After meeting Wang Wei, Xue Bai guessed that Princess Yuzhen had returned to Chang'an City. She had palaces in Luoyang, Wangwushan and other places.
Presumably Master Qixuan also returned from traveling with her.
After leaving the wine shop and walking to the Yuzhen Temple, the scene was indeed different from usual. There were many more carriages, horses and guards in front of the door.
Xue Bai still went to the side door and knocked. The person who came to greet him was a female crown he had never seen before.
"I've met a real person. I'll pay my respects to Teng Kongzi."
"You're such a young man, you dare to come to Yuzhen Temple to hook up with me."
"The real person has misunderstood. Teng Kongzi and I are good friends."
Nu Guan waved him in and led him to the guest house in person. She smiled and said, "I don't understand, who is not a 'friend'? Do you think that Tong Kongzi is a monk who devotes himself to Taoism, but he has a friend like you?"
As she talked along the way, her tone was natural and friendly, with a hint of teasing. When she arrived at the guest house, she drifted away.
Xue Bai waited for a while, and Li Tengkong came.
Not seen for many days, she lost some weight and looked a little thin.
"You came to see Master to diagnose Miss Yan's illness, right? Master doesn't live here, he just returned to Chang'an, and went to Zhongnan Mountain yesterday. I left a prescription for replenishing the heart's qi and blood. You can take it first. You come with me."
After saying that, Li Tengkong turned around and took Xue Bai to the alchemy room with a somewhat businesslike attitude.
"Can I go to Zhongnan Mountain to pay a visit to Master Qi Xuan?"
"Do you want to go?" Li Tengkong looked up and seemed a little surprised, and said calmly for a moment: "If you want to go, find a time and I will take you there."
"That's it, thank you very much."
"I heard that you were imprisoned again?"
Xue Bai said: "I came today to say thank you. Thank you very much for..."
"No."
Li Tengkong was a little flustered, secretly annoyed that Jiao Nu was talking nonsense again.
She turned her back, pushed open the door of the alchemy room, and said: "I just went back because of some family matters. I learned about your matter, so I asked a few questions, but I couldn't help at all."
While talking, she walked to the medicine stove and quickly changed the topic.
"This recipe can be made into pills. I'm almost done with it. Can you wait a moment?"
"Okay." Xue Bai said: "Whether you help or not, if you ask for help on my behalf and you are ridiculed, I should always thank you."
"You still said."
After all, Li Tengkong is a girl's concern. Recently, he has been scolded by the eleventh mother every day, and then envied the fourteenth mother. After returning to the Taoist temple, he was teased for dating a man... In short, he has messed up his Taoist mind.
This was all because of Xue Bai, and she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed with him. At this time, she finally said something. She didn't blame him, but it seemed like a flirtation between a man and a woman.
But after she reacted, she felt that something was wrong and she quickly stabilized her Taoist mind.
"Ahem, I am a practicing person and I will not be disturbed by idle talk."
Xue Bai smiled.
Li Tengkong glanced secretly and couldn't help but asked: "Have you heard about my fourteenth sister?"
"I heard that Du Wei and I have several friends in common."
"Really? What do you think?"
"Everyone has his own ambitions."
In Xue Bai's view, Du Wei's promising future will be implicated by the Li family, and he will definitely not do such a stupid thing.
Li Tengkong flattened his mouth in dissatisfaction and cursed in his mind.
"Motivated ghost."
"What did you say?"
"Ah? I didn't say anything..."
~~
After taking the elixir and walking to the corridor, I heard the melodious sound of a piano.
Under the peach tree on the other side of the Yimen, a graceful girl is playing the piano.
"I also have to learn music." Xue Bai whispered to himself.
Now this emperor is good at music, and having this skill with him will greatly help his future. For example, Ge Nu is good at music.
Just as Li Tengkong was about to speak, a child of five or six years old ran from the corridor, followed by four maids.
"Senior sister, can I go to the alchemy room to play?"
"Go ahead."
The child climbed over the threshold with a smile, raised his head, and tried hard to smell the scent of the medicinal materials.
He is very handsome, so both his parents must be very good-looking.
It was rumored that Princess Yuzhen had a son even though she was unmarried, so Xue Bai asked in a low voice: "Is it Princess Yuzhen's son?"
Li Tengkong was asked something in his ear. He was a little nervous and nodded.
At this time, Nv Guan, who was playing the qin, heard the noise, stood up with the qin in her arms, and walked towards this side.
Xue Bai originally thought she was Princess Yuzhen, but then she realized that the crown was a girl of fifteen or sixteen years old, with a beautiful appearance and as gorgeous as a peach or plum.
"Take space."
"Ji Lanzi."
