Li Er always had the temperament to get straight to the point...
*****
The next morning, the sky was overcast and a light rain began to fall. The breeze blew and the coolness was refreshing.
There are still some facilities in Yuanqiu that have not yet been completed. The Ministry of War is responsible for guarding and keeping outsiders away, while the Ministry of Rites is responsible for improving all facilities. The two yamen are fully equipped and do not dare to slack off in the slightest.
Fang Jun was wearing a raincoat and a bamboo hat, riding on a horse to personally supervise the officials of the two yamen. Song Guogong Xiao Yu also rushed to the scene and urged his subordinates to do their best. Because Yuanqiu is outside Mingde Gate, next to the city gate.
In order to prevent people from destroying and causing trouble on the official road in the south, Fang Jun has ordered the Youtun guards to set up checkpoints in the middle of the road, and all people coming and going must undergo extremely strict inspections.
Because there were too many and rigorous checks, it took too long. There was a light rain, and there was a long line of pedestrians, cars and horses on the road. They moved forward slowly like turtles, quite like the "morning and evening rush hours" in later generations...
The rain was not heavy, but it was a steady patter.
Xiao Yu walked out of the tent on the side wearing a raincoat and came to Fang Jun's horse. He covered the rain with a bamboo hat and looked at the progress of the circle. He sighed and said: "It won't rain sooner or later, but at this time."
If it rains, tomorrow will be the ceremony to worship the heaven. It may be a bit unlucky to catch up with such a rain."
Fang Jun sat on the horse, feeling a little helpless.
Everyone is very superstitious these days. Almost all weather changes can be found to correspond to them, and they can be used to speculate on good or bad luck. Earthquakes, falling meteorites and other celestial phenomena can be linked to "the emperor's lack of morality", and even more
What's more, it rains continuously during the time of offering sacrifices to heaven and swearing an oath to the Lord?
If some people take advantage of it, it will easily cause a disturbance, which will affect the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony, and even the Eastern Expedition will be criticized...
But if it rains and the mother wants to get married, who can take care of it?
He once pretended to beg for rain in Lishan Mountain, but even after 1,500 years, human beings can only sow dry ice, silver iodide, salt powder and other catalysts into the clouds to accelerate rainfall, but there is no way to deal with the rain that is about to fall.
He doesn't even have the slightest ability...
Looking up at the sky, Fang Jun said worriedly: "The Taishi Bureau said that this rain will not last too long, but looking at the dense clouds, I am afraid it won't stop for a while. What if?
It’s really troublesome to affect the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony...”
Xiao Yu shook his head and said: "Those people in the Taishi Bureau usually just calculate the calendar. This prediction of rain and snow weather is just based on experience. The so-called divination is not reliable at all, and it is rarely accurate."
The two of them were talking. In the distance, Gao Kan, who was also wearing a raincoat, ran over from the checkpoint with a long stride. He didn't care about getting splashed with mud and water. He came to Fang Junma and saluted: "Commander Qi, over there at the checkpoint."
There are too many people blocked, and someone wants to pass first, I wonder if they can be allowed to pass?"
Fang Jun said angrily: "There are so many military orders, how can they be changed? Even if the princes and princes come, they have to queue up and wait for interrogation. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, who can afford it? No matter who it is, there is no reason to pass first!
"
When setting up the checkpoints, Fang Jun issued a strict order, no matter who they are, they must be treated equally, otherwise there are as many powerful people in Chang'an City as dogs. This one is trying to gain face, and the other is being accommodating. Wouldn't this level be in vain?
Furthermore, the purpose of setting up checkpoints is to prevent anyone from damaging the facilities in the circle. If everyone is allowed to do so, who can take the responsibility if something goes wrong?
Gao Kan usually works hard, but today he is so confused...
Seeing Fang Jun's unkind expression, Gao Kan was frightened. He raised his hand and wiped his face, not knowing whether it was sweat or rain, and said cautiously: "Commander, he is the driver of Princess Changle. He said he was going to the Taoist temple in Zhongnan Mountain to pray for His Majesty.
, so I feel that I should inform you..."
If he really was a relative of a prince, Gao Kan would not run over and ask Fang Jun.
But he had vaguely heard about the scandal between his commander-in-chief and Princess Changle. Although he didn't know whether it was true or not, it was spread everywhere. He would rather believe it than believe it. If the rumor was true, he would change Changle's life. The princess was left aside and ignored, and she might have to wear her own handsome shoes from now on...
Fang Jun was stunned: "Princess Changle?"
Why is this guy going to Zhongnan Mountain? When can't he pray, but when it rains? What a nonsense.
Xiao Yu, who was on the side, smiled and said to Gao Kan: "Your commander-in-chief has always enforced the law impartially and upright, but in fact, what kind of powerful people are you? Who cares about Princess Changle, Princess Jinyang, go back and answer the question quickly, and you have to speak honestly." There is no favoritism in waiting in line!”
Fang Jun was speechless.
You're so idle, old thing, aren't you? It's really disrespectful of you to do such pranks at such an old age...
She straightened the bamboo hat on her head and said solemnly: "Princess Changle rushed to the Taoist Temple in Zhongnan Mountain in the rain to pray for His Majesty. Her filial piety is commendable, but how can it be compared with the power and wealth of ordinary dignitaries? As human ministers, I should do my best to assist His Highness Changle and not hinder His Highness from fulfilling his filial piety... and lead the way."
Xiao Yu looked at Fang Jun's nonsense with a smile, stroking his beard and said quietly: "Erlang Gong is loyal to the country and loyal. He is really a model of courtiers. I only hope that in the future, His Majesty will think so too and will not wrong you. Loyal minister of the Tang Dynasty."
These words are both a tease and a reminder.
After all, Princess Changle's identity is different, and her status in His Majesty Li Er's mind is even more unique. If she has anything to do with her, you can imagine how furious His Majesty Li Er will be.