Li Jilan agreed, somewhat curious about the relationship between the two, and couldn't help but ask: "Who is this?"
"Xue Bai."
"It turns out it was Xue Lang in person."
Li Jilan's eyes lit up, and he bowed generously and said: "I also love to read Xue Lang's poems. Lang Jun used 'Qingyu Case' as a poem sign, which means 'A beauty gave me a beautiful paragraph, how can I repay the Qingyu Case'?"
?”
As she spoke, she took two steps forward and stared at Xue Bai affectionately from the corners of her eyes, as if she was interested in him. But in fact, she just loved poetry. She had a pair of peach blossom eyes, and her every frown and smile made people feel beautiful.
Although she is still an ignorant and simple girl, she is born with the appearance of beauty and disaster.
Xue Bai didn't know the poem she was talking about, so he replied: "It's just a random name."
"It's really a gentleman's style. Xue Lang just named her casually and it has such artistic conception. I'm lucky enough to meet you today. Can Lang Jun give me some advice on the little girl's poems?"
"Ahem." Li Tengkong said hurriedly: "He still has something to do, so he has to leave now."
While talking, he pulled Xue Bai out with some vigilance.
Li Jilan followed a few steps and wanted to talk to them, but Li Tengkong was in a hurry, so he had to give up.
…
Li Tengkong saw off the guests and returned to the alchemy room. Princess Yuzhen was playing with her son while Li Jilan stood aside and talked.
"He is really a romantic man in Chang'an. No wonder even the saints appreciate him."
"What? Has Fan Xin been moved?"
"My disciple just admires his talent."
While talking, Li Jilan turned around and saw Li Tengkong coming, and said: "Tengkong, we are talking about your good friend, 'Li Taibai in heaven, Mr. Xue on earth'."
Hearing these words, Li Tengkong was startled, and when he looked around, he saw that Li Jilan's cheeks were slightly red, and her almond-shaped eyes were filled with emotion, as if she was in love with spring.
She knew she looked like this, but she was still worried that her Xue Bai would be taken away, so she forgot to answer for a moment.
Princess Yuzhen looked around and saw that one of the two apprentices was like a lotus and the other was like a peach blossom, complementing each other and she couldn't help but smile.
"Ji Lan, go and sort out your poem manuscript. When you are free, I will invite Xue Bai to a banquet and comment on it for you."
"Really? Thank you Supreme Master."
Li Jilan looked happy, bowed and left.
Princess Yuzhen put down the naughty child in her arms, let him play by himself, and invited Li Tengkong to come forward and talk.
"Don't argue with Ji Lan, she has no scheming, she just looks at Youye."
It was only recently that Princess Yuzhen returned from Wangwu Mountain with Li Jilan. Knowing that the apprentices were not familiar with each other yet, she sighed and talked about Li Jilan's life experience.
"She is the daughter of Li Hua, the head of the Ministry of Industry. Although Li Hua was not a high-ranking official, he was well-known for his articles and was an upright and serious person. When Ji Lan was six years old, he was playing in the courtyard and wrote a poem about the rose, saying, 'The time has not yet settled, and the mind is in chaos.
"Zongheng", Li Hua thought that his daughter knew how to get married at a young age, and was afraid that she would ruin the family tradition, so he sent her to this Taoist temple."
After hearing this, Li Tengkong sighed: "Ji Lanzi is a poor person."
"And you, being on guard against our fellow disciples and being cowardly, are just letting such a young man be snatched away by outsiders."
"Disciple does not..."
"I'm just asking you, do you really want to marry him? If you are willing, just nod your head and I will make the decision for you. If you continue to be coy, don't blame others in the future."
Li Tengkong looked up and saw that Princess Yuzhen had put her hands on her shoulders, her expression was free and easy, and her eyes were encouraging.
But she was panicked, at a loss, and asked herself secretly, what kind of path was she practicing now.
~~
Xue Bai left Yuzhen Temple, thought about it, and instead of going to Yan's house, he went to Chang'an County Yamen to find Yan Zhenqing.
"Teacher, these are the pills given by Master Qi Xuan. Let Sanniang replenish her heart's energy and blood first."
Yan Zhenqing took the porcelain vase, was silent for a while, turned around and pulled out a stack of old manuscripts, and handed them to Xue Bai.
"Look at my travel papers from my youth."
"Thank you teacher."
"How are you preparing for the annual exam?"
“Students feel that their writing and calligraphy have improved.”
"Illusion." Yan Zhenqing commented mercilessly.
He stroked his beard and pondered, and said: "Tomorrow, after I have completed my studies at the Imperial College, I will go with you to see someone."
"yes."
Xue Bai was a little curious. After waiting for a while, Yan Zhenqing didn't say anything. Instead, he asked: "You haven't caused any trouble recently?"
"No." Xue Bai said, "If anything happens, I will tell the teacher in advance."
"That's good."
Yan Zhenqing was still nodding, but then he heard this man ask another question.
"Teacher, do you know that Wang Zhongsi, the military governor of the four towns, has returned to the court?"
"Are you overthinking things again?"
"I will not cause trouble. This matter has nothing to do with me." Xue Bai emphasized again, and then continued to ask: "But for Stone Castle City?"
Yan Zhenqing asked, "Where did you get the news?"
"There is talk in teahouses and restaurants. It is said that the saint has decided to take Shibao City and issued an edict to consult on the strategy."
This matter is indeed no longer a secret, but it has nothing to do with many people in Chang'an City, so only a few people who pay attention to current affairs are discussing it.
Yan Zhenqing could tell at a glance that Xue Bai's inquiry was not without purpose, and coldly snorted: "How do you want to treat me?"
"I dare to ask teacher, is it possible to avoid the battle in Stone Castle City?"
"I'm afraid that Wang Zhongsi's return to the court will not be able to stop this matter."
"Since we must fight, the student may have a weapon that he wants to give to Wang Zhongsi. What does the teacher think?"
"How brave." Yan Zhenqing scolded him immediately.
As soon as he heard it, he understood that if the weapon was useful, and Xue Bai did not mention dedicating it to the saint, it would be equivalent to giving part of the saint's favor to Wang Zhongsi.
Why is this? Make friends with the generals.
Xue Bai was also testing. Seeing the teacher's reaction, he knew that this move was too risky and responded: "The student is wrong. It is dedicated to the saint."
"What kind of weapon is it?"
Yan Zhenqing asked out of concern. After a moment, he realized that he could not compete with the students and waved his hand, "Every time you have strange ideas, you don't have to show me..."
"Teacher, please look."
Xue Bai had unfolded a scroll in front of him, catching him off guard.
"This is... a catapult?"
"The students guessed that today's catapults can still be improved. The range and power of this heavy-weighted catapult may be increased several times. I named it 'Boulder Cannon'. What does the teacher think?"
"The name is good, but the drawing is too sloppy. If you only rely on this drawing, it won't be possible."
"Students only have a rough understanding of it, and currently only have preliminary ideas. Whether it will be used for specific purposes, whether it can be made, and how to make it, we still have to discuss it with the craftsmen."
"You know how to communicate with me beforehand?"
"That's right. The teacher told the students to be safe, and the students listened, so they came here to ask if this is possible?"
Yan Zhenqing stood up, twirling his beard, thinking, and pacing back and forth.
It sounds simple to present weapons, but in this situation, it is bound to be involved in a power struggle. But if it is true to what this boy said, the range and power will be increased several times, which may save the lives of many soldiers of the Tang Dynasty.
Finally, Yan Zhenqing made up his mind and said, "It's feasible."
"Aren't the students causing trouble?"
"Do you know any skilled craftsmen?"
"Still searching."
~~
The next day, the sound of reading could be heard in the Imperial College.
Du Wulang leaned over and asked Xue Bai in a low voice: "Can you go to Fengwei Building today? Madam Daxi wants to express her gratitude to you."
"busy."
Xue Bai concentrated on studying and without looking back reached out his hand to push Du Wulang's head away.
Du Wulang thought that the official positions of his relatives and friends had been arranged, but he and Xue Bai had not even obtained Jinshi. This was indeed inappropriate, so he decided to study hard.
"A gentleman is filial to his relatives, so his loyalty can be transferred to the king..."
I don't know when I fell asleep again.
When I woke up, the class was over and everyone else had left. Yang Xuan, who was sitting in front, was sleeping soundly, and Xue Bai was packing away pens, ink, paper and inkstones.
"Let's go."
"There is a cultural banquet today, do you want to go together?"
"Okay, how can Wen Yan miss me? Who is there?"
"I don't know."
When he was about to leave the Yimen, Du Wulang suddenly reminded Xue Bai to look at the person outside the door and murmured in a low voice.
"Have you seen that old man? The son of the state offered wine to Duke Wei, whose name was "Shu", Jingzhao Weishi. He was appointed as the prince's concubine, Yinqing Guanglu doctor, bachelor of Jixian Palace, and compiled the tenth history of the state.
Yu Nian, this is the first time we meet you, right?"
Xue Bai looked around and saw Wei Shu, who was sixty years old and had a gray beard. He was leading a donkey and was putting books into the bag on the donkey's back.
After putting down the scroll, Wei Shu raised his feet, but failed to get on the donkey's back. He was old, very fat and clumsy. He turned around to see the two disciples and waved.
"Come, give me a hand."
Xue Bai then and Du Wulang stepped forward and helped the sacrificial wine man onto the donkey's back.
Wei Shu sat down, looked at Xue Bai, and asked, "Are you Xue Bai, whose literary talent fluctuates between high and low?"
"Students are exactly that."
"Haha, Yan Qingchen invited me, you and I are going to the same place, let's go."
"..."
Du Wulang couldn't help but glared again.
Previously, when I was drinking with Dr. Siye, a big Chunwei case had already arisen. It only subsided for a few days, but now I had to go drinking with the priest again.
What will happen if another major Qiu Wei case occurs?
~~
As a dignified prince of the country, Wei Shu's house was very large, and he was a leading figure in literature and history in the world.
But when you look inside, Wei's house has the same open and simple style as Xue's house.
Wei Shu did not do it because of gambling, but because his family had a collection of more than 20,000 volumes of books, all of which he bought and personally edited and published.
There are also hundreds of volumes of authentic cursive manuscripts since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, ancient steles, ancient utensils, prescriptions, formats, money records, seal records, etc., as well as contemporary famous meter inscriptions, all of which are prepared.
The old man showed off all the way, and when he entered the lobby, he called the old servant to buy wine.
Not long after, four middle-aged people came together, two of them were Yan Zhenqing and Zheng Qian, and the other two were both in their thirties.
"Haha, Xue Bai is already here, and the Qing officials have arrived, so we have gathered 'Han Yu' together." Wei Shu put his hands on his hands and laughed, "Let's invite the two young ones to greet him."
Everyone laughed.
Yan Zhenqing was older and was not polite and introduced his two friends.
"Xiao Yingshi, courtesy name Maoting, known as 'Master Xiao' and 'Mr. Wenyuan', is the Xiao family in Lanling, a descendant of the Nanliang clan, and the seventh grandson of King Poyang. He wrote essays at the age of four, studied for the Imperial Academy at the age of ten, and became the number one scholar at the age of nineteen.
, I started my career as a secretary, and now I am appointed as the school director of Jixian Hall."
"Li Hua, courtesy name Uncle Xia, is the Li family of Zhao County. He was a Jinshi at the age of 20. He lived in seclusion for many years, became a scholar of erudite studies, and was promoted to secretary of the Provincial School. Now he is the director of the Ministry of Industry. The two of them are collectively known as 'Xiao'
Li's literary name is famous all over the world."
"This is Xue Bai, a bad disciple. His talent is mediocre. You haven't met these two gentlemen yet?"
"Student Xue Bai, I have met sir."
"Don't be too polite." Li Hua said: "Master Xiao and I very much agree with your article. At that time, the humanities were too complicated..."
~~
Previously, Du Wei had told Xue Bai how to follow the Qingyun Righteous Path in eight steps. It would be difficult to understand without examples.
And these people in front of me are examples.
The earliest among them was a Jinshi at the age of nineteen, and the latest, Yan Zhenqing, was in high school at the age of twenty-five. All of them were first appointed as school secretary, orthographer, and county magistrate... They all worked towards becoming important ministers of the country.
Wei Shu is today's leading literary and historical figure; Yan Zhenqing's future achievements need not be mentioned; Zheng Qian was favored by the emperor and was called "the three masters"; "Xiao and Li" jointly advocated ancient prose and set a precedent for the eight great masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties.
Unfortunately, Li Linfu controlled the situation and blocked their way to become prime ministers, and then the world was in turmoil.
But they are all geniuses, and they are taking the safest path that only geniuses can take.
This is when Yan Zhenqing showed his connections to Xue Bai, truly recognizing this disciple.
…
"This scoundrel's talent is not bad. If Wei Gong doesn't believe it, you can give him a try."
"Since the Qing minister has opened his mouth, how can I not believe it? It's rare to get together today, let's have a drink and talk about the article."
Being together with a group of geniuses, Xue Bai also felt pressure.
However, he has even lobbied for poetry and Buddha, and today he will not forget to make friends with officials and work together to make progress.
After a round of drinking, he set his sights on Li Hua.
"Master Li works in the Ministry of Industry?"
"good."
"The student has a weapon that he wants to offer to the saint. I wonder if Master Li would be interested in it?"
Although Li Hua was selected as a Jinshi at the age of twenty, he was very unlucky. He waited for many years and did not wait for the imperial examination. He was released after he was over thirty years old. He is still on the ninth rank.
He recently heard that three people in Jinke Chunwei directly replaced the county captain and secretary after passing the official selection.
"If there is anything the Ministry of Industry can do to help, Mr. Xue will just ask."
